Tim Allison Decries Rep. Elton Gallegly’s “No” Vote on bipartisan home energy efficiency and job-creation bill

Ventura, CA—Representative Elton Gallegly was one of 161 votes in opposition to HR 5019, the Home Star Retrofit Act of 2010. This piece of legislation is a bipartisan plan to create 170,000 new jobs, retrofit three million homes, and save households up to 40 percent on energy costs.

“In these turbulent economic times, creating jobs and cutting costs for consumers should be Representative Gallegly’s highest priority,” said Tim Allison, Democratic candidate for the 24th congressional district. “Instead, Gallegly voted “no” to a plan that would have created jobs right here in America and help reduce our dependence on foreign oil. This district deserves a representative who will look beyond “no” and will find creative ways to help families and businesses thrive.”

The Home Star Retrofit Act of 2010 which passed the US House of Representatives 246-161 despite Representative Gallegly’s “no” vote, is endorsed by a broad range of groups including: the National Association of Manufacturers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Home Builders, and the Home Star Coalition, which includes more than 1,000 business and other organizations.

Tim Allison is a candidate in the 24th congressional district which includes the cities of Camarillo, Ventura, Ojai, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Lompoc, Buellton, Santa Ynez, and Solvang. Allison is endorsed by the California Democratic Party, the Sierra Club, the League of Conservation Voters, California Federation of Labor and several others. More information on Tim Allison’s campaign can be found at www.TimAllison.com
Background on HR 5019
•    Most of the jobs in HOME STAR go to small businesses. This work can’t be outsourced because skilled construction jobs are, by nature, local.
•    By further scaling back America’s dependence on fossil fuels, we can reduce our vulnerability to an energy marketplace vulnerable to extreme price swings caused by outside events. Reducing this dependence improves our national security as well as the economic security of American families.
•    Depending on the size of the project, homeowners who take advantage of matching HOME STAR rebates could reduce home energy costs from 5 to 40%. [McKinsey’s 2009 Report, Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Economy]