Lest anyone think the recovery is in full swing, preliminary state-level unemployment reports show first-time unemployment claims rose by an unexpected 36,000 last week. Economists were predicting a decline of 4,000. The federal report is due out today.
January 22, 2010
A new report released by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the Council of Manufacturing Associations (CMA) finds that manufacturing fuels economic prosperity but requires pro-growth policies to create jobs and remain globally competitive. The report was written by economists Joel Popkin and Kathryn Kobe, noted experts on issues related to prices, wages, productivity and technology.
The report offers a number of specific recommendations to create jobs and enhance U.S. manufacturing innovation, productivity and competitiveness including the following:
- Reduce the corporate income tax rate on profits earned from production in the U.S. to match those of our major trading partners.
- Make the research and development tax credit permanent to provide more certainty for private sector decisions to undertake R&D.
- Make the commitments now that will guide private sector decisions on R&D investment for cleaner energy technologies and more varied energy sources.
- Continue to improve our education system to enhance the pool of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) graduates and support programs of technical training and certification.
- Assure the health of small businesses by widening the lowest corporate income tax bracket.
- Invest in all levels of infrastructure -- transportation, communication channels and the energy grid.
Dr. Popkin cited the erosion of America’s leadership in R&D as another major challenge facing U.S. manufacturers. “The United States is still the leader in the absolute number of dollars spent. Its strong R&D position, however, is being eroded by the impact of the economic downturn and the rapidly expanding R&D programs in other countries. When the data is available, we expect to see the U.S. share of world R&D fell in 2009.”
“America’s future prosperity depends on policies that accelerate and strengthen manufacturing production here in the United States,” noted William E. Gaskin, president of the Precision Metalforming Association and former CMA chair. “To remain strong players in a competitive world, U.S. manufacturers need government policies that encourage continued innovation and productivity gains. In particular, we need policies that encourage public and private investments to enhance productivity, such as those in R&D, capital goods, worker training and early education that nurtures math and science proficiency.”
The new report, “Manufacturing Resurgence – A Must for U.S. Prosperity,” is available at www.nam.org/popkinreport. It is the third in a series of reports by Dr. Popkin featuring data and analysis about the importance of U.S. manufacturing to the nation’s economy.
PELOSI CONCEDES ON PASSING SENATE VERSION OF HEALTHCARE
January 22, 2010
After a crushing Democrat defeat in the Mass. special election Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi has now conceded she does not have the votes in the House to ram through the Senate version of the healthcare reform bill. She has called for a pause on the whole issue, suggesting “we’re not in a rush”. That is political speak for, “we tried to run over you and we failed, so let’s talk”.
Pelosi said her members are vehemently opposed the provision that benefits only Nebraska that the Senate used to win the vote of Sen. Ben Nelson. Also of concern she said are the federal subsidies the Senate offered uninsured individuals and the excise tax imposed on high-value policies in the Senate bill.
SENATORS INTRODUCE BILL TO BLOCK EPA FROM REGULATION GREENHOUSE GASES
January 22, 2010
Senators on both sides of the isle introduce legislation on Thursday to block the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. Despite objections from Congress and industry, EPA has been moving forward to enact regulations that would put costly limits on power plant pollution. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), said, "We're being presented with a false choice between unacceptable legislation and unacceptable regulations."
Murkowski, is among 35 other Republicans and three Democrats, that are offering a resolution of disapproval that would prevent the EPA from taking action on emissions by reversing its recent finding that greenhouse gases endanger the public's health and welfare. The resolution faces an uphill battle.
No comments:
Post a Comment