· The City of Davenport has announced that more than $18 million in federal tax credits have been awarded by the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) to help produce 168 affordable and market-rate housing units in Davenport. IFA, through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, accepts applications and provides federal tax credits to developers of affordable housing in Iowa. A total of 17 projects were awarded tax credits in this year's competitive process, with four projects from Davenport: the Davenport Lofts at 427 and 505 Iowa Street; the Marycrest senior-apartments project at 1607 West 12th Street; John Lewis Coffee Shop's Cobblestone Terrace at 12th and Myrtle streets; and John Lewis Coffee Shop's Cobblestone Place at 303 Taylor and 921 West Third streets. That's the largest number of Davenport projects in a single year, and the city had more awarded projects than any other Iowa community this year. Statewide, a total of 598 housing units will be produced by IFA's award of nearly $60 million.
· The U.S. Postal Service will probably be seeking approval for its next increase in postal rates - two years earlier than expected. The reason has to do with increasing contributions to the federal-government retirement fund and future health-care costs. Bulk mailers have been told to expect a rate-increase filing next month if the Postal Service decides to implement a phased rate increase that would allow more frequent, but lower, increases. Officials aren't saying how large an increase could be.
· U.S. Representative Ron Paul (R-Texas) has again introduced the Liberty Amendment that would repeal the 16th Amendment (which allows the income tax) and reduce the federal government's functions to only those expressly named in the Constitution ? which would get rid of just about everything the federal government is doing today. See Paul's introductory statement at (http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2003/cr013003c.htm). Paul's home page can be found at (http://www.house.gov/paul/).
· The Web site of U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) has been recognized as one of the best in Congress by the nonpartisan Congress Online Project, a joint research project of the Congressional Management Foundation and the George Washington University, funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts. The site (http://harkin.senate.gov) was awarded the Silver Mouse Award for its ease of use and readily available information for frequently visiting groups such as students, teachers, and media. The complete list of the Congress Online Gold, Silver, and Bronze Mouse Award winners is available at (http://www.congressonlineproject.org/webstudy2003.html).
· On Monday, March 3, Brubaker Masonic Lodge #675 of Davenport presented Buchanan Elementary School, also of Davenport, with a $500 popcorn maker for the school's use. Brubaker Lodge purchased the popper so the school could use it for fundraising activities in the wake of budget cuts, increased costs, and other revenue problems. The Buchanan Boosters parents' group also contributed to the cost of the popper. Brubaker Lodge became a Partner in Education with Buchanan and Harrison elementary schools at the start of the 2002-3 school year.
· The Iowa House Judiciary Committee approved a measure to require health professionals, in the course of providing treatment to a patient, to report to the police or sheriff any suspicious-looking burn that appears to have occurred during the commission of a criminal act. This legislation is aimed primarily at persons involved in the illegal production of methamphetamine, a chemical process that sometimes results in serious burns to those involved. The burn report must be filed with law enforcement "at once but not later than 12 hours after treatment." This legislation would create a new statute similar to the existing Iowa law requiring health professionals to report suspicious gunshot or stab wounds.
· Under current Illinois law, a voter is eligible to cast an absentee ballot for a number of reasons, including being out of the county on Election Day, living and working abroad, being physically incapacitated, or serving as an election judge. Under House Bill 128, recently passed in the Illinois House, those 65 and older would be able to vote absentee without demonstrating a hardship. House Bill 128 now goes before the Senate for consideration.
· For elderly, low-income, and disabled homeowners, home maintenance is often the first expense to go in a tight economy. That's where the good neighbors of Rebuilding Together Quad Cities come in, with applications now available for free home-repair assistance. Rebuilding Together volunteers will work on selected homes throughout the Iowa and Illinois Quad Cities on May 3 and September 20. Repairs are free to the homeowner and are funded by grants from the Riverboat Development Authority, Scott County Regional Authority, local businesses, civic groups, and churches. To qualify, applicants need to meet HUD income guidelines and both own and occupy the home. Homes must be of conventional construction. A simple one-page application and proof of income and homeowner's insurance are required. Applications are available by calling Rebuilding Together at (563)322-6534. They can also be picked up at city offices, libraries, community organizations, and social-service agencies, and at John Lewis Coffee Shop, 1202 West Third Street in Davenport.
· The U.S. Postal Service will probably be seeking approval for its next increase in postal rates - two years earlier than expected. The reason has to do with increasing contributions to the federal-government retirement fund and future health-care costs. Bulk mailers have been told to expect a rate-increase filing next month if the Postal Service decides to implement a phased rate increase that would allow more frequent, but lower, increases. Officials aren't saying how large an increase could be.
· U.S. Representative Ron Paul (R-Texas) has again introduced the Liberty Amendment that would repeal the 16th Amendment (which allows the income tax) and reduce the federal government's functions to only those expressly named in the Constitution ? which would get rid of just about everything the federal government is doing today. See Paul's introductory statement at (http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2003/cr013003c.htm). Paul's home page can be found at (http://www.house.gov/paul/).
· The Web site of U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) has been recognized as one of the best in Congress by the nonpartisan Congress Online Project, a joint research project of the Congressional Management Foundation and the George Washington University, funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts. The site (http://harkin.senate.gov) was awarded the Silver Mouse Award for its ease of use and readily available information for frequently visiting groups such as students, teachers, and media. The complete list of the Congress Online Gold, Silver, and Bronze Mouse Award winners is available at (http://www.congressonlineproject.org/webstudy2003.html).
· On Monday, March 3, Brubaker Masonic Lodge #675 of Davenport presented Buchanan Elementary School, also of Davenport, with a $500 popcorn maker for the school's use. Brubaker Lodge purchased the popper so the school could use it for fundraising activities in the wake of budget cuts, increased costs, and other revenue problems. The Buchanan Boosters parents' group also contributed to the cost of the popper. Brubaker Lodge became a Partner in Education with Buchanan and Harrison elementary schools at the start of the 2002-3 school year.
· The Iowa House Judiciary Committee approved a measure to require health professionals, in the course of providing treatment to a patient, to report to the police or sheriff any suspicious-looking burn that appears to have occurred during the commission of a criminal act. This legislation is aimed primarily at persons involved in the illegal production of methamphetamine, a chemical process that sometimes results in serious burns to those involved. The burn report must be filed with law enforcement "at once but not later than 12 hours after treatment." This legislation would create a new statute similar to the existing Iowa law requiring health professionals to report suspicious gunshot or stab wounds.
· Under current Illinois law, a voter is eligible to cast an absentee ballot for a number of reasons, including being out of the county on Election Day, living and working abroad, being physically incapacitated, or serving as an election judge. Under House Bill 128, recently passed in the Illinois House, those 65 and older would be able to vote absentee without demonstrating a hardship. House Bill 128 now goes before the Senate for consideration.
· For elderly, low-income, and disabled homeowners, home maintenance is often the first expense to go in a tight economy. That's where the good neighbors of Rebuilding Together Quad Cities come in, with applications now available for free home-repair assistance. Rebuilding Together volunteers will work on selected homes throughout the Iowa and Illinois Quad Cities on May 3 and September 20. Repairs are free to the homeowner and are funded by grants from the Riverboat Development Authority, Scott County Regional Authority, local businesses, civic groups, and churches. To qualify, applicants need to meet HUD income guidelines and both own and occupy the home. Homes must be of conventional construction. A simple one-page application and proof of income and homeowner's insurance are required. Applications are available by calling Rebuilding Together at (563)322-6534. They can also be picked up at city offices, libraries, community organizations, and social-service agencies, and at John Lewis Coffee Shop, 1202 West Third Street in Davenport.
