This week in Washington DC per NWYC...

Mr Robin B Tucker www.nwyc.com Vol. 17 No. 1-6 Monday, February 18, 2013 REVIEW Congress Pay Raise: Due to constituent pressure, the House passed a bill that would prevent Congress, the president’s cabinet, the vice president, and other non-military federal employees from receiving an automatic pay-raise. The legislation would overturn an Executive Order issued by President Obama in December 2012 to provide federal employees with a 0.5 percent pay raise. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the president’s Executive Order will cost $11 billion over ten years. (H.R. 273) Avoiding the Sequester: House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) in the Capitol to tell him that the Senate should be the first to move on a bill to avert more than $1 trillion in indiscriminate spending cuts set to begin next month. The automatic cuts of $85 billion are set to begin March 1. Look for a ballot on this issue in your Inbox this week!   President Urges Congress to Find Spending Cuts: President Obama challenged Congress to find a way to dodge the sequester and seize the opportunity for more-enduring deficit reduction. On fiscal matters, immigration reform, and gun control, the president depicted Congress as stumbling over obstacles to progress. Yet, he said, “Together, we have cleared away the rubble of crisis, and can say with renewed confidence that the state of our union is stronger.”   Hagle Nomination Stalls: Amid accusations of a GOP filibuster, Senate Republicans blocked a vote on the nomination of Chuck Hagel to be Defense secretary.   Condemning North Korea: The House passed a resolution condemning the government of North Korea for its flagrant and repeated violations of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions, for its repeated provocations that threaten international peace and stability, and for its February 12, 2013, test of a nuclear device.   Hydropower Efficiency Act: The House passed a bipartisan policy designed to promote the growth of mini hydro and in-river hydro projects by streamlining the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's permitting process for low-impact proposals. (H.R.267)   Federal Disaster Assistance: The House passed a measure that makes  houses of worship eligible for federal contributions for the repair, restoration, and replacement of facilities damaged or destroyed by a major disaster, without regard to the religious character of the facility or the primary religious use of the facility. (H.R.592)   Senate Authorizes Violence Against Women Bill: The long-delayed bill, which President Obama mentioned in his State of the Union address passed the Senate by a vote of 78-22. A group of 17 House Republicans have written a letter urging leadership to bring a bipartisan bill to the floor, it’s unclear what the legislation’s future holds in that chamber. (S.47)      PREVIEW   Secretary Taxing Pollution: Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) said she is aiming to bring long-shot carbon tax legislation to the Senate floor in the coming months. The legislation would impose a $20 fee per ton on carbon and methane emissions, with the rate increasing by 5.6 percent a year over 10 years. Click here the express your opinion on this issue.   Minimum Wage Battle: House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) has rejected President Obama’s push to bring the minimum wage to $9-an-hour. Republicans contend  the move would hurt employers. The president contends that it would boost take-home pay for nearly 15 million people. Click Here the express your opinion on this issue.   Senate Watches for Airline Monopoly: Senate chairmen say they will scrutinize the proposed merger of US Airways and American Airlines to determine whether the combination creating the world’s largest carrier would reduce consumer choice and boost costs.   Medicare Doctor’s Pay: House Energy and Commerce members will continue to discuss different elements of a plan to replace how Medicare pays doctors. While most lawmakers want to repeal the current payment formula, division remains over what kinds of payment models should replace the current formula.   Keeping Ear Marks out of the Water Bill: Water resource legislation that is somewhat free of earmarks is expected in the coming months. A bill authorizing flood control, navigation and environmental-restoration projects are set to be marked up in March. Past authorizations have been collections of earmarked Army Corps of Engineers projects that the Senate committee has vowed to prevent.   The Week Ahead: Please go to www.nwyc.com for the latest in congressional actions. Popular National Action Alerts: Gun Rights - Assault Weapons Ban Overturn Executive Order Giving Congress a Pay Raise? United Nations Small Arms Treaty Minimum Wage Increase What are your thoughts regarding Illegal Immigrants claiming a $1,000 Child Tax Credit? Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act Should Taxpayers Fund Abortions Is the Defense of Marriage Act Unconstitutional? What are your thoughts and concerns? Click Here to write your elected officials about any topic you would like to voice your concern or opinion.   Thank you for being a responsible American. Your voice is making a difference.

Do you think the minimum wage should be increased to $10 an hour and indexed to inflation?

National Action Alert



Increase Minimum Wage


to $10 Per Hour

We received the following e-mail today: from National Write Your Congressman.

Mr Robin B Tucker,


Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) introduced legislation "The Catching Up To 1968 Act of 2012" that will raise the minimum wage to $10 an hour and index it to inflation. "That may sound like a hefty wage increase but it doesn't fully equal the purchasing power of the minimum wage in 1968 - which today would be closer to $11 per hour, stated Rep. Jackson. "The bill is really only allowing American workers a degree of 'catch-up.' Thus the name and theme around the bill: 'Catching Up To 1968.' Of course, the current federal minimum wage has been $7.25 per hour since 2007."


The Catching Up To 1968 Act of 2012 contains four basic elements:


It raises the minimum wage to $10 per hour


The minimum wage is raised immediately - not gradually as in the past - beginning 60 days after the date of enactment


Beginning one year after the $10 per hour minimum wage takes effect, and each year thereafter, the minimum wage will be indexed in proportion to the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI)


For workers earning their living on the basis of tips, the cash wage paid to such an employee is to be 70% of the minimum wage when the law takes effect, but in no case less than $5.50 an hour, adjusted annually as necessary thereafter


While running for office, President Barack Obama promised to raise the minimum wage to $9.50 an hour by 2011. Both the president and his 2012 campaign opponent Republican Mitt Romney have supported the idea of adjusting the minimum wage to keep up with inflation.


Opponents argue that increases in the minimum wage fall disproportionately on small businesses who are the least able to absorb such a dramatic increase in their labor costs, and that supporters aren’t factoring in the cost to the employer who’s paying it. The Nation is currently in difficult economic times, and the focus needs to be getting unemployment down. The increase would force employers to cut other payroll costs, such as limiting overtime or laying off part-time help, squeezing employers who already are under pressure.


Do you think the minimum wage should be increased to $10 an hour and indexed to inflation? (Click Here)


Take action and voice your opinion now!


Do you think the minimum wage should be increased to $10 an hour and indexed to inflation? (Click Here)


Personally, we view the Federal Minimum Wage should be eliminated, on the basis it is matter for the States.  The late Tip O'Neill said the following phrase "All politics is local" and when it comes to the minimum wage... we believe this matter should be left up to the States and local markets.  The minimum wage in Iowa certainly has no relationship with the economies of urban Chicago, Los Angeles or New York.
 
The increase will cost $5,725.00 over the first year of implementation for any employee currently on the Federal minimum wage at $7.25.  What impact will that have on first-time employees and people with disabilities, who are limited to how many hours they can work? 
 
Why isn' the Alternative Minimum Tax adjusted annually for inflation? 
 
Look at unemployment numbers today?  Is this a good idea for America and getting people stable and confident in America's economic future?