WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), co-chairman of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, today welcomed three news members to the caucus:  Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.).

"There's a tremendous need to shape helpful public policy for foster youth," Grassley said.  "The more senators interested in the cause, the better the results we can produce for the kids who seek stable families and good education leading to successful adulthood."

The full members of the caucus are:  co-chairs, Grassley and Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.); members, Sens. James Risch (R-Idaho), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Mark Begich (D-Ala.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.).

Grassley formed the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth with Landrieu in 2009.  The caucus provides a voice for foster youth in shaping the policies that affect their quality of life.  The caucus has a special focus on older youth who need continued support as they age out of the system.  Among other activities, it sponsors a speakers' series to bring the best ideas from the field to policymakers in Washington, D.C.

Grassley formed the caucus after working on major adoption and foster care policy, including the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 and the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoption Act of 2008.

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Oskaloosa, Iowa - In June of 2013, alerts were published regarding the increase in the tick population in Southern Iowa, and the associated increase of Lyme Disease.  Now, more dogs are starting to show symptoms of Lyme Disease. This year, the threat still lingers and prevention is imperative for your animals in 2014.

Lyme Disease is transmitted through tick bites, so any dog with tick exposure is at risk for contracting Lyme Disease.  The symptoms of Lyme Disease in dogs include fever, lameness, swollen joints, lethargy, decreased appetite and enlarged lymph nodes.  It can take up to 5 months after tick exposure to see visible signs of Lyme Disease.  Left untreated, Lyme Disease can cause chronic issues with arthritis and lameness.

"In 2013, our veterinary clinics in Albia, Knoxville, Oskaloosa, and Ottumwa saw a significant increase in the number of cases of Lyme Disease being diagnosed in the dogs we care for. It is easily preventable and affordable, so I encourage responsible pet owners to consider vaccinating their dogs this year" Lisa Gronewold D.V.M said in response to the outbreak.

The best way to prevent your dog from getting Lyme Disease, or any tick borne disease, is to use a tick preventative.  There are many options available that include both topical or oral formulations.

In an effort to protect high risk dogs from being infected with Lyme Disease, one should vaccinate their dogs.  High risk dogs include any outdoor dog, hunting dog, or dog that spends time going on walks, hikes, or other outdoor activities, especially activities that take place in tall uncut grass or wooded areas.  Contact your veterinarian about whether your dog is at high risk of tick exposure, to make the decision about whether your dog is a good candidate for Lyme vaccination.  Vaccinating for Lyme Disease includes two vaccinations about one month apart the first year and then once per year on following years.

One way to screen your dog for exposure to Lyme Disease is to run a blood test called a 4dx Heartworm Snap Test.  This test checks for Heartworm Disease, Lyme Disease and two other tick borne diseases called Ehrilichiosis and Anaplasmosis.

Did you know?

- Adult ticks can live up to 3 years without a blood meal

- Ticks live on 3 different animals during their life

- Most ticks spend most of their life in the environment and OFF the host animal

- Ticks don't jump and don't "fall from trees" as most people think, but transfer onto hosts when animals or humans walk through long grass, bushes and brush.

Predictions of Lyme disease cases are especially high again this year, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council's (CAPC) annual forecast. With the heightened risk of contracting Lyme disease, it is imperative that you protect your pets this summer.

It is important to frequently check your pet for ticks. If you find a tick on your animal, remove the tick as quickly as you can. After you administer a topical flea and tick treatment, don't bathe your dog immediately. Wait at least two or three days. If your animal is bitten, watch for symptoms of Lyme disease which include fever, lameness, swollen joints, enlarged lymph nodes, lethargy, depression and anorexia. While Lyme disease can not be transmitted from dogs to humans, a high prevalence of Lyme disease in dogs often may mean a higher incidence of Lyme disease in humans.

If you notice these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Our clinics offer walk-in and emergency services and can be reached at: Albia (641.932.3455), Knoxville (641.828.2101), Oskaloosa (641.673.5525) or Ottumwa (641.682.8701). 

"With last year's ticks still alive, and the increase in moisture this winter, the tick and mosquito population is sure to be larger than normal. Due to that, the risk of Lyme and other diseases, such as heartworm disease, are higher. There are many ways to prevent the spread of disease in your animals including topical and oral medications as well as sprays and other treatments for your home and yard. The staff at our four vet clinics would be happy to help you select the right preventative for your pet, budget and lifestyle" owner Matthew C. Garver, D.V.M. said.

About Animal Health Center: Animal Health Center is a full-service veterinary clinic for both small and large animals, which has been serving animals and their people since 2002. The Animal Health Center family of clinics has four clinics in south-central Iowa (Albia, Knoxville, Oskaloosa and Ottumwa). They offer wellness exams, emergency services, vaccinations, general and laser surgery, grooming, boarding, embryo transfer and more. To learn more about these clinics, visit their websites at www.AlbiaVet.com, www.OskyVet.com, www.AnimalClinicSouthside.com or www.Knoxville-Vet.com

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Without a Fair Tax, the state's looming fiscal collapse would mean an $8.3 million cut to Rock Island County schools and the continuation of unfair tax and budget policies that stifle middle class families

Rock Island, IL - By a vote of 5-1, the Government Affairs Committee of the Rock Island County Board passed a resolution this afternoon calling on lawmakers in Springfield to pass the Fair Tax Act (HJRCA 33 /SJRCA 40) as a necessary first step to avoid devastating and unprecedented cuts to local services and to provide tax relief to a majority of Rock Island County families.

"While some extreme partisans in Springfield are ready to drive our state right off the fiscal cliff, a large and broad coalition of citizens in Rock Island and throughout Illinois are fighting for long-term budget reform that includes a Fair Tax," said Brian Vyncke, a member of the committee who voted in favor of today's resolution.  "Beyond stable and sustainable revenues, a Fair Tax represents a tax CUT - not an increase, but a cut - for the overwhelming majority of Rock Island County residents."

The resolution endorses a Fair Tax, with lower rates for lower incomes and higher rates for higher income, which would provide immediate tax relief for the majority of Rock Island families. Right now, Illinois poor and middle income families pay a rate that is twice the rate of the very rich, when factoring in all state and local taxes paid.

Peter Starzynski of the A Better Illinois coalition unveiled the findings of a new report by the Fiscal Policy Center at Voices for Illinois Children that shows the state will cut $8.3 million from Rock Island County schools if lawmakers in Springfield take us over the fiscal cliff.  He also explained how Springfield's broken budget process is rife with late payments to vendors and local governments, continues to cut vital programs, and provides wasteful giveaways to corporations through unfair loopholes designed by the rich.

"Springfield needs to decide what's more important: coddling millionaires or supporting our local schools," said Vyncke.  "We need fundamental, long-term budget reform that includes a Fair Tax because our kids, our seniors, and our middle class cannot endure Springfield's broken budget and tax policies any longer."

Starzynski presented data showing Iowa, a Fair Tax state, has an unemployment rate that is half that of Illinois.   He also noted that Scott County, IA has sales taxes and property tax rates that are much lower on average that those in Rock Island County.

"We need a Fair Tax in Illinois, so people live here, work here, raise families here, and make great communities here in Rock Island County - instead of Iowa," said Vyncke.

Illinois lawmakers are currently prohibited? constitutionally barred?from enacting tax fairness. If Springfield passes the Fair Tax Act, voters will have an opportunity to modernize Illinois' Constitution in November to allow a Fair Tax with lower rates for lower incomes and higher rates for higher incomes.

"Why shouldn't Illinois be allowed to tax millionaires at a rate higher than minimum wage workers if that's what citizens decide is best?" said committee Member Don Jacobs.

Momentum for a Fair Tax has grown significantly since the A Better Illinois launched its campaign in the Quad Cities back in October.  The number of petitions signed has doubled to nearly 250,000 and the Fair Tax is now atop the legislative agenda in Springfield.

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A Better Illinois is a statewide coalition of civic and community organizations, small business, labor and faith leaders, educators, service providers, and tens of thousands of ordinary taxpayers seeking to modernize Illinois tax structure to create greater fairness and long-term economic growth.

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