President Obama
These are some of the stories we’ve been following this week.
- President Obama rejected TransCanada’s application for a presidential permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline, citing concerns about the project’s contribution to climate change.
- For-profit schools have been under attack by government agencies for predatory lending practices. Now the focus is being directed to the school accreditors and their responsibility in predatory lending cases.
- The housing market is on the upswing. Portability can help reduce the effects of property taxes for buyers moving into new homes in Florida and other areas where portability of tax savings has been allowed.
- When the oil boom goes bust, towns can be brought to the brink of economic collapse. However, residents of some towns have learned to roll with the changing oil prices by having a backup plan for alternate sources of income.
- Pollution in Lincoln, Delaware is puzzling officials, who can’t determine the source of MTBE contaminating some of the city’s drinking water wells.
- Senator Feinstein (D-CA) wants to end the EB-5 Immigrant Investor visa program. She claims it gives an unfair advantage to immigrants with more money, and the system is open to abuse.
- Meanwhile in New York, real estate developers are looking for $500 million in EB-5 funding for construction of 2 World Trade Center. The 2.8-million-square-foot tower would have investors contributing a minimum of $500,000 each.
- The City Council of Portland, Oregon recently passed a resolution against an increase in oil trains going through the city. The resolution is not enforceable but does let companies know the city’s position, and the mayor hopes it will open a dialogue about the residents’ concerns.
- Boulder County, Colorado adjusted property values down more than $96 million. The change came after the most recent round of property owner appeals were considered.
- As drilling for natural gas increases in states such as Pennsylvania and Ohio, so does the potential for larger severance taxes. But oil companies are resisting, and lawmakers are trying to balance the need for increased revenue with angering those bringing in the new business.
- The federal government is once again looking to open Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio to fracking. The plan is meeting resistance from environmental groups and residents. A previous attempt to open the forest was eventually stopped due to the backlash.
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