New estimate: More to pay health care penalty

New estimate: More to pay health care penalty

washington

Nearly 6 million Americans — significantly more than first estimated— will face a tax penalty under President Barack Obama’s health overhaul for not getting insurance, congressional analysts said Wednesday. Most would be in the middle class.

The new estimate amounts to an inconvenient fact for the administration, a reminder of what critics see as broken promises.

The numbers from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office are 50 percent higher than a previous projection by the same office in 2010, shortly after the law passed. The earlier estimate found 4 million people would be affected in 2016, when the penalty is fully in effect.

Yale dropout charged, suspected of threats

los angeles

Rants, racist remarks and menacing words permeate the Internet these days, so why did police decide to arrest a Yale dropout for investigation of making online death threats against children and initially hold him on a bail amount usually reserved for suspected killers?

Authorities said they considered several factors in the case against 21-year-old Eric Yee, who was arrested this week after commenting about a story on ESPN’s website.

Authorities claimed Yee said he wouldn’t mind killing children, and that there were unregistered weapons in the Valencia, Calif., house he shares with his parents that overlooks two schools.

Yee was charged Wednesday with a single count of possessing an illegal firearm, and his arraignment was postponed until Oct. 16, district attorney spokeswoman Jane Robison said.

Prosecutors initially held Yee on $1 million bail, which was reduced to $100,000 at a hearing. It wasn’t immediately clear if prosecutors would still pursue the threat allegation.

After teachers strike, sides find victories

chicago

Mayor Rahm Emanuel secured an extension of Chicago’s school day and empowered principals to hire the teachers they want. Teachers were able to soften a new evaluation process and win some job protections.

As students returned to the classroom Wednesday after a seven-day teachers strike, both sides found reasons to celebrate victory. But neither the school-reform movement nor organized labor achieved the decisive breakthrough it had sought. And whether the implications extend beyond Chicago may depend on the next case having a similar cast of characters and political pressures.

Leader Suu Kyi receives Congress’ highest honor

washington

Lawmakers united by their respect of Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday presented her with Congress’ highest civilian honor in a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, ahead of a meeting with President Barack Obama.

Suu Kyi described it as “one of the most moving days of my life.”

She was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2008 while under a 15-year house arrest for her peaceful struggle against military rule.

Family of slain woman sues over 911 call

dallas

The family of a Dallas woman who tried to call 911 and was later found slain inside her home has filed a lawsuit over the handling of her case.

Attorneys for the relatives of Deanna Cook filed a federal civil- rights lawsuit against the city of Dallas and others Wednesday. The suit alleges that police were late responding to the call and relied on inexperienced officers who didn’t properly investigate.

Cook called 911 on Aug. 17, and the call center sent two officers to her home. Police say it wasn’t made clear there was an emergency. Officers knocked on the door, received no response and left.

Two days later, Cook’s family found her dead in her bathtub. Her ex-husband is charged with murder.

Associated Press