MARCIA FUDGE APRIL 2014 NEWSLETTER

VIEW ONLINE

Dear Friend,
 

I am a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee and an advocate for all people to have equal access to a valuable education.  Part of my goal is to expose students to college entry requirements and the financial options available to them.  Earlier this month, I hosted a college fair and invited higher education institutions from around the country to participate.  Details about the event and other education-related stories are below, including a consumer advisory about student loans.  

 

 

Military Academy Appointments

Each year, I nominate talented high school students to a military academy of their choice after an extensive application and interviewing process. Thus far, five students have been offered an appointment by an academy. If they accept, the students will receive an exceptional education and dedicate five years of active duty service to our great nation. Please join me in congratulating: 

 

 

Do You Have A Co-Signer For Your Student Loans?

Many college students must borrow money to pay for their higher education. The federal government offers several low interest rate loans, but too often students do not exhaust this option.  Instead, they obtain high interest rate loans from private lenders that bury clauses in the fine print.

 

 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently released a consumer alert for borrowers with private student loans, warning that they can be subject to default even if they have kept up with their payments.  These borrowers were in compliance with the loan requirements but had a co-signer on their loan who either passed away or went into bankruptcy.  Through no fault of their own, they were automatically forced into default or required to pay off the loan immediately.  To learn more about the report, please visit the CFPB website.

 

 

It is imperative to ask a private lender what co-signer rules are in the contract before borrowing money.  I encourage students to first seek loans from the federal government rather than private institutions since these loans provide flexible repayment plans and generally do not require a co-signer.  Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive a federal loan. The deadline for Ohio is June 30, 2015.  However, some schools may have an earlier deadline, so students should check with the institution they are interested in attending.  As always, contact my office if you need assistance. 

 

Watch Rep. Fudge and Department of Education  Secretary Arne Duncan discuss expanding Pell Grants for students dually enrolled and in early college programs during  an Education and the Workforce Committee Hearing.

 

 

Agriculture College and Career Fair

I hosted the district’s first Agriculture College and Career Fair on April 19, 2014 at Case Western Reserve University.  This free event was attended by high school and college-age students interested in furthering their education or exploring internships in agriculture or related fields.  I appreciate the many colleges, organizations and government agencies that participated in the fair: Case Western Reserve University; Central State University; Cuyahoga Community College, Division of Health Careers and Sciences; Florida A&M University; Kent State University; Kentucky State University; Langston University; Lincoln University; Lorain County Community College; The Ohio State University, The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences; and Tuskegee University; Cleveland Botanical Garden, Green Corps Program; Community Greenhouse Partners; College Now of Greater Cleveland; Farm Credit, Mid-America; Ohio State University Extension, Cuyahoga County Youth Advocacy & Leadership Program; USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach; and the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.

 

 

Marcia L. Fudge
Member of Congress

NEWSLETTER: MARCIA FUDGE, OCTOBER 25, 2013

HOME BIOGRAPHY SERVICES ISSUES NEWSROOM DISTRICT CONTACT

October 25, 2013 Remember our Veterans on Veterans Day, November 11th Please join me in thanking the brave men and women who have served our nation with courage and honor. One of the senseless consequences of the recent government shutdown was a delay in processing the backlog of veteran disability cases.  Our veterans deserve better and they've earned my commitment to address their needs not only on Veterans Day but every day of the year. Ben Venue Ben Venue Laboratories,Inc., a German based drug production company recently announced it will cease all operations in Bedford after more than 80 years in the community by the end of 2013. It will phase out more than 1,100 jobs through 2014. I participated in a meeting with Senator Sherrod Brown, officials from Ben Venue, Bedford City officials and a representative from Senator Rob Portman's office. We met to discuss efforts to find a buyer for the facility and save local jobs.  It was a productive meeting with the company committing to meet weekly with the city's representatives. Employees are being offered severance packages and training grants.  My office will continue to work with community partners to encourage communication and identify resources to spur economic development, preserve and create jobs. SNAP Benefit Cuts take effect on November 1st The temporary boost in SNAP(food stamp) benefits that was enacted during the Recession is being eliminated, effective November 1st.  The temporary increase was authorized by the American Recovery and Readjustment Act (ARRA) and it is still needed by nearly 48 million Americans who rely on SNAP as they struggle to make ends meet. The average benefit will be reduced to $1.40 per meal.  If you need assistance finding a food pantry or meal program, please contact the Cleveland Foodbank Help Line, 216-738-2067 or the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, 855-560-0850.

White House Tours Resume Click here for details The government shutdown wasted time and billions of dollars.  At a Washington, D.C. news conference, Rep. Fudge urged bipartisan cooperation to move our country forward. Join me for my next Telephone Town Hall Sign Up Here Constituent FeedbacK “Dear Congresswoman, I’ve tried for months and months to get my Social Security disability back pay.  They kept asking for more information and still nothing happened. Your staff is very professional and helpful. In 10 minutes, your staff got someone on the phone and now I have the $36,000 I was owed. Thank you so much.”    Mr. W. Cleveland

CONGRESSWOMAN MARCIA FUDGE -_SEPTEMBER 2013 E-NEWSLETTER

Dear Friends,

In the coming weeks, Congress has much to do and on your behalf, I stand ready to work for fair and just legislation that meets the needs of our district.

• The House must revisit the Farm Bill, having stripped all nutrition programs including SNAP (food stamps) from consideration in the agriculture bill that passed in June. Reportedly, House Leadership will present a bill with up to $40 billion in cuts to SNAP over 10 years which would result in millions of people losing benefits. I strongly oppose deep cuts to SNAP at a time when 47 million Americans are struggling to make ends meet and they rely on these benefits to put food on the table.
  
• According to the Federal Highway Administration, Ohio has the fourth busiest interstates in the nation. A study by the American Society of Civil Engineers found that in 2013, 9% of Ohio's bridges are structurally deficient. Despite the urgent need to maintain and repair our infrastructure, the House failed in July to pass a Transportation Bill. Moderates on both sides of the aisle could not support the steep cuts included in a bill that House leadership pulled from the floor before a final vote. This measure would have cost jobs and denied resources to states and cities to maintain roads, water and sewer infrastructure, as well as public housing.
  
• By October 1st, the House must also take action on what is known as a continuing resolution. This is a legislative mechanism to ensure that our federal government has the authority to fund its courts, agencies and meet its other obligations. Also during the month of October, the government will reach the debt ceiling. It must be raised to ensure that our nation has the resources to pay its outstanding bills. Refusal to raise the debt limit directly threatens our government's ability to issue Social Security checks, meet military payroll and pay for all other operations. It would also likely result in higher borrowing costs in the future.
  
• Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace begins on October 1st and I have included in this e-newsletter important information for the thousands of Northeast Ohioans who are eligible to participate.

If you have questions or concerns about these issues or any other federal legislation or programs, please feel free to contact my District or Washington, D.C. offices and my staff will be happy to assist you.

Marcia L. Fudge
U.S. Representative, 11th District of Ohio


UPDATE: CLEARING THE VETERANS CLAIMS BACKLOG

• The claims backlog now stands at: 490,000 (claims pending more than 125 days; reduced by almost 20 percent from its highest point in April).
• In July, VA completed 104,923 claims.
• VA has completed more than 1 million claims each year from the last three years.

ENROLLMENT FOR THE HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE BEGINS OCTOBER 1, 2013

Consumers who purchase their own insurance have a new option. They will be able to shop for plans available through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Enrollment begins on October 1^st for plan coverage that goes into effect beginning January 1, 2014. For the first time, individuals cannot be denied coverage by insurance companies based on pre-existing conditions or lifetime caps. In Ohio, 14 insurers have filed plans with more than 200 options for individual insurance, and seven insurance companies have filed plans to offer 84 options for small businesses. (In most cases, the Marketplace is not for individuals who obtain health coverage through a group plan offered by an employer or a government program such as Medicare or Medicaid. If you fall into any of those categories, you can continue to apply for coverage through those entities.)

 

Subsidies are available on a sliding scale for individuals with an income up to 400% of the federal poverty line. The chart below which was prepared by CNN, provides examples of subsidies based on income for the second lowest silver grade plan. The Marketplace offers different types of health plans to meet a variety of needs and budgets. You’ll need to figure out how much you want to spend on health coverage each month. Under the Affordable Care Act however, all plans must offer a required minimum level of essential benefits such as coverage for hospitalization, doctor’s services, prescription drugs and maternity/newborn care.

 

The Cleveland Public Library (CPL) will have dedicated computers for customers who wish to enroll in the Health Marketplace. In September, CPL will also hold free informational sessions conducted by Care Source on Affordable Care Act programs. The sessions will be held at the Main Library and 15 branches. Please contact your nearest library branch for more information.
 

Example of monthly premiums adjusted for tax subsidies for a single individual (Premiums will vary depending on family size, type of health plan selected and income.) Courtesy CNN

Where to Enroll and Get More Information Directly online, go to healthcare.gov, Call the toll-free number, 1-800-318-2596. Although enrollment does not begin until October 1, 2013, you can get information about the Marketplace through either of those resources right away, or by calling my Cuyahoga County District office at 216-522-4900.

VIEW THE REST OF THE NEWSLETTER ONLINE

 

CONGRESSWOMAN MARCIA FUDGE, MARCH 6, 2013 NEWSLETTER

U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN MARCIA FUDGE'S MARCH 6, 2013 NEWSLETTER FROM EMAIL:     DEAR FRIENDS,     I would like to take this opportunity to update you on two very important and timely issues confronting the 11th Congressional District and our nation. If you would like more information on these topics or any other federal issue or program, please call my district office at 216-522-4900, send me an email through the Contact Form on my website, http://www.fudge.house.gov/ or send a letter through the mail. The addresses for my district office in Warrensville Heights and in Washington are located at the bottom of this page.     Sincerely, Automatic Spending Cuts (Sequestration) At a recent meeting of SEIU Local 1199 in Cleveland, I answered questions about the impact of automatic budget cuts On Friday, March 1st, the federal government will begin to implement mandatory, across-the-board cuts to federal programs, known as sequestration. These cuts, totaling $85 billion, will harm Ohio families, our men and women in uniform and thwart efforts to grow our nation's economy. This is not the prescription to move our country forward. I fully support enacting a balanced approch of responsible cuts, increased revenues and growth with jobs. We must eliminate wasteful spending in the tax code that only serves the interests of Big Oil, big corporations and the wealthiest individuals. I have joined with my colleagues to call on the House Republican leadership to do what is right for our families, as well as the nation’s economy and security and take action this week on a balanced plan to avert these damaging and mindless spending cuts. Too much is at stake. With every passing day, the security of Ohio families, some of our most vulnerable citizens and the safety of our neighborhoods are in jeopardy.     I would like to emphasize that some programs are specifically exempt from sequestration. Benefits to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid recipients will not be reduced. Veterans benefits, Pell Grants, SNAP (food stamps) are also exempt. However thousands of other federal programs, including vital safety net programs and the Department of Defense will be mandated by law to make immediate and indiscriminate cuts. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has projected that the spending cuts could reduce U.S. economic growth in half and result in the loss of more than 700,000 jobs in 2013. The Obama Administration has prepared a state-by-state summary of the impact of sequestration.    Please click here for a summary of the impact of automatic cuts in Ohio   Restore our Neighborhoods Act of 2013 Introduced   Last week, I was pleased to introduce the Restore Our Neighborhoods Act of 2013* with my Ohio colleagues, Representatives Marcy Kaptur and Dave Joyce. This bill would authorize up to $4 billion in new bond allocation for states to help fund demolition. The tax credit bonds, essentially interest-free loans to states, can then be issued directly by the states or states can allow land banks to issue them. Proceeds from the sale of the bonds would fund demolition. The legislation would also free up funds in the Hardest Hit Fund Program for demolition purposes. Of $570 million allocated to Ohio, $300 million currently remains unused.     Our communities are still reeling from the housing crisis and cannot fix this problem alone. Other homeowners continue to suffer the consequences of lower property values and blight in their neighborhoods. Cleveland alone has more than 9,000 vacant and abandoned homes in need of demolition. I will work hard for this legislation to pass. It will not increase the federal budget deficit and more importantly, we know enhanced resources for demolition can be a powerful tool to rebuild neighborhoods. In Flint, Michigan, the community invested $3.5 million in bonds and preserved $112 million in property value. It’s time to put that model to work for Ohio and the rest of the nation.   Constituent Mailbag     "I was fighting Social Security for 3 years to get back payments and you got it done in two weeks. Your staff was terrific. I was a victim of stolen identity and Social Security kept finding reasons to hold up benefits that were rightly mine. I was extremely delighted to get the $22,000 I was owed. Thank you!" Dan Cleveland

Contact Info Washington, DC Office 2344 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-7032 Fax: (202) 225-1339 District Office 4834 Richmond Road, Suite 150 Warrensville Heights, OH 44128 Phone: (216) 522-4900 Fax: (216) 522-4908

RELATED:

*RESTORE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ACT OF 2013
-
-
BUDGET SEQUESTRATION + (FROM WHITE HOUSE)

-
SEE ALSO: CBC LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA OVER LACK OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CABINET APPOINTMENTS

-
-