Chet Edwards For Congress - Working Families

House Approves Economic Recovery Plan

econnor — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:11:31 -0700

January 29, 2008

House Approves Economic Recovery Plan

KWTX TV Waco

The House has overwhelmingly passed a $146 billion stimulus package that would speed rebates to most taxpayers. The plan was approved 385-35, after little debate.

It would send rebates of between $600 and $1,200 to anyone with at least $3,000 in income. Congressional leaders want to send the measure to President Bush by Feb. 15, but the bill faces a murky future in the Senate.

There, both Democrats and Republicans want a larger package that includes billions of dollars for senior citizens and the unemployed. The Senate plan would also send checks to the richest taxpayers, who wouldn't get rebates under the House version of the bill. The divergent plans could slow passage of the bill.

Some lawmakers from both parties are calling for the House version to be passed in the Senate and sent directly to President Bush, saying that delays could hinder the bipartisan agreement.

Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock, praised the measure. “This stimulus package gives our economy the quick jolt it needs by putting money directly back into the hands of the American people and giving small businesses critical tax cuts that create incentives for new jobs,” Carter said.

Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, also voted for the package. “This stimulus package, if passed into law quickly, could provide a much-needed boost to hard-working families and to our struggling national economy. It is an example of bipartisanship at its best, and I hope the Senate will move forward in the same spirit of good faith compromise for the good of our country,” Edwards said.

Congress approves Pell Grant limit increase by 2012

econnor — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 12:11:31 -0700

Feb. 12, 2008
Congress approves Pell Grant limit increase by 2012

Baylor Lariat
By Sommer Ingram | Baylor Lariat reporter

As the costs of higher-level education continue to rise across the country, Congress continues its efforts to make education more affordable for students and their families. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Higher Education Reauthorization Act, which reauthorizes the Higher Education Act through fiscal year 2012, increasing the maximum Pell Grant per year to $9,000.

The increase in the Pell Grant is $68 billion from 2009 to 2012. Congressman Chet Edwards, D-Texas, supports the bill.

"Keeping the doors of our colleges and universities open to bright, hard-working students is not only important for their future, it is critical for the future of our nation," said Edwards in a news release. "If America is going to compete in the global economy, we must knock down the financial barriers that are making it harder for qualified students to pursue a higher education. One of the ways we do that is by increasing Pell Grants."

Dr. Charles North, professor of economics, said that while Pell Grants are an effective way of getting kids from low socioeconomic backgrounds to college, they aren't the sole solution.

"If our goal is to reduce the amount of poverty in the United States, we need to focus more on pre-K through 12 children, because the roots of poverty are in elementary school," he said. "I'd like to see more money aimed at the earlier, more formative years in kids' lives so they can develop the skills and mindset needed for college."

In his State of the Union Address, President Bush proposed a multi-million dollar program called Pell Grants for Kids. Modeled after the Pell Grant program for college students, this program would provide grants on a competitive basis to schools to create scholarship programs for low-income students from kindergarten to twelfth grade to attend private schools. Unlike the increase in the Pell Grant, this new plan was proposed amid criticism of being a voucher in disguise.

"In my opinion, this is just a back door way of providing funding for kids to attend private schools--much like a voucher," said Dr. Kent Gilbreath, professor of economics. "It is highly unlikely that such a proposal will pass because Congress hasn't seemed to support vouchers. Simply calling this a 'Pell Grant' doesn't change anything."

Gilbreath said there are things that need to be addressed within the original Pell Grant program itself.

"The biggest problem with Pell Grants is that the amount of money has not kept up with the growing cost of higher-level education, kind of like minimum wage wasn't increased for years," he said.

Because Pell Grants are restricted to families below a certain income level, many middle-class families who can't afford college tuition out of their own pockets don't get help from the federal government.

"We must provide the very best education we can for everyone, because the future of our competitiveness as a nation is based on brains, not brawn," Gilbreath said.

Gilbreath said the increase in Pell Grants has no effect on the economy and talk of recession.

"That matter is rather irrelevant," he said. "But one of the big clouds looming on the horizon is the huge amount of debt students leave college with -- it can have a stifling effect on the economy and business cycle. But Pell Grants are a step up both economically and socially for thousands of low-income families, so an increase is a huge step in the right direction."

Economic Impact of Texas Ag Hits Record $100 Billion

econnor — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:11:31 -0700

Texas A&M Ag News

Economic Impact of Texas Agriculture Hits Record $100 Billion

January 08, 2008
Writer(s): Blair Fannin

COLLEGE STATION – Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples touted the work ethic of Texas farmers and ranchers Tuesday discussing an economic milestone. For the first time in history, statewide agriculture production in 2007 contributed more than $100 billion to the Texas economy.

“All Texans should be proud of the dedicated men and women who live and breathe agriculture daily, providing food and fiber to feed and clothe their fellow Texans,” Staples said at the Texas A&M AgriLife Conference at Texas A&M University.

Texas leads the nation in the number of cattle, horses, goats, sheep and deer. The state also ranks first in production of cotton, wool, mohair and hay. The Texas agriculture industry employs nearly 2 million Texans, contributing approximately 9 percent of the gross state product.

“Folks, it’s an amazing story to tell,” Staples said. “We have to tell it everyday, and the key is to tell the story effectively and get people’s attention.”

One in seven individuals in Texas are employed “in some form of agriculture,” and everyone in the industry has to be involved in branding, marketing and selling, Staples said.

“Each of us have to energize our agricultural industry, excite the public and tell them how breakthroughs make their lives better,” he said.

Dr. Elsa Murano, president of Texas A&M University and former vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences, told attendees that “your work is life enhancing, and I certainly value the recognition you bring to Texas A&M University.”

Promoting partnerships and collaborative work among the colleges at Texas A&M is one of many goals Murano outlined. She touted Texas A&M’s bioenergy alliance, an ongoing research program investigating alternative fuels among both the agriculture and engineering programs, as a lead example.

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, who received the Texas A&M AgriLife Outstanding Public Servant Award, also emphasized the importance of telling Americans how important agriculture is and how it plays a key role in daily life.

“It’s more important than ever to tell the positive impact of AgriLife,” he said. “Strong values come from rural life, and it may depend on how well we tell the story agriculture is life.”

The Texas A&M AgriLife Conference brings together two of the state’s premier agencies as part of the Texas A&M University System – Texas AgriLife Research and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service – in addition to faculty that serve the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M.

Spending Bill Provides For Projects In Hill County

econnor — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:11:31 -0700

Hillsboro Reporter: Spending Bill Provides For Projects In Hill County

Dec. 30, 2007

An omnibus spending bill was signed by President George W. Bush Wednesday, December 26, aboard Air Force One on his way to Texas.

The $515 billion bill included 8,993 earmarks costing nearly $10 billion, according to the White House.

Included in the earmarks that President Bush chastised congress for are some that will benefit projects in Hill County.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison secured $140,000 for improvements to the City of Hillsboro’s downtown streetscape.

“This funding will help revitalize Hillsboro’s downtown while attracting new businesses and more jobs for Hillsboro’s families,” Sen. Hutchison said.

Congressman Chet Edwards secured funding for improvements to Hillsboro’s water and wastewater systems, the Lake Whitney Dam powerhouse and Farm Road 933 near White Bluff, along with funds for the GEAR UP Program in Hill and Bosque counties.

An earmark of $492,200 will add to the City of Hillsboro’s efforts to upgrade its aging water-delivery and wastewater-collection systems.

Hillsboro City Manager Jack Harper said that the funding will primarily be used to replace parts of the system that are in desperate need of repair.

The city has made significant improvements to its wastewater-treatment plant with an expansion that nearly doubled the capacity.

It has used funds left over from that project to address inflow and infiltration problems in the wastewater-collection system, but still has a long way to go in replacing some of the old, clay sewer lines in the city.

“Improving water pipelines and infrastructure are important for Hillsboro’s families and businesses and for the community’s future growth,” said Edwards. “I want to salute Mayor John Erwin, former Mayor Will Lowrance, City Manager Jack Harper and community leaders for their vision and hard work on this project. It was a privilege to work with them.”

Edwards earmarked $4.42 million to replace two turbines and upgrade generators at Lake Whitney Dam.

“By replacing turbines and upgrading hydropower capacity at the Lake Whitney Powerhouse, we will be able to provide electricity to 1,500 more area homes on average each year,” the congressman said. “It will also help lower the cost of electricity for cities and families throughout Central Texas by lowering the purchase price of energy during the high demand periods.”

The planned improvements will increase the powerhouse’s generating capacity to 42-megawatts.

Farm Road 933 at the entrance to White Bluff will benefit from $196,000 that will pay to add a left-turn lane.

Edwards said that the federal funding will jumpstart the project with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), which will fund the project on the state level.

He said that improving the roadway will ease traffic congestion, reduce the risk of serious auto accidents and help encourage economic development.

Edwards also secured $97,000 for the GEAR UP Program.

Administered through the Region 12 Education Service Center, the program prepares at-risk junior high and high school students academically and socially for college.

School districts in Hill and Bosque counties, along with Hill College, McLennan Community College and Texas State Technical College, provide programs that are designed to increase the number of students who will continue their education beyond high school.

The President included a signing statement criticizing congress for failing to cut back on earmarks. He wrote that “these projects are not funded through a merit-based process and provide a vehicle for wasteful government spending.”

He said that the funding passed for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan included in the bill were good down payments and called for congress to take action quickly in 2008 to provide the remainder of the needed funding.

Brazos Valley tallies $41 million in earmarks

econnor — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 22:09:42 -0700

Saturday, December 29, 2007

BV tallies $41 million in earmarks

The Bryan College Station Eagle

By JANET PHELPS |Eagle Staff Writer

More than $41 million will be poured into Brazos Valley projects next year, thanks to earmarks by U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco.

President Bush criticized special project money as "wasteful government spending" when he signed the $555 billion bill Wednesday that funds the Iraq war into 2008 and keeps government agencies running through September.

The money will go to 16 projects in Brazos, Robertson, Madison and Grimes counties. The projects range from high-profile aerospace engineering and biofuel research at Texas A&M University to a small, church-based drug prevention program.

Edwards said Friday he was proud of the federal money he secured for local projects because it's an effective way to encourage local growth.

The Constitution gives Congress the power to make appropriations, he said, and earmarks allow local leaders to identify and receive funding for projects they see as important.

"I believe [locally initiated projects] make more sense than letting some bureaucrat in the Office of Management and Budget in Washington, D.C., make decisions about what projects to fund," he said. "I would challenge anyone to criticize agricultural research at A&M or emergency response training that help make our cities safer."

A majority of the $41.6 million will go to Texas A&M, including $985,000 for biofuels research and $705,000 for aerospace engineering projects that are used by NASA for lunar and Mars exploration.

Ken Peddicord, director of Texas A&M's Texas Engineering Experiment Station, said the funding is an important step in advancing research into new energy sources.

Texas A&M's BioEnergy Alliance -- a partnership between the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and the Texas Engineering Experiment Station -- has developed groundbreaking research in alternative fuels such as sorghum that do not come from food sources, he said.

"This money allows the program to strike off in new directions, to move away from corn and ethanol," he said.

St. Joseph Health System also received money for repairs to its Madisonville hospital.

Gentry Woodard, director of legislative affairs and grants for the St. Joseph Health System, said employees at the 57-year-old hospital have volunteered on weekends to make repairs themselves.

Edwards said the staff dedication is one reason he allotted $117,000 to pay for repairs to the roof and emergency room upgrades.

"It was terribly important to that community," he said.

The earmarks come on top of the 2008 defense appropriations bill that was signed into law in November, in which Edwards secured $6.8 million for Texas A&M defense projects and $2.6 million for Lynntech Inc.

Other local earmarks include:

$392,000 to repave County Road 172 in northern Grimes County.

$196,000 to make improvements to Collard Street in Madisonville.

$376,000 to improve communication technology equipment at the Navasota Police Department.

$12.5 million to train emergency first responders at the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center at Texas A&M.

$2 million to fund research at the Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute at Texas A&M.

$21.9 million to 23 farming, forestry and animal health research programs at Texas A&M.

$1.39 million to provide anti-terrorism training to educators and local law enforcement through the Texas Engineering Extension Service's Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training program and Texas A&M's Project Protect.

$588,000 to Brazos Valley Transportation Management Center to study local traffic solutions and plan for future growth.

$150,000 to Project Focus, a drug- and alcohol-abuse prevention program at Shiloh Baptist Church in Bryan.

Minimum Wage Rises For First Time In A Decade

Kat — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 09:04:40 -0700

July 24, 2007

Minimum Wage Rises For First Time In A Decade

KWTX-TV

"I believe an honest day's work deserves an honest day's pay and this needed increase rewards work, not welfare,” Edwards said.

The federal minimum wage goes up Tuesday for the first time in ten years, jumping 70 cents to $5.85 an hour.

It's the first of three, 70-cent increases that will hike the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour by the summer of 2009.

The government says more than 1.5 million American workers made the old minimum wage of $5.15 an hour or less last year.

The increase is one of the few major legislative successes of the new Democratic-controlled Congress.

President Bush signed the measure into law after the Democrats removed a provision calling for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.

The bill also contains nearly $5 billion worth of tax relief for small businesses to help them hire new workers.

The relief will also help offset the cost of the higher wage.

As many as 17 million Texans and 50,000 military families will benefit from the increase, Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, said.

"I believe an honest day's work deserves an honest day's pay and this needed increase rewards work, not welfare,” Edwards said.