Friday, July 31, 2009

Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Budget to Solve $24 Billion Deficit


BUDGETGovernor Schwarzenegger Signs Budget to Solve $24 Billion Deficit

Budget Eliminates Waste and Does Not Raise Taxes
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a $24 billion budget solution that includes $16.1 billion in spending reductions. Over the past five months, the Governor has consistently led the difficult task of solving a combined $60 billion budget deficit - roughly a third of our entire state budget over the 2008-09 and 2009-10 fiscal years. When included with the $15 billion in reductions passed in February, the cuts amount to approximately $31 billion. While there are some one-time solutions in the budget agreement, the Governor fought to minimize those one-time moves and also to stave off the alternative of higher taxes. There are no tax increases in this budget agreement.Because the entire budget package was not approved, the Governor used his veto pen to eliminate an additional $489 million in spending, which will leave California with a $500 million reserve. For the complete list of vetoes, go to
www.dof.ca.gov. "This is not an easy budget, but it is a necessary budget that does not raise taxes, solves the $24 billion dollar deficit and includes long-term reforms," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "I see the real Californians that will be affected by the decisions made within this budget and nothing guarantees revenues won't drop further, but this budget puts us on a path toward fiscal responsibility so we can focus on bringing jobs back to get California moving forward again."Below is the breakdown of how the Governor and legislative leaders agreed to solve the $24.2 billioni deficit:Expenditure Reductions Total: $16.1 billion

Education: 1) Recapturing savings previously thought lost by missing June 30 deadline and recalculating Prop 98 accordingly (and therefore the overall size of our problem); this means the additional increase of $1.6 billion in the Prop. 98 guarantee for 2009-10 that we had anticipated does not happen; 2) Redevelopment Agency shift to schools; 3) additional cuts to UC and CSU funding (just under $2 billion total for 2008-09 and 2009-10)
$9.3 billion
Corrections: Leaders agreed upon a reduction level in corrections, specific program reforms will be determined upon the legislature's return in August
$785 millionii
General Government: Suspension of COLAs; leveraging state assets (no current-year savings); consolidating and reorganizing boards and commissions, including elimination of the Integrated Waste Management Board; IT procurement reform
$1.7 billion
State Employee Compensation: Third furlough day adopted; eliminate rural health care; score health care savings
$820 million
Health and Human Services: Long-term CalWORKs reforms, including graduated sanctions and twice-yearly check-ins; Medi-Cal eligibility changes and improved care coordination; IHSS fraud initiative including fingerprinting; Healthy Families eligibility changes
$3.0 billion
Vetoes:
$489 million
Fund Shifts Total: $1 billion
These include CalFIRE interagency agreement with the legislature and transportation spillover
Revenues Total: $3.5 billion
These include: Optional personal income tax withholding changes; tax enforcement; SCIF proposal; special fund transfers
Borrowing Total: $2.2 billion
These include: Proposition 1A suspension; loan from State Highway Account; various loans and fund shifts to keep state parks open
Other Total: $1.4 billion
June to July state payroll and health premiums delay
Total Solution: $24.2 billion
Reserve: $500 million
Reforms Total: $2.3 billion ($2 billion General Fund)Governor Schwarzenegger insisted that this budget solution could not only be about our short-term cash needs - it must also be about structural reforms to put our state budget on more solid footing in future years. The Governor worked with legislators to include structural reforms in this solution, many of which he has been fighting for since he was first elected to office. Some of these reforms will show significant savings in the current fiscal year (and much more in out-years) These include:
Consolidating and Eliminating Boards and Commissions. Including elimination of the Integrated Waste Management Board
$50 million in 2009-10
Rooting Out Fraud From IHSS. Putting in place a fraud prevention program that includes background checks and fingerprinting for service providers
$250 million in 2009-10 General Fund ($546 million total funds)
Reforming CalWORKs. For short-term savings, focusing available funding on those who are meeting the work requirements
$510 million in 2009-10
Corrections Custody and Parole Reforms. Of the $1.2 billion in reductions that legislative leaders agreed to for the 09-10 fiscal year, the goal is to have roughly half of those reductions come from parole and corrections custody reforms
$641 million in 2009-10
i Note: The size of the problem was adjusted from $26.3 billion to $25.1 billion (which includes target reserve of $2 billion) because: 1) the state is able to capture the $3 billion in savings from 2008-09's Proposition 98 allocation previously believed to have been lost on June 30, which reduces the size of the 2009-10 guarantee by $1.6 billion; and 2) June revenues came in $536 lower than projected. Additionally, we did not reach the desired reserve of $2 billion, instead attaining reserve of just $918 million, meaning the Governor and legislators solved for $24.2 billion.ii This, in addition to the $400 million blue-penciled by the Governor in the February budget, equals an approximate $1.2 billion spending reduction in Corrections for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

INTERNET CRIME

Dear Website Visitor,
FIRST STEP

Thank you for visiting one of our Promotional Websites! As the hourly winner on one of our various promotional websites, a set of Lucky Numbers has been generated and sent to you by email. Your Lucky Numbers are: 07-11-45-47-49-61.CONTACT: The Processing Manager to claim Prize.Email: data.98665@msn.comPlease, forward your Your Lucky Numbers { 07-11-45-47-49-61}, Name, Address and Phone No., and Your Favourite Website to the above Email [ data.98665@msn.com ] to claim Funds. Thank you!Regards; Larry Current

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SECOND STEP

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Copyright 2008.

Disclaimer:



FANAL STEP

Geek AssociatesBox 768Harlestone

RoadNorthamptonNorthamptonshireNN5 7ABUnited Kingdom.
Contact Person: Mr. Baldrick Reese
Private Phone Numbers+44-703-199-3750
+44-703-199-3752+44-703-198-8865
Email 1: geekassociates@asconsults.net
Email 2: geeksconsult1@hotmail.com
Ref: Claims Process for $721,209

Dear Winner ,
Re: Promotional Websites ® Approval ClaimsFor security reasons, we have replaced your email address with this email: ssl65445544817267@googlemail.com, as found on the "To" field above. This is to ensure that, your email address is secured and encrypted to the hightest standards, when sending you information regarding your winning funds to avoid double claims.Your claims request for the above amount was received. Geek Associates will provide you with the best consultancy services you can get. At Geek Associates , we put you first. With us, you have a company with a great respect for your interest.We have commenced the process as requested by you. Funds are available for transfer to you. However, we do not have the necessary powers to wire funds to you outside our operational base. Having this in mind, the Promotional Websites ® and the Heritage Funds, UK, appoints a payment bank in each Country where they currently have an agent location. We are their sole agents here. Our location is the UK as you might have seen from our address on this page. Any of the finance bodies appointed in each Country, takes care of funds remittance to individuals randomly zoned to that region. We are sorry for writing you late. We were trying to put your funds in the easiest of ways for you to access them. Your funds have been credited to a temporary account in your name as submitted by you on the Claims Form via the numbers verification site. We have successfully credited your funds to a Prepaid Debit Card and, would be mailed to you as soon as possible. When you receive this Prepaid Debit Card, you can start drawing from your account by simply going to the nearest Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in your location or, can be used at any Point Of Sale (POS) anywhere in the World. This payment card has been issued with partnership with MasterCard International. It is denominated in dollars and can also be used to settle purchases in other currencies.We have our mandated associate Delivery Company & Freight Services with which, you would contact on a possible delivery of this Prepaid Debit Card to your home address as submitted by you. This Delivery Company & Freight Services would deliver your Prepaid Debit Card and the sensitive documents regarding your winning amount e.g. your Winner's Certificate. For Security reasons, and to ensure safe delivery of your Card, ONLY our appointed Delivery Service Company, will be used while delivering the said Card to you.WHAT TO DO-------------------------We require that, you contact the above mentioned Delivery Company & Freight Services and book a delivery with them. Once they have setup your delivery, please, contact us immediately and, we would send your parcel to them to begin delivery to your destination. To contact the Delivery Company & Freight Services, you would need to go with the following information to be able to book a shipment online with them:Parcel Content------------------------One (1) Prepaid Debit CardOne (1) Piece of Winner's Certificate (Original)One (1) Piece British Gaming Board Prize Release Approval DocumentOne (1) Piece Card Pin seal document-------------------------Parcel Net. Weight = 1.95kg------------------------The Prepaid Debit Card enclosed in the above parcel, is credited with the sum of $721,209 which you have been approved to claim. This Prepaid Debit Card has NOT been activated. This is to protect your funds, should it be tampered with before it gets to you. We will activate this card when you receive it. On receipt of the above Prepaid Debit Card, please, find an envelope with your Card Pin enclosed in it. When you do receive it, please, call our telephone numbers on top of this page to get your Debit Card activated. Once activated, you can start withdrawing funds from the said card, same minute at any ATM location as stated above or, can be used at any Point Of Sale (POS) anywhere in the World. CARD BENEFITS are as listed hereunder:-------------------------------------------------------------* Cost of card = $20*Annual maintenance fee = $25 (One off payment)*Finance fee = 2% (aggregate transaction par month)*ATM limit = $10,000*POS limit (Point Of Sale) = $100,000*Daily usage limit = 5 timesThe cost of card above will be charged once this Prepaid Debit Card is activated by you.CARD ACTIVATION-------------------------------The following steps must be taken to activate your card; this card is not valid until activated.> Call our numbers above to gain access to the card centre for immediate card activation once received.> There is a security enhancement number printed on the signature strip behind your card -- you should sign beside it.> If lost or stolen contact us to gain access to the card centre.> For Security reasons, your card should be used personally.> There is a standard service fee of $25.00 per annum.HOW TO PROCEED-----------------------------Having equipped yourself with the content of your Parcel above, you are to use same and, contact the Delivery Company & Freight Services responsible for the Postage and Shipping of your Parcel. You are to contact them, go to their website, book your shipment online, and return to us with the Order Reference Number. Once we have this, we would pass over the Parcel to them to proceed with the Shipment to your Contact Address as received by us from you or, as indicated when placing your Order on the Delivery Company & Freight Services website. To contact them and book a shipment online, please, forward this email and it's whole content to their email address below and call their numbers:--------------------------------------------------------------Contact Email: mail@ctflightservice.comContact Phone: +44 702 401 4865 +44 702 401 6894------------------------------------------------------------When directed to their webpage for online booking, please, use your Parcel Content as listed above and, book a shipment online. TERMS OF TRANSFER---------------------------------1. It is MANDATORY that, your FULL funds are transferred to you and, NO amount should be DEDUCTED or SUBTRACTED from it by the bank or anybody. This is why we have credited your whole amount to the above Prepaid Debit Card.2 The below is in accordance with the Laws of UK Gaming Board which states:"the ‘Bank’ promises to process and transfer the amount won by each ‘Winner’, to him/her in FULL without making any deductions. This has been agreed upon to go along with the Laws of the UK Gaming Board which, requires the FULL amount to be transferred to respective beneficiaries, without shortages".-----------------------------On no ground should, any of these terms be broken. The Promotional Websites ® and the Heritage Funds, UK, reserve the right to invalidate a particular claim, should these terms be broken. We expect a FULL transfer to you as a testimony of your actual Win in this Promo.The sensitive information below has been sent to us by the Promotional Websites ® and the Heritage Funds, UK.Confirmation Number: AWC/LPF/627/001/48Source Code: 82208106127 Verification ID: 901.2.63.1Log Section: 25-80706Jackpot Sequence: Port 18Please, keep the above Confirmation Number and Source Code in a very safe place. You CANNOT claim funds without them. No one should have access to any of them. Contact us by phone or email if you ever have a problem.IMPORTANT!!---------------------Remember, once you successfully book a shipment with them, do contact us immediately to enable us send your Parcel to them to avoid delays. Send your Order Reference Number as given to you to us by email through our email addresses above or, send to Geek Associates on: geeksconsult1@hotmail.comWith regards,Baldrick ReeseSenior ConsultantGeek Associates. for the Promotional Websites ® and the Heritage Funds, UK



Sunday, July 26, 2009

Politics

Politics

According to the Constitution, Taiwan is a democratic republic of the people, to be governed by the people and for the people. The president, county governors, congressmen, and people's representatives of all levels are directly elected by the people. Among the many political parties, the Kuomintang (KMT), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), People First Party (PFP) and New Party (NP) are the predominant. On March 18, 2000, the new president of Taiwan was elected.The DPP won the presidential election. After fifty years of KMT ruling, this is the first time that DPP won the presidential election.
Although Taiwan has the world's second densest population but only one-quarter of its land is arable. Due to the continuous growth of exports, Taiwan has more than enough foreign exchange to import everything it needs. Basically, local transportation and communication services are very good, even in small villages. Most people live in modern housing with all the standard conveniences. Currently, most people are wealthy and able to afford to travel abroad.

Education

A majority of the Taiwanese receives post-secondary education. At present, the national literacy rate is nearly 100%. The educational options range from preschools (3 years), primary schools (6 years), junior high schools (3 years), senior high schools and vocational schools (3 years), and colleges and universities (4 years), among which primary school and junior high school education are compulsory. Schools of various levels totaled 7,731 in 1998, with 5.21 million students, more than 20% of he populace. About half million students were registered in Taiwan¡¦s 100 plus universities. Because Taiwanese has traditionally placed a high priority on education, competition for higher learning is stressful. Progress through the senior high school and college systems requires passing strict entrance examinations

Dear members and friends of the World Association of Copepodologists (WAC):
It is our pleasure and honor to welcome you to the National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU), Keelung, Taiwan, for the 8th International Conference On Copepoda (ICOC), which will be held here during the period of 21-26 July 2002.
After the 7th ICOC, in order to facilitate organization of the 8th ICOC, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and International Organizing Committee (IOC) were established. The LOC members are Drs. Tin-Yam Chan, Wen-Been Chang, Shin-Hong Cheng, Jiang-Shiou Hwang (LOC Chairman and Local Secretary of IOC), Ching-Long Lin, Wen-Tseng Lo, Chang-tai Shih, J. Rudi Strickler, and Shu-Shen Young. The IOC members include Drs. Ruth Böttger-Schnack, Ju-shey Ho (IOC coordinator), Rony Huys, Rubens Lopes and Shin-ichi Uye. Five LOC meetings have been held to discuss matters related to the preparation of the 8th ICOC. Four symposia have been organized, which are the following: Symposium I : The Role of Copepods in Aquaculture, organized by Ju-shey Ho; Symposium II: Copepods and Pollution, organized by Shin-ichi Uye; Symposium III: The Significance of Small Copepods in Estuaries, Neritic Waters, and the Open Sea, organized by J. Rudi Strickler and Gus Paffenhöfer; and Symposium IV: Copepoda in Deep-sea Habitats, organized by, H. Kurt Schminke. As usual, all symposia will be held in the morning and contributions from participants will be held in the afternoon. We invite contributions from all conference participants, by oral or poster presentation, in all areas of copepodology, including ecology, behavior, systematics, physiology, biochemistry, fisheries etc. The 8th ICOC has arranged two optional evening symposia. They are evening symposium I : The importance of phylogenic reconstructions and a natural system of the Copepoda, organized by Hans-Uwe Dahms; evening symposium II : Molecular vs Morphology:Sorting out the actual and the artefactual, organized by Rony Huys.

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