W.Va.'s Manchin not sold on Obama jobs plan | Charleston Gazette

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginia U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin believes taxpayers are afraid to give the Obama administration any more money, believing it will just be wasted.

The freshman Democrat expressed concerns to reporters Friday about the $450 billion price tag of President Barack Obama's jobs plan.

Manchin says he supports Obama's proposed infrastructure bank, to leverage federal loans for roads, water systems and other public works projects.

But Manchin questioned Obama's call to extend a payroll tax cut for workers. That proposal would also extend to what employers pay. But those taxes fund Social Security, and Manchin said such cuts can cripple that program. He also believes the current payroll tax cut has done little to stimulate the economy or create jobs.

Manchin said he supports unemployment compensation funding for on-the-job training.

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