Larsen Supports Economic Recovery Package to Create Local Jobs, Help Families and Communities Hit Hard by Recession
For Immediate Release
Contact: Amanda Mahnke
(202) 225-2605
**Washington State and 2nd District Numbers Below**
January 28, 2009
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement in support of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (HR 1) which is scheduled for a House vote later today. The legislation must pass the Senate before President Obama can sign it into law.
“Last month, our unemployment rate in Washington state took the biggest jump in 30 years, from 6.2 to 7.1 percent. Many of my constituents are struggling to find family-wage jobs, pay their bills and put food on the table. Just today, the Boeing Company announced that it will cut approximately 6 percent of its workforce, including hundreds of workers in Washington state.
“Urgent action is needed now.
“If we fail to take immediate action, the national jobless rate is set to rise to 11 percent by the last quarter of 2010. But by passing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, we can create or save 94,290 jobs in Washington state by the end of 2010, according the economist Mark Zandi.
“This legislation invests $847 million in modernizing Washington state roads, bridges, transit and other infrastructure.
“It allows the Bonneville Power Administration to invest $3.2 billion to deliver renewable energy to Washington homes and businesses more efficiently.
“It delivers help for hungry families, seniors and kids, including the nearly 600,000 Washington state residents who rely on food stamps to get by.
“It provides $69 million to modernize schools in Washington’s 2nd Congressional District and protect our children from the impact of state and local budget shortfalls. That includes an estimated…
- $936,000 for Island County
- $4 million for San Juan County
- $11 million for Skagit County
- $40 million for Snohomish County
- $14 million for Whatcom County
…to help our kids learn in 21st Century classrooms.
“This legislation is not a cure-all, and our country faces difficult times ahead. But the need for aggressive action is clear to shorten the recession and lessen its impact on the American economy and our neighbors in Northwest Washington.”
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