29 Aug 2013

Q&A on Presidential Libraries

By Randy Stalsberg

by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

 

Q:        What is the purpose of presidential libraries?

A:        Building on an idea conceived by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Congress passed legislation in 1955 that established a system to preserve the artifacts and documents of the presidency.  The network of libraries starts with the 31st president, Iowa's own Herbert Hoover.  The law has worked to secure the official papers, documents and materials collected throughout a president's years in office.  It also helps prevent these records that bear tremendous value to the American public from being lost, destroyed or sold.  The Presidential Libraries Act of 1955 set a precedent in which private dollars are used to establish and build the libraries after which the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) would operate and maintain them.  Until 1978, presidents were encouraged to donate their records and materials after leaving office.  The Presidential Records Act of 1978 established that all materials documenting the constitutional, statutory and ceremonial duties of the president are the property of the American public.  Through museums, archives and public programs, the 13 presidential libraries offer current and future generations a unique opportunity to understand and appreciate how history unfolded within the White House.  Technology has changed dramatically from the audio recordings of FDR's "fireside chats" to the video and social media platforms that today capture every breath a 21st century president takes.  No matter the medium, the carefully archived material offers researchers, scholars, historians and the American people a profound look back at each presidency.  From the millions of pages of letters and documents to the hours and hours of audio and video footage, visitors get to take a look behind the scenes and gain a deeper understanding of each president's policies, priorities, pressures, politics and place in history.  Congress passed a major funding update in 1986 that requires private endowments to be established for each facility to help offset the cost of maintenance.

 

Q:        Where are the 13 presidential libraries?

A:        Barbara and I took a road trip in August to visit the presidential libraries of the 33rd and 34th presidents, two Midwestern-raised men who made it all the way to the White House.  We spent five hours at President Harry S. Truman's presidential library and museum in Independence, Missouri, and the next day drove to Abilene, Kansas, to learn more about President Dwight D. Eisenhower.  Both of these men came from humble beginnings, chose to serve his country in the military, and then served two terms as leader of the Free World.  Both of their stories, one a Democrat and the other a Republican, illustrates the enduring American values of hard work, sacrifice, public service, and love of country.  Just like our visits to Hoover's library in West Branch, Barbara and I enjoyed visiting the presidential libraries in Missouri and Kansas.  Planning a visit to one or all of the 13 presidential libraries makes for a great family trip.  Visitors will soak in bits of history and come away with an even stronger appreciation for our American heritage.

 

Here's a list of each presidential library and location:

·         Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, West Branch, Iowa

·         Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, Hyde Park, New York

·         Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, Independence, Missouri

·         Dwight D. Eisenhower, Presidential Library and Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas

·         John F. Kennedy, Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, Massachusetts

·         Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library, Austin, Texas

·         Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, California

·         Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, Ann Arbor, Michigan and Museum, Grand Rapids, Michigan

·         Jimmy Carter Library and Museum, Atlanta, Georgia

·         Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, Simi Valley, California

·         George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, College Station, Texas

·         William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum, Little Rock, Arkansas

·         George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Dallas, Texas.

 

Tuesday, August 27, 2013
29 Aug 2013

Governor Quinn Signs Laws to Protect Illinois Consumers

By Dave Blanchette

New Laws Deal with "Robo-Calls" and Pre-Paid Purchasing Cards

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed two new laws to protect Illinois consumers from so-called "robo-calls" and to establish clear usage terms on pre-paid purchasing cards. Today's actions are part of Governor Quinn's commitment to protect consumers.

"We must protect consumers from abusive telephone solicitations and from hidden usage fees on reloadable purchasing cards," Governor Quinn said. "These new laws will give Illinois citizens more peace of mind at home and in the marketplace."

Sponsored by State Senator Pamela Althoff (R-Crystal Lake) and State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville), Senate Bill 2136 requires those who operate an automatic telephone dialer for commercial purposes to keep a record of all calls they make. It also requires the auto-dialer to sufficiently document any calls they make that they claim are exempt from the Restricted Call Registry Act. The law is designed to add teeth to existing laws and to curb abusive practices that some companies use. The legislation also increases the damages that may be sought by consumers for violations that occur.

Senate Bill 2136 takes effect immediately.

Senate Bill 1829, sponsored by State Representative Robert Rita (D-Blue Island) and State Senator Emil Jones, III (D-Chicago), requires specific disclosure requirements regarding fees for general-use, pre-paid purchasing cards. The "fine print" on these cards is often complicated and confusing, resulting in many consumers paying more to use the cards than they realize. The law applies to any card sold to a consumer after January 1, 2015 to give businesses ample time to dispose of existing card inventories and become compliant.

Senate Bill 1829 goes into effect January 1, 2014.

###
28 Aug 2013

Traffic Tickets Can Ruin More Than Your Day

By Steve Burke

Traffic Tickets Can Ruin More Than Your Day

By Jason Alderman

We all know that sinking feeling when you get pulled over for a traffic violation. If you're lucky, you might just get a "fix-it" ticket for a broken tail light. But what if it was a more serious offense, like speeding or reckless driving? Depending on your driving record, you could get slapped with a sizeable penalty or even a jail sentence - and your insurance rates will almost certainly go up.

Let's say you absentmindedly ran through a stop sign or made an illegal left-hand turn. You'll probably know right away how much the ticket will cost, but it could take months before your insurance company receives notice of the infraction and adjusts your premium.

If the suspense is killing you, Insurance.com has a handy tool called the "Uh-Oh! Calculator" that estimates the average rate increases for the 14 most common traffic violations. And, if you enter your age, ZIP code, residence type, marital status, length of time with your insurance carrier and current premium, the calculator will generate a more customized estimate based on your personal data.

Some of the average premium increases are pretty shocking:

  • Reckless driving: 22 percent
  • DUI first offense: 19 percent
  • Driving without a license or permit: 18 percent
  • Careless driving: 16 percent
  • Speeding 30 mph over the limit: 15 percent
  • Failure to stop: 15 percent
  • Improper turn: 14 percent
  • Improper passing: 14 percent
  • Following too close/tailgating: 13 percent
  • Speeding 15 to 29 mph over limit: 12 percent
  • Speeding 1 to 14 mph over limit: 11 percent
  • Failure to yield: 9 percent

If you plug in your personal data, the calculator will tell you how many points will be added to your driving record per infraction, as well as information on the state's rules for when driving privileges can be suspended or revoked.

Another company, DMV.org, features a "Ticket Fines and Penalties" tool that provides an even more detailed state-by-state analysis of what various infractions can cost, procedures for paying - or challenging - your ticket, how points are calculated, how long it takes to clear infractions from your record, links to local traffic schools and much more.

So, assuming you're not going to challenge the ticket in court, the damage has been done and your insurance rates will likely climb - what can you do to lower your premium? Here are a few tips:

  • Investigate whether attending traffic school will erase the ticket from your record.
  • When your policy is up for renewal, get rate quotes from at least three carriers. Talk to an insurance agent or use an online comparison site - just be aware that not every carrier participates in these sites and make sure you're comparing apples to apples, since companies often package coverage differently.
  • Another reason to comparison shop: Insurance companies calculate risk differently, so particular traffic infractions might trigger varying increases, depending on the carrier.
  • Increasing your deductibles from $250 to $1,000 might lower your premium by 15 to 30 percent.
  • Ask about discounts for things like low annual mileage, being over a certain age, good grades, vehicle safety features or buying your homeowners or renters insurance from the same company.

The best way to avoid traffic violation-related rate increases is to not break the law in the first place. But if that horse has already left the barn, arm yourself with information about coverage costs and how you might be able to lower your rates.

27 Aug 2013

Governor Quinn Commemorates 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington

By Brooke Anderson

Honors the Courage of All Who Marched at Chicago's DuSable Museum of African American History

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the historic March on Washington which led to the passage of major civil rights reforms for the United States. At Chicago's DuSable Museum of African American History, Governor Quinn reminded celebrants that the battle for social justice often requires direct action, and that those who "voted with their feet" in 1963 showed unparalleled courage and patriotism.

"Without 250,000 Americans peacefully gathering 50 years ago today under Abraham Lincoln's watchful eye, Congress might not have passed the 1964 Civil Rights Act or the 1965 Voting Rights Act," Governor Quinn said. "Today, we honor all who marched and remember the everlasting words that Dr. Martin Luther King has left us."

The March on Washington is known as one of the largest demonstrations for human rights in the nation's history. The march called for meaningful civil and economic rights reform and took place in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 1963. It was there that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered the historically significant "I Have a Dream" speech.

Governor Quinn will later attend the 7th Annual Civil Rights Game at Cellular Field, where the Chicago White Sox will take on the Texas Rangers. The Civil Rights Game - and the accompanying Major League Baseball Beacon Awards Luncheon - helps honor those who fought for equality both on and off the playing field.

###
26 Aug 2013

More Winners from this year's Iowa State Fair

By Lori Chappell

DES MOINES, IA (08/23/2013)(readMedia)

Dairy Goat Honors Awarded at Iowa State Fair

Champions were named in the Dairy Goat Show August 16 and 17 at the 2013 Iowa State Fair.

Complete results attached:

Permalink: http://readme.readmedia.com/Dairy-Goat-Honors-Awarded-at-Iowa-State-Fair/7182125

Miniature Horses Take Top Honors at the 2013 Iowa State Fair Horse Show

The 2013 Iowa State Fair Miniature Horse show was held August 11 through 13.

The show was double-judged, meaning two judges independently evaluated each class resulting in two sets of placements for each.

Complete results attached:

Permalink: http://readme.readmedia.com/Miniature-Horses-Take-Top-Honors-at-the-2013-Iowa-State-Fair-Horse-Show/7180906

Ribbons Awarded at Iowa State Fair Draft Horse Show

Percheron, Clydesdale and Shire horses earned ribbons during competition August 15 through 18 at the 2013 Iowa State Fair.

Complete results attached:

Permalink: http://readme.readmedia.com/Ribbons-Awarded-at-Iowa-State-Fair-Draft-Horse-Show/7181041

Feathers Fly at Iowa State Fair Pigeon Competition

Exhibitors from across the state brought their finest birds to the Pigeon contest judged Tuesday at the 2013 Iowa State Fair. Pigeons were judged by the comparison method using the National Pigeon Association Standard, and rare breeds were judged using the European Method.

Complete results attached:

Permalink: http://readme.readmedia.com/Feathers-Fly-at-Iowa-State-Fair-Pigeon-Competition/7181149

Exhibitors Awarded for Top Poultry at Iowa State Fair

Exhibitors from across the Midwest brought their finest birds to the Poultry Show judged August 10 at the 2013 Iowa State Fair.

Complete results attached:

Permalink: http://readme.readmedia.com/Exhibitors-Awarded-for-Top-Poultry-at-Iowa-State-Fair/7181092

Vegetable Gardeners Compete for Honors at Iowa State Fair

Don Francois of Des Moines collected top honors in the Garden Vegetable division of the

Vegetable Crops contest judged Tuesday at the 2013 Iowa State Fair.

Francois received the Lee Kline Premium Vegetable award. Second place went to Larry Dau of Primghar.

Winning entries from this contest are on display throughout the Fair from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the John Deere Agriculture Building sponsored by Alliant Energy.

Additional results attached:

Permalink: http://readme.readmedia.com/Vegetable-Gardeners-Compete-for-Honors-at-Iowa-State-Fair/7181319

26 Aug 2013

Iowa Supreme Court Opinions August 23, 2013

By Iowa Judicial Branch
Iowa Supreme Court Opinions

August 23, 2013

Notice: The opinions posted on this site are slip opinions only. Under the Rules of Appellate Procedure a party has a limited number of days to request a rehearing after the filing of an opinion. Also, all slip opinions are subject to modification or correction by the court. Therefore, opinions on this site are not to be considered the final decisions of the court. The official published opinions of the Iowa Supreme Court are those published in the North Western Reporter published by West Group.

Opinions released before April 2006 and available in the archives are posted in Word format. Opinions released after April 2006 are posted to the website in PDF (Portable Document Format).   Note: To open a PDF you must have the free Acrobat Reader installed. PDF format preserves the original appearance of a document without requiring you to possess the software that created that document. For more information about PDF read: Using the Adobe Reader.

For your convenience, the Judicial Branch offers a free e-mail notification service for Supreme Court opinions, Court of Appeals opinions, press releases and orders. To subscribe, click here.

NOTE: Copies of these opinions may be obtained from the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Judicial Branch Building, 1111 East Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319, for a fee of fifty cents per page.

No. 11-1082

STATE OF IOWA vs. JONAS DORIAN NEIDERBACH

No. 12-0255

STATE OF IOWA vs. CHRISTOPHER CRAIG THOMPSON

No. 12-0292

PHILLIP E. JONES vs. UNIVERSITY OF IOWA; THE BOARD OF REGENTS FOR THE STATE OF IOWA; SALLY MASON, President of the University of Iowa and Individually; and THE STOLAR PARTNERSHIP, LLP
26 Aug 2013

Commission Names Nominees for Iowa Court of Appeals

By Steve Davis

Des Moines, August 22, 2013?The State Judicial Nominating Commission selected the following three nominees to fill the vacancy on the Iowa Court of Appeals that will occur when Chief Judge Larry J. Eisenhauer retires September 30, 2013.

 

Sharon Greer, Marshalltown, Age 57

Attorney, Cartwright, Druker & Ryden

J.D., 1982, University of Iowa

 

Christopher Lee McDonald, Des Moines, Age 38

District Judge (appointed 2012)?Fifth Judicial District

J.D., 2001, University of Iowa

 

Jeanie Kunkle Vaudt, West Des Moines, Age 59

Assistant Attorney General

J.D., 1991, Drake University.

 

In accordance with the Constitution of the State of Iowa, Governor Branstad has thirty days in which to make the appointments to the court from this slate of nominees. A summary resume, completed questionnaire and writing samples for each candidate are posted on the Judicial Branch website at:

http://www.iowacourts.gov/State_Judicial_Nominating_Commission/

 

 

 

# # #

23 Aug 2013

Treasure Hunters Discover Lost Treasures at the Iowa State Fair

By Karen Austin

DES MOINES, IA (08/22/2013)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald announced today that the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt had another successful year at the Iowa State Fair. "Over 8,500 claims of unclaimed property were discovered, totaling over $1.9 million," said Fitzgerald. "The largest treasure found during this annual event was $107,100.00. This was certainly an exceptional year for our booth at the Iowa State Fair."

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $165 million in unclaimed property to more than 404,000 individuals since Fitzgerald started 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 and deliver unclaimed property to the state treasurer's office, where it is 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.

"We are dedicated to helping Iowans reunite with their missing money and property," Fitzgerald said. Visit greatiowatreasurehunt.com to see if you have a treasure waiting for you.

###

23 Aug 2013

Davenport Resident Wins Ultimate Monster Jam Block Party!

By Ashley Walding

Cindy Peters, a resident of Davenport, IA was selected as the winner of theMax-DSM Decade of Maximum Destruction Block Party sponsored by MonsterJam.com and Feld Motor Sports®.

Peters was selected at random from thirty-nine thousand entries submitted through MonsterJam.com for the national on-line Max-D Block Partysweepstakes. Monster Jam is celebrating the 10th year anniversary of the Max-D Monster Jam® truck and driver, Tom Meents.

The prize includes an all expense paid party for up to 50 friends and family members. Guests will have the opportunity to see the Max-D Monster Jam truck up-close and meet celebrity guest, Tom Meents. Meents is the only 11-time Monster Jam World FinalsSM Champion.

The private Block Party will take place from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM. As a special thank you, an autograph session will also be held from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM for children of the local police and fire department employees and staff. Children will be able to get up close and personal with the Max-D Monster Jam truck and also have the opportunity to meet driver, Tom Meents.

Monster Jam will return to the iWireless Center Spring of 2014.

About Feld Motor Sports®

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment.  Feld Motor Sports productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMSOIL Arenacross and Nuclear Cowboyz®.  Feld Motor Sports is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world's largest producer of live family entertainment.  For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.

21 Aug 2013

Governor Quinn Signs Law to Strengthen Protections for Illinois Renters

By Dave Blanchette

New Law Ensures Renters in Foreclosed Properties Are Provided Adequate Time to Make a Safe Move

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed a new law protecting Illinois renters in foreclosed multifamily properties. The new law requires those acquiring foreclosed residential property to honor existing leases or give tenants adequate time to make a safe move. This legislation is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to protecting Illinois families and helping them fight foreclosure.

"The foreclosure crisis has been devastating to homeowners as well as many families living in rental homes who are at risk of losing their home due to no fault of their own," Governor Quinn said. "As families in our communities continue to recover from the worst recession since the Great Depression, this law will ensure renters are protected from sudden forced moves that can be costly and disruptive to their lives."

Sponsored by State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) and State Representative Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago), Senate Bill 56 requires anyone who is acquiring residential property through a foreclosure to honor their tenants' existing leases or provide a minimum of 90 days for renters to secure new housing. Approximately 40 percent of families impacted by foreclosure are renters who may not be aware their landlord has failed to make mortgage payments.

"A consistent commitment to housing rights protects tenants as well as homeowners," Senator Collins said. "No one should be evicted on short notice and lose access to a safe place to live because of the financial circumstances of the landlord."

"As we strive to reduce poverty and crime in our communities, the foreclosure crisis threatens our efforts by unfairly uprooting families," Representative Cassidy said. "This new law will help strengthen the rights of tenants by allowing them to maintain a stable living condition, even though their rental property is in foreclosure."

The law extends, clarifies and strengthens key provisions of the federal Protecting Tenants in Foreclosure Act that is set to expire in 2014. The bill was strongly supported by the Heartland Alliance, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law and other advocacy groups.

The new law takes effect in 90 days.

"Illinois remains one of the states hardest hit by foreclosure. This bill provides protections that will keep renters impacted by foreclosure in their homes and afford them enough time to make safe moves for themselves and their families," Jeremy Bergstrom of the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law said.

"This bill is a major step forward.  It will help ensure that renters living in foreclosed properties are not pushed into homelessness and that communities are not devastated by vacant properties," Samantha Tuttle, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Heartland Alliance said.

Since taking office in the midst of the worst recession since the Great Depression, Governor Quinn has worked to keep Illinois families in their homes. To help families fight foreclosure, Governor Quinn launched the Illinois Hardest Hit Program in September 2011, an initiative which provides monthly mortgage payment assistance and reinstatement assistance to households that are struggling with income loss due to unemployment or underemployment. So far $201 million has been committed to more than 8,400 homeowners in 95 of the 102 counties in Illinois. Each month, the state approves 400 to 500 new families who can keep their homes.

In 2012, Governor Quinn launched the Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN), a one-stop comprehensive, free resource to connect struggling homeowners with assistance to keep them in their homes and help them from being victims of mortgage fraud. Approximately 846,000 families have accessed this free assistance through the IFPN.

Homeowners seeking assistance should visit the IFPN website at www.keepyourhomeillinois.org or call the hotline at 855-KEEP-411.

###

Pages

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.