BlueGreen Alliance | BlueGreen Alliance Statement on March Jobs Report

BlueGreen Alliance Statement on March Jobs Report

Executive Director Foster said "that we have to renew our commitment to sound, long-term investments in our transportation infrastructure, clean energy technology and boosting American innovation to continue creating jobs..."

April 6, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 6, 2012) Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics unveiled the March unemployment statistics, showing that the economy gained 120,000 jobs, with the unemployment rate dropping to 8.2 percent. The following is a statement from BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director David Foster:

“Putting another month of job growth under our belts is promising, particularly with manufacturing gaining 37,000 jobs in March with 12,000 in motor vehicles and parts. However, with just 120,000 jobs gained in March, America remains at an economic crossroads today.

“What this jobs report means is that we have to renew our commitment to sound, long-term investments in our transportation infrastructure, clean energy technology and boosting American innovation to continue creating jobs and driving our economic recovery.

“If Congress fails to act on long-term transportation funding, the Production Tax Credit, the Section 1603 Treasury Grant Program, and the 48C advanced manufacturing tax credit, we threaten the gains we’ve made thus far, and are missing an opportunity to enact long-term policies that would allow our economy to bank even more growth. For instance, Congress recently passed yet another temporary extension of transportation funding. However, to truly invest in our nation’s infrastructure and to create good jobs, we don’t need another short-term extension. Congress must pass the Senate-approved, long-term transportation bill.

“It’s time to stop sitting on these investments that would have a big payoff for the economy and instead, let’s keep pushing to create the jobs that will sustain our economy and our competitive edge into the future.”