Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Manzullo Co-Sponsors Bill to Keep Car Dealers Open
Below is a press release just received from 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo:
Manzullo Cosponsors Bill to Reverse Forced Closures of GM and Chrysler Dealers, Save Thousands of American Jobs
WASHINGTON – As the deadline nears for Chrysler and GM to strip thousands of auto dealers of their franchises and put tens of thousands of Americans on the unemployment lines, U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) has cosponsored a bill that would reinstate the franchise agreements for those dealers that would like to stay in business.
The legislation, “The Automobile Dealer Economic Restoration Act (HR 2743),” was introduced late Monday and would restore the economic rights GM and Chrysler dealers enjoyed before the auto manufacturers’ bankruptcies.
Because the forced closures of more than 2,000 Chrysler and GM dealers will not save the manufacturers significant amounts of money, reinstatement of the franchises will not affect their planned emergence from bankruptcies. The forced closures of the dealers was agreed to by GM, Chrysler and the President’s auto task force prior to bankruptcies as part of the Administration’s decision to fund the automakers’ debts with more than $60 billion in taxpayer funds.
“The misguided decision of GM, Chrysler and the President’s auto task force to close more than 2,000 dealerships in the United States will do nothing to improve the finances of the automakers because the dealers pay their own costs and actually purchase cars from the automakers.
“Many of these dealers represent several generations of hard-working small business owners who have given so much to their employees and their communities over decades of service only to be stripped of their franchises and forced to shutter their businesses in a matter of weeks,” Manzullo said.
“This legislation will bring some common sense back to the industry and restore the franchise agreements to the dealers who want to keep operating without threatening the plans for both GM and Chrysler to emerge stronger from their bankruptcies.”
Manzullo, who has been working with several local auto dealers scheduled for closure, sent previous letters to the President and the automakers seeking a reconsideration of the forced closures as well as a delay and more transparency in their decisions. Many of the dealers slated for closure are profitable and have no idea why they are targeted for closure.
In addition, Manzullo will vote later today for a “cash for clunkers” bill that will bolster auto manufacturing and sales by providing vouchers up to $4,500 to anyone who trades in a vehicle made after 1984 that gets less than 18 mpg and purchases a new vehicle, costing less than $45,000, that gets at least 4 mpg more. The legislation is expected to bolster auto sales by 1 million vehicles.
Manzullo authored alternative legislation (HR 1606) that would have provided a $5,000 voucher to anyone who purchases a vehicle – no strings attached – that would have covered the sale of 15 million new cars. While the “cash for clunkers” bill will not have nearly the boost to auto manufacturing and sales as Manzullo’s bill, Manzullo still supports the cash for clunkers bill because it will help the industry. He will continue to push for his bill that would have a much greater impact on American manufacturing.
Every one million in new vehicle sales has the following impact on the economy:
Creates
Crystal Lake's Viking Dodge, seen above, is one of the Chrysler franchises due for closure.
Manzullo Cosponsors Bill to Reverse Forced Closures of GM and Chrysler Dealers, Save Thousands of American Jobs
WASHINGTON – As the deadline nears for Chrysler and GM to strip thousands of auto dealers of their franchises and put tens of thousands of Americans on the unemployment lines, U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) has cosponsored a bill that would reinstate the franchise agreements for those dealers that would like to stay in business.The legislation, “The Automobile Dealer Economic Restoration Act (HR 2743),” was introduced late Monday and would restore the economic rights GM and Chrysler dealers enjoyed before the auto manufacturers’ bankruptcies.
Because the forced closures of more than 2,000 Chrysler and GM dealers will not save the manufacturers significant amounts of money, reinstatement of the franchises will not affect their planned emergence from bankruptcies. The forced closures of the dealers was agreed to by GM, Chrysler and the President’s auto task force prior to bankruptcies as part of the Administration’s decision to fund the automakers’ debts with more than $60 billion in taxpayer funds.
“The misguided decision of GM, Chrysler and the President’s auto task force to close more than 2,000 dealerships in the United States will do nothing to improve the finances of the automakers because the dealers pay their own costs and actually purchase cars from the automakers.“Many of these dealers represent several generations of hard-working small business owners who have given so much to their employees and their communities over decades of service only to be stripped of their franchises and forced to shutter their businesses in a matter of weeks,” Manzullo said.
“This legislation will bring some common sense back to the industry and restore the franchise agreements to the dealers who want to keep operating without threatening the plans for both GM and Chrysler to emerge stronger from their bankruptcies.”
Manzullo, who has been working with several local auto dealers scheduled for closure, sent previous letters to the President and the automakers seeking a reconsideration of the forced closures as well as a delay and more transparency in their decisions. Many of the dealers slated for closure are profitable and have no idea why they are targeted for closure.
In addition, Manzullo will vote later today for a “cash for clunkers” bill that will bolster auto manufacturing and sales by providing vouchers up to $4,500 to anyone who trades in a vehicle made after 1984 that gets less than 18 mpg and purchases a new vehicle, costing less than $45,000, that gets at least 4 mpg more. The legislation is expected to bolster auto sales by 1 million vehicles.
Manzullo authored alternative legislation (HR 1606) that would have provided a $5,000 voucher to anyone who purchases a vehicle – no strings attached – that would have covered the sale of 15 million new cars. While the “cash for clunkers” bill will not have nearly the boost to auto manufacturing and sales as Manzullo’s bill, Manzullo still supports the cash for clunkers bill because it will help the industry. He will continue to push for his bill that would have a much greater impact on American manufacturing.
Every one million in new vehicle sales has the following impact on the economy:
Creates
- 60,000 jobs (10,000 at vehicle assembly plants;
- 50,000 at suppliers, auto dealers, and other businesses).
- Provides $750 million in tax revenue to the federal government.
- Provides $1.4 billion in sales tax revenue to states.
- Saves federal government over $1.8 billion in unemployment payments, COBRA health care subsidies, job retraining assistance, and food stamps.
Crystal Lake's Viking Dodge, seen above, is one of the Chrysler franchises due for closure.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Car Dealership, Chrysler, Don Manzullo, General Motors, Government Motors, HR 1606, HR 2743.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Congressional Pork - Melissa Bean and Don Manzullo; $300,000 for Turning Point
sshjIt doesn't seem that long ago that I was writing about Washington Pork.
In fact, it was last March.
Let's look at what the two congressional representatives from McHenry County are requesting in the Commerce, Justice and Science budget. (Hat tip to Respublica down Collinsville way.)
Don Manzullo is requesting the following:
In fact, it was last March.
Let's look at what the two congressional representatives from McHenry County are requesting in the Commerce, Justice and Science budget. (Hat tip to Respublica down Collinsville way.)
Don Manzullo is requesting the following:- $250,000 – Rockford Crimefighting Technology Initiative
$250,000 – Communications Equipment for Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department
- $675,00 – along with Peter Roskam – Atmospheric Detection Equipment For the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System at the Glencoe Department of Public Safety
- $300,000 – Turning Point
Labels: Don Manzullo, Earmark, Melissa Bean, Pork, Pork Barrel, Rockford Crime Fighting Technology Initiative, Turning Point, Winnebago County Sheriff
Friday, June 05, 2009
Manzullo Lashes Out at GM, Chrysler
The following fiery press release has been received from small business advocate 16th congressional district U.S. Representative Don Manzullo:
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) today said the CEOs of Chrysler and GM are using the bankruptcy system to reduce consumer choice and drive up their vehicles’ costs by cutting dealerships, eliminating competition and creating monopolies among their brands. In the process, they are destroying the lives and businesses of thousands of auto dealers and their employees.
Manzullo, who previously called for GM, Chrysler and the President’s auto task force to rescind the 1,889 forced closures of dealerships, was outraged by testimony of the automaker CEOs before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation earlier this week.
The CEOs don’t want consumers to shop for their cars among competing dealers.
When questioned, they said their decisions to pull the franchise licenses from the dealerships were necessary to their survival because the multitude of locations forces dealers to uncut one another, driving down a vehicle’s residual value.
The statements were incorrect because it costs car manufacturers nothing to have multiple dealers: the manufacturers just don’t want competition, and their whole goal is to drive up prices.
“The American people need to know why -- at a time American workers are losing their jobs in droves – the CEOs of GM and Chrysler and the President’s auto task force think it’s a good idea to unnecessarily put another 150,000 Americans on the unemployment lines,” Manzullo said. “All this will do is reduce competition and increase the price of GM and Chrysler cars and trucks for consumers, putting them at an even greater competitive disadvantage with the other auto companies.”
Unbelievably, Chrysler gave its targeted dealers less than a month to clear all its inventory and wind down operations.
On Tuesday, June 9, the 789 Chrysler dealers will lose their franchise agreements and ability to offer dealer incentives and financing.
In a letter to the President and the GM and Chrysler CEOs, Manzullo has requested a 60-day extension to allow the targeted Chrysler dealers more time to wind down operations.
Furthermore, Manzullo is concerned with the June 12 deadline surviving GM dealers have to sign a new contract that trumps state franchise laws and waives their rights to appeal future GM decisions.
“Many of these dealers represent several generations of hard-working small business owners who have given so much to their employees and their communities over decades of service,” Manzullo said.
“It’s horrible that GM and Chrysler can work a deal with the President’s auto task force to shut down these family businesses, send their employees to the unemployment lines, and destroy their legacies. This shouldn’t happen in the United States of America.”
Instead, the Administration and Congress should be working on legislation to re-start auto manufacturing and auto sales. Manzullo introduced legislation earlier this year to give Americans a $5,000 voucher to purchase a new vehicle, stimulating auto sales and manufacturing, re-starting the supply chains, and putting millions of Americans back to work. The New Automobile Voucher Act of 2009 (HR 1606) would provide a one-time, $5,000 electronic voucher from the U.S. Treasury at the point of sale of a new vehicle through the end of 2009.
The automobile industry and its suppliers account for 13 million American jobs, 20 percent of all U.S. retail sales, and billions of dollars in state and local sales taxes. The drop in U.S. vehicle sales from 16 million in 2007 to 13 million in 2008 to a projected 8 million in 2009 has been one of the leading causes of America’s economic downturn and huge job losses.
Manzullo: GM, Chrysler Use Cover of Bankruptcy Court to Destroy Dealers, Create Monopoly, Hike Vehicle Prices and Stick Taxpayers with Billions
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) today said the CEOs of Chrysler and GM are using the bankruptcy system to reduce consumer choice and drive up their vehicles’ costs by cutting dealerships, eliminating competition and creating monopolies among their brands. In the process, they are destroying the lives and businesses of thousands of auto dealers and their employees.
Manzullo, who previously called for GM, Chrysler and the President’s auto task force to rescind the 1,889 forced closures of dealerships, was outraged by testimony of the automaker CEOs before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation earlier this week.The CEOs don’t want consumers to shop for their cars among competing dealers.
When questioned, they said their decisions to pull the franchise licenses from the dealerships were necessary to their survival because the multitude of locations forces dealers to uncut one another, driving down a vehicle’s residual value.
The statements were incorrect because it costs car manufacturers nothing to have multiple dealers: the manufacturers just don’t want competition, and their whole goal is to drive up prices.
“The American people need to know why -- at a time American workers are losing their jobs in droves – the CEOs of GM and Chrysler and the President’s auto task force think it’s a good idea to unnecessarily put another 150,000 Americans on the unemployment lines,” Manzullo said. “All this will do is reduce competition and increase the price of GM and Chrysler cars and trucks for consumers, putting them at an even greater competitive disadvantage with the other auto companies.”
Unbelievably, Chrysler gave its targeted dealers less than a month to clear all its inventory and wind down operations.
On Tuesday, June 9, the 789 Chrysler dealers will lose their franchise agreements and ability to offer dealer incentives and financing.
In a letter to the President and the GM and Chrysler CEOs, Manzullo has requested a 60-day extension to allow the targeted Chrysler dealers more time to wind down operations.
Furthermore, Manzullo is concerned with the June 12 deadline surviving GM dealers have to sign a new contract that trumps state franchise laws and waives their rights to appeal future GM decisions.
“Many of these dealers represent several generations of hard-working small business owners who have given so much to their employees and their communities over decades of service,” Manzullo said.
“It’s horrible that GM and Chrysler can work a deal with the President’s auto task force to shut down these family businesses, send their employees to the unemployment lines, and destroy their legacies. This shouldn’t happen in the United States of America.”
Instead, the Administration and Congress should be working on legislation to re-start auto manufacturing and auto sales. Manzullo introduced legislation earlier this year to give Americans a $5,000 voucher to purchase a new vehicle, stimulating auto sales and manufacturing, re-starting the supply chains, and putting millions of Americans back to work. The New Automobile Voucher Act of 2009 (HR 1606) would provide a one-time, $5,000 electronic voucher from the U.S. Treasury at the point of sale of a new vehicle through the end of 2009.
The automobile industry and its suppliers account for 13 million American jobs, 20 percent of all U.S. retail sales, and billions of dollars in state and local sales taxes. The drop in U.S. vehicle sales from 16 million in 2007 to 13 million in 2008 to a projected 8 million in 2009 has been one of the leading causes of America’s economic downturn and huge job losses.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Car Dealership, Chrysler, Competition, Don Manzullo, Franchise, General Motors, GM
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Manzullo Gains Support for Decreasing Foreign Trade Bureaucratic Withholding Power
The following press release has been received from 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo. The words “bureaucratic withholding power” in the headline come from my former Legislative Assistant, Pete Castillo.
Read the press release and you'll see why I used the characterization.
U.S. House Committee Approves Manzullo Provisions to Modernize Export Controls, Create American Jobs
(WASHINGTON) U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) hailed legislation passed in the House Foreign Affairs Committee last night that he co-authored to modernize the federal government’s export control policy by strengthening national security and helping American companies sell more defense-related goods overseas, creating jobs for Americans.
Approved as part of the two-year Foreign Relations Authorization Act, the legislation directs the State Department to take actions to reduce the massive backlog of license applications that impedes legitimate trade with our allies.
Manzullo originally introduced the provision as stand-alone legislation in 2007 with Reps. Brad Sherman (D-CA), Joe Crowley (D-NY) and Roy Blunt (R-MO). Specifically, it would:
By making it easier for small businesses and manufacturers to participate at the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the Manzullo provision removes a significant barrier that prevented small businesses from being more competitive with their foreign competitors.
The Manzullo provision designates a Small Business Liaison at the State Department and adds a small business website to the Department’s homepage to facilitate direct communication for small businesses seeking to export overseas.
In 2007, the Rockford area exported $1.4 billion worth of goods to the world.
The bill now heads to the full House for consideration.
“This legislation streamlines the process, reduces the application backlog, and allows greater scrutiny on sensitive exports that could harm our country,” Manzullo said. “It would better protect our nation while helping U.S. companies sell more goods and services to our allies, creating more jobs for Americans.”
Read the press release and you'll see why I used the characterization.
U.S. House Committee Approves Manzullo Provisions to Modernize Export Controls, Create American Jobs(WASHINGTON) U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) hailed legislation passed in the House Foreign Affairs Committee last night that he co-authored to modernize the federal government’s export control policy by strengthening national security and helping American companies sell more defense-related goods overseas, creating jobs for Americans.
Approved as part of the two-year Foreign Relations Authorization Act, the legislation directs the State Department to take actions to reduce the massive backlog of license applications that impedes legitimate trade with our allies.
Manzullo originally introduced the provision as stand-alone legislation in 2007 with Reps. Brad Sherman (D-CA), Joe Crowley (D-NY) and Roy Blunt (R-MO). Specifically, it would:
- Direct the Secretary of State to review the U.S. export control system within 18 months and offer recommendations to strengthen controls, improve efficiency, and reduce redundancies across federal agencies;
- Require the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) to have at least 1 licensing officer for every 1,250 applications by Fiscal Year 2011 to prevent future backlogs;
- Require the DDTC to assign no less than 3 individuals by Fiscal Year 2010 to review applications for commodity jurisdiction determinations;
- Create a performance goal of no longer than 60 days to process a defense trade license;
- Create a performance goal of no longer than 30 days to process a defense trade license for close allies;
- Establish a 7-day processing time for defense trade licenses from our close allies in support of combat operations or peacekeeping or humanitarian operations with U.S. Armed Forces;
- Increase the transparency of commodity jurisdiction determinations with publication of those decisions on the Internet;
- Create a special licensing authorization for U.S.-manufactured spare and replacement parts or components in connection with defense items previously lawfully exported to our close allies;
- Increase the representation and augment the input of the Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG) into the State Department’s defense trade agenda;
- Add South Korea and Israel to the list of NATO+3 countries receiving expedited consideration for the export of U.S. defense items.
By making it easier for small businesses and manufacturers to participate at the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the Manzullo provision removes a significant barrier that prevented small businesses from being more competitive with their foreign competitors.
The Manzullo provision designates a Small Business Liaison at the State Department and adds a small business website to the Department’s homepage to facilitate direct communication for small businesses seeking to export overseas.
In 2007, the Rockford area exported $1.4 billion worth of goods to the world.
The bill now heads to the full House for consideration.
“This legislation streamlines the process, reduces the application backlog, and allows greater scrutiny on sensitive exports that could harm our country,” Manzullo said. “It would better protect our nation while helping U.S. companies sell more goods and services to our allies, creating more jobs for Americans.”
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Bureaucratic Withholding Power, Don Manzullo, Foreign Trade, Pete Castillo
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Cap and Trade Denounced by Don Manzullo
The following press release has been received from 16th congressman Don Manzullo:
Manzullo: Cap and Trade will Devastate U.S. Manufacturing, Cost More Americans Their Jobs
WASHINGTON –U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) took to the floor of the House this afternoon to deliver the message that the proposed “cap and trade” energy plan working its way through Congress will skyrocket energy costs for U.S. manufacturers, give their Chinese and Indian competitors a huge incentive to sell more into the United States, and put many more Americans on the unemployment lines.
Manzullo, who hosted forums in Rockford and Crystal Lake Monday to discuss the issue with local manufacturers, says cap and trade will be the final straw that puts many American manufacturers out of business in these difficult times.
Manzullo: Cap and Trade will Devastate U.S. Manufacturing, Cost More Americans Their JobsWASHINGTON –U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) took to the floor of the House this afternoon to deliver the message that the proposed “cap and trade” energy plan working its way through Congress will skyrocket energy costs for U.S. manufacturers, give their Chinese and Indian competitors a huge incentive to sell more into the United States, and put many more Americans on the unemployment lines.
Manzullo, who hosted forums in Rockford and Crystal Lake Monday to discuss the issue with local manufacturers, says cap and trade will be the final straw that puts many American manufacturers out of business in these difficult times.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Cap and Trade, Don Manzullo
Friday, May 15, 2009
Manzullo Honored by Italian-American Group
I'm not aware that any of the Italian family I married into has membership in the Order of the Sons of Italy, but the group has awarded 16th District Republican Congressman Don Manzullo its Leonardo da Vinci Award. You can read the press release below. The photo is of first term Peoria Congressman Aaron Schock with Manzullo at a recent Rockford fundraiser by the congressman's Press Secretary Rich Carter at my request.
[ORLAND PARK, IL] The largest organization of Italian-American men and women in America has honored Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) with its Leonardo da Vinci Award of Excellence.
Manzullo, whose grandparents lived in Calabria, Marsala and Palermo in Italy before they emigrated to the United States, accepted the award May 3rd from the Order Sons of Italy in America Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois.
The Gala awards ceremony took place at the Drury Lane Oakbrook.
“It is a tremendous honor for me to receive this prestigious award from the Order Sons of Italy in America,” Manzullo said.
“Growing up and working in my family’s Italian restaurant in New Milford, my Italian-American heritage has always been an important part of my life. I accept this Leonardo da Vinci Award on behalf of my grandparents, Vito and Carmela DiGirolomo and Antonio and Ignasia Manzullo, who came to the United States in search of the American dream, and my parents, Frank and Kathryn Manzullo, whose son was elected to the United States Congress.”
In addition to receiving the da Vinci award, Manzullo will also be featured in the summer edition of the Amici Journal, the National Italian American Lifestyle Magazine.
Order Sons of Italy in America Honors
Manzullo with Leonardo da Vinci Award
Manzullo with Leonardo da Vinci Award
[ORLAND PARK, IL] The largest organization of Italian-American men and women in America has honored Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) with its Leonardo da Vinci Award of Excellence.Manzullo, whose grandparents lived in Calabria, Marsala and Palermo in Italy before they emigrated to the United States, accepted the award May 3rd from the Order Sons of Italy in America Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois.
The Gala awards ceremony took place at the Drury Lane Oakbrook.
“It is a tremendous honor for me to receive this prestigious award from the Order Sons of Italy in America,” Manzullo said.
“Growing up and working in my family’s Italian restaurant in New Milford, my Italian-American heritage has always been an important part of my life. I accept this Leonardo da Vinci Award on behalf of my grandparents, Vito and Carmela DiGirolomo and Antonio and Ignasia Manzullo, who came to the United States in search of the American dream, and my parents, Frank and Kathryn Manzullo, whose son was elected to the United States Congress.”
In addition to receiving the da Vinci award, Manzullo will also be featured in the summer edition of the Amici Journal, the National Italian American Lifestyle Magazine.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Aaron Schock, Amici Journal, Don Manzullo, Italian American Lifestyle Magazine, Order of the Sons of Italy
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Manzullo Asks for Cash for Randall Road, Metra to Huntley & Marengo
A press release from Don Manzullo:
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today requested significant federal funding for priority road and rail projects in McHenry County as part of the next long-range surface transportation funding bill Congress will consider later this year.
Requested projects include:
“These federal funds would go a long way to reduce traffic congestion, improve safety, and clean the environment in McHenry County.”
Manzullo has secured significant federal funding for the Western Bypass of Algonquin ($19 million), the Rakow Road widening project in Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills ($6.4 million), and the Route 47 widening project through Huntley ($6.7 million).
In addition, he worked with Senators Durbin and Obama and the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation to secure an additional $6.2 billion in federal road funds in 2005 for the State of Illinois, a record 30 percent increase from the prior bill.
= = = = =
You see a winter day on Randall Road and a Union Pacific freight train speeding through Marengo.
Manzullo Seeks Federal Funds for Major Road, Rail Projects in McHenry County
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today requested significant federal funding for priority road and rail projects in McHenry County as part of the next long-range surface transportation funding bill Congress will consider later this year.
Requested projects include:
Randall Road widening project – The $115 million project calls for widening Randall Road for 3.5 miles and improving the intersections from the McHenry/Kane county line north to Ackman Road. Federal funds would help cover the Phase I and Phase II engineering phases, including land acquisition for the project. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2014.
Passenger Rail from Chicago through McHenry County to Dubuque, IA – This $185 million project involves extending passenger rail along the Union Pacific tracks from the Elgin Big Timber station through Huntley, Marengo, Belvidere, Rockford, Freeport, Galena to Dubuque, IA. Federal funding could be used for engineering, right-of-way acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of the Union Pacific rail corridor to allow for extended commuter rail service to Rockford and the return of Amtrak service to northern Illinois. Working with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Manzullo secured $2.4 million in the last federal road bill to help fund the initial studies for the rail extension.
“These federal funds would go a long way to reduce traffic congestion, improve safety, and clean the environment in McHenry County.”
Manzullo has secured significant federal funding for the Western Bypass of Algonquin ($19 million), the Rakow Road widening project in Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills ($6.4 million), and the Route 47 widening project through Huntley ($6.7 million).
In addition, he worked with Senators Durbin and Obama and the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation to secure an additional $6.2 billion in federal road funds in 2005 for the State of Illinois, a record 30 percent increase from the prior bill.
= = = = =
You see a winter day on Randall Road and a Union Pacific freight train speeding through Marengo.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Belvidere, Don Manzullo, Dubuque, Huntley, Metra, Randall Road, Rockford
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Peoria's Aaron Shock, Youngest Congressman, to Appear for Don Manzullo Friday Fund Raiser
Veteran Illinois Congressman Don Manzullo is bringing in his most recent colleague to speak on his behalf for a Friday noon fund raising luncheon in Rockford.Tickets are still available for the 27-year old congressman's appearance.
Manzullo's 16th congressional district is being targeted by liberals because of how well Barack Obama did last fall. He carried McHenry County, for instance.
Still time to buy tickets. Details below:
Manzullo Welcomes Rising GOP Star to Rockford on Friday for Congressional Luncheon
ROCKFORD – Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) will host a fundraising luncheon in Rockford on Friday. His special guest is 27-year-old Congressman Aaron Schock (R-Peoria) who will be speaking on “Reclaiming the American Dream.”
More than 400 seats have already been reserved for “The Congressional Luncheon” that will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 1 at Giovanni’s Restaurant, 610 N. Bell School Road in Rockford.
Rep. Schock was elected last November to serve the Peoria-based seat vacated by now-U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
Aaron’s political career began at an early age when the board president of his school district denied his request to graduate early from high school. When he turned 19, he ran against that school board president -- and won!
At the age of 23, he was simultaneously the youngest school board president in history and the youngest Illinois State Representative.
At the age of 27, he is now the youngest Member of Congress, where he sits on the House Transportation, Small Business & Oversight and Government Reform Committees. He was also chosen by Leadership to serve as Deputy Republican Whip. He is the first Member of Congress born in the 1980s.
Manzullo, a Member of the House Financial Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, will also briefly discuss the work he has been doing in Washington on behalf of his constituents.
Tickets are $50 per person and can be obtained by calling the Manzullo for Congress campaign headquarters at (815) 394-1992.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Aaron Shock, Democratic Target, Don Manzullo, Fund Raiser, Giovanni’s Restaurant, Liberat Target, Target
Monday, April 20, 2009
Manzullo's Next Year Budget Requests
Here is what 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo is requesting be placed in next year's Federal budget: Rakow Road Widening Project in McHenry CountyHere are the details of the McHenry County projects:Aerospace Education/R&D Center in Rockford
Sewer System Improvement in Savanna
Flood Mitigation Project in DeKalb County
Keith Creek Flood Control Project in Rockford
Groundwater Protection Program in McHenry County
Manufacturing Technology Program at NIU
Rockford Crimefighting Technology Initiative
U of I Center for Rural Health in Rockford
Technology Upgrades at Rockford College
Autism Independence Program in McHenry County
Rockford West Side Economic Development Initiative
Communications Equipment for Winnebago County Sheriff's Department
8th District Congresswoman Melissa Bean's list is here.Rakow Road Widening Project in McHenry County
$1 million is requested to help fund the Rakow Road widening project in Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills, which impacts tens of thousands of motorists every day. This is a major traffic congestion relief project that will go to construction in the Spring of 2010. McHenry County is one of the most congested areas of the country and federal funding is greatly needed to support this important road project that helps not only McHenry County, but the entire region.
Groundwater Protection Program in McHenry County
$280,000 is requested to help fund implementation of the McHenry County Groundwater Protection Program. This program uniquely seeks to address protection of the quantity and quality of the groundwater resources, the sole source of drinking water for all of McHenry County. Information gained from this project will benefit the local governments, the 11-county Regional Water Supply Planning Groups, and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning by providing a more complete description of the available groundwater resources.
Autism Independence Program in McHenry County
$100,000 is requested to help expand the Pathways Program at the Special Education District of McHenry County (SEDOM) to provide assistance for postsecondary students with intellectual disabilities including individuals on the autism spectrum, in partnership with McHenry County College. This project addresses crucial educational goals to close the gap for preparing young adults on the autism spectrum with the necessary social and vocational skills required for living independently.
Bean's projects in McHenry County follow:
Law Enforcement Advocacy Partnership (LEAP)And, in Barrington, we have the following being requested by Congresswoman Bean:Public Safety Communication (McHenry County, IL)
Recipient: Turning Point, Inc., located at P.O. Box 723, Woodstock, Illinois 60019
Description: $300,000 through the Department of Justice’s Juvenile Justice account to the LEAP program to support the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) at the local level. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars because LEAP is a collaboration between 15 police departments, the State’s Attorney and Turning Point that provides crisis intervention, emergency shelter, overnight and daily orders of protection, domestic violence training for police, and advocacy in court for domestic violence victims.
Village of Johnsburg Wastewater Treatment Facility
Recipient: McHenry County, located at 2200 North Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098
Description: $400,000 through the Department of Justice’s COPS Law Enforcement Technology and Interoperable Communications account to McHenry County, IL to improve communication in areas at risk for both manmade and natural disasters, and as a means to protect data exchange between various local entities. McHenry County is in the process of bringing in new computer technology to the Courts, State’s Attorney, Public Defender, Sheriff’s Office and Jail. This technology upgrade is a critical step toward integrating the County’s criminal justice information system, but it will not complete the project. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars to complete the interface between law enforcement and the court system, thereby allowing McHenry County to completely utilize the benefits of fully integrated criminal justice system. McHenry County received $94,000 in federal support in FY2008, and has committed over $3,000,000 of its own funding to the Integrated Justice Project.
Recipient: Village of Johnsburg, located at 1515 Channel Beach Drive, Johnsburg, IL 60050
Description: $500,000 through the EPA’s STAG account for Village of Johnsburg to assist with the construction of a centralized wastewater treatment and collection system. This funding would compliment $462,200 that was received in The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because an estimated 300,000,000 gallons of raw or partially treated wastewater that is being discharged from failed or failing septic tanks into the Fox River each year. In addition to being one of the nation’s most popular recreational waterways, the Fox River is the primary source of drinking water for some 200,000 people. Improving the quality of its water will also complement ongoing efforts to clean up and restore the ecosystem of the Illinois River, into which the Fox River flows.
Village of Spring Grove Water Main Extension
F.A.S.T. Solutions Initiative
Recipient: Village of Spring Grove, located at 7401 Meyer Road, Spring Grove, IL 60081
Description: $150,000 in the EPA’s STAG account to expand the sewer and water main through the town of Spring Grove, which is 95% comprised of septic systems that are adjacent to a high value aquatic resource. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because he septic systems in this area are failing and even with temporary repairs, they can’t keep up with current and proposed infrastructure in the area. The biggest impact the water main extension would have is on the local elementary school, which is in dire need of expansion but can’t proceed without access to the water main. The extension will also increase the number of users on the municipal system and add to the number of hydrants available to a commercial area.
Miller Road Widening (McHenry County, IL)
Recipient: McHenry County, located at 2200 North Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098
Description: $250,000 through the Department of Education, Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FISPE), or the Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Training and Employment Services to fund the F.A.S.T Solutions Initiative. This program is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars because it will provide flexible and sustainable workforce training in a “boot camp” format which is designed to provide intensive, short-term occupational training in specific fields identified by employers through their participation on the McHenry County Workforce Investment Board (WIB).
Recipient: McHenry County Department of Transportation, located at 2200 North Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098
Description: $500,000 from the Transportation, Community and System Preservation (TCSP) account in the FY10 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) budget to widen Miller Road from Illinois Route 31 to River Road. This funding would compliment $6,839,000 that was received in SAFETEA-LU and The Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 for improvements to Miller Road. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because by widening Miller Road from Routes 31 to River Road in McHenry, Illinois to four lanes, existing and projected traffic demands would be met well into the future for this heavily traveled north-south thoroughfare in eastern McHenry County.
Ultra-Wide Coverage VIS/NIR Sensor for Force Protection
Recipient: Goodrich ISR Systems Barrington, located at 550 West Northwest Hwy, Barrington, IL 60010
Description: $2,850,000 from Navy, Research and Development, RDT&E, Force Protection Advanced Technology (Line 16, PE# 0603123N) for the Ultra-Wide Coverage VIS/NIR Sensor for Force Protection. This is for developing, integrating and demonstrating a new visible/near infrared sensor that would be used for airborne persistence surveillance. The advanced sensor technologies will be incorporated to include high resolution, high quantum efficiency, very large format visible / near IR detectors coupled with high fidelity, geo-spatially accurate optics. These technologies will be integrated into a comprehensive surveillance system suitable for manned, or unmanned, and long endurance missions.
Wide Area Sensor for Force Protection (Targeting)
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Recipient: Goodrich ISR Systems Barrington, located at 550 West Northwest Hwy, Barrington, IL 60010
Description: $2,050,000 from Navy, Research and Development, RDT&E, Force Protection Advanced Technology (Line 16, PE# 0603123N) for the Wide Area Sensor for Force Protection (Targeting). This is for developing the wide area sensor program to build a deployable day/night, wide-area, persistent surveillance system to provide real-time surveillance for combat troops in theater. These technologies will be integrated into a comprehensive surveillance system suitable for manned, or unmanned, and long endurance missions.
Recipient: Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, located at 450 West Highway, Barrington, IL 60010
Description: $72,500 through the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Account for the Breast Cancer Center at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital. This funding is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars because it will support the development of a centralized digital mammography reading station at the Breast Care Center “headquarters” on the Advocate Good Shepherd campus, so the hospital’s radiologists have the equipment and capacity they need to read and interpret a rapidly growing volume of screening and diagnostic mammograms.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Earmark, Melissa Bean, Pork
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Area Missed by High Speed Rail
Monday Rockford-area (and McHenry County) 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo tried to get President Barack Obama and his Peoria-based Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood to allocate some high speed rail money to a Chicago route that would include Winnebago County.No success on that pitch, though.
Look at the map on the front page of the Chicago Tribune today. (Click to enlarge.)
Madison is relatively close to Rockford, but the route is from Chicago to Milwaukee to Madison.
Wisconsin wins big in this derby.
Illinois doesn't do poorly, at least for those who want to go between Springfield and Springfield.
The route goes all the way to St. Louis, but I have a hard time relating to the part south of Springfield.
The summary about a high speed train trip to St. Louis says it will take 3 hours and 49 minutes to get from Chicago to St. Louis.
No ticket price is suggested in the article.It says a car trip is now 4 hours, 52 minutes.
But for those of us in the far Northwest 'burbs, it would take at least and hour and half to get to Union Station in Chicago.
So, 5 hours and 20 minutes for me to get to St. Louis.
Versus 4 hours and 52 minutes by car.More relaxing, of course.
Kind of tough to read in a car...unless one can convince one's spouse to drive...as I always try to do.
It takes me four hours to drive to Springfield and about another 1 and a half to get to St. Louis.
So, would McHenry County residents take high speed rail to St. Louis.
Not very likely.
In the end mode of transportation comes down to a cost-benefit analysis.
An alternative has to be as convenient and comparably priced.
Ignored even though our citizens voted for Obama.
Oh, well.
That's the way it goes.
= = = = =
The Amtrak train you see is rocking through Downtown Springfield, Illinois, on some of the worst track imaginable.
Labels: Amtrak, Barack Obama, Chicago, Don Manzullo, High Speed Rail, Illinois, Madison, Rockford, Springfield, St. Louis
Friday, April 17, 2009
Manzullo Announces Merchant Marine Academy Appointment
In the aftermath of the Easter rescue of Merchant Marine Captain Richard Phillips, 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo has appointed Crystal Laker Christopher Benard to the Kings Point U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
Here is Manzullo's press release:
Here is Manzullo's press release:
CL Central High School Student Appointed to United States Merchant Marine Academy
[CRYSTAL LAKE] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today announced that Christopher Benard of Crystal Lake, Illinois, has received an appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY.
Christopher will graduate in June 2009 from Crystal Lake Central High School in Crystal Lake. Christopher is an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America.
He is also a member of the Peer Ministry Team at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Crystal Lake, where he assumed a leadership role planning and implementing retreats for the youth group.
At Central, Christopher is a member of the Wrestling Team and past member of the Football Team. Christopher is the son of Tony and Cindy Benard of Crystal Lake.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Christopher Benard, CLCHS, Crystal Lake Central High School, Don Manzullo, Eagle Scout, Easter, St. Thomas Catholic Church
Monday, April 13, 2009
Manzullo Pushes for Amtrak Service to Rockford
16th District Congressman Don Manzullo is calling on former colleague Ray LaHood, for a favor. LaHood is now Barack Obama's Department of Transportation Secretary, to earmark high speed rail money for a new Amtrak route to Rockford and beyond.
Here's Manzullo's press release:
Manzullo Urges U.S. Transportation Secretary to Prioritize N. Illinois Amtrak Route for Funding
New Amtrak line would run from Chicago to Rockford to Dubuque
[WASHINGTON] U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) is asking U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to set aside a small portion of the $8 billion targeted for high-speed rail this year to help fund track improvements needed to restart the Amtrak line running from Chicago to Rockford and beyond to Freeport, Galena and Dubuque, Iowa.
Manzullo teamed up with Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA) in seeking the federal funds to help pay for the minimum $32 million in track upgrades needed to allow Amtrak trains to run 182 miles from Chicago to Dubuque. The request is outlined in a letter Manzullo and Braley sent to Secretary LaHood on Monday.“One of the most promising additions to the Midwest’s Chicago Hub Network is the Chicago-Dubuque Intercity Passenger Rail Corridor via Rockford, Freeport, Lena and Galena,” the letter states. “We frequently hear from constituents who look forward to the benefits of passenger rail for business, tourism and commuter travel as well as the associated impact on regional commerce and quality of life.”
Manzullo has been a strong supporter of Amtrak and commuter rail and has worked with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to encourage Amtrak to re-start the Chicago-to-Dubuque line through Rockford. In 2005, Manzullo and Durbin secured $2.6 million for a study to determine the feasibility of extending commuter rail from Chicago to Belvidere and Rockford.= = = = =
On top you see the possible routes for an Amtrak route to take from Chicago to Rockford. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is seen with Congressman Don Manzullo at the March, 2007, hearing on the subject at Rockford College. The three possible routes can be seen on the map. As far as I know, the recommended one is blue one. You will notice it does not go through McHenry County.
Labels: Amtrak, Dick Durbin, Don Manzullo, High Speed Rail, Ray LaHood
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Manzullo YouTube Hero
The Washington Times is reporting that 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo is a YouTube star.
Here's the guts of the story:
“His heated questioning of Interim Assistant Treasury Secretary Neel Kashkari over American International Group Inc. bonuses is the second-most-popular video, earning 817,365 views,” the article says.
Here's the guts of the story:
“Eight out of the top 10 congressional channels on the online video hub belong to members of the Republican Party and have surpassed Democrats in overall video views, according to TubeMogul Inc., an Emeryville, Calif.-based tracking firm.”Manzullo is in third place with 858,658 views.
“Overall, Republicans surpassed Democrats with about 4.9 million video views compared with nearly 4.3 million as of Tuesday,” the story by Kara Rowland reports.
“His heated questioning of Interim Assistant Treasury Secretary Neel Kashkari over American International Group Inc. bonuses is the second-most-popular video, earning 817,365 views,” the article says.
Labels: AIG, Don Manzullo, Neel Kashkari, YouTube
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Robo Call about Manzullo
It is no surprise to any political figure that if one waits for local newspapers to tell constituents what one want them to hear, one will wait for a very long time, if not forever.
No more will papers print press releases from politicians.
They may not even think the subject an elected official thinks is important merits an inch of space.
Here at McHenry County Blog, we are happy to print politicians' press releases. I can assure you they are read, not only the day they are printed, but previously published press releases are regularly accessed by our 2,000+ daily readers.
So, McHenry County Blog is something of a historical document for what elected officials and those seeking election want (and sometimes don't want) people to read.
Friday, I thought 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo tried a new technique to contact constituents.
A friend told me he got a robo-call from Manzullo. It was about AIG.
That made sense to me, since I had received a press release on the subject from him.
That press release was about how he was doing in Thursday's meeting of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets.
I was told that the woman who recorded the message talked too fast and that the message came at the wrong time of day for the person who told me about it.
I asked Manzullo's press secretary for the text and was told that it wasn't his, that he doesn't do robo calls.
So, I guess it must have been from the Democrats, trying to discredit the congressman.
No more will papers print press releases from politicians.
They may not even think the subject an elected official thinks is important merits an inch of space.
Here at McHenry County Blog, we are happy to print politicians' press releases. I can assure you they are read, not only the day they are printed, but previously published press releases are regularly accessed by our 2,000+ daily readers.
So, McHenry County Blog is something of a historical document for what elected officials and those seeking election want (and sometimes don't want) people to read.Friday, I thought 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo tried a new technique to contact constituents.
A friend told me he got a robo-call from Manzullo. It was about AIG.
That made sense to me, since I had received a press release on the subject from him.
That press release was about how he was doing in Thursday's meeting of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets.
I was told that the woman who recorded the message talked too fast and that the message came at the wrong time of day for the person who told me about it.
I asked Manzullo's press secretary for the text and was told that it wasn't his, that he doesn't do robo calls.
So, I guess it must have been from the Democrats, trying to discredit the congressman.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, AIG, Don Manzullo
Friday, March 20, 2009
Manzullo Introduces $5,000 Vehicle Voucher Bill
16th District Congressman Don Manzullo has introduced legislation that will provide a $5,000 Federal subsidy for new cars purchased during the first six months after its passage.You may remember that the Chrysler auto plant is in his district in Belvidere.
Manzullo Introduces $5,000 Vehicle Voucher Bill
to Bolster Auto Sales, Put Americans Back to Work
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) today introduced legislation to give Americans a $5,000 voucher to purchase a new vehicle, stimulating our struggling automobile manufacturing industry and putting millions of Americans back to work.
The New Automobile Voucher Act of 2009 (HR 1606) would provide a one-time, $5,000 electronic voucher from the U.S. Treasury at the point of sale of a new vehicle.
After 6 months, the voucher would drop to $2,500 and would expire on Jan. 1, 2011, or until the $75 billion authorized funding is exhausted. The voucher could only be used on vehicles valued at under $50,000 and could be combined with existing tax incentives for new vehicle purchases.The automobile industry and its suppliers account for 13 million American jobs, 20 percent of all U.S. retail sales, and billions of dollars in state and local sales taxes. The drop in U.S. vehicle sales from 16 million in 2007 to 13 million in 2008 to a projected 8 million in 2009 has been one of the leading causes of America’s economic downturn and huge job losses.
“We will not have a lasting economic recovery unless we revive our struggling motor vehicle industry, which employs 13 million Americans and is the largest manufacturing sector in the United States,” Manzullo said. “This legislation will give Americans the incentives and the confidence they need to start buying vehicles again, which will bolster automobile manufacturing and sales, put millions of Americans back to work, and restore the tax revenues our state and local government need to continue providing services to the people.”
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Belvidere, Belvidere Chrysler Plant, Don Manzullo
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Manzullo Takes on AIG Bonuses
Here is 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo's take on AIG's latest missteps:
Manzullo: Taxpayers Need Answers on AIG Bonuses
Congressman participating today in major hearing into taxpayer-funded executive payments
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) is participating today in a major Congressional hearing investigating why AIG, a recipient of billions of dollars of taxpayer bailout funds, awarded its executives with $165 million in bonuses last week.
Manzullo delivered the attached statement this morning during a hearing of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government-Sponsored Enterprises, of which Manzullo is a member. Manzullo is planning to question AIG CEO Edward Liddy when he testifies later today, which will be carried live on most of the cable news networks and will be streamed live at http://financialservices.house.gov
Manzullo’s opening statement can also be seen on his YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/repmanzullo
OPENING STATEMENT OF
CONGRESSMAN DON MANZULLO (R-IL)
"I represent Rockford, Illinois, the largest city with 14% unemployment. People are losing their jobs, factories are closing. They’re taking cutbacks, working odd shifts, and taking late night shifts. They aren’t being paid to destroy the economy—they’re being paid to invigorate it.
"They’re sitting in this seat today, all 740,000 of them, wondering, how could government do something so stupid as to allow these people to make that kind of money and then sit back and everybody point fingers at each other?
"We want some answers today.”
Labels: 16th Congressional District, AIG, Don Manzullo
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Earmarks in the Health & Human Services and Labor Budgets – Part 5
There was so much in the congressional Labor Department and Health and Human Services budgets this year that I could not download the file. I had to wait for Taxpayers for Common Sense to create a spreadsheet.
This the final of five installments of the projects earmarked by Illinois congressmen, commonly called "pork."
Some pork is truly atrocious. I'm sure you've seen some articles on some such examples. Although I would be very interested in being able to compare campaign contributions from those given grants, that's a bit beyond my ability at McHenry County Blog.
I also have found some earmarks that are overly broad to put it mildly. I would not be surprised to see some of them be the subject of investigative articles in the future.
But, let's look at the rest of the projects in just these two budgets for now.
McHenry County's 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo is in this list.
Just as 8th District Congresswoman Melissa Bean earmarked nothing for McHenry County in these two budgets, neither did Manzullo.
None of the piggies' hams made it across the border, not considered the home base by either United States Representative.
Dan Lipinski
Don Manzullo
This the final of five installments of the projects earmarked by Illinois congressmen, commonly called "pork."Some pork is truly atrocious. I'm sure you've seen some articles on some such examples. Although I would be very interested in being able to compare campaign contributions from those given grants, that's a bit beyond my ability at McHenry County Blog.
I also have found some earmarks that are overly broad to put it mildly. I would not be surprised to see some of them be the subject of investigative articles in the future.
But, let's look at the rest of the projects in just these two budgets for now.
McHenry County's 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo is in this list.
Just as 8th District Congresswoman Melissa Bean earmarked nothing for McHenry County in these two budgets, neither did Manzullo.
None of the piggies' hams made it across the border, not considered the home base by either United States Representative.
Dan Lipinski
- HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration $285,000 Lipinski – Oak Lawn Family Service, Oak Lawn, IL, for Counseling Services to Village Residents and their Families
- Labor Employment & Training Administration $143,000 Lipinski – Catholic Charities, Chicago, IL, for Veterans Training Services
- Institute of Museum & Library Services $190,000 Lipinski – Children's Museum in Oak Lawn, IL, for Educational Programs
Don Manzullo- HHS Health Resources and Services Administration $238,000 Manzullo – Crusader Clinic, Rockford, IL, for Electronic Medical Records, including Purchase of Equipment
- HHS Health Resources and Services Administration $238,000 Manzullo – University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, Peoria, IL, for Facilities and Equipment
- HHS CDC $95,000 Roskam – Access Community Health Network, Martin Russo Health Center, Bloomingdale, IL, to Implement Community-Based Heart Health Program
- HHS Health Resources and Services Administration $143,000 Roskam – Adventist GlenOaks Hospital, Glendale Heights, IL, for Facilities and Equipment
- HHS Health Resources and Services Administration $190,000 Roskam – DuPage Convalescent Center, Wheaton, IL, for Facilities and Equipment
- HHS Health Resources and Services Administration $238,000 Rush – St. Bernard Hospital, Chicago, IL, for Facilities and Equipment
- HHS Health Resources and Services Administration $381,000 Weller, Durbin – Olivet Nazarene University, Boubonnais, IL, for Facilities and Equipment
- HHS Health Resources and Services Administration $238,000 Weller, Durbin – Riverside Healthcare, Kankakee, IL, for Facilities and Equipment
Labels: Bobby Rush, Dan Lipinski, Don Manzullo, Health and Human Services, Jerry Weller, Labor Department, Peter Roskam, Taxpayers for Common Sense
Friday, March 13, 2009
Manzullo Willing to Connect
Twitter, Facebook, YouTube.
You name it, Don Manzullo is willing to use the technique to connect with you.
Here is 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo's press release:
You name it, Don Manzullo is willing to use the technique to connect with you.
Here is 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo's press release:
Manzullo Enhances Online Communications with Residents Through YouTube, Facebook and Twitter
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) is utilizing social media on the Internet to enhance his online communications with northern Illinois residents and inform them of important updates in real time.Manzullo’s YouTube page has become extremely popular since its launch last fall, amassing more than 713,000 views to date and moving him into 17th Place for all-time views on the Politician Channel (just ahead of the JoeBidendotcom page). The signature video on Manzullo’s page – his 5-minute questioning of federal bailout czar Neel Kashkari – has received more than 650,000 views and 500 comments. You can view and subscribe to Manzullo’s YouTube videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/repmanzullo
In addition, Manzullo has upgraded his official Congressional website with Flash video, Google maps, podcasts, an enhanced photo album, and social media tags. Residents can continue to sign up to receive Manzullo’s email updates here.
To date, more than 3,320 residents have subscribed to Manzullo’s e-newsletters, emailed news releases, and updates on issues of interest.
The website also provides Manzullo’s positions on issues and bills he has authored and co-sponsored.
The Constituent Services section provides assistance to the people of northern Illinois who are having problems cutting through the red tape of the federal bureaucracy. It also helps constituents order U.S. flags, sign up for tours in Washington, D.C. and apply for the military academies.
“Communicating with the people I represent has always been important to me, and the difficult times we face as a nation right now make it even more vital for me to hear from residents,” Manzullo said. “I strongly encourage the people of northern Illinois to visit my web page and sign up for my email updates, as well as subscribe to my pages on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. I look forward to hearing from residents on the important issues we face as a nation.”
Labels: Don Manzullo, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Illinois Congressional Pork Report
Taxpayers for Common Sense have totaled up the congressional earmarks in the budget bill being voted on this week.
I was reminded of that when I read an editorial cartoon sent to me by my Joplin, Missouri, brother-in-law. It was in the Saganaw News.
Eschewing pork were Republicans Judy Biggert and Mark Kirk.
Three retired members, Rahm Emanuel, Ray LaHood and Jerry Weller get credit for projects anyway.
Newly elected Congress folks Debbie Halvorson and Aaron Shock were not listed.
Tomorrow, the bacon our United States Senators brought home.
I was reminded of that when I read an editorial cartoon sent to me by my Joplin, Missouri, brother-in-law. It was in the Saganaw News.Scene: Husband and wife sitting at the breakfast table.Below is the list of who got what in this year's budget, which is due to be passed only about six months after the beginning of the fiscal year. They are listed in descending order from highest to lowest dollar amount of pork projects
Husband: “Sez here they arrested a D.C. Madam for running a house of ill repute...”
Wife: “They arrested Polisi?”
Ray LaHood, 23 earmarks totaling $8,774,250- Rahm Emanuel, 10 earmarks totaling $6,523,000
- Jerry Costello, 12 earmarks totaling $5,425,175
- Dan Lipinski, 12 projects totaling $4,451,172
- Melissa Bean, 10 earmarks totaling $3,687,314 (one in McHenry County)
- Bill Foster, 12 earmarks totaling $3,095,000
- Danny Davis, 10 earmarks totaling $3,066,014
Tim Johnson, 8 earmarks totaling $2,806,100- Jesse Jackson, Jr., 15 earmarks totaling $2,783,500
- Peter Roskam, 12 earmarks totaling $2,655,330
- John Shimkus, 13 earmarks totaling $2,421,750
- Bobby Rush, 8 earmarks totaling $2,073,375
- Don Manzullo, 6 earmarks totaling $2,070,500 (one in McHenry County)
- Phil Hare, 7 earmarks totaling $2,031,000
- Jan Schakowsky, 8 earmarks totaling $1,644,000
Luis Gutierrez, 2 earmarks totaling $760,000- Jerry Weller, 7 earmarks totaling $1,243,250
Eschewing pork were Republicans Judy Biggert and Mark Kirk.
Three retired members, Rahm Emanuel, Ray LaHood and Jerry Weller get credit for projects anyway.
Newly elected Congress folks Debbie Halvorson and Aaron Shock were not listed.
Tomorrow, the bacon our United States Senators brought home.
Labels: Bill Foster, Bobby Rush, Dan Lipinski, Danny Davis, Don Manzullo, Earmark, Jerry Costello, Jesse Jackson Jr., John Shimkus, Melissa Bean, Peter Roskam, Pork, Rahm Emanuel, Ray LaHood, Tim Johnson
Illinos Corps of Engineers Pork
Barge users get subsidized transportation from the Corps of Engineers on the Mississippi River. Army engineers get to stay on the payroll.
Past environmental sins like the creek that flowed past the old Chicago Stockyards called Bubbly Creek has money thrown at it.
Suburban developers who build homes where a diminished watershed pushed streams out of their beds during rains like last weekends get big money spent to lessen the impact of poor planning.
And congressmen take credit.
Even ex-congressmen like Ray LaHood and Ron Emanuel.
Below is what's in this year's budget.
Again I have listed the U.S. House member named first, if there is more than one or if Senator Dick Durbin is also named. Only projects where Durbin is the only congressman identified are listed under his name. There is really no way to know which congressman was most influential in getting projects where more than one is named.
Taxpayers for Common Sense gets the credit for posting the information where I could find it.
Melissa Bean
Corps of Engineers $28,709,000 Bean, Davis, Jackson, Roskam, Rush, Schakowsky, Durbin – McCook and Thorton Reservoirs
Jerry Costello
Corps of Engineers $502,000 Costello, Shimkus, Durbin – Prairie Dupont Levee and Sanitary District and Fish Lake Drainage and Levee District, IL
Corps of Engineers $2,392,000 Costello, Shimkus, Durbin – Chain of Rocks Canal, Mississippi River, IL (Def Corr)
Corps of Engineers $718,000 Costello, Shimkus, Durbin – E. Saint Louis, IL
Corps of Engineers $335,000 Costello, Shimkus – Madison and St. Clair Counties, IL
Corps of Engineers $2,632,000 Costello, Shimkus, Durbin – Wood River Levee, IL
Corps of Engineers No Price Given O&M Costello – Kaskaskia River Navigation, IL
Danny Davis
Corps of Engineers No Price Given Sec. 206 Davis – Ping Tom, IL
Dick Durbin
Corps of Engineers $478,000 Durbin – Des Plaines River, Il (Phase II)
Corps of Engineers $125,000 Durbin – E. Saint Louis and Vicinity, IL
Corps of Engineers $2,486,000 Durbin, Bond – Lock and Dam 27, Mississippi River, (Major Rehab)
Corps of Engineers $144,000 Durbin – Nutwood Drainage and Levee District, IL
Corps of Engineers No Price Given Sec. 206 Durbin – Squaw Creek (Round Lake Drain), IL
Phil Hare
Corps of Engineers No Price Given Sec. 206 Hare, LaHood, Durbin – Emiqoin Preserve, IL
Corps of Engineers No Price O&M Hare – Andalusia Harbor, IL
Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Corps of Engineers $500,000 Jackson, Durbin – Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Second Barrier, IL
Corps of Engineers $4,000,000 Jackson, Durbin – Chicago Shoreline, IL
Corps of Engineers $125,000 Jackson, Lipinski – Cook County, IL
Corps of Engineers No Price Given Sec. 1135 Jackson – Indian Ridge Marsh, IL
Corps of Engineers No Price Given Sec. 1135 Jackson – Spunky Bottoms, IL
Tim Johnson
Corps of Engineers $96,000 Johnson – Grayville Dam, IL
Ray LaHood
Corps of Engineers $382,000 LaHood – Illinois River Basin Restoration, IL
Corps of Engineers $48,000 LaHood, Durbin – Peoria Riverfront Development, IL
Corps of Engineers No Price Given Sec. 205 LaHood – Meredosia, IL
Dan Lipinski
Corps of Engineers $411,000 Lipinski – S. Fork, South Branch, Chicago River (Bubbly Creek), IL
Don Manzullo
Corps of Engineers $526,000 Manzullo, Durbin – Keith Creek, Rockford, IL
Peter Roskam
Corps of Engineers $5,750,000 Roskam, et al – Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Dispersal Barrier, IL
Corps of Engineers $7,500,000 Roskam, Durbin – Des Plaines River, IL
John Shimkus
Corps of Engineers No Price Given O&M Shimkus, Durbin – Lake Shelbyville, IL
= = = = =
The Algonquin dam was rebuilt by the U.S. Corps of Engineers recently. You see what it looked like last year when it was wide open.
In descending order, there are pictures of Melissa Bean, Dick Durbin (talking to Don Manzullo), Jesse Jackson, Jr., and Don Manzullo.
Past environmental sins like the creek that flowed past the old Chicago Stockyards called Bubbly Creek has money thrown at it.Suburban developers who build homes where a diminished watershed pushed streams out of their beds during rains like last weekends get big money spent to lessen the impact of poor planning.
And congressmen take credit.
Even ex-congressmen like Ray LaHood and Ron Emanuel.
Below is what's in this year's budget.
Again I have listed the U.S. House member named first, if there is more than one or if Senator Dick Durbin is also named. Only projects where Durbin is the only congressman identified are listed under his name. There is really no way to know which congressman was most influential in getting projects where more than one is named.
Taxpayers for Common Sense gets the credit for posting the information where I could find it.
Melissa Bean
Corps of Engineers $28,709,000 Bean, Davis, Jackson, Roskam, Rush, Schakowsky, Durbin – McCook and Thorton Reservoirs
Jerry Costello
Corps of Engineers $502,000 Costello, Shimkus, Durbin – Prairie Dupont Levee and Sanitary District and Fish Lake Drainage and Levee District, IL
Corps of Engineers $2,392,000 Costello, Shimkus, Durbin – Chain of Rocks Canal, Mississippi River, IL (Def Corr)
Corps of Engineers $718,000 Costello, Shimkus, Durbin – E. Saint Louis, IL
Corps of Engineers $335,000 Costello, Shimkus – Madison and St. Clair Counties, IL
Corps of Engineers $2,632,000 Costello, Shimkus, Durbin – Wood River Levee, IL
Corps of Engineers No Price Given O&M Costello – Kaskaskia River Navigation, IL
Danny Davis
Corps of Engineers No Price Given Sec. 206 Davis – Ping Tom, IL
Dick Durbin
Corps of Engineers $478,000 Durbin – Des Plaines River, Il (Phase II)Corps of Engineers $125,000 Durbin – E. Saint Louis and Vicinity, IL
Corps of Engineers $2,486,000 Durbin, Bond – Lock and Dam 27, Mississippi River, (Major Rehab)
Corps of Engineers $144,000 Durbin – Nutwood Drainage and Levee District, IL
Corps of Engineers No Price Given Sec. 206 Durbin – Squaw Creek (Round Lake Drain), IL
Phil Hare
Corps of Engineers No Price Given Sec. 206 Hare, LaHood, Durbin – Emiqoin Preserve, IL
Corps of Engineers No Price O&M Hare – Andalusia Harbor, IL
Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Corps of Engineers $500,000 Jackson, Durbin – Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Second Barrier, ILCorps of Engineers $4,000,000 Jackson, Durbin – Chicago Shoreline, IL
Corps of Engineers $125,000 Jackson, Lipinski – Cook County, IL
Corps of Engineers No Price Given Sec. 1135 Jackson – Indian Ridge Marsh, IL
Corps of Engineers No Price Given Sec. 1135 Jackson – Spunky Bottoms, IL
Tim Johnson
Corps of Engineers $96,000 Johnson – Grayville Dam, IL
Ray LaHood
Corps of Engineers $382,000 LaHood – Illinois River Basin Restoration, IL
Corps of Engineers $48,000 LaHood, Durbin – Peoria Riverfront Development, IL
Corps of Engineers No Price Given Sec. 205 LaHood – Meredosia, IL
Dan Lipinski
Corps of Engineers $411,000 Lipinski – S. Fork, South Branch, Chicago River (Bubbly Creek), IL
Don Manzullo
Corps of Engineers $526,000 Manzullo, Durbin – Keith Creek, Rockford, IL
Peter Roskam
Corps of Engineers $5,750,000 Roskam, et al – Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Dispersal Barrier, IL
Corps of Engineers $7,500,000 Roskam, Durbin – Des Plaines River, IL
John Shimkus
Corps of Engineers No Price Given O&M Shimkus, Durbin – Lake Shelbyville, IL
= = = = =
The Algonquin dam was rebuilt by the U.S. Corps of Engineers recently. You see what it looked like last year when it was wide open.
In descending order, there are pictures of Melissa Bean, Dick Durbin (talking to Don Manzullo), Jesse Jackson, Jr., and Don Manzullo.
Labels: Corps of Engineers, Dan Lipinski, Danny Davis, Dick Durbin, Don Manzullo, Jerry Costello, Jesse Jackson Jr., John Shimkus, Melissa Bean, Peter Roskam, Phil Hare, Ray LaHood, Tim Johnson
Monday, March 09, 2009
Illinois Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Congressional Earmarks – Part 4
For the last three days, we have listed the pork found in the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development part of this year's budget found because Taxpayers for Common Sense posted such congressional earmarks.
The whole list for this part of the budget can be found here.
16th District Congressman Don Manzullo has $570,000 in it for widening Rakow Road, which he announced on February 24th.
Today the first name in our alphabetic listing of congressmen is Ray LaHood and the last is Jerry Weller.
Even though LaHood and Weller did not run for re-election, both have a number of projects in this year's budget.
Newly-appointed U.S. Senator Roland Burris has none.
And, as Secretary of Transportation in the Barack Obama administration, LaHood will undoubtedly make sure the money he put in his budget will get spent.
The ex-congressmen's projects, as well as those of Dan Lipinski, Don Manzullo, Peter Roskam, Bobby Rush, Jan Schakowsky and John Shimkus follow:
Ray LaHood
The whole list for this part of the budget can be found here.
16th District Congressman Don Manzullo has $570,000 in it for widening Rakow Road, which he announced on February 24th.Today the first name in our alphabetic listing of congressmen is Ray LaHood and the last is Jerry Weller.
Even though LaHood and Weller did not run for re-election, both have a number of projects in this year's budget.
Newly-appointed U.S. Senator Roland Burris has none.
And, as Secretary of Transportation in the Barack Obama administration, LaHood will undoubtedly make sure the money he put in his budget will get spent.
The ex-congressmen's projects, as well as those of Dan Lipinski, Don Manzullo, Peter Roskam, Bobby Rush, Jan Schakowsky and John Shimkus follow:
Ray LaHood
- Buses and Bus Facilities $104,500 LaHood – Paratransit Vehicles, West Central Mass Transit District, IL
- Buses and Bus Facilities $380,000 LaHood – Replacement of Paratransit Vehicles, Greater Peoria Mass Transit District, Peoria, IL
- Economic Development Initiatives $95,000 LaHood – Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences, Peoria, IL, for Planning and Construction of a New Building that will Highlight the Achievement and Skills of Art, History, Science and Achievement
- Economic Development Initiatives $332,500 LaHood – OFS Healthcare System, Peoria, IL, for Planning, Design and Construction of a Hospice Home
- Buses and Bus Facilities $475,000 Lipinski – Toyota Park PACE Transit Center, IL
Economic Development Initiatives $190,000 Lipinski – Mt. Greenwood Park, Chicago, IL, for Renovation and Rehabilitation of a Playground in the Mt. Greenwood Area
- Transportation, Community and System Preservation $570,000 Manzullo – Widening of Rakow Road, McHenry County, IL
- Economic Development Initiatives $237,500 Manzullo – City of Freeport, IL, for Relocating Existing Power Lines to Underground Areas and for Streetscaping
- Alternatives Analysis $237,500 Roskam – Alternative Analysis for J-Route Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), IL
- Transportation, Community and System Preservation $475,000 Roskam – Busse Woods Trail and IL Route 72 Bicycle Overpass, Elk Grove Village, IL
- Economic Development Initiatives $142,500 Roskam – Markham Philip Center for Children, Bloomingdale, IL, for Renovation of the Facility and Construction of an Addition
- Buses and Bus Facilities $712,000 Rush – Metra's Rock Island 35th St. Station Improvements, IL
- Economic Development Initiatives $95,000 Rush – Woodlawn East Community and Neighbors Inc. (WECAN), Chicago, IL, for Housing Resource Center, Energy Assistance, After School Programming, Job Referral Service
- Alternatives Analysis $237,500 Schakowsky, Durbin – Yellow Line Extension, IL
- Transportation, Community and System Preservation $475,000 Schakowsky – Milwaukee Avenue Revitalization Project
- Transportation, Community and System Preservation $237,500 Shimkus – Design, Engineering, Land Acquisition and Planning for the Cross-town Connector Project at US 76, Godfrey, IL
- Transportation, Community and System Preservation $95,000 Shimkus – Design, Engineering, Land Acquisition and Planning for Extension of Route 162 from Maryville towards Troy, IL
- Transportation, Community and System Preservation $190,000 Shimkus – Mt. Eire-Golden Gate Rd Resurfacing and Expansion, Wayne County, IL
- Economic Development Initiatives $166,250 Shimkus – Illinois Historic Reservation Agency, Springfield, IL, for Renovation of the Tinsley for the Lincoln Bicentennial
- Economic Development Initiatives $95,000 Shimkus – Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission Macarthur Park Blvd Area Study. Springfield, IL, for Development of a Plan Between 1-72 and South Grand
- Buses and Bus Facilities $237,500 Weller – Multimodel Center, Normal
- Economic Development Initiatives $47,500 Weller – LaSalle County Easter Seals, Ottawa, IL, for Remodeling and Expansion of the Existing Playground
- Economic Development Initiatives $337,500 Weller – Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, IL, for Repair and Restoration of the Theater
- Economic Development Initiatives $95,000 Weller – the City of Kankakee, IL, for Streetscaping
Labels: Bobby Rush, Citiznes for Common Sense, Don Manzullo, Earkmank, Jan Schakowsky, Jerry Weller, John Shimkus, Peter Roskam, Pork, Ray LaHood, Secretary of Transportation
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Manzullo vs. Durbin on Bailout Bill
So, how diverse is federal representation of McHenry County?
Here are two replies to a constitution comment in opposition to the Democrats' Federal Bailout bill:
First, 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo's answer:
Please click on the link about the seeds of the mortgage crisis above.
Here are two replies to a constitution comment in opposition to the Democrats' Federal Bailout bill:
First, 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo's answer:
Thank you for contacting me in opposition to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1). It is good to hear from you.Now, compare that with the response from Illinois' leading Democrat in Congress, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin:
I agree with you 100 percent. I am deeply disturbed that this so-called "stimulus" bill focuses more on spending taxpayer dollars than on returning Americans to work.
According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, H.R. 1 will spend $1.1 trillion of taxpayer dollars and does little to stabilize our economy, spur significant job creation, or provide taxpayers an economic result that is worthy of their investment.H.R. 1 is simply chocked full of hundreds of billions of dollars for programs that generally receive funding through the regular annual budget process (where programs are evaluated with regard to the money that is budgeted), and should not have been incorporated into an emergency stimulus bill, whose costs go directly to the deficit.
For these reasons, I opposed H.R. 1 when it passed the House floor by a 246 to 183 vote on February 13, 2009.
Instead, I voted for a pro-growth economic alternative package authored by Representatives David Camp and Eric Cantor that would provide relief to those who need it most: middle-class families, job seekers, small businesses owners, the self-employed, and homebuyers.
At a fraction of the cost, this alternative would create 6.2 million new jobs by the end of 2010, which is twice the goal sought by President Obama. Unfortunately, the Camp/Cantor substitute amendment to H.R. 1 failed by a vote of 170 to 266.
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed H.R. 1 into law (Public Law 111-5).
Thank you again for contacting me about this issue. Your input is important to my work here in Washington.
Thank you for writing to me about the Congressional response to the crisis in our nation's financial markets. I understand your concerns and appreciate hearing from you.= = = = =The seeds of the financial crisis were sown when the mortgage industry began offering large numbers of subprime mortgages that were very profitable in the short run but unsustainable in the long run. The failure of the Bush Administration to properly regulate the mortgage markets allowed these subprime mortgages to flourish. When the house of cards began to fall, the devastation was swift and far-reaching and it has extended far beyond the subprime market.
As major financial firms began to totter, the head of the Federal Reserve and the then-Secretary of the Treasury told the leadership of the House and Senate that if we did not act quickly, the American economy could melt down and the global economy as well. It was sobering news.
Congress has made substantial changes to President Bush's initial proposal to increase accountability and the transparency with which the funds are used.
I supported the stabilization package because the alternative - doing nothing - would have been an abdication of responsibility in the face of our nation's worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Without action, the credit markets would tighten further, devastating many families and businesses. The problem is not just the declining value of people's retirement savings, although that genuine concern is already affecting people's retirement decisions. The deeper problem is that without adequate access to credit, small businesses are unable to make payroll and must begin laying off workers; students cannot obtain needed student loans; auto loans and mortgages dry up; and businesses begin to fail because they can no longer finance day-to-day operations.
Congress has held hearings to investigate the practices that led to the demise of companies such as AIG, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac, and to identify further reforms to restore the integrity of our financial markets. Our financial system requires a fundamental overhaul, so that the needs of American families stand above the interests of Wall Street. We must do more to address the needs of the homeowners who were caught up in the tricks and traps of the subprime mortgages Wall Street companies peddled so profitably. I continue to work for further reforms to reduce the foreclosure rate.
I plan to reintroduce legislation this year that would create a Consumer Credit Safety Commission, a single government agency charged with ensuring that the offering of financial credit to consumers is responsible, accountable, and transparent. This new agency would look out for consumers first, acting quickly to protect consumers from predatory practices and holding companies accountable when they abuse, deceive, or take advantage of the consumers they claim to be helping.
I will keep your views in mind as Congress considers legislation to make our financial system more transparent, safe, and accountable.
Please click on the link about the seeds of the mortgage crisis above.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Bailout, Bailout Bill, Dick Durbin, Don Manzullo, Mortgage Crisis
Friday, March 06, 2009
Illinois Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Congressional Earmarks – Part 1
There are pages and pages of Illinois congressional earmarks in this year's Transportation and Housing and Urban Development budgets.
These were found because Taxpayers for Common Sense scanned the pork pages and posted them on its web site.
Unfortunately, it was not a searchable web site, so I scrolled down and tried to pick out all of the Illinois congress critters.
And, guess what?
I found the first pork for McHenry County.
8th District Congresswoman Melissa Bean snagged $475,000 to widen Miller Road in McHenry.
That's the eastern extension of Bull Valley Road named after former McHenry County Republican Party Chairman Chuck Miller.
(I remember knocking on his door when I ran for McHenry County Treasurer in 1966. He told me Tom Davis was running for precinct committeeman instead of him.)
The projects I found are listed in alphabetical order by congressional member. If both Senator Dick Durbin and a house member sponsored a project, I have put it under the congressman's or woman's name.
On top is a lump sum appropriation for Metra with Chicago-area congressmen and ex-congressmen and women's attached to lines which serve their districts. For some reason McHenry County house member Don Manzullo's name is missing. (His staff thinks it's because the McHenry County improvement is up the McHenry line toward Johnsburg.)
I could find nothing in these two budgets suggested by newly sworn in Senator Roland Burris or DuPage County Congresswoman Judy Biggert.
The Transportation and Housing and Urban Development earmarks for Bean, the Metro East's Jerry Costello, Chicago's Danny Davis follow:
Capital Investment Grants $24,000,000 Metra
Transportation, Community and System Preservation $475,000 Bean – Miller Road Widening, McHenry, IL
Transportation, Community and System Preservation $950,000 Bean – Route 120 Corridor, Lake County, IL
Jerry Costello
Buses and Bus Facilities, $475,000 Costello – Replacement Heavy Duty Transit Buses, Madison County Mass Transit District, IL
Federal Lands (Public Lands Highways) $950,000 Costello – Seibert Road Improvements, Shihol, IL
Danny Davis
Economic Development Initiatives $380,000 Davis – Austin Chamber of Commerce Development and Resource Center, Chicago, IL, for Development of at least 80 Units of Senior Housing
Tomorrow, we'll look at the projects that our influential senior senator from Illinois, Dick Durbin, thought important enough to get money for. And, remember, if he sponsored something with a house member, I listed it under the house member's name.
These were found because Taxpayers for Common Sense scanned the pork pages and posted them on its web site.
Unfortunately, it was not a searchable web site, so I scrolled down and tried to pick out all of the Illinois congress critters.
And, guess what?
I found the first pork for McHenry County.8th District Congresswoman Melissa Bean snagged $475,000 to widen Miller Road in McHenry.
That's the eastern extension of Bull Valley Road named after former McHenry County Republican Party Chairman Chuck Miller.
(I remember knocking on his door when I ran for McHenry County Treasurer in 1966. He told me Tom Davis was running for precinct committeeman instead of him.)
The projects I found are listed in alphabetical order by congressional member. If both Senator Dick Durbin and a house member sponsored a project, I have put it under the congressman's or woman's name.
On top is a lump sum appropriation for Metra with Chicago-area congressmen and ex-congressmen and women's attached to lines which serve their districts. For some reason McHenry County house member Don Manzullo's name is missing. (His staff thinks it's because the McHenry County improvement is up the McHenry line toward Johnsburg.)
I could find nothing in these two budgets suggested by newly sworn in Senator Roland Burris or DuPage County Congresswoman Judy Biggert.
The Transportation and Housing and Urban Development earmarks for Bean, the Metro East's Jerry Costello, Chicago's Danny Davis follow:
Capital Investment Grants $24,000,000 Metra- Jackson, Durbin – Southwest Service Line
- Bean, Jackson, Roskam, Weller, Durbin – Star Line
- Emanuel, Bean, Durbin – Northwest Union Pacific Line, IL
- Roskam, Durbin – West Union Pacific Line, IL
Transportation, Community and System Preservation $475,000 Bean – Miller Road Widening, McHenry, IL
Transportation, Community and System Preservation $950,000 Bean – Route 120 Corridor, Lake County, IL
Jerry Costello
Buses and Bus Facilities, $475,000 Costello – Replacement Heavy Duty Transit Buses, Madison County Mass Transit District, IL
Federal Lands (Public Lands Highways) $950,000 Costello – Seibert Road Improvements, Shihol, IL
Danny Davis
Economic Development Initiatives $380,000 Davis – Austin Chamber of Commerce Development and Resource Center, Chicago, IL, for Development of at least 80 Units of Senior Housing
Tomorrow, we'll look at the projects that our influential senior senator from Illinois, Dick Durbin, thought important enough to get money for. And, remember, if he sponsored something with a house member, I listed it under the house member's name.
Labels: Chuck Miller, Danny Davis, Dick Durbin, Don Manzullo, Earmark, Jerry Costello, Jerry Weller, Jesse Jackson Jr., Melissa Bean, Metra, Miller Road, Peter Roskam, Pork, Route 120, Star Line
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Illinois Earmarks for Interior, Environment Bills
Pork in the Forestry Service and pork in the EPA is found in today's report. Most is contained in the Environmental Protection Agency part of the budget.Again, McHenry County gets nothing, but 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo inserts $500,000 for the Mt. Morris water treatment plant.
EPA $300,000 Durbin – STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project,Long Creek Township for Water Storage Improvements
EPA $300,000 Durbin – STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project, Village of Crestwood for water storage improvements
U.S. Forest Service $300,000 Durbin – State & Private Forestry, City of Chicago – Greenstreets
EPA $11,500,000 Emanuel, etc., Durbin, etc. – National Rural Water Association
EPA $280,000 Jackson – STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project, City of Chicago Heights, Water and Sewer Improvements
EPA $300,000 Johnson, Durbin – STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project, City of Lexington for Wastewater Treatment System Improvements
EPA $500,000 LaHood – STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project, County of Peoria, Regional Storm Water Plan ImplementationBureau of Indiana Affairs $400,000 Steven Lynch – Operation of Indian Programs, National Ironworkers Training Program for American Indians
EPA $500,000 Manzullo – STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project, Village of Mt. Morris, Wastewater Treatment Plant
EPA $500,000 Roskam – STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project, Village of Bartlett, Public Well Project
EPA $350,000 Shimkus – STAG Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project, RE Rural Water System, RE Water Expansion, Richland County
= = = = =
The head shot (on the right) is of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. Below is a body shot of 6th District Congressman Peter Roskam speaking at a pre-primary John McCain rally.
Labels: 6th Congressional District, Dick Durbin, Don Manzullo, Earmark, Jesse Jackson Jr., John Shimkus, Mt. Morris, Peter Roskam, Pork, Pork Barrel, Tim Johnson, US EPA, Waste Water Treatment Plant
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Prairie Grove High School Senior Kristen Suhrhoff Gets Manzullo Air Force Academy Appointment
The following press release has been received from the office of 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo:
Prairie Ridge High School Student Appointed to U.S. Air Force Academy
[CRYSTAL LAKE] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today announced that Kristen Suhrhoff of Crystal Lake, Illinois, has received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO.
Kristen will graduate in June 2009 from Prairie Ridge High School. At Prairie Ridge, Kristen is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and student council. She also volunteers with her church and the local food pantry.
Kristen also is captain of the Girls’ Cross Country Team and played soccer and basketball and ran indoor track at Prairie Ridge. Kristen is the daughter of Thomas and Dorothy Suhrhoff of Crystal Lake.
Labels: Air Force Academy, Don Manzullo, Kristen Suhrhoff, Prairie Ridge High School
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Illinois Defense Department Pork
Looking at the web site of Taxpayers for Common Sense is a list in the Defense appropriation bill.
We published the list from the Commerce, Justice and Science bill yesterday.
Again, nothing I can see for McHenry County, but Republican 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo has his name on $5.5 million. I see none for 8th District Congresswoman Melissa Bean (D-Barrington). She had some in yesterday's list, but Kane County's Democrat, Bill Foster has some significant chunks.
The projects are listed alphabetically by the last name of the sponsoring United States Representative or Senator Dick Durbin, who sponsored some by himself.
You may be amazed at the number of projects sponsored by Peoria's Ray LaHood. The Republican left office last month and is now President Barack Obama's Secretary of Transportation.
OM, AF $800,000 Costello, Durbin – Advanced Ultrasonic Inspection of Aging Aircraft Structures
RDTE,A $4,400,000 Costello, LaHood, Durbin – High Explosive Air Burst (HEAB) 25mm Ammunition
RDTE, A $2,000,000 Davis, Durbin – Expansion and Development Upper and Lower Bionic Limbs
RDTE,AF $1,600,000 Davis – Advanced Thermal Control Coatings for Space Applications
RDTE,DW $2,400,000 Davis, et al – Defense Leadership and Technology Initiative
OM,ARNG $4,000,000 Durbin, etc. – Expandable Light Air Mobility Shelters (ELAMS) and Contingency Response Communications System (CRCS)
RDTE, A $2,000,000 Durbin – Burn and Shock Treatment Institute
RDTE, A $800,000 Durbin – Columbia College Chicago Construct Program
RDTE,A $4,600,000 Durbin – Small Business Infrared Material Manufacturing – Silicon Alternative Substrates
RDTE,A $4,000,000 Emanuel, Durbin , etc. – Next Generation Diesel Engine for Ground Engines
DHP $4,800,000 Foster, Davis and Durbin – Protein Therapy
RDTE,A $1,200,000 Foster, Durbin – Neutron/Hadron Particle Therapy
OM,A $5,000,000 Hare, Durbin etc. – Rock Island Arsenal, Building # 299 Root Removal and Replacement, Phase III
WTCV,A $4,200,000 Hare, Durbin, etc. – Arsenal Support Program Initiative, Rock Island – Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center
OM, DV $1,200,000 Jackson – Thorium/ Magnesium Excavation – Blue Island
RDTE, A $800,000 Jackson – Fuel Cells for Mobile Robotic Systems Project
RDTE,A $640,000 Johnson – Highly Reliable, Maintenance Free Remote Solar Power System
RDTE,A $800,000 Johnson, Durbin – Miniature Cooling Unit for Electronic Devices
RDTE,DW $800,000 Johnson – Integrated Signature Production and Exploitation
RDTE,N $800,000 Johnson, Durbin – Cross Domain Network Access System
DHP $800,000 LaHood – Pediatric Medication and Administration Product and Training
GP $5,000,000 LaHood – STEM Education Research Center
OM, ARNG $2,400,000 LaHood, Davis – Advanced Trauma Training Course for the Illinois Army National Guard
PA, AF $2,500,000 LaHood, Costello, etc. – PGU-14 API Armor Piercing Incendiary, 30mm Ammunition
RDTE, A $4,000,000 LaHood, Durbin – 302 Advanced Battery Technology
RDTE,AF $4,000,000 LaHood, Durbin – Scorpion Low Cost Helmet Mounted Cueing and Information Display System
RDTE,N $1,200,000 Lipinski, etc. – E-Beam Free Form Repair Qualification
RDTE,A $2,000,000 Manzullo, Hare, Durbin – Illinois Center for Defense Manufacturing
RDTE,AF $3,500,000 Manzullo, Durbin – Integrated Power for Aircraft Technologies (INPACT II)
RDTE, A $1,600,000 Rush, Durbin – Facilitating Use of Advanced Prosthetic Limb Technology
RDTE,A $2,000,000 Rush, Durbin – Modeling and Testing of Next Generation of Body Armor
RDTE,DW $1,200,000 Schakowsky – United Management Infrastructure System
We published the list from the Commerce, Justice and Science bill yesterday.
Again, nothing I can see for McHenry County, but Republican 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo has his name on $5.5 million. I see none for 8th District Congresswoman Melissa Bean (D-Barrington). She had some in yesterday's list, but Kane County's Democrat, Bill Foster has some significant chunks.
The projects are listed alphabetically by the last name of the sponsoring United States Representative or Senator Dick Durbin, who sponsored some by himself.
You may be amazed at the number of projects sponsored by Peoria's Ray LaHood. The Republican left office last month and is now President Barack Obama's Secretary of Transportation.
OM, AF $800,000 Costello, Durbin – Advanced Ultrasonic Inspection of Aging Aircraft StructuresRDTE,A $4,400,000 Costello, LaHood, Durbin – High Explosive Air Burst (HEAB) 25mm Ammunition
RDTE, A $2,000,000 Davis, Durbin – Expansion and Development Upper and Lower Bionic Limbs
RDTE,AF $1,600,000 Davis – Advanced Thermal Control Coatings for Space Applications
RDTE,DW $2,400,000 Davis, et al – Defense Leadership and Technology Initiative
OM,ARNG $4,000,000 Durbin, etc. – Expandable Light Air Mobility Shelters (ELAMS) and Contingency Response Communications System (CRCS)
RDTE, A $2,000,000 Durbin – Burn and Shock Treatment Institute
RDTE, A $800,000 Durbin – Columbia College Chicago Construct Program
RDTE,A $4,600,000 Durbin – Small Business Infrared Material Manufacturing – Silicon Alternative SubstratesRDTE,A $4,000,000 Emanuel, Durbin , etc. – Next Generation Diesel Engine for Ground Engines
DHP $4,800,000 Foster, Davis and Durbin – Protein Therapy
RDTE,A $1,200,000 Foster, Durbin – Neutron/Hadron Particle Therapy
OM,A $5,000,000 Hare, Durbin etc. – Rock Island Arsenal, Building # 299 Root Removal and Replacement, Phase III
WTCV,A $4,200,000 Hare, Durbin, etc. – Arsenal Support Program Initiative, Rock Island – Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center
OM, DV $1,200,000 Jackson – Thorium/ Magnesium Excavation – Blue IslandRDTE, A $800,000 Jackson – Fuel Cells for Mobile Robotic Systems Project
RDTE,A $640,000 Johnson – Highly Reliable, Maintenance Free Remote Solar Power System
RDTE,A $800,000 Johnson, Durbin – Miniature Cooling Unit for Electronic Devices
RDTE,DW $800,000 Johnson – Integrated Signature Production and Exploitation
RDTE,N $800,000 Johnson, Durbin – Cross Domain Network Access System
DHP $800,000 LaHood – Pediatric Medication and Administration Product and Training
GP $5,000,000 LaHood – STEM Education Research Center
OM, ARNG $2,400,000 LaHood, Davis – Advanced Trauma Training Course for the Illinois Army National Guard
PA, AF $2,500,000 LaHood, Costello, etc. – PGU-14 API Armor Piercing Incendiary, 30mm Ammunition
RDTE, A $4,000,000 LaHood, Durbin – 302 Advanced Battery Technology
RDTE,AF $4,000,000 LaHood, Durbin – Scorpion Low Cost Helmet Mounted Cueing and Information Display System
RDTE,N $1,200,000 Lipinski, etc. – E-Beam Free Form Repair QualificationRDTE,A $2,000,000 Manzullo, Hare, Durbin – Illinois Center for Defense Manufacturing
RDTE,AF $3,500,000 Manzullo, Durbin – Integrated Power for Aircraft Technologies (INPACT II)
RDTE, A $1,600,000 Rush, Durbin – Facilitating Use of Advanced Prosthetic Limb Technology
RDTE,A $2,000,000 Rush, Durbin – Modeling and Testing of Next Generation of Body Armor
RDTE,DW $1,200,000 Schakowsky – United Management Infrastructure System
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Defense Department, Dick Durbin, Don Manzullo, Earmark, Jan Schakowsky, Jesse Jackson Jr., Phil Hare, Pork, Ray LaHood, Tim Johnson
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Manzullo Comments on Obama's Speech
Here's his short statement:
Manzullo Responds to President
Obama’s Address to Congress
(ROCKFORD) Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) tonight issued the following statement responding to President Obama’s Address to Congress and the nation:
“As our nation recovers, we must quickly end this government spending spree that is heaping massive amounts of debt on our future generations.
“Unfortunately, Congress plans to pay off our bills by increasing taxes on Americans instead of cutting wasteful spending.
“These tax hikes – which include the return of the job-killing death tax – will especially hurt our small business owners, who create 70 percent of all new jobs each year. Why in these dire economic times would we intentionally hurt the segment of our economy that has the best chance to put people back to work?
“Instead, the government should tighten its purse strings and cut spending as all Americans are doing in these difficult times.
“The people I represent are worried and hurting, and I appreciate President Obama’s urgency in trying to return us to prosperity. I will continue to reach out to the President and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do what we can to improve the lives of all Americans.”
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Barack Obama, Don Manzullo
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Manzullo Snares More Money to Widen Rakow Road
A press release has been received from 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo announcing an addition half million to improve Randall Road.Patrick Engineering men were out surveying it today, probably just a coincidence.
Manzullo's press release follows:
Manzullo Secures
Another $570,000 for Rakow
Another $570,000 for Rakow
Road Widening Project in McHenry County
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today announced he has secured another $570,000 to help fund the vital Rakow Road widening project that will help reduce severe traffic congestion for tens of thousands of motorists in southeast McHenry County.
The funding is included in the transportation appropriations bill, which Congress is scheduled to consider later this week. In 2005, Manzullo secured $5.72 million in the long-range federal transportation bill for the Rakow Road widening project.“Rakow Road is a significant regional arterial road that carries tens of thousands of McHenry County residents to work and school each day,” Manzullo said.
“The widening project will double capacity on Rakow Road and reduce the significant congestion motorists experience each day.The 3-mile-long widening project calls for widening the two-lane Rakow Road to six lanes from Ackman Road to Pyott Road and
"Reducing traffic congestion continues to be my number one priority for the people of McHenry County."
to four lanes from Pyott Road to Route 31. Up to 40,000 motorists currently travel Rakow Road each day and up to 60,000 are expected to travel the road by 2030.McHenry County transportation officials are proceeding with Phase II engineering, which involves acquiring needed land and drawing contract plans for the project. Construction could begin in 2010.
In addition to Rakow Road, Manzullo has secured significant federal funding for the Western Bypass of Algonquin ($19 million) and the Route 47 widening project through Huntley ($6.7 million).
In addition, he worked with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Barack Obama (D-IL), and the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation to secure an additional $6.2 billion in federal road funds in 2005 for the State of Illinois. Those federal funds have sat unused as the Governor and state legislative leaders have failed to agree on a capital plan.
= = = = =
Rakow Road will be widened to six lanes where the "S" curve now goes from four to two lanes. Beyond Pyott Road, the first light after the "S" curve--between the gravel pit lakes--will become four lanes. The bottom picture shows this road near Pingree Road. The head shot is of Congressman Don Manzullo.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Ackman Road, Don Manzullo, Pyott Road, Rakow Road
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Manzullo at Huntley Expo Today
If you are planning to go to the Huntley Expo today, 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo has reserved a room to talk to you. The details are in his press release below:
Manzullo Invites Public to Town Meetings in Huntley Today
Congressman Manzullo and his staff will meet with residents fromCongressman Manzullo wants to hear the thoughts and concerns of area residents. He will share his plans to strengthen our economy and put Americans back to work. He will discuss his concerns with the stimulus bill being debated for Congress and his ideas on the best ways to re-start manufacturing in America and create jobs.
- 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, February 21, in Room 1344 at Huntley High School, 13719 Harmony Road, Huntley.
Labels: Don Manzullo, Huntley, Huntley Area Chamber of Commerce
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Manzullo Offers Comments on Democrat Stimulus Bill
The following press release was received from 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo before the Democrats' Stimulus package--on which no House Republican voted in favor--passed;
(WASHINGTON) Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today said the $792 billion House-Senate compromise on the stimulus bill “made a bad bill worse” by cutting the few job-creating tax incentives in the bill while continuing to fund questionable spending programs that will saddle future generations with massive debt without stimulating our economy or creating jobs.
With interest, the bill will cost the average American family $9,418 in new spending and debt.
Manzullo supported alternative legislation that would have created 6.2 million more jobs at half the cost, given American families up to $3,400 in added tax relief they could re-invest in the economy, reduced taxes on job-creating small employers by 20 percent, and provided significant tax incentives to bolster the sales of homes and automobiles.
He will vote against the Democrat leadership bill this afternoon. The bill, which was negotiated behind closed doors without any input from House or Senate Republican leaders, was not made public until late last night.
Despite being promoted as a job-creating infrastructure bill, the legislation includes just 4 percent for roads, and the Illinois Dept. of Transportation plans to use our allotment primarily to resurface and patch existing roads.
And after the first two years, the bill would actually reduce the wages of Americans because of the temporary nature of the funding, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Instead of reducing the rampant non-stimulus spending in the bill, House-Senate negotiators:
“The original bill was chocked full of spending that would neither create jobs nor stimulate our economy, and very little was focused on job-creating infrastructure improvements and putting money back in people’s pockets so they could re-invest it in the economy.
"Amazingly, this compromise bill actually removed the little job-creating spending that was in the legislation and made this bad bill worse,” Manzullo said.
“Americans need their jobs back so they can afford to support their families and make their mortgage payments or rent.
"And that will only happen when Americans start buying cars again, start purchasing homes again, and start spending again.
"We need to provide incentives to encourage purchases and to lower the cost of doing business in the United States, and the compromise bill actually goes in the wrong direction.
"The massive amount of non-stimulus spending in the bill – which goes directly to the national debt -- should be debated during the regular budget process, not included in the stimulus bill.”
Some of the questionable stimulus spending in the compromise bill includes:
Manzullo: Stimulus “Compromise” Slashes Job-Creating Tax Incentives, Continues Jobless Spending Spree
Congressman Manzullo pored through the monstrous stimulus bill
first made public at 11 p.m.
first made public at 11 p.m.
(WASHINGTON) Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today said the $792 billion House-Senate compromise on the stimulus bill “made a bad bill worse” by cutting the few job-creating tax incentives in the bill while continuing to fund questionable spending programs that will saddle future generations with massive debt without stimulating our economy or creating jobs.
With interest, the bill will cost the average American family $9,418 in new spending and debt.
Manzullo supported alternative legislation that would have created 6.2 million more jobs at half the cost, given American families up to $3,400 in added tax relief they could re-invest in the economy, reduced taxes on job-creating small employers by 20 percent, and provided significant tax incentives to bolster the sales of homes and automobiles.
He will vote against the Democrat leadership bill this afternoon. The bill, which was negotiated behind closed doors without any input from House or Senate Republican leaders, was not made public until late last night.
Despite being promoted as a job-creating infrastructure bill, the legislation includes just 4 percent for roads, and the Illinois Dept. of Transportation plans to use our allotment primarily to resurface and patch existing roads.
And after the first two years, the bill would actually reduce the wages of Americans because of the temporary nature of the funding, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Instead of reducing the rampant non-stimulus spending in the bill, House-Senate negotiators:
- Cut $28 billion in direct tax relief for Americans. To pay for the added spending, negotiators reduced the $1,000 tax cut for couples to $800.
- Cut $35.5 billion in tax incentives to boost the housing industry and encourage Americans to buy homes. The Senate bill included a provision to give Americans a $15,000 tax credit to purchase a new home, but negotiators reduced the credit to $8,000, only allowed it for first-time homeowners, and limited the relief to purchases made by this August.
- Cut $8.5 billion in tax incentives to boost auto sales and put Americans back to work. The Senate bill included a provision to allow Americans to deduct from their income taxes both the sales tax from a new car purchase and the interest on the auto loan. Negotiators eliminated the loan interest write-off – the bulk of the incentive – and instead allowed the sales tax deduction to remain. What was a $1,500 tax benefit was slashed to about a $300 benefit, not really enough to encourage someone to buy a new vehicle.
“The original bill was chocked full of spending that would neither create jobs nor stimulate our economy, and very little was focused on job-creating infrastructure improvements and putting money back in people’s pockets so they could re-invest it in the economy."Amazingly, this compromise bill actually removed the little job-creating spending that was in the legislation and made this bad bill worse,” Manzullo said.
“Americans need their jobs back so they can afford to support their families and make their mortgage payments or rent.
"And that will only happen when Americans start buying cars again, start purchasing homes again, and start spending again.
"We need to provide incentives to encourage purchases and to lower the cost of doing business in the United States, and the compromise bill actually goes in the wrong direction.
"The massive amount of non-stimulus spending in the bill – which goes directly to the national debt -- should be debated during the regular budget process, not included in the stimulus bill.”
Some of the questionable stimulus spending in the compromise bill includes:
- $2 billion for the Neighborhood Stabilization Fund, providing funds to organizations such as ACORN, which has been accused of practicing unlawful voter registration in recent elections.
- $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts.
- $170 million to research climate change.
- $400 million for NASA to accelerate climate research missions.
- $1 billion for a post analysis of the 2010 census.
- $650 million for Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupons. No converter boxes are made in the United States.
- $1 billion for a Prevention and Wellness Fund, which can be used for sexually transmitted disease (STD) education and prevention programs at the CDC.
- $400 million to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a permanent board to ration health care services, a precursor to universal health care.
- $15.6 billion to increase the maximum Pell Grant (for college expenses) from $4,731 to $5,231. This huge expenditure will not send more students to college or hire any more teachers; it will merely give those already receiving the grants an extra $500 a year.
- $13 billion to improve reading programs. We can debate this added spending during the regular budget process, but it is not an immediate job-creating stimulus.
- $2 billion for additional child care subsidies.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Stimulus Package
Friday, February 13, 2009
Manzullo Coming to McHenry County Expos
If you are planning to go to the Marengo Expo Saturday or the Huntley Expo next Saturday, 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo has reserved a room to talk to you. The details are in his press release below:
Manzullo Invites Public to February Town Meetings in Huntley, Marengo
Congressman Manzullo and his staff will meet with residents from:Congressman Manzullo wants to hear the thoughts and concerns of area residents. He will share his plans to strengthen our economy and put Americans back to work. He will discuss his concerns with the stimulus bill being debated for Congress and his ideas on the best ways to re-start manufacturing in America and create jobs.
- 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, February 14, in the gymnasium at Marengo High School, 110 Franks Road, Marengo.
- 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, February 21, in Room 1344 at Huntley High School, 13719 Harmony Road, Huntley.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Huntley Expo, Huntley High School, Marengo Expo, Marengo High School
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Still Softening Up Manzullo
I wrote earlier that national Democrats are running radio ads criticizing him for not voting for the pork-infested stimulus package.Last night on the way home from the McHenry Marlin swim team practice I heard a WIND radio ad criticizing 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo.
The guts of it was that Manzullo had voted for money to build schools in Iraq, but not in the United States.
Most people won't figure out that the federal government is not where the money comes from to build schools.
That has been a local responsibility financed in Illinois from property taxes. There has been some state subsidy, starting in this area with Crystal Lake South High School and McHenry West High School in the late 1970's.
Interrupted in the 1980's, the flow was reinstated during the 1990's.
The school bond issues, of course, have to be passed by voter referendum.
It could be argued that turning on the spigot has led to wasteful spending.
Free money usually does that.
= = = = =
Seen on top is Robert Abboud, the Democratic Party challenger to Congressman Don Manzullo, seen on the right. To Abboud's right, but not in the photo in this Rockford TV debate, was Green Party candidate Scott Summers.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Radio Ads
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Softening Up Manzullo
National Democrats ran ads against 16th District Republican Congressman Don Manzullo, among 27 others, after he voted against the Democratic Party's stimulus package.That's what I've read a couple of places, “Campaign Diaries” being one of them.
The commentator observes:
“...we are not used to hearing the names of Tom Latham, Donald Manzullo, Thad McCotter and Roscoe Bartlett. Latham and McCotter seat in Democratic-leaning districts, but the DCCC did little to help their Democratic challengers in the 2008 cycle; with so many other Republican targets now taken care of, the DCCC could turn its attention towards them.The text of a typical radio ad can be found in the article.
“Manzullo, meanwhile, represents a district that Bush convincingly won in 2004 but that Obama triumphed in this fall; the DCCC thus seems to be paying attention to IL-16.”
Manzullo received 60.9% of the vote in November to Democratic Party candidate Robert Abboud's 36.1% to Green Party candidate Scott Summers' 3.1%.
Rockford does have a higher than average unemployment rate, however. It was 10% in November, 2008. It is now 12.5%.
= = = = =
Don Manzullo and his Democratic Party opponent Robert Abboud can be seen at a Rod Blagojevich-bashing press conference near the intersection of Routes 31 and 62.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Campaign Diaries, Don Manzullo
Monday, February 02, 2009
Congressman Urges New Governor to Push for Capital Bill
Congressman Don Manzullo (R-16) has a message for newly sworn in Governor Pat Quinn.He wants Quinn “to immediately focusing on passing a capital bill that would improve roads and rail throughout the sate and put thousands of Illinois residents to work.”
His press release follows:
Manzullo to Governor Quinn: Capital Bill Would Put Illinoisans to Work, Reduce Traffic Congestion
(ROCKFORD) Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today sent a letter to Illinois Governor Pat Quinn urging him to immediately focus on passing a capital bill that would improve roads and rail throughout the state and put tens of thousands of Illinois residents to work.
Calling it the “real stimulus plan,” Manzullo said a capital bill would finally spend the $6.2 billion in federal transportation funds – sitting unused in Springfield since 2005 – on road, bridge and rail expansion projects throughout Illinois. The $825 billion stimulus bill the U.S. House passed last week – Manzullo voted against it – would provide $1 billion for road and rail projects in Illinois.
“The $6.2 billion in federal transportation funding we delivered to the state has sat untouched by our state’s leaders the past 4 years. In the meantime, vital road and transit projects in the northern Illinois district I represent have gone unfulfilled as our residents have continued to suffer with unnecessary traffic congestion and hazardous road conditions,” Manzullo said.
“Under your new leadership as Governor, I respectfully request that you reach out to the members of the Illinois General Assembly and make the passage of a capital bill your number one priority in the new legislative session.”Working with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and then-Senator Barack Obama, Manzullo secured $51 million in the 2005 surface transportation bill for a host of road and rail projects throughout northern Illinois.
“In addition, the Illinois Congressional Delegation secured a record $6.2 billion, a 33 percent increase over the last transportation bill, for the State of Illinois to use at its discretion. Manzullo and the other Members of Congress are concerned that the state’s failure to spend the money could hurt chances to get more funding for Illinois when the next federal transportation bill comes up for a vote next year.
= = = = =
The photo of Congressman Don Manzullo was taken at a press conference behind the old Algonquin City Hall at the intersection of Routes 62 and 31. The "gridlock" photo was included in a mailing Manzullo made during his fall 2006 campaign.
Labels: Capital Program, Don Manzullo, Gridlock, Pat Quinn, Roads, Stimulus Package, traffic congestion
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Manzullo Explains “No” Vote on Stimulus Package
Here is 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo’s explanation of why he voted against the Democratic Party's “economic stimulus” bill. It was received yesterday.
McHenry County's other federal representative, Melissa Bean, voted for the legislation.
(WASHINGTON) Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) will vote later today for an alternative economic stimulus bill that focuses on job-creating tax relief that will re-start manufacturing and put Americans back to work. He will oppose the bloated $1.1 trillion Democrat leadership bill chocked full of questionable spending programs that will saddle future generations with massive debt without stimulating our economy or creating jobs.
The vote is expected later this afternoon.
“Americans have had enough of our government’s wasteful spending practices starting with the ineffective $850 billion Wall Street bailout and continuing with this $1.1 trillion non-stimulus spending spree,” Manzullo said.
“Let’s empower Americans to lead the economic recovery by putting more of their money back in their pockets so they can re-invest it in our communities.”
Despite being promoted as a job-creating infrastructure bill, the bill brought by House Democrat leaders sets aside $30 billion – just 4 percent – for road funding.
The State of Illinois is expected to get just $1 billion of that money, which is less than half the normal federal road money allocation to the states.
In fact, the State of Illinois is still sitting on $6.2 billion in federal gas tax monies Congress gave to the state in 2005 because the state has not been able to agree on a capital plan.
And because there is no opportunity to designate the road funding for specific projects, all the money will go to the state, which historically has ignored northern Illinois’ road needs outside of Chicago.
Instead, the Democrat leadership bill is chocked full of hundreds of billions of dollars of spending increases on programs that have nothing to do with stimulating the economy or creating jobs.
Spending increases for these programs should be debated during the normal appropriations process, not as part of an emergency spending bill. Some of the questionable spending in the stimulus bill that doesn’t create jobs includes:
With this rate reduction, a working couple could save up to $3,400 a year in taxes they could re-invest into the economy and create jobs. Manzullo also supports significant tax incentives to encourage America’s job-creating small businesses to put Americans back to work; a $7,500 tax credit to encourage Americans to buy a home; and a $5,000 tax credit to encourage Americans to buy a new vehicle.
“The best way to stimulate our economy and put Americans back to work is to let Americans keep more of their hard-earned money so they can re-invest it back into the economy,” Manzullo said.
“Unfortunately, the bill presented to us by House Democrats today spends an enormous amount of money with little job creation, shouldering our children and grandchildren with massive debt in the future.”
McHenry County's other federal representative, Melissa Bean, voted for the legislation.
Manzullo Supports Job-Creating Tax
Relief, Opposes Jobless Spending Spree
Relief, Opposes Jobless Spending Spree
(WASHINGTON) Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) will vote later today for an alternative economic stimulus bill that focuses on job-creating tax relief that will re-start manufacturing and put Americans back to work. He will oppose the bloated $1.1 trillion Democrat leadership bill chocked full of questionable spending programs that will saddle future generations with massive debt without stimulating our economy or creating jobs.
The vote is expected later this afternoon.
“Americans have had enough of our government’s wasteful spending practices starting with the ineffective $850 billion Wall Street bailout and continuing with this $1.1 trillion non-stimulus spending spree,” Manzullo said.“Let’s empower Americans to lead the economic recovery by putting more of their money back in their pockets so they can re-invest it in our communities.”
Despite being promoted as a job-creating infrastructure bill, the bill brought by House Democrat leaders sets aside $30 billion – just 4 percent – for road funding.
The State of Illinois is expected to get just $1 billion of that money, which is less than half the normal federal road money allocation to the states.
In fact, the State of Illinois is still sitting on $6.2 billion in federal gas tax monies Congress gave to the state in 2005 because the state has not been able to agree on a capital plan.
And because there is no opportunity to designate the road funding for specific projects, all the money will go to the state, which historically has ignored northern Illinois’ road needs outside of Chicago.
Instead, the Democrat leadership bill is chocked full of hundreds of billions of dollars of spending increases on programs that have nothing to do with stimulating the economy or creating jobs.
Spending increases for these programs should be debated during the normal appropriations process, not as part of an emergency spending bill. Some of the questionable spending in the stimulus bill that doesn’t create jobs includes:
- $335 million to fight Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
- $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts.
- $400 million to study climate change.
- $650 million dollars for additional coupons for digital TV converter boxes, all made overseas.
- $1 billion for a post-analysis of the 2010 census.
With this rate reduction, a working couple could save up to $3,400 a year in taxes they could re-invest into the economy and create jobs. Manzullo also supports significant tax incentives to encourage America’s job-creating small businesses to put Americans back to work; a $7,500 tax credit to encourage Americans to buy a home; and a $5,000 tax credit to encourage Americans to buy a new vehicle.
“The best way to stimulate our economy and put Americans back to work is to let Americans keep more of their hard-earned money so they can re-invest it back into the economy,” Manzullo said.
“Unfortunately, the bill presented to us by House Democrats today spends an enormous amount of money with little job creation, shouldering our children and grandchildren with massive debt in the future.”
Labels: Don Manzullo, Melissa Bean, Stimulus Package
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Manzullo Continues Pushing Car Purchase Credit in Washington
The press release below was sent by 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo:
(WASHINGTON) As the U.S. House prepares to vote this week on a flawed $825 billion bill that does little to put Americans back to work, Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) is offering an amendment to stimulate the economy and create jobs by giving Americans a $5,000 tax credit to purchase a new vehicle.
With 13 million Americans employed by the automobile industry and its suppliers, Manzullo’s tax credit amendment – which he offered as a stand-alone bill (The Get America Moving Again Act -- HR 550) earlier this month – would immediately stimulate vehicle sales and put millions of Americans back to work. The automobile industry accounts for 20 percent of all U.S. retail sales, and billions of dollars in state and local sales taxes.
The drop in U.S. vehicle sales from 16.2 million in 2007 to 10.5 million in 2008 removed $175 billion directly from our economy and has been one of the leading causes of America’s economic downturn and huge job losses.
“The current stimulus bill is chocked full of spending that has nothing to do with stimulating the economy or creating jobs, including hundreds of millions of dollars for contraceptives, the National Endowment for the Arts, and laying new sod on the National Mall,” Manzullo said.
“My vehicle tax credit proposal is a real stimulus that will bolster vehicle sales, put Americans back to work, and re-ignite our economy. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment so we can get America moving again.”
Manzullo is scheduled to testify later today before the House Rules Committee to seek approval to offer his amendment for a vote on the House floor tomorrow. The Rules Committee determines whether amendments are allowed to proceed to the floor for votes.
The Get America Moving Again Act of 2009 (HR 550) would bolster American manufacturing and spur vehicle sales and production by giving Americans tax credits of $5,000 to purchase a new vehicle costing less than $50,000 and $2,000 to purchase a late model used vehicle through Dec. 31, 2009.
The bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), co-chair of the House Auto Caucus, and is supported by the American International Automobile Dealers Association and Chrysler.
Manzullo to Offer Tax Credit for New Vehicle Purchases as Amendment to House Stimulus Bill
(WASHINGTON) As the U.S. House prepares to vote this week on a flawed $825 billion bill that does little to put Americans back to work, Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) is offering an amendment to stimulate the economy and create jobs by giving Americans a $5,000 tax credit to purchase a new vehicle.
With 13 million Americans employed by the automobile industry and its suppliers, Manzullo’s tax credit amendment – which he offered as a stand-alone bill (The Get America Moving Again Act -- HR 550) earlier this month – would immediately stimulate vehicle sales and put millions of Americans back to work. The automobile industry accounts for 20 percent of all U.S. retail sales, and billions of dollars in state and local sales taxes.
The drop in U.S. vehicle sales from 16.2 million in 2007 to 10.5 million in 2008 removed $175 billion directly from our economy and has been one of the leading causes of America’s economic downturn and huge job losses.“The current stimulus bill is chocked full of spending that has nothing to do with stimulating the economy or creating jobs, including hundreds of millions of dollars for contraceptives, the National Endowment for the Arts, and laying new sod on the National Mall,” Manzullo said.
“My vehicle tax credit proposal is a real stimulus that will bolster vehicle sales, put Americans back to work, and re-ignite our economy. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment so we can get America moving again.”
Manzullo is scheduled to testify later today before the House Rules Committee to seek approval to offer his amendment for a vote on the House floor tomorrow. The Rules Committee determines whether amendments are allowed to proceed to the floor for votes.
The Get America Moving Again Act of 2009 (HR 550) would bolster American manufacturing and spur vehicle sales and production by giving Americans tax credits of $5,000 to purchase a new vehicle costing less than $50,000 and $2,000 to purchase a late model used vehicle through Dec. 31, 2009.The bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), co-chair of the House Auto Caucus, and is supported by the American International Automobile Dealers Association and Chrysler.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Stimulus Package
Monday, January 26, 2009
Manzullo Critiques Stimulus Bill
The following press release has been received from 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo:
As the U.S. House prepares to vote on an $825 billion so-called Stimulus Bill later this week, Congressman Don Manzullo put together a list of major concerns he has with the bill proposed by House Democrat leaders.
Manzullo supports initiatives that focus on putting Americans back to work and giving Americans back more of their hard-earned money that they can re-invest in the economy.
The bill as proposed by House Democrat leaders, however, is very different from the legislation President Obama has been discussing and does little to stimulate the economy and put Americans back to work.
Here’s Manzullo’s analysis of the House bill as presented
1. Americans need jobs right now, and this bill proposed by House Democrat leaders does little to put Americans back to work. It is very different than the bill President Obama has been discussing.
Manzullo: Stimulus Bill Short on
Job Creation, Stimulus
House bill very different than legislation
President Obama has been discussing
Job Creation, Stimulus
House bill very different than legislation
President Obama has been discussing
As the U.S. House prepares to vote on an $825 billion so-called Stimulus Bill later this week, Congressman Don Manzullo put together a list of major concerns he has with the bill proposed by House Democrat leaders.
Manzullo supports initiatives that focus on putting Americans back to work and giving Americans back more of their hard-earned money that they can re-invest in the economy.
The bill as proposed by House Democrat leaders, however, is very different from the legislation President Obama has been discussing and does little to stimulate the economy and put Americans back to work.
Here’s Manzullo’s analysis of the House bill as presented
1. Americans need jobs right now, and this bill proposed by House Democrat leaders does little to put Americans back to work. It is very different than the bill President Obama has been discussing.- Despite claims it is a job-creating infrastructure bill, just 4 percent ($30 billion) of the $825 billion bill is allocated for road construction. This amounts to less than one half of the average annual federal road spending allocation.
- The 16th Congressional District will see little of the road funding because it primarily will be given to the states to use at their discretion with no opportunity to earmark funding for specific projects. The State of Illinois has traditionally ignored the road infrastructure needs of northern Illinois outside of Chicago and will continue to do so.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, only 7 percent of the overall infrastructure spending would be delivered to the economy by the end of the federal fiscal year on October 1.- Just one in seven dollars of the massive $18.5 billion on energy efficiency and renewable energy projects would be spent within the next 18 months.
- Plans to bring broadband Internet service to rural and underserved areas will take years to implement, and only 25 percent of the clean drinking water projects can be completed by October 2010.
- The debate over whether to increase these government programs should come during the normal budgeting process – it should not be disguised as emergency stimulus spending.
- The non-job creating spending in this bill includes:
a) $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts.4. The record spending in this bill will skyrocket the national debt and stick our children and grandchildren with the bill. We are wasting hundreds of billions of dollars each year on interest on the debt.
b) $400 million to study climate change.
c) $200 million to revitalize the National Mall, including planting new sod.
d) $1.1 billion to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a permanent board to ration health care services, a precursor to universal health care.
e) Hundreds of millions of dollars for contraceptives and family planning services through Medicaid.
f) $650 million dollars for additional digital TV converter box coupons.
g) $166 billion in direct aid to help states pay their bills.
h) $13 billion for reading programs.i) $15.6 billion to increase the maximum annual Pell grant (for college students) by $500 from $4,360 to $4,860.
j) $3 billion to public health departments for additional immunizations.
k) $1 billion in additional funding to pay heating bills of low-income Americans.
l) $1 billion for the 2010 census.
m) $100 million for National Science Foundation scholarships.
n) $200 million for nutrition programs.
o) $200 million to provide incentives to teachers to raise test scores.
p) $2 billion in additional funds for low-income child care.
q) $900 million in additional funds to prepare for the pandemic flu.
- The national debt was $9.2 trillion in 2008, is estimated at $10.3 trillion in 2009 after the bailouts, and is estimated at $10.8 trillion if the stimulus bill is enacted.
- At $9.2 trillion in 2008, Americans paid $420 billion that year just on interest on the debt. That’s nearly one fourth of the entire federal budget for that year. If the stimulus bill is enacted, that interest payment will approach $500 billion in 2009.
Just last week, I introduced legislation (HR 550) to stimulate the economy and create jobs by giving Americans a $5,000 tax credit to purchase a new vehicle. The automobile industry and its suppliers account for 13 million American jobs, 20 percent of all U.S. retail sales, and billions of dollars in state and local sales taxes. The drop in U.S. vehicle sales from 16.2 million in 2007 to 10.5 million in 2008 removed $175 billion directly from our economy and has been one of the leading causes of America’s economic downturn and huge job losses. If we can incentivize people to buy cars again, we can go a long way to restoring our economy.
I also cosponsored legislation (HR 101) that would provide a tax credit up to $7,500 to encourage Americans to buy homes again, putting millions of Americans back to work in the housing and real estate industry.- We should also give Americans back more of their hard-earned money so they can re-invest it back in the economy. By lowering the two lowest tax rates from 10 to 5 percent and 15 to 10 percent, we could save a married couple up to $3,200 a year in taxes.
- We should also reduce the heavy tax burden on America’s business community – especially the job-creating small businesses – so they can better afford to put Americans back to work.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Stimulus Package
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Manzullo and Lipinski Push “American First” Purchases for Stimulus
Below is the press release based on a letter that 49 congressmen signed to their House leadership. It urges that American companies be given preference in stimulus package purchases.
(WASHINGTON) U.S. Reps. Don Manzullo (R-IL) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL) and 49 of their colleagues today co-signed a letter to the House leadership urging them to require any money spent under the proposed stimulus bill be used to buy American-made products whenever possible.
Manzullo has led Congressional efforts to strengthen American manufacturing and has successfully passed several bills to strengthen the Buy American Act. In 2001, he forced the Defense Department to cancel several foreign-based contracts for Army berets and instead rebid the contracts for American-based firms.
Manzullo & Lipinski: Spending in Any Stimulus Bill Should Support American Workers
(WASHINGTON) U.S. Reps. Don Manzullo (R-IL) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL) and 49 of their colleagues today co-signed a letter to the House leadership urging them to require any money spent under the proposed stimulus bill be used to buy American-made products whenever possible. "Whether you support the stimulus bill or not, we should all agree tax dollars should focus on creating American jobs, not more jobs overseas,”said Manzullo.
“That's why I support this Buy American provision. It will ensure any spending in the stimulus bill will support American jobs."Lipinski added,
“Congress is currently considering whether we will spend $825 billion - or more - American taxpayer dollars to get the economy moving again and put people back to work. Everyone should agree that these taxpayer dollars should be spent here at home. Wherever possible, Federal, state, and local governments, contractors and subcontractors should spend the stimulus grants to help American industries and American workers.”The Buy American Act of 1933 requires the federal government to support domestic manufacturers and workers by purchasing American-made goods, but it is riddled with loopholes and is often waived. Unless a strong “Buy American” provision is added to any economic stimulus bill, American industries, workers, and families will not reap the full benefits of the stimulus package.
Manzullo has led Congressional efforts to strengthen American manufacturing and has successfully passed several bills to strengthen the Buy American Act. In 2001, he forced the Defense Department to cancel several foreign-based contracts for Army berets and instead rebid the contracts for American-based firms.
Labels: 6th Congressional District, America First, Dan Lipinski, Don Manzullo
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Manzullo and Upton Hope to Spark Demand Side of Economy
The following press release has been received from 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo. In it he and Fred Upton (R-Michigan) take the “make cars cost less to encourage their purchase” approach to economic recovery.Manzullo's district contains the Belevidere Chrysler Assembly Plant.
As former State Representative and Con-Con Delegate Harlem Rigney told me as we were sitting at a table on the grounds of the State Ag Director's house on Republican Day during the Jim Thompson Administration,
“That's tax relief I can see on my kitchen table.”Thompson later signed Rigney's bill to exempt farm machinery from state sales tax. Rigney was a farmer from the Freeport area elected to the Illinois House first in 1972, the same year I was. We both represented Boone County.
Manzullo's legislation is too late for the Skinner household, however. Being hit by a semi on July 4th on the bridge across the Mississippi within sight of the St. Louis Arch resulted in our purchasing a new (well, not quite) car this summer.
Fortunately, there were no fireworks on the bridge.
Manzullo & Upton: Tax Credit to Purchase New Vehicles Would Stimulate Economy, Create Jobs
(WASHINGTON) U.S. Reps. Don Manzullo (R-IL) and Fred Upton (R-MI) today introduced legislation to stimulate the economy and create jobs by giving Americans tax incentives to purchase cars and trucks.
The Get America Moving Again Act of 2009 (HR 550) would bolster American manufacturing and spur vehicle sales and production by giving Americans tax credits of $5,000 to purchase a new vehicle and $2,000 to purchase a used vehicle through Dec. 31, 2009.
The tax credits would be cut in half in 2010 and expire on Dec. 31, 2010.
The tax credits would be limited for vehicles that cost under $50,000 and would only be allowed for households with an adjusted gross income of $250,000 or less.
The automobile industry and its suppliers account for 13 million American jobs, 20 percent of all U.S. retail sales, and billions of dollars in state and local sales taxes.
The drop in U.S. vehicle sales from 16.2 million in 2007 to 10.5 million in 2008 removed $175 billion directly from our economy and has been one of the leading causes of America’s economic downturn and huge job losses.
“If we can get cars and trucks to start selling again, inventory will move from factory lots and dealers’ showrooms and manufacturing can start again. “It pays salaries of all the vehicle assembly workers, dealers, and employees, and their thousands of suppliers. It replenishes local and state sales tax receipts.
“It restarts manufacturing and supply chains and the economy begins to boom again because vehicles are the second biggest consumer item after housing,” said Manzullo, co-founder and co-chair of the House Manufacturing Caucus.
“Folks are struggling in Michigan and across the nation – and this measure provides families in Middle America a helping hand as they seek to replace their older, gas guzzling vehicles, with newer, more fuel efficient cars. Encouraging folks to buy now will also help our nation’s automakers start selling vehicles again and create jobs, all the while boosting our ailing economy. This legislation will help put families and the nation’s economy back on the road to recovery,” said Upton, co-chair of the Congressional Auto Caucus.
Manzullo and Upton are also working on a second bill that will move the tax credit concept to a voucher system so that consumers can see the immediate benefit of the incentive at the point of sale of a vehicle.
Labels: Don Manzullo, Fred Upton, Harlem Rigney, Tax Credit
Manzullo on Health Care Vote
The following press release has been received from the office of 16th district Congressman Don Manzullo:Manzullo Supports Health Care for Needy Children, Opposes Bill that Threatens Benefits
(WASHINGTON) – Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) voted today against legislation that could threaten the quality of health care for millions of children by crowding them out of high-quality, employer-paid health insurance plans in favor of government-run health care that limits medical choices.
The legislation is a Democrat leadership attempt to massively expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Manzullo supports the reauthorization of the current SCHIP program that provides health care benefits to 6 million of our nation’s neediest children.
But he opposes the expansion bill that would provide taxpayer-funded health care benefits to children of families earning up to $83,000. The expansion bill (H.R. 2) also would:
- Provide an incentive to move 2.4 million children out of high-quality private health insurance plans when employers learn they no longer have to pay the benefits to employees whose children qualify for government health care, according to a non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) study.
- Continue to provide taxpayer-funded health care coverage for up to 780,000 adults until at least 2012 while 500,000 poor children continue to go uncovered, according to the CBO.
- Make it easier for illegal immigrants to get taxpayer-funded benefits by eliminating ID verification in the current program.
- Fund the $73 billion expansion bill with an increase in the federal cigarette tax by 61 cents per pack, requiring 22 million Americans to start smoking the next several years to meet the revenue projections, according to a Heritage Foundation study. The opposite will occur and people will stop smoking because of the tax increase, leaving the expanded program with huge revenue shortfalls.
- Create a budgetary gimmick by dropping 65 percent of SCHIP funding in 4 ½ years, requiring more tax increases or cuts elsewhere to continue the program
- Limits health care choices for seniors by banning new physician-owned hospitals (similar to the Mayo and Cleveland Clinic) from participating in the Medicare program and places severe restrictions on the expansion of existing hospitals.
Unfortunately, that request fell on deaf ears. As an alternative, Manzullo voted for a motion to H.R. 2 that incorporates these suggestions and extends the current SCHIP program through 2015 by putting poor kids first.
“I strongly support the extension of the existing SCHIP program that helps provide health care to our neediest children, but the bloated Democrat bill over-promises and under-delivers,” Manzullo said.
“It would provide taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants, increase taxes, cut senior’s access to some hospitals, continue to cover up to 780,000 adults while 500,000 poor children go uncovered, and actually cause many families in America to lose their high-quality private health insurance in exchange for government-run health care.
“Social Security is short by $13 trillion and Medicaid and Medicare are already stretched.
"This massive expansion of SCHIP would shortchange these existing health care programs and continue the raid on the incomes of our children and grandchildren.
"I care about our future generations and don’t believe we are doing them any favors today by saddling them with these huge costs in the future,” Manzullo added.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Health Care, SCHIP
Friday, January 09, 2009
Manzullo Announces Cary-Grove High School West Point Appointment
16th District Congressman Don Manzullo has announced another service academy appointment. His press release follows:
Cary-Grove High School Student
Appointed to West Point
Appointed to West Point
[CRYSTAL LAKE] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today announced that Corey Bruns of Fox River Grove, Illinois, has received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY.
Corey will graduate in June 2009 from Cary-Grove High School in Cary. At Cary-Grove, Corey is a member of the Honor Roll. He also works at Light of Christ Lutheran Church.
In addition, Corey is a member of the Varsity Baseball team and was named All Area, 2nd Team, for the Spring 2008 season. He also played basketball and football at Cary-Grove. Corey is the son of Scott and Alisa Bruns of Fox River Grove.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Cary-Grove High School, Don Manzullo, West Point
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Manzullo Issue Beginning of Session Press Release
It appears below:
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) was sworn in to a new 2-year term of office today, vowing to continue his ongoing efforts to strengthen our economy and put Americans back to work in 2009.
Manzullo, a leader in the battle to strengthen American manufacturing, will continue to serve on the House Financial Services Committee that has jurisdiction over our nation’s key economic issues and oversight of government bailout initiatives. Manzullo recently received major national media coverage during committee oversight hearings on the $700 billion Wall Street bailout and the rescue package for the Big 3 automakers.
Manzullo will also continue to serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he is the lead Republican on the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, and continually holds China’s feet to the fire to ensure the trade playing field is level for American manufacturers competing in the global marketplace.
Manzullo, who co-founded and co-chairs the House Manufacturing Caucus, will continue in the 111th Congress to represent more than 725,000 people who reside in the 16th Congressional District of Illinois. The district includes the counties of Boone, Winnebago, Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Carroll, two-thirds of McHenry County, the top half of DeKalb County, and the top third of Whiteside County.
The people of northern Illinois and throughout our great country are hurting in these difficult economic times,” Manzullo said.
Manzullo to Focus on Putting Americans Back to Work, Strengthening Our Economy in 2009
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) was sworn in to a new 2-year term of office today, vowing to continue his ongoing efforts to strengthen our economy and put Americans back to work in 2009.
Manzullo, a leader in the battle to strengthen American manufacturing, will continue to serve on the House Financial Services Committee that has jurisdiction over our nation’s key economic issues and oversight of government bailout initiatives. Manzullo recently received major national media coverage during committee oversight hearings on the $700 billion Wall Street bailout and the rescue package for the Big 3 automakers.Manzullo will also continue to serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he is the lead Republican on the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, and continually holds China’s feet to the fire to ensure the trade playing field is level for American manufacturers competing in the global marketplace.
Manzullo, who co-founded and co-chairs the House Manufacturing Caucus, will continue in the 111th Congress to represent more than 725,000 people who reside in the 16th Congressional District of Illinois. The district includes the counties of Boone, Winnebago, Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Carroll, two-thirds of McHenry County, the top half of DeKalb County, and the top third of Whiteside County.
The people of northern Illinois and throughout our great country are hurting in these difficult economic times,” Manzullo said.
“I will continue this Congress to lead the mission to strengthen U.S. manufacturing, kick-start our economy and put Americans back to work. We can begin by giving Americans and employers tax incentives to buy vehicles to kick-start that sector of our economy and create new jobs for Americans.”
Labels: Don Manzullo, House Manufacturing Caucus
Monday, December 29, 2008
Manzullo on the Move
Here is a press release concerning where 16th district Congressman Don Manzullo will have his Crystal Lake office starting today:
(CRYSTAL LAKE) U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Egan) announced today he will move into a new Crystal Lake office a few miles west of his current location on Route 14 on Monday, Dec. 29, to continue to serve the people of the 16th Congressional District of Illinois.
The new office address is 101 N. Virginia St., Suite 170, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. It is located along the north side of Route 14 at its intersection with Woodstock Street across the street from the new McHenry County animal control facility. The phone number will remain (815)356-9800.
The Crystal Lake office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Staff is available to help Congressman Manzullo’s constituents solve problems they are having with the federal government, including Social Security, Medicare, and the Veterans’ Administration. Staff can also help constituents purchase American flags, request tour tickets in Washington, D.C., etc.
Congressman Manzullo represents about two-thirds of McHenry County, including those living in Crystal Lake, Cary, Fox River Grove, Oakwood Hills, Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Huntley, Lakewood, Union, Marengo and Harvard. Manzullo also represents the counties of Boone, Winnebago, Stephenson, JoDaviess, Carroll, Ogle, and parts of Whiteside and DeKalb counties.
Manzullo to Move Local Office to
New Location in Crystal Lake
on Dec. 29
New Location in Crystal Lake
on Dec. 29
(CRYSTAL LAKE) U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Egan) announced today he will move into a new Crystal Lake office a few miles west of his current location on Route 14 on Monday, Dec. 29, to continue to serve the people of the 16th Congressional District of Illinois.The new office address is 101 N. Virginia St., Suite 170, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. It is located along the north side of Route 14 at its intersection with Woodstock Street across the street from the new McHenry County animal control facility. The phone number will remain (815)356-9800.
The Crystal Lake office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Staff is available to help Congressman Manzullo’s constituents solve problems they are having with the federal government, including Social Security, Medicare, and the Veterans’ Administration. Staff can also help constituents purchase American flags, request tour tickets in Washington, D.C., etc.
Congressman Manzullo represents about two-thirds of McHenry County, including those living in Crystal Lake, Cary, Fox River Grove, Oakwood Hills, Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Huntley, Lakewood, Union, Marengo and Harvard. Manzullo also represents the counties of Boone, Winnebago, Stephenson, JoDaviess, Carroll, Ogle, and parts of Whiteside and DeKalb counties.
Labels: 101 N. Virginia St., 16th Congressional District, Crystal Lake, Don Manzullo
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Manzullo Votes for Car Industry Assistance Program
With the Belvidere Chrysler plant in his 16th congressional district, United State Representative Don Manzullo sided with the majority when it passed 237-170 the $14 billion automobile industry loan package.205 Democrats and 32 Republicans voted in favor. 150 Republicans voted “No.”
Below is his press release:
Manzullo Supports Plan to Strengthen U.S. Auto Industry Without New Taxpayer Money
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) voted tonight for legislation to stem the bleeding in the American auto industry and give Chrysler, GM and Ford time to restructure without burdening taxpayers with additional liability. The House passed the bill 237 to 170. It heads to the Senate for a vote later this week. The President has indicated he will sign it into law.
The legislation is not a bailout because it merely allows the Big 3 to tap into funds that were previously approved for their industry.NO NEW TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE INVOLVED.Two months ago, Congress approved legislation allowing the U.S. auto industry to seek government loans up to $25 billion to help cover the cost of retooling their factories to meet the higher fuel economy standards mandated by Congress in the Energy Bill a year ago.
Today’s legislation tweaks that bill to allow the Big 3 to use up to $14 billion of those previously approved loans for general operating expenses to stem the bleeding so they have time to restructure and again thrive.
In addition, Manzullo will continue to call for a vote on legislation to increase the demand side of the problem and encourage Americans to start buying cars again. Manzullo co-sponsored a bill – HR 7273 – that would allow Americans an income tax deduction on the sales tax and interest they pay on a new car.
This would provide a $1,300 tax benefit on the purchase of a new $25,000 car. He is also considering a straight tax credit on the purchase of a new or used vehicle (if we offer a tax incentive to promote new car sales, we must also offer a tax incentive – albeit smaller – for used cars or the dealerships will be flooded with unsellable used cars).“This legislation will allow Chrysler, GM and Ford to tap into previously approved money to stem the bleeding and restructure without putting further taxpayer dollars at risk,” said Manzullo, a member of the House Financial Services Committee who has questioned the Big 3 CEOs twice.
Last week, Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli testified that without this package, Chrysler could face bankruptcy and possibly liquidation after January 1, 2009.“I’m concerned about the 2,600 people who work at Chrysler’s Belvidere Assembly Plant and the thousands more who work at auto dealerships and auto suppliers in northern Illinois. With auto sales down 30 to 50 percent for each of the Big 3 last month, we must also consider offering tax credits or other incentives to encourage Americans to buy cars again.”Manzullo supports several other free-market strategies to help American automakers, including:
- Accelerating the domestic manufacturing tax deduction Manzullo authored in 2004 to dramatically reduce taxes on the Big 3 and other American manufacturers. The acceleration would give U.S. manufacturers and extra 3 percent tax rate reduction retroactive to Jan. 1, 2008 on all of the product they manufacture in America.
- Allowing companies to repatriate their overseas profits back to the United States tax free for one year if the money is used to pay off distressed debt or support business expansion or job creation.
- Suspending the capital gains and “recapture taxes” for two years to encourage Americans to invest in America and encourage corporations to sell unwanted assets and acquire the capital they need to sustain and create jobs.
- Allowing companies to carry-back losses an additional two years, generating a tax refund and immediate capital.
- Directing the Securities and Exchange Commission to suspend the mark-to-market regulatory rules until the agency can issue new guidelines that will allow firms to mark these assets to their true economic value.
- Reducing the corporate tax rate from 35 to 15 percent.
- Ensuring unusually high pension funding requirements do not destroy America’s automakers in these troubled economic times.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Belvidere Chrysler Plant, Chrysler, Don Manzullo
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Manzullo: Resign Now, Governor
The following press release about Governor Rod Blagojevich's arrest on what U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald called "a political crime spree" has been received from 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo:
Manzullo to Blagojevich: “Resign Now”
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) issued the following statement reacting to the arrest of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich this morning on federal corruption charges:
“I am aghast at the depth of these charges and Governor Blagojevich’s alleged efforts to benefit personally and criminally from seemingly every action he has taken as leader of our state. His brazen decision to shake down potential appointments to the U.S. Senate is only overshadowed by his disgusting threat to hold up funding for sick children until he received a sizable campaign donation from the hospital CEO.
“This state has many needs and challenges right now and cannot function with the Governor facing these horrible charges. There can be no capital bill, no U.S. Senate appointment, and no way out of our state’s financial morass as long as Rod Blagojevich remains Governor of Illinois. He must finally do right by the people of Illinois and resign now. If he doesn’t, the Illinois General Assembly should immediately begin impeachment proceedings against him.”
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Partick Fitzgerald, Political Crime Spree, Rod Blagojevich
Friday, December 05, 2008
Manzullo Weighs In on Auto Industry Problems
What follows is the press release sent out by 16th district Congressman Don Manzullo.In it he suggests giving financial incentives for new and used car buyers, “tweaking” the previously approved $25 billion for car makers to allow earlier disbursal and requiring unions and management to restructure their contracts.
He also suggests cutting the manufacturing tax rate faster than the 2005 bill he co-authored would allow would provide the immediate infusion of money the Big 3 requires. If that were enacted, domestic manufacturers would have a 9% tax advantage over foreign manufacturers. He also favors reducing the corporate tax rate from 35% to 15%.
Manzullo Offers Plan to Strengthen U.S. Auto Industry, American Economy
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today told the CEOs of the Big 3 Automakers that they must look beyond their short-term needs and employ programs to increase the demand for their vehicles if they expect to survive the next several years.
A member of the House Financial Services Committee, Manzullo participated in this morning’s committee hearing on a potential bailout of GM, Ford and Chrysler. Manzullo challenged the CEOs of each of the companies during the hearing, seeking their thoughts on the value of offering tax incentives to encourage Americans to buy vehicles. Manzullo’s opening statement can be viewed on his website at http://manzullo.house.gov.“I care deeply about the 2,600 people who work at Chrysler’s Belvidere Assembly Plant and the thousands more who work at auto dealerships and auto suppliers in northern Illinois.
But simply giving the automakers money to stem the bleeding will do nothing to protect their jobs in the future,” Manzullo said. “Auto sales are down 30 to 50 percent for each of the companies, and we must consider offering tax credits or other incentives to encourage Americans to buy cars again.”
Manzullo supports a 3-step approach to strengthening the U.S. auto industry and improving our economy:Manzullo also believes accelerating the domestic manufacturing tax deduction – which he co-authored in 2004 – would dramatically reduce taxes on the Big 3 American automakers and give them the cash infusion they need to sustain and create new jobs. The manufacturing deduction currently provides a 6 percent tax rate reduction for manufacturers on the goods they produce in the United States.
- Allow automakers to stem the bleeding by tapping some of the previously approved $25 billion in loans for retooling plants to meet higher fuel economy standards. This is the fastest way to get cash to automakers because it is a bipartisan solution supported by the President and does not require a taxpayer bailout. With a legislative tweak, the automakers could quickly get the cash they need and then pay it back to the retooling fund at a later date.
- Require management and unions to follow through on plans to restructure and make Big 3 American companies more cost competitive. This restructuring will be necessary to ensure American companies can compete in the future with foreign vehicles built in America.
- Provide incentives to encourage Americans to start buying cars again. Manzullo co-sponsored a bill – HR 7273 – that would allow Americans an income tax deduction on the sales tax and interest they pay on a new car. This would provide a $1,300 tax benefit on the purchase of a new $25,000 car. He is also considering a straight tax credit on the purchase of a new or used vehicle (if we offer a tax incentive to promote new car sales, we must also offer a tax incentive – albeit smaller – for used cars or the dealerships will be flooded with unsellable used cars).
The tax rate reduction is scheduled to increase to 9 percent by 2010, but a bill Manzullo authored earlier this year (HR 5101) would accelerate the phase-in to 9 percent retroactively to Jan. 1, 2008.
“This legislation gives our manufacturers an extra 3 percent cut in their tax rate immediately that they can use to sustain and create jobs in America,” Manzullo said.
“It also provides a greater incentive for our manufacturers to keep jobs in the United States and actually bring some jobs back from overseas because they would pay a 9 percent tax premium on any work they send offshore.”
Manzullo supports several other free-market strategies to help American automakers, including:
- Allowing companies to repatriate their overseas profits back to the United States tax free for one year if the money is used to pay off distressed debt or support business expansion or job creation.
- Suspending the capital gains and “recapture taxes” for two years to encourage Americans to invest in America and encourage corporations to sell unwanted assets and acquire the capital they need to sustain and create jobs.
- Allowing companies to carry-back losses an additional two years, generating a tax refund and immediate capital.
- Directing the Securities and Exchange Commission to suspend the mark-to-market regulatory rules until the agency can issue new guidelines that will allow firms to mark these assets to their true economic value.
- Reducing the corporate tax rate from 35 to 15 percent.
- Ensuring unusually high pension funding requirements do not destroy America’s automakers in these troubled economic times.
Labels: Big Three, Car Manufacturers, Don Manzullo
Manzullo Front and Center in Car Bailout Hearing
Fresh from voting against the $700 billion bailout falsely advertised by U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to be used to buy bad mortgages, 16th district Congressman Don Manzullo will be one of the questioners at the nationally televised automobile bailout hearings today.
Manzullo's district is just south of Janesville, Wisconsin, where GM has announced the closing of its plant at the end of the month.
The district includes Belvidere, where the Chrysler plant is located.
Manzullo will be the fifth Republican to speak.
Below are the details from his press release:
Manzullo's district is just south of Janesville, Wisconsin, where GM has announced the closing of its plant at the end of the month. The district includes Belvidere, where the Chrysler plant is located.
Manzullo will be the fifth Republican to speak.
Below are the details from his press release:
8th District Congresswoman Melissa Bean also serves on the committee.Manzullo to Participate in Friday Hearing
Exploring Plans of Big 3
U.S. Automakers Financial Services Committee hearing will be carried live on C-SPAN, other news networks
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) will join his colleagues tomorrow morning at a Congressional hearing to examine the plans Ford, Chrysler and GM submitted this week along with their request for government assistance.
The House Financial Services Committee hearing will begin at 8:30 a.m. CT Friday, Dec. 5, in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC. The hearing will be carried
Manzullo, a member of the committee, is scheduled to give an opening statement during the hearing as well as question the CEOs of the Big 3 – GM’s Richard Wagoner, Jr., Chrysler’s Robert Nardelli, and Ford’s Alan Mulally.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, 8th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Melissa Bean
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Bailout Opponent Offers Free-Market Strategies for Economic Recover
With the campaign successfully completed, 16th district GOP Congressman Don Manzullo points to “free-market strategies” to restore America's economic health. The congressman voted against the $700 billion bailout, which U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson can't seem to figure out what to do with.Manzullo's press release follows:
Manzullo Proposes New Free-Market Strategies to Strengthen America’s Struggling Economy
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today proposed several new strategies Congress can pursue to ease America’s credit crunch, strengthen our economy and create jobs without sticking taxpayers with the bill. Manzullo offered his suggestions during a Financial Services Committee hearing called to discuss the state of the U.S. economy.
Manzullo, who opposed the $700 billion taxpayer bailout of Wall Street in favor of several proven free-market alternatives, said one strategy -- accelerating the domestic manufacturing tax deduction -- would give our companies a cash infusion they could use to sustain and create new jobs in America.
The American Jobs Creation and Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (HR 5101), which Manzullo authored with Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) earlier this year, would speed up the domestic manufacturing tax deduction to give manufacturers a larger tax break on the goods they produce in the United States.
The tax deduction – which Manzullo helped create in 2004 – currently provides a 6 percent tax rate reduction for manufacturers on the goods and services they produce in the United States. The tax rate reduction is scheduled to increase to 9 percent by 2010, but the bill would accelerate the phase-in to 9 percent retroactively to Jan. 1, 2008.
“This legislation gives our manufacturers an extra 3 percent cut in their tax rate immediately that they can use to sustain and create jobs in America,” Manzullo said. “It also provides a greater incentive for our manufacturers to keep jobs in the United States and actually bring some jobs back from overseas because they would pay a 9 percent tax premium on any work they send offshore.”
Manzullo supports several other free-market strategies to strengthen our economy, including:
- Allowing companies to repatriate their overseas profits back to the United States tax free for one year if the money is used to pay off distressed debt or support business expansion or job creation.
- Suspending the capital gains and recapture taxes for two years to encourage Americans to invest in America and encourage corporations to sell unwanted assets and acquire the capital they need to sustain and create jobs.
- Allowing companies to carry back losses an additional two years, generating a tax refund and immediate capital.
- Directing the Securities and Exchange Commission to suspend the mark-to-market regulatory rules until the agency can issue new guidelines that will allow firms to mark these assets to their true economic value.
- Reducing the corporate tax rate from 35 to 15 percent.
Shown during a Rockford TV debate is Don Manzullo on the right and Democratic Party challenger Robert Abboud to his right. With only his left arm in the screen is Green Party candidate Scott Summers.
Labels: Bailout, Dan Lapinski, Don Manzullo, Free Market, Robert Abboud, Scott Summers
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Robert Abboud's Post Election Comments
16th congressional district Democratic Party candidate for U.S. Representative Don Manzullo's seat has sent this communication:
Thank You!!!We knew from the beginning that this was going to be an uphill battle. Unfortunately, we did not make it over the top of the hill on Nov 4, 2008. We knew that going up against a 16 year incumbent on the first shot was a very long climb. As we look across the state of Illinois, despite a historic victory by President Elect Obama, many centrist Democrat candidates were unsuccessful. However, yesterday’s negative result is not the end. It must be the beginning.
Patricia and I want to thank all of the hundreds of volunteers and those who worked so hard on this campaign. We want to thank the hundreds of people who came out to knock on doors and make phone calls, the thousands of supporters that entrusted me with their vote, and the many organizations that supported us faithfully through this difficult contest. We will never forget all the hard work and support you gave to the campaign and to us. Let me assure you that your efforts are not wasted.
Unfortunately, we did not have a chance to thank many of you on the evening of Nov 4th. The size of the district made it difficult to thank everyone in person, but I assure you that our work together will continue and we will have a chance to spend some time together in the very near future.
I congratulate Mr. Manzullo on his re-election and hope that our contest moves him to being more accessible and responsive to the needs of everyone in the 16th District.
I am proud of the campaign we ran together because it was a campaign of ideas and issues. We came together behind a common purpose, to fundamentally change the direction of our country and our communities. The issues that existed on November 3rd still exist on November 5th. We still have the highest unemployment in Illinois, our economy is still on the ropes, manufacturing will continue to struggle, and we have yet to confront issues of transportation congestion, energy, health care and foreign policy. That must change. In this moment we must renew our resolve and continue our campaign for the issues we know to be critical to the prosperity of our families, our communities and our nation.
I promise to continue fighting for the issues and ideas that we all believe in, and I will remain active in the district so we may continue working together to confront our most trying challenges.
Thank you all for all your support. I am forever grateful. Please continue to contact me directly so we can work together to make the 16th District and our country the world leader we know it should and can be.
Bob Abboud
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Robert Abboud
Scott Summers Issues Statement
Green Party candidate for the 16th District congressional district has issued this statement:
November 5, 2008
Dear Friends:Thank you for your encouragement and support of my candidacy for U.S. Congress. Please join me in congratulating and thanking Mr. Abboud and Congressman Manzullo.
So what's next?
I expect to remain engaged in the public interest. And I expect that this will manifest itself in multiple ways.
I'll continue to serve as a community college trustee.
I'll continue to blog on matters of politics and public policy at www.SummersTimes.com.
I'll continue to develop and articulate some of my public policy ideas through writing and advocacy. Watch in the coming months for me to elaborate on my concepts of(1) "microcapitalism" (that is, grassroots economic development through new home-based businesses) andI've already reserved a couple of domain names: www.microcapitalism.info and www.OurGeneralStore.info. (See you there early next year!)
(2) community-based business cooperatives in the style of the old time general store.
Might I turn now to litigating in the public interest? I'll have to think about that.
Will I run for office in 2010? I'll have to think about that, too.
Finally -- I'll actually combine civics with a bit of fun during 2009 as I work with the McHenry County Lincoln Bicentennial Birthday Committee (www.alincoln200.com). I'll be authoring a regular "Thinkin' of Lincoln" column and - yes - occasionally impersonating the man at community events, and reciting excerpts from his speeches.
In short - I'm going to keep on going.
Stay in touch at this e-mail address: Scott (at) SummersTimes.com.
Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Scott
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Robert Abboud, Scott Summers
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Obama Effect Not Working in McHenry County
Any hopes of Democrats sweeping away lots of Republicans in McHenry County seem to be dashed from early returns.
With one-third of the vote counted, John McCain is leading Barack Obama by just over one percentage point.
That should buoy Democratic Party hopes, wouldn't you think?
But look at the congressional race between incumbent Republican Don Manzullo and challenger Robert Abboud.
It's 63% to 33% with Green Party candidate Scott Summers scoring 3 1/2%.
No coattails there.
State Rep. Mark Beaubien is cleaning Democrat Rich Garling's clock 69% to 30%.
Much was made of Democratic Party state representative candidate Robert Kaempfe's getting more votes in the primary election than incumbent Mike Tryon.
No carryover can be noticed this fall.
Tryon is winning 64% to 36%.
McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi is leading challenger Tom Cynor almost 2-1.
McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer, another Republican incumbent is not leading her opponent by as much as Bianchi, but she is still topping 61%.
Four term incumbent Coroner is getting 63% over Democrat Dave Bachmann. Not quite as high as Bianchi, but quite close.
So, at the legislative and countywide levels, there is no sign McHenry County voters are defecting to the Democrats.
The only potential crack in the Republican wall appears in county board races. More on that later.
With one-third of the vote counted, John McCain is leading Barack Obama by just over one percentage point.
That should buoy Democratic Party hopes, wouldn't you think?
But look at the congressional race between incumbent Republican Don Manzullo and challenger Robert Abboud.
It's 63% to 33% with Green Party candidate Scott Summers scoring 3 1/2%.
No coattails there.
State Rep. Mark Beaubien is cleaning Democrat Rich Garling's clock 69% to 30%.
Much was made of Democratic Party state representative candidate Robert Kaempfe's getting more votes in the primary election than incumbent Mike Tryon.
No carryover can be noticed this fall.
Tryon is winning 64% to 36%.
McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi is leading challenger Tom Cynor almost 2-1.
McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer, another Republican incumbent is not leading her opponent by as much as Bianchi, but she is still topping 61%.
Four term incumbent Coroner is getting 63% over Democrat Dave Bachmann. Not quite as high as Bianchi, but quite close.
So, at the legislative and countywide levels, there is no sign McHenry County voters are defecting to the Democrats.
The only potential crack in the Republican wall appears in county board races. More on that later.
Labels: Dave Bachmann, Don Manzullo, Lou Bianchi, Mark Beaubien, Marlene Lantz, Mike Tryon, Pam Palmer, Robert Abboud, Scott Summers, Tom Cynor
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Bob Abboud Goes for Humor in Last Weekend Radio Ads
Here's what Democratic Party 16th congressional district candidate Robert Abboud is running on McHenry County radio this weekend:
As one who has been waiting for the improvement that State Rep. Jack Franks got $500,000 for at the intersection of Route 176 and Walkup Avenue and that House Minority Leader promised another $500,000 on behalf of his 2000 GOP Franks' challenge Dr. Tom Salvi, it surprises me not a bit that road projects take a long time.
But, maybe that's because I know too much about the process. Most voters won't have that problem.
Picture supplied by the McHenry County Democratic Party.
Transportation Jeopardy – 60 – Radio= = = = =
Bob: I’m Robert Abboud and I approve this message.
VO: Welcome to a special edition of Transportation Jeopardy, I’m your host John Q. Taxpayer… Lets get started…
Bob Abboud is a candidate for U.S. Congress… Bob.
Bob: I’ll take Broken Promises for 200 John.
VO: He promised to deliver federal money for 62 and 31, but tied the money to state matching funds when he knew Springfield was broken so the money never came.
Bob: Who is Don Manzullo
VO: Correct! Choose Again.
Bob: How about Road Rage for 400
VO: His failure to deliver road money for Rt 47 and 176 caused our County to have one of the longest commute times in the Nation.
Bob: Who is Don Manzullo?
VO: He’s on a roll ladies and gentlemen.
Bob: Give me Common Sense for 1000
VO: Yep. It’s time for double jeopardy. What do you wager Bob?
Bob: I’ll wager a seat in the U.S. Congress John.
VO: OK… For a seat in Congress – They need real transportation solutions and real results.
Bob: Who are the voters in the 16th district?
VO: Congratulations Bob! You’ve won the chance to go to Washington to keep promises Don Manzullo couldn’t.
Bob: This is election is anything but trivial… I am asking for your vote on November 4th.
Paid for by Citizens for Robert Abboud.
As one who has been waiting for the improvement that State Rep. Jack Franks got $500,000 for at the intersection of Route 176 and Walkup Avenue and that House Minority Leader promised another $500,000 on behalf of his 2000 GOP Franks' challenge Dr. Tom Salvi, it surprises me not a bit that road projects take a long time.
But, maybe that's because I know too much about the process. Most voters won't have that problem.
Picture supplied by the McHenry County Democratic Party.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Robert Abboud
Friday, October 31, 2008
Manzullo Sends Third McHenry County Mailing
In my mailbox, you would hardly know a was happening with pitches from 16th district Congressman Don Manzullo.
Yesterday his third mailing hit my mailbox.
I see he is justifiably claiming credit to saving about $100 million a year for convincing the Navy to sell, rather than give its surplus ships.
I heard Manzullo talk excitedly about this policy change that he had just succeeded in initiated.
The piece repeats WGN's labeling him as “an honest politician,” as well as pointing out how $80-$100 million a year is being saved “be eliminating taxpayer subsidies on government loans.”
The congressman also brags that he voted to cut spending 123 times since his current term began in January, 2007.
The theme of the piece?
Fighting the Big Spenders in Washington.
He notes that he is ranked as the most fiscally conservative congressman from Illinois by the National Taxpayers Union.
Click to enlarge the images.
Yesterday his third mailing hit my mailbox.
I see he is justifiably claiming credit to saving about $100 million a year for convincing the Navy to sell, rather than give its surplus ships.I heard Manzullo talk excitedly about this policy change that he had just succeeded in initiated.
The piece repeats WGN's labeling him as “an honest politician,” as well as pointing out how $80-$100 million a year is being saved “be eliminating taxpayer subsidies on government loans.”
The congressman also brags that he voted to cut spending 123 times since his current term began in January, 2007.
The theme of the piece?
Fighting the Big Spenders in Washington.
He notes that he is ranked as the most fiscally conservative congressman from Illinois by the National Taxpayers Union.
Click to enlarge the images.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, National Taxpayers Union
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Manzullo Advertises on Northwest Herald's Web Site
Here's what the ad looks like:
Pretty low key, but maybe deservedly so.
In the Chicago Tribune's article yesterday about races to watch, the 16th congressional district was not included.
In his daily appearances, Democratic Party opponent continues to concentrate in the Rockford television market.
No reason he should do anything in McHenry County, because the NW Herald wouldn't cover it.
Pretty low key, but maybe deservedly so.In the Chicago Tribune's article yesterday about races to watch, the 16th congressional district was not included.
In his daily appearances, Democratic Party opponent continues to concentrate in the Rockford television market.
No reason he should do anything in McHenry County, because the NW Herald wouldn't cover it.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Northwest Herald
Monday, October 27, 2008
Abboud Criticizes Manzullo Financial Reform Ideas
With the election 8 days away, at least one candidate Democratic Party aspirant for the 16th congressional district seat that Republican Don Manzullo now holds seems to be ready to send out one press release a day.
Here is Monday's:
Here is Monday's:
WITH FINANCIAL SITUATION DETERORIATING, MANZULLO PROPOSAL WILL WORSEN ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL CRISIS
Abboud: We Can No Longer Afford this Type of Inexperienced, Ideologically Drive Representation
ROCKFORD – Democratic challenger and small business owner Bob Abboud called his opponents recent proposed financial legislation ‘the kind of knee jerk, ideological allegiance that created our current crisis.’ Abboud hammered his opponent after learning about the broad strokes of HR 7223, of which Don Manzullo is a co-sponsor.“At a time when Americans are looking for common sense solutions to our most serious problems, all Don Manzullo can offer is the same, failed, ideological irresponsible policies that sent our economy in the tank and our financial system into chaos,” Abboud said. “We can no longer afford to suffer through my opponent’s inability to accurately asses and address real challenges. We’ve waited for 16 years and that is long enough.”
The bill would suspend the capital gains tax, a schedule for the sponsored government enterprises for privatization and suspend mark-to-market accounting requirements. Abboud said these three proposals are a sure recipe for disaster if the government intends on solving our financial crisis and ensuring that taxpayers get a return on the investment they made in the form of the $750 billion rescue.
“Eliminating the capital gains tax will only encourage major investors to get out of a volatile stock market,” Abboud said. “The whole idea of the cap gains tax, an idea created by Richard Nixon, was to encourage long term investment in the stock market. Removing this tax won’t help working families; it will only give an easy out clause to big dollar investors and create even more instability in the marketplace.”
Abboud continued to explain that removing the mark-to-market accounting requirements was the real tragedy of this legislation. These requirements ensure that assets, like homes, are assessed for their real value. In other words, what the asset is actually worth at the time of the assessment. Removing these requirements would allow financial institutions to artificially inflate the value of these assets, giving the bank the leeway to lend out more money than it is really holding. This is the very same problem that caused this financial collapse.
“This is the same kind of ridiculous accounting principles that sent Ken Lay to jail, bankrupt Enron and cost too many regular people their pensions and life savings,” Abboud said. “Essentially what Manzullo is proposing is that we make up the value of these assets in hope that the market catches up, allowing banks to loan out more money than they actually have. As usual, Manzullo’s do nothing policies only seek to push serious problems onto others because he lacks the ability to address this challenge head on.”
The final problem with the legislation as Abboud sees it is the creation of a timetable for the re-privatization of government acquired assets. Abboud says that creating an end date to release these assets back to the free market will only encourage the market to drive down the price and then purchase them at significantly reduced value.
“This will guarantee American taxpayers will not get their money back,” Abboud said. “It’s like telling the opposing team where and when you’re gonna pass the football and then being surprised when they intercept it. This is one more mistake in the long list of mistakes that brought this crisis upon us. The question is, do we want to continue going down the same road, or is it time to change course.”
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Bailout, Don Manzullo, Robert Abboud
Manzullo Sends Out Second Mailing
It arrived in my mailbox on Friday.16th district Congressman Don Manzullo's second mailing.
But, again, it wasn't addressed to me.
It was addressed to my wife.
As far as hierarchies go, I guess I should be thankful it wasn't addressed to my 11-year old son.
He's
Fighting for
Our Families
Our Families
it says.
“An honest politician,” says WGN's Spike O'Dell. (Personally, I favor Mike Royko's having called me "an honest young legislator," but he has gone on to his eternal reward, so O'Dell will have to do.)
The piece talks about- money Manzullo has gotten for roads in Algonquin and Grafton Townships,
- the sewer money for Johnsburg, Port Barrington and Fox River Grove,
- the training of 6,000 McHenry County 6th graders about how to protect themselves from internet predators and
- helping open a VA health clinic in McHenry and keep open the VA hospital in North Chicago.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Spike O'Dell
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Manzullo Offers Financial Regulation Tightening Proposals
16th District Congressman Don Manzullo has sent out a press release about what he said about changing financial regulations to better protect the public:
Manzullo Offers Proposals to Tighten Financial Regulations, Strengthen American Economy
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today spoke at a House Financial Services Committee hearing and offered several suggestions to tighten financial regulations and improve the American economy.
Manzullo, a member of the committee, co-sponsored three Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reform bills in 2000, 2003, and 2005 and questioned the unethical activities of the government-sponsored enterprises at hearings in 2000 and 2004, yet nothing was done to rein-in the lax underwriting standards and purchasing policies of the mortgage giants.
Fannie and Freddie’s reckless acquisition of loans made by lenders to people regardless of their ability to repay incentivized lenders to lower their credit standards to make riskier loans – the very mortgages that failed and sparked our current financial crisis, Manzullo said.
“The unchecked fraud and abuse at these institutions is staggering and has cost the taxpayers millions,” Manzullo said. “This is a clear indication that Fannie and Freddie should undergo significant reform and that their role in the housing market should be seriously reconsidered.”
During Tuesday’s hearing, Manzullo offered the following reforms he co-sponsored as part of HR 7223:
Manzullo Offers Proposals to Tighten Financial Regulations, Strengthen American Economy
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today spoke at a House Financial Services Committee hearing and offered several suggestions to tighten financial regulations and improve the American economy.
Manzullo, a member of the committee, co-sponsored three Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reform bills in 2000, 2003, and 2005 and questioned the unethical activities of the government-sponsored enterprises at hearings in 2000 and 2004, yet nothing was done to rein-in the lax underwriting standards and purchasing policies of the mortgage giants.
Fannie and Freddie’s reckless acquisition of loans made by lenders to people regardless of their ability to repay incentivized lenders to lower their credit standards to make riskier loans – the very mortgages that failed and sparked our current financial crisis, Manzullo said.“The unchecked fraud and abuse at these institutions is staggering and has cost the taxpayers millions,” Manzullo said. “This is a clear indication that Fannie and Freddie should undergo significant reform and that their role in the housing market should be seriously reconsidered.”
During Tuesday’s hearing, Manzullo offered the following reforms he co-sponsored as part of HR 7223:
· Limit Federal Backing for High Risk Loans: We need to mandate that Government Sponsored Enterprises [GSEs]no longer securitize any unsound mortgage that is:(1) not fully documented to meet minimum requirements for work, assets, and income;· Schedule the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) for Privatization: We must transition Fannie and Freddie over a reasonable time period to truly private companies without special government privileges and open them up to real market competition. This reform would:
(2) written to comply with any law or regulation that would otherwise violate a firm’s lending rules.1)establish commonsense limits for their capital requirements and portfolio holdings relative their size;· Suspend “Mark to Market” Accounting: We should direct the SEC to suspend the mark-to-market regulatory rules until the agency can issue new guidelines that will allow firms to mark these assets to their true economic value. The current rules contribute to a downward spiral as firms have to evaluate their assets not on the basis of their long-term investment but rather on a short-term mania.
2)focus their mission on affordable housing only, not profit making;
3)require them to pay an appropriate risk-based amount for the government guarantee they enjoy;
4)subject them to state and local taxes and accurate SEC filings like every other private for-profit corporation; and
5)ultimately provide for the phase out their GSE charters once their conservatorship has ended.
· Strict Enforcement of Laws Designed to Protect Investors: Congress must task the SEC with reviewing the annual audit reports of entities the federal government has brought under conservatorship or now owns, and determine if those annual audit reports from years 2005 to present accurately reflected the financial health of those businesses.
· Encourage the Federal Reserve to Expedite its Final Rule Requiring Proof of Affordability: The Fed has issued a common-sense rule that would require people to show proof that they could afford a mortgage before they receive it. Right now, this rule will not take effect until 2009. Given the state of our economy, this is unreasonable, and we should encourage its expedited publishing.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Manzullo Sends Out Energy Mailer
Last week the first fall political mailing hit out mailbox.
It was from 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo and was just in time for the beginning of early voting.
Here's what it look like. First the address side:
Next, the back:
Click to enlarge either side.
It was from 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo and was just in time for the beginning of early voting.
Here's what it look like. First the address side:
Next, the back:
Click to enlarge either side.Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Energy Policy
Monday, October 20, 2008
Looks Like Robert Abboud Not Alone at North Boone Middle School
Only Democrat candidate for the 16th District seat in Congress sent me a press release saying he was appearing before North Boone Middle School 7th and 8th graders today.
Now, I discover that all three candidates spoke to the students.
Not only was Abboud there, but Green Party candidate Scott Summers and incumbent Republican Don Manzullo spoke.
That actually sounds fair and balanced.
Now, I discover that all three candidates spoke to the students.
Not only was Abboud there, but Green Party candidate Scott Summers and incumbent Republican Don Manzullo spoke.
That actually sounds fair and balanced.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, North Boone Middle School, Robert Abboud, Scott Summers
Manzullo Back to D.C. for Congressional Hearing on Financial Services Regulation
Just two weeks until the election, and 16 District Congressman Don Manzullo is off to Washington to a hearing on how to prevent another financial meltdown. Meanwhile Democratic Party opponent Robert Abboud is being given the opportunity to address all North Boone Middle School 7th and 8th graders at 1:30 on "public service, what brought them into politics and the importance and responsibility of voting," according to one of his press releases. Then, it's off to Galena for Abboud.
Manzullo's press release follows:
Manzullo Returns to Washington for Tuesday Hearing to Discuss Proposals to Tighten Financial Regulations
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, will return to our nation’s capital Tuesday to participate in a full committee hearing examining proposals to tighten regulations to stem the bleeding in our nation’s financial sector.
The hearing, entitled “The Future of Financial Services Regulation,” will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, in Room 2128 of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC. The hearing will examine:The adequacy of current powers and coverage of the existing regulatory structure.
- Ways to measure and limit risk without stifling innovation while improving market liquidity and breadth.
- The implications of current governmental lending and support facilities for the regulatory structure.
- Proposals to improve the regulatory structure through a stronger system of regulation and oversight.
- The need for enhanced capital and reserve requirements for financial firms.
Witnesses at the hearing will include
two former vice chairs of the Board of Governors at the Fed, as well as representatives of the American Bankers Association, the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, the Financial Services Roundtable, and the Independent Community Bankers of America.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Bailout, Don Manzullo, North Boone Middle School, Robert Abboud
Friday, October 17, 2008
Two-Thirds of Melissa Bean's Contributions Since July Come from Political Action Committees
8th congressional district challenger Steve Greenberg has done the homework that writers like I should have done and discovered that two-thirds of the money that his Democratic Party opponent Melissa Bean raised has come from what he calls “special interests.”By that he really means political action committees or PACS.
Greenberg points out in his press release that during the last quarter he has raised more from individuals, while Bean has gotten only $150,836 to $150,818.
Looking at the entire campaign cycle, Bean out raised Greenberg among citizens $1.3 million to $720,763.
Still, 54% of her $2,961,390 war chest came from PACs, while Greenberg got 79% of his $916,513 from individuals.Comparing incumbent to incumbent, Don Manzullo received two-thirds of his money from individuals, while Bean got only 46%.
Greenberg has $45,000 on hand and a debt of $124,202.
Bean has $1,014,247 in cash and a debt of $17,800.
Greenberg’s press release follows:
Greenberg’s Q3 Support from Individuals Easily Outpaced Bean’s= = = = =
2/3 of Democrat’s Support Came from Special Interests
LAKE ZURICH 10/16/08 – In the fundraising quarter running from July through September, Congressional Candidate Steve Greenberg far outpaced his opponent in contributions from individual supporters. Greenberg received $150,836 in support from individual supporters compared to only $105,818.47 for his opponent.
Bean, who is the 6th largest recipient of special interest money in Congress, received an astounding two-thirds of her support for the quarter from special interests. Bean collected $208,635 from special interest PACs in the last quarter, bringing her total from special interests this cycle to $1,619,329 and a lifetime total, in her short career, to a whopping $3,716,471. All this after rightfully attacking Phil Crane for his disgraceful special interest fundraising.
“I am so thankful for the support of the hard-working members of the community, especially as they struggle through the economic crisis,” said Greenberg. “Meanwhile, my opponent continues to show that she is interested only in representing the special interests with deep pockets. She has accepted nearly a million dollars from the financial sector in exchange for lax oversight of their lending practices, which led to the taxpayers having to bail out financial institutions.
“No matter how much money the special interests give Melissa Bean, she will never have enough money to hide from the fact that we are not better off than we were four years ago when she was elected. The 8th District deserves better. The hard-working families deserve a Representative who will be a voice for them in Washington.”
8th district Congresswoman Melissa Bean provokes a smile from 16th district Congressman Don Manzullo at the McHenry County Economic Development Committee's annual dinner.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, 8th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Melissa Bean, Steve Greenberg
Abboud Reports Raising $347,600 in Congressional Campaign, $13,600 in Bank Sept. 30th
Robert Abboud, Democratic Party challenger in the 16th congressional district, is reporting having only $13,594 left in his campaign bank account. Republican incumbent Don Manzullo had $533,803 left on September 30th.
Whether Abboud will be able to put huge chunks of family money in the campaign remains to be seen.
For his election campaign, Abboud has raised $347,600 compared to incumbent Don Manzullo's $1.3 million.
Abboud reports having spent $402,801 less than half of Manzullo's $875,683.
The only political action committee to contribute to Abboud was Arab American Leadership PAC. It gave $1,000.
$410,288 was received by Manzullo, but that amounted to less than half of what he received from individual contributors.
Abboud's committee reports being in debt $104,857. $68,795 is guaranteed by candidate Abboud, the report says.
Collateral being used to secure a $100,000 loan from Fox River Grove LP
is “real estate located at 13 Country Oaks Lane, Barrington Hills IL - candidate's personal residence,” according to the filing. The interest rate on the August 12th loan is 7%.
Abboud values his home at $1 million. The property is assessed at $233,896. Under Illinois law, property is supposed to be assessed at one-third of a three-year running average.
= = = = =
Democratic Party candidate Robert Abboud is seen on the left appearing on WIFR-TV debate, Congressman Don Manzullo is on the right. Not seen, although participating was Green Party candidate Scott Summers.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Robert Abboud
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Manzullo Has Raised $1.3 Million for Congressional Race, Half Million Left
As befits an incumbent 16th congressional district United States Representative Don Manzullo has raised lots of money--$1,270,936--during this election cycle.Importantly, Manzullo still had $533,803 on hand as of September 30th.
Democratic Party opponent Robert Abboud had not yet filed his September 30th report.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Robert Abboud
Abboud on Attack against Manzullo's Lack of Courage in Bailout Vote
Put in juxtaposition with a midday NPR interview with a retired Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter who levied a scathing attack on the $700 billion bailout yesterday is the following press release from 16th congressional district Democratic Party candidate Robert Abboud, Village President of Barrington Hills.
The ex-reporter scorned the fact that none of the $700 billion would be spent before the election, nor would any that huge amount help liquidity. On the other hand, he praised the British Prime Minister's plan to buy stock in banks, saying that would actually give banks money to loan. Now the US government is copying the idea, to the tune of $250, billion without admitting that the original plan would primarily benefit the institutions and individuals who caused the problem.
So, with that on my mind, into my in-box pops the following press release from Abboud:
The ex-reporter scorned the fact that none of the $700 billion would be spent before the election, nor would any that huge amount help liquidity. On the other hand, he praised the British Prime Minister's plan to buy stock in banks, saying that would actually give banks money to loan. Now the US government is copying the idea, to the tune of $250, billion without admitting that the original plan would primarily benefit the institutions and individuals who caused the problem.
So, with that on my mind, into my in-box pops the following press release from Abboud:
WRONG AGAIN: MANZULLO CONTINUES LONG LINE OF POOR POLICY DECISIONS
Manzullo’s Failure to Find Courage to Vote for Bailout Could Have Been Costly, Luckily Manzullo Remains as Inconsequential as Usual
ROCKFORD – Democratic Challenger and small business owner Bob Abboud, applauded recent measures taken by Treasury Secretary Paulson to allow credit and capital to begin flowing in U.S. financial markets Wednesday, and hammered his opponent for ‘lacking the courage to act’, in reference to Manzullo’s no vote on the federal bailout package.“With the stock market in free fall and people everywhere worried about the security of their savings, Don Manzullo thought it best to do nothing to help bring some stability to the United States financial system. Well, once again Manzullo was wrong – adding to his growing list of policy and leadership failures,” Abboud said. “The measures Paulson and Congress have taken have created the opportunity for credit and capital to begin flowing again. This action was absolutely critical.”
Abboud and Paulson are both residents of the Village of Barrington Hills, where Abboud currently serves as Mayor. Abboud said he knows Paulson well and was happy to see the Treasury Secretary utilize the same key strategies Abboud has been discussing in recent weeks to execute the federal rescue of struggling financial institutions to protect peoples savings, and insure credit is available to individuals and businesses.
“I was very glad to see that taxpayers will be receiving an equity share of the companies the federal government rescues, that CEO’s and other management of companies we rescue won’t be receiving their golden parachutes and that there was an increase in the deposit amounts insured by the FDIC,” Abboud said. “These are the things I have been talking about for weeks and it is a relief to see them implemented even before I get to Congress.”
Abboud said that no one likes spending $700 billion to rescue failing financial institutions. But the alternative is that small businesses, homeowners, and working families would be exposed to devastating financial collapse without this level of protection.
“If Don Manzullo had his way family after family would still be watching their life savings plummet, and small and medium businesses would have no access to credit or capital to grow and create jobs,” Abboud said. “Manzullo’s lack of courage and technical understanding during this crisis should be a warning sign to every voter in the 16th District. A warning sign that says this guy just doesn’t have the chops to confront our most critical challenges.”
Abboud has proposed a comprehensive energy and economic plan that will re-establish manufacturing as the strategic component to America’s economic security, and leverage the new energy technology industry to revitalize manufacturing in the 16th District, create thousands of jobs, give families relief at the gas pump and finally deliver energy independence.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Bailout, Don Manzullo, Robert Abboud
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Manzullo Post Card Arriving
Just in time for early voting, a post card is arriving from 16th district Congressman Don Manzullo.
On the address side of this one is a quote from CNN's financial guru Lou Dobbs:
On the back of the post card, Manzullo tells of how he joined with Freeport's Titan Tire workers to “force China to stop dumping tires below cost” in America.
The post card also touts Manzullo's writing language to give tax benefits to manufacturers who “keep jobs in this country.”
It also points out that Manzullo won the “Wings of Liberty Award,” the “aerospace industry's highest award in 2008 for his work to expand exports, strengthen U.S. manufacturing, and keep jobs in America.”
There were other items, as well, which you can see if you click and increase the size of the images.
On the address side of this one is a quote from CNN's financial guru Lou Dobbs:“Congressman, few people in Washington work harder to represent manufacturing...Few are more concerned with the issue than you.” (July 14, 2004)Manzullo's Democratic Party opponent Robert Abboud has been trying to sell the idea that Manzullo is not dedicated to keeping manufacturing in the United States.
On the back of the post card, Manzullo tells of how he joined with Freeport's Titan Tire workers to “force China to stop dumping tires below cost” in America.The post card also touts Manzullo's writing language to give tax benefits to manufacturers who “keep jobs in this country.”
It also points out that Manzullo won the “Wings of Liberty Award,” the “aerospace industry's highest award in 2008 for his work to expand exports, strengthen U.S. manufacturing, and keep jobs in America.”
There were other items, as well, which you can see if you click and increase the size of the images.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Robert Abboud
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Manzullo Communicates with Constituent on Bailout
I share with you an email about the financial bailout from 16th district Congressman Don Manzullo:
Thank you for contacting me about the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. It is good to hear from you.
Like you, I am deeply troubled by our struggling economy. It is devastating to see the impact this financial crisis is having upon hard-working Americans, small business owners, and our retirees. I am furious we are in this position.
As a Member of the House Financial Services Committee, I have been fighting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for 8 years for what I consider illegal and unethical practices. I cosponsored three bills (in 2000, 2003 and 2005) that would have reformed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and required higher capital requirements so this housing crisis would not have occurred. The first two bills were not brought up for a vote, and the last bill passed the House only to stall in the Senate.
The problem is people were given mortgages who had absolutely no ability to pay. Last July, I questioned Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke, about why he was just now talking about instituting a rule that required proof that people could afford a mortgage before they received it. Amazingly the rule will not be finalized until late 2009. You can view this exchange by visiting http://manzullo.house.gov and clicking on the Multimedia section.While I strongly support quick action that will attack the current crisis, I could not support the particular rescue bill presented to Congress and therefore voted "no."
It exposes taxpayers to a possible $700 billion loss through the government purchase of troubled mortgages, auto loans, and credit card debts without any assurance of success.
Even the Bank of China could have its bad debt purchased by American taxpayers. I am not alone in my concern. Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill - who also ran Alcoa Aluminum - called the rescue bill "crazy" and said it could have potentially "awful" consequences for our economy. Hundreds of our nation's top economists called it "unfair" and "short-sighted."
I supported two responsible alternatives to help lead America out of this terrible economic situation as a first step before risking $700 billion in taxpayer money. One of those alternatives -More detailed descriptions of both alternatives are attached to this letter.
- H.R. 7226 - was used by former FDIC Chairman William Isaac to shore up failing financial institutions at relatively little cost to taxpayers during the Savings and Loan (S&L) crisis of the 1980's. Another alternative -
- H.R. 7223 - would have set up an FDIC-style mandatory insurance program in which Wall Street firms would have paid to insure their mortgage-backed securities. Doing so would have made Wall Street instead of Main Street pay the cost of this rescue.
Sadly, we were never given an opportunity to vote for either of these responsible alternatives. Democrat Congressional leaders and the Bush Administration did not allow any alternatives to be debated in the House of Representatives. Rather, I had to vote up or down on what I considered a deeply flawed bailout plan that spends an enormous amount of taxpayer money with no guarantee of success amid significant criticisms from many of our top economists. I was not demanding a perfect bill but merely an acceptable bill, and we were dealing with neither.
Despite my concerns, the bill passed the House and Senate and was signed into law by the President. As a Member of the House Financial Services Committee, I will closely monitor the implementation of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and continue to work to improve the law. I will also pursue further alternatives to resuscitate our struggling economy while limiting taxpayer exposure to the maximum extent possible. Again, thank you for contacting me about this issue. Your input is important to my work here in Washington.
Sincerely,/M/
Donald A. Manzullo
Member of Congress
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Bailout, Don Manzullo
Monday, October 06, 2008
16th District Congressional Candidates on WTTW Tonight
Between 7 and 8 tonight the three 16th district candidates will be on Channel 11's Chicago Tonight. Don Manzullo, Robert Abboud and Scott Summers will probably be on toward the end of the show.There will be three individual pre-recorded segments, two minutes each.
Earlier in the evening, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin will be debating his Republican challenger, Dr. Steve Sauerberg.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Chicago Tonight, Don Manzullo, Robert Abboud, Scott Summers, Steve Sauerberg
Friday, October 03, 2008
Stressing Risks, Manzullo Votes Against Bailout
The following press release has been received from 16th district congressman Don Manzullo:
Manzullo: Congress Must Act to Help Economy, But Bailout Poses Awful Risks for Our Future
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, issued the following statement this afternoon after he again voted against the $700 billion taxpayer-funded plan to bail out America’s struggling financial markets. The bill passed the House 263-171. Manzullo instead supported two alternative bills (HR 7223 and HR 7226 – summaries are attached below) that could have attacked the problem without spending taxpayer dollars:“Like all Americans, I am extremely concerned about our economy and recognize that Congress needs to act quickly to ease the credit crunch and return some confidence to our markets. That’s why I voted against the latest bailout bill today, a bill that former Bush Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill said could have potentially ‘awful’ consequences for our economy.
“Although the latest version includes some sweeteners – including tax extenders I support and that would have passed overwhelmingly in separate legislation – the base bill remained fatally flawed because it still stuck America’s taxpayers with the bill for the bailout.
"In fact, the bill would still allow one man – the Treasury Secretary – to literally spend all $700 billion in 30 days, or $7,500 for each American taxpayer. Giving one person that much power is not only unprecedented, but dangerous because it gives him the authority to pick and choose ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ in buying up not only bad mortgage debt, but auto and credit card debt and even debt held by foreign banks, including the Bank of China.
“The tragedy here is that Americans were never given an alternative. The President announced we had a major problem and said the only remedy was to take the draconian step of spending $700 billion of taxpayer money within a week or our economy would collapse, a plan his former Treasury secretary called ‘crazy’ and that hundreds of our nation’s top economists called ‘unfair’ and ‘short-sighted.’
“The sadness is that the Administration and Congressional leaders ignored other proven alternatives that could have solved the problem without spending anywhere near $700 billion in taxpayer money.
"One alternative would have set up an FDIC-style mandatory insurance program in which Wall Street firms would have paid to insure their mortgage-backed securities.
"Doing so would have made Wall Street instead of Main Street pay the cost of this rescue. But unfortunately, this solution was not considered. As a result, Americans will be paying for this bailout for generations to come.”
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Bailout, Don Manzullo
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Dropping Off Bob Abboud's Mailing List
Just got an email from 16th district Democratic Party candidate Robert Abboud's Michael Carroll.
He told me that somehow I had dropped off the email list and, therefore, hadn't received Abboud's statements on the financial bailout.
From reading it, it appears that Abboud would have voted for the bill.
Here is the one that was sent out Monday:
He told me that somehow I had dropped off the email list and, therefore, hadn't received Abboud's statements on the financial bailout.
From reading it, it appears that Abboud would have voted for the bill.
Here is the one that was sent out Monday:
"This is just another example of Don Manzullo’s failure of leadership and his inability to confront serious challenges.Included with Monday's statement was the following. The substantive part was dictated by Abboud, Carroll tells me.Don Manzullo does not understand what is wrong with the economy. He does not understand that he damaged the banking system as part of his effort to repeal Glass-Steagall under the ‘financial services modernization’ acts. He does not understand that he damaged the wealth generating element in our economy by shipping our manufacturing overseas.
"This is not a time for politics, this is a time for real leadership that delivers real results. Don's Manzullo inaction literally threatens the very security of every American.
"Look, voters’ do not like this bill; I do not like this bill. If I were in Congress I would have brought in the necessary expertise to craft the technical components and worked across the aisle to get a bill we can all sign on to. First and foremost, we need to ensure the federal government holds preferred equity position in the companies we rescue. By having preferred equity position we can attract private capital to offset the devastating contributions U.S. taxpayers are being asked to make right now. And it makes the bill a more attractive plan for Republicans and Democrats to sign on to.
"Unfortunately, I fear that Don Manzullo's inability to work towards a solution that we can all sign on to will have truly dire consequences."
"I apologize that you were not put on this email originally, I don’t know what happened. Bob has been following this process very closely, providing comment to many different news organizations over the last few days. We are glad to see someone is following this issue as closely as you are.
"Today you will be receiving a press release outlining his changes to the bill, and the serious dangers of adopting some of Mr. Manzullo’s alternatives – particularly his idea to include a change to the current accounting rules to remove the “mark-to-market” requirement.
"Manzullo wants to take the real market value out of the collateralization of these assets. Instead he wants to artificially inflate the value of assets with a fallacious formula for real market value.
"This is the proposal he floated on WTTW yesterday. Essentially he is creating a system that doesn’t require an investor to match his/her loan with equally valued collateral. This is exactly the kind of accounting that collapsed Enron.
"In addition, it is odd that he is proposing this when out of the other side of his mouth he is constantly pushing the integrity of the free market – this change in the accounting rules would take the free market out of this equation and essentially create a value structure that isn’t supported by tangible value on the marketplace.
"In short, Mr. Manzullo clearly doesn’t understand how financial processes work. I would find his positions amusing if his lack of understanding didn’t pose such incredible danger to the health of the financial industry, our economy and ultimately working families’ retirements and savings. This is another area, one of many, where Mr. Manzullo needs to be educated."
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Bailout, Don Manzullo, Robert Abboud
Manzullo Gets Respect
You know your congressman or state legislator has made the big time when he ends up on Chicago television.Last night 16th district Congressman Don Manzullo was the point man for opponents to the financial bailout on WTTW's Chicago Tonight.
I was astounded that there were actually two opponents versus one who voted “Yes.”
Supporting the opposition to the bill was Democratic U.S. Representative Dan Lipinski. In support was Democrat Danny Davis.
Manzullo complained about the “dictatorial powers” being given to the Treasury Secretary, more than Alexandra Hamilton would have ever dreamed of.
And, without judicial review.
As Manzullo explained the bill, the types of checks and balances that keeps the United State government working just are not included.
As for bipartisanship, Manzullo said House Republicans were left out.
Manzullo suggested using the “same method as was used in the savings and loan bailout.”
He complained about the “take it or leave it” approach, as well as the complete lack of committee action. Manzullo serves on the Financial Services Committee chaired by Democrat Barney Frank, which supposedly has jurisdiction over the legislation.
“There was no oversight,” he complained.
Lipinski, a southwest side congressman said that the problem is “those on Wall Street don't understand the rest of America.” He pointed out that the average family would be saddled with a $10,000 burden had the legislation passed.“The people who are saying congress doesn't understand Main Street are the ones who caused the problem,” Manzullo added.
He suggested immediately changing the “mark to market” rule for banks. As I understand it, that requires banks to mark down the value of their mortgages when the market value of the asset mortgaged decreases.
This suggestion is being hotly opposed by auditing firms.
“Before we spend $700 billion, we should exhaust every other possibility,” Manzullo asserted.
“Most of the constituents are opposed to (the bailout),” he revealed.
Manzullo's Democratic Party opponent Robert Abboud has not commented on the failed vote.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Chicago Tonight, Dan Lipinski, Danny Davis, Don Manzullo, WTTW
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Color Me Surprised
I got press releases on the financial bailout bill from- 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo
- his Green Party challenger Scott Summers, plus
- 8th District challenger Steve Greenberg (who agrees with the bailout's rejection by congress). (a supporter).
I expected one from Manzullo's Democratic Party opponent, Robert Abboud. The Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson was raised and maintains a home on the family estate in his village of Barrington Hills.
Surely, Abboud is following the issue.
Does the lack of a press release suggest that Manzullo may be in touch with his constituents with his negative vote?
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The picture of Democratic Party candidate for congress in the 16th District, Robert Abboud, was taken last January in Woodstock at a McHenry County Democratic Party Central Committee meeting. It's the best one I could find of him "thinking."
Labels: 16th Congressional District, 8th Congressional District, Bailout, Don Manzullo, Melissa Bean, Robert Abboud, Scott Summers, Steve Greenberg
Monday, September 29, 2008
Fallout for the Bailout Vote
16th District Republican Congressman Don Manzullo and Steve Greenberg, Republican candidate for the 8th district seat now held by U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, weighed in the House of Representative's rejection of the leadership-supported financial bailout package.
Manzullo voted against the bill, while neighboring Congressman Bill Foster and Congresswoman Bean voted in favor. The bills failed 205 to 228. Approximately two-thirds of the GOP lower house members voted against the bill, while 95 Democrats voted “No.”
That obviously means Democrats could have passed the bill. It also means that House Republicans rejected the leadership of President George Bush. The Dow-Jones Index fell 778 points, about 7%.
Manzullo's comments come first, then, Greenberg:
The photo was taken at an NFIB meeting in Crystal Lake about a month ago. The one of Steve Greenberg was taken at the Nunda Township Republican Central Committee congressional debate.
Manzullo voted against the bill, while neighboring Congressman Bill Foster and Congresswoman Bean voted in favor. The bills failed 205 to 228. Approximately two-thirds of the GOP lower house members voted against the bill, while 95 Democrats voted “No.”
That obviously means Democrats could have passed the bill. It also means that House Republicans rejected the leadership of President George Bush. The Dow-Jones Index fell 778 points, about 7%.
Manzullo's comments come first, then, Greenberg:
Manzullo: “Congress Must Fix this Financial Crisis, But Not on the Backs of the American Taxpayers”Greenberg's reaction:
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) issued the following statement this afternoon after the House voted down the proposed $700 billion taxpayer-funded financial bailout bill.
Manzullo opposed the legislation but supported alternative bills that would have alleviated the crisis without putting taxpayer money at risk:
STATEMENT“The American people today rejected the $700 billion taxpayer bailout of the bad investments of Wall Street. The American people did not cause this mess and loudly proclaimed that they demand a better deal. They were furious that those who caused the problem would be the ones to benefit at their expense.
"They recognized the solution offered was untested, expensive, and risky, while reasonable, cheaper, and proven solutions should have been given consideration by Congress.
“While I joined with the American taxpayers in opposition to this bill, I recognize the crisis at hand and the need to quickly approve a new measure that uses free-market incentives to encourage investment in the markets without taxpayer liability.
"Congress should stay in session around the clock until we solve this crisis.”
Washington Fails the People Again= = = = =LAKE ZURICH 9/29/08 – "First, Washington failed the people by collecting millions of dollars from the financial sector in exchange for a lack of regulation and oversight.1 This led to an economic crisis, putting the future of families at risk.
"Now, after their initial failure led us to this unenviable position, they have failed the American people again by failing to pass an economic recovery plan to restore credit flow and provide relief to Americans.
“I am disgusted with our elected officials in Washington,” said Steve Greenberg, candidate for Congress in the 8th District of Illinois. “Their lack of leadership in this economic crisis has only served to intensify the problem. Hard working Americans are suffering—sticking your head in the sand and hoping the problem goes away is not an acceptable strategy.”
The photo was taken at an NFIB meeting in Crystal Lake about a month ago. The one of Steve Greenberg was taken at the Nunda Township Republican Central Committee congressional debate.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, 8th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Melissa Bean, Steve Greenberg
Friday, September 26, 2008
Manzullo on Health Care for Self-Employed
The following press release was received from 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo:
Bill Aims To Level Playing Field For Illinois’ Self-Employed Congressman Manzullo Co-Sponsors Legislation That Would End Double-Digit Rate Disparity
Washington, D.C., September 25, 2008 – Federal legislation cosponsored by Congressman Donald Manzullo (R-16th District) would give Illinois’ 851,330 self-employed individuals better access to affordable health-care coverage, ending a significant double-digit disparity in premium rates that has contributed to the nation’s health-care crisis.
The Equity for Our Nation’s Self-Employed Act (H.R. 3660) would eliminate the cost penalties in health insurance imposed on sole proprietors and make quality health care more affordable for Americans who make up the majority of the working uninsured.
In the nation’s current health-care crisis, the self-employed have been hit particularly hard, facing rising costs of health care combined with laws that require these business owners to pay 15.3 percent in self-employment (Medicare and Social Security) taxes on their health insurance premiums. This segment -- comprised of the smallest business owners -- is the only group of American workers that bears this tax burden.
"Surging health care costs are drowning our small business owners, especially the self-employed who have to pay extra tax on their premiums," Manzullo said. "This is a wonderful bill that would provide our small employers – the job creators of our economy -- tremendous relief at a small cost.”
According to Robert Hughes, president of the National Association for the Self-Employed and a CPA, studies have indicated that on average in the United States a self-employed individual pays $12,106 annually in health insurance premiums for family coverage. Since owners are unable to deduct their premiums as a business expense, as all other businesses do, they have a higher self-employment (FICA) tax liability. In this case a sole proprietor would be paying an additional $1,185.22 (15.3 percent) in taxes. The Equity for Our Nation’s Self- Employed Act (H.R. 3660) addresses this inequity and levels the playing field for over 20 million sole proprietors.
“Millions of self-employed individuals in Illinois live the American dream every day by running their own business, being their own boss and supporting the national economy," said Hughes. “But while the self-employed have invested tremendous sweat-equity as key contributors to the economy and society, they face a remarkably unfair playing field behind the scenes when it comes to the tax code and health care.
= = = = =
The photo of United States Congressman Don Manzullo was taken when he attended a Crystal Lake NFIB meeting.
Bill Aims To Level Playing Field For Illinois’ Self-Employed Congressman Manzullo Co-Sponsors Legislation That Would End Double-Digit Rate Disparity
Washington, D.C., September 25, 2008 – Federal legislation cosponsored by Congressman Donald Manzullo (R-16th District) would give Illinois’ 851,330 self-employed individuals better access to affordable health-care coverage, ending a significant double-digit disparity in premium rates that has contributed to the nation’s health-care crisis.
The Equity for Our Nation’s Self-Employed Act (H.R. 3660) would eliminate the cost penalties in health insurance imposed on sole proprietors and make quality health care more affordable for Americans who make up the majority of the working uninsured.
In the nation’s current health-care crisis, the self-employed have been hit particularly hard, facing rising costs of health care combined with laws that require these business owners to pay 15.3 percent in self-employment (Medicare and Social Security) taxes on their health insurance premiums. This segment -- comprised of the smallest business owners -- is the only group of American workers that bears this tax burden.
"Surging health care costs are drowning our small business owners, especially the self-employed who have to pay extra tax on their premiums," Manzullo said. "This is a wonderful bill that would provide our small employers – the job creators of our economy -- tremendous relief at a small cost.”
According to Robert Hughes, president of the National Association for the Self-Employed and a CPA, studies have indicated that on average in the United States a self-employed individual pays $12,106 annually in health insurance premiums for family coverage. Since owners are unable to deduct their premiums as a business expense, as all other businesses do, they have a higher self-employment (FICA) tax liability. In this case a sole proprietor would be paying an additional $1,185.22 (15.3 percent) in taxes. The Equity for Our Nation’s Self- Employed Act (H.R. 3660) addresses this inequity and levels the playing field for over 20 million sole proprietors.“Millions of self-employed individuals in Illinois live the American dream every day by running their own business, being their own boss and supporting the national economy," said Hughes. “But while the self-employed have invested tremendous sweat-equity as key contributors to the economy and society, they face a remarkably unfair playing field behind the scenes when it comes to the tax code and health care.
= = = = =
The photo of United States Congressman Don Manzullo was taken when he attended a Crystal Lake NFIB meeting.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Abboud Goes After Veterans' Votes
16th Congressional District Democratic Party candidate Robert Abboud has held a press conference in Rockford seeking the votes of veterans. Here is his press release.
The photo of 16th District Democratic Party congressional candidate Robert Abboud was taken at the February meeting of the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee in Woodstock.
ABBOUD ANNOUNCES PLAN TO INCREASE VETERANS’ ACCESS TO SERVICES, IMPROVE CARE= = = = =
After 16 Years of Neglect from Manzullo, Abboud Seeks to Repair Sacred Trust of Caring for America’s Veterans
ROCKFORD – Democratic challenger Bob Abboud released his plan to increase access to, and improve the care of America’s veterans Wednesday, after touring a privately funded adult day care center that caters to veterans in Rockford.
Before a small crowd of veterans and local residents, Abboud outlined the need for a significant investment in America’s veterans.“When private citizens are doing the work our government should be doing it is both an extraordinary and sad thing,” Abboud said. “What I have witnessed today is the incredible commitment of one family to helping care for Rockford and America’s heroes. But it is also a great tragedy to know that our government, and Don Manzullo, have chosen to leave our Veterans’ behind, cutting their access to quality health care and refusing to recognize the immediate need for increased attention to the effects of post traumatic stress disorder and the treatment of that disorder.”
Abboud hammered his opponent, incumbent Don Manzullo, for ‘forgetting who we owe our freedom to’. Manzullo, according to information compiled by Project Vote Smart, has been given a zero percent rating by the Disabled Veterans of America from 2003 to 2006. In addition, in 2006 the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of American only gave Don Manzullo a grade of ‘C’.
“It’s time that we repair the sacred trust we have with our veterans,” Abboud said. “We can no longer let politicians like Don Manzullo neglect and avoid our duty to care for our veterans. The plan I have laid out today is just a start, but it is a good beginning. If we do anything, we must protect, care for and give every opportunity to our returning men and women in uniform. It is our responsibility as a nation to fight for their care and well being as hard as they have fought for our freedom and security.
Abboud said that every detail for the Abboud Veterans’ Platform would be available on his website at www.robertabboud.com. Abboud pieced his plan together after meeting with a large group of local veterans and individuals currently working for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Illinois. Abboud said the four cornerstones of his proposal should be a foundation for a renewed vigor in the pursuit of better care for veterans in the United States.
The plan included a call for the transition of veterans funding from discretionary funding to mandatory funding. Abboud stated that the cost of war is as much ‘bombs and bullets, as it is the care of our returning soldiers’. Second, he proposed the creation of a comprehensive online database where veterans of all ages could enter their zip code and receive information on all the public and private services available to them within their community. Abboud also called for a significant investment in the availability and quality of mental health care for veterans, to address the devastating effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. Finally, Abboud said we must continue our commitment to increasing funding for, and access to higher education for every military service member.
“After hearing the concerns of local veterans it is clear we need to improve not only their access to care, but its quality as well. If veterans don’t know what care is available to them how can they utilize it. The programs I have proposed today will help stem the tide of military suicides, which are at an all time high, and help our veterans build a better life for themselves when they return home,” Abboud said.
The photo of 16th District Democratic Party congressional candidate Robert Abboud was taken at the February meeting of the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee in Woodstock.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Robert Abboud, Veterans
Manzullo Praises Oil Drilling Vote
The following press release has been received from 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo:
Manzullo Hails Decision to Lift
Ban on U.S. Offshore Oil Drilling
Congressional action will help lower gas prices, ease our dependence on foreign oil
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today said Congress’ action to end the Congressional ban on oil drilling off America’s shores will help lower gas prices and reduce our dependence on costly foreign oil.
Following months of pressure from Congressional Republicans and the American public, House Democrat leaders finally decided last night to allow the 26-year ban on offshore drilling to expire at the end of this month.
The Democrat leaders had planned to renew the annual ban as part of a resolution to continue funding the entire federal government through the next six months, but they changed course after they learned they could not overcome opposition from Congress and the President if the drilling ban was part of the resolution. House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-WI) announced last night that Democrat leaders were lifting the drilling ban and that the future President and Congress could deal with it further.
Manzullo was one of the Republicans who stayed on the floor of the House in August after Speaker Pelosi had recessed the body for 5 weeks without allowing a vote on legislation to allow offshore drilling as part of a comprehensive plan to cut gas prices and end our dependence on costly foreign oil. Pelosi cut the microphones and turned out the lights to discourage reporters from covering the protest, but the Republicans stayed throughout the recess and outraged Americans flooded the offices of Congress with phone calls and emails.
Conservative estimates indicate the Outer Continental Shelf contains 86 billion barrels of oil and 420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Combined with other out-of-reach oil deposits on our shores, the United States has enough oil to power 60 million cars for 60 years, Manzullo said.“The outrage of the American people convinced House Democrat leaders that they could no longer thwart the will of the people who were demanding our energy independence and freedom from outrageous gas prices,” Manzullo said. “This is a huge victory for the American people that will allow us to drill offshore to give us the oil we need until new technologies are developed that make us independent of anybody’s oil, including ours.”
Manzullo’s 12-point plan to reduce surging gas prices in America, unveiled earlier this year, includes provisions to increase domestic production of oil and gas as well as 11 other points calling for enhanced conservation efforts, development and commercialization of alternative and renewable fuels, and tax relief.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Energy Policy, Oil Drilling
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Manzullo Criticizes Bailout on Chicago Public Radio
WBEZ-FM, Chicago Public Radio interviewed 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo yesterday about the massive bailout plan. Manzullo serves on the Financial Services Committee that Democrat Barney Frank chairs.
Here is part of the WBEZ story:
Here is part of the WBEZ story:
“...That's caused pause among many lawmakers, including Republican Congressman Don Manzullo from north western Illinois.
MANZULLO:"I mean, if you're going to have a bailout, let's take the time to debate this thing. You know, let's not push it down our throats after one or two days.""Manzullo sits on the Committee on Financial Services in the House. He's worried there aren't enough restrictions on how the Treasury Department would use the money. He also says the situation is prime for lawmakers to try and add their own amendments to the bill.
MANZULLO:"I mean, everybody wants to have this and that and it ends up being a Christmas tree where you put your own ornament on there. This is not what you do when you're trying to stabilize the market.
"Manzullo says the bill should allow the government to fire some executives with companies central to the financial crisis."
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Barney Frank, Don Manzullo, Financial Services Committee, WBEZ
Abboud Comments on Bailout Proposal; Manzullo Replies
The following press release has been received from 16th District Democratic Party candidate for Congress Robert Abboud. Below it is Congressman Don Manzullo's reply.Abboud, by the way, has a big billboard on Route 14 right near Hicks Gas.
His incumbent opponent, Congressman Don Manzullo, has countered with a yard sign at Hicks Gas. Abboud's sign is on the other side of the billboard in the photograph with Manzullo's yard sign, which you can see below.
TAXPAYERS FOOT $700 BILLION BILL, MANZULLO’S LEADERSHIP ABSENTEE
Abboud: With-out Proper Oversight Bailout is Nothing More than a Blank Check
ROCKFORD – Democratic challenger Bob Abboud released a statement in support of swift Congressional action to address the current financial crisis Monday, emphasizing the need for responsible action that includes real oversight and accountability.“It is clear that swift Congressional action to prevent the total collapse of our financial system, but that action must protect families’ homes and their jobs. However, in the midst of this crisis we taxpayers cannot afford to be taken for granted. We cannot afford to let the architects of this mess bamboozle us into paying for multi-million dollar parachutes for CEO’s who have driven our economy into this crisis to make a quick buck,” Abboud said. “It has been the irresponsibility and political philosophy of Don Manzullo, a member of the financial services committee, and his friends in Washington that have systematically taken a part the crucial regulatory oversight that could have prevented this collapse. Don Manzullo has also been at the forefront of what is truly behind this crisis – the unapologetic shipping of our jobs and our dollars overseas. Because of Don Manzullo and his friends in Washington America is hemorrhaging precious capitol to foreign nations. If we want to reclaim prosperity and start rebuilding our economy we must start investing American dollars in America and pass tax and trade policies that reward businesses who stay at home instead of moving abroad.”
Manzullo's Campaign Replies
First, Congressman Manzullo has been fighting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for 8 years for what he considers illegal and unethical practices. He cosponsored three bills (2000, 2003 and 2005) that would have reformed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and required higher capital requirements so this housing crisis would not have occurred. The first two bills were not brought up for a vote and the last bill passed the House only to stall in the Senate.A member of the Financial Services Committee, Congressman Manzullo is furious we are in this position and has not yet been convinced we need to spend $700 billion of taxpayer money to bail out Wall Street. He is discussing alternatives with other Members of Congress who similarly are concerned about the massive ramifications of the proposed bailout package.
Furthermore, it's absurd that our opponent would accuse the Congressman of shipping jobs offshore simply because he supports trade (tens of thousands of jobs in northern Illinois depend on our ability to export). Congressman Manzullo is known nationally as the leader in the effort to strengthen manufacturing in America and create high-paying jobs in our country.
In fact, Congressman Manzullo was one of the authors of the law that created a 9 percent tax deduction for manufacturers who keep production in America.
Congressman Manzullo has also been leading efforts to fight China's unfair trade practices, and we had a huge victory last month when the International Trade Commission slapped 15 Chinese companies with countervailing duties because China was illegally subsidizing them to the detriment of American tire companies.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Robert Abboud
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Manzullo Calls for End to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae PAC's
What a concept!Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should be forbidden by law from donating to political candidates.
16th District Congressman Don Manzullo has proposed that both formerly quasi-governmental entities should be forbidden from lobbying and having Political Action Committees.
Manzullo, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, has not taken no money from the two financial giants in his almost 16 years in office, according to Associated Press.
Meanwhile, take a look at the Illinois politician who ranked second in the United States of American in receiving political contributions from Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and their executives:
All Recipients of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Campaign Contributions, 1989-2008
| Name | Office | State | Party | Grand Total | Total from | Total from |
| Dodd, Christopher J | S | CT | D | $165,400 | $48,500 | $116,900 |
| Obama, Barack | S | IL | D | $126,349 | $6,000 | $120,34 |
The Chicago Tribune reports,
“Two-term Illinois Rep. Melissa Bean, a Democrat from suburban Chicago, has received a total of $35,000 from Freddie and Fannie PACs, the most among the five Illinois representatives on the House Financial Services Committee.“= = = = =
This picture was taken at the NFIB meeting last month.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, PAC
Friday, September 19, 2008
Manzullo Reacts to Canadian National Suit
6th District Congressman Don Manzullo has reacted to the suit filed by the Canadian National Railroad Thursday. His press release follows:
Manzullo: Canadian National Puts Lives at Risk with Lawsuit to Recklessly Speed Up Vote on Rail Deal
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today issued the following statement reacting to the news that Canadian National Railway has filed a lawsuit to force the Surface Transportation Board to recklessly expedite its completion of the Environmental Impact Statement concerning its plan to purchase the EJ&E rail line and run 20 extra freight trains a day through downtown Barrington:“Tens of thousands of motorists and Metra commuters I represent in McHenry County will face extreme safety hazards and traffic back-ups if this rail deal is approved, and now Canadian National wants to ram it down our throats without considering the full impacts on our residents,” Manzullo said. “This lawsuit is reckless and aims to pressure the Surface Transportation Board to gloss over the safety concerns and immediately rubber stamp its flawed proposal that will negatively impact many generations to come. The Surface Transportation Board must stand firm against this legal threat and allow the process to run its course on behalf of the threatened people of northern Illinois.”
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Canadian National, Don Manzullo, EJ and E
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Robert Abboud Criticizes Opponent Don Manzullo for Deregulation Support
The following press release was received from 16th congressional Democratic Party challenger Robert Abboud. He aims it at Republican incumbent Donald Manzullo.
CRITICAL MASS – MANZULLO SILENT AS ECONOMY COLLAPSES
Abboud Proposes Oversight Reform Package to Prevent Future Abuse
ROCKFORD – Democratic Challenger, nuclear engineer and small business owner Bob Abboud, lambasted his opponent Wednesday for supporting the deregulation and economic policies that are the cause of America’s current economic crisis.
Simultaneously, Abboud released his own reforms designed to combat the abuses allowed by over zealous deregulation, and the systematic weakening of American manufacturing through current U.S. tax and trade policy. Abboud sniped at this opponent, 16 year incumbent Don Manzullo, saying it has been the policies he has helped create and support that have directly put the U.S. economy behind the eight-ball.“16 years of supporting tax and trade policies that reward companies for moving jobs and capital overseas, and 16 years of supporting the systematic deregulation of our financial system by Don Manzullo have directly contributed to this current economic disaster,” Abboud said. “It’s not that I believe my opponent doesn’t care about the economy. It is that he doesn’t have the first clue about how the economy works or how to fix it. He does not understand that manufacturing and construction provides the foundational wealth in the US economy. His policies have destroyed these jobs - the essential wealth generation mechanism in our community.”
Abboud cited more than an 11 percent and rising unemployment in Rockford - a rate twice the national average, the climbing number of foreclosures, the national debt and America’s struggling manufacturing industries as evidence to his opponents failure to protect America’s economic security. Capital is hemorrhaging out of the country at an unprecedented rate, hampering the ability of business to create new jobs and opportunity. He also warned that the situation will get much worse without immediate change in direction and policy.
“We just experienced the largest bankruptcies in American history, $2 trillion in government bailouts, a 500 point drop in the stock market that continues to fall, and Don Manzullo has nothing to say” Abboud said. “In a year when Americans are faced with their greatest challenges, devastating blows to their pensions and savings, the families and individuals of our communities haven’t been offered a single solution to any problem by their current Congressman. He won’t even show up to debate on television, and explain to people how this could have happened while he sat on the very committees overseeing these institutions.”
Abboud said that he will work with the President and the new Congress, hopefully with a President Obama, to implement new regulatory standards to prevent the further practices of predatory mortgage lending, and other sub-standard financial practices that have helped lead to the largest bankruptcies, and most severe credit crisis, in American history. He will make returning manufacturing and construction jobs to the 16th district his top priority.
“For the first time in American political history voters have a preview of what will continue to happen if we send Don Manzullo and more of the same people to Washington. Imagine if we had privatized social security, where would our seniors be now.” Abboud said. “Our families and our futures can no longer afford this type of poor leadership and failed policies. We simply cannot afford more of the same shipping our job overseas while Manzullo and his fat cat cronies get fatter. It’s time we start putting America First… For a Change.”
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Deregulation, Don Manzullo, Robert Abboud
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Manzullo Goes After Pelosi on Energy Inertia
16th District Congressman Don Manzullo tees off on Democratic Party House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on here “playing politics” with oil drilling in the following press release.
I'm not sure I'm correct, but it appears to me that Democratic Party challenger Robert Abboud is attacking Manzullo, while Manzullo press releases ignore Abboud.
Does that make Manzullo look more “congressional?”
The press release follows:
I'm not sure I'm correct, but it appears to me that Democratic Party challenger Robert Abboud is attacking Manzullo, while Manzullo press releases ignore Abboud.
Does that make Manzullo look more “congressional?”
The press release follows:
Manzullo Urges Pelosi to Stop Playing Politics and Consider Energy Solutions that Include Drilling
[WASHINGTON] While the U.S. economy and frustrated Americans continue to struggle with record gas prices, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) keeps playing politics and refuses to allow Congress to vote on meaningful legislation to reduce gas prices in America, Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) said today.
The latest charade occurred this afternoon when Pelosi called for a vote on the latest Democrat “no-energy” bill that would do nothing to lower gas prices in America. The debate is ensuing on the House floor, and the vote is expected later tonight.
Pelosi masquerades the bill as a “pro-offshore drilling” vote, but only allows drilling 50 miles beyond our coasts (a large percentage of offshore oil is found closer to the shores), requires states to sign-off on drilling but forbids the states from sharing in the royalties, giving them no incentive to allow drilling.
In addition, the Democrat bill does not offer incentives for renewable energy without tax hikes, does not expand needed refinery capacity, forbids oil shale exploration, prevents drilling in the Arctic coastal plain, does not allow for more nuclear energy, does not promote clean coal and coal-to-liquid technology, and increases taxes on the oil and gas industry that will be passed along to American motorists.
Furthermore, Speaker Pelosi again is forbidding Congress from considering an alternative bill.
Manzullo joined many of his colleagues earlier this year in unveiling the American Energy Act (HR 6566), which will increase the supply of American-made energy, improve conservation and efficiency, and promote new and expanding energy technologies to help lower the price at the pump and reduce America’s increasingly costly and dangerous dependence on foreign sources of energy. Many of the provisions of the all-encompassing bill were included in Manzullo’s 12-point plan to reduce gas prices in America, which he unveiled in May.Manzullo said.“Surging gas prices are slamming struggling Americans and inflating the costs of everything we need to live. They are destroying our economy, and Speaker Pelosi continues to play politics with this issue that so deeply affects us. Enough is enough,”
“Democrat Congressional leaders should immediately allow a vote on the comprehensive American Energy Act that would spur conservation and innovation while allowing Americans to drill for oil on and off our shores to buy us time until we no longer need oil to power our vehicles. To do anything less is a slap in the face to hard-working Americans who need our help.”The following is a brief summary of the American Energy Act that Speaker Pelosi is refusing to allow the House to consider:· To increase the supply American-made energy in environmentally sound ways, the legislation will:1. Open our deep water ocean resources, which will provide an additional three million barrels of oil per day, as well as 76 trillion cubic feet of natural gas;· To improve energy conservation and efficiency, the legislation will:
2. Open the Arctic coastal plain, which will provide an additional one million barrels of oil per day;
3. Allow development of our nation’s shale oil resources, which could provide an additional 2.5 million barrels of oil per day; and
4. Increase the supply of gas at the pump by cutting bureaucratic red tape that essentially blocks construction of new refineries.1. Provide tax incentives for businesses and families that purchase more fuel efficient vehicles;· To promote renewable and alternative energy technologies, the legislation will:
2. Provide a monetary prize for developing the first economically feasible, super-fuel-efficient vehicle reaching 100 miles-per-gallon; and
3. Provide tax incentives for businesses and homeowners who improve their energy efficiency.
4. Provide low-interest loans to businesses that develop Advanced Battery Technology to power cars for longer distances.1. Spur the development of alternative fuels through government contracting by repealing the “Section 526” prohibition on government purchasing of alternative energy and promoting coal-to-liquids technology;
2. Establish a renewable energy trust fund using revenues generated by exploration in the deep ocean and on the Arctic coastal plain;
3. Permanently extend the tax credit for alternative energy production, including wind, solar and hydrogen; and
4. Eliminate barriers to the expansion of emission-free nuclear power production.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Energy Policy, Nancy Peloisi, Robert Abboud
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Three 16th Congressional Candidates Appear on Rockford Radio
Where is Mal Bellairs when we need him?
The short answer is WIVS-AM radio (850 on the dial) owner Bellairs is retired.
During the 1970's, he used his Crystal Lake radio station across from The Freeze to inform listeners about things political, among other topics. I listened on the way down Route3 47 to Springfield, but lost the signal at about Interstate 55.
He would have sponsored the type of debate that Rockford's news-talk station WNTA sponsored yesterday.
U.S. Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) faced off against challengers Robert Abboud (D-Barrington Hills and Scott Summers (G-Harvard).
Due to the advance in technology, you can hear the hour-long debate in four 15-minute segments.
Downloads can be obtained here.
More of Bellairs role in the political arena.
My friend Forrest Hare was elected Algonquin Township Assessor in 1969. He was 26, I think.
He followed the assessment law, which his predecessor most certainly had not. That meant assessing all property consistently, whether it be farm land--which at the time got no special tax break--or new homes, which were assessed at 60% of market value, even though the average home in the county was assessed at 43%. (That was when the "official" assessment level was 50%, not the present 33% of a three-year running average.)
Forrest so enraged developers and the few farmers left, that the Establishment put up a young teacher.
In the Crystal Lake Thanksgiving Day Parade, Barrington Hills gentleman farmer, former Palatine Township Republican Committee, former Cook County Sheriff Dick Ogivlie top assistant, Governor Ogilvie Illinois Racing Board Chairman entered a manure spreader that had signs which said,
In the contest for re-nomination, the Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee had a multi-location caucus.
It was in 1973 and I was in my first session as state representative, so I couldn't offer much more than advice.
Forest created "Homeowners for Hare" and ran a skillful campaign.
Still, his amateurs, mainly owners of relatively new homes who had previously been taken to the property tax cleaners, were facing the "organization," with my high school classmate and legislative colleague State Senator Jack Schaffer on the other side.
Voting was in Algonquin, Cary-Grove High School and Crystal Lake Community High School. After the ballots were cast, they were brought back to CLCHS to be counted.
As I remember Forrst telling me, the counting went on until late in the morning. After it was over, he had lost by a handful of votes.
He asked the judges if they were sure of the results.
Bleary eyed, they replied, "Of course not!"
The Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee would not allow a recount.
So, Forrest ran a write-in campaign.
Mal Bellairs was outraged at the refusal to allow a recount.
Between Forrest's write-in announcement and the general township election, Bellairs featured the contest.
Forrest trounced the young school teacher, who was the Republican candidate.
After that Jack and I agreed that it would probably be a good idea if party central committees were allowed the option of conducting official party primaries in addition to party caucuses. We changed state election law.
Algonquin Township has had a primary election every election since then.
Alex McArthur, who turning into a strong supporter of mine and a strong advocate for open space in Barrington Hllls as its village president, probably wouldn't not be too happy with the way those who bought his farm tried to zone it for more than the traditional 5-acre zoning in his village.
= = = = =
Don Manzullo is on the left, Robert Abboud in the middle and Scott Summers on the right. Photo positions are not necessarily an indication of their places on the political spectrum.
The short answer is WIVS-AM radio (850 on the dial) owner Bellairs is retired.
During the 1970's, he used his Crystal Lake radio station across from The Freeze to inform listeners about things political, among other topics. I listened on the way down Route3 47 to Springfield, but lost the signal at about Interstate 55.
He would have sponsored the type of debate that Rockford's news-talk station WNTA sponsored yesterday.
U.S. Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) faced off against challengers Robert Abboud (D-Barrington Hills and Scott Summers (G-Harvard).Due to the advance in technology, you can hear the hour-long debate in four 15-minute segments.
Downloads can be obtained here.
More of Bellairs role in the political arena.
My friend Forrest Hare was elected Algonquin Township Assessor in 1969. He was 26, I think.
He followed the assessment law, which his predecessor most certainly had not. That meant assessing all property consistently, whether it be farm land--which at the time got no special tax break--or new homes, which were assessed at 60% of market value, even though the average home in the county was assessed at 43%. (That was when the "official" assessment level was 50%, not the present 33% of a three-year running average.)
Forrest so enraged developers and the few farmers left, that the Establishment put up a young teacher.
In the Crystal Lake Thanksgiving Day Parade, Barrington Hills gentleman farmer, former Palatine Township Republican Committee, former Cook County Sheriff Dick Ogivlie top assistant, Governor Ogilvie Illinois Racing Board Chairman entered a manure spreader that had signs which said,
"Garbage In, Garbage Out."It targeted Forrest.
In the contest for re-nomination, the Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee had a multi-location caucus.
It was in 1973 and I was in my first session as state representative, so I couldn't offer much more than advice.
Forest created "Homeowners for Hare" and ran a skillful campaign.
Still, his amateurs, mainly owners of relatively new homes who had previously been taken to the property tax cleaners, were facing the "organization," with my high school classmate and legislative colleague State Senator Jack Schaffer on the other side.
Voting was in Algonquin, Cary-Grove High School and Crystal Lake Community High School. After the ballots were cast, they were brought back to CLCHS to be counted.
As I remember Forrst telling me, the counting went on until late in the morning. After it was over, he had lost by a handful of votes.
He asked the judges if they were sure of the results.
Bleary eyed, they replied, "Of course not!"
The Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee would not allow a recount.
So, Forrest ran a write-in campaign.
Mal Bellairs was outraged at the refusal to allow a recount.
Between Forrest's write-in announcement and the general township election, Bellairs featured the contest.
Forrest trounced the young school teacher, who was the Republican candidate.
After that Jack and I agreed that it would probably be a good idea if party central committees were allowed the option of conducting official party primaries in addition to party caucuses. We changed state election law.
Algonquin Township has had a primary election every election since then.
Alex McArthur, who turning into a strong supporter of mine and a strong advocate for open space in Barrington Hllls as its village president, probably wouldn't not be too happy with the way those who bought his farm tried to zone it for more than the traditional 5-acre zoning in his village.
= = = = =
Don Manzullo is on the left, Robert Abboud in the middle and Scott Summers on the right. Photo positions are not necessarily an indication of their places on the political spectrum.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Algonquin Township Assessor, Algonquin Township Republican Central Committee, Don Manzullo, Forrest Hare, Mal Ballairs, Robert Abboud, Scott Summers, WIVS
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Good News for McHenry County Congressional Incumbents
A web site called House Race Tracker is looking at congressional races it considers close. The 8th congressional district, where incumbent Democrat Melissa Bean is being challenged by Republican Steve Greenberg, does not appear on the web site.
House Race Tracker is a web site that tracks polling results and campaign contributions.
Not only was the 8th district ignored, the 16th district was also. That's where Democrat Robert Abboud and Green Party candidate Scott Summers are challenging incumbent Republican Don Manzullo made the the web site.= = = = =
For those who do not know the candidates by face, Melissa Bean is top right, while Steve Greenberg is top center.
Don Manzullo is bottom left, Robert Abboud bottom center and Scott Summers bottom right.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, 8th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, House Race Tracker, Melissa Bean, Robert Abboud, Scott Summers, Steve Greenberg
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Hear a Congressional Hearing on Canandian National's EJ&E RR Purchase
Just got the following email from the office of Congressman Don Manzullo. Thought you might be interested. You can find the 16th District Congressman's remarks here.
EDITOR’S NOTE – The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is currently holding a hearing to address proposed legislation that would require more consideration of safety concerns in rail transactions. The bill could affect Canadian National Railway’s proposed purchase of the EJ&E line. You can watch the hearing live by clicking on the “Live Web Cast” here.Manzullo Testifies for Legislation to
More FullyConsider Safety Concerns of
Increased Rail Traffic
Bill needed to address hazards created by
CN’s purchase of EJ&E line in northern Illinois
[WASHINTGON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today testified before the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on the need for legislation to ensure safety concerns are fully addressed before new freight rail service can enter a community.
The bipartisan Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety (TRACS) Act (HR 6707), which Manzullo cosponsored, would require the government to weigh the safety of the people and costs to communities against benefits to the railroads and transportation network. For a merger to proceed, the adverse impacts on communities could not outweigh the transportation benefits. The STB also would have the authority to set stricter safety conditions.
Manzullo spoke for the bill on behalf of the tens of thousands of McHenry County motorists and Metra commuters who would face serious delays and safety hazards in Barrington if the Canadian National Railway is allowed to purchase the EJ&E line. CN plans to run 15 to 20 extra freight trains through Barrington and other suburbs each day, threatening the safety of residents and motorists, causing massive traffic backups, and forcing taxpayers to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to try to mitigate the problems.
The EJ&E line has at-grade crossings with Route 14, Route 59 and Lake-Cook Road in downtown Barrington. All three of those crossings – which are the main arteries in and out of Barrington -- could be blocked at the same time by a long freight train, possibly preventing emergency vehicles from responding in a timely fashion. In addition, school buses cross the EJ&E tracks in Barrington 840 times a day.
The Surface Transportation Board (STB), the government agency that considers rail transactions, recognized in its draft Environmental Impact Statement that CN’s proposal would greatly increase safety hazards but acknowledged the railroad could get away with funding just 5 to 10 percent of the costs to relieve the problems they are creating. Barrington officials have suggested the only real way to fully mitigate the hazard is to remove the at-grade crossings by building a mile-long rail trench under the three at-grade rail crossings at a cost of about $300 million. CN has offered to pay only a total of $40 million to fix all the problems associated with the proposal, including mitigating the safety hazards at all 133 at-grade crossings along the route.
“The insanity of this process is that the STB acknowledges this rail deal would cause significant safety hazards in Barrington and the other communities but does very little to require Canadian National to mitigate the dangers. Taxpayers would have to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to correct the problems,” Manzullo said. “This legislation is necessary to ensure taxpayers and communities are protected and deals are only approved if the benefits outweigh the costs.”
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Canadian National, Don Manzullo, EJ and E, Surface Transportation Board
Congressional Campaign Contributions Categorized
I found an interesting web site called MaPLight.org ("Money and Politic" is what "MaP" stands for) that categorizes campaign contributions for incumbent congressmen.
It has a liberal bias, but there's not a whole lot of information sources that don't.
Here's what it says about 8th congressional district Congresswoman Melissa Bean (click to enlarge):
And, here's the scoop on 16th congressional district Congressman Don Manzullo:
The web site also links contributions to those supporting various bills.
Pity it doesn't do it for challengers.
It has a liberal bias, but there's not a whole lot of information sources that don't.
Here's what it says about 8th congressional district Congresswoman Melissa Bean (click to enlarge):
And, here's the scoop on 16th congressional district Congressman Don Manzullo:
The web site also links contributions to those supporting various bills.Pity it doesn't do it for challengers.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, 8th Congressional District, Campaign Contributions, Don Manzullo, Melissa Bean
Monday, September 08, 2008
Trumping Abboud
McHenry County Blog reported earlier that 8 District Democratic Party Congresswoman Melissa Bean was not happy about having to return home in the middle of the Democratic Party Convention to appear at the Surface Transportation Board's hearing in her home town of Barrington.When I read the Chicago Tribune account the Thursday before last, I saw the photo of a woman in a red shirt waving her arms.
The cut line said,
“Patty Ancona of Barrington reacts to comments by Rep. Donald Manzullo (R-Ill.) during a public meeting on the proposed purchase of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad by the Canadian National Railway Co.”
It doesn't get much better than that for a congressman in the Tribune.The text of Robert Channick's article said,
“More than 1,000 people crowded into the (high) school's gymnasium where a visible upset Rep. Donald Manzullo (R-Ill.) told representatives of the federal board that the draft report underestimated the number of affected rail crossings that could be blocked.Bean's testimony is referenced right below that in the article.
“'It gives new meaning to the word “railroad,”'” he said.”
I didn't see either Barrington Hills Village President Robert Abboud, non-incumbent challenger to Manzullo or Bean opponent Steve Greenberg mentioned in the article.
There are advantages to incumbency.
Especially when you are talking to Federal officials and are in Congress.
Labels: Barrington High School, Barrington Hills, Canadian Northern, CN, Don Manzullo, EJ and E, Melissa Bean, Robert Abboud, Steve Greenberg
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Scott Summers' Reflects on Lack of Civility in the 3-Way Rockford Congressional Debate
The following has just arrived from Green Party 16th district congressional candidate Scott Summers. It is posted on his web site Summers Times, as well.
Whatever happened
to civility in politics?
The Manzullo-Abboud
television meltdown
(U.S. Congress, IL-16)
"On Thursday, August 28th, WIFR-TV (Channel 23, Rockford) graciously hosted a 16th district Congressional candidate forum.
"It presented me and my opponents, Democrat Robert Abboud and incumbent Republican Representative Don Manzullo, in a discussion of issues.
"The event quickly disintegrated into spectacle.
"Manzullo and Abboud brutally attacked each other. They argued. They shouted. And they repeatedly ignored the direction of the news anchors to stop.
"Thoughtful viewer questions were almost completely cast aside.
"Abboud and Manzullo -- and, I suppose, I, too, acquiescing to a certain extent, standing alongside them in silence -- did viewers a colossal disservice.
"Voters are entitled -- entitled -- to informed discourse from their candidates.
"It's perfectly satisfactory for that discourse to be close and spirited at times. Candidates must articulate and defend their positions. Decency requires that they be allowed to respond, clarify, and redirect their thinking on the issues of the day.
"For four days, I've thought about what happened.
"We will never make progress in this country if candidates for election refuse to comport themselves with dignity and decency.
"The scope of the problems facing us as a nation demand keen thinking and collaborative problem-solving on a multipartisan -- multipartisan -- basis.
"The established political parties in Illinois -- for the moment, Democratic, Green, and Republican -- don't have to agree. Their members don't have to like one another.
"But every candidate for office MUST be civil. Every elected official MUST work cooperatively in order to get the nation's business done.
"Insults and invective in the fashions exhibited by my opponents on Thursday evening simply will not do.
"Permit me to tie the desperate need for political civility today to a time exactly one hundred and fifty years ago.
"This past Saturday (August 30th), I was in Freeport. My little band of campaign supporters and I marched in a glorious parade.
"It was Freeport's observance of the sesquicentennial of the Lincoln-Douglas debate in their community. After the parade, I lingered to watch two splendid re-enactors, George Buss and Tim Connors, portray the duo.
"As I stood off to one side, leaning against a post and watching, I couldn't help but think that I was observing precisely what I should have been participating in on Channel 23.
"Sharp and pointed discourse, at close quarters. Jousting. Sparring. Shrewd maneuvering. A bit of veiled rancor. But civility. Always civility.
"I suppose that that's my 'takeaway' from the awful television spectacle.
"If you elect me, I pledge to work cooperatively with my colleagues in Congress. I will listen, speak, challenge and cajole.
"But most of all, I shall be civil.
"You as voters deserve no less."
Whatever happenedto civility in politics?
The Manzullo-Abboud
television meltdown
(U.S. Congress, IL-16)
"On Thursday, August 28th, WIFR-TV (Channel 23, Rockford) graciously hosted a 16th district Congressional candidate forum.
"It presented me and my opponents, Democrat Robert Abboud and incumbent Republican Representative Don Manzullo, in a discussion of issues.
"The event quickly disintegrated into spectacle.
"Manzullo and Abboud brutally attacked each other. They argued. They shouted. And they repeatedly ignored the direction of the news anchors to stop.
"Thoughtful viewer questions were almost completely cast aside.
"Abboud and Manzullo -- and, I suppose, I, too, acquiescing to a certain extent, standing alongside them in silence -- did viewers a colossal disservice."Voters are entitled -- entitled -- to informed discourse from their candidates.
"It's perfectly satisfactory for that discourse to be close and spirited at times. Candidates must articulate and defend their positions. Decency requires that they be allowed to respond, clarify, and redirect their thinking on the issues of the day.
"For four days, I've thought about what happened.
"We will never make progress in this country if candidates for election refuse to comport themselves with dignity and decency.
"The scope of the problems facing us as a nation demand keen thinking and collaborative problem-solving on a multipartisan -- multipartisan -- basis.
"The established political parties in Illinois -- for the moment, Democratic, Green, and Republican -- don't have to agree. Their members don't have to like one another.
"But every candidate for office MUST be civil. Every elected official MUST work cooperatively in order to get the nation's business done.
"Insults and invective in the fashions exhibited by my opponents on Thursday evening simply will not do."Permit me to tie the desperate need for political civility today to a time exactly one hundred and fifty years ago.
"This past Saturday (August 30th), I was in Freeport. My little band of campaign supporters and I marched in a glorious parade.
"It was Freeport's observance of the sesquicentennial of the Lincoln-Douglas debate in their community. After the parade, I lingered to watch two splendid re-enactors, George Buss and Tim Connors, portray the duo.
"As I stood off to one side, leaning against a post and watching, I couldn't help but think that I was observing precisely what I should have been participating in on Channel 23."Sharp and pointed discourse, at close quarters. Jousting. Sparring. Shrewd maneuvering. A bit of veiled rancor. But civility. Always civility.
"I suppose that that's my 'takeaway' from the awful television spectacle.
"If you elect me, I pledge to work cooperatively with my colleagues in Congress. I will listen, speak, challenge and cajole.
"But most of all, I shall be civil.
"You as voters deserve no less."
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Civility, Don Manzullo, Robert Abboud, Scott Summers, Summers Times
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Abboud Takes on Manzullo Rockford WIRF-TV Debate Statements
Labor Day is the traditional beginning of political campaigns and Robert Abboud, the Democratic Party candidate for 16th congressional district United States Representative Don Manzullo's is taking the opportunity to blast his GOP opponent for things he said in a Thursday Rockford television debate.Here it is:
Abboud: Let Me Educate You Mr. Manzullo
Abboud Demands Manzullo Answer for his Own Record on Trade, Off-Shoring Jobs, Tax Breaks for Companies Operating Overseas
ROCKFORD – Bob Abboud, Democratic challenger in Illinois 16th Congressional district, called on his Republican opponent to own up to his clear record of supporting the off-shoring of American jobs, favored nation trading status with China and tax breaks for companies who move their operations overseas, after being accused of misrepresenting facts and needing ‘to be educated’ on facts related to Rep. Manzullo’s record on these critical issues.
During the live debate on WIFR-23 in Rockford, Manzullo repeatedly told Abboud he ‘needed to be educated’ on the incumbent’s record. Abboud wasted no time in calling into question Manzullo’s own grasp of the facts.
“Either my opponent has been in office so long he can’t remember, or he is afraid to own up to the damaging policies he has supported,” Abboud said. “I have the facts, and apparently I must educate Mr. Manzullo. Since he took office in 1992 he has had a clear record of supporting unfair trade with China and corporations who avoid taxation and ship jobs overseas.”
Manzullo, despite claiming the title of ‘Mr. Manufacturing’, has voted repeatedly for tax breaks and trade policies that favor overseas companies and the off shoring of American jobs. Over the past 16 years Don Manzullo has been one of the chief architects of policies that have resulted in the 11 percent unemployment rate in Rockford, the decline in family household incomes and the loss of thousands of jobs in the 16th District. During his term Manzullo voted for the following:
The Singapore Trade Agreement which directly led to the loss of 100 Rockford jobs at Hamilton Sundstrand
Voted 7 times for most favored nation trading status and improved trading status for China
Voted against restricting nuclear sales to China
Voted to support international loans for China
Voted for foreign companies to receive Homeland Security contracts
Voted against preventing American companies from laying off more U.S. workers than foreign workers
Voted to give overseas companies federal contracts
Voted for $12.8 billion in corporate tax breaks, allowing multinational companies with extensive offshore operations to fully use foreign tax credits to offset their tax liability.
“
For 16 years Mr. Manzullo has depended upon people looking the other way and his extraordinary talent for duplicity” said Michael Carroll, Communications Director for the Abboud campaign. “He says he wants to support manufacturing and he will give you a long list of tiny accomplishments that he believes proves his support of working families. But the second we turn our backs, Mr. Manzullo is voting to ship our jobs overseas and giving companies that do it a tax break. Enough is enough – the families struggling to make ends meet in our community deserve better, they deserve the truth.”
With documented unemployment in the Rockford drifting further and further into double digits, Abboud says the 16th District communities can no longer afford to suffer Don Manzullo’s broken promises and failed leadership.
“Our community needs a Congressman who understands how critical manufacturing is, a congressman who has run a business and created jobs,” Abboud said. “My opponent has never run a business and it’s clear he doesn’t understand how important manufacturing is to this district. If we want new jobs then we can’t suffer any more of Don Manzullo’s empty rhetoric and do nothing policies.”
To read Abboud’s economic platform and plan to bring jobs back to the 16th District, visit www.robertabboud.com.
= = = = =On top you see the three candidates for the 16th congressional seat. From left to right are Green Party candidate Scott Summers, Democratic Party candidate Robert Abboud and Republican Party incumbent and candidate for re-election Don Manzullo. I do not know the names of the WIRF-23 folks asking the questions.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Robert Abboud, WIRF, WIRF-23
Thursday, August 28, 2008
16th Congressional District Candidates on Rockford TV Tonight; You Can See It on the Internet
It's a big night for politics.Barack Obama will deliver his acceptance speech.
And, the three candidates seeking to represent Illinois' 16th congressional district will appear tonight at 6 on Rockford's Channel 23, CBS affiliate WIFR-TV.
Only those in the western portions of McHenry County can probably receive WIRF's signal over the air, but the 6-6:30 PM broadcast program will be streamed live over the internet starting at 6 PM. You can link to the TV station here. 
There is a video player at the top middle of the screen where you can click and see the debate.You can send your questions ahead of time here.
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Pictures of the three candidates are above. On top is Democrat Robert Abboud. To the left is Green Party candidate Scott Summers. Incumbent Republican Don Manzullo is to the right below Abboud.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Robert Abboud, Rockford, Scott Summers, WIFR-TV
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Manzullo Speaks with NFIB Members
16th district United States Representative Don Manzullo came to Crystal Lake's American Community Bank to speak with members of the National Federation of Independent Business Tuesday night.The main topics of conversation were taxes and paying for health care.
“We're set for a barrage of tax increases,” Manzullo explained. “If you have a tax cut, the cuts expire in ten years. If you have a tax hike, it never expires.
“If you allow the tax cuts to expire, then you end up with a large tax increase,” the congressman explained.
“If the tax cuts expire, it would means the average family would pay $2-4,000,” he continued. “The child tax credit would be rolled back from $1,000 to $500.”
He talked of the cuts the Republican Congress had passed and President Bill Clinton signed, including the college savings accounts, the Roth IRA and the accelerated depreciation for business and ending the marriage penalty.
After two members of Congress got married and discovered they owed $35,000 more in taxes, “they became great advocates of tax relief,” Manzullo related.The Republican explained that Senator John McCain voted against the tax cut package that Bush signed because it was not offset by spending cuts.
McCain has said he does not favor allowing those tax cuts to expire because that would be a tax hike.
Several people spoke of the deficiencies of a single payer government run health care system. Manzullo told of a friend of one his staffers who went to Montreal, discovered a bladder infection after business hours on Friday and could not get treatment until Monday because it was not an emergency. To this day, she has related medical problems.
Manzullo explained that the health insurance he has as a member of congress is Blue Cross/Blue Shield. No dental insurance and chiropractic care just added this year.
"We pay $400 a month."
When his wife Freda had cancer, it cost the family $10,000 in out of pocket expenses.He favors allowing each American to write their own policies.
If they wanted coverage for just catastrophic illness, their premiums would be much lower than for those with first dollar coverage.
There was much more, of course, but it's the first day of school on Wednesday and I'm the one taking our son to school.
Manzullo is being challenged by Barrington Hills Village President Robert Abboud on the Democratic Party ticket and McHenry County College Board member Scott Summers, a member of the Green Party.
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In the top photograph, U.S. Congressman Don Manzullo can be seen talking to Chris Dahm of Woodstoc's Dahm Trucking and Lou Gajdzik of Stoxen Farms in Harvard. Below, Manzullo is seen talking to the NFIB members and prospective members. Pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them.
Labels: American Community Bank, Chirs Dahm, Dahm Trucking, Don Manzullo, Lou Gajdzik, National Federation of Independent Business, NFIB, Stoxen Farms
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Congressman Don Manzullo to Speak to Small Businessmen Tuesday Morning
Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan), who represents southern and western McHenry County is coming to Crystal Lake tomorrow evening to speak at an NFIB-sponsored 6-8 PM meeting at American Community Bank. Manzullo served as chairman of the House Small Business Committee under Republican United State House control. Now, he is Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment and he's a member of the House Financial Services Committee. He also continues to co-chair the 80-member House Manufacturing Caucus, which he co-founded in 2001 with Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio).
The press release follows:
What’s at Stake?
McHenry County small business owners to discuss 2009 federal legislation agenda with Congressman Don Manzullo and how actions in Washington will impact Illinois job providers?
What: NFIB McHenry County Area Action Council
What will actions in Washington mean for your small business in 2009?
When: Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Who: Congressman Don Manzullo (R-16, Egan)
Where: American Community Bank
281 S Main St.
Crystal Lake, IL
Congressman Don Manzullo will discuss legislation likely to be debated in 2009 that will impact Illinois small business owners. Topics expected to be discussed include healthcare, taxes and family leave mandates.
In addition, NFIB/Illinois Asst. State Director Mark Grant will update area employers on current legislative action in Springfield.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, American Community Bank, Don Manzullo, House Manufacturing Caucus, Mark Grant, NFIB
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
And, By the Way, Barrington Hills Has No Hand Gun Control
Ordinarily, a congressional candidate would love to get his name in the first paragraph of a story.Not Robert Abboud, the Democratic candidate for the 16th congressional district seat of incumbent Don Manzullo.
A Barrington Hills family was robbed by three black men late last week.
The residents were bound and gagged, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Most homes sit on 5-acre or larger lots.
Barrington Hills village president Abboud made the first sentence of a long Chicago Sun-Times article, which added:
"We will find these people,'' Abboud said Saturday. "We will hunt them down.''And, in a message to potential buglers, this is how WBBM-News quoted Abboud:
“Abboud says Barrington Hills has no handgun restrictions.”Even some of the rich liberals there might be packing if you come calling.
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Barrington Hills, Don Manzullo, Gun Control, Robert Abboud
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Don Manzullo Celebrates Victory in Federal Bureaucracy Fight
One of the things that legislators spend lots of time on is trying to make bureaucracies act rationally.
16th district United States Congressman Don Manzullo reports on a victory for the aircraft manufacturing industry over the State Department below:
16th district United States Congressman Don Manzullo reports on a victory for the aircraft manufacturing industry over the State Department below:
Manzullo Hails Administration’s Action to End Confusion for U.S. Aerospace Suppliers, Create Jobs
(WASHINGTON) Congressmen Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today thanked the Administration for its decision to resolve confusion within the government’s export control process that impedes U.S. manufacturers of civil aircraft, parts and components from selling their goods overseas.
The State Department issued a final rule today that confirms the Commerce Department’s authority over Section 17(c) of the Export Administration Act (EAA) of 1979. Manzullo had been working for the past year to convince the Administration to clarify the 17(c) rules.
Since the EAA expired in 2001, the U.S. Department of State, which has jurisdiction over exports of military items, has refused to recognize 17(c).
As a result, manufacturers of American aircraft, parts and components have incurred significant costs trying to interpret State Department regulations that could classify their products, by definition rather than by any performance standard, as military items.
Airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and their first-tier suppliers on down are making their own suppliers contractually liable if their products are classified as military items.
Classification of a product as a military item results in significant licensing and compliance requirements that can affect its use and the operation of any aircraft in which it is installed.“Thousands of American jobs depend on the ability of the U.S. aerospace industry to assure its customers they are selling essentially commercial, non-sensitive products, and the uncertainty surrounding this interagency dispute threatened those jobs,” said Manzullo, who co-chairs the Export Controls Working Group with Reps. Joe Crowley (D-NY) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR).
“Today’s final rule ends the confusion, reduces the liability and makes it easier four American manufacturers to sell their goods overseas and create jobs.”
Labels: 16th Congressional District, Commerce Department, Don Manzullo, Export Administration Act, Export Controls Working Group, Exports, State Department