We are back and Happy New Year! The political Roundup is back and the following is a glimpse of political activity going on in Washington and across the nation. Courtesy of Scott Wilk, Community Organizer, and Anchor Consulting group and The Beacon will be posting these daily as they become available.

 

IN THE HOUSE

  • The House is not in session.
  • Washington heavyweights join football fans in demanding a college playoff  -  As the New Year approaches and the college football bowl season heats up, Washington politicians and pundits are fiercely debating the way the national champion is chosen. (The Hill)

IN THE SENATE

  • The Senate is not in session. 
  • Deadlock Persists Over TSA Nominee  -  The White House on Sunday urged senators to quickly hold a vote on its nominee to head the Transportation Security Administration, but the battle showed little signs of easing as a Republican reiterated his concerns about the pick. (WSJ)

OTHER NEWS

  • Legislators Work to Improve Laws on Runaways-  State and federal lawmakers from around the country are pressing a variety of new laws that would make sweeping changes in the way runaways and prostituted children are handled by police officers and social workers. (NY Times)
  • Will latest jobs bill really produce jobs?  -  When the Senate takes up a jobs bill later this month or early in February, the debate will center on whether it really will create jobs and be worth plunging the government tens of billions of dollars further into debt. (AP)
  • Bernanke Blames Weak Regulation for Financial Crisis  -  Regulatory failure, not low interest rates, was responsible for the housing bubble and subsequent financial crisis of the last decade, Ben S. Bernanke, the Federal Reserve chairman, said in a speech on Sunday. (NY Times)
  • Estate-Tax Repeal Means Some Spouses Are Left Out  -  Spouses of those wealthy who die this year might find themselves with nothing if the family will isn’t revised—a major wrinkle that could follow Friday’s repeal of the federal estate tax. (WSJ)
  • Reids, Bidens and Pauls to attempt to follow the Bushes and Kennedys  -  Voters will see several familiar names on the ballot in 2010 as the offspring of prominent politicians try to follow their relatives into office. (The Hill)

 GRANT OF THE DAY

  • Leadership Education in Maternal and Child Public Health- The purpose of MCH public health training program is to improve the health status of women (including women of reproductive age), infants, children, youth, and their families. MCH Public Health Training Programs in accredited Schools of Public Health support the training of public health professionals for leadership in Maternal and Child Health through exposure to MCH competencies. Because this is a leadership training program, individuals should exceed standards of proficiency in their fields of interest after completion of their respective programs. MCH Public Health Training Programs also foster interdisciplinary teamwork in didactic and field practicum settings, provide continuing education, technical assistance and professional consultation, with particular emphasis on efforts that are regional and national in scope, develop collaborative relationships with state Title V MCH and CSHCN agencies, develop, disseminate and market new knowledge; and advocate on behalf of the MCH population. Grant supported MCH Training Programs must incorporate elements of cultural competence into didactic and field practicum settings and ensure trainee/faculty diversity in recruitment/retention efforts. For a list of eligible applicants or more information, see HRSA.

The closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement is February 5, 2010.

TODAY IN HISTORY

  • January 4, 1847- On this day, gunsmith Samuel Colt sells the first revolver-style pistol to the United States government.

Source and thanks to www.anchor-consult.com / For more information, or to be removed from this list, contact Anchor Consulting, LLC at [email protected].