Bill that would tax health care insurers, hospitals set to pass in House
by Anne Galloway vtdigger.org March 23, 2011 In the end, the House Dems, despite the best persuasive efforts of a Progressive and an independent representative, were good foot soldiers who did the speaker’s (and the governor’s) bidding: They refrained from straying too far outside the box they were given to work in.The threat of a minor insurrection, in the form of income tax increases on upper-income Vermonters, was handily put down at the Statehouse on Tuesday ‘ apparently long before the legislation in question, the miscellaneous tax bill, was brought to the House floor.Lawmakers, largely along party lines, voted 90-47 to raise $24 million in taxes on health care providers and increased the statewide property tax rate by one penny.The Ways and Means proposal deviated from Gov. Peter Shumlin’s revenue plan via one crucial tradeoff ‘ instead of raising $3.66 million through a provider tax on dentists, lawmakers increased cigarette taxes by 27 cents a pack to generate the same amount of money.In a press conference the same day, Shumlin criticized the move. ‘It seems illogical to me to ask factory workers to pay 27 cents more for cigarettes, then to tell dentists who refuse to serve Medicaid patients they’re off the hook,’ the governor said. He argued that the dental tax would have been used to reimburse dentists at a significantly higher rate when they take Medicaid patients .The miscellaneous tax bill, which goes to third reading on Wednesday, includes $7.25 million in taxes on hospitals, $2.81 million on nursing homes, a $140,000 increase in levies on home health agencies and a 0.8 percent ($10.72 million) claims tax on all health insurers ‘ self-insured companies and the state’s three major insurance companies, Cigna, MVP and BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont. House Republicans oppose the ‘provider tax’ and say it will drive up health care premiums for insured Vermonters.Most of the afternoon session on Tuesday was devoted to a handful of amendments to the bill, only one of which passed. Lawmakers struck a $1 million giveback provision to taxpayers in supervisory unions that met the Challenges for Change targets. Several representatives said the measure was unfair because it rewarded schools that cut budgets at the expense of the rest of the school districts.THE SURTAX LEAD BALLOONThe small group of lawmakers who openly planned to float an amendment for an income tax increase on Vermont households that earn more than $137,301, only garnered 23 votes. The initiative would have raised about $27.7 million in revenues that supporters wanted to use to shore up human services programs for the elderly, developmentally disabled and the mentally ill that have seen funding reductions at a time when caseload pressures are up.Rep. Paul Poirier, I-Barre City, and Rep. Chris Pearson, P-Burlington, initially formed a beachhead of support among a group of liberal Dems, but that base eroded in part as a result of a bait-and-switch tactic that pulled critical support away from the tax amendment and gave party members who had supported the surtax an opportunity to save face with the leadership.Lawmakers were told that the House Ways and Means Committee would be offering an income tax restructuring bill, based on the recommendations of the Vermont Blue Ribbon Tax Structure Commission, later in the session, and that then would be the time to present income tax increase proposals.‘We have a governor who has taken a no-tax pledge, but I as a legislator didn’t take a no-tax pledge. Is it too much to ask (the richest Vermonters) to pay 1.5 percent more? That’s the question before us.’ ‘ PoirierBut such a bill, lawmakers, lobbyists and other statehouse mavens said, is unlikely to make it out of House Ways and Means this session, and it would be even more difficult to pass a bill that shifts the income tax structure from taxable income to adjusted gross income if the measure included a tax increase.If that prediction bears out, lawmakers who said in remarks on the House floor that they would vote for an income tax increase associated with such a bill are unlikely to get a chance at a second bite of that apple.Tomorrow, meanwhile, two amendments will surface on third reading of the bill. Rep. Suzi Wizowaty, D-Burlington, will propose a $1 per-pack increase on cigarette taxes, and Pearson will pitch an 27-cent per gallon extraction tax on bottled water that could raise as much as $27 million (about 99 million gallons of Vermont water is sold out of state).Neither amendment is expected to pass given the current party entrenchment on the issue.On Tuesday Poirier and Pearson regaled the House members with statistics about stagnating income growth for low-income and middle class Vermonters; 70 percent increases in real household income for the wealthiest 5 percent over a 30-year period; the $190 million in tax breaks the state’s richest 5 percent will receive in fiscal year 2011 thanks to the extension of the Bush era tax cuts; the $263 million in state budget cuts over the last three years; and the 10 percent reduction in the state workforce since 2008. To no avail.‘We’re at a point where there are no more low hanging apples left in the tree, and we’re standing on step ladders,’ Poirier said. ‘We’re down to people issues, and people look to the Democratic Party and the Progressive Party to protect them. I know this is hard. We have a governor who has taken a no-tax pledge, but I as a legislator didn’t take a no-tax pledge. Is it too much to ask (the richest Vermonters) to pay 1.5 percent more? That’s the question before us.’Pearson told lawmakers that human services budgets have been cut for four years and that further reductions in programs are ‘unconscionable.’‘I believe it’s important that we begin to ask how much more we can cut,’ Pearson said. ‘In trying economic times, it’s appropriate for us to have a discussion about where you draw the line, and I think it’s appropriate to ask neighbors to help out to protect programs in these tough times.’The surcharge proposal would have affected the top three income tax brackets. An additional 1 percent tax (a total of 8.8 percent on taxable income ‘ after deductions) on joint filers with incomes of $137,000 would have cost those families $264 more on average; a 1.5 percent increase on taxable incomes above $209,000 (a total of 10.3 percent) would have cost those families $1,593 more on average; a 2 percent surcharge to taxpayers married filed jointly who earn more than $373,100 a year (a total tax of 10.95 percent) would have cost those households $14,469 more on average.The response from the chairs of House Ways and Means, House Appropriations and the Speaker? Now is not the time.‘The right time to take up that issue is when we look at income tax restructuring,’ said Rep. Janet Ancel, chair of House Ways and Means. In the Democratic caucus held before the vote, Ancel said she has sympathy for the income tax increase proposal, and she said she supported a surcharge bill that passed the House two years ago that was altered in the Senate.Ancel’s committee has taken extensive testimony on the Vermont Blue Ribbon Tax Structure Commission’s recommendation to broaden the tax base and lower tax rates, but it has yet to shape a bill of its own, and it’s anyone’s guess whether legislation will emerge in this session. Ancel said, ‘I can’t say for sure we’ll vote it out of committee.’House Speaker Shap Smith points to the looming federal cuts to the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program as a reason for delaying passage of an income tax hike now. He says it would be imprudent for the state to raise taxes before leaders know how big the hole is going to be. He said when Congress is set to meet the next Continuing Resolution deadline (April 8), the state should have a better handle on the scale of the federal funding reductions. He acknowledged that there could be ongoing CRs through the summer. ‘We don’t really know what challenge is in front of us,’ Smith said.Federal cuts would come on top of a Vermont Joint Fiscal Office budget gap estimate of $35 million for fiscal year 2013. Anne Galloway is editor of vtdigger.org
The second day of fencing competition at the 26th Parachute Infantry Battalion gym was closely contested. At the end of the men’s epée competition, the duel between the Venezuelan Ruben Limardo and Italian Andrea Vallosio was even. Limardo even opened a five-point lead on the scoreboard (5-0), but the Italian managed to come back and make it 10-9. The Venezuelan then went on the attack and finished winning with a score of 15-10. At the end of the match, Limardo, who is competing in first Military World Games celebrated the win. “The competition was very tough, with very strong fencers. Since I saw the list of all the athletes in the field, I knew that the competition was going to be tough. Fatigue and heat hurt me a little, but I stayed focused, continued to attack, and it obviously proved successful,” Limardo said. In fencing, the athletes compete on a strip that is fourteen meters long by two meters wide. The goal is to touch the opponent to score points, and at the same time, to not be touched oneself. There are individual and team competitions in this sport, and there are three different types of weapons: epée, foil, and sabre. By Dialogo July 22, 2011
Sign up for our COVID-19 newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest coronavirus news throughout New York A Queens man was sentenced Thursday to 16 years in prison for trying to kill his 2-year-old daughter with toxic chemicals in a botched murder-suicide try in Lawrence three years ago.Khemchan Sulaiman had pleaded guilty last month before Nassau County Court Judge Christopher Quinn to charges of second-degree attempted murder, assault, criminal contempt and endangering the welfare of a child.“The crimes in this case are shocking – especially given that the victim was a young child that was completely unable to protect itself,” Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said.Police had said at the time that the 48-year-old man doused himself and the toddler with ammonium chloride, which is commonly found in fire extinguishers, and a pesticide known as Sevin while in a vehicle parked behind a business on Central Avenue on Oct. 3, 2011.A passersby discovered Sulaiman and the girl unconscious inside the vehicle and called police, who found both in respiratory distress, authorities had said. They were hospitalized in critical condition and the girl has since recovered.The father was arrested the next day after investigators found ammonium chloride in the toddler’s bottle and Sevin on a car seat.
Sign up for our COVID-19 newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest coronavirus news throughout New York Hofstra University medical students and faculty recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of launching a free clinic in Queens to provide basic care to uninsured patients in a joint venture with Northwell Health.The clinic—the first of its kind for Northwell Health—offers annual physicals, sick visits, blood work, electrocardiograms and more, including referrals at no cost to uninsured and undocumented residents ages 18 and older.“In a number of cases, patients have not seen a doctor in many years,” said Delia Kristol, the clinic’s co-chair and a third-year medical student at Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine. “One patient recently told us he hadn’t seen a doctor since he was in high school, and he’s now significantly older.”The student-run facility follows in the footsteps of a free clinic established in the Far Rockaways after Superstorm Sandy by Doctors of the World in partnership with the School of Medicine.Students said they hope to become the primary care physicians for the patients, who often return weekly for help managing chronic conditions. Faculty members said the clinic is a win-win.“The clinic is not only a great benefit to the community, but also to our students,” said Dr. Mitchell Adler. “They obtain hands-on experience with clinical tools, hone their knowledge and listening skills, and also learn how to run a medical practice—an important reality of medicine that can’t be taught in the classroom.”The clinic is fully integrated into Northwell Health, which provides administrative and clinical support for the effort, including a call center for scheduling, medical records management, lab services and referral sources. It is open 6-9 p.m. Mondays, except holidays.The clinic is located in the Northwell Health Multi-Specialty Medical Group, 95-25 Queens Blvd., Rego Park, Queens. For more information about the free clinic, email som.clinic@pride.hofstra.edu. To make an appointment, call 631-393-5650 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
42SHARESShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr By all accounts, the “fourth industrial revolution” is upon us. Everywhere you look there are smart and increasingly integrated technologies which are becoming a major part of our lives. The Fourth Industrial Revolution builds on the Digital Revolution, with technologies that are redefining how people think, act, drive, work and more. Not only through emerging technology breakthroughs in the fields of AI, robotics, nanotechnology, 3D printing, and cars that drive themselves, but in the financial world. FinTech is a part of this revolution as innovation in the financial marketplace is enhancing member experience and streamlining financial services.To this point, investment in FinTech has seen huge growth over the past decade, from an estimated $1.8B spent globally in 2010 to $19B in 2015, and reaching $24.7B in 2016. Additionally, in a report offering an early summation for 2017, an estimated total of $150B will be spent on financial technology investments globally. With all this new financial technology influencing and driving the marketplace, having a platform and a credit union core system that can readily integrate information and data, while working transparently with these cutting edge products, is a necessity.Experts in the FinTech industry have offered a few insights on what lies ahead for the future of the FinTech marketplace. As consumers, we need to recognize that our information is continually collected, helping to formulate a picture of each of us and our purchasing patterns. Each time use our credit card, search on our smartphones, make a purchase with a certain store card, or travel to a store (GPS tracking,) this data is collected and being analyzed. With all this sharing of information, its easy to feel exposed or that privacy has been compromised. Providing robust security measures, especially surrounding financial data, has to be a high priority. Members need to feel that while you’re offering cutting edge products, you also have their well-being in mind. Experts also predict, among other things, that mobile banking technology will continue to evolve, loan decisioning will incorporate purchasing behaviors and habits, not just be based on FICO scores, and cautions that the financial market needs to prep better for Gen Z. continue reading »
“Given the strength of Tigray’s security forces, the conflict could well be protracted,” International Crisis Group, a non-profit organisation, says. “Tigray has a large paramilitary force and a well-drilled local militia, thought to number perhaps 250,000 troops combined.” – Advertisement –
Feb 20, 2009 (CIDRAP News) – The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today reported a spike in the number of pediatric influenza deaths, an increase that mirrors a continuing rise in flu activity across the nation.The CDC said it received six reports of influenza-related flu deaths in children during the week ending Feb 14, though one occurred during the 2006-07 flu season. The remaining five deaths raise the number of pediatric flu deaths this season to nine.Bacterial coinfections were confirmed in six of the nine children; four involved Staphylococcus aureus, two of which were methicillin resistant. All of the children who had coinfections were age 5 or older.In May 2007, the CDC issued an alert after noting a sharp increase in the number of S aureus infections in children who had the flu during the 2006-07 season, though the total number of pediatric flu deaths that year was similar to the previous two years. Twenty children that season died of bacterial coinfections, 16 of which were S aureus.Meanwhile, other states reported more new pediatric flu deaths, which will likely be included in upcoming CDC weekly influenza updates.Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) yesterday announced that four Colorado children have died from influenza-related complications this flu season. The first occurred in mid January, and the last was reported on Feb 18, the CDPHE said in a press release.The CDPHE said the state’s number of pediatric flu deaths has already topped the past four flu seasons, which averaged two fatalities per year.Three of the children were toddlers, and one was an infant. Two of the children had received partial vaccines (one of two recommended doses), and the other two were unvaccinated. At least two of the children had serious underlying medical conditions, the CDPHE said.Ken Gershman, chief of the CDPHE’s communicable disease program, said in the press release that child flu deaths are tragic, because the disease is often preventable. Last year the CDC expanded its flu vaccination recommendation to include all children from ages 5 though 18. It had already recommended flu immunizations for younger children between the ages of 6 and 59 months.”The single best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu is to get the flu vaccine, and it’s not too late,” Gershman said.Over the past few days other states have reported more pediatric flu deaths, including:Massachusetts, where a 12-year-old boy died on Feb 16, according to the Boston Public Health CommissionArizona, where a teenager from Coconino County died last week, according to the Arizona Department of Health ServicesTexas, where a 12-year-old boy from Amarillo died on Feb 18, according to a report today from the Amarillo Globe-NewsNationally, the number of states reporting widespread flu activity rose to 24, 8 more than the previous surveillance week that ended Feb 7, the CDC reported. Most of the hardest-hit states are in the eastern part of the country, except for Texas, Colorado, and Nevada. Thirteen additional states reported regional influenza activity.Nearly all (98.5%) influenza A/H1N1 samples that have been tested showed resistance to oseltamivir (Tamiflu). Of viruses that have been antigenically characterized, all influenza A/H1N1 and influenza A/H3N2 viruses matched the vaccine components.However, only about a third of the influenza B viruses match the Yamagata lineage that is included in this year’s vaccine—the rest were from the Victoria lineage.See also:CDC influenza surveillance report for Feb 8-14Feb 19 CDPHE press releaseFeb 19 Arizona Department of Health Services press releaseFeb 17 Boston Public Health Commission press release
Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion Imagine the horror of going, in a minute, from a normal day at school to seeing death and fearing for your life. Prevention of this is understandably calling people to action, and politicians claim that with every incident, they will redouble their determination to enact gun control.But for each person killed with an assault rifle in the country, dozens are dragged from vibrant, vital lives and loving families to their death by addiction to synthetic opioids. They are often dragged into such degradation that their eventual death by overdose comes less as a shock and more as an exclamation point at the end of a long and painful sentence. These substances can rule the brains of victims, breaking human bonds of love and loyalty and even maternal instinct.The legal medical industry has gone from well-intentioned error, to denial, to full culpability in this tragedy. Stories of over-prescription of pain killers are still ubiquitous. But even outright criminal behavior has not been adequately prevented.Politicians, in concert with the media, are complicit by distraction from the addiction epidemic. They promote the term “gun violence” as the primary target for prevention. Why is violent death without a gun less important? But more generally, shouldn’t we prioritize awareness, enforcement and prevention resources in proportion to the total number of tragic and preventable deaths? Until they attack the greater monster with proportionate vigor, I will continue to view the singular focus on guns as, at best, well-intentioned but myopic, and at worst gross and cynical political exploitation.Norman PerazzoGlenvilleMore from The Daily Gazette:EDITORIAL: Urgent: Today is the last day to complete the censusFoss: Should main downtown branch of the Schenectady County Public Library reopen?EDITORIAL: Thruway tax unfair to working motoristsEDITORIAL: Beware of voter intimidationEDITORIAL: Find a way to get family members into nursing homes
Comment Metro Sport ReporterThursday 18 Apr 2019 8:42 pmShare this article via facebookShare this article via twitterShare this article via messengerShare this with Share this article via emailShare this article via flipboardCopy link1.2kShares Read More Video Settings More: Arsenal FCArsenal flop Denis Suarez delivers verdict on Thomas Partey and Lucas Torreira movesThomas Partey debut? Ian Wright picks his Arsenal starting XI vs Manchester CityArsene Wenger explains why Mikel Arteta is ‘lucky’ to be managing Arsenal Manchester United captain Harry Maguire 1 min. story Read More Advertisement Ramsey 😩😩 if that’s his last game in an Arsenal shirt I will cry— Rosie Jones (@RosieNell13) April 18, 2019 PLAY This may have been Ramsey’s last game with Arsenal 😢 pic.twitter.com/Y2ZsGN8ECB— Luis Gonzalez (@luis_hatesomuch) April 18, 2019 Awful to think that could be Ramsey’s last game for us— Batch (@carl_jb) April 18, 2019 Full Screen Coming Next Read More Read More
by Metro Aaron Ramsey suffered an apparent hamstring strain against Napoli (Picture: Reuters)Arsenal fans fear Aaron Ramsey may have played his last game for the club after he suffered an apparent hamstring injury against Napoli.The 28-year-old pulled up midway inside the Italian side’s half, stretching to retrieve the ball and crumpled to the floor just past the half hour mark.Unai Emery was forced to introduce Henrikh Mkhitaryan as the Wales international’s replacement but the Gunners recovered almost immediately from that setback to extend their aggregate lead in a tense Europa League quarter final second leg.After being fouled 25 yards from goal, Alexandre Lacazette picked himself up, dusted himself down and bent a stunning free kick into Alex Meret’s top left-hand corner.AdvertisementAdvertisementADVERTISEMENT Skip Arsenal fans fear Aaron Ramsey has played his last game for the club after Napoli injury Visit Advertiser website GO TO PAGE / Read More Skip Ad More: FootballRio Ferdinand urges Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to drop Manchester United starChelsea defender Fikayo Tomori reveals why he made U-turn over transfer deadline day moveMikel Arteta rates Thomas Partey’s chances of making his Arsenal debut vs Man CityRamsey’s injury, however, is likely to rule him out for at least three weeks but, should it be a more serious tear, the curtain may have already come down on a glittering Gunners career.The former Cardiff star, scorer of two FA Cup final winning goals, is set to join Juventus in the summer on a free transfer and with Arsenal’s campaign potentially set to end on May 29, should they reach the Europa Leauge final, he faces a race against time to wear the club’s famous red shirt again…If this is your last game, Aaron Ramsey, it was an absolute pleasure and you’re an Arsenal legend. #AFC— Daniel Cutts (@Journo_Slash) April 18, 2019 Advertisement SPONSORED About Connatix V67539 Rio Ferdinand tells Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to drop struggling Top articles 1/1
Jeanett Bergan, head of responsible investment at KLP, said: “Despite growing awareness in the financial sector, investors find it challenging to identify and address risks as a result of deforestation.”While significant attention had been given to carbon emissions and fossil fuels, she said, there had been far less focus on emissions produced by tropical deforestation.Bergan said the clearing and burning of forests released greenhouse gases and also reduced the earth’s ability to store carbon. Protecting forests and other natural ecosystems could contribute as much as a third of what is needed to prevent climate change, she said.The NOK765bn pension fund said the tool gave an overview of existing investor strategies in the field, identifying the data sources, tools and methods currently available for risk analysis and ownership dialogue.To read the digital edition of IPE’s latest magazine click here. Norwegian pension providers KLP and Storebrand have joined forces with the NGO Rainforest Foundation Norway to produce a guide on how investors can handle financial risks related to deforestation.KLP, Norway’s main provider of municipal pensions, said firms with exposure to deforestation activity were at significantly increased financial risk, and that the risk of reputational damage, reduced market access and legal sanctions could have a major impact on their returns and their shareholders.KLP, Storebrand and the Rainforest Foundation Norway commissioned a report from UK-based Hindsight Consultancy entitled: “Deforestation tools assessment and gap analysis: How investors can manage deforestation risk”.The report includes recommendations for investors, NGOs, ESG data providers and the authorities on how to address the environmental issue.