 |
Read More
|
|
|
|
Archive of Politics on Tuesday May 06, 2008
Will states fix 2012 primary process?
Read More
Oh say, is that banner made in the U.S.A.?
Lawmakers in 10 states have taken steps to require that American flags bought with state funds be manufactured in this country. While not all the legislation has passed, one state’s new law even bans the sale of foreign-made American flags in that state. Read More
Ohio Dems talking impeachment after AG refuses to resign
Risking impeachment, Attorney General Marc Dann on Monday refused demands from the governor and other fellow Democrats that he resign over a sexual harassment scandal in his office and an extramarital affair with a subordinate. Read More
Divorce proceedings - First lady holds onto role
Dawn Gibbons will continue to perform all the functions befitting Nevada's first lady despite her pending divorce from Gov. Jim Gibbons, her lawyer said Monday. Read More
WVU faculty wants president's ouster
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- West Virginia University's faculty senate yesterday voted overwhelmingly for the ouster of university President Mike Garrison after a debate in which he was rebuked for what one faculty member called a "serious academic crime" in the Heather Bresch M.B.A. controversy. Read More
Lawsuit seeks to stop Arctic oil exploration
ANCHORAGE - Alaska Native and environmental groups sued Monday to stop exploration by oil companies this summer in Arctic waters frequented by whales, seals and other marine species. Read More
Judge rejects Kohring request to talk to juror
Former state Rep. Vic Kohring has suffered another legal setback ahead of his sentencing Thursday. Read More
Palin balances official duties, son's needs
The results of Gov. Sarah Palin's prenatal testing were in, but the doctor's tone was ominous: "You need to come to the office so we can talk about it." Read More
Ark. Democratic leader tells members to stop helping GOP
The head of Arkansas' Democratic Party is asking lawmakers in his party to avoid taking friendships forged with Republicans in the Capitol to the campaign trail. Read More
Beebe -- Federal cuts not as bad as feared
Federal cuts won?t hurt state work-force programs as much as state officials initially feared, Gov. Mike Beebe said. Read More
Beebe encourages schools to install tornado-safe rooms
CARLISLE, Ark. - Just before the sirens sounded in Carlisle, school superintendent Floyd Marshall got the warning from police -- a tornado was coming right for the town's elementary and high school. Read More
Leader of party rebukes senators
The state Democratic Party chief and two prominent state senators in his party differed Monday over the senators associating with Republican fundraisers and his comments suggesting one of them might have preferred a Republican candidate for governor. Read More
Vegetable oil fuels cars - and tax bills
Dave Eck, a Half Moon Bay mechanic, had attracted a media spotlight with his fleet of vehicles fueled by used fryer grease from a local chowder house. So when Sacramento called, he figured officials wanted advice on promoting alternative fuels. Read More
California may run out of cash by August
California is facing a cash crisis this summer, putting pressure on elected officials to submit an on-time state budget or risk asking taxpayers to pay a premium on loans. Read More
California may run out of cash by August
California is facing a cash crisis this summer, putting pressure on elected officials to submit an on-time state budget or risk asking taxpayers to pay a premium on loans. Read More
Legislature going out on 'high note'
The Democrats in charge of the legislature say they will close this year's session either today or Wednesday, satisfied they've made strides in education, health care, the economy and protecting the environment. Read More
Ritter questions TABOR strategy
The rough political road for a proposed state-budget fix got even rougher Monday as Gov. Bill Ritter stopped short of endorsing it and the group expected to propel it to November's ballot expressed concern about funding, timing and other issues. Read More
Dueling fuel philosophies on collision course
WASHINGTON - Prices at the pump are fueling the latest battles in Congress. Read More
Legislation advances, awaits Rell's signature
The following bills are among those that have passed the General Assembly. Unless otherwise noted, they are awaiting Gov. M. Jodi Rell's signature. Read More
State Senate gives solid approval to gas-emissions bill
The Senate on Monday unanimously backed a mandate to cut emissions of greenhouse gases in Connecticut, keeping the state on pace with others in its efforts to combat global warming. Read More
Near end, session slows down
With adjournment looming, state legislative business slowed to a crawl Monday as the Republican minority reacted with delaying tactics to a refusal by the Democratic majority to debate a GOP budget alternative. Read More
State Senate approves greenhouse gas reduction measure
The state Senate gave final -- and unanimous -- legislative approval Monday to a tough new bill requiring drastic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions connected to global warming, and the GOP leader in the Senate said he expects Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell to sign it into law. Read More
Bill Lee plays it coy
He has not said yes and he has not said no, but retired Superior Court Judge Bill Lee -- drafted Saturday as the Republican Party's nominee for governor -- did say he would "proceed toward running" for the office. Read More
Ruling puts NCCo in money bind
New Castle County and the seven school districts within it won't be recapturing any of the millions of dollars in tax revenue lost when Verizon was able to reduce its tax payments last year. Read More
Bill Lee - Thanks, but I'm still not in it
Retired Superior Court Judge Bill Lee, who was drafted by the Republican Party Saturday to be its candidate for governor, said today he was humbled by the "unprecedented honor" and would "proceed toward running" for the governor's office. Read More
Commuter rail far from dead, Mica and Dyer vow
Central Florida commuter-rail supporters are preparing to spend as much as $52 million in the next year to keep their plan on track, despite the Legislature's rejection of the deal last week. Read More
Six wardens among double-dippers at Florida Department of Corrections
The Department of Corrections, an agency notorious for cronyism, has a number of double-dippers at its highest levels. Read More
Fewer students will learn less at UF after cuts
Faced with a nearly $50-million loss in state dollars for the looming budget year, the University of Florida will lay off 138 faculty and staff members; cut undergraduate enrollment by 4,000 students; slash research spending; and eliminate some degree programs and academic departments. Read More
Harbin denies role in mix-up
State Rep. Ben Harbin and his attorney denied Monday any wrongdoing in a possible mix-up that allowed the Evans Republican to keep his driver's license after last year's arrest on suspicion of drunken driving. Read More
Perdue to sign dogfighting bill
Dogfighting penalties are about to get a little tougher in Georgia. Read More
State voter roll rises by 16,000
In Hawaii the current statewide registered voter count is about 663,000, Glen Takahashi, election administrator in the City Clerk's Office, said in an e-mail. Read More
Ceded-land deal at impasse
Just days after the end of the legislative session and a failed attempt to reach an agreement over how much ceded-land revenue is owed to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the key parties involved appear to again be at loggerheads. Read More
Audit finds state paid $882,000 for $50,000 in savings
State Auditor David Vaudt has released a second report on business conducted by several state agencies with a consulting company based in Chicago. Read More
State pays $250,000 to settle another TouchPlay lawsuit
The Iowa Attorney General's office has announced another settlement with a former manufacturer of the TouchPlay machines. The state banned TouchPlay machines in May of 2006, after concerns that the games were too much like slot machines. A-G spokesman, Bob Brammer, talks about the details of the latest settlement. Read More
Governor signs veterans bills into law
Iowa Governor Chet Culver traveled to Fort Dodge Monday, where he signed three bills dealing with veterans issues into law. Culver says one the bills provides $600,000 to improve the operations at county veterans services offices. Read More
Culver wants lawyers paid to review records
Gov. Chet Culver's office has begun to encourage state agencies to charge for the cost of having government lawyers review documents requested under Iowa's open-records law. Read More
Culver signs loan oversight bill
Iowa students might not have to borrow as much money to pay for college as a result of new legislation signed Monday, Gov. Chet Culver said. Read More
Savings effort for state faulted again
State officials paid an out-of-state contractor $882,260 to help Iowa save $50,325 a year, according to an audit released Monday. Read More
Student loan protection bill signed
Gov. Chet Culver signed legislation Monday to help make the student loan process more transparent for Iowa college students and provide more oversight for lenders. Read More
Culver signs bills to help vets
Measures meant to improve services for Iowa veterans were signed into law Monday by Gov. Chet Culver. Read More
Idaho journalist, author Shadduck dies at age 92
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho -- Louise Shadduck of Coeur d'Alene, a newspaper reporter who became the first woman in the nation to serve in a state cabinet post, died Sunday at 92. Read More
Senate hopeful Risch to skip live Idaho Public TV debate
For a second straight election, Lt. Gov. Jim Risch will forgo a live Idaho Public Television debate in favor of a taped commercial network debate with candidates in Idaho's Republican U.S. Senate primary facing questions from a panel but not from each other. Read More
Kempthorne holds on to his records
Two years ago, the Idaho Attorney General's office told Dirk Kempthorne to give his gubernatorial records to the Idaho State Historical Society -- like every governor before him. Read More
Defense rests in Rezko trial
CHICAGO - Defense attorneys rested their case in political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko's corruption trial Monday without calling a single witness. Read More
Lawmaker -- Job moves in works for years
A southern Illinois lawmaker says Gov. Rod Blagojevich?s controversial decision to move 148 jobs from Springfield to his district has been in the works for two years. Read More
Latest prison closings proposal would benefit Thomson
Pontiac?s loss of a maximum-security prison could be a big win for Thomson. Read More
Senators insist day off isn't for Obama's benefit
With their former colleague vying for votes in neighboring Indiana, the Illinois Senate has called off work today, a move one Republican said is improper given Illinois' lingering problems. Read More
Prosecution rests; Rezko to present no defense witnesses
Antoin "Tony" Rezko's defense attorneys staked their case Monday on the prospect that jurors have found more credibility problems than compelling evidence during weeks of testimony from prosecution witnesses. Read More
Appeals court rejects Chief Illiniwek suits
A state appellate court has upheld the dismissals of a pair of lawsuits that claimed the University of Illinois broke state law when it eliminated its controversial Chief Illiniwek mascot. Read More
Plan would keep all of Stateville prison open, shut Pontiac facility
Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration is canceling its plan to close part of the Stateville prison near Joliet and now wants to shut down the Pontiac Correctional Center instead. Read More
Plan to define marriage fails
Illinois voters won't be asked this fall whether they think the state constitution should be rewritten to define "marriage" as only for male-female couples. Read More
Enrollment in health plan halted
Gov. Rod Blagojevich?s administration is ending enrollment in its health-care plan after months of pushing for a dramatic expansion of the program against the wishes of lawmakers. Read More
Governor refuses to discuss Rezko trial
GRANITE CITY, Ill.- Insisting "the truth will come out," Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Monday refused to publicly address claims that the former head of the Illinois Finance Authority got his job in exchange for campaign contributions. Read More
Testimony comes to quick conclusion at Rezko trial
With surprising swiftness, testimony at the corruption trial of Antoin "Tony" Rezko concluded Monday. Prosecutors rested their case after more than nine weeks of testimony, and Rezko's lawyers quickly followed suit without calling a single witness. Read More
Ill. Corrections wants Stateville open, Pontiac closed
The Illinois Department of Corrections is shelving plans to shutter a maximum security unit in Joliet, targeting a more than 130-year-old prison in Pontiac for closure instead. Read More
Construction begins on new coke plant in Granite City
GRANITE CITY, Ill. - Construction began Monday on a coke-making plant that will provide fuel and steam to an adjacent steel foundry in a $570-million venture. Read More
Stateville gets new lease on life as Pontiac prison is put on chopping block
The Illinois Department of Corrections has backed off closing a wing of Stateville prison north of Joliet and now wants to shut Pontiac Correctional Center and transfer its 1,600 inmates to a facility near the Iowa border. Read More
Museum broadcasts need for funds to finish building
The Museum of Broadcast Communications is hoping that naming rights, or perhaps a generous person or foundation, will provide upward of $6 million to rescue its long-stalled efforts to build a new home at Kinzie and State Streets. Read More
Defense calls no witnesses, says case vs. Rezko weak
The prosecution and defense both rested Monday in the Tony Rezko corruption case, but not before the final witness leveled a new allegation. Read More
Both sides rest at Rezko trial
CHICAGO - Less than two hours after prosecutors rested their case Monday in political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko's fraud trial, defense attorneys did the same without calling a single witness. Read More
Indiana voters rely on 'feel'
Nancy Cravens can't quite put into words her opposition to Barack Obama. Read More
Poll watchers rejected
The county election board rejected all requests for poll watchers during today's primary election. Read More
Early voting soars
In what may have foreshadowed a heavy turnout today, voters lined up Monday morning for last-minute absentee voting in the lobbies of the County-City Building in South Bend and the County Services Building in Mishawaka. Read More
Appeals Court reinstates lawsuit over school funding
The Indiana Court of Appeals has reinstated a lawsuit that accused the state of violating its constitution by failing to provide enough money for all schoolchildren to have a fair chance to learn. Read More
State braces for record turnout
The national spotlight will shine on the Hoosier State today, and Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita says the election system is ready to handle more than 165,000 new voters and a possible record turnout. Read More
Early voter turnout continues at fever pitch
Hoosiers have been voting early and often, particularly in Northwest Indiana, in the final run up to today's primary election. Read More
A final push for Hoosier votes
In her last scheduled region visit before today's hotly contested Indiana primary, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton appealed to voters' faith in her ability to better their lives. Read More
Undecideds may hold sway in too-close-to-call primary
As they campaigned across Indiana in the past two weeks, Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton reminded Hoosier voters just how important the state's primary is. Read More
Obama rally with Stevie Wonder draws thousands to Downtown
Standing before an estimated 21,000 people who turned the American Legion Mall into a sea of upturned faces, Sen. Barack Obama on Monday urged voters to help him change the world. Read More
Touch-screen machines, extra poll workers ready for high turnout
Automatic 5 a.m. wake-up calls for poll inspectors and touch-screen voting machines in case of paper ballot shortages will be used for the first time in Indiana's presidential primary today, a vote that has turned into one of the more closely watched in the nation. Read More
Voters line up at polls; absentee voting high
Voters were lining up at polls this morning across the city. Election workers are predicting the number of ballots cast in today's primary and school board elections could be high by day's end. Read More
State overdue for its moment in national political spotlight
After two of the most high-profile months in the state's history, and after 40 years of waiting for the chance to have a meaningful say in presidential politics, it's Indiana's turn. Read More
Clinton vs. Obama -- Don't forget these Indiana campaign moments
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who grew up in suburban Chicago, was an Indiana organizer for the Carter-Mondale campaign in 1976. Sen. Barack Obama represents Illinois and has distant cousins in Tipton County, where his maternal great-great-great-grandfather settled. Read More
Obama surprises Greenwood breakfast group
GREENWOOD, Ind. -- A group of regulars eating breakfast at the Four Seasons Family Restaurant got a surprise visit this morning from Sen. Barack Obama. Read More
Indiana may feel coattail effect in fall
ORLEANS, Ind. - When Baron P. Hill, the local congressman, endorsed Barack Obama last week, his surprise announcement was greeted with a roof-raising cheer from more than 12,000 people crowded into the basketball arena at Indiana University. Read More
Two candidates, two states and one big day
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - On a final, fevered day of campaigning, Sen. Barack Obama looked to voters in Indiana and North Carolina to reverse a string of defeats in key states, while Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton fought to keep her improbable comeback hopes alive with a pair of strong showings. Read More
Presidential primary is casting a long shadow in Indiana
ANDERSON, Ind. - Inside Eva's Pancake House in this central Indiana town, it had been a slow morning for Jill Long Thompson, one of two Democratic candidates for governor. Read More
Blunt or aides erased e-mails, lawsuit contends
Independent investigators on Monday alleged that Gov. Matt Blunt or his top aides ordered state computer technicians to destroy copies of e-mail messages that might have been politically damaging. Read More
Work in Kansas Legislature stalled by senators' protests
Action in the Kansas Legislature came to a virtual halt Monday as lawmakers looked for an exit strategy for the 2008 session. Read More
Immigration measure close to dying in Kansas Legislature
Legislation aimed at curbing illegal immigration lingers near death at the state Capitol, and no one has issued a resuscitation order. Read More
Rep. Wilk not running again
State Rep. Kenny Wilk, who has successfully pushed through major economic policy changes in the Legislature for years, said Monday he would not seek re-election. Read More
Bill on water rights in county clears Legislature
The Kansas House on Monday approved a measure aimed at stopping a Douglas County water district from condemning land to drill a well and possibly appropriate water rights. Read More
Coal plant debate stays at impasse
The wrap-up session continued Monday as lawmakers argued over the final spending bill and a measure allowing two coal-fired power plants in southwest Kansas. Read More
Legislature grinds to standstill
As the Legislature staggers toward a last showdown over proposed coal-fired power plants in western Kansas, a resolution to allow the Legislature to sue the governor on the issue will not be going forward, the president of the state Senate said Monday. Read More
Lawmakers suggest tax exemption
As lawmakers squeeze the budget belt one notch tighter, two Topeka lawmakers have called for "decoupling" the state from a federal tax code for one year, possibly saving $79 million. Read More
Coal debate in final days
Republican House Speaker Melvin Neufeld is optimistic today's session of the Legislature ? perhaps lawmakers' last big work day in 2008 ? delivers hard-fought victories on a contentious coal debate. Read More
Natural resources chief named in Ky.
Carl E. Campbell, a former state mining official, has been named to replace the recently fired Susan Bush as commissioner of the state Department for Natural Resources. Read More
13 precincts moving for primary
The Jefferson County Board of Elections has moved more than a dozen voting sites for the May 20 primary, affecting thousands of people. Read More
Legislative notebook -- Jindal angers lawmakers with veto threat
Some lawmakers took offense at a letter from Gov. Bobby Jindal, in which he threatened to line-item veto the add-ons they often insert into the state's budget each year. Read More
Lawmakers comb through budget proposals
Legislators on Monday debated litter control, the cost of river ferries and whether the state is spending too much money teaching juvenile offenders everything but the basics. Read More
Legislator pay raises simmer
A hefty pay raise proposal for lawmakers was put on hold Monday by a Senate committee, amid questions about the state's budget for the upcoming year. Read More
State plans bigger role in appeals
The Louisiana Recovery Authority is putting the finishing touches on an overhaul of the Road Home appeals process that allows homeowners to challenge the final award granted by the state's primary residential rehabilitation program. Read More
Panel resists easing building code
A House committee on Monday fought efforts by north Louisiana legislators to kill off the new statewide building code but put limits on what inspectors could charge. Read More
State official mourns woes of Road Home
How does Gov. Bobby Jindal?s point man on hurricane recovery efforts spell heartburn? R-O-A-D-H-O-M-E. Read More
Legislative pay raise vote put off by panel
The Senate Finance Committee shaved about $20,000 from a proposed legislative pay raise Monday before persuading its chief sponsor to delay a vote until lawmakers have a better handle on what will be financed or cut in the state's $30 billion operating budget. Read More
Bill reshapes system for funding projects
Gov. Bobby Jindal's plan to overhaul the way major construction projects are financed in the annual capital outlay bill passed its first committee test Monday despite grumbling from some legislators that the process still leaves too much spending power in the hands of the administration. Read More
Panel revises capital outlay process
The Jindal administration stepped in on Monday to change the process for choosing which construction projects the state will fund. Read More
Ambitious agenda drives chosen UMass chancellor
Newly named Chancellor Robert C. Holub vowed yesterday to vault UMass-Amherst into the ranks of the nation's elite public universities, saying the state's flagship campus holds great potential but cannot be content with the status quo. Read More
Alleged House threat probed
Moving to contain fallout over an alleged threat made by a House member Thursday against a female representative, House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi took the unusual step yesterday of asking the House Ethics Committee to investigate. Read More
House launches ethics probe
A seldom-used legislative committee will investigate allegations by state Rep. Jennifer M. Callahan that she was threatened by another lawmaker, a move that immediately ups the stakes in the high-profile controversy. Read More
2 Md. leaders endorse Obama
WASHINGTON - On the eve of primaries in North Carolina and Indiana, Barack Obama angled for an advantage on a second front yesterday, picking up pledges from two party leaders in Maryland to pull nearly even with Hillary Clinton in the race for superdelegates. Read More
O'Malley's office accused of pressuring state police
A state police commander who oversaw Maryland's automotive inspections program alleged that "strong political pressure" from Gov. Martin O'Malley's office was behind a recent decision to allow a Prince George's County station to resume inspections four years after its license was revoked for fraudulent practices. Read More
Gas tax plan: gimmick or boost?
Members of Maine's congressional delegation and Gov. John Baldacci are split over whether suspending federal fuel taxes this summer will help the economy or is a campaign gimmick that will do little. Read More
Telford gets $75M Army deal extension
BANGOR, Maine - The U.S. Army has awarded Telford Aviation Inc. a $75 million contract to continue maintaining military aircraft and airborne reconnaissance surveillance systems used on the aircraft, according to a company official. Read More
Both ouster options tricky
If the City Council is intent on dumping Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, members can try to do it themselves or call on a higher power: Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Read More
U.S. secretary of transportation in town to encourage state to allow use of use of private dollars for I-94 improvements
Plans to expand and improve I-94 through Jackson County are expensive and overdue. Read More
Governor in hospital had no authority to hand off duties
As Gov. Jennifer Granholm prepared to undergo surgery Tuesday for an intestinal blockage, no mention was made of handing over power to Lt. Gov. John Cherry while she was under the knife. Read More
Granholm 'taking it easy,' recovering at home from emergency surgery
Gov. Jennifer Granholm is recuperating at home from emergency surgery last week to remove a blockage in her small intestine. She's walking around a bit but mostly "taking it easy," said her spokeswoman, Liz Boyd. Read More
Bipartisan caucus hopes to grow area
A small but booming Delta Township Web services firm wants to expand, potentially adding 600 new high-tech jobs. Read More
Scene stealer? Incentives draw 'gold rush' of film-related work to state
When Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed a package of incentives for filmmakers, Chuck Speed was ready to go. Read More
Dems to weigh two delegate plans
Michigan Democratic leaders could endorse one of two competing plans for resolving Michigan's delegate ban on Wednesday. Read More
Senate Republicans discuss giving up opposition to Gun Lake Casino compact
Legislative opponents of a Wayland Township casino may be ready to fold their cards after last week's federal appeals court ruling in favor of the Gun Lake tribe. Read More
Michigan Supreme Court approves class-action suit over tree damage in Warren
The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that a lawsuit filed by Warren residents who say their property was damaged by roots from city-mandated trees can move forward as a class-action suit. Read More
Pawlenty signs bovine TB eradication plan into law
A plan to eradicate bovine tuberculosis from Minnesota cattle is now law. Read More
House passes measure aiming to remake state tax picture
A bill that seeks to dramatically alter the Minnesota tax landscape, increasing property tax relief for some while wiping out the property tax deduction on state income taxes for all, won approval in the state House on Monday night. Read More
I-35W victims bill heads to governor
For months, survivors of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse have followed every legislative twist and turn on a bill for a fund to compensate them for their losses, and much of the time their expressions have been solemn, even grim. Read More
House passes property tax bill
Minnesota homeowners would get property tax refunds based on their ability to pay under a bill passed Monday night by the House. Read More
Lawmakers say budget deal near
Minnesota lawmakers and the governor are close to agreeing on a budget deal -- but they hadn't reached one by Monday night. Read More
Proposed foreclosure freeze thawed a bit
State lawmakers have tried to soften up a proposal to freeze foreclosures for a year, but Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty signaled Monday that he still will reject it. Read More
Poet axes plan for Glenville ethanol plant
The world's largest ethanol producer has shelved plans to build an ethanol plant near Albert Lea, and is blaming Minnesota environmental regulators for costly delays. Instead, the company vowed to take its business elsewhere. Read More
Lawsuit contends Blunt's aides ordered staffers to break the law
Gov. Matt Blunt's top aides ordered state employees to break the law by destroying copies of government e-mails so they wouldn't ever become public, a lawsuit filed Monday charges. Read More
Affirmative action petition misses deadline for ballot
A group seeking to bar many state affirmative action programs has missed a Sunday deadline to submit its initiative petition. Read More
Missouri House OKs bill allowing telecoms in rural areas to increase rates
Rural telecommunications customers could see their monthly bills rise under legislation passed Monday by the Missouri House. Read More
Missouri governor, aides accused of ordering e-mail purge
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Gov. Matt Blunt or his top deputies ordered Missouri's backup e-mail tapes to be destroyed to avoid complying with an open-records request from The Associated Press, a lawsuit filed by state investigators alleged Monday. Read More
Affirmative action ban won't be on Missouri ballots
Supporters of affirmative action in Nebraska have a new reason for hope a ban on the practice won't make it onto the November ballot. Read More
State of emergency called in region
NEW ALBANY, Miss. - Gov. Haley Barbour on Monday declared a state of emergency in five counties, including Union and Prentiss counties in Northeast Mississippi, that were struck by tornadoes and thunderstorms Friday. Read More
Democratic Party's doings are heating up in Billings
Democrats are converging on Billings this week as they ramp up for Saturday's Truman Dinner, featuring former President Bill Clinton at Montana State University Billings. And on Monday, Hillary Rodham Clinton opened her state headquarters in downtown Billings. Read More
Indian superdelegate backs Obama
MISSOULA, Mont. -- Superdelegate Kalyn Free, one of the most influential women in Indian Country politics, announced on Monday her support for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Read More
Dems in AG race try to break from crowd
Democrats Steve Bullock, John Parker and Mike Wheat are in a tough spot. Each Democrat wants to be Montana's next attorney general. Each has raised enough money and brings enough legal and political experience to make the three-way race truly competitive. That's the rub. Read More
Worried about Dem distractions, McCrory urges GOP turnout
Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory is worried that excitement surrounding the Democratic primary will depress turnout among GOP voters, creating an opening for his rivals in the Republican race for the governor. Read More
Would-be governors eat, schmooze to last minute
The Republican and Democratic candidates for governor turned to airplanes, telephones and restaurants for their final day of trying to sway voters. Read More
Gang violence bill gets mixed reviews
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A bill to address gang violence is getting mixed reaction from some North Carolina legislative candidates. Read More
Democrats' arcane delegate rules
How the Democratic presidential delegates from North Carolina will be divvied up: 134 Read More
Do celebration plans hint at election outcome?
Reflecting their strength in the polls, gubernatorial candidates Beverly Perdue, Pat McCrory and Fred Smith plan to party as the elections results come in tonight. Read More
Third parties protest rules for spot on ballot
The state's rules for third-party candidates to get on the ballot are unconstitutional, attorneys for Libertarian and Green Party candidates argued Monday in Wake Superior Court. Read More
Time to vote, and wait
DURHAM, N.C. - Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton hunted votes in every corner of North Carolina on Monday, making frantic final appeals that included new television ads, energetic rallies, speeches from spouses and, for a few surprised Durham voters, free pound cake. Read More
Campaigns in high gear in N.C.
Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama made final pitches to Tar Heel voters Monday, criss-crossing the state in their quests for the Democratic presidential nomination. Read More
Indiana, N.C. voters settling largest remaining contests
EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- Voters in Indiana and North Carolina crowded polling places Tuesday as they sought to settle the largest remaining contests in the Democratic presidential nomination struggle between Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton that has dragged improbably into spring. Read More
Polls open; big turnout foreseen
Voters were expected to turn out today in record-busting numbers in the most consequential North Carolina presidential primary in decades. Read More
Politics takes center stage across Triad
GREENSBORO, N.C. - North Carolina's place in history was on voters' minds as national and state candidates crisscrossed the state Monday, many of whom stopped in Guilford County. Read More
Democratic candidates ask N.C. voters for a big turnout
GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Democratic presidential candidates made their final pitches to North Carolinians yesterday, urging voters to turn out in record numbers for today's primary. Read More
Polls open in N.C.; some long lines reported
Long lines were reported this morning at some polling places across North Carolina in the state's first significant presidential primary election in two decades. Read More
Elections officials are ready for high turnout
Long lines, potential traffic jams and a fired-up electorate. Tuesday could turn out to be something unusual in North Carolina voting history: a primary election that actually draws significant numbers of people to the polls. Read More
Moore talks with diners on stop
Lunch regulars at the K&W Cafeteria on Peters Creek Parkway got a side of politics with their chicken and greens yesterday when State Treasurer Richard Moore, a Democratic candidate for governor, swept through town before today's primary. Read More
A final push for primary voters
DURHAM, N.C. -- In the hours before today's important primaries here and in Indiana, the candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination made final pleas for votes even as they acknowledged the race will almost certainly continue into next month. Read More
Demand for new county jails grows across Nebraska
WEST POINT, Neb. -- According to the Nebraska Crime Commission, three counties -- Cuming, Jefferson and Lancaster -- will ask voters in the May 13 primary to approve bond issues to finance new jails. Read More
Dodds arrested after alleged assault on wife
Local and state police arrested former Congressional candidate Gary Dodds this morning in Portsmouth after a search that began Monday night. Read More
Towns claim districts don't pass muster
A half dozen towns joined a lawsuit against the state yesterday, claiming that large, multi-town legislative districts disenfranchise their residents and violate a constitutional amendment that passed in 2006. The petitioners, backed by a new group, are asking a Merrimack County judge to hold off the 2008 elections until the state redraws its legislative districts. Read More
Ex-N.J. governor's divorce trial begins today
After two tell-all books, tawdry sex claims and 3? years of living apart, New Jersey's gay former governor and his estranged wife are finally facing off in divorce court. Read More
Urban educators say of new state reform efforts -- Get real
When several of New Jersey's government and business leaders recently made a bold promise to remake the state's public high schools, the foot soldiers at Orange High School could be forgiven a weary sigh. Read More
Corzine praises Clinton, pans gas-tax holiday
Gov. Jon Corzine hit the campaign trail for Sen. Hillary Clinton yesterday but did not get on board with her call for a federal gas-tax holiday this summer. Read More
2nd Congressional District: Voters hear candidates in crowded field
ROSWELL, N.M. - Four Republican candidates in New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District race defended the Iraq war on Monday night, while two Democrats opposed it. Read More
Gasoline tax holiday out of reach in Nevada
Motorists in three states, including Nevada, might never see the savings of the gasoline tax holiday touted by two presidential candidates. Read More
Divorce proceedings - First lady holds onto role
Dawn Gibbons will continue to perform all the functions befitting Nevada's first lady despite her pending divorce from Gov. Jim Gibbons, her lawyer said Monday. Read More
Demand for energy assistance grows in Nevada
RENO, Nev. - State social services agencies say more people are seeking help in paying their utility bills at a time when energy assistance programs are facing a shortfall. Read More
Nevada governor's divorce file sealed
Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons, who filed Friday for divorce and for an order ousting the first lady from the governor's mansion, got a court ruling Monday sealing the files in the case and providing for a closed-door trial. Read More
No rehearing sought on utility refund
The Nevada Tax Commission voted Monday to not seek a rehearing of a recent state Supreme Court ruling that canceled a $40 million tax refund to a utility because the commission's vote for the refund was taken in an illegal closed-door meeting. Read More
Nurses unions' showdown starts today
The reputation of one of Nevada's largest unions is on the line as 1,100 registered nurses at three St. Rose Dominican hospitals vote today and Wednesday on whether to retain the Service Employees International Union as their bargaining representative -- or join a rival union. Read More
Governor pitches tax amnesty plan
Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons announced plans Monday for an amnesty program for businesses that are delinquent on at least $69 million in taxes that, if paid, could help the state deal with a looming revenue shortfall of more than $900 million. Read More
Candidate filing starts in Nevada
A two-week window for candidate filing opened Monday, and dozens Nevada incumbents and political hopefuls showed up to pay their fees and sign up for various legislative and congressional seats. Read More
Given $50,000, he decides to run
Steve Nathan hadn?t thought about running for public office. Then some friends and business associates approached him about a state Senate seat. Read More
Teamsters may undercut members
Members of Teamsters Local 631 complain their union is colluding with major convention center contractors to wean them of union labor, a suspicion that has spurred efforts to replace local Teamster leadership with a slate of insurgent candidates. Read More
Ohio Dems talking impeachment after AG refuses to resign
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Risking impeachment, Ohio's attorney general on Monday refused demands from the governor and other fellow Democrats that he resign over a sexual harassment scandal in his office and an affair with a subordinate. Read More
Judge agrees to keep Nevada governor's divorce file sealed
CARSON CITY, Nev. - Gov. Jim Gibbons won a court ruling Monday sealing files in his divorce case and ordering a closed-door trial. Read More
For Nevada GOP, one spectacle too many
LAS VEGAS - In this state known for quickie divorces, the slow, increasingly acrimonious dissolution of the governor's marriage is becoming a public spectacle nearly as absorbing a show on the Strip but far more politically significant. Read More
State official treated business leaders with taxpayer dollars
The head of the state's effort to revive the upstate economy spent thousands of taxpayer dollars in his first year on the job paying for the meals of business leaders, economic-development officials and staff members, according to state records. Read More
Governor comes home to Hempstead
Returning home for the first time since becoming governor in March, David A. Paterson brought inspiration to students at Hempstead High School, his alma mater, and hope to a community gathering at a village church. Read More
State GOP bulks up vulnerable candidates
The Republican-led Senate is pouring millions of dollars in taxpayer money into "pork" projects where GOP incumbents face difficult re-election campaigns this fall. Read More
Summit finds out how much economic pinch hurts
Summit County planned to dip into reserves this year to pay for an expected $4.6 million gap in its operating budget. That was wishful thinking. Read More
Group asks court to ban rules on Medicaid autism services
A state advocacy group for people with disabilities has filed a complaint asking a federal court to prevent the enforcement of new rules that would reduce or eliminate services for autistic children. Read More
Democrats threaten to impeach Dann
Ohio's top Democrats, including Gov. Ted Strickland, on Monday asked Attorney General Marc Dann to resign and threatened to try to impeach him if he doesn't step down. Read More
Ex-State Rep. Matthew Barrett won't face criminal charges over nude photos
Former State Rep. Matthew Barrett will not face criminal charges for lying to police about whether he knew women who appeared semi-nude on a flash drive he used during a high school government class Read More
Appeals court upholds death row inmate release
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A federal appeals court in Cincinnati upheld an order Monday releasing Tennessee death row inmate Paul House, who has been imprisoned nearly 22 years. Read More
Rules about impeaching officials in Ohio murky
If Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann survives an impeachment movement, he'll follow the in the footsteps of Calvin Pease and George Tod -- two judges who were impeached by the House but acquitted in the Senate. Read More
Online cigarette buyers hit with state tax bills
The state is smoking out Ohio smokers who evaded cigarette taxes by shopping online between July and March. Read More
Dann ignores governor's, others demand that he resign
Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann on Monday defiantly rejected a call by all of the top leaders of his political party, including Gov. Ted Strickland, to quit right now or watch as they to seek to throw him out of office. Read More
Gov. Strickland, top Democrats, call for Dann to resign; AG stays on job
Gov. Ted Strickland and other high-ranking Ohio Democrats Monday joined Republicans in the chorus for Attorney General Marc Dann to immediately resign and threatened to lead the march toward impeachment if he does not. Read More
Ohio AG refuses to resign; Dems talk impeachment
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The political battle over whether state Attorney General Marc Dann should leave office has taken on the feel of a standoff. Read More
Judge holds hearing on lethal injection challenge
ELYRIA, Ohio - A judge is bringing in attorneys from both sides of a lethal injection challenge Tuesday to discuss testimony from two anesthesiologists who took the stand last month. Read More
Ohio lawmakers prep to impeach Dann; proceedings would be 1st in 200 years
Lawmakers have begun preparing for what could be the first Ohio impeachment proceedings in nearly two centuries after Attorney General Marc Dann yesterday rejected calls from fellow Democrats to resign. Read More
Ohio Attorney General resists calls to quit
Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann is resisting pressure to resign over what he described as a "romantic relationship with a member of my staff," but the situation threatens to stall his probes of alleged wrongdoing related to subprime mortgages. Read More
Ex-governors get new place to hang out at state Capitol
Gov. Brad Henry found himself surrounded Monday by a mostly Republican group of former Oklahoma governors, but he had the clear-cut advantage ? none could talk back. Read More
Law to get Oklahoma kids moving in healthy direction
Elementary school students in Oklahoma's public schools will be more physically active beginning this fall. Read More
Term-limit measure stalls after state Senate tie
A deadlock in the Senate over whether to call a referendum on imposing term limits on statewide elected officials couldn't be broken Monday because Lt. Gov. Jari Askins declined to vote on the bill. Read More
13 Oklahoma counties OK'd for aid
Gov. Brad Henry on Monday said President Bush has approved the state's request for a federal disaster declaration to help the 13 Oklahoma counties that saw extensive damage during severe spring storms in March. Read More
Cowtown no more? OKC looks to Sonics to improve image
Even the mayor admits this is a town with an image problem. Read More
Lure of gang membership strong in state
Ardmore, OK - Gangs. Are Oklahoma youth really becoming gang members? What motivates a child to join a gang? Are gangs replacing family? Are there different types of gangs? Are gangs a racial issue? Are gangs simply a law enforcement problem? Who should intervene? Read More
Ralph Nader will visit Oregon next week, defending his latest presidential campaign
Ralph Nader, who next week will make his first visit to Portland of the 2008 campaign, said Monday that his latest presidential effort shouldn't be judged on his long odds against winning. Read More
Rendell speech annoys legislators
At a ceremony honoring Pennsylvania police officers slain in the line of duty last year, Gov. Ed Rendell seized the bully pulpit to make a renewed call for gun-control measures. But afterward, Rendell's message left some lawmakers feeling just plain bullied. Read More
Stage set for vote on gay marriage ban
Minutes after a Senate committee approved a bill to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage yesterday, Democratic legislators from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia vociferously attacked the proposal, calling it "disgraceful, morally wrong and unnecessary." Read More
Bill seeks to restrict robo calls
In the days leading up to Pennsylvania's presidential primary, Democratic voters' phone lines lit up with calls from the candidates. Or, more likely, from their automated surrogates. And that did not make many voters happy. Read More
Immunity sought for Dougherty
Labor leader John J. Dougherty will assert his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination unless he is given immunity so he can testify as a defense witness in the trial of a South Philadelphia contractor, according to court papers filed yesterday. Read More
Court orders judge to examine DeNaples investigation
A Dauphin County judge has been ordered to determine whether grand jury secrecy rules were violated in the investigation of a casino owner and a Catholic priest. Read More
Pa. Senate set to vote on gay-marriage ban
The stage is set for the full Pennsylvania Senate to vote on a constitutional amendment that would outlaw same-sex marriage and civil unions in the state, although chances appear slim it will gain traction in the House. Read More
State tax revenues lower than expected
The state's largest revenue sources -- income and sales taxes -- are down sharply through the first 10 months of the fiscal year, a further sign that Rhode Island's financial problems are mounting as lawmakers struggle to balance the 2008-09 budget facing the largest deficit in nearly two decades. Read More
Governor vetoes gambling bill
Gov. Donald Carcieri made good on his threat to veto legislation allowing Twin River and Newport Grand to stay open all nights on weekends and holidays, but his action could be overridden in the House as early as this week. Read More
Carcieri vetoes bill for 24-hour gambling
While lawmakers are counting on round-the-clock gambling on weekends and holidays at Twin River and Newport Grand to raise upward of $14 million in new money for the cash-strapped state, Governor Carcieri has vetoed the legislation. Read More
Landfill controversy inspires Sanford to attack "good ol' boy" system
Gov. Mark Sanford said today he wants the Legislature to pass a law to prevent state government regulators from leaving their jobs to work for lobbyists of companies they had been in charge of regulating. Read More
Ford loses Civil Rights memorabilia in fire
State Sen. Robert Ford lost irreplaceable memorabilia from the Civil Rights movement and a collection of neckties in a Sunday fire that destroyed two rooms in his West Ashley home. Read More
SC Senate takes up cigarette tax increase
South Carolina's Senate is expected to begin debating a 50 cents-a-pack cigarette tax increase that would lift the nation's lowest smoking tax higher than neighboring Georgia and North Carolina. Read More
Advocates of SC cigarette tax increase rally support
Groups pushing for higher cigarette taxes in South Carolina are facing off with tobacco companies in mailboxes and at the Statehouse as state lawmakers consider raising what's now the lowest tobacco tax in the nation. Read More
S.C. Senate to vote on cigarette tax soon
The S.C. Senate is ready to vote on a plan to raise the state's lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax more than a year after the proposal first entered the chamber. The Senate is expected to begin debating the bill today. Read More
Moore -- new, undecided voters could lead him to victory
On the eve of Tuesday's primary election, State Treasurer Richard Moore is counting on a high number of new and still undecided voters to deliver him to victory in the Democratic race for governor. Read More
Spending issues key to House 21 GOP primary
Legislative spending practices are emerging as the flashpoint in the House District 21 Republican primary campaign. Read More
Limits to vid |