WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley will meet with Iowans in 36 counties in January, including 25 town meetings.

Grassley has held at least one meeting in each of Iowa's 99 counties every year since he was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1980.

The January 2012 meetings will take place in Riceville, Charles City, New Hampton, Waverly, Waterloo, Clarion, Dakota City, Algona, Forest City, Garner, Hampton, Mason City, Manly, Osage, Calmar, West Union, Independence, Manchester, Vinton, Gladbrook, Centerville, Albia, Chariton, Corydon, Garden Grove, Mt. Ayr, Creston, Osceola, Winterset, Greenfield, Panora, Grimes, Grand Junction, Boone, Ames, Le Grand.

"I look forward to these meetings to hear directly from Iowans and to have the kind of dialogue that's so important to the process of representative government.  I like to say this process is a two-way street.  I need to go to people to answer questions and listen to comments, and they need to come out and participate in the discussion," Grassley said.

In addition to regular, face-to-face meetings in Iowa and with Iowans in Washington when the Senate is in session, Grassley responds to every letter, email and phone call from Iowans.  He also communicates via Facebook, Twitter and at http://grassley.senate.gov.  Grassley is a regular guest on public affairs broadcasts statewide where he responds to questions.

Below is more information about his January meetings.  The town meetings are open to the public.  Local hosts should be contacted regarding other meetings.  Grassley will be available for interviews with local reporters for 15 minutes after every meeting.*

Thursday, January 5

7-8 a.m.

Speak to the Riceville Kiwanis Club

Windy Tree Cafe

101 East Main Street in Riceville

 

9:15-10:15 a.m.

Tour School and Q&A with 5^th and 6^th Grade Students

Immaculate Conception Elementary School

1203 Clark Street in Charles City

 

10:45-11:15 a.m.

Floyd County Farm Bureau Coffee

North Iowa Area Community College Center, Room 110

200 Harwood Drive in Charles City

 

12-1 p.m.

Chickasaw County Town Meeting

Chickasaw Wellness Complex, Multipurpose Room

1050 West Hamilton Street in New Hampton

 

2:15-3:15 p.m.

Bremer County Town Meeting

Wartburg College, Whitehouse Business Center 214

100 Wartburg Boulevard in Waverly

 

Friday, January 6

7:30-8:30 a.m.

Tour Facility and Q&A with Employees

Engineered Products

2940 Airport Boulevard in Waterloo

 

Tuesday, January 10

8:30-9:15 a.m.

Q&A with U.S. History II Students

Clarion Goldfield High School

1111 Willow Drive in Clarion

*Grassley's media availability in Clarion will be at 8:15 a.m., in advance of the event, rather than immediately following.

 

10-11 a.m.

Humboldt County Town Meeting

VFW Post

412 Main Street in Dakota City

 

12:45-1:45 p.m.

Kossuth County Town Meeting

County Courthouse, Assembly Room

114 West State Street in Algona

 

3:15-4:15 p.m.

Winnebago County Town Meeting

Waldorf College, Salveson Ballroom

1006 South 6^th Street in Forest City

 

5:15-6:15 p.m.

Hancock County Town Meeting

Garner Education Center

325 West 8^th Street in Garner

 

Wednesday, January 11

7:30-8:30 a.m.

Franklin County Town Meeting

Center 1 Chamber, Large Room

5 1^st Street SW in Hampton

 

9:45-10:45 a.m.

Q&A with Students

Newman Catholic High School

2445 19th Street SW in Mason City

 

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Worth County Town Meeting

Manly City Hall

106 South Broadway in Manly

 

1:30-2:30 p.m.

Mitchell County Town Meeting

Krapek Family Fine Arts Center, Cedar River Complex

809 Sawyer Drive in Osage

 

4:45-5:45 p.m.

Winneshiek County Town Meeting

Calmar Public Library, Community Room

101 South Washington Street in Calmar

Thursday, January 12

7:30-8:30 a.m.

Tour Facility and Q&A with Employees

Art's Way Manufacturing

706 Highway 150 South in West Union

 

10-11 a.m.

Buchanan County Town Meeting

County Courthouse, Assembly Room

210 5^th Avenue NE in Independence

 

12-1 p.m.

Delaware County Town Meeting

Manchester Public Library

304 North Franklin in Manchester

 

2:45-3:45 p.m.

Benton County Town Meeting

City Hall, City Council Chambers

110 West 3^rd Street in Vinton

 

5-6 p.m.

Tama County Town Meeting

American Legion

Corner of Johnston and Front streets in Gladbrook

 

Monday, January 16

5-6 p.m.

Appanoose County Weekly Meal at Faith United Methodist Church, Q&A with Attendees

23851 Highway 5 South in Centerville 

 

Tuesday, January 17

7:30-8:30 a.m.

Monroe County Town Meeting

Albia Area Chamber of Commerce

18 South Main Street in Albia

 

10:15-11:15 a.m.

Lucas County Town Meeting

Carpenter Hall

1215 Court Street in Chariton

 

12-1 p.m.

Wayne County Town Meeting

Wayne County Courthouse

100 North Lafayette in Corydon

 

2-3 p.m.

Speak to Government Class

Mormon Trail Jr./Sr. High School

502 East Main Street in Garden Grove

 

4:30-5:30 p.m.

Ringgold County Town Meeting

Jamie's Coffee Mill & Deli

118 West Adams Street in Mt. Ayr

 

Wednesday, January 18

7:30-8:30 a.m.

Union County Town Meeting

City Hall/Restored Depot, City Council Chambers

116 West Adams Street in Creston

 

9:45-10:45 a.m.

Q&A with Students

Clarke County High School

800 North Jackson in Osceola

 

12-1 p.m.

Madison County Town Meeting

Winterset Public Library, Meeting Room

123 North 2^nd Street in Winterset

 

2-3 p.m.

Adair County Town Meeting

Andrews Memorial Adair County Health & Fitness Center, Meeting Room

202 North Townline Road in Greenfield

 

4:15-5:15 p.m.

Guthrie County Town Meeting

Panora Community Center

115 West Main Street in Panora

 

Thursday, January 19

8-9 a.m.

Q&A with Students

Dallas Center-Grimes Middle School

1400 Vine Street in Grimes

 

10:30-11:30 a.m.

Greene County Town Meeting

Grand Junction Community Center

212 Main Street in Grand Junction

 

12:30-1:30 p.m.

Boone County Town Meeting

Boone County Historical Center

602 Story Street in Boone

 

2:30-3:30 p.m.

Tour Facility and Q&A with Employees

Becker Underwood

801 Dayton Avenue in Ames

 

5-6 p.m.

Marshall County Town Meeting

Le Grand Area Community Center

206 North Vine Street in Le Grand

 

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Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving as your State Representative. I have been working to restore confidence in Illinois through fiscal responsibility in our State budget and through promoting sound policy in the Land of Lincoln. I look forward to our continuing partnership on the challenges that face our State and the 71st District. Here is a quick recap on some of our first year accomplishments.

 

Firearms Legislation

 

I passed House Bill 3500 in response to a ruling by Attorney General Lisa Madigan that declared the names of FOID cardholders to be public information subject to public release. The Illinois State Police, which oversees the program, opposed the Attorney General's ruling. The National Rifle Association also opposed releasing the names and addresses of FOID Card holders. This legislation that I sponsored protecting the privacy rights of Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) Cardholders received overwhelming, bipartisan support and has been signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn.

 

I also sponsored or cosponsored several other measures in support of your Second Amendment freedoms. Three passed the House. I promise to continue these efforts, with the priority being passage of concealed carry legislation.

 

Jobs Package

 

During the lame duck session in January, when the previous General Assembly increased our income taxes by 67%, they also let the Research and Development Tax Credit expire. We restored that tax credit for five years with an additional five year carry forward. The R&D Tax Credit is an important tool for Illinois manufacturers such as John Deere and Caterpillar.

 

I am committed to repealing the job-killing 67% income tax increase. I have co-sponsored House Bill 175 to repeal the Democrats' tax hike.

 

We worked hard to raise the estate tax exemption to $4 million in an effort to protect small business owners and family farmers. Under the current law, when estates pass from generation to generation, they are hit with a huge estate tax if their assets are worth more than $2 million. Family farm and small business assets are generally invested in equipment and fixed assets like land, leaving tight cash flows and little ability to pay penalizing taxes. This provision was strongly supported by the Illinois Farm Bureau.

 

Dawn's Law

 

I passed HB 3522 out of the House, increasing penalties associated with fatal accidents for those driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

 

My legislation was in response to the death of Moline resident Dawn Murrillo, who was seven weeks pregnant when she was killed in a hit and run collision by a serial drunk driver.

 

"Dawn's Law" increases the penalties for repeat drunk drivers involved in fatal accidents and provides for 85% truth in sentencing. This is a clear message to habitual DUI offenders that their actions endanger others and if the worst happens, the consequences will be severe.

 

10% pay cut

 

As my first act in office, I introduced House Bill 110, a 10% pay cut for all state legislators.

 

Looking Ahead

 

My wife of 32 years, Betsey, and I entered the political realm in 2007 because we understood the importance of bringing balance to our local political environment. We have helped restore political balance to our area, have taken more balance to Springfield, and have helped create the environment that produced a better Illinois budget process. We have seen successes both locally and in the General Assembly, but this work is far from completed.

 

We must continue to fight for responsible budgets that don't spend more money than the State takes in. We must improve the jobs climate to get Illinois working again. And we must continue the effort to reform Springfield, and restore the people's trust in their government.

 

If you have any questions or comments about the items I've discussed here, please call our office at 309/762-3008 or email me at repmorthland@gmail.com.

 

Best Regards,

 

Rich Morthland

State Representative

71st District

 

 

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Rich Morthland. No tax dollars were used to create or send this email.

Business Association Aids U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation

CHICAGO - December 20, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today thanked the Illinois Retail Merchant Association (IRMA) for its efforts in organizing Illinois businesses to help the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program deliver toys for thousands of needy children this holiday season.

"On behalf of the people of Illinois, I want offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, CVS, Dominick's, Macy's, McDonald's, Sears, Target, Walgreens and Walmart for helping Toys for Tots in its time of need," said Governor Quinn. "Thanks to their efforts, children all over the Chicagoland area will have a happy holiday. It is a great day in Illinois when we all work together to do good things."

Following today's reports of a Toys for Tots donor having financial difficulties, IRMA worked with representatives of some of Illinois' biggest retailers to make sure that Toys for Tots has the resources it needs to be able to serve thousands more children. All told, support from IRMA members to the U.S. Marine Toys for Tots Foundation of Chicago has exceeded $36,000.

"Our members are proud to help 'Toys for Tots' during this time of need to make sure children have a joyful Christmas. 'Toys for Tots' helps the needy and disadvantaged children, and we're happy our Members can help Santa deliver a few more gifts this year," said David Vite, President/CEO, Illinois Retail Merchants Association.

"On behalf of the Chicago Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program, we would like to thank Governor Quinn and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association for their combined efforts in raising $36,000 for the Official Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. Thank you, and remember "Every Child Deserves a Christmas," said SSgt. Chad Falkos of the United States Marine Corps.

For more information about Toys for Tots and how to support their mission throughout the year, visit www.chicago-il.toysfortots.org.

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Rep. Morthland: "I voted to keep Dixon's Jack Mabley Center open..."

 

Moline, IL...Today, December 20, 2011, Governor Pat Quinn signed into law the state budget reallocation bill, Senate Bill 2412. State Representative Rich Morthland (Cordova-R), voted for the budget reallocation bill to keep the Dixon Jack Mabley Developmental Center open, along with other facilities that Governor Quinn had threatened to close.

 

"When I attended the facility closure hearing in Dixon, I had the opportunity to listen to the victims of Governor Quinn's Blagojevich-style budgeting methods," Rep. Morthland said. "My colleagues and I quickly assembled legislation that would reallocate funds in the budget to keep State facilities open for the developmentally disabled, our most vulnerable citizens."

 

"I commend the Governor for signing our efforts into law," Morthland added. "I voted to keep Dixon's Jack Mabley Center open with responsible budgeting methods, not revenue increases."

 

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