Economy
Former UTSW Medical Center president used taxpayer money on lavish lifestyle
“Reese Dunklin and Sue Goetinck Ambrose of The Dallas Morning News document how former UT Southwestern Medical Center president Kern Wildenthal used public money to build wine cellars, pay for his opera interests and travel to paradises around the world.” “The investigation details a collapse in controls over taxpayer dollars and triggered a University of Texas system…
Read MoreCEO took $1.1 billion in personal loans from company
“Reuters Enterprise team published, “Special Report: Chesapeake CEO took $1.1 billion in shrouded personal loans,” an investigation into how previously undisclosed loans to Chesapeake Energy Corp’s co-founder Aubrey McClendon could put the company’s CEO and shareholders at odds.”
Read MoreAmazon’s role in Seattle charities
The Seattle Times takes a look, in a four-part series, at how Amazon.com, “one of the Internet’s most-recognized name brands” compares to other big companies in the Seattle area when it comes to local charitable givings. “Last year, amid a troubled economy, United Way of King County said it received record donations from some of…
Read MoreRural schools and communities lose billions in funding
An expired federal program aimed to benefit former logging communities means massive budget wholes for hundreds of schools and communities across the country, an investigation by California Watch found. The Secure Rural Schools and Communities Self-Determination Act provided nearly $3.8 billion for schools and roads in more than 700 counties in 42 states in the…
Read MoreCitizenship for a price
In a special report from Reuters it has been found that at least two countries offer what is known as citizenship by investment, burgeoning programs that bestow on foreigners the benefits of being a citizen – namely, a passport – for a price. The main appeal for the wealthy, escaping taxes.
Read MoreSome members of Congress use earmarks to improve areas close to home
“Thirty-three members of Congress have directed more than $300 million in earmarks and other spending provisions to dozens of public projects that are next to or within about two miles of the lawmakers’ own property, according to a Washington Post investigation.“ “The Post analyzed public records on the holdings of all 535 members and compared…
Read MoreWA state spends millions to help sex predators avoid lockup
“In a multi-part series, The Seattle Times has found that almost 300 sex offenders in the state of Washington are detained indefinitely in a civil-commitment program. The center protects society from these predators, but is has been plagued by runaway legal costs, a lack of financial oversight and layers of secrecy”
Read MoreCongress benefits widen pension gap
“Bloomberg BusniessWeek reports that almost 15,000 federal retirees, including former leaders of Congress, a university president and a banker, are receiving six-figure pensions from a system that faces a $674.2 billion shortfall. Charles R. Babcock and Frank Bass obtained data that shows about one of every 125 retired federal civilian workers collects more than $100,000…
Read MoreING’s “cafes” may be trying to avoid regulation
The Bay Citizen reports that the Internet banking giant, ING Direct USA, may be trying to bypass regulation by opening “cafes” instead of branches. By not offering deposits at the cafe, ING does not have to follow regulation that requires banks to lend money to low- and moderate-income borrowers in metropolitan areas. ING claims the…
Read MoreRisks and benefits vary for citizens along Keystone XL route
“If the Keystone XL oil pipeline were approved today, residents in the six states along its route would not receive equal treatment from TransCanada, the company that wants to build the project.“ “In Kansas, for example, lawmakers gave TransCanada a 10-year tax exemption, which means the state won’t receive any property tax revenue from the…
Read More