Posts Tagged ‘Senate’

Please tell me how you feel about this – What GOP Leaders deem wasteful in Senate stimulus bill?

(CNN) — On Monday, Congressional Republican leaders put out a list of what they call wasteful provisions in the Senate version of the nearly $900 billion stimulus bill that is being debated:
The Senate is currently the nearly $900 billion economic stimulus bill.

The Senate is currently the nearly $900 billion economic stimulus bill.

• $2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient.

• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.

• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program.

• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship).

• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters.

• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters.

• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees.

• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD’s.

• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs.
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* GOP senators draft stimulus alternative

• $125 million for the Washington sewer system.

• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities.

• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.

• $75 million for “smoking cessation activities.”

• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges.

• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.

• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.

• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River.

• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas.

• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into “green” buildings.

• $500 million for state and local fire stations.

• $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands.

• $1.2 billion for “youth activities,” including youth summer job programs.

• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service.

• $412 million for CDC buildings and property.

• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland.

• $160 million for “paid volunteers” at the Corporation for National and Community Service.

• $5.5 million for “energy efficiency initiatives” at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.

• $850 million for Amtrak.

• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.

• $75 million to construct a “security training” facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.

• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.

• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations.

Kennedy family, political leaders break ground in Boston on new Kennedy Institute for Senate

Kennedy family, political leaders break ground in Boston on new Kennedy Institute for Senate
BOSTON – Members of the Kennedy family gathered with former staff members and elected officials on a blustery stretch of Boston’s oceanfront Friday to break ground on the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.

Read more on The Canadian Press via Yahoo! Canada News

‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Senate Showdown Looming

‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Senate Showdown Looming
Both backers and opponents of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ say the upcoming legislative battle to repeal the law remains too close to call

Read more on Time Magazine

Goldman CEO To Testify Before Senate

Goldman CEO To Testify Before Senate
NEW YORK — Goldman Sachs is taking its fight against a government civil fraud case to Capitol Hill.

Read more on WFMZ Eastern Pennsylvania and Western New Jersey

Goldman CEO may testify before Senate panel

Goldman CEO may testify before Senate panel
NEW YORK — Goldman Sachs is taking its fight against a government civil fraud case to Capitol Hill.

Read more on Deseret News

AP source: Goldman CEO to testify before Senate

AP source: Goldman CEO to testify before Senate
Goldman Sachs is taking its fight against a government civil fraud case to Capitol Hill.

Read more on FOX 12 Idaho

Feldman Law Center – Congress Modifies HOPE for Homeowners; CA Senate passes SB 94

Feldman Law Center – News by Feldman Law Center — The U.S. Senate, as well as the California State Senate, are both at work to help homeowners avoid bankruptcy and foreclosure. The U.S. Senate and the California State Senate are also both at work to make lenders happy, balance budgets, and do any number of things that may or may not serve your best interests as a homeowner.

What do you need to know? Why should you care?

The Federal bill HOPE for Homeowners was passed in the summer of 2008 to help prevent foreclosures on the more than 400,000 homes that were facing it. In the first seven months that the law was enacted, the law helped exactly one family stay in their home. That’s right, one. Recently (May, 2009), Congress passed a bill that augments the original HOPE for Homeowners legislation to make it more effective.

In April 2009, in California, State Bill 94 cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee and awaits approval by the Senate Appropriations Committee. State Bill 94 was proposed by Senator Calderon (D-Montebello) and was designed to crackdown on some of the dishonest, disreputable, and predatory firms that are popping up hoping to profit from the misfortune of others. The main focus of the bill is to prevent loan modification firms from requiring payment up front for their services.

While it is possible to negotiate with the lender yourself or to hire a non-profit agencies, when it comes to staying in your home you should look for the most effective and efficient means possible. Hiring a loan modification attorney to help negotiate new terms on your loan can mean the difference between avoiding bankruptcy, foreclosure and a short sale and…not avoiding them. The important thing is that you are able to get out of your financial mess and stay in your home.

Truth is, thousands of loan modifications are successfully negotiated by private sector firms in California and throughout the country. This is important to remember when considering your options. It would be foolish to trust someone who promises something they can’t deliver. It would also be foolish to ignore help from someone who is willing and able to assist. If you are drowning, and someone that has been standing on the bank pulling people out offers you a hand, shouldn’t you take it?

We will continue to hear grumbling about the economy, and what “got us into this mess.” We will continue to hear proposed legislation to regulate, modify and change rules and regulations in the various industries directly linked to this financial crisis. And we will continue to hear pleas from senators, congressmen, banks, loan modification “experts,” and any number of people whose direct interests are involved.

Think about what is best for you. Are you prepared to negotiate a loan modification directly with your lender? The Feldman Law Center is trustworthy, reputable, and ready to help you stay in your home. We specialize in loan modifications and have attorneys on staff who know the business. Call the Feldman Law Center today.

Visit us at http://www.feldmanlawcenter.com or call 800-588-0425.

Resources:

Feldman Law Center: Profile – Business Exchange

Feldman Law Center – Loan Modification Video