Today's Fresh Meat

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Dozens of proposals under consideration at the Capitol would raise state fees,from traffic tickets to property insurance. The fee increases shouldgive legislators some breathing room as they discuss possible taxincreases.

Congressional Republicans are pushing for offshore oil drilling,hoping that a push for new domestic energy will help them comeNovember. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has pointed out thatoil companies have already leased areas for drilling that haven't yetbeen tapped. "Why should we be giving big oil additional leases todrill when they have 68 million acres under lease already that they'renot drilling on right now?" Pelosi said.

George Carlin, standup comedian and actor, has passed away in Los Angeles due to apparent heart failure.

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