Latest news with #Lawmakers
Wall Street Journal
a day ago
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
Fight Over Epstein Disclosures Brings House to Standstill
WASHINGTON—Furor over disclosures from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation brought the House of Representatives to a standstill, prompting Republican leadership to cut short this week's session and put off any action until September as some GOP members demanded votes on more releases related to the disgraced financier and sex offender. Leaders said Tuesday the final votes of the week would be Wednesday, and then lawmakers would leave early for their summer break. GOP leaders on Monday canceled House Rules Committee meetings over concerns Democrats would force votes to release material related to Epstein that could put Republicans in uncomfortable positions. Without passing rules, the House can only approve legislation on the floor with a two-thirds majority.
Fox News
a day ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Are we sitting ducks? Lawmakers dig into security blind spots at America's biggest events
Lawmakers examine how to better protect large public events like concerts and sports games from growing terror threats.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
New solutions to Hong Kong's old traffic problems are much needed
Traffic congestion in Hong Kong is not as bad as in many other cities. However, the slow movement of people and goods has been bad enough to steadily 'erode the environment, sustainability, quality of life and competitiveness', according to a 2014 government study. More than two decades of work to expand infrastructure and reduce the number of private cars have not tamed Hong Kong's traffic troubles, so it is good that authorities and lawmakers are searching for new solutions. Advertisement Progressive fees and a cap on how long vehicles can occupy metered parking spaces are among the ideas being put forward. The suggestions followed a slew of recent government proposals to adjust traffic-related charges, including doubling rates at car parks. Officials have also suggested raising tolls at the Aberdeen Tunnel and Shing Mun Tunnels, changes to the licence fee structure and amounts for electric private cars, adjustments to fixed penalties for traffic offences and doubling parking meter charges. Hong Kong had around 20,000 metered parking spaces citywide as of the end of 2024. Abuse of the devices is persistent. Some drivers occupy spots for extended periods – sometimes for days – by continuously feeding meters. Others circle around searching for the relatively cheap metered spots, worsening traffic congestion. If meter fees increase, it would be from HK$2 (25 US cents) to HK$4 per 15 minutes. Lawmakers have suggested restricting the number of hours a car can park in the same spot or a progressive system, so longer stays incur higher fees. Others have called for registering licence plates or even implementing congestion charges or electronic road pricing. Since the 1980s, there have been several trials of such fees on motorists in central areas during rush hour. Advertisement Approaches so far have been piecemeal and lacked resolve. Parking fee increases are long overdue and would be the first since 1994. Additional revenue could be timely support for the city as it struggles with a budget deficit and to reinvigorate the economy.
Washington Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
San Francisco tries new tack to battle homelessness: RV parking limits
Lawmakers in San Francisco voted Tuesday to bar recreational vehicles from parking on city streets for longer than two hours without a special permit — a move aimed at reducing the number of city residents living in vehicles. Proponents heralded the move as a win for safe and clean streets, while critics decried it as criminalizing a low-cost housing option amid the city's long-standing affordability crisis. A city count in May found 437 RVs being used as housing.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Social Security's Financial Outlook Just Got Worse -- but Here's Why You Should Still Wait to Sign Up for Benefits
Social Security's Trustees just delivered some bad news about the state of the program's finances. Benefit cuts may be closer than previously anticipated. Despite an unfavorable outlook, you still shouldn't rush to claim Social Security early. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Social Security isn't exactly known as a program whose finances are stable. There's been talk of Social Security needing to cut benefits for years. But the program's most recent Trustees Report just delivered some bad news. Social Security's combined trust funds are expected to run dry by 2034. And the OASI (Old-Age and Survivors Insurance) is expected to be depleted by 2033. This means that Social Security cuts could easily be less than a decade away. In light of that, you may be inclined to claim Social Security as early as you can. But here's why you may want to rethink that plan. You're entitled to your Social Security benefits without a reduction if you hold off until full retirement age to file for them. Full retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. However, you're allowed to sign up for Social Security at any point once you turn 62. And you may now be thinking of filing for Social Security at 62 to get your money before benefit cuts arrive. One thing you should know, though, is that benefit cuts aren't guaranteed to happen. Lawmakers have different options they can work with to avoid that unwanted scenario. These include raising full retirement age, increasing the Social Security tax rate, and increasing the amount of wages that are subject to Social Security taxes each year. If you're on the cusp of turning 62, it pays to at least sit tight a bit and see what ideas lawmakers come up with rather than rush to file for benefits right away. Even though lawmakers have been slow to react to the issue of Social Security's impending financial shortfall, this year's Trustees Report might give them the push they need to start prioritizing a solution that stops benefit cuts from happening. You may be inclined to claim Social Security as soon as possible to get ahead of benefit cuts. But if they do happen, and you claim Social Security early, you'll only reduce your benefits even more. Say lawmakers can't prevent Social Security from cutting benefits, and those monthly payments end up decreasing by 20% universally. That's going to deal a blow to your retirement income. But if you claim Social Security at age 62 with a full retirement age of 67, you'll be slashing your benefits by 30% by virtue of that move alone. And then, if broad program cuts happen, you'll be looking at even less money in total. The larger a monthly check you start out with, the less benefit cuts are likely to hurt you. So it could pay to wait until full retirement age to file, or even beyond it. For each year you delay Social Security past that point, up until age 70, your monthly benefits rise 8%. It's pretty clear that Social Security's financial situation isn't rosy. But that doesn't mean claiming benefits early is an optimal solution. But before you commit to doing that, it could pay to see what potential fixes lawmakers come up with. And it definitely pays to run the numbers carefully and understand the financial implications of taking benefits ahead of full retirement age. If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. One easy trick could pay you as much as $23,760 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Join Stock Advisor to learn more about these Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Social Security's Financial Outlook Just Got Worse -- but Here's Why You Should Still Wait to Sign Up for Benefits was originally published by The Motley Fool
