Opinion: Karin Brownlee’s Court-Packing Scheme
Fair and balanced.
That’s how Kansas House Republicans might describe a workers’ compensation reform bill they gave preliminary approval to on Friday. But here’s how the Topeka Capitol Journal described House Bill 2531 which changes the process for selecting administrative law judges for disputed Kansas workers’ compensation and unemployment cases:
“The bill, championed by Kansas Labor Secretary Karin Brownlee, would hand to business interests control of picking members of a new board that would assume responsibility for judicial appointments. Business groups would be guaranteed six seats on the board, while labor would have one seat.”
Legislation like HB 2531 hurts communities like ours the most.
This stacks the deck against workers who are injured on the job. Thank you to all of our Representatives who stood with Kansas workers and have opposed this bill, unfortunately not all Reps are like ours and are more interested in valuing their big business campaign contributors over the hard working families in our State.
Karin Brownlee and business groups will choose SIX of the new seven-member panel that picks judges for work comp and UI cases. The Kansas AFL-CIO would pick the seventh.
Brownlee and House Republicans are trying to blow up a process that has resulted in truly impartial judges that both employees and employers can trust.
You are probably outraged, and you should be.
So, before the final House vote on this bill, Kansas workers need you to make your voice heard.
Take a moment to share this with your friends on your social networks and take action to stand with many of the member of our communities who are likely going to be some of the most hurt by this bill.
Twitter (copy & paste the following into a tweet): RT @workingkansans: Help Stop Karin Brownlee’s Court-Packing Scheme! Take A Stand Now! http://bit.ly/zzdCGy #ksleg #kslabor
Facebok (click here to like and share)
CHWC reminds consumers to beware of foreclosure rescue scams
With headlines touting the $25 billion dollar Mortgage Servicing Settlement announced on February 9, 2012 through the combined efforts of the U.S. Department of Justice, HUD, and the Treasury Department; there are concerns that some consumers might find a new twist to loan or foreclosure rescue scams. Community Housing of Wyandotte County (CHWC), NeighborWorks America, and our partners want to remind consumers to be cautious of potential scams that may be created from this settlement.
“The Mortgage Servicing Settlement announced yesterday is a great step towards repairing the damage done to the thousands of homeowners who may have lost their homes unnecessarily,” says Donny Smith, Executive Director of CHWC. “However, a new potential problem has also been created which is the opportunity for new loan scams. We have often told consumers to be wary of any offers not requested or initiated by the consumer, but in the case of the independent foreclosure review this is not the situation. Eligible consumers were mailed directly, informing them of the assistance or relief created by this settlement.”
To combat the ability of new scams, CHWC encourages consumers to take advantage of free counseling and be wary of any firm that asks for an up-front fee. Warning signs of a loan modification scam are:
Asks for fees in advance.
Guarantees that they’ll stop a foreclosure or get your loan modified.
Tells you to stop paying your mortgage company and to pay them instead
CHWC advises consumers to contact the Kansas Attorney General, a HUD certified counseling agency, or the national Foreclosure Hotline if they need more information about this settlement or potential scams. Other Important contact information for consumers:
Call 888-995-HOPE to Speak with a HUD Approved Housing Counselor, such as CHWC 913.342.7580 Call the Kansas Attorney General Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-432-2310
For additional information and answers to basic questions about the review process, visit www.IndependentForeclosureReview.com.
To report a loan scam at any time, call 1-888-995-HOPE. For more information about the Loan Scam Alert campaign, visit www.LoanScamAlert.org.
Borrowers or former homeowners seeking more information about the qualifications for relief from this settlement may also visit http://www.nationalmortgagesettlement.com/ for more information.
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If you are in or around the KC area this wednesday with nothing to do, read up.
Tim is my best friend from College. He was destined to be a writer. When I met him he told me that was what he was going to be. He was 16. Fast forward fifteen years and my friend has made a movie. And is actually a working screenwriter.
IF you are in or around the KC area on Wednesday night, he is having a free screening of his new movie. The first showing it has had. Here are the details and a link to the evite page.
This is a test screening for the rough cut of The Brass Teapot movie. We will be asking you to fill out a questionaire and stay after the movie to discus the film. Please only attend if you can stay for the entire movie and question & answer period.
ARRIVAL TIME: Attendees should arrive 15 min early (6:30PM)START TIME: Screening will begin promptly at 6:45PMEND TIME: Approximately 9pmThe Brass Teapot stars Juno Temple and Michael Angarano. Directed by Ramaa Mosley. Written by Tim Macy who currently lives in Kansas City.There is room for 140 people so RSVP ASAP to confirm a seat. Please feel free to forward this invite to as many people as you like. In order to attend the screening people must RSVP on this evite. You may bring guests but please indicate on the evite that you are doing so. RSVP list closes at 9PM Tuesday night.We ask that you arrive promptly and allow for a 24hr cancellation to ensure that your seat can be filled. There will be a questionnaire for everyone that should be handed in at the end of the screening.RSVP here
Kansas City Broadband Leadership Summit
Mayor Reardon will discuss the importance of high-speed fiber infrastructure to cities as they look to compete in the marketplace of the future. He will focus on how data speed is relevant to residents and businesses and how public-private partnerships can help cities deploy this type of infrastructure.
http://www.broadbandleadershipsummit.com/
A blog dedicated to highlighting all things in the Dotte (Kansas City, KS).
