Week #3: Small Business Revitalization

Fact:  In early March, 2010, the House of Representatives voted on the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act.  This bill provided $13 billion in payroll tax relief over 10 years for employers who hire unemployed workers and extend through 2010 a law that allows small businesses to deduct up to $250,000.00 in qualified expenses.

In late March, 2010, the House of Representatives voted on the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act. This bill provides tax incentives for small business job creation, extends the Build America Bonds program, and provide other infrastructure job creation tax incentives.

Also in late March, 2010, the House of Representatives voted on the Disaster Relief and Summer Jobs Act of 2010. This bill provides funds for disaster relief, summer jobs, and small business programs.

In late June, 2010, the House of Representatives voted on the Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010. This bill establishes a $30 billion lending fund administered by the Treasury Department to invest in financial institutions, like community banks, with the intention of expanding the availability of credit to small businesses.

Fact:

• Tom Latham voted “No” on the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act. 
• Tom Latham voted “No” on the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act. 
• Tom Latham voted “No” on the Disaster Relief and Summer Jobs Act of 2010. 
• Tom Latham voted “No” on the Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010.

Fact:

• Bill Maske would have voted “Yes” on on the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act.
• Bill Maske would have voted “Yes” on the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act.
• Bill Maske would have voted “Yes” on the Disaster Relief and Summer Jobs Act of 2010.
• Bill Maske would have voted “Yes” on the Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010.

Week #2: Energy and Oil

Fact:  In 2001, the United States House of Representatives voted on an amendment to maintain the prohibition on oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  In 2004, the House voted on a comprehensive national policy for energy conservation, research and development.  The bill would authorize a $25.7 billion tax break over 10 years for energy producers, specifically oil and gas.  In 2006, the House voted on an amendment that would maintain the 25-year moratorium on oil and gas drilling in environmentally sensitive areas offshore.  In 2007, the House voted on legislation which established a new direction for energy independence through new innovative technologies, reducing carbon emissions, creating green jobs, protecting consumers, increasing clean renewable energy production, modernizing our energy infrastructure, and providing tax incentives for the production or renewable energy and energy conservation.  In 2008, the House voted on the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act aimed at the development of wind, biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, biodiesel, and cellulosic alcohol fuel.

Fact:

• In 2001, Tom Latham voted “No” on prohibiting oil drilling and development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
• In 2006, Tom Latham voted “No” on keeping moratorium on drilling for oil offshore.
• In 2007, Tom Latham voted “No” on investing in homegrown biofuel.
• In 2008, Tom Latham voted “No” on tax incentives for renewable energy.

Fact:

• As the 4th District Congressman, Bill Maske would have voted “Yes” to prohibiting oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
• As the 4th District Congressman, Bill Maske would have voted “Yes” on keeping the moratorium on drilling for oil offshore.
• As the 4th District Congressman, Bill Maske would have voted “Yes” on investing in homegrown biofuel and tax incentives for renewable energy.

Week #1: Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and The Paycheck Fairness Act

Fact:  The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act restored workers’ rights to challenge illegal wage discrimination in the federal courts. The Paycheck Fairness Act closes loopholes, strengthens incentives to prevent pay discrimination, and brings the Equal Pay Act in line with other civil rights laws. It also prohibits retaliation against workers who inquire about employers’ wage practices or disclose their own wages.

Fact:  Tom Latham voted “No” on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.  Tom Latham voted “No” on the Paycheck Fairness Act.

Fact:  As the 4th District Congressman, Bill Maske would have voted “Yes” for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act.