Mikulski, Cardin, Hoyer, Van Hollen, Edwards: Recovery Act Working to Create Jobs, Invest in Prince George's County
Prior to the press conference, the lawmakers met with county and local law enforcement to discuss how funds will enable jurisdictions to hire additional personnel and purchase needed public safety equipment. The officials reported that more than $15 million in additional funding has provided resources to finance 55 officer positions in the county and will allow the purchase of needed interoperable communication equipment.
In addition, the Recovery Act has provided 558,757 Prince George's County taxpayers with tax relief, issued unemployment benefits to 19,515, and enabled 96,597 low income children and adults to access continued health benefits through Maryland Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (MCHP).
"Recovery funding has meant money for jobs and for important local and community priorities that have been hard hit in this economy," said Senator Cardin, a member of the Senate Budget Committee. "This funding has provided Prince George's County with more than $15 million for public safety and for protecting our citizens."
"The purpose of the Economic Recovery Bill was to save and create jobs. That's just what this funding has done," said Senator Mikulski, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "Here in Prince George's County, as around the state, this funding has meant relief for families, new police officers on the beat, and the creation of new jobs."
"The Recovery Act is helping to create jobs, provide relief to families, and invest in key priorities in Prince George's County and our state," said Congressman Steny Hoyer. "While there is still more progress to be made, particularly in terms of hiring, the Recovery Act has succeeded in staving off a sustained recession and is working to rebuild our economy and put people back to work."
"Rebuilding the economy is our top priority, and the Recovery Act is the cornerstone of that effort," said Congressman Van Hollen. "In Maryland, this funding will help strengthen our communities and provide the necessary resources for our local police forces."
"The Recovery Act has provided critical funding to help the state of Maryland and Prince George's County through this difficult economic environment," said Rep. Donna F. Edwards. "These funds have been used for a number of key community priorities, including hiring 55 police officers here in the Prince George's County Police Department. As state and local governments across the country continue to suffer budget shortfalls, this critical funding will help save and create jobs, while keeping police on the streets and making our communities safer."
"I would like to thank Congressman Hoyer and our entire congressional delegation for all of their efforts to help us secure federal funding for public safety in Prince George's County," stated Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson. "Public safety has always been a top priority of my administration and I am proud that we have such strong partners at the federal level providing us with additional resources to further ensure the safety of our citizens and residents."
Last Thursday, the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board released its first report on a portion of Recovery Act spending awarded to private contractors. In Maryland, contract awards totaling $590 million have directly helped to create or save 966 jobs, and in Prince George's County, $23 million helped save or create 241 jobs. The majority of reported contracts are still in progress or have yet to begin and will lead to greater job creation in the months ahead- both directly and indirectly. A comprehensive report on Recovery Act impact will be released on October 30th.
Resources for Maryland Recovery Act reporting:
Maryland StateStat/Recovery Reporting: http://www.statestat.maryland.gov/recovery.asp
Recovery.gov: http://www.recovery.gov/Pages/home.aspx
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