By Elaine Donnelly
Extending sexual misconduct to combat units

The country is on the verge of barreling over a "fiscal cliff." Absent any change, taxes will spike by more than $500 billion next year (an average of $3,500 per household), which economists think could precipitate another recession.

Liberal and environmental groups that have been dramatically outspent in the 2012 election cycle are nevertheless wielding outsized influence by focusing their campaign cash on down-ballot races that typically see comparatively low levels of spending.

The Chamber of Commerce Thursday spent a whopping $1.6 million on television ads opposing Bill Nelson in Florida's Senate race and $1 million attacking Democrat Tim Kaine in the race for a Virginia Senate seat against Republican George Allen, disclosures showed Thursday.
Donors to nonprofit groups that are spending millions of dollars on political ads this election season have escaped public scrutiny because their contributions don't have to be disclosed. But can they escape a hefty tax bite?
ANNAPOLIS — The state's budget problems are expected to reduce the increasing amount of environmental legislation in the upcoming General Assembly session, a voters group said yesterday.