57th Washington Conference Wrap-Up
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Transcript of 57th Washington Conference Wrap-Up
• Priority issues: Federal Deficit Reduction, Energy, Redevelopment of John Morrell site, Regional Innovation Clusters, Tax Policy, Transportation Reauthorization
• Met with all Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota members
• Congressman Ryan’s budget –cut $6.2 trillion
• Appropriations bills – House passed 12 or 13 already – thinks Senate will roll into Omnibus bill
• Debt ceiling limit is next piece• Top priority is Hwy 20
• Stimulus bill provided jobs – makes good case for passing a highway bill -JOBS bill
• How to pay for it - $550 billion President’s proposal
• President against raising gas tax• Without gas tax increase – will be at
$260 billion over 6 years• President Obama advocates for high
speed rail• “roads become economic engines”
• Energy Policy Discussion
• Built in 1930 at cost of $9.7 million by President Taft (also a Chief Justice)
• Disappointed that the meeting with Justice Scalia was cancelled
• EPA struggles – some members of Congress very opposed
• Pessimistic that Clean Energy Standard can come out of this Congress
• Likes wind power
• Supportive of National Training Center
• Highway 20 has been his priority for 17 years
• Highway Reauthorization is necessary - Administration budget is $550 billion
• If see a highway bill it will be at the current level
•Article on May 2nd in SCJ about them•$14 trillion debt – it has to stop•Bi-partisan letter to President with 64
signatures – ½ Republican & ½ Democrat
•Obamacare is big issue – no one knows how big it is or how to solve it
•Three things to address:• Reduce discretionary spending• Reform entitlements – Social
Security, Medicare, Medicaid• Revenues
• Spoke on House floor regarding debt reduction
• Energy Concerns• Rock Island Clean Line• Concerned with EPA rulemaking
• “Economic certainty” is lacking –concerned with regulatory policy (EPA especially) and taxes
• Best for any group to hope for is to hold their own - no increases in spending
• 50% of U.S. debt is held by foreigners –China
• Energy policy should be all things American
• Debt to GDP ratio is 93% - highest since 1948 (WW II) – 90% is bad
• If raise revenues, it should go to highways
• President Obama pushing for regional programs
• Identify projects that are viable
• EDA – cutting down barriers and working regionally is new direction – Siouxland does a good job of this
• Network of funding –Federal, state, local –versus silos
• FAA - Aviation bill – expired in 2007 – 18 extensions
• Highway bill – expired September 2009
Thinks he can get it done – we need to support
Goal: get funding and speed up process of dealing with government on projects
No earmark environment makes it harder for him to get votes
• Small Group Meeting
Discussed:• Hyperion Project
Support/Update
• Education Reauthorization
• Tax Policies
• Majority staff will start drafting bill at end of April
• Bill will mirror trust fund receipts - $75 billion LESS than current
• Needs are $550 billion – but will focus on maintenance
• If earmarks are gone – formula will have to be addressed
• Thinks there will be extension into 2012• Earmarks are “Congressionally- directed
appropriations”– eliminating them gives more power to the Executive branch
• Railroads – continue to invest – does not think re-regulation will happen
• “Highway 35 got earmarks before it was a four-letter word”
• Highway reauthorization – EPW said they will hold hearings this year but nothing on paper yet
• Funding level of highway bill uncertain• Wind power – grid and transmission issue –
stranded energy generation doesn’t do anyone any good
• Hope to get control over spending – “has to be shared sacrifice”
• Need tax reform – make U.S. companies more competitive
• Thinks Rep. Ryan’s plan makes things worse for seniors
• EPA is NOT the 4th branch of the government and can’t act like it
• President’s budget announced today –“didn’t push the buy down of the debt much but good that he is engaged”
• 5 programs account for 80% of U.S. spending: Medicare, Medicaid, Interest on debt, defense, and Social Security
• USDA assistance – good programs for economic development
• Federal departments very aggressive in rulemaking
• (especially EPA, treasury, HHS)
• More turnover in Congress than any year since 1938
• Rep. Boehner has changed the debate in DC on spending – no earmarks
• Grant application approach is a good one –competitive process
• For every $1.00 that we send to DC, Congress spends $1.17
• Taxes – if reduce the marginal tax rate you will get economic development
• Production tax credits (PTC) – will be extended
• Ethanol is under attack
• Small Group Meeting with Staff• Discussed with staff members:
• Federal Deficit Reduction• Dakota Dunes Flood Control• Hyperion Project
• Highway trust fund will go negative by 2012• Large metro areas want money for
congestion so someone will get less money• Highway bill won’t pass until 2013 • Announced $2 million EDA grant for John
Morrell demolition• Supports earmarks - thinks earmarks will
come back in 2013• Postal service – he will fight them to the end
• Held in Capitol this year – nice venue
• Steaks donated by Tyson• Reception: Boswell, Braley,
Loebsack, Nelson, Thune, Latham
• Dinner: King, Grassley, Harkin, Fortenberry
• NO: Johnson, Noem, Johanns