U.S. Senate's Hatch sees support for tax reform -

 

Though there are disagreements on the details, there is bipartisan support for tax reform in Congress," said Orrin Hatch, Republican chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, at a conference for tax lawyers, analysts and economists.

"Members of both parties have expressed their support for a tax overhaul. And, I believe there is real momentum to get something done on tax reform this year, if we remain committed. And, believe me, I’m committed," he said.

Hatch took over leadership of the committee this month when Republicans gained control of the Senate. He has divided the panel into five working groups. He said he expects to get recommendations from the groups "later this spring."

The groups are looking at the individual income tax, business income tax, savings and investment, international tax and community development and infrastructure.

The U.S. tax code has not been overhauled thoroughly in 28 years. In that time it has become riddled with loopholes. As a result, tax avoidance is a growing problem.

The loopholes, together with deep tax cuts some years ago, means the government does not raise enough revenue to pay its bills.

At the same time, tax experts also generally agree that the system is so complex and often contradictory that compliance costs are excessive and economic productivity is harmed.

The main obstacle to fixing the code is that special interest groups immediately leap to the defense of their particular loopholes whenever lawmakers start talking reform.

Finding a way to overcome the gridlock that results is a task that has defied Congress and the White House since 1986.

Hatch has laid out basic principles for reform. At the conference, he said he has the impression that Democratic President Barack Obama might be willing to do a deal on business tax reform alone, setting aside individual income tax issues.

"We need to lower corporate tax rates and transition toward a territorial tax system," Hatch said. A territorial system is one that would exempt all or most of the foreign profits of U.S. corporations from the corporate income tax.

"The Senate Finance Committee is already fully engaged in a very real tax reform effort ... My goal is to introduce such a bill and mark it up in the committee later this year," he said.

U.S. Senate's Hatch sees support for tax reform - Yahoo News

University of Illinois finalizes Solar Farm agreements

 

University of Illinois finalizes Solar Farm agreements

Jan 20, 2015

Construction to start this spring

CHAMPAIGN, IL (January 20, 2015) – Construction of a 5.87 megawatt (MW) Solar Farm on campus will begin in Spring 2015 after university and state officials approved power purchase and land lease agreements with Phoenix Solar South Farms, LLC.
Once installed, the Solar Farm will be one of the largest on-site university arrays in the country, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency statistics, producing 7.86 million kilowatt-hours per year, or approximately two percent of the electrical demand for the Urbana campus in fiscal year 2015.
Facilities & Services Executive Director Al Stratman said, “We are very pleased to see this long awaited agreement completed and signed, so the installation can begin. This unique and challenging project was only made possible through the dedication of many people working together and focused on achieving our renewable energy goals.”
In 2008, the chancellor signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, pledging to be carbon neutral by 2050. As a part of this commitment, specific goals for energy conservation and renewable energy were outlined in the 2010 Illinois Climate Action Plan. The Solar Farm will contribute toward the renewable energy used on campus for at least twenty years.
"The Solar Farm represents the success of numerous efforts, including those made by the many hard-working students committed to advancing renewable energy and environmental sustainability,” said Amy Liu, chair of the Student Sustainability Committee. “Its construction will be a historic project and a source of great pride for campus."
Established in California in 2010 as the U.S. subsidiary of Phoenix Solar AG, Phoenix Solar Inc. (www.phoenixsolar.us) is a leader in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of solar photovoltaic power plants in North America. Phoenix Solar Inc. will be the contractor for the Solar Farm installation and operation.
Dr. Murray Cameron, CEO & President of Phoenix Solar Inc. said, “We are proud to support the university’s efforts to achieve their renewable energy goals and applaud Illinois for being a leader in sustainability amongst higher education institutions.”
The 20.8 acre solar farm, to be located along the south side of Windsor Road between First Street and the railroad tracks, was first approved by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees in November 2012.

University of Illinois finalizes Solar Farm agreements

A sad day for Chicago--

 

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BREAKING NEWS ALERT

NYTimes.com

BREAKING NEWS
Friday, January 23, 2015 11:49 PM EST

Ernie Banks, the Eternally Hopeful Mr. Cub, Dies at 83

Ernie Banks, the greatest power-hitting shortstop of the 20th century and an unconquerable optimist whose sunny disposition never dimmed in 19 seasons with the perennially stumbling Chicago Cubs, died Friday. He was 83.

His death was announced on Major League Baseball’s website, which did not give a cause.

“It’s a beautiful day, let’s play two” became the mantra of the man known as Mr. Cub, a fixture in what he called the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. The most popular Cub ever in a franchise dating to the 1870s, Banks became as much an institution in Chicago as the first Mayor Daley, Studs Terkel, Michael Jordan and George Halas.

READ MORE »

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/24/sports/baseball/ernie-banks-the-eternally-hopeful-mr-cub-dies-at-83.html?emc=edit_na_20150123

Event Registration « Midway Village Museum

 

Immigration Symposium ~ Immigration: Opportunity or Crisis?

Description:

Sunday, February 28
10 am - 2:30 pm

Speakers
Dr. Neil Foley and Dr. Matthew J. Garcia

Community Panel
Mr. Paul Logli, Mr. Pat Winn, Ms. Sara Dady and Ms. Amy Heilman

Immigration reform is a contentious topic in Washington and the nation. In conjunction with the Museum’s new exhibit on
immigration, this symposium examines current issues. How has immigration impacted U.S. and Rockford societies? What is
the role of immigrant groups within American society, and has it changed over time? What are the challenges to assimilation?
How do public perception and the realities of assimilation compare and contrast? What are the missed opportunities
created by anti-immigrant feeling, and, conversely, are there any advantages? What are the advantages and disadvantages to
the resident population in bringing immigrants into society? Dr. Neil Foley, The Robert H. and Nancy Dedman Chair in History at Southern Methodist University, and Dr. Matthew J. Garcia, Director, School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies at Arizona State University, will both give lectures on immigration history and its impact on American society. Then, a panel of local experts, including the director of the United Way of the Rock River Valley, a lay representative of the Diocese of Rockford, an immigration attorney, and the director of the refugee program at Rock Valley College, will react to the two lectures and offer insights into the state of immigration in our community.

This program is funded in large part by the generous bequest of Dr. Louis and Violet Rubin from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois.

Registration
Online registration ends Wednesday, February 25.  You may call to make your reservation 815-397-9112.  Please make your registration early.  Seating is limited.

Cost
$5 per person

Sponsors
This program is part of the museum's Winter Lecture Series, sponsored by AARP.

Download The Winter Lecture Series Pamphlet
A pamphlet describing all the lectures in this series which runs through March is available.  You can download the pamphlet Winter_Lecture_Series_2015_Midway_Village_Museum.

If you have additional questions, please call 815-397-9112.

Event Registration « Midway Village Museum