To Spur Recovery, Bush And Congress Halt Environmental, Other Rules
Author: Tom Curry Source: MSNBC
Title: HURRICANE SPAWNS FLURRY OF DEREGULATION
As Democrats and Republicans grapple with the political effects of hurricane Katrina, both parties are reverting to core beliefs and inclinations: the Democrats are emphasizing the need for vast amounts of new spending for hard-hit people and communities, while Republicans are talking about the need to suspend federal environmental, workplace safety and contracting rules to spur a faster recovery.
Meanwhile, the Bush administration and Republicans in Congress, while voting for more than $60 billion in taxpayer money to be spent on hurricane recovery and promising many billions more have implemented some regulatory waivers and are planning to do even more deregulation:
On Thursday, Bush suspended the New Deal Era Davis-Bacon law on all federally financed construction in areas hit by Hurricane Katrina. That law requires the federal government to pay the prevailing wage on construction projects, which is often higher than the local minimum wage. Bushs order said wage rates imposed by Davis-Bacon increase the cost to the Federal Government of providing Federal assistance to these areas. Suspending Davis-Bacon will result in greater assistance to these devastated communities and will permit the employment of thousands of additional individuals, Bushs order said.
Additional Article Link: [Click HERE] Options: [Read Full Story]
From Witches Voice
Author: Tom Curry Source: MSNBC
Title: HURRICANE SPAWNS FLURRY OF DEREGULATION
As Democrats and Republicans grapple with the political effects of hurricane Katrina, both parties are reverting to core beliefs and inclinations: the Democrats are emphasizing the need for vast amounts of new spending for hard-hit people and communities, while Republicans are talking about the need to suspend federal environmental, workplace safety and contracting rules to spur a faster recovery.
Meanwhile, the Bush administration and Republicans in Congress, while voting for more than $60 billion in taxpayer money to be spent on hurricane recovery and promising many billions more have implemented some regulatory waivers and are planning to do even more deregulation:
On Thursday, Bush suspended the New Deal Era Davis-Bacon law on all federally financed construction in areas hit by Hurricane Katrina. That law requires the federal government to pay the prevailing wage on construction projects, which is often higher than the local minimum wage. Bushs order said wage rates imposed by Davis-Bacon increase the cost to the Federal Government of providing Federal assistance to these areas. Suspending Davis-Bacon will result in greater assistance to these devastated communities and will permit the employment of thousands of additional individuals, Bushs order said.
Additional Article Link: [Click HERE] Options: [Read Full Story]
From Witches Voice
