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The Daily Muck
Congress will look for ways to stop midnight regulations passed by the Bush administration. Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) join Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) in the fight to block regulations. Wyden, as the chair of a subcommittee on natural resources, has said he wants to focus on stopping rules allowing uranium mining near the Grand Canyon and making it easier for coal companies to dump mine waste in streams and valleys. (The New York Times)
The Mayor of Baltimore was indicted on Friday for 12 counts relating to theft and perjury. Sheila Dixon is accused of using gift cards meant for the poor to buy clothing and gadgets for herself. A conviction on any one of the counts would necessitate her removal from office under Maryland's constitution. (Associated Press)
Ten percent of Guantanamo detainees are now being force-fed, as a new hunger strike begins. The new strike was likely spurred by the upcoming seven-year anniversary of the prison. Detainees are also upset at witnessing Osama Bin Laden's driver released while they remain held without being charged of any crime. 25 of 250 detainees are currently being fed through tubes in their noses. (Miami Herald)
An associate of the state Treasurer of Massachusetts stands to profit personally from business dealings with the Massachusetts state government. Thomas Kelly could make as much as $2.4 million from a deal between the state lottery and a gaming company that he represents. Secretary of State William Galvin is investigating the legality of Kelly's association with both Treasurer Tim Cahill and his work as a potentially unregistered lobbyist for Bingo Innovative. (The Boston Globe)
The chairman of the Senate Banking Committee has put his foot down on conditions for the bailout. Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) will not allow any more money to be given out to banks unless limits on executive compensation and aid for struggling homeowners are attached. Dodd's comments come amid widespread criticism that too much money has already been given to the Treasury Department with too little oversight. (Reuters)
Josh
Zachary
I was a long time Baltimore resident and used to follow Baltimore politics closely. Sheila Dixon's first act as city council president was to bang her shoe on the dais of the city council chamber and declare that the "shoe is on the other foot now."
She was not the first black city council president. And Baltimore had already elected a black mayor. It was however the first time the city council had a black majority.
Steeling gift cards for poor kids shows about the same level of class.
January 12, 2009 10:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm glad Dodd wants to improve the bank bailout, but is it worth it? It's been such a failure and confidence is so low, I'd rather see the same money be part of the stimulus. Use it to pay construction companies instead. Buy a bunch of those electric cars we want US auto companies to build.
January 12, 2009 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink