USDA Helps Rural Communities Restore Water Systems Damaged by Disasters
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2017 – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced the award of two grants to help rural water and sewer utilities recover from recent and future natural disasters.
“USDA is a strong partner in the long-term recovery of rural communities after a season of devastating hurricanes,” Perdue said. “These grants will provide resources rural communities need to assess damage, develop rebuilding plans and get access to technical assistance and clean water. USDA is standing with these affected communities every step of the way.”
USDA is awarding the National Rural Water Association (NRWA) and the Rural Communities Assistance Partnership (RCAP) each a $500,000 grant. The funding is being provided through the Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grant program in USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Programs (WEP).
NRWA and RCAP will use the grants to provide training and technical assistance, onsite repairs, and utility management advice for rural water and sewer utilities impacted by disasters. These utilities serve communities that have 10,000 people or less. Many of them have very limited capacity after a catastrophic event to access immediate assistance for assessment and restoration. USDA’s assistance helps these small utilities recover faster and enables first responders, rural citizens and businesses to have access to clean water.
The grants also will be used to help rural utilities apply for Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) disaster programs, file insurance recovery claims, and strengthen operations and continuity of service plans in times of emergencies. Technical assistance will include assisting new and returning Rural Development WEP funding recipients to prepare applications for water and waste disposal loans and grants and other financing options to supplement their needs.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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Sens. Lee and Rubio to Introduce Child Tax Credit Refundability Amendment
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Mike Lee (R-UT) will introduce an amendment to the Senate tax bill that would give working American families a far larger share of tax relief than the existing bill currently does. Senators Rubio and Lee explained:
“We have a chance to do better by working families in this tax bill. Right now, 70 percent of the tax cuts we’re considering would go to businesses, and only 30 percent to individuals. This amendment would level the playing field for families, while still kick-starting national investment and growth. By increasing access to the Child Tax Credit, we can increase working family fairness and deliver overdue relief to America’s greatest investor class: our moms and dads.”
Specifically, the Rubio-Lee amendment would:
· Make the Child Tax Credit refundable up to payroll tax liability (15.3 percent of earnings).
· Fix the marriage penalty by reducing the income phaseout threshold for the Child Tax Credit to $250,000 for all non-married filing jointly filers.
· Index the Child Tax Credit to chained CPI in accordance with other individual-side provisions.
· Increase the corporate income tax rate to 22 percent, to fully pay for the above changes.
An online version of this release can be found here.
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With many students cramming for the next SAT test on Dec. 2, I'm writing to suggest a timely story idea for Weber Sentinel News on a survey that asks, "Is the final nail in the coffin for the SAT?”
Students who were the first cohort to take the new SAT (launched in 2016) have strong feelings about its major changes. That's according to the State of the SAT Survey, conducted by the researchers at Magoosh [https://magoosh.com]—an online solution that gives everyone access to enjoyable, affordable, and quality test prep. Magoosh polled its user base across the U.S. on the new SAT.
According to the survey:
Although educators thought the new SAT's expanded reading and writing sections would give students trouble, students still think math is the hardest section (44%).
Regardless of the overall positive response to the new SAT, 94% of students would recommend the ACT over the SAT.
These results pose the question: Has the SAT lost its dominance?
For those taking the Dec. 2 SAT, surveyed students recommend:
ADVISORY: Secretary Perdue in Arizona TOMORROW
(Washington, D.C., November 29, 2017) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will be in Phoenix, Arizona TOMORROW, Thursday, November 30th to deliver remarks to the Agriculture Retailers Association (ARA). He will also hold a roundtable with Arizona Department of Agriculture Director Mark Killian and Arizona agriculture leaders before touring Francis Roses Farm.
Secretary Perdue Delivers Remarks and Holds Media Availability
WHAT: Secretary Perdue will deliver remarks to the Agriculture Retailers Association (ARA) before holding a media availability.
WHEN: TOMORROW, Thursday, November 30th at 11:40 a.m. MST
WHERE: McArthur Ballroom at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, 2400 E Missouri Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85016.
*NOTE: The media availability will be Stage Right following the remarks.
Secretary Perdue Participates in Roundtable and Holds Media Availability
WHAT: Secretary Perdue will participate in a roundtable with Director Mark Killian and Arizona agriculture leaders before holding a media availability.
WHEN: TOMORROW, Thursday, November 30th at 1:30 p.m. MST
WHERE: Killian Ranch, 4741 East Southern Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85206
Secretary Perdue Tours Farm and Holds Media Availability
WHAT: Secretary Perdue will tour Francis Roses farm with its owner Tyler Francis before holding a media availability.
WHEN: TOMORROW, Thursday, November 30th at 3:55 p.m. MST
WHERE: Francis Roses farm, 7995 N Reems Road, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
*NOTE: Media interested in covering the events should RSVP to press@oc.usda.gov by TOMORROW, November 30th, at 10:00 a.m. ET.
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Utah Division of Water Resources to Announce 2017
H2Oath: Utah’s Water-Wise Pledge Competition Winner
When
Thursday, November 30, 2017, from 10 to 10:30 a.m.
What
Utah Division of Water Resources, Director Eric Mills, will announce the winner of H2Oath: Utah’s Water-Wise Pledge University Water War at Weber State University, Thursday, November 30, 2017. The division of water resources estimates that H2Oath commitments taken thus far could conserve water in Utah to the tune of tens of millions of gallons. Weber State University will be awarded a $5000 scholarship.
Why
Between drought and population growth, Utah needs to use water wisely. Ordinary precipitation will not correct the long-term drought conditions Utah has been experiencing for the past several years. Runoff and river flow conditions are expected to be below average as dry soil conditions require more moisture. Utah’s population is projected to increase substantially by 2065. Meeting future needs will require additional conservation. As Utahns work toward reaching Governor Herbert’s goal to conserve 25 percent more water by 2025, we applaud Utahns for their water-wise efforts. We also recognize more needs to be done.
Where
Weber State University
Shepherd Union Building
Sky Room, 404
3848 Harrison Blvd, Ogden, UT 84408
Who
Representatives from Utah Division of Water Resources
< >Eric Millis, Director
Todd Adams, Deputy Director
Faye Rutishauser, State Water Conservation Coordinator
Visuals
There will be a brief media event with speakers from a few of the above-mentioned organizations and an awards ceremony (gigantic-sized “checks” will be given to winners). Additionally, there will be an example of the H2Oath Pledge and water conservation experts to answer questions. Media members are encouraged to take the H2Oath.
