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WASHINGTON Republican governors meeting in Washington this weekend said financial conditions in their states have deteriorated so much that they must raise taxes, even if it means crossing their own party.

In the face of a historical antipathy deepened by the tea party movement, chief executives in Alabama, Nevada and Michigan among other states are proposing increases this year to address shortfalls or to spend more on faltering schools and infrastructure. They advocate higher levies on businesses, tobacco, alcohol and gasoline, in some cases casting the increases as user fees.

The governors are at a crossroads. They are choosing between the path of Gov. Sam Brownback in Kansas, who has refused to change course even after tax cuts provoked furious opposition, and that of Alabamas Robert Bentley, who has said the states perennially precarious budget has reached the breaking point.

I dont want to raise taxes, but I also know that we need to pay our debts, Bentley said in an interview. We dont have any choice.

Governors in about 10 states, many led by Republicans, are proposing increases this year, said Brian Sigritz, director of state fiscal studies for the National Association of State Budget Officers in Washington. Several plans involve raising fuel taxes to pay for crumbling roads and bridges, while Republicans including John Kasich in Ohio and Maines Paul LePage want higher sales or other levies to offset income-tax cuts. The burden of such taxes falls more heavily on the poor, who spend a larger proportion of their income.

In Nevada, two-term Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval has proposed $1.1 billion in new or continued business, tobacco and other taxes to pay for education and initiatives such as expanding full-day kindergarten.

He said he has no choice with a shortfall caused by declining mining and gambling revenue, as well as a need to spend more on an education system that has the worst high-school graduation rate in the U.S.

His proposal has drawn opposition from Republican officials such as Treasurer Dan Schwartz, who said voters rejected two similar proposals in November and that Sandoval has divorced himself from state Republicans.

Sandoval said there are Republicans who support his plan, and that business leaders want better-educated workers.

I knew going in that I was going to receive criticism, Sandoval said in an interview. Thats why its important for me to explain the why, and the why is to improve education in Nevada.

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Tax increases much-regretted necessity for Republican governors

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., joined by other GOP leaders, from left, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas, says the Senate is stuck over a bill funding the Homeland Security Department and overturning President Barack Obamas policies on immigration and insists the next move is up to the House, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. McConnell tried three times last week to pass the House bill, but Senate Democrats blocked each attempt. AP

WASHINGTON, United States A Department of Homeland Security shutdown grew increasingly likely Monday, with lawmakers fighting over funding for the US agency amid a bitter standoff about President Barack Obamas immigration reform plan.

Facing a Friday deadline, Senate Democrats for a fourth time blocked a measure that would fund the department tasked with protecting Americans and securing the border.

Lawmakers want to see DHS fully funded, particularly during the current heightened threat environment.

But the $40 billion bill contains Republican amendments that would repeal Obamas plan to shield millions of people from deportation, changes that Democrats do not support.

With the blame game in full swing, it appeared increasingly likely Congress would fail to fund DHS before the midnight Friday deadline.

Boxed canyon

Were in a bit of a boxed canyon here and I think we all know that, Republican Senator Jeff Flake said after the vote.

Right now, it does seem to be where were headed, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said of a possible shutdown.

All Senate Democrats voted against the measure, along with Republican Dean Heller.

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Republican amendment endangers US Homeland Security

Democracy 3 Let #39;s Play - Part 3 - Germany Shall Flourish!
Democracy 3 Let #39;s Play - Part 3 - Germany Shall Flourish! Subscribe For Daily Videos! http://bit.ly/Join_Mal Click Here For The Playlist http://goo.gl/Rn...

By: Mal

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Democracy 3 Let's Play - Part 3 - Germany Shall Flourish! - Video

And frankly, it doesnt matter what those authorities discover. Because it will happen again. And then it will happen again. And then it will happen again.

We are fools. All of us. MPs, journalists, parliamentary scrutineers, the voters. We are the children who keep putting our hands in the fire in the expectation that this is the occasion we wont get burnt.

We have created a system of financing our democracy that has become an embarrassing, unsustainable, farce. A farce that we are all responsible for.

We create an environment where MPs are terrified of being seen to have their snouts in the trough. So they refuse to award themselves a pay rise, and instead try various tricks, flicks and clever accountancy ruses to supplement their income. Then when we in the media uncover and expose those ruses, the public cry: look, we knew it! Snouts in the trough again!

In the wake of the expenses scandal it was agreed by everyone MPs, press, the public that the issue of MPs pay should be referred to an independent adjudication panel. And so, to great fanfare, Ipsa was set up. And what did Ipsa decide? It decided that MPs should be awarded a 10 per cent pay rise. At which point there was uproar. The same MPs, press and the public who had been demanding and welcomed Ipsas establishment declared the whole thing a disgrace and demanded Ipsa be disbanded.

To see just how ludicrous things have become, look at one of the key defences issued this morning by both Jack Straw and Malcolm Rifkind.

Both are claiming that they were not involved in negotiating the establishment of commercial contracts in their parliamentary offices. Why are they placing such significance on where these negotiations or non-negotiations took place? Because if they did negotiate in their offices then technically they are in breach of the rules. But if theyd just walked out of those offices, crossed by the lights, and walked into Costa Coffee to hold their meeting, it would have been fine. This is utter madness.

What is even more mad is the solution to all this is staring us in the face, and has been for years. Whack up MPs' pay to 150,000, have annual rises set by an independent panel, and say thats it. No outside interests, no lobbying, no commercial deals. Youre an MP now, thats your job, and its a full-time job.

Thats an outrage people will cry. How can we justify paying them that at a time when everyone is being told to tighten their belts?

This is how you justify it.

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Want to kill cash for access? Simple - whack up MPs' pay to 150,000

The Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra Guild is calling on all residents to find their most creative hats.

The Guild is hosting the sixth annual Mad Hatters Tea Party on March 14 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1800 21st Ave. in Greeley.

The event, with starts at 2 p.m. and is planned to last two hours, will feature traditional English finger sandwiches, classic scones with lemon curd and clotted cream, a variety of desserts and more, including the obligatory tea, according to a press release.

The party will also include a hat created by Cynthia Lee, and award-winning milliner, according to the release. Lee will model the hat and answer and questions guests may have.

Millinery, accessories and baubles will be on display at the event, courtesy of Masonville Mercantile and Accessories with Flair and Hair.

On the tea side of the party, Stephanie Boulton, proprietor of the Currier Inn in Greeley, will talk to attendees about different types of tea and how to best enjoy them.

Tickets are $20 per person, and proceeds will benefit the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra. Reservations must be made by March 6, so contact Jude Nordstrom at (970) 353-3650 for tickets or other information.

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Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra Guild to host sixth annual Mad Hatters Tea Party