WASHINGTON - Continuing his work to help make sure law students who take out taxpayer-backed student loans are in a position to pay back the loans, Sen. Chuck Grassley is continuing to ask the American Bar Association (ABA) about the quality of its accreditation of the nation's law schools.

"The organization's inadequate response to my letter raised additional questions that merit drilling down further," Grassley said.  "For example, the taxpayers are on the hook for any defaulted student loans.  The American Bar Association seems confident that students will be able to pay back their loans, yet also acknowledges uncertain job prospects for lawyers.  It's important to examine this further and try to reconcile these statements."  

Grassley wrote to the ABA on July 11, citing a news report that the organization was out of compliance with 17 regulations that the federal Department of Education requires accreditation agencies to meet.  An advisory committee found issues of noncompliance including failing to consider student-loan default rates in assessing programs; having no set policy for handling student complaints; and not having a standard for job placement by its member institutions.  The ABA responded on July 20.  Finding the response inadequate, Grassley sent a second letter this week.

The federal government estimates that it will make 24.3 million loans totaling $116.4 billion to students and their parents for higher education, including graduate studies, this year alone.  The outlook for legal careers is uncertain, raising concerns about whether law school loan default rates will increase.

"Law school accreditation is like a Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval," Grassley said.  "The accreditation implies that the accrediting agency did its homework on behalf of the students who will indebt themselves to attend and on behalf of the taxpayers who made their loans possible.  As Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and as an advocate for taxpayers, I'm asking the American Bar Association to account for its work."

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New Laws Give State Additional Tools to Grow Green Economy

CHICAGO - August 7, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced the signing of two bills into law that advance clean wind energy in Illinois. The new laws create a council to study offshore wind energy projects in Lake Michigan and clear the way for more wind energy projects throughout Illinois.

"These bills give the state additional tools to further enhance Illinois' growing renewable energy industry," Governor Quinn said. "A thriving green energy sector will further strengthen Illinois' economy, create jobs and boost our economic recovery."

House Bill 1558, sponsored by Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) and Sen. Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston), creates the Lake Michigan Offshore Wind Energy Advisory Council within the Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The council will review the potential for wind energy projects in the waters of Lake Michigan. It will be chaired by the director of the IDNR and will be made up of representatives from state agencies and organizations that include environmental, tourism, education and energy entities.

"Offshore wind power provides our communities an incredible opportunity for clean and efficient energy, and helps our state achieve its energy independence goals," Gabel said. "With this unique opportunity, however, comes new challenges, and it is important that we undertake this process to set the right guidelines from the start. I would like to thank Governor Quinn for signing this into law."

After examining wildlife impact, protected habitats and recreational uses of Lake Michigan, the council will identify locations that would be appropriate for offshore wind development. The council will present its recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by June 30, 2012. The law goes into effect immediately.

Governor Quinn also signed House Bill 1487, sponsored by Rep. Chad Hays (R-Catlin) and Sen. Mike Frerichs (D-Champaign). The new law creates the Renewable Energy Production District Act, which allows county boards to establish renewable energy districts or wind farm districts. Under the new law, such a district would receive approval through a voter referendum.

House Bill 1487 goes in effect immediately.

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Q:        Why is a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution needed?
A:        Congress can vote to abandon plans put in place for spending restraint and history proves that, too often, Congress either unravels budget controls or never adopts them in the first place.  A constitutional requirement for a balanced budget would compel members of Congress to act in a fiscally responsible way, since every member of Congress takes an oath to uphold the Constitution, and members tend to take the oath seriously.  A majority of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which oversees constitutional issues, said this about a balanced budget amendment after passing one twice during the 1990s:  "Flagrant disregard of the proposed amendment's clear and simple provisions would constitute nothing less than a betrayal of the public trust.  In their campaigns for reelection, elected officials who flout their responsibilities under this amendment will find that the political process will provide the ultimate enforcement mechanism."

Q:        How would a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution be put in place?
A:        An amendment to the Constitution requires a two-thirds vote both in the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as the approval of three-fourths of the 50 state legislatures.  At least 46 states have requirements to balance their state budgets.  Congress has voted on a balanced budget amendment several times, but there never have been enough votes to approve the amendment and send it to the states for ratification.  Along with every other Republican senator, I am a co-sponsor of legislation that could establish a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.  The last time the Senate voted on a balanced budget amendment was in March 1997, when the nation's debt was less than half of what it is today.  The resolution failed by one vote.  A balanced budget amendment passed the House of Representatives in 1995.  Both the Senate and the House of Representatives must vote on a balanced budget amendment this year, sometime between October 1 and December 31, thanks to a requirement in the agreement that was reached to increase the federal debt ceiling.

Q:        How would the balanced budget amendment work?
A:        The legislation I've co-sponsored for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution would require the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually.  It would prohibit Congress from spending more than it takes in or spending more than 18 percent of gross domestic product, compared to the 24 percent that's being spent today.  In addition, the proposal I support would require supermajorities in the House and Senate to raise taxes.  With a federal debt of more than $14 trillion and deficits as far as the eye can see, it's time for Congress to act on a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and then let states have their say.

Friday, August 5, 2011