Supporting Small Business; Protecting Against Lead-Based Paint; DTV Reminder - May 26, 2009
May 26, 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 Local Small Businesses
Protecting Against Lead-Based Paint
DTV Transition Reminder
SUPPORTING LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES
This week, we recognize National Small Business Week, which honors the invaluable role our nation's small businesses play in employing over half of all Americans and accounting for more than 50 percent of our national GDP. Unfortunately, these businesses are often the first to encounter financial difficulties in an economic downturn—a reality that has deterred many prospective entrepreneurs from starting new businesses.
In this ongoing recession, I believe it is critical for us to support and encourage entrepreneurship to the greatest extent possible. This afternoon, I was proud to join a strong bipartisan effort to pass the Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act. This important legislation will extend new tools to entrepreneurs as they work through the difficult first steps of starting and sustaining a successful business venture. Read More…
PROTECTING AGAINST LEAD-BASED PAINT
Across Indianapolis, many homes built prior to 1978 may still contain dangerous amounts of toxic lead-based paint. Prolonged exposure to the levels of lead found in this paint can lead to irreversible and potentially fatal brain damage and other disorders. Unfortunately, many of these homes are now occupied by low-income workers who may not have the money to remove this dangerous paint from their homes.
In an effort to help these low-income families, I supported a provision in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that allotted $99 million to be used for the elimination of lead-based paint from low-income housing. Today, I am pleased to announce that the Department of House and Urban Development will be awarding a grant of over $874,000 to the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County to fund their ongoing efforts to inform the public about safe, cost effective measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of toxic lead exposure. I look forward to working with them spread information about lead-based paint and how local residents and protect themselves and their families from dangerous exposure.
DTV TRANSITION REMINDER
Once again, I would like to remind you that on Friday, June 12, 2009, television networks across the United States will officially begin broadcasting a digital signal. Any television utilizing an antenna to receive its signal will need to be outfitted with a DTV converter box to remain operational.
The Department of Commerce is currently distributing $40 coupons to help Americans purchase necessary DTV converter boxes. You can still add your name to the coupon waiting list by visiting https://www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx.
When you receive your coupon, be sure to use it within 90 days. If they expire without being used you will need to add your name to the waiting list again. Read More…
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.