21 Oct 2015

National Debt and Federal Budget Resources for the 2016 Election

By Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget believes this campaign season would benefit from a grown-up conversation about fiscal issues. To push that along, we have assembled a bipartisan packet of information on budget, tax and debt issues.
Click here to see the packet.
19 Oct 2015

Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald's Halloween Return

By Karen Austin

DES MOINES, IA (10/19/2015)(readMedia)-- You don't have to dress up this Halloween to find goodies. State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald wants you to know there are plenty of treats in the form of unclaimed property in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. "There are no tricks, only treats," Fitzgerald stated. "Finding and receiving unclaimed property is an easy process. The thought of losing track of one's assets is what is truly frightening."

"Anybody can have unclaimed property in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, which is why we encourage everyone to search for their name," Fitzgerald added. "We are holding property for a lot of royalty, from Kings to Queens, and even one for the Princess Theatre in Mapleton." The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt also has unclaimed assets for Charlie Brown, a few Batmans, many Sparrows but no Jack, two Monsters, several Sherlocks and a few Angels.

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $199 million in unclaimed property to more than 468,000 people 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 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.

(@GreatIATreasure).

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17 Oct 2015

Have you registered for the Quad Cities Servant Leadership Academy on Oct. 23?

By Todd Ashby

In an effort to respond to requests from our Leadercast Community, Leadercast Quad Cities has teamed with Chick-fil-A and the Quad Cities Prayer Center to create a new opportunity for leadership learning.  We introduce you to the Quad Cities Leadership Academy!
Quad Cities Servant Leadership Academy is a new organization, who's mission is to gather business leaders, influencers and world changers who love Jesus, see things differently, and feel a burden to improve our communities. 

Now it is time to kick-off our journey together, with our flagship full-day Servant Leadership Academy event on Friday, October 23rd. At this and other events throughout the year, leaders from our community will have an opportunity to converge and participate in a revolution of ideas, where you'll challenge the process and think unconventionally. 

We will seek to learn, worship and create together with a momentous energy passionately pursuing God, through; recorded presentations from nationally recognized leadership experts, live presentations from local Servant Leaders and most importantly, incredible discssion and fellowship with other Servant Leaders like yourself.
More than cutting-edge events, QCSLA will be an experience that will leave you enlightened, rejuvenated, and ready to embrace the life to which you've been entrusted and the journey to which you've been called. Expect a fully immersive learning, worship and creative experience, where timely inspiration can come from the thought leaders who we look to, or the person sitting in the seat right next to you.

The cost to attend the October 23 Servant Leadership Academy event, is $50 and includes a complimentary Chick-fil-A lunch, snacks & beverages and a day full of learning & fellowship. If you would like to bring a group, please contact us to discuss group discounts.

Capacity for this event will be 200 attendees and spots will fill quickly, so please do not hesitate to contact to register or contact us with any additional questions.

To register or for more information, call Todd Ashby of Results Marketing at 563-322-2065 or emailtodd@resultsimc.com.
Of if you are ready to register right now, you can click the button below and begin the process.
We look forward to seeing you on Friday, October 23rd!
17 Oct 2015

JumpOnIt Mobile Deals Expanding; Creating Job Opportunities for Local Professionals

By Amanda Toerdal

Local tech Startup Company JumpOnIt Mobile Deals is set to expand into its fourth market - steadily creating local job opportunities as well as positions in other markets.

DAVENPORT, Iowa. - Oct. 15, 2015 - JumpOnIt Mobile Deals is leading the way in the mobile advertising market. In the Quad Cities, anyone with a smartphone is able to text the keyword "JumpOnQC" to the short code number "88678" and start receiving great local offers on a weekly basis. With subscribers numbering in the thousands - all receiving a variety of discounts from local businesses - it is hard to go anywhere in the Quad Cities without hearing about JumpOnIt Mobile Deals.

Founded by two Quad City natives and Pleasant Valley High graduates, Katie Wilson and Sara Castillo, JumpOnIt Mobile Deals is a force to be reckoned with. Merely six months after its initial launch, JumpOnIt Mobile Deals has expanded into three total markets, with a fourth launching soon. Besides the Quad Cities, JumpOnIt Mobile Deals is currently live in Nashville, TN and Des Moines, IA and will soon go live in the Iowa City/Coralville market. With the Iowa Hawkeyes signed on as a new partner of JumpOnIt Mobile Deals, the newest market is set for success.

With each market expansion, JumpOnIt Mobile Deals is growing its database and growing its need for more employees. In the Quad Cities, where the main home office is located, JumpOnIt Mobile Deals has already created a number of local job opportunities based in Downtown Davenport. Job opportunities consistently available are Sales and Marketing positions. There are also opportunities for Graphic Designers, Data Analysts and other tech savvy individuals. With each new city JumpOnIt Mobile Deals launches, at least one new job opportunity is created.

As a local startup that is quickly expanding into new markets, JumpOnIt Mobile Deals will soon put the Quad Cities in the national spotlight. As one of few startup tech companies in the area that is delivering a viable product to the marketing world, JumpOnIt Mobile Deals is unique and noteworthy. Headed by strong businesswomen with a drive for success, the company plans to expand into as many markets as possible; continuing to create more job opportunities in the Quad Cities area as well as nationwide.

17 Oct 2015

FY 2015 Deficit Falls to $439 Billion, but Debt Continues to Rise October 15, 2015

By Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 budget deficit totaled $439 billion, according to today's statement from the Treasury Department. Although this is roughly 10 percent below the FY 2014 deficit and nearly 70 percent below its 2009 peak, the country remains on an unsustainable fiscal path.
In this paper, we show:
  • Annual deficits have fallen substantially over the past six years, largely due to rapid increases in revenue (largely from the economic recovery), the reversal of one-time spending during the financial crisis, small decreases in defense spending, and slow growth in other areas.
  • Simply citing the 70 percent fall in deficits over the past six years without context is misleading, since it follows an almost 800 percent increase that brought deficits to record-high levels.
  • Even as deficits have fallen, debt held by the public has continued to rise, growing from $5.0 trillion in 2007 and $7.5 trillion in 2009 to $13.1 trillion today. As a share of GDP, debt rose from 35 percent in 2007 to about 74 percent in 2014 and 2015.
  • Both deficits and debt are projected to rise over the next decade and beyond, with trillion-dollar deficits returning by 2025 or sooner and debt exceeding the size of the economy before 2040, and as soon as 2031.
Unfortunately, the recent fall in deficits is not a sign of fiscal sustainability.
Read the full paper here
17 Oct 2015

Woody's Popcorn - Press Release - October 2015

By EINNOC10@aol.com

As legends claim, dating back to the early 1900s Woody's popcorn was known simply as a treat enjoyed by many local farmers. Each year Woody grew and popped the corn, mixed in his savory ingredients, and delivered the end result to nearby farmers for a sweet treat after the autumn harvest.

The family recipe has been passed through generations, and today Woody's Popcorn operates as a friend-owned business based in Sterling, IL. Acquired in October 2011 by Julie Scribner and Michelle Neubauer of Milledgeville, IL, Woody's Popcorn produces and distributes Caramel Corn, Cheddar Corn, and Caramel & Cheddar Mixed Corn products.

The business currently operates out of a facility located at 1741 Industrial Drive in Sterling, IL. Woody's Popcorn operates on a wholesale distribution business model, and does not currently have a retail storefront. By selling its wholesale products to local retailers, Woody's Popcorn encourages the growth of local business sales by providing businesses with quality products for their loyal customers. Woody's Popcorn sells directly to consumers through its online marketplace, found at www.woodyspopcorn.com. Products purchased online can be delivered directly to the consumer or marked for pick-up at the production facility.

In 2015, Woody's continued its growth and has seen greater distribution of its products in areas including the Chicagoland suburbs, Quad Cities, and Central & Southern Wisconsin. In the current fiscal year, as of September 30th, 2015, Woody's Popcorn has produced and distributed over 100,000 bags of popcorn.

As a part of its expansion in 2015, Woody's has adopted a new logo and updated packaging. The new logo features a facelift for Woody, giving him a fresh, modern-day look. The new packaging allows for the products to be heat-sealed, maintaining its fresh, delicious taste even longer. Not to worry though, Woody's Popcorn would never change the delicious recipe that keeps its consumers coming back.

Please be on the lookout for the Woody's Popcorn new packaging to be available for purchase soon at a store near you. You can also visit www.woodyspopcorn.com to place your order today.

For additional business operations information, please contact:

 

Melissa Wagenknecht - Director of Operations

mwagenknecht@woodyspopcorn.com.

 

For new business and sales opportunities, please contact

 

Lance Bryson - Director of Business Development

lbryson@woodyspopcorn.com

16 Oct 2015

MUNGER TO ADDRESS MEDIA IN ROCKFORD, MOLINE AND PEORIA ON BUDGET IMPASSE

By Rich Carter
CHICAGO - Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger will hold news conferences in Rockford, Moline and Peoria on Friday to discuss the significant cash flow constraints the continuing budget impasse is placing on state finances and the challenges of making timely state payments in the months ahead.
Munger will outline specific payment challenges and then take questions from the media.
SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY,  OCTOBER 16, 2015:
10:00 a.m.:    ROCKFORD: Auditorium, E.J. "Zeke" Giorgi Center
200 South Wyman Street
Rockford, IL 61101
1:30 p.m.:      MOLINE: Moline City Hall, city council chambers
619 16th Street, Moline, IL
3:45 p.m.:      PEORIA: Peoria City Hall, Room 400 (council chambers)
419 Fulton Street, Peoria, IL
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16 Oct 2015

State Treasury Invests in Iowa's Economy

By Karen Austin

DES MOINES, IA (10/15/2015)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald announced that, as a result of Tuesday's online auction, $100 million will be deposited in 42 banks across the state. The state will receive an average rate of return of 0.31% on these six-month certificates of deposit. "This was our last auction for 2015," Fitzgerald said. "I am looking forward to what next year will bring!"

Fitzgerald created the Invest in Iowa program in 1983 as a way to deposit state funds in Iowa financial institutions. The treasurer's office uses an auction format offering state deposits to Iowa banks six times a year, which allows the state to earn a competitive return on the funds while ensuring local banks have the money they need to keep the economy moving. The financial institutions hold the funds as CDs and use the money to make loans. Currently, the Invest in Iowa program has over $332 million invested in Iowa banks.

"We have seen a growing demand for this program over the last few years," Fitzgerald stated. "This allows us to increase the amount of funds available for bidding. I am glad this program continues to help facilitate lending around the state."

Invest in Iowa quarterly auctions are held on the second Tuesday of January, April, July and October. In response to growing interest in this program, two auctions offering one-year term CDs are also held throughout the year. The next auction is scheduled for January 12, 2016 at 10 a.m and will offer six-month term CDs. Each auction has an established minimum interest rate and a minimum bid. To learn more about the Invest in Iowa program, visit IowaTreasurer.gov, select "Invest in Iowa" under the "For Businesses" tab or contact the treasurer's office at 515-281-5368.

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16 Oct 2015

Let National Save for Retirement Week Boost Your Savings

By Karen Austin

DES MOINES, IA (10/15/2015)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald encourages all Iowans to participate in National Save for Retirement Week this October 18-24. "We want everyone, from those just entering the workforce to those preparing to leave, to reflect on their retirement savings goals," Fitzgerald said. Visit www.icmarc.org/retirement-week.html to sign up for a webinar or access free retirement planning tools.

National Save for Retirement Week began in 2006 as an effort to increase public knowledge about the importance of saving for retirement and the benefits of employer-based savings and pension plans. Three separate webinars are offered throughout the week, and a National Pack-A-Sack Lunch Day is schedule for Wednesday, October 21. "There are many small ways to make a big impact on your retirement savings account," Fitzgerald added. "Even one less visit to the vending machine or cafeteria each week can really add up."

Learn more about saving for retirement at www.icmarc.org/retirement-week.html. Look into your employer's savings and pension plans, and find out if they offer an automatic paycheck deduction and employer match. Calculate just how much you will need during retirement and investigate the various investment vehicles in order to optimize your savings. Whether you are just now laying out a plan for your future, reevaluating your retirement approach or planning an upcoming retirement, let National Save for Retirement Week supercharge your retirement savings.

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16 Oct 2015

MUNGER: CASH SHORTAGE REQUIRES STATE TO DELAY PENSION PAYMENT

By Rich Carter
Retirement systems to be paid in full by end of fiscal year
CHICAGO - Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger on Wednesday announced that a cash shortage caused by the ongoing state budget impasse will force Illinois to delay its November pension payment, but she stressed the retirement systems will be paid in full by the end of the fiscal year.
Without a budget in place, the state is operating under a series of court orders, consent decrees and continuing appropriations requiring it to pay bills at last year's rates, despite projections showing a $5 billion decline in revenue. The resulting cash shortage has caused the state's unpaid bill backlog to swell to $6.9 billion this month, and will force the Comptroller's Office to delay a $560 million monthly pension payment in November.
Despite the delay in the state's payment to the retirement systems, retirees will continue to receive their benefits checks as scheduled.
"This decision came down to choosing the least of a number of bad options and it saddens me that we've reached this point. But the fact is that our state simply does not have the revenue to meet its obligations," Munger said. "We will use every available dollar in the higher revenue months this Spring to catch up with our commitments and ensure that our retirement systems are paid in full."
Faced with the ongoing cash shortage, Munger has prioritized payments for nonprofits serving children, the elderly, people with disabilities and other most vulnerable residents. She is additionally required to ensure the state does not default on its debt service payments, and to meet state payroll.
Still, the consequences of the budget impasse are seen on a daily basis across the state, Munger added.
"Families, businesses and organizations are paying the price for inaction in Springfield every single day," Munger said. "Nonprofits have had to shut their doors, our most vulnerable residents have lost access to services they depend on, college students are not receiving promised grant money and local governments are struggling to keep 911 Emergency call centers operating in the absence of funding.
"State government is not serving anyone well right now," she added. "It is incumbent on the General Assembly and Governor to lock arms and pass an agreement that will allow Illinois to regain its fiscal footing."
(END)

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