While Congressional Republicans take issue with President Biden’s extensive infrastructure plan, Oklahoma Congressman Kevin Hern is fighting for more local control over local infrastructure projects.
He used a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Green Lake Bridge near Vera in Washington County to highlight such local control.
Rep. Hern, writing in a letter to constituents said it was important to the founders of the United States.
“Our founding fathers knew the importance of infrastructure – every great civilization before us has imploded because of a failure to maintain infrastructure – and they were determined to prevent that in America,” wrote Rep. Hern.
He wants more roads and bridges like the new one near Vera and vowed to advocate for local governments to have more control over their own infrastructure.
At the same time, the Republican congressman from Tulsa complained of the nation’s slow economic recovery from the pandemic and blamed it on President Biden’s policies.
“Everywhere you look, ‘Help Wanted’ signs are windows. More than a year after COVID-19 shutdowns began, our small businesses are still struggling to recover. Local restaurants, shops, gas stations, and more are struggling to hire employees because workers are still incentivized to stay home,” wrote Hern in his newsletter.
