Search results for:
State senator makes big bucks with bank
Craig R. McCoy, Jennifer Lin and Mario F. Cattabiani of The Philadelphia Inquirer detailed the relationship between state Sen. Vincent J. Fumo and the bank he heads, finding that “PSB Bancorp Inc. has served one man especially well: its chairman, Sen. Fumo. The bank paid Fumo $709,800 last year. For a few years, it provided…
Read MoreN.C. judges influenced by local lawyers
Ames Alexander of The Charlotte Observer, working with database editor Ted Mellnik, investigated the relationship between lawyers and judges in the North Carolina’s judicial district that is most lenient on drinking and driving. “District judges there acquitted suspects in more than 87 percent of the DWI trials in which they rendered a verdict. Statewide, the…
Read MoreIncentives pay millions, while companies fall short
Mike McAndrew and Michelle Breidenbach of The (Syracuse) Post-Standard report on how New York Governor George Pataki’s administration gives millions of dollars to businesses that promise to hire people, but often don’t. The Post-Standard uses the state’s Freedom of Information Law to obtain financial accounts, as well as records on companies’ penalties. “The newspaper’s review…
Read MoreFund-raising costs average at state college
Lynn Campbell, Erin Jordan and Madelaine Jerousek of The Des Moines Register analyzed fund-raising costs by state universities, finding that “foundations at ISU and the University of Iowa are about average in the amount they spend on salaries, travel and other overhead to raise money for their universities.” The two schools spend about 11 or…
Read MoreDetroit mayor spends on city’s dime
M.L. Elrick and Jim Shaefer of The Detroit Free Press continues their investigation into personal expenditures made by Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick on the city’s credit card. Numerous Freedom of Information Act requests uncovered expenditures including an $850 steakhouse dinner and $11,644 he spent on Super Bowl hotel rooms. On the mayor’s first day on…
Read MoreReview finds hundreds of deficient bridges in Utah
Lee Davidson of The Deseret Morning News used federal data to review deficient bridges in Utah. “Federal data, based on state inspections, show that 256 bridges in Utah were considered structurally deficient in 2004. Another 250 were functionally obsolete.” Despite the high number of deficiencies, Utah’s bridges are rated Ninth best among states, federal data…
Read MoreConfusing stats help mask plant deaths
Lise Olsen of the Houston Chronicle continues the Chronicle’s investigation into the 1995 explosion at the BP oil refinery. Olson used OSHA data to uncover why few deaths had been attributed to refineries in the past. “Increasingly, the accuracy of government safety statistics is undermined by the changing work force. These days, up to half…
Read MoreTop 10 businesses top $1 billion in St. Petersburg
Helen Huntley of the St. Petersburg Times analyzed the cities top 10 companies finding that, for the first time ever, all 10 are more than $1 billion in revenue. “Eight of the 10 increased revenues by double digits last year. Their average return on equity was 20 percent.” The story includes graphics that provide details…
Read MoreLack of inspectors lead to unsafe trucks on highways
Ginny MacDonald and Brett J. Blackledge of The Birmingham News used federal data to show that “thousands of big trucks travel Alabama’s highways with bad brakes, bad tires and bad drivers … Many of those dangerous trucks in recent years have been involved in accidents that have killed hundreds, injured thousands and cost millions in…
Read MoreDelay gives more to colleagues than any other legislator
Jonathan Salant of Bloomberg Markets analyzed Federal Election Commission records finding that House Majority Leader Tom Delay “gave more money to U.S. congressional candidates than any lawmaker in the last decade … the Texas representative has contributed $3.5 million to 432 congressional candidates …” After Delay, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is next in helping…
Read More