Weekly Columns

While Americans continue to pay ever increasing prices for gasoline, House and Senate leaders continue to block real solutions and instead appear to have adopted the policy of "pay more - drive less."

It's no secret that our nation's veterans are enthusiastically using their higher education benefits when they return from service. In fact, last year over 523,000 American veterans took advantage of government education assistance.

The traditional tax deadline may have passed - but millions of taxpayers who are eligible to obtain economic stimulus payments have not filed the necessary paperwork to receive them. Those taxpayers will soon be at risk of losing their stimulus benefits.

Thomas Paine once said, "The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph." In the past few months two pieces of legislation have been the source of intense debate from both sides of the political aisle.

Last week the Republican members of the U.S. House unveiled an economic agenda designed to lower gas prices, eliminate wasteful government spending and prevent tax increases.

When I think about the contrast between the condition of our state and the condition of our country, I am reminded of the famous line from Charles Dickens novel, A Tale of Two Cities, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

As each day goes by, Americans feel the growing pressure caused by steadily increasing energy prices. Oil is nearing $130 a barrel and gasoline is hovering around $4 per gallon nationally.

Last week the nation's Capitol was probably one of the safest places in the country. It received an extra measure of safety because thousands of law enforcement officials from across the United States came to lobby Congress, honor fallen heroes and participate in other activities that mark the annual National Police Week.