Sales Taxes in California

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-aa2-snapshot-sales-tax-20141128-story.html#page=1

Summary: Taxes are different in many different places. In California the sales tax ranges from 7% to 8%. It also goes up to as much as 10% in Los Angeles. Basically sales taxes continue to go up.

OBAMA CARE

http://obamacarefacts.com/obamacare-facts/

         

Summary

The Affordable Care Act was created by president Obama to give quality insurance for an inexpensive price. Because health insurance was so expensive, many people chose to not have it. Some benefits from having Obama care are; letting young adults stay on their parent’s health care plan until age 26 and stopping insurance companies from over charging you based on pre-existing condition and or denying you. Obama care was mainly created to help people who really cannot afford healthcare.  

Why is Obama care so unpopular?

Hawaii receives grant of $1.4 million for A.C.A.

Asia Brautigam

Hawaii is granted $1.4 million toward Affordable Care Act funding

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2014/12/16/hawaii-receives-1-5m-in-affordable-care-act.html

Hawaii has been given $1.4 million for the Affordable Care Act, this sum is a part of the $665 million distributed between 28 states and three territories. The funding will go into effect once Hawaii exercises better screening and therapy services to  patients.

The goal is to improve Hawaii’s health care system through mass funding and incentive pay to workers, they believe money is the key to increasing research and performance. If this grant advances the health system of Hawaii, they will continue to see funding through the State Innovation Model Test Award.

Almost half of all U.S. states only have one or two healthcare providers to choose. Most of the insurance plans are almost are identical and have slight differences to render them as new and different. Obama and the White House say that by limiting Part D sponsors to providing 2 plans per region, it would promote needed clarity. The White House argues that, in marketing the same plan under different brands, insurers were gaining market share by tricking customers into imputing distinctions between healthcare that didn't exist.  37 states that use healthcare.gov and Covered California show that United Healthcare, the largest national insurer offers  1,661 different plans in the 185 rating areas. Aetna has 982 in 137 rating areas, and Wellpoint offers 1,285 different plans in 109 rating areas. Based on these figures, and inconsistency between the states, one could understand why there is still so much uncertainty, in the benefits and restrictions.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottgottlieb/2014/12/16/in-obamacare-you-wont-get-a-wide-choice-of-health-plans-either/

How Walmart is showing that Obamacare is working

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/10/08/how-walmart-is-showing-that-obamacare-is-working/

Walmart Corporation is dropping health insurance to more than 30,000 employees in the upcoming year. Liberals reacted by saying Walmart is a profit hungry corporation who is screwing their employees (as their reputation goes). Conservatives blame Obamacare and how big of a mess it is, unlike the Republican Alternative of GodotCare. Obamacare is somewhat a mess since many corporations such as Target, Home Depot and Trader Joe's are also dropping their employees health insurance to none or "AMAZING" MiniMed that provided... nothing. ACA no longer permits MiniMed under ACA's rules. Although, depending in what state Walmart employees are in, they could be eligible for Medicaid and pay nothing at all or pay substantial subsides and get a private plan that's extremely affordable. So basically, there are ups and downs with being a Walmart employee.

My question is... Is this a good health insurance strategy?

Millions more for Obamacare

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/obamacare-deadline/millions-more-sign-obamacare-health-insurance-n269581




Millions more sign up for Obamacare Health insurance
About 2.5 million new people have signed up for health insurance next year on the one year old Obamacare  exchanges. The exchanges are a way for people  to buy private health insurance without relying on an employer. Exchanges are also away for the federal government to better control what the administration has considered the worst excesses of insurers. Anyone offering a plan on an exchange may not cap coverage once people spend a certain amount. They must take all applicants how can pay, no matter what the health status is or preexisting conditions, they must also provide a minimum of care including cancer screening and vaccinations. In the last year over 7 million people signed up on the exchange.

"This shows that millions of Americans want access to affordable quality health insurance and they came to the Marketplace to find it."

-Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell 

Do you remember the fact that theis website didn't work a little over a year ago?

Blacks falling behind under ObamaCare

website: http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/227312-racial-gap-shrinking-under-obamacare-but-black-americans-remain-stuck

While Hispanics, American Indians and Alaska natives have seen “dramatic” increases in healthcare coverage over the last year, obtaining coverage has been tougher for black Americans, largely because they disproportionately live in states that have not expanded Medicaid, according to an extensive 65 page report by The Urban Institute, a nonprofit research group.Most of the states that have not adopted a central Obama Care provision that helps low-income people qualify for Medicaid have Republican legislatures or governors.More than half of all black individuals and families live in the 21 states that have not expanded Medicaid eligibility, according to the report. As a result, about 1.4 million black individuals are stuck in an eligibility gap where they make too little to purchase coverage but too much to qualify for Medicaid.


do you believe that this will change? is there going to be a  solution for these people?

ObamaCare fines loom

People without insurance are running out of time to avoid the ObamaCare fines that the IRS will be handing down in 2016. Consumers face a Feb. 15, 2015, deadline to buy insurance, after which those without coverage could be hit with fines of $325 per adult or 2 percent of family income, whichever is higher.Uninsured people looking to escape the penalties are turning to the exchanges before they close, while insurance companies and tax preparers are seizing on the looming tax hit as a business opportunity.

Is it fair to pay a fine for not having insurance for those who can't afford it?

Obama Threatens to Veto $400 Billion Tax Deal

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/26/business/congress-nears-deal-on-major-business-tax-breaks.html?_r=1

Date: November 15, 2014

President Obama wants to veto a deal set up by negotiators to use a Tax Break on Corporations worth $400 billion. President Obama would veto the Tax Deal because it would provide Tax Breaks to help big corporations and neglect working families (or middle class). Negotiators looked towards Republicans and negotiate for Liberal support and expanded Child Tax Credit for the working poor. Tax Breaks had expired and if not reactivated taxpayers will not be able to report them if not revived by December 31st. This article is hard to comprehend. My question is what do you think the article is saying and what do you think Obama should do?

Greek Rebels Riot Against Tax Proposition

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/06/29/greece.riots.explainer/

(CNN) 

            Prime minister George Papandreou proposed new program that cuts public spending and collects taxes in order to fund and relieve the country’s debt. The goal is to reduce $20 billion worth of spending and raise an additional $20 billion through taxation. This will cause the loss of employment and create limitations on welfare.

            Greece believes that if they do not balance the deficit, they will no longer meet the criteria to participate in the Eurozone.
Greece is currently receiving international aid in hopes of diminishing their debt. A bailout of $156 billion was granted to Greece last year and is still waiting to be claimed.

            The civilians of Greece blame the set back on politicians and business men, saying that the common people are having to pay for their mistakes. These cuts and taxes were first proposed in 2010 which started the series of riots.

            If Greece falls  economically it will affect weak countries in the Eurozone and cause them to withdrawal from the union.

Tourist revenue generates a big part of Greece’s  economy, but the political issues and current upheaves are making the country less desirable  to visit which adds to the financial predicament.

Butler's push for more money to pay for schools, roads, and health and other programs. If this succeeds. it will make an already expensive California even more costly and slow job creation, pushing businesses out of California. Business lobbies at the capitol don't see it  this way. They're slowly driving businesses away, the more they continue to tax on everything.

Why should they continue to tax more when in result it'll leave us with no businesses?







http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-tax-fights-ahead-20141128-story.html

SITE: http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_24750944/mega-millions-san-jose-and-state-wont-hit?source=infinite

The California  state lottery act of 1984 was intended to provide more money to schools without imposing extra taxes. Accordingly, the Lottery was required to provide at least 34% of its revenues to public education. 
 Even though one of the two winning tickets for Tuesday night's $648 million Mega Millions prize was sold in San Jose, the city won't be hitting the tax jackpot. But the tax revenue bonanza won't land anywhere near San Jose City Hall because the winnings are taxed as income, and California cities can't charge their own income taxes, unlike in New York or other states. Under New York City's income tax rate, for example, the city would get $6.7 million in taxes if one of the two winners hailed from the Big Apple and took the $173.8 million cash payout.


Q: what do you think out this tax law in other state like New York?

Uber's tax avoidance cost the government millions?

http://48hillsonline.org/2014/07/10/ubers-tax-avoidance-strategy-costs-government-millions/



uber is known as a low cost taxi service that's really useful to people that need to get from place to place. Uber has found loopholes that allows its company to operate without using the regular safety rules. Because of uber and its loopholes it extended int the tax code. Over the past 2 years uber has established a global network that is designed to minimize its taxes.
 Do you think this is fair to regular taxi companies that actually pay federal, state, and local taxes?

Who's paying the new Obamacare tax? You.

When Congress passed the Affordable Care Act, it required health insurers, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies to share in the cost because they would get new paying customers. With an 8 billion tax on health insurers due on September 30. They are getting  helped from an odd source, Taxpayers. States and the federal government will spend at least 700 million this year to pay the tax for their medicaid health plans. State Medicaid agencies say they have little choice but to pay the tax for health plans they hire to insure their poorest residents.


Question: why are the people of our community having to help pay the tax on obamacare?


http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/08/30/obamacare-tax-healthcare-taxpayers-eight-billion/14861405/

For over 20 years the internet has become a marketplace for vendors to sell a majority of their goods un taxed. In 45 states you would pay a sales tax if you purchased a good from a physical store. Online however, you would only be forced to pay a sales tax if the company has a physical office or warehouse within your state. In 2013 the Marketplace Fairness Act was passed. This bill states that States could require out of state retailers to collect sales taxes for them, if those states agree to set easy to follow guidelines for making a sales tax. Any seller who makes less than 1 million in revenue is exempt, and it would leave in place any pre existing taxes. Both parties aren't really in favor of the bill and feel its just another way for the government to impose on states rights. What do you think?

http://www.engadget.com/2014/12/02/online-sales-tax-explainer/

Officer Wilson will not face charges in the death of Michael Brown

Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/grand-jury-reaches-decision-in-case-of-ferguson-officer/2014/11/24/de48e7e4-71d7-11e4-893f-86bd390a3340_story.html?hpid=z1

Date: TODAY! (11/25/2014)

The Saint Louis County Grand Jury decided that Officer Darren Wilson will not be charged with murder or involuntary manslaughter.  The District Attorney said, “some witnesses maintained their original statement that Mr. Brown had his hands in the air and was not moving toward the officer when he was shot.  Several witnesses said Mr. Brown did not raise his hands at all or that he raised them briefly and then dropped them and then turned toward Officer Wilson, who then fired several rounds.”  In addition, Officer Wilson testified for four hours to the Grand Jury, which included nine whites and three blacks.  In the end, President Obama was on television asking Americans to accept the judicial system's decision, however, protests in Ferguson were almost immediate.  
Questions:
Do you believe Officer Wilson's story that Michael Brown was the aggressor and physically assaulted Officer Wilson?  
Was justice served?

President Obama's Executive Action on Deportation

Link: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/11/what-obamas-immigration-action-actually-does/383037/

Date- November 21, 2014

President Obama fulfilled a promise he made earlier in 2014 to change his policy on immigration if Congress did not pass a comprehensive Immigration Reform Law.  He announced an executive order last Thursday, which outlines new standards on deportation.  President Obama said that deportations would focus on "felons, not families. Criminals, not children. Gang members, not a mom who’s working hard to provide for her kids. We’ll prioritize, just like law enforcement does every day."  Specifically, parents of U.S. citizens and green card holders would be protected.  One immigration group estimates that 3.7 million people would fall into this category.  In addition, the age restriction on those that qualify as Dreamers, minors brought to the country illegally, will be eliminated.  This should result in 290,000 more people being allowed to stay without fear of deportation as long as they remain upstanding citizens.  Republicans were critical of Obama before he announced his plan as this issue partially represents the struggle for the Latino vote, a key factor as politicians eye the 2016 presidential race.

Questions-
What do you think the effects of this action will be?
What are the reasons Obama is doing this now?

Other link for more info: http://www.vox.com/2014/11/20/7250255/immigration-reform-obama-executive-action

House Republicans Want to Change 2008 Deportation Law

Link - http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/29/house-bill-speed-deportations-illegal-children/
Date - July 29, 2014


Summary - Republicans in the House introduced a bill that would change a 2008 law that allowed illegal immigrant children not from Canada and Mexico a legal hearing.  The 2008 law was part of an attempt to protect youth involved in sex trafficking.  Democrats have asked for more money to deal with the crisis, but 2/3rds of Americans support the idea of sending children back to Central America more quickly.  In fact,  President Obama initially supported the idea of changing the law, but was quickly convinced by immigrants' rights groups to not openly support drastic changes.  Democrats focus their criticism on the inability of Republicans in the House to pass Immigration Reform that would offer a path to citizenship.  One interesting issue is that smugglers have convinced many immigrants that the 2008 law will allow children the time to establish a foothold in the country.  President Obama does have some power as president to increase or decrease deportations and is under pressure from both sides.

Question - What are the main ideas of Republicans and Democrats on the immigration crisis?

Young Immigrants Must Risk Deportation for Chance to Gain Legal Status

Link- http://www.latimes.com/nation/immigration/lana-immigration-law-20140803-story.html#page=1
Date- August 3, 2014 

Summary - Since October of 2013 roughly 57,000 unaccompanied minors have crossed into the United States.  Many of these immigrants are detained and given court dates to see if they can qualify for a special status in order to stay in the country. Current U.S. law promises a court date before being deported, but does not guarantee legal representation.  There are many free services and immigrants with family members already in the U.S. usually have means to help secure representation.  However, 30% of these youths do not show up for their court dates and are often then given deportation orders.  In fact, 47% of youths with legal representation have been allowed to stay, while only 10% of those without representation end up receiving permission to stay.  A group advocating for immigrants' rights filed an injunction (legal attempt to stop a practice) against deporting youth without legal representation.  The current push from the federal government is to speed up these trials, with the assumed goal being to speed up deportations.

Question - How is the legal status for undocumented immigrants different from the legal status of citizens and what is the effect (see Oscar's story in article)?