Today in your trail mix:
Albany agrees on new income tax code that charges rich more and middle class less.
New shale gas study projects huge economic benefits nationally.
Plus, what do bedbugs and royalty have in common?
Economy
An IHS Global Insight study found that shale gas exploration in the US is already supporting 600,000 jobs. By 2015, the independent analysts forecasts a $118 billion boost to GDP from shale gas. (IHS Global Insight)
Milk company Hood/Crowley will stop production at a Binghamton plant next year. Fifty-four jobs will be lost. (Traci DeLore, Greater Binghamton Business Journal)
A massive fine levied against Massey Energy for negligence at a West Virginia mine where 29 workers died in a 2010 explosion leaves open the possibility of criminal charges. And begs the question, "why was the mine allowed to operate until it was too late?" (Howard Berkes, NPR)
New York State saw an uptick in the all-important consumer confidence, nearly matching national rise in November. (Charles McChesney, Post-Standard)
Politics
The state legislature votes today on a new tax code overhaul unveiled Tuesday. The new rules will raise taxes on the wealthiest and reduce taxes for the middle class. The new code will bring in $1.9 billion in new taxes, while the expiring so-called "millionaire's tax" brought in $4 billion a year. (Thomas Kaplan, New York Times)
Not everybody is thrilled with the deal. (Azi Paybarah, Capital New York)
Science
Like royal families, bedbugs just won't go away thanks to inbreeding. (AP)
