Most states give their governors broad latitude in granting pardons. Some don’t trust them with that authority at all. And the rest allow a governor to grant pardons only with the recommendation of other state officials.

Mississippi’s raging controversy over last-minute pardons by outgoing governor Haley Barbour has generated calls for limiting the ability to grant pardons in that state. A survey of the clemency power reveals that states vary widely in the degree of authority placed in the hands of the nation’s chief executives.

About 40,000 state laws taking effect at the start of the new year will change rules about getting abortions in New Hampshire, learning about gays and lesbians in California, getting jobs in Alabama and even driving golf carts in Georgia.

Several federal rules change with the new year, too, including a Social
Security increase amounting to $450 a year for the average recipients
and stiff fines up to $2,700 per offense for truckers and bus drivers
caught using hand-held cellphones while driving.

(CNN) — There are several good reasons to release the photographs of Osama bin Laden’s body: First, to end the debate in the world of conspiracy theory, one the administration’s countervailing story lines have helped fuel.

As Charles Krauthammer recently said, “The Middle East is a place where conspiracies live. This summer there were shark attacks in the Red Sea. The Egyptian press blamed it on the Israelis. You have to show a picture. That was the whole point of the operation: proof of death. Do it now and don’t dither.”

WASHINGTON — Attorney General Eric Holder told Congress on Tuesday that the killing of Osama bin Laden marks historic progress by the U.S. government in protecting the American people from terrorism. Holder’s comments to the House Judiciary Committee marked the first
appearance before Congress by an Obama administration Cabinet official
since the mission targeting bin Laden was carried out successfully.

The law firm hired by the House of Representatives to defend the Defense of Marriage Act in court has decided it will drop its defense of the federal statute, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

The firm, King and Spalding, had faced protests from gay rights groups after its contract with the House Administration Committee and General Counsel – along with its attached price tag of up to $500,000 — was reported. The Human Rights Campaign announced a national campaign last week to urge the group to withdraw from the agreement.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — The U.S. Treasury is giving up $14 billion in tax revenue because of a sweetheart deal it’s giving General Motors.

The automaker is expected to post its first profitable year since 2004 when it reports fourth-quarter results on Thursday. But GM (GM) won’t have to worry about being hit with a big tax bill because billions in previous losses will provide shelter for years to come.

POTOMAC, Md. — R. Sargent Shriver was always an optimist, pioneering the Peace Corps and running the War on Poverty during the turbulent 1960s — an idealist even as the running mate on a Democratic presidential ticket doomed for failure.

At his funeral Mass on Saturday, mourners from philanthropist and musician Bono to Vice President Joe Biden to former President Bill Clinton honored a man who dedicated his life to serving others. The celebration was filled with songs, laughter and fond memories.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — An elections board in Ohio says a former congressman who served time in federal prison has enough valid signatures to run again for a U.S. House seat.

Director Tom McCabe says the Mahoning County board on Monday approved more than 30 disputed signatures to allow Jim Traficant (TRAF’-eh-kehnt) to make the November ballot in northeast Ohio’s 17th district.

(CNN) – Former House Ways and Means Chairman Dan Rostenkowski has died at the age of 82, CNN confirmed.

“Rosty” was a fixture in Chicago politics and a dominant force on Capitol Hill for decades, representing Chicago’s Northwest Side from 1959 to 1995 in a storied career that saw incredible highs and lows.

Washington (CNN) — The House of Representatives approved a plan Friday that would pave the way for an eventual repeal of the military’s controversial “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which bars openly gay and lesbian soldiers from military service.

The measure passed in a largely party-line, 229-186 vote as part of a larger defense authorization bill despite a growing controversy over allegations of wasteful spending in the legislation. Most Democrats backed the bill while most Republicans opposed it.