An Unusual Town Hall Meeting

By Rick Banas of BMA Management, Ltd.

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend an “unusual” political Town Hall Meeting. I use the term “unusual” because the meeting was held just weeks after the election rather than as part of a Primary or General Election campaign.

I was especially interested in the 14^th U.S. Congressional District Town Hall Meeting that was held in St. Charles, Illinois because our Heritage Woods affordable assisted living communities in Batavia, DeKalb, South Elgin and Yorkville and our assisted living community in Huntley all are located in the 14^th District.

Senator Mark Kirk and Congressman-Elect Randy Hultgren spent nearly two hours talking about their priorities, responding to questions and listening to comments from those in attendance.

“The number one problem facing the United States is overspending by the U.S. Congress,” Senator Kirk stated, which is why the first piece of legislation that he introduced after he was sworn in as Senator in late November was to recreate President Reagan’s Grace Commission to renew cost controls in the federal government.

The priorities cited by Senator Kirk include the following:
• Stop Spending Money We Don’t Have
• Pass the Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution
• Enact the Line Item Veto
• End Earmarks
• Pass the Small Business Bill of Rights
• Build an Education System that is designed around a Global Economy, with an emphasis on Math, Science and Engineering
• Open New Markets to Help American Exporters

The Ten Provisions of the Small Business Bill of Rights are as follows:

1. Protect secret ballots in union elections.
2. Lower health costs with lawsuit reforms and interstate competition.
3. Lower energy costs with credits for efficient equipment and hybrids.
4. Permit children to continue business with low/no death tax.
5. Exempt small businesses from capital gains tax for 10 years.
6. Make immigration laws easy to comply with.
7. Create a Patent Office fast lane for small business innovation.
8. Limited federal paperwork for small businesses to 200 hours annually.
9. Prevent the Alternative Minimum Tax for taxing the middle class.
10. Reduce the federal deficit to encourage jobs and improve credit.

More details on each of the provisions of the Small Business Bill of Rights can be found at http://www.kirkforsenate.com/?page_id=1274

Congressman-elect Hultgren will be one of the nearly 90 new members of Congress sworn into office on Jan. 5^th

“I feel strongly that we have been sent on a mission,” said Hultgren, to correct what has been happening in Washington D.C. Rather than serving the people, members of Congress have been serving members of Congress.

When asked “what we can do to help you make a difference,” Hultgren stressed sharing ideas and letting us know about specific provisions and regulations that are hurting your business. He also commented on his belief that the “most effective government is local government” so communications between the various levels of government is important.

In response to another question, both Senator Kirk and Congressman-elect Hultgren indicated that members of Congress and their staffs should not be exempt from the laws governing the people of the United States.

“People are tired of the Washington elite,” said Senator Kirk.

Visiting the “You Cut” website also was suggested. The website allows you to vote on-line or on your cell phone on spending cuts that you would like to see the U.S. House of Representatives make. Click the link to go to the “You Cut” website.

Putting areas of agreement and disagreement aside for a moment, what I appreciated most about the Town Hall Meeting was how proactive Senator Kirk and Congressman-elect Hultgren were in wanting to talk to and hear from the people they represent.

What are your thoughts about their priorities and about Town Hall meetings such as the one held in the 14^th District on Saturday?

All affordable assisted living communities managed by BMA Management, Ltd. are certified and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. All assisted living communities are licensed and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

“BMA Management, Ltd. is the leading provider of assisted living in Illinois
and one of the 20 largest providers of assisted living in the United States.”

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and let us know.