Susan Smith-Harmon
Pensions, minimum wage highlight IL Gov. Quinn's State of the State address
Thursday, 07 February 2013 01:48 Published in Local News
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn's state of the state address is receiving mixed reviews.
Quinn said Illinois's $100 billion pension shortfall is the number one problem for the state.
That feeling was echoed by business interests. The Illinois Manufacturers' Association says the time for talk is over and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce calls a failure to address pensions unconscionable.
But the president the Illinois Retail Merchants Association criticized the governor's plan to raise minimum wage from $8.25 to $10.00 per hour, saying it would hurt both employers and job seekers. The governor argued that no one working 40 hours a week should live in poverty.
During the speech, Quinn also said it was time for the state to allow same-sex marriages, and he renewed his call for an assault weapons ban.
Quinn said Illinois's $100 billion pension shortfall is the number one problem for the state.
That feeling was echoed by business interests. The Illinois Manufacturers' Association says the time for talk is over and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce calls a failure to address pensions unconscionable.
But the president the Illinois Retail Merchants Association criticized the governor's plan to raise minimum wage from $8.25 to $10.00 per hour, saying it would hurt both employers and job seekers. The governor argued that no one working 40 hours a week should live in poverty.
During the speech, Quinn also said it was time for the state to allow same-sex marriages, and he renewed his call for an assault weapons ban.
MO House panel adopts voter photo ID requirement
Wednesday, 06 February 2013 03:34 Published in Local News
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Missouri House committee has adopted a measure requiring voters to show photo identification before casting ballots.
The House Elections Committee approved a state constitutional amendment that would ask voters whether to allow the photo ID requirement. The committee also approved a separate bill that would implement the photo identification requirement.
The vote was along party lines, with Republicans saying the photo ID requirement would increases transparency and reduce voter fraud. Democrats said there are no reports of voter impersonation and that the plan could disenfranchise voters.
Currently when Missourians vote, they can show a photo ID or other means of identification such as utility bills or bank statements.
Both measures head to the House Rules Committee for further consideration.
The House Elections Committee approved a state constitutional amendment that would ask voters whether to allow the photo ID requirement. The committee also approved a separate bill that would implement the photo identification requirement.
The vote was along party lines, with Republicans saying the photo ID requirement would increases transparency and reduce voter fraud. Democrats said there are no reports of voter impersonation and that the plan could disenfranchise voters.
Currently when Missourians vote, they can show a photo ID or other means of identification such as utility bills or bank statements.
Both measures head to the House Rules Committee for further consideration.
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) - The classic Monopoly game is set for its most significant change in decades after fans voted to add a new token to replace the shoe, wheelbarrow or iron after they received the least support in an online contest.
Toy maker Hasbro Inc. will announce the new token lineup Wednesday after fans cast their final ballots to determine which piece to add and which of the existing tokens to replace.
The eight tokens identify the players and have changed quite a lot since Parker Brothers bought the game from its original designer in 1935.
The voting closed just before midnight Tuesday. Rhode Island-based Hasbro says the wheelbarrow, shoe and iron were neck and neck for elimination through the Save Your Token Campaign.
The new addition will be a robot, diamond ring, cat, helicopter or guitar.
Toy maker Hasbro Inc. will announce the new token lineup Wednesday after fans cast their final ballots to determine which piece to add and which of the existing tokens to replace.
The eight tokens identify the players and have changed quite a lot since Parker Brothers bought the game from its original designer in 1935.
The voting closed just before midnight Tuesday. Rhode Island-based Hasbro says the wheelbarrow, shoe and iron were neck and neck for elimination through the Save Your Token Campaign.
The new addition will be a robot, diamond ring, cat, helicopter or guitar.
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