The political world was shocked to learn that a governor whose existence had just come to its attention moments prior was resigning. Ruth Bader Ginsburg admitted she was a little drunk at the State of the Union, though not because she had to drink every time the president said “economy” or John Boehner frowned. And House Republicans still can’t agree on what bill will be designated “H.R.1” though we think they should take their cue from online comment boards and have it only say “first!” This is HuffPost Hill for Friday, February 13th, 2015:
OREGON GOVERNOR TO STEP DOWN AMIDST CORRUPTION SCANDAL – And not a “took someone else’s place in the CSA waitlist” kind of Oregon scandal. An actual one. Mollie Reilly: “Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber (D) is resigning from office Friday amid allegations of corruption, the governor announced in a statement…According to The Oregonian, his resignation is effective Wednesday. Last week, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced that the governor and his fiancee, Cylvia Hayes, were under investigation over whether Hayes had used her relationship with Kitzhaber to benefit her consulting business. ‘Recent allegations relating to Gov. Kitzhaber and Ms. Hayes are very serious — and troubling,’ Rosenblum said. ‘My office is considering all of our legal options to ensure that we are best serving the state.’ Kitzhaber, who was elected to a fourth term as governor in November, reportedly waffled over whether to step down. According to the Oregonian, Kitzhaber had decided to resign on Tuesday, but changed his mind and announced Wednesday that he would remain in office. However, as KOIN reported Friday, the governor ultimately decided to step down after the state’s top Democrats said they could no longer support him.” [HuffPost]
HOUSE VOTES TO RAISE DEFICIT – Mike McAuliff: “The House voted 272 to 142 to make permanent a number of temporary provisions that are aimed at helping businesses earning up to $2 million. The main cut, which would add $77 billion to deficits over 10 years, allows businesses to immediately write off new equipment purchases up to $500,000. Temporary versions of the measure have been passed about a dozen times before, generally as economic stimulus measures. Since it’s popular and it’s been passed so many times before, Republicans argued, the policy should be made permanent…More than 30 Democrats crossed the aisle to support the measure. Indeed, Democrats like the general idea of extending the tax break. But they also want to pursue the elusive bipartisan goal of reforming tax laws more broadly. Democrats say that the tax cuts Republicans are pushing would, if made permanent, would add more than $800 billion in total to the deficit. And that’s revenue that won’t be available for comprehensive tax reform. Rep. Sander Levin (Mich.), the top Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee, accused Ryan and the GOP of trying to “rig” the game.” [HuffPost]
WHITHER H.R. 1? – Symbolic sadness. Billy House: The U.S. House of Representatives is six weeks into its new session without saying which legislative priority will become H.R. 1. The symbolic prized designation in past sessions has gone to proposals including the No Child Left Behind Act, the Sept. 11 Commission proposals and the Family and Medical Leave Act. This year, Republicans who control the House left the number vacant as of Friday, as Congress begins a week-long Presidents’ Day break.” [Bloomberg]
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@nycsouthpaw: DUCKS IN DISARRAY
@SimonMaloy:
ORE-GONE: KITZ QUITS AS BLITZ HITS
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