13 Aug 2012

PRESIDENT OBAMA TO DISCUSS MIDDLE-CLASS ECONOMIC SECURITY IN DUBUQUE AND DAVENPORT, IOWA

By Randy Stalsberg

CHICAGO-- On Wednesday, August 15, President Obama will end his three day bus tour through Iowa with grassroots events in Dubuque and Davenport.  First Lady Michelle Obama will be joining the President at both grassroots events. The President will discuss the choice in this election between two fundamentally different visions of how to create an economy built to last and restore middle-class economic security.

President Obama has a vision for an economy built from the middle out, not the top down.  During his first term, President Obama has already cut taxes for a typical Iowa family by about $3,600.  This has helped Iowa families afford to send their children to college, buy their first home, pay for health care and child care. The centerpiece of the Romney-Ryan economic proposals is a $5 trillion tax plan that independent economists have confirmed would raise taxes on middle class families with children by an average of more than $2,000 in order to pay for tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires.

Grassroots Event with President Obama & First Lady Michelle Obama in Davenport, Iowa:

Estimated Event Time: 5:25PM CDT

Where: Village of East Davenport

Intersection of East 11th and Christie Streets

Members of the media interested in covering the President's events in Dubuque and Davenport, Iowa must RSVP for EACH STOP by 9:00AM EDT / 8:00AM CDT Tuesday, August 14, 2012. No late submissions will be considered.

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13 Aug 2012

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action Saturday, August 11, 2012

By William Palmisano

SPRINGFIELD -August 11, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bill:

 

Bill No.: SB 3800

An Act Concerning: Education

Allows Illinois Student Assistance Commission to administer wage garnishments on any employee in order to recover student loan debt owned or serviced by the Commission. Also allows for the employee having their wages deducted to have the opportunity to contest the loan obligation.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

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13 Aug 2012

Xstream Cleanup Results: VOLUNTEERS CLEAN UP OVER 47,000 LBS OF MATERIAL

By Erin Vorac
QUAD CITIES?Volunteers at the ninth annual Xstream Cleanup on Saturday, August 11 removed approximately 47,407 pounds of debris from area waterways and illegal dumpsites. Cleanups were held at 43 locations in Bettendorf, Buffalo, Davenport, LeClaire, McCausland and Lost Grove Lake, in Iowa; Milan, Moline, Rock Island and Silvis, in Illinois.

· 1,476 volunteers worked a total of 4,226 hours and collectively gathered 1,499 bags of trash, 658 tires, 16 appliances, 16 bicycles, 22 pieces of furniture, 37 televisions and 16 mattresses. This was the equivalent of 28,840 pounds of trash, 15,744 pounds of tires, 1,200 pounds of appliances, 368 pounds of bicycles, 330 pounds of televisions and 925 pounds of mattresses for a grand total of 47,407 pounds. In addition, volunteers removed 46,060 pounds of material from Living Lands and Waters' barge. The material was hand sorted by volunteers and 30,000 pounds were recycled.
Additional items found, not reflected in the pounds above, included:
· Construction-related items: wire fencing, wood, metal, construction debris, road construction sign, barricade, tarp, barrels, chain link fence.
· Weaponry: partial gun, knife, BB gun, handgun without the barrel (turned into police), holster & bullets.
· Children's-related items: slippy slide, kiddie pools, bounce house, stroller, scooter, Batman belt, basketball, soccer ball, goal post.
· Automotive-related items: car parts, car bumper, windshield, 25 car batteries, car fender, tire rim, motorcycle front end, engine block.
· Home-related items: box spring, bed frame, kitchen sink, carpet, toilet, bathroom sink, vacuum cleaner, grill, grill cover, lawn chair, futon.
· Miscellaneous items: wedding dress, backpack, high heels, jewelry, a concrete elephant, moonshine parts, purse and several drivers' licenses, wallet with driver's license, dollar bill, check, cash register.
In addition, this year the following locations worked on beautification efforts:

· Greenvalley Nature Preserve in Moline: chipped 10 yards of European Buckthorn.
· Fairmount Cemetery in Davenport: removed one 50 foot long by 15 foot wide trailer of brush from the prairie.
· Nahant Marsh in Davenport: removed seven 12 foot trailers of brush from the prairie.
Photos of several cleanup sites can be viewed on-line at www.xstreamcleanup.org. 

This event was sponsored by the following:

Presenting Sponsors: Group O and Riverboat Development Authority.
Platinum Sponsors: Alcoa, iLivehere® and Living Lands & Waters.
Gold Sponsors: Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, Iowa American Water, Rock Island County Waste Management Agency and The Moline Foundation.
Silver Sponsors: Alter Metal Recycling, DHL Global Forwarding, Independent Insurance Agents of Scott County, McCarthy-Bush Corporation, Oystar Packaging Technologies, Quad City Conservation Alliance, Radish magazine, Sears Seating and Wallace's Garden Center.
Bronze Sponsors: Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Downtown Davenport Partnership, Eastern Iowa Grain Inspection, Mel Foster Company, Midas Auto Systems Experts and THE National Bank.
Logistics Sponsors: Cities of Bettendorf, Buffalo, Davenport, LeClaire, McCausland, Milan, Moline, Rock Island and Silvis. Allied Waste, Bi-State Regional Commission, Keep Rock Island Beautiful, Partners of Scott County Watersheds, River Roots Live and Waste Commission of Scott County.

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13 Aug 2012

Ticket Distribution Information for Davenport Grassroots Event with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama

By Randy Stalsberg

UPDATE!  August 13, 2012  12:45PM

Tickets are no longer available for the Wednesday event with the President and First Lady in Davenport.  All tickets have been distributed.

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Location: Village of East Davenport - the intersection of East 11th St and Christie St

Doors Open: 3 PM CST on Wednesday, August 15

Ticket Distribution Information for Members of the Public: The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required for entrance. Tickets are limited to one per person and will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets will be available starting at 12 PM on Sunday, August 12th at the following locations:

Davenport OFA Office

1706 Brady St. #204

Davenport, IA 52803
13 Aug 2012

Texas Hold'em Tournament

By Dan

Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy of East Moline is hosting a 500 seat Texas Hold'em Tournament on September 9, 2012 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Hall, 800 17th Street, Silvis.

The entry fee is $80.00 ($60.00 to prize pool and $20.00 to Grace)

The tournament features two session of 250 players. The first session is at 12 noon and the second session is at 5PM. Projected Prize pool is $30,000, with first prize $10,000 guaranteed. The top 30 from each session will play at 9:45 for the money. The tourney will pay to the top 42 players.

Advance registration is highly recommended. Players may register at www.qcpoker.com. Pre-registering may be done on the website. The event will have a cash bar and food will also be available. Please direct questions to info@qcpoker.com or call the school at (309)755-9771.

13 Aug 2012

OBAMA CAMPAIGN STATEMENT ON ROMNEY VICE PRESIDENTIAL PICK

By Randy Stalsberg

CHICAGO - Obama for America Campaign Manager Jim Messina released the following statement in response to Mitt Romney picking Congressman Paul Ryan to be his presumptive nominee for vice president:

"In naming Congressman Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney has chosen a leader of the House Republicans who shares his commitment to the flawed theory that new budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthy, while placing greater burdens on the middle class and seniors, will somehow deliver a stronger economy. The architect of the radical Republican House budget, Ryan, like Romney, proposed an additional $250,000 tax cut for millionaires, and deep cuts in education from Head Start to college aid. His plan also would end Medicare as we know it by turning it into a voucher system, shifting thousands of dollars in health care costs to seniors. As a member of Congress, Ryan rubber-stamped the reckless Bush economic policies that exploded our deficit and crashed our economy. Now the Romney-Ryan ticket would take us back by repeating the same, catastrophic mistakes."

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13 Aug 2012

Governor Quinn Marches in Bud Billiken Parade, Continues Push for Pension Reform

By Nafia Khan

CHICAGO - August 11, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today marched in the annual Bud Billiken parade and continued his push for public pension reform. Walking alongside hundreds of youth and students, the governor called for a school system and pension system that are built to last for future generations.

The Governor has summoned the General Assembly to a Special Session on Friday, August 17, to focus on pension reform.

"As I march up Doctor Martin Luther King Drive and see all these bright, smiling faces, the importance of bold action on pension reform is crystal clear," Governor Quinn said. "Education is being squeezed out by fast-rising pension costs. We owe it to our kids marching here today and across Illinois to reform our pension system, so they have the education they deserve."

Last week, Governor Quinn's Office of Management & Budget released a study showing that without comprehensive pension reform, Illinois will spend more on pensions than education by FY 2016. The State's 2013 budget is $33.7 billion, with 15 percent going to pensions alone. Each day, Illinois' unfunded pension liability grows by $12.6 million. The Governor has proposed a pension reform plan - which is expected to save taxpayers $65 to $85 billion - that eliminates the unfunded liability over the next 30 years and stabilizes the system.

For legislators' contact information and details on Governor Quinn's pension reform plan, visit SaveOurState.illinois.gov.

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13 Aug 2012

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action Friday, August 10, 2012

By William Palmisano

CHICAGO - August 10, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bill:

Bill No.: SB 3766

An Act Concerning: Public Utilities

Amends the Public Utilities Act to void any previously approved sourcing agreements by the ICC as it relates to the Chicago Clean Energy (CCE) project, and seeks to address several contested issues in the current docket case (11-0710) including the debt ratio, the projected annual output, and the cost recovery percentages.

Action: Vetoed

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13 Aug 2012

Film showing in Davenport

By Kelly Lao
Davenport, IA- The German American Heritage Center will host Bob King of the Classic Film Society as he introduces us to a classic 16mm film, "The State of Scott" on Saturday, August 18th at 2pm. The showing will be at the Center, located at 712 W. 2nd St. Davenport, IA. The admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $3 for children ages 5-17. Members are free. This program is part of our celebration of beer during our exhibition Suds! which runs through October 28th.

The "Free and Independent State of Scott" celebrations had their roots in the Iowa temperance movement of the late 1880s. Davenport did not support the state's efforts to pass a prohibition amendment, due to the large number of taverns and breweries in Scott County. The Kohler and Lange Brewery of Davenport filed suit when prohibition was passed in 1882, overturning the amendment on a technicality.

Seventy years later, the Davenport Chamber of Commerce decided to hold 'State of Scott' celebrations as part of a three year program to promote the city to both residents and tourists. These celebrations, which were held in 1946, 1947, and 1948, included parades, fireworks, beauty contests, and even the election of a 'Governor' and the appointment of 'Senators" from Scott County towns. The "State of Scott" film depicts these activities as well as views of the city from another time. For more information on this program contact Kelly at kelly.lao@gahc.org or 563-322-8844.
13 Aug 2012

Grassley in Des Moines on Monday and Tuesday

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley will be in Des Moines early next week for the Iowa State Fair and constituent meetings.

At the fair on Monday, Grassley will visit the Health Awareness and Screening Booth, sponsored by the Prevent Cancer Foundation and the John Stoddard Cancer Center, in the Varied Industries Building at 12:45 p.m.  He will serve ice tea at the Pork Producers Tent, at 1:30 p.m., and visit other fair attractions throughout the day.

On Tuesday, Grassley will attend the grand opening of a new health care facility, meet with employees and tour a start-up business, and participate in a discussion of health care policy.  Details of the Tuesday schedule are below.

Grassley will be available to answer questions from reporters immediately following the Healthy Discussions Forum at Des Moines University.

 

Tuesday, August 14

9-10:30 p.m.

Grand Opening for Harbor View Medical

1300 37th Street, Suite #1 in West Des Moines

 

10:45-11:35 a.m.

Meet with Employees and Tour DomiKnow

317 6th Avenue, 7th floor in Des Moines

 

12 noon-1 p.m.

Participate in a Healthy Discussions Forum

Medical Education Center at Des Moines University

3200 Grand Avenue in Des Moines

 

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