New District Director in Memphis
Dear Friend,
Today I announced that Marzie Thomas will be my new District Director, and I also announced several other staff promotions in the Memphis office. Earlier this week I also introduced The Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2013, legislation that would include a reliable, accurate credit score with the free annual credit reports available to consumers by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
New District Director in Memphis
The Fair Access to Credit Scores Act
Millington Regional Jetport
Current TV
States Rights
Ending Violence Against Women
Continuing Resolution
Kingsbury High School
Women’s History Month
White House Tours
UTHSC
National Consumer Protection Week
Benefits Payments
Help Filing Taxes
EnergySmart Memphis
Grant Announcements
New District Director in Memphis
Today I was happy to announce that Marzie Thomas, who has served as Deputy District Director since 2009, will be my new District Director. Marzie is well-known and respected in the community and many of you personally know of her tireless efforts on behalf of constituents. Marzie has deep roots in our community. Marzie was educated at Booker T. Washington High School and LeMoyne-Owen College. She worked at The Tri-State Defender for 16 years and in 2003 was named publisher and editor. She served as a board member of the Goodwill Homes Community Services, Inc. of Memphis and with the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Marzie attends East Trigg Avenue Baptist Church where she is a soloist in the choir.
Several others on my Memphis staff were also promoted today. Willie “Hank” Henry and Beanie Self have been promoted to Deputy District Directors, Linda Archer has been promoted to Casework Manager and Jeremy Jordan has been promoted to Constituent Services Representative. This group of dedicated staffers have earned my respect and gratitude as well as that of the constituents of the 9th District for their outstanding public service. Team Cohen takes great pride in providing a high level of constituent service. My staff is dedicated, hard working and truly cares about Memphis and its residents. As a team, we look forward to continuing to work for you.
The Fair Access to Credit Scores Act
This week I joined with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to introduce The Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2013, legislation that would include a reliable, accurate credit score with the free annual credit reports available to consumers by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. A good credit score means better interest rates on mortgages, bank loans and credit cards, smaller deposits for rent or utilities and even lower insurance premiums. Our bill would require that a consumer’s credit score be included with their annual free credit report. Click here to learn more.
Millington Regional Jetport
I am concerned about the air traffic control tower at Millington Regional Jetport being shut down on April 1 as a result of sequestration. I’ve sent a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta expressing concern about a possible shutdown of the tower and its negative effects on the 9th District, and I urged him to reconsider the shuttering of the tower.
The closing of the air traffic control tower at Millington Regional Jetport would have a negative impact on aviation safety, cargo flow, and economic growth. The flow of cargo is so important to our country’s economy, especially in the Memphis region with FedEx. In the 1950s people used to say what is good for General Motors is good for the country; but today, what’s good for FedEx is good for the nation. It’s important that we do our best to find a way to keep this air traffic control tower open. This is exactly why I voted against the bill that created the committee that resulted in the sequestration option. The negative impact of sequestration was obvious then and should have been foreseen by my colleagues in Congress.
Current TV
This week I appeared on Current TV to discuss sequestration, budgets cuts, Speaker John Boehner, and how we need to respect the will of the people in Colorado and Washington who voted to legalize small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Click here to see the interview.
States Rights
On Tuesday I issued a statement in response to eight former chiefs of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) asking President Obama to nullify Colorado and Washington state laws legalizing personal marijuana use. As Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis once observed, states are the laboratories of Democracy. The federal government should concentrate on shutting down meth labs – not the laboratories of Democracy. The people of Colorado and Washington voted to implement these laws, and the federal government should respect their will. States have a right to determine their own possession laws.
If the people of Colorado and Washington want to legalize small amounts of marijuana, that is their decision. It is arrogant of these former DEA chiefs to encourage the President to nullify these laws. The fact that these former DEA chiefs are so focused on marijuana possession is why we have lost the war on drugs. The war should be on heroin, meth, crack, cocaine and unauthorized use of prescription drugs – not marijuana possession.
Ending Violence Against Women
Yesterday the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) – which I cosponsored – was signed into law by President Obama. VAWA helps investigate and prosecute violent crimes against women and gives law enforcement the necessary tools to prosecute abusers. Republicans had been playing political games with this measure since last year but I’m happy the law was finally reauthorized and strengthened. Click here to learn more about VAWA.
Continuing Resolution
This week I voted against the budget continuing resolution on the House floor. Governing by continuing resolution limits the ability of federal departments and agencies to respond to changing circumstances, implement laws enacted by Congress, eliminate unnecessary spending, and budget responsibly. It has an adverse effect on federal efforts to improve schools, health care, and homeland security; protect the environment; and create jobs and grow the economy.
Congress’ failure to replace sequestration with a balanced and responsible package of spending cuts and revenue increases before March 1st is inexcusable. The discretionary spending cuts mandated by sequestration will result in job loss and furloughs, slowed economic growth, and diminishment of services and investments that are critical to middle-class families and those who are striving to reach the middle-class. I am hopeful that an agreement can be reached in the coming weeks to restore these irresponsible cuts while reining in long-term debt and deficits.
Kingsbury High School
This week I met with students from Kingsbury High School participating in La Raza and Latino Memphis. It was a pleasure and an honor to discuss the importance and value of education with them and Congress’ efforts on comprehensive immigration reform, which I support. The students were on Capitol Hill as part of a lobbying effort on immigration reform. Click here to read a fascinating article on the group of students and their Washington visit.
Women’s History Month
When the first International Women’s Day was observed in 1911, women in the United States did not have the right to vote and very few could pursue an education or a career. Although they were not officially counted as part of the workforce, American women still did the indispensable work of raising America’s children and tending to the unsung yet vital labors of the home. Today, all of those trends have reversed. Women not only have the franchise, but they make up the majority of registered voters. More women than men attend college and women are more likely to earn a college education. Women are now a vital part of our nation’s professional workforce and they serve honorably in the armed forces.
The ‘glass ceiling’ still exists, but it is nearing its breaking point. And the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act – which I cosponsored – being signed into law yesterday by President Obama also will help. In spite of these advances, the rights of women and girls are still under attack. A woman’s right to control her own body or to make private decisions with her physician is coming under assault in ways we have not seen in decades. And some employers continue to pay women less than men for equal work. As we celebrate the achievements of suffragists, feminists, and all other advocates for sex and gender equality, we must not become complacent and allow the victories of the past reduce our commitment to the battles ongoing today.
White House Tours
The Obama Administration announced this week that due to sequestration there will no longer be White House tours available after March 9, 2013. I ask my constituents to please take note of this change when visiting Washington, D.C. in the future. But I am happy to inform you that my office still provides free tours of the U.S. Capitol and will continue to do so regardless of sequestration.
UTHSC
This week I announced that the University of Tennessee Health Science Center has been awarded $333,102 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for diabetes, endocrinology and metabolic research. The new federal funds will be distributed via the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
National Consumer Protection Week
March 3 to March 9 is National Consumer Protection Week. It is important that people take advantage of their consumer rights and make informed decisions when purchasing products to protect themselves against crimes like identity theft. Click here to learn more about how to protect your privacy, stay safe online, manage your money, avoid identity theft, understand mortgages, and steer clear of fraud and scams.
Benefits Payments
If you currently receive benefit payments from Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Supplemental Security Income, Railroad Retirement Board, the Department of Labor, or the Office of Personnel Management, you may recently have received correspondence about switching the method of delivery of your benefit from paper checks to electronic payments. Electronic payments are safer, easier, and more convenient than paper checks. In addition, the Treasury Department’s move to electronic payments is expected to save taxpayers more than $100 million each year. Currently, 93 percent of all federal benefit recipients receive their payments electronically. Beneficiaries can sign up for the electronic payment option by calling (800) 333-1795. You can also learn more at https://www.godirect.org/
Help Filing Taxes
Tax filing season began on January 30. Here is a link that you can use to find the nearest IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site. Constituents earning less than $57,000 per year can file for free. There are a lot of tax scams out there, even in Memphis. I encourage you to use this website to find an IRS-approved tax consultant who can help you for free. You can also file online directly through the IRS here: https://www.irs.gov/Filing.
EnergySmart Memphis
EnergySmart Memphis is a year-long energy education and home improvement initiative designed to help Memphians save money on their energy costs. EnergySmart Memphis is a partnership between MLGW, City and County government agencies, Community Development Corporations and non-profit organizations, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. Through EnergySmart Memphis, an estimated 3,000 MLGW customers will receive in-depth energy conservation training; eligible customers will have weatherization improvements made to their home through this initiative; a series of Energy Education Workshops will be conducted city and county-wide at area libraries; and the initiative includes weatherization kits for qualified homeowners to receive minor and major home repairs. Click here to learn more.
Grant Announcements
I regularly release a list of grant announcements from federal agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation, and others. These federal funding opportunities are available to faith-based and neighborhood associations, nonprofits and other community organizations in the 9th district. The announcements are updated regularly on my website.
Wishing you a happy and safe weekend,
As always, I remain,
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress