Search Results for: ration

Drugmakers Vowed to Campaign for Health Law, Memos Show
By Drew Armstrong on May 31, 2012

Drugmakers led by Pfizer (PFE) Inc. agreed to run a “very significant public campaign” bankrolling political support for the 2010 health-care law, including TV ads, while the Obama administration promised to block provisions opposed by drugmakers, documents released by Republicans show.

The internal memos and e-mails for the first time unveil the industry’s plan to finance positive TV ads and supportive groups, along with providing $80 billion in discounts and taxes that were included in the law. The administration has previously denied the existence of a deal involving political support.

The documents were released today by Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. They identify price controls under Medicare and drug importation as the key industry concerns, and show that former Pfizer Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Kindler and his top aides were involved in drawing it up and getting support from other company executives.

https://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-31/drugmakers-vowed-to-campaign-for-health-law-memos-show

Debate over NJ’s education budget quietly focuses on funding formula

While the public discussion about New Jersey’s budget has largely turned on whose proposed tax cut is better and whose revenue estimate more accurate, quieter debate has also surfaced over the distribution of the largest piece of that budget: school funding.

Christie has called for a $213 million increase in school funding, to nearly $9 billion in direct state aid — by far the biggest piece of the budget. But while some have said the increase should be more and fully fund the state’s school finance law, much of the discussion has been around particular details in how the administration plans to distribute the money it has.  (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0530/2221/

The Connected Communicator: Robert Garrett, President and CEO of Hackensack University Medical Center

Written by Molly Gamble | May 29, 2012

Robert C. Garrett has led Hackensack University Medical Center as president and CEO since November 2009. Before assuming his spot at the helm, Mr. Garrett served as HUMC’s executive vice president and COO from 1986 onward, but his tenure with the organization stretches back to 1981. His connections to HUMC have only deepened throughout those 30-plus years. “This is my second family, in a lot of ways,” Mr. Garrett says. “I feel like I’ve grown up with a lot of the people here. We know each other’s families — our kids, and in some instances, grandkids.”

Mr. Garrett’s role and duties have grown in recent months, mostly due to HackensackUMC’s expansion plans and affiliations with other hospitals. He says he often works until 10 or 11 p.m., and there’s been a change to his ordinary hours due to more frequent dinner meetings, presentations and a bit more travel. “We’re a 24/7 operation,” says Mr. Garrett.

Right now, HackensackUMC is planning a $35 million renovation to its Emergency and Trauma Center and recently kicked off a $92 million renovation of the former Pascack Valley Hospital in Westwood, N.J., as part of a joint venture with Plano, Texas-based LHP Hospital Group. The 128-bed hospital, to be renamed HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley, is slated to reopen in mid-2013 after it closed in 2007 after declaring bankruptcy. The hospital was not affiliated with HackensackUMC at the time. HackensackUMC also partnered with LHP to acquire Mountainside Hospital in Montclair, N.J.

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/the-connected-communicator-robert-garrett-president-and-ceo-of-hackensack-university-medical-center.html

Survey of CFOs finds N.J.’s tax climate is dismal

While New Jersey is home to one of the highest business tax rates in the nation, financial executives attribute the state’s lack of competitiveness in retaining and attracting business to the complexity of its tax system, according to a survey of chief financial officers conducted by Alvarez & Marsal Taxand LLC.

“With competition for corporate headquarters and the jobs that come with them increasing in the face of a challenging economy, it will be interesting to see if states modify their taxing systems in an aggressive attempt to retain contracts and attract new business,” said Don Roveto, managing director at A&M Taxand, in a statement. “When companies look to relocate corporate functions or expand operations, initial credits and incentives may be the most relevant factor from a tax perspective, although the ongoing tax burden must be considered.”  (Eder, NJBIZ)

https://www.njbiz.com/article/20120529/NJBIZ01/120529849/Survey-of-CFOs-finds-NJ%27s-tax-climate-is-dismal

Escape From New York? High-Taxing Empire State Loses 3.4 Million Residents in 10 Years
By Elizabeth Harrington

(CNSNews.com) – New York State accounted for the biggest migration exodus of any state in the nation between 2000 and 2010, with 3.4 million residents leaving over that period, according to the Tax Foundation.

Over that decade the state gained 2.1 million, so net migration amounted to 1.3 million, representing a loss of $45.6 billion in income.

Where are they escaping to? The Tax Foundation found that more than 600,000 New York residents moved to Florida over the decade – opting perhaps for the Sunshine State’s more lenient tax system – taking nearly $20 billion in adjusted growth income with them.

https://cnsnews.com/news/article/escape-new-york-high-taxing-empire-state-loses-34-million-residents-10-years

Senate President Sweeney pushes N.J. Democrats to support Christie tax-cut compromise

Senate President Stephen Sweeney urged fellow Democrats in a closed-door meeting Thursday to support a compromise tax-cut plan he struck with Gov. Chris Christie despite the state’s weakening revenue outlook, sources said.

Sweeney was drumming up support for the compromise in the wake of two days of budget hearings in which revenue shortfalls were said to range from $676 million to $1.3 billion, according to sources at the meeting who were not authorized to discuss internal deliberations.

Some lawmakers doubted whether Sweeney would continue to push the plan after the revenue figures were announced, and he answered that question.  (Renshaw, The Star-Ledger)

https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/05/senate_president_sweeney_pushe.html

State auditor issues report critical of how NJ oversees charter schools

The Christie administration’s oversight of charter schools has long been a point of contention, and a new report out of the State Auditor is sure to fuel the debate on how tough the administration has been in holding the alternative schools accountable for their successes and failures.

The State Auditor, a branch of the state Legislature, yesterday issued a report critical of how the administration has overseen more than 70 charter schools in the state.

Meanwhile, the administration itself released new warning letters to a handful of charter schools putting them on notice for low achievement among its students, among other issues.  (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0524/2234/

The 37th Annual Fred D’Elia Ridgewood Run
Mon, May 28, 2012

The 37th Annual Fred D’Elia Ridgewood Run ,Memorial Day, Monday May 28th 2012 , 8:30 AM at Veteran Memorail Field, Ridgewood, NJ, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 The event includes: Wheelchair 10K begining at 8:25 am, Wheelchair 5K beginning at 10:15 am, Men’s Elite Mile at 11:40 am, Womens Elite Mile at 11:15 am and the Ridgewood YMCA Fun Run at noon.

Registration can be completed though www.raceforum.com/ridgewood, by mail entry with check to North Jersey Masters at 348 S. Irving St. RIdgewood, NJ 07450 or in person at the RIdgewood Cycle Shop, Ridgewood YMCA, or Road Runner Sports in Paramus.

Awards and Prize Money are both up for grabs! Over 4,000 Runners Expected, Free Shirts, DJ, Refreshments, Massage Tent, and up to $5,000 in prize money available!

Road Closure Extended – Crossing from Ho-Ho-Kus Train Station into Ridgewood

Please be advised that the subject roadway crossing into the Borough of Ho-ho-kus from the Village of Ridgewood over the train tracks will be closed by New Jersey Transit for work on their crossing starting May 21, 2012 for a period of approximately 1 to 2 weeks. ***We have received new information that conditions were worse than expected causing the closure to continue into late June. The crossing will be closed during the duration of the work. The road will be closed with barricades and signs on both approaches (Ridgewood and Ho-ho-kus).

The work is the replacement of the track crossing area and some paving work on the approaches.

Pedestrian access across the tracks will be maintained during the road closing so that the walking commuters can get to the Ho-ho-kus Train Station.

Please share this information with those who travel in that area that utilize the subject crossing.

House to examine plan for United Nations to regulate the Internet
By Brendan Sasso – 05/26/12 08:10 AM ET

House lawmakers will consider an international proposal next week to give the United Nations more control over the Internet.

The proposal is backed by China, Russia, Brazil, India and other UN members, and would give the UN’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU) more control over the governance of the Internet.

It’s an unpopular idea with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in Congress, and officials with the Obama administration have also criticized it.
“We’re quite concerned,” Larry Strickling, the head of the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, said n an interview with The Hill earlier this year.

https://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/229653-house-to-examine-plan-to-let-un-regulate-internet

Become the Memorial Day Grill Master

Memorial Day marks the start of the serious grilling season, and there’s no better weekend to try your hand at outdoor cooking, or bolster your established grill-master game. Luckily, honing your outdoor culinary skills is a lot more simple than it seems, given the right tools, a little preparation, and a few tips on technique. Here’s a look at some pointers on getting the right gear, turning out great meals, and even preparing for uncooperative weather.

https://lifehacker.com/392818/become-the-memorial-day-grill-master

Christie accepts monitoring of Muslims

The New York City police did not violate New Jersey laws when they conducted cross-border surveillance of Muslim businesses, mosques and student groups, Gov. Chris Christie’s administration said Thursday.

The determination, by the state attorney general, concerned tactics of the New York Police Department like videotaping mosque-goers and collecting their license plate numbers.

Such operations were part of a Police Department program to collect intelligence on Muslim communities in New York and beyond, even when there was no evidence of a crime.   (Associated Press)

https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/25/nyregion/christie-accepts-new-yorks-monitoring-of-muslims.html?_r=1

Romney backs school vouchers, more school choice
By Stephen Dinan

Mitt Romney said Wednesday he will expand Washington’s endangered voucher program as part of a broad push for more school choice nationwide, setting up a dramatic contrast with President Obama, who has called for the D.C. program to be phased out, and with teachers unions, which have fought against expanded choice.

Mr. Romney announced the push on education in a speech in Washington as he made overtures to Hispanic voters, who regularly tell pollsters that access to education is one of their top concerns — even above immigration — and who generally support vouchers.

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/may/23/romney-backs-vouchers-expanded-school-choice/

Photo By ArtChick

Wireless carriers seek to ‘offload’ customers
By Roger Yu, USA TODAY

With phone lovers clamoring to get on their networks, wireless carriers are building new offrampsMajor carriers are investing in ways to unload customers’ data traffic from their airwaves into cheaper and more localized networks, such as Wi-Fi hot spots and small cellular base stations, which are designed for compact, heavy traffic areas such as stadiums and city centers.

Wireless companies say the new approach (“offloading” in industry parlance) will help meet customers’ surging demand for more data bandwidth. Even as they build the next generation of faster wireless networks, called 4G LTE, carriers are discouraging heavy data users by eliminating unlimited data plans and enforcing monthly caps.

Such efforts have done little to slow the hunger for more data from ceaseless waves of users who watch Netflix and listen to Pandora at all hours via over-the-air networks. In North America, video and audio streaming now account for more than half of all domestic wireless data traffic, according to network management company Sandvine.

https://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2012-05-22/cellphone-wireless-wifi-hotspots/55142404/1