San Pedro Valley News-Sun, February 3, 2009

Thelma Grimes

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords voted yes on the $825-billion stimulus package proposed by President Barack Obama after urging from Southern Arizona community and business leaders.

After weeks of discussion with local decision makers, Giffords, a District 8 Democrat, said, “Arizonans are looking to Congress to move swiftly to stem job losses and protect critical infrastructure like our public education system, healthcare for working families and support for small businesses. We need to act quickly.”

Acting quickly is just what the U.S. House of Representatives did, with House Democrats voting in favor of President Obama’s stimulus package put forward in the first seven days of his taking the oath of office.

A statement from Giffords estimated that more than 500,000 American jobs are being lost each month, and passage of the bill is the start to reverse this trend and put the economy back on track.

However, Giffords did state she has concerns about the nation’s growing debt. She has since urged President Obama and House leaders to stay focused on the nation’s long-term goal of deficit reduction.

“Although I am pleased that this legislation contains an historic level of transparency, oversight and accountability, which will guarantee taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, I am concerned by the magnitude of this bill. I take seriously the responsibility to monitor these investments closely so Southern Arizona taxpayers see the result,” Giffords said.

With the House passing the stimulus package 244-188 vote, the U.S. Senate is set to start debating the issue this week. All except 11 Democrats passed the package in the House, and all 177 Republicans voted against the bill.

According to an Associated Press report, the bill had attracted criticism from Republicans and some Democrats for spending billions of dollars on education, despite questions on whether or not the bill would actually create jobs.

Sen. John McCain said earlier last week that he would not vote for the bill as it stands now, stating he questions some of the bill’s spending, such as the $275 billion in tax breaks that includes money for people who don’t pay income taxes, $550 billion in spending, including $200 million to re-sod the National Mall and a planned $360 million to fight sexually transmitted diseases.

“We need to make tax cuts permanent, and we need to make a commitment that there’ll be no new taxes,” McCain, a Republican, said in a Fox News interview. “We need to cut business taxes. We need to have a commitment that after a couple of quarters of growth that we will embark on a path to reduce spending to get our budget in balance.”

President Obama has called for bipartisan politics as the historic bill passes through Congress, stating last Wednesday that he would be willing to work with Republicans to make changes.

In Arizona, state lawmakers have said with a pending $2 billion budget crisis, the need for federal funds is essential. Arizona posted an unemployment rate of 6.9 percent in December, the highest since 1993.

Under the current approved bill, Giffords’ office said more than 125,000 jobs would be created or saved by the year 2010. Arizona is also set to receive $6.5 billion in direct state funding.

The financial assistance will put $585 million toward Arizona highways and bridges, $277 million for modernization, renovation and repair of public schools, $1.1 billion in pell grant funding, assisting an estimated 350,000 low-income college students, $18 million for youth employment and training, $4 million for low-income home energy assistance and $1.9 billion in Medicaid funding.

Giffords said more than two million Arizonans are also expected to benefit through tax cuts in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through a refundable tax credit of up to $500 per worker or $1,000 per couple filing jointly.

“State and local leaders in Arizona have a very hard job to do during these difficult economic times,” Giffords said. “I am committed to working together to help provide the necessary tools to get through this crisis and lead our state toward a stronger economic future.”

Elected officials throughout Southern Arizona agreed with Giffords’ vote of approval last week.

President Obama has stated on several occasions that he would like the bill signed into law by Feb. 16.