Congressman Mike Ross, Fourth Congressional District of Arkansas



Volume 5, Issue 30,
August 27, 2004
Weekly Newsletter



 



 
MIKE'S WEEKLY MESSAGE


 
New Overtime Regulations a Disappointing Reality


 
On Monday, August 23, 2004, unprecedented new rules regarding overtime pay were implemented under the Fair Labor Standards Act that could deny up to six million working Americans the right to fair overtime pay protection. 

Many hard-working Americans depend on overtime pay to make ends meet, especially in an economy that has forced companies to cut back on regular wages in recent months. Recent studies have already shown middle-class Americans are now carrying the burden because of tax cuts for the wealthy. Jobs are relocating overseas, forcing many Americans into unemployment or lesser paying jobs. Now, the Administration is taking away the opportunity for workers to be fairly compensated for the extra hours they put in on the job each week. 

In Congress, amendments have been introduced to block regulations that would deny overtime pay to millions of employees. Although I, along with both chambers of Congress, expressed opposition to the rules, the administration implemented them anyway. 

As we continue to discuss this issue in Congress, I will continue in my efforts to preserve overtime pay for middle-income workers by supporting proposals that would prohibit overtime cuts, while allowing for improvement in overtime rules that would not jeopardize overtime rights. 



 



 
Ross Applauds Wal-Mart Catfish Program



 
(Washington, D.C.) - Representative Mike Ross (D-4) Thursday announced his support for Wal-Mart’s decision to spotlight Arkansas farm-raised catfish in Supercenter stores statewide.  The retailer’s new initiative will be unveiled tomorrow at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Pine Bluff with Rep. Ross, Wal-Mart representatives and local catfish farmers in attendance. 

Ross has been a vocal supporter of this program and is pleased with Wal-Mart’s decision.  “Our local catfish farmers are an integral part of the state’s economy, and I am thrilled Wal-Mart is partnering with them in an effort to increase awareness and revenue for the catfish industry,” said Ross. 

“Combining a billion dollar industry with the country’s largest retailer is a recipe for success in my book.  I am confident neither party will be disappointed with this partnership, and I am hopeful that Wal-Mart will expand this program to neighboring states for continued success in the future.”


 




 
Reps. Berry, Boozman, Ross and Snyder Along with Senators Lincoln and Pryor Announce Rural Grants



 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressmen Marion Berry (D-AR, 1st), John Boozman (R-AR, 3rd), Mike Ross (D-AR, 4th) and Vic Snyder (D-AR, 2nd) joined Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, to announce several grants to assist rural communities in Arkansas.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced 312 community facility funding requests from across the country have been selected to share $24.8 million in grants to assist with community development projects – 32 in Arkansas.

The funds listed below are a major investment in the lives and security of rural citizens and will help rural communities to promote economic development, gain access to better community services and enhanced preparations for emergency situations.

First District:
• Town of Knobel - $96,000 for a fire station 
• City of Holly Grove - $95,000 for a community center
• Town of Corning - $140,000 for a day care center
• City of Holly Grove - $100,000 to purchase a fire truck
• City of Marvell - $20,321 for a police car and equipment
• City of McCrory - $18,000 for a pumper truck for the fire department
• City of Cotton Plant - $16,831 for equipment for the fire department
• City of Marianna - $14,093 for equipment for the fire department
• City of Helena - $12,408 for equipment for the fire department
• Woodruff County Aging Program, Inc. - $100,000 to construct a new senior citizen center
• City of Sunset - $97,500 to construct a community center
• City of Marshal  - $97,300 for a fire station 
• Town of Allport - $5,403 for police equipment

First District (Cont.)
• City of Parkin - $68,791 for a garbage truck
• City of Lakeview - $49,500 for a fire truck
• Town of Patterson - $26,250 for police and fire department equipment
• City of Hughes - $37,500 for police and fire department equipment 
• Town of Haynes - $4,068 for a mosquito sprayer
• City of Humnoke - $1,267 for police equipment 
• New Zion Missionary Baptist Church - $52,500 to construct a community center building 
• Boston Mountain Rural Health Center - $90,000 for construction of a medical clinic

Second District:
• Van Buren County Aging Program, Inc. - $38,857 for an equipment/passenger van for senior citizens
• City of Ola - $100,000 for a fire station with training room
• City of Ola - $71,500 for a fire truck

Third District
• Johnson County Rural Fire Dist. No. 4 - $7,000 for the pumper truck
• Newton County Special Service Corp. - $117,325 for the construction of an adult day care building
• Parthenon Volunteer Fire Department - $7,510 for fire truck equipment

Fourth District
• City of Wilmot - $56,925 for a fire truck
• Town of Wilmar - $56,925 for a fire truck
• Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corp. - $99,999 to replace roof on training center
• Town of Watson - $135,000 for street resurfacing
• Town of Rondo - $5,971 to renovate a building for a city hall
 


 




 
Please Contact Mike at 
1-800-223-2220 
mike.ross@mail.house.gov or
www.house.gov/ross



 


 

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