Water Collection!

In JBaylo's Blog he/she writes about water and water collection. That tells us how we can use water collection equipment to help save water and money during times of drought and any other.

A lot of this is new to me since im not familiar with many programs that the city has. Water collection equipment can be used to one save money, two save water, and three Austin can give you a rebate of 50 cents per every gallon of  unpressurized and $1.00 for every Gallon of pressururized water storage, up to 5,000 which is pretty good. this will make people make want to save money and not feel guilty for using more water. mostly in a time of drought like these. I also found it interesting that there is no sales tax on these equipment and that HOA's cannot ban such things from homes.
I really liked reading about this it makes me feel good that the city cares for its water and actually has things to help motivate people to use collectors just as they do with solar panels.Now im going to be on the look out for a good water collector that will catch water off my gutters, just as soon as we get some good amounts of rain in Texas.

Thanks!

Plans Show Wide Gap Remains on Immigration

In Julián Aguilar, post Plans Show Wide Gap Remains on Immigration. He Talks about Kay Bailey Hutchison and how the day after she retires, she co-authored legislation that would give legal status to undocumented minors that intent to serve in the armed forces or attend college. This would allow 11 milion Undocumented minors to register with the federal government, they would have their fingerprints taken, be submitted to background checks, learn English and civics. This would also require them to pay taxes and become part of the economy, legaly.
This Could not grant them citizenship. But it will allow for a visa system for immagarants before they were 14 and have committed no major crimes. If approved you Would have to meet with Homeland Security every six months and can not recive student loans or grants. this will only be a path to citizenship over time untill they can apply for citizenship. I Know many people that are just waiting for such legislation to pass to be able to live without the fear of deportaion and the privalage to attend college.

Medicare Fraud Strike Force Indicts 28 in Texas

I came across something i find really interesting which is Medicare Fraud and how is beating down on the fraud. In Dallas, fourteen people took part of various frauds that came to total $103 million in false billings. 
A Dr. Joseph Mewga allegedly led to about $100 million billings for health services. He was accused of singing about 33,000 prescriptions for 2,000 different medicare beneficiaries.
In Houston, seven Hospital administrators brought in patients so they could use their attendance at the hospital as part of the hospitals partial hospitalization program for mentally ill patients and only had them playing games and watching TV rather than using the billed medicare services, this scheme brought in $158 million .
It is sad to see that the people that are there to help you are taking you money and not spending the money they are given on what it is need most at. 

Early Voting Starts Today

No excuses: You registered, so why not exercise your right

In Richard Whittaker, recent blog post about Early Voting he takes the time to tell us that voting has begun as of today, October 22. A reminder that is mostly aimed for all people to get them to be part the election, but also reminding us that there is more than just clicking "Straight Ballot". He tells us about the going to the bottom of the page and voting for things like Austin ISD and Austin Community College, plus all the charter amendments and bonds. Richard tries to make voting for us people just a little bit easier by posting voting locations. Also giving us links that tell us what exactly is on the ballot, and even a full list of full list of endorsements. I am certainly exited to be able to vote in this election for the reason that I just turned 18 this year so this will be my very first casted vote, mostly because it’s a presidential election this year. I have been keeping up with the debates and doing some research about the two candidates. Hopefully many other people are excited as I am, and many of us go out to vote.

Proposition 10,11

In Marty Toohey's, "Propositions 10, 11 would broadly extend civil-service status to city of Austin employees". Toohey argues that Propositions 10 and 11 will amend the City Charter to grant city employees "Civil Service" status. The city will now have to prove the causes of firing a municipal employee or "passing" promotions. This is changing from a "at-will" standard that allows most Texas and city employers to hire and fire people as they see necessary. This sounds good it would help the workers by allowing the to have more say about their work environment and not fear getting fired. They could call out any unfair labor practices like under payment of women v. men. City Management denies this saying that it will not allow their departments to run ass efficient. If i were to vote, i would do so for Propositions 10, 11. Proposition 10 would grant civil-service status to the city’s 8,000-plus clerks, inspectors, librarians and other rank-and-file employees.and Proposition 11 would convey civil-service status on emergency medical services employees. This leading to a more pleasant working environment.Powell, the union spokesman, said employees attained that rating despite the city’s personnel system, not because of it. He noted instances when the city filled a position without posting an opening, tweaked the qualifications after posting or shuffled employees, which the union saw as attempts by managers to “pick their favorites” without “giving other employees a fair shot.”