Most state governments can’t balance their budgets either.  According to this UPI article, the States are facing at least $200 billion in budget deficits.  States have cut about $40 billion in spending and may cut $62 billion more.  Only Missouri, Arkansas, North Dakota, and Wyoming are likely to avoid budget shortfalls in the upcoming fiscal year.  At least 12 states have taken steps to raise income and sales taxes, and many states have hiked “fees” on a variety of products and services in an attempt to avoid severe deficits.

What are your city councils,  reps & senators, and governors doing to balance the budget?  Are they cutting spending or just raising taxes & fees?

Who’s up for re-election in 2010, and how have they voted on fiscal matters?

Are any first-time, fiscal conservatives* running for office as political “outsiders”?  Perhaps some fresh faces are needed.

Read the article here.

*  Fiscal conservatives can be Republicans, Democrats, Independents, or Third Party

President Obama wants to devote 3% of GDP to scientific innovation. Obama claims his administration would double the budgets of key agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Now, who can argue with science? We all agree that science, research, and technology are vital aspects of human civilization. However, several, key questions should be considered.

(more…)