December 2009 Archives

Dear Friends,

It’s been a busy and exciting year and we’ve accomplished a great deal, but there is much left to do. So far this year, the House has passed fundamental health care and financial reform, directed crucial federal resources to working Americans and buttressed benefits to those still struggling to find work. We are awaiting Senate action on health care and there will be additional work as we mesh the House and Senate versions into a unified bill to be voted on by both houses before it goes to the President’s desk. The process is not a totally smooth ride, but we are nearer than we have ever been to making the health care system work for everyone.

JOBS IN THE FOURTH – Although the economy is showing signs of recovery and job losses are slowly easing, the pace of recovery is frustrating. From time to time, government agencies are hiring. To better serve constituents of Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District, I will feature as many available government positions as possible as part of this e-letter. The CDC opportunity below is the second in a series of federal jobs I want to bring to your attention. I am also posting this information on my Web site under “Hot Topics: Jobs for the Fourth District.” I hope you find this useful.

CDC INTERNSHIP – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (NCEH/ATSDR) is offering a 10-week summer internship program for students in environmental studies, ecology, biology, chemistry, engineering, and other related majors that will take place June 9-August 13, 2010. For more information or to apply, click here.

HELPING OUT MAIN STREET – I voted this week for the Jobs for Main Street Act, which will redirect $75 billion in funds set aside to bailout Wall Street and instead send it to Main Street. Building on my H. Res. 950, the bill will target investments for highways and transit, school renovation, loans for small businesses, job training, affordable housing and hiring teachers, police and firefighters. With unemployment in metro Atlanta above 10 percent, we must do more to create jobs. Tapping unspent TARP funds can put people back to work by helping us break ground on more shovel-ready infrastructure projects, expanding credit to small businesses and offering critical job training. For more on this legislation, click here.

REINFORCING THE SAFETY NET – For those hardest hit by the recession, the Jobs for Main Street Act also includes $79 billion in emergency relief to extend unemployment, health benefits (COBRA) and child tax credits until June, 2010.

BRINGING HOME THE BACON – As part of the year-end $447 billion omnibus House appropriations, I’m proud to say that an additional $7 million in federal funds is coming to the District. This funding is critical to our communities that need a little boost and includes $4 million for MARTA, $1 million for Grady Hospital, $500,000 for construction on the I-85/Jimmy Carter Boulevard Bridge in Gwinnett County and $250,000 for gang intervention in Rockdale County. For more on this, click here.

ONE-STOP SHOP – Sometimes it’s difficult to keep track of what your representative is doing in Washington. My Chief of Staff and Legislative Director have done an outstanding job summarizing my accomplishments in 2009 from a legislative, committee and appropriations perspective. Please take some time to look through my record on my Web site under “Hot Topics” Johnson’s Greatest Hits.

PARTNERSHIP ALLIANCE LEARNING SERIES (PALS) – I have two important PALS initiatives coming up to help non-profits and small businesses connect to a myriad of resources that will help them achieve their missions. My first meeting is Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 at DeKalb Technical College, where we’ll have resources available for non-profits and 501(c)3 organizations to help them grow and succeed. On Friday, Feb. 19, 2010 – also at DeKalb Tech – our small business initiative will help local small businesses navigate Small Business Administration resources, learn how to partner with financial institutions and procure government contracts. For more information, call PALS coordinator Paulette Suggs in my Tucker office at 770-939-2016.

FANS ON FACEBOOK – More and more people are using Facebook as a way to interact, learn about government and participate in the marketplace of ideas. I have more than 1,100 fans on my Facebook page, and it’s a great way to keep up with what’s going in Washington and the district. To become a fan, click here.

In the spirit of peace and goodwill toward all men and women, I wish you, your family, friends and loved ones a Happy Holiday season and a Joyous, Happy New Year.
 
Until next time, be safe and have a great holiday season.
 

Hank

Apoyando Programas Importantes para los Niños y la Familias Latinas:

Esta semana el Congreso votó a favor de inversiones encaminadas a áreas que ayudarán a reconstruir nuestra economía y ayudarán a apoyar programas de salud y educación importantes para los niños y las familias latinas.  La Ley de Asignaciones Presupuestales Consolidadas del 2010 (H.R. 3288) invierte $1.4 mil millones en entrenamiento y servicios de apoyo para trabajadores impactados por los despidos masivos y cierres de plantas en nuestro país.  Para apoyar a los pequeños negocios, que son el motor de nuestra economía, el proyecto de ley proporciona fondos adicionales para créditos para firmas que enfrentan problemas obteniendo préstamos de capital.
Al proveer $7.2 mil millones, $122 millones más de lo aprobado para el 2009, para el Programa Head Start, este proyecto de ley ayudará a proporcionar amplios servicios de alta calidad para atención infantil temprana, incluyendo educación, salud, nutrición y servicios sociales para aproximadamente 978,000 niños de bajos ingresos aún antes de que empiecen la escuela.  De los 1,071,697 niños y mujeres embarazadas que participaron en los programas Head Start y Early Head Start entre 2006 y 2007, el 35 por ciento eran de origen latino.
También expande las Becas Pell de $4,869 a $5,550.  El programa federal de Becas Pell es el más grande programa de subvenciones educativas en el país y ofrece fondos para los estudiantes de nivel universitario más necesitados. En 2007, tan sólo el 8.7 por ciento de los latinos (de 25 años y más) completaron grados universitarios, comparado con el 17 por ciento de todos los estudiantes en los Estados Unidos. Este aumento en las Becas Pell hará posible que más estudiantes hispanos puedan ganar un diploma universitario.

Protegiendo a los Consumidores y Responsabilizando al Sistema Bancario

La Cámara de Representantes de los Estados Unidos aprobó la Ley de Reforma de Wall Street y de Protección al Consumidor (H.R. 4173) para proteger a los consumidores de préstamos abusivos, proteger sus ahorros para el retiro y para la universidad de riesgos innecesarios. Esta legislación también traerá transparencia y nueva responsabilidad al sistema financiero que causó la mayor recesión desde la Gran Depresión. 

Esta legislación creará una nueva Agencia Federal de Protección al Consumidor para proteger a las familias y pequeños negocios al asegurar que los préstamos bancarios, hipotecas y tarjetas de crédito se otorguen con términos justos, accesibles y entendibles.  Por primera vez, una agencia será responsable bajo un mismo techo de proteger la seguridad financiera de los estadounidenses comunes.

Los consumidores hispanos tienen más posibilidades de estar entre los más susceptibles de ser víctimas de prácticas adversas de la industria de tarjetas de crédito.  Las medidas de este proyecto de ley darán a los consumidores latinos la tranquilidad de saber que no serán engañados por sus bancos o compañías de tarjetas de crédito.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following Rep. Hank Johnson’s (GA-04) lead, the House on Dec. 16 passed the Jobs for Main Street Act, which would redirect $75 billion in unused Trouble Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds to save or create thousands of construction, teaching and public safety jobs.

For those hardest hit by the recession, the bill includes $79 billion in emergency relief to extend unemployment benefits and help with health benefits (COBRA) for those out of work.

Building on Johnson’s H. Res. 950, which was introduced last week and urged his House colleagues to redirect TARP funds from Wall Street to Main Street, the bill will target $75 billion in investments for highways and transit, school renovation, hiring teachers, police, and firefighters, small business, job training and affordable housing. 

These investments are fully paid for by redirecting TARP funds. 

“With unemployment in Atlanta and the nation stubbornly above 10 percent, we must do more to create jobs,” said Johnson. “Tapping unspent TARP funds can put people back to work by helping us break ground on more shovel-ready infrastructure projects, expand credit to small businesses and offer critical job training.”

Of the $75 billion in targeted investments, more than $35 billion will be spent on highways and mass transit to help save or create about 900,000 jobs and $23 billion to help states save or create an estimated 250,000 education jobs over the next two years with an Education Jobs Fund solely focused on paying salaries.

“This will help keep our economy on the path to recovery,” said Johnson. “We must make every effort to ensure residents can stay in their homes, that small business owners gain easier access to capital and credit, and help keep teachers, police, and firefighters on the job in our communities.”

Emergency relief to families includes extending unemployment, COBRA and child tax credit benefits through June 2010.

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Bill would complement U.S. diplomatic efforts:

WASHINGTON – Rep. Hank Johnson on Tuesday voted for H.R. 2194, the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act, which passed the House of Representatives 412-12. 

H.R. 2194 would tighten U.S. sanctions on Iran’s petroleum sector while leaving President Obama substantial leeway to shape sanctions such that they best complement overall U.S. diplomatic strategy.

Rep. Johnson contributed language to the legislation to highlight Iran’s construction of a secret uranium enrichment facility at Qom. Using language drawn from Rep. Johnson’s H.Res.782, which was co-sponsored by 54 colleagues including the entire Georgia delegation, the sanctions bill demands that Iran disclose any additional covert enrichment facilities.

Rep. Johnson, who represents Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District and sits on the House Armed Services Committee, circulated a letter to his colleagues on Tuesday titled, “Support the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime: Vote for H.R. 2194, the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act.”

“This bill will add a powerful arrow to the President’s quiver,” said Rep. Johnson. “The United States and our allies continue to engage in multilateral diplomacy to resolve the impasse with Iran. But Iran’s leaders must know that life will become increasingly difficult if they continue to defy international law.”

President Obama recently said in Oslo, “Sanctions must exact a real price. ... It is also incumbent upon all of us to insist that nations like Iran and North Korea do not game the system. Those who claim to respect international law cannot avert their eyes when those laws are flouted. Those who care for their own security cannot ignore the danger of an arms race in the Middle East or East Asia. Those who seek peace cannot stand idly by as nations arm themselves for nuclear war.”

Rep. Johnson cosponsored H.R. 2194 in July, 2009. The Senate is expected to take up a similar measure after the New Year.

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Today, Rep. Hank Johnson introduced H. Res 950, which urges his House colleagues to support using unspent Troubled Asset Relief Program funds to create jobs.

“With unemployment in Atlanta and the nation stubbornly above 10 percent, we must do more to create jobs,” said Johnson. “Tapping unspent TARP funds can put people back to work by helping us break ground on more shovel-ready infrastructure projects, expand credit to small businesses and offer critical tax cuts.”

The Department of Treasury reported last month that more than $139 billion in TARP funds have not been obligated. 

Johnson’s resolution mirrors President Obama’s initiative to continue fighting job losses by leveraging TARP funds.

“This will help keep our economy on the path to recovery,” said Johnson. “We must make every effort to ensure our homes are more energy efficient, that small business owners gain easier access to capital and credit, and help keep teachers, police, and firefighters on the job in our communities.”

According to the United States Conference of Mayors December 2008 “Ready-to-Go Jobs” Report, more than 15,200 “shovel-ready” projects could create more than 1 million jobs in 640 cities nationwide.

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 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Stressing the need to help get residents back to work, properly fund local schools, hospitals, transportation and infrastructure, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) is pleased to announce that an additional $7 million in federal funding is headed to the Fourth District.

The money is part of the year-end $447 billion omnibus House appropriations, which focuses on the economy, workers, small businesses and veterans. The Senate approved the spending plan Dec. 13, and it now goes to President Obama’s desk for his signature.

The bill also includes $650 billion in mandatory spending on programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

“This funding is critical for our communities that need a little boost,” said Johnson. “By focusing on infrastructure, small businesses and health care, this will help put people back to work and build a long-term path to recovery.”

Specific funding includes $4 million for MARTA, $1 million for Grady Hospital, $500,000 for construction to I-85/Jimmy Carter Boulevard Bridge in Gwinnett County and $250,000 for gang intervention in Rockdale County.

“Local government budgets are under severe strain and DeKalb is no different,” said DeKalb County Commissioner and Presiding Officer Larry Johnson. “Federal funding for MARTA and Grady is vital to help fill the gap and maintain services for our citizens. I’m glad that Congressman Johnson is addressing essential services that will increase the quality of life for the citizens of DeKalb County.”

“The federal funds for Rockdale schools couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Rockdale Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Samuel King. “The funds for Advanced Placement and pre-K programs will help us bridge the achievement gap and meet state performance goals. And it fits perfectly with the implementation of our strategic plan.”

Passage of the funding measure means the House will now tackle Pentagon appropriations separately this week.

Fourth District projects under the omnibus include:

Commerce, Justice, Science

● Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, Conyers – Law Enforcement Mobile Data Network – $150,000
● Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, Rockdale County – Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office – Gang Intervention - $250,000

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development

● I-85/Jimmy Carter Boulevard Bridge Replacement, Gwinnett County – $500,000
● Commerce Crossing Bridge over I-20, Rockdale County – $500,000
● Interstate 20-East Transit Corridor Alternatives/Environmental Analysis, Atlanta – $300,000
● MARTA Clean Fuel Buses, GA – $4,000,000

Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and related agencies

● Rockdale County Public Schools, Conyers, GA for its AVID/Advanced Placement program – $300,000
● Rockdale County Public Schools, Conyers to establish year-round Pre-K programs, which may include expenses for tuition, transportation, and meals – $400,000
● Grady Health System, Atlanta, GA for facilities and equipment – $1,100,000
● Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA for facilities and equipment – $100,000

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Seeking to restore accountability to our financial system and protect American consumers, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) amended the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009 this week.

H.R. 4173, which passed the House on Friday, reforms regulation of the financial services industry to prevent future crises and protect investors and borrowers from abuse.

The bill would establish a Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA), strengthen the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and increase federal oversight of hedge funds and ratings agencies. It will also establish new regulation of so-called “derivatives” markets, where a lack of oversight was central to the financial crisis of 2008.

The Johnson Amendment, which Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank included in the final version of the bill, ensures that financial institutions cannot avoid compliance with regulation by litigating abusively and stalling in court.

“Wall Street has operated without regard to the public interest, yet was bailed out by the American taxpayer when things went terribly wrong,” said Johnson. “It’s high time we rein in abusive Wall Street practices that have exposed the American taxpayer to undue risk.”

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) worked with Rep. Johnson to ensure that the Johnson Amendment would effectively prevent abusive litigation by major financial institutions.

“I appreciate the willingness of Rep. Johnson and Congress to work closely with the FDIC on this important legislation,” said FDIC Chairwoman Sheila Bair. “I thank Rep. Johnson for his hard work on the important Johnson Amendment, which will ensure that bank regulators have the tools necessary to effectively regulate the nation’s financial institutions.”

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Today, Rep. Hank Johnson introduced H. Res 950, which urges his House colleagues to support using unspent Troubled Asset Relief Program funds to create jobs.

“With unemployment in Atlanta and the nation stubbornly above 10 percent, we must do more to create jobs,” said Johnson. “Tapping unspent TARP funds can put people back to work by helping us break ground on more shovel-ready infrastructure projects, expand credit to small businesses and offer critical tax cuts.”

The Department of Treasury reported last month that more than $139 billion in TARP funds have not been obligated. 

Johnson’s resolution mirrors President Obama’s initiative to continue fighting job losses by leveraging TARP funds.

“This will help keep our economy on the path to recovery,” said Johnson. “We must make every effort to ensure our homes are more energy efficient, that small business owners gain easier access to capital and credit, and help keep teachers, police, and firefighters on the job in our communities.”

According to the United States Conference of Mayors December 2008 “Ready-to-Go Jobs” Report, more than 15,200 “shovel-ready” projects could create more than 1 million jobs in 640 cities nationwide.

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Dear Friends,

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving with friends and loved ones. We all give thanks for the blessings of this great country. I’m still busy in Washington, where the Congress is dealing with Afghanistan, health care and committee work.   We will be in session most of the month of December.

JOBS IN THE FOURTH – Although the economy is showing signs of recovery and job losses are slowly easing, the pace of recovery has frustrated those seeking work. To better serve constituents of Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District, I will feature as many available government positions as possible as part of this e-newsletter. The Census jobs below is the first in a series of jobs I plan to bring to your attention. I am also posting this information on my Web site under “Hot Topics: Jobs for the Fourth District.” I hope you find this useful.

CENSUS JOBS AVAILABLE – The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting temporary, part-time census takers for the 2010 Census. These short-term jobs offer good pay, flexible hours and paid training. Best of all – census takers will work in their own communities and provide an important service for their community and the nation. To apply in DeKalb, call 404-239-2160; in Gwinnett, call 678-327-2860 and in Rockdale, call 404-348-2020. For more on this, click here.

PRESIDENT’S AFGHANISTAN SPEECH – I have concerns regarding the strategy’s viability. While I’ve heard from Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen in an Armed Services Committee hearing this week and hope to hear from Gen. Stanley McChrystal next week, I will withhold judgment until I have weighed the proposal in detail with the benefit of their testimony. My constituents and our military personnel expect me to take great care before making any decisions about funding. The president asked for space to craft a new policy moving forward in Afghanistan, and I am going to take some time to weigh his proposal.
 
HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT – As of Dec. 1, Georgia homebuyers can take advantage of the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit for an additional three months. Made available originally through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the credit is now extended through the Unemployment Insurance Extension Bill until April 30, 2010. Move-up buyers as well will now be able to benefit with a $6,000 tax credit. The first-time tax credit already has a proven record of success in increasing home sales in Atlanta and throughout the U.S. To date, as many as 355,000 sales this year can be directly attributed to the credit. For more on this tax credit, click here.

SIGNS OF RECOVERY – There has been a lot of confusion about the Recovery Act and how many jobs it’s saved or created. Much of the work is still to be done, but I can assure you that critical investments are being made in our schools, law enforcement agencies, transportation system, housing and jobs skills training for residents just to name a few. A new report from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office is further evidence that the Recovery Act is already responsible for saving or creating more than 1 million jobs nationwide and has prevented the unemployment rate from becoming much worse. The Georgia Department of Human Services conducted a workshop on the Recovery Act dealing with child care expenses, grants for child-care providers, subsidized employment programs, aging services, fatherhood programs, family and children services (food stamps), job support and training and employment opportunities for non-custodial parents on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. at Salem Bible Church on Hillandale Drive in Lithonia.

STAYING IN TOUCH WITH FEMA – If your home or business was damaged by the September floods and you applied for relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by the Nov. 23 deadline, you can ask questions about the status of your case and update changes in address and phone numbers by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585. Phone lines are open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information also is available online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

VETERANS PARK CELEBRATION – It’s important to recognize the service of all of our veterans no matter what war, conflict or generation they served. The Georgia Veterans Memorial Park in Rockdale County will host a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on Monday, Dec.7 at 6 p.m. For more information, call 770-278-7001. The address is 3001 Black Shoals Road, Conyers, 30012.

LITHONIA MAKEOVER – Thanks in large part to an injection of federal funds, downtown Lithonia is receiving a $1 million makeover. New sidewalks, street lights and street resurfacing are all being upgraded in the hopes of boosting downtown business activity. So if you see workers beautifying downtown, that’s your tax dollars hard at work. Hopefully construction will be completed next spring.

Until next time, be safe and try to stay warm.  It looks like winter is trying to settle in.

Hank

Rockdale County, 962 Milstead Avenue, P.O. Box 289, Conyers, Georgia, 30012

Randy Poynter Reservoir Sediment Study/Implementation Plan to produce baseline data for a long-range sediment impact study for Rockdale County's primary drinking source.

Request Amount: $100,000

Rockdale County, 962 Milstead Avenue, P.O. Box 289, Conyers, Georgia, 30012

Yellow River/Big Haynes Creek confluence obstruction removal project to allow wetlands & stream flow to return to normal levels improving overall stream & wetland conditions.

Request Amount: $5 million

City of Conyers, GA, 1184 Scott Street, SE, Conyers, Georgia, 30012

To control excessive flooding during and after a rain event.

These projects will include the upgrading and replacement of detention/retention ponds, storm drain lines, drain structures, ditch swales, pipe culverts, manholes and headwalls.

The current storm water system in the City of Conyers is unable to handle the storm water runoff from even a moderate rainfall because of the dramatic growth and the antiquated storm water system.  Additionally, portions of the storm water system are over 100 hundred years old and are experiencing failures throughout the system. These failures and the larger volume of water have dramatically increased the amount of water that is seeping into the sanitary sewer system, thereby, creating a strain on that system and at times causing untreated sewage to be released into our local streams and rivers.  Currently, several of those tributaries are on the State of Georgia list of impaired streams and are subject to routine monitoring by the city because of the level of contaminants contained within them.

Request Amount: $1.275 million

Gwinnett County Water Resources, Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA, 30045

Lower Yellow River-Pew Creek
Project number PE-133-S is located along Pew Creek in the Lower Yellow River watershed. This project ranks highly in the Lower Yellow River Watershed Protection Plan for pollutant removal.  The project consists of stabilizing the stream channel and stream banks, re-vegetation, creating a stormwater feature that treats and removes pollutants during storm events, and passive recreation trails.  Total length of stream project is 2350 feet on 3 acres of property owned by Gwinnett County.

Request Amount: $1.1 million

Gwinnett County Water Resources, Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA, 30045

Chattahoochee Tributaries-Richland Creek

Project Number RC-255-S-A is a priority project in the Chattahoochee Tributaries Watershed Improvement Plan.  The project in located on 14 acres owned by the Lanier Springs Homeowners Association.  The project is located within the Richland Creek, a tributary to the Chattahoochee River.  The project consists of restoring the stream channel and aquatic habitat, re-vegetating, and stabilizing eroding stream banks.  The length of stream to be restored is 5,688 linear feet. The stream currently is entrenched and severely incised.  Restoration activities would improve aquatic habitat and water quality. 

Request Amount: $2.4 million

Gwinnett County Water Resources, Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA, 30045

Chattahoochee Tributaries-Suwannee River
Project number LS-184-S is located partially on property already owned the Gwinnett County (Peachtree Industrial Pump Station).  The stream restoration project is located along Suwannee Creek which is listed as currently not meeting waters quality standards.  The project is located in a dense industrial area and would require substantial restoration activities including stream bank grading and stabilization, in-stream grade control structures, creation of an off line stormwater pond, and re-establishing more natural stream patterns. 

Request Amount: $2 million

Gwinnett County Water Resources, Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA, 30045

Lower Yellow River-Jacks Creek
Located within the Jacks Creek watershed in the Lower Yellow River, project JC-5224-E would provide substantial pollutant removal.  Retro-fitting an existing wet pond located entirely within Gwinnett County property would provide both water quality and channel protection benefits to the downstream area. The proposed retro-fit includes lowering the current water level and modifying the outlet control structure to regulate flow.  Dredging the pond would also allow increased storage capacity. A forebay would be constructed to further trap sediment and pollutants. 

Request Amount: $1.2 million

City of Atlanta, GA, 55 Trinity Avenue, S.W. Atlanta, GA 30303

Environmental Infrastructure project would improve surface water quality by providing combined sewer diversion and inflow infrastructure to capture more storm water and sewage flows in the City of Atlanta 

Request Amount: $20 million

City of Atlanta, GA, 55 Trinity Avenue, S.W. Atlanta, GA 30303

To update the Army Corps' Water Control Manual on the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River system.

Request Amount: $6.4 million