Monday, November 19, 2012
Burgess-Norton pollution found to be spreading in Muskegon neighborhoods; citizens concerned
Burgess-Norton pollution found to be spreading in Muskegon neighborhoods; citizens concerned | MLive.com
“We have known of a Nims Street contamination issue since 2006,” Hopkins said. “There are several plumes of pollution in that area. Some of that we can specifically tie to Burgess-Norton.”
“We have known of a Nims Street contamination issue since 2006,” Hopkins said. “There are several plumes of pollution in that area. Some of that we can specifically tie to Burgess-Norton.”
The States Fight In the Last Ditch Against Obamacare
The American Spectator : The States Fight In the Last Ditch Against Obamacare
The Cato Institute's Michael Cannon explains, "defaulting to a federal exchange exempts a state'semployers from the employer mandate -- a tax of $2,000 per workerper year."
This is why more than half of the 50 have opted not toset up state-run exchanges.
The Cato Institute's Michael Cannon explains, "defaulting to a federal exchange exempts a state'semployers from the employer mandate -- a tax of $2,000 per workerper year."
This is why more than half of the 50 have opted not toset up state-run exchanges.
Tim Skubick: Governor proposes way to stabilize funding for firefighters, cops and other essential local services
Tim Skubick: Governor proposes way to stabilize funding for firefighters, cops and other essential local services | MLive.com
Instead of a tax cut that everyone else received, the big guys were tagged with a defacto tax increase. They muttered about it but were told to be patient.
So they’ve been waiting on the sidelines for their turn and that is at hand with a proposed repeal of the personal property tax (PPT) on business equipment.
The governor has hatched a new deal to grant tax relief for the manufacturers while at the same time restoring money to local governments that deeply rely on the PPT to fund their firefighters, cops and other essential services.
The repeal of the PPT costs locals $800 million and some loose change, so you can see why they are worried.
Already whacked by the loss of state revenue sharing and declining local property tax collections, another $800 million hit is the equivalent of Hurricane Sandy hitting the mitten-state.
The governor’s solution is to re-allocate (a.k.a. steal) 1.5% of the money collected on the state use tax, which is basically a tax on business equipment that comes in over state lines.
The revenue would repay about 90% of what the cities and townships lose.
The locals were worried that in order to receive the payback, they would have to beg the legislature every year to do it.
With the turnover in those ranks, there was no guarantee that future salons might help.
Instead of a tax cut that everyone else received, the big guys were tagged with a defacto tax increase. They muttered about it but were told to be patient.
So they’ve been waiting on the sidelines for their turn and that is at hand with a proposed repeal of the personal property tax (PPT) on business equipment.
The governor has hatched a new deal to grant tax relief for the manufacturers while at the same time restoring money to local governments that deeply rely on the PPT to fund their firefighters, cops and other essential services.
The repeal of the PPT costs locals $800 million and some loose change, so you can see why they are worried.
Already whacked by the loss of state revenue sharing and declining local property tax collections, another $800 million hit is the equivalent of Hurricane Sandy hitting the mitten-state.
The governor’s solution is to re-allocate (a.k.a. steal) 1.5% of the money collected on the state use tax, which is basically a tax on business equipment that comes in over state lines.
The revenue would repay about 90% of what the cities and townships lose.
The locals were worried that in order to receive the payback, they would have to beg the legislature every year to do it.
With the turnover in those ranks, there was no guarantee that future salons might help.
Solution: The governor would create an entity outside of government to be a pass through vehicle through which the locals get their money without a legislative vote.
While that sounds good, future lawmakers could change that down the road after this governor leaves or even before.
The locals were worried that in order to receive the payback, they would have to beg the legislature every year to do it.
Plus you’ll likely have some push back from those who now get the 1.5% of the use tax and don't want to share it with anybody else.
Hefty School Employee Pensions Burden State Taxpayers
Hefty School Employee Pensions Burden State Taxpayers [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
When Flint Community Schools Superintendent Linda Thompson made news that she was going to retire, what was missed was the fiscal impact of her leaving the school system.
Thompson worked 36 years for the Flint school district and will be 57 when she retires.
A public school employee who worked 36 years for Flint schools and made Thompson's average salary of $175,649 the past three years would earn a pension of $94,850 a year.
If that 57-year-old retiree received a pension for the 26 years of his or her life expectancy with a 3 percent cost of living annual increase, it would grow to $204,552 a year.
"They are getting lavish benefits from an underfunded pension system,” said James Hohman, a fiscal policy analyst with the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.
"But the terms are the terms.
The problem with the pension system is the politicians don’t put enough money aside for it.
It's not her fault that politicians can't be trusted to manage a pension."
Thompson's benefits are part of the guarantees written into the contracts she worked under in her time in the district. The generous terms highlight the need for serious reform of the taxpayer-funded teacher pensions systems.The Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System’s unfunded liability has reached $22.4 billion.
One reason is the state tacks on a 3-percent annual cost of living adjustment to many of the pensions of public school retirees...
A 2010 study done by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy found that only 6 of 24 major private companies in Michigan had a defined benefit pension plan similar to what teachers are offered.
And none of the 24 private companies offered cost-of-living increases.
When Flint Community Schools Superintendent Linda Thompson made news that she was going to retire, what was missed was the fiscal impact of her leaving the school system.
Thompson worked 36 years for the Flint school district and will be 57 when she retires.
A public school employee who worked 36 years for Flint schools and made Thompson's average salary of $175,649 the past three years would earn a pension of $94,850 a year.
If that 57-year-old retiree received a pension for the 26 years of his or her life expectancy with a 3 percent cost of living annual increase, it would grow to $204,552 a year.
"They are getting lavish benefits from an underfunded pension system,” said James Hohman, a fiscal policy analyst with the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.
"But the terms are the terms.
The problem with the pension system is the politicians don’t put enough money aside for it.
It's not her fault that politicians can't be trusted to manage a pension."
Thompson's benefits are part of the guarantees written into the contracts she worked under in her time in the district. The generous terms highlight the need for serious reform of the taxpayer-funded teacher pensions systems.The Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System’s unfunded liability has reached $22.4 billion.
One reason is the state tacks on a 3-percent annual cost of living adjustment to many of the pensions of public school retirees...
A 2010 study done by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy found that only 6 of 24 major private companies in Michigan had a defined benefit pension plan similar to what teachers are offered.
And none of the 24 private companies offered cost-of-living increases.
Feds gave battery firm $1M on day of bankruptcy filing
USA TODAY: Electric car battery maker A123 Systems received a $946,830 check from the U.S. Energy Department on the day it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month -- providing more ammunition for critics who say the Obama administration is blindly funding failed clean energy companies.
The Waltham, Mass.-based company also told two U.S. senators in a letter this week that it may seek more money from the $249.1-million Energy Department stimulus award it won in 2009.
A123's Oct. 16 check was the latest payment as part of the original grant, which is distributed incrementally as the company meets certain benchmarks.
The Waltham, Mass.-based company also told two U.S. senators in a letter this week that it may seek more money from the $249.1-million Energy Department stimulus award it won in 2009.
A123's Oct. 16 check was the latest payment as part of the original grant, which is distributed incrementally as the company meets certain benchmarks.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Mexican company eyes bankrupt Hostess Brands as Twinkies loyalists snatch the sweet confections off shelves in a frenzy
Mexican company eyes bankrupt Hostess Brands as Twinkies loyalists snatch the sweet confections off shelves in a frenzy | Mail Online
Mexican company Grupo Bimbo is reportedly eyeing Hostess Brands
Mexican company Grupo Bimbo is reportedly eyeing Hostess Brands
Downgrade Diary: Waiting for the Return of the Old Gods
Downgrade Diary: Waiting for the Return of the Old Gods
That's the real message of the election: There is no electoral majority of any significance either for either stimulus economics or cutback economics.
Obama has no mandate; he merely was better in rousing his base for one day.
Romney, even if he had squeaked out a "victory," would have had no backing for trying to reverse our headlong plunge toward the abyss.
We don't have the vision and/or guts to make the choices that could save us; so the crash will come.
Maybe there isn't a way.
Maybe we've gone too far; maybe as has been said democracy ends when 50.1 percent of the voters realize they can plunder the rich and the public treasury.
Maybe the mass delusion that we can magically create wealth is too widespread.
My main consolation is that the change will uproot many of the delusions that have sprouted up.
My main fear is that history shows this is never, ever, a peaceful process.
That's the real message of the election: There is no electoral majority of any significance either for either stimulus economics or cutback economics.
Obama has no mandate; he merely was better in rousing his base for one day.
Romney, even if he had squeaked out a "victory," would have had no backing for trying to reverse our headlong plunge toward the abyss.
We don't have the vision and/or guts to make the choices that could save us; so the crash will come.
Maybe there isn't a way.
Maybe we've gone too far; maybe as has been said democracy ends when 50.1 percent of the voters realize they can plunder the rich and the public treasury.
Maybe the mass delusion that we can magically create wealth is too widespread.
My main consolation is that the change will uproot many of the delusions that have sprouted up.
My main fear is that history shows this is never, ever, a peaceful process.
Swipe Fees: The Hidden Tax the Candidates Never Discussed
Swipe Fees: The Hidden Tax the Candidates Never Discussed | RealClearPolitics
Every American household on average pays about $427 a year in the swipe fee “tax.”
Banks have a right to charge for the use of their cards and make a profit if they earn it; however, they don’t have a right to price-fix, which is exactly what they are doing.
Visa and MasterCard each set the fees for their banks, and none of the banks compete.
Every American household on average pays about $427 a year in the swipe fee “tax.”
Banks have a right to charge for the use of their cards and make a profit if they earn it; however, they don’t have a right to price-fix, which is exactly what they are doing.
Visa and MasterCard each set the fees for their banks, and none of the banks compete.
Pallywood Body Double
Pallywood Body Double - By Mark Steyn - The Corner - National Review Online
So today the Palestinian Association of Hamilton (Ontario) held a rally to protest the brutal Israeli violence rained down on the people of Gaza.
To promote the event, they used a heartrending picture of an innocent Palestinian baby bloodily injured by the Israeli war machine’s indiscriminate bombing raids on Gaza.
Unfortunately, the innocent Palestinian baby turns out to be an innocent Israeli baby bloodily injured by Palestinian rockets in the Hamas attack on Kiryat Malachi.
Oh, well. Close enough for the western media.
So today the Palestinian Association of Hamilton (Ontario) held a rally to protest the brutal Israeli violence rained down on the people of Gaza.
To promote the event, they used a heartrending picture of an innocent Palestinian baby bloodily injured by the Israeli war machine’s indiscriminate bombing raids on Gaza.
Unfortunately, the innocent Palestinian baby turns out to be an innocent Israeli baby bloodily injured by Palestinian rockets in the Hamas attack on Kiryat Malachi.
Oh, well. Close enough for the western media.
How Free Speech Died on Campus
The Weekend Interview with Greg Lukianoff: How Free Speech Died on Campus - WSJ.com
At Western Michigan University, it is considered harassment to hold a "condescending sex-based attitude."
At Western Michigan University, it is considered harassment to hold a "condescending sex-based attitude."
Saturday morning links | AEIdeas
Saturday morning links | AEIdeas:
6. Via Freakonomics: After affirmative action ended in CA, the minority graduation rate increased 4.4%, partly due to less academic mismatch.
6. Via Freakonomics: After affirmative action ended in CA, the minority graduation rate increased 4.4%, partly due to less academic mismatch.
Global warming stopped 16 years ago, reveals Met Office report quietly released... and here is the chart to prove it
Global warming stopped 16 years ago, reveals Met Office report quietly released... and here is the chart to prove it | Mail Online
The figures reveal that from the beginning of 1997 until August 2012 there was no discernible rise in aggregate global temperatures
This means that the ‘pause’in global warming has now lasted for about the same time as the previous period when temperatures rose, 1980 to 1996
The figures reveal that from the beginning of 1997 until August 2012 there was no discernible rise in aggregate global temperatures
This means that the ‘pause’in global warming has now lasted for about the same time as the previous period when temperatures rose, 1980 to 1996
How Free Speech Died On Campus
How Free Speech Died On Campus - Slashdot
"The WSJ catches up with FIRE's Greg Lukianoff and his crusade to expose how universities have become the most authoritarian institutions in America.
In Unlearning Liberty, Lukianoff notes that baby-boom Americans who remember the student protests of the 1960s tend to assume that U.S. colleges are still some of the freest places on earth.
But that idealized university no longer exists.
Today, university bureaucrats suppress debate with anti-harassment policies that function as de facto speech codes.
FIRE maintains a database of such policies on its website.
What they share, lifelong Democrat Lukianoff says, is a view of 'harassment' so broad and so removed from its legal definition that 'literally every student on campus is already guilty.'"
"The WSJ catches up with FIRE's Greg Lukianoff and his crusade to expose how universities have become the most authoritarian institutions in America.
In Unlearning Liberty, Lukianoff notes that baby-boom Americans who remember the student protests of the 1960s tend to assume that U.S. colleges are still some of the freest places on earth.
But that idealized university no longer exists.
Today, university bureaucrats suppress debate with anti-harassment policies that function as de facto speech codes.
FIRE maintains a database of such policies on its website.
What they share, lifelong Democrat Lukianoff says, is a view of 'harassment' so broad and so removed from its legal definition that 'literally every student on campus is already guilty.'"
Giant Sun Eruption Captured in NASA Video
Giant Sun Eruption Captured in NASA Video | Space.com
The prominences was so large, it expanded beyond the camera view of NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory
The prominences was so large, it expanded beyond the camera view of NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory
Susie Hughes asks constituents to join her at 'Brainstorming Breakfast' | MLive.com
Letters: Susie Hughes asks constituents to join her at 'Brainstorming Breakfast' | MLive.com
Muskegon Township Supervisor Dave Kieft Jr and I will be holding a "Breakfast Brainstorm" at Mr B’s Pancake house the first Monday of every month at 8 a.m.
We invite you to join us to share ideas to promote Muskegon Township residents, businesses, schools, parks and services, and ideas for the county’s role in achieving those goals.
Muskegon Township Supervisor Dave Kieft Jr and I will be holding a "Breakfast Brainstorm" at Mr B’s Pancake house the first Monday of every month at 8 a.m.
We invite you to join us to share ideas to promote Muskegon Township residents, businesses, schools, parks and services, and ideas for the county’s role in achieving those goals.
In 37 Chicago Precincts, Romney Received No Votes
Newsalert: In 37 Chicago Precincts, Romney Received No Votes
In 37 Chicago Precincts, Romney Received No Votes
In 37 Chicago Precincts, Romney Received No Votes
NBC Chicago reports:
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that in 59 Philadelphia precincts, Mitt Romney did not receive a single vote. So Ward Room decided to look at the results in the president’s hometown, and see if he won as many shutouts here. The answer: no. Romney was rejected by every voter in only 37 Chicago precincts, an embarrassing result, given that segregation and Machine politics are two of our city’s most notable qualities.Any doubt there was some vote fraud? Check out this comment on NBC Chicago's website:
In critical swing states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois there are a lot of precincts in Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Chicago which reported 100% of their votes cast for Obama. These add up to many 10's of thousands of votes for Obama and 0 for Romney. I repeat, 0 for Romney. I have read a number of articles about this and people knowlegable in Political Science and Statistics are starting to take notice of this.Statistically, even if among 10's of thousands of voters all wanted to vote for Obama, it would not be possible to receive 100% of the vote because at least a few would make a mistake and vote incorrectly for Romney. Not to mention the fact that a least a few of those 10's of thousands might actually disagree with Obama. These types of election returns are only seen in countries run by dictators.Just a reminder to those who want to get rid of the electoral college: corrupt Chicago voting practices could and would determine an election. Vote fraud occurs in Chicago because the U.S. Attorney doesn't want to conduct a simple investigation of those 37 precincts. Is there similar hand writing on any of those ballots ? Did any dead people vote ? Since Chicago lost 6.9% of its population in the 2010 Census : were any of those 37 precincts in the declining population wards? Maybe, if Chicago had a legitimate U.S. Attorney some of these questions would be answered. No word on this story from "alleged" former crime fighter and Obama "protector" Patrick Fitzgerald. Is Barack Obama and the U.S. Attorney's Office afraid of this milk story???
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Democrat Ron Barber wins Gabby Giffords's seat in Arizona
Democrat Ron Barber wins Gabby Giffords's seat in Arizona - The Hill's Ballot Box
Barber had a 1,402-vote margin with more than 285,000 votes cast in the race.
The AP determined that with only 15,000 provisional ballots left to be counted in Pima County, McSally would be unable to overcome Barber's lead.
Barber had a 1,402-vote margin with more than 285,000 votes cast in the race.
The AP determined that with only 15,000 provisional ballots left to be counted in Pima County, McSally would be unable to overcome Barber's lead.
Audit of the Federal Reserve Reveals $16 Trillion in Secret Bailouts :
Audit of the Federal Reserve Reveals $16 Trillion in Secret Bailouts
$16,000,000,000,000.00 had been secretly given out to US banks and corporations and foreign banks everywhere from France to Scotland.
From the period between December 2007 and June 2010, the Federal Reserve had secretly bailed out many of the world’s banks, corporations, and governments.
The Federal Reserve likes to refer to these secret bailouts as an all-inclusive loan program, but virtually none of the money has been returned and it was loaned out at 0% interest.
$16,000,000,000,000.00 had been secretly given out to US banks and corporations and foreign banks everywhere from France to Scotland.
From the period between December 2007 and June 2010, the Federal Reserve had secretly bailed out many of the world’s banks, corporations, and governments.
The Federal Reserve likes to refer to these secret bailouts as an all-inclusive loan program, but virtually none of the money has been returned and it was loaned out at 0% interest.
Muskegon County Board backs spending $1 million on employee bonuses despite public outcry
Muskegon County Board backs spending $1 million on employee bonuses despite public outcry | MLive.com#incart_river#incart_river
The cost for the bonuses is being offset by reduced spending on employees' health insurance and prescription coverage, along with implementation of a wellness program.
County officials who support the bonuses contend they are better for the county than a raise, because the one-time payment won’t affect pensions and benefits programs.
The cost for the bonuses is being offset by reduced spending on employees' health insurance and prescription coverage, along with implementation of a wellness program.
County officials who support the bonuses contend they are better for the county than a raise, because the one-time payment won’t affect pensions and benefits programs.
ACLU: Long lines at Grand Rapids polls mean people must choose between voting or their paychecks
ACLU: Long lines at Grand Rapids polls mean people must choose between voting or their paychecks Guest column) | MLive.com
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- No one should have to decide between their paycheck and their vote.
But last Tuesday across Michigan, many people did.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- No one should have to decide between their paycheck and their vote.
But last Tuesday across Michigan, many people did.
Two large city of Muskegon labor contracts extended setting up critical negotations at the end of 2013 | MLive.com#incart_river#incart_river#incart_river#incart_river#incart_river
Two large city of Muskegon labor contracts extended setting up critical negotations at the end of 2013 | MLive.com
The city of Muskegon and its two major labor unions represented by the Service Employees International Union Local 517M have decided to put off issues of pay, benefits and contract provisions for a year.
But that sets up a consolidation of city contracts coming due at the end of 2013. This time next year the city will face some critical labor negotiations.
The Muskegon City Commission unanimously approved a one-year contract extension with the SEIU Local 517M for both the city clerical and public works employees.
The contract extensions continue current salaries, benefits and contract language through Dec. 31, 2013, according to City Manager Bryon Mazade.
“From our standpoint, we have decided not to negotiate a new contract at this time,” Mazade said. “We are avoiding the time, effort and cost of negotiating a new contract.”
The city of Muskegon and its two major labor unions represented by the Service Employees International Union Local 517M have decided to put off issues of pay, benefits and contract provisions for a year.
But that sets up a consolidation of city contracts coming due at the end of 2013. This time next year the city will face some critical labor negotiations.
The Muskegon City Commission unanimously approved a one-year contract extension with the SEIU Local 517M for both the city clerical and public works employees.
The contract extensions continue current salaries, benefits and contract language through Dec. 31, 2013, according to City Manager Bryon Mazade.
“From our standpoint, we have decided not to negotiate a new contract at this time,” Mazade said. “We are avoiding the time, effort and cost of negotiating a new contract.”
Obama Gave Gen. Petraeus And Wife Holly Big Government Salaries - Investors.com
Obama Gave Gen. Petraeus And Wife Holly Big Government Salaries - Investors.com
On top of Gen. Petraeus' sizable government salary, CNSNews reports that since last year his wife Holly, the victim of Petraeus' alleged affair with author Paula Broadwell, has been enjoying a $187,605 salary as an assistant director within the Dodd-Frank law's new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Obama has made sure the Petraeuses were well within the top 1% (courtesy of the 99%, of course), with a combined government-provided annual income not too far from $400,000.
The CFPB, which is expected to destroy thousands of small banks, is funded by the Federal Reserve, so Congress has no oversight over it.
Indeed, Mrs. Petraeus' post is not subject to Senate confirmation.
It may be months before the public knows what Gen. Petraeus knows about Bengazi, but when a president "invests" so much money in both you and your wife, where is your loyalty likely to go?
To the truth or your powerful patron?
On top of Gen. Petraeus' sizable government salary, CNSNews reports that since last year his wife Holly, the victim of Petraeus' alleged affair with author Paula Broadwell, has been enjoying a $187,605 salary as an assistant director within the Dodd-Frank law's new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Obama has made sure the Petraeuses were well within the top 1% (courtesy of the 99%, of course), with a combined government-provided annual income not too far from $400,000.
The CFPB, which is expected to destroy thousands of small banks, is funded by the Federal Reserve, so Congress has no oversight over it.
Indeed, Mrs. Petraeus' post is not subject to Senate confirmation.
It may be months before the public knows what Gen. Petraeus knows about Bengazi, but when a president "invests" so much money in both you and your wife, where is your loyalty likely to go?
To the truth or your powerful patron?
Sooner or later, first-time homebuyers will be eligible for state grant of $3,000-$5,000
Sooner or later, first-time homebuyers will be eligible for state grant of $3,000-$5,000 | MLive.com
MSHDA spokesperson Mary Lou Keenon said Friday the program won’t be ready to issue checks until after Jan. 1.
“It’s not in place yet.
It will be by the end of the year,” Keenon said.
“What we’re trying to do is make this as streamlined and accessible as possible.”
The program is part of a nationwide settlement with five mortgage lenders.
The program will be available to first-time homebuyers or homebuyers who have not owned a home for three years.
MSHDA spokesperson Mary Lou Keenon said Friday the program won’t be ready to issue checks until after Jan. 1.
“It’s not in place yet.
It will be by the end of the year,” Keenon said.
“What we’re trying to do is make this as streamlined and accessible as possible.”
The program is part of a nationwide settlement with five mortgage lenders.
The program will be available to first-time homebuyers or homebuyers who have not owned a home for three years.
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