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  • Bipartisan blame for Senate botching energy bill
    Jul 29, 2010 — The Dallas Morning News
    Not a single GOP senator would sign on to the idea of putting a price on carbon. During the Democrats' 19 months at the helm, other issues routinely catapulted ahead the climate bill. In a separate spending bill, loan guarantees for additional nuclear power projects also are endangered, potentially leaving NRG's South Texas Project in limbo.
  • Blinder: Bank profits 'collateral damage in a war to save the economy'
    Jul 29, 2010 — Washington Post
    In the case of TARP, we’re talking horribly unpopular. The right way to think about the banker benefits was collateral damage in a war to save the economy. Mark [Zandi] charitably gives the loss-carryback 22 cents on the buck [of stimulus]. At the other end, food stamps are $1.74 on the buck.
  • BRIEF
    Jul 29, 2010 — The Orlando Sentinel
    Energy and Climate Commission has tapped the Florida Opportunity Fund for $36 million in federal stimulus dollars to launch the Clean Energy Investment Program promoting energy technology across the state. "From renewable energy products to energy efficiency in manufacturing, the program has the potential to deliver strong employment growth and significant economic benefits to the state," said Louis Laubscher, chief operating officer and senior vice president of Enterprise Florida which...
  • Brown unveils education reform plan
    Jul 29, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    Some of the proposals, such as changing the way schools are funded, would take years. Such proposals are anathema to teachers' unions, which have lined up behind Brown. On Wednesday, the powerful California Teachers Assn. joined a coalition of unions that is advertising on Brown's behalf against Republican nominee Meg Whitman.
  • Bush tax cuts: Keep some, allow others to expire
    Jul 29, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    The economy may grow faster after a tax cut, but not enough to make up the lost revenue. A place to start would be the tax rate on capital gains and dividend interest, which the Bush cuts capped at 15 percent for all Americans. If Congress takes no action, the top capital gains tax rate will rise to 20 percent, and dividend income to 39.6 percent.
  • Can Pawlenty separate himself from GOP field?
    Jul 29, 2010 — The Dallas Morning News
    By Carl Leubsdorf Jul. 29, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune News Service delivered by Newstex) -- Minnesota Gov. Haley Barbour and others with business and governmental backgrounds, like 2008 also-ran Mitt Romney and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.Pawlenty would face an especially daunting political challenge in neighboring Iowa.
  • Chuck Purgason left out of national Tea Party surge
    Jul 29, 2010 — St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Tea Party upstarts knocked out party regulars in Utah and Kentucky. Christopher "Kit" Bond, the dean of Missouri Republican politics. They're opposed to President Barack Obama's health care policies.
  • Comic Book Heroes Drawn From Real Life
    Jul 29, 2010 — New York Times
    They are each the subject of a biographical comic book from Bluewater Productions. A Michelle Obama comic book from the new series sold around 65,000 copies, Mr. Putting out the comic biographies allowed Mr.
  • Common Council delays decision on Canal Side land transfer compromise
    Jul 29, 2010 — The Buffalo News
    We should help it along," Fontana said. But other lawmakers said they have nagging concerns. Such a pact would, among other things, impose certain "living wage" provisions, ensure local businesses would be included in Canal Side development and promote environmental "green" design standards.
  • Court asked to let judicial candidates identify party, raise money
    Jul 29, 2010 — The Columbus Dispatch
    Ohio judicial candidates face off in partisan primary elections, after which they run in nonpartisan general elections -- the only such setup in the nation, the suit said. Judicial elections in Kentucky were completely nonpartisan. After the Kentucky ruling, attorneys for Ohio said they would evaluate whether the state's rules need to be changed.
  • Democrats sue to get labels on judicial ballots
    Jul 29, 2010 — The Blade
    Democrats have not won a high court election since 2000 and, until Gov.
  • DISASTER IN THE GULF
    Jul 29, 2010 — Houston Chronicle
    ...fossil fuel foes. No mandate for critics Democratic lawmakers dropped plans for a comprehensive energy bill last week that would have put a price on greenhouse gases emitted by oil and other fossil fuels -- an effort some thought might get a boost from around-the-clock images of oiled birds and angry coastal residents. And the latest versions of the energy bill presented by the Senate didn't include a national renewable energy mandate that fossil fuel opponents had hoped...
  • EDITORIAL
    Jul 29, 2010 — Boston Herald
    From this point forward the state will have to turn over its best-in-the-nation standards to what amounts to groupthink. We may score in this round of the competition.
  • Editorial: Energy Subsidies -- Good and Bad
    Jul 29, 2010 — New York Times
    While it renews those subsidies, Congress should end tax breaks for corn ethanol, which can stand on its own and is of dubious environmental benefit. Refineries that blend the ethanol with gasoline now get a 45 cent tax break for every gallon they produce. Corn ethanol can actually increase greenhouse gases if grasslands or forests are ploughed for crop production.
  • Fight Gears Up on Biomass
    Jul 29, 2010 — New York Times
    By Matthew L. WaldThere is evidently no form of energy, including renewable energy, that lacks opposition. A big spat right now centers on biomass power plants.Biomass is a broad category that encompasses everything from burning whole trees to burning leftover wood chips, agricultural residues or household garbage. While many states have standards for embracing renewable energy, a national standard seems elusive to many or even off the table.
  • GOP business support divided
    Jul 29, 2010 — Tampa Tribune
    Florida Chamber of Commerce endorsing Bill McCollum for the Republican nomination, and Associated Industries of Florida backing both McCollum and Rick Scott for governor. The chamber backed its words with money this week, handing $500,000 to an independent political group supporting McCollum -- a major boost, as he's running out of money battling an onslaught of advertising from millionaire Scott. The endorsements indicate the concern some Republicans and their business backers...
  • Jockeying begins in earnest in Haiti's presidential race
    Jul 29, 2010 — The Miami Herald
    In a visit with The Miami Herald last month, Bellerive said he did not know if he would be among the candidates because "it is not a personal decision.
  • Lawmakers Plan Friday Session To Save Campaign Finance Law
    Jul 29, 2010 — The Hartford Courant
    But the court concluded key components amounted to a violation of political free speech. The court struck down a complete probation against political contributions by lobbyists. And it ruled that two of the law's financing provisions were illegal. Participating gubernatorial candidates now get initial grants of $3 million for general elections.
  • Letter: Solar Energy in New York
    Jul 29, 2010 — New York Times
    So far, more than 400 solar-related jobs in upstate New York have been created, and 1,000 jobs are expected to be created by the end of 2011. In light of the oil spill in the Gulf, President Obama has renewed his commitment to renewable energy sources like solar. We need more federal investments in organizations like the Solar Energy Consortium to make sure that does not happen.
  • Most Chicago-area residents living 'greener'
    Jul 29, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
    For others, it was a conscious decision to recycle more, buy more energy-efficient home appliances or purchase a hybrid car. Nobody knew what that was," said Orland Park resident Jacquelyn Heller, who at 72 is doing more for the environment than at any time in her life. But his nonprofit business, which sells annual subscriptions for fresh, seasonal produce, is testament to that change. In 2002, Green Earth sold about 28 boxes of produce a week, Tiwald said.
  • New investment group buys One Niagara
    Jul 29, 2010 — The Buffalo News
    Parlato Jr. bowed out as a principal in the ownership group. The nine-story landmark building was sold to another group of local investors for an undisclosed amount. Paul Grenga, a Niagara Falls lawyer who represented Parlato and his Whitestar Development Corp., emerged as the leader of the new investment group. Tony Farina, who recently signed on as president of One Niagara, is a member of the new group, and he will remain on as its president. Neither Grenga nor Farina...
  • Obama defends education initiative
    Jul 29, 2010 — The Hill
    It’s to provide teachers with the support they need to be as effective as they can be.
  • Obama defends Race to Top
    Jul 29, 2010 — Politico
    If they're not seeing results in the classroom, let's work with teachers to help them be more effective.
  • Obama Takes On Critics of Education Plan
    Jul 29, 2010 — New York Times
    It’s an economic issue when we know countries that outeducate us today will outcompete us tomorrow.” Mr. “Our goal isn’t to fire or admonish teachers,” Mr. Obama continued, “is a measure of accountability.
  • Obama talks race, pop culture on 'The View'
    Jul 29, 2010 — Boston Herald
    It was a "View" like no other: The five co-hosts -- Barbara Walters interrupted her medical leave for heart surgery to return for the occasion -- listened respectfully. Behar criticized Fox News for "hijacking the narrative." Obama replied, "I volunteered for this job.
  • Obama to raise money in Dallas
    Jul 29, 2010 — Fort Worth Star-Telegram
    Obama is expected to be in Dallas in early August as part of a two-city Texas trip to raise money for Democratic candidates, Democratic sources said Wednesday. The Dallas fundraiser, at a private residence, has apparently replaced plans for a presidential visit to either Houston or San Antonio. Obama is also scheduled to be in Austin on Aug. 9 for a fundraiser sponsored by the Democratic National Committee. Three Democratic sources confirmed the Dallas leg of Obama's trip,...
  • Obama to speak on education reform
    Jul 29, 2010 — CNN
    The $4.35 billion is being awarded in two phases. Tennessee and Delaware were the only two states to receive funds in the first round of the competition. Eighteen states and the District of Columbia were selected as finalists this week to receive more than $3 billion in the second round of funding for the program.
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