Rep. Neal speaks in Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD – Rep. Richard E. Neal (D-Springfield) was the keynote speaker at the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce’s luncheon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, where he gave his views on a number of issues.
Earlier that morning, Rep. Neal also addressed a forum on Pittsfield exports. The congressman’s office, the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Administration were among the forum’s sponsors, which focused on how Pittsfield businesses could achieve exporting success and the programs available to assist companies in accomplishing this goal.
In his speech at the chamber’s luncheon, Rep. Neal emphasized the importance of business.
“You can’t say you love employees and don’t like employers,” he said, noting his strong labor voting record and tenure as mayor of Springfield.
Referencing the morning’s forum, Rep. Neal touched on the key role he saw exports playing in economic growth.
“If we want to grow our economy, increase wages for the American people and remain competitive we need to reach beyond our borders and sell our products and services to those who live outside the U.S.” said Rep. Neal.
He went on to cover a number of national issues, with a particular focus on the economy.
The congressman was adamant about the need to extend the debt limit and prevent sequestration.
“Extending the debt limit needs to stop being a politically-charged game; it’s a lousy way to run the government,” said Rep. Neal, who asserted raising the debt ceiling was about paying for past, not new, spending.
Citing the presence of General Dynamics in Pittsfield, he went on to say the automatic cuts set to take place in defense and social programs through sequestration would be bad for the country, from both an economic and defense perspective.
“I have worked to repeal the threat of sequestration and I am going to continue to do that,” said Rep. Neal
It wasn’t all bad news from the congressman, however.
“What is happening on the domestic energy front is startling,” said Rep. Neal, referring to the increase in domestic oil and gas production.
He also talked about the promise of alternative energy, how a bridge to green energy needed to be created by the federal government and how energy independence should help domestic manufacturing.
“Simplifying the American tax code is a must,” said the congressman when addressing the issue of taxes.
At the same time, he criticized efforts to reform the tax code just through getting rid of tax expenditures.
“I dare say most of you like the homeowner deduction,” said Rep. Neal, who also pointed to the deduction for charitable giving and tax support for employer-based health insurance as positive tax expenditures.
On the spending front, he called for a new federal transportation bill.
“The country needs a big transportation bill,” said the congressman, noting the country hasn’t had one in seven years.
Rep. Neal called for a return to earmarking, defending the ability of individual members of Congress to have more control over federal spending.
“The requests for earmarking come from local government, hospitals and educational institutions,” said Rep. Neal. “It is less than one percent of federal spending”
Other topics the congressman talked about were supporting the expansion of rail and broadband in Massachusetts, the importance of community colleges, praising The Berkshires’ cultural and medical institutions and backing immigration reform.
The congressman also cited the importance of Medicare and social security.
Rep. Neal’s remarks seemed to be well-received by those in attendance, which included many of The Berkshires’ business and political leaders.
“I thought it was terrific obviously,” said Pittsfield Mayor Daniel L. Bianchi in comments to The Beacon. “It’s great to have an actual partner in Washington.”
“He’s wonderful,” said 4th Berkshire State House District Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli (D-Lenox). “He understands The Berkshires, understands the dynamic and the economy.”
The congressman himself also seemed pleased with his visit.
“I couldn’t be any happier, this is a great forum,” said Rep. Neal. “It was very good.”
Posted by Bera B. Dunau
on February 6, 2013. Filed under Community Events,News.
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