Speaker on power sharing: 'Trust me' (Billings Gazette)

HELENA - The incoming Democratic speaker of the evenly divided Montana House said Tuesday that he'll exercise sole authority for deciding committee chairs and assignments for the 2009 Legislature - a stance not going over well with Republicans.

Clout: Senate colleague appropriates Fumo roost (Philly.com)

WHILE state Sen. Vince Fumo watches his life being dissected in federal court, the power he wielded in Harrisburg is slipping away - and with it, the clout of Philadelphia's delegation in Harrisburg.

Update: State House Power Struggle Underway (Flathead Beacon)

UPDATE: Republicans today sent out a news release with more party leadership criticizing Democratic House Speaker Bob Bergren of Havre for what they call an "unprecedented power grab." State GOP Chairman Erik Iverson, former gubernatorial candidate Roy Brown, and former Republican leader Bob Marks of Clancy weigh in: “Montana voters elected 50 Republicans and 50 Democrats to the House of ...

101st troops in Baghdad try concerts, 'nurturers' (The Tennessean)

BAGHDAD — It was billed as a peace concert in war-scarred Baghdad. But after 30 minutes of poetry and patriotic songs, only a scattering of tribal leaders and dark-suited bureaucrats were sitting in the vast expanse of chairs before a stage painted with doves.

REGION: CPUC chairman calls for power line approval (North County Times)

The chairman of a state regulatory body Tuesday set the stage for allowing San Diego Gas & Electric Co. to build its controversial power line through the southern part of the county, without guaranteeing it will ship green energy over the wires.