'We're Staring Down a Gun Barrel'
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
US Senator Bob Casey says rural Pennsylvanians will make out just well as people in large cities when the federal stimulus money comes into the Commonwealth.
During a conference call with reporters Friday afternoon, Casey also talked about why he feels the urgency of passing the bill.
"We're staring down a gun barrel right now," he said. "A lot of families don't have the luxury of waiting. A lot of state and local governments don’t have the luxury of waiting. They have to make decisions."
Among the items in the package he says will benefit the non-urban areas are increased broadband access, money for Pell Grants and Head Start, and funding for law enforcement agencies at all levels.
The bill includes a total of $27.5 billion for infrastructure improvements and also includes money to help state and local governments get transportation grants. Money will also be invested in air transportation, rail and US Army Corps of Engineers projects. Drinking water infrastructure improvements are also included.
Casey said more than $7 billion is earmarked for broadband access which, he says, "in a state like Pennsylvania is critically important because we have a lot of underserved regions of our state – mostly rural – that were, in essence, promised years ago that they would have more broadband capability and that was never delivered. So this is a commitment, in this bill, to help in those areas of our state."
He said money for Pell Grants will help 7 million students across the country, "which is vitally important right now."
Casey added that he's "glad there is a substantial commitment to Head Start." That program will receive $2 billion.
As for law enforcement, he said "tens of millions of dollars will find its way to Pennsylvania" and that "goes across the board."
He said $1 billion will go toward additional COPS funding, but he doesn't know the exact amount Pennsylvania will receive because the grants are competitive.
"There's a lot in (the bill) that we can be very positive about, and I think we should be," Casey said.
But he did say oversight is important to make sure the money is going where it's supposed to go.
"We have to make sure that, over time, we keep an eye on how money is spent," Casey said, adding that he thinks the numbers should be posted to show "how the money is spent. I think that will increase confidence that people have that these dollars are going to get to the right place."
"It's time to vote," Casey said at about 4 p.m. Friday. "It's time to vote to help President Obama get the economy out of the ditch before the economy goes over the cliff."
"We're in a precarious situation," he said. "We have to get this passed tonight.
WESB/WBRR News Director
US Senator Bob Casey says rural Pennsylvanians will make out just well as people in large cities when the federal stimulus money comes into the Commonwealth.
During a conference call with reporters Friday afternoon, Casey also talked about why he feels the urgency of passing the bill.
"We're staring down a gun barrel right now," he said. "A lot of families don't have the luxury of waiting. A lot of state and local governments don’t have the luxury of waiting. They have to make decisions."
Among the items in the package he says will benefit the non-urban areas are increased broadband access, money for Pell Grants and Head Start, and funding for law enforcement agencies at all levels.
The bill includes a total of $27.5 billion for infrastructure improvements and also includes money to help state and local governments get transportation grants. Money will also be invested in air transportation, rail and US Army Corps of Engineers projects. Drinking water infrastructure improvements are also included.
Casey said more than $7 billion is earmarked for broadband access which, he says, "in a state like Pennsylvania is critically important because we have a lot of underserved regions of our state – mostly rural – that were, in essence, promised years ago that they would have more broadband capability and that was never delivered. So this is a commitment, in this bill, to help in those areas of our state."
He said money for Pell Grants will help 7 million students across the country, "which is vitally important right now."
Casey added that he's "glad there is a substantial commitment to Head Start." That program will receive $2 billion.
As for law enforcement, he said "tens of millions of dollars will find its way to Pennsylvania" and that "goes across the board."
He said $1 billion will go toward additional COPS funding, but he doesn't know the exact amount Pennsylvania will receive because the grants are competitive.
"There's a lot in (the bill) that we can be very positive about, and I think we should be," Casey said.
But he did say oversight is important to make sure the money is going where it's supposed to go.
"We have to make sure that, over time, we keep an eye on how money is spent," Casey said, adding that he thinks the numbers should be posted to show "how the money is spent. I think that will increase confidence that people have that these dollars are going to get to the right place."
"It's time to vote," Casey said at about 4 p.m. Friday. "It's time to vote to help President Obama get the economy out of the ditch before the economy goes over the cliff."
"We're in a precarious situation," he said. "We have to get this passed tonight.
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