As the ABC reports, cyclone induced rains haven’t helped in the dryer areas Western Australia: Fire declared a natural disaster

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett has declared a fire that destroyed more than 37 homes at Toodyay, 80km north-east of Perth, a natural disaster.

Firefighters have worked through the night to control the raging blaze.

Three firefighters and a woman from the town suffered minor injuries in the fire, which has burnt 3,000 hectares [7,400 acres] of bushland.

The fire was just in from the coast in the Southwestern corner of Australia. In addition to the structures, livestock and wildlife were also lost in the blaze which is now contained, with hot spots still blazing.

[added the missing cyclone reference]

The Pensacola News Journal reports that McCollum seeks suit on health care

TALLAHASSEE — Attorney General Bill McCollum said today he is asking chief legal officers in other states to join in a legal review of pending federal health-care legislation.

McCollum, who is running for governor, said the effort could spark a lawsuit to block what he called an unconstitutional “tax on living” for all citizens.

McCollum, a Republican candidate for governor, was immediately accused of using his Cabinet office to appeal to conservative GOP voters who adamantly oppose national health care.
…

Proponents have argued that states require drivers to carry automobile insurance and that making the uninsured pay into a health-care pool would provide a funding source to cover them if they get sick or injured with no private coverage.

But McCollum said that’s different, because no one is required to have a car.

The other thing McCollum is attacking is a provision for the Federal government to pick up all of Nebraska’s Medicaid costs that was inserted to win Ben Nelson’s vote on the bill. Medicaid costs are normally split between the Federal and state governments.

Actually, I hope someone does file suit over mandates, because I don’t see the basis for requiring people to give money to private corporations.