November 22nd, 2009 by Editor
The New Mexico Watchdog reports that records from Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish’s office indicate “false vouchers and payments for services that could not have been rendered as of the date payments were approved.” According to reporter Jim Scarantino, issues involving campaign activities of state workers for then-presidential candidate John Kerry and apparent “false certifications regarding work ‘received and accepted’” highlight just a small sampling of the illegal activity in Denish’s office.
Learn more about the questionable activities and payments in Denish’s office by checking out our affiliates at the New Mexico Watchdog.
Posted in Corruption, State Government | No Comments »
Tags: Diane Denish, John Kerry, New, New Mexico Lieutenant Governor
November 11th, 2009 by Editor
Nebraska Watchdog reported recently that the attempt of Omaha’s mayor, Jim Suttle, to raise the city’s sales tax is not garnering the support he hoped at either the state capitol or the city council. The 0.5 percent tax increase, according to the mayor, was meant to alleviate the issues surrounding Omaha’s Fire and Police pension problem. Currently the sales tax in Omaha is 7 percent. 5.5 percent goes to the State of Nebraska and 1.5 percent to the City of Omaha.
Likely aware of the legislature’s pending disapproval of the measure, The Omaha City Council voted down the proposed tax Tuesday. If the tax proposal would have passed, it would then move to the legislature for approval and finally, to the people of Omaha for a ballot vote.
Learn more about Mayor Suttle and his Democratic colleagues’ attempt to pass a sales tax increase at Nebraska Watchdog.
Posted in Local Government, State Government | No Comments »
Tags: Mayor Jim Suttle, Nebraska Democrats, Nebraska Watchdog, Omaha City Council
November 11th, 2009 by Editor
According to Texas Watchdog, Lonestar State legislators are living the high life on the taxpayers’ dime. Whether it’s an overnight stay at Manhattan’s swanky Ritz-Carrolton, comfy charter flights or a seven-day Maui getaway with a $3,000 price tag, it seems Texas legislators, who only meet for a few weeks every two years, are enjoying the perks their position provides.
Texas Watchdog points out that while this may seem shocking to Texans, this sort of lavish living fits “perfectly within the rules regulating Senate travel- rules that the senators write themselves.”
Read more about the luxurious life of a Texas legislator at Texas Watchdog.
Posted in Featured, State Government, Texas | No Comments »
November 11th, 2009 by Editor
Despite claims that they will face a $100 million budget shortfall, Kansas school districts actually maintain $175.7 million in their contingency reserve funds as of the beginning of the year. Dale Dennis, Deputy Commissioner of the Kansas Department of Education, admits that the emergency dollars can actually be used to remedy budget woes, but laments that once the districts use the money, there will be none left.
Read more about the Kansas budgetary drama online at Kansas Watchdog.
Posted in Featured, Kansas, State Government | No Comments »
Tags: Dale Dennis, Education, Kansas Department of Education, Texas Watchdog
October 28th, 2009 by Editor
The Pelican Institute for Public Policy, Louisiana’s free market-inspired think tank, has published yet another paper that indicates that not only is ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) in hot water for alleged criminal behavior, but also for millions of dollars in backed taxes they owe to the state of Louisiana.
According to the report, Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell “has served another subpoena on a bank in its probe of ACORN, and a lead investigator said state fraud charges are still possible even though the embattled activist group has paid it far-past-due Louisiana payroll taxes.”
Caldwell’s son, David, works in his office and is involved in the investigation. “If you rob someone and then pay the money back at a later date, it doesn’t mean you didn’t rob them,” he said.
It is important to note that ACORN’s national operations are headquartered out of New Orleans, La., and they share their officewith the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
Read more from the Pelican Institute’s investigative reporter, Steven Beatty, here.
Posted in State Government | No Comments »
Tags: Buddy Caldwell, Louisiana, Pelican Institute for Public Policy, SEIU, State Government
