Saturday, May 14, 2005

Just Another Blog: Nuclear Strategy

Just Another Blog: Nuclear Strategy: "Straight off the AP Wire, Jesse Holland writes of the Seven Republican senators that will determine the outcome of the showdown on the filibuster.

The seven GOP senators that have not committed publicly to supporting either Senate leader are:
Susan Collins of Maine, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, John Warner of Virginia, Mike DeWine of Ohio, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and John Sununu of New Hampshire."

Boxer's hold another hitch in Bolton vote / Senator seeks access to papers, calls White House uncooperative

Boxer's hold another hitch in Bolton vote / Senator seeks access to papers, calls White House uncooperative: "Sen. Barbara Boxer of California has erected a roadblock against John Bolton, President Bush's embattled nominee for U.N. ambassador, in a fight with the administration over access to"

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Emanuel: 'Name not important'

Emanuel: 'Name not important': "Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) has offered to remove his name from a lobbying reform bill if Republican leadership agrees to give the bill a vote on the House floor.

The move follows warnings by House Republican leaders that the legislation would face strong opposition if Emanuel remained a co-author. It also comes as Democrats and Republicans are jockeying for higher ethical ground amid a heightened focus in Washington on lobbying practices."

Report could hurt Bolton

Report could hurt Bolton: "State Department officials have shared with Senate Democrats the findings of a sensitive State Department inspector general’s report that could further undermine the nomination of John Bolton to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
"

Two Out of Three Oppose GOP 'Nuclear Option' in New Poll

The Emerging Democratic Majority WebLog - DonkeyRising: "A recently-released Washington Post/ABC News Poll reveals overwhelming public opposition to the GOP 'Nuclear Option' for confirming federal judicial nominees. The Poll, conducted on 4/24, indicated that 66 percent of respondents oppose 'changing senate rules to make it easier' for Republicans to confirm Bush's judicial nominees, while only 26 percent said they supported the proposal."

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Small Elementary Class Size Boosts High School Grad Rates - Yahoo! News

Small Elementary Class Size Boosts High School Grad Rates - Yahoo! News: "Small class size in elementary school raises the likelihood that children will graduate from high school, a new study finds. The researchers say this is especially true for students from low-income homes."

Small Elementary Class Size Boosts High School Grad Rates - Yahoo! News

Small Elementary Class Size Boosts High School Grad Rates - Yahoo! News: "Small class size in elementary school raises the likelihood that children will graduate from high school, a new study finds. The researchers say this is especially true for students from low-income homes."

Does the Real ID act contain a Constitution-busting Trojan horse?

States May Disobey Driver's License Rules

States May Disobey Driver's License Rules - Yahoo! News: "States are threatening to challenge in court and even disobey new orders from Congress to start issuing more uniform driver's licenses and verify the citizenship or legal status of people getting them.
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There is concern among some states that they'll get stuck with a large tab to pay for implementing the new rules and that getting a driver's license will become a bigger headache for law-abiding residents."

Tax-swap bills aid state's wealthiest

DallasNews.com | News for Dallas, Texas | Latest News: Only top 10% get relief in Senate plan, legislative analysts say.
"The Senate's version of a huge tax-swap bill would protect the poorest Texans more than the House's, but it would still raise the tax burden on all but the wealthiest households, according to a nonpartisan legislative analysis.

Only the richest 840,000 households – those with annual incomes of more than $140,000 – would receive a net tax cut under the Senate plan, which the full chamber is expected to debate today.

According to the Legislative Budget Board, an agency that helps lawmakers track the budget, the state's other 7.5 million households – 90 percent – would see their tax burden rise. Increased sales taxes, higher prices and lower wages and profits from a broadened business tax would exceed what most save in property tax cuts."

Let's call this what it is--a huge GOP tax increase.

Frist plans to use 'option' on nomination of Owen

Frist plans to use 'option' on nomination of Owen - The Washington Times: Nation/Politics - May 10, 2005: "Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist plans for Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen to be the judicial nomination on which he uses the 'nuclear option' against Democratic filibusters later this month, according to Republicans familiar with his plans. "

Political Wire: Dean Urges "High Road" for Massachusetts Democrats

Political Wire: Dean Urges "High Road" for Massachusetts Democrats: "Said Dean: 'I don't like to lecture states, but if you run a scorched earth campaign, the nomination won't be worth anything.'"

Political Wire: Women Returning to Democratic Party

Wired News: No Real Debate for Real ID

Wired News: No Real Debate for Real ID: "Hundreds of civil liberties groups, immigrant support groups and government associations oppose the Real ID Act, a piece of legislation that critics say would produce a de facto national ID card, cost states millions of dollars and punish undocumented immigrants.

Yet despite widespread opposition to the bill, it passed through the House last week and is expected to easily pass through the Senate on Tuesday."