Articles of Interest 6-27-07
MORNING UPDATE:
Lt. Governor Cherry “walks” on breaking the tie…Deal or No Deal???
Governor Granholm trying to “jam” through a tax increase for 2008.
TAXES vs REFORMS…the debate is on. Democrats are pushing for more TAXES while Republicans are pushing for REFORMS.
We DON’T have to raise taxes…hold the line and balance the budget…not the wish list.
Immigration Bill gets a second wind in the Senate…Michigan Republican Congressman Pete Hoekstra introduces a Conference Resolution that says:
“Resolved, that the House Republican Conference disapproves of the Senate immigration bill.”
House GOP Conference voted 114 to 23 to reject the Senate's Amnesty Bill.
Big Labor’s Payback bill….
http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/06/big-labor-payba.html
Union “Card Check” set for Senate action as a payoff to another Democrat special interests. First CAFE sell out…now this? Can we afford to have Democrats control Congress??? I hope folks are watching…and remember! Senate Republicans stopped it.
Economist Walter Williams provides some great food for thought as we debate tax policy and governments role in redistributing wealth:
http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/06/food-for-though.html
Here is a positive story about a small business that is actually successful! Congrats.
http://thenewsherald.com/stories/062007/aut_20070620008.shtml
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are already abandoning the “left” as they start appealing to Republicans for support. Democrat’s leading candidates apparently need to run away from the San Francisco Democrats asap! You’ve got to love it!
Red State has a post on “10 Defects” with the current immigration bill. Here is some good information to help formulate questions to ask you members of Congress:
http://www.redstate.com/stories/featured_stories/top_10_defects_of_the_amnesty_bill
Pre-summer break is a dangerous time for the legislature (state & federal) to be in session!
THE REST OF THE STORY:
- Deal or No Deal?
What happened to the Democrats in yesterday’s Senate session? At a 19-19 tie on the Senate bill to change the public employee healthcare system, Senator Mark Schauer took his vote off of the board, killing the bill-- without John Cherry having to take a position.
So, was there a deal from the Gov's office, or wasn't there? After the vote, John Cherry and Mark Schauer exchanged "heated" words, bystanders said. I wonder what that was about? Either the Lt. Governor was a YES vote and the Senate Democrats sabotaged it, or he was a NO Vote, but didn't want to be on record as a NO after the Govorner sent her letter out saying that there was a deal on this issue...so deal, or no deal?
The Democrats were not even willing to pass some of the most basic and minimal reforms yesterday. The Democrats played the worst partisan games one could imagine.
The Governor has some “great” spending programs…but the money is NOT there. We can make some basic reforms, hold the line on spending and state employee raises and if needed, make some cuts in state government. We DON’T need to raise taxes.
Talk about erratic behavior…someone needs to listen to some “leadership” tapes…or read her husbands “leadership” columns?
- The comprehensive “Immigration Bill” gets a second wind in the U.S. Senate. Despite the lack of public support for “amnesty”, Democrats with some Republicans are trying to push through a bill full of problems, loopholes and long-term consequences.
Levin votes yes and is selling us out…again! CAFE wasn’t bad enough?
Stabenow votes NO…thanks for listening to your constituents.
See what America thinks of the bill, only 22% support it:
http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/06/rasmussen-poll-.html
Check on the “cloture” vote in the Senate:
- Why is “Big Labor” afraid of giving their members the right to vote by a secret ballot?
This is little more than a “payback” to the “Big Labor” for their effort to finance Democrat congressional campaign last time around and will have devastating effects around the country.
Lucky for us, the Republicans in the U.S. Senate stopped this bill. It does make a difference who is in charge.
When you hear of tactics like this, I’m not surprised folks are looking at how to make Michigan a Right to Work state and protect workers rights from being dictated by union bosses.
- MSNBC reports that Fortune Magazine has a story about Hillary Clinton's courtship of big business, including a Bush Ranger or two. And then remind those same lefty bloggers that in Barack Obama's first TV ads, he features a GOP state legislator (who has endorsed John McCain, by the way) talking about his ability to build consensus. Seriously, there are a lot of influential folks on the left who hate when Democrats look like they are reaching out to Republicans. It will be interesting if Edwards tries to capitalize on this. Then again, both Clinton and Obama need to prove electability, so the more their GOP courtships are reported, the better for each of them -- particularly Obama, who is counting on independents (and even some Republicans) to crossover (in both Iowa and New Hampshire in particular) and vote for him in the Dem primary or caucuses.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/07/09/100121742/index.htm?postversion=2007062509 and http://iowa.barackobama.com/page/invite/juneiaads
The Republican who appears in Obama’s new ad (and who has endorsed McCain) tells the Chicago Tribune: “’Certainly I care what Republicans think, but Sen. Obama is a personal friend, someone I worked closely with on issues we’re both proud of. He’s my United States senator and I think his candidacy, whether he wins or loses, is good for Illinois and it’s good for the United States.’” http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-obama_tuesdayjun26,1,1411245.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed
Michigan Liberal and Michigan “labor” should have a lot of fun with this one!!!
Saul Anuzis
STATE STORIES
http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070626/OPINION01/706260309/1085/opinion
Published June 26, 2007
[ From Lansing State Journal ]
Party time: State's interest is participation; parties' interest is victory
A Lansing State Journal editorial
The heads of the two major political parties were before a legislative committee last week to voice their views on how Michigan should vote on presidential candidates.
As far as the Legislature is concerned, the thoughts of Republican head Saul Anuzis and Democratic leader Mark Brewer should not be relevant. They are in the business of advancing their parties; the people of Michigan's business is in getting good government.
Rather than dickering with party leaders on dates, lawmakers should be looking at what these private partisan moves cost everyone.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/NEWS06/706270349/1008
GRANHOLM TO LEGISLATORS: Is this any time to take a vacation?
Governor tells lawmakers to keep working on taxes
June 27, 2007
LANSING -- Michigan House and Senate leaders Tuesday said they won't cancel a two-week summer break next week, time Gov. Jennifer Granholm said should be spent enacting up to $1.5 billion a year in higher taxes.
Granholm, in a strongly worded letter delivered Monday evening to top lawmakers from both parties, said tax hikes had been agreed to a month ago by all sides and that "vacation is not an option."
Republicans said there was no agreement to raise taxes. Democrats said the governor's ultimatum was counterproductive. And even Granholm's lieutenant governor, John Cherry, while defending the letter's overall theme, acknowledged it contained factual errors.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/POLITICS/706270396/1022
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Gov. urges lawmakers to skip break
Granholm letter cites '08 budget agreement; GOP leader denies any deal has been reached.
Mark Hornbeck and Charlie Cain / Detroit News Lansing Bureau
LANSING -- Call it Deal or No Deal II.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm, in a confidential letter to legislative leaders that arrived Tuesday, strongly urged them to cancel their two-week summer break, slated to start next week, and remain in town to pass an agreement to raise taxes and make cuts to close the state's $1.8 billion budget deficit for next year.
"This inexcusable failure to act not only causes the Legislature to break faith with the citizens who pay our salaries and rightfully expect work to come before pleasure, but it also puts the state's recovery on hold," the letter stated.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/POLITICS/706270403/1022
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Michigan's education time bomb
Senate moves on retiree reform
School health care cuts likely as House debates bills; it's part of jockeying over state budget fix.
Ron French / The Detroit News
LANSING -- The Michigan Senate on Tuesday passed two bills that would radically reform the state's troubled school retirement system as momentum builds to address loopholes and outdated policies costing schools hundreds of millions of dollars.
The proposals would shrink the number of future school employees receiving retiree health care and increase their share of medical bills. Most of the changes would affect only new employees, but over time, the measures would rein in retiree costs burdening the state's public schools.
Similar measures are being debated in the House, with the fate of the proposals resting with budget talks under way between Gov. Jennifer Granholm and GOP leaders. According to lobbyists and legislators, Democrats would agree to the reform if Republicans vote for tax hikes to help close the 2008 budget deficit.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/POLITICS/706270368/1022
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Anti-smoking bill draws both sides
Cancer victims, bar and restaurant owners tell their tales before state lawmakers at hearing.
Gary Heinlein / Detroit News Lansing Bureau
LANSING -- Lawmakers heard touching testimony about cancer victims and free-choice pleas from business owners Tuesday during the second hearing on a broad anti-smoking bill.
The legislation would prohibit smoking in bars and restaurants, where it's now permitted. House Commerce Committee Chairman Andrew Meisner, D-Ferndale, plans one more hearing before sending it to the House floor.
Many owners of hotels, bars and restaurants oppose it, but they're bucking a trend. At least 31 states are smoke-free. Ireland banned smoking in public places three years ago. France, England, Scotland and Italy are following suit, according to Dr. Kenneth Warner, dean of the University of Michigan's School of Public Health.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/LIFESTYLE03/706270339/1022
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Hospitals to ban smoking outside
Sofia Kosmetatos / The Detroit News
Beginning Sunday, five major health systems in Metro Detroit will ban smoking and the use of tobacco products on their campuses.
Visitors, patients and employees will not be able to smoke anywhere on the campuses of the Detroit Medical Center, Henry Ford Health System, Oakwood Healthcare System, St. John Health and Beaumont Hospitals.
The effort is part of a statewide initiative by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association to make all hospitals smoke-free by 2008. More than 30 of the association's 146 member hospitals have gone smoke-free, and 82 have committed to do so by January.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/OPINION01/706270325/1008
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Spare state's students from oppressive tuition
The Detroit News
Michigan cannot continue to follow the self-destructive cycle of slashing public support to its universities and passing along appallingly high tuition hikes to college students.
This pattern has been repeated for the past five state budgets, and it looks like it will be the case again this year. Several schools are already predicting another round of double-digit tuition hikes if anticipated funding from the state is reduced.
Michigan is tied with Colorado for cutting taxpayer support of its 15 public colleges by more than any other state except Missouri.
The burden of supporting the university system has shifted more heavily to students and their parents. During the past four years, tuition has climbed 37 percent statewide and is now the fifth-highest in the nation.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/NEWS06/706270379/1008
MSU gets grant for biofuels
Its aim is to steer ethanol away from corn
June 27, 2007
Corn is king of biofuel -- for now.
But a $50-million federal grant to Michigan State University aims to dethrone the kernel and turn tall grasses, trees and other growing things into cheap fuel to power vehicles, possibly within a decade.
Elated MSU officials and Gov. Jennifer Granholm predict the research will spawn thousands of Michigan jobs and put the university at the center of a national effort to wean the country from foreign oil, and oil in general.
"Maybe tomorrow we don't lower the price of gas, but, over the long haul, you better believe it will," said Granholm at a news conference at MSU's grass research center. "And it will make us less dependent on oil in the Middle East."
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/SCHOOLS/706270308/1022/POLITICS
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Angry parents protest special education changes
Mark Hornbeck / Detroit News Lansing Bureau
LANSING -- Special education parents, angry about rule changes they say will cut programs for their children, shouted down State Board of Education President Kathleen Straus during a rally today on the Capitol lawn.
Straus attempted to explain that the state board and the Department of Education are committed to special education and have no intention of trimming services.
Parents are opposed to scuttling a provision that automatically gives students with severe impairments an extended school year -- 230 days instead of the standard 180 days.
State education officials say federal rule changes require that the 50 days must be open to any student who could benefit and not restricted to a particular group of students. The state will lose $400 million if it doesn't comply with the federal rules, state officials said.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/COL06/706270420/1081/COL
How UAW, Delphi cut uneasy peace
Supplier survival hinges on vote
June 27, 2007
UAW President Ron Gettelfinger is still so furious with Delphi Corp. and its executive chairman, Steve Miller, that he couldn't bring himself to mention either party by name when he tersely announced the tentative contract deal that workers are to vote on today and Thursday.
Rather, the UAW leader said his union had "finalized an understanding with General Motors" that resulted in a deal with GM's "former parts operations" -- otherwise known as Delphi, the corporate name too foul for Gettelfinger even to mention last week.
http://www.mlive.com/news/flintjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-44/1182873092243190.xml&coll=5
Taking another look at two-tier work force
FLINT
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
By Todd Seibt
tseibt@flintjournal.com • 810.766.6315
FLINT - As the UAW, Delphi Corp. and General Motors move into a slightly less murky future with their newest deal, here's an important fact to recall: Two-tier started here.
Back in 2001, Delphi Flint East stood to lose some jobs to Mexico making the Segway Human Transporter.
But in a controversial and widely criticized move, UAW Local 651 shop chairman Rod Uhelski and President Steve Dawes helped get contract language that brought in about 17 lower-paid workers to help make Segway parts.
At the time, Cal Rapson was director of UAW Region 1-C and in charge of union locals in Flint and across mid-Michigan.
http://www.mlive.com/news/flintjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-44/118286943787270.xml&coll=5
Delphi details
FLINT
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Journal Staff Writer
When Delphi Corp. entered bankruptcy in October 2005, it already had a mantra of "fix, sell or close" for many of its North American sites. Today, the words "keep, sell, footprint and wind down" essentially mean the same things, with some twists:
"Keep sites" that Delphi will own and operate are:
· Kokomo, Ind.
http://www.mlive.com/business/saginawnews/index.ssf?/base/business-2/1182867643315240.xml&coll=9
Pact review mixed
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
JEAN SPENNER
THE SAGINAW NEWS
For years, the United Auto Workers fought hard for good wages and a safe work environment.
Now some Delphi Corp. workers are wondering what for.
"It doesn't look good," said Steve Schwab, 42, an electrician at Delphi Steering, as he left a Monday meeting where union leaders explained a tentative agreement to members.
"Seventy years of struggles, and it's gone in a few months," said Schwab of Richville, who has eight years of seniority.
"I don't need a union to negotiate concessions. I can do that myself."
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-36/1182858924211220.xml&coll=6
Delphi plan reportedly includes local investement
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
By Chris Knape
The Grand Rapids Press
WYOMING -- A proposed wage-cutting deal between Delphi Corp. and the UAW includes assurances of $22.5 million in capital investments in the company's Wyoming plant and the promise of new work from General Motors, according to documents posted on a labor Web site.
Wyoming's valve lifter plant is one of only four UAW-represented Delphi plants that will remain open under the new deal, according to the documents posted on soldiersofsolidarity.com.
Soldiers of Solidarity leader Gregg Shotwell, a former Delphi worker who now works at GM's Wyoming stamping plant, said he expects the deal to pass.
http://www.mlive.com/news/flintjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-44/118286941487270.xml&coll=5
Flint East's future Delphi deal includes new work at Flint site
FLINT
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
By Todd Seibt
tseibt@flintjournal.com • 810.766.6315
FLINT - The memorandum of understanding between the UAW, Delphi Corp. and General Motors is 46 pages of juicy details.
And none contains more local juice than pages 36 and 37.
That's where the union, the automotive parts maker and the automaker sketch out a future for Delphi Flint East, Delphi's main presence in Genesee County.
The main points of the four-year deal, as it affects Delphi Flint East:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/OPINION01/706270328/1069
Tax breaks benefit all at 8 and Woodward
June 27, 2007
There's little to criticize in a bill by state Sen. Buzz Thomas, D-Detroit, that would use tax incentives to turn vacant land at the southeast corner of Woodward and 8 Mile into a bustling retail center with up to 700 jobs.
The state Senate unanimously approved the bill last week; the House, scheduled to vote on the plan today, ought to do the same. It would create, next to the Michigan State Fairgrounds, the biggest retail project in Detroit in 40 years.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/OPINION01/706270318/1008
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Reviving Metro Detroit
Showcase creativity in Detroit to grow region
Brian J. Boyle
Economic development research continues to highlight the importance of "place" in the new economy. According to a study by national think tank CEOs for Cities, nearly 70 percent of highly mobile 25 to 34 year olds with a college degree say they will decide where to live first, then find a job. Furthermore, the 2006 Michigan Futures report indicated that high-prosperity metropolitan areas have core central cities with high concentrations of creative talent.
Is Detroit competitive as a place creative talent wants to be? To succeed in the new economy, this answer must be YES.
The online magazines Model D and MetroMode feel fortunate to be part of a growing next generation of creative companies that are flourishing in Detroit. Together with Rick Rogers, president of the College for Creative Studies, I am leading an initiative to measurably grow southeast Michigan's creative sector economy further.
http://www.mlive.com/news/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/news-9/1182871020139800.xml&coll=4
Millage plan would lower sewer rates, increase property taxes
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
By SCOTT E. PACHECO
TIMES WRITER
Bay City residents would trade lower sewer rates for increased property taxes under a plan that could be on the Nov. 6 ballot.
City Manager Robert V. Belleman says the ballot issue would give residents the option to support sewer system improvements through the introduction of a millage - or keep funding them through sewer rates.
The benefit to ratepayers, Belleman said, would be lower sewer rates, allocating costs based on property values - a one-time payment during July tax season - as well as the option of a tax write-off for the assessed portion of their annual bill.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/NEWS10/706270374/1008/NEWS06
Road ahead is full of potholes
Transportation funding shortfall looms long-term
June 27, 2007
If you think Michigan's roads are bad now, just wait a few years.
The number of major state roads and bridges in good condition will peak over the next year or two, then steadily decline over the next 20 years as the state grapples with a $44-billion shortfall in transportation funding, according to a study the Michigan Department of Transportation released Tuesday.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070626/BUSINESS06/706260323
It's back to business for hard-driving DeVos
June 26, 2007
GRAND RAPIDS -- Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos is talking closets.
Months after his loss to Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the 51-year-old is focusing his energy on Windquest Companies Inc., which he and wife, Betsy DeVos, started in 1989.
Windquest sells systems and kits that help people better organize their closets, garages, basements and other places prone to clutter.
With 130 employees, the privately held firm with a manufacturing facility in Holland is much smaller than industry leader California Closet. But now DeVos, son of billionaire Amway Corp. cofounder Rich DeVos, is working on growing the firm.
He said he has signed a letter of intent to purchase a U.S. firm that makes similar organizing products. DeVos doesn't want to identify the company, but adds: "It will mean bringing more manufacturing jobs into Michigan."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070626/BUSINESS01/70626027/1008/NEWS06
Miller fights back when senator slams automakers
June 26, 2007
WASHINGTON – Michigan Congresswoman Candice Miller had some strong words for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid this morning, following the Nevada Democrat’s comments on the need for a fuel efficiency bill Detroit’s automakers say could devastate them.
Speaking on the House floor this morning, Miller, a Republican, said she was appalled when Reid asked senators to vote for the bill and said they should “speak for the American people, not for the three car companies that are closing plants and laying off people.”
http://www.mlive.com/news/statewide/index.ssf?/base/news-8/1182903015230960.xml&coll=1
Dingell shakes off `dinosaur' charge
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
By Sarah Kellogg
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. John Dingell should move off his perch on Capitol Hill and take up residence in Jurassic Park.
That's the message from MoveOn.Org, which launched a radio attack ad against the Dearborn Democrat Tuesday. The Internet lobbying group claims he's a "dinosaur" when it comes to reversing global warming, calling him a "Dingell-saurus."
"It has nothing to do with his age," said Ilyse Hogue, campaign director for MoveOn.Org. "It has to do with his old and tired vision. His vision on energy policy is like a fossil; it's a relic. He needs to evolve or step out of the way."
http://www.mlive.com/news/annarbornews/index.ssf?/base/news-23/118286887942870.xml&coll=2
An awkward close to a gesture of goodwill Katrina transplants told to leave house
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
BY AMY WHITESALL
News Staff Reporter
A year and a half ago, it all seemed so simple.
Westminster Presbyterian Church had a vacant rental house on property next to the church. Tony Hicks, who lost his New Orleans home to Hurricane Katrina, needed a place where he and his five grandchildren could stay and begin rebuilding their lives.
But what started as an ambitious goodwill gesture has left the Ann Arbor church in an awkward position and Hicks and his family running out of time to find a new home.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070626/NEWS06/70626048/1008/NEWS06
Iraqi minister in Mich. seeking asylum from religious persecution
June 26, 2007
MARSHALL, Mich. -- A Presbyterian minister from Iraq who is working for the next month in Michigan is seeking asylum in this country from religious persecution.
Jonah Salim, 31, arrived in the United States in November. He came to Michigan on May 31 after serving at churches in North Carolina and Ohio.
For the next few weeks, he is working as an international mission partner at First Presbyterian Church of Marshall, which allows him to retain his status as a religious worker and remain in this country.
"In order to stay, I have to work in a church," Salim recently told the Battle Creek Enquirer.
Because he is a Christian minister, he says it's not safe for him to return to his native Iraq.
NATIONAL STORIES
http://www.opinionjournal.com/federation/feature/?id=110010262
Two's Company
Third-party candidates never win, and 2008 won't be any different.
BY JOSHUA SPIVAK
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 12:01 a.m. EDT
With the news that he has dropped his Republican affiliation, New York City's Mayor Michael Bloomberg continues to play a public game of flirting with an independent presidential run. This meshes with the years-long speculation that a noted political figure, be it the self-financing Mr. Bloomberg or someone else, like the antiwar Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, will jump into the 2008 presidential race with either an independent or third-party bid. Pundits argue that for a host of different reasons, such as the growth of Internet fund raising or the mood of the country or because of the impending death of the campaign finance system, now is the time that a third-party candidate has a chance of winning.
While this election may be different from its predecessors, we can be sure that it will not be because of a third-party victor. There is the same infinitesimal chance for a successful third-party run as there has been for nearly 100 years. And every smart politician knows this.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/POLITICS/706270379/1022
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Senate revives debate on immigration
But some of amendments to be voted on could divide the fragile coalition that supports the measure.
Jennifer A. Dlouhy / Hearst Newspapers
WASHINGTON -- Supporters of immigration reform won a big victory Tuesday when the Senate voted 64-35 to resume debate on a bill that would give millions of illegal immigrants a chance to become U.S. citizens.
But bill supporters -- including President Bush -- face big obstacles later this week as the Senate votes on as many as 24 amendments before deciding whether to approve the final version of the sweeping immigration measure and send it to the House.
Jun 27, 6:32 AM EDT
Bush seeks overhaul of immigration law
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush, short on political capital and time, is devoting much of what's left of his term in office to getting an immigration deal.
Starting with an April 9 speech in Arizona, in which he talked tough about border security and prodded Congress to get moving, Bush has staged a dozen immigration events. That's not counting his four radio addresses on the topic in that time, or his phone calls to lawmakers, or his bold prediction that he'd see reporters at the bill-signing for a bill that seemed dead.
His agenda reflects that immigration is a White House priority for multiple reasons.
It is deeply important to the president, a former Texas governor who sees the status quo on immigration as a failure for the nation and a looming disaster for his party. It is seen as a major legislative victory within reach. And it is seen as urgent - now or never for him, most likely.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070626/NATION/106260076/1001
Immigration bill faces rough road
By Stephen Dinan, S.A. Miller and Christina Bellantoni
June 26, 2007
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
The White House says it has the votes to resurrect the immigration bill on the Senate floor today, though enough senators said they may change their minds in other votes later this week to leave the bill's ultimate fate in doubt.
To pass the Senate, the bill must earn 60 votes today, survive a series of amendments, earn 60 votes in a follow-up vote likely to come Thursday, and then pass with majority support — all difficult tests on an issue that deeply divides both parties, and American voters.
June 26, 2007
Read More: Immigration
One more potential roadblock for Senate immigration measure
House Republicans are set to vote on a measure Tuesday afternoon rejecting the Senate immigration bill shortly after the upper chamber votes whether to proceed on that debate in yet another hurdle for backers of a comprehensive overhaul.
Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-Mich.) offered the resolution in a closed-door meeting of Republican House members on Tuesday morning, surprising many of the lawmakers present.
Leaders were eventually forced to postpone an internal vote because not enough members were in attendance, but they are expected to address the question later this afternoon when more lawmakers can show up.
Jun 27, 3:24 AM EDT
Immigration amendment aimed at day labor
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Home Depot is tired of being forced by local governments to accommodate the day laborers who turn up in its store parking lots seeking construction work. So the Georgia-based company turned to Congress for help.
The Senate could respond this week by attaching language to the immigration bill that would prohibit city councils from requiring home improvement stores to pay for shelters or other services to help maintain orderly day labor sites.
The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., is designed to curtail a practice in the California communities of Mountain View and Burbank, where city councils recently have forced Home Depot to build facilities for day laborers onsite or elsewhere, hire security staff and offer bathrooms in order to get the permits necessary for its operations.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IMMIGRATION_CONGRESS?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Jun 27, 3:54 AM EDT
Immigration bill advances in Senate
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate resurrected the immigration bill that could legalize millions of unlawful immigrants Tuesday, but the delicate compromise faces the same threats that derailed it earlier this month.
The White House and Republican and Democratic architects of the bill hailed the crucial test vote that revived the legislation, and they predicted approval of the measure by week's end.
Their victory was fleeting, though, giving way just hours later to stalling tactics by GOP foes. Conservatives succeeded in delaying until Wednesday consideration of a package of amendments designed to pave the way for a final vote on the bill.
They did so by using Senate rules to insist that the entire 373-page package be read aloud, relenting only when Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., agreed to postpone action on the amendments.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YzgzYjZiOTI2MWE0NmUwOGRmYWNjMzMwZjBmZjg5ODk
June 26, 2007 1:30 AM
Grand Amnesty
Senators, just say “nay.”
By Matthew Spalding
Amnesty, make no mistake about it, is the cornerstone of the Senate’s immigration bill. Despite its many pages and provisions, the legislation guarantees one thing only: that a population of individuals defined solely on the basis of their illegal status will receive legal status and a privileged path to permanent residency and citizenship.
Everything else in the bill — border security, worker verification, the temporary-worker plan, a new merit-based immigration system — would be contingent on future political decisions. A few amendments around the edges will not change this overriding fact.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110010263
Immigration and the GOP
How to make Republicans a minority party once again.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 12:01 a.m. EDT
Immigration reform stayed alive in the Senate yesterday, albeit not without continuing rancor among Republicans. Restrictionists seem to believe the issue will harm the GOP if it succeeds, but we think the political reality is closer to the opposite: The greater danger for Republicans is if it fails.
We've written often about the merits of immigration reform, and we have our own problems with parts of the Senate bill. But it's worth spending some time on the larger politics of the issue, especially for Republicans. They're caught between a passionate minority of their party--who oppose any reform that allows illegals a path to citizenship--and the larger electorate, which is more moderate and wants to solve the problem. Like Democrats on national security, this is a classic case in which pandering to the base will harm the GOP overall.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/POLITICS/706270390/1022
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Priority union bill blocked in Senate
Legislation would let labor groups use signed cards to organize workplaces instead of secret-ballot voting.
Jesse J. Holland / Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked a bill that would have allowed labor organizations to unionize workplaces without secret ballot elections.
Democrats were unable to get the 60 votes they needed to force consideration of the Employee Free Choice Act, ending labor's opportunity to win its top legislative priority from Congress.
The final vote was 51-48.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., had said for months that he would stop the legislation. The White House also made clear that the bill would be vetoed if it passed Congress.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/AUTO01/706270401/1022/POLITICS
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Cerberus fights fuel bill, warns it will doom Chrysler
David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON -- Top executives from Cerberus Capital Management, buyer-in-waiting of DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group, are aggressively lobbying lawmakers in a bid to block fuel economy legislation they say could cripple Chrysler.
Cerberus CEO Stephen A. Feinberg and Chairman John Snow have blitzed Capitol Hill in recent weeks, with the usually reclusive Feinberg making at least two trips to meet with more than a dozen lawmakers.
"They are very engaged," Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, said Tuesday.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/OPINION01/706270322/1008
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Energy bill may gouge consumers
Price controls, taxes would curtail oil exploration and hurt workers
Mark J. Perry
Despite good intentions, Congress is about to make a huge error in consumer protection and energy security if a House-Senate conference committee ends up approving energy legislation that increases taxes on oil companies and makes gas-price gouging a criminal offense.
Price controls and taxing our way to energy security backfired in the 1970s, draining billions of dollars from domestic oil and natural gas development, and they won't work now.
New taxes would prove counterproductive in light of the tremendous capital investment that the oil and natural gas industry needs to meet rising U.S. energy demand.