One initiative in the Blue Dog Coalition’s 12 point plan is “pay-as-you-go” rules, commonly referred to as PAYGO. PAYGO would require any new spending bill to be paid for by cuts in other government programs or by new revenues which must be detailed. Restoring PAYGO will end irresponsible deficit spending and put our nation back on a track towards fiscal responsibility.

   The last time the United States had a balanced budget was in 2001 when PAYGO rules were still in effect. In 2002, PAYGO expired and our national debt has increased at an astronomic rate and currently stands at over $8.6 trillion.

   Each month, America’s working families gather around the kitchen table to balance the budget within their homes, our local businesses have to plan their budget based on current market prices, and 49 states require a balanced budget without the aide of borrowing from one another.  It is time we return to holding our federal government to the same standards as we hold ourselves. I will continue to fight for common sense legislation that will help return fiscal responsibility to our government and make PAYGO a part of our budgetary system in Congress.

   Ross spoke to the President specifically about putting America on a path towards energy independence and investing in renewable fuels such as ethanol and bio-diesel. During the 45-minute meeting, the group also discussed the Blue Dog’s 12 point plan for Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability.

   “The President was engaged with our issues and receptive to listening to new ideas," Ross said,” Ross said. “We can agree on some things such as the Blue Dog plan for budget reform that will help us stop this record spending and start paying down the largest debt this nation has ever had.”

   Other Democratic Blue Dog Coalition leaders who met with the President and Vice President included Rep. Allen Boyd of Florida, Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration; Rep. Dennis Moore of Kansas, Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy; and Rep. Stephanie Herseth of South Dakota, Blue Dog Whip. 

   "The President told us he has two years left in office and he still has a lot of work he wants to do," Ross said.  "The fact that we were sitting in the Oval Office talking face to face instead of through the media was a positive first step."

   Last month, Ross was voted as Co-Chair for Communications of the Blue Dogs, one of four leadership positions to lead the Blue Dog Coalition when the 110^th Congress convenes in January 2007. 

   The conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition was formed in 1995 as a response the Republican tidal wave that swept Democrats out of power. The Blue Dogs represent the center of the House of Representatives and appeal to the mainstream values of the American public.  The Blue Dogs are dedicated to a core set of beliefs that transcend partisan politics, including a deep commitment to the financial stability and national security of the United States. 

   The Blue Dog Coalition is set to grow from 37 members to at least 44 members when the 110^th Congress convenes in January 2007.  Due to the efforts of Ross and other conservative Democrats, the Blue Dog Coalition has now become one of the largest organized caucuses of Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Blue Dog members hail from every region of the country, and numerous political experts, scholars and pundits have credited Ross and the Blue Dogs for helping the Democratic Party retake the majority in the House of Representatives during last week's midterm elections. 

   Ross has been a member of the Conservative Blue Dog Coalition since he was first elected to represent Arkansas's Fourth Congressional District in Congress in 2000.  He currently serves as Whip of the Blue Dogs for the 109^th Congress, and is responsible for keeping the coalition of 37 members together on numerous issues of fiscal responsibility and national security.     

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   The DRA, a federal agency established by Congress in 2000, is designed to channel resources, aid and guidance for economic development to the Mississippi Delta region. Of the eight member states covered by the DRA, Arkansas’ FY 2006 share is the second highest, with $1,199,395 for the following five projects:

   $431,820 City of Monticello-- Drew County   

   This funding will be used to construct water system improvements for the city of Monticello. A 250,000- gallon elevated water tank will be built on land owned by the city and larger water mains will be installed.

   $233,675 Southern Arkansas University Tech-- Calhoun, Ouachita, Dallas, Union Counties 

   This funding will help support the institution’s training consortium project. The project will provide advanced manufacturing training to incumbent workers and improve SAU Tech’s advanced manufacturing training laboratories by upgrading software and equipment. There will be a minimum of 325 employees trained in 13 organized classes available for incumbent workers.

   $155,000 Chicot-Desha Metropolitan Port Authority-- Chicot, Desha Counties  

   This funding will support improvements to the transportation infrastructure by adding a barge winch system, access between the conveyor belt support structure and barges loading area, and access between the crane structure and the barge area. These improvements will be to port-owned facilities. 

   $78, 900 City of Tuckerman-- Jackson County 

   This funding will assist with the installation of a generator that will keep the City’s water treatment plant in operation during power outages.

   $300,000 Southside Public Water Authority-- Independence County  

   This funding will assist with acquisition and construction costs for a wastewater treatment plant. An estimated 600 households and businesses will be connected to public sewer once the project is completed. 

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