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FILE: March 27, 2014: A woman reads a leaflet at a ObamaCare enrollment event in Cudahy, CaliforniaREUTERS

House Republicans have secured a change in ObamaCare to expand coverage choices for small businesses -- a departure from their strategy to try to dismantle or repeal the 2010 health care law.

The change eliminated a cap on deductibles for small group policies American can buy directly from insurers or on the new health care exchanges. The cap was set at $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families.

Democrats describe the change as a straightforward improvement of the type they are eager to make, and Obama signed it into law.

Republicans say they sought the change so small businesses could offer high-deductible plans that could be bought by individuals who also have health savings accounts.

"Maybe you say it helps (ObamaCare), but it really helps the small businessman," said GOP Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., one of several physician-lawmakers in his party and an advocate of repeal.

The tax-preferred accounts are a long-time favorite of many Republicans, who say they give consumers greater control over their own health care.

No member of the House GOP leadership has publicly hailed the fix, which was included in legislation preventing a cut in payments to doctors who treat Medicare patients.

It is unclear how many members of the House rank and file knew of the relatively minor change because the legislation was passed by a highly unusual voice vote without debate.

Several lobbyists and Republican aides who monitored the issue said the provision reflects a calculation that no matter how hard the party tries, the earliest the law can be repealed is after Obama leaves office in 2017. In the meantime, according to this line of thinking, small-business owners need all the flexibility that can get to comply with it.

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House GOP breaks from repeal effort, get change in ObamaCare

Knox County voters will mostly likely elect Republicans for their top local legislative body in the 2014 primary.

Only Republicans filed to run for Knox County Commission.

Early voting starts April 16.

And the rest of the May 6 primary ballot is as heavy as an elephant, with a GOP field. Only one race, for the 4th Circuit Court judgeship between Daniel Kidd and David Valone, has a Democratic primary.

Such a heavy GOP presence on the ballot shouldnt be surprising. Knox County heavily favored Mitt Romney in his unsuccessful presidential run in 2012.

A Republican-only field for the commission seats includes three true races and one unopposed at-large race. First-time commission candidate Bob Thomas will walk into the at-large seat Mike Hammond is vacating because of term limits.

All outgoing commissioners are leaving due to term limits.

In the 3rd District, which covers much of West Knoxville, incumbent Tony Norman is leaving his seat for Randy Smith or Billy Stephens. In the 7th District, which is made up of Powell, Halls and part of Fountain City, Larry Smith will step down for either Bo Bennett or Charles Busler.

Photo by Saul Young, 2014 Knoxville News Sentinel // Buy this photo

SAUL YOUNG/NEWS SENTINEL Halls Elementary School third-grade teacher Lauren Hopson returns to her seat after addressing the Knox County Commission on January 27.

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Republicans rule primary

The All Progressives Congress on Sunday said it has set a target to produce the next governor of Enugu State come 2015.

The target, it said, was set following the conclusion of its ward congresses across the 260 wards in the state last Saturday.

According to Chairman of the Congress Committee, Mr. Uche Onyeagocha, the APC was not only prepared to make an impact in Enugu State in 2015, but had set a target to take over the Government House.

Onyeagocha, a former House of Representatives member, said it was wrong for anybody to assume that the party had no ground in the state.

He told journalists that the party has seasoned politicians who have contested elections at the national, state and local government levels, but lost because security agencies aided PDP to rig the elections.

He said, We have people like Okechukwu Ideke. We have people like General Joseph Okoloagu. We have people like Osita Okechukwu. These are people who have contested several elections but only lost because they were rigged out and we have many more who are still coming in, and have obtained membership cards.

It would be wrong of anybody to run away with the conclusion that APC has no membership in the South-East. We do. The only difference is that we have not taken over power and that is what we intend to do. Our target is not to make an impact. Our target is to park to Lions Building Enugu.

He also stated that APC was aimsto have many of its members in the National Assembly, because all the PDP federal lawmakers from the South-East could hardly be located in any of the two chambers of the National Assembly.

He said, Many of them are lost in the crowd. By the time APC takes its place in the National Assembly, you will see proper representation of Ndigbo at the National level.

Onyeagocha described last Saturdays APC ward congresses in Enugu State as very successful. He said, Although they were contentious in some areas where there were contests, efforts were being made to harmonise.

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Well produce next Enugu gov, says APC

Former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu | credits: File copy

There are strong indications that the All Progressives Congress will present a Christian candidate for the 2015 governorship election in Lagos State.

SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that a national leader of the APC and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, may be backing a governorship aspirant in the state.

Tinubu was said to have introduced a former Permanent Secretary/Accountant-General of the Lagos State Government, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to the state local government chairmen as his choice aspirant at a meeting in Lagos penultimate week.

The opposition party has been in government in Lagos since the current democratic dispensation began in 1999 and all the governors have been Muslims.

A leader of party, who was privy to events at the meeting, told SUNDAY PUNCH in confidence on Friday that Tinubu allegedly nominated Ambode for the race.

The source said, His name is Akinwunmi Ambode; he was a former Accountant-General. He has been chosen. The whole idea is that if they should put a Christian governor, it should be enough.

It is very bad thing (imposition) and it is going to destroy the APC, if they are not careful.

He further said a member of the House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, might be chosen as Ambodes running mate.

The Publicity Secretary, APC, Lagos State, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, however, denied knowledge of the development. He told our correspondent on Friday that the opportunity was still open to all aspirants in the party.

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APC may field Christian for Lagos gov

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By: canadiansilvervein

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40% Natural Gas Hike! Thanks Liberals........ - Video