Economic Recovery and investment
Senate Democrats Jobs Package
Infrastructure
Public works
Jobs and infrastructure have one big thing in common: They’re huge investments in our future. We have projects ready to go, now, that can provide good jobs and living wages to families that are hurting. This not only fuels our recovery today, it positions us for long term success both as employees and as a state.
“We can help people now, creating jobs today that will continue to pay into the future. We want meaningful jobs: jobs in trades that pay livable wages, on projects that are ready to go now.” Sen. Karen Fraser, D-Thurston County
We can further capitalize by focusing on projects that recognize the priorities of the future. That means jobs linked to emerging technologies, green buildings and energy, education and training, natural resources and outdoor recreation, and cleaner transportation.
“A job in a dying field will pay people today; a job in an emerging green or high-tech industry will pay them better and keep them employed for years to come. A job building a road will help today; a job that creates more efficient transportation and better education and training will make Washington a better place long term.” - Sen. Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup
We don’t want to stimulate our economy arbitrarily; we want to do it in ways that pay dividends for the future. We can target a backlog of projects that boost our technology and tap new energy sources such as wind, solar, bio and hydro power.
We need to ensure that the most valuable projects are funded. We will develop criteria that favor projects that tap private-sector capital and improve our state’s education/talent pipeline. Projects much balance investment between urban and rural communities and benefit the state’s longer-term goals of innovation, economic recovery, quality of life and competitiveness.
Greater access to broadband
To increase educational opportunities, access to high-paying jobs, health care services and information, government, and community and economic development, Senate Democrats have made an ongoing commitment to expanding high-speed Internet access across Washington. Communities with broadband access experience higher levels of rapid economic growth than those without. For every job involved in deploying broadband, more than four additional jobs are created. President-Elect Obama has made this same commitment to expanding high-speed Internet infrastructure. Because of the steps that our state has already taken, we are poised to immediately receive any Federal stimulus funds directed to the states for this priority.
“No one should be denied economic opportunity because of living in an unserved or underserved part of our state, as in many rural areas as well as some urban areas. By expanding broadband, not only do we create jobs today but we are also making an investment to secure the jobs of the future.” Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle