While the debate about health care rages on, many people who are without proper coverage are in that position because of being out of a job. We absolutely need to be making smart decisions about reforming health care, but we cannot forget about fixing our economy on a fundamental level so that a crisis like this won’t happen again.
Fixing the economy should be a factor in everything we do from here on out, especially as we look at the next big topic to hit Congress this fall: energy legislation. Energy efficiency has the potential to not only clean our water and air but also to save Montanan families money on their energy bills and create thousands of good new jobs in our state. A new study from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy showed that Montanan households would save an average of $476 per year and 2,100 sustainable jobs would be created in the state over the next 10 years if Congress acts this fall to include strong energy efficiency improvements in energy and climate legislation.
I don’t know about you, but I could use almost $500 and I know people who would be lining up to take good jobs weatherizing existing buildings and creating super efficient new homes. Looking forward, we need to be making good decisions that create jobs and save money for all of us on Main Street so we don’t end up back in this economy. Our senators have the ability to make the decision for more jobs, more money in our pockets, and cleaner air and water, let’s hope they vote for all of us.
Zoee Turrill
Missoula