should be disseminated through a transparent procurement process with aggressive contracting goals for Disadvantaged Business Entities and effective enforcement to root out fraudulent firms. Contractors and subcontractors should have the ability to employ local hiring preferences and subcontractors should receive prompt payment when services are rendered. (6) Infrastructure development should be inclusive of underserved segments of the population, such as poor, rural, and elderly communities. Often times, infrastructure planning does not benefit the poorest communities and the infrastructure workforce traditionally lacks gender and racial diversity. A 21st Century economy should not exclude individuals from participation on the basis of demographics, geography, or financial means. Any infrastructure package must include innovative job training and workforce development initiatives to promote a diverse and inclusive labor pool. By ensuring participation from all individuals, we can provide equal opportunity for each and every American to contribute in meaningful ways to both the economy and the communities they call home. (7) Climate change and the volatility that is associated with extreme weather events are only expected to worsen over time. More intense storms, rising sea levels, storm surges, and other unusual weather conditions are placing an immense strain on our nation’s infrastructure and the limited resources that we have to build and maintain it. As we plan for the future and conceptualize how we will build up our infrastructure, we need to consider the long-term viability of these projects to ensure that they are resilient to extreme weather. (8) A robust transportation network must consider the changing demographics of its users and the subsequent changes in demand. Conventional transportation planning relies heavily on motor vehicle traffic. However, many communities—particularly in urban areas—must now consider pedestrians, cyclists, public transit riders, ridesharing, and other users when