REVIEW
House Passes Bill to Tax Bonuses: The House passed a bill by a vote of 328 to 93 that would impose a 90 percent tax on employee bonuses from certain Troubled Asset Relief Program bailout funds. The bill applies only to those companies that took more than $5 billion in federal aid. It targets executives and other employees at AIG who received $165 million in bonus checks. (H.R.1586) The Senate is considering its own bill on the measure. (S.651)
Targeting narrow groups and levying excessive taxes could be deemed unconstitutional.
Health Care Overhaul: Lawmakers drafting a health care overhaul bill are considering a government-run insurance option to compete with private health insurers. Democrats have pushed for such a plan to be among the options available, and the President has also suggested it. Republicans have spoken out against such a plan.
Omnibus Land Package: After months of delay, the Senate passed a package of lands bills by a vote of 77 to 20. Much of the legislation consists of wilderness designations, or protections for wild and scenic rivers. It would codify a National Landscape Conservation System that could force restrictions on land use. The House is expected to clear the measure this month. (H.R.146) Click here for more information.
Veterans’ Bills: Two House Veterans’ Affairs committees approved measures to expand veterans’ health care reimbursement payments and to establish a scholarship for students pursuing degrees or certificates in medical studies to help the visually impaired. (H.R.1377) (H.R.228)
PREVIEW
The House will take up an omnibus lands bill. The Senate will consider a national volunteer service bill and the executive bonus tax measure.
Click here to view your R&P Report as a PDF
The source of the information is from a National Writer Your Congressmen newsletter.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Will money go for small business recovery in Cedar Rapids
Tyler Olson's weekly newsletter for House District 38 covered a variety of topics, including the following topic:
1. $100 Million Disaster Recovery Plan Receives Preliminary Approval
The House Rebuild Iowa committee approved a $100 million disaster recovery proposal,
HF HSB 271, last week. The bill was referred to the House Appropriations
committee for further discussion. The bill is the Rebuild Iowa committee’s
response to presentations heard during committee meetings. The bill calls for
funds to be spent from the state’s reserve funds, although we are still
discussing where to fund the priorities and it will likely change as the overall
budget process moves forward.The bill allocates resources for flood aversion
projects, storm water drainage system projects, cultural and historical
projects, housing buyouts, childcare relocation projects, nonprofit restoration,
United Way 2-1-1, long term soil and water management practices, financial
incentives to improve watershed structures, emergency restoration of soil and
water conservation practices, restoration of residential rental property,
regional watershed planning, and floodplain mapping.The resources in this bill
are in addition to the $20 million Cedar Rapids received earlier this year, of
which $10 million was for housing assistance and $10 million for the city to use
within certain categories (e.g. small business recovery, nonprofit assistance,
infrastructure repair). These numbers also do not count the nearly $18 million
in small business recovery dollars distributed in Linn County. Allocating state
resources for disaster recovery is my number one priority as we move through the
overall budget process. - Tyler Olson Iowa House 38
There are a variety of fronts on Flood Recovery in Cedar Rapids. Senator Rob Hogg continues to comment that it took America three years to establish a second front during World War II.
How much money will go towards small business recovery in Cedar Rapids from this new amount? Currently, there has been more money allocated for housing recovery administrative costs than what the total amount of for small business recovery. Gary Ficken, President of the Small Business Recovery group in Cedar Rapids highlighted his concerns on Friday during the Chamber Legislative Forum.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce warns that 40% of small businesses in a disaster impacted area will normally be out of business in five years, due the impact from a disaster. We have a variety of fronts to Flood Recovery. We need help from Federal, State and local officials that we don't forget the small business sector in our recovery efforts.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
My Pick for the 2009 NCAA Tournament: Memphis Tigers
It's March Madness time! The NCAAs are upon us and many of you hopefully have your brackets filled out.
I had the pleasure of attending an University of Memphis Executive Education for the Global Leader course back in September 2006 in St. Louis, MO. It was a collaboration between FedEx Human Resource Development Department and the Wang Center of International Business at The University of Memphis.
So, here's my final pick for 2009:
Other Final Four teams:
UNC, Louisville and Villanova
My alma mater, Creighton University was a final bubble team this year. They will play in the second round of the NIT vs. the University of Kentucky on Monday night. Not quite the same.
We do want to wish our daughter's school the very best in the NCAA Tournament. The University of Northern Iowa Panthers will face the Purdue Boilermakers in Portland, OR today. The Panthers will carry the torch for the MVC this season.
I had the pleasure of attending an University of Memphis Executive Education for the Global Leader course back in September 2006 in St. Louis, MO. It was a collaboration between FedEx Human Resource Development Department and the Wang Center of International Business at The University of Memphis.
So, here's my final pick for 2009:
The University of Memphis Tigers
Other Final Four teams:
UNC, Louisville and Villanova
My alma mater, Creighton University was a final bubble team this year. They will play in the second round of the NIT vs. the University of Kentucky on Monday night. Not quite the same.
The University of Iowa, Iowa State University and Drake University all came up short this year.
We do want to wish our daughter's school the very best in the NCAA Tournament. The University of Northern Iowa Panthers will face the Purdue Boilermakers in Portland, OR today. The Panthers will carry the torch for the MVC this season.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Chamber of Commerce announces plans for Regional Economic Commerce Center
The Gazette reported in a front page story in the Monday, March 9, 2009 edition of paper: Cedar Rapids Chamber seeking federal money for regional economic center.
The following press release was part of a Chamber e-mail this afternoon:
While discussions for regional collaboration amongst key economic leaders have been in the works for some time, the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce is currently leading the way towards solid partnerships in a newly designed Regional Economic Commerce Center. In April, the Chamber applied for an EDA (Economic Development Administration) grant totaling $9 million for a $12 million Economic Commerce Center, building pictured above.
The first of its kind in the area, the potential Regional Economic Commerce Center, would stand six-stories tall and be a 60,000 square foot economic cornerstone of Cedar Rapids’ downtown. The Chamber is currently working with the Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Downtown District, Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, Priority One, and the Entrepreneurial Development Center in an effort to create this one-stop shop for regional economic success.
“The building will act as a catalyst fostering economic synergy with unified time, talents and treasure that do not exist today,” states President Shannon Meyer. Funding decisions for the EDA grant proposal should be made by early May, if not sooner. The remaining $3 million to complete the project will come from local financing options. Funding will not come from local sales tax dollars, nor will flood recovery money be used.
With additional details progressing, if the funding is made available the project could begin as early as August 1, 2009 with an anticipated completion date of December 1, 2010.
Board Chair, Allen Witt says, “This project – of collaboration - will produce a complete range of effective, relevant and cohesive products and services needed for business and community growth.”
Robin Tucker attended the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting today at noon. President/CEO Shannon Meyer was today's speaker and was introduced as a new member of our Club. She spoke about the new Regional Economic Commerce Center, as well as giving a background on her life and a brief State of the Chamber address.
The 3/9/2009 Federal Legislation Update
From National Write Your Congressman, 214-342-0299 www.nwyc.com
Vol. 13 No. 1-8
Monday, March 9, 2009
REVIEW
$410 Billion Omnibus Spending Bill: The Senate failed to clear the $410 billion omnibus spending bill and has returned to work on it. The House is expected to approve another temporary funding measure for fiscal 2009 immediately, keeping the government in business through midnight, March 10. Senators are seeking up to 35 amendments to the bill, including one that would eliminate funds for a D.C. school voucher program and one that would prohibit the Senate from receiving an automatic pay raise. (H.R.1105)
Mortgage Bill with Cramdown Provision: The House passed a measure that includes a provision to allow bankruptcy judges to use cramdown provisions on troubled homeowners’ mortgages. Cramdown is a term used in bankruptcy law that allows debtors to retain collateral as long as they offer repayment of the “secured portion” or fair market value of the collateral in their repayment plan. The vote on the bill was 234 to 191.
The measure is now in the Senate where it is expected to be addressed some time this month. (H.R.1106)
Nation’s Electric Grid: Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced legislation designed to expand and modernize the nation’s electric grid, but Congress is expecting to do battle with various states over property rights. The plan would require up to 20 percent, up from the current three percent, of the nation’s electricity to be generated from renewable sources such as wind and solar.Line Item Veto: Because the $410 billion fiscal 2009 omnibus spending bill is reported to contain approximately 9,000 earmarks totaling $7.7 billion, some lawmakers are calling for the creation of a type of line-item veto. If passed, the President would have the ability to remove sections of a bill before signing the legislation. (H.R.1105)
Farm Subsidies: Lawmakers are debating a provision in President Obama’s proposed budget that would phase out direct government payments to farmers with annual sales exceeding $500,000.
The NRA and D.C. Voting Rights: A firearms amendment to the D.C. voting rights bill that would do away with the D.C. ban on semi-automatic weapons has halted momentum on the measure. For now, House leaders say only that that the measure could be brought to the floor in the coming weeks. The firearms amendment would also bar the city’s registration requirements for most guns and drop criminal penalties for possessing an unregistered firearm in D.C. (H.R.1106)
The Senate adopted a similar amendment to its version of the D.C. voting right bill last week. (S.160)
FDA Authority Over Tobacco: The House Energy and Commerce Committee took a first step toward giving the Food and Drug Administration the power to regulate tobacco products. The committee approved a bill that would give the FDA broad powers to regulate tobacco advertising and marketing. The bill also would require new, larger warnings on cigarette packs. It would be funded with $5.5 billion in user fees on tobacco products over 10 years. (H.R.1256)
Health Care Overhaul: Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) announced that he intends to have health care overhaul legislation on the Senate floor by the August recess. In his 2010 budget proposal, President Obama allocated $634 billion over 10 years to fund health care reform. But Republican lawmakers say they will oppose any plan that will lead to a government-run takeover of the U.S. health care system. Financial Industry Rule Changes: House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA) announced that he plans to advance a financial industry overhaul bill next month. The measure would include language to outlaw certain credit card billing practices and new, tougher regulations.
PREVIEW
The Senate will continue work on the omnibus spending bill that provides funding for the federal government and possibly address mortgage legislation. House moderates are preparing a bipartisan health care bill. Both chambers will continue work on the President’s proposed budget.
Click here to view your R&P Report as a PDF
Our local Representative and Senators' Contact Information:
Representative Dave Loebsack
1513 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-1502
Phone: (202) 225-6576
Fax: (202) 226-0757
Website: http://Loebsack.house.gov/
Webform: http://loebsack.house.gov/contactform/
Senator Charles Grassley
SH-135 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-1501
Phone: (202) 224-3744
Fax: (202) 224-6020
Website: http://Grassley.senate.gov/
Webform: http://grassley.senate.gov/webform.htm
Senator Tom Harkin
SH-731 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-1502
Phone: (202) 224-3254
Fax: (202) 224-9369
Website: http://Harkin.senate.gov/
Webform: http://harkin.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm
Thank you for being a responsible American; your voice is making a difference.
Vol. 13 No. 1-8
Monday, March 9, 2009
REVIEW
$410 Billion Omnibus Spending Bill: The Senate failed to clear the $410 billion omnibus spending bill and has returned to work on it. The House is expected to approve another temporary funding measure for fiscal 2009 immediately, keeping the government in business through midnight, March 10. Senators are seeking up to 35 amendments to the bill, including one that would eliminate funds for a D.C. school voucher program and one that would prohibit the Senate from receiving an automatic pay raise. (H.R.1105)
Mortgage Bill with Cramdown Provision: The House passed a measure that includes a provision to allow bankruptcy judges to use cramdown provisions on troubled homeowners’ mortgages. Cramdown is a term used in bankruptcy law that allows debtors to retain collateral as long as they offer repayment of the “secured portion” or fair market value of the collateral in their repayment plan. The vote on the bill was 234 to 191.
The measure is now in the Senate where it is expected to be addressed some time this month. (H.R.1106)
Nation’s Electric Grid: Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced legislation designed to expand and modernize the nation’s electric grid, but Congress is expecting to do battle with various states over property rights. The plan would require up to 20 percent, up from the current three percent, of the nation’s electricity to be generated from renewable sources such as wind and solar.Line Item Veto: Because the $410 billion fiscal 2009 omnibus spending bill is reported to contain approximately 9,000 earmarks totaling $7.7 billion, some lawmakers are calling for the creation of a type of line-item veto. If passed, the President would have the ability to remove sections of a bill before signing the legislation. (H.R.1105)
Farm Subsidies: Lawmakers are debating a provision in President Obama’s proposed budget that would phase out direct government payments to farmers with annual sales exceeding $500,000.
The NRA and D.C. Voting Rights: A firearms amendment to the D.C. voting rights bill that would do away with the D.C. ban on semi-automatic weapons has halted momentum on the measure. For now, House leaders say only that that the measure could be brought to the floor in the coming weeks. The firearms amendment would also bar the city’s registration requirements for most guns and drop criminal penalties for possessing an unregistered firearm in D.C. (H.R.1106)
The Senate adopted a similar amendment to its version of the D.C. voting right bill last week. (S.160)
FDA Authority Over Tobacco: The House Energy and Commerce Committee took a first step toward giving the Food and Drug Administration the power to regulate tobacco products. The committee approved a bill that would give the FDA broad powers to regulate tobacco advertising and marketing. The bill also would require new, larger warnings on cigarette packs. It would be funded with $5.5 billion in user fees on tobacco products over 10 years. (H.R.1256)
Health Care Overhaul: Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) announced that he intends to have health care overhaul legislation on the Senate floor by the August recess. In his 2010 budget proposal, President Obama allocated $634 billion over 10 years to fund health care reform. But Republican lawmakers say they will oppose any plan that will lead to a government-run takeover of the U.S. health care system. Financial Industry Rule Changes: House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA) announced that he plans to advance a financial industry overhaul bill next month. The measure would include language to outlaw certain credit card billing practices and new, tougher regulations.
PREVIEW
The Senate will continue work on the omnibus spending bill that provides funding for the federal government and possibly address mortgage legislation. House moderates are preparing a bipartisan health care bill. Both chambers will continue work on the President’s proposed budget.
Click here to view your R&P Report as a PDF
Our local Representative and Senators' Contact Information:
Representative Dave Loebsack
1513 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-1502
Phone: (202) 225-6576
Fax: (202) 226-0757
Website: http://Loebsack.house.gov/
Webform: http://loebsack.house.gov/contactform/
Senator Charles Grassley
SH-135 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-1501
Phone: (202) 224-3744
Fax: (202) 224-6020
Website: http://Grassley.senate.gov/
Webform: http://grassley.senate.gov/webform.htm
Senator Tom Harkin
SH-731 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-1502
Phone: (202) 224-3254
Fax: (202) 224-9369
Website: http://Harkin.senate.gov/
Webform: http://harkin.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm
Thank you for being a responsible American; your voice is making a difference.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Remember to Vote March 3Rd in Linn County
On March 3rd many in our community will vote whether or not to approve a 1 cent local option tax. The link below is to the Linn County Auditor’s web page which outlines the revenue purpose of each municipality that is eligible for the tax as well as the ballot language.
Here is some general information about the election taken from The Cedar Rapids Gazette.
Sales tax election
■ Ballot question — Should your city (or county) of residence be authorized to collect a 1 percent local option sales and services tax from April 1, 2009, until June 30, 2014? Each city and the county will say on the ballot how the tax revenue would be used.
■ Date of election — Tuesday, March 3
■ Polling place hours — 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
■ Where to vote — Go to your regular polling place. Residents of Bertram, Central City, Coggon and Prairieburg will not vote because those cities already collect the local 1 percent sales tax.
■ Last day to register to vote — Feb. 20
■ To vote absentee — Go to the Auditor’s Office at Westdale Mall by March 2 or request an absentee ballot by mail before Feb. 27.
■ How it will work — Each city’s voters determine whether the tax will be collected in that city. The metro area does not vote as a bloc. If, for example, Cedar Rapids voters approve the tax and Marion voters reject it, the 1 percent tax will be collected in Cedar Rapids but not in Marion. Or if voters in all the cities approve the tax and those in the unincorporated areas reject it, the county will not share in tax proceeds.
■ Questions? — Call the Linn County Auditor’s Office, (319) 892-5300.
Here is some general information about the election taken from The Cedar Rapids Gazette.
Sales tax election
■ Ballot question — Should your city (or county) of residence be authorized to collect a 1 percent local option sales and services tax from April 1, 2009, until June 30, 2014? Each city and the county will say on the ballot how the tax revenue would be used.
■ Date of election — Tuesday, March 3
■ Polling place hours — 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
■ Where to vote — Go to your regular polling place. Residents of Bertram, Central City, Coggon and Prairieburg will not vote because those cities already collect the local 1 percent sales tax.
■ Last day to register to vote — Feb. 20
■ To vote absentee — Go to the Auditor’s Office at Westdale Mall by March 2 or request an absentee ballot by mail before Feb. 27.
■ How it will work — Each city’s voters determine whether the tax will be collected in that city. The metro area does not vote as a bloc. If, for example, Cedar Rapids voters approve the tax and Marion voters reject it, the 1 percent tax will be collected in Cedar Rapids but not in Marion. Or if voters in all the cities approve the tax and those in the unincorporated areas reject it, the county will not share in tax proceeds.
■ Questions? — Call the Linn County Auditor’s Office, (319) 892-5300.
Allen Witt addresses U.S. Chamber of Commerce role in Flood Recovery
In one of the shortest Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meetings, Allen Witt, Chair of the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce spoke of the role the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has played in assisting the Chamber and the City of Cedar Rapids in successful disaster response.
The following is the Cedar Rapids Economic Recovery and Rebuilding Plan: link from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Allen Witt indicated that information about his presentation is available on the Rebuild Iowa Commission web site. Allen Witt gave a handout on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Timeline and on the backside the Iowa CDBG Disaster Recovery Summary.
A question from the audience asked about the Federal Stimulus money and whether Cedar Rapids and Linn County have any shovel ready projects? After visiting with Allen Witt after our Rotary meeting, it appears Cedar Rapids and Linn County do have projects submitted that are shovel ready. Hopefully, Des Moines will deliver. But, will they deliver for Cedar Rapids and Linn County with Federal Stimulus money?
Fellow Rotarian and retired Chamber CEO Lee Clancey from the audience reminded Rotarians of tomorrow's LOST vote. The Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors unanimously support the 1% local option sales tax. The ballot for the City of Cedar Rapids is linked.
The following is the Cedar Rapids Economic Recovery and Rebuilding Plan: link from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Allen Witt indicated that information about his presentation is available on the Rebuild Iowa Commission web site. Allen Witt gave a handout on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Timeline and on the backside the Iowa CDBG Disaster Recovery Summary.
A question from the audience asked about the Federal Stimulus money and whether Cedar Rapids and Linn County have any shovel ready projects? After visiting with Allen Witt after our Rotary meeting, it appears Cedar Rapids and Linn County do have projects submitted that are shovel ready. Hopefully, Des Moines will deliver. But, will they deliver for Cedar Rapids and Linn County with Federal Stimulus money?
Fellow Rotarian and retired Chamber CEO Lee Clancey from the audience reminded Rotarians of tomorrow's LOST vote. The Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors unanimously support the 1% local option sales tax. The ballot for the City of Cedar Rapids is linked.
The month of February for the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids was dedicated to four meetings from four different speakers on the EPRC. Rotarians voted after the Flood of 2008 on whether we wanted to dedicate club programming to post-Flood developments.
After returning from the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting today, we noticed the following flood recovery and and the 1% local option sales tax stories from http://www.gazetteonline.com/.
An e-mail from the pro-tax group, linked the following Dorman story from The Gazette.
The pro-tax supporters don't want to discuss a possible defeat tomorrow. They are concerned greatly about the message it will send to Des Moines. But, should the LOST be defeated tomorrow; the City Council, citizens and taxpayers have the opportunity again, if they come together, to rewrite a ballot, with a new measure and message. State Law allows for public measures, such as a local option sales tax on August 4Th and November 3Rd in 2009.
Look for a possible property tax increase in the State of Iowa: Cutting property tax credits a 'stealth tax increase'? The State Legislature and Governor Chet Culver are discussing this move, as it was reported in today's Gazette.
Don't forget to Vote on Tuesday. The polling places for Tuesday's local-option sales tax vote per the recent Gazette article. It is an opportunity for the people to instruct the City Council what it wants the Public Measure to be spent on. For more information on the Linn County vote, including the City of Cedar Rapids: Link to Auditor's Site.
Today's 3/2/09: Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids Meeting
ROTARY CLUB OF CEDAR RAPIDS
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009
CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009
CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL
12 p.m.
Speaker and Topic:
ALLEN WITT, HALL & HALL ENGINEERS
CHAIRMAN, CEDAR RAPIDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Attending my Rotary Club meeting today. It should be interesting to hear what fellow Rotarian and Chairman of the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce has to say about the City and Chamber.
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