13 Jan 10: A recent Associated Press analysis on the impact of more than $20 billion of federal spending for roads and bridges under the first federal stimulus states that the spending has had no effect on the local unemployment rates throughout the country. The job analysis found that local unemployment rates fell or rose without regard to the amount of federal infrastructure spending. The report also stated that the spending did not help jobs in the construction industry in any significant way.
The current national unemployment rate is 10% and will likely rise. President Obama wants Congress to pass a second stimulus bill, with more money allocated to road and bridge construction, stating this is “at the heart of our effort to accelerate job growth.” This is bogus. Infrastructure spending may have long-term benefits to an area, but very little immediate job benefits.
Jobs can be created when the free market system is allowed to work. Government involvement and restrictions must be reduced so that unnecessary government interference no longer imposes burdens on businesses. Taxes must be reduced. Bureaucratic paperwork must be eliminated. When I am in Washington, I will be a friend to business, making job creation a priority.