The bipartisan infrastructure act passed by Congress last week—despite the “NO” votes of Republican House and Senate members representing Sarasota County—focuses on the problems of crumbling roads, bridges, rails, ports, and airports and tackles climate change. This legislation will create good jobs for our community and improve energy production and transportation.

The Sarasota County Democratic Party applauds the White House and those in Congress from both sides of the aisle who made this important and necessary investment in America’s–and Sarasota County’s–future a  reality. We urge those who continue to oppose efforts to improve our great nation to put politics aside and act in the interest of those they were elected to represent.

Just some of what Sarasota County is projected to see:

• $660 million for the weatherization of thousands of homes and undergrounding power lines. This would reduce the electricity and insurance bills for homeowners and tenants, make homes more storm-safe, and ensure reliable power after storms.
• $869 million to make Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) more user-friendly, with higher-frequency and better-designed routes, and connect Sarasota to Tampa with commuter rail. In addition, there would be $69 million for SCAT and the school district to purchase American-made electric buses.
• $100 million for electric vehicle chargers. Sarasota County could establish a network of superchargers at I-75 exits for quick “refills” by long-distance travelers, and thousands of regular chargers at multi-unit housing and workplaces.
• $275 million to clean up toxic sites in Sarasota, which currently lower real estate values in nearby neighborhoods.

Contact Information: JoAnne DeVries, Sarasota County Democratic Party Chair, ‭(941) 320-8825, jdv.devries8@gmail.com‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬