By Rob Kampia POPULAR RESISTANCE / HUFFINGTON POST: I don’t often use superlatives, but it’s easy to say that 2016 will be the most significant year yet in the battle to repeal marijuana prohibition in the United States. Up until now, the two biggest years were 1996, when California became the first state to legalize […]
Year: 2015
Court OKs ex-Gov Tom Corbett’s budget and fiscal code cuts to Legislature
LEHIGH VALLEY MORNING CALL: A day after he angrily accused lawmakers of passing a “garbage” budget he then sliced to bits, Gov. Tom Wolf got a much-needed win for himself and perhaps for future governors looking for more negotiating power with the Legislature… The ruling was issued as part of a lawsuit the Senate filed […]
TSUKERMAN: New Year Lights in Moscow mask hunger
By Slava Tsukerman According to Russian official media this year, Christmas and New Year lights and decorations in Moscow are the most impressive in history. Information is not yet available about the expense, though it’s known that two years ago the cost of the Moscow festive decorations was 400 million rubles (about $13 million). […]
Countries Rush for Upper Hand in Antarctica
NEW YORK TIMES: …But an array of countries are rushing to assert greater influence here, with an eye not just toward the day those protective treaties expire, but also for the strategic and commercial opportunities that exist right now… Some of the ventures focus on the Antarctic resources that are already up for grabs, like […]
For the Wealthiest, a Private Tax System That Saves Them Billions
NEW YORK TIMES: …Moreover, each has exploited an esoteric tax loophole that saved them millions in taxes. The trick? Route the money to Bermuda and back. With inequality at its highest levels in nearly a century and public debate rising over whether the government should respond to it through higher taxes on the wealthy, […]
Capitolwire: Wolf slashes more than $6 billion from latest budget, releases some funds to schools, human service agencies.
By Kevin Zwick, Chris Comisac and Christen Smith Capitolwire HARRISBURG (Dec. 29) – With some harsh words for Republican leadership, Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed parts of the $29.7 billion GOP-structured budget sent to him last week after his preferred “framework” agreement collapsed, calling the latest proposal “an exercise in stupidity.” Wolf on Tuesday approved $23.3 billion […]
Gov. Wolf uses line-item veto on latest budget, releases emergency funding
CENTRAL PENN BUSINESS JOURNAL: Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision today to line-item veto the $30.3 billion state budget remains but a “step in the process” to a final resolution, said David Patti, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Business Council…. In total, Wolf released about $23.4 billion in funds on an emergency basis. He called on the […]
U.S. Fears Grow of a ‘Newly Awakened’ Russian Navy
DAILY BEAST COLUMN: A new report from the U.S. Navy’s intelligence branch paints a sobering picture of Putin’s increasingly aggressive fleet—and its deadly international shows of force… And while the report—which the Navy intends for public consumption—has been years in the making, recent events have underscored just how serious its findings are. It’s becoming clearer […]
Pa. Turnpike tolls are going up how much in 2016?
PENNLIVE: Tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike will be increased 6 percent for both E-ZPass and cash customers in 2016. The increase will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Jan 3. As a result, the most common toll for a car traveling one turnpike exit will increase next year from $1.09 to $1.16 for E-ZPass customers […]
[Three Presidents:] The Long History of Leading From Behind
NEWSLANC EDITOR: This is a lengthily article addressing how three presidents, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon and Barack Obama, wound down unpopular and debilitating wars. We encourage those with a scholarly bent when it comes to history to devote the necessary time. We do not necessarily concur with the author’s criticisms that the presidents did […]
Iraqi Forces Retake Center of Ramadi From ISIS
NEW YORK TIMES: Iraqi forces said on Monday they had seized a strategic government complex in the western city of Ramadi from the Islamic State after a fierce weeklong battle to retake it, following a brutal seven-month occupation by the extremist group. “The security forces have entered the governmental buildings and raised the Iraqi flags over them […]
Budget finally passed, but in Washington, not Harrisburg
By Dick Miller WE CONNECT DOTS: A government budget has finally been agreed to. Not the one in Harrisburg. Rather the Federal spending plan in Washington. A couple weeks ago, Congress, in consort with the White House, approved a $1.1 trillion appropriations bill. Our Federal government is now in no danger of running out […]
World’s Worst Airline for Customer Service
FORTUNE: … No. 7: United Airlines, Domestic It might not have taken the top spot for worst customer service, but United Airlines racked up a staggering number of complaints on our World’s Best Awards survey. Issues with seating were at the top of the list. “Bumped from paid-for first-class seats to last row in […]
Pornographic email scandal roils Pennsylvania politics
WASHINGTON POST: …Over the past 15 months, beleaguered Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane has released a steady stream of messages retrieved from a state email server that show state officials and employees trading pornographic, racist and misogynistic messages… “That’s what separates and elevates our system of justice over all others in the world. When we […]