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Social Security Administration Employees To Work In-Office Early Next Year

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The Social Security Administration (SSA) has just revealed that its workforce is likely to come back to work to their offices and other worksites come January 2022.  

Social Security Administration memo   

Per the administration’s recent memo, it was noted that the senior leadership has already started re-entering office, adding that by January 3 of next year, it was also revealed that they intend to start the safe return of SSA’s workforce onsite, alongside some sufficient notice, and in accordance with the program’s workplace safety plan (WSP), according to GBR. Additionally, the administration also put into consideration the lessons acquired during this ongoing pandemic.   

It was also highlighted that although the said day will mark the end of SSA’s so-called maximum telework model, its employees will be getting additional access to telework compared to the pre-pandemic.  

Further, the SSA’s agency-wide evacuation order is also scheduled to end on January 2, 2022. This is indicative of the Social Security employees making a comeback to their in-office tasks. Also, the administration highlighted that any from their employees who did telework during the Covid-19 pandemic between March 6, 2020, through January 2 of next year would be qualified for, at minimum, episodic telework provided that the said worker has met certain requisites.  

SSA’s telework days  

As for the headquarters, staff will be permitted to perform work from their homes up to five days each week for every government executive. Meanwhile, most workers within the Office of Hearings Operations will be limited to between three and four days of telework for each week. As for field officers, they are only allowed to do a work-from-home setup for a couple of days every week.  

This memorandum from SSA had also added provisions in reducing the number of employees working in-office by the time another surge in Covid-19 cases occurred in a relevant region. It was also mentioned that the Social Security Administration would also keep an eye on the protocols rolled out each week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It will be basing the actions it will take concerning community transmission and risk. 

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Covid-19

Prince William and Kate Middleton Appeared as the Prince and Princess of Wales for the First Time

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Prince William

It has been two years since the United Kingdom’s royal family celebrated Christmas publicly. The COVID-19 concerns restricted the royal family members from spending the festive season together. However, this year King Charles III observed Christmas along with his family members addressing holiday services at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene situated in Norfolk.

Royal Family

Credit- Today

In the celebrations, Prince William and Kate Middleton were provided with the title of Prince and Princess of Wales by the king. It marked their debut in the holiday service with their new positions. The couple appeared at the Norfolk-based church with their kids- Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. It was also the debut of Prince Louis at the holiday walk of the royal family.

Prince William and Kate Middleton attended their traditional holiday walk-

Prince William and Kate Middleton have returned to the Christmas walk of the royal family after two years but this time with new titles as Prince and Princess of Wales. They appeared at the occasion alongside King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The Prince and Princess were also accompanied by their kids 9-year old Prince George, 7-year-old Princess Charlotte, and 4-year-old Prince Louis.

The event took place at St. Mary Magdalene Church located in Norfolk. The event also marked William and Kate Middleton’s third kid Prince Louis’s first appearance in the royal holiday service. Their other two kids Prince George and Princess Charlotte first attended the occasion in 2019.

Prince William

Credit USA Today

The event couldn’t be celebrated in the last two years for the pandemic. Nevertheless, it didn’t lose its essence as the royal family attended it with all smiles. The announcement of the family occasion was made by King Charles and Queen Camilla way before as they wanted to organize the event at the favourite space of the departed Queen Elizabeth.

Prince William debuted at the Christmas outing at the age of five in 1987. On the other hand, Princess Kate Middleton first appeared at the event in 2011 after her marriage. The death of Queen Elizabeth will be a great sadness for the royal family members this festive season.

Also read- A neighbor claims to have heard the DeLand man’s fatal gunshot

The traditional activities at the Royal Christmas outing-

The royal family of the UK has followed the prevailing traditions of the holiday service in their recent Christmas celebrations. Along with that, the family members organized a gag gifts exchange tradition for Christmas. After the Christmas walk at the church, the members had a family lunch at Sandringham. The traditional food items at the lunch are roasted turkey and fruit pudding.

Royal family

Credit- WWD

Prince William wore a blue suit with a tie at the event whereas his wife was wearing a long green coat. Princess Charlotte was seen wearing a red coat, on the other hand, Prince George resembled his father wearing a blue suit with a tie. The youngest, Prince Louis wore a navy coat to attend the holiday service.

Post lunch, every member gathered to witness King Charles’ speech on Christmas. Before the Christmas outing, Kate Middleton organized another event at Westminster Abbey on December 15th. It was a concert dedicated to Christmas celebrations that was attended by the family members of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

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Many US Residents Migrated From The High-Tax States During The Pandemic

David Crabtree

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Rising living costs and increased inflation forced US residents to leave their homes and settle in low-cost areas. The individuals moved to states with low-income tax rates; many decided to shift for professional reasons. Yahoo Money reports that states with high-income tax witnessed a decrease in population in the past several months. Low tax states such as Florida, Texas, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Nevada, and Tennessee have recorded the most significant surge in population recently. Families can adjust their monthly budget in cheap areas and have a broader scope for financial growth.

Many US Residents Migrated From The High-Tax States During The Pandemic

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People Move Because Of Several Factors

Yahoo Money quoted Jared Walczak, vice president of state projects with the Center for State Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation; he said, “People move to states with low-income tax for a multitude of reasons, sometimes it’s the most direct and obvious reason that it reduces the tax liability. Especially now that people have more capacity to move where they want, that will be a higher priority for some. There are also second-order effects, states with lower tax burdens and with more pro-growth and higher economic opportunity- and people will move to seek out those things even beyond their tax burdens.”

Low Tax States Present Higher Financial Security

Several US citizens can now efficiently manage their expenses and enhance their lifestyle after moving to new places. The migration has increased inflation in the low-tax areas. However, the living costs are still meager compared to their home states despite the price rise. Yahoo Money quoted Ramona Cedeno, CPA and founder of FiBrick; she said, “I’m one of the people that’s trying to leave New York City to minimize tax burdens. Just up north of New York in the county of Westchester. New York can also be expensive. Before COVID, we stayed in these high-tax states because there was another reason too. My office was based in New York City, and I had clients in California, which required me to be there physically; now that we can work remotely, you don’t have to see clients all the time. You can live anywhere.”

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California Workers Could Get Up To 2 Weeks Of Paid Time Off If They Or Their Family Members Are Covid Positive

Paul S Voakes

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California news

Some respite for workers in California who are battling economic woes during another wave of Omicron Covid surge. California workers could be getting two weeks of paid time off if they get sick from COVID reports abc7.com.

California State had put in place a similar law last year. However, it expired in September after the COVID-19 situation stabilized and the spread of the virus slowed considerably.

California workers

California workers

Businesses would get up to $6 billion in tax cuts and other assistance

California workers will get up to two weeks of paid time off if they get sick from the coronavirus. In the same way, businesses would get up to $6 billion in tax cuts and other assistance. The above measures are a part of a proposal endorsed on Tuesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state’s top legislative leaders.

The new law had to be proposed after spreading a more viral and contagious form of the virus, the Omicron variant, which spread like wildfire in California State. Significant donors to Democratic politicians in California, labour unions have pressured state officials to bring the paid sick leave law back.

California Business Groups oppose the latest proposals.

However, the latest move to provide extra sick leave has been opposed by Business Groups as many industries are already struggling to retain workers during the pandemic. Last year businesses could avail themselves of the federal tax credit, which helped provide some relief. However, Tax Credit is not available this year.

However, Newsom and legislative leaders have agreed to end some tax increases on businesses. The taxes were imposed in 2020 when state officials feared that the pandemic could precipitate a significant budget deficit. Instead, state revenues have soared during the pandemic. The taxes were supposed to end at the end of 2022.

However, state officials have decided to end it Newsom, and legislative leaders have agreed to end them one year early. Additionally, more money will be spent on a state grant program for businesses and not charge state taxes on some federal grants. It all adds up to about $6 billion for businesses.

Proposals must have the support of Democrats in California State Chambers.

The proposals were declared by Newsom and the state’s top two legislative leaders: Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon on Tuesday. However, Democrats hold large majorities in both chambers, and it would also require their support for the approval of the projects.

The proposal envisages workers getting one week of paid time off if their family members test positive for the virus. The companies will have to provide the coronavirus test and pay for it. Workers who don’t undergo these tests refuse to be tested will be barred from the scheme.

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