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U.S. Senate Approves Two-Week Spending Measure to Stave Off Shutdown

Submitted by Kevin Derby on March 2, 2011 - 12:07pm

The U.S. Senate has passed a spending resolution that will keep the government funded for another two weeks. The measure, which cuts about $4 billion in spending in that time, passed through the House earlier this week. It now heads to President Barack Obama's desk for his signature to avoid a government shutdown after Friday.

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Westboro Baptist Church Wins Free-Speech Case at Supreme Court

Submitted by Anonymous on March 2, 2011 - 11:51am

A fringe Baptist church that has picketed in Florida and a dozen other states scored a key legal victory Wednesday when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the group could demonstrate near military funerals.

The justices ruled 8-1 that the Westboro Baptist Church was exercising legitimate free-speech rights with its "God hates fags" message.

Justice Samuel Alito dissented, saying free speech shouldn't be "a license for vicious verbal assault."

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Thad Altman: 'Mini Mica' or Voice of Reason?

Kenric Ward

March 1, 2011 - 6:00pm

However, the Florida Supreme Court rules on state Sen. Thad Altman's case against Gov. Rick Scott, the Melbourne Republican has virtually assured himself another GOP fight when he stands for re-election in 2012.

"Thad Altman's chance for a primary challenger is 100 percent," said a Tallahassee-based Republican strategist speaking on background.

Though a dozen GOP senators signed a letter in support of the controversial high-speed rail venture, none of those Republicans signed on to Altman's lawsuit, which he filed with Democratic Sen. Arthenia Joyner.

2012 Around the Corner, Mitt Romney Continues to Build in Florida

Kevin Derby

March 1, 2011 - 6:00pm

Federal Government Shutdown Avoided for at Least Two Weeks

Submitted by Kevin Derby on March 2, 2011 - 7:36am

The U.S. House passed a spending measure on Tuesday that will keep the federal government open for the next two weeks.

Freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland praised the Houses actions, noting that it saved taxpayers $4 billion.

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Sandy Adams Takes Aim at Obama Energy Policies

Submitted by Kevin Derby on March 2, 2011 - 7:30am

Freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams took aim at President Barack Obama on Tuesday, hammering his administration on energy. Adams maintained that the president needed to be open to more energy options, including increased oil drilling.

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Mike Haridopolos Backing Rick Scott on High-Speed Rail Funds Lawsuit

Submitted by Kevin Derby on March 2, 2011 - 7:17am

Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, weighed in on the lawsuit offered by Sen. Thad Altman, R-Melbourne, and Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, against Gov. Rick Scotts rejection of federal funds for high-speed rail.

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Oscar Braynon Wins Big in Special Election; Headed to State Senate

Submitted by Kevin Derby on March 2, 2011 - 7:12am

No surprise from the special election on Tuesday night as former Rep. Oscar Braynon cruised to victory to claim the Senate seat that had been held by fellow Democrat Frederica Wilson before her election to Congress. Braynon won the seat, which represents parts of Miami-Dade County, over Republican candidate former North Miami Mayor Joe Celestin. Braynon took 73.6 percent of the vote, easily routing Celestin who stood at 26.4 percent.

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Rick Scott: Senators' Lawsuit Shows 'Disrespect for Taxpayers'

Submitted by Kevin Derby on March 2, 2011 - 7:05am

Gov. Rick Scott, who has until later on Wednesday to file a response, fired back at Sen. Thad Altman, R-Melbourne, and Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, who sued him to accept federal funds for a high-speed rail project.

My position remains unchanged, Ive yet to see any evidence that Florida taxpayers would not be on the hook, said Scott late on Tuesday. Senators Altman and Joyners disrespect for taxpayers is clear by their lawsuit trying to force the state to spend this money.

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ABC Hates Budget 'Chain Saws'

L. Brent Bozell

March 1, 2011 - 6:00pm

When President Obama's budget came out in February, with the greatest expansion of federal spending in American history, some sycophantic media outlets like The Washington Post ridiculously tried to sell the concept that Obama was pushing "deep cuts." It was a publicity line that collapsed on itself within 24 hours.

The Democrats are doing nothing to rein in the spending that is leading America into bankruptcy. What the Republican leadership is proposing, with its minuscule cuts, is next to nothing.

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