- Mar 9, 2010 Awand takes plea deal in fraud (Las Vegas Review-Journal) Attorney Noel Gage pleaded guilty last month to obstruction of justice. The remaining charges centered on the medical malpractice case of Melodie Simon, who was paralyzed after Thalgott and Kabins operated on her in 2000. Gage represented Simon in the malpractice case. Rather than sue Thalgott... more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Mall In Manchester Seeks Lower Property Appraisal (The Hartford Courant) The U.S. Bankruptcy Court recently granted the company a four-month extension to decide how to emerge. General Growth's tax appeal, however, likely has more to do with property values than bankruptcy, said R. Michael Goman, a commercial real estate expert. more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Health care costs open $1.7 billion hole in Texas budget (The Dallas Morning News) David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, asked agencies to offer ideas for trims. more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Howard budget shortfall grows due to snow removal, tax decline (The Baltimore Sun) Only $800,000 was originally budgeted for snow, with the expectation that more would be needed by winter's end. Income taxes represent the county's second-largest source of income after property taxes. Talbot County led the state with a 23.8 percent decline in payments. more...
- Mar 9, 2010 The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash., Jim Camden column (The Spokesman-Review) Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, called the proposals to raise sales, business and cigarette taxes the "Idaho Economic Development Act." Gov. more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Tax-package deal could extend legislative session, lawmakers say (The Seattle Times) Democrats hold big House and Senate majorities, as well as the governor's mansion. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, summed up the odds Monday for an on-time finish. The regular session is required under the state Constitution to end by midnight Thursday. A special session, which would have to be called... more...
- Mar 9, 2010 At Arcadia, Obama's pitch for health care (The Philadelphia Inquirer) And House Democrats are split among liberal members who say the proposal does not go far enough, and more-conservative members who say its costs are too high. Patrick J. Murphy (D., Pa.), a member of the Blue Dog caucus of fiscally conservative Democrats, voted for the House bill last year, and... more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Tulsa World, Okla., Phil Mulkins column (Tulsa World) From that site, click on Free File to prepare and file your federal tax return for free. IRS tax software partners make free tax preparation software available with free electronic filing. Volunteers trained in tax law by the IRS help prepare basic tax returns at VITA sites in community centers,... more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Obama back on the campaign trail, this time for health care (USA Today) This time, the goal is not the White House, but a final health care bill. We were sent there to solve the big challenges." As with any campaign, average Americans speak at Obama's rallies to discuss their health care problems. The health care campaign also has its share of political intrigue. more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Poverty is viewed as regional health issue (Akron Beacon Journal) Summit County fared better in this category, ranking 24th. Public health officials need to learn a way to share their messages in a positive manner, rather than telling people "don't do this, don't eat this," said Donna Skoda, director of planning The national "Got Milk?" campaign to promote... more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Anthem becomes Obama's Exhibit A for health-care reform (Los Angeles Times) The day after Anthem's filing, the bill passed the House on a cliff-hanging vote. About a third are covered by Anthem.California allows increases in the individual market so long as insurers spend at least 70 cents of every premium dollar on health care. Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of Health... more...
- Mar 9, 2010 For Democrats, it's make-or-break time (The Philadelphia Inquirer) But midterm elections are typically dominated by the most partisan voters. Failing now on health reform _ when they have the votes for passage and the parliamentary route for passage _ would likely put the kibosh on Democratic turnout. After they whiffed on Clinton health reform (which never even... more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Obama, Insurers Wrestle Over Rates (Politico) But, mostly, the two groups seemed to talk past each other, attendees said.The one bit of intrigue came when Obama dropped in for an orchestrated moment via anecdote. The president read a letter he had received from Natoma Canfield, who saw her premiums increase by 40 percent this year. She asked... more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Gop Sharpens Midterm Attack Line (Politico) Arlen Specter signed Bennet’s letter last month. Charlie Melancon and Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan are either distancing themselves from the legislation or attempting to remain silent.Melancon, who is challenging Sen. Carnahan, who is looking to pick up retiring Sen. more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Lights, Camera, Reconcile! (Politico) The call for votes will be a historic moment for Congress and for Barack Obama’s presidency. That process could flag proposals that don’t have the requisite fiscal impact. The House and Senate bills both have language aimed at doing that, but they are significantly different. more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Bennet Reinforces His Left Flank (Politico) Manu RajuFacing a fierce primary challenge from the left, Colorado Democratic Sen. A former superintendent of Denver public schools, Bennet entered Washington as a relative unknown, appointed by Gov. They point to initiatives that might not be popular with liberals. more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Health reform bills are online but compromise isn't (The Salt Lake Tribune) We are told it will not apply to illegal immigrants. What language is in the bill to keep Congress from making all current illegal immigrants now legal and therefore eligible for health care? Also, some states are writing bills opting out of the health care bill. more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Quinn unfairly targeting local share of income tax, Daley contends (Chicago Tribune) Hal Dardick Mar. 9, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Mayor Richard Daley on Monday accused Gov. more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Obama launches attack on health insurance companies (Washington Post) Broad majorities of insured people say they are satisfied with their coverage, according to Washington Post-ABC News polls. Only one in eight say insurance would improve if the health-care system were changed.But that relative satisfaction coexists with anxiety. She said she favors nationwide... more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Cromartie going to federal prison (The State) Eight of those checks were for $2,500 each and one was for $5,000, according to court records. During that same period, Cromartie divided up payments to a client, too. more...
- Mar 9, 2010 IRS warns Oklahoma residents of tax refund scam (The Daily Oklahoman) Many scammers try to trick victims into revealing personal and financial information. They're after credit card numbers and passwords, bank account numbers and passwords, Social Security numbers and more. more...
- Mar 9, 2010 Letters: With slim hope for deal, tactic needed to pass health bill (USA Today) With slim hope for deal, tactic needed to pass health bill Reggie Marselus - Lenexa, Kan. The actions of Democrats in Congress concerning health care reform point to the inherent dangers of the unlimited powers of a majority. About 70% of U.S. citizens have an unfavorable opinion of this health... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 State Insurance Experts See Flaw in Obama's Plan to Curb Health Premiums (New York Times) State officials worry that they would be left to police the solvency of health insurance companies while federal officials pressured insurers to reduce premiums, as Mr. Sara Rosenbaum, a professor of health law and policy at George Washington University, said federal regulation of insurance rates... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Tea-party activists greet Obama with protest at Arcadia (The Philadelphia Inquirer) Kristin E. Holmes Mar. 8, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- With shouts of "Kill the bill!" and "Thank you, Mr. more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Obama launches attack on insurance companies (Washington Post) Broad majorities of insured people say they are satisfied with their coverage, according to Washington Post-ABC News polls. Only one in eight say insurance would improve if the health-care system were changed.But that relative satisfaction coexists with anxiety. She said she favors nationwide... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Obama takes hard-sell health pitch to Pa. (USA Today) Obama is trying to win over centrist Democrats, including at least five here in Pennsylvania."It's hard for some members of Congress to make this vote. There's no doubt about that," Obama said. Louis to sell his plan, which would step up insurance regulation and extend coverage to 31 million people. more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Obama (The Philadelphia Inquirer) Pennsylvania is also a swing state, and Montgomery County is home to many independent voters who have been trending Democratic in recent national elections. But the latest polls suggest many independents are skeptical of a health-care overhaul. In his speech Obama railed against the greed of... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Obama: Greedy health insurers show need for reform (The Philadelphia Inquirer) Louis, in the swing state of Missouri, to continue pressing his case. Pennsylvania is also a swing state, and Montgomery County is home to many independent voters who have been trending Democratic in recent national elections. But the latest polls suggest many independents are skeptical of a... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Fat American children (Los Angeles Times) In Alaska, poor children were only 1.2 times more likely to be overweight or obese than better-off children. It means adding the physical health burden of obesity to the already existing burdens of poverty and discrimination. How might public health, health insurance and school programs play a role? more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Health insurance rate hikes are par for the course (Los Angeles Times) President Obama has proposed expanding federal oversight of insurance premium increases as part of his plans to reform healthcare. In some states, rate increases must receive prior approval from the insurance commission before going into effect. When insurers raise rates, they'll usually offer... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 EDITORIAL (Albuquerque Journal) Mar. 8, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Here's a tip to all the conspiracy theorists -- from talk-radio callers to Lt. It doesn't have shareholders, and it can't make a profit. The premiums it collects must be used to pay the medical bills for its insureds and to... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Fiery Obama delivers a final pitch for health care reform (The Morning Call) A man in the crowd took the opportunity during a pause in Obama's speech to ask about abortion, screaming about protecting unborn babies. Obama did not respond. The health care speech itself broke no new ground. Specter and Bob Casey both flew with the president. more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Seattle Times Jerry Large column (The Seattle Times) It's really a question of states' rights. "To me, the federal government was never set up to satisfy the needs of people. I hate to think where we'd be if the people we elect governed only by polls. Something else good happened last week in the Legislature. Government exists to navigate that... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Hatch criticism riles left (The Salt Lake Tribune) Consider this paragraph from his Post op-ed: "This use of reconciliation to jam through this legislation, against the will of the American people, would be unprecedented in scope. Under normal circumstances, a conference committee would meld them into one and both bodies would take a final vote. more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Durbin to insurance companies (Chicago Tribune) Can't do it." David Kogan owns DKP Image + Media in the West Loop. He said health insurance rates for three employees went up from $926 a month in 2005 to $2,516 in 2008. In 2009, the business downgraded to two employees: himself and his son. more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Owner of Port Orchard's Rodeo Drive-In theater admits to not paying taxes (The Seattle Times) In August 2002 they opened Redwood Cinema in Bremerton, according to the plea agreement. more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Obama Brings Health Pitch To Pa. (Politico) He appealed to Democrats who are undecided by shaming the politics at play, even making a rare reference to President Bill Clinton’s failure to get health care reform. The issue is not politics.”The president was harsh in his assessment of insurance companies. The event was partially standing... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Obama on health care offensive (CNN) Congress "owes the American people a final up or down vote on health care. The White House has called for sweeping health care legislation to be on the president's desk at the end of March before the congressional Easter vacation. Two Democratic leadership aides told CNN last week that House... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Obama hits private health insurers (CNN) The White House has called for sweeping health care legislation to be on the president's desk at the end of March before the congressional Easter vacation. Two Democratic leadership aides told CNN last week that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, is aiming to have the House of... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Obama and health care: Still focused on insurance companies (USA Today) Another day, another White House blast at insurance companies. Every year, they raise premiums higher and higher. When is the right time for health insurance reform? more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Obama on health care: 'If not now, when?' (USA Today) Robert Zirkelbach, a spokesman for America's Health Insurance Plans, attributed rising health care bills to the costs of medical care, which are pushing up insurance premiums. He added that the insurance industry supports efforts to guarantee coverage for consumers with pre-existing conditions,... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Cities benefit from tax on estates (The Columbus Dispatch) Wolpert, in 2007, proposed eliminating the state's portion and giving local governments the option to do so, too. The bill stalled after Gov. more...
- Mar 8, 2010 2 target same base in GOP (Chattanooga Times/Free Press) Ramsey and I both have conservative credentials," U.S. Rep. Wamp said. Meanwhile, he said, Lt. Ramsey. Ramsey adviser Brad Todd said Lt. more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Sunday Liquor Sales Idea To Get Public Hearing Today (The Hartford Courant) The reason, they say, is that Massachusetts recently imposed a sales tax of 6.25 percent on alcohol. Previously, Massachusetts had a huge competitive advantage because alcohol sales were tax-free. Stringham is co-author of a book titled, "No Booze? more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Obama Takes Reform On The Road (Politico) People respond to that.”Obama travels to suburban Philadelphia Monday and to the St. Only one Democrat, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, has said she would oppose the cleanup bill, because she disagrees with the use of reconciliation. more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Democrats, Republicans remember Oregon State Treasurer Ben Westlund (The Oregonian) Conservatives couldn't forgive his support of the tax hike and it cost Westlund the budget committee co-chairmanship. By 2003, Westlund's chronic cough was diagnosed as lung cancer. Alan Bates, a physician and Ashland Democrat who became one of Westlund's closest friends. By 2004, Westlund was... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Income tax does exist in Tennessee (The Commercial Appeal) ...income tax return? Yes, we have a personal income tax: 156,000 households paid $214 million in Tennessee individual income taxes in 2008. Unlike most state income taxes, Tennessee's is limited to certain investment income -- primarily dividends and interest. It is not levied on wages and... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Richmond City Council seeks flexibility in setting real estate tax rate (Richmond Times-Dispatch) He said the council should have reduced the rate from $1.20 last year when it approved a new stormwater utility fee. more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Unions' support is no lock for Patrick (The Boston Globe) Many teachers are upset by elements of a sweeping education law that could result in firings at underperforming schools. But union members may have difficulty finding a more palatable alternative in the race. Patrick's principal challengers - Republicans Charles D. Baker Jr. and Christy Mihos and... more...
- Mar 8, 2010 Va. health bill could foil Obama proposal (The Boston Globe) We said people have to take responsibility for getting insurance, if they can afford it, or paying their own way. No more free-riders.''That prompted the Democratic National Committee to send out a press release saying that Romney supports a federal mandate. But Romney went on to say that... more...
- Mar 7, 2010 Memo From Quimper: Absorbing The Blows That Buffet Europe (New York Times) As part of a nationwide rescue package, Paris accelerated payments and tax reimbursements, deferred taxes, handed out subsidies for each worker still employed and provided credit guarantees for small-business loans. France’s economy was never as hard-charging as Germany’s competitive,... more...
- Mar 7, 2010 How would health care overhaul help young people? (USA Today) Healthy young adults currently pay far less than older consumers, but both the House and Senate bills limit how much more insurers could charge older people. After cutting his thumb on a broken glass while washing dishes, Ouellette ended up with eight stitches — and a bill for several hundred... more...
