20 Jun 2012

Senate approves Grassley amendment to farm bill

By Rick Martin
WASHINGTON - During debate this afternoon on the 2012 farm bill, senators voted 75 to 24 for Senator Chuck Grassley's amendment to cap marketing loan gains (amendment #2167).

"We should have caps on Title I commodity programs, and this amendment sets hard cap of $75,000 on marketing loan gains," Grassley said.  "The reform will help to bring about more defensibility for the farm program, along with the other reforms I worked to get in the legislation during committee consideration."

Grassley is a longtime advocate of limits on farm program payments to keep the program focused on small and mid-sized farmers.
20 Jun 2012

Trivia Night Fund-raiser in Milan

By Jared Johnson

TRIVIA NIGHT

IN MILAN, IL

JUNE 23RD

DOORS OPEN AT 5PM

50/50 DRAWING

GIFT BASKET RAFFLES

PULL TABS

MUST BE 18 TO PLAY

MONEY BENEFITS MILAN FIREWORKS

RESERVE YOUR TABLE $80

CALL 309-787-8510 (PAM)

19 Jun 2012

US Forest Service adds four heavy helicopters to support wildfire suppression

By U.S. Forest Service

WASHINGTON, June 19, 2012 - U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell today announced the agency is adding four heavy helicopters to the aviation firefighting fleet.


"The addition of these helicopters to our aviation fleet will increase our ability to respond quickly and aggressively to fight wildfires and protect lives and property," said Tidwell. "We will continue to mobilize our firefighting assets when and where they are needed as we respond to a very challenging wildfire season."

The helicopters will be available this summer for large fire support and initial attack to any location in the United States.

The U.S. Forest Service successfully suppresses about 98 percent of the approximately 10,000 wildfires that occur each year on National Forest System lands. 

Two of the heavy helicopters are S-61s owned by Siller Helicopters of Yuba City, Calif.; one is an S-64 Skycrane owned by Erickson Air Crane of Central Point, Ore.; and one is an S-70 owned by Firehawk Helicopters of Leesburg, Fla. 

Helicopters are used primarily for dropping retardant or water during wildland fires, supporting the actions of firefighters on the ground.  The additional helicopter assets will strengthen the agency's capability to respond effectively to fire activity during the summer wildfire season.

The Forest Service can respond vigorously to wildfire with an array of assets that includes more than 15,000 USDA and Department of the Interior firefighters (about 70 percent from the Forest Service) and up to 950 engines, 14 large airtankers, eight Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems, one very large (DC-10) airtanker, 300 call-when-needed helicopters, and a mix of type 1, 2, and 3 helicopters.

On June 13, the agency awarded exclusive use contracts for seven "Next Generation" airtankers. Three will be operational in 2012 and four in 2013.  This is the first step in implementing the Large Airtanker Modernization Strategy, which was submitted to Congress in February and recommends 18 to 28 large airtankers.

The Forest Service uses many tools for wildland fire suppression including accelerated restoration efforts that include thinning and other fuels treatments. Restoration of National Forest System lands are critically needed to address a number of threats to the health of forest ecosystems, watersheds, and forest dependent communities. 

This year, as in the past, firefighting experts will continuously monitor conditions and move assets as necessary to be best positioned and increase initial attack capabilities.

The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Recreational activities on our lands contribute $14.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

 

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202-720-6382 (TDD).

19 Jun 2012

SBHCC Announces Results of Small Business Poll On the Affordable Care Act

By Kathleen Duffy
RELEASES RESULTS OF IL HEALTH CARE POLLS OF SMALL BUSINESSES, CALLS ON GOVERNOR QUINN TO ACT NO MATTER WHAT THE SUPREME COURT DECIDES
ILLINOIS - The newly formed Small Business Health Care Consortium (SBHCC) announced today the results of recent Illinois polls regarding the small business provision of the Affordable Care Act  and their call for Governor Quinn to establish an Illinois Insurance Exchange with key principle provisions by issuing an executive order.
The polls, conducted in conjunction with the Small Business Majority, found that:
  • 63% of Illinois small business owners want to see the Affordable Care Act upheld, with minor or no changes. After learning more about the specifics of the law, support for keeping it as is or with minor changes rose to 68%.
  • A 73% majority of small business owners say they would use or consider using the state exchange, and seven out of 10 Illinois small business owners support the state in applying for federal aid under the Affordable Care Act to set one up.
  • A majority of business owners say they'd be likely to purchase health care for their employees through a state exchange because it is the only place they can receive a tax credit beginning in 2014. 64% of those polled said qualifying for the tax credit would make them more likely to provide or continue offering coverage to employees.
(Links: IL ACA Poll Mini Report and ACA Wrapup poll)
Small businesses are the backbone of Illinois's economy. In 2010, 203,600 businesses in Illinois had 25 or fewer workers, according to the Small Business Majority. The SBHCC, formed earlier this year, represents the voice of small business leaders throughout Illinois on health care reform.
Present SBHCC Steering Committee members include the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Women Business Owners - Chicago Chapter, McCormick Chamber of Commerce, Women's Business Development Center, and small businesses including Old Mexico Restaurant (Rock Island), Gregg Florist (Peoria), Wirehead Technology (Chicago), Second Act Cancer Recovery Boutique (Chicago), MCCE Investments (Springfield), Linda Forman CPA PC (Evanston), and H.A King & Associates (Chicago.)
"Forming the Small Business Health Care Consortium to represent the diversity of small businesses throughout the state is overdue. I am working with the Small Business Health Care Consortium to ensure that all small businesses can afford health insurance," said Howard Lee of Wire Technology in Chicago, a SBHCC steering committee member.
Another provision of the ACA is the development of a competitive healthcare marketplace, or insurance exchange, in each state. Small businesses want to support our employees and their families by being able to provide them with the quality, affordable healthcare they deserve, but the high costs make it difficult or impossible for many of us to do that. We need a strong marketplace to give us more control, quality choices, and better consumer protections when buying insurance - just like the big guys get.
Pattie Sheehan, Certified Mastectomy Fitter and sole proprietor of Second Act Mastectomy Boutique in Chicago, serves cancer patients and survivors. "Every day I see and hear from women who did not catch their cancer early because they did not have access to healthcare. Women who battle cancer also work at small businesses and that means that they are less likely to have health insurance coverage, just because their employer is small. It is time for the inequality of insurance access to be erased and for the needs of small businesses to be met so that our employees can afford good insurance. That is why I have joined the Steering Committee of the Small Business Health Care Consortium."
Since 2010 under the ACA, companies with fewer than 25 employees and average employee wages of less than $50,000 can get tax credits for the health insurance they provide their employees. These tax breaks have already lightened the load on small businesses so we can get back to what we do best...creating jobs that will stay here in our communities.
"I am the owner of MCCE Investments and I also own several Subway stores in the Springfield area. The main reason I am spending time on this project, the Small Business Health Care Consortium, is to be sure small business has a voice in the process from the beginning. We have to be sure health care for all Americans is not done on the backs of small business but must be shared by all," said Mark Burris.
"Contrary to political spin and popular belief, small business owners in Illinois do not want the U.S. Supreme Court to throw out the Affordable Care Act. Illinois small businesses see this law as helping everyone have coverage and bringing down healthcare costs?something that has been one of their top concerns for years.  We hope Supreme Court justices understand how important this law is to small businesses who need relief from high healthcare costs," said Jim Duffett, Executive Director of the Campaign for Better Health Care.
Duffett continued, "Since the General Assembly has abdicated its responsibilities, Governor Quinn needs to step up to the plate and enact an Executive Order to begin the process for an Illinois Marketplace (exchange). Small businesses are committed in taking personal responsibility; it is time for our political leaders to do the same."
Right now, Illinois could access over $200 million in federal funds to implement the new marketplace. It won't cost the state a penny if we use these federal funds. This past legislative session, the General Assembly took no action on implementing a marketplace in Illinois. This means the federal government will implement one for us, unless Governor Quinn takes immediate action.
David Whitaker, Chair of the Health Committee for the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce, said "Small businesses are diverse throughout Illinois and yet we all have the same problem when it comes to buying health insurance?it is very difficult and we spend more for it than larger businesses. The Illinois General Assembly failed this past session to enact legislation to establish an Illinois marketplace, or insurance exchange. It is time for action and leadership."

"The SBHCC is calling on Governor Quinn to sign an executive order to set the standard for this
marketplace and it must include the following principles:

1) No insurance industry representataives on the Governing Board.
2) The right to negotiate rates with insurers - there must be real cost containment measures.
3) The Insurance industry must pay for the Marketplace, not small businesses and consumers."
Joyce Harant, SBHCC Project Director said, "Small business owners are so busy keeping their businesses operating that they have very little time to navigate what is happening about health care reform.  Most of them wish they could afford health insurance for their employees and yet when the rubber meets the road, for many of them the obstacles are too great.  My hope is that we can learn the needs of small business owners and, in a collective way, make sure their needs and opinions are heard and become part of the legislation passed in Illinois."
Full statements by small business owners on today's telebriefing are available via Kathleen Duffy.  The audio of today's telebriefing is available on the Campaign for Better Health Care's Audio Archive.
# # #
About the Small Business Health Care Consortium
The Small Business Health Care Consortium (SBHCC), a project of the Campaign for Better Health Care, represents the voice of small business leaders throughout Illinois on health care reform.  For more information, please contact Joyce Harant, SBHCC Project Director.
About the Campaign for Better Health Care
We believe that accessible, affordable, quality health care is a basic human right for ALL people.  The Campaign for Better Health Care is the state's largest coalition representing over 300 diverse organizations, organizing to help create and advocate for an accessible, quality health care system for all.  For more information, visit www.cbhconline.org.
19 Jun 2012

Soy Checkoff-Funded Video Series Helps Boost Production, Profit Potential

By United Soybean Board
"Focus on Soybeans" webcasts provide farmers the latest news on production research

ST. LOUIS (June 19, 2012) - To make the most of every acre, U.S. soybean farmers need the latest production research and management information. One thing that can help them get it is the soy checkoff-funded "Focus on Soybeans" webcast series. And with the new, quicker summary versions, U.S. soybean farmers can get the latest information they can use on the farm in five minutes or less.

"The webcasts provide valuable information to help soybean farmers better manage pests, diseases and other crop stresses," says Jimmy Sneed United Soybean Board (USB) communications chair and Hernando, Miss., soybean farmer. "They also bring to U.S. soybean farmers new developments in production practices, irrigation management, seeding rates, seed-quality preservation and others that are included in the series, too."

Now the webcasts are available in a shorter format. And although that provides more convenience for some farmers, the full-length versions, which include a lot more science-related information, still remain available for soybean farmers who prefer the longer format.

The webcast series, developed by Plant Management Network (PMN) in partnership with the soy checkoff, feature updates on applied and practical soybean research projects. On the last Monday of each month, the soy checkoff posts new webcasts to www.UnitedSoybean.org, accessible via the "Focus on Soybeans" sign on the homepage. All U.S. soybean farmers have free access to the full-length webcasts for two months. The five-minute summary versions will be accessible at all times.

"We are pleased to work with the USB and the soy checkoff on this effort to help U.S. farmers, crop consultants and others to manage their soybean crops more profitably," says Greg Tylka, Ph.D., professor and extension specialist at Iowa State University and chair of the Focus on Soybeans editorial committee. "Through this convenient, practical outlet, we provide research-based crop production and protection information to help U.S. farmers increase soybean yields in this growing season and beyond." PMN serves as an Internet-based resource owned and operated by the American Phytopathological Society and jointly managed by the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America. The website can be accessed at www.PlantManagementNetwork.org.

"With cuts in resources such as extension, it becomes increasingly important that farmers have other resources to turn to help us boost our production," says Sneed. "That boost in production can help increase the profitability of every U.S. soybean farmer, which has always been a goal of the soy checkoff."

The soy checkoff has funded "Focus on Soybeans" since 2010, providing access to 12 webcasts per year.

The 69 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.


For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

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19 Jun 2012

Iowa receives A for manufacturing

By Marc Ransford
Manufacturing nationally enjoyed a robust year as growth in many sectors accelerated from the already strong manufacturing recovery of 2010-11. But the impact varies from state to state, says a report from Ball State University, depending on several factors.

The 2012 Manufacturing and Logistics Report Card, an in-depth analysis from Ball State's Center for Business and Economic Research, grades all 50 states, on how they handled those factors.

Iowa named received the following grades:
Manufacturing: A
Logistics: B
Human Capital: B
Worker Benefit Costs: C
Tax Climate: D-
Expected Liability Gap: B-
Global Reach: C
Sector Diversification: C-
Productivity and Innovation: C


CBER director Michael Hicks says manufacturing roared back in many states in the last year, but he anticipates a slow down as worker productivity gains outstrip demand.

"In the short run, the trend will be exacerbated by the very high probability of a U.S. recession in 2012-13," Hicks says. "The rapidly slowing European, Chinese, Indian and Brazilian economies will place heavy pressure on firms to maintain their exports. A marked decline in U.S. exports is already in progress, and alone will deepen a slowdown already being felt across much of the country. The uncertainty surrounding financial markets will be with us for many months, depressing investment and new hiring. "

CBER prepared the report at the request of Conexus Indiana, the state's advanced manufacturing initiative. It is available at
http://cber.iweb.bsu.edu/research/conexus12/ <http://cber.iweb.bsu.edu/research/conexus11/> .

At the top of the class with A's were Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kansas and Iowa. At the bottom, with F's were Alaska, Hawaii, New Mexico and Nevada.

New to the report this year is an analysis of an expected liability gap. State and local governments throughout the U.S. purchase bonds for infrastructure improvement and provide pensions and health care for workers. Typically a dedicated revenue stream pays for these bonds from local or state finances. Pension obligations are typically funded in an actuarially evaluated fund.

Hicks says many states have failed to provide a direct funding stream to bond obligations or to fully fund pension plans, which leads to unfunded bond and pension liabilities. These unfunded liabilities represent an expected state fiscal liability gap, which is a good indicator of the direction of future taxes and public services.

To measure the expected liability gap, the report includes data on unfunded liability per capita and percentage of GDP, average benefits, and bond rankings.

For more information, contact Hicks at mhicks@bsu.edu <mailto:mhicks@bsu.edu>  or 765-716-3625.
19 Jun 2012

Green Show Performance of The Merchant of Venice Downtown Iowa City, Friday, June 22

By Sarah Burnett

Iowa City, Iowa - To mark the opening of The Merchant of Venice at Riverside Theatre in the Park, the Apprentice Company will perform a free preview of The Merchant of Venice Green Show Friday, June 22, at 12:10 p.m. on the downtown pedestrian mall (near Washington St.).

At Riverside Theatre in the Park, the Green Shows are performed one hour before curtain. These 20-minute story theatre versions of the evening's play allow the audience to brush up on the plot in advance of the evening performance.

The nightly Green Show?and this preview performance?showcases the work of the Riverside Theatre in the Park Apprentice Company.

Green Shows are filled with humor and are family friendly.

Riverside Theatre in the Park runs now through July 8, featuring The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, directed by Kristin Horton and As You Like It by William Shakespeare, directed by Theodore Swetz.

For more information about Riverside Theatre in the Park, please call the Riverside Theatre Box Office at 319-338-7672 or visit www.riversidetheatre.org.

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19 Jun 2012

Loebsack Announces $2.7 Million in Transportation Funds for Clinton

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that the City of Clinton has received $2.7 million to reconstruct 1.77 miles of Camanche Avenue/Highways 30 & 67.  The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's TIGER grant program.   Loebsack wrote a letter in support of this project and his office also met with the Department of Transportation together with the City to discuss the application.

"This announcement is great news for the people of Clinton and their efforts to revitalize the river area, which brings with it continued economic growth," said Loebsack.  "I had the opportunity to meet with community leaders about the importance of this project and was happy to support the proposal.  I am excited to see the improvements that will be made and the valuable local jobs that will be created."

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19 Jun 2012

SCOTT COUNTY, IOWA IS AWARDED HIGHEST HONOR IN GOVERNMENTAL BUDGETING

By Chris Berge
Tom Sunderbruch, Chairman of the Scott County Board of Supervisors announced today that Scott County has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for Scott County's current FY12 Budget.

Scott County is one of only two Iowa counties (Scott and Linn County) to hold the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. The County has received this award for the last twenty four consecutive years. Only 10 of the 1,488 governmental units in the State of Iowa currently hold this honor.

Tom Sunderbruch stated that this award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting. Its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by the elected officials and management of Scott County and reflects their commitment to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.

In order to receive the award, Scott County had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity's budget serves as 1) A policy document 2) A financial plan 3) An operations guide 4) Communications device. Budget documents must be rated "proficient" in all four categories to receive this award.

For budgets, including fiscal period 2010, over 1,289 governmental entities have received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award nationwide. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide excellent examples for other governments throughout North America.

Tom Sunderbruch stated that the Board designates the achievement of this certification as a high priority. The Board expressed their appreciation to Dee F. Bruemmer, County Administrator and to the County's designated budget analysts and support staff for their work and professional guidance in helping the county to obtain this governmental budgeting honor.

The budget analysts and support staff members are listed below:

Ed Rivers, Health Director
Pam Bennett, Office Administrator, Sheriff's Department
Chris Berge, Administrative Assistant
Sue Brewer, Operations Manager, Recorder's Office
Lori Elam, Community Services Director
Tim Huey, Planning & Development Director
Craig Hufford, Financial Management Supervisor, Treasurer's Office
Sarah Kautz, Budget Manager
Roland Caldwell, Operations Manager, Auditor's Office
Kathy Walsh, Office Administrator, Attorney's Office

The GFOA is a non-profit professional association serving over 17,500 government finance professionals throughout North America. GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting.

For more information on this press release please contact:

David Farmer, CPA, Budget Manager
Scott County Administrative Center
600 West 4th Street
Davenport, IA 52801-1003
563-326-8651

Stephen J. Gauthier
Government Finance Officers Association
180 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60601
312-977-9700
19 Jun 2012

United Township high school students are building a home!

By M. McNeil
Some United Township High School summer school students are getting the ultimate lesson this summer on how to build a house

(East Moline, IL)  The United Township Building Trades summer program is currently constructing a house at 1808 10th Ave Silvis.  The Lights ON for Learning 21st Century program is funding the project.  According to UT's Assistant Principal, Anthony Ragona, six students worked on a volunteer basis Monday through Thursdays for the past two weeks learning construction and trade skills as they built a home.  Thursday, June 21st, is their last day on the site and they are available for media interviews at 11:30 am.

WHO:  UT Building Trades Summer Program
WHAT:  House Building
WHEN: Thursday, June 21st at 11:30 am
WHERE:  1808 10th Avenue  Silvis, IL

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