Colorado’s much-touted regulations on emissions from oil and gas operations have not kept pace with explosive growth in oil and gas activity, resulting in underreported methane leaks, unmonitored releases of toxic chemicals, and substantial contributions to the Denver area’s persistently unhealthy air quality. Former and current state employees, scientists, environmental watchdogs, oil and gas patch residents and the state’s own records point to a flawed monitoring, inspection, and enforcement framework that has allowed the rapid increase of oil and gas development over the past two decades to continue fouling Colorado’s air. A months-long investigation by The Story Group found that the state does not comprehensively monitor or regulate the industry’s air pollution emissions. In fact, records show that oil and gas companies are still releasing unknown levels of smog-generating and climate-altering pollutants that are not being measured or reported. One … [Read more...] about Colorado’s vaunted oil and gas rules are flawed and inadequately enforced
Small business regulatory enforcement fairness act
Small fry takes on Goliath in Texas
At first glance, it didn't look like a fair fight. On one side: an enormous and powerful global consulting company. On the other: the retired founder of a smaller turnaround firm who has become a thorn in the side of its larger rival. But the brawl that is underway in the federal bankruptcy court in Houston has the potential to cause big problems for the consultancy McKinsey & Co. The courtroom fight hinges on whether McKinsey or its clients have hidden interests in a bankrupt coal company that the firm has been advising, a practice prohibited by federal laws meant to ensure that one insider can't effectively cut itself or its friends a great deal at the expense of others. The man leveling the accusations, Jay Alix, is a retired turnaround expert who has made it his personal mission to harry McKinsey. Alix has spent four years first needling the firm's leadership, then attacking it in court, accusing it of violating federal laws and unethical behavior. Normally, a firm of … [Read more...] about Small fry takes on Goliath in Texas
Congressional candidates on business issues
1st, 2nd District hopefuls offer stances in NHBR survey Published: October 25, 2018 While Washington seems far away, decisions made there hit close to home, when it comes to trade, healthcare, energy, the workforce, taxes, labor and much more. NH Business Review asked the major party candidates in both the 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts the same questions with the same wording and required answers to fit the same word limit. The answers we received were very different. 1st Congressional District International Trade Q. What is your position on the Trump administration’s stance on tariffs and trade negotiations and what would you do about it? Edwards: I am a free-trade conservative who is generally opposed to tariffs. However, I support giving the administration the latitude to negotiate the best possible trade deals for our country. For too long, American workers have been left behind. It is time that we focus on ensuring that our trade … [Read more...] about Congressional candidates on business issues
Timberland Bancorp Earnings Per Share Increases to a Record $0.59 for 2018’s Third Fiscal Quarter
Net Income Increases 17% for the First Nine Months of Fiscal 2018 Earnings Per Share Increases 14% to $1.64 for the First Nine Months of Fiscal 2018 Reports Quarterly Return on Average Equity of 14.87% Reports Quarterly Return on Average Assets of 1.78% Announces $0.13 Quarterly Cash Dividend /EIN News/ -- HOQUIAM, Wash., July 24, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Timberland Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSBK) (“Timberland” or “the Company”) today reported record quarterly net income of $4.42 million, or $0.59 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2018. This compares to net income of $4.27 million, or $0.57 per diluted common share, for the preceding quarter and net income of $4.28 million, or $0.58 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 which quarter’s earnings per share was increased by approximately $0.13 due to a significant loan loss reserve recapture and the collection of non-accrual interest partially offset by … [Read more...] about Timberland Bancorp Earnings Per Share Increases to a Record $0.59 for 2018’s Third Fiscal Quarter
What the Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision means for small businesses
Despite some efforts to undermine the ruling, businesses will need to purchase software to prepare for tax collection By Kristin Mendoza Published: July 12, 2018 The U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision on June 21, South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., et al., that will have far reaching impact on the collection of state sales tax on online sales. While attempting to correct what the Court saw as a judicially created market distortion for operators engaging in online sales, the Wayfair decision regrettably creates more uncertainty for startups and small businesses engaged in e-commerce. What was the law before the Wayfair case? The role of the Court is to interpret both the U.S. Constitution and all laws enacted by Congress. Under the Constitution, Congress has the primary power to regulate interstate commerce. However, the Court has long recognized that in some instances, the power to regulate commerce is shared by both individual states and Congress, such as in the case of … [Read more...] about What the Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision means for small businesses