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Biden takes infrastructure and safety net plans public: a look at the cost and details of the proposal

Also on the program: Housing and grocery prices rising, what is behind the inflation?

In this Thursday, April 29, 2021, photograph, workers toil on a bridge over the surface of what will become Interstate 70 north of downtown Denver. The elevated roadway that has served as Interstate 70 will be demolished as part of the 10-mile-long project, which will cost $1.2 billion by completion by winter 2022.

 AP Photo/David Zalubowski / AP Images

In this Thursday, April 29, 2021, photograph, workers toil on a bridge over the surface of what will become Interstate 70 north of downtown Denver. The elevated roadway that has served as Interstate 70 will be demolished as part of the 10-mile-long project, which will cost $1.2 billion by completion by winter 2022.

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Airdate: Tuesday, May 4, 2021

President Joe Biden made his case for multi-trillion dollar infrastructure and safety net plans to Congress and the American people last week, to mixed response.

Democrats hail the history-making spending proposal as a boost to working Americans, while Republicans say the plan is less about traditional infrastructure and more about big government programs. Both sides agree it is going to cost a lot of money.

The infrastructure plan addresses upgrades to roads and bridges, ports, water systems and broadband internet expansion.

But it also includes spending for what many Republicans say is not infrastructure.

Biden’s safety net proposal includes $1 trillion in spending on education, childcare over 10 years and $800 billion in tax credits aimed at middle- and low-income families.

The plan also includes $200 billion for free, universal preschool and $109 billion for two years of free community college regardless of income.

Heather Long is an economics correspondent with The Washington Post and she joins Smart Talk Tuesday to provide an analysis of what the plan will and won’t accomplish and how Biden plans to pay for it.

Inflation making a comeback?

If you are thinking about shopping for a new or existing home, prepare for some sticker shock.

Home price gains are accelerating at an alarming pace, fueled by Covid pandemic-related inflation. Nationally, prices had the largest annual gain in nearly 15 years.

Grocery and gas prices are also on the rise and critics say that the Federal government is not paying enough attention to the issue.

Maria Ivanova Reyes, Ph.D., Assistant Professor/Economist, Gettysburg College appears on Smart Talk Tuesday to break down the factors causing the inflation and what the Fed can do about it.

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