Construction industry angered by stimulus proposal

The construction industry says the proposed stimulus package does not do enough
The construction industry says the proposed stimulus package does not do enough
A stimulus proposal by members of Congress this week angered many in the construction industry who had hoped for more help in creating jobs for the hard hit industry.

Although it was acknowledged that the incoming Obama administration will make significant investments into upgrading the nation's infrastructure, many feel not enough will be done.

"Any step forward is progress, but this level of investment falls far short of needs and fails to fully take advantage of the opportunity to put America back to work building the essential and long-neglected basics of our country," said Terence O'Sullivan, president of Laborers' International Union of North America.

The stimulus plan proposed by Democrats this week included $825 billion in funding which it hopes would jump-start the economy.

About $90 billion would go toward construction efforts including road and bridge repairs and modernizing federal buildings.

For some time, President-elect Barack Obama has said investment in the nation's infrastructure would be a key part of any economic stimulus plan. In a meeting with the nation's governors late last year Obama told the state's leaders to be "shovel ready" for work in their states.ADNFCR-2034-ID-18978792-ADNFCR