Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Sen. Rick Santorum, U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, U.S. Rep. Steve King, IA Lt. Gov Kim Reynolds to Join State-wide Bus Tour

Washington, D.C. ? On Wednesday, August 10, 2011 the Susan B. Anthony List (SBA), along with FRC Action's Faith Family Freedom Fund and the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), will stop in Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Waterloo, Mason City and Dickinson County as part of the "Values Voter Bus Tour" that will cover 1,305 miles in four days with events in 22 cities.

President Obama is the most pro-abortion President in United States history and has threatened individual states for exercising their right to de-fund Planned Parenthood.  SBA List will get the word out to straw poll and caucus goers on which candidates have taken its Pro-Life Presidential Leadership Pledge and can be counted on as a strong leader in defending human life.

Wednesday, August 10  

8:30 - 9:00 AM: Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids Marriott, 1200 Collins Road NE  

Confirmed speakers: Sen. Rick Santorum, Former Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave (SBA), Connie Mackey (FRC), Brian Brown (NOM), Jenifer Bowen (Iowa Right to Life)

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM: Dubuque
Washington Park, 351 W 6th Street  

Confirmed speakers: Marilyn Musgrave (SBA), Connie Mackey (FRC), Jenifer Bowen (Iowa Right to Life), Steven N. Brody (Dubuque County Right to Life)  

12:45 PM - 1:15 PM: Waterloo

Lincoln Park, 451 E 4th Street  

Confirmed speakers: Marilyn Musgrave (SBA), Connie Mackey (FRC), Jenifer Bowen (Iowa Right to Life)  

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Mason City
Central Park, 75 1st Street NW  

Confirmed speakers: Marilyn Musgrave (SBA), Connie Mackey (FRC), Jenifer Bowen (Iowa Right to Life)  

6:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Dickinson County
Barefoot Bar, 24457 178^th Street, Okoboji  

Confirmed speakers: Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, Marilyn Musgrave (SBA), Connie Mackey (FRC), Jenifer Bowen (Iowa Right to Life)  

The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of more than 330,000 Americans dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics.  Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.

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- Activities Include Saturday Straw Poll Interactive Listening Posts to Engage Voter Opinions and Sole Sponsorship of GOP Presidential Debate Surrogate Spin Rooms -

DES MOINES – AARP will launch its nationwide presidential voter education engagement efforts next week in Ames, Iowa, listening to the concerns and priorities of 2011 Iowa Straw Poll participants. Visitors to AARP's First in the Nation: Your Right, Your Decision, Your VoteSpeak Out Tent will have the opportunity to share their views on pocketbook and retirement issues through interactive and instant audience response technology.  It's all part of AARP's national efforts to make sure presidential candidates and other elected officials hear the voices of voters 50+ throughout the 2012 election campaign.

"For the first time, voters at the 2011 Iowa Straw Poll in Ames not only have the first chance to determine which candidates rise to the top in the early days of the 2012 campaign cycle, but they also will have the opportunity to discuss what they think the next president should do to address pocketbook and retirement security issues at our cutting-edge, interactive Listening Posts and Speak Out Stage," said Tony Vola, AARP Iowa State President. Vola said AARP will be conducting voter engagement efforts in Iowa as well as other primary and caucus states at both Republican and Democratic events throughout the 2012 election cycle.

AARP's First in the Nation Speak Out Tent, co-hosted by Mediacom, is centrally located adjacent to Scheman Hall and Hilton Coliseum. The day's program features a series of events including:

• Your Pocketbook and Your Retirement Listening Posts utilizing interactive and instant audience response technology with Republican pollster Leslie Sanchez, who's appeared on Fox News, CNN and Oprah Radio, on the AARP Speak Out Stage;
• Leadership recognitions on the AARP Speak Out Stage for Iowa's Republican elected officials, including Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, and Congressmen Steve King and Tom Latham; 
• An AARP/Mediacom Speak Out Corner for participants to weigh in on what should be the top priority for America's presidential candidates;
• Individual photographs with American historical figures and past Republican Presidents in front of backdrops featuring the beautiful Iowa State Capitol; and,
• Refreshing snacks, beverages, WiFi café and relaxation lounge areas.

In addition to the First in the Nation Speak Out Tent activities during the Straw Poll on Saturday, Aug. 13, AARP also is the Republican Party of Iowa's (RPI) sole sponsor of the post-debate Campaign Surrogate/Media Spin Rooms for RPI's Presidential Candidate Debate Series currently scheduled for Aug. 11 in Ames, Dec. 10 in Des Moines and Feb. 1 in Sioux City.

AARP's participation in the Iowa Straw Poll is part of the Association's 25+-year tradition of focusing candidate attention on the issues of concern to older Americans and their families, and helping voters know where the candidates stand on those issues. AARP is nonprofit and nonpartisan. The Association does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates.  For more information on AARP visit www.aarp.org

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Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released thefollowing statement after reports came out that Governor Branstad and his staff have continuously pressured Iowa's Workers' Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey to resign his independent office:

"Historically this has been a non-partisan agency whose focus has been putting Iowans back to work. Chris Godfrey is highly qualified. He was first appointed in 2006 and re-appointed in 2009 to fulfill a six-year term after being confirmed 49-0 by the Iowa Senate. He serves in a capacity that is independent of the Governor and the political climate. The Governor has injected politics into this, leaving workers and employers hanging in the balance. It's highly unusual for the Governor to pressure a Commissioner of this type into resignation. It's one thing to surround yourself with staff of your choosing, it's another to conduct a clearly political witch hunt against a qualified and competent employee."

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Governor's Reforms Empower Citizens with more Access to Democratic Process

DES PLAINES - July 4, 2011.  Governor Pat Quinn today signed election reform legislation that will empower Illinois' residents with better access to democratic process. Senate Bill 1586 creates more opportunities to initiate referenda at the local and statewide levels, and simplifies the election code to make it more consistent and clear.

"On the very day we celebrate our democracy, I am enacting a bill that will put more power in the hands of the people of Illinois," said Governor Quinn. "By giving voters more authority at the ballot box, they will have a better opportunity to hold elected officials accountable and we will continue to create a more vibrant democracy in our state." 

Historically, Illinois has had limited ballot access. This bill contains three major reforms that were led by Governor Quinn to improve access to the democratic process throughout Illinois. 

The legislation allows local school boards to initiate advisory referendum by resolution for the first time in Illinois history. It also lowers the petition signature requirement for initiating referenda to a uniform 8 percent of the gubernatorial vote. 

Additionally, the bill eliminates bureaucratic hurdles in the petition process for constitutional amendments by cutting the requirement that petitions to initiate referenda be segregated by election jurisdiction. This reduces the chance that petitions or an initiative could be thrown out based on a technicality.

The bill also increases voting access for service members by allowing ballots to be emailed to military voters who are overseas. 

Sponsored by Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) and Represenative Michael Zalewski (D-Chicago), the new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2012. 

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