# **Congresswoman Betty McCollum**

### **Minnesota's 4th District**

1029 Longworth HOB

Washington, DC 20515

\(202\) 225-6631; (202) 225-1968/fax

[www.mccollum.house.gov](http://www.mccollum.house.gov/)

 For Immediate Release Contact: Joshua Straka

June 16, 2004 (651) 224-9191 office

\(651\) 307-0533 cell

McCollum Backs "American Jobs Plan"

*Plan Introduced as Minnesota Unemployment Rate Rises to 4.3%*

**Washington, D.C. --** As Minnesota's May unemployment rate rose to 4.3
percent from 4.2 percent in April, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04)
joined other Members of Congress in announcing a broad plan to get
America back to work, and to encourage U.S. companies to keep jobs in
America. The "American Jobs Plan" is a comprehensive plan that will end
the outsourcing of quality, good paying U.S. jobs and invest in the
education, highways, and broadband Internet access that will bring more
jobs to Minnesota.

The "American Jobs Plan" would end tax loopholes that reward companies
for moving jobs overseas, encourage small firms to expand and hire new
workers, and help more children attend college to study science and
math.

"No Minnesotan and no American should have to pay one dime in taxes to
help big corporations receive billion dollar tax breaks to export U.S.
jobs to other countries," said McCollum. "Democrats have a plan to
invest in American jobs, American factories, American schools, and
American workers."

The "American Jobs Plan" would repeal \$125 billion in current tax
breaks that help ship jobs overseas, replacing them instead with two new
tax incentives targeted to companies, both large and small, that create
new jobs in the United States. Under the new jobs plan, savings from
ending tax loopholes would be invested in job training, education, and
research and development. The plan, which is fully paid for, also gives
U.S. companies priority for obtaining government contracts if they keep
jobs in America.

"2.7 million manufacturing jobs have been lost around the country in the
last three years, and eight million Americans looking for work. It is
time for a new commitment to keep jobs here in the U.S.," said McCollum.

Several of the key proposals in the "American Jobs Plan" agenda include:

-   A new jobs tax credit to give American manufacturers, small
    businesses, and other industries impacted by outsourcing \$3,000 for
    every job they create in the next two years.

-   A new small business tax credit to help make health care more
    affordable for smaller firms so they can expand.

-   A highway bill to create hundreds of thousands of jobs by
    modernizing and rebuilding highways, airports, railroad lines,
    ports, and water treatment facilities.

-   Giving priority for government contracts to companies investing in
    American jobs.

-   Expanding investment in broadband infrastructure to make using the
    Internet more cost effective for families and small businesses in
    rural areas, and connect industrial parks and small business
    incubators with high-speed links.

-   Making college more accessible by doubling Pell Grants for low and
    moderate income students to \$11,600 by 2011.

-   Increased funding for job training, and new programs to ensure that
    workers are trained for industries with an unmet demand for
    high-skilled talent.

-   Extending unemployment benefits to the 2.9 million people who have
    exhausted their current benefits but still have not found work.

-   Expanding assistance to high-tech workers and other workers who lose
    their jobs due to off-shoring, which would allow them greater access
    to job training, health benefits, and funding for job search and
    relocation expenses.

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