Big Island Now stock photo.
Congressional Democrats and a coalition of progressive organizations kicked off the long-anticipated infrastructure jobs fight today, Thursday, May 25, launching a massive campaign for public investment in millions of new jobs in Hawai'i and across the nation.
Pointing to the nationwide infrastructure crises—like O'ahu's failing water system, which has over 400 water main breaks a year—the grassroots Millions of Jobs Coalition teamed up with members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus to unveil a plan calling for millions of jobs to be created by investing $2 trillion in public infrastructure over 10 years—including $35 billion to repair critically damaged water systems in Hawai'i and across the country.
The plan, authored by Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), would rebuild crumbling roads, bridges, water systems, and veterans hospitals while making 21st Century investments in clean-energy jobs, high-speed rail, high-speed internet access, and other priorities. It would create millions of living-wage jobs for Hawai'i workers, support racial and gender equity in jobs, and be paid for by asking Wall Street, giant corporations and the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share.
The Millions of Jobs Coalition includes Communications Workers of America, Center for Popular Democracy, Progressive Change Campaign Committee, ColorOfChange, Working Families Party, MoveOn.org, NextGen Climate, 350 Action, Roosevelt Institute, Demos Action, Free Press, Democracy for America, Food & Water Watch, PICO, and others.
At an event Thursday with congressional leaders at the U.S. Capitol, the Millions of Jobs Coalition announced that events will be held next week in Hawai'i and across the nation, touting local support for the progressive plan to create millions of jobs by rebuilding roads, rail lines and water systems.
Congressional leaders and the Millions of Jobs Coalition also announced 10 principles that must be true of any jobs plan that passes into law. These principles, encapsulated in a new House resolution supported by dozens of congressional leaders, include prioritizing public investment over corporate giveaways and selling off the country's roads, racial and gender equity in jobs, environmental and worker protections, investment in 21st century jobs like wind and solar and high-speed internet, and requiring the wealthy to pay their fair share. The Congressional Progressive Caucus and Millions Of Jobs Coalition will urge all House Democrats to co-sponsor the resolution and draw a sharp contrast with President Donald Trump.
Lieu's job-creation proposal is the first in the House that fulfills all 10 principles and stands in direct contrast to President Trump's plan to sell off public roads to billionaires and corporations that would place new tolls on Americans.
Last Monday, Politico reported a Fox News interview in which Chao said Trump's plan will center on "some kind of public-private partnerships" and "maybe some sale of government assets as well." According to Bloomberg News, the Trump plan will likely include selling $40 billion of American infrastructure to Saudi Arabia.
Trump has also pledged to roll back environmental protections and other regulations as part of his plan. A coalition of conservative advocacy groups supports weakening those rules and also urges a repeal of labor protections.
Unions representing millions of American workers also endorsed the progressive framework, and Rep. Ted Lieu's specific proposal to create jobs through direct public infrastructure investment. Labor endorsers include North America's Building Trades Unions; Transportation Trades Department of AFL–CIO; Teamsters; United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing, Pipefitting and Sprinkler Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades; American Federation of Teachers; National Educators Association; Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers; International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers; and Amalgamated Transit Union.
Below are statements from members of the Millions of Jobs Coalition, members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and other congressional Democrats.
Jason Kowalski, 350 Action policy director: "For Progressives in the Trump era the best defense is a good offense. Trump's climate-wrecking agenda is designed to help fossil fuel billionaires profit while our planet cooks. Our plan is the exact opposite: creating millions of 21stcentury jobs through 100% clean energy for all. This plan acknowledges that there's no time left for incrementalism. What we really need is massive public investments in clean energy infrastructure that will create millions of jobs—starting with communities that need it most. Our movements for justice are as aligned as ever and we are not looking back.
The 21st Century New Deal for Jobs plan would create 2.5 million new jobs by investing $2 trillion in public investment over 10 years rebuilding crumbling highways, bridges, schools, and veterans' hospitals. The plan would also invest in clean-energy jobs like solar and wind power and rebuilding water systems so our families can drink clean water.
The plan would be paid for by making Wall Street, giant corporations, and the rich pay their fair share— not new tolls or fees that hurt working families.
The 21st Century New Deal for Jobs plan gives precedence to the infrastructure needs of people who are struggling the most. Lower-income people and communities of color coping with elevated unemployment—both rural and urban alike—will play a leading role in determining their own infrastructure gaps and solutions. It also calls for local and regional planning that considers equity of access to transportation across communities.
Job training and local hiring will reflect the racial and gender diversity of the community's workforce and those seeking employment.
Federal procurement will prioritize minority- and women-owned businesses, cooperatives and employee-owned firms, and community-owned and municipal enterprises. The plan would also boost federal funding for programs that help small businesses, like Historically Underutilized Business Zones.
Supporting efforts to enact a bold jobs and infrastructure package that benefits all Americans, not just billionaires.
prioritize resilient infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters, as well as physical- and cyber-attacks.