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Democrats Say Stimulus Slights Women

By Beacon Staff

HELENA – Members of a Democratic women’s caucus called on President Barack Obama, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer and other fellow Democrats Tuesday to direct stimulus money to industries that employ women.

They say the current focus on “shovel-ready” projects, such as building improvements, favors what are traditionally male-dominated industries.

Women’s economic needs would be better served by money spent in the fields of health care and education, according to the legislators.

Republicans in the Congress, though, have said the national recovery plan includes too much education spending.

The caucus says it has sent letters to U.S. Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester urging them to ensure the federal stimulus package is fair to women.