J.M. Bell

JM Bell | January 26, 2007

Thirty-six years ago today, Sen. George McGovern (D-SD) becomes the first official 1972 presidential candidate.
(h/t – Ken Rudin)

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JM Bell | January 26, 2007

What is it with Republicans and their refusal to help the working class?
“Do you have such disdain for hard-working Americans that you want to pile all your amendments on this? Why don’t you just hold your amendments until other pieces of legislation? Why this volume of amendments on just the issue to try and raise [...]

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JM Bell | January 25, 2007

In what can only be described as yet another in a long line of mind-blowingly stupid legislative casualties, Republican Reps in the state House have displayed what I am forced to assume is open hostility against children.
From the Salt Lake Tribune:
The full House killed its first bill of the session on Wednesday, which would have [...]

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JM Bell | January 24, 2007

News Release

For Immediate Release

January 24, 2007

Senate Republicans Block Minimum Wage Hike for Utah’s Working Families

Senators Hatch and Bennett vote to punish 178,000 Utahns for being poor

Washington , DC- Today, Republican Senators Bennett and Hatch voted to block the Democratic plan to increase the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25, a plan [...]

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JM Bell | January 21, 2007

Attempting to break the conflict between the Legislature’s start date and Martin Luther King Holiday Democratic Caucus, Utah State HouseHouse OKs protections for dating-abuse victims Democratic Caucus, Utah State House

Utah one step closer to officially commemorating end of slavery Democratic Caucus, Utah State House

The House unanimously passes HB20 sponsored [...]

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JM Bell | January 19, 2007

The new ethics and lobbying legislation will:

Bar lawmakers from accepting gifts and travel paid for by lobbyists.

Extend from one to two years the time a former member must wait before he can engage in lobbying activities.

Deny pensions to lawmakers convicted of serious crimes.

Require more reporting by lobbyists on their activities.

Require public disclosure of those home-state [...]

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JM Bell | January 19, 2007

The vote to pass Ethics Reform in the Senate was 96 Yea – 2 Nay. 2. Just 2. And guess who half* of those were?
Utah Senator Orrin Hatch.
Way to go Senator. What a shining example you set for the children in this state.
I hope Mr. Mac takes away your discount.
*Coburn of Oklahoma was the other [...]

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JM Bell | January 19, 2007

Hey, thanks for getting shot at, here’s a wooden nickel
A few members of Congress think America’s military heroes deserve more than the equivalent of a faux Rolex from a street vendor. Under a bill introduced in both chambers last week, the Medal of Honor, the highest honor bestowed by branches of the military for service, [...]

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JM Bell | January 18, 2007

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
January 18, 2007

Democrats Pass ‘People’s Agenda’ in First 100 Hours

Washington DC – Today, the Democratic Congress completed their 100 hours agenda and fulfilling their promise to the American people. This past election Democrats ran on an agenda of change, promising to clean up the Republican culture of corruption and provide [...]

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JM Bell | January 18, 2007

Well, the “100 Hours” bills have been presented and passed.
TIMELINE:

January 5, 2007– Ethics Reform

100 Hours Begins

January 9, 2007 – 911 Commission Recommendations
January 10, 2007- Increase Federal Minimum Wage
January 11, 2007- Expanding Stem Cell Research
January 17, 2007 – Reducing Student Loan Interest Rates
January 18, 2007- Repealing Oil Subsidies and Investing in [...]

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JM Bell | January 18, 2007

Republicans lost their Congressional majorities, in part, because the American people were fed up with the “Culture of Corruption” in then Republican dominated Washington DC. The surviving Republicans in the Senate, however, are not getting the message. Sadly, in both chambers of the Congress, Utah’s Republicans aren’t getting it either.
Senate Republicans are blocking Congress from [...]

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JM Bell | January 16, 2007

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JM Bell | January 15, 2007

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JM Bell | January 15, 2007

Today’s Salt Lake Tribune reports state Republican lawmakers have selected a new target for their animus during this year’s legislative session; Salt Lake County. Angry County Mayor Peter Corroon and other county officials are unwilling to ignore the interests of the taxpayers they represent by quickly and perhaps carelessly approving a multi-million dollar loan to [...]

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JM Bell | January 15, 2007

George Pyle, from the Salt Lake Tribune, is leaving Utah to move and work in Buffalo. BUFFALO!
George has been a treasure for the Tribune and for its readers. I know I’m going to miss George’s prose on the editorial page and the Editorial Board’s Plato’s Cave blog. Thanks, George, for the years you worked here, [...]

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