States Discover, Spend Surpluses

(NEWSER) - Evaluations of the effectiveness of yesterday’s anti-tax “tea parties” are split predictably down partisan lines, Chris Cillizza writes for the Washington Post. Republicans touted the protests, which brought out tens of thousands and garnered major media coverage, as a success. “I think something is going on out there,” said South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. Newt Gingrich likened the populist demonstrations to Ross Perot’s 1992 campaign. More»

Spending cuts, tax increases in store

(NEWSER) - Politicians from New York to California are wringing their hands, wondering whether to cut spending or raise taxes. As the economy barrels towards recession, income and sales taxes are coming in well below expectations, and about half the states in the country are facing budget shortfalls, the New York Times reports. In many places, health care and education are on the chopping block. More»

Bill bans teachers from discussing homosexuality before High School

(NEWSER) - A controversial bill banning Tennessee elementary and middle school teachers from teaching students about homosexuality got approval from the state's House Education subcommittee yesterday, inching it closer to law. The committee approved the same version of the so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill that the Senate passed late last year , the Tennessean reports, meaning it allows teachers to respond to questions about homosexuality. Dozens of Nashville high school students showed up to protest the bill, clad in purple T-shirts. More»

Governor signs law requiring lessons in LGBT accomplishments

(NEWSER) - Gay rights supporters are hailing this as a big win in California: Public schools will be required to teach the accomplishments of gay Americans under a measure signed into law yesterday by Gov. Jerry Brown, reports the Los Angeles Times . The San Francisco Chronicle says it's the first such law in the nation and notes that it could have an effect well beyond the state: National textbook publishers will likely revise their books to make sure they don't miss out on the lucrative California market. More»

Says Boehner, Obama need to work out tax issue

(NEWSER) - Eric Cantor has told reporters that he’s not attending today’s Joe Biden-led budget meeting, or any future budget meetings, because the group has reached an impasse over taxes that he thinks can only be bridged by John Boehner and President Obama. “We’ve reached the point where the dynamic needs to change,” Cantor said, according to the Wall Street Journal . “It is up to the president to come in and talk to the speaker.” More»