A New Deal for the Gulf States?

Kudos to Rep. Zoe Lofgren and allies, who are pushing a public jobs program to support economic recovery in the depressed states on the Gulf Coast. The Drive for Decent Work applauds this visionary thinking.

We hope more Congressional leaders will step forward with similar creative proposals to address the need for jobs and public investment in essential infrastructure and public services.

A New Deal for the Gulf Coast: Advocates welcome vital recovery legislation
from: Facing South, Institute for Southern Studies

Almost four years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast, legislation was introduced this week to create more jobs and support sustainable rebuilding efforts in the region.

The Gulf Coast Civic Works Act of 2009 (H.R. 2269) was introduced in the House Tuesday by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and a growing bipartisan group of co-sponsors.

Facing South has reported that one of the major barriers to rebuilding and one of the biggest problems facing residents of the Gulf Coast post-Katrina is finding good jobs. Inspired by New Deal-era public works programs, the act would create 100,000 "green" living-wage jobs and training opportunities for Gulf Coast residents and displaced people to rebuild critical infrastructure, restore natural flood protection and increase energy efficiency in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

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Posted by Chuck Bell at 8:09 AM