S.Amdt. 344

SA 344. Mr. KERRY (for himself and Mr. Kennedy) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 1, making supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science, assistance to the unemployed, and State and local fiscal stabilization, for fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. ___. FUNDING PRIORITIES.

It is the sense of the Senate that--

(1)(A) local and State agencies or authorities responsible for selecting projects to be funded under this Act or disseminating funds under this Act should, to the extent possible, select projects that utilize local populations; and

(B) preference should be given to projects that employ or subcontract with--

(i) veterans, or members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces;

(ii) low income people;

(iii) at risk youth;

(iv) individuals that are participating in reentry or career training programs; and

(v) individuals for whom construction work constitutes nontraditional employment;

(2) to the extent possible local and State agencies should maximize the utilization of individuals registered in apprenticeship programs, and expand participation in these programs by individuals in the populations described in paragraph (1)(B);

(3) to the extent possible State and Local agencies should maximize the utilization of contractors that provide health care and retirement benefits to their employees and maintain strong worker safety;

(4) to the extent possible the local or State agency receiving funds under this Act should coordinate with local community organizations, hiring centers, faith based organizations, labor organizations, and non-profits; and

(5) local and State agencies should make available on their State run websites information on how funds received under this Act are being implemented and disbursed to encourage participation and transparency.