Reading Business

My Monday morning must-reads for April 17:

• In the things that make you go "huh?" department: New York's governor and legislative leaders apparently sign a confidentiality agreement when they meet to divide a pot of $200 million in tax money dedicated to local projects. This is according to an investigative story in the Albany Times-Union. The key words there are "tax money," otherwise known as "public money."
• This story about China is probably more political than economic. But China is undeniably the most significant economic force of our time, and now its leader is coming to visit the United States. (NY Times.)
• In any talk of economic development in Rochester, our weather almost always comes up in some form. But there are very few locations with the perfect climate. Here's an example: Businesses in Dallas today are dealing with some unusual weather of their own. In April. (Dallas Morning News.)
• Another good business idea you and I didn't think of. A Minneapolis area man is marketing his collection of rock-n-roll memorabilia. (Star-Tribune of Minneapolis.)
• The information age is scuttling yet another aspect of surprise in daily life. This time it's restaurant reviews. (Associated Press via the Louisville Courier-Journal.)
• Business Week has rated the world's most innovative companies. Apple is No. 1, Google is No. 2, but neither Kodak nor Xerox are on the list -- not even in the top 100.