Kaptur amendment in Clean Energy Bill will benefit Great Lake States
This in via e-mail from the office of Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur:
Kaptur Supports Clean Energy Bill with Key Provision to Benefit Great Lakes States
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Great Lakes states including Ohio would benefit greatly from creation of new Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway renewable power federal authorities thanks to a key amendment that Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur succeeded in placing in the clean energy legislation that passed earlier this evening in the House of Representatives.
Great Lakes members favoring her proposal became key swing votes as the energy bill moved toward passage by a narrow margin.
“Our priority must be creating jobs,” said Congresswoman Kaptur.
“This amendment finally takes that giant step toward removing the severe regional energy cost disparities that have favored other regions over ours for over half a century.
“Federal support for energy has favorably prejudiced the cost of power in the west and south allowing them to grow at our expense. This bill gives our region powerful new federal financing tools to create clean energy jobs as we bring up new renewable energy production platforms toward energy independence. With an equal footing, our region can compete effectively for the jobs of the future.”
The Kaptur proposal, included in the manager’s amendment to H.R. 2484, authorizes the Secretary of Energy to provide borrowing rates for energy development at the same federal funds rate as are enjoyed by the federal power marketing authorities that serve the South, West, and Tennessee Valley.
It includes $3.5 billion in additional energy investment authority for the Great Lakes region. Kaptur, a longtime advocate of renewable energy, said the authority would be used to develop renewable energy sources, spur new jobs, and economic development in the Great Lakes region.
“The federal government has been subsidizing infrastructure and economic development in other regions of the country since the New Deal. Now it’s our turn to grow. With the Midwest taking the brunt of the economic crisis, we have to focus on jobs created through energy independence. This bill positions us toward that objective,” Kaptur said.
The Kaptur amendment states that within six months of enactment of the legislation, the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, would recommend to Congress establishment of federal energy authorities in any region of the nation that lack such an instrument. Current authorities exist in every part of the country but the Great Lakes region and Northeastern United States.
The amendment also authorizes $25 million in fiscal year 2010 (starting October 1, 2009) to implement its provisions.
Kaptur intends that these authorities will be administered by the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, serving the entirety of the Great Lakes. House Minority Leader John Boehner attacked the Kaptur Amendment during an unofficial filibuster on the House floor.
Kaptur had pushed the idea, akin to the power marketing authority concept, through expanded use of the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. She built a coalition of support, starting with Members of the Ohio delegation in the House of Representatives, broadened that support throughout the Seaway states from Minnesota to New York, and then in multiples meetings and conversations sought the support of key House leadership that included Speaker Nancy Pelosi and key Energy and Commerce Committee chair Henry Waxman and subcommittee chair Ed Markey.
Kaptur said she is optimistic that her amendment will remain intact as the Clean Energy legislation makes its way through the Senate and perhaps a conference committee. “The bill is not perfect, so there will be modifications made,” she said. “We’ll keep trying to make it more effective for our state and surely for the Ninth Congressional District.”
“Regional energy equity is a tough fight. I’ve been fighting it since I came to Congress. Historically, some parts of our nation have huge energy and water subsidies; others have nothing,” she said this morning. “But our voice is finally getting heard. Our region’s economy is struggling. High electric rates are the largest impediment to economic growth. Our region must transform and modernize by using the powerful federal assets that exist to drive economies forward to meet the needs of the new century. Our region can lead the way, but we need to level the playing field and we need the federal government as a full partner. And we do not need the federal government to play favorites.”
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 passed earlier this year included $6.5 billion in additional subsidized borrowing authority at the federal funds rate for power marketing authorities in the western U.S. for transmission line infrastructure and renewable power generation. The Kaptur measure seeks to level this energy rate playing field.
The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, Kaptur noted, was established and given borrowing authority to build the infrastructure to connect Great Lakes shipping with the Atlantic Ocean and international markets and to produce and distribute renewable power produced from the dams built at Niagara Falls, New York.
Allowing our region the same borrowing authority by $3.5 billion will begin to allow our region to finance the regional development, construction, acquisition, and implementation of renewable power generation and transmission capacity other regions of our nation enjoy. This will be done in conjunction with investor-owned utilities, municipal and state utilities, our cooperatives, local port authorities, and private stakeholders.
Lisa,
Something about this whole things a smell to it…
I can’t quite place it; gimme a second. Sniff, sniff, sniff….
I’ve got it! It smells just like a bribe!
Or, you can use any euphemism you like, to make it more palatable, but its still a bribe. . .
June 26th, 2009 at 10:46 pmridiculous.
June 26th, 2009 at 10:50 pmMarcy and the other 218 should be tried for treason!
June 26th, 2009 at 10:50 pmThis is complete smoke and mirrors! Another horrible decision that our children will die trying to pay for.
June 26th, 2009 at 10:59 pmYou know other parts of the country have used power authorities to their benefit, that’s what this allows us to do. As Kaptur said earlier:
“The federal government has been subsidizing infrastructure and economic development in the South and West through these power marketing authorities for more than 70 years,” she said. “It’s time to bring equity to federal energy policy.”
Canada is already using the water power of the Seaway to produce electricity…
This bill does have to go to the Senate, what it looks like after they are done with it, and how long it takes to even get done with it is anyone’s guess.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:08 pmOne article that might interest some of you…
June 26th, 2009 at 11:24 pmI’ll have to side with caution and the more reasonable approach to this whole scheme. I think Congressman Latta is right to be concerned over this whole thing. It is a tax increase on a faulty premise. It will at least cost us $120, if not more (and you can always bet more). So how does an extra hundred or so dollars out of pockets help the economy, Marcy?
June 26th, 2009 at 11:31 pmKaptur needs to go. Did she read this bill before voting for it? My bet is NO. Just like she didn’t read the porkulus bill and voted yes for that. Then she was “outraged” when it was discovered that companies receiving stimulus money were giving out bonuses to employees. Well if she read that bill she would have known about that. Hold her feet to the fire. Did you read the bill Marcy???? Why did you vote for higher energy costs, the loss of many American jobs, why did you vote yes without reading the bill. That is what we pay you to do. We also pay you to represent us. How many people called your office instructing you to vote no? You work for us. The Tea Parties were the second shot heard round the world and now more people will be joining in, consider it fair warning. I bet if another jet was on its way to Washington D.C., passengers wouldn’t fight with their lives to crash it into a field in Pennsylvania. They would probably fly it into the very building the likes of your sorry butt is sitting in. You have dishonored the memory of every person on that plane and the families they left behind. You have greatly dishonored every citizen of the United States.
June 27th, 2009 at 2:28 amThe funny thing is, it’s like conservatives did a find and replace – substituting “cap and trade” for “CAFE standards” on all their old arguments.
Here is an interesting article –
http://www.peri.umass.edu/fileadmin/pdf/other_publication_types/green_economics/fact_sheets/Ohio.pdf
– According to the ACCF/NAM “high-cost case,” Ohio’s economy would grow 59%, while carbon emissions would fall by 36%.
– Under the ACCF/NAM high-cost case forecast under a carbon cap program, in 2030 average Ohioans will be about 58 percent richer than in 2007.
– With the increase in state revenues over time, Ohio could reduce the average classroom size in school system by 20 percent, and still increase support for all other state and local services by 54 percent.
– Under the ACCF/NAM high-cost case forecast, 6.31 million people will have jobs in 2030, an 11.8 percent increase.
June 27th, 2009 at 8:53 amNobody read the bill before voting on it. This is the problem here. How do you vote for something if you haven’t read it?
Tea Party anyone????????
June 27th, 2009 at 10:20 amIthink this is great! Over the last couple of weeks the American people have been waking up and seeing exactly what they have done putting Obama in the White House, and giving the Democrat Party a majority.
I think Obama’s honeymoon is over.
June 27th, 2009 at 10:32 amChad, I don’t think this thread represents people “waking up” – it does demonstrate the divide still exists and Pam? I read the bill, all of it. I’d gather most people haven’t either and I’d guess many congresspersons on both side didn’t read it all.
I don’t think there should have been a rush to pass this, there is a lot of misinformation coming from both sides. I do think however Kaptur’s amendment has some merit but it will be months before the Senate passes this, if they pass it and changes will end up being made.
June 27th, 2009 at 11:02 amRichard, the Congressional Budget office stated the yearly cost as $175 a year per household.
Here are the complete comments from both President Obama and John Boehner, House Republican leader that mention this bill.
Fact Check’s page on this that does cite the context Obama made the “skyrocket” statement as well as addresses some of the misinformation related to the cost factor.
I also recommend Time’s article on this. They do a good job with briefly addressing the many sides to this.
June 27th, 2009 at 11:15 amIs anyone else just terrified that these massive spending bills are being passed without anyone having had the time to actually read them at such a rapid speed?
It’s June and the President has been in office for less than six months. He’s indebted, at a MINIMUM, two generations of Americans to overwhelming debt.
For a mortgage industry bailout that didn’t pay a single dollar to bail out a single mortgage.
For a Big 3 bailout that forced two of the three to restructure – allowed (for the first time in history) the President of the United States to decide who would be allowed to run these companies and whether or not they would file bankruptcy. AND whether or not they could keep their companies in tact or have to sell off, (or close contracted franchises without cause), the parts the President wanted them to.
A banking bailout that resulted in some VERY expensive bonus’ and vacations for companies that went under anyway. These banks redoubled their foreclosure numbers and restricted lending EVEN MORE after getting the money.
We had a massive stimulus package that so far, to my knowledge, hasn’t stimulated a damn thing or created one job. Most of the money is in reserve for pet projects.
And now this same President wants to take over energy (a fairly important part of American life).
And the response out of Congress? Hey as long as they keep the Congresspersons’ own amendment in – they’re good with all this. Who’s going to say no to this guy? China is trying to – they have something to say about the American dollar now – and if nothing else scares you that should.
All in less than six months.
June 27th, 2009 at 11:57 amMost of the money for the stimulus projects has not even been given or spent, so it’s a bit hard to deem that dead already, it has been six months.
It’s also not as if some of these concepts are brand new, they’ve been presented, debated, etc., for years.
I’m not going to pretend I agree with all of what has been done so far, but the Democratic Party blamed the former president and the Republican controlled Congress, then when Democrats did have control of the House it was still blamed on the President, now? The Democratic Party has a chance to either demonstrate they can actually fix things or? We’ll experience what have in the past, which party is in control will change.
The national debt that our children and our grandchildren will have to pay on is growing, both parties share the blame for that. The only real difference that I’ve seen coming from DC is who is out there against ideas and who is out there in support of ideas. Most of the people who feel this piece of legislation is bad haven’t read the bill either, they are basing their non-support on what they are being told, which has already been demonstrated is not totally accurate…
I believe we have to do something about our environment, but I also realize as a nation we can’t do it alone and even if we became the most greeniest eco-friendly nation in the world? The damage to the environment by others is going to be difficult to stop, in the end, we share the world, we don’t control it…There was a time when our nation was doing some of the very same things China is now, some companies may move their manufacturing operations to places where there are less controls. It’s short term thinking that may save them money at first but with every job moved overseas that can’t be replaced, it reduces the spendable income here at home. It’s not going to do many of these corporations any good to make a larger profit if lessening numbers are around to be able to afford to buy it…
June 27th, 2009 at 12:37 pmditto ditto ditto to everybody who sees this nonsense for what it is.
Chad, the honeymoon won’t really be over until close to the mid-term election in 2010, which the admin is extremely worried about. After the unemployment extensions run out and we still have a huge military presence overseas (Iraq, Afghanistan, what’s the difference?), THEN the honeymoon will be over
… & most of congress became treason r us long ago.
June 27th, 2009 at 1:31 pmDid any of our esteemed Congressmen and women read the bill? Or did they vote on it just like they did with the stimulus bill that has stimulated nothing? Obama speaks, Congress bends over for him. Yes, it’s time to vote out these people but will we here in Toledo and across the country have the courage to get rid of them, most of them who have been in Congress way too long?
June 27th, 2009 at 2:33 pm[...] http://glasscityjungle.com/wordpress/?p=7985 [...]
June 27th, 2009 at 2:34 pmway way way too long. Am hoping Kaptur runs for the Senate seat coming up and we can get a new congressman. She’s undeniably nice, but ineffective with a long history of avoiding hard questions and doing only “safe” votes.
Take a look at Toledo. A disaster area.
June 27th, 2009 at 2:36 pmTruthseeker….
My overall point was it is starting to crumble-Obama’s issues. Americans are really starting to get jumpy. This is a center/right nation and most people bought into the Obama image of him being a Messiah.
Blue Dog Democrats are really nervous. My thing is as a Conservative Republican I don’t think the party has learned their lesson. So I don’t think that a change of power is good for us right now. Too many RINOs and moderates that want liberal and dems to like them.
Here are some examples the tide might be shifting: Smith leads Corzine in NJ, McDonnel leads the Demoncrat in VA, Strickland’s poll numbers are down, McCollum leads Sink in Florida. NJ and VA hold their races this year. I am sure there are more poll numbers that both parties can point to and say 2010 will be a good year for them.
June 27th, 2009 at 2:41 pmTruthseeker….
No way Marcy runs statewide. the GOP would tear her apart with her ridiculous record. Plus, no way a Toledoan wins statewide. And that is for good reason.
Although I would love to have Marcy in that Senate race. A 3rd demoncrat. Man that would be a war!!!!
June 27th, 2009 at 2:43 pmAlthough it’s nice to finally see someone in Washington address climate change, this bill’s far too weak. The Chinese have committed to greater reductions than what this bill does.
June 27th, 2009 at 5:35 pmAnd our utility bills will go up, thanks to the bill. Unemployment across the country will go up with our utility bills.
June 27th, 2009 at 7:54 pm$175.00 per year per household is a little over $14.00 a month, I’m not sure that’s going to cause rampant unemployment.
June 28th, 2009 at 12:09 amThe costs after the first couple of years is what is going to kill Americans pocket books.
$14.00 dollars a month may mean a lot for a family struggling right now.
Typical liberals. No shame in taking people’s money away and using it for something else.
Anyone think the politicians in D.C. will subscribe to the health care plan they are trying to pass right now?
June 28th, 2009 at 11:16 amChad, have you ever looked up the cost per family of the war in Iraq? I’d suggest it’s many times higher than this energy bill. Not to mention the other main difference, if this works, it could actually create energy savings down the road that would offset the cost, create additional jobs in alternative energy, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and make for a better environment.
$14.00 a month would impact many families, as do all government spending decisions.
June 28th, 2009 at 11:44 amLisa Renee,
We’ve been throwing around the CBO calculated costs of $175 per family as minimal, and therefore a justification of passing this legislation. The Heritage Foundation however, has calculated that:
- Gasoline prices will increase by 54%
- Natural gas prices will increase by 55%
- Home heating oil will increase by 56%
- Electricity prices will go up by 90%
They therefore calculate that the average cost for this bill for a family of four is more like $2,979 per year, rising to $4,609 by 2035.
I believe that Rep. Kaptur’s plan has some merit, but not part of this Cap & Trade bill. I also believe that statements by the Congresswoman earlier in the day about being on the fence were little more than blackmail to get this amendment added to a piece of flawed legislation.
June 28th, 2009 at 11:46 amTim, originally the Heritage Foundation provided different numbers which is referenced in the FactCheck article:
Even if you split the difference between the lowest estimates and the Heritage’s now higher estimate? None of the numbers take into consideration the energy savings that will result from some of the programs included in the bill. While logic is not something used often in relation to government, logic does dictate that if energy use is decreased there will be savings.
Kaptur’s amendment alone could provide a huge benefit to our region, any estimates of benefit are not included any of these estimates.
June 28th, 2009 at 11:53 amNever believe a government estimate, Lisa Renee.
June 28th, 2009 at 12:41 pmUsing that belief then one would not want to believe estimates from groups that have a philosophy for or against legislation either Jim.
If there can be no reliance on CBO numbers? Then nothing can ever be voted on.
June 28th, 2009 at 12:50 pmThe original Medicare program cost estimates were all way too low when the program was enacted, as an example.
June 28th, 2009 at 1:59 pmWhich is in part due to changes made, we have no idea what the Senate is going to do to this bill, it could reduce the costs, it could increase the costs.
I’m not suggesting the CBO numbers be taken as golden, but there is a huge difference in the numbers suggested as to cost. Some of which have been proven to be inaccurate and they are still being tossed about. We have to have a small amount of faith in the CBO, and also take into consideration that when you look at this bill, one side says it has been weakened and does not go far enough, another claims it will destroy the economy. I’m suggesting as is typically the scenario that both extremes are wrong. I don’t think it’s an ideal plan, but it is better than no plan, the ideal situation would have been if both parties could have put their political posturing aside to find an even better plan.
June 28th, 2009 at 2:16 pmAnyone who thought there wouldn’t be a cost associated with curbing some of the poisons pumped into the atmosphere are clearly delusional. It’s just a shame that so many are in favor of protecting the pollutors.
[edit] “we have no idea what the Senate is going to do to this bill”
If this is all the House can do, I shutter to think of the weak crap that will come out of the Senate
June 28th, 2009 at 2:58 pmCap and trade on sulfur dioxide emissions (to reduce ‘acid rain’ ) was a great success when the first President Bush and President Clinton implemented the Clear Air Act in the early 1990’s. Ended up costing significantly less than opponents (and even proponents) predicted, and exceeded expectations on environmental and health benefits. There are a lot of appendages to this bill, I’ll concede, but as far as creating an incentive to reduce our dependency on foreign sources of energy and spurring investment and job growth in wind, solar, and other forms of sustainable energy, Waxman-Markey is a historic success. Too bad some folks are on the wrong side of history. (by the way – only 2,500 Ohioans are employed in the coal industry, whereas there are 6,000 in the solar field in NW Ohio alone. Waxman Markey will greatly increase the growth of solar jobs in NW Ohio)
June 28th, 2009 at 6:44 pmFrank Szollosi wrote:
Can I get a link for that number Frank?
June 28th, 2009 at 7:27 pmI’m not Frank, but that number has been reported by a variety of sources, one example:
The Regional Growth Partnership estimates that 6,000 people in the region are employed in the solar energy industry — more than the two largest manufacturers combined.
June 28th, 2009 at 7:32 pmThis is bs in my opinion. Where do these people work? The only viable solar manufacturer currently is First Solar (funded primarily though German government grants), with only about 2000 employees. There are a couple of more hundred working at small start ups with big hopes, and big government handouts.
I ask again. Where is the link Frank?
That RGP propaganda piece is worthless. You are the one that made the claim Frank, support it.
June 28th, 2009 at 7:39 pmYou asked for a link – I gave you one, there are many others out there if you don’t believe the RGP is a valid source. Google it.
June 28th, 2009 at 7:49 pmThose numbers are bogus, who are the companies? Am I aloud to ask such a question of frank? Can’t he speak for himself? Those jobs don’t exist!
June 28th, 2009 at 7:51 pmBoth links provided list the information, if you want to wait for Frank to come back to respond? He doesn’t often comment but that’s your choice.
There are 10,900 google links for “6,000 jobs in Northwest Ohio solar” in Google.
June 28th, 2009 at 7:53 pmYou linked the Willard & Kelsey Solar Group, LLC article. Are you trying to say they have many employees yet? They have PLANS. But barely any business yet. Read the article. Why are you playing games, behind that curtain?
“Willard & Kelsey Solar Group, LLChave made plans to bring a total of 534 new jobs to northwest Ohio.”
June 28th, 2009 at 7:55 pmThere are two links, look again. You asked where it came from, I answered, that wasn’t enough detail, so I provided a second link. You said you wanted to hear it from Frank, who doesn’t often participate. I suggested you google it, there are lots of sources that cite that number and provide the same details already shared.
June 28th, 2009 at 7:58 pmLet us have the truth rather than frankie bs numbers that don’t add up. Where do these 6000 people work? I will wait for frank to respond, thank you.
June 28th, 2009 at 7:58 pmYou have the truth, you just prefer to not accept it, but if you want to wait for Frank to respond? Be prepared to wait since he typically comments here once or twice a month.
June 28th, 2009 at 8:00 pmYou linked two worthless articles, one sponsored by the RPG that contained no backup on the 6000 jobs and another, about “Willard & Kelsey Solar Group, LLC have made plans to bring a total of 534 new jobs to northwest Ohio.”
Who are you trying to fool?
June 28th, 2009 at 8:19 pmAccording to Tom Blaha, executive director, Wood County Economic Development Commission:
“We have 6,000-7,000 people in those backup industries that I mentioned – glass machinery and so on – not just in Wood County but in the neighboring counties as well…..Glass is the raw material that the solar panels are built onto”
June 28th, 2009 at 8:37 pmI suggested Not Again you google it yourself, I don’t feel either article is worthless, especially the second one I linked that is a five page article. The information is out there, and if you prefer to wait for Frank? Then that’s your option, but it appears you are not interested in any source that would demonstrate you are wrong. I personally have found the RGP to be credible as well as the sources already provided to you that confirm this number. As stated there are over 10,000 links that reference the number of jobs related to solar energy in Northwestern Ohio, from Newsweek, to government sources to testimony given to the general assembly.
I’d guess the Governor pointing this fact out in his state of the State address wouldn’t matter to you either.
June 28th, 2009 at 9:20 pmNot Again wrote:
Someone stated a statistic. If you doubt it – research it. Otherwise it’s an empty challenge.
Prove your case.
June 29th, 2009 at 12:49 amThe 6000 employed are spread out over 15 manufacturing and research institutions and businesses. If one were interested in breaking that down they could start with the Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization and First Solar, Inc.
Keep at it, Lisa. Some of them may come around.
June 29th, 2009 at 10:01 amOk, 22 professors from BGSU, UT and OSU are funded by an 18 million dollar governemnt grant to do some research through the Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization.
First Solar is the only viable entity locally, even still, they have the German government to thank for that, in part.
Most of the other organizations are startups relying on government funding for the possibility of success.
As I mentioned before, Willard & Kelsey Solar Group, LLC have made plans to bring a total of 534 new jobs to northwest Ohio.” They don’t employ even half that number.
Why can’t you folks accept the truth. The solar business is primarily government funded and can not survive with out this state sponsored socialism. Look what happend in Spain.
June 29th, 2009 at 10:14 amAnyone want to just RECALL Marcy??? She has not done a darn thing to actually improve our area, she just plays to the unions, period!
Recall the woman, I’m sure a Tea Party would draw plenty of signatures for that one!!!!
June 29th, 2009 at 10:31 amI just got off the phone with her Toledo office. Wow, quite the defensive tone they use. I the taxpayer, their boss, have the right to question them where my tax money is going and I have the right to be angry with her vote on this bill that will increase my taxes, negatively affect my way of living, cause companies to move overseas, cost thousands of jobs and turn this country more toward socialism. This woman accepted a bribe using other people’s tax dollars for her vote. I have the right to be angry with her and express that to this office and this staff that my tax dollars pay. The vote was last Friday, they still can’t (won’t) give me the numbers of those that told her to vote yes and those that told her to vote no. What, do they use a hammer and chisel to etch it in stone? Transparency my aunt fannie. They won’t even tell me when she will be back in this area. Why???? She represents this area and should be accountable to the voters. Her staff knows this information, they are deflecting. I bet they are receiving many calls just like mine. Marcy should be thrown out. She’s too old, too feeble minded, too liberal and she’s been in congress way too long!!!! Yes, Tea Party please!!!!! But let’s surround her office at the Maritime Building and make her hear our anger. YOU WORK FOR US MARCY AND THAT GOES FOR YOUR STAFF. WHY ARE THEY GETTING PAID WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS IF THEY DON’T KNOW IF YOU READ THE BILL, CAN’T GIVE CONSTIUENTS INFORMATION IN A TIMELY MANNER AND SHOW NO RESPECT FOR THE ANGER OF CALLERS OVER THIS HUGE GOVERNMENT POWER GRAB.
We need to take our country back. These representatives do not listen to us and what we want them to do. You couldn’t even get through to Washington DC on Friday. They either took the phones off the hook or people were flooding them with calls. They vote party line unless the party doesn’t need their vote and their vote could affect them back in their district. The only way to know if Marcy listened to we the people is to have the numbers of the yes and no phone calls. What is this office hiding?
July 1st, 2009 at 11:59 amPam, I understand you are angry, for lack of a better description, but realistically even if the calls organized to be made were more no’s than yes’s, elected representatives of both parties don’t base their vote on the number of calls. Nor would you want them to. They should take how their constituency feels into consideration but no elected official is going to base their vote solely on calls.
Kaptur is not old nor feeble, you may disagree with her positions and her decisions, she is liberal, clearly more liberal than you would like but she is who has been elected to represent our area.
July 1st, 2009 at 12:17 pmKaptur’s office does have an additional comment from her office online that does point out her motivation – part of it:
I was also told earlier that this Washington Times article made it to the Drudge Report.
July 1st, 2009 at 12:24 pmLisaRenee wrote:
An elected official should take into consideration what constiuents are telling them to do. The only way to know what taxpayers were telling her to do is to get the numbers. What are they hiding? Look, I don’t look forward to what this socialistic government takeover is going to lead to. We have cold winters and hot summers. Our utility rates are skyhigh. I heard this bill could lead to closing oil refineries. We have BP and Sun Oil. Both plants employ many people and many contractors receive work through these plants. We used to have three refineries, Gulf Oil left in the early 80’s. I don’t want any government regulation telling me what my thermostat can be at. That’s none of government’s business.
Yes Marcy is too old and feeble minded. A lot of those in congress are in that boat. It’s common sense that you don’t vote yes on a bill that added a 300 page ammendment at 3:00am the morning you are to vote on it. There should have been more debate and the taxpayers of this country should have been given the opportunity to see this whole bill for what it was before congress voted on it. She also shouldn’t prostitute her vote for what it could get her as per the Times article.
Between the porkulus bills, this cap and tax, nationalized healthcare and Obumble’s admitting now he lied about his campaign promise of not taxing anyone making less than $250,00.00, this country is doomed. When do you start getting angry?
July 1st, 2009 at 12:51 pm