WASHINGTON - The Obama administration's advanced battery manufacturing program through the federal stimulus package cost $158,556 per job created, and many of those jobs likely were temporary, according to an analysis released today by Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Sen. John Thune of South Dakota. The analysis came after Grassley pressed for verification of the administration's claims of the economic benefits of the $2 billion program, which included a grant to a now-bankrupt company, A123 Systems. According to the analysis, the bankrupt company cost taxpayers more than $300,000 per job reportedly created by the stimulus bill.

"The taxpayers paid $2 billion for a pretty lackluster return," Grassley said. "The Administration billed this program as an all-around success toward creating jobs, but the results are a lot more mixed. The program cost $158,556 per job, including jobs that were later cut. Under the best-case scenario at the now-bankrupt A123, it cost $317,435 per job.  The expense is significant, especially when many of the jobs were temporary.  The Administration should not overstate the value of this program as a boon to economic recovery.  The facts show otherwise.   Adding insult to injury, A123 executives reportedly are seeking to retain $4.2 million in bonuses through the bankruptcy process."

"President Obama's failed stimulus spending program contributed to America's dangerously-high $16 trillion national debt and record federal deficits of over $1 trillion year after year," said Thune. "The Obama administration took nearly $2 billion of taxpayers' hard-earned money so the federal government could spend more. Spending $158,556 per job, many of which were temporary, was a waste of taxpayer dollars and failed to create the economic growth the president promised when he jammed his stimulus through Congress."

Earlier this month, a Department of Energy spokesman released an update on the advanced battery manufacturing program in response to the bankruptcy of A123 Systems, one of the grant recipients.  The update said the program awarded $2 billion in grants to 29 companies to build or retool 45 manufacturing facilities spread across 20 states to build advanced batteries, engines, drive trains, and other key components for electric vehicles.

The update said the initiative was responsible for "employing thousands of American workers" but provided no documentation to support this claim. Grassley pressed for documentation and ultimately received some data showing a total of 12,613.77 jobs were "created" by the advanced battery manufacturing initiative from the signing of the stimulus act on February 13, 2009, to the present. Given the $2 billion cost of the program, that represents $158,556.88 per job created. Many of those jobs are likely temporary, but the Energy Department does not track how long the jobs are retained. Also, the data show the program did not achieve the overall goal of the stimulus program to create jobs as rapidly as possible.

Grassley and Thune released an analysis of the program prepared by their staff.  The analysis is available here.

With more dining stations and food choices on the menu, book lovers attending the Rock Island Library Foundation's Food for Thought fundraiser will have plenty of tasty ways to "eat, drink, and support their library" on Nov. 8. Food for Thought runs from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19^th Street. To set up for the event, the Main Library will close to the public at noon on Nov. 8 and reopen to Food for Thought guests at 5:00 pm.

Participating chefs Brad Scott, Eudell Watts, III, Eric Hand and Craig Joos, Kyle Verschorre, Martha Cleaveland and Robert Lewis will be offering samples of dishes ranging from starters to desserts. The menu includes:

• Antipasto station with assorted Cabot Creamery cheeses, warm spinach artichoke dip and garlic dip, assorted olives, vegetables, salami and fresh fruit, Sauté station featuring creamy garlic butter risotto with lagostino and shrimp, both presented by Chef Brad Scott and the Scott Community College culinary arts academy.
• Mediterranean shrimp and pasta with tomato, olives and garlic from Eric Hand and Chef Craig Joos of the Rock Island HyVee.
• Bite-size pita with gyro topping, mini-pulled pork sandwich and crostini toast served by Chef Kyle Verschorre, of Doc's Inn
• A flavorful and healthy chicken stir-fry prepared by Chef Robert Lewis, the "happy diabetic chef,"
• Fancy fettucchine with artichokes and chicken, accompanied by creamy mushroom and panzanella bruschettas, served by Eudell Watts, III, of Eudell's Specialty Foods.
• Dessert prepared by Chef Martha Cleaveland, Blue Cat Brew Pub.

Food for Thought transforms the historic 1903 library building into a spot for dining, socializing and silent auction bidding. Admission includes wines poured by Thad Miller, craft brew samples from Dan Cleaveland of the Blue Cat Brew Pub, complimentary soft drinks, and musical entertainment by the BHC Jazz Combo and Lee Blackmon.

Guests can bid on 35 books signed by their authors, as well as other unique gift items, including a private home dinner party for four, home pizza party, baskets and packages from local businesses. One-of-a-kind tote and book bags, made by Adventure Orange DIY boutique from retired library banners, will also be included in the silent auction.

The fundraising event helps the Rock Island Public Library Foundation grant requests for special programs and projects that are outside the Rock Island Library's normal operating budget. Rock Island Library Foundation dollars support special purchases of materials, equipment, beautification projects. Previous Foundation grants have funded the library's Bookletters service, renovations to the children's room and self-check machines.

Guests who RSVP in advance receive a preferred admission rate of $30 per person or $50 for a couple. To receive the preferred admission rate, guests should reserve by calling 309-732-7302 by noon on Wednesday, Nov. 7. Without a reservation, walk-in admission is $35 per person. With either rate, admission is payable at the door by cash, check or credit. Donations to the 501c3 Rock Island Library Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Additional support for the event was received by Modern Woodmen of America, Cabot Creamery cheeses, Friendship Manor, and the Printer's Mark.

For more information, visit the library webpage at www.rockislandlibrary.org or call 309-732-7302.

CHICAGO- On Thursday, November 1, Vice President Biden will travel to Iowa for grassroots events in Muscatine and Fort Dodge, Iowa.  While campaigning in Iowa, Vice President Biden will lay out the vision he and the President share to create an economy that's built to last versus going back to the same, failed top-down policies that crashed our economy. He and President Obama have a concrete and specific second-term plan to continue restoring economic security to the middle class. To view their plan, visit barackobama.com/plans.  The Vice President will also highlight the choice facing Americans in this election between two fundamentally different visions of how to grow the economy, create middle-class jobs and restore middle-class economic security.

Also in Iowa, the Vice President will also remind Iowans about early voting opportunities throughout the state.

SCHEDULE AND LOGISTICAL INFORMATION FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1 2012

Grassroots Event with Vice President Biden in Muscatine, IA

Estimated Event Time: 11:45 AM CDT (for planning purposes only)

Crowd Doors Open: 10:00 AM CDT

Where: West Middle School, 600 Kindler Ave, Muscatine, Iowa

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