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Forest Park Votes to Raise Taxes
Matt Mcneill
A 6-1 vote by the Forest Park city council occurred to raise the taxes of many Forest Park residents on November 18. This decisive vote which passed will effectively raise the taxes of more than half of all tax paying residents of the community. All of those who are living in the area are now paying a 1.5 percent income tax increase to the city, contrary to the prior maximum which was formerly 1.125 percent. However, This is not the only change being made.With the passing of this council vote, several other changes have occurred along with the tax increase.
This change will affect those who work in municipalities, as those taxpayers will no longer be eligible for the tax credit that they formerly had. Prior to this vote, these workers were eligible for a tax credit up to one hundred percent of the tax levied by the city of Forest Park. This no longer applies to those workers for the year of 2013. Council voted to change the tax credit for residents; for the first year this tax credit will be decreased by one quarter, going from one hundred percent to seventy-five percent. The second part of this vote is scheduled to take effect on January first.
On the first, this tax credit will drop again. However, instead of a quarter drop, it will drop twice that- From 75 down to 25 percent of the 1.5 percent income tax. This will then be collected in the year 2015. This change in tax credit eligibility and total income tax will benefit the city of Forest park, but increase taxes for residents. This change is expected to generate up to 1.1 million dollars for the city annually, which is planned on being used to aid city projects and programs. The city finance director explained the need for this new money, and blamed it partially on decreasing property values, reduced revenue, cuts in local government funds, and the elimination of estate tax.
Federal judge extends injunction blocking Wisconsin’s abortion law
Amberly Boyd
Wisconsin- On July 8, 2013 U.S. District Judge William Conley extended an injunction blocking Wisconsin’s abortion law. This will block the requirement abortion providers have through a trial that is scheduled to start November 25, 2013. The ACLU of Wisconsin, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin are challenging the law believing it will shut down half of the state’s four clinics.
A short-term restraining order was issued by U.S. District Judge William Conley on July 8. The restraining order blocks Wisconsin’s abortion law that requires abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of their clinics and a mandatory ultrasound before a woman receives an abortion.
The new injunction or ruling blocks the requirement through a trial about the law’s constitutionality, which is set to start Nov. 25. Multiple organizations such as the ACLU of Wisconsin, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, and Planned Parent Federation of America has objected the law believing it will shut down half of the state’s four clinics because facility providers lack admitting privileges. This law was signed in July by Governor Scott Walker.
Judge Conley stated, “Given the substantial likelihood of success on the merits and of irreparable harm, the public's interest is best serviced by imposing a preliminary injunction on enforcement of the admitting privileges requirement until this court can address its merits after trial,". It is said that the judge is also skeptical that state attorneys could prove the injunction protects women’s health.
Similar abortion-related laws made this year have faced serious legal challenges. Juliet Eilperin exclaim,” Federal district courts blocked similar laws in Alabama and Mississippi, and a North Dakota trial court blocked a law requiring hospital admitting privileges last month. “. Many have noticed extremist will not stay quiet as politician attempt to take away women’s privacy efforts.
The Massachusetts Senate Approves Minimum Wage Increase
Colette Ouattara
Massachusetts- On November 19, 2013, the Massachusetts Senate selected to increase the state’s minimum wage. As of now, the state has a minimum wage of $8. The Senate’s 32-7 vote approves the increase that will take place over the course of three years. The transactions of this bill will begin on July 1st, 2014. It will increase to $10 an hour on July 1st, 2015 and then to $11 an hour on July 1st, 2016. During this conference, the senate also selected to increase the wage for tipped employees. Currently, the tipped wage is $2.36 per hour. The bill would give tipped employees half of the minimum wage.
The bill has now moved to the state House of Representatives. It is unlikely that the bill will be voted upon until sometime next year. Senator Mark C. Montigny, a supporter and New Bedford Democrat declared, “The bill might help close the growing gap between the rich and poor. Tens of thousands of people are working full time and living below the poverty level. It is inexcusable.”
Beginning in 2016, minimum wage would increase at the same rate of the consumer price index for the Northeast. Raising Up Massachusetts, an activist union, have collected enough signatures to have a question placed on the ballot next year to bring the minimum wage to $10.50 in January 2016.
Supporters believe the increase is need because certain companies are making effective profits but low wage employees are dropping behind. Opponents of the bill believe the bill would advance costs for businesses and could induce layoffs. Jon B. Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts declared that the association strongly opposes the bill. Hurst presumes that the bill would escalate costs for employers, make employers less competitive and eliminate some of the jobs held by teenagers.
Mayors' stories out of school
Mike Webster
Rhode Island- Mayor Angel Taveras of Rhode island attended the public school in the city in which he governs. the mayors in the same situation met in a meeting to meet educators and families in each of they’re cities to get a better understanding of problems. Mayor Taveras wanted to be a lawyer by the time he entered fourth grade.
"Education is more than a quality of life issue. Education impacts everything that we do in the city. It really is a fundamental right and it's a path out of poverty," Taveras said. This quote expresses the importance of education in Taveras point of view.
The mayors of the tour from each city they grew up in and now govern are taking lessons learned in order to address gaps between wealthy areas and poor areas for the purpose of education. The tour which will lead to a better understanding of their citizens will continue through march.
The mayors feel that there are three lessons that are now going to be applied after learning on their tour. “not all A’s are created equal”, “teachers can change lives”, and “its never too early to start learning”. With these three lessons and techniques the public schools and families located in these cities will have a more educated diverse community easier.
Taveras was a graduate of the early childhood program called “Head Start”. He stated that he had been introducing programs such as providence talks to early childhood children. Research shows that low income children hear millions of fewer words in early years of their lives than the middle/ upper class children. The program provides low income children with a device that counts words they are exposed to each and every day. The help also comes from the parents which is contributed to by coaching and teaching them how to expose their children to more basic learning of words.
