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Dear Friends,
We all know small businesses are the driving force of job creation in our economy. That’s why I’m pleased to announce that both the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Chamber of Commerce are supporting my “Help Entrepreneurs Create American Jobs Act” – H.R. 4032 – that I introduced this month.
The Entrepreneurs bill would permanently double the first-year startup expenses deduction from $5,000 to $10,000. It will also increase the ceiling at which deductions begin to phase out from $50,000 to $60,000.
The legislation is part of President Obama’s Startup America Agenda and is supported by all three major chambers of commerce in the Fourth District – the DeKalb, Conyers-Rockdale and Gwinnett chambers – and the Georgia and Metro Atlanta chambers as well.
Creating jobs and supporting American entrepreneurs should be our No. 1 priority in Congress. We must put party bickering aside and make it easier for Americans to start small businesses.
In his letter of support, President of DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Leonardo McClarty said the bill “encourages small business growth” and would mean “more job opportunities for a robust and talented labor pool” would help “small businesses stay competitive with larger companies” and bring “increased cash flow in our local economy.”
“DeKalb County and all metro Atlanta citizens need this (bill) now more than ever,” he said.
I pledge to continue pursuing policies that help put Georgians and Fourth District residents back to work. It’s why I introduced the Small Business Fairness bill, the Fair Employment Opportunity Act and why I’m proud that my RARE Act is part of leadership’s “Make It in America” agenda that boosts manufacturing and brings good-paying jobs back to America.
By leveling the playing field and focusing on an economy built to last, we can stop the widening gap between the rich and the poor and help workers, consumers and small businesses save our shrinking middle class.
PREVENTING FORECLOSURES: The federal government recently reached a nearly $26 billion deal with some of the nation’s largest banks to settle charges of systemic and widespread mortgage fraud. The settlement could bring significant relief to those in danger of losing their homes and also much needed stability to the long-suffering housing market. It is not a cure-all, but a good start. For more information on the 49-state, $25 billion settlement, click HERE.
WERE YOU FORECLOSED IN 2009-2010?: If your primary residence was involved in a foreclosure process between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2010, you may qualify for a free Independent Foreclosure Review, which may qualify you for compensation or other remedies. For more information click HERE.
VETERANS HEALTH HANDBOOKS: Veterans enrolled in the Veterans Affairs health care system are beginning to receive personalized booklets that explain their health care benefits, contact information, appointment scheduling information and more. For more, click HERE or call 1-877-222-VETS (8387).
HIRING VETERANS: As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I’m particularly concerned about joblessness and homelessness among veterans. It’s why I support President Obama’s $1 billion effort to develop a Veterans Jobs Corps with the goal of putting 20,000 veterans back to work over the next five years. For more, click HERE.
MOBILE CAREER CENTER: The DeKalb County Jobs Bus – a ONE DeKalb Works initiative that provides work readiness services such as resume writing, workshops, interviewing tips, computer access, printing, scanning and copying services and much more – will be at the Department of Family and Children Services, 178 Sams Street in Decatur 30030 on Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and at Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Lithonia 30038 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 29.
CALLING ALL ARTISTS: I’m pleased to announce that the 2012 Congressional Arts Competition is back. Eligible high school students throughout the district, which include parts of DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Rockdale counties, are encouraged to apply and display their talent in this year’s contest. Entries must be designed according to the specifications in the competition guidelines, which can be found HERE.
OUR DEMOCRACY ISN’T FOR SALE: As negative Republican attack ads begin to fill our airwaves ahead of Super Tuesday, I want you to know that I am an original cosponsor of the new DISCLOSE Act, which will:
► Enhance disclosure of campaign funding by super PACs, corporations and outside groups
► Require super PACs, corporations and outside groups to stand by their ads
► Require corporations to disclose their campaign expenditures to their shareholders
► Require lobbyists to disclose their campaign expenditures
The American people have a right to know the source of the money that is being spent to influence the outcome of our elections. They should be told who is behind the millions of dollars in campaign ads and they should receive this information in a timely fashion. Secret money should not be able to drown out the voices of the American people and sell our Democracy to the highest bidder. For my Huffington Post op-ed, click HERE.
CONYERS ST. PATRICK’S BASH: The “World’s Fastest Growing St. Patrick’s Day Parade” will be held on Friday, March 16 at 4:30 p.m. in Olde Town Conyers. The parade is sponsored by the Conyers Main Street Program. For more, click HERE.
NORCROSS ANTIQUES ROADSHOW: The Norcross Antiques Road Show will be on Saturday March 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center 10 College Street, 30071. Get your treasures appraised and find out if it’s worth enough so you can retire! Last year’s event drew a huge good crowd, so this year it’s on a “first-come, first-serve basis” Doors to the Norcross Community Center (10 College St.) open at noon, although the actual road show begins at 1 p.m. For more, click HERE.
PASSPORTS DAY IN USA: If you, your family or friends are planning a trip abroad, learn more about travel requirements or to apply for your passport at Passport Day in the USA on March 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Atlanta Passport Agency, 230 Peachtree Street NW Atlanta, 10th floor 30303. For more, click HERE.
SOUTHEAST GREEN: Be sure to stop by Beth Bond’s SoutheastGreen.com to learn how to live a cleaner, greener life, get the latest environmental news and check out green events in your neck of the woods. For more, click HERE.
NEA GRANTS: The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is dedicated to advancing artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation across a broad spectrum of the arts, including arts education, theater, dance, music, museums, literature, design, media arts and much more. The NEA awards more than $130 million each year to arts organizations of all sizes. Arts organizations are eligible, but so are school districts, colleges and universities and state and local governments. Grant application deadlines are fast approaching. For more information, please visit: www.arts.gov or contact Paulette Suggs at (770) 987-2291 in my office.
As always, I appreciate your time and feedback. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you in Congress.
Dear Friends,
It was great to see so many familiar and friendly faces at the DeKalb NAACP Martin Luther King Jr. Parade & Rally in Stone Mountain on Jan. 16. Thank you to everyone who made it such a successful event. Honoring Dr. King is always a special day.
Here’s the latest from Washington, D.C., and the Fourth District.
SENIOR CONNECTIONS: On Saturday, March 3, registered dietitians will lead a 2-hour class at the Mack Love Community Center – “Truth & Consequences of Living with Diabetes” Workshop for Seniors. Participation is limited due to the interactive nature of the class. Registration is available online at www.seniorconnectionsatl.org or by reserving a seat via mail to: Diabetes Workshop, Senior Connections, 5238 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30341.
VETERANS TO RECEIVE 2012 COLA: Veterans, their families, and survivors receiving benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs saw a 3.6 percent increase in their compensation and pension benefits beginning January 1. The full rates are available online HERE.
SAVING VETERANS’ HOMES: Home loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs continue to have the lowest serious delinquency and foreclosure rates in the mortgage industry. Veterans have also taken advantage of their home loan benefit in record numbers, as VA loan originations reached their highest total in eight years. For veterans and service members who have trouble meeting their mortgage obligations or anticipate problems in the near future, there's help. For more, click HERE.
SUMMER YOUTH JOBS: I support President Obama’s proposed $1.5 billion summer jobs for low-income youth 16-24 in the summer of 2012. For more, read about the program in On Common Ground News or click HERE.
STOCK ACT: I’m proud to support the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge or STOCK Act, which prohibits members of Congress, their staff, executive branch employees, and any other person from trading stocks based on information not available to the public. We need to come together to enact this bipartisan legislation and make sure the same rules that apply to people in the private sector apply to Congress. For more, click HERE.
GABBY RETIRES: In my five years in Congress, I’ve never seen such an outpouring of genuine goodwill as I witnessed Jan. 24 for Gabby Giffords in her appearance at the State of the Union speech. I’ll never forget huddling with her against the bitter cold on that historic Inauguration Day on January 20, 2009. Her strength and message of civility are an inspiration to the world. For more, click HERE.
THE CLASS ACT: I fought this week against efforts to repeal the CLASS Act, the first federal program to provide long-term health care for disabled seniors and support for their caregivers. This bill will allow individuals to live independently at home and in the community for as long as possible without impoverishing themselves. I know this legislation is ambitious and addresses a difficult problem, but we should fix the CLASS Act, not scrap it altogether.
MORE HELP FOR TRANSPORTATION: Congratulations to Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Clark Atlanta and Spelman College, which will share $3.5 million DOT grant to study transportation systems, infrastructure needs and economic development.
RWJF AWARDS $2.77 M TO GEORGIA PROJECTS: I am pleased to announce that the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) – which works to improve the health and health care of all Americans and help our society transform itself for the better – awarded nine new grants totaling $2.77 million in Georgia in 2011. With these recent awards, 24 projects in Georgia are currently receiving a total of $16.74 million in RWJF support. For more, click HERE.
NOMINATE A CITIZEN HERO: Every year, in conjunction with the National Medal of Honor Day, three U.S. citizens are awarded “Citizen Service Before Self Honors” near the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington Cemetery. Please help our nation’s greatest heroes find America’s unsung heroes. Nominate an honoree HERE today! The deadline is Feb. 10.
GETTING BACK ON THEIR FEET: Formerly Incarcerated Persons Effective Re-Entry Collaborative (FIP/ERC) is holding a town hall discussion on Feb. 25 at the Wesley Chapel Library from 2 to 4 p.m. This is a discussion for families impacted by incarceration. The library is at 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur, 30034.
CONYERS PD OFFERS SPRING CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY: The Conyers Police Department (CPD) is preparing to once again offer a Citizens Police Academy for local residents and business owners in the community this spring. The CPD Citizens Police Academy will offer the 10-week academy on Tuesdays beginning March 20 at 6:30 p.m. For more information, click HERE.
As always, I appreciate your time and feedback. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you in Congress.
Thanks,
Dear Friends,
Here’s the latest from Washington, D.C., and the Fourth District.
REMEMBERING THE DREAMER: I’m proud to be a grand marshal for this year’s DeKalb NAACP Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade & Rally, which will be Monday, Jan. 16 at 12:30 p.m. in Stone Mountain.
On October 16, 2011, we finally unveiled the magnificent MLK Memorial in Washington. In doing so, Dr. King now takes his rightful place in the pantheon of heroes honored on our National Mall, standing between the memorials to Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. For more on local King Day projects, please see CrossRoadsNews. To read more about this event, please see On Common Ground News.
MOBILE VETERANS CENTER COMING TO ATLANTA: I'm pleased to announce that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is deploying a Mobile Vet Center to Atlanta to increase access to readjustment counseling services for veterans and their families. The customized vehicle – which is equipped with confidential counseling space and a state of the art communication package – will provide services throughout metro Atlanta, including DeKalb, Rockdale, and Gwinnett counties. For more, click HERE.
SUMMER JOBS+: I am ecstatic President Obama proposed $1.5 billion for high-impact summer jobs as part of the Pathways Back to Work Fund. The President’s public-private plan is just what the doctor ordered – the government and dozens of private-sector businesses coming together to commit to creating nearly 180,000 employment opportunities for low-income youth 16-24 in the summer of 2012. The Department of Labor is developing a platform Summer Jobs+. It can be found HERE. Teens can sign up under the ‘youth tab’ and will be notified once the system goes live.
FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS: ZERO: The Project to End Prostate Cancer is offering free prostate cancer testing this month. More than 110,000 men have been tested with this program since 2002, saving as many as 11,000 lives by alerting men to go see their doctor. Get screened this upcoming weekend in the Atlanta area at the mobile prostate cancer vehicle.
Friday, January 13 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Kroger: 2875 N Decatur Road, Decatur, GA, 30033. | Saturday, January 14 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Kroger: 2100 Riverside Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA, 30043. | Sunday, January 15 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Kroger: 1670 Highway 124, Snellville, GA, 30078. For more, click HERE.
MORE HELP FOR VETERANS: Veterans of the Persian Gulf War with undiagnosed illnesses have an additional five years to qualify for benefits from the VA. Veterans or survivors who believe they qualify for these benefits should call 1-800-827-1000. For more, click HERE. The VA now has all of its 152 medical centers on Facebook. For more, click HERE. For the Atlanta VA Facebook page, click HERE.
CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB): On Jan. 4, President Obama named Richard Cordray as director of a new consumer protection agency. This new agency is crucial because it helps consumers make sound financial decisions. It’s good for students and parents to help them better understand loan options. It’s good for our soldiers — who are too often targets of unscrupulous lenders — and it’s good for homeowners who have complaints about the mortgage process. To see my Atlanta Journal-Constitution op-ed on the CFPB, click HERE.
SPEAKING OF CONSUMERS: I will re-introduce my Discount Pricing Consumer Protection Act this month. The bill would prohibit resale price maintenance agreements (RPMs), which are used by manufacturers and wholesalers, distributors, or retailers to set minimum prices for a product or service. RPMs result in high prices for consumers. I appreciate the support of the National Consumers League, the Consumers Union and the American Antitrust Institute. To read their letter of support, click HERE.
RESOLVE TO BE READY: Make sure you and your family are ready in case of an emergency in 2012 – create a communications plan and take other simple steps to be prepared. For a “Resolve to be Ready” toolkit, click HERE.
FOSTER GRANDPARENTS: I’m pleased to announce that Easter Seals of North Georgia is receiving a new Foster Grandparent Program grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service to serve Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties. For more, click HERE.
As always, I appreciate your time and feedback. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you in Congress.
Thanks,
Dear Friends,
I'm pleased to announce that more than $845 million was released during the holidays by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to states to help low-income households with their heating and home energy costs under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Georgia will receive an estimated $60 million this year – $27 million of which was released late last month.
I wrote a letter Dec. 2 to House leadership urging more funding for LIHEAP after funds were exhausted in Nov. 2011 due to increased demand by seniors and disabled residents.
To read my letter, click HERE.
This funding is crucial for low-income families who are still struggling to make ends meet. I understand the importance of helping folks during the cold winter months.
LIHEAP assists low-income households, including families with children and seniors, with their home-energy needs such as heating in the winter, cooling their homes in the summer, and insulating their homes to make them more energy efficient and reduce their energy costs.
But as more cuts are made to the social safety net, programs like LIHEAP will see even more cuts in the future. According to the National Energy Assistance Director’s Association, Georgia is getting 70 percent of what it got in FY011 for LIHEAP.
In the current budget-cutting climate in Congress, please be aware that it looks like programs such are LIHEAP are going to continue to experience extreme budgetary pressures.
As always, I appreciate your time and welcome your feedback. I hope you had a safe and enjoyable holiday. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you in Congress.
Dear Friends,
I want to wish everyone a joyous holiday season! Here’s the latest from Washington, D.C., and the Fourth District.
TAX CUTS, UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE & JOBS: I’m working to prevent a thousand-dollar tax hike on middle class Americans, extend unemployment insurance benefits, and prevent a major pay cut to doctors who treat patients on Medicare.
After a year of gridlock, brinkmanship, and manufactured crises, and one of the worst Congresses in history, it’s time to put our nation first and do what an overwhelming majority of Americans want – prevent a tax hike on the middle class and get Americans back to work.
Families shouldn’t need to worry this holiday season that their taxes will skyrocket because of another made-up crisis. I'm hoping Republicans will join us in this effort.
RELIEF FOR CHRONICALLY ILL SENIORS: This month, I introduced my bipartisan “Part D Beneficiary Appeals Fairness Act”, which would give seniors on Medicare Part D who rely on ‘specialty tier’ drugs an appeals process when dealing with the high costs of these prescriptions. To read about it in On Common Ground newspaper, click HERE.
NO TO INDEFINITE DETENTION OF AMERICANS: Last week, I opposed provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act that would authorize indefinite detention of Americans and tie the hands of domestic law enforcement in terrorism cases. Constituents sent me here to provide for the common defense, yes. But they also sent me here to safeguard their liberty. For more, click HERE.
THE IRAQ WAR IS OVER: After 8 years of war, our forces are coming home with honor. To read my full statement, click HERE.
THE RIGHT TO VOTE: Attorney General Eric Holder, the nation’s top law enforcement officer, has promised extra scrutiny for the new voting laws in order to maintain civil rights protections. To read my piece on this issue in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click HERE.
FOR VETERANS: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is making $100 million in grants available to community agencies that will work to prevent veteran homelessness. Groups have until Feb. 15 to apply. For more, click HERE. Veterans now have on-demand access and can download official data about their military training and experience, which can be used to help them find jobs. For more, click HERE.
HELPING MARTA: I’m pleased to announce that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is making a $4 million grant available to MARTA for 10 new buses to replace older models.
TIGERS TACKLE CHAMPIONSHIP: Congratulations to Head Coach Franklin Stephens and the entire Tucker Tigers football family for wining their second state championship. Go Tigers!
HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS: With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s easy to let little things slip through the cracks. Use these tips from the Federal Citizen Information Center to help you avoid some of the most common holiday accidents. For more, click HERE.
In this season, more than ever, please keep our military personnel who are coming home, overseas and our first-responders here at home and their families in your hearts and prayers. They give their all for us and we must never forget their sacrifice.
Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year to you and yours!
Thanks,
Dear Friends,
I want to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. I’ve been back in town this week meeting with constituents, and I’m looking forward to spending some time with my family as well.
You’ve no doubt heard talk of the “Super Committee” and its recent failure to reach an agreement on the federal budget.
Here’s the bottom line.
This past summer the majority party put the full faith and credit of the United States of America at unnecessary risk by refusing to raise the debt ceiling, which would allow Treasury to pay previously incurred debt.
As an unfortunate result of Congress’ failure to act responsibly, the nation’s credit rating was downgraded.
The final agreement to raise the debt ceiling established what became known as the “Super Committee,” which was charged with identifying at least $1.2 trillion in additional debt reduction over 10 years.
Earlier this week, this committee announced that it was unable to reach an agreement. Congress will now spend the next year negotiating the exact distribution of spending cuts and tax increases worth at least $1.2 trillion or face broad, automatic cuts across many federal programs.
You should take some comfort in knowing that under the current framework, Social Security, Veterans benefits, and most programs supporting low-income Americans will be exempted from those automatic cuts.
Rest assured, I will continue to fight for a balanced approach. I agree with President Obama: it is impossible for us to solve our budgetary challenges as long as some in Congress fight any tax increases for the wealthiest Americans.
We can’t solve our problems unless sacrifice is shared fairly. I will stand with President Obama as he fights for a fair solution that doesn’t hurt those struggling to make ends meet while leaving the wealthiest and most powerful untouched.
In the mean time, my focus remains upon creating jobs for my constituents and accelerating economic recovery. That is why I continue to call on my colleagues to pass President Obama’s jobs bill, which includes my proposal to ban hiring discrimination against the unemployed. And I will work to see that Congress passes an extension of the Payroll Tax cut, which is set to expire at the end of the year. Its expiration would raise taxes on the average American household by $1,000. I know families can’t afford that right now.
ARABIA MOUNTAIN – Congratulations to the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area for being the inaugural recipient of the “Great Place” designation by the Atlanta Regional Commission. For more, click HERE.
HELPING VETERANS – The Atlanta Regional Commission earned a $420,000 grant to improve the veterans’ transportation call center, and the Department of Veterans Affairs expanded clothing eligibility requirements for veterans with prosthetics and orthopedic devices or skin condition medications. For more, click HERE.
PROTECTING CONSUMERS – The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has created a new consumer assistance Web page that allows users to submit questions and complaints about health and retirement plans. For more, click HERE.
HANK’S JOB CENTER – Since 2009, my office has held four jobs fairs throughout the district. Our in-person job fairs have been a huge success, but I wanted to provide a tool constituents could use to help them find work year round. So I launched a one-stop jobs Web portal. Helping my constituents in these difficult times is my top priority. To visit the jobs site, click HERE.
HELPING PREVENT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN – Congratulations to the Center for Pan Asian Community Services in Atlanta for receiving a $300,000 grant to help fund an emergency shelter for abused women.
HONORING OFFICER WILSON – I was saddened to hear of the tragic death of Doraville Police Officer Robert “Shane” Wilson, who I honored from the House floor last week.
As always, I appreciate your time and welcome your feedback. Please have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you in Congress.
Thanks,