The Atlasian Almanac-Gazette (GM Update Thread)

[shua]

National News:
President's Budget Inspires Laud And Loathing, Debate Between Various Interests

The President's budget proposal released on Friday contains many changes from current policy, and Atlasians from all corners are exploring it and debating it's merits.

The budget includes a 12% increase in funding for veterans services including increases in all aspects of veterans services, and a new mental health program. The Atlasian Legion has proclaimed this proposal "a great step forward in giving back to the men and women who sacrifice everything for their country." 

The budget also involves cuts in military spending, which is to involve cuts in new military recruits and closure of some overseas bases. Even as combat troops arrive home from Afghanistan this month, the President has requested $19 billion in funds for the remaining training force, and $10 billion in reconstruction aid.  Increases in foreign aid tied to human rights has garnered praise from the Institute for Sustainable Peace.

Some groups are unhappy with the President for the absence of spending on some recently passed legislation.  Atlasians for a Secure and Equitable Energy Future issued a statement calling the budget "a betrayal of all the progress made this year by the Senate when it comes to the development of a smart grid, coverage and rate protection, nuclear safety and oil spill protection." Alan Hastberger of the Drug Recovery Network has complained that "this budget effectively repeals the Consolidated Marijuana Regulation Act."

Meanwhile, budget hawks are encouraged by the smaller deficits promised both by the President's budget and the reform of Atlasian National Healthcare being debated by the Senate.  Jean Geroge of the Concord Coalition commented that "We are looking at the real possibility of a surplus next year with this, so we can pay down our debt, stay the world's most reliable place to invest, and be responsible to the next generation of Atlasians."

However, University of Nyman Economics Professor Bill Blightly believes now is not the time to be looking for surpluses. "When we have unemployment above 8 percent, and growth lagging behind inflation, austerity is not a solution for our real problem. Cutting spending while letting taxes continue to rise is a recipe for a double dip."

[shua]

National / International News
Combat Troops Home from Afghanistan on Memorial Day, Training Force Remains

This month saw Atlasian troops home from combat duty in Afghanistan.  At the beginning of this year, 75,000 Atlasian troops were stationed in Afghanistan.  Now, only a training force of 1700 remain to help support local Afghan forces in the Kabul area. 

Across Atlasia, soldiers, seaman, airmen and marines were welcomed home, and shown appreciation for their service.  They also remembered fallen comrades.

While the Atlasian presence has given a measure of freedom and oppurtunity to the Afghan people, their future remains uncertain. The Access for Afghan Women Act recently passed by the Senate hopes to increase opportunities for women and protection for their rights through funds to governmental and non-governmental programs in Afghanistan.  Additionally, the President's budget includes $19 billion for military operations and $10 billion for humanitarian aid.  If passed, Afghanistan will continue to be financially and militarily dependent on Atlasia for some time to come.   In any case, Afghanis will continue to face great challenges as they continue the work of building a future for their country.

[Frodo]

I may have missed it, but what is the unionization rate nationally in Atlasia, and in the private sector?  In the OTL United States, it is (unfortunately) down to 7% if not lower. 

[shua]

Labor Union Participation Rates

The GM has received a request for union participation statistics.  The current labor union participation rate is 13.8%.  Sector and regional rates can be found in the accompanying table.

           
                  Total        Private Sector       Public Sector

National       13.8                  9.6                   35.4

IDS                9.6                 7.2                    27.5 
Mideast        14.2               11.3                    29.1
Midwest       15.4               10.8                    41.9   
Northeast     15.8               13.1                    34.1
Pacific          16.9                 9.4                    44.6

[Is JCL in mushy sappy love]

I may have missed it, but what is the unionization rate nationally in Atlasia, and in the private sector?  In the OTL United States, it is (unfortunately) down to 7% if not lower. 

Many aren't joining unions because they don't want their union dues to go to candidates or causes that the individual would oppose on matters of conscience. So this is a good thing.

[shua]

I'll be answering your questions in this thread. Please post your comments and questions there as well.

[shua]

Economic News: Employment and Financial Indicators

Regional Breakdown of Unemployment Figures
                       Dec 2011   Jan      Feb     Mar     Apr   May 2012
Northeast                7.2       7.0       6.9      6.8      6.7      6.6%           
Mideast                   7.5       7.3       7.1      7.0      6.9      6.8%
IDS                        10.1       9.5       9.3      9.1      8.8      8.4%
Midwest                  9.0       8.6       8.5      8.4      8.3      8.4%
Pacific                   10.9     10.5     10.3    10.1      9.9      9.9%

National                  9.2       8.8       8.6       8.4      8.3      8.1%


Consumer Price Index:
monthly (seasonally adjusted): +0.45%
annual: +5.3%

Currency Exchange: $1 Atlasian = $0.90875 World Index (+0.01108/mo.)

GNP (May 2011- Apr 2012):  $14.84 T
6-month growth: 1.16%


Crude Oil:  $ 107.19 / barrel

Gold: $2356.81

ANSE: 839.72 
NASDAQ:  2089.62

[shua]

National News:
Major Reform Means Atlasians to Pay More in Private Funds for Health Care, while Public Health Care Spending Decreases; Budget Surplus Expected

Last Week, the President signed The New Atlasian Healthcare Act, which passed the Senate by a vote of 8 to 1.  This act reformed the Atlasian National Healthcare Act of 2009.  While the previous act established a universal public system with single-payer characteristics, under the new reform, Atlasians will have a role in paying for their care depending on their income.

Atlasians making less than 250% of the poverty line (about 25K for a single person, or 50K for a family of four) will have 90% of expenses covered by the program, but will be protected from paying more than 5% of their income for medical expenses.  Atlasians between 250% of the poverty level and under 250K will have half their expenses covered, and protected from paying more than 15% of their income. Those making over 250K will have just 10% of their expenses covered, but will be protected from paying over 25% of their income. 

This reform is meant to address the cost of the Atlasian National Healthcare Program, which had little in the way of cost containment and was costing nearly $1.3 trillion/year, with costs expected to grow. Even with a healthcare payroll tax instituted last year, this cost was contributing to a budget deficit. The reform means that the program's costs will be kept down to $950 billion. However, the healthcare payroll tax will remain in effect and will continue to increase on schedule.  Currently at 4.5%, it will increase to 6% next month and to 6.5% in September. With the current budget, a surplus of about $80 billion could be expected for the coming year.

The reform's passage meant a good week for those health insurance companies who have managed to survive the establishment of the national healthcare program.  Other companies are concerned that a greater need for individuals to spend on their own health care without tax relief will mean decreases in consumer spending elsewhere.

[shua]

Economic News: Employment and Financial Indicators

Regional Breakdown of Unemployment Figures
                     Jan      Feb     Mar     Apr      May     June 2012
Northeast     7.0       6.9      6.8      6.7      6.6       6.7%           
Mideast        7.3       7.1      7.0      6.9      6.8       6.9%
IDS               9.5       9.3      9.1      8.8       8.4       8.4%
Midwest       8.6       8.5      8.4      8.3      8.4        8.6%
Pacific        10.5     10.3    10.1      9.9      9.9      10.1%

National       8.8       8.6       8.4      8.3     8.1        8.2%


Consumer Price Index:
monthly (seasonally adjusted): +0.39%
annual: +5.4%

Currency Exchange: $1 Atlasian = $0.91942 World Index (+0.01076/mo.)

GNP (Jul 2011- Jun 2012):  $14.87 T
6-month growth: 1.09%


Crude Oil:  $ 109.22 / barrel

Gold: $2364.76

ANSE: 829.44 
NASDAQ:  2102.72

Analysis:
June saw hiring slow as most industries expected decreased consumer spending due to an increased need for private health spending, and major government energy projects faced an uncertain future in the budget process.  The Atlasian dollar improved with expectations of lower deficits and uncertainty about the future of the Euro. Oil continued to climb with concern over Iran.

[shua]

Economic News: Employment and Financial Indicators

Regional Breakdown of Unemployment Figures
                     Jan      Feb     Mar     Apr      May     June    July 2012
Northeast     7.0       6.9      6.8      6.7      6.6       6.7        6.6 %                
Mideast        7.3       7.1      7.0      6.9      6.8       6.9        6.9 %
IDS               9.5       9.3      9.1      8.8       8.4       8.4        8.3 %   
Midwest       8.6       8.5      8.4      8.3      8.4        8.6        8.7  %
Pacific        10.5     10.3    10.1      9.9      9.9     10.1%      9.9 %

National       8.8       8.6       8.4      8.3     8.1     8.2%        8.1 %


Consumer Price Index:
monthly (seasonally adjusted): +0.37%
annual: +5.2%

Currency Exchange: $1 Atlasian = $0.93812 World Index (+0.01870/mo.)

GNP (Jul 2011- Jun 2012):  $14.89 T
6-month growth: 1.02%


Crude Oil:  $ 108.11 / barrel

Gold: $2301.99

ANSE: 832.41 
NASDAQ:  2163.21

July saw a modest improvement in national employment numbers. With the passage of the new budget, several major government programs began new hiring, and the markets responded to greater confidence in the government's financial future.  A majority of citizens saw lower income tax rates, which will likely encourage growth and hiring in the months ahead. However, the middle class is also still making adjustments to having to pay more out of pocket for their medical care and a recent increase in the health payroll tax.

[Comrade Shmoo]

Goddammit Pacific! Hire more people!

[Northeast Rep Snowball]

its their job

[GM Griffin]

When will the August numbers be available, shua?

[shua]

Economic News: Employment and Financial Indicators

Regional Breakdown of Unemployment Figures
                     Jan      Feb     Mar     Apr      May     June    July    Aug    Sep 2012
Northeast     7.0       6.9      6.8      6.7      6.6       6.7        6.6       6.5     6.4%               
Mideast        7.3       7.1      7.0      6.9      6.8       6.9        6.9       6.8      6.8%
IDS               9.5       9.3      9.1      8.8       8.4       8.4        8.3       8.1     8.0%
Midwest       8.6       8.5      8.4      8.3      8.4        8.6        8.7      8.6      8.7%
Pacific        10.5     10.3    10.1      9.9      9.9     10.1       9.9       9.8      9.8%

National       8.8       8.6       8.4      8.3     8.1        8.2       8.1      8.0      7.9%


Consumer Price Index:
monthly (seasonally adjusted): +0.34%
annual: +4.8%

Currency Exchange: $1 Atlasian = $0.945576 World Index (+0.01870/mo.)

GNP (Jul 2011- Jun 2012):  $14.92 T
6-month growth: 1.00%


Crude Oil:  $ 87.44 / barrel

Gold: $2201.42

ANSE: 839.55 
NASDAQ:  2201.33

The past two months saw slight decreases in unemployment, while growth remained slow.   Oil prices decreased with seasonal effects and hope that hostilities with Iran can be avoided. 

[shua]

Economic News: Employment and Financial Indicators

Regional Breakdown of Unemployment Figures
                     Mar     Apr      May     June    July    Aug    Sep   Oct   Nov 2012
Northeast     6.8      6.7      6.6       6.7        6.6       6.5     6.4     6.4    6.7%               
Mideast        7.0      6.9      6.8       6.9        6.9       6.8      6.8    6.7    6.5%
IDS               9.1      8.8       8.4       8.4        8.3       8.1     8.0    7.8    7.5%
Midwest       8.4      8.3      8.4        8.6        8.7      8.6      8.7    8.7    8.5%
Pacific        10.1      9.9      9.9     10.1       9.9       9.8      9.8    9.7    9.5%

National       8.4      8.3     8.1        8.2       8.1      8.0      7.9    7.8    7.7%


Consumer Price Index:
monthly (seasonally adjusted): +0.28%
annual: +4.2%

Currency Exchange: $1 Atlasian = $0.97103 World Index (+0.01552/mo.)

GNP (Nov 2011- Nov 2012):  $14.98 T
6-month growth: 0.94%


Crude Oil:  $ 84.13 / barrel

Gold: $2184.71

ANSE: 849.65 

Unemployment numbers saw in a general a continuation of their slow decline, with temporary and seasonal effects in the form of holiday hiring, and the effects of Sandy in the northeast. Growth has continued to be modest.

[Speaker Superique]

Why Unemployment is higher under the Pacific Region?

[shua]

because they were hit bad by the recession, their taxes are high, and they haven't done much of anything proactive to promote jobs.

I'm in the middle of posting the budget, so post your questions in the other thread. thanks.

[shua]

Jan 2013 Budget Update: Part One - Revenue
(projected figures under current policy for Jan 2013-Dec 2013, assuming steady economic conditions.)
                  
Income Taxes    $1,394  B            
 by tax bracket                
 9.5K-35K     10%                       53 B
 35K-80K      22%                       196 B
 80K-170K    28%                       245 B
 170K-368K  35%                       236 B
 368K-1M     40%                       215 B
 1M+    50%                              449 B

Corporate Taxes:  $ 382.1 B                    
 rates                  
 0-50K          12%    19.8 B               
 50-75K         23%         8.6 B            
 75K-100K     30%     7.4 B               
 100K-335K    31%      14.2 B               
 335K-10M     33%   127.8 B               
 10M-15M      34%   32.4 B               
 15M+           35%   171.9 B                  
                  
National Broadcaster Levy  $ 18.8 B                  
 Individual (0.25% > $50K)  $ 14.1 B                  
 Corporate (0.5% > $350K) $ 4.7 B                  
                  
Healthcare Taxes    $ 731.6 B                  
 Healthcare Payroll Tax  (CSSRA sec.4)    6.5%          $ 721.8 B                  
 Health Insurance Tax   (ANHA sec.2c)                 $ 9.8 B                  
                  
Estate Tax Revenue     $ 47.9 B

Excise Taxes   $ 44.7  B                   
  Gasoline Tax  (12 cents/gallon)       $ 18.9 B                   
 Cigarette and Tobacco Taxes                       
    (43 cents/pack, plus 2% or 4% for various products)* $ 6.8 B                   
 Alcohol Tax        (various rates per unit, plus 4% tax)*  $ 10.3 B                   
 Marijuana Tax  ($1/pack cigarettes plus 10% on all products)*          $ 8.7 B
 *(National Sin Tax Act, as amended, and Consolidated Marijuana Regulation Act)               
                  
Carbon Taxes  ($30/ton)    $ 173.8 B                  
 Domestic              $  151.4 B                  
 Carbon Import Tax  $  22.4 B                      
                  
                  
Special Program Taxes                     
 Plastic Bag Tax (Environmental Fund)      $ 4.6 B                   
 Chain Business Differential Tax (SBA Fund)  $ 32.9 B                  
Oil Spill Protection Tax (5% on profits > $1B) $7.1 B                  
Electrical Power Transmission Network Tax (0.65 c/kW-h) $23.7 B                  
                  
Customs Duties   $ 58.9 B                  
                  
Other Revenue (Sales, Earnings, Fees, Etc.)   $ 85.8 B                  
                  
                  
Total Revenue    $3005.9 Billion         


Budget Update: Part 2A - Tax Credits         
         
Dependent Child Tax Credit            116 B         
Education Tax Credits                       
   Higher Education                          76  B         
   Elementary/Secondary                   3.6 B         
Earned Income Tax Credit                46.6 B         
Adoption and Foster Care Credit         1.1 B         
Carbon Tax Residential Relief Credits         
   Carbon Tax Electricity Credit          11.7 B         
   Heating Fuel Consumption Credit     6.3 B         
   Fuel Efficiency Reimbursement        4.1 B         
Corporate Clean Energy Credit           2.7 B         
Alternate Energy R&D Credits            3.4 B         
Nuclear Waste Reprocessing Credit    2.9 B         
Public Transportation Tax Credit         6.5 B         
First-time Homebuyer Credit              2.8 B         
Retirement Savings Credits               2.5 B         
Individual Business Credits                2.2 B         
Foreign Tax Credit                          13.2 B         
  TOTAL                                    $ 301.6 Billion         

[shua]

TOTAL Direct Spending = $ 2.63816 Trillion              
              
Military Spending ($353.5 billion)              
$95.00 billion ... Military personnel              
$114.00 billion ... Operation and maintenance              
$58.00 billion .... Procurement              
$50.00 billion .... Research, development, test and evaluation              
$15.5 billion .... Military Construction, Family Housing and Other              
$18.1 billion .... Atomic Energy Defense Activities              
$2.9 billion ..... Defense Related activities            
                              
Military Retirement ($167.5 billion)              
$46.5 billion .... Military retirement              
$40 billion .... Income security for veterans              
$18 billion ...... Veterans education, training, and rehabilitation              
$ 8 billion….. Veterans mental health resources              
$50 billion ..... Hospital and medical care for veterans and retired military              
$5 billion ...... Housing and other veterans benefits and services      
                      
International affairs ($34.15 billion)              
$15.00 billion ...... International development and humanitarian assistance      
$10.00 billion .... Afghanistan Reconstruction aid        
$3.0 billion ...... International military aid              
$5.0 billion ...... Conduct of foreign affairs              
$1.15 billion ...... Foreign information and exchange activities            
              
Natural Disaster Relief and Protection ($57 billion)

DREAM Act Implementation Fund - SoIA  ($25 billion)

General science, space, and technology ($26.47 billion)              
$10.62 billion ...... National Science Foundation programs              
$3.44 billion ...... Department of Energy general science programs              
$9.91 billion ..... Space flight, research, and supporting activities
$2.5 billion ...... Nuclear Cleanup/Containment Equipment Technology (Comprehensive Protection of Nuclear Power Act)            
              
Non-Defense Energy Spending ($49.62 billion)              
$0.73 billion ...... Energy supply              
$1.03 billion ...... Energy conservation and preparedness              
$0.36 billion ...... Energy information, preparedness, & regulation              
$12.5 billion ...... Go Green Fund
$25 billion ..... Smart Grid development (the Smart Grid Electrical Distribution Act)    
$10 billion ..... Coverage and Rate Protection  (Electricity Fairness Act)      
              
Natural resources and environment ($43.26 billion)              
$5.45 billion ..... Water resources              
$9.07 billion ..... Conservation and land management              
$3.12 billion ..... Recreational & Park resources              
$8.42 billion ..... Pollution control and abatement              
$4.9 billion ....... Environmental Fund from plastic bag tax                
$5.1 billion ....... Other natural resources
$7.2 billion ....... Oil Spill Protection Fund (Oil Spill Protection Act)              
              
Agriculture ($14.5 billion)              
$11.00 billion ..... Farm income stabilization & crop insurance              
$3.50 billion ...... Agricultural research and services              
              
Commerce and Housing Loan Programs ($7.97 billion)              
$-4.08 billion ..... Federal Housing Loan Programs              
$2.17 billion ...... Postal service              
$-0.96 billion ..... Deposit insurance              
$7.96 billion ...... Universal service fund          
$1.15 billion ...... Jobs Now Act incentives and subsidies  
$0.90 billion ...... Worker Cooperative Pilot Program
$1.93 billion ...... Other advancement of commerce              
              
Transportation ($87.27 billion)              
$33.13 billion ..... Highways and highway safety              
$18 billion ......... High speed rail (Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act)              
$10 billion ...... Other Mass transit              
$2.81 billion ...... Railroads              
$17.26 billion ..... Air Transportation              
$5.65 billion ...... Water transportation              
$0.42 billion ...... Other transportation              
              
Community and regional development ($59.96 billion)              
$6.25 billion ...... Community development              
$8.36 billion ...... Area and regional development              
$10.15 billion ...... Disaster relief and insurance              
$2.5 billion ........ Homeless Shelter Emergency Housing              
$32.7 billion ...... Small Business Association              
              
Education ($132.37 billion)              
$74.57 billion ..... Elementary, Secondary & Vocational education              
$54.57 billion ..... Higher education              
$3.23 billion ...... Research and general education              
              
Training, labor and unemployment ($11.6 billion)              
$10 billion ...... Training and employment              
$1.6 billion ....... Labor law, statistics, and other administration            
              
Atlasian National Healthcare ($953.3 billion)
$239.5 billion ... IDS Community Health Partnership
$206.0 billion ... ME Community Health Partnership
$113.5 billion ... MW Community Health Partnership
$191.0 billion ... NE Community Health Partnership
$180.5 billion ... PA Community Health Partnership
$22.8 billion ..... Central Administration Costs              
              
Non-ANH Health Spending ($38.81 billion)              
$4.7 billion ....... Disease control, public health and bioterrorism              
$29.36 billion ... Health research and training              
$3.01 billion ..... Food safety and occupational health and safety            
$1.74 billion ..... Drug abuse treatment (Consolidated Marijuana Regulation Act)
              
Civilian Retirement (Social Security excluded) ($72.02 billion)              
$4.89 billion ...... Civilian retirement and disability insurance              
$58.22 billion .... Federal employee retirement and disability              
$8.91 billion ...... Federal employees' and retired employees' health benefits        
              
Atlasian National Broadcaster ($6.35 billion)              
$4.6 billion …. Infrastructure buliding and acquisition                
$1.75 billion …. Initial start up costs                
              
Aid to Low-Income Families ($182.96 billion)              
$67 billion ..... Housing assistance              
$87.58 billion ..... Food stamps              
$21 billion ...... Other nutrition programs (WIC, school lunches)              
$4.8 billion ....... Child care funds              
$2.58 billion ...... Other aid to low-income families  

Public Housing Expenses (Public Housing Act)  ($8.5 Billion)
$5 Billion......Public Housing Capital Fund  
$1 Billion......Community Development Fund
$2 Billion......Neighborhood Stabilization Program
$0.50 Billion...Homeless Prevention            
              
General Family Support ($27.06 billion)              
$8 billion ...... Foster care and adoption assistance              
$2.92 billion ...... Child support and family support programs              
$16.14 billion ..... Social and family services              
              
Administration of justice ($29.79 billion)              
$7.25 billion ..... Federal law enforcement              
$7.46 billion ..... Border security and immigration              
$7.6 billion ..... Federal litigation and judicial activities              
$3.26 billion ...... Federal prison system              
$4.22 billion ...... Criminal justice assistance              
              
General government administration ($13.3 billion)              
$2.75 billion ...... Legislative functions              
$0.95 billion ...... Executive office programs              
$7.6 billion ....... IRS & other fiscal operations              
$2 billion ...... Other general government              
              
Interest on debt ($235.6 billion)              
$235.6 billion .... Net Interest             
              
***************************************              
             
SUMMARY: Current Projected Figures for 2013              
              
Direct Spending                 $2,638.16 billion  
Tax Credits                           $301.6 billion  
TOTAL Expenditures           $2,939.76 billion  
              
REVENUE               $3005.9 Billion              
EXPENDITURES    -$2,939.76 billion              
BALANCE                   $66.14 Billion