Podcasts about export import

Ungaria a împrumutat un miliard de euro de la bănci chinezești. Suma este mai puțin importantă, gestul este relevant, în sensul că reconfirmă apropierea economică a Ungariei de China. În primăvara acestui an, Ungaria a împrumutat discret un miliard de euro de la trei bănci comerciale chinezești. Informația a fost publicată de site-ul maghiar Portfolio și a fost confirmată de agenția guvernamentală de specialitate.Împrumutul a fost acordat de Banca de Dezvoltare a Chinei, Banca de Export-Import și Banca Chinei și va fi utilizat pentru investiții în domenii cu tehnologie înaltă, dar și în infrastructură, transport și energie. Împrumutul a fost contractat pe o perioadă de trei ani cu o dobândă variabilă. Cam atât se știe despre creditul acordat de cele trei bănci chinezești, dar este clar că unele coordonate rămân foarte vagi, în sensul că, totuși, condițiile și obiectivul împrumutului sunt neclare.Suma contractată de Ungaria este practic nesemnificativă. Un împrumut de un miliard de euro nu înseamnă mare lucru, în acest moment. Cel mai bun exemplu vine chiar din România. Statul român s-a împrumutat în primele șase luni ale acestui an cu 130 miliarde de lei, adică echivalentul a 26 miliarde de euro. Doar aceste cifre ne arată cât de mari au fost împrumuturile României și cât de puțin înseamnă miliardul de euro luat de Ungaria de la bănci chinezești.Problema pe care o sesizează presa europeană este apropierea guvernului de la Budapesta de China. Cele două țări au început să colaboreze din punct de vedere economic după anul 2010, atunci când a venit la putere premierul Viktor Orban. Investițiile chinezești au crescut, însă, începând cu anul 2022, anul trecut Beijingul a fost chiar cel mai mare investitor în Ungaria, iar declarațiile oficiale arată că în următorii ani investițiile chinezești vor ajunge la 15 miliarde de euro. Investițiile ar urma să se facă în sectorul mașinilor electrice și al bateriilor. Totuși, opoziția politică denunță opacitatea liniilor de împrumut și a investițiilor care vin din China.De exemplu, Ungaria a fost unul dintre primele state europene care au semnat un acord cu China pentru dezvoltarea așa-numitului „drum al mătăsii” modern, care își propune să conecteze Europa de China prin construirea unor rețele de infrastructură feroviară și rutieră. În cadrul programului, Ungaria a primit un împrumut în valoare de 900 milioane de dolari, iar aportul la drumul mătăsii ar trebui să fie o linie ferată de mare viteză între Budapesta și Belgrad, doar că realizarea proiectului este în întârziere.Ungaria nu este în cea mai fastă poziție macroeconomică. Anul trecut, inflația a ajuns la 17%, una dintre cele mai ridicate rate din Uniunea Europeană, deficitul bugetar a depășit cu mult 3% din PIB ajungând la sfârșitul anului trecut la 5,9% din PIB, unul dintre cele mai mari niveluri din Uniunea Europeană. Mai mult, Ungaria are blocate fonduri europene în valoare de 20 miliarde de euro, din cauza problemelor privind statul de drept. O scuză pe care o poate găsi Ungaria este că în lipsa banilor europeni se aruncă în brațele Chinei. Un lucru pe care Viktor Orban îl face cu mare talent, în sensul că în luna mai a.c. președintele chinez a fost primit cu pompă la Budapesta, iar la începutul lunii iulie, când Ungaria abia preluase președinția Uniunii Europene, premierul maghiar s-a deplasat în capitala Chinei.Situația precară macroeconomică a Ungariei nu este o explicație suficientă pentru apropierea economică de China. Sunt și alte state membre care au pulverizat deficitul bugetar. De exemplu, în luna iunie a.c., Comisia Europeană a mai adus alături de România câteva state membre pentru care a deschis procedura de deficit excesiv: Italia, Belgia, Franța, Ungaria, Polonia, Slovacia și Malta, toate cu deficite bugetare mai mari de 3% din PIB. În concluzie, nici măcar deficitele sau datoria publică mari nu pot justifica orientarea economică a guvernului de la Budapesta.

Send us a Text Message.Episode #38 Export Import Financing Master Class Ft.  Indrajit Samanta, RXIL Global . Welcome back to MSME TALK™ with Industry Expert. Industry Expert segment brings Industry Expert who discusses on specific topic relevant for MSMEs, Startup to scale up and build long-lasting Businesses. Subscribe to MSME TALK™ Newsletter Just like domestic business, for export & import as well availability of funds is the very basic requirement for the businesses. But the Process for loan, Credit or Financing in case of export, import is little different from domestic trade finance. In todays episode, we have got an Expert for you to dive into the fundamentals of export-import finance, exploring key concepts, checking various financing options, financing process, compliance requirements, navigating common challenges & risk for MSMEs. Tune in and get on to your journey to export-import finance master class with Indrajit Samanta , RXIL Global !  Hr:Min:Sec 00:00:00 - Teaser  00:00:06 - Factoring's Role: Key for global trade and growing businesses.  00:08:42 - Export-Import Basics: Understanding the process and fundamental concepts.  00:11:07 - Timeframe Overview: Typical underwriting process duration.  00:12:28 - Financing Options: Products available for MSMEs in trade.  00:15:36 - Factoring Benefits: Exploring alternatives to secured financing options.  00:18:55 - Eligibility Insights: Criteria for MSMEs accessing financing.  00:20:16 - Financing Sources: Traditional and newer platforms for MSMEs.  00:21:54 - Facing Challenges: Common hurdles in export-import financing.  00:24:27 - Solutions Brief: Navigating compliance, documentation, and buyer information challenges.  00:27:27 - Risk Understanding: Political, credit, currency, and logistic risks overview.   MSMEs & startups are looking for various kinds of supports & upgrade. Are you a Product, Service Provider, Expert, Advisor, Consultant, Mentor for MSMEs/Startups? Reach out to MSME TALK to list your business. Fill the form to help us reach out to you. MSME TALK Podcast enters Peak Ranking Chart of 18+ Countries in the Apple Podcast Country Entrepreneurship Category. WhatsApp : Send hi - https://wa.me/918097665085 LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Website Contact us : connect@msmetalk.comClick to All Social Media , Podcast etc links at one place Please give your rating and reviews on apple podcast or Spotify

Noluthanfo Mthonti-Mlambo speaks to Bernadette Zeiler, the Chief Executive Officer of the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry about the role of export and import activities in promoting the country's economic growth.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corporate boards are feeling more pressure than ever from a variety of stakeholders—government prosecutors and regulators, institutional investors, corporate activists, consumers, and others seeking responsible change in an ever-changing global economy. As the concept of both corporate and individual accountability continues to expand, how can boards adapt their approach to governance and oversight to meet these increasingly complex expectations? In this episode of LRN's Principled Podcast, host Susan Divers is joined by Michael Volkov, the CEO of the Volkov Law Group and author of the recent white paper “Directors Dancing on the Head of a Pin: Corporate Boards Face Escalating Risks and Enforcement Challenges.” Listen in as they discuss the global challenges corporate boards are facing in 2023, and the steps they can take to meet regulatory pressures.    Guest: Michael Volkov Michael Volkov specializes in ethics and compliance, white collar defense, government investigations, and internal investigations. Michael devotes a significant portion of his practice to anti-corruption, sanctions, trade, antitrust, and AML compliance and defense. He regularly assists clients on FCPA, UK Bribery Act, AML, OFAC, Export-Import, Securities Fraud, and other issues.  Michael has extensive trial experience and has developed a problem-solving approach to serve client needs. He has extensive contacts in the federal government and on Capitol Hill. Given his broad government experience, he represents clients in federal and state court, before the Justice Department and other federal agencies, and on Capitol Hill.   Prior to launching his own law firm, Mr. Volkov was a partner at LeClairRyan (2012-2013); Mayer Brown (2010-2012), Dickinson Wright (2008-2010); Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Department of Justice (2008); Chief Counsel, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, House Judiciary Committee (2005-2008); and Counsel, Senate Judiciary Committee (2003-2005); Assistant US Attorney, United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia (1989-2005); and a Trial Attorney, Antitrust Division, United States Department of Justice (1985-1989).  Mr. Volkov resides in Washington, D.C., San Diego, California, and Marsala, Italy, with his wife and six children. He and his wife enjoy traveling, the arts, and philanthropic activities. Mr. Volkov is an avid tennis player.    Host: Susan Divers Susan Divers is the director of thought leadership and best practices with LRN Corporation. She brings 30+ years' accomplishments and experience in the ethics and compliance arena to LRN clients and colleagues. This expertise includes building state-of-the-art compliance programs infused with values, designing user-friendly means of engaging and informing employees, fostering an embedded culture of compliance, and sharing substantial subject matter expertise in anti-corruption, export controls, sanctions, and other key areas of compliance. Prior to joining LRN, Mrs. Divers served as AECOM's Assistant General for Global Ethics & Compliance and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer. Under her leadership, AECOM's ethics and compliance program garnered six external awards in recognition of its effectiveness and Mrs. Divers' thought leadership in the ethics field. In 2011, Mrs. Divers received the AECOM CEO Award of Excellence, which recognized her work in advancing the company's ethics and compliance program. Before joining AECOM, she worked at SAIC and Lockheed Martin in the international compliance area. Prior to that, she was a partner with the DC office of Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal. She also spent four years in London and is qualified as a Solicitor to the High Court of England and Wales, practicing in the international arena with the law firms of Theodore Goddard & Co. and Herbert Smith & Co. She also served as an attorney in the Office of the Legal Advisor at the Department of State and was a member of the U.S. delegation to the UN working on the first anti-corruption multilateral treaty initiative.  Mrs. Divers is a member of the DC Bar and a graduate of Trinity College, Washington D.C. and of the National Law Center of George Washington University. In 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Ethisphere Magazine listed her as one the “Attorneys Who Matter” in the ethics & compliance area. She is a member of the Advisory Boards of the Rutgers University Center for Ethical Behavior and served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Institute for Practical Training from 2005-2008. She resides in Northern Virginia and is a frequent speaker, writer and commentator on ethics and compliance topics.   For a transcript of this podcast, please visit the episode page at LRN.com.

Programa Nº14 de la cuarta temporada del Podcast Tirada Larga presentado por Angel (@Contadordekm) y Victor (@Premarathon). Hoy te enseñamos cosas que no podemos dejar por escrito, de otras que sí, como los líos de la federación de montaña, montar un Export-Import con China y de cuánto vale una medalla en pista cubierta. Analizamos también lo que nadie te cuenta de la Maratón Sevilla y de cómo sacar ventaja si compites en ciclismo virtual. En la web www.tiradalargapodcast.com podrás dejar monedas y encontrar toda la información sobre lo que hemos ido hablando (sin tener ni idea) durante el programa. Puedes seguirnos en twitter @tirada_larga e Instagram @Tirada_Larga_Podcast y si tienes una historia sobre correr sin tener ni idea puedes compartirla enviando un audio (cortito) o texto al e-mail tiradalargapodcast@gmail.com. Cada miércoles, sobre las 19:00, nos encontrarás en Twitch dónde charlamos/entrevistamos a gente que NO habla sin tener ni idea y donde puedes tirarnos el PRIME a la cara. Si te falta contenido, hay un onlyflans cada 3/4 programas que puedes escuchar en Spotify por dos monedas (https://anchor.fm/tirada-larga/subscribe) Lo de la publicidad: si quieres una cuña rápida de tu carrera de pueblo o quieres que hablemos maravillas de tu localidad, aquí puedes contratarnos, si lo que quieres es contratar una campaña publicitaria, casi mejor que leas esto primero. Nos puedes escuchar todos los sábado (si no rompemos algo) en tu plataforma de podcasts favorita: Spotify , Apple Podcast, Ivoox, Amazon Music, Podimo, Google Podcast o Youtube (entrevistas). Los presentadores: Angel https://www.instagram.com/contadordekm/ Victor https://www.instagram.com/premarathon/ Intro musical: Living Nightmare by Snowflake

Dr Prasanna Tantri is an Associate Professor in the Finance area and Executive Director of the Centre for Analytical Finance at ISB. His research areas include- banking, financial inclusion, financial contagion, regulation, and the relationship between politics and finance. He teaches a course on Indian financial systems.

We need to export more and import less. Here we have an easy guide for you to get involved in export and import. According to trade.gov, the imports-to-exports ratio in FY 2018/19 was 14.6 (slightly down from 15.2 the previous year) i.e. Nepal imported $14.6 for every dollar exported, resulting in a trade deficit of $11.4 billion. Founded in 2020, Export from Nepal is a leading comprehensive full-fledged third-party B2B-B2C hybrid e-commerce marketplace platform developed and operated by Him Tech Inc. in a collaborative approach with Export From Nepal Pvt. Ltd. dedicated to serving global trade focusing on providing a platform to small, medium, and large enterprises as well as retailers of specific regions selling high-quality Nepali products and services to global consumers. This is the global marketplace for high quality made in Nepal products and services. Being Nepal's first export-based global e-commerce marketplace for Nepali product-driven exporters, importers, wholesalers, retailers, and end consumers, we are dedicated to filling the gap between global buyers and Nepali suppliers. As a company, we strive to lead with our guiding principles and to help spread the idea of sustainable, handmade, eco-friendly, natural, and wellness products.VisionOur vision is to scale up the Nepalese export industry by being the first and foremost consumer-driven Nepalese global e-commerce platform ensuring the reach of Nepalese products in every nook of the world.MissionTo facilitate global trade between worldwide buyers and Nepali product-driven sellers.To provide accurate information about Nepali products and sellers to global buyersTo help buyers and suppliers communicate and do business with each other effectively and efficiently To provide a secure way of payment and escrow service for buyers & sellers protectionTo provide the guidelines for preparation, packaging, shipment and reliable servicesCUSTOMER SUPPORT (NEPAL)+977

Guests: Josh Wingrove, Bloomberg White House reporter, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, David Bahnsen, Managing Partner of The Bahnsen Group, Tyler Deaton, Republican strategist, fundraiser, and President of Allegiance Strategies, Fred Hochberg, former Export-Import bank Chairman, and TW Shannon, Former Oklahoma Speaker of the House, and Co-chair of Black Voices for Trump.

Guests: Josh Wingrove, Bloomberg White House reporter, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, David Bahnsen, Managing Partner of The Bahnsen Group, Tyler Deaton, Republican strategist, fundraiser, and President of Allegiance Strategies, Fred Hochberg, former Export-Import bank Chairman, and TW Shannon, Former Oklahoma Speaker of the House, and Co-chair of Black Voices for Trump.

In these podcast we will discuss about How to start Export Import Business from scratch. It's important to start these business now because we have great opportunities in these field. #business #entrepreneurship #successful #startup #entrepreneurlife #businessowner #businessidea #idea #startupidea #businesswoman #businessman #solopreneur

Seminar by Dr. Omkar Mali Sir regarding topic Opportunity for export of agricultural commodities Export-import business in the agricultural sector

Guests: Fred Hochberg, former Export-Import bank Chairman and author of "Trade is not a Four-Letter Word", New Jersey Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer, Meghan Ogilvie, CEO of Dog Tag Bakery, Adrienne Elrod, Democratic Strategist, and former Director of Strategic Communications for the Hillary Clinton Presidential Campaign, and Doug Heye, Senior Vice President of Media at Craft Media & Digital. 

Guests: Fred Hochberg, former Export-Import bank Chairman and author of "Trade is not a Four-Letter Word", New Jersey Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer, Meghan Ogilvie, CEO of Dog Tag Bakery, Adrienne Elrod, Democratic Strategist, and former Director of Strategic Communications for the Hillary Clinton Presidential Campaign, and Doug Heye, Senior Vice President of Media at Craft Media & Digital. 

 Republican Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey, Fred Hochberg, former Export-Import bank Chairman, Roger Fisk, Democratic Strategist and Principal of New Day Strategy, and New York Democratic Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. 

 Republican Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey, Fred Hochberg, former Export-Import bank Chairman, Roger Fisk, Democratic Strategist and Principal of New Day Strategy, and New York Democratic Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. 

Guests: Arkansas Republican Congressman French Hill, Birgit Jennen, Bloomberg German Government reporter, Erik Wasson Bloomberg Congressional reporter, and Fred Hochberg, former Export-Import bank Chairman. 

Guests: Arkansas Republican Congressman French Hill, Birgit Jennen, Bloomberg German Government reporter, Erik Wasson Bloomberg Congressional reporter, and Fred Hochberg, former Export-Import bank Chairman. 

Kevin was joined by Bloomberg Baystate Business Radio hosts Tom Moroney, Kim Carrigan, and Joe Shortsleeve for a special New Hampshire Primary Radio Special to preview the new Hampshire primary. Panel guests included: Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Fred Hochberg, former Export-Import bank Chairman. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu also joined the conversation.

Kevin was joined by Bloomberg Baystate Business Radio hosts Tom Moroney, Kim Carrigan, and Joe Shortsleeve for a special New Hampshire Primary Radio Special to preview the new Hampshire primary. Panel guests included: Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Fred Hochberg, former Export-Import bank Chairman. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu also joined the conversation.

Bloomberg Chief Washington Correspondent Kevin Cirilli delivers insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. Panel guests: Adrienne Elrod, Democratic Strategist, Former Director of Strategic Communications for the Hillary Clinton Presidential Campaign, Fred Hochberg, former Export-Import bank Chairman and author of "Trade is not a Four-Letter Word," Rick Davis, Bloomberg politics contributor and former campaign manager for John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign, and Jeanne Zaino, Bloomberg politics contributor, Senior Advisor at Applied Techonomics and Political Science Professor at Iona College. To listen on the Bloomberg terminal, click on the player thumbnail on the sidebar.

Bloomberg Chief Washington Correspondent Kevin Cirilli delivers insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. Panel guests: Adrienne Elrod, Democratic Strategist, Former Director of Strategic Communications for the Hillary Clinton Presidential Campaign, Fred Hochberg, former Export-Import bank Chairman and author of "Trade is not a Four-Letter Word," Rick Davis, Bloomberg politics contributor and former campaign manager for John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign, and Jeanne Zaino, Bloomberg politics contributor, Senior Advisor at Applied Techonomics and Political Science Professor at Iona College. To listen on the Bloomberg terminal, click on the player thumbnail on the sidebar.

Panel guests: Adrienne Elrod, Democratic Strategist, Former Director of Strategic Communications for the Hillary Clinton Presidential Campaign, Fred Hochberg, former Export-Import bank Chairman and author of the new book, "Trade is not a Four-Letter Word" and Rick Davis, Bloomberg politics contributor and former campaign manager for John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign. Kevin also spoke with Stacey Walker, Linn County Supervisor and Bernie Sanders Iowa State campaign Co-Chair and Julian Castro, former Secretary of Housing & Urban Development wo spoke about supporting Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Panel guests: Adrienne Elrod, Democratic Strategist, Former Director of Strategic Communications for the Hillary Clinton Presidential Campaign, Fred Hochberg, former Export-Import bank Chairman and author of the new book, "Trade is not a Four-Letter Word" and Rick Davis, Bloomberg politics contributor and former campaign manager for John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign. Kevin also spoke with Stacey Walker, Linn County Supervisor and Bernie Sanders Iowa State campaign Co-Chair and Julian Castro, former Secretary of Housing & Urban Development wo spoke about supporting Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Engineering Influence welcomed ACEC Board Chair Mitch Simpler back to the show for his quarterly Chairman's Corner podcast.  In this episode, Mitch looks back on a successful year for ACEC and gives his thoughts on what 2020 could bring for ACEC and the engineering industry.  Transcript:Host: Welcome to Engineering Influence, a podcast by the American Council of Engineering Companies. We're very pleased today to welcome back to the show, our board chair, Mitch, Simpler for his quarterly chairman's corner podcast. And now that we're in the second week of a new year and a new decade, it's a good time to look back a bit on 2019 on what was a very busy and successful year for ACEC and maybe you know, a little bit of look forward to what the new year might bring. So Mitch, welcome back to the show.Mitch Simpler: Well, thank you for having me back and Happy New Year to you and to all the listeners.Host: Yes. Happy New Year.Mitch Simpler: And you know, my wife gets very depressed at the end of the year and I tell her, I said, this is an opportunity. It's, it's, you've gotta look for it as these are opportunities and challenges not to be to be depressing, but to be enlightening and energizing. So here we are.Speaker 2: Happy new year. Yeah. And really when I came on in May of last year with ACEC, it was right at the conference in, in Washington and my introduction of course to ACEC but then also you, you assumed the role officially is as board chair a lot's happened since. What are your big takeaways from the year for the industry and from the association?Mitch Simpler: Well, and so let's just talk about the year in general. It was, it's been a very unique year because as you know, we had a, a, a previous president, CEO had retired after 20 years. So as I came on board as the chair and when I was actually chair elect, we brought in a whole new management team for ACC national, which has been both the a blessing and a bit of a curse. The curse is that there was not a lot of intellectual an institutional knowledge that was carried forward. And that's actually part of the blessing. We did not have a lot of baggage, but the short version is having a new staff starting with Linda Bauer Darr - she brought in as a CEO, new president, but then we brought in a new CEO, CFO and, and new legislative representation a lot of, a lot of people that needed to get brought up to speed as to who we are and what we do.Mitch Simpler: And then on top of that for reasons that I'll make clear later, I hope is the fact that we determined that we needed to upgrade and actually replace our strategic plan. So we've really had a lot of major challenges for the team, both the volunteer leadership, which was new. That would be me and Manish, the good news is we were able to adjust the bylaws that allow the previous chair to stay on executive committee to help smooth the transition out. And then having Charlie G on board who is now the chair-elect gave us a really clear set of guidance and guiding principle leaders that can help transition the organization into the future. But some, some real big challenges. And I think all had been met with enthusiasm and the team has done a terrific job to to move the needles across the board for ACEC, both on membership relationship building between the member offices and national opening up the national doors so that the states and the member firms really get a better understanding of who ACEC is, what our role is and what our responsibilities are and what we do for them.Host: Yeah, I kind of felt that change coming in. Of course, I didn't have a lot of the institutional knowledge you know, coming in to ACEC, but I noticed that you had, that feeling of change was afoot and you had pieces being moved on the table, but really no sense of disruption. That energy, that enthusiasm was evident when I came on board. And of course, you know, Linda's been a real force in that moving this forward and kind of expanding our scope and looking bigger and trying to raise the profile of the industry. But I noticed that seemed to be kind of universal, you know - let's move this forward, and let's keep things going. So it's been an interesting ride that this level of enthusiasm hasn't waned at all. And has kind of opened new doors. Of course. You know, one of the perfect examples of that I think was the first time that we really as a large team went to a FIDIC conference of course this time in Mexico City where we had policy. Of course I came down to do podcasts. You, you were there and you were presented at the, at, at the conferences. Well as did Linda. And that was a new experience. You know, what did you think of that?Mitch Simpler: I t was my first FIDIC conference for reasons that I don't recall. I was not able to make the previous, it is sort of, it's customary for the incoming chair as well as the chair to attend the FIDIC conferences. FIDIC for those listeners who aren't familiar with it. It is essentially the international version of ACEC and ACEC U.S. is one of 102 member countries that are members of FIDIC. So aside from the fact that it was my first FIDIC convention I have to tell you, it was truly exciting this year since the conference took place in Mexico City. It was my first time there. It was challenging because I don't speak Spanish and neither did many of the people there.Mitch Simpler: Thank goodness is many of them speak English so that, that really made it well. But, but it's really an opportunity for ACEC to collaborate with over 102 other countries that all represent the FIDIC organization and it really you communicate on a truly global scale. And it was also important for us to be there this year because the new president of FIDIC is Bill Howard who is from CD Smith, CDM Smith, I guess it is who was sworn as a new president's two year term. So the now the leadership of FIDIC is an American. Now - Bill has served on their board for a number of years. People who remember Greg Thompolis - a former chair of ACEC national - also was president of FIDIC several years ago. So ACC has played and will continue to play a major role on the FIDIC front. But it was interesting as a member of ACEC to go down there and listen to the issues that they struggle with, many of which are the same issues that we struggle with at ACEC.Mitch Simpler: They have the - and that's the issue of commoditization of engineering. Quality based selection. You know, how, how do you, how do you pick the right team for the right reasons. And so these are all the same missions that ACEC has FIDIC has, they have one additional challenge, which is, and we have sorta been blessed in the U S and we're kind of a bit of an a bubble but issues of corruption and, and intellectual property theft and all kinds of things that we have sort of dismissed over the years here. Because we have a much more open society. Those issues are still very prevalent at the international level. And FIDIC's challenge has been to try to open that up and and make the international market as clear and open a place for business as it is here in the U.S. And so they have their own challenges.Mitch Simpler: The fact that we have significant American representation in FIDIC both at the leadership level as well as on the FIDIC's probably single biggest claim to fame is the fact that they have prepared a number of international contracts for design professionals. These contracts have become sort of the gold standard now. And many of the documents that we use as part of ACEC out of the EJDC have come out of a basis from the FIDIC format. So very interesting. Met some amazing people down there. We were able to as ACEC also I guess I'll say reopen or reinvigorate our eyes invigorates the communication between our counterparts here in North America as well as those in South America and particularly Central America and Mexico. There's a number of things that we think that we have more in common than in difference. They look to the U.S., FIDIC does as well as our South American counterparts. Look to the U.S. as true leaders from a technology design practice and best business practices. You know, where the, where the where the sort of the envy of most of the world and they are looking to us to help them raise their standards. And and we certainly made it very clear that we're open for business and would be willing and, and would love to help.Host: I remember the enthusiasm of our Mexican counterparts and talking to us and, and reestablishing those ties and it was, it was, it, you know, very optimistic. We share so many common interests both economically and then also in the need for infrastructure investment. You can see how those markets can mutually benefit each other. And it's good for ACEC to be able to open that door back open for collaboration.Mitch Simpler: Yeah. And it was, it was refreshing the, the fact that the Mexican counterpart for ACEC, that whole team came up to Chicago for our fall meeting and and continued the conversation. So this is, it's very encouraging and and I look forward to see how it how it develops.Host: Absolutely. it was a valuable conference. And it was, it was especially interesting the subject that you presented on was technology. And how that's kind of changing the way that the industry is working and the way that the new cadre of engineers coming up through the ranks and in the university and, and the younger professionals are able to use technology to do things that were, you know, time consuming and inconceivable, you know, only, you know, a decade or so more go. And then how that technology is, is, you know, how it's being spread across the world. Because one of the things about FIDIC is that they include Western Europe, of course, North America Asia, but then also some developing areas of the world that don't have access to that same level of technology. And the point you made about corruption and the issues of IP and really just doing business in an above board way.Host: You know, it's interesting to hear the stories from people in, you know, Europe and Asia. Then also hearing the perspectives from countries like Kenya and, and some others where, where they want to have the same access, but they just don't because their economies are still developing. They don't have the access to the same technologies, the same legal provisions that American firms have. And then the other side of the coin is American firms that might want to be doing business in those regions. What do they have to be cognizant of and aware of? And it was really interesting to have that exchange and being able to be part of that firsthand. So it was extremely good conference.Mitch Simpler: Yeah, I agree. And, and, and for us to get a better perspective on the globe, the global business of what ACEC represents. And as you said, Europe has a definite approach and they are embracing technology, but there are a lot of countries which just simply cannot. And they turn to us as, as true technology leaders, what can we do to help them leverage whatever aptitudes they have to be better, better designers and better producers. And I think that using the FIDIC forum is a terrific way for that information exchange to take place. And it does and it was really just really exciting.Host: Yeah, absolutely. And another big issue or topic of focus for us, of course, something that you alluded to a little bit earlier and has been kind of a a driving force throughout the year has been the development of that new strategic plan, which was adopted in Chicago officially. But that's, you know, the adoption is only the public part of it. There has been a lot of work behind the scenes that have been going on for a long time, which you have been deeply involved in. And it's going to set the stage for how ACEC moves forward and grows as an association and represents the dynamic and changing industry. You know, what, what's your and of course right now we're in the implementation phases of that plan which, which was still ongoing. What are your main thoughts about the plan itself? You know, how it came about and where we are really with, with, you know, the implementation phase right now?Mitch Simpler: Yeah. Well, no, it's a good question and, and that certainly let me digress real quick. So here I take over as chair. We decide that we're going to have, we're going to have a new budget, a three year budget. We have a new team of our paid professional staff starting with Linda and, and then decide, why we're at it, why don't we do a new strategic plan? You've got nothing else to do on your plate. So what the heck - and I'm being a little facetious. It was a lot. It was a lot of moving parts but, but certainly the strategic plan adoption the new strategic plan adoption I think has been a real success story. Manish Kothari was chair of ACEC before me and when I served as chair elect, I also served on the planning cabinet.Mitch Simpler: Manish challenged us on the planning cabinet to decide whether the current strategic plan needed to be updated or replaced. The planning cabinet unanimously recommended to replace the current plan as it was, the plan had really become more operational than it was strategic. And that's when the fun really began. We put together an incredible team of diverse leaders from a member firms both across the country and in different markets sectors, male and female. We had, we tried to get as diverse a group as we possibly get. The result from that process was that we developed a brand new strategic plan and that was, as you said, it was presented to the board of directors at the fall conference in Chicago. And the plan was unanimously adopted by the board. It was presented by one of the, one of our members as well as our, our strategic planning chairman, Mr. Greg Kelly.Mitch Simpler: The plan has been branded as being both bold and audacious and as a refreshing change, I guess from the previous plans. But a real hurdle as you pointed out was the fact that we now need to roll this plan out with real operational and implementation worthy goals. And that's where the fun really began. So part of the process that we're involved in now and we were going to be presenting the next stage at the EXCOM meeting in January is to put together the both the implementation details as well as the performance metrics that we're going to be able to use to measure the success of our collective performance on execution of the plan. So that's really where we are. My hope is to be able to present certainly this a pretty fleshed out skeleton of the implementation plan to the full board at the spring meeting in DC.Host: And being part of that, you know, the really the, the, I guess the think tank portion of it where we have all the, you know, a diverse kind of set of individuals and in groups within planning cabinet, then also internal staff talking about these goals and objectives. You know, it's, it's going to be interesting to see how it, how it all comes together because without going into detail, there are some themes and some ideas that are rising to the surface that are going to be, I think incorporated into the implementation and it's going to be some exciting, exciting things ahead. So yeah, it's been a very interesting time watching this evolve and develop from the plan, getting it approved. And now moving into this more, you know, more actionable stage of putting meat on the bones as far as, you know, those, those steps to actually get this in from paper into the reality of implementation.Host: But it's critically important. I think that having this kind of a guiding strategic document really helps crystallize this idea that ACEC can really become the preeminent entity that's really in the popular thought space, both in public debate on the Hill, but then also talking to a larger audiences, the American people other industries about the importance of, of engineering. And this is the kind of document that allows ACEC to kind of get that accomplished. And it's going to be interesting to see how it, how it all develops. And yeah, spring's going to be very interesting to see what is going to be presented in Washington, DC.Mitch Simpler: And I agree on everything you've just stated, but to me the, one of the key elements of the strategic plan and it's mentioned throughout is the role to become thought leaders and our role as, as the the harbinger of thought leadership in the engineering industry. And that's certainly one of our strategic goals across all of the, the various components of the plan. But it's becoming the true thought leadership developing thought leadership, executing thought leadership and being the resource for thought leadership in the engineering community. And we've been doing it and now we've tried to make it a little more, I'll use my term official that that's our strategic goal. And and it is, as you say, very, very exciting. It was a huge lift and I, and I will tell you between the volunteers and the staff, it has been an incredible process. And then my hats are off to all of you who participated because it is a it's a real challenge. To do it right it takes an incredible amount of time and patience and dedication and that has been measured across the board from everyone who's been involved. And I thank all each and every one of them for doing it - you includedHost: Well, thank you. And it's, I'll tell you the thought leadership piece is something that we're looking at and trying to figure out how best to package and create kind of a platform for thought leadership. But it all really comes down to the people listening to this podcast, our members. You know, we have the great benefit of having some extremely hefty talent out there people who are leading in their fields and are experts and our ability to communicate a thought leadership really bubbles up from the members that we have. So, you know, if there's anyone out there who has an idea or as a who or is, you know, hey, I've been thinking about this one issue that I really think we can talk about, or I can, I can talk about, reach out to us, because we'd love to get that in a place where people can see it.Host: And our best position from ACEC is to be that amplifier of our, the voices of our membership. So anybody out there with an idea, something that they're an expert on, something that they want to talk about, let us know, because we'd like to help you with that. I'm gonna put in that little plug there because you know, we're, you know, in DC you know, we're, we're, we are staffers. We're, we're communicators. We're lobbyists, you know, association people we're not day to day engineers. And, and our talent is, is really with the States and with our membership. So don't be shy, contact us. So I, you know, really the big tent pole items for 2019 something that we haven't really had the opportunity to talk to you about before on the, on the show.Host: But it was really interesting was your trip to Asia as part of a commerce delegation to Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam with Secretary Wilbur Ross, Commerce Secretary Ross to talk about American business and what can be done to bring open markets of course in Asia. And then also to create opportunities for U.S. Firms. You were part of that, you had meetings with presidents ambassadors and high level staff in those countries. What were your main takeaways? What were your thoughts on, on the success of that trip?Mitch Simpler: Well, you know I'll kind of back it up a little bit. Much like the FIDIC meeting, the meeting in, in the trade mission to Southeast Asia was very exciting and incredibly challenging. First, the members of the trade mission in addition to Wilbur Ross and his team from the commerce department was the import export bank, the overseas private investment corporation, otherwise known as OPIC, the U.S. Agency for International Development, otherwise known as USAID, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, USTDA and the Department of State. Those are the government's side of the trade mission. And on the private side we had firms that represent gas companies, Boeing, Citibank, Lockheed Martin, but more specifically ACEC and Manish Kothari and I - Manish being the previous chair of ACEC, my immediate predecessor and I were the only two professionals representing professional design firms on the and the trade delegation. And it was really a unique opportunity for us and the fact that we were representing 7,000 member firms and that that little detail was not lost on anyone on the mission that we actually had more a team behind us.Mitch Simpler: In addition to the 700,000 members that represent the firms ACEC was really very, very well positioned and we were, as you pointed out, we were able to meet with key ministry level members as well as the presidents and premiers from Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand. Our simple message was that we all, the members of ACEC are open for business with each and every one of these countries. Provided we can be assured that we will be paid in full and in a reasonable period of time that our intellectual property will be honored and respected, which has been sort of the biggest problem with billing work, particularly in Southeast Asia is that you can do design work and next thing you know, your design is popping up everywhere and you're not involved because they have essentially taken your IP, your intellectual property. We - Manish and I, were convinced that our message was heard and well received by all the members of leadership within these countries who also recognize that ACEC represents the best of the best design firms on a global scale.Mitch Simpler: And if you want us to be able to work on your projects in those countries, they need to be clear and open about how we're working, how we get paid and, and how our intellectual properties will be respected. And that message was made very loud and clear and very well received. And our hope both through the commerce department as well as through the individual firms that are doing actively doing work over there now that we will be able to continue the conversation and and get more firms actively involved. They are all doing incredibly well from a, from an economic development standpoint. And it certainly would behove any and every American firm to get involved to the extent that they are able, because it is, it is a booming economy and will soon be, it's right now that the Asian countries represent the third largest market segment and third largest economy. And we need to be more actively involved. My hope is that we will.Host: Yeah, I think it's, it's, you know, there's a great, and again, you know, ACEC being part of that trip you know, with how many companies and professionals that we represent and that, that, that massive force behind that name. It's also important to kind of point out that as far as it, as the, as the trade mission went, we were the only professional trade association that was part of the trip. Everybody else was part of a company or....Mitch Simpler: Yes, they were there with a very pointed mission to sell their specific product. And we were selling an idea and I'll tell you, it was, it was very well received. And by the way, including the companies that were there saying, you know, we need to talk to you guys about help design facilities for us over here because they all want to look. It's a huge economic booming area. Right now one of the big issues was the fact that there is an average of $40 billion trade deficit in favor of those countries against the U.S. and getting us companies to invest and building projects in Southeast Asia, but using U.S. firms and us products was really part of the mission statement. And I, and I, that was not lost on anyone there, including the companies that accompanied us to Southeast Asia using American companies to do their design and build and construction and using American products and the whole thing. It was, there was, it was a home run.Host: I mean when it was Tesla, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, I mean some and some of the larger players in the oil and gas, natural gas fields. I mean, and also creating those inroads with those companies that are going to be making those investments. And then from a national security and more strategic position is that, you know, the big, of course name on the block there is China and there's a, there's, you know, with, with the belt and road initiatives that China's doing and their investments in the region that those countries are looking for other partners in the landscape.Mitch Simpler: They are looking for alternatives, because I think the gloss has worn off the belt and road concept and they're now beginning to realize that that's not a good spot for them to be in. Because China has really started tightening, no pun intended, tightening their belt on those countries and they're saying, look, we need alternatives. We need, we need better solutions from outside of China. And we were there to help.Mitch Simpler: By the way, having both the city there as well as USAID and the Import-Export bank gave them funding opportunities that they would have otherwise not had.Host: I can tell you from you know, the reciprocity side. I mean, after you came back in short order, before the end of the year, we had about two or three meetings inside our DC office with representatives from the region and including Vietnam who were very interested in talking to us because like you said, you know, we are the gold standard. We have that knowledge base. We have that just that ability to improve of course their own practices and to influence how they are shaping the rules and regulations that govern the work that's done in the region. But then also having that ability to create and build the best infrastructure possible for a market that is just growing by leaps and bounds. And, and for any company out there that's listening any CEO who's saying, you know, it might be interesting to get involved in international work with a country in the region you know, reach out to us because Dan Hilton on our team did a very good job of, of helping to provide the background, of course, to help you guys get out there and make it a successful meeting.Host: But, you know, we are tied in with still USAID, the Export-Import bank those government entities we have a very good relationship with them and we can help firms out there that earth that are looking at getting involved in those markets. And we can be that door opener. We can be that convener to help make those relationships happen. So if you're interested in it, please reach out because you have a lot, you know your membership in ACEC goes beyond just you know, what you see day to day. There's a lot of work going on to on the international front. So, you know, take advantage of that.Mitch Simpler: Absolutely agree. As I said, very exciting. Clearly an opportunity and a number of our member firms are already actively involved in Southeast Asia and this is really an opportunity for other firms now to be able to piggyback on the successes that have already taken place.Host: Yeah. so that's, that's it was a busy year both domestically and internationally, a lot of things are going to be going into 2020 that, that were started of course in 2019. The strategic plan being one I guess what's your outlook? I mean, not just from ACEC, but also as a leader and an executive in the industry. You know, what's 2020 looking like from your seat in the C suite?Mitch Simpler: Well, from my lips to God's ears I'm, I'll use the term cautiously optimistic. You know, I think everyone is, is feeling the success over the last several years, but particularly for 19, we would love for it to continue. But those of us who've been in business long enough, and this is my 43rd year with JBB and 33 years as a partner I've seen economic booms and I've seen economic busts. And just when you think when things are going good and they're going to be sustained, you know, the floor drops out. So I'll use my term cautiously optimistic for 2020. We certainly have, we as a firm we as a region have a, just a real boom going on in the Northeast construction boom in the, in the engineering industry is is feeling it in a very good way.Mitch Simpler: We have reasonable expectations that this will certainly continue through 2020. We know, obviously this is an election year and that's when, you know, funny things happen and somebody says the wrong thing at the right time and next, now the market takes a tank. So my term cautiously optimistic is just that for that reason, I've ever reason to believe that it will continue going. Certainly in a matter of similar, not necessarily, I'm not sure it will continue at this a fevered pitch, but, but certainly continue at reasonable growth. And the reports that I've gotten back through my network as chair certainly through my fellow CEOs is that this, I think this cautious optimism is, is pretty much spread out across the country. And it's, that's good news. Anything we can do to continue that process we should be doing. Absolutely. Tell me what that is. I'll be happy to do it.Host: Well, it's going to be an interesting year. I, without question, when ever you have it you know an election year like this, it's always going to be very interesting. And we're going to be very active in it from our position to help the candidates understand the importance of the engineering industry to see all the policies that are out there that benefit us from, from, you know, issues related to workforce, immigration resiliency, climate change, things like that, that, you know, we have a part to play. And we have a voice and we want to have that voice included in the policy debate. And that's going to be up to us to make sure that happens.Mitch Simpler: Right. And this is the what's the right word? A a not so honest plug for the PAC, but this is where the PAC becomes so critical. And then the good news is I was, I got my, my notice that the PAC has exceeded $1 million again for 2019 and congratulations to all of those who contributed. It is an absolute, probably the single best arrow we in our quiver for the success of ACEC members and our advocacy program is the PAC. And this year will be the year that it was ever going to be something worthwhile to have. It's a PAC during this presidential election. And so kudos to all of those who, who contributed kudos to ACEC for being able to continue to grow the PAC and use it in our advocacy and amount of, to which it was intended. And that's, this year will be that test year. It's, it's disappointing that for the last four years, we've not been able to get an infrastructure bill passed. But, but we certainly have every reason to believe that this year could be that year.Host: And again, as it happened with the 2016 election, infrastructure was more than just a back burner issue. It did come to the forefront. Hopefully that happens again. And, and the PAC enables us to keep that conversation going and to introduce, of course, our industry to more Members of Congress. Of course, the significant number of freshmen that are in Congress right now who are going to be up for reelection you know, they're going to want to know what's happening. And the PAC, the townhouse that we have of course in Washington right now, which Dave Bender is overseeing being able to have people in and to have those meetings, it's critically important. So yes, thank you for all who have donated. And the PAC is a, is a potent weapon. And, and, and it's, it's said a lot about in DC that, that, you know having one of that size is the kind of thing that separates you from a crowd and, and has you and your message taken a lot more seriously. So breaking that million Mark is, is a, is a big landmark that really sets us up for for a good 2020.Mitch Simpler: All right. Fingers crossed.Host: Yeah. Fingers crossed.Host: Exactly. I guess that that kind of you know, I think that's a good note to, to kinda end on. It's a cautiously optimistic for 2020. Anything else that you want to add before we sign off?Mitch Simpler: No, other than it's been a real pleasure to work both with Jeff, with you and the entire ACEC team at national and you guys make us all look good, but it is not lost on any one of us. That it is you, the, the staff that make ACEC the success story that it is. And thank you all. And I wish everyone a very happy, healthy and safe new year. And I will see you actually on Wednesday.Host: Yes, absolutely. And thank you for that. And we will see you for our EXCOMM training and the year is kicking off with a fast pace and a very packed January. So we really look forward to an exciting year ahead and talking to you in the future. And thank you very much for taking the time, Mitch, and Happy New Year.

Credit title: Subject Matter Expert : Johanes Ronaldy Polla, S.Si., S.Kom., MM., M.IB Dokumenter: Binus University Uploaded by: Knowledge Management and Innovation Binus University

Excelify the fastest growing app for Shopify Bulk Importing and Exporting. Maris Veide developer / author of Excelify continues to offer a game changing enterprise level application for advanced importing and exporting tool used for products, collections, pages, metafields, orders, customers and more. Forget a workaround, this app kicks other apps butts with nealy no limitations. Okay there's a few but you'll have to stay tuned for what he comes out with next. I nick names this app the "Incredible Bulk". It truly is a Top 10 must have app for stores with a large catalog or a lot of data to manage or migrate outside of Shopify. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/apploud/support

Diesmal ist Andreas gänzlich alleine im Cockpit und tut sein Bestes unsere zweiwöchentlichen Start einzuhalten. Lieber Fluggast, wenn dir das Gehörte gefällt oder dir Sorgenfalten auf die edle Stirn fabriziert, dann haben wir etwas für dich: iTunes Bewertungen. Follow-up Export/Import der iOS Shortcuts Die Beschwerden über iOS 11 häufen sich Wifi, Bluetooth im Control Center Erneutes 1Password/KeePass Feedback Ungoogled Chromium VPNSecure @ StackSocial That One Privacy Site VPN Comparison Chart Whonix Whonix Qubes Unsere Picks Keka In Spenderlaune? Wir haben Flattr und PayPal am Start und würden uns freuen.

Fred Hochberg, Chairman and President of the Export-Import bank of the US, makes the case that the US is leading the way in a globalized economy. By focusing 90% of the bank’s attention on small businesses, Hochberg argues that his bank is creating greater opportunity while reducing risk. In contrast, Rana Foroohar, Assistant Managing Editor at TIME, sees a murkier future.  According to Foroohar what few of us realize is how the misguided financial practices and philosophies that nearly toppled the global financial system in 2008 have come to infiltrate all American businesses, putting us on a collision course for another cataclysmic meltdown.

Transportation: We all need it, and Congress funded it. In this episode, we take a detailed look into the FAST Act, which funds our national transportation network for the next five years. Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! H.R. 22: FAST Act ("Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act) Bill Highlights Division A - Surface Transportation Title I - Federal-Aid Highways Funding level Highways will get an average of 41 billion per year. Private Freight Grants: $500 million can go to private rail freight companies to upgrade rail infrastructure; the Federal share of these projects is capped at 60%. Acceleration of Projects Creates a pilot program that will allow States to conduct environmental reviews, using their own State laws, instead of using the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Capped at 5 States The State can only be approved if the Secretary of Transportation determines the laws of the State are at least as stringent as the Federal requirements. No lawsuits will be allowed, challenging the permit approval, after 2 years. The program will sunset in 12 years Miscellaneous The Department of Transportation will identify national corridors for installation of electric car charging stations and hydrogen, propane, and natural gas refueling stations by the end of 2016. The goal is to have the charging and refueling stations deployed by September 30, 2020. Allows the Department of Transportation to move swallows from under bridges that need fixing until the Interior Department issues final rules. The Secretary of the Interior can suspend the authorization to move the swallows. Title III - Public Transportation Funding level The Mass Transit Account will provide and caps expenditures at an average of $9.7 billion per year. $199 million for positive train control installation, which can be used to pay for up to 80% of the cost. Buy American Requires American steel, iron, or manufactured goods to be purchased, when possible. Title IV - Highway Traffic Safety Provides grants to States in return for their establishment of laws that prohibit texting and driving. Prohibits Federal grant money from funding for State & local programs for checking for motorcycle helmet usage or checkpoints for motorcycle monitoring. Impaired Driving Provides grants to States for implementation of drunk driving laws. Orders a study and report to Congress on marijuana-impaired driving by the end of 2016. Title V - Motor Carrier Safety Drug Test Expansion Allows companies to conduct preemployment and random tests of commercial drivers for alcohol and controlled substances using hair testing as an alternative to urine testing. Allows for religious exemptions Title VI - Innovation Highway User Fees Grants will be provided to States that create user-fee programs for funding the Highway Trust Fund. The goal is to test the design and public acceptance of two or more user fee systems. Private vendors can be used to operate the fee collection systems. The fees collected will not be considered "tolls" Public Access to Research A database of all Department of Transportation research projects will be available on a public website and updated once per year. Title VII - Hazardous Materials Transportation Special permits Speeds up the decision time for special permits for transporting hazardous material by 60 days The decisions will be available to the public "Wetlines" Requires the Secretary of Transportation to kill a proposed rule that would have prohibited the transportation of flammable liquids in the pipes underneath tankers Transportation of flammable liquids by rail Within a year, the Secretary of Transportation has to create regulations to require railroads to report accurate, real-time information about hazardous liquids being transported to the local fusion centers, who will share the information with State and local first responders. Tank cars that do not meet Federal standards can still be used to transport oil and ethanol until 2018 or May 2025, depending on the type of tank car. The Secretary of Transportation can extend the deadlines for up to 2 years The Secretary of Transportation will have 180 days to create regulations to make sure that tank cars modified to meet Federal standards be equipped with insulating blankets that have been approved by the Secretary. Title XI - Rail Funding Levels Amtrak, which owns the tracks and passenger cars operating in the Northeast, will get an average of $519 million per year. For Amtrak operations in the rest of the country, where private freight companies own our tracks, Amtrak will receive an average of $1 billion per year. Food and Beverage Reform Amtrak will have 90 days to develop a plan to eliminate the operating loss associated with offering food and beverages on Amtrak trains in a way that doesn't eliminate any Amtrak employee positions Amtrak will be cut off from Federal funds to cover food and beverage related operating losses in December 2021. Pets on Trains Amtrak will have one year to launch a pilot program allowing dogs and cats on trains Gulf Coast Rail A working group will be created and have nine months to develop a recommendation for the best option for restoring intercity rail passenger transportation between New Orleans, LA and Orlando, FL. Privatizing long distance routes The Secretary of Transportation will have to create a pilot program by mid-2017 that will allow non-Amtrak companies to operate up to 3 long distance passenger rail routes. The non-Amtrak operator will have control of the route for four years and it can be renewed once for an additional four year period. The operator will be given an operating subsidy for up to 90% of what the government is giving Amtrak. The non-Amtrak operator can be the private company that owns the tracks, another private company that has an agreement with the track owners or the States. The non-Amtrak operator will be given access to Amtrak's reservation system, stations, and operations facilities and will be required to give hiring preferences to the Amtrak employees laid off because of the transfer. Cameras on Trains By the end of 2017, the Secretary of Transportation must create regulations requiring inward and outward facing cameras in the control cabs on all passenger trains Liability Cap Amtrak can not be held liable for more than $295 million for the fatal accident that occurred on May 12, 2015. Title XXIV - Motor Vehicle Safety Recall Information The Secretary of Transportation will have until the end of 2017 to create a public website for easily accessible information on vehicle safety recalls. Information about recalls will have to be sent to consumers electronically in addition to first class mail. There will be a two year pilot program testing the idea of States informing customers of recalls when they register their vehicles. Doubles the amount of time consumers get to have their recalled tires replaced from 60 days to 180 days. Rental Car Safety Rental car companies with more than 35 cars can sell, lease, or rent out cars only after they have fixed whatever was recalled. They can continue to rent out the cars until the solution is available, if it is not immediately available at the time they are notified. Motor Safety Violation Penalties Increases the penalties from $5,000 per violation to $21,000 per violation, capped at $105 million. Driver Privacy Information from a car's event data recorder can only be accessed by someone other than the owner or lessee if it's authorized by a court, is provided willingly by the owner/lessee, is needed for emergency response purposes, or is for traffic safety research and the personally identifiable information is hidden. Tires The Secretary of Transportation will create regulations for tire fuel efficiency minimum performance standards, taking steps to ensure that wet traction functionality is not effected. Creates a publicly searchable electronic database for tire recall information Whistleblowers If a whistleblower gives credible and unique information about a safety problem to the Secretary of Transportation that results in sanctions, the whistleblower can get between 10 and 30 percent of the award. Title XXXII - Offsets Passport Denials for Tax Delinquencies If a person has a seriously delinquent tax debt over $50,000, the Secretary of State must deny new passports and can revoke, or limit existing passports. Privatize Tax Collection Forces the Treasury Secretary to issue at least one contract for tax collection services by April 2016. Customs Fees Increases a list of customs fees every year with inflation. Federal Reserve Funds Limits the amount of money that can be held by the Federal Reserve banks to $10 billion and transfers the remainder to the general fund of the Treasury. Adjusts dividends for Federal Reserve stockholders to the lower of the rate of the 10 year Treasury notes or 6 percent Strategic Petroleum Reserve Requires the Secretary of Energy to sell at least 66 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and deposit the money into the general fund of the Treasury. The amount sold may be increased at the discretion of the Energy Secretary until the revenue totals $6.2 billion. Crop Insurance Profits Repeals a part of the Bipartisan Budget Act that caps the returns for crop insurance providers at 8.9% Oil & Gas Royalties Eliminates interest payments that oil and gas companies could accrue on overpayments. PAYGO Scorecard The effects of this law on the budget will not be counted Title LI - Taxpayer protection provisions and increased accountability Export-Import Bank Reauthorizes the Export-Import bank until September 30, 2019 and reduces the amount of loans, guarantees, and insurance the Export-Import bank can have outstanding to $135 billion (from $140 billion). Requires the Export-Import bank to hold 5% of it's funds in reserve to protect against losses. Requires independent audits of the Export-Import bank's portfolio Creates a pilot program that allows the Export-Import Bank to enter into contracts to "share risks". The amount of liability allowed to be transferred is capped at a total of $10 billion. Title LV - Other Matters Environmental Law Waivers In an emergency during which there is a sudden increase in energy demand - which includes during a war that the United States is involved in - "any party" that follows an order to generate electricity can not be sued for violating "any Federal, State, or local environmental law or regulation". The order that allows immunity for breaking environmental laws will expire in 90 days, but the order can be renewed as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission "determines necessary to meet the emergency and serve the public interest." If the emergency order is set aside by a court, the immunity remains. Strategic Transformer Reserve The Secretary of Energy will have one year to create a plan to store spare large power transformers and substations that are critical infrastructure or support military installations. Title LXXI - Improving Access to Capital for Emerging Growth Companies Makes it easier and faster for a company that makes under $1 billion per year to offer stock to the public. Title LXXII - Disclosure Modernization and Simplification Reduces paperwork for companies that make under $1 billion per year and want to offer stock to the public. Title LXXIII - Bullion and Collectible Coin Production Efficiency and Cost Savings Removes the requirement that collectable coins be 10% copper Title LXXIV - SBIC Advisors Relief Investment advisors who solely advise small business investment companies will be able to be excluded from registration requirements even if they are managing assets over $150 million (current limit for exemption from registration requirements). Title LXXV - Eliminate Privacy Notice Confusion Banks will not have to mail privacy notices to their customers if they haven't changed their policies since the last disclosure was sent. Title LXXVI - Reforming Access for Investments in Startup Enterprises Allows privately held shares to be sold to "accredited investors" without registering the securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Title LXXXII - Capital Access for Small Community Financial Institutions Allows privately insured credit unions to become members of Federal Home Loan Banks if they are FDIC eligible or are certified by the State If the State doesn't get to it in under 6 months, the application is deemed approved. Title LXXXIII - Small Bank Exam Cycle Reform Doubles the size of a bank that counts as a "small bank" from banks that have less than $500 million to banks that have less than $1 billion for the purpose of allowing those banks to have on-site examinations by regulators every 18 months instead of every year. Sound Clip Sources Hearing: House Rules Committee Meeting on Highway Bill Amendments-Part 1, November 3, 2015. Hearing: House Rules Committee Meeting on Highway Bill Amendments, Part 2, November 3, 2015. Hearing: Federal Railroad Administration Confirmation Hearing, Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, September 17, 2015 Hearing: Positive Train Control, House Transportation Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, June 24, 2015. Hearing: Amtrak Derailment, House Transportation and Infrastructer Committee, June 2, 2015. Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes Congressional Dish Episode 99: April Takes a Turn By Jennifer Briney, June 27, 2015 Congressional Dish Episode 73: Amtrak, By Jennifer Briney, June 24, 2014 Congressional Dish Episode 62: The Farm Bill By Jennifer Briney, February 8, 2014. Reports Federal Public Transportation Program: In Brief By William J. Mallett, December 28, 2015. Congressional Budget Office: H.R. 22, the FAST Act, December 2, 2015. Additional Reading Article: Rental companies now have to repair recalled cars By Chris Isidore, CNN Money, June 1, 2016. Article: NTSB: Philly Amtrak crash engineer’s fault By Bill Cummings, CtPost, May 17, 2016. Article: With RAISE Act, Congress Paves Way For Private Secondary Markets By Shriram Bhashyam, TechCrunch, December 20, 2015. Article: Highway Bill Restores Crop Insurance Funding Cut in Budget Deal, Insurance Journal, December 4, 2015. Article: Fewer Taxpayer Giveaways Would Cut The Fat, Not ‘Cripple’ Crop Insurance By Shannon Van Hoesen, Environmental Working Group, December 3, 2015. Article: FAST Act (H.R. 22): Surface Transportation Conference Report Released By Robert S. Kirk, December 2, 2015. Article: $305B highway bill taps Fed, oil reserves By Keith Lang, The Hill, December 1, 2015. Article: Congress votes to delay rail safety mandate by 3 to 5 years, fund transportation programs By Joan Lowy, U.S. News and World Report, October 28, 2015. Article: Ag Committee Leaders Stand United Against Reopening Farm Bill to New Crop Insurance Cuts By Meghan Cline, United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, October 27, 2015. Article: 'Devastating' crop insurance cut sends lawmakers scrambling By Philip Brasher, Agri-Pulse, October 27, 2015. Article: Rail-safety deadline extension hitched to must-pass bill on transit funding By Ashley Halsey III and Michael Laris, The Washington Post, October 27, 2015. Article: Deadline for train safety technology undercut by industry lobbying By Ashley Halsey III and Michael Laris, The Washington Post, October 25, 2015. Article: Stop pretending you know what the Export-Import Bank is By Simone Pathe, PBS, September 15, 2014. Article: REUTERS SUMMIT-U.S. Ex-Im bank would back Airbus sales -Hochberg By Alwyn Scott and Tim Hepher, Reuters, September 10, 2014. Article: CARGO TANK TRUCKS: Improved Incident Data and Regulatory Analysis Would Better Inform Decisions about Safety Risks By Susan A. Fleming, U.S. Government Accountability Office, September 11, 2013. Article: How the cult of shareholder value wrecked American business By Steven Pearlstein, The Washington Post, September 9, 2013. Article: NTTC Asks LaHood to Halt Rulemaking On Wetlines Procedures, Tanker Design By Timothy Cama, Transport Topics, October 10, 2011. Article: Hazardous Materials: Safety Requirements for External Product Piping on Cargo Tanks Transporting Flammable Liquids By Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, January 27, 2011. Additional Information U.S. Department of Homeland Security Budget-in-Brief Fiscal Year 2016 U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Budget Estimates, Fiscal Year 2016 Metra Website: Positive Train Control Joint Explanatory Statement explaining the FAST Act OpenSecrets: Profile of National Tank Truck Carriers Inc OpenSecrets: Top Contributors to Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, Bill Shuster OpenSecrets: Top Contributing Industries for Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, Bill Shuster OpenSecrets: Career Profile for Rep. Steve Stivers of Ohio's 15th district Website: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Website: Export-Import Bank of the United States Website: Risk Management Agency/U.S. Department of Agriculture: Crop Insurance Providers List for 2016 Website: Department of Transportation Fact Sheet Website: United States Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics: Transportation Fatalities by Mode YouTube: 9/11 hijackers at Dulles Airport, October 3, 2008. Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations

This episode is a mash-up of the State of the Union and the 2014 budget. We compare the impression President Obama gave us about what to expect for this upcoming year with the reality of what was funded in the last-minute and little-examined budget which he signed into law just two weeks before the speech. Information Presented in this Episode The following quotes are from the 2014 State of the Union. Let's compare them to what was in the budget which he recently signed into law: The 2014 Budget (H.R. 3547) "Last month, thanks to the work of Democrats and Republicans, Congress finally produced a budget that undoes some of last year's severe cuts to priorities like education. Nobody got every-thing they wanted, and we can still do more to invest in this country's future while bringing down our deficit in a balanced way, but the budget com-promise should leave us freer to focus on creating new jobs, not creating new crises." - President Obama The budget should have been done by September 30, 2013. This new law puts all 12 appropriations bills into one big monster law. The bill was put on the House's schedule on January 13th at 8pm and was passed on January 15. The budget is 1,582 pages long. The budget was attached as an amendment to H.R. 3547, the bill extending the insurance program for commercial space flight which was highlighted in episode CD058. The insurance program was originally extended for a year; the budget bill extended it until 2017.) Fossil Fuels  "Now, one of the biggest factors in bringing more jobs back is our commitment to American energy. The all-of- the-above energy strategy I announced a few years ago is working, and today, America is closer to energy independence than we have been in decades. One of the reasons why is natural gas. If extracted safely, it is the bridge fuel that can power our economy with less of the carbon pollution that causes climate change. Businesses plan to in-vest almost $100 billion in new factories that use natural gas. I will cut red tape to help States get those factories built and put folks to work, and this Congress can help by putting people to work building fueling stations that shift more cars and trucks from foreign oil to American natural gas." - President Obama (Division G - Section 108) The Interior Secretary will set up Internet program for oil and gas leasing. Lip Service to Fracking Water Poisoning "Meanwhile, my administration will keep working with the industry to sustain production and job growth while strengthening protection of our air, our water, and our communities." (Explanatory Statement) Prohibits more than $6 million for a joint research effort by the EPA and USGS into hydraulic fracturing that aims "to address the health, safety, and environmental risks of shale gas extraction." Solar  "It is not just oil and natural gas pro-duction that's booming. We are becom-ing a global leader in solar, too. Every 4 minutes, another American home or business goes solar, every panel pounded into place by a worker whose job cannot be outsourced. Let's con-tinue that progress with a smarter tax policy that stops giving $4 billion a year to fossil fuel industries that don't need it so that we can invest more in fuels of the future that do." - President Obama Solar will receive $257 million in 2014. (Explanatory Statement) Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy = $1.7 billion, about half of what was requested (Wind & Solar = 20% of budget at $345 million) Fossil Fuel Research and Development will get $562 million, $142 million more than requested Only time the word 'solar' appears in the budget, the law prohibits the Department of Interior from processing a grant or lease for a commercial scale solar project on public land in the Mojave Desert (Division G - Section 116) Money is given to the Air Force to upgrade the heating at Kaiserslautern Military Community in Germany and forces the little town to use United States coal as the power source, even though the power comes from German municipal sources. Climate Change - Flood Preparation [caption id="" align="alignright" width="340"] FEMA/Bill Brown[/caption] "Taken together, our energy policy is creating jobs and leading to a cleaner, safer planet. Over the past 8 years, the United States has reduced our total carbon pollution more than any other nation on Earth. But we have to act with more urgency because a changing climate is already harming Western communities struggling with drought and coastal cities dealing with floods." - President Obama Authorizes $1.6 billion for a maximum of 4 new Army Corps of Engineers construction projects. One has to be for environmental restoration, the other three are for navigation OR flood and storm damage reduction, which means that it is possible that none of these projects will be for storm damage reduction. (Division D) Authorizes $28 million for preparation for floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. (Division D) and $154 million for flood plain mapping and management. (Division F) Disaster Relief Fund will receive $6.2 billion. (Division E) Reduces money available for weatherization programs that were part of the stimulus bill and also changes eligibility to make it harder to get; the law prohibits the Department of Energy from paying employees who enforce the changes made by the stimulus. (Section 308, Division D) Prohibits enforcement of energy efficiency standards for light bulbs. (Section 322, Division D) Prohibits money to be used to pay the salary of the Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change (Section 621, Division E) New Carbon Standards "That's why I directed my administration to work with States, utilities, and others to set new standards on the amount of carbon pollution our power plants are allowed to dump into the air." -President Obama No money can go towards a regulation for, among other things, carbon dioxide and methane caused by livestock production.(Division G - Section 420) No money can go towards a rule requiring mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions of manure management systems. (Division G - Section 421) No money can go towards implementing regulations on high-carbon intensity projects of the Export-Import bank that would prohibit any coal-fired or "other power-generation project" in USAID (poor, indebted countries) that would "provide affordable electricity" or increase US exports or jobs. (Division K - Section 7081) Immigration  "Finally, if we are serious about economic growth, it is time to heed the call of business leaders, labor leaders, faith leaders, and law enforcement and fix our broken immigration system. Republicans and Democrats in the Sen-ate have acted. I know that Members of both parties in the House want to do the same." - President Obama Republicans discussed immigration on their three day " bayside retreat", specifically a border fence, but didn't mention immigration in their letter to President Obama. Detention: Must have at least 34,000 detention beds (Division F) Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated (UNICOR) has 83 factories, which pay their prisoner slaves between $0.23 and $1.15 per hour, which manufacture all kinds of things and provide services, including call center services than can be purchased by the private sector. (Division F - Section 558) No money can be spent on a public advocate in Immigration & Customs Enforcement. (Division F - Section 566) Prohibits a border crossing fee. Gun Control  "Citizenship means standing up for the lives that gun violence steals from us each day. I have seen the courage of parents, students, pastors, and police officers all over this country who say ‘‘we are not afraid,'' and I intend to keep trying, with or without Congress, to help stop more tragedies from visiting innocent Americans in our movie theaters, in our shopping malls, or schools like Sandy Hook." - President Obama (Division H - Section 217) No money may be used to advocate or promote gun control. Afghanistan "With Afghan forces now in the lead for their own security, our troops have moved to a support role. Together with our allies, we will complete our mission there by the end of this year, and America's longest war will finally be over. - President Obama None of the money can be used to "establish any military installation or base for the purpose of providing for the permanent stationing of US Armed Forces in Afghanistan" (Division C - Section 9007) No money for new construction projects (Division C - Section 9016) "After 2014, we will support a unified Afghanistan as it takes responsibility for its own future. If the Afghan Government signs a security agreement that we have negotiated, a small force of Americans could remain in Afghanistan with NATO allies to carry out two narrow missions: training and assisting Afghan forces, and counter-terrorism operations to pursue any remnants of al Qaeda. For while our relationship with Afghanistan will change, one thing will not: our resolve that terrorists do not launch attacks against our country." - President Obama Iraq "When I took office, nearly 180,000 Americans were serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, all our troops are out of Iraq." - President Obama None of the money can be used to "establish any military installation or base for the purpose of providing for the permanent stationing of US Armed Forces in Iraq" or "to exercise United States control of any oil resource of Iraq" (Division C - Section 9007) $209 million to support "United States government transition activities" (Division C - Section 9012) which includes security assistance, facilities renovation and construction, training of Iraqi troops and counter-terrorism personnel. Orders a report from DoD and the Secretary of State for their plan to transfer "training activities that they determine are needed after the end of fiscal year 2014 to existing or new contracts for the sale of defense articles or defense services" $250 million for "democracy programs" "Building Democracy"  "From Tunisia to Burma, we are sup-porting those who are willing to do the hard work of building democracy." - President Obama No money can be used by the IRS to "target citizens of the US for exercising any right guaranteed under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States." (Division E - Section 107) No money can be used by the IRS to "target groups for regulatory scrutiny based on their ideological beliefs." (Division E - Section 108) No money can be used to require any company with a government contract or requesting a government contract to disclose political contributions to candidates or committees (political action committees) or payments made towards political advertising. (Division E - Section 735) Syria  "In Syria, we'll support the opposition that rejects the agenda of terrorist networks." - President Obama "None of the funds made available by this Act may be used in contravention of the War Powers Resolution." (Division C-Section 8117) which says the President needs to declare war within 60 days AFTER he starts one. He doesn't have to do this at all if he has an Authorization for the Use of Military Force. Funds for Iraq can be used in Syria "to support international efforts to promote regional security"(Division K - Section 7041) Funds for the State Department can be used to "establish governance in Syria that is representative, inclusive and accountable", and to "counter extremist ideologies" (Division K - Section 7041) Drones "America must move off a permanent war footing. That's why I have imposed prudent limits on the use of drones, for we will not be safer if people abroad believe we strike within their countries without regard for the consequence." - President Obama Latest drone strike was three days ago in Somalia. Guantanamo Bay "And with the Afghan war ending, this needs to be the year Congress lifts the remaining restrictions on detainee transfers and we close the prison at Guantanamo Bay." -President Obama Can't use money to transfer anyone into the United States from Guantanamo Bay, but can upgrade and repair Guantanamo Bay (Division C - Section 8110)(Division F -Section 537) Israel-Palestine "As we speak, American diplomacy is supporting Israelis and Palestinians as they engage in the difficult but necessary talks to end the conflict there; to achieve dignity and an independent state for Palestinians, and lasting peace and security for the State of Israel—a Jewish State that knows America will always be at their side." - President Obama $3.1 billion for Israel's military. (Division K) Prohibits money for Palestine, unless they become a state. (Section 7040 - Division K) 10th Deployment  [caption id="" align="alignright" width="302"] U.S. Army Ranger Sgt. First Class Cory Remsburg at the 2014 State of the Union Address[/caption] "I first met Cory Remsburg, a proud Army Ranger, at Omaha Beach on the 65th anniversary of D-day. Along with some of his fellow Rangers, he walked me through the program. He was a strong, impressive young man with an easy manner. He was sharp as a tack. We joked around and took pictures, and I told him to stay in touch. A few months later, on his 10th deployment, Cory was nearly killed by a massive roadside bomb in Afghanistan. His comrades found him in a canal, face down, under water, shrapnel in his brain." - President Obama The budget cancels the pension cut from December's budget agreement for people who are disabled, like Cory. The cut remains for anyone lucky enough to escape the military uninjured. The cuts start December 1, 2015. Procurement Over $92 is going toward procurement - the buying of stuff for the military. Every single category allowed our money to pay for expansion of private plants, including the land, to pay for equipment, appliances, and tools in those private plants and pay the layaway payments for contractor-owned equipment. (Division C) Air Force must spend the money it's given for the RQ-4B Global Hawk drones, the drones the Air Force wants to put into storage (Division C-Section 8118). RQ-4 Global Hawks drones are manufactured by Northrup Grumman; Northrup Grumman manufacturers the drones in Buck McKeon's district; Buck McKeon is Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee; the House Armed Services Committee is in charge of Defense money. Northrup Grumman is Buck McKeon top contributor since the last election: Will Work Around Congress  "What I offer tonight is a set of concrete, practical proposals to speed up growth, strengthen the middle class, and build new ladders of opportunity into the middle class. Some require congressional action, and I am eager to work with all of you; but America does not stand still, and neither will I, so wherever and whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American families, that is what I am going to do." - President Obama Minimum Wage  "Today, the Federal minimum wage is worth about 20 percent less than it was when Ronald Reagan first stood here. TOM HARKIN and GEORGE MILLER have a bill to fix that by lifting the minimum wage to $10.10. It is easy to remember— 10, 10. This will help families. It will give businesses customers with more money to spend. It does not involve any new bureaucratic program. So join the rest of the country. Say ‘‘yes.'' Give America a raise. Give them a raise." - President Obama Retirement "That is why tomorrow, I will direct the Treasury to create a new way for working Americans to start their own retirement savings: MyRA. It is a new savings bond that encourages folks to build a nest egg. MyRA guarantees a decent return with no risk of losing what you put in."- President Obama NSA Spying "That's why, working with this Congress, I will reform our surveil-lance programs, because the vital work of our intelligence community depends on public confidence, here and abroad, that the privacy of ordinary people is not being violated." -President Obama "Information pertaining to United States persons shall only be handled in accordance with protections provided in the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution as implemented through Executive Order 12333" (Division C- Section 8079). Executive Order 12333 was created during the Reagan administration and updated several times, notably by George W. Bush when his administration started his Total Information Awareness program. One way they appear to be authorizing and funding NSA spying: Money "shall be available for the inter-agency funding of national security and emergency preparedness telecommunications initiatives which benefit multiple Federal departments, agencies, or entities, as provided by Executive Order 13618"  (Division E -Section 711). Executive Order 13618 orders the Defense Secretary to "provide, operate, and maintain communication services and facilities adequate to execute responsibilities consistent with Executive Order 12333 of December 4, 1981, as amended." "No money can be used by any Federal Agency to collect "personally identifiable information" relating to our access or use of any website. There are exceptions which include voluntary submissions of personally identifiable information, actions taken for law enforcement, regulatory, or supervisory purposes, in accordance with applicable law, and actions taken to protect the rights or property of the Internet provider. (Division E - Section 725) TPP "Over the past 5 years, my administration has made more loans to small business owners than any other, and when 98 percent of our exporters are small businesses, new trade partner-ships with Europe and the Asia-Pacific will help them create even more jobs." - President Obama Our tax money will be allowed to be used to advertise for "United States" corporations overseas. Prohibits the trade representative from seeking "the removal by any foreign country of restrictions on the marketing of tobacco or tobacco products" (Division B - Section 509). Prohibits the use of text from the US-Singapore, US-Australia, & Morocco Free Trade Agreement which granted strict patent rights to industry. The Morocco FTA forced both countries to allow patents on plants, animals, and surgical procedures and including that in the TPP is now illegal. (Division B - Section 519) Not Mentioned By President Obama But In The Budget Torture "None of the funds made available in this Act shall be used in any way whatsoever to support or justify the use of torture by any official or contract employee of the United States Government." (Division B - Section 516) Food Safety and Inspection Service Will get $1 billion for 148 full time inspectors... for the entire country.  (Division A) Abortion Federal money can't pay for abortions unless the life of the mother is in danger or if she was the victim of rape and/or incest. (Division B - Section 202-103 )(Division E - Section 613-614)(Division H - Section 506-507)(Division K-Section 7018 ) This includes prisoners. Contraceptives Government health care that provides for prescription drugs must include birth control (Division E - Section 726) Propaganda Prohibits funding for propaganda inside the United States that isn't already authorized by Congress (Division B - Section 501) (Division E - Section 718)(Division K - Section 7055) Marijuana No money can be used to "enact or carry out and law, rule, or regulation to legalize or otherwise reduce penalties associated with the possession, use, or distribution of… any tetrahydrocannabinols derivative" (Division E- Section 809) No money can be used to promote the legalization of any drug, except when there is "significant medical evidence of a therapeutic advantage to the use of such drug" (Division H-Section 509 ) Public Health No money can go towards sterile needles for junkies. (Division H - Section 522) Music In This Episode Intro and Exit Music: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) None of the Above by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)