Bob Latta

Tax day is a stark reminder to hardworking Americans of the burden of our current tax code and will spend on average 13 hours to prepare to pay for their taxes.  Our tax code is almost four million words long.  It is too complicated, too time-consuming, and too costly.

While the President continues to push for higher taxes, Republicans are committed to comprehensive tax reform. With the economy still struggling to grow, we need to work towards a fairer, simpler tax code that will help create a stronger economy, create jobs, and put more of Americans’ hard-earned cash back in their pockets.

A joint, bicameral report released this week by Congressional Republicans outlines estimated increases in health care premiums for some Americans, specifically young adults and the middle class, when major provisions of President Obama’s health care law go into effect next year. Analysis from the report projects an increase in Ohio health care premiums between 55 to 106 percent.

The report points to several provisions within the Obamacare that will place upward pressure on premiums, including the $165 billion in new taxes and fees on health plans, drug manufacturers, and device makers. Along with Ohio, 12 other states could see premiums double in the individual market. We need common-sense health care solutions, not a one-size fits all government mandate.

For the fourth time in five years the president has missed the legal deadline to submit his budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 requires the president to submit his budget request to Congress for the upcoming fiscal year no later than the first Monday of February. In addition to the president missing the deadline to submit a budget, it has been almost four years since the Senate has passed a budget. Hardworking taxpayers across Ohio and the nation have budgets and Congress should have one too. 

The House has put forth solutions and passed two legislative measures this year: H.R. 325, the No Budget, No Pay Act and H.R. 444, the Require a Plan Act. 
 

In nearly four years, President Obama has circumvented Congress by issuing 147 executive orders, and according to a recent report from the American Action Forum, his administration has issued nearly $500 billion in regulations during his first term.

Under the Obama administration hardworking taxpayers, farmers, and other job creators have endured an excessive onslaught of government regulations, implemented by unelected bureaucrats, and that do not receive full consideration of basic industry concerns such as compliance costs and feasibility. A report from the Small Business Administration estimated that total regulatory costs amount to $1.75 trillion annually.

The Office of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor produced a report titled, The Imperial Presidency, to highlight the Obama administration’s unprecedented regulatory overreach. The report outlines over 40 examples of how the administration has skirted the legislative process to advance its own agenda.

We must continue to work towards commonsense, pro-growth policies that rein in the massive federal overregulation and out-of-control spending, as well as lowers taxes to fuel job growth and strengthen our economy.

This chart, courtesy of the House Budget Committee, clearly shows that even with the president's proposed tax hike, these increased taxes alone won’t address our crippling national debt. We can no longer ignore this serious problem facing our nation – we need real spending reforms to promote job creation and restore economic prosperity.

As America honors our veterans today, I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to all veterans who have answered the call of service to our great country and fought to defend the values, liberties, and freedoms that we as Americans hold so dear.  They are true heroes for the sacrifices they and their families have made, and on this day of national observance, let us all take a moment to thank a veteran for his or her service and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country.  

George Washington who once said, "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation."

That is why I believe it is so imperative that we preserve the stories of the brave men and women who served our country so that our future generations can better understand the risks and sacrifices that were made to protect our freedoms and liberties.  This Veterans Day, I’d encourage you to check out the Veterans History Project, sponsored by the Library of Congress. Through this nationwide project, personal stories from America’s war veterans and those American civilians who served in support of them are collected and preserved.  More about the project can be found here: http://www.loc.gov/vets/

As always, if there is anything I can do for the veterans of the Fifth Congressional District, do not hesitate to contact me. You may reach my Washington, D.C. office by phone at (202) 225-6405, or my District office at (800) 541-6446 for constituent services.

Since 2009, we have seen an unprecedented surge in federal regulations. In fact, according to the Republican staff of the Congressional Joint Economic Committee (JEC), this administration has expanded red tape by 52% in completed regulations that cost the economy at least $100 million annually, compared to the previous administration over the same time frame. In 2012 alone, there have been 41,662 regulations published.  The biggest victim of this regulatory onslaught: America’s small businesses.  

During these tough economic times, federal regulations and its high costs, along with the steady threat of higher taxes, make it difficult for small businesses to invest and grow.  Duplicative and burdensome regulations not only cost our small businesses more but it also creates uncertainties that freeze businesses from hiring new employees.  This means fewer jobs and a much slower economic recovery.

Small business owners are this nation’s catalysts for innovation and job creation, as they have created 64% of all new jobs in the past 15 years, according to the Small Business Administration. However, small businesses face an annual regulatory cost of $10,585 per employee, which is 36% higher than the regulatory cost facing large firms.  Often times I hear small business owners in my district cite federal regulations, including the president’s healthcare law, as the reason why they are not creating more jobs.  According to a Chamber of Commerce Small Business Outlook survey, 78% of small businesses surveyed reported that taxation, regulation and legislation from Washington are making it harder for their business to hire more employees. 

Entrepreneurs and small business owners have toiled and built their businesses and have helped to make America the most prosperous nation in the world. Yet, rather than provide incentives for these businesses to grow and create jobs, this administration continues to expand job-crushing regulations.

The slow economic recovery further demonstrates that the policies instituted by this administration have failed. How can we expect for a President who doesn’t believe that business owners built their own business to grasp the harmful effects of red tape?

The federal government cannot, and should not, spend its way out of this economic recession, but it can create an environment in which small businesses and entrepreneurs are empowered to invest, take risks for growth, and create jobs. Returning our country on the road to economic prosperity will require one major component used by President Reagan during the 1981 – 1982 recession: reining in regulations that hinder economic growth.

As I travel throughout the district, I have the privilege of witnessing the entrepreneurial spirit of Ohio’s Fifth Congressional district. I truly believe we have the best workforce in the world, and I’ve seen it from our farmers, manufacturers, and small business owners, and our hometown banks.  In addition to 33 jobs bills the House has already passed, with many cutting the excessive red tape strangling our small businesses, this week I join my colleagues to pass another piece of legislation that provides regulatory relief for small businesses.  Specifically, the bill would reform the regulatory process to prevent any federal agency from taking a “significant regulatory action” until unemployment has reached 6% or less.

With the unemployment rate still above 8%, we need to put in place a fair system for job creators; one in which the government does not keep changing the rules. And, we can’t help the job seeker by punishing the job creator with more government red tape.

The Healthcare Leadership Council (HLC), a coalition of leaders of the nation’s premier health care companies and organizations, honored Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) as a “Champion of Healthcare Innovation” at an award ceremony in Washington.

“Perfecting a 21st century healthcare system that is both affordable and accessible for all Americans and that provides care of the highest quality hinges on support for healthcare innovation.  We need to constantly develop new and better ways to deliver care and link patients and consumers to the healthcare system,” said HLC president Mary R. Grealy. “We’re grateful for Congressman Latta’s leadership, dedication and hard work in advancing the quality, accessibility and cost-effectiveness of American healthcare.”

Congressman Latta was honored at the Council’s annual Healthcare Innovations Expo on Capitol Hill. The day-long event is dedicated to showcasing new developments in health care technologies, treatments and practices.