So President Obama wants to end so-called “tax loopholes” for American oil and gas companies? Sounds like a good idea, until you learn that what the President is really asking. The “Close the Big Oil Tax Loopholes Act” essentially asks American taxpayers and businesses to shoulder the economic brunt of the administration’s ambitious green energy objectives.

On Tuesday, Aug. 27, the city of Phoenix will hold the regularly scheduled City Council Election for voters in Districts 2, 4, 6 and 8 to elect a council member. There is no election for council member in Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7 this year because the terms of the council members are staggered. The Council Election is open to Phoenix residents who are registered voters and reside within Districts 2, 4, 6 or 8 at least 29 days prior to the election.

The Phoenix City Council will vote on the final draft of the city’s 2013-14 budget, which includes new efficiencies in the city’s public information office, parks and public transit, on May 21 but Councilman Sal DiCiccio says the city could have increased even more services if staff didn’t get any raises or bonuses.

The long-awaited Draft Environmental Impact Study for the South Mountain Loop 202 Freeway will be released today and available for review and comment over the next 90 days.

Just a few months shy of the nationally ranked charter school’s opening of its newest location in Ahwatukee, BASIS will be offering two informational meetings for parents and the community.

Moving forward in reviewing the district’s policy on sex education in its high schools, the Tempe Union High School District is looking for parents and residents to participate in a committee for instruction.

Lottery confidentiality

Procrastinators can get free last-minute help filing their taxes at four Phoenix Public Library locations from 6 p.m. to midnight on Monday, April 15.

National Library Week is April 14-20 and Phoenix Public Libraries is celebrating at any of its 15 library locations April 13-27 with canned or non-perishable food items for St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance.

Ahwatukee Foothills residents called for increased transparency and increased accountability Thursday night as city of Phoenix staff presented the 2013-14 budget.

When I took office last year, I made three commitments about the city’s budget. I made the commitment to cut wasteful spending and build a smarter government that does more with less. I committed to use our savings and increased revenues from a recovering economy to lower taxes. And I made the commitment not to accelerate any tax cut if the result hurt our public’s safety.

At this point it is a matter of finding out how low the Horizon Honors golf team can go before season’s end.

Kyrene School District officials recently received tax credit donation results for 2012, showing a nearly $35,000 decrease.

The city of Phoenix is reaching out to residents over the next few months to get input on the city manager’s trial budget, which does not call for an early removal of the city’s food sales tax.

Phoenix Public Library has expanded its successful Project NOOK to all library locations.

Bicyclists will have a chance to speak directly to city staff and offer suggestions for improving biking in Phoenix during the District 6 Bike Summit on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pecos Park Community Center, 17010 S. 48th St., Room 3.

It’s time to bring out the shamrocks and deck ourselves out in emerald. St. Patrick’s Day is March 17 and the 30th anniversary of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is on March 16. The parade and the Irish Faire are sure to turn downtown Phoenix into one big green party.

Phoenix Public Library invites you to take the pledge to participate in the National Day of Unplugging, from sundown on March 1 to sundown on March 2.

Arizona is facing a literacy crisis and it begins in early childhood.

In her 14 years of teaching integrated pre-kindergarten at Kyrene de la Estrella, teacher Sally Tully has never received a gift quite like this.

Saying the money can be better used, members of a House panel voted Thursday to let cities and counties put their legal notices online instead of in newspapers.

Phoenix Public Library and Changing Hands Bookstore present Pitchapalooza from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9 at Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave.

Tim Nguyen wants to help you make money in the stock market. In his first book, “Conquering the Bull and the Bear: A Holistic Approach to Profiting in the Stock Market,” the Ahwatukee resident offers a different approach than most other financial investment books.

In Netflix’s bid for a flagship original drama of its own — a “Sopranos” to its HBO — the subscription streaming service is presenting a high-class adaptation of a British political thriller offered up all at once, with its first season immediately ready for TV-viewing gluttony.

Dance Studio 111