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."
Saturday, January 12, 2013
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.
Muskegon County courthouse $3 million renovation of first, second floors nearly done
Muskegon County courthouse $3 million renovation of first, second floors nearly done | MLive.com
More than three years and roughly $3 million later, a renovation of the first and second floors of Muskegon County’s Michael E. Kobza Hall of Justice is nearly complete.
More than three years and roughly $3 million later, a renovation of the first and second floors of Muskegon County’s Michael E. Kobza Hall of Justice is nearly complete.
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Zawdie Abiade launches mayoral campaign unlike any seen in the city of Muskegon
Zawdie Abiade launches mayoral campaign unlike any seen in the city of Muskegon | MLive.com
"There is no doubt that Abiade’s campaign is going to shake up the political landscape in the city and throughout the county.
But it will be the city voters in November who will decide whether the 59-year-old Muskegon political newcomer will, in the candidate’s words, “make history” and “change” Michigan."
"There is no doubt that Abiade’s campaign is going to shake up the political landscape in the city and throughout the county.
But it will be the city voters in November who will decide whether the 59-year-old Muskegon political newcomer will, in the candidate’s words, “make history” and “change” Michigan."
ELIMINATIONIST RHETORIC: Teachers union leader jokes about killing the rich.
Instapundit » Blog Archive » ELIMINATIONIST RHETORIC: Teachers union leader jokes about killing the rich.
"JANUARY 9, 2013
ELIMINATIONIST RHETORIC: Teachers union leader jokes about killing the rich.
But this is my favorite part:
“The thing is, [the rich] think nothing about killing us,” she said. “They think nothing about putting our people in harm’s way. They think nothing about lethal working conditions.”
She cited the fact that not all Chicago schools have air conditioning as evidence that the union’s opponents want teachers to work in dangerous conditions.
Well, that is dangerous when you’re morbidly obese, I guess. (See photo).
Plus this:
Lewis is no stranger to controversial comments. In the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting, she charged Teach for America with helping to “kill and disenfranchise children from schools across the nation.”
Nice to know that someone like this is playing a major role in America’s public education system."
"JANUARY 9, 2013
ELIMINATIONIST RHETORIC: Teachers union leader jokes about killing the rich.
But this is my favorite part:
“The thing is, [the rich] think nothing about killing us,” she said. “They think nothing about putting our people in harm’s way. They think nothing about lethal working conditions.”
She cited the fact that not all Chicago schools have air conditioning as evidence that the union’s opponents want teachers to work in dangerous conditions.
Well, that is dangerous when you’re morbidly obese, I guess. (See photo).
Plus this:
Lewis is no stranger to controversial comments. In the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting, she charged Teach for America with helping to “kill and disenfranchise children from schools across the nation.”
Nice to know that someone like this is playing a major role in America’s public education system."
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Breast Cancer Screenings Cost Medicare $1 Billion Annually
Breast Cancer Screenings Cost Medicare $1 Billion Annually - ABC News
"Medicare spends almost as much money screening for breast cancer as it does treating it, according to a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Breast cancer screenings cost Medicare $1.08 billion annually, lead researcher Dr. Cary Gross and his team at the Yale School of Medicine found.
Given that Medicare spends $1.36 billion a year on breast cancer treatment, Gross said he expected the screenings costs to be much lower."
"Medicare spends almost as much money screening for breast cancer as it does treating it, according to a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Breast cancer screenings cost Medicare $1.08 billion annually, lead researcher Dr. Cary Gross and his team at the Yale School of Medicine found.
Given that Medicare spends $1.36 billion a year on breast cancer treatment, Gross said he expected the screenings costs to be much lower."
Monday, January 07, 2013
Fiscal Cliffhanger Ends Likes Always: Spending Goes Up, Revenue Gap Grows
Fiscal Cliffhanger Ends Likes Always: Spending Goes Up, Revenue Gap Grows - Investors.com
"The prevailing political realities of the United States do not allow for any meaningful course correction. And, without meaningful course correction, America is doomed."
Washington keeps proving the point.
The political class has just spent two months on a down-to-the-wire nail-biting white-knuckle thrill-ride negotiation the result of which is more business as usual
"The prevailing political realities of the United States do not allow for any meaningful course correction. And, without meaningful course correction, America is doomed."
Washington keeps proving the point.
The political class has just spent two months on a down-to-the-wire nail-biting white-knuckle thrill-ride negotiation the result of which is more business as usual
Sunday, January 06, 2013
Stark Evidence of US, British Naval Decline
Blog: Stark Evidence of US, British Naval Decline
"The re-emergence of what used to called "privateers" (Sir Francis Drake is the most famous example from history) is the latest sign of outsourcing or abandonment of traditional military functions by Western nations whose militaries have contracted to pinpoint-size in the wake of the growth of the modern welfare state.
Private security and private armies -- again, once known to history as "mercenaries," are another aspect of this trend."
"The re-emergence of what used to called "privateers" (Sir Francis Drake is the most famous example from history) is the latest sign of outsourcing or abandonment of traditional military functions by Western nations whose militaries have contracted to pinpoint-size in the wake of the growth of the modern welfare state.
Private security and private armies -- again, once known to history as "mercenaries," are another aspect of this trend."
MichiganVotes.org Weekly Roll Call
December 27, 2012, MichiganVotes.org Weekly Roll Call [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
Individual legislators missed 2,234 votes in 2012, according to MichiganVotes.org 'Missed Votes Report'
Individual legislators missed 2,234 votes in 2012, according to MichiganVotes.org 'Missed Votes Report'
Peg West: Our reader panel is a special Muskegon-area sounding board
Peg West: Our reader panel is a special Muskegon-area sounding board | MLive.com
One way we are doing that is through a local reader panel.
We started it last year, and like to switch it up about every six months.
Weplan to start with a new group in coming weeks.
The brainchild of our community engagement specialist, PaulaHolmes-Greeley, this panel of citizens agrees to be a sounding board for theissues of our day, and to react quickly when necessary to whatever may crop up.
They also are asked to make a special effort to participatein our comments section, and will do so by name.
One way we are doing that is through a local reader panel.
We started it last year, and like to switch it up about every six months.
Weplan to start with a new group in coming weeks.
The brainchild of our community engagement specialist, PaulaHolmes-Greeley, this panel of citizens agrees to be a sounding board for theissues of our day, and to react quickly when necessary to whatever may crop up.
They also are asked to make a special effort to participatein our comments section, and will do so by name.
County Prevailing Wage Law Could Add Millions To Taxpayer Costs
County Prevailing Wage Law Could Add Millions To Taxpayer Costs [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
On Dec. 13, Muskegon County Administrator Bonnie Hammersley told Michigan Capitol Confidential that she'd prefer the prevailing wage ordinance not apply to the jail project.
"My understanding is that if we don't have federal dollars in it, we don't need to use prevailing wage," Hammersley said.
"We won't use it unless we have to, because it’s an administrative burden. It adds to the cost."
Heath Kaplan, Muskegon County finance and management services director said the county’s prevailing wage ordinance would apply to the jail project.
Kaplan was asked if the ordinance would add $2 million or more to the project.
"That seems somewhat high to me," Kaplan said.
However, he said he wasn't certain of a better estimate.
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