#650, Club Bulletin, May 8, 2017

Happy News: Melanie Alexander is pleased that the Muscatine Art Center is renovated and reopened. The Art Center will be celebrating being an historic site by the Historic Preservation Commission. Naomi De Winter is pleased Jerry Riibe's contract was renewed!! Jessica Wittman will be celebrating Cinco De Mayo in Chicago. Larry Hetzler noted that the Wandering Words Poetry Contest deadline has been extended to May 15, 2017. Cath Hahn reported on RYLA participation..noting we have 1 student signed up and spaces for 2 more. Deadline is May 15, 2017. Shane reminded us of the Tornado Disaster Fundraiser Pasta Bar tonight.

Program: Don Racheter provided an informative program on the Public Interest Institute founded as a Think Tank and now located in Muscatine at the Octagon Place. The PII formulates domestic policy on issues relating to Iowa. The main work is done regarding thinking, research and writing. 3 Briefs are published monthly. Policy studies are more lengthy and are 10-150 pages in length. These can be sent to your email if interested. One can become a member by going to the Public Interest Institute Website at www.limitedgovernment.org. Various questions were asked about specific issues with particular interest on the conclusions of the Revenue Estimating Committee who were not too accurate and estimating funds needed to meet the state's budget.