Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Whitehall council member opposing Walmart: 'If we want a downtown, we have to fight for it'
Whitehall council member opposing Walmart: 'If we want a downtown, we have to fight for it' | MLive.com:
"The city council then voted to approve a resolution opposing Walmart's entrance into the small, close-knit community.
“I’m glad we did that so quickly,” Council member Tanya Cabala said. “If we want a downtown, we have to fight for it.”"
"The city council then voted to approve a resolution opposing Walmart's entrance into the small, close-knit community.
“I’m glad we did that so quickly,” Council member Tanya Cabala said. “If we want a downtown, we have to fight for it.”"
Study: Health overhaul to raise claims cost an average 32 percent
Study: Health overhaul to raise claims cost an average 32 percent : page all - NorthJersey.com:
"Medical claims costs — the biggest driver of health insurance premiums — will jump an average 32 percent for Americans' individual policies under President Barack Obama's overhaul, according to a study by the nation's leading group of financial risk analysts."
"Medical claims costs — the biggest driver of health insurance premiums — will jump an average 32 percent for Americans' individual policies under President Barack Obama's overhaul, according to a study by the nation's leading group of financial risk analysts."
The Prevailing Wage is now on Snyder's menu
The Prevailing Wage is now on Snyder's menu - Politics - The Detroit News:
"Michigan’s non-union, merit-shop construction companies are ready to do a great job for the taxpayers at a better price, and they’re not taking “no” for an answer.
The unions think all construction workers need to be paid 60 percent higher than the market rate, even though unions represent just 17 percent of the state’s construction workforce.
And construction is the only industry affected by the prevailing wage.
In a union stronghold like Michigan, politicians have historically been averse to taking on prevailing wage, despite the estimated $250 million per year in artificially-inflated wages paid out to union contractors by state and local governments.
Knowing it is often hard to get elected officials to do what’s best for job creators, the Association of Builders and Contractors of Michigan decided to first go after local communities that had local prevailing wage laws on the books."
"Michigan’s non-union, merit-shop construction companies are ready to do a great job for the taxpayers at a better price, and they’re not taking “no” for an answer.
The unions think all construction workers need to be paid 60 percent higher than the market rate, even though unions represent just 17 percent of the state’s construction workforce.
And construction is the only industry affected by the prevailing wage.
In a union stronghold like Michigan, politicians have historically been averse to taking on prevailing wage, despite the estimated $250 million per year in artificially-inflated wages paid out to union contractors by state and local governments.
Knowing it is often hard to get elected officials to do what’s best for job creators, the Association of Builders and Contractors of Michigan decided to first go after local communities that had local prevailing wage laws on the books."
Alameda County rewards boss: $400k…for life
Alameda County rewards boss: $400k…for life | Matier And Ross | an SFGate.com blog:
"Alameda County supervisors have really taken to heart the adage that government should run like a business — rewarding County Administrator Susan Muranishi with the Wall Street-like wage of $423,664 a year.
For the rest of her life.
According to county pay records, in addition to her $301,000 base salary, Muranishi receives:
– $24,000, plus change, in “equity pay’’ to guarantee that she makes at least 10 percent more than anyone else in the county.
– About $54,000 a year in “longevity” pay for having stayed with the county for more than 30 years.
– An annual performance bonus of $24,000.
– And another $9,000 a year for serving on the county’s three-member Surplus Property Authority, an ad hoc committee of the Board of Supervisors that oversees the sale of excess land.
Like other county executives, Muranishi also gets an $8,292-a-year car allowance."
"Alameda County supervisors have really taken to heart the adage that government should run like a business — rewarding County Administrator Susan Muranishi with the Wall Street-like wage of $423,664 a year.
For the rest of her life.
According to county pay records, in addition to her $301,000 base salary, Muranishi receives:
– $24,000, plus change, in “equity pay’’ to guarantee that she makes at least 10 percent more than anyone else in the county.
– About $54,000 a year in “longevity” pay for having stayed with the county for more than 30 years.
– An annual performance bonus of $24,000.
– And another $9,000 a year for serving on the county’s three-member Surplus Property Authority, an ad hoc committee of the Board of Supervisors that oversees the sale of excess land.
Like other county executives, Muranishi also gets an $8,292-a-year car allowance."
Muskegon County port committee sets spring and summer timeline for work goals
Muskegon County port committee sets spring and summer timeline for work goals | MLive.com:
"Muskegon County’s staff is taking the lead on some of the work projects.
But committee members say it’s not just a county project. It involves the participation of municipalities in the area and businesses across the region.
“We intend for this to be a regional thing,” Sabo said.
Committee member Ben Cross said the Muskegon port has few, if any, competitors when it comes to businesses in West Michigan looking to ship through a deep water port.
“There’s no major ports.
We’re the largest from the (Mackinac ) Bridge to here,” Cross said.
"Muskegon County’s staff is taking the lead on some of the work projects.
But committee members say it’s not just a county project. It involves the participation of municipalities in the area and businesses across the region.
“We intend for this to be a regional thing,” Sabo said.
Committee member Ben Cross said the Muskegon port has few, if any, competitors when it comes to businesses in West Michigan looking to ship through a deep water port.
“There’s no major ports.
We’re the largest from the (Mackinac ) Bridge to here,” Cross said.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Soaring Social Security disability rolls headed for collapse
National Editorial: Soaring Social Security disability rolls headed for collapse | WashingtonExaminer.com:
"In 2011, on average, one net person has been added to Social Security's Disability Insurance rolls (and 3.3 to its retirement program) for every five net new jobs created.
.......The federal government now spends more on disability than food stamps and welfare combined.
In 2009, DI began paying out more in benefits than it took in from payroll taxes.
By 2016, it is set to run out of money."
"In 2011, on average, one net person has been added to Social Security's Disability Insurance rolls (and 3.3 to its retirement program) for every five net new jobs created.
.......The federal government now spends more on disability than food stamps and welfare combined.
In 2009, DI began paying out more in benefits than it took in from payroll taxes.
By 2016, it is set to run out of money."
The harsh reality of life in the UK without shale gas and with a misguided faith in green energy
The harsh reality of life in the UK without shale gas and with a misguided faith in green energy | AEIdeas:
"......in the UK — they’re having a gas crisis, with low reserves, chronic shortages, price spikes, and rising gas and electric utility bills, which along with unseasonably cold winter weather, is potentially forcing more than one-third of UK households to turn off their heat entirely. "
"......in the UK — they’re having a gas crisis, with low reserves, chronic shortages, price spikes, and rising gas and electric utility bills, which along with unseasonably cold winter weather, is potentially forcing more than one-third of UK households to turn off their heat entirely. "
See who's undercutting GOP cries that Democrats are behind illegal voting in Michigan
Tim Skubick: See who's undercutting GOP cries that Democrats are behind illegal voting in Michigan | MLive.com:
"Are there some persons who are voting who should not be?
Yes, she observes. She sights a recent Pew Research Center study suggesting Michigan has more voters registered than there are citizens.
Or another federal analysis that shows 20 counties have more folks voting than reside in those counties."
"Are there some persons who are voting who should not be?
Yes, she observes. She sights a recent Pew Research Center study suggesting Michigan has more voters registered than there are citizens.
Or another federal analysis that shows 20 counties have more folks voting than reside in those counties."
Marriage and the Supreme Court
Review & Outlook: Marriage and the Supreme Court - WSJ.com
Liberals do not merely contend that laws based on sexual orientation lack any "rational basis." They also claim the only motivation for such laws is prejudice against gays. They therefore want the Court to designate homosexuals as a legally protected group like minorities or women and apply to Proposition 8 the highest levels of constitutional protection, called strict or heightened scrutiny.
Related Video
Editorial page editor Paul Gigot on why the evolving cultural debate over same-sex marriage is best settled democratically.
The Court has not used the equal protection clause to create a new category of people who need extra legal defenses in three decades, largely because doing so disrupts the ebb and flow of the ordinary political process. Such caution is prudent, especially here. Homosexuals are not disenfranchised like blacks in the mid-20th century, as the very progress of the gay rights movement shows.
Nine states and the District of Columbia now recognize same-sex marriages, up from zero less than a generation ago. Though the early states were ordered to do so by their courts, more recent gains came through legislatures, as in New York. Last year, proponents won three of three popular referenda in Maine, Maryland and Washington state. Through persuasion, gay marriage has come to enjoy a slight popular majority.
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero proposes $112 million city budget, eliminates $5 million deficit with streetlight fees
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero proposes $112 million city budget, eliminates $5 million deficit with streetlight fees | MLive.com:
"Under Bernero’s proposed budget, those fees would be assessed to BWL ratepayers on their monthly bills, an average cost of $46 per residential customer."
"Under Bernero’s proposed budget, those fees would be assessed to BWL ratepayers on their monthly bills, an average cost of $46 per residential customer."
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