Senate Finance Committee passes healthcare bill.

The New York Times reported that the Senate Finance Committee voted to approve Chairman Max Baucus’ $829 billion health care bill on Tuesday in a 14-9 vote.  Maine Senator Olympia Snowe was the only Republican on the committee to vote in favor of the bill that would reshape the American healthcare system.   It is the fifth version of the bill to be passed by a congressional committee.

The legislation would provide health benefits to the majority of the uninsured, provide government subsidies to help moderate-income Americans buy insurance through government-regulated markets, and impose tougher regulations on the insurance industry, like barring insurers from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions.

My Take:  This is major step forward for the Democrats and all in favor of the health-care bill.  Republican Senator Olympia Snowe’s support of the bill allows President Obama and the Democrats to hail the legislation as bipartisan and could show an even stronger shift toward passing the bill in the Senate.

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Governor Paterson signs "Green Bill" in North Syracuse

Syracuse.com reports that New York Governor David Paterson signed a “Green Jobs/Green New York” bill in North Syracuse today.  The bill will provide loans for energy-saving repairs to homeowners, businesses and non-profit organizations.  It is also expected to create up to 14,000 jobs across the state due to  an expected increase in demand for contractors. 

The bill is being hailed for saving the environment, creating jobs, and saving homeowners’ money.  The program will be administered through the state’s Energy Research and Development Authority.  Paterson signed the bill at the state Weatherization Directors Association in North Syracuse. 

My Take: This is a bill that deals with three major issues affecting New York and Central New York.  The first is helping to protect the environment, a movement that is gaining more momentum.  The other two are saving homeowners’ money and creating jobs.  With high unemployment rates like the country is dealing with right now, this bill can pull a lot of people up out of economic turmoil. 

Limbaugh already down one vote to be an NFL owner

Rush Limbaugh’s bid to become a partial owner of the St. Louis Rams suffered two more blows Tuesday.  Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has already said that he would vote against Limbaugh.  According to an AP report on ESPN.com, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said that Limbaugh’s “’divisive’ comments would not be tolerated by an NFL insider. “

The Reverends Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have already spoken out against the conservative commentator’s bid with St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts to buy the St. Louis Rams.  NFL Players Association head DeMaurice Smith has urged players to speak out against Limbaugh’s bid. 

My Take: Technically, Limbaugh should be allowed to buy the Rams, but his negative comments about the NFL in the past, such as it looking like the Bloods and the Crypts fighting without weapons have created this problem.  Limbaugh put up these roadblocks to his ownership of the Rams.  Now he must prove he can be trusted to no longer make negative comments about the league.