US & World News, Friday 3/14

US & World Summary --- Spitzer Finance Records Under Review (New York, NY) -- A thorough review of Eliot Spitzers campaign finance records is being conducted by federal investigators in connection with his meetings with call girls. Spitzer will be stepping down as New York governor due to the scandal. Spitzer had already begun accepting donations for a 2010 re-election bid. The range of the charges against Spitzer could expand if campaign money was used in arranging the meetings. Federal officials have not issued subpoenas to Spitzers campaign committee. --- Senate Passes Budget Plan For Fiscal Year 2009 (Washington, DC) -- The Senate has approved a non-binding three-trillion-dollar Democratic budget blueprint for fiscal 2009. It allows spending more than President Bush wants on domestic programs such as schools and roads. It also aims to ensure a balanced budget by 2012. The House passed its version of the plan earlier and must work out its differences with the Senate. The budget plan has won praised from Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. He says it helps restore fiscal responsibility in Washington, and provides tax relief for the middle class and low-income families who need help most. --- Bush To Address Economy Today (Washington, DC) -- President Bush tackles the issue of the slumping economy today. Bush will speak in New York City. Yesterday, White House spokesman Tony Fratto stepped around more questions about recession. Fratto cited "low growth or slow growth." Fratto said high energy prices are a drag on both the U.S. and the global economies. He acknowledged skyrocketing gas prices are a "drain on the disposable income of families." --- Head Of Immigration Agency Resigns (Miami, FL) -- The head of the nations embattled immigration agency is moving on. In an e-mail sent to agency staff members yesterday, Emilio Gonzalez said he was leaving the Washington, DC position to head back to Miami, Florida where his wife and family are living. Gonzalez was tapped by President Bush in 2005 to be director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Gonzalez has been rumored to be interested in seeking elected office in Miami. --- Volunteers In Kids Programs To Get FBI Scrutiny (Washington, DC) -- A national act strengthening the protections for children has been introduced in the Senate. Its called the Child Protection Improvements Act. Its being sponsored by senators Orrin Hatch of Utah, Delawares Joseph Biden and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. All three are former chairs of the Senate Judiciary Committee and expect the act to meet little opposition. Hatch says the act will make permanent a pilot program which allows the FBI to run background checks on prospective volunteers for childrens programs such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and others. --- More Cubans May Have Defected (Tampa, FL) -- More members of the Cuban national soccer team apparently are missing. Five of the team members defected on Tuesday and officials say two more may have defected on Wednesday. That left Cubas under 23 mens national soccer team with ten players and their opponent, Honduras, with eleven on the field for an Olympic qualifying event. Ralph Fernandez, a Florida attorney and Cuban activist says the Cuban government probably knew the players were going to defect before it happened. He says under the U.S. wet foot, dry foot policy the players will probably get asylum and find new homes in the U.S. --- eBay Bidder Wins 40-Thousand-Dollar Date With Scarlett Johansson Actress Scarlett Johansson put herself up for a charity auction this week on the online auction site eBay. The "New York Posts" "Page Six reports one lucky bidder walked away with a date with the blonde beauty. An English resident, who goes by the online handle "Bossnour," won the event with a bid of 40-thousand-100-dollars. The winning package includes two tickets to the July premiere of Johanssons new film "Hes Just Not That Into You" and makeup, and a meet-and-greet with Johansson. The money from the auction will be donated to Oxfam International, a global charity which aims to find lasting solutions to poverty and injustice. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-03-14-08 0742CDT