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Senator E. Benjamin 'Ben' Nelson
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Current Office: U.S. Senate
Seniority: Senior Seat
First Elected: 2000
Last Elected: 11/07/2006
Next Election: 2012
Party: Democratic
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BiographicalVoting RecordIssue Positions
(Political Courage Test)Interest Group RatingsPosition PapersSpeeches and Public StatementsAdditional Biographical InformationCampaign Finances
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Title: Nelson: Amendment Invests in Infrastructure, Creates Jobs, Boosts Economy
Date: 03/12/2008
Press Release
NELSON: AMENDMENT INVESTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE, CREATES JOBS, BOOSTS ECONOMY
Nebraska's Senator Offers Bipartisan Amendment to Double Funding for "Ready-to-Go" Infrastructure Projects
Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson is pushing for a major investment in our nation's infrastructure. Today, Nelson offered a budget amendment aimed at stimulating the economy by doubling the amount of federal funds available for "ready-to-go" infrastructure projects.
"Earlier this year, Congress passed and the President signed an economic stimulus bill to give billions of dollars back to the taxpayers. That was a good first step in staving off a recession," said Senator Nelson. "If it becomes clear that we need to do more, I believe the next step should include targeted federal investment that will meet local needs, improve our nation's infrastructure and create jobs."
States and local governments have reported a crisis in transportation and infrastructure funding. According to a 2007 survey by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), 17 states identified capital spending on infrastructure as a top issue they will face in 2008, and media reports have indicated that states are struggling to find funds to pay for new and improved roads, bridges and other building projects.
Nelson's amendment helps meet these pressing needs by doubling the amount of funding set aside for "ready-to-go" infrastructure projects in the budget under consideration by the Senate. Currently, the budget allocates $3.5 billion for such projects - and an additional $30 billion is available for tax relief and undefined mandatory spending. Nelson's amendment would designate $3.5 billion of the undefined mandatory spending as funding for "ready-to-go" projects, bringing the total for such projects to $7 billion.
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) surveyed state Departments of Transportation and identified $17.819 billion in projects that could be placed under contract, with construction ready to go within three months. These projects would immediately create jobs and make needed improvements to our nation's infrastructure, which would also promote economic development and future job creation.
"We know, right now, that infrastructure funding is desperately needed on the state and local level. We also know that, according to the Department of Transportation, every $1 billion in infrastructure spending creates over 40,000 jobs," said Nelson. "My amendment would simply take funding Congress is setting aside to spend on unspecified stimulus and direct it towards a lasting investment in infrastructure improvement - it's two for the price of one: spending to create jobs and much-needed infrastructure investment."
Nelson was joined by a bipartisan group of six senators in introducing the amendment and a vote is expected later this week. Upon completion of the budget, the Appropriations Committee, of which Nelson is a member, will begin work allocating funding under the framework set down by the budget.
http://bennelson.senate.gov/news/details.cfm?id=294636&&
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