A Transitional weekend: July 31 to August 1 ...

Has the dog days of Summer hit you yet?

Hard to believe we conclude seven months of 2010 at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, as we swing into August on Sunday. Carole and I will celebrate our 23Rd wedding anniversary on August 1.

A lot has changed from July 31 to August 1, 1987 ...

• A move from Omaha to Cedar Rapids


• Three kids, with two already through high school


• 23 years of marriage and memories ...

Wishing all a happy and safe transition weekend! Before we know it, it will be time for Iowa Football and the NFL and Carole's birthday around Labor Day weekend!

Robin Tucker

Busy week for Rotary Clubs in Metro Area with Youth Golf Event and Regular meetings...

The 2010 Rotary Pribyl Junior Boys Golf Tournament will be held this week at various local golf courses. As a Rotarian, I look forward to volunteering at this event each year.

• July 26Th, 2010 - Qualifying Round - Gardner Memorial Golf Course


• July 27Th, 2010 - Cedar Rapids Country Club


• July 28Th, 2010 - Hunter's Ridge Golf Course


• July 30Th, 2010 - Elmcrest Country Club

Today's Rotary Club meeting for the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids will be Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett giving a City Progress Report. Mayor Corbett began his first term for our community at the first of the year.

Robin Tucker

The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court...

Action Alert

from National Write Your Congressman

Elena Kagan's Supreme Court Nomination


The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court this morning, setting up a final confirmation vote by the Senate. The Senate will be voting on the Elena Kagan nomination before the chamber goes on its August recess. Solicitor General Elena Kagan was nominated by President Obama to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens on the Supreme Court.

Kagan, a former University of Chicago Law professor, is a Princeton University graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in history and a graduate of Harvard Law School.

After graduating from Harvard Law, Kagan became a clerk for Judge Abner Mikva of the U.S. Court of Appeals and then clerked for Justice Thurgood Marshall of the U.S. Supreme Court, who nicknamed her Shortie.

Kagan taught law at the University of Chicago from 1995 to 1997, when President Obama was also a part-time faculty member. Kagan left in 1997 to work as Associate Counsel for President Bill Clinton.

Kagan became a visiting professor at Harvard Law School in 1999, before becoming a full-time professor of law in 2001.

Kagan was the Dean of Harvard Law School from 2003-2009.
After fellow Harvard Law alumnus Barack Obama won the 2008 presidential election, he nominated Kagan for the role of Solicitor General.

Since being named the first female Solicitor General last year, she's argued six cases before the Supreme Court.

Do you support the nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court?


Voice your opinion now!
Click here to voice your opinion on this issue!

We the People are the voice of America. It's important to participate in the public dialogue at the local, State and Federal levels as our founding fathers established for our Republic.

Robin Tucker

This week's R&P Report from National Write Your Congressman...

http://www.nwyc.com/
Vol. 14 No. 2-22

Monday, July 19, 2010

REVIEW

Financial Overhaul: The Senate gave final approval to the financial overhaul bill last week. By a vote of 60-39 lawmakers adopted the conference report on the measure. This action sends the bill to President Obama, who is expected to sign it into law this week. The bill is designed to prevent a repeat of the near-collapse of the financial system in 2008 that triggered a global recession. (H.R.4173)

Spending Battles: As appropriations subcommittees across Capitol Hill marked up spending bills for the coming year, Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) told Congress the nation is in an “emergency” situation because of the growing and unsustainable national debt. Appropriations Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) proposed caps for individual bills and an overall discretionary spending cap. Neither a budget nor a deeming resolution has been adopted by the Senate.

Oil Spill Bills: A flurry of spill-related measures are being drafted in both chambers. Offshore drilling requirements would call for the Interior Department to perform increased inspections. A competing bill would assign similar powers to the Coast Guard. (H.R. 3534) (H.R.5629)

Improper Payments: The House cleared a bill that aims to reduce the amount of improper payments federal programs make for goods and services. The Office of Management and Budget estimates that $98 billion in improper payments were made in fiscal 2009, and the Government Accountability Office estimated that $72 billion in improper payments were made in 2008. New inspection and report regulations would apply. (S.1508)

Child Nutrition: A child nutrition bill that would increase spending on food programs for infants and youth by $8 billion over a decade has advanced out of a House committee. (H.R.5504)

Flood Insurance Reform Act: The House passed a bill that would extend the maximum amount of severe repetitive loss insurance coverage available. (H.R.5114)

Afghanistan Funding: After receiving reports that billions of taxpayers’ dollars are being shipped out of Afghanistan, rather than being used to rebuild the country, lawmakers attended the first in a series of hearings with the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction. In a supplemental spending bill, the Obama administration requested $3.9 billion for foreign assistance to Afghanistan for fiscal 2011. (H.R.4899)

PREVIEW

Estate Tax: With the idea of a less burdensome estate tax in mind, senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and John Kyl (R-AZ) are drafting a proposal to replace the version that expired last year. They are expected to attach it to a small-business lending bill that is currently awaiting Senate action. The measure would gradually drop the top estate tax rate to 35 percent, set the per-person exemption at $5 million and index it to inflation. (H.R.5297)

Unemployment Benefits: The Senate is expected to try again to pass a $34 billion extension of unemployment benefits on July 20, assuming a new West Virginia senator is in place by then. Gov. Joe Manchin is due to appoint an interim replacement for the late Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd by the end of the week. (H.R. 4213)

War Supplemental: A dozen GOP members in the Senate helped Democrats pass a $58.8 billion supplemental war funding bill in May, but they have not lent their support to the $22.8 billion version of the supplemental the House passed earlier this month. The House bill included $10 billion in emergency aid to prevent the expected layoffs of about 138,000 school employees. (H.R.4899)

The Week Ahead: The Senate is expected to continue work on unemployment benefits and the House will address the oil spill related bills.

Click here to view the R&P Report as a PDF

You can't forget local government, either. Last week, the City Council in Cedar Rapids passed on the 2Nd and 3Rd reading for a new Chapter 29 of the Municipal Code. Now, in Cedar Rapids, the City will mandate property owners to use an agreement or addendum contract on Crime Free housing, if they are involved in renting a home, room or an apartment.

This is an interesting move by the City of Cedar Rapids. Most cities recommend use of a Crime Free Lease Addendum or Agreement, but this is a requirement on any property, not just multi-family. It would include your own personal home, assuming you want to rent it out. This can be the case, which some have found the case for financial reasons from time to time.

It will be a violation of Chapter 29 ordinance, if you do not use the City's mandated contract. The contract is between private parties and not the City, so many may find this unusual on there personal single family property. It is a City mandated contract between property owner/agent/landlord and the tenants, respectively.

Robin Tucker

The R&P Report for the week of June 6, 2010...

Getting back into the work flow for the shorter week, after the Independence Day holiday. We received a letter and supporting documentation from Senator Charles E. Grassley on TARP and our concerns over the budget deficits and government spending. It was nice to hear from our Senator about our concerns.

Here's this week's R&P Report from http://www.nwyc.com/

Vol. 14 No. 2-21

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

REVIEW

Unemployment Benefits: The House backed legislation by a vote of 270-153 last week that would revive expired unemployment benefits. The Senate is expected to pick it up when they return from July recess. (H.R.5618)

Immigration Reform Waffling: Lawmakers in the Senate are not expected to introduce an immigration overhaul until they have bipartisan support for the measure, despite President Obama’s recent urging of Congress to address the issue. Democratic party leaders stated they cannot pass a bill without Republican backing.

War Spending Bill Delayed: The House adopted a key amendment to the Senate-passed supplemental war spending bill last week. Democratic leaders put off enactment of the measure hoping that the Senate will agree to add domestic funding. The House package includes a $10 billion provision to help school districts avoid educator layoffs, along with $80 billion to pay for additional troops. (H.R.4899)

Financial Overhaul Legislation: Senate Democrats moved closer last week to securing the 60 votes necessary to approve financial regulatory overhaul legislation and send the bill to the President. It would create a new consumer protection agency and expand powers of the Federal Reserve. (H.R.4173)

Kagan Nomination and Gun Rights: The National Rifle Association announced its opposition to Elena Kagan’s nomination to the Supreme Court while the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence announced its endorsement of President Obama’s nominee.

Biosecurity Funding: House Democrats have proposed using biosecurity money to offset the cost of student aid provisions in the fiscal 2010 supplemental spending bill. This action drew fire from Republican lawmakers and a number of industry groups, which contend that the move will endanger national security. (H.R.4899)

Rig Explosion Compensation: The House passed a bill aimed at making it easier for victims of the Gulf oil rig explosion to be compensated for injuries and loss of life. The measure passed by voice vote, despite GOP objections about the scope of the bill. (H.R.5503)

$795 Million to Broadband Internet: President Obama is scheduled to announce dozens of new grants to help bring broadband Internet service across the country, as provided for under last year’s economic stimulus law. (H.R.4213)

PREVIEW

Airline Food Violations: Lawmakers are preparing legislation that would seek larger fines for airline catering companies with poor sanitation records. It will press federal regulators to ban the worst offenders from operating at U.S. airports altogether. The measure would raise fines from the current $1,000 per violation to $50,000 per violation. (S.510)

Transit Safety: Legislation that would allow the federal government to oversee transit safety has begun moving in the Senate, but its prospects in the House are not seen as good. The bill would create a certification program that would allow states to carry out their own safety programs, under certain conditions. (S.3015)

Mine Safety: Lawmakers in the House introduced mine safety legislation that backers say would help prevent accidents like the April explosion that killed 29 miners in West Virginia. Federal regulators would have additional power to shut down mines with serious safety violations. Industry groups and GOP members have come out against it saying it oversteps the bounds of government. (H.R.5663)

The Week Ahead: Congress is taking a July the Fourth break. The Senate and the House are scheduled to reconvene on Monday, July 12.

Click here to view the R&P Report as a PDF

Robin Tucker

We are less than two months away from the kickoff of the 2010 College Football Season ...

Hopefully everyone is enjoying the Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness that makes the celebration of the 4Th of July, so special in our country!

One of my great joys is following college football, Big Ten football!

The Big Ten looks to get two teams again in the BCS in 2010!

The University of Iowa (11-2 in '09) will kickoff the 2010 football season on September 4, 2010 at Kinnick Stadium, when the Hawkeyes host Eastern Illinois, a FBS school, that was 8-4 in '09. Iowa opens up back to back seasons with a team nicknamed the Panthers. Many Iowa fans may want to forget the exciting finish of the '09 opener vs. the UNI Panthers, when Iowa defeated UNI by blocking back to back field goal attempts to secure a 17-16 victory.

Clearly, the Ohio State Buckeyes are the team to beat in the Big Ten Conference again. Ohio State will be seeking to capture their sixth straight Big Ten football title in 2010. The Hawkeyes will host the Buckeyes at Kinnick on November 20Th. Over the past five seasons, Ohio State has captured at least a share, twice with Penn State or the outright championship. Iowa last won a share of the Big Ten in 2004, with Michigan.

It should be a great season for Big Ten football in 2010. Ohio State returns a strong team. Wisconsin is coming off a big bowl win, as both Iowa and Ohio State did in BCS bowls. Penn State has some big holes to fill, but is always a team to watch as coach Joe Paterno enters his 45Th year as head coach of the Nittany Lions.

The Big Ten has four coaches on warm seats entering 2010...

1. Michigan's Rod Rodriquez enters his third season at the helm with combined 3-13 Big Ten record and back to back losing seasons, for the first time since the 1962-63 seasons. The Wolverines likely will be bowl bound in 2010. Otherwise, we may see a new coach on the Michigan Stadium sidelines in '11.

2. The Illinois Fighting Illini enter its 6Th season with coach Ron Zook at the helm. Zook's only winning season was in 2007. Over the past decade, the Fighting Illini have two bowl bids, the Sugar (2001) and the Rose (2007). Two BCS bowls or bust over the past decade...

3. The Minnesota Golden Gophers have been to back to back bowl games under coach Tim Brewster, now in his 4Th year. But, over the past decade, the Golden Gophers have only one winning season in the Big Ten (5-3 in '03). It's been a long road, since the 1960 season for the Golden Gophers.

4. The Indiana Hoosiers enter their fourth season under coach Bill Lynch. The Hoosiers have one bowl birth, since 1993, when Lynch lead the Hoosiers to the Insight Bowl, in year one, after replacing the late Terry Hoeppner.

Two Big Ten programs are clearly in the middle of the conference right now:

Northwestern and Michigan State

Coach Pat Fitzgerald enters his fifth season at his alma mater, Northwestern, after taking over for the late Randy Walker. The Wildcats seek their third straight bowl birth, which would be a school record in Evanston for the Wildcats.

Coach Mark Dantonio is entering his fourth season at Michigan State. The Spartans are looking to make a move to the top of the conference, especially with in-state Michigan down at the present time. The Spartans have gone to three straight bowl games under Dantonio, but are still searching for victories.

There's Hope at Purdue again!

The Purdue Boilermakers finished 4-4 in the Big Ten last year in coach Danny Hope's first season at the helm in West Lafayette. A slight dip may happen in 2010 in Big Ten play, but Boilermakers may get back to their first bowl game, since 2007, when former coach Joe Tiller was at the helm. The Boilermakers open the 2010 season at Notre Dame, who will be under first year coach Brian Kelly.

The Big Ten Conference will welcome the Nebraska Cornhuskers for the 2011 season. The holidays will be a little different in the near future...

Robin Tucker

Wishing all a Happy Independence Day 2010 ...

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness to all, as we celebrate our great Republic's birthday today, July 4, 2010!

“I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding
generations, as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as
the Day of Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God almighty. It ought to
be solemnized with pomp and parade, with games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires
and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time
forward, forever more.” ~ John Adams

Editorial: The true meaning of Independence Day lives on ‎ - Kalamazoo Gazette

And in one of the most incredible coincidences in our nation's political history, ... Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, ...

What is the Tea Party? A growing state of mind - USA Today

For more on this subject, read “Entitlement Reform: An Urgent Need to Return to Limited Government.” from the Public Interest Institute.

Our Heritage

We the People of the United States of America, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America

Robin Tucker