(Host) Governor Jim Douglas went to Washington today to tell Congress that small states like Vermont need special assistance from a proposed economic stimulus package.
Matt Laslo reports from Capitol Hill.
(Laslo) Douglas says to keep unemployment rates low Vermont needs federal help. But he told lawmakers that Vermont doesn’t have many large road and bridge projects that are ready to go. Douglas says small states need Congress to allow them to use stimulus money on smaller maintenance projects. Douglas says Vermont has already had to make budget cuts, and he expects more unless Congress acts soon.
(Douglas) "We’ve been doing some heavy lifting in terms of cutting back and tightening our belts and doing things more efficiently, and so we’re certainly doing everything we can, and would welcome your participation in this effort so our mutual constituents can get the assistance they deserve."
Congress plans to have a stimulus package ready to go by the time Barack Obama is sworn in as President.
From Capitol News Connection, I’m Matt Laslo for VPR News.