04 Apr 2014

After Retirement Security Roundtable with Des Moines Area Businesses, Braley Introduces Retirement Security Act

By Kirsten Hartman

Bill would allow auto-enrollment in retirement plans, encourage small businesses to pool resources to expand options for employees  

Washington, D.C. - After meeting in February with Des Moines area small businesses such as Raygun, HoQ Restaurant, InDesign Architecture, and Court Ave. Brewing Co. to discuss the challenges associated with retirement security,Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today introduced legislation that would increase options for employers and provide employees with additional opportunities for a safe and secure retirement.

"There's no silver bullet when it comes to a safe and secure retirement?but we can make things a little easier for businesses and employees that are trying to do the right thing and that's what this bill does," Braley said. "Small businesses are the job engine of Iowa and we owe it to them to find retirement solutions that benefit both their businesses and employees."

The Retirement Security Act would:

  • Allow all small businesses to pool together into multiple employer plans in order to increase options and flexibility to invest in their employee's retirement.   

   

  •  Allow employees to be 'opted-in' to retirement savings programs when starting jobs. Currently, a new employee must actively request to participate in a retirement program?something many employees don't do or aren't aware is available.  

   

  • Set a formula for employer's matching contributions that would lower the disparity between the amounts matched for high-income and low-income workers.

  • Increases employee tax incentives to invest in employment retirement plans.

In February, Braley visited small business leaders in Des Moines in a discussion that focused on the challenges they face providing their workers with security into retirement.

A copy of the Retirement Security Act is available online HERE:

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03 Apr 2014

ASTROS SET MINOR LEAGUE ROSTERS

By Marco LaNave

Top four affiliates begin regular season play this Thursday

HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros have set their preliminary 2014 minor league rosters for four of their affiliates, Triple A Oklahoma City, Double A Corpus Christi, Class A Advanced Lancaster and Class A Quad Cities. The announcement was made by Astros Director of Player Development Quinton McCracken.

 

These rosters are subject to change and will not be officially finalized until the minor league Opening Day. Rosters do not include Disabled List players.

 

Oklahoma City:

 

PITCHERS

Jake Buchanan

Jose Cisnero

Paul Clemens

Bobby Doran

Darin Downs*

Mike Foltynewicz

Chia-Jen Lo

David Martinez

Collin McHugh

Rudy Owens*

Jason Stoffel

Nick Tropeano

Pat Urckfitz*

Josh Zeid

CATCHERS

Ryan McCurdy

Carlos Perez

Max Stassi

INFIELDERS

Japhet Amador

Erik Castro*

Jonathan Meyer

Gregorio Petit

Jon Singleton*

Ruben Sosa#

Ronald Torreyes

 

OUTFIELDERS

Adron Chambers

Domingo Santana

George Springer

Austin Wates

 

* - denotes left-hander

# - denotes switch-hitter

 

Corpus Christi:

PITCHERS

Travis Ballew

Colton Cain*

Luis Cruz*

Jorge De Leon

T.J. Geith*

Matt Heidenreich

Jordan Jankowski

Andrew Robinson

Brady Rodgers

David Rollins*

Ross Seaton

Tommy Shirley*

Alex Sogard*

Aaron West

CATCHERS

Rene Garcia

Tyler Heineman#

INFIELDERS

M.P. Cokinos

Matt Duffy

Nolan Fontana*

Enrique Hernandez

Jio Mier

Joe Sclafani#

 

OUTFIELDERS 

Andrew Aplin*

Delino DeShields

Chris Epps*

Leo Heras*

Preston Tucker*

 

Lancaster:

PITCHERS

Mark Appel

Jamaine Cotton

Chris Devenski

Michael Dimock

Josh Hader*

Mike Hauschild

Mitchell Lambson*

Lance McCullers

Juan Minaya

Daniel Minor

J.D. Osborne*

Tyson Perez

Kyle Smith

Vincent Velasquez

Kyle Westwood

CATCHERS

Roberto Pena

Jake Rodriguez

INFIELDERS

Carlos Correa

Tony Kemp*

Brandon Meredith

Carlos Perdomo

Rio Ruiz*

 

OUTFIELDERS

Justin Gominsky

Dan Gulbransen*

Teoscar Hernandez

Jordan Scott*

Danry Vasquez*

 

Quad Cities:

PITCHERS

Tyler Brunnemann

Patrick Christensen

Chris Cotton*

Kent Emanuel*

Michael Feliz

Evan Grills*

Jandel Gustave

Adrian Houser

Chris Lee*

Albert Minnis*

Zach Morton

Gonzalo Sanudo

Andrew Thurman

Andrew Walter

 

CATCHERS

Brett Booth

Brian Holberton*

Jobduan Morales#

 

INFIELDERS

Austin Elkins#

Conrad Gregor*

Jack Mayfield

Chase McDonald

Chan Moon*

Tyler White

 

OUTFIELDERS

Jon Kemmer*

Tanner Mathis*

Brett Phillips*

James Ramsay*

 

Climbing the Charts:

Over the past two seasons, the combined record of the Astros minor league system has been the best in baseball (915-754, .548)...Houston set a franchise record when their top six minor league affiliates all qualified for the playoffs in 2013, and two clubs ended up winning championships (Class A Quad Cities, Class A Short Season Tri-City)...the Astros became the first organization to have six domestic affiliates qualify for the postseason since the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2003...along with the Royals and Mariners, the Astros were one of three organizations to have multiple championship teams in 2013.

The RANKINGS:

This Spring, the Astros minor league system was rated as the best in baseball by both ESPN.com and The Sporting News...Baseball America, who ranked the Astros system as the worst in baseball in both 2009 and 2010, tabbed Houston's system as the fifth-best in the Majors...seven Houston prospects made the 2014 MLB.com Top 100 Prospects list, which ranked tied for second among all 30 clubs...of the top 100 prospect lists put out by ESPN.com, Baseball Prospectus, Baseball America and MLB.com, the following Astros prospects made at least one of those lists: SS Carlos Correa, RHP Mark Appel, CF George Springer, 1B Jon Singleton, RHP Mike Foltynewicz, RHP Lance McCullers, OF Delino DeShields, RHP Vincent Velasquez.

 

The accolades:

There were 25 Astros prospects who were named All-Stars in their respective leagues across all eight levels of the minors in 2013...CF George Springer hit 37 home runs and stole 45 bases, becoming the first minor leaguer to reach the 30-30 plateau since Oakland's Grant Desme in 2009...Springer was named Minor League Baseball's 2013 Offensive Player of the Year and was named the Double A Texas League Player of the Year...at 18 years old, SS Carlos Correa was the second-youngest player in the Class A Midwest League but still led the league in OPS (.872) while finishing second in OBP (.405) and third in batting average (.320)...Correa led all Midwest League shortstops in fielding percentage.

the TALENT INFUSION:

Since Jeff Luhnow was appointed Astros General Manager in November of 2011, the Astros have acquired talent through the draft, trades and international signings...when looking at Baseball America's top 30 Astros prospects, 17 were acquired during Luhnow's current tenure with the club:

Through the Draft: SS Carlos Correa (#1), RHP Mark Appel (#3), RHP Lance McCullers (#5), 3B Rio Ruiz (#11), RHP Andrew Thurman (#15), OF Andrew Aplin (#19), SS Nolan Fontana (#20), LHP Kent Emanuel (#23), OF Brett Phillips (#30)

Via Trade: RHP Asher Wojciechowski (#10), C Max Stassi (#12), LHP Josh Hader (#14), LHP Kevin Chapman (#17), RHP Kyle Smith (#22), RHP Gonzalo Sanudo (#26), OF Danry Vasquez (#29)

International Signings: OF Leo Heras (#25)

 

The SYSTEM BY THE NUMBERS:

Last year, the Astros minor league system led all 30 organizations in OPS (.731) and on-base percentage (.342) while finishing second in walks (3208), homers (611) and runs (4101)...on the pitching side, Houston's minor league system ranked second among all 30 organizations in walks per 9.0 innings (3.1) and strikeout to walk ratio (2.53)...led by Domingo Santana (25 HR), George Springer (19 HR) and Max Stassi (17 HR), Double A Corpus Christi finished third in the minors with 158 homers...Class A Advanced Lancaster led all of the minors in runs, walks, OBP and OPS in 2013.

 

2014 breakdown - MLB.com astros top 20 prospects by team:

- Triple A Oklahoma City (6): Jon Singleton (#2), George Springer (#3), Mike Foltynewicz (#6), Domingo Santana (#9), Nick Tropeano (#17), Max Stassi (#18)

- Double A Corpus Christi (2): Delino DeShields (#7), Nolan Fontana (#18)

 

- Class A Advanced Lancaster (9): Carlos Correa (#1), Mark Appel (#2), Lance McCullers (#5), Vincent Velasquez (#9), Rio Ruiz (#11), Teoscar Hernandez (#13), Josh Hader (#15), Kyle Smith (#19), Danry Vasquez (#20)

-Class A Quad Cities (2): Michael Feliz (#10), Andrew Thurman (#16)

 

-ASTROS-
03 Apr 2014

Hilltop Campus Connection 430pm to 7pm Thursday April 3

By Scott Tunnicliff

Hilltop Campus Connection, 4:30pm to 7:00pm tonight (Thursday that is).

Join us to see the newly renovated space at Katie McButts, 1516 Harrison Street

Enjoy beverages of preference and some great food (pizza, baked goods, etc.) as provided by one of the newest businesses in the Hilltop Campus Village, the Eastside Bakery!

Come along and bring your friends. Business owners, neighbors, students, volunteers and interested parties are all welcome!

See you there!

 

02 Apr 2014

MORE TOP PROSPECTS TO PLAY FOR 2014 BANDITS

By Marco LaNave
Preliminary roster has seven of Houston's top 30 prospects, six returnees from 2013 Midwest League Champions
DAVENPORT, Iowa (April 2, 2014) - More of the top prospects from baseball's No. 1-ranked minor league system will play at Modern Woodmen Park this season. The defending Midwest League Champion Quad Cities River Bandits and their major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, announced the club's preliminary roster for the 2014 season on Wednesday. Included are seven of the top 30 Houston Astros prospects, according to Baseball America, and six players who played for the River Bandits during their championship season.
Quad Cities alumni account for five of the top seven and nine of the top 30 prospects in the Astros organization. Adding the seven others set to play for the 2014 squad, more than half of the Astros' top prospects (16 of 30) will have played at Modern Woodmen Park since last year's season opener that began Quad Cities' new affiliation with the Houston Astros, whom ESPN.com ranked this year as having the best minor league system in baseball.
"This great roster is a perfect example of why we are so proud to be affiliated with the Houston Astros," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "The Astros are not merely sending us future major leaguers, they are sending the Quad Cities future stars. Like last season's roster featuring Carlos Correa and Mark Appel (among many others), this season's roster is loaded with future stars. For young people in our area, they will have many chances to see, meet and get autographs from many of the best up and coming players in major league baseball. We're not just breeding major leaguers, we're grooming future major league stars!"
The 2014 River Bandits' pitching staff includes six top prospects. The youngest on the staff, 20-year-old right-hander Michael Feliz, is the No. 9 prospect in the Astros' minor league system, according to Baseball America. Also ranked among the top prospects are right-hander Andrew Thurman (15), left-handers Kent Emanuel (23) and Chris Lee (24), and right-handers Gonzalo Sanudo (26) and Jandel Gustave (27). Outfielder Brett Phillips (30), who played 12 games with Quad Cities in 2013, is the only ranked position player on the roster.
In addition to Phillips, five other River Bandits played for Quad Cities last season. Catcher Jobduan Morales, infielder Austin "Catfish" Elkins, and right-handed pitchers Patrick Christensen, Zach Morton and Andrew Walter were all on the championship squad last September. Walter finished five playoff wins, including the championship clincher at Modern Woodmen Park.
Of the 27 players on the preliminary roster, 18 played last season for the Astros' Short-Season Class-A affiliate, the Tri-City ValleyCats, who won the 2013 New York-Penn League title. In all, 21 players on the River Bandits' 2014 preliminary roster played for a championship-winning club in 2013. Five others were on the rookie-level Greeneville club that reached the Appalachian League Championship Series.
In 2013, the Houston Astros had a franchise-record six minor league playoff clubs, becoming the first organization to have six domestic affiliates qualify for the playoffs in the same season since Pittsburgh in 2003. Each of the highest six affiliates - Triple-A Oklahoma City (Pacific Coast League), Double-A Corpus Christi (Texas League), Class-A Advanced Lancaster (California League), Quad Cities, Tri-City, and Greeneville made the postseason. The combined regular season winning percentage of all affiliates (.569, 476-360) ranked second out of 30 MLB organizations.
The roster is subject to change before the opening game at 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Modern Woodmen Park.
UP NEXT: Opening Day is April 3, so lock in your seats now to see the defending Midwest League Champions in 2014! Single-game tickets are available online at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the 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.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 110 feet over the playing field, is opening this spring, along with a carousel, a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded 300-foot long zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.
*****
02 Apr 2014

Rita Hart files paperwork for re-election to Iowa Senate

By Ben Foecke

DES MOINES - Senator Rita Hart has filed the official nomination papers with the Iowa Secretary of State to seek re-election to the Iowa State Senate in District 49. District 49 includes all of Clinton County, as well as northern and eastern Scott County, including the towns of Le Claire, McCausland, Park View and Princeton.

"My favorite part of being a state senator is talking with the people in District 49 and helping them solve problems," said Hart. "I'm glad to get the official paperwork out of the way and now I look forward to contacting voters across my district."

Hart added: "We've been holding legislative listening posts and economic development forums since January to gather input on the issues facing the Iowa Legislature this year. I plan to continue visiting the communities of Senate District 49 throughout the spring, summer and fall, listening to the concerns, questions and ideas of eastern Iowans."

Rita Hart was a teacher for over twenty years before she ran for the Iowa Senate. In the Senate, Hart serves on the Education, Economic Growth, Agriculture, Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committees. Senator Hart is also the Vice Chair of the Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee.

Hart was first elected to the State Senate from District 49 in 2012. She was elected to a two-year term.

Rita Hart is 57. She and her husband Paul live and farm in rural Wheatland. They have five children and are active members of St. Ann's Catholic Church near Long Grove.

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02 Apr 2014

Specialized Illinois National Guard unit to mobilize for Afghanistan

By Illinois National Guard PAO

Nearly 20 Soldiers mobilize April 5 as part of an embedded training team

SPRINGFIELD, IL (04/02/2014)(readMedia)-- A deployment ceremony is scheduled for 16 Soldiers who will deploy to Afghanistan as part of an embedded training team. The ceremony for the Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A13 will be April 5 at 9 a.m. at Camp Lincoln, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield, Ill.

The BEST Soldiers have conducted more than 24 days of pre-mobilization training at Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst, N.J. and will spend an additional 40 days training in Poland before deploying to Afghanistan. Following the training, the Soldiers will deploy to Afghanistan for a six-month mobilization. The unique mission allows Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers to train and deploy side-by-side with their Polish counterparts. The Soldiers are from various parts of Illinois and were selected for the mission based on their training and skills.

"Our 20-year partnership with Poland is the strongest National Guard State Partnership Program in the nation," said Brig. Gen. Daniel Krumrei of Springfield, Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "Illinois Soldiers and Airmen are instrumental in developing secure international relationships, while broadening their experiences and developing their military skills."

News media attending the event should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony and are asked to contact Public Affairs at 217-761-3569 to gain access to Camp Lincoln.

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02 Apr 2014

2014 Fellowship of Christian Athletes Fundraiser

By Casey Bjustrom

"One coach will impact more young people in a year than the average person does in a lifetime. So who's coaching the coaches? " - REVEREND BILLY GRAHAM

You are invited to the 2014 Fellowship of Christian Athlete Fundraiser

Our new and exciting format is designed to entertain as well as inform our audience on the impact FCA is making and how people, like you, can make a difference in the lives of student-athletes throughout the Quad Cities and Surrounding Areas.

When: Thursday, April 10th

Time: 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

Doors Open at 6:00 p.m. Get there early to purchase raffle tickets & view prizes

Where: Stoney Creek Inn • 101 18th Street Moline, IL 61265

Refreshments & Snacks Will Be Served • Business Casual Attire

The night will include a Live & Silent Auction, Testimonies, Interviews, Awards, and Guest Speaker Aaron Kampman.

Aaron is a retired American football defensive end and outside linebacker who played ten seasons in the National Football League. He played college football for the University of Iowa. He was drafted by Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft, and also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Here is your chance to make a difference today!

Sign up to be an Automatic Monthly Partner from now until April 10th and your name will be placed into a drawing for a TOSHIBA 40" HD LCD TV

Reserve your seats today by contacting Connie at CHelm@fca.org or 309.762.8871

02 Apr 2014

Silvis Passes Landmark Resolution

By Caryn Unsicker

SILVIS, IL - April 1, 2014 - The Silvis City Council tonight joined over 200 cities and 16 States nationwide in a growing movement to amend the US Constitution to limit the amounts of money that big corporations and individuals can donate to influence the political process.  Silvis Alderwoman Caryn Unsicker introduced the idea of a resolution to Mayor Tom Conrad, who agreed that too much money was being injected into our political process and gave her permission to address the full council in March.  The result was agreement by the council that money is threatening to destroy our democracy.

Ms.Unsicker cited the City of Coralville, Iowa, as well as school board, county board, and state elections where money is being infused by outside sources, often anonymous, to influence elections in favor of one candidate or another.  Illinois was the 14th State to adopt a similar resolution, SJR 27, which was sponsored by a Democrat and two Republicans.  Ms.Unsicker said that members of both parties are sick of all the pressure from outside sources.  It puts a lot of pressure on them to vote a certain way or risk being outspent and therefore, probably defeated, come election time.

So this evening, Silvis joined the growing list of cities in Illinois, including Galesburg, Champaign, Evanston, Chicago, Lisle Township, Oak Park, Cunningham Township, Warrneville, Carbondale, Avon Township, Warren, and Kane County, and Dubuque, Buffalo, and Waterloo, in Iowa, in an effort to keep our elections free and to give all Americans - not just the wealthy -  a voice in the political process.

If you would like more information, you may contact Caryn Unsicker at 309-912-6632.

02 Apr 2014

Narcisse vs Iowa Secretary of State

By Paul Smith

by Alfredo Parrish

Having been nurtured by some of our country's greatest advocates of voter enfranchisement, I am deeply disappointed with the two recent rulings of the district and Iowa Supreme Court denying Mr. Narcisse an opportunity to appear as a candidate for Governor in the Democratic Primary.  Iowa's history of enfranchisement is a cornerstone of its uniqueness.  Rules and procedures that are not equally applied to all candidates seeking office diminish the process. It creates cynicism that will weaken a vibrant democratic process.

Although, the judicial system denied Mr. Narcisse a place on the Democratic Primary ballot, it is encouraging that recognition was given to the importance of his claim by considering and deciding his case promptly.

Mr. Narcisse, in his law suit asked to court to consider a fair and impartial review of a candidate's nomination papers, an equitable rule for all candidates and distinguishing technical violations from substantive ones.  Mr. Narcisse's law suit pointed to clear deficiencies in the nomination process that will lay the groundwork for needed improvements.

02 Apr 2014

Braley Statement on Budget from Congressman Paul Ryan

By Kirsten Hartman

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today released the following statement on the latest budget from Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.):

"I opposed previous attempts to dramatically transform the Medicare program in Congressman Ryan's previous budgets, and I continue to oppose those efforts now. The Medicare system has provided generations of Iowans with high-quality care. Our current and future retirees have been made a promise and they've been paying into the system for decades based on that proimse?and that promise is one we should keep."

Braley has previously voted against attempts to dramatically alter the Medicare program contained in Ryan's previous budgets.

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