January 20, 2012

TIMES ARE HARD, SAY U.S. MANUFACTURERS

SmartBrief on Leadership
Standard Motor Products, one of America's largest aftermarket auto-parts manufacturers, went from catering to thousands of small clients to serving just a few big buyers. That subjects the company to greater competition and forces it to hold down prices with low wages and outsourcing. "The main thing I think about is survival," says CEO Larry Sills. The Atlantic (1/2012)

NCSL RELEASES LETTER TO PRESIDENT AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS ON FISCAL PLAN – “GO BIG”
January 17, 2012

RE: FY 2013 Budget Proposal and Budget Resolution

Dear Mr. President, Speaker Boehner and Majority Leader Reid:

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) recognizes the need for the federal government to reduce its annual deficits and manage its long-term debt. While the savings achieved in the Budget Control Act help to temporarily impede the country’s rising debt, a broader effort is needed to assure America’s fiscal well-being. As the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform concluded in its Moment of Truth report: “The problem is real. The solution will be painful. There is no easy way out. Everything must be on the table. And Washington must lead.” We concur wholeheartedly and offer our bipartisan partnership and cooperation in developing and implementing long-term fiscal solutions.

We strongly urge you, President Obama, to include in your FY 2013 proposed federal budget a comprehensive, aggressive and bold plan to address America’s long-term fiscal gap. We respectfully suggest that your plan last year that would have reduced the deficit by $4 trillion is a starting point.

We likewise urge Congressional leadership to pass a budget resolution that adheres to the “go big” principle. Putting America on a sustainable fiscal path is crucial. Many members of Congress have reached that conclusion in their own proposals, letters and statements.

The private sector has also voiced similar sentiments. NCSL believes that the White House and Congress need to examine all possible avenues for deficit reduction, including discretionary spending, entitlement reform and revenue-related options. Both the budget proposal and budget resolution should include an explanation of the potential intergovernmental and fiscal federalism implications of any recommended actions.

As models to achieve comprehensive deficit reduction, we recommend you consider several plans that have garnered widespread support. These proposals - the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility’s Moment of Truth report and the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Restoring America’s Future report - offer frameworks to put the nation’s debt on a downward trajectory. There are numerous others we have reviewed, including those offered by various members of Congress, that raise key, unavoidable issues.

NCSL understands the difficulties the federal government faces in its efforts to attain fiscal responsibility. We also understand that funding targeted for state and local governments has been and will continue to be reduced. However, our message remains the same – states will struggle if a disproportionate and excessive burden is transferred to us. A list of our priorities, including not imposing new unfunded federal mandates, providing relief from maintenance of effort requirements, and funding for several invaluable infrastructure programs, is attached (letter is copied below). We welcome an opportunity to discuss this fiscal challenge with each of you in the near future.

For additional information, please contact Michael Bird (202-624-8686; michael.bird@ncsl.org) and Jeff Hurley (202-624-7753; jeff.hurley@ncsl.org). Thank you for consideration of this request.

Respectfully,

Senator Stephen R. Morris

President of the Senate, Kansas

President, NCSL

Terie Norelli

House Democratic Leader, New Hampshire

President-Elect, NCSL

Co-Chair, NCSL Deficit Reduction Task Force

Rosie Berger

Member, Wyoming House of Representatives

Co-Chair, NCSL Deficit Reduction Task Force


UTAH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BLOG
Legislative Conversation
Posted: 19 Jan 2012 10:02 PM PST

This is an interesting fabricated conversation between the Lt. Governor and a friend about the Legislative process in Utah. It is instructive and informative.

CONTACT PRESIDENT OBAMA TO EXPRESS YOUR DISAPPOINTMENT ON THE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE!
National Association of Manufacturers
Will you reach out to President Obama to express your disappointment regarding the Keystone XL Pipeline?

The President's rejection of the Keystone XL project is a serious blow to job creation and a major setback to energy security. The decision to say "no" to a project that would create 20,000 manufacturing and construction jobs – with an additional 118,000 indirect jobs – makes absolutely no sense when the U.S. is suffering from high unemployment and a struggling economy. The rejection of the pipeline project is yet another setback to thousands of unemployed Americans and our nation's energy security. For America's future, it's always better to choose sound policy over politics. Instead the Administration followed the political winds and rejected a clear way to create jobs.

The Administration has exhaustively reviewed the environmental impact of the pipeline for more than three years and has definitively concluded that no significant risks stand in the way of constructing the pipeline.

The XL pipeline expansion would have nearly doubled the capacity of the existing Keystone system, transporting approximately 700,000 barrels of crude oil daily. As users of approximately one-third of the energy consumed in this country, manufacturers know too well that access to a reliable energy supply is critical. It is a mistake to turn away from a secure, reliable source of energy from a friendly neighbor.

Please contact the President and express your disappointment in his decision to reject this job-creating pipeline project.

To send a message directly to the President about the Keystone Pipeline, click here.

For More Information, Please Contact:
Chip Yost
Vice President, Energy and Resources Policy
cyost@nam.org
202.637.3175

Note: UMA has expressed disappointment as an association, but it would be good to have a host of companies express their disappointment as well. Thanks for your help.

CHINA'S MANUFACTURING SHRINKS FOR THIRD MONTH
Quick Manufacturing News
Growth is likely to moderate further. Click to continue

SHALE GAS: A RENAISSANCE IN U.S. MANUFACTURING?
Today in Manufacturing
The relatively inexpensive and stable long-term source of natural gas is helping manufacturing companies expand and open more facilities in the U.S. ... continue

WALKING YOUR EMPLOYEES TO HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY
Today in Manufacturing
For most manufacturers, healthcare costs rank second behind salaries as the biggest expense of doing business. That can be changed, however ... continue