The Audit

from our members

• WA Lawmakers Scrutinize Tax Loopholes | Public News Service
  ATTLE - It's like juggling three flaming torches – Washington legislators can make further cuts to state services and programs, enact tax increases or close tax loopholes. This week at a special session, the lawmakers will try to agree on a combination of actions to balance the state budget without burning anyone.
• Advocates Go to Bat for Employers and Unemployed | Public News Service
  PHOENIX - Arizona's unemployment insurance fund is broke. The state plans to borrow $250 million from the federal government to keep checks coming, but social service advocates are urging state legislators to change the law governing the program instead. They argue the state could earn $150 million in federal stimulus money by extending jobless benefits for trainees in high-demand occupations and making benefits available sooner to some recipients.
• Paid Sick Days: a Necessity for Workers or a Job Killer? | Public News Service
  HARTFORD, Conn. - A proposed controversial bill to allow workers in Connecticut to earn up to five paid sick days a year is working its way through the General Assembly, clearing its first committee hurdle Tuesday. Some employers say it would push businesses out of the state, while advocates say it's a critical public health measure and only fair. Sen. Edith Prague, (D-19th district) is the bill's main sponsor. She believes swine flu could help push the legislation over the finish line because so many workers or their family members fought the flu last year.
• Colorado vs. Amazon.com Confrontation Heats Up | Public News Service
  DENVER - The pushing match between Amazon.com, its Colorado marketing affiliates and the state already has caused some bruises, and now grassroots groups are shoving back by calling for a boycott of the online retailer. Amazon fired its marketing affiliates in Colorado earlier this week in what's being called a retaliation for a new e-commerce law signed by Governor Ritter, which seeks to require Amazon and other online retailers to notify customers that they owe state sales tax on their purchases. Now, the drama is heating up with grassroots groups calling for a boycott of the company.
• Stimulus 102-- One Year and $800 Billion Later - NAM
  Last month marked one year since the nearly $800 billion federal stimulus package was passed by Congress. What has the stimulus package accomplished? What should we do now?
• Is Obama Turning on Goldman Sachs? | Mother Jones
  As President Barack Obama hits the endgame for health care reform, is he making a ploy to associate price-gouging insurance companies with Wall Street greed? Goldman Sachs recently released a report encouraging investors to buy up shares in two large insurance firms and thereby profit from the industry's soaring premiums. Now, the White House is making that brief the centerpiece of Obama's closing argument for overhauling the health system. It appears that Obama is subtly using the Wall Street titan's toxic reputation to demonize the insurance industry and rally public support for a comprehensive bill.
• Older Michgan Workers Swell Unemployment Ranks | Public News Service
  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The recession has been tough on many – but for older Michigan workers, it's been even tougher. The AARP Public Policy Institute reports workers ages 55 and over have endured a staggering 331 percent increase in unemployment over the last 10 years.