BLUEgrass

State News - 2.21.05

Arkansas legislature looks at rebates as new way to fund healthcare provisions for poor/elderly  http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2005/02/18/News/317534.html

Is Arnold the only Republican that doesn't abhore the film industry as the source of all filth in America?  Tax break makes sense as states across the country pass similar incentives to lure production companies. ( In fact, Kentucky is one such state.)  http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/10921630.htm
http://2theadvocate.com/stories/021805/new_film001.shtml

What part of forcing people to remain in loveless marriages is good for either party or for any children involved?  Is the lesson of fighting and inability to get along worth teaching just to artificially lower divorce rates?  http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/legis05/0205/18legdivorce.html

Georgia legislators pressured to drop erroneous claim that abortion causes cancer from proposed legislation.  Score one for the truth!  http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/legis05/0205/18legabortion.html

Indiana measure would add another layer of inconsistency to death penalty.  The capital system is already racially biased - under new measure killing a child is worse than killing an adult.  In my book murder is murder is murder - whether the victim is a child or an adult and whether the killer is the state or a citizen. http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/news/10933579.htm

Kentucky budget watch: Don't look now but the Bluegrass may actually have a budget soon. And on top of that education might not be cut as drastically as originally predicted - a double bonus! http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/local/10930927.htm

A surpising move from W's home state - embracing the use of medical marijuana. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/021805dntexmedmar.a25e.htmll

Pennsylvania Governor's Race 2006 - Rendell's current leads good news as PA Governor's mansion would be a good slot for Dems to retain.  http://www.pennlive.com/statehouse/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1108722210257240.xml

-BG

State News - 2.7.05

This is a good trend to see --- those who stand to gain most from redistricting shouldn't be drawing the lines  http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/07/politics/07reform.html?oref=login&oref=login

The health care crisis continues to get worse as fewer employers offer insurance plans.  The "personal responsibility" argument forwarded by Bush, et al is a load of crock when most Americans can't afford insurance without the power of collective bargaining enjoyed by larger employers.  http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/ca/story/12266173p-13130270c.html

Devastating effects of Bush's budget cuts to needed social service programs will hit home at state and local level. http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-budgetct0207.artfeb07,0,5552288.story?coll=hc-headlines-local

Educating women about the effects, risks and alternatives to abortion is one thing.  But requiring that a parent or legal guardian give approval to those under 18 is pushing it.  What is a girl to do who is being abused by her parent/legal guardian?  http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/0205/07legabortion.html

Any attempts on the state level to deregulate/tax telecom industry may be preempted by pending attempts to federalize the industry -- bills are expected later in this Congressional term.  http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IN_CAPITOL_EYE_INOL-?SITE=INLAF&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

The new moral debate: stem cell research  http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/02/07/stem_cell_showdown_looming_in_maryland/

During Bush's first term millions more Americans slipped into poverty.  The strains of being unable thus far to deal with the financial divide in America are showing. http://online.wsj.com/article_email/0,,SB110773763704247315-IRje4Njlad4npuoa32GaKyHm4,00.html

-BG

State News - 2.1.05

Stem cell research gets hearing in CT and MO --- good to see more and more states exploring this option - what a great exercise in federalism.  http://www.ctnow.com/news/local/hc-stemcell0201.artfeb01,1,1824800.story?coll=hc-headlines-local
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/10783702.htm

It's mind-boggling that such a debate has to occur.  Rape is rape is rape.  No one has the right to force sex on someone else under any circumstances.  Some how I don't think God views marriage as a blank check for abuse.  http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/news/59429.php

Florida Governor's race  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-locgovernor01020105feb01,1,6311107.story?coll=orl-news-headlines-state

Vilsack's first big fight of the new session?  http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050201/NEWS01/502010311/1079

Vilsack uses interactive site to promote health budget plan.  Great idea! Illustrate in real terms what the proposal is and what is required to fund it . . .  http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050201/NEWS10/502010406/1011
http://healthbudget.iowa.gov/

Fletcher's tax plan takes guts in a tobacco state.  But can someone tell me what good an extra $84 a year will do if his proposed income tax reduction is adopted? I would rather the government keep the tax rate where it is and use the collective money to fund education at adequate levels. http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050201/NEWS0101/502010375/1008/NEWS01

An argument that is one of many reasons I'm supporting Dean's candidacy - he pledged while in Lexington to spend the money in all 50 states to be competitive in all 50 states.  http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2005/02/01/local/doc41feb379030bc595631727.txt

-BG

State News - 1.25.05

Student test scores in math and reading, etc. continue to fall short of international marks --- but at least our children will know what marriage is when they grow up and can't get jobs to support themselves.
http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2005/01/25/News/315919.html

As if we needed more evidence of racial bias in our judicial systems.  http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20050124-1824-gunlaw.html

Republicans hem and haw over pill that can save rape victims further agony.  http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~61~2671943,00.html

I believe life is a truly precious gift - but is living off machines really life?  Score one for common sense and decency. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/25/national/25schiavo.html?oref=login

If only there were a few zeros behind this 59 -- We could get ourselves a new President!  http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/10725424.htm

Vilsack watch:  Governor scores first victory with education funding.  http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2005/01/25/news/top/73b42d22d7c0cdb186256f94001adac9.txt

Education funding woes plague nation - and Bluegrass.  Other countries invest in education, and they score remarkably better than the US.  Are we ever going to figure out that without funding, all the tests in the world won't improve education?  And without education the next generation will not be able to compete on the world stage for jobs.  This is a scary national deficit in the making -  http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/local/10726447.htm

What?! No more video games in prison?  What's a criminal to do?  http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/10725064.htm

It's absurd that in the 21st century this argument has to be made.  And some people think the playing field is level between men and women?  Not quite.  http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/01/25/build/state/60-birth-control.inc

Once again Democrats lead the way to creating a true ownership society - A society in which everyone makes a wage by which they can own something!  http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-8/110663356193180.xml
Elsewhere, another Dem's attempts to provide a living wage (if $18,000/yr is really living) is denied, you guessed it - in a Red State.  http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/01/25/build/wyoming/30-wage-increase.inc

Sad news - We have to wait for RFK Jr's day in politics  http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-01-25-kennedy-ny_x.htm

-BG

State News - 1.19.05

Wonders never cease  http://www.stateline.org/stateline/?pa=story&sa=showStoryInfo&id=425061&columns=false

In case anyone still doubted that education is the magic bullet  http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/01/19/build/wyoming/55-pay-gap.inc

2006 Election watch: Wisconsin Governor's race  http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/index.php?ntid=25007&ntpid=4

WA Republicans continue in tradition of only wanting to count their votes and of whining when they lose.  http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/208484_governor19.html?source=rss

Republicans know how to block judicial nominations, too.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19517-2005Jan18.html

VA Republicans seek to block protection of some of the most popular birth control methods.  Ironically, some leading spokespeople for the Reps. are women.  Women who apparently don't recognize the important role methods like the pill have played in liberating women and placing them in control of their own lives.  http://www.times-dispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031780324211&path=%21news&s=1045855934842

Only in Texas  http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2998734

The debate of the direction of the Democratic Party continues.  I still contend becoming Republicans in Democrat clothing is not the way to regain our footing.  Either we're Democrats or we're not.  But if we have to adopt Republican principles to win - we're NOT Democrats.  http://ljworld.com/section/stateregional/story/193634

RFK Jr watch: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/19/nyregion/19kennedy.html?pagewanted=all

MO Republicans use federal legislators as model of bipartisanship in adopting strict new rules.  US House Republicans - bipartisan?  Laughable.  By the way - these new rules aren't bipartisan either. http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/10675506.htm

Good news as KY Legislators gear up for another budget battle - maybe we'll actually get a budget this time!  http://www.courier-journal.com/localnews/2005/01/19ky/A1-economic0119-8421.html

Vilsack watch: Education also Vilsack's magic bullet?  Is push for reforms key to run in 08?  http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050119/NEWS10/501190318/1011

Keep your fingers crossed - KS gay marriage amendment is indefinitely stalled.  http://ljworld.com/section/stateregional/story/193619

-BG

State News 1.18.05

An interesting proposal that is gaining momentum in several states  http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/0105/18prisonjobs.html

AL Republicans eye using gay marriage to harm Democrats in 06 elections  http://www.al.com/politics/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1105956958176390.xml

The figures in this article illustrate how important government support is in education - and how dangerous it is to impose strict standards like No Child Left Behind w/o fully supporting such standards financially.  School systems with a low tax base are at a disadvantage w/o additional resources - no matter how good their teachers, etc. - such funding gaps are hard to overcome.  http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2005/01/17/News/315278.html

Vilsack watch: http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050116/NEWS10/501160336/1011

DNC Chair watch:  http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/18/politics/18dems.html?pagewanted=all

Keep your fingers crossed - gay marriage amendment may be faltering in MA  http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/01/18/bid_seen_weakening_to_ban_gay_marriage/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+City%2FRegion+News

Proof positive that Democratic values supporting aid programs for the disadvantaged equals moral values   http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/10668879.htm?1c

Close-minded Montanans --- Why can't gay rights opponents see that their discrimination is no different than racism?  The idea that someone is "dangerous" because of sexual orientation is as ludicrous as the racist contention that African-Americans were "dangerous" heathen peoples marked by their dark skin.  Either we're all human beings and God's children and worthy of the same treatment and rights or we're not.  But I'm sick to death of the claim that descrimination is a "Christian" practice. http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2005/01/18/mtracker/news/22bill.txt

Corzine turns up the heat in NJ  http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2005/01/18/mtracker/news/22bill.txt

Proof that the Democratic Party isn't dead  http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=324305&category=STATE&newsdate=1/18/2005

The radical idea that educating our children means providing them with ALL the information is taking hold in WA  http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/208336_sexed18.html

And, ending on a good note - at least for this Kennedy buff   http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=324306&category=STATE&newsdate=1/18/2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/18/nyregion/18kennedy.html

-BG

State News - 1.14.05

Republicans fall in line behind the President on the state level   
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/14/national/14malpractice.html?ex=1263445200&en=a12cb31cabc56481&ei=5089&partner=rssyahoo

At least some judges in the Bible Belt still know what the phrase "seperation of church and state" means  http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/cobb/0105/14evolution.html

KY DNC chair picked http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/local/10642112.htm

KY Senate seat fiasco continues, but Dems win at least a temporary victory  http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/10646043.htm
In the meantime -- here's what the voters think http://www.courier-journal.com/localnews/2005/01/14ky/A1-seum0114-7994.html

Debate over DNC chair  http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IN_DNC_CHAIRMAN_ANDREW_INOL-?SITE=INLAF&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

-BG

State News - 1.13.05

A case study it the health care crisis - a true crisis, unlike the embellished Social Security crisis.  If we can't find a way to insure all Americans, the situation in WV will be seen nationwide.  http://www.dailymail.com/news/News/2005011218/

Can't Republicans come up with a reason for running besides "liberals are out of touch"? I'm so sick of hearing that! http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/news/archive/local_19411677.shtml

Apparently Republicans can whine about slashed tires as long after the elections as they want.  But Democrats cannot draw attention to failure to supply adequate voting resources, machine malfunctions, etc.  http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthtribune/10635953.htm

Republicans need to learn to lose with grace - nobody likes it, but it's part of politics.  Grow up!  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002149494_gregoire13m.html

A backwoods attempt to save DeLay?  US rule changes didn't work - so Republicans try a similar tack in Texas legislature.  http://www.statesman.com/news/content/shared/tx/legislature/stories/01/13ethics.html

Blackwell learns his lesson -- and Democratic "whining" appears to pay off.  http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/0113vote.html

Mississippi - A Redneck's Las Vegas?  http://www.sunherald.com/mld/thesunherald/news/local/politics/10631603.htm

Why do Republican solutions to rising costs always hurt the little guy?  Tort reform to stop injured parties from suing  -   now fewer workers compensation claims in MO.  In both cases large insurance companies are largely responsible for rising costs.  http://newstribune.com/articles/2005/01/13/news_state/0113050031.txt

One good thing to come out of the legislative debacle in KY  http://www.courier-journal.com/localnews/2005/01/13ky/A1-leeper01130-7859.html

Death penalty debate: CA prisoner argues drugs mask his pain -- a legitimate argument.  If we, as a society, are going to kill people then we should have to watch exactly what we are doing.  If it is too cruel to watch then it is certainly too cruel to inflict on someone! http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/10629878.htm

Whittling away at abortion rights  http://www.nwanews.com/story.php?paper=adg&section=News&storyid=104732

-BG

State News - 1.12.05

Republican largess rears its ugly head up north.  Surely there is something Alaska can do with $1.4 million than lease a jet?!  Perhaps dedicate it to a REAL study of what drilling in ANWR will do to the surrounding habitat and environment?   http://www.adn.com/front/story/6014047p-5905426c.html

Election Watch 2006: Alabama Governor's race   http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1105525294224602.xml

Evidence that the Religious Right's anti-gay marriage stance is pure discrimination.  If this was a fight over the religious institution of marriage, why join the benefits debate?  Because this is another neo-con effort to stamp out benefits to those less fortunate.  http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0112samesex12.html

CA Special Election Watch  http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/state/10625193.htm

The White House isn't happy enough just messing with Social Security.  They're pushing for pension changes on the state level, too.  Starting with CA - and with the help of dear friend Grover Norquist.  Watch out twenty-somethings - W's words from yesterday will prove true - by the time we retire there won't be any money for us in the federal - or state - coffers. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/01/12/MNGFNAOUJB1.DTL

There may not be WMD in Iraq, but there are plenty of them here in the US.  If only Bush were as concerned with getting rid of our extra WMD as he was about Saddam's fictitious stockpile.  http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/state/10626546.htm

Bush's refusal to explore stem cell research may prove a blessing in disguise.  State level efforts may prove more expedient than a long, drawn out federal funding fracas.  http://www.ctnow.com/news/local/hc-stemcells0112.artjan12,1,7473594.story?coll=hc-headlines-local

Someone should tell Jeb that this type of plan has failed miserably in Tennessee.  http://www.sptimes.com/2005/01/12/State/Gov_Bush_proposes_Med.shtml

Whether Brown is guilty of the charges or not is beside the point, unfortunately.  Because if a Democratic governor hired someone with this record the religious right would have a field day decrying the lack of moral fiber in the Democratic Party. http://www.sptimes.com/2005/01/12/State/Bush_defends_speechwr.shtml

Election Watch 2006: GA Governor's race  http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/legis05/0105/12leggov.html

As I noted yesterday, if Vilsack can unite his divided Congress around contentious issues, it will signal strength heading into 2008 election buzz-time.  So, stay tuned as we track his progress . . . This tobacco tax could be his first big coup.  http://www.qctimes.com/internal.php?story_id=1043438&t=Iowa+%2F+Illinois&c=24,1043438
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1638&u_sid=1306715

-BG

State News - 1.11.05

The ongoing Kentucky senatorial saga, takes to the courts. For those just tuning in, Dana Seum Stevenson(R) won the election for KY's 37th District Senate seat, but was ruled ineligible by a judge because she did not meet the constitutional residency requirements. The judge declared Virginia Woodward (D) the winner.  Last week, a special commission recommended seating Woodward but was denied by the Republican controlled Senate who voted to seat Stevenson (since swarn in).  Woodward is taking the matter to court - a judge will rule Friday. NOTE: This move gives the Republicans a "super majority" in the Senate. http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/politics/10615344.htm      

http://www.courier-journal.com/cjextra/editorials/2005/01/11/opin-top0111-4110.html

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/K/KY_ELECTION_CHALLENGE_LEEPER_KYOL-?SITE=KYLOU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

California budget battles one of many state budget fights nationwide.  What makes this one noteworthy today is Arnold's falling in line with the Republican practice of breaking promises and hurting future generations in the process.  When will folks learn that you can't fix education by continually cutting the budget?  NPR Morning Edition story

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-analysis11jan11,0,6657117.story?coll=la-home-headlines

As we continue to sap our planet's resources, such legal disputes will grow increasingly commonplace across the country. http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~53~2646347,00.html

National campaign finance reform gets the most attention, but the issue is a big one on the state level, too.  State level give-and-take is worth watching for emerging trends that might go national. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/11/nyregion/11rell.html?oref=login

Is it too late to give Florida to Cuba?  In all seriousness -- America, the land of the free, should not still be home to codified discrimination! http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-10-scotus-gay-adoption_x.htm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64225-2005Jan10.html

Republican bravado on all levels - GA Republicans abuse nature of respresentative democracy.  In the meantime, why can't Democrats on the state and national level realize that the way to rebound from defeat is not to tear each other apart, but to stick together? http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/legis05/0105/11legrules.html

Watching Vilsack could become a spectator sport over the next four years.  (A link to his speech text.) http://www.qctimes.com/internal.php?story_id=1043357&t=Iowa+%2F+Illinois&c=24,1043357

Vilsack Watch part two: If Vilsack can successfully navigate legislation through his deeply and evenly divided state Congress, he'll have a bipartisan record to run on. http://www.qctimes.com/internal.php?story_id=1043369&l=1&t=Iowa+%2F+Illinois&c=24,1043369

Two lessons from NY: 1. Minority parties can still have influential role.  2. Changing rules is okay when the rules seek to improve legislative process - not empower one party (Attention GA Republicans). http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/11/nyregion/11rules.html?pagewanted=all

Again, the schoolhouse Bush built: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/011005dntextaks.978e4837.html

A race to watch - and a good signal that the DNC is coming out swinging. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64226-2005Jan10.html

Good news! GOP losing ground in WA. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/207376_governor11.html

-BG