Restoring Economic Security to America

Press Release

David Orentlicher unveiled today his plan to keep Americans working and get our economy back on the right path. He called for greater investments in technology, education and workforce development to ensure that this country can create the high-paying, high-benefit jobs that all citizens should have.

The Orentlicher plan would include multiple steps to revive the economy and provide job security to all Hoosiers including:

● Promoting Innovation in Industries of the Future. For generations, the United States has offered economic prosperity by leading the way with invention and innovation. We must continue that important tradition by promoting the industries of the future. Right here in Indianapolis, with IU School of Medicine, Eli Lilly, Roche Diagnostics, and Dow AgroSciences, we have become a leading hub for the life sciences, and continued investment in the life sciences is important for Indiana and the entire country.

As energy costs increase, we should use our strong manufacturing base in Indiana to develop the "green industries" that will supply energy-efficient products and services. An Indiana company, EnerDel, has pioneered batteries for hybrid electric automobiles, and we can create jobs that both lower unemployment and reduce gas prices.

David will support substantial increases in federal funding for research and development, as well as increased tax credits for individuals and companies that invest in new technologies.

● Investing in Education and Job-Training. We can win the global competition for jobs by offering businesses the best-educated, best-skilled workforce in the world. Greater investments in our K-12 schools, affordable tuition in our universities, and worker retraining programs are key elements of a jobs program that will give all citizens the opportunity to live the American Dream. Summer jobs for our youth and re-entry programs for ex-offenders will not only bolster our economy but help us lower crime rates in our neighborhoods.

● Treating Americans Fairly. We also must ensure that Americans are treated fairly by the global economy. Our workers are the backbone of our economy, and we cannot prosper if they don't prosper. We need to promote trade across national borders, but when we sign free trade agreements, they must be fair trade agreements with environmental, labor and civil rights standards that are on par with what we expect from our own companies. David also will fight to strengthen the ability of workers to organize unions without fear of intimidation or harassment by supporting passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.

● Protecting Homes and the Housing Industry. The subprime lending crisis is threatening the well-being of many homeowners who face foreclosure and the economic well-being of all Americans because of the impact on the housing industry. As the government intervenes to save failing financial institutions, it also must intervene to save Americans from losing their homes. It's in everybody's interest to adopt a moratorium on mortgage foreclosures so we make sure that as many people as possible can stay in their homes.

David Orentlicher lives on the North side of Indianapolis with wife Judy and children Cy (7) and Shayna (4) and he has represented the 86th district since 2002.

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