> Daylight saving time: why we ‘spring forward’ earlier this year Daylight saving time starts on the second Sunday of March and has since 2007. The goal of moving daylight saving time forward is partly to save energy, but that hasn’t happened.
By Andrew Mach, Contributor / March 9, 2012
This Sunday people in most states will switch ahead their clocks and lose an hour as daylight saving time begins in the US.
If this season’s “spring forward” seems a bit earlier than usual, that’s because it is – but only by a few days, at least compared with recent years. (Last year, we switched our clocks ahead on March 13, and in 2010 it was March 14, for instance.) It was in 2007, however, when the beginning of daylight saving time jumped ahead by two full weeks.
That was due to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which extended the entire period of daylight saving time by four weeks from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. Before 2007, daylight saving time began at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in April and ended at 2 a.m. on the last Sunday the following October.
> PM Networking – March Madness for business! Tue, March 13, 2012 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Bricklane Curry House Restaurant, 34 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Ridgewood PM Networking will be delicious! Join us for a night of Networking and Tasting.
Bricklane Curry House Restaurant Tuesday, March 13, 2012 6:00pm-8:00pm Free Parking after 6:00pm $10 pp beverage & Tasting included Bring your business cards & 30 second commerical.
>House Injects New Life into Small Businesses and Startups
Rep. Garrett discusses the JOBS Act on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”
America has always survived periods of economic despair because of the entrepreneurial spirit and never-say-die attitude of our small businesses and job creators. With 36 straight months of unemployment above 8% and more Americans on food stamps than ever before, our job creators are long overdue for some much-needed reprieve from the crushing weight of federal regulations.
All across the U.S., American entrepreneurs are waiting to unleash their potential on the U.S. economy, but the federal government continues to stand in the way with burdensome and outdated investment rules. Rather than typing up investment capital with unnecessary regulations, we need to liberate America’s entrepreneurs so they can do what they do best—create jobs and grow our economy.
The House this week answered the call by passing the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act. The JOBS Act will increase investment, spur the growth of startups and small businesses, and pave the way for more businesses to go public and create jobs. Put simply, this package will reduce red tape and restore some much-needed certainty to the U.S. economy. As Chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government-Sponsored Enterprises, I was proud to help shepherd this package of common-sense bills through the Financial Services Committee last year, and pleased to see the full House pass it with such wide bipartisan support.
When sources of funding like venture capital and initial public offerings (IPOs) are strangled by burdensome regulations everyone suffers. Without capital, innovative new companies cannot grow or invest in new research and products that lead to more jobs. What if uncertainty out of Washington caused Mike Markkula to sit on his $250,000 in 1977, instead of risking it on a 22 year-old with a bright idea? The world may never have known the iPod and the iPad—or even the personal computer, for that matter.
The JOBS Act immediately addresses this concern and helps the next Apple bulldoze through the barriers government has thrown up over the last few decades. This bill ensures that America remains a country of opportunity—where jobs are created, risks are taken and startup businesses flourish.
Now that the House has acted, it’s time for the Senate to follow suit. President Obama has already thrown his full weight behind this important jobs bill. For the sake of our economy, let’s hope Senate Democrats give this bill the attention it deserves. Sincerely,
>Business Roundtable CEOs Offer Comprehensive Plan to Restore U.S. Economic Growth, Put America Back to Work
“Taking Action for America” Outlines Specific Policy Priorities to Build on U.S. Strengths and Global Leadership; BRT Kicks Off Campaign to Make Sure Policy Makers Act
Washington – Business Roundtable (BRT), an association of chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies, today released “Taking Action for America: A CEO Plan for Jobs and Economic Growth,” a comprehensive plan to put the United States back on the path of strong economic growth. BRT also outlined specific steps it is taking to urge policy makers to take action this year.
“Accelerating economic growth and job creation are top priorities for American companies and American workers,” said Jim McNerney, chairman, president and CEO of The Boeing Company, and chairman of Business Roundtable. “The plan we are releasing today outlines a path to achieve these goals through sensible, pro-growth economic policies that will create an environment in which American businesses can compete and grow in 21st century global economy.”
Despite hopeful signs of economic recovery, the United States remains in a deep jobs crisis with mounting deficits and national debt that threatens the nation’s long-term competitiveness and continued economic prosperity. One out of every 12 Americans who are willing and able to work cannot find a job, and approximately 13 million Americans remain unemployed.
“‘Taking Action for America’ is a plan to revitalize the U.S. economy through policies that encourage innovation and investment and remove barriers to economic growth,” said Andrew N. Liveris, Chairman and CEO of The Dow Chemical Company. “While America’s political system remains frozen in gridlock, the rest of the world is not standing still. Other nations around the world that compete with the United States for jobs, business investment and export markets are moving forward – and we must too.”
“Taking Action for America” provides a thoughtful and very specific set of recommendations that builds on America’s many advantages to restore the type of business environment that encourages companies to invest, grow and create jobs. The CEOs recommendations are centered around three general principles:
American global leadership must be secured through sound fiscal policy, smarter regulation and competitive taxation. American advantages should be better leveraged through open markets for international trade and investment, reliable, affordable energy and protection of U.S. technology assets.
American workers and families should be supported with improved education and workforce policies, affordable, quality health care and stable policies that ensure retirement security.
BRT is initiating a series of high-level activities, beginning this week, to build support for the plan and ensure that policy makers act on the priorities this year. Activities include delivering the “Taking Action” plan to every Member of Congress, the White House and federal agencies; meeting with federal policy makers and their staff to brief them on the issues; outreach to reporters and editorial boards across the country; speeches in major metropolitan areas; opinion pieces; advertising; an aggressive social media campaign; and more.
Specific recommendations in “Taking Action for America” include:
A balanced federal budget, excluding interest payments on the debt, within the next five years. Streamlining the federal regulatory process and withdrawal or modification of each of eight proposed or pending regulations that BRT CEOs have identified as particularly costly and burdensome to business. BRT CEOs have also flagged dozens of additional regulations, listed on BRT’s website – www.brt.org – that could add costs and slow business expansion.
Adoption of a competitive U.S. corporate tax rate comparable to the OECD average and competitive territorial tax system similar to the rest of the world.
Executing a strategy to make U.S. energy systems more diverse, more domestic and more efficient. Advancing policies to create a world-class workforce to enable Americans to compete and succeed in the world economy.
>February Jobs Numbers: Young Americans Denied Opportunities to Enter the Workforce
Gallup Indicates Increase in Unemployment Rate from 8.6% to 9.1% without Seasonal Adjustment
Washington, DC – (3/9/12) – Generation Opportunity President Paul T. Conway, former Chief of Staff of the United States Department of Labor under Secretary Elaine L. Chao, responds to the February 2012 jobs numbers report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
“We talk about how historic these numbers are – not since WWII have we seen this level of unemployment persist. But the bigger story is what it represents – millions of lives – moms, dads, brothers and sisters, construction workers, veterans, young Americans, and many more trying to enter a workforce with fewer and fewer opportunities. These figures represent denied opportunity – heartache and angst for millions of Americans, and young Americans are being hit especially hard. While young Americans are being denied opportunities today, they are being saddled with record levels of debt to pay off tomorrow. It is unconscionable. The reality is that policy decisions coming out of this administration have consequences, and Americans are feeling the impact firsthand, every day. The path forward requires leadership, courage, and a dramatic shift from the policy direction of the last few years.”
Prior to the release of today’s unemployment report, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress on February 29th that “… the job market remains far from normal: The unemployment rate remains elevated, long-term unemployment is still near record levels, and the number of persons working part-time for economic reasons is very high.”
Also, last month, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded a 63.7% civilian labor force participation rate – a 30-year low – which revealed that more than one million Americans simply gave up looking for work, dropping out of the labor force. The Congressional Budget Office forecasted, in a January 2012 report, that unemployment will likely increase this year and in 2013.
Yesterday, Gallup released their U.S. Unemployment Rate, Monthly Averages showing the unemployment numbers, without seasonal adjustment, have risen from 8.6% in January to 9.1% in February, following an upward trend from 8.5% in December.
>Govt. sets record deficit in February By Stephen Dinan The Washington Times
The federal government recorded its worst monthly deficit in history in February, according to a preliminary report Wednesday from the Congressional Budget Office that said the deficit in fiscal year 2012 is already more than half a trillion dollars.
The CBO’s figures show that despite repeated efforts to trim spending, the government has borrowed 42 cents of every dollar it spent during the first five months of this fiscal year.
The nonpartisan agency projected the government will run a deficit of $229 billion in February, the highest monthly figure ever. The previous high was $223 billion a year ago, in February 2011.
>Obama’s $50 light bulb: ‘Too pricey’? By The Week’s Editorial Staff | The Week – 5 hrs ago
The winner of a $10 million government contest to develop a super-efficient light bulb is here. But will anybody want it?
The Obama administration announced last year that it would award $10 million to the company that could create a light bulb that was both eco-friendly and affordable. The winning LED bulb, made by Philips, is about to hit the market. There’s only one problem: It costs $50. The price of your standard incandescent bulb, on the other hand, hovers in the $1 region. The $10 million award, dubbed the L Prize, is part of the government’s plan to phase out all energy-wasting incandescent bulbs over the next several years. But could Obama’s $50 light bulb possibly be worth its price?
Board of Education candidate Jim Morgan wants the Ridgewood BOE to follow the Glen Rock BOE’s example of proposing no increase in property taxes for 2012-13. (“Morgan running for BOE seat; March 2; The Ridgewood News; page A6) What he does not know, or fails to state, is that Glen Rock is not increasing property taxes because it outsourced custodian and teacher aide services in the current fiscal year. Of course, Ridgewood made that cost-saving decision in 1993, nearly 20 years before Glen Rock did. Glen Rock also provided an opt-out program for those employees choosing to use their spouse’s medical coverage, some 15 years after Ridgewood offered that same cost-saving decision. Glen Rock enacted a pupil activity fee, also some 15 years after Ridgewood.
>Bob Hutton addresses James Morgan’s letter to the editor
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2012 THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS To the editor:
I welcome Mr. Morgan as my opponent for the one-year unexpired seat on the Ridgewood Board of Education (BOE). I believe public dialogue about public education and its finances is a vital democratic exchange.
Given my time on the board, numerous quotes of mine are available from numerous sources. I will be the first to admit that I have said, “We know what the answer is” many times at the board table. In light of our preliminary budget discussion on Feb. 27, I did say that remark in light of the state-mandated 2 percent spending cap and the resulting $1.8 million maximum increase Ridgewood Public Schools could have in its 2012-2013 budget.
Mr. Morgan’s letter in this space last week (“Morgan running for BOE seat; March 2; The Ridgewood News; page A6) classified me as having a “we have it, let’s spend it” attitude. On this point, Mr. Morgan is completely off base and willfully misstating my actual comments. When addressing at the recent board meeting the increase proposed for the 2012-2013 budget, I stated the following facts that cannot be disputed. If one was to sum up the contracted and currently under discussion salary increases, the projected net increase in the district’s health benefit costs, and the cost to roll out the new science program, the district is already in excess of the state-mandated $1.8 million cap. That is not a “narrow view” as Mr. Morgan states. It is simply math.
THURSDAY MARCH 8, 2012, 2:22 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The controlled chaos that rumbled inside Somerville School last Thursday was rather soothing, as if everyone was comfortable within the confines where 200 or so men clamored around chomping on sandwiches and downing soft drinks from plastic cups. It was, after all, a Dads’ Night rehearsal – what were the chances that an event arranged solely by men would start with anything but a little ruckus?
The tradition-filled, 68-year history of Dads’ Night, the all-male variety-show fundraiser benefitting students at Hawes and Somerville schools, permits those brief moments of madness. But with this year’s team, everyone has been on the same page since day one; last week’s commotion was more a call to get the motor running, a plea to get the show on the road.
>Neighbors on edge over recent spate of burglaries in Ridgewood
(RIDGEWOOD-NJ) There were reports of two men or women making the rounds soliciting last night ,some reported two women claimed to be from Mt Carmel Church other reported two men .If in doubt its best to contact the Ridgewood Police as they say if you see something say something . It may be nothing but it is best to be safe.
“Did anyone have two women from a church come to their house last night around 8pm? Greg answered the door and thought it was very odd to have solicitors at that time from a religious group. Just curious because we are thinking about informing the Ridgewood police.”
“We were at the diner having dinner at that time so I can’t say if they came to our house. I hope Ginger barked loud enough to scare them! I would report it, Kelly. There must be some ordinance with regard to solicitation hours.”
“Two men came to our house around the same time last night and we are thinking about calling the police as well”
“You guys should definitely report it. They need a license from the village to solicit and it’s too late to be legit”
“Now we are for sure calling the police today- I think anyone that had these solicitors at their door should put in a phone call to the authorites. “
“Yes, They said they were from Mount Carmel. Strange!! I very politely sent them away. They wanted to tell me that God love’s me but otherwise seemed very unsure as to why they were there.”
“Yes, two women came to me door claiming from Mount Carmel. nice though. I didn’t sense any alarm.”
Jazz Event for Public at Unitarian Society Jeannie Gagne Vocalist with Rave Tesar Trio
On March 9th the Society Café brings you a rare and special treat: the combination of two powerhouse acts – Boston vocalist Jeannie Gagné with Ridgewood’s own Rave Tesar Trio.
Get ready for a fabulous evening of jazz (and blues, rock, and more…something for everyone) from artists who “fell in love at first rehearsal”. “Few vocalists create images and stir emotions merely with the sound of their voice. All the great ones do, and Jeannie does, too.” – NYC Downtown Magazine (Jeannie is) “soulful…relevant…beautiful” – iTunes “The group (Rave Tesar Trio) has a wonderful sense of synchronicity, and their music rewards repeated listening.” – Jazz.com “…high level of musicianship and uncanny band interplay.” – JazzChicago.net Jeanne Gagne Website Rave Tesar Trio Website.
Please reserve your seats through the www.societycafeconcertseries.com home page link. $20.00 Admission (pay at the door, but please reserve your seats in advance). 13 years and older please, and kids under 18 get in free. Dine at one of our participating restaurants, Park West Tavern and Ridge Thai, and then come on over to the show. Both restaurants are within walking distance of the Unitarian Society venue, 113 Cottage Place, Ridgewood. This is a public event – invite your family and friends!
>Bill Seeks Financial Transparency for All NJ Hospitals For-profit and nonprofit hospitals alike would be held to same standards By Beth Fitzgerald, March 9, 2012 in Healthcare
Seeking an across-the board remedy for how hospitals — the state’s nonprofits and for-profits alike– disclose their finances, the Senate’s Health Committee on Thursday advanced a bill that would ensure that all New Jersey hospitals follow the same rules.
Delivering medical care to the poor is at the heart of the measure as a growing number of for-profit hospitals seek a piece of the charity pie funded by taxpayer dollars.
Currently, only a handful of New Jersey’s 72 acute care hospitals are for-profits, but experts predict their numbers will grow. An increasing number of for-profits have entered the state, most notably in Hudson County, where in recent years several hospitals have switched to for-profit status in controversial moves.
The prognosis remains grim for nonprofits struggling to raise cash to modernize at a time when revenue throughout the healthcare system is being squeezed by the drive to control spending. A number of deals are in the works for-profit groups looking to take over struggling not-for-profit hospitals.
