As they see it.

• Position: Jean Ross, Kris Jordan, and John Paul Capps

"This is a serious problem. The fear of deficits seems to be overtaking Washington. They are not realizing the bigger threat is the economy could slide back into recession as a result of state and local budget cuts."

--Jean Ross, executive director of the California Budget Project, a Sacramento-based nonprofit, about Congress backing off plans to send more aid to financially strapped states, in the Los Angeles Times.

"If you want children to do the right thing and eat better, then don't give the government the responsibility instead of parents."

--Ohio Representative Kris Jordan about a measure aimed at getting kids eating healthier and exercising more, in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

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"I think we're going to have to let the public buy in with their vote because it's hard to raise taxes in any legislative body."

--Arkansas Senator John Paul Capps, about possible tax increases to fund highway needs, in the Arkansas News.

"Everybody wants to tax this, tax that. I think it's a bad idea. Every penny matters to a lot of people living paycheck to paycheck."

--Michigander Bonnie Thomas, reflecting the results of a Free Press/ WXYZ-TV poll showing Michigan voters would rather cut state programs and state employee benefits than raise...