Legislative Report
April 2009
Federal Deficit Watch: In March, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected a deficit of $1.7 trillion dollars for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, along with a forecast of $1.1 trillion for fiscal 2010.
On March 23, the Treasury Dept. announced its plan for a public-private investment program in which the Treasury Department, Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and private investors will partner to buy up to $1 trillion in troubled assets. The Geithner plan provides for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to sell the securities and guarantee loans for the majority of the purchase price. $75 to $100 billion in funds from the Troubled Asset Relief Program will be used.
The Obama Administration is considering allowing California to limit Americans’ automobile choices. California is attempting to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles. These regulations would not only affect California, but also at least 13 other states that have decided to follow California. To comply with these regulations, automakers may be forced to limit their car choices nationwide and increase prices by $1000-$3000 per car to comply with a California mandate.
Recently, the Employee Free Choice Act, commonly known as "card check", was introduced in the U.S. House and Senate. This will allow employees to form a union just by signing a piece of paper, and lets union organizers easily influence employee votes. This will take away an employee's right to a secret ballot in a union organizing effort. It also would place government arbitrators in the middle of a workplace by allowing them to impose contract terms on business.
On April 1, US Congressman Connie Mack from Florida called on President Obama to be even handed in his handling of the auto industry and to demand the resignation of UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. This request follows President Obama's forced resignation of GM CEO Rick Wagoner.
In the States: With regard to States Rights in this time of Federal Government growth in influence, two Michigan Congressmen Sen. Bruce Patterson (R) and Rep. Paul Opsommer (R) introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 4, (SCR4) and House Concurrent Resolution 4, (HCR4), respectively. These resolutions affirm Michigan's sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not enumerated and granted to the federal government.
Source: Producersweb.com, financial-planning.com, CBO website, Human Events, Republican Party of Pennsylvania, Institute for Energy Research, Core Principles, US Rep. Connie Mack website
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