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Senator Harkin Unveils Major Economic Legislation Aimed at Middle Class
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| Contributor | Craverguy |
| Last Edited | Craverguy Mar 29, 2012 06:35pm |
| Category | Proposed Legislation |
| News Date | Mar 29, 2012 12:20pm |
| Description | Senator Tom Harkin announced today a broad economic plan that he will introduce shortly in the Senate—one well to the left of the current White House proposal and aimed directly at reviving the middle class.
Harkin’s legislation, which he dubs the “Rebuild America Act,” touches on virtually every area of American economic policy: it revamps the tax code, initiates a wide array of public spending meant to goose the economy, pushes for fair trade laws, and retools laws and regulations that affect middle-class families.
The legislation is divided into three basic categories: the first is proactive federal spending an action meant to boost the flagging economy. It includes:
* $300 billion for roads, bridges, energy efficiency systems and other infrastructure
* $20 billion in school modernization funding
* Boosting funding for agencies that regulate trade, to better enforce fair trade policies
* Funding to states to hire teachers, public safety workers and other public employees.
Then, the bill deals with ensuring long-term stability for the middle class. These provisions include:
* Increased child care subsidies for working parents
* Ensuring that workers, particularly white-collar workers categorized as independent contractors, earn time-and-a-half overtime pay
* Raising the minimum wage
* Strengthening the National Labor Relations Act, making it easier for workers to join unions and increasing penalties on employers for blocking unionization. |
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