Washington, DC - In a letter to Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue sent last week, Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) took the opportunity to commend Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue on his decision to accept all of the funds that Georgia is entitled to under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 

On February 13, the House of Representatives and the Senate passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was signed into law by President Obama on February 17th.  The bill is an effort to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and build our infrastructure.  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is estimated to create or save 3.5 million jobs throughout the country, including 106,000 jobs in Georgia and 7,700 jobs in Georgia's 12th Congressional District.  Jobs created will be in a range of industries from clean energy to health care.

The full text of Congressman Barrow's letter to Governor Perdue:

Hon. Sonny Perdue

Office of the Governor

203 State Capitol

Atlanta, GA 30334

Dear Governor Perdue,

I want to commend you for your decision to accept all of the funds that Georgia is entitled to under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  With jobs disappearing at rates not seen since the end of World War II, and unemployment in Georgia above the national average, it's essential that we work together to get our economy back in shape and unemployed people back to work.  Meanwhile, I believe we have to do whatever we reasonably can to lessen the impact on those who are suffering through no fault of their own, and help tide them over until the number of jobs catches up with the number of those looking for work.  That's why I ask that you put these recovery dollars to work as soon as possible.

While it may not be perfect, I believe that the plan set forth in this legislation is a big step in the right direction to get hardworking folks in my district out of this tough economic bind.  Unlike the Wall Street bail out plan which I voted against, we have a very good idea what we are going to get out of this Recovery Act:  We're going to get out of it what we put into it.  With this added bonus:  The sooner we can put these funds to work, the more we'll get out of it.   

I share many of the concerns you've voiced throughout this process.  From my days in local government, I well remember the problem posed by accepting federal benefits that had a limited duration but a continuing constituency.  This is not one of those situations, and I commend you for seeing it this way too. 

I think we both understand just how vital it is for our state and country for this initiative to work.  Right now, we have the opportunity to create jobs repairing and upgrading the nation's roads, bridges, ports, levees, electrical grids, and schools.  Also, we can kick-start alternative, non-fossil based sources of energy; health-care information technology; and rural broadband Internet access.  I have no doubt that if Georgia makes the maximum use of its share of these dollars, we'll bring our economy around much more quickly than we otherwise would. 

Sincerely,

John Barrow

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Contact:  Jane Brodsky, (202) 225-2823

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