Needs clarification: The Ochsner Health System has asked Louisiana’s ethics board just what a former top state official can and cannot do as its lobbyist, The Associated Press reports. For two years, Kristy Nichols served as commissioner of administration for Gov. Bobby Jindal, overseeing government spending. She left that job Oct. 14 to become Ochsner’s vice president of government and corporate affairs. The system’s senior vice president for public affairs, David Gaines, asked for a Board of Ethics opinion because he wants to be clear about what’s allowable and what isn’t. Generally, state law prohibits former agency heads from helping anyone deal with their former agencies for two years after leaving.
On the decline: Broadband Internet is in fewer homes now than it was in 2013, according to a Pew Research Center study. CNN reports the study found broadband Internet is in 67% of American homes, as opposed to 70% two years ago. The price of broadband service and the evolution of smartphones are two of the reasons given for the decline. Researchers note the drop in broadband service coincides with a 5 percentage point increase in people who have smartphones and no broadband service at home. CNN has the full story.
Sharp drop: U.S. home resales posted their sharpest drop in five years in November, according to the National Association of Realtors. Reuters reports new regulations on paperwork may be the reason for the decline. Home resales dropped 10.5% to an annual rate of 4.76 units in November, which is the sharpest plunge since July 2010. Economists had estimated sales rising to 5.35 million units last month. NAR economist Lawrence Yun says most of November’s decline was likely due to regulations that came into effect in October aimed at simplifying paperwork for home purchasing. Yun adds it appears lenders and closing companies were being cautious about using the new mandated paperwork. Reuters has the full story.
