This week, I had the opportunity to speak with Ohio's credit unions about their efforts to support small business growth.
Small businesses account for nearly half of our GDP, employ one out of every two American workers, and are responsible for two-thirds of new jobs. But these entities are facing more challenges accessing capital than ever before.
Growing our economy starts with growing small businesses and expanding free enterprise, and that strategy hinges on the ability to access funds to grow and create jobs.
Members of Ohio Credit Union League
I thank all those entities that aid in the mission to grow our economy and make stronger, more vibrant communities.
This week, I had the opportunity to meet some outstanding individuals at the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI). Most recognize the CABVI as a community resource for this population, but some would be surprised to learn that they also manufacture everyday products, such as dining packets, tape and paper supplies, and other kitchen gadgets.
This work program, which is part of the AbilityOne program, provides visually impaired individuals with safe and steady work opportunities that allow them to live successful, independent lives.
I want to thank the CABVI for hosting me and for all of their positive service in our community.
Last week, I had the opportunity to tour the Manufactory -- a Cincinnati "Makerspace" that is part of the growing Maker Movement, which is fueling a resurgence in American manufacturing.
So, what exactly is a Makerspace? Makerspaces are community-based facilities that provide access to manufacturing equipment and technology, such as 3-D printers, laser cutters, design software, and machine tools, that allow entrepreneurs and hobbyists to design, prototype and create manufactured works. The Manufactory is a family-run facility started by the Krieg Family (pictured below) several years ago.
During the tour, the President of the Manufactory, Lee Krieg, demonstrated the many types of equipment that members of the Manufactory can utilize.
Members of the Manufactory include small businesses, entrepreneurs, hobbyists, tinkerers, and just about anyone who has a passion to learn and create. During my tour, I even met a father and son who were using a 3-D printer to prototype new styles of mouth guards for their own small business. The pair said that without the Manufactory, it would be incredibly difficult for them to access the tools necessary to grow their business.
Makerspaces are quickly becoming community hubs for innovation. We are fortunate to have the Manufactory in our community. It is creating exciting new opportunities for small businesses and making it possible for entrepreneurs to innovate and create manufactured works.
I recently had the opportunity to meet with some of the leaders of Cincinnati's vibrant startup community, when I toured the Brandery -- a business accelerator that has received national acclaim for its work.
During a roundtable discussion, I heard directly from startups about some of the challenges facing entrepreneurs, including access to capital, tax policies, and also attracting and retaining top talent. We also discussed the societal benefits of free enterprise, which include a more prosperous and opportunity-rich society. In fact, over the last 30 years, all net job creation can be attributed to startups (firms less than five years old). This statistic underscores the importance of new firm formation to our regional and national economy.
I owe a special thanks to CincyTech President and CEO Bob Coy, Brandery General Manager Mike Bott, CEA, Google, and all of the entrepreneurs that came together for this discussion. It was not only informative, but also motivational to see entrepreneurs working to make their vision a reality.
Cincinnati is fortunate to have such a vibrant startup community. It is revitalizing our downtown neighborhoods and creating exciting opportunities for our region. As a member of the House Committee on Small Business, I will continue to do everything I can to strengthen these efforts with federal policies that enable entrepreneurs and support American free enterprise.
Like many, my schedule keeps me wishing for more hours in the day. Between meeting with constituents and community leaders, speaking with small businesses, working on legislation, and voting in Washington, I often find myself needing to be more places than one. When this happens, I place trust in my staff to represent the office at the community events that I am unable to attend.
A recent example is 55KRC morning show host Brian Thomas's "Listener Lunch." This is a monthly event that brings members of the community together to discuss the issues of the day. While I couldn't make this month's lunch, Mike Cantwell, the director of my district office, and Alyssa Heim, the deputy director of my district office, attended in my place.
I am proud to serve the residents of Ohio’s First Congressional District, and my staff shares my dedication and commitment. We are here to serve you, and if there is ever anything we can do, whether you need help with a federal agency, are trying to learn more about federal grants or are considering applying to a service academy, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 513-684-2723.
As you probably know, recent media reports have highlighted severe mismanagement and a lack of accountability throughout the Veterans Administration. Reports of preventable veteran deaths, “secret” waiting lists intended to conceal the lengthy wait times for patients, and an increased claims backlog have corresponded with bonuses and positive performance reviews for VA management. This systemic failure must be addressed for the sake of our Veterans, who deserve access to the highest quality care in a timely manner. To that point, on Wednesday, July 30, the House overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan bill to address the systemic failures of the VA, the details of which are below.
To improve access to and quality of care for veterans, the bill would:
Require VA to offer an authorization to receive non-VA care to any veteran who is enrolled in the VA health care system as of August 1, 2014, or who is a newly discharged combat veteran if such veteran is unable to secure an appointment at a VA medical facility within 30 days (or a future published goal established by VA) or resides more than 40 miles from the nearest VA medical facility, with certain exceptions.
Require VA to provide a Veterans Choice Card to eligible veterans to facilitate care provided by non-VA providers.
Provide $10 billion for the newly-established “Veterans Choice Fund” to cover the costs of this increased access to non-VA care. Choice program authority would end when funds are exhausted or three years after enactment, whichever occurs first.
Require an independent assessment of VA medical care and establish a Congressional Commission on Care to evaluate access to care throughout the VA health care system.
Extend the ARCH (Access Received Closer to Home) pilot program for two years.
Extend for three years a pilot program to provide rehabilitation, quality of life, and community integration services to veterans with complex-mild to severe traumatic brain injury.
Improve the delivery of care to veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma as well as care for Native Hawaiian and Native American veterans.
To expand VA’s internal capacity to provide timely care to veterans, the bill would:
Provide $5 billion to VA to increase access to care through the hiring of physicians and other medical staff and by improving VA’s physical infrastructure.
Authorize 27 major medical facility leases in 18 states and Puerto Rico.
To provide real accountability for incompetent or corrupt senior managers, the bill would:
Authorize VA to fire or demote Senior Executive Service (SES) employees and Title 38 SES equivalent employees for poor performance or misconduct.
Provide an expedited and limited appeal process for employees disciplined under this authority. Appeals would go to a Merit Systems Protection Board administrative judge, who would have 21 days to decide on the appeal. If a decision is not reached within that 21-day period, then VA’s decision to remove or demote the executive is final.
Prohibit SES employees from receiving pay, bonuses and benefits during the appeal process.
Reduce funding for bonuses available to VA employees by $40 million each year through FY 2024.
To improve education benefits for veterans and dependents, the bill would:
Require public colleges to provide in-state tuition to veterans and eligible dependents in order for the school to remain eligible to receive G.I. Bill education payments.
Expand the Sgt. Fry Scholarship Program to provide full Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits to spouses of servicemembers who died in the line of duty after 9/11.
To read more about this measure and other actions taken to help our war fighters, please visit Veterans.house.gov.
