Austin, TX (myPressManager.com) December 06, 2012
The Texas Taxpayers and Research Association responded today to a recent series on tax incentives published in the New York Times. The Times contends that Texas gives out a whopping $19 billion annually in tax incentives—more than any other state.“The Times’ contends that Texas is unique in offering certain incentives, which, in fact are basic tax exemptions common across the states,” TTARA’s President, Dale Craymer said. “They selectively count the costs for Texas but ignore them for other states. Their conclusions are misleading and simply wrong.”For example, over half of the value of “incentives” the Times attributes to Texas is the sales tax exemption for raw materials consumed in manufacturing. Virtually all other states offer the same exemption as a way to prevent tax pyramiding. The Times, however, excludes those values from their ranking for California, Illinois, Florida, New York, and a myriad of other states. This results in the erroneous conclusion that Texas somehow offers more incentives than other states.“The key difference between Texas and these other states,” Craymer commented, “is that Texas is transparent in our tax policy and provides publicly available estimates. Many other states do not, so the Times ignored them in its calculations.”“Further, many of these exemptions are designed to prevent economic distortions associated with taxing a business’s productive costs. To count these very common and basic exemptions as tax incentives is the same as arguing that Texas’ sales tax exemption for groceries creates an incentive to eat.”A more recent, academically honest, report on state tax incentives and business tax costs, Location Matters, was prepared by the Tax Foundation. Surprisingly, Texas scores much lower on incentives than what the Times suggests. “Taxes aside, there are many reasons for businesses to locate in Texas—efficient regulation, rational tort laws, policy stability, etc.,” Craymer said. “What you simply won’t find is a $19 billion bonanza of handouts.”The Texas Taxpayers and Research Association (TTARA) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership-supported organization of businesses and individuals interested in state and local fiscal policies in Texas and the way those policies impact our economy. TTARA members operate in every part of Texas; they employ and provide incomes to thousands of Texans; they produce or provide every type of good or service Texans consume; and, they provide a huge portion of the revenue that supports public services at every level of government. TTARA has been recognized as the state’s leading organization specializing in tax and fiscal policy for more than 50 years.
iKeepSafe is delighted to announce the addition of Linnette Attai to its Advisory Board. Linnette is a media and marketing compliance executive with extensive expertise navigating regulatory and self-regulatory environments surrounding advertising, marketing, content, privacy, safety and ethical concerns. Since 2000, her primary area of focus has been the multi-billion dollar children’s entertainment industry, and the special considerations faced by consumer product, food, movie, toy, video game, television, digital and mobile companies creating content and marketing intended for children and teens.As the founder of PlayWell, LLC, Linnette focuses on guiding clients through compliance concerns related to media and marketing, including digital and mobile privacy and safety concerns. She has previously served as Vice President, Standards & Practices for Nickelodeon, and as a compliance executive with CBS.Linnette has advised the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) on children’s issues, helping to write their guidelines on children’s advertising, and leading a subcommittee on children’s privacy. She was also an active participant on the MMA’s subcommittee on behavioral targeting, and is a member of the Children’s Media Association. Her work in children’s media dovetails with a keen interest in societal issues impacting children, including education, health and safety. In 2010 she completed the Executive Education Training Program at Fordham Center for Nonprofit Leaders to further explore business practices of organizations centered on improving the lives of children.A native of New York, Linnette completed her undergraduate degree at Connecticut College and received her MBA in Marketing and Management from Fordham Graduate School of Business Administration.“iKeepSafe is thrilled to welcome Ms. Attai as a new member of the Advisory Board,” iKeepSafe CEO and President Marsali Hancock said. “With her background experience and genuine passion for digital and mobile privacy concerns, she will be a valuable asset. We are lucky to have her.”###About the Internet Keep Safe Coalition The Internet Keep Safe Coalition (iKeepSafe) is a broad partnership of governors and first spouses, attorneys general, public health and educational professionals, law enforcement and industry leaders working together for the health and safety of youth online. The Coalition provides innovative resources, including parent tutorials and educational materials like the Faux Paw the Techno Cat® Internet safety book series and animated films for children. iKeepSafe uses its unique partnerships to disseminate the safety resources to families worldwide, including its Generation Safe™ program launched in the U.S., Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam. To learn more, visit 
The Internet Keep Safe Coalition (iKeepSafe) is pleased to announce its support of National Cyber Security Awareness Month and appreciates the National Cyber Security Alliance’s special efforts this month ensuring that our online lives are kept safe and secure. This year’s theme, “Our Shared Responsibility,” emphasizes that the internet is a shared resource and securing it is everyone’s responsibility. Further, the month highlights that if each of us does our part, “together we will be a more resilient and safer digital society.”National Cyber Security Awareness Month, conducted every October since 2001, is an annual awareness-raising effort that seeks to encourage everyone to protect their networks and our nation’s critical cyber infrastructure. NCSA works in collaboration with partners across the country to empower consumers, schools, businesses and government agencies to stay safe online.In celebration of the month, iKeepSafe will do its part to raise awareness of the importance of cyber security. The organization will be attending the 11th Annual Cyberethics, Cybersafety, and Cybersecurity Conference in College Park, Maryland on October 4th and 5th. In addition, iKeepSafe has officially shown its support for the month and its commitment to cyber security by participating as a National Cyber Security Awareness Month “champion.” As a champion, iKeepSafe recognizes that we all share the responsibility to secure our part of cyberspace and the networks we use.“iKeepSafe strives to educate families and educators about the importance of cyber security throughout our daily outreach and communication efforts,” said Marsali Hancock, President and CEO of iKeepSafe. “We strongly support the National Cyber Security Alliance’s mission, vision and efforts in promoting ‘Our Shared Responsibility’ in celebration of National Cyber Security Awareness Month this October.” To learn more about iKeepSafe, visit ikeepsafe.org.###About the Internet Keep Safe CoalitionThe Internet Keep Safe Coalition (iKeepSafe) is a broad partnership of governors and first spouses, attorneys general, public health and educational professionals, law enforcement and industry leaders working together for the health and safety of youth online. The Coalition provides innovative resources, including parent tutorials and educational materials like the Faux Paw the Techno Cat® Internet safety book series and animated films for children. iKeepSafe uses its unique partnerships to disseminate the safety resources to families worldwide, including its Generation Safe™ program launched in the U.S., Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
Alfred State ranks no. 7 among top public schools/regional colleges (north) according to the most recent U.S. News and World Report’s 2013 Best Colleges report for the second year in a row. Additionally, Alfred State ranked no. 23 on the list of top regional colleges in the North, up from the no. 25 spot last year. Alfred State was also included in the rankings of those colleges with the highest average freshman retention rate, coming in at 74 percent. These figures represent a gain over previous year’s rankings!U.S. News and World Report’s annual ranking studies more than 1,600 schools nationwide and is the most trusted and comprehensive research tool students and parents look to when considering higher education choices.Dr. John M. Anderson, Alfred State president,attributes the top ranking and Alfred State’s increased ranking on the list to the compelling relevancy Alfred’s project-based learning has on students and employers alike. “The way we approach project-based learning is unique to us in many ways which is why it has become a cornerstone of our culture,” said Anderson. “Our focus is on teaching students how to think – not what to think – and that is something that resonates extremely well with employers. In fact, it is the reason why we are able to boast a 99% employment and transfer rate.”The category of ‘top public schools’ refers to public colleges and universities from small liberal arts colleges to large research institutions. The ‘regional colleges’ category on the report encompasses schools that focus almost exclusively on the undergraduate experience while offering a broad range of programs in the liberal arts and in fields such as business, nursing, and education. Alfred State is a member of the technology college sector within the State University of New York (SUNY) system. The College offers 52 associate degree programs, 20 baccalaureate degree programs, and three certificate programs in addition to an array of online programs. For more information, contact Tami Bacon, Marketing Communications Specialist at Alfred State at (607) 587-4230 or 
Contract Gurus (
North Carolina based parking management firm, Park Select, headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina, announces the grand opening of their new Raleigh, North Carolina location. The newly franchised Park Select will offer business and property owners in downtown Raleigh innovative alternatives in parking enforcement, coupled with cutting edge and affordable parking management technologies.Local business owners, Eva and Dan Brown, recognized the growing demand on available parking in Raleigh’s busy downtown districts and recently contracted for the Park Select franchise rights for all of Wake County. “Raleigh business owners are looking for a way to combat the abuses that increased parking demands are causing.” says Dan Brown, the new owner of Park Select Raleigh. “Park Select offers business and property owners an effective deterrent at no cost. In a challenging economy, we felt a cost free and valuable service would be a welcome change in our community.” Park Select’s unique business model was developed nearby in Wilmington, North Carolina; and, for over a decade has offered merchants and lot owners alike the free hourly monitoring and enforcement that has become their trademark. But while it may be free to the lot owners they represent, the cost of Park Select’s hourly enforcement is passed on to the parking violators they work to discourage. Park Select lot monitors identify violators and issue parking fines as an alternative to towing enforcement. “We have found that fines are much more effective than towing or booting,” says Kirk Iventosch, founder of Park Select Franchising Opportunities. “Our clients can’t afford the negative impact that towing might cause their business. We give them back their lots, without the hassles of monitoring them.”The newly established Park Select Raleigh will offer that same monitoring and enforcement, along with revenue generating management options such as daily and hourly pay parking and monthly tenant management. Utilizing new cloud-based credit card payment technologies and other payment management systems, Park Select will offer Raleigh lot owners percentage-based lot management fees for new and existing pay parking lots. “Our goal,” says Dan Brown,” is to provide Raleigh lot owners more space and higher profits. If we can do that, we’ll be successful.”
Established in 2001 in Wilmington, North Carolina as a parking management firm, offering services to area business and parking lot owners; Park Select has now become the newest franchised business model in North Carolina. The first Park Select franchise was sold this month to business owners Dan and Eva Brown of Raleigh, North Carolina. Plans for a second Park Select Coastal franchise, which will include all North Carolina beaches, will soon be finalized and other locations as far west as California are currently in negotiation. As small business owners themselves, Park Select founders Kirk and Sandra Iventosch recognized the need for affordable parking management. “We were restaurant owners and our parking lot was constantly abused. We couldn’t afford the negative impact of towing,” explained Sandra, “but hiring an outside firm or paying our own employees to monitor the lot wasn’t cost effective. We realized that business owners like ourselves needed a third alternative.” The resulting company, Park Select offers hourly monitoring and parking enforcement to business and property owners regardless of the lot size and at no cost to the lot owner. Park Select’s fees are paid by issuing fines to any parking violators identified in the lots they manage. “It’s a win-win for everyone,” says Sandra, “The lot owner gets parking optimization for free, our fee is paid by the violator, legitimate local paid parking is utilized more frequently, and even the violator wins when they don’t get towed.” Park Select’s client base increased as they added other parking management services, including pay parking and tenant parking. The success of their unique business model in Wilmington made Park Select executives question what other markets throughout the US might benefit from their services. Forming Park Select Franchising Opportunities, they developed the tools and training programs to help business owners in other cities duplicate their success. In an industry dominated by fast food and automotive services, Park Select Franchising Opportunities is the first and only parking management franchise system. Their stated goal is to change the parking industry, one lot at a time. Through franchise sales, Park Select may do just that, one city at a time. 
Regardless if one likes their toilet paper to hang over the roll or under, or if they are a “wadder” or a “folder,” Consumer Reports latest study points Americans to Walmart’s White Cloud 3-PlyUltra Soft toilet tissue. Declared as Consumer Reports decisive winner, scoring 91 out of 100 and beating it’s closet competition by 10 to 50 points, White Cloud’s Ultra Softs performance shows that consumers do not have to pay a premium price to receive a premium tissue. The top 25 toilet paper brands were subjected to specially trained sensory panelist and an extensive battery of tests grading on softness, absorbency, value and strength. White Cloud 3-Ply Ultra Soft ranked highest across all categories. The tissue was also singled out for its price value costing only 19 cents per 100 sheets as compared to well-known premium priced tissue priced between .30 cents and .38 cents per 100 sheets. Toilet Paper Fun Facts
“You treated us like royalty.” Those were the parting words of Regina, the last patient to leave the Mission of Mercy clinic at the Lake County Fairgrounds last Friday. The Expo Building at the Lake County Fairgrounds was transformed into a huge, two-day free clinic on Friday and Saturday with the goal of treating underserved patients with dental, medical and vision needs. More than 1,300 volunteer dentists, hygienists, assistants, dental students, physicians, vision professionals, nurses and lay volunteers treated 2,082 children and adults during the Illinois State Dental Society Foundation and CURE Network’s Mission of Mercy event. “Throughout the course of this giant, free clinic, our dental volunteers provided 1,113 exams and oral cancer screenings; 811 cleanings; 878 extractions; 1,242 restorative treatments, including fillings, root canals, and crowns; and more than 100 partials and denture repairs.” said Dr. Mark Humenik, a general dentist who chairs the Mission of Mercy.“More than 500 patients received vision exams, and eyeglasses were made on site for every patient who needed them,” stated Dr. Ken Nelson, Chair and Co-Founder of the CURE Network. “We performed medical exams, pap smears, breast exams, blood sugar screenings, and blood pressure screenings on over 300 patients.”“This weekend, we have witnessed many extraordinary circumstances in which people have lost their jobs; their dental, health, or vision insurance; or are dealing with really difficult circumstances. We’ve had the opportunity to touch the lives of many in desperate need,” said Dr. Alice Boghosian, who chairs the Illinois State Dental Society’s Public Relations Committee. “What you see at the Mission of Mercy is simply a larger example of the charitable care that dentists, physicians and vision professionals provide every day in their offices. This year’s event was especially significant due to the Illinois State Dental Society Foundation’s partnership with the CURE Network to provide dental, medical and vision care,” said Dr. Robert Bitter, President of the Illinois State Dental Society.Certainly, the Mission of Mercy has called attention the serious problem that many Illinois citizens have in accessing dental and medical care, but charity is not the foundation for a properly working healthcare system. Only the Illinois legislature can provide the solution through adequately funding the Medicaid program in Illinois. “If everyone gives a little, we can do great things,” Dr. Bitter adds. “The overwhelming sense of gratitude from our patients was so rewarding to our tireless volunteers. Many patients commented that they had never been treated with such kindness and dignity.” Learn more about the 2012 Mission of Mercy at .jpg&ImageWidth=200&ImageHeight=200)
This morning, the Illinois State Dental Society Foundation and CURE Network officially kicked off the Mission of Mercy, or “MOM,” at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake on June 8-9. Nearly 1,500 volunteers from throughout Illinois will provide an estimated $1 million in free basic dental, medical and vision care to patients who would not otherwise have access to necessary treatment.Nearly 1,500 volunteers from throughout Illinois will provide free basic dental, medical and vision care to needy patients. They include 223 general dentists, 24 pediatric dentists, 24 oral surgeons, 13 endodontists, 10 orthodontists, 95 dental hygienists, 250-plus dental assistants, 104 dental students, 14 physicians, 60 RN/LPN/CNA’s, 19 vision professionals, and a large group of lay volunteers.Volunteer clinicians are prepared to see 1,000 patients per day, but hope to accommodate more. Dental volunteers will use 100 portable dental units to provide free basic dental care and oral surgery to patients who would not otherwise have access to necessary dental treatment. However, not all dental services are provided, and dental problems are prioritized with the most critical being treated. No false teeth will be made, but limited partials will be made in the lab.Basic medical screenings include high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and women’s health, including breast exams and PAP smears. Vision professionals will conduct eye exams and screen for glaucoma and macular degeneration. Prescription eyeglasses will be made on site.Monetary and in-kind donations from more than 130 organizations, businesses, dental and medical supply companies, and individuals have been provided to offset the costs of equipment and facility rental, supplies, pharmaceuticals and food costs for this huge access to care event. A list of our generous donors is available on the ISDS Foundation website.The Mission of Mercy calls attention to the serious problems that Illinois citizens have in accessing dental and medical care. The event will relieve some suffering, but it won’t solve the problem. Only the Illinois Legislature can provide the solution through adequately funding the Medicaid program in Illinois, which was drastically cut in the 2013 state budget.“More than 2.6 million Illinoisans are enrolled in state-sponsored health insurance. Two-thirds of those enrolled in government-sponsored health care are children. While Illinois has experienced a steady increase in public aid enrollment, funding for the most critical procedures have not increased in more than 30 years,” noted ISDS President Dr. Robert Bitter of Skokie.He adds that, “Medicaid’s adult dental program was a casualty of the May 25th passage of Senate Bill 2840 that slashed $1.6 billion from the $11 billion Illinois Medicaid program. The adult program will now be an ‘emergency only’ program. “The Mission of Mercy media kit and other information are available by clicking on the home page “Mission of Mercy” graphic at 
The Illinois State Dental Society Foundation and CURE Network will co-host the second Mission of Mercy, or “MOM,” at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake on June 8-9. Nearly 1,500 volunteer dentists, hygienists, physicians, nurses, optometrists and others from throughout Illinois will provide an estimated $1 million in free basic dental, medical and vision care to patients who would not otherwise have access to necessary treatment. “We are prepared to see 1,000 patients per day, and hope to accommodate more if we can,” said Dr. Mark Humenik, State MOM Chair. “In order to treat as many patients in the best way possible, we are offering three areas of services: dental, medical and vision. The patient’s priority condition will be served first.”“Basic medical screenings include high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and women’s health, including breast exams and PAP smears. Vision professionals will conduct eye exams and screen for glaucoma and macular degeneration. Prescription eyeglasses will be made on site by Midwest Labs of Chicago,” adds Dr. Ken Nelson, Co-Founder and Chair of CURE Network.Here are some important things that prospective patients should know:• Not all dental services will be available. Emphasis will be on basic dental care, such as fillings, extractions and cleanings.
The Texas Taxpayers and Research Association today released a report, “Equal and Uniform…sort of” analyzing the findings of the performance audits of Texas’ 253 central appraisal districts. The study was compiled from the results of individual reviews of local appraisal districts conducted by State Comptroller Susan Combs’ Property Tax Assistance Division under a requirement in House Bill 8, passed into law in 2009 by State Representative John Otto and Senator Tommy Williams.The Comptroller’s evaluation was an effort to determine if appraisal districts have the very basic tools needed to do their job— appraise property at its fair market value. Initially, the review found that roughly one in three districts lacked up-to-date maps and documentable procedures. In over a third of the districts the Comptroller was unable to reproduce the values assigned to the property. “The most troubling finding is that districts were found to be most lacking in appraisal standards and procedures—their core mission,” said TTARA’s senior researcher, John Kennedy. “The Texas Constitution guarantees that taxation will be equal and uniform. That right is threatened if taxpayer property is not uniformly appraised at market value. It is little comfort to know that your house is fairly valued only to find out that your neighbor’s is not. Your heftier tax bill subsidizes their benefit,” Kennedy said.The good news is that most appraisal districts have already corrected almost all of their identified deficiencies. Some, however, remain sorely behind. Eight districts not only failed to correct their deficiencies before the results became final, but also could not address them in the ensuing year. These districts have been reported to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for further enforcement action. The Texas Taxpayers and Research Association (TTARA) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership-supported organization of businesses and individuals interested in state and local fiscal policies in Texas and the way those policies impact our economy. TTARA members operate in every part of Texas; they employ and provide incomes to thousands of Texans; they produce or provide every type of good or service Texans consume; and, they provide a huge portion of the revenue that supports public services at every level of government. TTARA has been recognized as the state’s leading organization specializing in tax and fiscal policy for more than 50 years.
The Illinois State Dental Society recognizes that Governor Quinn and the Illinois legislature are facing intense budget pressures as they attempt to find $2.7 billion in savings from the Medicaid program. However, eliminating the adult dental program from the Medicaid budget will not produce any significant savings. Adults that experience pain and infection from dental conditions will be forced to seek treatment in hospital emergency rooms, where staff is unable to provide definitive treatment and costs to the Medicaid program skyrocket. In a dental office, an emergency exam and surgical extraction of a tooth would cost the dental Medicaid program $73.60, and could address the condition before it escalates into multiple emergency room visits and possible hospitalization. Dental problems will not resolve themselves, and in some cases, patients will develop severe systemic infections that require hundreds of thousands of dollars in hospitalizations. Retaining the adult program is the only cost effective and efficient option for treating dental problems.Gov. Quinn has also proposed a reduction in Medicaid reimbursement rates for healthcare providers in an attempt to achieve even more savings. Additional rate cuts to the dentists who provide care to children covered by the Medicaid program would be devastating. For decades , Illinois has reimbursed dentists for restorative services, like fillings and crowns, at levels drastically below the costs of providing care. Illinois ranks 48th in the country for its Medicaid funding rates. Further cuts will drive even more dentists away from treating the children's Medicaid population.The State of Illinois learned an expensive lesson about cutting adult Medicaid dental services when former Gov. Edgar took that action in FY 1996. By the next fiscal year, the adult program was restored. Let’s not repeat a past history of failure. The Illinois State Dental Society encourages a thorough review of those currently eligible to obtain services under the Medicaid program to ensure that scarce state funds are truly being used for the most vulnerable populations. The dentists of the Illinois State Dental Society will continue to work with Governor Quinn and the Illinois legislature to develop an appropriate solution that will not harm patients or falsely claim short-term savings.About the Illinois State Dental Society
Policy Reference Press announces the launch of their medical Billing Coding Library subscription eBook service. Policy Reference Press has been making a name for itself in the Amazon Kindle Store by creating eBooks with powerful navigation from statutes and other public policy documents. The Billing Coding Library is no different, Policy Reference Press delivers again with their first workflow enabled medical coding series SuperICD9. These books can capture the essence of ICD-9-CM coding while giving users the comfort of the full text they are accustomed to. Medical coders speak to medicare and insurance companies through a complex mix of codes such as ICD-9-CM, HCPCS, DRG and CPT. Each of these requires a current code reference, many of them updated regularly each year. Soon ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS will replace ICD-9-CM, causing double expenditures throughout the transition period. This adds up quickly, coding firms often pay more than $1000 to equip each employee each year. With another ICD-10-CM delay, companies are on the hook for another year of buying expensive ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS references just for training purposes.Finally medical billing and coding firms can outfit their entire organization with the current and upcoming annual code reference updates without spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars per employee each year. In addition, with a Billing Coding Library subscription, employees can feel free to install Policy Reference Press publications on all of their computing and mobile devices.The supported devices list includes iPad/iPhone, Android phones and tablets, Kindle and Nook eReaders and of course PC and Apple desktop and laptop computers.Student subscriptions are priced economically at $29.99 and individual subscriptions are available for only $49.99. Medical practices and medical billing and coding firms gain the most benefits. A practice can license all of their doctors and employees to install whichever books from the Billing Coding Library they wish on whichever devices they prefer for less than the cost of a single set of hard copy coding references.Free evaluations of the Billing Coding Library and free evaluation downloads of the SuperICD9 series are available at the website.Website: 
Judy’s Book, the premier Social Search® site that helps consumers get the trusted scoop on local businesses, announced today that users are now able to pin images of their favorite places on Judy’s Book with the click of a button to their Pinterest account. Images uploaded can be categorized by type of places (favorite restaurants, kid friendly places, attractions, etc..) to pin boards, text to encourage engagement is automatically added in the description of the image, and include a unique back link to the businesses page on Judy’s Book.Pinterest provides virtual pinboards which users can 'pin' collections of images to connect people through shared tastes and interests. Pinterest makes it really easy to create pinboards for any category and upload images to it. These can be pictures they have taken themselves or images collected from around the web. Followers get to see images a person has posted and
National Cost Containment announced today that they will be expanding their offerings to include auditing services for accounts payable and sales tax audit and recovery. This new service can aid clients in recovering overpaid taxes from various taxing agencies.NCC already offers their clients the ability to contain costs in more than sixty common cost areas, including equipment maintenance, computer supplies and food service. Lee Ferry of NCC explains that “containment is very different from cost cutting. A business cannot function in cost-cutting mode on a long-term basis. Since cost containment involves controlling increases in costs before they occur, it is a means of controlling future risk.” He goes on to elaborate that the “strategies for cost containment can be applied to small companies just as easily as large ones, because they involve the same two groups of people: employees and vendors”.NCC also has a strict policy regarding customer satisfaction and now also offers a new No Fee guarantee program. NCC works with each individual client and bases their commission off the percentage of the dollars saved, not a flat fee rate.About National Cost Containment: The West Palm Beach, Florida-based company helps its clients realize “best-in-market” pricing from their suppliers. Hospitals, schools, service companies, wholesalers, retailers and distributors make up a large portion of National Cost’s clients, forming partnerships with the containment company to slash costs and discover efficient new ways to run their businesses. NCC continues to enable their clientele to contain costs in more than sixty common cost areas, including equipment maintenance, computer supplies, insurance, and food service.Please visit us on the web at 
Today, iKeepSafe and AT&T*are proud to announce in the launch of Mobile Safe – a program that offers resources for parents and educational games for students, with the goal of teaching kids smart and safe mobile habits. The program launched at an event at the Museum of Play in Rochester, NY. The Mobile Safe resources are available today at 
Scott & White Healthcare announced today the completion of the erection of the structure on its new, 143-bed acute care hospital in College Station. The milestone was marked with a “topping out” ceremony at the facility, located at the intersection of Texas Hwy 6 and Rock Prairie Road. Measuring 365,000-square-feet, the six-story facility represents the collaborative work of Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., Kitchell, and Adams Architecture. About 275 trade workers are currently employed at the site and that number is expected to increase to 400 as the project progresses. Scott & White Hospital-College Station will house an emergency department, cardiac services including cardiac catheterization labs, neonatal intensive care unit, operating rooms, maternity services suites, endoscopic procedure suites, inter-operative robotics and other specialty services, all supported by a pharmacy, comprehensive state-of-the-art imaging technology and other diagnostic capabilities. With a projected completion date of the summer of 2013, the new hospital will cover roughly eight acres of enclosed space, supported by 25,000 cubic yards of concrete and 700 tons of steel. The facility façade will be composed of stone and brick veneer, with architectural cast stone trim and curtainwall. Scott & White Hospital-College Station will open initially with 119 beds and can be expanded to accommodate another 24 beds when the need arises “The magnitude of such an enormous undertaking and what it means to the future of patient care in College Station hits me each time I step foot on the site,” said Jason Jennings, chief executive officer, Scott & White Healthcare College Station. “This facility symbolizes Scott & White’s commitment to the community and will foster our unrivaled ability to deliver a continuity of care to the Brazos Valley,” said William Rayburn, M.D., chief medical officer, Scott & White Healthcare College Station.
In coordination with Safer Internet Day, iKeepSafe is thrilled to announce the launch of the revised 2012 edition of “A Parents' Guide to Facebook”, written by ConnectSafely.org’s Larry Magid and Anne Collier. As Facebook continues to change, the authors updated the parent guide’s content to reflect the most recent features and policies on Facebook. The free Guide can be downloaded in PDF format at 
The TTARA Research Foundation has released an update of its award-winning publication, “An Introduction to School Finance in Texas.” This latest version describes changes made by the 82nd Legislature and provides the information needed for citizens and taxpayers to understand the issues raised by pending lawsuits. The previous report, also authored by Sheryl Pace, won the 2011 award for Most Effective Education from the nationally respected Governmental Research Association.“The public education system in Texas consumes over $47 billion each year educating 4.8 million young Texans. Even though education is the most important public service provided in this state, few understand how Texas finances it. This report is written to allow those of us who are not school funding ‘insiders’ to fully grasp the issues and play an informed role in developing state policy. With four lawsuits challenging the state’s school finance system, education finance will certainly be at the front of the public consciousness this year. There may never have been a more important time for citizens to be well informed. This report will make that possible,” said Bill Allaway, the TTARA Research Foundation’s President.Copies of the report may be obtained by contacting the TTARA Research Foundation and are available on our website.The TTARA Research Foundation is a non-profit educational entity organized to make factual analyses and studies related to economic, fiscal and public policy in Texas. It has conducted research that has enlightened the development of public policy in Texas for more than 50 years and has won numerous national awards in the process, including this year’s top award from the Governmental Research Association for its report on school finance in Texas.For more information on the TTARA Research Foundation please visit us online at 
Health Equity Initiative (HEI), a NY-based nonprofit organization dedicated to building community, capacity, and communication resources for health equity, announces today that it received approval by the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) as a provider of Certified in Public Health Continuing Education (CPH CE) credits, which are required for maintaining the certification in public health issued by the NBPHE. Eligible professionals who participate in HEI’s professional development workshops, mini-courses and other training events can earn CPH CE credits after completing a multiple choice test. The CPH certification is administered by the NBPHE after successful completion of an exam, which is open to graduates of and students at CEPH-accredited schools and programs of public health. CPH certification recognizes the complexity and evolving nature of public health challenges, and addresses the need for public health professionals to stay at the forefront of their field. CPH maintenance requires the completion of CPH CE credits via participation in continuing education activities. As one of its core action areas, HEI helps other organizations succeed by increasing their effectiveness in serving vulnerable populations and developing sustainable health interventions in diverse settings – via its consulting and technical assistance services, and capacity building programs. HEI’s training events focus on a variety of topics and competencies in the public health, global health and healthcare fields, with a specific emphasis on implications for health equity. “We are very pleased with this important milestone and look forward to a long-term relationship with the NBPHE,” says Dr. Renata Schiavo, HEI’s Founding President and CEO. For additional information on HEI’s capacity building and training services as well as upcoming 2012 professional development workshops, go to: 
Only after the author stared bankruptcy in the face was he prepared to do the unthinkable, create a budget. Not only did he avoid bankruptcy, he survived his own financial nightmare and seasons of unemployment. The author also learned and fine-tuned the budget process. After getting his own house in order, Patrick Mellody, started sharing his easy budget process with others. In this book Patrick uses real life stories from his 17 years as a volunteer budget coach to walk the reader through this timely new book. Over 14 Million Americans are unemployed and need a plan to survive, now! With incomes slashed and assets on the line families need help prioritizing their limited funds. This book includes two budgets.The Crisis Budget – For anyone that needs help today! When life is down to the wire and families need to make quick but informed decisions, this budget is for them. The reader learns how to protect their personal triangle of basic needs and can utilize the solid list of referral services in the book to work with their creditors. The Unemployment Budget – This budget is more detailed and will help the reader get more organized. They will have a solid foundation on which they can not only survive but be able to move forward. Financial stress will be reduced and allow them to focus on finding their next job. Each short chapter starts with a story of someone Patrick helped develop a budget over his seventeen years as a volunteer budget coach. Every story is unique and has a part to play in the budget process. At the end of each chapter there is a simple form to fill in that will help the reader on their way. Here is what the reader can expect from this book: