- Raise the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour.
- Curb lobbyists' influence by banning meals and gifts to lawmakers and requiring more disclosure and oversight.
- Repeal subsidies for the oil industry.
- Cut college-loan interest rates in half.
- Reduce prescription-drug prices for seniors by requiring Medicare to negotiate rates with pharmaceutical companies.
- Pass another bill that allows expanded federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research, betting on better prospects for an override if the president vetoes it again.
- Implement unfulfilled recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission and beef up port security.
Read more in the Sun Herald.
