More than 20 groups will launch a new lobbying campaign this week aimed at passing a recovery package that will do something more than just stimulate the rich.
The Economic Recovery for America campaign kicks off Thursday, Jan. 8, at 2 p.m. at Seattle's Building Trades Council (6770 E. Marginal Way). At the event -- one of 20 being held around the nation -- labor unions and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) plan to call for federal and state stimulus bills that will benefit the working poor, including putting job creation projects in distressed areas and ensuring the jobs pay a family wage.
The groups are also asking the legislature to continue the $339 a month in General Assistance that the governor has proposed cutting for 21,000 disabled people. They also want the state to pay for more social workers to help people sign up for federal benefits like food stamps that they say would bring millions of dollars into the state.