Push for public-works projects expected: Construction jobs could aid economy

From the San Diego Union Tribune:

Now that taxpayers have received rebates, banks have gotten bailouts and the auto industry is lobbying for help, unemployed construction workers are hoping Uncle Sam dusts off an old standby to boost jobs and the economy – public works.

When the new Congress convenes next year, Democrats are expected to push for an economic stimulus package that would create high-paying jobs, in contrast to the immediate but temporary boost provided by last spring’s tax rebates. The amounts for the package being considered range from $61 billion to $500 billion, with $300 billion most often mentioned.

Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego, who serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said funding infrastructure is “the quickest way to create jobs in America.” “We have two major problems – jobs and people forced out of their homes,” Filner said. “You have to have two different kinds of programs aimed at each and hopefully supplement each other.”

Because public-works construction often takes so long to get started that its impact isn’t felt until the economy has begun to recover, cities and states with infrastructure projects in the pipeline are likely to get first priority. To be ready for handouts, San Diego’s 18 cities and county government are sending wish lists to the San Diego Association of Governments, whose board is scheduled to discuss priorities Thursday.

Local officials hope they will receive 1 percent of whatever infrastructure funds end up being adopted; that figure is roughly the county’s share of the nation’s population.

Read more from the San Diego Union Tribune by clicking here.

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