Bean Buzz February 2010
PUBLISHED: February 09, 2010
Bean Buzz
What has Melissa been up to?
o Health Care Reform
o Financial Reform
o Consumer Protection
o Afghanistan
o Stimulus Program and the 8th District
o Veterans care
o Student Loans
Health Care Reform
Melissa supported the House versions of the Health Care Reform Act (H.R.3962), and it was passed by the House of Representatives. Congressional leaders are now deciding how to proceed with reconciling the House and Senate versions.
Melissa listened carefully to her constituents before deciding to support the bill. She talked with more than 75,000 people at several tele-town halls, and with thousands more via e-mail, mail, and meetings.
Financial Reform
Melissa took a leadership role in passing the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (HR-4173). This reform will help prevent another financial crisis. It ensures that failing companies will not collapse the financial system. It also brings transparency and accountability to default swaps and derivative trading.
Consumer Protections
Melissa supported creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency. "Creating a CFPA puts one agency in charge of creating strong but streamlined regulations that can be applied and enforced consistently for consumers and investors across the nation," Melissa said.
Afghanistan
Melissa said, "I support the President's strategy, which recognizes that security and stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan, particularly degrading Taliban and insurgent capacity, is essential to our own national security. It is critical, however, that we ensure that Afghan security forces are trained to equally engage and ultimately assume the lead security role."
Stimulus Program and the Eighth District
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the stimulus program was created to help jump-start the economy after our country's worst economic crisis in generations. Examples of how this program benefited our district can be seen in a few examples:
- McHenry County government received funds to increase energy efficiency in county buildings;
- Tax reform under the Net Operating Loss Carryback provision. This allows businesses to "smooth out" swings in business income that result from unexpected financial losses'
- Gurnee police and schools received funds for security cameras.
- Road resurfacing projects in towns such as Round Lake Park, Richmond, and Prarie Grove, and throughout Lake, Cook, and McHenry counties'
- Libertyville's Buckley Road bridge over the Des Plaines River was repaired;
- Waukegan Regional Airport's runway was repaired;
- Wauconda received funds for their water treatment program;
- Lake County Health Department jobs were saved; and
- Lake County received assistance for homeless prevention, youth job training, and summer jobs.
More than 80% of the jobs created are with "mom-and-pop" operations.
Veterans care
Melissa is knowledgeable about veterans' issues from her own family's history, as her father was a Marine Raider in World War II.
To make it easier and faster for veterans who served as medics to earn certification as civilian EMTs, Melissa introduced the Experienced Medic Transition (EMT) Act, H.R. 3199, which reduces the need for duplicative training and streamlines the integration of returning veteran medics into the civilian emergency response system.
She is also leading legislation to authorize the Navy and the Department of Veterans Affairs to jointly operate the new Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago. This will improve veterans care by merging two hospitals.
Student Loans
Melissa helped pass the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA), H.R. 3221. "As a parent of a college student, I recognize the increasing costs to both students and families and how complicated it is to complete federal financial aid forms," said Rep. Bean. "This bill not only simplifies the FAFSA form; it also increases grants and affordability for community colleges and other educational programs." This bill Invests $40 billion to increase the maximum annual Pell Grant scholarship, keeps interest rates low, and provides loan forgiveness for members of the military who are called up to duty in the middle of the academic year.
Primary Election - February 2, 2010
The right to vote is the foundation of America's freedom. While Melissa doesn't have an opponent in the primary, there are a tremendous group of candidates running for office in this primary election cycle. The Bean Team is committed to getting out the vote on primary day, and will be calling primary voters all throughout January 29th through February 2nd. We need help to boost turnout as high as possible - please volunteer with us. Here are the times:
"8th District South" - Palatine
Fri 29th: 4-8pm
Sa 30th: 10-6pm
Su 31st: 10-9pm
Mon 1st: 10-9pm
Tue 2nd: All day until polls close
"8th District North" - Grayslake
Fri 29th: 4-8pm
Sa 30th: 10-6pm
Su 31st: 10-9pm
Mon 1st: 10-9pm
Tue 2nd: All day until polls close
Please contact Field Director Nick Meyer at (847) 221-3965 if you are interested in helping!
Caring for Community
Winning Women
In November 9, Melissa paid tribute to leading women of in the 8th District with the third annual Winning Women awards. She joined over 100 people at Makray Golf Course to honor nine outstanding women who work to improve our community, better the lives of others or expand the scope and mission for an organization they serve. This year's honorees are:
Teresa Aguinaldo
Kelli Brooks
Laurie Dayon
Patricia Dieckhoff
Elizabeth Hoeft
Joy Martin
Wendy Paulson
Mary Podjasek
Alaine Garcia
You can read about each woman's accomplishments at melissabean.com.
Community Volunteering
Dozens of community organizations are available throughout the 8th District to help youth, the disabled, veterans and those in crisis; and to promote animal welfare, the arts, recreation, education, and health. You can find out how to contact these groups here (link http://www.melissabean.com/community?id=0003)
After the Holidays many community organizations struggle to draw in both volunteers and resources to support their missions. Regardless, the needs of those struggling in our communities continue on throughout the year. Every small act of kindness and generosity makes a difference to these groups.
If you are looking for an opportunity to give back to our community, volunteer opportunities can also be found here (link - www.volunteermatch.org)
Bean Team Volunteers
Ballot Signatures
Thanks to all the campaign volunteers who helped us obtain 2600 signatures placing Melissa on the Illinois Democratic Primary ballot. This is a new all-time high, and reflects your dedication and energy. Melissa hosted a pizza party in November to thank the signature gatherers, last summer's parade marchers and all the other great volunteers who give their time.
Meet Nick Meyer, Campaign Field Director
In January, we were proud to welcome a new and enthusiastic member of the Bean Team - Field Director Nick Meyer.
Nick brings with him a wealth of practical campaign experience, as he's worked on several high-profile, contested races. He began his campaign career with President Obama's US Senate race in Illinois, and after graduating from Northwestern University became a Field Organizer for Tammy Duckworth's 2006 campaign in the 6th District of Illinois - a District very similar to our own.
Nick went back to his campaign roots in 2007, diving headfirst into the Iowa Caucuses as a Senior Field Organizer for Obama for America in Dubuque. After Iowa, he traveled to Wisconsin to serve as an Interim State Director and Deputy Political Director for the Obama team, and eventually landed in Minnesota as the Obama's Southern Minnesota Regional Field Director for the General Election.
Nick's excited to work with everyone in the 8th District, and looks forward to a spirited, energetic campaign.
As always, please don't hesitate to call or email us.
