Dean Touts Spending on US infrastructure

[CMT]

Federal aid for infrastructure spending was a central topic Sunday during a meeting between Gov. Jim McGreevey and Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean. Dean and McGreevey met for about 45 minutes at the Governors mansion. McGreevey termed the meeting a frank exchange of views in which Dean reiterated his belief that infrastructure spending in areas like mass transit, roads and schools construction would stimulate job growth in New Jersey and elsewhere. Dean said this policy runs counter the strategy of the Bush administration, which he said has cut aid to education to finance tax cuts that don't address the problem.

http://www.theunionleader.com/prez_show.html?article=26577

[SEAburb]

1. how does this fit into his plan to "return to fiscal sanity"

As Kucinich said in the last debate referring to Deans budget plan, "hello people".

[w4rma]

2. More information here

…
What steps will you take to fund important infrastructure projects that generate good jobs, such as transportation systems, school modernization, airports and water systems?

I will substantially increase assistance to states and communities through the community development block grant program. It is an urgent and immediate need. I will also enhance support for education with a goal of fully funding special education by 2010, so that states and localities can put more funds to work in improving schools, roads, bridges, transportation and the telecommunications infrastructure.
…
How will you ensure that states can address the fiscal crises that are forcing them to cut services and jobs?

I will help states address their fiscal crises by assuming federal responsibility for some unduly burdensome programs. For example, I will increase federal education resources to fully fund Special Education. I will eliminate the unfunded mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act. My health care program will relieve other costs now burdening the states. And I will help state and local governments make investments in necessary infrastructure through an expansion of the Community Development Block Grant program.
…
What specifically will you do to ensure all our children can get a high-quality public education in safe school buildings conducive to learning?

As Governor of Vermont I worked hard to improve public education, strengthen school accountability and reward teacher excellence. I will bring these goals to federal education policy.
George W. Bush's claim to be the education president is a farce. Among other things, he has abdicated the federal government's responsibility to fund a significant share of the cost of special education; I will fully fund that obligation, freeing up scarce state and local resources for school construction and other infrastructure needs. Bush's No Child Left Behind Act has imposed burdensome, unworkable, unfunded mandates on schools; I will reform that law without abandoning the goal of reducing achievement gaps. I will pay special attention to the infrastructure needs of schools, including teacher recruitment and training, school health clinics and school modernization.
…
http://www.aflcio.org/issuespolitics/politics/candidates_dean.cfm

[CMT]

4. Dean has made clear

that he will repeal the tax cuts and put part of the money towards improvement of the infrastructure which will provide jobs which will also lead to a stronger economy which will lead to a lessening of the deficit.

[SEAburb]

5. I thought the funds from raising taxes were going to pay

for Dean's health plan. Again, "hello people" - Kucinich

[CMT]

6. hello again

the tax cut has plenty of money associated with it--Dean has outlined his healthcare program. He has outlined three top domestic priorities to use with that money
1) healthcare
2) begin rebuilding our infrastructure
3) begin paying down on the deficit.

[lindashaw]

13. eliminating or "deferring" the tax cut to upper 1% is over $400billion.

[sham]

21. And the most recent estimates I have seen

on Dean's healthcare plan are around $90 billion. That leaves plenty of money for spending on infrastructure and other things.

[SEAburb]

14. according to Paul Krugman

So the truth is, even if we rolled them all back(tax cuts), we would still have a hole in the budget.

http://www.liberaloasis.com/krugman.htm

The unstated truth is Dean would make cuts in the same place Bush is, in social programs. That is if he truly wants to "return to fiscal sanity".

[MercutioATC]

8. He said originally that it would take about half of the Bush tax cut

to pay for healthcare. I think he's underestimating a bit, but repaeling the entire cut will give him plenty of leftover money.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

11. Hellloooooo!

[alexwcovington]

3. Yippee!!!

Yet another common goal I share with Howard Dean. This man is our next president!

Get on the bus with Dean!!!

[sandnsea]

7. Everybody else is going to burn money

Only Dean is brilliant enough to invest in infrastructure.

:eyes:

[Fabio]

9. Your kidding, right?

John Kerry's major economic speech in Cleveland from LAST December:


You know, one of the things I learned in the military - and John Glenn will know it well - whether on a ship, a small boat, or flying an airplane as John did - you live and die by your preventative maintenance and equipment investment. The same is true for bridges, rail, highways, buildings, and water and sewer systems. Ask Jane Campbell or Jack Ford - ask any mayor of a city or any small town in rural America -- and they will tell you that long overdue in this country is an investment in our infrastructure - especially transportation.

Link:
http://www.johnkerry.com/news/speeches/spc_2002_1203.html

From his website issues page:

Make Investments in Homeland Security, Infrastructure, and Transportation. John Kerry also believes that improvements in infrastructure are long overdue. It’s how you create jobs. It’s how you move products. It’s how you make our cities work. This includes building high-speed rail where it makes sense, which can create jobs, reduce traffic and help people and products get where they need to go. It also includes repairing our roads, bridges and our inner city water and sewer systems.

http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/resoring_jobs_plan.html

[lindashaw]

15. John Kerry also says that investing in alternative enery will create jobs

[sandnsea]

18. uh, yeah,

thus the eyes. :eyes:

Today's speech on the manufacturing sector at the Detroit Economic Club was comprehensive with a real vision for the future. Infrastructure is only one part of Kerry's plan. He is also honest about trade and what we need to do compete and create a new wave of energy technology that can provide jobs over the next 20 years. It's a great speech.

http://www.johnkerry.com/news/releases/pr_2003_0922.html

[Mairead]

10. Did he credit Kucinich?

Because Dennis was the first one with a full 'rebuild the infrastructure' policy.

And did Dean even mention the basic industries such as steel mills, or does he plan to send out? As far as I know, only Dennis is planning to rebuild basic manufacturing capacity as part of the infrastructure.

[CMT]

12. why should he?

Dean has been talking about the infrastructure since he got into the race. I think it is great that both he and Kucinich are talking about fixing it becuz we need it.

[w4rma]

16. Kucinich? Try FDR or earlier. (n/t)

[MercutioATC]

17. Great, except that the U.S. is moving toward a service economy

and AWAY from a manufacturing economy. I think the money would be better spent in retraining for the new economy.

[Mairead]

20. If you think about that a bit, I think you'll see that it doesn't work

If everything manufactured is imported, then what are we selling them? We're all going to work for McDonalds at Yellowstone?

I'm being a little flippant, but the issue is a real one. Might I suggest Jane Jacobs's books as an excellent, readable resource? Her Cities and the Wealth of Nations would be my first choice, I think.

[sandnsea]

19. not the only one

I respect your decision to support Dennis, he's an awesome human being with a great vision for our country. But please read Senator Kerry's speech today. This addresses the manufacturing sector, in particular. But some of it, like health care, addresses all industries. Investing in infrastructure is fairly basic Democratic policy, it's how and where it's done that makes a difference. I'm sure Dennis has a great plan as well. I've read some of his policy papers and have always found them to be very insightful.

http://www.johnkerry.com/news/releases/pr_2003_0922.html