Subject: Daily News Clips 3/26/14
From: "Sam Losow" <[email-masked]>
To: "undisclosed-recipients:"
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 11:01:24 -0400

*National News:*

*Likely death toll from mudslide rises to 24*
Search crews recovered two more bodies Tuesday under the Washington state
mudslide and believed they had located another eight, pushing the likely
death toll to 24. Authorities expect it to rise further. As crews continued
looking for signs of life on Wednesday, four days after the disaster, as
many as 176 people remained missing. "We haven't lost hope that there's a
possibility that we can find somebody alive in some pocket area," said a
local fire chief. [Fox
News<http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/03/26/24-killed-in-big-wash-mudslide-officials-say/>
]
..........................................................................................

*The Obama administration extends the health care enrollment deadline*
With ObamaCare's open enrollment ending in less than a week, the Obama
administration is scheduled to announce Wednesday that it will give more
time to people who have started the application process on HealthCare.gov
but fail to finish by Monday. Those who say they were delayed by technical
problems will have until mid-April to ask for an extension. The
administration had long said the March 31 deadline was firm. [*The
Washington Post*<http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/obama-administration-will-allow-more-time-to-enroll-in-health-care-on-federal-marketplace/2014/03/25/d0458338-b449-11e3-8cb6-284052554d74_story.html?hpid=z1>
]
..........................................................................................

*Russia takes Ukraine's last warship in Crimea*
Russian forces seized the last Ukrainian naval ship in Crimea on Tuesday,
completing Moscow's takeover of military control in the breakaway Ukrainian
region. The assault followed several days of similar, mostly bloodless
moves against Ukrainian bases as Russia pushed forward with the annexation
of Crimea after voters there passed a referendum to secede from Ukraine. [
*Reuters*<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/25/russians-ukrainian-military-ship-crimea_n_5030044.html>
]
..........................................................................................

*Facebook buys virtual reality startup Oculus*
Facebook is buying a small virtual-reality
startup<http://theweek.com/article/index/258694/speedreads-facebook-buys-virtual-reality-pioneer-oculus-for-2-billion>,
Oculus VR, for more than $2 billion, its second major
acquisition<http://theweek.com/article/index/256681/facebook-just-bought-whatsapp-for-16-billion-mdash-and-that-money-could-have-been-better-spent>
in
just over a month. Skeptics said Oculus' advanced technology was better
suited to immersive games than social media. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg
said virtual reality and social media were a natural mix. "Imagine sharing
not just moments with your friends online, but entire experiences," he
said. [*San Jose Mercury
News*<http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_25420026/facebook-buys-virtual-reality-startup-more-than-2>
]

..........................................................................................
Say goodbye to tax-free
bitcoins<http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/tax-free-bitcoins-united-states-105015.html?hp=r5>

The days of tax-free bitcoin are gone, at least in the United States.

The Internal Revenue Service issued clarifying guidance on Tuesday, saying
digital currencies should be treated like property, meaning purchases and
payments must be reported, and the capital gains tax rate can be applied to
gains or losses if the currency is considered an asset.

..........................................................................................
China Export Quotas on Metals Violate World Trade Law, Panel
Finds<http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/27/business/international/china-export-quotas-on-rare-earths-violate-law-wto-panel-says.html?ref=business>
China has broken international trade law by restricting the export of rare
earth elements and other metals crucial to modern manufacturing, a World
Trade Organization panel said Wednesday. That conclusion opens the
possibility that Beijing will face trade sanctions from the United States,
which brought the case, and the European Union and Japan.

China produces more than nine-tenths of the global supply of the
strategically important metals, which are essential to a host of modern
applications including smartphones, wind turbines, industrial catalysts and
high-tech magnets. Prices soared in 2010 after Beijing cut export quotas by
about 40 percent, to just over 30,000 tons, saying the restrictions were
necessary on environmental grounds.

But critics said the quotas gave an unfair advantage to China's domestic
manufacturing industries. Members of the W.T.O. panel considering the case
in Geneva agreed with that assessment.

..........................................................................................
States use farm bill loophole to stem food stamp
cuts<http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/03/26/states-use-farm-bill-loophole-to-stem-food-stamp-cuts-2/>Governors
in several states are using a loophole in the farm bill to restore food aid
for thousands of low-income families, potentially wiping out billions of
dollars in savings Congress agreed to last month.

The action has led to a spat between the mostly Democratic governors and
Republicans in Congress, who say the changes amount to an end-around of the
bipartisan agreement that took House and Senate negotiators years to piece
together.

The loophole concerns a provision, known as "Heat and Eat," that allows
people to get added food stamp benefits if they also qualify for a program
that helps pay heating costs for the poor.

To qualify, people previously needed to get as little as $1 in heating aid.
Several states provided that amount so residents could get more food stamp
benefits. Congress sought to curb the practice - and save $8.5 billion - by
raising the minimum requirement to $20.

*2016 Presidential News:*

The invisible primary: GOP preps as Chris Christie
stumbles<http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/2016-republican-hopefuls-chris-christie-105028.html>

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio spent the past year getting battered over
immigration reform -- and building a presidential-level political operation
with heavy investments in digital and data analytics. Louisiana Gov. Bobby
Jindal has already visited New York City four times this year, pushing into
big-money turf once dominated by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Jeb Bush,
the former Florida governor, has gamed out his 2016 options with a small
team of longtime advisers, while Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has met with
prominent conservatives, urging him to consider the race.

The Republican presidential field is aflutter with behind-the-scenes
activity even at this preliminary stage, giving early shape to a race that
has been defined in public by a handful of outsized media personalities,
including Christie, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

*Opinion:*

The Health Law Is
Working<http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2014/03/25/the_health_law_is_working_328449.html>

It is now four years since the Affordable Care Act was enacted. And in more
than 30 years in government, I've never seen a law get so little
recognition for doing so much good so quickly.

The right measure of the ACA isn't whether it avoids political controversy;
it's whether it makes America better by achieving its five most fundamental
goals: expanding health-insurance coverage, lowering costs and promoting
fiscal responsibility, increasing quality through innovation, protecting
seniors and delivering peace of mind to American families by guaranteeing
essential rights in dealing with insurance companies.

By that standard the law is already a success.

..........................................................................................
Measured Progress on Nuclear
Security<http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/26/opinion/measured-progress-on-nuclear-security.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss>

There is still a long way to go to address the challenges of a world awash
in nuclear materials and weapons.

*DE News:*

*Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., plans Greenville fundraiser*

Gov. Jack Markell and Beau Biden are helping hosta fundraiser on Sunday for
U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., at the Greenville home of Stuart Grant, the
high-powered Wilmington corporate lawyer who has helped raise money for
Markell, Biden, and U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del.

Coons is also headlining the March 30 cocktail reception, scheduled for 6-8
p.m. The invitation asks guests for a contribution of $2,500; the minimum
to attend is $500.

Landrieu, in the U.S. Senate since 1997, is one of the most vulnerable
Democrats in a year that could see Republicans take the majority in the
Senate. She faces U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-La., in November and is banking
on support from independents and moderate Republicans to win a fourth term.

Stuart Grant is a Markell appointee on the University of Delaware Board of
Trustees, and as vice chair of the judge-making Judicial Nominating
Commission. The commission recently helped elevate Leo Strine to become
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and recommended its former chair,
Wilmington lawyer Andre Bouchard, to replace Strine as chancellor of the
Delaware Chancery Court, the nationally-respected corporate court.

Grant worked behind the scenes in 2012 to raise money for Markell's
re-election effort, and is fundraising for Biden's re-election this
November. Grant hosted Vice President Joe Biden for a lunch fundraiser in
May 2012 to benefit President Barack Obama's re-election campaign. He
bundled $690,000 for Obama's re-election effort, according to figures
compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics.

Grant's wife, Suzanne, was Markell's selection to oversee the state's
pension investments as chair of the pension board. Wilmington lawyers Bart
Dalton, Dave McBride, Laura Davis Jones and Marty Lessner, also a campaign
lawyer for Markell, are also among the fundraiser's hosts on Sunday.

..........................................................................................
*Bill Richardson to visit Dover for death penalty repeal*
Former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson will visit Dover Thursday to
support legislative efforts to repeal Delaware's death penalty.

Now co-chair of the International Commission Against the Death Penalty,
Richardson served as New Mexico's governor from 2003 to 2011. In 2007, the
state became the second since 1964 to repeal the death penalty.

Illinois passed a similar measure in 2011, followed by Connecticut in 2012
and Maryland last year. Similar legislation is being considered in New
Hampshire this year.

Delaware's legislative attempt to repeal the death penalty passed through
the Senate last year and is currently tabled in the House Judiciary
Committee.

Rep. Darryl Scott, D-Dover, who sponsors the bill in the House has said he
is determined to move the bill forward, even if that means suspending the
rules and force the bill to a vote.

Richardson will hold a press conference about the repeal effort at 11:30
a.m. Thursday and then meet with legislators privately through the day.

The executive director of the International Commission Against the Death
Penalty, Asunta Vivó, will also be in Dover to show support. The appearance
is sponsored by the Delaware Repeal Project, a coalition of 29 local,
state, and national organizations working to repeal the state's death
penalty.

..........................................................................................
*Making forward-looking investments*
New Castle County Executive Tom Gordon deserves credit for presenting a
prudent and forward-looking budget proposal. In his Tuesday evening address
to County Council, Mr. Gordon told taxpayers a combination of reduced
spending and an increase in real estate transfer taxes pushed the county
from an anticipated deficit to an actual surplus.

Now, he said, the challenge is to use it prudently. That would include
continued watchfulness in spending and well-considered investments in the
future.

We hope he is right and that he can steer the county in that direction.

The immediate good news is that the Gordon budget for the next fiscal year
does not include tax increases. However, the executive proposes investing
in three important areas.

The first is a campaign against heroin. That makes sense. Aside from
compassion for the users and their families, a campaign against the heroin
scourge will make our communities safer and cut down on crime. However, all
of us should be concerned about ending addiction and helping as many of our
fellow citizens, especially the younger people, straighten themselves out
and go on to productive lives.

A second initiative is his plan to invest in the county's parks. These
multi-year projects will pay off by adding to the quality of life in the
county. Clean, safe parks with attractive facilities will add to the value
of the surrounding communities.

The third investment he proposes is in technology. Delawareans are used to
reading stories about "big data" used by businesses and researchers. But
big data will be playing a role in local government as well. Big data is
the term used to describe the growing use of computer analysis of massive
sets of information. For example, the county is already using this type of
analysis to record, organize and then analyze the thousands pieces

of information that come into the police department about crimes and public
nuisances. A smart use of that data can pick up trends about illegal drug
activity or the movement of property crimes through a community.

The Gordon administration proposes using that same sort of analysis in
helping direct and organize emergency response teams, land-use applications
and other activities of county government.

Big data is not a passing fad. It can be used to make government at all
levels more efficient and more effective. That in turn will produce more
value in government service by cutting waste and making resources more
productive.

Investment in these tools makes good use of taxpayer dollars.

We also want to give Mr. Gordon credit for his willingness to work with
other communities. For example, the county, the State Police and Wilmington
police started joint operations Monday. That sort of cooperation also will
create value for the taxpayers by helping make all of Delaware a better
place to live and work.

-- 
Sam Losow
*Finance Assistant*
Beau Biden, DE Attorney General
Office: (302) 295-8340
Cell: (202) 821-3399
[email-masked]