Republican Jan Brewer explained her veto, saying she saw no upside and little reason to sign the law.  

'I've not heard one example in Arizona where business owners' religious liberty has been violated.'

There was plenty of downside. Since the bill was passed last week by the Republican-controlled Arizona's legislature, everyone from local business waters, to major corporations, to the national football leagues, expressed dismay over the bill. The NFL was reportedly looking into moving next year's Super Bowel for Arizona. Governor Brewer essentially said the state can't afford that kind of fallout. Tack Robin NPR News, *.

 

 

Even though a federal court has struck down a gay marriage ban in Texas, it will remain in place and get appeals court ruling which is expected later this year. The judge in the case issued a preliminary injunction on the ban the day, and then suspended this ruling. Two gay couples are challenging the state's constitutional amendment in a long standing law banning gay marriage in Texas. Under a federal law, ruling can be suspended if the judge thinks the plaintiffs have a strong case.  

 

 

A sweeping overhaul of the nation's luminous and complete tax code was unveiled on the Capitol Hill today by the Republican Chairman of tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, who as NPR's David reports, appears to be a little desiring Congress will revise the tax code, in a year overshadowed by midterm elections. 

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp said he could not wait any longer to roll out the rewrite of the tax code. 

'You're gonna hear a lot about one provision or another, but the truth is people want a simpler, fairer and flatter tax code.'   

There revised code will collapse 7 income tax rates into just 2, and lower the top rate to 25% from nearly 40%. But it will also impose a 10% surtax on house sold income above $455,000. House Republican Patrick McHenry of North Carolina was not pleased.

'This is not Republican orthodoxy, nor is it the world we've got.'

Other Republicans ruled out any action this year on the tax code. David NPR News, the Capitol.

 

 

Strong earnings numbers of the nation's big banks during the October to December quarter, based on numbers of the Federal Deposit Insurance Cooperation which monitors the banking industry, are an spike of bank's rough 17% during the final quarter of last year, to a total of just over $40 billion. For all of last year, bankerings drop nearly 10%. Numbers of fresh evidence show that the nation's banking system has mostly recovered some 5 years after the financial crisis. 

 

 

On Wall Street today, stocks edged higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained gained 18 points to end the session  at  16,198. The NASDAQ was up 4 points to 4292. The S&P 500 rose a fraction. 

 

 

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Leaders of the protest move in Ukraine, which have ousted their country's president, are now putting forth a prominent law maker as their choice to be  

the country's new Prime Minister. The newest recommended * be appointed to the position, a number of other names for new government there are also being put forth with the formal vote expected later this week in the country's Parliament. Meantime, US is urging outside actors to respect Ukraine's sovereignty. Call comes as its neighboring Russians are reported to be preparing for massive military exercises. 

 

 

Spanish musician, Paco de Lucia, one of the world's greatest flamenco guitarists died. He was 66 years old. NPR's N has the appreciation.

* is one of Spain's most respected musicians. Paco de Lucia performed in one of  his show stalkers in 1976. He was born Francisco Sanchez Gomez, and his father was a guitarist. The younger musician started winning international competitions at the age of 14. As he matured, de Lucia started mixing traditional flamenco with music from Brazil, and jazz and pop. He would show a wider international audience to his collaborations with the American and Turkish musicians. His death was unexpected. Paco de Lucia suffered a heart attack, who's only 66 years old. N, NPR News.

 

 

A consumer group has filed a suit against the large For-profit college chain. The consumer financial protection bureau accused the chain of allegedly pushing students to high-cost private student loans. They'll contend Indian-based ITT educational service actually projected 64% of the loan it provided, which had interest rates as high as 16%. ITT says the claims are without merit.