Emails show California agency’s cozy ties to gas tax backers

As the political battle to overturn California's gas tax increase intensified, the state transportation agency coordinated frequently with the public affairs firm working to block the repeal on behalf of unions, construction companies and local government groups, emails obtained by The Associated Press show. The California State Transportation Agency and Sacramento-based Bicker, Castillo & Fairbanks organized news conferences and other efforts to promote legislation to raise the tax to fund road and bridge repairs, which passed the Legislature in April 2017.

West Coast military installations eyed for US fuel exports

The Trump administration is considering using West Coast military installations or other federal properties to open the way for more U.S. fossil fuel exports to Asia in the name of national security and despite opposition from coastal states. "I respect the state of Washington and Oregon and California," Zinke said in an interview with AP.

Antifa Vandalizes A Proud Boys Gathering. When Fights Broke Out Later, Cuomo Blamed Trump

Antifa members vandalized the Metropolitan Republican Club in New York ahead of Gavin McInnes's Friday appearance at the club, prompting an outbreak of violence that Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo blamed on President Donald Trump. Cuomo failed to condemn Antifa's violence and blamed the president after the vandals attacked a group of Proud Boys exiting the club after McInnes spoke about "Deep State Socialists" and "Western Values" Friday evening.

Trump praises Florida gov’s ‘incredible’ hurricane response

President Donald Trump flew above the Florida Panhandle on Monday to see the wreckage left behind after Hurricane Michael slammed its coastal communities and he immediately praised Gov. Rick Scott for an "incredible" response to a storm that flattened homes and left thousands without electricity. "The job they've done in Florida has been incredible," Trump told reporters.

Michael lays bare Panhandle’s weaker building codes

Unlike in South Florida, homes in the state's Panhandle did not have tighter building codes until just 11 years ago; it was once argued that acres of forests would provide the region with a natural barrier against the savage winds of a hurricane. When many of the homes on the Panhandle were built, the state had a patchwork of codes from which some buildings here were exempt.

Michael’s destruction reveals region’s weaker building codes

Unlike in South Florida, homes in the state's Panhandle did not have tighter building codes It was once argued that the trees would help save Florida's Panhandle from the fury of a hurricane, as the acres of forests in the region would provide a natural barrier to savage winds that accompany the deadly storms. It's part of the reason that tighter building codes - mandatory in places such as South Florida - were not put in place for most of this region until just 11 years ago.

Cleanup begins after Hurricane Michael leaves behind damage in Georgia

Gov. Nathan Deal has invited President Donald Trump to take a tour of hurricane damage in Georgia as cleanup begins after Hurricane Michael barreled into the state as a Category 3 storm. Channel 2's Richard Elliot spoke to Deal and various state officials, who said their top priority is to clear the roads so power crews can get in and restore electricity.

Washington Post endorses Tim Kaine, rips GOP rival’s ‘politics of resentment’

The post previously endorsed Kaine, a former Virginia governor and Hillary Clinton's vice presidential running mate in 2016, in 2012 for the U.S. Senate. he Washington Post endorsed Sen. Tim Kaine on Sunday, giving the Democrat a high-profile boost less than a month before he faces re-election in the 2016 midterm elections.

New York’s Cuomo blasts Trump, Republicans in protest clash

Gov. Andrew Cuomo questioned Sunday why state Republicans would have invited the founder of a far-right group to speak in Manhattan, and he blamed them and President Donald Trump for violent clashes that took place after the speech. In a conference call with reporters, the Democratic governor called the invitation to Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes to speak at the Metropolitan Republican Club a "political tactic because what they're trying to do is fire up their base" ahead of the midterm elections.

Voice of the people: Slam on Madigan misguided

Professor James Nowlan has joined Rauner's anti-Madigan crusade with his recent commentary . Noted that Nowlan demurs from totally taking up the whine of Rauner and his merry band of political dependents, who portray the Illinois speaker of the House as an arch villain like "Darth Vader," but then he claims galactically "Madigan has shut down democracy in Illinois."

Health Care Budget Woes Await Minnesota’s Next Governor

In this Aug. 17, 2018 file photo, candidates for Minnesota governor, Democrat Tim Walz and Republican Jeff Johnson shake hands at the beginning of their first debate at Grand View Lodge, Nisswa, Minn. While Democrat Tim Walz pushes for a public health care option and Republican Jeff Johnson aims to pare back parts of the Affordable Care Act, Minnesota's next governor will face a basic math question next year: How will the state keep paying for its programs? On the first year of the job, Walz or Johnson and a new Legislature will consider the fate of a 2 percent tax on medical providers that expires at the end of the year.

TN Senatorial Candidate Phil Bredesen In Full Damage Control, Forced…

Former Tennessee Governor and now Democrat Senate candidate Phil Bredesen has moved into damage control mode on the heels of the recent Project Veritas undercover sting video . In the video release by Project Veritas shows campaign staffers admitting that Bredesen's statements about supporting Kavanaugh are just phony talking points.