Articles
Johnson delivers positive message
Steubenville,
November 30, 2011
His fellow members of Congress would be wise to listen to the words of U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson.
Steubenville Herald-Star The Marietta Republican, who represents Ohio's 6th Congressional District, which includes our portion of the state, delivered an interesting message Nov. 22 while speaking to members of the Steubenville Kiwanis Club. While many of his counterparts and political pundits continue to talk up the negative aspects of our nation's economy - and, to be fair, there are some legitimate concerns - Johnson is optimistic about this area's future and the potential benefits we could see from the natural resources that lie beneath our land. Johnson reminded the Kiwanians that the Steubenville area could see 10,000 new jobs created during the next three years as efforts to extract oil and natural gas continue to ramp up. With that level of employment possible, it's critical that area residents receive the training they need to work in that field. That process already is under way, through training programs such as the one created by Eastern Gateway Community College. For that growth to be realized, it's critical that the industry not be overregulated, said Johnson, who added that he has been fighting attempts by the Environmental Protection Agency and Interior Department to put the coal industry out of business. Jobs are needed, Johnson said while warning that the economic policies of the Obama administration have not worked. He added that the jobs bill President Barack Obama is currently pushing would do nothing but increase taxes and spending without including any accountability. Johnson reminded his audience that the House has already passed bills with bi-partisan support that would create jobs, but the president has threatened to veto any of them that are passed by the Senate. Johnson, who is just finishing his first year in the House of Representatives, said that cooperation among members of the House, Senate and administration is needed if the problems facing America are to be resolved. That's a reminder we hope our elected officials will follow. |
