19 Dec 2011

Grassley Explores Whether Top Health Care Agency Gave Special Access to Wall Street

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa is asking the top government health care agency whether it gave special access to hedge funds and consultants "who seek to profit from government information."  Grassley is concerned about a specific meeting in 2009, as alleged by a whistleblower, and in general, because of increased Wall Street interest in gaining information from government agencies and Congress.

"The bottom line question for anything government employees do on the clock is what's in it for the taxpayers," Grassley said.  "If government employees are spending hours providing inside information to hedge funds or companies that consult for hedge funds, it's hard to see how that helps the public.  In fact, it robs the taxpayers of these employees' full value.  It raises concerns about whether hedge funds get special access to information above other Americans just because of who they are.  The public's business ought to be public, not parceled out behind closed doors."

This week, Grassley wrote to the acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, asking for details of the agency's dealings with hedge funds and others who seek to profit from government information.  Grassley cited allegations from a then-agency employee who said nearly one dozen agency employees were made to have a lengthy meeting with a Wall Street firm in 2009 over reimbursement policy for certain medical devices.  The whistleblower said the Wall Street firm peppered the agency employees with questions about decision-making and agency processes.

The agency controls billions of dollars of federal spending through Medicare and Medicaid and has significant power over issues of interest to Wall Street, including whether the government health care programs will pay for certain medical devices and procedures and if so, to what extent.  An agency decision on coverage can make or break the success of a medical device, for example, and investors have great interest in gaining insight into coverage decisions so they can plan accordingly.

Grassley asked the agency to explain whether it has any policies governing employee interaction with Wall Street and other outside groups and for any records of how often such interactions occur.

Grassley's inquiry comes amid increased exposure of contact between Wall Street and government agencies, based on his own inquiries and reporting from The Wall Street Journal and the Project on Government Oversight, a watchdog group, and others.

In December 2010, the White House received attention for organizing private meetings with the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services with outside groups, including those with lobbyists, on the implementation of the controversial health care law.

At the Department of Education, Grassley wrote to Education Secretary Arne Duncan regarding contacts with hedge funds and top staff members over whether the government would crack down on the for-profit education industry.

Grassley's letter this week to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is available here.  A Wall Street Journal piece on the inquiry is available here.  A piece from the Project on Government Oversight on Wall Street interest in government is available here.

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19 Dec 2011

Students perform in Augustana College's Lessons and Carols

By Keri Rursch

ROCK ISLAND, IL (12/13/2011)(readMedia)-- Augustana College, in Rock Island, Ill., will present the beautiful, traditional Christmas service Lessons and Carols on Thursday, Dec. 15, at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. in Ascension Chapel inside Founders Hall (820 38th St.). This free, public event involves many students and honors Christ's birth through songs and Scripture readings.

The Lessons and Carols service is split between nine "lessons" - biblical passages that chronologically lead to Jesus' birth - and carols performed by the student groups and the audience.

Among the students performing:

Ingrid Schneider, a First Year from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Undecided.

Angie Cummins, a Junior from Rock Island, Ill., majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders/Psychology.

Kaleigh Wall, a Junior from Eldridge, Iowa, majoring in Art.

The Handbell Choir, which is open to all Augustana students, will perform prelude music for the service and accompany the singing of Silent Night. The Handbell Choir is directed by Larry Peterson, campus ministries' director of music.

The Chamber Singers is a highly selective choral ensemble, which performs under the direction of Dr. Jon Hurty, professor in music and director of choral activities. They will perform an assortment of traditional and lesser known Christmas hymns, including a few with audience participation. One selection will be performed by the Augustana Men's Chamber Ensemble, under the direction of student director Cameron Carrara.

19 Dec 2011

How to get through the holidays while grieving, from the Harvard Mental Health Letter

By Raquel Schott

BOSTON– Each year, more than two million men, women, and children die in the United States, leaving behind loved ones who mourn them. The holidays are often the most difficult time of the year for people who are grieving.

"If the grief is fresh, holiday cheer can seem like an affront and celebrations may underscore how alone people feel," notes Dr. Michael Miller, editor in chief of the Harvard Mental Health Letter. The following strategies, explored in depth in the December 2011 issue, may help people who are grieving to cope with the holidays.

Start a new tradition. During a holiday dinner, place a lighted candle on the dinner table, leave an empty chair, or say a few words of remembrance.

Change the celebration. Go out to dinner instead of planning an elaborate meal at home. Or schedule a trip with friends.

Express your needs. People who are grieving may find it hard to participate in all the festivities or may need to let go of unsatisfying traditions. It's all right to tell people you're just not up to it right now or to change plans at the last minute.

Help someone else. It may also help to volunteer through a charitable or religious organization. Make a donation to a favorite cause in memory of the person who died.

Give yourself time. The grieving process doesn't neatly conclude at the six-month or one-year mark. Depending on the strength of the bond that was broken, grief can be life-long. Nevertheless, grief does usually soften and change over time. With time, the holidays will become easier to handle.

Read the full-length article: "Handling holidays and difficult times"

Also in this issue:

  • The normal process of grieving
  • Beyond the five stages of grief
  • How people can help themselves while grieving
  • Coping with complicated grief
  • How long does grief last?

The Harvard Mental Health Letter is available from Harvard Health Publications, the publishing division of Harvard Medical School, for $59 per year. Subscribe at www.health.harvard.edu/mental or by calling 877-649-9457 (toll-free).

XXX

19 Dec 2011

USDA to Unveil Revised National Nutrient Management Standard

By USDA Communications Office

Standard will address water quality issues such as loss of nutrients from farm fields

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2011 - TODAY, USDA will unveil its revised national nutrient management standard during a media conference call. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Dave White will explain how NRCS will help farmers and ranchers use voluntary technical and financial assistance to develop nutrient plans to address resource concerns such as water, soil and air quality. This conservation standard is particularly important because three major cropland studies have identified that loss of nutrients from farm fields contributes to degraded water quality in three major water bodies?Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay and the Upper Mississippi River Basin.

19 Dec 2011

Larson Electronics Announces Release of High Intensity Colored LED Light Emitter

By Rob Bresnahan
The Magnalight LEDP3W-12X2C High Intensity Colored LED Light Emitter from Larson Electronics' is a powerful LED fixture that produces an intense colored light beam while offering rugged durability, versatile operation, and extreme efficiency. This LED light emitter produces 2,736 lumens in a choice of light colors including red, blue, green, and amber. As well as producing a powerful colored light beam, this LED emitter is designed with durability and versatile operation mind with an IP68 rated housing and Pulse Width Modulation technology that allows precise control of operating modes.

The LEDP3W-12X2C LED color light emitter produces 2,736 lumens of intense colored light, yet pulls only 36 watts at 3 amps from a 12 volt electrical system, making it both powerful and efficient. Available standard in a spotlight configuration, this LED light produces a 10 degree beam of highly focused colored light that is ideal for hunting or boating applications and can also be ordered in a 35 degree flood configuration for wider coverage of large areas closer to the fixture. Four color options are available including red, blue, green, and amber, allowing operators to apply this LED emitter to a wide range of applications including construction, law enforcement, boating, hunting, and industrial operations. The heavy duty design of this colored LED light lends itself well to outdoor and marine applications with a heavy aluminum housing rated IP68 waterproof, unbreakable polycarbonate lenses, and stainless steel mounting hardware that resists rust and corrosion and rubber mounting blocks that improve vibration tolerance. These colored LED emitters add extra versatility through the use of special LED drivers incorporating pulse width modulation technology that allows operators to connect an external controller to dim or cause the lights to flash or strobe as desired. This feature is particularly useful in marine and construction industries where a unit capable of producing a powerful and reliable strobing beacon is desired; that can stand up to rugged use. Also boasting a 50,000 hour rated operational life, these colored LED light bars from Magnalight.com will provide years of trouble free service without the need for frequent bulb replacement or servicing. The compact design incorporates twelve 3 watt CREE™ LEDs arranged in two stacked rows to produce a powerful yet compact unit that can be easily mounted in locations where space is limited. These units can be operated from any source of 9 to 42 Volt DC power, making them ideal for use on vehicles, equipment and watercraft that commonly utilize 12 or 24 volt electrical systems.

"The LEDP3W-12X2C was designed with rugged applications in boating, military, hunting and military to name a few, "said Rob Bresnahan with Larson Electronics' Magnalight.com.  "Red LED light emitters are ideal for military low light applications and hunting vehicles alike.  We offer a wide range of high powered LED lights with strong forward light projection in red, amber, green and blue infrared and UV for all types of commercial and industrial applications."

Larson Electronics' Magnalight.com carries an extensive inventory of LED lights, LED color lights, LED spotlights and 12/24 volt LED lights. Visit Magnalight.com to view their entire inventory of LED lighting solutions or contact them for more information by calling 1-800-369-6671 or 1-214-616-6180 for international inquiries.

19 Dec 2011

Quinn, Durbin, Costello, Emanuel, Hoechst Announce Illinois to Receive $44 Million Transportation Investment

By Katelyn Tye

Federal TIGER Grant Program Funding Will Support Three Illinois Projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 12, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Jerry Costello (D-IL), Mayors Rahm Emanuel of Chicago and Tom Hoechst of Alton today announced that Illinois will receive a total of $44,288,000 in TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant funding for three Illinois projects in the Chicagoland area and Alton. The grants represent approximately 8 percent of total funding available through the program.

Today's announcement follows Governor Quinn's recent trip to Washington D.C. to meet with the state congressional delegation where they discussed avenues where Illinois and the federal government can work more closely together to benefit the state's 13 million residents.

"This investment is just one of the many results of the outstanding cooperation between local, state, and the federal government that will keep Illinois strong," said Governor Quinn. "This funding will strengthen our state's transportation system that is vital to growing our economy and creating jobs. I want to thank Sen. Durbin and Rep. Costello for their continued leadership in Washington on behalf of Illinois."

"Two years ago, I worked in the Senate to develop the TIGER grant program which gives local communities and mayors the ability to apply directly to the federal government to fund projects that they identify as having a positive economic impact on their community," said Durbin. "Illinois has benefitted greatly from the TIGER grant program due to the hard work of local officials and organizations in close coordination with the state and federal government. These investments will create hundreds of good-paying jobs across our state."

"This is an important regional and national project that will make our transportation system more efficient and fully leverage the impact of high speed rail," said Costello. "Linking together all of our modes - rail, highways, waterways and aviation - is critical for economic development and job creation. The City of Alton and the entire bi-state region is perfectly located to be a transportation hub and this funding will further these goals. I have worked closely with city officials and Secretary LaHood on this project, and I will continue to support efforts to modernize our transportation infrastructure."

The following projects will receive funding under today's announcement:

$13,850,000 - Multimodal Transportation Center in Alton, Illinois

Today's TIGER grant funding for the Madison County Transit Board of Trustees and the City of Alton will help create a Multimodal Transportation Center in conjunction with the new High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail station in Alton, Illinois. The project will support a major expansion of eco-tourism to the Mississippi River region as well as a $72 million public-private investment in the planned Wadlow Town Centre redevelopment project on Homer Adams Parkway.

"I couldn't be more thrilled with the news that the City of Alton and Madison County Transit will receive a TIGER grant for a new multimodal facility," said Alton Mayor Tom Hoechst. "This facility will make taking the new 110 mph Amtrak service more convenient for citizens while spurring economic activity around the area."

The $13,850,000 will help provide roadway and pedestrian access to the new Amtrak station and for construction of the multimodal and related infrastructure. It will also allow Madison County Transit to improve connectivity through the region including Southern Illinois University Edwardsville which attracts more than one-third of its 14,000-student body from metro Chicago and other cities along the high-speed rail corridor.

$20,000,000 - Chicago Transit Authority's Blue Line/Chicago Bike Share Program

Today's TIGER grant funding for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will help complete a project to repair 3.6 miles of track on the CTA's Blue Line between Damen Avenue and Belmont Avenue finishing all track improvements between Chicago's Downtown Loop and O'Hare International Airport. The TIGER grant will also help jumpstart Chicago's planned bike-sharing program. This project targets deteriorated track in the remaining area of the Blue Line between the Loop and O'Hare Airport which has not yet been completed. It will alleviate CTA maintenance and operating costs, improve the deteriorated infrastructure and allow for shorter headways between trains. The bike-share program will give Chicagoans access to bike-share facilities at and around CTA bus and rail stations, giving travelers another option to get to their final destination.

"Chicago is a city on the move," said Mayor Emanuel. "Revitalizing and modernizing our infrastructure is critical to creating jobs, maintaining our competitiveness, and enhancing the quality of life of residents throughout the city.  I want to thank Senator Durbin, Representative Luis Gutierrez and the Illinois delegation for their support and recognizing that this TIGER grant will help ensure we provide a solid foundation for the city's future."

Chicago is the only city in America that provides direct rail transit to two major airports. Together, O'Hare and Midway International Airports are the economic engine of the Chicago region, generating 540,000 jobs and $45 billion dollars annually in economic activity. There are more than 1,500 Department of Aviation employees at both airports and about 45,000 airport employees. There are 85 million annual passengers traveling through O'Hare and Midway with 1.13 million annual flights. Many of these employees and passengers take the Blue Line to and from the airports.

The Chicago bike-sharing program partially funded by this TIGER grant will improve the long-term efficiency, reliability, and cost competitiveness in the movement of people. Chicago's bike-share program will foster sustainability by enhancing the public transportation options that support and encourage the development of existing communities. It will also improve energy efficiency, reduce dependence on oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Chicago bike-sharing system will improve the environmental sustainability of the Chicago transportation network by improving air quality. Users are expected to take an estimated 2.66 million trips in the first full year of operations and will travel an estimated 3.8 million miles.

$10,438,000 - Illinois Route 83 (Reconstruction of 2 Mile Span)

Today's TIGER Grant funding for the Illinois Department of Transportation will help reconstruct two miles of Illinois Route 83 between Kedzie Avenue and Western Avenue / Dixie Highway with two travel lanes in each direction separated by a median to accommodate left turn lanes. The project, along with the planned interchange between Interstates 57 and 294, will reduce congestion, improve the flow of goods and services throughout the region and create about 135 construction jobs.

###

19 Dec 2011

Guest Opinion: Wind Over Coal

By Elisha Smith

By Tom Means, tommeans@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs

Wind power is the future. It's the most cost-effective source of renewable energy, and is starting to undercut fossil fuels. Power from conventional coal costs $68 per megawatt-hour, while wind power in high resource areas cost $65 per megawatt-hour.

Supplies of coal and oil dwindle each day, but there will always be wind. And since wind will always be there, it isn't subject to the type of supply-side market fluctuations that exist for fossil fuels.

Moreover, coal has serious underlying environmental implications. The combustion of coal is required for it to be used for energy, and this combustion releases multiple tons of carbon dioxide and other gases, which contribute to respiratory diseases and climate change.

Combustion of coal exceeds both natural gas and crude oil in its emissions.  Although some of these emissions can be reduced through technology, they are proven to create serious health problems in areas where they are emitted excessively.

The only environmentally unfriendly thing about wind is its effect on birds and their migration. Cars, glass, cats, and pesticides all make far greater contributions to bird mortality than windmills. Wind companies are working to further minimize this impact.

Global energy consumption is on the rise, wind power even more so. Thirty-five percent of all new U.S. generating capacity added in the last 4 years was wind. The energy, jobs and environmental benefits of wind hold great promise, not just for the rural Midwest and Great Plains, but for all of America, rural and urban alike.

 

###
The Center for Rural Affairs was established in 1973 as an unaffiliated nonprofit corporation under IRS code 501(c)3. The Center for Rural Affairs was formed by rural Nebraskans concerned about family farms and rural communities, and we work to strengthen small businesses, family farms and ranches, and rural communities.
19 Dec 2011

A Timely Tax Saving Message for Friends of GAHC

By German American Heritage Center
The Endow Iowa tax credit still has around $2 million available on a first-come, first-served basis.  This fund is designed for individuals, businesses and corporations to make charitable contributions to organizations such as the German American Heritage Center; it allows Iowa communities to address their most pressing needs while acknowledging the generosity of the donors through a 25% state tax credit.  For example, a $1,000 donation produces a tax credit of $250 which may be deducted off the total Iowa tax bill for 2011.  The donations must be processed by the Community Foundaton of the Great River Bend, who handles the transactions on GAHC's behalf.

 

This option is also possible for individuals who wish to implement a Chritable IRA Rollover.  This permits a transfer of up to $100,000 directly from an IRA to a charity and avoid reporting it as income.  The Charitable IRA Rollover is eligible for the 25% Endow Iowa tax credit, but the transfer must go directly to our partner in this endeaver, the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, which is the designated receiver of such funds toward GAHC's benefit.  It can go into an existing fund (the GAHC endowment, for example) or the donor may create a new fund.  Under current law this option expires at the end of the year, so you must act now to set things in motion.

 

Please contact the following individuals if you would like assistance with these procedures or if you require additional information:

 

Stan Reeg, GAHC endowment chair:  563-386-1509
Susan Skora or Hap Volz, Community Foundation of the Great River Bend:  563-326-2840
19 Dec 2011

Iowa Policy Research Forum on 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency

By Andrea Hanus

National experts and state leaders will convene on Thursday, December 15th, at the Botanical Center in Des Moines to discuss policies and practices to increase third grade literacy and restore Iowa to educational leadership in this area.

Ralph Smith, Vice President of the Annie E. Casey Foundation and leader of the national Grade-Level Reading Campaign, Dr. Nell Duke, co-director of the Literacy Achievement Research Center (LARC) at Michigan State University and national expert of early elementary reading comprehensive, and Dr. Heather Weiss, head of the Harvard Family Research Project and national expert on family-school partnerships, will provide overviews of the current knowledge base on developing effective policies and practices to improve third grade literacy.  Each will lead break-out sessions to discuss Iowa opportunities to build a world-class early literacy system.  Iowa research, education, business, and advocacy leaders will join with state policy makers on panels and as forum participants in examining the Governor and Lieutenant Governor's Blueprint for Education Reform as it applies to third grade literacy.

The Child and Family Policy Center, United Way of Central Iowa, the Afterschool Alliance, and the Business/Education Alliance have joined as co-sponsors of the forum.

Space is limited and registration is available through contact with the Child and Family Policy Center.

Press Note:  The national speakers will be available at different times during the forum for interviews with members of the press.   Ralph Smith's keynote address will be from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with a state responder panel (Linda Fandel, Doug Gross, Teree Caldwell-Johnson, and Tom Urban), followed by plenary presentation from 11:30 to 12:30 by Dr. Nell Duke and Dr. Heather Weiss.

19 Dec 2011

Braley Joins "No Labels" to Release "Make Congress Work" Action Plan

By Rick Martin

Nonpartisan group pushing for reforms to bring parties together in Congress 

Washington, DC - Tomorrow, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) will join the No Labels organization, a coalition of citizens, current and former lawmakers, and top opinion makers from across the country to hold a news conference where the group will release its Congressional reform plan known as "Make Congress Work."

The event is the official start of No Labels' campaign to create systemic change in Washington through the implementation of a 12-point proposal aimed at breaking gridlock, reducing political polarization, and promoting constructive debate.

WHAT:  No Labels event announcing its Congressional action plan, "Make Congress Work."

WHO:  Congressman Bruce Braley (D-IA)

Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV)

Senator Dean Heller (R-NV)

Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL)

Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT)

Congressman Jim Cooper (D-TN)

Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI)

Former Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN)

Former Congressman Tom Davis (R-VA)

Former Congressman Mickey Edwards (R-OK)

Hon. David Walker, No Labels co-founder and former U.S. Comptroller General

Mark McKinnon, No Labels co-founder and former adviser to President George Bush

Kiki McLean, No Labels co-founder and fmr. comms adviser to VP Al Gore and Sen. John Kerry

Bill Galston, No Labels co-founder, Brookings Sr. Fellow, and former adviser to President Clinton

Jonathan Miller, Citizen Leader, No Labels co-founder and former Kentucky State Treasurer

Lisa Borders, Citizen Leader, No Labels co-founder and former head of Atlanta City Council

Ted Buerger, Citizen Leader, entrepreneur and co-founder of Americantowns.com

WHEN:  Tuesday December 12, 2011 at 10:30am EST

WHERE:  Cannon House Office Building,  Caucus Room, Washington, DC

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