impact
Facebook introduces 'Places' location-sharing program
As expected, Facebook finally introduced "Places," its own location-sharing program on August 18th. Mobile location-sharing programs, which tell friends where you are when you're out, saw huge growth in the past year. The addition of "Places," first for Apple's iPhone, may have a huge impact on Foursquare, but the bigger may be on Google. Full article.
BP refuses to fund long-term seafood plan
BP is refusing to fund a long-term seafood testing and marketing program to help commercial fishermen and processors overcome the impact of the Gulf oil spill. Full Article.
Navy plans could affect more marine mammals
The US Navy is seeking federal permits to broaden the areas they use to hold ocean warfare exercises. The move could impact half a million sea mammals, including seals, sea lions and whales, some of which are endangered. Environmental groups argue that the Navy underestimates the long-term impact training exercises have on marine life. Full Article.
Startup company jobs have long-lasting economic impact
Startup companies create jobs and are important to our economy. Recent research from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation shows that the majority of the employment they generate remains as new firms age, creating a lasting impact on the economy. Full Article.
9 factors that affect when you retire
The ability to retire around 65 is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Modern technology and medical care gave us choices our parents didn’t have, such as having children later in life and the ability to work beyond retirement age. There are, however, several major life decisions that can have a substantial impact on when you quit working. Some of those factors include when you have kids, the number of children you have, when you start saving and your level of general education. Full Article.
Oil Spill Dispersant concerns rise
La’s Secretary of Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries recently commented that the biggest mystery about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill will be the impacts of the tremendous amounts of sub-sea dispersants used by BP in the cleanup effort. LA will test more than any other state to ensure the safety of its seafood and is in talks with BP along with the EPA & the Dept of Health and Hospitals to secure $457 million for the testing and establishment of a LA seafood certification. Full Article.
Rural America's Fiscal Challenge
Declines in state and local tax revenues will have a greater impact in rural America than in the cities as rural local governments rely heavily on intergovernmental transfers from state governments to balance their budgets. As state budget problems deepen, rural governments could suffer further from reduced intergovernmental transfers. Full Article.
Business organizations looking for ways to fight moratorium
The LA Assoc. of Business & Industry hosted a meeting with members of various business and government interests to discuss the impact of the offshore deepwater drilling moratorium and to kick around ideas with potential for use in the public relations battle against the moratorium. While the moratorium officially applies to deepwater drilling, industry officials say permits are not being issued for drilling near the coast either. A federal judge in New Orleans struck down the moratorium; one attendee said the administration is more likely to issue a new one than appeal the judge's ruling. Full Article.
How Health-Care Reform Will Affect Small Business
The health-care reform law will take eight years to be fully implemented. Some self-employed people and small employers will feel the impact almost immediately. One of the first changes is that insurance companies will no longer be able to put lifetime limits on coverage or rescind coverage, except in cases of fraud. By 2014, insurance companies will be barred from rejecting individuals because of preexisting conditions. Full Article.
