USA Today reported that a plan to boost construction jobs nationwide by providing federal money to repair public schools is picking up support among unions, economists and liberal advocates with direct ties to the White House.

President Mr Obama himself promoted the plan during his 2008 campaign, and some money was made available for school repairs in the USD 825 billion economic stimulus law passed in 2009. Now supporters are urging Obama to invest tens of billions of dollars as a major component of the jobs plan he delivers to Congress next week.

The proposal would funnel federal money to school districts where repair work has been delayed for years. One option to pay for it: wiping out nearly USD 50 billion in tax breaks for oil and gas companies, proposed by Obama but nixed by Republicans who control the House.

White House allies like the idea because unlike highway construction, where machinery plays a crucial role, fixing up schools would create more jobs.

The school repair program is one of several proposals Obama is considering as part of the speech he gives to a joint session of Congress, according to a half dozen White House allies.

(Sourced from www.usatoday.com)