Columbus, Wisconsin, April 5, 2012?Three dozen or so ice cream flavors simply aren't enough for Sassy Cow Creamery. And while the folks at Sassy Cow Creamery always enjoy coming up with new seasonal flavors for their premium ice cream, this time the farmstead creamery is offering its ice-cream-loving fans a chance to get in on the tasty fun, too. That's why the award-winning Sassy Cow Creamery is sponsoring a contest for a new farmstead-fresh ice cream flavor.

Consumers are invited to create their own ice cream flavors for the contest. The winning flavor will be announced and served on August 25, 2012, at the Sassy Cow Creamery's on-farm Ice Cream Social. The winner will be honored at the unraveling of this new flavor tasting event, and will receive a one-year supply of Sassy Cow Creamery Premium Farmstead Ice Cream.

The winning ice cream flavor will have to live up to the creamery's high standards. Sassy Cow Creamery farmstead ice cream is freshly made using milk produced by cows on the Baerwolf family dairy farms and other high-quality ingredients. The creamery earned first place honors for its Dark Cherry Chocolate Premium Ice Cream at the 2011 World Dairy Expo Dairy Product Contest, and continues to develop one-of-a-kind flavors. The current fresh farmstead ice cream flavors?more than 36 of them?feature seasonal specialties such as summery Raspberry Lemonade, as well as dozens of creative varieties like Purple Cow (black raspberry with chocolate chips), Chocolate Almond Toffee, Maple Walnut and Salted Caramel.

Sassy Cow Creamery is owned and operated by third-generation dairy producers?brothers James and Robert Baerwolf and their families. Visitors at the farmstead facility can follow the milk from cow to creamery as they watch traditional and organic milk bottling and premium ice cream making through a viewing window.

For information about the Sassy Cow Creamery contest and the Ice Cream Social on August 25, visit the website at www.sassycowcreamery.com, contact Kara Kasten at 608.445.2010, or e-mail kara@sassycowcreamery.com. Friend us on Facebook to get Sassy Cow Creamery news, recipe ideas and information about happenings on the farm.

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Sassy Cow Creamery, a state-of-the-art farmstead creamery, was started in 2008 by its owners/operators, brothers James and Robert Baerwolf and their families?the third generation to farm the land since 1946. In addition to premium ice cream, the creamery produces organic and traditional bottled milk, heavy cream, half-and-half, milkshakes and ice cream cakes made from farm-fresh milk produced by the family's two dairy herds. Sassy Cow Creamery offers consumers local choices, including whole milk, 2 percent milk, fat-free traditional milk and organic milk. Visit the Sassy Cow Creamery on-farm retail store at W4192 Bristol Road in Columbus, WI, just fifteen minutes north of Madison. The first Friday of each month, tours are offered so that dairy-lovers can see how milk is produced by the cows and then bottled or made into award-winning premium ice cream.

The legislation to ban traffic cameras passed the House after lengthy debate. The vote, a 58-42 spilt, bans all traffic cameras and requires cities to remove them by July 1st. Of course, it remains to be seen if the Senate will take this bill up and if it will survive their vote.

One of the reasons the debate was so lengthy is that it was delayed by more than three hours after a letter containing a mysterious white powder was opened on the House Floor. Rep. Abdul-Samad's clerk opened the letter around 3:30pm and sent the Iowa Capitol into a lockdown. Preliminary testing noted the substance was not toxic and upon further testing the Capitol gave an "all clear" at around 7:50pm but debate had already resumed in the House Chamber.

HF 2229 is legislation that allows a veteran to request that their driver's license or non-operator's identification card be marked with the word "VETERAN" to indicate veteran status and it just passed the House. If you are an honorably discharged veteran you can take advantage of this upon renewal of your driver's license by presenting your honorable discharge papers.

Both chambers approved a bill that would give developers incentives worth up to $16.5 million to build the Dyersville Sports Complex at the site of the "Field of Dreams" movie. This package is much like incentives given the Iowa Speedway in Newton several years ago.

As this column is written on Wednesday debate is scheduled to take place late this afternoon on the Mental Health Reform Program. While it is my own opinion, it appears session could be wrapping up in the next couple of weeks. This would be a refreshing change from last year.

If you have concerns or questions I can be reached at the Capitol by emailing
steven.olson@legis.state.ia.us.

DES MOINES, IA (04/05/2012)(readMedia)-- Warmer weather is here and, with Memorial Day around the corner, now is the perfect time to plan a worry-free weekend in the great outdoors. The Iowa State Fair Campgrounds has plenty of space available beginning April 14 through mid-July with country comforts alongside big city style and excitement.

The Campgrounds houses more than 1800 sites fully equipped with water and electrical hookups, 600 sites with sewers, and three large bathhouses outfitted with clean showers, toilets and sinks. In addition to the excellent facilities, the Campgrounds offer affordable rates: $25 per night for sites equipped with water, electricity and sewer; $23 per night for sites equipped with water and electricity; and $20 per night for sites without utilities.

Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling the Iowa State Fair Campgrounds office at 515/262-3111 x284. Campers without reservations are welcome as well. Enter through one of the Fairgrounds' main entrances off East University Avenue or East 30th Street and follow the signs into the Campgrounds.

Ranked among the most beautiful in the Midwest, the 160-acre Iowa State Fair Campgrounds are home to century-old trees, woodland flora and small wildlife. The Iowa State Fair Campgrounds are easy to find and conveniently located just off Interstates 80 and 35. Just minutes from Des Moines-area attractions like Adventureland Park, Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, and the East Village's dining and shopping options, the Iowa State Fair Campgrounds are the perfect place to enjoy the comforts of home and the excitement of the city at a manageable cost.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

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Scott County, Iowa latest to launch local version of successful national campaign

DAVENPORT, IA–Litterers beware! iLivehere Quad Cities is launching a new litter prevention education campaign that calls attention to the inappropriate act of littering, and the thoughtlessness of offenders. The campaign, "Littering is Wrong Too," allows everyone to get involved in a unique way. It links littering with other wrongdoings like "networking at a funeral" or "sending Mother's Day Flowers C.O.D," while also defining the act of littering as socially unacceptable.

Geared at young adults, ages 18 to 34, which includes those found to be most likely to litter, the campaign entertains in order to get people talking. It kicked off in April, and residents can expect to see and hear a lot about the problem of litter in the coming months. The ultimate goal is to shine a spotlight on the thoughtlessness of the litterer, to induce a change in behavior and eventually lead to a cleaner, more beautiful community.

"Sadly, many still don't view litter as a real problem," said Matthew McKenna, President and Chief Executive Officer of Keep America Beautiful, Inc. (KAB). "They don't understand that litter has a real and serious economic impact on a community, in addition to the environmental fallout. For example, a recent KAB study found that litter in a community can decrease property values by 7 percent. We're hoping to engage people through this campaign and, in that process, get them to recognize that littering is a real problem, but a preventable one."

KAB developed the Littering is Wrong Too campaign for affiliates across the country after a successful test pilot of the campaign in Cincinnati. Each affiliate will utilize elements of the campaign that are suitable and relevant for their local communities. iLivehere Quad Cities is the latest affiliate to launch a local campaign.

The campaign began with the launch of several billboards throughout Davenport, followed by print, TV and radio advertising. A "Write your Wrong" Facebook contest began April 4. To participate, Quad Citians should visit www.ilivehereqc.org to be directed to the organization's Facebook page to "Write their Wrong." Submissions for the contest will be taken through midnight on Earth Day, April 22. iLivehere Quad Cities officials will then narrow the entries to the top 10 and post those for voting on the Facebook page. The person who submits the"Wrong" with the most votes receives their "Wrong" on digital billboards in Davenport, along with their name and city. In addition, the winner will receive recognition in print, news releases, on the website and Facebook and a $100 Visa gift card. The second place winner will receive a $50 Visa gift card and third place will receive a $25 Visa gift card.

 

"By portraying the act of littering as just plain wrong, but in a creative and unexpected manner, we hope to get people to think twice about littering and hopefully help prevent more litter from accumulating here in the Quad Cities," said Erin Vorac, communication coordinator for iLivehere Quad Cities.

iLivehere Quad Cities is also encouraging residents to share their wrongs, photos and videos with friends and family through social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, helping generate more buzz for the problem of litter while engaging residents in a humorous way.

iLivehere Quad Cities will be promoting the Littering is Wrong Too campaign through several upcoming events:

* April 10: Litter cleanup at West High School in Davenport.

* April 18: Davenport High School Challenge, a storm drain marking and cleanup event to prevent litter from entering and contaminating our waterways. This event is taking place around North, Central and West High Schools in Davenport.

* April 20 & 21: Quad Cities Earth Week Fair at the QCCA Expo Center, Rock Island.

* April 27: Downtown Davenport and Bettendorf cleanups.

ABOUT KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL

Keep America Beautiful, Inc., established in 1953, is the nation's largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. With a network of over 1,200 affiliates and participating organizations, Keep America Beautiful forms public-private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community's environment. To learn more, visit www.kab.org. Littering is Wrong, Too is a national campaign developed by Keep America Beautiful. To learn more and see "Wrongs" from across the United States, visit www.LitteringisWrongToo.org.

 

ABOUT ILIVEHERE QUAD CITIES

or on Twitter @ilivehereqc.

 

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Davenport, IA -The American Cancer Society has selected Joe Seier to serve as honorary survivor for this
year's Relay For Life® of Scott County.

Joe's battle against colon cancer began after a hiking trip in Colorado Springs the summer of 2010
turned out to be the expedition that would save his life. Seier, age 54, had journeyed more the trails
more than seven times before but this trip's climb was different. Increasing fatigue, caused by anemia
and internal bleeding was the result of a tennis-ball sized tumor in his colon. Joe retuned to Davenport
to have the tumor removed and began a 12-treatment regimen of chemotherapy. The surgeon admits
that if Seier had waited six months, he most likely would not have survived.

Joe's sharing his success story and the importance of supporting organizations like the American Cancer
Society and Relay for Life. Seier will kick off our survivor and caregiver events held at 6 p.m. at the River
Center in Downtown Davenport on April 20.

"Here in Scott County, funds raised by our Relay For Life event are making an impact on so many lives" said
Seier. "From making possible the vital American Cancer Society programs and services that support those
in our community facing a diagnosis, to life-changing cancer research and medical discovery, to advocacy
for access to quality health care for everyone affected by cancer, the money raised through Relay For Life of
Scott County is helping further the vision of a world with less cancer and more birthdays."

To participate or for more information, please call event co-chairs, Emily Shenk-DeMay (563) 349-0706 or
Natalie Johansen (402) 301-6267. Additionl event details, ceremony and entertainment schedules can be
found online at: RelayForLife.org/scottcountyia

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save
lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we
fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people
stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; by helping people get well by being there for them
during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by
fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to
join the fight. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit
cancer.org.
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:Kenosha, Wis. - Carthage College has named outstanding scholars to its Dean's List for academic excellence during the fall semester of 2011.

Dean's List honors are accorded Carthage students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average while carrying at least 14 credit hours during a semester.

Students from the local area receiving Dean's List honors include :

Anne Marie Boyler and Erin Holst, both of Bettendorf

Jennifer Lynn Fyfe of Davenport

Pace Raymond Bennett and Nathan Andrew Moore, both of Moline.

ABOUT CARTHAGE COLLEGE

Established in 1847, Carthage is a college of the liberal arts and sciences affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The College enrolls 2,500 students and is situated on the Lake Michigan shore in Kenosha, Wis., midway between Chicago and Milwaukee. The Collegiate Learning Assessment has ranked Carthage among the top eight percent of colleges and universities nationwide for the academic gains of its students.

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Moline, IL - The Salvation Army is offering a low-cost Summer Day Camp. For the eighth year running, children can come spend their summer in a fun-filled and safe setting the the Community Center, located near downtown Moline. The Summer Day Camp runs from June 11th to August 3rd.

Children entering kindergarten through 6th grade will be cared for Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm. The cost is $75 week for the 1st child, $60 second child, and $50 for any additional children. Parents can also apply for partial scholarships, if they qualify for financial assistance.

Activities will include swimming twice a week, weekly field trips to places such as: Niabi Zoo, Family Museum, the IMAX Theater, and much more. This will be a fun, educational summer for your children!

Space is limited; please stop in at The Salvation Army located at 2200 5th Avenue Moline, IL to register ASAP.

If you have any questions please call 309-764-6996 and ask for Duane.

About The Salvation Army:

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His
name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army
each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster
victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities
for underprivileged children. About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000
communities nationwide.

In Florida, a man serving 12 years in prison for DUI manslaughter is suing his victims' survivors for his pain, suffering, medical bills and "loss of capacity for enjoying life."

In Illinois last year, siblings aged 20 and 23 sought more than $50,000 in damages from their mom for "bad mothering," including setting a curfew for her then-teenage daughter, "haggling" over clothing prices, and failing to send college care packages.

Lawsuits like these are, unfortunately, more the rule than the exception, says Hillel L. Presser, a lawyer specializing in domestic and international asset protection planning and author of Financial Self-Defense (www.assetprotectionattorneys.com).

"Litigation is America's fastest growing business, and why not? Plaintiffs have everything to gain and nothing but a few hours' time to lose," Presser says. "Even if a case seems utterly ridiculous, like the guy in prison suing his victims' family, defendants are encouraged to settle just to avoid potentially astronomical legal fees."

So where does a person begin? You'll likely need the expertise of an asset protection planner, Presser says, but here are some steps you can take on your own.

• Take stock of your wealth. Inventory your assets - you probably own more than you think. Besides savings and retirement accounts, consider any money owed to you, anticipated inheritances and future assets. Property includes homes, vehicles, jewelry, and land. Don't forget to consider intangible assets, those non-physical but valuable brands, trademarks, patents and intellectual property. Visit www.assetprotectionattorneys.com for an inventory worksheet.

• Put only assets that are exempt from seizure in your name. Federal and state laws protect some personal assets from lawsuits and creditors. Those assets typically include your primary residence; personal items such as furniture and clothing; pensions and retirement funds; and life insurance. State exemption laws vary; federal laws govern exemptions in bankruptcy.

• Protectively title non-exempt assets. Putting the title to valuable assets in the names of corporations, limited partnerships, domestic trusts and other entities offers some protection. You still get to use and enjoy the asset but legal ownership is with an entity that's not subject to your personal creditors' claims. Which entities best shield which assets depends on the asset, your state laws, taxation and your estate plan, to name a few considerations. You can also combine protective entities, for instance, giving ownership of your limited liability company to a limited partnership. It's best to get professional advice when choosing the entity that will best protect an asset.

Whether you're worth millions or a few hundred thousand, it's important to not get caught with your assets showing, Presser says. The more you have exposed, the more enticing a target you become. And the less you have, the more catastrophic the outcome can be.

"If the average person with $200,000 is sued for $1 million, he's wiped out," Presser says. "It's not so horrific for the person with $25 million who gets sued for $5 million.

About Hillel L. Presser

Hillel L. Presser's firm, The Presser Law Firm, P.A., represents individuals and businesses in establishing comprehensive asset protection plans. He is a graduate of Syracuse University's School of Management and Nova Southeastern University's law school, and serves on Nova's President's Advisory Council. He also serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations for his professional athlete clients and is a former adjunct faculty member for law at Lynn University. Hillel has authored several books, including "Asset Protection Secrets" and has been featured in Forbes, Sports Illustrated, the Robb Report, the Houston Chronicle, and the Los Angeles Times, among other publications.

April 4, 2012

In recent years, many in Washington have been pushing not just misguided budgets like the one proposed by Congressman Ryan, but a dangerously misguided premise - that America is broke, and that we can no longer afford the investments that make possible a strong middle class and a world-class economy.  I strongly disagree.  The United States remains the wealthiest nation in history.  The most dangerous deficit we face is not a deficit of dollars, but of vision.

That is why last week, I introduced the Rebuild America Act, a comprehensive bill that puts policies in place that will repair the engine that drives our nation's economic growth: the middle class.  It creates the good jobs families need now through robust investments in America and will help grow the middle class in the long term by building economic opportunity for families.  Perhaps most importantly, the bill addresses spiraling economic inequality by restoring fairness and balance to our tax code, which also fully pays for the cost of the bill.

I have been developing this bill over the past year after holding hearings both in Washington and Iowa to learn more about what is causing the decline of the American middle class, gathering input from economists, business owners, and middle class Iowans.

The Rebuild America Act tackles the problem of our shrinking middle class in three ways: by taking immediate steps to create jobs and kick-start the economy, by implementing policies that will help families achieve financial security and expand the middle class, and by paying for these new investments through a balanced tax code that reduces inequality and fosters economic growth.  The bill will:

  • Invest in America to Create Jobs and Future Growthby modernizing our transportation and energy infrastructures, bringing our schools and community colleges into the 21st century, preparing our workers for jobs of the future, and directing the creation of a national manufacturing strategy.
  • Create Economic Opportunity and a Better Future for Middle Class Families by increasing access to quality child care, expanding time-and-a-half overtime pay, establishing a fair minimum wage, allowing all Americans to earn paid sick leave, ensuring that Americans have the right to join a union, opening new paths to the middle class for people with disabilities, and strengthening Social Security.
  • Restore Balance and Fairness to the Tax Codeby instituting the "Buffett Rule," adopting a Wall Street trading and speculators tax, ending tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas, and protecting pensions.

I have been in Washington long enough to know that Congress is not going to take up this legislation and pass it this month, or even this year.  But I have also been here long enough to know that to get something done, you have to take a first step, and my hope is that the proposals in this bill will become part of the national conversation in the short term and become law in the long term.  Already, a broad array of organizations have voiced their support for the Rebuild America Act - the Center for American Progress, the AFL-CIO, the National League of Cities, and the National Partnership for Women and Families along with many other economists, business leaders, and advocates for middle class Americans.   I hope you will consider adding your voice to the conversation and editorializing in favor of the Rebuild America Act or some of its provisions.

If you would like to listen to the conference call I hosted with members of the media to unveil the legislation last week along with former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, entrepreneur Nick Hanauer, and SEIU President Mary Kay Henry, it is available on my website here:  http://harkin.senate.gov/documents/mp3/4f7485b489b99.mp3

A detailed summary of the Rebuild America Act is below, and if you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Justine Sessions or Kate Cyrul of my office at (202) 224-3254.

 

The Rebuild America Act

 

Title 1: Invest in America to Create Jobs and Future Growth

As our economy continues to recover from the worst economic period since the Great Depression, we need to invest more wisely in programs that will create jobs and lay the groundwork for future growth. For decades, we have allowed the infrastructure that our nation's prosperity is built upon to crumble. Our roads and bridges are outdated and unsafe, our education system is falling behind our global competitors, and too many factories are shuttered. To rebuild America's foundation to create future growth, we must:

  • Invest in America's Roads, Bridges, and Infrastructure:America's public byways are crumbling as a result of the decade-long failure to invest in our infrastructure. To help overcome this deficit and promote economic growth, the Act provides $300 billion for investments including roads, bridges, and energy efficiency systems.
  • Modernize America's Schools: Too many of our nation's schools are not equipped to meet the needs of 21st Century students and teachers. The Act provides $20 billion in formula grants for the modernization, renovation, and repair of early learning facilities, K-12 public schools, and community colleges.
  • Support Great Teachers:Teacher effectiveness has more impact on student achievement than any other in-school factor. The Act provides grants to States to provide professional development to teachers and other school personnel so that they can best prepare students to meet college and career ready standards.
  • Rebuild America's Manufacturing Power:While many of our competitors are taking aggressive steps to support domestic manufacturing, the U.S. lacks a coherent strategy to support manufacturers. The Act includes steps to strengthen American manufacturing so that we can better compete in the global economy and establishes a national manufacturing strategy.
  • Prepare Americans for Jobs of the Future:To be competitive in the global economy, Americans must have the skills for 21st Century jobs. The Act offers challenge grants to regional partnerships of businesses, schools, labor, and economic development officials to train workers for well-paying jobs of the future.
  • Pursue Fair Trade: The demand created by America's middle class is the engine of the world's economy, but we won't have a robust economy and a thriving middle class if we allow our trading partners to use unfair trade practices that undercut American workers and manufacturers. The Act includes steps to help American workers compete on a level playing field with our trading partners.
  • Create Middle Class Jobs and Protect Middle Class Communities:While private sector job growth has picked up, since 2008, state and local governments have cut almost 700,000 workers, including over 250,000 teachers. These cuts threaten the safety and impede the progress of America's middle class communities.  To create middle class jobs and protect middle class communities, the Act provides funds for state and local governments to hire teachers, cops, firefighters, and other critical employees.

 

Title 2: Create Financial Stability and a Better Future for Middle Class Families

Until the 1970s, Americans' wages rose in tandem with productivity growth. Since then, wages have stagnated even as Americans work longer hours and produce more. To help families stay in the middle class, we must help families' wages go farther and create more good-paying jobs with benefits that help families care for their children and plan for a secure retirement. To rebuild support structures that allow our families to prosper, we must:

  • Alleviate the High Cost of Child Care:One of the largest burdens faced by young families is the rising cost of child care. To help, the Act will update the Child Care and Development Block Grant to offer more subsidies for child care while also increasing the quality of that care so that parents can go to work with the assurance that their children are safe and sound.
  • Help Americans Enjoy Their Golden Years:Americans deserve to know they can retire with dignity and enjoy their golden years. The Act will improve Social Security benefits and strengthen the private pension system so that more Americans can count on a steady stream of retirement income they will not outlive.
  • Protect Overtime Pay for Working Americans:Too many Americans are working longer and harder without anything to show for their efforts in their paycheck. The Act will ensure that Americans who are called on to work long hours receive the fair pay they deserve by updating the threshold used to determine which "white collar" workers automatically qualify for time-and-a-half when they work beyond a normal workweek.
  • Prevent Americans from Having to Choose Between Their Health and Their Paycheck:The U.S. is the only industrialized country that does not guarantee paid sick time to workers, forcing many low and middle-income workers to choose between their health, their job, or bringing their sickness to work. The Act will allow Americans to earn up to seven paid sick days per year to use for preventive care, recovery from illness, or to care for sick family members.
  • Establish a Fair Minimum Wage:While the minimum wage used to equal about half of average wages, today it is barely a third. A higher minimum wage is the simplest thing we can do to help struggling families become self-sufficient and join the middle class.
  • Empower Hardworking Americans:Strong and vibrant unions are essential to creating the good, middle class jobs that can support a family and support a strong economy. By ensuring that all workers have a right to join together and stand up for fair wages and working conditions, and that employers face real penalties for violating that right, the Act will help strengthen the middle class and promote economic growth for our businesses and communities.
  • Increase Job Opportunities for Americans with Disabilities: In the last two years, Americans with disabilities have left the labor force at a rate six times higher than that of non-disabled workers. To help improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities, the Act expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for Americans with disabilities.

 

Title 3: Restore Fairness to the Tax Code

One of the reasons America's middle class is struggling is that our tax code has become tilted in favor of very wealthy individuals and large corporations. Falling revenues have increased the deficit and made it impossible to invest in America. The Act will help to restore balance to the tax code that is critical for reducing inequality and fostering sustainable long-term economic growth while ensuring fiscal responsibility. To balance our tax code, we must:

  • Institute the "Buffet Rule":As a result of loopholes and special provisions in the tax code, the highest-earning 400 Americans in 2008 - making an average of $270 million each - paid an average effective federal tax rate of just 18.2%. The Rebuild America Act includes the "Paying A Fair Share Act," introduced by Senator Whitehouse, which will ensure that the wealthiest Americans pay at least as much as middle class families.
  • Adopt a Wall Street Trading and Speculators Tax: The Rebuild America Act includes the Wall Street Trading and Speculators Tax Act, which would place a small tax of 3 basis points on common financial trades undertaken by banks and financial firms that trade financial securities.
  • End Tax Breaks for Companies that Ship Jobs Overseas:To create a tax code that benefits Americans, the Act will close loopholes that incentivize companies to ship jobs overseas.
  • Make Wall Street Take Responsibility:The Act includes a proposal from President Obama's budget that requires the largest financial institutions to payback the assistance they received from the American taxpayers in order to help rebuilding our economy.
  • Make Hedge Fund Managers Pay the Same Taxes as the Rest of Us:The Act closes the carried interest loophole, which allows hedge fund managers and other investors to manipulate the tax code in order to pay a lower rate on their earnings.
  • Raise the Capital Gains Rate:The 233% difference between the 15% tax rates the rich pay on capital gains and the 35% top marginal rate on work for ordinary Americans is indefensible. The Act will increase the capital gains tax rate to help restore balance to the tax code.
  • Protect Pensions: To further strengthen the retirement system, the Act will provide basic protections for the 44 million Americans with defined-benefit pension plans.
  • Close Loopholes to Prevent Worker Misclassification: The Act will provide a fairer playing field to America's businesses and workers by helping employers to properly classify their workers.

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