Feb 24, 2011
Faculty Senate
I am going to this afternoon's Faculty Senate meeting. I have not seen an agenda, so I don't know what will be discussed. I've been to Faculty Senate meetings in the past as a reporter for The Parthenon, so I have an idea of what to expect. I'll post tomorrow what the meeting was like.
State of the City followup
The mayor's State of the City speech Feb. 14 painted a bleak economic future for Huntington. He spent a lot of time talking about the economy and how the budget was planned without any additional revenue sources. The city must wait until the Home Rule Board approves the occupation tax before any income sources are identified.
He also spoke about cutting jobs and funds from all departments. Councilwoman Sandra Clements said no one likes lay offs because everyone needs a job, but the city has to do what it has to do and they will have to learn to work within their resources.
In all, it was pretty interesting to hear first-hand about the city's problems.
He also spoke about cutting jobs and funds from all departments. Councilwoman Sandra Clements said no one likes lay offs because everyone needs a job, but the city has to do what it has to do and they will have to learn to work within their resources.
In all, it was pretty interesting to hear first-hand about the city's problems.
Feb 13, 2011
City Council/State of the City preview
I'm going to the Huntington City Council meeting tomorrow evening. I've been to these meetings before, when I had the City of Huntington beat for The Parthenon, so I have a pretty good idea of what they'll discuss. I took a peak at their agenda, available online, City council representatives will consider issues such as zoning, purchase of gasoline for city vehicles and purchase of software for the Huntington Police Department, among other things.
But before the actual meeting, Mayor Kim Wolfe will give his second State of the City address. I've reviewed articles about last year's speech, so that gave me a general idea of what I should expect tomorrow. Last year, Wolfe proposed furloughs for city employees, so he will probably talk about how successful that was. He may even propose extending that. He will also probably talk about taxes. A big issue last year was the 1 percent occupation tax. The mayor will talk about that and whether it was as successful as he intended. The city's economy has been an issue as well, so the mayor will probably also address that.
But before the actual meeting, Mayor Kim Wolfe will give his second State of the City address. I've reviewed articles about last year's speech, so that gave me a general idea of what I should expect tomorrow. Last year, Wolfe proposed furloughs for city employees, so he will probably talk about how successful that was. He may even propose extending that. He will also probably talk about taxes. A big issue last year was the 1 percent occupation tax. The mayor will talk about that and whether it was as successful as he intended. The city's economy has been an issue as well, so the mayor will probably also address that.
Feb 10, 2011
DuPont's filings with the SEC
In researching DuPont's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, I came across several documents.
The most interesting, and the one that says the most about the company, was the 10-Q earnings report, which listed the company's assets, revenues, expenditures, liabilities and stockholder equity. This report shows just how much money the company earned and spent in the 10-Q and is probably a vital document for stockholders so they can see how the money they invest is spent.
Another part of this document is the CEO Certification. This is a document where the CEO of the company signs off on the 10-Q earnings report and agrees that everything in the report is correct. The company's CFO also signs off on his own document saying the same things.
I also found several statements of acquisitions. This is like a receipt that shows when a person or company purchases stock in DuPont. It lists things such as addresses, company name and the type of form filed.
DuPont also corresponds with stockholders. I found several examples of these correspondences, published on company letterhead, that were sent to stockholders and filed with the SEC.
Reading these documents was like reading a different language. I didn't understand much of what I read, and it is hard to know exactly what to look for when you don't understand the documents. If I'm ever assigned a business beat, I'll have to teach myself how to maneuver the SEC website and research companies, stock filings, acquisitions and mergers and the like if I want to be a good reporter. This assignment really showed me that I still have a lot to learn in terms of research and understanding things outside politics.
The most interesting, and the one that says the most about the company, was the 10-Q earnings report, which listed the company's assets, revenues, expenditures, liabilities and stockholder equity. This report shows just how much money the company earned and spent in the 10-Q and is probably a vital document for stockholders so they can see how the money they invest is spent.
Another part of this document is the CEO Certification. This is a document where the CEO of the company signs off on the 10-Q earnings report and agrees that everything in the report is correct. The company's CFO also signs off on his own document saying the same things.
I also found several statements of acquisitions. This is like a receipt that shows when a person or company purchases stock in DuPont. It lists things such as addresses, company name and the type of form filed.
DuPont also corresponds with stockholders. I found several examples of these correspondences, published on company letterhead, that were sent to stockholders and filed with the SEC.
Reading these documents was like reading a different language. I didn't understand much of what I read, and it is hard to know exactly what to look for when you don't understand the documents. If I'm ever assigned a business beat, I'll have to teach myself how to maneuver the SEC website and research companies, stock filings, acquisitions and mergers and the like if I want to be a good reporter. This assignment really showed me that I still have a lot to learn in terms of research and understanding things outside politics.
Jan 27, 2011
President delivers in State of the Union speech
President Barack Obama achieved two of his greatest campaign promises in 2010, but he did not dwell on these Tuesday in his State of the Union speech.
Although health care reform and the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” were two important measures passed by Congress, Obama said it is now time to “move forward” and “win the future for America.”
Obama acknowledged the debate surrounding health care reform, which House republicans have voted to repeal. He said he is willing to work with them to improve the plan.
“If you have ideas about how to improve this law by making care better or more affordable, I’m eager to work with you,” Obama said.
To sway republicans, Obama cited a few ways health care reform is helping struggling senior citizens and students.
“As we speak, this law is making prescription drugs cheaper for seniors and giving uninsured students a chance to stay on their parents’ coverage,” he said. “So instead of refighting the battles of the last two years, let’s fix what needs fixing and move forward.”
Obama’s way of moving forward includes funding innovation, reforming education and repairing America’s infrastructure. Although the economy is an important aspect of each of the areas Obama outlined, he did not give an in-depth plan of how to fix the economy.
He did, however, acknowledge the deficit, saying the government cannot afford to extend tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans.
“Before we take money away from our schools, or scholarships away from our students, we should ask millionaires to give up their tax break,” Obama said.
He pointed out that ending the tax break should not be seen as a punishment on those who earn more, but should be seen as ensuring everyone is on an even playing field.
The government should also help tackle the deficit, Obama said. He proposed freezing annual domestic spending, which would reduce the deficit by more than $400 billion over the next decade.
A big contributor to the deficit is the war in Afghanistan. Since the war began in 2003, the government has sunk billions of dollars into the region. In his 2010 State of the Union speech, Obama proposed withdrawing all troops from Afghanistan by August 2011. Obama has since changed that plan, saying Tuesday troops would begin to arrive home in July.
Obama pointed out that not everyone in the military comes from the same background. He said some are white, black, Latino, Asian, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and some are gay.
“Starting this year, no American will be forbidden from serving the country they love because of who they love,” Obama said, referring to the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which prohibited homosexuals from serving.
Perhaps the biggest theme of the night, however, was bipartisanship. In support of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., who was shot Jan. 8 in Tuscon, some members of Congress elected to break tradition and sit together despite political party. However, Obama said this new seating arrangement doesn’t mean anything if they can’t work together.
“What comes of this moment will be determined not by whether we can sit together tonight, but whether we can work together tomorrow,” the president said.
Throughout the speech, Obama encouraged democrats and republicans to work together and put party politics aside.
“We have our differences in policy, but we all believe in the rights enshrined in our constitution,” Obama said.
Bipartisanship is another of Obama’s big campaign promises. He has already delivered on two. Let’s see if he can make it three.
Although health care reform and the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” were two important measures passed by Congress, Obama said it is now time to “move forward” and “win the future for America.”
Obama acknowledged the debate surrounding health care reform, which House republicans have voted to repeal. He said he is willing to work with them to improve the plan.
“If you have ideas about how to improve this law by making care better or more affordable, I’m eager to work with you,” Obama said.
To sway republicans, Obama cited a few ways health care reform is helping struggling senior citizens and students.
“As we speak, this law is making prescription drugs cheaper for seniors and giving uninsured students a chance to stay on their parents’ coverage,” he said. “So instead of refighting the battles of the last two years, let’s fix what needs fixing and move forward.”
Obama’s way of moving forward includes funding innovation, reforming education and repairing America’s infrastructure. Although the economy is an important aspect of each of the areas Obama outlined, he did not give an in-depth plan of how to fix the economy.
He did, however, acknowledge the deficit, saying the government cannot afford to extend tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans.
“Before we take money away from our schools, or scholarships away from our students, we should ask millionaires to give up their tax break,” Obama said.
He pointed out that ending the tax break should not be seen as a punishment on those who earn more, but should be seen as ensuring everyone is on an even playing field.
The government should also help tackle the deficit, Obama said. He proposed freezing annual domestic spending, which would reduce the deficit by more than $400 billion over the next decade.
A big contributor to the deficit is the war in Afghanistan. Since the war began in 2003, the government has sunk billions of dollars into the region. In his 2010 State of the Union speech, Obama proposed withdrawing all troops from Afghanistan by August 2011. Obama has since changed that plan, saying Tuesday troops would begin to arrive home in July.
Obama pointed out that not everyone in the military comes from the same background. He said some are white, black, Latino, Asian, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and some are gay.
“Starting this year, no American will be forbidden from serving the country they love because of who they love,” Obama said, referring to the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which prohibited homosexuals from serving.
Perhaps the biggest theme of the night, however, was bipartisanship. In support of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., who was shot Jan. 8 in Tuscon, some members of Congress elected to break tradition and sit together despite political party. However, Obama said this new seating arrangement doesn’t mean anything if they can’t work together.
“What comes of this moment will be determined not by whether we can sit together tonight, but whether we can work together tomorrow,” the president said.
Throughout the speech, Obama encouraged democrats and republicans to work together and put party politics aside.
“We have our differences in policy, but we all believe in the rights enshrined in our constitution,” Obama said.
Bipartisanship is another of Obama’s big campaign promises. He has already delivered on two. Let’s see if he can make it three.
Jan 25, 2011
Revision: Barack Obama State of the Union
When President Barack Obama delivers his second State of the Union address Tuesday to a joint session of Congress , he may find members of Congress are not in their usual seats. That is, if Sens. Mark Udall, D-Colo., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, have their way.
Last week, the two senators began circulating a letter urging members of Congress to forego tradition and sit together, not on opposite sides of the aisle, in an effort at solidarity following the tragic shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., on Jan. 8. More than 40 members of Congress have signed on.
Obama ran on the promise of reaching across the aisle and ending partisanship in Washington. In his 2010 State of the Union speech, Obama said he wanted “all of us, Democrats and Republicans, to overcome our differences, to overcome the numbing weight of our politics." Obama now has a chance to make good on those campaign promises. But it will take a fight.
Republicans are upset with Obama, particularly on the subject of health care reform. Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, said Wednesday the House voted to repeal the act.
Health care reform legislation is the jewel in Obama’s crown thus far. He campaigned on getting the legislation passed so all Americans could have affordable health care. After a year, and some debate in Congress, the bill passed. Is it perfect? No, but it has the potential to help millions of Americans.
Health care reform is today’s version of former President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, which provided jobs and government benefits to millions of Americans during the Great Depression. FDR’s initiatives were not widely accepted at the time, like the health care act, but we have grown used to Social Security, Medicare and welfare. These programs have helped people for generations. Who is to say Obama’s health care plan won’t have the same effect on our children and grandchildren?
Health care reform also has the potential to help the struggling economy. This bill has the potential to decrease the budget deficit, which could mean economic improvement. Much like former President John F. Kennedy, Obama took office in the midst of a recession. Kennedy’s remarks in his 1961 State of the Union ring true today. “The present state of our economy is disturbing,” he said. Both Obama and Kennedy faced the daunting task of creating jobs and getting people back to work.
However, the economic circumstances are getting better. The stock market has rebounded and stimulus money has been distributed to fix roads, build schools and create jobs. Jobless claims continue to fall and people are beginning to spend more money on houses and cars. Although the U.S. debt is expected to reach $16 trillion by the end of the decade, the economic situation is improving, thanks to Obama’s fortitude to pass the stimulus act.
Although the issues at home are many, Obama must also address foreign policy, specifically the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. While most of the troops have withdrawn from Iraq, nearly 100,000 troops remain in Afghanistan. The U.S. continues to sink time and billions of dollars into the 8-year-old war, and the situation has only improved somewhat. In 2010, Obama promised to have troops out of Afghanistan by this July. But to get Congress, specifically Republicans, to back this idea, Obama must provide a straightforward, realistic plan of action.
Despite Republican opposition, Obama was able to achieve many things during his first year of presidency. Now, with a divided Congress, he must put his campaign rhetoric in action. If ever there was a time for bipartisanship, it is now.
Jan 20, 2011
Barack Obama: State of the Union Op-Ed
When President Barack Obama delivers his second State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, he will find representatives are not in their usual seats. That is, if Sens. Mark Udall, D-Colo., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, have their way.
Last week, the two senators began circulating a letter urging members of Congress to forego tradition and sit together, not on opposite sides of the aisle, in an effort at solidarity following the tragic shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., two weeks ago. More than 40 members of Congress have signed on.
Obama ran on the promise of reaching across the aisle and ending partisanship in Washington. In his 2010 State of the Union, Obama said he wanted “…all of us, Democrats and Republicans, to overcome our differences, to overcome the numbing weight of our politics.” Although it took a tragic shooting, Obama now has a chance to make good on those campaign promises. But it will take a fight.
Republicans are very upset with Obama, particularly on the subject of health care reform. Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, announced Wednesday the House’s intention to repeal the act.
Health care reform legislation is the jewel in Obama’s crown thus far. He campaigned on getting the legislation passed so all Americans could have affordable health care. After a year, and some debate in Congress, the bill passed. Is it perfect? No, but it has the potential to help millions of Americans.
Health care reform is today’s version of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, which provided jobs and government benefits to millions of Americans during the Great Depression. FDR’s initiatives were not widely accepted at the time, like the health care act, but we have grown used to Social Security, Medicare and welfare. These programs have helped people for generations. Who is to say Obama’s health care plan won’t have the same effect on our children or grandchildren?
Health care reform also has the potential to help the struggling economy. This bill has the potential to decrease the budget deficit, which could mean economic improvement. Much like former President John F. Kennedy, Obama took office in the midst of a recession. Kennedy’s remarks in his 1961 State of the Union ring true today. “The present state of our economy is disturbing,” he said. Both Obama and Kennedy faced the daunting task of creating jobs and getting people back to work.
However, the economic circumstances are getting better. The market has rebounded and stimulus money has been distributed to fix roads, build schools and create jobs. Jobless claims continue to fall and people are beginning to spend more money on houses and cars. Although the U.S. debt is expected to reach $16 trillion by the end of the decade, the economic situation is improving, thanks to Obama’s fortitude and to pass the stimulus act.
Although the issues at home are many, Obama must also address foreign policy, specifically the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. While most of the troops have withdrawn from Iraq, nearly 100,000 troops remain in Afghanistan. The U.S. continues to sink time and billions of dollars into the 8-year-old war, and the situation has only improved somewhat. In 2010, Obama promised to have troops out of Afghanistan by this July. But to get Congress, specifically Republicans, to back this idea, Obama must provide a straightforward, realistic plan of action.
Despite Republican opposition, Obama was able to achieve many things during his first year of presidency. Now, with a divided Congress, he must put his campaign rhetoric in action. If ever there was a time for bipartisanship, it is now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)