CQ Politics' Web Picks

Los Angeles Times: Senate Not Likely to Oust Sen. Roland Burris Anytime Soon

Though Roland Burris had some trouble being admitted to the U.S. Senate, he will not be easily expelled now that he has arrived. It takes a vote of two-thirds of the senators to oust a member, and the last senators to be formally expelled were charged with supporting the rebels during the Civil War. The Senate Ethics Committee has wide powers to investigate members for actions "unbecoming" of a senator. It has been busy over the last two years, and its probes can put political pressure on a senator. Rarely, however, does the committee go much further and impose a public punishment.

New York Times: In Reversal, Mayor Now Woos Political Parties

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has denounced political parties as a "swamp of dysfunction," has bankrolled a campaign to eliminate them from the New York City elections and has dismissively cast off his own party affiliations like ill-fitting garments. But now, in what may rank as the most humbling experience of his mayoralty, Mr. Bloomberg is pleading with those same scorned parties to put his name on their ballot lines this fall.

Anchorage Daily News: State Says Palin Owes Tax on Per Diem

Gov. Sarah Palin must pay income taxes on thousands of dollars in expense money she received while living at her Wasilla home, under a new determination by state officials. The governor's office wouldn't say this week how much she owes in back taxes for meal money, or whether she intends to continue to receive the per diem allowance. As of December, she was still charging the state for meals and incidentals.

Rolling Stone: Pelosi Hits Back

For the moment, Speaker Nancy Pelosi is cloaking her instincts as an experienced street fighter in the soothing tones of bipartisanship. Though her eyes flash green when she puts a sharp point on an argument, she seems reticent to take shots at the House Republicans who voted en masse against the recovery package. "The Republicans do a disservice with their message of "I hope you fail." It doesn't help build confidence, and we all have a responsibility to do that," she said. "No matter what we are criticizing or commenting on, we have to do so in a way that does not undermine the public's confidence."

Miami Herald: Florida Can't Keep Up With Concealed Weapons Permit Requests

People in Florida are fearful of the economic future, and one way they are coping is by buying guns. The state office that issues concealed weapons permits is buried under a backlog of 95,000 applications, and doesn't have enough money in its budget to do the job. A legislative budget panel is being asked to approve a midyear budget transfer of nearly $4 million to catch up to the demand for permits.

Fargo Forum: North Dakota Abortion Battle

The sponsor of an abortion bill that passed the North Dakota House on Tuesday said he is already aware of several groups around the country that will help defend the state if it is taken to court because of the law.

Detroit News: Carmakers Rush to Sell Their Plans

General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC quickly began the task of selling their revised restructuring plans to the White House, Congress and a bailout-weary public after asking for up to $21.6 billion in additional government aid.

Detroit Free Press: GM's Bondholders Skeptical

As General Motors Corp. intensifies negotiations to restructure its debt, the automaker is running into resistance from bondholders who are questioning whether the company's viability plan goes far enough to fix the struggling automaker.

Wall Street Journal: Pressure to Rework Mortgages Will Ripple Through Industry

The foreclosure-prevention plan announced by President Barack Obama comes with incentives for lenders to ease mortgage payments for struggling borrowers -- but also with a cudgel: If the mortgage industry doesn't modify loans, bankruptcy judges may cut payments more sharply.

Wall Street Journal: Job-Discrimination Cases Tend To Fare Poorly in Federal Court

Workers recently gained new ammunition to file job-discrimination cases in federal court, but they still face long odds against emerging victorious. A battery of recent studies shows that employees who sue over discrimination lose at a higher rate in federal court than other types of plaintiffs. They also get less time in court, with judges quicker to throw out their cases.

Washington Post: Valenti's Sexuality Was Topic For FBI

When Beltway insider Jack Valenti died two years ago at age 85, he was playing the role of intermediary between Washington and Hollywood as the theatrical, snowy-haired president of the Motion Picture Association of America. But back in 1964, Valenti was a Houston ad executive newly installed at the White House as a top aide to President Lyndon B. Johnson. And J. Edgar Hoover's FBI found itself quietly consumed with the vexing question of whether Valenti was gay.