Keystone kleptos - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Keystone kleptos
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is not as ineffectual as its reputation suggests.
With impressive ingenuity and yet monumental modesty beyond its respective districts, the Legislature's bipartisan leadership deftly created a funding mechanism for favored nonprofit organizations that redefines incestuous and gives Pennsylvanians a new appreciation for the principled statecraft of banana republics.
At least six legislators earmarked about $29 million to nonprofits they created, control or are associated with, which, coincidently, help them politically."
Thursday, April 27, 2006
kare11.com :: KARE 11 TV - Attorney General: Blue Cross has too much green
kare11.com :: KARE 11 TV - Attorney General: Blue Cross has too much green: "Attorney General: Blue Cross has too much green
The 'Blues' are awash in green, according to Attorney General Mike Hatch. In his review of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, Hatch accuses the company of stockpiling cash at a time that many Minnesotans have been priced out of the insurance market by high premiums.
'What they ought to be doing is taking this money, refunding it back to the policy holders,' Hatch told KARE 11 Wednesday.
Hatch's staff provided KARE- 11 an advance copy of the full report due to be released officially today. It's the latest in a series of audits of health insurance companies and providers conducted by the Attorney General's staff beginning in 2000.
"
The 'Blues' are awash in green, according to Attorney General Mike Hatch. In his review of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, Hatch accuses the company of stockpiling cash at a time that many Minnesotans have been priced out of the insurance market by high premiums.
'What they ought to be doing is taking this money, refunding it back to the policy holders,' Hatch told KARE 11 Wednesday.
Hatch's staff provided KARE- 11 an advance copy of the full report due to be released officially today. It's the latest in a series of audits of health insurance companies and providers conducted by the Attorney General's staff beginning in 2000.
"
sweet: Sweet column: House takes up lame ethics bill today. Even weak bill would have disclosed Bobby Rush $1m link to company he regulates.
sweet: Sweet column: House takes up lame ethics bill today. Even weak bill would have disclosed Bobby Rush $1m link to company he regulates.: "Sweet column: House takes up lame ethics bill today. Even weak bill would have disclosed Bobby Rush $1m link to company he regulates.
UPDATE from when I filed today's column (click below).
Late last night, the GOP House leadership rebuffed attempts to but some meat on the ethics and lobby bill bone. I'll post more on this later.
Today's column
Under ethics legislation up for a vote today, the cozy, $1million relationship between the charitable arm of phone giant SBC/AT&T and Rep. Bobby Rush, the only Democrat co-sponsoring the rewrite of a telecommunications bill, would have to be made public."
UPDATE from when I filed today's column (click below).
Late last night, the GOP House leadership rebuffed attempts to but some meat on the ethics and lobby bill bone. I'll post more on this later.
Today's column
Under ethics legislation up for a vote today, the cozy, $1million relationship between the charitable arm of phone giant SBC/AT&T and Rep. Bobby Rush, the only Democrat co-sponsoring the rewrite of a telecommunications bill, would have to be made public."
CNN.com - Senators: 'Bumbling' FEMA must go - Apr 27, 2006
CNN.com - Senators: 'Bumbling' FEMA must go - Apr 27, 2006: "Senators: 'Bumbling' FEMA must go
Panel finds disaster agency beyond repair
Thursday, April 27, 2006; Posted: 2:21 p.m. EDT (18:21 GMT)
Our first and most important recommendation is to abolish FEMA," said Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, chairwoman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. "FEMA is discredited, demoralized, and dysfunctional. It is beyond repair. Just tweaking the organizational chart will not solve the problem."
Panel finds disaster agency beyond repair
Thursday, April 27, 2006; Posted: 2:21 p.m. EDT (18:21 GMT)
Our first and most important recommendation is to abolish FEMA," said Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, chairwoman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. "FEMA is discredited, demoralized, and dysfunctional. It is beyond repair. Just tweaking the organizational chart will not solve the problem."
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Poker News - Charity Poker Bill Fails to Pass in Louisiana by Two Votes
Poker News - Charity Poker Bill Fails to Pass in Louisiana by Two Votes: "Charity Poker Bill Fails to Pass in Louisiana by Two Votes
Sponsor Can Try to Pass His Bill Later This Session
by Bob Pajich
For charity or not, poker tournaments outside of casinos remain illegal in Louisiana today after a bill failed to pass the House by two votes Monday."
Sponsor Can Try to Pass His Bill Later This Session
by Bob Pajich
For charity or not, poker tournaments outside of casinos remain illegal in Louisiana today after a bill failed to pass the House by two votes Monday."
Monday, April 24, 2006
As federal funds dry up, so do our communities - The Honolulu Advertiser
As federal funds dry up, so do our communities - The Honolulu Advertiser: "NONPROFITS
As federal funds dry up, so do our communities
By Kelvin Taketa
Our nation's social programs are undoubtedly feeling the impact of the recent federal spending cuts enacted by the fiscal year 2006 appropriations process, and are bracing for the possibility of bigger cuts in the future. With the myth that government cutbacks can be made up by increased private contributions still prevalent among our elected leaders at all levels, there is growing concern over the effect that these priority shifts over the years will have on sustaining safe communities, good health and equal opportunity for everyone."
As federal funds dry up, so do our communities
By Kelvin Taketa
Our nation's social programs are undoubtedly feeling the impact of the recent federal spending cuts enacted by the fiscal year 2006 appropriations process, and are bracing for the possibility of bigger cuts in the future. With the myth that government cutbacks can be made up by increased private contributions still prevalent among our elected leaders at all levels, there is growing concern over the effect that these priority shifts over the years will have on sustaining safe communities, good health and equal opportunity for everyone."
Friday, April 21, 2006
HIV-AIDS Agency at Risk Of Losing Funds for the Poor
HIV-AIDS Agency at Risk Of Losing Funds for the Poor: "HIV-AIDS Agency at Risk Of Losing Funds for the Poor
Interfaith Caregivers Can't Afford to Administer Program
By Nikita Stewart
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 21, 2006; Page B03
A nonprofit agency that has provided critical services for 15 years to Prince William County residents living with HIV and AIDS is struggling financially, threatening benefits for those who cannot afford or get access to care.
The agency's difficulties are similar to those of other nonprofits in the Washington area that receive federal money every year to provide transportation, food, dental care and other services to thousands of HIV-AIDS patients. The federal dollars are there to spend, but the small nonprofits do not have enough time or staff to administer the program."
Interfaith Caregivers Can't Afford to Administer Program
By Nikita Stewart
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 21, 2006; Page B03
A nonprofit agency that has provided critical services for 15 years to Prince William County residents living with HIV and AIDS is struggling financially, threatening benefits for those who cannot afford or get access to care.
The agency's difficulties are similar to those of other nonprofits in the Washington area that receive federal money every year to provide transportation, food, dental care and other services to thousands of HIV-AIDS patients. The federal dollars are there to spend, but the small nonprofits do not have enough time or staff to administer the program."
AP Wire | 04/21/2006 | Governor signs land conservation bill into law
AP Wire | 04/21/2006 | Governor signs land conservation bill into law: "Governor signs land conservation bill into law
GREG BLUESTEIN
Associated Press
ATLANTA - Private landowners and corporations would get income tax credits for preserving undeveloped property under a bill signed into law Friday by Gov. Sonny Perdue.
Perdue also signed legislation that imposes stricter penalties on litterbugs by lengthening the maximum prison sentence for those convicted of 'egregious' littering to five years and requiring offenders to buy an ad with their name and address in the local paper."
GREG BLUESTEIN
Associated Press
ATLANTA - Private landowners and corporations would get income tax credits for preserving undeveloped property under a bill signed into law Friday by Gov. Sonny Perdue.
Perdue also signed legislation that imposes stricter penalties on litterbugs by lengthening the maximum prison sentence for those convicted of 'egregious' littering to five years and requiring offenders to buy an ad with their name and address in the local paper."
DesMoinesRegister.com
DesMoinesRegister.com: "Enact new safeguards over public money
Inspector general not necessary, though.
April 20, 2006
It's possible something good could come of the scandal over excessive salaries and bonuses paid to top executives of a Des Moines-based job-training agency. That is if the Legislature uses the experience to demand more accountability for agencies that spend government money.
A bill being drafted in the House this week, which likely will be debated early next week, would set new standards for agencies that spend state and federal money. The new requirements that are expected to be included in the bill set reasonable standards that would be useful guides for any public or private organization. Before nonprofit organizations or local-government consortiums - such as the Central Iowa Employment and Training Consortium - receive public money, they would have to have the following policies in place:"
Inspector general not necessary, though.
April 20, 2006
It's possible something good could come of the scandal over excessive salaries and bonuses paid to top executives of a Des Moines-based job-training agency. That is if the Legislature uses the experience to demand more accountability for agencies that spend government money.
A bill being drafted in the House this week, which likely will be debated early next week, would set new standards for agencies that spend state and federal money. The new requirements that are expected to be included in the bill set reasonable standards that would be useful guides for any public or private organization. Before nonprofit organizations or local-government consortiums - such as the Central Iowa Employment and Training Consortium - receive public money, they would have to have the following policies in place:"
My opinion Jim Kiser: Changing the estate tax draws rich opposition | www.azstarnet.com ®
My opinion Jim Kiser: Changing the estate tax draws rich opposition | www.azstarnet.com ®: "Opinion
My opinion Jim Kiser: Changing the estate tax draws rich opposition
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 04.21.2006
advertisement
There's an old saying, sometimes attributed to Andrew Carnegie, 'From shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves in three generations.'
The idea is that the first generation, often immigrants to the United States in the late 1800s, rolled up their shirt sleeves, worked hard and amassed vast fortunes. However, the pampered heirs to their estates, never having acquired the discipline that comes from having to work for a living, squandered the fortunes. Consequently, their sons and daughters, the third generation, were forced to return to rolled-up shirt sleeves and hard work."
My opinion Jim Kiser: Changing the estate tax draws rich opposition
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 04.21.2006
advertisement
There's an old saying, sometimes attributed to Andrew Carnegie, 'From shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves in three generations.'
The idea is that the first generation, often immigrants to the United States in the late 1800s, rolled up their shirt sleeves, worked hard and amassed vast fortunes. However, the pampered heirs to their estates, never having acquired the discipline that comes from having to work for a living, squandered the fortunes. Consequently, their sons and daughters, the third generation, were forced to return to rolled-up shirt sleeves and hard work."
Thursday, April 20, 2006
The Crimson White Online - Student to lobby Congress for tax break to help greek houses
The Crimson White Online - Student to lobby Congress for tax break to help greek houses: "Student to lobby Congress for tax break to help greek houses
Legislation would make donations to greek housing tax-deductible
By Alexandra Battito
Staff Reporter
April 20, 2006
Move over, illegal immigration. A national delegation of greek college students has a new issue its taking to Congress next week - tax-deductible donations for greek housing.
John Cochran, a senior and former president of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, will join other fraternity and sorority members from across the country in Washington, D.C. next week to lobby for the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act."
Legislation would make donations to greek housing tax-deductible
By Alexandra Battito
Staff Reporter
April 20, 2006
Move over, illegal immigration. A national delegation of greek college students has a new issue its taking to Congress next week - tax-deductible donations for greek housing.
John Cochran, a senior and former president of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, will join other fraternity and sorority members from across the country in Washington, D.C. next week to lobby for the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act."
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Quad-Cities Online-Moline may allow gambling fundraisers for nonprofits
Quad-Cities Online: "Moline may allow gambling fundraisers for nonprofits
By Dawn Neuses, dneuses@qconline.com
Bobb Chiropractic
How chiropractic can help you
MOLINE -- Aldermen may consider allowing non-profit groups to offer certain games -- now considered gambling in Moline -- as fundraisers.
After a discussion Tuesday, the city council's committee-of-the-whole decided it would like the city attorney to draft a new ordinance that would mirror state law and allow non-profits to hold games such as the poker game Texas Hold'em."
By Dawn Neuses, dneuses@qconline.com
Bobb Chiropractic
How chiropractic can help you
MOLINE -- Aldermen may consider allowing non-profit groups to offer certain games -- now considered gambling in Moline -- as fundraisers.
After a discussion Tuesday, the city council's committee-of-the-whole decided it would like the city attorney to draft a new ordinance that would mirror state law and allow non-profits to hold games such as the poker game Texas Hold'em."
Not-for-profit organizations mount challenge to accountability act
Not-for-profit organizations mount challenge to accountability act: "Not-for-profit organizations mount challenge to accountability act
Jennifer Ditchburn, Canadian Press
Published: Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Article tools
OTTAWA (CP) - Not all lobbyists are created equal.
At least that's the position of Canada's not-for-profit organizations.
They think they're being unfairly lumped together with the corporate world in the Conservative government's Federal Accountability Act.
The act, tabled in the House of Commons last week with much fanfare, would prohibit ministers and senior officials from lobbying the government for five years after leaving office."
Jennifer Ditchburn, Canadian Press
Published: Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Article tools
OTTAWA (CP) - Not all lobbyists are created equal.
At least that's the position of Canada's not-for-profit organizations.
They think they're being unfairly lumped together with the corporate world in the Conservative government's Federal Accountability Act.
The act, tabled in the House of Commons last week with much fanfare, would prohibit ministers and senior officials from lobbying the government for five years after leaving office."
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Filmmakers and Others Petition Against Smithsonian's Showtime Deal - New York Times
Filmmakers and Others Petition Against Smithsonian's Showtime Deal - New York Times: "Filmmakers and Others Petition Against Smithsonian's Showtime Deal
Article Tools Sponsored By
By LORNE MANLY
Published: April 18, 2006
As the recent coupling between the Smithsonian Institution and Showtime Networks continues to roil the documentary film world, more than 215 filmmakers, television executives and academics have signed a letter demanding that the Smithsonian, a publicly financed museum, not only reveal financial details of the joint venture but also abandon it"
Article Tools Sponsored By
By LORNE MANLY
Published: April 18, 2006
As the recent coupling between the Smithsonian Institution and Showtime Networks continues to roil the documentary film world, more than 215 filmmakers, television executives and academics have signed a letter demanding that the Smithsonian, a publicly financed museum, not only reveal financial details of the joint venture but also abandon it"
AP Wire | 04/18/2006 | Head of White House religious charity efforts to lead Pa. college
AP Wire | 04/18/2006 | Head of White House religious charity efforts to lead Pa. college: "Head of White House religious charity efforts to lead Pa. college
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - The head of the White House office of faith-based and community initiatives resigned to become president of St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa."
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - The head of the White House office of faith-based and community initiatives resigned to become president of St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa."
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