NELSON URGES STIMULUS PLAN WITH SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN HEALTH CARE, ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE IN LETTER TO OBAMA

December 10, 2008 - Yesterday, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson sent a letter to President-elect Barack Obama seeking a stimulus plan with broad investment in infrastructure ranging from roads to energy; health care to wastewater processing to save and create new jobs crucial to the nation’s return to economic vitality.

“As you work with Congress in the coming weeks to craft an economic stimulus plan as part of the recovery effort, I know you will look to the needs of Main Street,” wrote Senator Nelson. “I urge you to seek a broad investment in infrastructure to encompass our country’s vital transportation, health care, public works, and energy infrastructure systems.”

Senator Nelson believes direct payments to states for ready to go road construction, bridge projects, and capital improvements would trigger a building boom within just a few months. He also supports investments in health care and renewable energies that will serve to stabilize jobs in the short-term and create long-term job opportunities and building a strong foundation for the Unites States to grow in the 21st Century.

Senator Nelson offered his help in creating a new energy infrastructure that could deliver renewable energy from the Great Plains to the rest of the nation.

“Mr. President-elect, I am eager to roll up my sleeves and work with you to help build this new energy infrastructure,” said Nelson. “I believe it will enable America to become more competitive, more connected, more resourceful and more independent in the 21st Century.”

The text of the letter is below:

Dear President-Elect Obama:

I want to again extend my congratulations on your election as America’s 44th President. I look forward to your presidency for a number of reasons, including the fact that you, a former colleague representing a state with a large rural constituency, will keep in mind the needs of rural America as you work to revitalize our nation’s ailing economy. Across my home state of Nebraska, as you and I have seen throughout the country, families and businesses are struggling; Americans need a federal government which once again works for them.

I am, therefore, pleased to hear that the economic recovery plan you recently outlined seeks to create jobs in part by rebuilding America’s infrastructure. And I commend your promise that your overall plan will not be done the old “Washington way” of just throwing money at the problem. I have long advocated for a direct investment in infrastructure as a way to not only create jobs, but also to make a lasting impact on the future by modernizing our nation’s basic support network.

As you are all too aware, taxpayers across our great country will be shouldering the burden of the economic recovery effort begun by the current administration, a problem which will soon become your responsibility. As you work with Congress in the coming weeks to craft an economic stimulus plan as part of the recovery effort, I know you will look to the needs of Main Street; and I urge you to seek a broad investment in infrastructure to encompass our country’s vital transportation, health care, public works, and energy infrastructure systems. Such an effort will help ensure that America’s Main Streets also get back on track.

A targeted and timely infusion of funds for road construction, capital improvements, and bridge projects will stimulate the economy while also creating jobs. Because most state and local governments are facing significant budget shortfalls, I urge you to make these infrastructure funds a direct payment to our states while waiving any state or local matching fund requirements. This could speed money to hundreds of ready-to-go projects, thereby triggering a building boom within just a few months. In addition to transportation projects, I believe further investment in rural infrastructure will also improve the quality of life in our small towns. Before the economic crisis erupted this year, many rural communities were struggling with water and wastewater infrastructure needs, particularly those communities faced with new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations for drinking water. I urge you to seek an economic stimulus package which invests in helping America’s communities to upgrade their water and wastewater infrastructure.

Further, an economic stimulus plan should aim to improve access to health care across our country, together with added job training to help Americans get back on their feet. Our federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and health profession training institutions have growing unmet infrastructure and educational technology needs which are diminishing their ability to serve our nation’s Main Streets. Investing in mission-critical health care infrastructure will help create and stabilize jobs and provide welcome support for Americans seeking health services and job training in the months ahead. As you and I know, this is especially true in rural areas where the access to health services is the foundation of a strong economy.

Finally, I applaud your plans to promote energy, renewable energy, and “green jobs” in the stimulus legislation; and I welcome all new investments in America’s energy infrastructure as you work with Congress to steer our nation out of this recession. Now is a perfect time to seize the opportunity to begin building a new energy economy by expanding renewable electricity from wind, solar, geothermal sources, and biomass, as well as expanding renewable fuels by accelerating the production of next-generation biofuels. To achieve these goals, I urge you to create a new “Energy Superhighway” and to invest in helping to build the first commercial-scale cellulosic biofuel facilities. Like the Information Superhighway, an Energy Superhighway would span the nation and lay the foundation upon which a renewable energy industry could grow. An economic stimulus package provides an unparalleled opportunity to make these substantial investments a reality, and it has the added benefit of creating new short- and long-term jobs across rural America.

Mr. President Elect, I am eager to roll up my sleeves and work with you to help build this new energy infrastructure. Our combined efforts will enable America to become more competitive, more connected, more resourceful, and more independent in the 21st Century.

In conclusion, I look forward to helping you ensure that Main Streets across America will benefit from any economic stimulus package discussed by the 111th Congress. I thank you for your consideration and agree that by working in a spirit of partnership and bipartisanship with Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike, we are not doing things the old “Washington way” and will be able to return our great nation to economic vitality.

Sincerely,

E. Benjamin Nelson
United States Senator

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	Press Release	December 10, 2008
NELSON URGES STIMULUS PLAN WITH SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN HEALTH CARE, ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE IN LETTER TO OBAMA December 10, 2008 - Yesterday, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson sent a letter to President-elect Barack Obama seeking a stimulus plan with broad investment in infrastructure ranging from roads to energy; health care to wastewater processing to save and create new jobs crucial to the nation’s return to economic vitality. “As you work with Congress in the coming weeks to craft an economic stimulus plan as part of the recovery effort, I know you will look to the needs of Main Street,” wrote Senator Nelson. “I urge you to seek a broad investment in infrastructure to encompass our country’s vital transportation, health care, public works, and energy infrastructure systems.” Senator Nelson believes direct payments to states for ready to go road construction, bridge projects, and capital improvements would trigger a building boom within just a few months. He also supports investments in health care and renewable energies that will serve to stabilize jobs in the short-term and create long-term job opportunities and building a strong foundation for the Unites States to grow in the 21st Century. Senator Nelson offered his help in creating a new energy infrastructure that could deliver renewable energy from the Great Plains to the rest of the nation. “Mr. President-elect, I am eager to roll up my sleeves and work with you to help build this new energy infrastructure,” said Nelson. “I believe it will enable America to become more competitive, more connected, more resourceful and more independent in the 21st Century.” The text of the letter is below: Dear President-Elect Obama: I want to again extend my congratulations on your election as America’s 44th President. I look forward to your presidency for a number of reasons, including the fact that you, a former colleague representing a state with a large rural constituency, will keep in mind the needs of rural America as you work to revitalize our nation’s ailing economy. Across my home state of Nebraska, as you and I have seen throughout the country, families and businesses are struggling; Americans need a federal government which once again works for them. I am, therefore, pleased to hear that the economic recovery plan you recently outlined seeks to create jobs in part by rebuilding America’s infrastructure. And I commend your promise that your overall plan will not be done the old “Washington way” of just throwing money at the problem. I have long advocated for a direct investment in infrastructure as a way to not only create jobs, but also to make a lasting impact on the future by modernizing our nation’s basic support network. As you are all too aware, taxpayers across our great country will be shouldering the burden of the economic recovery effort begun by the current administration, a problem which will soon become your responsibility. As you work with Congress in the coming weeks to craft an economic stimulus plan as part of the recovery effort, I know you will look to the needs of Main Street; and I urge you to seek a broad investment in infrastructure to encompass our country’s vital transportation, health care, public works, and energy infrastructure systems. Such an effort will help ensure that America’s Main Streets also get back on track. A targeted and timely infusion of funds for road construction, capital improvements, and bridge projects will stimulate the economy while also creating jobs. Because most state and local governments are facing significant budget shortfalls, I urge you to make these infrastructure funds a direct payment to our states while waiving any state or local matching fund requirements. This could speed money to hundreds of ready-to-go projects, thereby triggering a building boom within just a few months. In addition to transportation projects, I believe further investment in rural infrastructure will also improve the quality of life in our small towns. Before the economic crisis erupted this year, many rural communities were struggling with water and wastewater infrastructure needs, particularly those communities faced with new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations for drinking water. I urge you to seek an economic stimulus package which invests in helping America’s communities to upgrade their water and wastewater infrastructure. Further, an economic stimulus plan should aim to improve access to health care across our country, together with added job training to help Americans get back on their feet. Our federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and health profession training institutions have growing unmet infrastructure and educational technology needs which are diminishing their ability to serve our nation’s Main Streets. Investing in mission-critical health care infrastructure will help create and stabilize jobs and provide welcome support for Americans seeking health services and job training in the months ahead. As you and I know, this is especially true in rural areas where the access to health services is the foundation of a strong economy. Finally, I applaud your plans to promote energy, renewable energy, and “green jobs” in the stimulus legislation; and I welcome all new investments in America’s energy infrastructure as you work with Congress to steer our nation out of this recession. Now is a perfect time to seize the opportunity to begin building a new energy economy by expanding renewable electricity from wind, solar, geothermal sources, and biomass, as well as expanding renewable fuels by accelerating the production of next-generation biofuels. To achieve these goals, I urge you to create a new “Energy Superhighway” and to invest in helping to build the first commercial-scale cellulosic biofuel facilities. Like the Information Superhighway, an Energy Superhighway would span the nation and lay the foundation upon which a renewable energy industry could grow. An economic stimulus package provides an unparalleled opportunity to make these substantial investments a reality, and it has the added benefit of creating new short- and long-term jobs across rural America. Mr. President Elect, I am eager to roll up my sleeves and work with you to help build this new energy infrastructure. Our combined efforts will enable America to become more competitive, more connected, more resourceful, and more independent in the 21st Century. In conclusion, I look forward to helping you ensure that Main Streets across America will benefit from any economic stimulus package discussed by the 111th Congress. I thank you for your consideration and agree that by working in a spirit of partnership and bipartisanship with Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike, we are not doing things the old “Washington way” and will be able to return our great nation to economic vitality. Sincerely, E. Benjamin Nelson United States Senator ###