Green Toilet Tax Credit
The federal government has approved a tax credit for the purchase of environmentally friendly or "Green" toilets. Each household is eligible for a $410 credit for "green" toilets. To qualify, your toilet must be one of the following:
Dual-flush toilets: These let you decide how much water you'll need inside the bowl and permit you choose a full flush option or a half flush option. Push button number one for liquid waste (.8 gal) and button number two for solid waste (1.6 gal). Most people find that they use the .8 gal flush all the time without problems.
High-efficiency toilets: These toilets save up to 4,000 gallons a year.
Pressure-assist toilets: These work in tandem with a "green" toilet's lower water level to add force to the flush. For obvious reasons, it can be a welcome addition to an otherwise lightweight flush.
The tax credit applies to all green toilet purchases through December 31, 2011. Only one credit per household is permitted, even if multiple green toilets are installed. The program is set to launch in the next few months and claim forms will be available at local retailers.
Eugene "Gene" Browne of the American Water Resources Society states, "We think that the credit will result in significant water conservation across the country." While we expect that this program will gain traction with those who are environmentally conscious, such as young adults that own a hybrid car and those that use their own bags at the grocery store." Nonetheless, we hope all citizens will join this exciting movement."
Green toilets may be purchased at your local building supply store, such as Home Depot. Click here to purchase a green toilet or converter kit. Home Depot.
The program will not apply to toilets which are green in color, instead, they must include the specific water conservation measures.
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Cell Phone Ban-Govt. Offices
The General Services Administration (GSA), the agency charged with the management of all federal buildings has issued a universal mandatory cell phone ban for all federal offices and buildings. The Public Building Service (PBS) division of the GSA will be implement and enforce the actual ban.
The ban applies not only to employees that work in the federal buildings, but to guests and visitors in the buildings. The ban will go into affect on June 1, 2010. Over the next few months the GSA's Business Services (BS) office will begin to air public service announcements to alert the public to the new rules. The campaign titled "Leave it at Home" will advise the public to plan ahead with personal business and not burden government time with personal calls or personal business.
The drastic move comes on the heels of a recent GSA study which attributed a 37% loss of worker productivity due to use of cell phones for personal calls, texting and internet use. Deputy GSA Administrator Lawrence Butler states, "Over the course of a given year the financial impact is staggering. Even assuming a nominal per employee use of 10 minutes per day, the loss to the federal government could approach $70-80 million."
The PBS has a two-fold enforcement plan. First, each employee or guest will be required to pass through a metal detector. Anyone carrying a cell phone will be asked to leave it in their car. Additionally, the PBS will install a series of cellular phone signal blockers in the buildings. In the event that phones are brought into the buildings the blocker will disable the phone from receiving a signal and reverse polarize the battery rendering the phone totally inoperable.
At present, no states have announced the intent in implement a similar ban.
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At the Movies-3D
By: Alison Parker
With movies like Avatar and Alice in Wonderland enjoying such big box office successes, 3D is all the rage. In fact, Alice holds the honor of the largest 3D opening of all time, and Avatar recently topped Titanic to boast the highest worldwide intake of all time.
Upcoming movies like The Clash of the Titans remake, How to Train Your Dragon, Despicable Me and Shrek Forever After will all be available with 3D capabilities.
Due to the success of 3D movies, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts has decreed that all of next year's movies must be in 3D. Films currently in production will be grandfathered in, but all films with a production date of July 1, 2010 or after will have to be designed for the red and blue glasses (which are rarely red and blue anymore).
This is quite a substantial ruling because even hits like Alice in Wonderland were not shot for the 3D audience; the 3D effects were added later. However, the Academy knows that movies intentionally shot for 3D capabilities look better on the screen and are more likely to draw a bigger crowd.
There are whispers that the Academy only made this announcement after an insider on the U.S. House's Energy & Commerce committee leaked to the president of the Academy the blurb that Congress would soon be considering legislation to mandate that all American movies convert to 3D only viewing. The Academy wanted to beat Congress to the punch, hence their decree. Rumor has it that the House was looking for ways to boost economy in the final throes of the recession and thought tapping into the entertainment market would make sense.
However, the British film industry is immune from these new rulings, for which I am quite thankful. While some may champion how great an idea it would have been to put The Boat That Rocked or 28 Days Later into 3D, fans of period pieces like Atonement or Pride & Prejudice, which are the British film industry's proverbial bread and butter, would not have been happy moviegoers.
I was hoping the 3D phenom was just another resurgence of the fad - cinema's own stirrup pants. Frankly, 3D makes me nauseous. And I'm not the only one disgruntled about the end of 2D cinema: the underground anarchist group Tudi Coalition is using radical action to protest against these recent changes. They have been suspected singlehandedly dismantling the historic Rialto cinema in Munson, Florida, which recently converted into a 3D-only theatre. Until 2D is again an option at the cinemas, I anticipate more of this 3D-related aggression will occur.
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G&A Spring Open House:
Please join us for our Spring Open House on April 14 from 5:00-8:00 pm. at our Party Deck and Tiki Bar.
Our theme for the party is St. Pete Vice: Ode to the 80's. We will have a DJ spinning 80's tunes and will feature your favorite 80's fare. You dont have to come in 80's attire, but we will have prizes for the best dressed in 80's attire.
As always, we will have ample food, beverage and fun.
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USDA to Regulate New Meats
By: Alison Parker
The USDA has recently unveiled that new meats will soon be available for commercial purchase, such as venison, alligator, and rattlesnake. This means shoppers can now find these meats at the local grocery store, wrapped in plastic and on foam trays, just like their favorite beefsteak.
It is widely believed that the USDA decided to start regulating such exotic meats after the respective population of each species has exploded in recent years.
"Deer are constantly being hit by automobiles on the highway due to our encroachment into their territories," an anonymous official stated. "Isn't the greater kindness to eat them? Seems like we are just going to kill them anyway - no use in wasting all that meat."
In conjunction with the USDA announcement, Taco Bell has launched new venison & bean burrito, and other companies are expected to follow suit. Outback Steakhouse is expected to focus group a new rattlesnake burger, for release this fall.
The USDA may also cease regulating some types of meat - consumers will only be able to enjoy those foodstuffs by catching or gathering it by themselves. Some sources say the ovum of the domestic fowl may no longer be available in restaurants, although consumers can still make their own egg dishes at home.
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We are supporting Thomas Ramsberger for Circuit Judge in Group 20.
We think he would make an excellent judge and would urge you to review his credentials.
You may find out more about Tom on his website below.
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We are supporting Keith Meyer for Circuit Judge in Group 27.
We believe that Keith would make an excellent judge and would urge you to review his credentials.
You may find our more about Keith on his website below.
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We are supporting Susan St. John for Circuit Judge in Group 30.
We believe that Susan would make an excellent judge and would urge you to review her credentials.
You may find our more about Susan on her website below.
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G&A News & Notes
*Erika Mariz was featured on Fox 13 New discussing government help for homeowners in default. To view the story click here:
*Charles Gallagher was recently featured on Fox 13 News to discuss the new foreclosure figures and modification issues. To view the story click here:
*On April 27 will present a discussion on Lease Elements at the SES Basic Landlord Tenant Seminar in Tampa. For additional information, click here:
*G&A will sponsor the St. Petersburg Bar Association's Law Day Run on April 17 at Crescent Lake Park. To sign up for the event click here: Event Sign Up
*G&A will be a sponsor of the St. Petersburg Bar's Meet the Judges Luncheon on April 6. To sign up for the event click here: Event Sign Up
*Charles Gallagher recently served as a judge at Stetson College of Law's Yerrid Trial Competition.
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G&A Email Directory
Erika Mariz
Joseph F. Milligan
Jason A. Cox
Heather Dussault
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| About Our Firm
Gallagher & Associates Law Firm, P.A. accepts cases throughout the Tampa Bay area.
Our main practice areas include: insurance litigation (including toxic mold, sinkholes, hurricane claims and denied insurance claims), real estate & business litigation (including foreclosure defense and lender mortgage fraud), accident & injury litigation, consumer law, and employment litigation.
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The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. This email is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.
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**If you have not figured out by now, its April Fools Day. So we hope that you have enjoyed or humble homage to this worthy holiday. As you might expect, all of the story content is fictional and meant for entertainment purposes. | |
