Worker Support
The airlines lined up for a $15 billion bailout at the same time nearly 100,000 workers are laid off in that industry. Other lobbyists are working the halls of Congress for billions more for travel agents, insurance companies, Amtrak, the hotel industry and restaurants.
To be sure, all of these industries have suffered greatly since the Sept. 11 tragedy. And all of these industries want a cut of the potential $40 billion in aid from the federal government. But why leave out the thousands of average American workers who are now out of a job?
It’s one thing to fill corporate coffers with federal cash, but the trickle-down theory just won’t work this time. It should be obvious that 100,000 workers suddenly out of jobs will be a huge blow to the nation’s economy unless they receive some assistance.
Congress should act just as fast to help these workers as they have to help big companies. At the very least, unemployment benefits should be extended substantially. Even better, Congress’ aid package should also include direct payments, guaranteed loans and mortgage assistance to laid-off workers.
President Bush has stressed that all of us must join together to fight terrorism and that all of us will make sacrifices to do so. The sacrifice being made by workers who lost their jobs is just as great as an airline going through a temporary drop in income.
Robert L. Balgenorth President, CA Building and Construction Trades Council Sacramento
Keep the Money
The policy of L.A. City to return unspent dollars to the city’s reserve fund (“Pothole Dollars Going Unspent,” Sept. 10) after the 30th of June makes sense to me. Why spend money just to be spending it? Budgeting each year is not an exact science. I would rather have the unspent monies recycled.
The Bureau of Street Services has been doing a great job. Since Alex Padilla joined the City Council, filling the unexpired term of Richard Alarcon (Council District 7) the Northeast Valley has been having its streets repaired, repaved, and reconstructed as never before, during my 60 years as a Valley-ite.
If Mayor Jimmy Hahn and Laura Chick as City Controller can establish the budget, have the L.A. City Council pass it and then see that the City’s needs are met with only a slight variance on the plus side, I think they should be commended rather than castigated. Such unexpended funds should be subject to review and unspent funds reallocated on a year-by-year basis as is now the case.
Arthur Sweet Los Angeles
