Beltway Business –

Posted on 5. November 2010 by Jim Sutliff

A recent Business In The Beltway article on Forbes discusses the priorities of the new Congress.  Republican victories in the House and Senate have changed the political landscape and are likely to shift policies on tax.  Tax will almost certainly be the top priority of the Republican House.  Democrats still have the edge in the Senate but the agenda is likely to be dictated by Republicans. 

To read the Forbes article, please click here:

http://blogs.forbes.com/brianwingfield/2010/11/03/republicans-win-big-first-order-of-business-taxes/

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Business, Congress, Democrat, Economy, Election, Energy, Estate Tax, General, Healthcare, Politics, Regulatory, Republican, Tax, Trade | Leave a comment

Upheaval –

Posted on 3. November 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Massive shifts of power and influence can be expected in Washington DC.  Republicans gained over 60 seats in the House and several in the Senate.  The final number of seats will be determined after all ballots are counted and than recounted.  The race for Washington Senate between Democrat Patty Murray and Republican Dino Rossi is too close to call.  Washington state also has voting through the mail so all ballots have not been received.  Real Clear Politics has a solid election day recap of all races.

To visit Real Clear Politics, please click here:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Congress, DC, Democrat, Election, General, Governor, Politics, Republican | Leave a comment

Quantitative Easing –

Posted on 2. November 2010 by Jim Sutliff

A recent survey indicated that 53 of 56 economists expected the Federal Reserve to start a second round of quantitative easing.  The survey also indicated that 29 economists expect the amount to exceed $500 billion.  The stock market is expected to have a favorable reaction to the bond purchases.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-01/fed-likely-to-announce-500-billion-of-purchases-survey-shows.html

James Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Business, Economy, Federal Reserve, General, Regulatory | Leave a comment

Races To Watch –

Posted on 1. November 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The Wall Street Journal has an article on the upcoming elections and the races to watch.  The quick election guide details the House seats in the Northeast to follow for an indication of the election day trends.  Early victories by the GOP could all but guarantee Republican control of the House.  The article also points out Senate seats that Republicans must win to arrive at 51 seats.  Some of the seats to watch are Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Missouri.  Currently, Democrats are trailing in the polls of all three contests.

To read the Wall Street Journal article, please click here:

http://blogs.wsj.com/capitaljournal/2010/11/01/stock-up-on-munchies-for-l-o-n-g-election-night/

James Sutliff

Posted in Congress, Democrat, Election, General, Governor, Politics, Republican | Leave a comment

U.S. Senate 2012 –

Posted on 31. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The Senate Democrats are expected to have a rough time in the upcoming elections.  However, the 2012 election cycle could prove to be even worse for their party.  Republicans have a chance to make significant gains in both the House and Senate.  Democratic Senate seats like Wisconsin and Hawaii were once considered safe and are now in play.

To read a related Roll Call article, please click here:

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/56_42/politics/51057-1.html

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Congress, Democrat, Election, General, Politics, Republican | Leave a comment

Prepay Estate Taxes –

Posted on 29. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Estate Taxes are growing as a campaign issue and candidates are starting to listen to the voters.  Repealing the estate tax is one option that is being supported by some lawmakers.  A possible compromise has been suggested by Democratic Senator Cantwell of Washington.  The compromise would allow taxpayers to prepay estate taxes while they are still living.  In return, the taxpayer would receive a lower rate and freeze asset values in a trust.  The move would spark estate planning activity and increase federal revenues in the near term.  The bill is likely to receive some level of Republican support in the Senate.

To read a related Forbes article, please click here:

http://blogs.forbes.com/janetnovack/2010/10/26/should-congress-let-the-next-mark-zuckerberg-prepay-his-estate-taxes/

James Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Election, Estate Tax, General, Politics, Republican, Tax | Leave a comment

Republicans Adding Governorships –

Posted on 26. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Republicans are set to win several gubernatorial races this November.  The three big candidates to watch are John Kasich in Ohio, Tom Corbett in Pennsylvania, and Rick Snyder in Michigan.  Currently, the Republican candidates are polling very strong in each of those contests.  Republican Governors from the rust belt could play a significant role in the next two years.  The redistricting process will directly impact the congressional seats in each of the states.  In addition, these are crucial states on the road to the Presidency. 

To read a related Businessweek article, please click here:

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/oct2010/db20101026_597078.htm

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Democrat, Election, General, Governor, Politics, Republican | Leave a comment

NRCC: $20 Million Credit Line –

Posted on 25. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The National Republican Congressional Committee has reported a $20 million dollar credit line.  The funds will help keep districts competitive in the final week of campaigning.  Republicans are now favored to win more than the 39 seats required to take control of the House. 

To read a related Congressional Quarterly article, please click here:

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2010/10/nrcc-secures-20m-credit-line-f.html

James Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Congress, Democrat, Election, Fundraising, General, Politics, Republican | Leave a comment

Union Campaign Spending –

Posted on 22. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The media has focused on corporate spending and Republican leaning special interests groups when discussing campaign finance.  However, some of the biggest spenders in this election cycle are union groups.  Three unions that are big spenders this cycle are the NEA, SEIU, and AFSCME. 

To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303339504575566481761790288.html?mod=WSJ_Politics_LeftTopStories

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Congress, Democrat, Election, Fundraising, General, Politics, Republican | Leave a comment

Pennsylvania Absentee Voting –

Posted on 20. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Pennsylvania has a number of heated contests this election cycle.  The close U.S. Senate race between Republican Pat Toomey and Democratic candidate Joe Sestak has taken center stage.  One voter turnout indicator is the number of absentee ballots returned by party registrants.  Currently, registered Republicans have returned 56% of the absentee ballots and registered Democrats have only returned 37%.  Absentee ballots are only a small percentage of the total numbers of ballots cast for a seat but they are an indication of voting trends.

To read a related Roll Call article, please click here:

http://www.rollcall.com/news/50845-1.html

James Sutliff

Posted in Congress, Democrat, Election, General, Governor, Politics, Republican | Leave a comment

Oregon Rebounds –

Posted on 19. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Former NBA player Chris Dudley is the Republican candidate for Governor in the state of Oregon.  The Yale educated Dudley is also a wealth manager and is making his first run for office.  Dudley enjoys a fundraising edge over the Democrat and has a real chance to pull an upset.  The race could have Senate implications if Dudley runs for Congress in the future.  Oregon has had a shortage of Republican candidates and this could help the GOP gain a foothold in the state.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-19/yale-s-dudley-wields-nba-pedigree-cash-advantage-in-oregon-governor-fight.html

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Congress, DC, Democrat, Election, Fundraising, General, Governor, Politics, Republican | Leave a comment

Republican Governors Association Fundraising –

Posted on 16. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

In the past three months, the Republican Governors Association has raised more than $30 million for this election cycle.  That amount is three times the total raised by the Democratic Governors Association.  Races for Governor are particularly important this year due to the redistricting process.  Governors will has a strong voice in drawing congressional seats that will have an impact in 2012.  It is expected that Republican gains from redistricting in 2012 could be as high as 30 additional seats.  There are 37 Gubernatorial elections this year and the campaign expenditures should have an impact on close congressional races.

To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704706904575556251785047326.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsSecond

James Sutliff

Posted in Congress, Democrat, Election, Fundraising, General, Governor, Politics, Republican | Leave a comment

Killing The Death Tax –

Posted on 15. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

The elimination of the estate tax is a growing issue on the campaign trail this year.  Over 250 congressional candidates have pledged to eliminate the tax.  Also, the possibility of eliminating the estate tax is a good fundraising tool for some candidates.

To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704763904575550442176217552.html?mod=WSJ_newsreel_us

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Congress, DC, Democrat, Election, Estate Tax, General, Politics, Tax | Leave a comment

New Jersey Tunnel Needs Partner –

Posted on 13. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

Republican Governor Chris Christie is still considering the tunnel project that he stopped due to  potential costs.  The cost of the tunnel project may have been $5 billion more than originally anticpated.  Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg mentioned the possibility of a public private partnership to help with the cost of the project.  An infrastructure project as massive as the commuter-rail tunnel could greatly benefit from private sector involvement.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-13/lautenberg-seeking-private-partner-for-halted-new-jersey-commuter-tunnel.html

James Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Business, General, Infrastructure, Republican | Leave a comment

Redistricting Edge –

Posted on 11. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff

 Republicans and Democrats are fighting to gain the redistricting edge that will yield Congressional gains in the 2012 election.  Republicans are investing heavily in five states that may bring 25-30 new Republicans to Washington in 2012.  The five states are Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Indiana, and Wisconsin.  Control of statehouses are extremely important in years surrounding the redistricting process.

To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704518104575546353113382526.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLETopStories

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Congress, DC, Democrat, Election, Fundraising, General, Politics, Redistricting, Regulatory, Republican | Leave a comment