Monthly Archives: May 2010

Top Kill Method Fails –

Posted on 30. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

After three days, the Top Kill method has failed and BP is already discussing alternative methods.  The oil and natural gas leak is one of the worst in history and plugging the well at a depth of 5,000 is very … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Energy, Environment, Regulatory | Leave a comment

Top 5 DC Political Restaurants –

Posted on 28. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Congress.org has an article on the top 5 political restaurants in Washington.  The Capitol Hill Club is at the top of the list and Charlie Palmer’s Steakhouse also makes an appearance.  Four are available to the publice but The Capitol … Continue reading →

Posted in DC, Politics, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

MMS Chief Resigns –

Posted on 27. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The head of the Minerals Management Service has resigned from the post.  There has also been a six month moratorium  placed on deep water drilling permits.  In addition, plans to drill off the Virginia coast have been cancelled and exploratory wells … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative, Business, Energy, Environment, Regulatory | Leave a comment

Roll Call House Overview –

Posted on 24. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

One of the best sources for political news and analysis is Roll Call.  Roll Call has a recent article that provides an overview of the House elections.  The article cites a Rothenberg political report which indicates that 68 Democratic seats … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative, Election, Politics | Leave a comment

Djou Wins House Seat –

Posted on 23. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Djou cam in with almost 40% of the vote and won the special election in Hawaii.  The race has received a great deal of coverage mainly due to it being the district that Obama called home.  There were two Democrats … Continue reading →

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FDIC Problem Bank List –

Posted on 22. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Financial news coming out of DC has not been all that pretty for the most part.  The FDIC problem bank list expanded to 775 which is 10% higher than the previous quarter.  The FDIC insurance fund is also still in the … Continue reading →

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Specter Defeated –

Posted on 20. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Democratic Senator Arlen Specter lost a primary battle to Joe Sestek in the election on Tuesday.  Specter switched from the Republican party in an attempt to avoid a primary with Pat Toomey.  If elected, it would have been the sixth term … Continue reading →

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Primary Day –

Posted on 19. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

A number of primaries are being held today and the outcome will have a great effect on the next Senate.  Specter is facing a primary challenge from Sestak on the Democratic line.  Specter switched parties and a loss in this … Continue reading →

Posted in Election, Politics | Leave a comment

Candidates Raise Money For 2012 –

Posted on 17. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Although it is still two years away from their elections, some 2012 Senate candidates are raising money like it’s an election year.  Four Democrats are mentioned in a recent Congressional Quarterly article that discusses candidate fundraising.  McCaskill, Feinstein, Kohl and … Continue reading →

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Republicans Select Tampa –

Posted on 16. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The Republican convention in 2012 will be held in Tampa Florida.  A Republican National Committee panel recommended Florida and it is the best possible choice for the Republicans.  The move will help secure the 27 electoral votes for the Republican … Continue reading →

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Carried Interest –

Posted on 15. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Five Senators are attempting to have venture capital managers exempt from a tax increase that would effect carried interest.  Carried interest has been treated as long term capital gains which is a significantly lower tax rate.  The Senators cited the … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative, Business, Regulatory, Tax | Leave a comment

Federal Reserve Maintains Oversight –

Posted on 13. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The Federal Reserve held onto political independence and banking oversight responsibilities in two separate amendment votes.  According to Bloomberg, one vote was 90-9 to void an amendment to strip some of the Federal Reserve’s oversight responsibilites.  To read a related … Continue reading →

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Insurance Tax Break –

Posted on 13. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Bloomberg reports that parents who add children under 26 to their employer provided health insurance can get get a tax break.  It is reported that the regulations allow for a deduction for the cost of insurance if the premium is … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative, Regulatory, Tax | Leave a comment

Senate Approves Audit –

Posted on 11. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The Senate voted 96-0 and approved an amendment to the Financial Reform bill that provides for a one time audit of the emergency lending by the Federal Reserve.  The measure was submitted by Senator Sanders and allows for an audit of … Continue reading →

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Financial Regs & Market Plunge –

Posted on 10. May 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Senate Democrat Christopher Dodd is one of the major supporters of the Finacial Reform legislation.  He is also one of the Senators pointing to the stock market drop as an example of the need for the legislation.  There have been reports … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative, Business, Dodd-Frank, Regulatory | Leave a comment