The reliance of government coffers on the taxes smokers pay, and on the tobacco settlement money, essentially provides a financial cushion for state governments and could be viewed as a government guarantee for the survival of the tobacco industry.
With every storm this winter, climatologists and water managers have crossed their fingers, hoping for continued rain and snowfall to cushion the state's water supply.
Democratic legislative leaders also have echoed some of Brown's calls for fiscal discipline, and they're working with the governor to build a financial reserve to cushion the state against economic downturns.
That would require a separate budget for the euro zone and, eventually, a central treasury with the capacity to sell bonds to fund structural overhauls across the currency area, cushion member states against sudden economic shocks and make it less likely that sovereign bailouts will be needed in the future.
I'm on a board of JP Morgan which is chaired by Tony Blair and they are very excited by the opportunities in Africa". Zuma said the bank also will establish a "Brics contingent reserve arrangement", a pool of $100bn to cushion member states against any future economic shocks and further lessen their dependence on western institutions.
"I don't want to be a pin cushion for the state".
Making fun of the Boss was like snickering during a Holy Communion service, like plopping down on a whoopee cushion during a State of the Union address.
We struggled with cases of strong financial measures but doubtful independence, either from affiliated companies or a state cushion.
Some evenings, however, I sit quietly on my meditation cushion in a state of sweet acquiescence as to what this vast and mystifying experience called giving birth (for the third time) is all about.
California's 40th governor is beginning his tenure with a flurry of ideas and enough cushion in the state budget to afford a large inner circle of advisors and aides to help carry out big promises, such as creating a single-payer healthcare system, universal preschool and addressing the state's housing crisis.
