The debate over clean energy is ripping open divisions in conservative business lobbies.  Debate on federal climate change legislation has led an increasing number of businesses to leave the Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, and other business associations because of those organizations' stances against recognizing the scientific validity of climate change. The revolt has been growing ever since a senior Chamber official called for a "Scopes monkey trial of the 21st century" to evaluate evidence of global warming.

Last week in Detroit, state legislators and key organizational allies of Progressive States Network came together at our annual Legislative Leadership Retreat to plan our legislative work for 2010.  Recognizing both the challenges and opportunities facing progressives in the present economic and political environment, participants planned an ambitious policy and outreach strategy for the coming year.  Held in conjunction with the Economic Analysis Research Network (EARN) annual conference of policy organizations, the event was a chance to discuss how progressive legislators could work more effectively with each other and with organizational allies.  The event was a chance to celebrate the achievements of Progressive States Network and its progressive legislators and organizational allies, while planning for an even more successful future for the Network.

With two landmark health care reform bills now on her desk, Gov. M. Jodi Rell has to decide whose side she is on -- small businesses and families struggling under the weight of high health care costs, or the state's health insurance industry, which has a big stake in preserving the costly status quo. Will she allow precedent-setting health care reforms to proceed, or will she, for the second year in a row, be the "Governor of No"?