(Reuters) - Congressional Republicans on Wednesday will stage their first outright challenge to 2010's Dodd-Frank financial regulation reforms with a fistful of bills favoring private equity firms, derivatives end-users and corporate CEOs.
After months of trying to defund and defang Dodd-Frank at the administrative level, Republicans are finally unveiling draft legislation that would repeal or amend parts of the laws approved after the severe 2007-2009 financial crisis.
The bills face a long road ahead. Republicans may be able to obtain House passage, perhaps with Democratic support on some issues. But Senate action could be hard to come by and the Obama administration could veto any measure it opposes.
"It's the first direct assault," said a congressional aide. "Up until now it's been about trying to deprive the agencies of what they need to implement Dodd-Frank."
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Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Madison County Considering forming Regional Solid Waste Managment Authority
The Madison County Board of Supervisors continue the process of setting up a Regional Solid Waste Management Authority by voting 4-1 during Wednesday's meeting to hire a consultant to prepare related documents. The estimated cost for this is $30,000 which is not currently budgeted.
This new bureaucratic organization is supposed to provide "efficiencies."
On Oct 1, 2009, Madison County took over garbage collection requiring the purchase of 6 new garbage trucks at nearly a $1 million. Previously, a contractor, Red River, had the contract and picked up the garbage with 12 employees. The County needs 23 to do the job and the County doesn't have all the areas that are now annexed by the City of Madison and Ridgeland. Red River did all that area plus what the County is now responsible for!
In Sept 2008, Supervisor Tim Johnson defended/argued for the tax increase saying we were wasting $1 million a year on the privatized garbage collection.
Well, in Sept 2009, when the 2010 budget was prepared, instead of saving a $1M as promised, $500,000 (1/2 mil) had to be added to Solid Waste. This money was taken from the Road and Bridge account, which reduced funds going to County roads and the municipalities, and created 1/2mil tax reduction for property owners in the municipalities! A loss of precious revenues that were greatly needed.
So, the point is that we had great "efficiencies" when the garbage collection was privatized. Now, there is a proposal to form a Regional Solid Waste Management Authority who will be responsible to no one -- and they are supposed to provide "efficiencies".... Give us a break!
Wonder why one of these is needed in Madison County since we have no shortage of landfills? There are other "authorities" in the State... but, each was established where there was a need for such an organization due to shortage of landfills.
So, what would be the motivation to have an "authority" in Madison County? What are the benefits? What existing problems would be corrected with such an organization.
Assault on the EPA
No agency is in GOP crosshairs quite like it. Under siege on many fronts, the Environmental Protection Agency is in for a long haul and destined to be a hot button in the presidential campaign.
On Monday the House Energy and Commerce committee began work on blocking EPA regulation of greenhouse gas, a proposal that could also gain traction in the Senate because many Democrats, such as Nebraska's Ben Nelson, are expected to back it. The current 3-week extension of stop-gap funding to avoid a federal shutdown includes EPA funding cuts.
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On Monday the House Energy and Commerce committee began work on blocking EPA regulation of greenhouse gas, a proposal that could also gain traction in the Senate because many Democrats, such as Nebraska's Ben Nelson, are expected to back it. The current 3-week extension of stop-gap funding to avoid a federal shutdown includes EPA funding cuts.
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Barbour’s press secretary resigns amid e-mail flap
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour has accepted the resignation of his press secretary, just hours after it was reported that the spokesman sent e-mails with off-color jokes about issues ranging from the earthquake in Japan to former attorney general Janet Reno.
“Gov. Haley Barbour has accepted Dan Turner’s resignation as press secretary,” read a brief statement from Barbour’s office. “Laura Hipp will now serve in that capacity.”
Post reporter Karen Tumulty, who happens to be traveling with the potential GOP presidential candidate today, said the governor disavowed any prior knowledge of the e-mails and said he didn’t know of the controversy until he was asked.
“First I’ve heard of it,” he said at the time, before Turner’s resignation was announced.
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“Gov. Haley Barbour has accepted Dan Turner’s resignation as press secretary,” read a brief statement from Barbour’s office. “Laura Hipp will now serve in that capacity.”
Post reporter Karen Tumulty, who happens to be traveling with the potential GOP presidential candidate today, said the governor disavowed any prior knowledge of the e-mails and said he didn’t know of the controversy until he was asked.
“First I’ve heard of it,” he said at the time, before Turner’s resignation was announced.
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Suzi Parker: Will Sarah Palin run as an Independent candidate?
Sarah Palin talks a lot about the Tea Party.
Palin, unlike any failed vice presidential candidate before her, has taken an opportunity and spun it into a gold mine. But to remain relevant in a crowded 2012 field of attention-seeking veteran politicians, Palin may have to make an unconventional move.
Although third-party candidates seldom win in America's two-party system, they can certainly rain on political parades. At the same time, they can help down-ballot candidates by getting voters to the polls who might otherwise stay at home.
Palin certainly has many of the qualities of a third-party candidate – charismatic and passionate, with a status as an outsider intent on storming the barricades of the establishment.
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Palin, unlike any failed vice presidential candidate before her, has taken an opportunity and spun it into a gold mine. But to remain relevant in a crowded 2012 field of attention-seeking veteran politicians, Palin may have to make an unconventional move.
Although third-party candidates seldom win in America's two-party system, they can certainly rain on political parades. At the same time, they can help down-ballot candidates by getting voters to the polls who might otherwise stay at home.
Palin certainly has many of the qualities of a third-party candidate – charismatic and passionate, with a status as an outsider intent on storming the barricades of the establishment.
Read More
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