The cherry blossoms are in full bloom in D.C. and spring is finally here, but across East Alabama folks are still scratching their heads asking: where are the jobs?

The latest unemployment numbers came out recently putting Alabama at 9.3 percent.

Although the number is down from 10.2 percent a year ago, we still have too many folks across the state out of work.

That’s why every small step Congress takes to help on the jobs front is important.

Some of you who own a small business in East Alabama may have received an email from me recently called America’s Job Creators.

America’s Job Creators is a communications tool to help small business owners send me and others in Congress examples of “red tape” or other burdensome regulations by the Federal government that keeps them from creating or saving good paying jobs.

I’d love to hear from all of our small business owners across the Third District.

If you own a small business and are interested in participating, please go to my website at www.mike-rogers.house.gov and click on the “America’s Job Creators” button on the right hand side to fill out the form.

With this information, I hope to even better advocate for policies that help for job creation and retention in East Alabama.

Of course, getting our fiscal house in order will help strengthen our economy as well. As of writing this week, there was the possibility of a government shutdown or slowdown because the Senate would not pass a bill that makes reasonable cuts to the Federal budget. It is disappointing to see the lack of leadership from President Obama on the budget as well.

Also on the jobs front, this week I was making final preparations to introduce a bill, the Modern Security Credentialing Act, to help simplify transportation security regulations.

As Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security, I drafted this bill not only to help keep our roads and ports safe, but also to streamline redundant background check processes and reduce costs.

Above all, I am hopeful this bill will help create and fill jobs. Just ask any trucker – to get fully credentialed to pull all types of freight is a paperwork nightmare. Multiple agencies, lots of fees and far too much wait time make it hard for folks to get trucking jobs.

My bill would let the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) streamline the credentialing process while maintaining high security standards. The bill would also standardize background checks for port, airport and truck credentialing, making it easier for applicants to obtain a badge and get a job.

At the end of the day, I am hopeful this legislation will cut costs and allow trucking businesses across East Alabama and the country to hire additional personnel.

It’s still all about the jobs, and I hope Congress will continue to work to help cut the regulations on small businesses. As always, feel free to contact me on this or any issue at www.mike-rogers.house.gov, become a fan on Facebook at Congressman Mike D. Rogers, follow me on Twitter at RepMikeRogersAL and subscribe to my YouTube page at MikeRogersAL03.

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