Daily Report for Executives Index-Summary

MAINE

– Ballot tax questions, CBPP report says Colo. taxpayer bill of rights hampered economic growth, 201:H–1 (10/21/09)

MALDIVES

– U.S. signs Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, 200:A–4 (10/20/09)

MANUFACTURING

– Advance energy equipment, participants in tax credit program laud government effort, offer critique, 202:GG–1 (10/22/09)
– Durable goods orders, Sept., Commerce Dep't report, 207:EE–2 (10/29/09); text of Sept. data, 207:E–4 (10/29/09)
– Economic outlook

– – ISM report, Sept., 189:EE–14 (10/2/09)
– – Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI Sept. composite index, 198:EE–7 (10/16/09)
– – Mid-Atlantic region, Oct., Philadelphia FRBank report, 198:EE–5 (10/16/09)
– – N.Y. FRBank index of manufacturing activity, Oct., 199:EE–5 (10/19/09)

– Factory orders, Aug., Commerce Dep't report, 190:EE–4 (10/5/09); text of Aug. data, 190:E–21 (10/5/09)
– Industrial production, Sept., Fed report, 199:EE–1 (10/19/09); text of Sept. data, 199:E–1 (10/19/09)

MARYLAND

– Baltimore water main break, tax filing deadlines extended, 188:H–2 (10/1/09)
– Unemployment surge triggers automatic rise in 2010 taxes, 191:H–1 (10/6/09)
– Water pollution, state intends to implement general permit to control waste runoff from animal feeding operations, despite legal challenge (Md. Cir. Ct.), 197:A–33 (10/15/09)

MASSACHUSETTS

– Electronic filing mandate announced for combined groups, some passthrough entities, 201:H–2 (10/21/09)
– Gas furnaces, Mass. officials petition DOE for authority to enforce efficiency standard that significantly exceeds federal standard, 190:A–22 (10/5/09)
– Health insurance, nearly all employers in state meet minimum health coverage standards, officials say, 206:A–10 (10/28/09)
– Low-speed and limited-use vehicles, guidance on sales, use tax released, 200:H–1 (10/20/09)
– Offshore tax havens, participants in federal disclosure program must report state tax changes, 190:H–1 (10/5/09)
– Royalty payments to Del.-based intangible holding company properly ruled tax avoidance scheme, Mass. Appellate Tax Bd. rules, 197:H–2 (10/15/09)

MEAT AND POULTRY

– Chinese poultry imports, ending ban

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 2997*

– Country-of-origin labeling requirements for meat and perishable commodities, Canada to seek WTO panel ruling on U.S. requirements, 193:A–10 (10/8/09); Mexico joins Canada to seek WTO panel, 196:A–5 (10/14/09); U.S. blocks panel, 204:A–3 (10/26/09)
– European Union sanitary restrictions, U.S. poultry producers ask USTR to request WTO panel on violations of global trade rules, 189:A–1 (10/2/09); U.S. calls on WTO to establish panel, 194:A–1 (10/9/09); EU blocks WTO panel, 204:A–3 (10/26/09)
– Taiwan to reopen its market for U.S. bone-in beef, organs, and spinal marrow from cattle under 30 months of age, 204:A–7 (10/26/09)

MEDICAID

– Controlled substances that may have been obtained improperly by beneficiaries to support drug addictions or to sell on the street, Medicaid program pays millions of dollars annually, GAO report, 188:A–7 (10/1/09)
– Dental care for low-income children, GAO finds need to improve access, 193:A–17 (10/8/09)
– Fraud

– Rebates to state Medicaid programs, Mylan Pharmaceuticals, UDL Labs, AstraZeneca, and Ortho-McNeil agree to pay $124M to settle violations charges (D.N.H.), 200:A–27 (10/20/09)
– Reform bill

See HEALTH CARE REFORM

– Safety-net hospitals expect reprieve from federal reporting mandate on national drug codes, 194:A–31 (10/9/09)
– State programs continue to face significant budget pressures despite increased federal funding and just as Congress considers program expansions that could cost states even more, 188:A–24 (10/1/09)

MEDICARE

– Doctors

See PHYSICIANS

– Durable medical equipment

– – Exempting pharmacists from accreditation to sell to beneficiaries

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3663*

– – Knee cartilage mesh device manufactured by ReGen Biologics, Grassley (R-Iowa) seeks to ensure CMS has access to FDA data for Medicare coverage approval, 193:A–16 (10/8/09)
– – Suppliers given 60 days to submit bids to participate in program, 202:A–10 (10/22/09)

– Fraud

– – Federal agencies recovered nearly $2.3B for Medicaid and Medicare programs in 2008, report says, 204:A–18 (10/26/09)
– – Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), witnesses tout success during Senate Judiciary hearing, 207:A–6 (10/29/09)
– – HHS unveils new website with tips and information to help seniors and Medicare beneficiaries deter, detect, and defend against fraud and identity theft, 198:A–18 (10/16/09)
– – Insurance-based fraud by both public and private carriers becoming larger issue, report finds, 206:A–27 (10/28/09)

– Home health stakeholder groups opposed to provision in proposed home health rule that would reduce agency base payment rates to account for increases in average case-mix weights, CMS told, 188:A–8 (10/1/09)
– Medicare Advantage

– – Data collection requirements to compare quality among plans with traditional Medicare, MedPAC considering major expansion, 195:A–9 (10/13/09)
– – Denials of services, few MA enrollees initiate appeals, HHS OIG report, 205:A–13 (10/27/09)
– – Marketing compliance, CMS staff outlines new processes to enforce, 201:A–19 (10/21/09)
– – Opt-in response from beneficiary required before plans may send out information on legislation, CMS says, 199:A–20 (10/19/09)
– – Policy and technical changes proposed by CMS, 195:A–26 (10/13/09)

– Part B premiums

– – Most beneficiaries protected from 2010 increase, CMS says, 200:A–13 (10/20/09)
– – Stopping decrease in Social Security checks because of increase in premium

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3631

– Part D drug benefit

– – Electronic prescribing, technical issues hurt plans' ability to meet standards, HHS OIG survey finds, 198:A–15 (10/16/09)
– – Errors in calculating and withholding premiums, CMS agrees to timely correct in agreement with SSA and beneficiaries, 204:A–15 (10/26/09)
– – Marketing compliance, CMS staff outlines new processes to enforce, 201:A–19 (10/21/09)
– – Opt-in response from beneficiary required before plans may send out information on legislation, CMS says, 199:A–20 (10/19/09)
– – Policy and technical changes proposed by CMS, 195:A–26 (10/13/09)
– – Sponsors will offer “slightly” fewer total formularies in 2010 than in 2009, but choice will remain, CMS official says, 197:A–24 (10/15/09)

– Reform

See HEALTH CARE REFORM

– Reimbursement formulas that shift toward rewarding quality rather than volume, House Dems close to final agreement, 189:A–21 (10/2/09)

MEETINGS

See CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

See also REORGANIZATIONS, CORPORATE
– Banking

– – Deutsche Bank/Sal.Oppenheim Jr. & Cie, 208:EE–4 (10/30/09)

– Drugs and pharmaceuticals

– – Pfizer/Wyeth, 197:A–34 (10/15/09); 198:A–8 (10/16/09); 199:A–17 (10/19/09)

– Mobile electronics and transportation systems manufacturing

– – Delphi/GM, 191:A–18 (10/6/09)

– Partnership distributions, IRS seeks comment on §704(c) gain and loss rules, 189:G–3 (10/2/09)
– Telecommunications

– – AT&T/Centennial Communications, 196:A–20 (10/14/09)

MEXICO

– Banking, Mexico's Senate delays decision on legality of Citigroup control of Banamex, 188:EE–7 (10/1/09); majority of political parties in Senate agrees to challenge Citigroup, 193:EE–2 (10/8/09); Senate votes to bring constitutional challenge before Supreme Court, 197:EE–7 (10/15/09)
– Biotechnology, Mexico awards 15 contracts to Monsanto Mexico and Dow AgroScience/PHI Mexico for experimental planting of corn crop, 204:A–9 (10/26/09)
– Certificates of origin, Mexico's economy minister lobbies U.S. to set up “single-window clearance system” to facilitate processing, 204:A–4 (10/26/09)
– Climate change, Mexico can halt growth in emissions while keeping economy sound, World Bank says, 205:A–14 (10/27/09)
– Country-of-origin labeling requirements for meat and perishable commodities, Mexico joins Canada to seek WTO panel, 196:A–5 (10/14/09); U.S. blocks panel, 204:A–3 (10/26/09)
– Electricity, President Calderon moves to dissolve state-owned company serving Mexico City and surrounding states, citing unsustainable costs and bloated workforce, 196:A–11 (10/14/09)
– Online tax trials, option expected in Dec. 2010, 200:I–3 (10/20/09)
– Sugar, Mexico increases import quotas amid droughts and spike in exports to U.S., but cancels bidding process following concerns over flooding market, 188:A–5 (10/1/09)
– Tax reform package before Congress includes VAT increase, 200:I–3 (10/20/09); retroactive recapture of consolidated tax regime benefits, primer on reform bill, Viewpoint, 203:J–1 (10/23/09)
– Telecommunications

– – Antitrust agency says No. 1 fixed-line phone company Telefonos de Mexico dominant in wholesale services related to national long-distance service, rates my be adjusted, 197:A–14 (10/15/09)
– – Supreme Court's denial of injunction to allow foreign company greater participation in fixed line subsidiary came as no surprise to telecommunications experts, 195:A–17 (10/13/09)

– Used car industry welcomes decision backing tariff on used U.S. car imports, 194:A–13 (10/9/09)
– Value-added tax increase included in fiscal package before Congress, 200:I–3 (10/20/09); Mexico's lower house set to pass tax hikes, 201:I–7 (10/21/09); lower house approves VAT, excise, and income tax changes, 202:I–3 (10/22/09)

MICHIGAN

– Air pollution, Dep't of Environmental Quality issues final rules that require coal-fired power plants to take steps to limit mercury emissions, 200:A–16 (10/20/09)
– Battery plants, alternative energy sources tax credits expanded for, 203:H–1 (10/23/09)
– Budget debate continues in legislature, governor signs interim bill, 189:H–2 (10/2/09)
– Business tax

– – Actively solicits, materials and supplies, draft proposed rules provide various definitions for MBT, 207:H–2 (10/29/09)
– – Surcharge, Senate passes school funding bill repealing tax, 195:H–2 (10/13/09)

– Diplomatic tax exemptions, guidance issued, 205:H–1 (10/27/09)
– Economic development, governor signs bill expanding available tax credits, 206:H–1 (10/28/09)
– Royalties, interest payments to foreign entities excluded from tax base, 203:H–2 (10/23/09)
– Transportation, owner of Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, sues to prevent release of inspection report requested by Dingell (D-Mich), 188:A–4 (10/1/09); Dingell releases safety report after bid to block denied (E.D. Mich.), 199:A–6 (10/19/09)

MILITARY PERSONNEL

See ARMED SERVICES

MINING

– Ariz., BLM gathering information and preparing policy clarifications as it considers fate of thousands of mining claims on public lands near Grand Canyon, 207:A–25 (10/29/09)
– Mountaintop mining

– – Environmental justice, coalition of environmental groups asks EPA to include in extended review of permit requests, 191:A–25 (10/6/09)
– – Water permits pending, EPA finalizes list of 79 that will be required to undergo more environmental review, 188:A–16 (10/1/09); permit proposal should not apply to Ohio, because state operations do not involve mountaintop removal, Army Corps told, 199:A–23 (10/19/09); EPA takes unprecedented step toward veto of permit for existing mine operated by Arch Coal in W.Va., 199:A–27 (10/19/09); W.Va. governor calls on Obama to rein in EPA on mountaintop mine permits, 200:A–24 (10/20/09)

– Nev., Interior Sec'y Salazar withdraws 944,343 acres of public lands from new development to protect desert tortoise habitat, and archaeological and cultural resources, 208:A–24 (10/30/09)
– Pa. citizens group threatens lawsuit against Interior Dep't over its alleged failure to ensure that state's mining regulatory program complies with federal law, 201:A–25 (10/21/09)
– Water pollution, lawsuit brought by Provincial Government of Marinduque in Philippines against mining company Placer Dome reversed and remanded (9th Cir.), 188:A–12 (10/1/09)

MINNESOTA

– Interest rate to decrease in Jan. for refunds, delinquencies, 196:H–1 (10/14/09)
– Water pollution, Minn. Center for Environmental Advocacy petitions U.S. EPA to order state's environmental regulatory agency to improve its efforts in enhancing water quality, 191:A–20 (10/6/09)

MISSISSIPPI

– Climate change, state private property owners can proceed with global warming-related damage claims (5th Cir.), 200:A–21 (10/20/09)

MISSOURI

– Leased forklifts held tax exempt, 206:H–2 (10/28/09)

MONETARY POLICY

– Asset prices, policymakers would benefit from better understanding, Fed's Kohn says, 195:EE–5 (10/13/09)
– Backing away from stimulative policies too soon could stunt return to U.S. growth, CEA Chrm. Romer warns, 202:EE–4 (10/22/09)
– Declining use of Fed loans and liquidity provisions signals improved economy, BNA Special Report, 195:C–1 (10/13/09)
– Fed Chrm. Bernanke says central bank has necessary tools to rein in accommodative monetary policies, 194:EE–9 (10/9/09); Bernanke says Asian economies leading global recovery, U.S. policymakers should develop strategy to help ensure against return to imbalanced growth, 200:EE–1 (10/20/09)
– FOMC members and Fed staff upwardly revise outlooks, but maintain eased policy for now, 197:EE–7 (10/15/09)
– “Macroprudential” outlook must be part of post-crisis economic reform, Fed's Tarullo says, 194:EE–4 (10/9/09)
– Reverse repurchase agreements considered, but Fed warns market not to jump to conclusions, 200:EE–6 (10/20/09)
– Some stimulus programs to end as Fed shifts away from using liquidity boosting programs to respond to downturn, N.Y. FRBank's Cumming says, 202:EE–12 (10/22/09)
– Stimulus packages

See ECONOMIC STIMULUS

– Systemic approach to central bank policymaking will help regulators be better prepared for whatever crisis occurs next, Philadelphia FRBank President Plosser says, 202:EE–4 (10/22/09)
– Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (TALF), Fed proposes rule that could allow more credit rating agencies to play part, 191:EE–17 (10/6/09)
– Term Auction Facility (TAF) demand continues to decline as Fed provides only $25B in latest operation, 192:EE–1 (10/7/09); Fed auctions $39.6B worth of one-month cash loans, 201:EE–3 (10/21/09)
– Tightening current policy without triggering inflation chief challenge, Fed officials say, 193:EE–10 (10/8/09)

MONEY LAUNDERING

– Currency transaction reporting requirements, DOJ charges Family Bank and Trust with conspiracy aimed at laundering cash deposits on behalf of drug trafficking ring (N.D. Ill.), 206:EE–8 (10/28/09)
– European Union, French capital market authority calls for comments on draft changes to regulation transposing Third EU AML Directive, 190:EE–11 (10/5/09)
– Russian case against Bank of New York Mellon, out-of-court settlement announced, 203:EE–4 (10/23/09)
– Scottrade agrees to pay $600K fine by FINRA over anti-money laundering efforts, 205:EE–9 (10/27/09)
– Tax auditor awareness, OECD releases new handbook, 194:I–1 (10/9/09)

MONTANA

– Insurance, Mont. Insurance Comm'r can prohibit insurers in state from including discretionary clauses in employee benefit plans governed by ERISA (9th Cir.), 206:EE–5 (10/28/09)

MORTGAGES

– Cal. governor signs 8 bills to increase protections for homebuyers and allow law enforcement to more effectively crack down on deceitful practices, 196:EE–5 (10/14/09)
– Clearly defined government role essential for fixing housing finance, FHFA acting director DeMarco says, 194:EE–6 (10/9/09)
– Enforcement at unprecedented level from DOJ and states should be expected, attorney says, 201:EE–15 (10/21/09)
– Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-backed mortgages

See GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED ENTERPRISES (GSEs)

– FHA does not need government bailout to bolster capital reserves, official says, 194:EE–7 (10/9/09)
– FHA down payment minimum of 5 percent

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3706

– Foreclosures

– – Activity up 23 percent in third quarter over same quarter in 2008, RealtyTrac report, 198:EE–16 (10/16/09)
– – States with strong predatory lending laws had lower rates, study finds, 192:EE–3 (10/7/09)

– Fraud

– – Countrywide Financial kickback scheme, class of homebuyers can press claims (3d Cir.), 207:EE–9 (10/29/09)
– – Federal and N.Y. state officials charge 41 individuals in 8 cases, 198:EE–16 (10/16/09)
– – Ideal Mortgage Bankers allegedly engaged in variety of schemes involving $14M in federally insured mortgages, DOJ and HUD charge (E.D.N.Y.), 201:EE–18 (10/21/09)

– Good Faith Estimates, HUD guidance lacking, groups say in letter to Sec'y Donovan, 196:EE–6 (10/14/09)
– Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data set for 2008 shows FHA's role expanded, higher cost loans decreased, and racial gaps remain, 188:EE–11 (10/1/09)
– Income verification, new Form 4506T-EZ issued to expedite mortgage processing, 202:G–11 (10/22/09)
– Interest rates, week ended Oct. 15, Freddie Mac report, 198:EE–6 (10/16/09)
– Market Composite Index of applications, week ended Oct. 9, MBA report, 197:EE–6 (10/15/09)
– Metrics Report for second quarter released by OTS and OCC showing loan modifications, delinquencies and foreclosures, 188:EE–7 (10/1/09)
– Modification program reaches goal of 500,000 workouts ahead of schedule, Treasury Dep't announces, 194:EE–12 (10/9/09); new round of troubled mortgages and worsening employment conditions could swamp Making Home Affordable program, congressional oversight panel warns, 195:EE–6 (10/13/09); Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac trial loan modifications jumped 41 percent in Sept., FHFA says, 201:EE–13 (10/21/09); Treasury to launch new homeowner assistance initiative under TARP for borrowers who do not qualify for modifications, 203:EE–13 (10/23/09)
– State and local housing finance agencies, Treasury, HUD, and FHFA unveil bond, credit, and liquidity programs to aid, 200:EE–3 (10/20/09)

MOTION PICTURES

– Iowa Atty. Gen. begins criminal investigation into state film tax credit program, 192:H–2 (10/7/09)

MOTOR CARRIERS

– Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), participating truckers not receiving full benefits promised, House panel told, 203:A–4 (10/23/09)
– Emissions

– – Cal. standards for out-of-state refrigerated trucks, industry lawyer says EPA regulation that allows is essentially costly nationwide application of Cal. standards (D.C. Cir.), 190:A–14 (10/5/09)
– – Diesel engine retrofitting, EPA cites up to $1.4B in benefits from $49.2M in grants, 197:A–18 (10/15/09)
– – School bus operator First Student agrees to spend $1.1M and to implement national training program to settle charges that its drivers engaged in illegal idling in bus lots, EPA announces, 202:A–26 (10/22/09)

– FedEx drivers, 3 states propose suit over alleged employee misclassification, 202:K–1 (10/22/09); letter from N.Y., N.J., Mont. Atty. Gens., 202:TaxCore (10/22/09)
– Product safety and liability

– – Accelerators that stick, NHTSA opens preliminary evaluation of Freightliner buses, 192:A–25 (10/7/09)
– – Seat belt mandate for motorcoaches, NHTSA set to propose after NTSB crash probe, 208:A–20 (10/30/09)

– Trucker identification, federal law preemption of N.J., New York City, and Cook County, Ill. mandates, FMCSA seeks comments, 199:G–1 (10/19/09)

MOTOR VEHICLES

– Alternative fuel vehicles, La. tax credit discussed in revenue dep't bulletin, 205:H–1 (10/27/09)
– Carbon monoxide exposure often highest in passenger vehicles, EPA finds, 207:A–14 (10/29/09)
– Charitable donations, documentation for deduction inadequate, TIGTA says, 197:G–6 (10/15/09)
– Chrysler reorganization, DOL proposes exemption that would allow transfer of nearly $4.59B in promissory note and company securities to VEBA to provide health benefits for retirees, 190:EE–6 (10/5/09)
– Conn. tax exemption for fuel-efficient vehicles, guidance revised, 200:H–2 (10/20/09)
– Dealers' fees and regulations imposed by proposed consumer financial protection agency

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3126

– Electric vehicles, Okla. Tax Comm'n rescinds emergency rule barring tax break for street-legal golf carts, 193:H–1 (10/8/09)
– Fuel economy

– – Automobile stickers, EPA planning proposal that could change how information presented, 191:A–24 (10/6/09)
– – EPA and NHTSA praised for proposing new, national standards, some witnesses warn of possible loopholes for automakers, 202:A–15 (10/22/09)

– GM reorganization

– – Acquisition of mobile electronics and transportation systems manufacturer Delphi by GM authorized by European Comm'n, 191:A–18 (10/6/09)
– – Hummer licenses and brand, GM reaches agreement with Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery of China to buy, 195:EE–2 (10/13/09)
– – Opel subsidiary, GM might sign deal to sell to Austrian-Canadian car manufacturer Magna Intl. and Russia's Sberbank by Oct. 16, German ministry spokesman says, 197:EE–7 (10/15/09); talks on deal still ongoing, German Economics Minister says, 199:EE–7 (10/19/09); EC reiterates concerns over German state aid for new Opel owner, 200:EE–2 (10/20/09)
– – Saturn division, Penske Automotive Group pulls out of talks to buy, and GM says it will wind down brand and dealership network, 188:EE–9 (10/1/09)

– Greenhouse gas emissions

See CLIMATE CHANGE

– Low-speed and limited-use vehicles, Mass. issues sales, use tax guidance, 200:H–1 (10/20/09)
– Mexican used car industry welcomes decision backing tariff on used U.S. car imports, 194:A–13 (10/9/09)
– Parts suppliers still having difficulty getting banks to provide them with credit they need to fund their operations and expand into new sectors, Senate Banking panel told, 195:EE–3 (10/13/09)
– Product safety and liability

– – Crash tests, NHTSA proposes changes to femur specifications for 6-year-old child dummy, 201:A–19 (10/21/09)
– – Cruise control deactivation switch problems, NHTSA announces voluntary recall by Ford affecting some 4.5 million vehicles, 197:A–23 (10/15/09)
– – Floor mats that could interfere with accelerator and cause it to stick open in Toyota and Lexus models, NHTSA begins investigation, 193:A–27 (10/8/09)
– – Frontal crashes, new study by NHTSA questions why people are still dying despite seat belt use, air bag protections, and crashworthy structures of late-model cars, 203:A–21 (10/23/09)
– – Seat belts

– – – Preemption case involving Mazda, Solicitor General input sought (U.S., brief invited), 191:A–9 (10/6/09)
– – – Retractors breaking, NHTSA opens preliminary evaluation of Saab 9-3 vehicles, 192:A–25 (10/7/09)

– – Spare tire linked to brake failure, NHTSA opens preliminary evaluation of Toyota Tundra vehicles, 192:A–25 (10/7/09)
– – Temporary-use spare tires, NHTSA proposes change to inflation pressure used to test, 208:A–12 (10/30/09)

– Russia extends import duty of 30 percent on new cars and 35 percent on used cars, 196:A–4 (10/14/09)
– Sales and excise tax break to expire by year end, IRS reminds taxpayers, 193:G–9 (10/8/09)
– Sales, Sept., 189:EE–11 (10/2/09)

MUSIC RECORDING INDUSTRY

– Performance royalties

– – Cellular telephone service company does not have to pay performance royalties for each time one of its subscribers receives a call that triggers playing of copyrighted work as ringtone (S.D.N.Y.), 199:A–12 (10/19/09)
– – Songs aired on radio

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 379

MUTUAL FUNDS

– Repurchase of RIC's own notes, IRS rules COD income qualifies under §851, 208:G–5 (10/30/09)

MYANMAR

– Imports of Burmese-origin rubies, jadeite, and related jewelry, U.S. agencies have made little progress in effectively restricting under Lantos Act, GAO report, 189:A–11 (10/2/09)