30 Jul 2014

Loebsack Unveils "Holding Congress Accountable" Legislative Package

By Rick Martin

Bills include Congressional pay cut, lobby ban & greater transparency

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today unveiled his "Holding Congress Accountable" legislative package. This package is a set of bills that Loebsack authored or helped introduce to restore the American people's faith in their government. The package includes Loebsack's bill to cut member's pay for the first time since the Great Depression, provides for greater transparency when member's report official travel and permanently bans all members from becoming lobbyists when they leave Congress. Loebsack has personally vowed to never become a lobbyist himself when he leaves Congress.

Loebsack recorded a short video discussing his proposal. Click here to watch.

"Being a Member of Congress means putting people first and working for the things that are important to the people we were chosen to represent, not special interests. The American people deserve better. It's time for Congress to show it is serious about making good choices for the country. It's time Congress is held accountable and does what's right so the American people can have trust in the work that their government is doing," said Loebsack.

Since coming into office, Loebsack has set out to change the culture of Washington. Starting in 2007, he worked to pass the largest ethics reform since Watergate. He is also pushing to cut member's pay, which hasn't been cut in over 80 years, end the revolving door between lobbyists and Congress, get budgets passed on time, and is fighting to hold members of Congress accountable for actually doing what they were sent to Washington to do.

The bills in Loebsack's "Holding Congress Accountable" package include the following:

H.R. 398, the Congressional Halt in Pay Increases and Cut Congressional Pay Act - Introduced by Loebsack to amend the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to eliminate the automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress, and reduces their compensation by 10%.

H.Res. 659, the Congressional Travel Disclosure Act - Introduced by Loebsack to amend the Rules of the House of Representatives to expand disclosure requirements for privately sponsored travel taken by Members of Congress.

H.R. 4014, Permanent Lobbying Ban - Cosponsored by Loebsack to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit former Members of Congress from engaging in lobbying contacts.

H.R. 440, the Stop the Revolving Door in Washington Act - Cosponsored by Loebsack to impose: (1) a five-year lobbying ban on all former Members of Congress; and (2) a two-year (currently, one-year) ban on lobbying contacts by former elected officers of either chamber, former congressional employees, or former employees of any other legislative office with any Member, officer, or employee.

H.R. 5095, the Ensuring Trust and Honorability In Congressional Standards (ETHICS) Act - Cosponsored by Loebsack to amend current law to require House Members to complete annual ethics training, which is already a legal requirement for Senators.

H.R. 20, the Government By the People Act of 2014 - Cosponsored by Loebsack to amend the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to allow a refundable credit of 50% of qualified congressional House campaign contributions paid or incurred during the taxable year (contributions of cash by an individual to a House candidate or a political committee established and maintained by a national political party if the contribution is not prohibited under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971).

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30 Jul 2014

Will you walk with Bobby Schilling this weekend?

By Bobby Schilling
We are participating in the Coal Valley Days parade on Saturday and we would love for you to join us.

WHAT: Walk with Bobby Schilling at the Coal Valley Days Parade
WHEN: Saturday, August 2nd with line-up at 10:00 A.M and a start of 11:00 A.M. 
WHERE: The staging area is at the corner of 1st Street and 17th Avenue in Coal Valley near Trimble Funeral Home.

Be sure to wear your Bobby Schilling t-shirt! Let's get a big crowd out to Coal Valley.

In Liberty,

Team Schilling
30 Jul 2014

Lt. Gov. Reynolds selected as Chair-Elect of National Lieutenant Governors Association

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

Reynolds to begin her term as Chair in summer of 2015

(DES MOINES) - Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today was selected as the Chair-Elect of the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA).  The selection places Reynolds in a leadership rotation with Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman (D-Conn.) and Lt. Gov. Matt Michels (R-S.D.). Reynolds' term as Chair will begin in July of 2015.

"I am honored to have been selected to help lead the National Lieutenant Governors Association," said Reynolds.  "Iowa has a great story to share with other states. We're using innovative teaching to provide our children with a world-class education, installing sound budgeting principles, working to bring quality careers to Iowa and moving our state forward. I look forward to continuing to share Iowa's message of working together to advance our state's priorities and I am eager to learn what best practices we can bring here from other states."

The Association provides research and best practices exchange to the officeholders first in line of succession to governor in all 50 states and the U.S. territories.

The committee meets about three times a year and is responsible for charting the course of policy issues and national impact to be pursued by the nation's second-highest state and territorial officeholders.  In addition to its specific duties, the committee will also address issues of mutual concern to all members.

Reynolds was elected Iowa's 45th Lieutenant Governor on November 2, 2010.  She serves as the co-chair of the Governor's Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Advisory Council. Her passion for STEM education was recognized by STEMconnectorTM when she was the only elected official named to their "100 Women Leaders in STEM." She currently chairs their STEM Food & Ag Council. She has led economic development trade missions to China, Germany, South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand.

A photo of Reynolds can be found here.  For more information, please visit www.ltgovernor.iowa.gov.

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30 Jul 2014

Iowans of the Day Selected for the 2014 Iowa State Fair

By Emily Friedricks

DES MOINES, IA (07/30/2014)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are pleased to announce the recipients of the Iowan of the Day award for the 2014 Iowa State Fair.

Each winner will receive a special day of perks at the Iowa State Fair. Along with accommodations at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott, they will each receive a cash prize, grandstand tickets, use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart, and one year subscriptions to the Iowan and Iowa Gardening magazines. There will also be a recognition ceremony in the afternoon on their day on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation began the Iowan of the Day award in 1997 to honor those Iowans who have truly made a difference in their communities. This year, the judges reviewed hundreds of nominations and selected those that demonstrate integrity, Iowa pride, hard work and dedication.

"We are so pleased to recognize these tremendous individuals as Iowans of the Day," said Peter Cownie, Executive Director of the Blue Ribbon Foundation. "Their volunteerism, dedication and service to their community and to the state of Iowa make each one deserving of this honor."

The 2014 Iowan of the Day recipients are:

Wilbur Cordes of Allison

Governor Robert Ray of Des Moines

Merlyn Feddersen of Hartley

Bob Norris of Shenandoah

Karen Spurgeon of Bloomfield

Cecil Rueter of Grand Junction

Joan Allsup of Mitchellville

Don Hinners of Carroll

Devere Ganzer of Grand Mound (see below)

Mary Beth Jaggard of Oelwein

Devere Ganzer Named Iowan of the Day

DES MOINES, IA (07/30/2014)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are pleased to present Devere Ganzer of Grand Mound as an Iowan of the Day for the 2014 Iowa State Fair.

Ganzer depicts what it truly means to be an Iowan. He was an active farmer for much of his life, farming in three different counties. Now, at 85, he is still working part-time for Big Gain in Elwood, IA and also participates in 4-H. Since 1963, Ganzer has been involved in county fairs as the announcer of tractor pulls. He has announced at the Scott County Fair, Miles Thresher Days, the Grand Mound Tractor Pull, Clinton County Fair, Dubuque County Fair and Jackson County Fair. Another passion of his is square dancing, and he stays active by square dancing and also playing volleyball. A volunteer on top of everything else, Ganzer spends time visiting with seniors at some of the Nursing Homes in Cedar Falls. He also helps community members by getting groceries and running errands for those who are unable to drive themselves.

"Devere represents the heart of an Iowan in his spirit, generosity and citizenship," said State Representative Brian Moore.

Ganzer's day of recognition will be Friday, August 15, at the 2014 Iowa State Fair. Along with accommodations at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott, he will receive a cash prize, grandstand tickets and use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart. Ganzer will also receive a special introduction on August 15, at 2:15 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.

Founded in 1997, the Iowan of the Day program allows the Blue Ribbon Foundation to recognize Iowa's most outstanding individuals. The program continues to honor Iowan's across the state who have made a difference in others' lives, while upholding the characteristics associated with Iowa-dependability, integrity, hard work and sense of community.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since 1993, the Foundation has generated more than $100 million for renovations and improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

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30 Jul 2014

Braley-Backed Anti-Spoofing Legislation Clears Committee Hurdle

By Kirsten Hartman

Congressman continues fight to prevent scams targeting Iowa seniors

Washington, D.C. - Continuing his fight to protect Iowa's seniors from scam-artists, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today supported the bipartisan Anti-Spoofing Act, which unanimously passed during a vote of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

"Scam artists are constantly refining their tactics in order to prey upon seniors?and it's imperative that we take quick action to keep our seniors safe and protected," Braley said. "The pathetic frauds engaged in this activity deserve to be punished." 

After reports of caller ID "spoofing" fraud in Iowa, Braley has fought to advance this bill, which would prohibit deceptive caller ID spoofing?a popular scam that defrauds unsuspecting seniors by displaying a name or entity on caller ID that appears to be trustworthy.

In 2009, the Truth in Caller ID Act was signed into law to prohibit caller ID spoofing when it is done to defraud or otherwise cause harm. The Anti-Spoofing Act improves, updates, and expands upon this existing law by broadening it to include text messaging and new internet-based telephone services as well as expanding the law to prevent spoofing from foreigners.

Braley has set up a Consumer Protection page on Congressman Braley's website for constituents to read more about other deceptive and fraudulent practices and how consumers can protect themselves.

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30 Jul 2014

Action Coalition Launches Iowa's First Online Nurse Residency Program

By Rick Martin

The Nurse Residency Task Force in the Iowa Action Coalition has developed an innovative, online nurse residency program that is designed to help recent graduates transition into their new roles as professional nurses.

The program's competency-based curriculum is delivered using a combination of live webinars as well as interactive, online modules and can be implemented in a variety of clinical settings across the United States.

Based on best practices and the latest research, the program's curriculum addresses competencies that are sometimes underdeveloped or lacking in new nurse graduates. Curriculum topics include transition from student to professional nurse; communication with patient care providers; responsibilities of the professional nurse, including evidence-based practice; and decision-making at the point of care.

Click here for a short video describing the online residency program.

For more information, visit the Iowa Nurse Residency Program at

http://campaignforaction.org/resource/iowa-online-nurse-residency-program

STORY SOURCE: University of Iowa College of Nursing, 101 Nursing Building, Iowa City, Iowa 52242

CONTACT: Kathryn Dorsey, University of Iowa College of Nursing, 319-335-7008 or kathryn-dorsey@uiowa.edu

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30 Jul 2014

Pandas - A Journey Home on the GIANT screen

By Putnam Museum

If you missed the premiere, be sure to stop by the GIANT screen this weekend for PANDAS - A JOURNEY HOME.

You will fall in love anew with this iconic delightful creature and better understand the desparate plight of pandas in the wild.

Presented by National Geographic

Click here for a sneak
peek of the film!

Putnam Museum, 1717 W 12th Street | Davenport, Iowa | (563)324-1933 | putnam.org

30 Jul 2014

Ernst's "Perfect World" Would Eliminate RFS, Threaten Nearly 75,000 Iowa Jobs

By Rick Martin
Ernst spokesperson: "In a perfect world, in a free market, [Ernst] would support doing away with (the RFS)"
Des Moines, IA - After two days of trying to explain away her "philosophical opposition" to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that supports nearly 75,000 Iowa jobs and her attendance tonight at a DC fundraiser sponsored by big oil special interests who want to gut the RFS, last night Ernst's campaign offered some much-needed clarification on Ernst's position:
"In a perfect world, in a free market, [Ernst] would support doing away with (the RFS)" -Sioux City Journal

To clarify, this is what is included in Ernst's "perfect world:"
  • The Renewable Fuel Standard would be eliminated
  • 75,000 Iowa jobs, and more than $5 billion in annual wages, would be threatened
  • Ernst's big oil supporters like the Koch Brothers and ExonnMobil would benefit, while Iowa workers and rural communities would suffer
  • Important innovation promoted by the RFS would be halted, and America's dependence on foreign oil would be increased

"Joni Ernst's 'perfect world' is a nightmare for Iowa's economy and the nearly 75,000 Iowans whose jobs are supported by the Renewable Fuel Standard in the real world," said Braley for Iowa spokesman Sam Lau. "It's clear that neither Ernst nor her campaign can explain away her philosophical opposition to the RFS, or why tonight she will attend a fundraiser hosted by big oil special interests who want to gut Iowa's energy industry.  While Bruce Braley is fighting to protect the RFS and strengthen Iowa's economy, Ernst continues to put the big oil special interests before Iowa."

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30 Jul 2014

Upcoming Adler Shows

By Adler Theatre

Jim Brickman On A Winter's Night Tour

Jim Brickman will showcase new music, along with holiday favorites and the hits that made him the most charted (30) Billboard® Adult Contemporary artist, earning him two Grammy® nods and four gold albums. With featured musical guests, feelings of hope and joy are fused together with Jim's most beloved hits like "Valentine," "If You Believe," "The Gift," "Angel Eyes," and "Sending You A Little Christmas."  You'll be reminded of what we cherish during the most wonderful time of the year...Togetherness.   Tickets on sale Friday, August 1 at 10 a.m.

Loretta Lynn - 50 Years of Music

Three of Lynn's songs have been named on Rolling Stone magazine's poll of the "100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time,", including the #19 spot for "Don't Come Home a Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind)." Join us for a pre-show dinner!

Bill Maher - Live Stand-Up Tour

Bill Maher has written five bestsellers, has received 32 Emmy nominations and his documentary "Religulous" is the 8th Highest Grossing Documentary ever.  Maher performs at least fifty dates a year in Las Vegas and in sold out theaters all across the country.  Get your tickets early to make sure you don't miss this opportunity!

30 Jul 2014

BANDITS BOP LUMBERKINGS 7-5 FOR FOURTH IN A ROW

By Scott Kornberg

Phillips and McDonald each homer again while Thurman matches career-high with seven innings

DAVENPORT, Iowa. (July 29, 2014) - Brett Phillips and Chase McDonald each homered while Andrew Thurman overcame a rough first inning to match a career-high with seven frames as the Quad Cities River Bandits won their fourth in a row and ninth of 10 by bopping the Clinton LumberKings 7-5 in front of 3,270 at Modern Woodmen Park.

Each of the first four LumberKings (13-24 second half, 43-62 overall) to come to the plate in the first all singled off Thurman (5-6), with Justin Seager's base hit bringing in two runs to give Clinton an early 2-0 advantage. After Thurman induced a 4-6-3 double play, Christian Carmichael doubled in Chantz Mack to make it 3-0. Thurman would give up four runs on seven hits in his seven frames, walking two and striking out seven.

The Bandits (21-16, 56-50), though, responded immediately when Phillips rocketed the second pitch from Clinton starter Edwin Diaz (3-7) way over the right-center field wall for his 11th home run of the season and seventh during the month of July. It marked the fourth straight game with a roundtripper for the right fielder, who went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.

Quad Cities would take the 4-3 lead in the bottom of the second when Chase McDonald, who was 3-for-4 with three RBIs, laced a two-run single off Diaz to bring home Brett Booth and Thomas Lindauer. After Diaz got A.J. Reed to foul out to the catcher Carmichael, Clinton went to the bullpen to bring in Aaron Brooks. Diaz lasted a season-low 1.2 innings, giving up four runs, three earned, on three hits with two walks and a strikeout to take the loss, Clinton's sixth in a row.

McDonald was not be finished. With one out and the score 6-3 River Bandits in the fourth, he crushed a fastball from Brooks over the center field wall for his 11th homer of the year and sixth of July, giving the River Bandits two players with at least six home runs in a month since Rainel Rosario and Matt Adams completed the feat in August of 2010. Quad Cities has bopped 27 home runs in the month of July; the team's most since hitting 30 in May of 2012.

Frederick Tiburcio pitched a scoreless ninth for his sixth save of the season. The victory gave manager Omar Lopez his 137th victory with the Quad Cities, the 10th-most in team history, and pushed the Bandits six games above .500 for the first time this season.

Quad Cities is scheduled to send Chris Lee (6-5, 3.74 ERA) to the mound tomorrow night against Clinton's Seon-Gi Kim (0-2, 2.16).

UP NEXT: Gates open for Wednesday's 7 p.m. game at 5:30 p.m. for the annual Used Car Giveaway presented by Reynolds Ford! The first 1,000 fans will also receive a Team Photo Giveaway on Star Wars Night. It's also a Pay Your Bill Wednesday, which means fans can enter their unpaid bills in a drawing for the chance to have them paid up to $100 by the River Bandits!.Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

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