http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/chester/nabes/20070506_Call_for_relief_from_property_taxes.html
In Pennsylvania, Governor Rendell proposed "Act 1" last year which is "a law that requires a referendum vote on a proposed partial shift from property to income taxes in every school district in the state outside of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton." Citizens go to vote on May 15th. It looks like it could be a pretty close vote. Several residents are opposed because it will end up costing them more money; even though they would still pay lower taxes on their homes, couples would be paying more for income taxes for the schools. One family's property taxes have gone up more than $600 dollars from when they first moved to Coatsville, Pennsylvania. The only people who seem to benefit would be retired senior citizens and low-income homeowners. Some think it may be the wording on the ballot that will influence people's negative opinions; the ballot uses the words impose and tax (obviously) which most people look at as bad. But the governor's intentions may have been good, according to the school board president in one school district.
"I think we could have made a better version of this, that would seem fairer to a larger number people," said Douglas Doren, school board president in the Kennett Consolidated School District. He applauded the legislature's intentions to lessen the burden for low-income earners, but cautioned, "It's more complicated than that, and the benefits to our taxpayers are not so clear."
I agree that the intentions were good but I think that there could be a better way to go about this so that it's fair for everyone. It's ridiculous that some people's taxes have already gone up so much over the years ($600!!!) and are expected to pay more. It seems like there would be more people put at a disadvantage than there would be people benefiting from the vote. IF it passes, they are going to have a lot of unhappy residents unless they make some revisions.
4.29.2007
Job growth or tough times ahead?
http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070429/BIZ0102/704290304/1002&nav_category=
the city of bends, oregon is looking to expand. however, they aren't sure exactly what the results will be like. it will either provide a lot of people with all different kinds of jobs otherwise it is going to cause a large portion of the city (mainly businesses) to get up and move somewhere else. if they choose to stay, it will cost them.
In other words, the city, from Lee's perspective, is "at a crossroads."
"I wouldn't say we are looking at a mass migration," Lee said, "but I would say you are going to see more and more of that in the making - a growing wave of companies that physically can't find a place to be. And, cost-wise, it doesn't really make sense to them to stay."
i think companies are going to have to look at what will benefit them. if staying and being able to employ more people will help them, then they don't need to move. if other companies move to the area as well then that might help bring business to them. but if it they are going to lose money by staying in bends, then it's not worth it. eventually they would go out of business. no one knows what the city's future holds but i don't think they should rush to make any decisions.
the city of bends, oregon is looking to expand. however, they aren't sure exactly what the results will be like. it will either provide a lot of people with all different kinds of jobs otherwise it is going to cause a large portion of the city (mainly businesses) to get up and move somewhere else. if they choose to stay, it will cost them.
In other words, the city, from Lee's perspective, is "at a crossroads."
"I wouldn't say we are looking at a mass migration," Lee said, "but I would say you are going to see more and more of that in the making - a growing wave of companies that physically can't find a place to be. And, cost-wise, it doesn't really make sense to them to stay."
i think companies are going to have to look at what will benefit them. if staying and being able to employ more people will help them, then they don't need to move. if other companies move to the area as well then that might help bring business to them. but if it they are going to lose money by staying in bends, then it's not worth it. eventually they would go out of business. no one knows what the city's future holds but i don't think they should rush to make any decisions.
4.15.2007
Meet Vidal Guerra and his mother, Antonia.
She's turning him into a girl.
That was the title of an article in Marie Claire magazine this past March. (I couldn't find the actual article online, but I can bring in the magazine for anyone who wants to read it; it's quite interesting.) It's not an exaggeration either. In Juchitan, Mexico daughters bring more value to their families than sons do. It's basically the opposite of China where they believe boys are more valuable because they will carry on the family name; whereas girls will just leave the family and live with their husbands family. In Mexico, muxes (the third gender, men transformed into women) very seldom live with lovers but instead stay home and take care of their mothers. Muxes (which is translated to literally mean gay men) do more than take care of their mothers though.
"Muxes work harder than men, and we're more curious an dentrepreneurial than women," says Estrella (a muxe from Juchitan). "We are known for our artistic talent. People seek us out- they like to have their dresses made by muxes."
Muxes normally hold more lucrative jobs than either man or women in this part of Mexico. Because of the economic advantages, women actually encourage their sons to become part of the third gender.
I was very surprised by this article. It is weird to think how much this helps their economy and that that is one of the main reasons so many men agree to making such drastic lifestyle changes. I can't imagine our culture encouraging men to become women to help our economic status. In the article it discusses typical jobs for men, women, and muxes and muxes tend to make about three times what women make in just a month. When other families with several sons see how much income families with muxes bring in, they realize how helpful it would be if one of their sons became a muxe as well. In Juchitan, muxes have basically taken over the design industry in recent years and it shows in their salaries. They are the supporters for their families. It was very interesting to read what these men will do to improve their family's status. Let me know if you want to read the article. :)
That was the title of an article in Marie Claire magazine this past March. (I couldn't find the actual article online, but I can bring in the magazine for anyone who wants to read it; it's quite interesting.) It's not an exaggeration either. In Juchitan, Mexico daughters bring more value to their families than sons do. It's basically the opposite of China where they believe boys are more valuable because they will carry on the family name; whereas girls will just leave the family and live with their husbands family. In Mexico, muxes (the third gender, men transformed into women) very seldom live with lovers but instead stay home and take care of their mothers. Muxes (which is translated to literally mean gay men) do more than take care of their mothers though.
"Muxes work harder than men, and we're more curious an dentrepreneurial than women," says Estrella (a muxe from Juchitan). "We are known for our artistic talent. People seek us out- they like to have their dresses made by muxes."
Muxes normally hold more lucrative jobs than either man or women in this part of Mexico. Because of the economic advantages, women actually encourage their sons to become part of the third gender.
I was very surprised by this article. It is weird to think how much this helps their economy and that that is one of the main reasons so many men agree to making such drastic lifestyle changes. I can't imagine our culture encouraging men to become women to help our economic status. In the article it discusses typical jobs for men, women, and muxes and muxes tend to make about three times what women make in just a month. When other families with several sons see how much income families with muxes bring in, they realize how helpful it would be if one of their sons became a muxe as well. In Juchitan, muxes have basically taken over the design industry in recent years and it shows in their salaries. They are the supporters for their families. It was very interesting to read what these men will do to improve their family's status. Let me know if you want to read the article. :)
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