National Public Works Week

May 23, 2008

The Bush economy is in a tailspin – record home foreclosures, skyrocketing prices at the pump, unemployment rising and food prices going up and up. Now, as state and local governments cope with the additional costs of providing a safety net for families in economic trouble, they are facing big budget deficits. In these tough times, at least 28 states and the District of Columbia face budget shortfalls, forcing them to lay off workers, cut services, and curtail aid to local governments. Most of these states are mandated not to run deficits, so they can’t borrow to close a revenue gap. Ironically, Congress named this week National Public Works Week. Both the House and Senate passed resolutions. They proclaimed that public works infrastructure, facilities, and services “play a pivotal role in the health, safety, and quality of life of communities throughout the United States.” Words are not enough. The nation’s economic crisis requires action. Congress should immediately increase federal funding for states and local public services to revitalize the economy and to maintain the infrastructure and services that make America strong.