Category Archives: Benefits

Payroll tax cut OK’d by Congress, signed by Obama

By doris | Published: December 24, 2011

Full Story at msnbc.com WASHINGTON — Shortly after Congress approved a two-month renewal of payroll tax cuts for 160 million workers and unemployment benefits for millions, President Barack Obama on Friday signed a bill formalizing the extension and won a convincing victory for his jobs agenda.  The voices of Americans “made a difference” in persuading [...]

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Health care law will let states tailor benefits

By doris | Published: December 22, 2011

Full Story at msnbc.com WASHINGTON — In a major surprise on the politically charged new health care law, the Obama administration said Friday that it would not define a single uniform set of “essential health benefits” that must be provided by insurers for tens of millions of Americans. Instead, it will allow each state to [...]

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Deal made to avoid government shutdown

By doris | Published: December 16, 2011

Full Story at NBCPolitics.msnbc.msn.com WASHINGTON — Congressional negotiators reached agreement Thursday on a compromise spending bill to avert a weekend federal shutdown. They also worked toward a deal renewing the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits for another year but prepared a shorter version as a fallback. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told reporters [...]

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Senate GOP leader predicts a payroll tax deal

By doris | Published: December 12, 2011

Full Story at CNN.com Washington (CNN) — Congress will agree to extend the payroll tax cut before it expires at the end of the year, two leading conservative Senate Republicans said Sunday. The comments demonstrated the GOP shift on a proposal originally opposed by Republican leaders, even as each side continues trying to persuade the [...]

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Nanny State? Calif. May Force Parents To Pay Babysitters Workers’ Comp, OT

By doris | Published: September 6, 2011

Full Story at Los Angelescbslocal.com LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The next time you plan a movie night without the kids, you may have to provide more than just pizza for your babysitter. Democratic lawmakers in Sacramento are fast-tracking a bill that would require workers’ compensation benefits, meal breaks and paid vacation time for all “domestic [...]

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Health care cuts proposed in deficit negotiations

By doris | Published: July 5, 2011

Full Story at msnbc.com WASHINGTON — Obama administration officials are offering to cut tens of billions of dollars from Medicare and Medicaid in negotiations to reduce the federal budget deficit, but the depth of the cuts depends on whether Republicans are willing to accept any increases in tax revenues.

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Unemployment Benefits Cut in South Carolina

By doris | Published: June 24, 2011

Full Story at news.Yahoo.com South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley signed into law this week legislation reducing the total number of weeks jobless workers eligible for regular unemployment benefits could receive said benefits. The customary number, one used until recently across the United States, was 26 weeks. Under the newly passed legislation, according to The State, [...]

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JPMorgan to pay $153.6M to settle fraud charges

By doris | Published: June 21, 2011

Full Story at news.Yahoo.com WASHINGTON – JPMorgan Chase & Co. has agreed to pay $153.6 million to settle civil fraud charges that it mislead buyers of complex mortgage investments just before the housing market collapsed. The settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission announced Tuesday is one of the most significant legal actions targeting Wall [...]

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AARP slammed for not fighting Social Security cuts

By doris | Published: June 17, 2011

Full Story at newsYahoo.com WASHINGTON – AARP, the powerful lobby for older Americans, was hammered Friday by fellow activists for refusing to oppose any and all cuts to Social Security benefits, a position the group says it has long held as a way to extend the life of the massive retirement and disability program. The [...]

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House passes $6 trillion spending cut plan for 2012

By doris | Published: April 20, 2011

Full Story at msnbc.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a Republican budget blueprint that proposes a fundamental overhaul of the main U.S. medical program while combating out-of-control budget deficits. It would impose sharp spending cuts on social safety net programs.

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Parks open, services continue, but more wrangling ahead this year

By doris | Published: April 10, 2011

Full Story at CNN.com Washington (CNN) — Never mind that the skies were overcast and dropped a little rain in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. The bands marched on, mascots waved to youngsters and other performers delighted the crowd at the National Cherry Blossom Festival parade. A congressional agreement reached late Friday on a short-term funding [...]

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Pentagon: Government shutdown threatens military families

By doris | Published: April 4, 2011

Full Story at CNN.com Washington (CNN) — The Department of Defense says that if the government shuts down for an extended period, troops including those fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq will not be paid on time, according to a senior defense official. The threat adds to the pressure the Pentagon is trying to put on [...]

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