The Serrano Report, Vol. IX, #5

On Capitol Hill

Serrano Asks FTC about Puerto Rico

After hearing complaints about unfair treatment of customers in Puerto Rico by large companies, Congressman Serrano questioned the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, Jon Leibowitz, about the issue during the FTC's annual budget hearing in front of the Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee. Chairman Leibowitz told Serrano that his agency would look into the matter and make sure that Puerto Rican customers were not being treated unfairly by large corporations.

“I have long been concerned that certain companies may have different standards for customers in Puerto Rico than in other places in our nation,” said Congressman Serrano. “I am unhappy with the thought of American citizens being treated differently simply because of where they placed an order with a national retailer. I understand that there could be different shipping costs and other factors, but every effort must be made to ensure fairness and equality for all American consumers regardless of location. I am very gratified to know that the Federal Trade Commission will look into this issue, report to me what it finds, and take appropriate action.”

Congressman Serrano is the senior Democrat on the powerful Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees the annual budget of a number of agencies including the Federal Trade Commission. While sitting on the Appropriations Committee, Congressman Serrano has placed special emphasis on ensuring that all agencies treat the territories fairly and equitably in all matters.

Serrano Questions Head of SEC

On Tuesday, Congressman Serrano asked the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mary Schapiro, about the agency's enforcement policies during a hearing on the SEC's budget in front of the Financial Services Subcommittee. For the coming year, the SEC has requested a budget increase to help them better police the securities markets and to protect investors.

"The financial crisis highlighted the need to have a robust 'cop on the beat' to make sure the American people are protected," said Serrano.  "The SEC is responsible for making sure that what happened in the past is never repeated, and we must provide them with the funding they need to do the job."

Congressman Serrano asked Schapiro about the SEC's staffing needs and the implementation of the landmark Dodd-Frank law, which gave the SEC a number of new responsibilities to help protect consumers. In addition to his questions, Serrano expressed concern about the SEC's settlement policies, in which they sometimes allow defendants accused of wrongdoing to pay a monetary settlement without admitting any guilt. Serrano suggested that such a policy does not provide enough of a deterrent for future wrongdoers.

Serrano Urges Restoration of Local Rivers

On Tuesday, Congressman Serrano asked the head of the U.S. Geological Survey to commit her agency to help with the ongoing restoration of the Bronx and Harlem Rivers. The exchange came the agency's FY 2013 budget hearing in front of the Interior Subcommittee. 

The director, Marsha McNutt, answered that her agency stood ready to assist in the project and was in contact with local groups seeking input on how best to be of use. Among other possible contributions, she mentioned the ability of her agency to conduct water quality surveys on the Bronx waterways. 

According to the USGS it “serves the Nation by providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth.” As a result, Serrano believes the agency would be an invaluable ally in the environmental restoration process in the Bronx and Harlem Rivers. 

“I was gratified to hear that the USGS is willing to take part in the restoration of our local rivers,” said Serrano. “We will be following up with them to ensure that their information gathering capability is applied to the efforts we are making. Having the best data available on things like water quality will make the planning and execution of our continued clean up much more effective. I look forward to bringing another federal partner into what has been such a successful effort.”

Serrano Meets with D.C. Mayor

On Tuesday, Congressman Serrano met with Vincent Gray, the Mayor of Washington, D.C. The Financial Services Subcommittee oversees the budget of the District of Columbia. Serrano told Gray that he would prefer to leave D.C.'s issues to its own elected leaders, and that he would continue to work to give D.C. budget autonomy. Serrano also talked to Gray about the successes and challenges that the District is experiencing. Finally, they also discussed baseball and the upcoming interleague games between the Nationals and Yankees.

Serrano and Gray after the meeting

Grant

Education and Job Placement Grant

Deadline: May 8, 2012

The Employment and Training Administration  of the Department of Labor recently announced the availability of grant funding to help provide education, jobs skills training, and employment services to disadvantaged youth. The funding comes under the agency's YouthBuild program, which aims to give students the opportunity to graduate high school or obtain an equivalency degree while also gaining occupational skills. Non-profits and other groups that are eligible to provide education or employment training are encouraged to apply.

For more information about this grant please visit the Department of Labor's website (PDF). 

For more information about other federal grants please visit grants.gov.