Economic Stimulus Package

Dear Mr. Shaw:

Thank you for contacting me about the economic stimulus package. I appreciate hearing your views.

The American people are hurting. They are losing their homes, their jobs, their businesses and their life savings. Economists across the political spectrum agree that the government needs to take bold and immediate action to stimulate the economy and curb the risk of a protracted economic recession.

I believe that the government has to do something to get us out of this economic tailspin, and doing nothing isn’t an option. I voted for the economic stimulus package because I believe it is narrowly targeted to spend and invest in ways that will get the economy moving again. It invests in our infrastructure, creating badly needed jobs, and provides critical tax relief to businesses and middle-class Americans. It also shores up unemployment benefits and food stamps, provides aid to seniors and disabled veterans, and invests in our children through 21st Century education. The bill improves access to health care, and promotes energy independence.

I’ve read the entire stimulus bill and I believe it will preserve and create millions of good-paying jobs, help States like Florida manage budget shortfalls, and advance our infrastructure to meet modern demands. Congress passed the bill on February 13, and President Obama has now signed it into law.

Unfortunately, there has been a lot of misinformation and inaccurate reporting on this legislation. The stimulus bill does nothing to “socialize” medicine. In fact, it does three things that really help people. First, it lowers the cost of insurance for people who lose their jobs. Second, it gives more money to States to cover medical care for low-income Americans and the uninsured through the Medicaid program. And third, it provides federal funding for the development and use of electronic health records to help doctors and hospitals be more efficient.

Based on what I hear from folks across Florida, it’s clear that we need to fix the problems caused by this economic crisis. But we must take care with taxpayer money. Last year I voted against spending $700 billion to bail out Wall Street because the bill lacked meaningful relief for homeowners facing foreclosure and didn’t include adequate protections for American taxpayers. I remain committed to reducing wasteful spending and improving transparency in Federal funding. And once we have returned to prosperity, I remain equally committed to tackling our burgeoning Federal deficit.

I appreciate your comments as they help me serve you better in the Senate, and I look forward to hearing from you should you have any future concerns.

The New Direction for Energy Independence

Dear Mr. Shaw:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the current status of the energy bill. I appreciate hearing from you and would like to take this opportunity to respond to your concerns.

In the first session of the 110th Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives passed two markedly different versions of omnibus energy efficiency and renewable energy legislation. The Senate version of H.R. 6, the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007, passed the Senate by a vote of 65-27 on June 21, 2007. I voted against the Senate passed version of the energy bill because of it did not include any language for increased domestic energy production, debate was not allowed to discuss a possible repeal of the Brazilian ethanol tariff and Senate Democrats promised to reinsert the $32 billion tax title in conference. The House passed H.R. 3221, The New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act, on August 4, 2007.

There are several fundamental differences between these two pieces of legislation that have made it difficult for a conference committee to be arranged without further action from either chamber. The Senate passed bill includes both a raise in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards and a Renewable Fuels Standard, while the House passed version does not deal with either in any capacity. Furthermore, the House passed version included a Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, which was not included in the Senate version, as well as a lengthy tax title that was not added to the Senate passed energy bill.

Appointing a conference committee for these bills has been a slow and laborious process. To date, Senate leadership has yet to name conferees which has delayed any further action on the Energy Bill. Please be assured that I will keep your views in mind as we continue working on these important bills. I am committed to working with my colleagues in the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the full Senate to promote America’s energy independence.

Again, thank you for contacting me. If you have any additional questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me. In addition, for more information about issues and activities important to Florida, please sign up for my weekly newsletter at http://martinez.senate.gov.

Sincerely,

Mel Martinez
United States Senator

Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act

Dear Mr. Shaw:

Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R.3915, the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2007. I appreciate your thoughts and the opportunity to respond.

As you know, this legislation amends the Truth in Lending Act. The bill would establish a national minimum lending standard, while making companies that back risky mortgages liable when financial markets deteriorate. If passed the bill would create a nationwide mortgage licensing system. Lenders would be prohibited from directing consumers into loans they are unlikely to be able to pay back. Lastly, the bill prohibits lenders from collecting excessive fees or practices that may lead a barrower to foreclosure, as well as prepayment penalties and forcing customers to participate in binding arbitration.

I made a speech on the Senate floor to address the sub-prime mortgage industry, text of this speech can be found on my website through the following link, http://isakson.senate.gov/floor/2007/032907subprime.htm. It is my opinion that we do not need to overreact to what is going on in the sub-prime mortgage industry, rather we should be correcting the mistakes in the industry such as implementing stricter underwriting and documentation standards in order to qualify for these loans. Rest assured, I will continue to closely monitor this situation, and thank you again for contacting me with your thoughts on this issue.

Thank you again for contacting me. Please visit my webpage at http://isakson.senate.gov for more information on the issues important to you and to sign up for my e-newsletter.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson
United States Senator

The Future of Shaquille O’Neal in the NBA as a Center.

Since the start of his Basketball career, Shaquille O’neal has been viewed by coaches, players, and critics alike to being the answer to problems regarding inside scoring, rebounding, and paint pressure.

15 years later the 7-foot, 1-inch center is still looking to impact the NBA as a Big-Man altough his is a free-agent and out of work currently. Shaq, as a blue-chip prospect avoided instant league doqn-falls to become one of the NBA premire centers as he has attained accomplishments such as MVP, leading rebounder, blocks, the championship rings, along with the olympic medals.
Just the mere mention of the name Shaquille O’Neal and the expectations of productivity and work ethic seem to be calmed by the experience and patience that this legendary center gained and inspired others with as he is currently considering another season in the NBA.

Where will he go?

Although Shaq is a good player, the risks that come with him tend to out-weigh the potentials that the seven-footer has. Lacking in Free-throw abilities, old age, constant knee problems, etc.

Now that Kobe Bryant has acheived to attain another ring with-out the supporting efforts of Shaq questions around the league are sparking up as to the current ability of Shaq as a Big-Man and where will he be playing next season if that is what he wants to do, continue playing for the NBA?

I heard that Toronto Raptors are looking at Shaq as well as the Cavs now that his contract is up with the Phoniex Suns.

Where do you think Shaq will go?

Does Shaq still have what it takes to enforce the down-low potentials of a Big-Man in the league?