The new guy at the U.S. Dept of Ed

by David Safier Federal employees have been writing to Josh Marshall at Talking Points Memo the past few days about their first impressions of the new people in charge. The reviews have been positive to glowing. Here's one from the Department of Ed about the new Secretary, Arne Duncan. It says nothing about substance but … Read more

About fed money to the states

by David Safier Information is beginning to trickle in about the nature of federal bailout money that could go to states. For me, the most important passage of this article is, states won't get federal money to replace dollars they cut: Some portions of the package may not provide a net increase to Arizona if … Read more

Great quote

by David Safier Said by Dr. Tom Grogan, Chief Scientific Officer and Medical Director of Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., during the call to the audience at yesterday's Regents meeting: "I contend that in the 21st century, more wealth will come from the frontal cortex of man than from minerals in the ground."

House Appropriations vote: leave options open

by David Safier I just opened a News Release sent last night by House Democrats Kyrsten Sinema, David Schapira and Olivia Cajero Bedford. The House Appropriations Committee voted 7-4 to pass Sinema’s substitute motion that the Appropriations Committee remain open to additional options to reduce the revenue shortfall as they consider the 2009 budget solution. … Read more

“It’s not on the test”

by David Safier Thane, a frequent commenter on BfA, usually knows his job: to disagree with everything I say. But today he let me down by linking to a video I like enough to post: "It's not on the test" by Tom Chapin. You'll enjoy it.