Why we have government
Jerry Brown, who has twice in my lifetime been the two-term governor of California , once said something that I love. He said he learned more from James Taylor's song "Fire and Rain," than he learned in Yale Law School.
Category Archives: US Governors
Labor activists target Midwest politicians opposing wage increases
U.S. activists plan protests in up to 400 cities across the United States on Monday's Labor Day holiday to demand a minimum wage of $15 an hour, and are targeting politicians in Midwestern battleground states who have blocked such salary increases. The demonstrations, backed by the Service Employees International Union, will focus on hospital and home care workers, joining the fast-food and janitorial staffers who have protested since the "Fight for $15" movement started in 2012.
The Latest: Ohio Governor Reschedules 19 Upcoming Executions
The Latest on Ohio Gov. John Kasich's rejection of clemency for inmate scheduled to die Sept.
Oklahoma court’s ruling opens door for billions in tax increases
IN a narrow 5-4 decision, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that a new car tax is not subject to the Oklahoma Constitution's 75 percent supermajority requirement for enacting new taxes. The court said lawmakers didn't need supermajorities to remove tax The practical effect is that lawmakers are now free to approve literally billions in tax increases - as that term would be understood by a layman - with only simple majorities.
New Jersey Senator Menendez’s graft trial could sway D.C. power balance
More than two years after U.S. Senator Bob Menendez was indicted on federal corruption charges, the New Jersey Democrat finally faces trial next week in a case whose verdict could sway the balance of power in Washington. Menendez, 63, is accused of taking bribes, including luxury trips and campaign contributions, from a wealthy patron since shortly after he was first elected to the Senate in 2006.
Hurricane fuels gas-price hike as reserves tapped
Damage to energy supplies from Hurricane Harvey combined with the traditional increase in Labor Day travel is already leading to higher gas prices in Massachusetts, and U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry is tapping into the nation's strategic reserves as part of the federal government's response to the massive storm. In an interview Thursday, a AAA Northeast official told the News Service she would not be surprised to see a double-digit increase in per-gallon prices when the organization's latest survey is released next Tuesday.
Florida Supreme Court sides with Gov. Scott over prosecutor who refused to seek death penalty
The Florida Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Gov. Rick Scott has the power to remove cases from controversial state's attorney Aramis Ayala . The ruling, 5-2, means that it was within Scott's legal authority under the state Constitution to remove 24 capital cases from Ayala's purview, the Orlando Political Observer reports .
Bill would align special US Senate races with general elections
In the future, any special U.S. Senate races could happen during a general election cycle and not in a separate off-cycle election like the one now underway. Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, has pre-filed for next year's session a bill to allow in the event of a Senate vacancy the governor to appoint an interim senator until the next general election, which takes place every two years.
Wasserman Schultz leads efforts to remove Confederate names, statue
If U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., gets her way, the names of three Confederate generals will be removed from street signs in Hollywood, Fla., and the statue of a Confederate general representing Florida will be removed from the National Statuary Hall in Washington. Wasserman Schultz, the former chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee who resigned from the post in July 2016 amid allegations that she favored Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders for the party's 2016 presidential nomination, has asked local leaders in Hollywood to remove the names of Robert E. Lee, Nathan Bedford Forrest and John Bell Hood from city streets.
Does Texas deserve federal aid after opposing the Hurricane Sandy relief bill?
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie accused Texas Republicans of being "hypocrites" for seeking Hurricane Harvey federal aid after opposing similar measures in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. While many believe Texas should receive all the funding it needs, others are hesitant to write a blank check to a state that refused to do the same when other states were in need.
Chris Christie’s Attack on Ted Cruz
New Jersey governor Chris Christie attacked Texas senator Ted Cruz on CNN today for his supposed hypocrisy in opposing relief for Hurricane Sandy yet requesting relief as Harvey devastates the Gulf Coast. Christie said: Senator Cruz was playing politics in 2012, trying to make himself look like the biggest conservative in the world.
Candidates for governor make pitches at Barrow Gop BBQ
Four of the five Republican candidates to succeed Gov. Nathan Deal in next year's election brought their campaign messages to Barrow County Saturday evening, as each of them vowed to provide conservative leadership for the state. Secretary of State Brian Kemp, state senators Hunter Hill and Michael Williams, and Marc Alan Urbach made brief pitches to a crowd of well over 200 people at the Winder Lions Club during the Barrow County GOP's annual large barbecue fundraiser.
Ted Cruz Calls Chris Christie A ‘Desparate Politician’ [VIDEO]
Sen. Ted Cruz didn't respond kindly to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's criticism of his decision to vote no on a relief bill for Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Cruz has been accused of hypocrisy for voting against the Sandy bill - which he claims was "filled with pork" - while asking for federal aid to help Texas with Hurricane Harvey.
Chris Christie Backs Trump, Says He’s Fit For Office
GOP New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Wednesday President Donald Trump is fit for the office of the presidency, adding that this debate was ended in November when he was elected. "I do, I do.," he told "Morning Joe" co-host Mika Brzezinski on if he thought Trump was fit to lead.
Carrollton teacher to serve on state charter commission
Carrollton High School culinary arts teacher Carmen Dill has been named to the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia, a state-level, independent charter school authorizing entity. Appointed to fill an unexpired term by Gov. Nathan Deal, she attended her first meeting Aug. 30 and will continue service on the commission through January 2019.
Eight Major SCOTUS Cases to Watch
Counsel: Two former George W. Bush administration solicitors general will face off: Theodore Olson of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Paul Clement of Kirkland & Ellis representing the NCAA. About: Can the federal government keep states from authorizing legal sports betting? That is the high-stakes question raised by Christie's persistent efforts to allow sports betting at New Jersey's casinos and racetracks, where the state could reap millions in tax revenue.
Judge rejects Sarah Palin lawsuit against The New York Times
A federal judge on Tuesday tossed out a defamation lawsuit by Sarah Palin against The New York Times, saying the former Alaska governor failed to show the newspaper knew it was publishing false statements in an editorial before quickly correcting them. The written ruling by Judge Jed Rakoff in Manhattan said the lawsuit seeking unspecified damages "fails on its face to adequately allege actual malice."
One Year from 2018 Florida Primary, FAU Poll Shows Tight Race for…
BOCA RATON, Fla. -- With the 2018 state primary election now one year away, voters in Florida give a slight edge to Sen. >Bill Nelson over current Gov. Rick Scott in a hypothetical matchup in the U.S. Senate race.
Report: ‘Anti-protester’ bills gain traction in state legislatures
GOP legislators in 20 U.S. statehouses proposed - and six legislatures approved - new restrictions on the right to assemble and protest in 2017. Report: 'Anti-protester' bills gain traction in state legislatures GOP legislators in 20 U.S. statehouses proposed - and six legislatures approved - new restrictions on the right to assemble and protest in 2017.
Top StoryStatue of Martin Luther King Jr. unveiled in his hometown
The daughter of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. stood beside her father's newly unveiled statue Monday, just a few blocks from where he grew up, handing out hugs and telling each well-wisher: "It's about time." The statue paying tribute to King made its public debut Monday on the Georgia Capitol grounds in front of around 800 people including Gov. Nathan Deal, many other state political leaders and several members of the King family.