February 19, 2011

This week the House proposed cutting funding the Social Security Administration's (SSA) administrative expenses by more than $125 million below last year's funding level. The current funding proposal expires on March 4, 2011.  Analysis shows that the budget proposal will have a detrimental impact on Social Security in Iowa.

Harkin's full statement on the budget proposals before Congress can be found here.

"The economic downturn coupled with an aging population has caused a dramatic increase in the number of Americans filing for disability and retirement benefits since 2008.  While funding for the Social Security Administration's administrative expenses has largely kept pace with this increased work in recent years, the House proposal jeopardizes the basic administration of Social Security programs," said Harkin.

Below are some specific cuts Iowa will face in Social Security if the House budget is enacted.

The House proposal would force SSA to freeze all hiring, meaning they couldn't replace workers as they retire or leave the agency. This would leave SSA with about 3,500 fewer staff at the end of the year.  Furthermore this attrition wouldn't happen uniformly so it will leave some of SSA's 1,400 offices (more than 20 in Iowa) disproportionately understaffed. 

The House proposal may ultimately force SSA to furlough its more than 60,000 employees for up to four weeks. Jerry Nelson, the field office manager of the Waterloo Social Security Field Office, recently testified in front of Senator Harkin's Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee on the effect of what just one furlough day would mean to his office. (Full testimony can be found here):

"Furloughs would be devastating to both the public that depends on us and to our employees... In my office, one furlough day would translate to 100 visitors not seen, 32 claims not taken, 150 phone calls unanswered, and 7 redeterminations not done... As people return to conduct business on days the office is open, walk-in office visitors would have longer waits to see a representative. Members of the public would also have to wait longer for scheduled appointments. Claims processing time would increase. A furlough day could be devastating to someone in a dire need situation desperate for a critical or immediate payment, or for a beneficiary needing verification information to qualify for food stamps, to obtain housing, or to get Medicaid."

Nationwide, as a result of the House proposal, the millions of Americans and thousands of Iowans filing for retirement and disability benefits this year would wait longer for the benefits they've earned, backlogs of those with pending disability claims and hearings could reach record levels, and waiting times at field offices and SSA's 1-800 number would increase dramatically.  Delaying these services to the most vulnerable populations?retirees, survivors, and person with disabilities?not only devastates millions of American families, but also hurts the economy.

Iowans receiving and filing for Social Security benefits:

·    There are over 600,000 Iowans receiving Social Security benefits; 45,000 will file for retirement benefits this year alone.  
·    The number of Iowans filing for disability benefits has increased 23 percent since 2008 and the number of appeals of those decisions has increased 57 percent.

Disability Benefits

Disability Claims Received                                 2008              2010             2008 to 2010 Increase
Iowa.................................................................20,269           24,964          23%
National............................................................2,591,900      3,129,023     21%
Disability Review Hearings Requested            
Iowa.................................................................2,302             3,615            57%
National............................................................589,449         720,161        22%

To view the location of Social Security Administration offices across Iowa, click here.

WEST POINT, N.Y. (02/18/2011)(readMedia)-- Situated along the Hudson River 50 miles north of New York City sits the oldest of the United States five service academies. The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy.

In the fall of 2010 four Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers entered the academy as freshmen or fourth class cadets. On Reception Day the freshman, plebes, start cadet basic training also known as Beast Barracks, or simply Beast.

Most cadets consider Beast to be their most difficult time at the academy because of the strenuous transition from civilian to military life. However for the Soldiers from Illinois it was somewhat familiar. As Soldiers entering West Point, one of the requirements is that they have already completed basic training.

"It was very rewarding to be able to assist some of the other cadets who had never experienced military life like this," said Cadet John Jordan Leskera of Edwardsville. "In turn, since we have started classes some of those I helped during Beast have in turn helped me with the academic side of things."

As members of the Illinois National Guard, these four Soldiers recently sat down with Maj. Gen. William Enyart of Belleville, the Adjutant General of Illinois, during his visit to West Point Feb. 16. Enyart fielded question from the four cadets after having lunch with more than 4,000 cadets in the academy's dining facility.

The questions centered on the well being of Illinois National Guard Soldiers, more specifically the ones serving overseas in Egypt. Enyart said that while the situation in Egypt has been over the past several weeks, all of the Soldiers serving on the Sinai Peninsula are accounted for and safe.

Cadets Anthony Mendez and Jeffery Perez both of Chicago, told Enyart how they both went to high school together, joined the National Guard, and are now in the same class at West Point.

"The experience here has taught us all so much in the short amount of time we've been here but most of all I think it has matured us faster than if we had gone to any other college, " said Cadet Joseph Cotton of Wayne.

The Illinois National Guard contributed the most cadets to the fall 2010 class than any other Army National Guard in the country. West Point reserves a number of slots each year for National Guard Soldier.

"Having four Illinois National Guard Soldiers in the same class attending West Point is something I've never seen before," said Enyart. "It's quite an honor and such a great program, we need to get the word out about it. "

West Point believes Soldiers enhance the Corps of Cadets, and values the life experiences they have earned as a Soldier, said Maj. Brian Easley, Soldiers admissions officer at West Point. For a Soldier wanting to be an officer in the U.S. Army, West Point will give an excellent education and the training they need to lead Soldiers as they continue to serve, he said.

Soldiers who are serving in an Active Duty, Reserve or National Guard capacity are encouraged to apply to West Point to further their education. West Point is committed to helping qualified Soldiers reach their full potential and secure commissions in the Army, Easley added.

According to Forbes Magazine the United States Military Academy at West Point has repeatedly been one of the nation's top schools, reaching the number one spot in August 2009.

"West Point is again honored and pleased to be selected as one of America's top five best colleges," said West Point Superintendent, Lt. Gen. David Huntoon. "It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our exceptional cadets, faculty and staff operating in world-class facilities.

"This excellence, as recognized by Forbes, is a key element in preparing our cadets for the challenges they will face as future Army officers,"

Upon graduation, cadets will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army and serve for five years on active duty. During their senior year, cadets find out which specialized field, or branch, they will enter. Both the needs of the Army and individual preferences will be considered.

The Soldiers from the Illinois National Guard all expressed an interest in some day returning to Illinois to serve once again in the Illinois National Guard.

DES MOINES, IA (02/18/2011)(readMedia)-- College-bound Iowa youth active in 4-H and/or FFA livestock projects and current undergraduate students may apply for $75,000 in scholarships available from the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement (IFAA).

The scholarships are available to freshmen entering any Iowa two- or four-year post-secondary institution this fall or current undergraduates attending Iowa State University. Applicants must major in animal science or a curriculum in agriculture or human sciences that is related to the animal industry, according to IFAA spokesman Harold Hodson. The awards include :

• Three $5,500 one-year scholarships

• Two $5,000 one-year scholarships

• One $3,000 one-year scholarship

• One $2,500 one-year scholarships

• Eight $2,000 one-year scholarships

• Six $1,500 one-year scholarships

• Sixteen $1,000 one-year scholarships

• Four $500 one-year scholarships

Applications and additional information are available by visiting the Sale of Champions section of the Iowa State Fair's web site (www.iowastatefair.org), the IFAA web site (www.ifaa.org), or by calling 515/291-3941. Selection will be based on level of 4-H/FFA involvement in livestock project work, livestock exhibition and/or judging, scholarship, leadership and career plans. Applications for current undergraduate students must be postmarked by April 1, 2011 and applications for incoming freshmen must be postmarked by May 1, 2011. All materials should be sent to Winner's Circle Scholarship, c/o SGI, 30805 595th Avenue, Cambridge, IA 50046.

Winners will be announced during the Iowa State Fair's annual 4-H/FFA Sale of Champions on August 20th, an event sponsored by IFAA. The IFAA is a non-profit organization founded in 1988. It is comprised of agricultural enthusiasts dedicated to encouraging 4-H and FFA livestock, poultry and agricultural project members to pursue ag-related careers. IFAA scholarship funds come from a percentage of Sale of Champions proceeds, as well as Winner's Circle Club donations.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2011 Iowa State Fair, celebrating 100 years of the Butter Cow August 11-21. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

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Illinois Jobs Now! Funds Awarded to Build State-of-the-Art Electric Vehicle Charging Network in Chicagoland Area

CHICAGO - February 18, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced an initiative to boost the state's sustainability efforts through the increased use of electric vehicles. Under the plan, the state will invest $1 million of Illinois Jobs Now! capital funding to install state-of-the-art electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure throughout the Chicagoland area.

"This project will encourage greater use of green transportation alternatives by making electric vehicle use more convenient and accessible in one of the most heavily traveled cities in the country," said Governor Quinn. "Through strategic investments like this, we are encouraging long-term economic growth, supporting innovation and creating the jobs of today and tomorrow."

This project is expected to be the largest concentration of DC quick-charge stations in the world. Exact locations of the charging stations are still being determined, but will include Midway and O'Hare Airports, grocery stores and shopping centers throughout the Chicagoland area, and parking garages in downtown Chicago. Installation of the network is expected to be completed by the beginning of 2012.

350Green, LLC will install, own and operate the EV charging network. The network will consist of a total of 280 charging stations, including 73 DC quick-charging stations and 146 Level 2 chargers for public use, with an additional 61 Level 2 chargers for the dedicated use of I-GO and Zipcar car-sharing fleets. The DC quick-chargers represent a new technology that will drastically reduce the amount of time it takes to charge a vehicle. A vehicle would now be able to charge in the time it takes to shop at the grocery store, as opposed to charging overnight, which is the current standard.

The $1 million in state capital investment will match $1 million in Clean Cities Grant funds that the city of Chicago received through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The project is expected to create 18 permanent and temporary jobs, and construction of the network will support 8,500 labor hours. The Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program has created an estimated 155,000 jobs to date, and is expected to create or retain more than 439,000 jobs over six years.

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