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Articles by Larry Levine
Letter to the Editor: Larry Levine
Editor, The Jan 30 issue contains a press release from Senator Capito that states, “Going forward, I will continue working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to lock in common sense permitting reform so that projects of all types, including sources of dispatchable, baseload electricity, can be permitted through a fair and efficient process.” In fact, she has supported the administration’s campaigns against renewable energy, including wind and solar.
Governors, Legislators, and Utility Affordability: Broadening the Frame to Water
As a starting point, states can ensure that any existing consumer protections for energy customers apply equally to all water customers. Typically, these protections apply only to customers of utilities that are regulated by state utility commissions—and some commission rules (such as winter shutoff protections) may not even apply to water utilities but only to electric and gas.
Increasing your automobile dealership group's net income with indirect vendor cost reductions
At risk of stating the obvious, an automobile dealership earns its net income in the gap between revenue and operational expenses. That’s true for any and all businesses, of course.
Michigan Primed for First Statewide Water Affordability Program in United States
Every day, tens of millions of people in the United States worry about how they’ll make their monthly budget—housing, food, medicine, utilities, and more. For many, even paying the water bill is out of reach without sacrificing some other, equally essential need. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that 12 to 19 million low-income households (9.2 to 14.6 percent of all U.S. households) face unaffordable water bills.
Turn On the Tap
June 20, 2025 — Report The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that 12 to 19 million low-income households (9.2 to 14.6 percent of all U.S. households) face unaffordable water bills. Programs that provide ongoing water bill discounts for low-income households are a critical part of the solution. However, these programs often struggle with low enrollment due to barriers in the application process.
Reducing indirect vendor overcharges for restaurants Original
Restaurant operators face financial pressure from various costs and declining customer visits, with many overlooking potential savings in "fixed costs" like utilities and waste services. While negotiating these rates can yield savings, hiring a cost-reduction consultant is an effective approach. Restaurant operators are being pressured on all sides — food costs, labor costs, rent, taxes, waste, uniforms and energy expenses.
Reducing indirect vendor overcharges for restaurants
Operations Restaurant operators face financial pressure from various costs and declining customer visits, with many overlooking potential savings in "fixed costs" like utilities and waste services. While negotiating these rates can yield savings, hiring a cost-reduction consultant is an effective approach.
Larry Levine
Test Link CONTINUE TO SITE » or wait 15 seconds Larry Levine Larry has over 35 years of industry experience in high tech, home care and Indirect Spend reduction consulting.
New Jersey has a water affordability problem. We have to fix it | Opinion
Thousands of New Jersey residents experience water shutoffs due to inability to pay their bills. Disadvantaged communities, particularly those with higher proportions of Black and Hispanic/Latino populations, are disproportionately affected. While a tiered discount program exists for low-income customers, enrollment remains low. Advocates urge for a permanent low-income water affordability program and improved data transparency. Water is an important part of our daily lives.
New Jersey has a water affordability problem. We have to fix it | Opinion Original
Thousands of New Jersey residents experience water shutoffs due to inability to pay their bills. Disadvantaged communities, particularly those with higher proportions of Black and Hispanic/Latino populations, are disproportionately affected. While a tiered discount program exists for low-income customers, enrollment remains low. Advocates urge for a permanent low-income water affordability program and improved data transparency. Water is an important part of our daily lives.
OP-ED: End the war, clear Gaza and start again - Crescent City Jewish News
By LARRY LEVINE (JNS.org) – Oct. 7, 2023, was a day of infamy for every Jew on earth. It was the day our dreams of peace with Israel’s neighbors were shattered into millions of pieces as thousands of Hamas members and “ordinary” Palestinians from the Gaza Strip infiltrated Israel’s border; slaughtered 1,200 men, women and children; and took 251 back with them, where many have languished to this day. The attack was so vicious, so brutal, so immoral that it was a shock to one’s soul.
End the war, clear Gaza and start again
Oct. 7, 2023, was a day of infamy for every Jew on earth. It was the day our dreams of peace with Israel’s neighbors were shattered into millions of pieces as thousands of Hamas members and “ordinary” Palestinians from the Gaza Strip infiltrated Israel’s border; slaughtered 1,200 men, women and children; and took 251 back with them, where many have languished to this day. The attack was so vicious, so brutal, so immoral that it was a shock to one’s soul.
Water Affordability: 2024 Year in Review
[For more posts from this author, please see these blogs and LinkedIn articles.] As attention to our nation’s safe drinking water needs continues to grow, so too does attention to the nation’s water affordability challenges, particularly for low-income households. To succeed in providing universal access to safe water, we must ensure both that no one loses access because they can’t afford their water bill and that utilities have the funds they need to provide safe water to everyone.
Federal Water Assistance Helped Millions-Until the Money Dried Up
[For more posts from this author, please see these blogs and LinkedIn articles.] Last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its Final Impact and Evaluation Report on the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, commonly known as LIHWAP. In 2021, Congress appropriated $1.1 billion (with then-president Trump’s signature) for this first-ever program to help people maintain access to water when they can’t afford their water bills.
Does Congress Really Want More Lead Leaching into Drinking Water?
[For more posts from this author, please see these blogs and LinkedIn articles.] Congress is considering repealing protections for millions of fetuses, infants, children and adults from being poisoned by lead in tap water. A pending resolution would erase EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements that require water systems to remove nine million lead service lines—the pipes that deliver water from the water main in the street to the homes of tens of millions of Americans.
Grow Your Sales With Heart: 3 Authentic Selling Strategies
Written by: Larry Levine “Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.” - Charles Dickens This quote truly sums up Charles Dickens' belief in human potential for kindness, suggesting that one's personal character is defined not just by grand gestures, but by consistent, gentle, and persistent approaches to life's challenges. Let's apply this to the sales community...
EPA to Release First National Study of Water Affordability Challenges
As attention to our nation’s safe drinking water needs continues to grow, so too does attention to the nation’s water affordability challenges, particularly for low-income households. When people can’t afford to pay their water bills, they face severe consequences, including disconnection of water service, loss of housing, and spiraling debt. Yet, we lack a national strategy to ensure access to safe and affordable water and sanitation for everyone—regardless of one’s zip code or income.
Memo to Water Utilities: Don’t Pit Safe Water Against Affordable Water
This spring, the Biden Administration's U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) restricted six toxic PFAS chemicals found in drinking water, the first time the agency has regulated these ubiquitous "forever chemicals" in water. As many as 105 million people in the U.S. get their drinking water from water systems contaminated by PFAS at a level exceeding the new standards.
EPA Advisory Board to Weigh in on Water Affordability
Water affordability is top-of-mind these days for many water wonks in DC. In January, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), released a report on the temporary Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), finding that by June 2023 it had restored water service or prevented disconnections over 650,000 times for low-income households. (Funding for LIHWAP expired this year, after over 1.6 million households received assistance.
Why Do Water Bills Vary So Wildly?
In every community, there are people—often many people—who chronically struggle to afford their water and sewer bills and face severe consequences, including disconnection of water service. Many studies, both state-specific and national in scope, have confirmed this, with one recent study finding that “[water] affordability concerns are correlated with race after conditioning on poverty levels.” When it comes to affordability, local water rates matter a lot.
Yes, We CAN Get the Lead Out-Without Making Water Bills Unaffordable
The Biden Administration recently proposed new safe drinking water rules, which aim to replace all of the toxic lead pipes that deliver water to up to 22 million people nationwide. The proposal takes a major step forward from the failed efforts of the past 50 years, which left the vast majority of these pipes in use—even after Congress banned the installation of new lead pipes in the 1980s. It is well-established by medical experts that there is no safe level of lead exposure.
Legal Aid in the Digital Age: Handcuffs to Hope- Wall St. Prison Consultants Turning the Tables on the Judicial System
News Search | All News Topics ; Press Releases by Industry Channel > All Brazil Business Press Releases Levine speaking to client on phone Navigating justice with Wall Street Prison Consultants. Case reviews & prison survival strategies for white-collar defendants. A beacon of hope in tough times When a crisis hits, it's all about damage control.
A New Tool for Water Utilities: The Business Case for Affordability
Millions of people in the United States struggle to afford their water bills and face dire consequences as a result, including loss of access to water, loss of housing, and more. It should go without saying that the most important reason to solve this problem is to protect everyone’s right—everyone’s human right—to safe water and sanitation. That’s the whole purpose of our public water and wastewater systems: to protect human health and the environment for everyone in their service areas.
Making Our Water Safe AND Affordable
Every community needs safe drinking water to protect public health and to sustain the local economy. And every single person needs access to safe water just to survive—for drinking, cooking, bathing, sanitation, and, as the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted, simply keeping our hands and homes clean to prevent disease. Yet, in many communities, water fails to meet safe drinking water standards, which are often too weak to begin with and must be strengthened.
My Journey Through the (Un)safe Water Looking-Glass
The text (and an equivalent e-mail alert) linked to additional information on the city’s website. A factory spilled an estimated 8,100 gallons of latex finishing material into a creek (or was it 12,000 gallons?), about eight miles upstream of the Delaware River intake for Philadelphia’s drinking water system.
Trio of M&A Deals, Ancillary Gems and Objections, GreatAmerica Difference Maker Denise Miller's Value Validated, Sales and Transformational Relationships
One of the best aspects of offering ancillary products and services is the lack of client objections. We’d insert the word “utter” in there, but let’s not get cocky. Every expenditure demands a raison d’etre, and in the current economic conditions, precious few end-users will free up some bucks unless they can be reasonably assured of attaining an ROI, gaining efficiency or other enhancement that will improve the quality of work life.
https://lnkd.in/egTcJK7 - Linkis.com
Promote anything you want each time you share a link to Twitter
EPA Rethinks Water Affordability, Reverses Trump Approach
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is revising a harmful Trump Administration policy that would have reinforced existing inequities in access to clean water and sanitation. EPA’s new proposal marks a step in the right direction towards righting those historic wrongs. It aims to expedite investments that benefit environmental justice communities, without making bills for essential sewer service unaffordable to low-income households.
Hats - Fly Fisherman
A salute to fly-fishing head gear. (Dave Hall illustration) January 28, 2022 By Larry Levine This article originally appeared in the March 2010 issue of Fly Fisherman magazine. It’s mid-January and I’m learning that living in a bigger cabin helps with the symptoms, but does not cure the fever. The weather outside is the same whether you’re in a single-wide trailer or a mansion.
Rights In Conflict: Individual Liberties vs. The Public Good In A Time Of A Pandemic
July 24, 2021 By Larry Levine The conflict between the civil liberties of individuals and the collective public good could not be more clearly defined than it is now on the issues of vaccinations and masks as we battle a deadly pandemic. While I consider myself a defender of civil liberties, in the current dichotomy I come down strongly on the side of the collective good. To arrive at this position I had to reach an accommodation with two points raised by civil libertarians. 1.
NJ Extends Utility Shutoff Moratorium Through End of Year
The New Jersey Legislature passed legislation yesterday (A 5820) ending the COVID-19 state of emergency in 30 days, but extending certain emergency orders until the year. One of the orders extended is Gov. Murphy’s order prohibiting shutoff of essential utility services to New Jersey residents, including water, power, and heat. The order was due to expire on June 30, and the state’s utility companies had been pressing hard against an extension.
A New Customer Bill of Rights: Affordable Utility Services
Co-authored with Karen Lusson of the National Consumer Law Center Utility services—electricity, heat, water, sanitation, telecommunications, and internet access—are essential to health, safety, and daily life. The vital need for uninterrupted utility service was evident before the coronavirus pandemic, but the COVID-19 public health emergency has reinforced the essential nature of utility service and the threats of energy and water poverty.
Federal COVID-19 Relief for Water & Sewer Bills
This blog is co-authored by Larry Levine (NRDC) and Olivia Wein (National Consumer Law Center). For many of us, the accelerating rollout of COVID-19 vaccines provides hope for a light at the end of the tunnel. But the vaccines are still in a race against time, with COVID-19 again resurging in many states. Maintaining access to water and other essential utility services remains as vital as ever to safeguard public health, as the pandemic continues.
Mom, apple pie, and... Coca-Cola?
The invasion of the mind snatchers has now captured large American iconic companies. Coke's online training session told their associates, "try to be less white." Coke's new advertisement: "More filling, less White." Here are some slides that a "whistleblower" sent.
Water vs. Energy: Solving the COVID-19 Utility Crisis
States and the federal government must act now to preserve essential water service during the pandemic—and keep customers from being mired in debt they cannot escape. As described in a companion blog published today, the solutions for water and energy service are largely similar, in concept. But to craft effective policies and programs, policy makers must understand important differences between the water and energy utility sectors and adapt the solutions as needed.
Mass Water Shutoffs Loom, Most States & the Feds Remain AWOL
[Updated 12/22/20 to reflect current status of state moratoria and federal assistance funds appropriated on Dec. 21, 2020.] As COVID-19 rages nationwide and our economic crisis continues, access to safe housing and essential utilities, such as home water and energy service, are under threat like never before.
Larry Levine: Dropping political labels would fuel open dialogue about health policies
Larry Levine: Dropping political labels would fuel open dialogue about health policies COURTESY OF ISTOCK PHOTO By Larry Levine | guest columnist Election season is upon us, and our national divisions are exacerbated as politicians and pundits attempt to manipulate and polarize us with labels such as “right wing,” “far left,” “moderate” and “socialist.” In a culture which condenses itself into 280 characters, labels and slogans banish questions and substitute stereotypes and oversimplifications.
Secret Jews ( Maranos for MAGA) .
Oct 29, 2020, 12:00 AM Please note that the posts on The Blogs are contributed by third parties. The opinions, facts and any media content in them are presented solely by the authors, and neither The Times of Israel nor its partners assume any responsibility for them. Please contact us in case of abuse. In case of abuse, Report this post. Todays, Maranos ” Secret Jewish Trump supporters.” Yes, I publicly support Trump. I am not a “shy” Trump supporter. People like me are in the minority.
U.S. health care: The life at stake may be your own | Opinion Original
On Nov. 10, the Trump Administration will attempt to persuade the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate the Affordable Care Act. If the administration wins, insurance companies will once again be able to deny coverage or charge sky-high rates to people with pre-existing conditions. Caps on lifetime spending for individual health care will return. Adult children under age 26 will no longer have the option to be covered by a parent's health insurance.
U.S. health care: The life at stake may be your own | Opinion
On Nov. 10, the Trump Administration will attempt to persuade the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate the Affordable Care Act. If the administration wins, insurance companies will once again be able to deny coverage or charge sky-high rates to people with pre-existing conditions. Caps on lifetime spending for individual health care will return. Adult children under age 26 will no longer have the option to be covered by a parent's health insurance.
New York: Protect People from Water Shutoffs During COVID-19
Learn more about NRDC’s response to COVID-19. Over the summer, New York State did the right thing for utility customers feeling the severe economic downturn during the pandemic. The state adopted legislation (Laws of 2020, Chapters 108 and 126) requiring all utilities—water, gas, electric, telephone—to stop shutting off any residential customer’s service for nonpayment of bills during the COVID-19 state of emergency.
Congress & States Must Protect Water Access During COVID-19
With COVID-19 surging around the country, millions of people unable to afford vital water, electric, and gas service are now losing the utility shutoff protections that some states adopted earlier during the pandemic. Access to water is especially at risk. Congress needs to act now. Only 16 states, plus Washington, DC and Puerto Rico, adopted statewide water shutoff moratoria at any point during the pandemic.
Black Lives Matter (except if you are Black)
Pretty catchy logo, BLM, and I like the extra added touch of the fist thing. Since I am in the t-shirt Biz, I can appreciate good marketing. If you are a corporation and want to look good, you will not only support BLM; you will paint them on your logos, your buildings. If you are a sports league, especially one with a large black fan base, your world is now black and white, minus the white, of course. Major League Baseball, Basketball, everyone except golf.
Jewish privilege
I didn’t know this, but I am a privileged white Jewish man. I guess that Sephardi Jews and Ethiopian Jews don’t count in this ? I also found out that I am a racist, it is in my genes I can’t help myself, and I need to repent and beg for forgiveness. I have to admit this was startling. I didn’t think that I was born to any special privilege, but this cannot be wrong, can it? After all, I read this on the internet.
How I Use Nimble With LinkedIn To Land Dream Accounts
Thur, July 2, 2020 10am PDT / 1pm EDT In the current virtual selling environment, getting engagement with prospects and clients seems harder than ever. While social offers the ability to communicate, many reps find themselves frustrated at the lack of response. Best Selling Author of Selling From the Heart, Larry Levine, successfully integrated social into his selling style in 2007 leading to quota-crushing results.
Joan Leary Matthews and Larry Levine: Data Show Millions at Risk of Water Shutoffs During COVID-19
May 8, 2020 – To protect ourselves from the coronavirus, health officials repeatedly tell us to “wash our hands.” Many people can do that, but if you don’t have water in your home because it has been shut off by the water utility, you can’t perform this basic, life-saving function.
Data Show Millions at Risk of Water Shutoffs during COVID-19
To protect ourselves from the coronavirus, health officials repeatedly tell us to “wash our hands.” Many people can do that, but if you don’t have water in your home because it has been shut off by the water utility, you can’t perform this basic, life-saving function.
Selling From the Heart
We’ve all heard the terms authenticity, empathy, and genuineness in the sales world. But what does it truly mean to be your authentic self as a salesperson? You can glean so much information if you’re willing to be vulnerable and genuine and real. Set aside your ego and your fear, and people will open up to you, and buy from you! Larry Levine explores how to sell from the heart in this expert sales interview, hosted by John Golden.
Governors: Safe, Clean Water Is Essential in COVID-19 Crisis
“Wash your hands.” “Stay at home.” We hear this sound advice repeatedly during the COVID-19 crisis. But you can only follow these directives if you have water—for handwashing, drinking, cooking, cleaning, and sanitation. Unfortunately, many people in the United States do not have running water in their homes because their water has been shut off. For some, the shutoffs have predated the crisis.
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