This new year is a chance for a lot of people in District One to start fresh. 2009 was a tough time for Greater Arizonans, and too many had to fight to make ends meet.

For the next 12 months, I will be focusing on ending the downturn so that this year is not just more of the same for folks here. Getting our economy moving again is and remains one of my top priorities, and I will continue to push for common-sense solutions to create jobs and get folks back to work.

I have visited small businesses across the district to discuss how we can get our economy on track.

With our national debt now well over $12 trillion, Washington needs to find the right balance between investing in our future and learning to do more with less. We should be making smart investments in our critical infrastructure that will spur economic growth- but at the same time, we have to make sure wasteful spending is cut and taxpayer dollars are spent effectively.

To serve both these goals in 2010, I will be working to make progress on job creation efforts that require the federal government to act but will cost us little, including:

Fighting for the Copper Basin Jobs Project – I have spent months pushing to move this cost-free project forward, so that we can create more than 1,000 well-paying, 21st-century jobs in the district and help Arizona realize its full economic potential. I will keep up my fight to win support for the Copper Basin Jobs Project in Congress and within the Administration.

Ending a Wasteful Tax Break – I have led the campaign to shut down the “black liquor” tax break, which is threatening local employers and could cost taxpayers up to $25 billion. We successfully blocked the extension of the original loophole, which expired on December 31, saving jobs and money at the same time. I am committed to standing up against all efforts to preserve this wasteful and destructive tax break.

Enacting the Four Forest Initiative – This plan, which is supported by a broad-based coalition, will change the way our national forests are managed– helping protect us from devastating wildfires, benefitting Arizona’s environment and creating new economic opportunities. I will be urging the Department of Agriculture to put this proposal into practice so that we can start bringing new jobs to District One.

In July, I personally toured the Catalyst Paper Mill in Snowflake, which is at risk of shutting down as a result of the black liquor tax break.

These projects and others like them will help folks get back to work without driving the country further into debt, and I will fight tirelessly to see them through. I will also continue to help small businesses more easily access investment dollars, so that they can play their crucial role as the engine of our economy, and work to curb excessive regulations and bureaucracy that can slow job creation. The economy is still the most important issue for Arizonans, and there is much to do to speed up our recovery.

However, this will certainly not be my only focus in 2010, as we need to give national security the attention it deserves. The recent attack was a stark reminder of the dangers we face, and we must do more to guard ourselves against terrorists and other threats to our Nation.

As Arizona’s only representative on the House Committee on Homeland Security, I am determined to work with our intelligence community to correct the failures that allowed the attempted plot to move forward and to keep our country and our citizens safe. The investigations into what went wrong must be only the beginning of a sustained campaign to improve our security structure and battle global terrorism.

Along with my efforts on these issues, I will be continuing my work to reduce our record national debt, secure our borders and provide an independent voice for Arizona’s values. I will be sure to keep you updated on what is happening in all of these vital areas.

I took the time to listen to this constituent, and I am always looking to hear more of your thoughts and opinions – please feel free to contact me.

Taking on these challenges will not be easy. Washington needs more good ideas to make good policy, and these good ideas always come from the American people. Please e-mail or call my office with your comments and suggestions, so that I can share them in Congress.

Thanks in advance for passing along your ideas– we will look forward to putting them to good use as we fight to get District One back on track in 2010!