-- Randy’s Roundup --

A Weekly Newsletter from Congressman Randy Neugebauer

April 27, 2009
 
Finalizing the FY 2010 Budget

This week, House and Senate Democrats will finalize the details for the FY 2010 budget plan. Unfortunately, the final budget is not much different than the budget that House Democrats passed without any Republican votes earlier this month.  Just like that proposal, this plan spends too much, it taxes too much, and it borrows too much.

Their budget outline calls for spending $3.5 trillion in 2010, bringing overall government spending up to a quarter of our economy and keeping it there for at least the next five years. If spending and tax levels proceed as allowed under this budget plan, the national debt will double over the next five years and triple over the next ten years. 

This budget is truly unsustainable. With the large slow down in the economy, tax revenues have fallen by more than $350 billion a year. When the government is taking in less revenue, it has to spend less, not more. More spending and higher taxes won’t improve the economy. If we are going to slow down the spending and stop the growing debt, Congress must start with a responsible budget. This budget fails that test.

We must put a stop to this excessive borrowing and spending. I believe we must continue the message of the TEA Parties and let the Administration and leaders in Congress know enough is enough. Together with your help, we can continue to spread the message that these levels of government borrowing and spending will not support economic recovery and only put future generations at risk. Excessive borrowing and spending are what got many individuals and financial institutions into the problems they now face; more of the same from the government will not produce different results.

Swine Flu

I understand that many of you are concerned about the recent outbreak of swine flu.  While confirmed cases in the United States have been limited, local and federal governments are taking the necessary precautions, experts have warned though that based on the rapid spread of the virus thus far, it's believe that more cases will be identified over the next several weeks.

As part of our federal pandemic preparedness efforts, the federal government has purchased 50 million treatment courses of antiviral drugs -- Oseltamivir and Zanamivir – for the Strategic National Stockpile.  Twenty-five percent of those courses are being released and made available to all of the states, but particularly prioritizing the states where we already have confirmed incidents of swine flu.  In addition, the Department of Defense has procured and strategically prepositioned 7 million treatment courses of Oseltamivir.  It should also be noted that these drugs are available commercially as well, since they are routinely used in the treatment of seasonal influenza.  Antiviral drugs can be used to treat swine flu or to prevent infection with swine flu viruses.

In Texas, Governor Perry has requested more than 850,000 more courses of the antiviral medicine in the event that containment becomes too great of a challenge. Currently, Texas has 840,000 courses that it has purchased in 2007.  I am confident in the government’s response and will continue to monitor this situation.  Remember, the two most important things folks can do is stay informed and remain calm.  I recommend going to http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/and www.hhs.gov to learn more about swine flu, the government’s response and simple ways you can stay healthy. 

District Events

Later this week, I will be attending events in Lubbock and Abilene celebrating Cinco de Mayo. May 5th marks the day the Mexican army defeated French forces at the Battle of Puebla. Increasingly in this country, Cinco de Mayo has become a celebration of the rich cultural heritage that Mexican Americans have contributed to the United States.

On Friday, I will be attending a Cinco de Mayo luncheon with Hispanic Business Division, Lubbock Chamber of Commerce as well as the St. Vincent Pallotti Church Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival in Abilene.

While in Abilene, I will also be heading out to the Big Country AirFest at the West Side Abilene Regional Airport. This is guaranteed to be an afternoon of fun and excitement. I look forward to seeing you there.

YouTube Update

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