New Year Resolution - Sign up for MEDICARE? News to Use..

Turning 65 this year? Looking to retire on Medicare?.... While signing up for Medicare sounds relatively simple, there are a lot of moving parts [literally ! Parts A, B, D...!] that require decisions that will impact your pocketbook and your insurance coverage. 

TIME TO START ENROLLING... Starting the project this NEW YEAR...(been in denial)... and will share info that may be helpful to fellow "boomers"..... this is a good overview to use in planning the "big event".... 

The author  Bob Rall, CFP®  April 24, 2017 (Investopedia)
 recommend six steps when going through the Medicare enrollment process:

1.  Check your timing
2.  Choose your Medicare path
3.  Select your specific plans
4.  Enroll in Medicare (note that this is the fourth step, not the first!)
5.  Enroll in your specific plan(s) (For related reading, see: Medicare 101: Do You Need All 4 Parts?)
6.  Review your coverage annually

You can find the FULL article at the following website link: "Investopedia" website that is an excellent source for explaining financial concepts in understandable terms!!!!!   I will "feed" the entire on to this site for those of you who are unable to obtain the full article. 

COMING ..NEXT SECTION: "The BASICS - Medicares A, B, [C] D 

LINK (Cut & Paste)
Read more: Medicare Enrollment Part 1: When to Enroll | Investopedia https://www.investopedia.com/advisor-network/articles/medicare-enrollment-part-1-when-enroll/#ixzz52qBZFbRA
Follow us: Investopedia on Facebook

RUSSIAN Followers..very interesting!!!

Here is PROOF that the Russians (Dark Green/Right) follow US Bloggers....check out the Russian interest in this website... this comes from the stats Google keeps on followers...

CMH News: Dr. Ivan Gowan retires from Community Memorial Hospital

HAMILTON >> Medical staff and employees from Community Memorial Hospital gathered on Wednesday, Dec. 20 to celebrate the career of Dr. Ivan D. Gowan, who is retiring after serving patients at Community Memorial Hospital for 34 years.

“Dr. Gowan has made a significant impact on the well-being of the residents in our community. His expertise in Orthopaedic medicine using ground-breaking methods has advanced the quality of care at Community Memorial Hospital,” said Dr. Robert Delorme, vice president of Medical Affairs at Community Memorial. “His energy and passion for medicine will be missed by all staff and we wish him well as he begins the next chapter of his life.”

See the ONEIDA DISPATCH for rest of article....great source of local news:
http://www.oneidadispatch.com/business/20171223/dr-ivan-gowan-retires-from-community-memorial-hospital

CONGRESS: 2018 - [Quick Read] Year Ahead

WASHINGTON — After a halting start, the Republican-controlled 115th Congress — sometimes in collaboration with President Trump, often despite him — has enacted surprisingly far-reaching conservative achievements in its first year, among them a long-promised rewrite of the tax code, oil drilling in the Arctic and a series of lifetime appointments to the judiciary.

For the new year, Republican leaders in the House have their sights on decades-old programs for the poor that they say are too easily exploited by those who do not need them. Mr. Trump is expected to move forward with a long-promised program to rebuild roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

And Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, is speaking gamely of bipartisanship, especially on legislation to protect young undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children, whose Obama-era protection from deportation will run out in March.

On Jan. 20, the latest stopgap spending measure expires, giving lawmakers from both parties another chance to force resolutions on outstanding immigration and health care measures, along with efforts to raise caps on military and domestic spending. And an $81 billion package of relief for hurricane and wildfire victims that passed the House last week awaits Senate action.

(NYT/ LINK: for full article)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/24/us/politics/congress-2017-conservative-courts-taxes-trump.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

VETERANS FAMILIES - Memorial Bricks ..Waterville's SOLDIERS & SAILORS MONUMENT

Wonderful idea... just saw this in the Waterville Website "HUB OF THE HUDDLE" .. Memorial Bricks...for Veterans...to be placed at the SOLDIERS & SAILORS MONUMENT in Waterville.

Check out this link to the "HUB" or call the Waterville Public Library and speak with Jeff Reynolds (315) 841-4651  ...there is an order form and guidelines... the  suggested donation are included. 

DETAILS, FORMS at the "HUB"..also great website for kid events   CUT & PASE:  http://hubofthehuddle.blogspot.com/

Congress averts partial shutdown, pushes showdowns into January

The stopgap sending bill approved Thursday extends current federal funding through Jan. 19, delaying showdowns on spending, immigration, health care and national security. The measure provides temporary extensions of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, a veterans health-care program and a warrantless surveillance program.

Senate Approves Historic Tax Cut in 51-48 Vote

Senate Approves Historic Tax Cut in 51-48 Vote
Congress stands on the cusp of passing a $1.5 trillion tax cut and the largest structural overhaul of the tax system since 1986.

The Senate passed the tax-overhaul bill, 51-48, early Wednesday morning, hours after it sailed through the House on a 227-203 vote. A last-minute glitch because of Senate rules forced Republican leaders to schedule another vote in the House for Wednesday morning. The result isn't likely to be any different, and the measure will head to President Donald Trump for his signature, though no date has been set.

The Senate vote was purely along party lines, with Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.) absent. In the House, every Democrat who was present voted no, as did 12 Republicans, almost all from high-tax states.

TAX BILL UPDATE: Tues 12-19-17

The House is scheduled to vote on the revised tax bill around 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time today/ Tuesday 12/19/17.

. The Senate will tackle the legislation after, and baring procedural delays, could pass it either late this evening or tomorrow morning.

The final overhaul plan, which President Donald Trump will sign into law after it gets the green light from Congress, falls short on election promises while still delivering broad tax cuts. [BLOOMBERG]

UPDATE - Tax Bill : Media Overview 12/18/17

PENDING TAX BILL:   [12/18/17 Monday]
Here is BLOOMBERG's  overview of the Media Coverage from the following outlets ....

• Republicans promised that their tax overhaul would reduce Americans’ annual tax filings to forms the size of a postcard. By that measure, their legislative efforts have failed, as the labyrinthine tax code remains enormously complex. (NYT)

• The likely hit that residents of high-tax states like New York will take from the tax code change has already caused a slowdown in real estate sales, as companies weigh shifting jobs to lower-cost areas. (WSJ)

• A last-minute change to the tax bill, not included in the previous House or Senate legislation, benefits real estate investors. (Bloomberg)

• The tax overhaul retains incentives for companies to keep their operations in the United States, according to some tax experts — and in some ways has incentives for shifting more operations abroad. (WaPo)

• John McCain of Arizona will miss the tax vote, although that isn’t expected to cause trouble for the Senate G.O.P. leadership.

POLITICAL "Economics" - IGNORANCE IS BLISS in Budgeting Process..

POLITICAL "Economics" - IGNORANCE IS BLISS in Budgeting Process..
WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services tried to play down on Saturday a report that officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had been barred from using seven words or phrases, including:

 “science-based,” “fetus,” “transgender” and “vulnerable,” in agency budget documents.

....The news set off an uproar among advocacy groups and some Democratic officials, who denounced any efforts to muzzle federal agencies or censor their language.

...A former C.D.C. official, who asked not to be identified, said that some staff members were upset because the purported ban suggested that their work was being politicized. (NYT 12/17/17)

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/health/cdc-trump-banned-words.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

Pending TAX BILL - GOOD Summary from WSJ

(WSJ  12/16/17) After months of debate, Republicans late Friday released the details of their plan to overhaul the U.S. tax code for businesses and individuals. Here’s how it would affect individual filers, including those with a pass-through business. For its effect on all businesses, see here.

The core of the tax bill is in line with versions that passed the House and Senate: cuts in individual income-tax rates, fewer allowed itemized deductions but a bigger standard deduction, and big benefits to high-income business owners and heirs to large estates. Middle-income households will get tax cuts that are set to expire, and some households, particularly upper-middle-class residents of high-tax states, would likely pay more than they do now.

NEW TAX BRACKETS AND RATES
The highest-earning Americans will get a tax rate of 37%, which is lower than today’s 39.6% and lower than the top rate in each of the bills that passed the House and Senate.

DEDUCTIONS AND EXEMPTIONS
The plan increases the standard deduction while adjusting several other deductions and credits.

Standard Deduction
• Current for 2018: $13,000 (married); $9,550 (head of household); $6,500 (single)
• Proposed: $24,000 (married); $18,000 (head of household); $12,000 (single)

Personal Exemption
• Current: $4,150
• Proposed: Repealed

Child Tax Credit
• Current: $1,000, starts phasing out for married couples at $110,000 in income; $75,000 for others
• Proposed: $2,000, $1,400 of which is refundable; starts phasing out at $400,000 in income for married couples, $200,000 for nonmarried households.

State and Local Taxes
Rather than fully repeal the deduction as planned, Republicans cap it at $10,000 to address concerns from high-earning residents in high-tax states.
• Current: Deductible for taxpayers who itemize, with limits
• Proposed: Caps at $10,000 amount that can be deducted

Mortgage-Interest Deduction for Both Primary and Second Homes
• Current: Itemized deduction on loans up to $1 million
• Proposed: Itemized deduction on loans up to $750,000

Alternative Minimum Tax
• Current: A parallel tax system that disallows personal exemptions and state deductions for high-earning households
• Proposed: Preserves the AMT but significantly narrows it

Medical Expenses
• Current: Itemized deduction for expenses above 10% of income
• Proposed: Reduces that income percentage to 7.5% for all in 2017 and 2018

Student-Loan Interest
• Current: Above-the-line deduction, meaning it can be used to show a lower income
• Proposed: No change

Graduate Student Tuition Waivers
• Current: Not taxable
• Proposed: No change

Alimony
• Current: Deductible for people making alimony payments
• Proposed: Not deductible to the payer for agreements signed after 2018

ESTATE TAX
• Current: 40% on estates over $5.6 million per individual
• Proposed: 40% on estates over $11.2 million per individual

CAPITAL GAINS AND DIVIDENDS
• Current: Top rate of 23.8%
• Proposed: No change

PASS-THROUGH BUSINESSES
Republicans propose a 20% income deduction for so-called pass-through businesses such as partnerships and S corporations, which pay taxes through individual returns. That is lower than the 23% deduction in the Senate bill, but when combined with the lower top tax rate on ordinary income, it equates to a nearly identical 29.6% top rate on that income for pass-throughs. The bill also includes some version of House language letting pass-through firms qualify for a tax break based on their capital investment.
• Current: Pass-through business taxes based on individual income tax rates and brackets
• Proposed: Business owners get a 20% deduction for pass-through income; phases out for some businesses starting at $315,000 of income for joint filers

HEALTH INSURANCE
• Current: Penalty for failing to have health insurance
• Proposed: No penalty

529 PLANS
• Current: Proceeds from such tax-free accounts can be used for post-secondary education
• Proposed: Proceeds can be used for K-12 and for post-secondary education

WSJ:  https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-the-republican-tax-plan-means-for-you-1513380487

TAX BILL UPDATE: Republicans have votes to pass tax plan after Rubio, Corker pledge support

Republicans have votes to pass tax plan after Rubio, Corker pledge support
Congressional Republicans secured enough support to pass their massive tax plan after two critical holdouts, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), signaled they would vote for it. Rubio emerged as a final challenge for Republican leaders, but his ultimate decision to vote for the package came after a standoff that led to a last-minute expansion of the Child Tax Credit.

The FINAL version of the bill to be completed early next week with intention of having on the President's desk by Wednesday 12.20. 17

$1.5 trillion tax bill - UPDATE 12/15/17....without the politics....

....without the politics....

The final details of the tax plan are due to be released later today (Friday, 12/15/17) by Congressional Republicans, with two important questions still hanging over a successful passage of the bill. 

1.  The first is on money, with the program needing to come in under the $1.5 trillion limit set by Congress. Every sweetener added to secure votes risks pushing deficits over that limit.

2.  Secondly, it remains unclear if there is enough support among Republican senators to get the deal done. In the last 24 hours, Senators Marco Rubio, Bob Corker, Mike Lee, Jeff Flake and Susan Collins have all said they are undecided on the vote.  [BLOOMBERG]

Republicans, who reached agreement Wednesday on a merged version of the House and Senate tax plans, expect to unveil the final bill on Friday [today 12/15/17] and vote on the legislation early next week so that it can be sent to President Trump before Christmas.

But those plans were thrown into some disarray on Thursday when Mr. Rubio said that he would vote no on the bill unless it included a greater expansion of the child tax credit, which he and another Republican senator, Mike Lee of Utah, have been pushing for to benefit lower-income individuals. [NY Times]

BROOKFIELD Student Receives Nomination for Admission to the US Naval Academy!!

Congratulations to Emmalyn Smith, Brookfield High School Student 

From the ONEIDA DISPATCH:.....New Hartford, N.Y. >> Congress Rep Tenney announced nine local students have been nominated for admission to the United States Service Academies, including Brookfield Student,  Emmalyn Smith. Members of Tenney’s Academy Selection Committee interviewed the academy candidates and reviewed their backgrounds. Nominees were then selected by the board based on a number of factors including: leadership skills, character, academic achievements and motivation.

The full article and additional nominations are on ONEIDA DISPATCH:
http://www.oneidadispatch.com/general-news/20171212/tenney-nominates-9-students-for-service-academies


UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY

Giana Gigliotti, Thomas R. Proctor High School

Connor Hathaway, DeRuyter High School

Emmalyn Smith, Brookfield High School

Keegan Steele, Whitesboro High School

Ryan Svitak, Whitesboro High School

PROPERTY TRANSFERS: November & September

PROPERTY TRANSFERS:  November & September ....from the Oneida Dispatch...they just listed these property transactions....you can check out the rest of Madison Co. transfers at:  http://www.oneidadispatch.com/general-news/20171212/september-2017-property-transfers 


NOVEMBER Transfers in Brookfield....
Preston Kelley to Matthew Warner: Route 12, Brookfield, for $14,624.
Larry Knapp to Jonathon Troyer: Route 8, Brookfield, for $130,000.

SEPTEMBER Transfers in Brookfield....
Harvey Green Jr. to Joshua Belfield: 8913 Swamp Road, Brookfield, for $123,000.
Paul Christian to Travis Ostrander: 10783 Hoxie Road, Brookfield, for $39,500.
Donald Brown to Randy Schaffer: 10259 Bailey Lake Road, Brookfield, for $99,975.
Nancy Phillips to Michelle Zaia: 11302 Mill St., Brookfield, for $92,500.

PROPERTY TRANSFERS - October 2017

The following BROOKFIELD AREA deeds were among those recorded in the Madison County clerk’s office during the month of OCTOBER....for complete list of all Madison County Deed filings for the month, check out the ONEIDA DISPATCH at 
http://www.oneidadispatch.com/general-news/20171209/october-2017-property-transfers

Bank of NY Mellon to Gorilla Capital: 7888 Larkin Road, Hubbardsville, for $47,500.
Madison County to Melanie King: 2339 Beaver Creek Road, Brookfield, for $2,641.
Madison County to Terry Murray: Unadilla River, Brookfield, for $1,500.
Madison County to Mattthew Camerino: 11325 Mill St., Brookfield, for $1,000.
Madison County to Keith Peavey: 1665 Academy St., Brookfield, for $3,700.
Raymond Corbin to Karen Six: Beaver Creek Road, Brookfield, for $800.
Adam Soderstrom to Robert Beigh: 191 Route 8, Brookfield, for $100,000.

Rep. TENNEY is a FAKE NEWS REPORTER....

Syracuse University rebukes Claudia Tenney for claiming it supports GOP tax plan

WASHINGTON -- Syracuse University officials say U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney spread "categorically false" information this week about the university's position on the Republican tax plan making its way through Congress. 

Tenney, R-New Hartford, defended her vote for the GOP bill in a live interview Wednesday on Utica radio station WUTQ-FM (100.7).

"If this was bad for college students and colleges, why would Syracuse University, the largest higher educational institution in our region, why are they supporting the tax plan?" Tenney said.

SU, in fact, has publicly criticized the Republican tax overhaul because it would end tax deductions for interest paid on student loans, tax tuition benefits received by graduate students and the children of university employees, and impose a 1.4 percent excise tax on investment income from college endowments. 

"To be clear: To suggest that Syracuse University has endorsed or supports the tax reform legislation currently making its way through congress is categorically false," SU Vice Chancellor Mike Haynie said in a statement Friday.

SU Chancellor Kent Syverud outlined his concerns in a letter sent Nov. 20 to Rep. John Katko and shared by email with students, faculty and staff.

READ FULL STORY AT ...
http://www.syracuse.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/12/syracuse_university_rebukes_claudia_tenney_for_claiming_it_supports_gop_tax_plan.html#incart_river_home

MAD CO: Madison County passes 2018 budget with 3% tax increase

LINK BELOW....Madison County passes 2018 budget with 3% tax increase

12/06/17 WAMPSVILLE, N.Y. >>  "During its third day of annual session, the Board of Supervisors passed its 2018 budget with a property tax increase just shy of the state-imposed tax cap.  The board passed a $114.8 million budget for next year which will increase the county tax levy 2.993 percent over last year’s collected property taxes.

......[Ironically  and unclear !] At the same meeting, the board  introduced a local law to rescind the previous local law giving the board the option to override the cap. A public hearing will be held on the new local law at the next meeting on Dec. 19.

The remainder of Tuesday’s agenda largely consisted of renewing existing agreements for next year and levying unpaid taxes on various taxing districts.

The board also set its meeting days and times for next year again as the second Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m. The first meeting will be Wednesday, Jan. 3 and is scheduled as an organizational meeting.

SEE THE FULL ARTICLE AT:  ONEIDA DISPATCH ....Good source of local information!

http://www.oneidadispatch.com/general-news/20171206/madison-county-passes-2018-budget-with-3-tax-increase

The JOHN SALKA BUILDING COMMITTEE MEMBERS & MEETING WE ALL MISSED!!!!

I found this little announcement tucked in the corner of the Town Website...COMMITTEE FOR A NEW TOWN OFFICE...nice to make it so public...of course am sure Supervisor Salka had it on his FACEBOOK page for "FRIENDS & FAMILY".....

"There will be a meeting of the new town hall committee on Wednesday, November 29th @ 7:00 pm at the town hall. The members so far are Dan McCoach Chuck Blood, Deb Atkinson, Barb Korosec, Ernie Merrill and Marylou Rhodes. John Salka will serve on the committee as a source of technical and financial information."

Chances are we will never hear a damn thing until he's ready to build the JOHN SALKA TOWN HALL...having the sign made yet, JOHN?!

Is the President Above the Law??

Is the President Above the Law??...the Demise of Democracy:

Apparently, his attorney thinks so.  Very troubling...and getting worse.  Democracy vs. aristocracy..."money talks and values walk":

"  The brazen assertion that a president cannot obstruct justice signaled a controversial defense strategy in the Russia probe as the president’s political advisers are increasingly concerned about the legal advice he is receiving." (Washington Post 12/4/17)

This is NOT a case of Republican vs. Democrat. 

This is illustrative of the demise of democracy since the Supreme Court (Citizens United case) allowed Corporations the SAME RIGHTS as individuals and allows them to make unlimited donations to political parties of all "kinds".....NOW it is GOVERNMENT BY DONOR...not by the PEOPLE.

NEGLIGENT GOVERNMENT - Congress passes TAX BILL to payback the GOP $$ DONERS!!

Anything for a buck $$$.....CONGRESS has sold out to CORPORATIONS .... screw the voters.

Once again the rights and future of Americans have been sold out to CORPORATIONS and POLITICAL DONORS.  

"With barely a vote to spare early Saturday morning, the Senate passed a tax bill confirming that the Republican leaders’ primary goal is to enrich the country’s elite at the expense of everybody else, including future generations who will end up bearing the cost. The approval of this looting of the public purse by corporations and the wealthy makes it a near certainty that President Trump will sign this or a similar bill into law in the coming days.

The bill is expected to add more than $1.4 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade, a debt that will be paid by the poor and middle class in future tax increases and spending cuts to Medicare, Social Security and other government programs. Its modest tax cuts for the middle class disappear after eight years. And up to 13 million people stand to lose their health insurance because the bill makes a big change to the Affordable Care Act.

Yet Republicans somehow found a way to give a giant and permanent tax cut to corporations like Apple, General Electric and Goldman Sachs, saving those businesses tens of billions of dollars.

....
Republicans offered one fantasy after another to make the case for their budget-busting tax cuts. For example, the White House has said that cutting the corporate tax to 20 percent from 35 percent will lead to a boom in investment and wages — an argument disputed by most credible economists. Almost all of those extra profits will enrich senior executives and shareholders, experts say. This week, The Times reported that despite the repeated claims of the Treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, his department never produced an analysis that backs up the administration’s assertion that the tax cuts would pay for themselves. It is not hard to see why. The Joint Committee on Taxation, the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center and other experts say that the bill would not come close to paying for itself.


66
COMMENTS
For his part, Mr. Trump has repeatedly asserted with a straight face that the tax bill would hurt him. In fact, it will give him and his family a windfall. That’s because the Senate bill will provide a generous tax break for income that people earn through limited liability corporations, partnerships and other so-called pass-through businesses that do not pay taxes before passing on profits to owners. Under the Senate bill, the president will be able to claim a 23 percent deduction on profits he earns through his more than 500 pass-through businesses.

You can expect the lies to become even more brazen as Republicans seek to defend this terrible bill. But no amount of prevarication can change the fact that Congress and Mr. Trump are giving a giant gift to their donors and sticking the rest of the country with the tab...." NY Times 12/2/17

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/02/opinion/editorials/a-historic-tax-heist.html

RIP Faye Dye...very sorry to hear

Dye, Fay E.: 73, of Brookfield, died November 26, 2017. Arrangements by Paul Funeral Home, Brookfield.

EARLVILLE NY hunter, BOB COOK, wins tag, shoots gargantuan bull elk in Pennsylvania

By David Figuradfigura@nyup.com,

Robert Cook , 67, who lives just outside of Earlville recently traveled to Pennsylvania with his son Justin, and with the help of a guide shot a gargantuan bull elk. He did it courtesy of winning a special tag to hunt a bull elk in the state's, highly competitive elk hunting lottery program.

It was only one of 25 tags for bull elk awarded this year by the state to elk hunters in a lottery program that saw more than 24,000 applicants who each paid $10.90 for the chance. The state also awarded 93 antlessless elk tags to hunters.

In addition, Cook's bull elk tag was the second time he had won one - making him the first double winner in the history of the lottery program that began in 2001. He won his first bull elk tag in 2002 and succeeded then in shooting a bull.

"Rob Cook is the only individual to draw two bull tags. How lucky can you be, eh?" said Bob D'Angelo, senior associate editor of Pennsylvania Game News.

Cook downed the 832-pound (live weight) bull on Nov. 1, the third day of Pennsylvania's special 6-day hunting season. He shot it from more than 80 yards away with a 7 mm Remington Mag rifle in Clearfield County located in the western central part of the state.

CHECK OUT THE ELK PICTURE AND REST OF THE ARTICLE AT:
http://www.syracuse.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2017/11/lucky_upstate_ny_hunter_wins_tag_shoots_gargantuan_bull_elk_in_pennsylvania.html#incart_river_home