This week, Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) slammed the brakes on a Senate bill reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), objecting to a change in the House version of the bill that fixes an inequity in labor law that makes it more difficult for truck drivers at Memphis-based Federal Express to unionize than drivers at other shipping companies. Fellow Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander (R) applauded Corker’s effort, pledging to “use every right or privilege I have as a senator to make sure that in the end of the process, the legislation does not include the unfair provisions singling out FedEx that’s in the House bill.” The senators’ effort to prevent what they call an “unfair” provision singling out FedEx labor workers is itself a contradiction because, as Jim Berard, a spokesman for House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) noted, the House language seeks to “treat people who have the same type of job equally under federal labor laws.” FedEx has successfully lobbied for years to remain classified as an airline subject to Railway Labor Act (RLA), a law that is technically supposed to apply only to airlines and railroad companies and stipulates that workers can’t form local unions. CEO Fred Smith — “who raised more than $100,000 for 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain and was George W. Bush’s fraternity brother” — defends this exception, adding, “I don’t intend to recognize any unions at Federal Express.” The language that Corker objects to would bring FedEx under the National Labor Relations Act like other shipping companies, such as UPS. Corker announced Wednesday that he will release his hold on the bill after receiving assurances from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) that the FedEx provisions would not appear in the Senate bill.
Tag Archives: MJ
Capitol Hill … 2/10/2010
Snow Delays Legislation On Capitol Hill
Today
Most of the agenda in Washington has been postponed due to the inclement weather. The House has adjourned until Feb. 22. The Senate will next meet on Thursday and Sen. Majority Ldr. Harry Reid (D-NV) hopes to begin debate on a jobs-related bill. The weather also caused the House Oversight Cmte. to postpone a hearing looking into the Toyota gas pedal problems.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The House of Representatives on Tuesday postponed further action on legislation until later this month as the capital city braced for a second major snowstorm in less than a week.
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However, The President is suppose to Meet today with Black business men, leaders and politicians to discuss unemployment and its impact on African-Americans.
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Back-to-back snow storms put Congress on ice
Reuters
House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer said flight cancellations made it difficult for House members to get into the snowbound city and leaders decided to put off scheduled votes until the week of February 22 when Congress returns from a week-long break for the Presidents’ Day holiday.
“Members are unable to get here because the airlines are reluctant to fly here, they are reluctant to get their planes on the ground and get caught here,” Hoyer told reporters.
Weather forecasters are predicting the area could get another 12 inches of snow just days after a blizzard dumped up to 3 feet in some areas.
The House had been scheduled to vote this week on legislation that would repeal the antitrust exemption for health insurers. Hoyer said that vote will now take place the week lawmakers return from their break.
Meanwhile Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid held out hope that the Senate would complete work on a major jobs-creation bill before leaving for the week-long Presidents Day break.
But Reid said the Senate may not be in session on Wednesday when the latest snow storm is expected to be in full fury.
Many people in the region are still trying to dig out from the weekend storm and many streets are still covered with snow.
(Reporting by Donna Smith; Editing by Vicki Allen
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CNN video of Haitian moms, daughters creating peaceful march …sing spiriturals
EPA Strengthens Smog Standards
EPA Strengthens Smog Standard/Proposed standards, strictest to date, will protect the health of all Americans, especially children
Release date: 01/07/2010
Contact Information: Cathy Milbourn milbourn.cathy@epa.gov 202-564-7849 202-564-4355
Complete article at yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf or http://www.epa.gov
The United States Environmental Protection Agency today proposed the strictest health standards to date for smog. Smog, also known as ground-level ozone, is linked to a number of serious health problems, ranging from aggravation of asthma to increased risk of premature death in people with heart or lung disease. Ozone can even harm healthy people who work and play outdoors. The agency is proposing to replace the standards set by the previous administration, which many believe were not protective enough of human health.
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Cash for Appliances …
By Renee DeFranco
Many traded in their “clunkers” for new fuel-efficient vehicles in 2009. As we move into 2010, the popularity of green appliances is heating up.
That’s thanks to a newly launched federal appliance rebate program, modeled after the popular Cash for Clunkers incentive. We provided a sneak peek back in August, and now the deal has officially begun. Consumers can receive cash for swapping their older clothes washers, refrigerators and other appliances for energy-efficient models that qualify for the “Energy Star” designation.
How does the program work? Guidelines and rebate amounts vary by state. California residents, for example, can get $100 rebates for washing machines, $75 for refrigerators and $50 for room air conditioners. To see how your state stacks up, check out the program information currently available on the federal web site.
If you’re in the market for new home-appliance upgrades, now may be the time to cash in. But first, there are some finer points to consider. For instance, will you save enough in water and energy bills over time to justify splurging on a new product? (The older the appliance, the greater possibility of saving money by buying a new one, suggests this Associated Press article.) Also, just because you’re getting a federal rebate, be sure you shop around to find the absolute best deal.
Still interested?
Then it’s helpful to act sooner, rather than later. That’s because the federal appliance rebate program received only $300 million, which is one-tenth of what the Cash for Clunkers incentive garnered and about $1 per U.S. resident. The program is expected to end by February 2012 or when the money runs out — whichever happens first. We saw what reached the finish line first in Cash for Clunkers… government funding.
Do you plan to take advantage of the federal appliance rebates? Do you have energy-efficient appliances in your home, and do you think they were worth the investment? Share your thoughts here. <——– click the link to respond to Renee DeFranco
— The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
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