AZUSA, CA (03/01/2012)(readMedia)-- Bettendorf, IA resident and Azusa Pacific University student Matthew S.. Atha made the academic Dean's List at APU. Atha is honored for a fall semester 2011 academic standing of a 3.5 or better grade-point average. Atha is A Political Science Major, who is joined by more than 1,750 other students receiving the same honor.

Azusa Pacific University is an evangelical, Christian university committed to God First and excellence in higher education located 26 miles northeast of Los Angeles. With 51 undergraduate majors, 30 master's degree programs, 13 credentials, 8 doctoral programs, and 14 certificates, the university offers its nearly 10,000 students a quality education on campus, online, and at seven regional centers throughout Southern California. www.apu.edu

Apprenticeship: The Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons Local #18 Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee will be taking applications for Apprenticeship Training in Plastering.  The basic requirements for an applicant are: applicant must be at least 18 years of age; must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent; must be physically able to perform the work of the trade; and all applicants accepted into the apprenticeship program will be subject to a drug test to be paid by the JATC. 

Applications will be available to be completed at the Operative Plasterers' & Cement Masons' Local #18 office, 7909 - 42nd Ave West, Rock Island, IL, the first Monday of every month from 7:00am until 9:00am.

The OP & CMA Local Union #18 Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies and other administered programs.

MINORITIES AND FEMALES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

As you may have heard, House Democrats fled the Capitol in protest of two bills, each designed to defend Iowans' right to bear arms. The first bill amends the Iowa Constitution to include an explicit right to bear arms and the second strengthens your right to self-defense. Both bills passed the House with the support all Republicans and a couple Democrats. The constitutional change would happen by surviving next session and a yes vote by the people. 

The House and Senate are again at odds again over property tax, mental health reform, and education. First, Iowa's current commercial property tax rate is the second highest in the nation, whereas commercial and industrial property owners pay tax on 100 percent ofmarket value. Republicans want to reduce the taxable value of commercial and industrial property by 40 percent over an eight year period, while Democrats think that proposal will put local governments at risk. Second, the division on mental health isn't that we should fix the many issues but rather how we should pay for it. As it stands the Republicans would like
to see the State fund this while the Democrats would rather property tax payers shoulder the burden. Third, on education, the House recently passed the Governor's education bill with some changes while the Senate discarded the Governor's plan and wrote one of their own.

The Ag Protection Act recently passed the Senate. This bill provides protection for Iowa's agriculture community from fraudulent activities by prohibiting people from committing fraud to obtain access to an agricultural production facility. This week the floor debate has increased as we are taking up budget issues like IDALS DNR Environmental First Fund (budget target $35.7 mil), Economic Development Budget (appropriates $29.1 mil), Judicial Branch Budget ($156.1 mil), Justice Systems Appropriations Bill (Budget approx. $16 mil). These will probably be amended and sent back from the Senate so these amounts could change. If you have concerns or questions I can be reached at the Capitol by emailing steven.olson@legis.state.ia.us.

Families can register to win one of five $529 College Savings Iowa Accounts.

DES MOINES, IA (03/01/2012)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald is encouraging Iowans with young children to start thinking about saving for their children's future higher educational expenses. "As a way to raise awareness about the importance of saving for higher education we have teamed up with daycares across the state to get information into the hand of parents," Fitzgerald said. "Throughout the month of March, parents are able to register their children to win one of five $529 College Savings Iowa accounts. I would like to thank all of the daycares who volunteered to take time out of their busy days to pass this information on."

After their daycare is registered to participate, families can visit www.iowa529contest.com to enter their children in the contest. Once there, they should select the Daycare Giveaway and enter their information, including selecting their daycare from the dropdown menu. At the end of the giveaway, five children will be randomly selected from across the state to win.

College Savings Iowa is an affordable, tax-advantaged option for families who are saving for their children's higher education. It takes just $25 to open a College Savings Iowa account, and anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest on behalf of a child. Participants who are Iowa taxpayers can deduct contributions up to $2,865 per beneficiary account from their adjusted gross income in 2011 and there no income or residency restrictions.*

Investors do not need to be a state resident and can withdraw their investment federally tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, books, supplies and certain room and board costs at any eligible college, university, community college or technical training school in the United States or abroad. To learn more about College Savings Iowa, go to www.my529iowaplan.com or call 1-888-332-7545.

*Adjusted annually for inflation if withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. The earnings portion of nonqualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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