Weekly Writing #3

This week the Washington state House passed a bill aimed at creating jobs by making funds available to schools to make their facilities energy efficient. Bill 2561, or the Jobs Act, has become the center of much debate and the means of job creation is not only a local debate, but a national one.

The bills creator and primary sponsor, Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, argues that the bill “catalyzes probably about 2.5 billion dollars in work, which gives you 38,000 jobs, and will account in $190 million dollars in savings to the taxpayer every single year.” He goes on to explain that the bill would pay for itself by creating jobs, tax revenue, and reduced energy costs.

On the opposing side is Rep. Glenn Anderson, R-Fall City, who says that the bill would negatively affect the state's bond rating, making it more difficult for the state to borrow. He also argues that the bill only presents public with projections and wonders how many jobs the bill would actually create.

Rep. Jim Jacks, D-Vancouver, counters Rep. Anderson's claim about the state's bond rating being affected negatively by citing research done by Moodys, stating that creating jobs and diversifying will actually produce a better bond rating.

Aside from arguments centered on job creation and bond ratings, others argue in favor of the bill because it would make schools safer for children.

“Any savings that we can put into our system making it safer for our kids and putting people to work now is what we need to do and we need to be brave and do it now!” exclaimed Rep. Kathy Haigh, D-Shelton.