Fair Tax represents "third way" as alternative to current choice between antiquated, regressive flat tax and draconian cuts to vital investments and services

Springfield, IL - Today, Governor Quinn outlined a budget that avoids draconian cuts to vital priorities this coming fiscal year by making the 2011 tax rates permanent.  In response, A Better Illinois campaign director Kristen Crowell issued the following statement:

We applaud the Governor for addressing head-on the fiscal cliff and draconian cuts that would have a devastating impact on our schools, public safety, health and human services, and other key priorities that are unacceptable to the people of Illinois and would impact nearly every citizen in the state, along with our state's fragile economy.

We continue to believe the best long-term option is a Fair Tax, with lower rates for lower incomes and higher rates for higher incomes, that would generate the revenue to avoid those draconian cuts, eliminate the state's antiquated and regressive flat tax, and provide tax relief to 94% of Illinois citizens.

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Braley: this program is a life or death matter for states like Iowa with high concentrations of radon

Washington, D.C. - After the Iowa legislature's recent attempt to require radon testing in Iowa schools stalled, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today made an aggressive push to protect one of the last available federal programs that can help states test for the deadly gas. President Obama has singled out this program for elimination in his 2015 budget.

Braley is circulating a letter among his colleagues seeking support to preserve the State Indoor Radon Grant Program (SIRP). The program was created in 1988 to provide assistance to states to test and reduce radon exposure in schools and homes.

"Radon, behind smoking, is the leading cause of lung cancer in Iowa, and we're not doing nearly enough to ensure our families and schoolchildren are protected," Braley said. "This is a matter of life and death for Iowans and I'm going to do everything possible to save this program?it's the only resource we have to help reduce this threat until Iowa lawmakers act."

Braley has already rallied the support of over a dozen lawmakers and is making resources for radon testing a top priority during the appropriations process. The American Lung Association has also announced their support for Braley's initiative.

"Eliminating the SIRG program would have a devastating effect on the work being done across the United States to educate the public about the dangers of radon and save lives by protecting people from lung cancer," Braley's letter reads.  

Braley has spent years fighting at the federal level for the resources to allow testing in Iowa schools. In 2012, Braley introduced the End Radon in Schools Act to protect students, teachers, and school employees from high levels of radon in public schools and provide grants to test the radon levels in school buildings.

In July of 2013, Braley introduced an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to end the threat of radon gas in America's schools.

A copy of Braley's letter is available immediately below:

March 26, 2014

The Honorable Ken Calvert                        The Honorable Jim Moran

Chairman                                                    Ranking Member

House Appropriations Subcommittee        House Appropriations Subcommittee

on Interior, Environment, and Related         on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies                      

Agencies

Dear Chairmen Calvert and Ranking Member Moran:

As you both work to craft your fiscal year 2015 appropriations bill, we would like to urge you to provided significant funding for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) State Indoor Radon Grant (SIRG) Program.

As you may know, Radon is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas that causes lung cancer.  Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after smoking, responsible for thousands of deaths each year, according to the Surgeon General and the EPA.  Because people spend much of their lives indoors, the quality of indoor air is a major concern. Radon has been found at elevated levels in homes in every state, and can also build up in schools and other buildings. The EPA estimates that nearly one out of every fifteen homes in the United States has unsafe indoor radon levels.

Exposure to radon causes no immediate symptoms, but the long-term threat of lung cancer is significant to everyone.  Simple steps can reduce the threat through testing buildings for radon and fixing buildings where levels are dangerously high.  Unfortunately, the President's budget would eliminate an important program that prevents radon exposure.

The EPA's State Indoor Radon Grant (SIRG) program was authorized in 1988 to provide financial assistance to states to develop, implement and enhance state capacity for reducing radon risk. Over the past two decades, the EPA's Radon Program has helped reduce radon exposure in homes and schools and reduced radon-caused lung cancer. Eliminating the SIRG program would have a devastating effect on the work being done across the United States to educate the public about the dangers of radon and save lives by protecting people from lung cancer. Many states have indoor radon programs in place, but they need ongoing support as well as technical assistance, to make sure that states can reduce the health burden caused by radon exposure. Without the guidance and funding support from EPA, state programs will simply not be able to protect the public from the threat of radon.  We ask that you provide $8 million in funding for the State Indoor Radon Grant Program as part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill.

We appreciate your attention to our request.  Please feel free to contact us if we can provide further assistance.

Sincerely,

# # #

"We are thrilled to extend our lease agreement with the iWireless Center for three additional years and continue what has developed into a true partnership with iWireless Center executive director Scott Mullen and his staff," said Jordan Melville, director of QCM Holdings, the Mallards' ownership group.  "All indicators are trending positively and we look forward to continuing to provide the Quad Cities with an affordable form of entertainment and team of which they can be proud."

In the first two seasons of the partnership between the iWireless Center and QCM Holdings, the Mallards' average attendance has increased by nearly 800 fans per game while the club has enjoyed a revenue increase of better than 50 percent.

"The turnaround has been amazing and it is fantastic to see how far the team has come both in the front office and on the ice," said Mullen.  "Both Mallards president Bob McNamara and coach Terry Ruskowski have brought a noticeably higher level of experience and professionalism to the team over these past couple of years."

"It's also refreshing to have such a solid ownership group in place here and see their commitment to the Quad Cities," Mullen continued.  "Having previously run the entire Central Hockey League, they obviously understand this business and what it takes to succeed.  The entire organization has really done an unbelievable job.  They have laid the foundation for success and the future of hockey here looks extremely bright."

The Mallards are approaching the conclusion of their seventeenth season in the Quad Cities and their fourth CHL campaign.  QCM Holdings took over ownership of the club in October of 2012.

"As we have seen interest in the team increase over the past 18 months, it is obvious this is a strong hockey market steeped in a winning tradition, established in the early days of the Mallards," said McNamara.  "It is our goal to continue this tradition and we look forward to bringing a championship back to the Quad Cities while continuing to build the brand."

The Mallards play their regular season finale Sunday at 4:05 p.m. against the Missouri Mavericks.  Sunday is Fan Appreciation Day at the iWireless Center featuring prize giveaways, a postgame skate with the Mallards, free popcorn and a game worn jersey auction.

Tickets for Sunday's game can be purchased in person at the iWireless Center box office, online at ticketmaster.com, at Ticketmaster outlets or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are in the midst of their seventeenth season their fourth in the Central Hockey League.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The iWireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.net.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards.

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DES MOINES, IA - The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau and the National High School Rodeo Association are seeking 200 volunteers for the National Junior High Finals Rodeo Championships, June 22-28 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

Volunteers are needed for 24-hour check-in for both contestants and livestock starting Thursday, June 19 through Sunday, June 22. Shifts are available in four-hour increments. A brief training will be provided for all volunteers.

"Families arrive at all hours to the grounds, and aren't permitted to set up camp or unload livestock until a thorough safety and health check has been performed," says James Higginbotham, Executive Director of the National High School Rodeo Association, the parent organization of the National Junior High Finals Rodeo. "Volunteer support is vital. Check-in sets the pace for a smooth-running event."

"We're proud to host this group in Des Moines for the first time," says Greg Edwards, President and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Our community's support is needed as volunteers to provide a welcoming first impression of our city to contestants and their families."

The Championships will include 1,100 Junior High contestants from 42 states, 5 Canadian provinces and Australia. More than 35,000 spectators are expected. The contestants, ages 15 and under, will compete across 11 different events?from barrel racing and bull riding to goat tying and chute dogging. 2014 is the first time the Championship's will be held outside of Gallup, New Mexico since the event's inception in 2005.

To sign up for a volunteer shift for the 2014 National Junior High Finals Rodeo Championships in Des Moines, visit catchdesmoines.com/rodeo.