New stimulus package could include infrastructure dollars
By JOSELYN KING, special to the Herald-StarWHEELING - Congress is expected to discuss the terms of a second economic stimulus package when it reconvenes today - a package local leaders believe could include money for infrastructure improvement projects.
And if such funding is made available, West Virginia Del. Tim Ennis, D-Brooke, believes the Northern Panhandle's leaders need to stake a claim to those dollars.
Ennis said he sees a need for highway, water line and sewerage improvements in the Northern Panhandle. He believes now is the time for the Northern Panhandle delegation to speak up and get that money before it becomes available.
"There are lots of infrastructure problems in the Northern Panhandle," Ennis said. "We are hoping that if they do this, we can get a substantial part of the money. I know my colleagues south of the Mason-Dixon line. If they hear there is money available, their eyeballs will spin with dollar signs in them."
Ennis suspects state lawmakers from the south will want the money for the Corridor H highway project.
"We need to pressure the governor and our Congressional leadership that we need the money," he said. "We'll end up with the crumbs if we are not ready."
U.S. Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-Fairmont, said any discussion about money from a stimulus package is premature unless President George Bush expresses some interest in signing such a package before he leaves office in January.
Thus far, Bush has not indicated a willingness to do so, Mollohan said.
"I've heard nothing particularly encouraging," he said, noting that conversations have been "going back and forth" between Congressional leaders and the president.
"We're trying to sort out whether he'll accept anything," Mollohan added. "And if he does agree to sign something, what would he agree to sign? Would it contain provisions for unemployment extension, Medicare or infrastructure improvements?
"Until he entertains the idea of signing a stimulus package, it's premature to say what it would contain. Thus far, there has not even been a nod from Bush."
Mollohan noted he does expect President-elect Barack Obama to consider a package that would contain money for such items as job programs and infrastructure improvements.
U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, said he has heard little about the talks of a stimulus package, but he does believe such a package would contain dollars for infrastructure enhancement projects.
"I hope that's what it will look like," he said. "That's something I would be agreeable to, but I wouldn't decide how I would vote until I see the specifics. If we are going to be investing in another stimulus package, we should do it in such a way that invests in long-term growth policies."
Jonathan Coffin, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-Charleston, said information coming to Capito's office explains a proposed stimulus package as containing provisions dealing with extending unemployment benefits, health care assistance and funding for infrastructure improvements.
"It looks like it is being geared for assistance to the unemployed," Coffin said. "The push is for job creation."
U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, D-St. Clairsville, in a statement provided by his spokeswoman, Hillary Wicai-Viers, said he is "eager to see what's in the package and is looking forward to getting back to Washington."
