03/09/2017: American infrastructure stinks
Mar 9, 2017

03/09/2017: American infrastructure stinks

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If you're listening to our show in your car, or on the train, or while looking at a dam, we probably don't need to tell you: American infrastructure is not great. In fact, thanks to the American Society of Civil Engineers' annual report card, we know it's just this side of failing: D+ this year. President Donald Trump has promised to fix the country's infrastructure in part with tax incentives and public-private partnerships. We'll look at how that works. Then: We've learned more about how Trump plans to fund his big defense boost: by cutting about $6 billion from Housing and Urban Development. Plus, a commercial drone industry begets an anti-drone industry.

Segments From this episode

A public-private approach to improving infrastructure

Mar 9, 2017
Washington lawmakers differ on many issues but agree on the need to improve infrastructure here in the U.S. The American Society of Civil Engineers, in its annual report card today, gave America a D+ in overall infrastructure — roads, bridges, levies and the like. President Donald Trump has promised to improve that infrastructure and says […]

Affordable housing advocates lament reports of HUD budget axe

Mar 9, 2017
City and state agencies that provide vouchers and housing subsidies for low-income residents could be hit hard by proposed deep cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to the Washington Post. It reports documents it obtained show $6 billion in cuts to the agency in the Trump administration’s budget outline. About $1.3 […]

Telemundo actors vote to unionize

Mar 9, 2017
For the first time in 65 years, actors at a major TV network have held a union election. The actors? Stars of the wildly popular telenovelas airing on NBC Universal’s Telemundo network. The vote still needs to be certified, but assuming that happens, the performers will be joining Hollywood’s SAG-AFTRA union with the hopes of […]

New signs of slowdown in foreign travel to the US

Mar 9, 2017
Trump's America-first rhetoric is behind the fall, experts say.
Travel research firm Tourism Economics expects the number of international travelers to fall by nearly 2 million, costing business $2.5 billion. Above, a Saudia airlines crew arrives at Dulles International Airport.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

Why we need anti-drone technology

Mar 9, 2017
Journalist Douglas Starr says 'regulations are lagging behind the technology that we need.'
The number of drones piloted by hobbyists has increased considerably since 2013, but more consumer drones could put us at risk, Douglas Starr says.
JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images

How Putin's and Trump's economic messages are similar

Mar 9, 2017
And why the message of the 'elites' vs. 'the common man' might be dangerous.
Traditional Russian wooden nesting dolls depicting President Donald Trump, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin in a central Moscow gift shop.
ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images

If you’re listening to our show in your car, or on the train, or while looking at a dam, we probably don’t need to tell you: American infrastructure is not great. In fact, thanks to the American Society of Civil Engineers’ annual report card, we know it’s just this side of failing: D+ this year. President Donald Trump has promised to fix the country’s infrastructure in part with tax incentives and public-private partnerships. We’ll look at how that works. Then: We’ve learned more about how Trump plans to fund his big defense boost: by cutting about $6 billion from Housing and Urban Development. Plus, a commercial drone industry begets an anti-drone industry.

Music from the episode

Fever Dream B Datassette
Fever Dream B Datassette
Tidal Wave Thee Oh Sees
Andy Last Dinosaurs