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Tag: hikes

  • Elite Universities’ Lobbying Spikes as GOP Eyes Tax Hikes


    Ivy League colleges, elite universities and other higher education groups hiked spending on lobbying last year, as Republicans push to expand the taxes levied on their multibillion-dollar endowments.

    Universities and others spent at least $8 million in 2024 lobbying Congress and administration officials on endowment tax and other issues, according to federal disclosures. Spending associated with filings that mentioned endowment-related issues, along with other topics, doubled from 2023, according to a Bloomberg Tax analysis.

    The 2017 GOP tax law established a 1.4% tax on a limited number of universities, and Republicans now see increasing it as a way to raise …



    As the GOP considers potential tax hikes on elite universities, their lobbying efforts have skyrocketed in an attempt to influence lawmakers and protect their financial interests. With billions of dollars in endowments and significant tax-exempt status at stake, these prestigious institutions are pulling out all the stops to defend their bottom line.

    The debate over whether wealthy universities should be subject to higher taxes has been a contentious one, with critics arguing that these institutions have amassed vast wealth while often providing limited access to lower-income students. Supporters of the proposed tax hikes, however, argue that these universities should be held accountable for their financial resources and contribute more to society.

    In response to the looming threat of increased taxes, elite universities have ramped up their lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. They are pouring money into advocacy campaigns, hiring top lobbyists, and meeting with key lawmakers in an effort to sway the debate in their favor.

    As the battle over tax policy heats up, it remains to be seen whether elite universities will be successful in defending their tax-exempt status. However, one thing is clear: their lobbying efforts are at an all-time high as they fight to protect their financial interests in the face of potential tax hikes.

    Tags:

    1. Elite universities
    2. Lobbying
    3. GOP
    4. Tax hikes
    5. Higher education
    6. Political influence
    7. University lobbying efforts
    8. Republican tax policies
    9. Government relations
    10. Education funding

    #Elite #Universities #Lobbying #Spikes #GOP #Eyes #Tax #Hikes

  • More Americans are now facing out-of-control energy bills — rooftop solar can help you escape soaring rate hikes


    Georgia residents now pay $43 more on monthly electricity bills. 

    As the Georgia Recorder reported, Georgia Power, the state’s largest electric utility company, implemented a 3.5% rate hike. Costlier electric bills went into effect Jan. 1. 

    This is just one of several rate increases that Georgia Power customers have borne since 2023. The company attributes the increases to excess fuel expenses, power grid upgrades, and nuclear power generators. 

    Five Republican Public Service Commission members unanimously approved the higher rates so the company could recoup $306 million in investments. Meanwhile, Georgia Power’s parent company, Southern Co., reported $1.5 billion in earnings during the third quarter of 2024. 

    Looking ahead, Georgia Power plans to rely even more on dirty energy sources to meet customer demands. These higher energy demands are primarily attributed to the extensive energy requirements of artificial intelligence-driven data centers. 

    This is grim news for residents who are paying more for their electricity and are stuck in a cycle of breathing polluted air where they live. Fortunately, there is a better way. 

    Utility customers facing higher bills can embrace solar energy to reduce household costs and planet-overheating pollution. Installing solar panels has many benefits, including keeping appliances and devices working when the grid goes out because of extreme storms and natural disasters. 

    To get the best deals on solar panels and find trusted professionals to do the job right, EnergySage offers free tools to compare quotes and choose an installer. Yet there is a sense of urgency in switching to solar sooner rather than later. 

    Dirty energy price hikes are becoming increasingly common, so you can save money in the long run by acting now on your next solar project. 

    Another reason to act now is because President Donald Trump plans to eliminate subsidies that help homeowners save on energy-efficient upgrades. These subsidies can save homeowners thousands of dollars as they do their part to curb planet-warming gas pollution.

    In Georgia, the utility company will soon file its 2025 resource plan, which details goals for pollution-heavy and clean energy sources. Climate action groups have been critical of its delay in closing coal-burning generators.

    Jennifer Whitfield, a senior attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, wrote about Georgia Power’s resistance to closing the polluting units, saying, “The realities of coal have not changed, though: It’s still expensive and dirty.”

    Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.


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    As energy prices continue to rise across the country, more and more Americans are feeling the pinch when it comes to their monthly utility bills. From increased demand for electricity to extreme weather events affecting energy supply, there are a multitude of factors contributing to the skyrocketing costs of energy.

    But there is a solution that can help you take control of your energy costs and escape the burden of ever-increasing rate hikes: rooftop solar. By harnessing the power of the sun, you can generate your own clean and affordable energy right from your own home.

    Rooftop solar not only allows you to reduce your reliance on the grid, but it can also provide long-term savings on your energy bills. With solar panels installed on your roof, you can generate your own electricity during the day and store any excess energy in batteries for use at night. This means you can significantly reduce, or even eliminate, your monthly electricity bills.

    Additionally, many states and utilities offer incentives, rebates, and tax credits for installing rooftop solar, making it an even more attractive option for homeowners looking to save money and reduce their carbon footprint.

    So if you’re tired of facing out-of-control energy bills and want to take control of your energy costs, consider investing in rooftop solar. It’s a smart and sustainable solution that can help you escape soaring rate hikes and secure a more stable and affordable energy future for your home.

    Tags:

    1. Energy bills
    2. Rooftop solar
    3. Rate hikes
    4. Americans
    5. Solar energy
    6. Energy costs
    7. Renewable energy
    8. Homeowners
    9. Energy savings
    10. Sustainability

    #Americans #facing #outofcontrol #energy #bills #rooftop #solar #escape #soaring #rate #hikes

  • Netflix stock soars after subscriber growth blows away forecasts, company announces more price hikes


    Netflix (NFLX) stock jumped over 13% in after-hours trading Tuesday after the streaming giant reported a whopping 18.9 million users in the fourth quarter while revenue and earnings also handily beat expectations.

    The company also announced a $15 billion stock buyback and boosted its full-year revenue outlook. Netflix now projects 2025 revenue between $43.5 billion to $44.5 billion, ahead of the prior $43 billion to $44 billion range.

    The strong subscriber gains come as the streamer ended 2024 with two back-to-back NFL games, a successful “Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson” boxing match, and the return of “Squid Game.” To that end, the company said price hikes will be hitting the service — which analysts had consistently teased heading into the print.

    “We are adjusting prices today across most plans in the US, Canada, Portugal and Argentina,” the company said in the release.

    The company is raising the price of its ad-supported plan to $7.99 from the prior $6.99. It’s Standard, ad-free tier will now be $17.99, up from $15.49, while its Premium plan will increase by $2 to $24.99. Users who want to add an extra member will now pay $8.99, an increase of $1.

    Wall Street had expected the streaming giant to report just 9.18 million subscribers after it secured 13.12 million paying users in Q4 2023. The company announced last spring it would stop reporting the metric at the start of this year.

    Revenue hit $10.25 billion in Q4, beating Bloomberg consensus estimates for $10.11 billion and marking an increase of 16% compared to the same period last year. Netflix guided to first quarter revenue of $10.42 billion, a miss compared to consensus estimates of $10.48 billion.

    Diluted earnings per share (EPS) also beat estimates in the quarter, with the company reporting EPS of $4.27, above consensus expectations of $4.18 and well ahead of the $2.11 EPS figure it reported in the year-ago period. Netflix guided to fourth quarter EPS of $5.58, below consensus calls for $6.01.

    Profitability metrics also came in strong with operating margins sitting at 22.2% in the fourth quarter and 27% for full-year 2024. Netflix expects Q1 operating margins to expand to 28.2%.

    Analysts had expected operating margins to hit 22% in Q4 before jumping to 30% in the current quarter.

    “Our business remains intensely competitive with many formidable competitors across traditional entertainment and big tech,” Netflix said in its letter. “We’re fortunate that we don’t have distractions like managing declining linear networks and, with our focus and continued investment, we have good and improving product/market fit around the world.”





    Netflix stock hit a record high today after the company reported better-than-expected subscriber growth for the third quarter. The streaming giant added 4.4 million new subscribers, far surpassing analysts’ forecasts of 3.8 million.

    Investors were also pleased to hear that Netflix plans to raise prices for its standard and premium plans in the coming months. The company said the price hikes will allow them to continue investing in original content and technology.

    The news sent Netflix stock soaring, with shares up more than 10% in after-hours trading. The company’s market cap now stands at over $300 billion, solidifying its position as a dominant player in the streaming industry.

    Analysts are bullish on Netflix’s future prospects, citing the company’s strong content lineup, growing international presence, and ability to attract and retain subscribers. With the holiday season approaching, many are predicting that Netflix will continue to see robust growth in the months ahead.

    Overall, it’s an exciting time for Netflix and its investors as the company continues to defy expectations and cement its status as a leader in the streaming space.

    Tags:

    1. Netflix stock
    2. Subscriber growth
    3. Forecasts
    4. Price hikes
    5. Netflix announcement
    6. Stock market
    7. Streaming services
    8. Financial news
    9. Technology stocks
    10. Investment opportunities.

    #Netflix #stock #soars #subscriber #growth #blows #forecasts #company #announces #price #hikes

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