TexasTowelie
TexasTowelie's JournalLiquor Retailer Under Investigation For Cutting Prices, A Violation Of State Law
Days after Total Wine & More filed a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the state's alcohol pricing rules, the Department of Consumer Protection confirmed that it is investigating the giant retailer for openly flouting that law.
The department has received a flood of complaints that Total Wine is selling wine and spirits below the minimum prices allowed by the state, but Leslie O'Brien, the department's legislative assistant, said the investigation was not spurred by those calls.
Instead, O'Brien said, the investigation was launched after Total Wine ran a series of ads touting prices that were lower than the minimum set under state law.
O'Brien declined to discuss the details, citing the ongoing inquiry.
Read more: http://www.courant.com/business/hc-total-wine-investigation-20160826-story.html
70 lose jobs in reorganization at R.I. Department of Human Services
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — About 70 Rhode Island Department of Human Services employees received layoff notices Thursday as the agency reorganizes in anticipation of installing a new $350-million-plus technology system to verify eligibility for social service programs, officials said. The system replaces one that's 30 years old; it goes live Sept. 13.
The reorganization also marks a change in the way social-service eligibility is applied for and determined. Clients will be able to apply for and track their benefits through a single online portal, which will eliminate some of the work that the laid-off employees did at various DHS locations, officials said.
The majority of the laid-off employees, most of whom are social workers, will be able to bid into other comparable state jobs, Department of Administration Director Michael DiBiase and DHS Director Melba Depeña Affigne said at a news conference Thursday. As union workers, they will have bumping rights.
The laid-off workers include almost 20 people who served as managers or supervisors; the rest are social worker positions. The layoffs take effect in two weeks.
Read more: http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20160825/70-lose-jobs-in-reorganization-at-ri-department-of-human-services
Former R.I. official sues Raimondo and state agency, saying he was fired for being Republican
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The former executive director of the state Department of Administration is suing the state, alleging that Governor Raimondo and Michael DiBiase, department director, removed him from the job he held for eight years because he is a Republican.
Ronald Renaud filed suit in Providence County Superior Court over DiBiase's decision in March 2015 to abolish the executive director position. Renaud had held that job since 2007, when he was hired to succeed Jerome F. Williams as a top deputy to Governor Carcieri's director of administration. Renaud is a former Republican town councilman in North Smithfield.
The state, Raimondo and DiBiase are named as defendants in the lawsuit seeking a $500,000 judgment plus unspecified punitive damages, costs and legal fees.
The state is asking Judge Michael A. Silverstein to dismiss the matter, arguing that Renaud has not exhausted his administrative remedies, including taking his complaint to the Personnel Appeal Board. It also charges that Renaud doesn't have a viable claim under state fair employment law or the state Civil Rights Act.
Read more: http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20160826/former-ri-official-sues-raimondo-and-state-agency-saying-he-was-fired-for-being-republican
Follow-up: Cat killer from East Providence Anthony Stravato behind bars after probation violation
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Convicted cat killer Anthony Stravato is back behind bars after officials say he violated the terms of his probation.
The police picked up Stravato, 25, at his residence, the Rumford Inn, 400 Newport Ave., just after 7 p.m. Wednesday after the attorney general obtained a warrant charging him with violating the terms of his release. He had served time for mutilating and killing his mother's cat "Cuddles" and a rat in East Providence, and also for sending disturbing messages about mutilating animals and obscene photos to an underage girl in Warren, according to Lt. Thomas Rush.
Stravato was charged as a probation violator because he failed to appear for mental health and probation appointments on Aug. 24, according to Amy P. Kempe, spokeswoman for Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin. He is being held at the Adult Correctional Institutions without bail pending a court review on Sept. 1.
About two weeks ago, the state issued an unusual warning to animal shelters and the public, saying they believed that he would kill again, and that he or his girlfriend, Alyssa LaMountain, 20, of Warren, may try to adopt or buy animals.
Read more: http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20160826/cat-killer-from-east-providence-anthony-stravato-behind-bars-after-probation-violation
Earlier thread:
Department of Environmental Management issues warning as convicted cat killer gets out
Honda to invest $45 million in expansion, add 250 jobs at Timmonsville
TIMMONSVILLE, SC -- Honda of South Carolina announced Thursday that it is making a $45 million investment with a 115,000-square-foot-expansion that will bring 250 new jobs.
Growing to meet demand for Honda’s side-by-side vehicles produced exclusively in its South Carolina plant required a focus on creating a more flexible and efficient production facility, said Gary Mabrey, president of Honda of South Carolina Mfg. Inc.
“The step-by-step growth of our operations in South Carolina is really a testament to our outstanding associates and the great products they create for our customers every day,” he said. Company officials said that prior to Thursday’s announcement, Honda had invested $93 million and added 150 new jobs in South Carolina over the past five years related to side-by-side production alone. Honda of South Carolina is the exclusive global producer of Honda Pioneer side-by-sides, including the 500, 700 and 1000 series models. The expansion focuses on the paint, weld, final assembly and material service areas as the company looked to improve manufacturing efficiency, parts flow and logistics.
“Our associates are very proud of the ATV and SxS products we make at Honda of South Carolina. This investment and plant expansion reaffirms our commitment to our customers, the state of South Carolina, and our local communities,” Mabrey said in the announcement.
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/news/business/article97936427.html
SC lawmakers to face road, school, pension issues with only $440 million more to spend
S.C. lawmakers will have roughly $440 million in added money to spend next year — about a third of the added money they spent this year, the state’s chief economist projected Thursday.
That could throw a roadblock into efforts to repair South Carolina’s crumbling roads, fix its poor rural schools or shore up its underfunded pension system for public employees.
This fiscal year, which started July 1, lawmakers had $1.2 billion in new revenues to spend in the state’s $7.5 billion general fund budget, made up largely of S.C. income and sales taxes.
Even with that added $1.2 billion, the GOP-controlled Legislature did not spend as much on schools or local governments as state law says they should. In addition, lawmakers only approved a temporary fix — spending roughly $200 million a year — for road repairs.
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/the-buzz/article97799867.html
Former coach Lou Holtz booted from Texas high school event in El Paso
Former Gamecocks head coach Lou Holtz is out as the guest speaker for a Texas high school event after he made controversial comments about immigration at the Republican National Convention.
The El Paso Times reports that Holtz was uninvited from the 90th anniversary gala at Cathedral High School only days after he was announced as the speaker for the October event. The paper reports the school’s selection of Holtz prompted a backlash because of statements Holtz made at the Cleveland convention in support of Donald Trump, calling immigration an “invasion.”
“I don’t want to speak your language, I don’t want to celebrate your holidays, I sure as hell don’t want to cheer for your soccer team,” Holtz said a convention luncheon, as reported in the Daily Beast.
Cathedral has an overwhelmingly Hispanic student body, including many who cross the border from Juarez, Mexico, to attend school. A school official said the high school engaged with Holtz prior to the Republican convention.
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article97771662.html
Gov. Nikki Haley holds ceremonial signing of Georgia gun reciprocity bill, for the second time
NORTH AUGUSTA — For the second time this summer, Gov. Nikki Haley has made a show of signing legislation twice. Both times it played to the state’s conservative base.
In June, she traveled to an Upstate Christian school for children with disabilities to re-sign a state law that banned abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy.
On Wednesday she traveled to North Augusta where she re-signed a concealed weapons bill. It allows South Carolina to recognize carry permits issued to residents of Georgia.
The measure became law nearly three months ago.
Read more: http://www.postandcourier.com/20160824/160829698/gov-nikki-haley-holds-ceremonial-signing-of-georgia-gun-reciprocity-bill-for-the-second-time
Is it business or pleasure? Trustees of Medical University of South Carolina expensive splurges
A $160 bottle of Barolo, Italy's fabled “king of wines.”
A $6,400 farewell dinner at Peninsula Grill, described by one restaurant reviewer as “unapologetically indulgent.”
A $37,430 Christmas banquet, including $5,600 for cocktails, at Charleston Place, one of the Holy City's top luxury hotels.
These are some of the perks that members of the Board of Trustees of the Medical University of South Carolina enjoy when they gather in Charleston for six or so meetings a year.
Read more: http://www.postandcourier.com/20160826/160829697/musc-board-members-rack-up-thousands-on-luxury-hotels-meals
SC top court denies request for judgment in Greenville Health System restructuring case
The state Supreme Court has denied Greenville Health System’s request for a declaratory judgment about whether it is authorized to change its governance structure, but it also denied a request by some Greenville County legislators for an injunction prohibiting the restructuring.
GHS says the ruling means that it has the authority to move forward with its plans, according to Joe Blake, vice president of legal affairs.
“The Supreme Court was fully briefed on our proposed changes, legal issues and intent to move forward with the new governance model in our petition,” he said. “We are pleased that, while the court declined to hear the case in its original jurisdiction, it specifically rejects the respondents’ request that an injunction be issued to prohibit further implementation of the reorganization by petitioner. Therefore, GHS will continue its plans to implement a new governance model.”
But Rep. Mike Burns said the legislators will move to file a suit in circuit court to decide whether GHS has the authority.
Read more: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/2016/08/24/high-court-issues-ruling-ghs-restructuring-case/89301352/
Profile Information
Gender: MaleHometown: South Texas. most of my life I lived in Austin and Dallas
Home country: United States
Current location: Bryan, Texas
Member since: Sun Aug 14, 2011, 03:57 AM
Number of posts: 112,150