By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-988769.mp3
New Paltz, NY – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood have renewed the call for Congress to take action to create jobs ... they are not alone ... Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
Secretary LaHood says President Obama's American Jobs Act would invest nearly $3 billion for New York infrastructure to support nearly 40,000 local jobs.
"I know New Yorkers are ready to get back to work," Senator Gillibrand said. "And there's no shortage of projects waiting to get started that can revitalize our communities and attract new businesses - from rebuilding roadways, railways and runways, to renovating empty homes and outdated office buildings. Each day we wait to start these projects and create the jobs to do them, we delay our full economic recovery. It's time for all in Congress to heed the call of the American people, come together, and set the right policies that can put people back to work rebuilding this country."
Across New York State, more than 2,200 Transportation Improvement Projects are planned for Fiscal Year 2012.
In New York City, there are 213 Transportation Improvement Projects planned for FY2012.
In Western New York, there are 348 Transportation Improvement Projects planned for FY2012.
In the Genesee Valley, there are 227 Transportation Improvement Projects planned for FY2012.
In Central New York, there are 261 Transportation Improvement Projects planned for FY2012.
In the Mohawk Valley, there are 112 Transportation Improvement Projects planned for FY2012.
In the Southern Tier, there are 302 Transportation Improvement Projects planned for FY2012.
In Southern Tier Central, there are 149 Transportation Improvement Projects planned for FY2012.
In the Capital Region, there are 194 Transportation Improvement Projects planned for FY2012.
In the North Country, there are 113 Transportation Improvement Projects planned for FY2012.
In the Hudson Valley, there are 231 Transportation Improvement Projects planned for FY2012.
On Long Island, there are 85 Transportation Improvement Projects are planned FY2012.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez talked about the President's proposal during a visit to Newburgh. Dutchess County Legislator Joel Tyner says President Obama's American Jobs Act is the first step in the right direction.
Observers wonder how many of the new programs and recently announced initiatives designed to stimulate new business and job growth might go to presently unemployed workers... Should Governor Andrew Cuomo follow through with his vow to lay off Public Employees Federation workers, about 35-hundred Union members would be eligible for unemployment: the Capital Region would be hardest hit by layoffs.