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Last week the President laid out his plans in the annual State of the Union address. In the coming weeks, the President will submit a budget for the year and Congress will begin to debate it. Budgets are about priorities and this is where the hard work of balancing our nation's budget should begin.
Washington has never been particularly good at sticking to its budget. As author William Feather said, "a budget tells us what we can't afford, but it doesn't keep us from buying it." In fact, the federal government has run a budget deficit in 47 of the last 52 years.
WASHINGTON— The Republican Steering Committee recommendation to re-elect Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) as Chairman of the Committee on Small Business for the upcoming 113th Congress was ratified today by the House Republican Conference.
The Constitution says that the President shall "from time to time give to the Congress information of the State of the Union…" That time comes this week as the President will report on the condition of our country and outline his legislative goals for the year.
The State of the Union speech is full of pomp and circumstance. It was not always this way. Thomas Jefferson thought the speech made us look more like a monarchy than a democracy. He sent a written address instead. However, in 1913, Woodrow Wilson decided to give his speech in person.
What do small-business owners want from the government? The short answer: Move out of the way.
Eight out of 10 small-business owners say they want the government to stay out of the way instead of providing a "helping hand," according to a recent U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey. Eighty-six percent said they would rather have more certainty than more assistance.
WASHINGTON— House Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves today issued the following statement on the Obama administration's decision to deny a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline project:
Every occupation has its busy season. For farmers, it's during planting and harvesting. For teachers, it's the hustle and bustle of a new year. For amusement parks, it's the summer season. It's no different for tax accountants who are busy studying up on the over 70,000 pages of tax rules and regulations.
WASHINGTON– A member of U.S. Congressman Sam Graves' staff is holding Mobile Office stops. Graves' Mobile Office will tour the district giving constituents the opportunity to speak with a member of his staff.
"I have always believed you learn more by listening than talking. My priority in Congress is constituent service and the Mobile Office is an additional opportunity for me to stay in contact with the people of the Sixth District. I encourage everyone to come by these informal sessions to discuss their views or receive assistance with federal agencies," said Graves.
Missourian Harry Truman always wanted a one-handed economist. He explained that all of his economists said on the one hand…but on the other hand. Sometimes, it's hard to make heads or tails of the economic news from Washington.
On the one hand, the unemployment rate dropped to 8.5%, the lowest since February 2009. The economy added 200,000 jobs which were more than expected. Those are positive numbers that seem to indicate our economy is recovering.
The corn is off the cob for 2011, but as we begin 2012, there is much that needs to be done. The floods of last summer have now mostly subsided. As clean up continues, we need to start preparing for 2012.
The Missouri River breached levees from Sioux City to mid-Missouri. Unlike a normal flood, it took months for the water to return to its banks. There are many levees that need to be repaired and many will not be rebuilt to the same height in time for spring.
Congress finally completed its work last week when it extended the payroll tax break for the first two months of 2012. It did not happen easily and I don't blame you if you were left wondering what all the fuss was about.