AltWeeklies Wire
Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell Waddles Toward Lame-Duck-Itudenew

No matter what Gov. M. Jodi Rell tries to say or do these days, the message many people are hearing is “quack, quack, quack.” Connecticut doesn’t get any money out of a pool of federal transportation funding. “Quack.”
New Haven Advocate |
Gregory B. Hladky |
03-16-2010 |
Politics
Mayor Daley Isn't Going Down Without a Fight, but He Rarely Ever Gets Onenew

These are the moments a City Hall reporter lives for: My girlfriend and I were having dinner at a downtown restaurant recently, and we couldn't help but overhear the couples in the next booth kvetching about Chicago's parking meter lease deal.
Chicago Reader |
Mick Dumke |
03-15-2010 |
Politics
Sex, Lies but no Videotape (Yet) in Steamy Mayoral and City Council Racesnew

It’s new cats versus old dogs as five-term Mayor Sue McCloud, a 70-something retired CIA officer in a shimmering red shirt, prepares to face off on April 13 against Carmel newcomer Adam Moniz, 33, a self-employed energy consultant.
Monterey County Weekly |
Robin Urevich |
03-11-2010 |
Politics
Will San Francisco's Sunshine Ordinance Finally Get Some Teeth?new

On the same evening the Police Commission shot down Chief George Gascón's plan to arm his officers with Tasers, a Sunshine Ordinance Task Force committee reviewed a proposal to give itself a set of tools that could help nail officials that violate public information laws.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Sarah Phelan |
03-10-2010 |
Politics
New Symbols of Fortune and Doom in South Carolina Politicsnew

There are historical symbols of good and bad luck, from the albatross to the lucky thong, but the past year has offered a handful of new trinkets that spell either good fortune or doom for South Carolina politicians.
Charleston City Paper |
Greg Hambrick |
03-10-2010 |
Politics
What Started as an Awards Dinner Has Evolved Into a Political Food Fightnew
The Monroe County Democratic Committee was scheduled to have its annual volunteer recognition dinner and fund-raiser last week. But committee chair Joe Morelle canceled the event after it came out that the Rochester and Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation planned to picket it.
City Newspaper |
Jeremy Moule |
03-02-2010 |
Politics
A Prosecutor Lets Berkeley's Infamous Torture Professor off the Hooknew
In a long-awaited report released late last week, a career prosecutor in the US Department of Justice said UC Berkeley law professor John Yoo should not be held liable for authorizing torture and warrantless wiretaps while working for the Bush administration.
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
02-24-2010 |
Politics
Ed Rendell's Plot to Pillage Pennsylvania's Forests, Consequences be Damnednew

Ed Rendell's office confirmed to City Paper that Rendell intends to lease more land for drilling this year — some $120 million worth of it. The governor has the authority to do so, with or without the legislature; he could act in a matter of months, if not sooner.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Isaiah Thompson |
02-23-2010 |
Politics
Birther Icon Orly Taitz Faces Some Uncomfortable Questionsnew
Unwittingly, Florida criminal-defense attorney Bradford Cohen had entered a world known to some as “The Birtherverse,” where Barack Obama isn’t considered an American citizen and the planets revolve around Orange County dentist-turned-lawyer Orly Taitz.
Tea Time? Who are These People and What Do They Want?new

The Tea Partiers say that they are a bipartisan group with conservative and Libertarian ideals. They want to get back to God and the Constitution. They say they are Republicans and Democrats alike, but we were not able to find any Democrats associated with the Tea Party.
Eugene Weekly |
Camilla Mortensen |
02-18-2010 |
Politics
Council Investigation Finds Marion Barry Took Kickbacksnew
Attorney Bob Bennett this week presented the findings of a seven-month investigation into D.C. Council contracts and earmarks - a probe prompted by the shenanigans of Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry this summer.
Washington City Paper |
Mike DeBonis |
02-18-2010 |
Politics
Whose Fault Is Scott Lee Cohen? A Reporter Becomes a Scapegoatnew

One hard look at the permanent record of the Democratic Party's new nominee for lieutenant governor — a look that might have been more profitably taken a week before the primary rather — and all voices rose as one. Why do we even have this useless office?
Chicago Reader |
Michael Miner |
02-16-2010 |
Politics
Nepotism, Cronyism and Turmoil at the Housing Authority of Maricopa Countynew

It started with the boss' brother. Doug Lingner had been executive director of the Housing Authority of Maricopa County for just two months when he hired his brother to repair a carport at the agency's Seventh Street complex. Total cost: $2,000.
Phoenix New Times |
Sarah Fenske |
02-16-2010 |
Politics
Memphis Politicians Have Been Accounting for Some of the Local Stormsnew

The most attention-getting circumstances were undoubtedly the unexpected announcement by Sheriff Mark Luttrell that he would be running for Shelby County mayor and the weekend kickoff of former Memphis mayor Willie Herenton's 9th District congressional campaign.
The Memphis Flyer |
Jackson Baker |
02-12-2010 |
Politics
Vermont Legislators Admit Cheating the System... Are They Justified?new
State Rep. David Zuckerman (P-Burlington) has a confession to make that might sound to some like political suicide. He bills taxpayers for his “mileage” to and from the Statehouse — as much as $152 a week — even on days when he gets a ride with fellow lawmakers or lobbyists.
Seven Days |
Andy Bromage |
02-05-2010 |
Politics