Max Baucus: “For every $1 billion dollars that goes into the highway program, 42,000 jobs are created. In an attempt to address…”

“For every $1 billion dollars that goes into the highway program, 42,000 jobs are created. In an attempt to address unemployment concerns and immediate stimulus to the country's economy, I, along with others on the Environment and Public Works Committee, propose an increase in obligation authority for the fiscal year 2003. This would restore the authorized levels for that fiscal year. It doesn't get us all the way there, but it's a start. This is about jobs. Skilled and unskilled jobs in highway construction are well-paid. These jobs would provide employment opportunities for workers who have lost manufacturing jobs, with minimal training requirements. In addition current jobs will not be lost in many of the supplier and heavy equipment manufacturing industries. This is money that can be spent quickly by state DOTs. Fast spending means fast jobs. Both state DOTs and contractors confirm that money can be spent and jobs maintained within the first 6 months. Without restoring TEA 21 levels, over 360,000 jobs will be lost.”