Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Lawmakers in 20 states move to reclaim sovereignty
Obama's $1 trillion deficit-spending 'stimulus plan' seen as last straw
February 06, 2009
By Jerome R. Corsi
© 2009 WorldNetDaily
NEW YORK – As the Obama administration attempts to push through Congress a nearly $1 trillion deficit spending plan that is weighted heavily toward advancing typically Democratic-supported social welfare programs, a rebellion against the growing dominance of federal control is beginning to spread at the state level.
So far, eight states have introduced resolutions declaring state sovereignty under the Ninth and Tenth Amendment to the Constitution, including Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oklahoma and Washington.
Analysts expect that in addition, another 20 states may see similar measures introduced this year, including Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Nevada, Maine and Pennsylvania.
"What we are trying to do is to get the U.S. Congress out of the state's business," Oklahoma Republican state Sen. Randy Brogdon told WND.
"Congress is completely out of line spending trillions of dollars over the last 10 years putting the nation into a debt crisis like we've never seen before," Brogdon said, arguing that the Obama stimulus plan is the last straw taxing state patience in the brewing sovereignty dispute.
"This particular 111th Congress is the biggest bunch of over-reachers and underachievers we've ever had in Congress," he said.
"A sixth-grader should realize you can't borrow money to pay off your debt, and that is the Obama administration's answer for a stimulus package," he added.
Full story
February 06, 2009
By Jerome R. Corsi
© 2009 WorldNetDaily
NEW YORK – As the Obama administration attempts to push through Congress a nearly $1 trillion deficit spending plan that is weighted heavily toward advancing typically Democratic-supported social welfare programs, a rebellion against the growing dominance of federal control is beginning to spread at the state level.
So far, eight states have introduced resolutions declaring state sovereignty under the Ninth and Tenth Amendment to the Constitution, including Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oklahoma and Washington.
Analysts expect that in addition, another 20 states may see similar measures introduced this year, including Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Nevada, Maine and Pennsylvania.
"What we are trying to do is to get the U.S. Congress out of the state's business," Oklahoma Republican state Sen. Randy Brogdon told WND.
"Congress is completely out of line spending trillions of dollars over the last 10 years putting the nation into a debt crisis like we've never seen before," Brogdon said, arguing that the Obama stimulus plan is the last straw taxing state patience in the brewing sovereignty dispute.
"This particular 111th Congress is the biggest bunch of over-reachers and underachievers we've ever had in Congress," he said.
"A sixth-grader should realize you can't borrow money to pay off your debt, and that is the Obama administration's answer for a stimulus package," he added.
Full story
Crisis, Catastrophe: Are These Words of Hope?
Charles Krauthammer
Friday, February 06, 2009
"A failure to act, and act now, will turn crisis into a catastrophe."
-- President Obama, Feb. 4.
WASHINGTON -- Catastrophe, mind you. So much for the president who in his inaugural address two weeks earlier declared "we have chosen hope over fear." Until, that is, you need fear to pass a bill. And so much for the promise to banish the money changers and influence peddlers from the temple. An ostentatious executive order banning lobbyists was immediately followed by the nomination of at least a dozen current or former lobbyists to high position. Followed by a Treasury secretary who allegedly couldn't understand the payroll tax provisions in his 1040. Followed by Tom Daschle, who had to fall on his sword according to the new Washington rule that no Cabinet can have more than one tax delinquent.
Full article
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Medford officials frustrated by EOT's Green Line announcement
Many local officials were frustrated that the EOT’s recommendation was announced only a few hours before Monday’s Green Line Advisory Group (GLAG) meeting.
“It didn’t really give us time to react,” said Medford City Councilor Frederick Dello Russo, a member of the group.
Others saw it as a way of saying the EOT had made up its mind from the beginning.
“To me it appears that Mr. Aloisi made an announcement that was already foregone,” said City Councilor Robert Penta.
On a snowy Monday afternoon residents and project advisors from Medford, Somerville and Arlington made it to the GLAG meeting at St. Clement’s High School. Speakers voiced concerns to the EOT on issues of noise mitigation, the health effects of diesel particulates, federal funding, land taking and a number of others.
The EOT has mentioned on several occasions that land taking would probably be necessary for the extension project. To what extent land will be taken is a gray area, but it is generally understood that only small slivers of land would be needed from properties up to the terminus, where larger land takings will be far more likely.
When the time comes for land acquisitions to be vetted, LaVita said the MBTA will send out survey teams, hire independent appraisers and make offers to the owners of whatever properties it needs.
“The process generally takes about six months to actually acquire that land,” said LaVita. “But only the MBTA board of directors can authorize the permanent acquisition of land that is needed for a development project.”
If a property owner does not like the offer, the MBTA will still take the land under its Chapter 161 eminent domain powers. In this case the property owner has up to three years to accept the offer, or hire an attorney and negotiate.
LaVita said the MBTA does provide relocation assistance where needed.
Unlike a number of previous meetings, land taking was not as central an issue. A majority in attendance voiced concerns regarding the EOT’s commitment to mitigating the many difficulties to be brought about by widening the existing railway and sending trains through it more than five times per hour.
Full story
“It didn’t really give us time to react,” said Medford City Councilor Frederick Dello Russo, a member of the group.
Others saw it as a way of saying the EOT had made up its mind from the beginning.
“To me it appears that Mr. Aloisi made an announcement that was already foregone,” said City Councilor Robert Penta.
On a snowy Monday afternoon residents and project advisors from Medford, Somerville and Arlington made it to the GLAG meeting at St. Clement’s High School. Speakers voiced concerns to the EOT on issues of noise mitigation, the health effects of diesel particulates, federal funding, land taking and a number of others.
The EOT has mentioned on several occasions that land taking would probably be necessary for the extension project. To what extent land will be taken is a gray area, but it is generally understood that only small slivers of land would be needed from properties up to the terminus, where larger land takings will be far more likely.
When the time comes for land acquisitions to be vetted, LaVita said the MBTA will send out survey teams, hire independent appraisers and make offers to the owners of whatever properties it needs.
“The process generally takes about six months to actually acquire that land,” said LaVita. “But only the MBTA board of directors can authorize the permanent acquisition of land that is needed for a development project.”
If a property owner does not like the offer, the MBTA will still take the land under its Chapter 161 eminent domain powers. In this case the property owner has up to three years to accept the offer, or hire an attorney and negotiate.
LaVita said the MBTA does provide relocation assistance where needed.
Unlike a number of previous meetings, land taking was not as central an issue. A majority in attendance voiced concerns regarding the EOT’s commitment to mitigating the many difficulties to be brought about by widening the existing railway and sending trains through it more than five times per hour.
Full story
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
MegaVote for Medford Massachusetts
Recent Senate Votes
Confirmation of Timothy Geithner to be Secretary of the Treasury - Vote Confirmed (60-34, 4 Not Voting)The Senate confirmed Timothy Geithner to be Secretary of the Treasury.
Sen. Edward Kennedy voted Not Voting......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. John Kerry voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (66-32, 1 Not Voting)The Senate voted to reauthorize and expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program.
Sen. Edward Kennedy voted Not Voting
Sen. John Kerry voted YES
Recent House Votes
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (250-177, 6 Not Voting)The House gave final approval to this wage discrimination measure.
Rep. Edward Markey voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (244-188, 1 Not Voting)The House passed this $819 billion bill providing for additional 2009 fiscal year appropriations.
Rep. Edward Markey voted YES
Upcoming Votes
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - H.R.1The Senate is scheduled to take up this economic stimulus bill.
Confirmation of Eric Holder to be Attorney General - The Senate is expected to vote Monday evening on the nomination of Eric Holder to be attorney general.
The DTV Delay Act - S.352The House will take up this bill delaying the switch from analog to digital television signals.
Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 - H.R.2The House will try to reconcile their SCHIP bill with the Senate bill.
MegaVote is powered by Capitol Advantage © 2009
Confirmation of Timothy Geithner to be Secretary of the Treasury - Vote Confirmed (60-34, 4 Not Voting)The Senate confirmed Timothy Geithner to be Secretary of the Treasury.
Sen. Edward Kennedy voted Not Voting......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. John Kerry voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (66-32, 1 Not Voting)The Senate voted to reauthorize and expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program.
Sen. Edward Kennedy voted Not Voting
Sen. John Kerry voted YES
Recent House Votes
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (250-177, 6 Not Voting)The House gave final approval to this wage discrimination measure.
Rep. Edward Markey voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (244-188, 1 Not Voting)The House passed this $819 billion bill providing for additional 2009 fiscal year appropriations.
Rep. Edward Markey voted YES
Upcoming Votes
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - H.R.1The Senate is scheduled to take up this economic stimulus bill.
Confirmation of Eric Holder to be Attorney General - The Senate is expected to vote Monday evening on the nomination of Eric Holder to be attorney general.
The DTV Delay Act - S.352The House will take up this bill delaying the switch from analog to digital television signals.
Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 - H.R.2The House will try to reconcile their SCHIP bill with the Senate bill.
MegaVote is powered by Capitol Advantage © 2009
State wants to extend Green Line to Mystic River
By Globe Staff
The state recommended today that the MBTA's Green Line should be extended all the way to the Mystic River, a decision that will take the trolley line a mile further into Medford than an alternative route that stopped at Tufts University.
The $600 million plan, which will require federal funding, would move Lechmere Station and extend the trolley line to the Mystic Valley Parkway, which is also known as Route 16. The station would be near Medford's border with Somerville and Arlington, a location that is within a half-mile walk of nearly 10, 000 residents. The proposal released today, however, does not include construction of a new parking facility, an addition that had been discussed.
“The Green Line Extension will advance community plans for smart growth and urban redevelopment and provide environmental justice communities with faster rides to jobs and destinations," said Transportation Secretary James Aloisi Jr. in a press release announcing the decision. The Executive Office of Transportation "is very pleased to advance this project and we will continue to work with local officials to make it very successful.”
Full story
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