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Re: Obama banking on large-scale public works project
CHICAGO – President-elect Barack Obama said Saturday he wants to revive the economy through a job-creating public works plan on a scale unseen since the building program of the interstate highway system in the 1950s.
He offered no price estimate for the grand plan, how the money might be divided or the effect on the country's financial health at a time of burgeoning deficits.
The ideas were outlined in the weekly radio address the day after the government reported that employers cut 533,000 jobs in November, the most in 34 years. They are part of a vision for a massive economy recovery plan Obama wants Congress to pass and have waiting on his desk when he takes office Jan. 20.
The president-elect's address never once used the word "spend," relying instead on "invest" or "investments," and pledging wise stewardship of taxpayer money in upgrading roads and schools, and making public buildings more energy-efficient.
"We won't just throw money at the problem," Obama said. "We'll measure progress by the reforms we make and the results we achieve — by the jobs we create, by the energy we save, by whether America is more competitive in the world."
Obama said his plan would employ millions of people by "making the single largest new investment in our national infrastructure since the creation of the federal highway system in the 1950s." He said state officials would lose the federal dollars if they did not quickly use the money to repair highways and bridges.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, a 1991 final estimate of the cost of the interstate system put it at $128.9 billion, with a federal share of $114.3 billion. The estimate covered only the mileage (42,795 miles) built under the interstate construction program. Construction of the system began in 1956 under President Dwight Eisenhower.
More than 5,000 highway projects are ready to go today, state transportation officials say, if Congress will pony up $64.3 billion as part of an economic aid plan. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, which compiled the list, said the projects would provide jobs and help reduce a backlog of crumbling roads and bridges.
A bipartisan group of governors recently met with Obama to press for some $136 billion in infrastructure projects in addition to money for health care costs.
Several governors welcomed Obama's economic plan.
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine said the state had more than a billion dollars in "ready-to-go" projects that have been planned for and can be under contract within 180 days. "His plan will put people to work and give the economy a critically important boost," Kaine said in a written statement.
In a joint statement, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said it would help the U.S. stay ahead of other countries. "To stay competitive globally, the time to repair and modernize our nation's infrastructure is now," they said.
In the address, Obama also said he wants to install energy-saving light bulbs and replace old heating systems in federal buildings to cut costs and create jobs.
School buildings would get an upgrade, too. "Because to help our children compete in a 21st century economy, we need to send them to 21st century schools," Obama said.
As a part of the package, Obama said he wants to expand broadband Internet access in communities. "Here, in the country that invented the Internet, every child should have the chance to get online," he said.
Hospitals also should be connected to each through the Internet. He said he wanted to ensure the facilities were using the latest technology and electronic medical records.
Obama planned to announce more details of the economic recovery plan in the coming weeks.
Re: Obama banking on large-scale public works project
Obama said his plan would employ millions of people by "making the single largest new investment in our national infrastructure since the creation of the federal highway system in the 1950s." He said state officials would lose the federal dollars if they did not quickly use the money to repair highways and bridges.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, a 1991 final estimate of the cost of the interstate system put it at $128.9 billion, with a federal share of $114.3 billion. The estimate covered only the mileage (42,795 miles) built under the interstate construction program. Construction of the system began in 1956 under President Dwight Eisenhower.
They are talking about the NAFTA highway, and "public works" will pay for it. Check out the Trans Texas Corridor for an idea what they're aiming at.
The financial crisis is sure ushering in a lot of new ideas..
Re: Obama banking on large-scale public works project
I'm kind of getting bored with reading all this stuff. People are treating him like he's president, and Bush isn't even out of office.
We all know Obama is going to have to hit the ground running, even he knows that. But just because it's a good idea, doesn't mean there's gonna be bread or support to pay for it.
Re: Obama banking on large-scale public works project
This is huge for the state of Oregon. I'm pretty sure they're going to redirect a portion of the Columbia River & sell the water to other western states, while also helping to populate the high desert area here where I live. They're also talking about building four lane highways from Weed, CA to Interstate 84 & another from Bend, OR to Boise, ID. Then, there's also the wind & tree farms that are in the works for Eastern Oregon. It's funny, because Obama actually commented on how he should buy some real estate here in Bend when he spoke in Central OR on his campaign. Maybe he knew what was going to happen to this region?
Re: Obama banking on large-scale public works project
"Hospitals also should be connected to each through the Internet. He said he wanted to ensure the facilities were using the latest technology and electronic medical records."
Well with his stance on abortion that should be easier as all the Catholic Charity Hospitals will probably close down...
"I'm kind of getting bored with reading all this stuff. People are treating him like he's president, and Bush isn't even out of office."
He sounds more like Bush by the day, and here we are again The Clinton's machine back in Control. The economy is going to get much much worse before and "If" it gets better at all. Never trust an attorney all they really care about is if they look good in court, not the truth and sure as hell they are not concerned with being right.
Re: Obama banking on large-scale public works project
Well with his stance on abortion that should be easier as all the Catholic Charity Hospitals will probably close down...
Why would they close down?? Abortion is already legal, and they are still open. What's having a pro-choice President going to change anything? Are you saying Obama's going to force them to close, or the Hospitals will shut down in protest of his views??
