June 7, 2012
Appreciation for Small Businesses
Small businesses in our district and across the country are the engines that drive our economy while employing the majority of American workers. Small businesses are responsible for creating approximately 70% of all new jobs in America. America's small businesses deserve our appreciation and support, and I want to take this opportunity to tell you about small businesses which are growing right here in the 7th Congressional District.
Mesa Laboratories in Lakewood has been in business for 30 years and employs 200-250 people. They develop, manufacture and are a world-wide marketer of medical devices such as dialysis meters, data analysis systems and other biomedical/chemical analysis equipment. I recently visited Mesa Laboratories and awarded them the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Achievement Certificate recognizing their successful entry into the international marketplace.
Also, Lifeloc Technologies in Wheat Ridge was founded in 1983. They manufacture professional breath alcohol testing equipment for domestic and international law enforcement and several other products. They recently entered into a Space Act Agreement with the NASA Glenn Research Center to develop and prototype next generation sensing technology. This five-year agreement accelerates the process of moving new technologies from research and development to commercialization in order to strengthen Colorado's manufacturing industries.
These are just two of the small businesses succeeding in the 7th Congressional District. They show how we can boost our domestic manufacturing and create good paying jobs right here in Colorado.
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Rep. Perlmutter touring Mesa Labs with Glen Adriance, Mayor Murphy and Paul Bergman. |
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Rep. Perlmutter presents the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Achievement Certificate to Mesa Labs. |
I want to hear from you! Click here to send me your small business advocacy stories
or tell me about small businesses in your area that are flourishing.
Overhaul of the FDA
Last week, I voted for the bipartisan plan to reform the Food and Drug Administration. The Food and Drug Administration Reform Act of 2012 will speed up the product reviews for new drugs, make pharmaceutical drugs safer, and is projected to shave $370 million from the deficit over the next decade.
Currently, the FDA has a backlog of more than 2,700 generic drug applications in review. With the passing of this act, the FDA projects the backlog will be eliminated and will significantly decrease the product review times. Even better, the reform law allows new medicines with breakthrough potential to reach the market faster; especially first-of-a-kind treatments for life-threatening diseases.
Washington legislators have tried for years to pass an FDA reform bill, and in a completely bipartisan effort we completed this goal. I will continue to work with members of both parties to ensure my constituents and the American people safely and promptly receive the best medications available.
Important Update for FHA's Streamline Refinance Loans
On June 11, 2012, the FHA's Up Front Mortgage Insurance Premiums (UFMIP) will decrease interest rates for those applying for Streamline Refinance Loans.
According to an article from the FHA, "all Single Family Forward Streamline Refinance transactions that are refinancing existing FHA loans that were endorsed on or before May 31, 2009, the UFMIP will
decrease from 1 percent to 0.01 percent of the base loan amount.” Moreover, the decreased interest rate applies to those who applied for an FHA Streamline Refinance Loan on or after June 11, 2012.
Click here for more information on the FHA announcement.
Upcoming Events
Government in the Grocery
This is a program where I go to grocery stores throughout the district to talk one-on-one with constituents. I look forward to meeting with you to talk about whatever is on your mind. Government in the Grocery is about being available to listen to you in a less formal setting. This kind of access is essential to the fabric of our democracy.
Please note that due to time constraints, constituents will be given priority and individuals and groups may be limited to approximately 5-minute intervals. Also, please show up at the start of the event to ensure you will be able to speak with Congressman Perlmutter. These events are sometimes full after the first hour.
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What: |
Government in the Grocery |
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When: |
Saturday, June 16 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm |
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Where: |
Vitamin Cottage -- 7745 Wadsworth Blvd | MAP IT! |
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Constituent Success Story: Jeong
My office is here to help the hard working people of the 7th Congressional District cut through some of the red tape when dealing with a government agency. If you are having an issue with a federal agency, please call my office. My staff and I will always do our best to help. Recently, we helped Jeong renew his family's visas. After reviewing their paperwork, Jeong's family realized their visas were expired by one week. He called our office, and my staff was able to help his family return to Korea to resubmit their visa claim. Within a matter of days we were able to help them get an interview with the U.S. Embassy in Korea.
| "Thank you for helping me to obtain my family's visas on such short notice. Because of your help, my family is able to stay with me while I finish my local work."
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