Democratic presidential candidate and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg campaigns on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, in Nashua, N.H. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)

NASHUA – Representing a city with plenty of outdated roads, bridges, sidewalks and water lines, in addition to many buildings loaded with lead paint, Alderman-at-Large Ben Clemons believes Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg’s $1 trillion infrastructure plan will provide some relief.

Bolstered by a new Monmouth University poll that shows him with a slight lead in New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation (#FITN) presidential primary race, Buttigieg is officially releasing his infrastructure strategy today.

“As a former mayor, I know that priority-based budgets made locally are better than budget-based priorities set in Washington. That’s why we will ensure that federal funds go to the cities, counties, tribes, towns, and states that need more resources to create good jobs and combat climate change through smart infrastructure investments,” Buttigieg said.

“My administration will invest over $1 trillion in working with states, cities, and other local governments to build the sustainable infrastructure of the 21st century,” he added.

Some major goals for Buttigieg’s infrastructure plan include:

• Creating 6 million “well-paying jobs;”

• Ensuring every American access to clean drinking water;

• Reducing average water bills by up to 50%;

• Investing $100 billion for lead paint remediation; and

• Updating and fixing at least half of roads and bridges rated as “poor” by 2030.

“When our infrastructure works well, we hardly notice. These days, we notice our infrastructure a lot,” Buttigieg added.

Clemons had already endorsed Buttigieg, while Clemons is also a strong advocate for extending passenger rail service to Nashua. He said this $1 trillion plan will help make that a reality.

“Pete’s infrastructure plan is a welcome relief, giving communities like Nashua the federal resources and support we need to make critical investments in our future. Pete’s experience as a mayor clearly shines through, as he seeks to empower communities with the flexibility and funding to do what is best for their unique needs,” Clemons said.

“In Nashua, Pete’s plan would help keep water utility costs down by maintaining our infrastructure, ease the burden of future school and road work, and realize a long sought after goal of extending commuter rail from Lowell to Nashua,” Clemons added.

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