
Check back often for the latest news.
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$10 vehicle fee in the mix as fix for roads and transit
Mar 13, 2010 — Contra Costa Times
...transportation projects, and stepping up to pay for them." In Santa Clara County, a committee of the Transportation Authority recommended Wednesday that the full authority consider a November ballot measure. A poll of 900 Marin County voters found 65 percent in support of a $10 per auto fee, according to the Marin County Transportation Authority, which is investigating a ballot measure. The Solano County Transportation Authority is looking at a November ballot measure...
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Dem earmark ban would still allow a lot of spending to continue
Mar 13, 2010 — The Hill
Don Young (R-Alaska) championed the $223 million earmark, which was cited as a symbol of pork barrel spending during the 2008 presidential campaign. John Murtha (D-Pa.), who died last month, was one of Congress’s most unapologetic earmarkers. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), on fiscal issues by calling for a complete ban on all earmarks.
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Obama proposes overhaul of No Child Left Behind project
Mar 13, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
President (Newstex ID is UNAFFILIATED-OBAMABARACK)" NewstexID="UNAFFILIATED-OBAMABARACK">President Barack Obama on Saturday said he will send to Congress this week a blueprint for overhauling the nation's education program and the No Child Left Behind project to improve schools, support teachers and set standards that will give high school graduates "the best chance to succeed in a changing world."Worried that the U.S. is falling behind in education, Obama warned in his...
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OPINION
Mar 13, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
The senator said she and LaHood would be working together to obtain immediate funding for both. That project would benefit a fraction of the city's 4 million residents. If the mayor's 30/10 proposal is adopted, the entire county's 10 million people will enjoy the benefits of all the projects listed above by 2010.
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A frustrated caucus keeps complaints quiet
Mar 12, 2010 — Washington Post
Michael LeahyA year ago, members of the Congressional Black Caucus openly wept at Barack Obama's inauguration. Many caucus members say they feel largely ignored by key White House advisers. But several members said they have few African American contacts with substantial sway in the White House.
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Counties eye ballot measures to raise auto registration fee for transportation funding
Mar 12, 2010 — Contra Costa Times
... In Santa Clara County, a committee of the Transportation Authority recommended Wednesday that the full authority consider a November ballot measure. A poll of 900 Marin County voters found 65 percent in support of a $10 per auto fee, according to the Marin County Transportation Authority, which is investigating a ballot measure. The Solano County Transportation Authority is looking at a November ballot measure because it would provide local "self help" funds to offset the...
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Frustrated caucus keeps quiet
Mar 12, 2010 — Washington Post
Michael LeahyA year ago, members of the Congressional Black Caucus openly wept at Barack Obama's inauguration. Many caucus members say they feel largely ignored by key White House advisers. But several members said they have few African American contacts with substantial sway in the White House.
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Memo To Obama: Get Back In Touch
Mar 12, 2010 — Politico
Dee Dee MyersAlmost anyone who ever traveled with President Bill Clinton can tell a similar tale. At the end of a long day, Clinton would unwind by working the rope line. He also needs to get out from behind the lectern and the teleprompter.
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Obama won't promise immigration reform
Mar 12, 2010 — The Hill
...pursue legislation this year.Last summer, Obama vowed to pursue immigration reform in 2010.Obama held three meetings on the politically sensitive topic — one with activists, one with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and one with Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who are working on bipartisan legislation.White House press secretary Robert Gibbs indicated that while immigration and a new comprehensive energy bill are important to Obama,...
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Regional leaders discuss strategy at Turner-Surles
Mar 12, 2010 — The Decatur Daily
NARCOG Director Neal Morrison said the sessions were the result of a White House directive to develop a comprehensive strategy for the region, and that they were designed to solicit feedback from those involved in meeting the region's needs. "These are what I would call the main partners or main players for economic development and rural development," he said. Showing off Decatur Doni Ingram, director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, said the...
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ACORN is out of Ohio's elections
Mar 11, 2010 — The Columbus Dispatch
...cease to operate in Ohio and cease to support or enable other groups to do what they do," Thompson said. Alphonse A. Gerhardstein, the attorney for ACORN in Ohio, said the organization already has left Ohio "for reasons that are unrelated to this litigation." After the 2008 election, in which some credited or blamed ACORN for the election of Barack Obama as president, ACORN has dialed back its political activity across the country. ACORN continues to deny any wrongdoing in Ohio,...
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Area ranks high in obesity survey
Mar 11, 2010 — Montgomery Advertiser
The factors used here are not as familiar as the ones used by the Centers for Disease Control, for example. That may explain some surprises in the study.
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Assembly eyes cuts in state transportation aid to Baltimore
Mar 11, 2010 — The Baltimore Sun
Nathaniel J. McFadden, a Baltimore Democrat on the Budget and Taxation Committee. "It didn't come up in the past. Baltimore City is no different from any other jurisdiction." No decision has been made, and lawmakers tend to view the legislative analyses as suggestions. Susan L. M. Aumann, a Baltimore County Republican on the Appropriations Committee. "You are taking a siloed look at it.
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Cbc: Obama Not Listening
Mar 11, 2010 — Politico
Jarrett also visited CBC Chairman Barbara Lee’s district two weeks ago and did several events, according to the aide.Caucus members were outraged after Jarrett called Rep. Al Sharpton, Marc Morial and Benjamin Jealous got a White House meeting on jobs before they did — despite the fact that the CBC had been requesting such a meeting. Members of the caucus have long been distrustful of Emanuel.
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Collins set to announce surplus of $44 million
Mar 11, 2010 — The Buffalo News
And not enough surplus shows that you have not been as tight as you need to be with fiscal controls.
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EDITORIAL: Iraq's election: Despite the violence, a nation turned out to vote
Mar 11, 2010 — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The 96,000 U.S. troops remain responsible for security outside the cities. The U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. Raymond Odierno, concluded from the elections that the United States will be able to follow the withdrawal schedule set by President Barack Obama. After that, the formidable task will be to form a new government, with a prime minister and other high officials.
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Mayport will be home for new Navy LCS ships
Mar 11, 2010 — The Florida Times-Union
Later this year, the Navy plans to commit to one version and then build about 15 copies of it through 2014.
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Right-Wing Groups Bombard Dems
Mar 11, 2010 — Politico
And there are a number of independent commentators that have reviewed the ad and found it to be truthful in every element. Fox News commentator Dick Morris crafts the ads and has solicited donations on air.
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US storm aid may be gone with the wind
Mar 11, 2010 — The Boston Globe
Pierre, the Salem building inspector. The roof and parapet at Collins Middle School in Salem was also damaged by high winds. How we pay for it, I don't know.''Statewide, damage costs must total at least $8.2 million, the minimum amount for a federal disaster declaration. Newbury's storm costs, including overtime and equipment use, were $24,817.``Our police, fire, and DPW were pretty much out straight,'' said Newbury Town Administrator Charles Kostro.
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Airport link crucial to high-speed rail plan for Tampa, Rep. Mica says
Mar 10, 2010 — St. Petersburg Times
...the Tampa airport should have a high-speed rail station. But he did note that the Orlando airport will have a high-speed rail stop, and planners there are considering coupling it with a light rail line between the airport and convention center. Tampa's initial plans call for a light rail line to reach the West Shore business district from downtown by 2021. An extension through the airport isn't likely until at least 2027. Mica has said previously that the high-speed rail...
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Bill aims to change state retiree benefits
Mar 10, 2010 — The Decatur Daily
...employees to work more years to qualify for employee health insurance benefits as retirees. In addition, the state could end the practice of accepting years of service with a local government as time served toward state retirement health insurance benefits. HB 649 by Rep. Jamie Ison, R-Mobile, sets out minimum lengths of time state employees must serve to qualify for state retirement benefits, including health insurance coverage. A public hearing on the bill is set for...
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Corporate Justice At Our Expense
Mar 10, 2010 — Politico
Sheldon WhitehouseThe Supreme Court’s recent slim majority decision in Citizens United has opened floodgates that long prevented corporate cash from drowning out the voices of American citizens in election campaigns. The ruling continues an increasingly clear pattern of the court’s activist conservative bloc. Second, decisions overrule well-established law and well-settled precedent.
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Graham To Obama: Time To 'step It Up'
Mar 10, 2010 — Politico
Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) — who meet with Obama at 3 p.m. Thursday — have worked on a reform framework.
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House Democrats try to stay on offense heading into 2010 midterms
Mar 10, 2010 — Washington Post
None of that quartet of districts made "Red to Blue" including the seats of Reps.
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No backup plan if I-80 tolls rejected
Mar 10, 2010 — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Biehler warned. People often ask if the state has a backup plan to generate transportation funding if the I-80 tolls aren't approved by the Federal Highway Administration, said Rep. Joe Markosek, D-Monroeville, head of the state House Transportation Committee. "There is no plan B," Mr. Markosek said. "Act 44 of 2007, which included the I-80 tolls, was plan B." Mr.
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Square Feet: New Airport, Northwest Florida Beaches International, to Open
Mar 10, 2010 — New York Times
But the airport, Northwest Florida Beaches International, is also noteworthy because it is perhaps more of a real estate project than an effort to address a pressing transportation problem. Joe Company, the Florida developer that donated the land for the new airport and is the driving force behind the project. The existing Panama City-Bay County International Airport handles 11 departures a day, with about 160,000 departing passengers a year.
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State Pitches New $352 Million UConn Health Center Plan As 'Partnership'
Mar 10, 2010 — The Hartford Courant
Cato Laurencin, dean of UConn's School of Medicine and the university's vice president for health affairs, said having a rejuvenated hospital would help attract doctors and research funding. Yale Cancer Center is now the only program in the state with that designation, which comes from the National Cancer Institute, although Hartford Hospital's program has been designated a community cancer center. One, in 2007, called for building a $495 million, 352-bed hospital to replace Dempsey.
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Stimulus funds target infrastructure
Mar 10, 2010 — The San Diego Union-Tribune
Of those, 19 projects worth $169.1 million are in four of five San Diego's congressional districts.