| Volume 47 Number 12 |
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Forward this news alert to your family and friends
Helpful Links
Texas Consumer Complaint Center
Credit Reports and Identity Theft
Your Guide to Small Claims Court
Contact Us
1-713-743-2168
The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Never cash a check and return part of the proceeds to the person who gave it to you! One of the most common and successful scams involves paying for something with a certified or cashier's check in a larger amount and asking for the difference. The check is counterfeit and you will be out whatever money you return. Click here for more.
Texting-While-Driving Ban
Federal regulators are proposing guidelines for states to create laws to ban texting-while-driving. In 2008, more than 500,000 people were injured as a result of distracted drivers. An additional 6,000 were killed. Regulators hope the ban will make roads safer, but case studies have received mixed reviews. Would the law help make roads safer? To read about the proposal, Click here for more.
Senate Passes $15 Billion Jobs Bill
The United States Senate has passed a $15 billion jobs bill that will give tax breaks to companies that hire individuals unemployed for at least 60 days. The bill would also help local and state governments invest in construction and highway projects. Critics suggest the tax incentives simply aren't enough. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the plan will save or create 234,000 jobs. Does the plan do enough? Click here for more.
Toyota CEO Speaks to Congress
Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda apologized to congress and his customers. According to Toyoda (whose family started Toyota), he "fears the pace at which [Toyota grew] may have been too quick." Toyoda's appearance before congress comes as Japan opens its own investigation in to the unintended acceleration problem. After rounds of questioning by congress, consumers continue to fear driving Toyota vehicles. The company has admitted it is uncertain what has caused the problems. Will Toyota ever recover? Click here for more.
Home Remodeling & Improvement Guide
Are you planning to remodel or make improvements to your home? This guide can help streamline the process! Click here for more.
Your Money
Is a hybrid car right for you? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Debtors not eligible for Chapter 13 relief. A First Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel held that a married couple did not meet the income eligibility requirements for Chapter 13 bankruptcy relief -- even when taking into account a loan from a family friend. The court agreed with the Trustee, who explained that, "the Bankruptcy Code defines an individual with regular income as an individual whose income is sufficiently stable and regular to enable such individual to make payments under a plan under chapter 13 of this title." Click here for more.