The American Jobs Plan: Why Indiana Needs It
Democrats held about 20 events focused on why Indiana needs further broadband expansion, strengthened unions, and stronger roads and bridges across Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today hailed the success of the state party’s American Jobs Plan tour, an effort by Indiana Democrats to show Hoosiers why the state needs the Jobs Plan and a revitalized infrastructure system. About 20 Jobs Plan events were held across Indiana where once again, Democrats met Hoosiers where they are in their hometowns and communities. Leaders like U.S. Congressmen André Carson and Frank Mrvan, former U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly, former U.S. Congressman Baron Hill, and state and city leaders like Eddie Melton, JD Ford, Fady Qaddoura, Rita Fleming, Renee Pack, Clint Lamb, and Ali Brown all shared the Democrats’ vision of providing further broadband expansion, eliminating childcare deserts, and repairing Indiana’s crumbling roads and bridges with this once-in-a-generation investment.
Further, the American Jobs Plan tour wouldn’t have been a success without the Labor Movement and the effort to dismantle the “work more for less” economy created by the Indiana Republican Party. Union leaders like Brett Voorhies with the Indiana AFL-CIO, Michael Millsap with the United Steelworkers, and Jon Hooker with the Central Indiana Building Trades joined Democrats on the Tour where they called on Congress to pass the Protect the Right to Organize (PRO) Act and the infrastructure plan that would create good-paying jobs across Indiana.
“Indiana Democrats have spent this summer going on offense, because Hoosier families are demanding common-sense solutions to today’s most pressing problems for them and their hometowns. The solutions include construction projects to expand broadband internet and rebuild Indiana’s roads and bridges, and Democrats are ready to deliver on this through the American Jobs Plan,” said Mike Schmuhl, Chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party. “While we’ve been spreading the good news, it’s been disappointing to see Indiana Republicans like U.S. Senator Todd Young flip-flop on the very issues they claim to care most about and all due to shallow partisanship they don’t abide by when their own party controls the government. The Republicans’ political grandstanding is empty and fails Hoosier families. Democrats will once again go it alone and deliver for Indiana, because that matters now more than ever.”
The American Jobs Plan is supported by a large majority of American voters, including 41-percent of Republicans. This includes Indiana Republican mayors Jim Brainard (Carmel) and Steve Collier (Lawrence), who signed onto a letter supporting the bipartisan deal for part of the Jobs Plan. However, this good-faithed bipartisanship means nothing to Indiana Congressional Republicans – such a U.S. Senator Todd Young – who hypocritically claim the cost of the American Jobs Plan is why they are voting “NO” – despite voting for a $2.3 trillion tax cut for big corporations and ballooning the national debt by $7.8 trillion under the Trump Administration.
The Indiana Democratic Party’s American Jobs Plan tour was a sequel to its American Rescue Plan tour from June, which celebrated the impact the COVID-19 relief package was delivering for Indiana and communities in all 92 counties. This included a $250 million investment in broadband expansion, $2 billion for public schools, and $5.8 billion for counties, cities, and towns across Indiana.
Here’s a sampling of the impact the American Jobs Plan tour had across Indiana:
NWI Times: Mrvan urging NWI unions to stand up for Biden’s American Jobs Plan
“Speaking Tuesday at the Laborers Union hall, the first-term congressman urged organized labor to stand with Democratic President Joe Biden and the Democratic-controlled Congress as they work to enact legislation to create a post-pandemic America with high-quality roads and bridges; safe, clean drinking water systems; new schools and veterans hospitals; a modern electric grid and expanded broadband internet access; and good-paying jobs for anyone who wants one.
‘What that does is invest in you, the Laborers. It invests in the Steelworkers. It invests in the Teamsters, and the Electricians, and in all the building trades that are going to rebuild America. Because for too long we’ve talked about it, and we haven’t had a plan of action,’ Mrvan said.” […]
“He explained the American Jobs Plan is the next step in building back better by creating jobs with family sustaining wages, spreading those benefits as widely as possible through a “Buy America” requirement for infrastructure material, and putting unions at the forefront by making it easier for workers to organize for higher wages and improved benefits.”
Gary Post-Tribune: Mrvan, local leaders call on unions for support of the American Jobs Plan to ensure growth
Indianapolis Recorder: Local Democrats praise American Rescue Plan, call for passage of PRO Act
WIBC: INDIANA LABOR SEES AMERICAN JOBS PLAN AS A WAY TO GET RID OF RIGHT TO WORK
Fox59: “Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN) appeared at event in Indianapolis last week, calling for the passage of the American Jobs Plan which he said would help grow our state and nation’s infrastructure efforts.”
South Bend Tribune: Indiana Democrats aim to build support for Biden’s American Jobs Plan at the local level
“Former Sen. Joe Donnelly likened the Jobs Plan to the infrastructure program that was initiated by the Eisenhower administration in the 1950s when the country’s interstate highway system was initiated. While the Rescue Plan focused on vaccines and the full reopening of the country, the Jobs Plan aims to take the country to the next level while focusing on American jobs.
‘The Jobs Plan is about investing in us,’ said Donnelly. ‘Those jobs, that work is going to be made and built in the United States of America.’
South Bend Mayor James Mueller, who was among those speaking in favor of the proposal, said the focus on infrastructure is important to municipalities that have to devote an inordinate amount of time and money to fixing potholes and other problems inherent in an aging infrastructure.” […]
“And the importance of broadband expansion became especially apparent during the pandemic when business was conducted via Zoom and other platforms on the internet and school kids were trying to keep up with their studies via the internet, said Mueller, explaining that the Jobs Plan focuses on repairs as well as the future. “
Indiana Public Media: Indiana Democrats Touring State To Promote Biden Jobs Plan
Evansville City Observer: Former U. S. SenatorJoe Donnelly Speaks About American Jobs Plan Today
Sullivan Times: Dems host American Jobs Plan Tour in Sullivan
Greenfield Reporter: State Democrats headed to county to promote jobs plan
Ink Free News: Democrats To Tout Spending Plan In North Manchester Thursday
Wabash Plain Dealer: Democrats plan town hall to promote American Jobs Plan
Greencastle Banner Graphic: Democrats rally in Greencastle to support American Jobs Plan
Angola Herald-Republican: Donnelly visiting Angola as part of American Jobs Plan tour
Angola Herald-Republican: Donnelly speaks at Steuben Courthouse
Anderson Herald-Bulletin: Former U.S. Sen. Donnelly makes pitch for passage of American Jobs Plan
Anderson Herald-Bulletin: Donnelly visiting Anderson to promote American Jobs Plan
WANE: Indiana Democratic Party continues American Jobs Plan Tour
New Albany News & Tribune: Indiana Democrats promote American Jobs Plan
The Columbus Republic: Democrats host forum on the American Jobs Plan
The Columbus Republic: American Jobs Plan forum at Donner Park Monday (brief)
The Lebanon Reporter: American Jobs Plan Tour makes local stop
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