Quote of the day
“What we’re doing to our soundscape is littering it. It’s aural litter—acoustical litter—and, if you could see what you hear, it would look like piles and piles of McDonald’s wrappers, just thrown out the window as we go driving down the road.”
Les Blomberg, Noise Pollution Clearinghouse
Ohio: Budget plan would eliminate sales tax exemption for rare coins
A budget plan unveiled by Ohio House Republicans would kill a sales tax exemption for investments in coins and precious metal bullion that has a connection to the so-called “Coingate” scandal that involved the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation in 2005. Toledo Blade
Florida: Broward deputy training resulting in workers’ comp claims
More than 40 workers’ comp claims have been filed as a result defense-tactics maneuvers since the appointment of Broward County, Florida’s new sheriff in January. The list of claims includes 40 specifically relating to back, shoulder, chest and head injuries. Miami Times
Noise pollution: The next big health crisis?
Studies have shown that people who live or work in loud environments are particularly susceptible to problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, low birth weight, and all the physical, cognitive, and emotional issues. Excessive noise also can damage ecosystems. New Yorker
New York farmworkers rally in Albany for labor protections
Farmworkers were set to rally at the state capitol in Albany, New York on Monday for legislation that would rescind an 80-year-old law that was enacted to prohibit them from unionizing. The new legislation would guarantee overtime pay and workers’ compensation. Times Herald-Record (Middletown, N.Y.)