Katrina Fund, Alabama's Landlord-Tenant Bill and Mobile Gas Rates
Topic: Government
There were three items in today's Mobile Register that caught my eye. I read that Bayou La Batre, AL was finally getting assistance towards getting back in the shrimping industry. Bayou La Batre is normally a very productive shrimping town in South Alabama. It was severely hit by hurricane Katrina. But it should be getting some relief next month because of the efforts of past Presidents Bush and Clinton. They established The Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund to help those hurt by Katrina and later by federal assistance programs that excluded them from getting back on its' economic feet. If you remember, FEMA stopped the Coast Guard from recovering shrimp boats stranded by Katrina. I applaud both Bush and Clinton for their initiatives.

The Mobile Register also reported that the Alabama House of Representatives passed the Landlord-Tenant Bill yesterday. This is an important step in raising the quality of life in Alabama. I understand that both landlords and tenants agreed to the final bill. The actual bill can be found at the Alabama Legislature's Web Site. You can search HB287 and read the bill in its' entirety. It is up to the Senate to approve the bill before it becomes law next year.

Also, Mobile Gas is in the news again. The PSC has been investigating why Mobile Gas is billing its customers higher rates than nearby gas distributers in Louisiana and Mississippi. The Public Service Commission mistakenly investigated whether or not meter readers were inflating customers' actual gas usage. Fortunately, PSC Commissioner George Wallace Jr is now investigating the wholesale prices (and hopefully Mobile Gas internal cost factors) that Mobile Gas pays for our gas. I got a breakdown of Mobile Gas cost factors in my current bill. It shows 14% of the billing that has nothing to do with supply costs (55%), operation and maintenance expenses (16%), nor taxes (15%). Ever since the Mobile Register published its' article comparing Mobile Gas rates v.s. nearby area rates, Mobile Gas has been sending tips on how to save on our gas bills. The one thing they missed was moving out of their jurisdiction. Most of their suggestions had to do with insulation improvements to rental housing that tenants have no control over. However, the IRS have incentives for energy efficient homes that homebuilders and homeowners can use to cut their tax obligations. Take a look at my 2/21/06 post for the IRS pdf file links.

Until next time... I am and will always be Frank

New Orleans Levee Reconstruction Progress
Topic: Government
I get press releases on a regular basis from the federal government. One of today's notices was about the Corps of Engineers' progress report on the reconstruction of New Orleans' levee damaged by hurricane Katrina.

"To date, 100 of the 169 damaged miles of levee have been repaired, and 85 percent of pumping capacity is restored, Lt. Gen. Carl Strock, commander and chief of engineers, Army Corps of Engineers, said at a White House news conference."

I thought you might want to read about their progress. Take a look at it here on the Corps of Engineers' web site. I wish New Orleans a speedy recovery. Until next time... I am and will always be Frank....

JROTC Rifle Team
Topic: Family News
Hello all!
It is time for me to brag about my youngest daughter again! She beat her last score in another rifle competion.
Victoria scored 246 points out of a possible 300 points at the rifle team match today.
She is on her way to becomming one of the top 10 shooters in the United States.
Let's all give her another round of applaudes for her!
Until next time... I am, and will always be Frank....

IRS Tax Credits
Topic: Government
Today I received a notice from the IRS about tax breaks for Contractors and Homeowners. When home builders and homeowners improve existing homes or build new homes with energy efficiency design factors, they will qualify for tax breaks. This is a great program. The IRS has downloadable pdf files that explain the requirements. I urge all homeowners and homebuilders to research these requirements. They can be found in publications IR-2006-032 Energey Policy Act of 2005 and IR-2006-034 Homeowners Energy Credits. Until next time... I am and will continue to be Frank....

National Rifle Team for JROTC Students
Topic: Family News
Hello all!
It is time for me to brag about my youngest daughter! She attends public school in Mobile County, Alabama and is a JROTC rifle team member at BC Rain High School.
Victoria scored 234 points out of a possible 300 points at the rifle team match at Theodore High School today.
Her JROTC Instructor, Retired U.S. Army Major Rodney Cromer told me that he expects her to be within the top 10 shooters in the nation by her Senior year.
He told me that they are always looking for students that have "the gift" and she has it.
Thanks for the round of applaudes for her!
Until next time... I am, and will always be Frank....