Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Grassley, Kohl Continue Oversight of Sunshine Act Implementation

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. Herb Kohl, authors of the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, today outlined substantive points to guide federal implementation of the act.  The senators commented to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the timeliness of implementation, the accuracy of the data, the categories of providers to include in the disclosure, and useful context for the data.

"It's disappointing that CMS missed the statutory deadline for the sunshine regulations, but at least the agency is on the right track," Grassley said.  "Now, it's important for the guidance to dot every 'i' and cross every 't.'  The more thorough the guidance, the more drug makers and medical device makers will know their exact obligations, and the more helpful the transparency will be for building confidence in this part of medicine."

Kohl said, "Sunshine laws are only effective when accurate information is in the hands of consumers.  We'll continue to monitor the progress of building a useful database so that consumers are fully served with knowledge about financial relationships that could affect their health care."

Grassley and Kohl wrote to the acting CMS administrator with their points and also asked questions about when CMS will begin data collection.

The senators developed the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, which was signed into law in 2010, after revelations of significant under-reporting of the amount of payments received by certain doctors from drug and device companies.  The new law requires public disclosure of the financial relationships between physicians and the pharmaceutical, medical device and biologics industries. The law required the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish reporting procedures for applicable manufacturers to submit information, as well as procedures for making that information available to the public, by October 1, 2011. CMS issued the guidance in December after more than a year of pushing for a timely release from Grassley and Kohl.

The text of the latest Grassley-Kohl letter is available here.

More than 50 people packed the inaugural Chairman's Lunch last week at RPI headquarters.  Governor Branstad and State Senator Jack Whitver gave us legislative updates and insights into what to expect next legislative session.  Many thanks to the Governor and Senator for giving Iowa Republicans an inside look on the legislature!

Don't miss the next Chairman's Lunch, April 25 at 12 p.m. at the Republican Party of Iowa Headquarters. Cost is $20, RSVP to email address rsvp@iowagop.org. Please consider joining us to greet this month's speakers, Speaker of the House Kraig Paulsen and Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer. This is a great way to catch up with friends as well as share a dialogue with elected leaders and party officials to continue strengthening our Party and its successes.

RPI announced ObamaCare's greatest foe, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, as the keynote speaker for the annual Lincoln Dinner. Cuccinelli was awarded the CPAC "Defender of the Constitution" award in 2012. He has been a leading opponent of ObamaCare and with the upcoming Supreme Court decision, Cuccinelli should be a great headliner for our dinner. Other speakers include Governor Branstad, Lieutenant Governor Reynolds, Senator Grassley, Congressman Latham and Congressman King. Mark your calendars for May 5 at 6 p.m. The event will be held at the Veterans Auditoritum Ballroom, Des Moines. Tickets can be ordered online at www.iowagop.org or by calling 515.282.8105.

The Secretary of State's office just released voter registration numbers. I am thrilled to pass along that for the first time in 6 years, Iowa Republicans outnumber Iowa Democrats. The failed policies of the Obama presidency and the Obama Democrats have opened the eyes of many voters to the benefits of the Republican Party ideals including lowering taxes, lessening government intrusion, and protecting individual liberty. More than 1 in 10 Democrats have fled the Iowa Democrat Party since Barack Obama was elected President. Iowa Republicans will continue to work hard to promote these ideals to earn the support of even more Iowans this November.

To victory,

A.J. Spiker

Chairman, Republican Party of Iowa

P.S. Tickets to our annual Lincoln Dinner can be ordered online at www.iowagop.org or by calling 515.282.8105.

Paid for by the Republican Party of Iowa and Not Authorized by Any Candidate or Candidate Committee

621 East 9th St. Des Moines, IA 50309 | www.iowagop.org | 515-282-8105

ST. LOUIS (April 4, 2012) - U.S. biodiesel production reached an all-time record in 2011, and the United Soybean Board (USB) and soy checkoff want to help it repeat that feat in 2012.

As part of a larger strategy to promote soy biodiesel's benefits among diesel users, the checkoff will once again co-sponsor the National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) season of approximately 80 tractor pulls across the United States. The checkoff partners with the NTPA to increase biodiesel availability and use among pulling fans, many of whom work in the agricultural and trucking sectors.

"Pulling tractors perform so well on biodiesel, it's a perfect way to show farmers biodiesel's benefits," says USB Communications Chair Jimmy Sneed, a soybean farmer from Hernando, Miss. "It's important to remind farmers that using soybean oil for biodiesel is one of the components that determines the value of each bushel we grow. It makes sense for soybean farmers to use their own products and promote biodiesel."

Under the co-sponsorship, tractors in the NTPA's Light Pro Stock division will run on biodiesel. So these pullers will put biodiesel to the test all season long.

According to millions of miles of checkoff-funded testing, biodiesel can stand up to those tests. It offers excellent horsepower, mileage, cetane and lubricity. And, since it can be made from U.S. soybean oil, it's the only diesel fuel that can help declare freedom from foreign oil.

Check the NTPA schedule to find out if Light Pro Stock "Powered by Biodiesel" hooks will be in your area.

The soy checkoff also established other partnerships to promote biodiesel. Later this year, the checkoff will sponsor the National Truck Driving Championships, a trucking competition that attracts tens of thousands of representatives from that industry. Additionally, the checkoff partners with Clean Cities coalitions; assorted state, county and regional fairs; and the tractor pulls at the National Farm Machinery Show to promote the use of biodiesel, Bioheat® and other soy-based products.

The soy checkoff funds most of the biodiesel research and promotion efforts through the National Biodiesel Board to help increase the use of U.S. soybean oil. Soybean oil remains the dominant feedstock for U.S. biodiesel production.

These efforts helped push production of America's Advanced Biofuel to a record of nearly 1.1 million gallons in 2011. This exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency's 800-million-gallon requirement and surpassed the industry's previous record of 690 million gallons set in 2008.

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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Jet Edison
RME Cafe @ River Music Experience (129 N Main St., Davenport, IA)
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Price: tbd
Age: 21+
Doors: 8pm
Show: 9:30pm

Colorado-based progressive, improvisational act Jet Edison takes non-traditional approach to filling dance floor

Boulder-based quartet Jet Edison is anything but a traditional rock band. With its distinct blend of genre-mixing music, the rock-fusion band's members bring together individual influences from across the musical spectrum, creating original songs with strong technical musicianship, thought provoking lyrics and talented improvisation.

Through the use of different time signatures, tempos, dynamics and other musical elements, the music is as interesting as it is groovy and dance-friendly. Jet Edison strives to bring a different sound to the modern jam band scene.

Word of Jet Edison's captivating performances has spread rapidly, gaining them recognition across the Rocky Mountain region and beyond. The act, which is emerging as a nationally touring act, was nominated as Colorado's "Best Rock  Band- Jam/Improv" by Westword. The combination of intriguing original compositions, talent, and raw energy are giving audiences something to dance to all night long.

The members of Jet Edison met through mutual friends in Boulder. Originally, guitarist Max Kabat and bassist Adam Mason (who happen to share a birthday) were playing in the basement of a CU dorm with a mutual drummer friend. Keyboardist and trumpet player Phil Johnson said he ran into that friend on his way back from practicing at the music school, and was convinced to come meet his friends. Everyone hit it off and started talking about forming a band. Drummer Alex Johnson (no relation to Phil) was recommended by another friend later on, and was found to fit into the band perfectly.

Although the band's members say "rock-fusion" is a good description for their music, "we really touch on every genre that interests and influences us, which can be quite a lot," Alex said. "On stage, I'd say we bring a fun and energetic experience that can be 'imaginative' and make you think as well. I think we strive for that kind of thing; not just a good time but a great place to enjoy yourself, dance your pants off, and still think about the lyrics and the music. Using different time signatures, tempos, dynamics, etc. all makes the music interesting as well as groovy."

No matter the description, there is no denying the band puts on one powerful and dance-friendly show. "The live experience with Jet Edison is a high-energy musical experience with songs to suit a variety of listeners," Phil said. "Unlike other shows, Jet Edison provides the listener with a collective of varied sounds and rhythms, leaving almost no style untouched. Covers can range from classic rock anthems of the '60s and '70s to recent dance and pop numbers all with the range and flow reflecting the human experience."

Whatever it is the band plays, it's the audience's reaction to their music that motivates the musicians to play. "There is something that happens between musicians and the audience, and that is why I keep lugging gear all over the country and setting it up and tearing it down, because there's nothing like that energy," Alex said. "The vibe and emotions on peoples' faces in reaction to something you are helping to create is amazing. So, our intentions on stage are certainly to promote happiness and make people think and feel something that they don't usually get in their usual day-to-day through our music and occasionally, our antics."

It's an even deeper experience for Phil. "I think when we play together we hope the audience can all share in the unique experience of that 'moment,' the 'moment' when all the problems of people's day-to-day life melt away and they can relish in the sonic enjoyment that brings their conciseness into focus and frees their inhibitions. We also hope that our music can serve another purpose as art or self-expression bringing the listener into a more engaging level of thought."

Band members also all appreciate being a part of Colorado's music scene. "I came out west in large part because of the music scene. It's nothing short of flourishing here," Phil said. "There are so many music opportunities it seems like every bar in Boulder has music on at least one night a week. There are lots of bands competing for attention, but unlike bigger scenes, like NYC or L.A., everyone's really nice and genuine."

Being from Colorado seems to help the act away from home as well. "Being a band from here is awesome on the road, as a lot of people hold Colorado in high regard when it comes to music, so it can make us look cooler than we are before they even hear our music," Alex said. "At home it's a great and beautiful community of musicians and bands. We frequently play with other bands/musicians and act as subs for members, and talk shop too, it's really great. The only down side is there are a large number of bands that play in the same vein so you have to work hard and differentiate yourselves from the 'pack,' so to speak. That is a good thing though, too, as it keeps us writing more tunes, playing more shows, and always crafting our sound."

The band recorded and released a full-length album, Adopt a Highway, last year. Phil explained, "I'd never before tried such an ambitious recording project and even though the result is something very different then what Jet Edison sounds like today, I think it holds it's own." It is available on the band's website at www.jetedison.com.

According to Phil, the band plans to "buckle down and focus" on original music and its live show. "We need to write music that reflects are growth as a band and produces the energy and originality of our combined talents. This year we'd like to play 125 gigs, tour a lot more and even play a few festivals," he said.

With the band's abundant talent and overwhelming dedication to the music, there is nothing to keep them from accomplishing these goals, and more.

Jet Edison
Adam Mason: Electric Bass, Upright Bass, Vocals
Alex Johnson: Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Max Kabat: Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals
Phil Johnson: Keyboards, Hammond Organ, Trumpet, Vocals

MORE INFO:
http://www.jetedison.com
http://www.reverbnation.com/JetEdison
http://www.facebook.com/jetedison