Sens. Lee and Harris Introduce Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act
WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Kamala Harris (D-CA) introduced the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act Wednesday, a bill that would remove per-country caps for employment-based green cards.
“Immigrants should not be penalized due to their country of origin,” Sen. Lee said. “Treating people fairly and equally is part of our founding creed and the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act reflects that belief. Immigration is often a contentious issue, but we should not delay progress in areas where there is bipartisan consensus just because we have differences in a other areas.”
“Ours is a nation of immigrants, and our strength has always come from our diversity and our unity,” Sen. Harris said. “We must do more to eliminate discriminatory backlogs and facilitate family unity so that high-skilled immigrants are not vulnerable to exploitation and can stay in the U.S. and continue to contribute to the economy. I’m proud to join with Senator Lee on this bipartisan legislation to ensure that our country remains vibrant and dynamic.”
The Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act also increases the per-country caps for family-sponsored green cards from 7 percent to 15 percent. Without adding any new green cards, S. 281 creates a “first-come, first-served” system that alleviates the backlogs and allows green cards to be awarded more efficiently.
The bill has broad bipartisan support and is additionally cosponsored by Sens. Roy Blunt (R-MO), Susan Collins (R-ME), Jim Moran (R-KS), Tom Carper (D-DE), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Maria Cantwell D-WA), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Krysten Sinema (D-AZ).
The bill has also been endorsed by Immigration Voice, Compete America Coalition, the Information Technology Industry Council, Google, Walmart, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, The Heritage Foundation, La Raza, and many others.
Bill text, full list of supporters, and an online version of this release can be found here.
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Feb 07, 2019
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and a bipartisan group of Judiciary Committee senators today introduced bipartisan legislation that will let the federal government take action against price fixing by OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Senators Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Mike Lee of Utah and Patrick Leahy of Vermont have cosponsored the legislation.
“It’s long past time to put an end to illegal price fixing by OPEC. The oil cartel and its member countries need to know that we are committed to stopping their anti-competitive behavior. We, in the United States, have been working for years to develop our domestic clean, renewable and alternative energy resources. We’re also committed to reducing our reliance on foreign oil, especially when it’s artificially and illegally priced. Our bill shows the OPEC members we will not tolerate their flagrant antitrust violations,” Grassley said.
“Current law has made the Justice Department powerless to stop OPEC and its members from coordinating oil production to manipulate prices, driving up costs for millions of Americans. Open competition in international oil markets is critical to ensuring that American families pay fair prices at the pump. Our bipartisan legislation would allow U.S. antitrust laws to be enforced against OPEC producers, helping to ensure that U.S. gas prices are fair and affordable,” Klobuchar said.
“If private companies engaged in the international price-fixing activities that OPEC has, there is no question they would be found guilty of illegal behavior. There is no reason that the OPEC cartel should be treated differently based on their connection to national governments,” Lee said.
“As Vermonters struggle to heat their homes through another frigid winter, it’s vital to make sure that oil prices are not artificially inflated. I’ve long supported this legislation because it will crack down on the types of anti-competitive behavior that cause prices to spike for Vermonters trying to stay warm through winter, to use their farm equipment, or to get to their jobs or to the market. In this new Congress I’m hopeful we will finally enact these reforms into law,” Leahy said.
The No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act, or NOPEC, would explicitly authorize the Justice Department to bring lawsuits against oil cartel members for antitrust violations. It would clarify that neither sovereign immunity nor the “Act of State” doctrine prevents a court from ruling on antitrust charges brought against foreign governments for engaging in illegal pricing, production and distribution of petroleum products.
OPEC is a 15-member organization that accounts for more than 73 percent of the world’s crude oil reserves. According to recent news reports, OPEC and a group of other oil-producing nations led by Russia are exploring an agreement that could further distort the global petroleum market.
The House Judiciary Committee today advanced identical bipartisan legislation by voice vote without objection.
Text of the Senate legislation is available HERE.
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6 Leadership Habits CEOs
Need To Develop
Bad habits can be hard to break, and for business leaders who have them, they can be deal-breakers.
In a survey by Leadership IQ, an online training firm, the primary reasons CEOs were fired - mismanaging change, ignoring customers, tolerating low performers, and not enough action - were often related to unproductive habits.
“Although leaders who display these behaviors generally know what to do, and how to do it, their unproductive habits render them unable to get things done - with dire consequences,” says Mark Green, a speaker, coach to CEOs and author of Activators: A CEO’s Guide to Clearer Thinking and Getting Things Done (www.Activators.biz). “The most common unproductive leadership habits include avoiding decisions and conflict, maintaining comfort-zone networks, needing to be liked, neglecting to listen enough - and they are hard to break.”
But Green says they can be broken and suggests replacing them with foundational habits that make leaders successful. He lists six of them here.
Capitalize on luck. This is a habit of forward-moving thinking in response to both good- and bad-luck events. Green says bad luck, such as the extended absence of a key employee, affords an opportunity for the leader to empower others by challenging them to learn, grow and contribute in new ways. “Whatever the circumstances, leaders rapidly come to understand the value of generating return on luck,” Green says. “Everyone wins.”
Be grateful. “When you appreciate and value what you have, you gain a clearer perspective,” Green says. “A daily meeting ritual of appreciation creates space for each executive to share what they appreciate most, and it opens up the room to clearer thinking and increased collaboration.”
Give - within limits. Research shows there are many advantages to being a giver, but striking a balance is important to remain productive. “Sharing information and resources cultivates an abundance mindset, bringing benefits that both the company and the leader can reap,” Green says. “But there are limits; if you’re giving away too much time and too many resources, you won’t be able to accomplish your own objectives. Give, but know when to say no.”
When problems arise, focus on process - not people. “When something goes wrong, a common approach is to find fault with the people involved,” Green says. “But bad or poorly communicated processes can make even the most talented, dedicated staff look terrible. Question processes and communication first, before you explore the intentions, character or capabilities of those involved. Research shows that believing in your people pays off.”
Have high expectations of others. Leaders who set the bar high and then give their teams latitude to execute reap more benefits than those who simply tell their teams what to do,” Green says. “Those whose habits include valuing autonomy and individual responsibility can build something great over time. High expectations and empowerment are key.”
Maintain intentional focus. “Countless research studies have exposed excessive multi-tasking as ineffective,” Green says. “To make real progress, hold a small number of very important things in your mind and let go of the rest. Ruthless prioritization and focus in execution will set you free.”
“With our thoughts, we make our world,” Green says. “Check your beliefs about your leadership habits, choose just one or two to change, enlist others to support your efforts, then get to it.”
About Mark E. Green
Mark Green, author of Activators: A CEO’s Guide to Clearer Thinking and Getting Things Done (www.Activators.biz), is a speaker, strategic advisor and coach to CEOs and executive teams worldwide. He has addressed, coached and advised thousands of business leaders, helping them unlock more of their potential and teaching them how to do the same for their teams. He is a Core Advisor to Gravitas Impact Premium Coaches (formerly Gazelles International), a mentor to coaches worldwide, and an active contributor to programs and content for their global ecosystem.
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A new study from financial technology company SmartAsset ranks the most affordable places to live in Utah. This is SmartAsset’s fifth annual study on the Most Affordable Places in America. These communities are ranked on an Affordability Index weighing property taxes, homeowners’ insurance fees and mortgage payments relative to income.
Check out the table below for a more detailed look at the statewide leaders:
1
Sunset, UT
$2,576
$1,080
$410
$6,371
$56,864
50.14
2
Roy, UT
$2,733
$1,362
$485
$7,535
$66,333
49.22
3
Harrisville, UT
$2,837
$1,530
$535
$8,302
$70,849
47.50
4
Clinton, UT
$2,821
$1,491
$610
$9,465
$76,378
45.92
5
Stansbury Park, UT
$2,990
$1,851
$709
$11,010
$88,133
45.28
6
West Point, UT
$2,904
$1,734
$659
$10,224
$81,750
45.05
7
Hyrum, UT
$2,733
$1,035
$485
$7,535
$59,453
45.03
8
Nibley, UT
$2,921
$1,354
$669
$10,380
$80,125
44.84
9
Plain City, UT
$3,000
$1,707
$715
$11,093
$85,290
43.75
10
South Ogden, UT
$2,800
$1,433
$517
$8,031
$63,055
43.23
Rank
City
Avg. Closing Costs
Annual Property Tax
Annual Homeowner's Insurance
Avg. Annual Mortgage Payment
Median Income
Affordability Index
Additional study details including the methodology and interactive map can be found here: https://smartasset.com/mortgage/how-much-house-can-i-afford#Utah
