Posted on 10/10/2009 5:46:28 AM PDT by Son House
Rep. Tim Walz said Thursday he will support the compromise economic stimulus bill that was approved by House and Senate conferees on Wednesday.
"What we're doing is addressing an economy that is as difficult as any that most of us have seen in our lifetime. The numbers are staggering, the outlook is pretty bleak in the short run," said Walz. "This piece of legislation is meant to be the life preserver to put us in the right direction, and setting a framework of infrastructure development, targeted tax cuts to the middle and of course research into alternative energies, and funding of education."
Walz said he is pleased that the Obama White House is setting up a web site, recovery.gov, that will post and track what is being done with the money.
Walz said he was disappointed with some aspects of the bill, which was trimmed down from $819 billion in the House version to $790 billion.
He is disappointed that the tax breaks and credits contained in the bill have been cut back, however. Instead of a $500 tax cut per person, $1,000 per couple, the cut was set at $400 per individual and $800 per couple.
"That's way out of touch with the average taxpayer," said Walz. He is also disappointed that the tax credit for home buyers was cut.
Walz said he was proud to have marshaled a group of House members together to oppose the Senate's attempt to strip education and infrastructure out of the bill. "The key to the future is education," he said.
Walz expressed impatience with critics of the bill who wanted to take more time to put their own projects and ideas into the bill.
"Timeliness is important," said Walz. "We don't have time to wait longer. As we dawdle, people are losing their jobs and their livelihood."
President Barack Obama had sought an $800 billion stimulus bill, saying that was how much was needed to provide the needed stimulus to the economy, according to his consultations with economic experts.
Asked if the $790 billion package was big enough, Walz said he hoped it was.
"There is real need out there, and we want to get this right. I'm a little uneasy about that. We don't want to pull a car only half way out of the ditch."
Asked about the bill's trimming away $35 million in state stabilization funds, leaving $54 billion, at a time when Minnesota is anticipating a budget deficit of $6 billion to $7 billion, Walz said that was one of his biggest disappointments.
"As far as job creation and stabilization goes, that was one of the most important parts of the bill," said Walz. "If there is an Achilles' heel to this bill, that is it."
The larger amount of stabilization aid, which would help states make up deficits and fund infrastructure and building projects, was based on what the governors had told Congress.
But Walz said Congress will have other opportunities to help states, through the upcoming transportation funding bill and other legislation that Congress usually handles.
http://kaaltv.com/article/stories/S768076.shtml
“What we have to do is get the trust of the American public going again, we have to invest in innovations, and the private sector,” said Walz.
^
And you did just the opposite when signing on with Obama’s economic plan
ACORN could be stopped in its tracks with voter ID.
Anyone stepped up to take on this guy yet in 2010? This is one seat that really should be in a Conservative’s hands. How this guy wins in that district is a mystery
Gullible from the floor of the house;
Tim Walz (Economic Stimulus)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCyFQvSvhHU
And the questions they are asking is this: ``How come it seems like I’m working harder and getting further behind, and when I turn on the television, somebody else is taking a trip to the spa?
Somebody else is getting a private jet? Somebody else is getting something for failing when I seem to be making the right decisions?
I’m paying my
mortgage. I’m trying to save money to send my child to school, and I’m not asking for the lottery. I’m not asking for a ten-bedroom house. I’m asking to try and achieve the American dream.’’
More video of Rep Gullible at this link;
Rep. Walz Reacts To Stimulus Bill Deal
February 11, 2009
http://www.keyc.com/node/17532
While he says the bill isn’t exactly the one he would have written... he says it is a comprise between the 535 people in Washington, and says it’s a good start.(NO CAPTION AVAILABLE)Congressman Walz says we will see the effects of this stimulus bill over the next 18 months...But says jobs could be added and projects started in as soon as 30 days.
Walz votes for stimulus bill
We received this statement from Walz’s congressional office
http://www.bluestemprairie.com/a_bluestem_prairie/2009/01/walz-votes-for-stimulus-bill.html
Congressman Tim Walz today voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, H.R. 1, which economists from across the political spectrum agree will create millions of new jobs in the near future.
“Our economy is in crisis and people are hurting,” said Rep. Tim Walz. “We’re going to turn this crisis into a job-creating opportunity, putting 3-4 million people back to work rebuilding our country and preparing America for the future.
This is from that “statement from Walz’s congressional office” too, care to brag about your Stimulus anymore, buddy?
http://www.bluestemprairie.com/a_bluestem_prairie/2009/01/walz-votes-for-stimulus-bill.html
This legislation will create and save 3 to 4 million jobs, rebuilding America, making us more globally competitive and energy independent, and transforming our economy for long-term growth; give 95% of American workers an immediate tax cut; and invest quickly in the economy – with 75% spent in the first 18 months. For example, the plan provides $45 million to Minnesota in Byrne grant funding, which would keep police officers on the beat all across the state. It will also provide about $685 million to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for “shovel-ready” construction projects that can be up and running quickly.
“This recovery plan puts Americans back to work fixing our roads, bridges, and schools,” said Walz. “At the same time it calls into action our entrepreneurs, engineers, mechanics, electricians, and other laborers to transition our country to energy independence and bring the power and opportunity of high-speed internet to all corners of rural America. What’s exciting is that southern Minnesotans can benefit greatly from this strategy. Experts say more than 90 percent of the jobs created will be in the private sector.” added Walz.
Brian Davis was the Republican candidate last time, Walz should have been easy pickings being we where still in Iraq and that’s how he got elected to get us out, and then he voted for funding the War, typical Democrat double talk
This is from that “statement from Walz’s congressional office” too,
Are you still holding the new Obama Administration accountable as they implement the plan, buddy?
http://www.bluestemprairie.com/a_bluestem_prairie/2009/01/walz-votes-for-stimulus-bill.html
“After this becomes law, a part of my job in Congress will be to hold the new Obama Administration accountable as they implement the plan and to make sure they are being fiscally responsible with these precious taxpayer resources,” concluded Walz.
The House-passed recovery bill does not include earmarks and leaves most funding distribution decisions around local projects up to state leaders. It does include significant accountability measures to ensure public reporting on where and when recovery dollars are spent. A detailed summary prepared by House Appropriations Committee Chairman Dave Obey of Wisconsin is attached.
^
Note: Look into House Appropriations Committee Chairman Dave Obey
There isn’t a single Democrat who thought the stimulus would help the economy. It was ALL about paying back their political supporters.
WHERE IS THE STIMULUS? Winona area gets more than $20 million, but dollars remain tough to track
http://www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/article_e183a580-b098-11de-9d8a-001cc4c03286.html
Winona Daily News investigation of local stimulus dollars has uncovered $11.4 million in
Winona County projects not accounted for on the federal Web site, including $7.5 million for road construction, $2.1 million for the Winona Area Public Schools and $386,210 to the county.
Some of the projects appear in other sources, such as a state Web site to track stimulus money and Web sites and databases of agencies that received federal dollars.
No agency - state or federal - maintains a comprehensive publicly accessible list of stimulus projects.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Dave Obey
Earmark-Free Stimulus Bill Lacks Spending Direction
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100304449
U.S. Rep. David Obey (D-WI), the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, helped write the bill and says he doesn’t like being asked about earmarks.
^
[Be sure to ask Obey about Earmarks!]
“We simply made a decision, which took about three seconds, not to have earmarks in the bill,” he says. “And with all due respect, that’s the least important question facing us on putting together this package.”
Leaving out the earmarks does mean Congress will have less control over how the money is spent. But, Obey says, “So what? This is an emergency. We’ve got to simply find a way to get this done as fast as possible and as well as possible, and that’s what we’re doing.”
So...Mr. Walz...how’s that hope and change working out for your constituents? All those new jobs helping out?
Sorry buggers, the whole lot of them in Washington. Can’t find fire with a match.
EXCLUSIVE: Stimulus has plum for lawmaker’s son[son of Obey]
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/29/stimulus-includes-plum-lawmakers-son/
the chief lobbyist for the National Parks Conservation Association is the son of House Appropriations Committee Chairman David R. Obey.
The money included in the stimulus bill that passed Mr. Obey’s committee - $2.25 billion - was about equal to the National Park Service’s total yearly budget, and would be a staggering increase and almost three times the $802 million that the Senate Appropriations Committee approved
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