[Back to Legislative]

As a member of the House of Representatives, I have fought to protect businesses and jobs.

As a member of the Blue Dogs, I am working to create a better future for small businesses. In the Congress I have supported legislation to reduce taxes on family businesses and the middle class, provide assistance to small businesses, protect private property rights, streamline bureaucracy, and promote economic development.

The Inland Empire needs more jobs and infrastructure.

I believe we must continue to work in a bipartisan fashion to create jobs and generate business, for our Nation and for the Inland Empire.

The Inland Empire represents the economic backbone of Southern California. The challenge is to provide the infrastructure we need to meet growing needs. The interstate highway system and the roads and rails that cross the 42^nd district are no longer adequate to meet current demands, much less match future growth. I have been working with local officials and National decision-makers, including Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta, to solve these important problems. I also have submitted requests for appropriations for these projects.

• It is my hope that the Alameda Corridor can serve as a link for freight traffic from the San Bernardino area, all the way to Mexico. We must continue to pursue funding for this important project! Inland Empire communities need federal funds to correct dangerous railroad grade crossings relating to the Alameda corridor East.
• We must continue to fight to attract flights to Ontario Airport, and lower fees. Ontario is Southern California's centrally located inland airport. With modern, passenger-friendly facilities, Ontario is a logical point to handle air traffic. Just 40 miles east of Downtown Los Angeles, Ontario is convenient to the entire area. Currently, Ontario offers more than 100 daily flights to 16 major cities across the United States, as well as service to Guadalajara and Mexico City. United Parcel Service has more than four weekly flights from Ontario to Beijing and Shanghai. Ontario Airport generates about $6 billion for the regional economy each year and is directly or indirectly responsible for 60,000 jobs in our local economy.
• We hope to create 15,000 high-tech jobs through tax incentives as a result of legislation I authored in the California Legislature (AB 3). The bill authorized a Local Agency Military Base Recovery Area (LAMBRA) at the former Norton Air Force Base. Through this LAMBRA designation we have additional incentives to attract businesses- tax credits such as a 15 year net operating loss carryover, sales and use tax credits, expedited permit processing, and the creation of local incentives for employers.
• We are also working to create a regional partnership with Orange County to make San Bernardino International Airport viable for businesses.

The Inland Empire Has a Bright Future.

The Inland Empire will be the fastest growing region of the country in the next decade. We have many opportunities. The region has great strengths - 23 colleges and universities, cheap land, extensive transportation systems, a large employment pool, and strong growth in construction, distribution, and manufacturing industries.

Defense downsizing hit our area like a Scud missile. But we have rebuilt. Businesses are moving here. Right now we have about 80 companies and about 2300 jobs at the San Bernardino International Airport, and we are attracting new businesses all the time.

When I think of the Inland Empire, I think of the future. I think of high technology, air, trucking, rail, and transportation hubs, and people on the go. Businesses have clustered along Interstates 10 and 15 and State Route 60, providing them easy and convenient access to regional, state and national markets. Our area boasts offices of a number of major businesses such as Toyota, Target and International Paper, as well as a number of start-ups.

Inland Empire residents are educated, successful, resourceful, and entrepreneurial. Thanks to the development of the Donut hole area, ventures at Norton Air Force Base, which will create 40,000 new jobs, and the growth of the Alameda Corridor, the Inland Empire is prospering.

My pro-business votes in the 107th Congress have included:

• H.R. 327 (Baca: AYE). A small business relief bill that reduces regulatory bureaucracy for small and medium sized businesses. The bill allows small businesses to get more user-friendly information from government offices. Also, it forces government agencies to help small businesses comply with the law as opposed to just punishing them and handing them a fine.
• H.R. 5118 (Baca: AYE). Reforms corporate accounting law so as to eliminate any reporting fraud by increasing the accountability of corporate executives. This means that the hard earned money businesses and everyday people invest in the market will be far more secure from losses due to fraud. To keep a sound economy with good jobs and business opportunities we must have accurate and honest accounting practices.
• H.R. 3717 (Baca: AYE). Amends the federal deposit laws to increase federal protection of bank deposits. Currently, the federal government guarantees up to $100,000, but that amount had not been changed in a long time and the current reality is that many retirees have far more than $100,000 in the bank. The federal government, under this bill, would cover twice that amount so that the deposits of everyday people and businesses are safe during times of crisis.
• H.R. 1452 (Baca: AYE). Amends regulatory controls over telephone companies to allow for more improvements and investments into broadband Internet access for residential and business consumers. This will help consumers and businesses to have affordable high-speed Internet access. Also, this means more physical and financial investments into the communications infrastructure of the future - broadband Internet.
• H.R. 8 (Estate Tax Repeal)(Baca: AYE). Amends the Internal Revenue Code to phase out the estate and gift taxes over a 10-year period. This allows the preservation of family businesses and small farms.
• H.R. 333 (Baca: AYE). Reforms the bankruptcy code in a manner that prevents abuses by creditors. This will help small businesses avoid being defrauded.
• H.R. 524. (Baca: AYE). Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to assist small and medium-sized manufacturers to successfully integrate and utilize electronic commerce technologies and business practices.
• H.R. 1088 (Baca:AYE). Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to reduce fees collected by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

I have worked hard to bring federal funding to the Inland Empire.

Last year I was able to secure federal funding for these important projects in our region:

• $300,000 for Metrolink Project to San Bernardino.
• $500,000 for I-10 Avenue Interchange to Rialto.
• $375,000 to convert a bus fueling station in San Bernardino to odorless LNG.
• $4 million for Alameda Corridor - East Construction Project.
• $50,000 to the City of Rancho Cucamonga for construction of a senior center.
• $400,000 to the City of Colton, California for storm-drain improvements.
• $750,000 for Lakes and Streams Project in San Bernardino.
• $10 million to KVCR for digital conversion.

This year I have requested funding for many other important projects, such as:

• $3 million to the City of San Bernardino for Santa Fe Depot Area Improvements.
• $157,000 to the City of Rancho Cucamonga for Emergency Operations Center Technology Enhancements.
• $10 million to the San Bernardino County Flood Control District for the San Sevaine Creek Water Project.
• $2.5 million to the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority for a Chino Basin conjunctive use program.
• $6.5 million to the City of Ontario for the Francis Street Flood Control Project.
• $875,000 for the San Bernardino Valley Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan.
• $8.56 million for the Interstate 10 / Riverside Avenue Interchange in Rialto, California.
• $2.5 million for the Cypress Avenue Overpass on Interstate 10 in Fontana, California.
• $1 million for an Interstate 10 Strategic Goods Movement Corridor Needs Assessment Study in Colton, Fontana, and Rialto, California.
• $3 million for an Inland Empire Transportation Management Center in Fontana, California.
• $1.2 million for improvements to the Interstate 10 Sperry Drive Off Ramp in Colton, California.
• $7 million for the California Maglev Deployment Program.
• $2 million for the Intelligent Transportation Systems ATIS program.
• $5 million for the CA SR60 Truck Lanes Project.
• $1.5 million to the City of San Bernardino for the Urban Stream Project.
• $1 million to the City of Fontana for the Central Park Baseball Tournament Complex.
• $3.75 million to the City of Rialto for the construction of Fire Station #205.
• $6 million to the City of Colton for the Comprehensive Storm Drain Project.
• $7.8 million to the San Bernardino Valley Community College for Seismic Replacement.
• $500,000 for the NASA/Ontario Science & Technology Learning Center.

Since my days in the state legislature, I have fought to create jobs in the Inland Empire.

As the former owner of a travel agency, with my wife, Barbara, I know the challenges facing small businesses. My focus has been on bringing business to California and the Inland Empire. I carried the bill to lower workers' compensation premiums, established a regional Small Business Development Corporation (AB 2586), strengthened the small business loan guarantee program (AB 2581), authored legislation to create tax incentives and 15,000 jobs at the former Norton Air Force Base (AB 3), and provided funds for a new courthouse in San Bernardino (SB 35).

Additional efforts to help create jobs and promote business

• I have also supported efforts to reduce paperwork requirements by the federal government, and halt environmental regulations that do not make sense. As a member of the Science Committee, I have urged the government to take a second look at endangered species regulations, such as those protecting the Delhi Sands fly and the Kangaroo Rat at the expense of public safety projects and jobs.
• I support legislation to offer tax credits to low-income workers to help them buy health insurance. This is supported by over 76 percent of small businesses.
• I am also fighting to ensure that business and consumers have access to energy. This is essential for the continued health of our economy.
• It is also important that our businesses have a highly-skilled and educated workforce. I am working to ensure that children graduate from high school and college. I am working on legislation to improve reading instruction, provide incentives to teachers, and also improve our school technology.
• I also support greater access to capital for small businesses. Access to capital is the life blood of small businesses. Every program of the small business administration should be retained and enhanced.
• We must also ensure that minority-owned small businesses have access to the government procurement process, small business loan programs, and government contracts.

Here are a few examples of the Economic Development bills I currently co-sponsor:

H.R. 3424: Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the Revised Statutes of the United States to prohibit financial holding companies and national banks from engaging, directly or indirectly, in real estate brokerage or real estate management activities, and for other purposes. Thus, protecting consumers from monopolies of service and allowing for lower cost and higher quality commercial and residential real estate services from certified agents.

H.R. 3951: To provide regulatory relief and improve productivity for insured depository institutions.

H.R.1542: To deregulate the Internet and high speed data services.

H.R.1985: To authorize funding through the Secretary of the Interior for the implementation of a comprehensive program in California to achieve increased water yield and environmental benefits, as well as improved water system reliability, water quality, water use efficiency, watershed management, water transfers, and levee protection.

H.R.2329: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit to holders of qualified bonds issued by Amtrak, to amend title 49, United States Code, to provide for approval by the Secretary of Transportation of projects to be funded by those bonds.

H.R.2349: To establish the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund in the Treasury of the United States to provide for the development, rehabilitation, and preservation of decent, safe, and affordable housing for low-income families.

In addition, I have worked hard to bring federal grants to the Inland Empire:

• June 14, 2002: $983,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the City of Rancho Cucamonga. Funding is awarded for the Consolidated Plan Grant Program which will highlight projects such as Single-family Home Improvements, sidewalk Repair and Grinding, Senior Center Design and Construction, Various public services for youth, senior citizens, special needs persons, homeless individuals and families, battered spouses, affirmative fair housing activities, landlord/tenant mediation, and program administration.
• June 5, 2002: $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to San Bernardino County, CA. This grant will be used to create new permanent jobs, assist businesses with earthquake-damaged structures and abate slums and blighted conditions.
• June 5, 2002: $6,014,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the City of San Bernardino. This funding will be divided as follows: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) - $3,913,000, HOME Investment Partnership Program - $1,964,000, and Emergency Shelter Grant Program (ESG) - $137,000. The CDBG funds will allocate its money for programs that range from public activities for youth, seniors, battered women, the disabled, families, homeless, child care, health services, employment training, crimes awareness, emergency services and legal services to economic development projects, code enforcement projects, and for clearing and demolition projects. HOME funds are used for single unit rehabilitation projects and down payment assistance programs. ESG funds will be used for homeless prevention, essential services and shelter operations.
• May 30, 2002: $1,164,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the City of Rialto. This grant will be used for the Consolidated Plan Grant Program which highlights projects such as Public Improvements; Section 108 Debt Services for Senior Centers; Economic Development; Various public services for teens, youth, senior citizens, special needs persons, homeless individuals and families, victims of domestic violence; affirmative fair housing activities; landlord/tenant mediation; and program administration.
• May 20, 2002: $200,000 grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency to San Bernardino County, California. This grant will allow local officials to clean up and revitalize underused, abandoned "brownfields."
• May 2, 2002: $50,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the City of Rancho Cucamonga. This FY 2002 EDI-Special Project grant will be used for the construction of a senior center.
• January 2, 2002: $1,000,000 grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to the City of Colton. The award will aid in the construction of infrastructure improvements to serve the Cooley Ranch industrial area.

UPDATED - September 11, 2002