TxDOT obligated the $2.25 billion for Highways, bridges, rail, and transportation enhancement projects. [Congress Challenge]
Only a week removed from the one-year anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Texas Metropolitan Planning Organizations have obligated all of the $2.25 billion Texas received for transportation projects. All ARRA funding must be obligated by March 1, 2010.
“Congress challenged us to put this money to work and we have met that challenge,” said John Barton, TxDOT Assistant Executive Director for Engineering Operations.
The Oglebay National Training Center in West Virginia hosted the third year of the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) Leadership School. The program began in 2008 and consists of both distance education and on-site components to educate future leaders of state parks.
Education within the Green Industry is becoming a top priority for the leading manufacturer of outdoor power equipment. [Stihl Support]
“STIHL recognizes the need for educational support and the National Association of State Park Directors does a great job of providing this ,” said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for STIHL Inc. “We have some experience with succession planning in our dealer network so helping ensure the next generation of leadership in America’s state park system receives this training in the face of severe budget cuts seemed the right thing to do.”
Roger Phelps on twitter[@uphelpsr] – Stihl promotional communications manager
Back in December The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) and PLANET (Professional Landcare Networkmet) met for two and a half days to examine the potential for a merger of the two groups. [full story]
Bill Hildebolt, PLANET president, said the merger has been in the works since 2004, when the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) and the Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA) merged, and continued through informal discussions between the two groups. Talks intensified about a year ago, and have been “serious” since then, he said.
“It just makes a lot of sense if we want to be a pro voice of the green industry that bringing these two top green industry association into one makes sense,” Hildebolt said, adding that a unified association would give members more leverage politically.
Talks and merger have now been put on hold. [full story]
The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) and the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) have announced that the organizations have decided to defer continued discussions on unification at this time. They will continue to pursue partnership opportunities and explore ways to work together to further the interests of both memberships and the Green Industry as a whole.
Freddie Mac not asking for government to bail them out, again. Let’s give them a round of applause. [for now]
Freddie Mac posted a smaller loss last year than in 2008 and said for the third consecutive quarter that it won’t need to ask the government for additional bailout funds. But the company says conditions could worsen as foreclosures pick up later this year.
The mortgage company posted a net loss of $6.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2009 and $21.6 billion for the full year, excluding dividends paid to the government. While those losses remain daunting, they are an improvement from 2008, when the company posted a loss of $23.9 billion in the year ago fourth quarter and $50.1 billion for all of 2008.
…And you can stop now. Fannie Mae seeks $15.3B in gov’t aid after 4Q loss. [short lived]
Fannie Mae needs another $15 billion in federal assistance, bringing its total to more than $75 billion. And worse, the mortgage finance company warned its losses will continue this year. The rescue of Fannie Mae and sister company Freddie Mac is turning out to be one of the most expensive aftereffects of the financial meltdown. The new request means the total bill for the duo will top $126 billion.
Here is the creative and funny Commercial from Old Spice run during the Super Bowl. It was concocted by Craig Allen and Eric Kallman of Wieden + Kennedy.
Now, place your bets. Was there any CGI to make this commercial or was it a single shot?
Looks like there are some people and some small business owners that are on the “maybe not” side.
Speed Exterminating President John Young
“I’m not going to just hire somebody because I have the opportunity for a tax credit, I need to make sure the business is sound.”
Mike Elmendorf, New York state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, a trade and lobbying group for small companies.
“A business is not going to bring on a new employee, with the very significant expenses that go along with that, for a tax credit of several thousand dollars”
Newman Concrete Services owner Doug Newman
“Most of what we’re hearing out of Washington right now is more about politics than it is about creating jobs.”
“Before you can take advantage of a tax credit you have to be making some money, we posted a six-figure loss last year.”
With business down and the current economy, covering expenses seems to be priority one. So, lets take on new employees increasing the expenses for a little tax credit.
GreenCare for Troops is dedicated to helping military families care for their lawns while their loved ones are deployed. Since 2006, the non-profit has helped nearly 10,000 military families with Cub Cadet as the major supporter.
Mike Rowe and the Dirty Jobs crew join Cub Cadet and GreenCare for Troops at the California home of Sgt. Peter Mavropoulos.
Senator Scott Brown along with four other republicans help Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) advance bill.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) scored a victory Monday when Sen. Scott Brown and four other Republicans helped to advance his $15 billion jobs bill.
The procedural vote was approved 62-30 and allowed Democrats to move toward passage of the legislation considered crucial for President Barack Obama. It also marks the first time this year that Reid won support from the other side on a contentious bill.
The Senate easily passed a $15 billion jobs bill on Wednesday morning amid hope that the measure could provide a blueprint for other items on President Obama’s agenda.
Congressional Black Caucus members are dismissing a $15 billion jobs bill as inadequate, forcing House leaders to rethink their plan to vote on the measure Friday.
I’m offended that it’s been called a jobs bill,” CBC Vice Chairman Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) told reporters. “I will not stand up in the district that I represent… and say we just did a jobs bill. I think people are smarter than that. This is a tax cut bill and a little piece of a transportation bill.”
For those of you not familiar with Lance Berkman the Houston Astros first baseman out of Rice University, he is truly one of the stand up guys in major league sports, down to earth and a really FUNNY dude! Now history proves (i.e. Tiger Woods) that putting celebrities, athletes, or sports figures up on pedestals or presenting them as role models to your kids is a very slippery slope. But, we are more than confident that Lance Berkman will never disappoint and is a perfect public person you can have your kids aspire to be like!
Lance Berkman better known to baseball fans as The Big Puma, was on The John and Lance Show on 1560 The Game. John Granato and Lance Zierlein have been staples in Houston sports talk for over a decade and have a fantastic show. They are a great duo, VERY funny and worth the listen, especially not knowing what kind of shenanigans they will pull.
John and Lance appear to have a great relationship with Lance Berkman and caught up with him headed to spring training. With this cast of characters, it is like radio gold.
Below are the podcasts of The Big Puma on 1560 The Game. Great Stuff!
Alyson “all Astros all the time” Footer adds to the greatness of The Big Puma with @pumaoneliners on twitter. For great “one liners” from Lance Berkman and other Astros check out Alyson Footers, Introducing…PumaOneLiners. For all of your Astros news follow @alysonfooter on twitter, and her newest title, Sr. Director of Social Media.
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