Donate A Car to Charity and Receive Tax Credits

“You generally can deduct the fair market value of the property,” says IRS. Deductions are  ”Generally limited to 50% of your adjusted gross income.”  As always, check with your tax preparation professional before making such a large contribution. Read the official and complete Internal Revenue Service donation tax information here: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p526.pdf

The Arc of Anchorage mainly caters people with mental and developmental disabilities that are in need of adequate and constant health care. Check them out at www.thearcofanchorage.org and donate a car by visiting http://donate–car.com/arc-of-anchorage.htm.

Meals on Wheels Association of America is present in Alaska, and is a non-profit organization that helps American elders get better nutrition through their dedicated supply and distribution of food to seniors across the nation. Donate a car to MOWAA by visiting http://donate–car.com/meals-on-wheels.htm or visit their site at www.mowaa.org.

Lastly, you may increase your tax deductible by donating a car to the Ascent Orphan Foundation (i Orphan). This charity provides adequate shelter to homeless children in previous Soviet Bloc countries. Donations allow orphanages to equip their facilities with toilets, flooring, sinks, washing machines and cooking stoves. Donate by visiting http://donate–car.com/ascent-orphan-foundation.htm and visit www.iorphan.org for complete info about this charity.

However, again, the IRS advises that a tax lawyer or accountant must be consulted before making huge decisions such as this.

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“CNBC will broadcast an upcoming episode of “Closing Bell with Maria Bartiromo” from the Raymond James equity trading floor in New York,” says Husby, who is Branch Manager of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. in Fairbanks, Alaska. “The broadcast will feature interviews with Raymond James executives, including Dan McMahon, head of equity trading, and CEO Paul Reilly.”

CNBC says that “anything can happen between the bells of the trading day. But what happens during the last hour could be what matters most”.

Vonna says to keep an eye out for the show and to let her know if you have any questions or observations to share after watching. She can be reached at 907-374-9270. The offices are located at 326 Driveway Street, Suite 100, in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Raymond James says, “With offices throughout North America, you can find a Raymond James financial advisor or office near you.” Their web address is http://www.raymondjames.com/

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The Fire Standards Council welcomed new member James Crisp and reappointed board, Bryan “Buddy” Lane. They will be expected to establish minimum training and performance standards for certification of fire services personnel and training programs.

Crisp was appointed due to his 17 years of experience in fire and emergency services. He is the senior captain and training and safety officer for the Nikiski Fire Department and is now appointed to a seat reserved for a firefighter. Lane has worked for the North Pole fire department since 1977, and became the chief of the department in 2000. He is reappointed to a seat reserved for a chief administrative officer of a fire department.

Stacy Risner of Fairbanks is appointed to the Real Estate Commission and will be responsible to regulate and control licensing, suspensions, and revocations of Alaska’s real estate industry. She is an associate broker and director of operations for Madden Real Estate. Currently, she also serves as the president of the Fairbanks Neighborhood Housing Services Board of Directors and a member of the Fairbanks Children’s Museum Board of Directors.

Governor Parnell appointed Shaunta Brown to the State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee. He is the Parent Training and Information Center director and the project coordinator for the Alaska 360 Military Family Support Project at Stone Soup Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those with disabilities. As the new board member, Brown will promote employment of people with disabilities by creating statewide interest, and consults with the Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation regarding the provision of vocational rehabilitation services.

The Statewide Independent Living Council welcomed new board member, Shauna Beeman of Anchorage. Beeman has been the Home Alliance Coordinator for Hope Community Resources, Inc. since 2009. For the council, she will help develop and submit the state plan for independent living for specific disability populations, and monitors, reviews, and evaluates the plan’s implementation.

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According to Gov. Parnell, $62.4 million from the budget allotted for fiscal year 2013 has already been planned to be funded for construction in Emmonak and Koliganek. This is in line with his previous pledge to prioritize the rural school construction projects starting next year.  In the FY 2012 budget, $28 million is allocated to renovate the Quinhagak school and $33 million will replace the school in Napaskiak.

“For many years, our rural communities have had legitimate grievances in the area of education,” Governor Parnell said. “Out of respect for you, I have listened, learned, and taken seriously your concerns. I heard how some rural schools were in pitiful, unsafe shape.”

At the same event, Gov. Parnell congratulated Tlingit Elder Ethel Lund for being garnered the 2011 Shirley Demientieff Award for her dedicated advocacy for the Alaska Native women and children.

“Ms. Lund charted a course for youth to embrace careers in the health care field,” Governor Parnell said. “Her work is lasting. This can be seen with one of the nation’s oldest Native-run health care organizations bearing her name: Juneau’s Ethel Lund Medical Center.”

In addition, Parnell has pledged to devote himself to the issues of growing domestic violence and sexual assaults in the state. He thanked the many volunteers who coordinated the 64 Choose Respect events this year, and announced the goal for 2012 is for 100 Alaska communities to host Choose Respect rallies, sending a strong message to abusers that enough is enough.

Lastly, Parnell also outlined the advancement of the largest energy package in Alaska’s history, saying that the government has been “pumping from the same fields for 30-plus years… I refuse to stand by and leave Alaskans’ treasure buried in the ground.”

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“I want to open up this process to all of Alaska,” shares Murkowski. “This issue touches every Alaskan and every town, and I am looking forward to sharing with Alaskans how this debate impacts us statewide, what good ideas are out there to pave a smoother road forward, but also to hear from them so that I can deliver their message back to Washington, DC.”

Murkowski hopes that with these series of hearings at different parts the state, Alaskans will be able to know her view of the decisions ahead and at the same time, hear what her people have got to say about the matter. She encourages the locals to participate and attend these meetings and voice out their thoughts.

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Chuck Hodges, First National’s Enterprise Systems Manager, says “The completion of the project here in Alaska demonstrates the bank’s commitment to its customers and its diligence in ensuring continued banking operations during a crisis situation.”

Furthermore, Hodges prides their bank to be the first to house its contingency operation site in the state. The main goal of the new site is to ensure that banking operations remain smooth and continuous in the presence of disasters.

The Fairbanks mainframe is said to be cost effective for First National and to keep the site up and running, the bank invested a total of $800,000 in the local economy by working with Fairbanks-area designers and contractors.

“Alaska’s vast geography works to our advantage as well,” Hodges said. “It’s unlikely a single disaster would affect both the mainframe in Anchorage and contingency site in Fairbanks.”

About First National Bank

First National Bank was established in 1922. With over 30 ATMs and branches in 18 communities throughout Alaska, First National is considered the largest Alaskan-owned bank in the state. For more info, visit http://www.fnbalaska.com/.

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For the U.S. Department of Commerce – Economic Development Administration, a total of $370 thousand worth of grants were given to 5 grantees working under the US Dept of Commerce. The funds were divided as follows: $40,000 to Kodiak Area Native Association, $60,000 to the Association of Village Council Presidents,  $65,000 to Kawerak, Inc,  $70,000 to the Native Village of Barrow and $135,000 to the University Center Program at the University of Alaska.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement under the US Dept. of Interior, received   $988,000 for the Coastal Impact Assistance Program which aims to  remove more than 400,000 pounds of commercial fishing gear and other marine debris from Alaska’s coast.

The U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) was also one of the recipients of the grants and received $112,525 for Secure Our Schools to improve school safety in public schools.

The largest portion of the grant was then given to the US Dept of Transportation for a variety of reconstruction, remodeling, repairal and extension purposes.

Grants for the DOT are divided as follows: $200,000 to the City of Wasilla to conduct an environmental study at the Wasilla Airport, $950,000 to the State of Alaska Department of Transportation for airport construction in Nanwalek/Port Graham, $4,477,151 to the State of Alaska Department of Transportation for the extension of runway 7R at the Ted Stevens International Airport,  $5,700,000 to the State of Alaska Department of Transportation to acquire land for approaches at Lake Hood in Anchorage, $7,500,000 to the State of Alaska Department of Transportation to rehabilitate the runway at the Rocky Gutierrez Airport in Sitka, $9,600,000 to the State of Alaska Department of Transportation to rehabilitate the runway at the Bethel Airport $10,683,822 to the State of Alaska Department of Transportation to rehabilitate the runway at the Deadhorse Airport, and $13,547,026 to the State of Alaska Department of Transportation to rehabilitate the runway at the Kodiak Airport.

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“President Obama spent a lot of time sharing his plan with the country, but there was one thing you didn’t hear: the word ‘stimulus.’  Although the plan we heard tonight sounds a lot like a replay of his 2009 stimulus bill, even the President has now come to realize what Americans have known for some time, it simply didn’t work,” says Murkowski. “$800 billion in federal spending got us where we are today – 9.1% unemployment, stagnant economic growth and a $15 trillion national debt.  So while he avoids the word, he’s reheating the same failed ideas.”

During the recent joint meeting of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, Murkowski admitted that she hoped to hear new solutions to the issues surrounding the stable increase of Americans who are getting out of job or are not finding any new job opportunities. Instead, the Alaskan senator was obviously disappointed while saying, “ I had hoped that tonight the President would hear the majority of Americans asking for solid, comprehensive solutions that can get bipartisan support – but tonight the President offered us nothing new.”

In her speech, Murkowski also highlighted some of the president’s failed claims. One of these was the tax credits given to business that hire people off unemployment. “That does nothing to create a need for those workers.  If you’re a restaurant owner on the Kenai, why would you hire a new waiter or cook if everyone is still saving money eating at home?”

“We also need to remember that the research and development tax credit and accelerated depreciation provisions are set to expire at the end of the year.  Many businesses, who we rely on for jobs, would have to pay higher taxes if we don’t extend these provisions.  If businesses are paying more in taxes, they have less to pay employees.”

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For the issue of Frankenfish banning, specifically in Alaska, Sen. Murkowski boldly stated the following words:

“This is an issue that is key and critical to us,” said Senator Murkowski after the Appropriations Committee adjourned.  “I am going to continue this fight against genetically modified salmon at every opportunity I get – and I’m going to educate my Senate colleagues about the potential dangers and drawbacks of Frankenfish.  It could damage our economy, our environment but most importantly our health.”

The same Murkowski style of wit and judgment was shown when the lady senator calmly stated that she is thankful of the dedicated work done by the Dept. of Homeland Security, saying “don’t for one moment doubt the importance of their work.”

Murkowski remained indignant in her belief that the issue of added 3-6 dollars for work that the TSA acknowledges themselves needs to be revamped was even justifiable, especially because Alaskans heavily rely on air travel to connect with other states and to deliver vital goods in the rural communities of Alaska.

The FY2012 appropriations bills that passed the Appropriations Committee included funds for several Alaskan programs, departments and statewide projects such as the Energy and Water Development, the Department of Homeland Security, and Agriculture.

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