Sep 07 2010
Let’s Create Jobs on Labor Day
9/8/10 Update: The White House released this fact sheet about the President’s plan.
The traffic was worse and the metro was a bit more crowded today. Most people are heading back to work this morning after the long, last weekend of summer. Unfortunately, millions of Americans aren’t so lucky and don’t have a job to go to this morning.
Mindful of those without labor on Labor Day, President Obama yesterday announced plans for a new $50 billion infrastructure bill to create jobs. While the details are still scant, the president said in Milwaukee yesterday that revitalizing the nation’s roads, bridges, transit systems, and airports will help create jobs.
ASCE couldn’t agree more. Unemployment is among the highest in the construction sector and businesses in the transportation industry have been unable to start work on new projects without new legislation from Congress. Not only will the design and construction of infrastructure projects put people to work immediately, the work they do will allow others to get to work faster, goods to be shipped more rapidly, and the economy to grow. There’s no reason why we should wait to make these important investments.
So far there hasn’t been much discussion of how this will be paid for. ASCE believes the best option would be a 6 year full surface transportation authorization bill that included increases in the federal gas tax, but the administration has indicated they don’t support that at the moment.
ASCE will continue to advocate for a full transportation authorization bill that includes a sustainable funding source. Check back on Our Failing Infrastructure for updates on the plan as they become available.
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