On April 24, 2025, Illinois State Senator David Koehler, former Kansas City Mayor Sly James, and Public Banking Institute Founder Ellen Brown, Esq., were joined by other elected officials for an urgent Zoom Forum, “National Infrastructure Bank: The Economic ‘Shot Heard Round the World’”!!

This week, the United States celebrated the 250^th anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution, with the “Shot Heard Round the World” at Concord and Lexington. Following the military campaign, the U.S. created an economic model, the American System, that became the envy of the world. The system was devised in large measure by Founder Alexander Hamilton, the first Treasury Secretary and Revolutionary War colonel. The pillars of the policy included a National Bank to generate directed credit to build internal improvements and manufacturing.

As the United States economy hurtles towards a recession or worse, support for the National Infrastructure Bank (NIB) policy continues to grow. The Zoom Town Hall provided a platform for discussion for an urgent policy to rebuild the nation, only provided by the NIB Coalition.

Resolutions endorsing the NIB have been introduced into more elected bodies, including the Pennsylvania House, the North Carolina House, and more. On April 12, Coalition representatives Alphecca Muttardy and Julie Olsen were featured speakers at the quarterly meeting of the National Federation of Democratic Women Western Region. 

On April 16, the Delaware County Council (Pennsylvania) introduced and passed a resolution urging Congress to enact the NIB. The Delaware County Council meeting featured presentations from city council members in the County and passionate speeches from County Council members. Support for the Delaware County resolution reflects the urgent need for the NIB. The County is facing devastating economic and infrastructure crises. 

·        Two hospitals have recently closed, and a third one is about to be shuttered. This will leave thousands of citizens in the lurch and cause 3,000 layoffs of hospital employees. 

·        The only public transportation service in the Philadelphia region, SEPTA, is planning to cut service by 45% and raise fares on the remaining lines! 

Resistance to the madness coming out of Washington is critical. Creating the National Infrastructure Bank and implementing economic development policies is the only way to end the crisis and build the Nation. 

Honor the courage of Lexington and Concord. Fire the Economic “Shot Heard Round the World”!  (Watch the video here.)

Speakers:

Alphecca Muttardy, former Senior Economist, International Monetary Fund, Fairfax, VA

Illinois Senator David Koehler, Peoria, IL

Mayor Sly James (former), Kansas City, MO

Ellen Brown, Esq., Author and Founder Public Banking Institute, Los Angeles, CA

Councilwoman Christine Reuther, Delaware County, Wallingford, PA

Representative Jasmine Clark, Lilburn, GA

Delegate Chao Wu, Howard County, MD

Mayor Randolph Voller (former), Pittsboro, NC

Moderator: Julie Olsen, small business owner, Chair Progressive Caucus, Alaska Democratic Party, Anchorage, AK