Blog Archives
Americans Are Asking “Where are the Jobs?”
Guest Post by Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.)
Just two weeks ago the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the latest unemployment numbers and once again it was more bad news. The national unemployment rate is at 9.6 percent, with 95,000 jobs lost in the month of September alone. With joblessness topping 9.5 percent for the past fourteen months in a row, it is the longest such stretch since the Great Depression. Despite this alarming announcement, the Congress continues to pursue an agenda that will further threaten the American economy. While Americans are asking “Where are the jobs?,” the Majority in Congress continues to demonstrate that they do not appreciate how private sector jobs are created.
Twenty months ago President Obama signed into law the trillion dollar “stimulus” bill on the promise that it would create jobs immediately and keep unemployment below eight percent. The “stimulus” bill has failed to create robust private sector jobs. It certainly proves that the Democrats policies of higher taxes, runaway spending, government takeovers and record debt are having a chilling effect on the nation’ s small businesses, the economic engine of our economy.
I am committed to finding real solutions to address our nation’ s unemployment crisis. The first thing we must do is remove barriers to employment including the threat of higher taxes, new government regulations and costly mandates. It is common-sense that you should not raise costs and taxes on employers at a time when unemployment is at record levels. By stopping the looming tax increases it would allow working families to keep more money in their pockets, encourage investment and provide financial relief for America’ s small businesses. It would also provide immediate certainty for American job creators so they can hire new workers with the confidence that a higher tax bill is not on the way.
In addition, we must restore confidence in America’ s economic future by restraining federal spending. This would allow banks who are financing the debt to invest in more productive activities, like small business growth to help turn our economy around. Other common-sense solutions for job-growth including reforming the unemployment system to help those out of work find jobs, increasing the education and training of our workforce, and removing unnecessary barriers to domestic energy production. Energy independence by itself could create millions of American jobs with a national goal of reaching energy independence from foreign oil.
The American people want to see an end to the economic uncertainty and a plan to create jobs. Congress must abandon its job-killing, tax-and-spend policies and instead focus on real solutions that will grow our economy, create jobs and get Americans back to work.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
Reducing Government Spending is Essential to Job Creation
Guest Post by Rep. Bob Goodlatte
Folks all across our nation are worried. They worry if their job is still going to be around in six months. They worry about what will happen to their families, their children, and their homes if their employer shuts down and they find themselves out of work. Unfortunately, too many people are facing this situation today with nationwide unemployment hovering around ten percent.
The Democratic leaders in Washington promised the American people that if we passed a stimulus bill we would be able to strengthen our economy and create jobs. But in the 18 months since that monstrosity was passed by Congress, we have lost 2.6 million private sector jobs, unemployment has increased by almost two percent, and we have added trillions of dollars to our national debt. Bailouts, massive government spending, out of control deficits, federal takeovers, and more bureaucratic interference is not the solution to the difficulties we face today. As President Ronald Reagan said in his first inaugural address “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”
To spur economic growth, create new jobs and bring personal opportunity to every American we must strengthen our free market system, not hamper it. We must reduce government intrusion, not allow more bailouts and takeovers. We must give our nation’s entrepreneurial spirit the opportunity to thrive, not enact policies that will forever alter our ability to seek prosperity.
Out of control spending, skyrocketing deficits, and massive growth in government programs have increased economic uncertainty and prolonged our unemployment crisis. Yet, the Majority in Congress is already preparing to pass, without my support, a $26 billion bailout bill which will increase taxes on American businesses and once again expand the size and scope of the federal government. Americans need jobs, not another failed bailout. With businesses already struggling to make ends meet, further tax increases will only add to that burden. The federal government should focus on cutting spending and reducing the deficit, not finding more ways to spend taxpayer’s dollars. That’s why I have introduced legislation that would force the federal government to balance its budget.
The President and the Democratic Leadership in Congress believe their big government programs can better grow our economy and create jobs than the free market system that has made America the most prosperous nation on earth. They are also preparing massive tax increases. We simply cannot afford any more of these tax and spend job killing policies in the private sector. We must find ways to create new jobs and expand opportunities and that remains my top priority. As a member of the House Republican Economic Recovery Solutions Group, I am committed to finding real solutions to our nation’s unemployment crisis. We must remove barriers to employment including the threat of higher taxes, additional government regulations, and costly mandates.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
Hope and Change Waning among Young Voters
During the 2008 election cycle, there was great momentum among young voters 18-30 towards Barack Obama’s candidacy for President. You had celebrities touting his candidacy and YouTube videos dedicated in Obama‘s honor. A few months ago, I had written a post on Bearing Drift chronicling the growing dissatisfaction among young voters with President Obama, according to a Pew Research Study, and another recently released study is confirming the continued dissatisfaction.
Recently, Quinnipiac University released a poll showing Obama losing to a Republican challenger by 37-34 percent. With unemployment numbers being at an all-time high and many of these young voters out of work, this is not surprising. Many young voters who supported Obama are becoming impatient, as he failed to fulfill his campaign promises of creating new jobs. The stimulus legislation has failed to yield new employment opportunities, and now, many young voters are realizing that they will be paying for the excessive debt left behind by this administration (and the previous administration).
Does this bode well for the GOP in embracing young voters? There is always a possibility, but it remains to be seen who can attract the voters by utilizing common sense, conservative principles in 2012. Right now, the GOP needs to field a candidate, who is fiscally conservative and will lead the country by following the Constitution. This candidate needs to be concerned with addressing and curbing government spending, while providing businesses with tax incentives to keep jobs in America. However, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done in terms of reforming the party structure between now and 2012.
Talk about Embarrassing…
Terry McAuliffe is back! This time he is focused on attacking Bob McDonnell for not bringing jobs to the Commonwealth. In an interview with reporters, McAuliffe said that McDonnell was making it harder for the Old Dominion to attract jobs. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, McAuliffe said:
“McAuliffe says the new governor, who just marked his 100th day in office, isn’t making it any easier to attract new jobs to the state by getting bogged down in controversies over his Confederate heritage proclamation and resisting legal anti-bias protections for gay Virginians.”
Isn’t it ironic considering that Northrop Grumman is relocating to Virginia? Governor McDonnell worked hard for this deal and has fulfilled one of his campaign promises of bringing more jobs to the Commonwealth. This all happened during the first 101 days in office. There will be 110 new jobs created from this move.
McAuliffe is busy playing politics (supposedly, he wants to run for Governor again) and ignores the positive job growth occurring here in Virginia.
Potential Haymarket Hospital Site Poses Traffic Problems
At a public hearing last night in Haymarket, the Health Services Agency of Northern Virginia (HSANV) listened to two different proposals for building a hospital in Western Prince William County. Both Prince William Hospital System (which merged with Novant Health) and Sentara introduced their building proposals to the agency, and the public chimed in for their support on either site. The need for a hospital facility has increased over the years due to increased population growth (the senior population is also growing exponentially as well) in the Haymarket/Gainesville area. Currently, it takes anywhere between 30-45 minutes to get to Prince William Hospital in Manassas, which also adds to the urgency of this facility.
The proposals are based at different sites. Prince William Hospital System plans to build a hospital on the site of the Heathcote Medical Center, which is at the intersections of Routes 15 and 66. It is a site that has already been approved for zoning by Prince William County. This hospital is proposed to have 60 private rooms, 24-hour Emergency Department, Surgical Operating Rooms, ICU, and will bring 400 new jobs to the area.
Sentara Healthcare, a non-profit hospital company based in the Tidewater area, recently acquired Potomac Hospital in 2009, is planning to build their hospital right across the street from Jiffy Lube Live. The site would be located off of Wellington Road. The site has not been approved for zoning by Prince William County, as a previous housing development (Brookfield Homes) was going to build on the site, previously owned by Atlantic Research Corporation. This site was deemed unsafe due to the toxic chemicals left behind on the site by the Environmental Protection Agency. The costs for Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) remediation will exceed millions of dollars before zoning could be approved.
Aside from the environmental problems, there would be increased traffic issues. Being across the street from Jiffy Lube Live would pose many transportation woes, as traffic is often at a stand still due to concerts being held six months out of the year. Noise from the concerts will also pose problems, as the proposed site is planned to be built facing the loudest side of the concert venue. This would pose obstacles for surgeons focusing on procedures, in addition to detracting from the patient’s quality of care.
While both hospitals introduced their proposals to the committee, one thing did stick out. Sentara seemed ill prepared to answer the questions on why they selected the site. When asked how they would address the issues posed by the facility, the questions were left unanswered.
HSANV heard testimonies from community leaders, such as Del. Jackson Miller (R-50), Prince William County Sheriff Glendell Hill, Gainesville District Supervisor, John Stirrup, and Manassas Mayor Harry Parrish II. All of these leaders spoke in favor of the Prince William Hospital System site, as there is a great need for the expansion of a hospital that has committed itself to the Prince William County community for 45 years.
In an interview with CCC, Miller mentioned the quality services and commitment of Prince William Hospital System in the Haymarket community. Miller represents the 50th House District, which includes Prince William Hospital System’s main campus in Manassas.
When asked about the problems posed by the Sentara site, Miller mentioned three key issues that stand as a barrier in their site. First, with the close proximity of the Jiffy Lube Live site and a railroad line, traffic would be extremely problematic. The second issue is the noise pollution. As mentioned, the hospital site is on the loudest side of the venue, along with a nearby railroad line, would make noise levels almost unbearable. Prince William County Police receive numerous complaints from residents miles away from the venue due to the excessive noise. Lastly, the environmental quality in the area poses problems for the site. Miller mentioned that Sentara’s site has not been approved for zoning, and it is uncertain how much remediation would need to be done for the site to meet DEQ standards. It could cost millions of dollars.
When asked if the General Assembly plans to intervene if the Sentara site is approved, Miller mentioned that he has no interest in intervening with the commission’s approval process.
Miller reiterated his support for the Prince William Health System/Novant Health site, as it is located on a better site approved for zoning. Miller talked about Prince William Health System’s commitment to the Western Prince William County community, and it’s commitment to advancing quality services in the Haymarket area.
There will be future posts focusing on the developments of a future hospital site in Haymarket. While both Prince William/Novant and Sentara Healthcare offer the promises of new employment opportunities and providing quality health services, Prince William holds the advantage over the Hampton Roads-based Sentara. In the meantime, Alan Moore at Bearing Drift has another interesting perspective to add to the proposed hospital.
Stopping Job Killing Energy Regulations and Taxes
Guest Post by Congressman Bob Goodlatte
Late last year the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took the first steps toward a national energy tax by writing anti-growth regulations that make carbon dioxide – something that is necessary to sustain life on earth – a regulated pollutant under the Clean Air Act. This backdoor attempt to institute a national energy tax will stifle economic growth and kill jobs, especially in the manufacturing, transportation, energy, and agricultural sectors. Now more than ever, with the national unemployment rate hovering around 10 percent and 15 million Americans looking for work, these harmful rules must be stopped.
The EPA’s regulations represent a clear and present danger to our economy and to all of our efforts to provide the conditions for job growth and prosperity. These new regulations will cost hundreds of billions of dollars to implement and would ultimately affect millions of small sources of emissions such as hotels, hospitals, churches, farms, office buildings, restaurants, and other small businesses. These rules will inject uncertainty into the economy, delay or halt new construction, and deter investment. Citing the negative impact to their states, these regulations are strongly opposed by several States’ Governors, Attorneys General, environmental agencies, and agricultural agencies.
The unelected bureaucrats at the EPA should not be creating national energy policy for our country and so I have joined with Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate in supporting legislation which would prevent the implementation of these job-killing regulations posed by the EPA.
Instead of passing regulations which will simply raise energy costs and ship jobs overseas, our nation needs an “all of the above” solution to cleaning up the environment, lowering energy costs, and creating more American jobs. We need comprehensive energy legislation which reduces our dangerous dependence on foreign energy and puts millions of Americans to work. We must encourage innovation within the energy market to create the renewable fuel options and energy careers of tomorrow, promote greater conservation and efficiency by providing incentives for easing energy demand and creating a cleaner, more sustainable environment and increase the production of American energy by responsibly utilizing all available resources and technologies and streamlining burdensome regulations.
America’s economy is intrinsically linked to the availability and affordability of energy. During this economic slow-down we should be adopting policies that seek to rebuild our economy and create more jobs; we need reliable and affordable energy supplies. Unfortunately, the new regulations the EPA is pushing would only further cripple our economy. Instead of government mandates and bureaucracy we should focus on policies that support technological advances and consumer choices. The bottom line is that we need policies which encourage investment in environmentally sound, cost-effective practices without stifling innovation and setting our economy further back.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
"Public Option" for Student Loans should be a no go!
Anytime the government seeks to take over a failing industry, there is always a probability that failures can ensue. After all, when has the federal government ever got anything right?
Now, the Obama Administration is moving to exclude all private lenders from making government guaranteed student loans. This job killing move will cost tens of thousands private sector jobs as the government earns a profit on charging students for higher education. Additionally, schools and families will lose the choice of how to borrow money to pay for college. Currently, legislation is being drafted in Congress to federalize student loans, and Senator Tom Harkin, who chairs the Senate HELP Committee has promised to schedule hearings as soon as this bill passes the House. (This eerily sounds like Obama’s health care reform…doesn’t it?)
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan sent around this letter to colleges and universities encouraging them to switch to government loans now (even though, the bill has not even been passed yet). Since when do departments institute laws before they are even passed?
From: Duncan, Arne [mailto:Arne.Duncan@ed.gov]
Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 10:39 AM
Subject: Letter from the U.S. Department of Education regarding student loan programs
THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION
WASHINGTON, DC 20202
October 26, 2009
As this academic year moves forward, it is hard to believe we already need to consider the 2010-2011 year to come. In doing so, I am writing to seek your assistance and offer mine in taking the necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted access to federal student loans by ensuring your institution is Direct Loan-ready for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Eighteen months ago, uncertainty in the financial markets seriously threatened the availability of Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans for the upcoming 2008-09 academic year. Congress acted quickly to provide the Department of Education with unprecedented temporary authority to directly finance loans made through FFEL Program lenders. The goal was to ensure that every student or parent with a need for a federal loan would be able to get one, whether or not the student’s educational institution had taken the steps to provide loans through the Direct Loan Program (where loan access was not affected). This stopgap measure, the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act (ECASLA), was helpful in assisting FFEL Program lenders in making $61.3 billion in new loans to students and their parents this past year. And the bulk of those funds—some $46.3 billion—was provided by the Department of Education.
While many institutions like yours continued to use the FFEL Program loan delivery process last year, more than 500 others responded to the uncertainty by switching to the Direct Loan Program. These colleges’ move to direct lending happened in an efficient and effective manner, without any interruption of service to students, and the number of Direct Loans increased by nearly two-thirds compared to the previous year. As you know, the Direct Loan Program provides students with the same types of loans, with essentially the same terms, as those made in the FFEL Program.
I do not anticipate any major loan access problems during the remainder of this academic year because Congress’s temporary measure remains in effect. However, while there are encouraging signs that the financial markets are rebounding, the most prudent course of action is for you to ensure that your institution is Direct Loan-ready for the 2010-2011 academic year. That way, loan access for your students will be assured. As you may know, President Obama has proposed that Congress make the loan system more reliable by moving to a 100 percent Direct Loan delivery system. In any event, under current law, ECASLA will expire, and the continued participation of FFEL Program lenders will be in question.
The Department of Education stands ready to assist with any questions you and your staff may have about becoming Direct Loan-ready. Many institutions have already taken the initial step of contacting us to ensure the appropriate transition steps have been taken at Federal Student Aid to begin the process. If your school has not taken this initial step, we recommend that you do so. Please also reach out to your technology, financial aid, and business offices to make sure they are working together to ensure federal loan access for your students and their parents. If they are unsure of the steps to take, please have them contact our school relations center at 1-800-848-0978, or e-mail us at DLEnrollment_FSA@ed.gov with questions.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Arne Duncan
This has caused quite a firestorm at colleges and universities throughout the country, even prompting them to send letters to legislators urging them not to support any legislation that would federalize the student loan industry. In fact, Sens. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) sent letters to Secretary Arne Duncan in November warning of the ramifications of doing this to the student loan industry.
There is great anxiety by the states that could be impacted: Virginia, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Florida, Delaware, and New York will all lose jobs due to this legislation (if passed). With unemployment at an all-time high, wouldn’t you think that the Obama Administration would allow private businesses to flourish and create new opportunities? Instead, it appears they are planning to destroy them and continue adding to the unemployment numbers.
As I was entering college in 2000, I relied on student loans to pay the $30,000 a year tuition at the private college I attended. If I did not have the opportunity to borrow from a private lender, my dreams of being the first female and first person on both sides of my family to graduate with a degree would not have been reality. I received a fine liberal arts education and have received many opportunities that would not have been open to me otherwise. If the government takes over the student loan industry, this would be shutting the doors of opportunity on others, whose stories might be similar to mine.
Note: Erick over at RedState has more on this, as the New York Times came out in defense of this proposed legislation.
Keith Fimian's Response to the State of the Union Address
Keith Fimian, candidate for Congress in the 11th District, released this statement after President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address.
“Tonight the President said he planned to make job creation and controlling wasteful spending a priority. I commend him for that and hope he carries through on his pledge. So far we have seen too many broken promises from this White House and members of Congress like Gerry Connolly. The problem is that the agenda in Washington is being driven by career politicians who cut their back room deals and leave taxpayers like you and me to pay for it all. Or worse, who borrow the money from China and obligate our children and grandchildren to pay it back. That’s just plain wrong and it has to stop.”
“I believe in a different course of action. I am businessman who has actually created hundreds of jobs and a CPA who knows how to balance a budget. We need to stop playing the games the insiders play and stop cutting deals with special interests. We must stop the failed stimulus. Too many of the President’s proposed reductions in spending are somewhere off in the future when what we really need are real spending cuts right now. Let’s start a serious audit of the federal government now to make serious cuts. Then we need to have government stop trying to create ‘temporary jobs’ with more spending, and instead give small businesses and the American people the freedom to grow, expand, and create jobs in the private sector.”
Fimian makes good points here. One thing Obama should remember is to rely on the free markets, instead of playing “Mr. Fix-It.”
Rep. Eric Cantor Outlines Jobs Plan
Right now, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) is discussing his pro-growth jobs plan. This comes the day before the White House hosts a jobs summit to address the rise in unemployment. There is no doubt that reforms need to be made to get America back on track in a way that will not threaten the free market economy or free enterprise. However, another question does arise: What happened to all of the jobs that the Stimulus Bill was supposed to create?
http://www.ustream.tv/flash/live/1/578779Live Videos by Ustream
or here.
So…How's the Stimulus Working for America?
Lately, with unemployment numbers soaring and many Americans are now losing jobs due to a weakened economy that continues to worsen by the minute, one has to ask how President Obama’s stimulus plan is impacting Americans.
A recent Reuters article indicates that unemployment will be rising to 12-13 percent. What impact will this have on the mid-term elections in 2010? I think it is going to provide a tidal wave against the Democrats in Congress and provide serious disappointment for President Obama. Right now, Americans are sick and tired of the (pardon the language) bull crap excuses that Congress and Obama have been giving for the unemployment and economic downfalls. Obama says the stimulus is working one minute, then says it is not working as planned.
There is no reason that we should be facing 12-13 percent unemployment, especially if we follow free market principles. Perhaps, Congress needs to take leadership and go back to the drawing board by working to balance the budget and pay our deficit off. Another idea would be to lower the corporate tax rates for businesses. Another thing Congress definitely needs to take a glimpse at is cutting unnecessary spending on future stimulus and other government expansion programs.
Right now, the Stimulus is not working as planned, and we will be paying for it in the long run through rising unemployment numbers and an economic downturn.
