Politics

State Budget Woes Worsen As Deadline Arrives

July 1, 2009 · California is poised to issue IOUs as the state Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger fail to reach an agreement; several other states face issues of their own. ()  

Low-Wage America

Hundreds Of Calif. Homeless March For Land Rights

July 2, 2009 · In Sacramento, hundreds of homeless demonstrate in hopes of securing land to sleep on. In recent months a tent city and a city shelter have closed. With laws that prohibit sleeping in public places, these individuals say it is now illegal for them to exist. ()  

Sanford's Wife Says She May Forgive Affair

July 2, 2009 · Jenny Sanford said the South Carolina governor's affair was "inexcusable" but that she is willing to forgive him. The governor's spokesman said the family plans to spend the holiday together in Florida, where his in-laws live. ()  

Interviews

Sen. Nelson: No Partisan Vote Despite 60 Senators

July 2, 2009 · Al Franken's victory in the long-running U.S. Senate race in Minnesota gives Democrats their 58th senator and gives them — with help from independents — a 60-member majority. But Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) says though the party's majority doesn't guarantee 60 votes. ()  

Franken Wins Minn. Race After Coleman Concedes

June 30, 2009 · The concession by the incumbent Republican came after the state Supreme Court ruled in Franken's favor in a long-standing dispute over a recount in last November's Senate election. ()  

News Analysis By Daniel Schorr

Cover-Ups Hurt Cheating American Politicians

July 1, 2009 · South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford now recalls other times with his Argentine soul mate and acknowledges having crossed the line with various other women as well. Call it an American tragedy. It is not that Europe doesn't have philandering politicians, says Daniel Schorr; it's that they are just less likely to lie about it. ()  

S.C. Governor Admits Additional Encounters

June 30, 2009 · Mark Sanford described five meetings with Maria Belen Chapur over the past year, including two romantic, multinight stays with her in New York before they met there again intending to break up. ()  

Calls Grow For Gov. Sanford Resignation

July 1, 2009 · South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford is weathering more calls for his resignation and further investigations into his extramarital affair. He conceded Tuesday that he had met with his Argentine mistress more than he had originally said, including several multinight stays in New York. ()  

Nation

Marijuana Vendors Lobby To Pay Higher Taxes

June 30, 2009 · Voters in cash-strapped Oakland, Calif., will soon decide whether to approve a 15-fold increase in the taxes imposed on medical marijuana dispensaries. Dispensary owners support the measure because they see it as a way of legitimizing their businesses. ()  

No Easy Path For Senate Dems Despite Franken Win

June 30, 2009 · Al Franken's victory in the long-running battle for Minnesota's U.S. Senate seat gives Democrats the 60 votes needed to defeat a filibuster. But it may not be that easy. There are a dozen Democrats who may not toe the party line. ()  

EPA Approves California Pollution Rule

June 30, 2009 · The Environmental Protection Agency gave the go-ahead Tuesday for California to impose stringent regulations on greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles, setting the stage for a national requirement expected to mirror the state's effort. ()  

Congressman's Wife Resigns After Admitting Bribery

June 29, 2009 · Detroit City Councilwoman Monica Conyers, the wife of powerful Democratic Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, has resigned from office after admitting she took cash bribes from a Houston-based company in exchange for her vote on a lucrative city contract. ()