Washington, D.C.: Kennedy seeks delay in Bush tax cuts
Staking out a position at odds with many in his own party, Democratic Sen. Edward M. Kennedy said Wednesday that $350 billion of President Bush's tax cuts should be postponed to pay for national priorities ranging from health care to education.
"We have more urgent needs at home as well as abroad" than income tax cuts affecting upper-income taxpayers now set to take effect in 2004 and 2006, Kennedy said.
Under Kennedy's proposal, reductions in the three highest income tax rates now scheduled for 2004 and 2006 would be postponed indefinitely. Planned cuts in the 27 percent rate affecting more middle-class taxpayers would go forward, as would other pending pieces of the tax cut such as gradual increases in the per-child tax credit and relief from the tax marriage penalty.
Pennsylvania: Alcohol concerns raise Groundhog Day security
When Punxsutawney Phil pops his head out of his hole on Feb. 2 to tell people whether they will experience six more weeks of winter, the groundhog may see more than his shadow.
Concerns about rowdy drinkers, coupled with the Sept. 11 attacks, have led to stepped-up security at Phil's home, Gobbler's Knob.
People with backpacks or bags will be subject to search at Gobbler's Knob. "We're going to be looking for anything, but (drinking) is our main angle here," State Police spokesman Jamie LeVeir said.
The Punxsutawney Borough Council on Monday voted to allow a charity to serve beer downtown during the festivities, despite objections that the fund-raiser would encourage drinking and rowdy behavior.
Groundhog Day organizers banned drinking on Gobbler's Knob in 1996.
New Jersey: Crane mishap puts 1,000 out of homes
Efforts to right a damaged construction crane teetering over a waterfront neighborhood in Jersey City were suspended late Wednesday as police told about 1,000 residents to vacate their homes.
Crews stopped work until engineers from the firm that built the 470-foot crane reach the site today to evaluate the situation, Deputy Police Director Edgar Martinez said.
Repairs may take several days, and residents won't be allowed to return until then.
The crane is attached to the side of a building, which has 18 of 29 stories completed. An apparent electrical malfunction Wednesday caused the boom to extend too far and the crane began to tilt, officials said.
The Red Cross is providing hotel vouchers to residents.
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