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Friday, 13 March 2009 |
By MIKE BURKHOLDER
Managing Editor
ST. MARYS — An area Congressman says a string of recent policies hammered out on Capitol Hill will do little to prop up a sagging national economy.
U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, called into question the actions of legislators in Congress, who he said are passing measures that would cripple the nation. Instead of passing spending measures, Jordan said legislators should be focusing their attention on how they can help families across America.
“We need to do what families and business owners are doing — get a handle on spending,” Jordan said during a teleconference with regional media. “We need to put into place policies that will help our economy. That comes through loud and clear and what we continue to see is out-of-control spending.”
During a visit to the 4th Congressional District, Jordan said he spoke with dozens of residents who expressed frustration with the spending habits of Congressional leaders. Jordan also attacked the tactics of Democrats in Congress, who he said are pursuing damaging legislation that includes the Employee Free Choice Act, raising taxes and the Cap and Trade program.
“When you attempt to do all of these things during a recession, it’s terrible public policy,” Jordan said. “That is exactly what we are seeing.”
Jordan criticized the Employee Free Choice Act and said it strips employees of their freedom to use the secret ballot when voting on whether to enter collective bargaining by making votes public.
Supporters of the act say it removes current obstacles for employees who want collective bargaining.
“We want to maintain that,” Jordan said of the secret ballot voting. “We think it is fair and protects the rights and we think this new system is just the opposite.”
The Urbana native also attacked the Cap and Trade program — legislation that requires power plants to purchase allowances for every ton of carbon dioxide it emits. As larger facilities purchase allowances, Jordan said smaller plants — including those in Ohio — could be forced to raise rates or close because of the prevalent use of coal to generate energy.
“The two main problems is it is going to put a limit on the carbon that goes into the environment and limit the energy you can use,” Jordan said. “Some of our chief competitors aren’t going to do it — China and India aren’t. The big users are going to be able to purchase the credits they need to be able to pursue profits. The individuals it will hurt are the smaller to medium-sized producers. I think it has the very real potential to be restrictive.”
Jordan said the measure could have a negative impact on the Midwest and force utility bills to soar. The act, Jordan said, would have a disproportionate affect on Ohio given the number of coal-fired plants in the state.
“It’s going to be one of the biggest tax increase in history — utility bills are going to go up if you have to purchase these credits,” Jordan said. “If this goes through, it makes the rest of the country like California. They are a mess with their budget and we will end up doing to our country what California has done to itself. It puts us at a real disadvantage when competing in a world market.”
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 17 March 2009 )
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