First off did you know that the Congress is actually both the house and the senate. We have gotten so used to calling our federally elected officials Congressman and Senator. When in actually they are both Congressman. The House of Representatives and the senate combined make up the Congress. But you already knew that.
But did you know that our Government for several years now is actually running on concurrent resolutions? That we have not had a true budget for a while. So what does all that mean? It means things like a transportation plan, which is adopted for a six year cycle does not get done, it means the FYDEP, (Future Years Defense Plan) does not get done. So what does that mean to you?
It means things like four laning Hwy. 27 can not be funded, it means that Camp Shelby can not be expanded and improved, plus a host of other programs remain at current funding levels. Unless? That's right unless there is a earmark for such projects. Right now earmarks are getting a bad reputation, when for all accounts outside of the ARRA act it is about the only way new things are getting done.
Let me give you an example of how not crafting a new budget affects you here at home. The Farmers Market in the old Malta building had to come thru a very competitive grant process because Rural Development is operating under money appropriated years ago. Now you know that the price of gas, lights and water have gone up over the last several years, but there has been no increase in funding to Rural Development, so they have to take money from the grants for day to day operations, this means less money being put back into the economy that has the chances to create jobs. By being able to get this grant we have helped in the creation of seven jobs. But as more money is spun to day to day operations these grants are harder and harder to come by. Another example is Head Start. I sit on the board of directors for Five County Child Development. You might say this program is not needed but the numbers say different. Children who attend Head Start are much better prepared when they reach school age. At five County we are operating under the same budget we had five years ago. So how does that effect you? In Lawrence County alone Five County employs over twenty people. Soon we will have to look at staff cuts just to try and keep the doors open. However thru Earmarks we have gotten a little extra money and so far no staff cuts, but that could be changing. Is one of those jobs yours or someone in your family.
Now I am not saying we should or should not have earmarks. What I am saying is that because of them we have jobs here in Lawrence County. Oh and by the way the repaving of the mill road was done through an earmark, so we also drive on safer roads. What I am saying is that until Congress, both houses get their act together and pass a true budget, earmarks are a necessary evil. And what is Congress talking about today? It's the Dream Act. A bill that would give Illegal aliens special protections and rights. We'll talk more about that another day. Maybe just maybe it's time to talk about a realistic budget.
That's just my thoughts, does not mean they are right or wrong, but just my thoughts on the matter.
Untill next time remember, "Monticello it just feels like Home."
No comments:
Post a Comment