Senate Democrats ready to send more stimulus funds to states

[babylonsister]

Senate Democrats ready to send more stimulus funds to states

By Les Blumenthal | McClatchy Newspapers


WASHINGTON — Linda Nguyen, the chief executive of WorkForce Central, has a message for Congress: "Main Street still has some problems. It's not over yet."

Nguyen's organization, which helps unemployed in Tacoma and Pierce County looking for jobs, has seen a 40 percent increase in the number of people seeking assistance since the recession began.

The $6 million in federal stimulus funding it received last year runs out this summer.

"We call it the cliff," she said.

Stung by a Republican win in a special Senate election in Massachusetts and the loss of their critical 60-seat majority, Democrats are putting a new stimulus and jobs bill on the legislative front burner, temporarily bumping health care reform aside. Senate Democrats are expected to unveil their $170 billion or so package this week.

"There is still a lot of desperation and hurt out there," said Nguyen. "There just aren't jobs out there."

Among those on Capitol Hill who are listening is Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. With one in 10 people relying on unemployment benefits, food stamps and health insurance subsidies, Murray said the economic crisis is taking its toll.

"I know people are worried, I know their economic security has been undermined," said Murray. "This is a critical time."

The Senate proposal is expected to mostly mirror a $174 billion stimulus and jobs bill approved, with little notice, by the House in December. That bill provides more than $48 billion for road, bridge, transit, school, housing, airport and clean water construction projects. It includes nearly $27 billion to help avoid layoffs of teachers, firefighters and police officers as state and local governments grapple with their own budget deficits.

The House bill also extends unemployment benefits and health insurance subsidies for another six months and continues several loan guarantee programs for small businesses.

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http://www.mcclatchydc.com/washington/story/82852.html

[Rosa Luxemburg]

1. good

and give the states start up funding to run their own healthcare.

create jobs, support small businesses

[Clio the Leo]

2. Now Mr. President, go out and sell it as a "jobs" bill....

.... can we get OFA to run some ads?