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Chosen of Mask
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Articles involving the Chosen of the god of thievery, Mask.
"Kesson Rel is a former Chosen of Mask. Given a sliver of divinity from his patron deity, he was...Kesson Rel
Pages in category "Chosen of Mask"
The following 4 pages are in this category, out of 4 total.


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During Bisola's Diary session this evening, Big Brother asked about what happened between her and TTT last night. She revealed that nothing happened between them and they only kissed and cuddled, and they slept off.
Does of you that said bisola went down, hope you are listening to her diary session ooo. TTT just cuddled her and they slept off. #BBNaija.
— TOYOSI❤ (@tolly_tex) February 15, 2017
Biggie also asked her if she was in any relationship before coming into the Big Brother House.. and she said it was nothing serious.. **That is biggie trying to clear the air about the Alleged "Sex" that happened between TTT and Bisola Lowkey.
Bisola also revealed she's has been feeling some type of way… as she's been very "horn.y" and she forgot her "bullet" at home. Biggie interrupted her, and said "Bullet" isn't allowed in the Big Brother house.. Apparently, biggie didn't know another word for a "Vibrator" is "Bullet".
She explained she was talking about a vibrator.. and she asked TBoss if she had one.
Biggie asked Bisola who she misses the most and she said she misses her mother and daughter.
Asked what she misses the most in the outside world, she said she misses her phone! (Instagram, Snapchat, Whatsapp etc) See reactions below:
Bisola said she forgot her vibrator, tboss said she brought her's but its too loud #BBNaija
— Eseoghene (@glitzy_cynthia) February 15, 2017
By their thoughts we shall know them….. So How many of you female fans of Bisola uses the Vibrator and cucumber!? #BBNaija #AntiBisola
— wilson irabor brown (@wilsoniraborbro) February 15, 2017
#bbnaija hahahaa bisola is in the mood and she left her 'bullet' at home 😅😅😅😅
— LENAH. (@drotela) February 15, 2017
Bisola said she forget her bullet at home AKA Sex toy 😂😂😂😂😜 #BBNaija
— ChizzyWizzy.com (@iloveoyoyo) February 15, 2017
Bisola is so real…That is what I love about her #BBNaija
— Bee (@Beckyy__w) February 15, 2017
Bisola has been horny since yesterday morning.. So am not surprised she seeks tboss advice #BBNaija
— Mabel Uzozie (@uzozie_mabel) February 15, 2017
If Bisola was fingered I am sure she would be mentioned it or something close to it?Atleast she didn't hide D fact dat she's horny #bbnaija
— Ufuoma Olivia Uloho (@OliviaUloho) February 15, 2017
#BBnaija bisola is regretting forgettin her bullet vibrator at home on national tv, disgraceful menh, someone wil come nd say she is real
— Mz petite (@Nellystunna) February 15, 2017
#BBNaija I swear this big brother na ashawo 😂 😂 😂 he wants to know the meaning of bullet from Bisola
— MR. Ikman5 (@Ikman5) February 15, 2017
Bisola wants some sex 😂 #BBNaija
— Bee (@Beckyy__w) February 15, 2017
Bisola just said she would have brought her vibrator to the big brother house cos the conji is too much
— Zichy (@zichymonroe) February 15, 2017
So Bisola was gonna use that vibrator in the house 🏃🏿🏃🏿🏃🏿🏃🏿🏃🏿 #BBNaija
— Cassie_with_Love (@TSedirwa) February 15, 2017
Lmfao Bisola. You did get fingered girl. We saw the footage. Its not entirely intercourse but its something. Be grateful 😂😂😂😂😂😂 #BBnaija
— X A B I S O (@MarcXabiso) February 15, 2017
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subset: commoncrawl


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A sorority has placed a special order for a rug to be used in the chapter meeting room. The Greek letter, delta ( $\Delta$), is one of the letters being inlaid in the center of the rug. Delta ($\Delta)$ is represented by an equilateral triangle with side lengths of 5 feet.
How many square yards of material are needed to make this inlay?
Add an additional .5 square yards for seam and cutting allowances.


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Healthy Lemon Chicken Risotto2013-08-13
- Course: Main
- Servings : 4
- Prep Time : 10m
- Cook Time : 20m
- Ready In : 30m
Risotto is not only a tasty, super easy, and relatively cheap meal to make but it's healthy, nutritious and balanced too. A risotto dish provides the perfect combination of protein (the building blocks of life), starchy carbs (for energy) and vegetables (for fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants).
I love risotto as it tastes super creamy but is actually low in fat – it's the rice that makes this dish so rich in texture and it goes perfect with a side salad or even on its own. I adapted this recipe from one that I saw on Love Food Hate Waste, which is a fantastic website for tips on how to make your food (and money!) go further.. it even has weekly meal planners and shopping lists too.
I used heart-healthy olive oil in this recipe which is perfect when cooking using a medium heat – if you're cooking over a high heat it's best to use vegetable, rapeseed or canola oil which have a higher 'smoke point'. All of these oils are high in mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) which help to lower the risk of heart disease by lowering total and bad (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. MUFAs feature in the heart-healthy Mediterranean Diet, with other sources of MUFAs including avocados, nuts and olives. Don't go over-board though, all oils (heart-healthy or not!) are high in calories meaning you should use no more than 1/2 tbsp or 1 tsp of oil per person per meal (40-60 calories) – this recipe uses 1/4 tbsp per person!
- 4 chicken breasts (4-500g)*
- 220g risotto/paella rice**
- 600ml chicken/vegetable stock
- 1 lemon - to juice & zest
- 1 crushed garlic clove/tsp garlic granules
- 250g frozen veg e.g. peas & broad beans
- 1 packet (135g) babycorn, sliced***
- 2-3 spring onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- salt & pepper
- fresh herbs e.g. thyme or parsley - optional
*the original recipe used 480g of leftover cooked chicken.
**you could always use long-grain rice instead of risotto rice but the dish will have a much less creamy consistency
***feel free to vary the vegetables – courgette, mushrooms, green beans or broccoli would also work well
Calorie stats are based on 1/4 of the recipe – based on using 500g of lean chicken.
Step 1
Cut the chicken breasts into small chunks and pan fry until golden, adding the zest of the lemon, and juices once the chicken has turned white - cook the chicken on a low heat to ensure it is cooked all the way through (the original recipe advised you covered cooked chicken with lemon juice & zest before heating in a 200C oven for 15-20 minutes)
Step 2
Meanwhile, heat the garlic and olive oil in a large pan* before adding the rice. Stir well to ensure that all of the grains are coated with the oil.
Step 3
Gradually (not all at once) add the chicken/vegetable stock to the rice, stirring the rice well and allowing the liquid to be absorbed before adding any more.
Step 4
Add the frozen vegetables, babycorn slices and spring onion once you've added around half of the stock and when all of the stock has been added stir through the chicken.
Step 5
Allow the risotto pan to simmer until all of the liquid has been absorbed before adding a sprinkling of fresh herbs, salt/pepper and serving (with a side salad!)
*I use a JML Ceramic Frying Pan for frying as food doesn't stick when using very little or no oil – the pan was provided to me free or charge. Please read my disclaimer page for more information.
Do let me know if you make this dish and what you think of it
UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who sends me pictures of my recipes on Twitter & Facebook - here are a selection!!
Average Member Rating
(4.7 / 5)
6 people rated this recipe
Nutritional Info
This information is per serving.
Recipe Comments
Comments (12)
I made this the other day but did it with fish peas corn, spinach and riscotto rice.you can get brown riscotto rice but hard to find.the dish Was so nice will definitely do it again and try it with chicken. The lemon is such a healthier option and gave it so much flavour.dont need wine ,butter or parmasan which most recipes use.x
Absolutely adore this, and is such a family friendly dish! The recipe is a cinch to follow, and is really understandable so it makes this easy to cook! Lovely flavors and perfect for a light, but filling dinner choice! Thank you so so much for putting this up nic, I will be cooking this again!! xx
I'm soo glad I was introduced to your site. I made this dish and let me tell ya..healthy never tasted so good. Love it xxx
Thank you Nic. Another great, healthy recipe for me to share with my family and add to my weekly menu. I added a tiny bit of celery too.
This is a great recipe. Very, very tasty and doesn't take long to make. Being a busyfitmum this is very important in my house. I alway like looking at your site for ideas and inspiration.
Thanks again x
I loved this. Tasty and easy. Going to try this out on the kids. Thanks nic.
I have just made this for my lunches this week. It's so tasty and easy to make! I added some roasted vegetables it worked really well!


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Gorgeous Atlantic Breeze 3BR/3BA Oceanfront Corner(103 Reviews)
The owner has been emailed.
This owner doesn't offer online booking through VRBO's checkout. You won't be eligible for our Book with Confidence Guarantee.
Never use instant money transfer services such as Western Union and MoneyGram. Learn more
- Minimum stay:1-7 nights
- Sleeps:8
- Bedrooms:3
- Bathrooms:3
- Property type:Condo
- Internet:Yes
- Pets considered:No
- Wheel chair accessible:Yes
About the Property
Condo, 3 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 3 Baths, (Sleeps 8)
**** Please feel free to call or email us directly at: email@example.com
* No Hidden Fees: ALL linens provided, No reservation fees, No daily or bed fees, No management fees!
* Motorcycles & Mopeds are NOT permitted in the parking garage.`
Welcome to our 3BR/3BA home at the Caribbean-style development of Atlantic Breeze Oceanfront Resort in the Crescent Beach area of North Myrtle Beach.
Unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean grace this lovely, finely furnished condo on the 11th floor. Our handicapped-accessible condo not only has the most natural light, it is also the largest "C" floor plan. There are 3 balconies, all with spectacular views of the Atlantic ocean.
Amenities include an oceanfront workout room and exterior sun deck, a 5th floor interior pool and bathing deck, an exterior ground floor pool, spa, lazy river, and a small-child pool. We also provide 2-3 chairs and several skim boards.
The freshly painted interior of #1109 promises more space than any other floor plan. A new sofa couch with an interior 5" gel mattress. Beds are outfitted with Sealy Posturpedic mattresses and Laura Ashley and Harbor House comforters, and linens with thread counts between 450-1500. Three private balconies with glass panels allow panoramic ocean vistas throughout. The tiled entry hall leads to the first of 3 large bedrooms, an open kitchen with Granite countertops, dining and living rooms with floor to ceiling windows, upgraded new appliances, a master bath and whirlpool, designer furnishings, laundry facilities, new microwave, and Cuisinart Professional stainless steel cookware. (*The 2nd bath has a shower with a lip, not a shower/tub combination.)
There are 4 wall-mounted flat panel LCD televisions as well as high-speed wireless internet.
Our beachfront location provides close access to myriad shopping, ice cream and coffee shops, groceries, and all manner of leisure and sporting activities. Things to do are too numerous to note, but some that we especially enjoyed include Ripley's Aquarium, Alligator Adventure, Tigers Preservation, Broadway at the Beach, the Tanger Outlets, Barefoot Landing, the Alabama Theater, and Market Common.
* You must be 25 or older to rent our flat.
Directions to Atlantic Breeze Resort:
From Airport:
Myrtle Beach International Airport:
Total Est. Time: 30 minutes
Total Est. Distance: 17.78 miles
Go East toward Jet Port Road - .1 m
Turn LEFT onto Jet Port Road - .4m
Jet Port Road becomes Harrelson Blvd. - .5m
Turn RIGHT onto Ramp - .3m
Merge onto US-17 N - 14m
Turn RIGHT onto 25th Ave South - .4m
Turn LEFT onto Ocean Boulevard - 1.2m
Arrive at 1321 South Ocean Boulevard
Bedrooms: 3 Bedrooms, Beds for 8-10
Bedroom 1: 1 king
Bedroom 2: 1 queen
Bedroom 3: 2 queens
Bathrooms: 3
Bathroom 2: toilet, combination tub/shower
Bathroom 3: toilet, combination tub/shower
Bathroom 1: toilet, combination tub/shower
Keywords: Condo, Flat, Oceanfront, 3 BR/3 BA
Before making a payment, always call the owner at the number listed on our website to make sure your payment instructions are accurate.
Never use instant money transfer services such as Western Union and MoneyGram.Learn more
Member since: 2007
Property Type
- Condo
- 1750 sq. ft.
House Rules
- Max. occupancy 8
- Minimum Age Limit For Renters
- Children Welcome
- Non Smoking Only
- Pets Not Allowed
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
- Guests Provide Their Own Meals
- Long-Term Renters Welcome
- Limited Accessibility
- Suitable For Elderly Or Infirm
- Wheelchair Accessible
Bedrooms: 3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8, Beds for 8
Other Amenities
- Satellite / Cable
- Television
- Adventure
- Family
- Romantic
- Tourist Attractions
- Botanical Garden
- Churches
- Cinemas
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Live Theater
- Museums
- Playground
- Recreation Center
- Restaurants
- Theme Parks
- Water Parks
- Zoo
Local Services & Businesses
- ATM/Bank
- Fitness Center
- Groceries
- Hospital
- Laundromat
- Massage Therapist
- Medical Services
Leisure Activities
- Antiquing
- Beachcombing
- Boating
- Eco Tourism
- Gambling Casinos
- Horseback Riding
- Miniature Golf
- Outlet Shopping
- Photography
- Scenic Drives
- Shelling
- Shopping
- Sight Seeing
- Walking
- Wildlife Viewing
Location Type
- Beach
- Beachfront
Sports & Adventure Activities
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Golf
- Hiking
- Jet Skiing
- Parasailing
- Pier Fishing
- Sailing
- Scuba Diving Or Snorkeling
- Snorkeling
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Surf Fishing
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Water Skiing
- Water Tubing
- Wind-Surfing
- Dining
- Dining Room
- Air Conditioning
- Alarm Clock
- Basic Soaps
- Ceiling Fans
- Clothes Dryer
- Covered Parking
- Elevator
- Fitness Room / Equipment
- Garage
- Heating
- Internet
- Iron & Board
- Laundry Soap
- Linens Provided
- Living Room:
- Local Activities Guide
- Local Maps
- Local Restaurant Guide
- Paper Towels
- Parking
- Sofa Bed
- Telephone
- Toilet Paper
- Towels Provided
- Washing Machine
- Wireless Internet
- 4 Ring Stove
- Blender
- Coffee Maker
- Cooking Utensils
- Dishes & Utensils
- Dishwasher
- Freezer
- Grill
- Ice Maker
- Kitchen
- Microwave
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Stove
- Stove
- Toaster
- Balcony
- Beach Chairs
- Deck / Patio
- Lanai / Gazebo
- Porch / Veranda
- Unscreened Porch / Veranda
- Walkway To Water
Pool / Spa
- Communal Pool
- Hot Tub
- Indoor Pool
- Outdoor Hot Tub
- Outdoor Pool
- Shared Hot Tub
- Jetted Tub
RatesCurrency Conversion
|Weekend Night
|Monthly *
Spring III
Apr 15 - May 12, 2017
7 night min stay
Spring IV
May 13 - May 26, 2017
7 night min stay
Early Summer
May 27 - Jun 2, 2017
7 night min stay
Jun 3 - Jun 9, 2017
7 night min stay
Summer II
Jun 10 - Aug 11, 2017
7 night min stay
Late Summer
Aug 12 - Aug 18, 2017
7 night min stay
Late Summer II
Aug 19 - Sep 8, 2017
7 night min stay
Sep 9 - Oct 27, 2017
7 night min stay
Oct 28 - Mar 3, 2018
7 night min stay
Additional information about rental rates
- Security Deposit $200
- Cleaning $125
- Tax Rate 12%
Saturday to Saturday preferred
Please add $50 to Holiday weeks
50% upon reservation - 50 45 days in advance of your stay
PayPal credit card transactions: 3% domestic and 4% non-domestic
Owner's cancellation policy:
Policy available by contacting owner when booking
Don't forget your vacation protection! Get protected now
Adding our Vacation Protection services can make sure your getaway goes smoothly, no matter what. We offer Cancellation Protection and Damage Protection so you can truly relax.
Owner info
Year Purchased: 2010
About the owner: My husband and I were bowled over when we saw the view from #1109 Atlantic Breeze Oceanfront Resort. I have always dreamed of sitting with a cup of coffee, watching the ever-changing ocean landscape as it changes moment-to-moment, light to dark. We watched the most amazing lightening storm as it howled over the horizon. We are thrilled to own this property and hope you will enjoy your stay as much as we do. There are so many things to do in Myrtle Beach that one week will feel insufficient, but there is also that ocean vista to look forward to at the end of a long, fun-filled day. Our kids are officially spoiled now for anywhere else.
Why the Owner Chose Crescent Beach, North Myrtle Beach, SC, USA:
We wanted our kids to have an opportunity to sample all that is best in a beach vacation. Nothing is spared in North Myrtle Beach. We were busy all day, every day, by choice, because activities were so diverse.
The Unique Benefits at this Condo:
We all love the pools. The workout room was fantastic, seeing the ocean from the treadmill. The space in #1109 is refreshing and gave everyone the chance to go off on their own, then come back together in the common areas. The location couldn't be more perfect - North Myrtle Beach is central to everything, but on the quieter Crescent Beach, which is adjacent to the Ocean Drive section.
Contact us
Send email
- Primary: + 843-715-9278
- Secondary: + 3096481313
Links to more information:
- Click Here to see All My Rental Listings
Master Bedroom
Atlantic Breeze Oceanfront Resort, Front
Master Bath
Floor Plan "C"
3rd Bedroom
5th Floor Pool & Sun Deck
Atlantic Breeze Oceanfront Resort
Partial Photo Front Balcony from Master
One View from Balcony
2nd Bedroom with 2 Queens
Ground Floor Pool, Lazy River, Spa, Kiddie Pool
Beach Just Outside
This listing was first published here in 2010.
Date last modified - Friday, April 28, 2017
Partner Offers
Enter dates to see accurate pricing
This owner doesn't offer online booking through VRBO's checkout. You won't be eligible for our Book with Confidence Guarantee.
Never use instant money transfer services such as Western Union and MoneyGram.
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text:
Velodyne's SMS -1 Extends Digital Drive Bass Management Capability to any Subwoofer
Velodyne Acoustics, Inc., has recently introduced the Subwoofer Management System (SMS™-1) as a stand-alone unit for use with any subwoofer.
Morgan Hill, CA (December 1, 2005) - - Leveraging their patent -pending bass management system previously found only in the Digital Drive® line of subwoofers, Velodyne Acoustics, Inc., the world's leading manufacturer of powered subwoofers for home -theater and consumer audio, has recently introduced the Subwoofer Management System (SMS™ -1) as a stand -alone unit for use with any subwoofer.
The SMS -1, configured as an outboard processor in a one -inch high chassis, offers all the features of the DSP -controlled Digital Drive room correction software and includes all the tools necessary to maximize the performance of any subwoofer. The SMS -1 comes with a full -featured remote control, a calibrated high precision microphone, mic stand and cables.
"It's the subwoofer's job to integrate into the user's system, not the other way around," said Bruce Hall, president of Velodyne. "There are many factors that affect this integration from room size and shape, to where the sub is positioned, to how the main speakers perform, to the interaction between the mains and the sub. All of these create frequency response anomalies that negatively affect a subwoofer's performance. The SMS -1 offers a simple and innovative solution to correct these anomalies by displaying the response of both the subwoofer and the main speakers in the bass region, and an interactive toolset to correct them. With the flexibility and adjustability of the SMS -1, bass will be noticeably cleaner with better definition with virtually any subwoofer."
The process for measuring and correcting room anomalies is as simple as placing the microphone in the user's favorite listening position and pressing a few buttons on the remote control. The SMS -1 displays the system's response visually on any TV and provides an 8 -band digital parametric equalizer to flatten it. The unit includes an auto -EQ mode that automatically adjusts the equalizer. The SMS -1 also offers complete digital control over crossovers, slopes, phase, polarity and other settings to create a seamless interface between the main speakers and the subwoofer.
The included remote control comes preprogrammed with four fully adjustable listening mode presets for action adventure movies, movies, pop/rock and jazz/classical, plus a fifth open preset that can be set to the user's preference. Each of the five presets can be totally customized. There is also an EQ defeat preset that demonstrates the benefit of the SMS -1 equalizer. In addition, future revisions to the software for the SMS -1 will be available from the Velodyne website, enabling access to new features and functionality incorporated into later designs.
The SMS -1 is available now with a suggested retail price of $749.
About Velodyne
Velodyne Acoustics, Inc., founded in 1983, is universally recognized as the leading manufacturer of high -performance, low distortion powered subwoofers at all price levels. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, the company's technically innovative audio products are available through a select group of authorized dealers, custom installers, and distributors worldwide. For more information visit www.velodyne.com.
Featured Product
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Custom scenes (connecting up to 250 switches) in your living, family or great room, kitchen, study, master bedroom/bathroom, and office. Turn off all lights in your home at the touch of a button. Automatically (Timer Scheduler) turn on/off outdoor security lights, heating and AC, or provide night light convenience anywhere in your home. From creating a virtual 3 way switch anywhere in your home, to turning a group of lights when your garage door is opened, door bell or phone rings.


text:
***Thought & Humor*** - For The Discerning Mind - January 13, 2006 A.D. - Please forward to your Friends...
Expand Messages
- Congratulating a friend after her son and daughter got married
within a month of each other, a woman asked, "What kind of boy did
your daughter marry?"
Updated frequently during the day!!!************************Be sure & read the "Comments" after each blog joke -there's more funny stuff & letters...************************1) I alone am an intricate game
I and a labyrinth are one and the same
Add a letter and then I become
Astonished, amused, and perplexed to some
What am I?2) First think of a person who lives in disguise
Who lives in secrets and tells naught but lies
Next tell me what's always the last thing to mend
The middle of middle and the end of the end
And finally give me a sound often heard
During the search of a hard to find word
Now string them together and answer me this
Which creature would you be unwilling to kiss?3) I am a fruity cereal that can be
known as artifices, antics, frauds,
hoax's, guiles, impostures, ruses,
ploys, stratagems, deceits, jests,
and jokes.
If you want me ALL for yourself,be sure not to eat me in the presence
of small furry mammals.4) I'm called the Evening star,
or Morning star,
It depends on when I'm seen.
In the early 1960's
I was wearing blue jeans.5) I contain faces of different colors
for fun they get mixed with one another
It's easy for them to hang outside their 'race'
but it's quite tricky to put them back
in their place
With time and patience it can be done
but to mix them up again is way more fun.6) A truck driver went down a one-way streetthe wrong way in front of a police departmentwithout getting a ticket. How did he do this?
7) I am tall and skinny, I can be rough or smooth.
My tears can change colors, yet I can not move.
My many arms can reach out, and I can be a danger.
But there are those who do not mind,
including chipmunks and some rangers.
You can see me everyday, if you bother to look my way.
Don't hesitate to come by, but first do you know:
What am I?8) I walk, but have no legs. I sleep, but never dream. You can
rock me in a cradle, but I am not a baby and I can go around
the world faster than you can cross a room. What am I?ANSWERS!!!***********************
Check out this Blog:
Updated frequently!!!************************Feel Down At The TopSome years ago, there was this movie called "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure."Someday my kids are going to make a movie about some of the great ideas I've hadon our summer vacations. They'll call it "Dad's Excruciating Adventures." Like the dayI woke everyone up at 3:00 A.M. to get the view from the top of the mountain. We werevacationing in Maine. And I had read that if you were at the top of Cadillac Mountainat daybreak, you would be one of the first Americans to see the sunrise that day. Andhow could we miss that thrill? Right?
I got everyone up, stuffed a doughnut in their mouth so they wouldn't wake up thecampground, bundled them into the car, assuring them all the time, "You're going tolove this." Well, at dawn there we were with a handful of other adventurers - waiting forthe sun to appear. And waiting. And waiting. The kids were turning increasingly hostile.We never saw the sun come up that morning - it was covered with clouds. We had madethe valiant effort to get to the top of the mountain only to find the view there a bigdisappointment.
Maybe you know that feeling. You got somewhere you really wanted to go or you gotsomeone you really wanted and the view has turned out to be disappointing. The ancientJewish King, Solomon, knew that feeling. He was the wealthiest man of his generation.He records in the Biblical book Ecclesiastes how he tried every pleasure, every relationship,and every conquest he wanted.
Here's how he describes the view from the top of his mountain. It's our word for today fromthe Word of God, Ecclesiastes 2:17. "So I hated life, because the work that is done under thesun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind."
There are plenty of modern Solomons - like a successful attorney I know of. He owns whathe wants. He's respected in the community. He was planning a long trip with a private pilot ina small plane. Someone asked him if he was concerned about the plane crashing. He said,"I don't care if it does. What's the reason for living anyway?"
So many people got what they dreamed of - the relationships, the possessions, and thepleasures only to find the view was a disappointment. Why? Because of what Solomondiscovered. He said in Ecclesiastes 3:11, "God has set eternity in the hearts of men."Earth has nothing big enough to fill the eternal hole in our heart. That's why Jesussummed it up by asking, "What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world andloses his own soul?"
There are basically two categories of people; those who haven't got what they wantand think that's why they don't have peace, and those who have gotten what they wantand they know that there's no peace there. Enter the one the Bible calls the Prince ofPeace - Jesus Christ - the one who said just before His death, "My peace I leave with you."
The reason for your life is summed up in six Biblical words recorded in Colossians 1:16,"All things were created by Him and for Him." That's talking about Jesus. But we haven't livedfor Him; we've pursued our own kingdom. And God has declared a death penalty for that sinof ours.
From adolescence through adulthood, we keep thinking what we're looking for is just overthat next hill. But no matter how many hills you've climbed, the peace and meaning wasn't there,was it? You need to climb one more hill - the one with that cross on the top where Jesus is dyingfor your sin so you can finally experience the God-relationship you were made for.
If you're tired of climbing mountains to nowhere, come to that cross. Tell Jesus Christ you wantto belong to Him, that He is your only hope. If you want that relationship with Him, I would love tohelp you begin that. We set it up at our website yoursforlife.net so that you can either read or heara presentation that I've prepared - a brief one - of how you can be sure you belong to Jesus. You cancall toll free at 877-741-1200.*
Life is a series of disappointing views until we give our lives to the only One who can give it eternalmeaning. Every other destination will leave you feeling hollow inside until you're home in the waitingarms of Jesus Christ. - - Ron Hutchcraft*Not amalgamated with 'Thought & Humor'.===============
I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the really
foolish thing that people often say about Him [Jesus Christ]:
"I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I
don't accept His claim to be God."
That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was
merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would
not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic --
on a level with a man who says he is a poached egg --
or else he would be the Devil of Hell.
You must make your choice. Either this Man was, and is,
the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse ....
You can shut Him up for fool, you can spit at Him and kill
Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him
Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing
nonsense about His being a great hum! an teacher. He has
not left that option open to us. He did not intend to.
-- From Case for Christianity, by C.S. Lewis
===============Jesus In The Public Schools
Religious Freedom DayIn too many cases, Christian children in public school classrooms are being
forced to act like atheists. After all, that is effectively what is happening
when they are told not to talk about Jesus, not to sing about Jesus, and not to
write about Jesus.
A very small, but vocal, minority pound away at teachers and school officials,
intimidating them into thinking that the public school must be a "religion-free
Their attacks have resulted in the religious aspects of even Christmas being
banned, Christian students silenced, and teachers censored. A climate of fear
about religion surrounds too many schools.
But you and I have a great opportunity to stop this discrimination against our
children who want to express their faith at school. January 16 is Religious
Freedom Day. And President Bush's special proclamation will ask schools to
commemorate the day.
While many public schools are denying students' rights to freely express their
faith, the U.S. Department of Education has issued guidelines that clearly list
and explain those rights. For example, students have the legal right to express
their faith in their assignments; they can witness to their classmates; they can
read their Bibles at school; and they can pray. But many teachers have never
seen these guidelines and believe they cannot allow these or any other religious
expressions in their classrooms.
It is fitting that this year Martin Luther King Day is also celebrated on
January 16. King's religious faith was the foundation of his fight for civil
rights. And it was religious freedom in America that allowed him to express his
faith and the dreadful evil and move the entire nation.
King was explicit about Christianity's centrality in seeking justice through
nonviolent protest. For example, he required that volunteers in the Birmingham
campaign sign a commitment card pledging themselves to "meditate daily on the
teachings and life of Jesus," "Walk and talk in the manner of love, for God is
love," and "Pray daily to be used by God in order that all men might be free."
While many people will commemorate Martin Luther King Day, very few peopleare even aware of the president's proclamation of Religious Freedom Day. As a
result, Gateways to Better Education is leading a national awareness campaign
for Religious Freedom Day, and I encourage you to get behind it. Gateways is an
organization helping public schools teach Judeo-Christian history, thought, and
values. It has developed ReligiousFreedomDay.com as a special website to give
you everything you need to commemorate the day in your church, your home, and
your school.
This year, you can bring more freedom to your public school by asking your
children's teachers to join the president in commemorating Religious FreedomDay with their students and to read regulations issued by the Department of
Education. And in your church on Sunday, January 15, distribute informationon students' religious liberties. The law is on our side.
Gateways to Better Education has prepared a fact sheet that is available by
calling us here at BreakPoint (1-877-322-5527*) or by visiting our website.
This year, at the same time they commemorate Martin Luther King Day, public
schools can promote civil liberties and stop discrimination against children of
faith by also commemorating Religious Freedom Day. You need to set them
straight, just as King set us straight a generation ago. BREAKPOINT with Charles Colson & Mark Earley*Not amalgamated with 'Thought & Humor'.===============This Present MomentWe are profoundly unaware of the present. That is, the here and now, the place that we always are,is the place that we are least likely to see for what it fully is. Blaise Pascal, though living fourcenturies ago, keenly diagnosed this human condition. In his work, Pensees, meaning "thoughts,"he masterfully articulates our seeming lack of interest in the present. Writes Pascal,
Let each one examine his thoughts, and he will find them all occupied with the past and the future.We scarcely ever think of the present; and if we think of it, it is only to take light from it to arrangethe future. The present is never our end. The past and the present are our means; the future aloneis our end. So we never live, but we hope to live; and, as we are always preparing to be happy, itis inevitable we should never be so.
That is a powerful proclamation, isn't it? The present is never our end. If this is true, Pascal's dourthought is worth examining. Though we hope and toil for life, we never really live. And indeed,looking back many of us can recall a squandered time, a time we wish we were more fully attentive,more fully present. Truly, the now of life is far more significant than we often realize.
In the play Our Town, Thornton Wilder brilliantly depicts the magnitude of the present, the fullnessof each moment amidst the fleeting nature of time in our lives. Emily, a young mother who died inchildbirth, is given the opportunity to go back and observe a single day in her life. She is advisedto choose an "ordinary" day, for even the least important day will be important enough, the deadremind her. True enough, Emily chooses a day and quickly finds herself overwhelmed by it. Herensuing lines are fascinating.
"I can't go on. It goes so fast I didn't realize. So all that was going on and we never noticed.Take me backup the hillto my grave. But first: Wait! One more look."
"Goodbye, Goodbye, world Mama and Papa. Goodbye clocks ticking and Mama's sunflowers.And food and coffee. And new-ironed dresses and hot baths and sleeping and waking up. Oh,earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you."
Upon returning Emily wonders if anyone ever realizes life while they live itlife as it is, "every,every minute." The response she receives is pointed. "No The saints and poets, maybe theydo some." (Footnote 1: As quoted by Barry Morrow in Heaven Observed (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2001), 321.)
The image is powerful and the lesson clear. And where this is a fitting reminder to seize each day,we should ask why the present brims with significance, lest it lead us to the Epicurean's philosophy,observed by King Solomon, cautioned against by Jesus, noted by Dave Matthews, and largely embracedtoday: Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die. (Footnote 2: Ecclesiastes 8:15, Luke 12:13-21) Itis written on our hearts that the present holds much more still.
C.S. Lewis once asked, "Where, except in the present, can the Eternal be met?" This is why the presentis so profoundly important. You see, God is always nearest to us "now." Where Jesus says, "Follow me."Where He pleads, "Come to me," there is urgency and immediacy in his voice. Now is where He asks usto draw near; now is when we must decide to follow or not to follow; now is where we rejoice in this daythat He hath made. So indeed, seize the day, for the promises of the One who came in the fullness oftime are boldly written upon every moment.-------------------------------------------------------------------
"A Slice of Infinity" is aimed at reaching into the culture with words of
challenge, words of truth, and words of hope. If you know of others who
would enjoy receiving "A Slice of Infinity" in their email box each day,
tell them to ple! ase call 1-877-88SLICE (1-877-887-5423).==============="Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to considerwell the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christwhich is eternal life (John 17:3)."- - - The Laws and Statutes of Harvard College in 1643
"All scholars shall live religious, godly, and blameless lives accordingto the rules of God's Word, diligently reading the Holy Scriptures, thefountain of light and truth; and constantly attend upon all the dutiesof religion, both in public and secret."- - - Two central requirements in Yale College 1745 charter===============
Why The U.S.A. Is At War:(Not amalgamated with 'Thought & Humor')
This government site offers access to historic documents.
View the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.==============='Thought & Humor' - often polemical butnever tasteless/unrefined/uncouth/ribald.===============Please note: If you see a UNC student or liberal reading 'Thought & Humor',please explain to them which is thought & which is humor. They usually get it backwards.......
God designed humans to want to believe in something.That's the image of God that is in us. But as G. K.Chesterton famously put it, when we reject the Godof the Bible, we don't believe in nothing; we believein everything -- including Little Green Men.- - Chuck Colson===============Dear Howdy,Thank you for your simply addicting newsletter...it's truly a candidatefor the 8th wonder of the world and 1st candidate for the cyber-world...it just keeps blooming with more of what I need and, I think, what weall need...please keep up the great works!!!Type atcha later...God bless you,Phil HWI===============[God] has showed you, O man, what is good.And what does the Lord require of you? Toact justly and to love mercy and to walk humblywith your God. --Micah 6:8===============Dear Howdy, Indeed I am a faithful Tarheel*, having both
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text: Would you bike in this snow storm? We did Add to ... The Globe and Mail Published Friday, Feb. 08, 2013 11:54AM EST Last updated Friday, Feb. 08, 2013 2:58PM EST Although Ontario is experiencing a major winter snow storm, Globe and Mail videographer Timothy Moore is getting in to work his usual way – by bike. From Bloor and Dovercourt to Front and Spadina, see how Timothy fared. Watch More Video: Tornado sweeps through Texas town Moments From the 2017 White House Correspondents' Dinner Trump: 'Eventually' North Korea will have 'good missiles' Video: Thousands rally at climate march to protest against Trump's policies Positive results in effort to eliminate sexual misconduct in Canadian Forces: Vance Trump tells NRA 'I will never ever let you down' Thinking outside the cage to fight invasive species Le Pen's replacement turns down role amid Holocaust controversy Arkansas executes fourth inmate in eight days Tillerson urges UN to act 'before North Korea does' 100 days is an 'artificial deadline': Spicer 100 days in photos: Donald Trump's presidency House leaders fail to get support for vote on health-care bill U.K. police 'contain' plot in anti-terror raids Trump says he won't be taking another call with Taiwan Scientists storing solar energy for future use Trump on North Korea, trade and Saudi Arabia Trudeau says he helped Trump decide not to cancel NAFTA Fort McMurray residents look back, one year after fire B.C. NDP leader defends temperament after debate Comments Share via email Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on LinkedIn Print More Related to this Story Video: Will twin winter storms bring record snowfall? Toronto braces for major snowstorm Follow us on Twitter: @globeandmail


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Slimming world
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Creamy Chicken Quinoa and Broccoli Casserole - real food meets comfort food. From scratch, quick and easy, 350 calories. | pinchofyum.com
32 ways to eat quinoa. @Christina Childress Childress Childress Childress Hardy Maybe?
Creamy Chicken Quinoa and Broccoli Casserole | 23 Boneless Chicken Breast Recipes That Are Actually Delicious
Greek Style Quinoa Pots | Slimming Eats - Slimming World Recipes
Slimming World Recipes: BAKED BEAN LASAGNE
Mmmm - these are made with what we call Free Foods at Slimming World and so you can eat as many of these delicious potatoes as you like! Diet? What diet?!


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Don't you wish you lived like a N.E.R.D.? Photographer Todd Selby brings his cameras inside Pharrell's $14 million Miami pad for an inside look. More flicks after the jump. Guess P's a family guy.
Latest Posts
We got hip to this clip a few days ago. The song's created by Bronx rapper, Denzil Porter and inspired by AIDS Awareness Month. Be sure to wrap it up before it's a wrap.
Saigon ain't lie. It's fuckin' cold all across the country. But this isn't about the weather. Today, Saigiddy comes through with another drip from his upcoming album, Greatest Story Never Told. Album drops February 15th, 2011. Damn you, Jack Frost.
Diddy and 'em are everywhere, and this morning, the train made a stop at The View to perform the single, "Coming Home". After the jump, Puff Daddy speaks on his six children and last night's performance on Letterman. yk2
Trey Songz was sandwiched between Miguel and Usher's sets last night at Madison Square Garden for the OMG Tour. During his performance of "Say Ahh", he brought out Fabolous to lend him a hand. And the crowd goes wild.
Young Chris spreads love the brotherly way with Eve, Meek and Black Thought on the remix to "Philly Shit". The original can be found on his Re-Introduction jawn. See, we're on our Philly shit too.
[vodpod id=Video.5123068&w=425&h=350&fv=] It don't matter if you're 3 feet—or 6'7″


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Play & Grow
With these Play and Grow toys, also known as Clip 'n' Go, there is always fun on the go. Easily attach to the side of your buggy, cot, crib or car seat and your little one has a constant companion to play with and keep your child entertained. Also great birthday presents, Christmas gifts or just because gifts!
With eight knotty activity legs, a crinkly hat, clacking rings and a surprise mirror, Captain Calamari will capture baby's imagination and engage the senses.
Gorgeous cute fun character featuring crinkles, jingles, ribbed teething ring and a squeaky nose!
Beautiful colourful toy for your little one to play with. With all the different textures, colours and features baby will love it's little friend that can be taken everywhere.
A friendly and pretend prickly character baby boys and girls will love. His colourful spines are soft to the touch and he holds a teether in his front feet.
Jacques the Peacock comes complete with multiple textures and sounds to keep baby entertained.
A great mirror toy with fish dangling off it, multiple textures and a on the go clip to keep baby happy wherever you are!
One of the most popular Lamaze items is My Friend Emily - a pretty smiley character, sure to be your little ones best friend!
Rusty's ratcheting head allows you to mix and match his body. Features crinkle, ribbons, clinking rings, busy beads, and a discovery mirror.
£9.99 £13.99
A NEW 2015 toy with hours of cause and effect play in store, there is so much for your little one to discover.
Stretch out the Flutterbug and then watch it wiggle back into place!
Pet his nose to hear him 'bark'! Baby will also delight in discovering other fun squeaks, crinkles, and rattles.
Percival has lots of bright colours and interesting textures and ribbons for baby to explore. Purring Sound Box turn him side to side to hear him purr!
Keep your little one engaged and entertained for hours with the Lamaze Tilly Twinklewings. Tilly brings some sparkle to babies stroller.
Hear Toots squeak when you squeeze his beak! Baby can play with the ribbon tags & chew the bead ring.
Featuring colourful satin ribbon, patterns, textures and crinkles, baby will like this cute plush Lamaze pony, while mum will love its visual and tactile developmental features.
£10.99 £12.99
Pull down on him to watch as he climbs back up his rainbow web and vibrates with delight! Featuring eight colorful, dangling feet that dance about as he jingles with a gentle shake.
Turn Horace over - and over again - and listen out for the sounds of the sea!
£11.99 £14.99


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ZERODESIGNZ > Buddhism Designs > Namaste > Namaste Tee
Namaste. "The Great Perfection within me honors the Great Perfection within you".
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October 16th: Open Mosque Day
Islamic Center of Naperville invites you, our friends and neighbors, to our Open Mosque Day on October 16th from 1pm to 4pm. This is a free event. More information in the flyer below. [...]
August 21- ICN Annual Family Fun Fest
ICN will be hosting its Annual Fun Fest on August 21st from Noon to 7pm. All are welcome to attend.
July 29 – 31: Lost Islamic History Intensive
ICN invites its community members to take advantage of the Lost Islamic History Intensive by Qalam Institute taught by Mufti Hussain Kamani. Register Here
July 16th – DuPage Unity in Diversity Memorial
Islamic Center of Naperville community is strongly encouraged to participate in this very important event.


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Citizen Corps Council
The Citizen Corps Council (CCC) is a federal program that brings citizens together to make our communities stronger, safer, and better connected. Each member of CCC is from one of our 14 neighborhood analysis areas:
Please feel free to reach out to your neighborhood representative. If your neighborhood doesn't have a representative yet, you might consider applying to be a member yourself!
Members of the Citizen Corps Council help create strategies for outreach, as well as report information to the Emergency Operations Center during major incidents. They also help administer the following programs:
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Citizen Corps Council, fill out an application. We are currently looking for representatives for the following neighborhoods:
Office of Emergency Management
450 110th Ave. NE
P.O. Box 90012
Bellevue, WA 98009
Contact: Curry Mayer, Emergency Manager
Phone: 425-452-2816
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Contact: Linda Roddis, Senior Administrative Assistant
Phone: 425-452-6807
E-mail: email@example.com


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UK campaigners call for tax breaks to link to health
UK campaigners have called for tax relief for food firm's research and development efforts to be linked to the health profile of products in a bid to step-up innovation around healthier alternatives.
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Introduction to Game Theory Networked Life CSE 112 Spring 2005 Prof. Michael Kearns
Game Theory A mathematical theory designed to model: –how rational individuals should behave –when individual outcomes are determined by collective behavior –strategic behavior Rational usually means selfish --- but not always Rich history, flourished during the Cold War Traditionally viewed as a subject of economics Subsequently applied by many fields –evolutionary biology, social psychology Perhaps the branch of pure math most widely examined outside of the "hard" sciences
Prisoner's Dilemma Cooperate = deny the crime; defect = confess guilt of both Claim that (defect, defect) is an equilibrium: –if I am definitely going to defect, you choose between -10 and -8 –so you will also defect –same logic applies to me Note unilateral nature of equilibrium: –I fix a behavior or strategy for you, then choose my best response Claim: no other pair of strategies is an equilibrium But we would have been so much better off cooperating… cooperatedefect cooperate-1, -1-10, -0.25 defect-0.25, -10-8, -8
Penny Matching What are the equilibrium strategies now? There are none! –if I play heads then you will of course play tails –but that makes me want to play tails too –which in turn makes you want to play heads –etc. etc. etc. But what if we can each (privately) flip coins? –the strategy pair (1/2, 1/2) is an equilibrium Such randomized strategies are called mixed strategies headstails heads1, 00, 1 tails0, 11, 0
The World According to Nash If > 2 actions, mixed strategy is a distribution on them –e.g. 1/3 rock, 1/3 paper, 1/3 scissors Might also have > 2 players A general mixed strategy is a vector P = (P[1], P[2],… P[n]): –P[i] is a distribution over the actions for player i –assume everyone knows all the distributions P[j] –but the "coin flips" used to select from P[i] known only to i P is an equilibrium if: –for every i, P[i] is a best response to all the other P[j] Nash 1950: every game has a mixed strategy equilibrium –no matter how many rows and columns there are –in fact, no matter how many players there are Thus known as a Nash equilibrium A major reason for Nash's Nobel Prize in economics
Facts about Nash Equilibria While there is always at least one, there might be many –zero-sum games: all equilibria give the same payoffs to each player –non zero-sum: different equilibria may give different payoffs! Equilibrium is a static notion –does not suggest how players might learn to play equilibrium –does not suggest how we might choose among multiple equilibria Nash equilibrium is a strictly competitive notion –players cannot have "pre-play communication" –bargains, side payments, threats, collusions, etc. not allowed Computing Nash equilibria for large games is difficult
Hawks and Doves Two parties confront over a resource of value V May simply display aggression, or actually have a fight Cost of losing a fight: C > V Assume parties are equally likely to win or lose There are three Nash equilibria: –(hawk, dove), (dove, hawk) and (V/C hawk, V/C hawk) Alternative interpretation for C >> V: –the Kansas Cornfield Intersection game (a.k.a. Chicken) –hawk = speed through intersection, dove = yield hawkdove hawk(V-C)/2, (V-C)/2V, 0 dove0, VV/2, V/2
Board Games and Game Theory What does game theory say about richer games? –tic-tac-toe, checkers, backgammon, go,… –these are all games of complete information with state –incomplete information: poker Imagine an absurdly large "game matrix" for chess: –each row/column represents a complete strategy for playing –strategy = a mapping from every possible board configuration to the next move for the player –number of rows or columns is huge --- but finite! Thus, a Nash equilibrium for chess exists! –it's just completely infeasible to compute it –note: can often "push" randomization "inside" the strategy
Repeated Games Nash equilibrium analyzes "one-shot" games –we meet for the first time, play once, and separate forever Natural extension: repeated games –we play the same game (e.g. Prisoner's Dilemma) many times in a row –like a board game, where the "state" is the history of play so far –strategy = a mapping from the history so far to your next move So repeated games also have a Nash equilibrium –may be different from the one-shot equilibrium! –depends on the game and details of the setting We are approaching learning in games –natural to adapt your behavior (strategy) based on play so far
Repeated Prisoner's Dilemma If we play for R rounds, and both know R: –(always defect, always defect) still the only Nash equilibrium –argue by backwards induction If uncertainty about R is introduced (e.g. random stopping): –cooperation and tit-for-tat can become equilibria If computational restrictions are placed on our strategies: –as long as we're too feeble to count, cooperative equilibria arise –formally: < log(R) states in a finite automaton –a form of bounded rationality
The Folk Theorem Take any one-shot, two-player game Suppose that (u,v) are the (expected) payoffs under some mixed strategy pair (P[1],P[2]) for the two players –(P[1], P[2]) not necessarily a Nash equilibrium –but (u,v) gives better payoffs than the security levels security level: what a player can get no matter what the other does –example: sec. level is (-8, -8) in Prisoner's Dilemma; (-1,-1) is better Then there is always a Nash equilibrium for the infinite repeated game giving payoffs (u,v) –makes use of the concept of threats Partial resolution of the difficulties of Nash equilibria…
Correlated Equilibrium In a Nash equilibrium (P[1],P[2]): –player 2 "knows" the distribution P[1] –but doesn't know the "random bits" player 1 uses to select from P[1] –equilibrium relies on private randomization Suppose now we also allow public (shared) randomization –so strategy might say things like "if private bits = 100110 and shared bits = 110100110, then play hawk" Then two strategies are in correlated equilibrium if: –knowing only your strategy and the shared bits, my strategy is a best response, and vice-versa Nash is the special case of no shared bits
Hawks and Doves Revisited There are three Nash equilibria: –(hawk, dove), (dove, hawk) and (V/C hawk, V/C hawk) Alternative interpretation for C >> V: –the Kansas Cornfield Intersection game (a.k.a. Chicken) –hawk = speed through intersection, dove = yield Correlated equilibrium: the traffic signal –if the shared bit is green to me, I am playing hawk –if the shared bit is red to me, I will play dove –you play the symmetric strategy –splits waiting time between us --- a different outcome than Nash hawkdove hawk(V-C)/2, (V-C)/2V, 0 dove0, VV/2, V/2
Correlated Equilibrium Facts Always exists –all Nash equilibria are correlated equilibria –all probability distributions over Nash equilibria are C.E. –and some more things are C.E. as well –a broader concept than Nash Technical advantages of correlated equilibria: –often easier to compute than Nash Conceptual advantages: –correlated behavior is a fact of the real world –model a limited form of cooperation –more general cooperation becomes extremely complex and messy Breaking news (late 90s – now): –CE is the natural convergence notion for "rational" learning in games!
Next Up Have so far examined simple games between two players Strategic interaction on the smallest "network": –two vertices with a single link between them –much richer interaction than just info transmission, messages, etc. Classical game theory generalizes to many players –e.g. Nash equilibria always exist in multi-player matrix games –but this fails to capture/exploit/examine structured interaction We need specific models for networked games: –games on networks: local interaction –shared information: economies, financial markets –voting systems –evolutionary games
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Pending Legislation
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April 25, 2017 Update
prepared by CATHY CONNOR - DIRECTOR OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
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Congress is back in session after a two-week recess. The most immediate concern they must address is that the current short-term Continuing Resolution (CR), which is funding the federal government, expires this Friday, April 28. As of this morning, there is no clear resolution in sight which raises the possibility of a government shutdown. The potential options Congress can take to avoid a shutdown include passing:
A year-long CR which would fund the government through the end of FY'17 - September 30, 2017 - but at generally lower FY'16 funding levels.
A number of actual FY'17 federal agency appropriations bills, including the THUD (US DOT) funding bill, as part of an omnibus package.
Passage of some actual FY'17 appropriations bills did not occur before the recess because of congressional concern - from many members of both parties - that the Trump Administration was insisting on attaching funding for construction of the Mexican border wall and additional DOD funding. However, as of yesterday, the Administration has somewhat backed off on the need for immediate funding for the wall which may allow an omnibus appropriations package to proceed.
There has been no additional information provided by the Administration on the timing of the release of its formal, detailed budget recommendations for FY'18. Previous statements by OMB Director Mick Mulvaney indicated a release by early to mid-May.
In several public statements last week, President Trump said he plans to make a major announcement tomorrow regarding his tax reform plan. However, many observers believe it is likely the announcement will be more of a broad statement of principles and less of a list of specific details. In addition, it is expected that the Administration's tax plan is likely to differ - perhaps substantially - from the tax blueprint which the House Republican leadership has been promoting. There have been no indications if the White House's tax plan will include funding or tax changes related to infrastructure.
There has been no further information released by the Administration about an infrastructure package. US DOT Secretary Chao previously indicated a plan might be released in mid-May, leading some to believe it could be unveiled during Infrastructure Week - the week of May 15, but more recently Chao was quoted as saying "this summer". The effort could be pushed back if the Administration decides to take another run at healthcare reform.
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Members of Congress have headed back home to their states and districts for a two-week spring recess. They will return to work on April 25. That is only a few days before April 28 when the current short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) which funds the government expires. While it is possible that this could result in a government shutdown, it appears that both parties want to avoid that outcome. It is likely that Congress will pass another very short-term CR - perhaps lasting a week or two - while they finalize a plan to fund the remainder of FY'17. As discussed at length in the March 28 Washington Update, Congress can opt to pass a year-long CR which would fund the government through September 30 at the FY'16 levels or pass some individual FY'17 funding bills, including the THUD (US DOT) bill, as part of an omnibus package of bills. Congress may opt to go with a year-long CR in order to avoid pressure from the White House to use an omnibus FY'17 appropriations bill as a vehicle for $1.4B in funding to build the border wall between the US and Mexico.
After the recess, congressional leaders will have to decide whether to try to bring up healthcare reform once again - perhaps using infrastructure funding as a "sweetener" per President Trump, move on to consider a major tax reform bill - which could incorporate a funding source for an infrastructure bill, or start to craft a stand-alone infrastructure bill.
In mid-March, the Trump Administration released a so-called "skinny" budget for FY'18 which begins on October 1, 2017. The limited budget focused primarily on programs recommended to be cut or eliminated. A full budget request is expected to be released in mid-May. In the meantime, Congress has begun its efforts to draft an FY'18 Budget Resolution and the 12 FY'18 federal agency funding bills.
While it is anticipated that Congress will not accept the Administration's recommendations to eliminate funding for such popular transportation and infrastructure programs as TIGER, transit Capital Improvement Grants (CIG) that don't have Full Funding Grants Agreements (FFGAs), and Amtrak service outside the Northeast Corridor, industry stakeholders and project sponsors are not taking any chances and have been voicing strong opposition.
Thirty three US Senators signed a letter to the leadership of the Appropriations Committee opposing cuts to the transit CIG program and over 90 House members wrote a similar letter to the House Appropriations Committee. Local elected officials and key business leaders are weighing in with Congress in support of funding for critical local projects.
While no plan has been unveiled yet for President Trump's $1T infrastructure proposal, both the President and US DOT Secretary Elaine Chao discussed various aspects of a potential plan on several occasions last week, particularly in a Trump interview with the New York Times and at a White House CEO Forum which both Trump and Chao spoke at.
Some key points they made are highlighted below:
President Trump -
Secretary Chao -
Administration Personnel News
Last week, the Senate Commerce Committee approved the nomination of Jeffrey Rosen to be US DOT Deputy Secretary. It was a close partisan vote of 15 to 12. Only one Democrat voted to approve Rosen. Senator Corey Booker (D-NJ) voted against the nomination because of "Rosen's lack of commitment to supporting funding for New Starts and other critical programs for our nation's infrastructure, including the Gateway Program." Here is a link to Rosen's bio.
The Administration has announced its intention to nominate Derek Kan to be the US DOT Under Secretary for Policy, the number 3 position at the Department. Based in Los Angeles, Kan is currently the General Manager of Lyft, the ride-sharing company. He was named by President Obama as a Republican nominee to the Amtrak Board and confirmed by the Senate in December 2015. He previously served as Director of Strategy at a biotech startup, Consultant at Bain & Company, Advisor at Elliott Management, Policy Advisor to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and the Chief Economist for the Senate Republican Policy Committee. He began his career as a Presidential Management Fellow at the White House Office of Management and Budget. He earned his BS from the University of Southern California, MSc from the London School of Economics, and MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Russ Vought, formerly vice president of grassroots outreach for Heritage Action for America and a member of the Trump transition team, has been nominated to serve as deputy director of OMB, the White House announced Friday. Many of the cuts proposed for transportation, EPA, and other infrastructure programs in the Administration's FY'18 "skinny" budget were originally proposed by Heritage Action, a fiscally conservative think tank.
No other US DOT nominations have been announced to date including for the Administrators of FHWA, FTA, FRA, etc.
MPO Rulemaking - Following passage by the full Senate, the House T&I Committee has voted to repeal the December 2016 final rule from US DOT that would require many local metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in the same region to merge. The rule, "Metropolitan Planning Organization Coordination and Planning Area Reform", was broadly unpopular with MPOs and other stakeholders - during the public comment period, only 16 commenters supported the rule while 299 opposed it. The full House is expected to take up and pass the repeal (HR 1346) in May.
FAA Reauthorization -There has been no movement on a bill to reauthorize the FAA despite the fact that the short-term extension of aviation authorization expires on September 30, 2017. Controversy over House T&I Committee Chairman Bill Shuster's plan to privatize the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system has not abated. The Trump Administration included a recommendation to move the ATC out of the FAA in its FY'18 "skinny" budget, however, strong opposition to the plan continues. In related news, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), the senior Democrat on the House T&I Committee, has introduced a bill to increase the cap on the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC), which is used by airports to fund capital improvements.
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Last week was a very busy one for Congress and the Trump Administration - SCOTUS confirmation hearings, discussions on both the FY'17 and FY'18 budgets, and, of course, the decision to pull the healthcare reform bill. Many observers are concerned that other Trump legislative priorities, such as the $1T infrastructure initiative and the tax reform bill that is needed to fund such a plan, may be postponed indefinitely while congressional Republicans regroup and the White House finds its footing again. However, others believe that this is an opportune time for the President to work with Democrats to craft a bi-partisan infrastructure bill that could be a win for all sides.
FY'17 began on October 1, 2016 - over six months ago. Congress has not been able to pass any FY'17 federal agency appropriations bills. In the meantime, federal agencies are operating under a temporary Continuing Resolution (CR) which expires on April 28. Under the current CR, all US DOT and other infrastructure programs are funded at FY'16 funding levels. Since Congress will be on recess for two weeks in mid-April they will most likely have to act by April 7 in order to avoid a government shutdown.
Congress has two options. One is to pass a year-long CR which will fund the remainder of FY'17 (through September 30, 2017) at the typically lower FY'16 levels. However, there is a rumored possibility that a year-long CR might include an "anomaly" to fund Highway Trust Fund programs at the higher FY'17 FAST Act authorized levels. There may also be an "anomaly" to provide the $199M in FY'17 funding for Positive Train Control (PTC) implementation.
Or Congress can pass actual FY'17 appropriations bills which for most programs would provide higher levels of funding than in FY'16. Congressional staff has indicated that a FY'17 THUD (US DOT) appropriations bill has been reconciled and is ready to go, although the funding details have not been made public. It is now up to congressional leaders to decide whether to bring the bill to the floor - likely as part of a "omnibus" package with other agency bills - or simply extend the CR yet again. This decision will likely be made at the highest leadership levels based on national politics and legislative priorities, not on the merits of the individual bills.
However, to further complicate matters, late on Friday, the Trump Administration opted to send recommendations to Congress on cuts they want in FY'17 domestic discretionary programs. This is in addition to the FY'18 budget recommendations the Administration sent to Congress two weeks ago (see below). The Administration's proposed cuts for FY'17 are very, very unlikely to occur since, as noted above, Congress has generally already agreed on funding levels for FY'17. The Administration recommendations include "reduction options" for only two US DOT programs. First, it proposes to eliminate all FY'17 TIGER funding (FY'16 funding was $500M).
Second, the Administration recommends providing only $1.7B for transit Capital Improvement Grants (CIG) which is only enough to fund projects with existing Full Funding Grant Agreements (FFGAs). The CIG program (New Starts, Small Starts, and Core Capacity projects) is authorized in the FAST Act at $2.3B for FY'17. There are currently 55 projects at some point in the CIG pipeline. Perhaps more disturbing, the Administration proposes "to suspend additional projects from entering the program and believes localities should fund these localized projects". This language appears to say that the Administration will not sign any new FFGAs, including potentially for prominent CIG projects such as the Maryland Purple Line (a P3 project), CALTRAIN electrification (has implications for CAHSR), NJ/NY Gateway (a critical regional project), Indianapolis Red Line, Minneapolis SW line, and Dallas DART.
Despite the funding uncertainty, at this time, FTA staff is urging project sponsors to continue to work to move projects through the CIG pipeline. See more on CIG grants below.
The FY'18 fiscal year begins on October 1, 2017. The Trump Administration is not expected to release a full FY'18 budget recommendation until early May. In the meantime, two weeks ago it released a so-called "skinny" budget. The budget only references funding levels for a very limited number of programs with a focus on domestic discretionary programs. In the case of US DOT, there is no mention in the "skinny" budget of any so-called "mandatory" programs funded through the Highway Trust Fund, such as highway and transit formula programs, TIFIA, and FASTLANE grants. The assumption is that these programs will be recommended for full funding when the formal budget is released in May.
The "skinny" budget proposes to terminate FY'18 funding for TIGER grants, FTA Capital Improvement Grants (CIG) except for projects with existing Full Funding Grant Agreements (FFGAs), Amtrak's long distance service, and the Essential Air Service (EAS) program for rural airports. The budget also proposes significant cuts to federal agency personnel. Here is a link to a press release issued by US DOT Secretary Elaine Chao in support of the Administration's budget request.
However, the Administration can only recommend funding levels. It is up to Congress to determine actual funding. TIGER, CIG, Amtrak, and EAS are very popular programs with Congress. While many Republican members will want to support the President, many others will want to support their own funding priorities and protect popular local projects. House members, in particular, will be mindful that they need to get reelected in 2018.
Many observers have pointed out that there seems to be a disconnect between the recommended funding cuts and President Trump's promise of a $1T infrastructure bill. However, the Administration has indicated that it wants to cut what it views as inefficient and ineffective programs and use the savings to fund what it considers to be more valuable programs in a subsequent infrastructure proposal. The rationales given by the Administration for the cuts include: state and local governments should manage and fund these programs, the federal government should not be funding or subsidizing projects that don't have regional or national impacts, the private sector could more effectively deliver the programs, and the programs are duplicative of other programs i.e. TIGER and FASTLANE.
Industry associations and stakeholders, project sponsors, state and local elected officials, and supportive members of Congress have begun major lobbying efforts to protect and defend the CIG, TIGER, and Amtrak programs, in particular. Here is a link to a "Dear Colleague" letter that is being organized in the House by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) to urge the appropriators not to cut funding for the CIG program.
Before the Obama Administration left office it issued FY'17 Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) for two discretionary grant programs - Positive Train Control (PTC) and FASTLANE. Applications were received for both programs, but grants were never announced. Until Congress approves funding for the entirety of FY'17, these grants cannot be released. It is generally expected that Congress will include the $199M authorized for the PTC program in whatever funding it passes for FY'17. It is anticipated that US DOT will announce the grants shortly thereafter because the selection criteria the Obama Administration used was based solely on the statute, only one year of funding was authorized, and the funding is for critical rail safety projects.
The FASTLANE grants also cannot be released until all the FY'17 funding has been appropriated - $850M was authorized for FY'17 in the FAST Act. FASTLANE grants are aimed at nationally and regionally significant multi-modal freight and highway projects. It is possible that the Trump Administration may opt to "rebrand" the program and establish new selection criteria more in line with its priorities (such as private sector participation) rather than the Obama Administration's priorities. It could opt to reissue the NOFO and request updated project information or even new or revised applications. The President's FY'18 "skinny" budget request does not address FY'18 funding for FASTLANE grants which are authorized in the FAST Act at $900M. FASTLANE grants are funded from the Highway Trust Fund, not with general funds, and therefore appear to be protected.
US DOT also cannot release FY'17 funding for the popular TIGER grants until a full years funding is in place. Despite the Trump Administration's recommendation to cut all funding for TIGER in both FY'17 and FY'18, we expect Congress to fund the program at approximately the same level as in FY'16 - $500M. Many key congressional leaders are big fans of the TIGER program since critical projects in their states/districts have previously won TIGER grants. The Obama Administration, which essentially created the TIGER program in the 2009 ARRA economic stimulus act, did not release a NOFO for FY'17 TIGER grants before it left office. It is likely that the Trump Administration, assuming they proceed with a TIGER NOFO, will want to rename this program and refocus the criteria towards its priorities, such as P3 projects, and away from Ladders of Opportunity and other Obama priorities.
Yesterday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Justice Department will begin to implement a recent Trump Administration Executive Order by requiring local and state governments to comply with federal provisions regarding so-called sanctuary cities before those jurisdictions can receive or remain eligible for certain federal grants. He said the department would withhold, and potentially claw back, grants to sanctuary cities and other localities that are not in compliance with federal immigration law. It is unclear at this time if transportation or other infrastructure grant funds would be affected. It is also unclear how the program would be implemented since there is no formal definition of what comprises a sanctuary city and local designations vary greatly.
On March 29, the Senate Commerce Committee will hold a confirmation hearing on the nomination of Jeffrey Rosen to be the US DOT Deputy Secretary. No other US DOT nominations have been announced. Here is a link to Rosen's bio.
Last week, US DOT/FHWA postponed for a second time the effective dates of two final MAP 21/FAST Act performance management rules - for pavement and bridge condition and for freight movement, congestion mitigation and air quality. The rules, which were finalized in the last days of the Obama Administration, were initially postponed for 60 days (until March 21) under guidance from the Trump White House to freeze pending and new regulatory actions government-wide to allow new department heads to review them. This FHWA notice postpones the effective date for another 60 days, to May 20. The additional extension also applies to several other US DOT regulations, including rail and safety regulations, finalized by the Obama Administration.
Infrastructure Week - this year Infrastructure Week will be held the week of May 15. Here is a link to information about the schedule of events in DC and around the country as well as the list of over 184 organizations who are participating in the week's activities.
Recent publications of interest:
ASCE 2017 Infrastructure Report Card - link
APTA Industry Footprint - a breakdown of APTA members, including business members e.g. manufacturers and suppliers, by state and congressional districts, which can be used in efforts to educate members of Congress about local economic development impacts and job creation linked to CIG projects - link
AASHTO Transportation Governance and Finance Report - A 50-State Review of State Legislatures and State DOTs - link; register for the related webinar on April 18 from 2:00 to 3:00pm ET - link
Amtrak Report on the Economic Benefits of Investment in the (NY/NJ) Gateway Program - link
ARTBA 2017 Bridge Report - includes a state by state report on deficient bridges - link
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This morning, the Trump Administration released an initial outline of its FY'18 budget recommendations which call for significant cuts in domestic discretionary programs. Typically administrations submit their annual budget requests to Congress in early to mid-February. However, new administrations generally need extra time to develop their budget priorities. In this case, because of the major changes in spending priorities that the Trump Administration plans to propose, a detailed budget is not expected to be released until late April or early May. In the meantime, a so-called "skinny budget" is being released today.
It is important to keep in mind that the Administration can only recommend federal agency funding levels. It is up to Congress to pass an FY'18 budget resolution and the 12 annual federal agency appropriations bills. While the Republican majority in Congress will certainly want to support President Trump, it is very likely many Members of Congress, not just Democrats, will have their own budget priorities and will fight to protect local programs and projects. While it is too early to predict whether the Trump budget will be DOA, as many previous administration budgets have been, it is certain that Congress will not accept the recommendations without significant changes.
The programs that are taking the biggest hits in the Trump budget are those in the domestic discretionary program category with the deepest cuts proposed for environment, labor, agriculture, and foreign aid programs. Fortunately, at this time, mandatory programs, such as the highway and transit programs funded through the Highway Trust Fund as well as the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), are protected. In the transportation sector, the biggest cuts are proposed for those programs funded with general revenues, not through the HTF, such as Amtrak, FTA Capital Improvement Grants (CIG), and TIGER grants. CIG programs include New Starts, Small Starts and Core Capacity grants. The plan proposes to cut $2.4B from US DOT discretionary programs overall.
The budget proposes to limit CIG grants to only those projects with existing Full Funding Grant Agreements (FFGAs). Future investments in new transit projects would be funded "by the localities that use and benefit from these localized services". It proposes to eliminate federal funding for Amtrak's long distance trains. It eliminates funding for the highly popular TIGER discretionary grant program. TIGER was funded at $500M in FY'16. It supports legislation to authorize the highly controversial proposal to shift FAA's Air Traffic Control (ATC) function to the private sector.
Fortunately, the CIG and TIGER programs, in particular, and Amtrak to some degree, enjoy significant support in Congress from members whose districts/states are recipients of these grants.
Proposed cuts to critical transportation and other infrastructure programs seems to be a significant disconnect with President Trump's commitment for $1 Trillion for infrastructure investment.
Information about the funding proposals for other federal infrastructure programs will be sent out shortly.
Here is a link to the "skinny budget - "America First - A Budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again". See pages 35 and 36 for information about the proposed transportation budget. Here is the text of that section:
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible, and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people today, and into the future. The Budget request reflects a streamlined DOT that is focused on performing vital Federal safety oversight functions and investing in nationally and regionally significant transportation infrastructure projects. The Budget reduces or eliminates programs that are either inefficient, duplicative of other Federal efforts, or that involve activities that are better delivered by States, localities, or the private sector.
The President's 2018 Budget requests $16.2 billion for DOT's discretionary budget, a $2.4 billion or 13 percent decrease from the 2017 annualized CR level.
The President's 2018 Budget:
Initiates a multi-year reauthorization proposal to shift the air traffic control function of the Federal Aviation Administration to an independent, non-governmental organization, making the system more efficient and innovative while maintaining safety. This would benefit the flying public and taxpayers overall.
Restructures and reduces Federal subsidies to Amtrak to focus resources on the parts of the passenger rail system that provide meaningful transportation options within regions. The Budget terminates Federal support for Amtrak's long distance train services, which have long been inefficient and incur the vast majority of Amtrak's operating losses. This would allow Amtrak to focus on better managing its State-supported and Northeast Corridor train services.
Limits funding for the Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Program (New Starts) to projects with existing full funding grant agreements only. Future investments in new transit projects would be funded by the localities that use and benefit from these localized projects.
Eliminates funding for the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which was originally conceived of as a temporary program nearly 40 years ago to provide subsidized commercial air service to rural airports. EAS flights are not full and have high subsidy costs per passenger. Several EAS-eligible communities are relatively close to major airports, and communities that have EAS could be served by other existing modes of transportation. This proposal would result in a discretionary savings of $175 million from the 2017 annualized CR level.
Eliminates funding for the unauthorized TIGER discretionary grant program, which awards grants to projects that are generally eligible for funding under existing surface transportation formula programs, saving $499 million from the 2017 annualized CR level. Further, DOT's Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects grant program, authorized by the FAST Act of 2015, supports larger highway and multimodal freight projects with demonstrable national or regional benefits. This grant program is authorized at an annual average of $900 million through 2020.
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On Tuesday, President Trump addressed a joint session of Congress and laid out his vision and priorities for the country. He mentioned one of his longest standing commitments - a $1 trillion infrastructure plan, but provided no additional details on specifics, funding, or timing other than to say that his plan would include both public and private funding.
Below is the extent of his comments on infrastructure:
"Another Republican President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, initiated the last truly great national infrastructure program - the building of the interstate highway system. The time has come for a new program of national rebuilding. America has spent approximately six trillion dollars in the Middle East, all this while our infrastructure at home is crumbling. With this six trillion dollars we could have rebuilt our country - twice. And maybe even three times if we had people who had the ability to negotiate.
To launch our national rebuilding, I will be asking the Congress to approve legislation that produces a $1 trillion investment in the infrastructure of the United States -- financed through both public and private capital - creating millions of new jobs.
This effort will be guided by two core principles: Buy American, and Hire American."
At the end of speech, he added, "Crumbling infrastructure will be replaced with new roads, bridges, tunnels, airports and railways, gleaming across our very, very beautiful land."
Here is a link to the statement on infrastructure which the White House released in conjunction with the address to Congress. It primarily addresses pipelines.
President Trump's mention of both public and private funding in his speech to Congress is particularly noteworthy because of concerns by industry stakeholders and many Members of Congress (especially those from rural areas) that the infrastructure plan may depend heavily or even exclusively on private financing in the form of tax credits for investors or P3 projects, rather than on long-term, sustainable federal funding. In early February, several hundred industry groups, including various state chapters, sent a letter to President Trump urging him to "provide real revenue for the Highway Trust Fund that will help the users and beneficiaries of America's transportation and freight network. Private financing, while important and needed, cannot replace the role of public funding and federal leadership." The letter was organized by the US Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).
The biggest question about the Administration's (and anyone else's) infrastructure plan is how to pay for it. The various options - a federal gas tax increase, incentivizing P3s, a national infrastructure bank, tax credits for investors, etc., will need to be addressed as part of another of the Administration's top priorities - tax reform. Yesterday, the Treasury Department announced it intends to work with Congress to enact a tax reform bill by the August recess - a very ambitious goal.
After the initial, post-election sense of optimism that one of President Trump's immediate priorities would be a massive infrastructure program, a dose of reality has set in as many of the Administration's early initiatives have been overtaken by events and undermined by controversy. The new Administration is quickly learning, as most new administrations do, that issues such as tax and regulatory reform, immigration policy, and in Trump's case, healthcare reform, are easier said than done. There are even some observers who think that any infrastructure proposal may be postponed until 2018 when it could be used to build political support for Republicans running in the mid-term elections.
The federal government is still operating under a temporary Continuing Resolution (CR) for FY'17. The short-term CR expires at the end of April. Between now and then Congress will have to decide whether to pass another CR for the remainder of the fiscal year or try to pass new federal agency appropriations bills as part of an omnibus package. Many believe that the easiest thing for Congress to do, given all that is on their agenda, is to pass a year-long CR and then move on to deliberations on the FY'18 budget. However, a year-long CR would fund federal agency programs at the same level as in FY'16. In the case of the highway, transit, and rail programs authorized by the FAST Act, that would mean foregoing the increase in funding authorized for FY'17. Congress also needs to grapple with the debt ceiling this spring - an always contentious issue.
Moving on to FY'18 (which starts on October 1, 2017), the Administration is expected to release a so-called "skinny" budget during the week of March 13. This will be a 100+ page overview of its FY'18 budget recommendations with a limited amount of detail regarding funding for specific agency programs. The full budget proposal isn't expected until late April or early May. It appears that Trump will propose large increases in defense, law enforcement, and veterans funding (as much as $54B) which will be paid for with equally large cuts in foreign aid funding and domestic discretionary programs.
It is unclear whether the domestic cuts will include cuts to transportation and other infrastructure programs. Some conservative groups, such as the Heritage Foundation, have pushed for large cuts in transit and Amtrak funding. However, in his remarks at the joint session of Congress this week, President Trump reiterated his strong support for infrastructure investment. It is not clear how the Administration would justify near-term cuts in infrastructure programs while simultaneously laying the ground-work for a $1 trillion investment in infrastructure which, according to the various unofficial lists of projects floating around, may well include transit and rail projects.
Whatever the Administration ends up proposing in its FY'18 budget request, it is ultimately up to Congress to pass an FY'18 Budget Resolution and the individual federal agency appropriations bills. While the Republican-majority Congress will certainly want to support President Trump, it is very likely many Members of Congress, and not just Democrats, will have their own budget priorities.
On January 20, the Trump Administration issued a "Regulatory Freeze Pending Review" memo. It requires that the effective dates of certain federal regulations that were issued in the final days of the Obama Administration be postponed for review by the new Administration. It has impacted at least one key US DOT regulation. In the February 13 Federal Register, FHWA published a notice delaying the effective date of two FAST Act Performance Measures until March 21. Here is a link to the Federal Register notice. The two final regulations - Assessing Pavement Condition and Bridge Condition for the National Highway Performance Program, and Assessing Performance of the NHS System, Freight Movement on the Interstate System, and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program.
The President also issued an Executive Order on Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs intended to further reduce regulatory burden by requiring agencies to identify at least two prior regulations for elimination, for every one new regulation that is issued; the "two out, one in" approach. Additionally, the Executive Order calls for balancing the costs of implementation for all new and repealed regulations for FY'17, such that the net total incremental cost is zero.
This week President Trump ordered his administration to rescind and rewrite an Obama-era environmental rule that critics say gave the U.S. government too much power to regulate waterways nationwide. Trump signed a directive on Tuesday compelling the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider the controversial 2015 "Waters of the U.S." rule.
In late January, President Trump issued an Executive Order on Expediting Environmental Reviews and Approvals for High Priority Infrastructure Projects. It establishes the policy to streamline and expedite environmental reviews for all infrastructure projects and empowers the Chair of the Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) to determine whether a project qualifies as a "high priority" project.
In addition to the Administration's actions on regulatory reform, the Republican-majority Congress has recently repealed a number of Obama Administration regulations using the authority of the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The CRA allows Congress to reach back retroactively and kill final rules issued in the last six months of the Obama Administration. Most of the regulations repealed to date impact environmental regulations. Additional rules are under consideration for repeal.
While Congress is making slow but steady progress on confirming most of President Trump's cabinet nominations, most positions below the secretarial level remain unfilled. At US DOT, Secretary Chao is the only confirmed appointment. No nominations have been announced for any of the modal administrators, Deputy Secretary, or various assistant secretaries. While Secretary Chao has named a Chief of Staff, Michael Britt, and a few other senior advisors in her personal office, most have little or no transportation background. While it has often taken until May or June for previous administrations to get reasonably staffed, the timing this year is particularly slow. Numerous rumors continue to flow regarding potential nominees, but none appear to be more than just speculation.
In addition, the Trump Administration's federal agency hiring freeze is making it difficult for federal agencies and offices, such as US DOT's newly reorganized Build America Bureau, to staff up and fill critical vacancies.
In the meantime, initial development of a potential infrastructure package is primarily being handled by the White House National Economic Council (NEC) under the leadership of Director Gary Cohen. A recent addition to the NEC is DJ Gribbin, who is the Special Assistant to the President for Infrastructure Policy. DJ previously headed government advisory for Macquarie Capital, a role in which he led advisory teams structuring P3 transactions for governmental clients. He served as FHWA Chief Counsel and US DOT General Counsel in the George W Bush Administration.
The Eno Center for Transportation has released a new report: Life in the FASTLANE: Recommendations for Improving Federal Freight Grants. The report provides a brief history of the FASTLANE program (called "Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects" in the FAST Act), outlines the grant program's parameters, and provides a summary of projects that were awarded funds from the first round of applications. Eno's report also makes six recommendations for the future of the program.