The unemployment rate, the most vaunted of the “lagging economic indicators” has now become a political albatross around the necks of President Obama and his fellow Democrats. In an effort to get creative on jobs creation the President will convene a jobs summit this morning, in search of innovative ways that the government can encourage more hiring. But several key groups, including the Chamber of Commerce, failed to get an invite and there are even splits among Democrats about how to best proceed. Can the government build a better job?
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention drug resistant bacterial infections kill tens of thousands of Americans each year and the World Health Organization considers antimicrobial resistance one of the three greatest threats to human health. The Infectious Disease Society of America has recently asked for a commitment from the Obama administration and the European Union to develop 10 new antibiotics by 2020. Will they commit and can 10 new antibiotics really make a difference?
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the merits of the “honest services fraud” law designed to keep a healthy distance between lobbyists and public officials. Law enforcement officials claim the law is one of their best weapons to go after public officials who accept money, tickets, jobs or other such “gifts” in exchange for political favors. Critics claim the law is vague and believe it should be struck down so that Congress can clearly define what’s acceptable “gift giving” and what is…uh, bribery.
A new White House initiative, which will be phased in over the coming months, will (if all goes according to plan) kick over 13,000 lobbyists out of key positions on federal advisory panels. And K Street is none too happy about it. Lobbyists advise on matters relating to trade rules, troop levels, environmental regulations, and consumer protections—and the advisory panels are an unwieldy group of nearly 1,000 panels with total membership exceeding 60,000 people. Can the plan help to root out corruption and unfair influence inside the Beltway?
It’s been a tough few years for most of California’s public institutions, but the higher education systems of UC, Cal State and community colleges have been particularly hard hit. In the face of a continuing economic downturn and with the state's coffers dwindling, educators and legislators alike are taking a look at the 50 year-old Master Plan on Higher Education. Hearings start next week on realigning the mission and goals of our learning institutions to address the changing economy and demographics of our once dynamic state.
You’d assume that nearly every adult American has some kind of foot in the banking industry, with an active checking or savings account at the least. A survey by the FDIC & the Census Bureau, however, paints a dramatically different picture: 25.6% of households—30 million in all—did not use basic banking services last y ear or relied on alternative services, such as high-interest payday loans, to get cash. Minority groups were less likely than the overall population to have standard banking relationships. What can banks and the government do to reach out to this underserved segment of the population?
Patt Morrison is known for its innovative discussions of local politics and culture, as well as its presentation of the effects of national and world news on Southern California.
