Dear Friends:
As I get back to the district and talk to folks, I hear from those that have lost their job and people who now have lower incomes and lower expectations for their children’s future. This greatly concerns me. I have listened to the President, along with my constituents and others, and while the President has some ideas that merit consideration, our biggest point of difference is that just implementing bigger government programs and more spending are not going to get America out of a depressed economy.

We must incentivize those that invest and those that create jobs. It is the private sector that can expand employment and reinvigorate the economy. It has been free enterprise and business that makes the country go and grow. These free market principles provide good paying jobs and then allows people to pay their taxes and be good citizens. We must find ways that promote that private sector activity and also to compete and win today in a global market. More regulations, more taxation and more meddling from Washington only depress positive economic growth.

In Congress, everyone has different responsibilities—mine is transportation and infrastructure. In this role, I am trying to make certain that the money you pay when you fill up your tank through the gas tax or the other federal fees and taxes you pay, are properly expended on good infrastructure. America’s roads, bridges and all types of transportation and infrastructure systems need attention. It is imperative that we use your hard-earned tax dollars, the money that you are sending to the highway trust fund, properly. With 35 percent of the Stimulus I funds appropriated two and a half years ago still in Washington, the term “shovel ready” has become a joke. We must streamline the federal project approval process, cut red tape and end wasteful programs.

I am looking for ways to do more with less like many citizens have had to do. So in the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, my responsibilities have been to work in our area to move projects forward and expand employment opportunities to build our nation’s infrastructure. I am willing to work with the President, Democrats, Republicans and citizens that come forward with great ideas that we can incorporate into good policy. We can and we must do better.

I am optimistic about the country’s future. I think people working together with good intentions and good faith, can make a difference. America has risen to any challenge in the past, and I know that we can in the future.