AUSTINTOWN

Substantial cuts in state subsidies and the loss of state reimbursement for the defunct tangible personal-property tax make renewal of a 2-mill, 5-year levy crucial to maintaining current program levels, said Larry Duck, superintendent of the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

The MCBDD, which provides facilities, programs and services for developmentally disabled Mahoning County residents, has asked the Mahoning County commissioners to place the renewal levy on the November general-election ballot.

The levy has generated about $5,132,545 a year since it was renewed in fiscal year 2006 (July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2007), and has been certified to generate $4,850,659 annually if passed in November.

The reasons for the reduced amount of taxes collected from the levy are delinquent tax payments, foreclosures, abatements or other tax reduction or collection provisions, and the area’s economic decline, Duck said.

The levy is 19 years old, and the board is not asking for an increase or a replacement, he added.

The MCBDD’s other property-tax levy, a 3-mill, 5-year measure renewed last November, generated about $11.7 million in fiscal year 2010, which began July 1, 2009. The

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More than 400 times. That’s how often the aging Texas Constitution, enacted in 1876, has been amended and updated.

Now state lawmakers are asking Texans to update the document again.

Voters will go to the polls Nov.

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, Ind. Former Democratic Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh has taken a new position with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce . The Star reported Tuesday that Bayh ‘s new position will be to analyze and promote ways to reduce government regulation. Republican Andrew Card, a former chief of staff to President George W. Bush , will also work as an outside adviser to the chamber, the nation’s largest probusiness advocacy group. Bayh says his new job will not involve lobbying. Bayh decided against seeking a third term in the Senate in 2010. Since then, he has become a partner in the Washington office of the McGuireWoods law firm, a senior adviser to a New Yorkbased private equity firm and a political commentator on FOX News .  

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• Salma Yaqoob canvassing during the 2010 General Election
• Celebrations after her election to Birmingham City Council in 2006.
• Laying wreaths at the old BSA Factory in Small Heath in memory of those who lost their lives during the Blitz bombing.
• On the Birmingham Stop The War Coalition protest in 2004.
• Presenting a petition at Birmingham Council House against petition against the closure of The Friends Institute in Moseley Road
• Showing support for Rover workers in 2005.

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DES MOINES, Iowa

Some leading Republicans are trying to entice a more-established candidate to jump into the presidential race, a courtship that’s aggravating tensions between tea partyers and the GOP’s traditional business wing, a deep-pocketed source of financial support in the campaign.

Influential GOP donors have sought to coax Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush or New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to run. The goal is to find a contender with a strong record as a fiscal conservative and the political stature to challenge President Barack Obama.

The behind-the-scenes efforts have been taken as a snub by some tea-party organizers who favor the anti-establishment messages of Minnesota Rep. Mic

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AUSTIN, Texas U.S. Rep. Ron Paul said Tuesday he will concentrate on running for president and will not seek re-election to Congress, ending a 24-year career as one of the more colorful members of the House of Representatives.

The 75-year-old Republican said he will serve out his term through December 2012, whether his presidential campaign is successful or not. He told The Associated Press he has been criticized for running for Congress while seeking the presidency in the past.

Paul said the growing support for his 2012 presidential bid convinced him he should not divide his energies. He won a straw poll at the Republican Leadership Conference held in New Orleans last month.

“I think that you have more credibility if you run for only one office at a time,” Paul said.

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