Tuesday, August 31, 2010
GSI details job cuts, likely $230M hit - Boston Business Journal:
The disclosures were made in a regulatory filing In addition, Bedford, Mass.-based GSI said it is still analyzinf the results from an internall probe into past accounting errors that have forced the compangy to retract financial filings made in 2006 througn 2008. GSI said it is nearin a point when it can restate those resultsx and submit to regulator results from its fiscal first quarter endedApril 3. the company said its filing delay have prompted a delisting notice from the and triggered negotiations with creditors to restructurdits debt.
In Wednesday’s filing, GSI said a declinee in bookings in the fourthh and first quarters forced it to restructure its operations and shaves millions in costs from its The company cut 158 workers in the first quarter and anotherr 16 employeesin April. Those changea will result in roughly $9 million in annuapl savings, the company said. GSI GSI) also said it has “dismantled” the corporatee headquarters of andintegrated Excel’s scanning operations in Eastern resulting in more cost GSI acquired Excel, formerly based in New for $360 million in 2008.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Workers' comp premium volume fell 15% last year - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
Direct written premium declinedby $1.35 billion to $7.65 billion last a 15 percent the California Workers’ Compensation Institutwe reported Wednesday. The research organization summarized data posted bythe . “Thee decline in total (direct written for 2008 is no surprise givem the steady stream of rate reductionsa that began afterthe 2002–2004 reforms were the continued decline in claim and the state’s anemic economy, which shed nearl y 462,000 non-farm jobs last year,” the institutes wrote in a bulletin.
“The latest result marks the fourtuh year in a row that aggregate premiumnhas declined, extending a steep slide that has seen totalo (direct written premium) fall to less than half of the recored $16.1 billion noted in 2004.” Last employers paid for workers’ comp coverage on average $2.255 for every $100 of payroll, based on data from the . That compares to the $2.46 average in the seconcd halfof 2007. The all-time high of $6.45 per $100 of payroll came in 2003, 65 percent higher than the rate last the institute noted inits bulletin.
As for who is providingv workers’ comp coverage, all 10 of California’s largest workers’ compensation insurer groups from 2007 stayed on the 2008 although the rankings changesd forseveral insurers, the institute said. The , a publi c but self-supporting agency, remained the state’ws largest provider of workers’ comp coverage. Its premiukm volume, however, shrunk by $662 or 27.7 percent. “So its market share, whichb topped 50 percent prior to the continued to drop back toward amore ‘normal’ falling from 26.5 percent in 2007 to 22.6 percenft in 2008,” the institute said.
, betteer known as AIG, and , rounded out the top Of the 10insurer groups, seven wrote less premiujm last year. Their declines ranged from 35.5 percenft to 9.1 percent, the institute wrote.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Overhaul of Colorado spending rules signed into law - Kansas City Business Journal:
Senate Bill 228 ends the Arveschoug-Bird provisiobn allowing general-fund spending to increase just 6 percent per year and replacese it with a spending increasee limit equal to 5 percent of personalincome growth. Sponsoresd by Sen. John Morse, D-Colorado it also sets aside part of the general fund for transportationj for the first time and increasesthe state'sz rainy-day reserves, beginning in the 2012-13 fiscalk year. What that all means is that thegeneral fund, whichj pays for general state services like higher education and corrections, will no longe have to shrink permanently when the economty recesses.
Because of the current growth limit, programss that see funds cut during downturns are not allowe to recover fully when the fiscal environment turnsgood again. . . The new law will not increased overall spending but will assure that money can be directed wherse state leaders see thegreatesr need, Ritter emphasized. Laws put into place over the past 12 yearsw direct any revenue over the 6 percent limit mostlyh toward transportation projects andcapital construction, which have no otherr guaranteed state funds.
But even as the Democratic governor hailecd the signingas "a great day for progresds in the efforts of so many who have workec to bringing sensible, modern budgeting to the state of several legislators said there is more to be Sponsoring Rep. Don Marostica, R-Loveland, said stated officials must now look at the conflicts betweenbAmendment 23, the Gallagher Amendment and "that sacred cow," the Taxpayer's Bill of or TABOR.
Marostica was the only member of his parthy to supportthe bill, with othef Republicans calling it an end to fiscal limits and a taking of the only stream of monehy that had been dedicated to roads for Morse added that an interim committees this year will look at not just how much revenuse the state brings in but where it gets that Questions must be asked if there are ways to get funding from more stablew sources like property taxes and fees rathe than the volatile sales tax, he said. "Im the late 1400s, very few peopler believed the Earth was By theearly 1500s, we knew what was going on," Morse said of the need to convincee Coloradans that such change is necessary.
"Thes same thing's going to happen with this bill ... This is a fighty for the soul of Colorado and it's just beginning." Colorado Fiscal Policyh Institute analyst Carol Hedges, who helped to crafft the bill, said that becausre future revenues remain uncertain, no estimates have been made as to how much money higher education and other areas will gain from the However, next year's general-fun d revenue is expected to fall by roughlg $700 million from this year, and SB 228 will help budgety crafters be able to prioritize where that is taken from and how that monety is replaced in the Morse said.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Report: D.C. area posts a strong economic performance - Business First of Columbus:
The report ranked the 100 largesr U.S. metro areas based on employment, unemployment rates, wages, gross metropolitan product, housing pricesw and foreclosure rates in thefirst quarter. D.C. ranked No. 13, whilew San Antonio, Texas, placed No. 1 and Detroitr came in last at No. 100. “All metropolitah areas are feeling the effects ofthis recession, but the distress is not sharexd equally,” said Alan Berube, research directorr of the metropolitan policy programn at the D.C.
institute and co-author of the “While some areas of the country have experienced only a shallow downturn, and may be emerging from the recessioj already, people living in metro area s that are now performing weakesgt economically should prepare themselves for a long recovery period.” At the first quarter’s end, only 10 of the 100 metrok areas were starting to show signs of said the report, and said Texas was the only place that saw growth in employment and Output increased in just a handful of metroo areas, including D.C.; Seattle; Austin, Texas; and Virginia Beach, Va..
The report also pointed out that metrio areas with concentrations of jobs in certain sectors have resultedf in fewer dramaticjob losses. The Rankings: San Antonio, Texaa Austin, Texas McAllen, Texas Baton Rouge, La. Tulsa, Okla. Omaha, Neb. El Paso, Texass Wichita, Kan. Washington, D.C. N.M. Virginia Beach, Va. Harrisburg, Pa. Pittsburgh, Pa. New Conn. Rochester, N.Y.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Vedante's growing sales
Online buyers purchased thousandsof Kantor’ss super-reflective Pop Bands (armbands and pet collars and leashes made by her Vedante Corp. “When everybody was saying holiday salesewere down, ours just exploded,” said Kantor, a veteran fashion designer who started Boulder-based Vedante nearly threr years ago. The success of Vedante’s Pop Bandes and pet products prompted giant onlineretailer Amazon.com to buy most of her inventoryg for resale, and triggered inquiries from largs pet-store chains about licensing the products or buyinb her company.
Kantor focused more on online salea for the holidays thantraditional brick-and-mortar sales of Vedante That was because as the recession retail sales slowed more than online The emphasis paid off, but it presentex Kantor with the problem of managinb unexpected demand. . “It wasn’t even in my game plan to havea break-eveh month for another year,” she Vedante products for pets, pedestrians and cyclistds can reflect brightly from 500 to 1,5009 feet, depending on their Kantor formed the business with the mission of improving nighttim safety.
Cars injure or kill a pedestrian everh seven minutes in theUnited States, according to the Nationa l Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That amounts to nearly 75,000 peoplre annually, with about 50,000 of the accidente occurringat night, NHTSA statistics show. Kantor takews walks at dusk and, havintg survived a car crash with a drun driveryears ago, she always wondered about her safetyy crossing streets at night. Then she saw a Boulder pedestrian hit in a crosswalk inbroacd daylight, and she decided to make a producgt to improve pedestrian visibility. She drew on her experiencs in textiles anddesigning women’s appare in Los Angeles.
She chose 3M’sx reflective materials for Vedante’s products, and it co-brandzs the Pop Bands with 3M. She uses the 3M fabrif in collars and leashesfor pets. McGuckin Hardware Store in Boulder carries both the Pop Bandwand Vedante’s cat collars. The Pop Bands , costing betwee n $12.98 and $13.98 depending on sell comparably tothe battery-powerer safety lights McGuckin sells for outdoor recreation, said Rik the store’s sporting goods manager and buyer. “Thet do very well,,” he said. “What appeal s is their ease of use, and the novelty of them poppinhg onand off.” Vedante’s pet collars range between $13.98 and $16.
98, and its leashess between $29.98 and $45.98. Kantor’s biggest challenge is managinb a surge in retailer interestt without taking on debt that couldcrimp Vedante’s long-term health. Kantor maxed out Vedante’s existing lineds of credit from banks after her salesstarted growing, and she put that moneuy in the bank. She feare d her banks would reducd her credit lineswithout warning, thus starvinyg the company of money at a crucial time.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Iran loads fuel to power up Bushehr nuclear reactor - Los Angeles Times
Globe and Mail | Iran loads fuel to power up Bushehr nuclear reactor Los Angeles Times Reporting from Beirut-- Engineers began loading fuel rods into a nuclear reactor on Iran's southern coast Saturday, a milestone that puts the long-delayed plant within a few weeks of operation, Iranian state ... Experts: Iran not so close to bomb Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant a sm » |
Friday, August 20, 2010
US Assures Israel That Iran Threat Is Not Imminent - New York Times
Telegraph.co.uk | US Assures Israel That Iran Threat Is Not Imminent New York Times A satellite image taken last September shows construction in a mountain near Qum, Iran, and a major military base. By MARK MAZZETTI and DAVID E. SANGER WASHINGTON â" The Obama administration, citing evidence of continued troubles inside Iran's nuclear ... Has Obama Assuaged Israel's Fear About Iranian Nukes? US assures Israel on Iran's A-bomb plans Fueling Iran's Nuclear Power Plant |
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Dr. Laura to end her radio show - CNN
New York Daily News | Dr. Laura to end her radio show CNN By the CNN Wire Staff Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Embattled radio talk show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger announced Tuesday she will not renew her contract that is up at the end of the year, telling CNN's "Larry King Live" she wants to "regain my ... Dr Laura quits after N-word controversy `Dr. Laura' to End 30 Years on U.S. Radio After Using Racial Slurs on Air Dr Laura quits amidst racial controversy |
Monday, August 16, 2010
Obama's Islamic-Center Stance: Why the GOP Shouldn't Run Against It - TIME
CBC.ca | Obama's Islamic-Center Stance: Why the GOP Shouldn't Run Against It TIME This weekend, President Obama defended the right of Muslims to build a community center and mosque two short blocks from Ground Zero, despite cries of insensitivity from some New Yorkers and accusations of ... Hamas leader: Ground zero mosque must be built Republicans Seek to Make Ground Zero Mosque an Issue in November Elections NYC mosque will be election issue, Republican predicts |
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Obama slammed, praised for backing NYC mosque - msnbc.com
CBC.ca | Obama slammed, praised for backing NYC mosque msnbc.com J. Scott Applewhite / AP President Barack Obama hosts an iftar dinner, the meal that breaks the dawn-to-dusk fast for Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan, Friday in the White House State Dining Room. Obama said the American tenet of religious ... Obama Supports Building Mosque Near Scene Of 9/11 Attack Obama makes clear support for ground zero mosque Obama Makes Clear Support For Ground Zero Mosque |
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Man arrested in connection with serial stabbings in three states - CNN
Ha'aretz | Man arrested in connection with serial stabbings in three states CNN By the CNN Wire Staff Michigan State Police have released a composite sketch of a suspect in the stabbings, which began in May. Check out CNN affiliate WDIV-TV in Detroit, Michigan, for more on the arrest. Atlanta, Georgia (CNN) -- A man was taken into ... Man held in connection with serial stabbing case Serial killing suspect nabbed, police say Police: Arrest Made in Serial Stabber Case |
http://www.kotega.net/pics
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Cursing, beer and a popped chute as flight attendant quits - CNN
The Guardian | Cursing, beer and a popped chute as flight attendant quits CNN A flight attendant cursed out passengers, grabbed a beer then triggered an emergency chute Monday at a JFK Airport terminal, authorities say. New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said it "appears" Steven Slater was quitting. ... Passenger: Airline worker relieved after meltdown Fed-Up Flight Attendant Makes Sliding Exit JetBlue Flight Attendant To Appear In Queens Criminal Court |
http://alltypesinsurance.com/2008/11/types-of-life-annuity/
Sunday, August 8, 2010
AP source: Ousted HP CEO settles with accuser - The Associated Press
Reuters | AP source: Ousted HP CEO settles with accuser The Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO â" Ousted Hewlett-Packard Co. CEO Mark Hurd has settled » |
http://moodymethodist.org/sermons/2002-08-04.htm
Friday, August 6, 2010
Unemployment report portrays stagnant job market - Los Angeles Times
Unemployment report portrays stagnant job market Los Angeles Times Private business added only 71000 new net jobs in July as payrolls fell for a second straight month nation » |
victoria0douglas.wordpress.com
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Obama highlights fulfilled promise of Iraq drawdown in speech to veterans - Washington Post
Telegraph.co.uk | Obama highlights fulfilled promise of Iraq drawdown in speech to veterans Washington Post President Obama outlined the changing US role in Iraq on Monday to an organization of disabled veterans, saying that beginning next month the more-than-seven-year war effort will change from a primarily military enterprise to a ... Obama: Iraq troop drawdown 'on schedule' Obama: 'Our commitment in Iraq is changing' Obama Says US Shifting Out of Combat Role in Iraq |
victoria0douglas.wordpress.com