The Martinez Jobs Bill

H.R.950, The Job Creation and Infrastructure Restoration Act, is the welfare "reform" that should have happened. It will establish a national public works program to provide incentives for the creation of jobs and address the restoration of infrastructure in communities across the United States. The popular appellation for the bill is the Martinez Jobs Bill, because it was introduced to congress by Rep. Matthew Martinez (D-CA), at the request of The National Labor Coalition for Public Works Jobs. It is a lifesaving bill which will provide $250 billion for emergency public works jobs over the next five years. The bill has strong labor provisions which will put hundreds of thousands of people to work with priority given to plant and base closures, welfare recipients, inner city youth, and long-term unemployed people. It has been strongly endorsed by The Coalition of Labor Union Women, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.

Jobs Not Jails is a committee of local activists seeking Congressman David Price's support for this bill. They are initiating a petition campaign in North Carolina's 4th Congressional District. JNJ will distribute petitions and fact sheets to any individual or group. JNJ asks that filled out signature sheets be returned to them for consolidation. JNJ will copy all petitions, sending one set of signatures to The National Labor Coalition for Public Works Jobs, and one set to David Price. JNJ also encourages Labor Locals, Labor Councils, Community Organizations, Churches, and Local Government Bodies to call David Price and insist on his support. Anyone with questions about the bill can access http://epn.org/library/martbill.txt, or send $5 for a complete text of the bill to Jimmy Harkin (treasurer), Jobs Not Jails, PO Box 671, Carrboro, NC 27510-0671. Write to the same address to obtain petitions.

Congressman David Price is at 2162 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, phone 202-225-1784. His district encompasses Wake County, Chatham County, and most of Orange County, North Carolina.