Where is the Money Going?
Koch Brothers Responsible for almost 10% of TV Campaign Ads So Far this Year
Of the estimated 400,000 political ads that have aired so far in the battle over control of the U.S. Senate, nearly 10% have been generated by the “secretive political network of conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch,” according to the Center for Public Integrity.
The number of Koch-funded commercials is pegged at more than 43,900. read more
Did Budget Cuts Cause a 12-Year-Old to Die of Asthma?
No health care professional was on duty that day at Bryant because the school’s only nurse had her days reduced to just two per week due to $1 billion in state budget cuts. More than 100 nursing positions at Philadelphia schools were slashed during the summer of 2013 as a result of that cutback. The girl “was kept at school, despite her having told defendants that she could not breathe,” the lawsuit states. read more
Tax-Exempt Organizations Still Have to Pay Payroll Taxes…and Owe at least $875 Million
Receiving tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service means a group avoids paying income taxes, but they still must pay payroll taxes.
This fact of the federal tax code has been lost on more than 64,000 organizations that collectively owed the government $875 million in back taxes as of 2012. read more
Cost of “Free” Public School Education Jumps 20% for Middle School Students in One Year
Mom and Dad can expect to spend 20% more than last year on school supplies, uniforms and other expenses for children in middle school. The increase is 5% for high school students and 11% for elementary students. The average costs this year come out to $642 for K-6, $918 for middle school and $1,284 for high school. read more
Government Spent $2.8 Million to Study Why Lesbians Tend to be Obese
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is going on year four of its examination into why nearly three-quarters of adult lesbians are overweight or obesen. The project has so far consumed $2.87 million in taxpayer dollars.
According to the research, lesbians reportedly have lower “athletic self-esteem” that may contribute to obesity development. Surveys also show that lesbians are more likely to see themselves at a healthy weight when they’re not.
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Thanks to Supreme Court McCutcheon Ruling, Super Rich Pour Money into Election Campaigns
Overall, Republicans have benefited more from the McCutcheon than Democrats, having raked in $33.3 million from the 310 top donors versus $15.6 million, respectively.
The Koch brothers, plus extended family, have contributed $736,500 (Charles Koch $164,800, David Koch $258,500, Chase Koch [Charles’ son] $158,800, Julia Koch [David’s wife] $154,400).
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Citizens United Decision Gave Republican Candidates in State Races 6% Better Chance of Winning
Overall, Citizens United has meant a 6% increase in the probability of GOP victories in statehouse contests across the country. In Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee, the bump has amounted to 10%. In Colorado, Iowa, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming, Republicans have had a 7% boost in their chances of winning. read more
Temp Workers at Record High; Earn $3.44 an Hour less than Other Workers
The number of temps in the U.S. has reached 2.8 million, the highest ever recorded.
Temps earn less than counterparts with permanent jobs, according to the study. Temps make an average of $12.40 an hour, compared with $15.84 earned by all private-sector workers, regardless of industry. read more
Outsourcing Probation Puts the Costs on the Poor
Sentinel Offender Services charges offenders up to $100 a month for its services. Those on probation don’t have a choice in paying the cost, as the case-management and drug counseling services they receive are court-ordered. Washington state charges for jury trials—$250 for a 12-person jury, half that for six people. read more
Black Unemployment Rate is Twice that of White and Asian Unemployment Rates
For blacks, the jobless rate in 2013 was twice that of whites, and even greater compared to that of Asian-Americans, according to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The unemployment rate for African-Americans was 13.1%; for whites, it was 6.5%. American Indians and Alaska Natives also had a high jobless rate of 12.8%, while the unemployment rate among Hispanics was 9.1%. Asians had the lowest unemployment rate at 5.2%. read more
Troubles in the Blood Industry
Transfusions are down about 30% since 2009, going from 15 million units to 11 million. Blood banks’ revenue is falling as well, down about $1.5 billion a year from a peak of $5 billion.
The Red Cross told Wald that up to 12,000 blood bank jobs may be eliminated over the next three to five years, representing about 25% of the industry total. read more
156,000 Seniors Have Social Security Checks Reduced…to Pay Off Student Loans
At a time when thousands of Americans are trying to enjoy, if not just survive, their golden years, the federal government has been garnishing their Social Security checks to pay off old student loans.
About 156,000 individuals have found themselves in this situation, losing on average $180 out of a typical monthly check of $1,200. read more
3 Federal Agencies that Don’t Provide Full Benefits for Same-Sex Couples
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Railroad Retirement Board are not providing full benefits to same-sex couples.
The VA says Title 38 of the U.S. Code requires that benefits decisions be based on a person’s state of residence, and if that state forbids gay marriage, then the employee is out of luck.
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Which Companies Profit from the Use of Military Equipment by Police?
LRAD Corporation makes long-range acoustic devices that produce high-decibel noises that can chase away pirates on the high seas or disrupt protestors.
Lenco builds and sells the Bearcat armored truck, which is a version of the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle used in Afghanistan and Iraq to protect troops from mines and IEDs, none of which have ever been deployed in St. Louis County.
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Census Bureau Confirms Growing Wealth Inequality
From 2000 to 2011, the median household net worth for the bottom 20% plunged by $5,124—while the richest 20%, the highest quintile, enjoyed a jump of $61,379.
Those aged 35 to 44 had the largest percentage decrease in net worth, 41.4%. The ages 65 to 69 really are the golden years; these seniors saw the largest percentage increase in net worth, going up by 25.9%. read more
DynCorp Sued for Defrauding U.S. Army with Anti-Terrorism Program
Some invoices billed the Army for employees working more than 24 hours a day and DynCorp also is said to have charged the Army for workers unqualified for the positions they were supposed to be filling. The earlier IG investigation showed the Army being billed for one employee working 1,208 hours over 12 days. That’s a lot of multi-tasking considering there are only 288 hours in 12 days. read more