Jobs & Economy
My number one priority in Congress is creating jobs and growing our economy. <br />
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<b>Investing in Infrastructure</b><br />
One of the best ways to create jobs is to put people to work fixing our roads, bridges, overpasses and waterways. That is why last Congress I co-authored an infrastructure jobs bill in the House that was fully paid for and would have funded transportation and infrastructure projects for two years. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimated that the legislation would have created 177,500 jobs in California alone.<br />
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I also co-authored a bipartisan port improvement bill that has gained 187 co-sponsors. This legislation would fund dredging projects, creating jobs for the people who do the dredging and helping our local economy by making our marinas, ports and harbors more accessible for business.<br />
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Not only do smart investments in infrastructure and port improvements create jobs, but they also reduce hidden taxes on businesses and communities. A March 2013 report by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) found that the poor condition of California's roads costs drivers nearly $14 billion a year in repairs and operating costs. <br />
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We have to build an economy that can compete long-term. One of the best ways to do that is to make sure our district continues to grow as a national leader in the development and manufacturing of clean energy technology. <br />
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<b>Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program</b><br />
I am working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle on a program called the Property-Assessed Clean Energy program, or PACE, that’s seen tremendous success in parts of our district. <br />
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In 2009, I worked to get PACE language into the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This language allows property owners to finance the purchase and installation of energy retrofits to their homes and businesses. <br />
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This program provides homeowners and businesses with a way to pay for retrofits to make buildings more energy efficient. And it doesn’t cost taxpayers a dime. <br />
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Since Sonoma County has started its PACE program, more than 2,000 commercial, residential, energy efficiency and water conservation projects have been undertaken. The county estimates the retrofits have pumped more than $58 million back into the local economy and have supported more than 700 jobs. <br />
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Today, I am working to pass additional legislation that will make sure every county has an opportunity to start a successful PACE program. <br />
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<b>Protecting Geothermal Royalties</b><br />
We have to protect geothermal energy and the money it bring into our communities. When geothermal revenue sharing was suspended in 2010, I authored and passed legislation that restored the payments to counties. <br />
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I am continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect geothermal revenues from future budget cuts. <br />
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Geothermal energy is good for our environment, reduces our dependence on foreign oil, and helps our economy by spurring green job creation. <br />
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In 2011, our district received nearly $2 million in geothermal royalties. That money is used to pay for governmental services, such as road maintenance, public safety and law enforcement, related to the geothermal field. <br />
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Repealing geothermal royalty payments is a short sighted plan that will do nothing to reduce our deficit. And it is not fiscally responsible. It would kill jobs, cripple future green job growth, and slow our economic recovery – all of which will only make our deficit larger. I will continue to fight against these cuts, because if a community invests in developing geothermal energy, they deserve to get their fair share in returns. <br />
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<b>Supporting Small Businesses</b><br />
I am working to support our district’s small businesses. Last Congress I introduced bipartisan legislation to simplify the tax code for small businesses. No matter which side of the aisle you’re on, we should all be able to agree that simplifying taxes for small businesses is good policy. This bill will save small businesses time, paperwork and headaches during tax season by expanding cash accounting, allowing them to focus their efforts on what they do best – growing their businesses – not on complicated accounting practices.<br />
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<b>Investing in Education</b><br />
Finally, for our long-term economic growth, we must invest in education and worker retraining so that our nation continues to have the world’s best entrepreneurs and innovators to compete in a global economy. That is why I have consistently supported funding need-based grants at their highest level so students can afford college. And it is why I co-authored legislation that would freeze some student loan interest rates and prevent them from doubling. This will save an average middle-class family about $1,000 a year. <br />
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Infrastructure, investments in new economic engines like energy, support for small businesses, and education – these are the keys to creating jobs and building a strong American economy for years to come.
“The economic downturn has created significant burdens for fire departments in Northern California and across the country,” said Rep. Thompson.
The continuing resolution to keep the federal government operating until a compromise can be reached on a year-long funding bill was passed by a 335-91 vote margin.
It would prevent a looming government-wide shutdown and gives the House, Senate, and White House more time to reach an agreement on a long-term funding bill.
Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1), a senior member of the House Committee on Ways & Means, today voted for a short-term Continuing Resolution to keep the federal government operating until a compromise can be reached on a year-long funding bill. The bill, which passed by a 335-91 vote margin, would prevent a looming government-wide shutdown and gives the House, Senate, and White House more time to reach an agreement on a long-term funding bill.
Thompson, who said he had been touring the district during a week-long Congressional recess, presented a 20-minute budget slideshow in an effort to reduce federal fiscal realities to some easily understood statistics and policy choices.
“Do you know why this wine is so good?” the seven-term Democrat asked a visiting reporter. “Because it was grown by a conscientious, passionate grower.”
And that would be … him.
A Superfund site in Davis has become the first federal groundwater cleanup project powered by solar energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said.
EPA officials on Wednesday unveiled the Frontier Fertilizer Superfund site's new solar photovoltaic system, which will help power the treatment of contaminated groundwater beneath the east Davis neighborhood.
Environmental Protection Agency officials switched on a new underground heating system Wednesday to expedite the toxic cleanup at the Frontier Fertilizer Superfund site in Davis.
Electric probes inserted into the soil of the 5-acre cleanup area at 3901 Second St. will vaporize contaminated water and the gas will be treated on-site. Cleanup at the 5-acre area will be complete in two years, said EPA Project Manager Bonnie Arthur, who led a media tour of the site Wednesday afternoon.
After voting against President Barack Obama's budget for the 2011 fiscal year last week, Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), held a meeting about the country's fiscal future in the Board of Supervisors' chambers in the Lake County Courthouse Tuesday.
Sixty people gathered in the chambers for the nearly two-hour meeting, which is the first of three meetings Thompson will be holding throughout his district, California's 1st congressional district, which includes Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt, and Del Norte counties and parts of Napa, Sonoma and Yolo counties.
On Saturday, Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), a senior member of the House Committee on Ways & Means, voted against House passage of H.R. 1, the continuing resolution that would fund the federal government through the end of fiscal year 2011.
While the continuing resolution does include some meaningful cuts to wasteful spending, it also includes irresponsible cuts that would hurt working families in Northern California and across our country.
Matsuda, along with a team of officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration, toured the bay for the first time since the government awarded the area a $275,000 grant. The money will allow for an analysis of the area's economic strengths, with the hope that a marine highway service will be created to better the county.