The federal government's $8,000 tax credit program to help breathe life into the listless housing market appears to be working in Central Ohio, according to local real estate experts. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, commonly known as the economic stimulus package, first-time home buyers can get up to an $8,000 tax credit if they buy a house before the end of the year.
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A bill was introduced this week that would provide witnesses with protection before criminal investigations or court cases take place. House Bill 243, introduced in a bipartisan effort by Rep. Tom Letson, D-Warren, and Rep. Dave Burke, R-Marysville, would specify that the intimidation offense in a criminal case of an attorney, witness or victim also would apply to delinquency cases and to any attempt to influence, intimidate or hinder a witness to a criminal or delinquent act in the discharge of a witness's duty.
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Rep. Sandra Harwood, D-Niles, recently introduced two pieces of legislation that address disclosure of assets and division of property in divorce proceedings. House Bill 238, introduced last week, would amend the Ohio Revised Code to require the court, in divorce proceedings, to require the spouses to fully disclose their assets and to classify nondisclosure of assets as financial misconduct.
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COLUMBUS (AP) - The Ohio Supreme Court agreed Wednesday to hear a satellite TV company's appeal of a state sales tax imposed on the industry in 2003.
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WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration launched investigations of hundreds of businesses around the country Wednesday as part of its strategy to focus immigration enforcement on the employers who hire illegal workers.
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WASHINGTON (AP) - Construction spending fell more than expected in May, a sign the problems facing the nation's builders are far from over. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that construction spending dropped 0.9 percent in May, nearly double the 0.5 percent decline that economists expected.
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WASHINGTON (AP) - The economic downturn appears to be bringing out the worst in some people. The Federal Trade Commission announced a major crackdown Wednesday on scammers trying to take advantage of people worried about the tough economy by promising jobs that don't exist, get-rich-quick schemes and other phony services.
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NEW YORK (AP) - A report on manufacturing activity shows the sector contracted less than expected in June, posting its best showing since last August and another sign that a recovery may be near. Manufacturing sectors overseas also are rebounding a bit, according to new reports, but other U.S. economic data were mixed.
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