K Street Research Inc. http://kstreetresearch.com Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:59:24 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 SEC Approves ‘Proxy Access’ Rules http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/25/sec-approves-%e2%80%98proxy-access%e2%80%99-rules/ http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/25/sec-approves-%e2%80%98proxy-access%e2%80%99-rules/#comments Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:59:24 +0000 John Cumming http://kstreetresearch.com/?p=3012 Wednesday, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) finalized a “proxy access” rule allowing large investors to nominate their own board candidates using a company’s ballot. The commission passed the rule on a 3-2 vote. According to the Wall Street Journal, the vote is seen as a major victory for SEC Chairwoman Mary Schapiro because of her success on an issue that had eluded two prior SEC chairmen. Critics argued the rule would not stand against a court challenge.

Wall Street Journal (Subscription Required 8/24)

]]> http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/25/sec-approves-%e2%80%98proxy-access%e2%80%99-rules/feed/ 0 McConnell Pronounces Cap-and-trade “Dead” http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/24/mcconnell-pronounces-cap-and-trade-%e2%80%9cdead%e2%80%9d/ http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/24/mcconnell-pronounces-cap-and-trade-%e2%80%9cdead%e2%80%9d/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:01:53 +0000 John Cumming http://kstreetresearch.com/?p=3008 Monday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said  “cap-and-trade, which is also known as the national energy tax, is dead in the United States Senate.” Republican Senators have previously opposed a cap-and-trade plan, arguing that it would stall the economic recovery and job creation, while Democrats have countered by stating it would help reverse the effects of global warming.

The Hill (8/24)

]]> http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/24/mcconnell-pronounces-cap-and-trade-%e2%80%9cdead%e2%80%9d/feed/ 0 GM: Debate Between Liquid and Electrolyte Fuel in Cars Not Over http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/24/gm-debate-between-liquid-and-electrolyte-fuel-in-cars-not-over/ http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/24/gm-debate-between-liquid-and-electrolyte-fuel-in-cars-not-over/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:00:01 +0000 John Cumming http://kstreetresearch.com/?p=3005 Monday, Green Tech Media profiled the debate between ethanol-fueled and electric cars, arguing that the debate between the two over affordability, accessibility, and reliability has yet to be resolved. Britta Gross, the director of the energy systems group intelligence center at General Motors (GM), argued that ethanol cars will cost less for consumers than electric cars and pointed out that ethanol cars are already in the market, stating that “ethanol has displaced 5 percent of the gasoline consumed in vehicles.” However, others argue that there are few ethanol stations throughout the country, while electricity is easy to find.

Green Tech Media (8/23)

]]> http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/24/gm-debate-between-liquid-and-electrolyte-fuel-in-cars-not-over/feed/ 0 Administration’s Pursuit of Relief for Farmers a Boost for Lincoln http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/24/administration%e2%80%99s-pursuit-of-relief-for-farmers-a-boost-for-lincoln/ http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/24/administration%e2%80%99s-pursuit-of-relief-for-farmers-a-boost-for-lincoln/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:58:32 +0000 John Cumming http://kstreetresearch.com/?p=3003 The Obama administration is seeking $1.5 billion in disaster relief for farmers affected by heavy rains that struck Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana last fall. The move is seen as a potential boon for the election prospects of Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., who previously sought relief for rice and cotton farmers in the affected region. Lincoln’s opponent, Rep. John Boozman, R-Ark., classified the Administration’s pledge as an attempt “to bail out somebody who’s in a difficult election by somehow coming up with money that there are real questions about whether they have the authority to do it.”

Washington Post (8/24)

]]> http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/24/administration%e2%80%99s-pursuit-of-relief-for-farmers-a-boost-for-lincoln/feed/ 0 OCM Exploring Litigation over Beef Checkoff Misappropriations http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/24/ocm-exploring-litigation-over-beef-checkoff-misappropriations/ http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/24/ocm-exploring-litigation-over-beef-checkoff-misappropriations/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:57:30 +0000 John Cumming http://kstreetresearch.com/?p=3001 The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) is considering litigation to address the beef checkoff funds misappropriated by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). A compliance review ordered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board found evidence of mishandling of checkoff funds. Thursday, the OCM voted to actively pursue litigation to ensure a detailed audit of the entire 14 years NCBA has been a contractor for the checkoff.

Elling Huysen (8/20)

]]> http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/24/ocm-exploring-litigation-over-beef-checkoff-misappropriations/feed/ 0 Boehner Calls on Administration to Fire Geithner http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/24/boehner-calls-on-administration-to-fire-geithner/ http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/24/boehner-calls-on-administration-to-fire-geithner/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:27:05 +0000 John Cumming http://kstreetresearch.com/?p=2998 Tuesday, House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, called on the Obama administration to fire top economic officials, including Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. In his remarks, Boehner described Geithner and other top officials as “19 months of government-as-community organizer… It hasn’t worked.” Boehner also called on the Administration to extend Bush-era tax cuts and freeze federal spending.

Politico (8/24)

]]> http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/24/boehner-calls-on-administration-to-fire-geithner/feed/ 0 Navy to Delay LCS Contract http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/24/navy-to-delay-lcs-contract/ http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/24/navy-to-delay-lcs-contract/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:25:54 +0000 John Cumming http://kstreetresearch.com/?p=2996 Monday, the Navy indicated that it would take several more months to consider offers for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) contract. The Navy was expected to announce the winner of the contract sometime this summer. According to Navy spokesman Cmdr. Victor Chen, the Navy will request revisions to the final bid proposals, which will be due in September and must stay valid for 90 days. Lockheed Martin and Austal USA are competing for the contract, which is initially worth about $5 billion for 10 combat ships and combat systems for five additional ships.

The Hill (8/23)

]]> http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/24/navy-to-delay-lcs-contract/feed/ 0 SEC ‘Proxy Access’ Rule Could Pressure Big Business http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/23/sec-%e2%80%98proxy-access%e2%80%99-rule-could-pressure-big-business/ http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/23/sec-%e2%80%98proxy-access%e2%80%99-rule-could-pressure-big-business/#comments Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:01:53 +0000 John Cumming http://kstreetresearch.com/?p=2994 Wednesday, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) plans to finalize a “proxy access” rule allowing large investors to nominate their own board candidates using companies’ ballots. According to the Wall Street Journal, the rule would reduce the cost of typical proxy fights, where shareholders who want to install their own directors must pay to win support from other investors, “by letting shareholders put their own nominees in the proxy next to the company’s selections.” Supporters of the new rule argue that it will increase accountability of directors, pointing to a component of the new rule which states that investors with a three percent stake for at least two years may propose nominees beginning in 2011.

Wall Street Journal (Subscription Required 8/22)

]]> http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/23/sec-%e2%80%98proxy-access%e2%80%99-rule-could-pressure-big-business/feed/ 0 Op-Ed: Obama’s Energy Meltdown http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/20/op-ed-obama%e2%80%99s-energy-meltdown/ http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/20/op-ed-obama%e2%80%99s-energy-meltdown/#comments Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:45:20 +0000 John Cumming http://kstreetresearch.com/?p=2983 Friday, former Energy Secretary and Senator, Spencer Abraham, R-Mich., penned an op-ed arguing that Congress’ recent decision to punt major energy legislation to the next session constitutes “one of the sharpest rebukes to a sitting President in recent memory.”

Politico (8/20)

]]> http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/20/op-ed-obama%e2%80%99s-energy-meltdown/feed/ 0 Administration Allies Shifting Defenses of Health Care Reform http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/20/administration-allies-shifting-defenses-of-health-care-reform/ http://kstreetresearch.com/2010/08/20/administration-allies-shifting-defenses-of-health-care-reform/#comments Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:44:04 +0000 John Cumming http://kstreetresearch.com/?p=2981 Thursday, key Obama administration allies adjusted their messaging in defense of health care reform legislation, abandoning claims that it will reduce costs and deficits while emphasizing the need to “improve it.” The shift was circulated during a conference call and presentation, which was obtained by Politico, conducted by FamiliesUSA, one of the central groups in the push for health care reform legislation.

Politico (8/19)

Presentation (PDF)

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