A Glide Path For Overturning Biden Regulations In The 119th Congress

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As detailed in numerous commentaries this year, federal rules and regulations that the Biden administration fails to finalize before the start of the final 60 legislative business days of the 118th Congress will be vulnerable to overturn in the 119 th — but only if the presidency changes hands.

The exact cutoff date marking the beginning of that window is still unclear but will likely fall between late spring and early summer.

The authority for any such revocations lies in the resolution of disapproval process established by the bipartisan Congressional Review Act of 1996.

Upon reflection, the CRA's impotence at subtracting from the torrent added was predictable, which might explain for the cynically minded why the law enjoyed such strong bipartisan support at passage. Still, the more than 200 attempts at CRA disapproval resolutions have served, as the George Washington University Regulatory Studies Center puts it, as messaging tools and as means to influence agency actions.

The recent 2024 Spring Edition Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions has exposed a surge in the "recently completed" category of major rules in the Biden administration this election year. The Agenda, which appears twice a year, shows that major rules completed jumped from 53 in fall 2023 to 97 in the new edition.

Having already implemented some big rules and presumably innoculated them from CRA overturn, the conventional thinking is that this late in the year, Biden may hold off on big proposals.

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Kamala Harris And A New Economic Vision

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In recent years, both parties have broken with a markets-know-best default setting. The question is, what comes next?

This new story has two themes — call them "build" and "balance." The first focuses on pointing and shaping markets toward worthy aims; the second corrects upstream power imbalances so that market outcomes are fairer and need less after-the-fact redistribution.

Let's start with "build." On one level, it literally means building things again — rebuilding America's physical, technology and energy infrastructure, using trillions of dollars in public investment to stimulate private dollars and create good unionized jobs to boot. This modernized revival of industrial policy is the heart of the Biden administration's legislative legacy, one that Ms. Harris can rightly take credit for.

How To Succeed With Changes

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Innovation and changes are hot topics, but many who talk about it or wish for it never seem to move forward or make changes. I speak to a lot of managing partners, solo owners and clients who "complain" about stagnation and ask for a way to jump start change. There are many ways to accomplish change, but I think there is one essential and without that essential it doesn't happen. That is the resolve of the leader.

Not leaders or leadership and not managers and not management, but THE LEADER. I have definite proof of this and will share some of the conclusions of what I've seen and done that works.

Keep in mind that every business has systems, and most every system can be improved. What needs to be done is to obliterate complacency and develop a plan of action for innovation and improvement. How that plan is established is not the issue leading to success, it is how that plan is implemented. Once a plan is decided upon the degree of the leader's efforts in making sure it is implemented will determine its success or failure.

I have found that permitting a digression or overlooking full compliance, every time , sets a pattern that causes the change to fail, primarily by neglect. Nothing terrible happens, things continue as they were, and the change is overlooked or forgotten. However, there is no forward movement based upon the changes that were agreed upon. Another wasted set of meetings and fallacious decisions.

The significant successes I have seen have been with a strong leader serving as the champion for the change. Those leaders have the determination, the strong will needed and actually an obsessiveness about succeeding with the change. He or she becomes annoying, a pest, a pain in the neck and worse until it is realized that following through with the change is the easier course to take. It will take time and effort, but it works, and the results can create the major changes that were anticipated when the plan was adopted.

‘Travel Bug' Propels Woman To Visit 28 Countries By ‘Working' Time-off System

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Travel expert Lee Abbamonte shares tips for Americans traveling for the Fourth of July holiday and reacts to a recent airplane incident which left dozens injured.

A 24-year-old woman is on a mission to see the world after coming up with creative ways to travel in her free time.

Ella Brown works in luxury lifestyle public relations in London while also running a travel social media account called @thatgingerabroad filled with travel tips and tricks.

The part-time content creator told Fox News Digital that although she gets only 25 days a year of paid time off from her full-time job — she'll find ways to stretch it.

"I am strategic with booking my annual leave and often attach days off to bank holidays and weekends," she said.

Brown first caught the travel bug in 2021, she said, when she traveled to the United States with two of her friends for three months.

Ella Brown, shown here, told Fox News Digital that she has "worked" the time-off system in order to max out her days away from the office. (Ella Brown/@thatgingerabroad)

She said this experience allowed her to dream of all the places she could go next — regardless of her job.

"When I started my full-time job in September 2022, I still wanted to continue traveling as much as I could, and this was when I started strategically planning out my annual leave and going on as many trips as possible," she said.

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Many DeFi Protocols 'Flagrantly Disregard' Regulations: Gavin Wood | Video

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Ethereum co-founder and Polkadot creator Gavin Wood shares insights on why superficial decentralization will not indefinitely suffice. Plus, how many DeFi protocols that ignore the rules will have regulators knocking on their door.

Outdoor Economics Conference To Talk New Mexico Public Lands Returns To Las Cruces

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Headlines:

* "Australian Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rise 0. 5% in 2022: Report" (Source: The Guardian) * "Court Blocks California's Bid to Phase Out Gas-Powered Cars" (Source: Bloomberg Law) * "Indonesia's Forest Fires Release Record Amount of Carbon Dioxide" (Source: Reuters) * "UK Conservative MP Claims Climate Denial as 'Duty' as Pressure Mounts on Party" (Source: The Daily Mail) * "USPrices for Solar Power Plummet, but Income Inequality Persists" (Source: The New York Times) * "France Plans to Ban Domestic Flights if Train or Bus Alternative is Available" (Source: France 24) * "India's Goa State Orders Temporary Closure of Beaches Amidst Plastic Crisis" (Source: The Times of India) * "New Zealand's Centre-Left Government Passes Climate Change Bill with Strong Support" (Source: Radio New Zealand) These headlines highlight significant developments in the global response to climate change... sustainable energy... and environmental conservation from around the world.

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The conference is meant to bring together stakeholders, lawmakers and the public to ⁘advance economic development strategies and opportunities⁘ connected to New Mexico public lands.

As part of the Conference, Adventure Pitch applications are now open. Adventure Pitch offers $15,000 in prizes for startups in outdoor recreation, environment and wellness. Applications are due Aug. 23. Pitches will be judged based on team, market and high-growth potential, product, traction and competitive advantage.

Registration is open for the conference and can be done online at outdooreconomics.com . Tickets sales end Sept. 24.

A series of tours will be offered during the conference including a hike to Dripping Springs, bird watching at Leasburg Dam State Park, La Cueva Archeological Site and Slot Canyon. Outdoor tours are by registration.

The conference will feature as panelists acting secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department Lancing Adams, director of the state's Outdoor Recreation Division Karina Armijo, Bureau of Land Management director Melanie Barnes, director of New Mexico State Parks Toby Velasquez, Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez and New Mexico Lt. Gov. Howie Morales.

The conference schedule includes sessions on federal and state initiatives, multi-cultural approaches to land use, sustainable ecosystems and economies, and partnerships in the outdoors.

For a full schedule of events at the conference, visit https://www.outdooreconomics.com/2024-schedule/ .

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Outdoor Economics Conference in Las Cruces opens registration

Taxes And More: What You Need To Know About Tri-Valley Elections

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PLEASANTON ⁘ Tri-Valley mayors could be unseated, taxes could be levied and cleaner air is up for debate in this November⁘s election. In Pleasanton, Mayor Karla Brown takes on Councilman Jack Balch for the city⁘s top seat, with each of them earning the endorsement of an Alameda County Supervisor.

Brown, a former realtor who seeks to enter her second term as mayor with and additional 12 years on council behind her, has vowed to refuse money from commercial developers. She said she has championed bringing millions of dollars in funding from state and federal resources through her tenure in public office.

Brown said her main focus will finding additional clean drinking water, after the city revealed residents for decades were exposed to contaminated ground, and handling the incoming budget shortfalls of estimated at $13 million annually over the next eight years. She has also championed Measure PP, the proposed half-cent sales tax on the Nov. 5 ballot. If approved, the city⁘s first-ever sales tax measure would raise $10 million annually over the next decade.

Brown, who has served on the Alameda County Transportation Commission and Livermore Amador Valley Transportation Authority Board, said she has ⁘brought millions back to the city⁘ for a ⁘job that is paid a stipend.⁘

⁘I believe I am a leader with integrity. I work long hard hours, this is my primary job and it is the best job in the city,⁘ she said in an interview.

Balch, an accountant by trade, hopes to leave his current at-large council job and unseat Brown. He⁘s already ahead in fundraising, having raised $66,000 to Brown⁘s $30,700, according to campaign finance records. Balch was the only councilmember to vote against placing the half-cent sales tax on the ballot, saying the city should find other ways to tighten its belt, though he will support what voters decide.

⁘For me, Pleasanton⁘s current leadership has drifted from our city of planned progress. I think we need to be getting back on that and looking at regaining our reputation as a well-managed city, working through to address the challenges we have,⁘ Balch said in an interview.

Blackstone Picks Majority Stake In Hotel Accounting Tech M3

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It is the system-of-record for financial data for over a thousand hotel operators and management companies.

M3's technology suite, which includes accounting, labour management, and business intelligence tools, currently serves more than 8,000 properties across North America.

With the latest infusion, M3 will focus on bolstering its product expansion efforts and facilitating wider adoption of its software.

Simultaneously, AAHOA, which constitutes nearly 20,000 hotel owners and 60% of hotels in the US, will make its first-ever investment alongside Blackstone.

AAHOA chairman Miraj S. Patel said: "This partnership with M3 will bring AAHOA Members access to advanced technology and innovative solutions that can enhance operational efficiency and drive growth.

"We are committed to empowering our members with the tools and resources needed to succeed in an evolving market, and this collaboration marks a pivotal step toward achieving that goal."

Bakery Chain Under Fire For Selling Day-old Croissants For 95p More | UK News

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Welcome to the Money blog, a hub of personal finance and consumer news/tips. Leave a comment on any of the stories we're covering in the box below - we round them up every Saturday.

Each week we feature comments from Money blog readers on the story or stories that elicited most correspondence.

Our weekend probe into the myriad reasons for pub closures in the UK prompted hundreds of comments.

Monzo has been named the best bank in the UK for customer satisfaction, according to a major survey.

More than 17,000 personal current account customers rated their bank on the quality of its services and how likely they would be to recommend to friends or family.

Digital banks made up the top three, with Monzo coming out on top, followed by Starling Bank and then Chase.

The digital banking app said topping the tables "time and time again" was not something it would "ever take for granted".

Gail's bakery chain has come under fire for repurposing unsold pastries into croissants and selling them for almost £4 the next day.

Minneapolis Mayor Unveils 2025 City Budget, Including 8.1% Tax Levy Hike

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Frey unveiled the budget on Wednesday which includes two bumps to the tax levy: 8.1% in 2025 and another 9.8% in 2026.

"Our employees inspect buildings, they take care of shelter animals, they work in our civil rights department, they save lives," Frey said. "They also feed their families, they pay for daycare and they, like everyone, they have medical bills."

Frey said tough decisions had to be made to get down to an 8% increase. Public works employees recently signed a new contract boosting their pay by nearly 30%, and the police department has a new deal increasing pay by about 20% .

About $30 million is allotted for projects related to affordable housing, and $10 million would go to climate and public health projects, including more electric vehicle charging stations. Nearly $200,000 would also go towards what city leaders call the "first-in-the-nation" biochar facility where tree waste is converted into a carbon-reducing "sponge."

More than half a million dollars would go to help "activate Nicollet Mall and revitalize downtown," and $300,000 would go to "George Floyd Square art preservation."

Frey's budget also calls for a new labor relations job in the city's HR department, further investment in "East African cultural media programming" and $385,000 to help create a new framework to help city employees "embed racial equity principals in day-to-day work."

LIUNA Local 363, the union that represents hundreds of city employees, released a statement on Tuesday praising Frey's plan.

Avoiding Overtime Pay Should Take Less Proof

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The US Supreme Court should reject imposing a heightened standard of proof on employers who wish to use a federal wage law exemption to avoid paying workers overtime, a food and wine distributor told the justices.

The Fair Labor Standards Act's text doesn't require employers to put forth clear and convincing evidence, so the default—and easier to meet—preponderance-of-the-evidence standard should apply, according to the distributor's Tuesday brief . The case is scheduled for high court argument Nov. 5.

Three sales representatives allege that EMD Sales Inc. owes them overtime pay. The company argued that FLSA overtime requirements don't apply because ...

Louisville Walks Back Tighter Medical Marijuana Regulations. Here's Why

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Louisville Metro Council passed an ordinance Thursday dictating where medical marijuana facilities can be located in Jefferson County, with members choosing to establish regulations close to state law, despite talks of imposing tighter restrictions.

The decision comes just weeks before applications are due for a potential statewide lottery to determine which business owners can open a limited number of medical cannabis facilities . Jefferson County is granted two licenses for dispensaries.

"I'm worried that some of the amendments may conflate what may happen 10 years from now," Seum said at a committee meeting, referencing conversations the council had about the possible future legalization of recreational marijuana. "We'll deal with that then, but right now we're dealing with patients. We're dealing with like a Walgreens for cannabis."

After debate, some council members who once favored stronger regulations expressed their perspectives had changed. The ordinance passed with a 22-1 vote.

The council also defined "school" as an elementary, middle or high school. It did not include colleges or trade schools.

How To Improve Your Company's Tax Accounting Process

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Marc Blythe, president of Blythe Global Advisors . Expert resources to help businesses meet accounting ⁘ financial reporting requirements.

Effective tax accounting is a complex and high-stakes function. The accuracy of tax provisions is critical to financial reporting, yet vulnerabilities exist due to the reliance on spreadsheets and the dynamic nature of tax regulations. A deep understanding of both tax law and business operations is essential for navigating a constantly evolving landscape. The subjective nature of tax accounting, coupled with the complexity of tax software and data discrepancies, introduces significant risks. To mitigate these challenges, organizations must prioritize data integrity, invest in skilled tax professionals and implement robust control mechanisms.

Corporate tax management is fraught with challenges and complexities that can lead to significant consequences if not handled properly. From a lack of technical expertise in tax accounting to ineffective project management, corporate tax leaders must navigate a multitude of potential shortcomings.

Most companies use some combination of internal and external resources to manage various income and other tax reporting activities and responsibilities. These functions are usually coordinated by a tax leader within the organization or other responsible party, such as the controller or CFO.

Due to constant changes in tax law and its inherent complexity, we often see errors in tax reporting related to financial statement preparation. Here are the top mistakes corporate tax leaders should avoid in maintaining compliance, accuracy and financial integrity. By understanding these common errors, businesses can implement strategies to mitigate risks and enhance their tax management practices.

Companies must accurately account for income and other taxes in their financial statements, a distinct requirement from preparing income tax returns. Tax provisions, estimates set aside to cover future tax liabilities, are a crucial component of financial reporting. Calculated using generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)-based information, these provisions are based on taxable income, expenses and applicable tax laws. Given the timing differences and specialized expertise needed for tax accounting, discrepancies between tax accounting and tax returns are common.

Spending: 'Congress Has No Focus'

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No time or location has been made public, but invitations to the event mention a luncheon donors may attend for a minimum of $5,000 per person.

For the June 18 primaries, for instance, Tulsa County disallowed 8.4% of mail-in ballots, compared to 1.3% in 2020. Statewide, rejections rose⁘

The report for Yes on 832 revealed substantial support from Tulsa-based philanthropists, with $400,000 from the Tulsa Community Foundation and⁘

Despite advice from the attorney general, Superintendent Ryan Walters defends the decision to turn Sen. Mary Boren, other lawmakers away from ⁘

RPS School Board Considers Changes To Bus Driver Overtime

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In a presentation to school board members Monday, Chief Operating Officer Dana Fox presented some of the challenges for RPS bus drivers, including that most work eight-hour shifts per week, but many drivers take extra shifts for field trips, after school activities and programs, and Technical Center runs.

Currently, operators receive two hours in overtime pay for the first run after school, then four hours in OT for the next run, and six hours in OT for the following run.

The presentation also included OT comparison to surrounding counties. However, school bus driver Starlett Rowland says it's unfair to make comparisons, as the city is required to provide transportation to more after-school programs.

"You're not going to have the issue in the county because you have parents picking kids up," Rowland says. "They don't have half the school program buses which the city does because they can't afford for the parents to pick the kids up."

In July, Richmond Public Schools (RPS) Chief Talent Officer Maggie Clemmons notified the school board that RPS has "not been able to agree on overtime and compensation" with the bargaining representatives from LiUNA.

Clemmons said the union's "request to keep overtime compensation, as it has been practiced, is not one that we could meet given that the board is still reviewing the matter."

For months, the Richmond School Board has been considering the findings of an audit that revealed the district was on track to pay bus drivers $1.8 million in overtime this year.

How Regional Regulations Shape Global Cybersecurity Culture

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Breaking cybersecurity news, news analysis, commentary, and other content from around the world, with an initial focus on the Middle East ⁘ Africa.

Cybersecurity regulations differ across regions, as does the level of security culture. As a result, cybercriminals are better able to take advantage of weak spots arising from the lack of a global governing cyber alliance. We remain scattered when it comes to overarching procedures and cybersecurity response. From North and South America to Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania, cybercrime is prospering within the regulatory gaps.

To bridge these gaps, governments worldwide must collaborate closely to come to a consensus on how to deal with cybersecurity incidents. Unfortunately, this is not the kind of thing that will happen immediately. But by understanding the state of global security culture and regulation , we can point ourselves in the right direction.

While the emphasis of security culture in North America has resulted in changes to cybersecurity best practices, there are still plenty of major cyberattacks hitting the news. Ransomware events against MGM and United Healthcare show that even as the workforce improves its level of security awareness, there is a long way to go.

Security culture in South America is even more spotty. The varying levels of development across South American countries means cybersecurity companies will avoid investing too much effort in a less prolific region. Additionally, while there are some key regulatory requirements within South America, the lack of consistency across countries there puts the continent at a disadvantage. Though Colombia may be one of the more prepared countries with its strong outline of cyber strategies in its National Council of Economic and Social Policy , the region as a whole is not.

Africa, which has up to 2,000 unique languages and a quickly growing population, is rapidly adopting technology. African organizations have also experienced the most growth in cybercrime over the past couple of years. With such a quickly evolving environment, security culture will take a while to catch up.