Comment by chishaku

For understanding the scope of the political problem, the American Society of Civil Engineers has an infrastructure scorecard.

The national scorecard for 2013:

    Dams D
    Drinking Water D
    Hazardous Waste D
    Levees D-
    Solid Waste B-
    Wastewater D
    Aviation D
    Bridges C+
    Inland Waterways D-
    Ports C
    Rail C+
    Roads D
    Transit D
    Public Parks & Recreation C-
    Schools D
    Energy D+

Pennsylvania got a B for Rail in 2014. Michigan got a D for Drinking Water in 2009 (most recent grade).

http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/