1.) Will newly elected governors put on a better show than House Republicans? — We are all fiscal conservatives now; at least at the state level. According to the New York Times, the majority of newly elected governors have said they will redeem their states’ economies in a similar manner: “Slash spending. Avoid tax increases. Tear up regulations that might drive away business and jobs. Shrink government, even if that means tackling the thorny issues of public employees and their pensions.” Scott D. Pattison at the National Association of State Budget Officers told the Times that the rhetoric is so consistent, “[Y]ou can’t tell if it’s a Republican or Democrat, a conservative or a liberal.” There are exceptions to this new rule: In order to get at the vast wealth of his few remaining rich residents, incoming Illinois Gov. Patrick J. Quinn signed into law a 66% income tax increase. (more)
1.) Your grandmother drives faster than the new Republican majority — Welcome to the Lowered Expectations dating service, where nobody’s profile picture reflects what he looks like in real life. First up: The House’s Republican majority. Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor promised $100 billion in spending cuts. Late Tuesday, unnamed GOP aides downgraded that amount to roughly $50 billion, reports the New York Times, “because the current fiscal year, which began Oct. 1, will be nearly half over before spending cuts could become law.” The Daily Caller’s Jon Ward, after attending Cantor’s press availability on Tuesday, reported that Republicans may be relying on Obama to do their cutting for them: “Once we get to the State of the Union I expect this president to put some action behind the words he’s been about,” Cantor said yesterday afternoon. “When pressed numerous times for whether there will be specific spending cuts proposed and regulations put under the axe prior to the State of the Union,” Ward added, “Cantor mentioned only an already announced five percent reduction to congressional office budgets that will save $35 million.” Hear that noise? That is the sound of the Tea Partiers sharpening their knives. (more)
It was 19 years ago — and about 30 degrees warmer — when Cal and Billy Ripken played in the last game at Memorial Stadium. But on Tuesday, when they replanted home plate in its old spot off East 33rd Street, the past returned as if on a welcome summer breeze. (more)
Tribune Co. chief innovation officer Lee Abrams has been placed on indefinite suspension without pay pending review of a companywide memo he sent to staff Monday that spurred a rash of employee complaints. (more)
Without a doubt, these are difficult days for Barack Obama. With a job approval rating in the 40s, with voters threatening to desert the Democrats in the midterms, and with no sign of events breaking his way, the heady days following his inauguration seem a dim and distant memory. (more)
Palin nomination brought out the little community organizers in scores of lefty journos — Charlie Crist is a momma’s boy — University attempts ‘thought reform’ on Christian student — Howard Dean and Newt Gingrich: A match made in the bowels of National Lampoon? — DOJ witness can’t testify in NBPP case — Cop Update: Many Federal police still do not understand the Bill of Rights (more)
A textbook tactic of statist radicals in America is the systematic character assassination of their enemies as racists. Loathe to engage their intellectual opponents in a real discussion of the issues, lest the radicals should be perceived for what they are and lose the fight to bring America under their heel, they prefer instead to slander their opponents, to intimidate and shout them down, and to destroy their credibility with whatever lies or twisted propaganda they can muster in a never-ending witch-hunt. (more)
Progressive ‘journalists’ coordinated smear against critics of Rev. Wright — Reporters harangue a sweaty Robert Gibbs after Obama mischaracterizes fight over unemployment benefits — Dueling Tea Party leaders channel Hamilton and Burr (sort of!) — Congressman points out that signs heralding stimulus are not a good use of the stimulus — How is Obamacare helping FLOTUS? Oh right, it’s not — Cops don’t want to be filmed doing anything ever again (more)
This is a no-brainer: The Phillies with Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee. Oh, wait, the Phillies wanted to rebuild their farm system and dealt away Lee. How is that move working out? (more)
JOHANNESBURG — Ryan Appell stood on an isolated stretch of highway on the outskirts of an old South African mining town dressed like Betsy Ross’ worst nightmare. (more)
After high school seniors graduate this season, they and their parents will soon face another time-honored tradition —paying college tuition. (more)
It has come down to style now. It’s the speed and athleticism of No. 5 Duke against the defense and overall discipline of unseeded Notre Dame. (more)
It didn’t take long, Miles Harrison said, for the familiar lacrosse stereotypes to resurface. Within a day after a University of Virginia lacrosse player was charged with murdering a female player, the Baltimore surgeon said somebody told him, “‘There are those lacrosse guys again.” (more)
It started last year, with growing opposition to the federal stimulus package and other record spending in Washington. (more)
DNA has long been used to solve crimes and even exonerate the innocent. Soon, it could be used to pinpoint poo. Apparently, video camera surveillance was way too 20th-century for the good people of Scarlett Place Condominiums in Baltimore, who have proposed DNA tests to identify the originators of dog poop left on the premises. (more)
As Israel marked its 62nd anniversary, a familiar rift was occurring with a U.S. administration over the settlements issue. This time, the matter involved Jerusalem, specifically Israel’s expansion of existing settlement in the Old City. (more)
SAN DIEGO, May 10 (UPI) — San Diego police said they arrested a suspected car thief who bit a police dog while rolling down a canyon. (more)
With the 2010 elections little more than six months away, one thing is clear. After Election Day, New York will have a new governor. (more)
Miami Heat forward Dorell Wright is the third NBA player in recent months to have an explicit picture of himself surface on the Internet. (more)
SPRINGFIELD – — Drivers would get a little more leeway at intersections with red-light cameras but face a stiffer penalty for driving at excessive speeds under separate measures state lawmakers advanced Thursday. (more)
