Around NY

Looking out for little Johnny's or little Sally's Future?

Go accounting. Business First reports that while other sectors of the marketplace cut back on new hires, area CPA firms are tending to honor offers made last fall to college seniors.

Accounting???????

Yeesh, no wonder I am still looking for a job.

2 way on the way in the B-lo

Under the “Cars Sharing Main Street” initiative crews may start working simultaneously on the Theater District block between Tupper and Chippewa streets next summer as well a portion of lower Main Street near the Canal Side/Bass Pro area.

For the first time in more than two decades two-way traffic is poised to make its return to downtown Buffalo’s 700 block of Main Street this summer.

More Pain In NY

Governor David Paterson proclaimed, "There will be further cuts," after a report from Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli that found that tax revenues for April, the first month of the state fiscal year, were about $239 million below projections.

Paterson said he is likely to call the Legislature back into session later this year.


Senate passes Credit Card Reform Bill

Tuesday the Senate passed a credit card holders' "bill of rights"

Key provisions include:

* prevents credit card issuers from raising interest rates in the first year after a credit card account is opened, except:
- When the increase is under a variable interest rate.
- At the end of the promised time period for a promotional rate. For example, the issuer can offer 3 percent for six months and then 12 percent after that. (The - - promotional period must be at least six months.)
If the required minimum payment is not received within 60 days after the due date.

* Credit card issuers cannot raise interest rates on existing balances unless:
- The increase is under a variable interest rate.
- It is the end of a promised time period for a promotional rate.
The required minimum payment is not received within 60 days after the due date.


* Card issuers can’t change the terms for repaying a balance, except that the issuer may give the cardholder either:
Five years to pay off the outstanding balance at the old rate; or
An increased minimum payment that has no more than twice as much of a contribution to paying down the balance as the old minimum payment.

* Issuers cannot finance fees and charges for opening a credit card where the fees and charges total more than 25 percent of the credit limit.
- Issuers must disclose the period of time and total interest it will take to pay off a card balance if only minimum monthly payments are made.
- Issuer must provide 45-day written notice before raising APR or make any other significant change to the card agreement.
- Periodic statements must clearly state the required due date and late payment penalty.

* Credit card agreements will be posted online and the Fed must keep a public Web site providing them to the public.

There is more, but it was sent to the House today so we will see what comes out of it fairly soon.

Sorry for the slow updates but its warm outside and I have been knee deep in my favorite Hobby, gardening. I have been updating and trying to categorize my gardening website at: wnyalive.com ..... End shameless plug.

Have a great one guys and dolls.