February 17, 2010

Braley Statement on First Anniversary of Recovery Act

Washington, DC – Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) released the following statement marking the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's first anniversary. According to www.recovery.gov, Iowa has received more than $2 billion in Recovery Act funds to create jobs and strengthen our state’s economy.

“Through the fall of 2008 and into the early months of 2009, our nation teetered on the edge of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Responding to the critical need of America's middle class families and local governments, Congress acted swiftly to pass the Recovery Act, giving America's economy the critical boost it needed to prevent complete economic disaster. “While we still have a long way to go before we can truly say the recession is over, the Recovery Act has played a critical role in strengthening small businesses and investing in clean energy--two of the linchpins in Iowa's economy.

"Throughout the past year, I've had the chance to meet with small business owners who have been able to start a business and grow as a direct result of Recovery Act funds. State and local governments have used critical Recovery Act funds to maintain or expand necessary services to keep our communities safe and secure. And most importantly, the Recovery Act played a critical role in creating thousands of good-paying infrastructure jobs for Iowa's middle class families. "And I'm proud to say the Recovery Act achieved all of this while undertaking a tremendous effort to be the most transparent government program in American history.

"As we continue to revitalize America's Main Streets in the wake of Wall Street's collapse, we must continue to spur small business growth and expand opportunities for clean energy manufacturing. These are the keys for robust economic progress not only here in Iowa, but across America."

Notes from Governor Chet Culver

As I travel the state and talk to Iowans, the first question folks ask is what we are doing to grow our economy and create good paying jobs. And I wanted to tell you what I tell everyone: My number one priority is fighting to create good paying private-sector jobs -- with benefits - for Iowans.

From our major investment through I-JOBS to helping create the green collar jobs of the future through the Power Fund - we are creating jobs in the short term and transforming our economy for years to come.

Through I-JOBS, we have now approved more than 1400 projects, and invested more than $570 million dollars in shovel-ready projects statewide. Today, I am visiting Clinton and Davenport to talk about two newly announced I-JOBS projects in those communities.

I-JOBS will modernize our entire state infrastructure, improve our bridges and roads, rebuild from the worst floods in Iowa history, improve water quality and protect our state from future disasters.

Through the Power Fund, we are encouraging private sector jobs in the industries of tomorrow. It is helping make our state a national leader in renewable energy. Today, there are nearly 9,000 green jobs in Iowa. We're literally rebuilding our state and our economy at the same time to move Iowa forward.

We now have the 8th fastest growing economy in the United States. We were recently recognized as being the 4th best place in America to do business - up from 9th just one year ago. And Iowa now has the lowest cost of doing business of any of the fifty states.

These aren't just statistics - they represent new businesses in Iowa, jobs that will help working families for years to come, and are tangible ways we are moving Iowa forward.

Some politicians want us to scrap these programs, turn back the clock, and not invest in our economy or green jobs. But I will not just sit on my hands and join them in playing the same old partisan political game.

History tells us time and again that the Iowa way, and the American way, is that when faced with great challenges, we meet them with bold and decisive action.

We have done that, and with your help we will continue to move Iowa forward.

Sincerely, Chet Culver