CONGRESSMAN TOM REED TO HOLD THREE TOWN HALL MEETINGS THIS SATURDAY

Congressman Tom Reed will hold three town hall meetings this Saturday, April 21, in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Schuyler Counties.  

“American families have tightened their belts and so should the government,” Reed said.  “We’re all in this together so I hope people can join the conversation and share thoughts and ideas on what our priorities should be. I’m here to listen – some of the best ideas we take to Washington have come from the 57 town hall meetings we have held so far.”

The town hall schedule for Saturday is as follows:  

9:00AM-10:00AM     Reading Town Hall, 3914 Country Road 28, Reading

Noon-1:00PM            Friendship Town Hall, 4 East Main Street, Friendship

3:00PM-4:00PM        New Albion Town Hall, 14 Main Street, Cattaraugus

Those unable to attend the town halls can share thoughts with Reed through his website (www.Reed.house.gov) or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/RepTomReed.

Congressman Reed Introduces Bill to Extend Tax Relief for Struggling Homeowners;

Mortgage Cancellation Tax Relief Act would extend tax relief for mortgage debt forgiveness

Congressman Tom Reed announced today that he has introduced HR 4336,the Mortgage Cancellation Tax Relief Act of 2012, in the House of Representatives.  The bill, which has 10 co-sponsors, will extend expiring tax relief for forgiven mortgage debt.  

“Nearly a quarter of all homeowners owe more on their mortgages than their home’s current fair market value,” Reed observed. “Loan modifications, short sales and foreclosures are frequently the result of job loss. Relieving this large unanticipated tax burden will help those experiencing what is often the single largest financial loss of their lifetime.”

“Mortgage debt forgiveness is not disposable cash for the mortgage holder,” Reed continued. “Piling additional tax burdens on people at such a difficult time makes their precarious situation worse.  The money which would have otherwise gone to Washington is needed for their essential expenses. I believe that they can make better decisions with that money than Washington can.”    

At the onset of the housing crisis, Congress enacted legislation that temporarily relieved homeowners of the requirement to pay income tax on forgiven mortgage debt.  However, the relief provision is scheduled to expire at the end of 2012.  Reed’s bill will extend the relief through the end of 2013.

“The housing market remains very fluid,” Reed said. “Both homeowners and lenders deserve certainty about the tax consequences of these complex transactions. Extending this relief for at least another year will allow time to reassess the stability of the housing market and continue providing some relief to struggling homeowners.”

TOM REED SUPPORTS REPEAL OF IPAB HEALTHCARE BOARD; Believes health care should be patient-centered, not government-centered

Congressman Tom Reed today voted to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) established by the so-called “Obamacare” Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. IPAB is a board of unelected bureaucrats charged with determining what services will and will not be paid for by Medicare as the law is fully implemented in 2013 and 2014.
“Most of the healthcare law's tax increases, Medicare cuts, and direct impacts on patients are back loaded to take effect after the 2012 election,” Reed commented. “IPAB is one of them. It is bad policy which inserts the government directly into the patient-doctor relationship. I believe health care should be patient-centered, not government-centered.”

Rep. REED in Salamanca this morning to unveil new bill

Congressman Tom Reed  will submit new legislation by the end of the month which will amend the Internal Revenue Code and save taxpayer dollars by expanding the use of  local bank-qualified bonds for capital projects.  The official announcement of his bill was made this morning in Salamanca.

Under the bill, local governments and school districts would see their ability to utilize bank-qualified bonds increase from $10 Million annually to $30 Million annually.  As the interest rate on bank-qualified bonds can be as much as a half-percentage point lower than traditional financing, taxpayers can save hundreds of thousands of dollars on a single bond issuance.

“This legislation is good public policy—it provides a means for school districts and local governments to make vital improvements is a more cost effective manner for taxpayers,” Reed said. “Tax dollars will be saved as the local government or school district will pay less in interest and fees. It will provide funding flexibility, which is particularly important to small upstate districts and communities. Most importantly, it keeps the control, financing and benefits right in the local community.”

Robert Breidenstein, Superintendant of Schools for the Salamanca City School District, joinded Reed at the announcement.   The Salamanca City School District has utilized bank-qualified bonds to successfully make numerous necessary improvements to its facilities, including installation of a geothermal heating system which has significantly lowered the district’s energy costs.   

REED QUESTIONS SPENDING ON PAKISTANI TELEVISION SHOW; Cites $20 million of taxpayer money for Pakistani version of Sesame Street as example of waste

Congressman Tom Reed is highlighting the State Department program which is spending $20 million of taxpayer money on a Pakistani version of the television show Sesame Street as the latest in a series of examples of government waste.

“We are borrowing more than forty cents of every dollar we spend,” Reed said.  “We must carefully examine every single dollar. Television programming in foreign nations should not be a priority for our government. We expend far too much on foreign aid as it is, but to pay to produce television shows strikes me as an egregious example of misspent money.”

Reed noted that his criticism is not directed at the show itself. “Sesame Street has long carried a message of religious tolerance and respect for differences,” Reed said. “But as we debate where government will cut more spending, why American tax dollars are being squandered on any foreign television show is beyond me.”

Reed intends to examine all foreign aid dollars line-by-line and seek justification from the State Department for the expenditures. “In a time when we borrow money from foreign nations in the name of our children and grandchildren, we must always ask, line by line, if each expenditure of foreign aid makes sense.” Reed observed. “To me, this example clearly does not."

The spending for Pakistani television is the latest example in a series Reed has undertaken to shine light upon unnecessary spending. Reed has highlighted $462 million in wasted tax dollars thus far.  

REED APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF JOBS ACT;

Congressman Tom Reed is applauding today’s passage of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act by the House. The act, a package of six bills dealing with restrictions on start-up and initial public offerings for small businesses, passed by a bipartisan vote of 390-23.

“Small businesses are the primary job creators in areas like Upstate New York,” Reed observed. “We have to get government out of the way of today’s and tomorrow’s entrepreneurs. Access to capital is critical to growth and job creation. The overwhelming bipartisan support for this jobs package demonstrates the importance of removing barriers to get more investment capital flowing into small businesses.”

“New investment means new jobs,” Reed said. “Today’s vote is an example of both parties working together for the good of the economy. I hope that votes like this become the norm rather than the exception.”

The White House has issued a statement supporting the JOBS Act. The package now moves on to the Senate for consideration.

Will Rep. Tom Reed have a challenger?

A former Congressional candidate in the 29th District hasn’t ruled out another run at office, provided New York’s redistricting efforts break the right way. According to the Evening Tribune…Matt Zeller, the Democratic candidate who lost to Congressman Tom Reed in the 2010 election, said he’s considering running again provided that the district is winnable for a non-Republican candidate.

Congressman Reed still waiting to see what his district will look like

Congressman Tom Reed is hoping his 29th District won’t see too much change with New York’s overhaul of its Congressional districts. The Congressman said he’s waiting for the state government to reach a final decision on a new mapping plan for its districts. Reed is hoping the state will finalize a new map in the next several weeks. He said it gets more and more difficult…as less time is available for campaigns.

Rep. Reed asks the question---Secretary Sebelius: Individual Mandate is Not a Tax

CONGRESSMAN REED CALLS FOR RELEASE OF IRANIAN PASTOR

Congressman Tom Reed has announced that he is supporting House Resolution 556, which would condemn the Government of Iran for its continued persecution, imprisonment, and sentencing to death of Christian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani.   

“This man could be executed at any time simply because he will not repudiate his Christian faith,” Reed said. “As a nation dedicated to religious freedom for all faiths, I feel the United States must press for Pastor Nadarkhani’s release and the release of all who are held in Iran only because of their religious beliefs.”

Reed further noted that he supports the efforts of the State Department and White House, which are also calling on Iran to release Nadarkhani. Resolution 556 is currently being considered by the Foreign Affairs Committee and could be brought to the House floor at any time.

REED STANDS UP FOR UPSTATE HOSPITALS; Local clinics spared $20 million in cuts for outpatient services

Congressman Tom Reed reiterated today that Upstate New York hospitals will be spared from outpatient clinic cuts as a result of the recent deal to extend the payroll tax holiday.  Reed was one of the negotiators on the House Senate Conference Committee which came to the agreement.

“While this deal wasn’t perfect, I believe that working families make far better spending decisions with their money than  Washington politicians,” Reed said. “One of the over-looked aspects of the deal was that it spared $20 million in cuts to our rural outpatient clinics. People in rural areas depend on these clinics and I am glad to stand up for an agreement which did not  jeopardize our hospitals’ outpatient services.”

“I am likewise pleased that we were able to extend the ‘doc fix’ so that seniors who rely on Medicare do not lose access to their current doctor,” Reed added. “At the same time, we will continue the conversation on how to ensure that there are no negative impacts on the high-quality health care provided by our local hospitals.   Access to hospital care is a critical issue in places like the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes, and we will keep up the fight to ensure that they have adequate resources.”

Daniel Sisto, President of the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) said, “We are grateful to Congressman Reed for being a voice on the conference committee in opposition to proposed cuts to hospitals outpatient department clinics which would have been particularly devastating for patient access to physician service throughout the Southern Tier.  We look forward to working with the Congressman to prevent this and any other cut to hospitals in the future.”

Eva Benedict, President and CEO of Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville, said, “the Congressman’s latest effort to protect patient access to physician services in outpatient clinics is evidence of his support to patients in rural communities and the hospitals that care for them.”

“The patients in our community rely on St. James Mercy’s outpatient clinics to provide the access to primary and specialty physician services otherwise unavailable in our rural area,” said Mary LaRowe, President and CEO of St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell. Without the action taken by Congress last week, access to many of these critical services would be at risk.

REED BEGINS INITIATIVE TO SHINE LIGHT ON WASTE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS; First in series of targets is $120 million paid to deceased federal workers

Congressman Tom Reed today announced that he is beginning an initiative that will shine a light on many egregious examples of wasteful spending in Washington.  “We are redoubling our efforts to find savings and cut waste,” Reed said. “We are combing through budgets, reports, press reports – everything we can use to identify projects that exemplify waste – especially political waste. At a time when our national debt has soared above $15 trillion, we have to examine every dollar we spend.”

Reed cited his successful efforts last year in the House to remove more than $173 million of spending from projects such as a Tijuana, Mexico sewer project, subsidies for the Presidio, and 24 percent pay increases for certain federal workers as examples of how waste can be removed if people highlight it publicly.

The first area of waste Reed is targeting is the more than $100 million in benefits paid erroneously each year to deceased federal employees.  “Hardworking taxpayers sent $120 million to deceased workers in 2010,” Reed commented. “By its own estimate, the Office of Personnel Management has made more than $601 million in benefits payments to deceased federal employees during the last five years. That is not exactly proper stewardship of taxpayer money.”  

“With modern technology, there has to be a way that death records, Social Security databases and federal benefit rosters can be electronically cross-referenced with the U.S. Treasury so that checks aren’t even processed, let alone delivered, to those who are deceased,” Reed said.

Reed will begin regularly identifying and then championing solutions for waste and abuse of taxpayer money. “People need to be accountable and responsible,” Reed said. “We need to start holding feet to the fire so that there are incentives to save taxpayer dollars.” 

CONGRESSMAN TOM REED TO HOLD THREE TOWN HALL MEETINGS THIS SATURDAY

Congressman Tom Reed will hold three town hall meetings this Saturday, February 25, in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Steuben Counties.  

“Our national debt is more than $15 trillion,” Reed explained. “We are piling a mountain of debt on our children and grandchildren.

We need to have an honest conversation about how to make significant changes to government.”

“I hope that taxpayers will take time to join the discussion,” Reed said. “The topics are yours to choose and I appreciate hearing people’s opinions.”     

Reed has held 45 official town hall meetings since he took office in November 2010. He has also conducted dozens of other public meetings and teletown halls.  Those unable to attend the town halls can contact Reed through his website (www.Reed.house.gov) or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/RepTomReed.  Town hall meetings will be held on Saturday as follows:

9:00 – 10:00AM            Corning Town Hall, 20 South Maple St., South Corning

Noon – 1:00PM             Almond Town Hall, 1 Marvin Lane, Almond

3:00 – 4:00PM               Franklinville Town Hall, 11 Park Square, Franklinville

IROQUOIS LONGHOUSE COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Congressman Tom Reed has announced the winners of the 29^th Congressional District Longhouse Competition. Students from throughout the district built replicas of Iroquois longhouses which were judged by a committee of Western New York historians. The competition, believed to be the only of its kind in the nation, is a celebration of Iroquois heritage in Western New York.

“The work of all the students who submitted longhouses was very impressive,” Reed observed. “It is an honor for our office to sponsor this competition as both a recognition of our students and of the Haudonsaunee contributions to upstate New York.”

Eleven students were selected as winners from across the district and each of the eleven winning longhouses will be displayed in Washington in the House of Representatives.

Nik Gjonbalaj of Canandaigua Elementary and Hunter Skye of Salamanca City Middle School were selected as the 29^th District Grand Champions. Gabriel Orozco of Arkport Elementary and Marissa Telech of Big Flats Elementary were selected as district-wide Reserve Champions.

County champions include Logan Kelley of Cuba Elementary School (Allegany),  Emma Haynes of Cattaraugus-Little Valley Elementary (Cattaraugus), Moriah Lockard of Parley Coburn Elementary (Chemung), Parker Johnston of Manor Elementary School (Monroe), Hunter FitzPatrick of Red Jacket Elementary School (Ontario), Brett Walters of Hanlon Elementary School (Schuyler), and Angelea Collins of All Saints Academy (Steuben).

REED SUPPORTS STAND-ALONE PAYROLL TAX EXTENSION PROPOSAL

Congressman Tom Reed is urging support for House leadership’s proposal to extend the payroll tax holiday as a stand-alone measure. “Last week I called for the House to consider extending the payroll tax holiday as a stand-alone measure,” Reed said. “Washington already takes too much from taxpayers, and time is running short to extend the tax holiday before it expires on February 29.  I am committed to forging an agreement in the House Senate conference committee, but as the deadline approaches it is wise to begin moving forward on a stand–alone extension to prevent a tax increase on 160 million hard working taxpayers.”

Reed further noted that Social Security must be protected in any tax extension. “I remain concerned about the impact of the tax holiday on Social Security,” Reed said. ““As a member of the payroll tax conference committee, I will work with my colleagues to ensure that a tax extension will be done in a manner which does not threaten Social Security’s fiscal health.” 

Reed calls for Conference Committee to Focus on Payroll Tax Holiday and Protecting Social Security;

Noting  that time is running out on the payroll tax holiday, Congressman Tom Reed today called for a change in the focus of the House Senate Conference Committee dealing with the issue.  

“We in the House have been here ready to work since before Christmas,” Reed said. “The Senate has only been engaged for the last three weeks and we have been talking mostly about unemployment since then. Our focus must shift to extending the payroll tax holiday before it expires on February 29 and paying for it in order to protect Social Security. The last thing hardworking taxpayers need is for Washington to take more of their money beginning March 1.”

Reed explained that the change is necessary because Senate negotiators have rejected the House proposal to extend unemployment benefits. “The ideological gap between the two sides is too wide to bridge on unemployment extension before Feb. 29. House Republicans believe that unemployment should be a temporary hand up to get people back to work and collecting paychecks rather than unemployment checks.”

Senate negotiators rejected encouraging those on unemployment to get a GED, rejected identifying and helping drug users who are on unemployment, and believe that the money to pay for extending unemployment benefits (currently paid for two years) should be borrowed in the name of future taxpayers.

“This is about all of us,” Reed said. “People deserve the truth. On March 1, taxes will go up on 160 million taxpayers if we do not get moving on the payroll tax extension right now. The House has passed a paid-for extension of the tax holiday. Let’s agree on a way to pay for extending it so that Social Security isn’t further threatened. If that means separating the issues so that we can deal with the payroll tax issue on its own, I am all for that.”

THREE KEY PROPOSALS FROM LOCAL CONSTITUENTS INCLUDED IN HOUSE TRANSPORTATION BILL; Congressman Reed Turns Local Ideas into Action in Washington

Congressman Tom Reed announced today that three key proposals from 29^th Congressional District constituents have been included in the American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act, the House transportation bill.

The local proposals include greater flexibility for drivers transporting agricultural commodities, reducing the duplication in the environmental review process for replacement or rehabilitation of existing bridges and highways and creating a national drug and alcohol test results clearinghouse for commercial truck drivers.  Each originated from meetings in the district, including a listening session held by Reed and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman John Mica at the Greater Rochester International Airport last spring.

“We have heard these local voices and are getting action in Washington,” Reed said. “These are common-sense solutions given by people working on the front lines in Upstate New York agriculture, construction and shipping.  Local solutions are always better than the one-size fits all approach we see far too often from Washington. These reforms will protect and create jobs as well as speed replacement of existing bridges and roadways.”

Those involved in suggesting the solutions included Branchport farmer Jim Bedient, Ontario County Public Works Commissioner Bill Wright, and Leonard’s Express owner Ken Johnson.  The results were two bills introduced by Reed, the Grape Region Accelerated Production and Efficiency (GRAPE) Act and the Beneficial Upgrades for Investment and Local Development of Bridges (BUILD Bridges) Act. Reed also requested the inclusion of commercial driver clearing house in the bill.

The bill has passed three of four necessary committees and could be on the House floor as early as next week.  “We will keep up the fight to see that these provisions cross the finish line,” Reed said.

STATEMENT FROM CONGRESSMAN TOM REED ON PRESIDENT OBAMA’S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

The President’s stated goal of creating an economy where everyone has the same opportunity and everyone plays by the same rules is one that I share. Too often, Washington picks winners and losers through an unfair tax code and punitive regulations which have a disproportionately negative impact on small businesses.


I will anxiously await specifics on what the President suggests we can do to create an economy where hard work is rewarded and success comes as a result of individual initiative and innovation.


We didn’t hear much about accountability. No specifics about encouraging private sector job growth or why the President felt that the jobs which would have been created by the Keystone Pipeline weren’t in the national interest. I was pleased to see the acknowledgment of the potential of shale gas to provide clean domestic energy.


I hope that the President truly meant it when he said he is open to working with Congress. I have personally attempted to work with the White House and in fact led a group of Members of Congress to the White House to try to meet with the President to no avail.


The imaginations of young entrepreneurs must be encouraged rather than discouraged by government . The United States has the best workers and I agree that our best days are ahead if we can get government out of the way.


No more excuses. We can prevent a future full of debt, doubt and decline. I hope that the President can put short-term politics behind and join us in building a better economy for our children and grandchildren.

CONGRESSMAN REED SPONSORS RESOLUTION OF DISAPPROVAL of $1.2 TRILLION IN ADDITIONAL BORROWING; Vows to Keep Borrowing and Spending in Forefront of National Conversation

Congressman Tom Reed is the primary sponsor of House Joint Resolution 98, which would formally disapprove of President Obama’s recent request for an additional $1.2 trillion in borrowing authority.  The national debt is currently $15.2 trillion. The President’s request would raise it to $16.4 trillion.

“I am pleased to offer this resolution to disapprove the additional borrowing. Stopping the endless borrowing on the backs of our children and grandchildren is why I ran for Congress in the first place,” Reed explained.

“This resolution keeps the government’s spending problem in the forefront of our conversation and demonstrates that we in the House are committed to ending the decades-old borrowing and spending mentality in Washington,” Reed continued. “Many want this issue swept under the rug until after Election Day. We will not let that happen.”

Reed observed that each adult and child in America now has a forty-eight thousand dollar share of the national debt. “We have a responsibility to future generations to take immediate action,” he said. “We cannot continue compromising our children and grandchildren’s future so that we can spend money today. Enough is enough.”

The House is expected to take action on the resolution on Wednesday. 

CONGRESSMAN REED MEETS WITH AGRICULTURE ADVISORY COUNCIL; 39 Members Represent Each County of the 29th Congressional District

Congressman Tom Reed met this morning with his Agriculture Advisory Council in Bath.  The 39 members of the council represented all eight counties of the 29^th Congressional district and a wide variety of agricultural expertise.  The members, almost all of whom are active farmers, were selected based upon their experience, expertise, unique skills and outstanding contributions to the Upstate New York agriculture community.

“Our farms form the backbone of the upstate economy,” Reed observed. “Over the last year, I have visited many farms of all types and sizes and hearing directly from those working the farms everyday has given me valuable insight into the challenges our farmers face. Today is another opportunity to listen to farmers.”

Reed has been actively working to restrain the EPA in regard to its proposals concerning new Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load requirements and he successfully helped force the EPA to abort its efforts to regulate milk spills and farm dust.  

Additional topics included crop insurance, dairy program reform and tax reform. “It sounds simple, but we have to give our farmers the freedom to farm,” Reed said. “We produce some of the finest agriculture products in the world right here in the 29^th District and we need to keep Washington out of the way so this tradition can continue.”  

Reed will also convene healthcare, manufacturing, natural resources, law enforcement, veteran affairs, and education advisory councils in 2012.