Arizona needs to Build Back Better

The Biden Build Back Better agenda is “an ambitious plan to create jobs, cut taxes, and lower costs for working families – all paid for by making the tax code fairer and making the wealthiest and large corporations pay their fair share” (WH.GOV). With this ambitious agenda, the Biden administration and the democratic party plan to lower the cost of childcare, higher education, drug prescriptions, health care and housing. 

With recent heat waves, droughts, and wildfires, Biden’s Build Back Better Act will assist in implementing new sustainable practices, greener and cleaner energy, while also creating jobs. By attempting to achieve U.S. net-zero by 2050, Biden’s agenda, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal and Reconciliation Package, will increase energy efficiency, reduce the cost of clean energy, and make investments in a cleaner economy all while keeping costs low for consumers by recognizing the high costs of inaction. By passing this agenda, Congress will not only have to put aside differences, but understand the value of investing in the future.  

On September 20, 2021, the Seidman Research Institute, an associate of Arizona State University, released a final report regarding the Economic Impact of the Proposed Budget Reconciliation Bill in Arizona, 2022-2040 (Hoffman et. al., 2021). Seidman estimates that Arizona could receive up to $83.6 billion from the 3.5 trillion Budget Reconciliation Bill and an estimated 100,000 jobs generated per year for a decade. A possible $3,300 per year in personal disposable income will go toward everyday Arizonan’s contributing to a projected $115.6 billion increase in statt GDP over the next 10 years. Arizona communities will positively benefit from the Build Back Better act, along with our planet. By establishing a political agreement between both parties, the foreseeable future is more efficient, more affordable, and more fair. By using tax increases on corporations and the rich, we can fund local communities and support the working class. 

Senator Sinema, who does not support the agenda has agreed that “From increasing wildfires to the severe droughts, to shrinking water levels at Lake Mead, damage to critical infrastructure — these are all the things that we’re dealing with in #Arizona every day” (@SenatorSinema, Twitter). By refusing to support Build Back Better, Senator Sinema is not only risking community and education improvements, but risks passing a tipping point on climate change. 

Head on over to our Twitter page, @AZIPL1, to learn more about how you can get involved with congress and Senator Sinema to demand support for the Build Back Better agenda.

Additional Resources:

The $3.5 trillion investment proposed by President Biden includes the following allocations by Senate Committee as of September 3, 2021: 

• Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry: $135 billion 
• Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs $332 billion 
• Commerce, Science and Technology $83 billion 
• Energy and Natural Resources $198 billion 
• Environment and Public Works $67 billion 
• Finance $1,745 trillion 
• Health, Education, Labor and Pensions $726 billion 
• Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs $37 billion 
• Indian Affairs $21 billion 
• Small Business and Entrepreneurship $25 billion 
• Judiciary $108 billion 
• Veterans Affairs $18 billion

(Page 8 of The Economic Impact of the Proposed Budget Reconciliation Bill in Arizona, 2022-2040 (Hoffman et. al., 2021)