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House Republicans on Friday were amid their three-day legislative retreat at Baltimore's Inner Harbor and observers couldn't help but take note of how relatively low-key this year's affair is by comparison with last year's.Politico described some of the main differences:Last year, they opened the do

In Colorado, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper became Governor Hickenlooper Tuesday.One of the first issues he faces is a budget shortfall that could reach $1.5 billion, which is about 20 percent of the state's general fund budget.Hickenlooper came into politics after a successful run in th

Eye-popping headlines from Illinois this morning about action taken early today by legislators there:-- "Lawmakers Pass 67 Percent Tax Hike." (Chicago Tribune)-- " Ill. Faces 66 Percent Tax Boost Amid Budget Crisis."

States are going to wind up in worse financial shape as a result of the new desire for budget-cutting in Washington.In the wake of the worse recession since the 1930s, states are facing severe budgets gaps, and they currently depend on the federal government to provide a larger share of their funds

Washington, D.C., isn't the only place where political leadership is changing after last November's election. It's also changing in state capitols across the nation, where 29 new governors are taking office.

Republicans roared into the majority in the House of Representatives Wednesday, swearing in new members and giving a standing ovation to the new Speaker John Boehner (R-OH).Outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) turned over a super-sized gavel to Boehner, along with "the sacred trust that goes with it

The White House has nominated Washington lawyer Virginia Seitz on Wednesday to lead the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel.