Economy and Jobs
“We all have a stake in making sure that everyone, especially people in vulnerable communities, has access to employment opportunities that pay a decent living wage.”
- Congresswoman Barbara Lee
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In the last year alone our economy has lost over 1.2 million private sector jobs, and millions more are now in jeopardy due to the reckless economic policies of the Bush Administration. As the economic crisis widens, State budget deficits are growing, access to capital has shrunk and many business are facing potential collapse. These widespread economic problems have only served to reinforce the growing inequality between rich and poor as CEOs have been rewarded with high priced golden parachutes even as their companies disintegrate due to mismanagement and their employees are laid off. In fact, over the last eight years the wealthiest segment of our society has enjoyed substantial growth in wealth and income even as most individuals have seen their income levels stagnate.
Congresswoman Lee is committed to promoting economic growth and supporting those who need it most. She supports tax cuts for middle and low income families. She has fought for extended unemployment assistance for the long-term unemployed. She has pushed for aid to state governments that have been burdened with rising Medicare costs and expensive federal mandates even as their revenues have plunged. Finally, Congresswoman Lee has worked to secure investment in housing, transit systems, roads, clean water, and schools to stimulate the economy and create jobs.
As a member of the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee, Congresswoman Lee has been instrumental in:
• Expanding Access to Job Training and Employment Services: Congresswoman Lee helped craft the Fiscal Year 2009 (FY09) LHHSED Appropriations bill which provides $3 billion for the Workforce Investment Act's job training programs: $1.7 billion for Job Corps training programs targeted to young adults, $703 million for state grants to help connect 13 million jobseekers and employers, $240 million for veterans employment programs, and $25 million for a new green jobs training program.