In Road projects will show neighborhood benefits; Federal funding could move up timetable on state projects, MFP reporter Mark Fischenich reports:
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Congressman Tim Walz are strong supporters of an economic stimulus package focused on improving infrastructure — saying it will bring immediate job creation and a much-needed upgrade of the nation’s aging bridges, roads, rail lines, schools and other physical facilities.
“I just think this is a really smart way to get the country moving again,” said Klobuchar, a first-term Democrat.
Walz, DFL-Mankato, said the idea is also more likely to generate public support compared to previous stimulus plans aimed at finance services companies, other Wall Street firms and the automobile industry.
“‘It’s going to be spent putting my neighbors back to work, repaving streets in my neighborhood,’” Walz said, summarizing how he expects people to react. “They can understand that.”
Which is more than can be said of the complex financial bailouts that directed hundreds of billions of dollars toward banks and financial services firms — often with questionable levels of accountability, he said.
Walz and Klobuchar said they’re hopeful that even small projects like city street resurfacing will benefit from the plan, which they expect to be a top priority in the first days of the new Obama administration.
There's more at the Mankato Free Press. Update: A second article, Pump is ready to be primed tells more of the story and the Free Press editorial board supports the idea in Road, bridge work makes sense for stimulus. [end update] Photo: Can an economic stimulus package fix a bridge near you?
Comments