Golf Carts & Tax Credits

We've all heard of the 'Cash for Clunkers' program, but now there's buzz about golf carts qualifying for electric car tax credits. The Wall Street Journal had an article on it the other day, which can be read here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704107204574473724099542430.html The devil is in the details it seems though.

VARIOUS TAXES: A State-By-State Comparison

There was an interesting graphic posted at stateline.org, which shows how the various states stack up against one another on various taxes. Take a look:

http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=430433

Goody's or Peebles Opening Soon?

Stage Stores, Inc. operates under the Bealls, Palais Royal, and Stage names throughout the South Central states, and under the Peebles and (now) Goody's name throughout the New England, Mid-Atlantic, Southeastern, and Midwestern states. They purchased the Goody’s chain assets in early-2009, according to company-provided information.

One of these names, but likely Peebles in my estimation, will operate out of the old Goody’s location in Linton. They may re-open under Goody’s, but I’m thinking that it would be best to open under a new nameplate, such as Peebles. More info on Peebles can be found here: http://www.peebles.com/

In a September release, however, the Company stated, “The Company expects to open an additional eight new stores during the next three months, six of which will be opened under the Goody’s name.” I’m hoping one of the unnamed six is in Linton, but that would make my guess on the nameplate wrong. Linton may not be one of these six too. Only time will tell, I suppose. Most recently, they opened Goody’s stores in Martinsville & Princeton, according to August & September 2009 press releases, so hopefully they are closing in on the Linton location soon.

APPEALS COURT: Greene County Jail Escape?

Is it 'escape' when an inmate leaves his/her jail cell, but doesn't intend to escape out of the facility? And does the 'intent' of the inmate even matter? These are questions that the Indiana Court of Appeals answered earlier today. While the majority did not consider it an act of escape and punishable as a crime, one judge dissented saying that indeed it was.

The Court's opinion can be found here:
http://www.in.gov/judiciary/opinions/pdf/10070902jgb.pdf

Federal Spending Growth Outpaces Median Income

Here's some very interesting charts on federal spending & more:
http://www.heritage.org/research/features/BudgetChartBook/Federal-Spending-Grew-Seven-Times-Faster-Than-Median-Income.aspx

As you'll see, growth in federal spending has outpaced growth in median household income for nearly 40 years now...