Md. Lawmakers Have Mixed Reactions To Obama's Job Speech

GOP concerned over $447 billion cost

WASHINGTON ——

After hearing President Barack Obama plead Thursday for speedy passage of his $447 billion jobs package, Maryland lawmakers were divided about whether the plan would reduce the nation's stubbornly high unemployment.

State Democrats expressed near-universal support for the American Jobs Act, which would cut payroll taxes by more than $240 billion, extend unemployment benefits and direct $100 billion to infrastructure improvements. Maryland's two Republicans were more skeptical and raised concerns about the cost.

"It would have a phenomenal impact," predicted Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, a Baltimore Democrat who noted Obama's proposal to help struggling homeowners refinance their mortgages. "These are things that the Republicans have supported in the past."

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