Friday, February 27, 2009

Budget plan would leave deepest hole since 1945

WASHINGTON — President Obama on Thursday delivered to Congress a $3.6 trillion spending plan that would finance vast new investments in health care, energy independence and education by raising taxes on the oil-and-gas industry, hedge-fund managers, multinational corporations and more than 2 million of the nation's top earners.

The blueprint, meanwhile, would overhaul federal programs to strengthen assistance for millions of people who have borne the consequences of what Obama called "an era of profound irresponsibility," helping them pay for college, train for better jobs and save for retirement while taxing less of their earnings.

The agenda for the fiscal year that begins in October would not come cheap. This year's budget deficit, swollen by spending to combat a severe recession, would hit a record $1.75 trillion, or 12.3 percent of the overall economy, the highest since 1945. While Obama inherited the bulk of that gap, his budget would allow for a fresh round of spending to prop up troubled financial institutions that could hit $750 billion.

Next year's deficit would approach $1.2 trillion. But Obama proposes to cut that figure roughly in half by the end of 2012, in large part by levying nearly $1 trillion in new taxes on the highest earners, defined as families with gross income of more than $250,000 a year.

In unveiling the outline of his spending priorities, Obama acknowledged his proposal would "add to our deficits in the short term to provide immediate relief to families and get our economy moving." But he argued that the economic crisis should not be used as an excuse to delay costly investments intended to modernize the economy, enhance the work force and, ultimately, reduce government spending.

"What I won't do is sacrifice investments that will make America stronger, more competitive and more prosperous in the 21st century, investments that have been neglected for too long," Obama said. Citing the need to "break free" from foreign oil, reduce "crushing health-care costs" and improve public education, Obama said: "These investments must be America's priorities, and that's what they will be when I sign this budget into law."

Source seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008791874_budget27.htm

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Pulau Kapas

Relatively isolated from the hustle and bustle of the mainland, this island is the perfect getaway for those looking for some blissful relaxation.

It is a lovely small island with beautiful, quiet, unspoiled sandy beaches; cool and clear blue waters, swaying coconut trees and caves with swallows’ nests. Its waters are home to beautiful marine life such as fish, turtles, corals and others.

Making it a must-visit destination, especially for discerning divers and snorkellers, is the incredible variety of hard and soft corals, seashells, fish and turtles.

The laidback atmosphere gives a perfect excuse to do nothing. Still, if you are feeling restless, there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied. Take your pick: diving, swimming, snorkelling, windsurfing, kayaking, boating and even fishing.

Pulau Kapas is difficult to access during the monsoon (November - March).

Accommodation varies from deluxe and budget chalets offering air conditioned or fan.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Russian Leaders Examine Nursing Education in Bemidji

Russian leaders participating in the Open World Program will spend November 9 - 17, 2008, in Bemidji, MN examining Nursing Education processes and programs. North Country Regional Hospital will host the delegation. Managed by the independent Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress, Open World is designed to enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and the countries of Eurasia and the Baltic States by developing a network of leaders in the region who have gained significant, firsthand exposure to America’s democratic, accountable government and free-market system.

While in Bemidji, the delegates will engage in a professional program that will include the levels of nursing education in the US, funding and administration of programs, how technology is used in the classroom and distant learning classes, nursing skills demonstrations, and numerous other topics related to nursing education and the nursing profession.

The visiting delegates, all educators of nurses in Russia, are Inna Bespalova and Zoya Silich of Tomsk, Russia; Natalya Biryukova, Svetlana Melanich and Aleksandr Ovsyannikov of Balakovo, Russia. Tatyana Reva from Kursk, Russia, a teacher of English at the Kursk State University, will accompany them as a facilitator.

While in Bemidji, the Open World delegation is scheduled to attend work sessions with the Northwest Technical College and Bemidji State University Nursing faculties, attend a community Rotary meeting, tour classrooms and clinical sites utilized by the NTC and BSU nursing programs, attend activities to acquaint them with the Native American culture, attend an ITV (interactive television) meeting with other Wisconson nursing faculty and Russian nurses visiting LaCrosse, Wisconson nursing programs the same week, learn about student/campus life and many other professional and social activities.

Homestays will allow the Open World delegates to experience American family life. They will also take part in several cultural and community activities, including optional attendance at a city council meeting, tour at Concordia Language Villages, shopping at the local mall, grocery stores and attendance at local church services.

The Open World Leadership Center has awarded a grant to World Services of LaCrosse, Wisconson to administer this and similar exchanges in 2008. Alice Thompson, RN, BSN, BSCS and retired NTC nursing educator is the local community program coordinator. Mary Auger, Lactation Specialist at NCRH, assists with the program activities.

The U.S. Congress established Open World in 1999 to enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and Russia. In 2003, Congress made all post-Soviet states eligible for the program. Thanks to Open World, some 13,000 current and future Eurasian leaders have experienced American civil society and have been exposed to new ideas and practices that they can adapt for use in their own work. Open World also promotes partnerships and continued communications between delegates and their American hosts and professional counterparts. Open World currently operates exchanges for political and civic leaders from Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

$1.4 Billion to be Available to Pay Bills Before the New Year

CHICAGO – Because the national recession has negatively affected Illinois’ revenue and caused a $2 billion fiscal year 2009 budget deficit, the State will be selling $1.4 billion in general obligation certificates to infuse the General Revenue Fund with much needed cash to pay vendors and providers who urgently need payment.

“We are pleased to be taking this step to help the state speed payment to many organizations and agencies that have provided care for seniors, healthcare to children, or other critical services and have been waiting to be paid. Together with the Comptroller’s, Treasurer’s, and Attorney General’s offices, we are able to fulfill our commitment to these organizations,” said Ginger Ostro, Director of the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget.

The Office of the Governor, the Office of the Comptroller, the Office of the Treasurer, and the Office of the Attorney General have worked together on this short-term borrowing transaction which would immediately put cash into the State’s accounts so that the Comptroller can pay bills more quickly.

In addition to the state receiving less revenue than the budget projected, the state also has an uneven cash flow. This means that more dollars will come into the state during March, April and May. The short-term borrowing will allow the state to pay many bills now that have been pending, rather than waiting for this spring when additional money comes in. While short-term borrowing will not solve the budget deficit, the state needs to pay vendors and manage the uneven cash flow.

In May 2003, the state borrowed $1.5 billion to pay Medicaid assistance, medical providers of long term care, the refund fund, and state aid payments to K-12 schools. Short-term borrowing has been used in other years since to manage cash flow and ensure the state’s payment obligations are met in a timely manner.

Illinois is not alone in facing a FY09 budget shortfall due to lower than projected revenues. At a recent meeting with President-Elect Barack Obama and the nation’s governors, Chairman of the National Governors Association, Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania, said 43 of 50 states currently face budget deficits.