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Friday, August 31, 2007
Bush Proposes Tax Relief for Homeowners in Foreclosure
Last week, I blogged the tax aspect of the sub-prime mortgage problem: taxpayers often have discharge of indebtedness income upon foreclosure of their homes. The post included detailed commentary by Tax Profs Bryan Camp (Texas Tech), Sheldon Cohen (Farr, Miller & Washington; former IRS Commissioner), Linda Galler (Hofstra), Stuart Lazar (Tulane), Jim Maule (Villanova), Marty McMahon (Florida), and David Shakow (Penn).
President Bush today announced his suppport for a proposed amendment to § 108 to provide relief from discharge of indebtedness income for taxpayers who lose their primary residences to foreclosure. The Mortgage Cancellation Relief Act pf 2007 (H.R. 1876; S. 1394). From the White House Fact Sheet: New Steps to Help Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure:
The President Calls On Congress To Change A Key Housing Provision Of The Federal Tax Code So It Does Not Punish Families Who Are Forced To Sell Their Homes For Less Than Their Mortgage Is Worth. Current tax law counts cancelled mortgage debt on primary residences as taxable income. For example, if the value of a home declines and $20,000 of the homeowner's loan is forgiven, the tax code treats that $20,000 as taxable income. The President proposes temporary relief to ensure that cancelled mortgage debt on a primary residence is not counted as income.
- The President Is Working With Congress In A Bipartisan Fashion To Make This Important Change. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), along with Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) and others, has introduced a bipartisan bill that would protect homeowners from having to pay taxes on cancelled mortgage debt. In the House, Representatives Rob Andrews (D-NJ) and Ron Lewis (R-KY), along with several of their colleagues, have introduced similar legislation. The President looks forward to working with Congress to reach agreement on a bill, so we can deliver this vital tax relief to American homeowners.
August 31, 2007 in News | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (1)
NY Times Profile of Tax Analysts' Lee Sheppard
A Designer Handbag Amid the Briefcases on the Tax Beat, by Lynnley Browning:
Lee Sheppard, who was wearing her standard black and sporting punky streaked blonde hair, strolled into a recent tax conference at Columbia University in Manhattan and waded through a sea of tailored suits. Silver jewelry sparkling, Ms. Sheppard resembled a nostalgic, if high-end, punk-rock groupie — think of Jean Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood, two of her favorite designers — who had blundered into a convention hall filled with tax lawyers and IRS officials.
But she was hardly lost. Ms. Sheppard, who is a tax lawyer and now 51, was there to cover a conference on questionable tax shelters for Tax Analysts, a trade publication, where her writings over the last two decades have become a must-read for tax practitioners. Amid growing interest in the increasingly sophisticated use — and abuse — of tax laws by corporations and individuals, the field of tax commentators has grown in recent years. Within that universe, Ms. Sheppard has tried to carve a niche. Many people in the tax world — lawyers, government officials, policy analysts — disagree with her interpretations of the Internal Revenue Code, whose regulations and pronouncements can be as murky as a Cajun swamp brimming with slippery, unknown things. But few argue with her style. ...
She performs an important public service for the tax community, and in quite entertaining fashion," said Professor Victor Fleischer, a tax specialist at the University of Illinois College of Law. "Where else can you catch both the latest on a tax shelter and hear some cultural commentary about the Hamptons?" Ms. Sheppard, who grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland and earned her law degree at Northwestern University, has not practiced tax law since the late 1970s, when she spent what she described as several miserable "Kafka-esque" years with Cravath, Swaine & Moore, a blue-chip law firm, in Chicago.
August 31, 2007 in News | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
WSJ: Reagonomics 2.0
Reaganomics 2.0 (op-ed), by Stephen Moore:
Earlier this year the cover of Time Magazine depicted Ronald Reagan with a tear running down his cheek -- the message being that the political class has abandoned the Reagan legacy. There's no doubt Reagan's pro-growth, tax cutting philosophy is in full-scale retreat: This Congress has proposed higher tax rates on personal income, capital gains and dividends. Ironically, the Reagan economic philosophy of lower taxes, less regulation and free trade has never been more in vogue abroad -- so much so that it has become the global economic operating system. ...
[T]here's only about one place on the planet where politicians hold Reaganomics in outright disrepute today -- and that is here. The Democratic leadership in Congress believes that tax rates don't matter much if at all, and that the Bush tax cuts were a giveaway to the rich. Presidential candidate John Edwards has even suggested a near doubling of the U.S. capital gains tax rate as part of his economic program, and his rivals all have schemes to soak the wealthy as well. All of this threatens to move America from leader to laggard in the global race for job creation, capital investment and prosperity. Maybe that explains the tear rolling down the Gipper's cheek.
August 31, 2007 in News | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Conan O'Brien's Graduation Speech
Those of us in the education biz hear a lot of graduation speeches. Conan O'Brien's speech to the Stuyvesant High School graduates is the best I have ever seen:
To read the text of the speech, see here. (Hat Tip: Greg Mankiw.)
August 31, 2007 in Celebrity Tax Lore, Law School | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
NLJ: The Relevance of Legal Scholarship
Legal Scholarship: It Should Be Relevant Again, by Aaron D. Twerski (Brooklyn):
The infusion into the legal academy of professors with doctorates in economics, philosophy, psychology and sociology has brought perspectives into the law school curriculum that have enriched the academy and brought new insights into the law. But the idea that the legal academy is a closed club that speaks only to each other and not to the bench and bar is decidedly not healthy. If interdisciplinary work is to have an impact on the changing face of the law, it must be made accessible to lawyers and judges who are not schooled in other disciplines. And the scholars must demonstrate that the theories they set forth have real-world relevance that make a difference.
August 31, 2007 in Scholarship | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
An Empirical Study of the Law Review Article Selection Process
Leah M. Christensen (St. Thomas (Minnesota)) & Julie A. Oseid (St. Thomas (Minnesota)) have posted Navigating the Law Review Article Selection Process: An Empirical Study of Those With All the Power - Student Editors, 59 S.C. L. Rev. 465 (2008), on SSRN. Here is the abstract:
Anyone who enters the legal academy knows the pressure for new law professors to publish or perish. The use of student editors as the "gatekeepers" of legal scholarship is a distinctive feature of the legal academy. Yet, even with student editors holding the keys to academic success, few empirical studies have explored what factors student editors consider most important when making article selection decisions. The study reported in this Article attempts to shed light on this process and provide suggestions for new law professors as they navigate the law review article submission process.
The present study examines how law review editors at all levels of the law school "tier" system (e.g., Top 15, Top 25, Top 50, Top 100, Third Tier, Fourth Tier and Specialty Journals) weigh the importance of author credentials, topic, format, and timing of an article submission in making their selection decisions. Although most editors consider each of these factors, the data also suggests that the higher-ranked journals rely more heavily on author credentials than lower-ranked journals. Editors at higher-tiered law schools were highly influenced by where an author has previously published. Further, while not a single editor at a Top 15 school considered an author's practice experience in making a publication decision, a majority of the editors at lower-tiered journals rated practice experience as an important factor in article selection. In addition, the study participants almost unanimously agreed that they were influenced by the topic of an article yet there were important differences among the law schools concerning the actual topics about which they would be most or least likely to publish. In addition to describing the survey results in more detail, this article will offer specific commentary from the student editors about their process of selecting law review articles.
August 31, 2007 in Scholarship | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Estate Taxation, Entrepreneurship, and Wealth
Marco Cagetti & Maria Cristina De Nardify (both of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago) have posted Estate Taxation, Entrepreneurship, and Wealth on SSRN. Here is the abstract:
We study the effects of abolishing estate taxation in a quantitative and realistic framework that includes the key features that policy makers are worried about: business investment, borrowing constraints, estate transmission, and wealth inequality. We use our model to estimate effective estate taxation. We consider various tax instruments to reestablish fiscal balance when abolishing estate taxation. We find that abolishing estate taxation would not generate large increases in inequality, and would, in some cases, generate increases in aggregate output and capital accumulation. If, however, the resulting revenue shortfall were financed through increased income or consumption taxation, the immensely rich, and the old among those in particular, would experience a welfare gain, at the cost of welfare losses for the vast majority of the population.
(Hat Tip: Elliott Manning.)
August 31, 2007 in Scholarship | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Borden on The Like-Kind Exchange Equity Conundrum
Bradley T. Borden (Washburn) has posted The Like-Kind Exchange Equity Conundrum on SSRN. Here is the abstract:
The tax-free treatment of like-kind exchanges presents one of tax law's most compelling equity conundrums. Tax law generally does not tax property holders on the appreciation in the property's value, but it does tax gain or loss recognized by property sellers and exchangers of non-like-kind property. In its basic Aristotelian form, equity requires that likes be treated alike, but it does not provide criteria for determining what is alike. Depending upon the criteria selected, exchangers of like-kind property can be similar to holders, or similar to sellers and exchangers of non-like-kind property. The equity conundrum is whether tax law should treat exchangers of like-kind property the same as holders of property or the same as sellers and exchangers of non-like-kind property. This Article solves the conundrum using Rawlsian and Hohfeldian concepts, which suggest that holders should not be taxed on property's appreciation. Second, it explains that once law exempts holders' appreciation from taxation, comparative equity dictates that it should also exempt from taxation exchanges of like-kind property.
August 31, 2007 in Scholarship | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Senate to Hold Hearing on Carried Interest Part III: Pension Issues
The Senate Finance Committee has called a hearing on Carried Interest Part III: Pension Issues for Thursday, September 6 at 10:00 a.m. in 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building. For the previous two carried interest hearings (including witness statements), see:
August 30, 2007 in Congressional News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
WSJ: Presidential Tax Politics
Why Tax Debate Sits on Hold; Accord Within Parties Puts Off Big Arguments Until After Primaries, by John Harwood:
The 2008 presidential race is likely to produce a sharp debate over tax policy and its effects on individuals, estates, investments and corporations. But voters may have to wait for the general election to hear it. That is because there is substantial agreement on the biggest policy questions within each party's field of primary candidates. For now, those broad areas of consensus have left intraparty rivals to bicker at the margins.
August 30, 2007 in Political News | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
District Court Denies IRS Access to Work Papers in SILO Case
IRS Is Denied Work Papers Of Textron in Pivotal Case, by Jesse Drucker:
The IRS lost a closely watched legal battle when a federal judge in Rhode Island ruled yesterday that the government didn't have a right to internal tax documents belonging to aerospace and defense contractor Textron Inc. The IRS and Justice Department had been trying to obtain tax-accrual work papers belonging to Textron. Such papers generally include legal analysis of transactions that could be challenged by the IRS. If companies think there is a chance the IRS might disallow a tax benefit, they set aside -- or accrue -- a portion of the expected savings. Those papers also could include analysis by lawyers of the transaction's legal weaknesses, and have been called the blueprint for complicated tax transactions. ...
Communications between lawyers and their clients generally are exempt from scrutiny by adversaries. The IRS had argued it had legal precedent on its side, stemming from a 1984 Supreme Court case that ruled the IRS had a right to tax-accrual documents. However, U.S. District Court Judge Ernest C. Torres denied the government's petition to enforce an IRS summons, writing that papers were protected by "work product" privilege, as "the work papers were prepared 'because of' anticipated litigation with the IRS."
He wrote: "[F]orced disclosure of those opinions would put Textron at an unfair disadvantage in any dispute that might arise with the IRS, just as requiring the IRS to disclose the opinions of its counsel regarding areas of uncertainty in the law or the likely outcome of any litigation with Textron would place the IRS at an unfair disadvantage."
United States v. Textron, Inc. & Subsidiaries, No. 06-198T (D.C. R.I. 8/29/07).
August 30, 2007 in New Cases, News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (1)
NY Times: Judge Orders Web Site Selling Tax-Evasion Advice to Close
Judge Orders Web Site Selling Tax-Evasion Advice to Close, by David Cay Johnston:
A Web site that sells materials stating that individuals can legally stop paying taxes has been shut on the order of a federal judge. [United States v. Schulz, No. 1:07-cv-0352 (N.D.N.Y. (8/9/07)). Judge Thomas J. McAvoy, a senior judge in the Northern District of New York who issued the order on Aug. 9, wrote that the First Amendment did not protect the two organizations that operate the Web site, or their founder, because the site incited criminal conduct. Judge McAvoy ruled that some people who went to the Web site stopped paying taxes, causing the government harm.
Judge McAvoy also ordered that the names, addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and Social Security numbers of every person who received materials on how to stop paying taxes be turned over to the government. ...
Robert L. Schulz of Queensbury, N.Y., the founder of both organizations behind the Web site — the We The People Foundation for Constitutional Education and the We The People Congress — posted the court order at the Web site givemeliberty.org, and closed the rest of the site even though he said yesterday that the order did not specify that he do so. He also said he had filed an appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. His organization rose to prominence with a series of full-page newspaper ads, starting in 2001, asserting that the government tricks people into paying taxes. The ads solicited donations, which it said were fully tax-deductible.
- DOJ Press Release #1 (4/3/07)
- DOJ Press Release #2 (8/9/07)
August 30, 2007 in News | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
House to Hold Hearing on Tax Fairness
House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel today announced that the Committee will hold a hearing on fairness and equity in the tax code:
The hearing will focus on a number of tax fairness issues, including the tax treatment of investment fund managers and the impact of the alternative minimum tax on working families. It will also examine the reasons why investment funds are being organized offshore.
This hearing will focus on a comprehensive examination of Federal income tax fairness, with particular attention to investment fund manager compensation and the effects of the alternative minimum tax on tax rates.
In 2001, President Bush introduced an economic stimulus package that he said "erases inequities in the tax code or eases inequities in the tax code." At the time, there were divisions as to whether the tax cuts would provide the stimulus effect and relieve inequities in the tax code as suggested by the President. In addition to analyzing the effects of the President's tax packages, there are other aspects of our tax laws that are worthy of examination, including provisions related to investment funds such as private equity funds and hedge funds. Concerns have been raised about the manner in which investment fund managers are able to structure their compensation. Others have observed that current tax rules force investment funds to form outside the United States. It is appropriate to perform a comprehensive examination of fairness in the Federal income tax system to ensure that our tax policy is working effectively and fairly for all of America's working families. In announcing the hearing
The hearing will take place on Thursday, September 6, 2007, in 1100 Longworth House Office Building, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
August 30, 2007 in Congressional News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (1)
Professor Salaries v. Average Worker Salaries
Greg Mankiw (Harvard) notes that a professor's average annual salary and benefits today ($160,000) is roughly four times that of the average American worker, the same ratio as in 1905 (when the average professor earned $2,000). For average law professor salaries, see here, here, here, here, and here.
August 30, 2007 in Law School | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Schumacher on The Value of Using Legal Writing Exercises to Teach Tax Law
Scott Schumacher (Washington) has published Learning to Write in Code: The Value of Using Legal Writing Exercises to Teach Tax Law, 4 Pitt. Tax Rev. 103 (2007). Here is the abstract:
Traditionally, law school tax courses have been taught using a mix of problems, class discussion, the Socratic method, and one end-of-term exam. The goal of these courses is to introduce students to key concepts of tax law and to teach them the essential skill of reading and interpreting the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations. This traditional method of instruction is an efficient and cost-effective way of transmitting a great deal of complex information to a large number of students. It is also a good vehicle to teach the essential skill of reading and interpreting the Code. However, the time limitations inherent in the traditional methods of teaching do not require, or indeed permit, students to engage in the depth and quality of analysis that they will be asked to perform when they enter practice. In addition, students, while learning the Internal Revenue Code, are not instructed as to how they will use or apply the Code in their daily tax practices.
August 30, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
TaxProf Blog Named Top 100 Econ Blog
CurrencyTrading.net has named TaxProf Blog one of Top 100 blogs dealing with economics:
TaxProf is an extremely comprehensive look at all issues concerning tax law. It is updated frequently and is a great source of current tax related events, discussion, and analysis.
August 30, 2007 in About This Blog | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Tax Classics in Hein-on-Line
The wonderful Hein-on-Line service boasts a rich collection of "Legal Classics." There are six tax resources available in the collection:
- Acquisition of Property for War Purposes (U.S. Dep't of Justice, Lands Division, 1944)
- Federal Income Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders, by Boris I. Bittker (Federal Tax Press, 1959)
- Law of Taxation, by Francis Hilliard (Little Brown, 1875)
- Seidman's Legislative History of Excess Profits Tax Laws, by J.S. Seidman (Prentice-Hall, 1947)
- Seidman's Legislative History of Federal Income and Excess Profits Tax Laws 1953-1939, by J.S. Seidman (Prentice-Hall, 1954)
- Seidman's Legislative History of Federal Income Tax Laws, 1938-1961, by J.S. Seidman (Prentice-Hall, 1938)
(Hat Tip: David Shakow.]
August 30, 2007 in Scholarship | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
U.S. News: Can Republicans Explain Why Higher Taxes Are Bad?
Can Republicans Explain Why Higher Taxes Are Bad?, by James Pethokoukis:
The Republican presidential candidates seem to be assuming that their Democratic rivals are going to push for repeal of all the Bush tax cuts. That's why they are always talking about a potential $2 trillion-plus tax hike when those reductions expire at the end of 2010. More likely, Democrats will call for only the tax cuts on wealthier Americans to be repealed—such as raising the top rate from 35% to 40%—and for keeping most of the middle-class tax cuts, including rate reductions and a higher child tax credit.
So Republicans will have to explain why a tax hike on "the rich" is a bad idea that will hurt average Americans. Making that task more difficult is the fact that many Americans probably associate the 1990s with an economic boom despite—maybe even because of—the Clinton tax hike in 1993. I have yet to hear any GOP contender really address this issue.
Update: Linda Beale (Wayne State) has more here.
August 30, 2007 in News | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Chirinko & Wilson on State Investment Tax Incentives: What Are the Facts?
Robert S. Chirinko (Emory University, Department of Economics) & Daniel J. Wilson (Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco) have posted State Investment Tax Incentives: What Are the Facts? Here is the abstract:
There is an ongoing debate in the U.S. among policymakers and the courts concerning the practical effects of state investment tax incentives. However, this debate often suffers from a lack of clear information on the extent of such incentives among states and how these incentives have evolved over time. This paper takes a first step toward addressing this shortcoming. Compiling information from all 50 states and the District of Columbia over the past 40 years, we are able to paint a picture of the variation in state investment tax incentives across states and over time. In particular, we document three stylized facts: (1) Over the last 40 years, state investment tax incentives have become increasingly large and increasingly common among states; (2) these incentives, as well as the level of the overall after-tax price of capital, are to a large extent clustered in certain regions of the country; and (3) states that enact investment tax credits tend to do so around the same time as their neighboring states.
August 30, 2007 in Scholarship | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Leona Helmsley's $12m Bequest to Her Dog
Gerry Beyer (Texas Tech) of our sister Wills, Trusts & Estates Prof Blog has an extensive post on Leona Helmsley's will. The $12 million bequest to her dog has gotten a lot of press attention. Here is Gerry's analysis of the will:
- Her dog, Trouble (a white Maltese shown in the photo) will benefit from a $12 million trust fund. Trusts for pet animals are valid under New York law (N.Y Est. Powers & Trusts Law § 7-8.1). However, the court may reduce the amount of the property if it determines that it substantially exceeds the amount required for Trouble. The excess would then pass as part of the residuary estate as described below (unless her will provides otherwise). It appears that her brother, Alvin Rosenthal, is the trustee of this trust.
- Two of her grandchildren will receive $5 million each conditioned on their visiting their father's grave site at least once each year. I am uncertain how compliance with this condition will be monitored.
- Two of her grandchildren will receive nothing for "reasons that are known the them."
- $3 million for the upkeep of her mausoleum (discussed earlier on this blog) which must be "washed or steam-cleaned at least once a year."
- When Trouble dies, she will be buried in the mausoleum.
- Nicholas Celea, her chauffeur, will receive $100,000. The remainder of her estate worth many billions of dollars, will pass to the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.
- Because the remainder is huge and goes to her charity, it is unlikely that Trouble's trust will be contested (in my opinion).
Press and bloogosphere coverage:
August 29, 2007 in Celebrity Tax Lore | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Camp Named to Editorial Board of The Practical Tax Lawyer
Bryan Camp (Texas Tech) has been named to the Editorial Board of The Pactical Tax Lawyer:
Produced with the cooperation of the ABA Tax Section, this useful magazine offers concise, practice-oriented articles to assist lawyers with all aspects of tax law. The articles are written by practitioners and are reviewed by an expert board of editorial advisors who are members of the ABA Tax Section and are appointed by the Section.
Published four times yearly, each issue of The Practical Tax Lawyer brings you pragmatic, nuts-and-bolts advice on how to solve your clients' tax problems. The articles are prepared by practitioners like yourself who have tried numerous methods, found what works, and now want to share those solutions with you:
- Articles that are short and to the point; no theory or string cites — no "maybe this, maybe that"— just honest, pragmatic advice
- Sample forms to cut your drafting time
- Practical guidance on crucial issues
August 29, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Ayres on The Importance of Data in Decision-Making
Ian Ayres (Yale has published an interesting new book, Super Crunchers: Why Thinking-By-Numbers Is the New Way to Think Smart (Bantam, 2007). The book argues that statistical analysis should be used more in corporate decision-making. Ian talks about the book in this interview:
(Hat Tip: Ian Ayres, Jim Chen, and Sam Kamin.)
August 29, 2007 in Book Club | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Office of Chief Counsel Seeks to Hire Deputy Division Counsel/Deputy Associate Chief Counsel (TEGE)
The IRS's Office of Chief Counsel seeks to hire a Deputy Division Counsel/Deputy Associate Chief Counsel (Tax Exempt and Government Entities) (Fields Services):
Major Duties:
- [T]he selectee of this position assists and acts for Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (TEGE), as a full deputy in the overall executive direction of the legal work of some 140 professional and support staff in Washington, D.C., and 7 field locations nationwide (Washington, D.C.; Long Island, NY; Baltimore, MD; Chicago, IL; Denver, CO; Dallas, TX; Los Angeles, CA or Thousand Oaks, CA) with primary responsibility for the executive oversight of the Field Offices and field enforcement and litigation support.
- [The selectee acts] as a full deputy in the overall executive direction of the operations of all legal work involving the strategies, plans, designs, and delivery of a comprehensive and customer-oriented tax administration program to meet the needs of tax exempt and government entities, including employee plans, exempt organizations, and Federal, state, local and Indian tribal governments. In addition, the incumbent provides legal services in selected topics (e.g., employment tax and welfare/health) to all IRS Division Commissioners, and to other IRS and Treasury officials.
Salary: $111,676 to $168,000.
Application Deadline: September 13, 2007.
For more information or to apply, see here. For more on careers at the Office of Chief Counsel, see here
August 29, 2007 in IRS News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Senate Seeks Study of IRS Efforts to Combat Identity Theft Tax Fraud
Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus and Ranking Member Charles Grassley yesterday asked the GAO to investigate how tax fraud related to identity theft contributes to the "tax gap" and whether the IRS is taking sufficient steps to address the issue.
August 29, 2007 in Congressional News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Texas Tech Seeks to Hire Tax Prof
Texas Tech is looking to hire either an entry level or lateral Tax Prof to begin in Fall 2008. They are looking to cover courses in business entity taxation, tax exempt organizations, and international taxation, along with another upper level tax course of choice. For more information, contact Bryan Camp.
August 29, 2007 in Law School | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Sugin on Resisting the Corporatization of Nonprofit Governance
Linda Sugin (Fordham) has posted Resisting the Corporatization of Nonprofit Governance: Transforming Obedience into Fidelity, 76 Fordham L. Rev. ___ (2007), on SSRN. Here is the abstract:
This paper is part of a symposium on Nonprofit Organizations, Economic Challenges and the Future of Charities. The law of nonprofit governance is moving toward a more corporate model of accountability and borrowing from the law of business organizations. While applauding some of these developments, this essay expresses concern over the creeping corporatization of the law of charities, and argues that nonprofit corporations differ from business corporations in ways that the law must recognize. The market incentives that control business behavior are absent in nonprofit organizations, so regulatory mechanisms must act as substitutes. Nonprofit organizations, and charities in particular, are public/private organizations, so there must be greater government interest in their oversight than there is for purely private businesses.
August 29, 2007 in Scholarship | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
ABA Tax Section Offers Teleconference & Webcast Today on The Economic Substance and Business Purpose Doctrine
The ABA Tax Section offers a teleconference and webcast today on Recent Developments in the Economic Substance and Business Purpose Doctrine from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. EST:
The last few years have seen the occurrence of several important developments regarding the economic substance doctrine. This program discusses several of these recent developments and their potential future impact
Faculty: Yoram Keinan (Senior Manager, Ernst & Young's National Tax Department, Washington, D.C.)
August 29, 2007 in ABA Tax Section, Tax Conferences | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Commission on Civil Rights Releases Affirmative Action in American Law Schools
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights today released Affirmative Action in American Law Schools, a critical evaluation of the use of racial preferences in American law school admissions. From the press release:
This Commission finds that "admitting students into law schools for which they might not academically be prepared could harm their academic performance and hinder their ability to obtain secure and gainful employment..." Moreover, the Commission finds that racial preferences might also contribute to racial income and wealth disparities. The Commission expresses particular concern about the lack of transparency in law school admissions, urging legislation to require federally-funded law schools to publicly disclose their use of racial preferences.
The Commission admonished that the ABA's Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions of the Bar has adopted a diversity standard that tacitly prods law schools to use racial preferences in student admissions. The Commission criticizes the ABA standard because it "substitutes the judgment of the Council for that of the law schools in deciding whether diversity is essential to their educational mission."
Chairman Gerald A. Reynolds commented, "Race-based admissions have been found to harm minority law students by setting them up for failure. Law schools that continue to use racial preferences despite this evidence should at least disclose the risks of academic mismatch to minority student applicants." Continuing, Chairman Reynolds said, "A true civil rights strategy would focus on these students much earlier in their educational development, rather than providing them with inadequate training and then using preferential treatment to admit them into schools at which they are likely to fail."
For the full 220-page report, see here. For press and blogosphere coverage, see:
- Chronicle of Higher Education: Civil-Rights Panel Wants Law Schools Required to Disclose Key Affirmative-Action Data, by Peter Schmidt
- Discriminations, by John Rosenberg:
- National Law Journal: Commission Targets Affirmative-Action "Mismatch" in Law School Admissions, by Leigh Jones
- ProfessorBainbridge.com: Affirmative Action in Law Schools Critiqued by USCRC, by Stephen Bainbridge
- The Right Coast, by Gail Heriot (USD):
- The Volokh Conspiracy: More on Whether Affirmative Action in Law Schools Backfires on Prospective Black Lawyers, by David Bernstein (George Mason)
- Wall Street Journal: Affirmative Action Backfires, by Gail Heriot (USD)
August 28, 2007 in Law School | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack (1)
Walker on Unpacking Backdating: Economic Analysis and Observations on the Stock Option Scandal
David I. Walker (Boston University) has published Unpacking Backdating: Economic Analysis and Observations on the Stock Option Scandal, 87 B.U. L. Rev. 561 (2007). Here is the abstract:
The corporate stock option backdating scandal has dominated business page headlines since the summer of 2006. The SEC has launched investigations of more than one hundred companies with respect to the timing and pricing of stock options granted during the boom years of the late 1990s and early 2000s, and the number of firms caught up in the scandal continues to increase. This Article contributes to our understanding of the backdating phenomenon by analyzing the economics of backdating and the characteristics of the firms under investigation. Its main points are the following: First, given the high volatilities of the stocks of the technology companies that dominate the list of firms under investigation and the fact that options granted to executives and employees typically may not be exercised for several years, press reports that focus on the size of the strike price "discounts" achieved by backdating significantly overstate the impact on the value per share of backdated options. In some cases, reducing the strike price by a dollar per share by backdating increased the Black-Scholes value of the option by less than twenty cents per share. Second, backdating dramatically reduced the apparent value of options, which reduced the total level of executive compensation reported to shareholders. However, because the size of executive stock option grants often is determined by first establishing the value to be delivered and then "backing into" the number of shares to be covered by the option, reducing the apparent value of option shares may have substantially increased the size and economic value of some backdated executive option grants. Third, comparison of semiconductor firms under investigation for backdating with peer companies that are not suggests an association between backdating and the use of options in compensating non-executive employees. This Article considers the effects of and several possible explanations for backdating non-executive options, including reducing apparent rank and file compensation. Finally, this Article argues that the backdating phenomenon is not an accounting scandal. Backdating has accounting consequences, but it is unlikely to have been accounting driven.
August 28, 2007 in Scholarship | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
What To Do If IRS Offers You $80 Via E-mail
The IRS today (IR-2007-148) warned taxpayers to be alert to an e-mail scam promising $80 to participate in an IRS customer satisfaction survey:
An unsuspecting taxpayer receives an unsolicited e-mail that appears to come from the IRS. The e-mail notifies the recipient that he or she has been randomly selected to participate in a survey. In return, the IRS will credit $80 to the taxpayer's account. The taxpayer is asked to click on a URL linking to an online "Member Satisfaction Survey." There are references to the IRS in the "from" line and the "subject" line of the e-mail. The link to the survey and a copyright statement at the bottom of the e-mail also reference the IRS. The survey form features the IRS logo. ...
In addition to standard customer satisfaction survey questions, the survey requests the name and phone number of the participant and also asks for credit card information. Once the fraudsters have a name and phone number, they will presumably call the participant and attempt to retrieve other financial information. The apparent objectives of this scam are to use the participant's name and financial data to withdraw funds from the taxpayer's bank account, run up charges on a credit card, or take out loans in the taxpayer's name.
For more information on these kinds of scams, see:
August 28, 2007 in IRS News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (1)
Malone on Tax Strategy Patents
Matthew A. Melone (Lehigh University) has published The Patenting of Tax Strategies: A Patently Unnecessary Development, 5 DePaul Bus. & Com. L.J. 437 (2007). Here is the Conclusion:
Tax strategy patents are subject to many of the criticisms directed toward business method patents in general. In certain respects, patents on tax strategies suffer less from the alleged infirmities applicable to business method patents as a class. However, tax strategy patents merit little, if any, of the utilitarian-based justifications that underpin the issuance of patents. Incentives for innovation in the tax field are plentiful and, in this respect, little is to be gained by the issuance of patents. The costs of such patents, however, are significant. Increased complexity, encouragement of abusive and aggressive tax positions, increased rent-seeking and rent extraction, and uneven enforcement are likely to contribute to the polity's sense that the tax system is unfair and arbitrary. In light of the dubious benefits to be obtained from such patents, these costs are unacceptably high, particularly when one considers the importance of the tax system and its heavy dependence on voluntary taxpayer compliance. Moreover, such patents, in effect, treat the law similarly to other impediments or obstacles faced by business, thereby ignoring the unique nature of the law. Discerning whether an invention merely facilitates the employment of tax strategies or monopolizes tax strategies may prove difficult. Line-drawing, however, is often difficult and, if such difficulty had regularly been used as a reason not to act, the statute books would be much less voluminous.
August 28, 2007 in Scholarship | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Irwin R. Schyster's Top 10 Tax Tips
WWF wrestler Irwin R. Schyster (IRS) offers his Top 10 Tax Tips:
August 28, 2007 in Celebrity Tax Lore | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
The E-Guide to Public Service at America's Law Schools (2d ed.)
Newsweek and Equal Justice Works have have published the second edition of The E-Guide to Public Service at America's Law Schools. It is a wonderful online resource which provides a broad range of free information about public interest programs and curricula at law schools. From the press release:
The E-Guide is a free interactive online resource of public service opportunities, curricula and financial programs at more than 150 law schools in the United States.
The result of a unique collaboration between Equal Justice Works and participating schools, The E-Guide fills a void in existing commercial law school rankings. It compiles extensive data on the availability of clinical and externship programs, financial aid and loan repayment assistance programs, the number of staff members dedicated to public service programs, and other criteria essential to students who plan to pursue public service careers or who want to gain lawyering skills before they graduate. The resource allows users to look at individual school profiles or compare schools based on the criteria most relevant to them. ...
The First Edition of the E-Guide was launched in August 2006 ... The second edition features a 30% jump in the number of participating schools—from 116 in 2006 to more than 150 in 2007—and many enhancements, including:
- Multi-media content: Commemorating the second anniversary of the Katrina disaster and the response of public interest lawyers, educators and law students to the crisis in the Gulf Coast, the new site offers video clips of Equal Justice Works Lawyers and, on Aug. 29, a live talk with Professor Bill Quigley, director of the Law Clinic and the Gillis Long Poverty Law Center at Loyola University New Orleans.
- Intelligent search results: The E-Guide helps make users more sophisticated consumers of law school information. Rather than rankings, The E-Guide invites users to create their own set of criteria. Responses to user queries are provided with helpful context. For example, a user interested in loan repayment programs might also want to know overall tuition costs and average student debt.
- Complete school profiles: The 2007 site allows users to view or print comprehensive profiles of participating schools that include clinical programs, courses devoted to public service, scholarships, loan repayment assistance programs and employment statistics.
August 28, 2007 in Law School | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Fogel on The Completely Insane Law of Partial Insanity: The Impact of Monomania on Testamentary Capacity
Bradley E.S Fogel (St. Louis) has published The Completely Insane Law of Partial Insanity: The Impact of Monomania on Testamentary Capacity, 42 Real Prop. Prob. & Tr. J. 67 (2007). Here is the abstract:
In this Article, the author discusses the doctrine of monomania, which permits a court to invalidate a will based on the testator's insane delusion if that insane delusion caused the testator to dispose of his property in a way that he otherwise would not have. The author argues that the monomania doctrine is fatally flawed and that the doctrine should be abandoned in favor of using the general test for capacity to make all testamentary capacity decisions.
August 28, 2007 in Scholarship | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Monday, August 27, 2007
Law Blog Rankings
Last month, I blogged the article by Jay Brown (Denver), Blogs, Law School Rankings, and the Race to the Bottom, which examines the Top 200 law blogs as ranked by Justia (as of June 25, 2007). The ranking is based on the number of visits to law blogs from the law blog search engine on Justia. Of the Top 200 law blogs, 37 are run by law professors. TaxProf Blog was #1; five of the Top 10 and ten of the Top 25 were members of our Law Professor Blogs Network.
In a post today on The Race to the Bottom.org, Jay updates these rankings and also provide Justia's ranking of law professor blogs based on the number of visitors with an edu IP address ("edu visitors"). See the Excel spreadsheet here. TaxProf Blog remains the #1 law professor blog among all visitors, and is also #3 among edu visitors. Law Professor Blogs Network blogs (in bold in the chart below) comprise three of the Top 10 and seven of the Top 25 among all visitors, and three of the Top 10 and eight of the Top 25 among edu visitors:
August 27, 2007 in Law School | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Walker Presents Regulatory Tax Penalties Today at Loyola-L.A.
David I. Walker (Boston University) presents Regulatory Tax Penalties at Loyola-L.A. today as part of its Tax Policy Colloquium Series. Here is the abstract:
Regulatory tax penalties are provisions of the federal income tax code that are targeted at and raise the effective cost of non-tax behavior. Generally, they are meant to shape behavior rather than raise revenue. This article considers regulatory tax penalties from both a descriptive and normative perspective. The descriptive section asks why we encounter these provisions in the Code – why tax penalties instead of non-tax regulation? The article offers two explanations – one constitutional, the other procedural. First, the taxing power, the powerful maxim that deductions are a matter of legislative grace, and confusion as to whether a denied deduction imposes a penalty or removes a subsidy, allow Congress to regulate activities through the tax code when equivalent direct regulation would be constitutionally barred. Second, even when equivalent non-tax regulation is feasible, these features and others assist in the enactment of disincentives that are structured as a disallowed tax deductions. These process advantages may dominate legislative strategy, particularly when symbolic rather than instrumental effects of legislating provide the primary motivation for the sponsors. However, the article goes on to argue that several of these process advantages are troublesome from a normative perspective and that ultimately the social welfare implications of regulatory tax penalties are indeterminate.
August 27, 2007 in Colloquia | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
NY Times: Countrywide Does Not Send 1099s to Mortgage Brokers
Inside the Countrywide Lending Spree, by Gretchen Morgenson:
Independent brokers who have worked with Countrywide also say the company does not provide records of their compensation to the IRS on a Form 1099, as the law requires. These brokers say that all other home lenders they have worked with submitted 1099s disclosing income earned from their associations. One broker who worked with Countrywide for seven years said she never got a 1099. "When I got ready to do my first year's taxes I had received 1099s from everybody but Countrywide," she said. "I called my rep and he said, 'We're too big. There's too many. We don't do it.'" A different broker supplied an e-mail message from a Countrywide official stating that it was not company practice to submit 1099s. It is unclear why Countrywide apparently chooses not to provide the documents.
August 27, 2007 in News | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Call for Tax Papers: Athens Institute for Education and Research
The Athens Institute for Education and Research has issued a call for papers in a variety of areas (including tax) for its International Conference on Industrial Organization, Law & Economics to be held July 17-20, 2008 in Athens, Greece. 300-word abstracts of proposed papers are due via email by December 12, 2007. For more information, email here.
August 27, 2007 in Tax Conferences | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Celebrating the Life of Bernie Caron
I blogged last month about the sudden death of my 82 year old father, Bernie Caron. In the picture, he is holding his award for winning the 2006 Tanner City Idol Competition for his rendition of Frank Sinatra's Young at Heart. The local newspaper profiled my father before the 2007 Competition last night.
Our family gathered from distant parts last night and watched 17 very talented performers (for the winners, see here). As I said in the eulogy I delivered at the funeral, the last year of my father's life was his happiest, as he absolutely loved everyone associated with the Idols. Last night, the Idols showed how much they loved my father:
- They dedicated the show in his honor, with a heartfelt tribute in the program
- The musical director sang You're Nobody 'Till Somebody Loves You, accompanied (through the magic of technology) by my father (like Nat King Cole and Natlie Cole's Unforgettable) .
- All 17 Idols sang an original song celebrating my father's life.
- They awarded the Bernie Caron Award to Robin Rossignoll, the Idol who "best exemplifies the marvelous qualities of our beloved friend -- consistently demonstrating dedication to the group, good humor, and encouragement to the performers."
We want to thank Stephanie McGeney, We Are America Productions, and the Idols for one of the most memorable nights of our lives and for all they did for my father. For their video tribute to my father, see here.
August 27, 2007 in Obituaries | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
WaPo: Carbon Tax Bill Would Eliminate Mortgage Interest Deduction for "McMansions" -- Homes Over 3,000 Square Feet
Tax Deduction Under Fire for "McMansions," by Kenneth R. Harney:
To add to the mortgage meltdown miseries, the credit panic, the plunging home sales and the rising foreclosures, here's a new worry: a proposed cutoff of mortgage-interest tax deductions for houses with more than 3,000 square feet.
One of Capitol Hill's most experienced and most powerful legislators is drafting a "carbon tax" bill that would do precisely that. The chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), expects to introduce comprehensive climate-change legislation when Congress returns next month. Besides imposing hefty new federal taxes on gasoline, the forthcoming bill would, in Dingell's words, seek to "remove the mortgage interest deduction on McMansions -- homes over 3,000 square feet."
Dingell said he recognizes that such a proposal will spark much criticism, but he also said it is essential to reducing carbon emissions by 60% to 80% by 2050. "In order to address the issue of climate change, we must address the issue of consumption," Dingell said in talking points prepared for town-hall discussions of the legislation. "We do that by making consumption more expensive." ...
[R]eal estate and building groups were quick to offer critiques. Lawrence Yun, senior economist for the National Association of Realtors, produced preliminary estimates that ending mortgage-interest tax deductions for all single-family dwellings larger than 3,000 square feet would result in a national median-house-price decline of 4 percent on all homes, not just large houses. Yun said there are at least 10.4 million single-family houses with interior areas of 3,000 square feet or more, about 15% of the nation's owner-occupied housing stock. Dingell's plan could also push up foreclosures because every 1% decline in median price leads to an additional 70,000 foreclosures.
August 27, 2007 in News | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Climate Change and Tax Policy
Christina K. Harper (Morgan Lewis, San Francisco) has published Climate Change and Tax Policy, 30 B.C. Int'l & Comp. L. Rev. 411 (2007). Here is the abstract:
Scientific evidence suggests that man-made greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially carbon dioxide emissions, are a contributing factor to global climate change. This global climate change negatively impacts our Earth and policymakers must implement climate change policies in an effort to decrease carbon emission and mitigate its negative impacts. This Article will analyze three options for regulating GHG emissions: traditional command-and-control regulation, tradable permit markets, and taxes. Following a detailed analysis of both the theoretical and practical arguments regarding carbon taxation and alternative emissions permit trading schemes, this Article concludes that carbon taxation is the superior method of reducing carbon emissions.
August 27, 2007 in Scholarship | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Rudy Unveils Tax Plan
Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani has unveiled his tax plan:
"Sometimes when you talk about tax policy, it tends to be a bit academic, but it isn't," Giuliani said. "It's no more academic than how much money you have in your pockets."
- Tie marginal rates to current levels and "perhaps" reduce them further
- Make permanent President Bush's tax cuts
- Eliminate the Estate Tax
- A permanent child tax credit
- Make inflation-adjustments to the AMT
See Associated Press and U.S. News & World Report.
August 27, 2007 in Political News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Bartlett Slams FairTax in WSJ
FairTax, Flawed Tax (op-ed), by Bruce Bartlett:
[T]he FairTax rate is not 23%. [Supporters] get this figure by calculating the tax as if it were already incorporated into the price of goods and services. (This is known as the tax-inclusive rate.) Calculating it the conventional way that every other sales tax is calculated, with the tax on top of the price, yields a rate of 30%. (This is called the tax-exclusive rate.)
The distinction is confusing, but think of it this way. If a product costs $1 at retail, the FairTax adds 30%, for a total of $1.30. Since the 30-cent tax is 23% of $1.30, FairTax supporters say the rate is 23% rather than 30%. ...
In 2005, the U.S. Treasury Department calculated that a tax-exclusive rate of 34% would be needed just to replace the income tax, leaving the payroll tax in place. But if evasion were high then the rate might have to rise to 49%. If the FairTax were only able to cover the limited sales tax base of a typical state, then a rate of 64% would be required (89% with high evasion).
I've emphasized problems with the FairTax rate because public opinion polls have long shown that support for flat-rate tax reforms is extremely sensitive to the proposed rate, with support dropping off sharply at a rate higher than 23%.
But there are also massive technical and administrative problems with collecting all federal taxes at the checkout counter and relying entirely on state governments to collect the federal government's revenue...
In short, the FairTax is too good to be true, and voters should not take seriously any candidate who supports it.
August 26, 2007 in News | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (1)
TaxProf Blog Weekend Roundup
- New Legal Scholarship Blog
- Tax Prof Profile: Glenn Coven
- Dean on Extraterritorial Tax Information: End the Barter System
- 500 Tax Charts
- Top 5 Tax Paper Downloads
- NY Times: Businessman Pleads Guilty to Engaging in Tax Fraud to Recoup Losses in Patent Case
- NY Times: CBS Agrees to Pick Up CEO's NY Taxes
- CTJ Publishes Weekly Tax Digest
- Cooper on The Australian Regime for Taxing Financial Arrangements
August 26, 2007 in Weekend Roundup | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Top 5 Tax Paper Downloads
A new paper has rocketed to the #1 spot on this week's list of the Top 5 Recent Tax Paper Downloads (it is already #95 on the all-time tax paper downloads list (out of 4,540 tax papers)):
1. [424 Downloads] The Taxation of Private Equity Carried Interests: Estimating the Revenue Effects of Taxing Profit Interests as Ordinary Income, by Michael S. Knoll (Penn) [blogged here]
2. [282 Downloads] The Tax Advantage to Paying Private Equity Fund Managers with Profit Shares: What is it? Why is it Bad?, by Chris William Sanchirico (Penn) [blogged here]
3. [265 Downloads] What Does Happiness Research Tell Us about Happiness?, by David A. Weisbach (Chicago) [blogged here]
4. [242 Downloads] Taxing Privilege More Effectively: Replacing the Estate Tax with an Inheritance Tax, by Lily L. Batchelder (NYU) [blogged here]
5. [197 Downloads] Erickson: A Primer on FLPs, by Wendy Gerzog (Baltimore) [blogged here]
August 26, 2007 in Top 5 Downloads | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
NY Times: Businessman Pleads Guilty to Engaging in Tax Fraud to Recoup Losses in Patent Case
Guilty Plea Is Arranged in Tax Plot, by David Cay Johnston:
The owner of the nation's largest maker of machine tools agreed yesterday to plead guilty to conspiracy in cheating the government out of $34.3 million in taxes through what the IRS called "deceptive and elaborate tax evasion schemes." The businessman, Gene F. Haas, 55, of Camarillo, Calif., a coastal town 55 miles northwest of Los Angeles, will be the fourth and last defendant to admit guilt in the case, which involves his company, Haas Automation, as well as several others. He is to change his plea to guilty on Monday. The plea agreement is subject to approval by a Federal District Court judge in Los Angeles. ...
Back taxes, a $5 million fine, fraud penalties of 40 percent and interest will bring Mr. Haas's total cost for cheating on his 2000 and 2001 taxes to more than $70 million. He also agreed to serve two years in prison. ...
The tax evasion apparently began with a patent infringement lawsuit against Mr. Haas. According to court papers, the schemes stemmed from Mr. Haas's "dislike of the federal judicial system" and anger toward Leonie M. Brinkema, a federal judge who presided over the patent infringement suit, which Mr. Haas lost in August 2000. The indictment said that the primary purpose of the tax fraud was "to recoup the patent infringement settlement payment by defrauding" the government.
August 26, 2007 in Celebrity Tax Lore, New Cases | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (3)
NY Times: CBS Agrees to Pick Up CEO's NY Taxes
Getting Too Big for His Own Taxes?, by Patrick McGeehan:
Leona Helmsley may be dead but her oft-quoted sentiment that "only the little people pay taxes" lives on at CBS. In an amendment to his contract as C.E.O. of CBS, Leslie Moonves obtained the company's promise to pay any state or local taxes he might incur in New York. The amendment states that Mr. Moonves, who lives in Southern California, cannot claim that having to work now and then in Manhattan is a "good reason" for quitting his job. But, it says, if New York authorities try to tax him for earning income in their territory, CBS will pick up the bill. In a statement, CBS said, "To avoid this double taxation, we have made this amendment to his employment agreement to reimburse him for the net incremental taxes as reviewed and validated by the compensation committee of the board."
August 26, 2007 in Celebrity Tax Lore | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
CTJ Publishes Weekly Tax Digest
Citizens for Tax Justice has published its weekly Tax Justice Digest with a number of interesting pieces on:
- Fallout Continues from Minnesota Bridge Collapse
- Border Conflict
- Tax Reform? No. Save an Antiquated Pastime that Can't Support Itself? Yes.
- How Not to Deal with the Property Tax Issue
- Film Tax Credit Corruption in the Pelican State
August 26, 2007 in Think Tank Reports | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Cooper on The Australian Regime for Taxing Financial Arrangements
Graeme S. Cooper (University of Sydney) has published Trying to Make Sense of the Financial Arrangements Regime, 36 Australian Tax Rev. 160 (2007). Here is the abstract:
The proposed Australian regime for taxing financial arrangements ("TOFA") is presented as a unified coherent regime, based upon, and executed by reference to certain principles. These principles leave much important detail to be inferred, with sometimes unpredictable consequences. Moreover, the drafters have chosen to construct TOFA as a parallel regime alongside existing rules, rather than as a substitute for them, where it is triggered. This deliberate duplication then requires adjustment rules to manage the overlap between existing law and TOFA. These design choices – to insert a duplicate regime and then manage the overlap by a subtraction process – is used elsewhere in tax legislation and creates well known difficulties. The decision to repeat this system for TOFA re-creates many of the same kinds of difficulties, for no obvious benefit.
August 26, 2007 in Scholarship | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Saturday, August 25, 2007
New Legal Scholarship Blog
Check out the specacular new Legal Scholarship Blog from Pittsburgh and the University of Washington, which tracks calls for papers, colloquia/workshops, conferences, junior scholars, law research dean resources, and teaching resources. The permanent resources include links to the nine online law review companion sites, as well as over 100 law school workshop series. Bravo!
August 25, 2007 in Scholarship | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)


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Undisclosed Typologies explores the dislocation, alteration, and recontextualization of found photographs. Having worked in a museum's photography archive for a time, I find myself drawn to photographs that were initially made to function more as clerical documents than aesthetic objects. The photographs I seek bear traces of the medium's language, such as the discoloration of aged prints or the format of contact sheets, as well as the hallmarks of archiving, such as numerical text and stamps. Interested in the presence and process of repetition in photography, I commonly acquire prints in multiples or groupings to explore the subtleties of variation in both the original image and my intervention. Applying a series of straight incisions around the main subject matter, I systematically remove sections of emulsion to reveal the paper base beneath the image. The resultant white textured shapes are a circumvention of the image and its original intent, calling attention to the object and reversing the positive and negative relationship between subject matter and background.
Undisclosed Typologies

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Healthy Success Reviews are some in the fashionable buzzwords all-around the world. Each one of these text indicate just one conclusion – a slender determine or a flab-free physique. Quickly weight loss is not only a whim harbored by most, it is a necessity if you prefer to appear desirable. You will find various surgical and non-surgical treatments of reducing weight. Nonetheless, many people prefer non-invasive strategies, considering that they do not entail bandages and girdles and you can resume ordinary functions inside of a working day of cure. A lot of the hottest non-surgical solutions for quickly bodyweight and inch loss are pointed out underneath.
Speedy Weight loss: Mesotherapy and Lipodissolve
Mesotherapy and Lipodissolve are similar rapidly fat reduction methods but with a slight variation. Mesotherapy is definitely an stylish, pain-free different to Liposuction and may be utilized on equally individuals. Invented by a French health practitioner, Michel Pistor, in 1952, this method is practiced by 15,000 physicians or maybe more, globally.
This process involves the use of microinjections to infuse homeopathic drugs, nutritional vitamins and vitamins for the center pores and skin layer, also known as the mesoderm. The concoction of important medications stimulates the fat and cellulite cells in distinct parts with the system and leads to them to melt down. As soon as the body fat cells shrink, they may be carried away from the bloodstream and removed as a result of excretion. As opposed to the surgical system of Liposuction, a overall body aspect that may be handled includes a easy consequence and continues to be fat-free for your very long time frame.
The whole process of Lipodissolve advanced from Mesotherapy and was at first used in Italy and Brazil. Lipodissolve utilizes Phosphatidylcholine (PCDC) injections, wherein lies its variance from Mesotherapy, which uses a 'cocktail' of substances. This evolved method too targets surplus body fat and cellulite and works in the fashion just like Mesotherapy, but with much less side effects.
Rapid Weightloss: ZERONA
This is a non-invasive, rapid weight reduction system utilized for overall bodyweight and inch reduction over the overall body. Much like the other two techniques, ZERONA is brief and straightforward and Food and drug administration cleared for basic safety. You can find ZERO down time, ZERO surgical procedure and 0 Agony. ZERONA Lipolaser manufactured by Erchonia, makes use of a low-level laser beam that opens a pore from the unwanted fat cells to release the unwanted fat. The fats cell membranes stop working as well as the fats flows out in the interstitial area and it is sponged up from the lymphatic method and faraway from the human body in the course of the detoxification study course.


text:
On Cats and Typing
I have been working on a talk about my machine learning robot, Ty. This post is to make the links and slides from the talk available in one easy place.
On Cats and Typing: An Intersection of Machine Learning and Robotics
Elecia White will describe the twists and turns on the path to making a voice-controlled typing robot for her own education and amusement. She'll show a slightly scary demo of the state-of-the-art machine learning platform then describe the applications of machine learning to robotics (and some of the steps necessary to do so). She will demonstrate control of a small, affordable robot arm. She will discuss the architecture of her system in its current and plans for the future.
Follow Elecia's adventures in the worlds of machine learning and robotics.
This talk was given at Hackaday July Meetup. It will also be given at the LA Crashspace on July 19, 2017.
Related Links
Embedded show #187: Self Driving Arm is the interview with Professor Patrick Pilarski about machine learning and robotics applied to prosthetic limbs.
I have also written more about my machine learning + robot arm on this blog. My code is in github (TyPEpyt).
My machine learning board is Nvidia's Jetson TX2. The Two Days to a Demo is a good starting point. However, if you are new to machine learning, a better and more thorough introduction is the Andrew Ng's Machine Learning course on Coursera. To try out machine learning, look at Weka Data Mining Software in Java for getting to know your data and OpenIA Gym for understanding reinforcement learning algorithms
I use the MeArm for my robot arm. For July 2017, the MeArm kit is on sale at the Hackaday store with the 30% off coupon given at the meetup (or in Embedded #207).
Inverse kinematics is a common robotics problem, it took both Wiki and this blog post to give me some understanding.
I wasn't sure about the Law of Cosines before starting to play with this so I made a drawing to imprint it into my brain.
Robot Operating System (ROS) is the publisher-subscriber architecture and simulation system. (I wrote about ROS on this blog.) To learn about ROS, I read O'Reilly's Programming Robots with ROS and spent a fair about of time looking at the robots on the ROS wiki page.
I am using OpenCV in Python to track the laser. Their official tutorials are an excellent starting point. I recommend Adafruit's PCA9685 I2C PWM/Servo controller for interfacing the Jetson (or RPi) to the MeArm.
Finally, my talk notes.


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What makes your eyes unique? Are they big and round? Small and flat? Wide or narrow?
Are you thinking, "Why should I care?" Here's the answer: Knowing your eye shape will help you apply your eye makeup in the most flattering way. Just like that one style of jeans fits your shape perfectly, certain makeup techniques "fit" some eye shapes better than others. This is especially true when it comes to eyeliner. If you line your eyes according to their shape, they'll pop like never before. So we've created the ultimate guide for lining your lids based on eye shape. But before you dive in, you need to determine which of these six descriptions fits you. Don't worry, it's easy!
Almond eyes are oval-shaped and have upswept outer corners. They resemble (duh) almonds! Round eyes are open and circular. If you can see all of your iris when you look in the mirror, your peepers are round. Monolid eyes are flat and have no crease. Hooded eyes have a small crease, however the lids are mostly hidden by the skin on the brow bone. Upturned eyes are almond-shaped, but have a pronounced lift at the outer corners, so the lower lid appears larger than the upper. Downturned eyes are the opposite — the outer drop down, making the upper lid appear larger than the lower.
Now you're ready to go. Grab your favorite eyeliner and follow the links above for each eye type to get started!
What's your eye shape? Tell us in the comments!


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It is the desire of the Grace Baptist Church to be obedient to the command of our Lord Jesus who said, "go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature"......Mark 16:15. We understand that to mean in our community, in our nation, and in the world. In order to reach the lost in our nation and in our world, we send missionaries who have been called to a specific area and to a specific people to preach the Gospel. We do this through Faith Promise Giving, which means that what God gives to us, we give back to Him. The missionaries that we support are committed to establishing autonomous Baptist Churches throughout the world. Our church gives thousands of dollars each year to accomplish this endeavor.
The Missionaries Supported by Grace Baptist Church are:
Paul D. Brown - Ministering in Thailand
Sometimes God has surprises in store for us. After pastoring Sherwood Baptist Church in OKC for over 38 years, and at age 62, the Lord called Susan and me to Thailand. We are being sent out by Central Baptist Church in Grenada, MS. Brother Bill Lee is our pastor. We have already assisted on the field for over six months, laboring with Brothers Bill Lee, Wayne Camp, and Anond Phoothaptim. We will be moving there full-time in October to encourage and strengthen the twenty-eight churches which are established already, and continue the ministry of Bro. Wayne Camp in training pastors and evangelists in the preachers' school. We also will be preaching and leading Bible studies in fourteen pisons. This outreach has had a far-reaching impact as some of these prisoners have sent word to their animist villages to have us to come preach there. We are excited about the opportunity to preach and teach in villages where the Gospel is unknown, and the people are eager to hear. About 30 children are in the children's home, supported by the mission. Susan will be involved in helping to raise these children and also in teaching the women, who are eager to learn and who make great sacrifices to come to the Women's Bible study. We are excited about the wide open doors and opportunites that are before us. We have had invitations also to go to Myanmar (Burma), Laos, and China. Brethren, pray for us.
For a look into our lives on the field, please join us at our blog, www.gracetothailand.com. Susan also writes a blog for children about the mission field, at www.241thai.wordpress.com.
Remembering Our Missionary, Brother Terry Spears
In March of 2012, Brother Terry was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He and Cynthia decided to return to the States in April to seek medical treatment. Surgery was performed, but recovery was slow. We were greatly encouraged though, when he was able to attend our November Bible Conference. Then in January he wanted to move back to Tyler so he could attend his home church. It was a blessing to have him with his family in our services once again. His plan was to return to the Philippines in May, 2013, if the doctor would release him. However, the Lord had a different plan….. and God Makes No Mistakes. Brother Terry went to be with the Lord on February 16, 2013. He is missed by his family, by members of Grace Baptist Church (his sending church), by the members of Imus Baptist Temple, by all of his supporting churches, as well as a multitude of friends.
Brother Terry faithfully served in the Philippines as a missionary from 1998 – 2012. As a result of his ministry, there is today a Grace church in Imus, Cavite fully established, teaching and preaching
the Gospel according to God's Word.
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
II Timothy 4:7
Cynthia Spears Update - May 2014
Tom Montgomery - Ministering in Mexico
Lissa and I have been missionaries in Mexico City since 1983. We have three children: Mark, Luke and Carolyn. We are presently involved in the following ministries:
- Church planting: We presently have 4 missions and churches in the metro area. The newest mission has a strong group of upper income folks as well as professionals. The attendance averages 100 adults each week and this mission is presently considering purchasing a permanent meeting place.
- Training national pastors and workers: We hold a monthly pastor's Institute in the countries of Guatemala and Nicaragua. The Guatemalan Institute has an average of 30 men who attend each session and the Nicaraguan Institute has an attendance of between 70-90.
- Translation, publishing, radio and Internet: We continue a translation and publishing ministry that includes printing and sending books throughout Latin America. Our Spurgeon translation project is the largest source of sound sermons in Spanish on the Internet. Our audio sites enjoy over 15,000 mp3 downloads per month. We have a Sunday evangelistic radio program in Mexico City.
Our desire is to see biblical awakening and revival come to Latin America and a great harvest of souls. Brother Montgomery's sending church is the Covenant Baptist Church of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. His pastor is Daniel Chamberlin.


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Things To Do
Ahhh, the good life: It means something different to every one of us, but without exception, we all crave it. Whether you prefer the hustle and bustle of city life or the peace and quiet of a suburban neighborhood ... an evening with the Charlotte Symphony or riding backward down the rapids at the U.S. National Whitewater Center ... rooting for your kid's soccer team or watching very large professional athletes battle it out ... eating a hamburger and fries or dining on exotic cuisine... dancing until the wee hours of the morning or snuggling by the fire at home ... Charlotte has everything you need to create your own private heaven. The following section offers a sampling of activities and resources to enjoy Charlotte's high quality of life.
Additional information on Charlotte's cost of living and quality of life is available from our economic development department.
Arts & Culture
Arts & Science Council | www.charlottecultureguide.com | 704-333-2ASC
Art and culture lie at the heart of world-class cities, and in Charlotte, that heart is very much alive and vibrant. Charlotteans heavily support arts and culture in the belief that its benefits overflow into business, education and the economy. The Charlotte cultural community produces 65,000 events annually, generating $158 million to the local economy and supporting more than 4,700 jobs.
A major champion for the cultural community is the Arts and Science Council of Charlotte-Mecklenburg (ASC). The ASC is a nonprofit organization that offers the community many services, including grants, events and programs. The success of the organization is evident through the $14 million awarded annually to arts education, cultural organizations and neighborhood cultural projects.
The ASC provides a comprehensive, online directory of performances, ongoing events, attractions and venues at CharlotteCultureGuide.com.
Dining & Nightlife
Charlotte has dining and nightlife choices to suit every taste. The following Web sites and organizations can help you plan your culinary adventures and evenings on the town.
704Events | 704events.com
Carolina Nightlife | www.carolinanightlife.com
Provides information on bars, clubs and restaurants in North and South Carolina. Information is grouped by cities to make it easy to find something local.
Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority | www.charlottesgotalot.com | 800.231.4636
"The official travel resource for Charlotte" introduces visitors and new residents to overnight accommodations, area attractions, events, entertainment and more.
Charlotte Observer | www.charlotteobserver.com/livinghere
The Charlotte Observer's Web site is chock full of information from restaurant reviews to farmers markets to pick-yourown farms, recipes, meal planners and more. You can also get complete news at CharlotteObserver. com or subscribe to the paper by calling 800.532.5350.
Charlotte Center City Partners | www.findyourcenter.com | 704.332.2227
Information on dining, nightlife and culture in Charlotte's Center City, which includes uptown and surrounding neighborhoods. Categories are listed for types of food and nightlife, so it is easy for everyone to find what they are craving. Creative Loafing charlotte.creativeloafing.com Full of all things entertainment, from musical events to featured places for food and drink, arts, film and more. Hard copies of the newspaper are available for free in restaurants, grocery stores and other venues all over the city.
If you're on Twitter, you can follow @CLTDining, @CLTnightlife, @CLTEats and @forkflychar for daily specials, reviews and ideas.
Explore the Carolinas
Charlotte is ideally positioned between the coast and the mountains. Several popular destinations in the mountains can be reached within a two or three-hour drive, and the beaches near Charleston, S.C., can be reached in a little more than three hours. Below are some resources to help you plan a delightful trip.
N.C. Division of Tourism | www.visitnc.com | 800.VISITNC
S.C. Division of Tourism | www.discoversouthcarolina.com | 866.244.9339
Must-See Cities
Asheville, N.C. | www.exploreasheville.com | 828.258.6101
Charleston, S.C. | www.charlestoncvb.com | 843.853.8000
Myrtle Beach, S.C. | www.visitmyrtlebeach.com | 800.356.3016
Pinehurst, N.C. | www.homeofgolf.com | 800.346.5362
Fitness & Outdoor Recreation
Thanks to our mild climate, golf, disc or "frisbee" golf, boating, biking, tennis, hiking, running, horseback riding and other outdoor recreational activities are popular year-round activities in the Charlotte area. The area's many gardens, parks and greenways also remain wellused throughout the year. All these possibilities make fitness not only convenient, but also fun.
Search area attractions database | www.charlottesgotalot.com | 800.231.4636
North and South Carolina are two of the nation's most revered golf destinations. Golf in the Carolinas includes the rolling parkland courses of the piedmont, spectacular mountain tracks and soothing beach courses. Pinehurst, with more than 30 golf courses, is just a two-hour drive and is one of the nation's top golf destinations. Charlotte's Got a Lot (the local visitor's bureau) provides an area attractions database that lists golf courses in the area, among other things.
Water Recreation
Duke Energy Lake Management | www.duke-energy.com/lakes
The Catawba River and its system of manmade lakes provide many activities for water lovers. Located just 30 minutes north of the city, Lake Norman has 520 miles of shoreline and is the state's largest man-made lake. Mountain Island Lake and Lake Wylie lie south of Lake Norman on the Catawba. Sailing, wind surfing, power boating and fishing are just a few of the activities to be enjoyed on this water system. The Catawba River system is managed by Duke Energy. Maps to public access areas are available at on the Web site above.
U.S. National Whitewater Center | www.usnwc.org | 704.391.3900
The river is also home to the U.S. National Whitewater Center, which serves as training grounds for Olympic athletes as well as a busy recreation center for the public.
Additional lake and river activities are available through the local and state park system.
Parks Systems
Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation | www.parkandrec.com | 311
Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation department maintains an extensive public park system and operates numerous indoor facilities, including Ray's Splash Planet (a family-oriented water park), the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center (MAC) in uptown Charlotte, several fitness centers, and several recreation centers with indoor gymnasiums.
N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation | www.ncparks.gov | 919.733.4181
The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation operates the Lake Norman State Park and Crowders Mountain State Park in the Charlotte area, as well as a host of other parks within easy driving distance.
National Park Service | www.nps.gov
U.S. Forest Service | www.fs.fed.us | 800.832.1355
Our state is home to several nationally administered parks and forests, including the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail, the Wright Brothers National Memorial and more. More information on public access and activities is available from the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service.
Associations and Team Sports
Searchable database of clubs | www.plcmc.org/services/clubs.asp
Charlotte Disc Golf Club | www.charlottedgc.com
Charlotte Area Ultimate Association | www.charlotteultimate.com
Athletic associations for children and adults organize team sports including football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, swimming, tennis and rugby. To find athletic organizations, check Mecklenburg Neighbors in the Sunday edition of The Charlotte Observer. You can also find a searchable database of clubs and organizations in the "Services" section of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County's Web site (above).
Finally, the Charlotte Disc Golf Club and the Charlotte Area Ultimate Association offer more fun than you ever thought could be had with a frisbee.
Fitness Centers
YMCA of Greater Charlotte | www.ymcacharlotte.com | 704.716.6200
If you like physical activity but would rather not do it outdoors, you still have many options. The YMCA of Greater Charlotte is one of the largest YMCA facilities in the country with 19 facilities and more than 150,000 members. It offers a wide array of activities for members of all ages and can plug you into the many fitnessthemed charitable events that happen annually in Charlotte.
A wide variety of private fitness centers are available throughout Charlotte. For a list of fitness centers that are members of the Charlotte Chamber, type "fitness" in the keyword field in our Member Directory.
Gardens and Other Outdoor Fun
Carowinds Amusement Park | www.carowinds.com
Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens | www.dsbg.com
Latta Plantation | www.lattaplantation.org
UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens | gardens.uncc.edu
Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary | www.winghavengardens.com
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library | www.cmlibrary.org | 704.416.0100
The public library operates 20 locations that provide Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents with services such as educational resources and job search assistance, early literacy skills development, cultural leadership development and enjoyment-reading assistance. All locations are equipped with public computers and WIFI access, and almost all have community meeting room facilities.
ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center™ | www.imaginon.org | 704.416.4600
For children ages birth to 18, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers a one-of-a-kind destination for fun and learning at ImaginOn, located in the heart of Charlotte's cultural arts district. This collaborative effort between the Library and Children's Theatre of Charlotte is a 102,000-square-foot facility recently ranked by Livability.com as the No. 1 children's library in the United States. It features two state-of-the-art theatres, a dedicated library space for kids 11 and under, four multi-use classrooms, a teen-only library and multimedia production studio, and interactive exhibit space.
United Way of Central Carolinas | www.uwcentralcarolinas.org | 211 or 1.866.744.7778
Charlotte is well known for its philanthropic spirit, and newcomers often find that getting involved is a great way to meet people with similar interests. In addition to helping those in need find services to help them, the United Way of Central Carolinas offers an information service to help people find volunteer and charitable giving opportunities to give back to the community.
Religion & Spirituality
Charlotte, which has more than 1,000 houses of worship, is often known as the "City of Churches." Religious and spiritual organizations often form the nucleus of community life for Charlotte residents and offer a variety of activities and opportunities for members of all ages. And Mecklenburg Ministries coordinates interfaith activities to build understanding and cooperation across Charlotte's diverse spiritual community. Assistance finding a spiritual community near you may be available from one of the denominational headquarters located in the area.
AME Zion | 704.599.4630
Advent Christian | 704.545.6161
Baptist | 704.375.1197
Catholic | 704.370.6299
Christian & Missionary Alliance | 704.543.0470
Church of God | 704.364.5003
Church of the Nazarene | 704.540.8300
Church of Religious Science | 704.531.7993
Episcopal | 800.448.8775
Greek Orthodox | 704.334.4771
Hindu Center of Charlotte | 704-607-8412
Islamic Society of Greater Charlotte | 704.536.2016
Judaism | 704.366.5007
Lutheran | 704.372.7317
Mecklenburg Ministries | 704.347.2404
Moravian | 704.334.1381
Presbyterian (USA) | 704.535.9999
Seventh-Day Adventist | 704.596.3200
Unitarian | 704.549.0750
United Methodist Church | 704.525.3395
Retail Therapy
Nothing quite warms the soul like buying a new outfit. And it stimulates the economy, so it counts as a good deed! Charlotte has a wide range of shopping experiences, from major shopping centers to funky boutiques tucked in alleys. You'll have to explore the city to find the hidden gems. Below are the major retail centers.
SouthPark Mall | www.simon.com | 704.364.4411
Concord Mills | www.simon.com | 704.979.3000
Carolina Place Mall | www.carolinaplace.com | 704.5436.9300
Northlake Mall | www.shopnorthlake.com | 704.921.2000
Birkdale Village | www.birkdalevillage.net | 704.895.8744
Spectator Sports
With several professional sports teams, numerous colleges and universities with robust athletic programs, and several annual, sports-themed events, your fanaticism has plenty of outlets.
Professional Sports
Carolina Panthers (NFL) | www.panthers.com | 704.358.7000
Charlotte Hornets (NBA) | www.nba.com/hornets | 704.BOBCATS
Charlotte Checkers (ECHL) | www.gocheckers.com | 704.342.4423
Charlotte Eagles/Lady Eagles (USL) | www.charlotteeagles.com | 704.841.8644
Charlotte Knights (AAA baseball) | www.charlotteknights.com | 704.357.8071
Lowe's Motor Speedway (NASCAR) | www.lowesmotorspeedway.com | 800.455.FANS
Wells Fargo Championship | www.wellsfargochampionship.com | 800.945.0777
College Sports
CIAA Men's Basketball Tournament | www.ciaatournament.org
Davidson College | www.davidsonwildcats.com | 800.768.CATS
Johnson C. Smith University | www.jcsu.edu/athletics | 704.378.1091
Meineke Car Care Bowl | www.meinekecarcarebowl.com | 800.618.8149
Queens University | www.queensathletics.com | 704.337.2585
UNC Charlotte | www.charlotte49ers.com | 704.687.4949
Wingate University | www.wingatebulldogs.com | 800.755.5550
Winthrop University | www.winthropeagles.com | 803.323.234


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Critics are slamming a House vote on Thursday in which Republican lawmakers voted to slash $40 billion from food assistance programs over the next decade despite ongoing poverty and hunger nationwide revealed in numerous studies.
"No program does more than SNAP to protect children from the effects of deep poverty, and yet the House just voted to cut 3.8 million people off the program, including many of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the country," said Arloc Sherman, senior researcher at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
"Has our moral compass fallen so low?" asked House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), following the measure's passage. "We're the richest nation in the world. There is no reason why Americans should go hungry."
All 217 votes in favor of the bill came from Republicans, with only 15 GOP members joining Democrats who voted against. Pushed by a GOP moving ever-rightward and championed by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, the cuts spell out a 5.2 percent reduction in the budget for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) that provides food stamps and other vital aid. The bill also seeks to implement more stringent eligibility requirements that would push an estimated 10 percent of currently qualified recipients out of the program.
While the drastic cuts are unlikely to survive the Senate, the continued GOP attack on food assistance and other social programs appears to be shifting the debate within both chambers of Congress and exposing cracks in the Democratic Party. Last June, the Senate passed a bi-partisan Farm Bill that called for SNAP cuts of $12 billion dollars over five years. Though an amount smaller than the current House bill, the Senate version revealed that the Democrats are also willing to cut support for the nation's most vulnerable even as they expand military spending, support lavish tax subsidies to large agriculture interests, and refuse to raise taxes on the nation's wealthiest individuals or corporations.
Meanwhile, a new report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture reveals that 17.6 million U.S. households having are difficulty feeding their families, and 7 million of these are suffering from "very low food security" that forced them to go hungry in 2012. A shocking 14.5 percent of all U.S. households—amounting to 49 million people—suffered food insecurity in 2012, with poor households, "households with children headed by single women or single men," and African American and Hispanic households hardest hit.
Hunger is growing in a climate where deep poverty is on the rise. "Significantly, 44 percent of those in poverty live below half the poverty line—in 'deep poverty'—on less than about $9,150 for a family of three," writes Greg Kaufmann for The Nation. "That adds up to 20.4 million people, and includes 15 million women and children—nearly 10 percent of all children in the United States."
As Kaufmann points out, even relatively small income boosts in the form of government aid make a huge difference to the mental and physical well-being of families living in deep poverty.


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YSL Tribute Sandal
The platform, a hallmark of the house of Saint Laurent for nearly half a century, is beveled and paired with intertwining straps in a glossy patent leather to create the iconic YSL Tribute sandal. A refined stiletto heel and adjustable ankle strap create an ultra sexy soaring silhouette. Fashions fade, style is eternal. … Continue reading


text: For many of us new to social networking and closer to being within Gen X than Gen Y, it takes considerable time to learn the rules and etiquette of social media. And to be honest, many of those rules are only just developing now. As Penny Power explains in this video, we really can learn a lot from the younger generation about being open, random and supportive on social networks, rather than broadcasting our wants and needs to friends online. Have you taken time to learn from young people around you? They might be able to help you fast track your business.


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After welcoming a celebrity crowd during the inauguration in January, the Donovan House's restaurant Cha, originally pitched as a Todd English property, has stretched its "soft opening" into April. There's not even a sign outside. Something didn't seem quite right.
Then I got a few emails suggesting English had pulled out. When I called the celebrity chef's headquarters about a month ago, a woman who answered the phone said Cha was still a Todd English restaurant and directed further questions to Cha's number.
Now, Zagat Buzz is reporting that plans have changed, English is out, and chef Susur Lee of the same hotel group's Shang restaurant in Manhattan will likely take over. A spokesperson for English confirmed to Metrocurean that he is no longer involved with Cha.
During a trip to New York in February, I dined at Shang, where the host greeted us not with a hello but with a full-fledged diatribe about that morning's review in The New York Times. That of course has no bearing on Lee's cooking, which takes a global spin on Chinese cuisine. We had some very tender curried lamb chops and a nice soup with braised oxtail dumplings. Zagat Buzz says we may be seeing some of Lee's dishes on the Thomas Circle restaurant's menu this week.
Todd English Out At Cha
topics: chef news, news bites
3 comments:
It looks like Thompson Hotels' is splitting with Mr. English. Word also leaked out today that English is no longer helming The Libertine, the restaurant inside Gild Hall, another Thompson property in NYC.
Cha does no longer belong to Todd English. The restaurant now belongs to the Thompson Hotels. They will continue to serve only sushi for the next month until the new "celebrity" chef comes into town to begin with the full menu. In the meantime, don't expect much from the place since most of the staff is gone, and soon the sushi guys will follow ...
- Dusty said...
I had an pretty fab meal at Shang in February. Hope the concept comes to DC!
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Collection Development Policy
Mission of the Libraries and of Collection Development
The mission of collection development at the University of Georgia Libraries is encompassed within the Libraries' Mission Statement:
"The University of Georgia Libraries provide collections and services in support of the instruction, research, and service missions of the University of Georgia. In keeping with the University's dual role as capstone of the University System of Georgia, and as a land grant/sea grant public institution, emphasis is placed on meeting anticipated as well as current needs.
The Libraries develop, manage, and store collections in an expanding variety of formats; provide access to knowledge and information in those collections using appropriate storage, access, and communications technologies; preserve the information in those collections for present and future generations; and assist and instruct the public in the use of library resources. The Libraries also serve the public through participation in cooperative efforts to collect, access, and preserve information at the regional, national, and international levels."
The Libraries' current Five-Year Plan includes the following goal for collections:
"The Evolving Collection: Blending Access, Ownership, and Preservation:
The modern library collection is a mix of traditional print and a growing body of electronic publications. Our challenge is providing the best blend of these resources in a package that is easily understood and used."


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Host and Instructors: Janna Harris and Ginger Harper Join Us: Registration is Open. Click Here.
It'll be one unforgettable event with a barre class designed for all of Dallas to attend, followed by brunch "bites", swag bags & more! We'll meet on the Continental Ave Bridge (109 Continental Ave Dallas, TX 75207) at 9 am for 60 minute barre workout (modifiable for various fitness levels) followed by healthy treats from local Dallas bakeries and restaurants, as well as raffle prizes for those who pre-register. All proceeds go to benefitting Movemeant Foundation. Barre & Bites is co-hosted by Janna Harris ofBarre In Your Bedroom and Ginger Harper of The Ginger Marie Blog.


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solo piece by Molly Jones, May 2015
length: 6-8 minutes
This solo piece combines samples in Live and granular synthesis in Max in a MIDI-controlled improvisation environment. I based my choice of samples around the theme of water, inspired by water shortages in my home cities. Irvine, California, is experiencing severe drought, while Detroit's water utility has shut off running water to much of the city in an attempt to collect unpaid accounts. The primary voice present in the piece is that of Darryl Latimer, Deputy Director of the Detroit Water Department, responding to questions about Detroit's high water rates. The bamboo flute improvisation is based on Amritavarshini, a South Indian raga that brings rain, and the American spiritual "Wade in the Water."
Equipment List
I need:
PA (stereo), connectable to MacBook (via 1/8" audio jack is fine)
Audio interface compatible with MacBook (I only need 1 channel)
1 condenser mic w/ stand & cables
table large enough for laptop & audio interface
I will bring: laptop, MIDI foot controller, flute


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Eastman Guitars
If you're looking for an Eastman guitar in Pensacola, you've come to the right place. Blues Angel Music is the nation's leading retailer of these fine, hand-crafted instruments. If you find an instrument here on our website, or in the catalog to the right, we either have it, or can get it for you.
Eastman Guitars have a heritage of fine craftsmanship which is derived from build quality of their internationally regarded violin line. The guitar line is made up of the acoustic, archtop, thinline electric, and antique series instruments. Each one is made by hand from the finest components available. Eastman uses the term "heirloom quality" to describe their instruments – and rightfully so.
Your new Eastman guitar will be around for generations, aging and developing richness and character.
Acoustic Guitars
Eastman handcrafted acoustic guitars cover a wide range of playing styles and sound.
Archtop Guitars
Most often associated with jazz, Eastman is proud to offer the broadest range of traditional and contemporary premium archtop guitars available today.
Thinline Electrics
Eastman Thinline Electrics have a warm, rich tone and feature select pickups from several leading manufacturers.
Antique Series
Eastman's Antique Series is a blend of archtop guitars and thinline electrics, specially finished in an Antique Varnish.


text: In memory of Michael (Jerry) Watson Donate Fundraise Michael (Jerry) Watson who recently passed away had a great passion for many sports and had been interested in the role sport can play in the lives of disadvantaged young people. Michael's family would like to send Access Sport donations from friends and family in place of funeral flowers, in his memory. These donations will ensure more young people living in deprived urban communities are able to access, experience and enjoy the many benefits of sport. To make a donation, please click on the yellow donate button above - there, you will also have the option to leave a short message for Hazel and her family.


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Windows Developers MalaysiaBy snakechia Follow | Public
The Windows Developers Malaysia has been established to nurture knowledge base and collaboration among Windows application developers & enthusiasts. While we are primarily based in Malaysia, developers from all around Malaysia, neighboring countries and just about anybody who has interest in the Microsoft ecosystem, is most welcome.
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