07 Sep 2010

Governor Quinn Touts Jobs for Returning Servicemembers

By Kara Beach
Helmets to Hardhats Trains Veterans for Good-Paying Jobs

CHICAGO - September 5, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn was joined today by Veterans and labor leaders to highlight the success of the Helmets to Hardhats program for returning servicemembers. Skills obtained through the program help transition Veterans from military duties to careers in the construction industry. The program also provides job placement assistance.

"It is important to recognize the hard work and dedication of our state's workforce throughout the year, but particularly on Labor Day weekend," Governor Quinn said. "Thanks to the Helmets to Hardhats program, some of the most honored and respected members of our society, our servicemembers, are receiving the training they need to transition into good-paying jobs."

Throughout his time in office, Governor Quinn has advocated for all laborers throughout Illinois. Governor Quinn has also committed himself to protecting the rights of employees, like signing legislation to prohibit discrimination based on pre-employment credit screenings.

Helmets to Hardhats is a national initiative which connects National Guard, Reserve and transitioning active-duty military servicemembers to high-quality construction industry training and employment opportunities. The program, administered by the Center for Military Recruitment, Assessment and Veterans Employment, seeks to ease the challenging transition to civilian life for servicemembers and their families.

Launched in 2003, Helmets to Hardhats is co-sponsored by all 15 building and construction trade organizations and their employer associations, together representing around 82,000 contractors. There are currently more than 157,000 Helmets to Hardhats candidates registered, all of whom have access to the program's current listing of more than 80,000 available jobs.

The Illinois Helmets to Hardhats program is generally recognized as the model for the national Helmets to Hardhats campaign. Much of this success can be attributed to a strong effort from teamster local unions, state agencies and local Veteran support groups joining together to support returning Illinois servicemembers.

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07 Sep 2010

FARM BUREAU MEMBERS' 2010 LEGISLATIVE POLICIES INCLUDE CHANGES IN 2012 FARM BILL, ACRE AND YOUNG FARMER PROGRAMS

By Rick Martin

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa - September 3, 2010 -The federal deficit, mounting regulations by appointed state boards and the 2012 Farm Bill topped lively debate among the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) voting delegates who met in West Des Moines September 2-3 to approve policy. The state's largest grassroots farm organization members gather annually to approve policies that impact farmers, rural vitality and all Iowa taxpayers.

"Our members spent a lot of time discussing the need and the difficulties of reducing our nation's $13 trillion deficit, which is a burden we don't want to saddle with our grandchildren. Our voting delegates agreed that fiscal responsibility should be the cornerstone of all our state and national policies, and that includes the 2012 Farm Bill," said IFBF President Craig Lang.

"Voting delegates discussed a wide range of options and acknowledged regional differences,

but agreed this Farm Bill must provide a dependable, fiscally responsible safety net for all farmers. Instead of direct payments, we agreed the money should be used to enhance a sound revenue insurance program, risk management and fair trade. Our members also agreed the next Farm Bill should help beginning farmers improve their income," said Lang. The IFBF policy will be forwarded and subject to national debate during American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) policy discussions January 9-12.

Extensive discussion also centered on regulations. "Farm Bureau members agreed that all state regulations and rules proposed by unelected members of departments, commissions, boards or agencies have to win legislative approval before they can be put in place. The Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) is one such appointed Board that has been given free reign for too long. Our members support elimination of the EPC," said Lang, "because many of their proposed rules go far beyond those already enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency and extend past the scope or intention of those who created the board."

IFBF delegates also voted to increase the use of renewable fuels, achieving the highest renewable fuel standard possible, requiring all gasoline sold in Iowa to be blended with ethanol at the maximum rate allowed in the standard automotive fleet. Additionally, Farm Bureau voting delegates wrote policy opposing the expansion of the 100 year flood plain and any additional restrictions beyond current law. Always interested in improving conservation measures on the farm, members also discussed the erosion reduction benefits of tile drainage and oppose any new regulation of their use.

The September 2-3 Summer Policy Conference is a step in Farm Bureau's grassroots policy development process, with the Iowa Farm Bureau's national policies yet to be submitted to the AFBF. All state Farm Bureaus meet in January to finalize the organization's national policies.

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07 Sep 2010

$96 Million Approved by Federal Education Department to Stem Loss of Education Jobs in Iowa

By Sen. Tom Harkin

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) released the following statement today after learning that the U.S. Department of Education had approved $96 million in funding for Iowa.  Iowa applied for this funding after the U.S. Senate advanced a measure that provided $10 billion for an education jobs fund to help prevent major teacher layoffs in the coming school year.  This effort was modeled after legislation Senator Harkin introduced on April 14th called the Keep Our Educators Working Act.

Harkin chairs the Appropriations subcommittee that funds education efforts and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

"Just a few months ago, headlines in Iowa and around the country told an all-too-familiar story of educator jobs at risk.   Our public schools were facing the prospect of massive layoffs, which would have meant larger class sizes and a great risk to the state of our kids' education.  

"Today, we have helped to avert a crisis.  With the approval of their application, Iowa will be able to use these funds to stem the loss of teachers, librarians, classroom assistants and others who our kids rely on for a quality education.  I commend the Department of Education for moving quickly to ensure this critical funding is released to states."

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07 Sep 2010

State Treasurer Fitzgerald Uges Women to Register Today for the 4th Annual Iowa Women and Money Conference

By readMedia

DES MOINES, IA (09/03/2010)(readMedia)-- Des Moines, Iowa - State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald is urging women not to miss out on a valuable experience. He's talking about the 4th Annual Iowa Women and Money Conference, scheduled for October 9, 2010 at the Polk County Convention Complex. This one-day event is expected to draw a large group of women who are interested in improving their financial success and security. The conference, including lunch, is free to attendees.

This year's keynote speaker is nationally known financial commentator Jane Bryant Quinn. Her accomplished career in finances has led her to appear on shows like Good Morning America and CBS Morning News, and her presentation at the conference is sure to motivate and inspire any woman looking for financial guidance.

The Iowa Women and Money Conference is specifically designed to address the unique financial situations women face in their work and personal lives. "Our goal in hosting this special event is to empower women by providing information that addresses the unique challenges they face while putting their financial house in order," stated Fitzgerald.

Conference sessions will focus on money management for women of all economic backgrounds, ages, and levels of financial knowledge. An impressive line-up of speakers and financial experts will discuss topics like buying a home, retirement, updating employment skills, avoiding identity theft and more. Space is limited, so visit www.iowawomenandmoney.com and register today.

07 Sep 2010

Comprehensive Plan Community Meetings to Take Place

By Ron Summers

A series of community meetings will take place to gather public input on a Comprehensive Plan for Davenport Parks and Recreation for the next 10 years.  There will be three meetings in total.

The first meeting took place from 6:30pm - 8:30pm on August 24 at the Davenport Junior Theater, 2815 Eastern Ave in Davenport.

The second meeting will take place on from 6:30pm - 8:30pm on September 7 at Duck Creek Lodge, 3000 E Locust St in Davenport.

The third meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 28 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm again at Junior Theater, 2815 Eastern Ave in Davenport.

The public is encouraged to attend these meetings.  Discussion topics will include golf, parks, facilities, programs, theater and the River's Edge.

07 Sep 2010

DISCOVER THE EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGE - TOUR RIVERMONT!

By Rick Martin

Average 9:1 student to teacher ratio.  Technology and foreign language instruction beginning in Kindergarten.  Extensive, individualized college counseling beginning in ninth grade.  Extraordinary things happen at Rivermont Collegiate!  Join us for Open Tours the first Tuesday of every month to explore our approach to learning.  The next Open Tour will be held Tuesday, September 7th from 8:30-10:00 a.m.  No appointment necessary!  Drop in to explore our philosophy and curriculum, take a tour of campus, see our teachers in action, and get answers to all your questions about Rivermont.

Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only private, nonsectarian, independent college preparatory school, serving preschool through twelfth grade.  At Rivermont, we prepare students who are grounded in the basics, yet able to think analytically and creatively to confidently meet the challenges of the 21st century.  Rivermont is proudly multicultural, with students coming from many Quad City area communities.  Rivermont Collegiate is located at 1821 Sunset Drive in Bettendorf, directly off 18th street behind K&K Hardware.  This event is free and open to the public!

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate or Tuesday's Open Tours, contact Cindy Murray at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org.

-END-

07 Sep 2010

Secure Online MSDS & Training Management Made Simple & Cost Effective

By Scott Shepherd

ATLANTA, GA.?IMTEK is proud to introduce our advanced Online MSDS Management Solution which offers more features and benefits then any other solution on the market today at a lower price. Our system provides a powerful solution that is robust enough to handle the complexities of managing many MSDSs and related information in a secure environment as well as one that is also very simple, intuitive and user friendly. One of the key features that distinguishes our solution from our competitors is the ability to manage the system totally independently and bulk upload hundreds of documents in minutes from anywhere in a secure environment.

Online MSDS Management Solution in a Secure Hosted Environment

The Online MSDS Management Solution is a hosted service. It does not require any specialized software installation, new hardware or IT resources. All future improvements are automatically available at no cost so you will never have to worry about upgrading to keep up with new versions again. This online system is always available 24/7/365 globally via an internet connection and an Internet Explorer browser.

Hazcom Compliance Made Simple, Cost Effective & Reliable

Our solution makes hazard communication management and compliance easy. Start-up is simple and you can use your site within hours of subscribing. This system will allow employees to reliably access required MSDSs 24/7/365 globally and for you to archive obsolete MSDSs for 30+ years thus ensuring compliance with hazcom regulations. It will also enable you to eliminate paper MSDSs and improve your efficiency thus saving valuable time and money.

Searching for MSDSs is Quick and Easy!

We have utilized state of the art search technology to make searching for your MSDSs quick and easy. Our Quick Search function displays your results instantly as you type in your search terms so your results are displayed in real time. This is the latest search technology available today and eliminates the need to 'submit' your search criteria and wait for the results to download.

Cloud Computing

Eliminate the up-front cost of software as well as the cost of all future upgrades. Lower operating costs by requiring less on-site technical support. We take care of technical support with a remote secure server.

Highest Security Level in the Industry!

We know how important it is for many companies to ensure that all MSDSs and related information reside in a secure environment and are only accessible to authorized employees. We understand that you may not want complete enterprise level material lists and information to be available to all employees to protect proprietary information.

That is why we have built the most secure online MSDS management system in the world! Our exclusive permissions based password protected technology gives you total control to manage multiple sites, locations and departments globally in a way that will protect your proprietary information while giving employees assess to MSDSs they need for their job and to ensure your compliance.

Puts You in Total Control

Our Online MSDS Management Solution puts you in the driver's seat. You have total and exclusive control over your Online MSDS Management Solution. You can instantly load, edit, delete and retrieve any MSDS at anytime from anywhere with a click of a mouse.

By managing your own system you will be ensuring that your system is streamlined and only contains relevant information.

Document Storage Flexibility

There is no restriction to the number of documents that can be loaded for each product. This feature gives you flexibility in optimizing the application of this system. For example, in addition to MSDSs, other EHS documents such as biocide certificates, kosher certificates, declarations of conformity, environmental statements or toxicological summaries can also be added to the same products in Word, PDF, Excel, XML and other popular formats. Technical data sheets and marketing information can also be added to the same product. Thus, when a product is found in a search, the user can conveniently have access to all loaded documents. Old documents can also be easily archived or deleted.

Product and Document Bulk Upload

One of the unique features of this solution is that products and documents can be added individually or in bulk. The ability to add hundreds of products quickly is a very powerful feature that saves tremendous amount of time and is unparalleled in the industry. Products can also be easily classified as private or public and archived when desired. Documents can also be loaded to a private or public library for sharing.

Global Solution

The Online MSDS Management Solution was designed to be a global system that can be used simultaneously by the entire enterprise in various parts of the world. MSDSs in all formats can be loaded and searched by country so that only relevant versions of MSDSs are served to employees. Furthermore, multiple jurisdiction MSDSs in multiple languages can be added to a single product making searches easy and efficient.

Inventory, VOC, & HAPs Management

In addition to managing MSDS information and documents, the system also has expanded capabilities to track inventory, VOC and HAPs information by company, location or department on a global basis. This is a very useful feature that is convenient for environmental compliance and reporting requirements.

MSDS Authoring

A standard 16 section GHS MSDS format can be rapidly created with your company logo and saved in a pdf, html or word document.

Reports

Numerous reports can be viewed instantly including the Admin List, Employee List, HAPs Report, Inventory Report, MSDS Report, NFPA Report, Training by Facility Report, Training by Employee Report, Training by Course Report, Vendor Report and VOC Report. All the reports can also be downloaded as Excel ReportsIMTEK Environmental Corporation

IMTEK Environmental Corporation, headquartered in Atlanta, GA, is a trusted global provider of over 300 premier environmental and safety services and products. Our company is a pioneer and market leader in developing online solutions to access, manage and deploy material safety data sheets (MSDS) and safety training. For further information, please contact IMTEK, PO BOX 2066, Alpharetta, GA 30023; Telephone (770) 335-5586;

07 Sep 2010

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

By Grassley Press

Q.  What are Constitution Day and Citizenship Day?

A.  Constitution Day is celebrated on September 17, because the Constitution of the United States was signed on September 17, 1787.  Constitution Day is also Citizenship Day, a day that recognizes all who have become U.S. citizens, whether by birth or immigration.

Originally, U.S. citizenship was celebrated on the third Sunday of every May, on a day known as "I Am An American Day."  In 1952, this day was moved to September 17, to celebrate citizens and the Constitution.  Until 2004, the official name of this holiday was Citizenship Day.  It is now known as "Constitution Day and Citizenship Day."

Q.  Why should we celebrate our Constitution and Citizenship?

A.  The Constitution is the framework for our democracy.   It was adopted by the Constitutional Convention 223 years ago, ratified by the original 13 states, and it continues to guide us today.  In the United States, the Constitution is the supreme law of the land.  The Constitution embodies the enduring philosophical principles in the Declaration of Independence; that the limited government created by the Constitution only exercise power by the consent of the governed.

That philosophy is clearly stated in the Declaration's second paragraph:  "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. ? That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..."  The Constitution is a statement of this philosophical belief in limited government.  All power rests with the people, and the Constitution is a compact where the American people delegate certain enumerated powers to the government in order to "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity." 

September 17 is also a day to celebrate the honor, and reflect on the responsibilities, of U.S. citizenship.

07 Sep 2010

Gov. Culver, Iowa Utilities Board Announce Major Step in Iowa's High-Speed Internet Expansion

By Rick Martin

Des Moines, IA - Governor Culver and the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) unveiled a major step forward Wednesday in the Connect Iowa initiative. A new, detailed report is now available on the Connect Iowa website (www.connectiowa.org) that offers the state's first look at key broadband market data that will be used to form a clear, strategic plan for broadband expansion in Iowa. The Iowa Broadband: Current Market Analysis & Initial Recommendations for Acceleration of Iowa's Broadband Market report is a key element in planning to increase high-speed Internet access and adoption across the state.

"We are engaging citizens and stakeholders statewide as part of the process to build a broadband action plan. The data and analysis in this report point us in the right direction," said Brian Mefford, Connected Nation's CEO.

The report provides a detailed review of the current state of broadband in Iowa and is already sparking discussion across multiple broadband stakeholders in the state on key goals and strategies to expand and enhance broadband service.

"While it is encouraging that 95% of Iowa households currently have broadband availability, Connect Iowa's findings that 34% of residents are not adopting the technology is an area of great concern. This shows that digital literacy, demand stimulation, and technology training efforts will continue to be important for urban, suburban, and rural residents alike," said Carolyn D. King, urban representative of the Broadband Deployment Governance Board.

The Iowa Utilities Board conducted the initial assessment of the state's broadband landscape based on the data collected from the Connect Iowa mapping and planning initiative. The report is being used in collaboration with the work of the Iowa Broadband Deployment Governance Board.

"The data contained in this report will be invaluable to the IBDGB as it works toward its goal of stimulating the growth and availability of high-speed broadband in Iowa," said Krista Tanner, IUB member and chair of the IBDGB. "While the report shows that about 95 percent of Iowans have access to broadband today, the report also highlights that fewer Iowans have access to broadband at the higher speeds that will be necessary to compete in tomorrow's economy.  The IBDGB will use this data as a springboard to engage stakeholders like elected officials, civic leaders, educators, economic developers, and private entrepreneurs to help them better understand Iowa's broadband challenges. The IBDGB will rely on insights from these key stakeholders as it works to overcome these challenges and create an action plan for Iowa's future."

The 58-page assessment gives a snapshot of current broadband availability and usage in Iowa, defines where and why availability gaps exist with detailed supporting research, offers strategy and policy recommendations to close the gaps, and presents a thorough technology assessment of Iowa's current broadband service infrastructure.

On June 18, 2010, Governor Chet Culver announced the release of the state's interactive broadband mapping application through the Connect Iowa initiative. Connect Iowa is funded through a $2.2 million award by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to launch the initiative in the state and carry out the work over a five-year period. Under the NTIA State Broadband Data and Development grant program, Connect Iowa is charged with creating statewide awareness, mapping, and maintaining the state broadband inventory for two years, and conduct planning efforts for a period of five years. These funds are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

All Iowa residents are encouraged to visit the Connect Iowa website, www.connectiowa.org, to join in this important initiative and offer feedback. The website gives residents a one-stop portal where they can find broadband providers at their address, check their current Internet speeds, notify officials of unserved areas, and share stories of how high-speed Internet has impacted their lives.

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07 Sep 2010

New Loan Option for College Students

By Tara Deering-Hansen

Iowa-Area Lenders Pool Resources to Help Students Without Cosigners

 

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA (Sept. 2, 2010) ? As the first university bills of the school year start to hit Iowa college students' mailboxes, those with nowhere to turn to fund their college education now have another option. This is thanks to a group of Iowa-area lenders who have stepped up to provide a supplemental private student loan to students who are unable to obtain a qualified cosigner.

"We're seeing a lot of students caught in a difficult spot, said Gary Steinke, president of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. "They need more money to cover what financial aid doesn't, but their parents can't help them out by cosigning for a traditional private student loan. By providing an alternative with transparent and reasonable terms, these banks are helping students who may otherwise have to forego or postpone college."

Students often turn to private student loans after exhausting available federal, state and institutional financial aid. Generally, cosigners are required to meet underwriting criteria on students who have little income and a short credit history. However, with economic conditions continuing to result in unemployment or underemployment for working families, many parents are unable to cosign a private student loan, reducing students' options.

A group of Iowa-area lenders have pooled resources to create the Iowa Alliance Private Student Loan ProgramSM (Iowa Alliance Loan), serviced by Iowa Student Loan®. The program offers supplemental private student loans with upfront terms to students who have been denied a private loan requiring a cosigner. The participating lenders have gone above and beyond by raising enough funds to help Iowa students fill the gap between cost of attendance and available financial aid for the next two academic years.

The following Iowa-area lenders are participating in the Iowa Alliance Loan program:
  • American State Bank, Osceola
  • Bankers Trust Co., Des Moines
  • Community State Bank, Paton
  • Crawford County Trust & Savings Bank, Denison
  • Fairfax State Savings Bank, Fairfax
  • Guthrie County State Bank, Panora
  • Heartland Bank, Gowrie
  • Iowa Student Loan, West Des Moines
  • Manufacturers Bank & Trust, Forest City
  • MidWestOne Bank, Iowa City
  • Modern Woodmen Bank, Rock Island, Ill.
  • Northwest Bank, Spencer
  • Patriot Bank, Brooklyn
  • Shelby County State Bank, Harlan
  • Sibley State Bank, Sibley
  • Treynor State Bank (TS Bank), Treynor
To learn more about the Iowa Alliance Loan program and the lenders offering it, visit www.studentloan.org/alliance. Students must apply through their school's financial aid office.
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