WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, says the U.S. House and Senate want a one-year extension of the payroll tax holiday but political posturing keeps Congress from acting even on measures both bodies support. "This is the height of dysfunction," she said via press release. "The political posturing needs to end. The back and forth rhetoric needs to stop." al.com
Submitted 1 years 149 days ago

With major U.S. defense budget cuts set to begin next October, most defense policy experts believe the Pentagon will order far fewer F-35 fighter jets than it was planning on even a few months ago.Fortunately for Lockheed Martin and the 6,000 or so people working on the F-35 joint strike fighter in Fort Worth, foreign orders -- or at least commitments to order -- are beginning.The announcement by Japan's government Monday that it plans to buy 42 F-35s, with the first plane slated for delivery in 2016, means that over the next few years, seven different nations are now expected to place orders for F-35s. Star-Telegram
Submitted 1 years 149 days ago

After nearly 50 years of planning, the 28-mile Chisholm Trail Parkway project is now officially under way. Motorists will be asked to endure traffic delays, narrow lanes and other mostly minor traffic annoyances for the next 21/2 years along routes such as Interstates 30 and 20, Vickery Boulevard and Bryant Irvin Road as the toll road is built from central Fort Worth across southwest Tarrant County to Cleburne.Some of the work along I-30 near Summit Avenue, and West Vickery Boulevard near University Drive, could begin in the next week or two, a project official said. A large swath of land on the south side of I-30 between University and Summit has already been cleared of trees and other obstacles. Star-Telegram
Submitted 1 years 149 days ago

Burger King, the perennial No. 2 in the burger wars, is about to be beaten out by a pigtailed girl. Wendy's Co. is poised to pass Burger King Holdings Inc. in U.S. sales, trailing only industry behemoth McDonald's Corp., in the first reordering of the industry-leading trio since Wendy's was founded in 1969. Americans are expected to spend more than $175 billion at fast-food restaurants this year, up about 3% from 2010. Wendy's U.S. same-store sales are forecast to rise 1.1%, while Burger King's U.S. and Canada same-store sales will drop 3.9%, according to market-research firm Technomic Inc. JULIE JARGON, The Wall Street Journal
Submitted 1 years 149 days ago

The Milken Institute's Best-Performing Cities index measures U.S. metropolitan areas based on growth in jobs, wages and salaries, and technology output. It weighs those factors over a five-year span, to account for varying business cycles, and the latest year’s performance, and then adds 12-month job growth performance to account for recent momentum. The 2011 list has a decidedly Texas flavor, with the state putting nine cities in the top 25 and taking the overall number one spot with San Antonio. Forbes
Submitted 1 years 149 days ago

It turns out “Don’t Mess With Texas,” is more than just a slogan. At least judging by the state’s ability to rebound from the Great Recession, and its dominance over the rankings in a new report highlighting the best-performing U.S. cities. Steve Schaefer, Forbes
Submitted 1 years 149 days ago

Bank of America‘s acquisition of Countrywide was not the greatest of deals to say the least, and a $335 million settlement today with the Department of Justice is more proof of that. The settlement resolves accusations that Countrywide Financial engaged in discriminatory mortgage-lending practices that predate BofA’s 2008 purchase of the firm. The Department of Justice was investigating the lender’s lending practices to minorities as far back as 2004. Forbes
Submitted 1 years 149 days ago

Even if you can’t find them in metro Atlanta, many people are familiar with the White Castle hamburger chain. The iconic fast food restaurant known for its sliders and fries is considering selling beer and wine. The 90-year-old chain is already testing alcoholic beverage sales in Lafayette, Ind., where customers can buy a glass of wine for $4.50 or beer for $3. The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch newspaper quotes a spokesman who says customer feedback so far is promising. Christopher Seward, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Submitted 1 years 149 days ago

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released new power plant emissions rules designed to remove mercury and other toxins from the air. The agency said reducing toxic pollutants would cut thousands of cases of chronic bronchitis, heart attacks, aggravated asthma and other health problems. Georgia Power and other utilities have said the new rules would cause them to close or significantly alter several coal-fired power plants, costing time, money and jobs. Kristi E. Swartz, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Submitted 1 years 149 days ago

None of the Fortune 500 companies in Georgia is run by a female CEO. And among women executive officers at Georgia public companies generally, there has been little progress in their numbers. They make up a far smaller share of the executive ranks than they do the overall workforce. Kelly Yamanouchi, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Submitted 1 years 149 days ago