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Send Rush Limbaugh A One Way Ticket To Costa Rica...

DSCC: From the Roots - 30 min 19 sec ago
pThe DSCCs latest online petition takes Rush Limbaugh up on his offer to leave the country if Congress passes health care reform./p phttp://dscc.org/pt?petition_KEY=260/p pbHelp Rush take the first step: Send him his boarding pass. Well deliver a copy in your name to Rushs studio./b/p pbPass him his one-way ticket on Tea Bag Air!/b/p
Categories: Democratic Party

Is Rob Portman Joining The Birther Bandwagon?

DSCC: From the Roots - 30 min 19 sec ago
pPer TPM, two Ohio Republicans a href=http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/03/ohio-republicans-crack-birther-jokes-at-event-with-senate-candidate-rob-portman.php#moremade birther jokes/a about President Obama at a dinner on Saturday...while introducing Senate candidate Rob Portman./p p/p blockquoteAccording to audio recorded by someone at the dinner and obtained by TPMDC, the joke concludes with: Lincoln was a skinny lawyer. Obama is a skinny lawyer. Lincoln was a Republican. Obama is a skinny lawyer. Lincoln was highly respected. Obama is a skinny lawyer. Lincoln was born in the United States. Obama is a skinny lawyer.br / /blockquoteblockquote That was followed up with a more subtle crack from State Rep. James Zehringer, who said he read over Portmans Wikipedia entry, which starts by identifying him as an American lawyer. Rob Portman is an American lawyer. Thats the first sentence [on his Wikipedia page]. Thats something our president cant say, Zehringer said. /blockquote pPortman has yet to denounce these statements, and his campaign will not answer directly whether Portman believes President Obama was born in the United States. /p
Categories: Democratic Party

VIDEO: On Jobs Bill And Unemployment Benefits, Richard Burr is Out In Right Field

DSCC: From the Roots - 30 min 19 sec ago
pThis quite befits the man who says its impossible to get to his right, from an ideological standpoint.../p object height=385 width=480 param name=movie value=http://www.youtube.com/v/wxK0ZTEu9-kamp;hl=en_USamp;fs=1amp; / param name=allowFullScreen value=true / param name=allowscriptaccess value=always /embed height=385 width=480 src=http://www.youtube.com/v/wxK0ZTEu9-kamp;hl=en_USamp;fs=1amp; type=application/x-shockwave-flash allowscriptaccess=always allowfullscreen=true/embed/object
Categories: Democratic Party

Jobs Bill Passes House: Kirk, Castle, Blunt, Boozman Vote Against

DSCC: From the Roots - 30 min 19 sec ago
pThe HIRE Act passed the House today, no thanks to Reps. Mark Kirk of Illinois, Roy Blunt of Missouri, Michael Castle of Delaware, and John Boozman of Arkansas./p pEach of these would-be Senators voted against the job creation package./p p/p p/p pThe bipartisan bill, has four key provisions including a payroll tax holiday for businesses to encourage hiring, additional funds to help small businesses expand, an extension of the Highway Trust Fund to allow more infrastructure investments, and an expansion of the Build America Bonds program to allow states finance infrastructure projects./p pEach of these four Republicans stands in opposition to the Senators they would replace on job creation./p
Categories: Democratic Party

Bunning Blockade Ends...But Burr Sides With Him

DSCC: From the Roots - 30 min 19 sec ago
pFirst, the good news: Senator Jim Bunning finally stopped his blockade and allowed a vote on short term extenders for unemployment benefits, COBRA, flood insurance, highway funding and small business loans./p pThe bad news is that Senator Richard Burr voted against the extensions anyway./p p/p pThe bill still passed, 78-19, but the vote leaves us shaking our heads, wondering why Richard Burr chose to cast a vote that hurt hundreds of thousands of struggling North Carolinian families./p
Categories: Democratic Party

Key Republican Candidates Supporting Bunning

DSCC: From the Roots - 30 min 19 sec ago
pSen. Jim Bunning has become a national news phenomenon of late for his cruel filibuster…and many of his fellow Republicans, including would-be Bunning replacements Trey Grayson and Rand Paul, are publicly supporting Sen. Bunning./p pFor a recap, here is the a href=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/01/AR2010030103401.html?hpid=topnewscost/a of the Bunning blockade:#160;/p p/p blockquoteFor four days, he has been on a one-man campaign to cut off unemployment benefits, kick the unemployed off of health insurance, cut Medicare payments to doctors, deny satellite TV to rural Americans, shut down federal flood insurance and highway projects, and furlough thousands of federal workers./blockquote p/p pQuite a laundry list of accomplishments – and one that Grayson and Paul are not ashamed to endorse, though they certainly should be./p
Categories: Democratic Party

Stop Senator Bunning - Sign the DSCC's Petition

DSCC: From the Roots - 30 min 19 sec ago
pSen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) is filibustering an unemployment benefits extension for more than 1.2 million out-of-work Americans. Struggling families count on these benefits to put food on the table, pay bills and keep a roof over their heads. /p pAs they usually do, Senate Republicans are standing with Jim Bunning and his obstruction, not with American families. Is railroading President Obama’s agenda more important to Republicans than helping Americans struggling through this poor economic climate? /p pAsk GOP candidates this question: a href=http://www.dscc.org/petition?petition_KEY=255Do you support Jim Bunning’s cruel filibuster? /a/p
Categories: Democratic Party

Blunt Skips Key Vote In Order To Raise Wall Street Cash

DSCC: From the Roots - 30 min 19 sec ago
pRoy Blunt skips a key vote in the House to strip monopolies from health insurance companies...a href=http://www.dscc.org/news?type=press_releaseamp;press_release_KEY=1134for a Wall Street fundraiser/a./p p/p blockquoteCongressman Roy Blunt was caught red handed today by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for skipping a key vote yesterday on ending insurance company monopolies in order to raise campaign contributions from Wall Street. In a bipartisan vote yesterday, the House of Representatives passed a bill that will rein in big insurance companies by ending their monopolies. Congressman Blunt was nowhere to be found however, because he was in New York City raising money from Wall Street hedge fund managers./blockquote p/p pWell, we know whose side Blunt is on.../p
Categories: Democratic Party

Primary Problems: Jane Norton Pilloried By Fellow Republicans In CO

DSCC: From the Roots - 30 min 19 sec ago
pThe GOP primary is turning out to be nothing but trouble for Jane Norton in Colorado. Her primary opponents are already running stinging ads accusing her of supporting tax increases as Lieutenant Governor./p pFrom Politico:/p blockquote pColorado Senate candidate Jane Norton is getting walloped in television and radio for her support of a controversial 2005 ballot initiative that her opponents label “the biggest tax increase in state history.”/p pFormer state lawmaker Tom Wiens, who is competing with Norton for the GOP Senate nomination, has launched a 60-second radio ad that targets her position on Referendum C without ever using her name./p /blockquote pIt seems that all of Norton’s kowtowing to the right – vowing to abolish the Department of Education, sitting and smiling as the President was called a Muslim in front of her, and muttering about the President’s concern for “terrorist rights” – hasn’t gotten her to the right of her Republican primary opponents. Which is a frightening indictment of the political alignment of today’s GOP./p
Categories: Democratic Party

CBO Releases Report on Recovery Act Success

DSCC: From the Roots - 30 min 19 sec ago
pThe Congressional Budget Office has come out with their estimates for jobs created by the Recovery Act in the final quarter of 2009, and they point to continued economic recovery./p pThe CBO says that the Recovery Act added up to 2.1 million jobs in the fourth quarter alone, boosting the economy by up to 3.5% while lowering the unemployment rate by 2.1% relative to expectations./p pWe look forward to the continued success of the Recovery Act in 2010!/p
Categories: Democratic Party

Governor Culver’s Statement on March Revenue Estimating Conference

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver - 5 hours 59 min ago
Des Moines, IA—Governor Chet Culver issued the following statement after the March meeting of the Revenue Estimating Conference. The Conference, which meets quarterly, includes the Director of the Department of Management, Dick Oshlo; the Division Director of the Legislatives Service Agency, Holly Lyons; and a member representing the general public, David Underwood. Under Iowa law, the REC determines the official estimate used by the Governor in preparing the budget for the following fiscal year. “Just as my Council of Economic Advisors told us last week, today’s Revenue Estimating Conference shows that Iowa is on the road to recovery.nbsp; While this $33.1 million increase in next year’s budget is small, it shows that our efforts to grow our economy are working. The REC’s report also confirmed FY10 budget remains balanced. “I understand that this increase in state revenues – while good for State Government – is little comfort to those who still are without a job or are concerned about the impact this national recession is having on the services they rely upon.nbsp; And with only weeks remaining in the legislative session, there are many tough decisions we must make.nbsp; However, I want Iowans to know that as Governor, I will not stop fighting to make sure that we protect our priorities, keep our fiscal house in order, and make the sound investments that will put Iowans back to work and move Iowa forward.”
Categories: Elected Officials

Daily Clips for March 11, 2010

Iowa Democratic Party - 6 hours 43 min ago

Iowa Guard members starting to receive back pay
From the Quad-City Times

Iowa National Guard members have begun to receive long-overdue payments they were promised for extended tours of Iraq, 1st District U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley announced Thursday.

“The news that Iowa’s National Guard members are finally receiving the respite leave payments they earned is both exciting and long overdue,” Braley said. “Hundreds of Iowa National Guard members bravely served our country and waited patiently to be compensated.” Read full article…

Culver signs reorganization measure
From the Ames Tribune

Gov. Chet Culver on Wednesday signed into law a sweeping restructuring of state government designed to squeeze $127 million in spending from next year’s budget and help close an expected shortfall.

When coupled with an early retirement incentive program for state workers that has been approved and cuts the governor made that didn’t require legislative approval, $270 million has been trimmed from the $5.3 billion fiscal year budget that begins July 1, Culver said. Read full article…

Beer fans celebrate new Iowa law on higher-alcohol brews
From the Des Moines Register blogs

Now that “beer equality” has come to pass, one Iowa micro-brewery that pushed for the new law intends to make the most of it.

Olde Main Brewing Co. in Ames has thirsted for years to sell Iowans higher-alcohol beer, just as out-of-state breweries can already do.Read full article…

Categories: Democratic Party

Payday lenders only ones who can’t make money on 36 percent interest rates

Iowa Independent - 6 hours 46 min ago
Pallavi Gogoi at Daily Finance, who watched payday lender regulations die in the U.S. Senate, asked payday lenders how they liked the rules under which they are forced to operate for military personnel. Under those rules, members of the military cannot be charged more than 36 percent interest on any loan. She heard the most [...]
Categories: News & Blogs

Reforms will bring Accountability and Common Sense to Iowa Tax Credit Spending

Iowa House Democrats - 7 hours 32 min ago

House and Senate legislators released the details today of tax credit reform legislation that will bring accountability and common sense to Iowa’s tax credit spending. 

“We have listened to the public’s anger at abuses and we are responding with historic reforms that will reduce Iowa’s tax credit liability by more than $115 million from the current total of $525 million,” said State Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City.  “We are ending some tax credits, cutting many remaining credits, and dramatically increasing accountability for all tax credit spending.”

“We are shifting dollars away from large Wall Street companies and moving some of those dollars to support struggling Main Street businesses whose success will benefit more Iowans,” said State Representative Paul Shomshor of Council Bluffs.  “In these tough times, we must give continue to support small businesses.”

“Tax credit spending will no longer be a secret to Iowa taxpayers and they will no longer be on auto-pilot,” said Bolkcom, who chairs the Senate Ways & Means Committee.  “Iowans don’t know if the money spent on tax credits is producing the promised jobs and economic growth.  That will change this year.”

The reforms include the suspension of the film tax credit program for two years; lowering the cap from $185 million to $120 million on business tax credits; cutting the Iowa Fund of Funds contingent tax credits from $100 million to $60 million; an overall cut of 10 percent for many other tax credit programs and an on-going oversight process which will regularly evaluate all tax credits for results.  Credits which do not produce results will be fixed or eliminated.  In addition, the Supplemental Research Activities Tax Credit will be cut in half for large corporations and increased to help small businesses. 

“Every part of the budget is being cut and that will now include tax credits,” said Shomshor, who chairs the House Ways & Means Committee.  “The public will know who receives each tax credit, the purpose of that credit, and the dollar amount spent on it. As we give tax credit spending the same careful, regular, open examination as the rest of the budget, we will both save money and make sure the dollars we do spend benefit Iowa middle class families.”

“Tax subsidies can no longer trump educating our kids when it comes to our public spending priorities,” added Bolkcom.  “We all support effective economic development programs, but they must be far more transparent and accountable for creating good paying jobs.” 

The legislation was developed by a group of House and Senate legislators, including: Sen. Joe Bolkcom, Sen. Roger Stewart, Sen. Swati Dandekar, Sen. Rich Olive, Sen. Pam Jochum, Sen. Bill Dotzler, Sen. Matt McCoy, Rep. Paul Shomshor, Rep. Doris Kelley, Rep. Tyler Olson, Rep. Janet Petersen, Rep. Donovan Olson, and Rep. Roger Thomas.

       

Dems unveil plan to trim tax credits

Iowa Independent - 7 hours 55 min ago
House and Senate Democrats Thursday released the details legislation to trim the state’s tax credit program by $115 million, or roughly 22 percent. Republicans immediately shot back that the changes were bad for business and the equivalent of a tax increase. The bill, House Study Bill 738, would suspend the film tax credit program for two [...]
Categories: News & Blogs

Iowa House passes bill to protect victims of domestic violence

Iowa House Democrats - 9 hours 49 min ago

In an effort to protect victims of domestic violence, the Iowa House today approved a bill to prevent persons who are the subject of a protective order or convicted of domestic abuse from owning a gun.

“It’s essential that we do all we can to support and protect victims of domestic violence.  Keeping guns out of the hands of violent abusers is one reasonable step we can take to improve public safety and slow the cycle of domestic violence,” said State Representative Deb Berry of Waterloo, who won approval of the bill.

Senate File 2357, which was requested by Iowa judges and law enforcement officials, puts federal law into the Iowa code wince most domestic violence cases are settled in the Iowa court system. Currently, Iowa courts cannot enforce the fedral law prohibiting persons who are subject of a protective order or convicted of domestic abuse from owning guns.

The bill now heads to the Governor.

       

Climate change concerns continue to decline

Iowa Independent - 9 hours 52 min ago
Americans continue to grow more skeptical of the threat of global climate change, with a new Gallup poll showing that nearly half of all Americans believe the threat is exaggerated. According to the poll, 48 percent of the population considers the seriousness of climate change to be “generally exaggerated” — up from 41 percent last year [...]
Categories: News & Blogs

Lunchtime Links

Iowa Independent - 11 hours 24 min ago
Eastern Iowa Republicans not excited about Ralph Reed’s interest in Iowa politics. Sen. Grassley a “no” vote on bill extending unemployment benefits, but it still passes 62 to 36. Hundreds of high school students rally at Iowa Capitol to protest huge budget cuts for education. Alliant Energy files request for 14 percent rate hike. Polk County Democrats are not [...]
Categories: News & Blogs

MEDIA ADVISORY: IOWA DEMOCRATS TO HOLD COUNTY CONVENTIONS SATURDAY

Iowa Democratic Party - 11 hours 34 min ago

Iowa Democrats will hold the first weekend of County Conventions this Saturday, March 13. County Conventions not held this Saturday will be held on the following Saturday, March 20.

County Convention delegates were elected at this year’s precinct caucuses. Delegates to each county convention will elect delegates to the District and State Conventions, which will be held April 24 and June 12 respectively. Delegates will also discuss and vote on the county party platform this Saturday.

Iowa’s elected Democrats, including Governor Culver and Senator Harkin, as well as our Democratic candidates for office will be visiting this week’s conventions. For more information on where each will be, please see below.

For a complete list of County Conventions held this Saturday, please visit iowademocrats.org/countyconventions.

County Conventions are open to the public and to the media.

WHEN: Saturday, March 13, 2010

WHAT: Boone County Convention Convention
WHEN: 10:00am
WHERE: Boone County Historical Center
602 Story St
Boone, IA
SPEAKERS: Governor Culver, Secretary of State Michael Mauro

WHAT: Buena Vista County Convention Convention
WHEN: 1:00pm
WHERE: Buena Vista County Courthouse
2nd Floor
215 E. 5th St
Storm Lake, IA
SPEAKERS: First Lady Mari Culver

WHAT: Calhoun County Convention Convention
WHEN: 10:30am
WHERE: Calhoun County Courthouse
416 4th St
Rockwell, IA
SPEAKERS: Congressional Candidate Bill Maske (4th CD)

WHAT: Cass County Convention
WHEN: 10:30am
WHERE: Cass County Courthouse
5 W 7th St
Atlantic, IA
SPEAKERS: Congressional Candidate Mike Denklau (5th CD)

WHAT: Cherokee County Convention
WHEN: 2:00pm
WHERE: Cherokee County Courthouse
Courtroom
520 W. Main St
Cherokee, IA
SPEAKERS: First Lady Mari Culver

WHAT allas County Convention
WHEN: 9:00am
WHERE: Dallas Center Middle School
1400 Vine
Dallas Center, IA
SPEAKERS: Governor Culver, Secretary of State Michael Mauro

WHAT es Moines County Convention
WHEN: 9:00am
WHERE: SE Community College
Little Theater
1500 W. Agency Rd
West Burlington, IA
SPEAKERS: Lt. Governor Patty Judge

WHAT: Floyd County Convention
WHEN: 1:00pm
WHERE: Charles City Library
106 Milwaukee
Charles City, IA
SPEAKERS: Congressional Candidate Bill Maske (4th CD)

WHAT: Hamilton County Convention
WHEN: 9:00am
WHERE: Webster City Fire Station
919 Superior St
Webster City, IA
SPEAKERS: Congressional Candidate Bill Maske (4th CD)

WHAT: Johnson County Convention
WHEN: 9:00am
WHERE: West High School
2901 Melrose Ave
Iowa City, IA
SPEAKERS: Senate Candidate Roxanne Conlin, Senate Candidate Tom Fiegen, Candidate for Secretary of Agriculture Francis Thicke, Congressman Dave Loebsack

WHAT: Lee County Convention
WHEN: 10:00am
WHERE: Keokuk Middle School
2002 Orleans Ave
Keokuk, IA
SPEAKERS: Lt. Governor Patty Judge, Congressman Dave Loebsack

WHAT: Muscatine County Convention
WHEN: 1:00pm
WHERE: Muscatine Community Schools
Admin Building
2900 Mulberry Ave
Muscatine, IA
SPEAKERS: Lt. Governor Patty Judge, Congressman Dave Loebsack

WHAT: Palo Alto County Convention
WHEN: 9:00am
WHERE: Iowa Lakes Community College
Auditorium
3200 College Dr
Emmetsburg, IA
SPEAKERS: Congressional Candidate Bill Maske (4th CD)

WHAT: Polk County Convention
WHEN: 9:00am
WHERE: Lincoln High School
2600 SW 9th
Des Moines, IA
SPEAKERS: Senator Tom Harkin, Senate Candidate Roxanne Conlin, Senate Candidate Tom Fiegen, Governor Culver, Secretary of State Michael Mauro, Candidate for Secretary of Agriculture Francis Thicke, Congressman Leonard Boswell,

WHAT: Poweshiek County Convention
WHEN: 9:00am
WHERE: Malcolm Auditorium
3rd and Main
Malcolm, IA
SPEAKERS: Senate Candidate Tom Fiegen, Congressman Leonard Boswell

WHAT: Tama County Convention
WHEN: 1:00pm
WHERE: South Tama Elementary School
1611 Country Club Dr
Tama, IA
SPEAKERS: Candidate for Secretary of Agriculture Francis Thicke, Congressman Leonard Boswell

WHAT: Wapello County Convention
WHEN: 9:00am
WHERE: UFCW Hall
1305 E. Mary St
Ottumwa, IA
SPEAKERS: Senate Candidate Tom Fiegen

WHAT: Woodbury County Convention
WHEN: 10:00am
WHERE: West High School
2001 Casselman
Sioux City, IA
SPEAKERS: First Lady Mari Culver, Congressional Candidate Mike Denklau (5th CD)

Categories: Democratic Party
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