Do you know someone who is struggling to find a job? 81% of folks across the country know someone without a job. Just Friday it was announced that unemployment stands at 9.1% in May, up from 9.0% in April and 8.8% in March, and while Virginia fares better with 5.8%, there’s still much work to be done to create jobs and get our economy moving again. To restore certainty to the economy and encourage our local businesses to create jobs, we must stop Washington, D.C.’s spending spree and promote legislation that will help get government out of the way and allow American entrepreneurs to thrive.
That’s why I am supporting the House Republican Plan for America’s Job Creators: Empowering Families, Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs:
First, we must reduce the red-tape burdens for small businesses. It is estimated that current government regulations cost our economy almost $2 trillion dollars a year. That is simply unacceptable and we cannot continue to burden our small businesses. We are looking to pass legislation requiring congressional review of federal agency regulations to prevent a simple blank slate of authority for new regulations.
Secondly, we must fix the tax code. I support a tax code that is fair and simple. Our corporate tax rate is one of the highest in the world which taxes at a higher rate and limits those very businesses’ ability to create jobs and pay higher salaries. Our tax code is much too complicated, and we must reduce the overall tax rate to generate economic activity. I support the plan to eliminate special interest tax breaks that litter our tax code and reduce the overall rate to no more than 25% for businesses and individuals including small business owners. We must make our country more competitive, and this would be a great start.
Third, we must reduce this nation’s debt and start living within our means just as families do. Our nation’s debt continues the feeling of uncertainty in our economy which affects the housing market in addition to other areas of the economy. Just this week, I voted against raising this nation’s debt ceiling - the limit on how much the federal government can borrow. This vote on the debt ceiling this week had no conditions or reforms attached – simply an unchecked motion to increase our debt. I have opposed raising the debt ceiling at every opportunity during my tenure in representing America’s First District, and I did not hesitate to vote against raising the debt ceiling for the fifth time. The simple truth is we must reduce our debt and institute a major slowdown in federal spending to get our economy back on track.
I believe the key to getting our economy moving again is to keep control in the hands of our American innovators and entrepreneurs. Each week, I have the opportunity to visit with folks who run local businesses or work for local manufacturers or other local companies. They are excited about what they do and hoping to keep their businesses moving forward. I am honored to represent this district and do all that I can to preserve hope in our nation’s future and in the American Dream.
In the mean time, we must continue to help folks with opportunities for employment. I am proud to host the First Congressional District Job Fair on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. in Hampton at the Peninsula Workforce Development Center. In attendance will be over 45 employers actively seeking new employees. Additionally, at the same location, there are several planned workshops for job-seekers beginning at 8:30 a.m. I hope to see you there!
Please do not hesitate to call (202-225-4261) or email me on my website, www.wittman.house.gov with your questions, or to share your ideas and opinions. I always appreciate hearing from you.
