Rawlings-Blake says Obama bill would fight poverty
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake responded to a Census report Thursday showing growing poverty in Baltimore with another call to support President Barack Obama’s jobs bill.
“The Great Recession has hit America’s cities particularly hard with higher unemployment rates, and the tough economy has pushed more families into poverty,” Rawlings-Blake said in a statement. “That is why Republicans in Congress must work now to pass the American Jobs Act.”
The Census reported Thursday that more than one in four Baltimoreans is living in poverty. That’s an increase of more than 20 percent in the last year.
Obama’s llegislation would cut payroll taxes for employers and employees and pump $100 billion of new infrastructure spending into the economy. It has met opposition from GOP lawmakers, who object to the payroll tax cut, the stimulus spending and Obama’s plan to fund it in part by raising taxes on the wealthy.
Rawlings-Blake joined mayors from across the country earlier this week to lobby Washington in support of the $447 billion package. They met at the White House on Tuesday with National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling and senior advisor David Plouffe.
In her statement, Rawlings Blake said the American Jobs Act would “cut payroll taxes for Baltimore families — keeping more money in their paychecks; extend unemployment benefits for Baltimoreans looking for jobs; create new tax incentives for small businesses to create jobs; build or renovate thousands of new schools in America’s poorest school districts—immediately creating new construction jobs; and fund rehabilitation and demolition of vacant buildings in struggling neighborhoods.
“Families in Baltimore and throughout the country are hurting and struggling everyday to stay afloat, and just saying ‘no’ to the American Jobs Act is not an option,” she said. “Failure to act only means more families will fall behind and slip into poverty. It is time for Congress to act now and pass this bill to create more job opportunities for Baltimore families.”
Gov. Martin O'Malley said Wednesday that he also is considering jobs legislation for the special session of the General Assembly next month.
Comments
Give me a break. SRB does not want to take responsibility for the fact that the biggest problem that this city has regarding it's poverty rate has to do with the middle class moving into the county. I genuinely believe that this woman is one of the most irresponsible leaders we have ever had in this city's history. She doesn't understand $$$, economics, statistics... If she did then she would talk straight and get to bottom of the problem: That Baltimore City is a cesspool of social services and it chases out the only real thing that can keep our poverty numbers down, which is a middle class population. Oh but wait, that means that you would have to improve schools, decrease crime, clean the streets, support small businesses (no matter who they support politically) and stop parading around like you see no evil.
Posted by: Deb G | September 22, 2011 3:32 PM
You left out the high tax burden imposed on all Marylanders by MOM and his puppets.
Posted by: john | September 22, 2011 3:54 PM
If she loves the city so much, why were she and her buddies at the Hunt Valley Outback last night? Why not support city restaurants? There's an Outback right in Canton on Boston Street. Even she doesn't want to patronize businesses in the city.
Posted by: lovesamerica | September 22, 2011 4:17 PM
Well unfortunately we are stuck with her for 2-3 years or at least until O'Malley appoints her to the job she really wants....a judgeship....but 23% turn out...we get who we elect....
Posted by: Baltimore Resident | September 22, 2011 5:14 PM
I just want to say that I agree 110% with the comments posted. She is a part of the problem that exist in City Hall today, and I cannot see how she was promoted possibly on her record since she has been in the political process.
Posted by: EastBaltimorelooksworsethanHaiti&Japancombined | September 23, 2011 9:13 AM
Dear Citizens,
The state of Maryland is a one party state of tax and spend liberals who have decided that whatever you earn citizens belongs to the state.
And Rawlings Blake is no different.
Citizens - you wanted this tax and spend.
This article misses thes poiunt citizens. Governemtn cannot create jobs - businesses do. Get the real story. Do the research. Get the facts.
Think about it citizens.
Posted by: Concerned Citizen | September 23, 2011 12:52 PM