Celebrating the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday in Cedar Rapids...

 The United Way and the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids hosted the 27th annual Remembering Martin Luncheon at Noon.

It was a very nice luncheon at Kirkwood Community College today.  The Keynote Address was given by Dr. Ruth White, a retired educator for over 30 years and Project Director for Kids on Course. Dr. White spoke in part, to the 22 middle and high school students honored by the community.

Tonight, the public is welcome to attend the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m. Our Facebook invite page for this year's event.

The Sending to Serve Committee of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church will be pleased to announce the recipient of the fourteenth annual Percy and Lileah Harris “Who is My Neighbor?” Award. The plaque reads, “In recognition of a lifelong faith commitment to living in harmony with others and to promoting equality and social justice in the community.”

This year's keynote speaker will be Lew Montgomery, a former University of Iowa football player and Manager, Diversity & Talent Acquisition at ACT, Inc., in Iowa City.  The public is invited to this neighborhood event in the City of Cedar Rapids.

Mark 12:30-31

New International Version (NIV)

³⁰ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’^{[a] 31} The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[b] There is no commandment greater than these.”

President Obama begins Second Term as President...

Mr Robin B Tucker www.nwyc.com Vol. 17 No. 1-2 Monday, January 21, 2013 REVIEW Gun Control Executive Orders: While some Democratic lawmakers said President Obama’s recent gun control executive orders didn’t go far enough, some Republican lawmakers said the orders were in “direct conflict” with federal law. By law, executive orders cannot create new laws, they can only direct how existing laws are to be carried out. Republicans have identified the following five specific directives they consider legally questionable in the president’s recent directives: 1) order to allow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct research into gun violence; 2-3) two directives aimed at getting states to provide more information to a federal database of disqualified gun purchasers; 4-5) and two  directives aimed at clarifying health care professionals’ right to inquire about their patients’ guns or report threats of violence to law enforcement agencies. Click Here to express your opinion on this issue. Urging Congress to Focus on the Debt Ceiling: As the February deadline nears for the government to run out of borrowing authority, lawmakers are being urged to come to an agreement and to focus on the consequences of exceeding the debt ceiling. Reports show that not raising the debt ceiling would delay payments due to Social Security beneficiaries, active military personnel, recipients of government assistance programs and federal contractors within the first few days. Under this scenario, Treasury officials would postpone payments until they have enough cash flowing in to make them. Mine Safety: Democratic lawmakers renewed their call for Congress to update the federal mine safety law after the Obama administration unveiled a final rule that allows more aggressive enforcement measures against mines that have had repeat safety violations. High Energy Drinks: Democratic lawmakers are calling for an investigation  into 14 energy drink companies. In question are marketing claims and ingredients connected with the companies. The Food and Drug Administration is also launching an investigation. The goal is to ascertain whether the products are harmful to young people, especially those with cardiac conditions. Disaster Relief Appropriations Act: The House passed a measure providing $51 billion for relief and recovery from Hurricane Sandy. An amendment to the relief package introduced by Tea Party-allied conservatives requiring across-the-board cuts to defense and domestic programs to pay for $17 billion of storm aid was defeated with a combination of GOP and Democratic votes. (H.R. 152) American Taxpayer Relief Act: The Senate passed a bill that makes permanent the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 for individual taxpayers whose taxable income is at or below a $400,000 threshold amount ($450,000 for married couples filing a joint return). Chief among these latest tax provisions is the one-year extension of 50 percent bonus depreciation through 2013. (H.R.8)   PREVIEW   Debt Ceiling: House Republican leaders said Friday that they will schedule a vote this week on a plan to extend the nation’s debt ceiling for three months, but that it would also require the Democratic-controlled Senate to pass a budget by April 15 for the first time in four years or see senators’ pay withheld. Check Your Email on Tuesday for Your  Debt Ceiling Action Alert. Fight Still Looming Over Federal Paychecks: Though the House voted against federal pay raises on Jan. 2, the 112th Congress adjourned before the Senate took up the bill. Now, the House is set to vote again on the issue. The bill would overturn President Obama’s Dec. 27 executive order giving small raises — about 0.5 percent — to people who work for the federal government, including Congress. Federal employee unions oppose it pointing out that those workers have not had a pay raise since 2010.  Click Here to express your opinion on this issue. Immigration Reform: Business leaders are urging Congress to reach an agreement on legislation that would define the legal path for illegal immigrants living in the U.S., as well as new entrance rules for those to come. While Democrats have voiced support for a comprehensive immigration overhaul, Republicans have shown favor for an incremental approach.   Keystone XL Pipeline: Republicans are urging the Obama administration to allow the pipeline to advance and create jobs, while environmental groups are stepping up pressure to stop the pipeline with new research that shows tar sands emissions are more carbon-intensive than previously thought. The Week Ahead: Please go to www.nwyc.com for the latest in congressional actions.  MONDAY, JANUARY 21ST On Monday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for the Inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. No votes are expected in the House. TUESDAY, JANUARY 22ND On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. H.R. 307 - Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2013 (Suspension, 40 Minutes of Debate) WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23RD On Wednesday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m. Legislation Conditioning an Increase in the Nation's Debt Limit Upon Congress Passing a Budget THURSDAY, JANUARY 24TH, AND FRIDAY, JANUARY 25TH On Thursday and Friday, no votes are expected. COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE WEEK Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on “Terrorist Attack in Benghazi: The Secretary of State’s View” (Wednesday, January 23, at 2:00 p.m.)   What are your thoughts and concerns? Click Here to write your elected officials about any topic you would like to voice your concern or opinion.   Thank you for being a responsible American. Your voice is making a difference.

Two Monday of the New Year & Washington Politics...

Mr Robin B Tucker www.nwyc.com   Fact Sheet on Fiscal Cliff Agreement   After two years of party wrangling, Congress has passed and President Obama has signed a permanent extension of the Bush-era tax breaks for individuals with annual incomes up to $400,000 and couples with annual incomes up to $450,000. Here is a look at the highlights of the new law. Small Business Tax Breaks Business Equipment Write-off: Retroactively increases 2012 maximum expensing amount from $139,000 to $500,000 and extends this amount through 2013. It also reinstates the $250,000 write-off of qualified real property improvements. Bonus Depreciation: Extends for one year, into 2013, accelerated “bonus” depreciation of business investments in new property and equipment tax deductions. Individual Breaks Income Tax Rates: Rates remain the same for couples with taxable annual incomes under $450,000. Those with over $450,000 will see their top rate go from 35% to 39.6%. Dividends and Capital Gains: The maximum rate remains at 15%, except for joint filers making more than $450,000. That maximum rate will be 20%. The President had proposed a top rate of 39.6% for dividends prior to the agreement.      Estate Tax: The amount of an estate exempt from the tax remains at $5 million for individual estates and $10 for family estates. The maximum tax rate increases from 35% to 40%.  The sharing of unused exemption amounts between spouses is also still alive.   Personal Exemptions and Itemized Deductions: The personal exemption and itemized deductions will be reduced for families earning more than $300,000. Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT): The law provides a permanent patch to keep more Americans from being subject to the increased tax level, and indexes it for inflation. The change prevents a tax increase that would have affected an estimated 30 million additional taxpayers. Unemployment Benefits: Unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed are extended through 2013. Tax Credits: A five-year extension of tax credits was given to the child tax credit, earned Income tax credit and the college tuition tax credit. Medicare Doc fix:  A 27% reduction in payments to Medicare providers is postponed for 2013. Automatic Across-the-Board Spending Cuts: The sequester of funds will be delayed by two months and replaced with new half revenues and half targeted spending cuts. Other Breaks: Deductions for educator supplies,  sales tax, college tuition and exclusion for home mortgage debt were retroactively  included in the new law. Tax Increase Payroll Tax: The temporary 2% cut to the employee payroll tax rate was not renewed.   The information contained herein is general in nature and is not intended as legal, accounting or tax advice or opinion as provided by National Write Your Congressman. The reader should seek professional guidance prior to taking any action based upon this information. National Write Your Congressman shall have no obligation to inform the reader of any changes in tax laws or others which may affect the information provided. Thank you for being a responsible American; your voice is making a difference.

Our first full week of 2013 and the 113th Congress...

It's 2013, both the Iowa State Houses and the 113th Congress in Washington D.C. represent the status quo after the November election, and leadership in Washington D.C. isn't really changing any either...

Mr Robin B Tucker www.nwyc.com Vol. 17 No. 1-1 Monday, January 7, 2013 REVIEW 113th Congress Sworn In: The Senate and House have ushered in a new Congress. The 113th Congress convened on Thursday, January 3rd at 12 noon EST. In the Senate, Vice President Joe Biden swore in 12 new members elected in November, along with lawmakers who won another term and South Carolina Republican Tim Scott. Sen. Scott, a former House member, was tapped by Gov. Nikki Haley to fill the remaining term of Sen. Jim DeMint, who resigned to head a Washington think tank. In the House, newly reelected House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) swore in dozens of new lawmakers in the afternoon. Balance of Party Power: Democrats tightened their grip on the Senate for a 55-45 edge in the new Congress, ensuring that Reid will remain in charge. Republicans maintained their majority in the House but will have a smaller advantage with 233 Republicans and 200 Democrats. President Signs Fiscal Cliff Legislation: President Obama has signed a bill that boosts taxes on individuals making more than $400,000 and families making more than $450,000. It preserves tax cuts for most American households. The bill, which averts a looming fiscal cliff that had threatened to plunge the nation back into recession, also extends expiring jobless benefits, prevents cuts in Medicare reimbursements to doctors and delays for two months billions of dollars in across-the-board spending cuts (sequestration) in defense and domestic programs. President Obama, who is vacationing in Hawaii, signed the bill using an autopen, a mechanical device that copies his signature. (H.R.8) GOP Maintains Speaker of the House Position: House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) has narrowly regained a second term as Speaker of the House. The position calls for the Speaker to oversee the Republican-led chamber that has proved extremely difficult for him to manage. His reelection was uncertain in the face of a push by the most conservative wing of the GOP caucus. The final vote tally was 220 for Rep. Boehner to 192 for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief: The House has passed legislation that northeast lawmakers whose states were damaged by Hurricane Sandy have been seeking for months. The measure is the first installment of the more than $60 billion the White House has requested for aid to the area. The $60.4 billion package the Senate passed in December died in the House when the 112th Congress ended and the 113th was sworn in. Congress Votes Not to Raise their Pay: Congress has voted to freeze the salaries of lawmakers and federal employees. Despite Democratic objections in the House, the bill passed 287 to 129, with 55 Democrats voting with Republicans to approve the measure. Some Democrats expressed fear that Republicans would use the vote to save face if the House did not reach an agreement on fiscal cliff legislation. President Obama signed an executive order in December that lifted a ban on pay freezes for federal employees. Congressional Pay: The U.S. Constitution requires Congress to set its own pay. Currently, members of Congress earn an annual base salary of $174,000 with leadership salaries higher than rank-and-file members. For years, Congress used stand-alone legislation for pay increases. However, beginning in 1975, annual adjustments took place automatically unless members voted not to accept them.   PREVIEW   Raising the Debt Ceiling: With the government expected to run out of borrowing authority by the end of next month, both parties are preparing for the battle over how much to raise the limit. Republicans are vying to leverage new spending cuts in return for a debt limit increase while Democrats are promising to hold firm in opposition. President Obama has vowed not to bargain for an increase in the debt limit as he did last year. Gun Rights and Restrictions: Democratic members of both chambers have vowed to introduce legislation that would tighten restrictions on gun sales and ownership. The semiautomatic assault weapons and high capacity ammunition clips. Corporate Tax Overhaul: Lawmakers are considering tax code revisions for 2013. The Week Ahead: Please go to www.nwyc.com for the latest in congressional actions. What are your thoughts and concerns? Click Here to write your elected officials about any topic you would like to voice your concern or opinion.     Thank you for being a responsible American. Your voice is making a difference.

Happy New Year: 2013, January 1 ...

We have written 2012 into the history books, as we welcome 2013 and the promise of the New Year...

January will welcome a variety of themes, as we celebrate special days, week-long observances, as well as special events during the month.

The month of January is National Poverty in America Awareness Month ...

There are week-long observations during the month of January:

• Women’s Self Empowerment Week, January 3-7
• No Name Calling Week, Jan. 21-25

Day-long observations during the month of January:

• New Years Day, January 1
• Epiphany (Christian), January 6
• Religious Freedom Day, January 16
• Dr. Martin Luther King Day, January 21 - Two Cedar Rapids celebrations occur during this day, as 27th annual Remembering Martin Luncheon at Kirkwood CC at 11:30 a.m. and Dr. Martin Luther King Day Celebration at 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul's UMC on Monday, January 21st
• Maulid an Nabi (Islam), January 24
• Tu B’Shevat (Jewish), January 25-26
• Data Privacy Day, January 28

A fun exercise my mother liked to give, when we were growing up, was to write the words Happy New Year on the side of a piece of paper and ask us to use the letters and make New Year's Resolutions.  She would also do it at Christmas and Thanksgiving with the family...

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