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Civility from all sides
As many of you know, last Sunday I appeared on the long-running news show, "Meet the Press." At one point during the show, David Gregory, the show's host, pointed out video of protesters in Madison, Wisconsin carrying some despicable signs about Governor Scott Walker. I immediately, on air, condemned what I saw.
For those of you who did not watch the show, one sign read "Midwest Mussolini" and another read "Scott Walker = Adolf Hitler." Still another read "1933 Hitler Abolished Unions! Look it up!" It made me sick. A worthy and necessary challenge to union-busting tactics was tarnished. When will we learn that all nastiness, whether promoted by Republicans or Democrats, creates a stench around a cause or campaign?
Further, it is shameful for elected officials to dance around questions when asked about inappropriate or revolting political commentary, or protest signs that attack the humanity of those with whom they have a sociopolitical disagreement. Look, neither Governor Walker nor President Obama was born outside the United States and neither is Hitler incarnate. Hopefully, more leaders will suppress ideology and say so. There are legitimate arguments and disagreements happening in Wisconsin and state capitals across the country. These last few weeks, I have laid out many points in support of the protesters' position in this newsletter. We can have those discussions, even passionately, without resorting to name calling. I have tried to be out front to call for civility on both sides, and I was very glad Mr. Gregory gave me an opportunity to direct criticism at a group I am sympathetic towards. I am just sorry I had to do it.
If you missed Meet the Press last week, the full discussion can be found here >>>
On the note of civility, this Sunday I will be at Trinity United Methodist Church, to talk on the topic of civility at 9 a.m. Trinity United Methodist Church is located on 620 E. Armour Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri in the historic Hyde Park neighborhood. I hope to see you there!
On a MUCH more positive note
Today, it was my pleasure to join the students of Ingels Elementary School in the Hickman-Mills School District for a little light reading. Together, we marked the 107th birthday of Dr. Seuss. In an effort to promote reading both by and to children of all ages, I was happy to once again read aloud one of the kids' favorite stories: Bessie Smith and the Night Riders by Sue Stauffacher.
Each year, I truly enjoy celebrating Read Across America Day, and the students at Ingels were fantastic as always. This year, the event combined Read Across America, Black History Month and Career Week. Such a nice way to spend part of the day!
Tune into KCPT's Week in Review
Before heading out to Ingels, it was my pleasure to join Rep. Vicki Hartzler (MO-4) and Rep. Kevin Yoder (KS-3) to tape KCPT's Week in Review with Nick Haines. We had a great discussion and I applaud KCPT for having us all on the show. As Mr. Haines said, with a far better accent than I can muster, "We follow the campaigns closely, but often forget to have you back after you are elected." I hope we can have more conversations like the one today.
You can catch the program this evening at 7:30 pm on KCPT. Rebroadcast Sunday at 11 am.
That being said, one of the things we talked about on the show was the votes, cast by the two colleagues sitting next to me to de-fund public broadcasting.
The elimination of funding for public broadcasting, approved by the House of Representatives, threatens millions of citizens throughout America with the loss of services that they rely on, especially parents and children. PBS' nearly 360 member stations will be severely impacted. Smaller and rural stations, those that operate in areas with the most limited media choices, would feel the most dramatic effects.
Each month, PBS reaches 117 million people through television and 20 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS' broad array of programs have been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Millions of children of all ages have learned from Big Bird, Grover, Elmo, Mr. Rogers and countless other characters and programs over the years.
I received countless calls from constituents asking to preserve funding for public broadcasting. Now is a good time to let your voice be heard in support of Public Broadcasting. Join your voice to 170 million others to strongly support KCPT and KCUR >>> https://protectmypublicmedia.org/
The Employment Situation in February
From Austan Goolsbee Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers
Today's employment report shows that private sector payrolls increased by 222,000 in February, marking 12 consecutive months of growth that has added 1.5 million jobs at private firms. The unemployment rate fell for the third straight month to 8.9 percent. The 0.9 percentage point drop in the unemployment rate over the past three months is the largest such decline since 1983, and it has been driven primarily by increased employment, rather than falling labor force participation.
Though unemployment remains elevated, we are seeing signs that the initiatives put in place by this Administration – such as the payroll tax cut and business tax incentives for investment – are creating the conditions for sustained growth and job creation. The steep decline in the unemployment rate and the overall trend of economic data in recent months has been encouraging, but there is still considerable work to do to replace the jobs lost in the downturn. We will continue to work with Congress to find ways to reduce spending, but not at the expense of derailing progress in the job market, making the investments we need to educate our workers, investing in science, and building the infrastructure our companies need to succeed.
In addition to the increases last month, the estimates of private sector job growth for December (now +167,000) and January (now +68,000) were revised up. Overall payroll employment rose by 192,000 last month. The sectors with the largest payroll employment growth were professional and business services (+47,000), education and health services (+40,000), manufacturing (+33,000), and construction (+33,000). State and local government experienced a large decline (-30,000), and has shed jobs in 14 of the past 16 months.
The overall trajectory of the economy has improved dramatically over the past two years, but there will surely be bumps in the road ahead. The monthly employment and unemployment numbers are volatile and employment estimates are subject to substantial revision. Therefore, as the Administration always stresses, it is important not to read too much into any one monthly report.
Death by a thousand cuts
While we are on the subject of economic growth, and as I told my colleagues on KCPT's Week in Review, there is no disagreement that we need to cut spending. However, I believe that we need to do it in a responsible way so that we live within our means, and so we can invest in the future, out-building, out-educating, and out-innovating our competitors in the world economy. But as the economy continues to recover from the deepest recession in a generation, we cannot afford to make dramatic and indiscriminate cuts that would undermine Missouri jobs and public safety. The reckless spending plan that was passed by the House would do just that. An estimated 14,200 Missouri jobs would be lost if H.R. 1 is enacted into law, and thousands of Missouri families would be less safe.- Independent, non-partisan analysis has found that H.R. 1 will cut 700,000 jobs through 2012, with Missouri set to lose more than 14,200 jobs.
- More than 3,800 community health center jobs will be eliminated in Missouri if the House-passed bill is enacted.
- Under H.R.1, the average Missouri undergraduate with Pell college tuition assistance will see their assistance cut by more than $650.
- More than 4,000 Missouri children will lose access to Head Start, an early education program that is proven to help students complete high school.
- Missouri could lose upwards of $56 million in job training investments under H.R.1, which would impact approximately 29,000 potential Missouri workers.
- H.R. 1 reduces Byrne Justice Grants for crime prevention in Missouri by $2.8 million.
- H.R. 1 reduces Missouri's homeland security investments by more than $1.3 million, hurting local law enforcement's ability to keep Missouri families safe.
- The Mid America Regional Council in Kansas City will lose nearly $675,000 in Port Security Grants.
I am going to keep bringing you examples like this of how the proposed cuts will impact different parts of our community. We need to find a balance and we are not even close.
A new Marshal in town
It is my pleasure to announce that the President has nominated Chief Alfred C. Lomax of Kansas City to be the next U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Missouri.
I have known Chief Lomax since I was Mayor of Kansas City. I know Al will bring to the U.S. Marshal's office the same integrity and professionalism that has become his trademark over his 30 years of public service. It was my honor to recommend him to the President.
"I am pleased to nominate these outstanding public servants to serve as U.S. Marshals," said President Obama. "Throughout their careers, these individuals have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to justice, and I am grateful for their continued willingness to serve and protect the American people."
Chief Lomax has been the head of Airport Police at Kansas City International Airport since 1992. He assumed his position at the airport after retiring as the Deputy Chief of the Investigation Bureau of the Kansas City Police Department. Chief Lomax joined the Kansas City Police Department in 1963.
The U.S. Marshals Service is the nation's oldest and most versatile federal law enforcement agency. Federal Marshals have served the country since 1789, oftentimes in unseen but critical ways. To this day, the Marshals Service occupies a uniquely central position in the federal justice system. It is the enforcement arm of the federal courts, and as such, it is involved in virtually every federal law enforcement initiative.
Presidentially appointed, U.S. Marshals direct the activities of 94 districts — one for each federal judicial district including Missouri's Western District. More than 3,340 Deputy U.S. Marshals and Criminal Investigators form the backbone of the agency. Among their many duties, they apprehend federal fugitives, protect the federal judiciary, operate the Witness Security Program, transport federal prisoners and seize property acquired by criminals through illegal activities.
In case you were wondering
It is my pleasure to congratulate the people of Kansas City on selecting two excellent candidates for the March General Election. Either of these will wear the title of "Mr. Mayor" with dignity. I look forward to working with one of these exceptional public servants as they move the city we all love, in a positive and progressive direction.
Many have asked why I do not endorse municipal candidates in my role as Congressman. As I move into my fourth term, dozens of mayor's races in cities throughout the Fifth District have occurred. While I am always happy to meet with candidates for office, I have told each personally, including all of this year's candidates for Mayor of Kansas City, that I will not endorse any candidate. My three predecessors in Congress maintained neutrality and pledged to work with whomever the voters chose to lead them. I have steadfastly followed that tradition, even when very good friends happen to be on the ballot. I know that when I was running for Mayor I did not want a Member of Congress trying to sway an election. I have followed the example of Alan Wheat, Karen McCarthy and their predecessor, the legendary Dick Bolling, who all avoided endorsements in local races.
I am a Kansas City resident, and on Election Day my vote counts no more than any of my fellow Kansas Citians. I am proud to cast my vote for whom I think will best lead our city, and I will do so in the privacy of the voting booth.
As a resident of Kansas City, I look forward to the competence, enthusiasm and vision either Mike or Sly will bring to the office of Mayor. It will be a difficult choice for Kansas City, but I am confident and excited that either candidate will be an exceptional mayor. This continues to be a civil campaign worthy of the great people of Kansas City. We are fortunate to have two hard-working public servants from which to choose, and I look forward to working closely with the next mayor in the years ahead.
Grants for housing
Kansas City neighborhoods receive nearly $1 million in grants for home improvements
By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
March 2, 2011
For the residents of Lawndale Heights Apartments and the Blue Hills, Washington/Wheatley and Ruskin neighborhoods, Feb. 22 was a good day.
That day, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II, announced those neighborhoods would receive approximately $1 million in affordable housing grants through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Affordable Housing Program (AHP).
A total of 198 homes will be improved.
During the Feb. 22 announcement at Central Bank of Kansas City, Cleaver said he's not a stranger to subpar housing.
He was born on the kitchen cabinet in his grandmother's house in Texas and for 7 1/2 years, he grew up in a home without running water, indoor plumbing and working lights. To remind himself of those days, he keeps a picture of that house hanging in his office in Washington, D.C.
"This grant project merits celebration for me because this will help improve 198 homes," Cleaver said. "One-hundred ninety eight of our friends and neighbors will live in better homes simply because of money awarded."
The City of Kansas City's Housing Asset Recovery Program (HARP) and Central Bank of Kansas City received $500,000 to repair and improve homes in the Blue Hills, Ruskin and Washington/Wheatley neighborhoods. Homes in those neighborhoods are 80 to 100 years old. Lawndale Heights Apartments and Union Bank received $477,000 to finish renovations to a 123-unit building, including upgrading the elevator system and replacing every window sill. Lawndale Heights caters to the elderly and disabled, but the current elevator system does not meet proper code requirements.
"We cannot underestimate the psychology of affordable, decent housing. This changes lives," Cleaver said.
LaReita Boyer, president of the Ruskin Heights Home Association, knows that first-hand.
Several years ago, her home received much needed upgrades through HARP.
"It was fantastic," Boyer said. "I'm retired and I could have never done everything I got for free. I got new windows, everything."
A new fence was installed around her yard and her electrical system was updated.
Paired with the new energy efficient windows, she continues to save on her heating costs.
April Cushing, office manager of the Ruskin Heights Home Association, said most of the homes are older and haven't been updated over the years to meet today's standards and codes. A number of homes still have fuse boxes as opposed to breaker boxes and electricity voltage is low, she said.
"We still have enough seniors that cannot afford to be updated, so we still have a market for it (home upgrade grants)," Cushing said.
Ellen Cook of the Ruskin Heights Home Association also voiced gratitude for the grant.
"In light of the economy, it's always a blessing (to receive a grant like this), because you're in competition with other people who need it," Cook said. "Everybody's hurting, so the idea is to make the best of what you've got and be a good steward."
Emanuel Cleaver, II
Member of Congress
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