Also believe it is a goodfaith proposal that i think will serve the people of our state well for many years to come. We will seek the maximum allowable time under the law for that waiver. Let me say as i close, and then i will finish the formal program but i can catch up with some of you afterwards if you want. I served 12 years in the congress and i served the better part of a year and a half i have become more convinced every day that the cure for what ails our country is going to come more from the nations state capitals than it ever will from the nations capital. At the very core of this waiver request is my belief that many of the most intractable issues facing our country, including health care, can best be solved by giving the states the freedom and flexibility to design programs that can solve the challenges the people of their state are facing in those areas. So we will continue those discussions with federal officials. Im hopeful that we will be able to expand the healthy ind
Hearing. [inaudible conversations] this hearing is open, and ask as you know and as you know, my name is richard blumenthal, im senator from connecticut, and i am here, regretfully, in place of chairman rockefeller who has an urgent intel, intelligence matter and, therefore, could not be with us at the opening. I dont think hell be able to join us, but his absence is in no way a sign of any lack of interest in this subject. In fact, ive talked to him in some detail about this hearing, and i know that he would be here if he could be. I want to welcome all of our panel here and all of the folks who are attending. This subject is one very, very close to my heart as a former attorney general for a couple of decades in connecticut. I had First Experience with cramming, both wireless and land line, and worked with at least one of the members of this panel, attorney general sir rell, and ill be introducing him in just a moment. As many of you know, the telephone industry decided to get into t
The socalled direct Carrier Billing method of payment could benefit unbanked customers. And other people looking for an alternative way to shop or make a charity contribution. But the reality of thirdparty charges on telephone bills is a different story. A profoundly different tale and it hasnt lived up to its potential. As soon as the phone Company Opened up outside scammers found a way to scam the system. They have added charges to peoples bill and are relentless in doing so. Many dont understand, including colleag colleagues, that their phone bill have charges for things they never bought. And they are paying for things they never bought. And it is an unwelcome surprise to them especially when they discover that they have trouble they turned their attention to the market was purchasing through the text message service. The Commerce Committee staff and i really want to thank them for their work has prepared a new report documenting how crammers exploited the weakness in the premium m
And help services the newly elected chairman of the federation for 2014. I think it is only appropriate that everyone take their phone device, hold it up, and take a photo of yourself. Anybody that was start a meeting before 8 00 on eastern time zone cannot be all there. Of yousuming that most have had the opportunity to get at least your first cup of 10 starbuck coffee down your belly in youre starting to feel good. Good morning. I want to acknowledge someone before you yesterday. This is for 2013. The passion for this organization and for our industry has been incredible and has been part of what this organization is all about. The type of person that he is on the has been, and will continue to be. The energy and effort that he put in this job is a Guiding Light for those of us who are going to have to follow him and all the things that he did. If you will stand up, everyone is him a round of applause. [applause] jim henson. He is the chairman of the American Hospital association and
Board for temperatures in the lowtomid 70s. The exception is san mateo at 69 and San Francisco at 68 and Half Moon Bay at 63. Santa cruz at 69. We do have a forecast advisory. I will show you where along with the rest of us in a minute but, first, news as far as traffic is concerned. The sigalert we have on westbound 580 is completely ruined the commute. It will take a longterm to recover. We have two lanes blocked because of the injury accident. You can see how much backup it is causing. We are close to 55 minutes from tracy to dublin. You have quite a drive with two lanes blocked. Eastbound we have construction, as well. New crash albany westbound 80 at Central Avenue with a lane blocked. This is walnut creek, coming away from highway 4 to the 24 junk, it is not showing too much traffic right now and at top speeds. If you of driving through Sonoma County on 101 you could find yourself in gambling gridlock. Amy hollyfield is at the Graton Casino opening this morning. They worried. Loo