White House Releases Details For Each State In $2.3 Trillion Infrastructure Proposal

The White House released some details Monday about President Joe Biden's $2.3 trillion infrastructure proposal, including its impact on Oklahoma.

President Joe Biden met with members of Congress from both parties Monday, as he works to get support following criticism of the plan from Republicans, and some Democrats.  

White House on Monday released what it calls "fact sheets" for every state, highlighting different problems.  

Oklahoma’s fact sheet says, “Since 2011, commute times have increased by 7.7% in Oklahoma and on average, each driver pays $394 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair.” 

No specific projects were listed in the fact sheets.  Most states were given a letter grade for their infrastructure, but Oklahoma did not. No state received an “A” or “B.” 

Governor Kevin Stitt called the plan a "liberal slush fund.” 

A document tailored to the Sooner State released by the White House Monday said in Oklahoma there are more than 2,300 bridges and about 1,000 miles of highway in "poor condition." 

The document also mentioned the impact of Oklahoma weather on the infrastructure, saying, "From 2010 to 2020, Oklahoma has experienced 46 extreme weather events, costing the state up to $20 billion in damages." 

But the American Jobs Plan outlines much more than road and bridge work. 

The $2.3 trillion dollar package also addresses things like drinking water, housing, broadband internet, care for children and the elderly and veterans’ health. The plan would be paid for, largely, by hiking corporate taxes. 

In a statement, Governor Kevin Stitt said, "It is disappointing that despite promising bipartisanship, the Biden Administration is set on forcing through a $2.3 trillion liberal slush fund that spends less than 6% on roads and bridges." 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called that figure "ridiculous."  

While road work continues across the state, so does the debate about just how much work should be done in the future.  

News On 6 contacted ODOT and the local Veterans Affairs office for reaction to the plan, and neither agency provided public comment.