George Wenschhof
This afternoon, from the White House, President Obama made his case for a final vote to approve health care reform. He pointed out important government programs such as COBRA, S-CHIP, and the George W. Bush administration tax cuts for the wealthy passed with a simple majority vote. This statement was a clear signal that "budget reconciliation" will be used in the Senate to pass amendments to the bill put forward by the House.
He called on Congress to finish it's work to provide affordable insurance to 30 million Americans within the next few weeks and said he looked forward to signing the approved health care reform bill.
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Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Time for an Up or Down Vote on Health Care Reform
Daily Democratic Wire 3-3-2010
George Wenschhof
Today, President Barack Obama will lay out the way forward in health care reform - he will give his remarks at 1:45 PM from the White House. It remains to be seen as to how strongly he advocates for the use of "budget reconciliation" to pass amendments to the already approved Senate version of the health care reform bill. Expect him to say it is time for an up or down vote on the comprehensive reform bill and that a piece meal approach advocated by Republicans will not work.
Yesterday, the President sent a letter to Congressional leadership outlining four more ideas put forward by Republicans he wants included in the bill. MSNBC.com has more here.
It is past time to approve health care reform for Americans, so let's hope this passes quickly.
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Job Cuts in February lowest since July 2006 - 42,000 planned cuts by employers last month is lowest since the 37,178 in July 2006. In January 2009, the month Obama took office, the reported job cuts were 241,749. Stimulus anyone? TPM.com has more here.
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Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) to take leave of absence from chair of the House Ways and Means Committee - this comes after receiving a rebuke from the House Ethics Committee last week for receiving free corporate travel to the Caribbean. He is still under investigation by the Ethics Committee for several other issues. Politico.com has more here.
The decision by Rangel to step aside came as pressure was mounting from both sides of the aisle for him to do so. It is possible, if Rangel is found innocent of any wrong doing from the Ethics Committee, that he could then move back into his chair position.
Look to see Representative John Lewis (D-Ga.) named as his temporary replacement as chair of the Ways and Means Committee.
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Texas Governor Rick Perry wins primary - with 51% of the vote, he avoids a run off election. Kay Bailey Hutchison, a one time favorite, received 30% and a third Republican candidate; Debra Medina received 19% of the vote.
On the Democratic side, Houston Mayor Bill White easily won against Farouk Shami. Time.com has more here.
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Field clears for Kirsten Gillibrand in NY Senate race - shortly after Harold ford announced he would not challenge his fellow Democrat in the primary, NY publishing magnate Mort Zuckerman announced he would not be running against her. Gillibrand is who replaced Hillary Clinton when she was appointed to Secretary of State. Chris Cillizza and "The Fix" has more here.
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Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Tim May to Run for Register of Wills
George Wenschhof
Today, Republican Timothy S. May; Chief Judge of the Orphans Court of Frederick County, Maryland, filed the necessary paperwork to run for Register of Wills.
Mr. May was raised in Frederick County and has long been involved in the community. He has served as Orphans Court Judge for 16 years; the last 12 years were as Chief Judge. In a recent interview with Mr. May he said "he felt his time spent as Judge of the Orphans Court and his own personal experiences well prepare him for the position of Register of Wills".
When asked why he is running, he said "he liked to help people and felt he could be beneficial to those in their time of need. He added he had learned from his own personal experiences to deal with adversity and to persevere in difficult times".
Tim May further stated "he felt his time spent as Pastor of the Pleasant View Church of the Brethren for the last eight years combined with his own personal experiences will serve him well when working with those experiencing a personal loss".
Mr. May's experience in the community is extensive and includes being; former Town of Brunswick Chief of Police, Department Chairman of The National Fire Academy, former owner of the Frederick Falcons Semi-Pro Football Team (1977-1987), former Commissioner Minor League football - East Coast, and state Fire Marshall. He is also PM, PT, and PI of Columbia Lodge No. 58.
He currently owns and operates the Templar Corporation; a multi-faceted company that includes Tim May Security and Investigation. He is married to the former Terri Poole and they have a 14 year old son. Mr. May also has two grown children and eight grandchildren.
He will make his formal announcement on Monday March 8 at 4:00 PM in front of the Frederick County Courthouse.
A campaign website; www.ElectTimMay.com is currently under construction and will be available to view within a week.
The incumbent Register of Wills is Republican Virginia P. Fifer who has served in this position for twenty years. She has not yet announced her intention to seek another term.
The primary will be held on September 14 and the General Election will be on November 2.
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Editor's note - I have known Mr. May for many years and find him to be well qualified for this position. He will have my support.
I have also long argued for this position to be state merit based and not subject to election. You can read more about my position in a column published in TheTentacle.com on 10-30-2006 here.
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