Political Ruminations

Blogging the Impending Government Shutdown-Shutdown Averted!

Fri., Apr. 8 10:47 PM  It looks like there will be  IS a deal. Both a short-term resolution and a longer term funding bill. Waiting for Sen. Reid to make a statement.

House Speaker John Boehner outlined the parameters of a long-term funding deal, telling his members in a closed-door meeting, "This is the best deal we could get out of them," according to a lawmaker in the room who asked not to be identified. The deal is still not official, Boehner cautioned, but in a sign things are coming to a close, the House is preparing for a 5-6 day short-term continuing resolution with $3 billion in cuts, he told members according to the lawmaker. The meeting is still underway. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., was scheduled to address the Senate at 10:30 p.m. EDT.

And from The Hill:

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has informed Republican lawmakers that negotiators have a struck deal to avert a government shutdown, according to GOP Rep. Mike Rogers (Ala.).

Boehner told his conference Friday night that the House would likely vote on a short-term funding bill before midnight that would fund the government for four or five days.

The long-term bill would include $39 billion in spending cuts from current levels.

Adding…according to ABC's Jake Tapper, the "deal is done & signed off on.$38.5b in cuts, no elimination of Planned Parenthood funding".

Michigan Protest Updates & Coverage for March 16

Following the protests in Lansing, Michigan throughout the day. [WHY I'm not there]

11:31AM - A bald eagle was just erected on the lawn of the Capitol building in Lansing, Michigan. Via @mitchellrivard on Twitter.

LIVE streaming coverage throughout the protest via Michael Moore.

Manistee residents protest Snyder budget

12:15 PM - President of the American Federation of Teachers speaking:
“THIS is our house”, “WE are Michigan!” “Some elected officials are using the financial crisis to undercut working people.” “Do we provide EMF managers with the opportunity to say, no thanks, NO collective bargaining!” “We fight back. We unite because WE are the People. WE are ONE.”

12:22 PM - Michigan's Senate minority leader Gretchen Whitmer speaking: "We didn't start this fight, but we sure don't plan to lose it!"  Sen. Whitmer also announced the introduction today of a  constitutional amendment to protect collective bargaining rights.