Monday, June 8, 2009 | 11:54 a.m.
WASHINGTON — Greetings, Early Liners. The ongoing assessment of the economic recovery act picks up where it left off, with the White House today on full-court press touting job creation efforts and congressional Republicans saying not enough is being done.
Vice President Joe Biden dipped into sports talk during a conference call with reporters today, suggesting, “We are increasing the pace on the ball.”
The White House reiterates its assertion that 150,000 jobs have been saved or created during the first 100 days since the recovery bill was signed into law, with 600,000 expected in the next 100 days.
“We have been able to keep teachers employed… thousands of cops have been kept on the streets,” Biden told us. He tasked each department to assemble a top 10 list of projects that will be undertaken in the next 100 days. They can be viewed at www.whitehouse.gov/recovery.
The Sun reported today that no projects are yet underway in Clark County, as the state's double-digit unemployment rate is well above the national average.
Congressional Republicans remind that the White House expected more immediate returns, and they say not enough is being done.
Biden told reporters that unemployment rates would be even higher without the $787 billion package.
“Without the stimulus package it would be a lot worse,” Biden said. He said he realizes this provides little solace to those out of work.
“As every month goes by, we ought to be not incrementally, but geometrically, increasing the number of jobs we are creating,” Biden said. “This is going to be a very busy summer in what is usually a lazy, hot summer in this town.”
Congress returns its attention this week to the supplemental war spending bill, as well as legislation that would for the first time require ingredients to be listed on cigarette packages.
In Carson City, the mop-up continues from the legislative session that closed last week in a sprint.
Colleague J. Patrick Coolican writes that Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley ended the session positioning herself as a formidable candidate for governor while Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford secured his spot as a rising star. More winners and losers here.
That’s it for now. Check back often for the latest political news in Nevada.
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