- Sep 4, 2010 San Jose Mercury News, Calif., Scott Harris column (San Jose Mercury News) Better point-of-care IT systems could help a doctor pick a cheaper and just-as-effective treatment for a patient. The reality is that step one will cost more than we think it will. I think the real battle in health reform is going to occur at step two. more...
- Sep 4, 2010 Democrats say new tax plan would cut Cailfornia deficit without raising taxes (The Sacramento Bee) Democrats originally proposed a 1.65 percent rate. But the Legislative Analyst's Office and other reviewers concluded that the plan would have cost middle-class taxpayers more in fiscal 2011-12. But the same filer would, on average, receive a $112 federal deduction and a $524 reduction in sales... more...
- Sep 3, 2010 Democrats running on austerity (Washington Post) President George W. Bush's tax cuts, enacted in 2001 and 2003, are scheduled to expire this year. Senate candidate Robin Carnahan of Missouri is one of several high-profile Democrats who advocate keeping the Bush cuts in place until the economy improves. When you look at the budget dynamics, that... more...
- Sep 3, 2010 Mercury News interview (San Jose Mercury News) As a nation, we spend almost twice as much per capita on health care as the next closest country, Switzerland. Better point-of-care IT systems could help a doctor pick a cheaper and just-as-effective treatment for a patient. I think the real battle in health reform is going to occur at step two. more...
- Sep 3, 2010 White House considers pre-midterm package of business tax breaks to spur hiring (Washington Post) Policy staffers are debating a range of options. For example, a payroll-tax holiday - a top priority of many business groups - could be applied only to new hires or extended to current employees. And depending on its form and duration, a payroll-tax holiday could cost more than $300 billion. more...
- Sep 3, 2010 Wonkbook: White House considers payroll tax holiday; House libs against Social Security cuts; 25% were unemployed during recession (Washington Post) Whatever else the fiscal commission does, it seems likely to come out with some package of reforms for the stories social insurance program. But Republicans aren't very interested in raising payroll taxes, and House liberals have now announced their unified opposition to anything that includes... more...
- Sep 3, 2010 New tax breaks for business on table (Washington Post) For example, a payroll-tax holiday - a top priority of many business groups - could be applied only to new hires or extended to current employees. It has become a joke."Many economists say Obama's policies have been reasonably effective at pulling the nation back from recession. And depending on... more...
- Aug 30, 2010 Ask The Experts: Can I deduct taxes on second house?:: (The Sacramento Bee) By Claudia Buck Aug. 30, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune News Service delivered by Newstex) -- Do I pay taxes for household workers? Can I take a deduction for a second home used by family? You are not required to withhold federal income tax from wages you pay to a household employee, unless your... more...
- Aug 30, 2010 The Sacramento Bee, Calif., Dan Walters column (The Sacramento Bee) Now they want to repeal them via a ballot initiative, Proposition 24. Democrats are also sending Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger a series of bills that would require more reportage of business tax breaks and limit their existence. Schwarzenegger and GOP legislators are flatly rejecting any tax hikes... more...
- Aug 29, 2010 Rancho Cordova asking voters to OK tax on homegrown pot for personal use (The Sacramento Bee) ...ballot to impose a gross receipts tax of 12 percent to 15 percent on pot sales if any pot stores are allowed to open in the city in the future. In nearby Sacramento, voters will consider a local measure to levy a gross receipts tax of 2 percent to 4 percent on some 39 existing medical pot... more...
- Aug 26, 2010 Imports drag down growth (Washington Post) U.S. oil imports are up and businesses are restocking their shelves with consumer goods - signs of recovery. more...
- Aug 25, 2010 Democrats move to shore up faltering recovery (Washington Post) The number of jobless claims has risen in each of the past four weeks and last week hit its highest point in nine months. Private-sector job creation is trending well below the level needed to keep up with population growth. On Friday, the Commerce Department will revise its estimate of second... more...
- Aug 25, 2010 As midterms loom, Democrats work to shore up faltering recovery (Washington Post) Private-sector job creation is trending well below the level needed to keep up with population growth. The CBO also said the package will cost about $814 billion through 2019 - less than the $862 billion previously estimated.But momentum is fading fast. On Friday, the Commerce Department will... more...
- Aug 24, 2010 85,000 lost health insurance in Sacramento area, UCLA study finds (The Sacramento Bee) Without health insurance, she relied on Sacramento County's primary care clinic for medical care to ease the pain from an ailing back. Nonprofit community clinics are also carrying a heavier load, according to Marty Keale, executive director of the Capitol Community Health Network, a coalition... more...
