Upd8: Strouse supports law to regulate big banks and payday lenders

Kevin Strouse, the Democratic candidate in the 8th Congressional District, last week marked the fourth anniversary of enactment of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act by criticizing Republican Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick.

Strouse supports the act’s Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, designed to regulate big banks and payday lenders.

To date, more than 15 million consumers have received $4.6 billion in relief and refunds due to actions taken by the CFPB.

Strouse vowed to oppose any efforts to weaken the law.

“The people of Bucks and Montgomery counties are simply asking for a fair shot to experience economic opportunity that works for everyone in this country, and voters this fall will have a choice between electing a representative who will work to support middle-class families in the 8th District, or remaining left behind by Congressman Fitzpatrick and the dysfunctional Republican Congress,” he said.

Strouse is a former Army Ranger, CIA counterterrorism analyst and veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He lives in Middletown with his wife, Amy, and two young children. He is program director of Teach2Serve, a nonprofit that teaches social entrepreneurship to local high school students.

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Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick was happy to see President Barack Obama sign the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

“The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is a jobs bill in its truest form — a bipartisan approach to strengthen and modernize our workforce training programs while being responsible and accountable to hardworking taxpayers,” he said. “I was proud to support this jobs bill in the House and am glad to see the president make it a priority to address the concerns I’ve been addressing — closing the skills gap, eliminating antiquated programs, and training the unemployed and underemployed for the jobs of today.

“It is my hope that the signing of this jobs bill will inspire action in the Senate to move on the dozens of other House-passed legislation that can help American workers and families succeed.”

The act is intended to create a more efficient workforce development system by eliminating 15 duplicative and under-performing programs; increasing the flexibility for states and communities to utilize job training funds; expanding access to on-the-job training opportunities, like apprenticeships; and increasing outreach to groups like disconnected youth and those with disabilities looking for work.

Among those supporting the law is Stephanie Shanblatt, president of Bucks County Community College.

“Bucks County Community College is deeply committed to the education and training of our regional workforce. The opportunity to enhance partnerships between colleges and workforce systems, the streamlining of regulatory and delivery processes, and the focus on integrating basic skills and occupational instruction all will greatly help us achieve our regional and national goals of a highly trained workforce,” she said.

“The college applauds the efforts of Rep. Fitzpatrick and the entire House and Senate to reach bipartisan consensus on this important legislative matter.”

Fitzpatrick is serving his third term in the House of Representatives. The 8th district includes all of Bucks County and a portion of Montgomery County.

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In other congressional news, Fitzpatrick introduced legislation in the House condemning the Russian-backed Ukrainian separatists occupying the city of Donetsk following the attack on Malaysia Airlines Flights MH17.

“As a promoter of international peace and freedom, it is critical that America speak with one voice when responding to this reprehensible act of terrorism,” Fitzpatrick said. “This resolution supports the president and our efforts abroad to support our allies and hold those accountable for this attack — both directly and indirectly — responsible.”

The resolution “[c]ondemns the Ukrainian Separatists illegally occupying the Ukrainian city of Donetsk and the surrounding territory, as terrorists for shooting down a civilian passenger airliner — Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17- and condemning the Government of the Russian Federation for supplying the arms.”

Additionally, the resolution calls on Ukrainian separatists to disband and surrender control of Donetsk, while directing Russia to “immediately desist attempts to undermine the Government of Ukraine and to cease the arming of all militaristic and terroristic groups.”

The resolution urges President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry to “utilize all available means to compel the Government of the Russian Federation to withdraw all support from all militaristic and terroristic groups whose goal is to undermine the Government of Ukraine.”

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Fitzpatrick voted for two bills that passed the House last week.

The Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act and the Advancing Competency-Based Education Demonstration Project Act are aimed at making the goal of higher education easier and more transparent for students and families.

“The cost of obtaining a college degree has risen dramatically over the past decade while students and families still struggle to access important information that will assist in their search for the right education opportunity,” Fitzpatrick said after the July 23 votes. “Today’s action in the House addresses both of those concerns by removing roadblocks to financial support and transparency, and in doing so, increasing opportunity for students and families.”

Since 2002, in-state tuition and fees at public four-year and two-year institutions increased by 51 percent and 35 percent, respectively.

The Advancing Competency-Based Education Demonstration Project Act would empower schools to implement competency-based education demonstration projects, providing students new opportunities to receive a high-quality education in a way that best serves their personal and financial needs.

The Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act would streamline existing transparency efforts to reduce confusion for students by requiring better coordination by federal agencies to avoid duplication and confusion and establishing a consumer-tested “College Dashboard” that would display all key information students need when deciding which school to attend.

“As the father of two college graduates and a current student, I understand the importance of supporting the dream of continued education and the opportunities that come with it for students nationwide. These bipartisan bills help make that dream a reality,” Fitzpatrick said. “Increasing access to higher education is one piece of the puzzle to support an America that works. Along with measures to close the skill gap and grow training programs like apprenticeships, our nation’s education system needs to be one that prepares students for a 21st-century economy.”

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Gov. Tom Corbett visited the Neshaminy Senior Activity Center in Trevose to call on the state legislature to pass pension reform legislation to bring property tax relief to Pennsylvania residents.

“We are facing a pension crisis,” Corbett said. “Across Pennsylvania, homeowners are facing rising property taxes due to out-of-control pension costs. In fact, pension costs in Bucks County school districts have increased by more than $64 million, or by over 289 percent, in the past 10 years. These high costs are absolutely not sustainable.”

The governor explained that the current pension reform plan under consideration will not change benefits for any current state or public school employees, nor will it change any benefits for retirees.

According to Corbett, pension costs are consuming more than 60 cents of every new dollar of state general fund revenues.