MILWAUKEE, WI - TOPS Club (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the nation's oldest weight-loss support organization, has released a new video to help educate people on the dangers of obesity and being overweight. The video also seeks to motivate viewers through a series of dramatic testimonials from TOPS members who have lost substantial weight through the TOPS nutrition and exercise plans and other members' support. The video is available to view at the TOPS website, www.tops.org.

Narrated by Nicholas "Dr. Nick" Yphantides, M.D., M.P.H., an executive medical consultant to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency and co-chair of San Diego County's Childhood Obesity Initiative, the video also features interviews with researchers from the TOPS Obesity and Metabolic Research Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. TOPS, a nonprofit organization, has been actively involved in the clinical study of obesity since 1965 and has contributed over $6.5 million to the Medical College of Wisconsin in support of these efforts.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), two-thirds of the U.S. population is now overweight and as many as 72 million adults are considered obese. About one in three American kids and teens is overweight or obese, nearly triple the rate of 1963. Obese children also have an 80% chance of staying obese their entire lives. Research has shown that, for adults, as weight increases, the risks for the following preventable, chronic conditions also increase: coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, hypertension, stroke, and more. Obesity costs U.S. companies an estimated $45 billion per year and 39 million lost workdays.

To help temper this trend and increase overall wellness for its members, TOPS promotes lasting, affordable weight management with a philosophy that combines healthy eating, regular exercise, wellness information, and support from others at weekly chapter meetings. Founded and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., more than 63 years ago, TOPS has approximately 170,000 members in about 10,000 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

Recent findings from what is believed to be the largest study of a weight-loss program in the United States indicate that TOPS is effective and associated with clinically significant weight loss among participants who remain in the program for at least one year.

According to a study published in "Obesity," the official journal of The Obesity Society, TOPS members who participated over a consecutive period of one to three years lost between 5.9% and 7.1% of their initial weight. People who remained in the program maintained that weight loss for up to three years.

In addition to regular group meetings designed to reinforce healthy habits, the TOPS program includes a six-week "quick-start" guide, "My Day One," and TOPS' lifestyle guide, "The Choice Is Mine." Membership also includes a one-year subscription to "TOPS News," the organization's members-only magazine.

The researchers noted a substantial difference in cost between nonprofit TOPS and commercial weight-loss programs, like Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig. TOPS' annual membership fee is $26 in the United States and $30 in Canada, plus nominal chapter fees (on average, $5 per month) collected for local chapter expenses. There are no special foods to purchase. Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS meeting free of charge. To find a local chapter, go to www.tops.org or call 1-800-932-8677.

As noted in the new video, members of TOPS lost a combined total of 431 tons in 2009. Regular chapter meetings, awards programs, and regional events comprise a system of recognition and positive reinforcement for TOPS members on the wellness journey. Goal weights are set in consultation with members' health-care professionals. About 80,000 members have achieved significant weight loss and are maintaining it with the support of TOPS and the support its members provide for each other. Maintaining one's weight loss is believed to be one of the most challenging parts of successful weight management.

For additional information about TOPS and to view the new motivational video, go to www.tops.org. 

For more information on the TOPS chapters in your area, visit www.tops.org and click "Find a Meeting." If you would like to speak with a local representative from TOPS, please contact us.

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Finance Senators' Rural Heritage Conservation Extension Act Would Permanently Extend Tax Breaks for Donating Land for Protection

Washington, DC - February 16, 2011 - Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) have introduced legislation to permanently extend income tax relief for ranchers, farmers and other landowners who donate agricultural land for conservation.

"This bill rewards ranchers and farmers in Montana and across the country who want to conserve our land and preserve open space for their kids and grandkids," said Baucus. "Our nation is losing precious agricultural and ranch lands at a record pace, resulting in a loss of natural habitats for wildlife and open spaces for our communities.  We need to protect our land for future generations and to support the ranchers, farmers and other landowners who rely on it to make a living.  These tax incentives provide the right tools to help landowners move toward conservation."

"Economists say if you want more of a certain behavior, give incentives to encourage the behavior," Grassley said.  "Land conservation is something people want.  Farmers already practice good stewardship of the land used for production agriculture.  Conserving land is another example of good stewardship."

The Rural Heritage Conservation Extension Act of 2011 would permanently extend an increase in the maximum tax deduction for charitable contributions of conservation easements from 30 percent to 50 percent of adjusted gross income (AGI).  The bill further benefits farmers and ranchers by permanently extending the current law allowing a charitable deduction for up to 100 percent of AGI for their donations of conservation easements.  Any unused deduction can be carried forward for up to 15 years.

Baucus and Grassley first introduced legislation to create an enhanced conservation easement tax deduction in 2006 as part of the Pension Protection Act.  The provision was subsequently extended in the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 and the Taxpayer Relief, Unemployment Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010.  The tax deduction currently expires at the end of 2011.  In 2009, the Senators introduced legislation to make the enhanced deduction permanent.

The text of the Rural Heritage Conservation Extension Act of 2011 can be found on the Finance Committee website here: http://finance.senate.gov/legislation/.

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Reforms Will Save Millions; Still Ensure Quality, Accessibility

CHICAGO - February 14, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today kicked off the week of the fiscal year 2012 budget address by signing Senate Bill 3778, which will save taxpayers millions annually by retooling the Seniors Ride Free program.

"This reform sets the standard we must meet for state programs by reducing costs while also ensuring transportation services for our most dependent seniors," Governor Quinn said. "To start off a week that will highlight important budget reforms, we're taking important steps to ensure our state transit programs are fiscally responsible but also accessible to the riders who depend on them."

Senate Bill 3778, sponsored by Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) and Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago), scales back the Seniors Ride Free program by providing a 50 percent discount on state transit to all senior citizens. Previously, all seniors received a free fare. The new law is estimated to save more than $30 million, and almost 60 percent of the seniors currently riding for free will still be eligible to ride without charge.

Free rides will be available to seniors who meet specific financial requirements. A one-person household with an annual income of $27,610 or less will still be eligible for the free fare, as will a two-person household earning less than $36,635 and households of three or more earning $45,657 or less.

Governor Quinn also signed Senate Bill 3965 today, which brings oversight of the regional transit boards under the jurisdiction of the Executive Inspector General and Executive Ethics Commission. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) and Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo), requires each regional inspector general to submit a monthly report to the Executive Inspector General which will outline, among other things, the agency's reported complaints, as well as investigation status and outcomes. The Executive Inspector General will work to detect and prevent fraud and mismanagement at all levels of the transit agencies.

Senate Bill 3778 goes into effect immediately. Senate Bill 3965 has an effective date of July 1.

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