Lt. Governor highlights need for increased government accountability, openness

CHICAGO - Feb. 3, 2014. When Illinoisans file their taxes online this year, they will receive a receipt that shows how their money is spent, thanks to the work of Lt. Governor Sheila Simon and the Illinois Department of Revenue.

"This is about transparency, openness and accountability," said Simon. "If you receive a receipt for a $5 purchase at a gas station you should be able to get one for your income taxes. The people of Illinois deserve to know where there money is going and how it's being spent."

Since introducing the idea in spring of 2013, Simon has worked with the Illinois Department of Revenue and Governor's Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) to develop an income tax receipt to shine a light on government spending and increase public awareness. The option to view the new receipt appears after an e-filer submits their IL-1040.

Taxpayers will enter the amount of state income taxes paid and a calculator estimates how the money is divvied up between education, public safety, and other general revenue expenditures. For example, an Illinoisan who paid $1,000 in state income taxes would see a helpful table and pie chart showing that $237.44 went to education, $145.02 to pensions and $41.07 to public safety during the past fiscal year.

January 31 was the first day the Department of Revenue accepted e-filed returns at http://tax.illinois.gov. Nearly 500,000 tax returns were e-filed on the Department's website last year. People who file on paper or by using other e-filing software or services can view the receipt online here.

"This won't make filing your taxes more fun, but it will be more informative," Simon added. "After almost a year of hard work and development from the Department of Revenue and GOMB, I am happy to see this useful tool become available. More transparency is always a step in the right direction."

Simon has been leading by example when it comes to increased transparency. Each spring, she and her senior staff release personal financial statements that go above and beyond what is required by law. The disclosures empower the public to learn if these officials are serving taxpayers' interests, or if they harbor any conflicts of interest.

"The President has made it clear that he'll circumvent Congress if it doesn't act on the President's priorities.  His actions suggest a certain amount of disrespect for the legislative branch and the checks and balances set forth in the Constitution," Grassley said.  "It would be a constructive step, and consistent with the President's commitment for unprecedented levels of transparency, for the Justice Department to release its opinions and analyses on the constitutionality of the President's executive actions."

In a letter to Holder Grassley wrote, "I am gravely concerned that the system of checks and balances enshrined in the Constitution is threatened by the President's determination to take unilateral action if he cannot persuade Congress and the American people of the merits of his ideas."

The President's use of executive orders is subject to review by the Department of Justice. The Office of Legal Counsel at the department reviews all executive orders proposed to be issued by the President to determine whether they are constitutional and otherwise lawful.

Grassley added, "This specific measure of transparency will allow both Congress and the American people to know whether these orders are being subjected to a rigorous constitutional review at the Department of Justice, as well as to better understand - and if necessary to challenge - the legal basis upon which they are purportedly issued."

A copy of the text of the letter  is below.  A signed copy can be found here.

January 31, 2014

Via Electronic Transmission

The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr.

Attorney General

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Washington, DC 20530

Dear Attorney General Holder:

I write today to follow up on my question concerning the President's use of Executive Orders that I posed to you during Wednesday's Department of Justice oversight hearing.

In his State of the Union address earlier this week, the President made plain his intention to implement his agenda through aggressive use of these orders - whether or not the Congress and the American people agree.  I am gravely concerned that the system of checks and balances enshrined in the Constitution is threatened by the President's determination to take unilateral action if he cannot persuade Congress and the American people of the merits of his ideas.  In short, while the President recently remarked that he has a pen and a phone, we have a Constitution that places limits on his use of them to issue Executive Orders.

My concern about the President's proposed use of these orders is heightened by the Administration's record of failing to discharge its constitutional duty to "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed," either by declining to enforce laws with which it does not agree or delaying or waiving portions of other laws to suit its convenience.

However, the President's use of these orders is subject to review by the Department of Justice.  Since the passage of the Judiciary Act of 1789, the Attorney General has been authorized to render opinions on questions of law when requested by the President and the heads of Executive Branch departments.  Today, as you know, the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel ("OLC") provides legal advice to the Executive Branch on constitutional questions.  More specifically, OLC reviews all Executive Orders proposed to be issued by the President to determine whether they are constitutional and otherwise lawful.  OLC's role in this process provides a valuable opportunity to increase transparency concerning the President's use of these orders.

Therefore, I reiterate my request that you direct OLC to publicly disclose its opinions, analyses and conclusions concerning the lawfulness of all Executive Orders proposed to be issued by the President.  Moreover, I request that these disclosures be made contemporaneously with the issuing of any such order OLC deems to be lawful.

On numerous occasions, the President has claimed that he is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness and transparency in government, but he has failed to do so.  This specific measure of transparency will allow both Congress and the American people to know whether these orders are being subjected to a rigorous constitutional review at the Department of Justice, as well as to better understand - and if necessary to challenge - the legal basis upon which they are purportedly issued.

Given the urgency of this matter, I respectfully request a response by February 14th.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley

ST. LOUIS (February 3, 2014) - Various performance and environmental attributes have made U.S. soy increasingly popular among product manufacturers, which has helped boost industrial demand for soy. That's why last year, the soy checkoff  partnered with manufacturers to commercialize 38 new soy-based products and ingredients.

The list of products developed with soy checkoff support in 2013 includes new additions to some popular soy-based product categories, such as coatings, adhesives and plastics. It also includes soy-based ingredients that could be used in countless new products.

Dale Profit, a soy checkoff farmer-leader and soybean farmer from Van Wert, Ohio, recognizes the value-added prospects of industrial soy use.

"USB is helping discover other products that can be made from soy to add to farmers' bottom lines," says Profit. "These products are good for the farmer, the customer and all the people in between."

Soybean meal's primary use remains animal feed, while most soybean oil goes to human food, Profit adds. But versatile soy can also help manufacturers replace petrochemicals and possible carcinogens in their products. Soy-based products are more renewable and environmentally friendly and in some cases, perform better.

Click here to browse USB's Soy Products Guide, an online catalog of the thousands of currently available soy-based products, ingredients and manufacturers.

New soy-based products and ingredients introduced in 2013 as a result of USB support include :

PLASTICS

MASEO (Maleinated Acrylated Epoxidized Soybean Oil) - A soybean-oil-based resin used to make plastic. It is made by Dixie Chemical Company, Inc.
Innergy™ Rigid Thermal Reinforcements - A fiberglass and soy-based urethane
insert that slides into window frames for greater support and insulation. It is marketed by Deceuninck North America.
INFIGREEN® Recycled Polyols - Produced by Emery Oleochemicals, and are used in foam seats of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango.

COATINGS /PRINTING INKS/SOLVENTS

SoBind™ Balance - By DuPont™ is used in coatings and adhesives.
Varathane Diamond Floor - A wood-floor coating containing soy flour. It is made by Rust-Oleum®.
G.E.T. Biobased Safety Yellow - A zero-volatile-organic-compound (VOC) coating that contains soybean oil, biodiesel glycerin and soy methyl ester. It is made by Niemann & Associates.
ProClassic® - A multipurpose water-based soy acrylic alkyd primer, satin deck and siding product line made by Sherwin-Williams.
Pro-Park® - A soy- based parking-lot paint by Sherwin-Williams.

ADHESIVES

Meta-Tec® Products - Soy-based adhesive products for floor-covering installations, including carpet, resilient flooring and wood adhesives. They are made by W.F. Taylor Company.
PSA64MA - A soy-based material by Applied Protein Systems that is used in adhesives on paper cones where yarn and thread are wound.
Millenium One Step™ Green Insulation Adhesive - A soy-based, all-weather adhesive by ADCO used to install flooring.
Elemental - A soy-based wood-composite adhesive that is formaldehyde-free. It is available from States Industries.

PAPER

PSA35MA - A soy-based material used to coat paperboard. It is made by Applied Protein Systems.   
SUNKOTE® AU 4203 and 4240 - Soy-based products that are used as lubricants for paper and paperboard coatings. They are made by Omnova Solutions.

SURFACTANTS

Armeen® S - A corrosion inhibitor for oilfields that is made by Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry, LLC.
Ethomeen® S/12 - A cleansing surfactant for oilfields and dry cleaning that is made by Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry, LLC.
Arquad® SV 60 PG - A foaming, antistatic, emulsifier, wetting agent used in laundry products from Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry.
Larostat® 264A - An antistatic material that holds textile products together. It is made by BASF Corp.
Agnique® SBO 10 - A soybean oil used in agricultural products, manufactured by BASF Corp.
Comperlan® VOD - A thickener for personal-care products from BASF Corp.
Prifac™ 8953 - An emulsifying agent for household products. It is made by Croda, Inc.
HY-3200 Emulsiyfing Soy Wax - By Dow Corning Corp, a material that allows ingredients in personal-care products to smoothly blend together.
SERADOX NAD 20 - By Elementis Specialties, is an antistatic material for softening and smoothly blending personal-care products.  
LAMCHEM™ PE-130 K - Improves the taste of food products and also serves as a pressure lubricant on metals. It is made by Lambent Technologies Corp.
Lipovol® SOY - Adds a soft, smooth skin-feel to personal care products. It is made by Lipo Chemicals, Inc.
Chemonic™ SI-7Surfacant - Builds the thickness of personal-care products and stabilizes foam. It is made by Lubrizol Corp.
Schercomid™ SLL - Thickens personal care products. It is made by Lubrizol Corp.
Schercoquat™ SOAS-PG - A hair conditioner for personal care products made by Lubrizol Corp.
Quatrex™ S Conditioning Agent - A conditioning agent for personal-care products,
made by Lubrizol Corp.
Amidex™ S Surfactant - Helps create personal-care products that foam and feel like soap. It is made by Lubrizol Corp.
Chembetaine™ S-FA Surfactant - Adds special properties for personal-care products. It is manufactured and marketed by Lubrizol Corp.
Chemoxide™ SO Surfactant - Offsets hard water in household/personal-care products. It is made byLubrizol Corp.
Potassium Soyate - A soy soap with glycerin as a moisturizer, made by Lubrizol Corp.
ACCOSOFT® 750 - Used as a fabric softener for laundry products. It is made by Stepan Company.
PETROSTEP® Q-50S - A unique ingredient used in oilfields as a down-hole corrosion inhibitor. It is made by Stepan Company.

EMERGING INDUSTRIAL OPPORTUNITIES

SoBind™ HARMONY, Impression and CLARITY - Soy polymers that replace harsh synthetic and animal-based ingredients in a variety of products to make the products thicker, smoother and more colorful. They are made by DuPont™.

The 70 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

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The United States is facing a growing retirement crisis: the retirement income deficit - i.e., the difference between what people have saved for retirement and what they should have at this point - is at least $6.6 trillion. Today, 75 million working Americans do not have a retirement plan and half of all Americans have less than $10,000 in savings. Only one in five people has a defined-benefit pension plan, and half of workers have no plan at all.

To tackle this growing retirement crisis, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Tom Harkin recently introduced the Universal, Secure, and Adaptable (USA) Retirement Funds Act. This major legislative initiative tackles the growing retirement crisis and aims to rebuild the private pension system. Harkin's legislation would create a new type of privately-run retirement plan that combines the advantages of traditional pensions?including lifetime income benefits and pooled, professional management?with the portability and ease for employers of a 401(k).

There is strong public support for reforming the retirement system. A recent study by the National Institute for Retirement Security found a majority of Americans agree there is a need for a strong, universal pension system, and 90 percent favor a plan that is available to all Americans, is portable, and provides a monthly check throughout retirement.

What Are Some of the Key Features of USA Retirement Funds?

• Universal Coverage: USA Retirement Funds would be available to everyone, including the more than 61 million people without access to a workplace retirement plan and the 14.5 million people who are self-employed.

• Automatic Enrollment:  Employees would be automatically enrolled at a rate of 6 percent per year, but could choose to raise, lower, or stop their contributions.

• Secure Lifetime Income:  Benefits would be paid monthly for life, and participants would be shielded from market volatility and other risks.

• Lower Costs: Pooled, professional management and risk sharing will reduce the cost of retirement by up to 50 percent.

• Portability: People would be able to take their benefit with them as they change employers.

• Simple and Easy for Businesses: Small businesses can easily participate and would not have to take on risk or undue administrative burden.

How Would USA Retirement Funds Address the Retirement Crisis?

USA Retirement Funds address the retirement crisis by ensuring that the 75 million working people without a retirement plan - including 61 million without access to a workplace plan and 14.5 million self-employed workers - would, for the first time, have the opportunity to earn a safe and secure pension benefit. USA Retirement Funds would drastically increase the retirement savings through automatic enrollment while reducing the cost of retirement by up to 50 percent. Together with Senator Harkin's Strengthening Social Security Act (S.567), USA Retirement Funds would put our country on a path toward restoring the "three-legged stool" of retirement security and ensure that every American has a pension, Social Security, and the opportunity to save.

Why Are USA Retirement Funds Good For Business?

USA Retirement Funds would be good for business because they would make it easy for employers - especially small business owners - to offer quality retirement benefits. Current retirement plans make employers responsible and liable for all of the management and administration of the plan. USA Retirement Funds would relieve employers of that burden because the funds would be run by an independent board of trustees. All employers would have to do is help their employees enroll and send along employee contributions. Employers could make voluntary contributions if they want.

Why Are USA Retirement Funds Good For The Economy?

USA Retirement Funds will help millions of people save for retirement. All of that new savings will be invested into the economy, creating growth and new jobs. Because the funds are long-term investors, they would be able to provide much needed "patient capital" for entrepreneurs and innovators.

More information on the bill can be found in the Bill Snapshot, Bill Summary, and FAQ.

Widespread Support for the USA Retirement Funds Act

The USA Retirement Funds Act has garnered support from a broad range of advocates and experts, including: the Service Employees International Union (SEIU); Center for American Progress; Economic Policy Institute; National Council of La Raza; Robert B. Reich, former Secretary of Labor; Denise Bowyer, Vice President of American Income Life and board member of the American Sustainable Business Council Action Fund; Pension Rights Center; National Hispanic Council on Aging; Latinos for a Secure Retirement; Latinos for a Secure Retirement; National Retiree Legislative Network; Alliance for Retirement Americans; United Auto Workers; National Institute on Retirement Security; National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems; National Council on Teacher Retirement; Wider Opportunities for Women; and Jobs with Justice.

For more information, please contact Kate Cyrul Frischmann ( Kate_Frischmann@harkin.) or Allison Preiss ( Allison_Preiss@help.senate.).