Discovered the Issue Wonk recently from Facebook. Don't remember how. He publishes a weekly round-up of news and politics that always reveals stuff that I wasn't aware of. Although I consider myself to be (fairly) well-informed, it's impossible to be current on everything. So I rely on the Weekly Wonk.
For instance, after last week's elections, the Weekly Wonk published several election results I wasn't aware of, such as:
Election Results: If you want to have some fun, watch Jon Stewart’s take on election night pundits. It’s a stitch. (You Tube) Please note, however, that there were many voting problems in New Jersey, New York, and Virginia. This may explain why late polls put McAuliffe in Virginia ahead of Cuccinelli by 5 or 6 points but he only won by less than 3. See BradBlog for all the details. Recount? Nope. Those machines have no paper trail so there’s nothing to count.
Colorado: The secession of North Colorado failed. 6 counties rejected the proposal to split the state but 5 counties endorsed it. (KDVR.com) So, it was close. What was behind it? Well, it was another “growing urban-rural divide,” which “was exacerbated by legislators’ raising renewable energy standards for rural electric co-ops” and “increasing regulations on oil and gas,” and passing “sweeping gun control.” (CBS News) Voters also approved a 25% tax on marijuana - recently legalized - to fund school construction. (ABC News) But a proposal to raise the state income tax to raise $1 billion to infuse poor and rural school districts, expand preschool, get new technology, raise teacher pay, and other innovations failed. (NY Times) 3 out of 4 counties with anti-fracking ordinances on the ballot passed them. (McClatchy) In Boulder, they voted to buy out energy giant Xcel Corporation and implement a long-term energy plan that relies heavily on renewables. (Tree Hugger)
Illinois: The state House and Senate passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. Governor Pat Quinn (D) has said he’ll sign it. (Huffington Post)
Maine: Portland voters legalized the possession of recreational amounts of marijuana. (ABC News)
Massachusetts: Palmer voters rejected a plan for a resort casino. (ABC News)
Michigan: Ferndale, Jackson, and Lansing approved legal protections for users of small amounts of marijuana. (ABC News) Royal Oak voted to bar discrimination against LGBT Americans by upholding a human rights ordinance that passed last spring but was challenged by conservative activists. (Eclecta Blog)
New Jersey: Voters approved a constitutional amendment to raise the minimum wage $1.00 to $8.25 and “to provide for automatic cost-of-living increases.” (ABC News)
New York: Voters will let 7 Las Vegas-style casinos be built around the state, “including eventually in New York City.” (ABC News)
Oklahoma: The U.S. Supreme Court dismissed Oklahoma’s appeal of its state Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the new law of abortion restrictions. (Christian Science Monitor)
Utah: In Hyde Park they voted to allow beer sales with alcohol content of 3.2%. (ABC News)
No comments:
Post a Comment