Issue Position: Strengthening Our Economy

Issue Position

With unemployment rates still high in Connecticut and across the country, Rosa's top priority is putting people back to work and creating good middle class jobs. Rosa believes in doing this while also investing in the infrastructure and green economy that will create jobs in the long-term and sustainable economic growth that allows us to compete in the global economy.

Jobs
Rosa knows that the most important work she can do to strengthen our economy is to help create good jobs for Connecticut. From supporting innovative small business and our manufacturing base to investments in education and scientific research, we must create good, sustainable middle class jobs that cannot be outsourced and will lead to long-term economic growth.

Many Americans have seen their wages stagnate and income fall over the past decades. As the top 1% of Americans have seen their incomes triple, 1 in 6 Americans are living in poverty. We are also seeing more and more good jobs shipped overseas. Connecticut alone has lost over 31,000 jobs over the last decade due to our growing trade deficit with China.

Rosa continues to fight to create good jobs for Connecticut now and well into the future. Her Job's Plan aims to create jobs by supporting small business, innovative research and education while also preserving existing jobs and preventing unjust barriers for employment. Rosa's Job's Plan will also build the foundations for long-term growth by rebuilding our infrastructure and reviving the manufacturing sector and help working families to ensure they get the pay and benefits they deserve.

The infrastructure of our economy
Rosa has always believed that investing in public works projects like roads, bridges, transit and schools is a crucial element in turning the economy around. Rebuilding our infrastructure creates good jobs that cannot be outsourced, spurs economic growth, and puts our nation on a better path, not just today but for the future.

The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that every $1 billion in federal highway investment creates 47,500 new jobs and generates more than $2 billion in economic activity. That means a plan to solve massive traffic problems like Interstate 95 and the Q Bridge could bring thousands of needed jobs to the region.

Rosa has supported investment of millions of dollars in roads, transit projects and other development that can jumpstart the economy and get people working again. Rosa has championed the issue of a National Infrastructure Bank Act, which would depoliticize the process of funding infrastructure projects. This bank would help to create more jobs, improve our infrastructure, and facilitate the economic growth that will enable us to compete in a 21st century economy.

Important benefits when working
Rosa believes that a good job allows workplace flexibility, so that employees do not have to choose between their paycheck and their health. She has advocated for legislation that would call for employers to provide paid sick days to their employees. "Paid sick days has always been a good, common-sense, and economically sound proposal for American workers and families," says Rosa. "We can no longer afford to wait to pass legislation that will give the 57 million Americans who cannot take time off work the crucial ability to stay home when they are sick. We need to get this done now."

Rosa also believes in women earning equal pay for equal work. She also knows that pay equity is not just a matter of fairness; achieving equal pay for women would increase wages for thousands of households and bring thousands of families out of poverty.

Rosa introduced the Paycheck Fairness Act in the House of Representatives, which was passed by the House of Representatives on January 9, 2009. The bill strengthens the laws against pay discrimination and closes loopholes through which employers can avoid liability for wage discrimination. Rosa will continue the fight for pay equity, as she has for her entire career in Congress.

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