Business Matters Blog

One of the driving forces behind our recent economic difficulty has been the collapse of the real estate market.  Locally, in a region that was (and to some extent still is) rapidly expanding, we are feeling the effects.  Growth is one of the major economic drivers of our area.  So, what has happened to the real estate market, and who's fault is it?  And, more importantly, what do we do next?  Joining us to discuss this important topic are:

• Bob Levy (Pennsylvania Mortgage Brokers' Association)
• Alan Jennings (Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley)
• RIchard Koze (Kay Builders)
• Gregg Feinberg, Esq. (GMF Development & Feinberg Law)

Make sure to join us for this very timely show on Monday, December 15, 7:30pm on WFMZ.

All shows air on Monday's, 7:30pm on WFMZ.

December 1st – Will your right to a secret ballot be taken from you?  (PART I)

Bill George--

PA

AFL-CIO

Bill Adams-- Adams, Nash, Haskell & Sheridan

Wendell Young – UFCW Local 1776

George Hlavac, Tallman Hudders & Sorrentino

 

December 8^th-- Will your right to a secret ballot be taken from you?  (PART II)

Bill George--

PA

AFL-CIO

Bill Adams-- Adams, Nash, Haskell & Sheridan

Wendell Young – UFCW Local 1776

George Hlavac, Tallman Hudders & Sorrentino

 

December 15^th --What really happened to the real estate market and who's at fault?

Bob Levy, PA Mortgage Brokers' Association

Alan Jennings, CACLV

Richard Koze, Kay Builders

Gregg Feinberg, Esq. –GMF Development & Feinberg Law

 

December 22^nd -- The Economy:  How Bad Will It Get?

Kamran Afshar-- Kamran Afshar Associates

Bob Rupel--Lafayette Ambassador Bank

Jim Deutsch-- Team Capital Bank

Frank Smith-- Summit Management

 

December 29^th -- Barack Obama:  The Change We Need?

Charles Snelling, Activist

Don Cunningham, Lehigh

County

Executive

Bob Smith, Allentown School Director

 

David Jones,

Lehigh

County

Commissioner

 

January 5th --Tort Reform:  Better Medicine or Justice Denied

Philip Hof, Seidel, Cohen, Hof & Reid

Gene

Barr

,

Pennsylvania

Chamber of Commerce

Dennis Feeley, Cohen & Feeley 

 

January 12-- Abstinence only education:  What’s best for your kids?

Michael Geer, Pennsylvania Family Institute

Bob Smith,

Allentown

School

Director

Maryjo Oster

,

Pennsylvania

Coalition to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

Jennifer May,

Pennsylvania

for Responsible Sex Education

 

January 19 ----Free Trade:  The New World or Destroying

America

?

Gregg Potter, Lehigh Valley Labor Council

Mike D’Amore, Allentown City Council President

Gene Barr, Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce

Betsy Summers, Libertarian Party

There is a very important debate in America right now that is of particular importance to organized labor, union members and businesses.  That debate is over the Employee Free Choice Act.  This act would make it easier for workers to unionize by eliminating the secret ballot vote to unionize. 

Opponents say the legislation is undemocratic because it would take take away the fundamental right of Americans to have a private vote.  They also say it would eliminate elections, allow union leaders to intimidate workers into joining unions and force small businesses to accept contracts they can’t afford.  Supporters, however, say it will help workers by raising the standard of living in wages and benefits and other parts of their compensation.  They also argue that the right to organize and to collectively bargain helped to build the American middle-class and it will build a stronger economy. 

Our guests are as follows:

• Bill George, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO
• Bill Adams, Adams, Nash & Haskell, Inc.
• Wendell Young, UFCW Local 1776
• George Hlavac, Esq., Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino

This show was so interesting, informative and entertaining that we decided to tape two parts.  Part one will air Monday, December 1 (7:30pm) and part two will air on Monday, December 8.

Watch this show.  Trust me!

Ask any parent for their top five concerns when they chose to move to their current home or community, and I guarentee that one of those answers will be education.  Education is one of the most important issues faced by families when deciding where to live (if not the most important issue) and is obviously an issue that has massive reprocussions on the success of each America generation.  How, then, does education fare in the Lehigh Valley? 

Join us for a discussion with:

• State Representative Karen Beyer (R-131)
• Jeff Glazier (Allentown School Director)
• Alan Earnshaw (East Penn School Director)
• Barry Cohen (Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School)

What type of education does the Lehigh Valley provide, and is it a good one?  Do we do enough to educate our kids?  What sort of disparities exist between public and private schools?  What differences exist between urban and suburban districts?  How can we fix them?  What is the state doing?  And what do we do about teacher strikes, such as those recently seen in the Saucon Valley?

Again, this one will air Monday, November 24, 2008, 7:30pm on WFMZ. 

Hope you learn something!

(sorry, the pun was unavoidable)

For the past eleven months, I have had the pleasure of serving as an Associate Producer for Business Matters.  This show, however, was a real treat for two main reasons.  First, I had an opportunity to serve as a panelist for the show.  Second, the show was amazing.  I don't think I've ever enjoying a show as much as this one. 

The topic is a particularly hot one of late, especially for those who are interested in urban revitalizon, regionalism or alternative forms of transportation.  Rail in the Lehigh Valley - do we need it, or is it a waste of time and money?  The panelists are:

• Paul Marin, LANTA board member and rail advocate
• Kim Snyder, Eastern Industries
• Ron Angle, Northampton County Councilman
• Mike Schlossberg, Borough Business Revitalization Program

This show took on a variety of different angles (no pun intended) on rail.  How much will it cost and will it be used?  Will it help or hurt our downtowns?  What will it do to our community?  How will it help the average tax payer?

Monday, November 17, 7:30pm on WFMZ.

The 2006 - 2008 session was unquestionably a tumultuous one for the Pennsylvani House of Representatives.  It saw the Democrats return to power with a one seat majority, but thanks to internal political strife, Republican Dennis O'Brien was elected as Speaker of the House.  This session also saw the Bonus Gate inditements, the re-election of Governor Ed Rendell and a whole slew of difficult issues, including health care reform, property tax relief and energy independance.

Join us for a show that discusses these important issues and more with four of our local Lehigh Valley legislators:

• State Representative Karen Beyer (R-131)
• State Representative Craig Dally (R-138)
• State Representative Rich Grucela (D-137)
• State Representative Doug Reichley (R-134)

Again, the show will air Monday, November 10, 7:30pm on WFMZ-TV.  Enjoy!

We have only one show left before the November 4 election, and its gonna be a great one!  It is our pleasure to present to you the 2nd of our state-wide debates, and this one is for Pennsylvania Attorney General.

Next to Governor and Lt. Governor, this position is arguably one of the most important and recognizable in the entire Commonwealth, and with good reason.  Accordin to the official website, the Pennsylvania Attorney General has the following responsibilities:

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The Criminal Law Division is responsible for investigating drug trafficking, child predators, organized crime, public corruption, insurance fraud and other criminal violations.  This division also handles criminal cases referred to the Office of Attorney General by Pennsylvania's 67 District Attorneys or various other government agencies.

The Public Protection Division safeguards the personal rights of the citizens of Pennsylvania and protects the public interest. The Public Protection Division handles consumer complaints through the Bureau of Consumer Protection and the Health Care Section, oversees Tobacco enforcement, Charitable Trusts and Organizations, Antitrust actions and Civil Rights Enforcement.

The Civil Law Division defends the constitutionality of Pennsylvania law, represents Commonwealth agencies, defends the Commonwealth in tax appeals, collects delinquent taxes and other debts owed to the Commonwealth, handles or supervises various appeals and reviews Commonwealth contracts, regulations and bond issues for form and legality. 

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Pennsylvania has three candidates for Attorney General:

• Tom Corbett (R-Incumbent)
• John Morganelli (D)
• Marakay Rogers (Green)

What happened with bonus gate?  Is the investigation partisian?  What has Tom Corbett done in his role?  And what is the role of third parties in this race? 

Tune in on Monday, November 3, 7:30pm on WFMZ to find out!

On Monday, October 27, Business Matters will air an incredibly lively debate between the two candidates for State Representative in the 136th Legislative District:  Bob Freeman (D-Incumbent) and Ron Shegda.

A variety of issues were discussed, including government reform, tax proposals and the always hot topics of abortion, gay marriage and the 2nd amendment.  Make sure to watch this show for a great debate!  October 27 (Monday, 7:30pm) on WFMZ.      

With less than a month before the election, its time for the Lehigh Valley's congressional candidates to debate!  Join us as Charles Dent (R-Incumbent) and Sam Bennett debate for the 15th Congressional District in Pennsylvania.

Part One:  Monday, October 13, 7:30pm on WFMZ-TV.

Part Two:  Monday, October 20, 7:30pm on WFMZ-TV

Who is the most qualified to serve us in Congress?  Tune in to find out, and after the debate, its your chance to weight in.  Give your thoughts on this blog and make sure to participate in our post-debate poll!  Grade the candidates performances!  Who was the most knowledgeable?  The most likable?  The overall winner? 

Vote on our post-debate poll at the WFMZ Business Matters website.

One of the lesser known but more important state-wide positions for Pennsylvania is the position of Auditor General.  According to the official website, the Auditor General is supposed "to protect how your tax dollars are spent and ensure that government operates efficiently and effectively."  Basically, it is the "fiscal watchdog" of Pennsylvania.  Previous holders of this position include United States Senator Robert Casey.

This election is more important than ever now, given the particularly difficult fiscal times in this country.  This is definately a debate worth watching.  Participating are:

• Jack Wagner (D-Incumbent)
• Chet Beiler (R)

What has Jack Wagner done as the Auditor General?  Has he properly watched Pennsylvania's finances?  And what about Beiler's accusations that Wagner should have done more to stop the ongoing Bonusgate scandal?

Tune in on Monday, October 6, 7:30pm on WFMZ to find out!