Terry McAuliffe Continues To Push Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

Note … and now a word from Levar Stoney about Terry McAuliffe

Terry has sparked an incredibly important conversation about the need for a national strategy to revitalize the American economy’s manufacturing sector – and I wanted to share with you a couple of interviews that he’s given recently.

As Terry told the Lorton Patch, “The same old set of how we do business doesn’t work in the future in a global economy.”  That’s why he’s making investments in electric and hybrid car technologies to create good-paying jobs here in the United States, something that everyone agrees needs to be our top priority right now.

Click here to watch Terry on the Ed Show

Click here to watch Terry’s appearance on the Ed Show and read his interview in the Lorton Patch to learn more about what he’s doing to create the jobs of the future.

After you’ve had a chance to read the article and watch the video, you can also help spread the word to your friends and family on Twitter and Facebook. We’ll see you soon with the launch of the newly redesigned, made-in-America MyCar.

“Make Wall Street Pay to Heal America” Protest Scheduled for September 1st in Richmond

Spearheaded by National Nurses United, September 1st is a day of action. Join your fellow union members, community members and activists at our office at 10:15a.m. Thursday when we will board buses for a protest to tell Congressman Cantor to support making Wall Street pay to heal America.

What:
Protest to Urge Congressman Cantor: “Make Wall Street Pay to Heal America”

Where:
Virginia AFL-CIO Office
5400 Glenside Drive
Richmond, VA 23228

When:
Thursday September 1, 2011
Buses depart at 10:15a.m. & return at 1:30p.m.
Flyer

The Wall Street Transaction Tax makes large banks and Wall Street firms pay for the devastation their recklessness caused on Main Street. It is a way to fund the rebuilding of the American dream with good jobs, healthcare, quality education and a secure retirement for everyone, not just those who profited by ruining our economy.

IMPORTANT- We need people to RSVP for a bus seat at 202-368-0740 or ajamil@nationalnursesunited.org so there are enough buses available.

In solidarity,

Doris Crouse-Mays
President, Virginia AFL-CIO

C. Ray Davenport
Secretary-Treasurer, Virginia AFL-CIO

NYT Asks “Does America Need Manufacturing?” The Real Question Is: Does America Need Jobs?

 

Does America Need Manufacturing? – NYTimes.com.

Check out the article linked to above and ask yourself this question if ” …”In the last decade, the United States lost some five million manufacturing jobs” … Will Americans ever see the jobs, income, and economic security lost by the corporate greed and poor trade policies that caused this collapse?

Be Prepared for Hurricane Irene

h/t to Congressman Jim Moran who, along with many others, sent along an important message about being prepared for Hurricane Irene … here’s what his had to offer …

Hurricane Irene is expected to reach Virginia this weekend. While we do not yet know the impacts of the storm, I encourage Northern Virginia residents to stay up to date on Irene’s progress and take the necessary steps to prepare. As President Obama noted this morning, Hurricane Irene is on track to cause serious damage along the East Coast.

Below is useful information to help keep you informed, prepared, and ready for the hurricane. I will continue working with local, state, and federal officials to keep you updated on critical developments. Please check my website, Facebook page, and Twitter account  for updates and preparation tips.

Sincerely,

James P. Moran

Stay Informed:

Track Hurricane Irene’s path with the National Hurricane Center at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov and follow updates from FEMA at http://blog.fema.gov.

You can also receive mobile updates by visiting http://m.fema.gov/

When listening to the weather forecast, it is important to understand the meaning of watches and warnings.
Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions are possible, usually within 36 hours.
Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions are expected, usually within 24 hours.

Be Prepared:

Hurricane Irene is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rains to the region this weekend. This could result in tree damage and downed power lines. Be prepared for the impact of the storm by preparing an emergency kit, developing an emergency plan, and staying informed.

Your emergency kit should have food, water, medications (be sure refill any supply of  essential prescription drugs), a first aid kit, batteries, flashlights, and other essentials on hand to last several days. Be sure to fill up your car’s gas tank.

You should prepare your pets for a disaster as well, FEMA has useful instructions here: http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/animals.shtm

For low-lying areas in close proximity to the Potomac River and major streams, flooding is possible. Please take flood preparation into account. Check your municipality’s website (below) to find out if they are distributing sandbags.

Additional Considerations:

• Be a good neighbor. Keep an eye out and lend a hand to the elderly and disabled who may need help with transportation and medical concerns.
• Teach children how to reach family members in case they become separated during a storm.
• Discuss how to dial emergency numbers and practicing escape routes from all rooms with your children. The emergency number for fire, police, and ambulance is 911.
• Bring in any outdoor furniture that could be picked up by the wind.
• Turn off propane tanks and small appliances.

Helpful numbers:

• Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management:  571-350-1000
• Arlington County Office of Emergency Management: 703-228-7935
• City of Alexandria Hurricane Preparedness: http://alexandriava.gov/Hurricane
• Falls Church Office of Emergency Management: 703-248-5200
• Dominion Power: 1-866-DOM-HELP to report power outages
• Washington Gas: www.washgas.com or 703-750-1000
• Comcast: 1-800-COMCAST

Helpful websites:

• Virginia Department of Emergency Management http://www.vaemergency.gov/readyvirginia
• City of Alexandria Hurricane Preparedness: http://alexandriava.gov/Hurricane
• Arlington County Office of Emergency Management: http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/EmergencyManagement/EmergencyManagementMain.aspx
• Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management:  www.fairfaxcounty.gov/oem
• Falls Church Hurricane Preparedness: http://www.fallschurchva.gov/Content/Government/Departments/PublicSafety/EmergPrep/EmergencyPreparedness.aspx?&cnlid=181
• American Red Cross Hurricane Safety Checklist: http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/checklists/Hurricane.pdf

Time To Strengthen Social Security – Not Privatize It

major h/t to Senator Sanders for taking an idea supported by working Americans and turning it into legislation …

Sanders Proposes Bill to Strengthen Social Security | Common Dreams.

BURLINGTON, Vt. – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced today that he will introduce legislation when Congress reconvenes to strengthen and preserve Social Security.

US Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced today that he will introduce legislation when Congress reconvenes to strengthen and preserve Social Security.Since it was signed into law 76 years ago this month, Social Security has kept millions of senior citizens, widows, orphans, and the disabled out of poverty. To keep Social Security strong for another 75 years, Sanders’ legislation would apply the same payroll tax already paid by more than nine out of 10 Americans to those with incomes over $250,000 a year.

Joined at a press conference by leaders of Vermont seniors organizations, Sanders also cautioned that Social Security may be in jeopardy as a powerful new congressional “super committee” looks for ways to cut deficits by $1.5 trillion over the next decade.

“We are here today to send a loud and clear message to this super committee: do not cut Social Security,” Sanders said at the news conference with Janet Dermody, deputy director of the Vermont Center for Independent Living; Jim Coutts, director of the Franklin County Senior Center; and Jane Osgatharp, a retired state worker who sits on the Alliance of Retired Americans board of directors.

Before Social Security, about half of our senior citizens lived in poverty. Today, less than 10 percent live in poverty. More than 53 million Americans, including more than 120,000 Vermonters, receive Social Security benefits.

Social Security is the most successful government program in our nation’s history. It has not contributed one dime to the federal deficit. It has a $2.5 trillion surplus, and it can pay out every nickel owed to every eligible American for at least the next 25 years, according to the Social Security Administration. A recent report from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that Social Security is in even better financial shape and can pay all promised benefits until 2038.

One way benefits could be cut would be to lower cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security recipients. Even under today’s formula that underestimates senior living costs, there has been no COLA in the last two years. Proposed changes in the way inflation is calculated would cost a retiree living on $16,000 a year about $560 a year when they turn 75 and pay $1,000 less at age 85.

Under Sanders’ legislation, Social Security benefits would be untouched. The system would be fully funded by making the wealthiest Americans pay the same payroll tax already assessed on those with incomes up to $106,800 a year. The idea follows through on a proposal that President Obama made when he was running for office in 2008.

President of The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis Asks: What’s in Virginia’s surplus?

Gov. Bob McDonnell (and potential GOP/TP VP) has announced that Virginia had a “surplus” in fiscal year 2011. But the word “surplus” turns out not to mean what many Virginian’s think it means … check out the article by Michael Cassidy … via Cassidy: What’s in Virginia’s surplus?.

Virginia To Receive Federal Funds to Spur New Lending to Small Businesses, Help Create Jobs

From: U.S. Department of the Treasury
Subject: U.S. Department of the Treasury Announces Funds to Spur $3.6 Billion in New Lending to Small Businesses, Help Create Jobs

U.S. Department of the Treasury Announces Funds to Spur $3.6 Billion in New Lending to Small Businesses, Help Create Jobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the approval of applications for State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funding from 11 states and Washington, D.C.  This funding will help create new private sector jobs and spur more than $3.6 billion in additional small-business lending. The SSBCI, which supports state-level, small-business lending programs, is an important component of the Small Business Jobs Act that President Obama signed into law last fall.

 “These funds will provide critical support to state-level programs that help expand small-business lending and spur private sector job growth,” said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Neal S. Wolin. “Unlocking credit for small businesses will provide a powerful boost for investment and job creation in local communities across the country.”

Under the Small Business Jobs Act, these 11 states and Washington, D.C. can access a collective total of $360 million in SSBCI funds. These states and Washington, D.C. expect to generate a minimum “bang for the buck” of at least $10 in new private lending for every $1 in federal funding. As such, this $360 million allocation is expected to support more than $3.6 billion in new private lending.

Virginia — $18.0 million

Treasury has allocated $17,953,191 to Virginia under the SSBCI.  The Virginia Small Business Financing Authority will use these funds to enhance the existing Virginia Capital Access Program; and the existing Economic Development Loan Fund, a loan participation program that provides subordinated gap financing to qualified small businesses.

GOP Hasn’t Changed Since FDR Warned The Nation

Treasury, HHS Step Up To Help States Build Affordable Insurance Exchanges

Treasury, HHS Take New Steps to Help States Build Affordable Insurance Exchanges

Tax Credits to Help Millions of Middle-Class Families

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Department of Health and Human Services today took the next steps to establish Affordable Insurance Exchanges – one-stop marketplaces where consumers can choose a private health insurance plan that fits their health needs and have the same kind of insurance choices as members of Congress. Among other policies, the proposed rules describe how middle-class families will gain access to unprecedented tax relief that will dramatically reduce the cost of coverage.

Since President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act on March 23, 2010, over half of States have taken actions to build an Exchange. Today, HHS awarded $185 million to 13 States and the District of Columbia to help them build Affordable Insurance Exchanges and, with Treasury, released three proposed rules that will provide a simple, streamlined, and affordable path for consumers to use the Exchanges to purchase private health insurance. Additionally, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sent a letter to governors laying out options and resources available to States to set up their Exchanges.

“Today we’re laying the foundation to provide tax incentives to help working families purchase health insurance,” said Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner.  “This new tax credit brings us a big step closer to achieving one of the signature goals of the Affordable Care Act – to provide tens of millions of Americans with access to affordable health insurance coverage.”

“Too many American families have been priced out or locked out of the health insurance market. Exchanges will give them control and could save them thousands of dollars a year,” said Secretary Sebelius.  “I am encouraged by the progress States have made to date and am excited to give them more resources to continue their work.”

The Affordable Care Act creates Affordable Insurance Exchanges that will allow eligible individuals, families, and small businesses to shop for coverage starting in 2014. More than half the States have already taken action to begin building an Exchange and the new grant awards will accelerate that progress. The Exchange Establishment grants awarded today build on earlier investments in States.  In 2010, HHS awarded 49 States and the District of Columbia $50 million to begin planning their Exchanges. HHS expects to make more grant awards in coming months.

The three proposed rules released today by HHS and Treasury focus on the following:

• Easy, Simple Access to Coverage for Consumers and Small Businesses: New rules will make it easy for consumers to enroll in high-quality health plans and get help paying for health coverage through premium tax credits and cost sharing reductions.  Small employers participating in the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) will be able to offer their employees a choice of health plans and cut their costs with new tax credits.
• Health Insurance Premium Tax Credit: Individuals and families will receive premium tax credits to help defray insurance costs, increasing access to health coverage for millions of middle class American families.
• Medicaid Eligibility: Coordinating the Exchange with Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility will make enrollment seamless for qualified Americans and reduce the administrative burden on States.

Another Reason Why Credit Agencies Might Downgrade Our Country’s AAA Rating

note:  check out this brief video that will help you learn more about  Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (commonly known as Dodd-Frank) signed into law by President Obama just over a year ago … this appears to be the real reason the credit agencies like S&P are busy downgrading the USA’s AAA credit rating ….  they failed us before now they’re failing us again …