How An Investment In Infrastructure And Technology Can Create A More Equitable Future

Infrastructure is the most important aspect of life that we know. Everything from the food you eat to the clothes behind you depends on our route.

Despite this, funds have not been given for infrastructure for years. In fact, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2021 Infrastructure Report Card, the United States spends only half of the amount needed to invest in improvements to make our infrastructure sufficient. They also expect a deficit of $2.59 trillion over the next 10 years.

Low-income communities suffer the most. For example, issues related to transportation in undocumented communities include a variety of issues. According to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health, pedestrians living in low-income neighborhoods are six times more likely to be injured by a moving vehicle than people in low-income neighborhoods. In addition, consider factors such as whether someone from a high-income background hit a hole and damaged their mold. This can be a nuisance and consumption problem. However, if this happens to someone from the lower middle class, it could mean giving up a month’s rent or losing a job.

Adequate infrastructure in these communities can lead to health problems. For example, if active transportation such as walking or cycling is unsafe, this may be a contributing factor to higher rates of overweight. These communities are located near highways and congested roads, which reduces local air quality which can have negative health effects such as asthma for residents. According to the US Department of Transportation, these people are more likely to have convenient access to parks, health care and healthy food.

Clearly we all need to make a big investment in our infrastructure, especially communities that cannot be achieved with our investments.

The nearly approved infrastructure bill outlined by the Biden administration will be one of the largest long-term investments in our infrastructure in nearly a century. This is one of the biggest opportunities to revive and improve our economy.

The most important aspect of this bill is that it recognizes the fact that technology and innovation are essential to move towards a equitable future. Not the manual and winding process we’ve been expecting for decades.

To solve many problems like this, we need to invest in unbiased technology that serves residents of all backgrounds.

Disruptive and new technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning are already helping to build better, safer and better cities across the country. For example, Waze, the U.S. Provides traffic data on cities, helping to keep roads safe. IBM has partnered with Smarter Cities to make Pittsburgh more cycling and pedestrian-friendly. Sacramento has partnered with Phantom Auto to test automotive vehicles in its infrastructure.

It is time for technology leaders and infrastructure experts to come together to ensure that all members from all backgrounds are served by our innovations.

To do this, we need to build equity at the heart of our companies. Elemental Accelerator is a non-profit funding dozens of technology startups that it maintains on an “equity in, equity out” policy. By putting equity in a company at the fore, it creates an opportunity to hear different voices and implement different ideas. Through procurement, professional development, responsible supply chain and representative leadership, we can all create equity in our workplace.

The “equity out” part of the equation rests on our companies’ use of “social justice and fairness outside your organization” according to Elemental’s “Equity and Access” principles. We can do this through equitable and affordable innovations, economic benefits, research and early response to unintended consequences and partnerships with the community.

If both technology leaders and infrastructure professionals follow these principles when implementing their technologies, we can all lead the way in the future with intelligent, safe and efficient paths. It is possible to change our paths, and infrastructure legislation will provide an opportunity to invest more in these technologies and ensure that they are kept up to date.
Hedge Fund Renaissance Technologies Execs Reportedly Pledge Massive $7 Billion Tax SettlementThe Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that the leader of hedge fund Revival Technologies will pay about $7 billion in fines and refund taxes to the Internal Revenue Service, a major settlement after years of tax-related controversy.

Several current and former Renaissance board members and investors will pay the tax to the IRS, including founder Jim Simmons — whose net worth is estimated by Forbes at $25.4 billion — and former co-CEO Robert Mercer, in a letter written by Peter Brown. According to, the current CEO of the company; Retrieved from Bloomberg and Journal.

According to the Journal, the New York Times and the Financial Times, the deal could total $7 billion, and Brown’s letter states that Simmons had agreed to pay an additional $670 million to the IRS.

The solution is found in the tax treatment of goods produced by Renaissance’s Medallion Fund, which is not open to outside investors.

Brown told investors that the company had been involved in the IRS appeals process for years, but ultimately decided that a solution was less risky than entering lawsuits with tax officials. in federal.

A Renaissance spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment from Forbes.

important background
Founded by Simon nearly 40 years ago, Renaissance is often considered one of the most successful companies in the world, reaching annual returns of nearly 66% over the past three decades. In 2014, US Senate investigators recommended that Renaissance and other companies use financial instruments called “basket options” to convert short-term income into long-term gains, for which the IRS charges a lower tax rate. The Senate report estimates revival tax savings of $6.8 billion for this adjustment. Renaissance officials told the Senate in 2014 that they believed their actions were “appropriate and relevant under current law.”

fact facts
Simmons and Mercer are both politically active, but on opposite political spectrums. Simmons has made extensive donations to Democratic candidates and political action groups, and Mercer has donated to Republicans.

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