Steve's Blog
11/13/2012
The Wall Street JournaL has published a timeline of the events in BenghazI.
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10/17/2012
After the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the Ohio Secretary of State's appeal of early voting hours, voting hours were set in all 88 Ohio counties.
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9/26/2012
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (OH-14) today announced that the Lake County Sheriff's Department has been selected to receive additional funding beyond the $111 million provided to law enforcement agencies nationwide. Only about a dozen departments across the country were selected for the additional funding, he said
"This is great news for Sheriff Dunlap and his department," LaTourette said, adding that "helping our veterans is an extra bonus."
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9/24/2012
U.S. Rep. Steven C LaTourette (OH-14) today announced that his office will host an annual Military Academy Information Day on Saturday, Sept. 29.
The event starts at 9:30 a.m.at the Auburn Career Center, Technology Learning Center Building, 8221 Auburn Road in Concord Township.
Representatives from the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy (West Point), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Coast Guard Academy will attend, make presentations and take questions.
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9/11/2012
U.S. Rep. Steven C LaTourette (OH-14) said more than 300 public and private schools have been named 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools. A total of four are are from Ohio, including Holy Family School in Stow.
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8/6/2012
Congressmen Robert J. Dold (R-IL-10), Daniel Lipinski (D-IL-3), Charles Bass (R-NH-2) and Steven LaTourette (R-OH-14) spoke at a bipartisan press conference on Aug. 2 to stress the importance of Congress coming together to address the looming fiscal cliff.
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8/6/2012
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) says Ashtabula County will receive more than $3.3 million from U.S. DOT's Interstate Maintenance Program.
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7/23/2012
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Township) is sponsoring his annual Military Academy Information Day at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, September 29, 2012, at Auburn Career Center in the Technology Learning Center Building, 8221 Auburn Road Concord Township. It is the newer building located across the street from the main career center building.
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7/13/2012
The Concord Coalition is honoring 38 House members for their courage in voting for a bipartisan deficit reduction plan introduced by Reps. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) and Jim Cooper (D-TN).
The 38 House members will receive the 2012 Paul E. Tsongas Economic Patriot Award at a dinner marking Concord's 20th anniversary. LaTourette and Cooper will accept the award at a Sept. 20 Washington dinner on behalf of all of the honorees.
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7/11/2012
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) today voted to repeal the healthcare law. The measure passed by a vote of 244-185.
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6/28/2012
"The decision today should put to rest the notion that Chief Justice Roberts is a partisan rubber stamp. Today's decision, while disappointing, is an example of what the Founding Fathers envisioned as three independent branches of government. Now that the Supreme Court has ruled the bill is not unconstitutional, it is for the nation's elected leadership to determine if it is good policy," LaTourette said.
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6/13/2012
Ashtabula County is a contiguous county affected by the freezing temperatures and may be eligible for assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA).
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5/16/2012
Bainbridge operations and jobs will move about 2.3 miles down the road to the Chagrin Falls Post Office, also on Washington Street, on June 15.
"I know this has been a sensitive issue, but I'm pleased that jobs and operations will be preserved," LaTourette said.
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5/8/2012
The United States Army today announced the loss of Second Lieutenant David E. Rylander, 23, of Stow, Ohio, who died on May 2, 2012, in Logar Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
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5/1/2012
The Ohio General Tax Amnesty Program is a way for some taxpayers to take advantage of a limited-time opportunity to pay back taxes without paying a penalty or all the interest. The following questions and answers explain how the program works. Click on a question to reveal the answer.
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4/10/2012
The White House will open its gardens and grounds to visitors on Saturday, April 21, from 9am to 4pm and Sunday, April 22,from 9am to 3pm. Visitors can view the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, the Rose Garden, the South Lawn of the White House, and the White House Kitchen Garden. Tours of the East Wing and Executive Residence will be closed on these dates.
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4/5/2012
Coming up with a budget that takes a good whack at the $14 trillion debt is no easy task, and the Congressman believes the only way it will get done is to put everything on the table and lay aside the partisanship. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has come up with a budget calculator where you can make decisions about spending, taxes and all facets of the budget. You will need to tally up $1.86 TRILLION in cuts to reach 60 percent of GDP by 2021. If we fail to get the debt under control, the public debt of the U.S. is projected to grow to 94% of GDP by 2025 -- just 13 years from now.
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3/29/2012
Last night, Reps. Steve LaTourette (OH-14) and Jim Cooper (TN-05) offered the only bipartisan budget plan in the House, modeled after the Bowles-Simpson Commission recommendations, where everything is on the table.
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3/27/2012
The Simpson-Bowles budget alternative, which has been endorsed by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, would trim the deficit by more than $4 trillion over the next 10 years. Two-thirds of the deficit savings would come from spending cuts and one-third from tax reform.
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3/26/2012
The Supreme Court will post the audio recordings and unofficial transcripts as soon as the digital files are available for uploading to the Supreme Court Website.
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3/26/2012
...starting Monday, during six hours of Supreme Court arguments over the constitutionality of President Obama’s health care law, the city’s political metabolism will be slowed unwillingly to predigital speeds.
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3/26/2012
MONDAY: Is it premature for the Supreme Court to rule on the challenge to the law’s insurance?
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3/21/2012
The Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) is part of the new health care law, and its focus is Medicare. The health care law creates this new, 15-member board with far-reaching powers over the future of Medicare treatments and services in Medicare, and Medicare Advantage and prescription drug coverage are singled out. In a nutshell, IPAB is a cost-control board. H.R. 5, the Protecting Access to Healthcare (PATH) Act, includes provisions to repeal IPAB. The House will begin debate on H.R. 5 today and a vote is scheduled tomorrow.
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3/20/2012
The annual Congressional Art contest, An Artistic Discovery, has been promoting America’s young artists for 30 years. It is now time for students to take advantage of this excellent opportunity.
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3/16/2012
Congressman Steve LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Township) has been selected to receive the U.S. Chamber of Commerce "Spirit of Enterprise" award.
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2/28/2012
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Township) today spoke on the House Floor about the tragic shootings at Chardon High School and asked the House of Representatives to join him in a moment of silence.
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1/19/2012
The prices for various United States Postal Service (USPS) mailing services will change January 22, 2012.
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12/7/2011
The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced that veterans seeking jobs now have online access to data about their military training and experience, information that will be helpful to veterans seeking jobs and useful to employers who want to hire a veteran.
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12/6/2011
Over the coming months my website will undergo a renovation so that it can be of greater service to you, my constituents in Northeast Ohio.
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12/2/2011
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is holding a webinar for the Our Town grant process on Wednesday, January 11, and Tuesday, February 7, 2012, to answer questions and walk applicants through this year’s guidelines.
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12/2/2011
The Department of Labor reported today that the unemployment rate has fallen to 8.6% from 9.0% last month.
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12/1/2011
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) today said he's pleased the EPA is seeking to establish a national ballast water standard consistent with one already in place from the UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO). LaTourette said adoption of the IMO standard will not devastate waterborne commerce on the Great Lakes, as another proposal could.
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11/18/2011
The Internal Revenue Service has issued a new consumer warning regarding the fraudulent use of the IRS name in order to obtain consumers’ personal information.
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11/15/2011
Congressman Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) worked as conferees on the spending bill that funds NASA Glenn, and both went to bat to ensure that NASA Glenn fared well.
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11/4/2011
Congressman Steve LaTourette is part of a bipartisan group of 100 House lawmakers who signed a letter urging the Super Committee to "Go Big" and put everything on the table, including spending cuts, tax reform, mandatory and discretionary spending, revenue and entitlements.
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11/4/2011
Congressman LaTourette helped defeat two job-killing Great Lakes amendments a bill in a Coast Guard bill today.
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11/3/2011
The Department of Health and Human Services has announced the Medicare premiums and deductibles for 2012.
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10/27/2011
The administration announced some changes in student loans yesterday with the goal of making them easier to repay. While the attempt is appreciated, those who think this will help them should read the fine print.
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10/27/2011
Next week, the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) in Washington, D.C. is holding a special ceremony for the members of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service for their service during World War II.
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10/20/2011
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers today asked the Secretary of Health and Human Services to release heating assistance funds as soon as possible.
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10/20/2011
Medicare Open Enrollment began on Oct. 15 and ends on Dec. 7. You can stick with the plan you have, compare other options or enroll for the first time.
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10/18/2011
U.S. Reps. Steve LaTourette (R-OH) and Russ Carnahan (D-MO) have introduced legislation that would permit public transit agencies more flexibility in how they spend federal funds during tough economic times.
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10/7/2011
Businesses added 103,000 jobs in September, but the unemployment rate didn't budge and remains at 9.1 percent.
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9/26/2011
How Deep is the Jobs Hole? Read what economists think.
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9/23/2011
Members of the bipartisan Super Committee are reaching out to congressional committees for input and ideas on how to reduce spending and the deficit, and the public is welcome to weigh in as well. All you need to is complete this form.
This bipartisan group of House and Senate members is tasked with coming up with at least $1.2 trillion in savings over 10 years, and faces a November 23 deadline. The group is officially known as the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, but is often called the Super Committee. U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) is the only Ohioan on the Super Committee.
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9/13/2011
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Township) is sponsoring his annual Military Academy Information Day at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, September 24, 2011, at Auburn Career Center’s Presentation Center, 8140 Auburn Road, Concord Township.
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8/24/2011
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Township) today offered congratulations to four 14th District school systems rated "Excellent with Distinction" -- Chagrin Falls, Mayfield and Orange in Cuyahoga County, and Joseph Badger Local Schools in Kinsman (Trumbull County). Another 21 school districts were graded as "Excellent."
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8/17/2011
Solon, Highland Heights and Twinsburg are on the list for Money Magazine's Top 100 Small Towns.
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8/9/2011
The U.S. Department of Commerce has recently issued a favorable ruling regarding the anti dumping duty order on petroleum wax candles from the People's Republic of China.
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8/5/2011
The application period for federal Assistance to Firefighters grants will open on August 15.
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8/4/2011
Congressman Steve LaTourette (R-OH) today held a press conference in Washington to urge a solution to the FAA issue and get FAA employees and construction workers back on the job. He highlighted his ongoing efforts to strike a deal. Watch the press conference here:
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8/3/2011
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) today announced that Energy Focus Inc. of Solon has been awarded a $23,119,833 firm fixed-price contract to design and manufacture energy efficiency lighting for Navy ships.
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8/3/2011
A traveling Smithsonian program -- "New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music" -- will open on August 10 at the Kent State University Campus in Burton.
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8/1/2011
The House approved the debt ceiling measure by a vote of 269-161 tonight with LaTourette's support, and the measure is now before the Senate for consideration.
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7/28/2011
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) today announced that the House of Representatives has approved an amendment he offered to add $50 million to Great Lakes funding in the spending bill that funds the Environmental Protection Agency.
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7/19/2011
The Social Security Administration recently announced 12 new Compassionate Allowances that make it possible for Social Security to provide benefits quickly to applicants whose medical conditions are so serious that their conditions obviously meet disability standards.
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7/18/2011
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) today announced that an amendment he offered to help Great Lakes shippers was approved and is now in the House spending bill that funds the EPA and Great Lakes programs.
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7/8/2011
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published on June 29, 2011 a final rule concerning the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (SAFE Act). This final rule sets the minimum standards that states must meet to comply with when licensing mortgage loan originators.
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7/6/2011
Two NE Ohio small businesses, including one in the 14th District, are highlighted in a story in today's Wall Street Journal about how Main Street is coping with the recession.
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6/30/2011
Congressman Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) today presented a Purple Heart to a retired U.S. Army Sergeant 43 years after he was critically wounded in Viet Nam.
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6/29/2011
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Township) today announced that the Cleveland Museum of Natural History has been awarded a grant from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect wetlands in Geneva.
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6/22/2011
Want the skinny on funds for firefighter grants? Despite what some Senators say, the House did NOT cut funds for these popular grant programs.
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6/16/2011
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has notified more than 1,000 companies -- large and small and in all 50 states -- that their hiring records will be inspected to determine if illegal immigrants are on their payrolls.
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6/15/2011
More than 1,200 jobs could be headed to Ashtabula County because the USDA has approved a Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) project based in Ashtabula County where the project sponsor, Aloterra Energy LLC, will locate a new biomass conversion facility. This project could translate to $50 million in annual earnings. The project goal is to establish more than 50,000 acres of giant miscanthus, a warm-season grass that can be converted into energy.
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6/7/2011
USA Today reports that the country has nearly $62 trillion in unfunded obligations, which translates to a staggering $534,000 per household.
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6/7/2011
The Columbus Dispatch reports that legislation proposed in the state of Ohio could dramatically increase the amount of water that businesses and cities drain from Lake Erie.
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5/26/2011
With Memorial Day approaching, Congressman LaTourette wants local veterans and their families to take advantage of a program that offers free visits to museums. The National Endowment for the Arts is partnering with Blue Star Families for the second year to offer free admission to active military personnel and their families to participating Blue Star Museums.
This program begins on Memorial Day, May 30, 2011, and continues through Labor Day, September 5, 2011. There are more than 1,000 participating museums in all 50 states, including the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Cleveland.
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5/25/2011
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) said he is thrilled that the Administration has scrapped plans to "grade" the fuel efficiency of vehicles from A+ to D, and hopes a letter he and U.S. Rep. Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) sent in December to the EPA and Department of Transportation helped sway officials that the grading system was confusing and unnecessary.
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5/24/2011
COPS Hiring Program (CHP) applications must be completed and submitted on-line by 8:59 p.m. tomorrow -- May 25, 2011. The Secure Our Schools Grant Program priority consideration deadline is the same time. Agencies may contact the COPS Office Response Center for application assistance at 800-421-6770, and staff will be available to answer applicant questions until 7 p.m. tonight, and up until the deadline Wednesday night.
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5/24/2011
Click here for some facts from Ohio's State Employment and Unemployment Report from the Republican Joint Economic Committee:
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5/17/2011
The White House is seeking citizen nominees for the 2011 Presidential Citizens Medal.
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5/13/2011
I have posted a slide show that details the current gas price situation and what we are doing to fix it.
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5/11/2011
An in depth look from David M. Walker regarding the Nation's Fiscal Challenges
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5/6/2011
I have recently launched a brand new government official Facebook page, and I now have a Twitter page.
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5/6/2011
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently finalized a program that could provide additional assistance to eligible post-9/11 veterans who choose to receive their care in a home setting from a primary Family Caregiver, rather than a hospital or clinic setting. Veterans may start applying for this new assistance a few days from now, on Monday, May 9, 2011.
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5/4/2011
The Congressman hopes NE Ohio employers will weigh in on certain employer provisions in the new health care law that start in 2014. The provisions may result in fines for businesses that provide coverage to their employees as well as to those who don't.
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5/2/2011
This is something Americans have waited nearly a decade for, and I offer the highest praise to our brave military, our intelligence community and President Barack Obama, who authorized this operation. This was a gutsy and risky move to enter the highly fortified compound where Osama bin Laden was holed up, and the execution of this raid by our military's elite was precise and heroic.
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4/20/2011
If you have visited the Post Office in the past few days, you may have noticed an increase in certain postal rates. On April 17, 2011, certain postal rates were increased
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4/20/2011
Take a look at the facts about our nation's debt situation and the outlook for the future if we don't take action.
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4/18/2011
Many people have contacted my office regarding the spending cuts contained in H.R. 1473, which funds the government through the remainder of FY 2011 and averts a government shutdown. Due to ambiguous and sometimes misleading press reports, there is some confusion regarding how much spending this bill cuts. I wanted to make sure you had the facts.
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4/14/2011
U.S. Reps. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH), Pat Tiberi (R-OH) and Brian Higgins (D-NY) today introduced legislation that will exempt the Great Lakes from the onerous Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) that is thwarting efforts to establish a ferry that would move cargo across Lake Erie to Canada from a NE Ohio port.
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4/14/2011
The New York Times has an online, interactive guide to the budget measure that averted a government shutdown.
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4/12/2011
I want to share the thoughts of another NE Ohio Job Creator who participated in the American Job Creator program through my website. Jerry Arth is President of Grand Rock Company, located on Fountain Avenue in Painesville.
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4/5/2011
" As a result of the incident with the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan, several EPA air monitors have detected very low levels of radioactive material in the United States consistent with estimated releases from the damaged nuclear reactors. EPA has stepped up monitoring of precipitation, milk, and drinking water in response to the Fukushima events. The detections in air, precipitation, and milk were expected, and the levels detected have been far below levels of public-health concern.
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4/4/2011
The new health care law contains a provision you may not know about that requires chain restaurants and vending machines to post nutritional information about food items. The FDA on Friday released its proposed rule, and movie theatres, bowling alleys and airlines are exempt from the new labeling rules. Other establishments will have to display calories on menus, menu boards or at the drive-thru, but fat content and sodium levels will only be available upon request.
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4/1/2011
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the employment report for March: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf
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3/30/2011
If you ever wonder how effective the TARP program has been, you should read an op-ed in today's New York Times written by Neil Barofsky, the TARP Inspector General whose last day in office is today.
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3/30/2011
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) today was presented with a 2010 Legislative Leader award by the Humane Society of the United States and its affiliate, the Humane Society Legislative Fund.
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3/29/2011
The IRS has a video portal with lots of tax information that might help as you prepare your taxes this year.
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3/29/2011
The White House has provided a copy of the text of the speech the President delivered about Libya last night.
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3/28/2011
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (UFWS) has made it official: bighead carp has been added to the federal list of injurious wildlife.
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3/28/2011
The IRS has provided information on www.irs.gov about processing issues that are impacting a small percentage of tax returns involving repayment of the First Time Homebuyer Credit (FTHB), primarily involving 2008 home purchases.
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3/21/2011
Many NE Ohioans have contacted me wanting to know the specifics of our country's debt. Here's some some food for thought:
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3/21/2011
When I asked the small business community in NE Ohio to share their thoughts on how federal rules and regulations hurt their ability to create jobs, I was not sure what level of response I would get. So far, it's been overwhelming.
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3/15/2011
The Russians are hiking the price of rocket rides again for U.S. astronauts — to nearly $63 million.
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3/14/2011
News about travel, U.S. citizens living and traveling in Japan, and how to help.
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3/11/2011
Information regarding emergency assistance for U.S. citizens in Japan.
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3/11/2011
Many constituents have inquired about how to get tickets for the White House Easter Egg roll that takes place on April 25. If you are interested in participating, you can apply for tickets at www.recreation.gov.
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3/7/2011
Many organizations and businesses we have contacted regarding the American Job Creators program wonder what we plan to do with information we collect.
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3/3/2011
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Township) today voted to repeal a costly and cumbersome tax requirement in the new health care law that will create a compliance nightmare for small businesses.
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3/3/2011
A new report -- “Medicaid Expansion in the new Health Law: Costs to States” -- finds that the new health care law will cost states at least $118.04 billion through 2023, and added costs to Ohio could top $1.3 billion.
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3/2/2011
Congressman Steve LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Township) recently received the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence. The award serves as recognition of his consistent support of manufacturers and their employees across the United States.
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3/2/2011
The President has signed into law a measure that will keep the government open for the next two weeks.
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3/2/2011
Congressman LaTourette has agreed to become a co-sponsor of the Stop Asian Carp Act, which will be introduced soon. The bill is intended to help keep Asian carp and other invasive species out of the Great Lakes.
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3/1/2011
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Township) today voted for a continuing resolution to keep the federal government open and avert a government shutdown.
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2/28/2011
The House is expected to vote tomorrow, March 1, on short-term measure that will cut spending and avert a potential government shutdown.
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2/23/2011
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Township) today announced that constituents in his district might be eligible for free, tax preparation services through the IRS Free File program.
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2/14/2011
The House is expected to vote this week on a Continuing Resolution (H.R. 1) to fund the federal government for the last seven months of the fiscal year while cutting spending by over $100 billion from the President’s fiscal year 2011 request.
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2/14/2011
Looking for information about the Fiscal Year 2012 budget released today by the President?
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2/14/2011
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Township) says he hopes local small businesses will use a new feature on his congressional website to share their thoughts on how federal regulations impact their work.
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2/8/2011
The Corporation for National and Community Service has released its Fiscal Year 2011 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Learn and Serve America’s Youth Engagement Zone.
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1/31/2011
Need help getting loved ones out of Egypt?
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1/25/2011
The Ohio congressional delegation -- House and Senate members of both parties -- are expected to sit together at tonight’s State of the Union address.
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1/20/2011
The IRS National Taxpayer Advocate recently released its annual report to Congress. In addition to addressing time and money spent complying with the enormous tax code, the report also acknowledges that it’s a challenge for the IRS to administer benefits programs, including the new health care law
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1/19/2011
The IRS National Taxpayer Advocate recently released its annual report to Congress. In addition to addressing time and money spent complying with the enormous tax code, the report questioned the value of a massive surge in the filing of liens, noting that in the past seven years the IRS has filed more than 5 million tax liens.
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1/18/2011
The House Ways and Means Committee will start hearings Thursday (1/20/11) on reforming our enormously costly and always expanding tax code.
The IRS National Taxpayer Advocate recently released its annual report to Congress, and noted that the tax code has swelled from about 700,000 words in 1975 to 3.8 million words today. The same report found there were 4,428 changes to the tax code – about one a day – over the past decade, and in 2010 there were 579 changes to the code.
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1/14/2011
Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) has decided he'd like to hear from anyone who wants to email him.
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1/10/2011
Flag should be flown at half-staff until sunset on Jan. 14, 2011.
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1/3/2011
Several provisions of the new health care law took effect on the first of the year. One provision requires insurers that spend less than 80 percent of premiums on health care services to provide rebates to consumers. Another relates to the donut hole for Medicare recipients with high drug costs. Those with flexible spending accounts should also pay attention to new rules that require a doctor’s prescription in order to use your FSA for over-the-counter medications, like cough syrup.
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12/23/2010
If you get a check in the mail for your federal benefits, changes are coming. The Treasury Department will soon switch from paper checks to direct deposit payments of federal benefits, including Social Security, Veterans Affairs payments and pension benefits.
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12/23/2010
The House and Senate on Dec. 22 passed a sweeping defense authorization bill that greatly hampers the President’s ability to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, also known as GITMO. This means detainees will not likely have trials in federal courts, or be housed in prisons in the U.S.
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12/20/2010
I am glad the government has taken more steps to help protect individuals' Social Security numbers with the passage of the Social Security Number Protection Act of 2010.
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12/14/2010
Interested in the cost of the various provisions? Learn more about the consequences of a 'Yes' or 'No' vote.
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11/30/2010
Need information on your Medicare Advantage plan options in the 14th Congressional District? This information should help:
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11/18/2010
I wanted to make everyone aware about all the money that is owed to the taxpayers by the IRS.
From the press release that we received from the IRS:
"The Internal Revenue Service is looking to return $164.6 million in undelivered refund checks. A total of 111,893 taxpayers are due one or more refund checks that could not be delivered because of mailing address errors."
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10/27/2010
Learn about changes to SBA's export loan program and upcoming webinars.
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10/22/2010
Just wanted to thank the Ashtabula Rotary club for their invitation to speak with them this morning.
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10/20/2010
I had an opportunity last week to be the Master of Ceremonies at a brunch honoring women in film. It was an amazing experience to meet with them and see all of their great works of art.
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9/30/2010
I’m pleased to announce that I am the first Republican co-sponsor of H.R. 1443, the Complete Streets Act of 2009.
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9/17/2010
Starting Monday, September 20, residents of Lake and Ashtabula counties might notice a helicopter flying slowly and hovering over electric transmission lines in the area. Local officials have been notified about the Monday-Friday visual inspections. If you notice a helicopter flying just 15-25 miles per hour along an electric transmission line, and maybe even hovering over the line, you don’t need to report it as suspicious activity.
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9/16/2010
All 23 Republican members of the House Appropriations Committee have signed a letter to Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI) asking that any resolution to keep the government funded after September 30 be “clean,” meaning there should be no extra spending or policy provisions tacked onto the bill.
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9/15/2010
The Senate yesterday had two opportunities to fix the 1099 tax issue, which will greatly impact small businesses. One Democratic amendment would have exempted firms with 25 workers and raised the reporting threshold to $5,000 from $600. A Republican amendment, meanwhile, would have fully repealed the 1099 reporting changes. Neither effort was successful.
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9/13/2010
I had the pleasure to present a Congressional Proclamation to Geauga County's 2010 Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year Joseph L. Sanders at the Geauga County Fair.
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8/30/2010
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will publish final rules for veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange, paving the way for easier access to health care and disability pay. The VA says veterans who served in Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, will now be presumed to have been exposed to herbicides like Agent Orange.
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8/18/2010
The Cleveland Plain Dealer published a story today about the proposed mosque near Ground Zero in New York City. Here is what I shared with the paper: "I question the necessity of the proposed location and think this is more an issue of sensitivity. There must be other venues in New York City that won't trigger such tension and anxiety and are better suited to promote healing."
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8/18/2010
I had a great time speaking in front of a tri-Chamber (Solon/Twinsburg/Aurora) crowd last week. It was a great turnout and I look forward to speaking there again next year. Here's a link to the article about the event.
http://www.twinsburgbulletin.com/news/article/4875672
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8/9/2010
Thoughts on the President's infrastructure bank idea
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7/12/2010
The White House and congressional leaders have reached a compromise that will extend all the expiring tax rates for two years and extend unemployment benefits for 13 weeks. In addition, the bipartisan compromise will reduce the payroll tax during 2011.
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6/12/2010
The IRS has released its 2011 mileage rates for business travel.
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3/12/2010
The following article from The Hill outlines new guidance from the administration regarding small business tax credits for healthcare.
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2/12/2010
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) today voted against H.R. 4853, which extends some of the Bush-era tax cuts but raises taxes for others, saying it will harm Ohio small businesses.
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2/11/2010
I want to thank the Solon Rotary for inviting me to speak at their meeting last week.
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