Bettendorf – Enjoy an evening at the Family Museum for free! On Presidents' Day February 20, 2012, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm admission is free for everyone at the Family Museum located at 2900 Learning Campus Drive in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Visitors can explore agriculture and weather in Amazing Acres by making a cloud, touching a tornado, driving a John Deere combine, and shopping in the Amazing Acres Market. Little ones can play safely in PlayHouse by creating a meal in the Alphabet Kitchen, interacting with the virtual pond, and playing house. Busy Bodies has a large heart that visitors can walk through, and the rhythm of the heart may inspire some visitors to create their own rhythms in Rhythm Alley with a pentaphone. There is so much to do at the Family Museum!

For more information, visit the Family Museum's website www.familymuseum.org.

Legislation withholds pay if Congress doesn't pass spending/budget bills on time each year

Washington, DC - As President Obama unveiled his 2013 federal budget proposal today, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) signed on as a cosponsor to "No Budget, No Pay" legislation that would block pay for members of Congress if they're unable to make spending and budget decisions on time each year.

The most basic responsibility Congress has is deciding how much money the government takes in and how much it spends.  However, Congress has only passed its spending bills on time only four times since 1952.  In the last 14 years, annual spending bills have been submitted an average of 14 months late.

"In the real world, there are real consequences if deadlines aren't met," Braley said.  "There should also be real consequences if Congress can't meet its deadlines.  I can think of few stronger incentives to get politicians to do their job than tying their pay to their job performance.  This idea is a powerful way to restore a little common sense to a Congress that has none."

 

Every government fiscal year begins on October 1^st.  Under the "No Budget, No Pay" proposal, if the congressional spending process is not completed by that date each year, congressional pay ceases and isn't restored until it is completed.

For the current fiscal year, Congress was nearly three months overdue in completing the annual budget and spending process.

The "No Budget, No Pay" legislation is a key component of the "Make Congress Work" reform plan of the No Labels organization, a group of Republicans, Democrats, and independents dedicated to bringing people together and making government function again.  In December, Braley joined No Labels to unveil the plan.

For more information on the proposal visit the following link: http://action.nolabels.org/bill/no-budget-no-pay

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ANKENY, IA, Feb. 10, 2012 - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack held a roundtable meeting today with local business and agricultural leaders at the Des Moines Area Community College to discuss the vision laid out in President Obama's State of the Union address that will help grow the Iowa economy. The meeting provided Secretary Vilsack with an opportunity to hear directly from Iowans on how to make sure our students and workers get the education and training they need so that we have a workforce ready to take on the jobs of today and tomorrow.

"President Obama believes this is a make or break moment for the middle class and has laid out a blueprint for an economy that is built to last?an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values," said Vilsack. "Today I had the opportunity to hear directly from Iowans on how we work together to build a nation where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules. Together we will keep our nation moving forward and rebuild an economy where hard work pays off and responsibility is rewarded."

Last Friday's employment report shows that private sector payrolls increased by 257,000 in January and the unemployment rate fell to 8.3 percent. After losing more than 8 million jobs in the recession, the economy has added private sector jobs for 23 straight months, for a total of 3.7 million jobs over that period. Manufacturing jobs are coming back and the auto industry has rebounded. In the last 12 months, 2.2 million private sector jobs were added on net. To ensure we build an economy to last over the long term, we must continue this progress. In his State of the Union Address, the President announced proposals and outlined his vision for:

• How we will bring about a new era of American manufacturing, with more good jobs and more products stamped Made in the USA;
• A new era for American energy?an economy fueled by homegrown and alternative energy sources that will be designed and produced by American workers;
• How we will make sure our students and workers get the education and training they need so that we have a workforce ready to take on the jobs of today and tomorrow; and
• Return to American Values - of fairness for all, and responsibility from all.

USDA is working to support the President's efforts to promote a new era of American manufacturing by supporting rural businesses, farmers and ranchers to export products made or grown in America. USDA is also supporting the President's vision for a new era for American made renewable energy by working with scientists, farmers and entrepreneurs to help develop a nationwide biofuels economy that will create hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout the countryside.

In Iowa, USDA has provided 62 grants and loans to assist rural small and mid-sized businesses create or save 5,300 jobs over the past three years. USDA has also improved and modernized rural electric infrastructure for over 91,000 rural residents and businesses in Iowa with more than 2,636 miles of new and upgraded electric lines. Across the country, USDA has helped more than 7,435 rural families in all 99 counties buy or refinance a home. The department has provided grants and loans for water and waste water community infrastructure projects to help safeguard the health of 257,000 rural residents and create or save 1,900 jobs.

Learn more about President Obama's Blueprint for an America Built to Last here.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2012- TOMORROW,  will host a roundtable with Iowa agriculture and business leaders as well as Des Moines Area Community College faculty and students to discuss President Obama's efforts to strengthen the Iowa economy. He will also discuss USDA's efforts to support Iowa's rural communities and agriculture sector. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

 

In Iowa, USDA has provided 62 grants and loans to assist rural small and mid-sized businesses create or save 5,300 jobs over the past three years. USDA has also improved and modernized rural electric infrastructure for over 91,000 rural residents and businesses in Iowa with more than 2,636 miles of new and upgraded electric lines. Across the country, USDA has helped more than 7,435 rural families in all 99 counties buy or refinance a home.  The department has provided grants and loans for water and waste water community infrastructure projects to help safeguard the health of 257,000 rural residents and create or save 1,900 jobs.

 

Friday, Feb. 10, 2012

9:45 a.m. CST

 

WHAT: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will host a roundtable with Iowa agriculture

and business leaders as well as Des Moines Area Community College faculty and students to discuss President Obama's efforts to strengthen the Iowa economy.

 

WHERE: Des Moines Area Community College- Room 101

Building 3E

2006 South Ankeny Blvd.

Ankeny, Iowa 50023