tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84865504839502332182008-11-20T14:04:11.622-08:00Congressman Mike Honda: On the IssuesCongressman Honda (D-CA) comments on the important issues of the dayMike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.comBlogger19612537.278843-121.954463tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-21537017554652974752008-11-11T15:00:00.000-08:002008-11-13T11:17:12.349-08:002008-11-13T11:17:12.349-08:00Honoring America's Veterans<p>Veterans Day is an occasion to honor the service and sacrifices our nation’s veterans have made, a sacrifice which I remind myself of every day. We all owe a great debt to our American military service members, both active duty and veterans. Just as they have made incredible sacrifices for our nation, so must our country fulfill its responsibilities to them.</p>
<p>The 110 th Congress has been committed to ensuring that our nation leaves no veteran behind. Instead of endorsing President Bush’s inadequate budget request for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), this year the Congress enacted historic funding increases for the VA. The Fiscal Year 2009 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill halts fee increases for veterans’ health care that President Bush proposed, which will ensure that our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan receive the quality health care and benefits that they have earned. </p>
<p>Additionally, earlier this year, I was extremely proud to support a New GI Bill for the 21 st Century, which restores the promise of a full, four-year college scholarship to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to help make them part of an economic recovery like the veterans of World War II. Investing in the education of our veterans is not just a smart policy—it is what we owe them.</p>
<p>This Veterans Day, I would like to applaud Darren Yafai, a Gilroy High School teacher, and his students for their tremendous efforts to keep the stories of our veterans alive. Darren and 165 of his students at GHS spent several months documenting the brave stories of 26 men and women who lived through World War II. Each exceptional “Story of Service” they recorded helps to preserve our history for generations to come. As the World War II generation ages, it is more important than ever to preserve and cherish these stories. Darren and his students will be honored as the Stories of Service teacher and school of the year at ceremonies in Washington, DC and New York City. As a former schoolteacher, I know the importance of teaching and preserving history with our students, and congratulate Darren and the students of Gilroy High School for their remarkable work.</p>
<p> One group of World War II veterans whose story is too often forgotten is the Filipino soldiers who fought under the American flag. I have worked arduously to make sure these 250,000 Filipino soldiers, who were called into service by President Roosevelt, receive the benefits they deserve. Sixty one years ago, Congress broke a promise by stripping these Filipino World War II soldiers of U.S. veteran’s status. The passage of the Rescission Acts of 1946 robbed these brave men of their veterans’ benefits despite their courageous service in defending the Philippine Islands and aiding the US military. These World War II heroes are in the twilight of their lives, with only about 22,000 of the original 250,000 Filipino soldiers still living. In order to right this injustice and support our veterans, I have been working with my colleagues to fight to provide benefits promised to these veterans.</p>
<p>Our nation’s veterans have a champion in President-elect Barack Obama, who I am confident will support policies that fully meet the needs of our nation’s active duty military servicemembers and veterans. This begins by making much needed improvements to modernize the VA, improving healthcare for veterans, reducing the number of homeless veterans living on the streets, and providing mental health treatment for returning Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who have combat-related psychological injuries. President-elect Obama has a strong record of helping our heroes, and I know he will continue to do so over the next four years.</p>
<p>I also look forward to working with the incoming Members of Congress who have served our country in uniform proudly. These veterans continue their record of public service, and I am proud to have the opportunity to work with them in the 111 th Congress. </p>
<p> As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, you can be sure that I will continue to work to see that healthcare and benefits for our nation's veterans are adequately funded. Congress must not, and cannot, shortchange the brave men and women who put their lives at risk to defend our country. </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/448907803" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.com0http://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/11/honoring-americas-veterans.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-67800638346512388132008-11-03T10:41:00.000-08:002008-11-03T11:29:07.185-08:002008-11-03T11:29:07.185-08:00How to Make Your Voice Heard<p>Tomorrow, on Election Day, we will have the opportunity to uphold our duty and privilege as voting citizens of the United States.</p>
<p>Here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure things go smoothly on this important and historic election.</p>
<p><strong>What time can I vote on Election Day and where should I go?</strong></p>
<p>The polls are open from 7am to 8pm. Go to your <a href="http://eservices.sccgov.org/pollingplace/prepare.do?action=begin">designated polling place</a> or cast your vote at the Santa Clara County <a href="http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/rov/agencychp?path=%2Fv7%2FRegistrar%20of%20Voters%20(DEP)%2FContact%20Us">Registrar of Voters</a> on Election Day. If you have a Vote by Mail or Absentee ballot that you have not yet mailed in, you may drop it off at <a href="http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/rov/agencychp?path=%2Fv7%2FRegistrar%20of%20Voters%20(DEP)%2FVote%20by%20Mail%2FReturning%20Vote%20by%20Mail%20Ballots">any of these locations</a> on Election Day.</p>
<p><strong>Should I do anything before going to the polls?</strong></p>
<p>The Registrar of Voters offers a few simple steps to make going to the polls an easy and straightforward process. First, review the voting information that you received in the mail from the California Secretary of State and the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters. This includes a <a href="http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/">Voter Information Pamphlet</a>, names of all candidates, information on measures, <a href="http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/rov/agencychp?path=%2Fv7%2FRegistrar%20of%20Voters%20(DEP)%2FInstructions%20for%20Voters">voting instructions</a>, and a Sample Ballot. Next, make your voting choices ahead of time and mark them on your Sample Ballot. When you are ready to go to the polls, bring the Sample Ballot with you to use as a guide and cast your vote.</p>
<p><strong>What if there is a problem at my polling place?</strong></p>
<p>If you witness voter intimidation or someone trying to influence voters in your polling place, contact the Registrar of Voters immediately at 408-299-8683 to report the problem.</p>
<p>Be prepared on Election Day. Know where your polling place is and be sure to arrive between 7am and 8pm. To make voting quick and easy, bring your filled-in Sample Ballot to the polls as your guide. Take pride in exercising your civic duty and making your voice heard in this year’s election!</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/441269952" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.comhttp://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/11/how-to-vote-on-election-day.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-3249318277068635592008-10-23T08:48:00.000-07:002008-10-23T08:50:14.965-07:002008-10-23T08:50:14.965-07:00Save Time with Early Voting or Vote by Mail<p>With our busy lives and work schedules, many people find that the easiest way to vote is through Early Voting or Voting by Mail (absentee ballots). Don’t let your hectic schedule on Tuesday, November 4th prevent you from casting your vote in this historic election. </p>
<p><strong>Vote Early </strong></p>
<p>Early voting is now available for ALL registered voters. Simply head down to the Registrar of Voters’ Office <a href="http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/rov/agencychp?path=/v7/Registrar%20of%20Voters%20(DEP)/Contact%20Us">(map)</a> and cast your vote today! Use the Early Voting schedule to find a day and time that is convenient for you:</p>
<table border="0">
<tr>
<td width="190px">Mon-Fri, Oct 6 - Oct 31</td>
<td><strong>8am - 5pm </strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Saturday, Oct 25</td>
<td><strong>9am - 3pm</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Saturday, Nov 1</td>
<td><strong>9am - 3pm</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sunday, Nov 2</td>
<td><strong>9am - 3pm</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mon, Nov 3</td>
<td><strong><strong>8am - 5pm </strong></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tuesday, Nov 4</td>
<td><strong>7am - 8pm</strong></td>
</tr>
</table>
<p><strong>How do I request a Vote by Mail ballot? </strong></p>
<p>The deadline to request a Vote by Mail ballot is <strong>October 28</strong>. You make your request by filling out the <a href="http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/rov/agencychp?path=%2Fv7%2FRegistrar%20of%20Voters%20(DEP)%2FVote%20by%20Mail%2FHow%20to%20Vote%20by%20Mail&contentId=f1d260a95594c110VgnVCM10000048dc4a92____">Vote by Mail application</a>, or by simply writing or faxing the Registrar of Voters with the following information:</p>
<ul>
<li>Your Name</li>
<li>Your Registered Address in the County of Santa Clara</li>
<li>Your Mailing Address (if different)</li>
<li>Your Signature</li>
<li>Names and signatures of all voters in your household that wish to Vote by Mail</li>
</ul>
<p>Send your request to:</p>
<p> Registrar of Voters<strong><br>
</strong> Vote by Mail Division<br>
P.O. Box 1740<br>
San Jose, CA 95109</p>
<p>Or fax it to them at 408-293-6002.</p>
<p><strong>I am ready to send in my Vote by Mail ballot, how do I know it will be received? </strong></p>
<p>Be sure to use proper postage when mailing in your ballot. Blue envelopes require 59 cents postage. Green envelopes are free to mail (postage paid). Once you send in your ballot you can <a href="http://eservices.sccgov.org/absenteeballot/home.do">track it online</a>. Every Vote by Mail ballot is counted!</p>
<p><strong>Do I have to mail in my ballot? </strong></p>
<p>No! You can hand-deliver your Vote by Mail ballot at the <a href="http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/rov/agencychp?path=%2Fv7%2FRegistrar%20of%20Voters%20(DEP)%2FVote%20by%20Mail%2FReturning%20Vote%20by%20Mail%20Ballots">drop-off location</a> nearest to you. You can take your ballot to any City Hall in Santa Clara County or deliver it directly to the Registrar of Voters from now through Election Day. On Election Day, you also have the option of taking your ballot to any polling place in Santa Clara County. </p>
<p>So plan ahead, and don’t let your busy schedule prevent you from exercising your civic duty. Through Vote by Mail and Early Voting, there are plenty of ways to cast your vote and make it count in this election! </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/429759217" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.com0http://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/10/save-time-with-early-voting-or-vote-by.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-20490748662388015952008-10-17T12:11:00.001-07:002008-10-17T12:11:16.952-07:002008-10-17T12:11:16.952-07:00Deadline to Register to Vote: October 20th<p>This Monday, October 20th, is the last day to register to vote in this historic election. Voting is an important and fundamental right of American citizens, and it is up to each of us to register to vote and exercise that right. Here are some Frequently Asked Questions to get you on your way to voter registration.</p>
<p><strong>I think I may already be registered to vote, how can I be sure?</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://eservices.sccgov.org/voterlookup/home.do%20">Check your status</a> with the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters.</p>
<p><strong>How do I register to vote?</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.sccvote.org/portal/site/rov/agencychp?path=/v7/Registrar%20of%20Voters%20(DEP)/Register%20to%20Vote/How%20to%20Register%20to%20Vote">Download and print the registration form</a> from the Santa Clara County website, fill it out, and deliver the form to the Registrar of Voters Office at the following address:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Voter Registration Division<br>
1555 Berger Drive, Building 2<br>
P.O. Box 1147<br>
San Jose, CA 95108</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The Registrar of Voters is keeping extended hours and will be open from 8am until 7pm on Monday October 20th. If you mail-in your registration card, it must be post-marked no later than October 20th. You may also drop the form at the 24-hour drop box. </p>
<p><strong>What are the requirements to register?</strong></p>
<p>You must be:</p>
<ul><li>18 years old by Election Day (born before November 5, 1990)</li>
<li>a California resident and </li>
<li>a US Citizen</li>
</ul>
<p>You cannot be in prison or on parole for a felony and you may not be declared mentally incompetent by court action.</p>
<p><strong>Is registration information available in languages other than English?</strong></p>
<p>The Registrar of Voters provides information in multiple languages through four telephone hotlines:</p>
<p>English: (408) 299-VOTE<br>
Spanish: (408) 282-3095<br>
Vietnamese: (408) 282-3097<br>
Chinese: (408) 282-3086<br>
Tagalog: (408) 535-3916</p>
<p>California Secretary of State Debra Bowen also provides information through the following toll-free numbers:</p>
<p>English: (800) 345-VOTE<br>
Chinese: (800) 339-2857<br>
Japanese: (800) 339-2865<br>
Korean: (866) 575-1558<br>
Spanish: (800) 232-VOTA<br>
Tagalog: (800) 339-2957<br>
Vietnamese: (800) 339-8163</p>
<p>Please take a moment to get registered, if you have not already done so. Remember, your voice is your vote. Don’t let others speak for you; exercise your right to vote in this election! </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/423988624" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.comhttp://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/10/deadline-to-register-to-vote-october.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-34519808170135925302008-10-17T11:32:00.001-07:002008-10-17T11:32:48.708-07:002008-10-17T11:32:48.708-07:00Strong Oversight for Long Term Economic Stabilization and Growth<p>The enactment of the emergency economic stabilization package was only the first step toward addressing the catastrophic damage done by the deregulation and dismantling of oversight of the financial system over the past eight years under the Bush Administration. </p>
<p>Congress must conduct bipartisan <a href="http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=2205">investigations</a> into the root causes of the economic meltdown, as well as what additional steps must be taken to stabilize our economy. Recent hearings have already uncovered many disturbing findings. For example: </p>
<ul>
<li>Americans lost $2 trillion in their retirement savings over the last 15 months. </li>
<li>The Securities Exchange Commission’s Office of Risk Management included only one staff person who was responsible for identifying all the risks of major transactions, including a $62 trillion credit default swap market. </li>
</ul>
<p>These hearings have also found that the Republicans’ insistence on removing financial regulations has caused deep ruptures within our financial system. This deregulation, combined with a lack of oversight of the abusive lending practices that led to the subprime mortgage crisis, has left us in the midst of deep financial uncertainty. </p>
<p>Democrats continue to work with Republicans in Congress to get our economy back on track by addressing this uncertainty. Most recently, we held a<a href="http://speaker.house.gov/newsroom/pressreleases?id=0862"> forum</a> with leading economists to discuss the best ways to ensure an economic recovery. As we continue our efforts to uncover the root causes of the economic destabilization and enact protections to prevent it from occurring again, Congress must also provide vigilant oversight of the Treasury Department’s program to put on economy back on strong footing. </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/423968058" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.comhttp://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/10/strong-oversight-for-long-term-economic.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-56481041201304998072008-10-07T12:02:00.000-07:002008-10-07T12:04:44.549-07:002008-10-07T12:04:44.549-07:00Why bringing BART to Santa Clara County makes economic sense<p>From my <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_10653263?nclick_check=1">op-ed on BART</a> in today's Mercury News:</p>
<blockquote><p>
At a time when the national economy is showing weakness, isn't it common sense to support major investments in our region that will generate thousands of jobs and spark additional business expansion?</p>
<p>At a time when oil prices are skyrocketing, isn't it common sense to reduce our dependence on foreign oil?</p>
<p>At a time when global climate change threatens our future, isn't it common sense to encourage forms of rapid transit that dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions?</p>
<p>At a time when local government budgets are facing shortfalls, isn't it common sense to support projects that bring hundreds of millions of state and federal dollars — and thousands of jobs — to build transportation improvements in our county? </p>
</blockquote><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/414071827" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.com0http://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/10/why-bringing-bart-to-santa-clara-county.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-23005228976686089902008-10-06T06:16:00.000-07:002008-10-06T07:22:44.287-07:002008-10-06T07:22:44.287-07:00Extreme Disparities in School Funding are Promoting Inequality<p>Education is the great equalizer, the means to enable any child to realize the American dream. Children in America today, however receive vastly unequal educational experiences and opportunities due to substantial differences in funding between schools. This barrier prevents too many children in poor areas from realizing their potential, leading to ever more economic inequality in our society.</p>
<p>Before being elected to Congress, I spent many decades as a teacher and principal. As an educator I observed the inequity in the education provided by different schools within states, counties, single school districts, and even within a school.</p>
<p>For example, in my Silicon Valley region, one school district spends nearly twice as much per student as a nearby, similarly sized school district. Consequently, this district has higher teacher salaries, lower student-teacher ratios, higher standardized test scores, and higher graduation rates than its neighbor. In a comparison of performance of the two school districts based on state tests, the higher spending district’s lowest scoring school ranks higher than all but four of the schools in its lower spending neighboring district.</p>
<p>These disparities exist nationwide – <strong>our highest spending American school district spends 9.12 times more per pupil than the district with the lowest per pupil funding</strong>. Disparities exist in every state, as demonstrated from the examples in the table below:</p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tr>
<td width="113" valign="top"><p align="right"><strong> </strong></p></td>
<td width="262" valign="top"><p align="center"><strong>Ratio of Highest:Lowest<br />
Average Expenditure per Pupil<br />
Within the State *</strong></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="113" valign="top"><p align="right"> California</p></td>
<td width="262" valign="top"><p align="center">4.24:1 </p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="113" valign="top"><p align="right"> Illinois</p></td>
<td width="262" valign="top"><p align="center">3.89:1 </p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="113" valign="top"><p align="right"> New York</p></td>
<td width="262" valign="top"><p align="center">3.47:1 </p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="113" valign="top"><p align="right"> Massachusetts</p></td>
<td width="262" valign="top"><p align="center">3.31:1 </p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="113" valign="top"><p align="right"> Missouri</p></td>
<td width="262" valign="top"><p align="center">2.76:1 </p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="113" valign="top"><p align="right"> New Jersey</p></td>
<td width="262" valign="top"><p align="center">2.76:1 </p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="113" valign="top"><p align="right"> Pennsylvania</p></td>
<td width="262" valign="top"><p align="center">2.71:1 </p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="113" valign="top"><p align="right"> Virginia</p></td>
<td width="262" valign="top"><p align="center">2.18:1 </p></td>
</tr>
</table>
<h5> * Using the latest available data for the 2004-2005 school year from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and Census. Excludes the following LEAs: very small (enrollment below 200 students), special purpose LEAs, those providing only special or vocational/technical education, and individual charter schools.</h5><br />
<p>Disparities like this should not exist in America, yet they continue to persist. Eliminating these disparities will provide the means for all Americans to achieve individual success, assure the nation’s economic competiveness, and ensure America’s global leadership in the 21 st century.</p>
<p>I authored the <a href="http://honda.house.gov/legislation/2008/equity/">The Citizens’ Educational Equity Commission Act</a> (<a href="http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.07203:">H.R. 7203</a>) to identify solutions to meet the educational needs of each individual student, ensure all children achieve their maximum academic potential, and eliminate the inequitable distribution of resources among our schools. This legislation will institute a Citizens’ Educational Equity Commission to gather insights and public opinions about how the government can improve education. This commission will be charged with holding hearings and community meetings across the country to explore this issue in depth, seeking input, and developing strategies to guarantee equity in our education system.</p>
<p>Every child deserves a high quality education, and with the guidance of the American people through the Citizens’ Educational Equity Commission Act, we will identify solutions to offer the opportunity to all students to reach their full potential.</p>
<p>(Cross-posted at the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-mike-honda/extreme-disparities-in-sc_b_131651.html">Huffington Post</a>)</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/412788601" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.comhttp://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/10/extreme-disparities-in-school-funding.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-22381497290585504272008-10-04T15:51:00.000-07:002008-10-05T07:21:03.456-07:002008-10-05T07:21:03.456-07:00Economic Stabilization Bill Signed into Law<p>Last week, after the first economic stabilization bill failed, it became painfully clear this was not just about Wall Street firms. The Dow Jones had one of its largest drops in history, wiping out $1.2 trillion in investments, pensions and nest eggs of ordinary Americans.</p>
<p>That was only a small indication of the consequences of inaction. The credit crunch is hitting all sectors of our economy. As California State Treasurer Bill Lockyer warned, the freeze in the credit market is even chilling the state, which is running out of cash. Utilities that are constructing new facilities are having difficulty getting credit, which will either lead to energy shortages or to rate increases. And because banks are not extending loans, consumers are not able to purchase cars. This week Ford reported a 35 percent drop in sales. Many working class Americans in the automotive industry are at risk of losing their jobs. In September alone, our economy lost 159,000 jobs. We needed to stop the bleeding.</p>
<p>The urgency of the situation required that we not make perfection the enemy of the good. The <a href="http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.01424:">Emergency Economic Stabilization Act </a> (H.R. 1424), which was signed into law on Friday, is a much better plan than the one the Bush Administration sent to Congress more than two weeks ago, a mere three-page outline requesting a blank check for $700 billion. Our leadership in both chambers negotiated an ehanced package and further improved it in the bill which became law.</p>
<p>I voted for this package because it enables the software entrepreneur in Cupertino to make payroll and the Gilroy farmer to purchase seed. This package reinvests to stabilize our economy and insulates Main Street from the troubles on Wall Street; it reimburses the taxpayers, requiring a plan to guarantee they will be repaid in full; and it reforms how business is done on Wall Street -- no more golden parachutes and sweeping oversight.</p>
<h4 id="continue">This improved version of the rescue package will:</h4>
<ul>
<li><strong>Limit excessive compensation</strong> to the executives of companies that participate. There will be no more multi-million dollar golden parachutes for the top five executives, and bonuses paid to executives who made false or inaccurate promises will be recovered;</li>
<li><strong>Protect taxpayers</strong> by requiring a plan for them to be repaid in full. It gives taxpayers a share of the profits of participating companies, or puts taxpayers first in line to recover assets if a company fails. It also requires the President to submit a plan to ensure taxpayers will recoup their full investment, with Wall Street making up any difference;</li>
<li><strong>Ensure strong oversight and transparency</strong> with four independent oversight entities or processes to protect the taxpayer. This includes a strong oversight board appointed by bipartisan leaders of Congress and an independent Inspector General to Monitor the Treasury Secretary's decisions. Also, transactions will be posted online for the American public can monitor the use of their money;</li>
<li><strong>Provide Foreclosure Assistance </strong>by requiring a comprehensive plan for federal entities to work with servicers of mortgages to encourage loan modifications. As a holder of mortgage loans, Treasury is authorized to use its tools to prevent foreclosures.</li>
</ul>
<p>I am also pleased that the House extended unemployment insurance, given the rising rate of unemployment. The extension would provide seven additional weeks of benefits for those whose unemployment insurance has run out, and 13 additional weeks for those in states (like California) with an unemployment rate higher than 6 percent. Without this important extension of benefits, 800,000 Americans would lose their unemployment benefits in October.</p>
<p>Our economy is like an ecosystem, everything is interconnected. Right now our financial systems are shutting on and off and almost everything is dependent on it: from the neighborhood grocery store, to the auto parts shop to the small graphics design company.</p>
<p>No doubt, we should not have been here in the first place. I am furious at the Administration's negligence and the Russian roulette recklessness of lenders and investors who put us in this predicament. Many of them lobbied their friends in the Republican-controlled Congress and the White House to gut reasonable regulations. Government was a hindrance as long as they made profits hand over fist.</p>
<p>When some states tried years ago to restrain predatory lending and an irresponsible mortgage industry, the Bush Administration stopped them because the ‘market could regulate itself.'</p>
<p>As people defaulted on loans the past couple of years, the value of all these investment instruments took a dive. They dragged everything else with them and household names such as Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns imploded.</p>
<p>This package will give us the tools to reverse course, but it was not all I wanted and what I believe is necessary to revive Main Street. One of those, <a href="http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.04135:">H.R. 4135</a>, would revive an FDR institution during the Great Depression called Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC). HOLC would buy mortgages from lenders and then refinance loans to prevent foreclosures. This would have addressed the problem at the root. I also supported an economic stimulus package to invest in infrastructure and energy technologies for the future, which would create jobs and boost our economy in the long term. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to pass this important legislation.</p>
<p>The crisis is not over, but passing the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act was a turning point. We will continue to work on sensible policies that not only stimulate our economy, but everyone in our economy. The era of an aloof government that allowed the markets to run wild around the china cabinet is over.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/411439418" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.com0http://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/10/economic-stabilization-bill-signed-into.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-45749646556579096572008-10-02T14:49:00.001-07:002008-10-02T14:57:19.334-07:002008-10-02T14:57:19.334-07:00Economic impact becoming clear - action is needed to stabilize our economy<p> In the days since the defeat of the <a href="http://www.speaker.gov/legislation?id=0262">Economic Emergency Stabilization Act</a> we have seen severe economic impacts both on Wall Street and on main street. </p>
<p> The consequences of the vote - a historic drop in the stock market and the loss of $1.2 trillion in savings, investments, and retirement funds - had a major impact on American families and <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/business/smallbusiness/02sbiz.html?_r=1&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print">small businesses</a>. Leaders from many <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10612121">Silicon Valley companies</a> have contacted me to urge quick congressional action. </p>
<p> As the San Jose Mercury News reported, the state of California faces severe dangerous consequences from the economic instability. In order to pay their obligations, state governments borrow and pay off loans in the financial markets. </p>
<blockquote>
<p>“California Treasurer Bill Lockyer warned Wednesday that the state could run out of money by the end of the month if the president and Congress cannot quickly agree on a federal bailout to rescue the ailing economy.</p>
<p>Lockyer's announcement underscored spreading anxiety among state and local officials as the market meltdown has frozen credit they rely on to borrow money, ruined financial giants and roiled investments.</p>
<p>Locally, the cratering economy is already projected to cost Peninsula schools invested in a failed Wall Street titan millions of dollars, is holding up San Jose redevelopment bonds and threatens to increase city and county borrowing costs while lowering interest earnings.</p>
<p>For the state, the most immediate concern is its inability to sell short-term borrowing notes needed to maintain cash flow in light of this year's historically late budget approval.</p>
<p>‘That means the state's cash reserves would be exhausted near the end of October,’ Lockyer said. ‘Payments for teachers' salaries, nursing homes, law enforcement and every other state-funded service would stop or be significantly delayed.’” </p>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="http://gov.ca.gov/press-release/10713/">Governor Schwarzenegger</a> wrote a letter to the California Congressional Delegation urging them to support the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, stating that he believes it is essential to the well-being of every community in the state. </p>
<p> The House will be voting soon on a <a href="http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:H.R.1424:">new bill</a> to prevent our nation from spiraling into a worse economic crisis. This bill is better than the previous one, but still imperfect. As several of you have noted in your comments, an effective plan should prevent further foreclosures and keep families in their homes. If people stay in their homes, the housing market will stabilize and banks will regain confidence, allowing for the business and personal loans to become more readily accessible. Auto industry jobs and many other industries will be saved. </p>
<p> I am working with Congressional Leadership to include several elements in tomorrow’s bill: </p>
<ul>
<li><strong> bankruptcy laws</strong> , allowing bankruptcy judges to modify unsound, unsustainable home mortgages. </li>
<li><strong> mortgage ownership</strong> , reinstituting a federal program similar to FDR’s Home Owners’ Loan Corporation that bought mortgages from lenders in return for government-guaranteed bonds that paid interest. </li>
<li><strong> securities transfer tax </strong> which would help fund the bail out. This ta x would have a negligible impact on the average investor, and provides a disincentive to short-term traders. This would tax the sale and purchase of stock and more exotic transactions such as credit default swaps, options, and futures. A quarter percent (0.25%) tax on financial transactions could raise approximately $150 billion a year. </li>
</ul>
<p> I appreciate the thoughtful comments that so many of your have submitted. Please continue to inform me of your views as our country works through these difficult times. </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/409658481" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.comhttp://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/10/economic-impact-becoming-clear-action.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-91438556845839079772008-10-02T12:21:00.001-07:002008-10-02T12:23:26.449-07:002008-10-02T12:23:26.449-07:00Resources on the Economic Stabilization Plan<p> Below you will find several resources which provide more extensive background on the crisis facing our nation and the solutions needed to stabilize our fragile economy. </p>
<p><strong> Impact on Main Street </strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10612121">Silicon Valley</a> – Silicon Valley tech companies, business groups push for action </li>
<li><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10612018">Local Government Concerned</a> - Anxiety spreads among state and local governments as the market meltdown has frozen credit, leaving them unable to sell bonds and borrow money, ruined financial giants and roiled investment values. </li>
<li><a href="http://majorityleader.house.gov/docUploads/EconomistsFinancialCrisis100208.pdf">Economists</a> – Economists Support Economic Recovery Plan </li>
<li><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/business/smallbusiness/02sbiz.html?_r=1&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print">New York Times</a> – Small Businesses Feeling the Chill </li>
<li><a href="http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/news/0809/gallery.how_crisis_affects_you/index.html">CNN</a> – Learn how the credit crisis affects all Americans </li>
<li><a href="http://www.majorityleader.gov/docUploads/Editorials100208.pdf">Editorials</a> - Commentary from newspapers across the country </li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Bi-Partisan Support </strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/legislative/sap/110-2/saphr1424-s.pdf">President Bush</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.speaker.gov/legislation?id=0262">Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi </a></li>
<li><a href="http://majorityleader.house.gov/members/econ_crisis.cfm">House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://gop.gov/c/portal/layout?p_l_id=PUB.1.110&p_p_id=56_INSTANCE_CcMB&p_p_action=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_col_id=column-2&p_p_col_pos=0&p_p_col_count=2&_56_INSTANCE_CcMB_groupId=1&_56_INSTANCE_CcMB_articleId=2047&_56_INSTANCE_CcMB_version=1.0">House Republican Conference</a></li>
<li><a href="http://gov.ca.gov/press-release/10713/">Governor Schwarzenegger</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong> More on the Bill </strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:H.R.1424:">Thomas</a> - Bill Text and Summary </li>
<li><a href="http://www.publicmarkup.org/bill/senate-emergency-economic-stabilization-act-2008/">Public Markup</a> – C omment on specific sections of the stabilization bill. </li>
</ul>
<p><strong> Relevant Reports from the Congressional Research Service </strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://opencrs.com/document/RL34349">RL34349</a> - Economic Slowdown: Issues and Policies </li>
<li><a href="http://opencrs.com/document/RS22963">RS22963</a> - Financial Market Intervention </li>
<li><a href="http://opencrs.com/document/RS22957/">RS22957</a> - Proposal to Allow Treasury to Buy Mortgage-Related Assets to Address Financial Instability </li>
</ul>
<p><strong> What do you think? </strong></p>
<p> Leave your <a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8486550483950233218&postID=9143855684583907977">comments here</a>. </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/409542557" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.com0http://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/10/resources-on-economic-stabilization.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-22309027930440224832008-09-29T14:38:00.000-07:002008-09-30T05:58:11.100-07:002008-09-30T05:58:11.100-07:00Today's vote on the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act<p>My vote today in support of the Economic Stabilization plan was a vote of necessity, not one of choice. Unfortunately, a rescue plan to restart our credit markets failed in the House by 228-205.</p>
<p>When I cast my vote, I thought about the family in San Jose about to lose their home. I thought about the retiree whose pension is evaporating after decades of toil; and the small business owner who might not be able to meet payroll because the bank will not extend credit.</p>
<p>Am I angry? You bet I am. The Bush Administration’s rigid dogma against government regulation and oversight and Wall Street’s reckless irresponsibility put all of us in this dilemma.</p>
<p>I am angry because many executives, who in the past years lobbied their friends in the Republican-controlled Congress and the White House to gut reasonable regulations, today were asking for help from the same government which they saw as a hindrance while they made profits hand over fist.</p>
<p>When some states tried years ago to restrain predatory lending and an irresponsible mortgage industry, the Bush Administration stopped them because the 'market could regulate itself.'</p>
<p>When Wall Street started slicing and dicing questionable loans and packaging them in all sorts of complex ways with sound investments, the Administration again looked the other way.</p>
<p>Then, as people defaulted on loans the past couple of years, the value of all these investment instruments took a dive. They dragged everything else with them and household names such as Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns imploded.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Main Street is interconnected to Wall Street in many ways. As panic has set in, lending has come to a near standstill. Common practices such as getting a car loan, or the short-term credit that businesses of all sizes need to make payroll, are an ordeal.</p>
<p>Our credit and financial markets are like the heart that circulates blood through our economy. Everything else might be healthy, but if blood stops flowing, the patient dies.</p>
<p>Ten days ago the Treasury Department proposed a plan to jolt our financial system back in line.</p>
<p>What they originally put on the table, though, fell drastically short for me. Just handing out a $700 billion blank check to the same Administration that got us here was not an option.</p>
<p>After days of negotiation, however, the renegotiated bi-partisan plan had assuaged many of my concerns. Several elements were key to drawing my support:</p>
<ul><li><strong>Oversight:</strong> It establishes multiple bi-partisan boards to ensure accountability and complete transparency. This included include oversight by a specialized Inspector General;</li>
<li><strong>Taxpayer Protections:</strong> Now taxpayers have the right to recover the losses and share in the profits. If Wall Street prospers so will taxpayers;</li>
<li><strong>Executive compensation: </strong>This plan reins in the compensation of any CEO whose company participates in this program. Further, they will have to pay back bonuses they might have received based on their company’s questionable investments; and</li>
<li><strong>Homeowner Protection: </strong>This plan helps Main Street, not just Wall Street, by helping millions of families facing foreclosure. If people stay in their homes, their mortgages will not be a complete loss for investors.</li></ul>
<p>The new plan is not perfect, but I recognized that inaction today could mean sky-rocketing unemployment and economic pain not experienced since the 1930s. We have already lost 600,000 jobs this year alone.</p>
<p>As the legislation collapsed on the House floor today, the Dow Jones dove, taking with it the value of pensions and nest eggs of millions of Americans. The stock market declined even further after the vote was finished.</p>
<p>I voted for this plan because I believe we need to rescue the troubled credit and financial markets to stabilize our economy; because I believe that we should do it in a way that reimburses the taxpayers for every dime as the plan begins to work; and that we should reform how business is done on Wall Street.</p>
<p>I wish the Administration had not brought us to this point. It forced us to make painfully, hard decisions to forestall harder times. I hope we will soon be able to enact a solution that will bring stability to our financial markets.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/406636957" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.com4http://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/09/todays-vote-on-emergency-economic.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-41982349005953290402008-09-28T20:48:00.000-07:002008-09-28T20:52:14.213-07:002008-09-28T20:52:14.213-07:00My op-ed on Family Unity in Immigration<p>From <a href="http://www.asianweek.com/2008/09/27/capac-takes-stand-for-family-unity-in-immigration/">my op-ed on family reunification</a> in the most recent issue of Asian Week:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Francisco Villacrusis, an elderly U.S. citizen, is a widower in poor health, left alone without the care and support of his son and daughter. They are in the Philippines, waiting in the U.S. family immigration backlogs since 1994, according to the Asian Pacific American Legal Center’s forthcoming report, <em>A Devastating Wait: Family Unity and the Immigration Backlogs</em>.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Francisco’s story is not uncommon. Spouses, children, parents, sisters and brothers must wait years, often over a decade, to reunite with their families due to bureaucratic delays from massive backlogs, insufficient staffing and visa quotas.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>(<a href="http://www.asianweek.com/2008/09/27/capac-takes-stand-for-family-unity-in-immigration/">read more</a>)</p<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/405905471" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.comhttp://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-op-ed-on-family-unity-in-immigration.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-83079514089325226632008-09-28T17:43:00.000-07:002008-09-28T17:52:54.436-07:002008-09-28T17:52:54.436-07:00The Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act<p>Families across America are struggling to make ends meet. The economy has lost jobs for eight straight months, and the number of unemployed Americans is the highest it has been since 1992. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud to support the <a href="http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.07110:">Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act (H.R. 7110)</a>, a bill authored by our committee, which will boost our economy, create jobs, and help provide additional relief to families who are struggling. </p>
<p>H.R. 7110 will grow our economy and create jobs through investment in our nation’s infrastructure, extend unemployment benefits for the growing number of Americans looking for work, help ensure families don’t go hungry with Food Stamp assistance, and ensure Americans do not lose health coverage as a result of state budget crises. </p>
<h4>Infrastructure Investments</h4>
<p>In order to have an immediate effect on the economy, H.R. 7110 will investment in infrastructure projects that can start fast, meet existing needs, and create jobs. These projects provide short term benefit by putting people to work and buying goods, but leave behind long term infrastructure improvements that will benefit Americans for years to come. The bill includes:</p>
<ul><li>$12.8 billion for our nation’s aging highways and bridges, which will improve safety and reduce traffic congestion;</li>
<li>$5 billion investment in the nation’s water resource infrastructure; </li>
<li>$3 billion to repair crumbling schools, provide students with first class technology, and to improve energy efficiency; </li>
<li>$7.5 billion for drinking water and sewer projects and $300 million for Bureau of Reclamation water projects;</li>
<li>$600 million for projects to improve safety and reduce delays at our nation’s airports; and</li>
<li>$1 billion for public housing repair and construction projects, including critical safety repairs.</li></ul>
<p>The bill also focuses investment on transit, which will help those who have been hit hard by high gasoline prices. It provides $3.6 billion to purchase buses and equipment needed to expand public transportation and to make improvements to facilities and $1 billion to meet growing demand for public transportation. It also includes $500 million to make necessary upgrades to Amtrak tracks and stations to meet growing demand. </p>
<h4>Advancing our Energy Needs</h4>
<p>We are also making needed investments that will help build an energy economy for the future. The bill includes $1 billion I sought with a number of my colleagues to support $3.3 billion in loans to encourage the manufacture of advanced vehicle batteries and battery systems, a key component to fuel efficient cars, in the United States. It also contains $500 million to accelerate the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and $100 million to modernize the electric grid, make energy infrastructure more secure and reliable, and speed recovery from disruptions to the energy supply. </p>
<h4>Helping Families in Need</h4>
<p>Extending unemployment benefits is one of the quickest, most cost-effective forms of economic stimulus because workers who have lost their paychecks spend benefits quickly. We are providing an additional 7 weeks of extended benefits for workers who have exhausted regular unemployment compensation, bringing the total to 20 weeks. Workers in high unemployment states are eligible for an additional 13 weeks of benefits, for a total of 33 weeks. And to help out of work Americans find and prepare for good jobs, the bill contains $400 million is for dislocated worker and youth employment activities and $100 million to provide customized help to folks receiving unemployment benefits. </p>
<p>To help address the needs of families in these tough times, we are also providing a temporary increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid health costs, with increases from one to four percent, at a time of increasing enrollment. These funds will prevent cuts to health insurance and health care services for low-income children and families, as well as generate business activities, jobs, wages and State sales tax revenues that States would otherwise not see. And to help address the rising cost of food, the bill includes $2.6 billion for seniors, people with disabilities and very poor families with children. This year, an average of 27.8 million individuals, and 12.5 million households, received food stamps. </p>
<p>Amidst all of the talk about helping address the problems facing Wall Street, I believe it is important that we address the problems facing Main Street America. H.R. 7110 will address a number of immediate needs and create thousands of jobs at a time when workers across the nation are hurting, and I am proud to support the bill.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/405809413" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.comhttp://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/09/job-creation-and-unemployment-relief.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-85488946566804921852008-09-26T12:44:00.000-07:002008-09-30T05:57:34.575-07:002008-09-30T05:57:34.575-07:00Solutions to Restore Strength to our Economy<p> America’s economy faces a crisis unseen since the time of the Great Depression.</p>
<p>Extensive foreclosures on home mortgages have damaged the financial stability of our banks and the companies that hold them. This has led to less money available for loans, and to excessive fear of extending more loans that could also default.</p>
<p> America’s financial crisis impacts all of us, from the small business owners who need credit to buy merchandise, to retirees who depend on their pension stability. Congress must step in to get credit moving again, so our economy does not come to a standstill.</p>
<p>My colleagues in Congress and I are working on a comprehensive plan to address the economic perils we face with a proposal which should include:</p>
<ul>
<li>strong oversight and accountability provisions;</li>
<li>taxpayers sharing in any profits resulting from the government’s help; </li>
<li>regulatory and corporate governance reforms;</li>
<li>limits on the compensation of executives of the financial companies that participate; and</li>
<li>assistance to homeowners to help stabilize local economies to the benefit of all, including bankruptcy refom.</li>
</ul>
<p>Democrats and Republicans must come together in this time of financial instability. We are working with the Bush Administration, but I am unwilling to simply hand over $700 billion to Wall Street without adequate oversight and safeguards, especially considering that one major cause of our current predicament is the lack of oversight of the financial sector by the Bush Administration.</p>
<p>This issue is critically important, and I will keep you updated with our progress. A strategy must be developed as quickly as reasonably possible, but we must act with adequate deliberation considering the gravity and complexity of this issue.</p>
<h4>You can learn more about the economic crisis and proposed solutions from these links:</h4></p>
<p><a href="http://opencrs.com/document/RS22957/">Proposal to Allow Treasury to Buy Mortgage-Related Assets to Address Financial Instability</a> (Congressional Research Service)</p>
<p><a href="http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/diamond-and-kashyap-on-the-recent-financial-upheavals/">Diamond and Kashyap on the Recent Financial Upheavals</a> (Freakonomics Blog)</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/404068750" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.com4http://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/09/solutions-to-restore-strength-to-our.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-14602399333836469772008-09-25T07:23:00.000-07:002008-09-25T10:48:37.898-07:002008-09-25T10:48:37.898-07:00Jobs for America’s Graduates, fixing educational and economic disparities in America<p>Helping at-risk youth succeed in school and on the job is one of the most important tasks facing our society. </p>
<p>I recently spoke at a conference sponsored by <a href="http://www.jag.org/">Jobs for America’s Graduates</a> (JAG), a non-profit corporation addressing this problem across the country. JAG develops programs targeting at-risk students to: </p>
<ul>
<li>prevent students from dropping out of school </li>
<li>find jobs for graduating high school seniors and </li>
<li>help students who have dropped out of school to fulfill graduation requirements or get their GED </li>
</ul>
<p>The symposium, "Closing the Achievement Gap in Education and Employment Outcomes for At-Risk Minority Youth," focused on exactly the right question: How do we take initiatives with demonstrated effectiveness and apply the lessons learned to continue to improve the success rates of high-risk youth? </p>
<p>We must find solutions that engage students in our schools, reduce the high school drop out rates of our high-risk students, and provide enhanced opportunities for students to successfully transition from school into the workforce. </p>
<p>The participants at the conference have been advising Members of Congress on how to meet the needs of our communities and, most importantly, the full range of youth at risk in our nation. An important part of this dialogue are the business partners that are stepping up to the plate and helping support effective programs and approaches. Another important step is engaging national and local community based organizations. There are many different ethnic specific organizations that understand the needs of the diverse communities within the United States. </p>
<h4>Equity Among Students</h4>
<p>We must be certain that in our efforts to support and improve programs, we also challenge our thinking about the structure of schools in the 21 st century. I have spent many decades observing the inequity in the education provided by different schools within states, counties, and even within a single school district. These disparities plague our nation’s schools and have detrimental consequences to society. </p>
<p>For example, in my Silicon Valley region, one school district spends nearly twice as much per student as a nearby, similarly sized school district. Consequently, this district has higher teacher salaries, lower student-teacher ratios, higher standardized test scores, and higher graduation rates than its neighbor. In a comparison of performance of the two school districts based on state tests, the higher spending district’s lowest scoring school ranks higher than all but four of the schools in its lower spending neighboring district. </p>
<p>These disparities exist nationwide – our highest spending American school district spends 9.12 times more per pupil than the district with the lowest per pupil funding. Disparities like this should not exist in America, yet they continue to persist, most negatively affecting our most vulnerable, high-risk, communities. </p>
<p>All students have the right to have their individual educational needs met regardless of their socioeconomic situation, national origin, gender, or where they go to school. Providing sufficient funding to foster the maximum development of individual potential helps ensure that all students develop the knowledge and skills needed to participate effectively in community life as workers, citizens, parents, leaders, and role models for future generations. </p>
<h4>The Citizens’ Educational Equity Commission Act</h4>
<p>In order to further this dialogue, I will be introducing the “The Citizens’ Educational Equity Commission Act” to identify solutions for eliminating the inequitable distribution of resources among our schools. This legislation will empower The Citizens’ Educational Equity Commission to gather insights and public opinions about how the government can improve education. </p>
<p>This group will be charged with holding hearings and community meetings across the country to explore this issue in depth, seeking input, and developing strategies to guarantee equity among our Nation’s schools. Eliminating these disparities will provide the means for all Americans to achieve individual success, assure the Nation’s economic competiveness, and ensure America’s global leadership in the 21st century. </p>
<p>Educational equity is not simply equal dollars behind each student; it is funding based on each student’s individual needs. Parents, teachers, and administrators must work with Congress to ensure that we establish an education system that meets the needs of every child wherever they live. </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/402847806" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.comhttp://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/09/jobs-for-america-graduates-fixing.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-16602088998012306462008-09-19T08:41:00.000-07:002008-09-19T08:45:43.127-07:002008-09-19T08:45:43.127-07:00My Bill to Protect Family Unity in Immigration<p>Imagine being separated from your spouse, minor children, sisters and brothers for years, even decades, due to bureaucratic delays from massive backlogs, insufficient staffing, and visa quotas. </p>
<p><img src="http://honda.house.gov/legislation/2008/family-reunification/family1.gif" style="float:right; margin-left:8px" />To help families immigrate to America in a timely manner I sponsored the Reuniting Families Act (H.R. 6938) with <a href="http://menendez.senate.gov/">Senator Menendez</a> (D-NJ). Family members have waited too long to be reunited with their spouses, children, and other loved ones overseas, and this legislation reflects our family values and reunites families to strengthen our communities and our economy.</p>
<h4>Additional Resources</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://honda.house.gov/legislation/2008/family-reunification/#reason">Need for Legislation</a></li>
<li><a href="http://honda.house.gov/legislation/2008/family-reunification/#summary">Bill Summary</a></li>
<li><a href="http://honda.house.gov/legislation/2008/family-reunification/reunification-bill-text.pdf">Bill Text </a></li>
<li><a href="http://honda.house.gov/legislation/2008/family-reunification/reunification-bill-summary.doc">Section by Section Bill Description </a></li>
<li><a href="http://honda.house.gov/legislation/2008/family-reunification/#endorsements">List of Endorsements</a></li>
</ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/397316131" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.comhttp://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/09/protecting-family-unity-in-immigration.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-72747951761917660132008-09-17T15:11:00.000-07:002008-09-17T15:41:47.278-07:002008-09-17T15:41:47.278-07:00Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act Passes House<p>This week my colleagues and I in the House passed a major piece of legislation that would take us boldly forward in bolstering federal efforts to encourage energy conservation and research into and development of renewable energy sources. </p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:H.R.6899:">Comprehensive Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act</a> (H.R. 6899) is a bold step forward in these areas. It launches a clean renewable energy future that will create new American jobs; invent and build more efficient vehicles, buildings, and infrastructure; and lower costs to consumers and protect the interest of taxpayers. </p>
<p><strong>Incentives for Renewable Energy </strong></p>
<p>The bill extends and expands tax incentives that encourage the adoption of renewable electricity sources such as solar and wind, biofuels, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and energy efficient homes, buildings, and appliances. A Renewable Energy Reserve would be created to invest in clean, renewable energy resources and alternative fuels, promote new energy technologies, develop greater efficiency and improve conservation. The Reserve will also fund home heating assistance, weatherization, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and carbon capture and sequestration work to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases from the use of coal. </p>
<p><strong>Energy Supply Diversity </strong></p>
<p>A Renewable Electricity Standard would be established that requires utility companies to generate 15 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2020. In addition, it will help ensure that we achieve diversity in our vehicle fuel supply by calling for cellulosic biofuels to be produced from a highly diverse array of feedstocks and promoting natural gas and E-85 infrastructure. It will promote greater energy efficiency and construction through updated building energy codes. Transit fares would be reduced for commuter rail and buses and service expanded, which will save commuters money and reduce energy consumption. </p>
<p><strong>Drilling</strong></p>
<p>Domestic oil production would be increased in areas already open to drilling by requiring oil companies to drill on the 68 million acres of federal lands they already control, mandating annual lease sales in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A), requiring the Administration to facilitate completion of the oil pipeline infrastructure into the NPR-A and the construction of the Alaska National Gas Pipeline, and banning the export of Alaskan oil. It will also require oil companies to pay their fair share by repealing tax subsidies that they don’t need as they reap record profits and ensure that they pay royalties on flawed leases granted in 1998 and 1999. </p>
<p>While I don’t believe that the United States can become energy independent or measurably affect the world price of oil simply by drilling for more oil, the moratorium on drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) will expire on September 30 th. Unless we act, big oil companies will be able to drill as close as three miles offshore where routine and catastrophic oil spills could cause severe damage. </p>
<p>Leasing will be permitted between 50 and 100 miles offshore if a state opts-in while protecting marine National monuments and National Marine Sanctuaries from oil and gas leasing and requiring all leasing activities to protect the coastal, marine, and human environment. The remaining OCS beyond 100 miles would be open to oil and gas leasing. This would result in 85% of the total oil available on the OCS being open for leasing. </p>
<p>The fact is that oil companies don’t think it is worth their money to drill on the leases they have on the OCS already. Despite Republican calls of “Drill, baby, drill!,” H.R. 6899 will expand oil production offshore while setting forth a reasonable buffer zone and in return, protect American taxpayers’ interest in American resources and use the revenue that oil companies will be required to pay to help fund our transition to a clean renewable American energy future. Republicans would prefer to allow more drilling without requiring oil companies to pay royalties owed to the American taxpayers and ending tax subsidies for drilling. </p>
<p><strong>Concerns with the Legislation </strong></p>
<p>This is not a perfect bill – I would prefer to retain the current moratorium on offshore drilling. But given the pending expiration of the OCS moratorium, we must act to provide some protection for our coasts. If we can use the royalty and lease revenue from expanded OCS drilling to invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency at the same time, then I think that is an opportunity we must take advantage of. </p>
<p>I am pleased however, with the passing of the bill, particularly because of its extension of incentives for renewable energy, investments in new energy technologies, and the implementation of measures to promote the expanded use of renewable energy sources. More work is needed to help us move away from our dependence on oil and other non-renewable energy sources, but this bill is a major step forward in our movement towards energy independence. </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/395623305" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.com0http://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/09/energy-security-and-consumer-protection.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-3536527754684349432008-09-17T14:03:00.000-07:002008-09-17T15:42:36.810-07:002008-09-17T15:42:36.810-07:00Celebrating the Constitution<p>Today, on the anniversary of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, a holiday known as <a href="http://www.dhs.gov/journal/leadership/2008/09/citizenship-day-opportunity-to-reflect.html">Citizenship Day</a>, we celebrate our allegiance to the United States of America. Our nation’s great promise of opportunity has inspired people from around the world to leave their homelands to take part in the American dream. Citizenship Day gives us a chance to reflect upon our country and its dream. </p>
<p>From our founding and at our very core, America has always been a nation of immigrants, documented and undocumented, who have made great contributions to our nation. They built the transcontinental railroad that injected new life and industry into the American West, and their entrepreneurship and labor spurred the economy in our early American cities. By now, we should know that 'immigrant' is not a dirty word. </p>
<p>In 2006, the Boston Globe <a href="http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2006/11/15/study_many_tech_firms_launched_by_immigrants/">reported</a> that immigrants started one in four venture-backed companies since 1990, and two in five in high technology. Foreign born entrepreneurs have certainly made their mark in my district in Silicon Valley, helping to found companies including Intel, eBay, Yahoo and Google. </p>
<p>Their contributions are also felt in the small business sector, as immigrants are one of the fastest-growing segments of small business owners in the United States. According to the <a href="http://www.kauffman.org/pdf/KIEA_041408.pdf">Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity</a>, immigrants far outpace native-born Americans in entrepreneurial activity. </p>
<p>Looking toward our future with our aging workforce and our social security crisis, we need their contributions, now more than ever. </p>
<p>Despite the difficulties of our current economic challenges, their entrepreneurial spirit is helping to keep the American dream alive. After all, generation after generation of immigrants has taken the oath to become American citizens with love of country and commitment to America’s promise. The faster we embrace each generation, the faster they become integrated as new Americans, and the stronger we are as a truly united country. </p>
<p>I introduced <a href="http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:hr6617:">The Strengthening Communities through Education & Integration Act</a> to help these new entrepeneurs joining our workforce to become integrated more rapidly within our society. The Act would invest in adult education programs for English language learners, including civics programs that teach newcomers about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. </p>
<p>As a former principal and school teacher, I know the importance of investing in our youth. This bill would ensure that our nation’s children and schools have adequate funding and resources for vital literacy programs for English language learners, and also assist schools with teacher recruitment for English language learners. </p>
<p>In addition, it would provide tax incentives for employers to offer training and ESL programs to their employees, and would support state and local initiatives in English language and civics education. </p>
<p>My legislation is <a href="http://honda.house.gov/legislation/2008/integration/">supported by a broad coalition</a> of business groups, labor unions, literacy and education coalitions, immigrant advocacy organizations, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Hispanic advocates, and faith based organizations, all who realize the importance of integrating new American communities. In the spirit of Citizenship Day, I invite my colleagues in Congress to join me as a cosponsor of <a href="http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:hr6617:">H.R. 6617</a> and <a href="http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:s.03334:">S. 3334</a>. Thank you. </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/395558820" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.com0http://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/09/celebrating-our-constitution.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-79113858009381551442008-09-17T06:52:00.000-07:002008-09-17T15:42:21.879-07:002008-09-17T15:42:21.879-07:00House should vote for Filipino vets<p>An op-ed I jointly authored with Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA), was <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13506.html">published in the Politico</a> today:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>
Recently, Manuel Braga attended the funeral of yet another friend and World War II veteran.</p>
<p>As the body of James Mijares was lowered into a grave, all Braga, 81, could think was that another friend had died waiting for something he earned that never arrived: the veterans’ benefits the U.S. government promised in 1942.</p>
<p>Braga and Mijares, both Filipinos, fought in World War II under the U.S. flag. Ironically, the weekend of Mijares’ funeral was also the 67th anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s ordering into service the Armed Forces of the Philippines, an American commonwealth. But the U.S. Congress went back on its promise in 1946 when it passed a bill that specifically yanked benefits from Filipino veterans.</p>
<p>As Congress comes back into session this month, we will have in the House of Representatives one more opportunity to right this wrong. In April, the Senate passed the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act by an overwhelming 96-1 vote, with all the World War II veterans from that chamber standing behind their Filipino comrades.</p>
<p>Now it is our turn in the House. And this is not just about benefits for a few surviving heroes; it is also about our honor as a country and a legislative body. If we are a country of promise making, we should also be a country of promise keeping.</p></blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13506.html">Read more...</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/395221631" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.com1http://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/09/house-should-vote-for-filipino-vets.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-38937258880919539082008-09-15T15:11:00.000-07:002008-09-17T15:42:48.084-07:002008-09-17T15:42:48.084-07:00Ensure your voting eligibility<p>One of the greatest privileges of citizens in our nation is the right to vote. Be sure that your voice will be counted by registering to vote today, and encourage your friends and family to sign up as well.</p>
<p>Registering to vote is quick and easy. You can even print and mail in your ballot from home. Everything you need can be found at the website of the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters website:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sccvote.org">http://www.sccvote.org </a></p>
<p><strong>If you’ve moved to a new residence since the last election, you’ll need to re-register to vote.</strong> A voter registration update form is all that is required if you were previously registered at a residence within the County of Santa Clara.</p>
<p><strong>The deadline to register is October 20th.</strong> If you have any questions about the election, contact the Registrar of Voters at 408-299-VOTE (8683).</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/393617746" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.com0http://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/09/ensuring-your-voting-eligibility.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-80006087147781202172008-09-12T08:32:00.001-07:002008-09-12T11:32:04.886-07:002008-09-12T11:32:04.886-07:00Santa Clara Crime Lab Opens with $1.3 Million in Federal Funding<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/congressman_honda/2851541910/" title="New Santa Clara Crime Lab by congressman_honda, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/2851541910_30e3f9412d_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="New Santa Clara Crime Lab" style="float:right; padding-left:8px" /></a><p>Although Santa Clara County is one of the safest places to reside and work in the United States, too many crimes are still being committed in our community. To ensure the continuing safety of our community, we need to ensure that we have state of the art facilities available for use by our law enforcement officers.</p>
<p>With $1.3 million in federal funding I secured, a new Crime Lab opened its doors in San Jose last week. The Crime Lab will offer critical technological upgrades to provide forensics services to numerous local law enforcement agencies in the County and beyond. Much of the equipment previously being used was antiquated, slow, and unreliable. The new equipment will result in a quantifiable increase in process turn-around time. Multiple law enforcement agencies will also be able to access the database, allowing the linking of evidence from crimes across different jurisdictions.</p>
<p>Through the District Attorney’s office, with the cooperation of local, state, and federal agencies, this Crime Laboratory will be able to examine and extract digital evidence, perform DNA typing, and assist with crime scene processing, making our communities safer.</p>
<p>After years of planning, the construction, which started in 2006, was completed this month and the new crime lab opened on September 3. This new building has four floors specifically designed for each different forensics unit, including an indoor firing range and horizontal bullet collection water tank.</p>
<p>As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I regard securing $1.3 million in federal funding for Santa Clara County's new Crime Lab as a significant accomplishment and as my duty to our district. Equipping our Silicon Valley law enforcement officials with the cutting edge technologies that they need to analyze evidence efficiently and clear the backlogs in our labs continues to be a top priority for me. In Congress, I will keep pushing for more resources to help keep Santa Clara County ahead of the curve in fighting crime. </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/390760227" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.com0http://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/09/santa-clara-crime-lab-opens-with-13.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-21370370448341522112008-09-12T08:28:00.000-07:002008-09-12T08:29:20.531-07:002008-09-12T08:29:20.531-07:00Stopping the scourge of child soldiers<p>Currently, more than 250,000 child soldiers suffer at the hands of exploitative, ruthless military commanders. Too often, their cries for help are stifled by poverty, ongoing armed conflict, and political instability; it is our responsibility to take up their cause and punish those who have participated in their torment to every extent possible.</p>
<p>There is wide-spread disagreement on the particulars of what might constitute justification for war or aggressive military action, but it is almost universally acknowledged that children should not be used as combatants in such conflicts.</p>
<p>The recruitment, enlisting, or conscripting of children in any armed force is unacceptable. Child soldiers face increased mortality rates as well as emotional and psychological damage that are often irreversible. The time has come for the United States to once again uphold justice and stand up for defenseless children who are at risk of losing their childhood, their families, and their physical and emotional well being.</p>
<p>The United States sent a clear and firm message condemning the use of child soldiers this week when we passed <a href="http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:S.2135:">Child Soldiers Accountability Act</a> (S. 2135). Passing S. 2135 is a significant step forward in holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, particularly in light of the fact that the United States has not yet ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.</p>
<p>Children in any country deserve the same opportunity to succeed and thrive at life and I believe this bill will solidify our commitment to a higher moral standard.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/390760228" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.com0http://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/09/stopping-scourge-of-child-soldiers.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-13414385853253259112008-09-11T08:27:00.000-07:002008-09-11T08:29:14.045-07:002008-09-11T08:29:14.045-07:00Commemorating 9/11<p>On the anniversary of one of the most tragic days in our nation’s history, I call upon Americans to commemorate 9/11 as a day of remembrance and resolve.</p>
<p>As a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and foremost as an American citizen, the horrific events of September 11th, 2001 struck me with pain and sorrow. </p>
<p>However, in the midst of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, heroes emerged. The firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and other first responders who risked their lives in the attempt to save others should never be forgotten and always remembered for their courage.</p>
<p>We should also never forget the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives on United Flight 93 to prevent further destruction and deaths. In one of America’s darkest hours, strength and resolve emerged, and this feeling resonated throughout the rest of the United States, as we all joined together in an amazing show of support and solidarity.</p>
<p>Today we remember the thousands of innocent victims who lost their lives, and honor those who bravely sacrificed their own attempting to save others. My heart goes out to their families.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/389754188" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.com0http://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/09/commemorating-911.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-44636241644536205162008-08-20T15:28:00.000-07:002008-08-20T15:39:29.492-07:002008-08-20T15:39:29.492-07:00Tomorrow: Join me for an online chat with the Mercury News<p>Many of you joined me on my inaugural <a href="http://honda.house.gov/townhall/2008/education_teletown_hall.shtml#callquestions">telephone town hall on education policies</a>, and I hope you enjoyed reading (and listening to) the webpage I created for those who were unable to join us. If you’d like to participate in future telephone town halls, please email honda.teletownhall (at) mail.house.gov with your name and phone number.</p>
<p>I’ve also created a page with <a href="http://honda.house.gov/townhall/2008/general_teletown_hall.shtml#callquestions">recordings from my second, more generally oriented telephone town hall</a>. During the call, constituents asked questions on a wide range of important topics, including gas prices, balancing the budget, oil drilling, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I enjoyed our conversation, and look forward to holding many more telephone town halls.</p>
<p>Tomorrow I will participate in an online chat on the San Jose Mercury News’ website. The chat will be moderated by Mercury News political writer Mary Anne Ostrom. To join us during the online chat, visit <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/presidentelect">http://www.mercurynews.com/presidentelect</a> on Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. Pacific Time.</p>
<p> I hope to chat with you soon. </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/370374412" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.com0http://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/08/tomorrow-join-me-for-online-chat-with.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8486550483950233218.post-87911194595419666072008-08-15T09:24:00.000-07:002008-08-15T12:42:09.477-07:002008-08-15T12:42:09.477-07:00Focusing on our students: A town hall discussion about our education system<p>I recently held my first Telephone Town Hall to discuss our nations education policies.</p>
<p> The Telephone Town Hall allowed me to connect with thousands of constituents to talk about the state of education in California and across our nation. The enthusiasm of the callers was very impressive as we engaged in a discussion on a range of issues about our educational system. With the increased global competition facing our nation, education reform is one of the most critical challenges facing our nation. </p>
<p> I will bring the opinions and ideas of these participants back to Capitol Hill. Together we can improve our educational system and ensure a brighter tomorrow for our nation's youth. If you'd like to receive an invitation to future telephone town halls, email honda.teletownhall (at) mail.house.gov with your name and phone number and we'll be sure you're invited to join us at our next telephone town hall.</p>
<h4>Learn more about our discussion:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Download the <a href="http://honda.house.gov/townhall/2008/education_telephone_townhall_72208.mp3">full call</a>.</li>
<li>Listen to individual <a href="http://honda.house.gov/townhall/2008/education_teletown_hall.shtml#callquestions">questions & answers</a> from the call.</li>
<li>Read several<a href="http://honda.house.gov/townhall/2008/education_teletown_hall.shtml#followup"> follow-up questions </a>that we didn’t have time to discuss during the call.</li>
<li>Leave a <a href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8486550483950233218&postID=8791119459541966607">comment</a>.</li>
</ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/mikehonda/~4/365794615" height="1" width="1"/>Mike Hondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11857519326081584924noreply@blogger.com0http://mikehonda.blogspot.com/2008/08/focusing-on-our-students-town-hall.html