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Friedrichs Supreme Court case may have big impact on teachers
Ronnie Richard EducationThe Supreme Court heard oral arguments Jan. 11 in the controversial Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, which could have a major impact on teacher wages and benefits. At the center of the case is yet another debate surrounding free speech and money — issues that have continued to pop up in the courts in recent years (Citizens United v. FEC, Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.).
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Are smart guns on the horizon in the US?
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityThe news has been abuzz since President Barack Obama's executive action announcement last week, in which he ordered the Departments of Justice, Defense and Homeland Security to research "smart" guns and their viability. Obama reiterated his intention of "protecting our kids from gun violence" in Tuesday night's State of the Union address.
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What can the US learn from the success of Mexico’s sugar tax?
Joan Spitrey Medical & Allied HealthcareIn 2013, the Mexican government voted to implement an excise tax on sugar-sweetened drinks and on several energy-dense foods. This represented an approximate 10 percent increase in price of all nondairy and nonalcoholic beverages with added sugar and an 8 percent increase on a list of nonessential highly energy-dense foods.
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8 key areas HR professionals must address to start 2016
D. Albert Brannen Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThis time every year, human resources professionals resolve to improve their employment processes and maintain compliance with applicable laws. Resolutions are more important than ever this year with myriad changes and developments in employment law.
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Does gender really play a role in leadership?
Betty Boyd Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementWe all know there are inherent differences between the male and female genders. As it turns out, these differences apply to leadership styles in the workplace as well. In 2008, the Pew Research Center surveyed 2,250 individuals for their report, "A Paradox in Public Attitudes: Men or Women: Who's a Better Leader." While the majority of those surveyed (69 percent) said men and women make equally good leaders, differences showed up in character attributes.
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Tips to start the new year at work — at and away from your desk
Bob Kowalski Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementGetting started at work after the holidays presents unique challenges, even though the scenario plays out every January. With creative approaches, you can make the transition into the new year smoother than it's ever been.
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K-12 education responsibility switches back to the states
Bambi Majumdar EducationIt's finally good news for all in the world of education. The long-awaited changes to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the No Child Left Behind Act are finally happening. An overwhelming majority of Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate have voted for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which will reauthorize the federal K-12 education programs.
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Stable or not, ACA repeal efforts continue
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationIn another round of political posturing against the often-contentious Affordable Care Act, the Senate voted 52-47 last week to pass legislation that would repeal large swaths of the healthcare law. The bill, called Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015, won House approval in October.
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Senate bill would expand Medicare coverage for telehealth
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationSens. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) have introduced a new bill to expand access to healthcare — especially in rural and underserved areas that would allow Medicare to cover additional telehealth services. The bill, known as the Telehealth Innovation and Improvement Act, would allow Medicare to expand its coverage of telehealth services, changing what the Senators call a "poor industry standard" that discourages innovation and restricts access to specialized services.
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Color adjustment: Is red the right choice for fire trucks?
Frank R. Myers Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityI recently had a discussion with a colleague about the different colors fire trucks are these days. One focus was whether some form of the yellow color spectrum is safer than the traditional fire engine red. Even though many statistics show that it is, he brought up a good point: With the lighting options and configurations now available, we can light up the trucks like a Christmas tree!
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