Every Wednesday, the Ferguson Group blog will be posting a series of articles published over the previous week that discuss topics of interest to local governments. Learn about emerging trends and keep up on key policy issues by browsing the TFG Wednesday News Roundup!
Sens. Alexander, Bennet Give Leaders Emergency Plan to Avoid ‘Fiscal Cliff’
Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Senator Lamar Alexander
(R-TN) have submitted a three part plan to both the Senate Majority Leadership
and the Senate Minority Leadership to be used in case the negotiations with
President Obama do not work out. The
proposal would make a payment toward the deficit during the lame-duck session,
create a streamlined process to reach a broader deal, and implement a default
deficit-reduction plan if Congress cannot break a stalemate in 2013. Read
more...
Administration Defines Benefits That Must Be Offered Under the Health Law
On Tuesday, the Obama Administration took a big step
towards implementing the Affordable Care Act.
The administration defined the term “essential health benefits.” Insurers can no longer deny coverage or
charge high premiums to people that are sick or have been ill, nor can they
charge women more than men. Some are
worried that these rules will cause many families and small businesses to
purchase coverage that is more expensive than the coverage they currently
have. Read
more...
A New Policy That Incentivizes Walkable Neighborhoods
Massachusetts has announced a new policy initiative that
is designed to encourage walkable neighborhoods. If a municipality meets certain criteria, it
will become eligible for preferential treatment in applications for state
assistance funds. These criteria include requirements for housing density,
affordability, and a policy of inclusion.
Read
more...
Bernanke: Fix Fiscal Woes or Risk ‘Sudden and Severe’ Contraction of Economy
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke asked Washington
policymakers to get the nation’s finances on track to prevent economic
disaster. He outlined a list of things
that Congress and the White House must do including avoiding the “fiscal cliff,”
raising the debt ceiling, and coming up with a long-term plan to bring down the
deficit. Read
more...
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