Knowledge@Wharton features PWBM research in an article about President Trump’s infrastructure plan. The article also includes research from Virginia Tech’s Kevin Heaslip and Duke’s Henry Petroski.
The plan lacks many details. The effect of the plan on the economy will depend on these details. For instance, it will matter if federal investment in infrastructure is deficit financed or financed by a gas tax. The plan relies heavily on investment in infrastructure by state and local governments as well as the private sector. How much new investment occurs by other governments will depend on program design.