Car Insurance Rate Class

Seeking to save money on rising health insurance premiums, a growing number of Pennsylvania companies are squeezing out spouses who have access to insurance of their own.

The concept, known as a spousal exclusion, is viewed as a way for companies to rein in costs without directly costing their employees more money.

Under one version of a spousal exclusion policy, a wife wouldn't be able to get coverage on her husband's insurance plan if she were eligible for insurance through a job of her own. Another variation might allow a working husband to join his wife's employer's plan, but charge him a fee to do so.

A survey from Mercer Human Resource Consulting released last year reported that 14 percent of Pennsylvania employers said they used a spousal exclusion provision, compared with 8 percent nationally.

What unions do

Union employees earn higher wages and are more likely to have employer-provided health insurance and retirement plans. The benefits of unions, however, extend far beyond the individual worker.Compared to states with few union members (like North Carolina), states with a high percentage of union members have higher average wages, fewer people in poverty, fewer people without health insurance, lower workplace fatality rates, higher public education spending per pupil and higher voter participation rates.The labor movement is responsible for the 40-hour work week, child labor laws and worker health and safety protections. In recent years, unions have organized against bad trade deals and the movement offshore of American jobs. Unions have fought to protect Social Security and increase access to affordable health care and prescription drugs.At a time when CEO pay, health-care costs and gas prices are skyrocketing while employees' wages remain stagnant, Americans need unions more than ever if we want the middle class to survive.Ajamu DillahuntOutreach coordinator, N.C.

No passport? You can still visit Mexico by car

REAL DE CATORCE, Mexico (AP) -- So you want to go to Mexico, but you don't have a passport? There are still options, at least for one more year.

As of January 23, all U.S. citizens must have a passport for airline travel to Mexico and the Caribbean. But, those traveling by land or boat need only a driver's license or birth certificate. (The U.S.

The budget squeeze play

The annual budget process has begun in earnest for local governments in the Tampa Bay area. Months earlier than usual, local officials are arguing about spending, fretting about tax rates and scheduling public budget workshops.

The lingering sting from last year’s tax protests is part of the reason, but officials also are watching with dread the Legislature’s talk of local government spending caps and mandatory local property tax rate rollbacks to 2002 or 2003 levels. Nothing has been decided in Tallahassee, but many local governments, fearing big cuts to their revenue streams, already are gearing up for a slowdown in the money train. These self-analyses are generally healthy exercises, and a little more self-awareness a year or two ago about the consequences of spending sprees fueled by soaring property values could have calmed some of the demands for relief now.

Photo: Sun News Publishing

Cars will run on water is no more an idea to BankPHB, but the bank is ready to make it a reality for its customers. This was the position of the bank's Managing Director, Francis Atuche in this chat with Daily Sun. According to Atuche, "what we are saying as a bank, is that when a customer has an aspiration, a dream, a project, but does not know how or where to go to get banking support, that we will support the customer.

"At Bank PHB, we say our goal is to satisfy the customer's ambition, so that those aspirations can turn from dream to reality and that is what we stand for". Atuche said the steep reduction in the number of banks did not necessarily result in increased earning opportunities, just as liquidity surfeit in the banking sector resulted in a downward pressure on interest rates and the shrinking in interest margins.

Zimbabwe: Car Duty to Be Paid in Forex

PRICES of imported vehicles are likely to shoot up following a decision by the Government requiring importers to pay excise duty in foreign currency.

Dividend tax rate reduced

Are you reporting dividend income on your tax return? In 2006 the tax rate on dividends from large Canadian corporations dropped dramatically.

Royals Among 26 Triple-A Teams Sponsored by AIG

OMAHA, NE - Triple-A Baseball announced that American International Group, Inc. (AIG) has become an official sponsor to 26 Triple-A teams playing in the International and Pacific Coast Leagues, including the Omaha Royals.

"Each year, minor league baseball attracts millions of families across the United States looking for an affordable and wholesome way to enjoy America's favorite pastime," said Nick Ashooh, Senior Vice President, Communications, AIG. "This sponsorship gives AIG the opportunity to connect with families across the country; many of them are current customers."

AIG's sponsorship will have a fully integrated program for each of the 26 teams, including:

- Outfield signage

- Full-page program ads

- Magnetic schedule giveaway cards

- A charity program, with $5.00 donated for each strikeout recorded by a Royals pitcher to the ALS Association

As the highest classification of Minor League Baseball, Triple-A Baseball has always been a showcase for future stars, since 86 percent of current Major League Baseball players came directly from Triple-A Baseball.

Full Year 2006 Prudential PLC Earnings Presentation - Final

You know PCA's long-term growth record well and 2006 was no exception as APE sales approached GBP1b level. Proprietary agency distribution remains key in the region. But as you can see contribution from the non-agency channels is also increasing rapidly, accounting for some 30% of new business in 2006, compared to 26% in 2005. This combination of channels, as I said earlier, gives us an invaluable and unique differentiation in the region. Let's look now behind the growth in 2006, first looking at agency. Overall agency business increased by 24% in 2006 and agent numbers increased by 66%. In the developing markets of India, China and Indonesia, we are continuing to build the agency force rapidly, but in a disciplined way. In India, the agency force increased by 115,000 people in the year, which is quite a staggering statistic.

Health insurance scheme in limbo

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The fate of the health scheme drawn up by the State Government for 25 lakh families living below the poverty line (BPL) has been sealed with the Centre reiterating its stance that the assistance would be limited to 11 lakh families identified by the Planning Commission. Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said 14 lakh families were not eligible for the assistance to be provided under Universal Health Insurance Scheme (UHIS). Official sources told The Hindu that Mr. Chidambaram categorically stated the Centre's stand in a letter to Minister for Local Self-Government Paloli Mohammed Kutty on March 6. Mr. Chidambaram's communication was in reply to a clarification sought by Mr. Paloli Mohammed Kutty regarding the eligibility criteria for BPL families as identified under the Kudumbashree scheme on January 23.