Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Federal Stimulus

Congressional Black Caucus Calls for Bypassing States on New Jobs Bill

As the $787 billion stimulus law nears its one-year anniversary, Congress' choice to route the lion's share of recovery funds through state capitals -- including state DOTs where misplaced priorities are all too common -- remains a sore spot for mayors and urban advocates.

184_Afghanistan_Muted_Reaction.sff.embedded.prod_affiliate.80.jpgCBC Chair Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) (Photo: AP)

Today the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) joined the chorus urging President Obama -- who joined the Black Caucus during his time in the Senate --to reconsider the first stimulus' state-centric approach.

In a letter to Obama, the CBC suggested several strategies aimed at focusing Democrats' upcoming jobs bill on cities, suburbs, and towns where the sting of joblessness is being felt most keenly. The Black Caucus members wrote:

With each provision, we would urge you to direct funding through the federal agencies directly to localities: county/city/municipality/college/university or nonprofit organization, rather than through the state, to be quickly disbursed and used by the most economically depressed communities.

Other items on the CBC's jobs bill to-do list: expanding the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, which directly aids local projects, and the Neighborhood Stabilization Fund, a stimulus-funded effort to help productively retool foreclosed homes in the nation's most recession-ravaged areas.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday’s Headlines Back the Bikes

Setting aside the fact that bike lanes don't make traffic worse, resisting bikelash on busy roads is essential to creating a useable network.

April 18, 2025

Does Driver’s Ed Really Make Roads Safer? 

States like Georgia are taking a critical look at their drivers education programs — but some say the whole concept of driver's ed deserves scrutiny.

April 18, 2025

Friday Video: Ken Jennings Has a Web Series About Transit!

Jeopardy's host and most famous player is a big fan of the bus — and he's helping educate his fellow Washingtonians about why they should be, too.

April 18, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: The Pacific Circuit

Alexis Madrigal connects containerization to globalization and its direct impacts on one Oakland neighborhood.

April 17, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines Wonder Why

Why are drivers killing so many pedestrians? Governing magazine has a number of familiar theories.

April 17, 2025
See all posts