Meister Rallies Behind President's Green Jobs Initiatives

Highlights need for simultaneous focus on education.

(Chicago) Jacob Meister, Democratic candidate for the United States Senate, joined President Obama Friday promoting the administration’s latest announcement to use stimulus money to support green technology manufacturing in the United States. Obama announced the awarding of $2.3 billion in tax credits to companies that manufacture wind turbines, solar panels, cutting edge batteries and other green technologies. The money will come from last year's $787 billion stimulus program.

“Since the beginning of my campaign I have been pushing for this kind of initiative, and I am glad to see President Obama taking the lead and putting some of our tax dollars to work creating the kind of jobs that will sustain us into the future,” Meister said.

Focusing on job creation and the economy during his campaign, Meister has proposed a comprehensive plan that aggressively pursues the research, development and manufacturing of alternative energy technology, bio-technology and new infrastructure systems such as high-speed rail. Meister’s plan, 20/20 Vision, also includes strong proposals to transform the American education system to better prepare the students of today for the jobs of tomorrow.

“My 20/20 Vision tackles our economic hurdles from all sides, focusing funding and grant money on green jobs, and working with school systems across the country to offer more vocational and technical training for non-college-bound students.”

Meister pointed to the Chicago Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education program, scheduled to be overhauled over the next seven years. The program calls for the consolidation of the 70 current vocational programs in as many schools, into 35 schools with better trained staff, more focused curriculum and more opportunities to earn vocational credentials in addition to a diploma.

“Illinois has an opportunity to seize this moment and continue to be a global leader in advanced manufacturing. I don’t understand why my opponents don’t realize this connection,” Meister said.

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