Daily Archives: February 23, 2017

The Fiscal Times

The US Navy Sends a Powerful Message to Beijing in the South China Sea The Fiscal Times On Tuesday, spokesman Geng Shuang said in a posting on the Chinese Foreign Ministry website that while China respects the freedom of navigation we oppose relevant countries threatening and undermining the sovereignty and security of coastal states ... and more »

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The US Navy Sends a Powerful Message to Beijing in the South China Sea - The Fiscal Times

By Davies Iheamnachor

PORT HARCOURTTHE leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called on the Federal Government to give the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra,MASSOB and the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, due attention in their agitation.

The organization expressed worry that the treatment meted against the pro-Biafran groups are inappropriate, urging the FG to give them (MASSOB and IPOB) the same attention given to the Niger Delta Avengers and Boko Haram insurgents.

The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief, John Nwodo, who spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt during his first visit to Igbo resident in the state, said members of MASSOB and IPOB were treated with hatred.

Nwodo wondered why the IPOB and MASSOB members would be arrested and killed at will by the security operatives, adding that no known member of Niger Delta Avengers or Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East has been prosecuted for felony.

He said that if the FG gives the pro-Biafran agitators the neede

d attention, the agitation would be laid to rest. He urged the FG to have a rethink to resolve the issue, even as he called the MASSOB and IPOB for cooperation.

Nwodo said,I extend my hand to the MASSOB and IPOB members to work with us. I understand your frustrations, your plights and impatience. Inspite of the reproach they have used to oppress you, you have remained calm.

Come home, your father has listening ears. I feel bad about how our youths are treated. I know of the Boko Haram terrorising the North-Eastern part of the country. They conquered and displaced community authorities and hoisted their flag, invariably announcing their own country but I have not heard of any of them that was arrested.

I know of the Niger Delta Avengers who are angry as the MASSOB and IPOB and are destroying oil facilities. I dont know any of them that has been arrested. What has IPOB done to be treated differently?

The fact that we have not joined them means that they have not received our cheers because we still believe that the FG can still handle the situation. I call on the Federal Government to have a rethink on how they handle the issues of IPOB and MASSOB. If they treat them as they have treated others, they will have a rethink.

Nwodo appealed to the Igbo to be united, noting that the region has been long neglected.

He said capital projects are not duly given to the states of the South-East and South-South and urged the FG to give the regions fiscal freedom

I am appealing to all Igbo to be united. I feel that dissipating our strength will not help any of us.

I am appreciative to the head of state, that after our election, he extended his hand that he would work with us. I regret that he is not well. Our people feel marginalized, they feel ill-treated.

Nwodo further said: In this country, the most sensitive position pertains to the national security, but there is already a vote of no confidence that the Igbo cannot be trusted with the security of the nation. No Igbo man heads the Nigerian police, no Igbo man heads the military, no Igbo man heads the Federal Road Safety Corps, no Igbo man heads the Department of State Services and others.

I looked at the capital allocation for capital projects in the South-East, I saw a total neglect. If I look into Rivers and Delta States, it is worse. The wealth derived from the South-East and South-South have not been used to develop the areas but are used to enrich individuals outside. but are used to enrich individuals outside.

I dont know why the federal Government does not want to give people fiscal freedom. We are calling for true federalism.

Read more from the original source:

Ohanaeze Ndigbo decries violence against MASSOB, IPOB - Vanguard

DJ Wilson | Feb 22, 2017

Sen. Pete Kelley, Senate President

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Alaskas fiscal house is not in order. Thats pretty common knowledge. On a budget of about $4.2 billion, Alaskas budget deficit is about $2.7 billion or about a 65% shortfall.

Coverage of the topic has been broad, including commentary we featured last week from Must Read Alaska.

The ADN, like other outlets, have been all over this as well. This piece from Dermot Cole lays out some of the concerns cogently.

However, all of these outlets miss what I think is a central dynamic in this discussion: how will this play in 2018?

Here is what I mean.

First, my recollection was that Gov. Walker has said he will only serve one term. With his recent announcement about prostate cancer, its reasonable to think this will be the case. Others see it differently, and even Gov. Walkers recent comments have him leaning towards running.

He said he ran to fix Alaska, a job he doesnt expect to finish by 2018, when he says hell probably seek re-election. Walker, described by his wife as someone who rarely takes a sick day, recently underwent what his office said was successful surgery for prostate cancer.

That said, its getting close to time when folks will begin to announce their intentions to run for Governor in 2018. Walker announced in late April, 2013, when he took on Gov. Parnell in the 2014 elections. In other words, thats about two months from now.

Thats about the time the legislature should be finishing up. However, given the length of last years legislative session (five special sessions plus a regular session), its very possible that well not have resolution on a fiscal plan until well after candidates start entering the gubernatorial race.

And that makes getting a fiscal package extraordinarily difficult.

Specifically, Governor Walker has the political freedom of being able to promote what he thinks is right without regard to a future election. The House majority can promote an income tax (or other tax) without being threatened in the next election as well as generating additional revenue is generally supported by Democratic voters (as well as some moderates).

However, the Senate majority is a different story. The Republicans in that body some of which are thinking about running for Governor will have a tough time getting behind an income tax. And, if they want to run for governor, that would likely be a disqualifying vote among a Republican electorate.

This means that if you happen to be thinking about running for the Republican nomination for Governor of the State of Alaska, then there is no way you can be seen as being supportive of raising taxes particularly an income tax and expect to make it through a Republican primary. Apparently there are 46 names of folks looking at the Republican nomination.

Immediately, therefore, the Senate majority leadership has to either 1) decide that each of the senators wont run for Governor and be willing to vote to raise taxes, or 2) decide they might want to run for governor and therefore cant vote to raise taxes due to political reasons.

Now, I also recognize that each of the senators will vote their conscience on matters like taxes. Im not making a comment about the policy or about any members own thinking about the merits of taxes to address Alaskas fiscal situation.

I am saying that the politics are sideways for any compromise on taxes given that we have an election about to begin and that makes things extraordinarily challenging for compromise in this legislative session.

Originally posted here:

Alaska's income tax proposal, the Senate, and 2018 - State of Reform

Published February 21, 2017, 10:00 PM

By Fred Lobo

Fred M. Lobo

The Philippines has leapt 12 places to 58th from 70th in the annual Index of Economic Freedom, said the Washington-based Heritage Foundation.

Economic performance, sustainability and reforms are okay.

***

Meanwhile, the call for the resumption of peace talks between the government and communist rebels continue to draw support from various sectors.

Peace is more productive and better than war between Filipinos.

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Despite the challenging global economic environment, the Philippines has achieved notable economic expansion, driven by the economys strong export performance and inflows of remittances that have bolstered private consumption, the Heritage Foundation said in its 2017 Index of Economic Freedom released this week.

Translation: PH economic indicators are healthy and encouraging.

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The HF said the Philippines achieved an Economic Freedom Score of 65.6 out of a possible 100, which is significantly better than the global and regional averages.

PH also ranked 14th among the countries in the Asia-Pacific that were surveyed, it added.

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HF noted that the improvement in the prosperity ranking brings the Philippines into the first-third of the countries evaluated by the index, adding that since 2010, the Philippine rank has increased fifty-one (51) spots from its rank at 109 and when the country was identified as Mostly Unfree in its economic competitiveness.

PH standing improving among 180 countries surveyed.

***

The 2017 survey which focused on 12 independent factors called Economic Freedoms, with the addition of Judicial Effectiveness and Fiscal Health this year, noted Philippine improvements in property rights (+19.2); monetary freedom (+2.9); and labor freedom (+.1).

Freedoms thrive in PH.

***

HF, while noting some problems in the absence of entrepreneurial dynamism, still needed institutional reforms and a weak judicial system, said it recognized that the Government is pursuing a series of legislative reforms to enhance the overall entrepreneurial environment and develop a stronger private sector in order to generate broader-based job growth.

Some fiscal reforms have been accomplished, too, it said.

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The Philippines firmly registers today as a Moderately Free country, said Patrick A. Chuasoto, Charge dAffaires of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C.

This apparently jibes with Pinoys love for the song Born Free.

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It clearly indicates the sustainability of the robust and excellent Philippine economic performance of the last few years. We hope that this underpins continued business and investor confidence in one of Asias most dynamic economies, Chuasoto added.

So let it be. Let it be.

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Meanwhile, various sectors welcomed the Communist Party of the Philippines call on President Duterte to reverse his previous order calling off peace talks with the communist insurgents.

Yes to return to the negotiation table, they said.

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The communist bloc said in a statement (the CPP) and the New Peoples Army (NPA) reiterate their support for efforts to forge a bilateral ceasefire agreement.

So let the Philippine Government (GRP) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) meet again in Utrecht, Netherlands to discuss the proposal, it added.

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Government Chief Peace Negotiator Jesus Dureza and GRP Peace Panel Chairman Silvestre Bello III welcomed the CPPs call, saying we share the same commitment to work for just and lasting peace in the land.

It is now up to the President, whatever he orders, we will follow, Bello said.

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Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Eduardo Ao said the military was not totally closing its door on peace negotiations with the communists.

The Armed Forcesthe soldiers want the peace talks to succeed he said.

***

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said that he is also in favor for the peace negotiations to get back on track.

While we are doing war, we cannot attain (or) have a modicum of progress he lamented.

So let us all stop the war! And exert greater efforts toward lasting peace!

Tags: Economic performance, Fred Lobo, Heritage Foundation, Index of Economic Freedom, Manila Bulletin, mb.com.ph, PH leaps in economic freedom; yes to calls for lasting peace

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PH leaps in economic freedom; 'yes' to calls for lasting peace - Manila Bulletin