AASHTO commends House approval of jobs bill.
Press Release Summary:
House of Representatives approved Jobs for Main Street Act of 2010, which redirects $75 billion from Wall Street to Main Street. This includes $37 billion for transportation projects, $27.5 billion for highway infrastructure projects, and $8.4 billion for public transportation. John Horsley, AASHTO executive director, said passing bill that funds infrastructure projects will continue momentum created by recovery act. Bill is awaiting Senate approval.
Original Press Release:
Statement by John Horsley on House Passage of Jobs for Main Street Act of 2010
(Washington, D.C.) - The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) applauds the House of Representatives for approving the Jobs for Main Street Act of 2010. This bill redirects $75 billion from Wall Street to Main Street, including $37 billion dollars for transportation projects that will put Americans back to work across the country. The bill directs $27.5 billion of transportation's share into highway infrastructure projects, and $8.4 billion into public transportation, including $6.1 billion for urban and rural formula grants.
"With the jobless rate in the construction sector at 19.4 percent, Congress can ill afford to stand by and do nothing," said John Horsley, AASHTO executive director. "Passing a jobs bill that funds infrastructure projects will continue the momentum created by the recovery act. Next year, if the Senate approves this legislation, we'll be ready to put thousands of people back to work."
"AASHTO is looking forward to working with the Senate and the Administration to pass a jobs bill as quickly as possible and to craft a new long-term highway and transit program that will keep America moving in the right direction," Horsley said.
The House Committee on Appropriation's summary of the bill can be found online at appropriations.house.gov/pdf/Jobs_for_Main_Street_Act_of_2010_Summary.pdf.
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is the "Voice of Transportation" representing State Departments of Transportation in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association serving as a catalyst for excellence in transportation.
