WEDNESDAY’S MINI-REPORT…. Today’s edition of quick hits:
* As advertised: “The Obama administration outlined plans today to tighten restrictions on executive compensation for future recipients of federal aid under the government’s financial rescue program, but the vast majority of firms would be able to opt out of most of the limits.”
* S-CHIP is on its way to the president’s desk.
* The slashing continues: “Panasonic on Wednesday said it was shedding 15,000 jobs, the second significant layoff in Japan’s electronics industry in less than a week.”
* The Senate easily passed an $11.5 billion amendment to the stimulus package to “provide tax breaks to spur new auto purchases.”
* Salazar gets to work: “Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is canceling oil and gas leases on 77 parcels of federal land in Utah, according to sources familiar with the decision, ending a fierce battle over whether to allow energy exploration in the environmentally sensitive area.”
* Conservative Republican senators have shut down Hilda Solis’ nomination as Labor Secretary for the indefinite future. An acting secretary was named today.
* The House hearings on Madoff generated plenty of fascinating moments.
* The digital TV deadline will be delayed until June.
* Mitt Romney won’t be HHS Secretary. Neither will Tom Harkin.
* A former Judd Gregg aide received gifts from Jack Abramoff.
* The AP’s sloppy accusations were common during the campaign, and they continue after the inauguration.
* John Cole: “Our media is simply failing us. Why have they not asked the Republicans how tax cuts are going to provide jobs? Why are they not laughing openly when the Republicans bring up capital gains tax cuts as part of a stimulus package? Why are they not asking the Republicans to explain how infrastructure spending is not stimulus?”
* When the recession, Mexico, and Glenn Beck’s unhinged conspiracy theories collide.
* No exit strategy in Afghanistan.
* Yesterday’s developments notwithstanding, tax troubles can be bipartisan.
* Dick Morris? Ethics problems? You don’t say.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
