As union members, we know the real state of the economy.  Working families have watched for the past seven years as:

·        Under this administration, gas has gone from $1.59 gallon to $3.75 gallon 

·        Jobs have gone overseas or just disappeared,

·        Wages have stagnated,

·        Pensions have been reduced,

·        Health care benefits have shriveled.

And this is all under the leadership of President Bush.

While the presidential campaigns are now in full swing, this is no time for members of Congress to wait for November 3, 2008 to act on programs that will assist working families.  While a stimulus program is important, it is just a temporary fix. 

We need Congress to continue to address the urgent call from workers across this country that health care, jobs, housing, and education are problems that need legislative solutions now.  These issues need not – and cannot wait for the next president to take office.  Below are a few of the issues that Congress needs to act upon and make part of a long range legislative agenda.

·        Both Houses must pass legislation to help stabilize the nation’s turbulent home mortgage market.  They need to revamp the Federal Housing Administration’s mortgage insurance program to allow it to refinance troubled sub prime mortgages.

·        Extending unemployment insurance benefits – about 250,000 jobless workers exhaust their benefits each month.

·        Give states some fiscal relief.  Because of the housing crisis, states are strapped for funds and are cutting budgets that affect schools, public services, Medicaid health care for children, fire and police services.

·        Provide funding for job-creating infrastructure projects already in the pipeline – projects that would put people to work making needed repairs to schools, unsafe bridges, and sewer treatment facilities.

·        Increase the food stamp program so families don’t go hungry and food dollars are pumped back into the local economy.

Your action is needed now.  Do your part to help yourself, your family, and friends.  Contact your local representatives.  Every letter counts.  Every phone call can make a difference. 

U.S. Senators

Carl Levin                            Debbie Stabenow

269 Russell Office Bldg       702 Hart Senate Office Bldg      Washington DC 20510                    Washington DC 20510

202 224-6221                      202 224-4822

www.levin.senate.gov         www.stabenow.senate.gov

U.S. Representatives

Vern Ehlers, Grand Rapids     616 451-8383

Pete Hoekstra, Holland           616 395-0030

Fred Upton, Kalamazoo          269 385-0039

Dave Camp, Traverse City      231 929-4711