Year Ended December 31
2009 2008 2007
United States statutory rate 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
Impact of foreign income taxed at different rates (3.3) (1.1) (2.3)
Adjustments of prior year taxes (2.1) (1.9) (0.3)
Other impact of foreign operations (0.4) (1.1) 0.9
Valuation allowance 0.1 (2.0)
Other items, net 1.6 0.5 (0.2)
Total effective tax rate on continuing operations 30.8% 31.5% 26.3%