Economy / Jobs
Economy / Jobs
Fighting for a Stronger Economy
Although Congress does not directly control the economy, I believe that Congress must work to create an environment where workers can get back to work and Americans can prosper.
One of my top priorities is to assist local communities with their local economic development efforts.
The fight to maintain jobs in the Pacific Northwest involves several fronts that include working on affordable health care options for employers, improving transportation, and enhancing job training and higher education opportunities to improve one of the best-trained workforces in the world. I continue to work with businesses, both large and small, their employees, and experts in economic development to make sure my office is doing all it can to strengthen the economy and create the type of environment where families can be assured there will be jobs for years to come.
Here are some highlights of what I am working on to help strengthen the Northwest economy:
Unemployment Insurance
As you know millions of American workers have been unemployed in the wake of the September 11 economic downturn. Washington state has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, and our economy has been one of the hardest hit by the fallout of September 11. Several counties in western Washington still have unemployment rates well above the national average, and more layoffs are still being announced.
Over the past few years, I have fought to make sure that Congress and its leaders do their part in making sure federal unemployment benefits are available to the millions of unemployed Americans and their families. Click for more information.
Unemployment benefits are not handouts. They are economic tools that put money in the hands of families who will spend the money on necessities like food, clothing, shelter and medical care. According to a 1999 Department of Labor study, every dollar spent on unemployment benefits generates $2.15 in economic activity.
Unfortunately, the Republican leadership refused to extend the federal benefits program, and it expired in November 2003.
Unemployed workers and the economy need the safety net of federal unemployment insurance to help families pay for food and to help the economy revive itself. I will continue to do all that I can to get unemployed workers in our local communities have the resources they need to get back on their feet and back on the job.
Transportation
An investment in local transportation initiatives is an investment in local economies. As a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I am working to make sure that there is adequate federal support for our local transportation needs.
Every $1 billion in transportation investment creates 47,000 direct and indirect jobs. I am fighting to bring more investment in transportation dollars to our local communities that will create jobs. In addition, I am working to increase transportation alternatives to lessen congestion. Less congestion helps employers move the freight and goods they need and lets employees spend less time caught in traffic and more time at home. For more information on my transportation priorities, please click here.
Fighting for Jobs
An economy is only as strong as the jobs it creates and sustains.
Here are some of the projects I am working on back home to help save and create jobs in the Northwest:
Job and Business Training
I have fought for several federal programs that will help businesses and the workforce in Western Washington. Key among these are the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Program. MEP helps many local manufacturers become more efficient and increase productivity, whereas SBDC serves as a community resource for local businesses and entrepreneurs to help them make strategic investment decisions and improve their businesses. As more opportunities arise, I hope to continue to increase federal support for resources and tools to help Northwest businesses and increase economic growth.
Working to Save Jobs by Fighting for Energy Rate Relief
I have been working to save jobs at the Alcoa Intalco Works aluminum smelter in Ferndale, and across the region, by fighting against a power rate increase that the Bonneville Power Administration proposed in 2003. Workers at Boeing, Alcoa, Weyerhaeuser and other large and small local businesses are impacted by the region's sky-high energy costs.
As a member of the Northwest Energy Caucus, I will continue to work with my colleagues to urge the BPA and the utilities to work with other regional players to achieve short and long-term rate relief that will protect jobs and ratepayers while shoring up area businesses.
http://www.house.gov/larsen/issue/economy.shtml