02 Nov 2015

Making Holidays Bright - And Affordable

By Rick Martin
By Nathaniel Sillin

Already dreading what you'll spend this holiday season? It doesn't have to be that way.

Gifts aren't the only budget-busting culprit during the holidays. The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's are also a peak time for spending on groceries, travel, events, entertainment, energy, clothes and meals out.

Financial advisors recommend you use no more than 1.5 percent of your annual income on holiday spending (http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/holiday), so consider the following suggestions to keep it under control:

Start with a list and make a budget. Begin your planning by listing every possible holiday expense you'll face - and don't stop at gifts. Consult the Practical Money Skills for Life comprehensive holiday budget planner (http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/yourholidaybudget) to help organize your information and track your spending.

Be open about money trouble. If you are facing financial difficulties during the holiday season, don't spend to hide the problem. Don't be ashamed to make adjustments and tell friends and family members that you'd like to temporarily downsize your spending until conditions improve. They might actually appreciate a spending reprieve, too.

Build a bargain-hunting strike force. Let friends and family know you're looking for particular toys, gifts, foods or decorating items and volunteer to do the same for them. Save and share coupons. Encourage your group to find resources, check prices and share requests and ideas via social media. Results can come back in a matter of minutes.

Evaluate all transportation costs. Do you really need to run out of one or two items at a time? Designate certain days of the week for particular items, keep an eye out for free delivery and see if friends and family might want to share errands. Those with large vehicles or trucks can help move, deliver and even install appliances or electronics if they have the skills to do so. Smart transportation choices extend to car pools or public transportation for events and entertainment.

Leverage your creativity. If there's something you make or do really well that people love, consider making such accomplishments into gifts. From specialty food items your friends enjoy, to clothing or art, anything done well can be a gift. Don't rule out lessons or skilled labor as potential holiday gifts, particularly for relatives who can't afford such services at this time. Smart shopping for ingredients or supplies can make such creative gifts a real money saver.

Build a year-round gift stash. If there are gifts or foodstuffs you can buy on sale and keep for a while, you'll have a ready source of thank-you gifts for hosts, teachers or co-workers year-round. Set aside a similar area for cards, gift tags and wrapping paper. Also keep in mind that many retailers put holiday-themed items on sale before the holidays are finished. If you think you'll need these items next year, grab your coupons, take advantage and put those items aside for future gift giving.

Late saving for gifts? Do it anyway. If you don't have a holiday fund set up, don't let that keep you from starting one. Every little bit helps. Take 5-10 percent of your next paycheck and set it aside, doing it each week throughout the holidays. If you keep it up, your holiday fund can eventually become an emergency fund to be used for other savings goals, including retirement.

Take notes for next holiday season. Create a paper or digital file where you can collect ideas for next year. Check print and online resources like Consumer Reports for items that can be bought at specific times of the year at a discount so you are able to hide them for the holidays - but remember where you hid them.

Bottom line: Keeping holidays affordable isn't a challenge when you're willing to do a little planning, idea-sharing and record-keeping. Make it an activity you can do year-round.

02 Nov 2015

Budget deal is missed opportunity to address runaway spending, Grassley says

By Grassley Press

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa made the following comment on his vote against the budget deal approved by the Senate early this morning, October 30, 2015.

"Government shutdowns don't save money. They cost money, and they're best avoided.  Defaulting on the nation's debts is also something to avoid.  But this budget deal lifts the debt ceiling to enable new borrowing while missing opportunities to address long-term runaway spending and deficit problems. This bill will raise our already $18.1 trillion debt ceiling by hundreds of billions of dollars, without a single dollar of spending reduction in exchange.  It increases spending by $112 billion over the next two years, and pays for it with bad policy such as a $3 billion cut to crop insurance and raiding the crime victims fund and gimmicks such as oil sales and spectrum sales.  It undoes the bipartisan promise Congress made in 2011 to rein in runaway spending.  The lack of leadership from President Obama to take on the drivers of our long-term deficits and debt helped put us in this position.  This is a bad deal for America today, and it's even worse for our children and grandchildren.  This also was a bad deal on process.  The 144-page bill was put together behind closed doors, and members had just a couple days before voting on it.  This didn't give the Senate much of a chance as the deliberative body it's supposed to be."
30 Oct 2015

Loebsack Statement on the Budget Deal

By Vonnie Hampel

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the House voted on the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.

"The budget plan that was voted on today in the House was far from perfect and I was reluctant to support it. Not only was this bill written behind closed doors, but it attempted to balance the budget on the backs of America's farmers and ranchers. I am pleased that due to pressure from me and other members of Congress, an agreement has been reached to avoid the possibly devastating cuts to crop insurance that were initially included in the bill. I strongly opposed this provision, and am pleased that House leadership will reverse this harmful policy during the appropriations process.

 

"In the end, passing a budget and making sure that America does not go into default was the right and responsible thing to do. Furthermore, this legislation makes sure that Social Security Disability payments will continue and drastically reduces a spike in Medicare premiums that was scheduled to go into effect. Washington must be working to boost our economy, not undermining economic growth. This bipartisan, commonsense, compromise budget plan is a good start and is needed to get past the political games."

After learning of the cap to crop insurance payments, Loebsack demanded Congressional leaders remove the provision that would devastate America's farmers and ranchers. In a letter to Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi, Loebsack called for them to reverse the damaging policy during the appropriation process.

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28 Oct 2015

Smiddy Supports Vital Health and Safety Funding Threatened by Budget Uncertainty

By Paul Ferrero
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - To stop damage to public health and safety due to the state's financial uncertainty, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, recently vote to send funds to fire fighter training programs, a program to help parents prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and screenings for breast and cervical cancer.
"It is devastating to me that women will not be able to receive life-saving cancer screenings, like the one that led to my wife's breast cancer diagnosis and treatment," Smiddy said. "Debates over policy and financial decisions are impacting Illinois families in irreversible and dangerous ways, and I will continue to speak out for these vital needs."
Without a final state budget, more programs and services in Illinois are facing shutdown. Smiddy voted to support an amendment to House Bill 4155 in order to provide funds to some state programs in the midst of this impasse. The proposal, which had enough support to advance but not to become law, would pay for local fire grants, Illinois Fire Service Institute fire fighters trainings, and emergency response equipment. Secondly, Smiddy backed the measure to continue the SIDS of Illinois Program, which provides counselling and support services to help families prevent the sudden and unexpected death of their infant. The amendment also included money for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, which offers free mammograms, breast exams, pelvic exams and pap tests to eligible women.
"Illinois residents deserve to have programs available to keep them safe," Smiddy said. "I remain ready to work with all sides to reach a quick and complete resolution to our state's financial challenges."
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27 Oct 2015

Bettendorf Man Pleads Guilty to Filing a False Tax Return

By Shelly Robertson
DAVENPORT, IA - On October 5, 2015, Monte A. Cox, age 55, appeared before the Honorable Stephen B. Jackson, Jr., and pled guilty to filing a false tax return for the year 2009, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt.
According to the plea agreement, Cox underreported income on his personal tax returns for the years 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. During this period Cox resided in Bettendorf, Iowa, and earned income as a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promoter and fighter manager. He operated his business under the name Ultimate Productions, Inc. For each of these years, Cox knew that he had received income from his MMA-related activities and ownership of Ultimate Productions, Inc. that exceeded the income he reported on his tax return. Cox underreported his income by an estimated $255,036 for 2007, $295,854 for 2008, $405,778 for 2009, and $152,509 for 2010.
Cox is scheduled to be sentenced before United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey on February 24, 2016, at 10:00 a.m., in Davenport, Iowa. Filing a false tax return is a felony that carries a maximum term of three years imprisonment, up to $100,000 fine, and up to one year of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
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27 Oct 2015

Doug's Heating & Air Conditioning Expands into new location!

By Ronna Walker-Johnson

Moline, IL. / October 26th, 2015 - Doug's Heating & Air Conditioning has experienced significant growth over the past few years.  So much growth that they've now moved to a 27,000 square foot facility located at 4307 49th Avenue in Moline.

To celebrate this new expansion, Doug's Heating and Air Conditioning will have a Ribbon Cutting and Open House Thursday, November 12th from 4pm-6pm.  During this time, Doug's crew will host tours of the new facility and provide refreshments.

Since its inception in the early 1950's, Doug's Heating and Air Conditioning has called several Quad Cities locations home.  Doug's initially shared a building in Silvis with All Action Plumbing.  In the early 90's, they needed more room and expanded to a building located on Blackhawk Road, then later in the decade moved into yet another larger building located on 15th Street in Moline.  In April of 2002 Doug's Heating and Air Conditioning added a branch in Clinton, Iowa.  Then a few years later, expanded to a 9,000 square foot building on River Drive.  This new move on 49th Avenue triples their space and gives them the room to house all of the services and products they now provide.

Matt Hines, President of Doug's Heating and Air Conditioning says, "This move needed to happen.  We simply grew out of our location on River Drive.  We now have the room to fit all of the equipment shipped to us.  This space helps us build and service the equipment our customers need much more efficiently."

Doug's Heating & Air Conditioning now has a team of over 30 factory-trained, licensed and insured technicians servicing both residential and commercial needs throughout the Quad Cities area. They sell and install brands like York and Ruud and they've stayed ahead of the curve on all of the heating and cooling options available for both residential and commercial buildings.  Doug's provides the following services:

  • Geothermal
  • Generators
  • Boilers
  • In-floor radiant heat systems
  • Mini-splits (or Ductless Heating and Air Conditioning systems)
  • Food service technologies for commercial use
  • Custom ductwork
  • Foam installation
  • Furnaces
  • Air Conditioners

We invite you to visit our website: http://dougsheatingandairconditioning.com for additional details on specific products and services offered by Doug's Heating & Air Conditioning, as well as our informative and educational Blog.

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26 Oct 2015

Loebsack to Take Inaugural QCA to DC Direct Flight

By Vonnie Hampel

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that we will be a passenger on the first direct flight between the Quad City International Airport and Washington, DC on MONDAY, October 26th. Before takeoff, Loebsack will join airport officials, the QC Chamber and local elected leaders at a send-off celebration to mark the first flight. Loebsack has been working closely with local officials to advocate for this new route between the two airports. Media are invited to attend.

Send-off Celebration

7:15am

Quad City International Airport

Past screening, Concourse B in United gate area

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23 Oct 2015

Dubuque Federation of Labor to Host Dubuque Working Families Summit

By Lance Coles
On Saturday, November 7th, the Dubuque Federation of Labor, AFLCIO, will host a day-long program, "Working Families Summit" at Northeast Iowa Community College Downtown Dubuque Campus from 10am - 4PM

The program will include a day of action, break-out sessions, and interactive discussions that examine ways to create coalitions to work on issues like raising family wages, health and education, and civil rights & immigration.

The Nation Magazine contributing writer John Nichols will keynote the summit. Other community, labor, and policy experts will speak during panel discussions and break out sessions, including Pam Jochum, Iowa Senate President, Mike Owen, Iowa Policy Project, Tammy Wawro, ISEA president, Inclusive Dubuque, and others tba.

"We can help to shape the presidential debate for 2016 to focus more on issues related to working families," said Bruce Clark, president of the Dubuque Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. "I want to see broader understanding of the number of issues from raising wages, to supporting families, to protecting civil rights, so that we all understand each other's issues and can support each other."

The summit will run from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Dubuque campus of Northeast Iowa Community College, 700 Main Street Dubuque. More information about the agenda and arrangements will be provided in the coming weeks.

Participants and Sponsors so far include : the Dubuque Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO; Iowa Federation of Labor, AFLCIO; ISEA; NAACP; Inclusive Dubuque; LULAC; Presentation Lantern Center, and others.

The event is free and open to the public and includes lunch. Free handicapped accessible is available in the city ramp less than one block away.

For more information and to Register for the summit, visit our Facebook Page - Working Families Summit: https://www.facebook.com/events/875056282582209/


WHEN: Saturday, November 7, 10 AM - 4 PM
WHERE: Northeast Iowa Community College; 700 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa
COST: Free and open to the public!

Participants in the program are available for interviews prior to the event. Please contact us to arrange interviews.

22 Oct 2015

Rauner Administration - Trade Unions Reach Agreements

By Catherine Kelly

SPRINGFIELD - After several months of good faith negotiations, Governor Bruce Rauner has agreed to terms on new four-year collective bargaining agreements with the International Union of Operating Engineers, the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry, and the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers.  The last set of agreements expired June 30, 2015.

The new contracts cover workers at the Departments of Agriculture, Central Management Services, Corrections, Historic Preservation, Human Services, Juvenile Justice, Military Affairs, Transportation, Veterans' Affairs, and the Illinois State Police.  The employees are all professional tradesmen and women who work as stationary engineers and plant operators, plumbers and steamfitters, and machinists.

The tentative agreements are being submitted to the membership of the trade unions for a ratification vote.  The terms of the tentative agreements are confidential until the end of the ratification process.

As a continuation of the productive negotiating sessions, the trade unions and the Governor's Office also pledged to form a long-term relationship to improve employer-labor relations in state government.

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22 Oct 2015

MUNGER: OBSERVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH BY PAYING PROVIDERS

By Rich Carter
Nonprofits struggling mightily during budget impasse, Comptroller notes
ELGIN - Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger on Thursday toured the Community Crisis Center in Elgin and discussed the impact the state's budget impasse is having on domestic violence providers and other nonprofits in Illinois.
Without a budget in place, the state is legally not able to pay domestic service providers for work they have done since July 1. As a result, some centers have had to dig deep into their cash reserves, others have had to lay off workers and cut services, and others have closed their doors. Thousands of victims of domestic violence are going unserved.
"Ironically, October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month," Munger said. "The best way to acknowledge and honor the efforts of our domestic violence providers this month is to pass a balanced budget so they can continue providing critical services to women and children in need."
The state is operating under a series of court orders, consent decrees and continuing appropriations requiring it to pay about 90 percent of its bills at last year's rates, despite projections showing a $5 billion decline in revenue. Domestic violence providers are part of the 10 percent not covered by any court orders. For those eligible for payments, Munger has prioritized nonprofits serving children, the elderly, people with disabilities and other most vulnerable residents.
Still, the consequences of the budget impasse are seen on a daily basis across the state, Munger added. Nonprofits are cutting services and some are closing. College students are not receiving their promised grant money. And local governments are struggling to keep 911 Emergency Call Centers operating.
"This is not a game, people are being hurt by the stalemate in Springfield," Munger said. "Enough is enough. It is time for the General Assembly and the Governor to come together and pass a budget so we can fund our critical services."
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