August 2011
5 posts
Here is what #antebellum looks like →
I doubt that the second-tier reductions will actually happen, especially on time. Leadership on both sides will debate up until the deadline, then extend a couple times. They both wanted the debt ceiling raised, and this plan appears to have been assembled far enough in advance to warrant a rather descriptive summary version.
The debt binge continues and real spending will see little change in...
July 2011
30 posts
If Washington needs a baseline for the purposes of...
Today's setting up nicely for antebellum
The “smart money” is going to nudge Congress a little this morning (they already started in Asia & Europe). Whatever adjustments Boehner makes to his plan before bringing it back for a vote will probably do more to encourage passage in the Senate than make deficit hawks happy.
I’ve seen the “wait & vote” game before, and this is clearly the case right now....
Real Madrid's Bank puts Ronaldo up as collateral... →
While US professional sports teams are subsidized at the state and local levels of government, at least we’re not Europe.
Conrad Black gives the Stockdale Assessment, finds... →
Rensselaer Scientists argue 10% is the tipping... →
Science and history collide nicely with this theory. When you think about successful movements, it makes perfect sense.
Antebellum will Prevail
Congressional compromise being worked out today is more of the same. Debt ceiling gets raised $1 Trillion and a bicameral commission (ugh) has to find $1.1 Trillion in “real” budget cuts. The deal will force another debt ceiling vote in early-2012.
No cuts proposed upfront. More than likely, the President will counter with a compromise that increases the levels just enough to give him...
The campaign for antebellum →
The DC establishment wants a long-term debt ceiling raise (Dems, RINOs, etc.) without any significant cuts, or instead with tax increases. The “before markets open” strategy they unveiled last night is designed to achieve exactly that.
NCCF's Sally Migliore defines responsibilities for... →
The best part of this great article is Migliore’s identification of responsibilities that employer and employee have with respect to individual professional skill development:
“The role of an executive director is to promote a culture that supports employees’ growth, while the responsibility of the employee is to take initiative in creating a plan for how he or she can acquire...
June Unemployment for North Carolina is not good →
Seasonally-adjusted employment is down, while unadjusted employment for the month is up. Unadjusted rate up to 10.4% due to summertime labor force increase (9.7% in May), only slightly better than last June (10.6%).
Organizers of Lexington's (KY) Bluegrass Fair... →
Sears cancels $65 iPad 2 sales →
(h/t @businessinsider) This was a serious PR mistake by the retailer. They should have eaten the loss. Over the long term, their decision will encourage a consumer perception that Sears will not live up to its word on posted price.
GASB releases pension liability accounting plan →
Proposal includes reporting requirement for localities in State-run plans.
June Unemployment Report = Big Disappointment
The BLS national unemployment report for June provided a nice “slap in the face” to anyone who thought the economy was showing positive job growth (as some assumed when they saw yesterday’s ADP report). The unadjusted rate grew from 9.1% in May to 9.3%, in response to predictable summertime labor force growth (1.089 million) and limited employment growth (101,000 additional...
NCSU Nuclear Reactor leaking small amount of... →
Reminds me of when my alma mater had its own reactor.
Thoughts on another sensible layman's attempt at... →
I’m not going to conclude that the situation is as easy as Noel Sheppard suggests. He does admit that lots of IOUs would have to be issued on a prioritized basis.
There’s also the fact that the short-term revolving manner with which much of our debt is financed will likely lead to higher interest rates, and an increase in debt service costs in a relatively short time-frame.
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Today, your area code is key to business image →
Recent survey shows 72% find area code more important than zip code. To be honest, prime area codes & toll-free numbers are also easy to obtain and port, regardless your physical location.
Retailers find exotic ways to push impulse buys →
Verizon reportedly moving ahead with tiered... →
CED: Entrepreneurs are cautiously optimistic about... →
North Carolina home to 2 of Top 10 start-up metros (Raleigh and Charlotte).
Sheetz to build 10 C-Stores per year in North... →
Ideal market growth location for Pennsylvania-based company.
Economic Downturn leads to Wrapping for Raleigh... →
How social media changes the creative class'... →
Dairy farm in Mebane conserved thru... →
I’m not opposed to transferable development right, which enable market-based preservation of agricultural and rural property in developing areas.
At the same time, I don’t see why the government has to finance this project. TDRs are intended to help farmers and rural land owners take advantage of local growth in a discounted fashion without having to sacrifice their land. If growth...
UNC Health Care & Blue Cross Blue Shield NC reach... →
Without a servicee agreement, UNC employees wouldn’t have been insured at their own hospital.
The Chapel Hill neighbors worked a deal that increases UNC’s compensation rates while expanding levels of care considered “general physician.” The later should help subscribers save on copays & coinsurance.
State of NC, Buncombe County & City of Asheville... →
Total value of incentives per job created: $34,435.26 (close to the proposed salaries for the 360+ new positions)
$10 million of the package came from local government sources, providing enough persuasion for the Canadian-based auto parts company to select Western NC over South Carolina.
Three of the Top 10 metro areas for start-ups are... →
Honestly, is this a benefit for us, or a hindrance?
The Bobby Bonilla "deal" the Mets started paying... →
If you are a professional team in need of a GM, make sure they have some business savvy to match their supposed knowled of the game.
Public Comment wanted on FCC Inquiry into Impact... →
This is an FYI about something that many might have an interest in, and it serves as an example of the ongoing serious debate over the limits of Federal intervention into local authority.
Regulation of telecommunications is shared between the Federal, state and local governments at different levels of operation. This does create some difficulty deployment infrastructure improvements, especially...
Annexation reform takes effect in North Carolina... →
