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  • 'Hard decisions' urged on city budget
    Mar 10, 2010 — New Haven Register
    The average condo owner would see an increase of 15.1 percent. Average commercial property taxes would rise by 9.7 percent. Motor vehicle taxes would drop an average of 11.94 percent. DeStefano's plan does not call for layoffs and leaves most city services and departments intact.
  • 'Health Freedom Act' passes Idaho Senate
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Spokesman-Review
    Elliot Werk, D-Boise, questioned spending as much as $100,000 on a court fight over federal health care reform legislation, saying that could pay salaries for three teachers. Plus, he said, "As Americans, what is our freedom worth? John Andreason, R-Boise, were the only Republicans to vote against the bill. Sen.
  • Assessing the Eric Massa impact (or lack thereof)
    Mar 10, 2010 — Washington Post
    In the short term, the impact is fairly obvious. For Democrats, Massa's seeming unwillingness to go quietly into that good night means a week filled with distractions as the party attempts to rally behind President Obama's health care plan. Without Palin, Huckabee (29 percent) and Romney (28 percent) are in a statistical dead heat.
  • Bankruptcy approved for Westfall in Pike County
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Times-Tribune (Scranton, Pa.)
    It was evident to the judge," Mr. Buchanan said. The township is located in a predominantly rural eastern corner of Pike County. The tax hike also required court approval since the township exceeded state millage limits.
  • Battle brewing over Dona Ana County wastewater treatment plant
    Mar 10, 2010 — Las Cruces Sun-News
    Mary Jane Garcia, D-Dona Ana, also was present. The city already treats some sewage from Dona Ana. Also Tuesday, Tom Austin, a Leasburg resident and sewage plant opponent, expressed a number of concerns to the Dona Ana association. He recounted how the board rejected a former proposed plant location in the Hill area several years ago, after Dona Ana association members protested.
  • Battle heats up over Southern California Gas smart meter proposal
    Mar 10, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    On Thursday, she and fellow commissioners are expected to vote on the gas-meter proposals. But Grueneich and SoCalGas are wrong, many experts said, if they contend that smart gas meters could produce the same kind of energy savings as smart electric meters. Natural gas and electricity are fundamentally different power sources, they said.
  • Bill aims to change state retiree benefits
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Decatur Daily
    ...employees to work more years to qualify for employee health insurance benefits as retirees. In addition, the state could end the practice of accepting years of service with a local government as time served toward state retirement health insurance benefits. HB 649 by Rep. Jamie Ison, R-Mobile, sets out minimum lengths of time state employees must serve to qualify for state retirement benefits, including health insurance coverage. A public hearing on the bill is set for...
  • BRIEF
    Mar 10, 2010 — Fort Worth Star-Telegram
    ...Scott Nishimura Mar. 9, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Texas added 14,800 jobs in January, not the 30,300 reported last week, the Texas Workforce Commission said Tuesday. To continue reading,click here. Looking for comments? Newstex ID: KRTB-0070-42731590 ...
  • BRIEF: Port launches joint marketing program
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Columbian
    VANCOUVER, Wa -- The Port of Vancouver is launching a joint marketing effort, along with the city of Vancouver and the Columbia River Economic Development Council, to lease its available industrial property. The 2010 draft industrial marketing plan, developed by the port, focuses on the port's competitive advantages, including its location on the Columbia River and Interstate 5 corridor, rail infrastructure and existing business clusters in trucking, logistics and warehousing, plastics,...
  • Brown calls his election `a message' against health bill
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Boston Globe
    But later yesterday, the freshman senator voted against an amendment cosponsored by Kerry to provide $1.3 billion for summer jobs programs for young people. But he said he did so only to break a logjam and he planned to vote against the measure later on the grounds that it is too costly.
  • Budget gap projected
    Mar 10, 2010 — Tampa Tribune
    Commissioners avoided many of those cuts by raising property taxes enough to generate about $13 million. It's not clear whether another property tax increase is on the horizon. Just to replicate their current budget, commissioners would have to raise the tax rate by about 11.4 percent, Nurrenbrock said.
  • Business group balks at cost of wind power
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Providence Journal
    The price would increase by 3.5 percent a year. He also said the clean energy project would generate much-needed jobs in the state.
  • Business leaders rail against proposed tax changes
    Mar 10, 2010 — Lexington Herald-Leader
    The film industry tax credit now has no cap. --Extend to June 30, 2011, a tax credit for those who trade in a vehicle when they purchase a new one.
  • Byron residents approve 2010 budget lower than current one
    Mar 10, 2010 — Sun Journal (Lewiston, Maine)
    She was also elected to her first one-year term as tax collector. Roseanna Susbury was re-elected to another one-year term as treasurer. About $4,000 was raised to pay for administrative support, tasks that will be shared by Roderick and Susbury as needed. Reductions included $5,000 from the legal services account.
  • Cal State helps struggling students
    Mar 10, 2010 — Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
    Still, the state's budget crunch has prompted UC to look at ways of getting students through the system faster. But UC's enrollment cuts are smaller, and they focus on incoming freshmen -- not existing students. Last year UC reduced its freshman class by 2,300 students.
  • Cardinal Health seeks extended property tax breaks
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Buffalo News
    The extension will keep the property, which now is taxed at 50 percent of its current assessment, at that level through 2016, Leone said.
  • CERAWEEK 2010
    Mar 10, 2010 — Houston Chronicle
    Daniel Goldwyn, the State Department's coordinator of international energy (OOTC:ILGL) affairs, served on a panel.
  • Count finds 675 homeless in county
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Herald-Sun
    Forsyth County's figure increased 18 percent, from 465 to 547. Mecklenburg County's reported total rose 14 percent, from 2,481 to 2,824.
  • D'Iberville council considers adding a 2-percent tax to restaurant bills
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Sun Herald
    Perez Mar. 10, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- D'IBERVILLE -- A 2-percent tax could be added to the checks at D'Iberville restaurants. At a 4 p.m. special meeting today, the council will vote to ask the state Legislature for permission to charge a tax at city restaurants and bars. The new tax is similar to one Ocean Springs has, said City Manager Michael Janus. The money generated would build a new public safety center,...
  • Duke to burn wood with coal at 2 plants
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Charlotte Observer
    The plants would burn sawdust or wood chips with coal. Apart from electricity, the plants will generate renewable energy certificates. North Carolina requires utilities to generate a rising portion of their electricity from renewable sources between 2012 and 2021. They may also apply certificates proving the electricity was produced with renewable fuels. North Carolina is rich in organic wastes that can be turned into energy sources.
  • East side apartments get chilly reception at City Hall
    Mar 10, 2010 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    It is among two new apartment developments proposed for the neighborhood. To finance the $12.7 million project, Mercy would seek federal affordable housing tax credits. Nik Kovac, whose district includes the site, told committee members that Mercy needs to obtain a purchase option before the March 26 tax credits application deadline. That option would not amount to final approval on the land sale, nor would it involve zoning approval.
  • Economic Scene: Wishing for a Health Care Plan That Cuts Costs
    Mar 10, 2010 — New York Times
    Hospitals that committed certain medical errors — harmful, costly errors — would face financial penalties. So I agree that health reform should do more to reduce spiraling medical costs. Mainly, the subsidies appear to benefit drug makers, hospitals and insurers.
  • EDITORIAL
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Sacramento Bee
    The San Francisco Democrat will need to call on all her vaunted vote-corralling skills and to dip into the goodwill she has built over the years. Anti-abortion Democrats are angry that the Senate bill includes less-restrictive abortion language than the House bill. They heard the public outrage over the "Cornhusker Kickback," "Louisiana Purchase" and other special goodies in the Senate bill.
  • EDITORIAL: Rybolt Park development threatens Econ River
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Orlando Sentinel
    That's because the Rybolt property -- now ranchland east of the Econ, outside the county's urban boundary -- can't be developed as planned unless commissioners change Orange's long-range blueprint. And Rybolt is either conserving or leaving as open space about 65 percent of its 1,400 acres. But they too, can determine whether Rybolt gets what it wants.
  • EDITORIAL: Statesmen are needed to move water issue along
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Daily Oklahoman
    Tarrant would take surface water just before it spills into the Red -- it's asking for leftovers, if you will. Yet we can't help but think that if there were a few more statesmen in leadership positions, something could get done. No price has been agreed to because this proposal has gone nowhere, but Tarrant has said its annual check to the state could range from $15 million to $65 million.
  • EDITORIAL: When the big one hits
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Miami Herald
    The Boca Raton Democrat's legislation -- backed by more than 70 Republicans and Democrats from more than 30 states -- has the potential to lower insurance costs for homeowners. This money would only be available when a once in a 200-year catastrophe occurs, ensuring coverage for the worst natural disasters. Sens. Bill Nelson, a Democrat, and George LeMieux, a Republican, both support the measure and have promised to push hard this year to make it happen.
  • FBI informant's firm files civil suit over Dallas City Hall corruption case
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Dallas Morning News
    Brian Potashnik testified for the prosecution during the months-long trial. That income was mostly bribes from prominent developers Brian and Cheryl Potashnik. Cheryl Potashnik also pleaded guilty and will be sentenced.
  • Former development chief urges restricting role of city officials
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Buffalo News
    The Buffalo Niagara Partnership was overseeing the review that consisted largely of former and current city administrators. Quinn resigned from the panel because he thought it was studying the wrong things. Quinn says the changes must go deeper and be more radical than those the panel had recommended.
  • Fort Worth residents object as city approves air-test panel
    Mar 10, 2010 — Fort Worth Star-Telegram
    State officials have sent mixed messages, which prompted Fort Worth officials to pay for their own tests. But now, even that effort has bogged down. But finding the highest levels of methane can allow more accurate tests for toxic substances that are often released at the same time.
  • Fossil fuels' reign will continue, Saudi Arabia's oil chief says
    Mar 10, 2010 — Fort Worth Star-Telegram
    ...as solar power, the CEO of Saudi Arabia's national oil company stressed Tuesday that traditional fossil fuels -- oil, natural gas, coal -- will be kings of the energy world for a long time. As he surveyed a standing-room-only audience at the CERA Week 2010 energy conference in Houston, Saudi Aramco chief Khalid Al-Falih, a Texas A&M University graduate, made no bones about his faith in oil and natural gas. "I don't think any of us will see, at any time in our lives, fossil fuels...
  • Future role of natural gas discussed at Houston energy conference
    Mar 10, 2010 — Fort Worth Star-Telegram
    It is part of the long-term energy solution," said Mulva, whose Houston-based company has interests in the Barnett Shale of North Texas. There is now the potential for the world to develop "multiple centuries of supply" of gas, he said. Natural gas increasingly could be used in electric power generation as a much cleaner alternative to coal, Mulva said.
  • GAS PRICES
    Mar 10, 2010 — Grand Forks Herald
    I drive an SUV now, but I'm going to go to a smaller, more efficient car." Vaughn Slover just moved to Grand Forks from Sacramento, Calif.
  • Get ready for big 'shift' on Nalley Valley Viaduct: route 16
    Mar 10, 2010 — The News Tribune
    ...the Sprague Avenue exit ramp on Tacoma's Nalley Valley Viaduct is going away. This weekend's closure likely will cause its own congestion but should reduce the intense maneuvering drivers face getting onto state Route 16 from Interstate 5. Also this weekend, westbound traffic across the viaduct will "shift" to a temporary roadway, another step in the three-year, $183 million westbound Nalley Valley redesign project. To make the shift smoother, one lane of southbound I-5...
  • Good revenue report stirs hope for Oklahoma recovery
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Daily Oklahoman
    ...taxes on oil are providing a much-needed boost in revenue collections, Meacham said. The first $150 million in oil gross production collections each fiscal year is used to fill three education-related funds. After that, the majority of the revenue goes to the general revenue fund. "We received $25 million in gross production taxes on oil in February, while the official estimate anticipated no oil gross production taxes would be deposited to the general revenue fund for...
  • Group wants county eye on animal waste issue
    Mar 10, 2010 — The News and Observer
    They have met with university officials and toured the site. The one receiving waste from the dog kennels was considered agricultural and did not require a permit.
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