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Farzeen Ather
Farzeen started writing for The Ubyssey in 2021. She loves reading the news just as much as she enjoys writing it. As an English literature major, you can usually find her with her head in a book somewhere on campus.
AMS turns focus to reducing employee carbon emissions as part of net-zero emissions plan
By Farzeen Ather · Nov. 2, 2021, 1:55 p.m.
The AMS is aiming to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2025.
2021 Federal Election: Overdose crisis platforms, explained
By Farzeen Ather · Sept. 20, 2021, 12:56 p.m.
Here is what each of the major four parties says they will do to combat the overdose crisis, so you can go into the Federal election informed.
Are students voting this election?
By Aafreen Siddiqui and Farzeen Ather · Sept. 18, 2021, 5:04 p.m.
A major concern this election season for students (besides COVID-19) is the scrapping of the Vote on Campus initiative that allowed them to vote at their universities in 2019.
UBC's National Forum on Anti-Asian Racism: What does Media have to do with Anti-Asian Racism?
By Farzeen Ather · June 28, 2021, 8:42 a.m.
The panel focused on questions around media coverage and representation of Asians, damaging stereotypes of Asians and ways in which Asian-Canadians can get more recognition in journalism and other forms of media.
'The future really is yours': National Forum on Anti-Asian Racism speakers give hopeful closing remarks
By Farzeen Ather · June 14, 2021, 10:15 a.m.
The forum was held in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate and racism over the past year, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and exemplified in the tragic Atlanta shootings earlier this year.
Safewalk will acquire two new accessibility shuttles next month
By Farzeen Ather · April 20, 2021, 11 a.m.
The accessibility shuttles are intended to supplement the current Safewalk vehicles and allow for Safewalk to be more accessible to students with disabilities as well as the rest of campus.
Dating apps as a brown woman
By Farzeen Ather · March 4, 2021, 9:54 a.m.
Most women of colour will tell you how every time they start getting that gross feeling in their stomach, one of the first things that pops into our minds is the question: "But what if they don't like (insert ethnicity)?"
Student Senate Caucus formalizes goals for new triennium in goal-setting document, Senate 2020/2023
By Farzeen Ather · Feb. 21, 2021, 1:26 p.m.
Through this living document, the caucus aims to frame the first of many discussions within the Senate as to how they can improve the academic governance of UBC over the next triennium.
Farzeen's thrifted POLO shirt


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Have one person read verses 4-6. Why did Jesus not go immediately to heal Lazarus?
Make sure the group understands that it was not because he didn't love Lazarus. Verse five is clear about that. The true answer is because he sought to bring glory to God.
Have the group to try to explain how Jesus' delay would bring glory to God.
Jesus had already healed many people, by raising a man who had been dead for days, he would be able to demonstrate his power in a new way. This would be instrumental in bringing many people to belief.
Have a student read verse 35. Why do you think Jesus wept? Did he cry for himself? for Lazarus? for Mary and Martha?
Have a student read verse 40. How did Martha get to see the glory of God?
What event that would soon follow do you think Lazarus' resurrection was a foreshadowing of?
How does Lazarus' resurrection give us hope?
How should Lazarus' resurrection change our view of suffering?
How can our suffering bring glory to God? What do we have to do in order for this to happen?
What are you going through right now? How can this group help?


Thank you for (yet another) wonderful Christmas.
I adore the luggage and think of Audrey Hepburn every time I look at it - which is too often.
Ford is now emotionally and physically attached to the stuffed wolf you gave him. It should have been labeled, "Toddler Chew Toy". It is disgusting - the amount of slobber deposited in just a short ten days. Ford goes to sleep gnawing on it. He wakes up gnawing on it. And he eats his breakfast gnawing on it.
As for Ove, the car carrier has been adopted into the Toy family. It was a smooth transition - with the exception of Lego Semi-Truck, a toy that avoids conflict at all cost, who is currently cowering under the couch. As for Car Carrier, Ove sometimes places his calculator on top of it lovingly at night. Ah, such a heart warming scene on these cold winter nights.
As always, thanks for your love, support and help.


I also figured out how Albino I must be (despite having brown hair) because I burned in about four minutes. Anyway, enough about me. Here is the next chapter! I know, it's been forever. But I had NO internet connection for A WHOLE WEEK AND A HALF. It was scary. But yes, I'm home again. You'll be getting much more frequent updates!
So, here's the next Chapter. I do hope you like it, I grinned a lot in the process of writing.
Chapter 12; What Did I Do?
Me, Seymour? Seriously? How was that supposed to work? And if Candace was Audrey, that would mean... I stared over at her, and she was looking back up at me. She looked as surprised as I felt. This would mean I could have to pretend to be in love with her.
Well, you can't deny that this was going to be interesting. Frank was sitting down with his arms crossed and his brow furrowed, also watching Candace with an odd expression on his face.
"You okay, man?" I asked. Frank nodded slowly.
"You're going to have to kiss Candace," he said.
"This means you have to kill people for the sake of a plant," said Mikey, turning and looking at me.
"Probably why they chose him them, a secret maniac," said Anna, shrugging. I laughed.
"This is definitely going to be the oddest play I've done in a while," I said. "Frank, are you sure you're okay?" I tapped him on the shoulder. He'd been glaring at a spot on the floor in front of us for a while now. He jumped but smiled at me, nodding.
"Yes. Just... I wonder why they chose you. I'm pretty sure you'd do better as the dentist," he said. He sounded a little unsure of himself, but I shrugged it off.
"Oh. Alright then," I said. I turned my gaze towards the front where Miss James and the new assistant where both waiting for the noise in the hall to die down.
Eventually it did, but only when the new assistant stood up and stood with his hands on hip hips, watching everyone. Some of the girls at the front began to giggle, looking at him.
"We're just jumping right into it?" asked Frank, looking around at our friends.
"Miss James never had much regard for everyone's timetables," said Penina.
"Just as well, to be honest, she's the best teacher in the school," said Ray, shrugging.
"You only like her because she wears that tight skirt," said Anna, smirking. Ray flushed.
I rolled my eyes and stood up, making my way down to Miss James to get my script. I ended up standing right next to Candace, who was unusually quiet. I had a feeling that she, like myself, was a little apprehensive. I didn't want to 'fall in love' with her... maybe I could turn her to the dark side.
Yeah right. Dream on, sunshine.
"Come on, Jenna! I'm useless at fixing electronics, you're the only person I know who could help me out!" I was complaining to Jenna on Friday, just as we were leaving school for the weekend. My computer had died that morning and I was trying to get her to fix it for me.
"Me? Am I the only one who could really help you?" she asked, fluttering her eyelashes.
"Jenna, you know that you're awesome. I'm useless, you know I can't do anything with computers," I said.
"Flattery now? That might get you somewhere," said Jenna, grinning. I rolled my eyes.
"Please? Come on, you know you're brilliant, can't you do something? Pretty please?" I said, putting on my puppy-dog eyes.
"I do insist," I said, pouting. Jenna grinned and punched me gently on the shoulder.
"Oh alright, sweetheart," she said, pouting. Bob glanced up to look around at Jenna.
"Sweetheart?" he asked, his blue eyes narrowing slightly.
"Yup, we're very good friends aren't we, Gee!" said Jenna, flinging her arm around me. She didn't notice the scowl on Bob's face and I chuckled when I saw it. He was jealous.
"Course we are, Jenna," I said, catching Bob's eye and smiling sheepishly. The scowl disappeared from his face. Just then, my phone buzzed.
"Who is it?" asked Jenna before I even had a chance to reach for my pocket.
"/Gee, I'm off to Ray's house today so you're gonna be all on your own. You're welcome, bro,"/ said Mikey, and he hung up before I could reply.
"What's Mikey done now?" asked Jenna.
"Oh, alright! I can cope being on my own," I said, pretending to wipe a tear from my eye.
"Yeah, well, seeya sucker!" Jenna said. I rolled my eyes but waved as she bounded off out of the back gates with Bob. I sighed and made my way towards the front gates.
"You okay?" I turned around and saw Frank walking towards me. I nodded.
"Yeah. Everyone's pranced off somewhere else, so I'm gonna be alone today. Unless you wanna come round my house?" I offered. Frank smiled.
"Okay. Um, Gerard... hang on, what's that?" he asked, turning around. I'd heard the shout as well, it had come from the grounds behind us. I turned.
Okay, Frank, you can do this... just tell him how you feel... I thought as I walked towards Gerard.
"You okay?" I asked. He turned and looked at me, before nodding.
"Okay." Come on, Frank, just tell him... "Um, Gerard... Hang on, what's that?" I asked, turning around. I'd heard a yell coming from the grounds behind Gerard and I.
"Come on, Frank," said Gerard, jogging towards the sound of the commotion.
We arrived to see Ash standing, towering over a snarling boy from the year below. Not one of the thick-witted jocks, unfortunately. Hang on, Ash had managed to anger of of the nerds? No, it wasn't a nerd... it was one of the 'normal' people who sat with the jocks. So like a miniature jock. Douchebag-in-training.
They were surrounded by every other student who hadn't left the school grounds left, all pressed together like people pressed against the glass at an interesting Zoo exhibition. I had to stand on my toes to see over the top of everyone, but Gerard navigated his way easily to the front, holding me carefully by the shoulder.
"What's going on here?" Gerard asked one of the bystanders watching form the front row. A short girl, possibly a year or two below me. Okay, I say short, but she was my height. So, in a way, still short.
"Oh. Douchebag-in-training," I muttered. Gerard looked down at me and a smile played around his lips.
"It's what my brain told me just now," I said, keeping my eyes fixated on the scene in front of me. My cheeks were warm, and I could still see Gerard's smirk from the corner of my eye.
"The kid's got balls, I gotta admit," said the girl.
Just then, Ash rolled his eyes and punched the short guy in the nose.
"That's what happens?" I asked, grinning. The entire crowd recoiled as the short guy stumbled backwards, and there were a few shrieks as the bigger dickheads shoved their way through to stand behind mini-douche.
Ash stood up tall but I could see his face flicker with a bit of fear. He could cope with one short, overconfident guy. I had a feeling he could cope wit three or four. But not seven... Before I even knew what was happening, Gerard stepped forward into the clear space where Ash and the rest of the jocks stood.
"What do you think you're doing here, Way?" asked one of them. Gerard nodded and smiled.
"Everything okay?" I asked, looking over at Ash. He nodded, twisting his mouth into a frown. I glanced over at the jocks, then back at Ash, then sideways at Frank. He was watching everything unfold with a curious expression on his face, halfway between amused and worried.
"The school's biggest princess fairy, my sweet," I said, placing my hand over my heart.
"Oh, so he finally admits it?" asked the Leader Jock.
"Darling, I've always admitted it," I said. I glanced over at Ash and saw a smile forming on his face. Frank's eyes were filled with a twinkle, his hip to one side, biting his lip.
"He has a point there," piped up the short girl who stood next to Frank. A huge grin split across my face and I looked at her, silently hugging her.
"You..." Little Douche looked disgusted.
"Problem, honey?" I asked, smiling. He just sneered in disgust, turned on his heel and stomped away. And I mean he turned on his heel, like a little ballerina. "I don't think he's heterosexual," I said, just loud enough for him to hear. He turned and glared at me, ready to start forward and hit me (probably).
"Look, just because you're gay doesn't mean everyone else is. Are any of your stupid emo friends? Oh, bad question, they probably all are," he said. I nodded thoughtfully.
"We are all giant homosexuals here, we enjoy it," I said. Little Douche was now really confused.
I shook my head after what felt like a century had passed and looked around at the people surrounding me. Frank was still next to me. I winked at him, took his face in my hands, and kissed him.
He didn't resist, or push me away. In fact, I have a feeling he began to kiss me back. But that could have just been me being over-the-top nervous. I kissed him for about five seconds before I pulled away and looked at the audience surrounding us. Anna's face stood out quite clearly, her mouth open. Ash was expressionless, as per usual.
Everyone had gone dead silent. Panic began to build up inside me as I began to assess what had happened. Frank just looked shocked beyond words.
"Happy now?" I asked, looking at Little Douche. He looked speechless. My own words were threatening to disappear form my brain, and my knees were shaking. I smiled one last time, turned and walked towards the front gate. I had to struggle not to run, tried not to let panic override my body. I could hear murmuring start up behind me, and then suddenly a voice hit a cold blow to my stomach.
"What just happened?" It was Frank.
I turned out of the school gates, out of sight, and ran for my life.


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With avian flu detected in Larimer County, fowl owners asked to be vigilant
Fort Collins Coloradoan
The Larimer County health department is asking residents with backyard poultry to step up their vigilance and take precautions to prevent the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has been detected in domestic and wild waterfowl and to a lesser extent raptors in the county.
Avian flu spreads rapidly, especially in domestic flocks of chickens and turkeys, and has a 90% mortality rate in just a few days. It can infect wild waterfowl even if they do not appear sick.
The latest confirmed report of the flu in domestic flocks in Larimer County was 50 birds on Jan. 23, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The virus has been confirmed in nearly 6.3 million domestic poultry Colorado, mostly at egg-laying operations in Weld County, the vast majority of which died or were euthanized.
The health department has suggested keeping a closed flock, decreasing interactions between domestic poultry and waterfowl. It also recommends people with backyard flocks take extra precautions after walks or hikes where they may come into contact with birds, especially waterfowl like geese and ducks.
More than a dozen dead Canada geese found frozen on the ice of Sheldon Lake at Fort Collins City Park two weeks ago likely died from the disease that has claimed tens of thousands of waterfowl and hundreds of raptors in Colorado.
The monthslong outbreak is being felt nationally and internationally in domestic chickens and turkeys and is killing wild birds, including waterfowl and raptors, in unprecedented numbers, according to state wildlife officials.
The disease transmission to songbirds and other typical birdfeeder visitors has been less than 2%, according to the National Wildlife Disease Program. The program has not issued an official recommendation to take down feeders unless people also keep domestic poultry. It is recommended birdfeeders and birdbaths are regularly cleaned.
Mary Wood, wildlife health program supervisor for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, said the agency confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in Canada geese in Larimer County on Jan. 5. Once the virus is confirmed in a population, the agency usually doesn't retest because of the prevalence of the disease.
"With wild bird migration beginning soon, we anticipate that we will see an increase in virus activity though late winter and spring," said Colorado State Veterinarian Dr. Maggie Baldwin in a news release. "While we have seen high mortality in wild birds, they can also be infected with avian flu without appearing sick, which is why biosecurity is so important."
The risk of transmission from birds to humans is low, but people can be infected, according to the health department, so it's recommended that people don't touch any dead or sick wild birds. It does not present a food safety risk, according to the health department. Proper handling and cooking of all poultry and eggs toan internal temperature of 165 degrees is recommended as a general food safety precaution.
The health department recommends bird owners:
Always clean shoes and remove any soiled materials after coming into contact with bird feces before entering areas where your birds are housed.
Monitor flocks for signs of illness.
Protect flocks with good biosecurity practices and be vigilant in reporting signs of illness.
Report suspicious disease events or illness to the State Veterinarian's Office at 303-869-9130.
Signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza in birds
Sudden death without clinical signs
Lack of energy or appetite
Decreased egg production
Soft‐shelled or misshapen eggs
Swelling or purple discoloration of head, eyelids, comb, hocks
Coughing or sneezing
Lack of coordination
Bird owners struggling with stress or anxiety around highly pathogenic avian influenza can contact Colorado Crisis Services by calling 1-844-494-TALK (8255) or texting TALK to 38255. Farmers and ranchers can receive a voucher for six free sessions with an ag-competent provider through the Colorado Agricultural Addiction and Mental Health Program (campforhealth.com).
For more information, bird owners can visit the USDA's Defend the Flock website or visitPoultryBiosecurity.org. For the up-to-date status of the quarantine and recommendations, visit ag.colorado.gov/hpai.
Coloradoan reporter Miles Blumhardt contributed to this report.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Stevens Point offers $2M incentive to Water Street senior living apartments developer
Alan Hovorka
Stevens Point Journal
STEVENS POINT - Stevens Point will offer $2 million to a developer wanting to turn a city-owned parking lot into an affordable senior living apartment complex.
The city revealed Wednesday a proposed developer's agreement between it and General Capital Acquisitions LLC to build a five-floor, 88-unit affordable senior living building. The city released the agreement as part of the city's finance committee agenda, which will meet to discuss it at 6:40 p.m. Monday at the Stevens Point Police Department.
The proposed deal for the complex at Third and Water streets comes with several conditions, however.
RELATED:TDS Telecom negotiates deal with Stevens Point, advertises gigabit internet
Some of the city's obligations include:
Creating a new tax incremental financing district no later than July 31, 2019
Provide a tax incremental financing incentive of $2 million
Sell the city's property to the developer for $1
RELATED:Stevens Point offers 'pay as you go' property tax deal for Water Street apartments
General Capital Acquisitions share of the obligations include:
Acquire the properties to complete the development no later than Dec. 31, 2019
Start the project no later than January 1, 2020
Complete the project no later than March 15, 2021
Ensure the minimum value of the complex is $6,350,000.
Obtain 2019 housing tax credits through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority
Provide a personal guarantee
The project first came forward last month where the City Council approved initial permitting for the senior-living complex as well as permitting and a developer's agreement for a separate apartment complex at the corner of Water Street and Arlington Place.
The proposed deal, however, with General Capital Acquisitions differs from other agreements the City Council recently approved in how the city pays out its financial incentives. The Kansas-based developer turning the old R.J. Soik properties will receive a chunk of its property taxes back through the next 20 years rather than upfront cash.
RELATED:Water Street senior living apartments proposed for downtown area in Stevens Point
The city will pay out the $2 million in incentives when General Capital Acquisitions makes progress on the project. The city will provide $1.5 million when the complex is 75 percent finished and the other $500,000 when the complex is issued its occupancy permit.
In July, the City Council approved a similar $2.1 million cash deal to K/M Stevens Point LLC to construct a new apartment complex at the old Kmart near Division Street and Maria Drive.


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ABOUT COMmISSION
Fascinated by the resilience of small shops and businesses in Langley, Oldbury, still known affectionately by locals as Langley Village. The shops here make a considerable, yet often overlooked contribution to the area's economy. Recently the Office for National Statistics reported a total of 1,772 shops disappearing from the UK's town centres over the last year; almost five closing every day. At a time when the demise of the high-street is rarely out of the news, Kate's project is a portrait of Oldbury high-street, its shops and businesses, the daily lives of the people who operate them.
This commission is part of the Forge Artist Open Call Programme which invited 12 West Midlands artists and/or curators to make new bodies of work for the Blast! Festival and take part in a mentorship programme.
Langley Park Lodge, Langley High St, B69 4SL
Born in West Bromwich and raised in Wednesbury, Kate Jackson first started taking photographs of the local area and people in her teens and has continued to do so ever since. She is a member of Laundry, a group of artists who join together to develop and deliver collaborative projects. Much of her work to date is focused within Sandwell as she is passionate about working with people and communities in the area.
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My podcast, the Thyroid Warrior, outlines the 10+ year journey that I have had in order to manage Hashimoto's Disease. I reflect on my experiences and consult with others to help others determine the best strategies for you to become whole, happy and healthy. Start listening to my podcast and subscribe!


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Jon B. and Donell Jones Shoot Video for New Single "Understand"
Mar 7, 2019 | News
The collaboration that has R&B fans talking is getting closer to a release and is also receiving the video treatment. Jon B. and Donell Jones were out in L.A. yesterday shooting the video for their upcoming duet "Understand". The song is the first single from Jon B.'s upcoming album and is expected to release in April.
Both artists recently shared behind the scenes videos from the shoot on their social media accounts, which also gave us our first opportunity to hear a snippet of the song. "Understand" was written and produced by Jon and both artists sound vintage on the track. Needless to say, this further heightens the anticipation to hear this gem in full.
We recently had Donell as a guest on our SoulBack R&B Podcast and he gave us some insight into the creation of the song:
Donell Jones: I can't wait for people to hear it. It's exactly what we're missing in R&B today. The lyrics are very strong. It's not about sex, it's about true love. It's about proving to your woman that even though I made mistakes in the past, I want you to understand I'm a different man now. I want to show you that I can be the guy that you always thought I could be. I think that's very important for us to speak to women like that and treat women like that these days because they've been here for us. They deserve more than what we've been giving them in the past.
It appears that Jon B. is moving closer to finally giving fans a new album, hinting earlier this year that new music was on the way. He last released the album "Comfortable Swagg" in 2012.
We also anticipate a new album from Donell Jones, who last released "Forever" in 2013.
🚨 NEW SINGLE ALERT!! 🚨 IG family my NEW single "Understand" is coming your way in April! Had a blast shooting this one with my bro @donelljonesforever. Real R&B lives! #jonb #vibezelect #gorgeousgrind #someone2love #theydontknow #rustilldown #singersongwriter #realmusic #RnB #performer #new #single #newmusic #music #video #musicvideo #newsingle
A post shared by jon b (@officialjonb) on Mar 7, 2019 at 11:47am PST
Go Behind The Scenes of Jon B. & Donell Jones Video Shoot for New Single "Understand"
Donell Jones Returns With New Album "100% Free" (Stream)
Jon B. & Donell Jones Release New Single "Understand" (Video)
Donell Jones "Forever" (Video)
Jon B. Unveils His "Golden Souls" Signature Shoe In Collaboration With Jessica Rich Collection
Donell Jones "Beautiful" (Video)


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Are menu plans a clean solution for the CI or IP argument?
Mike Farrell, Director of Protection Sales
In the past, when some advisers were considering a protection solution for their clients, it could be viewed as a choice between recommending either income protection or critical illness.
A number were working under the illusion that there may have been too much duplication to consider taking out both covers.
Sometimes it can be helpful to go back to first principles as both these products were designed with different outcomes in mind: income protection would replace a monthly or weekly payment; critical illness claimants would receive a lump sum should they suffer from one of the defined critical illnesses.
One could argue that advisers and clients should not be forced into a definitive choice between protecting their income, which underpins their lifestyle, or the potentially devastating financial effects of a serious illness.
It is interesting to note that advisers are increasingly recommending more menu-based solutions. It would appear, unsurprisingly that the protection market is moving away from single product solutions.
Insurers are now evolving their propositions to include more valuable, family-friendly features.
According to iPipeline market data, the amount of income protection policies sold as part of a multi-benefit policy rose by 8 per cent between Q4 2019 and Q1 2022.
In 2021, iPipeline also saw a 9 per cent rise in multi-benefit plans sold, with sales of single family income benefit policies falling as more business was written as part of a menu plan.
Menu-based solutions present a more tailored approach so that people can potentially maintain the family's lifestyle at the same time as protecting their personal income, enabling them to strengthen an existing financial safety net or put one in place.
Menu plans are proving to be popular
Applicants can combine several protection policies into one process, spanning life cover, critical illness and income protection. This can be tailored to suit their budget and lifestyle needs, with the chance to adjust later as the client's needs change.
Children's cover can be added as the applicant's family grows, with the ability to change features to balance risk and account for lifestyle changes.
As our lives are already bombarded with flexibility and convenience, it is only right that protection should follow suit.
For example, with some critical illness products, there is an option to take out enhanced children's cover at an added cost, which includes cover for child-specific conditions, payments for pregnancy complications and increased payout levels.
Insurers are now evolving their propositions to include more valuable, family-friendly features. As an industry, it is great to see more adviser recommendations that offer holistic, tailored and effective solutions that combine income protection, critical illness and life insurance in one application.
As our lives are already bombarded with flexibility and convenience, it is only right that protection should follow suit. Clients should be able to use different parts of their plan so that dependents within their household could also be covered.
For example, the benefit of inflation-linking income protection means that the income from the policy can meet rising day-to-day living expenses, while the lump sum from a critical illness policy could cover more immediate concerns regarding paying off a mortgage.
Budget options are now more important than ever
The latest findings of the LV Wealth and Wellbeing Monitor found that 38 per cent of UK adults had worried about money in the past three months.
Rising inflation and the unexpected leap in energy costs has affected the finances of many families, as 9 per cent of people surveyed were worried about the impact of interest rate rises on their mortgage repayments.
"It makes sense for menu plans to eventually become the go-to solution."
Indexation, where premiums are linked to inflation, can make a big impact on income protection as the client's income may need to withstand higher household bills in the future. By using a menu plan, advisers can choose to add a mix of inflation-linked or fixed cover options to best address their concerns.
LV's longest running income protection claim started in 1987, paying out £93 a week. The claimant was diagnosed with epilepsy at 27 after suffering a brain haemorrhage, leaving her unable to work.
As index-linked cover was put in place, the weekly payout has risen to more than £270. In total, £390,000 has been paid out to the claimant over 36 years and the policy will continue until the end of the term in 2023.
Menu plan solutions in progress
As part of his menu plan, Neil took out both a budget personal sick pay (PSP) policy and a life and critical illness policy in 2016. He claimed on his PSP cover when he fractured his foot and needed about three months off work. We paid his claim until he was able to return to work, and he received benefits totalling just over £2,000.
He contacted us again at the end of 2021. He had just been diagnosed with bowel cancer and wanted to claim on both his life and critical illness policy and his PSP. We had a call with him to talk about his situation.
It was clear that he would not be able to work as a plasterer for some time as he was going to have chemotherapy, radiotherapy and then surgery. We obtained both the medical evidence and financial evidence to process the claim.
We were able to pay his £20,000 critical illness claim and his £1,000 a month PSP benefit. His PSP claim is still in payment and he has received more than £4,000 so far.
The example above shows that having a mix of combined and single policies can give people the support and breathing room that they need to overcome a financial life shock. Conditions such as cancer are clearly debilitating and can require extensive time off work.
There are many benefits in having a menu plan as the various covers can snap into action during different life stages and situations.
Advances in portal technology and interactive underwriting systems have enabled advisers to mix and match multi-benefit solutions from different providers, creating personalised cover for their clients.
It makes sense for menu plans to eventually become the go-to solution in many circumstances, as product design and technology continues to improve, making the advice journey more efficient.
An important part of the process is having conversations with clients to discuss solutions for when the worst happens. Part of that journey is looking at the risks that could cause a financial shock and how best to prepare for these eventualities.
Life insurance and critical illness can help with immediate concerns and there are obviously benefits to maintaining a regular income by using either income protection or family income benefit. Family income benefit is a type of life insurance that would pay out a monthly income instead of a lump sum on death, potentially offering an affordable alternative.
As an example, Matt and Jess are aged 35 and have a young daughter. They do not smoke and are planning to have more children in the future. While Matt earns £60,000 as a company director, Jess has a £25,000 salary as a part-time teacher.
As their salaries are different it makes more sense to have some joint insurance policies – products like income protection are held individually. The menu plan solution proposed below was devised as a budget option, while prioritising the features that the couple cared about maintaining the most.
Part-time teacher
Life & CI
Joint life and critical illness cover (includes enhanced children's cover)
Joint family income benefit (inflation-linked, worth £21,600 a year/£1,800 a month)
Joint life insurance (£100,000 sum assured)
Budget income protection (two-year term)
As Jess earns less than Matt's salary, she has a budget income protection policy that has a 24-month limit on payouts from one claim. Her contributions to household finances are also considered when recommending the joint family income benefit policy, which would cover her contribution to the household bills if she unexpectedly died.
The children will also be covered by the joint critical illness cover as enhanced children's cover is included in the recommendation. The maximum claim payment would potentially be doubled as both parents are named on the policy.
The couple also have a 25-year mortgage of £200,000, so it would be sensible to have life insurance in place to help clear some of the outstanding mortgage if one of them were to pass away.
"The dynamics of many families are diverse and constantly changing. Contemporary protection has moved beyond having a single insurance policy."
If the couple had a bigger budget for their menu plan, Jess could have taken out a full income protection policy with a sick pay guarantee exclusively for teachers. The waiting period could also be adjusted to take into account her position as a teacher, so that income protection payouts could begin at the end of the sick pay period offered by her employer.
The dynamics of many families are diverse and constantly changing. Contemporary protection has moved beyond having a single insurance policy to provide a more flexible financial safety net.
Advisers have the freedom to easily design personalised and tailored protection solutions to suit the unique requirements of their clients, making a real difference to them and their families.
Does this mark the death of the income protection or critical illness argument? Not quite.
Clearly, depending on the client's situation either or both products may be suitable. The key thing is for the adviser to have the conversation with clients concerning the risks that they face and to offer appropriate protection solutions that fit the circumstances that the clients are facing.
It is great to see the increase in menu sales and let us hope, with future improvements, that the use of menu-based solutions continues to grow and more families are protected.


text:
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Bearden Elementary School may refer to:
 R. H. Bearden Elementary School - Tallahatchie County, Mississippi - West Tallahatchie School District
 Bearden Elementary School - Bearden, Arkansas - Bearden School District
 Bearden Public School - Okemah, Oklahoma

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


State crackdowns on fair-bid contracts get backing from federal legislation.
Every five years Congress passes a massive transportation funding bill that is often filled with so much pork the legislation is usually embraced by nearly every congressman and senator.
But this year, besides the $283.9 billion to be spent in the bill - which passed the House last week - there's at least one amendment that is trying to make it easier for states to forestall corruption.
The change entails the effort by states to end what is termed "pay to play," that is the giving of political contributions by companies seeking government contracts. What makes this amendment even more unusual is that it's sponsored by three congressmen from New Jersey, a state that seems to wake up every morning to another round of indicted officials. The legislation, say its sponsors, will narrow the potential for graft. And it might actually lower the cost of repaving all those freeways.
"There's less of an opportunity for a wink and a blink, and the contracts may be saving people money," says Rep. Bill Pascrell (D), who cosponsored the amendment with Rep. Robert Menendez (D), and Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R).
The federal amendment became necessary after New Jersey passed legislation banning pay to play in the state last fall. But the Federal Highway Administration warned the state was in danger of losing $260 million in federal funds if it implemented the legislation. The reason: The new law might cut down on the number of companies bidding on contracts using federal dollars.
To some extent an increasing number of states, including Connecticut, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Illinois have passed similar types of laws. The legislation has also passed in individual towns and counties. New Jersey's law, however, is the most far-reaching. "Every other state allows people who contribute at the state level to apply for federal low-bid contracts," says Marc LaVorgna, director of communications for the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
In the name of saving the taxpayer money, the federal rules have existed for some time. For example, in the 1980s, opponents of apartheid failed to prevent companies who were doing business in South Africa from bidding on federal projects. "No matter how noble the cause, it would take an act of Congress to change the law," says Mr. LaVorgna.
In fact, in recent times, the courts have generally upheld certain "pay to play" prohibitions. These include an SEC ruling in the mid-1990s that municipal bond underwriters could not contribute to government officials who award contracts. And the contribution prohibitions have been extended to casinos and insurance companies. New Jersey was hoping to extend these prohibitions to almost everyone who does business with the state.
The impetus for this push came after a series of high-profile scandals, especially under New Jersey's last governor, Jim McGreevey. His former chief of staff and a counsel made a lot of money on a billboard scheme. A top contributor to Mr. McGreevey's campaign was found guilty of tax violations, fraud, and retaliating against a federal witness.
At the same time New Jersey residents read about no-bid contracts for the state's E-ZPass program as well as politically connected law firms who could steer no-bid contracts to the right people. The contributions went to both political parties.
In an attempt to change this culture, four months ago, acting Gov. Richard Codey appointed an ethics counsel, who was expected to announce recommendations Monday to improve the rules for state employees.
Last fall, Governor McGreevey signed an executive order banning pay-to-play activities. The state, however, had to back off from its reform efforts once the Federal Highway Administration said it could lose its federal funding. As a major corridor state, it counts on federal dollars for its infrastructure.
According to state officials, at risk was $750 million a year in highway funds and $250 million in mass-transit projects. This would come to almost half the state's spending on transportation. "It would have been devastating," says LaVorgna.
To try to resolve the situation, last January acting Governor Codey changed the executive order to not apply to state highway contracts. Representative Pascrell met with transportation secretary Norman Minetta to try to convince him the state shouldn't be hurt by its ethics reforms. Yet it became clear that it would take a change in the federal law. This prompted Pascrell's amendment. One of New Jersey's senators, Frank Lautenberg (D), who is also on the Senate Transportation Committee, plans to add it to the Senate version of the bill.


text:
Shemsi Pasha (, ) (1846-1908) was an Ottoman-Albanian General.

Biography

Early life and military career
Shemsi Pasha traced his origin paternally to the Kuči brotherhoods of Bisheva, Tregoviste and maternally to the Hoti of Pejë. In his lifetime he was known as an Albanian. He was born in a small village within İpek Sanjak, Kosovo Vilayet, Ottoman Empire in 1846. Originating from a humble background and being unschooled, he began his military career first as a private and later was promoted to farik (general). Shemsi as such was an ayalı (a person that rises through the army ranks to become an officer) and not a mektepli (a person who gets military school education and then enters the officer corps). In 1901 Shemsi, a favorite of Abdul Hamid II and his trusted official was appointed as commander of the 18th Infantry Division based in Mitroviçe (modern Mitrovicë) that protected an important northern entry route into the empire. For seven years the 18th Infantry Division was under his command and the sultan came to rely on him as someone with ingenuity who could take care of local problems in the region of Kosovo. The Mektepli officers viewed him as a simple man with a several centuries old mindset while regular soldiers respected Shemsi as he came from their ranks and rose in the army based on demonstrated skills gained from experience. Shemsi was also the military envoy to the Ottoman Inspector General based in Selanik (modern Thessaloniki).

In his career Shemsi had to deal with corrupt or incompetent officials in difficult circumstances. During February 1905 he attempted to remove Brigadier Cavid Bey as mutasarrıf of İpek (modern Pejë) for having caused problems due to disrespect toward Albanian customs and traditions. In Elbasan of May 1907 Shemsi placed blame for a small disturbance on two bad officials who later got promoted for their disservice.

Religious conflict in Kosovo between Muslims and Catholics (1907-1908)

Religious conflict between Muslims and Catholics erupted in villages around Yakova (modern Gjakovë) and Shemsi Pasha was sent to bring order to the area, as he was in charge of resolving conflicts in Kosovo. An Albanian, Süleyman Külçe, the adjuntant and personal secretary of Shemsi thought that Abdul Hamid II was mistaken in selecting officers whom lacked an education like the General for resolving problems of the area. During the start of the Muslim religious holiday Bayram, Shemsi got a telegram in early September 1907 about an incident in Smolicë regarding the profanation of the village mosque with a dead pig. The Italian consul in Kosovo thought it was a reaction by Catholics to the kidnapping of a Catholic priest held captive in Smolicë by Muslims, a first time act by them in the area and tensions rapidly rose between both religious communities. Edith Durham, a British traveler present in the region commented that the priest was held by Muslims whom demanded that Ottoman authorities release a relative of one of the captors in exchange for the hostage.

In short time Shemsi told the local Islamic clergy to soften the reactions of Muslims and stated to them that the pig's dead body did not profane the mosque and ordered the people responsible for the incident be found. In January 1908, an order was received by Shemsi to go with soldiers to Yakova. Later at the town Shemsi was met by a Catholic priest who passed on a letter about local Christians having been killed in the area. Shemsi then assembled Muslim notables of Yakova and the wider area and said that most Catholics subjected to attacks were innocent. Troops were left in the town after Shemsi departed. During his time in Yakova, Shemsi received a telegraph from Prizren about a mosque profanation incident. The General dismissed the claim as being untrue due to the discovery of the pig being in the river.

Tensions continued in the region and the sultan thought that the events in Kosovo had supposed links to Ismail Qemali and his activities. Abdul Hamid II instructed Shemsi to travel to Prizren and tasked him with appeasing Muslims and protecting Christians. Shemsi was unable to break and stop a besa (pledge) which targeted Catholics through boycotts. Religious tensions continued as the boycott spread and some Catholics fearing a loss of employment converted to Islam while Shemsi also met with the leadership of the remaining Catholics in the area. During these events Catholics had sought protection with Ottoman forces and after Shemsi withdrew his troops from the countryside incidents of violence against them occurred.

Another conflict in 1908 occurred in Yakova between local chieftains and the Curri family with Shemsi instructed to resolve the dispute. The Curri family refused an invitation for negotiations with the General. Shemsi assembled all the Catholic and Muslim notables in April. He convinced all sides to sign an agreement which stated an end to persecution of the peasantry, that trade would be unhindered and concerns held by people would be brought to government officials and not consuls of foreign powers. In the agreement Shemsi attempted to sever the links between Christians and the Great Powers through use of Ottoman government channels for conflict resolution. The General also requested that Muslims not give a pretext for foreign intervention into the region.

In Kosovo the Austro-Hungarian vice-consul was of the view that the attitude of Shemsi did not assist in resolving the conflict as he arrived with soldiers representing the authority of the government and did nothing to halt events. Külçe, Shemsi's secretary also commented that the General was unable to apply policy as suggested by the Grand Vezir and Inspector General due to the stance of the local Vali who was more in line with the sultan's position of not intervening against Muslims. The position of Shemsi was also undermined according to Külçe as the General brought soldiers and did not use them. Toward the end of June the situation was not settled and Shemsi had to go back to Prizren.

Shemsi was seen by Abdul Hamid II as a political and loyal General who could maintain a certain amount of order in Kosovo through his connections with Northern (Gheg) Albanians and notables of the area and functioned as the sultan's cultural intermediary. As division commander Shemsi had easy and direct access to the place. During the Albanian revolts of the time Shemsi undertook important services as a General for Abdul Hamid II. Even with Shemsi's presence in Kosovo, parts of the region and the porous frontier with Serbia continued to be a security problem for the Ottoman Empire. His intervention in conflicts within Kosovo were part of the wider geopolitical situation encompassing the region and Ottoman Empire at the time.

Young Turk Revolution and death
On 3 July 1908 Adjuntant Major Ahmed Niyazi Bey deserted the Ottoman army, fled into the mountains with a guerilla band and initiated the Young Turk Revolution calling for the restoration of the constitution of 1876 with other officers like Enver Bey following his example. During that summer Shemsi encouraged a pro-government gathering at Firzovik (modern Ferizaj) and subsequent events at the meeting took an unexpected turn when demands for constitutional restoration were made. To deal with the revolt of Niyazi, Enver and other guerilla bands formed by deserting Ottoman soldiers, the government called up fresh reserve battalions from Aydin province with Abdul Hamid II placing them under Shemsi's command upon their arrival in the Balkans. Shemsi at Prizren was telegraphed by the palace First Chamberlain and told to gather local troops during the wait for the Anatolian soldiers and to march his combined force against the insurgents. Half an hour later a second cable was received by Shemsi from the sultan. Abdul Hamid II instructed Shemsi to take as many regiments as he wanted from the Mitroviçe Division and gather as many volunteers as he was able and dress them in uniform to act against the insurgents without waiting for the Anatolian troops to arrive.

Moving quickly Shemsi got two mobilised battalions from the Mitroviçe Division to board a train for Monastir (modern Bitola). He managed to draft a small group of Albanian volunteers into a unit, told them that Muslims were being massacred by Christians and that they would be fighting them. Niyazi accused Shemsi of making such comments against Christians to mobilise Albanian volunteers against the Young Turks (CUP). After the revolution Müfid Shemsi, a CUP member, an aide de camp to the General and son of Shemsi wrote in a book that his father never made that declaration and he protected Christians from injustices done by Muslims. Shemsi telegraphed Albanian notables for assistance to fight against the insurgents.

On July 7, 1908, Shemsi with his small unit of Albanian volunteers and two army battalions reached Monastir by train. Shemsi lacked hard intelligence about the location of Niyazi's guerilla band and he planned to travel to Resne (modern Resen) and conduct his operations from there. The Young Turks (CUP) viewed Shemsi and his military forces as superior to their bands and that any clash between them and Ottoman military forces composed of Albanian soldiers and volunteers would damage Albanian-CUP relations. The CUP Monastir branch took the decision to assassinate Shemsi before he would begin his military campaign. First Lieutenant Atıf Kamçıl, a CUP revolutionary and member of the self-sacrificing volunteer division of the CUP Monastir branch wrote later in life that he alone decided to assassinate Shemsi. Kamçıl stated he asked the CUP Monastir branch for a gun and had talks about the matter with Süleyman Askerî, the branch's guide. The director of the CUP Monastir branch, Lieutenant Colonel Sadik Bey (Șehreküștü) stated that it was only himself who gave the fatwa (order) for killing Shemsi. In a telegram by the CUP Monastir branch they wrote that a "self sacrificing" volunteer himself wanted to undertake the task.

During his stopover in Monastir Shemsi telegraphed the palace and exchanged messages with the First Chamberlain giving them advice to mobilise those Albanian chiefs that were for years under imperial patronage and to fight the officers who were in open revolt challenging the government. Shemsi also exchanged telegraphs with Albanian notables. As he left the telegraph office and went to enter the carriage Shemsi was assassinated in front of his Albanian bodyguards on July 7 by Atıf Kamçıl. Kamçıl, as he fled from the location was wounded in the leg and later hid in the home of Lieutenant Mahmut Soydun. The Albanian bodyguards of Shemsi had been swayed by the CUP to their side that during the incident they only shot their firearms into the air, did not chase after Kamçıl and later fled from the scene themselves.

For the revolution the murder of Shemsi was a turning point that demoralised the palace and it removed a dangerous opponent for the CUP that could have mobilised Albanians against their forces. Lieutenant Colonel Re'fet Bey, the son in law of Shemsi and gendarme commander of Monastir was ordered by the government to go after the insurgents with the military forces gathered by his father in law. Unknown to the government was that Re'fet Bey was a CUP member and that the CUP Monastir branch told him to stall for time while CUP leaders understood that forces assembled by Shemsi would not conduct an attack. After his death Shemsi was replaced with Marshal Osman Tatar Pasha and the CUP gained a major advantage in the conflict as the assassination galvanised people to their cause. During these events Ismail Mahir Pasha, a relative of Shemsi was also assassinated. Facing a deteriorating situation in the Balkans on July 24 sultan Abdul Hamid II restored the constitution of 1876. Following the revolution people involved in the assassinations went unpunished by the CUP and instead they were hailed as heroes and given important positions within the state.

References

1846 births
1908 deaths
Military personnel from Peja
Kosovo Albanians
People from Kosovo vilayet
20th-century people from the Ottoman Empire
Albanian Pashas
Ottoman military officers
Ottoman Army officers
Ottoman Army generals
Military personnel of the Ottoman Empire
Albanian military personnel


text:
Intervenor Defendants Appellees Supplemental Brief
Uploaded by Andy Gaona
Medicaid case
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12 19 Reid Letter Managers
Kathleen Sebelius Testimony 10-30-2013
Michigan Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility
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Senate Letter 12.22.09
PA Health Reform Fact Sheet 073010 RR
Moving the Needle: The Impact of the Affordable Care Act on LGBT Communities
Health Tax Insurance
Cato Simplified Analysis of ObamaCare
Landmark Legal Foundation Brief King v. Burwell
Federal Funding Brief
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Department of Health and Human Services Budget Proposal
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OH-14 Joyce Health Care Report - Sept 18
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IN THE SUPREME COURT
STATE OF ARIZONA
ANDY BIGGS, et al., Arizona Supreme Court
No. CV-17-0130-PR
Plaintiffs/Appellants,
Court of Appeals, Division One
v. No. 1 CA-CV 15-0743
THOMAS J. BETLACH, in his official Maricopa County Superior Court
capacity as Director of the Arizona No. CV2013-011699
Health Care Cost Containment Systems,
Defendant/Appellee,
EDMUNDO MACIAS, et al.,
Intervenor-Defendants/Appellees.
INTERVENOR-DEFENDANTS/APPELLEES SUPPLEMENTAL BRIEF
DATED: October 2, 2017 Timothy M. Hogan #004567
Arizona Center for Law in the
514 W. Roosevelt Street
thogan@aclpi.org
Ellen Sue Katz #012214
William E. Morris Institute for Justice
3707 N. Seventh Street, Suite 220
eskatz@qwestoffice.net
Attorneys for Intervenor-Defendants/
Appellees
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES .................................................................................... ii
ARGUMENT .............................................................................................................1
I. INTRODUCTION. ...........................................................................................1
II. THE IMPACT OF MEDICAID EXPANSION. ...........................................3
III. PROPOSITION 108 HAS DONE EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS
INTENDED TO DO. ..............................................................................................6
IV. OPPOSITION TO THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT IS A BETTER
EXPLANATION FOR LEGISLATIVE OPPOSITION TO MEDICAID
EXPANSION THAN PROPOSITION 108. ..........................................................7
V. THE LEGISLATURE HAS EXCEPTED NUMEROUS ASSESSMENTS
AND FEES FROM THE APPLICATION OF PROPOSITION 108...................10
VI. THE ASSESSMENT IMPOSED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AHCCCS IS
NOT A TAX BUT IS INSTEAD A FEE OR ASSESSMENT THAT IS
EXEMPT FROM THE APPLICATION OF PROPOSITION 108......................13
CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................16
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
Fogliano v. Brain, 229 Ariz. 12, 270 P.3d 839 (App. 2011), review denied 2012
Ariz. LEXIS 56 (Feb. 15, 2012). ............................................................................8
May v. McNally, 203 Ariz. 425, 55 P.3d 768 (2002) ...............................................13
A.R.S. 36-2901.01(B) .............................................................................................8
A.R.S. 36-2901.08.............................................................................................3, 15
A.R.S. 36-2903.08(A). ..........................................................................................14
Constitutional Provisions
Ariz. Const., Art. 9, 22(C). ................................................................ 11, 14, 15, 16
Ariz. Const., Art. 9, 22(D) ....................................................................................13
Intervenor-Defendants/Appellees (Intervenors) submit the following
Supplemental Brief and request that the Court affirm the Court of Appeals and
Superior Court decisions in this case.
I. INTRODUCTION.
In 1992, voters approved Proposition 108 which amended the state
constitution to require a two-thirds vote in each house of the legislature to enact a
net increase in state revenue through new or increased taxes, fees or assessments
with certain exceptions. Proposition 108 has now been in effect for 25 years yet
this is the first case in which its violation has been alleged in a court case.
Perhaps that it is because Proposition 108 has been enormously successful in
accomplishing its intended purpose. Not only have there been no statewide tax
increases approved by the legislature during that period of time, in virtually every
year since 1992 the legislature has implemented a tax reduction of one kind or
another. It is estimated but for those tax reductions the state general fund would
have almost $4 billion more than it does today. Section III, infra. It is odd then
that the first challenge under Proposition 108 would occur in the case of an
assessment imposed on 74 providers each of whom not only wants the assessment
but is eager to pay it. Index of Record (IR)) 61, 35. They are eager to pay it
because they directly benefit from the assessment. Section VI, infra.
The fact is that this is not the first time that the legislature has authorized
fees or assessments and left it to the discretion of a state official or board to
establish and implement, just as occurred in this case. Section V, infra. There was
no outrage from minority legislators in those many cases that the will of the people
as expressed in Proposition 108 was being violated.
So what makes this case any different? There are any number of
explanations ranging from the political to the ideological to the economic. Perhaps
it will never be known why legislators chose to wait and use the provision of health
care benefits to low income individuals as the test case for Proposition 108.
What is known is that the lives of more than more than 400,000 individuals
are literally at risk because of this litigation. That is the number of Arizonans who
have become eligible for health care under the AHCCCS program by virtue of
House Bill 2010 that was enacted in 2013. See Section II, infra. Thats equal to
the combined populations of Yuma, Flagstaff, Prescott, Kingman, Nogales, Sun
City, Sierra Vista, Fountain Hills and Queen Creek. http://citypopulation.de/USA-
Arizona.html (last accessed September 27, 2017). If the Plaintiffs prevail, it would
be the equivalent of removing health-care benefits for every man, woman and child
in each of those cities and towns.
This Court now has the benefit of two very strong lower court decisions that
applied the clear language of Proposition 108 to conclude that the assessment
authorized by HB 2010 is not a tax and that it meets the criteria for exempting it
from the requirement of Proposition 108. The lower court decisions are
straightforward, well-reasoned and support the majority of legislators who enacted
the assessment in A.R.S. 36-2901.08. There is little for this Court to do but
affirm those decisions.
II. THE IMPACT OF MEDICAID EXPANSION.
This case presents a state constitutional challenge to the hospital assessment
that funds Intervenors healthcare coverage. Intervenors are childless adults with
income at 100% and below the federal poverty level and adults with income
between 100-133% of the federal poverty level. IR 41.
As of September 2017, there were 317,302 persons in what is often referred
to as the Proposition 204 restoration category with income at 100% and below the
federal poverty level and 82,205 persons in the adult expansion category with
income between 100-133% of the federal poverty level.
https://azahcccs.gov/Resources/Downloads/PopulationStatistics/2017/Sep/AHCCC
S_Population_by_Category.pdf. These members have stayed relatively stable
over the last year. Id.
The Intervenors in this case are but four of the 400,000 who desperately
need the health care that the Medicaid expansion provides. When the Motion to
Intervene was filed, Intervenor Edmundo Macias was a 53 year old male living in
Gilbert, Arizona. IR 41. He was a childless adult working part time and financially
eligible for AHCCCS. His serious medical conditions included diabetes, arthritis
and a developing heart condition and his physician had prescribed several
medications for him. If Mr. Macias was not on AHCCCS, he could not afford his
medications or see his doctor. Without medication, his diabetes could get worse
and other medical complications, including vision loss, losing a limb and severe
mood swings would result. Id.
Intervenor Gary Gorham was a 61 year old male living in Chandler,
Arizona. Id. He also was a childless adult, currently unemployed with no income
and financially eligible for AHCCCS. He had digestive system complications,
blood clots (a history of and currently) and gall stones. He saw a specialist for his
digestive problems and his primary care doctor for his other conditions. His
doctors prescribed medications for him and he required monthly blood tests. He
needed surgery for his gall stones. Without AHCCCS, Mr. Gorham would not
have the funds to pay for his doctor visits, prescriptions and blood tests and
without medical care, he would end up in the emergency room and require
hospitalization. Id.
Intervenor Daniel McCormick was a 62 year old male living in Show Low,
Arizona. Id. at 4-5. He also was a childless adult, currently unemployed with no
income and financially eligible for AHCCCS. He had severe spinal stenosis,
bulging and compressed disks and arthritis in his back. He saw his primary doctor
and a pain specialist. He received epidural shots, had his nerves frozen to relieve
the pain and his doctors were looking into other treatments for him. Without
AHCCCS, he would not be able to afford his needed medical care, his pain would
be unbearable and he would have no hope of getting better.
Finally, Intervenor Tim Ferrell was a 54 year old male living in Phoenix,
Arizona. Id. at 5. He was a childless adult, working part-time and financially
eligible for AHCCCS. He had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high blood
pressure, high cholesterol and heart issues. He was seen by a primary doctor and a
pulmonologist. His doctors monitored his medical conditions by running tests and
prescribed three inhalers and other medications including beta blockers to keep his
heart rate slower. If Mr. Ferrell was not on AHCCCS, he could not afford to pay
for his medical care. Without his needed medical care, he would end up in the
emergency room and have to be hospitalized. Id.
Without AHCCCS, Intervenors and the 400,000 other adults whose medical
care is funded by the hospital assessment will be denied the medical care,
including doctor examinations, prescriptions, medical tests and supplies and
surgeries that keeps them healthy and alive.
INTENDED TO DO.
Approved by voters in 1992, Proposition 108 was intended to make it more
difficult for the legislature to enact tax increases. The supporters of Proposition
108 wanted to put the brakes on what they called a decade of unchecked spending
and taxation that had transformed Arizona into one of the leading tax and spend
states in the Nation. Publicity Pamphlet for 1992 Ballot Measures at 48
(argument for for Proposition 108 by Tracy Thomas and Sidney Hoff for the
Lincoln Caucus), https://www.azsos.gov/sites/azsos.gov/files/pubpam92.pdf.
Proposition 108 was intended to take back control from a run-away tax and spend
state legislature. Id.
Proposition 108 has certainly done that and then some. Not only have there
been no tax increases following voter approval of Proposition 108, in almost every
year since 1992 the legislature has implemented a tax reduction. See Joint
Legislative Budget Report Fiscal Impact of Statutory Changes dated September
2016, https://www.azleg.gov/jlbc/fiscalimpactofstatutorytaxchanges.pdf. The tax
reductions implemented since the early 1990s have lowered revenue to the state
general fund by about $4 billion in fiscal year 2016, a reduction of approximately
30%. Tax Reductions in Arizona: Effects on Economic Growth and Government
Revenue, a Report from the Office of the University Economist, October 2016,
Tom Rex, Center for Competitiveness and Prosperity Research, W. P. Carey
School of Business, Arizona State University at 1,
https://wpcarey.asu.edu/sites/default/files/taxreductions10-16.pdf.
Those tax cuts have had a significant impact on state spending. For
example, in 1991-92, Arizona ranked thirty-fourth in education funding per
student, ahead of sixteen other states and 87.7% of the U.S. average. In 2012-13,
Arizona had fallen to 48th in education funding per student above only two other
states and only 69.5% of the U.S. average, http://azsba.org/wp-
content/uploads/2015/09/PC-Funding-Session-1-The-Numbers-Ranking-and-
Percentages.pdf.
Unlike tax reform efforts in California as described by the Howard Jarvis
Taxpayer Association in its Amicus Brief, Proposition 108 in Arizona has been
spectacularly successful at reducing state revenues and spending. The idea that an
assessment on 74 hospitals to fund Arizonas Medicaid share is somehow going to
change that is absurd.
EXPANSION THAN PROPOSITION 108.
Arizonas legislature has a long history when it comes to providing health
care to Arizonans mired in poverty. Even though Medicaid was available in 1965,
it took Arizona 17 years to decide it was going to participate and became the last
state to do so in 1982. Later, Arizona voters decided that the legislature had not
done enough to support the healthcare needs of low income Arizonans and in 2000
approved Proposition 204.
Proposition 204 increased the eligibility for AHCCCS healthcare benefits to
100% of the federal poverty level and directed that tobacco tax settlement funds
along with federal funds and any other available sources be used to pay for the
increased state share associated with the expanded eligibility. A.R.S. 36-
2901.01(B).
In 2011, following years of tax reductions exacerbated by the recession, the
legislature decided it could no longer afford to support the expanded AHCCCS
population that voters had mandated in 2000. As a result, the legislature mandated
that the Director of AHCCCS freeze enrollment of so-called childless adults in the
AHCCCS program. The court of appeals upheld the freeze despite the
unconditional increase in eligibility in Proposition 204 because it held that the
legislatures decision about whether funding was available was nonjusticiable.
Ariz. LEXIS 56 (Feb. 15, 2012).
When the opportunity arose under the Affordable Care Act to fund expanded
eligibility under Proposition 204, the Director of AHCCCS, Defendant Tom
Betlach, characterized it as a restoration of healthcare benefits referring to the
fact that under the then Governors plan, the program would again apply to people
who lost coverage when the state froze enrollment. Fernanda Santos, GOP in
Arizona is Pushed to Expand Medicaid, N. Y. Times, Mar. 10, 2013, at A11.
Resistance in the Arizona legislature to the Governors plan to support
increased eligibility for healthcare benefits under the Affordable Care Act was
fierce. Even though the Governor was a critic of the Affordable Care Act, she was
careful to point out that Medicaid had been here long before Obama health care
and that the expansion of Medicaid had nothing to do with Obama health care.
That distinction was lost on many legislators who are now Plaintiffs in this lawsuit.
See, for example, Rep. Warren Petersen, Why Conservatives Oppose Expansion of
Obamacare, Arizona Capitol Times, May 31, 2013; see also Bob Christie and
Cristina Silva, Assoc. Press, Arizona Legislature Passes Medicaid Expansion, San Diego
Union-Tribune, June 13, 2013 (The bottom line here is greed, said Sen. Al
Melvin, a Tucson Republican who is running for governor and voted against the
Medicaid expansion. The people who want this know in their hearts that
Obamacare is going to collapse under its own weight.).
Despite stiff opposition from within her own party, the Governor pushed
forward with her plan to take advantage of Medicaid expansion under the
Affordable Care Act. She warned legislators that she would not sign additional
measures into law until the issue was resolved and then she followed through on
that warning by vetoing five bills that had been sent to her. Id.; Mary Jo Pitzl,
Threats, Vetoes Fly as Tensions Rise Over Medicaid Expansion, Arizona Republic, May
24, 2013. The Senate President and a Plaintiff in this lawsuit was deeply and
profoundly disappointed at the manner in which the Governor had secured
approval for AHCCCS expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Arizona
Legislature Passes Medicaid Expansion, supra. Another legislator accused her of rolling
over her own party because she was throwing a temper tantrum. Id. See also,
Threats, Vetoes Fly as Tensions Rise Over Medicaid Expansion, supra. The minority
legislators quickly filed this lawsuit based on Proposition 108 which had scarcely
been discussed through the legislative process. Thats likely because many of the
same legislators who filed this action had previously taken advantage of
Proposition 108s exception for assessments and fees authorized by the legislature
but which are not prescribed by formula and are set by a state officer or agency.
V. THE LEGISLATURE HAS EXCEPTED NUMEROUS
ASSESSMENTS AND FEES FROM THE APPLICATION OF
PROPOSITION 108.
If the proponents of Proposition 108 had wanted to completely prohibit the
legislature from taking any action that would provide for a net increase in state
revenues, they could have easily done so. Instead, Proposition 108 specifies three
categories of net increases in state revenues to which it would not apply. One of
those categories is for fees and assessments that are authorized by statute, but are
not prescribed by formula, amount or limits, and are set by a state officer or
agency. Ariz. Const., Art. 9, 22(C).
Since the passage of Proposition 108, the Arizona legislature has enacted
numerous statutes establishing fees or assessments under this exception. In fact,
over a recent six year span (2007 through 2012), no fewer than 89 fees or other
net increase[s] in state revenues were passed by the legislature without
Proposition 108 language requiring passage by a legislative supermajority. IR 61,
42. In accordance with the rules of the legislature, each of these bills was
reviewed by the House and Senate Rules Committees, respectively. IR 82 at 4.
The Rules Committee has the responsibility to consider the bill and proposed
amendments thereto for constitutionality and proper form Arizona Senate Rule
7(C)(5).
Prior to the approval of the hospital assessment, bills authorizing new fees
were routinely and openly drafted or amended in a manner to avoid the
supermajority requirement of Proposition 108. For example, in April 2009, one of
the bills being considered by the Rules Committee, HB 2143, which authorized loan
originator license fees, contained a Proposition 108 enactment clause, which will
be remedied by a floor amendment to remove the fixed dollar amount. IR 82 at 5
quoting Arizona House of Representatives 49th Legislature-First Regular Session
Committee on Rules, Minutes of Meeting Monday, April 20, 2009, available at
https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/1R/comm_min/House/042009%20RULES.pdf
(last accessed September 27, 2017). According to the Minutes, the Rules attorney
advised the Committee that it is the opinion of rules counsel that these measures,
with these amendments are constitutional and in proper form. Id. (Emphasis
added). The bill was, indeed, amended on the floor to change the fee amounts from
one hundred dollars and twenty dollars to an amount to be determined by the
Superintendent and the Proposition 108 enactment provision was struck. Id.
quoting McClains Substitute Floor Amendment, House of Rep. Amendments to
HB 2143, available at
(last accessed September 27, 2017). After the amendment, the bill passed
overwhelmingly in both Houses and was signed by the Governor. Bill Status
Overview, HB 2143, available at
https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/25608 (last accessed September 27,
The Plaintiffs have previously tried to downplay the significance of the prior
practice of the legislature by claiming that the 80 plus fees enacted under the
exception in recent years were contained in only 40 bills, and that approximately
half of those bills received more than a two-thirds vote. IR 71 at 2. However, for
purposes of understanding the legislatures interpretation of the exception, the final
vote tallies are irrelevant. What is significant is the absence of any provision in the
bills themselves addressing the two-thirds majority requirement. Article 9, 22,
subsection D expressly states that [e]ach act to which this section applies shall
include a separate provision describing the requirements for enactment prescribed
by this section. Ariz. Const., Art. 9, 22(D). The absence of any such provision
in the bills in question establishes that the legislature had concluded that the
proposed legislation fell within the exception and was not subject to a
supermajority requirement.
It is clear that the Plaintiff legislators view of Proposition 108 is flexible.
For 89 fees and assessments, Proposition 108 provided an exception. But when
expansion of healthcare benefits for low income individuals under the Affordable
Care Act was the issue, suddenly the exception in Proposition 108 was unavailing.
Whether the opposition is politically or ideologically motivated is beside the point.
What is clear is that it is not legally justified and certainly not consistent with past
legislative practice.
EXEMPT FROM THE APPLICATION OF PROPOSITION 108.
The two lower courts that have considered the tax issue thoroughly analyzed
it under the criteria established in May v. McNally, 203 Ariz. 425, 55 P.3d 768
(2002). That analysis will not be repeated here.
However, it is worth emphasizing that the assessment imposed by the
Director was sought by the provider hospitals because it provides a direct financial
benefit to them. The legislature confirmed that purpose when it required AHCCCS
to provide annual reports to the legislature and Governors office on the change in
uncompensated hospital costs experienced by hospitals in this state and hospital
profitability during the previous fiscal year. A.R.S. 36-2903.08(A).
The Plaintiffs themselves have admitted that the true beneficiaries of
Arizonas Medicaid expansion are not the people, but the politically connected
hospitals who lobby for tax exemptions and stand to line their pockets with
reimbursements. IR 51. They even cited AHCCCS estimates of a $407 million
gain for Arizona hospitals in fiscal year 2015. Id. at 5-6.
Of course, once the Plaintiffs realized that their tax argument is undermined
if the hospitals are the true beneficiaries of Medicaid expansion, they dropped
that argument and now claim that low income individuals were the intended
beneficiaries all along. But the Plaintiffs cannot change the facts that they have
cited. Nor can they change the fact that it was the hospitals who sought the
assessment and willingly pay it so that they may benefit financially. The only way
the Court could possibly construe this as a tax is if it ignores those facts.
Assuming the assessment is what it says it is, the assessment falls within the
plain language of the exception in Article 9, 22(C)(2). The hospital assessment
was authorized by statute but is not prescribed by a formula, amount or limit and is
set by the Director of AHCCCS. That should be the end of it.
Plaintiffs maintain that voters could not have meant to exclude assessments
that fit these criteria because to do so would mean that state officers or agencies
would have unconstrained authority to impose fees and assessments in any amount.
Whether that is true of any fee or assessment ever authorized by the legislature is a
good question but it is certainly not true in this case. A.R.S. 36-2901.08 requires
the Director to establish and collect an assessment on hospital revenues, discharges
or bed days for the purpose of funding the non-federal share of the costs that are
not covered by the Proposition 204 protection account and the Arizona Tobacco
Litigation Settlement Fund. A.R.S. 36-2901.08(A). The Directors authority
under this section is not unconstrained and is limited to establishing an assessment
sufficient to pay the non-federal share of the costs for Medicaid expansion.
Moreover, the Plaintiffs concern would still exist even if the Court
interpreted the exception in the manner urged by the Plaintiffs. According to the
Plaintiffs, any fee or assessment that is authorized by statute, but not prescribed by
formula, amount or limit and which is set by a state officer or agency is still subject
to the requirements of 22 even though 22(C) explicitly says that the section
does not apply to such fees and assessments. Plaintiffs nevertheless contend that
the initial authorization of such a fee and assessment is subject to 22(A) and (B)
and must receive an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of each house.
But even if Plaintiffs are correct and the initial fee or assessment is authorized by a
supermajority, the state officer or agency would still have the unbounded
discretion to later increase that fee or assessment which is exactly what the
Plaintiffs say they are complaining about.
Of course, thats the problem with trying to make sense out of language that
is not there. Proposition 108 very clearly and in unmistakable terms provides that
it does not apply to fees or assessments authorized by statute, not prescribed by
formula and which are set by a state officer or agency. Ariz. Const., Art. 9,
22(C). It is clear that the proponents of Proposition 108 now wish it said
something else, but it doesnt. Rather than trying to divine what the proponents
meant, the Court is better served by relying on the clear language of the
constitutional provision and holding that the hospital assessment is exempt from
the application of 22.
The requirements of Article 9, Section 22 do not apply to the hospital
assessment. The Court should affirm the lower court decisions and uphold the will
of a majority of legislators to extend healthcare benefits to 400,000 Arizonans.
DATED this 2nd day of October, 2017.
/s/Timothy M. Hogan
Timothy M. Hogan
Supermajority
Bill (Law)
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text:
Your Guide to Tick, Tick… BOOM Songs – Playlist, Background, and More
ByManorath ThackerNovember 23, 2021 0
The much-awaited Tick, Tick…BOOM has finally arrived at Netflix, and it has charmed everyone with its lovely story, talented cast, and, of course, beautiful songs. Lin-Manuel Miranda adapted the classic work of Jonathan Larson in a movie; which has practically stunned the world with its sheer brilliance.
Musicals always make the fans fall in love with the songs. This movie is no different. As there might be a plethora of people out there looking for the music they heard in the Netflix movie, here is a guide for all of them.
Lin-Manuel Miranda made his directorial debut with this movie, which is based on the musical of the same name by Jonathan Larson. The movie features some of the most talented stars in Andrew Garfield and Vanessa Hudgens, adding to that an absolutely stunning soundtrack, which was originally written by Larson himself. There is not a single speck of doubt about the quality of music in the film. So with no further adieu, here is a list of all the Tick, Tick… Boom songs that are featured in the movie.
Tick, Tick… Boom Songs – The Entire Playlist
The ability of glorious music is that it makes you feel all the emotions that the artist is going through, and while doing so, you discover all the emotions that you never knew you had. Tick, Tick… BOOM songs do exactly that, no matter if you are listening to the original versions of the film versions of them. Here is a list of all the songs that feature in the Netflix adaptation of the movie.
Boho Days
Johnny Can't Decide
Come To Your Senses
I am pretty sure you really want to listen to each of these masterpieces. Go on, do it here. On another note, there are a few songs that stand out and deserve to be talked about as individual pieces, and that is exactly what we are going to do.
The flagship song of Tick, Tick…BOOM! Louder Than Words is a song that gives you a sense of completion as it does to each of the characters in the movie and the musical. The song brings all the story arcs to a conclusion, and it gets even more beautiful each time you listen to it. Talking about all the themes like inequality, injustice, creativity, and ambition, that are present throughout the story, this song gives a fitting end to the joyride of this masterpiece.
Best of Tick, Tick…BOOM songs – Boho Days
This acapella song is without a doubt the most catchy number from the musical. The song about life in the city of New York perfectly establishes the creative abilities of Jonathan, while never really failing to make the listener groove to the melody. The director has elegantly shot the entire sequence and captured all the raw energy and style in such a way that you almost feel you are part of the group.
This song is something that is going to stick with you forever, mainly because it is about a feeling that almost all of us have: confusion. The song comes at a very crucial moment in the film when Jonathan is not sure about what he should or should not do. The exquisite melody, paired with very profound lyrics, paints us a perfect picture of a man stuck between his life choices.
Well, I can't just leave you craving for more such music when I am very well aware of someone who would just serve your taste. Treat yourself to Jonathan Larson himself, performing his rock monologue tick, tick…BOOM!
Tell us what is your favorite Tick, Tick… Boom songs are in the comments below.
ALSO READ: Andrew Garfield Became Jonathan Larson in Tick, Tick…BOOM! Because of a "Masseur"
tick tick boom
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text:
Dr. Dieter W. Reisinger, Air Transport
Gerard Temme
Pat Svatek
Billie Flynn and Mark Skoog
MajGen Desmond E. Barker, SAAF
Capt. Dave Carbaugh, Boeing Company
Maurice Girard, Bombardier
Gulfstream Aerospace
Daniel Schwenzel, Airbus Helicopters
Not Awarded
§ 1 Purpose
The purpose of the European Flight Test Safety Award is to enhance flight test safety in the European flight test community. The award shall serve as a motivation and recognition of an accomplishment in the interest of flight test safety. The accomplishment may either be an exceptional act which contributed to avoiding a test accident, or a presentation within the framework of the European Flight Test Safety Workshop which contributed most to improving flight test safety.
§ 2 Background and Philosophy
The birth of the European Flight Test Safety Award took place during the funeral of Gérard Guillaumaud, who was lost with the second Grob spn prototype in an accident on November 29 th, 2006. His fiancée, Heidi Biermeier, refused to accept that this would be the conclusion of Gérard's spirit and passion for flying and aircraft, and found the funeral insufficient to honour him and his life's work. Her very deep wish was to keep Gérard´s memory alive and to initiate a symbol which would pay tribute to Gérard's life's work and his constant endeavours to develop and improve safety in test flying. From this event the European Flight Test Safety Award was established by Heidi Biermeier, with support from Gérard's colleagues and friends Tore Reimers, Al Lawless and Chris Worning.
The European Flight Test Safety Award is based on the following philosophy as its guiding principle:
Gérard Guillaumaud lost his life in execution of his profession, but his spirit will still be alive. Gérard´s passion for flying and aircraft should be a legacy for us for achieving one aim: improving flight test safety.
§ 3 Award Trophy
The EFTSA trophy has been developed, manufactured and donated by Grob Aerospace GmbH in 21 specimens. 20 trophies are intended to be handed out over the years 2007 to 2026, the 21st trophy will be the master specimen which will stay at the SETP headquarters in California.
The trophy is made of polished carbon fibre and brass, and bears the following inscriptions, symbols and placeholders:
The inscription "European Flight Test Safety Award".
The SETP logo.
A placeholder for the year, to be engraved.
A placeholder for the name of the winner, to be engraved.
The inscription "In the spirit of Gérard Guillaumaud 1961-2006".
§ 4 Nomination
All presentations made during the European FTSW workshop are automatically nominated for the EFTSA.
For nominations related to an exceptional act in the interest of flight safety, the nomination shall be submitted in writing to the Flight Test Safety Committee not later than one month prior to the planned date of the European FTSW. The nomination may be submitted by any individual or organization, and may be submitted via mail, fax, email or the SETP web site:
Flight Test Safety Committee c/o SETP, P.O. Box 986, Lancaster, CA 93584
E-mail. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web site. http://www.setp.org/table/awards/
§ 5 Selection Criteria and Decision
The award winner will be decided by the European FTSW organisational committee under the leadership of the committee chairman during the course of the proceedings of the annual European FTSW.
The award can be presented to an individual or a team of individuals.
§ 6 Presentation and Award Handover
The award winner and the award trophy will be announced and presented at an appropriate stage of the event. When possible, the trophy should be presented by Heidi Biermeier.
A press release package presenting the award winner and a description of his or her contribution towards improving flight test safety shall be prepared by the FTSW organizational committee and forwarded to the SETP headquarters for later inclusion in the SETP cockpit magazine and other relevant aviation publications.
§ 7 Alternative plan
If the yearly European FTSW has to be cancelled for whatever reason, the EFTSA award for that year will be transferred to the European SETP symposium the following year, and the winner will be decided upon and presented by the European SETP organisational committee.
§ 8 Acknowledgements
Heidi Biermeier thanks the Flight Test Safety Committee and SETP leadership and Grob Aerospace GmbH for supporting her efforts to establish the EFTSA.


text:
Die strategische Bombardierung des Deutschen Reichs während des Zweiten Weltkrieges 1939–45 stellt eine in den letzten Jahrzehnten kontrovers diskutierte militärische Maßnahme des Vereinigten Königreiches und der USA dar. Der militärische Angriff auf zahlreiche deutsche Standorte durch die Royal Air Force und die United States Army Air Forces aus der Luft mittels flächendeckender Bombardierungen hatte sowohl eine militärische als auch eine politische und ökonomische Perspektive.

Militärische, politische und ökonomische Perspektive
Das militärische Ziel der Luftangriffe lag vor allem in einer möglichst schnellen Zerstörung deutscher Verteidigungsanlagen wie auch der Schwerindustrie und Waffenproduktion. So sollte eine zeit- und kostenintensive Invasion der Alliierten mit einer vermutlich hohen Zahl an Kriegsopfern vermieden werden. Vor allem nach der massiven Bombardierung des Vereinigten Königreichs durch Flieger der Luftwaffe der Wehrmacht reagierte Premierminister Churchill aus politischer Perspektive mit einem Vergeltungsschlag in Form der Gegenbombardierung durch die Royal Air Force. Churchill war der Ansicht nur durch dauerhafte Luftangriffe Nazi-Deutschland besiegen zu können und den Krieg aus dem eigenen Land zu tragen.

Aus ökonomischer Perspektive war zudem die Reduzierung der Möglichkeiten der Kriegsführung des Deutschen Reichs durch die Bombardierung vorrangig. Die deutsche Wirtschaft sollte durch die Zerstörung nachhaltig geschädigt werden. Der Angriff wirtschaftlich bedeutender Standorte wie Waffenfabriken und andere Kernindustrien (bspw. die Luftangriffe auf das Ruhrgebiet) hatte eine Destabilisierung der deutschen Inlandsproduktion zum Ziel. Produktionsmittel wie physisches Kapital (Fabriken, Gebäude u. ä.) aber auch Humankapital (Arbeiter) und die innerdeutsche Infrastruktur (Straßen, Brücken, Schienen etc.) waren Primärziele.

Kritiker der britischen Luftangriffe auf das Deutsche Reich argumentieren bis heute, dass die strategische Bombardierung durch die hohe Anzahl an zivilen Opfern in der Bevölkerung moralisch nicht zu rechtfertigen sei. Darüber hinaus seien die Militärschläge aus ökonomischer Perspektive eine "massive Verschwendung von Ressourcen" gewesen. Tatsächlich bewertete selbst die US-amerikanische Luftwaffe die eigenen Angriffe auf die deutsche Wirtschaft im Jahr 1945 als 'kostspielige Fehlschläge'. Befürworter der Luftangriffe wiederum argumentieren, dass mit der Schädigung der deutschen Kriegsindustrie der Ausgang des Krieges entscheidend beeinflusst wurde.

Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse der Luftangriffe
Die Luftangriffe auf Industrieanlagen brachten keinen großen strategischen Vorteil für die Alliierten. Zwar kam es zu beeindruckenden Schäden an Gebäuden, diese konnten jedoch leicht repariert werden. Die Maschinen waren jedoch gegen Bombeneinwirkungen so gut geschützt, dass nur ein direkter Treffer sie beschädigen konnte. Rohstoffe und Komponenten wurden überwiegend außerhalb des Fabrikgeländes gelagert. Beispielsweise wurde ein großer Aufwand getrieben, um die Kugellagerfabriken in Schweinfurt zu treffen, die Produktion konnte jedoch nicht unterbunden werden, weil hier wenig empfindliche Maschinen für die Produktion eingesetzt wurden, die zudem aus der Luft schwer zu treffen waren. Anders war es bei den Fabriken, die synthetisches Öl herstellten, diese konnten durch Luftangriffe leichter schwer beschädigt werden. Aber auch bei den Luftangriffen auf die Leunawerke stellte sich heraus, dass das Werk trotz massiver Zerstörungen innerhalb von 6–8 Wochen wieder produktionsfähig gemacht werden konnte, so dass nur ständig wiederholte Luftangriffe eine nachhaltige Wirkung zeigten. Die Alliierte Luftkriegstrategie ging eher hin zu Flächenbombardements, mit denen insgesamt ein größerer Schaden angerichtet werden konnte als bei Angriffen auf Einzelobjekte. Die Flächenbombardements verursachten jedoch weit überwiegend Schäden bei Wohngebäuden, weniger bei Industrieanlagen. Insgesamt haben weder die Bombardements auf England noch die Bombardements auf das Deutsche Reich "die Moral der Bevölkerung gebrochen". Der Wirtschaftshistoriker Alan Milward kommt zu dem Schluss, dass die Bombardements wesentlich dem Vergeltungsgedanken entsprangen, aber in einer streng ökonomisch betrachteten Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse eher ein Fehler waren. Der Ökonom Keith Hartley schätzt die Kosten der britischen Luftangriffe auf das Deutsche Reich (in Preisen von 2009) auf 167 bis 440 Milliarden Pfund, den Nutzen in Form von geschätzten Verlusten des Deutschen Reichs in der Waffenproduktion auf mindestens 161 Milliarden Pfund und bei der Zivilproduktion auf 44 Milliarden Pfund. Aus seiner Sicht waren die Luftangriffe der Royal Air Force wirtschaftlich sinnvoll auch wenn einige Bombardements zu Kriegsende hin exzessiv und unwirtschaftlich waren. Ab Ende 1944 führte die Lufthoheit der Alliierten zu großen Schäden an der Transportinfrastruktur und den Stromleitungen sowie auch zu nicht unbeträchtlichem Schaden an einzelnen Industrieanlagen. Laut dem United States Strategic Bombing Survey wurde die deutsche Wirtschaftsproduktion ab diesem Zeitpunkt von den strategischen Luftangriffen in größerem Umfang beeinträchtigt, insbesondere weil Kohle als der mit Abstand wichtigste Energieträger nicht mehr von den Bergwerken zu den Industrieanlagen transportiert werden konnte und es dadurch zu Produktionsstillständen in der Industrie kam. Allerdings war die militärische Situation des Deutschen Reiches zu diesem Zeitpunkt ohnehin bereits aussichtslos. Nach Schätzung des United States Strategic Bombing Survey wurde die deutsche Industrieproduktion durch die Luftangriffe 1942 um 2,5 %, 1943 um 9 %, 1944 um 17 % und 1945 um 6,5 % verringert. Der Historiker Start Halsey Ross gibt dabei jedoch zu bedenken, dass die deutsche Kriegsproduktion 1944 trotz der massiven Luftangriffe insgesamt viel höher lag als in den Jahren davor. Insgesamt kommt auch das United States Strategic Bombing Survey zu dem Ergebnis, dass die Luftangriffe keinen entscheidenden Einfluss auf die Kriegsproduktion und den Kriegsausgang genommen haben. Zwar habe die Bevölkerung den Glauben an den Sieg verloren, sie habe jedoch effektiv weitergearbeitet. John Kenneth Galbraith, einer der Direktoren des Strategic Bombing Survey bezeichnete die strategischen Bombardements sogar als desaströsen Fehler, weil die Kosten viel höher waren als der Nutzen. Das habe man sich nur leisten können, weil die US-Wirtschaft viel größer war als die des Deutschen Reichs.

Laut einer Statistik der US Air Force lag das produktive Anlagevermögen der deutschen Wirtschaft bei Kriegsende bei 120 Prozent des Niveaus von 1936.

Literatur
 Keith Hartley: The strategic bombing of Germany in the Second World War – an economic perspective, in: Handbook on the economics of conflict, S. 453–478, 2011, ISBN 978-1-84844-649-6.

Einzelnachweise

Luftkrieg im Zweiten Weltkrieg
Kriegswirtschaft im Zweiten Weltkrieg