How Would Stimulus Package Benefit Pennsylvania?
PA- White House
WSEE-35
Lindsay Perna
Boston University Washington News Service
Feb. 4, 2009
WASHINGTON – As the Senate prepares to vote on the pending economic recovery package, White House advisers and Pennsylvania members of Congress are trying to dissect what the near-trillion dollar price tag will mean for the taxpayers that are investing in it.
The passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan is an “important down payment on rebuilding our economy,” National Economic Council Director Larry Summers said in a press briefing Tuesday.
As the point person in charge of coordinating President Obama’s policies, Summers simplified the context of the bill that would create or save 3 million to 4 million jobs over the two-year period of the plan.
Summers estimated an employment impact of 152,000 jobs for Pennsylvania.
“We want to do infrastructure investment wherever possible, but we also want to prevent the economic implosion of our communities,” he said. “These funds will help us do that.”
Other Pennsylvania initiatives in the plan include the modernization of at least 409 schools, a work pay tax cut of up to $1,000 for 4.9 million workers and $100 per month increase in unemployment insurance benefits to 1 million workers in Pennsylvania who have lost their jobs.
Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper (D-Penn.) said she voted for the bill based on the urgency of the economic situation. She said in a press release that the bill’s allocation of $70 million into 3rd District schools will “address the modernization of classrooms, libraries, and labs…make our schools more energy efficient and make upgrades to their
educational technology infrastructure.”
The Erie School District is estimated to receive $20,765,100 from the stimulus bill, according to Dahlkemper.
Some Pennsylvania members opposed the House bill.
A spokesperson for Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Penn.) said the congressman, who voted against the spending package, found the legislation “a wish list of the liberal, socialist agenda.”
He said that the congressman recognized “worthy programs in the stimulus package,” but not enough in the way of infrastructure.
As the bill is being considered in the Senate this week, some would like to see changes made.
Sen. Bob Casey (D-Penn.) introduced two amendments Wednesday to increase oversight and accountability in the economic recovery package.
Also, an amendment offered by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Penn.) to provide incentives for U.S.-based companies to bring foreign earnings home and invest in the U.S. economic recovery was rejected by the Senate Wednesday.
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Penn.) said he believes an economic stimulus is necessary. However, he said “there is insufficient money in infrastructure” in the bill, and “there needs to be more on the tax cut side.”
The Pennsylvania senator stated other “good” programs in the stimulus belong “in the appropriations process, as opposed to a stimulus.”
“Make no mistake though,” Summers said. “These problems were not created in a day or a month or a year and will not be solved in a day or a month or a year.,”
###
