Governors for secret ballots

2| Workers have voting rights, too

The details: Ten governors wrote to congressional leaders in opposition to the horribly misnamed Employee Free Choice Act – aka “card-check”  – that would kill the secret ballot in workplace representation elections. The state chief executives rightly noted that the bill would violate “long held traditions that have protected the privacy and security of American workers.”

Public wants more scrutiny

3| TARP must be uncovered

The details: Showing far more sense than the politicians have, 62 percent of the U.S. public surveyed recently by Gallup said they wanted Congress to block release of TARP bailout funds until more information is available about how the money will be used.

Prairie values still intact

4| Kansas governor holds the line

The details: Gov. Kathleen Sibelius, a popular Democrat, promised a no-news-taxes budget during her annual address to the state legislature. Sibelius advocated careful budget cuts instead to deal with the state government’s deficit.

Tackling entitlements

5| Obama identifies problem

The details: President-elect Barack Obama pledged to make saving Medicare and Social Security, both facing insolvency, a White House priority. He said America can no longer “kick this can down the road.” His prescriptions may end up being objectionable, but his diagnosis is correct.

Picking up Inauguration tab

6| Bush pitches in for successor’s celebration

The Details: The Bush White House announced Tuesday that it would make emergency funding available to help the District cover the costs of Barack Obama’s inauguration. City officials backed away from previous estimates that 4 million people would watch the Barack Obama’s swearing-in, but say that the amount Congress appropriated will only cover a third of the costs.

Less crime

7| Prince George County is much safer

The Details: Fifty-nine percent fewer car-jackings and 21 percent fewer murders were committed in Prince George’s County in the last three years, thanks to police tactics that target known offenders, crack down on street gangs and improve communication with citizens. Even though a few sensational crimes still made headlines  – including the vicious beating of a 69-year-old man outside a church on Christmas Eve – the county is a lot safer than it was in 2005.

Not raising taxes…

8| …And repealing existing ones

The Details: Virginia Del. Jeff Frederick, R-Woodbridge, is not only against increasing taxes to balance the commonwealth’s budget, he even wants to repeal the existing tax on business and professional licenses. The outspoken state GOP chairman has no problem taking on other Republicans. Last year, he clashed with John McCain’s aides and criticized fellow Virginia House Speaker Bill Howell for passing a major transportation tax hike.

Mortgage help

9| Virginia settles with Countrywide

The Details: Attorney General Robert McDonnell announced that an $8.4 billion multi-state settlement with Countrywide Financial will provide $218.8 million to help struggling Virginia homeowners keep their homes. Borrowers who got a sub-prime adjustable rate mortgage from Countrywide or one of its affiliates before Dec. 31, 2007 are eligible.

Welcoming the new baby

10| Newborn gorilla draws oohs, aahs

The Details: Visitors are delighting the first lowland gorilla to be born at the National Zoo since 2001. Gorillas are the world’s largest primates and a critically endangered species. The week-old baby born January 10 is the sixth offspring of 26-year-old Mandara. The newborn is also the seventh gorilla to be born at the zoo since 1991.