Issue Position: Jobs and Economy

Issue Position

Creating and keeping good-paying jobs in western Pennsylvania has always been one of Congressman Altmire's top priorities. When our country was in the midst of its most severe recession since the Great Depression, Congressman Altmire voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create good-paying jobs and get our economy moving again.

This forward-looking economic recovery package has cut taxes for 95 percent of working families and invested in initiatives that are crucial to our nation's long-term economic growth: rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges, improving our local schools, and ensuring our local governments can meet public safety and other needs.

Our most recent financial crisis did not develop overnight, and it will not be solved overnight. However, passing the Recovery Act was a critical first step that is helping get our nation's economy back on track.

Tax Cuts for Working Families and Small Businesses

To get our economy moving again, we need to put more money in the hands of American taxpayers. That is why the Recovery Act provided 95 percent of working families with an immediate tax cut of $400 for individuals and $800 for couples. Social Security beneficiaries, SSI recipients, and disabled veterans received $250 to help meet their everyday needs. To help our nation's small businesses, the Recovery Act also created tax benefits that allow businesses to receive a refund for taxes they paid when they made a profit over the past five years, and it also increased the amount that small businesses can immediately write off their taxes when they purchase necessary equipment or make capital investments.

Rebuilding Our Crumbling Roads and Bridges

Western Pennsylvania has more bridges in critical need of repair than any other region in the country. To ensure our region's economy can continue to grow and to keep our families safe, we must rebuild our crumbling roads and bridges, as well as our locks and dams. The Recovery Act included more than $1.5 billion for Pennsylvania to help repair our state's highways and bridges and improve mass transit. Not only is this money helping to provide Pennsylvania with the 21st Century infrastructure it needs, it has also helped to create good-paying jobs for local workers.

More than $43 Million for Western Pennsylvania School Districts

To ensure our local schools can afford to keep good teachers in the classroom and provide our children with the first-rate education they deserve, the Recovery Act provided school districts across western Pennsylvania with millions of dollars in funding. The Recovery Act also increased funding for Pell Grant scholarships to help families pay for college. Over the last two years, Pell Grants -- which benefit 244,000 students in Pennsylvania -- have increased by $500 to a maximum of $5,550 for the 2010-2011 school year.

Aiding Cash-Strapped Police Departments

During this recession, state and local law enforcement agencies across the country have faced budget shortfalls that can often make it harder for them to protect our communities. To help fix this problem, the Recovery Act provided local law enforcement with additional resources so they can keep our families safe and prevent an increase in crime that could lead to declining property values, business closings, and job losses. Under the Recovery Act, Pennsylvania received more than $73 million through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to support local law enforcement efforts. For more information, see: [Western Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Set to Receive Funding from Economic Recovery Package for more details].

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