February 2011 E-News
Statement
Welcome to the February Edition of E-News! In today's 24-hour news environment, providing you with timely information on federal efforts and legislation important to Idaho and our country is a top priority for me. This electronic newsletter, along with my website, iTownHall meetings, podcasts, Facebook and YouTube gives me the opportunity to keep you informed on issues important to Idaho, the West and our country. In every edition of E-News, I include a short survey that affords you the chance to weigh in on key issues of the day, and it helps keep me informed of your views.
Reaching as many Idahoans as possible is extremely important to me, and you can use the "Tell a Friend" form on the lower left to pass this along to friends, co-workers and family members. It is my intent that E-News provides you with an interesting and informative resource to help you keep informed on developments in Washington that affect our state, and that you will let me know of anything that I can do to improve E-News and other communications tools.
As we begin a new Congress, I look forward to working with Idahoans, our Congressional Delegation, Governor Otter and the Idaho Legislature to accomplish fiscally-responsible and effective objectives that foster growth, jobs and increased economic activity at both the state and federal level this coming year.
Putting a focus on job creation and deficit reduction should top the list of priorities for members of the 112th Congress. It is unacceptable that so many Idahoans and Americans are willing to work but unable to find employment. This Congress must focus on getting our nation's fiscal house in order and reducing the massive national debt, which the U.S. Treasury recently reported has exceeded $14 trillion.
We must work together to remove the uncertainty potential employers face when they don't know if taxes and regulations are going to increase this year. Focusing on job creation and economic growth requires a review of federal taxes and regulations affecting small businesses and workers. Americans deserve a fair tax code and curtailment of unreasonable government mandates. Decisive actions to reduce debt, regulations and taxes can increase our nation's competitive situation in the world market and encourage investment and new job creation.
In this month's E-News, you will find information on:
* Taxes-The Death Tax is an unfair, double tax
* Crime and Judiciary-February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
* Military-Idaho students earn nominations to the United States military service academies
* Constituent Coffee-Please join me when you are visiting Washington, DC from Idaho
Taxes
As Congress wrapped up its work at the end of 2010, I supported a proposal to ensure that the estate tax did not spring back to a 55-percent rate this year. This bipartisan legislation, which is supported by many farm and small business groups in Idaho and across the county, provides for a 3-percent maximun rate and a $5 million exemption, along with a step-up in basis for 2011 and 2012.
Selling off productive farmland and businesses to meet unfair, overly-burdensome tax liabilities reduces jobs and destroys families' financial futures. While the Death Tax must be permanently and fully eliminated, I supported the recent proposal to prevent the tax from springing back to the previous burdensome levels for the next two years. Return to the top.
Crime and Judiciary
Over ten years ago, a trip to a safe house for abused children in Twin Falls County made a lasting impression on me, one that moved and motivated me to make family violence prevention one of my top priorities as a U.S. Senator. Much of my commitment to violence prevention is reflected in my work in the U.S. Senate to improve and strengthen legislation such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Victims of Crime Act along with regular visits to shelters throughout Idaho and partnerships with various domestic abuse prevention groups to increase awareness about this disturbing problem.
This past year, I was honored by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) with their Visionary Leadership Award. My dedication to violence prevention also includes raising awareness of teen dating violence. In the 2005 reauthorization of the VAWA,which remains in effect, I was able to include provisions to make victims of teen dating violence eligible for assistance. Every year since 2004, Congress has passed resolutions designating the first week in February as "National Teen Violence Awareness and Prevention Week." This campaign began with a small group of teenagers who took a stand against teen dating violence. It quickly gained momentum to become the national movement that it is today. Since this initial effort, Congress, and over fifty local, state, and national organizations recognize this effort each year.
Beginning last year, in recognition of the growing awareness of this issue and its ramifications, Congress will designate the full month of February as "Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month". This resolution encourages teens to develop healthier relationships and calls upon parents, schools, and community members to observe the month with programs and activities that provide education on teen dating violence and prevention within their communities.
It is very likely that someone that you or your children know has been a victim of teen dating violence. The crime of teen dating violence, including physical, emotional and sexual assault, and harassment via texting, email or Instant Messaging is a reality for many American teenagers. Like drug abuse, it's a reality of which many parents are unaware.
Fortunately, public awareness of teen dating violence and its affects upon victims has dramatically increased in the past year. The message is spreading, but, unfortunately, many parents are still unaware of the extent of these issues, including the growing, harmful impact via electronic media such as suggestive text messages and internet threats. There is much more to be done, and there is much more we can all do, to bring awareness of this issue to an even higher level nationwide. Please visit my website for more information on combating teen dating violence. Return to the top.
Military
It is a great pleasure to announce my nominations to the United States Service Academies for the class entering in 2011. This year, nearly 50 Idaho students have received nominations to the prestigious U.S. Service Academies. Having the opportunity to nominate these exceptional students to our nation's service academies is one of the most rewarding aspects of serving as your Senator. Please visit the Nominations to U.S. Military Academies section of my website if you are interested in applying in the future. Return to the top.
Constituent Coffee
Every Tuesday morning when the Senate is in session, I host a weekly coffee for my fellow Idahoans who are visiting Washington, DC. This coffee offers an opportunity for me to visit with Idahoans, and families are welcome to bring their children to the coffee.
The coffee runs from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. Eastern in The Idaho Room of my Washington, DC, office, 239 Dirksen Senate Office Building. A photographer will be on hand to take photos. Senator James E. Risch is invited to join me each week, although his schedule may not always allow him to attend. For more information on the Constituent Coffee, the 2011 schedule and on how to RSVP for the event, please visit my website. Return to the top.
Still looking for more information? Use the questions to the left to specify issues that are of concern to you.
It is my hope that you will benefit from being aware of changes in legislation of concern to you. Please visit the Issues and Legislation section of my website for information that addresses many issues important to all of us. As always, I highly value the opinions and concerns of my fellow Idahoans. With that in mind, we continue to work to improve my website.
Please do not reply to this e-newsletter. Any comments, suggestions or concerns that you have should be sent to me through the E-mail Me section on my website. Also, let me know if there are issues that you would like me to address.
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