CSEA members ratify contract

CSEA members overwhelmingly ratified a new contract for more than 70,000 state executive branch employees, the union announced yesterday. The vote was 29,755 to 1,839. The contract has to be approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Eliot Spitzer.

The agreement includes salary increases of 3 percent retroactive to April 2001 (when the previous contract ended,) 3 percent in April 2008, 3 percent in April 2009 and 4 percent in April 2010. Other parts of the contract include increases in longevity payments, improvement in downstate and mid-Hudson salary adjustments to reflect the higher cost of living there, and some increases in health insurance co-payments, balanced by a number of benefit enhancements.

The agreement is fair to employees and good for the people of New York, CSEA President Danny Donohue said in a statement. “The strength of the ratification demonstrates that our rank and file fully support the agreement,”…

From WFSB.com (Connecticut)

Sandrama Lamy was charged with 4th degree sexual assault and breach of peace after sitting on Santa’s lap and groping him. The incident occurred at The Danbury Fair Mall. Ms Lamy was released and due back in Danbury court January 3rd.

All I have to say is what is wrong with people??

PELOSI QUIETLY WORKING ON A Bush impeachment? I’m skeptical that this is really happening, though I can see why some Democrats would want to keep the increasingly dissatisfied netroots crowd in a state of anticipation, at least until after the primary season starts.

Hat Tip: Thanks for the Link Nina!

Here is a fun site for people who are into number (Or more accurately Demographics). Zipskinny? It’s a site that takes data from the 2000 census and lets you search by ZIP code to see demographic information in your area, and compare it to others: income levels, racial breakdown, unemployment, education level, marital status, etc. It’s pretty basic information, little more than a snapshot, but it’s a good snapshot and a really nice interface.

Is ambiguous racism more harmful than blatant racism?

After sitting through the Council Members Community Forum, and listening to the gentleman harangue the council members (and hopeful council member), serendipity laid this research article in my lap.  I found it quite informative and interesting.  Thought you all might feel the same.

Read the last paragraph even if you skip the rest~this lady is a nut case

Madam speaker Nancy Pelosi wants to put a Windfall tax all stock market profits (including Retirement fund, 401K’s and Mutual Funds! …. all to help the 12 Million Illegal Immigrants and other unemployed Minorities!

This woman is frightening. Take special note of the last paragraph. Is she really this whacked out?

Nancy Pelosi condemned the new record highs of the stock market as “just another example of Bush policies helping…

OKAY, NOW THIS IS REALLY STRETCHING FOR THE NEGATIVE SPIN: “As violence falls in Iraq, cemetery workers feel the pinch.”

Boo frickin’ hoo.

THis is a chart that deserves more attention. Data are total federal income taxes divided by adjusted gross income.
Average income tax rates by income group. Over time. Note that taxes on the bottom 75% have dropped significantly, while taxes on the top 1% are the same as 1990.

SOME FREQUENT FLYERS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS:

Last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) and Republican leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) found bipartisan agreement on maintaining one special privilege. Together they put language into a defense appropriations bill that would keep legal the practice of some senators of booking several flights on days they return home, keeping the most convenient reservation and dumping the rest without paying cancellation fees — a practice some airlines say could violate the new law.

Senators also have granted themselves a grace period on requirements that they pay pricey charter rates for private jet travel. . . . The Senate ethics committee decided not to enforce that rule for at least 60 days after it took effect Sept. 14, citing “the lack of experience in many offices in determining ‘charter rates.’ ”

The decision surprised some Senate staffers, Mitchell said, one of whom e-mailed

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