If Democrats and moderate Republicans want extra help on a $1 billion jobs plan, House Republican Leader Richard DeBolt is naming his price: cooperation on bills that soften Washington’s state land-use rules and soften requirements for utilities to buy green power. DeBolt also wants state permits issued for projects in 90 days.
DeBolt took his shots during a House and Senate Republican sit-down with Capitol reporters today, slamming the emerging jobs proposal that would use revenue bonds to pay for public construction projects. The jobs plan has been described by labor and construction groups, who favor a larger plan, as a way to create as many as 25,000 jobs. Most would be in the construction sector still rife with joblessness.