New elementary school in south Salem

http://www.salkeiz.k12.or.us/content/new-east-and-south-salem-elementary-school-construction-photos

http://www.salkeiz.k12.or.us/content/boundary-process-begins-new-east-and-south-salem-schools

Hope in Housing market

Found nice article on a positive predictions on housing market

http://portlandrealestateblPublish Postog.com/realestate/2011/10/portland-real-estate-prices-rise-59

Fed Announces operation twist

Thinking of refinancing ? there is a good chance you getting 30 yr fixed @3.85% and 15% fixed @ 2.875 read more @ http://www.cnbc.com/id/44612678/ and http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/consumer_rates/229814.aspx

For latest update

Please check the following link to get the news about any immigration reforms at http://judiciary.house.gov/

Fairness for high Skilled Immigration

This morning I learnt that bill might be introduced in the house, if everything goes according to IV. The person who suppose to introduce was sick yesterday and but he showed up to work and took care of few crucial steps needed to introduce the bill. So there is a hope.



Bill Name: Fairness for High Skilled Immigration.


Will be introduced in the house by : Jason chaffetz - Tea party republican - Utah
Lamar smith -Texas 21st district republican

Zoe Lofgren - Democrat from Silicon valley( IV member Prateek developed a good relationhsip with congresswoman's office in the San Jose) . He is a very inspiring person.

In the Senate by :
Charlies E Schumer - Democrat - NJ
Robert Merendez - Democart - NY


As soon as the bill introduced in the house I will post the key provisions of the bill here.IV showed me the Bill draft version.

Our key man at Capital Hill - Scott

IV Founders

Aman Kapoor - Founder IV (Person standing on right hand side Holding some papers).

Prateek - IV CA Presindet , Secratery

Little Hope

Thank you all for supporting, First time I felt that we can do something together, than fighting alone /doing nothing. People respond if you take charge and talk for your issues.

Here are few highlights of what exactly IV is doing in Washington D.C

IV Hired a lobbyist to speak on behalf of all people stuck in the green card mess . In 2010 with money donated by people like us. Aim was to come up with a bill that is acceptable to at least 60 % of the US Congress/Senate. IV met with several law makers and found that it is very difficult to get anything done in the current political environment. But IV did not lose hope, kept on asking lawmakers to do something. After several meetings and big push from Microsoft and other big companies they have agreed to do ONE THING. I Have been requested by IV not mention it online( Talk to chetan for more information) .

Here is the process and time lines for this "ONE THING"

1. This Bill will be interested in House under suspention option. This bill is supported by Tea party republicans with support of democrats from CA, NY and NJ.

2. It is likely to go on voting in the month of Ocober in House - Our lobbyist is pretty confident that this will go thru house with few members’ opposition.

3. This bill will introduced in senate in the same month and it this needs to be "hotline" (100% supports in the senate). We have support from a big opponent who does not support any kind immigration reform other than CIR( nothing but GC for all , this senator has grassroots of neighbor country ) and which is 50% win for us and remaining 50% work being done by IV Lobbyist , Microsoft and other software companies .At this time we have a hope that we have chance that this bill get through senate. However If some politician oppose this bill last minute we will have to do it from the beginning , But who ever opposes this bill been told that they will not get donations for their next election from the companies supporting this bill.



I met with 3 senate and 2 congressmen staff members to explain why it is so important for united state of America to pass this bill . Few reasons IV wants us to stressed upon are

1. We are not able to live the life to the full potential in USA because of Green card Limbo mode.

2. Fair treatment of allocation of green cards to all EB categories.

3. We are able and capable of buying homes, starting business and creating more jobs with our High skills.
4. We are model citizens , we save money , have good educational background, live with high family values, raise kids with good education and family values. Don’t you think US should consider GC for legal immigrants?
5. We are not here to ask increase in the green card numbers or Increase in the H1b Visas, we are here to stress upon “ONE THING”


Got very good response from All congressmen and senators and a overwhelming support from Oregon senators. I feel we should send a thank you letters for their staff and Senators for supporting us.



Who is opposing bill other than above SAID , Guess what ? TCS , INFOSYS ,WIPRO and CTS. Will discuss in detail when I come back from D.C.

Keep them coming

Thank you, Ajay, for representing Oregonian's at DC.

Keep posting your updates as an when you get a chance.

Chetan.

Immigration Voice- Washington D.C Meeting Agenda

Schedule and Logistics:

Logistics support and core members for the event are

Anu Mysore from FL, Aman Kapoor From D.C and Aswin from CA

Visit http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=57&Itemid=49 for more information.

Schedule :

17th Sept - Hyatt Regency 4pm-8pm
Capitol Hill Hyatt
400 New Jersey Avenue NW
Washington DC 20001

Regency B Conf Room from 4pm-8pm
Organizing and logistical help

18th Sept - Hyatt Regency - Regency B Conf Room from 9am - 7:30pm
Arrival 9 am - 11 am Breakfast
Advocacy Training
Dinner Reception 8pm-10pm
White Tiger
301 Massachusetts Ave NE
Washington DC 20002
202-546-5900

19th Sept - Hyatt Regency - Regency B Conf Room
Arrival at 8:30 am - 11 am Breakfast.
Meetings from 9 am - 5 pm
Back at Hyatt for meeting feedback

20th Sept - Hyatt Regency - Regency B Conf Room
Arrival at 8:30 am - 11 am Breakfast.
Meetings from 9 am - 5 pm
Back at Hyatt for legislative meeting feedback
Congressional Reception 6pm-7:30pm
Microsoft Government Affairs
901 K Street, NW; 11 floor
Washington DC

This event is represented By Ajay Challagundla for Oregon.