Free Republic

Saying the ailing economy is putting enough stress on taxpayers, Senate Republican leader Dave Cogdill said Tuesday that Republicans will oppose any tax hikes to bridge California's budget deficit. Cogdill suggested the deficit, which he pegged at $16 billion for the fiscal year beginning July 1, could be wiped out through service cuts and tapping into the reserves of voter-approved initiatives intended for early childhood education, mental health services and transportation. Taxpayers already are grappling with "record gas prices (and) food prices going through the roof," Cogdill, R-Modesto, said during a meeting ... "They're very concerned about their mortgages, and...

Military action against Iran is inconceivable and diplomacy could still end the international standoff over Tehran's nuclear program, said British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, whose country plays a key role in negotiations. Iran insists its nuclear program is designed for generating electricity, but the Bush administration believes Tehran intends to produce atomic weapons and has refused to rule out military strikes. "All United States presidents always say all options are open. But it is not on the table, it is not on the agenda. I happen to think that it is inconceivable," Straw told British Broadcasting Corp. radio on Wednesday....

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- State legislators returned from a month-long recess Monday to deal with hundreds of bills in the last four weeks of their 2005 session and prepare for a fall special election fight that promises to be bitter and expensive. Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata ruled out a last-minute deal that could avoid a battle over three of the eight measures currently on that ballot - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's spending limit, redistricting and teacher probation initiatives. Thursday is the deadline for lawmakers to add measures to the Nov. 8 ballot, and there has been speculation that the Legislature's...