Congressman Tim Walberg hosts forum

From M Live: 

JACKSON, MI – U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, hosted a conference Thursday afternoon for a discussion on what the congressman called "laws and regulations which hinder the free market – the best system in the history of the world."

About 40 people attended the round-table in the Jackson County Tower Building on Sept. 4, with representatives from area businesses ranging from law offices to dairy farms.

Walberg, along with House Republican Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, primarily highlighted the Affordable Care Act as a regulation inhibiting small business across the country.

Walberg was not in Congress when the act was passed into law and signed by President Obama in March 2010, but has been a staunch opponent of the president's Affordable Care Act. He has voted repeatedly to repeal it completely or revise sections of the law.

McMorris Rodgers said "Obamacare," as it has been referred to, is just one of many regulations inhibiting small businesses. 

"We believe we should be approaching job growth from the bottom up and providing flexibility for small businesses," McMorris Rodgers said. "Getting the federal government out of the way and allowing business owners the opportunity to grow will jump-start the economy. It's fundamental to who we are as Americans."

Jackson County Commissioner and farm owner Julie Alexander, District 6, said the Affordable Care Act and the Clean Water Act are overreaches.

"It's frankly offensive for government to come in and tell us what insurance policy is best," she said. "While the Clean Water Act would regulate area farm ditches, ponds and more. It's a huge overreach."

Walberg said his mission moving forward is to help small-business owners navigate the "creative terms of being a safe, strong work environment for employees so that employee goes home safe everyday – but also having a business open for those employees with a job waiting for them the next morning."

Walberg is running against Democratic challenger Pam Byrnes and challengers Rick Strawcutter, Ken Proctor and David Swartout in the Nov. 4 general elections.

Read the full article here.