Our state needs strong action to create jobs. This is exactly what I have been advocating already, by pressing for proposals during the regular legislative session in 2009 ranging from green jobs to funding for construction jobs.
Since then, our economic slump has dragged on, with our state unemployment at 8.8% - the worst since the 1970s. Action to create jobs is needed now.
That is why I joined with Sen. Donald DeFronzo today in announcing a "Connecticut Jobs Now" initiative (PDF):
By putting construction workers back on the job, they and their families will be able to pay bills and shop at stores - creating jobs and helping businesses in other parts of our state economy.
This makes good sense. And we, in the legislature, have already provided the bond authorization to do it, so there should be no roadblocks to getting it done.
Connecticut Jobs Now can be the core of the recovery of our state's economy. But action by the Governor is needed - now.
Since then, our economic slump has dragged on, with our state unemployment at 8.8% - the worst since the 1970s. Action to create jobs is needed now.
That is why I joined with Sen. Donald DeFronzo today in announcing a "Connecticut Jobs Now" initiative (PDF):
State Representative Tim O’Brien (D-New Britain, Newington) today joined a coalition of lawmakers calling on Governor Rell’s administration to take action that would create more than 16,000 jobs by investing in Connecticut’s aging infrastructure.This is not a new concept. One of the best things public officials can do to help an ailing economy and create jobs is to support public construction. It is especially true now, since a quarter of our state's construction workers are unemployed.
“As I have gone door to door in our community, people have told me over and over that they need jobs,” Rep. O’Brien said. “The leadership of our state has a responsibility to get people to work earning paychecks and to get our economy moving again.”
“The Connecticut Jobs Now plan would create thousands of jobs and help many businesses - getting our economy moving again. It is the right thing to do and I hope the Governor agrees,” Rep. O’Brien said.
Rep. O’Brien credited Senator Donald DeFronzo (D- New Britain) for his work in creating and promoting the plan which can be fully implemented by the Governor’s administration without further legislative action.
The key to the Connecticut Jobs Now plan calls for $1 billion in state bonding on transportation infrastructure, housing, energy conservation, clean water and higher education projects.
The plan funds only those projects that were previously authorized which could be implemented within 90 to 120 days.
“This is a call for action,” Rep. O’Brien added, “More importantly, the plan creates jobs and puts people back to work.”
By putting construction workers back on the job, they and their families will be able to pay bills and shop at stores - creating jobs and helping businesses in other parts of our state economy.
This makes good sense. And we, in the legislature, have already provided the bond authorization to do it, so there should be no roadblocks to getting it done.
Connecticut Jobs Now can be the core of the recovery of our state's economy. But action by the Governor is needed - now.
