In her weekly newsletter, Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler says the supercommittee must take defense spending off the table when it starts recommending budget cuts.
As representatives of the people return to Washington following a working week in their home districts, we are taking a fresh look at the many problems associated with President Obama’s health care law, passed last year. In a nutshell, the health care law is starting to unravel.
On the Friday before we left Washington, the Obama Administration cut a major planned benefit from the President’s 2010 health care law when it told Americans that a program to offer insurance for long-term care was unsustainable. This realization is not new to many of us who saw this problem from the beginning, but it marks the first time we are seeing the Administration publicly tell the country that an important piece of the plan is simply too expensive and unworkable.
This program, the Community Living Assistance Services (CLASS) Act, was to have been financed by participants and was intended to provide a basic lifetime benefit of at least $50 a day in the event of illness or disability. A major problem, totally overlooked by the Obama Administration, is that a benefits package this generous would have required premiums so high that few healthy people would enroll. A simple study of this program should reveal that it would have soon collapsed. It is a positive sign that the Administration has finally come around to admitting that a key component of its health care law is not financially viable and had to be dropped. Sadly, it is but one of many problems associated with this health care law. It is time to repeal this unworkable plan and replace it with common sense reforms which will increase access and lower health care costs without a government takeover. I will continue to work toward that end. America’s health care depends on it.
You might be aware that the so-called “supercommittee” of twelve Senators and Representatives is working on cutting about $1.5 trillion from projected borrowing over the next decade. The House Armed Services Committee, of which I am a member, sent a letter to the “supercommittee” warning the panel that further cuts to the military will put our country at risk. It has been pointed out to the “supercommittee” that a plan to cut $465 billion in the military budget over the next ten years is already in place and deeper cuts would be irresponsible as they might put vital missions at risk.
The “supercommittee” must present a plan by Thanksgiving. Failure to reach agreement would trigger a $1.2 trillion cut in spending – with much of that total coming from national defense. We are strongly advising these members to avoid further cuts which would destroy jobs, stall the economy, and cut as many as 200,000 servicemen and women from our fighting force. They must not turn a superpower into a regional power.
Cutting our huge debt was the topic of discussion as I met with the Butler Rotary Club this week. I shared many of the concerns I have with Washington’s out-of-control spending and the need for the federal government to live within its means – just as American families must do – while at the same time preserving our national defense. It can be done. As for calls from President Obama to raise taxes on job producers, I offered some facts from the Internal Revenue Service regarding the tax burden. According to the 2010 IRS database, 70 percent of total U.S. taxes received each year are paid by the top 10 percent of American earners who make 46 percent of the income. The President says this group must pay its “fair share.” The facts say they’re paying it now! We don’t need to raise taxes to create jobs. We need Washington to get out of the way of small businesses by removing onerous regulations, lowering the corporate tax rate, repealing President Obama’s health care law, and promoting American energy.
We also talked about the need for a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution – which I co-sponsor in the House – and the opportunity we will soon have to vote on it in Congress. That is the best way to force Washington to live within its means. As one Rotarian said, “We have to make do with what we have – Washington should, too.”
It is always a pleasure to hear from you and to listen to your views and concerns. If you plan to visit the Washington area, please stop by our office at 1023 Longworth House Office Building. In the 4th Congressional District, you are welcome to come by our offices in Jefferson City, Harrisonville, Lebanon, and Sedalia. You can also keep up with us by going to our website at www.hartzler.house.gov where you can link to our pages on Facebook and Twitter. It is an honor to serve you.
Friday, October 21, 2011
McCaskill: Show your support for the Buffett Rule
In a newsletter e-mailed today, Sen. Claire McCaskill asks supporters to show their support for the implementation of the Buffett Rule by contributing to her campaign
People all across Missouri agree with the Buffett rule -- and want to see it implemented.
When Patricia from Hazelwood signed my petition urging the super committee members to support the Buffett rule, she wrote: "Please don't back down and don't give up!!! We need you!!"
We need to make sure that middle-class families don't pay a higher percentage in taxes than millionaires and billionaires. The Buffett rule is fair, and it is part of what we need to do to get our fiscal house in order.
But the anonymous billionaires helping Karl Rove run attack ads against me will never support this. It's up to us.
Make a contribution of $5 or more today to help us fight for the Buffett rule.
When our teachers, police officers, and firefighters earn a paycheck, they often pay a higher percentage in taxes than executives of the largest and most profitable corporations. It makes no sense.
That's what the Buffett rule is designed to fix.
More than 95% of those who took my recent online poll supported the rule. We have broad support, and people are counting on us. But our opponents recognize what's at stake here. They've already attacked me with an unprecedented number of early negative ads.
We need the resources to fight back and hold our ground.
Help us fight for the Buffett rule. Make a contribution of $5 today.
When he signed my petition, Greg from Lake Lotawana added, "You bet I support this. It's time to swing back toward supporting the middle-class working folks."
I agree, and I think you do too. That's why I'm asking for your support today.
Thank you,
People all across Missouri agree with the Buffett rule -- and want to see it implemented.
When Patricia from Hazelwood signed my petition urging the super committee members to support the Buffett rule, she wrote: "Please don't back down and don't give up!!! We need you!!"
We need to make sure that middle-class families don't pay a higher percentage in taxes than millionaires and billionaires. The Buffett rule is fair, and it is part of what we need to do to get our fiscal house in order.
But the anonymous billionaires helping Karl Rove run attack ads against me will never support this. It's up to us.
Make a contribution of $5 or more today to help us fight for the Buffett rule.
When our teachers, police officers, and firefighters earn a paycheck, they often pay a higher percentage in taxes than executives of the largest and most profitable corporations. It makes no sense.
That's what the Buffett rule is designed to fix.
More than 95% of those who took my recent online poll supported the rule. We have broad support, and people are counting on us. But our opponents recognize what's at stake here. They've already attacked me with an unprecedented number of early negative ads.
We need the resources to fight back and hold our ground.
Help us fight for the Buffett rule. Make a contribution of $5 today.
When he signed my petition, Greg from Lake Lotawana added, "You bet I support this. It's time to swing back toward supporting the middle-class working folks."
I agree, and I think you do too. That's why I'm asking for your support today.
Thank you,
Steelman: Time for Brunner to put up or shut up
(From the Sarah Steelman for Senate campaign)
For the third consecutive week, John Brunner is nowhere to be found regarding a key challenge in the campaign for US Senate. Both Steelman and Akin were confirmed for a debate earlier this week that was postponed by the producer.
In a push for open and honest discussion of the issues, Sarah Steelman challenged St. Louis residents John Brunner and Congressman Todd Akin to a series of debates across the state. Mr. Brunner has yet to even issue a statement as to whether he'll accept. McGraw Milhaven, host of The McGraw Show on KTRS out of St. Louis and potential host of a debate has been unsuccessful in his attempts to contact either St. Louis candidate as well. Neither campaign has responded to his invitation to debate.
"The people of this state are tired of politics as usual. This race should be won on the merits, not hiding behind a multi-million dollar ad campaign. We have major battles that must be won to pull our country out of the hole that Barack Obama and Claire McCaskill have dug for us. Fancy ads and teleprompters helped get us into this mess, and we don't need more of it. I insist on real debates on real issues that are facing our citizens, so that they can know who we are and where we stand. I suggest Mr. Brunner either step up or step aside.”
Dr. Gina Loudon, host of the Gina Loudon Show and University of Missouri College Republicans along with several potential debate hosts are still waiting to hear from the other primary candidates as well.
For the third consecutive week, John Brunner is nowhere to be found regarding a key challenge in the campaign for US Senate. Both Steelman and Akin were confirmed for a debate earlier this week that was postponed by the producer.
In a push for open and honest discussion of the issues, Sarah Steelman challenged St. Louis residents John Brunner and Congressman Todd Akin to a series of debates across the state. Mr. Brunner has yet to even issue a statement as to whether he'll accept. McGraw Milhaven, host of The McGraw Show on KTRS out of St. Louis and potential host of a debate has been unsuccessful in his attempts to contact either St. Louis candidate as well. Neither campaign has responded to his invitation to debate.
"The people of this state are tired of politics as usual. This race should be won on the merits, not hiding behind a multi-million dollar ad campaign. We have major battles that must be won to pull our country out of the hole that Barack Obama and Claire McCaskill have dug for us. Fancy ads and teleprompters helped get us into this mess, and we don't need more of it. I insist on real debates on real issues that are facing our citizens, so that they can know who we are and where we stand. I suggest Mr. Brunner either step up or step aside.”
Dr. Gina Loudon, host of the Gina Loudon Show and University of Missouri College Republicans along with several potential debate hosts are still waiting to hear from the other primary candidates as well.
Nixon decision on Facebook Law fix set for today
Today is the day Gov. Jay Nixon will make his decision on whether to sign the so-called "fix" to Sen. Jane Cunningham's Facebook Law.
The fix was passed overwhelmingly by the House and Senate during the special session, but goes much further than what Nixon asked for. The governor asked the legislature to repeal the social networking portion of Mrs. Cunningham's SB 54. Instead, Sen. Cunningham, after consulting with representatives of Missouri teacher organizations, offered a bill that requires every Missouri school district to come up with a policy for teacher/student communication by March 1.
That decision, though hailed as putting the policies in the hands of local school boards, with input from teachers, is far more likely to put the decision making in the hands of the unelected Missouri School Boards Association, which writes policy for most of the state's school districts.
Nixon has three options- He can sign the bill, veto it, or allow it to become a law without signing it.
The fix was passed overwhelmingly by the House and Senate during the special session, but goes much further than what Nixon asked for. The governor asked the legislature to repeal the social networking portion of Mrs. Cunningham's SB 54. Instead, Sen. Cunningham, after consulting with representatives of Missouri teacher organizations, offered a bill that requires every Missouri school district to come up with a policy for teacher/student communication by March 1.
That decision, though hailed as putting the policies in the hands of local school boards, with input from teachers, is far more likely to put the decision making in the hands of the unelected Missouri School Boards Association, which writes policy for most of the state's school districts.
Nixon has three options- He can sign the bill, veto it, or allow it to become a law without signing it.
5:41 signing scheduled for Sunday, November 6, at Countryside Floral
Carthage Press Managing Editor John Hacker and I will be at the annual open house for Countryside Floral, 109 E. 39th, Joplin, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, November 6, signing copies of our book, 5:41: Stories of the Joplin Tornado.
The book is available at Countryside.
We are also scheduled for a second signing at Hastings Books on Rangeline in Joplin, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, December 10.
Washington Post: Missouri Republicans have lousy candidates
Claire McCaskill may be vulnerable, but the candidates who have announced so far are not exactly bright lights on the Republican horizon, according to an analysis in the Washington Post. The same assessment is offered for the governor's race:
Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder has been battered by a number of bad headlines, including for his past flirtations with a stripper whom he happened to be photographed with recently. (Ah, politics.)
Kinder has also seen his fundraising drop off significantly, from $1 million in the second quarter to $400,000 in the third, and Gov. Jay Nixon (D) is looking stronger every day.
Republicans familiar with the race note that Kinder hasn’t officially announced his bid — he’s getting some pressure not to run — and they expect an alternative candidate to emerge soon.
The question is just how good that candidate will be. Failed 2010 House candidate Ed Martin, who has been severely outraised by Wagner in the 2nd district race, is the subject of a draft effort by some conservatives.
Those close to Missouri politics say that there just isn’t much of a bench in the state, which accounts for their weaker-than-they-should-be fields.
Kinder is one of just two Republicans in a statewide constitutional office, and most of the state’s GOP House members — including, many thought, Akin — are not considered major talents who are upwardly mobile.
And, the potential rising stars the party was grooming have fallen on hard times in recent years.
They include state Sens. Jack Goodman and Gary Nodler, who both lost to now-Rep. Billy Long in a 2010 primary; former state representative. Bob Onder, who lost a 2008 primary to now-Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer; and state Sen. Bill Stouffer, who lost to now-Rep. Vicky Hartzler last year and is now running for secretary of state.
“Consecutive cycles of open seat House races with quality candidates has really shuffled the deck,” said a Missouri GOP operative. “What’s happened is that the winners have won, and the losers take a hit.”
Engler: We didn't do much and we probably won't do much next year
In his latest newsletter, Rep.Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, offers a realistic and highly unflattering description of the special session.
There was little accomplished this special session, a session that probably shouldn’t have been called in the first place. It was all good and well for legislative leaders to tour the state in July, promising the passage of an economic development bill, but they failed to let the rest of the General Assembly in on their plan.
When we convened in early September, we were presented with a massive bill few of us were familiar with that would have serious consequences for the future of our state. This led to weeks of debate in the beginning of the special session, where from most perspectives it probably looked like we were accomplishing nothing in the Capitol. It was a slow and painful process to watch, and even more so for those of us who participated in it.
Through compromise, however, the Senate was able to pass a tax credit reform and economic development bill that was fiscally responsible and would have gone far in creating good jobs for Missouri. The Senate remained committed to making sure we could pay for our legislation by putting caps and sunsets on two of the most costly, and ineffective, tax credit programs in the state, the Low-Income Housing and Historic Preservation tax credits. Our legislation would have saved taxpayers nearly $1 billion over the next 15 years, a necessary move if we’re going to avoid making painful cuts to our budget in the future.
The Legislature also failed to address the problem of Missouri’s presidential primary. Earlier this year, the national political parties mandated Missouri move its primary back from February to March or risk losing the number of our convention delegates.
It is imperative Missouri citizens have a voice in deciding who their presidential candidate will be. During the regular session, I sponsored Senate Bill 282, which, among other things, would have moved our primary back to comply with the national party guidelines. It was vetoed by the governor.
We approached the topic again during the special session, but legislation wasn’t passed before the Oct. 1 deadline set out by the national Democratic and Republican parties to move the date of the primary. In response, the state’s Republican Party chose to move to a caucus system to avoid having our number of delegates cut back.
Although I supported moving the primary back, at this point, the decision is moot, as we are picking our delegates through a caucus system. So, I sponsored an amendment to House Bill 3 that would have eliminated the primary this year and then returned Missouri to the primary election system in 2016, saving our state from spending money we can’t afford on an election that will decide nothing.
The amendment came down to a tie vote on the Senate floor, resulting in a deadlock. This February, Missouri citizens will vote in a primary election that will mean absolutely nothing, as Missouri’s delegates for the national convention will be picked by a caucus process. Yet the state will spend approximately $8 million on a primary that is, by most accounts, completely pointless, and the citizens of Missouri have another example of legislative leaders not having a plan, or a consensus, on how to approach the issues facing our state. And the taxpayers pay the price, both literally and figuratively.
We are anticipating about half a billion dollars in cuts next session, so some of these issues may be separated out and looked at again
In the next few months, I will be putting together legislation to file for next year’s regular session, but if we can’t have a clear plan and better consensus then it might not even be worth it.
Ten for Joplin makes final fundraising push
(From Tulsa and Joplin Habitat for Humanity)
The Ten for Joplin project races down the final stretch to raise money to help 10 families move into new Habitat for Humanity homes they will begin building on Oct. 29.
The Ten for Joplin project is a partnership between Tulsa and Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity teams, surrounding businesses and the City of Joplin to rebuild Joplin after May’s devastating EF-5 tornado. The Ten for Joplin project team and thousands of volunteers will build 10 homes during a 16-day period.
Just in the last few weeks, Commerce Bank/William T. Kemper Foundation, Helmerich & Payne, The Home Depot Foundation and The Mary K. Chapman Foundation have signed up to support the project. To date, Ten for Joplin has secured commitments and cash totaling $775,000 and approximately $270,000 in in-kind gifts.
The project is just $25,000 short of reaching its goal of $800,000 in cash donations. Any excess cash will be applied to future Habitat for Humanity builds in the tornado-ravaged area of Joplin.
“We have been overwhelmed by the generosity and support our communities have given to this cause,” said Paul Kent, executive director of Tulsa Habitat for Humanity. “We’re so close to raising the money needed to fully fund this project. Every dollar donated over the next week will help us ultimately reach our goal.”
There are several ways to help Ten for Joplin make it to the fundraising finish line:
•Donate funds on the Ten for Joplin website at www.tenforjoplin.org
•Dine at one of the Genghis Grill locations at 1617 E. 15th St. in Tulsa or 10438 S. 82nd East Ave. in Bixby anytime on Monday, Oct. 24; tell the cashier it’s in support of Ten for Joplin and 20 percent of the bill will be donated to the project
In addition to a community developer sponsorship from the Habitat for Humanity International’s Women Build program, companies sponsoring houses are The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation, Arvest Bank, BKD CPAs & Advisors, Chase, Hilti, Samson and TD Williamson, Inc. Organizations that have signed on to sponsor a half house include Advanced Industrial Devices, Inc., Commerce Bank/William T. Kemper Foundation, Helmerich & Payne, Unit Corporation and Valley National Bank. Other major contributors include Asbury United Methodist Church, Bank of Oklahoma, The Home Depot Foundation, The Mary K. Chapman Foundation and Williams.
Companies donating gifts in-kind include Thermal Windows, Turner Roofing, TAMKO Building Products and numerous others.
The Ten for Joplin project races down the final stretch to raise money to help 10 families move into new Habitat for Humanity homes they will begin building on Oct. 29.
The Ten for Joplin project is a partnership between Tulsa and Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity teams, surrounding businesses and the City of Joplin to rebuild Joplin after May’s devastating EF-5 tornado. The Ten for Joplin project team and thousands of volunteers will build 10 homes during a 16-day period.
Just in the last few weeks, Commerce Bank/William T. Kemper Foundation, Helmerich & Payne, The Home Depot Foundation and The Mary K. Chapman Foundation have signed up to support the project. To date, Ten for Joplin has secured commitments and cash totaling $775,000 and approximately $270,000 in in-kind gifts.
The project is just $25,000 short of reaching its goal of $800,000 in cash donations. Any excess cash will be applied to future Habitat for Humanity builds in the tornado-ravaged area of Joplin.
“We have been overwhelmed by the generosity and support our communities have given to this cause,” said Paul Kent, executive director of Tulsa Habitat for Humanity. “We’re so close to raising the money needed to fully fund this project. Every dollar donated over the next week will help us ultimately reach our goal.”
There are several ways to help Ten for Joplin make it to the fundraising finish line:
•Donate funds on the Ten for Joplin website at www.tenforjoplin.org
•Dine at one of the Genghis Grill locations at 1617 E. 15th St. in Tulsa or 10438 S. 82nd East Ave. in Bixby anytime on Monday, Oct. 24; tell the cashier it’s in support of Ten for Joplin and 20 percent of the bill will be donated to the project
In addition to a community developer sponsorship from the Habitat for Humanity International’s Women Build program, companies sponsoring houses are The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation, Arvest Bank, BKD CPAs & Advisors, Chase, Hilti, Samson and TD Williamson, Inc. Organizations that have signed on to sponsor a half house include Advanced Industrial Devices, Inc., Commerce Bank/William T. Kemper Foundation, Helmerich & Payne, Unit Corporation and Valley National Bank. Other major contributors include Asbury United Methodist Church, Bank of Oklahoma, The Home Depot Foundation, The Mary K. Chapman Foundation and Williams.
Companies donating gifts in-kind include Thermal Windows, Turner Roofing, TAMKO Building Products and numerous others.
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