Hours after he was seated, Sen. Al Franken, D-MN, let it be known that he would be sign on as a co-sponsor to the Employee Free Choice Act, the labor-backed provision that would allow unions to more easily organize, as his first legislative activity.
Today unemployment stands at 9.5 percent. That’s awful, and it’s far worse than the Obama administration envisioned at this point, even without a nearly $800 billion stimulus package passed in January. But it’s not the worst we’ve had in the last 30 years. In late 1982, unemployment hit 10.8 percent. Some economists suspect we could hit that mark by early next year. How high could unemployment climb in this recession? Twelve percent? Thirteen percent? Here’s the argument for a 14 percent peak:
Facing intense pressure from local business groups, Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.) is seeking to amend the controversial card-check bill backed by unions.
View Original Post
WASHINGTON (AP) — Finally joining the Senate, Democrat Al Franken envisions playing the “people’s proxy” during Sonia Sotomayor’s Supreme Court hearings. Franken, awaiting “an awfully emotional” Tuesday when he is sworn in, is joining the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is to begin hearings next week on President Barack Obama’s first nominee to the high court.
Reporting from Sacramento — Prospects for a resolution of the state’s financial crisis darkened further Monday, with a top lawmaker saying negotiations were “getting worse,” as the state’s credit rating dropped to its lowest level in years.
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said Tuesday that while he does not know what the future holds for Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who is resigning at the end of the month, he would love to see Palin become more engaged in national politics.
WASHINGTON (CNN) — A new District of Columbia law recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere took effect Tuesday.
