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Mayor McGinn calls on Congress to support Obama's jobs plan

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn.
City of Seattle
Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn.

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn wants Congress to put aside partisanship and pass President Obama's $450 billion American Jobs Act.

If passed, it could mean big bucks for the state of Washington; The federal government could fund up to $1.8 billion worth of public works projects that it says, would create jobs and improve infrastructure.

Here's a breakdown of how the money would be applied:

  • $741 million to invest in highways, transit, rail and aviation. This  could support a minimum of 9,600 jobs
  • $628 million would keep teachers, police and firefighters on the job
  • $365 million to update and build new schools. This could support  up to 4,700 jobs
  • Up to $20 million would be available through competitive  grants to revitalize local communities
  • Washington could receive up to $84 million in funding for community colleges