Tag Archives: Congress

Reject the Status Quo …

02/13/2013 Nativegrl77

just another rant …

My question for all you mostly sane people today is: What would your neighborhood look like without Teachers, Police, EMTs, Firefighters and other public service workers if the Democratic Party had not passed bill HR1586. Two years ago folks like Bachman, Boehner called HR1586 a bailout and as the President’s 2nd term moves forward Republicans continue using Americans as pawns in their mission to make PBO look bad and make no mistake they are still willing to throw ALL of us under the bus! Hello … this includes you constituents who voted right of center and seem to be complacent about it all which by definition is: To be content and satisfied with your life and surroundings, even when something which may destroy these conditions is imminent.

We cannot be complacent with the status quo!

The leadership we need from folks in Congress … a willingness to act in a bipartisan way … put People ahead of Party! know that the sequester; a congressional act was not well thought out and will hurt ALL Americans, accept that cutting spending means austerity , be selfless and think about how to better the current status of the middle and lower classes because the rich are doing just fine, think globally, environmentally, respect Public Service workers, support education, allow more stem research, respect a woman’s right to choose, equal wages for women, safe and affordable health care for all families.

The fact is President Obama has gotten Congress to pass legislation that will be good for middle class families but to get the change 53% of we voted for we need democrats on the floor of Congress to step up.

It is important that we do not repeat history by understanding the past stop the current austerity program republicans keep shoving Americans into; remember that trust, respect and the votes Republicans are soliciting cannot be seasonal…

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Budgets, Income and Child Nutrition

02/06/2013 Nativegrl77

The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2013 to 2023

Economic growth will remain slow this year, CBO anticipates, as gradual improvement in many of the forces that drive the economy is offset by the effects of budgetary changes that are scheduled to occur under current law. After this year, economic growth will speed up, CBO projects, causing the unemployment rate to decline and inflation and interest rates to eventually rise from their current low levels.

Macroeconomic Effects of Alternative Budgetary Paths

Federal debt held by the public now exceeds 70 percent of the nation’s annual output (gross domestic product, or GDP) and stands at a higher percentage than in any year since 1950. Under an assumption whereby current laws generally remain unchanged, federal debt will be 77 percent of GDP in 2023, CBO projects. Such a large amount of federal debt will reduce the nation’s output and income below what would occur if the debt was smaller, and it raises the risk of a fiscal crisis (in which the government would lose the ability to borrow money at affordable interest rates).

Key Assumptions in Projecting Potential GDP—February 2013 Baseline

Budget Projections—February 2013 Baseline Projections

Historical Budget Data—February 2013 Baseline Projections

Baseline Economic Forecast—February 2013 Baseline Projections

Individual Income Tax Receipts and the Individual Tax Base—February 2013 Baseline

Child Nutrition Programs—February 2013 Baseline

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

repost: Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Minimum Wage and Other New Laws for 2013 P repost

01/31/2013 Nativegrl77

Here’s a sampling of new laws, rules and other government changes that kick in with the new year.

ByMargaret Santjer

As 2013 begins, so do some new laws, regulations and fee increases. Here’s a sampling of what to watch for.

If you’re a renter, homeowner or landlord: Carbon monoxide alarms are now required in existing apartments, condominiums, hotels, motels and single-family homes, with some exceptions. Owner-occupied single-family homes, legally occupied before July 26, 2009, are not required to have the alarms until they are sold. (The law was passed in 2009, and portions of it have phased in over time.)

If you’re a Kirkland property owner: You will get a sense of the impact on your property taxes of the Nov. 6 voter approval of Propositions 1 and 2, the city streets and parks levies, when King County mails 2013 bills on February 14. More details here.

If you’re a worker: The state minimum wage increases to $9.19 an hour, up from $9.04 an hour. (State law doesn’t let employers take a tip credit against the minimum wage.)

If you’re a garbage customer in King County: The basic fee for bringing solid waste to a transfer station or drop box will increase to $129.40 per ton, up from $117.42, including tax and a moderate risk waste fee. The minimum fee will increase from $20 to $22, including tax and the moderate risk waste fee. An average residential customer who puts out one can of garbage per week for curbside collection is likely to see an increase of about 57 cents per month in the garbage bill.

If you’re a Pierce County Ferry System rider: A variety of service changes start Jan. 1. The system provides service between the town of Steilacoom, Anderson Island and Ketron Island.

If you’re unemployed: The federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program ends Dec. 29. EUC is a federal extension that provides additional weeks of unemployment benefits after you have run out of “regular unemployment benefits.”

If you’re a fish (or care about them, or drive a vehicle): In 2010 Washington state passed a law reducing the use of toxic material in automotive brake pads and shoes. This law restricts the use of several heavy metals and asbestos, and provides for a phase-out of copper over the next 15-20 years. Starting Jan. 1, manufacturers have to report the concentrations of copper, nickel, zinc and antimony in brake friction materials.

If you’re a fish, part 2 (or an angler): Barbless hooks will be required to fish for salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout in the mainstem Columbia River, including the north jetty, from Buoy 10 upstream to the Washington/Oregon border above McNary Dam

~ Culture & History, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

2ND Term Inaug2013

01/22/2013 Nativegrl77

You and I, as citizens

bywhitehouse

“You and I, as citizens, have the power to set this country’s course. You and I, as citizens, have the obligation to shape the debates of our time — not only with the votes we cast, but with the voices we lift in defense of our most ancient values and enduring ideals.”