Progressive Caucus ‘Better Off Budget’ Plan: 9 Million Jobs in 3 Years

[eridani]

http://www.nationofchange.org/progressive-caucus-better-budget-plan-9-million-jobs-3-years-1394802889

The Congressional Progressive Caucus releases a federal budget proposal today that, if it were fully enacted, is projected to create almost 9 million jobs over the next three years.

As a statement of values as well as policy, the Caucus’ proposal – called “The Better Off Budget” – is a loud and audacious rebuke to conservative austerity economics. As the previous caucus budgets have sought to do, it seeks to put forward bold policies that match the severity of the problems facing working-class Americans. It also sets up the debates we should be having about how to rebuild the economy so that it works for more than just a handful of people at the top. It spells out in blunt detail what it would take to make beleaguered Americans struggling in today’s economy “better off.”

It is a sharp contrast to the budget expected to be introduced in early April from House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), which – if it stays true to what he has introduced in the past – will seek more cuts to basic safety-net programs, continue the choking off of investments in our public infrastructure, and peddle more failed trickle-down strategies of reducing tax and regulatory obligations for the wealthiest while doing less to support the economic struggles of working-class Americans.

Caucus co-chairs Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) led today’s budget introduction at the Capitol. From there they and other caucus members will take advantage of next week’s recess to build grassroots support. It is expected to face a vote in the House in late April or in May.