PROPERTY TAXES, REGULATORY REFORM & INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING AMONG IOWA FARM BUREAU PRIORITIES FOR 2012 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Jan. 10, 2012 - Iowa Farm Bureau will focus on property taxes, regulatory reform and infrastructure funding in the 2012 legislative session.

"A priority in 2012 will be building on our success during the 2011 session, when Farm Bureau was instrumental in providing property tax relief by leading the effort to backfill $160 million in state money for our schools," said Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) President Craig Hill.   Farm Bureau will protect Iowa property taxpayers as new funding mechanisms are pursued for government services, including the redesign of the mental health system.  Farm Bureau will also work to ensure that commercial property tax reform measures do not create a shift to other classes of property."

IFBF, Iowa's largest grassroots farming organization, is also in support of long-term sustainable and equitable funding to help repair the state's aging infrastructure. According to a recent Iowa DOT study, maintenance and repair of Iowa's roads and bridges is falling behind. "An additional $215 million per year is needed just to address the critical repairs to Iowa's roads and bridges.  Providing and maintaining an adequate infrastructure system, such as safe roads and bridges, is a basic function of government," said Hill.

IFBF will work with lawmakers again this year to strengthen legislative oversight of the rule-making process.  "Our regulatory process needs reform.  Unwarranted regulations add unnecessary and unexpected costs to farming.  In recent years, we've seen numerous examples of rules developed by governor-appointed boards and commissions without the direction of the state legislature.  It is important that boards and commissions do not exceed their authority by creating rules beyond federal requirements.  These are decisions that should be made by the legislature," said Hill.  "Rules also need to be based on sound science to determine their need, relevance and effectiveness."

Another priority for Farm Bureau members in the 2012 legislative session is the continued support of increased funding of science-proven conservation practices that yield real results.  "Farm Bureau will continue to work for increased state funding to implement incentive-based, voluntary conservation programs.  Farmers want to do more, but these programs are currently underfunded and demand for cost-share dollars exceeds available funding by more than $15 million.  We know these conservation measures work. Thanks to buffer strips, terracing and other soil-protection measures, Iowa farmers have reduced total cropland erosion in this state by over 30 percent since 1982. Farm Bureau has always supported the efforts of the Soil & Water Conservation Districts and the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship to maintain soil conservation funding," said Hill, a Milo crop and livestock farmer.

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About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online media room at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

Increase to Earned Income Credit and Personal Exemption
to Help Working Families and Stimulate Local Economies

CHICAGO - January 10, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today signed major legislation to increase tax relief for working families across Illinois. Senate Bill 400 doubles the state's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) over two years, saving low-income workers an extra $105 million per year. The new law also benefits all Illinois taxpayers by improving the value of the personal exemption and indexing it to inflation. Throughout the fall veto session, Governor Quinn insisted that tax relief for working families be part of the package.

"One of the best ways to stimulate the local economy is to put more money in the pockets of working families," Governor Quinn said. "This law is a win for workers, a win for families and a win for employers that will support job growth across Illinois for years to come."

Senate Bill 400 provides the largest increase in Illinois' EITC since its inception in 2000, by phasing in a 5 percent increase over two years. The bill boosts the state's EITC from its current level at 5 percent of federal EITC, to 7.5 percent in tax year 2012 and 10 percent of federal EITC in tax year 2013. More than 2.5 million state residents benefited from the Illinois EITC in 2010.

Under the new law, a single mother with one child, earning minimum wage ($12,800 a year), will save $154 on her taxes. A married couple with three children earning $30,000 a year will save $199 on their taxes this year.

Uniquely pro-growth and pro-family, EITC is available only to those with earned income and provides incentive to work as well as much-needed tax relief to the lowest-income families. EITC also boosts local economies through increased consumer demand. A 2006 Brookings Institution study found that every dollar a family saves through this tax credit translates into $1.58 of activity in local economies.

SB 400 was sponsored by Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Olympia Fields) and House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago.)

"The tax relief contained in Senate Bill 400 will benefit every person who files a tax return in Illinois," Sen. Hutchinson said. "Working families for too long have had to deal with increasing expenses and stagnant wages. This legislation is an opportunity to provide meaningful tax relief."

"A fair tax policy should help low-income working families, and our expansion of the state's EITC will do just that," Rep. Currie said. "This credit rewards work, and will help families keep a roof over their head and food on the table."

Senate Bill 400 also improves the value of the standard personal exemption for all taxpayers in Illinois and ties its continued growth to the rate of inflation. The personal exemption will increase by $50 (to $2,050) in tax year 2012, and the value of the exemption will be indexed to the cost of living adjustment each tax year thereafter. The personal exemption change benefits all taxpayers, regardless of income.

Senate Bill 400 goes into effect June 1.

How to Benefit from the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

To benefit from Illinois' EITC, also known as the Earned Income Credit (EIC), taxpayers must include it on their tax returns. The not-for-profit Center for Economic Progress (CEP) estimates that between 10 and 20 percent of eligible taxpayers did not file for EITC last year.

To help working families achieve the maximum savings on their taxes, the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) partners with the CEP Tax Counseling Project to provide free tax preparation assistance at tax assistance centers across the state. The services are provided free of charge to families making less than $50,000 annually and to individuals with yearly incomes under $25,000. More than 28,000 Illinois taxpayers filed returns through the program in the 2010 tax season, with more than $50 million in state and federal tax refunds returned to clients.

DHS also funds the Tax Assistance Program (TAP) which has 23 locations in Chicago and the suburbs. TAP recruits tax professionals to volunteer to assist low-income families. DHS also works with its clients and those who found jobs and have left DHS programs to educate them about tax preparation programs and ways to ensure they receive the maximum refund on their tax returns.

For more information on the Tax Counseling Project, contact the Center for Economic Progress in Chicago at 312-630-0273, or call the toll-free statewide number at 888-827-8511. For information on the Tax Assistance Program call 312-409-1555 or 312-409-4318 (Spanish).  Details are also available on the IDHS website at www.dhs.state.il.us and the Department of Revenue website at www.revenue.state.il.us.

Information about filing federal taxes on-line can be found at www.irs.gov.

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Sunday February 26, 2012, from 2pm - 5pm

WHERE: The Old Creamery Theatre

39 38^th Ave. Amana, IA 52203

WHAT: Actors should prepare two short contrasting monologues (max. 1 minute each)

At least one of which should be a comic piece (preferably contemporary)

Singers (in addition to the short monologues) should prepare 16 to 32 bars of one (or two contrasting) song(s) sung a cappella or with recorded accompaniment.

(A CD player will be available - NO accompanist will be provided)

Please bring a current picture and resume.

Seeking Equity and non-Equity performers of various ages (1 male age range 12 - 14, and men and women age 20 and up) to fill paid positions in The Old Creamery's 2012 Main Stage, Studio, and Old Creamery Theatre for Young Audiences seasons. (Casting is already complete for some key roles within 2012 but many remain available).

Particularly seeking a young man (or two for double casting purposes) age range 12 - 14 to play "Billy" in On Golden Pond. Rehearsal dates start mid-April with performances from May 3 to May 27. Rebellious exterior but able to connect and open up as the play progresses. Prepared monologues for these young performers are acceptable but not required as a copy of the play will be available the day of the audition for reading from the script.

Intern opportunities for college students/recent graduates may or may not include performance opportunities providing EMC weeks. Internships typically involve Theatre for Young Audiences and/or Summer Theatre Camps and often require availability throughout the year (though some positions may be available with summer-only commitments). Internships include housing and a $225 per week living stipend. Intern duties involve all aspects of theatre and may include but are not limited to: performing, costuming, set work, assistant stage management, house management, prop design, lighting, promotions, assistant teaching, box office, and concessions assignments.

Membership and applicable weeks in Equity's EMC program are available for regular main stage productions only (not Old Creamery Theatre for Young Audiences).

Please call our business offices at (319) 622-6034 on or after January 16, 2012 to make an appointment.

If you are unable to attend these auditions, please send a headshot and resume to:

Sean McCall - Artistic Director

The Old Creamery Theatre Company

39 38^th Ave.

Amana, IA. 52203

Or electronically to smccall@oldcreamery.com

BETTENDORF, Iowa -Ascentra Credit Union was recently awarded $10,000 through two grants to help the organization's financial education efforts in our community in 2012.  The funds will be used for real-world financial literacy programs like "Banzai!"  The grants were provided by the National Credit Union Foundation and the Iowa Credit Union Foundation.

"When 18 to 24 year olds are the fastest growing demographic declaring bankruptcy, it's clear that there is a need for young people to be more financially savvy," Ascentra Credit Union's Community Development Coordinator Alvaro Macias said.  "For that reason financial education for young people is now more important than ever."

Ascentra realizes teachers need resources for an often mandated, but also often underfunded curriculum of financial literacy.  As a not-for-profit financial institution that promotes financial education to its members, teachers can count on an organization that shares the same values to provide a free, comprehensive, quality financial education program.

Banzai has been requested by 19 in 2011 area teachers and Ascentra plans to at least double that to 35-42 teachers.  If you are a teacher, and interested in Banazai please visit http://ascentra.teachbanzai.com to learn more and sign up to receive free materials for your classes.  You can even see how your state's financial literacy standards align with Banzai.

Some of the schools that have used Banzai include Davenport North High School, Assumption High School, Williams Intermediate School, Rock Island High School, Moline High School, Prince of Peace High School and many more.

"By preparing students with a solid understanding of how to manage their money, they will be better prepared when starting out in life and stepping out into the real world," Macias added.