EPA Extends Deadline For Lead Paint Training

The Environmental Protection Agency has delayed enforcement of a the Lead Paint Certification rule for Contractors until October 1st 2010.

The delay comes from a storm of complaints from National Trade groups such as IEC, ABC, Home Builders Association and Congressional Republicans, who said the Government has not provided enough trainers to help contractors meet an April deadline.

The EPA rule requires contractors to use "lead-safe" practices when working on homes, day-care centers and schools built before 1978, the year lead paint was banned for residential use because of health risks.

The delay allows contractors to sign up for training by Sept. 30. Training must be completed by Dec. 31.

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EPA LEAD PAINT FINAL RULE

EPA Lead-Safe Renovate Right Pamphlet

Project Labor Agreements (PLA) Waste Taxpayer $$$

Associated Builders and Contractors have successfully blocked a mandatory federal project labor agreement from the bidding process for a project at an Armed Forces Reserve center in Camden, New Jersey.

In response to a bid protest filed with the Government Accountability Office by Wu & Associates, Inc. with support and representation from the Associated Builders and Contractors, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers eliminated a bid requirement that would have limited the pool of bidders to contractors willing to sign onto a project mandating Obama's controversial Federal Project Labor Agreement (PLA).

“Our company and other quality New Jersey businesses deserve a fair opportunity to provide the public with the best construction product at the best price,” said Wu and Associates President Kirby Wu, AIA, in a written press statement from ABC. “The wasteful and discriminatory project labor agreement would have cut competition from qualified merit shop contractors and their skilled employees. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ decision is a real win for all taxpayers, as well as for the people of New Jersey.”

Executive Order Authorizing PLA's

Read More on Project Labor Agreements

Major Unions To Pool Campaign Spending For Midterm Elections

If you don't think this is the most important "Mid Term Election" in our lifetimes, read on. 

 

Major Unions To Pool Campaign Spending, 

In a not so secret campaign to buy elections?

Can anyone say "Special Interest Groups"?

The leaders of the AFL-CIO and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) have agreed to coordinate spending millions of dollars in the midterm elections to support pro-union candidates, the vast majority of them Democrats.

The two labor organizations say they have a combined $88 million or more to deploy in this year's election cycle. It's not clear how much of that money they will pool together.
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The only way to compete with unions to protect your interest in the Electrical & Construction Industry is through Trade Association Political Action Committees who are all working hard for you and your business.

To do that the PAC's need funds, we urge you to do your part for your industry and donate to one or all of the Political Action Committees listed below

What Can You Do?
Support the IEC National Pride PAC: Pre Authorization Form
Support the NJECPAC
Support the ABC National PAC: Authorization Form

Pelosi Laughs in the Face of The Public
After Passing Health Care Legislation

Some of the Democratic Party’s most endangered Legislators are distancing themselves from Speaker Nancy Pelosi in an attempt to mask the fact that they are beholden to the unpopular House leader and fully support the national democratic agenda.

Three vulnerable Democrats from conservative-oriented districts are already running TV ads spotlighting their defiance of Pelosi. One freshman incumbent recently joked about the possibility of Pelosi dying. Another member from a tough district suggested he might run for speaker himself.

The roster of Democrats currently playing six degrees of separation from Pelosi spans the country, from the Northeast to the South and across the Midwest to South Dakota.

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Palin Blasts AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

Sarah Palin Blasts Labor Leader, Calls Conservatism a Better Fit for Union Workers

Palin also blasted "card check" legislation as unfair to workers, and even un-American, because of its insistence on stripping workers of their right to privacy with a secret ballot."

"Card check" refers to the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). EFCA would eliminate an employers' ability to demand a secret-ballot election during the union-forming process, thereby streamlining the process of union organizing. Other main components of the bill include increased penalties on employers who violate labor laws in trying to dissuade employees from organizing. The bill remains contentious and although dead now is still on Obamas "To Do" list.

Trumka also criticized Palin for referencing "union thugs," a loaded term given the history of labor unions in the United States.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

Palin said it was "ironic" that a union boss would accuse her of threatening violence, citing "attempts by SEIU to intimidate those who wanted to make their voices heard in last year's town halls," as well as Trumka's involvement in the 1990's in a union corruption case. Trumka also condoned the cold blooded murder of coal miner Eddie York whose crime according to Trumka was crossing a picket line to work so he can support his family. 

By contrast, Palin said, "I was just an ordinary, card-carrying union member, not one of the big shots who ended up, unfortunately, giving unions a bad name." Palin boasted she is "a former card-carrying IBEW sister married to a proud former IBEW and later USW member."

We found this story interesting since in some circles Sarah Palin has become a polarizing figure.

Ask yourself this, if Sarah Palin is really as bad as her critics describe her then why on earth are they so obsessed with worry about her? Or is it fear, because they know she is a political force to be reckoned with?

Current Federal Budget Trends Are Capable Of Destroying This Country

The Most Fiscally Irresponsible Government in U.S. History?

Current Federal Budget Trends Remain Unsustainable

Me Worry? I'm On Vacation

There is an instinctive conclusion among the American public that President Obama's stimulus package has failed to create a sustained recovery. Unemployment has increased, not declined; consumers have retrenched; housing starts have crashed along with mortgage applications; and there is a fear that a double-dip recession may very well be in the pipeline. The public perception, reflected in Pew Research/National Journal polls, is that the measures to combat the Great Recession have mostly helped large banks and financial institutions, and that's a view common to Republicans (75 percent) and Democrats (73 percent).

Where Do You All Think I should
Go For Next Weeks Vacation?  

There is another instinctive conclusion among the American people. It is that the national deficit, and the debts we have accumulated, are of critical political importance. On the national debt, the money the government has spent without the tax revenues to pay for it has produced mind-numbing numbers so large as to be disconnected from reality. Zeros from here to infinity. The sums are hard to imagine. The public knows that, shuffle the numbers as you may, the level of debt is unsustainable.

Read More: US News & World Report

Stimulus Programs Hobbled By Antiquated Regulations

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, P.L. 111-5 was signed into law on Feb. 17, 2009. The purpose of the $787 billion recovery package is to jump-start the economy and create and save jobs. It provides tax relief and increases or extends health benefits, unemployment benefits and renewable energy incentives. 

But these funds come with many strings. Projects funded under the Recovery Act are subject to unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability. The Recovery Act requires extensive reporting from the prime recipients. Special terms and conditions are included in covered contracts to track, monitor and report on how funds are spent.

Many private companies are unaccustomed to sharing their internal data, including allowing the world (not to mention customers and competitors) to see how much their top executives are paid. The Recovery Act also includes Buy American Act requirements, extends the reach of Davis-Bacon labor standards (Prevailing Wage), expands access of the GAO and the various offices of Inspectors General to contractor records, and creates an independent board to coordinate and conduct oversight of covered funds to prevent fraud, waste and abuse.

Millions of Construction Contractors are disinterested due to the excessive wage requirements and antiquated regulations attached.

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Questions Abound Surrounding Adler's Tea Party Candidate

Congressman Adler

Congressman John Adler (D) has been called out by the media for dirty campaign tactics. The Democrat Congressman has been called out for trying to get a phony Tea Party candidate on the ballot.

The faux candidate, backed by local Democrats, that include prominent Adler supporters and fundraisers was put up for the express purpose of siphoning votes away from Adler’s challenger, former Philadelphia Eagle Jon Runyan (R).

The Asbury Park Press reports the Tea Party candidate imposter, Peter DeStefano, collected names of dozens of Democrats on a petition, who are all highly unlikely to support a Tea Party candidate. The signatures include those from longtime Adler supporters and fundraisers. The Asbury Park Press criticized Adler for his “weak denial” in having any association with the scandal,

Adler campaign’s tactics may have backfired, The Democrats’ dirty tricks are expected to motivate conservative Republicans to mobilize against Adler's Democrat plant in greater force in Novembers mid term election.

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Report Charges President With Illegally Using Taxpayer Money To Manipulate Public

Rep Darrell Issa

Scathing Congress report slams Obama's 'covert, criminal activity'

Jerome R. Corsi, WorldNetDaily

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., the ranking Republican on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, issued a scathing staff report charging that the White House has "used the machinery of the Obama campaign to tout the president's agenda through inappropriate and sometimes unlawful public relations and propaganda initiatives."

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Pulling no punches, the Oversight Republican Report accuses the Obama White House of "violating federal law prohibiting the use of appropriated funds for publicity or propaganda purposes."

Advance Pre Publication of Report

Your Invited!!! ~ Rally for Truth: The Facts Of Health Care & Free Speech

Rally for Truth: the Facts of Health Care & Free Speech

Tuesday, August 24th, 7:00pm at Front Steps of Montclair Town Hall

You have been invited by Roland Straten to attend this rally to hear Roland Straten along with guest speakers speak the TRUTH regarding the recently health care bill H.R.3590 signed into law.

Roland Straten is a Candidate for election to the House of Representatives in the 8th Congressional District of New Jersey.

Roland is running against incumbent Democrat Congressman Bill Pascrell who voted against the will of the majority of NJ voters by voting Yes for H.R.3590 - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act