Altmire to Vote 'Yes' on Obama Stimulus Plan

The proposed economic stimulus plan has a total of $825 billion in aid--$550 billion on new projects and $275 billion on tax cuts and the House vote on the bill is set for today. Local Congressman Jason Altmire (D-4th) is very much in favor of the plan. Last year he voted against the corporate bailout plan because he "didn't want to reward those people who got us into this mess in the first place." He supports this current stimulus plan because it includes an accountability mechanism which allows the government to track every dollar. Altmire also says the plan works because it involves improving sectors that need improvement anyway--modernization of schools, road and bridge repair, lock and dam repair, general infrastructure repairs, and Veteran's Affairs hospitals. He also says 95 percent of Western Pennsylvanians will see tax breaks. The congressman says despite the fact that President Obama has spoken with Republicans about the plan several times, he's not sure they will support the bill. Regardless, he says, the bill must be and will be passed.