Tag Archives: unemployment

Grinch conducts massive “organizational downsizing”, Merry Xmas! : U.S. High Tech/Communications shutdown November 2016

More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t directly blame the internet/high-tech competition for your demise. Incomplete list of U.S. internet/high-tech/communications job destruction announcements in November 2016:

Alabama:  Operator of high tech golf driving ranges Topgolf revealed city administrators of Birmingham are giving Topgolf $1.5-million USD in tax incentives!  Topgolf uses golf balls with RFID chips.

Arizona: Tempe based FirstSolar announced it will kill-off 1-thousand 6-hundred jobs in 2017! It’s not blamed on the economy, but on having to re-tool their factories to make a new type of solar panel.

California:  Internet marketing company QuinStreet laying off 57 people in Foster City by January 2017.  Pennsylvania based “Reverse logistics software and returns processing” company GENCO shutting down its Redlands ops, 26 jobs lost by the end of January 2017.  SunEdison suddenly laid off 25 people in Belmont. SunPower issued multiple layoff WARNs, 116 jobs gone by February 2017! Despite reporting a surprise profit of $2-million USD, San Francisco based yelp suddenly laid off 175 international sales people due to declining international sales!    It was revealed that San Francisco based Electronic Health Records (EHR) contractor McKesson eliminated 1-thousand 6-hundred jobs across the country, this past Spring 2016!  In San Francisco, Twitter issued a layoff WARN, 67 people jobless two days after Xmas.  AT&T eliminating 102 jobs in San Ramon, just two days after Xmas!  Marvel Semiconductor issued multiple layoff WARNs for multiple locations, 171 jobs gone by January 2017!  In Sunnyvale, NetApp eliminating 160 jobs by January 2017! Hewlett Packard (HP) finally notified the state that they laid off 609 people between July and August! Local news reports also revealed that HP laid off an additional 18 people in Roseville this month.  In Santa Clara, Violin Memory eliminating 106 jobs by mid-January 2017!  Also in Santa Clara, Intel eliminating 84 jobs right after Xmas, supposedly due to its poor performing ‘wearables’.  Broadcom-Avago finally notified the state that it eliminated 1-thousand 318 jobs, between March and September!  In Glendale, DreamWorks issued a layoff WARN, 170 jobs gone by the end of January!  In Redwood City, Pebble Tech issued a shutdown WARN, 82 jobs gone by December. In San Mateo, GoPro suddenly laid off 138 people, according to their own WARN! Some news media reports say GoPro actually eliminated about 2-hundred jobs! In Mountain View, Symantec continues killing jobs, this time 84 layoffs by February 2017.  Blue Coat Systems eliminating 27 jobs by February 2017.  Internet used-car marketplace Beepi issued a shutdown WARN, 102 jobs gone by December!  However, news reports say that 180 Beepi jobs are being lost due to the tech start-up merging with new rival fair.com!   San Jose based ebay suddenly shutdown its tech development ops in India, all but 15 people lost their jobs.  But wait, there’s more, those 15 people will come to America to take some ‘Merican’s tech job!  Ebay laid off 50 people last year at the same tech development center.  Asian news reports say that in India ebay is losing out to Amazon and Flipkart. In San Jose, Micrel issued a layoff WARN, 41 people outta work the day after Xmas. Cisco Systems suddenly laid off 42 people.  CAM-BAS issued a shutdown WARN, 44 jobs gone in January 2017.  Los Angeles based Rubicon Project laid off 125 people blaming a “comprehensive realignment of the business”! Tustin based Ricoh Electronics announced it is leaving The Golden State for Georgia, at least 147 jobs lost by October 2017!

Connecticut:  ‘Materials’ supplier for circuit boards Rogers Corporation laying off at least 50 people in 2017.  Verizon issued mass layoff WARNs, 558 jobs gone by March 2017!  Norwalk based  Frontier Communications eliminating 1-thousand jobs due to  Frontier taking over Verizon ‘territories’ in several states!

Florida: In Boca Raton, NTT America laying off 15 people in January 2017.  After 13 years marketer Kre8 Media now chapter 7 bankrupt busted and dead.

Idaho: Bodybuilding.com suddenly laid off 90 people in Boise.  The warning-less layoffs were revealed by unnamed employees who reported it to local news media.  Company admin admitted they are conducting “organizational downsizing” as part of their plans to expand their internet ops (never mind that it directly contradicted the new CEO’s statements, earlier in the year, that they would hire more people).

Illinois: Crane’s Chicago Business eliminating jobs.

Indiana: Indianapolis based Angie’s List suddenly laid off 150 people after 3rd quarter losses that were double the losses of the same time last year!

Kentucky: Maker of electronic gas meters Itron shutting down its 37 years old Owen County factory, 411 jobs lost over the next two years!  Local news reports say local officials said the shutdown announcement “caught us by surprise”.

Michigan: The Detroit News-Detroit Free Press warning of layoffs if their employees don’t except buyout offers.

Montana: Blue Cross and Blue Shield eliminating 12 InfoTech jobs by March 2017.

New York: The Wall Street Journal eliminating more jobs as it switches to a new format newspaper.  The new version will have fewer sections.   NYC based, and now Verizon owned, AOL suddenly laid off 5-hundred people! NYC based, and Clinton supporter, Univision laying off as many as 250 people due partly to a $30-million USD loss in its 3rd quarter!  NYC based Thomson Reuters announced it will kill-off 2-thousand jobs globally in 2017, calling it “transforming” In NYC, Charter Communications issued a shutdown WARN, 43 jobs gone before the end of the year due to merger with Time-Warner.  In Port Washington, Entertainment One shutting down by June 2017, 65 jobs lost.  Insurance company New York Life plans on eliminating InfoTech jobs between February 2017 and March 2018, via outsourcing/off-shoring. That Which Cannot be Named powerless to stop Yeshiva University from shutting down their Israel Henry Beren Campus Technology Services Division a week before Xmas.

North Carolina:  California based McKesson laid off 60 EHR employees in Charlotte, in addition to the 16-hundred job losses during Spring of this year.   Charlotte based FairPoint Communications warned 110 employees in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire of possible layoffs! Union reps say the actual number of employees targeted for layoffs is 153!

Ohio:TV station WNWO eliminating its in-house news department and contracting with a station in Indiana.

Pennsylvania:  Pittsburgh Tribune-Review printed its last hard-copy edition, 106 jobs lost to Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s new internet publishing only!

Texas:  Marketing software maker Yodle eliminating 1-hundred jobs due to being taken over by rival web.com.

Washington: Intel shutting down their DuPont location, 77 layoffs begin after Xmas, some news reports say it’s because of low sales of its ‘wearables’. Tech news reports say Cyanogen is shutting down its Seattle ops after Xmas. Some employees can transfer to California. Blucora moving its HQ to Texas, 35 Bellevue jobs lost by June 2017.

Tech/Communications shutdown October 2016: NO MORE VERIZON AS IT KILLS 162K JOBS, SO FAR!

LITHIUM BATTERIES SET FIRE TO BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY!

DOG ROBOTS CAN TELL IF YOU HAVE CANCER

SELF DRIVE CAR FAIL: HUMAN DRIVERS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL FROM ROBOT DRIVER?

HIGH TECH FAIL: JAPAN JOINS THE DUMBING DOWN CROWD!

ObamaCare November 2016: “IF I HAVE TO PISS AND SHIT ON MYSELF, I WOULD RATHER BE DEAD!”

Banking/Retail/Service sector November 2016: “NOBODY EVEN KNOWS WE’RE HERE!” 1 STATE, 4-THOUSAND JOBS GONE AFTER XMAS!

Federal, State & Local govt. shenanigans November 2016: “THOSE HALCYON DAYS ARE OVER” ARE ‘LAWMAKERS’ HIGH ON LEGALIZED MARY-JANE?

Food crisis November 2016:  “…LEAN TIMES FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD.”

Dumbing Down, November 2016: “FINANCIAL EXIGENCY” MO PROOF MO EDUCATION DOES NOT EQUAL MO MONEY!

Self Drive Car Fail! Uber breaks the law in California!

14 December 2016 / 20:50 UTC-07 Tango 06 (25 Azar 1395/15 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1438/17 Geng Zi 4714)

Uber in trouble again, this time they’ve violated California’s self drive car law.

Uber began testing ‘autonomous’ car service in San Francisco without getting the required state permit.  Uber believes they can avoid the permit because their self drive cars still have a human behind the wheel, just in case, which is an apparent loophole in California’s autonomous vehicle law.   State regulators don’t buy the excuse and are prepping to take legal action.

Uber’s Anthony Levandowski also admitted that their self driving Volvos aren’t truly self driving because “We’re just not capable of doing that yet.”

SELF DRIVE CAR FAIL! HUMAN DRIVERS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL FROM ROBOT DRIVER?

Idaho hospital bans smartphones, as lithium batteries set fire to Boise State University!

13 December 2016 (11:33 UTC-07 Tango 06) 23 Azar 1395/13 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1438/15 Geng Zi 4714

Saint Luke’s Health System (supposedly now the largest employer in The Gem State) has banned the spontaneously combustable Samsung Galaxy 7 ‘smart’ phone at all its locations.

The ban applies to employees as well as patients and comes after a charging lithium battery is suspected of setting fire to an office building on Boise State University campus, on 03 December 2016.  Smartphones use lithium batteries, and it’s not just Samsung phones that are spontaneously lighting up.

Recently news media in China reported that at least eight Apple iPhone 6s exploded.  Of course Apple denies there’s a problem (even though there are increasing reports from around the world of iPhones exploding), just like Samsung first ignored reports about their phones exploding.

Then there’s reports of ‘smart’ phone chargers themselves causing explosions in Australia.  Fire investigators in New South Wales concluded the fire was caused when the charger overheated the battery causing it to explode.  By the way, it was an Apple iPhone 6.

But it’s not just those dumb smartphones, even GPS systems have exploded.  In one case it was claimed that by leaving a GPS on your vehicle’s dashboard, exposed to the Sun, can cause the litium-ion batteries to explode.

You can’t use that excuse on all those exploding phones that were tucked away in people’s pants pockets.

A Tesla in Germany that spontaneously combusted

Let’s not forget that lithuim using Tesla cars have been exploding in Germany, United States and Mexico.  And as Recently as August Tesla cars began exploding in France!

“If I have to piss and shit on myself, I would rather be dead!” : ObamaCare destruction November 2016

It must be noted that I started documenting these ObamaCare/healthcare related shutdowns at the beginning of 2014. In that year I posted the reports biannually (every six months). In 2015 ObamaCare cutbacks ramped up and I posted quarterly (every three months). For the past 11 months of 2016 there have been so many ObamaCare cutbacks that I’ve posted a report every month!

Incomplete list of healthcare related layoffs and shutdowns, November 2016:

California: In San Diego, Ardea Biosciences finally notified the state that they eliminated 139 jobs back in July!  Israel based Teva Pharmaceuticals issued a layoff WARN for their Corona ops, 29 jobs gone in January 2017.   In San Francisco, AthenaHealth notified the state that it would kill 103 jobs right after Xmas!  It was revealed that San Francisco based Electronic Health Records (EHR) contractor McKesson eliminated 1-thousand 6-hundred jobs across the country, this past Spring 2016!

Georgia: “…300,000 of our neighbors and fellow Georgians still remain in the health insurance coverage gap and are unable to see a doctor….That number includes at least 32,000 veterans….”Georgia Budget & Policy Institute  

Idaho: Finally after decades of draconian convict policies, and in an attempt to reduce incarceration recidivism, the state Department of Health and Welfare is asking for $11-million tax dollars to provide mental health services for probationers and parolees.  Currently The Gem State Department of Corrections has a 35% recidivism rate.  The proposed mental health program for probationers and parolees is not connected to ObamaCare.

In Nampa, Holly Lane Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center (owned by ‘christian’ for-profit Tennessee based Orianna Health Systems-Covenant Dove) continues to violate Medicare and Medicaid rules for patient safety.  State inspectors accuse Holly Lane of repeatedly putting patients in “immediate jeopardy”.   The Nampa nursing home has until January to get its act together or lose all federal funding.  Local news media interviewed former patients who say the mistreatment started years ago due to lack of employees.  One patient told a state inspector “If I have to piss and shit on myself, I would rather be dead!”

Illinois:  In Buffalo Grove, PrimeSource Health Care Systems issued a shutdown WARN, 159 jobs lost starting after Xmas!

Indiana: Becon Health Systems directly blamed ObamaCare reimbursement rate reductions for forcing them to layoff 70 people, 50 of them were homecare workers.  Select Medical shutting down its Fort Wayne Select Specialty Hospital, 103 jobs lost by Jaunary 2017!

Iowa: After 40 years Central Iowa Family Planning Services shutting down all its remaining clinics, blaming reduced insurance reimbursements and radically changing healthcare environment.

Kentucky: Generic drugs tester/maker PGXL Laboratories chapter 11 bankrupt busted over claims it was massively overpaid by Medicare.

Massachusetts: Hallmark Health laid off 57 employees because ObamaCare is forcing them to make $16-million in cuts.  Brockton Hospital eliminating 64 jobs and shutting down its transitional care unit by February 2017.  Insurance company MassMutual laid off at least 150 people as a result of their take-over of rival MetLife!  This is despite the fact that local news media report that MassMutal is advertising 3-hundred open positions!

Michigan: It was revealed that publicly announced hirings at Detroit Medical Center hid the fact that the hospital could lose all federal taxpayer funding for failing to meet sterilization rules, resulting in massive layoffs if they fail to comply.  Even so, reports also say Detroit Medical Center is eliminating about 240 jobs to reduce costs by $17-million USD!  Makes you wonder why they boasted about hiring people.

Minnesota: Hennepin County Medical Center confirmed it will eliminate 275 jobs in 2017 in order to deal with “…increasing cost of salaries, wages, and benefits and the rising cost of supplies, equipment, and pharmaceuticals, together with public program reimbursements [ObamaCare] that are less than the cost of providing care…”!

Montana: Blue Cross and Blue Shield eliminating 12 InfoTech jobs by March 2017.

New Hampshire: It was revealed that Wentworth-Douglass Hospital eliminated at least 24 jobs last month, due to “advances in technology”.

New Jersey: In Whippany, Aphena Pharma Solutions eliminating 70 jobs by March 2017. Interim Healthcare eliminating more than 2-hundred jobs in Hamilton and Voorhees by the end of January 2017!

New York: Respirator maker Caire shutting down their Amherst factory, 142 jobs being consolidated to Georgia by November 2017!  Morrison Community Living at Genesee County Nursing Home now for sale, all contracted employees notified of pending job losses due to sale.  Drugs maker Pfizer reminded the state that it is still laying off employees as it winds down operations in Rouses Point.    Montefiore Care Management laying off 74 people, directly blaming ObamaCare: “…Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates have remained virtually stagnant.”-Tracy Gurrisi, director of public relations

North Carolina: California based McKesson laid off 60 EHR employees in Charlotte, in addition to the 16-hundred job losses during Spring of this year.

Ohio: ValleyCare Health System has furloughed employees and reduced hours for others, a detailed explanation was not made public.

Oregon: God powerless to stop ‘his’ non-profit Saint Charles Health System from already shutting down their new Center for Women’s Health in Bend, blaming “staffing-related issues”!  When asked for specifics John Weinsheim, president of the Saint Charles Medical Group, insisted “I really can’t.”  Facebook posts indicate the year and a half old clinic is losing doctors early next year.

Pennsylvania: C3i Healthcare Connections eliminating 56 jobs in Pittston right after Xmas. Pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts eliminating 97 jobs in Harrisburg by mid-January 2017. LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh-Monroeville eliminating 131 jobs by December!  For-profit Sharon Regional Health System began laying off employees and refused to talk to local news media.  Some employees went public and said at least 70 people lost their jobs, others are being furloughed and work hours are being reduced. Wilkes-Barre General Hospital began eliminating jobs and reducing work hours due to ObamaCare reducing the number of people going to hospital for help.  Easton Hospital instituting furloughs and work hour reductions in rsponse to declining patient volumes, caused by ObamaCare.

Rhode Island: God powerless to stop massive layoffs at ‘his’ Our Lady of Fatima Hospital and Roger Williams Medical Center. Union reps say at least 30 people are being let go, and 20 vacant positions are being eliminated.  Woonsocket based CVS Health eliminating nearly 6-hundred jobs across the U.S., blaming “changing market dynamics”!

Tennessee: In Johnson City, the American Cancer Society office shutting down after Xmas, in an effort to be more “efficient” with donations.  Brookdale, the country’s largest old folks home service, eliminated 1-hundred jobs in a further attempt to drive down costs, despite already reducing operating costs by 36%!

Texas: In Austin, Seton Healthcare Family issued a WARN saying 129 employees will become unemployed in January 2017!

U.S. Virgin Islands:  The tourist trap territorial Hospital and Health Facilities Corporation Board warning of massive healthcare cuts because of ObamaCare. Specifically, it was revealed that Juan F. Luis Hospital is being shutdown for failing to meet federal Medicaid and Medicare standards regarding its HVAC system.

Wisconsin: Cumberland Healthcare eliminating 76 jobs after Xmas, as a result of contracting out the operations of their nursing home.

THE GREAT RENEGER: TRUMP NOW LOVES OBAMACARE!

ObamaCare destruction October 2016: “CONCERNING & CERTAINLY SOMEWHAT PROBLEMATIC.”

Self Drive Car Fail! Human drivers unable to regain control from robot driver?

12 December 2016 / 20:17 UTC-07 Tango 06 (23 Azar 1395/13 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1438/15 Geng Zi 4714)

“If someone is designing a method for automated vehicle handover, there will need to be detailed research on that specific method. This study is tip of an iceberg.”-Lene Harbott, Revs Program at Stanford

A new study published by the new Science Robotics journal says self driving cars don’t like being turned off!

The article titled Motor learning affects car-to-driver handover in automated vehicles, presented the results of the Dynamic Design Lab study at California’s Stanford University.  The study showed that differences between human’s explicit and implicit thinking actually made it difficult to take control of a car that has been under total computer control: “…there is this physical change and we need to acknowledge that people’s performance might not be at its peak if they haven’t actively been participating in the driving.”-Holly Russell, Dynamic Design Lab

DON’T HAVE A HEART ATTACK, SOON ARMY ROBOTS WILL SAVE YOUR ASS!

3RD SELF-DRIVE CRASH FOR TESLA!

GOOGLE SELF DRIVING CAR HITS METRO BUS!

CNN Money: Google patent would glue pedestrians to self-driving cars

DRIVERLESS CARS: SHOULD THEY BE PROGRAMMED TO KILL?

TWICE IN ONE WEEK SECURITY BOT INJURES CHILD! CHRISTIANITY BEHIND RISE OF THE MACHINES?

“Nobody even knows we’re here!” 1 State, 4-thousand jobs gone after Xmas! : U.S. Banking/Retail/Service sector destruction November 2016

Incomplete list of U.S. retail/banking/service sector job loss announcements and shutdowns for November 2016:

Switzerland based owner of several ‘luxury’ brands sold in the U.S., Compagnie Financière Richemont, eliminating an additional 250 jobs due to crashing sales!  That’s on top of 250 jobs killed since May.

Alabama: Bon Ton Hatters Shoe Repair shutdown after 110 years, the owner simply said “Hats are dead.”  On US280, Rogers Trading Company shutting down after 70 years, so the owner can finally “enjoy life”.  In Selma, after 171 years Butler Truax Jewelers shutdown.

Arkansas: The FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) reports that Allied Bank is dead.

 California: Industrial waste mitigator Veolia ES Industrial Services issued a shutdown WARN for their Benicia location, 57 jobs lost before Xmas.  Florist Native Bouquet issued a shutdown WARN for their Oceanside location, 97 jobs gone right after Xmas. In Foster City, Too Big to Jail VISA issued a mass layoff WARN, 213 jobs gone right after Xmas! Opinion surveyer Competitive Edge Research & Communication issued a shutdown WARN for their San Diego ops, 85 jobs gone by mid-January 2017.  God powerless to stop ‘his’ Young Mens Christian Association (YMCA) from shutting down a location in Los Angeles, by January 2017. American Apparel issued massive shutdown WARNs for The Golden State, 3-thousand 457 jobs lost right after Xmas! And despite scandalous advertising that some people would call child porno (many ads are much worse than what I’ve posted here)Los Angeles based American Apparel also went bankrupt busted for the second time in 13 months (wouldn’t it be nice if individuals could file bankruptcy that often?)!  Pico Rivera city administrators officially announced that the Home Depot was shutting down within two years, local news media say Home Depot admin refuses to comment. Texas based GolfSmith shutting down their Pleasant Hill golf store, one of 59 being shutdown across the country.  In Santa Barbara, Churchill Jewelers shutting down after 98 years.  In Indio, after ten years the Super Target shutting down by the end of January 2017, 130 jobs lost!  Local news reports say city administrators are now bending over backwards offering Target taxpayer funded incentives to keep the store open.  Barnes & Noble shutting down their Metro Pointe store in Costa Mesa after Xmas, saying it wasn’t worth it to renew the lease.  In San Jose, after 70 years Mel Cotton’s Sporting Goods shutting down after Xmas, due to the property being sold to a greedy developer.  In Hanford, after 64 years clothier Van Andel’s shutting down when the inventory is gone.

Connecticut: Marriott hotel and Royal bank of Scotland (RBS) continue to eliminate jobs according to WARN issues.  After less than two years Ace Hardware shutting donw their new store in Bloomfield, due to lack of sales! Ethan Allen Interiors shutdown their store in Norwalk. Ethan Allen Interiors reports a slight increase in nation-wide sales, but a huge drop in profits.  After 65 years A.P. Savage Hardware shutdown in Greeneville: “It’s just been a battle. It just came to a point where the returns are diminishing.”-Michael Howard, store general manager

Florida:  Vehicle auctioneer ADESA issued a shutdown WARN for their Sanford ops, 133 jobs gone four days before Xmas!  Aéropostale shutdown their Melbourne clothing store.  Farmers Insurance eliminating 103 jobs in Broward County, according to a WARN filed with the state!  Stride Rite shutting down their Pembroke Lakes Mall shoe store the day after Xmas.  News reports say it’s the last stand-alone Stirde Rite store in the U.S.  Boca Raton based Office Depot announced 65 store shutdowns by the end of its 4th quarter 2016, as part of its planned 3-hundred store shutdown.

Georgia: The FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) reports that Woodbury Banking Company is dead.

Idaho: One year after relocating to Garden City, JoyfulTea suddenly shutdown due to “A series of events…”

Illinois:  What automotive industry recovery?  Charter bus company Megabus issued a layoff WARN, 108 jobs gone by mid-January 2017!  Car parts retailer Ventra Belvidere issued a shutdown WARN, 89 jobs lost two days before Xmas.  In Lincoln Square, after 41 years Griffins & Gargoyles Antiques shutting down so the family owners can find out what else life has to offer, before thay get any older.  In Carbondale, My Favorite Toys store shutting down when the inventory is gone. Lawrence Ventures, the independant operator of the gift shop at the U.S.Army’s second oldest museum (Rock Island Arsenal), says sales are so bad they’re shutting it down. In Galesburg, after 20 years Cherry Street Guitar Company shutdown, the owner took a managment job with a competitor.

Indiana: Furniture buying ‘club’ DirectBuy now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  DirectBuy has been for sale, but no takers.  Now it’s being offered to creditors. In Lafayette, after four years M Power Yoga Studio shutting down sometime in 2017, the owner is planning on going to Africa to teach yoga.

Iowa: In Davenport, jeweler Diamonds on the Avenue shutdown.

Kentucky: After ten years W & M Jewelry shutting down in December.  After 55 years Gross Diamond Company shutdown and the building is for sale.

Louisiana:  In Lafayette, handmade local products retailer Red Arrow Workshop shutdown due to the death of the owner’s spouse (who was also a co-owner).

Maine: In Houlton, after 93 years Town and Country Clothing and Footwear shutting down on Xmas eve, the owner said he wants to get out while he’s still ahead.

Massachusetts: Too Big to Jail Putnam Investments eliminating 115 jobs due to investors taking their money and going somewhere else!  In Great Barrington, underwear shop Bra & Girl shutting down because it “was not financially viable” (maybe it was the name, sounds like you can buy bras and girls?).  Texas based GolfSmith shutting down their Watertown golf store, one of 59 being shutdown across the country.  Washington DC based Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) laid off 55 people and is shutting down their Cape Wildlife Center in Barnstable.  This is the result of being $20-million USD in the hole, however don’t blame lack of donations.  The evil executives of HSUS are accused of offshoring millions of dollars from donations, and according to The Washington Post “Generous pet lovers may think they are benefiting their local humane shelters when they give to large national organizations like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). This wouldn’t be a problem if these groups gave most of their revenue to pet shelters. But they don’t. Only about 1 percent of the Humane Society of the United States’ revenue goes to local pet rescues and shelters.”  These revelations comes as Japan based Sanrio helped HSUS meet its fund raising goals for November in California.

Michigan: After 67 years Jackson’s Toy House and Baby Too shutting down after Xmas.  They blame radical changes in the toy industry and the un-recovered economy. Don’t blame the internet, that’s how they made their shutdown announcement.

Minnesota: In Duluth, Northland Party store shutting down after 21 years, the owners ignorantly blame internet competition (they haven’t been reading by tech industry layoff reports).

Mississippi: In Natchez, after 53 years Bernie Pyron’s Furniture shutdown. Local news meida say at one time there were four stores, but the owners say the “last eight or nine years” have been really bad for business.

Montana: In Great Falls, Rogers Jewelers shutting down after more than 40 years, the owner lamented he could have made more money picking huckleberries: “I should have stuck with that. They are $50 to $60 a bucket now, I could have retired years ago.”-Daryl Rogers

Nebraska: After 118 years Lukasiewicz Furniture, Flooring and Appliances saying farwell to their Farwell location.  Local news media say at one time the store was so big it was nicknamed “the Farwell Mall”, but now the owners blame internet competition exacerbated by a disappearing local rural population for their shutdown.  In Bellevue, Antiques on Franklin shutting down the day before Xmas, and Mama Kelly’s First Class Secondhand Store shutting down after Xmas.  In Scottsbluff, Bentley’s Fine Jewelry & Repair shutting down, the owner said after 27 years he just wants a regular “eight to five, Monday through Friday job with weekends off”.

New Mexico: Defunct Radio Shack shutting down their 40 years old Ruidoso store, the local franchise owners are selling the property.  For-profit utility company PNM eliminating at least 30 jobs in an attempt to reduce costs (and increase profits for shareholders).

New York:  The iconic Waldorf Astoria ceases to exist, 1-thousand 441 jobs lost by March 2017 as the building is being remodeled (at some future date) into a smaller hotel operation!  In Middletown, hazardous waste forcing Shared Textile Services to shutdown, 65 jobs lost.  In Troy, Hill’s Stationery shutdown after 96 years.  Suffolk County National Bank laying off 76 people in Riverhead, due to being taken over by a bank from Connecticut.  NYC based clothier Kenneth Cole Productions shutting down 63 brick-n-mortar stores within six months! Kenneth Cole Productions is shifting to internet and international sales only! In Corning, after 26 years toy store Imagine That! shutting down after Xmas, the owner blames internet competition and radical changes in the toymaking industry and with wholesalers.  Despite efforts to raise $2-million USD through fund raising operations, non-profit iconic Big Apple Circus is now dead. Local news reports say Big Apple Circus was only able to raise $900-thousand!     In Watertown, after 27 years Waterbury Fine Jewelers shutting down so the owner can retire.  In Ithica, in business since the 1950s McNeil Music calling it quits by the end of Jauary 2017, the owner said the economy has not recovered: “2011 was the first bad year, and it never recovered from there. We’ve lost sales every year since 2010.”-Eric Laine

North Carolina: Retailer Belk laid off 40 people at its Charlotte HQ.

Ohio: In Ashtabula, after 69 years Outdoor Army Navy Store shutdown, the internet ignorant owner blames the internet.  In Athens, Premier Video shutdown, it was the last video store in town.  In Solon, after 50 years Rinaldi Jewelry shutting down by February 2017.  Leader Furniture, in Over-the-Rhine, shutting down after 131 years of retail sales.  In Cincinnati, California based clothier GAP shutting down two locations by the end of January 2017, due to 3rd quarter profits falling by 12%.  Also in Cincinnati, entertainment retailer FYE shutting down an undisclosed location, the owner of FYE (TransWorldEntertainment) lost $8-million in its 3rd quarter!  In Heath, another FYE shutting down anytime between Xmas and February 2017, the manager of that FYE blames it on disappearing customers.  Also in Heath, haircutter Master Cuts shutdown: “The closing is due to the lack of traffic, that would be the best way to put it. Not enough business. Nobody even knows we’re here! We have a lot of regulars, but people walk in and say: ‘I didn’t even know you were here.’ “-Jonni Jackson, manager

Oregon: Fire fighting helicopter contractor Erickson now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. Erickson admin told the court they’re trying to save 7-hundred jobs country-wide.   In Corvalis, after 31 years Gracewinds Music shutting down, two of the co-owners want to retire and the third wants more time with his family.  

Pennsylvania:  Environmental Reclamation Services eliminating 30 jobs in Erie two days after Xmas. In Fort Washington, Too Big to Jail Ocwen Financial eliminating 54 jobs between now and after Xmas.  California based jeweler Shreve & Company shutting down their Portland store due to lack of sales.  And Macy’s revealed it sold-off its iconic Portland store, which should shutdown after Xmas.  Local news reports say Macy’s made a profit of $36-million off the sale.  In Pottstown, after 103 years Kiss Cycles shutting down days before Xmas. The owner esentially said he’s tired of working: “I’m going to be 64 and I want to ride a motorcycle, and I never get to do it. I push them around in here all the time, but never seem to have the time to get out there myself.”-Randy Kiss

South Dakota: In Rapid City, after 45 years the Black Hills Total Sleep Center shutting down so the 70 years old owner can retire (at the insistance of his wife).  In Britton, after 115 years Lee & Hanson Men’s Wear shutting down after Xmas.

Tennessee: After 37 years Jonesborough’s Art Glass Gallery shutdown its brick-n-mortar store, custom glass work can still be ordered.

Texas: Richardson based clothier Fossil blames its huge increase in internet sales for its decision to shutdown hundreds of its brick-n-mortar stores over the next few years!  In Houston, iconic used boot seller Texas Junk Company being forced to vacate the property due to a lawsuit.  Mitt Romney wunderkind Staples shutting down their Brownwood store in January 2017.  Austin based ‘outdoors’ clothier Backwoods now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  Company administrators blame “changing shopping trends and consumer behavior, competitive pressures from both online and big-box retailers”.  It must be noted that Backwoods has a retail website.  The CEO hinted that the real reason for their bankruptcy could be the skyrocketing costs of leasing and operating brick-n-mortar stores which in turn is putting Backwoods into deeper debt.  In Beaumont, Mirror Shine and Shoe Repair shutting down due to lack of people who need shoe shines or repairs, the owner saying “I’m going to lay at home for a while”.

Virginia: In Richmond, 83 years old pawn shop Friedman’s Loan Office shutdown, the building is for sale.   In Falls Church, after 28 years Economy Party Supplies & Costumes shutdown.  Temp employment company Excel Management Service now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, blaming a lawsuit by one of their biggest financiers.  In Glen Alen, Stevens Jewelers shutting down after 23 years.  After 141 years H.W. Rountree’s Luggage shutting down their Henrico store the day before Xmas: “Our sales have been dropping, plus we have competition with all the luggage manufacturers that have their own websites. They sell direct to consumers and ship free.”-William A. King, owner

Washington: In Bellingham, after 38 years Gary’s Men’s & Women’s Wear shutdown.  Local news media say it was the eighth local clothing shop to shutdown.

Wisconsin: The oldest piano seller (and once a piano maker) in The Badger State, 131 years old Netzow’s Piano & Music Plus, shutting down when the inventory is gone.  In Durand, 112 years old Wolf’s Ladies Fashions & Shoes shutting down before Xmas, the owner lamenting “The ‘little guy’ is a dying breed unfortunately.” In Onalaska, after 18 years Treehouse Gift and Home shutting down the day before Xmas, the owners are selling everything, including the building.

U.S. government shenanigans November 2016: “THOSE HALCYON DAYS ARE OVER”

Retail/Banking/Service sector October 2016: “THERE’S NO MORE RETAIL…” TRUMP & CLINTON KILL 3,074 JOBS!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification.

I found a 2010 AFL-CIO analysis (titled The Public Availability of WARN Notices: Lack of Accessibility and Disclosure…) which proves what I’ve been suspecting in my search of state WARN notices; most states are not complying with federal WARN regulations and are not publicizing or tracking mass layoffs.

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed!

Employees of religious non-profits might not qualify for unemployment assistance: “If the non-profit organization is a church, you may or may not be entitled to unemployment. It all depends upon state regulations for church employers. In many cases, churches are allowed to set their own rules regarding unemployment benefits, meaning the church can choose whether to offer benefits to former employees.”

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Fred Meyer expands recycling ops

11 December 2016 / 20:40 UTC-07 Tango 06 (22 Azar 1395/12 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1438/14 Geng Zi 4714)

In 2010 I wrote about recycling your plastic grocery bags, recently Kroger owned (but Oregon based) retailer Fred Meyer completed a million dollar remodel of their Pocatello, Idaho store, including their recycling bin.

You can see a pic of their old recycling bin in my 2010 posting, their new bin has  apertures for plastic, paper, glass or trash.  

Apparently they’re not aware of the lack of glass recycling in eastern Idaho.

KROGER JOINS OTHER EMPLOYERS IN USING OBAMA CARE AS EXCUSE TO CUT EMPLOYEE HOURS AND BENEFITS

POCATELLO’S OLD FRED MEYER……DID NOT CLOSE DOWN IN THE 1990S

ANSWER TO COUPON THIEVES: KROGER OWNED FRED MEYER OR SMITHS

High Tech Fail: Japan joins the Dumbing Down crowd!

07 December 2016 (04:20 UTC-07 Tango 01) 17 Azar 1395/07 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1438/09 Geng Zi 4714

Despite a reputation for high tech, and being the birth place of internationally popular Manga, Japanese high schoolers are increasingly dumbing down precisely because of their high tech infatuations!

A survey by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development shows that only 35% of teenagers in Japan like reading about science, and that’s the problem, fewer and fewer Japanese are actively reading.  High schoolers have dropped from an internationally OECD ranked 4th place to 8th place in reading.

NHK (Nippon Housou Kyoukai/Japan Broadcasting Corporation) interviewed several teachers who said the internet has made it so easy to find answers that, as one teacher said, students “don’t think” about the problems they’re answering.  Apparently students are allowed to access the internet when they take tests in Japanese schools.  NHK showed that most completed tests lacked required written responses, multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank answers were almost exclusively gleened from the internet.

However, Japan’s PISA ( Program for International Student Assessment) Reading Performance rating is still higher than that of the United States!

Red Neck Fail: Turkish Tankers take Texas!

06 December 2016 (13:39 UTC-07 Tango 01) 16 Azar 1395/06 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1438/08 Geng Zi 4714

“This is a proud moment for the Turkish people.”-Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Turkey, supposedly on the day he signed the lease deal with Barack Obama

NATO member Turkey has begun landing KC-135 tanker planes in Texas, possibly in preperation to take control of their new Obama regime approved air base?

Official USN video of Turkish tankers arriving at Naval Air Station Fort Worth’s T-Line:

Unconfirmed reports say earlier this year the Obama regime signed an unprecedented deal with the Turkish government; Turkey gets its own air base in impoverished Milam County, Texas, for the next 60 years!

Never before in the history of the United States has another country been allowed to have their own military base on U.S. territory.  Construction of the base was supposed to have started in March, with a estimated price tag of $385-billion taxpayer dollars.  I haven’t been able to confirm such reports, which say the deal was signed by the begining of February.  The White House does confirm that Vice President Joe Biden met with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at the end of January.

Also in February, the USAF reported that Joint Base San Antonio hosted a Turkish cybersecurity deligation to share info on cybersecurity ops.

At the begining of November NATO Turkey suddenly halted plans to send pilots to Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, for the Euro Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training Program.  While local news media say base officials claim no reason was given by Turkey, it’s believed that the failed coup in Turkey was led by air force officers, some had training in the United States.

RED NECK FAIL: ‘CHRISTIAN’ TEXAS HOME BASE FOR TAXPAYER FUNDED TURKISH EXTREMIST SCHOOLS!

NATO ISSUES WARNINGS TO TRAVELERS GOING TO UNITED STATES!

OBAMA REGIME SECRET REFUGEE DEAL!

TURKEY LOCKS-DOWN U.S. LED NATO BASE! HALTS IDAHO AIRSTRIKES AGAINST ISLAMIC STATE!

“those halcyon days are over” Are ‘lawmakers’ high? : U.S. Federal, State & Local government Shenanigans, November 2016

Incomplete list (there’s just too much government BS to be able to keep up with all of it) of U.S. Federal/State/Local Government self-destruct announcements for November 2016:

Alabama: ‘Elected’ administrators are freaking out over skyrocketing taxpayer funded healthcare costs, so much so that they’re warning that current tax collections cannot support state Medicaid operations in the near future.  This is code for get ready for tax increases, and/or cuts in services.  Proof we’re in the Age of Trump, Birminigham gives TopGolf driving range $1.5-million USD in tax breaks! The high tech golf range uses balls with RFID chips! Yeah, their priorities are in the right place, NOT!

Alaska: The oil rich state is in a massive spending hole!  Local governments have been tightening their belts ever since the gov’na used his executive power to make $1.3-billion USD in  emergency spending cuts back in June. Now, the gov’na is asking those cities/counties he slashed to help him push deadlocked legislators to pass a new greatly reduced budget for 2017!

American Samoa: The tiny southern Pacific island territory approved a $280-million USD budget for fiscal 2017, $2-million more than expected.  It’s because they must match a $7-million airport improvement grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.  $1-million is being paid to “cabinet members and Governor’s staff”.

Arizona: The state’s Joint Legislative Budget Committee revealed that October’s tax colllections were $33-million USD more than what was expected.  However, the increase in tax collections was not the result of increased retail sales, it was the direct result of increased tax collections on what workers were paid.

Arkansas: There’s a battle on for the taxpayer funded state budget; the gov’na wants $50-million USD in tax cuts and huge cuts in spending.

California: The state’s Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) is predicting an incredible $2.8-billion USD surplus for the taxpayer funded government! The overly optimistic prediction is based on an extension of a ‘temporary’ tax increase on wealthy people.  However, data shows that even with the tax increase on the rich, tax collections for just the month of October were $381-million short of what was expected!  

Colorado:  State leaders must be high on that legalized mary-jane!  The Department of Transportation is getting only $1.4-billion USD to cover $9-billion worth of road construction projects!   And The Denver Post describes the state budget process as a “shell game” that’s a “necessary evil”!

Connecticut: Local news media reporting frantic taxpayer budget proposal debates.  Reports say spending cuts for the state’s fiscal year 2018 could be twice as drastic as they were for this current 2017 fiscal year.  Even with spending cuts for 2017 the state government will end up in the hole by $1.45-billion USD, because of reduced tax colllections and ‘fixed costs’ to taxpayers skyrocketing by 53%!   They did not go into details of what’s causing the 53% increase in costs, but local news reports said that ‘lawmakers’ admited that in  economic boom times (with high tax collections as a result) they actually work to keep from spending money on necessary infrastructure so they can fund their own pet projects: “During the boom years, those problems were papered over and largely hidden because tax collections were flooding the state coffers and producing surpluses. But those halcyon days are over, legislators said.”Hartford Courant

Delaware: State agencies are demanding increased taxpayer funding.  State Medicaid administrators are warning that if the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) dies then state taxpayers will need to cough-up $100-million USD to cover the federal money that will be lost, in other words, Delaware’s expansion of Medicaid (as well as the other states who met Obamacare’s expansion demands) under ObamaCare is 100% funded by federal taxpayers. 

Florida: ‘Elected’ state administrators are warning that The Sunshine State’s economy is slowing down, and don’t blame Trump, blame Canada!  Budget proposals are factoring in increased costs of operations, especiallly in healthcare and education, and reduced tourism tax collections.  There’s been a huge decline in tourists from the British empire country of Canada, and two reasons for that is fear of zika virus and the crashing value of the Canadian dollar (CAD).  According to the Office of Economic and Demographic Research there were almost half-a-million fewer tourists from Cananda this year than in 2015, and the decline is expected to contiunue in 2017.

Georgia: “The state’s current minimum wage, $5.15 an hour, leaves Georgia in the company of only a handful of other states with minimum wages below the federal minimum hourly wage floor of $7.25….     ….300,000 of our neighbors and fellow Georgians still remain in the health insurance coverage gap and are unable to see a doctor….That number includes at least 32,000 veterans….”Georgia Budget & Policy Institute  

Guam: The Guam Solid Waste Authority is questioning the federal court apointed receiver of the territory’s troubled trash collections ops.  Gershman, Brickner & Bratton (GBB) submitted a report which showed it was 33% over budget for items that are vaguely described.    Guam Solid Waste Authority is demanding a better explanation of where the taxpayer funding went.  This comes as a referendum to re-unify Northern Marianas Islands with Guam could be held in 2018.

Hawaii: The city of Honolulu massively jacked up property taxes, one apartment complex owner says she’s now getting the hell outta Dodge: “We got very surprised, shocked actually, when our tax bill went up to $4-thousand a year versus about $7-hundred a year!”– Karen Okazaki, condo owner

Idaho: The ‘christian’ republican decision to shutdown horse racing establishments is also resulting in the eventual shutdown of the state Horse Racing Commission which is funded primarily by the horse racing industry, not taxes.  Currently the Horse Racing Commission does not have enough money to pay the vetrenarians needed to inspect the remaining nine state approved horse racing facilities!  It’s been revealed that the State Treasurer was repremanded by the federal government for violating Securities and Exchange Commission rules.  The repremand happened almost four months ago, but only now is the Treasurer letting the taxpayers of Idaho know about it!  It was also revealed that The Gem State’s Credit Rating Enhancement Committee (which is supposed to meet yearly) hasn’t met for the past six years!

Illinois: Rock Island County warning of layoffs after cash strapped taxpayers voted down a proposed half cent sales tax, between 35 and 80 taxpayer funded jobs will be eliminated.  Public bus service contractor Connect Transit will shutdown because the failed state of Illinois hasn’t been paying them, at least 150 jobs gone by January 2017, and 8-thousand bus riders stranded!  Connect Transit says the state owes them $5-million USD.

Indiana: State ‘lawmakers’ warning that there is little or no taxpayer funding to expand pre-K education programs.  This ‘pre-K’ thing is a little confusing, there’s already something called HeadStart that takes place before Kindergarten, and when will this early education thing end?  When they start pre-natal education programs for fetuses yet to be developed?

Iowa: The Secretary of State is threatening to shutdown the expensive electronic voting system if he doesn’t get additonal taxpayer funding.  Why bother, aren’t the elections rigged anyway?

Kansas: By the end of November the state budget was described as being in a $290-million hole, due to three years of already proven to be a failure ‘trickle down economics’.

Kentucky: State ‘elected’ leaders failed at trying to save money by cutting education funding as teachers are now suing the state for underfunding retirment plans.

Louisiana: State leaders warning of massive cutbacks as the fiscal 2016 budget came up short by at least $313-million due to crashing tax collections.

Maine: The state Finance Commissioner continues to claim that tax revenues continue to exceed expectations, and that doesn’t include revenues from projected tax increases or legalization of marijuana.  So far there’s been no detailed explanation for the better than expect tax collections.

Maryland: State leaders are trying to come up with a new budget that’s already $800-million short of taxpayer funding.

Massachusetts: ‘Elected’ leaders gave their staff employees a raise totaling $1.3-million, despite the state budget being short by at least $294-million!

Michigan: It’s already been revealed that the record level budget includes taxpayer funding to people and organizations never heard of before: “Deep in the new budget that started Oct. 1 are $10 million in grants to recipients identified only with general descriptions and the population of their unnamed community.”Detroit Free Press

Minnesota: The state Department of Natural Resources shutting down the 40 years old French River Hatchery, saying they can’t justify skyrocketing costs of operations. Despite reports of better than expected tax collections, state universities are complaining of massive funding shortfalls due to “rising costs, coupled with declining enrollment and state investment”.

Mississippi: The gov’na is warning of massive cuts to the fiscal 2018 budget due to lower than expected tax collections, which the gov’na blames on the federal budget inaction and on recent state tax cuts.

Missouri: The new gov’na elect warned of massive budget cuts due to lower than expected tax collections, and “explosive growth” in Medicaid funding to the tune of $550-million just to maintain the healthcare program.

Montana: ‘Elected’ leaders say creating a new budget is the number one priority, and it could include new taxes on marijuana and vapes, as well as jack up taxes on booze and tobacco.

Nebraska:  ‘Elected’ officials are trying to figure out how to deal with a $900-million shortfall!

Nevada:  Voters approved new gun purchase background checks and legalizing marijuana, as reports of crashing sales tax revenues came in.

New Hampshire: State agencies are demanding a total of $12.6-billion over the next two years.

New Jersey: To save their budgetary ass ‘elected’ officials reinstated a 40 years old tax law forcing New Jersey residents who work in another state with a lower tax rate to pay higher New Jersey income tax.  

New Mexico:  The gov’na’s office and the Legislative Finance Committee disagree over how much money the state actually has.  The gov’na claims there is a small surplus, but the Committee says the state is in the hole by $100-million.  That’s a major difference, and is proof your exalted officials don’t know what’s going on with your money.

New York: The state of New Jersey is criticising The Empire State’s gov’na for reducing taxpayer funding on New York’s portion of a new joint Port Authority Bus Terminal. Gov’na Cumo is instead shifting that funding to Kennedy International Airport.  The mayor of NYC wants an increase in taxpayer spending, most of that will go to ‘security’, caused partly by skyrocketing incareration rates at infamous Rikers Island concentration camp. The city of Troy warning that 90 employees will be laid off due to not being able to raise taxes in 2017.  Failed tax increase proposals ranged from 9% to a crippling 22.95%!  Onondaga County laying off 11 employees and offering more than 2-hundred employees bribes (buyouts) to get them to quit! News reports say the county is willing to spend $2-million tax dollars to buyout employees!  One ‘elected’ county administrator already took a $10-thousand buyout to ‘retire’ early! County administrators say the layoffs and buyouts are necessary because they don’t see any future improvement in tax collections, and costs of operations are only going to go up.

North Carolina: Evil politicians spent a record $22-million on getting your vote, and investigators discovered that “As of Nov. 7, at least $2.3 million in outside spending reported to the N.C. State Board of Elections lacks information on targeted candidates…..”

North Dakota: Want to bring down the government machine? Just hold never ending protests.  Local news reports say the Standing Rock protests “…have created an unprecedented burden for the state’s court system, which faces huge cost overruns and doesn’t have enough judges, lawyers and clerks to handle the workload.”

Northern Marianas Islands:  The U.S. Pacific commonwealth passed a publicly undisclosed budget with amendments to explain why government employees got bonuses and a 5% pay raise ( refered to as “salary adjustments”).  This comes as a referendum to re-unify Northern Marianas Islands with Guam could be held in 2018.

Ohio:  The gov’na warning that taxpayer spending cuts will continue into the new year due to never ending crashing-n-burning tax collections.  Tax collections for October came in $88-million short of what was expected!

Oklahoma: Department of Public Safety announced work hour reductions for state police personnel, and reduction in use of cop cars and aircraft, due to October tax collections comeing in 10% short of what was expected!

Oregon: The near-socialist state government is short $1.7-billion and the gov’na wants to create new taxes to cover the shortfall!

Pennsylvania: Irony as the state Department of Labor & Industry warned it will shutdown an unemployment call center, eliminating 6-hundred jobs in 2017! It’s blamed on ‘elected’ officials failing to provide funding for the call center, not because of any reduction in people applying for employment help, but because of reduced tax collections.

Puerto Rico: The federally created Financial Oversight and Management Board warned of massive cuts in taxpayer funding, by at least $70-million because “Additional federal assistance appears unlikely.”

Rhode Island: For some odd reason this tini-tiny state is claiming to have a $59-million budget surplus.  Administrators claim its due to agencies staying within their budgets and tax collections that were $45-million more than expected! 

South Carolina:  Administrators are warning of “hundreds” of state job cuts if $200-million in budget cuts are approved!

South Dakota: The gov’na warns of a “pretty lean” budget due to tax collections from July through October being $20-million lower than expected!

Tennessee:  Reports say state and counties are experiencing increased sales tax collections. However, local property tax collections and hotel/motel taxes are below expectations.

Texas: Taxpayer funding of various programs is being cut again, partly due to sales tax collections being less than expected.

Utah: State education leaders claim their schools will be flooded with more than 10-thousand new students next school year, requiring an additional $115-million in taxpayer funding!  State ‘lawmakers’ want to cash in on a supposed solar power boom by ending tax credits for the solar power/electric car industry.  One ‘lawmaker’ said he expects the state to make an extra $60-million by canceling ‘green industry’ tax credits!

U.S. Virgin Islands:  Since 2011 the tourist trap territory has been trying to reduce its taxpayer funded budget.  The federal Third Circut Court (in Pennsylvania) ruled that Virgin Islands must stop trying to cut its budget by renegging on promised pay for unionized employees: “The government is not entitled to impair its contracts at will. The Contracts Clause is not toothless.”-Circuit Judge Michael Fisher

Vermont: Economists are warning the new state legeslature of tough econmic times ahead, on top of the budget’s $70-million shortfall: “There’s tremendous uncertainty between what’s been said and what might actually happen, much more than usual.”-Tom Kavet, economist

Virginia: The state government is short $1.5-billion in taxpayer funding!  Despite this state and local police are demanding pay raises.

Washington: Voters rejected what would have become the country’s first carbon tax.  Local news media revealed the tax was just a backdoor way of raising $2-billion for the greedy and fiscally inept ‘elected’ officials.

Washington DC:  The capital city wants to cutback on taxpayer funding of homeless shelters.  They’ll do this under the guise of verifying if a homeless person is a legal resident of DC, the mayor admitted it’s because of “our very limited resources”.

West Virginia:  The gov’na warned he might have to impose budget cuts through exective order.   Public grade schools are facing $11-million in taxpayer funding cuts.

Wisconsin: More failure with Scott Walker’s Right to Work (you over) system as tax revenues are short by at least $461-million in current and projected collections, according to the new Department of Administration!

Wyoming: The gov’na’s budget proposal contains no ‘new’ spending cuts, but never mind that $317-million in cuts have already been ordered this year!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Government Shenanigans October 2016: “BREAKING POINT” NEW LAW ALLOWS POLITICIANS TO ‘STEAL’ DISASTER RELIEF MONEY!

U.S. Food Crisis October 2016: “…LEAN TIMES FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD.”

Dumbing Down the U.S., October 2016: “FINANCIAL EXIGENCY” AS MORE STUDENTS DISAPPEAR