Tag: politics

Religion News Service

Bible Belt state with nation’s highest execution rate considers death penalty flaws

The Oklahoma Death Penalty Review Commission recommends that the moratorium on the death penalty be extended. Third Place, Criminal Justice Reporting, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY (RNS) Most Oklahomans believe the devil is real. State Rep. Mike Ritze thinks that’s why they overwhelmingly support capital punishment, despite highly publicized problems with lethal-injection drugs that prompted state … Continue reading Bible Belt state with nation’s highest execution rate considers death penalty flaws

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Christian Chronicle

They are friends in Congress — and brothers in Christ

The only two members of Churches of Christ in the U.S. House share a special bond. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle When two U.S. congressmen visited a small, English-speaking Church of Christ in Brussels, one of them left Sunday worship with something that didn’t belong to him. Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky, chuckles as he recalls his friend and brother in Christ — Rep. Ted … Continue reading They are friends in Congress — and brothers in Christ

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Elephant in the pews: Is the GOP the party of Churches of Christ?

National survey highlights political affiliations of major U.S. religious groups. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Seventy percent of Mormons and 64 percent of Southern Baptists lean toward or identify with the Republican Party — but only 50 percent of members of Churches of Christ do, the Pew Research Center reported this week. Those findings surprised Stephen Morris, a law and political studies … Continue reading Elephant in the pews: Is the GOP the party of Churches of Christ?

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

In Kentucky, a dispute over church, state and taxpayer-funded foster care

In Kentucky, a dispute over church, state and taxpayer-funded foster care (reporting from Melber, Ky.): Rather than adhere to proselytization rules, a Christian children’s home gives up its seven-figure state funding. MELBER, Ky. — Surrounded by pastureland and soybean, corn and tobacco fields, a rural children’s home associated with Churches of Christ cared for abused and neglected boys and girls for 24 years. In the last fiscal year, … Continue reading In Kentucky, a dispute over church, state and taxpayer-funded foster care

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Associated Press

Funding a key issue in Texas’ child protection crisis

The Associated Press State & Local Wire January 21, 2005, Friday, BC cycle Funding a key issue in Texas’ child protection crisis This is the first in an occasional series examining issues related to CPS. BYLINE: By BOBBY ROSS JR., Associated Press Writer SECTION: State and Regional LENGTH: 1138 words DATELINE: AUSTIN, Texas The state’s Child Protective Services system is in crisis, and some say … Continue reading Funding a key issue in Texas’ child protection crisis

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Associated Press

Some dare to ask: Does Texas need an income tax?

May 23, 2004, Sunday, BC cycle Some dare to ask: Does Texas need an income tax? BYLINE: By BOBBY ROSS JR., Associated Press Writer SECTION: State and Regional LENGTH: 1001 words DATELINE: DALLAS A monster lurks in Texas’ closet – it makes voters scream and politicians hide under their covers. But is it really as scary as most Texans seem to think? A few brave … Continue reading Some dare to ask: Does Texas need an income tax?

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Associated Press

Sin taxes: political genius or unstable way to fund schools?

The Associated Press State & Local Wire April 17, 2004, Saturday, BC cycle Sin taxes: political genius or unstable way to fund schools? BYLINE: By BOBBY ROSS JR., AP Religion Writer SECTION: State and Regional LENGTH: 743 words DATELINE: DALLAS Sin is a politician’s friend. Politicians know that wrapping a tax around a societal vice – be it smoking, gambling or even topless dancers – … Continue reading Sin taxes: political genius or unstable way to fund schools?

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Associated Press

Gov. Bredesen meets with Tennessee guard members awaiting deployment

Gov. Bredesen meets with Tennessee guard members awaiting deployment BYLINE: By BOBBY ROSS JR., Associated Press Writer SECTION: State and Regional LENGTH: 714 words DATELINE: FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. Gov. Phil Bredesen offered his prayers and support Monday to hundreds of Tennessee guard members awaiting deployment from Fort Campbell, an Army post straddling the Tennessee-Kentucky line. In his first visit to the post, the Tennessee governor … Continue reading Gov. Bredesen meets with Tennessee guard members awaiting deployment

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Associated Press

Tennessee officials seek tips on lottery startup

Bobby Ross Jr. Associated Press Writer Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002 | 9:29 a.m. ATLANTA — Dub it Lottery 101. Tennessee lawmakers received a crash course Tuesday in how to start a $1-billion-a-year enterprise — a state lottery — from scratch in just a few months. Rebecca Paul, president of the Georgia Lottery Corp., played the role of professor as the House-Senate lottery information and recommendation … Continue reading Tennessee officials seek tips on lottery startup

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