Standing up for Idaho
posted on Sep 06, 2010The Walt Minnick for Congress campaign is excited to announce a new television commercial!
News
Walt visits N. Idaho
posted on Aug 27, 2010This last week, Walt had the opportunity to visit North Idaho to meet with constituents and hear their questions and concern
Walt had the honor of joining Post Falls Mayor Clay Larkin and the firefighters of Kootenai Fire and Rescue in paying respect to the first responders and victims of the attacks of September 11, 2001 as steel beam from the World Trade Center passed through Post Falls on its way to a permanent 9/11 memorial in Kitsap County, WA.
Walt spoke at the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce on the potential benefits to Idaho's economy from expanding international trade. As Walt said, "if we do this, there will be faster economic recovery, higher paying manufacturing jobs, and it will raise everyone's living standards."
Walt also visited Idaho businesses, including Heater Craft and Impact Case and Container. It is sobering to see the impact the recession has had on Idaho's economy, but Walt was honored to see the resilience of N. Idaho's business community and workers.
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Walt cuts through federal red tape
posted on Aug 26, 2010One of many examples of Walt helping Idaho small businesses cut through federal government red tape:
Dear Congressman Minnick,
We contacted your office after getting the run around from the FCC for months. Your office helped us cut through the bureaucracy and ensured the paperwork was processed quickly.
Working with your staff was a real pleasure. The follow-up and follow-through made us feel like our company was the only one that needed help. Helping us get the waiver from FCC will make a difference to many Idaho residents, as we are now able to upgrade and expand our business and help deliver cell phone service into rural Idaho. Thank you for your help!
Cambridge Telephone Company, Cambridge, Idaho
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Physicians endorse Walt
posted on Aug 23, 2010Boise, ID - One of the state's oldest and most respected professional organizations is endorsing Congressman Walt Minnick's bid for re-election.
The Idaho Medical Political Action Committee (IMPAC) and American Medical Political Action Committee (AMPAC) announced the endorsement today. IMPAC is the bi-partisan political arm of the Idaho Medical Association.
“IMA appreciates Congressman Minnick’s extensive efforts to reach out to the medical community on an ongoing basis,” said IMA CEO Susie Pouliot. “He consistently reflects the values of his constituents and has shown the courage to vote accordingly.”
Throughout the ongoing debate over health-care reform legislation, Walt reached out to a wide spectrum of medical professionals, even hosting them for a roundtable discussion on the health care bill, which Walt ultimately opposed.
"I know this has been a tumultuous year for Idaho physicians," he said. "But they have my ongoing commitment to work with them and others in a collaborative, bipartisan fashion to help find solutions to problems such as Medicare reimbursement and a lack of rural providers."
IMPAC describes itself as a group that "works to protect physicians, their practices, and their patients in this challenging political and economic landscape. IMPAC works in conjunction with AMPAC to ensure that elected officials in Idaho and Washington, D.C., understand the issues most important to maintaining and improving our state’s rural health system."
Click here to learn more about the Idaho Medical Association, which was founded in 1893.
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Realtors back Walt
posted on Aug 12, 2010The Idaho Association of REALTORS just announced their endorsement of Walt. Here's what they had to say about Walt's record:
“We admire Walt's common-sense, fiscally conservative approach to serving in Congress, and we also appreciate how hard he and his staff work for us, for other small-business owners and for Idaho,” said Julie DeLorenzo, of Keller Williams Realty Boise and the 2010 Idaho Association of REALTORS® President. "Like Sen. Crapo and Rep. Simpson, Rep. Minnick puts Idaho first. Our association and our state are fortunate to have such a respected, hard-working delegation."
Full press release below:
The Idaho Association of REALTORS® (IAR) has announced their endorsements for U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, Congressman Mike Simpson and Congressman Walt Minnick for re-election to Congress in November.
“Our Congressional delegation has consistently demonstrated their pro-business, pro-private property rights beliefs in Congress,” said Julie DeLorenzo, of Keller Williams Realty Boise and the 2010 Idaho Association of REALTORS® President. “These three individuals are a tremendous asset to the State of Idaho, and the IAR enthusiastically supports their re-election this November.”
The Idaho Association of REALTORS® is one of the largest business trade organizations in Idaho, representing nearly 7000 real estate agents across the state. The Association is dedicated to promoting economic development and protecting private property rights. Job growth and private property rights are two of the key factors that led the Association to endorse Crapo, Simpson and Minnick for re-election.
Jim Johnston of the Home Specialists in Pocatello serves as the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) state contact for Senator Mike Crapo. “Senator Crapo is a tireless advocate for the citizens of the State of Idaho, and always takes time to discuss issues of importance to our industry,” said Johnston. “With all of the challenges our state and nation are facing, the people of the State of Idaho are lucky to have someone with the experience of Senator Crapo working for them in Washington, D.C.
Gail Hartnett of Keller Williams Realty Boise is the NAR state contact for Congressman Mike Simpson. "Congressman Simpson is a true friend of small business and the men and women of our industry. We are proud to offer him our strong support once again this year and look forward to working with him in the future to improve the housing sector and strengthen our nation's struggling economy," said Hartnett.
In addition to serving as the 2010 IAR State President, DeLorenzo also serves as the NAR state contact for Congressman Walt Minnick. “We admire Walt's common-sense, fiscally conservative approach to serving in Congress, and we also appreciate how hard he and his staff work for us, for other small-business owners and for Idaho,” said DeLorenzo. "Like Sen. Crapo and Rep. Simpson, Rep. Minnick puts Idaho first. Our association and our state are fortunate to have such a respected, hard-working delegation."
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Help Vernon Baker’s family, others
posted on Aug 12, 2010Heidy Baker, the widow of Medal of Honor recipient Vernon Baker, can't afford to attend her husband's funeral at Arlington National Cemetery with her family. To cover living expenses while she is in DC for the funeral, you can donate money at the Heidy Baker Donation Account, which can be arranged by contacting AmericanWest Bank or visiting any of their branches. Contact AmericanWest Bank to give donations care of Heidy Baker:
Address: 233 West Ironwood Drive, Coeur D Alene
Phone: (208) 277-1000
Click here to watch a story about Vernon Baker and his family.
Here are some other worthy veterans' charities that deserve your support:
List of chartered service organizations:
http://www1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm?template=view
Gold Star Moms, for families who have lost a loved one:
Gold Star Wives:
Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Disabled American Veterans
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Walt named a “Taxpayer Hero”
posted on Aug 11, 2010
Yesterday, Walt was named a "Taxpayer Hero" by the Council of Citizens Against Government Waste, in recognition of his strong stand against earmarks and pork barrel spending.
NEWS
For Immediate Release Contacts: Leslie K. Paige 202-467-5334
August 10, 2010 MacMillin Slobodien 202-267-5305
Taxpayer Watchdog Group Names Rep. Walt Minnick
“Taxpayer Hero”
Scores 83 Percent on CCAGW’s Congressional Ratings
(Washington, D.C.) – The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) today honored Rep. Walt Minnick (D-Idaho) as the lone Democratic Taxpayer Hero in Congress for scoring 83 percent on its 2009 Congressional Ratings. The average for the entire House was 31 percent, and the average for the Senate was 39 percent; this makes the Rep. Minnick’s achievement that much more impressive. Since 1989, CCAGW has tracked roll call votes to separate the taxpayer advocates in Congress from those who favor wasteful programs and pork-barrel spending.
The 2009 Congressional Ratings cover the voting year 2009, the first session of the 111th Congress. CCAGW rated 120 key votes in the House and 74 in the Senate.
“Rep. Minnick is the first Democratic Taxpayer Hero since 2006 and deserves special recognition for this achievement. His vote rating shows that is it not impossible for Democrats to vote to cut wasteful spending, reduce the tax burden, and make government more accountable to taxpayers, and it stands in stark contrast to the average of 4 percent for his House colleagues,” said CCAGW President Tom Schatz. “Unlike members of Congress who talk about voting to cut waste back home but then vote to raise taxes and spending in Washington, Rep. Minnick has been consistent in both his rhetoric and his actions. If more of his Democratic colleagues voted as he did last year, the budget deficit and national debt would both be lower.”
CCAGW’s website, http://www.ccagw.org, features the complete 2009 Congressional Ratings, including vote descriptions, scorecards for the House and Senate, and averages by chamber, party, and state delegation. In the House, there were a total of seven “Taxpayer Super Heroes,” with a grade of 100 percent. In 2008, there was one House member with a perfect score. In 2009, there were 89 “Taxpayer Heroes” with a grade of 80 percent or above, a 51 percent increase from the 59 in 2008. The big difference was in the number of members with a perfectly abysmal score of zero. In 2008 there were only 34. In 2009, however, the number of members with a score of zero skyrocketed to 105, which is 41 percent of the 256 House Democrats.
From 2006 through 2008, there were no “Taxpayer Super Heroes” (scoring 100 percent) in the Senate, but fortunately there were two in 2009, Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.). There were a total of 29 “Taxpayer Heroes,” 52 percent greater than the 14 in 2008. The two next highest scores were achieved by Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) at 99 percent. There were no senators with a score of zero, compared to 17 in 2008.
The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste is the lobbying arm of Citizens Against Government Waste, the nation’s largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.
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Walt works for veterans
posted on Aug 10, 2010
Walt drew attention in the this week for his proposal, HR 5933, to give our veterans better access to private college tuition and on-the-job training. From Stars and Stripes:
The legislation would also ease rules regarding guardsmen and reservists, giving them active-duty credit for time mobilized for state emergencies and natural disasters. The number of veterans eligible for the $1,000 book stipend would also be expanded. And vocational training and apprenticeships programs, which had remained under the old GI Bill rules, will now be moved into the new GI Bill policies, in many cases offering more reimbursement for training expenses than in the past.
“Basically, the goal with this is to make it simpler and make it fairer for everyone,” Minnick said in an interview last week. “[The GI Bill overhaul] was a great piece of legislation, but there were some holes. So we’re trying to straighten that out.”
Walt is right when he says that this is not a partisan issue; this is precisely the type of consensus-seeking legislation that we need to send Walt back to DC to continue to fight for.
To read more about this legislation, follow the links:
GI Bill would be simplified under House, Senate proposals, Stars and Stripes
Bill to Expand Veterans' Education Benefits Begins Moving Through Congress, The Chronicle of Higher Education.
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Walt endorsed by AGC
posted on Aug 04, 2010
Eagle, ID - One of the largest and most influential trade associations in Idaho is backing Walt Minnick's campaign for re-election. Idaho Associated General Contractors and its national organization, Associated General Contractors of America, announced their endorsement of Minnick today at a press conference held at a local concrete plant.
"Congressman Minnick has proven himself to be a pragmatic, fair, and proactive representative of the people of Idaho," said Idaho AGC President Burke Hansen, who is also president of Hansen-Rice, Inc. "His background in business lends itself well to identifying problems and, more importantly, identifying solutions. He is pro-business and pro-solution."
Hansen said Minnick understands the need for infrastructure investments to promote economic development.
"Walt understands that regulations are very important but also need to be concise and clear in order for industry to comply," Hansen said. "He understands that collaboration rather than confrontation is often the most effective way to accomplish good things for Idaho and the country."
Minnick thanked the group for their endorsement, and pledged to continue building on a successful partnership.
"As we all know, the recession has hit Idaho's construction industry hard," Minnick said. "However, I have never met a more resilient, determined group of businessmen and women. They are focused on literally rebuilding Idaho's economy, and I have been honored to partner with them in their efforts."
Minnick is the former CEO of TrusJoist, then an Idaho-based manufacturer of engineered wood products for the construction industry.
"As the leader of an Idaho company which supplied raw materials for Idaho AGC members, I know that there is no more important task than putting Idahoans back to work at places just like this," Minnick said while standing at the concrete plant. "I want to hear the pounding of hammers. I want to smell new asphalt. I want to see kids writing their names in the fresh concrete of a new foundation, the kind of foundation we need to keep Idaho growing. "
Photos from the press conference below:
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NYT: Walt on small businesses
posted on Jul 29, 2010Walt spoke to the New York Times on June 15 about the recession and how to help the recovery of small businesses.
Walt on how small businesses are essential for economic recovery:
"It’s the small businesses who want to expand who normally drive a recovery. I think the biggest reason why the recovery appears to be faltering is that there are collectively enough of these small businesses who do have logic for expanding who can’t get any money from their community banks or other familiar and local sources of credit."
Walt rejects deficit spending as a solution:
"What my businesses say is, “Quit throwing money at the problem. Balance its budget. Quit digging the deficit hole deeper.” They’ve all been through that, and they see the federal government as the only one that’s defying the law of economics, and they get real nervous about what’s happening in Greece. The beneficiaries of the pump-priming are the ones that most want the federal government to quit spending money that it doesn’t have."
Walt explains why loans are scarce for small businesses:
"I have 31 banks headquartered in my state — 12 are under regulatory supervision and must reduce their outstanding loan portfolios. Those 12 banks are effectively out of business. It doesn’t matter if one of their customers comes in with an absolute bullet-proof expansion opportunity, they are not in the business of making new loans. And at least half of the remainder are afraid they’re going to be, so they’re extremely conservative. This pressure on the commercial banking system, outside of money-center banks, is starving small business for credit in this country."
Walt explains his bill to encourage banks to make small-business loans:
"The bank that’s struggling to write down their commercial real estate assets is having to take a hit to capital, and this provides replacement capital on very, very favorable terms. So it deals with the left side of the balance sheet; my bill deals with liquidity and concentration on the right side of the balance sheet. It’s essential, because liquidity without new capital for a bank whose problem is both doesn’t solve the bank’s problem."
To read the rest of Walt's interview, click here.
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Act Now
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