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1
1
STATE OF THE STATES
NEAL R. PEIRCE
THE ECONOMIC DRAG OF DISCRIMINATION
P
rejudice and exclusion: They're as American as apple
nation) all the less attractive for manufacturing firms and other
pie. Just take a look at how the nation has allowed
companies that need skilled workers.
blacks. Hispanics and poor whites to be segregated in
Now comes David Rusk. a former mayor of Albuquerque.
the nation's center cities, even while society winks an eye at
N.M., with a survey that identifies 10 "cities without suburbs."
affluent whites retreating into lily-white suburbs and then
They are Rusk's own Albuquerque. along with Amarillo, Texas:
erects barrier after barrier against affordable housing for
Anchorage: Colorado Springs, Colo.: Columbus, Ga.:
low and moderate-income citizens.
Huntsville, Ala.: Jacksonville, Fla.: Lexington, Ky.: Lincoln,
Now. however. come the first signs that the nation is paying a
Neb.: and Lubbock. Texas.
heavy economic price for the new American apartheid.
These cities. Rusk contends. have systematically annexed new
The National League of Cities, for example, recently released
growth areas or merged with their surrounding counties. Across
a study showing that the regions with the greatest income differ-
the board. their average per capita income is 16 per cent higher
ential between center cities and
than in their outlying areas.
suburbs have been suffering the
Because they keep their wealth.
most at the hands of the recession.
New research suggests
their center cities don't get stuck
Using employment growth as a
(as is so often the case) with dra-
yardstick. the study's authors.
Larry Ledebur of Wayne State
that the wider the
matically higher taxes. Subsidized
housing gets spread around a
University and William Barnes of
the National League of Cities. pin-
economic gulf between
whole expanded city. School
opportunities are equalized. Mid-
pointed the regions in which cen-
city and its suburbs,
dle-class families don't flee.
ter-city residents earn on average
"The more an area is organized
no more than 43 per cent of what
the heavier the
on a metropolitan-wide basis, the
their suburban neighbors earn.
smaller the socioeconomic gaps
Employment in those regions
dropped 3 per cent from 1988-91.
recession's toll.
between black, Hispanic and An-
glo-Americans," Rusk said. "In
By contrast. the regions in which
other works, integration works."
center-city residents did relatively
City-county consolidation offers
well-earning at least 78 per cent
no "instant panacea," Rusk is
of the suburban income average-
quick to acknowledge. Area-wide
registered job growth of 6 per cent.
strategies for housing, education and job training are all politi-
The averages march right up the scale. The better off that
cally very tough to implement.
center-city residents are in comparison with their suburban
But vast disparities. in Rusk's view. can be deadly. "Our soci-
counterparts, the better the region's economic performance: the
ety deludes itself in thinking that turning America's central cities
worse off they are, the worse the region's employment picture.
into the sociological equivalent of giant public housing projects
There are, to be sure. some startling exceptions. Chicago and
is the path to anything but a garrison state," he said.
Memphis have massive economic segregation, but did fairly well
Rusk's research may need more refining. But it surely runs
on the job front: Atlanta and Nashville have relatively less
straight in the face of the attitudes and assumptions that have
income segregation. but did poorly.
fed segregation-and that may now be immobilizing the nation
Over all, however, the picture is alarming. Such cities as Balti-
economically.
more. Boston. Cleveland, Detroit, Newark. N.J., Philadelphia
The birth of the global economy makes it sheer folly to think
and San Jose registered high scores in economic segregation
that part of a metropolitan region can continue to prosper while
(and usually in racial segregation). And they suffered the worst
other parts suffer, said Ted Hershberg of the University of
in terms of employment.
Pennsylvania.
By contrast. cities with the lowest city-suburb income differen-
In the past, Hershberg noted. an industry might have been
tials-Charlotte. N.C., Minneapolis-St. Paul. Salt Lake City,
able to get along with a mediocre work force, weak local trans-
Seattle and Tulsa. Okla.-registered strong employment growth.
portation or poor-quality air or water because its distant com-
All this makes a difference for the United States as a whole.
petitors had their own problems. But today, industries are in
The more metropolitan areas from coast to coast are plagued by
head-to-head competition worldwide.
massive income differentials. the more slowly the nation is likely
Only the best will survive. That makes it foolhardy to think
to recover from the recession.
that a region can prosper if a fourth of its population is ill-
In the aggregate, the economies of major metropolitan
trained or living in poverty.
regions are the economy of the United States. Most folks think
Getting Americans to rethink their hundreds of municipal
and talk about America as an aggregation of 50 states. But in
boundaries-social "fire walls." in many people's minds-is
economic terms, America is an aggregation of 284 metropolitan
never easy. It touches deep-seated fears about race and econom-
areas.
ie class. It ties into economic anxieties about "other" kinds of
In each region. and across the nation as a whole, poverty takes
neighbors depressing real estate values.
a heavy toll. Poor people not only earn less, but they pay less in
But the new research suggests that by tolerating racial dis-
taxes. Their welfare and criminal justice costs drag down local.
crimination in and around their communities, Americans have
state and regional economies. Because they're typically less edu-
been paying a far higher price for their prejudices than they ever
cated. they're less employable. That makes the region (and the
would have dreamed.
770
NATIONAL JOURNAL 3/28/92
ECONOMICS & FINANCE
COVER STORY
Democrats Falter in Drive
To Claim Peace Dividend
Rank-and-file divisions over deficit, defense spending
stymie plan to confront Bush on economic issues
T
he drive by congressional
deficit. "Are we going to move de-
Democrats to transform the
cisively to invest a portion of our
peace dividend into home-
peace dividend?" Sasser asked.
front spending - a plan that
"Or are we going to maintain Cold
seemed almost a sure bet as re-
War policy and Cold War sacri-
cently as January - is taking on
fices after the Cold War is over?"
the look of a lost cause.
At stake for Democratic lead-
Earlier this year, it seemed
ers is a chance to draw a clear-cut
likely that the 1990 budget summit
election-year distinction between
agreement and the walls it set up to
Democrats' plans to invest in
keep defense money from being
American growth and what they
shifted to domestic programs would
say is Republicans' refusal to give
soon be changed or gone. Three
Sasser
Domenici
up outdated spending priorities.
months later, the budget deal is
The Senate defeat, engineered
battered but holding, and the wall
in part by eight Democrats who voted
around defense money is still in place.
BOXSCORE
to keep the filibuster going, under-
The hopes for a defense-to-domes-
scored critical divisions among Demo-
tic spending transfer have fallen vic-
crats on this and other high-profile
tim to growing Democratic anxiety
Bills: S 2399, HR 3732 -
economic issues. It came only a day
over the deficit, voter backlash against
Remove budget walls.
after House leaders were unable to
federal spending and the fears of some
Latest action: Senate failed, 50-
muster even a majority in their at-
members that defense cuts will kill
48, to cut off a filibuster on March
tempt to override Bush's veto of the
desperately needed jobs back home.
26.
Democratic tax-cut bill. (Story, p.
President Bush has already threat-
795)
ened to veto any bill to knock down the
Next likely action: House floor
It was one more lost skirmish in
walls between defense and domestic
action March 31.
the surprising unraveling of Demo-
appropriations. But Democratic leaders
Reference: Background, Weekly
cratic plans to confront Bush on eco-
appear to have more than they can
Report, pp. 716, 611, 523.
nomic issues and seize back the mo-
handle just persuading their own mem-
mentum he gained in his combative
bers to subscribe to the arrangement.
State of the Union speech Jan. 28.
After weeks of delay and uncer-
to get the extra money they say is
Then, Bush temporarily claimed the
tainty, Senate Democrats on March 26
needed to keep domestic spending
political and economic high ground with
fell a decisive 10 votes short of the 60
even with inflation in fiscal 1993.
an aggressive program to pull the nation
they needed to shut down a GOP-led
Opponents say that is precisely the
out of recession and put congressional
filibuster against a measure (S 2399)
idea, ridiculing the notion that the
Democrats on the defensive.
to tear down the walls. The vote was
government ought to spend the peace
Democrats fired back with a plan of
50-48. (Vote 56, p. 840)
dividend on anything other than defi-
their own to cut taxes for the middle
A similar measure (HR 3732) is in
cit reduction when it is simultaneously
class and alter the hudget deal to beef
deep trouble in the House, where lead-
borrowing more than $400 billion to
up critical domestic spending programs
ers have postponed a floor vote for four
pay its bills. "What peace dividend?"
that could otherwise be restricted to
weeks in a row in the face of opposition
asked John C. Danforth, R-Mo., dur-
below-inflation increases this year. But
from conservative Democrats. Another
ing the Senate floor debate. "How can
so far they have been hammered at
vote is tentatively set for March 31.
we talk about an election-year gift to
every turn, undermined by defections in
Though backers hold out hope for
the American people when we're
their own ranks and unable to success-
a resurrection in the House or a high-
broke?"
fully challenge a president who has
level compromise between the White
But bill author and Senate Budget
never lost a veto fight.
House and congressional Democrats.
Committee Chairman Jim Sasser, D-
the walls bill seems all but dead. With
Tenn., insisted that the hill would
House Bill Vote Much Delayed
it would go a chance for appropriators
only open the way for a transfer of
The House walls bill has heen set
money from one spending category to
to come to the floor each week since
By George Hager
another, doing nothing to increase the
March 2, but leaders have repeatedly
CQ
MARCH 28. 1992 - 789
ECONOMICS & FINANCE
pulled it in the face of opposition from
hometown defense jobs.
the measure for ignoring the deficit
a coalition of conservative deficit
Stenholm blasted the House lead-
and jeopardizing defense spending.
hawks and conservative-to-liberal de-
ership for having "reneged" on com-
"There's only one guaranteed re-
fenders of defense spending. The dis-
mitments to hold a vote on the mea-
sult to a change in the budget deal,
traction of the check-kiting scandal at
sure earlier in March. "When
and that's to increase the deficit," said
the now-closed House bank has also
agreements don't stick. that's bad
Armed Services Committee Chairman
made it difficult to focus attention on
business," he said.
Sam Nunn, D-Ga. "If we pass this
the walls issue.
Passage of the current version of
amendment
the defense budget
A vote has been scheduled again,
the walls bill would clear the way for
will become the equivalent of the
this time for March 31, and aides said
the House to embrace a budget resolu-
House hank."
they plan to pull out the stops to turn
tion that calls for splitting the peace
Budget Committee ranking Re-
wayward Democrats around. Leaders
dividend roughly 75-25 percent he-
publican Pete V. Domenici of New
will warn the rank and file that hig-
tween domestic spending and deficit
Mexico insisted that the Senate stick
ticket projects like NASA's hyper-
reduction. a plan Stenholm and his
to the budget rules. "A deal is a deal,"
expensive space station and the multi-
allies vigorously oppose.
Domenici said.
billion-dollar superconducting super
In hopes of making the walls bill
But Budget Chairman Sasser said
collider will be in dire straits if no way
more palatable to deficit hawks, strat-
it was high time to change the 1990
is found to increase domestic appro-
egists were considering altering it to
deal. which he argued was completed
priations.
require a 50-50 split of the peace divi-
before anyone realized the extent of
Transportation
Appropriations
dend between domestic spending and
the changes taking place in the former
Subcommittee Chairman William Leh-
deficit reduction. But such a change
Soviet Union.
man. D-Fla., sent a letter to his col-
could lose the votes of Democrats who
"The unreconstructed old Cold
leagues March 23 warning that the
desperately want cash for domestic
Warriors strap on their rusty armor
highway and mass transit funding they
spending programs.
and come over here on the floor and
authorized in last year's surface trans-
As it now stands, the House walls
tell us, 'Oh, no, you can't reduce this
portation hill (HR 2950 - H Rept 102-
bill would not transfer any defense
military spending.'
404) would be slashed unless the House
money. Instead, it would change the
Although the bill would not reduce
opens the way for more domestic spend-
budget rules to permit those transfers
defense spending by itself, Sasser in-
ing.
a year earlier than they would other-
sisted, it was critical to knock down
A House aide familiar with the
wise occur.
the wall to allow excess spending to go
whip count said March 26 that hill
The 1990 budget agreement pro-
where it would do far more good. "It
proponents had only about 200 of the
vided separate caps for defense. do-
would he foolish not to seize this
218 votes they need and would try
mestic and international spending for
opportunity," he said. "It is time to go
over the weekend to shift about a
fiscal 1991-93 and prohibited using
back to a policy of investing in Amer-
dozen Democrats.
savings in any category for anything
ica."
But an angry Charles W. Sten-
but reducing the deficit. In 1994-95.
It was clear early on that the mea-
holm, D-Texas, who leads opposition
the walls will come down and all the
sure was in trouble when Sasser by-
to the hill, insisted that the postpone-
money will go into a single pot, leaving
passed his own committee to bring the
ments have not helped the leadership
appropriators free to transfer the
hill directly to the Senate floor. He
gain ground.
funds as they see fit.
said he probably would have had the
"Every day we're gaining," he said
votes in the Budget Committee and
of his amorphous coalition of deficit
Bipartisan Attacks in Senate
only wanted to avoid a required refer-
hawks, defense hawks and moderates
During Senate debate. Republi-
ral of the bill to the Governmental
and liberals worried about the loss of
cans and Democrats alike criticized
Affairs Committee, which could have
tied up the measure for 30 days.
But on the cloture vote, Sasser lost
Walls Erected by Budget Rules
the three Budget Committee Demo-
crats who had declined to cosponsor
Budget rules set the following limits on the amount Congress can
the walls hill in the first place: Chris-
appropriate in fiscal 1991-95. In 1991-93, money cannot be moved from one
topher J. Dodd of Connecticut, Jim
category to another. Amounts are in billions of dollars, rounded.
Exon of Nebraska and Ernest F. Holl-
ings of South Carolina. Sasser would
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
have needed two of the three for com-
Domestic
mittee passage.
Budget authority
$182.9
$202.7
$206.1
Sasser said that holding 1993
Outlays
200.5
215.1
225.4
spending bills to the budget agree-
International
Budget authority
21.2
34.5
22.8
ment's caps would keep domestic
Outlays
20.3
19.8
20.6
spending $6.7 billion below the level
Defense
needed to keep pace with inflation,
Budget authority
332.9
301.7
289.0
$
and he orchestrated warnings from ap-
Outlays
330.8
309.2
296.8
propriators that major projects would
TOTAL
be in danger as a result.
Budget authority
537.1
538.9
517.9
515.3
522.0
"If the fire walls do not come
Outlays
551.6
544.2
542.8
538.5
541.6
down, we might have to shrink or even
SOURCE President Bush fiscal 1993 budget
cancel the space station," said VA-
HUD Subcommittee Chairman Bar-
790 - MARCH 28. 1992
CQ
ECONOMICS & FINANCE
'Boll Weevils' Trip Up Leaders
E
leven mostly lean years after they
House Republicans, who are badly
burst on the scene and temporarily
outnumbered and could use crossover
upset the balance of power in the House,
votes to alleviate their doormat status on
conservative "Boll Weevil" Democrats
critical economic policy votes, do not see
have flexed their organizational muscle
the CDF as a reliable source of belp.
again and helped force Democratic lead-
Given the 268-166 split between the two
ers to pull a controversial budget bill
parties, the magic number for Republi-
from scheduled floor votes four weeks in
cans - if they can hold all of their
a row. (Story, p. 794)
members - is 52 Democratic defectors.
Staunch opposition from the Conser-
Most of the time that is not a realistic
vative Democratic Forum (CDF) and the
goal. "They [the CDF] could never pro-
distractions of the House check-kiting
duce 52 votes for us," says a senior House
scandal have left Democratic leaders un-
GOP aide. "Generally speaking, it's too
able all month to gather the votes they
big a reach."
need to pass a controversial bill (HR
Stenholm and other members say that
3732) that would knock down hudget
they do not usually set out to publicly
walls and allow a shift of defense money
beat their own leadership, and the fight
into domestic spending.
over the walls bill did not start that way
The walls bill is a top Democratic
R MICHAEL JENKINS
either. Stenholm aide Ed Lorenzen said
priority this year and once seemed a sure
Charles W. Stenholm and other
CDF members originally thought the bill
bet for passage. But leaders apparently
deficit hawks found themselves in
was a "done deal," and that it wouldn't be
failed to reckon on the outrage of their
a coalition against the walls bill.
worth bucking the leadership in a high-
conservative colleagues, who view deficit reduction as a
profile way to oppose it.
higher priority than getting more money for domestic
But deficit hawks found themselves in a coalition with
appropriations.
conservatives opposed to deeper defense cuts in general
Formed after the 1980 elections that swept Ronald
and others - including moderates and liberals - who
Reagan into the White House and numerous conservatives
worried that such cuts would kill defense-related jobs in
of both parties into Congress, the CDF has spent most of
their districts. Although the walls bill itself would not
the last decade as a relatively minor force among House
reduce defense spending, opponents worry that it would
Democrats. But in their glory days in 1981, they pooled
increase the incentive for defense cuts by providing a way
their votes with House Republicans to form a working
to use the money for domestic spending instead of for
majority on key economic votes. The GOP-Boll Weevil
deficit reduction, as budget law now requires.
majority helped enact the budget cuts and tax reductions
Without help, the CDF's deficit hawks might not be
that defined the Reagan revolution.
able to muster the numbers that they need to heat the walls
The CDF waned as a power in 1982 and 1983, however,
bill, but Stenholm is not particular about his allies. "Differ-
as Democratic leaders managed to hold the party together
ent members have got different reasons" for opposing the
more often to fight Reagan initiatives - although Boll
bill, he says. "I haven't checked any pedigrees."
Weevils did join with Republicans to support aid for U.S.-
For CDF members, the issue hoils down to a chance to
backed contras in Nicaragua. Since then, according to
finally direct some money to reducing the deficit. if only by
founding member Charles W. Stenholm, D-Texas, the
a relative drop in the hucket. "This has always been the
CDF has stuck mostly to behind-the-scenes attempts to
core CDF issue," says member Jim Cooper. D-Tenn.. who
work with Democratic leaders to shape legislation before it
admits that $9 billion or $10 hillion would not make much
comes to the floor for a vote.
of a dent in a deficit likely to exceed $400 billion this year.
The group has 59 members, but it takes no formal head
"You can always make the drop-in-the-bucket argu-
counts and exerts no bloc-voting discipline on its members.
ment," Cooper says. "But remember the first rule of holes.
The idea, Stenholm says, is to discuss conservative Demo-
When you're in a hole, the first rule of holes is to stop
crats' concerns and try to reach a consensus. "We're a
digging."
forum - that's why we chose the word 'forum,' he said.
-George Hager
bara A. Mikulski, D-Md.
promise between the White House
Meanwhile, Sasser said the Budget
J. Bennett Johnston, D-La., chair-
and congressional Democrats on how
Committee would begin putting to-
man of the Energy, Water Sub-
to use the peace dividend appear to
gether a 1993 budget resolution the
committee, said the money shortage
hinge on how desperate appropriators
week of March 30 that will keep do-
would threaten Bush's planned in-
are for more money this year and how
mestic spending inside the caps. "The
crease for the superconducting super
worried the administration is that it
next step is to produce a budget reso-
collider. "I am frank to say right now I
will lose funding for the space station,
lution that will reduce domestic dis-
don't know where the money's coming
the super collider and other projects
cretionary $6.7 billion below base-
from," he said.
that it has fought bard to maintain in
line," he said. "A lot of items will be
Prospects for some sort of a com-
the past.
cut."
CQ
MARCH 28 1992 - 791
ECONOMICS & FINANCE
THE BUDGET
Most of Bush's first 68 rescissions
came from a list of 1,391 potential cuts
Democrats Hope Rescissions
identified by the White House Office
of Management and Budget (OMB).
Congressional Republicans initially
Will Be Two-Edged Sword
said OMB would pick and choose from
the $1.2 billion worth of projects on the
list and send up a new batch every week
Responding to GOP call for spending cuts,
or S0. But plans to deliver a package of
party leaders plan list of their own
20 to 30 new rescissions to the Hill the
week of March 23 were canceled, and
sources said there would be no more
S
tung by White House taunts. con-
other Republicans are certain to be
cuts proposed for at least another week.
gressional Democrats promised that
among those on the Democrats' hit list.
GOP strategists said they want time to
they will consider the spending-cut pro-
Though it is likely that Congress
see how the first package fares before
posals President Bush sent to Capitol
will agree to kill some of the spending
they send up more.
Hill on March 20, but they warned that
it approved for fiscal 1992, the two
Presidential rescission proposals
they will propose cuts of their own that
sides seem headed toward a Cold War-
are nothing new. From the time the
Bush and congressional Republicans
style, "mutually assured destruction"
process was put in place by the 1974
may not find as appealing.
showdown in which projects especially
Budget Act through March 19 of this
"There is plenty of pork
at the
prized by both sides will be put on the
year, the president had sent Congress
other end of Pennsylvania Avenue,"
block to make the experience a mutu-
947 spending-cut proposals worth
said Senate Appropriations Commit-
ally painful one.
$63.5 billion. Congress had enacted 675
tee Chairman Robert C. Byrd, D-
cuts - including many substitutions of
W.Va. Byrd pledged March 25 that his
Bush Submits List
their own - worth $55.8 billion.
committee would mark up a bill with
Bush started the dispute when he
What is new is the plan by Bush and
some of the president's spending cuts.
sent Congress a list of 68 proposed
GOP lawmakers to make a partisan
But, he said, "we will also include
"rescissions," or spending cuts. on
issue out of the cuts by sending Con-
some of our own rescissions as well."
March 20. In a tough, combative
gress several packages of rescission pro-
Byrd cited no specifics, but spend-
speech, he derided many of the
posals and then attempting to force
ing projects supported by Bush and
projects and said congressional spend-
politically embarrassing votes on the
ing was out of control. (Text, p. 831,
cuts between now and the fall elections.
By George Hager
834; Weekly Report, p. 713)
Republicans say they will make use
Saying that it would be the first of many such requests,
The following list indicates the 68 items, the 1992 cost
President Bush on March 20 asked Congress to cut 68
in thousands of dollars and the members who sponsored
items from spending that has already been approved for
the funding or whose districts or states would benefit from
fiscal 1992.
the projects.
Project
Amount
Member
Project
Amount
Member
DEFENSE
Small fruit research in Oregon
$200
Washington, Oregon
and Idaho delegations
Seawolf submarines,
$2,765,900
Connecticut Rhode
Cool-season legume research
400
Washington and
Navy shipbuilding
Island delegations
Idaho delegations
Other procurement, Navy
189,400
Connecticut. Rhode
Island delegations
Eastern filbert blight research
100
Oregon delegation
Consolidation of R.I coastal
500
Sen. John H. Chafee, R-R.I.:
AGRICULTURE
facilities
Rep. Ronald K. Machtley, R-R.I
Blackbird control project
100
Sen. Quentin N. Burdick, D-N.D
Food marketing center
2,700
Sen Arlen Specter, R-Pa.
Research-animal care facility
300
Burdick
Pesticide alternative research
200
Oregon delegations
University road construction
500
Burdick
Appalachian hardwood product
800
Sen. Robert C. Byrd.
Oilseed processing plant
400
Burdick
development. market analysis
D-W.Va.
Safflower research
200
Burdick
Apple orchard management
49
Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt
Asparagus research
100
Rep. Bob Traxler, D-Mich.
Control of leafy spurge weed
100
East Lansing, Mich.
Celery research
Traxler
Lowbush blueberry research
200
Sen. George J. Mitchell, D-Maine;
39
East Lansing. Mich.
Rep. Olympia J. Snowe. R-Maine
Manure disposal
100
Traxler
Mechanical tomato harvester
100
Rep. Joseph M. McDade, R-Pa.
Arkansas poultry center
3,100
Sen. Dale Bumpers, D-Ark
Mesquite, prickly pear research
100
Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, D-Texas:
Seedless table grape
100
Bumpers: Rep. John
Sen. Phil Gramm. R-Texas
juice research
Paul Hammerschmidt. R-Ark
Jojoba oil accumulation
200
Sen. Pete V. Domenici, R-N.M.:
Agricultural law research
500
Bumpers
Rep. Joe Skeen, R-N.M
University of Arkansas
Swine disease research
100
Rep Vin Weber, R-Minn
Vidalia onion storage
200
Sen. Wyche Fowler Jr.. D-Ga.
Promotion of American-
600
Sen. Daniel K. Akaka.
Urban pest research
100
Fowler
Pacific agriculture
D-Hawaii: Sen. Daniel K.
Mink feeding. reproduction
46
Rep. Mark O. Hatfield.
Inouye. D-Hawair
research
R-Ore.
Cow-calf management
200
Sen. Tom Harkin, D-lowa
792 - MARCH 28, 1992
CQ
ECONOMICS & FINANCE
of a rule that allows one-fifth of either
House Appropriations subcommit-
analysis assembled by congressional
the House or the Senate to move to
tee chairmen plan to meet the week of
aides, the targeted projects are con-
discharge the Appropriations Commit-
March 30 to decide how to handle the
nected in some way such as per-
tee from considering rescission propos-
president's requests and whether to
sonal request or location - to 45 indi-
als if it has not sent the proposals to the
bundle them with spending-cut pro-
vidual members and four state
floor within 25 days of continuous ses-
posals of their own.
delegations, including 17 Republicans.
sion. With a timeout for the Easter
Though Bush
Among the Republicans are some
recess in mid-April, floor battles over
characterized the
heavyweights: Senate Minority Leader
the spending cuts could begin in May.
projects on his list
Bob Dole of Kansas would lose fund-
Members on both sides of Capitol
as congressional
ing for a University of Kansas study
Hill got that process started the week
pork. the vast ma-
grant; Pete V. Domenici of New Mex-
of March 23 by introducing a series of
jority of the $3.6
ico, ranking Republican on the Senate
bills containing the president's 68
billion in the
Budget Committee, would lose fund-
spending-cut proposals, plus 30 de-
White
House's
ing for a municipal center in Bloom-
fense rescissions worth $2.1 billion
spending cuts -
field, N.M., and for a research project
that Bush sent to the Hill March 10.
nearly $3 billion of
on jojoba oil.
Rep. Harris W. Fawell, R-Ill., said
the total would
Traxler
The list of affected Democrats is
he would fight for a separate up-or-
come from cancel-
almost twice as long, with 28 targeted
down House vote on each of the cuts,
ing construction of the second and third
to lose at least one project. Byrd
but he predicted that there would be
Seawolf submarines, a project origi-
would lose $800,000 in funding for a
an effort to bundle the cuts to make it
nally requested by the White House.
project to conduct economic and mar-
impossible to vote on them individ-
Another $547.7 million would be taken
ket analysis and some product devel-
ually, a stratagem he called "one of
out of public housing construction,
opment for Appalachian hardwoods.
the oldest tricks with regard to pork."
funding that was approved by Congress
House VA-HUD Appropriations
Hank Brown, R-Colo., said he and
with bipartisan support but over which
Subcommittee Chairman Bob Traxler.
his Senate allies "intend to file a dis-
Congress and the Bush administration
D-Mich., leads the list of targeted
charge petition on every single one of
have deep philosophical differences.
Democrats, with seven projects pro-
the rescission proposals, and we in-
The remaining $86 million in sav-
posed for cuts, ranging from a $20 mil-
tend to have a vote on every one."
ings would come from 65 spending cuts
lion Environmental Protection Agency
Senate ally John McCain, R-Ariz.,
that range in size from $20 million to
research and training facility in Bay
said he had a commitment from Bush
$39,000. The White House list tilts to-
City, Mich., to a $39,000 project to
"to make this a daily issue between
ward projects sponsored by Democrats,
develop fusarium wilt-resistant celery
now and when we get it resolved."
but not exclusively. According to an
germ plasm at East Lansing, Mich.
Project
Amount
Member
Project
Amount
Member
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Refurbish Cresson Street
$700
Rep. Lawrence Coughlin. R-Pa
trestle, Manayunk, Pa.
Construction of public housing
$5,477
Nationwide
Rehabilitation of Ypsilanti.
1,000
Rep. William D. Ford, D-Mich
Miami Center for
2,500
Rep. William Lehman, D-Fla
Mich.. Pease Auditorium
Contemporary Art
Hawaii Real Estate Commission
400
Inouye
North Miami Beach
500
Lehman
Performing Arts Center
INTERIOR
Biscayne Park. Fla.,
100
Lehman
Indian reservation road sealing
8,600
Administration request
recreational facilities
Facilities reconstruction
7,700
Lautenberg:
Water supply system
800
Sen. Bob Kerrey, D-Neb
in Perth Amboy.
Reps. Robert A. Roe. D;
for Crawford. Neb.
Trenton
Bernard J. Dwyer, D:
New York Alliance
1,500
Rep. Bill Green, R-N.Y
and Paterson. N.J
Christopher H. Smith, R
of Residence Theaters
Promote Hawaiian arts, crafts
2.000
Inouye: Reps. Neil
Sweet Aubum Curb Market
1,000
Fowler
Abercrombie, D:
Economic development
2,000
Harkin
Patsy T. Mink, D
in Davenport, lowa
Nebraska Education
400
Kerrey
Government center
200
Machtley
Department satellite
Warren, R.I
Red River Basin chloride
3,000
Rep. Bill Sarpalius, D-Texas:
Improvements to Asbury Park
100
Sen. Frank R.
control. Texas and Oklahoma
Rep. Jim Chapman. D-Texas
community center
Lautenberg. D-N.J.
Structural erosion control
1,400
Rep. Pat Williams, D-Mont.
Infrastructure development.
1,200
Inouye
Missouri River, Montana.
Rep. Ron Marlenee, R-Mont
Hawaiian homelands
American Water Works
1,300
Infrastructure development
1,000
Sen. Jim Sasser, D-Tenn
Association Research Foundation
Clinton, Tenn.
National Wood Energy Assoc.
100
Leahy
Job retention for Haweiian
1,300
Inouye
biomass gasification project
sugar cane workers
University water projects
1,500
Sen. Bob Dole. R-Kan..
Bay City, Mich., development
3,900
Traxler
Harkin: Kerrey
Bloomfield, N.M.
1,500
Domenici
Bay City, Mich., research
20,000
Traxler
municipal center
and training facility
Business Marketing Alliance
500
Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D.
University of Nebraska
100
Kerrey
Oxbow project, Virginia
1,000
Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va.
wetlands research
Ashland, Ky., parking garage
1,000
Rep. Carl C. Perkins, D-Ky.
Facilities for International
3,400
Traxler
Myersdale, Pa., recreation
100
Rep. John P. Murtha, D-Pa.
Earth Science Network
Pennsylvania recreation
1,500
Murtha
Delta College Learning Center
800
Traxier
CQ
MARCH 28. 1992 - 793
GOVERNMENT & COMMERCE
CABLE INDUSTRY
House Panel's Re-Regulation Bill
Targets Cable TV 'Renegades'
Energy and Commerce Republicans must decide
between Bush and 'pro-consumer' measure
R
ep. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass.,
allow them to directly benefit from any
on March 25 unveiled a long-
local fees negotiated between broad-
awaited bill to re-regulate the
casters and cable operators.
cable television industry, vowing to
Markey has insisted that retrans-
"rein in the renegades" who charge ex-
mission consent falls "fully within"
orbitant rates, provide poor service and
the jurisdiction of his panel and is un-
hoard programming.
related to copyright questions. "Div-
But Markey first faces Republi-
vying up the pie is another set of is-
cans on his Energy and Commerce
sues," he said.
Telecommunications Subcommittee
who may try to weaken the bill's regu-
A Democratic Product
latory provisions. The unnumbered
While most legislation crafted hy
bill is scheduled for subcommittee
the Telecommunications Subcommit-
markup March 31 and April 1.
tee has wide bipartisan support, the
While stronger than a similar bill
cable measure is the product of panel
passed by the House by voice vote in
BOXSCORE
Democrats, backed by the lobbying
1990, the measure hews closely to a
support of consumer and labor groups
companion bill (S 12) passed by the
Bills: House draft (unnumbered),
and broadcasters.
Senate on Jan. 31.
S 12, cable television regulation.
No Republicans attended a March
Both versions would slap new federal
Latest action: Senate passage (S
25 briefing held to unveil the bill, and
controls on the price of basic cable ser-
12), 73-18, Jan. 31.
Republican lawmakers have only just
vice - as well as other rates found to be
begun to review the legislation. "We're
"unreasonable" - and provide competi-
Next likely action: House Energy
still going through it," said a minority
tors better access to programs controlled
and Commerce subcommittee
staff aide. "There was no collaboration
by the cable industry. (Box, p. 798)
markup March 31.
at all."
But the House bill offers a few new
Background: Bills would regulate
A Markey spokesman said the
twists. It would require cable oper-
cable rates and services, allow
views of members from both parties
ators who carry distant broadcast
broadcasters to charge cable
were taken into account, but that even
"superstations" to offer them to cus-
operators for use of their signal
most panel Democrats were not di-
tomers as part of the regulated basic
and seek to boost competition.
rectly involved in the bill's drafting.
package and would allow customers to
Reference: Weekly Report, p.
Though Republicans were ex-
organize watchdog groups to monitor
720; Senate provisions, p. 375;
cluded from drafting sessions, they
local cable companies.
Senate action, pp. 247, 47; 1991
have already begun to chart plans to
"At its core, this is pro-consumer.
Weekly Report, p. 3373.
fight the bill. Key panel Republicans
pro-competition legislation," Markey
met with White House Chief of Staff
said. "This bill restores to consumers
Samuel K. Skinner on March 25 to
the power to choose the cable services
Judiciary Chairman Jack Brooks.
discuss strategy.
they want and to pay no more than
D-Texas, and Intellectual Property
The White House has promised to
they have to."
Subcommittee Chairman William J.
veto any legislation that would impose
As expected, the draft also in-
Hughes, D-N.J., are expected to try to
new rate regulations on the cable in-
cludes a controversial Senate provi-
attach to the cable bill a repeal of the
dustry, preferring instead to enhance
sion that would allow broadcasters to
entire cable copyright law. That 1976
competition by allowing telephone
charge cable operators for the privi-
law requires that program creators be
companies to enter the cable market.
lege of retransmitting their local
reimbursed when cable operators
Both the House and Senate bills lack
broadcast signals.
carry distant broadcast signals but al-
such a telephone company provision.
That "retransmission consent" lan-
lows operators to carry local signals
House Republicans, who with most
guage could slow down the bill. because
free of charge.
House members face an uncertain elec-
the Judiciary Committee claims the
Hollywood and professional sports
torate, may be torn between supporting
provision falls under its jurisdiction.
leagues want the copyright law repealed
their president and opposing a measure
because the broadcasters' retrans-
that has been billed as pro-consumer.
By Mike Mills
mission consent provision would not
Reaction from the cable industry
CQ
MARCH 28. 1992 - 797
GOVERNMENT & COMMERCE
The Video Marketplace
M
embers of the House Energy and Commerce Commit-
stake claim to the cable industry's market.
tee are to vote the week of March 30 on how to
Broadcasters say they cannot compete against cable's
regulate the cable TV industry until true competition
subscription and pay-per-view revenues. Other competi-
comes along. But a host of competitors - - broadcasters.
tors satellites. wireless cable and telephone companies
satellite operators, wireless cable, telephone and competing
- say they lack equal access to cable programming and
cable franchises - - have a long way to go before they can
have to contend with government barriers.
Cable
trolled programming: precipitation can degrade picture quality
on smaller dishes.
Number of systems: Nearly
11,000.
Wireless cable
Number of subscribers: 56
Number of systems: About 80 communities are equipped to
million.
deliver cable programming to homes through microwave signals
Average monthly rate:
rather than wires.
$17.34 for basic cable service,
Number of subscribers: 400,000.
according to the General Ac-
Average monthly rate: $15 for basic cable service.
counting Office. which also re-
Average number of channels: 20. including most popular
ports that basic rates have in-
cable programs.
creased 56 percent since 1986.
Advantages: Less expensive than cable: industry claims
Average number of chan-
wireless offers a better picture than cable. No right-of-way
nels: 36, though new technol-
problems and no need for local franchises.
ogies promise to more than
Drawbacks: Limited channel capacity. The slow pace of fed-
double current channel capacity.
eral licensing has stifled industry growth. While more program-
Advantages: Wider variety of programs than over-the-air
ming has become available. the wireless industry complains of
broadcast: better picture quality; premium movie channels and
having to pay as much as 800 percent more than cable operators.
pay-per-view events.
Drawbacks: For most consumers, broadcast television is the
Telephone companies
only alternative to cable. Complaints about prices and inferior
service have led lawmakers to try to impose rate and service
Number of systems: 200 Io-
regulations on the industry, which was deregulated in 1986.
cal telephone companies provide
cable service in rural areas under
Broadcast
an exemption from a 1984 ban
on telephone company entry into
Number of stations: 1,093 VHF, UHF and independent tele-
the cable industry.
vision stations nationwide.
Average monthly rate: Tele-
Number of viewers: 98.2 million households.
phone company-owned cable
Average monthly rate: Free.
service offers rates that are $1.20
Average number of channels: 94 percent of television house-
lower than those offered by cable
holds are in markets with five or more stations, typically three
companies, according to a recent
major networks, a public broadcasting station and an indepen-
Southern Illinois University study.
dent, according to the Federal Communications Commission.
Average number of chan-
Advantages: Free to viewers and offers a government-man-
nels: 36.
dated public service function. Over-the-air programs account
Advantages: Same as traditional cable television service.
for about 70 percent of what cable viewers watch.
Drawbacks: Telephone company entry into cable programming
Drawbacks: Limited viewing options, reception often inferior.
is banned in all but rural areas with less than 2.500 population. It is
feared that phone companies would use revenues from their cable
Satellite
operations to subsidize their unregulated phone business, unfairly
Number of owners: 3.5 mil-
impeding competition and raising customers' phone rates.
lion homes use satellite dishes
Second cable franchises
to receive television programs.
Average monthly rate: $17
Number of systems: Only 53 communities are wired for two
for most popular cable chan-
cable systems. according to the cable industry.
nels, though satellite viewers
Average monthly rate: Rates between competing cable sys-
also may choose programs indi-
tems are often as much as 20 percent lower than those in
vidually at extra cost. Viewers
communities with one cable system. according to the Senate
must purchase a satellite dish
Commerce Committee. Per channel prices can be as much as 50
package. including receiver and
percent lower.
decoder, that costs from $3,000
Average number of channels: 36.
to $5,000 installed.
Advantages: Lower prices. Competition also is said to in-
Average number of chan-
crease service quality.
nels: More than 200 video and 100 audio channels.
Drawbacks: It is impractical to wire one community with two
Advantages: More channel capacity than cable, nationwide
competing cable systems. Often, franchising authorities give
audio and video broadcasts; and innovation has led to dishes
exclusive contracts to just one system. Also, existing cable
as small as 1 foot in diameter.
systems often buy out the competitor or wage court battles to
Drawbacks: High upfront costs; high costs for cable-con-
retain exclusive franchises.
798 - MARCH 28. 1992
CQ
GOVERNMENT & COMMERCE
was predictably negative. James P.
for remote control devices, converter
Mooney, president of the National Ca-
boxes, additional outlets and installa-
ble Television Association, said it "ap-
tion. And the agency would set mini-
pears less extreme than S 12 on rate
mum standards for customer service
regulation" but added that it still
and consumer protection.
"goes way too far."
The bill includes language, similar
Steve Effros, president of the
Community Antenna Television Asso-
to that included in the Senate bill by
Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt., that would
ciation, was more blunt, pointing to
require cable operators to ensure that
the ongoing House check-kiting scan-
cable technology is compatible with
dal as reason why lawmakers should
advanced features in television sets
not intrude in the cable marketplace.
and videocassette recorders.
"I'm still confounded by the notion
that congressmen think they can
Enhancing Competition
micromanage everybody else's busi-
The bill's attempts to enhance
ness. They seem to be proving they
competition focus on two issues: giving
can't run their own," he said.
broadcasters compensation for use of
"They've got this down to details, like
their signals and helping other poten-
telling a car dealer if you offer leather
tial competitors gain better access to
seats, you've got to have a sunroof."
cable programs.
Rate and Service Regulation
The retransmission consent lan-
guage was sought by the broadcast in-
The House bill mirrors its Senate
"I'm still confounded by the notion
dustry, which long has surrendered lo-
companion in many ways, adopting
that congressmen think they can
cal signals to cable operators free of
the Senate definition of which cable
charge.
systems would face rate regulation.
micromanage everybody else's
Under the provision, broadcasters
Under both bills, rate regulation
business. They seem to be proving
would have the option of negotiating
could be avoided only if fewer than 30
percent of households subscribed to ca-
they can't run their own."
with cable operators for permission to
retransmit their local signals for a fee
ble or if at least two sources of multi-
-Steve Effros, president,
or simply requiring the cable operator
channel video programming were of-
Community Antenna
to carry their signal for free. Smaller
fered to at least half of the households
Television Association
broadcast stations that fear being
and 15 percent subscribed.
dropped by cable are likely to pass on
The House bill would require the
their programs free. Broadcasters
Federal Communications Commission
even if that package was not the low-
would be required to make the choice
(FCC) to set a new rate for basic cable
est-priced.
every three years.
service, the lowest-priced tier that
By including distant signals in the
By including that language, Mar-
would include all local and public, edu-
basic tier, House sponsors seek to keep it
key and Dennis E. Eckart, D-Ohio,
cational and government channels and
popular enough to maintain the interest
hope that the lobbying clout of the
any distant broadcast signals carried.
of cable programmers and advertisers.
broadcast industry will allow them to
Operators would be free to include addi-
Unlike the Senate bill, which would
repeat the winning strategy of the
tional programs in the basic tier.
allow any citizen to appeal to the FCC to
Senate. which easily passed the bill
For other cable offerings, except
lower rates considered unreasonable,
73-18.
premium subscription movie channels,
the House bill would allow only fran-
Much of the cable industry's con-
the bill would require the FCC to
chising authorities and local govern-
cerns, however, center on provisions
identify cable industry "renegades"
ments to file complaints with the FCC.
that would restrict business deals that
who charge unreasonable rates. The
The House bill would allow con-
are stuck between cable operators and
FCC would be required to consider
sumers to form groups, to be certified
those who provide cable programs.
increases in general consumer prices,
by the franchising authority. to moni-
The Senate bill and the Energy
as well as the comparable rates of sim-
tor local cable systems' behavior. Each
and Commerce draft would ban cable-
ilarly situated cable systems, in deter-
group would be required to be made
affiliated program distributors from
mining unfair rate increases.
up of at least 5 percent of a system's
unreasonably refusing to deal with ca-
The committee draft refines a Sen-
subscribers but would have no power
ble competitors who seek program-
ate attempt to deter cable operators
to file FCC complaints. "Their exis-
ming. It also would ban discrimination
from shifting popular programming
tence is the authority they need,"
in the price, terms and conditions of
away from its regulated basic tier. The
Markey said.
the sale or delivery of programming.
House proposal would mandate that
In another departure from the
Both bills also would deny the ca-
any distant broadcast signals carried
Senate version, the bill would ban ca-
ble industry a provision it sought dur-
by a cable operator - including such
ble operators from forcing consumers
ing the 1990 cable re-regulation battle
popular superstations as Chicago's
to subscribe to a more expensive tier
- language explicitly allowing exclu-
WGN and Atlanta's WTBS - be of-
of service when they want only indi-
sive contracts between cable operators
fered on the lowest-priced basic tier.
vidual premium channels such as
and programmers.
In contrast, the Senate bill would
HBO or Showtime.
Instead, both bills would prohibit
mandate that the regulated basic rate
The price of home equipment also
cable operators from coercing pro-
apply to the first tier that attracts at
would be regulated. The bill would re-
grammers to enter into exclusive con-
least 30 percent of cable subscribers,
quire the FCC to set a maximum price
tracts as a condition of carriage.
CQ
MARCH 28. 1992 - 799
GOVERNMENT & COMMERCE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
trol over the lands ceded to it by
Maryland and Virginia more than 200
First Nod for New Columbia;
years ago.
Supporters of statehood argue that
District residents have all the burdens
Statehood Still Unlikely
of states with none of the benefits.
"How can we demand that federal
taxes be paid and that local people die
D
emocratic supporters of creating
in wars and then specifically deny
the 51st state - New Columbia
them the right to express their posi-
- received a token boost March 26
tion at the ballot box?" asked D.C.
when a House panel voted to grant
Committee Chairman Ronald V. Del-
statehood to the District of Columbia.
lums, D-Calif.
Approved by the House District of
But other members contend that
Columbia's Judiciary Subcommittee
because of the annual federal pay-
on a party-line vote of 5-3, the bill
ment, District residents are already
(HR 2482) would give the District the
treated differently than state citizens.
same voting rights as other states, in-
Congress appropriated $630.5 million
cluding the election of two senators
for fiscal 1992 (PL 102-111) for the
and a voting House member. Cur-
District. The funds are intended to
rently, District residents are repre-
compensate the city for the costs of
sented by a D.C. delegate, who can
accommodating the federal govern-
vote in committee but not on the floor,
ment.
and two "shadow" senators, who have
The legislation would continue the
no voting privileges.
BOXSCORE
federal payment, arriving at the num-
With such clear opposition from
ber by subtracting the costs of provid-
Republicans, there is little chance that
Bill: (HR 2482) District of
ing services to the federal government
the measure will clear Congress soon.
Columbia statehood.
and potential losses of revenue caused
And if it does, President Bush has
Latest action: On March 26,
by the presence of the federal seat,
threatened a veto.
House District of Columbia
from the revenue gained as the result
Republicans argue that the mea-
sure is unconstitutional because the
Committee Judiciary and
of the government's presence.
Education Subcommittee
Constitution established the param-
Other Provisions
eters of a federal government district.
approved the bill, 5-3.
Under the bill, only buildings in a
As the panel's ranking Republican,
Next likely action: Full committee
"federal enclave" would remain under
Bill Lowery. Calif., said, "The perma-
April 2.
the exclusive control of Congress. Capi-
nent seat of government was created
tol Hill, the White House, the Supreme
by the Constitution, not by Congress."
Court and all federal buildings sur-
But Republicans may also have an-
Norton argues that "there is grow-
rounding the mall area would be in-
other concern. District residents have
ing and outspoken impatience in every
cluded in the enclave, an area of ap-
traditionally voted for Democratic
ward of the District with an inferior
proximately 1,400 acres, called the
presidential candidates, and the three
form of American citizenship unique
National Capital Service Area.
non-voting members of Congress from
to the residents of Washington, D.C."
During the subcommittee markup,
the District are all Democrats.
If people are unhappy at not hav-
Republican panel members offered
Bill sponsor and D.C. Democratic
ing congressional representation.
numerous amendments, most of which
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton said after
"they can move to Maryland," coun-
were defeated 3-5, aimed mainly at
the markup that no state in the his-
tered Thomas J. Bliley Jr., Va., the
the issue of the state's new constitu-
tory of the Union was admitted the
committee's ranking Republican.
tion. Bliley and Lowery offered
first time it tried, and she would not
amendments that would require a sep-
be surprised if the bill fails this time.
Constitutional Question
arate vote by District residents on the
The push for statehood gained new
Perhaps the most important ques-
ratification of the constitution drafted
momentum in 1990 when District resi-
tion for the District is whether state-
by the City Council. Lowery's amend-
dents elected Jesse Jackson to be a
hood would be constitutional under
ment also would have required that
"shadow" senator to lobby members
Article 1. Section 8, Clause 17 of the
Congress adopt a resolution approving
of Congress on the issue. So far, Jack-
U.S. Constitution.
the proposed constitution.
son has met with 53 members of the
The clause says that it is in the
The panel adopted, 5-3, four amend-
Senate, with mixed results.
power of Congress "to exercise exclu-
ments by Norton that would provide for
According to Frank Watkins, na-
sive legislation in all cases whatsoever.
a two-year transition commission to
tional coordinator for the D.C. state-
over such District (not exceeding 10
help the District become a state, allow
hood campaign, 31 senators have told
miles square) as may, by cession of
the new state to impose taxes on federal
Jackson that they will vote for state-
particular states, and the acceptance
property if Congress permits, prohibit
hood. That list includes 30 Democrats
of Congress, become the Seat of Gov-
the new state from changing existing
and Arlen Specter, R-Pa.
ernment of the United States."
height limitations on buildings without
The Bush administration contends
the consent of Congress, and grant vot-
By Elizabeth A. Palmer
that, absent a constitutional amend-
ing rights to residents who live in the
and Christine C. Lawrence
ment, Congress cannot give back con-
area designated the federal enclave.
802 - MARCH 28, 1992
CQ
To Mayor Steve Bartlett
with best wishes, and great pride miyou!
Co Bur
To Mayor Steve Bartlett
with best wishes, and great pride in you!
an Bur
REQUEST FOR PHOTO/MAILING
(PLEASE TYPE)
2-20-92
(Date)
TO:
MARY INGALS
CORRESPONDENCE OFFICE, Room 94, OEOB, Ext. 7610
FROM: Mark Frantz
Room 163
Ext. 6597
P27293-01
Description of photograph or photo number
ATTACH PHOTO IF OTHER THAN OFFICIAL PORTRAIT
TO:
CORRESPONDENCE REVIEW SECTION, Room 76, Ext. 2916
PHOTO TO BE SIGNED BY: POTUS signature
XX
Return to originating office. Type name & address of recipient below
Photograph is to be mailed.
Attach mailing label, any correspondence and include typed address
here:
The Honorable Steve Bartlett
NAME:
Mayor of Dallas
ORGANIZATION:
City Hall, 1500 Marilla Street
STREET:
Dallas, Texas 75201
CITY/STATE:
INSCRIBE TO: Mayor Steve Bartlett
MESSAGE SHOULD READ:
KK
With best wishes
Congratulations and best wishes
Mayor Steve Bartlett welcomes POTUS in Dallas 12-18-91 for
Transportation Bill.
DO NOT PACKAGE PHOTO. DO NOT SEND IT TO THE MAIL ROOM.
SMG-231 (2nd Rev.)
(LABEL)
RE: Economic/Domestic Initiatives
BDGT.ECON.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
04/10/92
for w/aya3/27 paraguaph
Hr
Dear Salutation:
Thank you for your letter to President Bush and for
sharing with him your thoughts and suggestions about
current conditions around the country. The President
cares deeply about families and individuals who are
suffering because of the slow-growing economy, and his
heart goes out to all those who are having hard times.
He is also very concerned that many hardworking people
are worried about their future. Please know that
President Bush is determined that there will be change --
and, equally important, the right kind of change -- to
get our economy back on track and to get our country
moving forward again.
The President has proposed numerous initiatives to
Congress to get our economy moving again and to encourage
sustained economic growth and keep America competitive in
our fast-changing world. President Bush believes that
government policies that encourage job creation and
Soute of
opportunities will ensure a sound and economically
healthy America. Yet the task of changing commonsense
others
proposals into reality is difficult when there is a
fundamental difference between the Democrat-controlled
Congress and the President about how to solve America's
problems. The President's proposals constantly face
significant opposition from the Democratic leadership of
Congress, whose frequent answer to problems is more taxes
and more Federal spending.
President Bush will not sign legislation that he believes
will harm our economy. In recently vetoing the Democrat-
sponsored bill to raise taxes, the President announced a
number of steps that he can take unilaterally to
stimulate the economy, and he again called on Congress to
adopt his growth initiatives. Enclosed please find
information about President Bush's initiatives, which
(04/10/92)
SMG-231 (2nd Rev.)
RE: Economic/Domestic Initiatives
2
would reduce Federal spending, encourage investments to
create jobs, reform our educational system, strengthen
the criminal justice system, revolutionize the health
care system, and enhance international competitiveness.
President Bush will keep pushing hard for positive
change, and he appreciates having your views about these
important issues.
Sincerely,
Shirley M. Green Breen
Special Assistant to the President
for Presidential Messages
and Correspondence
(04/10/92)
Writer's Name
Title
Organization
Organization 2
Address Line1
Address Line2
City, Long State Name Zip Code9
Enclosure: 3/20/92 Fact Sheet
SMG/BW/PB/SMG
SMG-237
(ENV)
RE: Economic/Domestic Issues Concerned Supporters
THE WHITE HOUSE
BDGT.ECON.
WASHINGTON
03/27/92
Dear Salutation:
President Bush has asked me to thank you for your heartfelt
letter. The President has seen many letters similar to yours,
and he wants you to know that he appreciates your sincere
interest as well as your suggestions.
President Bush understands that many Americans are concerned
about our country because the economy is sluggish and because we
face serious domestic challenges ranging from crime in our
neighborhoods to inadequate schools in our communities. People
want to know that their future is secure. Please be assured that
President Bush is firmly committed to moving our Nation forward
to meet the challenges and to fulfill the promise that is
America.
Perhaps you recall that, on the day that President Bush was
inaugurated, he turned to members of Congress, who were seated
behind him, extended his hand in friendship, and said, "The
American people await action They didn't send us here to
bicker " Certainly, it is hard for the American people to accept
the inaction toward solving the country problems. Unfortu-
nately, this is the price of divided government: government where
the President and the majority in the legislative branch have
fundamentally different approaches on how to solve the Nation S
problems.
As far back as 1989 -- long before our economy had begun to slow
down -- the President sent to Congress legislative proposals that
would sustain economic growth and create jobs. He has sent
scores of such legislative changes to Congress. If passed, these
measures would reduce Federal spending, encourage investments to
create jobs, reform our educational system, strengthen our
criminal justice system, revolutionize the health care system,
and enhance our international competitiveness. Instead of
passing the President's initiatives for positive change, three
sessions have come and gone with the Democra -controlled Congress
having taken precious little action -- except the most recent
approval of the Democratic leadership's bill to raise taxes. The
President vetoed it and announced steps that he is taking on his
own to help the economy.
There is more to be done, but anxiety over current problems
should not cloud this Administration's accomplishments.
President Bush fought for and won approval of a child care bill
to give parents more choice in raising for their children, the
(03/27/92)
SMG-237
RE: Economic/Domestic Issues Concerned Supporters
2
Clean Air Act to protect the environment the Americans with
Disabilities Act to bring new opportunities to the disabled, the
highest funding level ever for Head Start, and the first real
caps on Congressional spending. President Bush has also reduced
the threat of nuclear war, yet made sure that our defense remains
strong. Now, with the collapse of Communism and with the courage
of conviction that was demonstrated in the Persian Gulf America
is the undisputed leader of the world. We can be proud that
America is the freest, most productive nation in the world.
President Bush wants, as you do, compassionate and responsible
government -- not big government. He is working hard for his
programs so that there will be opportunity and hope for everyone.
This President believes that government must change in order to
provid commonsense solutions to our Nation's problems and, just
as important, that government policies must protect the family
and reinforce traditional values. President Bush is determined
to lead our country in meeting the problems of today, and he will
always encourage polices that foster those principles that make
America great -- strong families, faith, personal responsibility,
and service to others.
President Bush has often said that serving as President is a
"high honor and deep privilege." He is grateful for your helpful
comments as he works to do what is right for America.
Sincerely,
Shirley M. Green
Special Assistant to the President
for Presidential Messages
and Correspondence
(03/27/92)
Writer's Name
Title
Organization
Organization 2
Address Linel
Address Line2
City, Long State Name Zip Code9
SMG/BW/PB/SMG
SMG-231 (Rev.)
(ENV)
RE: Economic/Domestic Issues/Concern
BDGT.ECON.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
03/27/92
Hr
Dear Salutation:
Thank you for your letter and for your suggestions and ideas about
President Bush's economic and domestic agenda. The President cares
deeply about all those who are having hard times because of the slow-
growing economy, and he understands your concerns. Please know that
President Bush is determined that there will be change -- and, equally
important, the right kind of change -- in our country.
The President has proposed numerous initiatives to Congress to get our
economy moving again and to encourage sustained economic growth and
keep America competitive in our fast-changing world. President Bush
believes that government policies that encourage job creation and
opportunities will ensure a sound and economically healthy America.
Yet, the task of changing commonsense proposals into reality is
difficult when there is a fundamental difference between the Democrat-
controlled Congress and the President about how to solve America's
problems. The President's proposals constantly face significant
opposition from the Democratic leadership of Congress, whose frequent
answer to problems is more taxes and more Federal spending.
President Bush will not sign legislation that he believes will harm
our economy. In recently vetoing the Democrat-sponsored bill to raise
taxes, the President announced a number of steps that he can take
unilaterally to stimulate the economy, and he again called on Congress
to adopt his pro-growth initiatives. Enclosed please find information
about President Bush's initiatives which would reduce Federal
spending, encourage investments to create jobs, reform our educational
system, strengthen the criminal justice system, revolutionize the
health care system, and enhance international competitiveness.
President Bush will keep pushing hard for positive change, and he
appreciates having your views about these important issues.
Sincerely,
Shirley M. Green
Special Assistant to the President
for Presidential Messages
and Correspondence
Writer's Name
(03/27/92)
Title
Organization
Organization 2
Address Line1
Address Line2
City, Long State Name Zip Code9
Enclosures: 3/20/92 Fact Sheet
TRENDS IN
THE ECONOMY
1977-1991
Productivity Growth
Annualized growth rate (percent)
1.0
0.8
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
-0.2
-0.4
-0.5
-0.6
-0.8
Carter
Reagan/Bush
1977-80
1981-91
Source: Department of Labor.
Misery Index
The misery index - the sum of the unemployment rate and CPI inflation rate - fell substantially in the 1980s.
Percent
20
15.0
15
12.2
10.6
10
5
0
CARTER
REAGAN
BUSH
1977-80
1981-88
1989-91
Source: Department of Labor
Real Income Growth
Median income adjusted for inflation grew only slightly from 1977 to 1980, and has grown by over 8 percent since then.
Percent change
10
8.9
8.2
8
6
4
2
0.8
0.2
0
Carter
Reagan/Bush
1977-80
1981-91
Median Household Income
Median Family Income
Note: CPI-U-X1 used as deflator.
Source: Department of Commerce.
Real Median Family Income
Median family income adjusted for inflation is higher now than in any previous administration.
1990 dollars
38,000
36,000
35,708
34,000
33,811
33,770
32,409
32,048
32,000
30,000
29,245
28,000
26,000
*
Johnson
Nixon
Ford
Carter
Reagan
Bush **
*1967-68
**1989-90
Note: CPI-U-X1 used as deflator.
Average of Annual Figures
Source: Department of Commerce.
Growth in Real Median Family Income
Percent change
14
12
11.3
10
8.9
8.2
8
6
4
2
1.8
0.8
0.5
0
Carter
Reagan/Bush
1977-80
1981-90
all
white
black
Note: CPI-U-X1 used as deflator.
Source: Department of Commerce.
Change in Real Household Income by Quintile
Percent change
25
20
18.8
15
10
9.3
8.4
7.8
8.1
5
0.3
0.7
0.6
0.1
0
-0.8
-5
Carter
Reagan/Bush
1977-80
1981-90
lowest
second
third
fourth
highest
Note: CPI-U-X1 used as deflator.
Source: Department of Commerce.
Real Per Capita Disposable Income
1991 dollars
20,000
18,000
16,770
16,000
14,574
14,000
13,675
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
1977
1981
1991
Source: Department of Commerce.
Middle-Class Income Gains
Percent change
10
8.8
8
6
4
2
0.4
0
Carter
Reagan/Bush
1977-80
1981-90
Note: The middle-class is defined as the second, third and fourth income quintiles.
Source: Department of Commerce.
Total Civilian Employment
Millions of workers
120
115
110
105
100
16.5 million in 10 years
95
7.3 million
in 4 years
90
1977
1979
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
Source: Department of Labor.
Changes in Unemployment Rates
Percentage point change
2
1
0.67
0.07
0
-0.38
-0.80
-1
-0.88
-1.57
-2
Carter
Reagan/Bush
1977-80
1981-91
all
men
women
Source: Department of Labor.
Changes in Unemployment Rates by Race
Percentage point change
2
1
0.24
0.07
0.02
0
-0.69
-1 -
-0.88
-2
-3
-3.20
-4
Carter
Reagan/Bush
1977-80
1981-91
all
white
black
Source: Department of Labor.
Average Income Tax Rates for Median
Income Families
The average individual income tax rate for families earning the median income has fallen since 1980.
Tax rate
15
11.4
10.3
10
9.3
9.3
5
0
1980
1985
1988
1991
Data are for four-person families with one wage earner.
Source: Department of the Treasury
Shares of Federal Income Tax Payments by Income Class
The share of income taxes paid by the lowest 40 percent has dropped. The share of income taxes paid by the top 5
percent has increased.
Percent
50
44.2
40
37.1
30
20
10
2.7
1.6
0
1980
1989
Bottom 40 percent
Top 5 percent
Source: Internal Revenue Service.
Poverty Rates for Persons
Percentage point change
2
1.4
1.3
1.2
1
0
-0.4
-0.5
-1
-2
-2.3
-3
Carter
Reagan/Bush
1977-80
1981-90
All
White
Black
Source: Department of Commerce.
Poverty Rates for Female-Headed Households
Percentage point change
4
2
1.7
1.0
0
-0.6
-1.2
-2
-1.6
-4
-4.8
-6
Carter
Reagan/Bush
1977-80
1981-90
All
White
Black
Source: Department of Commerce.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
FILE
March 17, 1992
Dear Mayor Spell:
On behalf of the President, thank you for your message about
the economy and about the pressing domestic issues that are
facing our Nation. President Bush reads your letters and
knows that we are in difficult times, but he also believes
that these hard times are just about over. The latest
economic indicators are all pointing to a very healthy
recovery this year and the President wants that trend to
continue for years to come.
President Bush appreciates the many suggestions that the
Administration has received from people all across the
country; I can assure you that we share the same objective:
to get the economy moving and getting people back to work.
The President has proposed to Congress both a short-term plan
that will get this economy moving immediately, and a long-
term plan which will improve the economy for the future and
help to ensure that we meet the challenges of competing in a
global economy.
Some of these proposals are new. Others, President Bush
first asked Congress to pass, beginning in 1989. If Congress
had passed our pro-growth initiatives then, we would not be
facing such hard times now. When he outlined his proposals
to Congress in the State of the Union Address, the President
said that the American people want action now, for the
Congress to put aside partisan politics and rise to the
occasion and work together for the common good of our great
country.
I assure you that this Administration is working hard to see
that action -- and, equally important, the right kind of
action -- is being taken. As I mentioned before, you can see
from the latest economic indicators that America is beginning
to get back on the track to prosperity. That robust rebound
will continue through this year and can continue on into the
future if the Congress works with the Administration for the
good of the entire country.
Thanks again for writing. I apologize for the delay in
responding but the days have been hectic around here
recently, as they should be. Your thoughts are always
welcome and noted by the Bush Administration. With the
President's best wishes and my own,
Sincerely,
Special Assistant to the President
June James J. Snyder
for Intergovernmental Affairs
The Honorable Lester J. Spell, Jr.
Mayor
City of Richland
Office of the Mayor
Richland, MS 39218
2
ID# 311802
THE WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
INCOMING
DATE RECEIVED: MARCH 02, 1992
NAME OF CORRESPONDENT: THE HONORABLE LESTER J. SPELL JR.
SUBJECT: EXPRESSES VIEWS REGARDING THE ECONOMY,
INSURANCE AND MEDICAL CARE
ACTION
DISPOSITION
ROUTE TO:
ACT
DATE
TYPE C COMPLETED
OFFICE/AGENCY
(STAFF NAME)
CODE
YY/MM/DD
RESP
D
YY/MM/DD
JIM SNYDER
ORG 92/03/02
92/3/17
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ 7
7
/
REFERRAL NOTE:
7 /
/
/
REFERRAL NOTE:
7 7
/
7
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ 7
/
7
REFERRAL NOTE:
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IG MAIL
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(B)
(c)
*ACTION CODES:
*DISPOSITION
*OUTGOING
*
*
*
*CORRESPONDENCE:
*
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*A-ANSWERED
*TYPE RESP=INITIALS
*
*C-COMMENT/RECOM
*B-NON-SPEC-REFERRAL
*
OF SIGNER
*
*D-DRAFT RESPONSE
*C-COMPLETED
*
CODE = A
*
*F-FURNISH FACT SHEET
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*
*I-INFO COPY/NO ACT NEC*
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OUTGOING
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*
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LETTER AT ALL TIMES AND SEND COMPLETED RECORD TO RECORDS
MANAGEMENT.
311802
RICHLAND
City of Richland
OF
MISSISSIPPI
Office of the Mayor
CITY
Richland, Mississippi
39218
Lester Spell.
I
February 28, 1992
Mayon
President George Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Mr. President,
I want to thank you for the strong and dedicated
leadership you have given America. My family and I
were proud to vote for you nearly 4 years ago.
Mr. President, there seems to be a prevalent and
growing frustration among Americans that many of our
country's elected officials have forgotten about US;
forgotten about the working and deserving families;
forgotten about our businesses; and forgotten about
our cities and towns. As a middle class working
American raising a family; as a mayor of a small
municipality burdened with increasing costly state and
federal mandates; and as a small business owner, I
share the increasing desperation of people across
America. For many the color of the American dream is
fading. We wonder why the rest of the world has
become more deserving of our monies than we are. As
our families, our businesses, our cities and towns
struggle harder to make ends meet, we care less and
less about the rest of the world. We are growing
tired and angry while our government continues to
cuddle a largely ungrateful world with our monies.
At civic club meetings; at farmers meetings; at
Chamber of Commerce meetings; at church gatherings; at
PTA meetings; and at City Hall meetings, Americans are
asking, "Why don't we count anymore?" The people of
this country want and desperately need far more than a
politically appealing band-aid; we want our leaders to
show us that we are the most important people and we
want to be shown NOW! Show us by cutting wasteful
foreign spending. Show us by returning revenues to
cities and towns which are being burdened with costly
federal regulations and being strained with the
building and repairing of expensive infrastructure.
President George Bush
February 28, 1992
Page 2
Show us by reducing run away insurance and medical
costs. Show us by giving the working families and
small businesses some real economic incentives and
tax reductions. Show us by giving the hard working
farmers more than 40 cents for each dollar suffered in
crop losses due to natural disasters.
Mr. President, there is an old saying that,
"People don't care how much you know until they know
how much you care." Tell us you care about US most of
all; then, boldly advocate spending our monies helping
Americans, and far less on the rest of the world. You
and the Congress need to act NOW in making America the
first priority! I feel Mississippi's Congressional
delegation would applaud and support your leadership
in that direction.
What are we to think when we constantly watch the
news and read the papers telling us of millions upon
millions of American dollars going to foreign
countries? We are sick and tired of trying to take
care of the world.
We are losing hope, pride and trust in many of
America's leaders. We have neither heard nor seen
that for which we are desperately waiting!
My comments are made respectfully, and with the
firm conviction that they represent the prevailing
sentiment of an ever increasing number of good, hard
working Americans.
Respectfully yours,
Lister Mayor Dester J J Spell, Spell Jr. Jr.
City of Richland, Mississippi
CC:
Senator Thad Cochran
Senator Trent Lott
Congressman G. V. "Sonny" Montgomery
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
FILE
March 17, 1992
Dear Mayor Steinbach:
On behalf of the President, thank you for your message about
the economy and about the pressing domestic issues that are
facing our Nation. President Bush reads your letters and
knows that we are in difficult times, but he also believes
that these hard times are just about over. The latest
economic indicators are all pointing to a very healthy
recovery this year and the President wants that trend to
continue for years to come.
President Bush appreciates the many suggestions that the
Administration has received from people all across the
country; I can assure you that we share the same objective:
to get the economy moving and getting people back to work.
The President has proposed to Congress both a short-term plan
that will get this economy moving immediately, and a long-
term plan which will improve the economy for the future and
help to ensure that we meet the challenges of competing in a
global economy.
Some of these proposals are new. Others, President Bush
first asked Congress to pass, beginning in 1989. If Congress
had passed our pro-growth initiatives then, we would not be
facing such hard times now. When he outlined his proposals
to Congress in the State of the Union Address, the President
said that the American people want action now, for the
Congress to put aside partisan politics and rise to the
occasion and work together for the common good of our great
country.
I assure you that this Administration is working hard to see
that action -- and, equally important, the right kind of
action -- is being taken. As I mentioned before, you can see
from the latest economic indicators that America is beginning
to get back on the track to prosperity. That robust rebound
will continue through this year and can continue on into the
future if the Congress works with the Administration for the
good of the entire country.
Thanks again for writing. I apologize for the delay in
responding but the days have been hectic around here
recently, as they should be. Your thoughts are always
welcome and noted by the Bush Administration. With the
President's best wishes and my own,
James Jem Sincerely,
Snyder
Special Assistant the President
for Intergovernmental Affairs
The Honorable Howard Steinbach
Mayor
City of Banks
Box 428
Banks, OR 97106
2
ID# 308424
THE WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
INCOMING
DATE RECEIVED: FEBRUARY 14, 1992
NAME OF CORRESPONDENT: THE HONORABLE HOWARD STEINBACH
SUBJECT: VIEWS REGARDING DOMESTIC PROBLEMS IN THE
UNITED STATES
ACTION
DISPOSITION
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DATE
TYPE C COMPLETED
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(STAFF NAME)
CODE YY/MM/DD
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D
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ORG 92/02/14
A92/3/17
REFERRAL NOTE:
7
7
7 /
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7 7
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/
/
REFERRAL NOTE:
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7
7
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(B)
(C)
*ACTION CODES:
*DISPOSITION
*OUTGOING
*
*
*
*CORRESPONDENCE:
*
*A-APPROPRIATE ACTION
*A-ANSWERED
*TYPE RESP=INITIALS
*
*C-COMMENT/RECOM
*B-NON-SPEC-REFERRAL
*
OF SIGNER
*
*D-DRAFT RESPONSE
*C-COMPLETED
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CODE = A
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*F-FURNISH FACT SHEET
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309424
City of Banks
100 South Main Street (City Hall)
Post Office Box 428
Banks, Oregon 97106-0428
(503) 5112
Jan. 27,1991
Hon. Geo Bush
President
Washington D.C.
Dear President Bush:
The City of Banks has been given notice to complie with
the Clean Water Act of 1986 regarding surface water. The
City of Banks will meet the deadline of the notice regardless
of the difficulty.
This letter is not about the City of Banks, but the
country and its problems. Everything that I have to write may
have been presented before, but if there is only one thing that
you would care to use feel free to use it as your own.
Infastructure of cities and towns need to be taken care.
A 30 to 40 billion item that would not have to be added as a
new debt. EPA and FMHA already have funds available, combine
these funds and offer to cities and towns at a low interest of
around 3%, and cut the paper work involved to get the funds. This
would be a revolving loan fund.
The homeless. The government has and will continue to
close many military bases in this country. These could be
utilized by the homeless and schools could be established to
retrain these people.
Medical care. Right now insurance companies are costing
close to 30% of the health care dollar. They have to be eliminated
or told to reduce their cost to 10% or less. Reward the
insurance companies by giving them half of the difference be-
tween actual cost (below 10%) and 10%. Hospitals are still
building large complex organizations. Until hospitals achieve
a 75 to 80% bed census they can not build. Eliminate the multi-
tier pricing structure of the drug industry. Allow them to sell
at one price only except to state and federal.
On the environment. There are millions of cars lying in
junk yards and along roads in this country. There should be
none. Exclusivity by insurance companies and others cost
millions of gallons of fuel. Give people freedom of choice.
On the economy. In April of 1991 I went to Japan on my dime
to see what it was like. I stayed away from the population areas
and journeyed to the southern area. Except for food, lumber,
and raw materials there is nothing that Japan needs from America
except money to keep its economy going. There is very little
that I can afford to buy in the electronic business that is not
made overseas.
City of Banks
100 South Main Street (City Hall)
Post Office Box 428
Banks, Oregon 97106-0428
(503) 324 - 5112
Pg 2. President Geo. Bush
Jan 27,1991
The government should grant to manufacturers funds to
carry out research and development for consumer oriented
products. Funding now going to colleges and universities
could be used for this. A provisio would be that any product
that made it to the consumer and increased our standard of
living would repay the government some of the grant, but
would be rewarded by future grants in the same area. No
fruition would mean no further funds.
On education. A plethora of people trying to tell
teachers and others how to teach. Confusion everlasting.
The result is that no one knows what the are doing or what
they should be doing. Except for funding eliminate education
at the federal level. The states must produce or lose federal
funds. Mandatory levels at certain grade levels.
On drugs. I have always thought that the best way to get
rid of the drug problem in this country is two-fold. First
eliminate the peddlers and then give the addicts free drugs.
I still hold to this thought but it would be improper to
eliminate the peddlers so life could be justly called for.
On housing. No tax credit for first time home buyers.
No tax credits for anyone. The government should buy into
housing as I believe it once did by paying part of the interest
of the home.
This has gone on long enough.
The best to you in 1992.
Sincerely yours,
HowardStentol
Howard Steinbach
Mayor
City of Banks
Box 428
Banks, Or. 97106
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
FII
March 13, 1992
Dear Mayor Nicol:
On behalf of the President, thank you for your letter regarding
his plan to help the economy and your status as a businessman in
New Jersey. I sincerely apologize for the delay in responding to
your correspondence but it has been a bit hectic around here
lately.
Though the Administration cannot directly intervene in your
personal business matters, I have already taken the liberty of
forwarding a copy of your letter to the appropriate officials at
the Department of the Treasury, so that they may provide it with
a more thorough and in-depth review and evaluation. Be assured
that they will give your thoughts the utmost consideration,
because we are always eager to hear your comments.
As the March 20th deadline for Congressional action on an
economic recovery plan winds down, I think you can see one of the
problems the Administration faces in attempting to push forward
with an agenda. The initial numbers look good so far this year
and hopefully, we can all come together and work towards the
necessary goal of putting America back on track to prosperity.
Again, I apologize for the wait and thank you for writing. With
the President's best wishes and my own,
Jun Snyder
Fincerely,
Special the President
for Intergovernmental Affairs
The Honorable T.B. Nicol
Mayor of Brielle
c/o: Kelle Chevrolet
South Main Street
Farmingdale, New Jersey 07727
ID# 307641
THE WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
INCOMING
DATE RECEIVED: FEBRUARY 12, 1992
NAME OF CORRESPONDENT: THE HONORABLE T. B. NICOL
SUBJECT: VIEWS REGARDING BANKS THAT NEED TO HELP
FINANCE SMALL BUSINESS
ACTION
DISPOSITION
ROUTE TO:
ACT
DATE
TYPE C COMPLETED
OFFICE/AGENCY
(STAFF NAME)
CODE YY/MM/DD
RESP
D YY/MM/DD
JIM SNYDER
ORG 92/02/12
92/3/13
REFERRAL NOTE:
99 Treasury
I 92/3/13 13
7 /
REFERRAL NOTE:
7 7
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
7 7
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
7 7
7 /
REFERRAL NOTE:
COMMENTS: INCOMING STATES WRITER IS MAYOR OF
BRIELLE, NEW JERSEY
ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENTS:
MEDIA:L INDIVIDUAL CODES: 4200 4680
IG MAIL
USER CODES: (A)
(B)
(C)
*ACTION CODES:
*DISPOSITION
*OUTGOING
*
*
*
*CORRESPONDENCE:
*
*A-APPROPRIATE ACTION
*A-ANSWERED
*TYPE RESP=INITIALS
*
*C-COMMENT/RECOM
*B-NON-SPEC-REFERRAL
*
OF SIGNER
*
*D-DRAFT RESPONSE
*C-COMPLETED
*
CODE = A
*
*F-FURNISH FACT SHEET *S-SUSPENDED
*COMPLETED = DATE OF
*
*I-INFO COPY/NO ACT NEC*
*
OUTGOING
*
*R-DIRECT REPLY W/COPY *
*
*
*S-FOR-SIGNATURE
*
*
*
*X-INTERIM REPLY
*
*
*
REFER QUESTIONS AND ROUTING UPDATES TO CENTRAL REFERENCE
(ROOM 75,0EOB) EXT-2590
KEEP THIS WORKSHEET ATTACHED TO THE ORIGINAL INCOMING
LETTER AT ALL TIMES AND SEND COMPLETED RECORD TO RECORDS
MANAGEMENT.
5
307671
Kelle Chevrolet
SOUTH MAIN ST.
FARMINGDALE, N.J 07727
201-938-7571
January 29, 1992
President George Bush
White House
Washington, D.C. 20013
Dear Mr. President:
It was with great interest I listened to your speech
last evening! You came across as a very sincere
individual who honestly wants to help the economy.
However, "Where's the Beef?"
I am the directly elected (by the people) Mayor in
Brielle, N.J. I own a small Chevrolet Dealership
in Farmingdale, N.J. and an automobile race track
in Wall Township, N.J. I've worked hard and have never
voted for a Democrat. The town I've lived in for the
past 25 years has never even had a Democrat run for
office. I love my Country and The Republican Party.
I've never had a mortgage on my house until this year.
I had to mortgage the "Ranch" to have cash flow.
Am I better off than I was four years ago? Boss, they
are going to do a number on you with that phrase!
I'm trying to put up a new building for my Chevrolet
Dealership. I've been trying to obtain financing for
2 years. We own the property outright where the
building is to be built. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE tell
me which banks you were talking about in your State of
The Union Address!! I'll build - I'll put people to
work - I'11 hire more people at my new location -
I'll be better off than I was four years ago.
-2- -
Give me something concrete. Give me back my
Entrepreneurial America! Give me less red tape.
I can earn a living and employ people, but I need
to be able to finance. I'm not a dead beat. I can't
walk on water. My government has to help the small
business people who employ 80% of the U.S. working
force.
Reality, Sir -- it is something you must address now.
the Very truly yours
T. B. Nicol
TBN:pnb
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 17, 1992
FILE
Dear Mr. Moss:
On behalf of the President, thank you for your message about
the economy and about the pressing domestic issues that are
facing our Nation. President Bush reads your letters and
knows that we are in difficult times, but he also believes
that these hard times are just about over. The latest
economic indicators are all pointing to a very healthy
recovery this year and the President wants that trend to
continue for years to come.
President Bush appreciates the many suggestions that the
Administration has received from people all across the
country; I can assure you that we share the same objective:
to get the economy moving and getting people back to work.
The President has proposed to Congress both a short-term plan
that will get this economy moving immediately, and a long-
term plan which will improve the economy for the future and
help to ensure that we meet the challenges of competing in a
global economy.
Some of these proposals are new. Others, President Bush
first asked Congress to pass, beginning in 1989. If Congress
had passed our pro-growth initiatives then, we would not be
facing such hard times now. When he outlined his proposals
to Congress in the State of the Union Address, the President
said that the American people want action now, for the
Congress to put aside partisan politics and rise to the
occasion and work together for the common good of our great
country.
I assure you that this Administration is working hard to see
that action -- and, equally important, the right kind of
action -- is being taken. As I mentioned before, you can see
from the latest economic indicators that America is beginning
to get back on the track to prosperity. That robust rebound
will continue through this year and can continue on into the
future if the Congress works with the Administration for the
good of the entire country.
Thanks again for writing. I apologize for the delay in
responding but the days have been hectic around here
recently, as they should be. Your thoughts are always
welcome and noted by the Bush Administration. With the
President's best wishes and my own,
Sincerely,
James J. Snyder
Special Assistant to the President
for Intergovernmental Affairs
Mr. Clif Moss
Councilmember at Large
City of Corpus Christi
P.O. Box 9277
Corpus Christi, TX 78469-9277
2
ID# 309067
THE WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
INCOMING
DATE RECEIVED: FEBRUARY 19, 1992
NAME OF CORRESPONDENT: MR. CLIF MOSS
SUBJECT: VIEWS REGARDING THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC POLICY
ACTION
DISPOSITION
ROUTE TO:
ACT
DATE
TYPE C COMPLETED
OFFICE/AGENCY
(STAFF NAME)
CODE YY/MM/DD
RESP
D YY/MM/DD
JIM SNYDER
ORG 92/02/19
A / /
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ /
7
/
REFERRAL NOTE:
7 7
7
/
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ 7
/ 7
REFERRAL NOTE:
7 7
7
7
REFERRAL NOTE:
COMMENTS:
ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENTS:
MEDIA:L INDIVIDUAL CODES: 2600
IG MAIL
USER CODES: (A)
(B)
(c)
*ACTION CODES:
*DISPOSITION
*OUTGOING
*
*
*
*CORRESPONDENCE:
*
*A-APPROPRIATE ACTION *A-ANSWERED
*TYPE RESP=INITIALS
*
*C-COMMENT/RECOM
*B-NON-SPEC-REFERRAL
*
OF SIGNER
*
*D-DRAFT RESPONSE
*C-COMPLETED
*
CODE = A
*
*F-FURNISH FACT SHEET
*S-SUSPENDED
*COMPLETED = DATE OF
*
*I-INFO COPY/NO ACT NEC*
*
OUTGOING *
*R-DIRECT REPLY W/COPY *
*
*
*S-FOR-SIGNATURE
*
*
*
*X-INTERIM REPLY
*
*
*
REFER QUESTIONS AND ROUTING UPDATES TO CENTRAL REFERENCE
(ROOM 75,OEOB) EXT-2590
KEEP THIS WORKSHEET ATTACHED TO THE ORIGINAL INCOMING
LETTER AT ALL TIMES AND SEND COMPLETED RECORD TO RECORDS
MANAGEMENT.
309067
City of
Corpus
Clif Moss
Christi
February 13, 1992
Council Member at Large
President George Bush
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear President Bush,
As a long time Republican supporter, a retired engineer, using my
Social Security and Medicare, and as an elected official, 1 am concerned about
current national domestic policy news I see and read:
1. We need to pay off our deficit at the earliest possible. It's the
economic lodestone U.S. taxpayers and economy are burdened with.
2. Any "Peace Dividend" should be applied against deficit. Before
applying it to initiate or expand social programs.
3. No taxes should be reduced before the deficit is paid off.
4. I recently heard on ABC News the military appropriations bill had
$3.2 billion added - over requests of the Pentagon considered in hearings.
5. I understand in that $3.2 billion was a large appropriation for more
military food that is being disposed of as "surplus". (-Texas Comptroller, att.).
6. I saw recently on the TV show 60 Minutes we spend $billions
annually to maintain a huge military warehouse at Harrisburg, Pa., which not
only has more than enough of most items, but also stores surplus military food
like above, and includes such obsolete items as out of date hospital bathrobes,
etc. Donating such items to the former Soviet Union nations now might help
them get out of socialism, at no cost to the U.S. taxpayers. Further, it would
help U.S. taxpayers by reducing costs to maintain such questionable inventory.
Please give these and any other cost savings your earnest attention.
Sincerely,
Mlose
CLM:hs
Residence: P.O. Box 6161
Corpus Christi. Texas 78411
(512) 854-9514
P.O. Box 9277
Corpus Christi. Texas 78469-9277
(512) 880-3105
Operation Desert Share
Surplus items available
pproximately $350 million
A
worth of food and other sur-
plus items are available to
the states for distribution,
Cereal
according to Marvin Titzman, Execu-
tive Director of the Texas Surplus
Property Agency (TSPA). The federal
surplus food and other commodities
are a part of Operation Desert Share, a
Department of Defense program.
The TSPA will allocate food to eli-
gible organizations that can justify
a need for the food items. TSPA
will fill emergency requests first, and
then allocations will be made on a first-
come, first-served basis. Containers of
food items are available at TSPA ware-
houses.
Organizations eligible for surplus per-
sonal property are non-profit health
and educational organizations or
organizations whose activities are
tax-exempt under Section 501 of the
1954 IRS Code. These may include:
providers of assistance to the home-
less;
organizations that receive funds appro-
priated for programs for older individuals
dessert, crackers, spread, candy, salt, matches, and
under the Older Americans Act of 1965;
toilet tissue. The MRE is normally heated in boil-
medical institutions;
ing water. It is not microwaveable.
hospitals and clinics;
health centers;
Meals Ordered Ready-to-Eat (MORE)
schools, colleges, and universities;
schools for the mentally retarded;
The MORE is an individual supplemental meal
schools for the physically handicapped;
composed of single servings of off-the-shelf foods
child care centers; and,
available at your local grocery store. A MORE
museums and libraries.
consists of an entree, soup, fruit cup, pudding
Some of these organizations may need to obtain
cup, candy, and a spoon. The entree and soup
a letter from a local official that certifies them as
may be heated in boiling water. If it is in a plastic
such an organization.
container, it is microwaveable.
Following are the types of food items available:
Tray Pack (T) Ration
Meals Ready-to-Eat (MRE)
The T-Ration consists of thermostable, metal tray
This is a complete individual meal in a pouch.
packs in rectangular, multi-serving (12 to 18 serv-
There are 12 different menus. Generally a meal/
ings per can), half-size steam table pans. T-Rations
pouch includes an entree, a starch product,
are produced in a variety of entrees including veg-
City & County Financial Management, January/February 1992 3
etables, fruits, starches, and desserts for a total of
egg mix
dry onions
10 breakfast and 10 lunch/dinner menus.
orange juice
grape juice
frozen meat
apple juice
B-Ration
lima beans
flour
icing mix
sugar
Common B-Ration components are canned,
BBQ beef
beef stew
boxed, bagged, or bottled food items that are nor-
margarine
frozen poultry
mally found on grocery store shelves. However,
coffee
green beans
these items are in larger size cans and packaging.
raisins
crackers
Other B-Ration components include prepared or
corn bread mix
rice
dehydrated meat, poultry, or seafood items. There
biscuit mix
brownie mix
are 10 breakfast and 10 lunch/dinner meals. A
frozen fish
syrup
pallet with 400 meals consists of components used
shortening
soup
to provide hot meals, but requires food prepara-
chili
hot sauce
tion/baking equipment.
tea
oatmeal
cereals
instant cocoa
Hospital B-Ration
The Desert Share program is expected to provide
Hospital B-Ration components are similar to the
direct savings or cost avoidance benefits worth
common B-Ration except that this ration also uses
millions of dollars, Titzman said. "If your pro-
food items for therapeutic diets. The food items
grams currently use food, and you are interested
are similar to those found on grocery store
in stretching your budget dollars, avoiding direct
shelves, but are generally in institutional sizes.
cost in food purchases or supplementing your
Other food items available include:
appropriations, please call us."
creamer
carrots
For more information, call the Texas Surplus
dry milk
cookie mix
Property Agency at 512-661-2381.
Voters pass Propositions 1,12 affecting cities, colonias
Voters passed two propositions affecting cities and colonias on November 5, 1991. Following are the results:
Proposition 1
Proposition 12
Home-rule cities
Colonia bonds
For-1,563,840
For-1,024,318
Against-364,218
Against-854,190
Since voters passed Proposition 1, home-rule
Two years ago, Texans approved $500 million in
cities with populations of 5,000 or less may now
bonds for water and sewer projects. One-fifth of the
amend their city charters with a majority vote of
money was earmarked for the colonias, unincorpo-
qualified voters. Previously, only home-rule cities
rated subdivisions with unhealthy and unacceptable
with populations of at least 5,000 were allowed to
living conditions. The communities often had no
adopt or amend their city charters with a majority
running water or adequate sewer systems until they
vote of the residents. This presented a problem for
received assistance from the state. With the pas-
home-rule cities whose populations declined to less
sage of Proposition 12, the colonias may now
than 5,000 and could no longer amend their city
receive as much as half of the $500 million:
charters. For instance, some city charters require
amendments every four years. Cities in this situa-
Special note: The voters rejected Proposition 5 on
tion could not legally amend their charters even
enterprise zones. The proposition would have
though required to do so. The new provision will
allowed a tax break for goods assembled, stored, or
help them avoid this problem. Based on the 1990
manufactured in an enterprise zone if the property
census, 37 home-rule cities are affected.
is exported outside the state within 175 days:
SOURCE: Office of the Secretary of State.
4
January/February
1992
City
&
County
THE WHITE HOUSE
FILE
WASHINGTON
March 4, 1992
Dear Mr. Bruce:
On behalf of the President, thank you for your message about
the economy and about the pressing domestic issues that are
facing our Nation. President Bush reads your letters and
knows that we are in difficult times, but he also believes
that these hard times are just about over. The latest
economic indicators are all pointing to a very healthy
recovery this year and the President wants that trend to
continue for years to come.
President Bush appreciates the many suggestions that the
Administration has received from people all across the
country; I can assure you that we share the same objective:
to get the economy moving and getting people back to work.
The President has proposed to Congress both a short-term plan
that will get this economy moving immediately, and a long-
term plan which will improve the economy for the future and
help to ensure that we meet the challenges of competing in a
global economy.
Some of these proposals are new. Others, President Bush
first asked Congress to pass, beginning in 1989. If Congress
had passed our pro-growth initiatives then, we would not be
facing such hard times now. When he outlined his proposals
to Congress in the State of the Union Address, the President
said that the American people want action now, for the
Congress to put aside partisan politics and rise to the
occasion and work together for the common good of our great
country.
I assure you that this Administration is working hard to see
that action -- and, equally important, the right kind of
action -- is being taken. As I mentioned before, you can see
from the latest economic indicators that America is beginning
to get back on the track to prosperity. That robust rebound
will continue through this year and can continue on into the
future if the Congress works with the Administration for the
good of the entire country.
Thanks again for writing. I apologize for the delay in
responding but the days have been hectic around here
recently, as they should be. Your thoughts are always
welcome and noted by the Bush Administration. With the
President's best wishes and my own,
Sincerely,
Special Assistant to the President
Juni James J. Snyder
for Intergovernmental Affairs
Mr. Matthew C. Bruce
City of Oswego
R.D. #1, Box 179-A
Oswego, New York 13126
2
ID# 304445
THE WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
INCOMING
DATE RECEIVED: FEBRUARY 03, 1992
NAME OF CORRESPONDENT: MR. MATHEW C. BRUCE
SUBJECT: EXPRESSES VIEWS AND CONCERNS REGARDING THE
ECONOMY AND THE LOSS OF HIS BUSINESS AND
FORECLOSURE OF HIS HOME
ACTION
DISPOSITION
ROUTE TO:
ACT
DATE
TYPE C COMPLETED
OFFICE/AGENCY
(STAFF NAME)
CODE
YY/MM/DD
RESP
D
YY/MM/DD
JIM SNYDER
ORG 92/02/03
A
92/3/4
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ /
7 /
REFERRAL NOTE:
7 /
7
7
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ /
7 /
REFERRAL NOTE:
7 /
7 /
REFERRAL NOTE:
COMMENTS: WRITER IS THE ELECTED TOWN ASSESSOR FOR
NEW HAVEN
ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENTS:
MEDIA:L INDIVIDUAL CODES: 2600
IG MAIL
USER CODES: (A)
(B)
(c)
*ACTION CODES:
*DISPOSITION
*OUTGOING
*
*
*
*CORRESPONDENCE:
*
*A-APPROPRIATE ACTION
*A-ANSWERED
*TYPE RESP=INITIALS
*
*C-COMMENT/RECOM
*B-NON-SPEC-REFERRAL
*
OF SIGNER *
*D-DRAFT RESPONSE
*C-COMPLETED
*
CODE = A
*
*F-FURNISH FACT SHEET *S-SUSPENDED
*COMPLETED = DATE OF
*
*I-INFO COPY/NO ACT NEC*
*
OUTGOING *
*R-DIRECT REPLY W/COPY *
*
*
*S-FOR-SIGNATURE
*
*
*
*X-INTERIM REPLY
*
*
*
REFER QUESTIONS AND ROUTING UPDATES TO CENTRAL REFERENCE
(ROOM 75,OEOB) EXT-2590
KEEP THIS WORKSHEET ATTACHED TO THE ORIGINAL INCOMING
LETTER AT ALL TIMES AND SEND COMPLETED RECORD TO RECORDS
MANAGEMENT.
MATHEW C. BRUCE
R.D. #1, Box 179-A
OSWEGO, NEW York 13126
Last year I also entered politics for the
1st time running as a Republican for TOWN ASSESSOR in
the Town of New Haven. I did get elected to this
part time #2,000 ° a year position.
my Town is dising one by one, pareel by
parcel, voter after voter. Our state can't help because as
you Know, New York State is broke. We are a small
rural township whose main industry has always been
AgricuLture. Farms are now shutting down and it appears
all we will have Left is our Lake Ontario to try
and save US.
My point is our country, our states, our
towns, and our citizens are all having problems and
there appears 40 be no end in sight. PLEASE do
something for us, the Little people, the ones who still
believe in America and the dreams this great country.
is made of. HELP!
Respectfully,
Mart
Mathew C. Bruce
P.S.
You should Know that as an elected town official
I am now actively trying to make things better for everyone
I represent. I've had my own problems, but the people I currently
represent have more problems than I ever thought of.
2
204445
MATHEW C. BRUCE
R.D. #1, Box 179-A
sphis
OSWEGO, NEW YORK 13126
1/15/92
Dear President Bush:
I am not sure whether or not you will
ever get a chance to read this Letter, but I have to write
and Let you Know just how bad things currently are here in
my home area.
Our county, Oswego, has the highest
unemployment rate and the highest per capita property taxes
in New York State. People up here are still Losing their jobs,
their homes, and their fumilies.
Several years ago I realized the American
dream of owning my own home and starting my own business.
my Father died and through the proceeds of the sale of his
estate I was able to start my own business and build
my own home. Now I have had to close my business,
am about to have my home FORECLOSED, and my family has
Left me because they haven't been able to cope with the
problems I have experienced.
Let me tell you about the problems
that drove me out of business. COMPETITION drove me under.
I could not compete with other Larger companies who could
do what I did CHEAPER. I took out a 2nd Mortgage
on my home just to try to hold on until things could
get better, but they never did. Instead they got much
worse.
I have been searching for work that
would pay me enough to pay my bills and keep my home.
I can't Find anything. Sure there are all Kinds of jobs
paying #S- 46- "n an hour, but I need #noo -1800 each
week to get anywhere.
Last year I Filed for Bankruptcy
under chapter
13
but I will soon be refiling under
chapter
n
because I have reached the end of the Line.
/
FILE
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 4, 1992
Dear Mr. Jones:
On behalf of the President, thank you for your message about
the economy and about the pressing domestic issues that are
facing our Nation. President Bush reads your letters and
knows that we are in difficult times, but he also believes
that these hard times are just about over. The latest
economic indicators are all pointing to a very healthy
recovery this year and the President wants that trend to
continue for years to come.
President Bush appreciates the many suggestions that the
Administration has received from people all across the
country; I can assure you that we share the same objective:
to get the economy moving and getting people back to work.
The President has proposed to Congress both a short-term plan
that will get this economy moving immediately, and a long-
term plan which will improve the economy for the future and
help to ensure that we meet the challenges of competing in a
global economy.
Some of these proposals are new. Others, President Bush
first asked Congress to pass, beginning in 1989. If Congress
had passed our pro-growth initiatives then, we would not be
facing such hard times now. When he outlined his proposals
to Congress in the State of the Union Address, the President
said that the American people want action now, for the
Congress to put aside partisan politics and rise to the
occasion and work together for the common good of our great
country.
I assure you that this Administration is working hard to see
that action -- and, equally important, the right kind of
action -- is being taken. As I mentioned before, you can see
from the latest economic indicators that America is beginning
to get back on the track to prosperity. That robust rebound
will continue through this year and can continue on into the
future if the Congress works with the Administration for the
good of the entire country.
Thanks again for writing. I apologize for the delay in
responding but the days have been hectic around here
recently, as they should be. Your thoughts are always
welcome and noted by the Bush Administration. With the
President's best wishes and my own,
Acerely,
Special Assistant to the President
Janes June J. Snyder
for Inter vernmental Affairs
Mr. James P. Jones
Treasurer
County of Wright
Post Office Box 9
Hartville, Missouri 65667
2
ID# 304787
THE WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
INCOMING
DATE RECEIVED: FEBRUARY 04, 1992
NAME OF CORRESPONDENT: MR. JAMES P. JONES
SUBJECT: VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS REGARDING THE ECONOMY
ACTION
DISPOSITION
ROUTE TO:
ACT
DATE
TYPE C COMPLETED
OFFICE/AGENCY
(STAFF NAME)
CODE YY/MM/DD
RESP
D YY/MM/DD
JIM SNYDER
ORG 92/02/04
A92/3/4
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ /
7 /
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ /
7
/
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ /
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
7 7
7
/
REFERRAL NOTE:
COMMENTS: WRITER IS WRIGHT COUNTY TREASURER AND
EX-OFFICIO COLLECTOR
ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENTS:
MEDIA:L INDIVIDUAL CODES: 2300
IG MAIL
USER CODES: (A)
(B)
(c)
*ACTION CODES:
*DISPOSITION
*OUTGOING
*
*
*
*CORRESPONDENCE:
*
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*
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OF SIGNER
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*F-FURNISH FACT SHEET
*S-SUSPENDED
*COMPLETED = DATE OF
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*I-INFO COPY/NO ACT NEC*
*
OUTGOING
*
*R-DIRECT REPLY W/COPY *
*
*
*S-FOR-SIGNATURE
*
*
*
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*
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(ROOM 75,OEOB) EXT-2590
KEEP THIS WORKSHEET ATTACHED TO THE ORIGINAL INCOMING
LETTER AT ALL TIMES AND SEND COMPLETED RECORD TO RECORDS
MANAGEMENT.
January 30, 1992
United States President
Honorable George Rush
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington 11.0. 20500
Hear Mr., Bush:
I watched and listened to your State of the Union Speech and
thought you did a terrific job. It seems we blame our President
For all of the economy weakness. Where does Congress and Senate
come in? Oid we elect them and send them to Washington to
represent us to the President with our needs, paying them an
unreal salary hoping they would do a good job for us? When they
took the 23% salary increase, the people that elected them was
losing their jobs and homes because of the poor economy. I have
seen the economy growing worse for the past two years. Did they
not see this? They have allowed high cost of medical insurance
and hospitals cost to nob the average taxpayer, this certainly
has added to our failing economy.
Do you think it would be fair for the working taxpayers to cut
their salaries to $70,000.00 per year until they get our economy
under control? Then we could tell them they had done a fine job
and deserved a cost of living increase in salary. This is the
way it works in our counties if you don't earn a salary increase
you don't get one. T. think if we could cut Congress and Senators
salary to 70,000.00 per year, take the waste out of welfare, take
the new government cars that are furnished by taxpayers off the
highways then we could pay our national debts and all live
better.
The average taxpayer in our area that has a salary of 1200.00 per
month and has health insurance and taxes taken out this leaves
them with only one-half of the months salary left. How can they
live with one-half of the salary to pay for food, home,
transportation, utilities, medical bills, education and etc?
Most people 10 this area would be much better off financially if
they all were on welfare.
I have had the honor of being an elected republican official of
this county for the past 28 years. I have served as president on
many programs in this county and adjoining counties. I am very
interest in the welfare of our people. If T. could ever be of help
to you in this area please feel free to call me anytime.
Sincerely,
James P. Jones,
Wright County Treasurer
and Ex-officio Collector
Day 417-741-7225 Night 417-924-8444
THE WHITE HOUSE
FILE
WASHINGTON
March 5, 1992
Dear Mr. Giebels:
On behalf of the President, thank you for your message about
the economy and about the pressing domestic issues that are
facing our Nation. President Bush reads your letters and
knows that we are in difficult times, but he also believes
that these hard times are just about over. The latest
economic indicators are all pointing to a very healthy
recovery this year and the President wants that trend to
continue for years to come.
President Bush appreciates the many suggestions that the
Administration has received from people all across the
country; I can assure you that we share the same objective:
to get the economy moving and getting people back to work.
The President has proposed to Congress both a short-term plan
that will get this economy moving immediately, and a long-
term plan which will improve the economy for the future and
help to ensure that we meet the challenges of competing in a
global economy.
Some of these proposals are new. Others, President Bush
first asked Congress to pass, beginning in 1989. If Congress
had passed our pro-growth initiatives then, we would not be
facing such hard times now. When he outlined his proposals
to Congress in the State of the Union Address, the President
said that the American people want action now, for the
Congress to put aside partisan politics and rise to the
occasion and work together for the common good of our great
country.
I assure you that this Administration is working hard to see
that action -- and, equally important, the right kind of
action -- is being taken. As I mentioned before, you can see
from the latest economic indicators that America is beginning
to get back on the track to prosperity. That robust rebound
will continue through this year and can continue on into the
future if the Congress works with the Administration for the
good of the entire country.
Thanks again for writing. I apologize for the delay in
responding but the days have been hectic around here
recently, as they should be. Your thoughts are always
welcome and noted by the Bush Administration. With the
President's best wishes and my own,
Sincerely,
James J. Snyder
Special Assistant to the President
for Intergovernmental Affairs
Mr. Gary F. Giebels
Council Member
City of Cape Coral
Post Office Box 150027
Cape Coral, Florida 33915-0027
2
ID# 296799
THE WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
INCOMING
DATE RECEIVED: JANUARY 07, 1992
NAME OF CORRESPONDENT: MR. GARY F. GIEBELS
SUBJECT: SUGGESTS TWO IDEAS TO IMPROVE THE STATE OF
THE ECONOMY
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2/1/794
CITY OF
CITY OF CAPE CORAL
must
CAPE
COPAL
CITY COUNCIL
December 27, 1991
The Honorable George Bush
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20001
Dear Mr. President:
Without making this letter a white paper, let me bring forth two ideas
that you may wish to consider.
Investment tax credit. Under the old system a 10% investment tax credit
would give a 10% credit to a tax obligation, i.e., tax obligation of
$1,000.00, credit of 10%, taxes paid $900.00. My first suggestion would be to
give a 10% investment tax credit but to give that tax credit in U.S. bonds,
i.e., tax obligation of $1,000.00, government bonds issued by the government
to the taxpayer of $100.00, taxes paid 1,000.00. I will not bore you with the
ramifications of the first suggestion.
The second suggestion is one I think would cause certain markets to
shiver, but would be of immeasurable benefit to the citizens of the United
States and the municipalities therein. That being any investment by state,
county, or city government for infrastructure, water or sewage, possibly other
capital projects that the United States government using a formula, i.e.,
population, need, etc., when local government wished to borrow funds in lieu
of issing bonds through the marketplace borrow directly from the United States
Treasury on a cost per issuance basis or on a no financing cost basis. I need
not inform you that the debt municipalities are undertaking and will have to
undertake in the future is gigantic. We in the cities of america could
accomplish at least threefold what we are currently accomplishing if we did
not have to undergo finance costs associated with the above-mentioned
services. At the same time the creation of jobs, the cost of growth,
outflowing of people moving from the intercity, etc., etc., would be extremely
enhanced if we in local government were able to borrow direct from the United
States Treasury.
Item one is obviously a forced savings plan from the taxpayer's point of
view with no revenue loss from the government's point of view. Item two is a
radical deviation from how municipalities fund their debt at present. In the
long run I believe it would be in the benefit of all our citizens to adopt
such a plan.
POST OFFICE BOX 150027
CAPE CORAL, FLORIDA 33915-0027
TELEPHONE (813) 574-0437
The Honorable George Bush
December 27, 1991
Page 2
Plan two if in fact jobs pay taxes, the overall benefit to the country
will be substantially greater providing those jobs than the current benefits
of taxing the bond issuers and purchasers, and the gigantic cost incurred by
municipalities in the selling of bonds.
Thank you for your time.
July Council Sincerely, Gary F. Member, Giebels alas- District 2
GFG/pms
CC: Congressman Goss
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
FILE
March 4, 1992
Dear Mr. Kastroll:
On behalf of the President, thank you for your message about
the economy and about the pressing domestic issues that are
facing our Nation. President Bush reads your letters and
knows that we are in difficult times, but he also believes
that these hard times are just about over. The latest
economic indicators are all pointing to a very healthy
recovery this year and the President wants that trend to
continue for years to come.
President Bush appreciates the many suggestions that the
Administration has received from people all across the
country; I can assure you that we share the same objective:
to get the economy moving and getting people back to work.
The President has proposed to Congress both a short-term plan
that will get this economy moving immediately, and a long-
term plan which will improve the economy for the future and
help to ensure that we meet the challenges of competing in a
global economy.
Some of these proposals are new. Others, President Bush
first asked Congress to pass, beginning in 1989. If Congress
had passed our pro-growth initiatives then, we would not be
facing such hard times now. When he outlined his proposals
to Congress in the State of the Union Address, the President
said that the American people want action now, for the
Congress to put aside partisan politics and rise to the
occasion and work together for the common good of our great
country.
I assure you that this Administration is working hard to see
that action -- and, equally important, the right kind of
action -- is being taken. As I mentioned before, you can see
from the latest economic indicators that America is beginning
to get back on the track to prosperity. That robust rebound
will continue through this year and can continue on into the
future if the Congress works with the Administration for the
good of the entire country.
Thanks again for writing. I apologize for the delay in
responding but the days have been hectic around here
recently, as they should be. Your thoughts are always
welcome and noted by the Bush Administration. With the
President's best wishes and my own,
Sincerely,
James J. Snyder
Special Assistant to the President
for Intergovernmental Affairs
Mr. Wilfred C. Kastroll
Councilman
City of Bellevue
153 Meade Avenue
Bellevue, Pennsylvania 15202
2
ID #
WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
CO. OUTGOING
CH. INTERNAL
X
1. . INCOMING
Date Correspondence
Received (YY/MM/DD)
92 / 3 15
Name of Correspondent: MR. WILFRED C. KASTROLL
MI Mail Report
User Codes: (A)
(B)
(C)
Subject: MESSAGE ABOUT THE ECONOMY AND OTHER PRESSING DOMESTIC ISSUES.
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JIM SNYDER
ORIGINATOR 92 / 3 / 5
A 91,315 /
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S. Suspended
D. Draft Response
S. For Signature
F - Furnish Fact Sheet
X. Interim Reply
to be used as Enclosure
FOR OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE
Type of Response = Initials of Signer
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Comments:
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Send all routing updates to Central Reference (Room 75, OEOB).
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5/81
Supder
councilman
WILFRED C. KASTROLL
153 Meade Avenue, Bellevue, Pa 15202
January 15, 1991
Honorable President of the United states
The white House
washington, D. C.
Dear PRESIDENT BUSH;
It is gratifying to know you that you plan to address the
economy and unemployment in your State of the union Message.
I'm sure the store owners that were hoping for a big lift
from the Christmas shoppers, the unemployed and my wife and I
will look forward to it.
My wife and I are senior citizens and have enjoyed our
retirement on our modest income but had to economize since
interest rates bell below 7%. we had intentions of buying a
new American made automobile but put it 066 since our income
has decreased about 35%. I'll bet other senior citizens who
depend on sabe CD investments decided to economize since
their income has been curtailed also.
The public relied on you to balance the budget and get our
country back on its feet. It seems like you have adopted
policies that gave us uncontrollable deficits with little
hope for a balanced budget.
16 you concentrated your efforts on improving the economy and
control spending. Interest rates would stabilize at a fair
return. Employment would increase and the deficit could be
addressed properly.
The youth 06 our nation would have a better opportunity to
bind and obtain a decent job. The store owners could sell
their merchandise and get a fair return on their investments.
The factories would start producing again and the elderly
could relax and enjoy their retirement.
Nelfred Sincerely, C Hastor
wilfred C. Kastroll
THE WHITE HOUSE
FILE
WASHINGTON
March 4, 1992
Dear Mayor Teghtmeyer:
On behalf of the President, thank you for your message about
the economy and about the pressing domestic issues that are
facing our Nation. President Bush reads your letters and
knows that we are in difficult times, but he also believes
that these hard times are just about over. The latest
economic indicators are all pointing to a very healthy
recovery this year and the President wants that trend to
continue for years to come.
President Bush appreciates the many suggestions that the
Administration has received from people all across the
country; I can assure you that we share the same objective:
to get the economy moving and getting people back to work.
The President has proposed to Congress both a short-term plan
that will get this economy moving immediately, and a long-
term plan which will improve the economy for the future and
help to ensure that we meet the challenges of competing in a
global economy.
Some of these proposals are new. Others, President Bush
first asked Congress to pass, beginning in 1989. If Congress
had passed our pro-growth initiatives then, we would not be
facing such hard times now. When he outlined his proposals
to Congress in the State of the Union Address, the President
said that the American people want action now, for the
Congress to put aside partisan politics and rise to the
occasion and work together for the common good of our great
country.
I assure you that this Administration is working hard to see
that action -- and, equally important, the right kind of
action -- is being taken. As I mentioned before, you can see
from the latest economic indicators that America is beginning
to get back on the track to prosperity. That robust rebound
will continue through this year and can continue on into the
future if the Congress works with the Administration for the
good of the entire country.
Thanks again for writing. I apologize for the delay in
responding but the days have been hectic around here
recently, as they should be. Your thoughts are always
welcome and noted by the Bush Administration. With the
President's best wishes and my own,
James J. Snyder
Jun Sincerely,
Special Assistant to the President
for Intergovernmental Affairs
The Honorable James E. Teghtmeyer
Mayor
City of Columbia
200 Diplomat Drive
Columbia City, Indiana 46725
2
ID# 302314
THE WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
INCOMING
DATE RECEIVED: JANUARY 28, 1992
NAME OF CORRESPONDENT: THE HONORABLE JAMES E. TEGHTMEYER
SUBJECT: STRONGLY URGES PRESIDENT TO DO SOMETHING
ABOUT THE ECONOMY, FEELS TAX BREAKS ARE
NOT THE ANSWER
ACTION
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TYPE C COMPLETED
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A92/3/4
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KEEP THIS WORKSHEET ATTACHED TO THE ORIGINAL INCOMING
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ACE
Teghtmeyer's Ace Hardware, Inc. #455N
200 Diplomat Drive
Columbia City, IN 46725
January 18, 1992
219-244-7626
President George Bush
1900 Pennsylvania Ave.
WHITE HOUSE
Washington, D. C.
Dear President Bush:
Please read article attached.
Our mid-west area was in a period of recovery, now seems to be slipping
slowly.
We do have people with similar situations, in our community.
ENOUGH SAID! PLAYING AROUND WITH TAX BREAKS IS NOT THE ANSWER EITHER!
Sincerely,
James E
James E. Teghtmeyer,
Mayor
City of Columbia City, IN.
Ace Is The Place
First anger,
then despair
Editor's note: The author, who lives in
Suddenly, I began to take their arrogance
Ventura County, Calif., requested ano-
very, very personally.
nymity to spare her family further humil-
When I read an article in the Los
iation. She wrote this for the Los Angeles
Angeles Times about people who spend
Times.
$20,000 for a wristwatch - a wristwatch
This was the year my children did not
- I scrutinized their photos. Were these
go to the circus, or the museum, or the
people part of the human race? To spend
movies or McDonald's. The year their only
so much money that way, when children
"new" clothes came from charity. The
living a few miles away are hungry. I
year my toddler cried from hunger all
began to understand why my grand-
day because he was tired of the only food
mother, who had raised her children in
I could offer: oatmeal. The year I asked
the Depression, voted Socialist for the rest
my church on four occasions to give
of her life.
meals to my children. This was the year I
lost 25 pounds without even trying.
The poor don't count
I was born and brought up in the
middle class. In 1989, I went on long-term
Then, things got so much worse that
disability leave from my job as an in-
there was no more room for anger.
house business writer. In 1990, my hus-
My dominant feeling became one of
band's business failed.
numb amazement as I was forced by cir-
For three years we have lived below -
cumstances to see that without money, a
way below - the poverty line. We've
person simply doesn't matter.
been luckier than many people; it has
"Welcome to the real world," said my
taken us awhile to hit bottom. We had
husband, who did not grow up in the mid-
savings, credit, possessions to sell, relatives
dle class.
and friends to borrow from. But here we
So shoot me. Raised in the sheltered
are, an inch away from foreclosure, no
suburbs, well-educated and insulated, I'd
insurance, browbeaten by collection
been operating on the assumption that
agents. They say we are deadbeats; we
people have value, whether or not they
feel like deadbeats.
have money. I've learned otherwise.
I have learned that the bank will fore-
Arrogance infuriates
close on your house if you miss three pay-
ments. They will sell it for the value of the
The anger hit first when I saw a Gar-
mortgage, and, as I have been told by my
field toy stuck on a windshield. I figured it
bank. you and your family will simply
cost $12 or $15, and in a wave of emotion
have to find some other place to live. Like
I calculated exactly what groceries I
maybe a cardboard box.
would buy if I had that $12 or $15. Peanut
I've learned that to file bankruptcy to
butter. We'd done without for three
keep your creditors from taking your
weeks, and my kids missed it. A big
house and car, you must first fork over
chicken. I could make that last for more
$800 for the filing and attorney fees.
than a week. Apple juice, which my tod-
I've learned that when you're unin-
dler loves but was doing without. Pota-
sured, a doctor visit is $50, to be paid on
toes, the five-pound bag, and broccoli. I
visualized the Sunday dinner we could
the spot, and a prescription for antibiotics
can be $20 or $30. To a middle-class per-
have: chicken, potatoes, broccoli, biscuits,
son, that isn't much money; to me, it's
gravy, maybe even a cake. I pictured my
kids, who are somewhat resigned to
impossible.
strange combinations of vegetables and
I thought I was well-informed, but I
rice or noodles, enjoying this lovely
was not at all prepared for the violent,
demoralizing effect of poverty. I had no
dinner.
idea how it would feel to have no food in
I was suddenly furious at someone I
didn't even know for spending so much
the house, no gas to drive to buy food, no
money on a joke. Then I got mad that it
money to buy gas and no prospect of
seemed like so much money. Then I got
money.
How it would feel not to matter to
mad that I was mad.
Anger drove me to notice how many
the larger world, and to know that my
people in Southern California own cars so
smart, funny children also do not matter.
expensive and flashy that they may as
My husband and I believe we'll pull out
well have a sign in the window that reads,
of this. So far, though, the piecemeal work
"I have lots of money and you don't,
we find pays poorly, and we could paper
sucker." I began to notice how many
the walls with form letters telling us either
homes are designed to make the same
that we didn't get the job or that legal
action will commence if we don't pay
announcement.
In my whole life I've bought only one
some debt or other.
car (a compact) and one home (a modest
I have a dread in my bones that the
condominium), so I've never been a mem-
worst is not yet over, and that when it
ber of the Flaunt Your Money group, but
finally is over, it will never be altogether
I've never minded them much, either.
in the past for any one of us.
FILE
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 4, 1992
Dear Mayor Spears:
On behalf of the President, thank you for your message about
the economy and about the pressing domestic issues that are
facing our Nation. President Bush reads your letters and
knows that we are in difficult times, but he also believes
that these hard times are just about over. The latest
economic indicators are all pointing to a very healthy
recovery this year and the President wants that trend to
continue for years to come.
President Bush appreciates the many suggestions that the
Administration has received from people all across the
country; I can assure you that we share the same objective:
to get the economy moving and getting people back to work.
The President has proposed to Congress both a short-term plan
that will get this economy moving immediately, and a long-
term plan which will improve the economy for the future and
help to ensure that we meet the challenges of competing in a
global economy.
Some of these proposals are new. Others, President Bush
first asked Congress to pass, beginning in 1989. If Congress
had passed our pro-growth initiatives then, we would not be
facing such hard times now. When he outlined his proposals
to Congress in the State of the Union Address, the President
said that the American people want action now, for the
Congress to put aside partisan politics and rise to the
occasion and work together for the common good of our great
country.
I assure you that this Administration is working hard to see
that action -- and, equally important, the right kind of
action -- is being taken. As I mentioned before, you can see
from the latest economic indicators that America is beginning
to get back on the track to prosperity. That robust rebound
will continue through this year and can continue on into the
future if the Congress works with the Administration for the
good of the entire country.
Thanks again for writing. I apologize for the delay in
responding but the days have been hectic around here
recently, as they should be. Your thoughts are always
welcome and noted by the Bush Administration. With the
President's best wishes and my own,
Sincerely,
James Jun J. Snyder
Special As sistant to the President
for Intergovernmental Affairs
The Honorable Emil K. Spears
Mayor Pro-Tem
city of Blue Springs
903 Main Street
Blue Springs, Missouri
2
ID# 296805
THE WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
INCOMING
DATE RECEIVED: JANUARY 07, 1992
NAME OF CORRESPONDENT: THE HONORABLE EMIL K. SPEARS
SUBJECT: URGES THE PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS DOMESTIC
ISSUES IMMEDIATELY WHEN CONGRESS RECONVENES
JAN 92
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(c)
*ACTION CODES:
*DISPOSITION
*OUTGOING
*
*
*
*CORRESPONDENCE:
*
*A-APPROPRIATE ACTION
*A-ANSWERED
*TYPE RESP=INITIALS
*
*C-COMMENT/RECOM
*B-NON-SPEC-REFERRAL
*
OF SIGNER
*
*D-DRAFT RESPONSE
*C-COMPLETED
*
CODE = A
*
*F-FURNISH FACT SHEET
*S-SUSPENDED
*COMPLETED = DATE OF
*
*I-INFO COPY/NO ACT NEC*
*
OUTGOING *
*R-DIRECT REPLY W/COPY *
*
*
*S-FOR-SIGNATURE
*
*
*
*X-INTERIM REPLY
*
*
*
REFER QUESTIONS AND ROUTING UPDATES TO CENTRAL REFERENCE
(ROOM 75,OEOB) EXT-2590
KEEP THIS WORKSHEET ATTACHED TO THE ORIGINAL INCOMING
LETTER AT ALL TIMES AND SEND COMPLETED RECORD TO RECORDS
MANAGEMENT.
Snyder
296805
The City of Cooperation
Blue Springs
903 Main Street
Blue Springs, Mo. 64015
December 27, 1991
President George Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I recently had the privilege of hearing your address to the
National League of Cities Conference in Las Vegas. I have always
been a strong supporter of you and your administration.
Presently I am very concerned that you and Congress are so
wrapped up in foreign affairs and other nations' problems that
America seems to be second on your list of priorities.
With the recent demise of communism in Russia and the breakup of
that country, it would appear to me we must take stock in America
and the needs of our own country first. Jobs are fast
disappearing all over this great land of ours. Major companies
continue to move their manufacturing efforts to countries that
offer cheap labor. I understand we are now a global economy;
however, when a company like General Motors announces the closing
of 21 plants and the loss of 74,000 jobs over the next four
years, something drastic must be done. IT IS TIME TO REINVEST IN
AMERICA.
We recently observed the fiftieth anniversary of the bombing of
Pearl Harbor. While I can remember as a young child this
terrible event in history, I do not have any ill feelings toward
Japan or its people. I know we won the war and sacrificed a lot
of lives in the process, however, economically Japan is now
taking over our great country. It appears there should be a way
to balance trade with Japan, with them accepting the same amount
of American goods as we import of theirs. Unless they are
willing to cooperate toward this goal, which doesn't appear
likely, then an economic blockade of goods from them should be
instigated immediately. I am not advocating a protectionist
society, but something must be done to get the balance of trade
in order. Too many Americans are worried about their jobs.
There seems to be no job security in the work place in today's
society.
President George Bush
December 27, 1991
Page 2
It is extremely important to address the homefront now.
Hopefully you and Congress can work together to address the
domestic issues immediately when they reconvene in January 1992.
The urgency of America's needs are depending on you to lead us
into the future. I for one am willing to do whatever it takes to
get America on the move again. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
Sincerely yours,
CITY OF BLUE SPRINGS
Mayor Pro-Tem
EKS/nt
CC: Senator Jack Danforth
Senator Kit Bond
Congressman Ike Skelton
Congressman Tom Coleman
Congressman Alan Wheat
FILE
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 15, 1992
Dear Mr. Beaver:
On behalf of the President, thank you for your recent letter
concerning the welfare of the economy. The President appreciates
your comments and suggestions on this very important matter and
about the difficulties that the sluggish recovery is creating.
I can assure you that messages like yours do reach the President,
and he knows that the American people are anxious about economic
conditions. He is deeply concerned about getting the economy to
grow at a faster rate. Moreover, President Bush appreciates that
you want action taken in Washington which will get the economy
moving -- and so does he. President Bush is extremely
disappointed that Congress did not act on the specific
initiatives which he had proposed months ago to stimulate
economic growth and to help create more jobs and more
opportunities for our citizens.
The President's comprehensive economic growth package includes
proposals that would increase job-creating investments.
Specifically, these are: permanently extending the research and
experimentation tax credit to benefit entrepreneurs creating new
products; establish enterprize zones to spur business development
and jobs in our inner cities; promote savings for home purchases
and education through Family Savings Accounts and expand
Individual Retirement Accounts; and reduce the capital gains tax,
which provides lower costs of capital for the formation of new
businesses and raises the value of capital assets, including real
estate.
Back in February of this year, President Bush unveiled
transportation legislation that would provide the Federal funds
needed to help meet the serious problems of America's
infrastructure. He asked Congress to act promptly on his bill,
which included funding for the rehabilitation and improvement of
highways, for replacing bridges, and for improving mass transit.
That job creating legislation stalled in Congress for 10 months
until the closing hours of the session, in late November.
President Bush was also pleased to sign into law, legislation
that extends unemployment benefits for America's jobless,
providing them with needed relief. Once again, had Congress
presented the President with a bill he, could sign, sooner, the
public would not have had to suffer through.
The President understands that not only difficulties in obtaining
credit, but also reductions in real income, are a stark reality
for some individuals, families, and particularly for operators of
businesses. Congress could have helped by passing the
administration's comprehensive banking reform legislation, which
would fuel economic growth through stronger, more competitive
banks.
Beyond proposing legislative remedies, President Bush recently
announced executive branch actions designed to help business and
industry by relieving the "credit crunch". These efforts include
encouraging lenders to make prudent loans and ensuring that
examiners perform their reviews in a sensible manner. The
President's goal is to promote confidence and balance in lending
and thus, encourage banks to play their traditional role,
businesses to make investments, and consumers to purchase goods
and services.
He has directed the Economic Policy Council to examine additional
measures which might be taken to strengthen his existing domestic
economic programs and to determine whether such measures would be
of any benefit to the economy in the long run. Indeed,
revitalizing our economy is an ongoing priority of the
Administration, and it is heartening to note that there are signs
that the country is emerging -- although more slowly than the
President would like -- from the recession.
Thank you again for taking the time to write to the White House.
With the President's best wishes and my own,
Sincerely,
in
James J. Snyder
Special Assistant to the President
for Intergovernmental Affairs
Mr. James R. Beaver
Councilman
City of Kennewick
Post Office Box 6108
Kennewick, Washington 99336-0108
2
ID# 296389
THE WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
INCOMING
DATE RECEIVED: JANUARY 03, 1992
NAME OF CORRESPONDENT: MR. JAMES R. BEAVER
SUBJECT: URGES THE PRESIDENT TO TAKE A CREATIVE AND
PROACTIVE ROLE IN REESTABLISHING U.S.
PROMINENCE AS A WORLD ECONOMIC POWER
ACTION
DISPOSITION
ROUTE TO:
ACT
DATE
TYPE C COMPLETED
OFFICE/AGENCY
(STAFF NAME)
CODE
YY/MM/DD
RESP
D
YY/MM/DD
JIM SNYDER
ORG 92/01/03
A 92/ 1/ 15
REFERRAL NOTE:
/
/
/
/
, NOTE:
7
/
/
/
of
J NOTE:
/ /
/
/
the
NOTE:
/
7
/
/
of
L NOTE:
COMMENTS:
ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENTS:
MEDIA:L INDIVIDUAL CODES: 2600
IG MAIL
USER CODES: (A)
(B)
(c)
*ACTION CODES:
*DISPOSITION
*OUTGOING
*
*
*
*CORRESPONDENCE:
.
*A-APPROPRIATE ACTION
*A-ANSWERED
*TYPE RESP=INITIALS
*
*C-COMMENT/RECOM
*B-NON-SPEC-REFERRAL
*
OF SIGNER
*
*D-DRAFT RESPONSE
*C-COMPLETED
*
CODE = A
*
*F-FURNISH FACT SHEET *S-SUSPENDED
*COMPLETED = DATE OF
*
*I-INFO COPY/NO ACT NEC*
*
OUTGOING
*
*R-DIRECT REPLY W/COPY *
*
#
*S-FOR-SIGNATURE
*
*
*
*X-INTERIM REPLY
*
*
*
REFER QUESTIONS AND ROUTING UPDATES TO CENTRAL REFERENCE
(ROOM 75,OEOB) EXT-2590
KEEP THIS WORKSHEET ATTACHED TO THE ORIGINAL INCOMING
LETTER AT ALL TIMES AND SEND COMPLETED RECORD TO RECORDS
MANAGEMENT.
8
J. Snyder
296389
CITY
OF
CITY OF KENNEWICK WASHINGTON
CIVIC CENTER
(509) 586-4181 / SCAN-526-2237 / FAX (509) 582-9138
KENNEWICK
210 WEST SIXTH AVENUE / P.O. BOX 6108 / KENNEWICK, WASHINGTON 99336-0108
December 23, 1991
The Honorable George Bush
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear President Bush:
As a Councilman from the city of Kennewick, I had the
opportunity to attend the recent National League of Cities Annual
Convention at which you addressed the delegates via a satellite
hookup. I very much appreciate the fact that you took time from
you busy schedule to address the issues of concern among the
delegates.
Mr. President, it is absolutely vital that your administration
and the Congress take a creative and very proactive role in re-
establishing our country's prominence as a world economic power.
Extending unemployment benefits treats a symptom, but I see nothing
on the horizon that treats the ailment. We need a new vision of
America moving into the 21st century with a clearly defined plan of
action that leads us to that vision. All of us look to you for the
leadership to establish that vision and that plan. This important
work cannot be put off any longer.
Sincerely,
James Bearre
James R. Beaver
Councilman
CITY
OF
CITY OF KENNEWICK WASHINGTON
CIVIC CENTER
(509) 586-4181 / SCAN-526-2237 / FAX (509) 582-9138
THE
KENNEWICK
210 WEST SIXTH AVENUE / P.O. BOX 6108 / KENNEWICK, WASHINGTON 99338-0108
December 27, 1991
Glenda E. Hood, President
National League of Cities
Commissioner, City of Orlando
400 South Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
Dear Ms. Hood:
I would very much like to be included in the National League
of Cities delegation which will be meeting with President Bush to
discuss the reordering of Federal budget priorities in response to
our national recession and domestic spending priorities. After
having attended the recent NLC Annual Convention, I was not only
impressed by NLC's work on this issue to date, but also for the
need to make the Administration and Congress aware of the impacts
of its current domestic policy in smaller and mid size cities
throughout the country. I represent a community of slightly more
than 42,000 people and I want to be assured that the President and
the Congress are aware of the problems associated with unemployment
and a host of other issues in communities such as Kennewick. I
formed a perception at the Convention, which may not be totally
accurate, that many in leadership roles in NLC are from larger
cities. I want to ensure that a representative and balanced
delegation from NLC discusses these complex issues with the
President.
Sincerely,
James R. Beaver
Councilman
JRB: RMK:
CC: George Bush
President of the United States
FILE
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 13, 1992
Dear Mayor Shiley:
On behalf of the President, thank you for
your letter regarding the status of economic
conditions in the country. I can understand
the concerns which prompted you to write to
the White House.
President Bush is eagerly awaiting the
opportunity to deliver his State of the
Union message to the nation. The
Administration will be bringing forth
numerous new ideas and initiatives and we
hope that the Congress will immediately
respond with their full cooperation, for the
benefit of the whole country. The time has
come for us all to pull together and work
towards the common goal of retaining
America's place as the world's leader.
Thanks again for writing. Your comments are
always welcome and indeed, heeded. with the
President's best wishes and my own,
Sincerely,
James June J. Snyder
Special Assistant to the President
for Intergovernmental Affairs
The Honorable Lewis H. Shiley
Mayor
city of Conneaut
city Hall Building
Conneaut, Ohio 44030
ID# 294892
THE WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
INCOMING
DATE RECEIVED: DECEMBER 24, 1991
NAME OF CORRESPONDENT: THE HONORABLE LEWIS H. SHILEY
SUBJECT: REQUESTS THAT A GRASS ROOTS TASK FORCE BE SET
UP TO BEGIN ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS OF THE
UNEMPLOYABLE AND THE UNEMPLOYED
ACTION
DISPOSITION
ROUTE TO:
ACT DATE TYPE C COMPLETED
OFFICE/AGENCY
(STAFF NAME)
CODE YY/MM/DD RESP D YY/MM/DD
JIM SNYDER
ORG 91/12/24
A92/1/13
REFERRAL NOTE:
/
/
/
/
AL NOTE:
+1
/
/
/
/
RAL NOTE:
/
/
for Ave
RAL NOTE:
/
/
/
RAL NOTE:
COMMENTS:
ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENTS:
MEDIA:L INDIVIDUAL CODES: 2500
IG MAIL
USER CODES: (A)
(B)
(c)
*ACTION CODES:
*DISPOSITION
*OUTGOING
*
*
*CORRESPONDENCE:
*
*A-APPROPRIATE ACTION *A-ANSWERED
*TYPE RESP=INITIALS
*
*C-COMMENT/RECOM
*B-NON-SPEC-REFERRAL
*
OF SIGNER
*
*D-DRAFT RESPONSE
*C-COMPLETED
*
CODE = A
*F-FURNISH FACT SHEET
*S-SUSPENDED
*COMPLETED = DATE OF
*I-INFO COPY/NO ACT NEC*
*
OUTGOING
*
*R-DIRECT REPLY W/COPY *
*
*S-FOR-SIGNATURE
*
*
*X-INTERIM REPLY
*
*
REFER QUESTIONS AND ROUTING UPDATES TO CENTRAL REFERENCE
(ROOM 75,0EOB) EXT-2590
KEEP THIS WORKSHEET ATTACHED TO THE ORIGINAL INCOMING
LETTER AT ALL TIMES AND SEND COMPLETED RECORD TO RECORDS
MANAGEMENT.
294892
Ohio's Sharpest Corner
,,Snyder
City
of Conneaut
LEWIS H. SHILEY
City Hall Building
MAYOR
Conneaut, Ohio 44030
GARY R. PHILLIPS
Telephone (216) 593-4357
SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR
December 16. 1991
The President
The White House
Washington. D. C. 20004
Dear Mr. President.
I am writing this letter to inform you that the economic conditions
in our area leave a lot to be desired, It seems that we as a country
continue to be on a course that we will wake one morning and all
things will be in place to our liking.
Huge amounts of jobs are being disposed of each and every day with
the same old rhetoric as the excuse. It seems the rules of doing
business in this country are different from the rules of doing
business elsewhere in the world. The question is when are the
Japanese going to open their doors to United States companies on an
equal basis as the United States?
When will this country look into the Japanese investing in our
universities and colleges then taking the research and development
back to their home land as part of the deal.
We are concerned about the 40% of McDonald Douglas being sold to
Taiwan. This Country has lost dominance in the automotive. textile.
electronic etc. industries. Again we jeopardize American jobs by
selling to foreign entities.
Mr. President. we have the greatest work force in the world. People
in our community want employment and deserve a chance at better lives
for their families and themselves. As a fellow Republican I plead
that a plan be developed to assist all who want a job in this great
country. I know there are some who believe poor blacks, whites and
Ohio Starts Here At Its Sharpest Corner
Page 2
The President
now some middle class are expendable in our society. They talk about
these people being the lost generation. of no worth. nothing to offer
group. therefore not worth talking about or discussing. I don't
agree with this thinking and believe any human being is worth
salvaging. I therefore request. Mr. President. that a grass roots
task force be set up to begin addressing the problems of the
unemployable and the unemployed.
Sir. I believe you would be astonished at the results of such a
group. Also. this would give hope and maybe a new found enthusiasm
for the American working class.
Thanks for listening.
Respectfully,
JHDia
LHS:lac
BUSINESS
THE
10 WORST
ECONOMIC
QUICK
MOVES
SAND
Shattered by the recession, desperate state and
local governments are committing major fiscal
blunders and rolling the dice on their future
ongress returns from a long win-
the nation's struggling poor; jobs have
ter's nap this week in an effort to
been purchased at exorbitant prices,
1
rouse the dormant American
and all-important business growth has
economy. which has been in deep hi-
been snuffed out by ill-conceived fiscal
A PAINFUL BITE
bernation for the past 19 months.
legislation.
FOR BUSINESS
Meanwhile. George Bush is desperate-
The long-term impact of these blun-
ly seeking fiscal salvation as he trudges
ders is frightening. Budgetary quick
fixes are driving herds of companies
snow and cold to save his increasingly
from high-tax cities and states to more
F
or more than a decade. the Penn-
through New Hampshire's freezing
sylvania state government in Har-
risburg has tried to enhance its re-
unpopular presidency. But before they
inviting economic pastures. This stam-
lationship with business, paring down its
start tinkering with taxes and busting
pede will ultimately burden the next
corporate income tax from 11.5 percent to
the budget in Washington. Bush and
generation of citizens with even more
8.5 percent. True. that still left the Key-
the members of Congress ought to
intractable deficits.
stone State with above-average business
carefully examine balance sheets in
After canvassing the country and
levies. but with high-tax neighbors like
statehouses and city halls around the
talking with scores of policy makers,
New York. you don't have to be a tax
nation-especially if they want to know
business executives and fiscal experts,
haven to keep the bakers and boilermak-
what not to do.
U.S. News has selected 10 of the worst
ers from straying across the border. That
Local government officials from coast
economic moves by local govern-
to coast. besieged by the demands of
ment in this downturn. Listed in
1
financially ailing citizens who want
no particular order. they range
more services but fewer taxes. are hit-
from taxing Twinkies in Califor-
ting the economic panic button in or-
nia to assuming risky corporate
der to retain their jobs. This hysteria
debt in Minnesota. It might seem
has resulted in a series of wrongheaded
unnecessarily cruel to kick gov-
and shortsighted decisions that could
ernment when it's on the
exacerbate the longest recession since
ground - the most misguided
the Great Depression of the 1930s. Ex-
moves often take place when the
cessive expenditures have been con-
deficits are deepest but the
cealed in complicated footnotes to
states and cities analyzed in the
budget documents. for example: addi-
following pages really kicked
tional taxes have been heaped upon
themselves first.
54
ILLUSTRATION
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT JANUARY 27. 1992
Bush Library Photocopy