Brian Naylor

How A Merger Could Affect Congress' Favorite Airport

Brian Naylor — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:19:00 +0000

If the US Airways-American Airlines merger announced earlier this year is approved, the combined airline would control two-thirds of the takeoff and landing slots at Reagan National Airport, outside Washington, D.C.

The government could force the airline to give up some of those slots as a condition of the merger. But lawmakers warn that could have consequences for some small- and medium-sized cities. And, not coincidentally, it could affect flight plans for lawmakers themselves.

Reagan National Airport is just a short taxi ride away from Capitol Hill.

Many Bridges Are Unsafe, But Few Agree on Fixes

Brian Naylor — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 10:39:00 +0000

As you head out for summer vacation, ponder this: There's a 1 in 9 chance that the bridge you're crossing has been deemed structurally deficient or basically in bad shape by the federal government.

The collapse of the I-5 bridge in Washington last week has once again raised questions about the state of the nation's infrastructure. But there is no consensus on how to tackle the problem or how to pay for proposed solutions.

The I-5 bridge was not one of the nearly 67,000 bridges across the nation deemed structurally deficient.

Public Employee Unions Take Issue With Immigration Overhaul

Brian Naylor — Wed, 29 May 2013 20:46:00 +0000

A bill that would overhaul the nation's immigration laws is headed to the Senate floor early next month, where it will need all the friends it can get to pass. The measure would give the estimated 11 million immigrants in the United States illegally a path to citizenship, as well as tighten border protections.

The bill has split organized labor. Unions with workers likely to benefit from the proposed changes, including the farm workers' union, support the measure.

Nonconservative Groups Say IRS Scrutinized Them, Too

Brian Naylor — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:41:00 +0000

The IRS was in the hot seat Friday, with its outgoing acting commissioner testifying before a House committee. A Senate panel is scheduled for Tuesday. Congress is prodding to find out why the agency singled out conservative groups for special scrutiny.

Attention has focused on the IRS' flagging of these groups starting in 2010.

One Reason To Apply For Tax-Exempt Status: Anonymity

Brian Naylor — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:32:00 +0000

Revelations that the Internal Revenue Service targeted some conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status for extra scrutiny have put a spotlight on a part of the tax code increasingly popular with political groups: section 501(c)(4).

But what's the benefit for organizations to get approved for 501(c)(4) status?

The Mississippi Tea Party, a volunteer organization, first applied for tax-exempt status in 2010.

Push To End Teens' Distracted Driving Targets Parents, Peers

Brian Naylor — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:28:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JVspjqaFro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MJN7ncuIQo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI6MKwCADb8

Some Democrats Back Same-Sex Amendment To Immigration Bill

Brian Naylor — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:29:00 +0000

The immigration overhaul bill before the Senate would provide, among other things, more visas for migrant farm workers and high-tech workers, and a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.

One thing it would not provide is help for same-sex couples in which one partner is an American and one foreign-born. For heterosexual couples, a foreign-born spouse automatically qualifies for a green card and many of the benefits of citizenship.

Boston Response Praised, But Intelligence-Sharing Questioned

Brian Naylor — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:26:00 +0000

In the days since the Boston Marathon bombings, local law enforcement officials have been given high marks for their response to the attack and the coordination among numerous federal, state and local agencies involved.

But at the same time, questions are being raised about the coordination among federal agencies handling intelligence they had about the suspects in the months before the attack.

At a Senate hearing Tuesday, there was nothing but praise for the actions of the responders.

Boston Lockdown 'Extraordinary' But Prudent, Experts Say

Brian Naylor — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:20:00 +0000

Local officials have defended the decision to essentially lock down the city of Boston on Friday while law enforcement searched for a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing.

Residents were told to remain indoors during the hunt for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who survived an early morning shootout with police in the suburb of Watertown during which his brother, Tamerlan, was killed.

Massachusetts Gov.

Some States Hike Gas Tax; Va. Tries New Route To Fund Roads

Brian Naylor — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:34:00 +0000

It's no secret that many of the nation's roads are in pretty bad shape. In the latest report card from the American Society of Civil Engineers, the condition of America's highways rated a grade of D.

Congestion is a big problem, and so is upkeep. Most states rely on gas taxes to raise the money for repairs and new construction, but that funding source is not the stream it used to be, says James Corless of Transportation for America.

"Cars are getting more efficient, and people are actually driving less," Corless says.