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Stories we’re following from around the web…
SLATE – Gay Marriage Challenged in MD
Maryland Conservatives have collected double the required 55,000+ signatures required to put an anti-gay marriage referendum on their November ballot. MD legislators had passed a law that would have allowed gay marriage in the state beginning in 2013.
LA Times – TX Republican Senate Primary Needs Run-Off
Neither Lt. Gov. Dewhurst and Tea Party Member Ted Cruz gather a majority of votes in yesterday’s primary. They are running to replace Kay Hutchison, one of only 17 female Senators.
AP – President Obama has called Mitt Romney to congratulate him on securing the GOP nomination…
POLITICO – GOP Senators May Be Open to New Taxes
With another budget and debt deal looming this summer, Congress is stepping away from its anti-tax position as a bargaining chip for reforming entitlement programs.
NY Times – Planned Parenthood Will Run Biggest Campaign Against Romney
Romney took drastic steps to convince social conservatives that he was worth their vote during the primary season, now he has a target on his back. This move signals a coming shift for campaigns and PAC’s toward women’s issues.
Roll Call – SCOTUS Will Discuss State Challenge to Citizens United in June
The Supreme Court will decide whether it will hear arguments on a case from Montana where the State restricted corporate political spending post-Citizens United. The State ban dates back to the early 1900s and directly opposes the Citizens United holding.
Huff Po – Zuckerberg off Bloomberg Billionaires List as Stock Slides
Facebook stock has plummeted almost $10/share since its opening on May 18. The drop in value has taken a substantial hit on private investors and its own founder.
Slate – Charles Taylor First Person Sentenced by ICC
Former Liberian President Charles Taylor was sentenced to 50 years in prison for crimes against humanity. The charges relate to his arming of rebels from Sierra Leone in exchange for blood diamonds. This is the first time that a former head of state has been convicted in an international court since the Nuremburg trials.
POLITICO – Obama Numbers Drop as Attacks Rise
President Obama is watching his poll numbers drop to a 1.6 pt lead over Romney after a healthy 6 pt lead during the GOP primary race. The drop also correlates to a rise in attack ads against Mitt Romney that have appeared between polls.
Sydney Morning Herald – Assange Will Likely Be Extradited
WikiLeaks Founder, Julian Assange, lost his appeal today in connection to a possible extradition to Sweden. He is charged with sexual offenses and the warrant for his arrest was found legal. His only recourse now is the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
Mike’s Lunch – “You know, that sandwich place” (Capriotti’s)