- "As investments go, it’s not always a great deal." (Why? Because appreciation is often based on inflation, and similar appreciation occurs with other investments (e.g., market investments).)
- "The mortgage interest deduction doesn’t make up for the fact that you’re still paying a lot of interest."
- "Homes often tempt people to borrow more than they can afford." (For example, the income tax deduction for home mortgage interest payments is often mentioned as a sell point to boost sale prices.)
- "Owning a house subject to a mortgage drives up debt to income ratios." (While mortgage payments are considered a debt, rental payments are considered an expense.)
- "A mortgage is typically 20 or 30 years while, at any given time, the current administration has only four (or possibly eight)." (Because a new president or Congress might eliminate the deduction, one cannot count on the home mortgage interest deduction existing for the life of the mortgage.)
- "A mortgage is typically 20 or 30 years, which can limit your mobility." (A study found high rates of homeownership lead to higher rates of unemployment because homeowners find it difficult to move to areas with better job opportunities.)
- "Houses take a lot of your money." (Most home improvements are not deductible expenses, and while some may increase a home’s selling price, one is unlikely to recover fully investments upon sale.)
- "If you do hit the home appreciation jackpot, there can be significant taxes." (When selling a home for a large profit, the sale may be subject to capital gains and Medicare taxes.)
- "I like for things to be predictable and real estate taxes can vary." (Mortgage payments remain flat over the mortgage’s term, but the property taxes on the home could change from year to year.)
- "You can’t deduct a loss on the sale of your home." (But one can if money is lost on stocks or business investments.)
- "It’s getting more difficult to claim the itemized deduction." (This means that fewer people are able to claim the mortgage interest deduction.)
October 31, 2013
11 Reasons to Avoid Homeownership
Forbes’ tax expert, Kelly Phillips Erb, recently listed 11 reasons why, after 15 years of homeownership, she sold her house and declared she’ll never buy one again. They are:
Flu Vaccine Rates Among Health Care Workers Increasing But Not Reaching CDC Goals
A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the flu vaccine rate among health care personnel was 72.0% during the 2012-2013 flu season, up from 66.9% during the 2011-2012 season and 63.5% during the 2010-2011 season. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that all health care personnel receive flu vaccinations annually.
Flu vaccination rates among certain health care occupations were much higher than the average for all health care workers. These include physicians (92.3%), pharmacists (89.1%), nurse practitioners/physician assistants (88.5%), and nurses (84.8%). The vaccination rate among nonclinical personnel was 64.8%.
Among occupational setting, vaccination rates were highest for health care workers at hospitals (83.1%). The rate at ambulatory care or physician offices was 72.9%, the rate at long-term care facilities was 58.9%, and the rate at other clinical settings was 73.2%.
Among other things, the report also shows that vaccination rates were higher for workers whose employers offer free on-site vaccinations for one (75.7%) or multiple days (86.2%) than for those who do not (55.3%).
Flu vaccination rates among certain health care occupations were much higher than the average for all health care workers. These include physicians (92.3%), pharmacists (89.1%), nurse practitioners/physician assistants (88.5%), and nurses (84.8%). The vaccination rate among nonclinical personnel was 64.8%.
Among occupational setting, vaccination rates were highest for health care workers at hospitals (83.1%). The rate at ambulatory care or physician offices was 72.9%, the rate at long-term care facilities was 58.9%, and the rate at other clinical settings was 73.2%.
Among other things, the report also shows that vaccination rates were higher for workers whose employers offer free on-site vaccinations for one (75.7%) or multiple days (86.2%) than for those who do not (55.3%).
October 30, 2013
Sustainable Manufacturing Initiatives
Several federal agencies are interested in the potential of sustainable manufacturing processes – methods to manufacture products while minimizing harm to the environment and conserving energy and natural resources.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), part of the U.S. Commerce Department, has opened a “Sustainability Standards Portal” where people can learn about the latest attempts to develop ways to accurately measure the economic, social, and environmental impacts of products throughout their entire life cycle.
“Full life cycle analysis or assessment of products requires new methods to analyze, integrate, and aggregate information” states one NIST report. Among the challenges facing manufacturers: a lack of data “traceable to a neutral organization,” and a myriad of metrics, which need to consolidated and harmonized.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also is looking into sustainable manufacturing. EPA’s Sustainable Manufacturing web page, which includes a sustainable manufacturing clearinghouse, is: http://www.epa.gov/sustainablemanufacturing/.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), part of the U.S. Commerce Department, has opened a “Sustainability Standards Portal” where people can learn about the latest attempts to develop ways to accurately measure the economic, social, and environmental impacts of products throughout their entire life cycle.
“Full life cycle analysis or assessment of products requires new methods to analyze, integrate, and aggregate information” states one NIST report. Among the challenges facing manufacturers: a lack of data “traceable to a neutral organization,” and a myriad of metrics, which need to consolidated and harmonized.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also is looking into sustainable manufacturing. EPA’s Sustainable Manufacturing web page, which includes a sustainable manufacturing clearinghouse, is: http://www.epa.gov/sustainablemanufacturing/.
Hot Report: OLR Backgrounder: Toll Roads and Public-Private Partnerships
OLR Report 2013-R-0394 briefly summarizes a (1) September 2013 study recommending that states use all-electronic tolling to finance reconstruction of their aging interstate highways, and (2) critique of that report's suggestion that private-public partnerships play a role in the tolling.
For more than a half century, highway and bridge repairs have been funded primarily through state and federal motor fuel taxes. But, as inflation and the introduction of increasingly fuel-efficient vehicles erode fuel tax revenue, transportation officials have begun looking at other ways to maintain and repair the country's aging infrastructure.
One option to finance highway infrastructure is to switch from taxing the amount of fuel peop
le consume to charging them for each mile they drive. But doing so poses many challenges.
A September 2013 Reason Foundation study proposes all-electronic tolling of the nation's interstate highways as a way to meet these challenges and start weaning the nation off fuel taxes. “America needs a second-generation interstate highway system,” study author Robert Poole wrote. “The 20th-century fuel tax system is inadequate for this trillion dollar task.”
Poole said that tolls of 3.5¢ per mile for cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks and 14¢ per mile for larger trucks could meet 99% of the $983 billion he estimated it would cost to rebuild all and widen some of the country's interstate highways.
Such major construction projects, Poole noted, would be good candidates for public-private partnerships, or P3s, in which a private company would pay a state for the right to improve and operate a highway and set and collect tolls on it.
These agreements benefit the public by allowing construction or improvement of new highways without using public money, and transferring construction risks, such as rising costs and construction delays, to the private partner, he said.
But the Reason Foundation's reasoning on this point has been challenged. Penn State University law professor Ellen Dannin, writing in response to the study, warns that P3s as currently structured are not the answer, and proposes certain safeguards to redress what she says is an unfair tilt in favor of the private sector. “The reality of infrastructure privatization is unequal power and information,” she wrote.
Dannin listed several possible drawbacks of P3 privatization, including a lack of public accountability and contract provisions that she said are contrary to the public interest.
For more information, read the full report.
For more than a half century, highway and bridge repairs have been funded primarily through state and federal motor fuel taxes. But, as inflation and the introduction of increasingly fuel-efficient vehicles erode fuel tax revenue, transportation officials have begun looking at other ways to maintain and repair the country's aging infrastructure.
One option to finance highway infrastructure is to switch from taxing the amount of fuel peop
le consume to charging them for each mile they drive. But doing so poses many challenges.
A September 2013 Reason Foundation study proposes all-electronic tolling of the nation's interstate highways as a way to meet these challenges and start weaning the nation off fuel taxes. “America needs a second-generation interstate highway system,” study author Robert Poole wrote. “The 20th-century fuel tax system is inadequate for this trillion dollar task.”
Poole said that tolls of 3.5¢ per mile for cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks and 14¢ per mile for larger trucks could meet 99% of the $983 billion he estimated it would cost to rebuild all and widen some of the country's interstate highways.
Such major construction projects, Poole noted, would be good candidates for public-private partnerships, or P3s, in which a private company would pay a state for the right to improve and operate a highway and set and collect tolls on it.
These agreements benefit the public by allowing construction or improvement of new highways without using public money, and transferring construction risks, such as rising costs and construction delays, to the private partner, he said.
But the Reason Foundation's reasoning on this point has been challenged. Penn State University law professor Ellen Dannin, writing in response to the study, warns that P3s as currently structured are not the answer, and proposes certain safeguards to redress what she says is an unfair tilt in favor of the private sector. “The reality of infrastructure privatization is unequal power and information,” she wrote.
Dannin listed several possible drawbacks of P3 privatization, including a lack of public accountability and contract provisions that she said are contrary to the public interest.
For more information, read the full report.
“Health Courts” as a Means of Reducing Costs
The October 21 edition of HartfordBusiness.com features an interview with Common Good founder and chair, Philip K. Howard that includes a discussion about establishing health courts to help curb rising health care costs. Common Good is a “nonpartisan, nonprofit legal reform coalition.”
According to Howard, judges dedicated full-time to resolving health care disputes would preside over these state courts, which would be “staffed with neutral medical experts who could provide their expertise as needed.” The judges would issue written rulings to provide guidance on proper standards of care and resolve cases based on sound science, and these rulings would set precedents for patients and doctors.
Howard believes that health courts would speed malpractice suits. By creating clear standards of care, the courts could allow judges to dispose of weak and invalid claims quickly, while encouraging doctors and insurers to settle cases where the doctor was unambiguously at fault. Howard also believes that health courts could also reduce defensive medical practices, which he estimates cost as much as $200 billion annually.
According to Howard, judges dedicated full-time to resolving health care disputes would preside over these state courts, which would be “staffed with neutral medical experts who could provide their expertise as needed.” The judges would issue written rulings to provide guidance on proper standards of care and resolve cases based on sound science, and these rulings would set precedents for patients and doctors.
Howard believes that health courts would speed malpractice suits. By creating clear standards of care, the courts could allow judges to dispose of weak and invalid claims quickly, while encouraging doctors and insurers to settle cases where the doctor was unambiguously at fault. Howard also believes that health courts could also reduce defensive medical practices, which he estimates cost as much as $200 billion annually.
October 29, 2013
Victims of Online Posts
A recent New York Times article highlights many of the potential legal issues associated with certain online posts that arise from several lawsuits that have been filed against the owners and operators of certain websites by people alleging to be victims of these posts. An online revenge post is typically a photograph being posted or distributed online without the subject’s permission. Recently, one case resulted in a default judgment of $300,000 for the alleged victim, issued by a federal judge in Michigan.
In a separate case, the website operator claimed immunity under the 1996 Communications Decency Act, the popular name for Title V of the 1996 Telecommunications Act (47 U.S.C. § 230). This Act provides immunity from liability for providers and users of an interactive computer service who publish information provided by others (47 U.S.C. § 230(c) (1)). In order to benefit from this immunity, however, certain specified provisions must be met.
In a separate case, the website operator claimed immunity under the 1996 Communications Decency Act, the popular name for Title V of the 1996 Telecommunications Act (47 U.S.C. § 230). This Act provides immunity from liability for providers and users of an interactive computer service who publish information provided by others (47 U.S.C. § 230(c) (1)). In order to benefit from this immunity, however, certain specified provisions must be met.
Based on the article, some other legal issues and future legislation that could result from these lawsuits include:
- invasion of privacy violations,
- First Amendment freedom of speech challenges,
- protection of minors, and
- whether online revenge posts should be subject to criminal or civil penalties.
Connecticut Nursing Homes Prescribing Fewer Antipsychotic Medications
According to a recent Connecticut Health I-Team article, Connecticut’s rate of prescribing antipsychotic medications in nursing homes has dropped 14% since 2011. Connecticut still remains among the top 20 states who prescribe these drugs to nursing home residents, but no longer ranks among the top four states, as it did from 2005 to 2010. The state is currently ranked 18th highest in the nation, down from 16th highest in 2011.
The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began collecting the data in recent years, in response to concern over the inappropriate use of these drugs in nursing homes. Antipsychotic drug use declined nationally by 9% in 2012, short of CMS’ goal of a 15% reduction. However, CMS cites the decrease as evidence that nursing homes are generally using more patient-centered dementia treatments, such as behavioral interventions.
According to the article, 11 states met or exceeded the 15% reduction goal in 2012, including Maine, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
While some Connecticut nursing homes have reduced inappropriate use of these medications, others still have above average usage rates. The article notes that in more than 10% of nursing homes, at least one-third of residents receive these medications, with usage rates as high as 67%.
Several Connecticut health care groups have formed a coalition coordinated by a Medicare quality-improvement organization, Qaulidigm, to improve dementia care and reduce antipsychotic drug use.
The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began collecting the data in recent years, in response to concern over the inappropriate use of these drugs in nursing homes. Antipsychotic drug use declined nationally by 9% in 2012, short of CMS’ goal of a 15% reduction. However, CMS cites the decrease as evidence that nursing homes are generally using more patient-centered dementia treatments, such as behavioral interventions.
According to the article, 11 states met or exceeded the 15% reduction goal in 2012, including Maine, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
While some Connecticut nursing homes have reduced inappropriate use of these medications, others still have above average usage rates. The article notes that in more than 10% of nursing homes, at least one-third of residents receive these medications, with usage rates as high as 67%.
Several Connecticut health care groups have formed a coalition coordinated by a Medicare quality-improvement organization, Qaulidigm, to improve dementia care and reduce antipsychotic drug use.
October 28, 2013
Standardized Testing Accommodation Policy Released
Smarter Balanced, the standardized testing consortium of which Connecticut is a member, has officially approved testing support guidelines. OLReporter first noted that Smarter Balanced was in the process of developing these guidelines back in September. They have now been released online and will be field tested in spring 2014 to prepare for a full exam rollout during the 2014-15 school year.
A governing board of representatives from the consortium’s 25 member states unanimously approved three categories of testing supports for the new, computer-based exam:
All the translation supports will be available in Spanish. Smarter Balanced will also offer translation in other languages, as determined by states’ needs. Consortium states that have laws and regulations restricting the use of languages other than English to teach or assess ELLs do not have to offer translation options for test takers.
For more information, read an Education Week blog post about them.
A governing board of representatives from the consortium’s 25 member states unanimously approved three categories of testing supports for the new, computer-based exam:
- “universal tools,” (available to all students as built-in test technology) such as break periods, calculators, English dictionaries, highlighters and spell check;
- “designated supports,” (available to students identified in advance by educators) such as altered screen color or font, magnified screen font, or read-aloud test questions; and
- “documented accommodations,” (available only to students with documented learning disabilities) such as read-aloud test passages, Braille, American Sign Language, and alternate response options for students who cannot use, or need assistance to use, a computer keyboard.
All the translation supports will be available in Spanish. Smarter Balanced will also offer translation in other languages, as determined by states’ needs. Consortium states that have laws and regulations restricting the use of languages other than English to teach or assess ELLs do not have to offer translation options for test takers.
For more information, read an Education Week blog post about them.
Hot Report: OLR Backgrounder: Common Core State Standards
OLR Report 2013-R-0344 explains the origins of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), including their (1) conception, (2) writing process, (3) design elements, (4) state adoption initiative, (5) plans for subject area expansion, and (6) currently debated issues.
The CCSS are subject-based standards designed to prepare students in grades kindergarten through 12 (K-12) for higher education and the workplace. According to the mission statement on the CCSS website, “[t]he standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers.”
The standards are not a curriculum or test questions, but rather descriptive lists, organized by grade and subject matter, of specific skill areas and subject matter content that teachers must help their students master. Teachers and school districts must use the standards to design their own curriculum. Currently, English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics are the only subject areas for which standards are available, but there are other subject areas being developed.
As of the publication of this report, 45 states, the District of Columbia, and four territories have adopted the CCSS. The Connecticut State Board of Education (SBE) adopted the CCSS on July 7, 2010, and Connecticut public school districts have already begun implementing them.
Many questions have surfaced about the CCSS as Connecticut and most other states guide school districts toward fully implementing them by the 2014-15 school year. (Kentucky and New York have already fully implemented the new standards.) Since education policy in the United States is traditionally determined on a state and local level, the nationwide nature of the CCSS is unique.
The report provides a look at the origins of the CCSS initiative and a snapshot of future plans for the standards. It ends with a representation of comments from both supporters and critics of the initiative.
For more information, read the full report.
The CCSS are subject-based standards designed to prepare students in grades kindergarten through 12 (K-12) for higher education and the workplace. According to the mission statement on the CCSS website, “[t]he standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers.”
The standards are not a curriculum or test questions, but rather descriptive lists, organized by grade and subject matter, of specific skill areas and subject matter content that teachers must help their students master. Teachers and school districts must use the standards to design their own curriculum. Currently, English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics are the only subject areas for which standards are available, but there are other subject areas being developed.
As of the publication of this report, 45 states, the District of Columbia, and four territories have adopted the CCSS. The Connecticut State Board of Education (SBE) adopted the CCSS on July 7, 2010, and Connecticut public school districts have already begun implementing them.
Many questions have surfaced about the CCSS as Connecticut and most other states guide school districts toward fully implementing them by the 2014-15 school year. (Kentucky and New York have already fully implemented the new standards.) Since education policy in the United States is traditionally determined on a state and local level, the nationwide nature of the CCSS is unique.
The report provides a look at the origins of the CCSS initiative and a snapshot of future plans for the standards. It ends with a representation of comments from both supporters and critics of the initiative.
For more information, read the full report.
Connecticut Craft Beer Tastings and Tours
The number of breweries and brew pubs in Connecticut continues to grow, with as many as 15 opening since 2010. The popularity of beer tastings and brewery tours is also increasing. Breweries and brew pubs offering tastings include: Back East Brewing, Beer’d Brewing Co., Broad Brook Brewing, City Steam, Manchester Top Shelf Brewing, Mark Sigman’s Relic Brewing, New England Brewing, Olde Burnside, Shebeen Brewing, Thomas Hooker, Two Road Brewing, and Willimantic Brewing Co.
Breweries and brew pubs offering tastings usually have a tasting room where they offer complimentary samples or fill growlers (which are glass or ceramic jugs used to transport draft beer).
Breweries and brew pubs offering tastings usually have a tasting room where they offer complimentary samples or fill growlers (which are glass or ceramic jugs used to transport draft beer).
October 25, 2013
Small Change in Tax Administration Laws Making a Difference
According to a recent Department of Revenue Services (DRS) press release, a small change in the state’s tax administration laws is proving to be effective in getting delinquent taxpayers to pay up.
The new law, enacted in the 2013 session (PA 13-150, § 5), bars the DRS commissioner from issuing or renewing certain permits or licenses, including sales tax permits, for anyone who owes any state taxes for which all administrative or judicial remedies have expired or been exhausted. Under prior law, DRS routinely renewed the permits, even if a business had not paid its taxes.
This small initiative is showing results. In the first three months since the law took effect, 187 delinquent taxpayers have paid back over $520,000 in delinquent taxes.
The permit denials are just one way the state is trying to collect back taxes. DRS is also in the midst of a tax amnesty program designed to encourage residents and businesses owing back taxes to come forward.
The new law, enacted in the 2013 session (PA 13-150, § 5), bars the DRS commissioner from issuing or renewing certain permits or licenses, including sales tax permits, for anyone who owes any state taxes for which all administrative or judicial remedies have expired or been exhausted. Under prior law, DRS routinely renewed the permits, even if a business had not paid its taxes.
This small initiative is showing results. In the first three months since the law took effect, 187 delinquent taxpayers have paid back over $520,000 in delinquent taxes.
The permit denials are just one way the state is trying to collect back taxes. DRS is also in the midst of a tax amnesty program designed to encourage residents and businesses owing back taxes to come forward.
Not-So-Healthy Housing
The National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) released its latest study on the health of the nation’s housing. According to the study, 35 million (40%) metropolitan homes in the U.S. have one or more health and safety hazards. This number is up from 30 million (35%) in 2009.
The study looks at owner-occupied and rental housing in 46 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and central cities. It uses 20 health-related housing characteristics from the American Housing Survey, which the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development sponsors and the Census Bureau conducts. These characteristics include interior problems like signs of rats or mice, water leaks, inadequate plumbing, and exposed wiring. They also include exterior problems with roofing, siding, windows, and the foundation.
The only MSA in Connecticut that the study covered was Hartford, which includes parts of Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New London, Tolland, and Windham Counties. The entire MSA ranked 24 out of 45 in healthy housing (down from 21 in 2009). Hartford’s central city ranked 33 out of 44 (down from 24 in 2009).
For more information on the study and how the Hartford MSA ranks, visit NCHH’s website.
The study looks at owner-occupied and rental housing in 46 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and central cities. It uses 20 health-related housing characteristics from the American Housing Survey, which the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development sponsors and the Census Bureau conducts. These characteristics include interior problems like signs of rats or mice, water leaks, inadequate plumbing, and exposed wiring. They also include exterior problems with roofing, siding, windows, and the foundation.
The only MSA in Connecticut that the study covered was Hartford, which includes parts of Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New London, Tolland, and Windham Counties. The entire MSA ranked 24 out of 45 in healthy housing (down from 21 in 2009). Hartford’s central city ranked 33 out of 44 (down from 24 in 2009).
For more information on the study and how the Hartford MSA ranks, visit NCHH’s website.
October 24, 2013
Feds Warn Employers about Requiring Payroll Cards
The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently issued a bulletin reminding employers that they cannot require their employees to receive their wages on a payroll card of the employer’s choosing. Payroll cards and payroll card accounts allow an employer to deposit an employee’s wages directly into a bank account. The employee can then access the wages by using the payroll card, which is similar to a bank account debit card.
The federal Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) and Regulation E which implements it prohibit an employer from mandating that employees receive their wages only on a payroll card of the employer’s choosing. An employer may, however, offer employees the choice of receiving their wages on a payroll card or by some other means, such as direct deposit, paper check, or cash.
The CFPB bulletin also explains some of the consumer protections that the EFTA and Regulation E provide to payroll card users, such as fee disclosures, access to account history, limited liability for unauthorized transfers, and error resolution rights.
The federal Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) and Regulation E which implements it prohibit an employer from mandating that employees receive their wages only on a payroll card of the employer’s choosing. An employer may, however, offer employees the choice of receiving their wages on a payroll card or by some other means, such as direct deposit, paper check, or cash.
The CFPB bulletin also explains some of the consumer protections that the EFTA and Regulation E provide to payroll card users, such as fee disclosures, access to account history, limited liability for unauthorized transfers, and error resolution rights.
Hot Report: IPCC Report on the Physical Science of Climate Change
OLR Report 2013-R-0388 summarizes the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on the physical science basis of climate change. 2013-R0388 is based on the report's Summary for Policymakers and Technical Summary, which are both available at http://www.ipcc.ch/. The report was accepted, but not approved in detail, by the IPCC's Working Group I on September 26, 2013. As a result, it should be considered a draft, rather than final, product.
2013-R-0388 focuses on the aspects of the report that are most relevant to Connecticut, global warming and changes in sea level and precipitation patterns. Other issues addressed in the report include climate modeling and changes in ocean chemistry, glaciers and Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets, and climate phenomena such as monsoons.
Among the report's key findings are:
On the other hand, there are variables where the data are not clear. For example, the report notes that there are no clear trends in annual numbers of tropical storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes over the past 100 years in the North Atlantic basin. It expresses low confidence, on a global scale, that climate change will increase the intensity or duration of droughts. In addition, warming has varied and, according to the report, will continue to vary from year to year and decade to decade and will not be uniform across regions.
The report's findings and projections are generally similar to those in IPCC's last assessment of the climate. This report is more confident that climate change is largely due to anthropogenic (human-made) forces. On the other hand, it projects that a doubling of CO2 concentrations may have less impact on temperature than IPCC previously projected.
For more information, read the full report.
2013-R-0388 focuses on the aspects of the report that are most relevant to Connecticut, global warming and changes in sea level and precipitation patterns. Other issues addressed in the report include climate modeling and changes in ocean chemistry, glaciers and Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets, and climate phenomena such as monsoons.
Among the report's key findings are:
- Climate warming is unequivocal. The atmosphere and ocean have warmed, the amounts of snow and ice have diminished, sea level has risen, and the concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases have increased.
- Each of the last three decades has been successively warmer at the earth's surface than any preceding decade since 1850. In the northern hemisphere, 1983–2012 was very likely the warmest 30-year period of the last 800 years.
- It is extremely likely that human influence has been the dominant cause of the warming observed since the mid-20th century.
- Continued emissions of greenhouse gases will cause further warming. Limiting climate change will require substantial and sustained reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.
- Global surface warming for the end of the 21st century is likely to exceed 1.5°C relative to the 1850 to 1900 baseline and will continue beyond 2100.
- More than 90% of the energy accumulated between 1971 and 2010 has been stored in the oceans.
- The oceans' volume has increased due to this warming and this, combined with melting of glaciers and ice sheets, has caused sea levels to rise.
- The rate of sea level rise since the mid-19th century has been larger than the mean (average) rate during the previous two thousand years. From 1901 to 2010, global mean sea level rose by 0.19 meters (7.4 inches).
- Global mean sea level will continue to rise during the 21st century at a rate that will very likely exceed that observed during 1971–2010.
- Extreme precipitation events (e.g., downpours) over most of the mid-latitudes (e.g., Connecticut) will very likely become more intense and more frequent by the end of this century.
On the other hand, there are variables where the data are not clear. For example, the report notes that there are no clear trends in annual numbers of tropical storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes over the past 100 years in the North Atlantic basin. It expresses low confidence, on a global scale, that climate change will increase the intensity or duration of droughts. In addition, warming has varied and, according to the report, will continue to vary from year to year and decade to decade and will not be uniform across regions.
The report's findings and projections are generally similar to those in IPCC's last assessment of the climate. This report is more confident that climate change is largely due to anthropogenic (human-made) forces. On the other hand, it projects that a doubling of CO2 concentrations may have less impact on temperature than IPCC previously projected.
For more information, read the full report.
Federal Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Laws and Changes to DOJ Charging Policies
A Congressional Research Service (CRS) report from September describes various issues related to federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws. Among other things, the report lists all federal mandatory minimums, details various elements of crimes subject to such minimums, and describes related constitutional issues.
According to the report, federal mandatory minimums are most commonly imposed for various drug offenses, offenses involving firearms in connection with violent crimes, offenders subject to the Armed Career Criminal Act, sex crimes, and aggravated identity theft.
For example, many federal mandatory minimum drug laws involve possession with intent to distribute (trafficking) large amounts of heroin, cocaine, crack, PCP, LSD, propanamide, methamphetamine, or marijuana. The specific mandatory minimums vary and increase depending on a number of factors such as the amount of the drug involved, whether it is a repeat offense, and whether the crime involved death or serious injury.
The Department of Justice recently changed some of its charging polices involving drug offenses to avoid mandatory minimum sentences for certain low-level crimes, particularly nonviolent crimes by people not connected with a large operation, gang, or cartel. The changes apply to pending and future cases. Attorney General Holder announced the changes at the American Bar Association’s annual meeting and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Criminal Justice Issues Forum.
For more information, read the CRS report and the attorney general’s speeches announcing policy changes:
• http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL32040.pdf
• http://www.justice.gov/iso/opa/ag/speeches/2013/ag-speech-130812.html
• http://www.justice.gov/iso/opa/ag/speeches/2013/ag-speech-1309191.html
According to the report, federal mandatory minimums are most commonly imposed for various drug offenses, offenses involving firearms in connection with violent crimes, offenders subject to the Armed Career Criminal Act, sex crimes, and aggravated identity theft.
For example, many federal mandatory minimum drug laws involve possession with intent to distribute (trafficking) large amounts of heroin, cocaine, crack, PCP, LSD, propanamide, methamphetamine, or marijuana. The specific mandatory minimums vary and increase depending on a number of factors such as the amount of the drug involved, whether it is a repeat offense, and whether the crime involved death or serious injury.
The Department of Justice recently changed some of its charging polices involving drug offenses to avoid mandatory minimum sentences for certain low-level crimes, particularly nonviolent crimes by people not connected with a large operation, gang, or cartel. The changes apply to pending and future cases. Attorney General Holder announced the changes at the American Bar Association’s annual meeting and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Criminal Justice Issues Forum.
For more information, read the CRS report and the attorney general’s speeches announcing policy changes:
• http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL32040.pdf
• http://www.justice.gov/iso/opa/ag/speeches/2013/ag-speech-130812.html
• http://www.justice.gov/iso/opa/ag/speeches/2013/ag-speech-1309191.html
October 23, 2013
Poverty Pervasive Among Public School Students in Southern and Western U.S.
According to a recent Southern Education Foundation (SEF) study, a majority of public school children in 17 U.S. states were from low income households during the 2010-2011 school year. These states were concentrated in the South and West. A Washington Post article on the study noted that the SEF based its findings on the number of public school students from preschool to grade 12 who were eligible for free or reduced price meals.
The study also found that, in 2011:
The study also found that, in 2011:
- the number of low-income students in the U.S. had increased by 32% (approximately 5.7 million children) since 2001;
- 48% of U.S. public school students were low-income;
- in order of percentage of low-income public school students in each U.S. region, the South had the highest (53%), followed by the West (50%), Midwest (44%), and Northeast (40%);
- Mississippi had the highest rate of low-income students in the state overall (71%) and New Mexico had the highest rate of suburban low-income students (72%); and
- the percentage of low-income students in Connecticut was 34% overall, ranging from 13% in rural areas to 62% in urban areas.
Senior Volunteerism On The Rise
Senior citizens do volunteer work – according to a report from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNSC), one in three volunteers is age 55 or older. That service, three billion hours annually from 20 million seniors, is valuable. The report estimates its worth to be $67 billion.
The report also highlights that the percentage of volunteers who are seniors rose over the last decade, from 25.1% in 2002 to 31.2% in 2011. The report cites senior volunteers participation in such diverse activities as responding to a West Texas fertilizer plant explosion, mentoring military children experiencing separation anxiety, and driving housebound seniors to doctor’s appointments.
This volunteerism doesn’t just benefit the economy though. An earlier report from CNSC highlights a few research findings. Volunteering for seniors is shown to correlate to a higher life satisfaction than those that don’t volunteer or work for pay as well as having a positive effect on mental and physical health.
The report also highlights that the percentage of volunteers who are seniors rose over the last decade, from 25.1% in 2002 to 31.2% in 2011. The report cites senior volunteers participation in such diverse activities as responding to a West Texas fertilizer plant explosion, mentoring military children experiencing separation anxiety, and driving housebound seniors to doctor’s appointments.
This volunteerism doesn’t just benefit the economy though. An earlier report from CNSC highlights a few research findings. Volunteering for seniors is shown to correlate to a higher life satisfaction than those that don’t volunteer or work for pay as well as having a positive effect on mental and physical health.
October 22, 2013
Can Molasses be Deadly?
To marine animals, it can be. Molasses, the viscous by-product of refining sugarcane, grapes, or sugar beets into sugar, is responsible for a marine animal die-off that occurred in Hawaii’s Honolulu Harbor and Keehi Lagoon.
According to a news release from the state’s Department of Health (DOH), as much as 233,000 gallons of the sticky substance spilled into the harbor from a pipeline under one of the harbor’s piers during the loading of a container ship. DOH expects the plume of molasses water to dissipate in the ocean but it warns the public against (1) going into the water and (2) eating any dead fish found in the area.
Molasses is not directly harmful to the public. But DOH explains that it pollutes the water and causes fish and other marine animals to die. This could, in turn, increase the presence of predator species such as barracuda, eels, and sharks in the area. Molasses is also rich in nutrients which could cause an increase in harmful bacteria and marine algae growth.
Subsequent to the news release, DOH and marine biologists were cited in the local news as saying the damage to marine life was worse than originally expected. In fact, the deputy director of the agency’s Environmental Health Division stated that it could be the worst environmental damage to sea life that Hawaii has ever had to address.
According to a news release from the state’s Department of Health (DOH), as much as 233,000 gallons of the sticky substance spilled into the harbor from a pipeline under one of the harbor’s piers during the loading of a container ship. DOH expects the plume of molasses water to dissipate in the ocean but it warns the public against (1) going into the water and (2) eating any dead fish found in the area.
Molasses is not directly harmful to the public. But DOH explains that it pollutes the water and causes fish and other marine animals to die. This could, in turn, increase the presence of predator species such as barracuda, eels, and sharks in the area. Molasses is also rich in nutrients which could cause an increase in harmful bacteria and marine algae growth.
Subsequent to the news release, DOH and marine biologists were cited in the local news as saying the damage to marine life was worse than originally expected. In fact, the deputy director of the agency’s Environmental Health Division stated that it could be the worst environmental damage to sea life that Hawaii has ever had to address.
Hot Report: Teen Pregnancy
OLR Report 2013-R-0376 addresses four questions about teen pregnancy: (1) the teen pregnancy rates in the state's largest cities during the last 10 years, (2) the graduation rates in these cities, (3) information about New York City's teen pregnancy prevention model, and (4) information on any other successful prevention models.
We were unable to obtain town-by-town teen pregnancy rates. However, we were able to obtain town births and birth rate information for certain years. According to an official from UConn Health Center's Family Planning Program, approximately one-third of teen pregnancies do not go to term. (When determining the pregnancy rate, researchers look at the number of live births, abortions, and miscarriages.) While nationally and in Connecticut both the teen pregnancy and birth rates have fallen over the last decade and beyond, state data reveal that the largest cities continue to have much higher birth rates than the statewide averages.
Many teen pregnancy prevention models have been tried and evaluated. Two stand out for having been replicated, rigorously evaluated over the last 20 years, and found to achieve positive results in reducing teen pregnancy and other risky behaviors. One is the Carrera model, a comprehensive, multi-year approach that engages young adolescents living in impoverished communities in daily activities designed to keep them in school and focused on a future that includes college. The other model is the Teen Outreach Program (TOP). This nine-month model combines community volunteerism with classroom activities. Both programs have consistently produced positive outcomes in terms of reducing teen pregnancy and other risky behaviors. And both stress a comprehensive approach to prevention, which includes both abstinence education and access to other birth control methods.
Both models are currently being used in Connecticut cities with high teen pregnancy rates.
For more information, read the full report.
We were unable to obtain town-by-town teen pregnancy rates. However, we were able to obtain town births and birth rate information for certain years. According to an official from UConn Health Center's Family Planning Program, approximately one-third of teen pregnancies do not go to term. (When determining the pregnancy rate, researchers look at the number of live births, abortions, and miscarriages.) While nationally and in Connecticut both the teen pregnancy and birth rates have fallen over the last decade and beyond, state data reveal that the largest cities continue to have much higher birth rates than the statewide averages.
Many teen pregnancy prevention models have been tried and evaluated. Two stand out for having been replicated, rigorously evaluated over the last 20 years, and found to achieve positive results in reducing teen pregnancy and other risky behaviors. One is the Carrera model, a comprehensive, multi-year approach that engages young adolescents living in impoverished communities in daily activities designed to keep them in school and focused on a future that includes college. The other model is the Teen Outreach Program (TOP). This nine-month model combines community volunteerism with classroom activities. Both programs have consistently produced positive outcomes in terms of reducing teen pregnancy and other risky behaviors. And both stress a comprehensive approach to prevention, which includes both abstinence education and access to other birth control methods.
Both models are currently being used in Connecticut cities with high teen pregnancy rates.
For more information, read the full report.
State’s Family Day Care Homes Cited by Feds
The Middletown Press has reported that federal inspectors cited all 20 of the Department of Public Health (DPH)-licensed family day care homes they inspected for violations of the Public Health Code. Cited violations included a lack of criminal background checks and safety issues, such as blocked pathways and the lack of electrical outlet covers. The homes are located in Bridgeport, East Hartford, Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, Waterbury, Windsor, and Windsor Locks.
After the report was released, two providers voluntarily surrendered their licenses. One of these was charged with risk of injury to a child and neglect after police found five unattended children in the house.
The inspectors recommended that state officials conduct more frequent inspections and develop a mandatory training program to improve health and safety compliance, among other things. Current law requires DPH to inspect at least one-third of family day care homes each year (CGS § 19a-87b). State inspectors said that they are seeking additional funding to conduct annual inspections instead of once every three years.
After the report was released, two providers voluntarily surrendered their licenses. One of these was charged with risk of injury to a child and neglect after police found five unattended children in the house.
The inspectors recommended that state officials conduct more frequent inspections and develop a mandatory training program to improve health and safety compliance, among other things. Current law requires DPH to inspect at least one-third of family day care homes each year (CGS § 19a-87b). State inspectors said that they are seeking additional funding to conduct annual inspections instead of once every three years.
October 21, 2013
Zoning for Healthier Communities
Given the known connection between health and walkable communities, some policymakers are modifying zoning ordinances in hopes of improving residents’ health. Jeff Speck, in his book Walkable City, asserts that people walk more when it is useful, safe, comfortable, and interesting.
Walkability can be increased through purposeful zoning. For example, horizontally-planned Los Angeles County adopted its Healthy Design Ordinance in February. It seeks to promote walking, bicycling, and other exercise by:
- widening minimum sidewalk widths and requiring pedestrian paths at the end of certain roads, including new cul-de-sacs;
- forming a continuous street tree canopy by requiring increased tree planting near sidewalks;
- requiring new and remodeled buildings to provide bike parking;
- authorizing community gardens in more areas;
- making it easier for farmers’ markets to get permits; and
- requiring more specific plans for sidewalks, landscaping, lighting, street furniture, and bike parking from developers, to ensure these features are executed.
National Anti-Smoking Campaign Found to be Effective
A study published in the medical journal The Lancet examined the effect of a 2012 nationwide anti-smoking campaign and found it to have been successful. The authors credit the campaign with an additional 1.64 million people attempting to quit and 220,000 people actually quitting smoking.
The authors conducted a survey of smokers and non-smokers both before and after the three-month campaign known as “Tips,” which featured real people talking about the suffering that smoking caused them. They found that attempts to quit rose by 12% as a result of the campaign.
The authors conducted a survey of smokers and non-smokers both before and after the three-month campaign known as “Tips,” which featured real people talking about the suffering that smoking caused them. They found that attempts to quit rose by 12% as a result of the campaign.
October 18, 2013
Keepin’ the Faith (in Designated Dorms)
More common among Southern colleges and universities, some campus residence halls are beginning to acquire a significantly spiritual theme. Religious freedom (and freedom-from-religion) advocates are beginning to take notice.
The Newman Student Housing Fund, a private Catholic development company, has spearheaded an initiative to inspire religious-themed dormitories on campuses of both public and private colleges and universities. The company is run by the same ministry that operates hundreds of Newman Centers, which are Catholic ministry centers, on non-Catholic campuses.
The fund helped to open three residence halls this year by assisting with financing and construction. Two were at public universities (Troy University, Troy, AL; Texas A&M University, Kingsville, TX) and one was at a private secular institution (Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL). The fund plans to open a dorm or two each year over the next ten years, looking to the South specifically due to its large churchgoing population.
The New York Times reports that national surveys show a strong interest in spirituality among college freshmen, and many students say they desire more faith-based options on campus. However, interest groups such as the Freedom From Religion Foundation argue that a faith-based residence hall at a public university creates a space that favors religious students in violation of the Constitution.
The Newman Student Housing Fund, a private Catholic development company, has spearheaded an initiative to inspire religious-themed dormitories on campuses of both public and private colleges and universities. The company is run by the same ministry that operates hundreds of Newman Centers, which are Catholic ministry centers, on non-Catholic campuses.
The fund helped to open three residence halls this year by assisting with financing and construction. Two were at public universities (Troy University, Troy, AL; Texas A&M University, Kingsville, TX) and one was at a private secular institution (Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL). The fund plans to open a dorm or two each year over the next ten years, looking to the South specifically due to its large churchgoing population.
The New York Times reports that national surveys show a strong interest in spirituality among college freshmen, and many students say they desire more faith-based options on campus. However, interest groups such as the Freedom From Religion Foundation argue that a faith-based residence hall at a public university creates a space that favors religious students in violation of the Constitution.
Hot Report: Synthetic Drug "2C-P"
OLR Report 2013-R-0377 provides background information on the drug “2C-P” and whether it is a controlled substance.
2C-P is a synthetic hallucinogenic drug. It is a “designer drug” – that is, a drug designed to evade drug laws but have similar properties as an illegal drug. 2C-P belongs to the 2C series of drugs (ring-substituted phenethylamines) similar in chemical structure to Ecstasy. The full chemical name for 2C-P is 2-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(n)-propylphenyl) ethanamine.
At low dosages, 2C drugs generally produce stimulating effects. Moderate or higher dosages generally produce hallucinogenic effects. Other effects of these drugs may include euphoria, increased empathy, and increased sensory perception. Users may experience nausea, vomiting, agitation, seizures, or other negative reactions; deaths have been associated with use of certain 2C drugs (Dean, 2013; Hill, 2011).
2C-P is a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law (21 USC § 812; 21 CFR 1308.11). Schedule I drugs are those that have been determined to (1) have a high potential for abuse, (2) have no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and (3) not be safe for use under medical supervision (21 USC § 812). 2C-P was added to the Federal Controlled Substances Act effective July 9, 2012, as part of the Synthetic Drug Abuse and Prevention Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-144, Title XI, Subtitle D). That act added 26 substances to the list of Schedule I drugs, including nine 2C series substances.
In Connecticut, controlled substances are listed in Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) regulations (Conn. Agencies Reg., §§ 21a-243-7 to 21a-243-11). 2C-P is not currently on Connecticut's list of controlled substances. DCP has the authority to add substances to the controlled substances list by regulation; the legislature can also enact legislation directing the department to amend its regulations to add specific substances to the list. According to Gary Berner, DCP's legislative liaison, the department is actively considering amending its regulations to add 2C-P to the list of Schedule I controlled substances.
For more information, read the full report.
2C-P is a synthetic hallucinogenic drug. It is a “designer drug” – that is, a drug designed to evade drug laws but have similar properties as an illegal drug. 2C-P belongs to the 2C series of drugs (ring-substituted phenethylamines) similar in chemical structure to Ecstasy. The full chemical name for 2C-P is 2-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(n)-propylphenyl) ethanamine.
At low dosages, 2C drugs generally produce stimulating effects. Moderate or higher dosages generally produce hallucinogenic effects. Other effects of these drugs may include euphoria, increased empathy, and increased sensory perception. Users may experience nausea, vomiting, agitation, seizures, or other negative reactions; deaths have been associated with use of certain 2C drugs (Dean, 2013; Hill, 2011).
2C-P is a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law (21 USC § 812; 21 CFR 1308.11). Schedule I drugs are those that have been determined to (1) have a high potential for abuse, (2) have no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and (3) not be safe for use under medical supervision (21 USC § 812). 2C-P was added to the Federal Controlled Substances Act effective July 9, 2012, as part of the Synthetic Drug Abuse and Prevention Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-144, Title XI, Subtitle D). That act added 26 substances to the list of Schedule I drugs, including nine 2C series substances.
In Connecticut, controlled substances are listed in Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) regulations (Conn. Agencies Reg., §§ 21a-243-7 to 21a-243-11). 2C-P is not currently on Connecticut's list of controlled substances. DCP has the authority to add substances to the controlled substances list by regulation; the legislature can also enact legislation directing the department to amend its regulations to add specific substances to the list. According to Gary Berner, DCP's legislative liaison, the department is actively considering amending its regulations to add 2C-P to the list of Schedule I controlled substances.
For more information, read the full report.
Effect of Alternative Financial Services on Traditional Banking
A recent article in The Atlantic Cities highlights several reasons why the poor have generally been using alternative financial services over traditional commercial bank accounts. According to the article, the alternative financial services industry (such as check cashers and payday lenders) has been growing rapidly in low and moderate income communities. The article classifies this segment of the population as the unbanked or underbanked. As many as 17 million people nationwide are unbanked and millions more use alternative financial services even if they have a traditional bank account.
The article attributes this phenomenon to things such as the:
- depersonalization of traditional commercial banking,
- lack of discretionary income in low and moderate income households,
- absence of traditional banks in poor areas,
- relatively high transaction fees and penalties of commercial banks, and
- convenience and personalization of alternative financial service providers such as check cashers.
October 17, 2013
Strategies to Keep Kids Out of Gangs
A new National Institute of Justice report proposes several strategies that schools, law enforcement, public health officials, and other partners can employ to stop kids from joining gangs. The report examines why youth join gangs, explores child development issues, and identifies the consequences and risks associated with joining gangs.
Among its conclusions are that the risks for delinquency and violence increase after a young person joins a gang. Young gang members are also at higher risk for substance abuse, high-risk sexual behavior, dropping out of school, criminal behavior, and numerous other negative consequences. The report says that preventing youth from joining gangs has the potential for enormous cost savings for communities in terms of medical, law enforcement, incarceration and lost productivity costs.
Among its conclusions are that the risks for delinquency and violence increase after a young person joins a gang. Young gang members are also at higher risk for substance abuse, high-risk sexual behavior, dropping out of school, criminal behavior, and numerous other negative consequences. The report says that preventing youth from joining gangs has the potential for enormous cost savings for communities in terms of medical, law enforcement, incarceration and lost productivity costs.
New York City Physicians Prescribe Fruits and Vegetables
According to a recent NPR article, the nonprofit organization, Wholesome Wave, partnered with New York City physicians and farmers markets to create the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program (FVRx). The program is designed to help overweight and obese children at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Physicians meet weekly with children enrolled in the program and give them fruit and vegetable prescriptions that they can redeem at 140 participating farmers markets for locally grown fruits and vegetables. Participants receive $1 per day for each person in their family (e.g., a family of four receives $28 per week).
Wholesome Wave operates FVRx programs at 12 sites in seven states and the District of Columbia, including Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island.
Wholesome Wave operates FVRx programs at 12 sites in seven states and the District of Columbia, including Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island.
October 16, 2013
The Competitive Advantage of Simplicity
One way to gain competitive advantage that both groups seemed to have overlooked is to practice KISS, that is “keep it simple, stupid,” not the rock group, KISS (which seems to have a pretty good business model). The competitive advantages that flow from simple and easy to use or understand products and services is a major theme running through Alan Siegel’s and Irene Etzkorn’s new book, Simple: Conquering the Crisis of Complexity.
After describing how complexity is “costing us money, undermining government and business, and putting our health and even our lives at risk,” the authors describe why it takes hard work to simplify the things we make or communicate. “People are naturally inclined to take the easy way out—one that doesn’t involve such onerous tasks as going through multiple design cycles to make a product as simple as possible.”
Why does it take hard work? Because making things simple requires designing and making products or services with the customer’s needs and circumstances in mind. This takes empathy, which means “imagining the context in which someone will buy, read, or use the product or service you’re offering, then designing that offering to reflect those needs first and foremost.”
But the work gets harder because empathy forces makers to narrow the available options. “Successful simplifiers distill whatever they’re offering down to its essence. It’s one of the most challenging aspects of simplification, because distillation requires focus and discipline in the face of the constant temptation to add on, expand, and complicate.” But simplification is achieved only if the final product is clear and simple.
There are other things that get in simplicity’s way, including breaking old institutional habits. According to Siegel and Etzkorn,
Simplifying a company and its culture goes beyond communication challenges. It can require significant restructuring aimed toward streamlining processes, rooting out layers, and knocking down walls. One major problem is that companies are often divided into vertical silos—a structure that fosters complexity. Each division has its own rules, its own objectives, and its own turf to protect. Meanwhile, the larger, overarching goal—of, say creating the best overall experience for a customer—becomes splintered and fragmented among specialized, often competing groups within the company.
Hot Report: Plastic Bag Reduction Methods
OLR Report 2013-R-0332 summarizes of how state and local governments discourage the use of plastic carryout bags.
Governments, mostly county and municipal, discourage the use of plastic carryout bags through bans, fees, mandatory recycling requirements, and education programs. Many that do are located in coastal states, and the provisions of their implementing ordinances vary considerably.
The ordinances generally apply to certain types of bags or businesses. Some provide for specific alternatives and others impose criminal or civil penalties for noncompliance. Some ordinances also aim to reduce or eliminate the use of paper carryout bags. Many exempt plastic bags used for certain purposes, such as those used to carry fruit, vegetables, nuts, candies, or other loose items (i.e., produce or product bags). They often explicitly allow the use of reusable bags, which are generally handled-bags designed for multiple reuse and made out of cloth or some other durable or machine washable fabric. Plastic reusable bags must often be at least 2.25 mils (.00225 inches) thick. If an ordinance allows for the use of recyclable paper bags, the bags must often be 100% recyclable, made of at least 40% post-consumer recycled content, and labeled as “reusable” or “recyclable.”
No state has banned the use of plastic carryout bags on a statewide basis, but many counties and municipalities have imposed local bans. North Carolina's legislature adopted a ban that applies only to its Outer Banks region. By July 2015, all four of Hawaii's counties will ban these bags, with varying exemptions, thus creating a de facto statewide ban. Barrington, Rhode Island's ban sunsets in 2015 unless the Town Council renews it. Westport is the only Connecticut municipality that bans plastic bags for retail checkout of purchased goods. Brookline, Massachusetts bans non-compostable and non-marine degradable plastic bags, but provides temporary waivers for food service establishments that can show an economic hardship or that they have no alternative to the checkout bags.
Like plastic bag bans, no states impose a fee or tax on plastic carryout bags, but several local jurisdictions do. For example, Montgomery County, Maryland and Washington, D.C. impose a five-cent per bag charge, while Boulder, Colorado imposes a 10-cent fee. The fees also apply to paper bags. Most of the revenue generated by these fees is used for environmental projects.
Some municipalities, particularly in California, couple plastic bag bans with fees on paper bags. Sunnyvale, California, for example, bans plastic carryout bags and imposes a 10-cent per bag fee, increasing to 25-cents in 2014, on recyclable paper carryout bags. It staggered the date by which stores were required to comply with its requirements, giving smaller stores more time to do so.
Madison, Wisconsin bans the disposal of non-contaminated recyclable plastic bags, including most grocery and retail bags, which must be separated from other solid waste and recycled.
Although the above methods may include an informational or educational component, some localities rely primarily on education programs to reduce plastic bag use. For example, Tuscan, Arizona requires retailers to (1) train employees on how to reduce their use, (2) educate customers on the environmental benefits of recycling or reducing the use of these bags, and (3) implement a public education program. It also requires them to collect and recycle plastic bags and report data on plastic bag use. In 2011, Wilton, Connecticut conducted a six-month educational program to decrease disposable bag use that, among other things, distributed free reusable bags to consumers.
The methods described above represent a sample of those used across the nation. More information about these and other approaches is available at several websites, such as plasticbaglaws.org and banthebag.com, which track plastic bag laws.
For more information, read the full report.
Governments, mostly county and municipal, discourage the use of plastic carryout bags through bans, fees, mandatory recycling requirements, and education programs. Many that do are located in coastal states, and the provisions of their implementing ordinances vary considerably.
The ordinances generally apply to certain types of bags or businesses. Some provide for specific alternatives and others impose criminal or civil penalties for noncompliance. Some ordinances also aim to reduce or eliminate the use of paper carryout bags. Many exempt plastic bags used for certain purposes, such as those used to carry fruit, vegetables, nuts, candies, or other loose items (i.e., produce or product bags). They often explicitly allow the use of reusable bags, which are generally handled-bags designed for multiple reuse and made out of cloth or some other durable or machine washable fabric. Plastic reusable bags must often be at least 2.25 mils (.00225 inches) thick. If an ordinance allows for the use of recyclable paper bags, the bags must often be 100% recyclable, made of at least 40% post-consumer recycled content, and labeled as “reusable” or “recyclable.”
No state has banned the use of plastic carryout bags on a statewide basis, but many counties and municipalities have imposed local bans. North Carolina's legislature adopted a ban that applies only to its Outer Banks region. By July 2015, all four of Hawaii's counties will ban these bags, with varying exemptions, thus creating a de facto statewide ban. Barrington, Rhode Island's ban sunsets in 2015 unless the Town Council renews it. Westport is the only Connecticut municipality that bans plastic bags for retail checkout of purchased goods. Brookline, Massachusetts bans non-compostable and non-marine degradable plastic bags, but provides temporary waivers for food service establishments that can show an economic hardship or that they have no alternative to the checkout bags.
Like plastic bag bans, no states impose a fee or tax on plastic carryout bags, but several local jurisdictions do. For example, Montgomery County, Maryland and Washington, D.C. impose a five-cent per bag charge, while Boulder, Colorado imposes a 10-cent fee. The fees also apply to paper bags. Most of the revenue generated by these fees is used for environmental projects.
Some municipalities, particularly in California, couple plastic bag bans with fees on paper bags. Sunnyvale, California, for example, bans plastic carryout bags and imposes a 10-cent per bag fee, increasing to 25-cents in 2014, on recyclable paper carryout bags. It staggered the date by which stores were required to comply with its requirements, giving smaller stores more time to do so.
Madison, Wisconsin bans the disposal of non-contaminated recyclable plastic bags, including most grocery and retail bags, which must be separated from other solid waste and recycled.
Although the above methods may include an informational or educational component, some localities rely primarily on education programs to reduce plastic bag use. For example, Tuscan, Arizona requires retailers to (1) train employees on how to reduce their use, (2) educate customers on the environmental benefits of recycling or reducing the use of these bags, and (3) implement a public education program. It also requires them to collect and recycle plastic bags and report data on plastic bag use. In 2011, Wilton, Connecticut conducted a six-month educational program to decrease disposable bag use that, among other things, distributed free reusable bags to consumers.
The methods described above represent a sample of those used across the nation. More information about these and other approaches is available at several websites, such as plasticbaglaws.org and banthebag.com, which track plastic bag laws.
For more information, read the full report.
New York Thruway Promotes “Text Stops”
New York State is giving cell phone users a safe alternative to texting while driving, alerting motorists on the New York Thruway to the presence of nearby rest stops and parking areas in which they can text to their heart’s delight.
As reported on WNYC.org, the state is erecting nearly 300 signs on the highway pointing out “Text Stops” on the road ahead.
The state is also putting up additional signs informing drivers of new, tougher anti-texting penalties – five points on a New York state driver’s license and a $150 fine.
Connecticut, which recently increased its penalties for texting while driving and other cell phone violations ($150, $300, and $500 for first, second, and subsequent violators respectively), has created a distracted driving task force to study the best ways to reduce distracted driving in the state.
As reported on WNYC.org, the state is erecting nearly 300 signs on the highway pointing out “Text Stops” on the road ahead.
The state is also putting up additional signs informing drivers of new, tougher anti-texting penalties – five points on a New York state driver’s license and a $150 fine.
Connecticut, which recently increased its penalties for texting while driving and other cell phone violations ($150, $300, and $500 for first, second, and subsequent violators respectively), has created a distracted driving task force to study the best ways to reduce distracted driving in the state.
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