From the Wall Street Journal Opinion Section; By Jim Owens, chairman and CEO of Caterpillar, Inc.   The long-term health of the U.S. economy is at risk. There are signs of recovery from the worst recession since the Great Depression. But not enough. We need a renewed, centrist political agenda to support economic policies that will enhance our global competitiveness. America cannot… Read more »

By Christina Lusby, KTEN Online It's a bill some claim could take away private property rights of land owners.  A word change in the 1972 Clean Water Act could grant Federal access to small bodies of water such as small streams and creeks. The Clean Water Act has helped keep drinking water in the United States clean for more than 30 years, but now with the proposed change to the word… Read more »

Friends: This week, the President traveled to my home state of Missouri to talk to workers at a biorefining plant about job creation and the economy.  The President discussed the important role that increased domestic energy resources will play in our recovery, but he failed to mention the overwhelming benefits that expanding trade opportunities for American businesses could have on our… Read more »

The House Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 to examine the effect small business trade policy has on job creation and economic development.  WHAT:   “Evaluating the Impact of Small Business Trade Policy on                  Job Creation and Economic Growth” WHEN:   Wednesday, April 28, 2010                  1:00 p.m. WHERE:  2360… Read more »

By Sudeep Reddy, Wall Street Journal President Barack Obama's goal of doubling U.S. exports over the next five years will be difficult to meet, business leaders and economists say, because of the lack of momentum on demolishing trade barriers and the shift by more American companies toward producing overseas. U.S. exporters want Washington to put more pressure on trading partners to… Read more »

By Brent Engel, Hannibal Courier-Post President Barack Obama likely will get an earful about cap-and-trade during his visit to the Tri-States. Cap-and-trade is a system of regulating pollution. The federal government would limit the amount of emissions that companies, manufacturers and utilities could produce. The permits could be traded among licensees. Opponents call it government… Read more »

Friends: As a farmer, I know that to achieve the greatest yields on my land, I need to take care of my property.  Farmers are the greatest stewards of the land – it is in their best interest.  However, I grow increasingly frustrated when the government dictates how I can use my property, as if it knows better than people whose livelihoods depend on the land. This week, House Committee… Read more »

By Carol Sakowitz, Charlotte Sun Weekly and Herald Area small business leaders aired their concerns regarding the current difficulty in obtaining bank loans to U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, Monday at a field hearing conducted at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Campus near the county line. The hearing was chaired by U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., chairman of… Read more »

The House Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing entitled, “Oversight of the Small Business Administration and its Programs” on Wednesday, April 21, 2010.  During the hearing, the Committee will examine a wide range of matters concerning the operation and efficacy of SBA programs. WHAT:   “Oversight of the Small Business Administration and… Read more »

Friends: Growing up in a family business, I learned that it’s virtually impossible to meet your obligations and stay out of debt without a responsible budget.  Unfortunately, something as big as a budget doesn’t seem to be as important in Washington as it is on Main Street.  Every April 15th, while Americans are busy making sure they’ve filed their taxes and paid their debts to the… Read more »