Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report

Bishop

“Washington • Rep. Rob Bishop pulled his support for a bill that would repeal restrictions on incandescent light bulbs because he said the latest version wouldn’t let states set their own lighting requirements.

“Bishop, R-Utah, was the only House member to vote “present” on the bill that would remove a ban on incandescents that is slated to begin in 2012. It was a bill he co-sponsored last year.

“The proposal failed to get the two-thirds vote required to pass on a fast-track process. The vote of 233 in favor and 193 opposed was largely on party lines. Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, was one of the 10 Democrats to join with the Republicans in favor of the bill. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah was among the supporters, though five Republicans did end up opposing the bill.

“Bishop said he may not think it wise for states to restrict lighting choices but believes they should have the option and he didn’t think it was a decision that should be made in Congress.

‘”The federal government has absolutely no business mandating what type of light bulbs we may or may not use,” he said.

“Democrats defended the switch to new light bulbs, saying it will save energy.”

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It was a thrill to see the National League win the 82nd All Star game tonight for the second straight year, with a 5-1 victory over the American League — the first time since the ’90s. (The Arizona Diamondbacks, which hosted this year’s game, didn’t even exist.)

The Giants’ Brian Wilson was the closer. In case you forgot, here’s a sneak peek inside his beard:

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Editor’s note: Another tough day for the “Baby State” — a state where “me first, I want mine, I don’t care about anyone else, rules”:

“A measure to repeal a 2007 federal law that would push many traditional incandescent light bulbs off the market failed to win two-thirds support needed to pass in a House vote Tuesday,” according to The Wall Street Journal.

“A 233-193 majority of the House backed the measure proposed by Rep. Joe Barton (R. Texas), would have repealed a federal mandate that light bulbs meet certain efficiency standards by next year. But the bill was brought up under a procedure requiring that it receive two-thirds vote for passage.

“The debate over the light bulb standards has inflamed conservative commentators and a swath of Americans who hold it up as a symbol of government overreach. The standard was part of an energy law signed in 2007 by President George W. Bush that received support from many Republicans at the time. Now a majority of House Republicans want to walk it back.

“The standard would not ban incandescent light bulbs altogether, but it would prevent manufacturers from making less efficient models. Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports, estimated in March that consumers would pay about $1.25 extra for a new incandescent bulb that meets the standard, but make up that cost on electric bills in about six months, assuming the bulb was used for two hours per day.”

The rest of the article is here.

“The vote fell mostly along party lines, but five Democrats voted in favor of the bill and 10 Republicans voted against the bill,” according to TheHill.com “One Republican voted ‘present.’”

TheHill.com report is here.

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“Conservative talk show titan and erstwhile Fox News anchor Glenn Beck has hinted about a relocation out of the New York City area, where he claims to recently have been the victim of a brutal public heckling by liberal elites,” according to Yahoo News.

“As it turns out, anyone who speculated that Beck might be headed somewhere in America’s heartland—closer to the core tea party-ing audience that consumes his sometimes controversial ramblings with an apostolic zeal—was indeed correct. Beck confirmed on his daily radio program Monday that he, his family and part of his media empire are moving to Texas. He will open studios there for Mercury Radio Arts, the Manhattan-based production company behind both the radio show and his forthcoming Internet TV venture.

“‘Mercury is very excited to open a new radio and TV broadcast facility in Dallas, TX,’ Chris Balfe, president and COO of Mercury Radio Arts, told The Cutline in a statement provided by a spokesman. ‘While Glenn will be spending much of his time there, we will continue to maintain and grow our New York City offices and studios to accommodate the talented staff we have assembled and will continue to assemble here.’”

The rest of the article is here.

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