Topic: Government

House Democrat Review for 03/20/2008

By Tennessee Democrats | March 21, 2008 |

The House Democrat Review is a weekly feature that gives Tennesseans an in-depth look at what our Democratic state legislators have been working on this week, and a glimpse into what’s planned for the coming week at our state house.

House Democrats Bring Home Schools First Funding, nearly $184 million in additional K-12 funds expected next year.

This week House Democrats were presented with the 2008 – 2009 projected BEP 2.0 funding numbers which show that, thanks to the Schools First Initiative passed last year, Tennessee’s local schools are estimated to receive $183.2 million in additional funding.

“When we first began the task of improving our K-12 schools in Tennessee, we wanted to do it in a way that wouldn’t put undo burdens on local governments,” said Speaker of the House Jimmy Naifeh (D-Covington). “Thanks to the Schools First Initiative, we were able to increase education funding by over $340 million last year and nearly $184 million this year, while at the same time reducing the pressure on counties to have to raise their property taxes.” «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | No Comments

What the Judge actually said regarding the NSA spying program. Why doesn’t the press care?

By Bill Larson | August 19, 2006 |

I posted the other day on the ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Anna Diggs Taylor in response to the lawsuit brought by the� American Civil Liberties Union� challenging the President’s so called “Terrorist Surveillance Program” (TSP).� It was a story posted with little review of the judges decision. Her ruling actually raises serious issues that extend beyond that one program.� �

The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny. - THE FEDERALIST NO. 47, at 301 (James Madison)

Here’s the meat of the issue. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, Opinion, Politics | No Comments

House passes $2 minimum wage increase - with a $750 billion estate tax cut

By Beth Robinson | August 2, 2006 |

On July 29, 2006 the House voted 230-180 to raise the $5.15 hourly minimum wage in three 70-cent steps until it reaches $7.25 in mid-2009. The possible increase in the minimum wage is way overdue but the only way Democrats could get it passed was to let the Republicans ‘tack on’ an estate tax cut which overwhelming targets the wealthy.

Please join me in encouraging our US Senators to support increasing the minimum wage but without adding the ’sneaky’ estate tax cut which benefits the top 1% of the wealthiest Americans.

Initially, I thought the minimum wage increase was the highest priority and I couldn’t care about the estate tax.  Then I learned that the Estate tax would cost taxpayers $750 billion. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News, Politics | No Comments

We’ve Got Your Number Soldier

By Tom Paine | June 12, 2006 |

Today I received one of those letters the government is sending out telling vets that their personal information may be at risk. I was somewhat surprised as the U.S. military and I permanently parted company back in 1972. Evidently one federal employee is capable of carrying around information dating back as much as 35 years ago on (according to the letter) “up to 26.5 million veterans and some spouses”. This includes DOB (date of birth) and SSN (Social Security Number) — which can enable an identity thief to hijack your identity and wreak havoc with your financial life. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | 1 Comment »

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