Free Republic

<p>Breaking: Federal Grand Jury Indicts Former Presidential Candidate John Edwards.</p>

Chicago -- The firestorm surrounding Governor Blagojevich is putting some heat on Barack Obama’s transition team. Fox Chicago News has learned about possible conversations between a top Obama aide and the governor regarding the open senate seat. Craig Wall has the exclusive.

Taking special interest money of politics has proven to be very tough even on a very limited basis in a pilot program that may or may not ever be expanded. On Monday, the 2007 Clean Election Pilot Program bill failed in a State Senate voting session. Yesterday it was posted again and was also up for consideration in the General Assembly. It finally passed both Houses but not without some closed-door arm-twisting and cajoling. "If we really want to see reform down here in the State House," says State Senator Shirley Turner, the bill's sponsor, "we've got to get the...

Cervical Cancer Vaccine Maker Had Been Pushing For Mandate (AP) AUSTIN, Texas Gov. Rick Perry's chief of staff met with key aides about a new vaccine to prevent cervical cancer on the same day its manufacturer donated money to his campaign, documents obtained by The Associated Press show. Texas became the first state to require the vaccine against human papillomavirus earlier this month when Perry issued an executive order requiring it for girls entering sixth grade. Lawmakers are considering overriding the measure. A calendar for chief of staff Deirdre Delisi obtained under Texas' open records laws shows she met with...

While campaigning to get to where he is now, Jon Corzine boldly promised to increase property tax rebate checks for all eligible New Jerseyans. We've been told the Governor is mulling raising the sales tax from 6% to 7% as well expanding the sales tax include items not currently subject to the levy. Corzine is also said to be considering imposing an income tax surcharge and hiking the cigarette tax a whopping 60-cents a pack. Is the Governor poised to renege on his campaign trail property tax pledge? It is possible. Asked if still intends to fully restore the rebates,...

<p>City Council is considering an ordinance allowing the city to charge fees for parades, rallies and protests that obstruct streets or sidewalks -- a possible free-speech issue that already has landed the city in court.</p> <p>A proposed ordinance that could impose the fees on organizers of such events was presented in council yesterday and will be discussed next week.</p>