Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, (D-Nevada), has put forth a slimmed down $15 billion package to address current economic conditions. While smaller than the $85 billion proposal put forth by Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus, (D-Montana), Senator Reid's package is said to be the first of several job creation bills. Senator Reid's current proposal includes provisions that would extend current highway and transit programs through 2010 and expand the Build America Bond program.
The proposal is also intended to help small business grow by allowing them to write off more expenditures, and offers an exemption from social security taxes for every worker hired in 2010 that has been unemployed for at least 60 days. While A vote is scheduled on some version of these proposals when the Senate returns from its President's Day recess on February 22nd.
While they're on break, take a moment to contact Senators Levin and Stabenow and let them know that if there is to be another "job's" package, it needs to contain provisions that will help create jobs through infrastructure programs and stabilize local fiscal conditions. Arnold Weinfeld covers federal issues for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.
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