Christmas has passed, so what is up in the New Year in Cedar Rapids?

We hope everyone had a nice Christmas holiday. We enjoyed our time with friends and family this Holiday Season.

No, not heading to Phoenix this year for an Iowa bowl game, though we will be rooting for the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. the Oklahoma Sooners, in a homecoming game for OU coach Bob Stoops. The Hawkeyes are playing in the 2011 Insight Bowl. The second straight year in the Insight, as Iowa attempts to win for the first time, an unprecedented four bowl games in a row.

It's Monday, December 26Th and the New Year is less than a week away now.

On Tuesday, January 3Rd, Iowans will have an opportunity to participate in the Iowa Caucus. Our President will likely be unattested, but the Republican nomination process will have the first test, in Iowa. Who was the first to file in Iowa? As the link pointed out, it was the President.

Do you feel the Presidential race in Iowa is a little quieter, than in the past? The candidate we are pulling for is placing most of his focus on New Hampshire, which will have the first primary in the Nation on January 10Th. A candidate with a strong philosophy on free markets and small government would be a breath of fresh air right now. What's ahead for the GOP field?

The City of Cedar Rapids on January 2Nd will seat two new City Council members. From a gender standpoint, the Council will add another women to the Council The five cities of Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Robins and Fairfax will bring a sales tax extension to the public again in March 6, 2012.

Out with the old - Rick Smith, The Gazette
Arena renovation taking shape in downtown Cedar Rapids
The City of Cedar Rapids is renovating the old U.S. Cellular Center, hotel and is adding a new convention center to the adjoining block and street.

Cedar Rapids-based radio station to launch in 2012‎ - The Gazette
(Dave DeWitte/Sourcemedia News) CEDAR RAPIDS — Corridor radio listeners might soon be able to tune in to a Spanish language broadcast of a Kernels baseball ...

The City of Cedar Rapids will likely be seeking to fill a vacancy with the police chief in the new year. City Manager Jeff Pomeranz will get an opportunity to fill the position. The present police chief was selected by the City's first full-time city manager.

Over the past year, we were involved heavily with three issues directly in front of the City Council.

• Robin Tucker served on the Charter Review Commission in 2011


• The discussion of the boundaries for the MedQuarter district in Cedar Rapids


• The proposed Section 8 housing mandate and Lawful Source of Income being added as protective class in the City's new proposed Chapter 69 ordinance

Likely, new matters will arise in 2012. We want to wish you and yours a Happy New Year in 2012.

As we begin to Celebrate Christmas with family and friends

Wow, Christmas weekend has arrived. It has been a very busy year in 2011 with our real estate and manufacturing businesses. Our kids are busy with education and work. I have been busy with community and public policy issues, along with family, business and Rotary International.

We want to wish all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays this year. Before we know it, we will be into 2012 and another Iowa Caucus will be in the books.

Our thoughts and prayers are especially with those traveling, ill, homeless, encountering violence, struggling, alone, under or unemployed this Holiday Season. We hope 2012 brings about a better community dialogue on a issues requiring attention. We need to turn the direction America is headed. The 2012 Presidential process, along with the Local, State and Federal elections will be very important for the direction our Republic and how America interacts with the World as a whole.

The changing of the seasons: Thanksgiving to Christmas, Football to Basketball, Autumn to Winter ...

We witnessed the end of the College Football regular season on Saturday. Sport is always bitter sweet. Someone has to win and on the flip side, someone has to lose. Fans, often get restless, when their team they follow isn't performing up to the standards expected.

Will patience and hard work achieve the right outcome down the road?

We often learn most in life from our loses, our failures and our mistakes. There are more important things in life to be thankful for, than the win-loss record of our local team. After all, sport is only a game, but the experience of playing a team sport can help build character for the future ahead.

Over the past three months, we have enjoyed watching a variety of sports.

• George Washington High School sports, especially prep football


• Opening kickoff of the Green Bay Packers was outstanding! Some good games to date!


• The Washington Warriors win @ Linn-Mar in playoff football game brought great joy!


• Iowa, Iowa State, Nebraska and a variety of college football games (Note: UNI plays Friday on ESPN in the FCS playoffs). There were plenty of highs and lows this season. Enjoyed the fellowship of the Alabama-LSU game party with friends!


• Enjoyed the Creighton men's basketball season getting off to a great start, with a solid win @ UAB, the win over Iowa at Wells Fargo in Des Moines and being in the house for the solid win over Campbell on Black Friday at CenturyLink Center Omaha.

After enjoying season tickets, since 1974, with my parents; then, Carole and I decided to not renew our tickets to the University of Iowa. It was odd at first, but it was nice to focus on work and home a little bit more on football Saturdays. I was pleased to attend the Iowa-MSU game, with some old high school day friends. I have enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers get off to a strong start in 2011.

Our Rotary Club has moved to a new location in 2011. In November, just before Thanksgiving, we enjoyed another joint Rotary Club meeting. Rotary International President (2010-2011) and Rotary Foundation President (2011-2012) Ray Klinginsmith as our Joint Rotary keynote speaker. I continued to volunteer at Rotary Pribyl Junior Boys Golf Tournament this year. One of our joint projects that our Metro Rotary Clubs perform. On Monday meeting of the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids will feature, our District Governor Jim Patton.

On Tuesday before Thanksgiving, I and others spoke at the City Council meeting in Cedar Rapids, on the upcoming proposed public hearing and first reading. On Tuesday, a Public Hearing will be held on a recommended complete revision of Chapter 69, Civil Rights code for our community. Congress did not pass Lawful Sources of Income, as a protected class, out of committee. Constitutional issues and property right issues have been mentioned, as a reason. We would recommend all residential property owners in Cedar Rapids listen and learn about this issue and the impact it will have on their rights, if passed in the current form. Letters are flowing into the City Clerk's office on this issue.

The Gazette should learn that the State of California considers the Lawful Sources of Income issue as a "protected characteristic" and the State of California has reversed the language, as a "protected class" per I.L. "Tommy" Tucker, a long-term Civil Rights Commission member in Cedar Rapids and my father. The term "protected characteristic" is likely not found in Iowa Code, so this issue may be more appropriate at the State level, rather than local.

Why Should Lawful Sources of Income become a Protected Class in our community?

The U.S. Constitution, the Iowa State Constitution and the City Charter of Cedar Rapids[pdf] are important references, when we have a community conversation. We are hopeful that our City Council members will be prudent and ask the Civil Rights Commission on Chapter 69 to go back to the community for amendments and rework. The City Council will discuss this matter at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday at a Public Hearing during the Council Meeting for December 6Th.

Iowa, Creighton, Nebraska and Thanksgiving 2011 ...

We get ready to welcome Thanksgiving week this year. It is a little different, with the changes in the college football landscape.

As a child, Thanksgiving would always include a great family feast and a little NFL football on television. While in college, I had the opportunity to spend a Thanksgiving with one my classmate's family in Oklahoma City. We drove down to Dallas and attended the Cowboys game vs. St. Louis for the holiday.

Over the years, Thanksgivings in Nebraska have been popular. The big family feast on Turkey Day, then then the Nebraska-Oklahoma games, which later became the Nebraska-Colorado games on Black Friday. Now, there is a football game that involves both Iowa and Nebraska, with the first Heroes Game in Lincoln, kicking off, as the Cornhuskers joined the Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference this year.

Iowa vs. Nebraska in Big Ten football

On Sunday, my alma mater, Creighton (3-0) meets in Des Moines' Wells Fargo Arena for a men's college basketball game with Iowa (3-0). It is the fifth time, since my graduation that both teams have met. The last time both teams meet was in the first round of the 2001 NCAA Basketball Tournament. Iowa has played, since in the NCAAs.

Two of our children are enjoying a week off of school for Thanksgiving. Another one of our daughters is off to Colorado to visit an old high school classmate. We look forward to spending Thanksgiving with the entire family again this year.

It should be interesting on Black Friday with the big football game. It will be interesting seeing Iowa playing after Thanksgiving regularly now, with the new Big Ten Conference. It's old hat for Nebraska, but it will be interesting with them now in the Big Ten.

One Week Away: the RPI Straw Poll in Ames

In 2007, Carole and I attended the straw poll in Ames and supported a former Midwestern governor for President. The window of opportunity wasn't open for the Man we supported that day. He likely was four years too late. His experience and ideals were very good though.

At the same time, across the State of Iowa, the majority of Iowans were crazy for Hope. A young Senator from Illinois, who had not even completed his first term of Federal office, became the bright hope of a State. The Nation jumped on the Hopewagon! In November 2008, Barack Obama was elected to America's highest office, as our 44Th President of the United States. From this link, some strong concerns from another person named Robin, who lives in Berkeley.
However, as one brochure points out: "Leadership Isn't About: fancy speeches and empty promises ... "

Over the past ten years, our nation has made some very poor decisions in Washington D.C., we are seeing problems in public policy making at the State and local levels, as well. The Economic news has become very grim. The Economist next week will make the following comment on their cover: "Time for a double dip?"

The problems facing our nation are severe. But we can overcome them. We will
grow our economy if we shrink our government. We will create good jobs if we
encourage job creators. And our children will be free to pursue their dreams if
we rescue them from our debts. - Tim Pawlenty

Friday night, I had the opportunity to meet another former Midwestern Governor, who is seeking to become our 45Th President of the United States. We would recommend that he is worthy of strong consideration next Saturday at the RPI Straw Poll, as well as the Iowa Caucus and during the Presidential nomination process, when hits full bore in 2012.

• A two-term Governor from the Midwest


• He supports "A Fairer Pro-Growth Tax Code"


• He is saying "Stop the Spending"


• He wants to "End Big Bank Bailouts & Corporate Handouts"


• He is calling for "Reform" in "Entitlement Programs"


• He wants to "Repeal ObamaCare"


• "He speaks like a Midwesterner" - a friend and local businessman told me in saying that he was impressed with the Governor's conversation with those in attendance

A guy at lunch on Friday in Cedar Rapids didn't like me calling it ObamaCare. Well, I don't remember the President vetoing the legislation that had less support in the House, than "Cut, Cap and Balance" in the recent Debt Ceiling vote. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has major problems, as Bill Miller of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce pointed on in an e-mail on Friday. When ObamaCare was passed, members of the House suggested "we'll have to pass the bill so you can find out what's in it."

"Time has passed and our fears have revealed what everyone suspected the bill would contain; massive costs, waves of new regulations and costly mandates to the business community," wrote Bill Miller in the recent e-mail on Friday. "This is not timely news for an economy that cannot afford higher unemployment rates and more impediments to growth in the private sector."

We need a change in Leadership in Washington D.C.

The problems facing our nation are severe. But we can overcome them. We will grow our economy if we shrink our government. We will create good jobs if we encourage job creators. And our children will be free to pursue their dreams if we rescue them from our debts. - Tim Pawlenty

"Together we'll change our country, and this time it'll be for the better."

We need real leadership to tackle the challenges our country faces. That's why I'm supporting Tim Pawlenty to get our country back on track!

Become a part of the team at http://action.timpawlenty.com

Robin Tucker

Welcome the the 24Th President of Creighton University

The University of Nebraska joined the Big Ten Conference officially on July 1, 2011. In Omaha, Creighton University welcomes Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., as the 24Th President. It is return of sorts for Lannon, since he completed his undergraduate education at Creighton in 1973.

I completed my undergraduate education at Creighton 25 years ago this year. Some great memories on the Hilltop. It is great to hear the campus is doing very well. A friend of our oldest daughter's received her degree in May from the College of Arts and Sciences.

Our niece will be a junior at Creighton in the Fall. Last night, our daughter, a student at the University of Northern Iowa, had her "Cage the Jays" shirt on.

This winter in men's basketball, Creighton and the Iowa Hawkeyes will play a non-conference game at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Last year, native Iowan Greg McDermott became Creighton's men's basketball coach.

Can you believe we are half way into 2011 already?

We want to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Independence Day holiday weekend. We especially want to thank our men and women who serve our Country keeping our American dream of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness alive.

Robin Tucker

Another Tax on Small Business is coming down the pike per U.S. Chamber of Commerce

As a small businessman, we are concerned about the economic impact this will have for our business, our customers and clients. The following information was passed on recently from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. We are members of the local Chamber of Commerce in Cedar Rapids.

Repeal
Withholding Now is a project of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in
partnership with the Government Withholding Relief Coalition,
as part of our collective efforts to repeal the 3% Withholding Tax -- another
roadblock for small businesses when they can least afford it.

The 3%
Withholding Tax will mandate that federal, state, and local governments withhold
3% from payments for goods and services, not only causing an unprecedented
paperwork burden for the government and companies who provide goods or services
to them, but forcing firms to increase costs to offset the impact of delayed
payments and disrupting business's cash flows. Through our site, you can take
action by encouraging Congress to repeal this burdensome withholding tax and
job-killing mandate, and instead focus on measures that will create jobs.

The negative impact on our life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is very real in today's economic times.

Robin Tucker

What type of Recommendations should be made to the City Council from the Charter Review Commission?

Shouldn't the Home Rule Charter for the City of Cedar Rapids have the following article added? ARTICLE IX. BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES. The following is an e-mail I have sent to the Charter Review Commission for future discussion.

I thought my fellow members might find this interesting from the City of
Iowa City taken from the CITIZEN GUIDE TO THE IOWA CITY HOME RULE CHARTER.
- February 2006

What is a "Charter Review Commission"?

The Charter Review Commission is a group of citizens appointed by the City
Council at least once every ten (10) years to review the Charter and
recommend amendments to Council. Council must either pass an ordinance
adopting the recommended amendments or submit the recommended amendments to the voters. The third, and most recent, Commission was established by
Council resolution on March 16, 2004, and began their work in May, 2004. The
Commission submitted its recommendations to amend the charter on January 19,
2005, and Council adopted all the recommendations by ordinance on March 1,
2005. Minutes and reports of the four (4) Charter Commissions, including the
original Charter Commission, are available in the City Clerk’s office.

What is meant by "Home Rule"?
"Home Rule" is the broad, although not unlimited, constitutional grant of
power to every city in Iowa authorizing self-governance. Municipal Home
Rule became effective in 1968 by virtue of an amendment to the Iowa
Constitution, voted on by the people. Later, the legislature adopted Iowa
Code Section 364.1 as part of the Home Rule Act, to complement the
Constitution. That section states, in part: “A city may,
except as expressly limited by the Constitution, and if not inconsistent
with the laws of the general assembly, exercise any power and perform any
function it deems appropriate to protect and preserve the rights,
privileges, and property of the city or of its residents, and to preserve
and improve the peace, safety, health, welfare, comfort,
and convenience of its residents.” The Iowa Supreme Court has issued many
opinions on the powers and limits of Home Rule. Determining whether a
particular local ordinance or resolution is authorized by Home Rule in any
particular instance requires a legal analysis.

(The above is from Iowa City's Citizen's Guide) - pulled from a Google
search.

*** Further, follow up to my comment on Section 2.06 Mayor. Section (a) on
"appoint with the advice and consent of the council the members of the
citizen advisory boards and commissions at the June 9, 2011 (meeting) just before we adjourned for the evening.

Here is some background information on my thoughts for the Home
Rule Charter. This includes a recommendation for a new section of our City
Charter, due to the recommendation I was about to make at our June 9Th
meeting to eliminate the Mayor's Power to "appoint with the advice and
consent of the council the members of citizen advisory boards and
commissions."

We should consider having a discussion at one of our meetings on the issue
of Boards, Commissions and Committees, which does not have a separate
section presently in the Charter. Other Home Rule cities do have sections
covering this aspect of municipal government.
Please don't create a meeting online, but I do want everyone to have time
to reflect on my discussion that was cut off, due to adjournment at last
night's meeting.

I would suggest Article IX. - Boards, Commissions and Committees for
consideration at our upcoming meetings.

Here is an example of it in the City of Iowa City Charter.

ARTICLE V. BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

Section 5.01. Establishment.

With the exception of the police citizens review board, the council may
establish boards in addition to those required by state law and shall
specify the title, duties, length of term, qualifications of members and
other appropriate matters. The council may reduce or increase a board's
duties, transfer duties from one board to another or dissolve any board,
except as otherwise provided by state law or this charter.

A. There shall be a permanent police citizens review board, which shall
have vested in it the following minimum powers:

1. To hold at least one community forum each year for the purpose of
hearing citizens' views on the policies, practices, and procedures of the
Iowa City police department, and to make recommendations regarding such
policies, practices, and procedures to the city council;

2. To investigate citizen claims of misconduct by sworn police officers
and to issue independent reports of its findings to the city council; and

3. The authority to subpoena witnesses. (Res. 07-262, 8-31-2007)


Section 5.02. Appointment; Removal.

The council shall, subject to the requirements of state law, seek to provide broad
representation on all boards. The council shall establish procedures to give
at least thirty days' notice of vacancies before they are filled and shall
encourage applications by citizens. Council procedures for the removal of
members shall be consistent with state law. (Ord. 05-4152, 3-1-2005)

Section 5.03. Rules.

A. The council shall establish rules and procedures for the operation of
all boards, which must include but are not limited to, the adoption of
by-laws and rules pertaining to open meetings and open records. (Ord.
05-4152, 3-1-2005)

B. The council shall specify, for each board, methods for informal and
formal communication with council, time schedules for the completion of
reports requested by council and such rules as it deems appropriate.

C. A board may establish additional rules and procedures that are
consistent with state law, council rules, and this charter. (Ord. 76-2792,
1-2-1976)

After the feedback at a Civil Rights Community Forum on Saturday, June 4,
2011, it may be prudent to consider adopting the Article as written by the
City of Iowa City. A recent request by a citizen who has spent countless
hours of participation at local City Council meetings and local forums, it
appears time to consider for our Community. A Community - Police
Relations Board, according to the ICMA in 2006, found that 13.9% of
communities surveyed had one within their community.

Karl Cassel with the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission, Robin Kash with
the Neighborhood Network News, Dedric Doolin with the NAACP Chapter in
Cedar Rapids would be among the people to contact to get feedback on this
issue. They were all at the Community Forum on June 4 sponsored by the
Civil Rights Commission.

I was going to ask Mayor Halloran last night, about the process they used
during her tenure in appointments for boards and commissions. Due to time
constraints, I thought it would be more appropriate to send an e-mail in
advance, so you can read ahead of time for next week's meeting, which is
at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, June 16, 2011 at City Hall North.

Have a great weekend.

Respectfully,
Robin Tucker
Commission Member

Here is some background information on another important aspect of our Home Rule Charter. CEDAR RAPIDS BOARD OF ETHICS RULES AND PROCEDURES, which was adopted on July 12, 2007.

What do you think of the Home Rule Charter? Visit the Charter Review Commission's web page.

Robin Tucker

Happy Cinco de Mayo and Happy Birthday ...

Yes, it is May 5Th, my brother's birthday. Of course, it is also Cinco de Mayo!

Tonight, I attended the first meeting of the Charter Review Commission. It is nice to join Nancy Bruner again on a commission. Nancy and I served on the original Home Rule Charter Commission, back in 2004-05. For more information on our form of government in Cedar Rapids.

If you have any comments for the Commission, please feel free to let us know, as we work to develop the process that will be used for the Charter Review.

Past mayors Pate and Halloran lead Cedar Rapids’ Charter Review Commission ahead - The Gazette
CEDAR RAPIDS — Two former mayors Thursday night convened the city’s Charter Review Commission, which will take the next 90 days to review the city’s six-year-old Home Rule Charter and, perhaps, recommend some tweaks or changes to it ...

Robin Tucker

Happy May Day: May 1, 2011

It's nice to welcome the Month of May 2011.

Birthstone: Emerald
Flower: Lily-of-the-Valley and Hawthorne

We celebrate some enjoyable occassions throughout the month of May. Many will enjoy high school and college graduations. We enjoyed that in 2010, with a middle school and high school event. Our oldest graduated from college in December 2010.

• May 1 - Happy May Day



• May 2 - Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids will enjoy breakout meetings



• May 3 - National Teachers Day



• May 5 - Cinco De Mayo, as well as my brother's birthday



• May 5 - the Charter Review Commission will begin formal work for City



• May 5 - National Day of Prayer - always the first Thursday in May each year



• May 6 - TGIF - first Friday in the month of May



• May 8 - Mother's Day and my birthday (Harry S. Truman was also born on this date)



• May 9 - My father's birthday



• May 12 - Nurses Day



• May 15 - Peace Officers Memorial Day



• Police Week is the third week in May for 2011



• National Transportation Week is the third week in May for 2011



• May 19 - the Jewish holiday: Shavou'ot



• May 21 - Armed Forces Day



• May 22 - National Maritime Day



• May 23 - Victoria Day



• May 30 - Memorial Day falls on the traditional day this year



• National Transportation Week Week that includes 3rd Fri in May

Robin Tucker

Good Friday and April 22, 2011 ...

This year, we celebrate a late Easter, with Good Friday on April 22 ...

• On April 22, 1912, at the recommendation of President William Howard Taft, the U.S. Chamber was established to be the voice of the American business community before Congress, the White House, and regulatory agencies.


• On April 22, 1970, Earth Day was founded by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in.

We are looking forward to celebrating the Easter weekend as a family. We want to wish you and yours a safe and enjoyable Easter 2011.

Robin Tucker

Robin Tucker was appointed as one of the 13 members of the Cedar Rapids Charter Review Commission ...

The City of Cedar Rapids at the recent regular City Council meeting on April 12, 2011, during the the consent agenda [PDF], appointed 13 members to serve on the Cedar Rapids Charter Review Commission. Section 7.02 of the Home Rule Charter [PDF] calls for a Charter Review Commission in the year 2011 and every ten years thereafter.

The Resolution appointed Paul Pate (co-chair), Kay Halloran (co-chair), Nancy Bruner, LaNisha Cassell, Monica Challenger, James Craig, Patricia (Tricia) Miller, Mary Nelson, Fatima Smejkal, Scott Overland, Robin Tucker, Nancy Welsh and Carleton Whiting (terms effective through 08/15/11) to the Charter Review Commission. Many of the Commissioners were taken from applications.

Background: The City’s Home Rule Charter Section 7.02 requires that a Charter Review Commission be established in 2011. The commission shall review the existing charter and may recommend any charter amendments that it deems appropriate to the council. Mayor Corbett along with all Council members each chose one individual and four at-large individuals to serve on the Charter Review Commission. The group’s final report should be submitted by 08/15/11. Recommendations by the charter can either be approved by the Council or submitted for voter approval. Ballots are printed in September for the November election and therefore recommendations from the Charter Review Commission must be submitted by August.

In 2004-05, the local Home Rule Charter Commission was formed, as 15 member commission to recommend to the voters an alternative form of goverment to the the current Commission form of government, at the time. In May 2005, the Home Rule Charter was constructed and presented to Mayor Paul Pate and the City Council. In June of 2005, by a vote of 69% support, the City of Cedar Rapids voted to move to Home Rule. The City had been under the old Commission form of government from 1908 to 2005. Cedar Rapids was one of the last cities above 100,000 still using the Commission form.

Today, the City of Cedar Rapids operates under the Home Rule Charter form of government as prescribed by Chapter 372 of the Code of Iowa. As section 4.01 as the Cedar Rapids, Iowa Code of Ordinances points out: The Home Rule Charter ("the charter") is set forth in this code as an unnumbered chapter. The Home Rule Charter [PDF] draws from the popular Iowa form of government: the Council-Manger form, along with some of the traditions of local government in Cedar Rapids, such as "citizen participation" in boards and commissions, which was a popular part of our commission form of government.

Nancy Bruner and Robin Tucker served together on the Home Rule Charter Commission in 2004-05. Ms. Bruner served as one of the co-chairs, while Mr. Tucker served as drafting chair on that previous commission. I look forward to the opportunity to serve with Nancy again, along with the other members who have been appointed the Commission.

The two co-chairs of the recently appointed Charter Review Commission are the most recent outgoing mayors for the City of Cedar Rapids. Mr. Pate was the last Mayor under the previous form of government, while Ms. Hollarn was the first Mayor elected under our Home Rule form of government. The other nine members of the Commission appear to represent a cross section of our community. Commission work is schedule to begin on May 5, 2011 and the Mayor and Council have instructed the Commission that they have until August 15, 2011 to compete the work of the Commission.

Robin Tucker

Where do you stand on the upcoming May 3 Local Option Sales Tax for Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Robins, Fairfax and Linn County, Iowa?

Signs are going up around Cedar Rapids. The professionally made "Vote Yes May 3" signs from Protect Cedar Rapids Committee campaigning for support of the May 3 Local Option Sales Tax. Of course, others are creating there own "Vote No" signs and sticking in their yards.

It is an important ballot measure for Cedar Rapids. The Pro-Tax group is conducting neighborhood meetings throughout the month of April, ahead of the May 3rd vote.

In the City of Cedar Rapids, the ballot language is as follows:

For the City of Cedar Rapids: Ten percent (10%) for Property Tax Relief; The specific purposes for which the revenues shall otherwise be expended are: Fifty percent (50%) to establish and maintain a flood protection system on both the east and west side of the Cedar River; and forty percent (40%) for existing street improvements. - Cedar Rapids - sample ballot for Metro area [PDF]

We encourage voters in Linn County to read the ballot language and get out and vote. For citizens outside the Metro Cedar Rapids area, here is the link to your ballot language.

The five communities of Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Fairfax and Robins will vote as a block. The use of the tax will be different in each City, but they will vote it up or down together.

Robin Tucker

Happy April to you all, as the Final Four tips off on Saturday in Houston ...

It's nice to see the signs of Spring, as the sunshine is out and a temperature of 55 degrees is expected on Saturday, April 2Nd in Cedar Rapids.

Saturday morning, I woke up early, so I enjoyed a podcast from On Iowa from The Gazette.

Podcast: ‘On Iowa’ tackles spring football, basketball recruiting - The Gazette The On Iowa podcast with Marc Morehouse and Scott Dochterman discusses Iowa's spring football depth chart, updates Iowa basketball recruiting and answers...

Last night, the end of the season came for Creighton basketball and first year head coach Greg McDermott, who moved back to The Valley this year, after four years at Iowa State. Sadly, the half court line at Oregon served as a sixth defender in the final half-minute, in a 69-71 loss by the Jays to the Ducks. The Dana Altman era is finally over. Ironically, Creighton played a best of three vs. Altman's Oregon Ducks to close out an extra month of basketball playing in the CBI Tournament sponsored by Zebra Pens.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/LLXEfju9b8U - Hopefully, this link will work, since I could not embed for some reason into our blog post. Here's a photo (see right) from the Rivals Network showing the unique nature of the half court line at the University of Oregon's new basketball arena.

Hey, how good are Zebra Pens? It's ironic that the markings on the court are lighter than a pen mark! As Creighton's coach Mac said, he couldn't see the half court line from the coaches box. If the NCAA is going to allow this type of court markings, maybe the coaches box should be equal in marking or at minimum expanded, so the head coach for each team can clearly know where the half court mark is.

Next year, the University of Nebraska will join the Big Ten Conference in all sports, so the Wells Fargo game between Nebraska vs. Iowa has been changed. Now, Creighton vs. Iowa will tip off at Wells Fargo in the 2011-12 basketball season. After the final month of extra basketball in the books for the Jays, the game should be a very good one. Don't count the Jays out, despite the departure of four seniors this year. Creighton's top three players are back and all-Freshman and all-Valley first teamer Doug McDermott will likely be the third option, after sophomore center Gregory Echenique and junior guard Antonie Young who developed clearly as the first two options in McDermett's offense. This should only make Creighton stronger as a Valley title contender and team capable of making a run for the 2012 NCAA Tournament. Gonzaga transfer Grant Gibbs, a sophomore out of Marion should be on the roster for 2011-12 season.

The Final Four tips off this evening, 5 p.m. CDT, from Houston on CBS. For the second year in a row, the Championship Game will pit a major conference program (Duke in '10) vs. a mid-major program (Butler in '10). In my bracket picks back in March, only UConn remains on my sheet in the 2011 men's basketball tournament:

• Kentucky - Wildcats beat UNC for the first time in the NCAAs and made the Final 4


• UConn - like the UConn women, the Huskies are in the Final Four, as well


• VCU - from "First Four" to "Final Four" ... simply a great 11Th seed story this year


• Butler - back for the second straight year under fourth year coach Brad Stevens

The new format of 68 and new television line up with CBS, TBS, TNT and Tru have turned out very exciting. Clearly, there are some mid-majors that should have been considered for at-large, but we will always see a continued debate, as long as there are at-large teams for the NCAA Tournament.

Spring Football is going on throughout the Big Ten. The University of Iowa should be an exciting team in 2011. However, as Marc Morehouse and Scott Dochterman out in the podcast, Iowa needs players to step up on special teams with 22 seniors departed. Recruiting has been strong in Iowa City lately. Kirk Ferentz and his staff are adapting to the changing Big Ten landscape. The new division play format with 12 teams now should be very exciting for Iowa, Nebraska and the rest of the Big Ten.

In closing, love the future at Iowa, under first-year coach Fran McCaffery. Iowa was only 11-20 in 2010-11 in McCaffery's first season, but they were far more competitive, then the past couple of years under departed head coach Todd Lickliter. Sadly, it appears finding a low-level Division I job is going to be more difficult for Lickliter, only five seasons removed from a Sweet 16 run at Butler and winning the National Coach of the Year award.

Robin Tucker

The R&P Report for Monday, March 14, 2011...

The R&P Report from National Write Your Congressman...

REVIEW

Short-Term Government Funding: Lawmakers in the House are moving ahead with another short-term continuing resolution (CR) that would keep federal agencies running past March 18, when the current spending law expires. Republicans and Democrats are able to agree on only two things in the current appropriations debate: Congress should avoid a government shutdown, and funding should be reduced in some areas. Beyond that, lawmakers have been unable to reach an agreement on how to fund the government through the end of September. The Senate defeated the current CR (H.R.1) by a vote of 44-56.

Spy Agencies: The House Intelligence Committee approved its annual authorization legislation that would set policies and spending for federal intelligence agencies. The bill seeks to limit leaks of classified information. In response to government information that appeared on the website WikiLeaks, the measure aims to make it more difficult to leak information to the public, other governments or rogue agents. The cost of the bill is classified. (H.R.754)

EPA Overreach?: Lawmakers have accused the Environmental Protection Agency of regulatory overreach and indifference to farmers as the agency toughens air quality rules on particulates. In one concession, the EPA said dairies would not be required to develop plans to contain large-scale milk spills. The agency is also expected to approve a blend of 15 percent ethanol in motor fuels for most U.S. vehicles, expanding biofuel markets.

FHA Program Termination: The House passed a measure that would permanently cancel funding for the Federal Housing Administration Refinancing Program which allows underwater borrowers who are current on their loans to refinance into an FHA-insured mortgage if their lender agrees to write off at least 10 percent of their principal. The bill goes next to the Senate. (H.R.830)

Debit Card Fees: Hundreds of small-business owners stormed Capitol Hill in an effort to sink a bipartisan draft bill that that would delay limits on debit card fees charged by banks.

PREVIEW

Rewriting No Child Left Behind:

A group Suspected Terrorist Detainees: Lawmakers in the House and Senate are considering legislation that would require all future detainees to be held in military, not civilian, custody unless the Secretary of Defense explicitly granted a waiver. That provision is aimed at limiting the likelihood of criminal trials in civilian courts, even for terror suspects detained within the U.S. The House version would bar families of current Guantánamo detainees from visiting them. The Senate version would not.

Pentagon Programs Funding Squeeze: In a draft bill, the Senate Budget Committee delivered a bipartisan message to the Defense and State departments that called for budget cuts even in the midst of war to help address the national debt.

2012 Budget Cuts: Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), chairman of the House Budget Committee, announced he will unveil a fiscal 2012 budget resolution next month. The measure is expected to propose changes to entitlement programs — possibly including Medicaid and Medicare — that most experts agree are the major drivers behind the ballooning federal deficit. For more information and to voice your opinion on this issue, click here.

Public Broadcasting Corporation Funding: Lawmakers are considering a Senate Democratic amendment to a House-passed spending bill that would provide $445 million in funding to the PBC for fiscal 2013. The House-passed spending bill would zero out CPB funding for fiscal 2013. Democratic lawmakers trying to fend off GOP efforts to ban funding for public broadcasting say their work was made tougher when a video surfaced this week showing an National Public Radio executive disparaging the GOP and tea party members. (H.R.1) Click here to voice your opinion on this issue.

The Week Ahead: The House is expected to once again take the lead on a short-term CR aimed at preventing a government shutdown which the Senate would have to clear before the current extension expires by week’s end. The Senate is scheduled to vote on a judicial nomination and a small business technology bill before addressing the CR.

Locally, what's happening in government affairs?

• Look for Mayor Ron Corbett and the City Council to announce the Charter Review Commission at the first City Council meeting in April. The City of Cedar Rapids is seeking applicants to fill the final positions for the proposed 13 member citizen board/commission


• Debate continues in Iowa over enforcing records, meeting laws - The Gazette
  DES MOINES — Attorney General Tom Miller says people who criticize his enforcement of Iowa’s Public Records and Open Meetings laws as too lax are mistaken...

State of Iowa will honor final WWI vet to pass: Frank Woodruff Buckles

Half-staff flags to honor Cpl. Frank Buckles, World War I vets - WaterlooCedarFalls Courier
Mar 14, 2011 ... Terry Branstad has ordered all flags in Iowa be flown at half-staff from 8 a.m. until sunset Tuesday in honor ... Buckles was the last known surviving American veteran of World War I. Born in Missouri, Buckles died Feb. ...

Defense.gov News Article: Last American WWI Veteran Dies - American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2011 – Frank Woodruff Buckles, the last surviving American World War I veteran, died yesterday at his ...

Robin Tucker

Hello to all on Selection Sunday, March 13, 2011 ...

Another week is wrapping up or beginning depending on how you look at your weekly calender.

• Selection Sunday: NCAA Big Dance


• Saturday was for 15Th annual Mo Show with a little volunteering and mo entrainment


• Friday was news of the awful earthquake and tsunami in Japan


• Thursday was for the arrival family from Omaha and a birthday in the family


• Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent


• Fat Tuesday


• Monday was for Rotary

Not the year for the State of Iowa or Creighton ...

• It appears seven Big Ten teams are likely in, looking at Bracketology 2011


• The expected Ohio State vs. the surprising Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament Final


• UNI made the Sweet 16 in 2010, but no local teams will Dance in 2011


• The UNI women, along with Iowa and Iowa State should get an opportunity this season to participate in the Dance on the ladies side


• The Valley is a one team conference for the men, sorry Missouri State!

Great Mo Show this past Saturday at Washington High School, as we enjoyed volunteering, as well as our visit from family from Omaha hear to watch Vivace and Momentum, as well as the other show choirs from Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. Following Momentum's performance, we enjoyed a surprise birthday party for one of our daughters.

Received a nice link from my alma mater this past week. Lent - 2011: March 9- April 20 and the online ministries at Creighton University has a nice Praying Lent web page. May Our Lord grant us all the graces we need and desire.

Last Monday, the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids had a program on the new Events Center in Downtown Cedar Rapids, which will revitalize the current Five Seasons Hotel and U.S. Cellular Center, along with a new convention center and parking lot to serve our community.

Don't forget to pull together your brackets before Tuesday and the kickoff of the Road to Houston for 2011. March Madness begins, now with 68 teams playing, with an interesting First Four bracket kicking off on Tuesday and Wednesday. The final four 16 seeds will face one another in two games, along with the final four in at-larges as 12 seeds playing in the other two game in the new First Four bracket on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Robin Tucker

Update on Charter Review Commission for the City of Cedar Rapids ...

The City of Cedar Rapids provided the following press release to us on Monday. It was an update on the City's Charter Review Commission timetable.

Additional Applicants Needed for Charter Review Commission

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – March 4, 2011 – The Cedar Rapids City Council will establish a Charter Review Commission in the next few weeks. The commission members shall review the existing charter and may recommend charter amendments to the Mayor and City Council. The 2011 Charter Review Commission will be comprised of 13 members.

In January 2011, the Mayor and City Council accepted applications for the Charter Review Commission. Of the 19 applications received, only four were from women. Most of the applications were from individuals who lived on the east side of the Cedar River.

Beginning immediately, the City Council will accept additional applications for the upcoming Charter Review Commission appointments. Women who live on the west side of the Cedar River are encouraged to apply.

Applications are available on the city’s website at http://www.cedar-rapids.org/government/boardsandcommissions/pages/howtoapply.aspx or at City Hall, 3851 River Ridge Drive NE. Applications must be returned to the City Manager’s Office by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2011.

Please call 286-5080 for additional details.

Robin Tucker

I had the pleasure of serving on the 2004-05 Local Home Rule Charter Review Commission with 14 other members of our community, which wrote our local home rule charter. The voters in June of 2005 adopted the Council-Manager form of government by a vote of 69%. The new Charter Review Commission will review our current charter and make recommendations on how to make our Council-Manager form of government more effective. One of the many community processes for 2011.

Monday, March 7, 2011 ...

This past Saturday was exciting to see Iowa upset #6 Purdue to close out the Big Ten regular season. The Creighton Bluejays season ended at the hands of Missouri State in the semifinals, after beating UNI in the quarterfinals of the men's Arch Madness game in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

Washington High School had WPA on Thursday night. We enjoyed the pre-dance festivities involving many youngsters and parents.

We are less than two months away from the May 3Rd Local Option Sales Tax vote. How should a flood protection system be funded by the City of Cedar Rapids? Should local option sales tax money be used to help fix our roads that have been hit with deferred maintenance? It is an important community conversation.

The Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids on Monday, March 7Th had a program on the new Events Center for Cedar Rapids. The U.S. Cellular Center and Five Season's Hotel will be renovated and a new convention center will be added, with additional parking.

Last week, the Washington Warriors saw the ladies fall in the First Round of the girls State basketball tournament. On Wednesday, the boys will play Linn-Mar in the First Round of the boys State basketball tournament.

We received this week's R&P Report by fax, so it's not as easy to pass on.

In Washington D.C., the Federal Government voted to extend the government for another two weeks. Will legislation be hammered out that will avoid a government shutdown at the end of the week?

The U.S. House passed H.R. 4 Small Business Paperwork Mandate, which will repeal the 1099 reporting expansion to include payments of $600 or more to corporations. The bill now goes to the Senate.

H.R. 662 Highway Funding passed the U.S. House last week. This is a multi year law reauthorizing extension of federal-aid highway, highway safety, transit and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund.

Preview of this week in Washington ...

• Arab Pro-Democracy: Democrat sponsored legislation pushing for more aid for Arab pro-democracy movements.
• Abortion Funding: H.R. 3 to prohibit taxpayer funded abortions. The bill would not pertain to cases of rape, incest or when the mother's life is danger.
• Rewriting No Child Left Behind
• Medicare Accountability
• Defense of Marriage Bill: H.R. 875 would allow funds for the House to defend in court the Defense of Marriage bill, when on Feb. 23 the Obama administration announced that it would abandon its legal defense of the law.
• Patent Law Revision: S. 23 would make "first to file" - instead of "first to invent" - the guiding principle behind awarding patents.
• National Defense and Spending Cuts: Both political parties are in disagreement over extent of GOP proposed cutbacks to department funding

For more information, we recommend you join http:/www.NWYC.com. A great source for what is going on in Congress.

Robin Tucker

March 1, 2011 ... Happy Anniversary on Founders Day

It was 1868, on a Sunday evening, at the University of Virginia, and a group of six men came together to form a fraternity.

I had the pleasure to be involved in our local chapter that was doing outstanding work while I was attending Creighton University. We proudly were recognized by the national fraternity as a Smythe chapter each of the years I attended Creighton.

There were a lot of good memories over the four years I attended Creighton ...

In the Bonds,

Robin Tucker

Theta Lambda '84

Reflecting on the Past Week and looking ahead to the Week ahead ...

Last Monday, our Rotary Club held it's first meeting at our new location, the Scottish Rite Temple. The Cedar Rapids West Rotary have been meeting there, since The National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library was knocked out by the Flood of 2008.

For the past 32 years, the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids held meetings at the Five Seasons Hotel in the Ballroom. The Ballroom, which has been part of the Five Seasons Center, now U.S. Cellular Center, was closed recently for redevelopment of the arena, hotel and completion of a new event center, which will have a new ballroom and convention space for our community.

Ironically, the movie "Cedar Rapids" was released this week in our Community. The hotel in the movie doesn't exist in our community. Originally, they were going to film in Des Moines, but due to the film tax credit scandal, the filming of the movie was moved to the State of Michigan. Like the movie "Ice Castles", which portrayed Cedar Rapids in the 1970s as having an indoor ice facility at the time, Cedar Rapids remains in need of a true convention center. The Events Center is the latest plan to overcome that shortcoming.

On Tuesday afternoon, the City held a neighborhood meeting at First Lutheran Church to discuss the traffic changes and road improvements associated with the closing of Second Avenue SE between 10Th and 12Th streets and the new PCI medical mall. The taxpayers of Cedar Rapids are contributing to this project with $13.24 million.

• Improvements to 13Th Street SE at corner of Third Avenue SE


• Traffic pattern changes on Third Avenue SE from 10Th Street to 13Th Street SE from one-way to two-way


• Third Avenue SE lane marking changes from Seventh Street SE to 13Th Street SE


• Improvements of intersection at Eighth Street SE at Second Avenue SE


• Changes to Tenth Street SE from First Avenue to Third Avenue, which will begin and continue to be completed throughout the construction of PCI.

Second Avenue SE will likely close as early as April 1, 2011 between 10Th and 12Th. By the end of May 2011, Third Avenue SE should be ready for two-way traffic between 10Th and 13Th per the City's comments at the neighborhood meeting.

A community activist brought up the following web site in our community early in the week. On Tuesday night, at a meeting I was attending, I ran into some of the people associated with that web site. I was told that it mirrors another community's alternative media. In 2004-05, when I served on the Home Rule Charter Commission that formulated our current form of government in our community. The following group began to provide me with information, while I served on that commission. It will be interesting to see, if I begin to hear from them again, if I am appointed to the Charter Review Commission? I haven't heard from them lately, other than one of the members wrote a column on Dr. Ralph Plagman and our local schools. The group was against the SILO for Linn County schools in February 2007.

"Urban Legend" comment on Wednesday in Cedar Rapids ...

On Wednesday, Mayor Ron Corbett was the luncheon program for the Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors. He gave a very well organized presentation on the local economy, the three sides in flood protection funding (Federal, State and local) and his reasons why he wants to place a public measure for a Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) extension, with new ballot language on May 3Rd. The current LOST was approved in March 2009 and will run through 2014.

The official ballot language has not been defined yet by the City Council, so we don't know how well written the public measure will be? On Wednesday, people commented to the Mayor about the ballot language. The community on May 3Rd will likely vote on whether to extend the LOST another 20 years for flood protection walls and repairs on existing public roads in Cedar Rapids. The rest of Linn County will be voting on May 3Rd for language and use for the municipal or unincorporated area they live.

Plenty of visits about taxation began on Monday at Rotary and continued throughout the week of February 14Th, St. Valentine's Day. How should flood protection walls and deferred existing road maintenance be paid in our community? Property taxes vs. sales taxes?

The public policy discussion and the need to develop opportunities to encourage a community dialogue continues to be strong in Cedar Rapids. As we look out at the Middle East and Northern Africa to Madison, WI and onto the State House, there are a lot of challenges ahead.

On Saturday, Vivace did well in Davenport at a show choir competition there. All three Washington High School show choirs performed in Davenport's competition.

On Sunday, NASCAR will start the 2011 racing season with the Daytona 500, with Cedar Rapids native finishing strong in Nationwide race.

This coming week ...

Local Realtors have a government affairs meeting on President's Day to discuss proposed Chapter 69 changes with Leonard Sandler, a University of Iowa Law professor working with the local civil rights commission. Then, a bus-in for Iowa Realtors to the State Capitol on Tuesday for our annual visit with the State Legislature and other members of State Government.

Tuesday night, the City Council Regular Session will be held. The Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2012 City Budget and ten year capital improvement program is the #1 item on the Agenda for the February 22Nd City Council meeting.

Wishing all a safe and enjoyable week ahead.

Robin Tucker

Happy St. Valentine's Day to all on this February 14, 2011 ...

It's St. Valentine's Day ... so may you have a safe and enjoyable day and week, this February

14, 2011!

Robin Tucker

Happy Groundhog's Day, so is it 6 more weeks of Winter or What?

Quiet Day at the office today, with most of the staff making it a "snow day" with the 12" of snow overnight. Downtown Cedar Rapids was very quiet, with many businesses closed.




Congratulations to coach Kirk Ferentz and the Class of 2011 for the Iowa Football team on National Signing Day. Nice group of new Hawkeyes headed to Iowa City this fall, with 22 players signed and two to three likely more, once they can get to school to fax in their LOIs.



The University of Iowa recently saw thirteen Iowa players hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis. It was nice to see Kirk Ferentz address the media today, regarding the recent health scare and today's signing day. Ferentz is a great leader and it was nice to hear him reflect on the timeline and the circumstances involved with the hospitalizations. Further, Ferentz reflected on S&C coach Chris Doyle and they work he does for the Hawkeyes. Like with the South Carolina swim team in 2007, will the experts come to a conclusion of why did this happen?

Robin Tucker

Schools are closing early today, as Cedar Rapids expects 8"-10" of snow and 30-40 mph winds ...

As February blows in, we get ready for a winter storm here in the Heartland of Iowa. News from KCRG-TV9 and The Gazette on the upcoming weather here ...

Robin Tucker

Heck, my alma mater, Creighton moved tip-off of tonight's basketball game to 3 p.m., due to the pending storm ...

The R&P Report from National Write Your Congressman for the week of Monday, January 31st ...

A service of National Write Your Congressman

http://www.nwyc.com/
Vol. 15 No. 3
Monday, January 31, 2011

REVIEW

Medicare: House GOP members are considering a draft measure to privatize Medicare that would be included in their alternative to President Obama’s annual budget. Under one scenario, people who turn 65 on or after January 1, 2021, would receive a voucher to buy private insurance in the “exchanges” expected to be formed by the new health care law. Meanwhile, the eligibility age for Medicare would increase incrementally from its current 65 years of age to 69 for those born in 2022 and later.

Balanced Budget Amendment: Republicans in the House have introduced a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution. The measure, which would require two-thirds approval of both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states, would require that federal spending in any year not exceed total revenue, cap federal spending at 20 percent of gross domestic product and require the president to submit a balanced budget to Congress every year. The amendment would also require a two-thirds vote in both chambers. Click here to voice your opinion on this issue.

Presidential Campaign Spending: The House passed the first in what promises to be a series of measures aimed at reducing the budget deficit, starting with ending a program that provides public funding during presidential elections. The bill would terminate the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the move would reduce mandatory spending by $617 million over 10 years. (H.R. 359) Click here to voice your opinion on this issue.

Race to the Top: President Obama urged Congress to model a rewrite of federal education law on the administration’s signature competitive grant, Race to the Top. The program provides federal money to states that tie teacher pay to student achievement, adopts common curriculum standards and expands charter schools, among other strategies.

Small-Business Programs: The Senate cleared by unanimous consent a four-month extension of small-business programs through May 31. The goal of the programs is to make funds more readily available to small business owners. (H.R. 366)

Senate Rule Changes: The Senate approved a standing order curtailing “secret holds” that senators use to anonymously block legislation and nominations. Party leaders agreed that majority Democrats will allow Republicans to offer more amendments to bills, and in return Republicans will not block legislation from coming to the Senate floor for consideration. Lawmakers also approved an order to prevent senators from forcing the reading of legislation or an amendment if the text has been available for 72 hours. New rules also eliminate the requirement for Senate confirmation of hundreds of executive nominations. Democrats were unable to get the two-thirds support necessary for approval for filibuster changes, including a measure that would have required senators to continuously talk if they want to filibuster legislation or a nomination.

PREVIEW

Federal Education Law: A panel of Senate members on the Education and Workforce Committee will begin hearings on the long-stalled rewrite of the No Child Left Behind program the week of Feb. 7.

Oil Spill Legislation: House and Senate Democratic leaders vowed to make oil spill legislation a top priority for the 112Th Congress, with two draft bills introduced in the House and a leading Senate Democrat promising to develop bipartisan legislation in the near future. The measures would establish new safety standards and improve oversight of the offshore oil industry.

Patriot Act: The chairmen of the House and Senate Judiciary committees will consider dueling proposals to reauthorize three sections of the anti-terrorism law known as the Patriot Act, which is set to expire at the end of February.

Nuclear Security: Pres. Obama announced plans to establish a jointly financed nuclear security center in China.

The week ahead: The House is in recess and is scheduled to reconvene Tuesday, Feb. 8. The Senate is expected to address oil spill legislation and continue work on measures that would help balance the budget.

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Thank you for being a responsible American; your voice is making a difference.

Interesting to note that the House is not in session for this week. Out of Florida, Federal Judge has ruled that Obama health care law is unconstitutional. Headlines on Tuesday, February 1 ...

Robin Tucker

The R&P Report for Monday, January 24, 2011 ...

A service of National Write Your Congressman
www.nwyc.com

Vol. 15 No. 2
Monday, January 24, 2011

The 112Th Congress is now in session. It’s leaders include:

• Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)
• Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
• 53rd Speaker of the House, John Boehner (R-OH)
• House Majority Leader, Eric Cantor (R-VA)
• House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
  
  

REVIEW

Memorial Observances: After a week long pause to reflect on the shootings in Arizona that left six dead and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) critically injured, the House reconvened on Monday last week. The Senate remained on recess until Jan. 25.

Repealing the Health Care Law: After seven hours of debate, the House passed a measure (245-189) to repeal the health care law. The bill goes next to the Senate, where it is not expected to reach the floor of the Democrat–led chamber. President Obama has vowed to veto the repeal. Lawmakers also passed a resolution calling for legislation to replace the health care law. (H.R.2)

Regulatory Reform: President Obama passed an executive order that requires federal agencies to review health and safety regulations to determine if they are too burdensome on businesses, in which case they may be changed or repealed. The President sent two memorandums directing enforcement agencies to make compliance information easily accessible online and to look for ways to reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses. While Republicans had hoped to take the lead in regulatory reform, and say this proposal is remarkably similar to theirs, most are praising the move.

Stop the Overprinting: The House considered a bill that would eliminate a current requirement that copies of all bills and resolutions introduced by members of Congress automatically be printed. It would require that bills and resolutions be made available in electronic format accessible on the Internet and printed at members’ request. (H.R.292)

Mine Safety: Democratic lawmakers in the House called for passage of stricter mine safety regulations after a preliminary report blamed the fatal explosion at West Virginia’s Upper Big Branch mine on a series of safety violations.

PREVIEW

House Tax Reporting: The House and Senate plan to considered separate measures that would repeal the 1099 requirement in the health care law that calls for businesses to report to the IRS any payment over $600 made to a vendor. The requirement is estimated to bring in $19.2 billion over 10 years. The Senate’s repeal draft bill would include an offset of $39 billion in spending rescission's. ( H.R.4)

Spending Limits: The House is expected to vote on a resolution that would require the Budget Chairman, Paul Ryan (R-WI) to move toward setting non-security discretionary spending limits at fiscal 2008 levels. Democrats criticized the GOP rule, which they say would give Rep. Ryan too much power. Republicans countered that the authority was necessary to set enforceable spending limits since Congress failed to enact a budget resolution for fiscal 2011.

Tax Code Overhaul: The House Ways and Means committee has begun a series of hearings to tackle what could be the most significant corporate and individual tax overhaul in 25 years. Under the microscope are corporations that outsource jobs overseas and tax breaks for big oil and gas companies.

Medical Malpractice: The House is expected to address legislation that would revamp the medical malpractice liability system. Many GOP members blame it for increasing health care costs, while many Democrats says patients deserve to be compensated when they have been injured at the hands of their physicians.

Reducing Federal Spending: Lawmakers in the House are preparing a measure that would reduce federal spending by $2.5 trillion over 10 years,

The Week Ahead: The House will consider medical malpractice legislation. The Senate is expected to address the 1099 issue as it returns to Capitol Hill.

The Senate and House meet in a joint session Tuesday night to hear President Obama’s State of the Union speech.

The House this week considers a resolution to reduce fiscal 2011 appropriations at least to fiscal 2008 levels. The House also considers a bill to end public financing of presidential campaigns and party nominating conventions.

House and Senate committees hold hearings on the health care overhaul.

The Senate could continue debate on an overhaul of its rules, including those on filibusters, which the chamber had discussed before it recessed Jan. 5. Look for your action alert later today!

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Thank you for being a responsible American; your voice is making a difference.

The year 2011 will be an interesting year for public policy at all levels, local, regional, state and Federal. At the Federal and State levels, we will likely continue to see the Tea Party movement to unfold. However, they appear focused more on Federal, than local issues.

At the State and local levels, the budget process will be extremely tight in 2011. In our local community of Cedar Rapids:

• The Home Rule Charter is up for review for the City of Cedar Rapids
• We will have redistricting across the State of Iowa. Iowa will lose a U.S. House member for the 2012 election
• The City's FY 12 budget will be discussed heavily in the month of February
• Changes to Chapter 69 of the municipal code have been recommended by the local civil rights commission
• The City of Cedar Rapids will likely look to extend the Local Option Sales Tax for 20 years with a proposed May vote
• Some in the City suggest that the City should revert back to our old form of government
• The City will have elections in November for District 2, 4 and one at-large position

Robin Tucker