Congresswoman Hirono Votes in Favor of Second Stimulus Package
to Spur Job Growth and Help Families Cope with the Economic Downturn
House Package Includes $221 Million for the State of Hawai’i
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) today voted in favor of a $60.8 billion stimulus package, the Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act of 2008 (H.R. 7110). The bill will help struggling Americans in the short term by extending unemployment benefits, boosting food stamp funding, and creating jobs by funding ready-to-go infrastructure projects. The bill also addresses long-term needs by making much-needed investments in infrastructure in our communities. H.R. 7110 passed out of the House by a vote of 264-158.
“As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have been a strong advocate for increased infrastructure funding as an economic stimulus,” said Hirono. “The $137.9 million in infrastructure funding for Hawaii provided in this bill will not only put people to work soon, it will help improve our economic competitiveness for years to come.”
Under the Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act, Hawai‘i would also receive $9 million in additional food stamp benefits. The bill will also increase the federal contribution to Medicaid costs in the islands by $75 million.
The infrastructure project funding of $137,904,876 will be utilized to repair highways, fund transit systems, and keep Hawai‘i’s water clean:
Highway Infrastructure: $56,448,561 to repair aging highways and bridges, improve safety, and reduce traffic congestion.
Federal Transit Administration Capital Funding: $25,120,748 to purchase buses and equipment needed to expand public transportation and make improvements to facilities.
Federal Transit Administration Energy Funding: $6,622,908 to meet growing demand for public transportation due to higher gas prices while reducing American gasoline consumption. Rising fuel costs have some transit agencies facing service reductions or fare increases.
Clean Water State Revolving Fund: $49,712,659 to fund water quality protection projects for wastewater treatment, nonpoint source pollution control, and watershed and estuary management.
H.R. 7110 also provides $3 billion to repair crumbling schools, provide students with first class technology, and to improve energy efficiency.
The Democratic economic stimulus bill now goes before the U.S. Senate.
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