Thank you for reading The Conaway Chronicle, a review of my activities in Congress. This newsletter is to let you know what’s going on in Washington and what important issues are being debated in Congress.
*Effective today: Conaway Chronicle resumes circulation - every two weeks.
It has been some time since my last update, so rather than inundate you with information, I am going to offer a quick rundown of the most recent and/or notable news:
Votes (last week):
—Yes: 2012 Defense Authorization Bill
(link)
—No: To raising national debt limit without any spending cuts or budget reforms
(link)
New media update:
—New Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/mike.conaway
—New Twitter Handle:
@ConawayTX11
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Important issues for you:
Nearly three years into Obama’s presidency, 9.1 percent of the workforce remains unemployed and our national debt exceeds $14.3 trillion. In spite of the obstacles, we can turn things around, we just need a plan.
GOP Plan
- What the private sector needs is an injection of confidence, certainty, and stability. House Republicans have proposed a robust plan to boost private sector growth and create jobs.
*Click for more on:
- House Republican's Plan for America's Job Creators (HRP Summary)
- House Republican’s Plan for America’s Job Creators (HRP Full)
National Debt
- Last week, congress held a vote to increase the national debt limit; however, because the bill did not offer spending cuts or budget reforms, I voted no. Borrowing money without a plan to reduce our growing debt and deficit makes no sense. The days of easy spending are over, now is time for the hard decision like tackling the systemic spending imbalance plaguing our economy and destroying our jobs. To support a proposal increasing the nation’s borrowing authority, a credible plan offering substantial spending reductions must be included.
Texas Wild Fires
- Since fire season started on Nov. 15, 2010, Texas Forest Service and area fire departments have responded to 11,362 fires that have burned 2,838,428 acres.
- April 16, 2011: Governor Rick Perry sent a request to President Obama for a federal Major Disaster Declaration to assist with the ongoing wildfire season.
- May 3, 2011: FEMA denied the governor’s request.
- June 1, 2011: U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that 28 counties in Texas were approved for Emergency Conservation Program (EPC) funding to restore permanent fences and address damages to agricultural lands by recent wildfires.
*Click for more on:
USDA Emergency Conservation Program funding approved for 28 Texas counties
Dunes Sagebrush Lizard
- I know many of you have been following the potential listing of the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard on the Endangered Species List closely. This listing would have big implications for the people of West Texas and it remains a top concern of mine. In the past few weeks, several national news services have run segments on the lizard and the impact a Listing would have on jobs in District 11 and on gas prices around the country. I have posted several of these segments on YouTube to keep you updated on the latest in the lizard debate. For those of you not familiar with the lizard, I encourage you to watch the videos below and learn about a growing threat to the West Texas economy that I am fighting against in Washington.
*Click for:
Link for Lizard Updates
In the coming weeks I will be sending out a number of updates regarding the issues mentioned above and other important developments. To aide me in providing you the information you desire, please take a moment to answer the questions in this email, or if you prefer, submit your request or questions via my Facebook or Twitter.
-Mike
