Emerson: American economy is at the edge of the cliff

(From Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson)

The American economy is on the edge of a precipice that few Americans will realize until we are even closer to the cliff.  Some 200 federal tax provisions are set to expire at the end of this year, which would directly lead to a $494 billion tax increase in 2013.

Our entire economy measures only 25 times larger than the tax increase that is rapidly coming our direction.  The increases would fall at the feet of families trying to make ends meet, of businesses large and small, of employers holding on to their workforce, and of the Americans who invest in our country, our economy, our agricultural operations and our dreams through bonds, pensions, family businesses and entrepreneurship.  Every taxpaying American would owe more.

The economic devastation would be massive as a half a trillion dollars are effectively sucked out of our national economy.  The landscape of tax changes would chase investment overseas, force layoffs and discourage Americans from taking the risks which have always made our economy, and our country, formidable.

Worse, the influx of tax revenue to the federal treasury would not even go, as it should, to reduce our massive federal debt.  Instead, the current Administration would justify the windfall as an excuse to further increase the size and cost of government.

When we talk about taxes, the basic principle should be one of competitiveness.  How do we create a tax code through which U.S. businesses can stand up to overseas competitors?  How do we reward hard work with fairness?  How do we use the tax code to control the growth and the reach of the federal bureaucracy?  How do we encourage investment in America?  And, most important, how do we give American families as much control over their own lives and budgets as possible?

These pressing questions are coming to a head in the next several months.  If the entire slate of these tax relief provisions is allowed to expire, our nation will immediately bear an enormous cost.  It is a national priority both sides of the argument should be able to agree upon: we can have serious disagreement about where tax policy should go from here, but we must not allow it to slide backwards.

When the answers to important tax questions are not resolved in a timely way, the resulting uncertainty for employers and families can effectively paralyze them.  Unable to judge how much income they will be able to keep in the coming year, they become unable to spend money on the priorities they need.  And without that spending, a vicious cycle of decreasing economic activity begins.

Tax relief is too vital to our economy and our families to fall victim to politically-motivated inaction. 

I will be pressing the case for tax relief in Congress, as well as pointing out that the certainty of tax policy is just as important as the content of the law which ultimately passes.  This is the job Congress and the President have been asked to do, and while some of us see the danger ahead still others are rowing toward the falls.

When it comes to the $494 billion tax increase on the horizon, we Americans are all in the same boat.

From McCaskill camp: Republican Senate candidates want banks to decide who goes to college

(From the Claire McCaskill campaign)


Unless Congress is able to achieve a compromise before July 1, interest rates on all new student loans will double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent, putting college affordability out of reach for many students and middle class families. In the Missouri Senate primary, Sarah Steelman, John Brunner and Todd Akin have previously endorsed proposals that would put big banks in charge of student loans, effectively allowing them to decide who gets to go to college and who doesn’t.

“Rather than putting forward solutions to help make college affordable for Missouri’s middle class families, Akin, Brunner and Steelman are more interested in allowing big banks to decide who gets to go to college and who doesn’t,” said Erik Dorey, McCaskill for Missouri spokesman. “Missourians expect their Senator to seek compromise and find solutions that create opportunities for middle class families, but Akin, Brunner and Steelman have all shown they would be a rubberstamp for the special interest agenda in Washington.”

If Congress does not act by July 1, loan interest rates that are currently capped at 3.4 percent would double, affecting nearly 7.5 million students and families.

Steelman, a self-described economist by training, wrongly claimed that a significantly higher interest rate for student loans would not limit the number of students who can afford access to education because students don’t pay attention to their personal finances. [Lars Larson Show, 5/10/12]

At a recent debate, all three Senate candidates said they support efforts to privatize student loans, which would eliminate federal support for Stafford loans and Pell Grants, saying that for-profit banks are best-suited to decide who gets financial aid for college:

Akin compared student loans to Stage III cancer: "America has got the equivalent of the Stage III cancer of socialism because the federal government is tampering in all kinds of stuff it has no business tampering in. So, first to answer your question precisely. What the democrats did to get rid of the private student loans and take it all over by the government was wrong. It was a lousy bill. That's why I voted no. The government needs to get its nose out of the education business."

Steelman said she'd "have to look at the proposal," then advocated for privatizing student loans: "I think we need more competition in the student loan area. Yeah. Before that it went through banks but those loans were guaranteed by the federal government. Again, just like as an economist you need competition and competition produces different pressure on those loan rates to be lower."

Brunner failed to say how he would vote on efforts in Congress to keep student loan rates affordable, but like Akin and Steelman, advocated for the privatization of student loans: "In the same way, when you get the banks involved and free enterprise involved and other opportunities involved and other businesses involved, the number one issue we're facing here in Missouri is finding enough educated people to be able to handle some of these new high tech jobs that are coming in to Missouri. So, the problem we have on these school loans is very difficult.We need to take a fresh look on this whole approach in order that the kids getting out of college don't end up with such a debt load that they're working another 10, 15, or 20 years dealing with the debt."
 

Brunner: Activist judges, liberals threatening America

(From U. S. Senate candidate John Brunner)

The 1^st U.S. Court of Appeals overturned the Defense of Marriage Act and the U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass a bill that would protect the life of an unborn child.

In an egregious attempt by activist judges to legislate from the bench, the 1^st U.S. Court of Appeals in Boston overturned the Defense of Marriage Act — federal law signed by President Bill Clinton that protects the sanctity of marriage.

“I’m deeply disappointed in the court’s decision,” said Republican U.S. Senate Candidate John Brunner. “Marriage is one of America’s most sacred institutions and must be fiercely defended from activist courts and judges trying to legislate from the bench. I have always believed that marriage should be between one man and one woman and as Missouri’s next U.S. Senator, I vow to protect the sanctity of traditional marriage.”

In more troubling news, the U.S. House of Representatives failed to protect the precious life of unborn children and rejected a proposal that would assess penalties on doctors who performed abortions for the sole purpose of controlling the gender of a child.

The bill, the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act, H.R. 3541, would add critical statutory protections for unborn children, taking a necessary step in protecting life. The bill, which was brought up under suspension of rules, required a two-thirds vote to pass and failed 246 to 168 because Democrats refused to support legislation protecting the sanctity of life. 

“I applaud those Members who stood up and voted for life today,” said Republican U.S. Senate Candidate John Brunner. “I am disappointed, though, with the liberals in Congress who failed to ensure that the lives of our unborn children are protected. As Missouri’s next U.S. Senator, I will always vote to protect life.”

Claire McCaskill: Compromise is vital

A Show-Me Progress video

Illinois church recounts volunteer efforts in Joplin

In the accompanying video, members of the Vale Community Church of Bloomington, Ill., recount their volunteer efforts in Joplin.

Red Cross volunteers recall work in Joplin

Gov. Nixon, First Lady help build Joplin Habitat home

Akin: Economic recovery is not only stalling, but losing altitude

(From Congressman and U. S. Senate candidate Todd Akin)

Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO) released the following statement today regarding the May unemployment numbers released by the Department of Labor:

“With merely 69,000 jobs added in May and unemployment again creeping up well over the eight percent mark it is clear that the recovery is not only stalling but is losing altitude. 

 “Many American families are struggling with not only unemployment but underemployment and it is clear that the Obama Administration policies have failed.

 “Instead of stimulating the economy and rewarding hard work and success, the Administration has waged war against business with over regulation and harmful mandates.”

Brunner on jobs news: McCaskill/Obama agenda fails again

(From U. S. Senate candidate John Brunner)

Today’s depressing May jobs report is just further proof of the failed liberal Obama-McCaskill policies. As Americans continue to suffer under crushing unemployment, burdensome debt, and complete fiscal uncertainty, can we afford another 6 years of Claire McCaskill’s failed economic agenda?

With the private sector only adding 69,000 jobs in May — far below many economists estimates of 158,000 — it’s clear McCaskill’s tax, spend, and over-regulate liberal agenda is crushing job creators and killing America’s economic potential.

During Claire McCaskill’s tenure in the Senate, as of April, the number of unemployed Americas has skyrocketed 78%, Missouri’s unemployment rate has increased 58%, and the federal budget deficit has ballooned 698%.

And May’s distressing jobs report — with unemployment increasing to 8.2% — only adds to the seemingly never ending negative statistics regarding the Obama-McCaskill economy.

Simply put, we cannot continue on McCaskill’s economic downward spiral. With the economy lagging and showing little signs of recovery, clearly it’s time to end the Obama-McCaskill liberal agenda.

“May’s disappointing jobs report serves as further proof of the failures of the Obama-McCaskill liberal economic agenda,” said Todd Abrajano, Brunner spokesperson. “As Missouri’s next citizen senator, John Brunner will restore America’s prosperity through commonsense solutions such as repealing burdensome regulations, passing comprehensive tax reform, tort reform, and increasing America’s domestic energy production. That four-point plan with additional pro-growth policies will unleash the power of America’s economic potential.”

FEMA blog: Joplin and recovery

By RICHARD SERINO
FEMA Deputy Administrator

(The following article was posted on FEMA's blog today.)



A little over one year ago, on May 22, 2011, an EF-5 tornado tore through the city of Joplin, MO and surrounding areas. This tornado caused significant damage and tragic loss of 161 lives. I was on the ground less than 15 hours after the event and saw firsthand the inspiration leadership displayed by community leaders. I drew inspiration from the people of Joplin-how the leaders gave hope to the residents of Joplin and hope to the country. And that is why I chose Joplin as the location for the May Think Tank Conference Call. It was an opportunity to return almost a year later and listen to community leaders while they shared their experiences and lessons learned with over 30 community members at Missouri Southern State University and more than 500 people on the phone nationwide. 


Joplin, Mo., May 15, 2012 -- More than 40 Joplin officials and community leaders gathered to share lessons learned from a devastating May 2011 tornado as part of a nationwide Think Tank teleconference on pre-disaster recovery planning hosted at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin. 

The resilience of the community has been nothing short of amazing, which is both a testament to the city’s inspirational leadership and to some of the pre-planning that took place. In case you missed the call, here’s a quick recap. 

Recovery Efforts in Joplin 

Dr. Bruce Speck, President of MSSU, spoke about the integral role that the University played in helping the community recover. “Only three weeks before the tornado hit we finalized an agreement with the American Red Cross to serve as an emergency shelter. At the time, some may have wondered when we would ever be called to serve such a need. Little did we know that need was lying just ahead of us and would test our strength and resilience in a way we'd never imagined.” Soon after the tornado, MSSU stepped in and offered its campus as a shelter, surge medical clinic, and volunteer coordination point, among a number of other things. 


 Joplin, Mo., May 15, 2012 -- Officials hosting the May Think Tank on Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning listen to feedback from more than 40 local and Joplin community leaders about the city's long-term recovery in the wake of an EF-5 tornado that devastated one-third of the city in May 2011. From left: Deb Ingram, FEMA Associate Administrator for Recovery; Beth Freeman, FEMA Region VII Administrator; Dr. Bruce Speck, president, Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, and Richard Serino, FEMA Deputy Administrator. 

Other speakers from Joplin included those first on the scene, like Mark Rohr, the City Manager of Joplin, and Keith Stammer, Director of the Jasper County Emergency Management Agency. Both have been integral to the response and ongoing recovery efforts of the communities affected by the tornado. Callers asked many questions about their experiences and lessons learned throughout the recovery efforts. Rohr stressed the need for strong local leadership and continued communication with the people affected by the disaster, while Stammer focused on the value of preexisting relationships and agreements such as the one between MSSU and the American Red Cross. 

Jane Cage, Chair of Citizens Advisory Recovery Team, and Stephanie Brady, Director of Programs at the Independent Living Center, also spoke about their efforts. Cage and Brady’s comments supported the lessons learned that were shared by Rohr and Stammer. Brady discussed her role in representing the disability community in Joplin. Cage spoke about the impact that volunteers can have on a community’s recovery. Rohr pointed out that there were 130,000 volunteers for 755,000 hours of community service, valued at over $17 million and more than 82 years' worth of community service. Each story and lesson learned provided all the participants, myself included, with valuable lessons and insight into the recovery process. For more insight into the inspiration efforts of these community leaders, I encourage you to read this article from the Boston Globe. 

Integrating Planning for Recovery 

The second topic of the call focused on how to integrate recovery into all planning, stakeholder engagement, community participation, and Tribal and Federal partnerships. Deb Ingram, Assistant Administrator for FEMA’s Recovery Directorate, provided information about the National Disaster Recovery Framework and stressed the importance of the whole community coming together in pre-disaster recovery planning including economic, health and social services, infrastructure, schools and housing partners. 

Joplin, Mo., May 15, 2012 -- Dr. Angie Besendorfer, assistant superintendent of Joplin Schools, discusses the district's recovery challenges and opportunities during a nationwide Think Tank that was hosted in Joplin. Joplin Schools were particularly hard hit by an EF-5 tornado in May 2011 that devastated one-third of the city and damaged or destroyed half of the district's 20 buildings, including Joplin High School.

Amanda Phan from the Fairfax County, Virginia Office of Emergency Management, spoke about the comprehensive pre-disaster recovery plan recently completed by her office, highlighting the number the stakeholders involved in its creation. Phan explained some of the successful pieces of their planning process, such as how to get stakeholders engaged in the project. 

I commend the people of Joplin for their resilience and the extraordinary progress that the city has made in less than a year. I would also like to thank everyone that worked, and continue to work, to help Joplin recovery. The team of citizens, volunteers, local, state, and federal government partners is essential; and has been an amazing source of hope to the survivors and country as a whole.