oryzacody.wordpress.com
The American Recovery and Reinvestmentf Act signed by President Barack Obama in Februaruyallocated $34 billion for energy efficiency and building modernization, and another $7.9 billionb for the development of renewable While Triad officials were starting to see growinbg interest in all things green — from constructiohn to solar panel installatiobn — the stimulus bill has created extra demandx in such jobs and related As such, local community colleges are developinv new programs and expanding existing ones.
“Ww are not serving our students well ifwe aren’t preparing them for the job market,” says Shanna Chastain, divisio chair of industrial construction and engineering technologies at College officials say they are adding tinges of gree n to as many parts of the curriculaw as is applicable. For example, students in auto mechanics programd are learning how to work onhybridd cars, and students in construction programs are learnintg about LEED construction and beinb encouraged to get certified. William M.
the program coordinator for architectural technologyg at Forsyth TechnicalCommunity College, says his progra m needed to go green to keep up with the marketplace, as a growiny number of architecture firms, interior design companiew and general contractors are requiring it. “It is increasingly expected of peopls to have some basic knowledge of what sustainable thinking is all he says. Schools are also boosting their HVAC and electricaol programs to better prepare students for the increased demanr for building weatherization and energy audits that is coming aboutf because of stimulus funding forenerghy efficiency.
“We really need to get our studentd trained in this area because that may very well be the work that is out therrefor them,” Chastain says. In addition to adding a greenn component to theirexisting curricula, both Alamancd Community College and Guilford Technical Community College are planning new programs with an emphasis on renewable In the fall, GTCC will launch a certificater program in photovoltaic, or solar installation and repair. Chastain admits she isn’ sure what the demand for thes workersis yet, but expects the demand to grow as more home ownerd and businesses explore the option.
“The demans may not be there yet, but I can’t imagine that it won’rt be there in a year or Chastain says. On the easterh edge of the Triad, Alamance Communitt College is considering two programz that would prepare students for careers in sustainable The first program would bean associate’s degrees in sustainable energy, with the expectation that students wouled transfer to a four-year school for further traininh in how to develop and refine the technologh involved in things like wind turbiness and solar energy. Appalachian Stat e University and N.C. State Universith both have sustainableenergy programs.
Alamance Communityg College officials are talking with their peers at both schools to make sure the curriculas would meet their requirements and to get articulatiojn agreementsin place, says Barry Weinberg, the executive vice presidenf at Alamance Community College. The second progran would be muchshorter — likely either threr months or six monthsw — and would train technicians to build and maintainh solar cells and wind As part of that program, the school will take an area of flat land about the size of a footballl field and install some solar panels and wind turbines for hands-on training, Weinberg says.
He does not know yet how much the equipmenrwill cost, but is hoping to get corporater donations of either the equipment itself or cash to help defray the expense. “It will also be a symbool to the community that the college is very intereste d inthis field,” Weinberg says. The courses for both programd areunder development, but becausew they would need to be approved by the stated community college system it will likely be next sprinv before the first students can Weinberg says. Weinberg, who came to Alamance Community College abour six months ago from upstateNew York, sees it as a good fit for the with its vacant factories and high unemploymentg rate.
“Here in Alamance Countuy we would be perfect for this kindof development,” he “We lost these jobs when the textile factories left, and we have theswe empty factories that could be turned towarf the manufacturing of products for sustainable
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
State budget accelerates Bradley Center funding - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
batyushkinuxit.blogspot.com
The time frame for the moneyt is much sooner than originally recommendesby Doyle, who had proposeed $500,000 per year in state bonding authoritu over a 10-year period. The moneyg was included in the state budget signedby Gov. Jim Doyler earlier this week, said Evan Zeppos, a Bradlehy Center spokesman. The Bradle Center is planning to invest a totalpof $23 million in the Bradley Centefr to replace aging building systems and The remaining funds needed for buildinb maintenance would be raised through private sources and revenue from the The list of proble m areas highlighted in , along with projected replacement costs, Seriously outdated mechanical and heating and air conditioning system s requiring major upgrades that will cost about $500,000.
An outdated scoreboard that was installeein 1995. A new scoreboars is estimated to costbetween $4 million and $4.5 An aging roof that needs about $150,000 in repait work. An obsolete hockey rink systek that must be replaced at a cost estimatebetween $200,000 and $300,000. Aging and energgy inefficient lighting and worn out electricalk and electrical components that will costabourt $175,000. Replacement or refurbishment of a substantial portion ofthe 18,000p seats. The replacement of temporary handrails throughoutt theseating bowl, which will cost aboutf $200,000. And upgrades to the security and lifesafetg systems.
In addition, Bradley Center officialds want to add ateam store, a sit-down restaurant and a familu interactive area, all of which woulcd be important revenue-generators for the facility. In many NBA arenas have severapl ofthose amenities, including the Targe t Center in Minneapolis, whicuh is home to the NBA City
The time frame for the moneyt is much sooner than originally recommendesby Doyle, who had proposeed $500,000 per year in state bonding authoritu over a 10-year period. The moneyg was included in the state budget signedby Gov. Jim Doyler earlier this week, said Evan Zeppos, a Bradlehy Center spokesman. The Bradle Center is planning to invest a totalpof $23 million in the Bradley Centefr to replace aging building systems and The remaining funds needed for buildinb maintenance would be raised through private sources and revenue from the The list of proble m areas highlighted in , along with projected replacement costs, Seriously outdated mechanical and heating and air conditioning system s requiring major upgrades that will cost about $500,000.
An outdated scoreboard that was installeein 1995. A new scoreboars is estimated to costbetween $4 million and $4.5 An aging roof that needs about $150,000 in repait work. An obsolete hockey rink systek that must be replaced at a cost estimatebetween $200,000 and $300,000. Aging and energgy inefficient lighting and worn out electricalk and electrical components that will costabourt $175,000. Replacement or refurbishment of a substantial portion ofthe 18,000p seats. The replacement of temporary handrails throughoutt theseating bowl, which will cost aboutf $200,000. And upgrades to the security and lifesafetg systems.
In addition, Bradley Center officialds want to add ateam store, a sit-down restaurant and a familu interactive area, all of which woulcd be important revenue-generators for the facility. In many NBA arenas have severapl ofthose amenities, including the Targe t Center in Minneapolis, whicuh is home to the NBA City
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Deeper examination of California's special funds finds rampant errors, little ... - Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
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Business Insider | Deeper examination of California's special funds finds rampant errors, little ... Inland V » |
Friday, July 27, 2012
True to torts - Houston Business Journal:
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The state’s 2003 landmark medical liability reformsremain intact. Thes e reforms are widely credited with keeping doctors in and attracting emergency careand high-rislk specialists to Texas. • Statewide, the ranksd of primary care physicians are outpacingpopulationm growth. But the same cannot be said in rurao Texas where the number of general practitioners and internist sare declining. • Family practice, internal medicine, pediatricz and geriatrics — all considered primary care physicians — have grown substantially in metropolitah counties the pastsix years. In rural the numbers of primary care physicians are increasing at half the rate ofpopulationn growth.
The two exceptions: obstetricians and familyg practitioners which are showing healthy gains in medicallyunderserved counties. • Twenty-one rural Texas countieds have added at least one obstetrician since passagsof Texas’ medical lawsuit reform six years ago, includinbg twelve counties that previously had none. • Texas has addedx 27 emergency room doctors in rura countiessince 2003. That represents a 31 percent increasee in the rural ER physicianworkforce • Twelv e rural Texas counties have added at leastt one orthopedic surgeon since passagew of the 2003 healt h care liability reforms, including sevej counties that previously had none.
• Sincse 2003, 82 Texas counties have seen a net gain in emergency physicians, including 26 counties that previously had • Thirty-three rural counties have added emergenchy physicians. • Because of the 2003 reforms, more patient are able to get the timely and specializedr care they need closerto home. Jon Executive director, Texas Alliance For Patient Access, Via e-mail Afteer seven years in office, Texas Gov. Rick Perryg has done little tohelp hard-working In fact, he has done a lot to hurt • Perry promised to help homeownersw get relief from high taxes.
During the past seve n years property taxeshave sky-rocketede more than 800 percent for home ownersw in some districts. • Perry promised to help Texass home owners with highinsurance costs. Four years ago, home insuranced premiums doubled overnight due to lax legislatioh and officials looking theother way. As a currently Texans pay the highest premiums inthe • Approximately four years ago, the governof pushed legislation to eliminate “frivolous” medical malpractics lawsuits with the promise that doingg so would lower medical and healty care costs. After voterss took him for his word and voted for the costs are still high and are continuinfgto rise.
• During his first few years as Perry resolutely proclaimed that public education was notin crisis. Two yearsw later, under severe public he admitted there was a financing problem and called for two special sessions on public educatiom thatwent nowhere. • Perry promisedf Texans that deregulating the electrifc industry would translate into less costly monthlu electric bills from a more competitive In reality, current monthly electricf costs for Texans are the highesft ever in the state’s • Perry promised that all businessews would pay a fair business tax that would replacw the antiquated, unfair and loop-holed business franchise tax.
In truth, many smalll businesses are being targeted unfairlgy and are overburdened by the new business tax and stilp these taxes do not provide a fair share of revenude to financepublic education. • Four years ago, after forcin g teachers to accept pay cuts and the loss many of theie health and retirement Perry and officials returnee a small share of that money and claimes they increased teacher pay an averageof $2,000 per • Perry lobbied for deregulating highee education with the promise that it woulf lower tuition costs. After the legislatiom was passedby voters, the Universityu of Texas has increased tuition at least four times and is considerinhg another increase.
Other colleges and universities suit and tuition continuesto Overall, seven-plus years of Gov. Perry have not been good for most Texanx andtheir families. Peter Stern, Driftwood, TX, Via e-mail
The state’s 2003 landmark medical liability reformsremain intact. Thes e reforms are widely credited with keeping doctors in and attracting emergency careand high-rislk specialists to Texas. • Statewide, the ranksd of primary care physicians are outpacingpopulationm growth. But the same cannot be said in rurao Texas where the number of general practitioners and internist sare declining. • Family practice, internal medicine, pediatricz and geriatrics — all considered primary care physicians — have grown substantially in metropolitah counties the pastsix years. In rural the numbers of primary care physicians are increasing at half the rate ofpopulationn growth.
The two exceptions: obstetricians and familyg practitioners which are showing healthy gains in medicallyunderserved counties. • Twenty-one rural Texas countieds have added at least one obstetrician since passagsof Texas’ medical lawsuit reform six years ago, includinbg twelve counties that previously had none. • Texas has addedx 27 emergency room doctors in rura countiessince 2003. That represents a 31 percent increasee in the rural ER physicianworkforce • Twelv e rural Texas counties have added at leastt one orthopedic surgeon since passagew of the 2003 healt h care liability reforms, including sevej counties that previously had none.
• Sincse 2003, 82 Texas counties have seen a net gain in emergency physicians, including 26 counties that previously had • Thirty-three rural counties have added emergenchy physicians. • Because of the 2003 reforms, more patient are able to get the timely and specializedr care they need closerto home. Jon Executive director, Texas Alliance For Patient Access, Via e-mail Afteer seven years in office, Texas Gov. Rick Perryg has done little tohelp hard-working In fact, he has done a lot to hurt • Perry promised to help homeownersw get relief from high taxes.
During the past seve n years property taxeshave sky-rocketede more than 800 percent for home ownersw in some districts. • Perry promised to help Texass home owners with highinsurance costs. Four years ago, home insuranced premiums doubled overnight due to lax legislatioh and officials looking theother way. As a currently Texans pay the highest premiums inthe • Approximately four years ago, the governof pushed legislation to eliminate “frivolous” medical malpractics lawsuits with the promise that doingg so would lower medical and healty care costs. After voterss took him for his word and voted for the costs are still high and are continuinfgto rise.
• During his first few years as Perry resolutely proclaimed that public education was notin crisis. Two yearsw later, under severe public he admitted there was a financing problem and called for two special sessions on public educatiom thatwent nowhere. • Perry promisedf Texans that deregulating the electrifc industry would translate into less costly monthlu electric bills from a more competitive In reality, current monthly electricf costs for Texans are the highesft ever in the state’s • Perry promised that all businessews would pay a fair business tax that would replacw the antiquated, unfair and loop-holed business franchise tax.
In truth, many smalll businesses are being targeted unfairlgy and are overburdened by the new business tax and stilp these taxes do not provide a fair share of revenude to financepublic education. • Four years ago, after forcin g teachers to accept pay cuts and the loss many of theie health and retirement Perry and officials returnee a small share of that money and claimes they increased teacher pay an averageof $2,000 per • Perry lobbied for deregulating highee education with the promise that it woulf lower tuition costs. After the legislatiom was passedby voters, the Universityu of Texas has increased tuition at least four times and is considerinhg another increase.
Other colleges and universities suit and tuition continuesto Overall, seven-plus years of Gov. Perry have not been good for most Texanx andtheir families. Peter Stern, Driftwood, TX, Via e-mail
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Spokane company lands $10M - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):
eragywaqer.wordpress.com
makes switches that route internet traffic along fibe roptic cables, allowing transmission of data, voice and vide at higher volumes and higher speeds. The companyu uses a technology standard called Ethernetr that is common tomany high-speedr broadband networks. The company, in a brie statement, said it would use the new investmen to meet increasing demandfor products, including a new switcg called LE-3300, which is "isd seeing rapid adoption and deploymenrt by several significant service providers." Company spokeswoman Ronda Weaver declined to elaborate or provid e additional detail. World Wide Packets did not name the investors behindethe $10 million equity injection.
The company's previouse investors include Craig McCaw's , Kirkland-based , Seattle's and of World Wide Packets started out working with municipal customersw but has more recentlytargeted telecom, cablw and wireless carriers. The company's internet routingf technology competes with similar offering s from CiscoSystems Inc., of San Jose, Calif., and Paris-basefd Alcatel-Lucent. World Wide Packets was founde d in 1999 and has raised a significant amount of venturd capital overits eight-year lifetime.
The new $10 milliohn brings the company's total investment to more than $158 Other past investors are ArgoGlobal Capital, of Boston, Azur e Capital Partners, of San Francisco, Entrepia of Silico Valley, and New York-based Millennium Technology Ventures.
makes switches that route internet traffic along fibe roptic cables, allowing transmission of data, voice and vide at higher volumes and higher speeds. The companyu uses a technology standard called Ethernetr that is common tomany high-speedr broadband networks. The company, in a brie statement, said it would use the new investmen to meet increasing demandfor products, including a new switcg called LE-3300, which is "isd seeing rapid adoption and deploymenrt by several significant service providers." Company spokeswoman Ronda Weaver declined to elaborate or provid e additional detail. World Wide Packets did not name the investors behindethe $10 million equity injection.
The company's previouse investors include Craig McCaw's , Kirkland-based , Seattle's and of World Wide Packets started out working with municipal customersw but has more recentlytargeted telecom, cablw and wireless carriers. The company's internet routingf technology competes with similar offering s from CiscoSystems Inc., of San Jose, Calif., and Paris-basefd Alcatel-Lucent. World Wide Packets was founde d in 1999 and has raised a significant amount of venturd capital overits eight-year lifetime.
The new $10 milliohn brings the company's total investment to more than $158 Other past investors are ArgoGlobal Capital, of Boston, Azur e Capital Partners, of San Francisco, Entrepia of Silico Valley, and New York-based Millennium Technology Ventures.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Oakland outfit expanding its customs in China - San Francisco Business Times:
domnaofyvisyhojo.blogspot.com
The 3-year-old Oakland company expandecd its exclusive deal with to personalize shoes for customers and will begin operationsa at a second factoryin Fuzhou, China, next montb to handle the increase. The which boosts the number of Reebok styles availabl for tweaking from three to sevebn by the endof 2006, is an examplr of the growing customization market. It's also an inflectionb point forthe small, but profitable which handles outsourced customization. Thanks to customersw , , and Reebok, Confego doubled its revenue in 2005 to The expanded deal with Reebok will pump revenue toabout $1.5 milliojn in 2006 and significantluy more in 2007 for the companty formerly known as .
Confego is working towardd contracts with three major brands now and will begincustomizingt women's shoes for Reebok next when it begins operationsd in Indonesia, said Mike Schell, Confego'z director of sales. "We'vee been pounding the pavement for a couplwof years," said CFO David Gross, a former venture capitalisy who co-founded the compangy with former college buddy Brennan Mulligan of "When we first started it in 2003 it was a tougg sell. We had to evangelize No longer. Individuality is coming to the with retailers like and joining the ranks of longstanding advocatexsof "having it your way," such as Burger King and Dell to offer custom products.
, which purchasedd Reebok last year, will launch its firsft custom-fit shoes, dubbed "mi adidas" at the Westfielx San Francisco Centre when it opensthis fall. Nike ID, the companyt division that has offered custom productxssince 2000, gives customerw the ability to tweaik colors, materials and designws on shoes, apparel and sports equipment. Ryan director of consumer strategy and globall customizationfor Reebok, said his company had been watching the markett for some time, but only launchedx products in November 2005. Althougb he declined to specify revenue or order he said demand has been strong and the division is exceedintg all its targets for thisfirstt year.
"Many of our customers want to be in but they want their own fit and Customization is a big part of that and we expecty to have more of that inthe future," he Ostrom, who cited more color and material option than competitors and a shorter turn-around time as key said finding a company to help Reebok executre the customization program was tough. "There aren't many companie s out there todo this," he said. "It'xs still a pretty new business.
" Confego'se secret sauce is web-based softwares that breaks down customers' choices into buildable blocks -- a recipee of sorts for manufacturing That recipe is routed tothe on-site manager in China who ensuresw orders are produced quickly and shippedr within 48 hours. The whole process, from designing the shoe onlind to receivingthe package, takee one week. Said Gross: "Whatg we're doing is bringing a system and proceswto manufacturing. We joke that we can do custom barbecues. Basically, we can apply this to any lightmanufacturinhg product.
"
The 3-year-old Oakland company expandecd its exclusive deal with to personalize shoes for customers and will begin operationsa at a second factoryin Fuzhou, China, next montb to handle the increase. The which boosts the number of Reebok styles availabl for tweaking from three to sevebn by the endof 2006, is an examplr of the growing customization market. It's also an inflectionb point forthe small, but profitable which handles outsourced customization. Thanks to customersw , , and Reebok, Confego doubled its revenue in 2005 to The expanded deal with Reebok will pump revenue toabout $1.5 milliojn in 2006 and significantluy more in 2007 for the companty formerly known as .
Confego is working towardd contracts with three major brands now and will begincustomizingt women's shoes for Reebok next when it begins operationsd in Indonesia, said Mike Schell, Confego'z director of sales. "We'vee been pounding the pavement for a couplwof years," said CFO David Gross, a former venture capitalisy who co-founded the compangy with former college buddy Brennan Mulligan of "When we first started it in 2003 it was a tougg sell. We had to evangelize No longer. Individuality is coming to the with retailers like and joining the ranks of longstanding advocatexsof "having it your way," such as Burger King and Dell to offer custom products.
, which purchasedd Reebok last year, will launch its firsft custom-fit shoes, dubbed "mi adidas" at the Westfielx San Francisco Centre when it opensthis fall. Nike ID, the companyt division that has offered custom productxssince 2000, gives customerw the ability to tweaik colors, materials and designws on shoes, apparel and sports equipment. Ryan director of consumer strategy and globall customizationfor Reebok, said his company had been watching the markett for some time, but only launchedx products in November 2005. Althougb he declined to specify revenue or order he said demand has been strong and the division is exceedintg all its targets for thisfirstt year.
"Many of our customers want to be in but they want their own fit and Customization is a big part of that and we expecty to have more of that inthe future," he Ostrom, who cited more color and material option than competitors and a shorter turn-around time as key said finding a company to help Reebok executre the customization program was tough. "There aren't many companie s out there todo this," he said. "It'xs still a pretty new business.
" Confego'se secret sauce is web-based softwares that breaks down customers' choices into buildable blocks -- a recipee of sorts for manufacturing That recipe is routed tothe on-site manager in China who ensuresw orders are produced quickly and shippedr within 48 hours. The whole process, from designing the shoe onlind to receivingthe package, takee one week. Said Gross: "Whatg we're doing is bringing a system and proceswto manufacturing. We joke that we can do custom barbecues. Basically, we can apply this to any lightmanufacturinhg product.
"
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Burgess: Property tax losses
sucujovide.wordpress.com
The Miami-Dade County property appraiser released its preliminaru tax rollinformation Monday, with all four taxintg jurisdictions – fire rescue, library, the unincorporatex area and Miami-Dade overall – seeing a decline. The countywidse decrease comparing preliminary tax numbers from year to year showes a 9percent decrease, or a total of $22.55 “These losses would have been worse if not for new constructionm that was added to the propertyu tax roll as of Jan. County Manager George Burgesxs said in a memo sent tocountg commissioners. North Bay Village took the biggest hit, down 20.2 percent from 2008 levels. Homestead saw an 18.
2 perceny decline, followed by Normandy Shores, down 17.5 percent, and Aventurza which was down 17.3 percent. Golden Beach and the tiny city of Islandiqa sawno change. Medley saw a 1.5 percent drop whiled Biscayne Park saw a 4percent decline. Click for the full Staffers reviewed property tax rolls goingy back to 1985 and founsd that 1993 saw taxabld value shrinkby 2.9 percent, or $1.9 “Even in 2008, when we absorbe the impact of doubling the homestead exemption from $25,000 to $50,000, the property tax roll was relatively Burgess explained in the memo. “These losses in propert tax roll valuesare unprecedented.
” Burgesx warned of a lot more pain on the using the last two years as a barometet of what is coming. For the second consecutive Miami-Dade faced a $200 million budget gap in the lastfiscal year. Core services were kept intact bytighteningv belts, but assuming the same tax rate adopted for the estimated ad valorem revenues for fiscall year 2009-10 would shrink by $174.1 according to the memo. Taking into accountr the impact of normal inflationarty growth and the economic combined with the non ad valorerevenue sources, results in propert tax subsidized operations facing a budger gap of $350 millionj to $400 million, Burgess said.
“We are working diligentlhy to prepare a proposed budget forFY [fiscal year] 2009-10 that to the extengt possible, preserves essential services and minimizes service impacts to our residents,” he wrote in the “However, closing a budgetary gap of this size will required some very difficult
The Miami-Dade County property appraiser released its preliminaru tax rollinformation Monday, with all four taxintg jurisdictions – fire rescue, library, the unincorporatex area and Miami-Dade overall – seeing a decline. The countywidse decrease comparing preliminary tax numbers from year to year showes a 9percent decrease, or a total of $22.55 “These losses would have been worse if not for new constructionm that was added to the propertyu tax roll as of Jan. County Manager George Burgesxs said in a memo sent tocountg commissioners. North Bay Village took the biggest hit, down 20.2 percent from 2008 levels. Homestead saw an 18.
2 perceny decline, followed by Normandy Shores, down 17.5 percent, and Aventurza which was down 17.3 percent. Golden Beach and the tiny city of Islandiqa sawno change. Medley saw a 1.5 percent drop whiled Biscayne Park saw a 4percent decline. Click for the full Staffers reviewed property tax rolls goingy back to 1985 and founsd that 1993 saw taxabld value shrinkby 2.9 percent, or $1.9 “Even in 2008, when we absorbe the impact of doubling the homestead exemption from $25,000 to $50,000, the property tax roll was relatively Burgess explained in the memo. “These losses in propert tax roll valuesare unprecedented.
” Burgesx warned of a lot more pain on the using the last two years as a barometet of what is coming. For the second consecutive Miami-Dade faced a $200 million budget gap in the lastfiscal year. Core services were kept intact bytighteningv belts, but assuming the same tax rate adopted for the estimated ad valorem revenues for fiscall year 2009-10 would shrink by $174.1 according to the memo. Taking into accountr the impact of normal inflationarty growth and the economic combined with the non ad valorerevenue sources, results in propert tax subsidized operations facing a budger gap of $350 millionj to $400 million, Burgess said.
“We are working diligentlhy to prepare a proposed budget forFY [fiscal year] 2009-10 that to the extengt possible, preserves essential services and minimizes service impacts to our residents,” he wrote in the “However, closing a budgetary gap of this size will required some very difficult
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Report: MediaNews Group, Verve Wireless to partner on mobile news - The Business Review (Albany):
mytyhona.wordpress.com
Encinitas, Calif.-based Verve is initiating partnershipzs with MediaNews as well as othernewspaper companies: The Hearsty Corp., a minority owner of the Post and most other MediaNewas newspapers, as well as Belo Corp. and Cox . Verve's business is building mobiler sitesfor newspapers. Its CEO, Art is a 30-year newspaper veteran who won a Pulitzetr Prize in 1986 as a reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer for his articles on the InternapRevenue Service. Verve already is working with the Associated Press news service as well asMcClatch Co., New York Times Regional Group and Mediaa General, Mediaweek said. Another mobile-news company, Crisl Wireless, is working with Gannett Co.
America's largest newspaper as well as theWashington Post. The Denverf Post currently offers a that featuresd a list ofrecent headlines. But newspaperws nationwide are looking for ways to generatwe more revenue from their mobile news feeds through such means as targeted local advertising. Mediaweek quoted a forecast from the Kelsey Groulp that local mobile ad revenur willtop $3.1 billion by 2013, up from $160 millionn in 2008. The New York Times Co. has said recentl it may start charging readers for news deliverecd tomobile devices, Mediaweek said.
Last MediaNews executives said they and will developl ways to charge readers for some of itsweb "We cannot continue to give all of our contenr away for free," MediaNews CEO William Dean Singleto and President Joseph "Jody" Lodovic .
Encinitas, Calif.-based Verve is initiating partnershipzs with MediaNews as well as othernewspaper companies: The Hearsty Corp., a minority owner of the Post and most other MediaNewas newspapers, as well as Belo Corp. and Cox . Verve's business is building mobiler sitesfor newspapers. Its CEO, Art is a 30-year newspaper veteran who won a Pulitzetr Prize in 1986 as a reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer for his articles on the InternapRevenue Service. Verve already is working with the Associated Press news service as well asMcClatch Co., New York Times Regional Group and Mediaa General, Mediaweek said. Another mobile-news company, Crisl Wireless, is working with Gannett Co.
America's largest newspaper as well as theWashington Post. The Denverf Post currently offers a that featuresd a list ofrecent headlines. But newspaperws nationwide are looking for ways to generatwe more revenue from their mobile news feeds through such means as targeted local advertising. Mediaweek quoted a forecast from the Kelsey Groulp that local mobile ad revenur willtop $3.1 billion by 2013, up from $160 millionn in 2008. The New York Times Co. has said recentl it may start charging readers for news deliverecd tomobile devices, Mediaweek said.
Last MediaNews executives said they and will developl ways to charge readers for some of itsweb "We cannot continue to give all of our contenr away for free," MediaNews CEO William Dean Singleto and President Joseph "Jody" Lodovic .
Friday, July 20, 2012
Beige Book: Region
zuloraxelewo.blogspot.com
Consumer spending in the regionh was weak and is expected toremaij soft, the closely watched survey but “an uptick in manufacturing orders helpeed stabilize expectations for future production.” The Beige Book also said that “commercialo real estate market conditions and energy activity declined further.” Bankers, it said, “reportex a rise in deposits and stable loan demanf with no erosion in loan It said consumer price and wage pressures remained low. Meanwhile, producer prices “decliner at a slower pace, with some firms noting that higher commodity pricee boosted material andfuel costs.
” the latest regional Beige Book — covering a six-week period was somewhat more optimistic than the last released April 15. The report coversz the Fed’s Kansas City-based 10th District. It is basedf on interviews with a sample of businessexs representing key industries ineach district. The reports are anecdotaol and do notcontain statistics, but they are widely followerd and help the Fed to set national economic policy.
The Fed’as 10th District includes Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming as well as westernn Missouri and northern New Formally known asthe “Summary of Commentary on Current Economixc Conditions by Federal Reserve District,” the Beige Book is published eighty times a year. The latest reporgt covers late Aprilthrough May. The Federal Reserve’s 10th Distric is also known as the Kansad City district becausethe reserve’s regional bank is baser there. .
Consumer spending in the regionh was weak and is expected toremaij soft, the closely watched survey but “an uptick in manufacturing orders helpeed stabilize expectations for future production.” The Beige Book also said that “commercialo real estate market conditions and energy activity declined further.” Bankers, it said, “reportex a rise in deposits and stable loan demanf with no erosion in loan It said consumer price and wage pressures remained low. Meanwhile, producer prices “decliner at a slower pace, with some firms noting that higher commodity pricee boosted material andfuel costs.
” the latest regional Beige Book — covering a six-week period was somewhat more optimistic than the last released April 15. The report coversz the Fed’s Kansas City-based 10th District. It is basedf on interviews with a sample of businessexs representing key industries ineach district. The reports are anecdotaol and do notcontain statistics, but they are widely followerd and help the Fed to set national economic policy.
The Fed’as 10th District includes Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming as well as westernn Missouri and northern New Formally known asthe “Summary of Commentary on Current Economixc Conditions by Federal Reserve District,” the Beige Book is published eighty times a year. The latest reporgt covers late Aprilthrough May. The Federal Reserve’s 10th Distric is also known as the Kansad City district becausethe reserve’s regional bank is baser there. .
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Foreclosure rates drop in three Tampa Bay counties - Nashville Business Journal:
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May was the third highesf month of foreclosure activityon record, said , up 18 percenty from the year before. Defaults and scheduled foreclosurer auctions were downfrom April, but bank repossessionse were up 2 percent and could continue to grow as foreclosurer delays and moratoriums are lifted in various said James J. RealtyTrac’s chief executive officer. Hernando Countty posted the biggest decrease in the Tampa Bayregion year-over-year, fallinv more than 14.5 percent with 475 homes in some state of That represents one in every 169 homesx under the threat of beingy taken back by lenders.
Sarasota Countt was not far behind with just undee a 7 percent dropaffecting 1,072 or one in everyu 206 households. Manatee County had a 2 percent drop sincde May 2008 that hit590 homes, or one in 287 On the other end of the Pasco County had the largest increase in jumping more than 62 percent to 1,500 That represents one in every 145 homezs in foreclosure, ninth worst in the state. Despite falling more than 6 percentsincre April, Polk County was up nearlt 53 percent over the past year as 1,572 home were in foreclosure, representing one in every 177 Pinellas County jumped 48 percen to 2,458 homes.
Hillsborough Countyt climbed nearly 20 percent in foreclosure rates as lenderstargeted 2,40u8 homes. However, rates were down well over 25 percentsinces April. Florida had the third highest rate of foreclosurre in the country affecting one in everg148 homes. It had the seconde highest number of foreclosures at just fewefthan 59,000, a 50 percenft jump from May 2008. Three Florida metropolitan areas were rankeed among the 10 worst foreclosuree rates in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers at No. 6 with one in 82 homes in Orlando-Kissimmee at No. 8 with one in 101 homes in and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach at No. 10 with one in 105 homeds in foreclosure.
May was the third highesf month of foreclosure activityon record, said , up 18 percenty from the year before. Defaults and scheduled foreclosurer auctions were downfrom April, but bank repossessionse were up 2 percent and could continue to grow as foreclosurer delays and moratoriums are lifted in various said James J. RealtyTrac’s chief executive officer. Hernando Countty posted the biggest decrease in the Tampa Bayregion year-over-year, fallinv more than 14.5 percent with 475 homes in some state of That represents one in every 169 homesx under the threat of beingy taken back by lenders.
Sarasota Countt was not far behind with just undee a 7 percent dropaffecting 1,072 or one in everyu 206 households. Manatee County had a 2 percent drop sincde May 2008 that hit590 homes, or one in 287 On the other end of the Pasco County had the largest increase in jumping more than 62 percent to 1,500 That represents one in every 145 homezs in foreclosure, ninth worst in the state. Despite falling more than 6 percentsincre April, Polk County was up nearlt 53 percent over the past year as 1,572 home were in foreclosure, representing one in every 177 Pinellas County jumped 48 percen to 2,458 homes.
Hillsborough Countyt climbed nearly 20 percent in foreclosure rates as lenderstargeted 2,40u8 homes. However, rates were down well over 25 percentsinces April. Florida had the third highest rate of foreclosurre in the country affecting one in everg148 homes. It had the seconde highest number of foreclosures at just fewefthan 59,000, a 50 percenft jump from May 2008. Three Florida metropolitan areas were rankeed among the 10 worst foreclosuree rates in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers at No. 6 with one in 82 homes in Orlando-Kissimmee at No. 8 with one in 101 homes in and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach at No. 10 with one in 105 homeds in foreclosure.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
New Union Pacific rules could speed up TransPort's mission - Denver Business Journal:
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But they also offer a big boost to the 6,300-acre cargo hub plannedr for east of the E-470o and I-70 interchange. "It puts us in the positiohn to meet the needsof rail-serviced said Bill Schuck, president and CEO of , the Coloradp Springs-based project developer. TransPort planz call for a rail-air-trucjk freight complex at the site. Schuck said his group has been workinv closely with UnionPacificx (UP) for years and will use the new guidelines -- issued in a Sept. 14 letter by Jack UP's executive vice president for marketing andsalezs -- to design a rail systemn at TransPort that fits UP's requirements.
The issuw is rising demand for rail service in the last few and UP's desire to keep its trains movin over the long haul ratherd than stopping to pick up or drop off a few rail "More customers are coming to us wanting us to servs them," said James Barnes, spokesman for Omaha-baseds UP (NYSE: UNP). "But the places where they want us to servsthem [are not] at places wheres we can easily interrupt mainline Barnes said the new guidelines were issuedc to help potential clients see what they must to do in orded to do business with UP. "They're not able to just builxd facilities and then expect us to stop on a dime toservr them," Barnes said.
Schuck said UP appearz to want a new modelo for setting up new rail service where it coulf take entire trains off the mainline track and have a thirdpartyg -- such as TransPort -- brinhg the freight to the client. But the new rule s will make it a lot hardedr for customers who set up shopalong old, unused rail spurs, with hopes of startiny new rail service with UP, Schuck "We have to be in a position to providwe service to our existing customers and very carefullt bring on new business," Barnes "We're making sure potential new business is awarwe of the guidelines that need to be followerd so they don't inadvertently make investments in infrastructurd that won't bear fruit for them in termws of receiving railroad Koraleski's letter said UP, the nation'sa largest freight railroad with a 33,000-mile had received a record number of requests for rail service to new facilitiea in the past year.
"Thes e guidelines provide the basic requirements for any potential customer to use in assessin their options for rail theletter stated. On UP's list is a requirementy that new customers have enough track and space to store empty and loadesrail cars. Schuck said TransPort's plans includ a 1,000-acre rail-served park with a switch, or exit from UP's mainline tracks along I-70. "We workingf very closely with them," Schucok said.
But they also offer a big boost to the 6,300-acre cargo hub plannedr for east of the E-470o and I-70 interchange. "It puts us in the positiohn to meet the needsof rail-serviced said Bill Schuck, president and CEO of , the Coloradp Springs-based project developer. TransPort planz call for a rail-air-trucjk freight complex at the site. Schuck said his group has been workinv closely with UnionPacificx (UP) for years and will use the new guidelines -- issued in a Sept. 14 letter by Jack UP's executive vice president for marketing andsalezs -- to design a rail systemn at TransPort that fits UP's requirements.
The issuw is rising demand for rail service in the last few and UP's desire to keep its trains movin over the long haul ratherd than stopping to pick up or drop off a few rail "More customers are coming to us wanting us to servs them," said James Barnes, spokesman for Omaha-baseds UP (NYSE: UNP). "But the places where they want us to servsthem [are not] at places wheres we can easily interrupt mainline Barnes said the new guidelines were issuedc to help potential clients see what they must to do in orded to do business with UP. "They're not able to just builxd facilities and then expect us to stop on a dime toservr them," Barnes said.
Schuck said UP appearz to want a new modelo for setting up new rail service where it coulf take entire trains off the mainline track and have a thirdpartyg -- such as TransPort -- brinhg the freight to the client. But the new rule s will make it a lot hardedr for customers who set up shopalong old, unused rail spurs, with hopes of startiny new rail service with UP, Schuck "We have to be in a position to providwe service to our existing customers and very carefullt bring on new business," Barnes "We're making sure potential new business is awarwe of the guidelines that need to be followerd so they don't inadvertently make investments in infrastructurd that won't bear fruit for them in termws of receiving railroad Koraleski's letter said UP, the nation'sa largest freight railroad with a 33,000-mile had received a record number of requests for rail service to new facilitiea in the past year.
"Thes e guidelines provide the basic requirements for any potential customer to use in assessin their options for rail theletter stated. On UP's list is a requirementy that new customers have enough track and space to store empty and loadesrail cars. Schuck said TransPort's plans includ a 1,000-acre rail-served park with a switch, or exit from UP's mainline tracks along I-70. "We workingf very closely with them," Schucok said.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
There Is Nothing Wrong With Appealing To Movie Audiences Or Relaunching ... - Comic Book Movie
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There Is Nothing Wrong With Appealing To Movie Audiences Or Relaunching ... Comic Book Movie Lately, Marvel comics has been accused of watering down their characters to attract fans of the film. I'm going to explain why there is nothing wrong with this, and this is exactly what fans and the comic book industry as a whole should want. |
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Wikipedia hits defining moment in social Web era - Phys.Org
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U.S. News & World Report | Wikipedia hits defining moment in social Web era Phys.Org Wikipedia, the public knowledge website, is more than a decade old and remains among the top 10 Internet sites in the world, but some say it is becoming old and dowdy. Others want to keep it that way. Wikipedia hits defining moment |
Friday, July 13, 2012
DreamWorks Announces Indoor Theme Park In New Jersey - Business Insider
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Business Insider | DreamWorks Announces Indoor Theme Park In New Jersey Business Insider That will include an indoor ski slope and water park. DreamWorks theme park planned at st » |
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Southwest pilots turn down contract offer - Dallas Business Journal:
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The union, which represents Dallas-based Southwest’es (NYSE: LUV) 5,900 pilots, said 51 percen t of pilots voted against the contract with 95 percent of the uniob participating inthe vote. The pilots unioh and Southwest have been negotiating the new contract sincewSeptember 2006. "Our pilotw have spoken, and the group has statee there is more work to be said Capt. Carl Kuwitzky, President of the Southwesf Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA). "This contract, despite some financial gains, contained too many othe negative aspects toratify it.
" The union was not specific about member objections to the but said the association will poll its members to determinwe what elements require further discussion with the company. In a statement issuex Wednesday, Chuck Magill, vice presideng of flight operations at SouthwestAirlines said: "Wse are naturally disappointed and acknowledge it was a very closr vote. We reached a tentative agreemenr ingood faith, and both sides put a lot of efforgt into getting to this We have an outstanding and highly productive group of and we appreciate theier active involvement in the voting process.
We welcomd the opportunity for our negotiating teamsto re-engagde and work toward an agreement that best meets the needs of our compangy and our outstanding pilots during these challenging economic times.”
The union, which represents Dallas-based Southwest’es (NYSE: LUV) 5,900 pilots, said 51 percen t of pilots voted against the contract with 95 percent of the uniob participating inthe vote. The pilots unioh and Southwest have been negotiating the new contract sincewSeptember 2006. "Our pilotw have spoken, and the group has statee there is more work to be said Capt. Carl Kuwitzky, President of the Southwesf Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA). "This contract, despite some financial gains, contained too many othe negative aspects toratify it.
" The union was not specific about member objections to the but said the association will poll its members to determinwe what elements require further discussion with the company. In a statement issuex Wednesday, Chuck Magill, vice presideng of flight operations at SouthwestAirlines said: "Wse are naturally disappointed and acknowledge it was a very closr vote. We reached a tentative agreemenr ingood faith, and both sides put a lot of efforgt into getting to this We have an outstanding and highly productive group of and we appreciate theier active involvement in the voting process.
We welcomd the opportunity for our negotiating teamsto re-engagde and work toward an agreement that best meets the needs of our compangy and our outstanding pilots during these challenging economic times.”
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Donald Trump says SimDag can
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At least that’s what Trump claims in courg documents filed withthe U.S. District Court’ s Middle District of Florida Wednesday as he continues to try and recovee unpaid licensing fees connected to the failedx Trump TowerTampa project. After Trump sued SimDagh for morethan $1 million in licensing fees in May 2007, Dagostinol filed a counterclaim saying Trump’s revealing of the existencse of the licensing agreemen — something that had nevet been publicly confirmed before that — caused irreparablee harm to the project, and sought his own damagea because of it. Trump, through his attorneys Christopher L. Griffin and Lauren L.
Valientwe of LLP of Tampa, says that not only is Dagostinop incapable of fulfilling the originapl agreement first signed in Octobet 2004 but his own guaranty already waives his rights to file such a The original licensing deal wouldr result ina $2 milliojn payday for Trump, but the agreement in 2006 that doublexd that fee to $4 milliohn in exchange for concessions in the amount of moneyu Trump would receive from condo sales. As part of the new Trump would receive a 50 percentf cut of overallnet profits, instead of various percentages of gros revenue averaging around $300 a squarw foot. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge K.
Rodney May ordered in July that Trump’sx breach of contract suit could continuedespits SimDag’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing. At the same with Peter J. Grilli on 29 would also move forward. The $225 million luxury condominium project was supposeed to be built on Ashlegy Drive in downtown Tampaz on the banks of theHillsboroughh River. The trial for Trump’s breach of contract suit is scheduleedfor Feb. 2. In the meantime, Dagostino has changeds attorneys inthe lawsuit. Charless M. Harris Jr. and Heidi L. Hobbsz of Trenam Kemker Scharf BarkibnFrye O’Neill & Mullis in St.
Petersburg will represent him in the caseagainsgt Trump, replacing Allen Levine and Lisa M. Castellano of of Clearwater.
At least that’s what Trump claims in courg documents filed withthe U.S. District Court’ s Middle District of Florida Wednesday as he continues to try and recovee unpaid licensing fees connected to the failedx Trump TowerTampa project. After Trump sued SimDagh for morethan $1 million in licensing fees in May 2007, Dagostinol filed a counterclaim saying Trump’s revealing of the existencse of the licensing agreemen — something that had nevet been publicly confirmed before that — caused irreparablee harm to the project, and sought his own damagea because of it. Trump, through his attorneys Christopher L. Griffin and Lauren L.
Valientwe of LLP of Tampa, says that not only is Dagostinop incapable of fulfilling the originapl agreement first signed in Octobet 2004 but his own guaranty already waives his rights to file such a The original licensing deal wouldr result ina $2 milliojn payday for Trump, but the agreement in 2006 that doublexd that fee to $4 milliohn in exchange for concessions in the amount of moneyu Trump would receive from condo sales. As part of the new Trump would receive a 50 percentf cut of overallnet profits, instead of various percentages of gros revenue averaging around $300 a squarw foot. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge K.
Rodney May ordered in July that Trump’sx breach of contract suit could continuedespits SimDag’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing. At the same with Peter J. Grilli on 29 would also move forward. The $225 million luxury condominium project was supposeed to be built on Ashlegy Drive in downtown Tampaz on the banks of theHillsboroughh River. The trial for Trump’s breach of contract suit is scheduleedfor Feb. 2. In the meantime, Dagostino has changeds attorneys inthe lawsuit. Charless M. Harris Jr. and Heidi L. Hobbsz of Trenam Kemker Scharf BarkibnFrye O’Neill & Mullis in St.
Petersburg will represent him in the caseagainsgt Trump, replacing Allen Levine and Lisa M. Castellano of of Clearwater.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Arlington to close Bad Königshofen Family Aquatic Center for maintenance - Fort Worth Star Telegram
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Fort Worth Star Telegram | Arlington to close Bad Königshofen Family Aquatic Center for maintenance Fort Worth Star Telegram The Bad Königshofen Family Aquatic Center in southwest Arlington will close temporarily starting 4 p.m. today while the city does maintenance to address water quality. |
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Report: IBM in talks to buy Sun for $6.5B - Dallas Business Journal:
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billion in cash. The price reported by the WallStreeyt Journal, citing unidentified sources it said are familiar with the would be a 100 percent premium over Sun's closing price of $4.97 a share on Sun shares opened trading on Tuesday up more than 68 percent at $8.36. IBM openeds down almost 4 percentat $89.46. Santaa Clara, Calif.-based Sun (NASDAQ: JAVA) reorganized into three business unitxs asits high-end servers and storage deviceds have struggled in the It laid off more than 6,000 employees last fall afterf reporting a nearly $500 million loss. The deal woul d be the largest acquisitio inIBM (NYSE: IBM) history.
The Journa l reported that despitethe talks, its sourcesd said there is no assuranc that a deal will be reached. The paper said that Sun approachefd a number of largetech companies, including (NYSE: HPQ) about an acquisition but was turned away. An IBM acquisitioh of Sun is seen as potentiallyy giving it powerful weapons in the competitiob for the data center marke t which research firm IDC says willhit $100 billiob in 2009. "Big Blue" is going head-to-heas in the market against HP andSan Jose, Calif.-baseed (NASDAQ: CSCO) which said earlier this week that it will starft selling its own "server" computefr in competition against the other two.
Cisco and HP had previously worked together inthe market. Palo Calif.-based HP made a big move in the market when itpaid $13. 9 billion to purchase of Texas-based in August, placing it squarely in competition with IBM on hugeoutsourcinbg contracts. In last year'z fourth quarter, IBM led in the global serverr market revenuewith $4.9 billionj in sales, about 36 percent of the market. HP was No. 2 with $3.9 billion in sales or about 29 percentg ofthe market. DELL), with $1.4 billion in sales, and Sun, with abouf $1.3 billion, were a distant No. 3 and No. 4.
billion in cash. The price reported by the WallStreeyt Journal, citing unidentified sources it said are familiar with the would be a 100 percent premium over Sun's closing price of $4.97 a share on Sun shares opened trading on Tuesday up more than 68 percent at $8.36. IBM openeds down almost 4 percentat $89.46. Santaa Clara, Calif.-based Sun (NASDAQ: JAVA) reorganized into three business unitxs asits high-end servers and storage deviceds have struggled in the It laid off more than 6,000 employees last fall afterf reporting a nearly $500 million loss. The deal woul d be the largest acquisitio inIBM (NYSE: IBM) history.
The Journa l reported that despitethe talks, its sourcesd said there is no assuranc that a deal will be reached. The paper said that Sun approachefd a number of largetech companies, including (NYSE: HPQ) about an acquisition but was turned away. An IBM acquisitioh of Sun is seen as potentiallyy giving it powerful weapons in the competitiob for the data center marke t which research firm IDC says willhit $100 billiob in 2009. "Big Blue" is going head-to-heas in the market against HP andSan Jose, Calif.-baseed (NASDAQ: CSCO) which said earlier this week that it will starft selling its own "server" computefr in competition against the other two.
Cisco and HP had previously worked together inthe market. Palo Calif.-based HP made a big move in the market when itpaid $13. 9 billion to purchase of Texas-based in August, placing it squarely in competition with IBM on hugeoutsourcinbg contracts. In last year'z fourth quarter, IBM led in the global serverr market revenuewith $4.9 billionj in sales, about 36 percent of the market. HP was No. 2 with $3.9 billion in sales or about 29 percentg ofthe market. DELL), with $1.4 billion in sales, and Sun, with abouf $1.3 billion, were a distant No. 3 and No. 4.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Consumers
titus-neither.blogspot.com
The has filed for a stay on the detaikl in a rate increase PUCO approved this monthufor Columbus-based American Electridc Power (NYSE:AEP). Part of the PUCO order allowsd the company to pick up revenue it would have receivex had the rate increase takeb effect at the beginning of the AEP received roughly half of the 15 percenr annual electricity rate increase it sought for this yearthrough 2011. If the commissiomn next week gives approval to tariffs AEP has filee since therate ruling, the increase the PUCO approved for 2009 will be compressexd into bills for the remaining months of this year.
The counsel opposed the retroactiverate increase, but the request for a stay asks the PUCO to not put it into effec t until a determination is made aboutg the legality of the provision. Consumers’ counsepl spokesman Ryan Lippe said the agenc thinks the retroactive increase violatews Ohio lawand isn’t permitted in the sweepinb electricity deregulation plan Gov. Ted Stricklanf signed last year. That paved the way for the rate increasw AEP filedlast summer. The joined the Ohio Counsel in requestingthe stay. Shana Eiselstein, a spokeswomahn for the PUCO, wouldn’t comment on the legal stating only that the retroactivwe provision is an element ofthe commission’s order.
“If argumentsx are raised otherwise, there is an opportunity for a rehearingf and the commission will have to consider arguments as they come she said. An AEP spokeswoman couldn’t be reached for comment. Lippe said the counsel intends to seek a rehearing on therate
The has filed for a stay on the detaikl in a rate increase PUCO approved this monthufor Columbus-based American Electridc Power (NYSE:AEP). Part of the PUCO order allowsd the company to pick up revenue it would have receivex had the rate increase takeb effect at the beginning of the AEP received roughly half of the 15 percenr annual electricity rate increase it sought for this yearthrough 2011. If the commissiomn next week gives approval to tariffs AEP has filee since therate ruling, the increase the PUCO approved for 2009 will be compressexd into bills for the remaining months of this year.
The counsel opposed the retroactiverate increase, but the request for a stay asks the PUCO to not put it into effec t until a determination is made aboutg the legality of the provision. Consumers’ counsepl spokesman Ryan Lippe said the agenc thinks the retroactive increase violatews Ohio lawand isn’t permitted in the sweepinb electricity deregulation plan Gov. Ted Stricklanf signed last year. That paved the way for the rate increasw AEP filedlast summer. The joined the Ohio Counsel in requestingthe stay. Shana Eiselstein, a spokeswomahn for the PUCO, wouldn’t comment on the legal stating only that the retroactivwe provision is an element ofthe commission’s order.
“If argumentsx are raised otherwise, there is an opportunity for a rehearingf and the commission will have to consider arguments as they come she said. An AEP spokeswoman couldn’t be reached for comment. Lippe said the counsel intends to seek a rehearing on therate
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
E-Verify rule put on hold again - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
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The rule was scheduled to takeeffecg Jan. 15, but the delayexd the implementation dateuntil Feb. 20 after the and othe groups filed a lawsuit aimed at blocking the Now therule won’t go into effecf until May 21 “in ordedr to permit the new administration an adequatwe opportunity to review the rule,” accordingh to a notice to be publisher Friday in the Federal When Barack Obama took officr as president, he urged agencies to review new regulations that had not yet becomr effective.
“We are hopeful that the incomingf administration will agreethat E-Verify is the wrong solution at the wrong said Robin Conrad, executive vice presidenty of the National Chamberd Litigation Center. The chamber contends Homeland Security lacks the authority to make the useof E-Verifg mandatory for contractors. The requirement would add a cost to thechamber argues. E-Verify provides an Internet-based means for employersd to compare the names and Social Securityg numbers of newly hired employees againstgovernment databases. About 100,000 businesses now participate in the which isnow voluntary.
Bush administration officialxs contended the government has the right to ensure the companies it does business with comply withimmigration laws. Randy Johnson, the chamber’s vice presidenft in charge oflabor policy, said the Obamas administration’s decision to review the E-Verify regulation is “z promising development, but it doesn’t changre the fact that the executive branch may not make E-Verifgy mandatory when Congress clearly said that it must be “We’re cautiously optimistic that the incoming administration will make the righf choice, but if not, it will be up to the court to settls the issue,” Johnson said.
The rule was scheduled to takeeffecg Jan. 15, but the delayexd the implementation dateuntil Feb. 20 after the and othe groups filed a lawsuit aimed at blocking the Now therule won’t go into effecf until May 21 “in ordedr to permit the new administration an adequatwe opportunity to review the rule,” accordingh to a notice to be publisher Friday in the Federal When Barack Obama took officr as president, he urged agencies to review new regulations that had not yet becomr effective.
“We are hopeful that the incomingf administration will agreethat E-Verify is the wrong solution at the wrong said Robin Conrad, executive vice presidenty of the National Chamberd Litigation Center. The chamber contends Homeland Security lacks the authority to make the useof E-Verifg mandatory for contractors. The requirement would add a cost to thechamber argues. E-Verify provides an Internet-based means for employersd to compare the names and Social Securityg numbers of newly hired employees againstgovernment databases. About 100,000 businesses now participate in the which isnow voluntary.
Bush administration officialxs contended the government has the right to ensure the companies it does business with comply withimmigration laws. Randy Johnson, the chamber’s vice presidenft in charge oflabor policy, said the Obamas administration’s decision to review the E-Verify regulation is “z promising development, but it doesn’t changre the fact that the executive branch may not make E-Verifgy mandatory when Congress clearly said that it must be “We’re cautiously optimistic that the incoming administration will make the righf choice, but if not, it will be up to the court to settls the issue,” Johnson said.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Alabama BlueCross cuts jobs, citing economic downturn - Dallas Business Journal:
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The state’s largest health insurer has cut humabn resources positions in recent weeks and has told employee s jobs will be slashed in itsclaima department. BlueCross has a June 15 meeting in whicn health management provider service department employees are expectedf to learn if they will be impacted bythe layoffs, according to sourcew who spoke on the condition of BlueCross’ claims department personnel attended a June 4 meetin g in which employees were told only eight jobs were available to bid on in a 200-persomn department, sources said.
BlueCross managers told employees many businessew are turning toelectronic claims, decreasing the need for paperr records administered in-house. Increasing unemployment figurese coupled with corresponding rising uninsured rolls callfor belt-tightening measurea for insurance companies, public health professor Dean G. Smith said. BlueCrosxs said it is “reviewinf the scale of our administrative to be properly aligned with its customed base and itscorporate mission. Without providin specific numbers on anticipatedjob cuts, it said its personne l adjustments are in response to declining customer It blamed the recession and the state’s escalating unemployment rate for the job cuts.
In an e-mailedr statement, BlueCross said it is “not immune to thes e challenging anddifficult times. “Wwe too are being affected by the current economivc downturn and the doubling of the unemployment rate in Alabamza over the last12 months,” BlueCross’ statemenf read. “Many of our customers have had to reduce theire work force and this has resulted in some having to drop theire healthcare coverage.” Alabama’s unemployment rate was 9 percent in Aprilp 2009, up from 4.5 percent in April 2008. BlueCross of Alabama said it has 3,400 employees in Alabama. In 2008, BlueCross had 3,0000 local employees, according to research.
It held 96 percent of the smallk business health insurance market in the state in the most recent dataavailable shows. In BlueCross reported $4 billion in premium revenue, up from $3.5 billio in 2007. Its $28.6 million 2008 net income resultex in a profit margin of less than one half of 1 Thinning profit margins are troubling forinsuranc companies, University of Michigan’s Smith Insurance firms generally aim for profit margins in the 2 percentr neighborhood. As unemployment rates the number ofinsured declines, which takes a toll on an insurer’se bottom line, Smith said. He said BlueCross’ cuts are in response to the slumping economy.
“Too few peoplwe insured means fewer peoplew needed to manage the businesws asvolume decreases,” Smith said. “They also migh t be tightening their belt a littlee bit in anticipation to what might be down the When you have less business you needfewerd workers. That’s good management.”
The state’s largest health insurer has cut humabn resources positions in recent weeks and has told employee s jobs will be slashed in itsclaima department. BlueCross has a June 15 meeting in whicn health management provider service department employees are expectedf to learn if they will be impacted bythe layoffs, according to sourcew who spoke on the condition of BlueCross’ claims department personnel attended a June 4 meetin g in which employees were told only eight jobs were available to bid on in a 200-persomn department, sources said.
BlueCross managers told employees many businessew are turning toelectronic claims, decreasing the need for paperr records administered in-house. Increasing unemployment figurese coupled with corresponding rising uninsured rolls callfor belt-tightening measurea for insurance companies, public health professor Dean G. Smith said. BlueCrosxs said it is “reviewinf the scale of our administrative to be properly aligned with its customed base and itscorporate mission. Without providin specific numbers on anticipatedjob cuts, it said its personne l adjustments are in response to declining customer It blamed the recession and the state’s escalating unemployment rate for the job cuts.
In an e-mailedr statement, BlueCross said it is “not immune to thes e challenging anddifficult times. “Wwe too are being affected by the current economivc downturn and the doubling of the unemployment rate in Alabamza over the last12 months,” BlueCross’ statemenf read. “Many of our customers have had to reduce theire work force and this has resulted in some having to drop theire healthcare coverage.” Alabama’s unemployment rate was 9 percent in Aprilp 2009, up from 4.5 percent in April 2008. BlueCross of Alabama said it has 3,400 employees in Alabama. In 2008, BlueCross had 3,0000 local employees, according to research.
It held 96 percent of the smallk business health insurance market in the state in the most recent dataavailable shows. In BlueCross reported $4 billion in premium revenue, up from $3.5 billio in 2007. Its $28.6 million 2008 net income resultex in a profit margin of less than one half of 1 Thinning profit margins are troubling forinsuranc companies, University of Michigan’s Smith Insurance firms generally aim for profit margins in the 2 percentr neighborhood. As unemployment rates the number ofinsured declines, which takes a toll on an insurer’se bottom line, Smith said. He said BlueCross’ cuts are in response to the slumping economy.
“Too few peoplwe insured means fewer peoplew needed to manage the businesws asvolume decreases,” Smith said. “They also migh t be tightening their belt a littlee bit in anticipation to what might be down the When you have less business you needfewerd workers. That’s good management.”
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Audit shows surplus decline at Pinnacol - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
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According to the recenty audit fromDeloitte & Toucher LLP, which lawmakers reviewed Monday, the decrease is related to lossex on bonds and common Pinnacol’s reserves were a source of scrutiny earliee this year when Colorado legislators attempted to raid $500 million from the insurefr to plug gaps in the state budget. Lawmakers argued that becauses Pinnacol is a political subdivisiomn ofthe state, its reserves were fair But legislators later retreateed from the raid after Pinnacol’s CEO threatened to sue the stats and Gov. Bill Ritter indicated he would not supportfthe move.
A special committee will look into Pinnacol’sd operations under Senate Bill 281, approvef by lawmakers and Ritter during the most recentGeneralo Assembly. Supporters of the bill said that Pinnacol’sd unique structure should be examined more But opponents of the legislatioh say the committee isa “witchu hunt” to dismantle Pinnacol, which functioned better sinced it started operating as a privatde interest in 2004. In an audit Deloitte said it identified financial misstatementsthat haven’t been corrected in the company’ds books totaling $7.5 million in net income. Pinnacol repliecd that the uncorrected statementsare “immaterial.
” Pinnacol reported a total of $2 billion in assetsx in 2008. It declared additional policyholder dividendsof $120 millio n that year.
According to the recenty audit fromDeloitte & Toucher LLP, which lawmakers reviewed Monday, the decrease is related to lossex on bonds and common Pinnacol’s reserves were a source of scrutiny earliee this year when Colorado legislators attempted to raid $500 million from the insurefr to plug gaps in the state budget. Lawmakers argued that becauses Pinnacol is a political subdivisiomn ofthe state, its reserves were fair But legislators later retreateed from the raid after Pinnacol’s CEO threatened to sue the stats and Gov. Bill Ritter indicated he would not supportfthe move.
A special committee will look into Pinnacol’sd operations under Senate Bill 281, approvef by lawmakers and Ritter during the most recentGeneralo Assembly. Supporters of the bill said that Pinnacol’sd unique structure should be examined more But opponents of the legislatioh say the committee isa “witchu hunt” to dismantle Pinnacol, which functioned better sinced it started operating as a privatde interest in 2004. In an audit Deloitte said it identified financial misstatementsthat haven’t been corrected in the company’ds books totaling $7.5 million in net income. Pinnacol repliecd that the uncorrected statementsare “immaterial.
” Pinnacol reported a total of $2 billion in assetsx in 2008. It declared additional policyholder dividendsof $120 millio n that year.
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