SmartMeters cost more, could save money | WOOD TV8
The meters automatically report usage six times a day to Consumers Energy and can allow the company to control power to customers.
The new SmartMeters are more expensive than traditional meters -- Consumers will spend about $300 each, and that cost will get passed on to customers.
What a concept!
We pay more to give them (and the government!) more control over our lives!
Monday, April 30, 2012
GVSU pays 5x market value for Admiral
GVSU pays 5x market value for Admiral | WOOD TV8
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Grand Valley State University paid $1 million for a gas station near their downtown Grand Rapids campus and will tear it down in the summer to expand their footprint in the area.
But the Admiral Gas Station at 346 West Fulton is worth approximately $200,000, according to city records.
The assessed value of the property is $94,400, meaning the actual value is $188,800.
Huh?
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Grand Valley State University paid $1 million for a gas station near their downtown Grand Rapids campus and will tear it down in the summer to expand their footprint in the area.
But the Admiral Gas Station at 346 West Fulton is worth approximately $200,000, according to city records.
The assessed value of the property is $94,400, meaning the actual value is $188,800.
Huh?
Anything The Government Gives You, The Government Can Take Away
Guest Post: Anything The Government Gives You, The Government Can Take Away | ZeroHedge
A majority of doctors support measures to deny treatment to smokers and the obese, according to a survey that has sparked a row over the NHS‘s growing use of “lifestyle rationing”.
A majority of doctors support measures to deny treatment to smokers and the obese, according to a survey that has sparked a row over the NHS‘s growing use of “lifestyle rationing”.
Kids Count report looks at infant, maternal health
Kids Count report looks at infant, maternal health | mlive.com
A report on Michigan maternal and infant health says the number of low-birth-weight babies and babies born to unmarried women statewide is increasing.
The Michigan League for Human Services' Kids Count in Michigan report released Monday also says the state saw lower rates of teenage births and fewer premature births between 2000 and 2010.
The report calls for more funding to implement suggestions from a state infant mortality summit.
Follow the money!
A report on Michigan maternal and infant health says the number of low-birth-weight babies and babies born to unmarried women statewide is increasing.
The Michigan League for Human Services' Kids Count in Michigan report released Monday also says the state saw lower rates of teenage births and fewer premature births between 2000 and 2010.
The report calls for more funding to implement suggestions from a state infant mortality summit.
Follow the money!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Wind Farms Warming Texas
Wind Farms Warming Texas : Discovery News
New research finds that wind farms actually warm up the surface of the land underneath them during the night, a phenomena that could put a damper on efforts to expand wind energy as a green energy solution.
New research finds that wind farms actually warm up the surface of the land underneath them during the night, a phenomena that could put a damper on efforts to expand wind energy as a green energy solution.
Parts of Port Austin harbor to close this year
Parts of Port Austin harbor to close this year | mlive.com
PORT AUSTIN, Mich. (AP) — Renovations will close portions of Port Austin State Harbor this boating season.
Boat ramps, East Dock slips, some slips along the West Dock at the harbor in Huron County will be closed for the duration of the project.
Some West Dock slips will be available for transient boaters.
The three-phase project started in 2010.
PORT AUSTIN, Mich. (AP) — Renovations will close portions of Port Austin State Harbor this boating season.
Boat ramps, East Dock slips, some slips along the West Dock at the harbor in Huron County will be closed for the duration of the project.
Some West Dock slips will be available for transient boaters.
The three-phase project started in 2010.
Steven Malanga: How Retirement Benefits May Sink the States
Steven Malanga: How Retirement Benefits May Sink the States - WSJ.com
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel recently offered a stark assessment of the threat to his state's future that is posed by mounting pension and retiree health-care bills for government workers. Unless Illinois enacts reform quickly, he said, the costs of these programs will force taxes so high that,
"You won't recruit a business, you won't recruit a family to live here."
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel recently offered a stark assessment of the threat to his state's future that is posed by mounting pension and retiree health-care bills for government workers. Unless Illinois enacts reform quickly, he said, the costs of these programs will force taxes so high that,
"You won't recruit a business, you won't recruit a family to live here."
Feds eye retirement-fund tax to cut $16 trillion-plus deficit
Feds eye retirement-fund tax to cut $16 trillion-plus deficit - NYPOST.com
Uncle Sam, in a desperate attempt to fix its $16 trillion-plus deficit, is leering over Americans’ retirement nest egg as its new bailout fund.
Uncle Sam, in a desperate attempt to fix its $16 trillion-plus deficit, is leering over Americans’ retirement nest egg as its new bailout fund.
Fruitport school board makes nearly $1 million in cuts, ends principal contract
Fruitport school board makes nearly $1 million in cuts, ends principal contract | MLive.com
The school board’s budget reductions Monday cut the district’s anticipated shortfall for next year from $2.5 million to $1.56 million.
Superintendent Bob Szymoniak said other anticipated cuts will reduce the deficit to $700,000, which will be taken from the district’s estimated $2.5 million fund balance.
The school board’s budget reductions Monday cut the district’s anticipated shortfall for next year from $2.5 million to $1.56 million.
Superintendent Bob Szymoniak said other anticipated cuts will reduce the deficit to $700,000, which will be taken from the district’s estimated $2.5 million fund balance.
Departing Muskegon Heights High principal had mixed results as 'turnaround specialist'
Departing Muskegon Heights High principal had mixed results as 'turnaround specialist' | MLive.com
Hired to “turn around" academic performance at Muskegon Heights High School, Kathryn Curry had mixed results in her two years with the district.
Hired to “turn around" academic performance at Muskegon Heights High School, Kathryn Curry had mixed results in her two years with the district.
Muskegon County plans to re-enact closed session after lawsuit filed
Muskegon County plans to re-enact closed session after lawsuit filed | MLive.com
Muskegon County commissioners are planning to re-enact part of a meeting next month in response to a lawsuit.
Muskegon County commissioners are planning to re-enact part of a meeting next month in response to a lawsuit.
Norton Shores to hold taxes, services at current levels in 2013
Norton Shores to hold taxes, services at current levels in 2013 | MLive.com
City Council members, however, questioned whether that money could be better spent toward reducing the city’s pension liability for future retirees.
Council member A. Scott Rood said the city’s pensions are only 60 percent funded, and the city’s “road map” for funding has the $13 million only 80 percent funded by 2030.
“This is the elephant in the room and I think we can do better,” he said.
The council members agreed to transfer 2 percent of the city’s budget to pension liabilities, lowering the fund balance to 15 percent.
The 2 percent transfer would be about $174,000, on top of roughly $40,000 the city was already planning to put toward pensions, Huston said.
Rood said chipping away at the pension liability over time would be in the city’s long-term interest.
“We’ve learned tonight that there is no major bullet that we can throw $1 million or $1.5 million at the pension liability,” he said.
City Council members, however, questioned whether that money could be better spent toward reducing the city’s pension liability for future retirees.
Council member A. Scott Rood said the city’s pensions are only 60 percent funded, and the city’s “road map” for funding has the $13 million only 80 percent funded by 2030.
“This is the elephant in the room and I think we can do better,” he said.
The council members agreed to transfer 2 percent of the city’s budget to pension liabilities, lowering the fund balance to 15 percent.
The 2 percent transfer would be about $174,000, on top of roughly $40,000 the city was already planning to put toward pensions, Huston said.
Rood said chipping away at the pension liability over time would be in the city’s long-term interest.
“We’ve learned tonight that there is no major bullet that we can throw $1 million or $1.5 million at the pension liability,” he said.
Spanish unemployment hits record 5.64 million
BBC News - Spanish unemployment hits record 5.64 million
The number of unemployed people reached 5,639,500 at the end of March, with the unemployment rate hitting 24.4%, the national statistics agency said.
The number of unemployed people reached 5,639,500 at the end of March, with the unemployment rate hitting 24.4%, the national statistics agency said.
U.S. ban sought on cell phone use while driving
U.S. ban sought on cell phone use while driving | Reuters
U.S. TransportationSecretary Ray LaHood called on Thursday for a federal law to bantalking on a cell phone or texting while driving any type ofvehicle on any road in the country.
Tough federal legislation is the only way to deal with whathe called a "national epidemic," he said at a distracted-drivingsummit in San Antonio, Texas
U.S. TransportationSecretary Ray LaHood called on Thursday for a federal law to bantalking on a cell phone or texting while driving any type ofvehicle on any road in the country.
Tough federal legislation is the only way to deal with whathe called a "national epidemic," he said at a distracted-drivingsummit in San Antonio, Texas
Incredible Shrinking Country
Incredible Shrinking Country - NYTimes.com
But one developed nation is making “Children of Men” look particularly prophetic.
In Japan, birthrates are now so low and life expectancy so great that the nation will soon have a demographic profile that matches that of the American retirement community of Palm Springs.
But one developed nation is making “Children of Men” look particularly prophetic.
In Japan, birthrates are now so low and life expectancy so great that the nation will soon have a demographic profile that matches that of the American retirement community of Palm Springs.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Chaperones among new Secret Service conduct rules
My Way News - Chaperones among new Secret Service conduct rules
Embarrassed by a prostitution scandal, the Secret Service will assign chaperones on some trips to enforce new rules of conduct that make clear that excessive drinking, entertaining foreigners in their hotel rooms and cavorting in disreputable establishments are no longer tolerated.
Embarrassed by a prostitution scandal, the Secret Service will assign chaperones on some trips to enforce new rules of conduct that make clear that excessive drinking, entertaining foreigners in their hotel rooms and cavorting in disreputable establishments are no longer tolerated.
In apparent first, a public pension plan files for bankruptcy
In apparent first, a public pension plan files for bankruptcy - Pensions & Investments
In what's believed to be a first by a public pension plan, the Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund, Saipan, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Tuesday.
In what's believed to be a first by a public pension plan, the Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund, Saipan, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Tuesday.
Record Subpar Economic Growth Streak Now 6 Years
Record Subpar Economic Growth Streak Now 6 Years
The U.S. economy expanded at a 2.2% annual rate in the first quarter, somewhat below expectations.
But it also marked a new milestone for economic futility.
U.S. GDP hasn’t risen 4% or more in any quarter since the first quarter of 2006.
That’s the longest such stretch on record going back to 1950
The U.S. economy expanded at a 2.2% annual rate in the first quarter, somewhat below expectations.
But it also marked a new milestone for economic futility.
U.S. GDP hasn’t risen 4% or more in any quarter since the first quarter of 2006.
That’s the longest such stretch on record going back to 1950
Friday, April 27, 2012
8 Reasons Why Today’s Occupiers Are Tomorrow’s Tea Partiers
PJ Media » 8 Reasons Why Today’s Occupiers Are Tomorrow’s Tea Partiers
Something creepy is happening in Minnesota.
A dialogue has begun between the Tea Party and Occupy movements.
Stranger still, it may be leading somewhere.
Something creepy is happening in Minnesota.
A dialogue has begun between the Tea Party and Occupy movements.
Stranger still, it may be leading somewhere.
House Votes To Raise Cyber School Cap
House Votes To Raise Cyber School Cap [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
One House Democrat, Rep. Shanelle Jackson, D-Detroit, voted for the legislation.
In December, Rep. Jackson was the only House Democrat to vote in favor of lifting the cap on the number of charter schools in Michigan.
“What this legislation does for me; is give people - working class people – more choices,” she said during the House floor debate.
One House Democrat, Rep. Shanelle Jackson, D-Detroit, voted for the legislation.
In December, Rep. Jackson was the only House Democrat to vote in favor of lifting the cap on the number of charter schools in Michigan.
“What this legislation does for me; is give people - working class people – more choices,” she said during the House floor debate.
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