Amherst Times

Congressman Tom Reynolds is a flashing red light; a STOP sign for America. He is supposed to be a Congressional leader but all he’s done is lead American Congress into the serious economic mess we find ourselves in.

The economic mess which the Republicans have caused, means that hard working Americans have lost their jobs, homes and their children’s dreams of a solid education to get the jobs they will need in the future.

The last 8 years of Republican rule has been a roller coaster ride in only one direction – down. If the old Republican Guard stays in control of Congress the American people of the once strong American Middle Class will become as extinct as good jobs are for the children in our area.

Good jobs, which Congressman Tom Reynolds helped ‘lead’ across the oceans, to certain countries which make wonderful toys for our kids, using deadly lead paint just to save a buck, will stand out as a huge part of his historical legacy. Another sad legacy piece he has given us is the fact that along with American jobs going to countries across the seas, our unemployment rate has soared, and American families have suffered.

Quite a legacy, Mr. Reynolds.

Amhersttimes Editor: J. Tricoli

Higgins Announces Release of $450 Million in Additional Federal Home Heating Assistance Funding

Over $82 million in New Funds for Residents in New York

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced that the federal government has released $450 million in additional funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP provides home heating aid for senior citizens and struggling families.

“Local residents living on fixed incomes don’t have the luxury of stretching their budget to cover the heating costs necessary to keep their homes warm and safe during Western New York’s winter,” said Congressman Higgins. “With weeks of cold weather remaining, the $82 million going to New York will go a long way toward meeting the increased demand for assistance.”

According to US Energy Information Administration’s Short Term Outlook report, in comparison to last winter, the cost to heat a home with home heating oil increased by $375 to $1,841, propane by $273 to $1,622 and natural gas by $87 to $900. A typical tank of heating oil holds 275 gallons. The cost for one fill is approaching $900 and often lasts less than half a winter heating season. Prior to this announcement, states were reporting that they expected to run out of funds by January 31st.

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) and his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4253, Military Reservist and Veterans Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act, legislation to expand small business opportunities for veterans and help military reservists keep their businesses afloat during and after deployment.

“Our brave men and women in uniform, who put their lives on the line for our security, should not have to do so at the expense of their own economic security,” said Higgins, a member of the House Small Business Committee.

An estimated 40 percent of reservists lose income when called up to active duty, and the rate rises to 55 percent for reservists who are self-employed. Additionally, small business loans to veterans have dropped since 2001, despite the fact that 4 million veterans currently own small businesses. H.R. 4253 will strengthen federal efforts to expand opportunities for veteran-owned businesses, provide new small business loans and expand outreach to veteran-owned small businesses, and strengthen relief to small businesses employing National Guard or Reserve troops.

Specifically, the legislation:

· Increases to $4.4 million the authorization the Small Business Administration’s Office of Veteran Business Development, which works to maximize the availability and usability of small business programs for veterans, service-disabled veterans, reserve members, and their dependents or Survivors for the next two years.

· Facilitates the coordination of all federal agencies to focus attention on increasing the success rate of and opportunities for veteran-owned businesses by creating an Interagency Taskforce on Veteran Small Business.

· Creates a new loan initiative providing veterans with 7(a) small business loans at 50 percent of the fees of other small businesses.

· Requires a Government Accountability Office report on the needs of service-disabled veterans and how to improve relations between employers and reservist employees.

The House passed an earlier version of this bill by a vote of 407-2 on December 6. This measure makes minor changes to the version of the bill passed by the Senate on December 19. The Senate is expected to take up this version and send it to the President.

Oh this is classic Supervisor verbiage. It is consistent with what I wrote in the “What did he say? What did he say?” piece. We have to thank Sandra Tan of the Buffalo News for sharing her interview material with the public. Here is part of it:

Q: You originally said you would only serve for one term. Do you still feel that way?
A: I still very strongly feel that way.

Q: So in two years you won’t run again?
A: I’ll see. If I’ve been really ineffective, and I see I’ve been unfair to the people, I might run once more. But as you can see, this is not a job for me. I’m not looking for a job here. I still have a job at the university. I can still retire and enjoy my life.

All the time, my children are saying, “Dad, what are you doing? Quit. Because, Dad, you’re so old.” And I say, “Guys, you do not know the passion in me. I came from a country with zero money, and in four years I did my PhD., and within 10 years we built a house, two cars; I sent you guys to colleges. I couldn’t do it in India. So this is a great society. We must keep it as good as we can.”
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