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To Be Governed...

Last Updated: January 31, 2005)

Break Republican windows, please

An impromptu demonstration by a crowd spilling from a "counter-inaugural ball" in Adams Morgan late Thursday turned into one of the biggest Inauguration Day disturbances, leaving windows smashed and nearly 80 people arrested….

D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) criticized protesters for damaging property in an area of town that is largely liberal and diverse.

"Adams Morgan is not associated with the Republican Party," he said. "We are not the home of George W. Bush."

--Washington Post, January 22, 2005

Nice work if you can get it

In the fallout from an accounting scandal, Fannie Mae . . . said in a regulatory filing that its principal accounting officer, Leanne G. Spencer, stepped down as senior vice president and controller. Spencer, who was criticized by regulators in a September report, will remain on the payroll for a year in an advisory role unless she resigns or is fired, Fannie Mae said.

--Washington Post, January 22, 2005

The turnover at Fannie Mae continued as three more executives who shared responsibility for the mortgage-funding company's accounting stepped down late last week.

Moving into unspecified advisory roles were senior vice presidents Jonathan Boyles, who oversaw accounting policy and tax; Janet L. Pennewell, who oversaw financial reporting; and Sam Rajappa, who oversaw internal auditing, company spokesman Charles V. Greener said….

Arrangements were still being finalized for Boyles, Rajappa and Pennewell, Greener said, "but we expect them to be similar to those of Leanne Spencer."

--Washington Post, January 25, 2005

He oughta know

John D. Podesta, White House chief of staff under President Clinton . . . said, “I think that most of [Bush’s] domestic agenda is driven and run by a political strategy as much as core fundamentals and belief.”

--Washington Post, January 30, 2005

Soon he’ll be back to lecturing on corporate ethics

In the latest setback for the corporate-governance movement, Yale University's School of Management is quietly forcing out the prize-winning head of its International Institute for Corporate Governance over alleged expense-account abuse.

Florencio López-de-Silanes, 38 years old, allegedly double-billed Yale for about $150,000 in business-travel expenses since mid-2001.

--Wall Street Journal, January 10, 2005

If a statesman is a dead politician, will he be a statesman then?

Many Republicans are expressing reservations about the political wisdom of President Bush's vision for restructuring Social Security. . . .

"Why stir up a political hornet's nest . . . when there is no urgency?" said Rep. Rob Simmons (Conn.), who represents a competitive district. "When does the program go belly up? 2042. I will be dead by then."

--Washington Post, January 11, 2005

Government growth

For the Washington area, the outlook is even rosier. Economists say our area's real estate market will outperform the nation. They cite the tens of thousands of jobs that are expected to be created in the area next year, mostly by the federal government and federal contractors.

--Washington Post, January 1, 2005

Oops! Our program to reduce gas consumption worked. What do we do now?

To fund repairs, Oregon relies on the state gas tax, which costs drivers 24 cents for every gallon purchased.

This used to be a sufficient revenue stream for road maintenance, but the proliferation of fuel-efficient vehicles combined with the increasing popularity of hybrid-electric vehicles has created a gas-tax crunch that is not improving. This vehicular conundrum, though great for the environment, has become the bane of not only Oregon's road budget, but also of road budgets across the nation.

--Government Technology, December 16, 2004