Ex-Detroit Mayor Indicted on Fraud, Tax Charges

From the Associated Press:

A prominent Detroit pastor says the indictment of former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is another chapter in a "sad saga" that has gone on too long.

Kilpatrick was charged Wednesday with fraud and tax crimes. Federal prosecutors accuse him of enriching himself and others by milking $640,000 from a tax-exempt charity that he created as a way to enhance Detroit and improve the city's image.

The indictment says Kilpatrick used the funds to pay for yoga, golf, camp for his kids, travel, a video about his family, cars, political polling and much more. Defense lawyer James Thomas says he'll fight the charges.

The Rev. Horace Sheffield says the Kilpatrick "story needs to end." The former mayor is in state prison in an unrelated criminal case.

Volunteer, Sacramento!

Mayor Kevin Johnson of Sacramento is asking YOU to be the change in your community and join the Mayor's Volunteer Challenge. Volunteer Sacramento is partnering with Hands On Sacramento and they have set a goal to make Sacramento the number one city in the state for volunteerism.

Getting involved is easy to do. Simply join the Mayor's Volunteering Team, and start volunteering your time! All they're asking is for you (us) to donate as little as 10 hours this year. That's less than an hour each month! Those 10 hours translate into an economic contribution of more than ten million dollars back into our city. Think about that... just a little of your time to give a lot back to your community.

Here at Roni Deutch, A Professional Tax Corporation we have our own Community Action Committee where we donate time, items, and money to local organizations each month. Last month we collected blankets and warm winter clothing for The Effort, A Family Resource Center here in North Highlands, California. We were able to donate seven large bags full of winter items valued at $1,000! You can see pictures of that day here on my Flickr account.

This month (March, 2010) we are organizing an Easter Egg Drive to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Your volunteer act doesn’t have to be on a grand scale. Sacramento is full of organizations and non-profits that you could help for one hour a month! Some on-going volunteer opportunities are located at the Hands On Sacramento website.

San Francisco Sets U.S. Example by Using Property Taxes to Finance Green Upgrades

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom signed new legislation yesterday allowing homeowners and businesses to finance eco-friendly upgrades through their property taxes. It is reported that the program is the largest of its kind, and the Mayor hopes it will start a trend among local government agencies. Supporters of the program hope it will create jobs in the San Francisco area as well.

"This green financing program is going to create green jobs and prompt the next wave of energy and water efficiency as well as renewable energy development in San Francisco," Newsom said in a statement. "It helps home and property owners overcome the large up-front costs of major environmental improvements."

Beginning in March, San Franciscans will be able to seek financing from the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, which will make $150 million in bonds available, according to Renewable Funding, a private group that will put up the capital and administer the program at no cost to the city.

"San Francisco is once again leading the way by establishing the largest PACE program in the nation to date," said Cisco DeVries, president of Renewable Funding, based in Oakland.

Studies show that up-front costs are often the main barrier that keeps property owners from making green upgrades. PACE programs aim to remove that barrier.

Continue reading at USA Today.com…

NYC Mayor Fights $400 Property Tax Rebates in Court

From Reuters:

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he was fighting the city council in court over whether he has the authority to withhold $400 property tax rebates that he says the city cannot afford.

"We are in court right now," the independent mayor told reporters on Thursday. If the court sides with the Democratic-led council, Bloomberg said the checks would be mailed to homeowners.

"We will always obey the law," he said. If the tax rebates are granted, the city will have to make other spending cuts, he said.

New York is under pressure to close a $1.3 billion deficit in 2009. The mayor's fight with the council is unusual and underscores the severity of the budget problems.

The battle may also test Bloomberg's financial expertise, the cornerstone of his campaign to win a third term.

"We will work with the city council to try to get the right balance" of measures, he said.