Check back here often for the latest news as delivered by the IEC Political Insider

• Tech: Gadget News and Reviews
  Mar 30, 2012 — Washington Post
  Thanks. pegoraror: Yes, and have done so for several years now. If I purchase this, will my current MS Office 2003 run on it? pegoraror: Yes. Thanks. pegoraror: You should have no trouble meeting that price limit.
• 'Avatar' director James Cameron: 3D promising, but caution needed
  Mar 11, 2010 — USA Today
  Q: Does 3D and the success of Avatar change the way movies are financed? Q: Should the existing film catalog be converted to 3D? Q: When is Avatar coming out in 3D on Blu-ray?
• Albany Is Taking New Budget Proposal Seriously
  Mar 11, 2010 — New York Times
  ALBANY — State lawmakers reacted with cautious interest on Wednesday to a broad proposal from Lt. Ravitch said that without such gimmicks, the actual budget deficit for the coming year was more than $13 billion, representing all spending not supported by recurring revenues. Ravitch said that while his plan did not require additional borrowing, he did not believe it would be politically possible to close the existing $9 billion budget gap without doing so.
• China's Inflation Accelerates in February
  Mar 11, 2010 — New York Times
  Consumer prices rose 2.7 percent in February over a year earlier, up from January's 1.5 percent increase, the National Bureau of Statistics reported Thursday. A spike in inflation over the past four months is forcing Beijing to divide its focus between boosting growth and preventing overheating. Premier Wen Jiabao said last week the government hopes to hold overall consumer price rises to 3 percent this year.
• Democrats, White House close in on health bill
  Mar 11, 2010 — Associated Press Online
  Charles, Mo., on Wednesday Obama shouted to a crowd: "The time for talk is over. Both houses then would pass a second bill immediately, making changes in the first measure before both could take effect. That idea has run into opposition from several Senate Democrats. Another issue was a demand from a dozen states for additional funds under Medicaid.
• Gary Gensler's Conversion to Financial Reformer
  Mar 11, 2010 — New York Times
  For 18 years, Gary G. Gensler worked on Wall Street, striking merger deals at the venerable Goldman Sachs. Gensler describes it, aided by high-speed computerized trading and the actions of Mr. Rubin, sidelined the trading commission even more than before.
• Governor turns up the heat on Baker
  Mar 11, 2010 — The Boston Globe
  The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 1/2 percentage points.
• House ends its corporate earmarks
  Mar 11, 2010 — The Boston Globe
  It could not be immediately determined yesterday how many of those earmarks went to companies. The House Ethics Committee recently investigated seven congressional members for providing millions of dollars in earmarks to companies that hired lobbyists and donated large sums to their campaigns.
• Japan Revises Fourth-Quarter G.D.P. to Show Smaller Growth
  Mar 11, 2010 — New York Times
  On an annualized basis, Japan’s economy expanded 3.8 percent, a smaller growth than the initial reading of 4.6 percent and a median market forecast of 4.1 percent. The deflator, an indicator of broad price trends, stood at minus 2.8 percent, the biggest negative reading on record, in a sign deflation was hardly abating. It compared with a preliminary reading of minus 3.0 percent.
• North Idaho lawmakers spar over online sales tax
  Mar 11, 2010 — The Spokesman-Review
  Twenty-three states, including Washington, are part of the project, but Idaho lawmakers have repeatedly defeated legislation to join in. Sen. Mike Jorgenson, R-Hayden Lake, this year pushed legislation through the Senate -- and got a unanimous vote -- to have Idaho join. On Wednesday, the House Revenue and Taxation Committee, which maintains tax-related bills should start in the House, not the Senate, introduced a new bill that's identical but for its title.
• Obama Faces Criticism Over Pace of Action on Trade Issues
  Mar 11, 2010 — New York Times
  And in the Senate, there is interest in completing free-trade agreements that the Bush administration negotiated with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. Kirk presented the administration’s annual trade agenda to Congress. Appearing before the Senate Finance Committee, Mr.
• On health, Obama has roadblocks in own party
  Mar 11, 2010 — The Boston Globe
  And the president made it clear he backed the idea of attaching the measure to a reconciliation bill.``It's time to vote. But the way forward is complicated and uncertain.First, leaders must settle on which elements of the differing House and Senate bills should be included in a final package. But ``we're going to pass it.
• Pelosi: Dems close on health care agreement
  Mar 11, 2010 — Associated Press Online
  Both houses would then pass a second bill immediately, making changes in the first measure before both could take effect. Obama has already moved to eliminate a couple of the special deals in the Senate bill that turned off voters when they became public, including extra Medicaid funding for Nebraska. Responding to criticism from labor leaders, the White House agreed over the winter to scale it back significantly.
• Planned Electric Rate Increase in Los Angeles May Affect Solar Power
  Mar 11, 2010 — New York Times
  The proceeds would be earmarked for renewable energy purchases and programs, including one that would repay people or businesses that use solar panels to contribute to the power grid. The rest would go to renewable energy sources, like wind farms, and to help subsidize a program that would essentially repay solar-panel users for feeding energy into the power grid. Professor Borenstein gave the proposed tax increase a mixed review.
• Pricey imaging pushes up health costs
  Mar 11, 2010 — The Boston Globe
  They pointed out that the state consultants found that average prices for certain imaging tests were the same or more in freestanding clinics than in hospitals. Harvard Pilgrim pays an average $190 for a traditional mammogram and $260 for a digital exam.
• Questions about research slow efforts to tackle climate change
  Mar 11, 2010 — USA Today
  The violent threats are not what bother Michael Mann the most. He's used to them.Instead, it's the fact that his life's work — the effort to stop global warming — has been under siege since last fall.
• Raise taxes or cut education, Quinn says
  Mar 11, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  Ray Long, Monique Garcia and Bob Secter Mar. 10, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- SPRINGFIELD -- Democratic Gov. I have made some difficult, painful choices in this budget. You must make some tough choices as well." Republican state Sen.
• The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash., Jim Camden column
  Mar 11, 2010 — The Spokesman-Review
  Chris Gregoire said a decision on how to call the session, and when it would start, would be made Thursday. Democrats suggested that was unconstitutional grandstanding -- a new bill can't be introduced in the last 10 days of a regular session without a two-thirds vote of both houses.
• '09 revenue rebounds at CHS
  Mar 10, 2010 — The Charlotte Observer
  ...an "operating margin," or a profit, he said -- so it can pay for medical equipment, renovations and new construction to stay modern. Kannapolis ER facility funded Board members Tuesday approved spending $17 million to build another freestanding emergency department, in Kannapolis. The 25,000-square-foot facility will be near Interstate 85 and Lane Street. Carolinas HealthCare also plans to open three more freestanding ERs in Waxhaw, Harrisburg and in the NorthCross area...
• 'Health Freedom Act' passes Idaho Senate
  Mar 10, 2010 — The Spokesman-Review
  Elliot Werk, D-Boise, questioned spending as much as $100,000 on a court fight over federal health care reform legislation, saying that could pay salaries for three teachers. Plus, he said, "As Americans, what is our freedom worth? John Andreason, R-Boise, were the only Republicans to vote against the bill. Sen.
• 3rd pension plan option could raise parking rates 34 percent
  Mar 10, 2010 — The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
  Harris estimates the bond will cost the city about $15 million a year for 10 years. The private operator would set parking rates at market value. Lamb said he has stayed away from pension bonds since then-Mayor Tom Murphy sold more than $250 million in bonds in 1998 to save the pension funds.
• A new finger on the pulse of economy
  Mar 10, 2010 — Star Tribune
  Anthony Mar. 10, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Want to know which way the economy is headed? To sustain at least a 4 percent GDP number for the first quarter [on an annualized basis], the March PCI has to be ... over 1 percent growth. The index is built by analyzing Ceridian's electronic card payment data, which captures the location and volume of diesel fuel being purchased.
• AEO will end upscale brand
  Mar 10, 2010 — The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
  Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners in New Canaan, Conn. "Even Babe Ruth struck out a number of times during his career." Adrienne Tennant of FBR Capital Markets (NASDAQ:FBCM) and Co. of Arlington, Va., also was pleased. "Martin + Osa was just such a big drag on the company," she said. The brand was named for Martin and Osa Johnson of Kansas, who were early 20th century adventurers. Todd Slater of Lazard Capital Markets LLC in New York said the brand...
• Agencies propose endangered-status protections for loggerhead turtles
  Mar 10, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
  Wildlife agencies say the primary cause is incidental capture in fishing nets and long lines.
• Aging Sisters of St. Mary of Namur 'in a financial pickle'
  Mar 10, 2010 — Fort Worth Star-Telegram
  Mary of Namur. These nuns, their numbers dwindling, have devoted their lives to helping others. Mary of Namur pioneered Catholic education in North Texas. In 1885 the nuns established St. Mary. Unsworth was a poor student.
• Ahead of the Bell: February budget deficit
  Mar 10, 2010 — Associated Press Online
  It would give additional months of unemployment benefits to people who have been out of work for more than six months. But the Congressional Budget Office last week put the 10-year total even higher at $9.8 trillion. However, economists are worried that the favorable outlook on interest rates could change quickly if investors, including foreign investors, start to worry about the government's commitment to restraining future deficits.
• Airport link crucial to high-speed rail plan for Tampa, Rep. Mica says
  Mar 10, 2010 — St. Petersburg Times
  ...the Tampa airport should have a high-speed rail station. But he did note that the Orlando airport will have a high-speed rail stop, and planners there are considering coupling it with a light rail line between the airport and convention center. Tampa's initial plans call for a light rail line to reach the West Shore business district from downtown by 2021. An extension through the airport isn't likely until at least 2027. Mica has said previously that the high-speed rail...
• Analysis: Greece's crisis could presage America's
  Mar 10, 2010 — Associated Press Online
  By TOM RAUMWASHINGTON, Mar. 10, 2010 (AP Online delivered by Newstex) -- Greece is a financial basket case, begging for international help.
• Area doctors to treat patients online
  Mar 10, 2010 — The Buffalo News
  The technology also manages the availability of physicians, freeing them to talk to patients at their convenience. Dr. Critics also argue that a video session is no replacement for a physical exam. But Schoenberg and others said that not all physician-patient encounters require a physical exam. If you have a migraine, the doctor doesn't need to feel your head," said Schoenberg. "This is one tier of health care.
• Bahrain: Islamic rules saved us from recession
  Mar 10, 2010 — CNN
  Finance Minister Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed al Khalifa predicts growth of four percent for Bahrain's economy this year, saying "long-term consistent growth" is the kingdom's goal. Bahrain International Circuit is the home of a series of international auto races, including the annual Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, which kicks off the Formula One season this weekend. CNN's Richard Quest contributed to this report.
• Bald eagle spotted at Lakeside Golf Course
  Mar 10, 2010 — Lexington Herald-Leader
  There still was so much of it in the environment that when the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973, the eagle topped the list of endangered species.