meta-dad

Play it safe this 4th of July

The latest report from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) indicates that there were reports of seven fireworks-related deaths and an estimated 7,000 hospital emergency room treated injuries in 2008. In 2007, CPSC had reports of eleven deaths and an estimated 9,800 injuries. Injuries have More »

Educational summer activities

This is the 20th year teaching in the Los Angeles Unified School District for Henry Anker. Over the years he has developed a number of flash-based tests for kids, grades one through six based on the State’s Standard Test. He’s currently serving as an ITAF More »

5 more great Father’s Day gift ideas

We all know how hard it can be finding that perfect gift for your dad, or husband. Here are a few good ideas to help you find something good for your dad or the father figure in your life. More »

Costco says ‘no go’ to food stamps

Walmart accepts food stamps. Sam’s Club recently changed it’s policy and now accepts EBT cards. The Farmer’s Market also accepts food stamps. Heck, in the state of California select restaurants and even Flea Markets accept them. So why doesn’t the hugely popular Kirkland-based bulk purveyor? It is by no means mandatory and they are a member-only store, they claim that the majority of their business comes from small businesses and upper-income individuals and families. It is arguable that most recipients of food stamps are destitute and/or homeless and are far from a position of covering the basic $50 annual membership fee. But as many families are quickly finding out, it is a short road to the soup line in the current economy. More »

The ‘Great Recession’ – food stamps & the family

Everyone from the auto industry to the porn industry is looking for bailouts from a young motivated presidency still being tested in their first 100 days. The stock market is still heading south. Jobs are still wilting away with no promise of returning. This sour economy has affected many parents & families in profound ways and there is no looking back.

Regardless of whether you are an individual or an entire family in need, you need to find out the facts, the facts about what resources and services are available to you. If an individual or family is currently earning less than 130% of the Federal poverty level [FPL] and their current household assets are below $2,000 you may be eligible for More »

How does the new California budget affect families

With the Governor wasting no time, he has quickly added his signature to the newly resolved state budget which has closed the $41 billion dollar gap for California. Now that the dust is settling in Sacramento, how will it affect me and my family?

When will the state income tax refunds be mailed out? Who will benefit and who will be laid off? And of course, how will the school systems fair in all of this? So many questions. How will the national Stimulus Plan offset some of these state cuts? I hope to share with you as these details come online.

The financial package includes tax hikes, spending cuts and borrowing billions of dollars more. How will the tax increases affect the average Californian family? Here is the at-a-glance breakdown;

• The are four types of tax increases in the current package; personal income tax, vehicle license fee increase, dependent tax credit and a sales tax increase. Recent legislative analysis of these four tax increases, an average family of four with an annual income of $75,000 would pay $963 more a year in taxes. That’s quite a punch in the gut, to say the least.
• May 19th, 2009 is an important date, mark your calendars. There will be a vote to move $226 million from mental health programs and $608 million from programs aimed at children younger than 5 years old.
• The state ultimately will resume paying all its bills, including tax refunds. But doing so could take weeks, so the exact date when California income tax refunds will start being mailed has not been announced. Mr. Chiang (State Controller), we are waiting with baited breath for your word.

Sited & Related Links:
Los Angeles Times | California Budget Plan; Key Elements
Los Angeles Times | The California Budget: A timeline for the events to come
meta-DAD | California state delays income tax refunds