Free Republic

WASHINGTON — Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan is responding to ethics concerns raised over a proposed consulting contract that is tied to a huge transportation project.The $68.5 million contract, related to Hogan’s $7.6 billion plan to widen parts of the Capital Beltway and Interstate 270, was pulled from consideration Wednesday by the Maryland Board of Public Works, which approves state contracts.“We held up the approval just to make sure that there isn’t any conflict,” Hogan told WTOP in an interview Friday. “I expressed some of the same concerns that other people have and that’s why the board of public works...

“I actually thought we would get paid,’’ said Dinesh Khurana. “But this has lasted so long. To be very frank, I’ve lost hope.’’When Dinesh Khurana came to California from India as a tech worker in 1995, he assumed the American system of employment had a basic underpinning of fairness. It went this way: You did the work. You were paid for the job. Sure, there might be an occasional hiccup. But generally the check arrived. America was the land of the free, not a corruption-ridden place. Even when he became a consultant — and had to fend for himself rather...

(CNSNews.com) - Would President Obama attack Syria without congressional authorization? A White House spokesman told reporters on Monday that President Obama is evaluating potential options for dealing with Syria: "But he has not made that decision, and when he does, I'm sure you will hear from him. "When it comes to Congress, we're consulting with Congress and will continue to do that," White House spokesman Jay Carney continued. But asked to "detail" the administration's consultations with Congress so far, Carney was vague: "Well, members of Congress have been consulted, and those consultations will continue. We don't tend to read out...

FRIEND$ AT THE TOP: Former President Bill Clinton and British ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair both sit on the advisory board of Teneo Holdings, which was paid at least $625,000 to do public-relations and financial-consulting work for Jon Corzine’s failed brokerage, MF Global. ....Clinton spokesman Matt McKenna said “President Clinton does not advise clients on the firm’s behalf.” Clinton does make money from Teneo, but has declined to disclose the sum. Corzine and the former president have been close for years. Clinton campaigned for Corzine repeatedly and Corzine, in turn, became the first sitting governor to endorse Hillary Rodham Clinton’s bid...

Given Russia's reputation for excessive bureaucracy, it's only right that a company would exist to help businesspeople to set up, find the right translators, and also provide the right legal guidance to navigate the Byzantine direction of Russia's business bureaucracy. Center of Economic Planning consists of a professional team of skilled translators, auditors and IT specialists who will also not just help foreign businesses, but also help native Russians build their businesses.

New carbon trading legislation confuses businesses A compulsory carbon trading scheme for 5,000 UK businesses will launch today, amid widespread confusion about its complex rules and a bonanza of extra fees for environmental consultants. By Rowena Mason, City Reporter (Energy) Published: 12:08AM BST 01 Apr 2010 Under the Government's scheme, an array of businesses from supermarkets to office blocks that spend more than £500,000 per year on energy must conduct an audit of their carbon dioxide emissions. They must register by September and will next year be ranked in a league according to how much energy they have saved or...

I want to start a defense contracting company. I have expertise in education and training, in addition, I am a former US Marine and a former magazine editor. I want to help the armed forces produce high quality curriculums for both officers and enlisted. I have a few questions about going about this. A) Do I need security clearance just to place a bid to do contract work with the military? B) Some companies check out your finances to get a picture of your competence as a potential business manager. I know that they check your finances for the security...

"I love data." Mitt Romney has been speaking for less than two minutes when he makes this profession. The former Massachusetts governor is meeting with the editorial board of The Wall Street Journal to discuss his campaign for the presidency. And he starts not with the economy, "global jihad" or the country as a whole, but with himself. While some have questioned Mr. Romney's authenticity, the immediate impression he gives is that he speaks straight from the heart. Especially where data are concerned. "I used to call it 'wallowing in the data,' " Mr. Romney continues. "Let me see the...

Bob McEwen has been purposefully vague about one of his income-earning sources during his past 12 years in Washington (lobbying), and has not said anything about another one people know little or nothing about (speeches for and tapes sold to Amway-Quixtar reps), which may earn him more money than lobbying. Read why the known facts and questions raised make McEwen's election at least a big gamble, and perhaps more than that, at these posts: McEWEN CONNECTIONS POSTS: Part 6--The McEwens and Amway-Quixtar Part 5--The Amway-Quixtar (AQ) Business Part 4--Those "Self-Employed" Contributors Part 3--The Non-Disclosure Gambit (READ FIRST) Part 2--Jefferson Group...

LOS ANGELES - Former California Gov. Pete Wilson has been hired by a consulting group that helps companies develop business and political strategies. Wilson, who was governor from 1991 to 1999, will join Bingham Consulting Group beginning March 1, the company said in a statement. He will work with various companies to create policies that can be used in regulated industries such as health care, energy, manufacturing and telecommunications. He will also counsel the company's 850-member international law firm. "Pete's knowledge of the policies, people and processes of government at all levels makes him a natural and valuable addition to...

WICHITA FALLS -- A mechanic is suing a clinic and two doctors, claiming they removed his penis and testicles without consulting him after they mistakenly thought he had cancer. Hurshell Ralls, 67, seeks an unspecified amount in his negligence lawsuit filed against the Clinics of North Texas in Wichita Falls, Dr. John Stephen Dryden and Dr. Farid G. Khoury. The civil case is set for trial Aug. 25. Ralls, who said he had a normal sex life with his wife before the 1999 amputation, said he remains angry with his doctors. "I don't think they should have played God, myself,"...

<p>After extending nearly $350,000 in consultant contracts to longtime friends and associates, Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson has decided not to publicly release any reports or documents that could show how hard they worked or what they accomplished.</p> <p>Wesson's decision leaves Californians with no effective way to measure the value or cost effectiveness of about a half-dozen contracts -- ranging from $5,000 to $8,470 per month -- that Wesson awarded to legislative colleagues or allies.</p>