[September 09, 2011] BRIEF: Bing sees promise in Obama's jobs plan Tweet WASHINGTON, Sep 09, 2011 (Detroit Free Press - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Count Detroit Mayor Dave Bing among the fans of the president's jobs plan. Bing joined a conference call with Philadelphia's and Cincinnati's mayors this afternoon to express his hope that Congress does what President Barack Obama asked on Thursday and enacts his $447-billion jobs plan. "From a Detroit perspective, we as a city have probably been hit harder than anyone else," Bing said. While unemployment in the city has been pegged at 21%, he said it is, in reality, closer to 40% when you count the long-term unemployed. He said the president's proposals to rebuild roads and bridges, extend unemployment benefits and modernize schools could all help the city, though "it's hard to put a number" on how many jobs it might create. Asked how he would pay for such a big package, Bing said he knows there are cost issues that have to be worked out with Congress. "Trying to balance a budget is a big thing here for any of our mayors," he said. ___ (c)2011 the Detroit Free Press Visit the Detroit Free Press at www.freep.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]