THESE ARE NEAT NUMBERS

49

Forty-nine Woolrich Inc. garment assembly workers are losing their jobs in October, as the plant in Jersey Shore shuts down its sewing division. A decrease in orders for company brand parkas, primarily sold in European markets, was the main reason behind the decision.

Company officials said Woolrich has strong and growing businesses in other areas, including direct retail sales through catalog, internet and company-owned stores, licensing, wholesale apparel, woolen fabrics, and government contracts.

The building on will remain open, with a smaller workforce in place.

36

One of the fastest-growing financial schemes, seen as a con game by some, is the socalled payday loan. A leading critic referred to them as "legalized loan-sharking."

A growing number of states are trying to curb abuses by capping annual interest rates on the short-term loans at a whopping 36 percent. There are horror stories of desperate workers taking out loans, averaging about $1,000, at annual interest rates of more than 400 percent.

The industry has exploded in many areas. There are now more quick-loan outlets in the state of Ohio than there are Burger King, Wendy's and McDonald's restaurants combined.

13,112

Passage of April 15 brought out the usual media reports on taxes. Average American tax bill for 2008 was $13,112.

Here are some of the ways that money is distributed by the federal government: $49 for the Internal Revenue Service; $12 for national parks; $19 for hurricane tracking; $313 for education, $62 for law enforcement; $99 for farmers; 29 cents for toy safety; 19 cents to fund the White House.

430

A Pa. Game Commission report cites 430 species of birds in Pennsylvania, nearly half of the total known from North America.

The Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology considers 290 species "regular," including 180 breeders and the remainder transients that pass through traveling to and from other regions.

40

Forty percent of cigarette smokers want to quit. However, if past trends hold true, only five percent of them will succeed once they decide to quit.

3M

Citizens Against Government Waste comes up with some glaring examples of pork barrel politics in the form of "earmarks." These are grants that are slipped into the budget without approval by vote of Congress.

One example reported last month: a $3 million grant to promote golf among young people.

44

Foreign countries are buying up U.S. debt because it's a safe bet and there's plenty to go around.

Forty-four cents of each dollar in the national debt is owed to a foreign country. Kuwait, China and Russia are the biggest buyers.

Each American taxpayer is forking out $1,085 to cover interest in the national debt this year.

70

Rising diesel costs are having a ripple effect on the economy. Some 70 percent of consumer goods in the U.S. are transported by trucks.

300

Corn prices have risen by 300 percent since 2005, due in large part to the increasing demand for corn to convert to ethanol.

Interestingly, there will be eight percent fewer acres of corn planted this year, which will force prices higher.

Corn is used for animal feed, soft drinks (corn syrup), lunch meats, salad dressing, bread, peanut butter, potato chips, dry cell batteries, disposable diapers and many other products.