Congressman Miller: More Federal Money Needed for Jobs

Don't cut. Spend more.

That's the message on jobs Rep. George Miller delivered during a sit-down interview Monday afternoon with online journalists.

The East Bay Democrat said Washington, D.C., needs to dole out more funds to stimulate the economy.

"I believe you've got to use the federal government as a catalyst for the private sector," Miller said.

He noted the freeway improvements on Interstate 680 in the San Ramon Valley as well as the fourth bore of the Caldecott Tunnel between Orinda and Berkeley as examples of stimulus money creating jobs in the East Bay.

The congressman said deficit reduction needs to be considered, but along with infrastructure spending, tax policy and revenue to local government.

"I don't believe you are going to cut your way out of this situation," he said.

Miller said President Obama is on the right track with his jobs bill, but he is being hampered by the effective media message from Republican leaders that stimulus money doesn't bolster the economy.

He said he believes community colleges, such as Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, are keys to job training. He noted 3 million new students signed up for community colleges in California last year.

"They are looking for new skills," he said.

Miller also repeated his support for the charter school plan now being considered for Clayton Valley High School in Concord.

In addition, he said the City of Concord seems to be headed in the right direction with its current proposals for parts of the Concord Naval Weapons Station.

Miller met at his Concord district office with three editors from Patch as well as four U.C. Berkeley student journalists who write for the online information site Richmond Confidential.