Some of these Democrats are in trouble. I think Baucus is one of them. They are in trouble because they have A ratings with the NRA. They'll receive primary challenges.
Six-term incumbent Montana Democrat Max Baucus was re-elected with 73% of the vote in 2008. He will be 72 years old in 2014. Baucus will seek re-election to a seventh term. Republican state Representative Champ Edmunds will challenge Baucus. Former state Senator Corey Stapleton has also announced his candidacy. A poll by Public Policy Polling published on February 19 shows Baucus leading Stapleton by 45% to 38% and Edmunds by 47% to 37%.
It is all too easy to choice 'the nice man' for his devotion to family. It is more difficult to chose the man or woman with the most ambition for the outcomes of the state they are seeking to represent. If Democrats provide real insight to the economic upticks for states with and without federal dollars, it will make a huge difference in the way they are valued as candidates.
The obvious campaign for Senator Baucus is to look to the success of Senator Tester in his run for the Senate. He was disfavored at one time. But, the gun issue is a real issue and I would suggest all candidates to focus on building economic strengths in order to bring about changes to gun laws. If the GOP can pull strings through cartoonishness about gun rights, there is no real dialogue happening to bring about good decisions by the electorate.
This is a good place to begin for Montana. It has the "W"rong ideas about guns and the harm they actually do cause in their society.
There are many organizations across the USA to prevent gun violence. The Brady Campaign is one, Mayor Bloomberg has his approach, Sandy Hook Promise is another and the Giffords-Kelly organization, "Americans for Responsible Solutions" is another. They all have information for candidates that want to make a change in the gun violence in the USA. I am quite confident they will endorse WITH FACTS any candidate that approaches them with intentions to stop gun violence and make the USA and their states safer.
I have always stated, SSI and Medicare is the baseline economy of the USA. When it comes to Social Security and Medicare, believe in this:
On March 27, 2013, the Montana Small Business Alliance released a new report from the Main Street Alliance and Social Security Works, Business is (Baby) Booming, analyzing the important role Social Security and Medicare play in Montana's economy, both strengthening the retirement security of small business owners themselves, and fueling consumer demand on Main Street....
..."I'm counting on the benefits I've earned through Social Security and Medicare for my retirement," said Tim Christensen owner of Vino Per Tutti in Bozeman. "We've put all of our savings into our business. If Congress cuts Social Security and Medicare, I don't know how I'll be able to afford to retire."
In addition to undermining the retirement security of small business owners themselves, cuts to Social Security and Medicare would hurt small businesses at the cash register by weakening the economy and depressing consumer demand, according to the report.
Even a 3-percent cut in Social Security benefits would take $72.1 million out of Montana's economy. A similar cut to Medicare, meanwhile, would cost Montana's economy $37.4 million....
Now, with that reality, one has to ask what do Republicans think they are doing by promoting such wayward ideas?
I've heard all the arguments and I suppose if there were cuts to benefits or postponement of retirement and chained-cpi all would be right with the world. I don't think so. If the USA is going to rely forever on Wall Street for their economic vitality without growing local economies with good paying jobs, even the cuts now won't matter in the future with the next economic crash or recession or bailout.
Sustainable economies that grow and provide options for our young people is where we should be looking. People don't want to have babies if life is hard. Unless of course a 12 year old can collect welfare for three years.
The problem in Montana is a lack of infusion of young people into the economy to grow communities and local economies. Montana has to look to the future to provide incentives to bring younger people to love Montana and seek to build economic futures.
How can anyone say what the future treasuries of the USA is going to look like with an ENTIRE GENERATION out of work?
Heineman is a fairly popular governor. He may have the best shot at this thing. He is a Republican.
With such depth of investment the state risks devaluing it's bonds if China takes a dip.
Every state needs to look to how diverse their economy is and will be in the future. It is the only way to protect from economic collapse.
Governor Heineman did tax relief in Montana. But, he didn't do Wall Street tax relief. He focused on the Middle Class. Nice.
April 10, 2012, 9:30 a.m. CT
Gov. Heineman Signs Middle Class Tax Relief for Hard-Working Nebraskans (click here)
He sought to increase the economy through more circulating money. Of course that returns to the states through sales tax and the like. Increased employment due to more circulating currency due to tax cuts increases the tax base.
He signed abortion legislation to limit it to before 20 weeks. That is reasonable if that is what his state wants. I think it still challenges Roe v Wade and might ultimately fail if it does not allow for a woman's doctor to terminate a pregnancy to save her life. I haven't read the Montana law.
One-term incumbent New Hampshire Democrat Jeanne Shaheen was elected with 52% of the vote in 2008. She will be 67 years old in 2014. At the end of 2011 Shaheen had the lowest amount of campaign funds out of any senator up for re-election in 2014, leading some to believe she would not defend her seat, but her office has confirmed that she will run for re-election. Polling by PPP in November 2012 found her leading former Senator John E. Sununu by 53% to 42%.
Everyone knows Sununu has been out in the Right Wing media chronically because he is going to ask for money. Someone needs to do some fund raising to insure Senator Shaheen a clear victory. She has been one of the women of the Senate at the forefront of protecting women's rights. Everyone knows Sununu can't hold a candle to her so we have to insure her re-election. We are lucky to have her in the US Senate.
This is Senator Shaheen's office in Manchester, New Hampshire. Some needs to contact them and remind them they need to do some fundraising. Fundraising is a part of being a Senator.
Senator Jenne Shaheen
Manchester, NH Office
1589 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03101
(603) 647-7500
The New Jersey races are sort of infamous by now, right? On one hand there is the governor's race with a little known Democrat with the right ideas for New Jersey and a well respected Republican governor. But, the Senate race is interesting. We have the Hero Mayor of Newark making his bid. It would be really nice if a minority Senator was elected.
On February 14, 2013, Lautenberg announced that he would not be a candidate for reelection. Newark Mayor Cory Booker has announced that he will run for the seat. Congressman Frank Pallone has said that he would consider running if Lautenberg decided not to seek re-election. State Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver is also a possible Democratic candidate. Potential Republican candidates include Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, state Assemblyman Jay Webber, state Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick, and state Senator Joe Kyrillos.
Now, here is a real kicker. All the other states with Republican governors run away from extended polling days and times. What the heck does Christie think he is doing by bucking the party? Someone is on the wrong trajectory here and I don't believe it is Governor Christi. The man is fearless.
Senate panel approves bill to allow early voting in N.J. (click here)
By
on March 04, 2013 at 4:55 PM, updated March 04, 2013 at 4:57 PM
It sounds as though Pallone has federal aspirations. Sort of. He is looking forward to beach nourishment of the Jersey Shore, too.
13:26, 1 March, 2013
Assemblywoman Oliver is the Speaker. She also passed legislation to commemorate the state's relationship with Israel. In doing so the state reaffirms investments to Israel. She is probably an excellent candidate for the US Senate.
Kim Guadagno is a Republican hopeful. She was Lieutenant Governor to Christi and is now Secretary of State to the governor. She has excellent credentials. If she is a moderate the people will like her, but, the minority communities in New Jersey are strong. They might want a minority Senator.
By
on March 21, 2013 at 4:02 PM, updated March 21, 2013 at 4:39 PM
Unless Mr. Webber has an attitude change I don't think he is going far. This is a good time to mention MINI-MEDICAL plans that received waivers when they should not have. That is what Student Health Plans are. They are mini-medical plans that take your money without giving benefits.
This is United Health Care justifying their lousy insurance. A lot of sports departments require some proof of insurance for participants. This is it. Then they rely on the Health Department on campus to provide the care students need. This is more or LESS a legal document. They don't really provide care.
Bramnick is a Republican with potential, but, he is a bit of a late bloomer. He is an attorney by profession, has been in government for awhile, but, wasn't really noteworthy until recent years in the New Jersey Assembly. He is affectionately called "The Funniest Lawyer in New Jersey."
Bramnick (click here) has been honored with the 2011 Legislator of the Year award from the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, the 2011 Law and Justice Distinguished Achievement Award from Rider University, the Outstanding Legislator of the Year award from the NJ Society for Environmental & Economic Development, the Legislator of the Year award from the Food Council Committee for Good Government, the 2010 Government Leadership Award from the Advocates for New Jersey History, the 2009 Spirit of the YMCA Award, and the “Guardian of Small Business” Award from the National Federation of Independent Businesses. He was inducted into the Plainfield High School Hall of Fame’s Class of 2011.
This is interesting. There are some real charges of exploitative no-bid contracts within the Sandy recovery in New Jersey. It is the only place I have seen Kyrillos name.
..."I'm just a little confused (click here) because Mr. Barbour has stated that he reached out to Governor Christie and recommended that they hire you," Buono said.
Earlier Republican state Sen. Joseph M. Kyrillos Jr. objected when Buono said, "It appears the governor gave a no-bid contract to a politically connected firm that has charged double the rates."
"Is this a campaign rally?" Kyrillos asked.
This was the first hearing in a series launched by majority Democrats, who said they want a better explanation of how the contract came into place.
Kyrillos said critics should recall the chaos that ensued in the days after the storm....
State Senator Buono is the Democratic candidate for Governor against Chris Christie. It will be a difficult battle for her. Evidently, she has a real issue here with the Sandy clean up, but, if I may?
Unfortunately, governments at all levels fall into these traps with 'ready to go' companies when they over pay for the services provided.
With this reality, we enter into the idea that less 'ready to go in an instant companies' cannot compete and the governments are never relieved of the burden of paying far more than the services are worth. There are several of these outfits. This is one of them.
...This isn't the first time Perkins has had to defend his company's practices.
AshBritt had a debris removal contract worth more than $500 million in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the company's work attracted attention from FEMA and Capitol Hill. In May 2006, the House of Representatives' Committee on Government Reform focused on the deal in its evaluation of the contracting system, and Perkins testified before the panel.
The Christie administration renewed its defense of the AshBritt contract hours before the hearing began when his office issued a statement titled, "The Christie Administration Has Overseen a Swift and Efficient Cleanup Effort."...
These companies focus on burgeoning disaster and FOLLOW government money. Monies through the Army Corp, the Interior Department and so on. They follow where the spending for government projects are, charge a lot and undercut quality. They are ruthless and corrupt. And lie like rugs.
Another company is AMEC. AMEC is a global outfit with substandard and corrupt practices. Halliburton is another one. Iraq.
But, these guys PLAN to over charge for their work. I realize this is vital work and in this instance so did Governor Christi. The point is, it is not unusual for governments to accept these companies in a heartbeat to carry out work to screaming constituents.
These companies are predatory and I would really like to see this issue calm down and have the NJ AG office actually prosecute for exploitative practices. That is what I would like to see. If Senator Buono wants a real winning argument be the one that leads the charge against this practice. The practice is systemic. It is predatory and it needs people to resolve the problem.
You know, the storm has passed by the time these fellas show up. We don't need to have them take advantage of an already disaster event on any state or local economy. So if they had a half billion dollar contract, they really only deserved to be paid a quarter billion. Exploitative practices of this nature are litigable.
NEW JERSEY CITIZENS WERE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OFF IN THEIR TIME OF NEED. That isn't litigable? I do believe so.
Just think about it for a minute. How much investment could New Jersey make with a quarter billion into companies in the State of New Jersey to be ON CALL for disaster relief and otherwise?
A lot and the companies would already know the NJ Statues that require quality work.
The one true way to eliminate these exploitative practices is for the state governments to have READY TO GO IN AN INSTANT companies on the books. Put out bids for "On Call" contracts with fixed costs in advance. Contractors will take them. They will probably ask for a 'RETAINER,' but, it would provide for local companies to increase their equipment purchases in case they are needed. That does two things. It increases the value and worth of the companies and gives peace of mind to governments. It is a great idea. I have watched this mess for far too long and someone needs to take the bull by the horns. Seriously. This should not simply be a mud slinging contest, it is far too upsetting and this is a real problem to just use it for political purposes.
But, Kyrillos doesn't really have a chance unless everyone values his smile over his involvement in policies and government.
Man there are a lot of issues and 36 Senate seat. I am going to take a break and restart tomorrow. There is the military mess and "The Sequester" I want to briefly review, too.
Until tomorrow.
Six-term incumbent Montana Democrat Max Baucus was re-elected with 73% of the vote in 2008. He will be 72 years old in 2014. Baucus will seek re-election to a seventh term. Republican state Representative Champ Edmunds will challenge Baucus. Former state Senator Corey Stapleton has also announced his candidacy. A poll by Public Policy Polling published on February 19 shows Baucus leading Stapleton by 45% to 38% and Edmunds by 47% to 37%.
It is all too easy to choice 'the nice man' for his devotion to family. It is more difficult to chose the man or woman with the most ambition for the outcomes of the state they are seeking to represent. If Democrats provide real insight to the economic upticks for states with and without federal dollars, it will make a huge difference in the way they are valued as candidates.
The obvious campaign for Senator Baucus is to look to the success of Senator Tester in his run for the Senate. He was disfavored at one time. But, the gun issue is a real issue and I would suggest all candidates to focus on building economic strengths in order to bring about changes to gun laws. If the GOP can pull strings through cartoonishness about gun rights, there is no real dialogue happening to bring about good decisions by the electorate.
This is a good place to begin for Montana. It has the "W"rong ideas about guns and the harm they actually do cause in their society.
Federal Court Rejects Montana Effort to Evade Federal Gun Laws (click here)
Sep 30, 2010
Washington, D.C. – Federal district court Judge Donald Molloy late yesterday threw out a lawsuit brought by the Second Amendment Foundation and other “gun rights” groups in support of Montana’s “Firearms Freedom Act,” one of a number of controversial state laws that attempt to exempt guns made in that state from federal gun laws.
The judge agreed with a brief filed by the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, joined by a coalition of Montana and national gun violence prevention, law enforcement, and domestic violence groups, arguing that the Montana law is unconstitutional.
“We are pleased that the court rejected this dangerous, misguided and unconstitutional law,” said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. “It is already far too easy for dangerous people to get deadly weapons. There is no reason for Montana or other states to allow gun sales without the Brady background checks that help keep guns away from criminals.”...
The judge agreed with a brief filed by the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, joined by a coalition of Montana and national gun violence prevention, law enforcement, and domestic violence groups, arguing that the Montana law is unconstitutional.
“We are pleased that the court rejected this dangerous, misguided and unconstitutional law,” said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. “It is already far too easy for dangerous people to get deadly weapons. There is no reason for Montana or other states to allow gun sales without the Brady background checks that help keep guns away from criminals.”...
This lawsuit is a waste of money. I am quite confident every voter in Montana will come to understand their state is wayward on these issues.
There are many organizations across the USA to prevent gun violence. The Brady Campaign is one, Mayor Bloomberg has his approach, Sandy Hook Promise is another and the Giffords-Kelly organization, "Americans for Responsible Solutions" is another. They all have information for candidates that want to make a change in the gun violence in the USA. I am quite confident they will endorse WITH FACTS any candidate that approaches them with intentions to stop gun violence and make the USA and their states safer.
I have always stated, SSI and Medicare is the baseline economy of the USA. When it comes to Social Security and Medicare, believe in this:
Posted: Mar 27, 2013 8:49 PM by MTN News
MISSOULA - While corporate CEOs (click here) are pressuring Congress to cut Social Security and Medicare as part of a so-called "Grand Bargain" to reduce the debt, Montana small business owners say that cuts to Social Security and Medicare would be devastating to small businesses across the state.
MISSOULA - While corporate CEOs (click here) are pressuring Congress to cut Social Security and Medicare as part of a so-called "Grand Bargain" to reduce the debt, Montana small business owners say that cuts to Social Security and Medicare would be devastating to small businesses across the state.
On March 27, 2013, the Montana Small Business Alliance released a new report from the Main Street Alliance and Social Security Works, Business is (Baby) Booming, analyzing the important role Social Security and Medicare play in Montana's economy, both strengthening the retirement security of small business owners themselves, and fueling consumer demand on Main Street....
In addition to undermining the retirement security of small business owners themselves, cuts to Social Security and Medicare would hurt small businesses at the cash register by weakening the economy and depressing consumer demand, according to the report.
Even a 3-percent cut in Social Security benefits would take $72.1 million out of Montana's economy. A similar cut to Medicare, meanwhile, would cost Montana's economy $37.4 million....
Now, with that reality, one has to ask what do Republicans think they are doing by promoting such wayward ideas?
I've heard all the arguments and I suppose if there were cuts to benefits or postponement of retirement and chained-cpi all would be right with the world. I don't think so. If the USA is going to rely forever on Wall Street for their economic vitality without growing local economies with good paying jobs, even the cuts now won't matter in the future with the next economic crash or recession or bailout.
Sustainable economies that grow and provide options for our young people is where we should be looking. People don't want to have babies if life is hard. Unless of course a 12 year old can collect welfare for three years.
The problem in Montana is a lack of infusion of young people into the economy to grow communities and local economies. Montana has to look to the future to provide incentives to bring younger people to love Montana and seek to build economic futures.
How can anyone say what the future treasuries of the USA is going to look like with an ENTIRE GENERATION out of work?
One-term incumbent Nebraska Republican Mike Johanns was elected with 58% of the vote in 2008. He will not seek a second term. Potential Republican candidates to succeed him include Governor Dave Heineman(who will be term-limited as governor), Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, and perhaps former state Treasurer Shane Osborn.
Heineman is a fairly popular governor. He may have the best shot at this thing. He is a Republican.
He has some liabilities. He has taken the easy road for expanding the Nebraska potential. He went to China. China is still working through human rights issues with no real end in sight. There is problem with currencies between the USA and China.
Every state needs to look to how diverse their economy is and will be in the future. It is the only way to protect from economic collapse.
Governor Heineman did tax relief in Montana. But, he didn't do Wall Street tax relief. He focused on the Middle Class. Nice.
April 10, 2012, 9:30 a.m. CT
Gov. Heineman Signs Middle Class Tax Relief for Hard-Working Nebraskans (click here)
He sought to increase the economy through more circulating money. Of course that returns to the states through sales tax and the like. Increased employment due to more circulating currency due to tax cuts increases the tax base.
He signed abortion legislation to limit it to before 20 weeks. That is reasonable if that is what his state wants. I think it still challenges Roe v Wade and might ultimately fail if it does not allow for a woman's doctor to terminate a pregnancy to save her life. I haven't read the Montana law.
One-term incumbent New Hampshire Democrat Jeanne Shaheen was elected with 52% of the vote in 2008. She will be 67 years old in 2014. At the end of 2011 Shaheen had the lowest amount of campaign funds out of any senator up for re-election in 2014, leading some to believe she would not defend her seat, but her office has confirmed that she will run for re-election. Polling by PPP in November 2012 found her leading former Senator John E. Sununu by 53% to 42%.
Everyone knows Sununu has been out in the Right Wing media chronically because he is going to ask for money. Someone needs to do some fund raising to insure Senator Shaheen a clear victory. She has been one of the women of the Senate at the forefront of protecting women's rights. Everyone knows Sununu can't hold a candle to her so we have to insure her re-election. We are lucky to have her in the US Senate.
This is Senator Shaheen's office in Manchester, New Hampshire. Some needs to contact them and remind them they need to do some fundraising. Fundraising is a part of being a Senator.
Senator Jenne Shaheen
Manchester, NH Office
1589 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03101
(603) 647-7500
The New Jersey races are sort of infamous by now, right? On one hand there is the governor's race with a little known Democrat with the right ideas for New Jersey and a well respected Republican governor. But, the Senate race is interesting. We have the Hero Mayor of Newark making his bid. It would be really nice if a minority Senator was elected.
On February 14, 2013, Lautenberg announced that he would not be a candidate for reelection. Newark Mayor Cory Booker has announced that he will run for the seat. Congressman Frank Pallone has said that he would consider running if Lautenberg decided not to seek re-election. State Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver is also a possible Democratic candidate. Potential Republican candidates include Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, state Assemblyman Jay Webber, state Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick, and state Senator Joe Kyrillos.
Now, here is a real kicker. All the other states with Republican governors run away from extended polling days and times. What the heck does Christie think he is doing by bucking the party? Someone is on the wrong trajectory here and I don't believe it is Governor Christi. The man is fearless.
Senate panel approves bill to allow early voting in N.J. (click here)
By
on March 04, 2013 at 4:55 PM, updated March 04, 2013 at 4:57 PM
...The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee voted 8-5 to approve the bill (S2364), which would allow voters to cast ballots at designated polling locations beginning 15 days before the primary and general elections. They would have until the Sunday before Election Day to vote early.
“As legislators we understand that there are few rights that are more important than a citizen’s participation in democracy,” said state Sen. Nia Gill (D-Essex), the bill’s primes sponsor. “If we can travel around the world to promote democracy and the right to vote we must be willing to invest in the infrastructure here at home to make sure we have the most effective, efficient and secure voting access possible.”
The polling places would be open seven days a week: From 10am to 8pm on Mondays through Saturdays, and from 10am to 6pm on Sundays....
It sounds as though Pallone has federal aspirations. Sort of. He is looking forward to beach nourishment of the Jersey Shore, too.
13:26, 1 March, 2013
YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS: Congressional (click here) Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank Pallone commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Azerbaijani pogroms against the Armenian population of the Azerbaijani city of Sumgait, and condemned the ongoing atmosphere of violence and intimidation being fostered by the government of President Ilham Aliyev, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) informed Armenpress....
Assemblyman Robert Andrzejczak (click here) is pinned by Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver at his swearing-in ceremony Thursday at the Statehouse.
Assemblywoman Oliver is the Speaker. She also passed legislation to commemorate the state's relationship with Israel. In doing so the state reaffirms investments to Israel. She is probably an excellent candidate for the US Senate.
Kim Guadagno is a Republican hopeful. She was Lieutenant Governor to Christi and is now Secretary of State to the governor. She has excellent credentials. If she is a moderate the people will like her, but, the minority communities in New Jersey are strong. They might want a minority Senator.
It is nice she can announce these programs, but, the New Jersey legislator first had to pass them. Assemblywoman Oliver may know more about the legislation then the Lt. Governor did actually.
By
on March 21, 2013 at 4:02 PM, updated March 21, 2013 at 4:39 PM
...“The people of New Jersey (click here) should know that Obamacare is starting to yield its first fruits for everyone in New Jersey,” said Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris). “And unfortunately the fruits are a bushel full of rotten apples.”
Unless Mr. Webber has an attitude change I don't think he is going far. This is a good time to mention MINI-MEDICAL plans that received waivers when they should not have. That is what Student Health Plans are. They are mini-medical plans that take your money without giving benefits.
This is United Health Care justifying their lousy insurance. A lot of sports departments require some proof of insurance for participants. This is it. Then they rely on the Health Department on campus to provide the care students need. This is more or LESS a legal document. They don't really provide care.
Why Student Health Insurance May Cost Less (click here)
Student health insurance often is less expensive than traditional health insurance programs for reasons that include:
- Many Student Health Centers provide deep discounts if care is provided on campus. For this reason, student health insurance plans don’t need to be as comprehensive as traditional plans.
- When students complete their education, they are no longer eligible for student health insurance, which means that most participants are only enrolled for a limited, relatively short period of time. Actuaries point out that the longer a person stays enrolled in a particular health insurance pool, the more health care he or she will require.
- College students are younger and typically healthier than the general population, resulting in reduced risk for the insurer. Insurance rates typically reflect that reduced risk.
The advantages of student health insurance make them an affordable, quality alternative to more expensive, more comprehensive traditional plans.
Example:
Legal but inadequate (click here)
Example:
Legal but inadequate (click here)
Judith Goss, 48, of Macomb, Mich., believed that the Cigna plan she obtained through her job at the Talbots retail chain was “some type of insurance that would cover something.” When the store she worked at closed in January 2011, she even paid $65 a month to keep the coverage through COBRA.
“I was aware that it wasn’t a great plan, but I wasn’t concerned because I wasn’t sick,” she says. But in July 2011 she was diagnosed with breast cancer, at which point the policy’s annual limits of $1,000 a year for outpatient treatment and $2,000 for hospitalization became a huge problem. Facing a $30,000 hospital bill, she delayed treatment. “Finally my surgeon said, ‘Judy, you can’t wait anymore.’ While I was waiting my tumor became larger. It was 3 centimeters when they found it and 9 centimeters when they took it out.” After a double mastectomy, radiation treatments, and reconstructive surgery, Goss is taking the drug tamoxifen to prevent recurrence....
“I was aware that it wasn’t a great plan, but I wasn’t concerned because I wasn’t sick,” she says. But in July 2011 she was diagnosed with breast cancer, at which point the policy’s annual limits of $1,000 a year for outpatient treatment and $2,000 for hospitalization became a huge problem. Facing a $30,000 hospital bill, she delayed treatment. “Finally my surgeon said, ‘Judy, you can’t wait anymore.’ While I was waiting my tumor became larger. It was 3 centimeters when they found it and 9 centimeters when they took it out.” After a double mastectomy, radiation treatments, and reconstructive surgery, Goss is taking the drug tamoxifen to prevent recurrence....
Bramnick (click here) has been honored with the 2011 Legislator of the Year award from the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, the 2011 Law and Justice Distinguished Achievement Award from Rider University, the Outstanding Legislator of the Year award from the NJ Society for Environmental & Economic Development, the Legislator of the Year award from the Food Council Committee for Good Government, the 2010 Government Leadership Award from the Advocates for New Jersey History, the 2009 Spirit of the YMCA Award, and the “Guardian of Small Business” Award from the National Federation of Independent Businesses. He was inducted into the Plainfield High School Hall of Fame’s Class of 2011.
This is interesting. There are some real charges of exploitative no-bid contracts within the Sandy recovery in New Jersey. It is the only place I have seen Kyrillos name.
..."I'm just a little confused (click here) because Mr. Barbour has stated that he reached out to Governor Christie and recommended that they hire you," Buono said.
Earlier Republican state Sen. Joseph M. Kyrillos Jr. objected when Buono said, "It appears the governor gave a no-bid contract to a politically connected firm that has charged double the rates."
"Is this a campaign rally?" Kyrillos asked.
This was the first hearing in a series launched by majority Democrats, who said they want a better explanation of how the contract came into place.
Kyrillos said critics should recall the chaos that ensued in the days after the storm....
State Senator Buono is the Democratic candidate for Governor against Chris Christie. It will be a difficult battle for her. Evidently, she has a real issue here with the Sandy clean up, but, if I may?
Unfortunately, governments at all levels fall into these traps with 'ready to go' companies when they over pay for the services provided.
With this reality, we enter into the idea that less 'ready to go in an instant companies' cannot compete and the governments are never relieved of the burden of paying far more than the services are worth. There are several of these outfits. This is one of them.
...This isn't the first time Perkins has had to defend his company's practices.
AshBritt had a debris removal contract worth more than $500 million in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the company's work attracted attention from FEMA and Capitol Hill. In May 2006, the House of Representatives' Committee on Government Reform focused on the deal in its evaluation of the contracting system, and Perkins testified before the panel.
The Christie administration renewed its defense of the AshBritt contract hours before the hearing began when his office issued a statement titled, "The Christie Administration Has Overseen a Swift and Efficient Cleanup Effort."...
These companies focus on burgeoning disaster and FOLLOW government money. Monies through the Army Corp, the Interior Department and so on. They follow where the spending for government projects are, charge a lot and undercut quality. They are ruthless and corrupt. And lie like rugs.
Another company is AMEC. AMEC is a global outfit with substandard and corrupt practices. Halliburton is another one. Iraq.
But, these guys PLAN to over charge for their work. I realize this is vital work and in this instance so did Governor Christi. The point is, it is not unusual for governments to accept these companies in a heartbeat to carry out work to screaming constituents.
These companies are predatory and I would really like to see this issue calm down and have the NJ AG office actually prosecute for exploitative practices. That is what I would like to see. If Senator Buono wants a real winning argument be the one that leads the charge against this practice. The practice is systemic. It is predatory and it needs people to resolve the problem.
You know, the storm has passed by the time these fellas show up. We don't need to have them take advantage of an already disaster event on any state or local economy. So if they had a half billion dollar contract, they really only deserved to be paid a quarter billion. Exploitative practices of this nature are litigable.
NEW JERSEY CITIZENS WERE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OFF IN THEIR TIME OF NEED. That isn't litigable? I do believe so.
Just think about it for a minute. How much investment could New Jersey make with a quarter billion into companies in the State of New Jersey to be ON CALL for disaster relief and otherwise?
A lot and the companies would already know the NJ Statues that require quality work.
The one true way to eliminate these exploitative practices is for the state governments to have READY TO GO IN AN INSTANT companies on the books. Put out bids for "On Call" contracts with fixed costs in advance. Contractors will take them. They will probably ask for a 'RETAINER,' but, it would provide for local companies to increase their equipment purchases in case they are needed. That does two things. It increases the value and worth of the companies and gives peace of mind to governments. It is a great idea. I have watched this mess for far too long and someone needs to take the bull by the horns. Seriously. This should not simply be a mud slinging contest, it is far too upsetting and this is a real problem to just use it for political purposes.
But, Kyrillos doesn't really have a chance unless everyone values his smile over his involvement in policies and government.
Man there are a lot of issues and 36 Senate seat. I am going to take a break and restart tomorrow. There is the military mess and "The Sequester" I want to briefly review, too.
Until tomorrow.
