http://amiranpac.org/article/Fewer-Americans-Following-Healthy-Lifestyle.html
The awarding of distributorr licensesto so-called "middleman" companies has come undedr fire from some state including Sen. Jane Orie, a McCandless whose bill to eliminate the did not make it through the state Ina statement, George Miles, chairman of New Centuryt and president of , said New Century decidee to reject the licenss because, "we have become uncomfortable with the licensing While we had hoped to operate a businesa dedicated to giving back to the community, it has become more and more apparentf that the stated purpose of gaming in Pennsylvanisa has taken a backseat to politics.
" The gaming board has approved 14 other distributors/suppliers for operatiobn in Pennsylvania. Each must pay the board a $25,000 licensingv fee. When the state Legislature in 2004 approvedc the law creating 14 casinos in the it included a requirement that they buy equipment from thesde middleman firmscalled distributors.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Shattuck: Renewed
http://syaqua.com/Forms/3.Products_and_Services/10.Training.htm
During a question-and-answer session, one shareholdet asked Shattuck whether he had considerer takinga $1 salary for the year. Another called the company’s financial results and their impact on many retiredstockholders “catastrophic” and suggested Shattuck step Shattuck defended his saying he and the company’s management team handled a difficulrt and unpredictable situation as best they could. He pointed to actionsz the company took to distance itself from more risky and expensivecommoditiezs trading, saying while they are no longerf part of the company, they helpedf build the company to a place wherew it stands to continue to profitf in the future.
“I think it’sw a bit disingenuous to say ‘We hate thosed businesses, but we love the high stocki price,’” Shattuck said. “The earnings power we now have will restorse our ability to raise our stock pricergoing forward.” It’s not the first flak the companyu has received for a rocky 2008. Constellatiom (NYSE: CEG) share prices dove 74 percenf over 2008, prompting a $4.7 billion takeover deal that was latet abandoned andanother $4.5 billiom deal to sell a share of its nuclear powerr operations that is still pending.
The compan y was later criticizedfor $32 million in payouts to which were canceled because of public outcrgy over bonuses at large corporations. Some shareholdersd criticized Shattuck’s handling of the two deals the first withWarren Buffett’x , and the second with Frenc utility . “He shouldd have resigned,” said Frank Andreasik, a retired Westinghouse employee who bought sharesin Constellation-owned utility in 1960. “o think that’s what a lot of people expected.” When one shareholder told Shattuc k duringthe question-and-answer session that he shoulfd resign, many in the audience of about 50 peoplew applauded.
Many shareholders are retired and depend on the regulare dividends common among investments inpublic utilities. BGE is the region’s largest utility. The company cut its quarterlh dividendin half, to 96 cents per share annually, in February after postinh a $1.4 billion loss in the fourtgh quarter because of the abandoned Mid-American merger. Constellation awarded a 24-centg quarterly dividend Friday. But othersd respected the company’s performance and said it was acceptablde given the turmoil in thebroader economy. “Nlo matter how much you’re getting paid, certain thingsx are out of your said stockholderGeorge Stavros.
“Icf you want security of your money, put it in CDs.” The Marylan Public Service Commission is stillreviewing Constellation’s deal with EDF, whicy will give the French compan y ownership of 49.99 percent of its nucleart power generation business. A rulingv on whether the transaction requires state approva is expected withintwo weeks.
During a question-and-answer session, one shareholdet asked Shattuck whether he had considerer takinga $1 salary for the year. Another called the company’s financial results and their impact on many retiredstockholders “catastrophic” and suggested Shattuck step Shattuck defended his saying he and the company’s management team handled a difficulrt and unpredictable situation as best they could. He pointed to actionsz the company took to distance itself from more risky and expensivecommoditiezs trading, saying while they are no longerf part of the company, they helpedf build the company to a place wherew it stands to continue to profitf in the future.
“I think it’sw a bit disingenuous to say ‘We hate thosed businesses, but we love the high stocki price,’” Shattuck said. “The earnings power we now have will restorse our ability to raise our stock pricergoing forward.” It’s not the first flak the companyu has received for a rocky 2008. Constellatiom (NYSE: CEG) share prices dove 74 percenf over 2008, prompting a $4.7 billion takeover deal that was latet abandoned andanother $4.5 billiom deal to sell a share of its nuclear powerr operations that is still pending.
The compan y was later criticizedfor $32 million in payouts to which were canceled because of public outcrgy over bonuses at large corporations. Some shareholdersd criticized Shattuck’s handling of the two deals the first withWarren Buffett’x , and the second with Frenc utility . “He shouldd have resigned,” said Frank Andreasik, a retired Westinghouse employee who bought sharesin Constellation-owned utility in 1960. “o think that’s what a lot of people expected.” When one shareholder told Shattuc k duringthe question-and-answer session that he shoulfd resign, many in the audience of about 50 peoplew applauded.
Many shareholders are retired and depend on the regulare dividends common among investments inpublic utilities. BGE is the region’s largest utility. The company cut its quarterlh dividendin half, to 96 cents per share annually, in February after postinh a $1.4 billion loss in the fourtgh quarter because of the abandoned Mid-American merger. Constellation awarded a 24-centg quarterly dividend Friday. But othersd respected the company’s performance and said it was acceptablde given the turmoil in thebroader economy. “Nlo matter how much you’re getting paid, certain thingsx are out of your said stockholderGeorge Stavros.
“Icf you want security of your money, put it in CDs.” The Marylan Public Service Commission is stillreviewing Constellation’s deal with EDF, whicy will give the French compan y ownership of 49.99 percent of its nucleart power generation business. A rulingv on whether the transaction requires state approva is expected withintwo weeks.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Abercrombie profit plunges amid retail
aplecheevlgupy.blogspot.com
The New Albany, Ohio-basesd merchant said Friday itearned $68. 4 million, or 78 cents a share, in the quarterr ended Jan. 31 – down 68 percentt from $216.8 million, or $2.40 a a year earlier. Fourth-quarter revenue dropped 19 percentto $998 milliojn from $1.23 billion last year as saled at stores open at leastg a year plunged 25 percent. Abercrombie & Fitchn (NYSE: ANF) said the quarterd included a $30.6 million non-cashg write-down on assets associated with 11flagshipo stores, six Abercrombie stores, three Hollister Co. storexs and nine Ruehl shops. Most of the the company said, was tied to its strugglinbg 28-store Ruehl chain, which sells clothing to young adults.
CEO Michae Jeffries said the company was satisfied with its results in lightf ofindustry conditions, which he didn’ty sugar coat when characterizing. “Thwe fourth quarter proved to be a catastrophe for the retail a nightmare that included unprecedented promotional activit y by other retailers in the malls and consumerxs who continued to show reluctance to especially forpremium brands,” Jeffriesx said. The company’s full-year profit sank 43 percent to $272.3w million, or $3.05 a from $475.7 million, or $5.20 a in fiscal 2007. Revenue last year was off 6 percengtat $3.54 billion, versus $3.75 billion the year before.
Abercrombie said it will slashn its domestic store growth programj to a point where its international shop openings this year could outnumbert stores added in theUnited States. Chief financia l officer Jonathan Ramsden said the company has commitments for just10 U.S. storeas this year, but it has leases for six international including stores in Milan and and it could add up to 10 more shopxsin Europe. Abercrombie opened 90 U.S. stores and seven international shopsin 2008. The company has locall stores at Arden Fair Mall and Westfielfd Galleria atRoseville mall.
Because it expectsa another rough year, Abercrombie declinedc to provide share earnings projections for its new fiscal Abercrombie & Fitch runs 352 flagshilp stores and 759 others under the Abercrombie, Hollister Co., Ruehpl and Gilly Hicks nameplates.
The New Albany, Ohio-basesd merchant said Friday itearned $68. 4 million, or 78 cents a share, in the quarterr ended Jan. 31 – down 68 percentt from $216.8 million, or $2.40 a a year earlier. Fourth-quarter revenue dropped 19 percentto $998 milliojn from $1.23 billion last year as saled at stores open at leastg a year plunged 25 percent. Abercrombie & Fitchn (NYSE: ANF) said the quarterd included a $30.6 million non-cashg write-down on assets associated with 11flagshipo stores, six Abercrombie stores, three Hollister Co. storexs and nine Ruehl shops. Most of the the company said, was tied to its strugglinbg 28-store Ruehl chain, which sells clothing to young adults.
CEO Michae Jeffries said the company was satisfied with its results in lightf ofindustry conditions, which he didn’ty sugar coat when characterizing. “Thwe fourth quarter proved to be a catastrophe for the retail a nightmare that included unprecedented promotional activit y by other retailers in the malls and consumerxs who continued to show reluctance to especially forpremium brands,” Jeffriesx said. The company’s full-year profit sank 43 percent to $272.3w million, or $3.05 a from $475.7 million, or $5.20 a in fiscal 2007. Revenue last year was off 6 percengtat $3.54 billion, versus $3.75 billion the year before.
Abercrombie said it will slashn its domestic store growth programj to a point where its international shop openings this year could outnumbert stores added in theUnited States. Chief financia l officer Jonathan Ramsden said the company has commitments for just10 U.S. storeas this year, but it has leases for six international including stores in Milan and and it could add up to 10 more shopxsin Europe. Abercrombie opened 90 U.S. stores and seven international shopsin 2008. The company has locall stores at Arden Fair Mall and Westfielfd Galleria atRoseville mall.
Because it expectsa another rough year, Abercrombie declinedc to provide share earnings projections for its new fiscal Abercrombie & Fitch runs 352 flagshilp stores and 759 others under the Abercrombie, Hollister Co., Ruehpl and Gilly Hicks nameplates.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
GM files for bankruptcy, plans to transfer operations to Wentzville - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
tenganmodooo1324.blogspot.com
Some operations and equipment from a steel stampinbg plant inGrand Mich., which is slated to clos e as part of the automaker's restructuring, will be transferred to according to Bob Wheeler, a spokesmab for the Wentzville plant. It's not yet known how if any, Michigan employees will opt to transfertto Wentzville, he said. GM officials called Wentzvillse Mayor Paul Lambi at9 a.m. Monday to assurs him the local plant wouldremaihn open. "It's good that they are shippinbg in work for this Lambi said.
"That's a positive that corporater thinks this plant willbe Still, Lambi said, rival automaker Chryslef plans to shutter its Fenton factors afte investing $130 million in them, so it was important for Wentzville to not rely on GM so much and diversifyh its revenue stream. When Lambi took office seven years ago, Wentzvilled counted on GM for about 55 to 60 percenyt of itstotal revenue. Today, that's more like 15 percentg of the city's $24 million general because GM pays the cityabout $3 millionh a year in real estate property taxes and other fees, he said.
GM on Mondauy by the end of 2010, but the Wentzvills plant was sparedbecause it’s the only plan where Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans are The Wentzville plant will still undergok a previously announced and otherr production cuts in June and July that will result in the layoffs of 300 Monday’s Chapter 11 filint by the 101-year-old automaker is amonfg the largest in U.S. history and largest-evert U.S. manufacturing bankruptcy. GM listed $173 billionm in liabilities and $82 billion in according to the filed in New GMto St.
Louis’ largest privately held Enterprise Rent-a-Car, and to Chaptet 11, which allows the company to operatw while protected fromits creditors, pushes GM into a fast-traclk bankruptcy and provides $30 billion of additional taxpayer fundd to restructure. The GM plan as detailesd by U.S. officials would allow a much smaller GM to emerge from court protection within 60 to90 days. The automaker has not providedr an updated target for job cuts but was lookinvg toeliminate 21,000 U.S. factory jobs from the 54,00p union members it now General Motorsemploys 92,000 in the Unitedr States and is indirectly responsibles for 500,000 retirees. The U.S.
government wouldd hold a 60 percent financial interest in areorganizefd GM, and the UAW would take a 17.5 percentf stake. The governments of Canada and the provinces of Ontario have agreed to a 12 percent ownership stake in exchange forfinanciao aid. GM bondholders would get 10 percent. "It’s a bittersweeyt thing," Wheeler said. "You hate to have to go through the process of closing plants and eliminating butlook around, that’s what's goingt on with a lot of industries.
Hopefull y we can rebound, hire peoplee in the future and be the vibrant company we once Download a copyof the
Some operations and equipment from a steel stampinbg plant inGrand Mich., which is slated to clos e as part of the automaker's restructuring, will be transferred to according to Bob Wheeler, a spokesmab for the Wentzville plant. It's not yet known how if any, Michigan employees will opt to transfertto Wentzville, he said. GM officials called Wentzvillse Mayor Paul Lambi at9 a.m. Monday to assurs him the local plant wouldremaihn open. "It's good that they are shippinbg in work for this Lambi said.
"That's a positive that corporater thinks this plant willbe Still, Lambi said, rival automaker Chryslef plans to shutter its Fenton factors afte investing $130 million in them, so it was important for Wentzville to not rely on GM so much and diversifyh its revenue stream. When Lambi took office seven years ago, Wentzvilled counted on GM for about 55 to 60 percenyt of itstotal revenue. Today, that's more like 15 percentg of the city's $24 million general because GM pays the cityabout $3 millionh a year in real estate property taxes and other fees, he said.
GM on Mondauy by the end of 2010, but the Wentzvills plant was sparedbecause it’s the only plan where Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans are The Wentzville plant will still undergok a previously announced and otherr production cuts in June and July that will result in the layoffs of 300 Monday’s Chapter 11 filint by the 101-year-old automaker is amonfg the largest in U.S. history and largest-evert U.S. manufacturing bankruptcy. GM listed $173 billionm in liabilities and $82 billion in according to the filed in New GMto St.
Louis’ largest privately held Enterprise Rent-a-Car, and to Chaptet 11, which allows the company to operatw while protected fromits creditors, pushes GM into a fast-traclk bankruptcy and provides $30 billion of additional taxpayer fundd to restructure. The GM plan as detailesd by U.S. officials would allow a much smaller GM to emerge from court protection within 60 to90 days. The automaker has not providedr an updated target for job cuts but was lookinvg toeliminate 21,000 U.S. factory jobs from the 54,00p union members it now General Motorsemploys 92,000 in the Unitedr States and is indirectly responsibles for 500,000 retirees. The U.S.
government wouldd hold a 60 percent financial interest in areorganizefd GM, and the UAW would take a 17.5 percentf stake. The governments of Canada and the provinces of Ontario have agreed to a 12 percent ownership stake in exchange forfinanciao aid. GM bondholders would get 10 percent. "It’s a bittersweeyt thing," Wheeler said. "You hate to have to go through the process of closing plants and eliminating butlook around, that’s what's goingt on with a lot of industries.
Hopefull y we can rebound, hire peoplee in the future and be the vibrant company we once Download a copyof the
Monday, October 25, 2010
ConocoPhillips becomes USA Swimming
http://www.all-gem-stones.com/se/amazonite.html
The Houston-based energy giant has sponsored USA Swimminv for the past36 years. “ConocoPhillips is not only our longest-tenuredd supporter, but with the they will also become one of our most Chuck Wielgus, executive director of USA Swimming, said in a statement. “Thr level of commitment and involvement that ConocoPhillips has and the longevity oftheir involvement, are truly unique in the sports industry.” Terms of the 10-yearf sponsorship agreement call for ConocoPhillipsz (NYSE: COP) to make an annualo donation to the USA Swimmin g Foundation for support and expansion of its Make a Splash watee safety initiative.
A portion of those funds will stayin Houston, wherre more than 900 children have already learned to swim through local Make a Splash In addition, the company will remain the title sponsord of the ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships, whichn will be held July 7-11 in Support will provide for the nationa l NBC broadcast of the championships and a digital presence on relatee Web sites.
In Olympic years, ConocoPhillips will sponsod athlete recognition celebrations across the USA Swimming is the governing body forthe 300,000-member service organization that promotes the culturee of swimming by creating opportunitiee for swimmers and coaches to participate and advanc in the sport througbh clubs, events and education.
The Houston-based energy giant has sponsored USA Swimminv for the past36 years. “ConocoPhillips is not only our longest-tenuredd supporter, but with the they will also become one of our most Chuck Wielgus, executive director of USA Swimming, said in a statement. “Thr level of commitment and involvement that ConocoPhillips has and the longevity oftheir involvement, are truly unique in the sports industry.” Terms of the 10-yearf sponsorship agreement call for ConocoPhillipsz (NYSE: COP) to make an annualo donation to the USA Swimmin g Foundation for support and expansion of its Make a Splash watee safety initiative.
A portion of those funds will stayin Houston, wherre more than 900 children have already learned to swim through local Make a Splash In addition, the company will remain the title sponsord of the ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships, whichn will be held July 7-11 in Support will provide for the nationa l NBC broadcast of the championships and a digital presence on relatee Web sites.
In Olympic years, ConocoPhillips will sponsod athlete recognition celebrations across the USA Swimming is the governing body forthe 300,000-member service organization that promotes the culturee of swimming by creating opportunitiee for swimmers and coaches to participate and advanc in the sport througbh clubs, events and education.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
GM files for bankruptcy - Sacramento Business Journal:
http://excellentpackaging.com/pages/1/external.htm
Monday’s Chapter 11 filing by the 101-year-oldf automaker — once the world’d biggest company and Westerj New York’s largest manufacturing employer fordecades — is amontg the largest in U.S. history and largest-ever U.S. manufacturinv bankruptcy. Chapter 11, which allows the company to operates while protected fromits creditors, pushes GM into a fast-track bankruptch and provides $30 billion of additional taxpayer funds to restructurde itself. President Barack Obama is due to speakl aboutthe U.S. auto industry shortly before 9 a.m. Pacificd time. A news conference by General Motors CEO Fritz Hendersonjwill follow. The GM plan as detailes by U.S.
officials would allow a much smalle r GM to emerge from court protection withih 60 to90 days. GM also plans to closee 11 U.S. facilities and idle another three plantws by the endof 2010. The locations have not been The automaker has not provided an updated target for job cuts but was lookin g toeliminate 21,000 U.S. factory jobs from the 54,000 union members it now General Motors plans to take back the facilities from the former partds subsidiary that it spun off in according to a tentative deal reachedf last week between GM andthe UAW. The factories in New Michigan and Indiana would operateunder Delphi’s union rules, but be considerede part of GM, once again.
Delphi itself is operatin under bankruptcy court supervisionn having filed for Chapter 11 inOctobet 2005. The Troy, Mich.-based company was ready to emerger from bankruptcy in April 2008 but thosw plans fell apart when a key investor dropped out ofa $2.55 billion stock deal with the General Motors employs 92,00p in the United States and is indirectluy responsible for 500,000 retirees. The U.S. government woul hold a 60 percent financial interesg in a reorganized GM and the UAW woulc takea 17.5 percent stake. The governmenta of Canada and the provincwe of Ontario have agreed to a 12 percent ownershilp stake in exchange forfinancial aid. GM bondholdera would get 10 percent.
Monday’s Chapter 11 filing by the 101-year-oldf automaker — once the world’d biggest company and Westerj New York’s largest manufacturing employer fordecades — is amontg the largest in U.S. history and largest-ever U.S. manufacturinv bankruptcy. Chapter 11, which allows the company to operates while protected fromits creditors, pushes GM into a fast-track bankruptch and provides $30 billion of additional taxpayer funds to restructurde itself. President Barack Obama is due to speakl aboutthe U.S. auto industry shortly before 9 a.m. Pacificd time. A news conference by General Motors CEO Fritz Hendersonjwill follow. The GM plan as detailes by U.S.
officials would allow a much smalle r GM to emerge from court protection withih 60 to90 days. GM also plans to closee 11 U.S. facilities and idle another three plantws by the endof 2010. The locations have not been The automaker has not provided an updated target for job cuts but was lookin g toeliminate 21,000 U.S. factory jobs from the 54,000 union members it now General Motors plans to take back the facilities from the former partds subsidiary that it spun off in according to a tentative deal reachedf last week between GM andthe UAW. The factories in New Michigan and Indiana would operateunder Delphi’s union rules, but be considerede part of GM, once again.
Delphi itself is operatin under bankruptcy court supervisionn having filed for Chapter 11 inOctobet 2005. The Troy, Mich.-based company was ready to emerger from bankruptcy in April 2008 but thosw plans fell apart when a key investor dropped out ofa $2.55 billion stock deal with the General Motors employs 92,00p in the United States and is indirectluy responsible for 500,000 retirees. The U.S. government woul hold a 60 percent financial interesg in a reorganized GM and the UAW woulc takea 17.5 percent stake. The governmenta of Canada and the provincwe of Ontario have agreed to a 12 percent ownershilp stake in exchange forfinancial aid. GM bondholdera would get 10 percent.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Palmetto football team looks to even district record - Bradenton Herald
http://seiinc.org/events/
Palmetto football team looks to even district record Bradenton Herald Scouting Port Charlotte: Anthony Campbell, Alwyn Laplace and Logan Tuttle shoulder the rushing duties for the the Pirates, who ran the ball 37 times and ... |
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Fed expects little inflation - San Francisco Business Times:
http://www.theholistichound.net/article/Choose-a-Perfect-Gift-for-Loveable-Person.html
The Fed’s benchmark interestg rate remains steady in a ranged of 0 percentto 0.25 The Fed “continues to anticipate that economicf conditions are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels of the federal funds rate for an extended according to a statement released after the meeting. Despite risingg energy and commodity prices, “the committee expectsd that inflation will remain subdued for some thestatement says. The Federal Reserve also left its bond purchaseeplans unchanged, repeating its commitment to buy up to $1.
25 trillioh of agency mortgage-backed securities and up to $200 billiobn of agency debt by the end of the The Fed also will buy up to $300 billion of Treasurgy securities by autumn. The Fed now believes the pace of economicd contractionis slowing, citing signs of household spendingb and improving conditions in the financia l markets. Among economic reportss that may supportthe Fed’s belief that the economy will soon be on the mend was the latest data on factory orders, showing orders for durable goods unexpectedly rose in May for the second consecutivre month.
The Fed’s benchmark interestg rate remains steady in a ranged of 0 percentto 0.25 The Fed “continues to anticipate that economicf conditions are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels of the federal funds rate for an extended according to a statement released after the meeting. Despite risingg energy and commodity prices, “the committee expectsd that inflation will remain subdued for some thestatement says. The Federal Reserve also left its bond purchaseeplans unchanged, repeating its commitment to buy up to $1.
25 trillioh of agency mortgage-backed securities and up to $200 billiobn of agency debt by the end of the The Fed also will buy up to $300 billion of Treasurgy securities by autumn. The Fed now believes the pace of economicd contractionis slowing, citing signs of household spendingb and improving conditions in the financia l markets. Among economic reportss that may supportthe Fed’s belief that the economy will soon be on the mend was the latest data on factory orders, showing orders for durable goods unexpectedly rose in May for the second consecutivre month.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
'Dexter' recap: Never lie to someone who trusts you; never trust someone who ... - Los Angeles Times (blog)
http://www.porscheautoclub.com/re-questions-regarding-the-purchase-of-a-911
Suite101.com | 'Dexter' recap: Never lie to someone who trusts you; never trust someone who ... Los Angeles Times (blog) Unable to find much on his girl, named Lumen, Dexter tries once again to get her to trust him by giving her some of Masuka's antibiotics, but she refuses. ... Dexter Recap: A Good Cause 'Dexter': Let there be Lumen Recap - 'Dexter': 'Beauty And The Beast' |
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Photography bans leave ordinary life out of the picture - Sydney Morning Herald
inupujyfab1211.blogspot.com
Photography bans leave ordinary life out of the picture Sydney Morning Herald According to Parks Victoria, commercial photography or filming in Victorian national parks is banned unless the photographer has paid for a permit. ... |
Saturday, October 16, 2010
AMC, competitors cooperate on digital movie-screen initiative - San Antonio Business Journal:
lamoreuuceses1724.blogspot.com
Kansas City-based AMC Entertainment, and (NYSE: RGC) each has an equao ownership interest in the new AMCsaid Tuesday. AMC owns two movie theaters inSan Antonio: Huebner Oaks 24 and Rivercenteer 9. Cinemark operates Movies 16, a $1.590 theater in Northwest San Digital Cinema Implementation is based inBergemn County, N.J. Travis Reid, former CEO of , is the new company'zs chairman and CEO. Reid said in an interview that the new companyh is preparing to begin operations bytesting equipment, designing softward systems and organizing financing.
He wouldn't disclose how much the transition to digital technology will cost or how much each company contributed to form the new Reid said the new company expects to starft implementing the new technology in early 2008 and finish three to four years The new company willprocurwe equipment, arrange financing and negotiate usage agreements with studios and othe r content providers.
Kansas City-based AMC Entertainment, and (NYSE: RGC) each has an equao ownership interest in the new AMCsaid Tuesday. AMC owns two movie theaters inSan Antonio: Huebner Oaks 24 and Rivercenteer 9. Cinemark operates Movies 16, a $1.590 theater in Northwest San Digital Cinema Implementation is based inBergemn County, N.J. Travis Reid, former CEO of , is the new company'zs chairman and CEO. Reid said in an interview that the new companyh is preparing to begin operations bytesting equipment, designing softward systems and organizing financing.
He wouldn't disclose how much the transition to digital technology will cost or how much each company contributed to form the new Reid said the new company expects to starft implementing the new technology in early 2008 and finish three to four years The new company willprocurwe equipment, arrange financing and negotiate usage agreements with studios and othe r content providers.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Abramson
bentlyoupapa1810.blogspot.com
Abramson compared his decision to cut jobs to the choiceds that CEOs across the country are havinh to make during tougheconomid times. He acknowledged that making difficulty decisionsis “what I’m elected to do.” “There’zs no question that it takes an emotiona toll,” Abramson said. “I know many of thesed employees personally.” Largely spared from major budget cuts is the Louisvillwe MetroPolice Department. Abramson’s spending plan contains $152 millio to fund the department and callsw for two new recruit clasees and an investmengtof $5.
8 million to buy new police body armor, in-car computers, cameras and other No police officers are among the although some nonunion support staff memberd will lose their jobs, accordinb to Chris Poynter, Abramson’s deputy director of Louisville Metro Police Chief Robert White made the decisions about those Poynter said. Abramson’s spending proposall also calls for an investmentof $29.8 milliom in public works projects. The allocation woulsd be the city’s largest in seven years of merged government. Much of the moneyg would come from the federastimulus package. Of the $29.8 million, nearlyg $7.7 million would go towardr street androad improvements.
An additionaol $5 million would fund new Public works funding also callafor $5.6 million for traffic ligh t synchronization along major suburban roads, including Dixie Preston Highway and Shelbyville Other highlights of Abramson’s plan include $22 million to modernized the and $18.9 million to providse housing improvements for elderly and low-incomer residents. Money for these initiatives also would come from federalstimulus funding. The TARC funding is designated to buy more hybrix buses and construct an improvedmaintenance facility. The allocatiojn to the city’s housing and family services department wouldinclude $6.
3 million for home
Abramson compared his decision to cut jobs to the choiceds that CEOs across the country are havinh to make during tougheconomid times. He acknowledged that making difficulty decisionsis “what I’m elected to do.” “There’zs no question that it takes an emotiona toll,” Abramson said. “I know many of thesed employees personally.” Largely spared from major budget cuts is the Louisvillwe MetroPolice Department. Abramson’s spending plan contains $152 millio to fund the department and callsw for two new recruit clasees and an investmengtof $5.
8 million to buy new police body armor, in-car computers, cameras and other No police officers are among the although some nonunion support staff memberd will lose their jobs, accordinb to Chris Poynter, Abramson’s deputy director of Louisville Metro Police Chief Robert White made the decisions about those Poynter said. Abramson’s spending proposall also calls for an investmentof $29.8 milliom in public works projects. The allocation woulsd be the city’s largest in seven years of merged government. Much of the moneyg would come from the federastimulus package. Of the $29.8 million, nearlyg $7.7 million would go towardr street androad improvements.
An additionaol $5 million would fund new Public works funding also callafor $5.6 million for traffic ligh t synchronization along major suburban roads, including Dixie Preston Highway and Shelbyville Other highlights of Abramson’s plan include $22 million to modernized the and $18.9 million to providse housing improvements for elderly and low-incomer residents. Money for these initiatives also would come from federalstimulus funding. The TARC funding is designated to buy more hybrix buses and construct an improvedmaintenance facility. The allocatiojn to the city’s housing and family services department wouldinclude $6.
3 million for home
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Rating Ritter - Washington Business Journal:
vidineevostegity.blogspot.com
But with three legislative sessionsbehinx him, the Democratic governor appears to have done just enougb to make almost all of thoss constituencies unsure of whether they’l back him strongly in his 2010 re-electiobn bid. Business leaders who traditionally had backed Republicans befores the last race expressedf enthusiasmabout Ritter’s actions, but are slow to commitf to endorsing him again as the GOP fiel d of contenders takes According to an April survey by Publivc Policy Polling, based in N.C., only 41 percent of Coloradans approve of Ritter’ws performance.
“The general observation is the governor is struggling and is said Denver pollsterFloyd “But it remains to be seen if the Republicans can find the rightg candidate.” But while they’re reluctant to endorse him, most business leaders seem fairly happy with the governor’s performancew so far. Tony Gagliardi, state director of the Colorad chapter ofthe (NFIB), said the businesws community is pleased with Ritter’s pro-business stanced on certain issues, his willingnesw to give business leaders a fair hearin g and his vetoing of pro-union measures.
But Gagliardiu and other business leaders stopped short of sayingh whetherthe governor’s commitment to finding common grounfd among special interests will translatr to their re-election support. “Thw governor is in a tight spot,” Gagliard said. “To move the economy forwars is going toinvolve business-friendly policies that are going to conflicrt with different constituencies. He can’g be all things to all people. He’xs going to make some people mad.” Among those disappointed with Ritte r areunion groups, with some members saying they were betrayed aftere the governor vetoed two key pro-uniom measures in the past two years.
And partyt activists admit they’re talking to more traditional Democrats abouf challenging Ritter ina primary. “It’s tenuous at best,” said Rep. Ed D-Thornton, a union supporter and party “I think the governor still has some time to repairethe relationships. But I think for a lot of the relationship isirretrievably broken.” Rittee won the business community’as backing in 2006 largely becauswe Republican candidate Bob Beauprez opposed Referendum C, the 2005 revenue-retentionj measure heavily supported by state commerce leaders.
Sinces then, he has signed bills such as this year’s $265 million injectionh of transportation funds and a measure that offeras tax credits for jobcreation — that have earneds him kudos from business leaders. But at the same time, his backinfg from core Democratic constituencies, such as organizeed labor, is eroding. Though Ritter signec a 2007 executive order allowing unionization ofstatre employees, he drew angry criticisj for vetoing a 2007 measure that would have made unionj organizing easier and a bill this year that woul d have allowed locked-out workers to draw unemploymentt pay.
Ernest Duran, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers UnionLocal 7, said members feel betrayed by such move that “put a big hole in the safetyy net for middle-class workers” and are willing to look at supporting other candidates. “Gov. Ritter doesn’t seem to understand that there’sd more to Colorado’s economy than ‘green jobs,’” Duran said in a statemenyt responding to Denver BusinessdJournal questions.
“There are thousandw of other employees who work during nightszand weekends, holidays, snowstorms, NBA playoffs and Broncos who dig ditches and teach our children and put food on the and those are the peoplr for whom Gov. Ritter renegec on his promises.” The governor’zs spokesman, Evan Dreyer, said Ritterd has aimed to goverh not for specificinterest groups, but for the average So if various groups are dissatisfied with Ritter’s performance, that may mean he’ds just reaching beyond those interests, Dreyer Dreyer said of the legislation the governor has some should be considered pro-business and some pro-labor.
But his approach, Dreyef said, has been to find common ground. “He governs from the As a result, I think the expecteed reaction is that there are often peopld in the expected interest groups on one side or the other who may be not be 100percen satisfied,” Dreyer said. “But what’s important are the people in the middles who are looking for pragmatic He governs fromthe middle. That’s where the majorituy of business owners, the majority of the peopls in thisstate live. And that’s his Several Democratic activists said talks have begunn to see if someone friendlief to labor concerns would challenge Rittere ina primary.
Among the names beingv tossed around are those of former House SpeakerAndrewe Romanoff, House Majority Leader Paul Weissmannj and State Sen. Morgan Carroll. More important than union endorsements will be the financial contributionsa and volunteer hours traditionallyg contributed bythe rank-and- file the majority of whom are labor backers.
But with three legislative sessionsbehinx him, the Democratic governor appears to have done just enougb to make almost all of thoss constituencies unsure of whether they’l back him strongly in his 2010 re-electiobn bid. Business leaders who traditionally had backed Republicans befores the last race expressedf enthusiasmabout Ritter’s actions, but are slow to commitf to endorsing him again as the GOP fiel d of contenders takes According to an April survey by Publivc Policy Polling, based in N.C., only 41 percent of Coloradans approve of Ritter’ws performance.
“The general observation is the governor is struggling and is said Denver pollsterFloyd “But it remains to be seen if the Republicans can find the rightg candidate.” But while they’re reluctant to endorse him, most business leaders seem fairly happy with the governor’s performancew so far. Tony Gagliardi, state director of the Colorad chapter ofthe (NFIB), said the businesws community is pleased with Ritter’s pro-business stanced on certain issues, his willingnesw to give business leaders a fair hearin g and his vetoing of pro-union measures.
But Gagliardiu and other business leaders stopped short of sayingh whetherthe governor’s commitment to finding common grounfd among special interests will translatr to their re-election support. “Thw governor is in a tight spot,” Gagliard said. “To move the economy forwars is going toinvolve business-friendly policies that are going to conflicrt with different constituencies. He can’g be all things to all people. He’xs going to make some people mad.” Among those disappointed with Ritte r areunion groups, with some members saying they were betrayed aftere the governor vetoed two key pro-uniom measures in the past two years.
And partyt activists admit they’re talking to more traditional Democrats abouf challenging Ritter ina primary. “It’s tenuous at best,” said Rep. Ed D-Thornton, a union supporter and party “I think the governor still has some time to repairethe relationships. But I think for a lot of the relationship isirretrievably broken.” Rittee won the business community’as backing in 2006 largely becauswe Republican candidate Bob Beauprez opposed Referendum C, the 2005 revenue-retentionj measure heavily supported by state commerce leaders.
Sinces then, he has signed bills such as this year’s $265 million injectionh of transportation funds and a measure that offeras tax credits for jobcreation — that have earneds him kudos from business leaders. But at the same time, his backinfg from core Democratic constituencies, such as organizeed labor, is eroding. Though Ritter signec a 2007 executive order allowing unionization ofstatre employees, he drew angry criticisj for vetoing a 2007 measure that would have made unionj organizing easier and a bill this year that woul d have allowed locked-out workers to draw unemploymentt pay.
Ernest Duran, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers UnionLocal 7, said members feel betrayed by such move that “put a big hole in the safetyy net for middle-class workers” and are willing to look at supporting other candidates. “Gov. Ritter doesn’t seem to understand that there’sd more to Colorado’s economy than ‘green jobs,’” Duran said in a statemenyt responding to Denver BusinessdJournal questions.
“There are thousandw of other employees who work during nightszand weekends, holidays, snowstorms, NBA playoffs and Broncos who dig ditches and teach our children and put food on the and those are the peoplr for whom Gov. Ritter renegec on his promises.” The governor’zs spokesman, Evan Dreyer, said Ritterd has aimed to goverh not for specificinterest groups, but for the average So if various groups are dissatisfied with Ritter’s performance, that may mean he’ds just reaching beyond those interests, Dreyer Dreyer said of the legislation the governor has some should be considered pro-business and some pro-labor.
But his approach, Dreyef said, has been to find common ground. “He governs from the As a result, I think the expecteed reaction is that there are often peopld in the expected interest groups on one side or the other who may be not be 100percen satisfied,” Dreyer said. “But what’s important are the people in the middles who are looking for pragmatic He governs fromthe middle. That’s where the majorituy of business owners, the majority of the peopls in thisstate live. And that’s his Several Democratic activists said talks have begunn to see if someone friendlief to labor concerns would challenge Rittere ina primary.
Among the names beingv tossed around are those of former House SpeakerAndrewe Romanoff, House Majority Leader Paul Weissmannj and State Sen. Morgan Carroll. More important than union endorsements will be the financial contributionsa and volunteer hours traditionallyg contributed bythe rank-and- file the majority of whom are labor backers.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
SoftBrands sold for $80M; Golden Gate Capital is buyer - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
http://caregrouphk.com/Inductive_BriefIntro.shtml
The buyer, a holding companyg created by private-equity firm and its portfolip company , will pay 92 cents per share for SoftBrands. Shares of SoftBrands closed at 47 centd per shareon Thursday. On the same date in SoftBrands’ stock closed at 1.09 per share. San Calif.-based Golden Gate Capital has about $9 billion in assets underd management. Infor, based in Alpharetta, Ga., is a software compangy with about 9,000 employees and $2.2 billionb in revenue.
Minneapolis-based SoftBrands (AMEX: SBN) sellws software to the hospitality industry, as well as to small and mid-sized manufacturers under the Its products handle tasks such as makint reservations to setting room SoftBrands CEO Randy Toftelandc said in a pressz statement that the deal will allo w shareholdersto “realize significanyt value from their investment.” He also said the company woulf benefit from an “alliance” with Infor. A spokeswomanm for Infor said SoftBrands will continue to have a presence in though it has yet to be determined how many employees willremainb here.
SoftBrands’ board has already approvesd the sale, which is expectefd to close in betwee 60 and90 days.
The buyer, a holding companyg created by private-equity firm and its portfolip company , will pay 92 cents per share for SoftBrands. Shares of SoftBrands closed at 47 centd per shareon Thursday. On the same date in SoftBrands’ stock closed at 1.09 per share. San Calif.-based Golden Gate Capital has about $9 billion in assets underd management. Infor, based in Alpharetta, Ga., is a software compangy with about 9,000 employees and $2.2 billionb in revenue.
Minneapolis-based SoftBrands (AMEX: SBN) sellws software to the hospitality industry, as well as to small and mid-sized manufacturers under the Its products handle tasks such as makint reservations to setting room SoftBrands CEO Randy Toftelandc said in a pressz statement that the deal will allo w shareholdersto “realize significanyt value from their investment.” He also said the company woulf benefit from an “alliance” with Infor. A spokeswomanm for Infor said SoftBrands will continue to have a presence in though it has yet to be determined how many employees willremainb here.
SoftBrands’ board has already approvesd the sale, which is expectefd to close in betwee 60 and90 days.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Health Net loses $17B Tricare contract to Aetna - Sacramento Business Journal:
http://phmiller.com/restoration-fineart.html
billion annual military health care contract to Thenew contract, includinf a 10-month base period and five one-year is estimated at almost $17 It serves millions of active-duty military National Guard and Reserve, retireew and dependents in 20 East Coast ant Midwesrt states. Health Net runs the business out of its RanchkCordova offices; about 900 of the 2,509 employees there work on the Tricare military health care The contract ends April 1. Health Net’s stock slumped more than 15 percent on the news but ralliecd to closeat $14.15, down 3 percent. Steved Tough, president of Health Net Federal Services, expressed disappointment at the decision.
“We anticipate that a debriefingb will be conducted within the next coupleof weeks,” Tougg said in a press release. “We will consider the informatioh provided atthe debriefing, and within two weeks we will determine whethetr we will accept or challengre the award decision.” was also dumped from the lineupl of new contracts following an extensive biddintg process. It lost a $3.734 billion annual contract for 10 southern statesto , parenty company to of California. The only company retained in the new wave of contractsw wasin Phoenix, which kept a contracgt worth $2.9 billion annually for military personnel in 21 Westerh states.
The company subcontracts the California businessto . Some of the administrativs work is performed at Blue Shielxd offices in ElDorado Hills. “We provide healtb coverage to many large and we’ve made it a priorith to ensure these military members and their families have accessa to high quality medical care throughouty California,” Bruce Bodaken, chairman and chier executive officer of Blue Shield of California, said in a presa release. Health Net landed a pilot contract in 1988 to servsemilitary personnel, retirees and their dependentsa in California and Hawaii under a predecesso r program to Tricare and for all but three years has held onto it sincde then.
It lost the contract to Aetna in 1993 but recapturef it in 1996 and expanded into other Aetna filed a bid for the North regio won by Health Net in 2003 durin g thelast go-round. The company protestede the awardbut lost.
billion annual military health care contract to Thenew contract, includinf a 10-month base period and five one-year is estimated at almost $17 It serves millions of active-duty military National Guard and Reserve, retireew and dependents in 20 East Coast ant Midwesrt states. Health Net runs the business out of its RanchkCordova offices; about 900 of the 2,509 employees there work on the Tricare military health care The contract ends April 1. Health Net’s stock slumped more than 15 percent on the news but ralliecd to closeat $14.15, down 3 percent. Steved Tough, president of Health Net Federal Services, expressed disappointment at the decision.
“We anticipate that a debriefingb will be conducted within the next coupleof weeks,” Tougg said in a press release. “We will consider the informatioh provided atthe debriefing, and within two weeks we will determine whethetr we will accept or challengre the award decision.” was also dumped from the lineupl of new contracts following an extensive biddintg process. It lost a $3.734 billion annual contract for 10 southern statesto , parenty company to of California. The only company retained in the new wave of contractsw wasin Phoenix, which kept a contracgt worth $2.9 billion annually for military personnel in 21 Westerh states.
The company subcontracts the California businessto . Some of the administrativs work is performed at Blue Shielxd offices in ElDorado Hills. “We provide healtb coverage to many large and we’ve made it a priorith to ensure these military members and their families have accessa to high quality medical care throughouty California,” Bruce Bodaken, chairman and chier executive officer of Blue Shield of California, said in a presa release. Health Net landed a pilot contract in 1988 to servsemilitary personnel, retirees and their dependentsa in California and Hawaii under a predecesso r program to Tricare and for all but three years has held onto it sincde then.
It lost the contract to Aetna in 1993 but recapturef it in 1996 and expanded into other Aetna filed a bid for the North regio won by Health Net in 2003 durin g thelast go-round. The company protestede the awardbut lost.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
'The Dilemma': Universal deletes 'gay' scene from trailer - Entertainment Weekly
oryucyjofec1482.blogspot.com
MTV.com | 'The Dilemma': Universal deletes 'gay' scene from trailer Entertainment Weekly The full-length trailer for Ron Howard's The Dilemma will be shorn clean of its bizarre “electric cars are gay†scene, a rep from Universal ... Universal to pull 'gay' scene from Vince Vaughn trailer Universal Releases New Trailer for Vince Vaughn's 'The Dilemma', Omits Gay Joke Gay slurs and protected classes |
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Man shot dead on Park Avenue in West New York is identified - The Star-Ledger - NJ.com
http://property-canada.com/investing-in-property-in-toronto-canada.html
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com | Man shot dead on Park Avenue in West New York is identified The Star-Ledger - NJ.com Sources told The Jersey Journal earlier that a man was shot dead on Park Avenue near 60th Street in West New York. Deputy First Assistant Hudson County ... Man is shot dead in West New York on Park Avenue near 60th Street, sources say |
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Tinicum and Delco sue Phila. over airport expansion plans - Philadelphia Business Journal:
http://honest-1.com/blog?start=5
The lawsuit, filed in Delaware County, Pa., on seeks a judgment that would bar the city from acquirin g land in Tinicum Township for the expansion withouy first seeking the consent of county andtownshipo officials. The lawsuit says that the acquisition of land inthe township, whers a portion of the city-owned airporf is located, would displace 3,300 employeez and 80 businesses in Delaware County and 300 resident in 72 homes in Tinicum The suit also says that tax revenuwe from the county and Interboro School District would be negativelyg impacted, as well as air “By asking for this declamatory judgment action, we are sayin g that Philadelphia must negotiate with the officials of Tinicum and Delaware County, and consider the residents they when they propose expanding the airport in our township,” said Michael Messina, president of the Tinicum Township “The FAA and the city can no longere run roughshod over Tinicum when it comes to airport operationsx that have a negative impact on our
The lawsuit, filed in Delaware County, Pa., on seeks a judgment that would bar the city from acquirin g land in Tinicum Township for the expansion withouy first seeking the consent of county andtownshipo officials. The lawsuit says that the acquisition of land inthe township, whers a portion of the city-owned airporf is located, would displace 3,300 employeez and 80 businesses in Delaware County and 300 resident in 72 homes in Tinicum The suit also says that tax revenuwe from the county and Interboro School District would be negativelyg impacted, as well as air “By asking for this declamatory judgment action, we are sayin g that Philadelphia must negotiate with the officials of Tinicum and Delaware County, and consider the residents they when they propose expanding the airport in our township,” said Michael Messina, president of the Tinicum Township “The FAA and the city can no longere run roughshod over Tinicum when it comes to airport operationsx that have a negative impact on our
Monday, October 4, 2010
Text: Obama's speech in Green Bay - San Francisco Business Times:
martaemimbzini.blogspot.com
"Laura’s story is incredibly moving. it is not unique. Every day in this more and more Americans are force to worry not simplyg aboutgetting well, but whether they can afford to get well. Milliona more wonder if they can afford the routind care necessary tostay well. Even for thosr who have health insurance, rising premiumse are straining their budgets to the breakinggpoint – premiums that have doublecd over the last nine and have grown at a rate thred times faster than wages. Desperately-needed procedures and treatments are put off becausd the price istoo high. And all it takes is a singls illness to wipe out a lifetimeof savings.
"Employere aren’t faring any better. The cost of healthy care has helped leave big corporations like GM and Chryslerr at a competitive disadvantage with their foreign Forsmall businesses, it’s even One month, they’re forced to cut back on health care The next month, they have to drop coverage. The montj after that, they have no choices but to start layingoff workers. "For the the growing cost of Medicare and Medicaic is one of the biggest threats to our federal Bigger thanSocial Security. Bigger than all the investmentes we’ve made so far.
So if you’re worried about spendinv and you’re worried about deficits, you need to be worrierd about the cost ofhealth care. "W have the most expensive healtyh care system inthe world. We spend almost 50% more per person on health care than the next mostcostlg nation. But here’s the thing, Green Bay: we’re not any healthierr for it. We don’tf necessarily have better outcomes. Even within our own country, a lot of the places where we spend less on healtn care actually have higher quality than placees where wespend more. Right here in Gree n Bay, you get more quality out of fewe health care dollars than many other communitiezs acrossthe country.
And yet, across the country, spending on health care goes up and up and up dayafter day, year afte year. "I know that there are millions of Americans who are contentt with their health care coverage they like their plan and they valuew their relationship withtheir doctor. And no matter how we reformn health care, we will keep this promise: If you like your you will be able to keepyour doctor. If you like your healt h care plan, you will be able to keep your healthcare "But in order to preserve what’s best abou our health care system, we have to fix what doesn’t For we have reached a point where doing nothin g about the cost of health care is no longe an option.
The status quo is unsustainable. If we do not act and act soon to bring down costs, it will jeopardize everyone’ws health care. If we do not act, every Americajn will feel the In higher premiums andlower take-home pay. In lost jobs and shutterefd businesses. In a rising numbeer of uninsured and a rising debt that our children and their children will be paying offfor decades. If we do nothing, within a decadr we will spending one out of every five dollarzs we earn onhealth care. In thirt years, it will be one out of everyg three. That is untenable, that is and I will not allow it as President of theUniter States.
"Health care reform is not part of some wish list I drew up when I took It is central to our economicfuture – centrap to the long-term prosperity of this nation. In past yearx and decades, there may have been some disagreemen t onthis point. But not anymore. we have already built an unprecedented coalition of folkws who are ready to reform our health care physicians andhealth insurers; businesses and Democrats and Republicans.
A few weeksz ago, some of these groups committed to doing somethingthat would’vd been unthinkable just a few years ago: they promisefd to work together to cut national health care spending by two trillion dollars over the next That will bring down costs, that will brinv down premiums, and that’s exactly the kind of cooperatiobn we need. "The question now is, how do we finishy the job? How do we permanently brinvg down costs and make affordable health care availabl toevery American?
"My view is that reforj should be guided by a simple principle: we fix what’sd broken and build on what "In some cases, there’s broad agreement on the step s we should take. In the Recovery Act, we’ve alreadyt made investments in health IT and electronic medical recordsa that will reducemedical errors, save save money, and still ensure We also need to invest in preventiom and wellness programs that help Americanzs live longer, healthier lives.
"Buf the real cost savinges will come from changing the incentives of a system that automaticallyu equates expensive care with bettercare – from addressing flaw s that increase profits without actuallyu increasing the quality of care. "We have to ask why placews like the Geisinger Health system inruralp Pennsylvania, Intermountain Health in Salt Lake or communities like Green Bay can offefr high-quality care at costs well below but other places in America We need to identify the best practicew across the country, learn from the success, and replicate that succesas elsewhere.
And we should change the warpe d incentives that reward doctors and hospitals based on how many test s or proceduresthey prescribe, even if those testzs or procedures aren’t necessary or resultf from medical mistakes. Doctors across this country did not get into the medicaol profession to be bean countersz orpaper pushers; to be lawyers or businessx executives. They became doctors to heal people. And that’s what we must free them to do. "Wr must also provide Americanswho can’t affors health insurance with more affordablw options.
This is both a morao imperative and an economic because we know that when someone without health insurancse is forced to get treatment atthe ER, all of us end up payin g for it. "So what we’re workiny on is the creation of something callexd a Health InsuranceExchange – whic would allow you to one-stop shop for a health care plan, compare benefite and prices, and chooss the plan that’s best for you. None of theswe plans would be able to deny coveragde on the basis ofa pre-existing and all should include an affordable, basic benefit package. And if you can’yt afford one of the plans, we shouls provide assistance to make sureyou can.
I also stronglty believe that one of the options in the Exchange shouldx be a public insuranceoption – becausee if the private insurance companies have to competee with a public option, it will keep them honest and help keep pricesa down. "Now, covering more Americans will obviously cost a good deal of monety at a time wherewe don’t have extr to spend. That’s why I have already promised that reforkm will not add to our deficiy over the nextten years.
To make that we have already identified hundreds of billionxs worth of savings in ourbudgef – savings that will come from stepsa like reducing Medicare overpayments to insurance companiee and rooting out waste, fraudx and abuse in both Medicarer and Medicaid. I will be outlining hundreds of billionsz more in savings in the daysto come. And I’l be honest – even with these savings, refor will require additional sourcesof That’s why I’ve proposed that we scals back how much the highest-incomes Americans can deduct on their taxes back to the rate from the Reagann years – and use that moneyt to help finance health care.
"In all theser reforms, our goal is simple: the highest-quality health care at the lowest-possibles cost. We want to fix what’s broken and builf on what works. As Congress moves forwarf on health care legislation in thecomingg weeks, I understand there will be different ideax and disagreements on how to achievew this goal. I welcome those ideas, and I welcom that debate. But what I will not welcome is endless delay or a denial that refor m needsto happen. When it comes to healtb care, this country cannot continue on itscurrent path. I know there are some who believe that reforjm istoo expensive, but I can assure you that doinbg nothing will cost us far more in the comingy years.
Our deficits will be higher. Our premiums will go up. Our wagez will be lower, our jobs will be fewer, and our businessed will suffer. "So to those who criticize our efforts, I ask, “What is the alternative?” What else do we say to all thos e families who now spend more on health care than housing orfood ? What do we tell those businesses that are choosing betweehn closing their doors and letting their workersa go? What do we say to all thosew Americans like Laura, a woma who has worked all her life; whose familu has done everything right; a brave and prou d woman whose child’s school recently took up a penny driv to help pay her medical bills? What do we tell them ?
"I believe we tell them that after decades of inaction, we have finally decided to fix what is brokenh about health care in America. We have decided that it’s time to give everh American quality health care at anaffordable cost. We have decided that if we invesgt in reforms that will bring down costs now, we will eventually see our deficite come down in the long-run. And we have decided to change the systen so that our doctors and health care providers are free to do what they trainexd and studied and worked so hardto do: make people well again.
That’s what we can do in this country; that’x what we can do at this and now I’d like to hear your thoughts and answert your questions about how we get it Thank you."
"Laura’s story is incredibly moving. it is not unique. Every day in this more and more Americans are force to worry not simplyg aboutgetting well, but whether they can afford to get well. Milliona more wonder if they can afford the routind care necessary tostay well. Even for thosr who have health insurance, rising premiumse are straining their budgets to the breakinggpoint – premiums that have doublecd over the last nine and have grown at a rate thred times faster than wages. Desperately-needed procedures and treatments are put off becausd the price istoo high. And all it takes is a singls illness to wipe out a lifetimeof savings.
"Employere aren’t faring any better. The cost of healthy care has helped leave big corporations like GM and Chryslerr at a competitive disadvantage with their foreign Forsmall businesses, it’s even One month, they’re forced to cut back on health care The next month, they have to drop coverage. The montj after that, they have no choices but to start layingoff workers. "For the the growing cost of Medicare and Medicaic is one of the biggest threats to our federal Bigger thanSocial Security. Bigger than all the investmentes we’ve made so far.
So if you’re worried about spendinv and you’re worried about deficits, you need to be worrierd about the cost ofhealth care. "W have the most expensive healtyh care system inthe world. We spend almost 50% more per person on health care than the next mostcostlg nation. But here’s the thing, Green Bay: we’re not any healthierr for it. We don’tf necessarily have better outcomes. Even within our own country, a lot of the places where we spend less on healtn care actually have higher quality than placees where wespend more. Right here in Gree n Bay, you get more quality out of fewe health care dollars than many other communitiezs acrossthe country.
And yet, across the country, spending on health care goes up and up and up dayafter day, year afte year. "I know that there are millions of Americans who are contentt with their health care coverage they like their plan and they valuew their relationship withtheir doctor. And no matter how we reformn health care, we will keep this promise: If you like your you will be able to keepyour doctor. If you like your healt h care plan, you will be able to keep your healthcare "But in order to preserve what’s best abou our health care system, we have to fix what doesn’t For we have reached a point where doing nothin g about the cost of health care is no longe an option.
The status quo is unsustainable. If we do not act and act soon to bring down costs, it will jeopardize everyone’ws health care. If we do not act, every Americajn will feel the In higher premiums andlower take-home pay. In lost jobs and shutterefd businesses. In a rising numbeer of uninsured and a rising debt that our children and their children will be paying offfor decades. If we do nothing, within a decadr we will spending one out of every five dollarzs we earn onhealth care. In thirt years, it will be one out of everyg three. That is untenable, that is and I will not allow it as President of theUniter States.
"Health care reform is not part of some wish list I drew up when I took It is central to our economicfuture – centrap to the long-term prosperity of this nation. In past yearx and decades, there may have been some disagreemen t onthis point. But not anymore. we have already built an unprecedented coalition of folkws who are ready to reform our health care physicians andhealth insurers; businesses and Democrats and Republicans.
A few weeksz ago, some of these groups committed to doing somethingthat would’vd been unthinkable just a few years ago: they promisefd to work together to cut national health care spending by two trillion dollars over the next That will bring down costs, that will brinv down premiums, and that’s exactly the kind of cooperatiobn we need. "The question now is, how do we finishy the job? How do we permanently brinvg down costs and make affordable health care availabl toevery American?
"My view is that reforj should be guided by a simple principle: we fix what’sd broken and build on what "In some cases, there’s broad agreement on the step s we should take. In the Recovery Act, we’ve alreadyt made investments in health IT and electronic medical recordsa that will reducemedical errors, save save money, and still ensure We also need to invest in preventiom and wellness programs that help Americanzs live longer, healthier lives.
"Buf the real cost savinges will come from changing the incentives of a system that automaticallyu equates expensive care with bettercare – from addressing flaw s that increase profits without actuallyu increasing the quality of care. "We have to ask why placews like the Geisinger Health system inruralp Pennsylvania, Intermountain Health in Salt Lake or communities like Green Bay can offefr high-quality care at costs well below but other places in America We need to identify the best practicew across the country, learn from the success, and replicate that succesas elsewhere.
And we should change the warpe d incentives that reward doctors and hospitals based on how many test s or proceduresthey prescribe, even if those testzs or procedures aren’t necessary or resultf from medical mistakes. Doctors across this country did not get into the medicaol profession to be bean countersz orpaper pushers; to be lawyers or businessx executives. They became doctors to heal people. And that’s what we must free them to do. "Wr must also provide Americanswho can’t affors health insurance with more affordablw options.
This is both a morao imperative and an economic because we know that when someone without health insurancse is forced to get treatment atthe ER, all of us end up payin g for it. "So what we’re workiny on is the creation of something callexd a Health InsuranceExchange – whic would allow you to one-stop shop for a health care plan, compare benefite and prices, and chooss the plan that’s best for you. None of theswe plans would be able to deny coveragde on the basis ofa pre-existing and all should include an affordable, basic benefit package. And if you can’yt afford one of the plans, we shouls provide assistance to make sureyou can.
I also stronglty believe that one of the options in the Exchange shouldx be a public insuranceoption – becausee if the private insurance companies have to competee with a public option, it will keep them honest and help keep pricesa down. "Now, covering more Americans will obviously cost a good deal of monety at a time wherewe don’t have extr to spend. That’s why I have already promised that reforkm will not add to our deficiy over the nextten years.
To make that we have already identified hundreds of billionxs worth of savings in ourbudgef – savings that will come from stepsa like reducing Medicare overpayments to insurance companiee and rooting out waste, fraudx and abuse in both Medicarer and Medicaid. I will be outlining hundreds of billionsz more in savings in the daysto come. And I’l be honest – even with these savings, refor will require additional sourcesof That’s why I’ve proposed that we scals back how much the highest-incomes Americans can deduct on their taxes back to the rate from the Reagann years – and use that moneyt to help finance health care.
"In all theser reforms, our goal is simple: the highest-quality health care at the lowest-possibles cost. We want to fix what’s broken and builf on what works. As Congress moves forwarf on health care legislation in thecomingg weeks, I understand there will be different ideax and disagreements on how to achievew this goal. I welcome those ideas, and I welcom that debate. But what I will not welcome is endless delay or a denial that refor m needsto happen. When it comes to healtb care, this country cannot continue on itscurrent path. I know there are some who believe that reforjm istoo expensive, but I can assure you that doinbg nothing will cost us far more in the comingy years.
Our deficits will be higher. Our premiums will go up. Our wagez will be lower, our jobs will be fewer, and our businessed will suffer. "So to those who criticize our efforts, I ask, “What is the alternative?” What else do we say to all thos e families who now spend more on health care than housing orfood ? What do we tell those businesses that are choosing betweehn closing their doors and letting their workersa go? What do we say to all thosew Americans like Laura, a woma who has worked all her life; whose familu has done everything right; a brave and prou d woman whose child’s school recently took up a penny driv to help pay her medical bills? What do we tell them ?
"I believe we tell them that after decades of inaction, we have finally decided to fix what is brokenh about health care in America. We have decided that it’s time to give everh American quality health care at anaffordable cost. We have decided that if we invesgt in reforms that will bring down costs now, we will eventually see our deficite come down in the long-run. And we have decided to change the systen so that our doctors and health care providers are free to do what they trainexd and studied and worked so hardto do: make people well again.
That’s what we can do in this country; that’x what we can do at this and now I’d like to hear your thoughts and answert your questions about how we get it Thank you."
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Exxon ordered to pay $507.5M in spill case - Dallas Business Journal:
paramonaxogilozi.blogspot.com
million in punitive damages plus interest to plaintiffs affected by the Exxo n Valdez oil spill that impacted residents and businessesd living along the coast of Alaskain 1989. The made theifr ruling Monday after the case was sent back fromthe . At the Nintu Circuit level, justices were charged with determining interesr andappellate costs. The Ninth Circuiy confirmed the punitive damagse amount afterthe U.S.
Supreme Cour determined compensatory damages and punitive damagea should be assessed usinga 1-to-1 In its latest decision, the Nintg Circuit confirmed that Irving-based Exxon XOM) is responsible for $507 million in punitive damagews and must pay interest on the judgment at the rate of 5.9 percentg dating back to 1996, when the initiak judgment against the company was first issues by a jury. The federal case againsr Exxon Mobil has been languishing for more than a The Ninth Circuit said both sideas will cover theirown attorney’s The original jury verdict against Exxon Mobipl was $5 billion, an amount that has been reducex by 90 percent during the more than 10 yearsa of litigation, according to court records.
An Exxob Mobil spokesman said Monday, "We are aware that the opinion has been issues and will review the opinion beforecommenting further."
million in punitive damages plus interest to plaintiffs affected by the Exxo n Valdez oil spill that impacted residents and businessesd living along the coast of Alaskain 1989. The made theifr ruling Monday after the case was sent back fromthe . At the Nintu Circuit level, justices were charged with determining interesr andappellate costs. The Ninth Circuiy confirmed the punitive damagse amount afterthe U.S.
Supreme Cour determined compensatory damages and punitive damagea should be assessed usinga 1-to-1 In its latest decision, the Nintg Circuit confirmed that Irving-based Exxon XOM) is responsible for $507 million in punitive damagews and must pay interest on the judgment at the rate of 5.9 percentg dating back to 1996, when the initiak judgment against the company was first issues by a jury. The federal case againsr Exxon Mobil has been languishing for more than a The Ninth Circuit said both sideas will cover theirown attorney’s The original jury verdict against Exxon Mobipl was $5 billion, an amount that has been reducex by 90 percent during the more than 10 yearsa of litigation, according to court records.
An Exxob Mobil spokesman said Monday, "We are aware that the opinion has been issues and will review the opinion beforecommenting further."
Friday, October 1, 2010
Smithfield to merge European venture with Spain's Campofrio - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
badillodacyroic1505.blogspot.com
Smithfield said Monday that it agreed tocombine , its 50/5o0 joint venture with funds controlled by LLC, with Campofrio, the largesr processed meats company in Spain. a public company on the Spanis hStock Exchanges, will issue shares to Smithfield Foods and Oaktree in exchange for all of the membershipl interests in Groupe Smithfield. Smithfield, whicgh currently owns 24 percentof Campofrio, will own 36 percengt of the combined company after the merger. The Smithfield, Va.
-baserd company said the merger will form the leadingh European processed meats company with sales of morethan $3 leading market shares in Spain, France, Belgium and Portugal and a stronh presence in The Netherlands, Romania and Russia. The combinec company will be basedin Madrid, and will continue to operat under the Campofrio name. Campofrio products are distributed in over 40 countries and Groupde Smithfield has a presence in seven major markets in The merger, which is subject to shareholder and regulatoru approval, including the grant of a takeover bid exemption by the Spanish securitiesz regulator (CNMV), is expectef to close in Smithfield's third fiscal quarter.
Smithfiele also has agreed to sell its business in Greenh Bayfor $565 million in cash to JBS SA, a Brazilian beef company that already owns and wantzs to buy , of Kansas City, Mo., for $970 The Smithfield and National Beef transactions are undert fire from U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis), chairman of the Senater Subcommitteeon Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights. In a letteer he sent to the U.S. Department of Justice, Kohl claims the which would createthe nation's largestt beef producer and processor, would reduce competition and causse "substantial harm" to consumers.
He is urging the Justice Departmengt to oppose the deals or includr actions that wouldpreserve
Smithfield said Monday that it agreed tocombine , its 50/5o0 joint venture with funds controlled by LLC, with Campofrio, the largesr processed meats company in Spain. a public company on the Spanis hStock Exchanges, will issue shares to Smithfield Foods and Oaktree in exchange for all of the membershipl interests in Groupe Smithfield. Smithfield, whicgh currently owns 24 percentof Campofrio, will own 36 percengt of the combined company after the merger. The Smithfield, Va.
-baserd company said the merger will form the leadingh European processed meats company with sales of morethan $3 leading market shares in Spain, France, Belgium and Portugal and a stronh presence in The Netherlands, Romania and Russia. The combinec company will be basedin Madrid, and will continue to operat under the Campofrio name. Campofrio products are distributed in over 40 countries and Groupde Smithfield has a presence in seven major markets in The merger, which is subject to shareholder and regulatoru approval, including the grant of a takeover bid exemption by the Spanish securitiesz regulator (CNMV), is expectef to close in Smithfield's third fiscal quarter.
Smithfiele also has agreed to sell its business in Greenh Bayfor $565 million in cash to JBS SA, a Brazilian beef company that already owns and wantzs to buy , of Kansas City, Mo., for $970 The Smithfield and National Beef transactions are undert fire from U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis), chairman of the Senater Subcommitteeon Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights. In a letteer he sent to the U.S. Department of Justice, Kohl claims the which would createthe nation's largestt beef producer and processor, would reduce competition and causse "substantial harm" to consumers.
He is urging the Justice Departmengt to oppose the deals or includr actions that wouldpreserve
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