Center for Rural Affairs statement on debt ceiling and budget compromise

Lyons, NE - While President Barack Obama, Speaker of the House John Boehner, and other Congressional leaders worked to reach an eleventh hour compromise that would allow the national debt ceiling to increase in exchange for, potentially, as much as $2 trillion in long-term spending cuts, many in rural America continued to try to sort out what all the horse-trading will mean for their communities.

"Rural development funding for small towns and small business will face growing pressure under the federal budget agreement, which will reduce annual appropriations for all programs by nearly $1 trillion over the next decade," said Chuck Hassebrook, Executive Director of the Center for Rural Affairs. "But rural development funding has already been cut by more than one fourth, just since 2003."

According to Hassebrook, there is an alternative to reducing investments in the future of rural communities. "We should make the first cut by putting hard caps on subsidies to the nation's largest farms - subsides they use to drive mid-size farms out of agriculture," explained Hassebrook.

"The current policy of unlimited mega farm subsidies is so misguided that smart reforms could both save money AND strengthen rural America," Hassebrook argued. "It seems like a no-brainer for both parties - cut counter productive spending first."

A 2007 Center for Rural Affairs analysis demonstrated that USDA and Congress have severely over-subsidized the biggest and most powerful farmers while consistently under-investing in rural America's future, spending twice as much on subsidizing the 20 largest farms in each of 13 leading farm states as it invested in rural development programs to create economic opportunity for millions of people in thousands of towns in the 20 rural counties with the most out-migration in each respective state - (the full report - An Analysis of USDA Farm Program Payments and Rural Development Funding In Low Population Growth Rural Counties, a.k.a. Oversubsidizing and Underinvesting... can be viewed or downloaded at: http://www.cfra.org/node/603)

Law Requires Soccer Goals be Designed to Resist Tipping

CHICAGO - August 2, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed "Zach's Law" requiring all movable soccer goals manufactured and sold in the state of Illinois to be tip-resistant. House Bill 1130, the Moveable Soccer Goal Safety Act, will also require organizations that own moveable soccer goals to create soccer goal safety and education policies.

"Improperly secured soccer goals present a serious threat to our athletes, especially children," Governor Quinn said. "Illinois is leading the nation in recognizing and preventing these types of safety concerns. I'm proud to sign 'Zach's Law' today, and help improve soccer safety in Illinois."

On October 1, 2003, six-year-old Zachary Tran of Vernon Hills was at soccer practice when an improperly-secured 184-pound metal soccer goal fell, striking his head. He later died of his injuries. Zach's death was the 27^th death reported in the United States from a falling goal post since 1979.

The legislation requires that soccer goals with inside measurements between 6.5 to 8-feet high and 18 to 24-feet wide must conform to tip-resistant standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials. Additionally, the Illinois Department of Public Health will post soccer goal safety guidelines from the American Society for Testing and Materials and the Consumer Product Safety Commission on its website by June 2012.

Illinois is the first state to ban the manufacture and sale of soccer goals that do not meet new tip-resistant standards. This is the most recent in a series of public safety laws signed by Governor Quinn. In June, the Governor signed HB 219 requiring all passengers in a vehicle to wear a seatbelt, and last week signed HB 200 to protect Illinois' student-athletes from concussions and other brain injuries.

Zach's parents, Michelle and Jayson Tran, created the Zachary Tran Memorial Fund, as well the 'Anchored for Safety' initiative to educate parents and organizations on proper anchoring of movable soccer goals.

House Bill 1130, sponsored by Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) and Sen. Terry Link (D-Lake Bluff) goes into effect immediately. The ban on the manufacture or sale of non-tip-resistant movable soccer goals begins Aug. 2, 2012.

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DES MOINES, IA (08/02/2011)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald announced today that a stop at the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt booth during the 2011 Iowa State Fair may be worthwhile, as fair goers could find their names among the hundreds of thousands of individuals with unclaimed property. "The Iowa State Fair is one of the most fun and successful ways we have to reach people who may have money in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt," Fitzgerald stated.

"Computers will be set up for people to search for their names or someone they know at the state fair," Fitzgerald said. "Treasure Hunt staff members will be on hand to help treasure hunters print claim forms and answer questions on the spot. Over the years, we have had tremendous success in reuniting people with their lost treasures. Last year, over 7,500 people were successful in finding their name or that of someone they know."

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $134 million in unclaimed property since Fitzgerald created it in 1983. Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property's owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report and deliver unclaimed property to the State Treasurer's Office. The assets are then held until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits, and safe deposit box contents.

Visit the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt booth at the Iowa State Fair, August 11 - 21, in the Varied Industries Building. The building will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information about the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, please visit www.greatiowatreasurehunt.com. Treasure seekers may also write to State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald, Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, IA 50319 or correspond by email tofoundit@iowa.gov.

New Law Helps Protect Homeowners from Fraud After Natural Disasters

JOLIET - August 2, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that helps protect Illinois homeowners who are trying to recover following a natural disaster. He also signed a new law that ensures landlords are able to evict tenants who commit serious crimes on the rental property.

House Bill 3034 was sponsored by Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) and Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi (D-Joliet) to help protect homeowners from contractors who prey upon individuals following natural disasters. Contractors known as "storm chasers" travel to towns after natural disasters and target homeowners, especially elderly citizens, through home repair scams. These contractors misrepresent themselves in order to persuade homeowners to sign contracts for home repairs. If the work is done at all, it oftentimes must be redone due to its poor quality.

"When disasters such as storms or flooding hit, the recovery process can be overwhelming, and some individuals use that as an opportunity to take advantage of vulnerable homeowners," Governor Quinn said. "It is important that we do everything we can to stop dishonest contractors so that residents can focus their energy on rebuilding their homes and communities."

"These "stormchasers" victimize consumers at the most vulnerable times," said Rep. Williams. "This bill will help to prevent unscrupulous contractors from taking advantage of homeowners desperate to pick up the pieces after a natural disaster."

The new law prohibits roofing contractors from allowing out of state roofing contractors to lease their license numbers for compensation. It also requires roofing contractors to include their license number on all contracts, bids and advertisements. Additionally, the law enables residents to cancel a contract and requires contractors to refund any payments within 10 days of the cancellation.

"When people are the victims of a natural disaster, the last thing they need to worry about is someone trying to take advantage of them in their time of need," said Sen. Wilhelmi. "This law will prevent contractors from using unscrupulous practices to take advantage of victims and win contracts over more honest competitors."

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) issues licenses to roofing contractors and recommends that local governments require a roofing contractor to provide proof of an active state license prior to issuing a local building permit or business license. Individuals can also visit www.idfpr.com to look up roofing contractor licenses to determine whether they are active and in good standing. HB 3034 goes into effect Jan. 1.

Governor Quinn also signed Senate Bill 1766, sponsored by Sen. Wilhelmi and Rep. Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights). The law will help fight crime by requiring rental contracts to include an provision stating  that tenants can be evicted for committing a felony or a Class A misdemeanor on the property. The new law goes into effect immediately.

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