Victory smells like whoa

As I mentioned when I talked about going to Springfield, SOUL, this community organization I've been working with, has been pushing for a green jobs bill. This was one of the reasons for the trip to Springfield. Details:

If passed, the state would devote $500 million over the next five years to retrofit urban housing stock, a great way to conserve energy use and protect people from spiking utility rake fees. Companies awarded the contracts would be required to hire and train people from the local community, as well. SOUL estimates that 50,000 jobs could be created in cities hardest hit by deindustrialization and the recent economic crisis.

And now it's been passed: $425 million for the plan.

Holy crap.