A friend forwarded this press release and letter. Walz is one of the leaders of the Rural Caucus:
Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Howard,
cosigned a letter that was sent to President Obama today, encouraging
him to create an Office of Rural Policy within the White House. This
request comes on the heels of the newly formed White House Office of
Urban Policy.
“Rural America, like urban America, faces unique challenges, and having a coordinated effort within the White House to manage the federal programs in rural communities is critical to the revitalization of small town America,” said Thompson, Vice Chairman of the Congressional Rural Caucus. “By creating an Office of Rural Policy, it will ensure that rural America has a seat at the table when important policy decisions are made.”
The Congressional Rural Caucus is a bipartisan group of legislators who are committed to addressing the needs of rural America and represent rural communities. The Caucus will host speakers and experts on a wide range of issues to help educate the members on the constantly changing face of rural America. Its membership currently stands at 68, and is led by Congressmen Travis Childers (D-Miss.), Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), Tim Walz (D-Minn.) and Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-Pa.).
Below is the text of the letter:
The Honorable Barack H. Obama
President of the United States
The White House
Dear President Obama:
As members of the U.S. House of Representatives from rural congressional districts, we have noted with interest your creation of a White House Office of Urban Policy. This letter is to encourage a similar and equivalent White House office to work on rural issues which affect Americans who live in less densely-populated areas of the country. The unique policy matters faced in rural America include, but are not limited to, specific concerns regarding agriculture, conservation, economic development, education, health care, information technology, and transportation infrastructure, among others. We are sure your administration would benefit from an office devoted to the effect of federal regulations on rural Americans and our communities.
Even broad policy measures can have specific, severe ramifications in rural areas. For instance, a recent proposal would reapportion the federal gas tax based on miles driven rather than gallons of fuel consumed. In rural areas, where the consumption of gasoline is more efficient on long commutes over un-crowded highways, many of our constituents commute more than 60 miles each day. Such a shift in policy would have a devastating effect on rural families’ budgets and the bottom lines of our businesses, and we applaud you for rejecting the proposal. We hope you will continue this commitment to addressing the needs of rural communities.
As you work to elevate the concerns of rural Americans in your administration, the members of the Congressional Rural Caucus are ready to work with you on a bipartisan basis to provide input and information about the many issues with specific importance to our constituents. Thank you very much for your consideration of creating a White House Office of Rural Policy to directly address these topics. We look forward to working closely with you on the matters of concern to the millions of Americans in the rural congressional districts we represent.
“Rural America, like urban America, faces unique challenges, and having a coordinated effort within the White House to manage the federal programs in rural communities is critical to the revitalization of small town America,” said Thompson, Vice Chairman of the Congressional Rural Caucus. “By creating an Office of Rural Policy, it will ensure that rural America has a seat at the table when important policy decisions are made.”
The Congressional Rural Caucus is a bipartisan group of legislators who are committed to addressing the needs of rural America and represent rural communities. The Caucus will host speakers and experts on a wide range of issues to help educate the members on the constantly changing face of rural America. Its membership currently stands at 68, and is led by Congressmen Travis Childers (D-Miss.), Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), Tim Walz (D-Minn.) and Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-Pa.).
Below is the text of the letter:
The Honorable Barack H. Obama
President of the United States
The White House
Dear President Obama:
As members of the U.S. House of Representatives from rural congressional districts, we have noted with interest your creation of a White House Office of Urban Policy. This letter is to encourage a similar and equivalent White House office to work on rural issues which affect Americans who live in less densely-populated areas of the country. The unique policy matters faced in rural America include, but are not limited to, specific concerns regarding agriculture, conservation, economic development, education, health care, information technology, and transportation infrastructure, among others. We are sure your administration would benefit from an office devoted to the effect of federal regulations on rural Americans and our communities.
Even broad policy measures can have specific, severe ramifications in rural areas. For instance, a recent proposal would reapportion the federal gas tax based on miles driven rather than gallons of fuel consumed. In rural areas, where the consumption of gasoline is more efficient on long commutes over un-crowded highways, many of our constituents commute more than 60 miles each day. Such a shift in policy would have a devastating effect on rural families’ budgets and the bottom lines of our businesses, and we applaud you for rejecting the proposal. We hope you will continue this commitment to addressing the needs of rural communities.
As you work to elevate the concerns of rural Americans in your administration, the members of the Congressional Rural Caucus are ready to work with you on a bipartisan basis to provide input and information about the many issues with specific importance to our constituents. Thank you very much for your consideration of creating a White House Office of Rural Policy to directly address these topics. We look forward to working closely with you on the matters of concern to the millions of Americans in the rural congressional districts we represent.
Image: "Ploughed Fields" by New Ulm native Wanda Gag.
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