Cell Phone and Texting Laws Don’t Lead to Greater Safety

Huh.

A new insurance industry study has found that state laws banning the use of handheld devices to make calls or send text messages while driving have not resulted in fewer vehicle crashes, the Associated Press reported.

The study, released Friday by the Highway Loss Data Institute, examined insurance claims from crashes before and after such bans took effect in California, New York, Connecticut and Washington, D.C.

The organization found that claims rates did not go down after the laws were enacted. It also found no change in patterns compared with nearby states without such bans.

Feingold Hold Another “Listening” Session

Heh.

One woman in the audience wanted people who support health care reform to raise their hands. Feingold quickly cut her off.

“We’re not doing that today,” he said. “People came to offer opinions and ask questions. They didn’t come here to show support or opposition for health care reform.”

School Board primary looms

My column for the Daily News is online.  It’s called, “School Board primary looms.”  It’s about TARP.  Oh, wait… that’s not it.  It’s about the primary election for the West Bend School Board.

Obama the Taxer

You’re next.

The budget proposal released Monday would extend Obama’s signature Making Work Pay tax credit — $400 for individuals, $800 for a couple filing jointly — through 2011. But it would also impose nearly $1 trillion in higher taxes on couples making more than $250,000 and individuals making more than $200,000 by not renewing tax cuts enacted under former President George W. Bush. Obama would extend Bush-era tax cuts for families and individuals making less.

Obama revived numerous proposals for business tax increases that didn’t fare well in Congress last year, including a scaled-down plan to increase taxes on U.S. companies with major overseas operations, and plans to increase taxes on oil and gas companies.