Saturday, January 12, 2013
Drought Still Plagues US: Food Prices 'Going Up'
Drought Still Plagues US: Food Prices 'Going Up'
"Forecasts are for a four percent (price) increase in food this year, but I think that's on the low side if the drought continues," Gross said. "Food prices will likely be going up much more than the forecast."
Lack of rain and extremely warm temperatures—thought to be from global warming as well as natural climate changes— are blamed for the drought.
......And some 40 percent of the nation's corn crop goes to ethanol producers—and into the gas tanks of the nation's automobiles—putting more strain on food supplies."
"Forecasts are for a four percent (price) increase in food this year, but I think that's on the low side if the drought continues," Gross said. "Food prices will likely be going up much more than the forecast."
Lack of rain and extremely warm temperatures—thought to be from global warming as well as natural climate changes— are blamed for the drought.
......And some 40 percent of the nation's corn crop goes to ethanol producers—and into the gas tanks of the nation's automobiles—putting more strain on food supplies."
Friday, January 11, 2013
Commentary: It's Time to Repeal Prevailing Wage Law
Commentary: It's Time to Repeal Prevailing Wage Law [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
This "prevailing" wage is actually a premium wage that applies only to about a fifth of Michigan's construction workforce, according to the Union Membership and Coverage Database.
We conservatively estimate that the prevailing wage law adds $200 million annually to the cost of government construction projects in Michigan.
This "prevailing" wage is actually a premium wage that applies only to about a fifth of Michigan's construction workforce, according to the Union Membership and Coverage Database.
We conservatively estimate that the prevailing wage law adds $200 million annually to the cost of government construction projects in Michigan.
Bay City Repeals Prevailing Wage Ordinance
Bay City Repeals Prevailing Wage Ordinance [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
Late last night on a 5-4 vote, Bay City commissioners chose to repeal that city’s prevailing wage ordinance, something no city in Michigan may have ever done, to our knowledge.
A prevailing wage law mandates union scale wages on government funded construction projects, regardless of who wins the bid.
Late last night on a 5-4 vote, Bay City commissioners chose to repeal that city’s prevailing wage ordinance, something no city in Michigan may have ever done, to our knowledge.
A prevailing wage law mandates union scale wages on government funded construction projects, regardless of who wins the bid.
Davison woman wins national Sallie Mae sweepstakes to pay off student loans
Davison woman wins national Sallie Mae sweepstakes to pay off student loans | MLive.com
This was the first time Sallie Mae has done a sweepstakes to reward customers for paying loans on time.
The sweepstakes, which more than 7,000 people entered, was created to reward customers who have been making continued payments and are in good standing, with a six-month history of making on-time payments.
"We launched the contest to celebrate customers who make on time student loan payments," Sallie Mae spokesperson Nikki Lavoie said. "We really wanted to bring attention to our millions of customers who make on-time student loan payments."
This was the first time Sallie Mae has done a sweepstakes to reward customers for paying loans on time.
The sweepstakes, which more than 7,000 people entered, was created to reward customers who have been making continued payments and are in good standing, with a six-month history of making on-time payments.
"We launched the contest to celebrate customers who make on time student loan payments," Sallie Mae spokesperson Nikki Lavoie said. "We really wanted to bring attention to our millions of customers who make on-time student loan payments."
Michigan a Cigarette Smuggling Haven
Michigan a Cigarette Smuggling Haven [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"According to the Mackinac Center’s latest estimate of cigarette smuggling rates, Michigan is No. 10 nationally in the proportion of cigarettes being smoked here that are illegally smuggled in. "
"According to the Mackinac Center’s latest estimate of cigarette smuggling rates, Michigan is No. 10 nationally in the proportion of cigarettes being smoked here that are illegally smuggled in. "
Bloomberg Slaps Down Criticism of Painkiller Restriction Plan
Bloomberg Slaps Down Criticism of Painkiller Restriction Plan | Politicker: "Yesterday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and city officials unveiled a new initiative to limit supplies of prescription painkillers in the city’s emergency rooms as a way to combat what they described as a growing addiction problem in the region. "
Obama Signs Bill Giving Him Armed Protection For Life
» Obama Signs Bill Giving Him Armed Protection For Life Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!
"The irony of Obama seeking to surround himself with armed men for the rest of his life while simultaneously working to disarm the American people via a gun control agenda that is likely to be enforced via executive decree represents the height of hypocrisy.
But it’s not the first time that Obama has lauded the notion of responsible Americans using firearms to protect himself and his family while concurrently eviscerating that very same right for the American people.
During an ABC Nightline interview broadcast on December 26 yet recorded before the Sandy Hook shooting, Obama said one of the benefits of his re-election was the ability “to have men with guns around at all times,” in order to protect his daughters."
"The irony of Obama seeking to surround himself with armed men for the rest of his life while simultaneously working to disarm the American people via a gun control agenda that is likely to be enforced via executive decree represents the height of hypocrisy.
But it’s not the first time that Obama has lauded the notion of responsible Americans using firearms to protect himself and his family while concurrently eviscerating that very same right for the American people.
During an ABC Nightline interview broadcast on December 26 yet recorded before the Sandy Hook shooting, Obama said one of the benefits of his re-election was the ability “to have men with guns around at all times,” in order to protect his daughters."
Muskegon city planners unwilling to close Pine Street for new county jail; ask for meetings to resolve dispute
Muskegon city planners unwilling to close Pine Street for new county jail; ask for meetings to resolve dispute | MLive.com#incart_river
Planning commissioners Thursday afternoon unanimously voted to table a county request of the city to close off Pine Street from Myrtle Avenue to Walton Avenue.
The street closure would allow the county to build a jail extension on to the current facility stretching across Pine Street and into an adjacent county parking lot, county officials said.
The county’s jail consultant said the street closure would allow for the cheapest construction alternative and provide the safest and most efficient operation of the new jail.
Planning commissioners Thursday afternoon unanimously voted to table a county request of the city to close off Pine Street from Myrtle Avenue to Walton Avenue.
The street closure would allow the county to build a jail extension on to the current facility stretching across Pine Street and into an adjacent county parking lot, county officials said.
The county’s jail consultant said the street closure would allow for the cheapest construction alternative and provide the safest and most efficient operation of the new jail.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)