Foreclosure Prevention Event; FY 2010 Budget; Minority Health Awareness; Tax Filing Reminder - April 3, 2009
April 3, 2009
Dear Friend,
Thank you for reading another edition of my e-newsletter, the Carson Courier.
In this week's Carson Courier:
Foreclosure Prevention Town Hall
Passing the FY 2010 Federal Budget
Recognizing National Minority Health Awareness Month
Reminder: File Taxes By April 15
FORECLOSURE PREVENTION TOWN HALL
Recent reports have shown that Indianapolis continues to see one of the nation's highest foreclosure rates. To help local Hoosiers with concerns about their mortgages, I am hosting a public town hall meeting that will focus on strategies to avoid foreclosure and highlight the actions taken by President Obama and Congress to help struggling homeowners.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 14, 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: George Washington Community School
2215 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN
This town hall will serve as an opportunity for residents to discuss their foreclosure concerns and speak with local experts from the housing and finance sectors. Furthermore, this event will help residents to better understand the options available under President Obama's new Making Home Affordable plan.
PASSING THE FY 2010 FEDERAL BUDGET
On Thursday, I proudly joined my fellow House Democrats in passing a budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2010-2013. This budget resolution serves as a framework that will guide federal spending over the next several years.
This important legislation has laid out a set of fiscally responsible priorities that will immediately begin to steer our economy out of recession. Over the next four years, 95% of working Americans can expect to see tax cuts while our rising deficit is reduced by more than half. Beyond putting more money in the pockets of average Americans, this budget also addresses some of the most pressing issues facing our nation today – health care, education and energy independence.
Health Care – This budget makes significant investments to address the current shortfalls in our national health care system. This resolution will seek to control skyrocketing costs and provide additional resources that will expand quality health care coverage to 46 million uninsured and underinsured Americans.
Education – This financial plan also allocates substantial resources to renewing and restoring our education system by expanding opportunities for America's young scholars. This proposal includes additional funding for new initiatives in early childhood education, a new tax credit to help cover college costs, and an increase in Pell Grant awards.
Energy Independence – This budget sets aside resources for the purpose of advancing our nation's energy independence and security. It increases our investments in renewable energy and seeks to more broadly promote clean energy technologies.
I strongly believe that by expanding access to quality health care, improving our education system, and investing in clean energy technology, this fiscal plan lays out the framework we need to put our nation on a path to economic recovery and long-term financial stability.
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL MINORITY HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
Each April, we recognize the health disparities and unique medical needs of minority communities across the United States. In these communities, individuals often suffer from a variety of medical problems at a higher rate than their white counterparts. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, African Americans are 30% more likely to die from heart disease, 33% more likely to die from cancer, and an astonishing 150% more likely to die from stroke when compared to white Americans. Hispanic Americans fair only slightly better.
In most cases, these and other health problems are preventable or treatable with proper medical attention. Unfortunately, many communities lack access to quality and affordable health care services. This month, I believe that we should all recommit ourselves to the creation of a health system that provides affordable, accessible, high quality care for all Americans. Communities across our nation should no longer need to cope with widespread health problems.
For more information on minority health issues, visit the Office of Minority Health at https://www.omhrc.gov/ and the Marion County Minority Health Coalition at https://www.minorityhcmc.org/.
REMINDER: FILE TAXES BY APRIL 15
In order to avoid unnecessary penalties, please remember to file all state and federal taxes by Wednesday, April 15. For additional information, tax forms or assistance from tax professionals, visit these helpful government sites:
Internal Revenue Service - https://www.irs.gov/ or call (800) 829-1040
Indiana Department of Revenue - https://www.in.gov/dor/index.htm or call (317) 232-2240
Thank you for reading the Carson Courier. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and concerns. I value your views and your input which help me to better represent the people of Indiana's Seventh District in Congress.