Politics

August 9, 2005 - Those who follow state politics are often amazed at how, even in states where progressives have some strength, the conservative right is successful in pushing its agenda. Especially in the South, the right often seems uncannily organized and effective in promoting a core set of legislation, even in the face of broad opposition among the public and other lawmakers.

August 3, 2005 - Last month, Toyota made a decision that didn't get a lot of press, but sent ripples of concern through state houses across the South.

August 1, 2005 - Back in April Bill Frist starred in "Justice Sunday," an infamous televised political rally to push conservative judges (and promote holy war).

July 19, 2005 - Maybe somebody else can explain what this gesture is supposed to mean. From the Birmingham News:

July 15, 2005 - As I write, the president is jetting towards North Carolina again, this time to fluff up sagging support for CAFTA. What is it with Bush and adjacent Southern states? First it was the sojourn to a remote (read: no protesters) location in the Smoky Mountains on Earth Day to celebrate the undermining of air pollution laws.

July 11, 2005 - The Texas Senate just cut property taxes by $4.8 billion, a cut similar to a proposal by Gov. Rick Perry and to legislation already passed in the House. According to the Houston Chronicle,

June 30, 2005 - The move by GOP leaders to slash Amtrak's train routes that we warned about have apparently been derailed:

June 29, 2005 - Rep. Robin Hayes (R-NC), who was picked to accompany President Bush at Fort Bragg yesterday -- instead of the shunned colleage Rep.

June 28, 2005 - Gov. Jeb Bush has vetoed three bills designed to check the governor's power to hand out multi-million-dollar contracts for state government work. The bills were passed nearly unanimously in the Republican-dominated legislature, raising the possibility that the legislature could vote to override Bush's veto.

June 27, 2005 - Courtesy of the Texas Observer: "I've already yielded more than a cheerleader at a drive-in." -Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) on the Senate floor.