- Sep 3, 2010 Obama's empty bench (USA Today) Lamar Alexander took to the Senate floor in July to plead with his own leaders for a vote on an appeals court judge supported by Alexander and fellow Tennessee Republican Sen. After Alexander's complaint, the Republicans agreed to allow a mid-September vote for appeals court nominee Jane Stranch,... more...
- Sep 3, 2010 Joe Miller's real test yet to come (Washington Post) He said he decided only in April to challenge Lisa Murkowski in the Republican primary. But his real test may be yet to come if he is elected to the Senate in November. Will he vote for Miller next time around? more...
- Sep 3, 2010 Haley Barbour sits atop GOP (Washington Post) Pete Sessions: The NRCC Chairman enters the list by virtue of the importance of taking the House -- and the increasing likelihood that it will happen. Add to that his recent round of Iowa endorsements and the success of his endorsed primary candidates -- including attorney Joe Miller (R) in the... more...
- Sep 3, 2010 Subsidies encourage employers to keep health plans for early retirees (The Dallas Morning News) The company will tap the $5 billion program to reduce health benefit costs for retirees and their dependents, a spokesman said. more...
- Sep 3, 2010 Employees' insurance burden up more than rates (The Columbus Dispatch) At the same time, wages increased 18percent and inflation rose 12 percent. Employer-sponsored insurance is the leading source of health insurance in the United States, covering about 157 million people. more...
- Sep 3, 2010 Notes on the filibuster (Washington Post) Both situations lead to worse and more awkward legislation. A recent Pew poll found that only 26 percent of Americans knew that you needed 60 votes to break a filibuster. I might prefer a world where the filibuster protects debate and ensures bipartisan outcomes, but I don't think we should... more...
- Sep 3, 2010 Wonkbook: White House considers payroll tax holiday; House libs against Social Security cuts; 25% were unemployed during recession (Washington Post) Whatever else the fiscal commission does, it seems likely to come out with some package of reforms for the stories social insurance program. But Republicans aren't very interested in raising payroll taxes, and House liberals have now announced their unified opposition to anything that includes... more...
- Sep 3, 2010 UPMC plans prizes for physicians (The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) ...physicians serving the 90,000 senior citizens enrolled in the health plan's Medicare Advantage program -- known as UPMC for Life -- is being promoted in letters sent to doctors in the past month. The program, which includes a contest to win the use of UPMC Health Plan's box at a Penguins game... more...
- Sep 3, 2010 Cost of health insurance goes up 3% (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) Since then, health insurance premiums have increased 138% compared with a 31% increase in consumer prices. The cost of single coverage rose 5% to $5,049 this year. And some employers are seeing the results. Wagner Cos., a Milwaukee maker of handrails and components, said its health insurance... more...
- Sep 3, 2010 EDITORIAL (The Orlando Sentinel) Another big surprise. Another of this year's write-in candidates, who filed in a state House district covering parts of Pasco and Pinellas counties, was candid about his motives. Aronberg said legislators could change the law to narrow the loophole, but the way to close it is for voters to pass... more...
- Sep 3, 2010 State parties look past RNC for cash (Politico) But as the RNC news grew bleaker, RGA Chairman and Mississippi Gov. more...
- Sep 3, 2010 Another stimulus? (Politico) Martin Kady II Democrats should be getting used to this now. Republicans are held in the same low regard as when the GOP lost control of Congress four years ago. Shane D’Aprile in The Hill: “Sen. more...
- Sep 3, 2010 Big leap in private health coverage predicted (The Palm Beach Post) About 126 million will stay in a traditional employer-sponsored plan. Another 36 million will buy on the exchange using pre-tax dollars through their employers. In Florida, that process is in its infancy. more...
- Sep 3, 2010 New tax breaks for business on table (Washington Post) For example, a payroll-tax holiday - a top priority of many business groups - could be applied only to new hires or extended to current employees. It has become a joke."Many economists say Obama's policies have been reasonably effective at pulling the nation back from recession. And depending on... more...
- Sep 3, 2010 Tribune/WGN-TV poll (Chicago Tribune) LeAlan Jones, the Green Party candidate, had 6 percent and Libertarian Party candidate Mike Labno had 3 percent in the survey. National Republican leaders have pledged to do that for Kirk. A recent Obama fundraiser added to Giannoulias' coffers, but the Democrat still needs millions to pay for... more...
- Sep 3, 2010 The Sacramento Bee, Calif., Dan Walters column (The Sacramento Bee) ...bill when Republicans threatened to filibuster it and run out the clock on several other pending Democratic measures. Over in the Senate, meanwhile, Steinberg had to contend not only with Republican maneuvering but with a shortage of Democrats, who hold 25 of the Senate's 40 seats. Two... more...
- Sep 3, 2010 Michigan Tea Party has links to some Democrats (Detroit Free Press) It is the first indication of McGuinness' direct involvement in the controversy. Bauer is under criminal investigation for his role. Oakland County Undersheriff Michael McCabe said he couldn't discuss the case, other than to say it would likely be an extended investigation. more...
- Sep 3, 2010 Millions of young adults to regain parents' health coverage (The Sacramento Bee) ...-- Millions of 20-somethings who became uninsured after falling off their parents' health plans can regain coverage soon as a key provision of the federal health care overhaul law takes effect. As the open enrollment season begins, parents will be able to include grown children up to age 26... more...
- Sep 3, 2010 Harford begins transition to elected school board (The Baltimore Sun) But after the 2014 election, the seven-member board will expand to nine seats; six will be elective and three appointed by the governor. District A voters will choose two from among four candidates. The candidates range in age from 27 to 62. At the same time, the terms of three appointed members... more...
- Sep 3, 2010 Candidates test waters of early voting (The Baltimore Sun) Martin O'Malley said at an early voting rally this week in Annapolis with legislative leaders and the legislative black caucus. "It is still new to people as I encounter them on the street. Most predict that early voters in the primaries will be people who would have cast absentee ballots... more...
