Blogging Documents

Today is Constitution Day! On September 17, 1787 the 39 delegates of the Constitutional Congress convened one last time to sign the newly created constitution.

In celebration of the day (a fewdays lated), join the Tulsa City-County Library for Church & State: a discussion of Constitutional Issues. This event will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22 at the Central Library.

Want to learn more about the U.S. Constitution or Constitution Day? Here are some links to connect you to a wealth of information and resources.

• National Constitution Center
• Constitution Day at the National Archives

Oklahoma is entertaining the idea of a high speed rail to connect Tulsa, Oklahoma City and the north Texas border. The public is invited to a presentation of preliminary plans of the rail system. Public comments will be accepted for a period after the meetings. Two meetings are scheduled for Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

Tulsa Meeting
Tuesday, September 15 @ 6 p.m. in Aaronson Auditorium at Tulsa City-County Central Library (4th St & Denver Ave)

Oklahoma City Meeting
Monday, September 14 @ 6 p.m. at Metrotech Springlake Campus (1900 Springlake Dr)

From ODOT
The competitive grant program which allows for these improvements is part of the American Recovery and Revitalization Act and advances the Obama administration’s vision for high speed intercity passenger rail throughout the nation. In all, $8 billion in ARRA funds are available to states through this program, which is divided into the following funding tracks: Track One–Shovel-ready Projects; Track Two–Service Development Programs; Track Three–Service Planning Activities; and Track Four–Appropriations-Funded Projects.

ODOT’s preliminary application, filed on July 10, seeks approximately $2 billion in Track Two for service development programs. The Federal Rail Administration anticipates announcing the final awards by the end of the year.

Following the public meeting, cooments on Oklahoma’s high speed rail will be accepted until September 25 by mail to ODOT Rail Division, 200 N.E. 21st St., Rm. 3-D6, Oklahoma City, Ok 73105 or by email to jbridgwater@odot.org. Citizen comments will be included in the final application.

Copies of ODOT’s complete preliminary application and associated maps are available on the ODOT web site: http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/meetings/other.php

The Census Bureau is in the process of conducting the address survey for the 2010 Census and someone might come knocking on your door. As with anything, use caution and common sense when answering questions from strangers at your door. The Better Business Bureau is ready with a checklist to assist you in determining a real Census worker from an impostor.

Here are a few tips from the BBB, access the rest here http://www.bbb.org/us/article/10306.

• If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a
  handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice.
  Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their
  questions.  However, you should never invite anyone you do not know into
  your home.
• Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.  While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, it will not ask for Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.
• Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail or in person at home.  However, they will not contact you by e-mail, so be on the look out for e-mail scams impersonating the Census. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an e-mail that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

There are also safety concerns about level of information the Census asks and an individual’s privacy. The Census Bureau is required by law to keep the collected information confidential. The Bureau also employs statistical safeguard to ensure the power of deduction will not betray a person’s confidentiality. Click here for more one the Census Bureau’s Privacy Policy.

Another area of concern is about government generated emails. The Census Bureau DOES NOT initiate contact via email. If you do receive an email that appears to be from the Census Bureau, please forward this to itso.fraud.reporting@census.gov. Click here for more information about Census email scams.

Do you rent from a homeowner who’s been foreclosed on? Not to worry, Phil Mulkin and his Action Line offer insight into what rights you have as a renter.

In his August 28 column, Mr. Mulkin highlights the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 and notes that those who rent properties that are foreclosed on will be protected for at least 90 days. However, this is limited to "federally regulated" mortgages. 

Here is an excerpt from Mr. Mulkins column offering helpful guidance and understanding of the rights of renters in these situations:

Tenants must be allowed to stay in the residence until the end of their
lease, with two exceptions: where the property is sold after
foreclosure to a purchaser who will occupy the property as a primary
residence and where there is no lease (or where the lease is terminable
at will under state law). However, even when these exceptions apply,
tenants must still receive 90 days’ notice before they may be evicted.
The protections of this law apply only to "bona fide" tenants: not the
mortgagor or a child, spouse or parent of the mortgagor; the lease is
the product of an arm’s-length transaction; and the rent is not
substantially less than fair market rent (unless it is due to a
government subsidy). 

A new stimulus program is on its way. The new program, coming this fall, will allow consumers to turn in their out dated appliances for Energy Star rated appliances. Rebates will range from $50 - $200. Additional details on this rebate program will be forthcoming. In the meantime, here are a few articles to get you started…

from Business Week

from Reuters