From Jane Clark: More road construction? ============================================ Monday, November 5, 2001 Joe Shannahan, 515-281-0173 Vilsack Urges Congress to Enact Economic Stimulus DES MOINES - In a letter to Iowa's Congressional delegation, Governor Tom Vilsack urged federal lawmakers to pass an economic stimulus package that will strengthen the economy and assist Iowans impacted by the downturn in the economy. Vilsack also urged Congress to provide additional assistance to Iowa for increasing security and responding to domestic terrorism. "Congress can help ease the impact of the economic downturn on Iowans and their families," Vilsack said. "I am urging Congress to adopt specific legislation that will help protect the health of Iowans, provide expanded unemployment benefits to Iowans, and create job opportunities through targeted investment." Vilsack's recommendations for a federal economic stimulus package include the following: * Expand unemployment benefits to cover part-time workers and reform the extended benefits program to allow more people to qualify for assistance. * Temporarily increase federal support for Medicaid. With the economy down, the need for health care services for low-income Iowans will increase significantly. * Increase funds for highway construction. Highway construction projects translate directly into construction jobs in Iowa, and are perhaps the fastest way to directly stimulate our state's economy with new funds. Transit bus purchases and airport infrastructure investments also provide a direct economic stimulus. While funding for passenger rail service is important, funding for highway construction should be the top priority at this time to help provide an economic stimulus. Clipped here>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For SC email list T-and-C, send: GET TERMS-AND-CONDITIONS.CURRENT to [log in to unmask]