Dallas must get every penny of federal infrastructure funds

Dallas is an aging city, and there is little question that taxpayers here will never be able to pay enough from property and sales taxes alone to catch up with the backlog of maintenance that we have.

Residents complain, and rightly so, about our streets, sidewalks, alleys and traffic lights, among any number of other concerns that, every bond program, we chip away at even as more potholes open up and more sidewalks crumble.

For that reason, we are supportive of a plan from Mayor Eric Johnson to set up a working group to coordinate efforts to capture as much money as Dallas can from three key federal infrastructure programs.

Johnson has set up any number of task forces around a variety of issues. And while we worry about the goal and purpose of some of these task forces, and whether they are duplicating work better done by city staff, this one appears much needed and correctly set up.

It will be led by Alan Cohen, who has done important work leading the Child Poverty Action Lab. Cohen gave us assurances that he is working closely with leaders in City Hall with the goal of coordinating efforts to leverage existing city funds to win the greatest share possible of available federal funds.

The money at stake here comes from the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed in November 2021, to invest in water, roads, high-speed internet, bridges and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, among other areas. There is also money from the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act that could come to Dallas.

Cities that are prepared are going to get a greater share of these funds. As Cohen told us, this isn’t a one-off opportunity like a bond program. It is a chance to improve the city’s overall infrastructure for coming generations.

Cohen estimates Dallas’ potential share of formula funds at around $4 billion. That adds up to about four bond programs if we borrow to the hilt.

The city cannot afford to miss out on getting every penny we can capture. For that reason, having an organized approach, with a focused working group, makes a lot of sense.

It will work best if it is wholly connected to the ongoing work of city staff and aligned with our strategic plans. The working group must also ensure that elected representatives are delivering input from their constituencies.

Cohen has offered assurances that he is already prioritizing that coordination.

With that, we wish him luck. Dallas needs this effort to be successful to secure a bright and prosperous future.

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