AltWeeklies Wire
Is Economic Recovery Money Helping San Diego Businesses?new
The combination of tax cuts and direct government spending is supposed make consumers spend and businesses invest, creating a multiplier effect that would boost the economy. Using a database of stimulus spending compiled by the nonprofit newsroom ProPublica, we called businesses receiving stimulus dollars and asked them what they were doing with their money.
San Diego CityBeat |
Eric Wolff |
08-12-2009 |
Economy
Orlando City Commissioners Get an Open Line of Credit ... Taxpayers Get the Billnew
If you had a $30,000 annual slush fund courtesy of someone else, what would you do? If you were Orlando city commissioner Daisy Lynum, you'd travel. A lot.
Orlando Weekly |
Jeffrey C. Billman and Billy Manes |
07-30-2009 |
Economy
Hello Local, Goodbye Global: Relocalization Movement Gains Momentumnew
A burgeoning relocalization movement has the potential to revolutionize the way we eat, shop, work, and vacation. The movement's proponents argue that it's an essential response to climate change and peak oil, which both threaten to transform agriculture around the world
The Georgia Straight |
Charlie Smith |
07-27-2009 |
Economy
Oregon Aims to Become First State Ever to Erase Gender Wage Gapnew
Working without a definite deadline, Bureau of Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian has tasked the newly formed Oregon Council on Civil Rights to create an action plan for making equal pay for equal work a reality in Oregon.
The Portland Mercury |
Sarah Mirk |
07-24-2009 |
Economy
Follow the Bouncing Lotto Ball in Arkansasnew
In all the haste, headlines and hubbub about what has become the biggest political story of the year, something sometimes gets overlooked. What will the lottery really mean for Arkansas' citizens and higher education system? Here, even big backers hedge their bets.
Arkansas Times |
Gerard Matthews |
07-23-2009 |
Policy Issues
Health Care Reformers Fear the Cure May be Worse Than the Diseasenew
With President Barack Obama and congressional leaders in a strong position to finally overhaul the health care system, this should be a momentous time for the reform movement. So why are so many advocacy groups unhappy?
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Rebecca Bowe and Steven T. Jones |
07-22-2009 |
Science
Creating Jobs, Unfortunately, Doesn't Seem to be an Obama Priority
Obama's plan is Reaganomics redux. Give trillions of dollars to big corporations, he argues, and they'll use it to capitalize new ventures, hire workers, and unclog the credit markets. Eventually.
Health Care Consumer, Beware: They're Called 'Limited Insurance Plans' for a Reasonnew
The real problem with limited insurance plans appears to be the way they're marketed. Like the rent-to-own or payday-loan industries, these types of insurance agencies seem to make their money off the most vulnerable segments of the population.
Houston Press |
Craig Malisow |
07-21-2009 |
Science
Health Care on Life Support: New Mexicans Tell Us What Reform Looks Likenew
Froozan Parwana is one of more than 400,000 New Mexicans without health insurance. Her trip to the emergency room last summer, which cost more than $300, was a harsh introduction to what awaits patients without medical coverage. The hospital bill forced Parwana to take fewer college classes.
Weekly Alibi |
Simon McCormack |
07-20-2009 |
Science
Why the Health Care Lobby Opposes the Public Optionnew
As a caravan rolled to Washington, Health Care for America Now's message about the incredibly complicated legislation had been reduced to one simple message: Whatever emerged, the bill must contain the strong public insurance option that Obama proposed -- and the private insurers, in league with the Republicans, were trying to kill.
Swipe Happy: How Paying Tuition With Plastic Can Cost Younew
Since February 2008, University of Virginia students have been able to pay tuitions online through Quik Pay@UVA using an e-check, which drafts money from checking accounts or credit cards. But paying by credit card involves an additional 2.75 percent convenience fee.
C-Ville Weekly |
Caitlin Speaker |
07-15-2009 |
Education
Despite Hopes, Incoming Soldiers Won't Bolster Colorado Springs' Housing Marketnew
Take close to 6,000 soldiers -- many with families -- and make them move to Colorado Springs. Add a federal program meant to help troops with reassigned units sell their homes, and sprinkle in some hope that the local housing market has bottomed out. You have the makings for a healthy local housing boom, save for one crucial thing: Many soldiers are in no position to buy.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Anthony Lane |
07-14-2009 |
Housing & Development
Cash for Clunkers: Buckets of Bolts for the Low, Low Price of $1 Billionnew
Theoretically the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) -- aka "Cash For Clunkers" -- sounds like a swell idea. But it's also pretty pie-in-the-sky. I'm not the first to notice that this bill assumes that there are lots of people driving around a car that is worth less than $4,500 and can actually afford a new car.
Pasadena Weekly |
Jennifer Hadley |
07-13-2009 |
Economy
How Identity Thieves Get Away Free and Clearnew
Police and prosecutors can't seem to catch up to the growing number of identity theft crimes each year. The Houston Police Department alone receives about 1,400 identity theft complaints each month, and usually, those result in about 25 arrests. Not 25 percent. Twenty-five arrests. Meanwhile, the victims are often forgotten, left to deal with cleaning up the mess on their own.
Houston Press |
Paul Knight |
06-30-2009 |
Crime & Justice
How Does the Bad Economy Affect Connecticut's Sex Trade?new
Connecticut sex workers are increasing advertising and considering returning to street-walking during the recession.
New Haven Advocate |
Erin Holroyd |
06-30-2009 |
Sex
