News From Elsewhere

Chicken, arsenic and the FDA

June 9, 2011:  from  naturalnews.com:  It’s only arsenic.

Oregon gets with the program

It’s not rocket science.

States all over the country have begun passing laws that let local governments award more contracts to local vendors, so that dollars from their citizens’ pockets can generate more stable jobs.  Oregon has joined them.  HB 3000, recently signed into law, says that “contracting agencies” –counties, cities, school districts and others– can award contracts to local businesses for up to 10% more than the lowest bid.  (When you factor in tax revenues that come back to local governments — and there are methods that accurately project those amounts–,a $110,000 bid from a local vendor may actually turn out to cost local government less than a remote corporation’s $100,000 bid.)

How soon will local governments in the Rogue Valley start taking advantage of this privilege?

Should Govts pull tax dollars out of foreclosing Mega-banks?

June 8, 2011:  Local officials in New York State are striking back at mega-banks that are tossing their citizens out onto the streets.  Good idea?