Rep. Brad Sherman visited with constituents from the business community at a Town Hall luncheon sponsored by the Woodland Hills-Tarzana Chamber of Commerce. Sherman addressed approximately 200 people in attendance at the Marriott, Warner Center on Aug. 20 about several issues, ranging from healthcare reform to the local real estate market. However, the lion’s share of the Democratic congressman’s remarks focused on the heated debate regarding medical coverage in the United States and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the Stimulus Bill. Rep. Sherman said he is only partially satisfied with the way Stimulus money is hitting the streets in the region, but in the same sentence, reminded constituents of more than $4 million he secured for Metro Orange Line projects. Part of that money included was earmarked for construction of a new Warner Center Transit Center. The popular Orange Line will be extended with a $225 million addition of the busway, which will pass through Canoga Park into Chatsworth and be completed by the end of 2010. The congressman also said he would like to see the so-called conforming loan limit of $729,750 for Fannie Mae loans made in states, such as California, where real estate is priced higher than in most other states, made permanent. Sherman told the crowd he will decide whether or not to support a healthcare bill, when a final version is presented to congress. Thom Senzee
