Utah Treasurer Damschen Announces Saving
Over $5 Million Taxpayer Dollars
State’s New Payments Contract Saves Taxpayer Dollars,
Increases Protections Against Fraud& Provides Quality Customer Service
SALT LAKE CITY – June 22, 2017 – Utah State Treasurer David Damschen today announced that the Office of the Utah State Treasurer saved Utah taxpayers over $5 million through a competitive procurement process for the State of Utah’s soon-to-expire merchant services contract. During the year long process, seven proposals were thoroughly evaluated jointly with the state’s Division of Finance to determine which service provider could best facilitate the State’s credit card, debit card, mobile and online payment processing needs. The over $5 million in savings will be realized over the course of the 10-year contract and save Utahns over $242,000 in the first year alone – a nearly 40 percent first-year annual cost savings.
“Our new contract saves Utah taxpayers over $5 million, a nearly 40 percent cost savings in the first year alone,” said Treasurer Damschen. “State agencies like DMV, Department of Natural Resources and DABC process millions of credit and debit card transactions each year for things from motor vehicle registration fees to hunting and fishing licenses – and while the treasurer’s office doesn’t collect this money from Utahns – we want to ensure the processes by which this is done are the safest, most cost-effective available.”
Chase Paymentech LLC, a division of J.P. Morgan Chase was chosen through the competitive process. The contract has statewide cooperative designation, which means any local government entity in Utah can join the contract and take advantage of the favorable terms negotiated by the State.
In addition to the over $5 million in taxpayer savings, other benefits for Utahns include quality customer service, increased security against payment fraud and enhanced protection against data breaches through Paymentech’s proprietary security solutions
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IVESTOCK SLAUGHTER – MAY 2017 UNITED STATES HIGHLIGHTS
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.28 billion pounds in May, up 7 percent from the 4.00 billion pounds produced in May 2016.
Beef production, at 2.16 billion pounds, was 6 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.75 million head, up 9 percent from May 2016. The average live weight was down 26 pounds from the previous year, at 1,307 pounds.
Veal production totaled 6.3 million pounds, 6 percent above May a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 39,300 head, up 11 percent from May 2016. The average live weight was down 11 pounds from last year, at 276 pounds.
Pork production totaled 2.10 billion pounds, up 8 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.95 million head, up 8 percent from May 2016. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 282 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 11.8 million pounds, was down 9 percent from May 2016. Sheep slaughter totaled 180,300 head, 3 percent below last year. The average live weight was 131 pounds, down 9 pounds from May a year ago.
January to May 2017 commercial red meat production was 21.0 billion pounds, up 4 percent from 2016. Accumulated beef production was up 5 percent from last year, veal was down 2 percent, pork was up 3 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 5 percent.
For a full copy of the Livestock Slaughter report please visit www.nass.usda.gov. For state specific questions please contact:
Arizona – Dave DeWalt 1-800-645-7286 Colorado – William R. Meyer 1-800-392-3202 Montana – Eric Sommer 1-800-835-2612 New Mexico – Longino Bustillo 1-800-530-8810 Utah – John Hilton 1-800-747-8522 Wyoming – Rhonda Brandt 1-800-892-1660
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NFIB: Senate Bill Repeals Obamacare Taxes and Mandates
America’s leading small business group says Senate version of healthcare reform eliminates most of Obamacare’s most punishing elements
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 22, 2017—The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) today issued the following statement on behalf of President and CEO Juanita Duggan in response to the Senate’s version of healthcare reform:
“The Senate provides massive tax relief by eliminating 11 of the most burdensome Obamacare taxes, which are crushing small businesses and driving up costs. It also eliminates the onerous mandates that discourage job creation, expansion, and investment. This is long overdue, and it is what small business owners want and expect from this Congress. We urge the Senate to pass this bill before the July 4th recess.
“Obamacare has been very damaging to small business owners, who continue to struggle with escalating premiums and disappearing choices. NFIB fought Obamacare all the way to the Supreme Court, and our members want it repealed.”
For more information about NFIB, please visit www.nfib.com.
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For more than 70 years, the National Federation of Independent Business has been the Voice of Small Business, taking the message from Main Street to the halls of Congress and all 50 state legislatures. NFIB annually surveys its members on state and federal issues vital to their survival as America's economic engine and biggest creator of jobs. NFIB’s educational mission is to remind policymakers that small businesses are not smaller versions of bigger businesses; they have very different challenges and priorities
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Book co-written by Robert and Diana Van Arsdale published with iUniverse
GREEN VALLEY, Ariz. – Inspired by the instructions their spiritual teacher, Herman Rednick gave them on spiritualizing their marriage, Robert and Diana Van Arsdale wrote “The Way of the Beloved: A Spiritual Path for Couples” (published by iUniverse) to refute the adage that romantic love is a myth. They previously published the book in 2004, but when Diana died in 2010, Robert decided to republish the book and add a digital format so it will outlast him.
“Many people have bought into the idea that you don’t choose a partner because you love him or her. You love that partner because you chose them,” Robert says. “This idea reduces love to an ego strategy for justifying one’s choice of a partner. Love is a spiritual power and every committed couple has the potential to intensify love and compassion and to realize a life lived in love.”
“The Way of the Beloved” offers exercises intended to help couples realize “a vision of love fulfilled,” something the Van Arsdales taught small groups of couples together from 1976 to 2010; Robert has trained another couple to conduct the workshops and they continue today in Tucson, Arizona. The book, based on their workshops, offers a set of rules to transform the love in a relationship into a path of spiritual development. The techniques in the book are based on methods from Herman Rednick’s teachings.
“Everyone needs to learn how to be more loving, however it is not easy to do without commitment and, in our time of selfishness, extensive, systematic help,” Robert says.
“The Way of the Beloved”
By Robert and Diana Van Arsdale
Hardcover | 6 x 9 in | 514 pages | ISBN 9781491796108
Softcover | 6 x 9 in | 514 pages | ISBN 9781491796092
E-Book | 514 pages | ISBN 9781491796115
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Robert Van Arsdale and Diana Van Arsdale – nee Muriel S. Mintzes – were married in 1971. They each were married before, and each had three children. Both had varied and disparate careers before and after becoming a couple. Diana was a concert pianist and teacher with a degree in music. She also became a massage therapist, a counselor and a mediator. Robert, by education, was a cultural anthropologist. He also became a custom furniture maker and designer, a sculptor, a professional mediator, a non-fiction book author and editor, and now, in his 80s, is a painter. In addition, until Diana’s death in 2010, they spent much of their time developing and teaching workshops for couples.
iUniverse, an Author Solutions, LLC, self-publishing imprint, is the leading book marketing, editorial services, and supported self-publishing provider. iUniverse has a strategic alliance with Indigo Books & Music, Inc. in Canada, and titles accepted into the iUniverse Rising Star program are featured in a special collection on BarnesandNoble.com. iUniverse recognizes excellence in book publishing through the Star, Reader’s Choice, Rising Star and Editor’s Choice designations—self-publishing’s only such awards program. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, iUniverse also operates offices in Indianapolis. For more information or to publish a book, please visit iuniverse.com or call 1-800-AUTHORS. For the latest, follow @iuniversebooks on Twitter.
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John M. Coles announces the publication of ‘Breathe Only Love’
RENO, Nev. – In his newly released book, “Breathe Only Love: A Path to God’s Presence” (published by WestBow Press), John Coles wonders why his doctorate in counseling didn’t show him how to avoid a heart attack.
Twenty years ago, Coles found himself emerging from unconsciousness in a hospital trauma unit with what was diagnosed as a “heart event.” “Stress experts aren’t supposed to have heart events,” he states. So, he began researching answers to having a healthy heart and he discovered hard-to-find answers in neuropsychology that are also found in the Bible. Coles shares his new knowledge of how “the physiological heart is at the heart of both psychology and Christianity.”
The book centers upon scriptural references of the heart being one’s path to God. “When therapists think of psychology, stress management and spirituality today, they turn to Buddhist concepts of mindfulness,” he points out. Coles continues, “My book explores the biblical basis for a heart-centered and love-centered spirituality that enhances Christian lives and prayers.”
“Stress is overcoming spirituality in the lives of thousands of Christians today,” Coles says. “Christianity tells us to love God and others as ourselves, whereas psychology offers specific ideas on how to actually do so.”
“Breathe Only Love”
By John M. Coles
Hardcover | 5.5 x 8.5in | 146 pages | ISBN 9781512766363
Softcover | 5.5 x 8.5in | 146 pages | ISBN 9781512766356
E-Book | 146 pages | ISBN 9781512766349
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
John M. Coles received his doctorate in counseling from Oregon State University. He practiced therapy with college students for over three decades and now teaches psychology full-time. Coles also accepts invitations to speak on Christian peacefulness and spirituality. Although he no longer practices therapy, Coles is a nationally certified counselor and a certified resiliency trainer. More information is available at: www.heartofthechristian.com.
WestBow Press is a strategic supported self-publishing alliance between HarperCollins Christian Publishing and Author Solutions, LLC — the world leader in supported self-publishing. Titles published through WestBow Press are evaluated for sales potential and considered for publication through Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. For more information, visit www.westbowpress.com or call (866)-928-1240. For WestBow Press news, click “Like” at www.facebook.com/WestBowPress and follow @westbowpress on Twitter.
