From the Blue/Green alliance:
NEW SURVEY OF VIRGINIA VOTERS REVEALS SUPPORT FOR BUILD BACK BETTER
Voters see legislation as an opportunity for job growth, technological leadership, and emissions reductions
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 28, 2021) A new survey of voters in Virginia reveals support for the Build Back Better plan—the broad economic, infrastructure, care economy, and climate crisis package currently being considered by Congress. Specifically the survey found that 59% voters in the state are in favor of the package, which would cost up to $3.5 trillion spread out over ten years, mostly paid for by raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy.
“Virginia’s voters know that the time is now to seize on the opportunity to build the technology of the future, to create good-paying jobs across the nation, and to reduce the emissions driving climate change,” said BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director Jason Walsh of the results of the survey. “The Build Back Better plan will make great strides to address the interconnected challenges facing our nation and Virginians see within that framework an immense opportunity to build a clean, thriving, and equitable economy for all.”
The survey reveals that voters are particularly interested in the job creation potential of the Build Back Better plan. More than half of those surveyed responded that helping rebuild the middle class with jobs that pay enough so that people can support their families (71%); creating millions of new, good-paying jobs for working people in communities across the country in fields that are important to America’s economic future (71%); and bringing good jobs back to the United States by making sure more of the products we use in America are made in America (71%); are very or fairly important reasons to pass the Build Back Better plan.
Additionally, the survey found that voters recognize protecting the health and long-term well-being of Americans by building a clean energy economy that cuts down on harmful pollution, including the pollution causing climate change (64%), as a very or fairly important reason to pass the legislation.
When asked about specific provisions included in the Build Back Better Plan, respondents had favorable responses to:
- Rebuilding America’s water infrastructure to have cleaner, safer water, delivered more efficiently, and removing hazards like lead in water pipes, while creating good-paying jobs (82%);
- Strengthening and supporting America’s human services workforce, including care providers, front-line healthcare workers, and educators (76%);
- Upgrading and modernizing our schools to save money through energy efficiency and remove toxins from school environments (75%);
- Ensuring that major public investments include requirements that the products, technology, and materials used are made in America and the jobs provide good pay and benefits (82%);
- Rebuilding and retooling American manufacturing and modernizing our factories to build more products and clean technology here in the United States (78%); and
- Increasing clean and renewable energy sources so that eighty percent of our electricity comes from clean energy by 2030 (66%).
“Years of inaction at the Federal level have left us with growing inequality and a changing climate,” said Charles Skelly, Business Manager for IBEW Local 666. “The survey clearly shows that voters are ready for Congress to invest in our people and our infrastructure. Repairing and modernizing our infrastructure is an investment in our future, it is critical that we ensure the jobs created pay a family-sustaining wage so that we also invest in our people.”
”From extreme heat to sea level rise and more frequent hurricanes and tropical storms, Virginians are already seeing the impacts of climate change and they know that we have to act now if we are to avoid the worst case scenarios,” said Lee Francis, Deputy Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. “However, Virginians also see the opportunity inherent in building a cleaner economy. If we do this right, we can create good jobs here in the U.S., and become a leader in the development and production of clean technology.”
“Virginia’s voters are tired of the years of inaction on the challenges facing our nation. They welcome the smart provisions in the Build Back Better plan that will create good-paying jobs, drive down the emissions causing climate change, and repair and modernize critical infrastructure systems,” said Dan Taylor, BlueGreen Alliance Appalachian Regional Organizer. “The message is clear, Virginia’s voters support this legislation and want it passed now.”
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