Miscellany

May 15, 20130

“Everybody wants to see more spending. That's what this place is, it's a big spending machine.”

— California Governor Jerry Brown putting lawmakers on notice yesterday that he had no desire to ratchet up spending in his new budget, despite a multibillion-dollar windfall of tax receipts in recent months, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Morning Must Reads: May 15

By Alex RogersMay 15, 20130

In the news: IRS, Eric Holder, the deficit, Boston Marathon bombings a month later, Pentagon furloughs, the blood alcohol limit, Texas gun laws, and “Space Oddity”

May 14, 2013

$642 Billion

— The Congressional Budget Office's latest estimate for the fiscal year 2013 federal deficit, down from $845 billion three months ago and $1.087 trillion last year, amid higher than expected tax revenues and dividend payments from federally-owned mortgage-finance companies Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

May 14, 20130

“He is a strong, bright man, but he has the look of a man who's about to take on a job he’s not at all sure is going to end well.”

— Vice President Biden on China President Xi Jinping in his University of Pennsylvania commencement speech.

Morning Must Reads: May 14

By Alex RogersMay 14, 20130

In the news: the IRS, Benghazi, Obamacare, Angelina Jolie, the US drone economy, and “Bitter Pill”

May 13, 20130

“If you've got the IRS operating in anything less than a neutral and nonpartisan way, then that is outrageous, it is contrary to our traditions, and people have to be held accountable.”

— President Barack Obama, speaking at a news conference Monday on reports that the IRS improperly targeted conservative groups for additional scrutiny. "I've got no patience with it," Obama said. "I will not tolerate it."

May 13, 20130

“The whole issue of talking points, frankly, throughout this process has been a sideshow.”

— President Barack Obama, arguing that the controversy over the Benghazi attack has been politically motivated. The "political circus" surrounding the Sept. 11, 2012 attacks, Obama added, has "dishonor[ed]" the victims

Morning Must Reads: May 13

By Alex RogersMay 13, 20130

In the news: IRS, China, Heritage Foundation, Pakistan’s election, David Cameron, and Seth Myers

May 10, 2013

59.4 billion

— Amount of the dividend to be paid to the U.S. Treasury by mortgage financier Fannie Mae, which was seized by regulators in 2008 as the housing market collapsed but has now returned to profitability

Morning Must Reads: May 10

By Alex RogersMay 10, 20130

In the news: Texas, Benghazi, immigration reform, Syria, Hispanics, Wall St. five years later, E-Bay, and Prince Harry.

May 09, 2013

16

— Number of American babies born in 2012 who were named Romney, according to data released today by the Social Security Administration

May 09, 20130

“Our relationship has improved dramatically in the last 10 years … But when information is out there that affects the safety of my community, I need to know that.”

— Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis, responding to a question at a House hearing today about whether the FBI shares enough information with local police, particularly when there's a potential terrorist threat

Morning Must Reads: May 9

By Alex RogersMay 09, 20130

In the news: Benghazi, Syria, Wall Street, 2014, Timelapse pictures, and what’s prettier in print this week