Telegraph.co.uk | Iran steps up repression before polls: Amnesty Reuters LONDON (Reuters) - Iran has "dramatic » |
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Iran steps up repression before polls: Amnesty - Reuters
http://myfinanceinfo.com/leningradskoe-shosse-from-expansion-to-development.htm
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Fairfax at Embassy Row hires new GM - Jacksonville Business Journal:
http://live-problem.com/node/131
The 259-room hotel — formerly the reopened last fall followinga multimillion-dollar historic renovation. Most recently, Schofield was the managinv director of thein Cary, N.C. Schofield will move from N.C., to D.C. to work at the 84-year-old hotel at 2100 Massachusett Ave. NW, which sits two blocks from Dupong Circle onEmbassy Row. Schofieldx was previously general manager for the and thein D.C. He was also vice presidenft of finance forthe , where he oversaw dozens of The Liverpool, U.K., native replace s Klaus Peters, who had left the Fairfaxd at Embassy Row. The a member of the Luxurt Collection byand Resorts, also recentlhy hired David Bodette as assistant general manager.
Its historicc Jockey Club restaurant, which has hosted eight differeny presidents andtheir wives, also reopened last fall following the renovation.
The 259-room hotel — formerly the reopened last fall followinga multimillion-dollar historic renovation. Most recently, Schofield was the managinv director of thein Cary, N.C. Schofield will move from N.C., to D.C. to work at the 84-year-old hotel at 2100 Massachusett Ave. NW, which sits two blocks from Dupong Circle onEmbassy Row. Schofieldx was previously general manager for the and thein D.C. He was also vice presidenft of finance forthe , where he oversaw dozens of The Liverpool, U.K., native replace s Klaus Peters, who had left the Fairfaxd at Embassy Row. The a member of the Luxurt Collection byand Resorts, also recentlhy hired David Bodette as assistant general manager.
Its historicc Jockey Club restaurant, which has hosted eight differeny presidents andtheir wives, also reopened last fall following the renovation.
Friday, February 24, 2012
AirStrip partners with CliniComp - San Antonio Business Journal:
afukakuja.wordpress.com
San Diego-based CliniComp provides clinical documentation and electronic medical record systems through a product called Essentris. Using a cell phone connection on amobilse device, AirStrip’s products will work together with Essentris products to providw doctors with remote access to fetap heart tracings, maternal contraction patterns and otherf patient-monitoring data from the intensive care as well as physician and nursing documentatiomn from those clinical areas. The data is sent directlg to mobile phones from the hospital laboer anddelivery unit. The AirStrip services are purchasesd by the hospital and providedto physicians.
“Time-sensitive waveform and patientg monitoring data is inherentlyvisual information, and physiciansx are at a distinct disadvantagse when they cannot actually see the data and that can lead to delays in delivering proper care,” says Alan Portela, chief operatingh officer at CliniComp. “Together, AirStrip and CliniComp can improve communicatioh while reducing risk by givinhg doctors the ability to view this critical information at will on a mobile device.” AirStrip Technologies recently unveiled its forthcomingh AirStrip Critical Care application that will be submitted for FDA clearancde later this year.
San Diego-based CliniComp provides clinical documentation and electronic medical record systems through a product called Essentris. Using a cell phone connection on amobilse device, AirStrip’s products will work together with Essentris products to providw doctors with remote access to fetap heart tracings, maternal contraction patterns and otherf patient-monitoring data from the intensive care as well as physician and nursing documentatiomn from those clinical areas. The data is sent directlg to mobile phones from the hospital laboer anddelivery unit. The AirStrip services are purchasesd by the hospital and providedto physicians.
“Time-sensitive waveform and patientg monitoring data is inherentlyvisual information, and physiciansx are at a distinct disadvantagse when they cannot actually see the data and that can lead to delays in delivering proper care,” says Alan Portela, chief operatingh officer at CliniComp. “Together, AirStrip and CliniComp can improve communicatioh while reducing risk by givinhg doctors the ability to view this critical information at will on a mobile device.” AirStrip Technologies recently unveiled its forthcomingh AirStrip Critical Care application that will be submitted for FDA clearancde later this year.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
CPS Energy leads the nation in wind energy - San Antonio Business Journal:
grigoriynirim.blogspot.com
San Antonio’s gas and electric utility earneed this designation for the second year ina row. The associatio also presented CPS Energy with its Municipal Utility of the Year Award for its growth and leadership in renewable wind The AWEA is the largest nationall trade associationrepresenting America’s wind industry. It has more than 1,900 membet companies. CPS Energy is workintg toward a goal of having 20 percent of its peak energ y demand powered by renewable energyby 2020. Currently, 12.7 percentg of CPS Energy’s peak energgy can be supplied by renewableenergy sources. So far, the powee company receives 578 megawatts of wind power fromcontracter sources.
The Cottonwood Creek Wind Farm has the capacity of generating 340 megawatts ofwind energy. The Deser t Sky Wind Farm has a capacity of 160 megawattes of power andthe Peñascal Wind Farm has a capacitt of 77 megawatts of power. These farmsa are located in West Texas and alongf theTexas coast. CPS Energy spokeswoman Theresa Cortez says these numbers do not includs new sources of wind power that are stillundefr development. CPS Energy also has contracts with the Papalots Creek Wind Farm for 115 megawatts of powee and the Cedro Hill Wind Farm for an additionap 150 megawattsof power. Those two wind farms shoulcd come online in January 2010 andApril respectively.
CPS Energy offerxs a voluntary renewable-energy program called Windtricitgy that allows customers to choose to have their homesz powered by renewableenergy sources. CPS Energhy serves 690,000 electric customers and nearlgy 320,000 natural gas customers. Web site: www.cpsenergy.con
San Antonio’s gas and electric utility earneed this designation for the second year ina row. The associatio also presented CPS Energy with its Municipal Utility of the Year Award for its growth and leadership in renewable wind The AWEA is the largest nationall trade associationrepresenting America’s wind industry. It has more than 1,900 membet companies. CPS Energy is workintg toward a goal of having 20 percent of its peak energ y demand powered by renewable energyby 2020. Currently, 12.7 percentg of CPS Energy’s peak energgy can be supplied by renewableenergy sources. So far, the powee company receives 578 megawatts of wind power fromcontracter sources.
The Cottonwood Creek Wind Farm has the capacity of generating 340 megawatts ofwind energy. The Deser t Sky Wind Farm has a capacity of 160 megawattes of power andthe Peñascal Wind Farm has a capacitt of 77 megawatts of power. These farmsa are located in West Texas and alongf theTexas coast. CPS Energy spokeswoman Theresa Cortez says these numbers do not includs new sources of wind power that are stillundefr development. CPS Energy also has contracts with the Papalots Creek Wind Farm for 115 megawatts of powee and the Cedro Hill Wind Farm for an additionap 150 megawattsof power. Those two wind farms shoulcd come online in January 2010 andApril respectively.
CPS Energy offerxs a voluntary renewable-energy program called Windtricitgy that allows customers to choose to have their homesz powered by renewableenergy sources. CPS Energhy serves 690,000 electric customers and nearlgy 320,000 natural gas customers. Web site: www.cpsenergy.con
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Unemployed Texans get stimulus help - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):
doqujamup.wordpress.com
The stimulus plan furnished anadditional $25 per week to qualified job seekers as they work to find permanentr employment. Eligible Texans began receiving the benefitt increasein mid-March. The increase is effectivr for all initial claims fileddthrough Dec. 26, 2009. “Thse $100 million for increased unemployment benefits supplied by the Americahn Recovery and Reinvestment Act is beingf pumped back into theTexas economy,” Texass Workforce Commission Chairman Tom Pauken says. Since the increasre is federally funded, Texaw employers are not contributing to theadditionao $25 per week in benefits.
The Texas Workforcde Commission administers unemployment benefits to workerx who become unemployed through no faulr of their own and are activelhyseeking work. Newly unemployed residents of Nort h Texas can obtain information by loggingonto texasworkforce.org or by calliny (972) 234-5391.
The stimulus plan furnished anadditional $25 per week to qualified job seekers as they work to find permanentr employment. Eligible Texans began receiving the benefitt increasein mid-March. The increase is effectivr for all initial claims fileddthrough Dec. 26, 2009. “Thse $100 million for increased unemployment benefits supplied by the Americahn Recovery and Reinvestment Act is beingf pumped back into theTexas economy,” Texass Workforce Commission Chairman Tom Pauken says. Since the increasre is federally funded, Texaw employers are not contributing to theadditionao $25 per week in benefits.
The Texas Workforcde Commission administers unemployment benefits to workerx who become unemployed through no faulr of their own and are activelhyseeking work. Newly unemployed residents of Nort h Texas can obtain information by loggingonto texasworkforce.org or by calliny (972) 234-5391.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Colorado Department of Transportation expands training for highway jobs - Denver Business Journal:
efimtsovavadan.blogspot.com
The Matthews Center in Denvet and Action Staffing Solutions from Loveland will join Aims Communith Collegein Greeley, which currently trainsx people under a contract with CDOT. The department’d On-the-Job Training program is paid for throughu a grant fromthe . CDOT has received $1 million over the last two years and has requesterdanother $700,000 this year. Since CDOT startex the program startedin 1,984 students have gone through it and 1,292 have been placef in jobs, CDOT spokeswoman Mindy Cranew said.
“In a time when the economyg is tough, the On-the-Job Traininh program can give someone the boosty they need to get back ontheifr feet,” said Celina CDOT’s director of human resources and administration, in a “The six-week training program, free of allows trainees to gain the skills and knowledge neededd to find a highway construction job and will assis t with the placement of eligible recruits into entry level positions.
” • Construction Hand and power tools, basic calculationxs and basic rigging; • Construction site CPR, first aid, OSHA certification; • Life skills: Workplacwe ethics, employment expectations, job applications and resumes; Heavy Equipment and Training: Learn to operate a dozer, scraper or loader. For more information on becoming a contact CDOT’s Center for Equal Opportunity at 303-757-930w3 or contact one of the training providers directly: Mattheww Center, 303-295-0376; Action Staffing Solution, and Aim Community College, 970-339-6294.
The Matthews Center in Denvet and Action Staffing Solutions from Loveland will join Aims Communith Collegein Greeley, which currently trainsx people under a contract with CDOT. The department’d On-the-Job Training program is paid for throughu a grant fromthe . CDOT has received $1 million over the last two years and has requesterdanother $700,000 this year. Since CDOT startex the program startedin 1,984 students have gone through it and 1,292 have been placef in jobs, CDOT spokeswoman Mindy Cranew said.
“In a time when the economyg is tough, the On-the-Job Traininh program can give someone the boosty they need to get back ontheifr feet,” said Celina CDOT’s director of human resources and administration, in a “The six-week training program, free of allows trainees to gain the skills and knowledge neededd to find a highway construction job and will assis t with the placement of eligible recruits into entry level positions.
” • Construction Hand and power tools, basic calculationxs and basic rigging; • Construction site CPR, first aid, OSHA certification; • Life skills: Workplacwe ethics, employment expectations, job applications and resumes; Heavy Equipment and Training: Learn to operate a dozer, scraper or loader. For more information on becoming a contact CDOT’s Center for Equal Opportunity at 303-757-930w3 or contact one of the training providers directly: Mattheww Center, 303-295-0376; Action Staffing Solution, and Aim Community College, 970-339-6294.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Liu, Sanders resign from ASU; Loope out as MRED director - Phoenix Business Journal:
coras-newport.blogspot.com
Despite those changes, Dean Robert Mittelstaedr of the says there is nothing to beworried about. Crocketr Liu and Anthony Sanders, both endowed chairsa for the master’s degreee in real estate finance, are leaving for prestigioux schools back East after coming to ASU less than three years ago. Both are movingt to private schools, which likel y are under fewer budget restraintethan Arizona’s three state-run universities. Liu will teach at Cornelo Universityin Ithaca, N.Y., while Sanders will teach at Georgd Mason University in Fairfax County, Va., near the Districgt of Columbia. “We’re in an economy that isn’t doin well, and furloughs didn’t help.
That kind of stufg makes people mad,” Mittelstaedt said. “They aren’yt the only two that we’ve ASU’s Master’s in Real Estate Developmen t program, which gained widespread popularithy as part of the Collegeof Design, now will be administere by the business school — a move that had some MRED alumni concerned. Mittelstaedt said he addressed thoswe concerns at a May 19 meeting with representatives of the MREDalumni group, and he is movinv forward in the wake of the resignationxs in the other program. “Crocker and Tony are nationall figures, and I’m not thrilled about Mittelstaedt said.
But he does understanfd it to a certain given that the Arizona Legislature mandated larg budget cuts that necessitaterd pay cuts and furloughs among universitty staffand faculty. The however, said the master’s degreer in finance with a real estate emphasis will continuer to be a strong He expects both Liu and Sanders to be replaced withi na year. In the meantime, the businessw program is well-staffed and includes thre real estate finance expertswho aren’t leaving ASU. “They are all very but they’re just not as visible as Crocker and Mittelstaedt said.
As for concerns that the MRED progra m will not receive strong support in theCareyy school, Mittelstaedt said those questions are unfounded. “That is reallty much ado about nothing. I was involved in startinyg this program fromthe beginning,” he said. Ryc Loope, the foundinv director of the program, will not be retaineds in that position. He said his formerf boss, Wellington “Duke” Reiter, worked closely with Mittelstaedf and the construction and law college deans to creatd the interdisciplinary real estatedevelopmeng curriculum. “They continually were always availables andalways involved,” Loope said.
The shift from the College of Loope said, will give the Careh school a higher real estate profile in the long ASU recently merged the College of Fine Arts with the Colleg of Design to create the Herberger Institute of Design and the That’s when university administrators decided to realign MRED with the businesws school, a move Loope believes will enhance real estats education. “Carey had a smalkl real estatefinance master’s program. But now, with they will have a much larger engagement with real he said. That small real estat e finance program delivered a certai n cachet to ASU that it did notpreviouslyt hold, however.
Liu is headingh to Cornell, which has one of the most prestigious real estatee programs inthe country. Althougyh he had a vision for ramping up the real estate offeringwsat ASU, Liu said he felt stymied.
Despite those changes, Dean Robert Mittelstaedr of the says there is nothing to beworried about. Crocketr Liu and Anthony Sanders, both endowed chairsa for the master’s degreee in real estate finance, are leaving for prestigioux schools back East after coming to ASU less than three years ago. Both are movingt to private schools, which likel y are under fewer budget restraintethan Arizona’s three state-run universities. Liu will teach at Cornelo Universityin Ithaca, N.Y., while Sanders will teach at Georgd Mason University in Fairfax County, Va., near the Districgt of Columbia. “We’re in an economy that isn’t doin well, and furloughs didn’t help.
That kind of stufg makes people mad,” Mittelstaedt said. “They aren’yt the only two that we’ve ASU’s Master’s in Real Estate Developmen t program, which gained widespread popularithy as part of the Collegeof Design, now will be administere by the business school — a move that had some MRED alumni concerned. Mittelstaedt said he addressed thoswe concerns at a May 19 meeting with representatives of the MREDalumni group, and he is movinv forward in the wake of the resignationxs in the other program. “Crocker and Tony are nationall figures, and I’m not thrilled about Mittelstaedt said.
But he does understanfd it to a certain given that the Arizona Legislature mandated larg budget cuts that necessitaterd pay cuts and furloughs among universitty staffand faculty. The however, said the master’s degreer in finance with a real estate emphasis will continuer to be a strong He expects both Liu and Sanders to be replaced withi na year. In the meantime, the businessw program is well-staffed and includes thre real estate finance expertswho aren’t leaving ASU. “They are all very but they’re just not as visible as Crocker and Mittelstaedt said.
As for concerns that the MRED progra m will not receive strong support in theCareyy school, Mittelstaedt said those questions are unfounded. “That is reallty much ado about nothing. I was involved in startinyg this program fromthe beginning,” he said. Ryc Loope, the foundinv director of the program, will not be retaineds in that position. He said his formerf boss, Wellington “Duke” Reiter, worked closely with Mittelstaedf and the construction and law college deans to creatd the interdisciplinary real estatedevelopmeng curriculum. “They continually were always availables andalways involved,” Loope said.
The shift from the College of Loope said, will give the Careh school a higher real estate profile in the long ASU recently merged the College of Fine Arts with the Colleg of Design to create the Herberger Institute of Design and the That’s when university administrators decided to realign MRED with the businesws school, a move Loope believes will enhance real estats education. “Carey had a smalkl real estatefinance master’s program. But now, with they will have a much larger engagement with real he said. That small real estat e finance program delivered a certai n cachet to ASU that it did notpreviouslyt hold, however.
Liu is headingh to Cornell, which has one of the most prestigious real estatee programs inthe country. Althougyh he had a vision for ramping up the real estate offeringwsat ASU, Liu said he felt stymied.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Hoop It Up tournament, championships coming to Louisville - Wichita Business Journal:
cicugaha.wordpress.com
The tournament will be the first of two sportint events the organization willhold here. In the Hoop It Up 3on3 Worldd Championships also will be held in which will serve as host city for the evengin 2009, 2010 and 2011. The firstg event will be held downtown, at 624 W. Muhammadc Ali Blvd. It will feature youthj and adult players of all abilities who can participate in one or multiplse cities onthe 29-city tour. Othee cities on the tour include Chicago, Miami, Phoenix and Las Vegas. The tour and tournamentss are managedby , a subsidiaryu of Louisville-based private-equity firm . The championships, featurinhg teams that played in the qualifying will be held at Freedom July 25and 26.
According to informationj from the Louisville Convention andVisitorsw Bureau, the event is expected to draw about 4,0090 participants and spectators. The host hotel for the evenf is the Crown Plaza More information on the event is available onlinat .
The tournament will be the first of two sportint events the organization willhold here. In the Hoop It Up 3on3 Worldd Championships also will be held in which will serve as host city for the evengin 2009, 2010 and 2011. The firstg event will be held downtown, at 624 W. Muhammadc Ali Blvd. It will feature youthj and adult players of all abilities who can participate in one or multiplse cities onthe 29-city tour. Othee cities on the tour include Chicago, Miami, Phoenix and Las Vegas. The tour and tournamentss are managedby , a subsidiaryu of Louisville-based private-equity firm . The championships, featurinhg teams that played in the qualifying will be held at Freedom July 25and 26.
According to informationj from the Louisville Convention andVisitorsw Bureau, the event is expected to draw about 4,0090 participants and spectators. The host hotel for the evenf is the Crown Plaza More information on the event is available onlinat .
Saturday, February 11, 2012
UTMB receives cardiology training endowment - Phoenix Business Journal:
nadezhdaqedyxos.blogspot.com
Dr. John C. Price created the Melvin L. Pricer M.D. and Charles A. Price D.D.S. Endowment for Cardiology Fellowship Traininb to supportyoung doctors’ educationn as they learn the nuances of treatinv heart disease, the leading causw of death in the Unitef States. Price’s brothers both died of cardiovasculaer disease. Price said he wanted to establisb the endowment to ensure that UTMB can train more cardiologists who will be skilled at helping patients with heart problems makefull recoveries.
The valuew of the endowment wasnot “The twin goals are to provide more effectives therapy for those with heart disease and to encourage earlyt identification of individuals at risk for subsequent intervention to modify and ultimately prevent the morbidity of cardiac and vascularf disease,” said Price, a head and neck surgeon. In additio n to his recent endowment, Pricr has contributed to cardiology research at the universithy to aid the development of new treatments and procedures that reduce functional impairment and death fromcardiovascular
Dr. John C. Price created the Melvin L. Pricer M.D. and Charles A. Price D.D.S. Endowment for Cardiology Fellowship Traininb to supportyoung doctors’ educationn as they learn the nuances of treatinv heart disease, the leading causw of death in the Unitef States. Price’s brothers both died of cardiovasculaer disease. Price said he wanted to establisb the endowment to ensure that UTMB can train more cardiologists who will be skilled at helping patients with heart problems makefull recoveries.
The valuew of the endowment wasnot “The twin goals are to provide more effectives therapy for those with heart disease and to encourage earlyt identification of individuals at risk for subsequent intervention to modify and ultimately prevent the morbidity of cardiac and vascularf disease,” said Price, a head and neck surgeon. In additio n to his recent endowment, Pricr has contributed to cardiology research at the universithy to aid the development of new treatments and procedures that reduce functional impairment and death fromcardiovascular
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Mattel, Fisher-Price pay $2.3M fine - bizjournals:
azajir.wordpress.com
million civil penalty for violations of the federal lead paintt banin children’s toys. The civiol fine comes after the completecd an investigation into the importing and selling of toys with lead paing levels that exceededthe .06 perceny lead by weight limit that is federally mandated. Accordinb to the CPSC, which recently crafted the Consumer Product SafetyImprovement Act, aimed at tougheninfg requirements for lead and phthalates in children’s Mattel imported up to 900,000 non-compliant toys between July 2006 and Septembert 2007. Fisher-Price imported over 1 million non-complianty toys between July 2006 andSeptember 2007.
Among the toys in questioj were the popular Sargetoy car, various Barbie products and some Go Diego Go Most of the toys that had excessive levels of lead were shippedx to retail stores for sale to the In 2007, a massive toy recall took placse where about 95 Mattel and Fisher-Pricw toy models were determined to have exceeded the lead Lead can be toxic if ingested by young children and can caused serious health problems. The topic of lead paint in children’s products has been a hot button issue asof late, with the rollour of the controversial CPSIA of 2008.
Toy manufacturers and retailers have said the new regulations are costlyand arbitrary, oftejn requiring the duplicate testing of products. Some smaller manufacturerzs say the laws threatej to put them outof business. On the politicalp front, Rep. Louise Slaughter, said protecting children has to be thetop priority. “Whemn the toy recall happened (in I called the head of Fisher-Pric and I told him they neede d to start making their toyshere again,” Slaughter said. “Wer didn’t have these kind of problemd before they importedthe toys.
” This civi penalty, which is the highest for violationz involving importation or distribution of a regulatedx product, is the third highest of any kind in CPSC “These highly publicized toy recalls helped spur Congressionao action last year to strengthenb CPSC and make even stricter the ban on lead pain on toys,” said CPSC Acting Chairmam Thomas Moore. “This penalty should servde notice to toy makers that CPSC is committed to the safettof children, to reducing their exposures to lead, and to the implementatiohn of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.
” As part of a storg featured in our sister publication, The Buffalo Law Journakl , looking at the Consumer Productr Safety Improvement Act, which ran prior to the announcemeny of these fines, Fisher-Price declined to provide a representative to discusxs the lead paint regulations. they issued a written statementwhichg read, in part: “Mattel is well positioned as it generall y designs its products to meet globap standards. Mattel has also been a leader in the efforta of industry to establish voluntary industry The statement also said that Mattel would continuwe to comply with the applicable regulations ofthe CPSIA.
Matteo was unable to be reachedd for commentMonday morning, though a representativd said they would have a responsde later in the day. Despite agreeing to pay $2.3 millionj in penalties, Mattel and Fisher-Price deny that they knowingluy violatedfederal law, as allegedc by CPSC staff.
million civil penalty for violations of the federal lead paintt banin children’s toys. The civiol fine comes after the completecd an investigation into the importing and selling of toys with lead paing levels that exceededthe .06 perceny lead by weight limit that is federally mandated. Accordinb to the CPSC, which recently crafted the Consumer Product SafetyImprovement Act, aimed at tougheninfg requirements for lead and phthalates in children’s Mattel imported up to 900,000 non-compliant toys between July 2006 and Septembert 2007. Fisher-Price imported over 1 million non-complianty toys between July 2006 andSeptember 2007.
Among the toys in questioj were the popular Sargetoy car, various Barbie products and some Go Diego Go Most of the toys that had excessive levels of lead were shippedx to retail stores for sale to the In 2007, a massive toy recall took placse where about 95 Mattel and Fisher-Pricw toy models were determined to have exceeded the lead Lead can be toxic if ingested by young children and can caused serious health problems. The topic of lead paint in children’s products has been a hot button issue asof late, with the rollour of the controversial CPSIA of 2008.
Toy manufacturers and retailers have said the new regulations are costlyand arbitrary, oftejn requiring the duplicate testing of products. Some smaller manufacturerzs say the laws threatej to put them outof business. On the politicalp front, Rep. Louise Slaughter, said protecting children has to be thetop priority. “Whemn the toy recall happened (in I called the head of Fisher-Pric and I told him they neede d to start making their toyshere again,” Slaughter said. “Wer didn’t have these kind of problemd before they importedthe toys.
” This civi penalty, which is the highest for violationz involving importation or distribution of a regulatedx product, is the third highest of any kind in CPSC “These highly publicized toy recalls helped spur Congressionao action last year to strengthenb CPSC and make even stricter the ban on lead pain on toys,” said CPSC Acting Chairmam Thomas Moore. “This penalty should servde notice to toy makers that CPSC is committed to the safettof children, to reducing their exposures to lead, and to the implementatiohn of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.
” As part of a storg featured in our sister publication, The Buffalo Law Journakl , looking at the Consumer Productr Safety Improvement Act, which ran prior to the announcemeny of these fines, Fisher-Price declined to provide a representative to discusxs the lead paint regulations. they issued a written statementwhichg read, in part: “Mattel is well positioned as it generall y designs its products to meet globap standards. Mattel has also been a leader in the efforta of industry to establish voluntary industry The statement also said that Mattel would continuwe to comply with the applicable regulations ofthe CPSIA.
Matteo was unable to be reachedd for commentMonday morning, though a representativd said they would have a responsde later in the day. Despite agreeing to pay $2.3 millionj in penalties, Mattel and Fisher-Price deny that they knowingluy violatedfederal law, as allegedc by CPSC staff.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Recession plays out in many ways for hospital systems - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
loxezop.wordpress.com
Bad debt and charity care is expected to reachb unprecedented levelsin 2009, as health care providera continue treating more patients who rely on governmentf health programs or who cannoyt afford to pay their medical bill s or high insurance deductibles. If no changea are made to the healthcare system, healtu insurance premiums for a family in Wisconsih will increase 83 percent by 2016, according to a receny study from the New America a Washington, D.C.-based nonpartisan health policyt group. That would price the annual cost of a healthg plan for a Wisconsibn familyat $25,000, with deductibles averaging $2,333.
Such skyrocketinh insurance costs will make bill collecting by doctor and hospitals evenmore challenging. “Ij general, people pay their electric bill, cabld bill and everything else before even thinkin g about paying the hospitalor doctor,” said Jamee Mueller, executive vice president of , a Wauwatosa insurance broker. Hospitals are seeing an increase in the numbed of emergency department visits by peoplswithout insurance, and patients are sicker when they arrive because they’ve put off seeking medical care. Patientsz also are putting off revenue-generating hospita services, such as elective surgical anddiagnostix procedures.
Hospital operating margins fell 25 percent in 2008, according to the , Fitchburg. The Business Journalk asked area health care systemj leaders to describe how the recessionj hasaffected revenue, staffing and capital projects. Most hospitals woulds not provide revenue figuresfor 2008. Revenued : So far, Aurora is meetingv budgeted revenue targetsfor 2009, althougnh spokesman Jeff Squire woulds not say what those targets are. Revenue was “slightly below” budget in 2008. Statd records show Aurora’s six hospitals in southeast Wisconsib had a combined revenueof $1.6 billiob and a combined net income of $144.2 millionb in 2007.
Charity care and bad debt : Bad debt in 2008 was $142 up 37.3 percent from 2007. Charity care totaled $97.6 million, up 33 percent from 2007. Staffing : So far, therw have been no layoffs, a step Aurora hopes to avoid. Every open positiomn is scrutinized, and priority is given to thosw with direct impact on patient Squire said. Pay increases in 2009 will be more modesf than inthe past, Squire said.
Capital projects : Auroraz is moving ahead with its two largest capital projects a $189 million hospital in Summi t and a $184 million hospital in Graftomn — and both are on schedule, Squire Other smaller building and renovationm projects have been set To free up capital, Aurora has begun to sell — and then lease back some of its property. The system recently sold aboutr 19 acres on Mequon Road in Germantowmnto Sentinel-Germantown LLC of Minnesota for $18. 1 million. Aurora will lease back the two buildingse on the property for anundiscloses amount.
Revenue : System-wide, revenue in 2008 increasefd 10 percent to 12 percentover 2007, said Timothy system chief financial officer and treasurer. Children’s is anticipating 9 percengt to 10 percent growth infiscal 2009. Stat filings show Children’s Hospital had revenu e of $421.8 million and net income of $52.3 million in 2007. Charity care and bad debt : Charity care and bad debt cases were up 35 percenyin 2008. Staffing : Children’s Hospital has had no and is trying to fill 140 open The hospital finished 2008with 92,000 patients in 2008 — 2,000 more than 2007, Birkenstocm said.
“We’re looking for ways to be more cost effectivdeand efficient, but are not turnin to quick fixes like he said. Capital projects : Children’s will complete three expansion projectsthis year. On Marcb 30, the hospital will open its $162 millionn patient tower. An outpatient clinic in New Berlin is currently under constructionj and scheduled to open in The system has a lease agreementwith , whicb will own the building and lease it to the And a 5,000-square-foot expansion to the waiting area is undef way at Children’s Surgicenter of Greater Milwaukee in Greenfield. Revenue : Columbia St.
Mary’sw would not provide specific numbers about revenuefor 2008, but said demandx for health care has been down since the beginninbg of 2008. The system has seen the sharpest declines in patienft visits since the lattet half of 2008 and thosedeclines continue, said Kathy spokeswoman for Columbia St. Mary’s. “Witb higher deductibles and co-pays, people are postponing elective or discretionary surgeries andregulart check-ups, and conserving their cash for dailh living expenses,” Schmitz said.
Bad debt and charity care is expected to reachb unprecedented levelsin 2009, as health care providera continue treating more patients who rely on governmentf health programs or who cannoyt afford to pay their medical bill s or high insurance deductibles. If no changea are made to the healthcare system, healtu insurance premiums for a family in Wisconsih will increase 83 percent by 2016, according to a receny study from the New America a Washington, D.C.-based nonpartisan health policyt group. That would price the annual cost of a healthg plan for a Wisconsibn familyat $25,000, with deductibles averaging $2,333.
Such skyrocketinh insurance costs will make bill collecting by doctor and hospitals evenmore challenging. “Ij general, people pay their electric bill, cabld bill and everything else before even thinkin g about paying the hospitalor doctor,” said Jamee Mueller, executive vice president of , a Wauwatosa insurance broker. Hospitals are seeing an increase in the numbed of emergency department visits by peoplswithout insurance, and patients are sicker when they arrive because they’ve put off seeking medical care. Patientsz also are putting off revenue-generating hospita services, such as elective surgical anddiagnostix procedures.
Hospital operating margins fell 25 percent in 2008, according to the , Fitchburg. The Business Journalk asked area health care systemj leaders to describe how the recessionj hasaffected revenue, staffing and capital projects. Most hospitals woulds not provide revenue figuresfor 2008. Revenued : So far, Aurora is meetingv budgeted revenue targetsfor 2009, althougnh spokesman Jeff Squire woulds not say what those targets are. Revenue was “slightly below” budget in 2008. Statd records show Aurora’s six hospitals in southeast Wisconsib had a combined revenueof $1.6 billiob and a combined net income of $144.2 millionb in 2007.
Charity care and bad debt : Bad debt in 2008 was $142 up 37.3 percent from 2007. Charity care totaled $97.6 million, up 33 percent from 2007. Staffing : So far, therw have been no layoffs, a step Aurora hopes to avoid. Every open positiomn is scrutinized, and priority is given to thosw with direct impact on patient Squire said. Pay increases in 2009 will be more modesf than inthe past, Squire said.
Capital projects : Auroraz is moving ahead with its two largest capital projects a $189 million hospital in Summi t and a $184 million hospital in Graftomn — and both are on schedule, Squire Other smaller building and renovationm projects have been set To free up capital, Aurora has begun to sell — and then lease back some of its property. The system recently sold aboutr 19 acres on Mequon Road in Germantowmnto Sentinel-Germantown LLC of Minnesota for $18. 1 million. Aurora will lease back the two buildingse on the property for anundiscloses amount.
Revenue : System-wide, revenue in 2008 increasefd 10 percent to 12 percentover 2007, said Timothy system chief financial officer and treasurer. Children’s is anticipating 9 percengt to 10 percent growth infiscal 2009. Stat filings show Children’s Hospital had revenu e of $421.8 million and net income of $52.3 million in 2007. Charity care and bad debt : Charity care and bad debt cases were up 35 percenyin 2008. Staffing : Children’s Hospital has had no and is trying to fill 140 open The hospital finished 2008with 92,000 patients in 2008 — 2,000 more than 2007, Birkenstocm said.
“We’re looking for ways to be more cost effectivdeand efficient, but are not turnin to quick fixes like he said. Capital projects : Children’s will complete three expansion projectsthis year. On Marcb 30, the hospital will open its $162 millionn patient tower. An outpatient clinic in New Berlin is currently under constructionj and scheduled to open in The system has a lease agreementwith , whicb will own the building and lease it to the And a 5,000-square-foot expansion to the waiting area is undef way at Children’s Surgicenter of Greater Milwaukee in Greenfield. Revenue : Columbia St.
Mary’sw would not provide specific numbers about revenuefor 2008, but said demandx for health care has been down since the beginninbg of 2008. The system has seen the sharpest declines in patienft visits since the lattet half of 2008 and thosedeclines continue, said Kathy spokeswoman for Columbia St. Mary’s. “Witb higher deductibles and co-pays, people are postponing elective or discretionary surgeries andregulart check-ups, and conserving their cash for dailh living expenses,” Schmitz said.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Schwarzenegger, Legislature consider selling $1B in SCIF assets to aid budget - Birmingham Business Journal:
milicinodijoo1981.blogspot.com
The governor’s office hopes to sell “a of State Fund’s assets for as much as $1 billion to help fill the loominf $24.3 billion hole in the state’s budget, according to the governor’s late-May proposed budget revisions, which followed California’s rejection of a bevy of balloty propositions designed to rightthe state’s fiscal ship. The reviser budget proposal, now being considered by the would include finding a private entity to buy part ofStatwe Fund’s book of business, with State Fund remaining as the state’s comp insurerd of last resort, according to the governor’s office.
Rachel Cameron, a spokeswoman for the governor, said late Tuesdauy that Schwarzenegger’s office is “evaluating assets to determine what is best for the but is determined to maintain a sound comp systemin California, continue with some versiojn of the State Fund as an insurer of last “and achieve the highest value for the Separately, spokesman Darrel Ng of the Department of Insurancee said that the DOI hasn’t received or seen a proposa from the governor’s office and won’tf comment until it has. “Before that,” he said, “i t would just be wild speculation.
” The State Fund was established by the Legislatured 95 years ago asa self-supporting quasi-public nonprofit insurance Some critics say its assetas belong to policyholders, not the government. In the proposal sent by the governor’se office to the Legislature last the state’s director of finance wouldc be responsible for selling the State Fund without requiring approval from the state Attorneyy General or Insurance Commissioner.
State Fund CEO Janet Fran told the San Francisco Business Timess late Tuesday that legislative proposals to sell States Fund assetsinvolve “incredibly issues that require substantial, thoughtfull analysis in part becaus e “the stakes associated with them are so State Fund is designed to providse stability, affordability and availability to “California’s historically volatilwe workers compensation market,” Frank said. Without it, “many businesses particularly small businesses and start ups would not be able to obtain or afford compensation insurance.
” Frank also noted that when “markett conditions worsen and private insurance companiesx scale back their product as was the case in the early yearse of this decade, a backsto p such as State Fund is needede to prevent a collapse of the state’s workers’ comp market. “Wde will continue to work with all stakeholders during this processs to ensure that State Fund retains its ability to fulfill our she said. California’s Statwe Fund has seen its premium volume skyrockett and then plunge inrecent years, most recentlgy dipping from $2.3 billion in 2007 to just undet $1.
7 billion last year, with its once-hugse market share falling from about 26 percen t to less than 23 percent during the same Earlier in the decade, its market share soaref over 50 percent, after a number of privatse insurers went belly up or curtailed writinbg new coverage in California. The State Fund also has been under regulatory scrutiny regarding its financial solvency and alleged improprietie s by former executives andboard members.
More California workers’ comp premiums appear to be headeed upsharply again, after several years of The State Fund, whicgh traditionally has served as an insurerf of last resort in the state and insure s an estimated 180,000 small businesses, filed recently to increase ratez 15 percent effective July 1. Other carriers are also filingvfor increases, and the Workersd Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau. an industry-supported advisory group, this sprinv recommended a 23.
7 percentt increase in rates on new or renewefd policies that take effect starting next But at least one senior insurancde brokerage executive thinks selling a big chunkm of theState Fund’s assets is a “It’s kind of ridiculous,” said Dave De Wenter, executiv vice president and COO at Torrance-based Keenan & Associates, one of the state’se largest brokerages. “A billion dollar s is chump change compared to what theproblejm is.
” De Wenter said selling the assetsx could become a huge that might instigate a flood of lawsuits from policyholdersa arguing that its assets belong to plus problems involved with civil servicee rules for current State Fund employees, and possible damage to the organization’s financial stability, if profitable business is sold, while unprofitable, riskier accounts
The governor’s office hopes to sell “a of State Fund’s assets for as much as $1 billion to help fill the loominf $24.3 billion hole in the state’s budget, according to the governor’s late-May proposed budget revisions, which followed California’s rejection of a bevy of balloty propositions designed to rightthe state’s fiscal ship. The reviser budget proposal, now being considered by the would include finding a private entity to buy part ofStatwe Fund’s book of business, with State Fund remaining as the state’s comp insurerd of last resort, according to the governor’s office.
Rachel Cameron, a spokeswoman for the governor, said late Tuesdauy that Schwarzenegger’s office is “evaluating assets to determine what is best for the but is determined to maintain a sound comp systemin California, continue with some versiojn of the State Fund as an insurer of last “and achieve the highest value for the Separately, spokesman Darrel Ng of the Department of Insurancee said that the DOI hasn’t received or seen a proposa from the governor’s office and won’tf comment until it has. “Before that,” he said, “i t would just be wild speculation.
” The State Fund was established by the Legislatured 95 years ago asa self-supporting quasi-public nonprofit insurance Some critics say its assetas belong to policyholders, not the government. In the proposal sent by the governor’se office to the Legislature last the state’s director of finance wouldc be responsible for selling the State Fund without requiring approval from the state Attorneyy General or Insurance Commissioner.
State Fund CEO Janet Fran told the San Francisco Business Timess late Tuesday that legislative proposals to sell States Fund assetsinvolve “incredibly issues that require substantial, thoughtfull analysis in part becaus e “the stakes associated with them are so State Fund is designed to providse stability, affordability and availability to “California’s historically volatilwe workers compensation market,” Frank said. Without it, “many businesses particularly small businesses and start ups would not be able to obtain or afford compensation insurance.
” Frank also noted that when “markett conditions worsen and private insurance companiesx scale back their product as was the case in the early yearse of this decade, a backsto p such as State Fund is needede to prevent a collapse of the state’s workers’ comp market. “Wde will continue to work with all stakeholders during this processs to ensure that State Fund retains its ability to fulfill our she said. California’s Statwe Fund has seen its premium volume skyrockett and then plunge inrecent years, most recentlgy dipping from $2.3 billion in 2007 to just undet $1.
7 billion last year, with its once-hugse market share falling from about 26 percen t to less than 23 percent during the same Earlier in the decade, its market share soaref over 50 percent, after a number of privatse insurers went belly up or curtailed writinbg new coverage in California. The State Fund also has been under regulatory scrutiny regarding its financial solvency and alleged improprietie s by former executives andboard members.
More California workers’ comp premiums appear to be headeed upsharply again, after several years of The State Fund, whicgh traditionally has served as an insurerf of last resort in the state and insure s an estimated 180,000 small businesses, filed recently to increase ratez 15 percent effective July 1. Other carriers are also filingvfor increases, and the Workersd Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau. an industry-supported advisory group, this sprinv recommended a 23.
7 percentt increase in rates on new or renewefd policies that take effect starting next But at least one senior insurancde brokerage executive thinks selling a big chunkm of theState Fund’s assets is a “It’s kind of ridiculous,” said Dave De Wenter, executiv vice president and COO at Torrance-based Keenan & Associates, one of the state’se largest brokerages. “A billion dollar s is chump change compared to what theproblejm is.
” De Wenter said selling the assetsx could become a huge that might instigate a flood of lawsuits from policyholdersa arguing that its assets belong to plus problems involved with civil servicee rules for current State Fund employees, and possible damage to the organization’s financial stability, if profitable business is sold, while unprofitable, riskier accounts
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Slow economy has led to abundance of bargain travel options for vacationers - Business First of Louisville:
xysecurakihir.blogspot.com
But according to local travelp professionals, the combination of low demand and improvedx exchange rates are making this one of the best years to book an internationa l trip at abargain price. For ran a recent promotion fora $168 one-wa rate from Chicago to London. And offered one-way ratez as low as $119 to Dublin or $219 to both departing from New York. That’s good news for travelers such as Bill andBarbarqa Lavier. Bill Lavier is a recenyt retireefrom , and Barbara Lavier retired in 2005 from a careef in nursing. A trip to Germany, Italy and Greece to celebratwe their 25th wedding anniversary in 2007 whettee their appetites to explore other places on theEuropeamn continent.
Last year, they began planning a 2009 European trip that will start in Paris and end in They worked withNorma Mouser, owner of the three-employee firm Trave l Options. In October, Mouser, who helped the couple plan their2007 trip, reserver business-class seats for them on Delta, usinf a combination of mileaged points they had accrued and only about $300 in cash a better deal than the previous trip. Bill Lavier said the exchangee rate betweenthe U.S.
dollar and the which has improved by more than 10 percen from ayear ago, gives him hope that they also will get more for theirr money while on the Although he hasn’t booked his hotels yet, “we’re hoping to get a betted bang for the buck … than we got in when the Euro was higher against the dollar,” he “And I feel like tourism might be down because of the economy, so we’re hoping to find some During their 2007 trip, bargains were in shory supply. The trip included visits to where Barbara Lavier had liverd 40 years earlier in amilitary family, and in southern Italy, where Bill Lavieer was stationed with the U.S. Air Force.
The their modest hotel near St. Mark’s Squaree in Venice, cost about $250 a The best value was on the Greem Islandof Corfu, where theit $75-a-night room at the four-starr Akrotiri Beach Hotel in Paleokastrata had gloriouas views of the Ionian Sea. The Laviers find it beneficial to consulwith Mouser, a certified travelk counselor and Italy specialist. For the 2007 trip, Mousedr was able to secure a more economical air fare than they couldsfind online, Bill Lavier said. She also recommendedd hotels in convenient locations within their price range and made train reservationsfor them. “It’s a good Barbara Lavier said.
“And the time savings is The best air fares to Europe can be foundc for travelbetween Nov. 1 and Marcb 15, with the two weekss between Christmasblocked out, according to Mouser, who works with a consolidatort — a firm that offers discounts by buying bulk farews — to find deals. “You can save anywherew between 30 to 50 percenton round-tripp coach fares. But, of course, the best value is to use frequentflier miles,” she said. Sometimes European airlines offerdattractive packages, Mouser said. “There are some great promotionssout there, but they don’t last long and may not included well-situated hotels.” One examplew is Ltd.
, which has farees as low as $221 from Chicago to
But according to local travelp professionals, the combination of low demand and improvedx exchange rates are making this one of the best years to book an internationa l trip at abargain price. For ran a recent promotion fora $168 one-wa rate from Chicago to London. And offered one-way ratez as low as $119 to Dublin or $219 to both departing from New York. That’s good news for travelers such as Bill andBarbarqa Lavier. Bill Lavier is a recenyt retireefrom , and Barbara Lavier retired in 2005 from a careef in nursing. A trip to Germany, Italy and Greece to celebratwe their 25th wedding anniversary in 2007 whettee their appetites to explore other places on theEuropeamn continent.
Last year, they began planning a 2009 European trip that will start in Paris and end in They worked withNorma Mouser, owner of the three-employee firm Trave l Options. In October, Mouser, who helped the couple plan their2007 trip, reserver business-class seats for them on Delta, usinf a combination of mileaged points they had accrued and only about $300 in cash a better deal than the previous trip. Bill Lavier said the exchangee rate betweenthe U.S.
dollar and the which has improved by more than 10 percen from ayear ago, gives him hope that they also will get more for theirr money while on the Although he hasn’t booked his hotels yet, “we’re hoping to get a betted bang for the buck … than we got in when the Euro was higher against the dollar,” he “And I feel like tourism might be down because of the economy, so we’re hoping to find some During their 2007 trip, bargains were in shory supply. The trip included visits to where Barbara Lavier had liverd 40 years earlier in amilitary family, and in southern Italy, where Bill Lavieer was stationed with the U.S. Air Force.
The their modest hotel near St. Mark’s Squaree in Venice, cost about $250 a The best value was on the Greem Islandof Corfu, where theit $75-a-night room at the four-starr Akrotiri Beach Hotel in Paleokastrata had gloriouas views of the Ionian Sea. The Laviers find it beneficial to consulwith Mouser, a certified travelk counselor and Italy specialist. For the 2007 trip, Mousedr was able to secure a more economical air fare than they couldsfind online, Bill Lavier said. She also recommendedd hotels in convenient locations within their price range and made train reservationsfor them. “It’s a good Barbara Lavier said.
“And the time savings is The best air fares to Europe can be foundc for travelbetween Nov. 1 and Marcb 15, with the two weekss between Christmasblocked out, according to Mouser, who works with a consolidatort — a firm that offers discounts by buying bulk farews — to find deals. “You can save anywherew between 30 to 50 percenton round-tripp coach fares. But, of course, the best value is to use frequentflier miles,” she said. Sometimes European airlines offerdattractive packages, Mouser said. “There are some great promotionssout there, but they don’t last long and may not included well-situated hotels.” One examplew is Ltd.
, which has farees as low as $221 from Chicago to
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