Letter to the Editor

Letter: 'I Agree With My Congressman' on Fiscal Cliff Issues

Wheaton resident writes in support of Peter Roskam's views related to the fiscal cliff. To send a letter to the editor, email Charlotte@patch.com.

Wheaton Patch accepts and publishes letters to the editor emailed to Local Editor Charlotte Eriksen at Charlotte@patch.com, or sent as a message through the Wheaton Patch Facebook page. Please note in subject lines the message is a Letter to the Editor. ------------ Congress: Job Half Done? While it was good to see some solution to the 'fiscal cliff' situation from Congress, does anyone really question that Congress has only completed half of the task before them?  The Obama Administration calls for a 'balanced approach' but only really desired to address increased revenues.  We all know that revenues alone will not solve the problem. I agree with my Congressman, Peter Roskam of the 6th District, when he calls for curbing 'out of control' …

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Unemployment Report: November 2012 Jobless Numbers in Your Town

With a fiscal cliff looming, the Department of Employment Security said last month that a solution was necessary to help improve jobless rates.

Unemployment rates in Illinois dropped slightly from October 2012 to November, to 8.2 percent, and are a full percentage point lower than to 2011, according to new figures released last week.  November local unemployment rates fell in 11 of 12 metro areas compared to last year, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. "The trend of falling unemployment rates across Illinois shows that our economy continues to improve," IDES Director Jay Rowell said. "The largest challenge to local economic growth is the fiscal cliff. Economic progress could slow at every level and we risk another recession if Congress does not work together to craft a solution." Earlier this week, …

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How Much Will Falling Off the Fiscal Cliff Cost You?

If Congress fails to pass an extension of the Bush era tax cuts by midnight Monday, American paychecks will get smaller. You can use the fiscal cliff calculator to see the impact on your paycheck.

With leaders of Congress becoming more and more skeptical that a deal will be reached before midnight Monday to avoid the fiscal cliff, it becomes increasingly likely that American paychecks will get smaller Tuesday, according to a story in today’s New York Times. “I have to be very honest,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said in the New York Times article. “I don’t know time-wise how it can happen now.” The Senate reconvened today in an unusual session between Christmas and Jan. 1. Even if the Senate passes legislation, the House of Representatives will not come back into session until Sunday barely 24 hours before the deadline, according to a story today on Politico. If no deal is reached, a single person with two exemptions earning $…

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Wheaton Watcher

8:11 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013

So, despiser, do you receive social security? One of your parents? A child? Do you work at a company that has government contracts? Your spouse? Your parents? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then YOU are part of the problem, receiving government largess and all..   more ›

VIDEO: Roskam on Fiscal Cliff: Let's Find a Solution and Move Forward

U.S. Rep Peter Roskam (IL-06) talks about avoiding the fiscal cliff on CNBC.

U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (IL-06) Friday appeared on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" to discuss how to avoid the "fiscal cliff" in 2013. He said House Republicans want to cut spending and avert the cliff, and that the House has already acted on the issues by arguing to extend current rates for a year as a bridge to tax reform, according to a press release. Starting Jan. 2, about $600 billion in tax increases and spending reductions would begin if Congress does not agree on how to implement less extreme measures, according to CNBC. Payroll taxes would increase to 6.2 percent from 4.2 percent, dividends would be taxed as income and estates worth more than $1 million would be taxed at 55 percent, according to a Reuters report. Roskam said the …

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VIDEO: Roskam Talks Fiscal Cliff, Tax Reform on CNBC

U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam says the fiscal cliff can be avoided, and thinks there is an opportunity to bring Republicans and Democrats together to work on tax reform.

U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (IL-06) appeared on CNBC's Kudlow Report Thursday to discuss the fiscal cliff and the House push for tax reform.  He said there is a "tremendous opportunity" to avoid the fiscal cliff because of House Speaker John Boehner's comments Wednesday on a willingness to discuss more revenues.  "The House has already acted on one proposal that says move forward and extend the current tax rates for one more year, and use that as a bridge to tax reform," he said. "Before there were voices on the Democratic side that were saying, 'Well let’s just go over the fiscal cliff.' Well that’s a bucket of crazy. Nobody wants to go over the fiscal cliff, it’s ridiculous." Roskam said he predicts President Barack Obama will extend tax …

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