Sunday, September 13, 2020

Transmittal of the Agenda for the MAGTAG meeting of September 17th, 2020



To the members of the MAG Technology Advisory Group (MAGTAG) and other interested parties:
The agenda packet for the MAGTAG meeting on September 17th, 2020 is available here.  
Under procedures approved by the MAG Regional Council on June 26, 1996, all MAG committees need to have a quorum in order to conduct business.  
Please direct any questions regarding the MAG Technology Advisory Group to Craig Chenery at (602) 254-6300.
 
Regards
Craig W. Chenery
Information Technology Systems Analyst III
CompTIA™ Certified Professional
Apple™ Certified Professional
Information Technology Division
Maricopa Association of Governments
302 North First Avenue, Suite 300
Phoenix, AZ 85003 
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Technology Advisory Group 9/17/2020 Meeting

 September 17, 2020, 10:00 AM

 This meeting is available to watch online!
Systems Analyst II 
Craig Chenery  
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Keeping Up With Smelling "The Roses" + The Rose Law Group Reporter


Elimination of the 1031 Tax Exchange
Metro Phoenix’s eviction and foreclosure rates double U.S. average
Lincoln Property Co. enters Utah market
GOVERNMENT
Rose Law Group Reporter
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JUST THE FACTS: Our Nation In Numbers

LABOR IN THE US
Unions are playing a role in the debate over coronavirus and workplace safety, including threats of teachers’ strikes in New York City. But while labor unions are a significant presence on COVID-19 and racial justice issues, union membership has steadily decreased over several decades. 
To mark Labor Day, USAFacts has an analysis of union data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

  • There were 14.6 million unionized employees in the United States in 2019, many of whom were in unions for police, nurses, postal workers, meatpackers, or teachers. For comparison, there were 17.7 million workers in unions in 1983.
     
  • Last year, protective service occupations had the highest unionization rates at 33.8%. Education, training, and library occupations had the second highest: 33.1%.
     
  • Union membership has even dropped in industries that are gaining employees. Union memberships in natural resource, construction, and maintenance occupations (including forest, fishing, and farm jobs) dropped from 21% in 2000 to 15% in 2019. However, the number of people working in these jobs grew from 11.6 million to 12.4 million. 
Track union memberships over the past few decades here.


THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF DISASTERS 

Wildfires are burning in California, Oregon, and Washington state, plus Louisiana is picking up and rebuilding after Hurricane Laura. With more tropical storms and hurricanes potentially on the way this fall, here’s a look at the costs of natural disasters over time.

  • Natural disasters have cost the US more than $1.79 trillion since 1980, with 25.7% of that just from the last three years.
     
  • Tropical cyclones like hurricanes and typhoons are the costliest kind of major disasters. Cyclones have caused $954.4 billion in damages since 1980, averaging $21.2 billion per event. Severe storms—which are less destructive but more frequent—account for $268.4 billion in expenses during the same period.
     
  • Storms have been especially costly in Texas, Florida, and Louisiana, which have suffered damages totaling $286 billion, $226.3 billion, and $183.6 billion, respectively, in the last 40 years. 
     
  • Fourth on the list of costliest storms is Puerto Rico. This island territory is 50 times smaller than Texas and has endured $101.5 billion in damage from natural disasters since 1980. 
Read this new report for 40 years of disaster data, including the damage by state and seven most-common natural disasters.


AUGUST JOB NUMBERS

The US economy added 1.4 million jobs in August. It’s a sign that job numbers, while still being down, are potentially rebounding. But unemployment is starting to look different: many Americans are finding that their temporary layoffs are becoming permanent. Visit USAFacts to see the data.


AND FINALLY...

Something from the USAFacts Instagram: Here are the numbers on Green Cards, naturalizations, and asylums granted in the US since 2000. Follow USAFacts on Instagram for more graphics on data in the news.

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The Corporate Culprits Receiving Covid BailoutsL GOOD JOBS FIRST Provides A State-By-State Breakdown

The data for the study was collected from two Good Jobs First databases:
(1)
COVID Stimulus Watch, which covers 20 CARES Act programs, and 

(2) Violation Tracker, which combines enforcement data from more than 50 federal and 200 state and local agencies. 
Companies appearing in both databases were identified and verified through an extensive matching and record-linkage process. 

The report also includes a state-by-state breakdown of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) amount and penalties.
The Good Jobs First findings are consistent with those contained in a recent analysis of the PPP published by the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. 
Additionally, our data show the conclusions apply to healthcare providers and other categories of CARES Act recipients.
Good Jobs First, based in Washington, DC, is a non-profit, non-partisan resource center promoting accountability in economic development and overall corporate accountability.
 
 
‌
 
 
Greg LeRoy, Good Jobs First 
_______________________________________________________________________________
 
For Immediate Release ~ September 8, 2020
Contact: Arlene Martínez | arlene@goodjobsfirst.org | 202-302-4301
 
Billions in Pandemic Aid Flow to 43,000 Penalized Firms
CARES Act Monies Go to Companies that Have Defrauded Uncle Sam, Stolen Wages, Broken Health & Safety Rules
 
Washington, D.C. – More than 43,000 businesses and non-profit organizations that received CARES Act funds have a history of misconduct, collectively paying $13 billion to settle civil and criminal penalties over the last decade.
 
Together, the same companies received $57 billion in grants and $91 billion in loans through the federal economic stimulus bill passed by Congress to mitigate the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Among the violations are workplace safety issues, leading in one case to the death of a worker, flouting of environmental standards, wage theft and defrauding the federal government. They raise the question whether greater scrutiny should be given to how recipients are using taxpayer dollars.
 
These are among the findings in “The Corporate Culprits Receiving COVID Bailouts,” a report published today by Good Jobs First. It is available at www.goodjobsfirst.org/corporateculprits.
 
“The revelation that tens of thousands of CARES Act recipients have records of misconduct—including some cases of a criminal nature—raises the question of whether the eligibility criteria for the grant and loan programs were strict enough,” said Good Jobs First Research Director Philip Mattera, who co-authored the report with Mellissa Chang. “Policymakers also need to consider whether these recipients should be subjected to additional scrutiny to ensure their misbehavior does not continue while on this new kind of federal dole.”
 
Key findings include:
 
  • 6,087 healthcare providers received $85 billion in grants and loans despite having paid $9 billion in penalties, most related to accusations of defrauding Medicare and Medicaid programs.
  •  38,362 small businesses received $37 billion in loans though they have paid penalties of $3 billion, mostly for wage theft and jeopardizing worker health and safety.
  • 147 colleges and universities received $503 million in grants and paid $900 million in penalties, mostly for-profit institutions that have used deceptive marketing practices to attract students and then saddling them with sky-high debt.
  •  32 aviation-sector companies received $25 billion in grants and loans despite having paid $600 million in penalties related to worker safety, to settle discrimination cases and, in one case, for allegedly bribing foreign officials.

Another way the federal government worked to mitigate the coronavirus-induced recession involved buying corporate bonds to shore up commercial credit markets. The Federal Reserve has bought $3.6 billion worth of bonds from 400 companies; however, more than three-quarters had a history of misconduct.
 
Collectively, the group – largely comprised of Fortune 500 and Global 500 corporations – has paid $108 billion in penalties over the last decade.
 
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HUD PROVIDES FLEXIBILITIES FOR EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANTS PROGRAM CARES ACT FUNDS


 
u s department of housing and urban development
HUD NEWS
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Ben Carson, Secretary
Office of Public Affairs, Washington, DC 20410       
HUD No. 20-142                                                                                               FOR RELEASEPublic Affairs                                                                                                   Wednesday
202-708-0685                                                                                                     September 9, 2020
https://www.hud.gov/press

HUD PROVIDES FLEXIBILITIES FOR EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANTS PROGRAM CARES ACT FUNDS
Department working with states and local units of governments to aid vulnerable populations amid outbreak

WASHINGTON – United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson today provided the additional requirements and flexibilities for the $3.96 billion provided to states and units of local government for the Emergency Solutions Grants Program under the CARES Act (ESG-CV). The Notice details the requirements for the additional ESG-CV funds provided to communities to help prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
“President Trump and the Department have been working hard since the onset of this pandemic to ensure that localities are properly equipped with the funding and resources necessary to keep the American people safe,” said Secretary Carson. “These flexibilities allow local governments to tailor CARES Act funds to the unique needs of their community. Through President Trump’s leadership we are making significant headway in combatting this invisible enemy and returning the country to economic prosperity.”
Key flexibilities and requirements found in the notice:
  • New eligible activities for ESG-CV funds and annual ESG allocations used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, including new types of temporary emergency shelters and landlord incentives.
  • Discretion beyond what is permitted in the ESG regulations for ESG-CV funds and annual ESG allocations used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, including paying for hotel costs for individuals currently being assisted by ESG or CoC programs as necessary to quarantine or isolate.
  • Extending the obligation deadline for recipients, and establishing revised expenditure deadlines for ESG-CV funds. 
For more information on HUD's COVID-19 response, including requirements for ESG-CV funds, please visit the website.
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Maricopa County Boardof Published Meetings Update > SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE

 Special Meetings are scheduled as needed for time sensitive action items and /or other meetings where a quorum of the Board may be participating in an event or meeting. 
(Mail-in ballots and election deadlines 2020)


Maricopa County		 
This information has recently been updated and is now available here:
Arizona Public Integrity Alliance 
Friday September 11, 2020 10:00 a.m. Emerg/Spec/Exec 
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETINGS FOR 2020 MARICOPA COUNTY, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, LIBRARY DISTRICT, STADIUM DISTRICT, IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS, AND/OR BOARD OF DEPOSIT AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF MARICOPA COUNTY 
(Prepared in compliance with A.R.S. §38-431.02) 
The Board of Supervisors and/or the above referenced Boards of Directors may vote to recess into an executive session for the purpose of obtaining legal advice from the Board’s attorney on any matter listed on an agenda pursuant to ARS §38-431.03(A)(3), or for any other matter authorized under ARS §38-431.03, which has been specifically listed on the meeting agenda identifying the statutory basis for executive session consideration. 
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the General Public that the Board of Supervisors, and/or the above referenced Board of Directors, will hold meetings at the County Complex as follows: DAY DATE TIME TYPE LOCATION ____________________ Friday June 26, 2020 1:30 p.m. Special/Executive Supervisors’ Conference Room Tuesday June 30, 2020 1:30 p m. Special Supervisors’ Conference Room Wednesday July 8, 2020 2:00 p.m. Special/Executive Supervisors’ Conference Room Monday July 13, 2020 2:00 p m. Special Executive Supervisors’ Conference Room Monday July 13, 2020 2:45 p m. Special Supervisors’ Conference Room Thursday July 23, 2020 3:10 p.m. Special/Executive Supervisors’ Conference Room Wednesday July 29, 2020 9:00 a.m. Special/Executive Supervisors’/Sullivan Conference Room Monday August 10, 2020 10:00 a.m. Special/Executive Supervisors’/Sullivan Conference Room Friday August 14, 2020 9:30 a.m. Special Supervisors’ Conference Room Monday August 24, 2020 9:30 a.m. Special/Executive Supervisors’/Sullivan Conference Room Wednesday September 9, 2020 9:30 a.m. Special/Executive Supervisors’/Sullivan Conference Room Friday September 11, 2020 10:00 a.m. Emerg/Spec/Exec Supervisors’/Sullivan Conference Room LOCATIONS: Supervisors' Auditorium, 205 West Jefferson, Phoenix, Arizona Supervisors' Conference Room, 301 West Jefferson, Tenth Floor, Phoenix, Arizona Sullivan Conference Room, 301 West Jefferson, Tenth Floor, Phoenix, Arizona NOTE: Agendas are available at least 24 hours prior to each of the above scheduled meetings in the Office of the Clerk of the Board, 301 West Jefferson, Tenth Floor, Phoenix, Arizona, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and open meeting agendas are available via the internet at http://www.maricopa.gov/324/Board-ofSupervisors-Meeting-Information. For questions, please call 602-506-3766. Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities. Alternative format materials, sign language interpretation, and assistive listening devices are available upon 72 hours advance notice through the Office of the Clerk of the Board, 301 West Jefferson Avenue, Tenth Floor, Phoenix, Arizona 85003, (602) 506-3766 or FAX (602) 506-6402. To the extent possible, additional reasonable accommodations will be made available within the time constraints of the request. Habrá servicios de interpretación disponibles para aquellos individuos con conocimientos limitados del idioma inglés quienes deseen participar en la reunión de la Junta, si da un aviso 18 horas por adelantado a través de la Oficina de la Secretaría de la Junta, 301 West Jefferson Street, 10º Piso, Phoenix, Arizona 85003, correo electrónico: clerkboard@mail.maricopa.gov, teléfono: 602-506- 3766, ó fax 602-506-6402. 
Interpreting services for those individuals with Limited English Proficiency will be available for those who wish to participate in the Board meeting upon 18 hours advance notice through the Office of the Clerk of the Board, 301 West Jefferson Street, 10 th Floor, Phoenix, Arizona 85003, email: (clerkboard@mail.maricopa.gov), telephone: (602-506-3766), or fax (602-506-6402). BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA _________________________________________ Clerk of the Board Executive Sessions are always preceded by an open meeting as per A.R.S. §38-431.03, and are held in compliance with one or more of the following statute(s). A.R.S. §38-431.03.1 - Personnel matters A.R.S. §38-431.03.2 - Records exempt by law from public inspection A.R.S. §38-431.03.3 - Legal advice A.R.S. §38-431.03.4 - Litigation; contract negotiations; settlement discussions A.R.S. §38-431.03.5 - Personnel matters dealing with employee organizations A.R.S. §38-431.03.6 - International and interstate negotiations A.R.S. §38-431.03.7 - Purchase sale or lease of real property cc: Board Members (5) Joy Rich, County Manager

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Dick Cheney's Private Contractor KBR Money-Machine Still Snagging Middle East Contracts

KBR Serves US Military via $93.6M Air Force Task Order

Company will help ensure quality of life for the 378 Air Expeditionary Wing and U.S allies at Prince Sultan Air Base

KBR (NYSE: KBR) announced today it won a $93.6 million task order from the U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) for base operations services at the Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB) in Saudi Arabia.
Under the task order, KBR will provide resources to support the base and help ensure quality of life for the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing and partner forces. KBR will supply all personnel, supervision, labor, training, vehicles, tools, safety equipment and other force support services.
The Air Force awarded this five-year task order through the Air Force Contract Augmentation Program V (AFCAP V). KBR won a seat on the $6.4 billion contract earlier this year. The company has also provided critical services under AFCAP III and IV since 2005 to include key recovery efforts at Tyndall Air Force Base after Hurricane Michael devastated it in 2018.

"With this win, KBR continues to expand its support for the Air Force and will enable the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing to stay focused on its mission," said Byron Bright, KBR Government Solutions President. "Like other work we've tackled through AFCAP contracts, KBR will keep delivering whenever and wherever the warfighter needs us."
Guided by sustainability initiatives, KBR handles a full spectrum of support services necessary for smooth and safe military base operations all around the world. KBR's international footprint, robust supply chain and military readiness expertise enables the company to quickly mobilize to meet customers' urgent requests. No matter how complex or extreme the environment, KBR is engineering solutions for the needs of today and tomorrow.
Source: KBRDate: Sep 10, 2020 

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