Issue Position: Economic Recovery

Issue Position

"My top priority is growing our economy and creating jobs. I know that Washington state workers and families are losing their jobs and homes through no fault of their own. And I know what it's like. My own family fell on hard times when my father got sick and could no longer work and my mom had to support seven children. But we had a government that valued our potential and was there to help us get back on our feet."

-- Senator Patty Murray

Washington has been hit hard by the economic downturn. Senator Murray has worked aggressively to help Washington state recover, create jobs and remain competitive for economic growth and new industries. Senator Murray has supported investments in education, health care, energy diversification, transportation and job training that will help spur job creation today and help pave the way for growth long-term. She also knows that if we want those efforts to reach their full potential, we need educated workers prepared to fill the jobs of the future and compete in a global economy.

At a time of crisis and change for our nation, Patty Murray is leading efforts to make the reforms she has worked for throughout her career a reality. She has already helped pass the biggest middle class tax cut in American history, passed laws guaranteeing equal pay for equal work, provided health coverage for 10 million low-income children, and cracked down on predatory lending by credit card companies. Now, she is working for affordable quality health care for all; more use of clean renewable energy, better schools across America; and a strong, growing economy that will benefit all Washington families.

Senator Murray is also concerned about our national debt. She believes we have the responsibility to future generations not to pay for our recovery on their backs. That is why she has supported efforts to make government more efficient and reduce spending in order to balance our budget, reduce our debt and ensure the strength of America for future generations.

However, one of the key elements to economic recovery is investment. Providing relief to struggling families and businesses while cutting taxes to stimulate consumer spending are smart investments that will put people back to work and get the economy back on track. For example, investing in projects like transportation and renewable energy will spur economic growth, job creation, and energy independence for generations to come.

* Senator Murray helped pass the Economic Recovery Act and include nearly $700 million in the Act for Washington state roads, transit, shipyards and ferries.

* Senator Murray fought to include $4 billion in the Recovery package for job training programs under the Workforce Investment Act, and has worked for years to improve workforce development in our country.

* Senator Murray helped pass housing legislation in 2008 to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, jumpstart the housing market, and modernize the Federal Housing Administration. She also led the fight to provide over $200 million in federal funding for home counseling programs to help families avoid foreclosure.

* Senator Murray introduced the Summer Jobs Stimulus Act to support summer youth employment. She succeeded in getting funding for youth jobs included in the economic recovery package that is helping to employ hundreds of Washington's young people and give them the skills they need for future jobs.

* Senator Murray wrote and introduced the Promoting Innovations to 21st Century Careers Act. This bill would provide incentives for communities, employers and schools to work together to identify the jobs of the future and develop ways to help students graduate with the skills they need to pursue those jobs.

* Senator Murray wrote and introduced legislation giving grants to states to support teaching financial skills in K-12 and 2-and 4-year colleges.

* Senator Murray is working to ensure financial markets are properly regulated to prevent market manipulation and encourage stability and investment.

* Senator Murray helped pass the Credit Card Holders' Bill of Rights, which puts families first and puts fairness and common sense back into credit card lending.

* Senator Murray believes in promoting tax fairness. That is why she has consistently worked in the Senate to make the state sales tax deduction permanent so that Washington state taxpayers can deduct state and local sales tax on their federal income tax returns. In 2008 she successfully worked to get this deduction extended through 2010.

* One in three jobs in Washington state is dependent on international trade. Senator Murray works to open new markets to Washington's products, goods and services. She believes that trade is good for the economy as a whole, but she also recognizes the costs. Senator Murray strongly supports programs to help workers and communities deal with the consequences of global competition.

* Senator Murray is the Senate's strongest proponent of protecting and growing aerospace jobs at Boeing and throughout Washington's aerospace sector. She stands up to unfair competition from Europe and has worked to ensure a fair and transparent competition for the next generation of aerial refueling tankers.

* Senator Murray has helped families and businesses keep power rates low by ensuring that the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) can provide stable rates and fought efforts to increase energy prices in the region.

* We know that the rising cost of care is sapping our productivity, hurting our businesses and draining state and federal resources. Senator Murray is currently helping to craft a health care reform bill that makes health care more affordable, protects choice of doctors and treatments and ensures that all Americans can get quality care when they need it.

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