So we're on our way. Democrats and Republicans, House members and Senators, they all got together in conference and brought the House and Senate versions of the bill from 90% alike to 100%.
"I want to thank the Democrats and Republicans in Congress who came together around a hard-fought compromise that will save or create more than 3.5 million jobs and get our economy back on track," the President said in
an official statement.
In the course of negotiations, the President made clear that he was
disappointed in some of the changes from his original proposal, but he has also made clear that saving and creating jobs is the most urgent priority and that Congress can return to other issues down the line. And some of those jobs might come even before the money starts flowing -- simply from the idea that help is on the way.
But CAT’s not alone. The
Denver Business Journal reported a few days ago that, "Telecommunications companies fore-see putting thousands of construction workers to work this year expanding the nation’s broadband infrastructure, fueled by the federal economic stimulus package." The
Business Review Western Michigan describes how 85% of contractors could either hire new workers or avoid layoffs if the plan is passed. Even Google CEO Eric Schmidt said the company would
"absolutely" hire new employees if the stimulus passes.
The same is true for local governments, which are likely to keep or add thousands of employees -- including police. "If you can use new police to stabilize a neighborhood, consolidate crime-reduction gains, then you can have a considerable impact on the local economy," Chuck Wexler, the executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, told the
New York Times.