Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack issued the following statement in response to the Department of Labor's announcement that the unemployment rate was 7.6 percent in March and the economy added 88,000 jobs.

"Today's job report confirms what many Iowans already know - our economy has been hurting and near stagnant for far too long.  This is unacceptable.

"Over the past two weeks, I brought together stakeholders in education, workforce development, labor and business to discuss how we can grow our local economy and put Iowans back to work.  These roundtables allowed people working on the ground to identify the challenges we are facing and come up with solutions as to how to best get the economy back on track.

"What I heard time and again was the need for a better trained workforce.  We have to close this so-called skills gap between the kinds of skills workers have and the kind of skills that businesses need.  This is why I have introduced legislation called the SECTORS Act that links together businesses, labor organizations, local stakeholders, and education and training providers.  This bill will work on the local level to ensure employees are properly trained so they can effectively compete in the 21st Century global economy.  I will continue to work with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to grow industry here at home and start building things in America again. Washington cannot be allowed to continue to stand in the way."

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Mexico is Illinois' Third Largest Agricultural Customer

MEXICO CITY - Speaking to an audience of key leaders and decision-makers, Governor Pat Quinn promoted Illinois agricultural exports during his trade mission to Mexico - already one of the state's biggest agricultural customers. The governor's trade mission is part of his agenda to drive Illinois' economy forward and create jobs. Following last night's event, today the governor will tour Ingredion Inc.'s Mexico City agricultural production facility. Earlier this year Governor Quinn cut the ribbon on the company's new production facility in Bedford Park, Illinois.

"Agriculture is big business in Illinois, and Mexico is one of our best customers," Governor Quinn said. "Every year, almost 40 percent of our commodities - the corn and soybeans we grow and the pork and beef we raise - are sold overseas. With sales of $8.2 billion, Illinois currently is the third largest agricultural exporter in the United States, and Mexico is one of our most loyal agricultural trading partners."

Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Bob Flider and representatives of several Illinois agricultural companies have joined Governor Quinn on the trade mission, including ADM, Tate and Lyle, and Ingredion.  The Illinois delegation is meeting with top Mexican agriculture officials to reaffirm the state's existing trade relationship and discuss having Mexico purchase more Illinois agriculture and related products. Since 2010, Mexico has purchased $1.9 billion in agricultural products from Illinois, including $780 million in 2012 alone, making it the state's third largest agricultural export market.

"We are fortunate to have a governor who understands the economic vitality of Illinois depends upon its ability to cultivate global markets," Director Flider said. "Governor Quinn has set an ambitious goal of doubling Illinois exports by 2015 and created an Export Advisory Council to help achieve it. The Illinois Department of Agriculture is one of two cabinet-level agencies on the council and is playing an instrumental role in creating markets for Illinois food and agricultural products."

The Illinois Department of Agriculture maintains a trade office in Mexico City where buyers are identified and brought to Illinois for tours of grain, pork and dairy industries. The department also sponsors pavilions in Mexican trade shows and takes Illinois companies there to do business. The trade office works with the Illinois Export Advisory Council, formed by Governor Quinn to help double Illinois exports by 2015, since exports to Mexico are a major part of the council's efforts.

In the last year alone, the Illinois Department of Agriculture has participated in 13 international and domestic trade shows, led five foreign buyers' missions, facilitated 5,474 buyer-seller introductions and disseminated 1,741 trade leads. Later this month, Illinois will host the International Biotechnology Conference, where experts, universities and companies will meet to discuss and promote advancements that will help feed the world's growing population more efficiently and productively. Governor Quinn was named the 2011 BIO International Governor of the Year as a result of Illinois' efforts to provide feed, fiber and fuel to the world.

The state of Illinois has 36 million acres of land, of which 75 percent is devoted to production agriculture. In a typical year Illinois farmers grow 16 percent, or two billion bushels, of the nation's corn crop and 14 percent, or 400 million bushels, of its soybean crop, ranking second in production only to Iowa. Illinois farmers also rank fourth in pork production, marketing nearly two billion pounds of the commodity. Illinois ranks first in the country with $162 billion in sales of processed food, and many of the 2,514 plants that produce these sales are located in urban communities.

Illinois also has a large network of agribusinesses that provide the tools farmers need to produce their commodities, from seed, chemical and feed companies to equipment manufacturers and implement dealers. Combined, these agriculture and agriculture-related businesses employ nearly one of every four Illinois workers.

The Mexico trade mission is the latest by Governor Quinn as he seeks to promote Illinois to an international audience. Past missions include China and Japan in 2011, and Canada and Brazil in 2012.

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4 'Bad Leader Behaviors' That Affect Productivity, Profits

What can business leaders and managers learn from watching the earnings of publicly traded companies?

"Plenty," says Kathleen Brush, a 25-year veteran of international business and author of "The Power of One: You're the Boss," (www.kathleenbrush.com), a guide to developing the skills necessary to become an effective, respected leader.

"When looking at the corporations reporting lower-than-expected earnings, you need to read between the lines. They are not going to admit that the reason is a failure of leadership, but 99 times out of 100 that's what it is."

She cites Oracle, the business hardware and software giant, which recently reported a quarterly revenue shortfall based on a decline in new software licenses and cloud subscriptions.

The company is "not at all pleased with our revenue growth this quarter," Oracle co-president Safra Catz told analysts. "What we really saw was a lack of urgency that we sometimes see in the sales force ..."

They are pointing the finger at the employees, but they are really admitting a failure of  leadership, Brush says.

"Do you know how simple it is for managers to motivate sales people? If indeed the lack of sales urgency is the problem. There are dozens of bad leader behaviors that can cause sales to decline," she explains.

In her work for companies around the country, from restructuring operations to improving profitability, Brush says she sees an epidemic of bad leader behaviors.

"When I point them out, most leaders downplay, or refuse to acknowledge, the impact their behaviors are having on their bottom line. But, in companies where leaders change these behaviors, employees become engaged and motivated. It is really that simple to increase productivity, innovation, and the bottom line," she says.

"If you're a boss examining your own lower-than-expected performance, instead of wasting time searching for scapegoats, look in the mirror. Most bosses unwittingly exhibit bad leader behaviors daily that cause their businesses to suffer."

Here are four increasingly prevalent and damaging behaviors:

• The unethical boss: This is a category that doesn't just annoy employees, it appalls them. As such, it's a powerful demotivater. When a boss breaks or fudges the rules, cheats, lies or indulges in behaviors that reveal a lack of moral principles, he or she loses employees' respect. Without their respect, a boss cannot lead. In addition, when a leader indulges in unethical practices, he gives his employees permission to do the same. Padding mileage reports, splurging on business travel expenses, failing to take responsibility for mistakes - they all become endorsed activities by the boss - the role model.

• The unfair boss: Our current societal efforts to treat people equally - think gay marriage, health care reform, the children of undocumented immigrants - have led to confusion among some leaders about "equality" versus "fairness" in the workplace. "I talked to a manager who gave all his employees the same pay raise because 'he wanted to be fair,' " Brush recalls. He then seemed mystified that the productivity of his best employees declined to that of an average worker. "Rewards can be powerful tools of motivation, but they must be administered fairly."

• The buddy boss: Bosses can never be buddies with their employees. Ever. Friendships neutralize the boss's authority and power. They can also cloud a leader's objectivity and hinder her ability to correct behaviors, to delegate, and to hold employees accountable. When friendships compromise output, it's the boss who will be accountable. "Be friendly to employees, but do not cross the line that muddies the relationship between boss and friend. It could cost you your job." Brush says.

• The disorganized boss: Workplaces are filled with employees who lack direction because disorganized leaders don't deliver and manage plans and strategies to guide their teams. What's the chance of an unguided team maximizing its productivity to create competitively superior innovative widgets? "What's the chance of employees being inspired by a leader who leads like a doormat or by random thoughts?" says Brush.

"As a manager, you wield a tremendous amount of power," she says. "You can be an incredibly negative power or a positive one who's looked up to by both peers and employees."

"For the latter, bosses have to purge the bad behaviors."

About Kathleen Brush

Kathleen Brush has more than two decades of experience as a senior executive with global business responsibilities. She has a Ph.D. in management and international studies. Brush has been teaching, writing and consulting on international business and leadership for companies of all sizes, public and private, foreign and domestic.

Peoria, IL-- The Happy Together Tour will stop at the SMG managed Peoria Civic Center Theater on Sunday, Aug. 11 at 7 pm. This year's lineup will feature THE TURTLES featuring FLO & EDDIE, CHUCK NEGRON formerly of THREE DOG NIGHT, GARY PUCKETT & THE UNION GAP, MARK LINDSAY former lead singer of Paul Revere & the Raiders and GARY LEWIS & THE PLAYBOYS. Tickets are $49.50, $42.50 and $35.50. Tickets go on sale Friday April 12th at 10:00AM at the Peoria Civic Center Box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, and 1.800.745.3000.

The evening will take fans back to the cool rock of the '60s, complete with plenty of timeless classics and universal hits. For more information visit www.nitelite.com or www.PeoriaCivicCenter.com .

IUOE is 10th union to stand behind Braley
DES MOINES, IA - The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 234 has endorsed Bruce Braley for US Senate, marking the 10th labor organization to officially stand behind Braley.
Braley announced in February that he had formed a committee to run for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Tom Harkin.
Scott Saylor, Business Manager for the Operating Engineers Local 234, said, "We're excited to announce our endorsement of Bruce Braley for Senate today.  Bruce is a fighter for Iowa's working families because he's worked his whole life.  He understands the challenges that working Iowans are going through every day because he's been there, and he works hard in Congress to get things done to rebuild the middle class.  He'll do even more for Iowa in the Senate."
Braley said, "Working summers on the Poweshiek County Roads Department during college, I learned a thing or two about the hard work of highway construction and what people like the Operating Engineers do every day.  That's why I'm proud to have their endorsement.  I'm running for Senate to strengthen the middle class and create economic opportunity, and I'm thrilled to have these hard working Iowans in my corner."
IUOE Local 234 represents heavy equipment operators - many involved in highway construction - as well as school, city, county, utilities, maintenance, building engineers, and manufacturing employees across the state of Iowa.  IUOE Local 234 has over 2,400 members in Iowa.
In recent weeks, momentum has continued to build behind Braley's Senate campaign.  On Monday, Braley announced that he has raised $1 million for his Senate campaign since Harkin announced his retirement.  On Wednesday, 71 Iowa legislators announced their endorsement of Braley.  Last week, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald announced their endorsement.  In February, Rep. Dave Loebsack (IA-02) and former Rep. Leonard Boswell endorsed Braley for Senate.
And nine other labor organizations have endorsed Braley: the Iowa Teamsters, the State Association of Letter Carriers, the Iowa Postal Workers Union, the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 3 Iowa Union, UAW Region 4, SEIU Iowa - Local 199, AFSCME Iowa Council 61, the Iowa State Council of Machinists, and the Great Plains Laborers' District Council.
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Explore over a century of Cedar Rapids history through a guided evening tour of Brucemore, a 21-room Victorian Mansion, Thursday, May 2 at 6:00 p.m. Experience the art, furnishings, technology, architecture, and stories preserved at Brucemore. Admission is $10.00 for adults, $7.00 for Brucemore members, and $3.00 for children between the ages of 6 and 18. Space is limited; purchase tickets online at www.brucemore.org or by calling (319) 362-7375.

This evening tour is part of Brucemore's Thursday Night Lineup. Every Thursday night Brucemore will feature a different specialty tour focusing on topics for all interests, including arts and culture, Midwestern industry, gardening, landscape design, architecture, preservation, behind-the-scenes at Brucemore, and growing up in the early twentieth century. For more information on the Thursday Night Lineup or the May schedule, visit www.brucemore.org or call (319) 362-7375.

Experience Brucemore, an unparalleled blend of tradition and culture, located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the heart of the historic 26-acre estate stands a nineteenth-century mansion filled with the stories of three Cedar Rapids families.  Concerts, theater, programs, and tours enliven the site and celebrate the heritage of a community.  For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.

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AMES, Iowa - Area students have achieved academic ranking in the top 2 percent of students in the following colleges at Iowa State University:

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences:  Stephanie Blaser and Amrinder Singh, both of Bettendorf, and Aaron Stechmann of Davenport.

College of Human Sciences:  Stephanie Blaser and Megan Johnson, both of Bettendorf.

College of Engineering:  Kimberly Booe of Bettendorf, Grant Albansoder and Austin Laugen, both of Davenport, and Charles Eagle of Rock Island.

College of Business:  Trevor Fennelly of Davenport

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences:  Samantha Matt and Joshua Thompson, both of Bettendorf; Heather Bennett of Davenport, and Benjamin Payne of Rock Island.

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced a new web site for individuals wishing to submit cover letters and resumes for consideration as Iowa's next state auditor. There is also a section for recommendations from Iowans with ideas on who they would like to see as Iowa's next auditor.

The site is found here: http://governor.iowa.gov/auditorsearch

"We are looking for a state auditor who will commit to a balanced budget and utilizes the principles that will get us there," said Branstad. "We want an auditor who will continue David Vaudt's commitment to the sound budgeting principles that got our state back on track. We hope this web site is an opportunity for Iowans to share their thoughts and participate in this process."

The sound budgeting principles listed are as follows:

  • Avoid the use of one-time money for ongoing expenses.
  • Refrain from standing appropriations.
  • Resist implementing new programs in the middle of the fiscal year.
  • Avoid multi-year accelerating commitments.
  • Accurately determine state revenue and expenses.
  • Align expenses and revenue in the same fiscal year.
  • Avoid funding programs through property taxes or fees.
  • Reject diversion of funds statutorily authorized for a specific objective to other purposes.

"David Vaudt was our compass for state budgeting, and always worked to lead the state budget to a better place," said Reynolds. "To have a smooth transition, and to continue the great progress we have made with the state's finances, it is important to have someone who adheres to the sound budgeting principles followed by David Vaudt."

State Auditor David Vaudt announced his resignation yesterday, and will serve until May 3. The governor is making the search a top priority of his administration. The governor is committed to a meticulous, thorough process to ensure the best individual is selected as Iowa's new state auditor.

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Peoria, IL– The SMG managed Peoria Civic Center and ZO Entertainment are excited to announce Chief Keef  and GBE  with Def Jam Artist Lil Durk & King Louie coming to the Peoria Civic Center Theater on Sunday May 5th at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $57, $47, $42, $37, $32 and $27 and go on sale Monday April 8th at 10:00 am. Tickets will be available at the Peoria Civic Center Box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, and 1.800.745.3000.

Long before Chief Keef (born Keith Cozart) was one of the most popular teenage rappers in America and the youngest major label head in history, he was a legend among kids on the South Side of Chicago. Keef's music, primarily comprised of minimalistic homemade string and drum tracks punctuated by his menacing, nihilistic lyrics, sounds like the next evolutionary step in the style of tracks by Lex Luger and Waka Flocka Flame. But more importantly, his music accurately and honestly reflects the violence, hopelessness and frustration, as well as moments of joy and victory, of the environments that Keef and hundreds of thousands of other poor and working-class kids live in all over the world.

For more information visit www.PeoriaCivicCenter.com or contact Megan Pedigo at (309)680-3640 or at MPedigo@peoriaciviccenter.com

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BOWLING GREEN, O.-Bowling Green State University has announced the undergraduate students who were named to the fall semester Dean's List for achieving grade point averages of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.

Alyssa Thornburg, Health and Human Services; from Bettendorf, Iowa

To be chosen for the Dean's List, undergraduate students must carry no fewer than 12 letter-graded credit hours per semester.

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