LANSING---State Senator Gilda Z. Jacobs (D-Huntington Woods) today applauded the positive impact that President Barack Obama’s stimulus plan will have for Michigan. At the same time she is perplexed by the State Senate Republicans’ lack of enthusiasm for the plan.

“I am really astonished that Senate Republican members stood up on the Senate floor on Thursday to say that this stimulus plan is not the best idea for our country,” said Senator Jacobs. “They talked about the cost and complained that we will be paying for this for years to come, and yet I didn’t hear any concern from them when the last administration bailed out Wall Street and the banking system with hundreds of millions of dollars with little or no oversight or accountability. The fact of the matter is that people in Michigan desperately need the jobs and assistance that this package will create. ”

Jacobs went on to say that the stimulus package will bring much needed help including school modernization, repairs to highways and bridges, mass transit plans, and preventive health and health services grants.

“These projects will help create jobs for construction workers, road workers, engineers, and health care workers along with many others,” said Jacobs. “These are all areas that have seen layoffs and job losses in recent months. I am certain that Michigan Senate Republicans will not turn down money for people and projects in their district, but if they do then the rest of us can put it to good use in our districts.”

“Michigan and the country are in serious economic trouble, and I call for a moratorium on partisan politics in Michigan,” said Jacobs. “Let’s give the stimulus a chance to work and embrace the changes coming from Washington.”

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