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February 4, 2009
Experts Agree: Investing in America's Infrastructure Creates Jobs
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will create jobs and get our economy moving. With the unemployment rate at its highest in 16 years, more Americans are out of work today than at any point in the last 25 years, and we lost more jobs in 2008 than in any year since 1945. The Senate Democratic plan will help create or save 4 million jobs, including an entire generation of green jobs that will make public and private investments in renewable energy and make
INVESTING IN
27,000 to 37,000 Jobs Are Created for Every $1 Billion Invested in Transportation Projects. According to the Department of Transportation Economist Jack Wells, $1 Billion of investment supports 27,800 jobs. Former transportation secretary Norman Mineta said, “As a former secretary of Transportation, I know that for every $1 billion that is spent on transportation projects, an average 37,000 new jobs will be created, with the aftermath of these construction phases typically creating 5,000 to 6,000 permanent jobs. [U.S. Secretary of Transportation Comment By Jack Wells, 9/16/08; Roll Call, 11/20/08]
Ø The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Could Create Up To 1.7 Million Transportation Jobs. The Senate Economic Recovery measure appropriates $46.13 Billion in transportation infrastructure. [Appropriations Committee Report to Accompany S. 336]
Millions of High Quality Jobs Can Be Created By Investing in Renewable Energy and Efficiency Project. According to the Apollo Alliance, by investing $500 billion over the next ten years on a number of steps for generating clean power and improving energy conservation and efficiency, 5 million high-quality jobs can be created. [Apollo
Ø The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Would Create Over 700,000 Renewable Energy and Efficiency Jobs. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act appropriates federal funds and provides substantial tax incentives for renewable energy and efficiency projects. In total, the measure allocates $72.2 billion for such projects creating over 700,000 jobs. [Senate Finance Portion of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; Appropriations Committee Report to Accompany S. 336]
A $10 Billion Investment in
Ø The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Could Create Over 700,000 School Construction Jobs. According to the 21st Century School Fund, a $10 billion investment in school construction is estimated to support as many as 250,000 jobs. The Senate Economic Recovery measure appropriates $16 Billion for School Modernization, provides for $10 Billion in Qualified School Construction bonds and $2.8 Billion in Qualified Zone Academy Bonds. Were all of the funding to be used, 720,000 jobs could be created. [Senate Finance Portion of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; Appropriations Committee Report to Accompany S. 336; 21St Century School Fund, 11/12/08]
A $40 Billion Investment in
Ø The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Could Create Over 215,000 Jobs. According to the Technology CEO Council, an investment of $40 billion in
Coalition of Contractors and Labor Organizations Estimated that $1 Billion in Construction Investment Would Produce 28,500 Jobs. According to a coalition of contractors and labor groups, approximately 28,500 jobs are created or sustained for every $1 billion investment. The coalition of contractors and unions included the following organizations: Air Conditioning Contractors of America; American Institute of Architects; American Subcontractors Association; Associated Equipment Manufacturers; Associated General Contractors of America; Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry; Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing; Finishing Contractors Association; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades; Mechanical Contractors Association; National Electrical Contractors Association; National Insulation Association; National Ready Mixed Concrete Association; National Roofing Contractors Association; Plumbers and Fitters International Union – UA; Plumbing Heating and Cooling Contractors; Portland Cement Alliance; Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association; Sheet Metal Workers International Association; The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC); and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. [Letter to President-Elect Obama, 1/8/09]
Ø American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Would Produce an Additional 344,850 General Construction Jobs. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes $3.7 billion for VA hospital and medical facility construction and improvements, $2.4 billion for Department of Defense Facilities, $6 billion for drinking water infrastructure improvements which collectively could produce 344,850 jobs. [Appropriations Committee Summary of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, 2/2/09]
The Senate will convene at 2:00 p.m. and proceed to a period of morning business until 3:00 p.m. with Senators permitted to speak for up to ten minutes each. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.3590, with Senator Reid, or designee, permitted to offer the first amendment to the Reid substitute; further, that Senator McConnell, or designee, be permitted to offer the next amendment to the substitute with no other amendments in order during Monday's session. There will be no roll call votes during Monday's session.
