GOP's Barbour under fire after pardoning 4 killers - US news - Crime & courts - msnbc.com
"Serving your sentence at the Governor's Mansion where you pour liquor, cook and clean should not earn a pardon for murder," Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley, a Democrat, posted Monday
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Illinois Becomes Moody’s Lowest-Rated U.S. State With Debt Downgrade to A2
Illinois Becomes Moody’s Lowest-Rated U.S. State With Debt Downgrade to A2 - Bloomberg
Illinois (STOIL1) had its general-obligation bond rating reduced by Moody’s Investors Service to A2 from A1, making it the company’s lowest-graded U.S. state.
The downgrade to the sixth-highest rating came after a legislative session that “took no steps to implement lasting solutions to its severe pension under-funding or to its chronic bill payment delays,” Moody’s said in a report.
Illinois, it said, has “weak management practices.”
Illinois (STOIL1) had its general-obligation bond rating reduced by Moody’s Investors Service to A2 from A1, making it the company’s lowest-graded U.S. state.
The downgrade to the sixth-highest rating came after a legislative session that “took no steps to implement lasting solutions to its severe pension under-funding or to its chronic bill payment delays,” Moody’s said in a report.
Illinois, it said, has “weak management practices.”
Audit: Muskegon Heights schools 2010-11 budget deficit doubled to $8.5 million
Audit: Muskegon Heights schools 2010-11 budget deficit doubled to $8.5 million MLive.com
The audit, prepared by Brickley DeLong Certified Public Accountants, shows the district ended the 2010-11 school year with an $8.5 million general fund deficit.
The deficit had grown from $4.2 million at the end of the 2009-10.
The audit, prepared by Brickley DeLong Certified Public Accountants, shows the district ended the 2010-11 school year with an $8.5 million general fund deficit.
The deficit had grown from $4.2 million at the end of the 2009-10.
Monday, January 09, 2012
Advocate names Grand Rapids one of its 'Gayest Cities in America'
Advocate names Grand Rapids one of its 'Gayest Cities in America' MLive.com
This may turn a few heads: Grand Rapids is one of the gayest cities in America, according to Advocate magazine.
This may turn a few heads: Grand Rapids is one of the gayest cities in America, according to Advocate magazine.
January Surprise: Is Obama preparing a trillion-dollar, mass refinancing of mortgages?
January Surprise: Is Obama preparing a trillion-dollar, mass refinancing of mortgages? « The Enterprise Blog
Bottom line: Talk about a political and economic game changer in this presidential election year. Obama could offer a trillion-dollar stimulus — as measured over a decade –that would directly and immediately impact tens of millions of Americans suffering from the housing depression.
Cash in their pockets.
Imagine the electoral impact on key states, such as Florida, suffering from both high unemployment and devastated housing markets.
And the beauty part for Obama?
He wouldn’t need approval from Congress to do it
Bottom line: Talk about a political and economic game changer in this presidential election year. Obama could offer a trillion-dollar stimulus — as measured over a decade –that would directly and immediately impact tens of millions of Americans suffering from the housing depression.
Cash in their pockets.
Imagine the electoral impact on key states, such as Florida, suffering from both high unemployment and devastated housing markets.
And the beauty part for Obama?
He wouldn’t need approval from Congress to do it
Indiana Senate Committee Passes Right-to-Work Bill; Unions Protest While Democrats Boycott
Indiana Senate Committee Passes Right-to-Work Bill; Unions Protest While Democrats Boycott [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
After nearly six hours of testimony and debate, the Indiana state Senate Pensions and Labor Committee approved Senate Bill 269 by a 6-to-4 vote.
Commonly referred to as a "right-to-work" law, SB 269 would make it a Class A misdemeanor to require an individual to join or remain in a union or to pay any dues, fees or other charges to that same labor organization.
WOW!!!!
GREAT!!!!!
After nearly six hours of testimony and debate, the Indiana state Senate Pensions and Labor Committee approved Senate Bill 269 by a 6-to-4 vote.
Commonly referred to as a "right-to-work" law, SB 269 would make it a Class A misdemeanor to require an individual to join or remain in a union or to pay any dues, fees or other charges to that same labor organization.
WOW!!!!
GREAT!!!!!
34 Shocking Facts About U.S. Debt That Should Set America On Fire With Anger
34 Shocking Facts About U.S. Debt That Should Set America On Fire With Anger GoldSilver.com
#1 During fiscal year 2011, the U.S. government spent 3.7 trillion dollars but it only brought in 2.4 trillion dollars.
#2 When Ronald Reagan took office, the U.S. national debt was less than 1 trillion dollars.
Today, the U.S. national debt is over 15.2 trillion dollars.
#3 During 2011, U.S. debt surpassed 100 percent of GDP for the first time ever.
The rest are just as awful......
#1 During fiscal year 2011, the U.S. government spent 3.7 trillion dollars but it only brought in 2.4 trillion dollars.
#2 When Ronald Reagan took office, the U.S. national debt was less than 1 trillion dollars.
Today, the U.S. national debt is over 15.2 trillion dollars.
#3 During 2011, U.S. debt surpassed 100 percent of GDP for the first time ever.
The rest are just as awful......
Sunday, January 08, 2012
The Harbor Theater, Muskegon's only independent movie house, closing
The Harbor Theater, Muskegon's only independent movie house, closing MLive.com
Citing "economic and personal factors," Muskegon's only independent movie theater is closing, a post on Facebook from The Harbor Theater stated Sunday afternoon.
Owners Jennifer and Brendan Pelto later confirmed that the theater, 1937 Lakeshore, had its last two showings Sunday night.
Total bummer!
Citing "economic and personal factors," Muskegon's only independent movie theater is closing, a post on Facebook from The Harbor Theater stated Sunday afternoon.
Owners Jennifer and Brendan Pelto later confirmed that the theater, 1937 Lakeshore, had its last two showings Sunday night.
Total bummer!
Saturday, January 07, 2012
Michigan child-care workers lose union lawsuit
Michigan child-care workers lose union lawsuit Lansing State Journal lansingstatejournal.com
Judge Robert Jonker (YONK-er) says there may be child-care providers who had no objection to paying dues.
Judge Robert Jonker (YONK-er) says there may be child-care providers who had no objection to paying dues.
N.C.A.A.’s ‘Justice’ System
N.C.A.A.’s ‘Justice’ System - NYTimes.com
In the course of those calls, however, I stumbled on a case so egregious — yet so perfectly illustrative of the N.C.A.A.’s judicial “process” — that I concluded it needed wider exposure.
Last week, I described the N.C.A.A. as a cartel.
Turns out, it’s a Star Chamber, too.
In the course of those calls, however, I stumbled on a case so egregious — yet so perfectly illustrative of the N.C.A.A.’s judicial “process” — that I concluded it needed wider exposure.
Last week, I described the N.C.A.A. as a cartel.
Turns out, it’s a Star Chamber, too.
On Those New Jobless Numbers . . .
On Those New Jobless Numbers . . . - By Jim Geraghty - The Campaign Spot - National Review Online
Zero Hedge spotlights the steady increase in the number of Americans not in the labor force; he points out, “the labor force itself declined by 50K from 153,937 to 153,887.
In fact, persons not in the labor force have increased by 7.5 million since January 2007.”
Zero Hedge spotlights the steady increase in the number of Americans not in the labor force; he points out, “the labor force itself declined by 50K from 153,937 to 153,887.
In fact, persons not in the labor force have increased by 7.5 million since January 2007.”
Friday, January 06, 2012
Public workers' time-buying costs states
Public workers' time-buying costs states – USATODAY.com
Dan Pellissier, a former adviser to California's previous governor, Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger, paid $75,000 in 2004 for five years of work credit.
When he turns 55 in 2015, he will get a California pension of $61,536 a year — nearly $13,000 more than if he hadn't bought air time.
That's $320,000 extra by the time he is 80.
"They give away the store here," says Pellissier, now president of California Pension Reform, which is pushing to cut state retirement costs.
Dan Pellissier, a former adviser to California's previous governor, Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger, paid $75,000 in 2004 for five years of work credit.
When he turns 55 in 2015, he will get a California pension of $61,536 a year — nearly $13,000 more than if he hadn't bought air time.
That's $320,000 extra by the time he is 80.
"They give away the store here," says Pellissier, now president of California Pension Reform, which is pushing to cut state retirement costs.
After Receiving Bailout, GM May Move Volt Production to China
After Receiving Bailout, GM May Move Volt Production to China - Yahoo! News
But, as mentioned in the above, what has some people truly upset is the fact that Girsky hinted that the Volt could eventually be built in China.
“If we localize, eventually it won’t have a tariff and it will get the subsidy.
We have made no decision on if, when or where we build Volt in the future,” Girsky said.
But, as mentioned in the above, what has some people truly upset is the fact that Girsky hinted that the Volt could eventually be built in China.
“If we localize, eventually it won’t have a tariff and it will get the subsidy.
We have made no decision on if, when or where we build Volt in the future,” Girsky said.
Admin. plans change in immigration rule
My Way News - AP source: Admin. plans change in immigration rule
The waiver shift is the latest move by President Barack Obama to make changes to immigration policy without congressional action.
The waiver shift is the latest move by President Barack Obama to make changes to immigration policy without congressional action.
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Virginia School Accused Of Making Students Perform Pro-Occupy Song
Virginia School Accused Of Making Students Perform Pro-Occupy Song « CBS Washington
As part of the regular Kid Pan Alley activities, children are asked about the topics of songs they want to write and sing about.
In October, one of the children participating in the activities at Woodbrook Elementary School mentioned that he wanted to write about “having it all and losing it all,”
As part of the regular Kid Pan Alley activities, children are asked about the topics of songs they want to write and sing about.
In October, one of the children participating in the activities at Woodbrook Elementary School mentioned that he wanted to write about “having it all and losing it all,”
2011 MichiganVotes.org Roll Call Highlights
2011 MichiganVotes.org Roll Call Highlights [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
MichiganVotes.org sends a weekly report to newspapers and TV stations around the state showing how state legislators in their service area voted on the most important or interesting bills of the past week.
This final report of 2011 instead contains votes on a few of the most impactful laws passed during the year.
MichiganVotes.org sends a weekly report to newspapers and TV stations around the state showing how state legislators in their service area voted on the most important or interesting bills of the past week.
This final report of 2011 instead contains votes on a few of the most impactful laws passed during the year.
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
"If your average homeless person spent 30 to 40 dollars a month on a gym membership, they could shave and shower..."
Althouse: "If your average homeless person spent 30 to 40 dollars a month on a gym membership, they could shave and shower..."
"If your average homeless person spent 30 to 40 dollars a month on a gym membership, they could shave and shower... keep warm for most of the day, maybe stay fit and like they'd have a good opportunity to look at jobs," said a law student, who chose to go homeless to make life more challenging.
"If your average homeless person spent 30 to 40 dollars a month on a gym membership, they could shave and shower... keep warm for most of the day, maybe stay fit and like they'd have a good opportunity to look at jobs," said a law student, who chose to go homeless to make life more challenging.
Happy New Year suckers, pay up: Your share of public pension crisis now $424,500
COMMENTARY: Happy New Year suckers, pay up: Your share of public pension crisis now $424,500
Here is a New Year’s resolution every American private sector worker must keep no matter what:
Write a check for $14,150 Jan. 1 to make up for state and municipal pension shortfalls.
Prepare to write one every year for 30 years.
This is on top of all other taxes and fees governments at all levels gouge from us.
Here is a New Year’s resolution every American private sector worker must keep no matter what:
Write a check for $14,150 Jan. 1 to make up for state and municipal pension shortfalls.
Prepare to write one every year for 30 years.
This is on top of all other taxes and fees governments at all levels gouge from us.
Public Pension Term: “Airtime”
Public Pension Term: “Airtime”
This time, let’s look at the popular benefit of “buying airtime”:
Government workers in 21 states are using an obscure perk to retire early or to boost their annual pensions by thousands of dollars, which can cost taxpayers millions more in payments to retirement funds, a USA TODAY analysis shows.
The practice, called buying “air time,” lets state, municipal and school employees pay to add up to five years to their work history so they are eligible to retire and collect a lifetime pension.
Workers already eligible for retirement can buy extra years to boost a pension by up to 25%.
It’s called “air time” because workers buy credit for non-existent work, in contrast to policies that let workers buy credit for military service or government jobs in a different state.
This perk is only obscure to the general taxpaying public.
You bet your bippy it is well-known to the public employees in the 21 states that have some form of it.
This time, let’s look at the popular benefit of “buying airtime”:
Government workers in 21 states are using an obscure perk to retire early or to boost their annual pensions by thousands of dollars, which can cost taxpayers millions more in payments to retirement funds, a USA TODAY analysis shows.
The practice, called buying “air time,” lets state, municipal and school employees pay to add up to five years to their work history so they are eligible to retire and collect a lifetime pension.
Workers already eligible for retirement can buy extra years to boost a pension by up to 25%.
It’s called “air time” because workers buy credit for non-existent work, in contrast to policies that let workers buy credit for military service or government jobs in a different state.
This perk is only obscure to the general taxpaying public.
You bet your bippy it is well-known to the public employees in the 21 states that have some form of it.
Why Public Pensions Are So Rich
Andrew Biggs and Jason Richwine: Why Public Pensions Are So Rich - WSJ.com
"....the average teacher who retires today after 30 to 34 years of service had final earnings of $84,466 and collects a pension of $60,756 a year, plus annual cost-of-living adjustments, providing an income higher than 95% of retirees in Illinois"
"....the average teacher who retires today after 30 to 34 years of service had final earnings of $84,466 and collects a pension of $60,756 a year, plus annual cost-of-living adjustments, providing an income higher than 95% of retirees in Illinois"
Chevy Volt misses first-year sales target
The company reported today that it sold 7,671 Chevy Volts in 2011
"D'olt!"
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
The Coming Collapse of China
The Coming Collapse of China: 2012 Edition- By Gordon G. Chang Foreign Policy
Since late September, economic indicators -- electricity consumption, industrial orders, export growth, car sales, property prices, you name it -- are pointing toward either a flatlining or contracting economy.
Money started to leave the country in October, and Beijing's foreign reserves have been shrinking since September
Since late September, economic indicators -- electricity consumption, industrial orders, export growth, car sales, property prices, you name it -- are pointing toward either a flatlining or contracting economy.
Money started to leave the country in October, and Beijing's foreign reserves have been shrinking since September
MOMENT OF CLARITY: Downward Wisconsin
MOMENT OF CLARITY: Downward Wisconsin
We used to make things here in Wisconsin.
We used to make things here in Wisconsin.
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