Jack Kingston

Funds to go toward warehouse expansion

Congressman Jack Kingston (R/GA-1) today announced that Second Harvest Food Bank will receive $220,500 in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The funding, which Congressman Kingston secured in the appropriations process, will go toward the expansion of Second Harvest’s warehouse.

“We were able to secure this funding because of the great work being done by Frank Richards and the folks at Second Harvest Food Bank,” Congressman Kingston said.  “With Georgia’s unemployment rate at 7%, charitable organizations like the food bank play a bigger role than ever.  This funding will help them expand their operation to reach out to even more people in and around Lowndes County.”

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CONGRESSMAN KINGSTON ANNOUNCES MEDICARE PART D TRAINING & OPEN ENROLLMENT WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
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Washington, Nov 26 -

Congressman Jack Kingston (R-GA/01) announced today that he will sponsor a series of workshops during the open enrollment season for the Medicare Part D prescription drug program.  Those who are enrolled or wish to enroll in the program must sign
up or make changes during the open enrollment period which began November 15 and ends December 31.  The following workshops are scheduled:

Date              Time                            Location

12/08              9 am – 12 pm             Armstrong Atlantic State University
                                                         RM 107, 11935 Abercorn St, Savannah

12/08              2 pm – 5 pm              Savannah Technical College
                                                         RM 107, Airport Rd. and Technology Dr,  Hinesville

12/09              9 am – 12 pm             Altamaha Technical College
                                                         RM 132, 1334 Golden Isle West, Baxley

12/09              2 pm – 5 pm              Altamaha Technical College
                                                         RM 435, 1777 W. Cherry St, Jesup

12/10              9 am – 12 pm            College of Coastal Georgia
                                                        Computer Lab, 8001 Lakes Ave, Kingsland

12/10              2 pm – 5 pm              College of Coastal Georgia
                                                         Jericho Computer Lab @ Continuing Ed�
                                                         3700 Altama Ave, Brunswick

12/11              9 am – 12 pm             South Georgia College
                                                         Ball Room, 100 College Park Dr, Douglas

12/11              2 pm – 5 pm              Okefenokee Technical College
                                                         RM 804, 1701 Carswell Ave, Waycross

12/15              9 am – 12 pm             Valdosta State University
                                                         University Center, 1215 N. Patterson St, Valdosta

Anyone eligible for this plan is encouraged to attend.  Staff from Georgia Cares, a program of the Georgia Department of Human Resources and Division of Aging Services and Area Agencies on Aging, will also be on hand to answer questions.

“Each year there are many changes to the prescription drug plan, namely the cost and coverage,” said Congressman Kingston.  “Now is the time for people with Medicare to review those changes to make sure they still have the plan that best fits their needs or the needs of their loved one.  Prescription drug coverage is crucial to many older Americans and we want to make sure that all of their questions are answered.”

To find out more about Medicare Part D, those interested may contact the Medicare offices at 1-800-MEDICARE or visit http://www.MEDICARE.gov or contact Georgia Cares at 1-800-669-8387 to find a plan that best suits their needs.  For those who have questions about the training workshop schedule, please call 912-367-7403.

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CQ Today reports that there’s a growing consensus that it’s time to reform entitlement spending.  According to the article:

A “16-member group, brought together by the liberal-leaning Brookings Institution and the conservative-leaning Heritage Foundation, suggested that lawmakers enact specific long-term budgets for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security that would have to be reviewed every five years.”

“The group also suggested instituting a ‘trigger’ that would force changes to the programs, such as tax increases or benefit cuts, if the costs grow beyond levels set in the long-term plans. The changes could be averted if Congress explicitly voted to prevent them or to adopt alternative changes.”

Despite this, congressional Democrats have refused to act.  Earlier this year, a trigger put in place by House Republicans brought no action from Democrat leadership and no indication that they plan to do anything to address the issue.

Last week, the Social Security and Medicare Trustees reported:

The financial condition of the Social Security and Medicare programs remains problematic. Projected long run program costs are not sustainable under current financing arrangements. Social Security’s current annual surpluses of tax income over expenditures will begin to decline in 2011 and then turn into rapidly growing deficits as the baby boom generation retires. Medicare’s financial status is even worse. This year Medicare’s Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund is expected to pay out more in hospital benefits and other expenditures than it receives in taxes and other dedicated revenues. The difference will be made up from general revenues which pay for interest credits to the Trust Fund. Growing annual deficits are projected to exhaust HI reserves in 2019 and Social Security reserves in 2041. In addition, the Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) Trust Fund that pays for physician services and the prescription drug benefit will continue to require general revenue financing and charges on beneficiaries that grow substantially faster than the economy and beneficiary incomes over time.

Democrat response?  Silence.

It’s time to act.

Congressman Kingston posted part II of his American Renewal Project. You can read it HERE.

Today I blogged on redstate.org about the need for Republicans to really focus on an agenda this year because I believe America is ready for big ideas. Here is my opening paragraph:

Friends-
As some of y’all know, one of my colleagues I admire most is former Nebraska head coach Tom Osbourne. We will miss Tom in the hallways of Congress (and in bible study) when he becomes Nebraska’s next governor, but his presence will never be forgotten. My friendship with Tom has taught me a few things about team work and how those relate to Congress. When it comes to having a successful team, one thing is clear — you need a solid coach. The coach is the guy who is always looking at the big picture, calling plays for the good and glory of the team, and unifying the team. Tom Osbourne’s a humble man - in fact when he spoke to a group of Members at a Theme Team breakfast he said that the only time he ever let himself celebrate after a victory was during his walk off the field. Tom Osbourne’s players respected him because of his love and respect for the game and the team.

That’s a leader. Humble with victory, and always looking toward tomorrow’s challenges.

I encourage you to read the rest of my post HERE.

This past week, Congressman Kingston sent a letter to his GOP colleagues outlining eight items he believes the American people want Congress to deal with in the coming year. He is calling the agenda the American Renewal Project.

From the letter:

Dear Republican Colleague:

In December we were on offense and had a strong finish. In fact, our team came on strong in the second quarter to pass a strong border enforcement bill, pension reform, legislation to reform federal programs to save taxpayers billions of dollars, appropriations bills that made real reductions in federal spending, and a Department of Defense spending bill which included a pay raise for our soldiers and the funds necessary to win the war on terror.

But now there are those who want to put us back on defense. They would like the current transition process to weaken, not strengthen us. And they would like to keep it going until November.

But it will only happen if we let it.

Our Conference has been through tougher transitions and tackled tougher issues. The way to move forward is to do just that�move forward. We need to get back to our basic priorities, to the issues that our constituents want us to address. We need priority-based leadership.

Enclosed is a list of issues with which we are all familiar. These are the issues that have great support among our base and swing voters. These are the issues that matter outside of the beltway, regardless of what the New York Times or Washington Post opine.

Over the past months I have spoken to many Members�from our Freshman class to our Senior Committee Chairmen�about these issues and how they would play out in their district. I have also talked to consultants and wordsmiths. While not everyone agrees with everything on the list, I hope it can help us focus on our priorities and serve as a point of discussion. I hope you will consider these or other priorities you feel are key to the debate.

At the upcoming retreat, we should work together to agree on a list of issues that we will dedicate all our efforts to passing this year. It will be our commitment to America that we are focused on their concerns and worthy of retaining the majority.

You can download the American Renewal Project HERE.