Whom Shall The Blame Fall To‏ ?

WHOM DO WE THANK???

At the last Special Town Council meeting, five of the six Councilors present voted to approve the Municipal budget for 2014-2015.  Councilor Pesce was the ONLY councilor to vote NO.

In August/September, when the taxpayers of Lisbon receive their tax bills; who is to blame for the estimated 5% - 7% tax increase?  It would be unfair to place the entire blame on the Councilors.  Several of the Councilors asked for cuts to the approved budget but Chairwoman Ward would not bring the issue before the council.  Part of the problem is that the Councilors do not make the suggestions as motion to be put before the entire council.  Instead Chairwoman Ward asked for suggestions, instead of motions, and then totally ignored them because it was not presented as a motion.

Second, when the people made suggestions to the council no council member took it and put it in the form of a motion.  Because it was NOT made as a motion, there was no action taken on any suggestions by the people.  Remember, the people can only make suggestions and cannot make a motion.  Chairwoman Ward also ignored the suggestions by the people to reduce the Municipal budget.

Third, Chief Brooks made absolutely no attempt to keep his budget the same as last year.  In fact, Chief Brooks increased his budget by $78,268.00 which puts the Police Department’s budget at $1,376,120.00 this year.  That’s right the Police Department’s budget is over a MILLION tax dollars.  On top of that, Chief Brooks has included in his budget the replacement of three (3) vehicles; one which had a new engine installed last year.  Chief Brook’s budget includes two (2) Detectives; two (2) part-time secretaries and a full time Administrative Assistant.  The Police Department has two (2) vehicles that sit at the schools all day long.  The vehicle count right now is nine (9) and we only have a maximum of two (2) patrols at one time.  Chief Brooks stated that the small community of Lisbon normally uses one patrol; so why do we need all the vehicles?  A side note, Chief Brooks does not have a “life cycle management” program to replace fewer vehicles each year.  Last year we replaced two vehicles and this year we are replacing three vehicles.

As you can see, Chief Brooks made no attempt to help the taxpayers out this year.  Instead, he teamed up with Chairwoman Ward (who does not pay Real Estate taxes in Lisbon) to stick it to the people.  Chairwoman Ward even went so far as to not allow the people to speak prior to the vote on the Municipal budget at the Special Town Council meeting.  This is a gross abuse of her position.  How are the Councilors going to know how the people feel if the people are not allowed to voice their concerns?

Every time you see Chief Brooks and Chairwoman Lisa Ward thank them for the increase in your taxes.

Larry Fillmore

Great Falls TV: Lisbon Town Council Meeting July 22nd, 2014

Acuity 400' Flagpole Project - Awesome! ♥ God Bless America!

Media Advisory: MHPC Joins Global Effort Celebrating Late Nobel Laureate‏

The Maine Heritage Policy Center
Joins Global Effort Celebrating Late Nobel Laureate

PORTLAND, Maine – Milton Friedman, recognized as the greatest economist of the last century, will be the focal point at numerous events nationwide and around the world on July 31. The Maine Heritage Policy Center is participating in the annual “Friedman Legacy Day” to highlight the late professor’s famous ideas, including school choice.

"The Maine Heritage Policy Center is proud to host Choosing Success: Empowering Parents to Advocate for Greater Educational Opportunities as part of this year’s Friedman Legacy Day,” said Jonathan Haines, communications director for The Maine Heritage Policy Center. “MHPC is dedicated to furthering school choice for all families by empowering parents with the knowledge and tools they need to be strong advocates for greater educational opportunities for their children.”

“There is a close relationship between school choice and economic freedom – two principles that MHPC is proud to champion,” said Haines. “It is this relationship that is at the heart of the educational model that symbolizes Dr. Milton Friedman’s legacy.”

An advisor to several U.S. presidents, Milton Friedman won the Nobel Prize in economics in 1976 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1988. The author of such books as “Capitalism and Freedom” also is well known for his appearance on the popular PBS series “Free to Choose.” He is considered the “father” of the all-volunteer army and school choice.

“In education alone, today Milton Friedman’s ideas are positively impacting thousands of Americans,” said Robert Enlow, president and CEO of the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice. “Calls for more personal empowerment and choice can be attributed to Dr. Friedman. And it’s groups like The Maine Heritage Policy Center that keep Milton Friedman’s legacy alive.”

FRIEDMAN LEGACY DAY DETAILS

 

Date:                Thursday, July 31, 2014

Time:               5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Location:          Easy Day, 725 Broadway, South Portland, ME

Speakers:

·        Ms. Heidi Sampson
Member, Maine State Board of Education

·        The Honorable Amy Volk
Maine State Legislature and Board Chair, Maine Connections Academy

Choosing Success: Empowering Parents to Advocate for Greater Educational Opportunities is co-sponsored by The Maine Heritage Policy Center and The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice.

In 1996, Dr. Friedman and his wife, Rose, founded the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice to research and promote school choice, an idea he first proposed in 1955.

The Maine Heritage Policy Center is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, nonpartisan research and educational organization based in Portland, Maine. The Maine Heritage Policy Center formulates and promotes free-market, conservative public policies in the areas of economic growth, fiscal matters, health care, education, constitutional law and government transparency - providing solutions that will benefit all the people of Maine.

For more information, please visit www.MainePolicy.org or www.EdChoice.org/FriedmanDay.

NaturalNews: Cancer is curable NOW - full documentary publicly released, watch it now Plus Lots More

Dear Lisbon Reporter and NaturalNews readers,

Cancer is already curable! In fact, numerous cures have been known for many years, but they are all suppressed by the cancer industry and the powers that be.

Fortunately, the FULL free documentary called "Cancer is Curable NOW" is available to watch on Youtube. This documentary will open your eyes to an entire universe of knowledge and wisdom that the establishment hopes you never learn:
http://www.naturalnews.com/046163_cancer_is_curable_now_documentary_Gerson_Therapy.html

Watch out: A new website called "Monsanto Collaborators" looks like it was set up as a trap to discredit anti-GMO activists. Here's why:
http://www.naturalnews.com/046147_Monsanto_Collaborators_false_flag_operation_GMO_skeptics.html

Want to reverse chronic disease? Get more sulfur in your diet (from foods, of course)
http://www.naturalnews.com/046159_sulfur_chronic_disease_mineral_deficiency.html

CNN's Anderson Cooper admits TWA Flight 800 was shot down in 1996 - although the media has called this a "conspiracy theory" for the last 18 years:
http://www.naturalnews.com/046157_TWA_Flight_800_Anderson_Cooper_media_coverup.html

This is cool: Preppers are jumping on organic foods!
http://www.naturalnews.com/046154_organic_food_preppers_survival.html

more breaking news continues below...

Friday on The Robert Scott Bell Show 3-5PM EDT: RSB and Dr. Frank King discuss relieving pain without intoxicating the liver, including the pain of endometriosis. Call with your questions at 1-866-939-2355. Listen in at www.NaturalNewsRadio.com.

From Blogs.NaturalNews.com:
- Morning drinks for body detox
- New strategies help smokers quit
- 6 foods that lower blood pressure

Breaking: Leaked document reveals US-EU trade agreement threatens public health, food safety‏

WASHINGTON D.C. – A draft chapter of the U.S-EU

trade agreement leaked today by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) reveals public health and food safety could be at risk, according to an accompanying analysis.

The leaked chapter concerns Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) issues—those surrounding food safety and animal and plant health—in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) currently being negotiated. Only TTIP negotiators and security cleared advisors, mostly corporate representatives, can read and comment on draft negotiating texts.

According to the IATP analysis accompanying release of the leaked document, “This leaked draft TTIP chapter doesn’t tell us everything about where negotiations are headed on food safety, but it tells us enough to raise serious concerns.”

While key details have not been disclosed to the public or remain to be negotiated, the chapter clearly indicates negotiators continue to subordinate SPS regulations to the object of maximizing trade. The text, for example, supports the U.S. approach to not require port of entry food inspections and testing, meaning food contamination outbreaks will be harder to trace to their origin, and liability harder to assess—a win for U.S. meat and food companies that could jeopardize food safety for consumers. Further, the text indicates the trade agreement could make it more difficult to restrict imports from countries with animal or plant diseases, such as Mad Cow Disease or plant fungus outbreaks.

The leaked chapter does acknowledge animal welfare but lacks enforceable language, meaning a U.S. state or EU member state could pass mandatory laws or rules on agriculture animal welfare, but such mandatory measures could not be used to prevent import of products from abused animals. Alternatively, unenforceable trade policy could further the misguided “Right to Farm” legislation under consideration in several states.

“While many key details regarding things like GMOs are still hidden, it’s clear public health is losing out to corporate interests in a big way,” said IATP’s Dr. Steve Suppan, author of the analysis. “Moreover, it’s an affront to democracy that the public need rely on leaked documents to find out how these agreements could affect health and safety.”

The draft chapter would set up a Joint Management Committee to discuss concerns about U.S. and EU SPS regulations. But the draft provides very little information about how this committee or the yet to be negotiated TTIP Oversight Body, to which the Committee reports, would function if discussions did not resolve concerns about the effect of regulations on trade. It is not clear whether the Oversight Body would refer unresolved SPS concerns to the proposed and very controversial Investor State Dispute Settlement mechanism. The ISDS would have a private tribunal of trade lawyers, not a public court of law, decide whether U.S. or EU SPS rules, laws or enforcement measures violated TTIP. If the tribunal decided in favor of the complaining investor, the tribunal would determine the compensation that the EU member state or U.S. governments would have to pay investors for loss of anticipated benefits under TTIP.

Read the IATP analysis and the complete leaked chapter text for more information.

"Local Sales Taxes as a Means of Increasing Revenues and Reducing Property Tax Burdens: An Analysis Using Propensity Score Matching‏

Only the abstract is available without charge.

<http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2446308>

Yet, a local sales tax is one possible good way to reduce property taxes, at least according to the research.

Dwight

"Local Sales Taxes as a Means of Increasing Revenues and Reducing Property Tax Burdens: An Analysis Using Propensity Score Matching"   Public Budgeting & Finance, Vol. 34, Issue 2, pp. 24-43, 2014

WHITNEY AFONSO, University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill - School of Government, University of Georgia - Department of Public Administration and Policy
  Email: w.b.afonso@gmail.com

In keeping with previous literature, local option sales taxes (LOSTs) are shown to reduce property tax burdens as well as increase own source revenue, although the magnitude is larger than previously estimated. This article advances the literature by using more sophisticated econometric techniques to minimize self‐selection bias concerns. It also addresses some of the lingering questions from previous studies. Using county data from 35 states over the time period of 1983–2004, counties with LOSTs are matched to counties that have the same estimated propensity to adopt a LOST but are precluded by their states from doing so.

The Maine Wire: “Sting operation shows majority of fake Obamacare applications getting approved” plus 1 more‏

---

Sting operation shows majority of fake Obamacare applications getting approved

Posted: 23 Jul 2014 10:44 AM PDT As problems with President Barack Obama’s health care law continue to unfold across the country, a new sting operation launched by the Government Accountability Office has discovered a troubling trend: Obamacare’s enrollment system is unable to discern fake applications for federal health care subsidies. The GAO’s sting operation submitted 18 fake applications to healthcare.gov seeking […]

LePage to enforce welfare-to-work requirement Posted: 23 Jul 2014 10:23 AM PDT AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday it will require nearly 12,000 able-bodied Food Stamp recipients to work, provide volunteer services, or participate in job training as a condition of receiving the federal welfare benefit. “People who are in need deserve a hand up, but we should not be giving able-bodied […]

NaturalNews: Wave of plague and pestilence descending upon our world‏ plus more

Dear Lisbon Reporter and NaturalNews readers,

A wave of plague and pestilence is descending upon our world all of a sudden: Bubonic plague, Chikungunya virus, airborne MERS, superbugs and other exotic diseases are cropping up everywhere with no unifying explanation.

Is this the beginning of Biblical-class plague?
http://www.naturalnews.com/046146_Biblical_plague_famine_infectious_disease.html

The DEA has completely lost its mind and is now charging Fedex with felony crimes for delivering packages that happened to contain prescription drugs:
http://www.naturalnews.com/046143_FedEx_DEA_prescription_drug_delivery.html

Probiotics help lower blood pressure:
http://www.naturalnews.com/046142_probiotics_blood_pressure_stomach_ulcers.html

Water wars have begun in California. The era of cheap, easy water is now OVER:
http://www.naturalnews.com/046137_drought_water_wars_California.html

Finally, here are 3 important articles you need to read on Monsanto, the plague and the future of America:
http://www.naturalnews.com/046130_Monsanto_plague_overthrow_of_America.html

more breaking news continues below...
  
Thursday on The Robert Scott Bell Show 3-5PM EDT: RSB talks about the impending state of infectious disease in America and Liam Scheff thinks critically about the religious myths of humanity. Call with your questions at 1-866-939-2355. Listen in at www.NaturalNewsRadio.com.

From Blogs.NaturalNews.com:
- New strategies help smokers quit
- 6 foods that lower blood pressure
- Super slimming herbal teas

Some good research articles on Local and State Government‏

We often forget that others are having problems similar to ours and are working hard to find best solutions.  Keep up the good work you're doing, Mr. Fillmore.  

Dwight

1) The Impact of Public Officials’ Corruption on the Size and Allocation of U.S. State Spending

​<

http://journalistsresource.org/studies/government/budget/public-officials-corruption-impact-u-s-state-spending

​>

2) 

GOVERNMENT BUDGETS AS THE HUNGER GAMES:

​ ​

THE BRUTAL COMPETITION FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESOURCES GIVEN MUNICIPAL SECURITIES DEBT, PENSION AND OBEP OBLIGATIONS, AND TAXPAYER NEEDS​

​<

http://www.bu.edu/rbfl/files/2014/03/RBFL-Vol-33.2_Chung.pdf

​

>

 

​

​

​3) 

What Corrupt States Spend Their Money On

 

​<

http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/gov-corruption-politics-spending-study.html

​>​

4) 

Building State Rainy Day Funds

Policies to Harness Revenue Volatility, Stabilize Budgets, and Strengthen Reserves 

​<​

http://www.pewtrusts.org/~/media/Assets/2014/07/SFH_Rainy-Day-Fund-Deposit-Rules-Report_ARTREADY_v9.pdf?la=en

​>​

Police Chief David T. Brooks Manipulates The Town Councilors Like An Old Crow

And the Lisbon and Lisbon Falls taxpayers get more money sucked out of their budgets.  Now that should make him really proud.

 If anyone ever calls you a "bird- brain" ... just say "thanks"!!!!!!!
Not all as dumb as they look!!!!!

 

Taxpayers Lose Again

LISBON TAXPAYERS LOSE AGAIN!!!!

At last night’s Town Council Workshop and Special Town Council meeting, the taxpayers lost again.  The Town Council minus Councilor Dillon Pesce passed another budget that will raise our taxes for the fourth year in a row.

I want to commend Councilor Pesce for sticking to his beliefs and putting the taxpayers first.  The Municipal Budget was penny for penny the same with the exception of the Town Manager cutting $6,035.00 out of General Government.  Two Councilors who voted NO turned around and approved the budget last night.  So what changed??????????  Whatever took place behind the scenes worked.

Chairwoman Ward continued her pressure on Councilors and denied the people the opportunity to speak during the Workshop and the meeting prior to the vote.  This maneuver is typical when you are desperate to protect your mentor’s budget.  Councilor Lunt suggested not replacing any Police vehicles this year at a previous meeting and was totally ignored by Chairwoman Ward.  Other suggestions for making cuts in the budget were also ignored by Chairwoman Ward.  This action by Chairwoman Ward shows how far Chairwoman Ward would go to protect the Municipal Budget. 

Chairwoman Ward ordered that the Audience Participation portion of the meeting come after the vote on the budget.  Normally, Audience Participation comes prior to the voting portion of the meeting.  According to the Council Working Rules, the people have a right to speak on agenda item before the agenda item comes before the council for action.  Now it does say that the order of the agenda maybe changed by the Chair.  But denying the people the right to express their feelings to the council is wrong on so many levels.  The fact she refused to allow the people to speak prior to the vote on the budget is a violation of the town’s mission statement and is an injustice to the people who elected her.  The people have a right to participate in local government and to let their elected official know how they feel on issues before the council votes on them. 

This is an abuse of position and Chairwoman Ward should be immediately removed as Chairwoman of this council.

Larry Fillmore

P.S. I personally believe, after listening to the people, that the approved Municipal budget has approximately $465,000.00 of excessive spending in it.  This is an entire .mil rate.  Thank you Chief Brooks!

UMMB: REMINDER - TONIGHT! Talkshoe Radio "Maine Exposed" With Guest Lise DuPont, Researcher and Author of "Where Did The Original Constitutional State Go?"‏

Talkshoe Radio “Maine Exposed” With Guest Lise DuPont, Researcher and Author of “Where Did The Original Constitutional State Go?”

Wednesday, July 23, 2014
9:00 PM EDT
Call in Number: (724) 444-7444
Call ID: 27398#
Click here to join in online.

‘Maine Exposed’ will host a special weekly series with Lise to discuss her research and contents of her book.  This is a great reference, research, informative and educational tool for everyone!

Lise DuPont is a former licensed clinician. She graduated from high school from Our Lady of the Mountains Academy in New Hampshire. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Maine, a Master’s degree from the University of New England, and completed two years of Post-Graduate training at the Center for the Awareness of Patterns.

Have you ever been a plaintiff/defendant in court?

Have you ever witnessed the injustices metered out by judges?

Have you ever wondered what’s going on in our judicial system?

“We all grew up believing the judicial system in the United States was fair and just. This was the place to go to obtain justice for abuses or injuries perpetrated against us. We believed that we lived with constitutional courts where justice would be metered out. We believed that judges were official judicial officers who took an oath to the constitution and would uphold our rights in their court of law. Throughout the decades of judicial abuse and misconduct, irreparable harmed perpetrated against the good, honest, decent people of Maine and across this country, you are in for a great awakening. The author of this book has devoted years researching Maine’s judicial system and discovered that we don’t have any constitutional courts operating in Maine.

The research and evidence detailed in this book will help you understand today’s make up of the court versus our original common law courts. You will learn the elements that craft our “fake” courts and the deceptive words/terms/phrases used against us. You will learn, in detail, the reasons for all this corruption in the existing “fake” court system today, and why “powers that be” want it that way.

Lise’s research is most informative and very educational for those interested in learning the “pieces” of the puzzle regarding Maine’s judicial system. Whether you are currently involved in a court case, or could possibly be in the future, this is a fabulous reference book to have at your fingertips. Thank you to Lise for her dedication and time spent on years of such important research.”

You can order the book on line through Barnes and Noble or Amazon.com, click on the link. SPREAD the word.

Archived programs:
07/16/2014 09:00 PM EDT – EPISODE 26
07/09/2014 09:00 PM EDT - EPISODE 25
07/02/2014 09:00 PM EDT - EPISODE 24

 http://unmasker4maine.wordpress.com/2014/06/28/talkshoe-radio-maine-exposed-with-guest-lise-dupont-researcher-and-author-of-where-did-the-original-constitutional-state-go/

Recap Town Council Workshop Special Town Council meeting July 22nd, 2014

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL WORKSHOP   & SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 22, 2014

At last night’s Town Council Workshop there was little discussion about the budget.  There was a lecture by Chairwoman Ward about how much work the Finance Committee and others had put into the proposed budget.  The Town Manager cut $6,035.00 out of the Professional Development budget of the General Government.  Other than that, the Municipal Budget was penny for penny the same as the previously failed budget.

Councilor Bickford said that he felt it was an injustice to have any bonds on the June ballot and wanted an Ordinance prepared to limit bond issues to the November ballot.  The Workshop was adjourned without the people having an opportunity to speak which is normally done at the end of the Workshop.

Next, the Special Town Council meeting began with Council Orders, Resolutions & Ordinances.  The Municipal Budget passed by a vote of 5-1 with Councilor Pesce voting NO.  The Economic Development Budget passed by a vote of 6-0.  The Catering permit for Hi Style Catering was passed by a vote of 6-0.   And finally, the Community Planning Agreement for Professional Services was passed by a vote of 6-0.


Councilor Metivier was not present and excused.

There was no one to speak during Other Business or Audience Participation & Response.

The meeting was adjourned.

Larry Fillmore

MHPC Applauds LePage's Decision on Welfare Work Requirements‏

July 23, 2014

PORTLAND, Maine - The Maine Heritage Policy Center, Maine's foremost free-market think tank, on Wednesday applauded Governor Paul R. LePage's decision to implement work requirements for many able-bodied recipients of welfare benefits under the federal Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) also known as Food Stamps.

"Maine's social safety net should be a temporary stop for Mainers on their way back into the work force, not a permanent destination," said MHPC Communications Director Jonathan Haines. "This policy will encourage work-ready adults to be self-reliant, independent, and in control of their own financial and economic destiny."

"Not only is it smart, fiscally responsible policy, it's an act of tough-love that will ultimately improve the well-being of Mainers who are down on their luck," said Haines.

MHPC on recent ACA rulings‏

The Maine Heritage Policy Center on today's Federal Court of Appeals Rulings on ObamaCare Subsidies

 

Joel Allumbaugh, Director of MHPC's Center for Health Reform Inititiaves released the following statement on Tuesday in regard to the latest ACA federal court rulings: 

 

 

"Today’s rulings highlight the many systemic problems with the chaotic train wreck that is the Affordable Care Act," said Joel Allumbaugh, Director of the Center for Health Reform Initiatives, The Maine Heritage Policy Center.

 

"Problems like these are bound to arise when irresponsible politicians ram massive, complex legislation through the process without properly vetting it – without even reading it," said Allumbaugh.

 

“More than four years later, the American people are still trying to make sense of this bureaucratic nightmare,” said Allumbaugh. "I cannot think of any other law currently on the books that brings greater uncertainty and instability to the U.S. economy than President Obama’s signature health care law. Rather than unilaterally subvert our duly elected representatives, as he has done time and time again, the president should work with Congress to fix this broken law.”

The Maine Wire: “Claim: Michaud never got a bill passed in Congress?” plus 3 more‏

• Claim: Michaud never got a bill passed in Congress?
• Plowman: The Dark Side of Michaud’s Obscurity [Warning: Brutal Take-down]
• Robinson on the radio!
• Bellows takes flak for using out-of-state actor

Claim: Michaud never got a bill passed in Congress? Posted: 21 Jul 2014 11:06 AM PDT As the 2014 gubernatorial campaign heats up, political parties, politicians, political action committees and even anonymous Twitter accounts are making all manner of claims about their favorite — and no so favorite — candidates. But one claim deserves some further scrutiny. The Maine Republican Party is claiming that U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, the Democratic candidate […]

Plowman: The Dark Side of Michaud’s Obscurity [Warning: Brutal Take-down] Posted: 21 Jul 2014 10:48 AM PDT By Debra Plowman — Mainers expect bold leadership from their representatives in Washington, D.C. Whether Democratic or Republican, the people we have sent from our small state to our nation’s capital have stood out and have gotten things done in that crowded town. Ed Muskie wrote the Clean Air and Water Acts. Bill Cohen became […]

Robinson on the radio! Posted: 21 Jul 2014 10:39 AM PDT Did you miss Maine Wire Editor Steve Robinson when he filled in for John McDonald on Saturday? Be sure to catch the podcasts of from his first solo radio show! Robinson talks about Eric Holder’s Justice Department with John Fund, senior national affairs correspondent for National Review Online: Listen! David Trahan, executive director of the […]

Bellows takes flak for using out-of-state actor Posted: 21 Jul 2014 10:34 AM PDT Shenna Bellows, Democratic candidate for Senate, is taking flak for her campaigns use of an out-of-state actor in a commercial. Although the ad talks about supporting Maine workers, Phil Harriman, columnist for the Portland Press Herald, points out that the hardhat-wearing actor in the commercial actually comes from stock footage. The Maine Republican Party is […]

Trends in State Courts -- 2014, Focus on Juvenile Justice and Elder Issues‏

Trends in State Courts -- 2014, Focus on Juvenile Justice and Elder Issues, is a free download

<http://www.ncsc.org/~/media/Microsites/Files/Future%20Trends%202014/2014%20NCSC%20Trends> has multiple co-authors working with and out of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC).

I have a great deal of respect and admiration for NSCS: they have helped the country weather some major changes, and are continuing to conduct research that is valid and objective.  If you call them, they are quite helpful and if they have the specific expert on State Courts you need, they will get him or her on the phone. If the specific expert you need is located elsewhere, they will give you the contact information.  NCSC also has a comprehensive grasp of the financial struggles hitting State Courts around the country and are developing and disseminating innovative tactics and strategies to improve the delivery of justice.

The Report is over 121 megs in size so I am not attaching it.  N.B. In a national survey some years ago, State Courts were at the top of state institutions on respect, newspapers were at or near the bottom.

A few of the topics that are relevant to us are

Technology Solutions to Increased Self- Representation, James J. Sandman
and Glenn Rawdon ..................................................... 55
The Procedural-Fairness Movement
Comes of Age, Hon. Steve Leben ............................... 59
Steps to Better Electronic Records Governance,
Nial Raaen .................................................................. 63 

ELDER ISSUES
Introduction: The Growing Problems of Elder
Abuse and Adult Guardianships: National, State,
and Local Reform Efforts, Brenda K. Uekert ............. 73
Elder Court: Enhancing Access to Justice
for Seniors, Hon. Joyce Cram..................................... 77
Addressing the Needs of Older Americans in the Pennsylvania and Texas Courts, Brenda K. Uekert, Zygmont A. Pines, and David Slayton......................... 81
WINGS: Court-Community Partnerships to
Improve Adult Guardianship, Erica Wood ................ 85 

 

Plus many articles on Juvenile Justice.

Dwight Hines

"Mainers need to read-- Tax Transparency 2013: Progress Report --OECD, 2013, See "Measuring Impact" chapter, and Maine's CTPC for Agriculture Impactss TTIP‏

Free download at

http://www.oecd.org/tax/transparency/GFannualreport2013.pdf

Related to Tax transparency:

Maine's Citizen Trade Policy Commission is doing an excellent job but it's hampered by the refusal of the US Trade Representative not disclosing the content of the negotiations for the Trans-Atlantic Trade & Investment Agreement or TTIP.  

The recent Assessment of TTIP’s Impact on Maine’s Agriculture and Food System by Karen Hansen-Kuhn, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and John Piotti, Maine Farmland Trust, is of interest here because Maine could be hit hard by benign neglect or rules that ignored our realities.  Report available at http://www.maine.gov/legis/opla/CTPCDraftTTIP2014.pdf

If you don't have time to read it, give it to your favorite farmer, if he doesn't already have it.

Dwight Hines

NaturaNews: 7 free resources from Natural News for personal empowerment‏ plus more

Dear Lisbon Reporter and NaturalNews readers,

Although you're already a reader of Natural News, you may not be aware of these 7 free resources we offer that can empower you with a wealth of information "they" don't want you to know:
http://www.naturalnews.com/046096_scientific_research_online_resources_forbidden_knowledge.html

Learn about the top 10 magnesium-rich foods to boost your intake of this essential mineral:
http://www.naturalnews.com/046094_magnesium-rich_foods_sources_essential_minerals.html

Is coconut oil the "miracle" prevention solution for dementia?
http://www.naturalnews.com/046093_coconut_oil_low_fat_dementia_prevention.html

Why do whooping cough outbreaks always happen among children already vaccinated?
http://www.naturalnews.com/046085_whooping_cough_child_vaccinations_immune_system.html

Navy sailor exposed to Fukushima radiation reveals stunning depth of U.S. government cover-up:
http://www.naturalnews.com/046082_Fukushima_radiation_Navy_sailor_government_cover-up.html

more breaking news continues below...

Monday on The Robert Scott Bell Show 3-5PM EDT: RSB and Dr. Rashid Buttar discuss trusting your gut instinct even when confronted by doctors attempting to intimidate you to accept harmful therapies. Call with your questions at 1-866-939-2355. Listen in at www.NaturalNewsRadio.com.


From Blogs.NaturalNews.com:
- Find renewed health with this apple cider vinegar remedy
- 7 reasons to eat more dark chocolate
- Kids fight Dunkin Donuts over styrofoam cups

 Lots more to read click on the following link for the rest of many interesting articles, faked police 911 call, dementia prevention, unusual Tropical disease being carried into United States by illegal immigrants and more.

We (OECD) Need your comments, but don't go paranoid. We're talking transparency for banking & global finances‏

I don't think there is much hope on global banking transparency.  Too many countries, like Germany, have a justified fear for letting their governments -- not to mention other governments -- know the details about their balances and transfers.

It would help if you made comments.

Dwight Hines

 

 

OECD – Paris, 21 July 2014

OECD releases full version of global standard for automatic exchange of information

Taking an important step towards greater transparency and putting an end to banking secrecy in tax matters, the OECD today released the full version of a new global standard for the exchange of information between jurisdictions.

The Standard for Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information in Tax Matters calls on governments to obtain detailed account information from their financial institutions and exchange that information automatically with other jurisdictions on an annual basis. The Standard, developed at the OECD under a mandate from the G20, was endorsed by G20 Finance Ministers in February 2014, and approved by the OECD Council.

The Standard provides for annual automatic exchange between governments of financial account information, including balances, interest, dividends, and sales proceeds from financial assets, reported to governments by financial institutions and covering accounts held by individuals and entities, including trusts and foundations. The new consolidated version includes commentary and guidance for implementation by governments and financial institutions, detailed model agreements, as well as standards for harmonized technical and information technology solutions, notably a standard format and requirements for secure transmission of data.

“The G20 mandated the OECD to work with G20 and OECD countries and stakeholders toward the development of an ambitious information exchange model that would help governments fight tax fraud and tax evasion,” said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría. “Today’s launch moves us closer to a world in which tax cheats have nowhere left to hide.”

The OECD will formally present the Standard to G20 Finance Ministers at their next meeting in Cairns, Australia, on 20-21 September. “Our message will be clear and simple: the automatic exchange of information standard is ready for implementation,” Mr Gurria said.

More than 65 countries and jurisdictions (see list below) have already publicly committed to implementation, while more than 40 have committed to a specific and ambitious timetable leading to the first automatic information exchanges in 2017. This includes a group of OECD and non-OECD countries which have adhered to the OECD Declaration on Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters as well as a group of early adopters.

 

More jurisdictions are expected to commit to implement the Standard in the run up to the late-October meeting of the Global Forum Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes on which brings together more than 120 countries and jurisdictions, to be held in Berlin and hosted by the German Ministry of Finance. At this occasion a signing ceremony is expected to be held for a new multilateral agreement that activates automatic exchange once legislation and other conditions are in place. Assistance will be available to support less developed countries, so they benefit from this move towards a more transparent tax environment, and international organizations are ready to co-operate to support these countries.

Even before the Standard has become operational, the drive toward greater transparency and better exchange of information is having a tangible effect on taxpayer behavior. OECD analysis of voluntary disclosure programs since 2009 shows that more than half a million taxpayers have voluntarily disclosed income and wealth hidden from their tax authorities. Countries have identified more than EUR 37 billion from voluntary disclosure programs which OECD encourages countries to consider.

Against this backdrop, the OECD is updating policy guidance in this area, contained in a 2010 report, “Offshore voluntary disclosure:  comparative analysis, guidance and policy advice”.

The OECD invites public comments on how the framework for voluntary disclosure could be further improved and what particular features might encourage even more taxpayers to come forward and take advantage of such programmes. Comments should be sent to WP10@oecd.org no later than 12 September 2014.

For further information on the Standard for Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information in Tax Matters, go to:

www.oecd.org/ctp/exchange-of-tax-information/automaticexchange.htm.

Journalist queries on the new standard should be directed to Pascal Saint-Amans, Director of the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration (CTPA), Achim Pross, Head of the CTPA  International Co-operation and Tax Administration Division, or Lawrence Speer, OECD Media Office (+33 1 4524 9700).

­­_______________

Countries and jurisdictions publicly committed to implementation of Automatic Exchange of Information:

Andorra, Anguilla, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Montserrat, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Turks & Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, and United States, and the European Union.

Louise Fietz Media Coordinator Public Affairs and Communications Directorate, Media Division