text:
Pennsylvania budget battle: The good, the bad and the ugly
Liberal Democrat Ed Rendell wants to spend $27.3 billion for new fiscal year and needs $2 billion in new or expanded taxes to fund his bloated budget.
I was watching one of my favorite movies the other night. It's one of those Clint Eastwood spaghetti Westerns from the 1960s directed by Sergio Leone.
Eastwood, Eli Wallach and Lee Van Cleef play unsavory characters seeking buried treasure during the Civil War. Throughout the movie, they form various alliances or double-cross each other in pursuit of the gold. Near the end of the film, the gunslingers face each other in a climactic three-way gunfight at a cemetery. Each character starts firing at the other. You don't know who's left standing until the smoke clears.
As I was watching the movie, I began thinking about the upcoming battle over the Pennsylvania budget. I'll let you decide who fits the good, the bad and the ugly description among Gov. Ed Rendell and the Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature.
The Pennsylvania Constitution requires an approved budget no later than June 30 each year, but since Gov. Rendell took office in 2003, the state hasn't passed a budget on time.
Rendell and the Legislature are on a collision course over state spending and it could get nasty. The governor and lawmakers have their own priorities and have shown little willingness so far in compromise.
Rendell wants to spend $27.3 billion for the fiscal year starting July 1. Since taking office, Rendell has increased state spending by $6 billion. He's raised the state income tax and borrowed money to support his spending habit. To balance his proposed $27.3 billion general fund budget, Rendell wants Pennsylvania residents to cough up $2 billion in new or additional taxes.
Therein lies the rub. House Democrats are willing to spend the $27 billion, but don't think they need to hike taxes.
Where would the additional money come from? First, there is a $500 million budget surplus anticipated for the current fiscal year. It appears Pennsylvania collected a half-billion dollars more in taxes than revenue officials predicted. Harrisburg politicians don't want to give that money back to taxpayers. House Democrats want the surplus to go toward the $27.3 billion budget. There's also a $500 million "rainy day fund" that lawmakers control. House Democrats would like to tap into that surplus as well.
Republicans are saying the state should spend the same as it did this year, about $26 billion, with a 2 percent adjustment for inflation. Senate Republican leaders are saying they will never approve a tax hike and they have the votes to frustrate Rendell's spending orgy. The GOP enjoys a 29-21 majority in the Senate.
The House is a different story. Democrats hold a slim 1-vote majority and generally rubber-stamp everything Rendell wants. But party leaders could have a revolt on their hands if they force freshmen Democrats to vote for a tax hike as their first major vote in the Legislature.
How would you like to be a first-term representative facing voters in 2008 after raising taxes, especially when the majority of your constituents keep telling you that eliminating property taxes is their No. 1 priority. The surest way for Democrats to lose the House next year is to back Rendell's tax increases.
Rendell appears to have the weakest hand in the upcoming budget battle. But the governor knows how to play hardball. He can rely on unionized state workers (and mass transit workers) to put pressure on the Legislature). He can also veto any budget that comes from the Legislature. If Rendell vetoes a budget that doesn't include all of his spending priorities (and tax increases), will House Democrats have the guts to override the governor's veto?
Rendell contributed tens of thousands of dollars to help get House Democrats elected in 2006 and he personally campaigned for many legislators. They owe him big time. On the other hand, a vote to increase taxes is tantamount to political suicide. How many Democratic legislators are willing to risk the wrath of angry voters in 2008 to please the governor?
Republicans are unlikely to back down from their "no new taxes" stand, either. The reason Republicans lost control of the House after 12 years was the perception that they were too willing to back Rendell's agenda.
The top two Republican leaders in the Senate were kicked out of office and Speaker of the House John Perzel was ousted from within his own party primarily for their willingness to move Rendell's tax increase, slot parlors and tax-shifting schemes through the Legislature.
Voters sent a clear message to GOP lawmakers last year: You will be punished for collaborating with the enemy. That message will carry into the 2008 elections.
Tony Phyrillas is a leading conservative political columnist and blogger based in Pennsylvania. He is a veteran journalist with 25 years experience as a reporter, editor and columnist for several newspapers. Phyrillas received recognition for column writing in 2010 from the Associated Press Managing Editors, in 2007 from Suburban Newspapers of America and in 2006 from the Society of Professional Journalists, Keystone Chapter. A graduate of Penn State University, Phyrillas is the city editor and political columnist for The Mercury, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning daily newspaper in Pottstown, Pa. In addition to The Mercury website (www.pottsmerc.com), his columns are featured on more than a dozen political websites and blogs. Phyrillas is a frequent guest (and occasional host) on talk radio and has been a panelist on the "Journalists Roundtable" public affairs TV program on the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN). Phyrillas was named one of the '10 Leading Greek-American Bloggers in the World' in 2007 by Odyssey: The World of Greece magazine. BlogNetNews.com ranked Phyrillas the Most Influential Political Blogger in Pennsylvania for three consecutive years (2007-2010). You can follow Phyrillas on Twitter @TonyPhyrillas


by Runa A. Sandvik & Michael Auger
TrackingPoint is an Austin startup known for making precision-guided firearms. These firearms ship with a tightly integrated system coupling a rifle, an ARM-powered scope running a modified version of Linux, and a linked trigger mechanism. The scope can follow targets, calculate ballistics and drastically increase its user’s first shot accuracy. The scope can also record video and audio, as well as stream video to other devices using its own wireless network and mobile applications.
In this talk, we will demonstrate how the TrackingPoint long range tactical rifle works. We will discuss how we reverse engineered the scope, the firmware, and three of TrackingPoint’s mobile applications. We will discuss different use cases and attack surfaces. We will also discuss the security and privacy implications of network-connected firearms.


text:
The Pinellas teachers union is rejecting a district proposal for furloughs, saying Thursday that teachers have already borne a disproportionate share of recent budget cuts and that the district can find money elsewhere.
"I don't believe our members have seen the equivalent pain as other units," union president Kim Black said during a collective bargaining session with district officials. "We cannot seriously consider unpaid leaves."
If the district wants to stick with furloughs, it will have to force them on its employees, Black said. "Anything like that will have to be imposed," she said.
The district formally proposed $7.8 million worth of furloughs Thursday as part of a broader effort to cut $26 million from next year's budget.
The first of two budget hearings is set for July 27. The union will present a counterproposal July 26.
Under the district plan, most of Pinellas' 8,400 teachers — those on 10-month contracts — would be forced to take three days of unpaid leave. About 230 who work 11.5- and 12-month contracts would be forced to take four days.
Most central office administrators, including superintendent Julie Janssen and her top staff, would be furloughed nine days.
"There is nothing easy about this for the (school) board," said Steve Swartzel, the district's chief negotiator. But "one of the reasons you look at unpaid leaves is to save jobs."
The union wants the district to dip into its "cliff reserve," a $12.2 million fund it created to soften the blow when federal stimulus money runs out next year. But most board members say doing so would be irresponsible, given a deficit for the 2011-12 budget that is estimated at $54 million.
"I would love for us not to have to do mandatory unpaid leave," said board member Carol Cook. "But I also know we need to make sure we're being fiscally responsible so next year we're not laying off people because of the $54 million in cuts."
Both sides discussed three other potential cuts Thursday: shifting a greater share of health insurance costs to employees; putting 200 to 300 new teachers on cheaper "provisional" contracts for the first 97 days on the job; and starting an early retirement plan for employees with more than 25 years on the job.
The union leaders indicated there was room for compromise on all of them.
The district has put new hires on provisional contracts four times in the past 20 years, Swartzel said.
Under the most recent proposal, new teachers would be paid $100 a day for the first 97 days. A first-year teacher would normally make $186 a day, while more veteran teachers joining the district or returning to it would earn more. Potential savings: $2.5 million.
The savings would rise if veteran teachers, principals and assistant principals take advantage of a new early retirement plan.
The district would pay participants $8,000 a year for the next three years, beginning in September. For the most part, those employees could only be replaced by new staffers with eight or fewer years of experience.
Union executive director Marshall Ogletree suggested the district's offer wasn't sweet enough.
"I think it needs to be at lest $10,000 a year or very close to that," he said.
If the district and the union don't come to an agreement on furloughs, either side could declare an impasse, which could lead to the appointment of a mediator or a special magistrate.
The magistrate would make a recommendation to the School Board. But under Florida law, the board can still make the decision.
Ron Matus can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.org or (727) 893-8873.

domain: finance


text:
This place will always hold a dear place in my heart. Aida, the sales clerk, is an absolute sweetheart, and a real cat expert. She hooked me up with the most amazing cat, a pure angel.
Just Cats has lots of goodies for both cats and people. Here you can find the best cat food on the planet (from the brand Wellness.)
Pros: Friendly Service, Clean

domain: pet


text:
The opening ceremony of the 31st International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) was held at the Baku Convention Center.
Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva attended the event.
The event started with the performance of the national anthem of Azerbaijan.
Head of the Department for Humanitarian Policy Issues of the Presidential Administration Farah Aliyeva read out First-Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva’s congratulatory message to the event participants.
In his remarks, Chairman of IOI 2019 and Minister of Education Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized the importance of organizing such a prestigious event in Azerbaijan. He said that one of the main tasks of the country's education system was to reinforce human capital development and increase the role of ICT, virtual education and computer networking skills.
Minister Bayramov highlighted the achievements of Azerbaijani youth in the international Olympiad in informatics, adding that the organization of IOI 2019 in Azerbaijan would contribute to the development of informatics.
He noted that Azerbaijan, which was rapidly developing under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, had successfully hosted various international and regional events, including 15th Summer European Youth Olympic Festival “EYOF”, Eurovision song contest, First European Games, 4th Islamic Solidarity Games, Formula 1 Grand Prix. The minister emphasized that such events play a vital role in development of ties of friendship, peace and intercultural dialogue, especially among young people.
Rector of ADA University, honorary chairman of IOI 2019 Hafiz Pashayev said that one of the main goals of the Olympiad was to bring out the young talented people in the field of computer science and to communicate to the young people the importance of this sphere.
“International Olympiad in Informatics brings together the future leaders of computer science and IT industry. Those who are sitting in the auditorium today will shape the trends and agenda of the technological development in the next 10-15 years and therefore hosting this event is a sign of Azerbaijan’s deep interest, care and support both for the education sector as well as IT industry,” Hafiz Pashayev said.
“ADA University is a rapidly growing higher education institution in the region and our IT and Engineering School was set up with the purpose of cultivating young engineers, programmers and professionals in IT field, much needed for the development of “knowledge based-economy”. Our graduates nowadays work in global technological companies, such as Google, Oracle, Microsoft, and also help the local IT industry to grow. Each year we host, business case and start-up competitions and support best ideas of young people to become new success stories. This year we have also hosted the semi-finals and finals of the National Olympiad in Informatics, in accordance with IOI rules and standards,” he mentioned.
Rector Hafiz Pashayev noted that ADA’s vision was to become a center of excellence and hub for scientific research and innovation in the region. "For that purpose we plan to set up a Science village near to our university," he said, adding that the Center for Big Data Analytics Research of the ADA university had already gained attention of young talents in the country.
“In coming days you will have a chance to visit our “smart” and “green” campus in downtown Baku and learn more about our academic and research programs. I hope you will enjoy this visit and find out more about the scholarship opportunities at ADA University. I strongly believe that you will have a memorable summer in Baku and this competition will bring enjoyment to all of you,” Hafiz Pashayev said.
The rector extended special thanks to the Government of Azerbaijan and all those who supported them "in this wonderful endeavor".
IOI President, Professor of National Taiwan Normal University Greg Lee hailed the excellent organization of this year’s Olympiad in Azerbaijan and highlighted the importance of the event. “On behalf of IOI community we thank Azerbaijan for hosting this year’s IOI and ADA University for assistance in organizing this event in the Land of Fires,” IOI President said.
Grigory Nizovsky, Vice President of Acer for Russia, Eastern Europe and Turkey, official global sponsor of the Olympiad, praised the successful cooperation between Acer and IOI.
The IOI 2019 delegations representing 88 countries and regions were presented to the audience.
The event then featured the screening of videos highlighting the activity of official sponsors IOI, Acer as well as a video about Baku.
The event continued with a concert program.
Official delegations consisting of more than 600 pupils, teachers and experts from 88 countries and regions, including the Azerbaijani team have registered to participate in the International Olympiad in Informatics, which is being held in Azerbaijan for the first time.
Acer is the official global sponsor of the Olympiad. In addition, from local companies, the country’s leading mobile operator Azercell Telecom supports the event as the Digital Talent Sponsor and PASHA Bank as the Talent Sponsor. Public Television ITV (Ictimai Television) is the IOI’s key media partner.
© All rights reserved. Citing to www.ict.az is necessary upon using news

domain: news


text:
Considerations To Know About restoration flood and fire
Water Damage and Roofing Of Cedar Park
Cedar Park, TX, USA
To complete the cataloguing of heritage objects in the Maatsuyker Gentle station mild tower and around the island from the last 123 a long time of European Selection. The catalogue will be created accessible to the public on the internet through the Wildcare Internet site, as it was with Stage 1.
This assortment relates to the numerous Paddle Steamers which were Portion of the early and busy Murray investing background with the Port of Echuca. This organisation has a substantial room through which to Display screen their Maritime collections and therefore are at the moment working to place collection goods on show in a visible and Harmless way.
Whaleworld has much more than four,000 learners traveling to yearly as well as schooling package deal aimed to improve their working experience and be built readily available on the web, to students and instructors globally.
The grant contributed to the whole refurbishment of the first Mersey Maritime Board Signal Station, which played a very important part in the development with the port of Devonport. The funding aided offer interpretative signage and paid out for the event of an education package.
The 1911 Arrol Crane is the final remaining from the 4 which were the moment used to load items from railway wagons on to ships. Anecdotal reviews propose A different crane can be found on the sea mattress adjacent for the jetty. This ship loading crane will be the oldest located in WA.
The grant was used to develop access prints with the fleet's glass plate negative collection, depicting the nineteenth- and twentieth-century sailing ships and Burns Philp ships which were associated with plantation functions.
This organisation’s strategy is for your vessel to generally be relocated and displayed within the Nowra Pool Intricate along with interpretative signage.
MSTEC associates acquired not merely the engines, but the complete engine home. The general undertaking will continue for many years. This ingredient involved the restoration,re-assembly and Display screen in the engines only. The event and development of signage along with a video completed the Display screen.
The grant went see here in the direction of the restoration of working boat Untama, a gaff-rigged sloop created by Goolwa shipwrights in 1937. An interpretive application about boatbuilding strategies was also created for the local people and visitors.
Albany Maritime Foundation created a maritime heritage gallery throughout the Albany Boat Get rid of, making use of this grant to develop shows recording the historical past of a number of distinguished boating/fishing families from the Southern Ocean port, which is recognized as the home of Australia's past whaling station.
This job seeks to update this beneath-designed museum amenity, and increase its presentation to draw in educational facilities and holidaymakers. In-variety assist is awarded to get a website visit from an ANMM qualified to help with preparing this project.
In form help through the give of a showcase wherein to place the design of your “Mermaid” to preserve flood restoration australia the many miniature objects that are proven and might Bonuses be conveniently eliminated.
The grant set up a set management system for that archaeological and historic content held during the Emita Museum. The Furneaux Islands of jap Bass Strait are littered with shipwrecks courting again two hundred years and the Emita Museum (on Flinders Island) involves material on these as well as area shipping and delivery, fishing and mutton-birding industries. A 1995 MMAPSS grant was used to connect electricity to your museum.
Busselton Historical Modern society $six,275 Funding is awarded for just a shipwreck wander on the museum’s land which is located within the financial institutions on the picturesque Vasse River. The stroll with give account of regional shipwrecks by means of a weather conditions proof data booklet, a map and plaques.

domain: history


We present a calculation of the amide I' infrared (IR) spectra of the folded, unfolded, and intermediate states of the WW domain Fip35, a model system for β-sheet folding. Using an all-atom molecular dynamics simulation in which multiple folding and unfolding events take place we identify six conformational states and then apply perturbed matrix method quantum-mechanical calculations to determine their amide I' IR spectra. Our analysis focuses on two states previously identified as Fip35 folding intermediates and suggests that a three-stranded core similar to the folded state core is the main source of the spectroscopic differences between the two intermediates. In particular, we propose a hypothesis for why folding via one of these intermediates was not experimentally observed by IR T-jump.
Keywords: fast-folding peptides; molecular dynamics simulations; β-hairpin.
© 2017 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.