Saturday, July 07, 2012

More than a half-dozen proposals in the hunt for Michigan statewide ballot

More than a half-dozen proposals in the hunt for Michigan statewide ballot | MLive.com
Organizations trying to qualify ballot proposals for the November statewide election have until Monday afternoon to submit petitions to Michigan election officials

Friday, July 06, 2012

Obamacare Will Crush Small Businesses

Obamacare Will Crush Small Businesses -- Opinion - TheStreet
Businesses with 50 or more people will face a $2,000 non-tax-deductible penalty for every employee over 30 if employers don't offer approved insurance.

Republican teachers heckled, harassed at NEA convention

Republican teachers heckled, harassed at NEA convention - EAGnews.org :: Education Research, Reporting, Analysis and Commentary
The AP interviewed roughly a dozen Republican teachers, many of whom said they felt harassed into supporting Obama, and marginalized by their fellow union members when they refused.
Some of the Republican teachers “were so worried about retribution from their colleagues” that they refused to allow the AP to publish their names.

‘I,’ ‘Me’—Obama Uses First-Person Pronoun 117 Times in 1 Speech

‘I,’ ‘Me’—Obama Uses First-Person Pronoun 117 Times in 1 Speech | CNSNews.com
During this speech, Obama used “I” or “me” approximately once every 13.09 seconds.

Disease or choice? Alcoholic ex-Genesee County Road Commission worker suing for discrimination

Disease or choice? Alcoholic ex-Genesee County Road Commission worker suing for discrimination | MLive.com
Elbert Butler III says his alcoholism isn't a chosen behavior -- it's a disability -- and he's suing the county Road Commission, claiming he was passed over for promotions then fired because of it.

Republicans warn union campaign in Michigan could roll back reforms

Republicans warn union campaign in Michigan could roll back reforms | Fox News
The seemingly straightforward measure would call for a constitutional amendment creating a right to collective bargaining.
But critics warn it could short-circuit and roll back, respectively, dozens of legislative proposals and existing laws -- as well as prevent the state from ever passing a "right-to-work" law barring unions from demanding dues from employees.

Atlas Still Shrugging . . .

Atlas Still Shrugging . . . - By Victor Davis Hanson - The Corner - National Review Online#more#more#more#more
After sharp recessions, we usually get more robust than average recoveries, but since June 2009, things have not recovered at all really, and we are in a sort of permanent European-style slowdown — sort of a recession, sort of a weak recovery.
If one wanted to ensure permanent 8 percent to 9 percent unemployment, one might try the following:

Read it!

McCotter abruptly leaves Congress

McCotter abruptly leaves Congress | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com

I'm Farming and I Grow It

Chicago schools planning 2 percent pay raises, big dip into reserves

Chicago schools planning 2 percent pay raises, big dip into reserves - Chicago Sun-Times
 Facing a $665 million deficit, Chicago school officials released a budget plan Friday for the coming year that relies on the school system’s most drastic raid on its reserve funds in 17 years and includes 2 percent raises for everyone from teachers to central office workers.

The $5.162 billion spending plan draws down a “rainy day” fund to zero, while raising property taxes for schools to the maximum $62 million allowed by law — costing the average homeowner $28.

Indiana Congressman claims U.S. schools will never be innovative unless modelled on Islamic education system

Indiana Congressman claims U.S. schools will never be innovative unless modelled on Islamic education system | Mail Online
An Indiana Congressman has caused controversy after saying American schools should be modelled on Madrassas - Islamic schools with religious teachings founded on the Quran.
André Carson, the U.S. Representative for Indiana's 7th Congressional District, made the remarks during a May 26 presentation at an Islamic Circle of North America convention.

A video taken of his speech shows the Muslim 37-year-old democrat argue that America will never achieve ‘educational innovation and ingenuity’ unless they look to madrassas for inspiration

3.1 Million Workers Join Disability Ranks Vs. 2.6 Million That Got Jobs In Obama Recovery

3.1 Million Workers Join Disability Ranks Vs. 2.6 Million That Got Jobs In Obama Recovery - Investors.com
More workers joined the federal government's disability program in June than got new jobs, according to two new government reports, a clear indicator of how bleak the nation's jobs picture is after three full years of economic recovery.

The economy created just 80,000 jobs in June, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.
But that same month, 85,000 workers left the workforce entirely to enroll in the Social Security Disability Insurance program, according to the Social Security Administration.

Running Out of Options, Euro Zone May Face a Stark Choice

Running Out of Options, Euro Zone May Face a Stark Choice - Europe Business News - CNBC
By cutting its main interest rate by a 1/4 point to a record low 0.75 percent on Thursday and reducing the rate it pays on overnight deposits to zero, the ECB has almost exhausted its normal ammunition.

Roll-your-own cigarette stores going up in smoke

Roll-your-own cigarette stores going up in smoke - Chicago Sun-Times
On Friday, President Barack Obama is expected to sign into law a federal highway bill with a section that redefines tobacco manufacturers to include any business with a roll-your-own cigarette machine and taxes those products at the same rate as packaged smokes.

Lights out for U.S.-style Big Government | system, obamacare, way

Mark Steyn: Lights out for U.S.-style Big Government | system, obamacare, way - Opinion - The Orange County Register
Obituaries for the late Andy Griffith generally glossed over his career finale as a pitchman for Obamacare.
But he was a canny choice to sell the unsellable, for is not "health" "care" "reform" the communitarian virtues of beloved small-town Mayberry writ large?
The problem is, you can't write Mayberry large.
And, if you attempt it, it leads not to Mayberry but to Stockton, California, and to a corrupt, dysfunctional swamp.

Muskegon county commissioners continue "prevailing wage" even when it's not required.



4.7
Prevailing Wage


Any construction, remodeling or repair contract over $100,000 (or $2,000 if Federal funds are used)

requires the contractor to pay their employees prevailing wages as set forth in the Davis Bacon Act.

Additional reporting requirements must be met to ensure compliance with this provision.

This bid must comply with the prevailing wage rates for the MI Zone established by the MI State

Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth.
These rates can be obtained from the State of MI Dept. of

Labor & Economic Growth, PO Box 30004, Lansing, MI, 48909 or phone (517) 373-1820

Man blows off part of his genitals with fireworks near Traverse City

Man blows off part of his genitals with fireworks near Traverse City | MLive.com
ACME TOWNSHIP MI — Authorities in northern Michigan confirmed that fireworks blew off part of a man’s genitals earlier this week.
Grand Traverse County fire personnel say a 45-year-old man was rushed to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City on Monday evening after a mortar shell exploded between his legs.

Obama Administration to Spend $20 Million on Green Energy Plan – For Africa

Obama Administration to Spend $20 Million on Green Energy Plan – For Africa | CNSNews.com
The U.S. government is spending $20 million to “help clean energy projects in Africa get started.”
Those projects include wind farms and solar panels, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced at the recent Rio +20 Conference in Brazil.

IMF's Lagarde Voices Concern Over Global Economy

IMF's Lagarde Voices Concern Over Global Economy - Asia Business News - CNBC - CNBC
The head of the International Monetary Fund expressed concern on Friday at a deterioration in the global economy, saying the outlook has become more worrying as developed and big emerging nations show signs of slowing down.

Michigan group submits signatures to put '25 by 25' renewable energy mandate on ballot

Michigan group submits signatures to put '25 by 25' renewable energy mandate on ballot | MLive.com
The proposal would amend the state constitution to require Michigan electric utilities to derive at least 25 percent of their energy from clean renewable sources by 2025.
It also calls for providers to limit rate increases to a maximum of 1 percent per year to meet the standard.