Martin Heinrich
‘By focusing on job creation… we can re-energize our economy,’ Heinrich says
While Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid proposed last week trimming jobs legislation from $85 billion to $15 billion over 10 years, U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich was home — in his 1st Congressional District — touring a low-income housing construction site that will create or retain 100 jobs for workers who have been collecting unemployment for months.
Heinrich’s visit to NewLife Homes, an affordable housing project that will produce 48 units for low-income individuals with mental and physical disabilities, highlighted how money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is being used in New Mexico. ARRA was signed one year ago this week — on Feb. 17, 2009.
Heinrich told NMPolitics.net that he supports a provision in the jobs bill that would offer tax credits to employers who hire workers who have been unemployed for at least 60 days. He said it could prompt businesses to move forward with hiring.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ndOUpk1dFI[/youtube]
Heinrich said the final jobs bill should focus on “the most important priorities – creating good-paying jobs, helping the middle class and making targeted, responsible investments in our future.”
“It must demand transparency and accountability to guarantee all taxpayer money is used properly,” Heinrich said. “By focusing on job creation, energy independent and middle-class tax relief, we can reenergize our economy and make it work for everyone.”
Swinging a hammer again
Now, with the help of ARRA funds, Julian Gomez, a 36-year veteran of the construction industry, is wearing his hard hat again. He was a victim of the current economic downturn when Gerald Martin Construction company was told the NewLife Homes project had been put on hold.
Now the general contractor is re-hiring, and Gomez told NMPolitics.net that he is ready to swing his hammer again.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TaKCQTQ75o[/youtube]
Peter St. Cyr is a contributing writer for NMPolitics.net and a political reporter at 770KKOB.com. He may be reached at peter.stcyr@gmail.com.