President Obama's jobs plan would increase taxes on the rich. Photo credit: whitehouse.gov

Middle-class families and small businesses will have more money to get by under President Obama’s job plan delivered last week. Here are some changes New Yorkers could see.

1. Repaired and Modernized Schools

Up-do-date science labs and internet access would be available in schools.

For example, Rochester, N.Y. would get  $56 million federal funds to modernize schools under the proposed jobs plan, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports.

2. Extended Unemployment Benefits 

Close to one-third of the unemployed have been jobless for more than a year, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Obama wants to extend unemployment benefits to prevent lower consumer spending from ultimately hurting the economy.

3. Small Businesses Tax Breaks

To promote small businesses and consumer spending, companies that hire new workers will get tax breaks and small business owners workers will see their payroll taxes cut in half.

About 440,000 businesses in New York state would see their payroll taxes cut under the President’s jobs plan, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal.

4. Better Transportation

Countries like China have blown past the United States in their development of the faster trains and more modern transportation options, the President noted.

“Passing this jobs bill will put people to work rebuilding our crumbling roads and our crumbling bridges,” Obama said.

But that can’t happen without the help of local policymakers, according to Gotham Gazette. New York policymakers will have to make sure than transportation infrastructure gets enough funding and help increase transportation-related manufacturing.