House passes budget deal, Senate expected to act soon - The Washington Post

 

Congress on Wednesday moved a step closer to clearing a bipartisan budget deal that would boost spending for domestic and defense programs over two years while suspending the debt limit into 2017.

The House passed the bill on a 266 to 167 vote late Wednesday and Senate leaders have promised to quickly move it through the upper chamber.

The agreement would essentially end the often contentious budget battles between congressional Republicans and President Obama by pushing the next round of fiscal decision making past the 2016 election when there will be a new Congress and White House occupant.

House Republican leaders unveiled the proposal earlier this week and immediately faced challenges from conservatives upset over both the secretive negotiations that led to the agreement as well as the policies contained in the bill.

Some of this discontent was dealt with after a change was made to the bill late Tuesday night to ensure that the full cost of the $80 billion in new discretionary spending was offset by an equal amount of mandatory spending cuts and increased revenue.

Some Republicans raised concerns  earlier Tuesday that the bill fell about $4 billion short of this goal, but the Congressional Budget Office on Wednesday reported that the changes to the legislation had closed this gap.

Senior Republicans came forward ahead of the vote to support the legislation and encourage others to join them. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) said the bill would benefit the military and prevent the threat of another shutdown.

“It stops the cuts in defense, it increases the money going to our troops and it prevents them from being used as a bargaining chip in the future,” Thornberry said. “I think that is the sort of stability and predictability they need and that they deserve.”

Still, many House Republicans remained opposed to the deal and only 79 voted in favor of the deal while 187  Democrats supported the bill on the floor.

The agreement would lift the so-called sequester spending caps to increase discretionary spending by about $80 billion over two years, an amount that would be split equally among defense and domestic programs. To offset this cost, negotiators tapped a number of sources, including by making changes to Medicare and Social Security, auctioning off spectrum controlled by the government, selling crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and tightening tax rules for business partnerships.

In addition, the legislation would limit a historic premium increase for Medicare Part B beneficiaries set to go into effect next year for services like hospital care and doctor visits. The agreement also would prevent a potential 20 percent across-the-board cut to Social Security Disability Insurance benefits that is also set to take place next year, by transferring some funding from the main Social Security fund and making changes to the program. These cost-saving changes include allowing some recipients who can still work to receive partial payments while earning outside income and expanding a program requiring a second medical expert to weigh in on whether an applicant is truly disabled.

Senate leaders want to move the bill quickly — the Treasury Department estimates the deadline for raising the debt ceiling is Nov. 3 — and a tax bill that already passed the House is being used as the vehicle for the agreement in order to speed up the procedural process in the upper chamber.

Presidential candidate Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Tuesday that he plans to filibuster the bill, but his chances of slowing down passage are limited.

The agreement will have to clear one procedural hurdle with at least 60 votes before it can be approved by a simple majority. At most Paul could briefly delay the final vote by refusing to allow leaders to cut off debate before the maximum 30 hours allowed under Senate rules have expired.

The final Senate vote could come as early as this week.

Attempts to do away with two of the thorniest problems facing the House GOP — setting spending levels and raising the debt ceiling — come as Republicans on Wednesday nominated Rep. Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) to replace John Boehner (R-Ohio), who is resigning from Congress this week, as speaker of the House.

House passes budget deal, Senate expected to act soon - The Washington Post

FACEBOOK: Cathy Ward’s comments on the ZBA’s decision to approve a change in the wind tower ordinance

 

Cathy Ward

18 hrs ·

BOONE COUNTY AND WIND FARMS - Zoning Board of Appeals here voted unanimously a few minutes ago to approve a much longer set back - 8 football fields away from a property line - that will essentially eliminate all wind towers in the county. It is possible that someone could give a waiver, but never heard of any. Expect the county PZB will do the same next week and the county board is likely to vote the same way. No surprise, just so disappointing for the thousands of people in our county who believe in green energy and don't believe wind farms have horrible health and safety effects. Expect a lawsuit soon. The company who wants to bring wind towers and then millions of dollars to our county consider this a ban, which they say is unconstitutional. Supporters of wind energy here believe all boards have been stacked with opponents of wind farms. Looks that way. So sad for so many for lots of reasons.

Paul Ryan adds corporate lobbyist to his new team | MSNBC

 

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has been so cozy with corporate lobbyists in recent years, they’ve effectively had a seat at the table for every major policy dispute. When Congress worked on Wall Street reform, Boehner huddled with financial-industry lobbyists. When Congress worked on health care reform, he huddled with insurance lobbyists. When Congress worked on climate change, Boehner huddled with energy lobbyists.

We’ll learn soon enough whether his successor will pursue a similar course, but the Washington Post reported over the weekend on Paul Ryan’s new chief of staff.

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has selected David Hoppe, a former adviser to Republican congressional leaders and a longtime Washington lobbyist, to serve as his chief of staff, should Ryan be elected House speaker this week, as is widely expected.

The hiring was finalized after Hoppe and Ryan, both Wisconsin natives and proteges of the late New York congressman Jack Kemp, had conversations about Ryan’s desire to staff the speaker’s office with seasoned aides who are also deeply familiar with conservatism, according to people briefed on the talks.

In a written statement, the incoming Speaker said of Hoppe, “Dave has been a foot soldier in the conservative movement, and he is a good friend. His decades of experience fighting for the cause and his passionate commitment to conservative principles are just what I’m looking for to create a new kind of speakership.”

For those who are concerned about corporate lobbyists already having outsized influence over Capitol Hill policymaking, Paul Ryan’s first big hire probably isn’t encouraging news. And to be sure, Hoppe has had success on K Street, coming to the incoming Speaker’s office from Squire Patton Boggs, a powerhouse D.C. firm, after having worked at Quinn Gillespie & Associates, as well as his own Hoppe Strategies.

His client list includes some very familiar, very lucrative names: Delta, AT&T, Ford, Cayman Finance, and Amazon, among others.

But Hoppe is also a former vice president at the Heritage Foundation, and a long-time congressional staffer for a variety of prominent Republicans.

Lee Drutman made the case late yesterday that one of the more important takeaways from this story is the fact that “the most experienced and qualified people” up for congressional jobs are often found in the private sector, because that’s where insiders “make the real money in Washington.”

“If we don’t like the idea of individuals jumping between the public and private sector, we need to take the idea of investing in government more seriously, so that somebody like Hoppe might make a career as a public servant and not get mixed up with corporate clients to send his kids to college and pay his mortgage,” Drutman added. “Instead, after decades of stagnating congressional staffing levels, it’s no wonder that Ryan, like many other congressional leaders, turned to the private sector. That’s where the majority of experienced policy and political talent works. And that’s the real problem.”

As for the incoming Republican leader’s priorities, I also found it interesting that Ryan stressed ideological credentials. The Wisconsin congressman wanted someone “familiar with conservatism,” a “foot soldier in the conservative movement,” someone with “experience fighting for the cause,” and a “passionate commitment to conservative principles.”

Note, Ryan made no reference to policymaking or governing, emphasizing Hoppe’s ideology – and nothing else.

Paul Ryan adds corporate lobbyist to his new team | MSNBC

Belvidere, Boone County officials engaged in 'full-court press' to keep Evac North America - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

 

Posted Oct. 27, 2015 at 5:59 PM

BELVIDERE — A local wastewater collection and treatment company that employs more than 40 people in Boone County is considering moving to Beloit, Wisconsin, to expand its operations. City and county leaders have engaged in what Growth Dimensions Executive Director Jarid Funderburg called a "full-court press" to entice the company to stay put.

According to city leaders, Evac North America Inc., located between Belvidere and Cherry Valley in the Huntwood Business Park, is being courted by economic development leaders in Beloit. The company wants to expand at its current location and add as many as 10 employees, Funderburg said, but electrical issues with ComEd, and the fact that Evac would miss out on certain tax incentives since its building is not currently included in the Belvidere-Boone County enterprise zone, caused company leaders to start looking at other options.

The Huntwood Business Park is located south of U.S. 20 and east of Wheeler Road off Huntwood Drive.

In response, city and county leaders introduced ordinances that would amend the current enterprise zone to include the Huntwood Business Park and began meeting with Evac and ComEd representatives to set up a more efficient electrical configuration.

A representative from Evac was not immediately available for comment.

"They are looking to expand and they're going to go to Beloit (otherwise)," Funderburg said. "We want to give them every opportunity to stay here with their 40-plus jobs and the new creation of property tax revenue for the county."

Parcels of land northwest of Huntwood recently purchased by Ceroni Piping near the intersection of U.S. 20 and Interstate 90 for a planned expansion and business park would also be included if the enterprise zone is amended.

Businesses located within enterprise zones can qualify for several expansion incentives from state and local governments. From the state, businesses can obtain tax credits for buying building materials, hiring local workers and for various equipment purchases. Locally, businesses in the zone can qualify for property tax abatement and reduced permit fees.

The two locations to be included in the enterprise zone if the ordinances are passed by Belvidere City Council and Boone County Board are outside Belvidere and Cherry Valley city limits

"What it does do is allow a local business to stay in the area and it indirectly benefits the city both through people driving through town, plus, let's face it, if the county loses out on real-estate tax dollars, that's services that all our residents can't get as well."

Since the Belvidere-Boone County enterprise zone was formed through an intergovernmental agreement with the city and the county, both governments must amend ordinances to expand its borders.

"We looked at this as our challenge," said Belvidere Mayor Mike Chamberlain. "Somehow, these areas got left out of the enterprise zone some time ago. We're resolving that as fast as we can."

Ben Stanley: 815-987-1369; bstanley@rrstar.com; @ben_j_stanley

Belvidere, Boone County officials engaged in 'full-court press' to keep Evac North America - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

Letter: I support Michelle Courier - Opinion - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

As a State Rep. serving multiple counties, I meet numerous state’s attorneys. Michelle Courier is one of the most effective state’s attorneys and Boone County residents benefit. Michelle is hard working, innovative and dedicated to improving public safety. She is a native of the county with an understanding of the needs, expectations and values of its citizens. Michelle has a record of fair treatment and a goal for making the county a better place in which to live and work; she already has the knowledge and experience needed in the office. Join me supporting the re-election of Michelle Courier as Boone County state’s attorney.

— Bob Pritchard, State Rep., R-70th District

Letter: I support Michelle Courier - Opinion - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

TV ad praising North Carolina leaders for tax reductions - News-Talk 1110 WBT

 

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- A conservative group is running a television ad praising Gov. Pat McCrory and legislators who passed more tax cuts in this year's state budget.

American for Prosperity said Monday the group is airing commercials over the next three weeks in the state's six major TV markets.

The ad highlights $2.2 billion in net tax revenue reductions projected over the next five years, largely through individual and corporate income tax changes. The standard deduction is also higher for individual income tax filers.

"People all across North Carolina are smiling a little more. Why? Because Gov. McCrory and the General Assembly cut income taxes again," the ad's narrator says, adding the lower taxes also help with job creation: "North Carolina is on the right track."

The group's North Carolina Director Donald Bryson would not provide the cost for the ads except to say it's in six figures. The ad began airing Sunday.

The state budget also expanded the sales tax to cover more services. Bryson says elected officials produced an overall net tax cut.

The ad comes as McCrory, a Republican, is likely to soon begin his 2016 re-election campaign. At least two Democrats -- Attorney General Roy Cooper and Durham lawyer Ken Spaulding -- want to unseat him.

American Bridge 21st Century, a super PAC favoring Democratic candidates, said the state budget signed by McCrory could have spent more on public education, but Republicans chose instead to cut taxes that benefit the wealthiest the most. Americans for Prosperity is backed by billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch.

"The only people smiling are the millionaires and billionaires like the Koch brothers who are benefiting from the tax cuts at the expense of public schools," American Bridge said in a release.

TV ad praising North Carolina leaders for tax reductions - News-Talk 1110 WBT

How and Why the Freedom Caucus Killed 350 American Jobs

Thom Hartmann

Just twenty-two months ago, the Waukesha, Wisconsin General Electric factory was flourishing. It was churning out gas engines on the regular and putting hundreds of American machinists to work.

In fact, the factory was doing do so well that President Obama came to town to praise it as an example of how American manufacturing was finally bouncing back after the Great Recession. But then in September of this year, GE suddenly announced that it was closing the Waukesha facility and moving its 350 jobs across the border to Canada. That’s right, Canada!

Which raises the question: Why would a proud American company like GE move one of its most famous factories, one that the President publicly praised, to, you know, Canada?

The answer to that question is actually pretty easy.

GE moved its factory Canada because Republicans killed the Export-Import bank. Formed in 1934 to help finance and subsidize American trade abroad, the Export-Import bank was, for most of its history, pretty uncontroversial. And for good reason too. Since it gave money to foreign companies to help them buy American products, the Bank helped support hundreds of thousands of good American jobs.

And since the money that it gave out came in the form of loans, so those countries had to pay us interest to buy our manufactured goods, it also made a $1 billion profit for Treasury Department. So, help make American companies more competitive abroad, support jobs at home, and make money for the government — sounds like a win-win for everyone involved, right?

Not according to the Tea Party.

This year hard-right Tea Party members of the Republican caucus in the House of Representatives successfully blocked the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank, on the grounds that it was “corporate welfare” and “crony capitalism.” And so, on July 1 of this year, the 81-year-old bank’s charter expired, leaving its future in limbo. This left the United States pretty much alone in the developed world as a country without a functioning export bank, so companies started moving their American factories to countries that do have export-import banks.

One of those companies was General Electric, which decided to move that Waukesha, Wisconsin factory to Canada because Canada, like most developed countries, has an Export-Import Bank-like institution. If this whole saga were a murder mystery, the Tea Party or House Freedom Caucus would be the guilty villain.

It let the Export-Import Bank expire, and, in doing so, killed the Waukesha, Wisconsin GE factory and its 350 jobs. But like all good murder mysteries, the story of who killed the Waukesha, Wisconsin GE factory has a twist. And that twist is the fact is the fact that the Tea Party and House Freedom Caucus were apparently acting as hit men for a much bigger interested party: the Koch brothers.

How do we know this? Well, for one, we now know, thanks to Politico, that the House Freedom Caucus is pretty much wholly owned by the Kochs.

The two leading donors to the so-called Freedom Caucus are Koch Industries itself and the Club for Growth, a major Koch-affiliated group, so anything the House Freedom Caucus does will, presumably, in some way or another, benefit the Koch brothers and their fossil fuel empire.

So that’s the Koch connection, but what’s the motive?

Why did the Kochs apparently order the House Freedom Caucus to kill the Export-Import Bank? Could it be because the bank cuts into the domestic fossil fuel industry's — which presumably includes Koch Industries — bottom line?

As The New York Times reported over the weekend, two scholars from the Koch-backed Mercatus Center recently put out a study that looked at the largest buyers of exports supported by Export-Import Bank financing and found that the top 10 were all either foreign oil companies or airlines. The [Koch-funded] authors singled out the subsidies to foreign oil companies: “The federal government,” the report said, “doubly disadvantages U.S. energy firms — through Washington’s excessive regulation and Ex-Im Bank subsidies to U.S. firms’ foreign competitors.” In other words, the Export-Import bank makes rival fossil fuel companies like Shell and BP more profitable than Koch Industries. So there you have it, Sherlock.

It looks like the Kochs had the House Freedom Caucus take out the Export-Import Bank to slightly increase the profitability or competitiveness of their own fossil fuel empire, American jobs be damned.

Another neat little trick courtesy of the Koch-Freedom Caucus is shutting down the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which supports parks, beaches, bike paths, playgrounds, and all sorts of other public areas. It turns out that the Land and Water Conservation fund — as Timothy Egan points out in the New York Times — is funded by a very tiny tax on oil pumped out of the ground from public lands. It's how domestic oil companies pay us all for their ability to extract oil from public lands we all own.

And, surprise, Republican congressman Rob Bishop — who has the oil and gas industry as his largest contributor according to Open Secrets — has pretty much singlehandedly killed the fund. No more tiny tax on fossil fuel dynasties in America.

If you want to know what the Koch-Freedom Caucus cartel is up to next, just ask what would be of greatest benefit to the Koch Brothers and their company. And, if the reporting in the New York Times and other outlets is true, just for clarity, shouldn't we be calling it the "Koch Caucus"? Or at least, the “Koch's Freedom Caucus”?

It's high time to bring some sunlight to the activities of those Republicans in congress who are largely owned by, and serving on a daily basis, billionaires and their businesses, instead of average working Americans.

How and Why the Freedom Caucus Killed 350 American Jobs