March 2, 2018
Our cover story is by John McKechnie, who reports on the momentum toward Dodd-Frank reform. Larry Smith updates us on NAFTA and trade. Jake Ostenso provides the latest in regulatory reform in Agency Watch. Steve Gordon covers Governors, Appropriators, Talk of Tariffs, and The Big Wind in “Heard on the Hill.” Dana Marston shares next week’s calendar of legislative hearings and mark-ups, as well as infographics on the opioid crisis and SNAP participation. As always, we’re grateful for your comments and suggestions – and your interest in Washington.
Read MoreMarch 1, 2018
In this edition of Inside Democracy: From the Peach State to the Potomac, we highlight Congressman Jody Hice, who represents the Tenth Congressional District of Georgia, located southeast of Atlanta. He has served in Congress since 2015. Congressman Hice was recently appointed to the House Armed Services Committee, which is an important committee for Georgia. We recently asked Congressman Hice to visit with us and the Inside Democracy Readers.
Read MoreFebruary 28, 2018
Governors from across the country convened in our nation’s capital this week for the National Governors Association’s annual Winter Meeting. This three-day meeting highlights the intersection of federal and state interaction. There is no one better suited than governors to know the broad effects, both good and bad, of decisions made by Congress and federal agencies upon states. It is a time when governors from across the political spectrum convene to discuss how they handle certain issues and circumstances with each other and with federal leaders.
Read MoreFebruary 16, 2018
Infrastructure is center stage in Washington – and in Arizona. Mike Joyce, our infrastructure and trade expert, provides a review of the President’s infrastructure plan. Steve Gordon discusses what he heard last weekend at the National Republican Senatorial Committee retreat and during the week in “Heard on the Hill.” Al Jackson reviews the defense numbers in the two-year budget deal recently signed by the President.
Read MoreFebruary 15, 2018
In this edition of Inside Democracy: From the Peach State to the Potomac, we highlight Congressman Doug Collins, who represents the Ninth Congressional District of Georgia, located in the northeast part of the state. He has served in Congress since 2013 and is Vice Chairman of the House Republican Conference.
Read MoreFebruary 14, 2018
Infrastructure - How Badly Do States Want It? Total Spectrum partner Mike Joyce, one of Washington’s most knowledgeable transportation and infrastructure strategists, offers his insight on the Administration's recent infrastructure proposal.
Read MoreFebruary 12, 2018
The White House rolled out this morning their long-awaited infrastructure plan. The plan calls for spending $1.5 trillion on infrastructure -- $200 billion from the federal government paid for by unspecified cuts in the upcoming budget, and $1.3 trillion from cities, states, private investors, and other sources. The plan also cuts the federal red tape that bogs down projects and increases costs. They have included specific money for rural communities, aid to support apprenticeships and other forms of workforce training, and some funds for transformative, next-century projects. Click link below to download materials released this morning from the White House. Mike Joyce will dig deeper and summarize in this week's This Week in Washington.
Read MoreFebruary 9, 2018
The Budget Battle went to the center stage this week. Republicans wanted to raise the caps on defense spending, and Democrats wanted to spend more on domestic programs. Neither party saw the benefit of shutting down the government, and the idea of governing with a series of stop-gap, last minute patches didn’t set well with anybody. Steve Gordon summarizes the week, including a summary of Glen Hamer’s meetings in Washington, in “Heard on the Hill.” Dana Marston provides a calendar of next week’s hearings and legislative markups, as well as the latest in the nation’s unemployment numbers, the trade balance, and Congress’s proposed budget deals. Next week, Steve will summarize some of the conversations from the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s winter retreat, and we’ll have updates on pending legislation from some of our colleagues.
Read MoreFebruary 1, 2018
In this edition of Inside Democracy: From the Peach State to the Potomac, we highlight Congressman Tom Graves, who represents Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, located in the northwest part of the state. He has served in Congress since 2010 and is the dean of Georgia’s House Republicans.
Read MoreJanuary 31, 2018
This week, we look at President Trump's State of the Union address from federal-state perspective. By the time you read this article, President Trump’s first State of the Union address will have been delivered. Transcripts for State of the Union speeches are being polished almost right up to the minute the President leaves for the Capitol, so transcripts are not yet available.
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