Leave it to the banks! Oct 23, 2009
Where it is dead wrong is in its proffered solution: renaming BPLR Base Rate and adding bureaucratic curbs on the quantum of sub-Base Rate lending (not more than 15% of the incremental lending during the financial year, etc) ... So, telling banks how they should arrive at their Base Rate using clearly-defined common cost elements that include the card interest rate on retail deposits (deposits below Rs 15 lakh) with one year maturity (adjusted for current account and savings account... (India Times)
Get more coverage of FPL Oct 22, 2009
The state s largest utility is scrapping about $37 million in executive pay from its proposed base rate increase, letting customers off the hook for the pay ... The PSC is scheduled to vote on the amount of FPL s base rate hike on Dec. 21 and on Progress Energy s on Nov. 19 ... The base rate case is already into overtime and is running long past the original two weeks scheduled for early August, including several back-to-back 12-plus hour days of testimony. (The Palm Beach Post)
Jump in disbursal of gold loans Oct 21, 2009
In some ways, financing the above costs by pledging gold works out to be more advantageous than taking personal loans, on account of a lower interest rate (Muthoot, for instance, has a base rate of 13% while banks are known to charge PLR + 200-400 bps a bp is one-hundredth of a percentage point for personal loans, which could work out to as high as 15-16% on an annualised basis), non-penalty for pre-payment, hassle-free documentation and speedy disbursal of the loan. Borrowing against... (India Times)
Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority Receives Requisite Consent to Amend Its Bank Credit Facility Oct 17, 2009
The Authority's modified rates will be as follows: (i) the applicable rate for base rate loans will be between 1. 25% and 2. (Primezone Releases)
Stranger homicide by people with schizophrenia is rare -- and unpredictable Oct 12, 2009
"The lack of any particular distinguishing features and the extremely low base rate means that it would be impossible to predict who might commit this sort of offence and when they might occur" said Dr Nielssen. "However, most of the patients in the study were not receiving treatment, and providing earlier treatment to first episode patients, and a good standard of care to all patients with established illness could prevent some of these tragic events". (EurekAlert!)
No definite decision to print additional unit of currency - Governor Oct 7, 2009
Mr Amissah-Arthur said areas that needed to be tackled were the rising base rate against the prime rate and how to stabilise inflation to facilitate business growth. He referred to a recent audit of banks in Nigeria, and said the Central Bank would not undertake any wholesale audit but would carry out the exercise when necessary. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Low rates may fuel boom then bust:Ludwig Oct 7, 2009
And that was one of the factors driving the recent financial crisis, according to Mr Ludwig, who said the US central bank, the US Federal Reserve, had maintained a low base rate for too long after the dotcom share crash in 2000, encouraging excessive borrowing for housing in the intervening years. There was now a risk that economies in the Asia region could also overheat, Mr Ludwig said. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Unionization push under way among state's farm workers Oct 6, 2009
WorkingClass wrote on Oct 4, 2009 5:10 PM:" TDBB: Don't try what? Facts? Logic? So why don't you tell us all what an average longshoreman makes? What is the base rate upon hire? Where do they top out? For once I want you to do some research. No anecdotal stuff either. I can post references for my claims. How about yours? The answer is out there show us you can find it. ". bluecollarguy wrote on Oct 4, 2009 5:10 PM:" How do people here illegally join a union? I though they already had one, The... (Longview Daily News, WA)
Your views: Letters to the editor Oct 5, 2009
The companys objective is to get its base rate high enough, and it doesnt matter if we turn on a light, as long as its income will pay its executives millions of dollars. Fred Colodonato. (Florida Today)
UPMC Health Plan asks for OK to raise rates 48 percent Oct 2, 2009
The base rate, which is an aggregate average, applies to all group HMO rates. Rates for some products will be lower, some will be higher when compared to the base rate ... The base rate is used to compute premiums for various products, with a 15 percent variability allowed by the state, according to Tony Benevento, vice president of commercial sales. (Pittsburgh Business Times, PA)
More of this story Oct 1, 2009
00 per month increase to the existing base rate ... Pellett pointed out those individuals who have the smallest meter (5/8") are being hit with the largest percentage increase on their monthly base rate while the increase for those with the largest meter (2") will pay the smallest percentage ... He told the council members that if they increased the base rate of each meter, regardless of size, by 15. (Cut Bank Pioneer Press - Golden Triangle, MT)
Power rate hike plan draws fire from residents Oct 1, 2009
This is the first general or base rate increase in about five years, and is the portion of rates that include administrative costs, operating and maintenance expenses and capital investments. However, PUC staff acknowledged that there were rate increases allowed within that five years for the company s actual costs in providing electricity. (Ontario Argus Observer, OR)
Fed keeps near-zero rates, sees rebound Sep 24, 2009
The Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to maintain the base rate of zero to 0. 25 per cent in place since last December to help the economy recover from its worst recession in decades. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Fed remains in stimulus mode but eyes exit strategy Sep 23, 2009
Analysts say the panel is virtually certain to maintain a near-zero base rate along with an array of programs to keep credit flowing, to support a fragile recovery from recession. The tone of the statement however could provide hints on the speed and shape of the economic recovery, and any monetary policy response in the coming months. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Health bill undergoes revisions Sep 23, 2009
To hold down costs for older consumers, he also reduced the ability of insurance companies to charge more for coverage on the basis of age, from five times the base rate to four times. Baucus also decided to reduce the penalty for families who defy a proposed mandate to purchase coverage, from $3,800 to $1,900. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Ellensburg city council discusses stormwater Sep 23, 2009
The proposed ordinance would add a 5 base rate charge to residential utility bills. The fee would be anywhere from 250 to 6,800 per month for larger customers. (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)
Board approves Graniteville water takeover Sep 22, 2009
Imposing a base rate of no less than $30 per month will provide the funds to pay back a three-year, $3 million loan. USDA Rural Development will give the authority another $3 million, and it will get $2 million in stimulus funds. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Ten things you need to know about employing staff Sep 21, 2009
Key changes include unpaid compassionate leave for casuals; the removal of the existing ten-day cap on personal leave, which is used for carers leave; the right to request an extra 12-months unpaid parental leave; up to three weeks concurrent parental leave for couples; the right for parents to request flexible work arrangements until their child reaches school age; unpaid leave for prescribed community service activities, such as fire fighting, and jury duty; and the right to receive a... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Our views: Probe, reform PSC Sep 20, 2009
3 billion increase on its base rate this year. Thats the largest ever requested in Florida or the nation, according to the Palm Beach Post. (Florida Today)
Columbus State may raise tuition later Sep 18, 2009
More importantly, it forms a higher base rate for future increases, which are subjected to legislative caps. We re basically buying ourselves latitude and flexibility in a time of increased uncertainty, said CFO Terri Gehr. (Columbus Business First, OH)
Jerome council approves water rate hikeBase rate to increase by 74% Sep 18, 2009
The change that goes into effect Oct. 1 amounts to a 74 percent increase in the base rate for residential water and a 56 percent increase in the consumption rate ... Jerome's current base rate is 8 ... The new monthly base rate will be 14. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
Doctor: Medicare rule may discourage home dialysis Sep 17, 2009
As expected, the rule "bundles" the reimbursement for dialysis into a single payment, with a base rate of $198. 64 per treatment. (USA Today -- News)
Negative rates? Sep 10, 2009
He argues this is better than what the BCC suggests, which is to cut the base rate lower from 0 ... "The problem is that this also reduces banks' earnings," Mr Broadbent said, because the banks get less interest on their deposits and on revenues from products linked to the base rate, such as tracker mortgages. (BBC News -- UK)
What crisis? Sep 10, 2009
Today, the bank base rate here is 28. It is not exactly that the banks do not want to lend you money, even though it must be said that they are not exactly falling over themselves to try to. (BBC News -- Africa)
NEW GUIDELINES FOR CITY PROMOTIONS CONSIDERED Sep 10, 2009
The city s non-uniformed employee handbook calls for salaries to increase during promotions based upon the base rate of the promotion position plus 1 percent of the base salary of the lower classification position for each year of full time continued experience of employment with the City, not to exceed 10 percent. Conaway said some employees under the current system earn only a few hundred dollars with a promotion. (Pine Bluff Commercial, AR)
Two PSC staffers resign amid questions over ethics violations Sep 10, 2009
the commission removed Rudd from working on any cases related to FP&L. The state s largest utility is seeking a base rate hike of about 30 percent and approvals for new nuclear capacity. Commissioner Nathan Skop kicked off the latest ethics investigations with a public call for Rudd s resignation on the first day of rate hearings. (South Florida Business Journal, FL)
New Toll rates in effect on all NTTA roadways Sep 9, 2009
The base rate on the Mountain Creek Lake Bridge (MCLB) and the Addison Airport Toll Tunnel (AATT) will not increase, but the surcharge for motorists without a TollTag will now be applied on these roadways. So, motorists without a TollTag will continue to pay 50 cents and motorists without a TollTag will pay 75 cents beginning Sept. 1. (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
Hospital's imaging partnership dissolved Sep 9, 2009
St. James said the company has "no intention of lowering any base rate of pay and will honor the wage structure outlined in the union contract." SWMR is a separate entity from the St. James' radiology department, which remains intact. Radiologists working for the hospital interpret the images provided by SWMR staff. (Montana Standard, MT)
Asia Stocks Dip From 1-Yr High, Dollar Bruised Sep 9, 2009
The bank is expected to keep its base rate unchanged at 2 percent. South Korean authorities are among the most concerned about a property price bubble. (ABC News -- Business)
New source of power Sep 8, 2009
Web search powered by YAHOO. BART LAKE - The powerhouse at the Lake Dorothy Hydroelectric Project hums as it converts water from Bart Lake, 1,000 feet above in the rugged terrain of Southeast Alaska, into electricity to run Juneau. (Juneau Empire)
Caribbean culture on display at NYC parade Sep 8, 2009
The base rate for renting Woodward Park's Rotary Amphitheater is $1,500. Mirigian called Rotary Amphitheater "a perfect venue," adding that "there is no other place like it in the city." He has said other city venues, such as Selland Arena, are more expensive and don't provide the same atmosphere that fighters and spectators enjoyed at the amphitheater. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Labor Day - I'm Not Celebrating Sep 7, 2009
When a legislature enacts something like the Prevailing Wages Act, they require that a laborer be paid a base rate well north of $100,000 a year. Are there people who would do labor on a construction site or a road project for less. (Townhall.com)
Reader's Digest stays upbeat despite trouble signs Sep 7, 2009
In June the magazine said it will cut its base rate -- the circulation it guarantees to advertisers -- to 5. 5 million, meaning it won't be able to charge as much for ads. (Sioux City Journal)
Commission seeks comments on power base rate request Sep 4, 2009
RICHMOND - The State Corporation Commission (SCC) will hold public hearings in Abingdon and Rocky Mount in November on a request by Appalachian Power to increase the base rate that recovers costs associated with the provision of generation and distribution services ... Appalachian seeks an increase in base rates in the amount of 154 million. (Chatham Star Tribune, VA)
Greens conference gets under way Sep 4, 2009
She is expected to say: "A paper recession forged in the international credit markets turned into a real recession affecting real companies, real job losses, real mortgage foreclosures. "And meanwhile the banks continue to profit from an unjustifiable gap between base rate and the rate of interest they charge individuals and businesses, while the government does nothing except fail to regulate the way they said they would. " Deputy leader Adrian Ramsay is expected, in his speech on Saturday, to... (BBC News -- UK)
PSC staffer faces harsh criticism Sep 3, 2009
On Aug. 24, the commission removed Rudd from working on any cases related to FP&L. The state s largest utility is seeking a base rate hike of about 30 percent. But, Skop said in a news release Wednesday that removing Rudd from those cases was not enough. (South Florida Business Journal, FL)
Sewer rates will increase Sep 3, 2009
Residential water costs will still be billed at a flat base rate of $28 semi-annually, with the first 15,000 gallons of use at $1. 55 per thousand. (Marshfield Mariner, MA)
Electric hike kicks in Sep 3, 2009
To Steve-O wrote on Sep 2, 2009 9:44 AM:" The wholesale fuel adjustment is a permanent mechanism to allow the retail price to change as SSVEC's energy costs change without having to go back to the Commission each time. The underlying wholesale cost is also subject to Commission approval, but it too can change without approval based on coal and natural gas prices.As a result of this rate case, most but not all of the wholesale fuel adjuster was absorbed into the new base rate. The new fuel... (Sierra Vista Herald, AZ)
Government borrowing: More where that came from Sep 3, 2009
Thanks to the Bank of England s historically low base rate (now 0 ... So will low base rates. (The Economist)
SRP rates to remain steady through May Sep 2, 2009
4 percent increase in the utility s base rate. That rate would have been offset somewhat by a decrease in SRP s fuel charge for what was expected to be an 8. (Phoenix Business Journal, AZ)
Full Story Sep 1, 2009
Besides a base rate determined by a vehicle's weight, annual registration includes a variety of other fees for such purposes as emergency medical services, transportation for the disadvantaged, air pollution control, the reflective material on plates and stickers that show a tag's expiration date. Most are going up. (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
Consumers would pay for natural gas pipeline Sep 1, 2009
Atlanta Gas Light hasn't gotten permission to raise its base rates through a traditional rate case since 1993 ... "So for us, it seemed the smartest thing to do was to take the infrastructure out of the base rate.". (Athens Banner-Herald)
SRP rate hike could be delayed until May Aug 29, 2009
The board has a meeting scheduled Tuesday to hear alternatives to breaking out the base rate increase (one of three components to the rate plan) and finding other ways to save the money or delay the increase. If the base rate is removed, SRP customers actually could see their rates drop ... Mark Bonsall, SRP s chief financial executive and associate general manager, said breaking out the base rate would require new forecasts and public processes, which would mean the utility could not enact an... (Phoenix Business Journal, AZ)
Ga. Power cleared to shift funds to bottom line Aug 28, 2009
The company had sought the move to avoid asking for an increase in its base rate this year. The PSC s staff had initially recommended against the plan but came to an agreement with the utility last week. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Business)
• Lincoln ambulance fees to increase Aug 26, 2009
The current basic life support base rate will increase from 470 to 517. Advanced life support, which is a service Lincoln County hopes to add, would carry a base rate of 693 with a higher level of ALS services at 869. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
TVA ups rates again Aug 26, 2009
TVA announced its plans to implement an 8 percent base rate increase that will be spread out over the next few months. The increase is set to start in October but according to Raymond Barnes with the Benton County Electric System people will actually see a decrease in October due to the fuel adjustment charge. (Camden Chronicle, TN)
Crist, FP&L trade shots over rate hike Aug 26, 2009
Gov. Charlie Crist and , the state s largest utility, traded shots Tuesday over FP&L s request for an about 30 percent base rate increase ... Later in the day, FP&L countered, saying that, while it agreed excessive rate increases are not appropriate, it noted that it has the lowest typical customer bill of Florida's 54 electric utilities, and has not had a general base rate increase in nearly a quarter of a century. (South Florida Business Journal, FL)
Electric cars' untold story Aug 26, 2009
FPLs updated estimate includes the impact of its pending request for a base rate adjustment, the impact of lower projected fuel prices for 2009-2010 and improvements in fuel efficiency at the companys power plants. The reduction represents more than $100 in savings over the year compared to the December 2009 typical residential customer bill. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
S.C. utility votes to drop coal-fired power plant Aug 25, 2009
4 percent base rate increase beginning Nov. 1, the utility s first such increase since 1996. The board also postponed a second rate adjustment proposed for next year. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
PSC staff, Georgia Power strike deal on revenue plan Aug 25, 2009
Georgia Power said it hoped to get the accounting change instead of asking for a base rate increase of its customers during a recession. It could file for an increase if its returns fall below 10. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
FP&L says 2010 bill to be lowest in years Aug 21, 2009
FP&L said in the release that its estimate includes the impact of its pending request for a base rate adjustment, the impact of lower projected fuel prices for 2009-2010 and improvements in fuel efficiency at the company s power plants ... FP&L has asked for approval of an increase to its base rate that would raise the average residential bill 1,000 kilowatt-hours by $12 a month ... But, it s precisely because fuel charges could go up again that we are seeking base rate adjustments that will... (South Florida Business Journal, FL)
Ellensburg discusses stormwater ordinance Aug 19, 2009
The ordinance as it stands could add a 5 base rate charge to residential utility bills. But it s business and property owners who would be feeling the real pinch anywhere from 250 to 6,800 per month for larger customers, Public Works Director John Akers said. (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)
Council OKs sewer fee increase Aug 18, 2009
Councilors had no discussion before the vote on the sewer fee increases, which will raise the base flat rate for the sewer from $26 to $78 a quarter and the base meter rate from $18 to $52 a quarter, with the usage rate increasing accordingly for those in excess of the base rate. Councilors Sue Sweet, R-3rd Ward; Mike Myers, R-2nd Ward; Council President Dan Donovan, R-5th Ward; and Mike Joyce, R-7th Ward, voted in favor of the sewer fee increases. (Oswego Palladium-Times, NY)
Go now: Virgin Islands for $268 R/T Aug 18, 2009
For travelers who can book travel far in advance, offers a $318 round-trip base rate to St. Thomas ($367. 70 inclusive). (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Travel)
Prospects for recovery: Mervyn's reality check Aug 17, 2009
Moreover, the bank used the occasion to send a signal that it would be in no hurry to raise the base rate, which it brought down to an all-time low of 0 ... The report presents projections for inflation on two different assumptions, the interest rates expected by the markets and the base rate being left unchanged ... The City had been expecting the base rate to rise next year, to reach just over 2% by the end of 2010 and to carry on rising in 2011. (The Economist)
Make comments on APS increase Aug 17, 2009
In my July 2009 APS bill a note was attached that stated: Permanent BASE Rate Increase Docket Number E-01345A-08-0172. The total base rate increase is $ 344. (Yuma Daily Sun, AZ)
• Liquid gold from the spigot: Water a precious commodity as rates swell in M.V. Aug 16, 2009
Twin Falls' current base rate is 8 ... Jerome's current rates are higher at a base rate of 8 ... City Base rate Proposed increase. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
Officials consider water, power rate hikes Aug 16, 2009
FPL spokesman Bob Coleman told commissioners at Tuesday's meeting the increase in base rate would be used to replace plants, such as an oil burning facility in Cape Canaveral, with more efficient gas and steam plants, resulting in a decrease in the fuel charge portion of an electric bill. The base rate, which Coleman said makes up 37 percent of the total electric bill, is the portion of the company's revenue stream that contributes to its profit margin ... Coleman said the base rate has gone... (Daytona Beach News Journal -- Local)
Welcome to Bo$ton Aug 16, 2009
For example, a compact car rented for one day at a base rate of $62. 69 at Avis would now have a total cost of $93. (Boston Globe)
San Diego's Rancho Bernardo Inn Off... Aug 16, 2009
As the rate lowers, amenities are removed until the room gets to the base rate of $19. That s not a typo it really is possible to get a luxury hotel room at this resort for less than $20. (Suite101.com)
Bereaved families hit by tax hike Aug 15, 2009
Interest on late payments, which roughly followed Bank of England base rate, fell to zero in March ... Since March, interest on late inheritance tax payments and the interest paid by HMRC on refunds have both stood at zero, while the Bank's base rate stood at 0. (BBC News -- UK)
Advantage Announces A Revised Credit Facility of $525 Million And Increased Financial Flexibility Aug 14, 2009
The Credit Facilities are provided by a syndicate of financial institutions with various borrowing options available under the Credit Facilities, including prime rate based advances, US base rate advances, US dollar LIBOR advances and bankers' acceptances loans. The interest rates applicable to the Credit Facilities are based on either prime rate, US base rate, LIBOR or bankers' acceptance rates at the Corporation's option, subject to certain basis point or stamping fee adjustments ranging from... (PR Newswire)
• Jerome proposes 74% water rate hike Aug 14, 2009
Jerome proposes 74% water rate hike By John PlestinaTimes-News writer JEROME - The Jerome City Council will soon ponder a proposed 74 percent increase in the base rate for residential water ... Jerome's current base rate is 8 ... The new proposal calls for a base rate of 14. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
MEA board OKs rate increase Aug 14, 2009
46 percent increase in the cooperative s base rates effective the first week of October ... 12 as a result of the base rate adjustment, she said. (Wasilla Frontiersman, AK)
Hong Kong's Yam on Alert for Impact of U.S., Europe Ending Monetary Easing Aug 13, 2009
He spoke after the HKMA kept its base rate unchanged, following the lead of the U.S. Federal Reserve ... The Hong Kong Monetary Authority kept its base rate at 0 ... Hong Kong has kept its base rate at the record-low 0. (Bloomberg -- Asia)
