Working in a prison or detention center as a corrections officer is considered the worst job in the United States.
A company that operates prisons and detention centers is increasing what it pays for a job considered one of the worst in America.
The starting pay for corrections and detention officers at the Geo Group has increased to $13 an hour. The pay will rise to $14 in 2020 and $15 in 2021.
The company, based in Boca Raton, Fla., has been getting more detention center contracts from the federal government to house illegal immigrants as the numbers crossing the country’s southwest border has swelled.
Geo’s CEO George Zoley said he expects the wage hikes to help recruit employees. “We recognize the importance of employee pay, working conditions and total compensation,” Zoley said in a news release.
When asked about Geo’s previous minimum wage, Geo spokesman Pablo Paez said he couldn’t elaborate beyond the news release.
Correctional officer jobs are considered one of the worst jobs in America, according to a 2018 ranking by CareerCast. Corrections offers have among the highest injury and illness rates.
Geo’s career site, geogroup.com/Careers, lists more than 100 open corrections officer jobs, including those at detention centers. On jobs site Indeed.com, Geo’s advertising for an entry-level corrections officer requires a high school graduate or equivalent who has some college course work in behavioral sciences or correctional services.
Corrections officers are expected to monitor the activities of inmates or detainees. They also may be asked to conduct a “shakedown for contraband materials,” be able to work 16 hours within a 24-hour period, as well as overtime, and be able “to handle physical and mental stress associated with working extended hours,” according to the ad.
Laura Rivera, an advocate lawyer with the Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil rights group, regularly visits Geo’s detention centers. She recently said the company’s detention centers are “horribly understaffed.”
Raising the minimum wage has been a controversial issue across the country with political groups urging fast-food restaurants such as McDonald’s to raise their minimum to $15 an hour from about $10.
In South Florida, JM Family Enterprises increased its minimum wage to $16 an hour in 2015. With more jobs available than job seekers nationally, some employers are raising their minimums to better attract workers.
Christina Donnelly, branch manager of Robert Half International in West Palm Beach, said the staffing agency is seeing employers across the board raising their starting salaries. Some are even offering sign-on bonuses.
“Unemployment is so low, that it’s a bidding war for talent,” Donnelly said.
Geo notes that the average hourly wage for corrections officer at Geo’s prisons and detention centers across the country is $18.30 an hour.
Prime competitor CoreCivic, based in Tennessee, pays its correctional officers from $13 to $24, according to career site Glassdoor, which gets its information from employees. The typical correctional officer makes $17 an hour, according to the site.
When it made its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show last November. The word in the room was “Damm”.
While American auto makers are exiting the car market the rest of the world is foraging ahead. With Hyundai/Kia, Toyota and now Mazda either refreshing or introducing all new models for 2019.
Mazda, one of the smaller players in the Auto world, has taken a page out of the Hyundai\Kia playbook, by offering value at a competitive price.
The new Mazda 3 comes in two flavors a Sedan or a Hatchback
In its last generation, I preferred the hatchback. In this generation, I prefer the lines of the sedan.
If you took away the Mazda logo, this car could pass for an Audi and while its looks good outside, the interior looks very expensive, again Audi and BMW
There isn’t anything its segment that can touch it.
Its available in automatic or six speed manual. As in the previous generation. The standard engine in the “3” is a 2.0 Skyactive engine producing 155 hp and 150 pound feet of torque. The optional engine is the 2.5 Skyactive engines producing 185 hp and 180 pound feet of torque. New for 2019 is an all wheel drive model. It would be nice in Mazda dropped a turbo into the “3” bringing back the days of the hot hatch Mazdaspeed. One can dream. To keep this car competitive they have dropped the independent suspension for a less expensive rear torsion beam set up. Mazda is using more sound deadening in the car making it quieter
This sexy SEXY beast starts about just under $22 grand and the top version with sunroof and a Bose systems tops out about 30K .
Mazda is known for its handling. Later this spring, were gonna see not only how well it handles. We will see in the little “3′ will accommodate this Big City man.
The all new 2020 Toyota Corolla design isn’t earth shattering and 2018 and the Honda Civic is still bat shit ugly, But side by side, which would you drive?
Mazda sales numbers are minisule compared to all the other players. Both Honda and Toyota out sale Mazda nearly 15 to one. The big question, will the new Mazda 3 bring new and first time car buyers to the brand?
I could go on for hours about the Pot’s (President Trump) racists comment for hours, but you and I don’t have that kind of time.
Racism in any form is unacceptable. Freshman, Congresswoman, Iihan Omar, the first Somali American elected to the house. Her anti-semitic comments are not welcome. as she represents all Americans in her district.
Speaker of the house, Nancy Pelosi called on her to apologize.
On Tuesday, Pot said Omar should resign or be barred from serving on congressional committees as punishment for her remarks on Israel. Pot’sVice President, said Omar’s apology was inadequate
House Majority Leader Steny Hover said Omar would not lose her assignments.
Nancy Pelosi dismissed the GOP calls for Omar’s punishment. She said the GOP was not coming from a place with clean hands. She reminded a reporter from CNN of Pot’s anti-Semitic comments and said:
“I think the administration owes a public apology for some of the things that were said there. As I heard the president speaking this morning, all that was going through my mind was “Jew-S-A, Jew-S-A” at his rallies that he never distanced himself from. They shouldn’t go down this path, they do not have clean hands.”
Yesterday, Omar responded to Pot, accusing him of “trafficking” in hate and intolerance.
“Think before you Tweet”
One of Omar critics is House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Last year, he Tweeted
The tweet included a video featuring McCarthy discussing George Soros, Tom Steyer and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, all Jewish men who are significant donors to Democratic campaigns and causes.
It invoked a stereotype about the Jewish faith that has long been considered to be an anti-Semitic dog whistle popular among the alt-right, and it’s a tactic that the presidenthimself was accused of employing in his 2016 campaign
McCarthy denied expressing anti-Semitic undertones in a now-deleted tweet he posted before last year’s midterms that warned of three prominent Jewish Democratic donors trying to “buy” the election.
The Hyundai Group (Hyundai-Kia-Genesis) is serious. Hyundai’s popular Sonata and Elantra models as well has Kia’s Optima’s and Forte has seen huge declines in sales. Like the most of auto industry, consumers are choosing SUV’s over passenger cars. With one exception Tesla. If you in any major city you have seen a Tesla.
There are more 2018 Model 3’s on the road than the Ford Fusion, Chevy Malibu, and Nissan Altima.
Elon Musk now has the worlds attention. Within the next 16 months, nearly every automaker will have an electric vehicle with a range of at least 200 miles in their lineup. The problem is, most of the planned vehicles are out of the price range of the average car buyer. Jaguar I pace starts at 69K , Audi’s E-tron with 240 mile range will hit the streets in April starting at 74K.
The Tesla Model 3 was supposed to be at 35K the affordable electric car. However, few has seen one. The average Tesla is selling for a pinch over 50k. Tesla says, they will begin offering the base model this spring. If you buy the base model as advertised, it will have a range of 264 miles and if your sticking to that price you must like the color black. Any other color is a fifteen hundred dollar option.
General Motors electric offering is the Chevy Bolt. For 35,000 you can get a nicely equipped Bolt with a range of 240 miles. The designers at GM went the Prius direction when it came to styling. A car that said, I’m driving I’m driving an environmental friendly non polluting car. Unfortunately the Prius isn’t selling and the Chevy Bolt are accumulating dust at Chevy Dealerships.
Its a sound car and a good alternative to Tesla. Unlike Tesla, no one would call the Chevy Bolt sexy.
Enter Hyundai
Hyundai, developed its first all electric car in 1991. In 2011, the Company introduced the Hybrid Sonata Hybrid to the US Market. Currently, the automaker has seven variations of Hybrid, Plug In Hybrid models including two all electric models the Kia Soul EV and the Hyundai Ioniq models. Those two electric models have a range of less than 115 miles.
Last November, Hyundai announced they would sell an all electric version of the Hyundai Kona. This car,while smaller than the Tesla has an all important range of 258 miles. Only seven fewer miles than the standard Tesla model 3 and a well equipped model will begin at $37,000 excluding the $7500 Federal Tax Credit, no longer available on the Tesla***
The Hyundai Kona, recently received the Prestigious “North American Utility Vehicle of the Year” a first for any Hyundai. The Kona. should go on sale any moment in California. That’s the good news for California Residents. The bad news, is there is a long waiting list.
However, the Kia is plans to release an all electric version of its Niro next month. The NiroEV is larger than the KonaEV. The two vehicles share the same 64-kWh battery however the range on the NiroEV is 239 miles. Unlike the KonaEV, the NiroEV will offer faster charging, a CCS DC fast-charging setup, which can refill the battery to 80 percent in 75 minutes. 30 minute will add approximately 100 miles of range.
Kia says the NiroEV will go on sale mid-to-late February and will be available in 12 states. California, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington.
Pricing for the Niro EV will began around 38,000 before the $7500 Federal Tax Credit.
What is the Federal Tax Credit and why is it no longer available on Tesla’s?
The Federal EV Tax Credit is not a rebate on the price of the car that you get instantly when making the purchase. You have to apply to receive it when you file your annual tax return. You or your tax professional will fill out an IRS Form 8936, which is submitted with your return. Since it is a tax credit, you have to wait until you file your next year’s return before you will receive the tax incentive.
You cannot claim the tax credit until you take delivery of the new vehicle. Deposits and prepayments do not count. It is not available on leased vehicles.
Each vehicle manufacturer is allowed to sell up to 200,000 qualifying plug-in electric vehicles (battery-electric cars and plug-in hybrids) before the EV tax credit on their products begins to phase out. This isn’t for one model, its applies to all EV models sold by a single Auto maker.
***Last year, Tesla sold nearly 150,000 Model 3’s, When you include Tesla’s Model S and the Model X its has sold more than 200,000 cars. To stay competitive, Tesla has reduced prices on all of their models.
General Motors is projected to reach its maximum by late spring early summer**
In addition to the Federal Tax Credit, some states are offering credits and rebates. Colorado is currently the most generous of the states, offering a credit of up to $5,000 that can be used in conjunction with the federal tax credit to save you up to $12,500 off the price of the car. In some cases, the incentives come in the form of an instant vehicle rebate.
California offers rebates up to $7000* for residents on purchased and leased Electric Vehicles, plug in’s and fuel cell vehicle. The state offers higher rebates for lower income car buyer. *Unlike Colorado, California’s rebates are based on specific models and the is less you earn, the greater the rebate.
Sometime, Somewhere in 2019 “The 2020 Kia Soul EV “
The Kia Soul is Kia’s best selling model by a wide margin. It is known for its generous interior space and urban dimensions. It will also be powered by the same battery as the Kona EV, and the Niro EV. The Kona and Niro storage is larger the the Soul’s but the Soul upright interior is larger. The 2020 Soul’s are all new, and with an estimated range of 239 miles the 2020 SoulEV has more than double the driving range of the 2018 SoulEV . The release date of the SoulEv is unknown. Some sources say next month, others say mid summer.
Currently on sale in California, is the first SUV fuel cell vehicle the Hyundai Nexo
with a base price of 59,000 and a range of 380 miles. Last month Hyundai sold 35 models. The challenge for fuel cells vehicles, is refueling stations.
If your keeping count, the Hyundai group has four electric vehicles, four plug in vehicles and one fuel cell SUV.
The demand is high for electric vehicles, with prices under 40K Hyundai will be Tesla’s largest competitor this year in the US.
While Tesla has an apple like following, Hyundai will put a sizable dent into Tesla’s sales by the third quarter of this year. Tesla’s Model 3 was to be the peoples car, and its technology is superior to anything on Hyundai’s drawing board. However, what separates these companies is price and service.
Tesla, has a much smaller dealer network than the Hyundai Group and a shorter warranty. However, many of Tesla’s fixes can be done electronically without the customer stepping into a service department. Hyundai has more experience building cars.
If I wanted to buy an electric car today, are there any deals?
With the exception of the European makes and the Chrysler Pacific plug in hybrid models, deep discounts are available. There are also deep discounts for the lower range (less than 150 miles) all electric vehicles.
However, the best buy is on the all electric Chevy Bolt. The Bolt has a range of nearly 240 miles. When it was released, they sold quickly at full price. Today, they are sitting on dealers lots. Deep discounts and are available (check Chevy’s website for rebates) and as of this writing The Chevy Bolt still qualify for the full ($7500 Tax Credit-today**)
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam is having a bad week. This week, the embattled governor has been asked to resign after pictures of him in blackface and in a Klu Klux Klan surfaced.
The 1984 pictures was on his personal page when he was a student at the Eastern Virginia Medical School.
After apologizing on Friday,
“I am deeply sorry for the decision I made to appear as I did in this photo and for the hurt that decision caused then and now,” Northam said. “This behavior is not in keeping with who I am today and the values I have fought for throughout my career in the military, in medicine and in public service.”
He said he wasn’t resigning.
Epiphany Saturday
In a press conference today. The Governor says THAT AIN’T HIM IN THE PICTURE!
Actual Wording: “He does not believe its him”
In fact, he is considering using “facial recognition to prove HE is not the one in blackface. As for the Klan get up, well…….
The New York Times wrote, the Gov is planning to call his medical school classmates to jog their memories (Is it me, are you sure?)
He has an uphill climb, on Twitter there are quite a few who remember him
With so many gems from his press conference. Including his win in a Talent show as Michael Jackson. Were he does remember darkening his skin ,on a black man who’s skin doesn’t need darkening! BTW, he knows how to “moonwalk” I am sure the people at Saturday Night Live (not live tonight) hope he doesn’t resign this week. There is simply too much material . Did you hear the one about the Virginia governor……………
Members of his Party has asked him to resign including Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, Virginia Republicans have joined them.
Two blackface stories in a week
This women believed she would be more effective telling a story to children about Africa in Blackface
The School says it will refuse admission to students who participate in or condone homosexual activity,
If your looking for a job, be sure to read the fine print.
You are pledging not to engage in homosexual activity or violate the “unique roles of male and female.” and watch your Moral Conduct or misconduct.
They include, and not limited to, such behaviors as the following: heterosexual activity outside of marriage (e.g., premarital sex, cohabitation, extramarital sex), homosexual or lesbian sexual activity, polygamy, transgender identity, any other violation of the unique roles of male and female, sexual harassment, use or viewing of pornographic material or websites,”
This effects a LOT of people straight and gays.
The application says that the school believes ” marriage unites one man and one woman” AND that “a wife is commanded to submit to her husband as the church submits to Christ. ” The job application asks potential employees to explain their view of the “creation/evolution debate.” ”
If your really, really, REALLY! want your kids to attend the Immanuel Christian School
Springfield, Virginia, you will need to acknowledge the sanctity of marriage as a strictly
heterosexual practice. Families who condone, practice or support “sexual immorality,
homosexual activity or bi-sexual activity go against the principles of the school. In other
words get the hell out sinner!
Why are we talking about this school?
Because the second lady , Karen Pence is teaching at the school.
Her husband, the snappy dressing,snug suit wearing, never a hair out of place Vice
President of these United States Michael Pence has long had issues with the Gay Community.
He has said, that homosexuality is a choice and keeping gays from marriage was not discrimination but an enforcement of god’s idea.
He voted against a law that would prohibit discrimination of the LGBTQ community in the workplace.
He didn’t like the Obama directive on transgender restrooms. “The federal government has not business getting involved in issues of this nature,”
He supports Conversion Therapy. He suggested that federal money used for fund research on HIV/AIDS should be diverted to programs that provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior.
Defending his wife, he said he found the criticism of his wife working at the school deeply offensive.
How can they legally discriminate in 2019?
In Virginia and many other states, it is legal for private employers to discriminate on the basis of sexual and gender identity.
It is a challenging climb, but we will get to the mountain top.
