It's always amusing when conservatives try to portray increasing government revenue as fiscally irresponsible. But the ridiculousness reached its height in Carly Fiorina's Demon Sheep ad against her Senate opponent Tom Campbell, which portrayed his past support of tax increases to balance California's budget as such.

But of course, when lawmakers are actually faced with the real consequences of governing, tax increases are an important tool for maintaining important things, like schools. That's the choice facing Illinois lawmakers, who are considering Gov. Patrick Quinn's budget, which raises income taxes by 1 percentage point, from 3 percent to 4 percent.

Connecticut might be closer to passing a bill that would require employers to provide paid sick leave, an effort that is similar to a bill proposed in the fall by Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd. But the Senate is tied up with bigger bills.