Rep. Johnson Supports Recovery and Reinvestment Plan

Press Release

Rep. Johnson supports Recovery and Reinvestment Plan

Citing mounting job losses as his biggest concern, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) will vote this week to support the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.

The $825 billion bipartisan plan, which will work to create and save three to four million jobs, includes investments in education, infrastructure, renewable energy and healthcare.

Under the plan, more than 95 percent of Americans would receive an immediate tax cut.

"This gets us away from the failed trickle-down philosophy of tax cuts for the wealthy," said Johnson. "It replaces it with a new, much-needed policy of rebuilding the economy from the ground up."

Last year under President George W. Bush's stewardship, the economy lost more than 2.6 million jobs.

As a former county commissioner, Johnson is keenly aware of pressing needs at the local level.

"(This package) will also provide assistance to state and local governments to keep them from having to cut police, fire, EMS personnel and teachers," he said.

The plan also promises to invest $32 billion in renewable energy, $10 billion for science and research facilities, $10 billion for transit and more than $40 billion for education.

"I support the package," he said. "It will help small businesses, invests in education, helps us become energy independent and focuses on science and technology. This will position the U.S. to be on the cutting edge of green energy, create jobs in the short term, and build a foundation of strong economic growth for the long term."

Source