Economy & Small Business

Last week the Republican members of the U.S. House unveiled an economic agenda designed to lower gas prices, eliminate wasteful government spending and prevent tax increases.

When I think about the contrast between the condition of our state and the condition of our country, I am reminded of the famous line from Charles Dickens novel, A Tale of Two Cities, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

As each day goes by, Americans feel the growing pressure caused by steadily increasing energy prices. Oil is nearing $130 a barrel and gasoline is hovering around $4 per gallon nationally.

Earlier this week I spoke with constituents from the Fourth District about a number of national issues that are heavy on the minds of Oklahomans. There is no doubt that two of the most pressing issues are the price of gasoline and its relation to the overall state of the economy.

Memorial Day and summer vacations are just around the corner for many families. But this year, Oklahomans may find themselves forced to cut down on their drive time to their favorite vacation destinations.

Last week I had the opportunity to join several of my colleagues in a meeting with Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke. During that meeting Chairman Bernanke discussed the importance of the government taking responsible and timely actions to address the problems facing our housing market.

Several weeks ago I was proud to be part of a bipartisan majority who – recognizing that our economy was beginning to stall – passed a stimulus package designed to get the country back on track by infusing the economy with money in the form of rebates for individual taxpayers and tax incentives for business investment.

As we enter the New Year, American families are finding themselves increasingly anxious about the economy. While we are still in a period of economic growth, that growth has become sluggish.