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| Sat, Nov. 22, 2008 |  |
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| | Ross, Berry join in criticizing GOP on rural issues
Saturday, Jun 19, 2004 By Allecia Vermillion Stephens Washington Bureau WASHINGTON-- A group of House Democrats, including two who represent Arkansas, charged Friday that Republicans have "failed rural America" by pushing tax cuts as debt mounts and programs important to rural populations are cut. Reps. Mike Ross, D-Prescott, and Marion Berry, D-Gillett, were among lawmakers who conveyed the message, attempting to highlight what they said were differences between the parties in an election year. Members of the Democratic Rural Working Group presented a list of priorities that include repealing Republican-engineered tax cuts and focusing on a balanced budget with increased funds for national highways, rural healthcare, veterans' benefits and farm programs. A spokesman for House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., dismissed the group's agenda as based on partisan politics. Republicans "have been doing a lot for rural America," Hastert aide John Feehery said. He said the Medicare bill that passed last year has helped rural hospitals and lowered drug costs while other bills have addressed farmers' needs. "We've helped rural America and continue to help," he said. "What we don't need to do is increase spending to have more taxes go to Washington, D.C." Ross emphasized additional spending would go to bolster infrastructure, both locally and nationally, and help rural economies. He advocated paying down the nation's debts so that money currently used for interest payments could be diverted to transportation projects. The first $2,559 Americans pay in taxes does not go to roads, health care or other benefits, Ross said. It simply goes to debts and interest payments, he said. Ross estimated that investing $1 billion in each congressional district could put 18 million people to work. Slightly more than 8 million Americans were unemployed last month, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The 4th District in Arkansas has $5 billion in outstanding transportation needs, he said. Rep. Charlie Stenholm, D-Texas, the ranking Democrat on the Agriculture committee, emphasized that these issues are regional, not partisan. -- 30 -- |
