THE PRESIDENT: My fellow Americans, we are joined together today in sadness, shock, and grief. Last night, a gunman opened fire on a large crowd at a country music concert in Las Vegas, Nevada. He brutally murdered more than 50 people, and wounded hundreds more. It was an act of pure evil.
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are working closely with local authorities to assist with the investigation, and they will provide updates as to the investigation and how it develops.
I want to thank the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and all of the first responders for their courageous efforts, and for helping to save the lives of so many. The speed with which they acted is miraculous, and prevented further loss of life. To have found the shooter so quickly after the first shots were fired is something for which we will always be thankful and grateful. It shows what true professionalism is all about.
Hundreds of our fellow citizens are now mourning the sudden loss of a loved one -- a parent, a child, a brother or sister. We cannot fathom their pain. We cannot imagine their loss. To the families of the victims: We are praying for you and we are here for you, and we ask God to help see you through this very dark period.
Scripture teaches us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” We seek comfort in those words, for we know that God lives in the hearts of those who grieve. To the wounded who are now recovering in hospitals, we are praying for your full and speedy recovery, and pledge to you our support from this day forward.
In memory of the fallen, I have directed that our great flag be flown at half-staff.
I will be visiting Las Vegas on Wednesday to meet with law enforcement, first responders, and the families of the victims.
In moments of tragedy and horror, America comes together as one -- and it always has. We call upon the bonds that unite us -- our faith, our family, and our shared values. We call upon the bonds of citizenship, the ties of community, and the comfort of our common humanity.
Our unity cannot be shattered by evil. Our bonds cannot be broken by violence. And though we feel such great anger at the senseless murder of our fellow citizens, it is our love that defines us today -- and always will, forever.
In times such as these, I know we are searching for some kind of meaning in the chaos, some kind of light in the darkness. The answers do not come easy. But we can take solace knowing that even the darkest space can be brightened by a single light, and even the most terrible despair can be illuminated by a single ray of hope.
Melania and I are praying for every American who has been hurt, wounded, or lost the ones they love so dearly in this terrible, terrible attack. We pray for the entire nation to find unity and peace. And we pray for the day when evil is banished, and the innocent are safe from hatred and from fear.
May God bless the souls of the lives that are lost. May God give us the grace of healing. And may God provide the grieving families with strength to carry on.
Thank you. God bless America. Thank you.
NEWS RELATED STORIES..
FOX NEWS: Stephen Paddock: What we know about Las Vegas shooting suspect
The suspected gunman behind the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history was a 64-year-old Nevada resident who fired out of his room at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino before turning his gun on himself, police said.
PEOPLE MAGAZINE: Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and More React to Vegas Shooting
Stars from the music world and beyond are mourning the victims of the Route 91 Harvest Festival, where a gunman opened fire from his hotel room into the crowd outside, killing over 50 people and injuring over 500 in what is now the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.
No evidence Las Vegas shooter tied to militant group-U.S. officials
WASHINGTON, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Two senior U.S. officials said on Monday that there was no evidence that the shooter who killed at least 50 people in Las Vegas was tied to any international militant group.
MONDAY'S BUSINESS AND FINANCE REPORT
US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Clock Is Ticking for DACA Solution
BLOG posting from the US Chamber of Commerce 10/2/17 (link source)
Congress faces a jam-packed legislative schedule this fall, and President Trump recently added a major item to the to-do list when he rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Congress has only a couple months to come up with a permanent solution for the young immigrants known as Dreamers, who once again find themselves in legal limbo. It needs to act quickly to protect these young people and preserve their contributions to our economy and our society.
Approximately 800,000 individuals have had their legal status thrown into doubt by the elimination of DACA. They were brought to the U.S. illegally as children through no fault of their own and have since lived here and become active members of our society. Since President Obama established DACA in 2012, many of these young people have enrolled in the program in good faith, gaining the legal ability to attend school and work.
As a result, they have become even further integrated into our communities and our economy. According to some estimates, approximately 700,000 are employed in the U.S., performing a wide variety of jobs. If the DACA program is allowed to end, eventually none of these individuals will be legally allowed to remain—let alone work—in America. This outcome would be contrary to fundamental American principles and the best interests of our country.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is pleased to see strong expressions of support within Congress and the Trump administration for providing permanent relief to DACA recipients. Both parties in Congress have offered ideas that would protect Dreamers from deportation and put them on a track toward lawful permanent residency and eventually citizenship. Now it’s up to our leaders to unite behind a single legislative solution.
The clock is ticking as another deadline is fast approaching. This Thursday, October 5, is the last day that DACA recipients are eligible to apply for an extension of their legal status. There are about 150,000 immigrants eligible to reapply for a renewable two-year work permit. For these and all other Dreamers, a permanent solution is desperately needed.
DACA recipients are our friends, neighbors, and co-workers. The Chamber urges Congress to work quickly through the details of a legislative solution that treats these individuals with dignity and fairness. The Chamber stands ready to work with our leaders to ensure that the legislation is consistent with our nation’s values and the best interests of our economy.
US DEPT. OF LABOR BLOG: Maintenance Apprenticeship Offers Path to Professional Career
BLOG POSTED on 9/ 29/ 17 (link source)
For more than two decades, Hoang Phan worked whatever odd jobs he could find to keep the lights on and food on the table. But after enrolling in an industrial maintenance apprenticeship, he is now well on his way to a professional career.
In 2015, Hoang started working at Kroger Manufacturing-Centennial Farms Dairy in Atlanta. He was hired as a loadout team member, someone who organizes beverages and loads them onto trucks for distribution.
His employers appreciated his hard work, and noticed his penchant for tinkering with items that needed improvements – a habit that earned him the nickname “Mr. Fix-it” – and encouraged him to further develop his skills through an apprenticeship with the company. In 2016, Hoang was the first individual selected for Kroger Manufacturing’s new industrial maintenance apprenticeship, a program the business hopes to expand to all 35 manufacturing locations in the United States. There are currently 19 apprentices.
“If you don’t have a skill, it’s hard to get ahead,” said Hoang. “You have to learn something every day to succeed. That’s why I’m grateful for this opportunity.”
IRS Reminds Educators of Tax Benefits
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 9/ 28/ 17 (link source)
WASHINGTON — As teachers, administrators and aides have launched into their fall semester, taxes may not be on the top of their list. However, knowing what to keep track of now can help reduce the burden at tax time. The Internal Revenue Service reminds educators that there are three key work-related tax benefits that may help them reduce what they pay in taxes.
Educators can take advantage of tax deductions for qualified expenses related to their profession. The costs many educators incur out-of-pocket include items such as classroom supplies, training and travel.
There are two methods educators can choose for deducting qualified expenses: Claiming the Educator Expense Deduction (up to $250) or, for those who itemize their deductions, claiming eligible work-related expenses as a miscellaneous deduction on Schedule A.
A third key benefit enables many teachers and other educators to take advantage of various education tax benefits for their ongoing educational pursuits, especially the Lifetime Learning Credit or, in some instances depending on their circumstances, the American Opportunity Tax Credit.
Educator Expense Deduction
Educators can deduct up to $250 ($500 if married filing jointly and both spouses are eligible educators, but not more than $250 each) of unreimbursed business expenses. The educator expense deduction, claimed on either Form 1040 Line 23 or Form 1040A Line 16, is available even if an educator doesn’t itemize their deductions. To do so, the taxpayer must be a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal or aide for at least 900 hours a school year in a school that provides elementary or secondary education as determined under state law.
Those who qualify can deduct costs like books, supplies, computer equipment and software, classroom equipment and supplementary materials used in the classroom. Expenses for participation in professional development courses are also deductible. Athletic supplies qualify if used for courses in health or physical education.
Itemizing Deductions (Using Schedule A)
Often educators have qualifying classroom and professional development expenses that exceed the $250 limit. In that case, the IRS encourages them to claim these excess expenses as a miscellaneous deduction on Schedule A (Form 1040 or Form 1040NR). In addition, educators can claim other work-related expenses, such as the cost of subscriptions to professional journals, professional licenses and union dues. Transportation expenses may also be deductible in situations such as, for example, where an educator assigned to teach at two different schools needs to drive from one school to the other on the same day. Miscellaneous deductions of this kind are subject to a two-percent limit. This means that a taxpayer must subtract two percent of their adjusted gross income from the total qualifying miscellaneous deduction amount. For more information, see Publication 529, Miscellaneous Deductions, available on IRS.gov.
Keeping Records
Educators should keep detailed records of qualifying expenses noting the date, amount and purpose of each purchase. This will help prevent a missed deduction at tax time.
Taxpayers should also keep a copy of their tax return for at least three years. Copies of tax returns may be needed for many reasons. If applying for college financial aid, a tax transcript may be all that is needed. A tax transcript summarizes return information and includes adjusted gross income. Get one from the IRS for free.
The quickest way to get a copy of a tax transcript is to use the Get Transcript application. After verifying identity, taxpayers can view and print their transcript immediately online. The online application includes a robust identity verification process. Those who can’t pass the verification must request the transcript be mailed. This takes five to 10 days, so plan ahead and request the transcript early.
Federal Reserve Board approves application by the Bank of East Asia, Limited
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 9/ 29/ 17 (link source)
The Federal Reserve Board on Friday announced its approval of the application by the Bank of East Asia, Limited, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China, to upgrade its existing limited federal branch in Los Angeles, California, to a full-service branch.
US TREASURY DEPT: Financial Stability Oversight Council Announces Rescission of Nonbank Financial Company Designation
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 9/ 29/ 17 (link source)
WASHINGTON – The Financial Stability Oversight Council (Council) today announced that it has rescinded its determination that material financial distress at American International Group, Inc. (AIG) could pose a threat to U.S. financial stability and that AIG shall be subject to supervision by the Board of Governors and enhanced prudential standards.
"The Council has worked diligently to thoroughly reevaluate whether AIG poses a risk to financial stability," said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. "This action demonstrates our commitment to act decisively to remove any designation if a company does not pose a threat to financial stability."
Section 113(d) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act requires the Council to reevaluate its nonbank financial company determinations at least annually.
The Council approved the rescission of AIG's designation by a vote of six in favor and three opposed. Those in favor were Steven T. Mnuchin, Secretary of the Treasury; Janet L. Yellen, Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Keith Noreika, Acting Comptroller of the Currency; J. Christopher Giancarlo, Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; J. Mark McWatters, Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration; and Roy Woodall, Independent Member with Insurance Expertise. Those opposed were Richard Cordray, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; Martin J. Gruenberg, Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; and Melvin Watt, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. One Council member, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton, was recused from this matter and did not participate in the vote. The Council determined that a member who is recused from participating in a matter is not included in the vote tally.
ON THE STATE LEVEL
ECONOMIC & REVENUE UPDATE
Summary
The U.S. labor market added 156,000 net new jobs in August; June and July
data were revised down by a combined 41,000 jobs.
Nationally, residential construction activity and home sales slowed.
U.S. real gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of 3.0% in the second
quarter.
Washington employment growth is on track.
Washington exports are down due to aerospace.
Major General Fund-State revenue collections for the August 11 - September
10, 2017 collection period came in $18.6 million (1.3%) above the June forecast.
Cumulatively, collections are now $94.3 million (2.1%) higher than forecasted.
Since the June forecast, there have been $19.2 million in net large refunds that
were not included in the forecast. Had the refunds not occurred, cumulative
collections would have been $113.5 million (2.5%) higher than forecasted.
(see link for full details)
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES PRESS RELEASE: L&I calls for decrease in workers’ comp rates in 2018 (release date 9/ 20/ 17)
(link source)
Tumwater – The average amount employers pay for workers' compensation insurance in Washington would drop 2.5 percent in 2018 under a proposal today from the state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
The proposed decrease would result in Washington employers, as a group, paying $67 million less in premiums. The lower rate would mean employers would pay an average of about $34 less a year per employee for workers’ compensation coverage.
L&I attributes the proposed decrease to several factors, including employers and workers focusing on safety, and L&I initiatives that are helping injured workers recover sooner and reducing workers’ compensation costs.
“Efforts to help injured workers heal and return to work are paying off. It’s good for them, it helps employers, and it keeps workers’ compensation costs down,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “I want to thank businesses and workers for doing their part to improve workplace safety, and L&I for its work to improve the workers’ compensation system. Both are helping create a positive business climate in Washington.”
In recent years, L&I has been providing vocational support and assistance much earlier in claims. It’s helping reduce long-term disability and improving return-to-work results for those hurt on the job. The agency’s Stay at Work Program is also making a difference, providing employers more than $58 million to help keep more than 25,000 workers on light duty while they heal.
“We’ve made some very positive steps with our initiatives to help people who are hurt on the job recover and start working again,” said L&I Director Joel Sacks. “These and other workplace safety and health improvements have allowed us to build our reserves, while at the same time propose a cut to the average premium rate employers and workers pay. It’s a win‑win.”
Keeping rates steady and predictable
Employers and workers pay into the workers’ compensation system to help cover the cost of providing wage and disability benefits, as well as medical treatment of injuries and illnesses. The premiums also provide a safety net by ensuring reserves are available to cover the unexpected, like a natural disaster or downturn in the economy.
Each fall, L&I determines the proposed rate for the following year by taking a close look at expected workers’ compensation payouts, the size of the contingency reserve, wage inflation and other financial indicators.
L&I is working to keep premium rates steady and predictable and avoid significant swings that make it difficult for employers to plan. Small rate increases in recent years and the improved economy have also helped build reserves, allowing for the proposed rate decrease. In the last five years, the average annual workers’ compensation rate increase has been under 1 percent. If adopted, this will be the first decline in the hourly rate since 2007.
Washington and Oregon to jointly call for proposals to operate public safety broadband network
Link source
The states of Washington and Oregon will jointly issue a request for proposals (RFP) to operate a high-speed, wireless broadband data network dedicated to public safety. The network will not replace existing public safety radio networks, but will be another tool to ensure that first responders can communicate in times of disasters that tend to overwhelm existing networks.
The states expect to release their RFP within two weeks and close it approximately five weeks later. There will then be a period of evaluation and possible selection of one or more vendors to advance to the next phase of the process.
Congress has mandated that states participate in FirstNet, a nationwide broadband network dedicated to public safety. More than $6 billion has been allocated to build the network, however states have the option to “opt-out” of the federal network construction and build their own infrastructure. By joining together to issue the RFP, officials in Washington and Oregon say they’ll be able to make a more informed choice about the best option for building a network that serves the unique needs of the Northwest, especially in rural communities.
Govs. Jay Inslee and Kate Brown made clear they have not yet decided to opt-out of participation with FirstNet. In a letter to Washington’s Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee, Inslee wrote, “It is the intent of this RFP to explore options available to the state that will be most responsive to the needs of public safety entities and which will be sustainable over the coming 25-year period. I believe a regional solution with our partners in Oregon is one that should be explored.”
Issuing an RFP to solicit bids from other vendors is a critical piece of the due diligence that ensures the best service for first responders in the Northwest. Once proposals have been submitted, the states will weigh them against the merits of joining the FirstNet infrastructure.
Each state convened a state interoperability council to help develop strategies for enabling interoperable public safety communications and play a central advisory role in evaluating the FirstNet proposal.
“Our interoperability council members have been hard at work on this effort for years, and I thank them for their invaluable expertise and feedback,” Brown said. “Our first responders are eager to move forward and their ongoing feedback will be essential to making sure we make the best decision for our states.”
WORLD AND NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS FROM REUTERS
Trump to top U.S. diplomat: Don't bother talking to North Korea
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday dismissed the prospect of talks with North Korea as a waste of time a day after his own secretary of state said the United States was maintaining open lines of communication with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Russian firm provides new internet connection to North Korea
(Reuters) - North Korea has opened a second internet connection with the outside world, this time via Russia, a move which cyber security experts said could give Pyongyang greater capability to conduct cyber attacks.
Trial of alleged ringleader of Benghazi attack begins in Washington
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal prosecutors opened their case against Ahmed Abu Khatallah on Monday by telling jurors he orchestrated the 2012 attack on a U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, that killed U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.
NATIONAL
A cell signal, an open bar: tiny wins for Puerto Rico in ruins
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Reuters) - Puerto Ricans still living largely in darkness 12 days after Hurricane Maria leveled their island reveled in small victories on Sunday in what promises to be a months-long slog back to some semblance of normal life.
Gunman kills at least 58 people in Las Vegas concert attack
LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - A 64-year-old man armed with more than 10 rifles rained down gunfire on a Las Vegas country music festival on Sunday, slaughtering at least 58 people in the largest mass shooting in U.S. history before killing himself.
Private information of two people compromised in SEC hack - chairman
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The personal information of two individuals was compromised in a recently uncovered hack of a Securities and Exchange Commission database, according to the agency’s chairman.
Daily Bible Verse: The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.
Proverbs 29:25 NKJV
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