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Chamber Sends Jobs Plan to Congress and Administration
An Action Plan For Jobs-NOW
Tom Donohue
President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
It seems like everyone in Washington has a jobs plan these days. While the focus is welcome, the talk must translate into meaningful action. The 25 million Americans who are unemployed, underemployed, or have stopped looking for work want to hear specific ideas that will jump-start job creation-and they want to see Congress act on them.
We've put together a jobs plan, based on practical, private sector solutions that we're sending to the president and Congress today:
Expand trade and global commerce-Pass the three pending free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama to save 380,000 jobs and add hundreds of thousands of new jobs. Completing export control forms, spurring exports to Europe and Asia, and protecting intellectual property through patent reform and shutting down rogue websites would create thousands of additional jobs.
Produce more American energy-Open offshore resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska and create 244,700 new jobs. Expand access to federal lands for oil and gas exploration and add 530,000 new jobs. Approve the Keystone XL project, which would support 250,000 energy jobs.
Speed up infrastructure projects-Pass a multiyear highway bill, FAA reauthorization bill, and a water bill so states and communities can plan projects, hire employees, and prevent layoffs. Implement the Energy Savings Performance Contracts Program and create 35,000 jobs a year. Remove regulatory and permitting obstacles to 351 stalled energy projects and create 1.9 million jobs annually. Unlock $250 billion in global private capital for infrastructure projects here at home and create even more jobs.
Welcome tourists and business travelers to America-Create 1.3 million jobs by restoring the U.S. share of the travel market to 2000 levels by promoting tourism, expanding the visa waiver program, and reforming the visa application process without compromising security.
Streamline permits and provide regulatory certainty-Take up to $1 trillion in accumulated private capital off the sidelines and into business expansion by eliminating uncertainty caused by burdensome regulations. Expedite the permitting process to get job-creating projects moving.
Pass pro-growth tax incentives-Implement a repatriation holiday and generate up to 2.9 million jobs in two years, and temporarily reduce the capital gains tax rate to free up cash for hiring.
Timely action on these and other ideas could spur economic activity and create American jobs-without adding to the de!cit. Now that Congress and the president are back in Washington, they must get to work so that 25 million Americans can find work.
Read more about the Chamber's plan for jobs at www.uschamber.com/jobs.
~~~ Marylanders Encouraged to Attend Statewide 'Cycle Maryland' Events Then Submit Photos to Enter Contest Governor Martin O'Malley recently unveiled the 'Cycle Maryland' initiative as a way to showcase the many benefits of recreational cycling in Maryland. O'Malley encouraged Marylanders to attend 'Cycle Maryland' events now through October 9, 2011. "The selected events for 'Cycle Maryland' showcase Maryland's cycling diversity from family-friendly recreational rides on newly opened rail trails to highly competitive long-distance road races, these routes take visitors on an up-close and personal journey through some of the most scenic landscapes in Maryland." In addition to the June 18th kick-off on the Cross Island Trail in Queen Anne's County, three 'Cycle Maryland' events are still in the offing. · September 17, 2011 - Saint Mary's Century, previously known as the Southern Maryland Amish 100, offers a traditional 100 mile, 65 mile or 35 mile course over a flat to rolling hills terrain. Rest stops incorporate historic attractions such as Historic St. Mary's City, Maryland's first settlement, and St. George's Island, a tiny sliver of land that the British used as a base during the War of 1812 from which to raid local shipyards and river plantations. · October 1, 2011 - Anacostia Trail Opening, this Bladensburg event opens the two-mile missing trail link from Bladensburg's Waterfront Park to the Maryland /District of Columbia line thus joining the park to the trail network along the Anacostia River Tributary System. This Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network site was once a thriving Colonial port and later played a pivotal role in the War of 1812. · October 9, 2011 - Tour du Port, a fully-supported tour ranging from 12 miles to a metric century (63 miles) in length, begins at Baltimore's Canton Waterfront Park and winds through twelve of Baltimore's historic neighborhoods, waterfront areas and beautiful city parks. Riders will traverse streets where, 150 years ago, Civil War soldiers marched. Additional information on the 'Cycle Maryland' initiative may be accessed at www.cycle.maryland.gov | 
