| Legislature at odds over capping local governments' taxing authority
TALLAHASSEE -- The warnings from local governments came quickly: There could be across-the-board layoffs, cuts to public safety and recreation. The rebuttals weren't far behind. But if Florida lawmakers, or voters, decide to cap local property taxes, they'll hardly be the first. In fact, they'll join many other states -- and likely hear debate about it for years to come. "I think it's definitely hard to tell what the impact of these things are," said Nathan Anderson, an assistant professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "It's difficult to tell what would have happened without the limit." More than 30 states limit property tax rates, he said. Slightly fewer have revenue limits. Many have both. Idaho, for example, has a 3 percent cap on most non-school district property tax revenue increases, he said.
Co-op plan for farmers ready to go into effect
Green County Agriculture Agent Mark Mayer said the program offers more affordable health insurance for farmers, many of whom are without insurance due to high rates. The goal of the plan is to help farmers gain buying power in the insurance market with the promise of affordable comprehensive insurance plans. "With 18 percent of Wisconsin farmers uninsured and 41 percent unable to afford insurance for every family member, this insurance cooperative is badly needed," Mayer said. "The No. 1 reason people get out of farming is because of the lack of affordable, quality health insurance." Brad Lancaster of the Lafayette County Farm Services Agency said some farmers pay as much as $1,000 a month for insurance. The co-op will be available for all farmers and their families, farm employees and people who work in businesses such as feed mills or milk delivery.
Electronic verification urged
Immediate, computerized, roadside verification of mandatory auto insurance is set for another round of debate in Montgomery. A small group of influential Alabama agents has been advocating such a measure for the past two years. Some of them served last year on a joint legislative committee that's developing a policy paper on the matter. A group of independent agents, typically small businessmen who sell insurance coverage from a variety of underwriters, met last week with Gov. Bob Riley's executive staff to recommend electronic verification. "The current system is a sloppy one," said Birmingham agent Joe Fuller, who met with the governor's staff. "If the right people get behind it, electronic verification could happen real quick." Electronic verification would computerize and centralize the record-keeping of car registrations, license tags and insurance policy numbers.
Gwilym Jones (1921-2007)
Members of the Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos and others who knew him were saddened by the passing of Gwilym Parry Jones, 85, an active member of the Los Gatos service community for the past six years, a member of Kiwanis International for 29 years, and a Presbyterian minister for more than 60 years. Born in Wales but raised in New Zealand, where he studied at seminary, Gwilym--known to most as "Jonesy"--traveled the world, serving in Japan in time to see the devastation wrought by the atomic bomb. His ministry led him to West Virginia, then Oakland (College Avenue Presbyterian Church), then to Westminster Presbyterian on The Alameda in San Jose. Gwilym founded the Contact telephone ministry that now operates 50 centers across the country and helps 1.7 million people annually.
New health plans: better than what's out there
IN THE DISCUSSION of the new health plans that will be available to uninsured people in Massachusetts starting May 1, one important detail has been missed: These plans are far better and more affordable than any plan uninsured individuals can purchase right now. Under the plans announced last week, the typical individual who is uninsured -- a 37-year-old living in Greater Boston -- will be able to buy health insurance from the Connector for as little as $175 per month. That's about half of the $335 premium individuals would pay now if they tried to buy insurance on their own. Currently, people don't have a lot of choice if their employers don't offer them insurance and if they earn too much to qualify for state-subsidized insurance. All of their options are expensive, as is the alternative of forgoing coverage and paying all medical expenses out of pocket.
ECU Notes: College of Education awards scholarship to Duplin senior
Hannah Adams received the College of Education's first Educators Hall of Fame Centennial Scholarship last month. The four-year scholarship is awarded to an incoming freshman pursuing an education degree. Adams, senior at Duplin County's James Kenan High School, has a 4.2 grade-point average. She plans to major in elementary education and return to Kenansville. The scholarship was one of four presented in a ceremony held March 29. More than $122,000 were awarded at the event, ranging from $150 to $6,000. Officials also announced the establishment of the James and Evelyn Kirkland Scholarship in Middle Grades Education. Its first scholarship will be offered next year. History studied The natural and human histories of eastern North Carolina are the topics of a seminar being presented Friday by the Departments of Geological Sciences, History and Programs of Maritime Studies and Coastal Resources Management.
More Than launches phone service for pet owners
More Than, the Royal & Sun Alliance-owned direct insurer, is launching an "NHS Direct" style telephone service for pets. Vetphone will be a free service for pet owners that will help them decide if their animal needs to see a vet. Vetfone, which launches today, will offer access to qualified veterinary nurses who offer practical advice on health concerns for any domestic animal, even those not covered under and insurance policy. The insurer says up to 49% of emergency vet visits may be unnecessary, with pet owners needing advice rather than urgent treatment. The service will also give information on non-urgent matters such as toilet training, behavioural issues, diet, grooming and vaccinations. Vetfone director Michael Maltby was part of the team that created the NHS Direct.
House Debates CHIP Reform
(April 3, 2007)--More Texas children of the working poor would have access to the state's low-cost health insurance program under a measure the House debated Tuesday. The proposal would dismantle several changes that the Legislature made in 2003, when the state faced a $10 billion budget shortfall and cut spending on state services like the Children's Health Insurance Program. The proposal by Rep. Sylvester Turner, R-Houston, would let parents re-enroll in the CHIP plan every year instead of every six months. The proposal also would eliminate a 90-day waiting period unless the child had recently been covered in another insurance plan. Conservatives have voiced concern with the 12-month enrollment period in Turner's bill. They say making families re-enroll twice a year ensures only eligible children receive the benefits.
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