Politics

Fighting Foreclosures and Strengthening Neighborhoods

Secretary Shaun Donovan — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:00:38 +0000

We all understand the impact the foreclosure crisis has had on homeowners. But the crisis has hurt communities, too. Foreclosed and vacant homes have a debilitating effect on neighborhoods and often lead to blight, neighborhood decay and reduced property values.

That’s why the Administration is announcing today another $1 billion to help communities struggling with foreclosures. Already, HUD has provided $6 billion in two rounds of Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding. These funds help communities buy and redevelop foreclosed and abandoned homes and residential properties – putting Americans back to work, creating more affordable rental housing and helping the neighborhoods that need it most.

Today, the $4 billion first round of Neighborhood Stabilization funding is in communities, buying up and renovating homes, and creating jobs. The $2 billion included as part of President Obama’s Recovery Act is making a difference as well. This second round of funding differed from the first in that it was competitively awarded – to encourage innovative local partnerships, reward the best ideas for tackling the housing crisis and grow local economies in impactful ways.

President Obama on the Economy in Cleveland: “The America I Believe In”

Jesse Lee — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:51:53 +0000

This afternoon the President was in Cleveland, Ohio, the city where House Republican Leader Boehner recently put forth his party’s priorities for the economy. In his remarks, the President laid out a stark contrast between policies that help the economy work for the middle class, and the policies that allowed special interests to run amok -- and to run our economy into a ditch. He spoke about the need to strengthen our recovery in both the short and long terms by investing in America’s roads, bridges and runways, by helping small businesses grow and hire, and by giving certainty to businesses through a permanent incentive to innovate and create good jobs in America in the Research and Experimentation Tax Credit.

But before all that he talked about the foundation of the values that guide his decisions:

Yes, our families believed in the American values of self-reliance and individual responsibility, and they instilled those values in their children. But they also believed in a country that rewards responsibility. A country that rewards hard work. A country built upon the promise of opportunity and upward mobility.

They believed in an America that gave my grandfather the chance to go to college because of the GI Bill. An America that gave my grandparents the chance to buy a home because of the Federal Housing Authority. An America that gave their children and grandchildren the chance to fulfill our dreams thanks to college loans and college scholarships.

It was an America where you didn’t buy things you couldn’t afford; where we didn’t just think about today – we thought about tomorrow. An America that took pride in the goods it made, not just in the things it consumed. An America where a rising tide really did lift all boats, from the company CEO to the guy on the assembly line.

That’s the America I believe in. That’s what led me to work in the shadow of a shuttered steel plant on the South Side of Chicago when I was a community organizer. It’s what led me to fight for factory workers at manufacturing plants that were closing across Illinois when I was a Senator. It’s what led me to run for President – because I don’t believe we can have a strong and growing economy without a strong and growing middle-class.

The audience listens as President Barack Obama delivers remarks on the economy at Cuyahoga Community College in Parma, Ohio

The Affordable Care Act Strengthens Health Care for Latinos

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:12:58 +0000

En español.

Today, an op-ed from President Obama is running in major Spanish-language newspapers across the country. The op-ed discusses the benefits of the Affordable Care Act for Latinos and announces the release of a new Spanish-language version of HealthCare.gov – www.CuidadoDeSalud.gov.

The op-ed is running in ImpreMedia’s print publications (including La Opinión in Los Angeles and El Diario La Prensa in New York) and online properties, all of which have a monthly reach of 9.3 million adults and monthly distribution of nearly 11 million.

As the President notes in his op-ed:

The Affordable Care Act Did Not Cause Unjust Premium Increases

Stephanie Cutter — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:51:31 +0000

Today’s Wall Street Journal reports that some health insurance companies are blaming the Affordable Care Act for premium increases that were planned long before the law was passed. We knew this would happen, which is why the President called on insurance companies not to use the Affordable Care Act as an excuse to implement unreasonable premium increases. In fact, when one insurance company in the State of Washington was called out for telling its beneficiaries that rate increases were due to the Affordable Care Act, that company agreed to issue a new letter clarifying the reasons for the increase.

The premium increases discussed today – many of which were planned before the Affordable Care Act was even signed into law– demonstrate that reform came at a critical time. In fact, consumers have faced unreasonable double digit premium increases for more than a decade, including employer-sponsored plans where premiums have more than doubled since 2000.

Boehner’s Budget Gimmicks: Another Attempt to Hold Middle Class Tax Cuts Hostage

Jen Psaki — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:30:12 +0000

It is disturbing but unfortunately not surprising that an entire political party would rally together to hold tax relief for middle class families hostage as leverage to push through tax cuts for the very richest Americans -- people who don’t need them and haven’t even asked for them. But that is apparently exactly what Republican Minority Leader John Boehner is trying to do.

Even as the Republican Party has tried to shed its dismal record on fiscal discipline, they have been consistent and unwavering in their attempts to borrow more than $700 billion to support permanent tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. But giving an average $100,000 tax break to those making over $1,000,000 a year when we can’t afford them and they don’t need them is not sound economic policy.

The latest trick from Republican Minority Leader John Boehner says a lot about Republican priorities and strategy – and seems like an obvious recognition of just how irresponsible their position is.

DOT, EPA Invite Public Input on New Vehicle Fuel Economy Window Stickers

Secretary Ray LaHood — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:26:52 +0000

Cross posted from the Department of Transportation blog.

Together, the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency have produced a new vehicle fuel economy label, and we want your feedback on our two proposed designs.

A year ago I blogged that putting millions more fuel-efficient cars, SUVs, and small trucks on the road is a huge step forward toward US energy independence. Well, now that the Obama Administration has taken that step forward with fuel economy standards for model years 2012 through 2016, a new generation of vehicles is hitting the market.

But, as new technologies like battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids have become increasingly available, fuel economy and environmental information has become increasingly complicated. Our current label just won't cut it anymore.

That's why, beginning with the 2012 model year, DOT and EPA want to use a new fuel economy label. We need a label that captures energy and emissions information in a way that helps vehicle buyers make better-informed decisions.

On The Right Track At The Nevada State Fair

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:20:37 +0000

Ed. Note: Building on the President’s commitment to address issues important to rural Americans, Administration officials are visiting State Fairs around the country, see a map of where we've been so far.

When you grow up in rural America, as I did, there is nothing more exciting than the state or county fair. yes"> Showing livestock, competing in baking and quilting contests, eyeing the latest farm equipment, and dipping the season’s first apples in caramel are perennial favorites among America’s rural youth. So when I visited the Nevada State Fair last week, I made a quick beeline to the 4H and FFA exhibits to see if things were the same as ‘when I was a kid.’

Republican National Committee Releases New Web Video “Party of No”

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:42:19 +0000

WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee (RNC) announced a new web video today highlighting how unpopular President Obama and his failed policies have become with the electorate and even some Democrats concerned about their job prospects this fall. The video, entitled “Party of No,” can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaBJXvWA1MM. “PARTY OF NO” WEB VIDEO SCRIPT TIME: 00:32 OBAMA: If I said the sky was blue, they’d say no. CHYRON: THAT’S RIGHT. THEY DO. CHYRON: (ACTUAL DEMOCRAT CAMPAIGN ADS) DEM COMMERCIAL 1: I’ve had to say no far more than I’ve said yes. DEM COMMERCIAL 2: [That is] why I voted against all of the bailouts. DEM COMMERCIAL 3: And why I voted against the three trillion dollar budget. DEM COMMERCIAL 4: You saw it when he voted against health care. DEM COMMERCIAL 5: Against bailouts, against stimulus spending. DEM COMMERCIAL 6: And voted against Nancy Pelosi’s energy tax. OBAMA: If I said the sky was blue, they’d say no. CHYRON: WITH POLICIES THIS BAD, WHO CAN BLAME THEM? ON-SCREEN DISCLAIMER: Paid for by the Republican National Committee. Not Authorized by Any Candidate or Candidate’s Committee. www.GOP.com

Open for Questions: Boosting the Recovery with Austan Goolsbee

Katelyn Sabochik — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:27:11 +0000

Today, President Obama will speak in Cleveland, Ohio about his vision for the future of the American economy and about specific ways to move our economy forward. Earlier today, Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer previewed the President’s remarks and laid out the three additional steps the President is proposing to help grow the economy and help businesses spur hiring.

You can watch the speech live on WhiteHouse.gov/live. Immediately following the President’s remarks, Austan Goolsbee of the Council of Economic Advisers will be answering your questions about the economy. Be sure to tune in and join the discussion on Facebook.

Rebuilding Our Economy to Work for Middle Class Americans Again

Dan Pfeiffer — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:15:00 +0000

Ed. Note: Watch the President's remarks at 2:10 EDT here at WhiteHouse.gov/live, then stick around right afterwards to watch a live video chat with Austan Goolsbee of the Council of Economic Advisers or join the discussion over at Facebook.

Today, the President will speaking in the Cleveland, Ohio about his vision for the future of the American economy and about specific ways to move our economy forward.

A few weeks ago, Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner visited Cleveland to offer his party’s answer to our economic challenges. There were no new ideas, just the same philosophy we tried for the last decade and which led to the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression – cut taxes for millionaires, cut rules for corporations, and leave the middle class to fend for itself.

President Obama has a different vision for America – as a place where we don’t just think about today; we think about tomorrow. Where responsibility is rewarded and those who put our economy at risk are not. Where we lead the world in the goods we make and sell, not just in the things we consume. And where the benefits of growth are truly shared, from the company CEO to the newest guy on the assembly line.