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| 9/10/2008 1:00:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | Braley, Gayman listen to constituents
Democrats hold roundtable discussion at Eldridge restaurant
By: Brian Rathjen
of the NSP
ELDRIDGE - U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) and Iowa House District 84 Rep. Elesha Gayman (D-Iowa) have heard the concerns throughout the year.
High gasoline prices and rising health insurance costs have had quite the impact on small businesses. But they wanted to hear from their constituents as to exactly how economic factors have affected them.
"I don't ever claim to have any or all the answers, but I like to hear from constituents to tell me what they are directly concerned about so I can communicate back," said Gayman.
About a dozen people turned out for Friday's roundtable discussion at Lancers Grille in Eldridge.
For Braley, it was his second visit to his 1st Congressional District this summer. Residents told him that gas prices and health care were their top concerns.
"I was a small-business owner self-employed for 23 years," he said. "I know what it's like to face those 25-, 35-, 45-percent premium increases. With a new congress coming in in 2009, I think there's going to be a big push to do something about health care issues.
"The other thing I noticed on everybody's mind is disaster assistance. I know it's a little different county by county by community," continued Braley, noting that federal representatives were expected to be in the district this week to visit areas impacted by this spring's tornadoes and floods. "When we go back to Washington, we'll be putting together another supplemental disaster assistance bill to go on top of the $2.65 billion bill that we passed right after the flooding happened."
Barb Catlin described her profession as an "indoor environmental technician," or someone who sells equipment to clean the air and provide energy savings. While her business is doing well because she is able to help people save money, "As a small-business owner it is hard because of the hard economic times. My sales have to go up enough to pay the regular bills. My electric bill has gone sky high. My product is helping that (lowering costs), but not everybody has that."
Others shared similar concerns, as participants noted that rising costs have put a squeeze on union representatives. Catlin added that, when she left her job as a intensive care unit nurse, she had to obtain insurance from a pool that cost her $1,100 per month.
Braley noted that Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Wis.) recently introduced a non-discrimination bill for health care plans, "which basically prevents you from saying we can't insure you because of disqualifying condition. What's happening right now is people who are outside those plans, we all end up bearing a share of that cost because they don't have the ability to insure themselves. They're going to emergency rooms in other places for care and that all gets passed on to people who do have insurance but they're outside the pool.
"There's a lot of innovative ideas out there," said Braley. "The hard part is getting people on both sides of the aisle in both chambers and in the White House to come together and come to some sort of consensus to fix that problem."
Julie Mosher, a real estate agent, was recently involved in a head-on collision and suffered two broken legs. A single mother, she said she can't afford insurance from the more expensive pools because of her injuries. Her children are covered, however.
"I'm in my third year of real estate, and it takes a good four to six years until you get up to an average level for income," she said. "There's a great misconception, and I'd say there's at least 30 percent you have to put back in my business."
After mentioning proposed congressional action to deal with home mortgage creditors Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, Braley asked how the Quad-Cities area is weathering the mortgage crisis.
"Obviously we were not as impacted as badly as (others)," said Mosher, noting a summer slowdown in home sales that may have been seasonal. "I still think we're going to see quite a few foreclosures to come yet."
Jerry Mohr, a farmer from rural Eldridge, questioned whether tax credits for renewable energy sources, such as wind, will be renewed. Also, he asked about the renewable fuels mandate.
Braley noted that he had introduced a bill to reauthorize tax credits for wind energy, and he expanded it to include other forms of energy. The bill that was ultimately passed extended the credit for another two years, and the Senate is expected to debate the bill soon.
The congressman added that Iowa has been on the cutting edge of renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, and corn- and celluose-based ethanol. A conference at Iowa State University last weekend was set to investigate next-generation feed stocks.
"My great-great grandparents ... moved to this area during the Potato Famine and looking for better farmland," said Braley. "Agriculture has been in my family for over 150 years and I want to do what I can to create opportunities."
He added that he was proud to know that Democratic leaders embraced initiatives concerning renewable energy and reduction of dependance on foreign oil. Standards to raise miles-per-gallon standards on vehicles have also been passed.
The main concern of Mike Thoma, a restaurant consultant, centered on flood relief. He said his family was affected by flooding along the Turkey River in Fayette County.
Gayman noted that Iowa Gov. Chet Culver may call a special session of lawmakers to set aside funds for flood recovery unless federal agencies deliver the $85 million in promised aid.
Thoma also said that high energy costs affect everybody, and homeowners on the verge of loosing their homes are particularly vulnerable. He added that he has concerns about vehicle MPG standards, noting that the marketplace will tell the producers what types of vehicles they want.
"I feel the long term (for) becoming self-sufficient in energy is a great goal, but we've got to do something about the immediate problems right now," he said.
Braley said that when Congress reconvenes, an energy bill addressing short- and long-term needs will be discussed. He added that MPG mandates were passed because some automakers were reluctant to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles.
"We've got to come up with a comprehensive strategy that encourages alternative fuels, encourages conservation and takes advantage of sources we have right now, (and) something that gives people relief," he said, noting that natural gas is more abundant than crude oil. Some foreign countries are considering producing vehicles that burn natural gas, he said.
Chris Konrady, owner of GT Sports in Eldridge, asked about government programs available to assist small businesses with expansion.
Pete DeKock, Braley's district director, is available to assist entrepreneurs and direct them to many different programs and resources.
Gayman spent several minutes speaking with farmers about the farm-to-market roads. Braley said that future economic stimulus packages may need to address funding good farm-to-market roads.
When Gayman asked for ideas to improve transportation infrastructure, suggestions included a passenger rail system between the Quad Cities and points such as Des Moines and Minneapolis.
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