Tax Cuts

Is a stoplight really too much to ask for? We are relatively new to the neighborhood, and we live on Altura Avenue. Altura is a long avenue with two major schools on it; the elementary school on the Glendale side and the high school on the La Crescenta side. Two schools on the same avenue (indicating a higher volume of traffic) shared by two cities, and no traffic light at the major intersection that connects them? Baffling. When I heard the news of the tragic death of Christine Seo, I was shocked, and all I could feel was immense pathos for her family and friends.

Paul Clinton BURBANK -- Pulling into town for a last-minute stop on the campaign trail, presidential hopeful George W. Bush rallied his troops at the Burbank Airport Hilton. Stepping onto a stage in the hotel's largest conference room Monday afternoon, Bush reiterated his call for moral leadership, less taxes and a stronger military. Following a slate of Republicans seeking other offices -- including 43rd State Assembly District candidate Craig Missakian -- Bush spoke to an energized crowd for approximately 30 minutes before heading off to NBC to tape his evening appearance on "The Tonight Show."

Robert Shaffer BURBANK -- George W. Bush, speaking in Burbank the night he was beaten in the Michigan and Arizona primaries, sure didn't sound like a loser. Surrounded by cheering supporters in an airplane hangar at Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport late Tuesday, Bush said it was he, not John McCain, who won the vote Tuesday among Republicans in Michigan. "When you counted the Republican vote, you're lookin' at the man that got 68% of the vote," he said.

Robert Shaffer GLENDALE -- James Rogan believes his old impeachment adversary has a chance to leave his mark on America past his affair with Monica Lewinsky. "The president has a unique opportunity," the Republican congressman said by telephone from Washington, D.C. Friday, the day after President Clinton gave his final State of the Union address. "He really does have a chance to leave a positive legacy if he works with the majority in Congress." Clinton proposed a plan that would fully pay off the national debt in 2013, extend the life of Social Security and Medicare and provide tax cuts, all while providing for new investments in education.

Claudia Peschiutta GLENDALE -- The Democratic and Republican candidates for the 21st state Senate District emphasized their differences but also revealed their similarities at a debate on Wednesday. Assemblyman Jack Scott (D-La Crescenta) and his Republican opponent, South Pasadena City Councilman Paul Zee, ended up on the same side of issues ranging from school vouchers to affordable housing during their appearance on "AirTalk" on Pasadena-based KPCC-FM (89.3)

Josh Kleinbaum Although Democrats took a beating across the country on Tuesday, losing the presidential election and seats in the Senate and the House of Representatives, the party firmed up its support in Glendale, where an increasing immigrant population has tipped the scale. Twenty years ago, Glendale was considered a Republican stronghold. Tuesday, Glendale voters came out in force to support Democrats. John Kerry, who lost the presidential race to President Bush, received 59% of the vote in Glendale.

Rima Shah President George W. Bush's reelection and the subsequent Cabinet reshuffling drew a mixed response along party lines from local lawmakers. Referring to the highly divisive presidential elections, Democrats U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff and State Sen. Jack Scott said they hope Bush would be more of a uniter in his second term. "I would very much like to see this become one country again," Schiff said, adding that they need to make a fresh start once the elections are over.

DOWNTOWN GLENDALE — Business leaders and a City Council member gathered at Porto's Bakery and Café Monday to express their disapproval of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides' economic proposals. Glendale City Councilman Ara Najarian; Vartkes Iskdanrian, an owner of Zankou Chicken; and Betty Porto, owner of Porto's Bakery and Café, spoke at the news conference, which Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign organized. The group discussed what they characterized as Angelides' plan to increase taxes.

Karen S. Kim Two local legislators might have listened to the President George W. Bush's State of the Union Address from similar seats at the Capitol on Tuesday night, but what they heard were two very different messages. While Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Glendale) heard President Bush outline an economic plan that "fell short" of its goals, Rep. David Dreier (R-La Crescenta) heard Bush voice a commitment to economic growth that was praiseworthy. "As the president has said time and time again, our economy is growing, but not fast enough," Dreier released in a statement.

Ryan Carter President George W. Bush's emergency call for billions of dollars to fund the war effort is being supported by the area's local congressmen. "I think that whatever Congress can provide for the troops the president ought to have," Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Glendale) said. "And I would hope that amount would be swiftly approved." Bush sent an emergency bill to Congress this week requesting $75 billion, the bulk of which would go to the Pentagon and classified activities.