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Written by Grassley Press
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Tuesday, 21 May 2013 13:38 |
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May 21, 2013 - WASHINGTON – In response to questions from Sen. Chuck Grassley, a top IRS official today acknowledged that the way the agency reportedly treated a small Iowa pro-life group would be inappropriate and took responsibility for planting a question that led to an IRS apology for targeting certain groups applying for tax exemption.
“The IRS has a lot of power over people,” Grassley said. “When the agency abuses its power, it has to be held in check. Otherwise, taxpayers who already fear the IRS will fear it that much more. Distrust among taxpayers and IRS and vice versa undermine the integrity of our tax system.”
Grassley questioned recently resigned IRS acting commissioner Steven Miller at a Finance Committee hearing today on the IRS’ treatment of groups seeking tax exemption. A recent report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration found the IRS inappropriately screened groups using search terms geared toward a conservative political orientation.
Grassley asked Miller whether it was appropriate for the IRS in effect to offer a small Iowa pro-life group a quid pro quo: the group could become a charity if it did not protest in front of Planned Parenthood. Miller said it would not be appropriate for the IRS to offer such a quid pro quo. The group, called Coalition for Life of Iowa, applied to the IRS for charitable status in mid-2009. In addition to the quid pro quo suggestion, the group also received a letter from the IRS asking several invasive questions including the details of the group’s prayer meetings.
Grassley also asked Miller who at the IRS was involved in planting a question at a legal conference regarding the IRS’ treatment of conservative groups. Miller responded that he would take responsibility for the arrangement.
On May 10, Lois Lerner, the head of the IRS tax-exempt organizations group, addressed an American Bar Association conference. She received a question from the audience on the IRS’ targeting of conservative groups and gave a detailed defense of the IRS’ actions. Initially, those involved claimed the question was spontaneous. On May 14, Grassley sent a letter to the IRS raising questions about what led to the incident. Days later, the individual who asked the question admitted that the question was in fact planted at the IRS’ request. Grassley intends to pursue more details on what led to the planted apology.
Video of Grassley’s exchange with Miller is available here.
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Written by Karen Austin
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Tuesday, 21 May 2013 13:34 |
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DES MOINES, IA (05/21/2013)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald's Great Iowa Treasure Hunt spring publication is scheduled to be released soon. The upcoming list is the latest names of unclaimed property owners with undiscovered treasures. This is part of Fitzgerald's continuous promotion of the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt.
"In upcoming weeks, we will be publishing names of people who have had funds turned over to the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt," stated Fitzgerald. "You don't have to wait for the publication, go to greatiowatreasurehunt.com and search the entire list anytime. I encourage everyone to search for their name; a lot of individuals will be pleasantly surprised."
The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $160 million in unclaimed property to more than 394,000 individuals since Fitzgerald started it in 1983. Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property's owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report and deliver unclaimed property to the state treasurer's office, where it is held until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits, safe deposit box contents and many other types of property.
Check the unclaimed property database to see if the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt has property belonging to you. Simply visit greatiowatreasurehunt.com to begin your search.
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Written by Leslie Wertheimer
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Tuesday, 21 May 2013 13:24 |
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Bill Would Ban Sale of High-Capacity Ammunition Magazines
SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement regarding the passage of Senate Bill 1002 out of the Illinois Senate Executive Committee. Governor Quinn has been working to enact this common sense public safety policy since July 2012:
“Today, we took the first step towards banning the sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines in Illinois, which will make our communities safer. By adopting Senate Bill 1002, Illinois would join 10 other states across the country that put reasonable restrictions on the size of these weapons.
“Over the past two days we have heard first-hand about the horrifying damage that high-capacity ammunition magazines can inflict. I am incredibly grateful to the Sandy Hook Elementary parents who have traveled to Illinois to share their stories and lend their voices to this important mission. We must work together on responsible gun laws to help ensure that what happened in Tucson, Ariz., Aurora, Colo., and Newtown, Conn. does not ever happen here.
“I thank the members of the Senate Executive Committee for advancing this measure today. I urge members of both houses to take up this common sense public safety policy in the days to come.”
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Written by Annie Thompson
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Tuesday, 21 May 2013 13:13 |
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SPRINGFIELD – Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will receive the 2013 Moxie Award at the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault’s (ICASA) Annual Statewide Sexual Assault Conference tomorrow in Springfield. Simon was selected as a result of her lifetime of advocating for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
The Moxie Award recognizes individuals who have worked with rape crisis centers in an effort to improve services to victims of sexual assault, pass legislation to end sexual violence, and improve funding for rape crisis centers.
“The recovery process for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence is a long one, and I am committed to making sure they have the tools they need to rebuild their lives,” said Simon. “I appreciate ICASA’s advocacy as we work to increase awareness, and prevent sexual assault and domestic violence.”
Lt. Governor Simon is a former prosecutor who represented victims of domestic violence. Simon worked with Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Olympia Fields) on a new law that requires certain adult entertainment establishments that permit alcohol to collect a surcharge that supports programs that help sexual abuse victims.
As a law professor, she helped launch the Southern Illinois School of Law's domestic violence clinic to serve clients and train law students. Since becoming Lt. Governor, Simon has founded two virtual legal clinics that connect survivors with attorneys through webcam technology. Simon has also partnered with Verizon and advocates to raise revenue and collect used cell phones for survivors.
Simon will be joined by the members of her band, Loose Gravel, for a performance following the award presentation.
DATE: Tuesday, May 21
TIME: 5:15 p.m.
LOCATION: President Abraham Lincoln Hotel & Conference Center, Salons A and B, 701 E. Adams St., Springfield, IL, 62701
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Written by Ashley Jared
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Tuesday, 21 May 2013 12:40 |
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Summer homeownership contest aims to spur awareness of homeownership benefits, resources
(DES MOINES) – The Branstad/Reynolds Administration today announced an innovative summer social media contest hosted by the Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Association of Realtors®, Iowa Home Ownership Education Project and the Iowa Mortgage Association to help spur home sales this summer. The organizations are asking all Iowa mortgage lenders, housing counselors and Realtors® to ask their clients to show-off their best home improvement projects for a chance to win the statewide competition.
Participants will be asked to write a word or short phrase that best describes the project on a memo board and submit the photo throughout national homeownership month in June. Entries will be voted on by the public at facebook.com/MeaningofHomeownership in July and the winning entry will receive a $2,500 Lowe’s gift card. The lender/ housing counselor and Realtor® with the most combined votes will each receive a $2,500 community betterment grant. Any Iowa lender, housing counselor or Realtor® may sign-up to participate, and is encouraged to do so by visiting IowaFinanceAuthority.gov/Contest.
“This proactive partnership between these industry organizations with a shared mission of advancing homeownership within our state is commendable,” said Governor Branstad. “I encourage all Iowa lenders, housing counselors, Realtors® and Iowans to participate in this unique opportunity and to learn more about homeownership resources available in our state.”
“Homeownership not only forms a strong foundation for Iowa families, but it is a strong contributor to vibrant neighborhoods, strong communities and ultimately a thriving state,” said Lt. Governor Reynolds.
“The Iowa Finance Authority offers many resources to assist Iowa home buyers and this contest is a fun way to raise awareness of these programs and the overarching benefits of homeownership in partnership with other organizations within Iowa’s housing industry,” said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Dave Jamison.
“Nearly 35,000 Iowans purchased a home last year, a slight increase from 2011, and I’m confident that partnerships amongst Iowa housing organizations and professionals – like the one between the Iowa Association of Realtors®, Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Home Ownership Education Project and the Iowa Mortgage Association will assist in keeping that growth pattern,” said Iowa Association of Realtors® CEO Dave Bert.
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