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Help for homeowners

Help for homeowners

Posted by Macon Phillips
The President’s strategy for economic recovery is a stool with several legs, as he’s said, and one of them is solving the foreclosure crisis.

"We must stem the spread of foreclosures and falling home values for all Americans, and do everything we can to help responsible homeowners stay in their homes," he said yesterday as he signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law.

Though communities across the country have been affected by the crisis, Arizona has been hit particularly hard -- in 2008, only two states had more foreclosures.

And President Obama is there today, in Phoenix, to unveil his "Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan," which will help bring relief to homeowners and bring some order to the housing market.

The President will talk more about his plan a little later today. In the meantime, we’re sure you have a lot of questions, like, Am I eligible for assistance? Might I be able to modify my loan? When do I apply? We've put together an example sheet that will show you what options might be available to you, depending on the circumstances of your mortgage, as well as answers to some common questions (below).

Questions and Answers for Borrowers about the
Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan

Borrowers Who Are Current on Their Mortgage Are Asking:

  • What help is available for borrowers who stay current on their mortgage payments but have seen their homes decrease in value?

Under the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, eligible borrowers who stay current on their mortgages but have been unable to refinance to lower their interest rates because their homes have decreased in value, may now have the opportunity to refinance into a 30 or 15 year, fixed rate loan.   Through the program, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will allow the refinancing of mortgage loans that they hold in their portfolios or that they placed in mortgage backed securities.

  • I owe more than my property is worth, do I still qualify to refinance under the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan?

Eligible loans will now include those where the new first mortgage (including any refinancing costs) will not exceed 105% of the current market value of the property.   For example, if your property is worth $200,000 but you owe $210,000 or less you may qualify.  The current value of your property will be determined after you apply to refinance.

  • How do I know if I am eligible?

Complete eligibility details will be announced on March 4th when the program starts.  The criteria for eligibility will include having sufficient income to make the new payment and an acceptable mortgage payment history.  The program is limited to loans held or securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

  • I have both a first and a second mortgage.  Do I still qualify to refinance under the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan?

As long as the amount due on the first mortgage is less than 105% of the value of the property, borrowers with more than one mortgage may be eligible to refinance under the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan.  Your eligibility will depend, in part, on agreement by the lender that has your second mortgage to remain in a second position, and on your ability to meet the new payment terms on the first mortgage. 

  • Will refinancing lower my payments?

The objective of the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan is to provide creditworthy borrowers who have shown a commitment to paying their mortgage with affordable payments that are sustainable for the life of the loan.  Borrowers whose mortgage interest rates are much higher than the current market rate should see an immediate reduction in their payments.  Borrowers who are paying interest only, or who have a low introductory rate that will increase in the future, may not see their current payment go down if they refinance to a fixed rate.  These borrowers, however, could save a great deal over the life of the loan.  When you submit a loan application, your lender will give you a "Good Faith Estimate" that includes your new interest rate, mortgage payment and the amount that you will pay over the life of the loan.  Compare this to your current loan terms.  If it is not an improvement, a refinancing may not be right for you.

  • What are the interest rate and other terms of this refinance offer?

The objective of the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan is to provide borrowers with a safe loan program with a fixed, affordable payment.  All loans refinanced under the plan will have a 30 or 15 year term with a fixed interest rate.  The rate will be based on market rates in effect at the time of the refinance and any associated points and fees quoted by the lender.  Interest rates may vary across lenders and over time as market rates adjust.  The refinanced loans will have no prepayment penalties or balloon notes.  

  • Will refinancing reduce the amount that I owe on my loan?

No.  The objective of the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan is to help borrowers refinance into safer, more affordable fixed rate loans.  Refinancing will not reduce the amount you owe to the first mortgage holder or any other debt you owe.  However, by reducing the interest rate, refinancing should save you money by reducing the amount of interest that you repay over the life of the loan.

  • How do I know if my loan is owned or has been securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac?

To determine if your loan is owned or has been securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and is eligible to be refinanced, you should contact your mortgage lender after March 4, 2009.

  • When can I apply?

Mortgage lenders will begin accepting applications after the details of the program are announced on March 4, 2009.   

  • What should I do in the meantime?

You should gather the information that you will need to provide to your lender after March 4, when the refinance program becomes available.  This includes:

    • information about the gross monthly income of all borrowers,  including your most recent pay stubs if you receive them or documentation of income you receive from other sources
    • your most recent income tax return
    • information about any second mortgage on the house
    • payments on each of your credit cards if you are carrying balances from month to month, and
    • payments on other loans such as student loans and car loans.

Borrowers Who Are at Risk of Foreclosure Are Asking:

  • What help is available for borrowers who are at risk of foreclosure either because they are behind on their mortgage or are struggling to make the payments?

The Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan offers help to borrowers who are already behind on their mortgage payments or who are struggling to keep their loans current.  By providing mortgage lenders with financial incentives to modify existing first mortgages, the Treasury hopes to help as many as 3 to 4 million homeowners avoid foreclosure regardless of who owns or services the mortgage.

  • Do I need to be behind on my mortgage payments to be eligible for a modification? 

No.  Borrowers who are struggling to stay current on their mortgage payments may be eligible if their income is not sufficient to continue to make their mortgage payments and they are at risk of imminent default.  This may be due to several factors, such as a loss of income, a significant increase in expenses, or an interest rate that will reset to an unaffordable level.   

  • How do I know if I qualify for a payment reduction under the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan?

In general, you may qualify for a mortgage modification if (a) you occupy your house as your primary residence; (b) your monthly mortgage payment is greater than 31% of your monthly gross income; and (c) your loan is not large enough to exceed current Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits.  Final eligibility will be determined by your mortgage lender based on your financial situation and detailed guidelines that will be available on March 4, 2009.

  •  I do not live in the house that secures the mortgage I’d like to modify.  Is this mortgage eligible for the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan?

No.  For example, if you own a house that you use as a vacation home or that you rent out to tenants, the mortgage on that house is not eligible.  If you used to live in the home but you moved out, the mortgage is not eligible.  Only the mortgage on your primary residence is eligible.  The mortgage lender will check to see if the dwelling is your primary residence.

  • I have a mortgage on a duplex.  I live in one unit and rent the other.  Will I still be eligible?

Yes.  Mortgages on 2, 3 and 4 unit properties are eligible as long as you live in one unit as your primary residence.

  • I have two mortgages.   Will the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan reduce the payments on both?

Only the first mortgage is eligible for a modification.

  • I owe more than my house is worth.  Will the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan reduce what I owe?

The primary objective of the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan is to help borrowers avoid foreclosure by modifying troubled loans to achieve a payment the borrower can afford.  Lenders are likely to lower payments mainly by reducing loan interest rates.  However, the program offers incentives for principal reductions and at your lender’s discretion modifications may include upfront reductions of loan principal.

  • I heard the government was providing a financial incentive to borrowers.  Is that true?

Yes.  To encourage borrowers who work hard to retain homeownership, the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan provides incentive payments as a borrower makes timely payments on the modified loan.   The incentive will accrue on a monthly basis and will be applied directly to reduce your mortgage debt.  Borrowers who pay on time for five years can have up to $5,000 applied to reduce their debt by the end of that period.

  • How much will a modification cost me?

There is no cost to borrowers for a modification under the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan.  If you wish to get assistance from a HUD-approved housing counseling agency or are referred to a counselor as a condition of the modification, you will not be charged a fee.  Borrowers should beware of any organization that attempts to charge a fee for housing counseling or modification of a delinquent loan, especially if they require a fee in advance. 

  • Is my lender required to modify my loan?

No.  Mortgage lenders participate in the program on a voluntary basis and loans are evaluated for modification on a case-by-case basis.  But the government is offering substantial incentives and it is expected that most major lenders will participate.

  • I'm already working with my lender / housing counselor on a loan workout.  Can I still be considered for the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan?

Ask your lender or counselor to be considered under the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan.

  • How do I apply for a modification under the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan?

You may not need to do anything at this time.  Most mortgage lenders will evaluate loans in their portfolio to identify borrowers who may meet the eligibility criteria.  After March 4 they will send letters to potentially eligible homeowners, a process that may take several weeks.   If you think you qualify for a modification and do not receive a letter within several weeks, contact your mortgage servicer or a HUD-approved housing counselor.  Please be aware that servicers and counseling agencies are expected to receive an extraordinary number of calls about this program.

  • What should I do in the meantime?

You should gather the information that you will need to provide to your lender on or after March 4, when the modification program becomes available.  This includes

    • information about the monthly gross income of your household including recent pay stubs if you receive them or documentation of income you receive from other sources
    • your most recent income tax return
    • information about any second mortgage on the house
    • payments on each of your credit cards if you are carrying balances from month to month, and
    • payments on other loans such as student loans and car loans.

  • My loan is scheduled for foreclosure soon.  What should I do?

Contact your mortgage servicer or credit counselor.  Many mortgage lenders have expressed their intention to postpone foreclosure sales on all mortgages that may qualify for the modification in order to allow sufficient time to evaluate the borrower's eligibility.  We support this effort.

Posted by Edward Palonek at 9/4/2009 8:25 AM | Add Comment

Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act,

A Call to Service

Posted by Jesse Lee
The President has just signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, joined by Senator Kennedy, President Bill Clinton, the Congressional leaders who supported the legislation, and countless others dedicated to passage of the bill at the SEED School, where service is a core part of the curriculum. Appropriately, the President announced a major call to service:
 
A week from tomorrow marks the 100th day of my administration.  In those next eight days, I ask every American to make an enduring commitment to serving your community and your country in whatever way you can.  Visit WhiteHouse.gov to share your stories of service and success.  And together, we will measure our progress not just in number of hours served or volunteers mobilized – but in the impact our efforts have on the life of this nation.
 
Find the right opportunity for you, or tell us your story of service – then come back in the coming days and weeks and we will highlight some of the best of what we hear.
 
He spoke to Senator Kennedy, and his entire family, commending them as an icon of service and self-sacrifice in America. He spoke to Republican Senator Orrin Hatch for his role in conceiving of the bill. And he spoke to those in Chicago who taught him the virtues of service as a community organizer.
 
He spoke to the youth, and all those who are already engaged:
 
I’ve met countless people of all ages and walks of life who want nothing more than to do their part.  I’ve seen a rising generation of young people work and volunteer and turn out in record numbers.  They’re a generation that came of age amidst the horrors of 9/11 and Katrina; the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; an economic crisis without precedent.  And yet despite all this, or more likely because of it, they have become a generation of activists possessed with that most American of ideas – that people who love their country can change it.
 
He spoke to those who are not yet engaged:
 
It’s as simple as that.  All that’s required on your part is a willingness to make a difference.  That is, after all, the beauty of service.  Anyone can do it.  You don’t need to be a community organizer, or a Senator -- or a Kennedy – or even a President to bring change to people’s lives.
 
And he spoke to the larger moment our country faces:
 
We need your service, right now, at this moment in history.  I’m not going to tell you what your role should be; that’s for you to discover.  But I’m asking you to stand up and play your part.  I’m asking you to help change history’s course.  Put your shoulder up against the wheel.  And if you do, I promise you – your life will be richer, our country will be stronger, and someday, years from now, you may remember it as the moment when your own story and the American story converged, when they came together, and we met the challenges of our new century.
 
As the President explained, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act is about "connecting deeds to needs" – it will open tremendous new avenues of opportunity for Americans to help their country get back on the right track in those many areas where government cannot do it all.
 
 
The President meets with President Clinton and Senator Kennedy
(President Barack Obama meets with Senator Kennedy and former President Clinton to discuss
national service.  April 21, 2009.  White House Photo/ Chuck Kennedy.)

Posted by Edward Palonek at 9/2/2009 10:05 AM | Add Comment

Action for Recovery

Recovery in Action: 100 Days In

It’s been 100 days since the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed, and even as much of its benefit will be felt through projects and ripple effects yet to come, the impact is already real. This morning, the White House released "100 Days, 100 Projects," a report showing a snapshot of some of the projects funded by the Recovery Act, including new jobs in emerging sectors like renewable energy, and holding on to jobs in critical areas like law enforcement and education.
While the report this morning highlighted some of the best from the past 100 days, even looking at the past week gives an idea of what is happening all over the country.
"One of Hartselle's busiest roadways should have a smoother driving surface by year's end.  A unanimous City Council approved contracts that will allow the Alabama Department of Transportation to engineer and construct the Sparkman Street resurfacing project.  ‘It's always good when we can pave streets,’ Council President Kenny Thompson said at Tuesday's meeting.  The contracts will allow the state to resurface Sparkman Street from the north end at U.S. 31 to Hayes Street and then to the south end at U.S. 31… The council is using federal stimulus money to fund the project."
"Stimulus funds will pay for 200 jobs for young people in Yuba County, California. Mid-Valley shops, restaurants, nonprofits and government agencies will employ hun­dreds of young people this summer – and pay them with federal stimulus dollars. The funding is part of a $1.2 billion program approved by Congress in February to provide short-term work training and employment for disadvantaged 14- to 24-year-olds. Sheila Moore, a Yuba County One Stop training and employment counselor, said the $465,000 share allocated for Yuba County will pay minimum wage salaries for up to 200 youth jobs, as well as transportation vouchers and other work-related expenses. ‘They really got the dollars down to us fast,’ Yuba County One Stop Director Patti Clary said of the $465,000."
"Southern Illinois University Carbondale has received $16,694 in funding for student and/or teacher training from the National Institutes of Health. The grant, announced Tuesday by U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and will create research experiences over the next two summers for high school and college students and science teachers at NIH-funded laboratories across the country. ‘This is an example of Recovery Act funds creating jobs,’ Costello said. He noted that by supporting jobs in the fields of education and science, the funding also provides additional benefits that will result from the training."
"Federal stimulus money will help upgrade the lock and dam on the Mississippi River near Red Wing, creating about 500 jobs for two years, according to officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps has received $70 million as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and plans to use the funds to renovate the 70-year-old facility, according to Tom Crump, Chief of Project Management at the Corps' St. Paul District office."
"Tennessee's plan to spend $635 million in stimulus money to plug holes in higher education and grade-school budgets has been approved by federal officials, a formality that will likely save hundreds of jobs. The pressure of potential job losses lessened once President Barack Obama announced details about stimulus money, but Tennessee's plans on how to spend the cash influx had to be approved before the deal was finalized. The state also will be eligible for an additional $313 million in funds this fall.  ‘These funds will help Tennessee tremendously in a time of very difficult and challenging budgets,’ Gov. Phil Bredesen said in a statement last week."
 

Posted by Edward Palonek at 5/29/2009 8:30 AM | Add Comment

ESTABLISHING A WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL ON WOMEN AND GIRLS

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
____________________________________________________________________________________

EXECUTIVE ORDER
- - - - - - -

ESTABLISHING A WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL ON WOMEN AND GIRLS

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order as follows:

Section 1. Policy. Over the past generation, our society has made tremendous progress in eradicating barriers to women's success. A record number of women are attending college and graduate school. Women make up a growing share of our workforce, and more women are corporate executives and business owners than ever before, helping boost the U.S. economy and foster U.S. competitiveness around the world. Today, women are serving at the highest levels of all branches of our Government.

Despite this progress, certain inequalities continue to persist. On average, American women continue to earn only about 78 cents for every dollar men make, and women are still significantly underrepresented in the science, engineering, and technology fields. Far too many women lack health insurance, and many are unable to take time off to care for a new baby or an ailing family member. Violence against women and girls remains a global epidemic. The challenge of ensuring equal educational opportunities for women and girls endures. As the current economic crisis has swept across our Nation, women have been seriously affected.

These issues do not concern just women. When jobs do not offer family leave, that affects men who wish to help care for their families. When women earn less than men for the same work, that affects families who have to work harder to make ends meet. When our daughters do not have the same educational and career opportunities as our sons, that affects entire communities, our economy, and our future as a Nation.

The purpose of this order is to establish a coordinated Federal response to issues that particularly impact the lives of women and girls and to ensure that Federal programs and policies address and take into account the distinctive concerns of women and girls, including women of color and those with disabilities.

Sec. 2. White House Council on Women and Girls. There is established within the Executive Office of the President a White House Council on Women and Girls (Council).

(a) Membership of the Council. The Council shall consist of the following members:

(1) the Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Liaison, who shall serve as Chair of the Council;

(2) the Secretary of State;
(3) the Secretary of the Treasury;
(4) the Secretary of Defense;
(5) the Attorney General;
(6) the Secretary of the Interior;
(7) the Secretary of Agriculture;
(8) the Secretary of Commerce;
(9) the Secretary of Labor;
(10) the Secretary of Health and Human Services;
(11) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development;
(12) the Secretary of Transportation;
(13) the Secretary of Energy;
(14) the Secretary of Education;
(15) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
(16) the Secretary of Homeland Security;
(17) the Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations;
(18) the United States Trade Representative;
(19) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget;
(20) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency;
(21) the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers;
(22) the Director of the Office of Personnel Management;
(23) the Administrator of the Small Business Administration;
(24) the Assistant to the President and Director of the Domestic Policy Council;
(25) the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council; and
(26) the heads of such other executive branch departments, agencies, and offices as the President may, from time to time, designate.

A member of the Council may designate, to perform the Council functions of the member, a senior-level official who is a part of the member's department, agency, or office, and who is a full-time officer or employee of the Federal Government. At the direction of the Chair, the Council may establish subgroups consisting exclusively of Council members or their designees under this section, as appropriate.

(b) Administration of the Council. The Department of Commerce shall provide funding and administrative support for the Council to the extent permitted by law and within existing appropriations. The Chair shall convene regular meetings of the Council, determine its agenda, and direct its work. The Chair shall designate an Executive Director of the Council, who shall coordinate the work of the Council and head any staff assigned to the Council.

Sec. 3. Mission and Functions of the Council. The Council shall work across executive departments and agencies to provide a coordinated Federal response to issues that have a distinct impact on the lives of women and girls, including assisting women-owned businesses to compete internationally and working to increase the participation of women in the science, engineering, and technology workforce, and to ensure that Federal programs and policies adequately take those impacts into account. The Council shall be responsible for providing recommendations to the President on the effects of pending legislation and executive branch policy proposals; for suggesting changes to Federal programs or policies to address issues of special importance to women and girls; for reviewing and recommending changes to policies that have a distinct impact on women in the Federal workforce; and for assisting in the development of legislative and policy proposals of special importance to women and girls. The functions of the Council are advisory only.

Sec. 4. Outreach. Consistent with the objectives set out in this order, the Council, in accordance with applicable law, in addition to regular meetings, shall conduct outreach with representatives of nonprofit organizations, State and local government agencies, elected officials, and other interested persons that will assist with the Council's development of a detailed set of recommendations.

Sec. 5. Federal Interagency Plan. The Council shall, within 150 days of the date of this order, develop and submit to the President a Federal interagency plan with recommendations for interagency action consistent with the goals of this order. The Federal interagency plan shall include an assessment by each member executive department, agency, or office of the status and scope of its efforts to further the progress and advancement of women and girls. Such an assessment shall include a report on the status of any offices or programs that have been created to develop, implement, or monitor targeted initiatives concerning women or girls. The Federal interagency plan shall also include recommendations for issues, programs, or initiatives that should be further evaluated or studied by the Council. The Council shall review and update the Federal interagency plan periodically, as appropriate, and shall present to the President any updated recommendations or findings.

Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) The heads of executive departments and agencies shall assist and provide information to the Council, consistent with applicable law, as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Council. Each executive department and agency shall bear its own expense for participating in the Council.

(b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(c) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(d) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

BARACK OBAMA

THE WHITE HOUSE,
March 11, 2009.

Posted by Edward Palonek at 5/12/2009 8:00 AM | Add Comment

Towards the Summit

Towards the Summit

This afternoon the President landed in Mexico, where he met with President Felipe Calderon in anticipation of the Summit of the Americas. Even before leaving, this morning he reached out to all of the nations who will be in attendance with an op-ed published in English, Spanish or Portuguese in the following papers: Trinidad Express (Trinidad & Tobago); St. Petersburg Times (USA); Miami Herald (USA); El Nuevo Herald (USA); La Nación (Argentina); O Globo (Brazil); El Mercurio (Chile); El Tiempo (Colombia); La Nación (Costa Rica); El Comercio (Ecuador); El Universal (México); El Comercio (Perú); El Nuevo Día (Puerto Rico); El País (Uruguay); and El Nacional (Venezuela).
 
The President laid out his vision for the Summit in the op-ed:
 
As we approach the Summit of the Americas, our hemisphere is faced with a clear choice. We can overcome our shared challenges with a sense of common purpose, or we can stay mired in the old debates of the past. For the sake of all our people, we must choose the future.
 
Too often, the United States has not pursued and sustained engagement with our neighbors. We have been too easily distracted by other priorities, and have failed to see that our own progress is tied directly to progress throughout the Americas. My Administration is committed to the promise of a new day. We will renew and sustain a broader partnership between the United States and the hemisphere on behalf of our common prosperity and our common security.
 
But the President made clear that this commitment would be more than rhetorical. He pointed to the dramatic and long overdue shift in policy towards Cuba, and forthrightly pointed out that there are many other issues that will be difficult to grapple with: "The United States will strongly support respect for the rule of law, better law enforcement, and stronger judicial institutions. Security must be advanced through our commitment to partner with those who are courageously battling drug cartels, gangs and other criminal networks throughout the Americas. And our efforts start at home. By reducing demand for drugs and curtailing the illegal flow of weapons and bulk cash south across our border, we can advance security in the United States and beyond."
 
The President hugs a child in Mexico
(President Barack Obama bids farewell to the family of Mexican President Felipe Calderon following their
meeting in Mexico City, Thursday, April 16, 2009. White House Photo/Peter Souza)
 
Indeed, even at his welcoming ceremony was joined by President Calderon when he immediately pledged to work together in new ways to crack down on the drug cartels tied to so much tragedy on both sides of the border: "At a time when the Mexican government has so courageously taken on the drug cartels that have plagued both sides of the borders, it is absolutely critical that the United States joins as a full partner in dealing with this issue, both through initiatives like the Merida Initiative, but also on our side of the border, in dealing with the flow of guns and cash south."
 
The two countries also announced the "US-Mexico Bilateral Framework on Clean Energy and Climate Change," which will focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, adaptation, market mechanisms, forestry and land use, green jobs, low carbon energy technology development and capacity building. Specific areas of joint cooperation under the Bilateral Framework may include:
 
· Collaborating on training/workshops and information exchanges for government officials to explore possible cooperation on greenhouse gas inventories, various greenhouse gas reduction strategies, and market mechanisms;
· Through our collaboration in the Border 2012 program, working with our respective border states to provide opportunities for information exchange and joint work on renewable energy, such as wind and solar, that could include technical and economic project feasibility studies, project development, and capacity building in the border region. Other border work could include a bilateral border crossing planning group to develop strategies to reduce emissions from idling vehicles, among other initiatives that may be deemed appropriate;
· Expanding our extensive bilateral collaboration on clean energy technologies to facilitate renewable power generation including by addressing transmission and distribution obstacles between our countries; fostering Energy Service Company market development; and highlighting existing and proposed areas for cooperation on clean energy and energy efficiency under the North American Energy Working Group;
· Promoting academic and scientific exchanges on renewable energy;
· Pursuing projects on adapting to climate change, including coastal or disaster risk reduction activities as well as adaptation in key sectors; and
· Working jointly with other countries to take advantage of growing Mexican expertise on greenhouse gas inventories, adaptation and project planning. This work could also possibly include a shared US/Mexican initiative to help developing countries in the Americas create low carbon development strategies plans for adaptation to climate change, and monitoring and accounting for the results.
 
The Summit of the Americas will get underway tomorrow (don’t forget to check out Secretary Clinton’s digital town hall right beforehand at 11:15 AM Eastern) – but today was a good start to the trip.
 

(President Barack Obama and Mexico's President Felipe Calderon participate in a joint press conference
Thursday, April 16, 2009, following their meeting in Mexico City. White Ho

Posted by Palonek at 4/17/2009 8:04 AM | Add Comment

A Vision for High Speed Rail

"I'm happy to be here. I’m more happy than you can imagine," said the Vice President, a noted rail enthusiast, before introducing the President for the release of his strategic plan for high speed rail in America.  Revolving around the $8 billion in the Recovery Act and the $1 billion per year for five years requested in the President’s budget to get these projects off the ground, the President painted the picture that will become a reality as a result of these investments:
 
What we're talking about is a vision for high-speed rail in America.  Imagine boarding a train in the center of a city.  No racing to an airport and across a terminal, no delays, no sitting on the tarmac, no lost luggage, no taking off your shoes.  (Laughter.)  Imagine whisking through towns at speeds over 100 miles an hour, walking only a few steps to public transportation, and ending up just blocks from your destination.  Imagine what a great project that would be to rebuild America.
 
Now, all of you know this is not some fanciful, pie-in-the-sky vision of the future.  It is now.  It is happening right now.  It's been happening for decades.  The problem is it's been happening elsewhere, not here. 
 
In France, high-speed rail has pulled regions from isolation, ignited growth, remade quiet towns into thriving tourist destinations.  In Spain, a high-speed line between Madrid and Seville is so successful that more people travel between those cities by rail than by car and airplane combined.  China, where service began just two years ago, may have more miles of high-speed rail service than any other country just five years from now.  And Japan, the nation that unveiled the first high-speed rail system, is already at work building the next:  a line that will connect Tokyo with Osaka at speeds of over 300 miles per hour.  So it's being done; it's just not being done here.
 
There's no reason why we can't do this.  This is America.  There's no reason why the future of travel should lie somewhere else beyond our borders.  Building a new system of high-speed rail in America will be faster, cheaper and easier than building more freeways or adding to an already overburdened aviation system –- and everybody stands to benefit.
 
The inclusion of high speed rail in the Recovery Act was one of many symbols of the new vision for America and its economy that guided the plan.  As the Vice President explained in his introduction, joined by Transportation Secretary LaHood, in addition to putting Americans to work across the country it went towards several the Recovery Act’s key goals:
 
And we're making a down payment today, a down payment on the economy for tomorrow, the economy that's going to drive us in the 21st century in a way that the other -- the highway system drove us in the mid-20th century.  And I'm happy to be here.  I'm more happy than you can imagine -- (laughter) -- to talk about a commitment that, with the President's leadership, we're making to achieve the goal through the development of high-speed rail projects that will extend eventually all across this nation.  And most of you know that not only means an awful lot to me, but I know a lot of you personally in this audience over the years, I know it means equally as much to you. 
 
With high-speed rail system, we're going to be able to pull people off the road, lowering our dependence on foreign oil, lowering the bill for our gas in our gas tanks.  We're going to loosen the congestion that also has great impact on productivity, I might add, the people sitting at stop lights right now in overcrowded streets and cities.  We're also going to deal with the suffocation that's taking place in our major metropolitan areas as a consequence of that congestion.  And we're going to significantly lessen the damage to our planet.  This is a giant environmental down payment. 
 
The report formalizes the identification of ten high-speed rail corridors as potential recipients of federal funding. Those lines are: California, Pacific Northwest, South Central, Gulf Coast, Chicago Hub Network, Florida, Southeast, Keystone, Empire and Northern New England. Also, opportunities exist for the Northeast Corridor from Washington to Boston to compete for funds to improve the nation’s only existing high-speed rail service:
 
Map of proposed high speed rail projects

Posted by Palonek at 4/16/2009 11:54 AM | Add Comment

Bo's first day at the White House

 

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 at 6:48 pm

Bo's First Day



download .mp4 (656.9 Mb) | also available here
 

Bo's First Day, Walking
(The First family and Bo, their new Portuguese water dog, walk on the South Lawn of the White House,
April 14, 2009.  White House Photo/ Chuck Kennedy)

Bo's First Day, Running
(The First family and Bo, their new Portuguese water dog, run on the South Lawn of the White House,
April 14, 2009.  White House Photo/ Lawrence Jackson)
 

Posted by Palonek at 4/15/2009 7:56 AM | Add Comment

Agenda at the white House - Arts and Child Advocacy

Arts

Our nation's creativity has filled the world's libraries, museums, recital halls, movie houses, and marketplaces with works of genius. The arts embody the American spirit of self-definition. As the author of two best-selling books — Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope — President Obama uniquely appreciates the role and value of creative expression.

Child Advocacy

President Obama and Vice President Biden are committed advocates for children. They will make sure that every child has health insurance, expand educational opportunities for low-income children, extend resources for low-income families, support and supplement our struggling foster care system, and protect children from violence and neglect.

Posted by Edward Palonek at 4/14/2009 11:41 AM | Add Comment

The Third Task Force Meeting: College Affordability for the Middle Class

The first two meetings of the Middle Class Task Force were focused on Green Jobs and the Recovery Act, both of which will create a fundamental shift in our economy and the way it affects and lifts up the middle class here in America.  The Green Jobs meeting featured experts explaining how what was once an abstract concept is now being translated into bread on the kitchen table, while the Recovery Act meeting discussed how that legislation will help middle class families, town by town and community by community.

For any family that has sent a child off to college and faced tuition costs that rivaled the total costs of their mortgage, the topic of the third meeting needs much less explanation.  On Friday April 17th, the Task Force will hold its next meeting at the University of Missouri St. Louis. The meeting, titled "Making College More Affordable for our Families," will also be attended by Dr. Jill Biden, who has been an educator for 28 years and is currently at Northern Virginia Community College with a focus on English and writing.  It's an issue that often gets overlooked in the midst of staggering job losses and stock prices plummeting – but it’s a critical one to the middle class and it will get its proper attention this Friday.

Posted by Palonek at 4/13/2009 4:30 PM | Add Comment

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AFTER MEETING WITH GENERAL ODIERNO

Al Faw Palace
Baghdad, Iraq
5:24 P.M. (Local)

Q Sir, can you tell us what your primary purpose is in being here?

THE PRESIDENT: To say thank you to the troops. They are doing extraordinary work. General Odierno has been helping to lead a very effective operation here. We want to be fully briefed. And nothing does that better than face-to-face meetings.

I'll have the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Maliki and President Talabani while I'm here. Obviously we've spent a lot of time trying to get Afghanistan right. But I think it's important for us to remember that there's still a lot of work to be done here. And in addition to thanking our troops, I also want to send a strong message to our diplomatic corps and our civilians that they're going to be critical to our success here.

We've made significant political progress. You've seen a greater willingness on the part of all the factions in Iraq to resolve their issues politically and through non-violent means. But with the national elections coming up, many of the unresolved issues may be brought to a head. And it's very important for us to use all of our influence to encourage parties to resolve these issues in ways that are equitable and fair. And I think that my presence here can help do that.

Okay. Thank you, guys.

Not to mention, Chip, I thought you guys hadn't been on the road long enough. (Laughter.) I know that you didn't feel like going home, we had under-worked you. So I figured one more stop.

Q Did you say you're meeting with or talking to –-

THE PRESIDENT: I will be meeting with them, face to face.

Q Face to face?

Q Will that be here, Mr. President?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes. In the near vicinity.

Posted by Edward Palonek at 4/9/2009 2:13 PM | Add Comment
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