Rendell Urges Quick Passage of Bill
HARRISBURG – Governor Edward G. Rendell today urged members of Congress to act swiftly to approve a stimulus bill that he said was critical to jump start America’s economy and put people back to work.
The Governor made his remarks as the U.S. Senate voted to approve its version of the bill.
“This bill must get passed by Congress, and passed quickly,” Governor Rendell said. “There’s no question this country and this economy need this bill and the quick infusion of money it offers.
“This package has to get passed so that we can start the economy moving again and start bringing significant relief to the Pennsylvanians and Americans who need it. This package is not perfect, but desperately needed. When the private economy has stopped spending money, spending has to be regenerated and the government has to step in and do it. And that spending is going to create jobs.
“When we resurface a road or build a new school, people go to work. Experts say somewhere between 25,000 and 45,000 jobs are produced for every billion dollars in infrastructure spending. We will put that money to work here in Pennsylvania quickly because we have shovel-ready projects that can get underway in as little as 3 months. We’ve told a number of our industries—steel, concrete, lumber and construction—to be ready because we’ll have a ton of work.
“Nobody should think for a minute that this stimulus package won’t create jobs,” the Governor emphasized.
The Governor noted that he and other governors will work with Congress to restore $25 billion in direct funding to the states that was removed from the Senate version. He said this funding was critical to providing important services and that the total loss to Pennsylvania over the next two fiscal years could approach $1 billion.
“These proposed funds are invaluable in supporting public schools, universities, health services, nursing homes, and hospitals,” the Governor said. “If these important funds are not restored by Congress, we would have to find other ways to cope.
“Through my role as chair of the National Governors Association, I am working with other governors to restore these funds. This economic stimulus package must be crafted to protect state and local services so the families get the relief and help that they need in these difficult times.”
The Governor made his remarks as the U.S. Senate voted to approve its version of the bill.
“This bill must get passed by Congress, and passed quickly,” Governor Rendell said. “There’s no question this country and this economy need this bill and the quick infusion of money it offers.
“This package has to get passed so that we can start the economy moving again and start bringing significant relief to the Pennsylvanians and Americans who need it. This package is not perfect, but desperately needed. When the private economy has stopped spending money, spending has to be regenerated and the government has to step in and do it. And that spending is going to create jobs.
“When we resurface a road or build a new school, people go to work. Experts say somewhere between 25,000 and 45,000 jobs are produced for every billion dollars in infrastructure spending. We will put that money to work here in Pennsylvania quickly because we have shovel-ready projects that can get underway in as little as 3 months. We’ve told a number of our industries—steel, concrete, lumber and construction—to be ready because we’ll have a ton of work.
“Nobody should think for a minute that this stimulus package won’t create jobs,” the Governor emphasized.
The Governor noted that he and other governors will work with Congress to restore $25 billion in direct funding to the states that was removed from the Senate version. He said this funding was critical to providing important services and that the total loss to Pennsylvania over the next two fiscal years could approach $1 billion.
“These proposed funds are invaluable in supporting public schools, universities, health services, nursing homes, and hospitals,” the Governor said. “If these important funds are not restored by Congress, we would have to find other ways to cope.
“Through my role as chair of the National Governors Association, I am working with other governors to restore these funds. This economic stimulus package must be crafted to protect state and local services so the families get the relief and help that they need in these difficult times.”
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