DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, March 27, 2015
Can’t Pay Your Student Loans? In Some States It Might Cost You Your License To Drive Or Work
In addition to causing irreparable damage to their credit scores, student loan borrowers who default on their debts face a much more devastating and counter-intuitive danger: the lost of their driver’s or occupation licenses, including those used by nurses, doctors, teachers and emergency personnel
Bloomberg reports that 22 states currently have laws on the books giving authorities the power to revoke these privileges from consumers who are more than 270 days behind on paying their student loans.
While it might make sense to punish borrowers who don’t keep up with their obligations to repay debts, taking away their ability to get to work or to actually perform their job duties, seems to perpetuate an environment in which consumers already have few options to get out of debt.
With delinquencies and default rates on the rise, according to reports from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, more and more consumers face default and the real possibility of losing their licenses. Last year, reports found that nearly one in three borrowers are at least 90 days behind on their student loan payments.
According to Bloomberg, since 2007 Montana has suspended the driver’s licenses of 92 people, while Iowa suspended the licenses of more than 900 residents. The Iowa licenses were reinstated in 2012 after the state moved its student loan portfolio out of state.
As for occupational licenses, Bloomberg found that more than 1,500 professional licenses for nurses, teachers and others have been revoked in Tennessee because of student loan defaults.
Student loan debt collectors say the threat of taking away consumers’ ability to legally drive or work often propels them to deal with their debt.
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Bloomberg reports that 22 states currently have laws on the books giving authorities the power to revoke these privileges from consumers who are more than 270 days behind on paying their student loans.
While it might make sense to punish borrowers who don’t keep up with their obligations to repay debts, taking away their ability to get to work or to actually perform their job duties, seems to perpetuate an environment in which consumers already have few options to get out of debt.
With delinquencies and default rates on the rise, according to reports from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, more and more consumers face default and the real possibility of losing their licenses. Last year, reports found that nearly one in three borrowers are at least 90 days behind on their student loan payments.
According to Bloomberg, since 2007 Montana has suspended the driver’s licenses of 92 people, while Iowa suspended the licenses of more than 900 residents. The Iowa licenses were reinstated in 2012 after the state moved its student loan portfolio out of state.
As for occupational licenses, Bloomberg found that more than 1,500 professional licenses for nurses, teachers and others have been revoked in Tennessee because of student loan defaults.
Student loan debt collectors say the threat of taking away consumers’ ability to legally drive or work often propels them to deal with their debt.
More
Ghani warns ISIS is coming to Afghanistan 'like a dangerous virus
Afghan president Mohammed Ashraf Ghani told the U.S. Congress on Wednesday that the ISIS terror army has begun to infiltrate his country 'like a dangerous virus,' and warned his fellow Muslims not to be romanced by its 'anger and hatred.'
Ghani said Afghanistan is the new 'frontline' for the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, which has been 'sending advance guards to southern and western Afghanistan to test for vulnerabilities.'
So far, he told a joint meeting of Congress, 'Afghanistan's people have rejected the allure of violent Islam. But sooner or later extremism will come knocking at our door.'
He urged people in 'Muslim majority countries' to challenge Islamist terrorism 'from within the religion.'
'Silence is not acceptable,' the Afghan leader declared.
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Ghani said Afghanistan is the new 'frontline' for the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, which has been 'sending advance guards to southern and western Afghanistan to test for vulnerabilities.'
So far, he told a joint meeting of Congress, 'Afghanistan's people have rejected the allure of violent Islam. But sooner or later extremism will come knocking at our door.'
He urged people in 'Muslim majority countries' to challenge Islamist terrorism 'from within the religion.'
'Silence is not acceptable,' the Afghan leader declared.
More
Motorist-Hostile Committee Kills Speed Camera Repeal, Reform Bills
The House Environment and Transportation Committee voted down Four bills that would have reformed aspects of speed and red light camera programs, while approving a bill which would authorize a $500 photo-ticket for a third type of photo ticket.
Committee Voted Down Repeal of SHA Speed Cameras
The Environment and Transportation committee voted down a bill which would have ended the SHA's speed camera program, with a 17-2 Vote. See Vote Count Here
The National Motorists Association (NMA) had supported the bill, noting in their testimony that over half of workzone accidents are actually caused by worker's own equipment. The NMA also noted that "A 2012 legislative audit of the Maryland State Highway Administration’s speed camera program found that the state’s “SafeZones” program had failed to adequately test the equipment and that the state flouted its own law regarding a requirement that speed cameras be independently certified. It’s clear that poor administration of the state’s various speed camera programs has led unfair treatment of countless motorists and represents a violation of the public trust." The NMA is the only nationwide organization dedicated to protecting motorist rights.
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Committee Voted Down Repeal of SHA Speed Cameras
The Environment and Transportation committee voted down a bill which would have ended the SHA's speed camera program, with a 17-2 Vote. See Vote Count Here
The National Motorists Association (NMA) had supported the bill, noting in their testimony that over half of workzone accidents are actually caused by worker's own equipment. The NMA also noted that "A 2012 legislative audit of the Maryland State Highway Administration’s speed camera program found that the state’s “SafeZones” program had failed to adequately test the equipment and that the state flouted its own law regarding a requirement that speed cameras be independently certified. It’s clear that poor administration of the state’s various speed camera programs has led unfair treatment of countless motorists and represents a violation of the public trust." The NMA is the only nationwide organization dedicated to protecting motorist rights.
More
Mitt Romney pokes fun at Obama, jokes about Hillary Clinton's emails
Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney poked fun at Barack Obama's penchant for golf, Hillary Clinton's emails and even discussed One Direction on the Tonight Show.
In the interview with Jimmy Fallon, Romney talked to his 'reflection' in the mirror and cracked jokes at the President's expense and at his own failed attempt to reach the White House.
Earlier this year Romney declared he would not be running for the presidency again, which gave him free rein in the interview.
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In the interview with Jimmy Fallon, Romney talked to his 'reflection' in the mirror and cracked jokes at the President's expense and at his own failed attempt to reach the White House.
Earlier this year Romney declared he would not be running for the presidency again, which gave him free rein in the interview.
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MEMA Works with Local and Federal Partners to Secure $2.4 Million in Funding for Mitigation Projects Around Maryland
“These projects will help to keep communities resilient by reducing flood risks and ensuring power to critical facilities,” Stamp said. “I would like to thank the property owners, local officials, our federal partners, and Governor Hogan for his leadership in helping to make these worthwhile projects a reality.”
Two of the projects will provide generators for critical infrastructure to remain operational during power outages. Five of the projects will elevate 15 residential properties two feet above base flood level, while the final project will purchase and demolish two residential structures in a flood zone.
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Should the U.S. Move Away From Fee-for-Service Medicine?
Paul B. Ginsburg says fee for service pushes up costs; Richard Amerling says it leads to better care
Fee-for-service medical care, in which providers charge fees for specific services, is a prime battleground for policy makers in health care.
If providers stand to make more money the more tests and procedures they perform, critics of the system say it’s no wonder that health-care costs have skyrocketed in recent years.
Efforts are under way to reimburse providers based on the value, not the volume, of care—including paying doctors to keep patients healthy. Medicare plans to shift 50% of its payments to such programs by 2018.
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Fee-for-service medical care, in which providers charge fees for specific services, is a prime battleground for policy makers in health care.
If providers stand to make more money the more tests and procedures they perform, critics of the system say it’s no wonder that health-care costs have skyrocketed in recent years.
Efforts are under way to reimburse providers based on the value, not the volume, of care—including paying doctors to keep patients healthy. Medicare plans to shift 50% of its payments to such programs by 2018.
More
How women should take compliments
When it comes to the role of women, and even the topic of compliments toward women in society, there appears to be a significant generational gap. What seems equally prominent is the cultural and regional gap about complimenting women.
If an urban female student had the misfortune of needing to take a pit stop on Interstate 70 in my town, she would be shocked. Young men in greased clothes (and some with questionable dental hygiene) would whistle at her, call her pet names and openly gawk at her figure as she tried to pump gas at our main station. Disgusted, she would return home to her feminist book club and tell stories of the primal men who objectified her and cared little for her intellect.
She would call them “animals governed by their sexual urges,” or she might simply say they were rude and uncouth. At the same time, the men at the gas station would return back to the garage or the farm and tell their buddies about some “stuck-up yuppie” who couldn’t take a compliment and who was probably “one of them damn hippies down in Warshington who’s ruinin’ America.”
More
If an urban female student had the misfortune of needing to take a pit stop on Interstate 70 in my town, she would be shocked. Young men in greased clothes (and some with questionable dental hygiene) would whistle at her, call her pet names and openly gawk at her figure as she tried to pump gas at our main station. Disgusted, she would return home to her feminist book club and tell stories of the primal men who objectified her and cared little for her intellect.
She would call them “animals governed by their sexual urges,” or she might simply say they were rude and uncouth. At the same time, the men at the gas station would return back to the garage or the farm and tell their buddies about some “stuck-up yuppie” who couldn’t take a compliment and who was probably “one of them damn hippies down in Warshington who’s ruinin’ America.”
More
Drones Will Look For Stray Dogs In Houston
Drones, as low-cost flying machines, make great rescue tools. They can look and go places people can’t--or at least can’t go safely--and with infrared cameras, they can sometimes see beyond what human eyes can. In Houston, the World Animal Awareness Society plans to use them to track stray dogs, combining a drone's utility as a mapping device with its rescue abilities.
While the world has never been better documented than it is today, maps are static, which make them inaccurate at best for tracking transient populations. Counting the homeless populations in dense cities like San Francisco, even with hundreds of human volunteers on foot, is an incredibly hard undertaking with imperfect results. Mapping, counting, and tracking stray dogs before the advent of drone technology would have been impossible to the point of laughable, especially in such a vast city as Houston.
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Can’t slow down on the road? Soon, your car can do it
Engadget reports that Ford’s new Intelligent Speed Limiter will use a camera mounted on the dashboard to look for speed-limit signs and adjusts the speed accordingly.
The switch for the limiter is on the steering wheel, and you activate it like you would cruise control. Also, it also displays the speed limits and other warnings from road signs (no passing, etc.) on the dashboard.
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Hispanic Activists Want Tougher Immigration Laws
HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Pedro Rivera is 53 years old, Hispanic, and a retired military man. He's also part of a growing number of Hispanic Texans pushing for stronger immigration enforcement, including the passage of SB 185, which would stop cities from implementing policies banning local cops from asking immigration-related questions.
“I'm an American citizen and I believe in the rule of law,” Rivera said. “And being Hispanic, I should not be granted special privilege in avoiding the law. We need officers to have all the tools available to them to keep us safe. That includes asking the question, when you're being detained for a crime or being arrested for an offense, ‘ are you here illegally? Are you a US citizen?'”
Rivera is working with Maria Espinoza, director of the Remembrance Project. Espinoza's Houston-based organization works with families of Americans killed by people in the United States illegally.
“This is a new initiative,” Espinoza said, of an effort to recruit Hispanic conservatives to speak out in support of SB 185.
Espinoza's new group, which isn't exclusive to people of Hispanic origin, traveled to Austin last week and asked lawmakers to stop Texas cities, like Houston , from adopting their own immigration related policies. It's not a new fight. The Texas Senate actually passed a similar measure in 2011. It prompted protests, then stalled before becoming state law. Espinoza says a lot has changed in four years.
“We have more Latinos who are behind this issue and also law enforcement,” she said. “We have (four) sheriffs who testified with us to remove sanctuary city policies.“
More here
“I'm an American citizen and I believe in the rule of law,” Rivera said. “And being Hispanic, I should not be granted special privilege in avoiding the law. We need officers to have all the tools available to them to keep us safe. That includes asking the question, when you're being detained for a crime or being arrested for an offense, ‘ are you here illegally? Are you a US citizen?'”
Rivera is working with Maria Espinoza, director of the Remembrance Project. Espinoza's Houston-based organization works with families of Americans killed by people in the United States illegally.
“This is a new initiative,” Espinoza said, of an effort to recruit Hispanic conservatives to speak out in support of SB 185.
Espinoza's new group, which isn't exclusive to people of Hispanic origin, traveled to Austin last week and asked lawmakers to stop Texas cities, like Houston , from adopting their own immigration related policies. It's not a new fight. The Texas Senate actually passed a similar measure in 2011. It prompted protests, then stalled before becoming state law. Espinoza says a lot has changed in four years.
“We have more Latinos who are behind this issue and also law enforcement,” she said. “We have (four) sheriffs who testified with us to remove sanctuary city policies.“
More here
Md. Bill Would Add School Funds To Address High Enrollment
The measure outlined Friday is sponsored by two Montgomery County Democrats: Del. Sheila Hixson and Sen. Nancy King.
The bill would provide roughly $20 million annually to be divided among counties where student enrollment growth exceeds 150 percent of the statewide average over the past five years. Counties with an average of more than 300 re-locatable classrooms in the past five years also would be eligible.
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REDNECK CENSUS FORM Check appropriate box
First name:
[_] Billy-Bob
[_] Bobby-Sue
[_] Billy-Joe
[_] Bobby-Jo
[_] Billy-Ray
[_] Bobby-Ann
[_] Billy-Sue
[_] Bobby-Lee
[_] Billy-Mae
[_] Bobby-Ellen
[_] Billy-Jack
[_] Bobby-Beth Ann Sue
Age: ____ (if unsure, guess)
Sex: ____ M _____ F _____ Not sure
Shoe Size: ____ Left ____ Right
Occupation:
[_] Farmer
[_] Mechanic
[_] Hair Dresser
[_] Waitress
[_] Un-employed
[_] Dirty Politician
Spouse's Name: __________________________
2nd Spouse's Name: __________________________
3rdSpouse's Name: __________________________
Lover's Name: __________________________
2nd Lover's Name: __________________________
Relationship with spouse:
[_] Sister
[_] Aunt
[_] Brother
[_] Uncle
[_] Mother
[_] Son
[_] Father
[_] Daughter
[_] Cousin
[_] Pet
Number of children living in household: ___
Number of children living in shed: ___
Number of children that are yours: ___
Mother's Name: _______________________
Father's Name: _______________________
(If not sure, leave blank)
Education: 1 2 3 4 (Circle highest grade completed)
Do you [_] own or [_] rent your mobile home?
(Check appropriate box)
Vehicles you own and where you keep them:
___ Total number of vehicles you own
___ Number of vehicles that still crank
___ Number of vehicles in front yard
___ Number of vehicles in back yard
___ Number of vehicles on cement blocks
Firearms you own and where you keep them:
____ truck
____ kitchen
____ bedroom
____ bathroom
____ shed
Model and year of your pickup: _____________ 194__
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Boardwalk Display Changes Eyed To Clarify Enforcement
OCEAN CITY – Proposed changes to the section of the City Code regarding display of outdoor merchandise on the Boardwalk aims to clarify confusion and allow for easier enforcement.
Last week the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing concerning proposed changes to the City Code involving outdoor display of merchandise standards for properties fronting the Boardwalk.
The first proposed change was amending the title of the Boardwalk Development Association (BDA) to the Ocean City Development Corporation Boardwalk Committee (OCDCBC) due to the association joining forces with OCDC.
The main issue was OCDCBC had proposed to scratch, “Properties with a 32-foot setback from the Boardwalk are allowed a 12-foot display area adjacent to the building. The display area within the setback may not exceed 30 percent of the setback display area; the allowed amount of merchandise may be displayed no closer than 10 feet to the Boardwalk” and “Properties with less than a 32-foot setback from the Boardwalk area are allowed an 8 foot display area to the building. The display area within the setback may not exceed 30 percent pf the setback display area; the allowed amount of merchandise may be displayed no closer than 10 feet to the Boardwalk.”
More
Last week the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing concerning proposed changes to the City Code involving outdoor display of merchandise standards for properties fronting the Boardwalk.
The first proposed change was amending the title of the Boardwalk Development Association (BDA) to the Ocean City Development Corporation Boardwalk Committee (OCDCBC) due to the association joining forces with OCDC.
The main issue was OCDCBC had proposed to scratch, “Properties with a 32-foot setback from the Boardwalk are allowed a 12-foot display area adjacent to the building. The display area within the setback may not exceed 30 percent of the setback display area; the allowed amount of merchandise may be displayed no closer than 10 feet to the Boardwalk” and “Properties with less than a 32-foot setback from the Boardwalk area are allowed an 8 foot display area to the building. The display area within the setback may not exceed 30 percent pf the setback display area; the allowed amount of merchandise may be displayed no closer than 10 feet to the Boardwalk.”
More
Police now say California woman's kidnap report was a hoax
VALLEJO, Calif. (AP) — Investigators in Northern California say they were suspicious from the start of a boyfriend's report of the violent abduction of his girlfriend for an $8,500 ransom, yet had to take it seriously for the two days she was missing.
But on the same day Denise Huskins reappeared 400 miles away in Southern California, police revealed Wednesday that they had no evidence of any kidnapping, and instead believe the entire affair was a hoax concocted by the couple.
"It was such an incredible story, we initially had a hard time believing it," Vallejo police Lt. Kenny Park said of the abduction report from Aaron Quinn. "Upon further investigation we couldn't substantiate any of the things he was saying."
The investigation will now turn to Huskins, 29, and Quinn, 30, to determine whether they did anything illegal, Park said. He would not say whether the two may have had any accomplices.
The day began with what seemed to be a happy ending when Huskins showed up unharmed outside her father's apartment.
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But on the same day Denise Huskins reappeared 400 miles away in Southern California, police revealed Wednesday that they had no evidence of any kidnapping, and instead believe the entire affair was a hoax concocted by the couple.
"It was such an incredible story, we initially had a hard time believing it," Vallejo police Lt. Kenny Park said of the abduction report from Aaron Quinn. "Upon further investigation we couldn't substantiate any of the things he was saying."
The investigation will now turn to Huskins, 29, and Quinn, 30, to determine whether they did anything illegal, Park said. He would not say whether the two may have had any accomplices.
The day began with what seemed to be a happy ending when Huskins showed up unharmed outside her father's apartment.
More
Why more U.S. colleges will go under in the next few years
When officials at Sweet Briar College announced earlier this month that the Virginia women's’ school would close at the end of this year, the news drew the attention of countless national media outlets and panicked alumnae looking for ways to save the school.
After all, how often does a “rich girl’s school,” as one student described Sweet Briar in the New York Times, just suddenly shut down?
It’s pretty rare for a more than 100-year-old school with a national reputation for a beautiful campus, close-knit community and accessible professors to just up and close. In the 10 years leading up to 2013, five nonprofit colleges and universities closed a year on average, according to a study from higher education researchers at Vanderbilt University. But the trend is likely to accelerate in the coming years, as colleges cope with lower tuition revenue due in part to lackluster enrollment, student worries about employment prospects and being saddled with debt after graduation.
“We expect that there will be more college closures over the next three to four years,” Susan Fitzgerald, a senior vice president at Moody’s. “I don’t think it’s going to be a landslide of college closures, but we are coming through a very tough period of time.”
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After all, how often does a “rich girl’s school,” as one student described Sweet Briar in the New York Times, just suddenly shut down?
It’s pretty rare for a more than 100-year-old school with a national reputation for a beautiful campus, close-knit community and accessible professors to just up and close. In the 10 years leading up to 2013, five nonprofit colleges and universities closed a year on average, according to a study from higher education researchers at Vanderbilt University. But the trend is likely to accelerate in the coming years, as colleges cope with lower tuition revenue due in part to lackluster enrollment, student worries about employment prospects and being saddled with debt after graduation.
“We expect that there will be more college closures over the next three to four years,” Susan Fitzgerald, a senior vice president at Moody’s. “I don’t think it’s going to be a landslide of college closures, but we are coming through a very tough period of time.”
More
It looks like this for-profit college could be in financial trouble
Apollo Education Group, the parent company of The University of Phoenix, announced its second-quarter earnings this morning, and things don't look great for the for-profit college.
The company's shares fell 16% to $23.39, on news that total enrollments were down 15% and revenues were down 14%.
Apollo Chief of Staff, Mark Brenner, acknowledged the declining enrollment numbers and said that it was a challenging quarter and that certain changes should be made to improve the downward trend.
"I think what we've learned over the last couple of quarters we need to continued to invest in creating a better student experience, we need to have the best online classroom for students ... and we need to provide outsize value for students and align all of the curriculum and all of the teaching to career relevant outcomes for students," Brenner told Business Insider.
More
The company's shares fell 16% to $23.39, on news that total enrollments were down 15% and revenues were down 14%.
Apollo Chief of Staff, Mark Brenner, acknowledged the declining enrollment numbers and said that it was a challenging quarter and that certain changes should be made to improve the downward trend.
"I think what we've learned over the last couple of quarters we need to continued to invest in creating a better student experience, we need to have the best online classroom for students ... and we need to provide outsize value for students and align all of the curriculum and all of the teaching to career relevant outcomes for students," Brenner told Business Insider.
More
Gay country star Steve Grand: ‘99% of the hate I get is from other gay people’
Grand shot to fame with the release of his gay-themed single All American Boy in 2013. Following one of the most successful Kickstarter music campaigns in the crowdfunding site’s history, he released his anticipated debut album last week.
In a new interview, the openly gay singer has revealed that “99% of the hate” that he gets online is from gay people who appear to think that he is trying to represent the entire gay community.
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