This Week in Washington- Friday, March 5, 2010
The latest unemployment numbers were released this morning. The unemployment rate is still 9.7 percent and we lost 36,000 jobs in February. Washington needs to understand that ramming through more regulations and big government programs is not the answer. We need to set the table for economic growth by cutting taxes, regulations, and litigation.
Legislation
· "Jobs" Bill: On Thursday, the House passed an amended version of H.R. 2847, the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act by a vote of 217-201. The bill contains a suspension of payroll taxes for employers that hire new workers that had been unemployed for the previous 60 days, a $1,000 tax credit for retaining employees, increased expensing of new equipment purchased by small businesses in 2010, and expanded tax credit bonds sold by local government and private entities and subsidized by the government. In addition, the legislation includes an extension of surface transportation programs through December 31, 2010, and includes a $19.5 billion transfer from the general fund to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) to compensate for the projected FY 2010 shortfall. This bill demonstrates how much Washington does not understand what is needed to create jobs. Giving a business a tax credit for hiring an employee will not create a single job. It is a gimmick that politicians can point to and say they are creating jobs. I voted against the bill.
· Keeping All Students Safe Act: This week, the House passed H.R. 4247, to require the Secretary of Education to issue regulations regarding "seclusion and restraint" practices for students in both public and private schools that receive federal funding. Numerous states already have their own regulations and standards in place. As a former state legislator, I know that education is the chief responsibility of the state and I believe Congress should defer to them on this issue. The House passed H.R. 4247 by a vote of 262-153 and I voted against it.
Small Business Committee
The Small Business Committee held a mark up of the Small Business Administration's budget for FY 2011 this week.
I also wrote an op-ed on jump starting economic growth. You can view it here.
The House will be is session again next week. Have a good weekend.
Sincerely,
Sam Graves