Month: October 2013

143-year-old law has Washington treading gingerly during shutdown

Administration officials now live in fear of a 19th-century law that could get them fired, penalized or even imprisoned if they make the wrong choices while the government is shut down. The law is the Antideficiency Act, passed by Congress in 1870 (and amended several times), which prohibits the government from incurring any monetary obligation for which Congress has not appropriated funds. Read more here http://www.nbcnews.com/business/143-year-old-law-has-lawmakers-treading-gingerly-during-shutdown-8C11319714

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Vacant Houses Get a Facelift

#Bridgeport, CT – Oct 5, 2013 – As part of a larger effort to address quality-of-life issues, the City has launched a decorative board-up program for vacant houses. “Our goal, first and foremost, is to see these homes purchased, renovated and to see families move in as part of the fabric of Bridgeport,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “But this program, I believe, is an important interim step.” Similar programs have been popular in the Midwest as a way to spruce up the appearance of vacant buildings and the concept recently has gained traction nationwide. The City of Bridgeport, partnering with artists from Bridgeport-based Magnacon7, installed decorative board-ups on two homes on Central Avenue in recent weeks. The idea is simple.…

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