Cash For Clunkers Stimulus

cash for clunkers to first-time home-buyer plans to subsidized health-care benefits, here’s how to make the most of the government’s new programs. Critics say that all of the moving parts of the Obama stimulus plan are barely moving at all—that the broad package of economy-goosing goodies isn’t being managed aggressively enough to produce results.

The mortgage-modification program has barely scratched the surface of the 1.6 million properties headed for foreclosure, and the Feds are still fine-tuning programs aimed at would-be refinancers and car buyers. “I don’t get the sense of urgency,” Senate banking committee chairman Christopher Dodd said at recent oversight hearings.

But for consumers, it might all be moving too fast. Blink and you might miss the whole “cash for clunkers” program, which starts on July 24 and will only be on the table for a little more than three months. Also, there’s a good chance the $8,000 refundable tax credit for first-time home buyers will expire before lenders figure out how to use it. Laid-off workers, car shoppers, and homeowners have to keep up with ever-shifting program guidelines and procedures while keeping a list of varying deadlines in mind.

Elaine Hendrix

Elaine Hendrix starred alongside the then-child star Lindsay Lohan in the hit Disney film “The Parent Trap” twelve years ago, and even though the two never exactly formed a friendship Hendrix is not surprised that the troubled Tinseltowner is where she is today. The actress/animal rights activist believes, as a nation, America needs to start addressing our internal affairs.

“I didn’t know she was going to be the next big thing, but it’s not really a surprise that she is where she is. She’s extremely talented, but she has a tumultuous family dynamic happening so it’s not really a surprise she is where she is,” Hendrix told FOX411. “She is in the position to have whatever kind of career she wants, she just has to get straight about what it is exactly that she does want and what she’s willing to do for it. Growing up having the experiences she’s had, those things affect her behavior and her decisions.”

“I think it is really hard when you start stepping into other people’s countries and try to tell them what to do, and yet how do you let other people get beaten up by bullies and bigger people?” Hendrix questioned. “There are also certain trade agreements that I don’t agree with, I very much don’t agree with farming out a lot of our industry to other countries. I think we need to be creating more jobs and more opportunities and people need to be remembering to buy American, for our economy and ourselves.”

Hoboken411

Mason proposed three sites on which Hoboken could advertise: Hoboken411, the Hudson Reporter website and yours truly, Hoboken Now. But Carol Marsh, who's returned to the Council, took issue with 411, saying the city should used "reputable news sources" and that that some residents have had "some problems with the people running Hoboken 411."

This sparked a heated discussion between the Council members (mostly on whether or not to vote on the resolution) and newly elected Council president Dawn Zimmer ultimately tabled the proposal, prompting anger from both Mason and Mike Russo, who said tabling was improper to do. Zimmer today said she stands by her decision.

"Overall, I think it's a good idea to publicize via the Internet, but are we going to put a public notice on 411 when certain members of the public have been banned from there? That's a concern that the Council as whole needs to talk about if Ms. Mason proposes this again," said Zimmer. Zimmer said she tabled the ordinance because it wasn't presented in writing first and she wanted to give public notice so they could come speak on the idea.