Search query: alaska

Earlier this week, the Independent Voter Network profiled four California State Senate races that should be on every Independent voter’s elections watch list. The races surrounding the 80 State Assembly seats up for grabs this year in California promise to be equally exciting. Under the newly drawn district lines, 35 of these seats are currently open with no sitting incumbent. The top two vote-getters on June 5th, regardless of party, will advance to a runoff in November. Due to California’s p

The U.S. Census Bureau released their 2011 Annual Survey of State Government Tax Collections report today, showing state revenue from taxes increased across the board last year. Overall, states brought in $763.7 billion in fiscal year 2011, an increase of $62.1 billion in tax collection. "The nationwide increases in state government tax revenue are an indication of the stabilization of revenues for state governments," said Lisa Blumerman, chief of the Governments Division. "These data help us

We oft hear from those who doubt the climate is changing or the world is older than a mere six thousand years that it is arrogant to presume that we mere humans could possibly have an affect upon our planet. It is, after all, a big place that has experienced many changes down through the eons, and the thought that we could "destroy" it, or make uninhabitable to humans, is generally unfathomable. Fathom this, climate change and pine bark beetles... For the past (at least) twenty-five thousand ye

The US Supreme Court will hold hearings this week on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Obama’s health care plan. The lawsuit was filed by twenty six states, four small business owners, and the proudly ferocious National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB.)  The lawsuit contends the federal government does not have the authority to order people and businesses to buy health insurance (and face fines if they don’t.)  The hearings will surely be closely watched. Indeed, the future

Only time will tell how much AB 32 will actually cost California. Since our landmark global warming bill passed in 2006 there has been no shortage of guessing about the costs and benefits of mandating greenhouse gas reductions on California's economy. Now all the rules are in place and experts are sharpening their pencils and assessing the outlook. The most recent regulation, cap and trade, requires manufacturing facilities, refineries, and large public agencies to hold “allowances” for their e

Little commentary is needed on the uncomfortably high prices we’ve been paying at the pump the past several weeks. When it comes to filling up, anything above $4 a gallon seems rather indulgent. So what factors have contributed to this current spike in gas prices? According to AAA Oil Price Information Service, the price of retail gasoline has risen to an average $3.842 per gallon in the U.S. This is a record high for this time of year, with gas prices rising by nearly 57 cents per gallon since

At a time in the presidential election cycle when Republican candidates traditionally draw stark distinctions between themselves and their Democratic rivals, Ron Paul is following a different tactic by highlighting a 'nearness of position' between himself and incumbent President Obama. Of course, no one has ever accused the dark horse hopeful of running a conventional campaign. Paul, when asked to respond to comments made by the president at Tuesday's White House press conference, told CNN that

Winning 6 states, including the critical state of Ohio, Mitt Romney won the most Super Tuesday contests last night, followed by Santorum's 3 wins, Gingrich's single win in his home state of Georgia, while Ron Paul still awaits his first primary win. The combative nature of the primary season, however, is taking a toll on the Republican Party.  Speaking of the elongated primary race, pollster Peter Hart states, “The primaries have not raised the stature of the party, nor enhanced the appeal of th

With 437 GOP delegates up for grabs, Republican presidential hopefuls gear up for Super Tuesday, when 10 states will hold primaries or caucuses. While Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum battle against each other in multiple states, popular opinion is that Ohio will be the state to watch. The state has 66 delegates up for grabs. Perhaps more importantly, no Presidential nominee has continued on to win the office without being the victor in Ohio. Results in the state could thus greatly illustrate gener

Preparing for the last stop before Super Tuesday, the Republican presidential candidates head to Washington to campaign before Saturday's caucuses. The caucuses will be open, meaning anyone registered in the state can vote in tomorrow's caucuses. The Washington Post explains: Saturday’s GOP caucuses in Washington state are open to voters from either party, as are six of the 10 states that have contests on Super Tuesday: Alaska, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia. On the ca