Great Laker, James Oberstar (D-Minn.) who is also the chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has released an $85 billion economic recovery plan that would create jobs in the Great Lakes while bringing us much closer to reaching our restoration goals. The only hitch seems to be in convincing President-Elect Barack Obama’s team that these jobs really are ready to go to bid.
Oberstar’s nationwide infrastructure building plan would create more than 24 million jobs and generate approximately $439 billion in economic activity. Most relevant to our region are his proposals to put $12 billion into the State Revolving Fund and $400 million into the Great Lakes Legacy Act.
There is no question that the sewers across this nation, but particularly in the Midwest and northeast need to be fixed. HOW recently asked that the federal government put $10 billion into the State Revolving Fund for this purpose and we expected that $3.7 billion would head to our states. Oberstar has recommended spending that exceeds what HOW has dared to ask for from the federal government.
For instance, HOW recently requested that the government spend $451 million on the wastewater infrastructure in Illinois creating roughly 21,197 jobs in the process, but Oberstar beat our appeal suggesting the feds spend $535,942,440. Oberstar’s plan sees us and raises us for each of the eight Great Lakes states. We asked for $240 million for Indiana and he asks for $282,594,131. Same thing in Michigan, we ask for $429 million and he puts in for $509,531,477. In Minnesota, we ask for $183 million and he recommends $217,805,603. New York State requires at least $1.1 billion, but Oberstar thinks $1.3 makes more sense. Ohio should get $562 million, according to HOW but Oberstar suggests $677,119,618. In Pennsylvania, we hope for 395 million but Oberstar demands $469,406,005. Finally, in Wisconsin, HOW requested $270 million with the hope of creating 12,690 jobs but Oberstar bests that number recommending $320,360,179.
Money for sewer repair and construction is one of HOW’s biggest asks in the Economic Recovery Package and we are beyond delighted that Oberstar’s plan surpasses our original wish. HOW has also called for additional Great Lakes Legacy Act funding to the tune of $500 million. Oberstar recommends spending a bit less, $400 million and says that doing so would create 11,000 jobs and $2 billion in economic activity. There are at least $160 million GLLA projects that are ready to go within 90 days.
Another budget line in Oberstar’s proposal would benefit our region – he has allotted $1 billion to clean up farm and urban run-off that pollutes our waters. The money would be distributed via the Clean Water Act’s Nonpoint Source Management and would create 27,800 jobs nationally while generating nearly $5 billion in economic activity.
Now that is leadership. It is truly a good day when someone as influential as James Oberstar bests our expectations by gracing us with real financial support for restoration projects and regional employment. We will just have to have faith that Obama’s team will listen to our Great Lakes leaders.
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