Mich. voters to get say on emergency manager law

DETROIT (AP) ? An attempt to kill a Michigan law that gives emergency managers sweeping powers to fix poor communities' finances will appear on the November ballot, the state Supreme Court said Friday, handing unions a major victory in their clash with Republican Gov. Rick Snyder.

The law passed last year by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed by Snyder allows the governor to appoint people to run cities and school districts that are broke. Managers have sweeping authority to cut spending, sell assets and tear up contracts without the approval of elected officials.

Unions representing workers who were laid off or had their pay cut by managers repeatedly have challenged the law in court but lost. They see a statewide vote as another chance to get rid of it.

Republicans control Michigan's highest court, 4-3, but GOP Justice Mary Beth Kelly broke from the majority in this case and provided the crucial vote to order the Board of State Canvassers to put the referendum on the ballot.

The Supreme Court was asked to decide a technical issue: Did the petitions used to gather signatures have the type size required by law? Kelly said they did, while three Democrats voted to uphold a decision by the appeals court. Combined, those four votes mean the manager issue will go to the voters.

"This case well demonstrates that tension between constitutional interests: the right to a republican form of government versus a constitutional process that allows a small minority to suspend the enactments of that government," Kelly wrote.

Emergency managers are in place in Benton Harbor, Flint, Pontiac and Ecorse, as well as in public schools in Detroit, Highland Park and Muskegon Heights.

But it's unclear how much longer they will serve. The law will be suspended once the Board of State Canvassers officially places the referendum on the ballot.

Snyder said he respects the public's right to have a vote but warned that solutions for distressed local governments will be even "more painful" when the law is suspended.

"Suspending the law limits the state's ability to offer early intervention and assistance, and eliminates important tools that emergency managers need to address financial emergencies as quickly and efficiently as possible," the governor said in a statement.

Stand Up for Democracy, the coalition that turned in more than 200,000 signatures, was ecstatic over the court decision.

"It's time for emergency managers around the state to pack their bags and go home until the people have their say in November," spokesman Greg Bowens said. "We believe that the law is a power grab by Lansing that usurps democratically elected officials on a local level. Democracy is messy but it works."

State Treasurer Andy Dillon said the governor is prepared to reappoint managers in affected communities, but they would operate under the previous law and have fewer powers. He said Michael Brown in Flint would have to be replaced because he recently was the mayor, which disqualifies him under the old law.

Although Detroit doesn't have an emergency manager, the possibility of appointing one led Mayor Dave Bing and the city council to agree to a deal with the governor that put several strict requirements in place to repair the city's finances last spring, especially pay cuts. Bing believes many changes still will stick.

"The bottom line is the city's fiscal challenges remain, and Public Act 4 was one tool to help us," Bing said, referring to the formal title of the manager law. "Without PA 4, we will continue to execute our fiscal restructuring plan."

Not everyone agrees. Police union attorney Donato Iorio said the law "gave birth" to the financial agreement between Detroit and the state and anything that resulted from it should be "null and void" when the law is suspended before the fall vote. Officers and other city workers recently were forced to take a 10 percent pay cut and pay more for health care.

___

Associated Press writer Jeff Karoub contributed to this story.

___

Follow Ed White on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/edwhiteAP

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/mich-voters-emergency-manager-law-222246573.html

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Ideas on the fallout universe

NOTE: THIS DISCUSSION WILL CONTAIN SPOLIERS FOR THE PREVIOUS GAMES!!!

Yea I know those who like fallout have probably discussed this topic so many times that the radioactivity of it all itself has perished but here among many other storywriters and role-players alike I think we can obtain a fascinating discussion about the matter.

For those of you who are not familiar with the fallout franchise fallout is a Science fantasy setting of the world many years after a nuclear war and the post apocalyptic society which emerges from the ashes of the North American civilization dominantly the former United States of America.

Each fallout game had a different character who in the course of the game becomes significant to the areas future (Washington DC.. etc) since the Fallout series was developed by two very different companies and teams the style of the games varies between production.

My personal opinion on the next fallout is that the actual setting (area/location) doesn?t really matter unless the setting is established as involving one or more factions already introduced in the game but with the idea I have in mind if quite possible that the setting would be an important issue.

My idea is in essence to have the next fallout storyline revolve around ether a surviving Enclave soldier or a dweller in an Enclave vault.

I think we can all agree that the Enclave is finished as a major force and if re introduced into the next game as a massive force would be a rather cheap choice for the story. The Enclave was crushed in Fallout 2, fallout 3's Enclave is basically the survivors of the California fiasco regrouped and rearmed by the efforts of a sentient supercomputer under the persona of President Eden. The only known base that may still remain is in Chicago but it seems that this base is more of an outpost then a base.

My idea for the story is that the player is born in an Enclave outpost of the vault style possibly in Chicago. I do not really want to have a similar growing up thing like Fallout 3 did but I rather have something which establishes the character unlike New Vegas which is more of a free style. The character lives his/hers life in the base until it is attacked by raiders or alternatively an emergent faction or the Midwestern brotherhood of steel (rather not because it merely replaces the Enclave as the antagonists with the brotherhood) due to the bases small size and relatively small military detachment the fight in the defense of the base turns into a retreat in the face of overwhelming enemy numbers and then into an every one to himself style rout.

The player escapes the base using a secret passage built into the sewers (yes.. an oblivion reference) and based on his actions while escaping others are also able to escape however they only reappear later in the game.

From this point the game would be relatively free as for the players choice however the main story line and a number of side stories would revolve around the reemergence of the Enclave and its destiny as ether a reformed organizations dealing with the realties of the wasteland or as its old self dedicated to the eradication of mutation (no its not going to be purely based on good or bad)

Whatever actions the character takes have consequences on the development of events so every action counts. At first the character struggles to survive in the heavily eradiated ruins of Chicago and makes his way out of the city (note the base would not be at the center of the city so its not too long a trip)

After this the player has the choice of ether going on the main quest of regrouping with the rest of the Chicago enclave o do whatever he/she likes. As the main story I have ideas of something along the lines of regrouping with Enclave survivors and combating forces commanded by a mysterious hand (maybe China or Canada lol) in the struggle the player is at first secondary to command however after a second defeat the player may become the leader of what's left of the Enclave (and sacrificing quite a bit of freedom of play). The attacks demand many side quests such as gathering weapons and allies which as the leader of the faction the player must deal with. Maybe some missions could lead to an alliance between the Midwest brotherhood and the Chicago Enclave or if the Chicago Enclave is in a worse situation the integration of the Chicago Enclave into the Midwest brotherhood. The story would also involve internal struggles as the Enclave regroups taking the shape of older veteran enclave personal (not all but most of them) wishing to return to the old ways of doing things and upholding Enclave tradition and the younger generation who see more of the reality of the wastelands and are more idealistic about things such as democracy and what was America (not the Eden version)

The player if made leader must balance his stance on the matter unless he has no problem with facing a number of internal struggles which may result in a successful coup if the player doesn?t have the sufficient support (in which case he may join the Midwestern brotherhood against the Enclave or something with those few of his supporters or try to reclaim power however reducing the power of the Enclave) alternatively the player may lead a coup against who ever is chosen as leader of the enclave (an extremely complicated endeavor which can't be decided upon at a moment of notice) .

Eventually the enemy base is located and depending of the characters actions a coalition of different forces join to destroy the threat realizing that the enemy threatens them all. The enemy base would be deep inside Chicago and much of the pre invasion quest line would revolve around creating more rad resistant power armor or other methods of transport.

The story does not end with the defeat of whatever enemy (I will need to think about the enemy more) and escalates into an internal dispute when a garden of Eden creation kit is discovered which depending or the player may be used to eradicate the radiation in Chicago by integrating it with a factory or as a means to kill or none "pure" life forms and many other uses.

I know I need to think about it more and I am thinking of writing a story along these lines as my first full story in order to get more acquainted with my style of writing in an existing setting (I am a setting writer so I want to work of something in which I must focus more on the story and character rather then let my mind wonder about with the setting)

The Antagonist in the story would not only be one and in fact quite a few factions may play that role depending on the actions of the player however a central enemy (who can become an ally if some actions are taken) is a scientific community which makes use of mutations, robots and manipulated raiders as troops with the intention of gathering technology for something? maybe the Enclave space ship!

Any ideas on the matter? I would love to hear what other people think and their own ideas.

yea i know that our ideas will never be heard by the developers but it is a nice test of imagination :D

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RolePlayGateway/~3/5bE7uy0OswY/viewtopic.php

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Some Hotel Jobs - Free Articles Directory | Submit Articles - Social ...

Being one of the busiest ports/airports and also the number one port regarding cruise ships in the world, offers millions of people passing from the city each year. With your a development of the town and so many travelers the hospitality company is has been experiencing any boom in the most recent 10 years and is constantly expand each year at the fast pace.

The actual offers regarding holiday accommodation and dining are never ending, the city getting something for everybody.

Experiencing and enjoying the financial crisis which impacted deeply the economic system of many countries, developing a steady, rewarding job these days it is a concern for many people.

Many hotels and resorts are always interested in selecting new staff being part of their teams. The candidate for any position in the hotel have to have certain skills: to be able to organize himself in line with the time available, to become motivated, hard working, willing to please the guests and provide the finest possible experience for them. As well, being part of the staff in a large hotel is needing to have a positive perspective at all times towards guests, supervisors and acquaintances and to be a dynamic member of the team, willing to help and provide.

The job offers in a large hotel are various and numerous. Parking valets, porters, front desk receptionists, bartenders, bar waiters, buffet staff, bistro waiters, room program staff, accommodation stewards, attractiveness and massage counselors, gym staff, gardeners, every single one of them is welcoming the visitor with a smiling face and in a very friendly manner.

Finding a work in the hotel is not this kind of difficult task. Having past experience and skills consists an advantage, but most of the hotels offer you training on the job too, as long as the employee it really is striving to do his / her best to get the job done properly.

Most hotels are generally hiring by filling an online application form along with passing the interviews which follows following your successful reviewing and selecting of the applicant or by posting the positions available in a nearby newspaper and conference the applicants directly.

As well, there are many work agencies that you can consider in order to apply for the work, but most of them are asking for certain fees for your service provided. The internet represents an excellent supply to look for a job, staying accessible and easy to be able to update on a daily basis.

Doing work for an international hotel careers chain it?s very rewarding, offering numerous benefits to the employees such as: motivating salaries, adaptable working hours, in their free time and full time work opportunities or contracts, option of internships, medical insurance, vision as well as dental, paid getaways and holidays, retirement living plan, complimentary or even discount prices about meals, membership in the hotel chain giving you reduced room rates as well as discounts on distinct products and services and many other facilities to make the working environment pleasant and also to take best proper care of the employees.

If you choose to benefit only a season or else you decide to make an occupation out of it, working for a big company it is always a good option, as they are able to provide you with the security of having a secure working place over these changing times that is certainly perhaps, of the utmost importance.

For more information about hotel careers visit our website.

Source: http://social-lux.com/?p=5255

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Simple Home Improvement Project Schemes for Security and ...

Thursday, August 2nd, 2012. Author : BradwellLowther108. 11 views.

We imagine there are literally hundreds of home improvement projects of all shapes, sizes, and costs. You will never be at a loss when it comes to this particular type of project. You will definitely not have difficulty in finding a project, just in choosing whether to do one that is expensive or more cost effective when you start out. Beginning around your house, reading up on how to do home improvement projects, and start doing a few of them to see how it goes. Today we offer you three home improvement projects to increase security plus home decoration.

There are quite a few different ways to improve the state of your home, for example with personal safety. Every year, there are thousands of deaths and injuries that occur because people slip on stairs. If you have a basement with wooden steps, then consider placing non-slip adhesive strips on the steps. At one point or another, we have all seen these and they work pretty good and they let you step somewhere steady.

Guarantee that more than one thin strip, is placed on every step. In order to ensure the highest amount of safety, we suggest that you add at least three narrow strips to every step. If you have children in your home, then this becomes even more crucial for thwarting horrible falls.

The amount of crime being committed today is a direct result of the state of our economy. It is because of this high crime rate that a small-scale security system should be installed at your home. For example, you can find all kinds of outdoor lights that are used with a motion detector. Once motion is detected by the lights, the lights will turn on, revealing the intruder outside. It is also possible to install a hidden camera that will take images and videos and send them to a remote monitor in your household. This way, when something happens outside of your house, you can see it from inside.

Adding a large basin to your basin can be a great idea. These are usually simply a multi purpose type of basin. This particular sink will provide a variety of uses. Some things are too large for your kitchen sink and will be accommodated by this one. If you take care of your own car repairs, you will probably have greasy hands from time to time; now you will have a safe place to wash them. Installing this kind of deep basin is really not such a chore, either. If you are a novice plumber you ought to be able to do the job yourself, or you can always consider hiring a professional plumber. Given the sense of sensibility, some of the simplest improvements can be some of the most appreciated. A simple sink to your basement could be a great illustration. This kind of enhancement will be multi purpose and will likely be used frequently for a variety of purposes. You see, those are the kinds of projects that are relatively easy to do, yet they are very useful.

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Source: http://www.articlewebby.com/business/simple-home-improvement-project-schemes-for-security-and-wellbeing/

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Preventive Health Services for Women ? My Faith and Fitness

As of today, there is no excuse for women not getting preventive health services.? According to the Affordable Care Act, services that were previously costly for patients or prohibited by insurance companies can now be accessed by women.

Before health reform, too many Americans didn?t get the preventive care they need to stay healthy, avoid or delay the onset of disease, lead productive lives, and reduce health care costs. Often because of cost, Americans used preventive services at about half the recommended rate.? Yet chronic diseases ? which are responsible for 7 of 10 deaths among Americans each year and account for 75% of the nation?s health spending ? often are preventable. Cost sharing (including copayments, co-insurance, and deductibles) reduces the likelihood that preventive services will be used. Especially concerning for women are studies showing that even moderate copays for preventive services such as mammograms or Pap smears result in fewer women obtaining this care.? The Affordable Care Act, the health insurance reform legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010, helps make prevention affordable and accessible for all Americans by requiring health plans to cover recommended preventive services without cost sharing.

According to HealthCare.gov, the eight new additional women?s preventive services that will be covered without cost-sharing requirements include:

• Well-woman visits: This would include an annual well-woman preventive care visit for adult women to obtain the recommended preventive services, and additional visits if women and their health care providers determine they are necessary. These visits will help women and their health care providers determine what preventive services are appropriate, and set up a plan to help women get the care they need to be healthy.
• Gestational diabetes screening: This screening is for women 24 to 28 weeks pregnant, and those at high risk of developing gestational diabetes. It will help improve the health of mothers and babies because women who have gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. In addition, the children of women with gestational diabetes are at significantly increased risk of being overweight and insulin-resistant throughout childhood.
• HPV DNA testing: Women who are 30 or older will have access to high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing every three years, regardless of Pap smear results. Early screening, detection, and treatment have been shown to help reduce the prevalence of cervical cancer.
• STI counseling: Sexually-active women will have access to annual counseling on sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These sessions have been shown to reduce risky behavior in patients, yet only 28 percent of women aged 18-44 years reported that they had discussed STIs with a doctor or nurse.
• HIV screening and counseling: Sexually-active women will have access to annual counseling on HIV. Women are at increased risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. From 1999 to 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a 15% increase in AIDS cases among women, and a 1% increase among men.
• Contraception and contraceptive counseling: Women will have access to all Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling. These recommendations do not include abortifacient drugs. Most workers in employer-sponsored plans are currently covered for contraceptives. Contraception has additional health benefits like reduced risk of cancer and protection against osteoporosis.
• Breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling: Pregnant and postpartum women will have access to comprehensive lactation support and counseling from trained providers, as well as breastfeeding equipment. Breastfeeding is one of the most effective preventive measures mothers can take to protect their health and that of their children. One of the barriers for breastfeeding is the cost of purchasing or renting breast pumps and nursing related supplies.
• Interpersonal and domestic violence screening and counseling: Screening and counseling for interpersonal and domestic violence should be provided for all adolescent and adult women. An estimated 25% of women in the United States report being targets of intimate partner violence during their lifetimes. Screening is effective in the early detection and effectiveness of interventions to increase the safety of abused women.

You can find out more information about the expanded access to these services on the fact sheet on the HealthCare.gov website.? No excuses.? Sisters, please take advantage of these services.? Stay encouraged.

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Source: http://my-faith-and-fitness.com/2012/08/01/preventive-health-services-for-women/

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India keeps key interest rate on hold

India's central bank kept its key interest rates unchanged on Tuesday as predicted, but it delivered bleak forecasts for the slowing economy and warned about the country's deficits.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said the benchmark repo rate, at which it lends to commercial banks, would remain at 8.0 percent because of the risks of higher inflation.

"In the current circumstances, lowering policy rates will only aggravate inflationary impulses without necessarily stimulating growth," said RBI governor Duvvuri Subbarao in a release after Tuesday's decision.

The move to hold interest rates had been widely expected by economists after the bank hinted in a report released late Monday that it was unable to cut them further because of inflationary pressures.

India's once-booming economy grew just 5.3 percent between January and March, its slowest annual quarterly expansion in nine years, and the bank revealed gloomy predictions for the near-term.

It slashed its GDP growth forecast for this financial year to April 2013 from 7.3 percent to 6.5 percent, while predicting that inflation at the end of the year would be 7.0 percent instead of 6.5 percent as forecast.

"India is clearly an outlier -- even though our growth is slowing in line with the rest of the world, our inflation continues to be high," Subbarao told a news conference.

Wholesale inflation stands at 7.25 percent -- far above the bank's comfort level of five to six percent -- while the consumer price index, which covers a smaller band of goods, is at 10.02 percent.

While other central banks around the globe have been easing interest rates to revive their troubled economies, the RBI has said that economic reforms are needed first in order to to remove chronic bottlenecks in the economy.

Subbarao also warned about the deficit in India's current account, largely caused by its large import bill, and its fiscal deficit, caused by government overspending.

"Failure to narrow twin deficits with appropriate policy actions threatens both macroeconomic stability and growth," he said.

Glenn Levine, an economist at Moody's Analytics, said ahead of the announcement that India faced "stagflation".

"The economy is slowing while inflation remains high," he said.

In a move to stimulate growth, the bank cut its statutory liquidity ratio for commercial banks by 100 basis points to 23 percent on Tuesday.

This reduces the amount of short-term liquid assets that banks have to hold in reserves and should help to boost the credit available to businesses.

The bank lowered rates in April to kickstart growth -- its first such move in three years. But it has since kept monetary policy steady, citing inflationary pressures, despite calls from business leaders to stimulate the economy.

"This is an intelligent policy. The upside risks to inflation are rising and the RBI has attached more weight to this," said Rupa Rege Nitsure, chief economist with state-run Bank of Baroda, after Tuesday's decision.

A weak monsoon, in which the rains have been more than 20 percent lower than normal so far, has stoked the bank's inflation worries because of the potential impact on food prices if crops fail.

India's projected growth remains enviable by Western standards but it is too slow to fulfil government pledges of significant poverty reduction and to create enough jobs for a soaring young workforce in the country of 1.2 billion.

The RBI on Monday said the economy was at a "critical juncture" and it encouraged "policy actions to encourage investment", which would include removing constraints on foreign direct investment.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/india-keeps-key-interest-rate-hold-064248847--finance.html

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Auction Direct USA Ranks #1 Nationally for the Third Year Running ...

Leading Used Vehicle Superstore Claims Auto Dealer Monthly?s Independent Dealer of the Year Award

ROCHESTER, N.Y. ?For the third consecutive year, based on number of vehicles sold, Auction Direct USA was named the #1 independent used vehicle retailer of the year. The national award is given out annually by Auto Dealer Monthly Magazine in conjunction with Sirius XM Satellite Radio.

Auction Direct USA?s winning margin was more than 800 vehicles. In the three straight years that Auction Direct USA has won the Independent Dealer of the Year award they have sold in excess of 20,000 used cars, SUVs and trucks. The award is open to any independent dealership that is not and has never been publicly held.? Rankings were based on pre-owned retail sales for the 2011 calendar year.

?The entire team at Auction Direct USA is thrilled to win this award for the third year in a row,? said John Iannone, Chief Executive Officer at Auction Direct. ?We attribute much of our success to our sales philosophy of always giving customers the best possible experience and the best possible price for a used car. ?We believe this ideal really resonates with buyers who are looking for trustworthy advice from no-pressure, non-commission sales staff, and who ultimately just want a fun and enjoyable car-buying experience.?

The company currently operates four Used Car Superstores in Victor, N.Y., Buffalo, N.Y., Raleigh, N.C., and Jacksonville, Fla., and plans to continue to grow their market reach to meet the need for quality service and products at low competitive pricing.

About Auction Direct USA

Named 2010, 2011 and 2012?s #1 Independent Retailer in the U.S. by Auto Dealer Monthly, Auction Direct USA Used Car Superstore is committed to revolutionizing and legitimizing the used car business. Guided by principles of trust and open information exchange, Auction Direct USA strives to provide a truly unique and satisfying used car buying experience by providing over 30 brands, a no-haggle price structure and a Thee-Day, 500-Mile Money Back Satisfaction Guarantee.

The company currently employs nearly 300 people in its four locations in Victor, N.Y.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Jacksonville, Fla.; and Raleigh, N.C., and will grow their market reach with a new store opening in Pittsburg, Pa., this fall.

Source: http://dealer-communications.com/product-news/auction-direct-usa-ranks-1-nationally-for-the-third-year-running/

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