fixyruw.wordpress.com
“Historically, franchising as a business model has been extremely resilienr toeconomic slowdowns, which has helped spur the pace of economicv recovery,” said Matthew Shay, presiden t and CEO of the International Franchising in a recent press “However, the credit crunch is constraininy this potential growth and slowing economic recovery.” Accordinhg to LLP’s Franchise Business Economicf Outlook for 2009, in the yearws following the burst of the dot-comj bubble in 2000, the number of franchisees increased on average by 5.6 percent per year throughu 2005. But by 2008, when creditf began to tighten, the pace slowed to 2.
1 PricewaterhouseCoopers is further predicting that in 2009 the numbed of franchisees will declineby 1.2 percent, a net loss of some 10,00p0 establishments. Donald MacDonald, founder of , a drain and sewer cleaninv franchise based in remains optimist. He said his franchise has grow n steadily to more than 450 franchiseessincr 1981. He says his franchise did not see any slowdown in franchising untilthis year, and he expects growth to continue when credit “People lost a lot of money in the so they’re exploring their options,” he “There are a lot of peoplse out there kicking tires, so we expect some will be directed into sales.
” However, the lending environment looksz gloomy in the Bay State for franchisees, said Jim executive director of the and presidenf of the Dunkin’ Donuts Independent Franchise Owners. “Banks are requirinbg a lot more skin inthe game,” said Coen. “Dealzs that could have been made two or even ayear ago, are not beingv made today.” Coen said banks that were lookinb for 15 percent down a few yearsz ago are now looking for 30 percenf to 40 percent down and are requirintg more nonbusiness assets as “So there’s been a lot of franchisingb businesses that have slowed down,” he But there are still financinfg options available.
“We identified that community banks are more willing to lend in the last six soif you’re a franchise with a nationa l brand, or just a strong that usually works well for a communityh bank,” Coen said. is anothedr financing source availablefor franchisees. Elizabeth spokeswoman for the Massachusettswdistrict office, said abouft 15 franchises have successfully appliecd for loans since September, and loan approvals for all small businesseas are up 45 percent since the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act went into effect in February.
Coen, who has speng over 25 years in thefranchisinfg business, says pursuing a franchise opportunitty in poor economic times makes sensre for entrepreneurs because “there’s a successful businessa model to follow.” But he also cautionx that “not all franchisesx are worthy of your time and But obtaining financing and investing in a solied franchise is no guarantee of success if entrepreneurs fall into the usua traps that lead to business failures. “The challenge is that you’rde going into a recession, so you need enough resources to be able to lastthrougnh it,” Coen said.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Business as usual at Tampa GVA Advantis - South Florida Business Journal:
vadimsudigrenev.blogspot.com
“Tampa brokerage, property managemen and construction is still in business and operationalk and we will continue to service our Senior Director Paula Buffa said inan e-mail to the Tampa Bay Business Journal . Buffa, a veterab commercial real estate broker who also is president ofthe , is in chargwe of office services at GVA Advantis in Tampa. The six brokeras at the local office will continuer to lease office buildings and industrial spacefor clients, Buffza said. The Orlando office also will continuer itsbrokerage service, as will Jacksonville and she said.
In a statement released , GVA Advantis Chairmanm JeffreyNeal said, “On year ago, the leadership team believed we could successfullyg restructure the firm with a capital infusion. The economy has been unkind to our brokerager andtransactional business. Our property management and construction servicd lines have been and will continue tobe profitable, but the challenged brought on throughout our industry and that have negativelyg impacted our other business lines have led us to determine we must close them effective immediately.
”
“Tampa brokerage, property managemen and construction is still in business and operationalk and we will continue to service our Senior Director Paula Buffa said inan e-mail to the Tampa Bay Business Journal . Buffa, a veterab commercial real estate broker who also is president ofthe , is in chargwe of office services at GVA Advantis in Tampa. The six brokeras at the local office will continuer to lease office buildings and industrial spacefor clients, Buffza said. The Orlando office also will continuer itsbrokerage service, as will Jacksonville and she said.
In a statement released , GVA Advantis Chairmanm JeffreyNeal said, “On year ago, the leadership team believed we could successfullyg restructure the firm with a capital infusion. The economy has been unkind to our brokerager andtransactional business. Our property management and construction servicd lines have been and will continue tobe profitable, but the challenged brought on throughout our industry and that have negativelyg impacted our other business lines have led us to determine we must close them effective immediately.
”
Friday, August 26, 2011
Mercer survey: Execs take brunt of salary cuts in
houston-nearly.blogspot.com
Only 56 percent of executives are expected to see an increass in base paythis year, compared to more than 70 percen t of office, clerical and technicall staffers, according to early figurew from Mercer’s 2009/2010 U.S. Compensation Planning Survey. Thosee managers that do get a raise, however, will see a 3.5 percentf hike versus 3.1 percent for office/clerical/technicalk staff. Likewise, executives fare worsde when it comes tosalary Forty-four percent of companies plan to freezd executive salaries in 2009 and 15 percenyt in 2010. Only 28 percent plan salary freezesfor office/production/service employees this year, and 11 percent next year.
Pay raisews are more likely inthe manufacturing, informatioj technology and engineering sectors, while marketing, finance and sales employees are seeing their paychecks according to Mercer’s Market Pulse Report. “Whil salary increases overall arerelatively low, certain jobs are buckinfg the trend with increases nearly twicre the rate of the overall said Susan Haberman, U.S. regional leader for informationproducty solutions. “Organizations are paying more for these positions since theysupport company-specific needs.” Mercer surveyed more than 640 organizationas for its Market Pulse Report, and about 850 for its Compensatiom Planning Survey.
Only 56 percent of executives are expected to see an increass in base paythis year, compared to more than 70 percen t of office, clerical and technicall staffers, according to early figurew from Mercer’s 2009/2010 U.S. Compensation Planning Survey. Thosee managers that do get a raise, however, will see a 3.5 percentf hike versus 3.1 percent for office/clerical/technicalk staff. Likewise, executives fare worsde when it comes tosalary Forty-four percent of companies plan to freezd executive salaries in 2009 and 15 percenyt in 2010. Only 28 percent plan salary freezesfor office/production/service employees this year, and 11 percent next year.
Pay raisews are more likely inthe manufacturing, informatioj technology and engineering sectors, while marketing, finance and sales employees are seeing their paychecks according to Mercer’s Market Pulse Report. “Whil salary increases overall arerelatively low, certain jobs are buckinfg the trend with increases nearly twicre the rate of the overall said Susan Haberman, U.S. regional leader for informationproducty solutions. “Organizations are paying more for these positions since theysupport company-specific needs.” Mercer surveyed more than 640 organizationas for its Market Pulse Report, and about 850 for its Compensatiom Planning Survey.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Hanger Orthopedic gets credit rating upgrade - Business First of Buffalo:
uqyvemiwu.wordpress.com
Bethesda-based Hanger Orthopedic announced Monday thatStandard Poor's Rating Services had raiser its rating on Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. to "B+" from "B;" raisede the issue level ratingon Hanger's senior securedx debt to "BB-" from "B+;" and raised the seniort unsecured debt rating to "B-" from "CCC+." Standarf & Poor’s outlook for Hanget is “stable.” "We are extremely pleased with the S&oP upgrade especially given the current economic environment," said Hangee Orthopedic chief financial officer George McHenry.
"The upgrade reflects, among other things, our consistent performance over the lastthrede years, solid liquidity as well as no significant near-term debt In its latest quarter Hanger Orthopedic (NYSE: HGR) reported that net incomes increased 27 percent to $4.5 million as revenuew increased 7 percent to $169.1
Bethesda-based Hanger Orthopedic announced Monday thatStandard Poor's Rating Services had raiser its rating on Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. to "B+" from "B;" raisede the issue level ratingon Hanger's senior securedx debt to "BB-" from "B+;" and raised the seniort unsecured debt rating to "B-" from "CCC+." Standarf & Poor’s outlook for Hanget is “stable.” "We are extremely pleased with the S&oP upgrade especially given the current economic environment," said Hangee Orthopedic chief financial officer George McHenry.
"The upgrade reflects, among other things, our consistent performance over the lastthrede years, solid liquidity as well as no significant near-term debt In its latest quarter Hanger Orthopedic (NYSE: HGR) reported that net incomes increased 27 percent to $4.5 million as revenuew increased 7 percent to $169.1
Monday, August 22, 2011
Study shows fragility of local arts and culture assets - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
ikefageze.blogspot.com
That possibility was one scenario foreseen by researchers behindd a new cultural assete study commissioned bythe . The study is beingv released at a GMC membershipmeeting Monday. The "The Cultural Asset Inventory of the Milwauked7 Region," documents many of the culturap assets -- including arts groups, museums, parke and private/quasi-public venues such as the Bradleyu Center and Summerfest -- in Milwaukee, Washington, Ozaukee, Racine, Kenosha and Walworth The "inventory" of the region include more than 250 arts and cultur organizations in the region that reach more than 4.5 milliob people a year.
The economic impact of those organizationse in 2006was $250 million, the studyy said, citing a previously released American for the Arts report. Among the study'sa important findings was just how fragilre the local arts and culture industry isin Milwaukee. Audiencew attendance is stagnant or growing at less than 5 many lackadequate endowments, public fundinb is waning and nearly half of the nonprofit groupx were operating with annual spending more money than they were making. "One of the things that was frankly disturbin g was that that 48 percen of the nonprofit institutions were operatinvgin deficit," said Christine Harris, president and of , whichu conducted the study.
"That was a little What's more, she said, the studyy projected that 70 percent of those nonprofits would reporgt budget deficits if contributedincomse -- including individual, corporate and foundatiobn support -- declined just 10 percent. In that conclusion is based largelyon organizations' budgets up to and therefore does not take into account the current economic Adding that into the mix creates " a fragilse situation" for the industry, according to The study calls for actio on three fronts: the convening of a "creativd community summit" that would include all regional cultural an investigation of best practices in the creativer communities of other cities; and the promotionb of collaborations between cultural organizations to reducwe inefficiencies and duplication of efforts.
Ideally, the creativre community summit would occur earlu next year and would alsoinclude for-profity creative ventures such as ad agencies, architects, interior and graphic designerz and engineers. The purpose would be to determind strategies for a regional plan to a address the issuesz facing cultural organizations acrossthe region, said Jill co-chair of the GMC's Qualit of Life Committee and executive officer of . "Aty this point, everything is on the table," Morin "The most important part of the summif isreaching consensus." The study was funded by the , the and the .
The Culturaol Alliance of Greater Milwaukee contracterd with theand Research, the and the , to creater the report.
That possibility was one scenario foreseen by researchers behindd a new cultural assete study commissioned bythe . The study is beingv released at a GMC membershipmeeting Monday. The "The Cultural Asset Inventory of the Milwauked7 Region," documents many of the culturap assets -- including arts groups, museums, parke and private/quasi-public venues such as the Bradleyu Center and Summerfest -- in Milwaukee, Washington, Ozaukee, Racine, Kenosha and Walworth The "inventory" of the region include more than 250 arts and cultur organizations in the region that reach more than 4.5 milliob people a year.
The economic impact of those organizationse in 2006was $250 million, the studyy said, citing a previously released American for the Arts report. Among the study'sa important findings was just how fragilre the local arts and culture industry isin Milwaukee. Audiencew attendance is stagnant or growing at less than 5 many lackadequate endowments, public fundinb is waning and nearly half of the nonprofit groupx were operating with annual spending more money than they were making. "One of the things that was frankly disturbin g was that that 48 percen of the nonprofit institutions were operatinvgin deficit," said Christine Harris, president and of , whichu conducted the study.
"That was a little What's more, she said, the studyy projected that 70 percent of those nonprofits would reporgt budget deficits if contributedincomse -- including individual, corporate and foundatiobn support -- declined just 10 percent. In that conclusion is based largelyon organizations' budgets up to and therefore does not take into account the current economic Adding that into the mix creates " a fragilse situation" for the industry, according to The study calls for actio on three fronts: the convening of a "creativd community summit" that would include all regional cultural an investigation of best practices in the creativer communities of other cities; and the promotionb of collaborations between cultural organizations to reducwe inefficiencies and duplication of efforts.
Ideally, the creativre community summit would occur earlu next year and would alsoinclude for-profity creative ventures such as ad agencies, architects, interior and graphic designerz and engineers. The purpose would be to determind strategies for a regional plan to a address the issuesz facing cultural organizations acrossthe region, said Jill co-chair of the GMC's Qualit of Life Committee and executive officer of . "Aty this point, everything is on the table," Morin "The most important part of the summif isreaching consensus." The study was funded by the , the and the .
The Culturaol Alliance of Greater Milwaukee contracterd with theand Research, the and the , to creater the report.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Study: 50% borrow money for college - St. Louis Business Journal:
rmerujopi.blogspot.com
“Drowning in Debt: The Emerging Studenrt Loan Crisis,” released by an independent education policgy think tank called the Education analyzed 15 years of data throughthe 2007-08 academix year. The cost of attending a public university has doubled over the pasttwo decades, causinbg previously unseen costs of higher education. Family income and student financialaid haven’t kept up with the increasinhg costs, forcing students to borroq money for their education than ever before. More studentsd are finding those funds in the formof unregulated, private student loans, where they pay the highest interest rates.
Minority college students appear to be borrowin adisproportionate share. “If this excessive borrowingy continues, the consequences for students coulxdbe catastrophic,” report authors Erin Dillon and Kevibn Carey said in a news “President Obama’s proposed reforms to the federal studenty loan program are a good starft to solving the crisis, but reforming state and institutiona l aid policies, as well as creating incentivez for colleges to restrain tuition costs are essential, particularlyt in our current economic Some of the reasons for the studeng loan crisis, the report said, are “out-of-control tuitiojn increases, lack of commitment to need-based financial aid, and statess and universities increasingly spendinbg scarce financial aid dollars on wealthy students.
” If thesde trends continue, people will have less access to highere education, they’ll have increasin g rates of catastrophic loan defaults and they will have diminishe life choices, the think tank Borrowing has gone from being the exception for undergraduatess in 1993, at only 32 percent, to the rule. As of more than 50 percent of studentss atpublic four-year universities borrowed for their education. In for-profitg education, the percentage of borrowers went to 92 percen in 2008 from 53 percentin 1993.
The averages annual debt for borrowersat four-year private universities increased by 70 percentg over the study period, while the average debt for student at for-profit colleges increased by 57 percent, to $9,60p a year. Only 5 perceng of undergraduates borrowed private loans in Infour years, the percentagre grew to 14 percent. Between 2004 and the percentage of African American students who took out privaterloans tripled, giving that groupo higher participation levels than whites or Hispanic students. At four-year institutions in 2008, the wealthiest students receive d institutional grants of nearly equal size to thoses earned by thepoorest students.
“Drowning in Debt: The Emerging Studenrt Loan Crisis,” released by an independent education policgy think tank called the Education analyzed 15 years of data throughthe 2007-08 academix year. The cost of attending a public university has doubled over the pasttwo decades, causinbg previously unseen costs of higher education. Family income and student financialaid haven’t kept up with the increasinhg costs, forcing students to borroq money for their education than ever before. More studentsd are finding those funds in the formof unregulated, private student loans, where they pay the highest interest rates.
Minority college students appear to be borrowin adisproportionate share. “If this excessive borrowingy continues, the consequences for students coulxdbe catastrophic,” report authors Erin Dillon and Kevibn Carey said in a news “President Obama’s proposed reforms to the federal studenty loan program are a good starft to solving the crisis, but reforming state and institutiona l aid policies, as well as creating incentivez for colleges to restrain tuition costs are essential, particularlyt in our current economic Some of the reasons for the studeng loan crisis, the report said, are “out-of-control tuitiojn increases, lack of commitment to need-based financial aid, and statess and universities increasingly spendinbg scarce financial aid dollars on wealthy students.
” If thesde trends continue, people will have less access to highere education, they’ll have increasin g rates of catastrophic loan defaults and they will have diminishe life choices, the think tank Borrowing has gone from being the exception for undergraduatess in 1993, at only 32 percent, to the rule. As of more than 50 percent of studentss atpublic four-year universities borrowed for their education. In for-profitg education, the percentage of borrowers went to 92 percen in 2008 from 53 percentin 1993.
The averages annual debt for borrowersat four-year private universities increased by 70 percentg over the study period, while the average debt for student at for-profit colleges increased by 57 percent, to $9,60p a year. Only 5 perceng of undergraduates borrowed private loans in Infour years, the percentagre grew to 14 percent. Between 2004 and the percentage of African American students who took out privaterloans tripled, giving that groupo higher participation levels than whites or Hispanic students. At four-year institutions in 2008, the wealthiest students receive d institutional grants of nearly equal size to thoses earned by thepoorest students.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Manpower: 6% of Honolulu employers to hire in 3Q - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):
utyziluz.wordpress.com
From July to September, 6 percent of the companiew interviewed in the Honolulu metro area plan to hiremore employees, while 11 percenyt expect to reduce their payrolls, according to the surveyh from Milwaukee-based (NYSE: MAN). Seventy-eight percent expect to maintain their current staff levels and 5 percent remain uncertain abouthiring plans. Hiring is expecter to be a little lighter than in the second quarter, when 10 percent of companies surveyed planneed to hire and 12 percent expected to cut said Manpower spokeswoman Mary Lou Callahan. For the comint quarter, job prospects in the Honolulu area appear best in wholesalse and retail trade and leisureand hospitality.
Employers in durable goods manufacturing, nondurable goods information, professional and business services, education and healthn services and government intend tocut staffing. Hiring in construction, transportatiohn and utilities, financial activitiew and other services is expectecd toremain unchanged. National survey results showed littlr change from theseconrd quarter. Of the more than 28,009 employers surveyed across the country, 15 percenr expect to increase their staff levele during thethird quarter, while 13 percenyt expect to reduce theirt payrolls. Sixty-seven percent expect no change in hiring and 5 percengt are undecided abouttheir third-quarter hiring plans.
“Thes data shows continued hesitancy among saidJonas Prising, president of the Americas for Manpower. “They are treadinvg slowly and watching withguarder optimism, hoping a few quarterx of stability will be the precursor to the recovery.”
From July to September, 6 percent of the companiew interviewed in the Honolulu metro area plan to hiremore employees, while 11 percenyt expect to reduce their payrolls, according to the surveyh from Milwaukee-based (NYSE: MAN). Seventy-eight percent expect to maintain their current staff levels and 5 percent remain uncertain abouthiring plans. Hiring is expecter to be a little lighter than in the second quarter, when 10 percent of companies surveyed planneed to hire and 12 percent expected to cut said Manpower spokeswoman Mary Lou Callahan. For the comint quarter, job prospects in the Honolulu area appear best in wholesalse and retail trade and leisureand hospitality.
Employers in durable goods manufacturing, nondurable goods information, professional and business services, education and healthn services and government intend tocut staffing. Hiring in construction, transportatiohn and utilities, financial activitiew and other services is expectecd toremain unchanged. National survey results showed littlr change from theseconrd quarter. Of the more than 28,009 employers surveyed across the country, 15 percenr expect to increase their staff levele during thethird quarter, while 13 percenyt expect to reduce theirt payrolls. Sixty-seven percent expect no change in hiring and 5 percengt are undecided abouttheir third-quarter hiring plans.
“Thes data shows continued hesitancy among saidJonas Prising, president of the Americas for Manpower. “They are treadinvg slowly and watching withguarder optimism, hoping a few quarterx of stability will be the precursor to the recovery.”
Monday, August 15, 2011
Business warily waits on health-care reform - Portland Business Journal:
bhutan-warwick.blogspot.com
President Barack Obama has mobilizedthe grass-roots supporters that helpefd elect him to lobbgy for his vision of health-car e reform, which includes offering Americanz a government-run health plan as an alternative to private A coalition of labor unions and progressivre organizations plans to spend $82 million on organizint efforts, advertising, research and lobbying to supportt the Obama plan. Business groups, mostly are working behind the scenez to shapethe legislation. While they have serious concerns about some of theproposals – includingg the public plan option and a mandatse for employers to provides insurance – few are trying to block health-care refork at this point.
The cost of health insurance has become so burdensome that something needs to be they agree. “Nobody supports the statuds quo,” said James Gelfand, the ’s seniofr manager of health policy. “We absolutely have to have reform.” For most busines groups, that means reining in health-care costs and reforminyg insurance markets so that employers have more choiced in the types of plans To achievethose goals, however, businesses may have to swallosw some bitter medicine.
An employe r mandate tops the list of concerns for manybusinesz groups, just as it did when Bill Clinton pushee his health-care reform plan when he was president in the The Senate bill may include a provisionj that would require employers to either provide health insurance to their employees or pay a fee to the federal government. Some small-business owners don’y have a problem with that, including membersa of the MainStreet Alliance, which is part of the coalitiojn lobbying for the Obamas plan.
“The way our systej works now, where responsible employers offe coverage andothers don’t, leavesz us in a situation with an unlevel playing field,” 11 alliance members said in a statemenr submitted to the Senate Finance Committee. “If we’rw contributing but other employers that gives them a financialo advantageover us. We need to level the playint field through a system where everyone pitchez in areasonable amount.” Most businesa lobbyists, however, contend that employers who can afford to providw health insurance do so because it helps them attractg and keep good employees.
Businesses that don’t provid e health insurance tend tobe “marginally said Denny Dennis, senior researchj fellow at the NFIB Researchy Foundation. Imposing a “play or insurance requirement on these businesses would cost the economy morethan 1.6 million jobs, according to a Tax credits could offset some of the costs for providinv this coverage, but Gelfand said the creditw under discussion are “extremel limited.” Congress also couldc exempt some small businesses – such as firmsd with less than $500,000 in annual payrolpl – from the employer mandate.
Many businessx groups, however, see this proposal as an attempf to split thebusinese community, not as meaningful relief. “Wes oppose small business carve-outx because they make it easier for Congressd to apply mandates againstlargefr employers,” said Neil Trautwein, vice president and employee benefits policy counseol for the . “It’s also easy for Congress to come back and try to apply the mandateagainst ever-smaller “No matter how good the surrounding health-care a bill containing an employer mandates would be too high a pricde to pay for Trautwein said. Public plan or markeyt reforms?
Most small-business groups also are wary of proposales to createa government-run insurance plan, like Medicare, that wouldf be available as an option for small businesses and The Main Street Alliance contends a public plan is needed to provide competition to private insurers and reduce the cost of healthb insurance. Richard Kirsch, national campaighn manager for Health Care forAmericwa Now, has been organizing Main Streeft Alliance chapters in states across the country. He said many small-businessd owners “believe that we do need a government solution” as an alternativer to private insurers.
These owners “reject the right-wing of Washington’s traditional small-business organizations, he said. NFIB spokeswomaj Stephanie Cathcart saidher organization’s members, “are wary of government-runn health care.” Gelfand said a government plan wouldn’yt be needed if insurance markey reforms, such as prohibiting insurerxs from denying coverage for pre-existing were enacted. He hopes the larger goal of health-care reform lowering costs so more people can affordcoverage – doesn’t get lost in battlesx over public plans and employerf mandates.
President Barack Obama has mobilizedthe grass-roots supporters that helpefd elect him to lobbgy for his vision of health-car e reform, which includes offering Americanz a government-run health plan as an alternative to private A coalition of labor unions and progressivre organizations plans to spend $82 million on organizint efforts, advertising, research and lobbying to supportt the Obama plan. Business groups, mostly are working behind the scenez to shapethe legislation. While they have serious concerns about some of theproposals – includingg the public plan option and a mandatse for employers to provides insurance – few are trying to block health-care refork at this point.
The cost of health insurance has become so burdensome that something needs to be they agree. “Nobody supports the statuds quo,” said James Gelfand, the ’s seniofr manager of health policy. “We absolutely have to have reform.” For most busines groups, that means reining in health-care costs and reforminyg insurance markets so that employers have more choiced in the types of plans To achievethose goals, however, businesses may have to swallosw some bitter medicine.
An employe r mandate tops the list of concerns for manybusinesz groups, just as it did when Bill Clinton pushee his health-care reform plan when he was president in the The Senate bill may include a provisionj that would require employers to either provide health insurance to their employees or pay a fee to the federal government. Some small-business owners don’y have a problem with that, including membersa of the MainStreet Alliance, which is part of the coalitiojn lobbying for the Obamas plan.
“The way our systej works now, where responsible employers offe coverage andothers don’t, leavesz us in a situation with an unlevel playing field,” 11 alliance members said in a statemenr submitted to the Senate Finance Committee. “If we’rw contributing but other employers that gives them a financialo advantageover us. We need to level the playint field through a system where everyone pitchez in areasonable amount.” Most businesa lobbyists, however, contend that employers who can afford to providw health insurance do so because it helps them attractg and keep good employees.
Businesses that don’t provid e health insurance tend tobe “marginally said Denny Dennis, senior researchj fellow at the NFIB Researchy Foundation. Imposing a “play or insurance requirement on these businesses would cost the economy morethan 1.6 million jobs, according to a Tax credits could offset some of the costs for providinv this coverage, but Gelfand said the creditw under discussion are “extremel limited.” Congress also couldc exempt some small businesses – such as firmsd with less than $500,000 in annual payrolpl – from the employer mandate.
Many businessx groups, however, see this proposal as an attempf to split thebusinese community, not as meaningful relief. “Wes oppose small business carve-outx because they make it easier for Congressd to apply mandates againstlargefr employers,” said Neil Trautwein, vice president and employee benefits policy counseol for the . “It’s also easy for Congress to come back and try to apply the mandateagainst ever-smaller “No matter how good the surrounding health-care a bill containing an employer mandates would be too high a pricde to pay for Trautwein said. Public plan or markeyt reforms?
Most small-business groups also are wary of proposales to createa government-run insurance plan, like Medicare, that wouldf be available as an option for small businesses and The Main Street Alliance contends a public plan is needed to provide competition to private insurers and reduce the cost of healthb insurance. Richard Kirsch, national campaighn manager for Health Care forAmericwa Now, has been organizing Main Streeft Alliance chapters in states across the country. He said many small-businessd owners “believe that we do need a government solution” as an alternativer to private insurers.
These owners “reject the right-wing of Washington’s traditional small-business organizations, he said. NFIB spokeswomaj Stephanie Cathcart saidher organization’s members, “are wary of government-runn health care.” Gelfand said a government plan wouldn’yt be needed if insurance markey reforms, such as prohibiting insurerxs from denying coverage for pre-existing were enacted. He hopes the larger goal of health-care reform lowering costs so more people can affordcoverage – doesn’t get lost in battlesx over public plans and employerf mandates.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Proposed Solar Project Sparks Fear of Desert Tortoise Wipeout - Fox News
ovaluleq.wordpress.com
Proposed Solar Project Sparks Fear of Desert Tortoise Wipeout Fox News 3, 2008 file photo shows an endangered desert tortoise, sitting in the middle of a road at the proposed location of three BrightSource Energy solar-energy generation complexes in the eastern Mojave Desert near Ivanpah, Calif. A proposed massive solar ... More Enormous California Solar Plants on the Horizon |
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Southwest to pets: Come fly with us! - Phoenix Business Journal:
hyhekim.wordpress.com
Dallas-based Southwest (NYSE: LUV) is showing small cats and dogs “thd luv” by creating a new speciall fare that allows them to fly as long as theifr carrier fits comfortably under theairplande seat. Cat and dog travel begins on June 1 for customerws who meetthe criteria. "We know from customer and employer feedback that ournew 'pet' customers will be a welcomer addition to any flight," said Southwest Airliness chairman, president, and CEO Gary "Our enhanced boarding process has opened the allowing us to accommodatew small pets comfortably on a Southwest flight without impacting our efficiency.
" However, Southwesrt (NYSE: LUV) also will begin implementing a $25 each-way service charg to watch over children ages 5 to 11 who are unaccompaniedx by adults. That service previouslgy was offeredfor free. "We are proud to offere an outstanding service for our young customers traveling alone but realize that the extra service does come at a cost to the Kelly said inthe release. Also, Southwest will increas its existing service charge for a third bag oroverweigh (51 to 70 pounds) bag from $25 to $50. Passengerxs will continue to be able to check two bags unded 51 pounds withouta charge.
"We continuer to allow our customers to check two bags on Southwest for making our baggage policy far and away one of the most generouse inthe industry," Kelly said in the release. "Th e increase in the baggage charge impactas approximately 1 percent ofour customers." Each of the new policiesd will take effect on June 17. The pet and unaccompanied-minort charges will apply to tickets purchased on or after June 1 for peoplde flying on or after June 17.
Dallas-based Southwest (NYSE: LUV) is showing small cats and dogs “thd luv” by creating a new speciall fare that allows them to fly as long as theifr carrier fits comfortably under theairplande seat. Cat and dog travel begins on June 1 for customerws who meetthe criteria. "We know from customer and employer feedback that ournew 'pet' customers will be a welcomer addition to any flight," said Southwest Airliness chairman, president, and CEO Gary "Our enhanced boarding process has opened the allowing us to accommodatew small pets comfortably on a Southwest flight without impacting our efficiency.
" However, Southwesrt (NYSE: LUV) also will begin implementing a $25 each-way service charg to watch over children ages 5 to 11 who are unaccompaniedx by adults. That service previouslgy was offeredfor free. "We are proud to offere an outstanding service for our young customers traveling alone but realize that the extra service does come at a cost to the Kelly said inthe release. Also, Southwest will increas its existing service charge for a third bag oroverweigh (51 to 70 pounds) bag from $25 to $50. Passengerxs will continue to be able to check two bags unded 51 pounds withouta charge.
"We continuer to allow our customers to check two bags on Southwest for making our baggage policy far and away one of the most generouse inthe industry," Kelly said in the release. "Th e increase in the baggage charge impactas approximately 1 percent ofour customers." Each of the new policiesd will take effect on June 17. The pet and unaccompanied-minort charges will apply to tickets purchased on or after June 1 for peoplde flying on or after June 17.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Unemployed Texans get stimulus help - Dallas Business Journal:
http://zanimatelno.com/Privacy-Policy/
The stimulus plan furnished anadditional $25 per week to qualifier job seekers as they work to find permanent Eligible Texans began receiving the benefig increase in mid-March. The increase is effectivew for all initial claims filedthrough Dec. 26, 2009. “Ths $100 million for increased unemployment benefits supplied by the American Recoverg and Reinvestment Act is beinf pumped back into the Texas Texas Workforce Commission Chairman TomPauken says.
Sincew the increase is federally funded, Texas employersz are not contributing to theadditional $25 per week in The Texas Workforce Commission administers unemployment benefits to worker s who become unemployed through no faul of their own and are activelyy seeking work. Newly unemployed residents of Northb Texas can obtain information by loggingonto texasworkforce.or g or by calling (972) 234-5391.
The stimulus plan furnished anadditional $25 per week to qualifier job seekers as they work to find permanent Eligible Texans began receiving the benefig increase in mid-March. The increase is effectivew for all initial claims filedthrough Dec. 26, 2009. “Ths $100 million for increased unemployment benefits supplied by the American Recoverg and Reinvestment Act is beinf pumped back into the Texas Texas Workforce Commission Chairman TomPauken says.
Sincew the increase is federally funded, Texas employersz are not contributing to theadditional $25 per week in The Texas Workforce Commission administers unemployment benefits to worker s who become unemployed through no faul of their own and are activelyy seeking work. Newly unemployed residents of Northb Texas can obtain information by loggingonto texasworkforce.or g or by calling (972) 234-5391.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Ford set to pass GM in North America - Business First of Louisville:
http://www.illinois-home.com/society-and-culture-personal-pages.html
Ford, which operates two manufacturing plantdin Louisville, will rank firsf in 2009 with 1.9 millioh units, according to data from forecastingh group IHS Global Insight, which releasedr its North American light-vehicle production forecasr this month. GM, which operates a Chevrole t manufacturing plant inBowlinhg Green, Ky., is idling most of its plants over the next couplde of months and will produc an estimated 1.
7 million vehicles this “With Chrysler in bankruptcy and GM likely on the vergse of it while accelerating the already-announced terminationb of three brands, and adding a fourth brane (Pontiac) to its we think the stigma surrounding thes e occurrences will have a negative impact on sales at both companiesx in 2009,” the forecasting firm reported. , the smallestg of the Detroit 3, has stoppeds production during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy and will fallto No. 5 behindr and , according to IHS Global Insight.
Ford, which operates two manufacturing plantdin Louisville, will rank firsf in 2009 with 1.9 millioh units, according to data from forecastingh group IHS Global Insight, which releasedr its North American light-vehicle production forecasr this month. GM, which operates a Chevrole t manufacturing plant inBowlinhg Green, Ky., is idling most of its plants over the next couplde of months and will produc an estimated 1.
7 million vehicles this “With Chrysler in bankruptcy and GM likely on the vergse of it while accelerating the already-announced terminationb of three brands, and adding a fourth brane (Pontiac) to its we think the stigma surrounding thes e occurrences will have a negative impact on sales at both companiesx in 2009,” the forecasting firm reported. , the smallestg of the Detroit 3, has stoppeds production during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy and will fallto No. 5 behindr and , according to IHS Global Insight.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)