ICYMI: Davids Celebrates Passage of Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, Millions of Jobs, Billions of Dollars for Kansas

On Tuesday, Representative Sharice Davids joined local leaders from across the Kansas Third District to celebrate passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which is expected to bring $3.8 billion to Kansas for infrastructure needs from roads and bridges to high-speed internet and public transit. The event was widely attended by members of the local labor community, business leaders, climate advocates, elected officials, and more—all applauding Davids' work to pass this much-needed infrastructure legislation.

Local and national media covered this exciting news for the Kansas Third:

KMBC: Kansas and Missouri could get $14 billion from the new federal infrastructure bill

"The plan has money for roads, bridges, even water quality improvements. Davids, the democrat from the Kansas side of the Kansas City metro is the vice chair of the House Transportation Committee. She's worked on the infrastructure project all year.

‘I just think we're going to see inter-generational change in our infrastructure,' Davids said.

Kansas is set to receive $3.9 billion, mostly for highways. However, there is money in the plan to increase [broadband] internet coverage. Internet accessibility is a problem in the rural and poor areas of both states. The bill will add plans for widening the 167th street interchange to the Kansas state plan. The widening is needed to accommodate the rising volume of traffic on highway 69."

AP: Democrats sell infrastructure bill, push for Biden backup

"Traffic whizzing behind her, Rep. Sharice Davids gathered reporters at a transportation facility along U.S. 69 in eastern Kansas this week to celebrate the surge of federal money headed in her state's direction.

The massive infrastructure package passed last week means $2.6 billion for Kansas roads — some of the largest investments in them since President Dwight D. Eisenhower, once a Kansan himself, supported the construction of the national highway system in the 1950s.

‘I think that a lot of us recognize, just like President Eisenhower did, that infrastructure is a key to long-term economic growth,' said Davids, who proudly declared herself a ‘born-again transportation enthusiast.'"

KSHB: Kansas expected to get $3.8 billion for infrastructure needs

"$2.6 billion will go to highways, including projects on Highway 69, $272 million is allocated for public transportation options like KCATA buses.

There's also money set aside for bridges, broadband internet, flood mitigation, water infrastructure, and airports.

Congresswoman Sharice Davids says the infrastructure bill is not absolutely perfect, but it is absolutely necessary.

‘The Kansas City region is absolutely vital as a transportation hub, as the home of the second largest rail hub in the country, the intermodal and logistics operations that happen here. Investments in this region are crucial to the economic vitality of our entire country.'"

KCTV: Davids supports infrastructure legislation

"Davids will join other local leaders to talk about what this means for Kansas. She voted in support of the legislation.

And let's take a look at an estimate of what Kansas could get from the bill. This is based on past funding levels from federal legislation.

$2.6 billion dollars for federal aid highway apportioned programs. These fund KDOT projects like US 69.

$454 million to improve water infrastructure and ensure, clean safe, drinking water in all communities.

$272 million to improve public transportation options.

$225 million for bridge replacement and repair."

Wyandotte Daily: Davids says bipartisan infrastructure bill will bring billions to Kansas, create millions of jobs

"The Davids-backed bipartisan infrastructure bill passed into law last week marks the largest investment in America's physical infrastructure in generations, creating an estimated 2 million jobs a year for the next decade.

The bill is paid for through a combination of new revenues and savings and has been called the most fiscally responsible infrastructure bill in at least a decade by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce."

For more information on the expected impact on Kansas, see fact sheet here, Davids' op-ed in the Kansas City Star here, and statements of support from Kansas City-area leaders here.