(Bloomberg) -- Russia is halting pork shipments from nine U.S. pork facilities, including plants in Nebraska, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said today on its Web site. Russia was the fourth-largest buyer of U.S. pork in 2008.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
COMMENTARY: Ruin Your Health With the Stimulus Plan
On www.bloomberg.com, former New York Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey, now a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, writes that no one from either political party is objecting to the health provisions slipped in the federal economic stimulus bill (H.R. 1) without discussion. Senators and congressmen "should read these provisions and vote against them because they are dangerous to your health," McCaughey writes.
The bill’s health rules will affect “every individual in the United States” by creating a new bureaucracy, the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology, which will monitor treatments to make sure your doctor is doing what the federal government deems appropriate and cost effective, according to McCaughey. The goal is to reduce costs and “guide” your doctor’s decisions. Hospitals and doctors that are not “meaningful users” of the new system will face penalties. “Meaningful user” isn’t defined in the bill. That will be left to the HHS secretary, who will be empowered to impose “more stringent measures of meaningful use over time.”
McCaughey writes that many of the health reform provisions in the stimulus bill come from former Sen. Tom Daschle’s book, which says that aging Americans should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them. "That means the elderly will bear the brunt," McCaughey writes. "Medicare now pays for treatments deemed safe and effective. The stimulus bill would change that and apply a cost-effectiveness standard set by the Federal Council."
She adds: "The health-care industry is the largest employer in the U.S. It produces almost 17% of the nation’s GDP. Yet the bill treats health care the way European governments do: as a cost problem instead of a growth industry. Imagine limiting growth and innovation in the electronics or auto industry during this downturn. This stimulus is dangerous to your health and the economy."
The bill’s health rules will affect “every individual in the United States” by creating a new bureaucracy, the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology, which will monitor treatments to make sure your doctor is doing what the federal government deems appropriate and cost effective, according to McCaughey. The goal is to reduce costs and “guide” your doctor’s decisions. Hospitals and doctors that are not “meaningful users” of the new system will face penalties. “Meaningful user” isn’t defined in the bill. That will be left to the HHS secretary, who will be empowered to impose “more stringent measures of meaningful use over time.”
McCaughey writes that many of the health reform provisions in the stimulus bill come from former Sen. Tom Daschle’s book, which says that aging Americans should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them. "That means the elderly will bear the brunt," McCaughey writes. "Medicare now pays for treatments deemed safe and effective. The stimulus bill would change that and apply a cost-effectiveness standard set by the Federal Council."
She adds: "The health-care industry is the largest employer in the U.S. It produces almost 17% of the nation’s GDP. Yet the bill treats health care the way European governments do: as a cost problem instead of a growth industry. Imagine limiting growth and innovation in the electronics or auto industry during this downturn. This stimulus is dangerous to your health and the economy."
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
AG CENSUS SHOWS FEWER STATE FARMS BUT LARGER PRODUCTION VALUE
(Grand Island Independent) -- While there are fewer farms in Nebraska than in 2002, the value of production of existing farms is up 60%, according to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, which was released last week. Adding to the value of production during the five years between censuses is an increase in the amount of land irrigated in Nebraska that has helped to boost crop production. The number of farms in Nebraska during 2007 was 47,712, down 3% from the 2002 Census of Agriculture, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Market value of production was $15.5 billion, up 60% from 2002. The average market value of production per farm was $324,992, compared to $197,000 in 2002. Market value of crops in 2007 statewide was $6.843 billion, compared to $3.388 billion in 2002. For livestock, the 2007 statewide market value was $8.662 billion, compared to $6.315 billion in 2002.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
I CAN'T GET MY 1099'S
Larry, I am trying to file my tax return but I can’t get the information from my broker. He says I have to wait. I thought you said that the 1099’s have to be out by January 31st. What’s the deal?
Olivia
Olivia, I know that this is frustrating. We have several clients that are trying to get their returns done for school financial aid, or that have refunds coming that are in the same boat.
Here is the deal. Last year, Congress changed the due date from Jan. 31 to Feb. 15 for several forms: 1099-Bs, 1099-Ss and any 1099-MISC forms showing payments of lawyer fees or payments by brokers of substitute dividends or tax-exempt interest. The change also applies to brokers’ annual composite reporting statements sent to customers. This year, issuers get two extra days because Feb. 15 is a Sunday and the 16th is a holiday. Sorry you will just have to wait.
It is a pleasure serving you.
Larry Kopsa CPA
Olivia
Olivia, I know that this is frustrating. We have several clients that are trying to get their returns done for school financial aid, or that have refunds coming that are in the same boat.
Here is the deal. Last year, Congress changed the due date from Jan. 31 to Feb. 15 for several forms: 1099-Bs, 1099-Ss and any 1099-MISC forms showing payments of lawyer fees or payments by brokers of substitute dividends or tax-exempt interest. The change also applies to brokers’ annual composite reporting statements sent to customers. This year, issuers get two extra days because Feb. 15 is a Sunday and the 16th is a holiday. Sorry you will just have to wait.
It is a pleasure serving you.
Larry Kopsa CPA
Friday, February 6, 2009
A GOOD PROPOSAL IN THE NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE
I wanted to make you aware of a bill that is currently before the Nebraska State Legislature that affects livestock producers. This Bill, LB0056 which was introduced by Senator Fischer, is currently in the Natural Resources Committee.
LB0056 would amend the livestock waste management act to provide that the current pre-discharge rule apply to three distinct and separate discharges at the same animal feeding operation and provide that discharge violations by those cases found by the Department of Natural Resources, after investigation, notice, and hearing, to have been caused intentionally or by willful neglect on the part of the applicant or permit holder.
Under the current law, one act of God that impacts three locations of one producer, would put that producer in violation of the act and could cause penalties.
If you feel it’s appropriate, you should contact your state senator to give you views on the bill. To contact your state senator, you can find his address at the Nebraska State Legislature web site at:
http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/senators/senator_list.php
LB0056 would amend the livestock waste management act to provide that the current pre-discharge rule apply to three distinct and separate discharges at the same animal feeding operation and provide that discharge violations by those cases found by the Department of Natural Resources, after investigation, notice, and hearing, to have been caused intentionally or by willful neglect on the part of the applicant or permit holder.
Under the current law, one act of God that impacts three locations of one producer, would put that producer in violation of the act and could cause penalties.
If you feel it’s appropriate, you should contact your state senator to give you views on the bill. To contact your state senator, you can find his address at the Nebraska State Legislature web site at:
http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/senators/senator_list.php
Monday, February 2, 2009
MORE ON BIG NUMBERS - YOU AND EACH MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY NOW OWE $4,000.00
Recently I posted a ditty that I titled The Law of Big Numbers. See the January 28th posting. Here is more on that topic, which I find scary. The Congressional Budget Office is forecasting a U.S. budget deficit for the 2009 fiscal year of nearly $1.2 trillion dollars. That's close to $4,000 for every man, woman, and child in the US.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
NEBRASKA STATE LEGISLATURE ADVANCES LIVESTOCK ANTHRAX BILL
(Unicameral Update) -- Lawmakers advanced a bill from general file Jan. 27 that would revise how ranchers and state authorities respond to anthrax-infected livestock. LB99, introduced by Holdrege Sen. Tom Carlson, would modify current laws affecting the detection, containment and suppression of anthrax in livestock. Carlson said new anthrax control provisions are needed in the event of a bio-terror attack or anthrax outbreak. The bill would make state law consistent with modern veterinary and epidemiological practices, he said. LB99 advanced to select file on a vote of 41-0.
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