Washington Legislature letting clock run out on session

The political rancor at the state Legislature is likely to go right to the bitter end, as the possibility arose that lawmakers wouldn't even officially adjourn and would instead just let the clock run out at midnight Thursday on the third special session. Legislative leaders had previously said they were likely to adjourn earlier in the day after negotiations broke down Wednesday on a water rights bill that was tied to passage of a new construction budget for the state.

Words of support from Trump, Obama, Bush and Clinton

Several Republican senators learned of the news during a meeting about health care, North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven told CNN, adding that there was "stunned disbelief" in the room and they prayed for McCain." Senator John McCain has always been a fighter," President Donald Trump said in a statement.

Gentile Talks About Italian Heritage

The 35th-annual Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival officially kicked off on Wednesday at the McLure Hotel in Wheeling as nearly 200 festival supporters gathered for a dinner to honor the 2017 Italian-American of the Year, former Ohio Sen. Lou Gentile. Gentile was introduced by former U.S. Rep. Zack Space, who is currently running as a Democrat for Ohio auditor.

Rep. Jared Huffman leading charge on climate for North Coast

North Coast Rep. Jared Huffman is making moves on the environmental front, candidly speaking out against the White House's initiatives regarding public lands and energy, as well as recent actions by U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. Huffman has wholeheartedly taken up climate change as a platform issue, introducing two pieces of legislation on energy policy and joining three other members of Congress on climate legislation that seeks to get the U.S. on 100 percent clean and renewable energy by 2050, named the 100 by '50 Act.

Trump to rally in Ohioa s blue-collar Youngstown on Tuesday

President-elect Donald Trump speaks to members of the media after meeting with families and victims of the knife attack on Nov. 28. at Ohio State University, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. COLUMBUS, Ohio - President Donald Trump is returning to the blue-collar Ohio city where frustrated former Democrats crossed party lines last year to help send him to the White House.

Manchin organizing bipartisan healthcare meeting Tuesday night

Joe Manchin Manchin organizing bipartisan healthcare meeting Tuesday night Moderate Republicans, Dems huddle on healthcare This week: ObamaCare repeal faces latest setback in Senate MORE is organizing a bipartisan group of senators who are former governors to discuss possible bipartisan action on healthcare, with a meeting planned for Tuesday night. The meeting comes as talk of bipartisan action to stabilize ObamaCare markets is picking up in the wake of the collapse of the Republican healthcare bill.

Christie: Trump should ‘move on’ from healthcare

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday called on President Trump to "move on" from trying to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, saying there's no political will in Congress to get it done. "I'd advise [President Trump] to move on and move on to other priorities like tax reform and infrastructure," Christie said during an interview with MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace.

Snyder task force: Municipalities must prefund retiree care

Michigan should require municipalities to prefund new hires' retiree medical costs and help local governments facing substantially underfunded pension and retiree health obligations, a task force created by Gov. Rick Snyder said Tuesday after failing to agree on potential benefit cuts and other issues. The group of 20 voting members was formed in February to study unfunded liabilities at the local level - $10.1 billion for retiree health care in roughly 340 municipalities and $7.5 billion for pensions in nearly 600 communities.

Brown, lawmakers celebrate bipartisan cap-and-trade victory

California's signature initiative to fight global warming will get another decade of life after lawmakers from both parties joined Gov. Jerry Brown in extending the law credited with reducing the state's carbon footprint. Monday night's votes to renew California's cap-and-trade program bolster the Democratic governor's quest to portray the state as a leader in the fight against climate change.

Jesse Ventura unhappy with his Minnesota Capitol plaque

'Win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat': Furious Jesse Ventura slams bio on his Capitol portrait and DENIES ever saying the words engraved on plaque honoring his term as Minnesota governor Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura says he never coined the motto that's featured on a new biographical plaque that has gone up this month next to his official portrait at the state Capitol. Ventura told Minnesota Public Radio that he never said the motto listed on his plaque: 'Win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat'.

California lawmakers extend landmark climate change law

California lawmakers voted Monday to extend a climate change initiative that Gov. Jerry Brown holds up as a model for states and nations looking to lower carbon emissions. Brown's signature will add another decade of life to the state's cap-and-trade program, bolstering the Democratic governor's quest to portray California as a leader in the fight against climate change at a time when President Donald Trump is pulling back.

Californiaa s climate change extension clears Legislature, heads to Gov. Brown

An effort to extend California's signature program for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change cleared the California Legislature on Monday, sending the deal to Gov. Jerry Brown's desk. Senate Pro Tem Kevin de Len called AB 398, which cleared the necessary two-thirds threshold in both houses, a "legislative unicorn" that brought together an unusual coalition of business organizations and environmental groups, among others rarely aligned at the Capitol.

A.M. Roundup: On ethics reform, that sound you hear is the…

Good morning and happy Monday! Did you catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis last night? Today's forecast looks just like every day last week: Maybe thunderstorms, maybe hail, maybe rain, maybe not. Here's a suggestion for Mother Nature: Just rain already.

California climate law touted as global model faces key test

California lawmakers moved closer Monday to a high-stakes decision that will decide the fate of a climate initiative that Gov. Jerry Brown holds up as a model to be replicated around the world to confront rising global temperatures. Debate had begun on whether to give another decade of life to California's cap-and-trade program has global implications as the largest U.S. state moves to be a leader in reducing carbon emissions at a time when President Donald Trump is pulling back from fighting global warming.

California governor scrambles for support on climate deal

A plan to extend California's signature climate initiative for another decade is scheduled to go before legislative committees Thursday, despite opposition from some environmental advocates. Gov. Jerry Brown and top lawmakers have struggled to line up support with Democratic legislative leaders indicating Wednesday that climate and air quality negotiations had expanded to include the state's lack of affordable housing.

A Friendly Face: Pence Deployed to Governors

Vice President Mike Pence, seen here on Capitol Hill on Tuesday with Kellyanne Conway, counselor to President Donald Trump, will address health care, education and infrastructure at the NGA conference in Rhode Island on Friday. Vice President Mike Pence on Friday will continue his quiet campaign as the Trump administration's ultimate inside player when he tries to convince governors to view President Donald Trump as a partner on issues such as health care and infrastructure.