There is still a lot of work to be done in regards to the hotel and the divisive effect that the debate has had on our community. This hotel is a huge win for our entire community. Everyone will benefit from the influx of spending that it will bring. The jobs that it will create do not end at the construction and subsequent staffing of the hotel. The added spending in the community will mean an increased demand in the retail, dining, transportation, entertainment industries, as well as others. This will also create entrepreneurial opportunities for businesses that want to capture the business in the downtown area. With the construction of this hotel, everyone wins.

One of the first tasks in healing our community is open dialogue to increase the understanding of what a convention hotel is and what it does. There have been several comments saying that we already have plenty of hotels. This leads me to believe that those people do not understand that there is a substantial difference between a convention hotel and a traditional hotel. A traditional hotel relies on the community to create overnight stays. A convention hotel can create a large amount of its business due to its proximity to the convention center and amenities. They are two different vehicles. To expect a traditional hotel to accomplish what a convention hotel can is like trying to use a compact car to move a couch. It may be able to be done, but it’s not going to be easy.

Another task that we have in front of us is making amends with others in the community. We have a great community and we are fortunate to have so many people that care enough about our city to stand up and state their opinions. It is unfortunate that it appears as if this debate has caused a separation in our community. Dunn Hospitality has been a tremendous partner in our community for many years. They have invested millions into our community giving us some of the finest hotels around and they have volunteered and donated time and money to several of our community’s great organizations. I hope that this rift can be mended and we can move together into the future of Evansville. This hotel debate has turned friend against friend and caused separation in local political parties. We should let the events over the past few weeks be water under the bridge and move together into making Evansville the city that it can be.

I plan on going to the City Council meeting on Monday night and celebrating the vote that moves us forward. If you love this city and you want to see it reach its full potential, please join me. I hope to see a full house. Regards.

Phyllip Davis

Citizens of Evansville for Progress on the Convention Hotel Development
www.facebook.com/evansvillesaysyes

SNL Mocks Obamacare Rollout.

(Washington, D.C.) – On Sunday, the House passed legislation to avoid a government shutdown by finding common ground with the Senate.  The House measure is a reasonable and responsible continuing resolution that delays ObamaCare for a year, repeals the medical device tax, and ensures our troops gets paid if the President and Senate Democrats force a government shutdown.

Rep. Bucshon released the following statement regarding the responsible plan passed by the House today:

“House Republicans believe this approach can and should find common ground with Senate Democrats and the White House,” said Bucshon. “Hoosiers have made it clear: they don’t want a government shutdown and they don’t want ObamaCare. This is a reasonable and fair solution. We grant families the same relief from the harmful effects of ObamaCare that the President gave big businesses, repeal the medical device tax, and ensure our troops gets paid if the President and Senate Democrats force a government shutdown. Now it is up to the Senate to do their work on behalf of the American people.”

THE MEDICAL DEVICE TAX:

The medical device tax is a 2.3% excise tax on the medical device industry that was included in ObamaCare to help pay for the law.  To date, the medical device tax has cost over 10,000 jobs that we know of and countless smaller, privately held companies have cut jobs and investments in research and development to deal with this onerous policy. 

Indiana is home to over 300 medical device companies, that support over 20,000 Hoosier jobs directly and 28,000 secondary jobs.

“This tax stifles innovation and growth in one of our nation’s most advancing sectors and has already caused companies here in Indiana, like Cook Medical Group, to put plans to expand their operation and create new jobs on hold,” said Bucshon. “Repeal has widespread, bipartisan support. There is no reason the Senate should not approve this measure.”

Boston Scientific Corporation in Spencer, Indiana announced plans to cut 2,400 positions while Cook Medical Inc. in Bloomington, Indianaput plans on hold to open five new plants here in the United States in the next five years.

The medical device industry was quick to support the House plan saying it will save jobs and protect critical medical innovation.

“Repeal of the medical device tax is critical for Indiana’s economy and to patients who benefit from advances in medical technology,” said Michael Mahoney, President and CEO at Boston Scientific Corporation. “On behalf of the 800 Boston Scientific employees in Spencer, IN we thank Congressman Larry Bucshon for his leadership in helping to repeal the medical device excise tax.”

“The hundreds of medical device companies of Indiana are grateful for the inclusion of the medical device tax (MDT) repeal in the Continuing Resolution.  Indiana is an international leader in medical device manufacturing, and the repeal of the medical device tax especially will allow the newer and smaller companies to continue the production of innovative life-saving and life-enhancing products,”stated Peggy Welch, the Indiana Medical Device Manufacturers Council Executive Director.  “The repeal will also help Indiana to retain and create quality, good-wage middle-class jobs.  The MDT repeal is a multi-layer win, and we are hopeful that this provision will continue its ride on the CR until the very end.” 

Repealing the medical device tax has received broad, bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. In fact, the Democrat-controlled Senate approved a bill to repeal the tax, in the non-binding budget resolution, 79-20 in March.  Just last year, 37 House Democrats joined their Republican colleagues repeal the tax in a bill (H.R. 436) that passed 270-146. (ABC News; 9/28/13) Bucshon was an original cosponsor of H.R. 436 and is an original cosponsor of H.R. 523 similar version introduced in February.

In a press conference earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) rightfully referred to this 2.3% excise tax on the medical device industry as a, “stupid tax.” Watch the video here - http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/harry-reid-calls-obamacare-medical-device-tax-stupid_757185.html.