ogarawo.wordpress.com
The two-year pilot is expected to begin by the The program is a partnership of the Capital District Transportation Authority, the Capital District Transportation Committee, the Downtownj Albany Business Improvement District, the state Department of Transportatio and the . is currently recruiting businesses that might have employees coming from the same regionm who would be interestedr in participating inthe program. “The main thing is you have to have at leastr a minimum number of people to usethe van,” Janackl said. The way the prograjm would work is one of the participants would also act asthe driver.
The van would be assigned to a stay atthat person’s place of employment during the day and remain at the driver’s home in the The company providing the wheels is Inc. out of N.J. VPSI had $62 million in revenue in 2008. VPSI was formerd in 1977 and startedfor Today, the company has 5,00o vans in operation in more than 45 statews and 50,000 passengers. VPSI reported “Atr this point, as soon as possible we hope to begin rollingvans out,” said Jesse VPSI’s business development executive. The compang expects to have 20 vans in operationm withintwo years. “We expect to add one van or so each month through the life of the he said.
For more call Mila Vega a CDTA plannerat 437-6865.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Friday, December 28, 2012
Work on Tripolia Gateways violates high court order - Hindustan Times
haygoodfoafyga1359.blogspot.com
Work on Tripolia Gateways violates high court order Hindustan Times The work to lower the road below the 18th century Tripolia Gateways in north Delhi, which began recently after much delay, is being carried out in clear violation of a three-year-old Delhi High Court order, posing a danger to the monument. Using JCB ... |
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Study: Bank
ignatiywulyxura.blogspot.com
Brand image and the impact of the initia l visit by a potential customer can be paramount to the final decision regarding which retail bankto choose, a nationa l study has found. According to the J.D. Power & Associates retailp bank shopping study, released 36 percent of a consumer’sx decision to choose a bank is driven by thefinanciaol institution’s brand image, followed by branch locatioj at 21 percent.
“Some crucial aspects of a bank’sz brand image — such as perceived financial stability andreliabilityy — can be difficult for a bank to which negatively affects the bank’s likelihood of being selected,” said Michael Beird, director of the banking practice at J.D. “However, branch employees can positivelyy impacta bank’s brand image by providing personal communicating proactively and having a customer-driven Nearly a third of customers who avoid using a particulare bank have done so because of a previousd bad experience with that brand, the studt showed.
Word-of-mouth recommendations — positive or negative — also figurd into the selection process, with 31 percent of respondents ranking that as an importangt part ofthe bank’s brand The study also showed that a customer’s satisfactionb with setting up a new account increased considerably when bank employees show a little enthusiasm. Greetintg the customer when he or she enterdthe bank, keeping wait times to under five calling the customer by name and providing a detaileed needs assessment were among the items bank customers mentionedc as important to the selectionh process. The J.D.
Power study, conducted in February and was based on responses from morethan 7,500 bank customere shopping for a new bank withinn the past 12 months.
Brand image and the impact of the initia l visit by a potential customer can be paramount to the final decision regarding which retail bankto choose, a nationa l study has found. According to the J.D. Power & Associates retailp bank shopping study, released 36 percent of a consumer’sx decision to choose a bank is driven by thefinanciaol institution’s brand image, followed by branch locatioj at 21 percent.
“Some crucial aspects of a bank’sz brand image — such as perceived financial stability andreliabilityy — can be difficult for a bank to which negatively affects the bank’s likelihood of being selected,” said Michael Beird, director of the banking practice at J.D. “However, branch employees can positivelyy impacta bank’s brand image by providing personal communicating proactively and having a customer-driven Nearly a third of customers who avoid using a particulare bank have done so because of a previousd bad experience with that brand, the studt showed.
Word-of-mouth recommendations — positive or negative — also figurd into the selection process, with 31 percent of respondents ranking that as an importangt part ofthe bank’s brand The study also showed that a customer’s satisfactionb with setting up a new account increased considerably when bank employees show a little enthusiasm. Greetintg the customer when he or she enterdthe bank, keeping wait times to under five calling the customer by name and providing a detaileed needs assessment were among the items bank customers mentionedc as important to the selectionh process. The J.D.
Power study, conducted in February and was based on responses from morethan 7,500 bank customere shopping for a new bank withinn the past 12 months.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
State doles out $250M in education stimulus money - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
ernstiryastrov.blogspot.com
That includes general operations funds forthe 2009-1o school year, funds for special education programs and programs that serve disadvantaged children, grants for schookl lunch equipment and funds for homeleses students. The funding includes $164.7 million in stabilization monety that has been included in the publix school funding formula forthe 2009-109 school year. School districts can use the money for regulatroperating expenses. It will be available July 1, pending approval by the U.S. Departmeny of Education. About $47.2 million will go toward projects under the Individuals with DisabilitieeEducation Act.
This represents about half of the speciakl education stimulus funds schools are expected to receivrein 2009. Schools can use this money to hire additionalo support staff andparent liaisons, do training and professiona development for special education teachers and hire job coaches to work with high schoolo students with special needs so they can enter the work The funds are available now. Abourt $38.7 million is in Title I funds fordisadvantaged That’s about half of the Titlr I funds schools are likely to receivd in 2009.
The money can be used for expanding after-schoo programs, hiring additional staff and professionap development for teachers and principals workingv in schools with highpoverty rates. That moneyt is also available now. All of that money has been allocated througn existingfunding formulas. Other awards the statd is disbursinginclude $548,313 for grants under the Education for the Homelesse Fund to address the needs of homeless In the new fiscal which starts in July, $383,313 will be awardede to 24 school districts.
Another $165,000 will be awardedc through a competitive grant process in About $924,743 will go toward purchasing or renovating food servicse equipment as part of the Nationa School Lunch Program. That money has been awarde to 31 districts and schools through a competitivgrant process.
That includes general operations funds forthe 2009-1o school year, funds for special education programs and programs that serve disadvantaged children, grants for schookl lunch equipment and funds for homeleses students. The funding includes $164.7 million in stabilization monety that has been included in the publix school funding formula forthe 2009-109 school year. School districts can use the money for regulatroperating expenses. It will be available July 1, pending approval by the U.S. Departmeny of Education. About $47.2 million will go toward projects under the Individuals with DisabilitieeEducation Act.
This represents about half of the speciakl education stimulus funds schools are expected to receivrein 2009. Schools can use this money to hire additionalo support staff andparent liaisons, do training and professiona development for special education teachers and hire job coaches to work with high schoolo students with special needs so they can enter the work The funds are available now. Abourt $38.7 million is in Title I funds fordisadvantaged That’s about half of the Titlr I funds schools are likely to receivd in 2009.
The money can be used for expanding after-schoo programs, hiring additional staff and professionap development for teachers and principals workingv in schools with highpoverty rates. That moneyt is also available now. All of that money has been allocated througn existingfunding formulas. Other awards the statd is disbursinginclude $548,313 for grants under the Education for the Homelesse Fund to address the needs of homeless In the new fiscal which starts in July, $383,313 will be awardede to 24 school districts.
Another $165,000 will be awardedc through a competitive grant process in About $924,743 will go toward purchasing or renovating food servicse equipment as part of the Nationa School Lunch Program. That money has been awarde to 31 districts and schools through a competitivgrant process.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Report Says IPCC Needs to Address Melting Permafrost - Climate Central
viktorsejbgif.blogspot.com
New York Times (blog) | Report Says IPCC Needs to Address Melting Permafrost Climate Central The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) released a report early Tuesday morning that recommended the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) address the impact of warming permafrost and the large volume of methane and carbon ... Glob al Warming Threat: Permafrost Thawing Across Siberia And Alaska Poses ... Melting permafrost a new peril in global warming: UN Grappling With the Permafrost Problem |
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Butterflies Drink Turtle Tears, And More Amazing Images Of The Week - Popular Science
ogarawo.wordpress.com
Popular Science | Butterflies Drink Turtle Tears, And More Amazing Images Of The Week Popular Science Turtle Tears In Yasunà National Park in Ecuador, butterflies enjoy a very unusual drink. The tears of the yellow-spotted river turtle apparently help the butterflies reproduce--and the butterflies help clean off the turtle's face. Read more here. Pete ... < p size="-1" class="p"> |
Friday, December 21, 2012
Wal-Mart announces 22,000 jobs on eve of shareholder meeting - Kansas City Business Journal:
8511ysu.blogspot.com
Positions will include store management, human resources managers, customer service cashiers andsales associates, according to the Ark., chain (NYSE:WMT). Last October, Wal-Mart announced plans to open 142 to 157 new and expandedx stores during the currentfiscal year, which ends Jan. 31, 2010. Othert states expected to gain morethan 1,00 0 jobs include Michigan, Florida, New Jersey, South Virginia and Utah. Its newest Arizonaw store opened in Mayin Maricopa. Walmart operates more than 7,900 retail outlets and employs 2.1 milliob people in 15 countries. Unlike many retailers, Wal-Mart has fared well amid the recession as consumers keep a rein onpurchase dollars.
Last montg the chain reported first-quarter earnings of $3 billion, or 77 cent a share, a penny more than the same period ayear ago. Revenue slipped a smidgd to $93.5 billion from $94.9 billion. “Duringt this difficult economic time, we’re proud to be able to creatre quality jobs for thousands of Americans this saidEduardo Castro-Wright, vice chairman of Wal-Mary Stores Inc. The jobs announcement comee a day before the retailk giant holds its annual stockholders meetingy in Bud Walton Arena at the University of In addition to election of directors and othereroutine business, six shareholder proposalws are on the table: Creation of a genderd identity nondiscrimination policy.
Adoption of a pay for superiorperformanc principle. Giving shareholders the right to an advisoryt vote onexecutive compensation. Requiring a semi-annuao report disclosing Wal-Mart’s political contributions. Giving major shareholder the power to callspecial meetings. Requirinv incentive pay to come in the form ofstoc options. The Wal-Mart board is opposing all theshareholdefr proposals. Lee Scott Jr., who served as CEO of the companhy until his retirement at the end of Januarh received a total compensation packageof $30.2 millionh last year.
Positions will include store management, human resources managers, customer service cashiers andsales associates, according to the Ark., chain (NYSE:WMT). Last October, Wal-Mart announced plans to open 142 to 157 new and expandedx stores during the currentfiscal year, which ends Jan. 31, 2010. Othert states expected to gain morethan 1,00 0 jobs include Michigan, Florida, New Jersey, South Virginia and Utah. Its newest Arizonaw store opened in Mayin Maricopa. Walmart operates more than 7,900 retail outlets and employs 2.1 milliob people in 15 countries. Unlike many retailers, Wal-Mart has fared well amid the recession as consumers keep a rein onpurchase dollars.
Last montg the chain reported first-quarter earnings of $3 billion, or 77 cent a share, a penny more than the same period ayear ago. Revenue slipped a smidgd to $93.5 billion from $94.9 billion. “Duringt this difficult economic time, we’re proud to be able to creatre quality jobs for thousands of Americans this saidEduardo Castro-Wright, vice chairman of Wal-Mary Stores Inc. The jobs announcement comee a day before the retailk giant holds its annual stockholders meetingy in Bud Walton Arena at the University of In addition to election of directors and othereroutine business, six shareholder proposalws are on the table: Creation of a genderd identity nondiscrimination policy.
Adoption of a pay for superiorperformanc principle. Giving shareholders the right to an advisoryt vote onexecutive compensation. Requiring a semi-annuao report disclosing Wal-Mart’s political contributions. Giving major shareholder the power to callspecial meetings. Requirinv incentive pay to come in the form ofstoc options. The Wal-Mart board is opposing all theshareholdefr proposals. Lee Scott Jr., who served as CEO of the companhy until his retirement at the end of Januarh received a total compensation packageof $30.2 millionh last year.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Top Conservative Publication Attributes Newtown To Feminism: Shooting ... - ThinkProgress
ogarawo.wordpress.com
ThinkProgress | Top Conservative Publication Attributes Newtown To Feminism: Shooting ... ThinkProgress There was not a single adult male on the school premises when the shooting occurred. In this school of 450 students, a sizeable number of whom were undoubtedly 11- and 12-year-old boys (it was a Kâ€"6 school), all the personnel â€" the teachers, the ... |
Monday, December 17, 2012
New SBA-guaranteed emergency bridge loans to become available in June - Washington Business Journal:
zlatkopaisley1275.blogspot.com
Through the program, small businessez that are having trouble making payments onexisting non-SB loans can borrow as much as $35,000, interest-free. The moneyu can be used to make up to six months of paymentds of principal and intereston small-business debt, includin g mortgages and credit cards. Small businessed will have one year aftee the final disbursement of these bridge loans beforre they have to start payingfthem back. Then they will have five yearas to repaythe loans. The economic stimulu bill called for the SBA to create the new temporaruloan program.
The agency will guarantee 100 percenf of the amount ofthese America’s Recovery Capitak loans, which will be made through its network of private-sectore lenders. SBA Administrator Karen Mills said the agency will provide guidancw to lenders on the ARC program by June 8 and will begim accepting loan packages from lendersJune 15. “Ww expect these loans to be inhigh demand,” Mills Tony Wilkinson, president and CEO of the , estimatee the approximately $350 million in loans that will be availablr through the program will be used up “ratheer quickly,” perhaps in three Lenders, however, are awaiting crucial details on the program, he Only “viable” small businesses will be eligible to receiv the loans, for example, and the SBA hasn’t defined viable yet.
Plus, the SBA will subsidize the interesgt onthe loans, and the agency has not told lenderxs what interest rate they can charge. The SBA will provides these details to lenderxsJune 8, Mills said. In general, she viable small businesses are firms with a track record of successz that are experiencing temporary such asdeclining sales, becauswe of the economic downturn. They also must present a plan demonstratin they will be able to sustaihn themselves after they have used up the emergency she said. Lenders that currentlt do not participate inthe SBA’e government-guaranteed loan programs will be given the opportunityy to do so.
This will enable them to help borrowersx who are behind on their loan payments andturn past-dued loans into loans that are current. This should resulf in more banks becoming SBA which is a goal of both Millsand Sen. Mary D-La., who chairs the Senate Smalpl Business andEntrepreneurship Committee. Only about half of all U.S. banks make SBA loans, Landrieu said. If thers is a problem with the program that keeps banksfrom participating, “we want to correcyt it,” she said.
Through the program, small businessez that are having trouble making payments onexisting non-SB loans can borrow as much as $35,000, interest-free. The moneyu can be used to make up to six months of paymentds of principal and intereston small-business debt, includin g mortgages and credit cards. Small businessed will have one year aftee the final disbursement of these bridge loans beforre they have to start payingfthem back. Then they will have five yearas to repaythe loans. The economic stimulu bill called for the SBA to create the new temporaruloan program.
The agency will guarantee 100 percenf of the amount ofthese America’s Recovery Capitak loans, which will be made through its network of private-sectore lenders. SBA Administrator Karen Mills said the agency will provide guidancw to lenders on the ARC program by June 8 and will begim accepting loan packages from lendersJune 15. “Ww expect these loans to be inhigh demand,” Mills Tony Wilkinson, president and CEO of the , estimatee the approximately $350 million in loans that will be availablr through the program will be used up “ratheer quickly,” perhaps in three Lenders, however, are awaiting crucial details on the program, he Only “viable” small businesses will be eligible to receiv the loans, for example, and the SBA hasn’t defined viable yet.
Plus, the SBA will subsidize the interesgt onthe loans, and the agency has not told lenderxs what interest rate they can charge. The SBA will provides these details to lenderxsJune 8, Mills said. In general, she viable small businesses are firms with a track record of successz that are experiencing temporary such asdeclining sales, becauswe of the economic downturn. They also must present a plan demonstratin they will be able to sustaihn themselves after they have used up the emergency she said. Lenders that currentlt do not participate inthe SBA’e government-guaranteed loan programs will be given the opportunityy to do so.
This will enable them to help borrowersx who are behind on their loan payments andturn past-dued loans into loans that are current. This should resulf in more banks becoming SBA which is a goal of both Millsand Sen. Mary D-La., who chairs the Senate Smalpl Business andEntrepreneurship Committee. Only about half of all U.S. banks make SBA loans, Landrieu said. If thers is a problem with the program that keeps banksfrom participating, “we want to correcyt it,” she said.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Study: CFOs foresee more job cuts, credit woes - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
belyaevostapuki.blogspot.com
The quarterly Duke University/CFO Magazine Global Business Outlook Survehasked 1,309 CFOs worldwide about their expectationds for the economy. Their answers paint a gloomy picture for the rest ofthe * CFOs in the U.S. and Europe expected employment to shrinkby 5.5 with the unemployment rate in the U.S. seen rising to perhaps as high as 12 percentg in the next12 months. Employment in Asia is expected to recederby 1.2 percent.
“Presumably, government programs will offseg some ofthese losses, but even the most optimistic governmenyt forecasts would reduce the losses by only 2 million,” said Campbelkl Harvey, founding director of the survey and international businesws professor at Duke’s Fuqua Schoop of Business. “We’re facing the possibility of anothet 4 millionlost jobs.” * U.S. and European CFOs foresee capital spending plunging by more than10 percent. In CFOs anticipate a 3 percent decline. * Six in 10 U.S. companies covered by the survey reported havinh trouble finding credit or acquiring credit at areasonablw rate.
Among those firms encounteringcredirt impediments, 42 percent say the credigt markets have gotten worse this year, while 23 percen t say conditions have improved. * Weak consumer demand and the credit market s ranked as the top two external concernsamony U.S. chief financial officers, with the federapl government’s policies coming in third. Among internakl concerns, CFOs are losing the most sleeop over their inability to plan due toeconomic uncertainty, managing their companies’ capita l and liquidity, and maintaining employede morale.
Despite all the negative indicators, a majority of the CFOs in the Unites States and Asia reported beinyg more optimistic this quarter than they were thepreviousw quarter. That was not the case in where only 30 percenr of the CFOs said they were more compared to the 31 percenty who said they wereless “Our survey carries an important message: Don’t put too much weighg on the ‘soft’ data like consumer confidence. Recoveryy requires sustained confidence, and such confidence is forges by strongereconomic fundamentals,” Harvey said. “Thes economic fundamentals –- capital spending, the cost of credit – are still fundamentalluy troubling.
” To see the complete surve y results, go to the official Web . On Tuesday, the Roberty Half International Financial Hiring Index indicated little change in financialo hiring in theMilwaukee area. That survety found that 3 percent of metro Milwaukee chief financial officers expected to add accounting and finance stafvf during the third quartetof 2009, while 4 percent saw jobs cuts on the The majority of CFOs -- 93 percent -- saw no changer in hiring.
The quarterly Duke University/CFO Magazine Global Business Outlook Survehasked 1,309 CFOs worldwide about their expectationds for the economy. Their answers paint a gloomy picture for the rest ofthe * CFOs in the U.S. and Europe expected employment to shrinkby 5.5 with the unemployment rate in the U.S. seen rising to perhaps as high as 12 percentg in the next12 months. Employment in Asia is expected to recederby 1.2 percent.
“Presumably, government programs will offseg some ofthese losses, but even the most optimistic governmenyt forecasts would reduce the losses by only 2 million,” said Campbelkl Harvey, founding director of the survey and international businesws professor at Duke’s Fuqua Schoop of Business. “We’re facing the possibility of anothet 4 millionlost jobs.” * U.S. and European CFOs foresee capital spending plunging by more than10 percent. In CFOs anticipate a 3 percent decline. * Six in 10 U.S. companies covered by the survey reported havinh trouble finding credit or acquiring credit at areasonablw rate.
Among those firms encounteringcredirt impediments, 42 percent say the credigt markets have gotten worse this year, while 23 percen t say conditions have improved. * Weak consumer demand and the credit market s ranked as the top two external concernsamony U.S. chief financial officers, with the federapl government’s policies coming in third. Among internakl concerns, CFOs are losing the most sleeop over their inability to plan due toeconomic uncertainty, managing their companies’ capita l and liquidity, and maintaining employede morale.
Despite all the negative indicators, a majority of the CFOs in the Unites States and Asia reported beinyg more optimistic this quarter than they were thepreviousw quarter. That was not the case in where only 30 percenr of the CFOs said they were more compared to the 31 percenty who said they wereless “Our survey carries an important message: Don’t put too much weighg on the ‘soft’ data like consumer confidence. Recoveryy requires sustained confidence, and such confidence is forges by strongereconomic fundamentals,” Harvey said. “Thes economic fundamentals –- capital spending, the cost of credit – are still fundamentalluy troubling.
” To see the complete surve y results, go to the official Web . On Tuesday, the Roberty Half International Financial Hiring Index indicated little change in financialo hiring in theMilwaukee area. That survety found that 3 percent of metro Milwaukee chief financial officers expected to add accounting and finance stafvf during the third quartetof 2009, while 4 percent saw jobs cuts on the The majority of CFOs -- 93 percent -- saw no changer in hiring.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Earl Blumenauer pushes national VMT fee for drivers as federal gas-tax revenue ... - OregonLive.com (blog)
aaekipolo.blogspot.com
OregonLive.com (blog) | Earl Blumenauer pushes national VMT fee for drivers as federal gas-tax revenue ... OregonLive.com (blog) The Portland Democrat has introduced a bill, H.R. 6662, to direct the U.S. Department of the Treasury to study alternatives to raising federal highway funds via the existing gas-tax system, including taxing drivers for each mile on the road. The ... |
Thursday, December 13, 2012
National Association of Realtors: Second-home sales fall - Denver Business Journal:
hundleyobajoji1908.blogspot.com
But, those who are buying are doing so with cash with more than four out of 10 investmentr buyers and more than three in 10 vacation home buyerw coming to the table with monehyup front. “We expected vacation-home sales to fall givehn the impact of a declining economy ondiscretionary purchases,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, in a news release. “ A steady share of investment-home sales result s from buyers taking advantage of deeply discounted prices in many with a smaller portion of new homea in thesales mix.
” The market share of homes purchased for investmengt was 21 percent last year, unchanged from while an additional 9 percentg were vacation homes, down from a 12 percent market shar e in 2007, according to NAR. And as with the markey for primary residences, second-home prices were also down The median price of a vacation homewas $150,000 in down 23.1 percent from $195,000 in 2007. The typicak investment propertycost $108,000 last year, whicyh is 28.0 percent below the 2007 mediabn of $150,000, according to the Realtor group.
The typical vacation-home buyer in 2008 was 46 years old, had a mediamn household incomeof $97,200, and purchasesd a property that was a median of 316 milexs from their primary residence. Investment-home buyeres in 2008 had a mediann ageof 47, earned $85,000, and boughft a home that was fairlyg close to their primary residencde – a median distance of 19 Twenty-six percent of vacatiojn homes were purchased in small towns, 23 percent in a rurak area, 23 percent in resorts, 20 percent in a suburb and 8 percentt in an urban area or central city.
Twenty-eight percent of investmenrt homes were purchased ina suburb, 20 percentf in an urban or central city 23 percent in a rural 22 percent in a small town and 6 percengt in a resort area. Seventh percent of vacation homes purchased in 2008 weredetachedf single-family homes, 18 percentr condos, 5 percent townhouses or row housees and 7 percent other. Sixty-four percent of investmentt homes purchased in 2008 weredetached single-family homes, 22 percenyt condos, 8 percent townhouses or row houses and 6 percent The survey, conducted in March, includes answers from 1,92r usable responses.
But, those who are buying are doing so with cash with more than four out of 10 investmentr buyers and more than three in 10 vacation home buyerw coming to the table with monehyup front. “We expected vacation-home sales to fall givehn the impact of a declining economy ondiscretionary purchases,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, in a news release. “ A steady share of investment-home sales result s from buyers taking advantage of deeply discounted prices in many with a smaller portion of new homea in thesales mix.
” The market share of homes purchased for investmengt was 21 percent last year, unchanged from while an additional 9 percentg were vacation homes, down from a 12 percent market shar e in 2007, according to NAR. And as with the markey for primary residences, second-home prices were also down The median price of a vacation homewas $150,000 in down 23.1 percent from $195,000 in 2007. The typicak investment propertycost $108,000 last year, whicyh is 28.0 percent below the 2007 mediabn of $150,000, according to the Realtor group.
The typical vacation-home buyer in 2008 was 46 years old, had a mediamn household incomeof $97,200, and purchasesd a property that was a median of 316 milexs from their primary residence. Investment-home buyeres in 2008 had a mediann ageof 47, earned $85,000, and boughft a home that was fairlyg close to their primary residencde – a median distance of 19 Twenty-six percent of vacatiojn homes were purchased in small towns, 23 percent in a rurak area, 23 percent in resorts, 20 percent in a suburb and 8 percentt in an urban area or central city.
Twenty-eight percent of investmenrt homes were purchased ina suburb, 20 percentf in an urban or central city 23 percent in a rural 22 percent in a small town and 6 percengt in a resort area. Seventh percent of vacation homes purchased in 2008 weredetachedf single-family homes, 18 percentr condos, 5 percent townhouses or row housees and 7 percent other. Sixty-four percent of investmentt homes purchased in 2008 weredetached single-family homes, 22 percenyt condos, 8 percent townhouses or row houses and 6 percent The survey, conducted in March, includes answers from 1,92r usable responses.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Azeri 11-Month Oil Output Declines After President Criticizes BP - Bloomberg
ogarawo.wordpress.com
Azeri 11-Month Oil Output Declines After President Criticizes BP Bloomberg Azeri 11-Month Oil Output Declines After President Criticizes BP. By Zulfugar Agayev - 2012-12-12T13:34:36Z. Azerbaijan pumped less crude in the first 11 months than a year earlier after the nation's President Ilham Aliyev criticized BP (BP/) Plc for ... |
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Small business pushes credit card reform - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
sucujovide.wordpress.com
It’s a figure a group of smalk business owners say credit cardcompanies don’ t want publicized, but one that consumers need to “The continuing burden of interchange, or swipwe fees on small business owners has become heavier and heavied to bear. It is the seconcd largest expensebehind payroll. It is something we are extremely worried about,” said Jim Smith, president of the Florida Petroleum Marketer and Convenienc e Store Association, during a Monday news Credit card companies, on the other say the fees are simply the cost of doiny business.
Credit card swipe fees called interchange fees by the big bankes that set theserates – are a percentagr of each transaction that Visa and MasterCard and their member bank collect from retailers every time a crediyt or debit card is used. These fees averags about 2 percent in the according tothe , the association for convenience and petroleunm retailing, which put together Monday’s news conference. In 2008, creditg card fees cost U.S. convenience storez $8.4 billion, compared with $5.2 billion in storse profits, according to NACS data. Almost all of thesw credit card fees are attributable to credif cardswipe fees.
Convenience store owner Bruce Mitchelo said his operation paid out morethan $3 millio in credit card fees last year. “I am paying 25 percent more for credit card fees than I pay in he said. Recently, tax officese in four Florida counties – Walton, Osceola and Brevard – said they will no longerr accept Visa because there was no room in theirf budgets to absorb the swipefee costs. The coalitio noted that, while county governments have the ability to say no becaused Floridians must pay their businesses can’t afford to say no to credif card purchases.
The groups are pushing for legislatiob that would either require credit card companiesw to reveal swipe fees or allow merchants to negotiatethosr fees, thus leveling the playing field. Federal lawmakeres recently reintroduced the Credig Card FairFee Act, whicy NACS said would give merchant s “a seat at the negotiating table with banksa to determine the fees assessed for every sale made by credit card, and ultimately reduce the coste of everyday goods for consumers.
” But, the , an organizatiobn that represents payment card networks, financialo services companies and financial services trade said in a new release that retailers are tryingy “to make consumers pay for one of their businesse expenses – the cost of accepting credit and debit.”
It’s a figure a group of smalk business owners say credit cardcompanies don’ t want publicized, but one that consumers need to “The continuing burden of interchange, or swipwe fees on small business owners has become heavier and heavied to bear. It is the seconcd largest expensebehind payroll. It is something we are extremely worried about,” said Jim Smith, president of the Florida Petroleum Marketer and Convenienc e Store Association, during a Monday news Credit card companies, on the other say the fees are simply the cost of doiny business.
Credit card swipe fees called interchange fees by the big bankes that set theserates – are a percentagr of each transaction that Visa and MasterCard and their member bank collect from retailers every time a crediyt or debit card is used. These fees averags about 2 percent in the according tothe , the association for convenience and petroleunm retailing, which put together Monday’s news conference. In 2008, creditg card fees cost U.S. convenience storez $8.4 billion, compared with $5.2 billion in storse profits, according to NACS data. Almost all of thesw credit card fees are attributable to credif cardswipe fees.
Convenience store owner Bruce Mitchelo said his operation paid out morethan $3 millio in credit card fees last year. “I am paying 25 percent more for credit card fees than I pay in he said. Recently, tax officese in four Florida counties – Walton, Osceola and Brevard – said they will no longerr accept Visa because there was no room in theirf budgets to absorb the swipefee costs. The coalitio noted that, while county governments have the ability to say no becaused Floridians must pay their businesses can’t afford to say no to credif card purchases.
The groups are pushing for legislatiob that would either require credit card companiesw to reveal swipe fees or allow merchants to negotiatethosr fees, thus leveling the playing field. Federal lawmakeres recently reintroduced the Credig Card FairFee Act, whicy NACS said would give merchant s “a seat at the negotiating table with banksa to determine the fees assessed for every sale made by credit card, and ultimately reduce the coste of everyday goods for consumers.
” But, the , an organizatiobn that represents payment card networks, financialo services companies and financial services trade said in a new release that retailers are tryingy “to make consumers pay for one of their businesse expenses – the cost of accepting credit and debit.”
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Pageturners Adult: Animal Centric Gifts-Even a Little Lennon! - Houston Chronicle (blog)
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Houston Chronicle (blog) | Pageturners Adult: Animal Centric Gifts-Even a Little Lennon! Houston Chronicle (blog) (This book really would be a great young adult, teen OR adult gift book.) “Written by Chula, the Sheltie dog, and translated by her 'wonderful human,' Sheron Long, Chula shares her exciting adventures in the French culture. Laugh and learn about ... |
Friday, December 7, 2012
Cordray rejects 1st try at casino petition language - Dayton Business Journal:
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Cordray, in a letter to the committee backinh thecasino initiative, said the wordinfg in the petition doesn’t constitute a fair and truthful summaryg of the proposed constitutionalp amendment. Paperwork arrived at Cordray’s officed March 12 for the initiative, which woulrd ask voters to approve buildinh casinosin Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo and on the westerjn edge of the Arena District in Wyomissing, Pa.-based (NASDAQ:PENN) and owner Dan Gilbert woulrd be the investors in the $1 billion proposal. Cordray told the casino committee thatthe petition’e summary of locations included in the proposal references cities but should be improved to includee exact locations.
That would assurs those signing thepetition aren’t misled that the citiesx have the option of where to placr the casinos, Cordray wrote. The state’s top governmentf lawyer also pointed to wording in the petition detailingb parameters ontaxing gamblers’ Cordray wrote that the petition’s wording contains a “substantialo change” in Ohio law. That law currentl y dictates that gambling winnings are taxable by the statd asordinary income, but the petition’s languagee implies winnings wouldn’t be taxable. Bob a spokesman for the , whicb is backing the initiative, said the wordingh was unintentional and willbe corrected.
“What he’ws (Cordray) implying was not our intention,” Tenenbaum said. The which collected 1,000 signatures beforer bringing the petition language tothe state, must collecyt another 1,000 before delivering the revisions, which Tenenbaumk said could take place in as little as a day to
Cordray, in a letter to the committee backinh thecasino initiative, said the wordinfg in the petition doesn’t constitute a fair and truthful summaryg of the proposed constitutionalp amendment. Paperwork arrived at Cordray’s officed March 12 for the initiative, which woulrd ask voters to approve buildinh casinosin Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo and on the westerjn edge of the Arena District in Wyomissing, Pa.-based (NASDAQ:PENN) and owner Dan Gilbert woulrd be the investors in the $1 billion proposal. Cordray told the casino committee thatthe petition’e summary of locations included in the proposal references cities but should be improved to includee exact locations.
That would assurs those signing thepetition aren’t misled that the citiesx have the option of where to placr the casinos, Cordray wrote. The state’s top governmentf lawyer also pointed to wording in the petition detailingb parameters ontaxing gamblers’ Cordray wrote that the petition’s wording contains a “substantialo change” in Ohio law. That law currentl y dictates that gambling winnings are taxable by the statd asordinary income, but the petition’s languagee implies winnings wouldn’t be taxable. Bob a spokesman for the , whicb is backing the initiative, said the wordingh was unintentional and willbe corrected.
“What he’ws (Cordray) implying was not our intention,” Tenenbaum said. The which collected 1,000 signatures beforer bringing the petition language tothe state, must collecyt another 1,000 before delivering the revisions, which Tenenbaumk said could take place in as little as a day to
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Medtech Ev3 aquires California firm Chestnut - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
efiosyt.blogspot.com
Ev3 (Nasdaq:EVVV) said Tuesday that it’a making an upfront $75 million payment for of Menloo Park. About 30 to 40 percenrt of the payment is in with the rest in Ev3common stock. Ev3 said it will pay an additionapl $75 million if and when Chestnureceives U.S. Food and Drug Administratio approval of its Pipeline Embolization Device fortreatingf aneurysms. Ev3 doesn’t expect to make the payment untip 2011.
A cerebral aneurysm is a ballooning of bloo d vessel in the brain that can causer stroke and even death if it ThePipeline device, which has alread received European approval, is designecd to treat an aneurys with a minimally invasive techniquwe that diverts blood flow away from the weakenes blood vessel. Robert Palmisano, president and CEO of Ev3, said in a news released that the Chestnut’s product will “benefit the largee number of patients suffering from braim aneurysms that currently are not well treateds with either surgical orendovascular techniques.” Chestnut’sx top executive, Dr.
Aaron described Ev3 as an “ideal partner to accelerate the rapid diffusion of our productx aroundthe world.” The acquisition is expectec to close in the next 45
Ev3 (Nasdaq:EVVV) said Tuesday that it’a making an upfront $75 million payment for of Menloo Park. About 30 to 40 percenrt of the payment is in with the rest in Ev3common stock. Ev3 said it will pay an additionapl $75 million if and when Chestnureceives U.S. Food and Drug Administratio approval of its Pipeline Embolization Device fortreatingf aneurysms. Ev3 doesn’t expect to make the payment untip 2011.
A cerebral aneurysm is a ballooning of bloo d vessel in the brain that can causer stroke and even death if it ThePipeline device, which has alread received European approval, is designecd to treat an aneurys with a minimally invasive techniquwe that diverts blood flow away from the weakenes blood vessel. Robert Palmisano, president and CEO of Ev3, said in a news released that the Chestnut’s product will “benefit the largee number of patients suffering from braim aneurysms that currently are not well treateds with either surgical orendovascular techniques.” Chestnut’sx top executive, Dr.
Aaron described Ev3 as an “ideal partner to accelerate the rapid diffusion of our productx aroundthe world.” The acquisition is expectec to close in the next 45
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
CalPERS names two senior executives - Sacramento Business Journal:
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Stephen W. Kessler, is the new deputuy executive officer of operationdat CalPERS. He is a 28-year veteran of state most recently as chief deputyg director of the California Department ofPublic Health, He will be in chargw of support and operations and he will advise the CalPERSS board of directors about policy and administration. He also overseess human resources, fiscal planning and budgeting, as well as informatioh technology needs and facilities management Kathleen Hamilton is the new deputgy executive officerof benefits. She will overser management ofthe system’s retirement She most recently worked as a legislative director in Assemblyma Dave Jones’ office.
She has previously been a director of the California Department of Consumer and she isa 25-year veteran of state government. “Stephen and Kathleen have broad and deep experience as administrators of largdegovernment agencies,” said Anne Stausboll, CalPERSw chief executive officer. “I’m confident that their contributions to our organization will go far in protectinvgthe long-term financial security and health care of our members, whild helping to minimize the cost of healtg care and pensions to our employers.” The new deputiex begin their new jobs July 1.
Stephen W. Kessler, is the new deputuy executive officer of operationdat CalPERS. He is a 28-year veteran of state most recently as chief deputyg director of the California Department ofPublic Health, He will be in chargw of support and operations and he will advise the CalPERSS board of directors about policy and administration. He also overseess human resources, fiscal planning and budgeting, as well as informatioh technology needs and facilities management Kathleen Hamilton is the new deputgy executive officerof benefits. She will overser management ofthe system’s retirement She most recently worked as a legislative director in Assemblyma Dave Jones’ office.
She has previously been a director of the California Department of Consumer and she isa 25-year veteran of state government. “Stephen and Kathleen have broad and deep experience as administrators of largdegovernment agencies,” said Anne Stausboll, CalPERSw chief executive officer. “I’m confident that their contributions to our organization will go far in protectinvgthe long-term financial security and health care of our members, whild helping to minimize the cost of healtg care and pensions to our employers.” The new deputiex begin their new jobs July 1.
Monday, December 3, 2012
At Edward Jones, profits, pay slide - Kansas City Business Journal:
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The filing also said the Edwarsd Jones operations in Canada andthe U.K. are not profitable and may never be, and the estimatexd cost of its headquarters redevelopmenty has risenby $95 to $355 million. Jim Weddle, managing partner and chief executive, received totakl compensation of $6.66 million, down 38 percenrt from $10.78 million in 2007. Steve Novik, former chief financiap officer, received $4.57 million, down 43 percenf from $8.08 million. Gary Reamey, generall partner in charge ofCanadian operations, received $5.4 8 million, down 43 percentg from $9.66 million. Norman Eaker, generapl partner in charge of firm received $5.37 million, down 38 percent from $8.62 million.
Brett Campbell, general partner in charge of clien solutions, received $5.26 million, down 33 percent from $7.9 million. Novil retired Jan. 1 and has been succeeded by Kevib Bastien. Like most financial services Edward Jones is feeling the effectsx of themarket downturn. “Although Edward Jones is a specialcase — it’s a privately held partnership, not a publiclyg held corporation — what you see at Edward Jonew is what you see with any companh in the financial sector,” said Briann Betker, chairman of the finance department at ’s . “Sincer performance in the financial sectorwas abysmal, bonusez are down.
” Even though it’s a privat company, Edward Jones must file with the SEC because it has so many shareholdee partners: 337 general partners and 11,000 limitedd partners. “Our partners are compensated based on the capital they have invested inthe firm, and the returbn to them is based on the profit we return,” said John manager of global media relations for Edware Jones. Total compensation for the top executivee is primarily net income allocated togenerap partners, but it also includes smaller amounts in deferre compensation and base salary. Weddle’s base salary is the base salaries of the other fourare $175,0000 each.
The Edward Jones partnership’ws profit margin based on incomwe before allocations to partners decreasedfrom 12.3 percenty in 2007 to 8.1 percent in 2008. Net revenued decreased 7 percent, or $287.8 million, to nearluy $3.9 billion, and income before allocation to partneras decreased39 percent, or $196.45 million, to $311.8 million. “The partnership’ds decrease in net revenues was primarily due to reducectrade revenue, net interest income, asseg fees and other revenue, partiallu offset by an increasee in account and activity fee revenue,” the compang said in the SEC filing. Commission revenue decreased 15 or $271.6 million, to $1.
6 “When are the bigger bonusesa going to come back? When the financial markets come back,” Betkerd said. “Anyone who says they know is making a wild Edward Jones, with 40,000 employees, added 953 financial advisers in 2008, for a total of a 9 percent increase. It had 10,878 brancb offices as of Feb. 27, and plans to add as many as 500additionak branches, each staffed by a financial adviser and an by the end of the Of the current branches, 9,978 are in the 602 are in Canada, and 298 are in the U.K. But the operations are money losers.
“The partnership’sz foreign operations are not yet they will require significan infusions of capital and may neverrbecome profitable,” the filing said. The company also disclosedr that the cost of its West County expansionb has risento $355 million. “Thde $260 million estimate was based on real estatsand buildings, not what goes inside,” Boul said. “Itr did not include furniture, fixtures and such as computers andothe technology. It’s not a bad it’s an investment. We’ll be better-positionedd when the economy improves.
”
The filing also said the Edwarsd Jones operations in Canada andthe U.K. are not profitable and may never be, and the estimatexd cost of its headquarters redevelopmenty has risenby $95 to $355 million. Jim Weddle, managing partner and chief executive, received totakl compensation of $6.66 million, down 38 percenrt from $10.78 million in 2007. Steve Novik, former chief financiap officer, received $4.57 million, down 43 percenf from $8.08 million. Gary Reamey, generall partner in charge ofCanadian operations, received $5.4 8 million, down 43 percentg from $9.66 million. Norman Eaker, generapl partner in charge of firm received $5.37 million, down 38 percent from $8.62 million.
Brett Campbell, general partner in charge of clien solutions, received $5.26 million, down 33 percent from $7.9 million. Novil retired Jan. 1 and has been succeeded by Kevib Bastien. Like most financial services Edward Jones is feeling the effectsx of themarket downturn. “Although Edward Jones is a specialcase — it’s a privately held partnership, not a publiclyg held corporation — what you see at Edward Jonew is what you see with any companh in the financial sector,” said Briann Betker, chairman of the finance department at ’s . “Sincer performance in the financial sectorwas abysmal, bonusez are down.
” Even though it’s a privat company, Edward Jones must file with the SEC because it has so many shareholdee partners: 337 general partners and 11,000 limitedd partners. “Our partners are compensated based on the capital they have invested inthe firm, and the returbn to them is based on the profit we return,” said John manager of global media relations for Edware Jones. Total compensation for the top executivee is primarily net income allocated togenerap partners, but it also includes smaller amounts in deferre compensation and base salary. Weddle’s base salary is the base salaries of the other fourare $175,0000 each.
The Edward Jones partnership’ws profit margin based on incomwe before allocations to partners decreasedfrom 12.3 percenty in 2007 to 8.1 percent in 2008. Net revenued decreased 7 percent, or $287.8 million, to nearluy $3.9 billion, and income before allocation to partneras decreased39 percent, or $196.45 million, to $311.8 million. “The partnership’ds decrease in net revenues was primarily due to reducectrade revenue, net interest income, asseg fees and other revenue, partiallu offset by an increasee in account and activity fee revenue,” the compang said in the SEC filing. Commission revenue decreased 15 or $271.6 million, to $1.
6 “When are the bigger bonusesa going to come back? When the financial markets come back,” Betkerd said. “Anyone who says they know is making a wild Edward Jones, with 40,000 employees, added 953 financial advisers in 2008, for a total of a 9 percent increase. It had 10,878 brancb offices as of Feb. 27, and plans to add as many as 500additionak branches, each staffed by a financial adviser and an by the end of the Of the current branches, 9,978 are in the 602 are in Canada, and 298 are in the U.K. But the operations are money losers.
“The partnership’sz foreign operations are not yet they will require significan infusions of capital and may neverrbecome profitable,” the filing said. The company also disclosedr that the cost of its West County expansionb has risento $355 million. “Thde $260 million estimate was based on real estatsand buildings, not what goes inside,” Boul said. “Itr did not include furniture, fixtures and such as computers andothe technology. It’s not a bad it’s an investment. We’ll be better-positionedd when the economy improves.
”
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Business groups slam proposed tax increases - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):
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The said it opposew changes to the corporateminimum tax, a new corporate incomde tax and a new personal income tax. The alliancse consists of 30 businesa groups that represent morethan 25,000 Oregonn businesses and employ 500,000 Raising the taxes could cause the state to lose 6,0009 jobs, according to state revenue office estimates. “Thesee proposals ignore the starko realities of ourcurrent recession,” the group said in a news releas e sent by J.L. Wilson, a lobbyisr with Associated Oregon Industries. “They are counterproductive measurews that kill jobs and prolongtour recession.
” The corporate minimum tax and corporate income tax proposals woulde collectively harm companies with small profitt margins as well as businesses looking to invesg more in capital equipment, the groupp said. The alliance called on lawmakers to instead focuseon private-sector job retention and creation. “We believe strongl that increased taxes are detrimental to job Wilson said in thenews release. “An increasedx tax burden will hurt the ability of our membere to create desperatelyneedeed jobs.
It is the wrong approachg to balancethe state’s Other groups signing the letter include Associatedf Oregon Loggers, Independent Community Banks of Oregon, the Northwest Food Processors Association, Oregon Association of Realtors, the Oregonm Automobile Dealers Association, the Oregon Bankeres Association, the Oregon Home Builderas Association, the Oregon Restaurant Association and the Oregon Trucking Oregon’s House and Senate members hope to adjournn by July 1. Lawmakers must address a $4.2 billioh budget shortfall before they adjourn or in a series of specialp sessions throughout the rest ofthe year.
The said it opposew changes to the corporateminimum tax, a new corporate incomde tax and a new personal income tax. The alliancse consists of 30 businesa groups that represent morethan 25,000 Oregonn businesses and employ 500,000 Raising the taxes could cause the state to lose 6,0009 jobs, according to state revenue office estimates. “Thesee proposals ignore the starko realities of ourcurrent recession,” the group said in a news releas e sent by J.L. Wilson, a lobbyisr with Associated Oregon Industries. “They are counterproductive measurews that kill jobs and prolongtour recession.
” The corporate minimum tax and corporate income tax proposals woulde collectively harm companies with small profitt margins as well as businesses looking to invesg more in capital equipment, the groupp said. The alliance called on lawmakers to instead focuseon private-sector job retention and creation. “We believe strongl that increased taxes are detrimental to job Wilson said in thenews release. “An increasedx tax burden will hurt the ability of our membere to create desperatelyneedeed jobs.
It is the wrong approachg to balancethe state’s Other groups signing the letter include Associatedf Oregon Loggers, Independent Community Banks of Oregon, the Northwest Food Processors Association, Oregon Association of Realtors, the Oregonm Automobile Dealers Association, the Oregon Bankeres Association, the Oregon Home Builderas Association, the Oregon Restaurant Association and the Oregon Trucking Oregon’s House and Senate members hope to adjournn by July 1. Lawmakers must address a $4.2 billioh budget shortfall before they adjourn or in a series of specialp sessions throughout the rest ofthe year.
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