Congressional Black Caucus Calls for Bypassing States on New Jobs Bill

As the $787 billion stimulus law nears its one-year anniversary,
Congress’ choice to route the lion’s share of recovery funds through
state capitals — including state DOTs where misplaced priorities are
all too common — remains a sore spot for mayors and urban advocates.

184_Afghanistan_Muted_Reaction.sff.embedded.prod_affiliate.80.jpgCBC Chair Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) (Photo: AP)

Today the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)
joined the chorus urging President Obama — who joined the Black Caucus
during his time in the Senate –to reconsider the first stimulus’
state-centric approach.

In a letter to Obama, the CBC
suggested several strategies aimed at focusing Democrats’ upcoming jobs
bill on cities, suburbs, and towns where the sting of joblessness is
being felt most keenly. The Black Caucus members wrote:

With
each provision, we would urge you to direct funding through the federal
agencies directly to localities:
county/city/municipality/college/university or nonprofit organization,
rather than through the state, to be quickly disbursed and used by the
most economically depressed communities.

Other items on the CBC’s jobs bill to-do list: expanding the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, which directly aids local projects, and the Neighborhood Stabilization Fund, a stimulus-funded effort to help productively retool foreclosed homes in the nation’s most recession-ravaged areas.

  • Gwendolyn Scott

    I think it kind of unfair to attack the president about jobs for black people. What about attacking america for letting so many of our jobs go to illegal hispanics. Jobs such as fast food, hotels,…etc. just to name a few are going to illegal hispanics and we know that without a doubt. These are jobs that were once held by black people. Why is there such a downplay that these are insignificant jobs? It can make the difference in paying bills, feeding their families; or being on the streets due to foreclosures.

    It seems to me all that you’re doing is political. Saying “look yall we’re working trying to get you jobs.” We know what’s to take place in 2010. Like I heard someone say, Obama isn’t a majician. He’s working hard trying to help all americans out of work get jobs. Where was this collective outcry from your caucus during the bush administration, which is the real beginning of the real problem?

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