Congressman Jim Oberstar's E-Newsletter
Op-Ed
Congressman Jim Oberstar's E-Newsletter, June 2008
Taking Action Against High Gas Prices
Congress is taking action to help keep the price of gas down at the pump this summer. In the past few weeks the House has passed a number of key pieces of legislation to promote energy independence that will help Minnesotans cope with record fuel prices.
* Halt Filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR): The SPR is 97 percent full, its highest level ever. However, the 70,000 barrels of oil a day that are going into the reserve are keeping gas prices from 5 to 24 cents a gallon higher than they should be. This legislation will put a hold on oil going into the SPR for the rest of this year.
* Gas Price Relief for Consumer Act of 2008: This measure gives the U.S. Justice Department the ability to prosecute anticompetitive conduct committed by international cartels like OPEC that restrict supply and drive up prices. The bill also directs the Department of Justice and the Government Accountability Office to investigate the effects of mergers on the petroleum industry.
* Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act: Provides tax credits for the production of renewable energy sources like solar and wind energy, and incentives for the production of renewable fuels and energy efficient products.
* The Farm Bill: Boosts homegrown biofuel production made from biomass and crop byproducts other than grain - using new technologies. The use of biofuels like ethanol, are holding down gas prices by as much as 15 percent.
Get Better Mileage
Visit "Gas Mileage Tips" from the Department of Energy:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.shtml
http://www.house.gov/mediaoberstar/gas.jpg
Can-Do Congress Passes Bipartisan Legislation
New leadership in the 110th Congress has changed the way work is getting done in Washington DC. Since January 2007, the House has passed over 100 pieces of legislation by wide bipartisan margins including:
* The Highway Jobs Bill: Congressman Oberstar sponsored this legislation to complete critical highway projects across the nation, helping to create 400,000 good paying jobs in transportation and construction.
* Minimum Wage: The first increase in a decade for the lowest paid workers in our economy.
* College Aid Expansion: This legislation cut student loan interest rates in half and increased the size of the Pell Grant program. This is the largest increase in student aid since the passage of the GI bill in 1944.
* The Farm Bill: Expands nutrition assistance to 38 million Americans who cannot afford higher food prices. For the first time ever, the Farm Bill stops subsidies to farmers with incomes of more than $750,000 a year. Congressman Oberstar also worked to include a provision to aid loggers impacted impacted by falling timber prices.
Follow this link to see a list of bipartisan bills passed by the House in the 110th Congress.
High School Artist Wins National Honor
A sophomore from Cass Lake-Bena High School has won this year's Congressional Art Competition in the 8th Congressional District. Kevin Jackson's painting in tempera entitled "Dancer" is a portrayal of a Native American dancer in his traditional dress.
Jackson, who is a member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, says his painting reflects the rich cultural heritage of his ancestors. "I feel a great sense of pride in my painting because it is who I am and where I come from. "Dancer" brings memories of my culture and history," said Jackson.
The competition is an annual, nationwide event sponsored by the Congressional Arts Caucus. Each year, students from across the country compete in local art events held in their congressional districts. The competition provides an opportunity for these students to exhibit their artwork and receive national recognition. Winning entries are displayed for one year in the corridor tunnel of the Cannon House Office Building, leading to the Capitol.
"It always gives me great pride to see the creativity and talent of our young people displayed in Washington DC," said Oberstar.
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