29 Jul 2015

Time Running Out to Stop Legislator Pay Raise

By Catherine Kelly

- Legislators have until Friday to stop pay hike -

- Pantagraph Newspaper: "Legislator Pay Hike Another Insult to Taxpayers" -

As Illinois legislators head back to Springfield, tomorrow will mark House members' last chance to stop a pay raise worth more than $1350 before they get paid Friday, July 31.

 

House Bill 4225 would stop the pay raises, but Speaker Madigan and the legislators he controls refuse to vote on it.

 

Background from the Associated Press

 

"House Speaker Michael Madigan won't answer questions about it. After years of well-intended, politically popular votes to reject raises, Chicago Senate President John Cullerton now says it would violate the Illinois Constitution not to take the pay.

 

When asked later to reconcile repeated votes to reject increases -- including in 2014, after the court ruling -- Cullerton spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon released a statement reiterating the constitutional proscription.

That hasn't stopped Republicans from trying to nix the money. Democrats refuse to call a vote on the GOP legislation."

Additional Background

The General Assembly has previously voted to reject legislator COLAs in FY10, FY11, FY12, FY13, FY14 and FY15. (Compensation Review Act - 25 ILCS 120/5.6-6.2)

Pantagraph Editorial: Legislator Pay Hike Another Insult to Taxpayers

 

"..[I]t is another example of how the House Speaker Michael Madigan-controlled General Assembly puts its own priorities ahead of taxpayers...

...Legislators had a chance to rescind the pay raise, but a bill to do that was buried by, you guessed it, Madigan.

Gov. Bruce Rauner has been using the pay raise to tweak legislators, especially Madigan. Last week, he said accepting the pay raise without solving the state's budget issues was 'unfair to taxpayers and the people they represent. It is time to stop protecting the political class at the expense of the middle class.'

Madigan's response to Rauner's taunt was, 'I'm not going to spend a lot of time on that question.' Madigan has said the pay issue is a 'diversion,' but in the Madigan dictionary, any issue that threatens the comfort of legislators or trial lawyers is a diversion.

... Democrats who voted for the budget should be especially embarrassed, since they shirked their duty by sending an unbalanced budget to Rauner.

To add insult to taxpayer injury, the General Assembly is covered by a continuing resolution. That means legislators' pay is guaranteed and the General Assembly will keep operating even if other functions of government shut down. It's vital that prisoners are guarded, roads are patrolled and the work of declaring corn the official state vegetable continues.

The 'diversion' in the budget battle is Madigan. We're not sure of his priorities, but it's clear taxpayers are far below maintaining the status quo and protecting legislators and trial lawyers."

The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus

 

"Jeers to the entrenched interests in Springfield who do not believe they must answer to the public regarding inconvenient truths of how Illinois government does business.

The latest example came courtesy of our state's once camera-shy House Speaker Michael Madigan during another of his dueling press conferences with Gov. Bruce Rauner over the rookie governor's Turnaround Agenda and Illinois' failure to pass a budget. The tone of that fight was set long ago: Both sides reportedly meet in private, civil sessions that bring no progress, then spew invective in public.

The latest came when the GOP governor criticized the House leader for taking a $1,300 pay hike. The 2 percent hike for he and other lawmakers is automatic, unless the General Assembly votes to reject it. Though Republican lawmakers tried to stop it, it was never called for a vote.

When the speaker was asked about it at last week's press conference, he had this to say.

 

'Well, they promote a lot of things. But I've spoken to the question, I don't plan to speak to it any further.'

 

We must have missed that. That reporter must have, too. But when she tried to find out more, a clearly irritated Mr. Madigan said, 'I said, I don't plan to speak to it any further. Thank you very much.'

 

That's one way for the most powerful man in Illinois to deal with what he dismisses as another  'diversion.' Of course, often saying nothing also speaks volumes."

 

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24 Jul 2015

Proposed FLSA Regulations Q & A Session

By Kathy Riley

MRA - The Management Association will be holding a Q&A Session for MRA members only on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 regarding the proposed Fair Standards Labor Act (FLSA) at the MRA Iowa/Western Illinois Division office located at 3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 100 in Moline, Illinois from 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM. This event is not open to the public.

Not a member of MRA? Contact Kathy Riley, Member Relations Coordinator at 309.277.4186 or at Kathy.Riley@mranet.org to register or for more information on how to become a MRA member.

About MRA-The Management Association Founded in 1901, MRA-The Management is a not-for-profit employer association that serves more than 4,000 employers throughout the Midwest, covering 800,000+ employees. As one of the largest employer associations in the nation, MRA helps its member organizations thrive by creating powerful teams and safe, successful workplaces. MRA conducts more than 2,000 learning events each year. Members of MRA also receive access to expert guidance, best practices, professionally facilitated roundtables, essential tools, and dozens of business services in the areas of human resources and training. MRA is headquartered in Waukesha, Wis., and has regional offices in Palatine, Ill.; Moline, Ill.; and Plymouth, Minn. To learn more and to become a member of MRA, visit www.mranet.org.

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24 Jul 2015

Duck Creek Family Dental to Host Ribbon Cutting Open House

By Sarah Lueken
Bettendorf, IA. - To celebrate the opening of their brand new dental office, Tiffanie Smith, DDS, and team at Duck Creek Family Dental will be hosting a ribbon cutting open house on Thursday, August 13th.

The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 11 am at the Duck Creek Family Dental Office, located at 888 Middle Road in Bettendorf, across from the new Starbucks. Those attending will have the opportunity to meet Dr. Smith and her team and tour the newly opened full-service dental practice.

Refreshments also will be served. The public is invited to attend. For more information, call Duck Creek Family Dental at 563-293-2503.

Duck Creek Family Dental officially opens on August 3rd, 2015. Dr. Smith and her dental team offer a wide variety of dental services, including Invisalign, dentures, dental implants, root canal therapy, and general dentistry for the entire family.

About Duck Creek Family Dental
Dr. Smith and team are proud to serve the Bettendorf community, providing first-class general, cosmetic and restorative dentistry and outstanding patient service. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 563-293-2503 or visit www.DuckCreekFamilyDental.com.

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24 Jul 2015

Loebsack, Mullin Bill Grants Flexibility to Manufacturers and Consumers

By Joe Hand

Loebsack, Mullin Bill Grants Flexibility to Manufacturers and Consumers

WASHINGTON - Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-02) and Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) introduced a bill Wednesday to give manufacturers and consumers more flexibility when it comes to providing and accessing product warranty information. The bipartisan E-Warranty Act of 2015 (H.R. 3154) gives manufacturers the option of fulfilling their warranty notice requirements by posting the information on their website.

Following introduction, the bill passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade unanimously.

"This bipartisan legislation is a commonsense update to our nation's decades old warranty requirements. The bill would allow manufacturers to post warranty information online and give consumers easy access to written warranties," said Loebsack. "I am pleased the E-Warranty Act has been approved by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade and look forward to it moving through the House."

"Warranty requirements ensure consumers get important information when they purchase a product, but our federal warranty regulations were developed nearly forty years ago," said Mullin, a second-term lawmaker who serves on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade. "The world has changed since then, and our ability to compete on a global stage depends on our laws keeping pace with innovation."

If manufacturers choose to meet their warranty notification requirements by posting the information on their website, it must be in an accessible, conspicuous digital format. Manufacturers must also provide consumers with information on how to access the online warranty and obtain a paper copy, either by including instructions on the product packaging or in the product manual.

The bill makes no changes to the rules regarding the content of warranty information.

H.R. 3154 is the U.S. House of Representatives companion bill to U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Bill Nelson's (D-Fla.) S. 1359, which passed the U.S. Senate unanimously on July 9, 2015. The bill will now move to the full House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration.

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24 Jul 2015

Governor Signs Historic Anti-BDS Law in Illinois

By Catherine Kelly

Illinois Becomes First State in America to Divest Public Pension Funds from Foreign Companies that Boycott Israel

 

CHICAGO - Flanked by bipartisan legislators, Jewish community leaders and the Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, Gov. Bruce Rauner today signed historic legislation making Illinois the first state in America to divest its public pension funds from companies that participate in the Boycott, Sanctions, Divestment (BDS) movement targeting Israel.

The Illinois law is the first state-based measure to take specific concrete action against boycotts of Israel.  The legislation, which was modeled after past measures relating to Iran and Sudan, requires state pension systems to terminate direct investment in companies that boycott Israel and issue warnings to fund managers when such companies are held indirectly inside larger portfolios.  The statute defines "boycotting Israel" as "engaging in actions that are politically motivated and are intended to penalize, inflict economic harm on, or otherwise limit commercial relations with the State of Israel or companies based in the State of Israel or in territories controlled by the State of Israel."

"We need to stand up to anti-Semitism whenever and wherever we see it," Gov. Rauner said.  "This historic legislation is an important first step in the fight against boycotts of Israel and I hope other states move quickly to follow our lead.  I want to thank Sen. Silverstein, Rep. Feigenholtz and all the sponsors of this legislation for working with our Administration to take a stand against BDS."

The anti-BDS measure, SB 1761, was initiated by Gov. Rauner and sponsored by Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) and Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago).  It passed 49-0 in the Senate and 102-0 in the House.

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23 Jul 2015

FHLB Des Moines Releases 2015 Annual Stress Test Disclosures

By Angie Richards
Results of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Annual Stress Test Under the Severely Adverse Scenario

DES MOINES, Iowa, July 23, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines today made available the results of its second annual stress test as required by its regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency. As a result of the merger transaction with Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle on May 31, 2015, the Bank also made available the results of the Seattle Bank's second annual stress test. Results can be found on the Bank's investor relations page:

http://www.fhlbdm.com/about/investor-relations/

The stress tests estimate each of the Banks' capital levels under hypothetical severely adverse economic conditions. Results are projected over a nine-quarter period beginning with capital balances as of September 30, 2014. The estimates exclude the impact of the merger transaction and should not be regarded as forecasts of actual financial results.

Questions regarding the results of the stress tests should be directed to Angie Richards by calling 515.281.1014.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines is a member-owned cooperative that provides funding solutions and liquidity to nearly 1,500 financial institutions to support mortgage lending, economic development and affordable housing in their communities. Serving Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, the U.S. territories of American Samoa and Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, FHLB Des Moines is one of 11 regional Banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Members include community and commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, thrifts and community development financial institutions. The Des Moines Bank is wholly owned by its members and receives no taxpayer funding. For additional information about FHLB Des Moines, please visit www.fhlbdm.com.

23 Jul 2015

Fix the Debt Reacts to the Social Security Trustees Report

By Campaign to Fix the Debt

The Social Security and Medicare Trustees released their annual reports today showing that despite modest improvements in their projections, both programs are in financial jeopardy. The Trustees project the Social Security Old Age and Survivors Insurance program to exhaust its reserves by 2035, the Medicare Hospital Insurance trust fund to be depleted by 2030, and the Social Security Disability Insurance to become insolvent by late 2016. On a combined basis, the Trustees project the Social Security program to run out of reserve funds by 2034, which is a year later than previous projections but less than two decades from today. At that point, all beneficiaries would face an immediate 21 percent benefit cut, which would grow over time to a 27 percent cut.

"How many times do the Trustees need to warn us about this before we take their concerns seriously?" said former Sen. Judd Gregg, co-chair of the Campaign to Fix the Debt. "2034 is not that far away - it means today's 60-year-olds will be 79, and today's 48-year-olds are just reaching the normal retirement age. And the cost of waiting will only make the fixes harder. We don't need to shore up this program just for our children; we need to do it for ourselves as well."
According to the Social Security Trustees, the combined programs face a shortfall of 2.68 percent of payroll - meaning the 12.4 percent payroll tax would need to be increased by just over one-fifth or benefits cut immediately for all current and future beneficiaries by about one-sixth to make the program solvent for 75 years. By the 75th year, the Trustees project the combined shortfall will grow to 4.7 percent of payroll.
"The message the Trustees delivered today should resonate all over the country and especially in the presidential campaign," said Fix the Debt Co-Chair and former Gov. Ed Rendell. "The disability program is only a year from insolvency and the other programs aren't far behind. If we don't fix these programs soon, it's the most vulnerable who will pay the price. We need a sense of urgency in Washington to fix these programs so they are sound and secure now and in the future."

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For more information, contact Press Secretary Jack Deutsch at  deutsch@fixthedebt.org.

For more information about the Fix the Debt Campaign, please visit www.fixthedebt.org.

23 Jul 2015

MRA - The Management Association, 3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 100 in Moline, Illinois has several training events planned in August.

By Rick Martin

August 6 & August 20: 8 AM - 4 PM, Principles of Leadership Excellence Series: Module 2 - Communicating for Results: Gold Medal Performance. The goal of the Principles of Leadership Excellence Certificate Series (PLX) is to provide you with opportunities to learn the skills, behaviors, and knowledge needed for effective, successful leadership.  Cost is MRA Members: $495  Nonmembers:$655 (Pricing is also available if you sign up for the entire 6 module series).

August 10: 8 AM - 11:30 AM, Human Resource Professional Certificate Series: HR Metrics: ROI for HR Initiatives.  This program will provide you with practical advice on how to cost-justify and present the business case for your HR-related initiatives.  Cost is MRA Members: $200  Nonmembers: $265.  (Pricing is also available if you sign up for the entire 6 module series).

August 10: 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM, Human Resource Professional Certificate Series: Internal Investigations: A How-To Guide.  The workshop provides you with step by step instructions to conduct and complete thorough, legally compliant harassment, discrimination, and other types of internal investigations.  Cost is MRA Members: $160  Nonmembers: $205. (Pricing is also available if you sign up for the entire 6 module series).

August 13: 8 AM - 11:30 AM, Business E-Mail - Write it Right, During this half-day workshop, you recognize the latest techniques for writing emails that make it easy for your readers to read, understand and respond to your messages.  Cost is MRA members: $160 Nonmembers: $205

August 17: 8 AM - 3 PM, Human Resource Professional Certificate Series: Fundamentals of Compensation.  This program explores the practice and theory of compensation management, discusses how to tailor a compensation program to support the organization's strategic goals and objectives.  Cost is MRA members: $250 Nonmembers: $340  (Pricing is also available if you sign up for the entire 6 module series).

August 18, August 25 & September 1: 8 AM - 4 PM, Supervision: The Essentials.   This three day program provides your new, less experienced leaders with ideas and practices they can put to use immediately.  Cost is MRA members: $750  Nonmembers: $950.

August 21: 8 AM - 4 PM, OSHA's Electrical Safety Best Practices and NFPA - 70E.  Sessions explore the requirements of OSHA and NFPA 70E and keep you current on electrical hazards and the methods to control them.  Cost is MRA members: $275 Nonmembers: $370

August 24: 8 AM - 3:30 PM, Human Resource Professional Certificate Series: Finance Essentials for the HR Professional.  This course is designed to expose the HR manager to basic accounting practices including how to read and interpret accounting and financial reports. Cost is MRA members: $250 Nonmembers: $340  (Pricing is also available if you sign up for the entire 6 module series).

August 25: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, HR Overview for HR Assistants.  This program provides an overview of the human resource function and reviews technical knowledge to help a support person become a confident and effective HR assistant.  Cost is MRA members: $250  Nonmembers: $340

August 27: 8 AM - 12 PM, Administrative Professionals Certificate Series: Grammar Basics.  Is it affect or effect? Should I use 15 or fifteen? Which punctuation mark should I use?  This half-day program addresses those and many more basic grammatical questions.  Cost is MRA members: $160 Nonmembers: $205 (Pricing is also available if you sign up for the entire 4 module series).

August 31: 8 AM - 3:30 PM, Human Resource Professional Certificate Series: HR Professional as Business Partner.  Primary focus within this program includes developing the business partner role through effective coaching strategies to address performance management.  Cost is MRA members: $250 Nonmembers: $340 (Pricing is also available if you sign up for the entire 6 module series).

To register for any of these courses, or for more details, contact Kathy Riley at 309.277.4186 or at Kathy.riley@mranet.org.  You can also find training information on our website at www.mranet.org/Training-Events

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23 Jul 2015

Private contractors to collect tax debt; IRS union objects, despite terrible filing season

By Grassley Press

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on the National Treasury Employees Union's opposition to the use of private contractors to collect tax debt.  The provision is part of the proposed highway bill in the Senate.

"The IRS union is already opposing the use of private contractors to collect taxes that's part of the proposed highway bill.  Meanwhile, the IRS just had one of the worst filing seasons for customer service on record, according to the agency's own taxpayer advocate.  The number of 'courtesy disconnects skyrocketed' this last filing season.  That means the IRS hung up on callers because it couldn't handle the calls.  The private contractors would take on accounts involving taxes that are due and owed that are just sitting dormant right now.  The IRS isn't even pursuing them.  It seems unlikely to do so any time soon when it has trouble answering the phone from people who are trying to pay their taxes.  It's hard to see the logic for the resistance."
21 Jul 2015

Lt. Gov. Reynolds, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts to hold Renewable Fuel Standard Event Friday

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

Event to be held at Novozymes in Blair, Neb.

(DES MOINES) - On Friday, Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts will discuss the potential impact on Nebraska and Iowa of the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to slash billions of gallons from the Renewable Fuel Standard, threatening thousands of jobs and the billions of dollars of investments by ethanol producers and technology providers in Nebraska and Iowa. Ricketts and Reynolds will be joined by leadership from Novozymes, Nebraska Farm Bureau, and other community leaders.

Ricketts, Reynolds and others will deliver brief remarks before taking questions. This event is open to credentialed media. Plant tours will be available following the conclusion of the program.

What: News conference on the importance of a robust Renewable Fuel Standard

When: 10-10:30am on Friday, July 24, 2015

Where: Novozymes, 600 S 1st in Blair, Nebraska

Who: Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds will be joined by:

·        Novozymes General Manager (Blair) Kyle Nixon

·        Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson

·        Agriculture and community leaders

Social Media: Follow the event on social media by using #RFSworks.

Highlights of Iowa leaders' engagement on the RFS include :

  • State and Federal elected officials, including Gov. Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds, participated in a "Defend the RFS" event.
  • Gov. Branstad traveled to Washington, DC, joining a group of Iowa farmers and biofuels producers, to testify at the Federal government's only public hearing and met with EPA Administrator McCarthy.
  • Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds, Secretary Bill Northey and the entire Iowa congressional delegation sent a joint letter to Federal leaders advocating for the many benefits that flow from the RFS.
  • Gov. Terry Branstad and Gov. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.) penned an op-ed in support of a strong Renewable Fuel Standard.
  • Gov. Terry Branstad brought together a bipartisan group of six governors to sign on to a letter to President Barack Obama, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack expressing their support for a strong RFS.
  • Leaders from across the Midwest joined Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds for their "Hearing in Heartland," which was open to all interested citizens; 83 panelists from across the Midwest Region spoke from the heart about the importance of the RFS to their livelihoods and a healthy rural economy while only two individuals expressed opposition to a robust RFS.
  • Gov. Branstad, in his Condition of the State address, called on the Iowa Legislature to pass a resolution in support of a robust RFS. The Legislature unanimously passed bicameral, bipartisan resolutions calling for the EPA to reverse course and support a strong RFS. View the resolutions: House Resolution 101 | Senate Resolution 101
  • State of Iowa leaders submitted formal comments to the EPA with current data and analysis that provides Federal leaders the opportunity and obligation to revise their initial volume obligations upward.
  • Gov. Branstad testifies in support of a robust RFS before the EPA's hearing in Kansas City.
  • Lt. Gov. Reynolds submits written testimony to the EPA in support of a robust RFS.

About Novozymes

Novozymes is a biotech company with a strong focus on enzyme production. We are committed to changing the very foundations of our industrial system for the better by using industrial biotechnology. As the world leader in bioinnovation we believe that by using industrial biotechnology we can potentially re-engineer thousands of everyday products to deliver enhanced sustainability performance, introducing energy cost savings, and decreased raw material costs for our customers. It is a compelling proposition, but one backed by strong evidence.

 

 

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