WASHINGTON, D.C.  -  With our stalled economy, one of the only changes we’ve endured in the first three months of this year is the unemployment rate.  It just keeps going up.

More and more folks across East Alabama are losing their jobs or having their hours cut back.  Folks are struggling to survive – living month to month.

The unemployment rate in Alabama for January was at 7.8 percent, the highest rate since 1987.  Wilcox County takes the top slot with the highest unemployment in the state at 19.5 percent Things seem to continue getting worse with little relief in sight. 

In East Alabama, many good paying jobs are the result of small businesses that have become the life-blood of our economy. We all know how important major employers like the Anniston Army Depot and the auto industry are to East Alabama, but just think of all the home grown businesses that also support them.

Just like families are tightening their belts, many small businesses are struggling to survive in this economy.

Creating an environment for small businesses to thrive and create jobs is critical for our nation’s economic recovery.

This week, I was disappointed to see some in Congress introduce a bill that could inject more uncertainty into our economy.

The bill, H.R. 1409, the Employee Free Choice Act, also known as “Card Check,” was introduced with 222 cosponsors. The Senate should introduce a similar bill soon.

Let’s be clear: labor unions aren’t the problem with this legislation. Many hard working Alabamians are proud union members and I am equally proud to help represent their interests, especially those of our workforce at the Anniston Army Depot.

The problem with this legislation is it does not provide for a secret ballot election, which is current law.  Many businesses, both small and large, in East Alabama have expressed strong concerns about this provision, and I agree with them.

If workers want to form a union, they should have the protection of the secret ballot. Losing the protections of the secret ballot, an American tradition, injects a great degree of uncertainty into our workforce that is especially unnecessary in these tough economic times.

Another troubling proposal that’s beginning to work its way through Congress is the real possibility of raising taxes. 

The President’s budget plan recommends increasing individual tax rates on folks that make over $200,000 a year. 

That’s a lot of money, and in these tough times it’s easy to single out those at the top end to pay more. But included in this tax bracket are many small businesses that pay their taxes at the individual tax rate. Raising taxes is always a questionable action, but raising taxes during a recession on small businesses - which create so many jobs – is dangerous.

On a lighter subject this week, I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the Talladega College Men’s Basketball team for winning their first ever United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Championship Title.  I am proud to recognize Head Coach Matt Cross, Talladega College President Billy Hawkins and the entire Tornado Team.

Please contact me on this or any issue at any of my district offices or at www.house.gov/mike-rogers.