Morning Roundup: The pesky budgetary item of 'Obamacare fines'

As companies nationwide begin to set up budgets for 2015, one line item seems to be a problem for some companies -- fines related to the Affordable Care Act. If you remember, companies that employ at least 100 people will start taking on fines in 2015. Now, it seems that companies are looking to insurance brokers-slash-law experts to find ways to avoid the fines and keep costs down. One popular option seems to be enrolling employees in Medicaid, and why not, since the federal and state governments kick in on that. Another option is the "skinny" plan, which has nothing to do with your waistline and everything to do with the amount of coverage, and cost. As it stands, it doesn't seem like either option is illegal. So, buckle up and prepare for another debate of "the letter of the law" versus "the spirit of the law." -- Wall Street Journal

Leading The Business Journals:
Kimberly-Clark to cut up to 1,300 jobs as it restructures its business-- Danielle Abril of the Dallas Business Journal
Ballmer defends Nadella, says the Microsoft CEO 'allowed good karma to happen'-- Rachel Lerman of the Puget Sound Business Journal
Monsanto will keep selling seeds treated with pesticides linked to bee deaths-- Ben Unglesbee of the St. Louis Business Journal

Wall Street Journal Business top headlines:
Bosses Seek 'Critical Thinking,' but What Is That?
BOE Officials Gloomier on Economy
Johnson & Johnson to Begin Testing Ebola Vaccine in January
Total to Select New CEO on Wednesday

New York Times Business top headlines:
Enforcer at Treasury Is First Line of Attack Against ISIS
States Ease Laws That Protected Poor Borrowers
After JPMorgan Breach, a Greater Push to Fortify Wall Street Banks
A Retreat From Weather Disasters
Apple Pay: Seamless in Stores, but Quirky Online

Rick Johnston is an Associate Editor with the American City Business Journals National Content Team.