February 11, 2016

NC halts plans on sweeping changes to state employee benefits .

State Health Plan will put off discussion of controversial changes

RALEIGH, N.C. — The board overseeing North Carolina's health plan for teachers, state employees and retirees says it will delay discussion of controversial changes that sparked concerns among many beneficiaries.
Board members are still scheduled to meet on Friday at 3 p.m. to vote on changes in store for 2017, including some rises in costs for members.
But the trustees will not take on changes proposed for 2018 that could have eliminated the "80/20" coverage plan – a basic form of health insurance used by roughly 280,000 workers.

"Any further benefit changes beyond 2017, including the discussion regarding phasing out of the 80/20 Plan, will be delayed until a later date," said a news release issued by Brad Young, a spokesman for the State Treasurer's Office.
The health plan's staff is part of the Treasurer's Office, and Treasurer Janet Cowell, a Democrat who is not running for re-election this year, is chairman of the board.

During a meeting last week, health plan trustees also discussed pursuing an option that would eliminate coverage for the spouses of state workers. That's a change that would require legislative approval and also appears to be off the table for Friday's meeting.
Those and other potential changes prompted advocates with the State Employees Association of North Carolina, the largest group representing state workers, to say it would make the plan "the worst" of any state-run health benefit in the U.S.


Opponents of the change say they're still wary.
"We know this battle for fairness for plan members is far from over, and will remain vigilant," said Ardis Watkins, the lead lobbyist for SEANC. "Costs for working families should not go up until the plan has stopped paying 35 percent more than market rate to hospitals. State employee and retiree pockets are simply viewed as easier to reach into than big hospitals and that is wrong. We are proud that our members took a stand for all state employees in the face of this wrongheaded approach."


Read more at http://www.wral.com/state-health-plan-will-put-off-discussion-of-controversial-changes/15314935/#PyATFAi58vPKP5ms.99



more at the link.
this will be xposted at GD for more eyes and comments.

February 11, 2016

NC halts plans on sweeping changes to state employee benefits .

State Health Plan will put off discussion of controversial changes

RALEIGH, N.C. — The board overseeing North Carolina's health plan for teachers, state employees and retirees says it will delay discussion of controversial changes that sparked concerns among many beneficiaries.
Board members are still scheduled to meet on Friday at 3 p.m. to vote on changes in store for 2017, including some rises in costs for members.
But the trustees will not take on changes proposed for 2018 that could have eliminated the "80/20" coverage plan – a basic form of health insurance used by roughly 280,000 workers.

"Any further benefit changes beyond 2017, including the discussion regarding phasing out of the 80/20 Plan, will be delayed until a later date," said a news release issued by Brad Young, a spokesman for the State Treasurer's Office.
The health plan's staff is part of the Treasurer's Office, and Treasurer Janet Cowell, a Democrat who is not running for re-election this year, is chairman of the board.

During a meeting last week, health plan trustees also discussed pursuing an option that would eliminate coverage for the spouses of state workers. That's a change that would require legislative approval and also appears to be off the table for Friday's meeting.
Those and other potential changes prompted advocates with the State Employees Association of North Carolina, the largest group representing state workers, to say it would make the plan "the worst" of any state-run health benefit in the U.S.


Opponents of the change say they're still wary.
"We know this battle for fairness for plan members is far from over, and will remain vigilant," said Ardis Watkins, the lead lobbyist for SEANC. "Costs for working families should not go up until the plan has stopped paying 35 percent more than market rate to hospitals. State employee and retiree pockets are simply viewed as easier to reach into than big hospitals and that is wrong. We are proud that our members took a stand for all state employees in the face of this wrongheaded approach."


Read more at http://www.wral.com/state-health-plan-will-put-off-discussion-of-controversial-changes/15314935/#PyATFAi58vPKP5ms.99



more at the link.
this will be xposted at GD for more eyes and comments.

February 9, 2016

Chipotle blames norovirus on sick employees.

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/02/08/chipotle-blames-norovirus-outbreaks-on-sick-employees.html




Chipotle Mexican Grill is blaming sick employees for the two norovirus outbreaks that the restaurant chain experienced last year.
The company closed stores for a few hours on Feb. 8 for a national team meeting to discuss proper health and safety protocol. Chipotle revealed that tomatoes were the likely culprit behind the salmonella outbreak in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

"That's one of the reasons why we no longer dice tomatoes in our restaurants," the company said in a statement Monday.
However, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ended its investigation last week, representatives for the fast-casual chain are still uncertain of which ingredient cause the E. coli outbreaks.


Chipotle has taken a number of measures to prevent foodborne illnesses, including shifting some preparation to its central kitchens, blanching ingredients, and making modifications to how it marinates steak and chicken. The company also previously announced a paid-sick leave policy to ensure employees would stay home when they are ill.
During Monday's national meeting, Co-CEO Monty Moran also announced a bonus program that rewards individual restaurants on food safety measures.

February 9, 2016

however gave me the heart - thank you ... was most unexpected ... nt

February 3, 2016

this gives me faith in people.

http://www.viralnova.com/street-kitten-rescue/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=other&utm_campaign=performsmiracles

it is about a couple that rescues a sick kitten that the momma cat abandoned
has some awesome pictures for some reason I can not get them to post.

February 2, 2016

watching the Today show and they kept stressing

that Bernie is a Democratic Socialist and not a member of the Democratic Party.
wife asked how he could run as a Dem, and not be a member of the party.
told her I didn't know, but I would try and find out.
so I am going to ask. and then go to bed .. work nights and
pretty tired. thanks for any help.

January 29, 2016

WAPO: Va. will again recognize concealed-carry permits from other states

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/mcauliffe-to-restore-handgun-reciprocity-in-deal-with-republicans/2016/01/28/6f8c0240-c5d8-11e5-9693-933a4d31bcc8_story.html

RICHMOND — Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Republican leaders will announce Friday they have reached a deal on Virginia’s gun regulations in a surprising moment of compromise on an issue that had threatened to poison the remainder of the governor’s term in office.
McAuliffe (D) agreed to legislation that says the state must recognize concealed-handgun permits from nearly all states — a reversal of Attorney General Mark R. Herring’s decision last month to sever the reciprocity rights of gun owners in 25 states.

In exchange, Republicans softened their stances on issues that have long been non-starters in the GOP-controlled General Assembly. Under the deal, the state would take guns away from anyone who was under a two-year protective order for domestic-violence offenses. And State Police would have to attend all gun shows to provide background checks for private sellers if they requested the service.
“This is a bipartisan deal that will make Virginians safer,” McAuliffe spokesman Brian Coy said. “It also demonstrates that Democrats and Republicans can work together on key issues like keeping guns out of dangerous hands.”

The agreement marks the first break in a logjam over gun rights and gun control marked by heated rhetoric and could bolster McAuliffe’s legacy as he begins the second half of his term.

more at the link ….

January 27, 2016

Whats for Dinner Tuesday Jan 26

Grilled hamsteak and scalloped potatoes.

January 13, 2016

2 Navy boats taken by Iran. Iran promises they will be returned

http://www.sfgate.com/news/politics/article/Pentagon-2-US-Navy-boats-held-by-Iran-but-will-6753969.php

WASHINGTON (AP) — Iran was holding 10 U.S. Navy sailors and their two small boats that drifted into Iranian waters after experiencing mechanical problems. Iran accused the sailors of trespassing but American officials said Tehran has assured them that the crew and vessels would be returned safely and promptly.
The sailors, nine men and one woman, were being held overnight at an Iranian base on Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf, and were expected to be transferred to a U.S. ship in the region on Wednesday morning local time. Officials said they believe the U.S. had spoken to one of the crew, and all 10 were fine and uninjured.
Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told The Associated Press that the Riverine boats were moving between Kuwait and Bahrain when the U.S. lost contact with them.

snip

U.S. officials said that the incident happened near Farsi Island in the middle of the Gulf. They said some type of mechanical trouble with one of the boats caused them to drift into Iranian territorial waters near the island, and they were picked up by Iran.
The semi-official Iranian news agency, FARS, said the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's navy has detained 10 foreign forces, believed to be Americans, and said the sailors were trespassing in Iranian waters.
The incident came amid heightened tensions with Iran, and only hours before President Barack Obama was set to deliver his final State of the Union address to Congress and the public. It set off a dramatic series of calls and meetings as U.S. officials tried to determine the exact status of the crew and reach out to Iranian leaders.

snip

Secretary of State John Kerry, who forged a personal relationship with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif through three years of nuclear negotiations, called Zarif immediately on learning of the incident, according to a senior U.S. official. Kerry "personally engaged with Zarif on this issue to try to get to this outcome," the official said.
Kerry learned of the incident around 12:30 p.m. EST as he and Defense Secretary Ash Carter were meeting their Filipino counterparts at the State Department, the official said.
Officials said a radio signal from one of the boats showed that they were on Farsi Island, setting off efforts to contact the Iranians. The Riverine boats were not part of the carrier strike group, and were on a training mission as they traveled between Kuwait and Bahrain, officials said.

much more at the link - including the GOP response ..

December 2, 2015

emboldened by silver conviction bharara seeks to indict cuomo Jan 2.

http://buffalochronicle.com/2015/12/01/emboldened-by-silver-conviction-bharara-to-indict-cuomo-jan-2nd/

United States Attorney Preet Bharara feels emboldened, sources say, following the conviction of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver — on all of seven corruption charges. Despite lacking a “smoking gun” to constitute an explicit quid pro quo, the jury handed Bharara a sweeping win. Such is the public’s appetite for corrupt politicians, observers say.

Three sources are confirming that Bharara intends to indict Governor Andrew Cuomo on January 2nd — along with a half dozen associates and former staffers — on public corruption, racketeering, conspiracy, and honest services fraud.
The Chronicle is unable to confirm widespread rumors that the former staffers are Howard Glaser, Joe Percoco and Larry Schwartz.
Glaser resigned in June of last year as Director of State Operations and was thought to be Cuomo’s top aide. Percoco left a $175,000 salary with the Governor on October 25th of this year, and was known as Cuomo’s “political enforcer.”

Schwartz was caught up in the Moreland Commission scandal. He is thought to be guilty of obstruction of justice for actions he took in the hours immediately following Bharara’s confiscation of Moreland Commission documents.
One of the three sources — a longtime Albany insider — says that there are at least three additional targets of the investigation, likely to include Alain Kaloyeros, the head of SUNY Polytech who, at $800,000 per annum, is the highest paid state employee.

The other two men are said to be from Buffalo and have been “involved in the Administration’s economic development deals in particularly unseemly ways,” but the source would not elaborate.

not sure how reputable the link is.