-- Randys Roundup --

A Weekly Newsletter from Congressman Randy Neugebauer

August 23, 2010

America Loses Jobs Even as Government Continues to Spend More

Last week, state employment numbers for July were released. The latest information from the Department of Labor shows that 48 out of 50 states have lost jobs since the Democrats signed their $787 billion stimulus bill into law early in 2009. The State of Texas alone has lost 54,900 jobs. After looking at these numbers, I noticed an interesting trend. While the rest of the nation has lost 2.6 million jobs to date, the District of Columbia has gained 26,100 jobs. Creating more jobs in the federal government and further expanding the bureaucracy is not going to help the people of West Texas and the rest of America get back on their feet.

After these disappointing jobs numbers, its clear the President’s “Recovery Summer” is not going as planned. In fact, a recent poll "found that only 41 percent of Americans approve of President Obama’s handling of the economy, the lowest level of support yet recorded in the survey.

As I travel around the 19th Congressional District, many employers continue to tell me they are holding off on hiring because they simply don’t know what will happen with tax rates at the end of the year or exactly what the implementation of the new health care law will mean for them.

It’s time for our leadership in Congress and the White House to realize that what they’ve been doing just isn’t working. If we want real recovery, we need to get back to the basics. The federal government should empower families and small businesses to succeed, not strap them with more burdensome taxes and regulations. We also need to instill a sense of certainty into our markets that encourages businesses to hire and expand. I know that many Americans are ready to get back to work. It’s time that Washington steps back and lets the American people take the wheel.

Ranger, Hereford, Plainview, and Lubbock Town Hall Meetings This Week

TUESDAY, AUGUST 24
2:00PM
Ranger
Ranger College
Auditorium Library Building
1100 College Circle

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25
10:15AM
Hereford
Hereford Community Center
Ballroom
100 Avenue C

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25
4:30PM
Plainview
Plainview ISD Education Complex Boardroom
2411 Yonkers St.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 26
10:00AM
Lubbock
Science Spectrum-Omni Theater
Exhibit Hall
2579 S. Loop 289

For a complete list of Town Hall dates, please click here.

19th Congressional District Home to a Number of Military Friendly Schools

Last week, GI Jobs magazine announced its list of Military Friendly Schools. I was pleased, but not surprised, to learn that a number of colleges and universities in the 19th Congressional District were on this list. The list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s veterans as students. The common bond is their shared priority of recruiting students with military experience and the extra steps they take to welcome veterans and enhance their experience as students.

Out of 60 schools in the state of Texas making the list, seven of these are found in West Texas and the Big Country alone. I would like to congratulate Abilene Christian University, Texas Tech University and Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, Hardin-Simmons University, Wayland Baptist University, McMurry University, Texas State Technical College West Texas, and Lubbock Christian University for being named Military Friendly Schools.

If you want to learn more about Military Friendly Schools and the services available to our veterans interested in furthering their education, I encourage you to visit http://www.militaryfriendlyschools.com. This website is home to many interactive tools designed to assist veterans in choosing schools that best meet their educational needs.

Question of the Week

As Social Security celebrates its 75^th Anniversary, the life expectancy for Americans is longer today than when Social Security was put in place.  Should increasing the age for eligibility for Social Security be considered as an option to preserve this program?

Please visit my website to submit your answer to this weeks question.

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As always, when events unfold in Washington, I will be sure to update you. In the meantime, do not hesitate to visit my website or call my office toll free district wide at (888) 763-1611 or my Washington, DC office at 202-225-4005.