A nonprofit watchdog group is demanding an investigation into whether U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials violated federal law by instructing federal employees and contractors not to speak to the press or public about the construction of Trump's border wall. In November, the Observer published dozens of border wall documents obtained in a Freedom of Information Act request filed by the Sierra Club. The Project on Government Oversight (POGO) is calling attention to a communication plan for the border wall that directs U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel not to talk to “the public or the media about the mission.” Titled “Strategic Communications,” the 10-page document states, “In the field only the CBP Office of Public Affairs or a [Border Patrol] agent can speak about the mission to the public or the media.” The document also warns, “This is a controversial project generating great public interest. This is also a fast-paced program where unexpected developments can be expected.” POGO contends that CBP failed to include whistleblower protection language required by law in any management communication to federal employees that “directs them to not communicate outside of their agency.” The group says the CBP directive is effectively a gag order, a ban on speaking to the public or media. The protection language, required under the federal Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, advises federal employees that they have the right by law to speak out. In the letter addressed to the Office of Special Counsel, Danielle Brian, executive director of the watchdog group, writes, “CBP's management communications are likely to erroneously create the impression that government employees and contractors at CBP, the Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies have no legal avenue to blow the whistle on government waste, fraud, and abuse.” The letter was also sent to Senator Charles Grassley, and three House members: Mark Meadows, Elijah Cummings and Frank Pallone, who have sponsored whistleblower protection legislation in Congress. The group demands that the border wall communication plan be immediately withdrawn and revised to include the required language under law. “We urge [the Office of Special Counsel] to investigate and work to resolve this concern.” The post After Observer Report, Watchdog Requests Investigation into Border Wall Gag Order appeared first on The Texas Observer.
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In early April, in a committee room hidden in the recesses of the Texas Capitol, Representative Drew Springer was explaining a rather dense bit of legislation he had authored. House Bill 2043 would have required county tax appraisers who testify in court during high-dollar property tax disputes to get additional certification. As a result, it would have forced appraisal districts to spend more money and perhaps settle on terms less favorable to the county. If your eyes just glazed over, you're likely not a corporate tax consultant. County officials opposed the bill, calling it a needless financial burden, but the legislation had the backing of Ryan, LLC, a Dallas consulting firm that works to secure subsidies and tax breaks for its corporate clients. Ryan also helps companies challenge property tax assessments - a thriving trade in Texas, where property taxes are high and protests can yield big savings for business. At the hearing, a Ryan representative argued before the House Ways and Means Committee that HB 2043 would simply make the process more fair for property owners. Springer, who sits on the committee, listened quietly. He made no mention that, just three weeks before, Ryan had put him on the company payroll. Ryan, LLC, which raked in $530 million in earnings last year, wrenches about $2.5 billion from public coffers per year on behalf of corporations. Its clients are among the most powerful companies in the world, including Exxon, Walmart, Verizon and Tyson. The company's founder and namesake, G. Brint Ryan, has been a heavy hitter in Texas politics for decades. The Big Spring native currently sits on both the University of North Texas Board of Regents and the Lieutenant Governor's Tax Policy Advisory Board. Recently, he bankrolled a controversial visit to UNT by Donald Trump Jr., where Ryan enjoyed a “very exclusive and private dinner” with the president's son, and media were banned from attending the speech. In 2016, Ryan and his wife, Amanda, and the Ryan Texas PAC spent a total of $2 million on Texas' state elections - including a $5,000 donation to Springer - effectively making Ryan the state's sixth largest political donor. This year, Ryan, LLC spent at least $725,000 on statehouse lobbyists, a small army that frequently appears in front of the 11-member Ways and Means committee that oversees tax policy. The company's aggressive pursuit of both specific tax breaks and its extensive legislative agenda at the Capitol raise questions about the propriety of Springer's dual role as lawmaker and Ryan, LLC employee. “It's smart for one of the state's biggest tax lobbyists to have an employee on the state tax-writing committee,” said Craig McDonald, director of the watchdog group Texans for Public Justice. “The whole relationship is a conflict.” Ryan told the Observer that he hired Springer in March as the director of business development services to attract new Texas clients. It's easy to see how Springer would be an asset. The three-term GOP rep from Muenster has voted for many Ryan-backed measures in the last two sessions, including legislation that would increase tax refunds, grant a tax credit for diesel fuel and triple the available sales and use tax refunds for telecommunications companies. He's also expressed interest in a bid for speaker of the House. During an October whirlwind tour of his 300-mile-wide district, a casually dressed Springer spoke with a handful of constituents at a Mexican restaurant in Haskell. Asked about his new job, he told the Observer he couldn't recall anything this session that presented a conflict of interest. “But we'll take an eye out on it,” he assured, “and continue to watch it going forward.” He also said the media would help manage the conflict: “Y'all aren't shy about saying 'Hey, I think this might be a problem.'” Though Springer's conflict of interest is particularly glaring, many Texas lawmakers are compromised in some way. Because they're only paid $7,200 a year when the Legislature isn't in session, most Texas lawmakers keep day jobs outside the Capitol, setting up a minefield of potential conflicts and corruption. Thanks to the state's notoriously weak ethics laws, lawmakers rarely recuse themselves from votes where they might be helping or hurting their bottom line. “The ethical walls are so low and the guidelines so loose, we're always questioning who's really getting taken care of in the Legislature,” said McDonald. As of 2012, Texas was taking great care of corporations, granting $19 billion a year in business incentives, nearly three times more than any other state, according to a New York Times investigation. Ryan, LLC typically takes 30 percent of the money it wins for clients. Ryan's influence has drawn fire not just from the left. The far-right gadfly organization Empower Texans has inveighed against Ryan as a freeloader of sorts. “Mr. Ryan has gotten rich through the force of government,” wrote Christopher Paxton, a free marketeer analyst with the group, in 2014. “For Brint Ryan and his clients, a king's ransom; for our elected leaders - the defenders of our collective public trust - a generous bounty; for us taxpayers … the bill.” Springer isn't the first public servant to go to work for Ryan. In the early 2000s, former Comptroller John Sharp became a principal at Ryan, then simultaneously served on a 2005 tax reform commission for Governor Rick Perry. Bruce Gibson, former state representative and chief of staff for Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, joined Ryan, LLC as a high-paid lobbyist in 2007. Roberto de Hoyos, a top Perry aide who oversaw a major incentives program coveted by Ryan's clients, left the governor's office to work for Ryan in 2012. John Otto was both a state representative and worked at Ryan in a position similar to Springer's from 2006 to 2015. He spent most of those years as vice chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. But Ryan told the Observer he's not maintaining an inside man. “We aren't targeting members with a connection to Ways and Means or the Legislature,” Ryan said. He stressed that lawmaker-employees are prohibited from “any involvement with legislative matters for us,” adding that Springer was chosen for being “polished, gregarious and likeable.” The two are also old college friends from UNT. Staff writer Christopher Collins contributed to this story. The post Lawmaker on State Tax Committee Also Works for Texas' Corporate Welfare King appeared first on The Texas Observer. Amanda Crouse watched helplessly as the words began to slip away from her daughter Haylee. It had taken Crouse and a team of therapists months to help Haylee, then 2 years old, learn basic words. And now they were simply vanishing, along with the state-funded therapy services that had helped with her physical and verbal challenges. When she was just eight days old, Haylee was stricken with meningitis and seizures that left her with a slew of developmental delays. With the help of therapists, she learned to crawl when she was 13 months old and learned to walk when she was 18 months old. Her first words - mama and dada - came at age 2. Crouse credits much of her daughter's progress to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), a state program that funds therapy for children like Haylee with severe developmental disabilities during their first three years. But in October 2016, the only provider near the Crouses' home just outside Tyler shut down due to state budget cuts. For nearly four months, Haylee went without therapy. It affected her in a huge way, Crouse said. She was receiving a lot of therapy; it was her world for two years. When Haylee's therapy was cut off, her behavior changed. She started hitting and biting more and became more irritable. She was diagnosed with autism, and her family couldn't do anything to address it. Over the last five years, the Texas Legislature has slashed funding to ECI. In 2015, lawmakers sliced $350 million from the program, cutting Medicaid reimbursement rates for providers. Three organizations pulled out of the program last year as a result, including the Andrews Center in Tyler, which served Haylee and hundreds of other kids in East Texas. Three additional providers shut down their ECI programs in 2017, and kids were shifted to other existing contractors. Lawmakers say the cuts won't limit access, but providers insist they're not able to maintain the same level of services with far less money. Even when new organizations are found, experts say there is lag time to hire and train staff, and enrollment drops off. It took months for another organization to start offering therapy services in Tyler. The number of kids receiving ECI services in Smith County, where the Crouses live, dropped 29 percent between 2011 and 2016, according to a new report from Texans Care for Children. During the recent legislative session that wrapped up in August, an uproar over the cuts inspired only modest progress. Lawmakers restored just one-quarter of the Medicaid funding they cut in 2015, and Governor Greg Abbott never made restoring ECI funding a priority. Haylee's story, at least, has a happy ending. Federal law mandates that kids with disabilities have access to early intervention services. So with nowhere else to turn, Crouse filed a formal complaint with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. With the help of the nonprofit Disability Rights Texas, they were able to force the state to restore services for Haylee in January, a few months after she was cut off. But Crouse worries that other parents may not have the wherewithal to take legal action, or know it's an option. Each day that went by with Haylee not getting services was really scary, said Crouse. It saddens me that [lawmakers] feel they can just take these things away. If they had a child in the same situation, maybe they'd view it differently. The post How a Texas Mom Fought to Restore Daughter's Therapy After State Cuts appeared first on The Texas Observer. 5 Management Tips On How To Survive After Losing Your JobJob loss can one of the most devastating times in an adult’s life – both emotionally and financially. Some compare it to falling of a cliff, others see it as an opportunity to start anew. However you immediately look at it, it’s important to think about the financial implications of having one of your primary sources of income cut off. Based on the article from goldrushcam.com, “The unemployment rate declines to 4.2% and the labor force participation rate is at 63.1 percent which shows little change year over year. A sharp employment decline in food services and drinking places and below-trend growth in some other industries likely reflected the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey.” The possibility of families needing to sell their homes is slightly higher when unemployment rate is high a well. Some sell home fast in San Antonio just to cope with a difficult financial crisis. Although, there are ways to successfully manage finances and survive through this setback. How To Survive After Losing A JobWith the huge number of unemployed labor workers, losing a job is never easy to take. But learning how to cope with the situation can be advantageous, especially when you start hunting for your next career. Prioritize The Four Pillars Of Your Basic NeedsThe four pillars of the basic needs are food, shelter, utilities, and transportation. As you map out a strategy to handle the short-term impact of losing a job, prioritize these four financial needs. “You pay for the goods and services you can’t live without,” says Sally Herigstad, author of the Help! I Can’t Pay my Bills book. One way of surviving this difficult time is to support yourself with whatever you have financially while still living with a little comfort. Plan Out Your ExpensesCreating a budget plan to monitor your current and future expenses is never a fun job, but it has to be done. It gives you a foundation for the actions you must take to successfully manage finances without stressing over it. It can comfort you in some way knowing that you have some sort of plan that could help you make it through or until you find a new job. Start by listing down your cash inflow, including severance and unemployment payments. Do you have savings or investments you could tap into if absolutely necessary? Include potential loans from trusted lenders or family. Then list down all expenses. Determine the fixed expenses that won’t change in the short term, like mortgage or rent or car payment. And identify the variable expenses that you have immediate control over like TV subscriptions or gym membership. Cut Short The Recurring FeesJob loss is a financial crisis on the earnings side only. Look at three months worth of credit or debit card bills, cut off all optional recurring fees, especially subscriptions that are there for convenience or entertainment and not for your basic needs. Put A Hold On Your SavingsAlthough saving for a better and brighter future is essential if you want to retire comfortably and focus on activities you enjoy doing, you may need to pause on these savings account. Focus available resources on your needs now, and resume on saving up once you get a new job. Deal With Desperation Like A ProTimes can get harder as the days go by without a steady income. Other options might involve downsizing to reduce cost, or moving in with a relative temporarily. Another suggestion from Herigstad is to rent out your home for the cost of the mortgage payment and move somewhere cheaper. You can then move back into your house once you’re back on your feet. When Selling A House Is The Only OptionSelling a house and moving into a smaller place to save on maintenance and utility expenses is a common solution for unemployed individuals. It can be a prudent thing to do to come up with the additional funds you need while looking for a new job. If this is a matter you’re considering, talk to one of our real estate consultants. Here at Lamar Buys Houses, we offer timely and practical home selling solutions to homeowners in need of a rush sale. We buy ugly houses in San Antonio or any type of property that needs to go. Trust that you have a partner when there’s a need to sell home fast. Contact us today to learn more about our different selling options.
The post 5 Management Tips On How To Survive After Losing Your Job appeared first on We Buy Houses In San Antonio. http://lamarbuyshouses.blogspot.com/2017/10/5-management-tips-on-how-to-survive.html 3 Types Of Divorce You Should Know About | Lamar Buys HousesSome marriages don’t last. Either falling out of love, growing apart, or having different interests in life; there are many reasons marriages end, and many end nasty and ugly. Sarah Jacoby, from Refinery29, wrote this in a recent post: “According to data from the National Survey of Family Growth, the probability of a first marriage lasting at least a decade was 68% for women and 70% for men between 2006 and 2010. The probability that they would make it 20 years was 52% for women and 56% for men, so that percentage is closer to the frequently-cited “half,” but still not there. Other estimates show that three-quarters of those married in the 1990s would make it at least 15 years (compared with just 65% of those married in the 1980s). And if that current trend continues, the vast majority (about two-thirds) of marriages will never divorce.” The Most Common Types Of DivorceAn estimated 95% of all divorces in the country are uncontested divorce because both parties are able to come to terms on issues like alimony, child custody, and the division of marital assets without interference of the court. All divorces are governed by no-fault divorce laws and the outcome will be determined on how willing both parties are to work together during the process. Here are the most common types of divorce: No-Fault DivorceThis type is just as it’s called, no one is at fault for the failure of the marriage. Even if there was some misconduct by a spouse, in some states, it doesn’t matter because something as simple as incompatibility or irreconcilable differences can be used as reason for a legal separation. And no further explanation or proof that the marriage should continue is deemed necessary. The idea behind no-fault separation was prevent further conflict during the process by ridding litigants of the need to show a cause for the need to separate. Uncontested DivorceThis type takes place when both spouses reach a mutual agreement to end the marriage. They are able to come to an agreement regarding any financial issues, children and other contentious issues, and division of property. Can you sell a house as is even if the process is ongoing, one spouse may ask. Of course it is completely possible with the latest alternative method in house selling. And because this type is simple and quick, it can sometimes cause people to give up rights they did not know they had, such as alimony, income from real estate and other sources of income, and a division of retirement benefits. Simplified DivorceSimplified means uncontested, no–fault divorces where there is no conflict between the spouses at all. This usually is the case in marriages of short duration where there are no children and very few marital assets to bicker over. Though state law differs on this kind of separation process, some states allow it, which is good news for both parties since it’s less costly and less stressful way to go. And it’s usually granted quickly, normally within 30 days of filing. Finding Assistance In Difficult Times | We Buy Ugly Houses in San AntonioLamar Buys Houses, one of the leading home buying companies in San Antonio, offers alternative solutions to households in need of an immediate and speedy home sale. Whether it’s to relocate to a different state or as part of a retirement plan, we buy houses fast in exchange for fair cash offer. In difficult times, know that you have a reputable company to lean to. Talk to us today to learn how you can get a fair cash offer in as little as 5 days! Or visit lamarbuyshouses.com The post 3 Types Of Divorce You Should Know About | Lamar Buys Houses appeared first on We Buy Houses In San Antonio. http://lamarbuyshouses.blogspot.com/2017/10/3-types-of-divorce-you-should-know.html Watch on Youtube here: Ways To Cope With Sudden Illness Or Disability viahttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UChuuy7CkHjikbtPD1GY2Y5A http://lamarbuyshouses.blogspot.com/2017/10/ways-to-cope-with-sudden-illness-or.html Watch on Youtube here: 3 Types Divorce You Should Know About viahttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UChuuy7CkHjikbtPD1GY2Y5A http://lamarbuyshouses.blogspot.com/2017/10/3-types-divorce-you-should-know-about.html Southampton-- Hamptons, New York The citizens in Southampton have a typical earnings of $407,601 and is thought about to be among the most intriguing locations in the Hamptons. Southampton has a track record for having lovely beaches and its high-end sellers. For travelers, a trip leasing in Southampton can easily cost $1 million for just one month. Cody Vichinsky said, "It's the most important because it's the richest ... and you produce an environment of an unparalleled setting that's worth the memory." Learn more about Lamar Buys Houses here! Visitors and residents can enjoy the nightlife in downtown Southampton at places such as the Southampton Puclick House, which brews its own Belgian-style white beer and other ales. Other things to do in the area consist of the Parrish Art Museum which stores a historic art collection that dates all the method back to 1898. Mission Hills-- Kansas City, Kansas While the state of Kansas is not understood for having luxury locations, Mission Hills has a mean earnings of $219,107. It rests on the border of Missouri and has a population of 3,500 people. Designer J.C. Nichols initially developed Mission Hills as part of a Country Club District plan back in the 1920s as an upscale community. As surprising as it might seem, the ABC television series, Switched at Birth, is filmed in this location. Forbes also listed the area at number three for America's a lot of wealthy communities. Kansas City itself has a combination of entertainment, sports, and arts activities to do. Angels Rock Bar is a mix of a lounge and a club in one. On a weekly basis, the bar includes entertainment from bands along with leading DJs. Travelers and residents who are in the mood for an adrenaline rush can take a look at The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show. The skilled stars are dressed just like each visitor in the establishment so that it's difficult to select out who is part of the show. The venue's site says, "In many instances, visitors are seated with the entertainers and do not even realize it up until they die." The star detectives walk around the location to question everybody who was there to get more hints regarding who the suspects are. When the program is over, guests exist with prizes if they helped resolved the criminal offense.
How To Keep A New House With Good Market Value | Lamar Buys Houses
Buying a houses in itself is a personal achievement an individual enthusiastically prepares for while looking at his long-term goals. This is especially true for parents who juggle between securing enough income for the entire family’s needs and raising their kids the best way possible. A huge portion of the family’s total income would go to the property mortgage, and even if this can become overwhelming at some point, this is a responsibility they are willing to take on to live in comfort and security. This is why maintaining a good home value is an added plus, and a form of reward the parents could pamper themselves with. However, the valuation can drop without warning or room for extension. A low home value could negatively affect the family, and could lead to them losing their home. The Factors You Can Control Although no one has a control over the ups and downs of the real estate market, or the ever changing numbers in the stock exchange and the economy; every homeowner has ways to keep the value of their property from dropping, or worse plummeting deep in the mud. It makes a difference if you know how to play your cards well so you can cherish and keep the house for as long as you wish to. Don’t Wait Around Waiting around could mean serious issues for you and your property. When there is a need for some work, regardless if it is a small-time repair or quite an expensive renovation, secure the funds needed to get the work done asap. There are two main reasons structural issues should be addressed right away. Firstly, if the damage is left alone, it could lead to a more serious damage. A good example is a leaking drainage pipe. If the leakage is manageable it’s easy to push the job work at a later time. However, the leakage could damage the floors and walls of the house, and if left alone, the pipe might completely collapse resulting to dirty water flooding your home. And secondly, damaged properties, regardless if it’s minute and harmless, can have a huge effect on its value. Thorough Overall Cleaning Cleanliness is next to godliness. This saying didn’t become a household quote if it didn’t hold some truth. Our homes can be considered our temple, our own sanctuary. By keeping it clean, we keep the entire household free of dust and other irritants that are a threat to the family’s health. Through regular, thorough cleaning the house is kept tidy and free of pollutants. In addition, regular cleaning also helps in maintaining the property in a good condition for a long time. Invest In Marketable Upgrades If you have some cash, why not hire an appraiser to find out the current value of the house? Not only this helps you find out the current valuation of your house, it is also a great basis for future home improvements. Upgrading the key areas inside the house and improving the features that make it stand out will aid in maintaining or improving its value. Other factors that could help prevent the drop in the property’s valuation include: landscaping and gardening, regular maintenance, and planting trees. It doesn’t have to be expensive or excessive, what matters is the house is well taken cared of. Check this online home valuator right now. Each house or property is important and valuable to its owner, and utmost care is often given to it. However, as the property ages and starts to deteriorate, in certain instances selling the property to relocate to a newer home is more practical. When this happens, Lamar Buys Houses can become your partner and property consultant. We buy houses to offer convenient, stress-free transaction. We have a team of real estate consultants willing to assist homeowners in need of professional advice or financial assistance anytime, anywhere. We buy houses in San Antonio in exchange for a fast cash offer that is always fair. Imagine getting the money in as little as 5 days without having to pay for a closing or transaction fee. Contact Lamar today! http://lamarbuyshouses.blogspot.com/2017/10/how-to-keep-new-house-with-good-market.html
1. The Chartwell Estate ($ 350M).
On the marketplace for the very first time in 30 years, the 10-acre Chartwell Estate in LA's Bel Air is owned by late TELEVISION officer Jerry Perenchio, who died in May. The primary home, with a limestone exterior made well-known on The Beverly Hillbillies, was created by designer Sumner Spauling and displays grand 18th-century French Neoclassical design over 25,000 square feet. Interior highlights consist of a ballroom, official beauty salon, and paneled dining-room.
2. Bel Air Spec House ($ 250M).
Masterminded by high-end designer Bruce Makowsky, this 38,000-square-foot megamansion is the most costly house ever noted in the nation. Inside its external shell of glass, swimming pools, grass, and white walls, you'll discover limitless features, consisting of a substantial glass sweet wall, James Bond-themed house theater, four-lane bowling street, and more.
3. The Manor in Holmby Hills ($ 200M).
Initially integrated in 1988 for late TELEVISION manufacturer Aaron Spelling and his better half, Candy, this 56,500-square-foot (!) French chateau-style estate went through a contemporary upgrade in 2011. It provides 14 bed rooms, 27 restrooms, and all in all 123 spaces for anything you can picture (Mrs. Spelling notoriously utilized one for her doll collection.).
4. Owlwood in Holmby Hills ($ 180M).
Created by designer Robert D. Farquhar and as soon as house to Sonny and Cher, this 10-acre estate was simply offered in September for $90 million, the 2nd biggest ever sale in L.A. County history. The primary 12,000-square-foot Italian rental property uses lots of a marble fireplace, crystal chandelier, and 24-carat gold bath components.
5. Manalapan Megamansion ($ 165M).
This 16-acre estate, which has actually been silently on the market given that April 2015 is the embodiment of luxury. The estate includes 1,200 feet of personal ocean front, a botanic garden with 1,500 types of tropical trees and plants, a sports complex, a treehouse, and so much more.
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