Preventing Recidivism; Promoting Fatherhood; Encouraging New Car Sales - June 15, 2009
June 15, 2009
Dear Friend,
Thank you for reading another edition of my e-newsletter, the Carson Courier. For additional information on these and other topics, please visit my website at https://www.carson.house.gov.
In this week's Carson Courier:
Supporting Public Safety By Preventing Recidivism
Promoting Fatherhood
Encouraging New Car Sales
SUPPORTING PUBLIC SAFETY BY PREVENTING RECIDIVISM
Every year, thousands of ex-offenders are released back into communities across America. Many of these individuals leave prison with disabilities or mental illnesses that prevent them from securing employment, purchasing food, or providing health care for themselves and their families. Unfortunately, without federal benefits to help them successfully reenter society these ex-offenders often commit crimes that return them to the prison system.
Under current federal law, ex-offenders often have to wait several months after their release before regaining access to their federal benefits. As a former law enforcement officer, I have seen firsthand how these circumstances pose a significant risk to public safety that warrants the attention of Congress.
Last Thursday, I introduced the Recidivism Reduction Act, which will make these benefits available to eligible individuals on the first day of their release, ensuring access to the services and resources that are vital to making a successful transition back into society. As we seek to break the cycle of recidivism, this legislation will not grant new benefits to ex-offenders but rather provide them with the tools they need start productive, law-abiding lives outside of prison.
For more information on the Recidivism Reduction Act, read here.
PROMOTING FATHERHOOD
Each year, thousands of young men unexpectedly become fathers and are unprepared, financially and emotionally, to fully handle their parenting responsibilities. Many times these fathers would like to contribute to their child's growth and welfare but lack the means and knowledge necessary to do so. As millions continue to grow up without the positive influence of a father, I believe that it is more important than ever for us to support fathers who wish to become more active and involved in the lives of their children
Last week, I decided to become a cosponsor of the Julia Carson Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families Act. This legislation seeks to provide new fathers with the resources they need to play a significant role throughout the lives of their children. This important goal will be accomplished by allocating grant funding to programs that encourage responsible fatherhood, teach parenting techniques and supply job and educational training to fathers who are struggling financially. It will also remove a significant financial barrier to fatherhood by ensuring that two-parent families have the same access to Medicaid, TANF, and other benefits that single-parent families do.
Though my grandmother, Congresswoman Julia Carson, did not see this legislation signed into law, I am encouraged by the strong support it has already received in the 111th Congress. When enacted, I strongly believe that this legislation will encourage a new culture of responsible fatherhood for generations to come.
ENCOURAGE NEW CAR SALES
In the wake of General Motors and Chrysler filing for bankruptcy, thousands of working Americans are facing the possibility of losing their jobs. Amid an ongoing economic recession and lagging auto sales, it became clear that Congressional action was necessary to facilitate a recovery that could provide long-term stability to the American auto industry.
Last Tuesday, I was pleased to join my House colleagues in voting for the bipartisan Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act, also known as "Cash for Clunkers". This legislation seeks to bring meaningful reductions in carbon emissions and fuel consumption while providing much-needed stimulus for our ailing automakers. Under the new Cash for Clunkers program, consumers can trade in their old, gas-guzzling vehicles and receive vouchers worth up to $4,500 to help pay for new, more fuel efficient cars and trucks. This measure will spur the sales of up to 1 million fuel efficient cars and trucks which will in turn create and protect thousands of jobs and sustain hundreds of car dealerships.
Consumers wanting to take advantage of this new program should refer to the regulations below:
Passenger Cars: The old vehicle must get 18 mpg or less. New passenger cars with mileage of at least 22 mpg are eligible for vouchers. If the mileage of the new car is at least 4 mpg higher than the old vehicle, the voucher will be worth $3,500. If the mileage of the new car is at least 10 mpg higher than the old vehicle, the voucher will be worth $4,500.
Light-Duty Trucks: The old vehicle must get 18 mpg or less. New light trucks or SUVs with mileage of at least 18 mpg are eligible for vouchers. If the mileage of the new truck or SUV is at least 2 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $3,500. If the mileage of the new truck or SUV is at least 5 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $4,500.
Large Light-Duty Trucks: New large trucks (pick-up trucks and vans weighing between 6,000 and 8,500 pounds) with mileage of at least 15 mpg are eligible for vouchers. If the mileage of the new truck is at least 1 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $3,500. If the mileage of the new truck is at least 2 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $4,500.
Work Trucks: Under the agreement, consumers can trade in a pre-2002 work truck (defined as a pick-up truck or cargo van weighing from 8,500-10,000 pounds) and receive a voucher worth $3,500 for a new work truck in the same or smaller weight class. There will be a finite number of these vouchers, based on this vehicle class's market share. There are no EPA mileage measures for these trucks; however, because newer models are cleaner than older models, the age requirement ensures that the trade will improve environmental quality. Consumers can also "trade down," receiving a $3,500 voucher for trading in an older work truck and purchasing a smaller light-duty truck weighing from 6,000 – 8,500 pounds.
Light-Duty Trucks: The old vehicle must get 18 mpg or less. New light trucks or SUVs with mileage of at least 18 mpg are eligible for vouchers. If the mileage of the new truck or SUV is at least 2 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $3,500. If the mileage of the new truck or SUV is at least 5 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $4,500.
Large Light-Duty Trucks: New large trucks (pick-up trucks and vans weighing between 6,000 and 8,500 pounds) with mileage of at least 15 mpg are eligible for vouchers. If the mileage of the new truck is at least 1 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $3,500. If the mileage of the new truck is at least 2 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $4,500.
Work Trucks: Under the agreement, consumers can trade in a pre-2002 work truck (defined as a pick-up truck or cargo van weighing from 8,500-10,000 pounds) and receive a voucher worth $3,500 for a new work truck in the same or smaller weight class. There will be a finite number of these vouchers, based on this vehicle class's market share. There are no EPA mileage measures for these trucks; however, because newer models are cleaner than older models, the age requirement ensures that the trade will improve environmental quality. Consumers can also "trade down," receiving a $3,500 voucher for trading in an older work truck and purchasing a smaller light-duty truck weighing from 6,000 – 8,500 pounds.
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 7th District in Congress.