New Energy Solutions In the News

"In most recessions, we're eventually led out of those recessions through the leadership of the housing sector and the automobile sector. This time around, both of those sectors are in shambles, and they're not likely to lead anybody out of anything," Obey said. "So that leaves us with very limited tools."

The House bill provides tax cuts to put money in people's pockets, creates jobs with infrastructure improvements, begins the process of modernizing the economy, helps people most hurt by the recession and save jobs by stabilizing state and local budgets, Obey said.

Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said the bill actually exceeds $1 trillion in spending when interest on the debt is taken into account and it won't help the economy.

"We can do better than this," he said, calling the package a "spending wish list" for special interest groups. He said half of the spending doesn't occur for two years and the tax cuts for a single worker amount to $10 a week.

"After we go on this spending binge, this will lead to higher taxes," Ryan said. "Higher taxes on small businesses. Higher taxes on capital. Higher taxes on investments, on our savings portfolios, on our retirements, on our college savings plans. That is what is in store right around the corner at the end of next year."

Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., said he opposed the bill because it would neither create jobs nor stimulate the economy.

Wisconsin Environment, an advocacy group for clean air, clean water and open space, said the bill would benefit Wisconsin with "bold investments" in clean energy and energy efficiency. It includes nearly $12 billion for public transit and clean transportation, director Dan Kohler said.

Wisconsin would receive nearly $73 million for mass transit.

WISPIRG, a public interest advocacy group in Madison, said the House bill could be improved by assigning priority to highway and bridge repairs instead of new construction, and by including more money for expanding public transit.