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Feingold Calls on Obama Administration and Senate to Invest in Transit, Water and Broadband Infrastructure and Energy Efficiency While Praising Fiscally Responsible Approach
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) is continuing his E4 initiative to create jobs and spur economic development by urging the Obama Administration and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to invest in infrastructure projects to help connect workers to employment opportunities in the expected economic stimulus package. President-elect Obama has indicated he would like a stimulus package on his desk ready for him to sign soon after he takes office. President-elect Obama has indicated he would like an economic stimulus package on his desk ready for him to sign soon after he takes office in January. Earlier this year, Feingold launched his E4 initiative, dubbed E4 because of its focus on economy, employment, education, and energy.
“Wisconsin has an outstanding workforce and we must do more to help these workers gain access to quality jobs,” Feingold said. “Expanded transit programs, van pools, vehicle purchase and repair programs for low income workers provided through JARC can help connect workers with the employers who need them.”
In his letter, Feingold highlighted the need to address our crumbling highways, schools and public housing along with outlining four ways to the economic recovery package can address long-term needs, spur job creation and boost the economy:
Investing in Transit
Feingold called for increased funding for the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program, a top priority in Feingold’s E4 initiative launched earlier this year. The JARC program provides reliable transportation to help low income workers reach more destinations so they can have access to better jobs. However, Wisconsin transit agencies have found it difficult to meet the cost share and paperwork requirements of the program, which is why Feingold has made improving and increasing funding for the program a priority. Feingold similarly supported investment in transit and passenger rail infrastructure in the letter, which also would help reduce transportation barriers.
Supporting Clean Drinking Water
Feingold called on Obama and Reid to prioritize investments for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in the expected economic recovery program to help create jobs and tackle environmental and public health challenges. In the letter, Feingold wrote that funding must be provided for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The National Association of Clean Water Agencies estimates that for each $1 billion invested in clean water infrastructure, 47,000 jobs are generated.
Creating Green Collar Jobs
Feingold is also pushing for the stimulus to include an investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy to help create new green-collar jobs. Feingold is specifically pushing for support for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program that supports the efforts of local governments to increase energy efficiency and implement renewable energy projects. The block grants have the potential to create 60,000 jobs in construction and installation over the next year, 24,000 jobs in materials manufacturing, and an additional 183,600 indirect jobs in other sectors that could generate up to $2.3 billion in energy savings each year. When the block program was created in December 2007, Feingold led efforts to ensure the program supported projects that are environmentally sustainable and maximize benefits for local and regional communities.
Erasing the Digital Divide
Feingold also encouraged Obama to follow through on his call to erase the digital divide and ensure we provide universal Internet service considering the number of employment and other opportunities made available through broadband access.
Supporting a Fiscally Responsible Approach
Feingold expressed pleasure that earmarks will reportedly not be included in the stimulus and advocated for competitive and formula based funding to ensure that taxpayer dollars are well spent.
“While our country is facing some very tough economic times, we also have a great opportunity to put people to work by building a stronger nation,” Feingold said. “This economic recovery program can potentially create jobs that make our drinking water safer, close the digital divide by improving broadband Internet access and improve other elements of our infrastructure while prioritizing assistance for the most worthy projects to reduce wasteful spending.”
A copy of the letter is available here.
