Minneapolis has a pretty big wish list when it comes to a pretty big economic stimulus package heading to the Senate in Washington. "The stimulus package, the federal recovery package, has everything to do with what happens in Minneapolis," Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said at a press conference he called Monday. Mayor Rybak surrounded himself with police and firefighters to itemize what he will do with an unknown amount of federal money if it comes his way. "We want to apply for 3 million dollars in federal grants that can put 60 people to work insulating homes in Minneapolis and training those workers to be qualified for that work on an ongoing basis," Rybak said. Mayor Rybak calls those green jobs. New work that is planet friendly and saves money on energy bills for the homeowners it helps out. He'd like the program to target lower income neighborhoods first. Rybak is also pushing for the current stimulus bill, president Obama's choice, because it calls for 4 billion dollars to go into public safety. It's not a push for more police and firefighters, Rybak explained, it is rather money to maintain current levels for years to come. But Mayor Rybak has his critics. "Maybe what to do is just wait and see what net dollars will come to Minneapolis before we look at spending the money," Minnesota Taxpayers League President Phil Krinkie said. Krinkie's specific jab is that this bill has not passed the U.S. Senate and he thinks it has a ways to go to please Republicans the way it pleases the President. "Obama's goal in having this thing signed in February is a bit optimistic," Krinkie said. Ryabak says his support of the bill has nothing to do with his very public support of President Obama. He claims his support is for Minneapolis. "I'm backing anyone who creates a job right now," Rybak said.
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