The Export-Import Bank dragoons American taxpayers into subsidizing loans to foreign companies, making it cheaper for them to buy products from politically-favored American companies which in turn use those products to compete against less-favored American companies.
Here is an appropriations bill originating in this House that still has outrageously wasteful and indefensible spending. Perhaps the flagship of this folly is the $182 million in unauthorized - there's that word again: unauthorized - spending for the Economic Development Administration. This is solely and simply a slush fund that gives away money for the most dubious of local projects.
This amendment cuts more than a quarter billion dollars of unauthorized appropriations from the International Trade Administration. What does it do, exactly? The ITA has some legitimate functions enforcing trade agreements and treaties. This amendment leaves these functions untouched. But it also - to quote from its own material - provides counseling to American companies in order to develop the most profitable and sustainable plans for pricing, export, and the full range of public and private trade promotion assistance... as well as market intelligence, and industry and market specific research." That's well and good, but Mme. Chairman, isn't that what businesses, trade associations and the Chamber of Commerce are supposed to do with their own money?
Office staff members are available to assist constituents with problems or concerns at satellite office locations held throughout the district. Anyone wishing to discuss an issue of federal concern is invited to attend one of these satellite office sessions and speak with a member of staff. For more information, or to reach staff anytime, please call the district office at 916-786-5560.
May Satellite Office Hours:
El Dorado County
South Lake Tahoe (Weather Permitting) Tuesday, May 1, 2012 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm (Contact District Office at 916-786-5560 to confirm location)
El Dorado Hills Thursday, May 3, 2012 9:00 am to 11:00 am California Welcome Center 2085 Vine Street, Suite 105 El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
Placerville Tuesday, May 15, 2012 10:00 am to 12:00 noon El Dorado County Government Center, 330 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667
Nevada County
Nevada City Monday, May 14, 2012 9:00 am to 12:00 noon Eric W. Rood Administrative Center, County Executive Office (2nd Floor), 950 Maidu Ave.
Nevada City, CA 95959 Grass Valley Monday, May 21, 2012 9:00 am to 12:00 noon City Hall, Mayor's Conference Room, 125 East Main St. Grass Valley, CA 95945
Truckee Thursday, May 31, 2012 10:00 am to 12:00 noon Truckee Town Hall (Second Floor Conference Room) 10183 Truckee Airport Road Truckee, CA 96161
Placer County
Tahoe City (Weather Permitting) Tuesday, May 1, 2012 9:00 am to 11:00 am Tahoe City Community Center 380 North Lake Blvd. Tahoe City, CA 96145
Auburn Tuesday, May 8, 2012 10:00 am to 12:00 noon Placer County Government Center, CEO 3 Meeting Room 175 Fulweiler Avenue Auburn, CA 95603
Lincoln Tuesday, May 8, 2012 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Lincoln City Hall, 600 6th Street Lincoln, CA 95648
Rocklin Tuesday, May 22, 2012 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm City Hall Conference Room 3980 Rocklin Road, Rocklin, CA 95677
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