Investing in Infrastructure: Bridging all the Gaps
Posted by Marcia Avner on August 11th, 2007
Infrastructure needs have our attention now! The collapse of the 35W
Economic and social Nonprofits know that there is an even bigger picture of infrastructure collapse than the ones that led the international news for days. Not only our physical infrastructure, but also our economic and social systems have hairline cracks, and overload stress, and huge gaps. The individuals, families, and communities that nonprofits serve and for whom nonprofits advocate have experienced systems gaps and failures for many years, and especially since the budget cuts of 2003.
Nonprofits force the discussion of all systems The bridge that collapsed shocked all of us into a new understanding of how frail systems may be. The overarching transportation crisis triggers a debate on the role and responsibilities of government. Nonprofits can play an essential role in ensuring that the dialogue in a legislative session and beyond is a big picture debate. The discussions about bridges and roads need to be framed in the context of the ways in which all systems have frayed. Nonprofits can provoke and inspire a re-imagining of what our state can be if all systems get the attention they need. It will require us to talk about fair and adequate taxes. People are willing to be taxed if they know what their money will prevent or provide. It will require us to provide information about the cost effective and strategic ways to meet human and community needs. But without our voices, it won’t happen.