Dec. 6, 2012

Giving all year round

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As we enter the Christmas season, folks across East Alabama are in the spirit of giving. In these tough economic times, people continue to give back to their communities as they help their brothers and sisters in need. But it's not just at Christmastime, it's all year round.

Every year around the holidays, I like to highlight a few of the great works going on across our area. Following are just a few examples of people giving of their time and gifts this year.

In Sylacauga, a new church called Christpoint Community Church reaches out to those in need in the community. Every Thursday, the church opens its doors and offers a free home-cooked meal to anyone who needs it.

In Lee County last fall, members of the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program at Fort Benning volunteered their time to help clean up the overgrown Memory Hill cemetery with the Lee County Cemetery Preservation Commission.

In Opelika, Storybook Farm, Inc., which was started in 2002 by Dena Little, continues its work as a non-profit, faith-based organization providing horses and activities for children who are experiencing physical, mental, social and emotional challenges.

In Macon and Montgomery counties, Divine Inspirational Ministries and RESTORE Ministries both do their part to provide housing, help with job placement and financial assistance and provide counseling for their homeless constituents.

In Alexander City, citizens are supporting a play entitled, “The Forgotten Christmas Carols.” All the proceeds from this play are benefitting Children's Harbor in Dadeville.

At Wadley Baptist Church in Randolph County, members have assembled over 70 pairs of shoes to benefit forgotten children in need all over the world.

And in Auburn, members of Moore's Mill Fitness Club have been collecting “Toys for Tots” to benefit the United States Marine Foundation.

As anyone can see from this sampling, folks across our state are always willing to help their neighbor all year long. May they be shining examples for us all. Merry Christmas to you and your families!

July 20, 2012

Digging deeper on unemployment

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The number of new jobs being created in this country seem as stagnant as the July summer heat, and it looks like there’s not much relief in sight.  

For 41 straight months now, the national unemployment rate has stayed at or above 8 percent. The unemployment rate for Alabama sits at 7.4 percent for May, a tick up from April’s rate of 7.2 percent.  

These numbers continue to show us that our economy is still struggling and has made little if any improvement. Let’s dig deeper though. 

According to a July 6 CNN report, out of America’s unemployed population, 41.9 percent of our fellow citizens have been unemployed for six months or more. That means these folks haven’t worked a day since January of 2012 or before. 

The Weekly Standard on July 6 reported the unemployment rate for Hispanic Americans is stuck at 11 percent and Business Insider on the same day said the unemployment rate for African Americans sits at over 14 percent. 

It’s all unacceptable. Of particular concern to me is the number of people looking for work for six months or more. People who have been out of work longer find it even harder to find a job, and many times just give up. This is one of the real tragedies of this economy. 

Up in Washington, there’s a lot of talk about taxes and how they impact our economy. For example, the Supreme Court upheld Obamacare, which if not repealed will increase taxes for many Americans. Just last week, as you may have seen, the House voted once again to repeal Obamacare, but that legislation will just suffer the same fate as more than 30 jobs bills passed in the House of Representatives and sent to the U.S. Senate to die. 

There is also debate about extending all the current tax rates, which I support. Allowing taxes for everyone to go up at the end of the year, as President Obama and many Congressional Democrats are proposing, is not in any working family’s interests. Adding this tax hike will further damage our weak economy and make good paying jobs even harder to come by. 

All Alabamians have been hurt by this terrible economy, some far more than others. I hope Congress will get serious about helping create and keep good jobs for folks across East Alabama and the nation and set aside politics to get things done. 

As always, please contact me on this or any issue by visiting my website at www.mike-rogers.house.gov, become a fan on Facebook at Congressman Mike D. Rogers, follow me on Twitter at RepMikeRogersAL and subscribe to my YouTube page at MikeRogersAL03.

 June 22, 2012

East Alabama economy not "fine"

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congress just finished up a district work period. This short break from voting in our nation’s capital gave representatives a weeklong chance to hear directly from folks back home what is going on in their area. This week, I wanted to share some tidbits of where I went and what I heard first-hand from my different stops across East Alabama.  

President Obama said recently, “the private sector is doing fine.” He later clarified his remarks to say the economy is not doing fine, which I think far more accurately describes the situation that most East Alabamians face these days.  

As most folks can guess, nearly every concern boiled down to our weak economy. 

I started off my week in Macon County making courtesy visits with city and county leaders to check in on local projects. With Macon County unemployment over 10 percent, it is clear more jobs in the county is the top concern.  

I also made several visits in Montgomery County, speaking first to the Chamber of Commerce and then at a “Congress on Your Corner” town hall event in Pike Road.  Folks were concerned about the future of Maxwell Air Force Base and the jobs that could be lost if airplanes from the 908th Air Wing get moved. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, that’s something we’re trying to prevent.  

I also visited Russell County and Ft. Benning. While there, I had the chance to talk with some of our soldiers at the new Warrior Transition Battalion, as well as visit Chattahoochee Valley Community College. Like other community colleges across East Alabama, CVCC helps provide students of all ages the skills needed to help find and retain good paying jobs in this very tough economy. 

I also visited Eastaboga in Calhoun County. There, Rainbow Omega is a non-profit that provides residential and vocational programs for adults with disabilities. It is an amazing place, and one that provides jobs for many of our fellow citizens that may have difficulty finding work. 

When I returned to D.C. I held a live Tele-town Hall meeting, and heard what was on the minds of folks I didn’t have the chance to visit with. Again, it was almost all about the future of our economy and getting our people back in good paying jobs. Folks also shared concerns over what the outcome will be of the Supreme Court’s decision on the health care law.   

So there we have it. Our economy is, in fact, not doing fine. Congress needs to do what it can to help make things better. As always, please contact me on this or any issue by visiting my website at www.mike-rogers.house.gov, become a fan on Facebook at Congressman Mike D. Rogers, follow me on Twitter at RepMikeRogersAL, and subscribe to my YouTube page at MikeRogersAL03.

June 1, 2012

Taking care of our veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. — For many, Memorial Day was the start to summer when school’s finally out and the swimming pools are open for business. But for other families, Memorial Day meant mourning the loss of loved ones in uniform who paid the ultimate sacrifice in wars like Iraq or Afghanistan or other conflicts in our history. 

We live in an amazing country.  Although we are in tough economic times, America is resilient.  Our Forefathers and those who laid down their lives to make the United States what it is today and keep us free and safe are truly heroes. 

All of our brave men and women in uniform who have served or are currently serving and their families sacrifice so much in order for them to defend our freedoms. In return, we owe them and their families the best we can give them – and not just on holidays reserved in their honor or in their memory. 

Recently, I visited the Bill Nichols Veterans Home in Alexander City, and it is the type of facility our veterans deserve. They do a great job there. That home is a reminder of the commitment our nation made to our veterans in return for their service. 

That commitment was discussed this week in Washington as the House passed the fiscal year 2013 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill. This important bill funds our veterans’ benefits and programs that have been earned through years of sacrifice and toil by our brave men and women and their families.  

As our nation has done in past wars, we are now experiencing many new veterans of the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan coming home to rejoin their families and communities, to continue their service or find a civilian job. Our commitment to them should remain strong and steadfast, as it was with past generations of heroes. Programs such as job training, counseling, and housing services  are part of the pact we have made with those who have given their all to support and defend our nation. I was proud to join my colleagues in supporting this legislation as it passed the House of Representatives.   

We owe so much to these brave men and women and their families.  As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will continue to fight for their best interests since they fought so hard for ours. 

As always, contact me on this or any issue by visiting my website at www.mike-rogers.house.gov, become a fan on Facebook at Congressman Mike D. Rogers, follow me on Twitter at RepMikeRogersAL and subscribe to my YouTube page at MikeRogersAL03.

 May 17, 2012

Let's stay focused on the economy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — It seems that in recent weeks, too many in Washington, Republicans and Democrats alike, would rather focus on issues other than what’s most important—our economy. Across East Alabama, folks are still hurting. They are more interested in seeing our unemployment rate fall from 7.3 percent. (At least Alabama is doing a little better than the national average of 8.1 percent.) 

When the national unemployment number was recently released, President Obama called it “good news”. 

But why? Our economy has been at or above an 8 percent unemployment rate for the last 39 months. That is a total of over three years. I believe we must not allow our expectations to fall with regard to what is good economic news. The country created 115,000 new jobs in April? That’s good news for those who got a job, but it’s still not the 250,000 jobs the nation needs in order to grow. 

How about an unemployment rate falling to 8.1 percent? Also not good enough, especially considering that more Americans simply gave up looking for work. 

The past two weeks have been very focused on social issues, such as same-sex marriage, instead of the main target of creating and keeping good-paying jobs for folks across the United States and reigning in government spending that does not do enough to help boost our economy. 

Unfortunately one area of government that does help our economy, but is facing unsustainable reductions, is the Department of Defense. As of writing, this week the House will consider H.R. 4310, The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I was proud to contribute to this important piece of legislation that helps rebalance the Defense budget to be more consistent with the threats our country faces. It also helps keep faith with our men and women uniform and those who have served. 

Some of the defense cuts proposed by the Obama administration would have not only cost many good-paying jobs, but more importantly would have weakened our national defense to the point that it could threaten our ability to respond to threats. 

The Defense Department is not above budget scrutiny. But defense spending is very different from other federal spending and it has a direct effect on our economy. Here in East Alabama, we are proud of our military and contribute mightily to it.  

We must stay focused on improving our economy and creating and keeping our jobs without risking our national security. 

As always, contact me on this or any issue by visiting my website at www.mike-rogers.house.gov, become a fan on Facebook at Congressman Mike D. Rogers, follow me on Twitter at RepMikeRogersAL and subscribe to my YouTube page at MikeRogersAL03.

April 19, 2012

Let's make tax time less taxing

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Every year, every one of us across east Alabama prepares for and usually dreads Tax Day—that day in mid-April when we ensure we have gotten our tax returns filed on time. 

According to the non-partisan Tax Foundation, each American will work 107 days just to pay their federal, state and local taxes. That’s a lot of work, and Americans are rightly asking these days what exactly they’re getting for their tax dollars. It goes without saying that during these tough times, we should not be increasing the number of days people must work just to pay their taxes.

As of writing, taxes are not only on the minds of families and businesses, but they continue to be a hot topic on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers in both the House and Senate are taking different approaches to revamp our complicated, cumbersome tax system and help contain our rapidly rising debt. I am most interested in pursuing a simplification of our tax code. A flatter and fairer tax code with fewer loopholes would go much farther toward leveling the playing field and helping bring our massive debt under control. 

Getting this done shouldn’t be so difficult. Our tax code is too large, too long and costs Americans far too much in time and expense just to comply with the IRS.

With the national unemployment rate at 8.2 percent and Alabama’s unemployment rate at 7.6 percent, I also believe as Congress debates this issue that now is not the time to raise taxes on any American. We should be focused like a laser on trying to save and create good-paying jobs in this weak economy, especially by our small businesses. 

Just this week, the House of Representatives passed a bill that addresses both taxes and helping our small businesses. The Small Business Tax Deduction bill, which I voted for, would cut taxes for businesses of 500 or fewer employees by 20 percent, helping small businesses thrive and grow. This bill is one of over 30 the House of Representatives has passed to help America’s job creators. 

By providing some tax relief, these small businesses should be able to create and keep good-paying jobs across the country. The tax reform debate will continue throughout this year. If you have ideas as to how we can make the tax code simpler and fairer, please send me your thoughts. 

As always, contact me on this or any issue by visiting my website at www.mike-rogers.house.gov, become a fan on Facebook at Congressman Mike D. Rogers, follow me on Twitter at RepMikeRogersAL and subscribe to my YouTube page at MikeRogersAL03.

March 9, 2012

America's ongoing energy crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Across east Alabama, folks are downright angry about the rising costs of gas and they have every reason to be. So am I. According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.76. In February it was $3.47, so in one month, it has increased 29 cents and from the way things are going, it seems that trend will continue. 

With our national unemployment at 8.3 percent and Alabama’s at 8.1 percent, our economy is still bad. Folks across Alabama and the nation are still tightening their financial belts to make ends meet.  If gas prices continue to rise–as it looks like they will–folks may be forced to choose between filling up their tanks or their pantry. 

As most folks have seen on the news recently, the situation in the Middle East continues to be in turmoil. Just this week, I met with representatives from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Like most folks in east Alabama, I am fully supportive of our ally, Israel. 

As Iran continues to pursue its rogue nuclear weapons program, the constant threat of closing the Strait of Hormuz remains. Almost 20 percent of the world oil trade crosses through the Strait of Hormuz, so if Israel and Iran enter into a military conflict, prices could soar.  

President Obama is asking other countries to step up oil production, but America doesn’t just need more distant sources of oil. We need real energy solutions here at home. For example, I wish Congress would get serious and allow the Keystone Pipeline XL to bring oil in from our friend and ally, Canada, to be refined into gasoline and help create jobs in America. We could also do more safe drilling here at home. We could open just 3 percent of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and also drill from the Outer Continental Shelf. 

President Obama highlights America’s increased oil production in the U.S., but most of that has been on private land over which the federal government has little control. One recent report, from the Institute for Energy Research, notes oil production on federal lands declined by 11 percent last year.  The time is now.  The American people cannot continue to have gas prices stay on the rise in the current state of our economy.  Everyone in Washington must help America become energy independent, which will lower the price at the pump. 

Feb. 9, 2012

Rising gas prices

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  It’s mid-February and hard to believe that Spring Break is right around the corner for many of our kids and families. For all of us across east Alabama, the coming spring also means gas prices will likely spike again. That, of course, brings more pain at the pump during these already tough economic times. 

Gas prices are already going up. According to AAA Alabama, the average price of gas is over 30 cents above the average this time last year. 

So the rising cost of energy is back in the news. For years the debate in Congress has tracked the rise and fall of energy prices, and with too few common sense solutions ever passed, we’re often left with the sense that our energy challenges simply are not being addressed fully enough. Yet it’s a debate we must keep having. Developing countries like China are consuming more of the world’s energy reserves, which in turn is pushing up prices. That’s why we must find ways to become more energy independent to help stabilize the cost of energy for our families and businesses. 

So far, this year the debate has centered on a project out west called the Keystone Pipeline XL. If built, I believe this is the type of project that could make a huge difference in helping wean our country off of our dependence on the Middle East for oil and help create new good-paying jobs. The pipeline would bring more oil into the United States from Canada. But, as of writing, this project–which could create thousands of new jobs–is stuck in limbo in Congress. Let’s get it built. I also hope Congress will fully support another one of this year’s hot topics in energy: natural gas exploration. Recent media reports have shown that some American companies have been willing to bring some manufacturing jobs back to America to take advantage of its abundant natural gas resources. 

That won’t help ease the pain at the pump though. That’s why I recently joined with many of my colleagues in asking President Obama's Department of the Interior to develop a real offshore drilling plan, not just a symbolic one. We desperately need to increase our domestic sources of oil ultimately to help keep prices lower.  

As always, feel free to contact me on this or any issue  at www.mike-rogers.house.gov, become a fan on Facebook at Congressman Mike D. Rogers, follow me on Twitter at RepMikeRogersAL and subscribe to my YouTube page at MikeRogersAL03.

 Jan. 26, 2012

What does 2012 hold?

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  2012 is off to a busy start and Congress has returned for its second session. Unfortunately, as our economy continues to limp along, there still seems to be too much “business as usual” around our nation’s capital. 

For example, let’s look at the budget. Every family across east Alabama lives by its income and expenses. That’s why it’s troubling that January 24 marked a thousand days since a budget has been passed by the Democrat-controlled Senate. Americans are left scratching their heads, knowing Congress can do better. 

Meanwhile, here in Alabama the unemployment rate has been going down. That seems to be good news, which we all hope means more people are finding work. Of course, there continues to be new layoffs as well, leaving even more people suffering and asking “where are the jobs?” 

Jobs have to be our nation’s number one priority in 2012. In the House, Republicans have passed 27 bipartisan bills which are part of the Plan for America’s Job Creators, but all of these bills are still sitting idle in the Senate. Let’s get those bills passed. 

One of the bills deals with a once-obscure energy independence and jobs project called the Keystone Pipeline XL. This pipeline, designed to carry oil from Canada to refineries in the U.S., is estimated to create thousands of jobs. It also would help increase our energy independence by lowering the amount of oil we need to import from countries that may not have our best interests at heart. I hope President Obama ends his opposition to the project and instead helps our country become even more energy independent while helping get Americans back to work. 

As February begins, I hope we will all take time to acknowledge Black History month. East Alabama is rich in history of great African Americans and was honored by the recent premier of the movie “Red Tails” about the brave Tuskegee Airmen. We will continue to honor them and all of our civil rights leaders who have made a difference. 

As always, contact me on this or any issue at www.mike-rogers.house.gov,  become a fan on Facebook at Congressman Mike D. Rogers, follow me on Twitter at RepMikeRogersAL and subscribe to my YouTube page at MikeRogersAL03.