And the winner is…
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its transportation infrastructure investment in the United States.
Some excerpts from the topic paper (written by Wisconsin’s own Nick Bubb) on potential affirmative areas:
Dams/Levees – Many dams and Levees need significant maintenance and upgrading. Some levees and dams are under the direct control of the federal government, while others are under local control. ―In the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, Congress passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007. The Act required the establishment and maintenance of an inventory of all federal levees, as well as those non-federal levees for which information is voluntarily provided by state and local government agencies. The inventory is intended to be a comprehensive, geospatial database that is shared between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the states. Potential affirmatives could call on the federal government to directly repair federally owned levees and dams or offer assistance to towards local communities to repair locally owned levees and dams.
Bridges – Bridges in the United States are built, maintained, and are funded with a mixture of state and federal dollars. Many of those bridges are in disrepair. Potential affirmatives could call for the federal government to increase in funding devoted to bridges in an effort to improve the condition of existing structures.
High Speed Rail – Passenger rail has long been on the decline in the United States. This decline has promoted excessive automobile and airline traffic. While the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act offered funds to create high-speed rail projects around the country, several Governors have refused funding. Additionally, long-term funding beyond the stimulus does not exist. Potential Affirmatives could call for the federal government to increase its commitment to developing a high-speed rail network across the United States, creating a long-term commitment.
Download and read the entire topic paper here.
