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Manufacturing slowdown sparks new political strategies
Michelle R. Matisons ManufacturingThe White House's official optimistic manufacturing narrative has been seriously disjointed from real-world production and employment issues in the very important and inherently political manufacturing sector. President Trump hung his hat on increased manufacturing jobs to get elected, but a persistent trade deficit haunts his administration — increasing by $100 billion under his watch. Now that this harsh reality can’t be ignored, we see some politicians initiating new strategies to address the slowdown.
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Phoenix Sky Harbor submits 20-year master plan for improvements
Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & AutomotivePhoenix is an airport on the move, and if the FAA agrees, it could soon be spending $5.7 billion on upgrades to achieve a new 20-year plan. With aging infrastructure and a hemmed-in location, its owners have decided that now is the time to deal with the issues hindering its potential. The airport confirmed that the city’s mayor and council voted on June 11 to send its Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Comprehensive Asset Management Plan (CAMP) to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for approval.
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Interior Department announces proposal for hunting, fishing expansion
John McAdams Recreation & LeisureHunters and anglers received some good news earlier this month when Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced plans to further expand hunting and fishing opportunities on dozens of properties managed by the National Wildlife Refuge System all over the United States. You're right if you're thinking you've heard news like this before: then-Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke made a similar announcement expanding public access for hunting and fishing on National Wildlife Refuges a year ago. The plan announced by Secretary Bernhardt opens additional public lands to hunting and fishing on top of those opened last year.
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The Fed weighs in on economy, opts to stay the course for now
Seth Sandronsky Civil & GovernmentPresident Trump is not happy with the Federal Reserve Bank under Chairman Jerome Powell. Suffice it to say, the Fed’s interest-rate policy is a source of friction. The Federal Open Market Committee issued a statement June 19 opting to leave "the federal funds rate at 2-1/4 to 2-1/2%" for now. That rate could change depending on factors such as inflation, or a rise in prices and wages. "They are trying to make it clear that they will lower rates," Dean Baker, a senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington, D.C., told MultiBriefs by email.
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5 kinds of difficult managers — and how to retrain them
Lisa Mulcahy Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementWe all remember our favorite teachers in school — and those instructors we'd rather forget, too. Employees view their tough-to-deal-with superiors the same way, of course. A less-than-personable manager may be great for your company's bottom line in terms of achieving profit, but the way he or she deals with her team should be addressed. A difficult manager can sometimes have a long-lasting impact on your entire business. The good news is you can work with even a problematic manager once you understand the type of personality you're dealing with. Let's talk about some common tough manager types — and the smartest ways to collaborate with each type most fruitfully.
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L versus M: Where do I start?
Maryann Lesnick Civil & GovernmentI've noticed a trend with some companies to use section M of the government solicitation document as the basis for their proposal structure. While I understand the desire to make it easy for the evaluators to score your proposal, this could result in a noncompliant bid. Organize your bid or proposal according to the customer’s instructions. A compliant proposal meets the customer's requirements and submittal instructions.
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Department of Energy: Renewables create massive savings for facilities
Scott E. Rupp Facilities & GroundsFor business organizations, renewable energy can be a costly capital investment, but more companies are experiencing the successes of their efforts to reduce the energy used within their buildings and plants. One program created to help facilities leaders explore the opportunity of renewables is the Better Buildings Initiative from the U.S. Department of Energy. According to the agency, the program is meant to work "across industries to provide guidance and to document effective approaches for installing renewable technologies including solar, wind and geothermal." Per the government’s reporting on the issue, many organizations are making headway with solar.
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As Arctic permafrost deteriorates, EPA elects to lift coal emission rules
Michelle R. Matisons Waste Management & EnvironmentalThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is lifting coal emissions limits in the U.S.' latest environmental deregulation move. This comes at a time when scientists from northerly latitudes have released sensitive data regarding the planet's warming. You've heard the word "permafrost" but aren't sure why it’s important, right? Arctic permafrost is the frozen layer beneath the ground surface that remains frozen for two years or longer. Described as "the glue that holds the northern landscape together," scientists and climate change activists have been sounding the alarm. The glue is disappearing before our eyes: some even suggest up to 70 years earlier than expected.
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Producers of CBD-infused food should brace for new inspection routines
Bambi Majumdar Food & BeverageOklahoma recently became one of the first states to put additional inspectors in place for CBD and THC food products sold in the state. Health inspectors will randomly visit medical marijuana businesses to ensure they comply with the law. Though it is one of the hottest and fastest-growing industries, concepts in safety for food and drink products infused with CBD or THC are still vague. Oklahoma agencies aim to add another layer of protection for these products.
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The empathy gap in education
Patrick Gleeson EducationLet’s begin with a lede borrowed from the June 5 edition of The Los Angeles Times: "Leaders of the Los Angeles school district made a calculated gamble: The January teachers strike made such a huge, positive impact on the public that sympathetic voters, they thought, would overwhelmingly pass a tax increase to benefit schools." Here’s the background: Los Angeles public schools, like public schools across the country, are overcrowded and lacking in resources, particularly in the resources needed to educate minority students with special needs.
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