Letter from Shelley
Friends and Colleagues,
Over the last couple of weeks I’ve had the pleasure of spending my time back home in West Virginia. I had the opportunity to meet with the West Virginia State Police to see how new technology is helping them keep our roads safe. I also joined Governor Manchin and the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to present a grant to help West Virginians with HIV/AIDS. Then late this week I sent a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates to inquire about reports that wounded service members are being asked to return bonus pay.
State Police Visit
Last year I was able to secure funding for the West Virginia State Police to install 125 new in-car video cameras in police cruisers. The State Police had some of these newly-outfitted cars on display Wednesday and I had the opportunity to see the technology in action.
In-car cameras have proven to be a valuable resource to law enforcement, particularly for officer safety and training. It’s great to see that these funds are being put to good use.
AIDS/HIV Grant
As West Virginia prepares to celebrate World AIDS Day in Charleston tomorrow the Mountain State received news this week that it will be the recipient of nearly $1 million to support those who suffer from HIV/AIDS.
On Thursday I joined Roy Bernardi, the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Governor Manchin in a grant announcement ceremony at the Covenant House in Charleston. The funding comes as part of the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS grant program and will support a partnership between the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and the West Virginia Coalition for People With HIV/AIDS.
Protecting Bonus Pay for Our Troops
Recently reports have surfaced about our soldiers being asked to return bonus pay because a combat related injury prevented them from completing their full tour of duty. These service members are honorably serving our country and they deserve to be compensated for their efforts.
This week I sent a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates to inquire about this issue and to ask that it be addressed. I’m also a co-sponsor of legislation that would ensure that service members who must separate from the military due to an injury will receive their pay in full.
Sincerely,
Member of Congress
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Americans need real, lasting tax relief
By Rep. Shelley Moore Capito
Charleston Daily Mail
November 29, 2007
Despite a record number of votes in the House of Representatives this year, Congress has still left itself a lengthy "to-do list" as the year comes to a close.
It's obvious that the political rhetoric has reached new lows, but legislation to fund our troops, fund our veterans, and provide much-needed tax reform has not been addressed by the new Democrat-led majority.
One of the most glaring examples of today's congressional inaction is the failure to provide relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax.
Created in 1969 to prevent a few hundred high-income taxpayers from escaping the tax code, the AMT was never indexed to inflation. Thus, it could now hit more than 25 million American households - more than 47,000 of them in West Virginia - if Congress can't get its act together.
Since 2000, Congress has always passed bipartisan relief from the tax by June to be sure families weren't hit with what would amount to a $2,000 jump in taxes.
This year, Congress is behind schedule and has dropped any semblance of bipartisanship. Furthermore, recent efforts to address the issue have coupled the temporary fix with a $70 billion tax hike.
Only in Washington can a tax increase become the solution to a problem of over-taxation.
To read the full text of this column, click here.
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Capito, HUD and Governor Present
Grant for West Virginians with HIV/AIDS
CHARLESTON, November 29, 2007 – Rep. Capito, Governor Manchin and the Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Roy Bernardi, announce a $969,499 grant to support housing needs of West Virginians with HIV/AIDS.
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MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG ALERT
Open enrollment season for Medicare prescription drug coverage has begun and will continue throughout the coming weeks. West Virginia seniors are encouraged to review their Medicare prescription drug plans to be sure that they're enrolled in the plan that is right for them. To compare plans and learn more about coverage options, visit www.medicare.gov or contact my staff.
ENROLLMENT DEADLINES
Medicare Part D: Now through December 31, 2007
Medicare Advantage: January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
A common-sense regulation — Capito’s immigration package needs support
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
November 17, 2007
It’s been said that lawmakers cannot regulate common sense. Yet it’s sad when federal representatives have to enact laws to prevent foolish actions on the part of state legislators.
The current problem at hand: Issuing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. This senseless idea has been in and out of the news for some time, but it seems the issue is once again making headlines as some states attempt to move forward with the practice.
But at least one West Virginia representative is making and effort to put a stop to the problem.
U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) is helping lead a charge to pass legislation that will crack down on state governments and businesses who, intentionally or unintentionally, are contributing to the illegal immigration problem.
“It is preposterous to suggest that illegal immigrants should receive driver’s licenses,” Capito said in a news release detailing the proposed bill, which is co-sponsored by Reps. Peter King and Vito Fosella, (both R-N.Y.), Peter Sessions, (R-Texas), and Tom Latham, (R-Iowa).
The proposed legislation would not only prevent states from issuing licenses to illegal aliens, it also promotes an electronic employer verification process.
“Giving driver’s licenses to illegal aliens not only undermines the rule of law, but jeopardizes national security. My colleagues have introduced legislation that seeks a common sense solution to an issue that is important to West Virginians and I’m happy to support their effort,” Capito said.
We agree with Capito’s assessment.
Illegal immigration is a crime, and issuing a driver’s license to an individual of this status is nothing less than state-sanctioned enabling of criminal behavior.
While we understand there are many tragic and sad cases involving illegal immigrants who have come to America in order to make a better life for themselves and their families, crossing the border without following our legal mandates is wrong.
And, despite its prevalence, at some point our lawmakers must begin to halt the spread of illegal immigration.
The Secure America with Verification and Enforcement Act (also known as the SAVE Act), co-sponsored by Capito, is an important first step in addressing the issue in a smart, rational and proactive manner.
To read the full text of this story, click here.
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Grant buys cameras for State Police cruisers
Charleston Gazette
Gary Harki
November 29, 2007
Some State Police cruisers were recently outfitted with new cameras and video monitors that enhance their ability to film traffic arrests and chases.
The cameras were purchased with a $500,000 grant made available thanks to Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and the rest of the state’s congressional delegation, who secured about $3 million for new cameras for state law enforcement in 2006.
“This is a great technology to help keep West Virginia safe,” Capito said.
The cameras are a big improvement over the videotape technology still used in most of the State Police’s nearly 800 cruisers, said Sgt. Ken McCord. The grant money was enough to outfit 125 vehicles, he said.
The cameras are activated when police turn on their warning lights — they can also be turned on manually — and can record up to about eight hours of high definition video, he said.
They have the added benefit of recording about one minute of film continuously, meaning that when they are activated they have the past minute of film saved with the recording.
“That way when a person speeds past police, that is already saved,” McCord said.
State Police Capt. M.G. Debord said a good bit of the technology in the cruisers is being updated.
All officers from the rank of sergeant and below have laptop computer mounts in their cars that allow them to digitally process crash reports.
To read the full text of this story, click here.
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