RhodeIslandBusinessVotes

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One-third of liver donors suffer complications
Apr 20, 2009 — Pittsburgh Tribune Review
One in 50 donors develops life-threatening complications. At the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, officials are studying complications in the approximately 160 live-donor liver transplants done there since 2000. Amadeo Marcos, UPMC's chief of transplantation since 2004.
BRIEF Tax loophole closings to bring state $285 million
Jul 4, 2008 — Boston Herald
Hillary Chabot Jul. 4, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Some Bay State businesses will be forking over more taxes after Gov.
Duke wants you to have green peace of mind Power company's new program allows customers to buy carbon dioxide offsets in $4-a-month increments.
Jul 4, 2008 — The Charlotte Observer
The program started Tuesday and most customers don't know about it yet, Duke said. But consumers have increasingly expressed interest in offsetting their carbon footprint. The theory is that by supporting clean energy projects, less electricity from burning coal is needed.
Firms offering fewer temp jobs
Jul 4, 2008 — Detroit News
Firms offering fewer temp jobs But agencies say there is a rise in demand for people with college degrees and special skills. Other customers that have traditionally requested unskilled temp labor like Comerica Bank and Volkswagen are leaving Michigan, he said. Though Kelly Services fills positions across a range of occupations, workers for unskilled or manufacturing jobs aren't as desired as "white-collar" workers with professional or technical skills, Fracassi said.
GOP slams 'DeLeo' budget
Jul 4, 2008 — Boston Herald
Richard Tisei (R-Wakefield). Pet projects funded with so-called "DeLeo Dollars" included $100,000 for a field complex in Milford for Rep. Thomas Petrolati (D-Ludlow), to name two. DeLeo brushed off accusations he stuffed the budget with pork for his allies. "That's ridiculous. James Vallee, a DeLeo supporter. The budget uses $459 million in new taxes from a recently passed $1-a-pack cigarette tax hike and closing corporate tax loopholes.
Health Insurer Stocks Tumble
Jul 4, 2008 — The Hartford Courant
Health Net dropped $3.09, to $22.55 a share. UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) fell $2.16, or 8.6 percent, to close at $22.96 a share Thursday. CIGNA, along with Humana (NYSE:HUM) , remain on the Goldman Sachs "buy" list.
Hearings to question insurers on merger
Jul 4, 2008 — Harrisburg Patriot-News
Hearings to question insurers on merger Friday, July 04, 2008 BY DAVID WENNER Of The Patriot-News Will a merger of Pennsylvania's two biggest health insurers lead to more affordable coverage? Much of Ario's focus will be on whether the merger would interfere with competition and have a negative impact on the affordability and quality of health insurance. Even if the merger lessens competition, efficiencies could benefit consumers.
Highmark CEO foresees merger benefits out of state
Jul 4, 2008 — The Philadelphia Inquirer
...handling claims information. Highmark now uses Medco Health Solutions Inc. (NYSE:MHS) Medco, which has distribution facilities in Willingboro, is one of the nation's largest pharmacy-benefits-management companies. But the combined company could make a run at Medco, Melani said. He again pointed to Highmark's relationship with Florida Blue Cross and Blue Shield. "We could take FutureScripts down there," Melani said. Contact staff writer Jane M. Von Bergen...
Most Assembly members will take next week off; still no state budget deal
Jul 4, 2008 — The Sacramento Bee
...a deal on the state budget is not imminent. The 80-member Assembly had tentatively scheduled two floor sessions next week. But because there aren't enough bills ready to be voted on, those sessions were canceled, said Steve Maviglio, a spokesman for Bass, D-Los Angeles. The 17-member Assembly Appropriations Committee is still scheduled to meet in the Capitol on Wednesday to wade through 140 bills. Only members who have bills pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee...
MPS property tax levy expected to rise 14.9% State says aid to district may drop by $18 million
Jul 4, 2008 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
And the voucher students are not counted in the state calculation of property value per student in the city, a key figure in determining aid. And he said MPS needed to do more to get a fair share of state aid related to special-education students, who are particularly expensive to serve. The bulk of testimony at several public hearings before the budget was adopted favored increasing school spending to the maximum allowed under state law.
new england news in brief
Jul 4, 2008 — Telegram & Gazette
Prosecutors have said Taylor killed Samuels because she rebuffed his sexual advances. New UMass chancellor to get $375,000 salary AMHERST — University of Massachusetts officials have approved a $375,000 annual salary, plus benefits, for incoming chancellor Robert Holub. Fox that attacked chaplain in R.I. had rabies SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — Health officials say a fox that attacked a university chaplain in her South Kingstown backyard has tested positive for rabies.
New team a longshot
Jul 4, 2008 — The Seattle Times
They said no when new owner Clay Bennett asked for $300 million for a new arena in Renton. That mood could be compounded by the potentially huge budget shortfall the state faces next year.
Pa. Senate confirms insurance commissioner
Jul 4, 2008 — The Philadelphia Inquirer
...confirm Joel Scott Ario as the state's insurance commissioner. Gov. Rendell had nominated Ario in June 2007, but the Senate's Banking and Insurance Committee held up the nomination as it wrestled to gain some control over the merger. On Wednesday, the legislature passed a bill giving the Insurance Department power to approve the merger. Rendell is expected to sign the bill next week. With that issue resolved, the committee released Ario's nomination for a vote. ...
Payrolls shrink for 6th month; 62,000 jobs lost
Jul 4, 2008 — Arkansas Democrat Gazette
The longest string of payroll declines since the economy was pulling out of the last recession indicates limited scope for a Federal Reserve interest-rate increase this quarter. Factory payrolls dropped by 33,000 workers after declining by 22,000 in May. Auto manufacturing and parts industries gained 5,600 jobs, reflecting the end of a walkout at an auto-parts manufacturer, thereport stated.
Proposed Nevada water pipeline project imperil communities, lifestyles
Jul 4, 2008 — The Salt Lake Tribune
Las Vegas growth is Nevada's only economic engine. An acre-foot is considered enough water for a family of four for a year. The water would run through a 285-mile pipeline to southern Nevada. SNWA had requested 91,000 acre-feet annually.
Rain stays in the forecast
Jul 4, 2008 — San Antonio Express-News
Before Thursday, San Antonio International Airport had recorded 7.03 inches of rain since Sept. 1. That's only 24.6 percent of normal for the period. Some parts of San Antonio saw heavy showers Thursday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flood advisory. Its pumpers, including the San Antonio Water System, have to cut back their usage by 20 percent to ease demand on the regional water source.
State Deal With Tribe To Gamble Goes Bust
Jul 4, 2008 — Tampa Tribune
Previously, the tribe's "slot machines" were actually revved-up bingo games in which players squared off against each other. The money was to be dedicated to education needs. Rubio filed suit on behalf of his chamber within days of Crist's announcement. Rubio called that a "possibility." Senate president Ken Pruitt, R-Port St.
State: Cost of wind power overstated
Jul 4, 2008 — News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware
Delmarva fought that contract as too expensive for its customers. The extra costs of the wind power were spread only over the base of residential and small business customers who actually buy electricity from Delmarva. Delmarva attorneys said the miscalculation was due to a miscommunication between Sheingold and their consultant.
U.S. Workforce Shrinks For 6th Straight Month
Jul 4, 2008 — Washington Post
The unemployment rate, which is affected by the number of people seeking work and other factors, was at 5.5 percent, unchanged from a month earlier. Temporary and other employment agencies also experienced steep job cuts, which some economists saw as further evidence that the bleak employment picture will not improve anytime soon. The White House released a statement saying that even if employment is declining, the economy has managed to continue expanding -- albeit at an anemic rate.
Utah cuts workweek
Jul 4, 2008 — Telegram & Gazette
SALT LAKE CITY— Starting next month, it will be “TGIT” for Utah state employees. Also, state-run liquor stores will stay open on Fridays. Because of the downturn in the economy and $4-a-gallon gasoline, many states are looking at cost-saving measures, including expanded telecommuting, compressed workweeks and more flexible schedules.
What do women want in a leader? Opinions vary widely within the biggest voting bloc
Jul 4, 2008 — The Columbus Dispatch
More Chillicothe men called themselves Republicans than Democrats, the poll found. Although slightly more Chillicothe women polled said they voted for President Bush than John Kerry in 2004, only 23 percent of Chillicothe women thought the country was heading in the right direction, compared with 31 percent of the men. But women made up 59 percent of voters in Ohio's March 4 Democratic primary, and Clinton won them over Obama by a margin of 16 percentage points, 57-41. ...
A look at the political center
Jul 3, 2008 — Washington Post
SOCIAL SECURITY: _86 percent say protecting Social Security and Medicare should be a high priority. ABORTION: _15 percent say overturning Roe v. Wade should be a priority. _26 percent would like Roe v. Wade to be overturned. _58 percent say abortion should mostly be legal. RACIAL ATTITUDES: _36 percent have favorable views of blacks. _16 percent have unfavorable views.
Advocates scored school budget successes
Jul 3, 2008 — Telegram & Gazette
Not all of that fiscal rosiness was the work of Stand for Children; a good part was due to the City Council’s earlier decision to cut costs on retirees’ health care. Superintendent James A. Caradonio has not worked with the group, but credited them and the retiree health care changes with the budget improvements. Isabel M. Gonzalez is the full-time organizer for the Worcester chapter, which shares its $25 annual dues with the state’s other chapters.
Agencies undertake hydropower study
Jul 3, 2008 — The Sacramento Bee
...district Director John Fraser, representatives of the advocacy group Citizens for Water, the El Dorado County Water Agency, district staff members and representatives of various hydroelectric firms, The El Dorado Irrigation District and the El Dorado County Water Agency will split the $214,480 cost of the contract with EN2 Resources. The board also approved an additional $42,760 for related district staff costs. Director Harry Norris voted to authorize the contract, but he...
America needs to get past partisan potshots
Jul 3, 2008 — Seattle Post-Intelligencer
State initiative guru Tim Eyman gives the Leave Us Aloners a public face. He's the founder of Americans for Tax Reform, which advocates for a national, single-rate, flat income tax. As a critic of Norquist's book put it: "The old dichotomies of left vs. right or liberal vs. conservative have increasingly little relevance for the politics of America.
At Midlife, Called to a New Field
Jul 3, 2008 — New York Times
Gibson’s estimation, is Susan Gibson’s kitchen sink. Yezzi, a lawyer, bought their farm in 1997, but moved slowly. Swartz of the organic farming association didn’t know where to start when asked about common mistakes second-career farmers make.
Be tight with tap, water users urged El Dorado district isn't setting limits but will monitor use.
Jul 3, 2008 — The Sacramento Bee
Lake is 37,076 acre-feet, Witter said, "so we're slightly below the average." Water for El Dorado Hills, the county's most populous community, is drawn from Folsom Lake, where the federal Bureau of Reclamation has announced a 25 percent cutback in water deliveries this year to provide adequate supplies for fish and water quality in the Delta. The district intended to use its ditch and Weber reservoir water rights in Folsom Lake to help compensate for the cutback. Witter said...
BlueCross rates soar 26 percent
Jul 3, 2008 — The Oregonian
Bart McMullan, president of Regence BlueCross, agreed the health care system was on an unsustainable path and needs to be transformed.
Bucks labor contracts questioned County pacts too generous, residents complain.
Jul 3, 2008 — The Morning Call
...health care insurance]," she said. Republican Commissioners Chairman Jim Cawley said the county is sensitive to the economy and held the line on taxes in 2007 and 2008. County Chief Operating Officer David Sanko pointed out that until its recent round of bargaining, county workers were not being asked to contribute to the cost of health insurance at all. "We drew a line in the sand that said free health care is no more," Sanko said. The AFSCME settlement leaves...
Budget showdown--again The governor is calling lawmakers back to Springfield to balance the state's spending plan. They say it's a politically motivated waste of their time.
Jul 3, 2008 — Chicago Tribune
He also could veto or reduce specific line items in the budget. Or he could simply hold back spending in agencies. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock), who long has raised the specter of impeaching the governor.
Busting out Cancer survivors cast their lot
Jul 3, 2008 — Tulsa World
She died in July 2003. "She truly was my best friend," Bogie said. "She was just awesome. But Anne sees the bigger picture." About 2,000 women come through Tulsa Project Woman each year, Bogie said. Of those, between 40 and 50 find out they have breast cancer. One mom with breast cancer wrote a thank-you note to Tulsa Project Woman, Bogie explained.
ConocoPhillips to build big center in Colorado
Jul 3, 2008 — Tulsa World
...the Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels. The center includes several university research arms and energy laboratories aimed at new ways to covert biomass into low-carbon fuels. One of the center's first projects will involve trying to convert algae into renewable fuel, according to reports. "Even without climate change as an issue, fossil fuels are non-renewable," Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter said in a statement. "For ConocoPhillips to partner with us to convert...
Cox sues Blues over funds
Jul 3, 2008 — Detroit News
Cox sues Blues over funds Suit says purchase deal by its for-profit subsidiary is illegal; case could doom state insurance legislation. Cox on Wednesday sued to overturn a deal in which the nonprofit health insurer gave $125 million to its for-profit Accident Fund subsidiary to buy another insurance company. The two bills related to the Accident Fund never made it out of the Senate Health Policy Committee, in anticipation of the conclusion of Cox's investigation.
Cox: Blue Cross 'is losing its way' He sues, saying payment to unit could have lowered costs
Jul 3, 2008 — Detroit Free Press
Instead, the exchange has been described by Blue Cross as a "capital transfer." These transfers are "gifts.
Currie linked to mall plan Senator pushed officials on Mondawmin project
Jul 3, 2008 — The Baltimore Sun
Howard P. Rawlings, who championed the Mondawmin project to revitalize the city. Getting a new grocery at the mall was considered a top priority, and a $3.6 million low-interest loan from the DBED to Rouse was considered essential, Henry said. She wrote that Currie "said the Mondawmin grocery store project has stalled because of Rouse.
Details on $28.2 billion Pa. budget still lacking
Jul 3, 2008 — The Philadelphia Inquirer
But sometime today, the final budget, with all the changes that have been agreed on in recent days, will be inserted in its place.
District wants water use cut by up to 10%
Jul 3, 2008 — The Sacramento Bee
Shauna Lorance, San Juan's general manager. The San Juan, Fair Oaks and Citrus Heights water districts and the Orange Vale Water Co., which collectively serve more than 265,000 people, decided to adopt the voluntary water use reductions to keep customers aware of the increasing scarcity of water. All residents in these agencies, except for some in Fair Oaks, have water meters. Lorance said if dry conditions don't improve by next year, the water alert could move up to Stage 3,...

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