Census data shows median household income os down nearly 4% and more people are living in poverty. From the LA Times: Census data show falling income The findings indicate the scope of the recession — the percentage of people living in poverty has reached an 11-year high. By Kate Linthicum and DeeDee Correll September 30, 2009 [...]
Entries from September 30th, 2009
No surprise that data shows incomes are falling
September 30th, 2009 · No Comments · economy, News and Information
Environmental regulation from EPA could impact utility companies
September 30th, 2009 · No Comments · environment, News and Information
As Congress considers greenhouse gas reduction strategies, the Environmental Protection Agency targeted the largest emitters with new rules. EPA proposes regulations on biggest greenhouse-gas emitters The Environmental Protection Agency’s rules would apply to large-scale industrial sources of the heat-trapping gases, such as power plants, factories and oil refineries. By Jim Tankersley September 30, 2009 | [...]
Healthcare update as of 9/30/09
September 30th, 2009 · No Comments · Healthcare, News and Information
From the LA Times (again): Key Senate panel votes down ‘public option’ for healthcare Centrists side with Republicans in a blow to advocates of a government program to compete with private plans. The issue will likely be revisited on the Senate floor and in committee with the House. Police arrest a man calling for universal [...]
Tags:business·economy·Healthcare
Governor's task force lays out new tax strategy
September 30th, 2009 · No Comments · California government, government reform, News and Information
The Governor backs the proposals to change personal income tax rates and do away with sales tax in favor of a California version of the Value Added Tax. Only Schwarzenegger seems to like it. This from the LA Times: Schwarzenegger seeks overhaul of state tax system The governor calls a special session of the Legislature [...]
Tags:business·business growth·California·California government·economy·reform·tax reform
David Lazarus on healthcare
September 20th, 2009 · No Comments · Healthcare, Opinion
The LA Times‘ Lazarus consistently makes me think about issues in a different way. Let’s dive into a healthcare insurance pool The employer-based system isn’t working but would be preserved under the Senate reform proposal. It’s time to try something new. By David Lazarus September 20, 2009 The compromise healthcare reform proposal unveiled in the [...]
Tags:Healthcare·LA Times·Lazarus
Another call for a Constitutional Convention to address California's problems
September 20th, 2009 · No Comments · California government, Opinion
This time it’s the LA Times: Taming the California beast So many problems, so many competing interests — only rewriting the Constitution will do. It’s not always easy to identify the tentacles that are strangling California and keeping it from fulfilling its promise for 38 million residents. Who wrecked our public school system, which was [...]
Tags:business·California·California government·constitutional convention·economy·government reform·Governor Schwarzenegger·LA Times
Spending can help, in all sorts of ways
September 18th, 2009 · No Comments · economy, News and Information, Opinion
From the LA Times: Business trips could boost companies’ profits, groups say Also: Forecast worsens for airline losses, and flu shots might come to LAX. As the nation struggles to climb out of the worst recession in decades, two reports released this week suggest that increased spending on business travel can help companies profit and [...]
Recession over?
September 18th, 2009 · No Comments · economy, News and Information, Opinion
Economists at UCLA see indications of recovery. From the LA Times: Southern California’s vital signs are improving Data suggest that an economic recovery has begun in the region. But the state’s picture isn’t all bright. By Alana Semuels and Ronald D. White September 16, 2009 Signs are increasing that an economic turnaround has begun [...]
A different twist on energy efficiency
September 18th, 2009 · No Comments · environment, resources, water
One reason The Atlantic is one of our best magazines. Alternative views and different perspectives can give us reasons to examine long held views. Forget the solar panels and the rain barrels—if you want to save energy, leave the suburbs. by Witold Rybczynski The Green Case for Cities NOWHERE HAS THE greening message had a bigger [...]
California continues to lead
September 18th, 2009 · No Comments · California government, environment, resources, water
A terrific article in The Atlantic delineates California’s leadership in environmental stewardship. ENERGY OCTOBER 2009 ATLANTIC Busted budgets, failing schools, overcrowded prisons, gridlocked government—California no longer beckons as America’s promised land. Except, that is, in one area: creating a new energy economy. But is its path one the rest of the nation can follow? by Ronald Brownstein The [...]
Tags:business·California·energy·environment·Governor Schwarzenegger·water