Letter from Shelley
Friends and Colleagues,
Following the close of legislative business this week, I wanted to provide you with some information I think is important to West Virginia.
Water Resources Development Act
Yesterday, the House passed the Water Resources Development Act, legislation that represents an important commitment to halting the deterioration of our nation's waterways and water infrastructure.
In West Virginia, our waterway transportation systems are crucial to our economy, as they represent an important method of moving our coal to plants across the country in order to help power our nation's economy.
The legislation also reauthorizes the Central West Virginia Environmental Infrastructure Program, which helps provide clean water and wastewater treatment to many in rural West Virginia.
NAFTA Trucking Safety Act
Recently, I cosponsored legislation to clarify and strengthen current limitations imposed on Mexican trucking companies entering the U.S.
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Trucking Safety Act prohibits Mexican trucks from entering the U.S. beyond established commercial zones that extend 25 miles beyond the U.S.-Mexico border unless specific safety and security conditions are met.
This legislation is in response to a recent U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) decision to allow 100 Mexican trucking companies to begin making direct deliveries to any location within the U.S.
I disagree with the DoT's decision because I fear low-wage Mexican truck drivers could too easily begin making illegal point-to-point deliveries within the U.S. that would drive down salaries and cost American trucking jobs. In addition, I am concerned about the potential safety implications associated with this decision, especially at a time when our Border Patrol and Customs workers are already stretched thin.
This is an issue I plan to watch closely, so look to future newsletters for updates on this issue and other legislation affecting West Virginia.
Sincerely,
Member of Congress
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Capito Supports Water Infrastructure Legislation Critical to West Virginia
WASHINGTON, April 19, 2007 – During debate on the Water Resources Development Act, Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito speaks on the floor of the U.S. House in support of the legislation. The bill takes important steps towards halting the deterioration of our nation's waterways and water infrastructure, and helps provide clean water and wastewater treatment for many in rural West Virginia. To watch Congresswoman Capito's remarks, click here.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Capito Uses Technology to Reach Constituents
Martinsburg Journal
April 16, 2007
By Lauren Hough
MARTINSBURG — From the comfort of their own homes, hundreds of constituents in the Eastern Panhandle will be able to bring their questions and concerns to their congressional representative this evening.
Starting at about 7 p.m., U.S. Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., will use new conference-call-style technology that allows her to dial and possibly reach nearly 1,000 homes per minute. The iTownHall system, offered by iConstituent LLC, allows clients to enhance their constituent outreach with live, interactive telephone town hall meetings, according to the company’s Web site.
As the calls begin to go out, constituents who answer will be greeted by a recorded message from Capito, explaining that she is hosting the meeting, according to the congresswoman’s press secretary, Jordan Stoick. If they wish to join the call, they can stay on the line to be transferred into the conference call.
While many participants will likely choose to simply listen in, those wishing to ask questions will be guided through the process by an operator before joining those already on the call. The questions are fielded by the operator and then entered into a secure Web site that only Capito can see. As the names and questions pop up on the screen, the congresswoman can click and activate that person so they can be heard by everyone on the call.
Capito will field the questions in the order they were received, Stoick said.
In total, about 25,000 homes will be called this evening, although Stoick noted that between 500 and 1,000 participants were expected to join the call. The call will last an hour, although each person will stay on the line for a different amount of time. As participants leave the call, more people will have the opportunity to join.
Click here to continue reading this story.
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