How leaks affect you :: Local News :: Post-Tribune
Leaking underground containers can cause cancer and poison groundwater. Click to read the article.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
101210-tax-relief-african-americans.pdf (application/pdf Object)
101210-tax-relief-african-americans.pdf (application/pdf Object)
Commentary: imadeamesss.com
The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010:
A Win for African American Families
The agreement announced by the President not only secures vital tax relief and investments in
our workers that will create jobs and accelerate economic growth, it contains specific policies
that provide targeted support for African Americans. In addition to extending unemployment
insurance for 13 months, the bill builds off the gains made in the Recovery Act. The agreement
will extend key provisions such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax
Credit (CTC) that disproportionately help African American families and children.
• An estimated 2.2 million African American families will benefit from the expansion
in the EITC and CTC that are extended in this agreement. These credits help roughly
4.7 million African American children or almost half (44%) of all African American
children.
• The extension of Unemployment Insurance will benefit 1.1 million African
Americans. That is why the National Congress of Black Women praised the President
for giving the unemployed a “new lease on life” and a “survival line” through the next 13
months.
Illustrative Example: Working African American mother with three children making $20,000.
This family will:
• Receive a tax cut of more than $2,100 from extending recent expansions in the EITC and
Child Tax Credit as part of this agreement.
• Receive a $400 tax cut from the new payroll tax cut.
• Compared to the Republican alternative, this family will receive a total tax benefit of
$2,500 next year.
HIGH IMPACT, JOB CREATING TAX CUTS FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES
Economic studies consistently find that lower-income households are the most likely to spend
additional money, creating jobs and helping overall growth. That’s why the Congressional
Budget Office has concluded that “policies aimed at lower-income households tend to have
greater stimulative effects.”
Beginning in the Recovery Act, the President has demonstrated his commitment to extend
benefits and tax cuts to struggling families as the right thing to do for family security and our
economy. According to a study released last year by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities,
seven policies included in the Recovery Act have kept 1.4 million African-Americans above the
poverty line.
1
1
Sherman, Arloc “Stimulus Keeping 6 Million Americans Out of Poverty in 2009, Estimates Show.” Center on
Budget and Policy Priorities, September 2009.
Page 2
Three of these policies are continued in the current bill, including Unemployment Insurance, the
EITC and the Child Tax Credit.
Earned Income Tax Credit
The EITC in the Recovery Act:
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) supplements the wages of low income workers, lifting
more children out of poverty than any other single program or category of programs.
Under the Recovery Act, the EITC was expanded to reduce the marriage penalty and to create a
“third tier” of the EITC for families with three or more children. This means larger families now
receive up to $1,040 more than they would have under the old system.
By extending the EITC in the agreement:
• About 4.1 million African American children will benefit from an expanded EITC tax
credit. Without this agreement, their families could lose up to $1,040.
Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit in the Recovery Act:
The Child Tax Credit helps low-and moderate-income families with children. The credit allows
families to reduce their federal income tax by a certain amount for each qualifying child under
the age of 17 in a household. In 2001, the Child Tax Credit was expanded to $1,000 per child,
but was unavailable to millions of low income families because the minimum amount of earned
income used to calculate the credit was set at about $12,500 in today’s dollars.
In the Recovery Act, the Administration and Congress secured an important expansion in the
Child Tax Credit for lower income families by lowering the minimum amount from about
$12,500 to $3,000.
By extending the CTC with the $3,000 minimum threshold in the agreement:
• 2.7 African American children will benefit from a larger CTC.
• For many families, extending the minimum threshold in the CTC will result in thousands
of dollars in additional tax benefits that would have otherwise been lost. For example:
o A married couple with three children making $23,000 will receive $3,000 in child
tax credits compared to about $1,540 if only the 2001/2003 tax cuts were
extended – an increase of about $1,460.
Page 3
o A single mother with two children making $17,000 will receive $2,000 in child
tax credits compared to about $640 if only the 2001/2003 tax cuts were extended
– an increase of about $1,360.
American Opportunity Tax Credit
The American Opportunity Tax Credit in the Recovery Act:
• The Recovery Act expanded the AOTC so that it now provides up to three times more
relief than was previously available under the Hope Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit
and is refundable for low-income students for the first time.
• The AOTC gives working families and students a $2,500 per year partially refundable tax
credit to help students and their families cover the cost of college tuition.
The American Opportunity Tax Credit in the agreement:
• This deal fully extends AOTC for two years, ensuring that more than 8 million students
will continue to receive this tax benefit to help them afford college.
Unemployment Insurance
Extension of Unemployment Insurance is especially helpful for African Americans
• The unemployment rate among African Americans was 16% in November 2010. It has
increased 7 percentage points since the beginning of the recession in December 2007.
• Young African Americans face extremely high rates on unemployment, with 28% of
those ages 16-24 in unemployment in November 2010.
• African Americans also face longer durations of unemployment. For example, 47% of
unemployed African Americans have been unemployed for 27 weeks or more, compared
to 43.8% for all unemployed (not seasonally adjusted). The median African American
unemployed worker has been unemployed for almost a month longer than the median
unemployed worker.
The agreement secures an extension of unemployment insurance for an additional 13 months.
Without this extension, 330,600 African Americans looking for work would have lost their
benefits this month alone, and through the end of next year over 1.1 million unemployed African
Americans would have lost their benefits.
• Extending unemployment benefits provides crucial economic security to American
families. A recent report by the Council of Economic Advisers found that while 14
million people received federally supported unemployment insurance benefits through
Page 4
October 2010, an additional 26 million people living in their households benefitted
indirectly.
• About 42 percent of these recipients have, or live with, children. As of October, 2010
10.5 million children had benefitted from this provision.
Commentary: imadeamesss.com
The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010:
A Win for African American Families
The agreement announced by the President not only secures vital tax relief and investments in
our workers that will create jobs and accelerate economic growth, it contains specific policies
that provide targeted support for African Americans. In addition to extending unemployment
insurance for 13 months, the bill builds off the gains made in the Recovery Act. The agreement
will extend key provisions such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax
Credit (CTC) that disproportionately help African American families and children.
• An estimated 2.2 million African American families will benefit from the expansion
in the EITC and CTC that are extended in this agreement. These credits help roughly
4.7 million African American children or almost half (44%) of all African American
children.
• The extension of Unemployment Insurance will benefit 1.1 million African
Americans. That is why the National Congress of Black Women praised the President
for giving the unemployed a “new lease on life” and a “survival line” through the next 13
months.
Illustrative Example: Working African American mother with three children making $20,000.
This family will:
• Receive a tax cut of more than $2,100 from extending recent expansions in the EITC and
Child Tax Credit as part of this agreement.
• Receive a $400 tax cut from the new payroll tax cut.
• Compared to the Republican alternative, this family will receive a total tax benefit of
$2,500 next year.
HIGH IMPACT, JOB CREATING TAX CUTS FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES
Economic studies consistently find that lower-income households are the most likely to spend
additional money, creating jobs and helping overall growth. That’s why the Congressional
Budget Office has concluded that “policies aimed at lower-income households tend to have
greater stimulative effects.”
Beginning in the Recovery Act, the President has demonstrated his commitment to extend
benefits and tax cuts to struggling families as the right thing to do for family security and our
economy. According to a study released last year by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities,
seven policies included in the Recovery Act have kept 1.4 million African-Americans above the
poverty line.
1
1
Sherman, Arloc “Stimulus Keeping 6 Million Americans Out of Poverty in 2009, Estimates Show.” Center on
Budget and Policy Priorities, September 2009.
Page 2
Three of these policies are continued in the current bill, including Unemployment Insurance, the
EITC and the Child Tax Credit.
Earned Income Tax Credit
The EITC in the Recovery Act:
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) supplements the wages of low income workers, lifting
more children out of poverty than any other single program or category of programs.
Under the Recovery Act, the EITC was expanded to reduce the marriage penalty and to create a
“third tier” of the EITC for families with three or more children. This means larger families now
receive up to $1,040 more than they would have under the old system.
By extending the EITC in the agreement:
• About 4.1 million African American children will benefit from an expanded EITC tax
credit. Without this agreement, their families could lose up to $1,040.
Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit in the Recovery Act:
The Child Tax Credit helps low-and moderate-income families with children. The credit allows
families to reduce their federal income tax by a certain amount for each qualifying child under
the age of 17 in a household. In 2001, the Child Tax Credit was expanded to $1,000 per child,
but was unavailable to millions of low income families because the minimum amount of earned
income used to calculate the credit was set at about $12,500 in today’s dollars.
In the Recovery Act, the Administration and Congress secured an important expansion in the
Child Tax Credit for lower income families by lowering the minimum amount from about
$12,500 to $3,000.
By extending the CTC with the $3,000 minimum threshold in the agreement:
• 2.7 African American children will benefit from a larger CTC.
• For many families, extending the minimum threshold in the CTC will result in thousands
of dollars in additional tax benefits that would have otherwise been lost. For example:
o A married couple with three children making $23,000 will receive $3,000 in child
tax credits compared to about $1,540 if only the 2001/2003 tax cuts were
extended – an increase of about $1,460.
Page 3
o A single mother with two children making $17,000 will receive $2,000 in child
tax credits compared to about $640 if only the 2001/2003 tax cuts were extended
– an increase of about $1,360.
American Opportunity Tax Credit
The American Opportunity Tax Credit in the Recovery Act:
• The Recovery Act expanded the AOTC so that it now provides up to three times more
relief than was previously available under the Hope Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit
and is refundable for low-income students for the first time.
• The AOTC gives working families and students a $2,500 per year partially refundable tax
credit to help students and their families cover the cost of college tuition.
The American Opportunity Tax Credit in the agreement:
• This deal fully extends AOTC for two years, ensuring that more than 8 million students
will continue to receive this tax benefit to help them afford college.
Unemployment Insurance
Extension of Unemployment Insurance is especially helpful for African Americans
• The unemployment rate among African Americans was 16% in November 2010. It has
increased 7 percentage points since the beginning of the recession in December 2007.
• Young African Americans face extremely high rates on unemployment, with 28% of
those ages 16-24 in unemployment in November 2010.
• African Americans also face longer durations of unemployment. For example, 47% of
unemployed African Americans have been unemployed for 27 weeks or more, compared
to 43.8% for all unemployed (not seasonally adjusted). The median African American
unemployed worker has been unemployed for almost a month longer than the median
unemployed worker.
The agreement secures an extension of unemployment insurance for an additional 13 months.
Without this extension, 330,600 African Americans looking for work would have lost their
benefits this month alone, and through the end of next year over 1.1 million unemployed African
Americans would have lost their benefits.
• Extending unemployment benefits provides crucial economic security to American
families. A recent report by the Council of Economic Advisers found that while 14
million people received federally supported unemployment insurance benefits through
Page 4
October 2010, an additional 26 million people living in their households benefitted
indirectly.
• About 42 percent of these recipients have, or live with, children. As of October, 2010
10.5 million children had benefitted from this provision.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
UPDATE: INDIANA BABY GETS LIFE SAVING OPERATION!
UPDATE: BABY GETS OPERATION!
Non-profit MDwise pays for baby Seth's operation!
After budget cuts, Indiana baby denied life-saving treatment - Yahoo! News
Non-profit MDwise pays for baby Seth's operation!
After budget cuts, Indiana baby denied life-saving treatment - Yahoo! News
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Black, Native American Farmers Get Their Due
President Obama Signs the Claims Resolution Act of 2010 | The White House
Today I have signed into law H.R. 4783, the "Claims Resolution Act of 2010." This Act, among other things, provides funding and statutory authorities for the settlement agreements reached in the Cobell lawsuit, brought by Native Americans; the Pigford II lawsuit, brought by African American farmers; and four separate water rights suits, brought by Native American tribes.
Today I have signed into law H.R. 4783, the "Claims Resolution Act of 2010." This Act, among other things, provides funding and statutory authorities for the settlement agreements reached in the Cobell lawsuit, brought by Native Americans; the Pigford II lawsuit, brought by African American farmers; and four separate water rights suits, brought by Native American tribes.
Elected Officials: Be Like Barack and Take a Punch for the People
Obama facing tough sell in own party on tax deal - Yahoo! News
"We're not going to play Russian roulette with the lives of the American people, with all the millions of people that are going to lose their unemployment insurance right now without this bill going forward," Axelrod said in an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America."
Moveon.org has a commercial featuring so-called average Americans asking the president not to negotiate with the Grand Old Party on tax cuts. Our president is a lawyer. Most lawyers are negotiators as it is a part of what they do. The president negotiated a deal that will allow people who are struggling to make ends meet, have an unemployment benefit check to spend on the holidays--though I expect most of those who are unemployed and struggling to pay their ongoing monthly bills and not buy extravagant gifts with it. The gift for many this year will be food, clothing and shelter. No one else gave a damn about the unemployed except President Obama and the only voice I hear is the chatter I always hear on the news. No real people get a voice there, especially on this matter. Personally, I'm saying thanks Mr. President. Good looking out.
Who are these people who do not understand need and lack of funds? They are so far removed from average Americans that they should not be allowed to speak for average Americans. I cannot believe the Democratic Party is willing to sacrifice those people who are already at a disadvantage because they are not working by allowing the benefits to expire during this holiday season. The potential win against the Republicans and not allowing high earners to see a tax cut, was worth destroying yet another poor, struggling American family. I have always been told that cutting one's nose to spite the face is unwise. However, I never thought I'd see the day when seemingly intelligent people who are our nation's leaders would gladly cut their nose to spite their face as a way of life.
The President did the right thing by cutting a deal for the working people, the struggling people in our country and extending the tax cuts. The wealthy who appreciate these tax cuts should speak up for themselves.
I have always wondered why if the American people are so concerned about the deficit, why can't everyone decide to give a dollar when paying their taxes or getting that tax refund? If everyone gave a dollar, it would make a difference. However, I am not so naive as to believe the average American cares about the deficit because they do not. Special interest groups use that deficit argument as a bargaining chip. Anyone paying attention can look at our society and understand it takes a highly educated populace to care about the country's future and not get into the mess we are currently in.Where were all of the caring deficit people when we were getting into the situation? People right now are caring about making it everyday, not the quality of education, the deficit etc. Anyone angry about the deal the president cut is not hurting for a dime. They have money and are making more money by the minute. They could care less about food banks running out of food or families going on food stamps to survive. (These things have been occurring for some time and these facts have been widely reported.) These well-to-do-people should watch an episode of Downsized to reconnect with the people and understand the poverty that is staring many of us in the face. President Obama seems to be the only one on Capital Hill who understands poverty and the struggle to stay out of its grip.
I'm glad I voted for President Obama and cannot wait to cast my vote for him in 2012. The rest of those greedy, ignorant, uncaring, social climbing so-called public servants can go to hell. GO TALK TO THE PEOPLE ABOUT BEING POOR. DO YOUR JOB!
The answer to poverty is not jobs but that discussion is for another time and another blog.
"We're not going to play Russian roulette with the lives of the American people, with all the millions of people that are going to lose their unemployment insurance right now without this bill going forward," Axelrod said in an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America."
Moveon.org has a commercial featuring so-called average Americans asking the president not to negotiate with the Grand Old Party on tax cuts. Our president is a lawyer. Most lawyers are negotiators as it is a part of what they do. The president negotiated a deal that will allow people who are struggling to make ends meet, have an unemployment benefit check to spend on the holidays--though I expect most of those who are unemployed and struggling to pay their ongoing monthly bills and not buy extravagant gifts with it. The gift for many this year will be food, clothing and shelter. No one else gave a damn about the unemployed except President Obama and the only voice I hear is the chatter I always hear on the news. No real people get a voice there, especially on this matter. Personally, I'm saying thanks Mr. President. Good looking out.
Who are these people who do not understand need and lack of funds? They are so far removed from average Americans that they should not be allowed to speak for average Americans. I cannot believe the Democratic Party is willing to sacrifice those people who are already at a disadvantage because they are not working by allowing the benefits to expire during this holiday season. The potential win against the Republicans and not allowing high earners to see a tax cut, was worth destroying yet another poor, struggling American family. I have always been told that cutting one's nose to spite the face is unwise. However, I never thought I'd see the day when seemingly intelligent people who are our nation's leaders would gladly cut their nose to spite their face as a way of life.
The President did the right thing by cutting a deal for the working people, the struggling people in our country and extending the tax cuts. The wealthy who appreciate these tax cuts should speak up for themselves.
I have always wondered why if the American people are so concerned about the deficit, why can't everyone decide to give a dollar when paying their taxes or getting that tax refund? If everyone gave a dollar, it would make a difference. However, I am not so naive as to believe the average American cares about the deficit because they do not. Special interest groups use that deficit argument as a bargaining chip. Anyone paying attention can look at our society and understand it takes a highly educated populace to care about the country's future and not get into the mess we are currently in.Where were all of the caring deficit people when we were getting into the situation? People right now are caring about making it everyday, not the quality of education, the deficit etc. Anyone angry about the deal the president cut is not hurting for a dime. They have money and are making more money by the minute. They could care less about food banks running out of food or families going on food stamps to survive. (These things have been occurring for some time and these facts have been widely reported.) These well-to-do-people should watch an episode of Downsized to reconnect with the people and understand the poverty that is staring many of us in the face. President Obama seems to be the only one on Capital Hill who understands poverty and the struggle to stay out of its grip.
I'm glad I voted for President Obama and cannot wait to cast my vote for him in 2012. The rest of those greedy, ignorant, uncaring, social climbing so-called public servants can go to hell. GO TALK TO THE PEOPLE ABOUT BEING POOR. DO YOUR JOB!
The answer to poverty is not jobs but that discussion is for another time and another blog.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Police warn of rise in home break-ins :: Lake County :: Post-Tribune
Police warn of rise in home break-ins :: Lake County :: Post-Tribune
Indiana State grad and Gary Indiana police chief, Gary O. Carter, offers tips on staying burglar-free this Christmas season. He and
Det. Keith Richardson head up a special burglary task force that investigates and sometimes stop the often late-morning break-ins. Last week, a local high school student was arrested for attempting to break into a home in his neighborhood.
WHERE ARE THE TRUANT OFFICERS?! Make the students stay in class! Limit hall passes and out-of-classroom time for at-risk students. Explain to them that trust is earned, not automatic.
Parents, do not encourage your children to steal. Pay attention to them and what they do and say.
Here are some other holiday safety tips offered by Indiana State Police:
Seniors, expectant mothers and vulnerable citizens should avoid shopping alone and late night. If you have to travel out-of-the way to a safer shopping district, then do so. Also, after gift shopping, take the packages home discreetly and then go out for lunch. Watchful eyes may be in the mall parking lot waiting for you to leave gifts unattended in a parked car at a restaurant. Don't be a superhero this Christmas, be alive--the best gift ever!
Indiana State grad and Gary Indiana police chief, Gary O. Carter, offers tips on staying burglar-free this Christmas season. He and
Det. Keith Richardson head up a special burglary task force that investigates and sometimes stop the often late-morning break-ins. Last week, a local high school student was arrested for attempting to break into a home in his neighborhood.
WHERE ARE THE TRUANT OFFICERS?! Make the students stay in class! Limit hall passes and out-of-classroom time for at-risk students. Explain to them that trust is earned, not automatic.
Parents, do not encourage your children to steal. Pay attention to them and what they do and say.
Here are some other holiday safety tips offered by Indiana State Police:
Holiday Shopping Safety Tips
The holiday shopping season is upon us with the busiest days yet to come. Many shoppers will begin their day in the darkness of the early morning hours and end in the late evening hours, leaving shoppers vulnerable at times to potential criminal activity. To protect yourself this holiday season, the Indiana State Police offer the following safety tips and reminders:- Stay alert and be aware of what's going on around you.
- Park in a well-lit area and be sure to lock your car.
- Use extra caution when walking to and from your car; walk with a friend.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; pay with a check or credit card whenever possible.
- Deter pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Don't overburden yourself with packages. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a rubber band around your wallet and place in the inside coat or front pants pocket.
- Do not leave purses unattended in shopping carts.
- Place gifts and other valuables in the trunk of your car.
- Keep your car doors and windows locked at all times.
- Make sure your car is good mechanical condition.
- Carry a fully charged cell phone with you.
- Shopping with kids? Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if they get separated.
- If you notice suspicious activity, contact store security or the nearest police agency, especially if you notice person or persons loitering around your vehicle.
- Remember, the most important tip is to know who and what is around you at all times. This includes driving to and from your shopping ventures.
Seniors, expectant mothers and vulnerable citizens should avoid shopping alone and late night. If you have to travel out-of-the way to a safer shopping district, then do so. Also, after gift shopping, take the packages home discreetly and then go out for lunch. Watchful eyes may be in the mall parking lot waiting for you to leave gifts unattended in a parked car at a restaurant. Don't be a superhero this Christmas, be alive--the best gift ever!
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