Jobs and the environment continued to be a major focus during the AFL-CIO's Building and Construction Trades Department 2008 Legislative Conference on Wednesday. Massachusetts Rep. John Tierney touted the Green Jobs Act which he cosponsored with California Rep. Hilda Solis:

[Tierney]: "Which is going to allow people to have a job in the green industries that don’t get exported, that stay here and you can raise a family on the amount of money you earn."

Tierney also highlighted the Compete Act that is intended to create jobs and help America continue to compete with the rest of the world:

[Tierney]: "25,000 new teachers in technology engineering, science and math. Money for research and development so that our kids will have a chance to build the jobs of the future and get jobs themselves in an area where they can earn a decent living."