(BPT) - Over the last decade, many companies have paid increasing attention to the buying power and consumer habits of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) market. But until recently, little attention has been focused on the financial experience of LGBT individuals.

My faith leads me to stand up for the oppressed and the marginalized. It is not my responsibility to impose my morality on anyone, but to share the love of Christ — period.

The open enrollment period begins for the new health plans created by the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. Obamacare) on Oct. 1, yet most Americans couldn’t name one of the new health plans let alone describe all the services they cover.

The people of Stockton will feel financial fallout for years after a federal judge ruled Monday to let the city become the most populous in the nation to enter bankruptcy.

On its first official day in bankruptcy, the city of Stockton now must grapple with the hard part of reorganizing its financial affairs — how to share the financial burden equitably among creditors while meeting its massive state pension obligations.

(BPT) - Though the U.S. economy has been gradually improving, job changes - both involuntary and voluntary - remain a fact of American working life.

(BPT) - When you stray from your fitness goals with a fast-food meal or by skipping a few days at the gym, it’s important to not use those moments as an excuse to stop trying. Financial fitness is the same. When you miss a month of paying into your savings, or allow a credit card balance to roll over to the next month, it’s important to get back on track as quickly as possible.

(BPT) - For all the talk about taxes during the “fiscal cliff” debate at the end of 2012, many people are still left wondering what it means to them as the April 15 filing date approaches. 

(BPT) - One upside to the burgeoning obesity epidemic is that it’s fueling the growth of jobs in the fitness industry. 

ADULT DAY CARE AND HEALTH CENTERS

Some 30 correctional officers who staff San Joaquin County Jail left Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting disappointed, after the board forced some salary and benefit concessions.

(NAPSI)—More Americans are switching from professionals and retail stores to do-it-yourself tax preparation websites. Online solutions offer a convenient way to file on a computer or tablet from home or anyplace else with Internet access. The tax guidance and tools in online solutions are more than adequate for most taxpayers, even those with complicated tax situations.

(BPT) - Thanks to the convenience of online tax return preparation websites, more Americans are doing their own taxes. Do-it-yourself tax preparation solutions give taxpayers a fast, convenient and affordable way to file income tax returns.

For every month that Galt Mayor Barbara Payne attends a Sacramento Area Council of Governments meeting, she receives $100. She gets the same taxpayer-funded stipend for attending the monthly meetings of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District.

Reporter Jennifer Bonnett's exploration this past Saturday and Tuesday of school trustee compensation allowed readers to peer into a murky cauldron — school board health benefits.

School board members are technically volunteers, but state law allows for them to get a monthly stipend.

Gretchen Talley retired from the San Joaquin County Board of Education in June, but taxpayers could pay for her health care for life.

Thanks to the crackerjack undercover work of Ricky Gill and his campaign team we know that Rep. Jerry McNerney isn't currently in his Brookside home full time.

Watching Stockton’s treasury get wiped out by spendy arenas and the granting of over-generous employee benefits got me thinking: Do city of Lodi retirees get paid health insurance?

In opting to become the nation's largest city to seek federal bankruptcy protection, the city of Stockton took a rare financial step of last resort after struggling with the economic downturn, soaring pension costs and contractual obligations.

It's not often you hear of a public agency restoring furlough days. But such an item is on Tuesday's Galt City Council meeting. It's part of an agreement with employee unions to change health coverage plans that will ultimately save the city $243,000 this year.

The Diocese of Stockton is paying $3.75 million to settle a civil sex abuse case involving Father Michael Kelly, who fled to Ireland last week, it was announced Friday.

It sounds like a good idea at the time, buying that gym membership and promising yourself that you will go and work out as often as possible to meet that new target weight you hope to hit by swimsuit season.

The Institute of International Education issued its annual "Open Doors" report two weeks ago, which showed a 5.7 percent increase in foreign-born students enrolled in American colleges. Some interpret this as good news. I'm not one of them.

Cathleen Galgiani may be representing south San Joaquin County and parts of Stanislaus and Merced counties in the Assembly, but she’s very familiar with Lodi.