thetennesseestar--2020-06-08--NY Times Editorial Page Editor James Bennet Resigns Amid Backlash Over Running Conservative Senator’

NY Times Editorial Page Editor James Bennet Resigns Amid Backlash Over Running Conservative Senator’s Op-ed

NEW YORK , New York ( AP ) — The New York Times ’ editorial page editor resigned Sunday after the newspaper disowned an opinion piece by U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton that advocated using federal troops against protesters , and it was later revealed he hadn ’ t read the piece prior to publication .
James Bennet resigned and his deputy , James Dao , is being reassigned at the newspaper , the Times said Sunday .
The fallout was swift after the Arkansas Republican ’ s piece was posted online late Wednesday .
It caused a revolt among Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black employees and calling in sick on Thursday in protest .
Following a review , the newspaper said Cotton ’ s piece should not have been published , at least not without substantial revisions .
Katie Kingsbury , a Pulitzer Prize winner for editorial writing who joined the Times from the Boston Globe in 2017 , will oversee the opinion pages through the November elections , the Times said .
Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger said in a statement that he was grateful for changes Bennet had made to the paper ’ s opinion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voices .
Bennet , who was editor of The Atlantic before taking over the Times ’ opinion pages in 2016 , had received some heat for adding new voices , including conservative columnist Bret Stephens .
It was the second high-level journalism job lost because of mistakes made in coverage of the nationwide protests about the treatment of blacks by law enforcement .
The top editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer , Stan Wischnowski , resigned Saturday after uproar over a headline that said , “ Buildings Matter , Too.
” Even before Bennet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its support for Cotton ’ s piece , Sulzberger had called for beefing up the opinion section ’ s fact-checking and suggesting that it was publishing too many opinion pieces by outsiders .
The Times reported that Cotton ’ s piece was edited by Adam Rubenstein .
But Dao , in a tweet on Saturday , revealed that he supervised the acceptance and review of Cotton ’ s piece and that blame should be placed on the department ’ s leadership and not Rubenstein .
Bennet , who had revealed in a meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had not read Cotton ’ s piece before it was posted online , had defended it following the initial protests , saying it was important to hear from all points of view .
But the Times review criticized several aspects of Cotton ’ s piece , starting with the headline , “ Send in the Troops , ” which the newspaper said in an editor ’ s note Saturday was “ incendiary and should not have been used.
” Cotton ’ s essay referred to “ left-wing radicals like antifa infiltrating protest marches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when , in fact , there has been little evidence of antifa ’ s involvement in the demonstrations .
Cotton ’ s statement that police had borne the brunt of violence stemming from the demonstrations should have been challenged , the newspaper said .
The newspaper said that “ given the life-and-death importance of the topic , the senator ’ s influential position and the gravity of the steps he advocates , the essay should have undergone the highest level of scrutiny.
” David Bauder is a Media Writer for The Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles contributed to this report .
About the Headline Photo : This Aug. 16 , 2017 , file photo shows James Bennet , editorial page editor of The New York Times , in New York .
Bennet has resigned amid outrage over an op-ed by a Republican senator who advocated using federal troops to quell protests , outrage that only grew when it was revealed the editor had not read the piece before publication , the paper announced Sunday , June 7 , 2020 .
( AP Photo/Larry Neumeister , File )

NEW YORK, New York (AP) — The New York Times’ editorial page editor resigned Sunday after the newspaper disowned an opinion piece by U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton that advocated using federal troops against protesters, and it was later revealed he hadn’t read the piece prior to publication.
James Bennet resigned and his deputy, James Dao, is being reassigned at the newspaper, the Times said Sunday.
The fallout was swift after the Arkansas Republican’s piece was posted online late Wednesday. It caused a revolt among Times journalists, with some saying it endangered black employees and calling in sick on Thursday in protest.
Following a review, the newspaper said Cotton’s piece should not have been published, at least not without substantial revisions.
Katie Kingsbury, a Pulitzer Prize winner for editorial writing who joined the Times from the Boston Globe in 2017, will oversee the opinion pages through the November elections, the Times said.
Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger said in a statement that he was grateful for changes Bennet had made to the paper’s opinion pages, including broadening the range of voices. Bennet, who was editor of The Atlantic before taking over the Times’ opinion pages in 2016, had received some heat for adding new voices, including conservative columnist Bret Stephens.
It was the second high-level journalism job lost because of mistakes made in coverage of the nationwide protests about the treatment of blacks by law enforcement. The top editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer, Stan Wischnowski, resigned Saturday after uproar over a headline that said, “Buildings Matter, Too.”
Even before Bennet’s resignation and the paper rescinding its support for Cotton’s piece, Sulzberger had called for beefing up the opinion section’s fact-checking and suggesting that it was publishing too many opinion pieces by outsiders.
The Times reported that Cotton’s piece was edited by Adam Rubenstein. But Dao, in a tweet on Saturday, revealed that he supervised the acceptance and review of Cotton’s piece and that blame should be placed on the department’s leadership and not Rubenstein.
Bennet, who had revealed in a meeting in a meeting on Friday that he had not read Cotton’s piece before it was posted online, had defended it following the initial protests, saying it was important to hear from all points of view.
But the Times review criticized several aspects of Cotton’s piece, starting with the headline, “Send in the Troops,” which the newspaper said in an editor’s note Saturday was “incendiary and should not have been used.”
Cotton’s essay referred to “left-wing radicals like antifa infiltrating protest marches to exploit” Floyd’s death when, in fact, there has been little evidence of antifa’s involvement in the demonstrations. Cotton’s statement that police had borne the brunt of violence stemming from the demonstrations should have been challenged, the newspaper said.
The newspaper said that “given the life-and-death importance of the topic, the senator’s influential position and the gravity of the steps he advocates, the essay should have undergone the highest level of scrutiny.”
– – –
David Bauder is a Media Writer for The Associated Press. AP Entertainment Writer Anthony McCartney in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
About the Headline Photo: This Aug. 16, 2017, file photo shows James Bennet, editorial page editor of The New York Times, in New York. Bennet has resigned amid outrage over an op-ed by a Republican senator who advocated using federal troops to quell protests, outrage that only grew when it was revealed the editor had not read the piece before publication, the paper announced Sunday, June 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Larry Neumeister, File)


thetennesseestar--2020-06-08--Protesters Topple Statue of Confederate Gen. Williams Carter Wickham in Virginia Capital

RICHMOND , Virgina ( AP ) — A group of demonstrators toppled a statue of a Confederate general in the former capital of the Confederacy late Saturday , following a day of largely peaceful protests in the Virginia city .
The statue of Gen. Williams Carter Wickham was pulled from its pedestal in Monroe Park , a Richmond police spokeswoman said .
She said she did not know if there were any arrests or damage done to the statue .
A rope had been tied around the Confederate statue , which has stood since 1891 , The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statue after it was pulled down .
Photos and video from the newspaper showed the what appeared to be red paint splashed or sprayed on the statue .
In 2017 , some of Wickham ’ s descendants urged the city to remove the statue .
Confederate monuments are a major flashpoint in Virginia and elsewhere in the South .
Confederate memorials began coming down after a white supremacist killed nine black people at a Bible study in a church in South Carolina in 2015 and then again after the deadly white nationalist rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last week , Gov .
Ralph Northam announced that a state-owned statue of former Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee would be removed from its perch on the famed Monument Avenue “ as soon as possible.
” The Lee statue is one of five Confederate monuments along Monument Avenue , a prestigious residential street and National Historic Landmark district .
Monuments along the avenue have been rallying points during protests in recent days over Floyd ’ s death , and they have been tagged with graffiti , including messages that say “ End @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supremacy.
” Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney last week announced plans to seek the removal of the other Confederate monuments along Monument Avenue , which include statues of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Confederate Gens .
Stonewall Jackson and J.E.B .
Stuart .
Those statues sit on city land , unlike the Lee statue , which is on state property .
Stoney said he would introduce an ordinance July 1 to have the statues removed .
That ’ s when a new law goes into effect , which was signed earlier this year by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law protecting Confederate monuments and instead lets local governments decide their fate .
Wickham ’ s statue stood in Monroe Park , about a mile away from the Lee statue and surrounded by the Virginia Commonwealth University campus .
About the Headline Photo : The statue of Confederate Gen. Williams Carter Wickham lies on the ground after protesters pulled it down Saturday , June 6 , 2020 , in Monroe Park in Richmond , Va .
The statue had stood in the park since 1891 .
( Alexa Welch Edlund/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP @

RICHMOND, Virgina (AP) — A group of demonstrators toppled a statue of a Confederate general in the former capital of the Confederacy late Saturday, following a day of largely peaceful protests in the Virginia city.
The statue of Gen. Williams Carter Wickham was pulled from its pedestal in Monroe Park, a Richmond police spokeswoman said. She said she did not know if there were any arrests or damage done to the statue.
A rope had been tied around the Confederate statue, which has stood since 1891, The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported, adding that someone urinated on the statue after it was pulled down. Photos and video from the newspaper showed the what appeared to be red paint splashed or sprayed on the statue.
In 2017, some of Wickham’s descendants urged the city to remove the statue.
Confederate monuments are a major flashpoint in Virginia and elsewhere in the South. Confederate memorials began coming down after a white supremacist killed nine black people at a Bible study in a church in South Carolina in 2015 and then again after the deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017.
Last week, Gov. Ralph Northam announced that a state-owned statue of former Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee would be removed from its perch on the famed Monument Avenue “as soon as possible.”
The Lee statue is one of five Confederate monuments along Monument Avenue, a prestigious residential street and National Historic Landmark district. Monuments along the avenue have been rallying points during protests in recent days over Floyd’s death, and they have been tagged with graffiti, including messages that say “End police brutality” and “Stop white supremacy.”
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney last week announced plans to seek the removal of the other Confederate monuments along Monument Avenue, which include statues of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Confederate Gens. Stonewall Jackson and J.E.B. Stuart. Those statues sit on city land, unlike the Lee statue, which is on state property.
Stoney said he would introduce an ordinance July 1 to have the statues removed. That’s when a new law goes into effect, which was signed earlier this year by Northam, that undoes an existing state law protecting Confederate monuments and instead lets local governments decide their fate.
Wickham’s statue stood in Monroe Park, about a mile away from the Lee statue and surrounded by the Virginia Commonwealth University campus.
– – –
About the Headline Photo: The statue of Confederate Gen. Williams Carter Wickham lies on the ground after protesters pulled it down Saturday, June 6, 2020, in Monroe Park in Richmond, Va. The statue had stood in the park since 1891. (Alexa Welch Edlund/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)


thetennesseestar--2020-06-08--Florida Supreme Court Quashes Amendment That Would Outlaw ‘Assault Weapons’

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday struck down an amendment that would ban the ownership of assault weapons due to misleading wording .
Ban Assault Weapons Now , which prohibited the “ possession of assault weapons , ” banned magazines holding more than 10 rounds and mandated registration for these guns , was set to appear on the 2022 ballot .
However , justices voted 4-1 to ensure this doesn ’ t happen , according to the Washington Examiner .
Justices called the initiative — developed after the deadly Parkland , Florida , high school shooting in February 2018 — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does “ not categorically exempt the assault weapon , only the current owner ’ s possession of that assault weapon , ” according to court documents obtained by ABC News .
Justice Jorge Labarga was the sole voice of dissent in the ruling , saying that the 75-word limit on the initiatives is sufficient to understand the details of the bill .
“ The ballot title and summary provide fair notice and equip voters to educate themselves about the details of the Initiative , ” Labarga wrote , according to ABC .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the ballot.
” The National Rifle Association called the ruling an “ NRA VICTORY ” on Thursday .
Jake Dima is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Florida Supreme Court Justices ” by The Florida Supreme Court .

by Jake Dima
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday struck down an amendment that would ban the ownership of assault weapons due to misleading wording.
Ban Assault Weapons Now, which prohibited the “possession of assault weapons,” banned magazines holding more than 10 rounds and mandated registration for these guns, was set to appear on the 2022 ballot. However, justices voted 4-1 to ensure this doesn’t happen, according to the Washington Examiner.
Justices called the initiative — developed after the deadly Parkland, Florida, high school shooting in February 2018 — “affirmatively misleading,” as it does “not categorically exempt the assault weapon, only the current owner’s possession of that assault weapon,” according to court documents obtained by ABC News.
Justice Jorge Labarga was the sole voice of dissent in the ruling, saying that the 75-word limit on the initiatives is sufficient to understand the details of the bill.
“The ballot title and summary provide fair notice and equip voters to educate themselves about the details of the Initiative,” Labarga wrote, according to ABC. “Consequently, the Initiative should be placed on the ballot.”
The National Rifle Association called the ruling an “NRA VICTORY” on Thursday.
NRA VICTORY: Florida Supreme Court Rejects Semi-Auto Gun Ban Ballot Initiative — NRA (@NRA) June 4, 2020
– – –
Jake Dima is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photo “Florida Supreme Court Justices” by The Florida Supreme Court.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-08--Criminals Stealing Unemployment Benefits as Claims Surge

Criminals are seizing on a surge in job losses to steal unemployment benefits from Americans nationwide .
This complicates an already tough situation for millions of financially strapped Americans and overwhelmed state unemployment offices .
While there ’ s no exact measure of how many fraudulent claims have been made , states from Washington to Maine say they ’ ve seen an increase and numerous federal agencies are working to fight it .
“ About 10 % of ( unemployment insurance ) payments are improper under the best of times , and we are in the worst of times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the U.S. Labor Department , told the House Subcommittee on Government Operations .
Dahl estimated that at least $ 26 billion in benefits could be wasted , with the bulk of that going to fraudsters .
This forces unemployed workers , already reeling from the loss of a job , to fight for the benefits they need and are entitled to .
“ We are deeply concerned about the well-being of these people and when they will get this resolved and get the money they need to live on , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center , which has seen a sharp jump in calls for help with unemployment fraud .
Since mid-March , 42.7 million people have applied for unemployment benefits , though some have been rehired as states allow businesses to reopen .
On Thursday , the federal government said 21.5 million people are receiving jobless aid .
That creates added opportunity for criminals .
An extra $ 600 a week in benefits makes it more lucrative .
Additionally , state unemployment agencies have been overwhelmed by claims and are working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as fast as possible .
In some cases , security experts say the new processes , added workload and outdated systems may have made it easier for criminals to act .
“ This is El Dorado for them and it ’ s pure hell for victims , ” said Adam Levin , founder of data security firm CyberScout .
Security experts say the bulk of the fraud appears to be committed by criminals using stolen data to make claims using someone else ’ s identity .
The information has often been gleaned from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state systems .
In many cases , victims don ’ t know they have been affected until they apply for benefits and find out someone has beat them to the punch .
Some even find their benefit payments halted when a criminal usurps their benefits .
Victims should report a suspected fraud to the state , their employer and file a police report .
But resolving the issue and getting proper payment means going through the state agency that processes unemployment benefit claims , which is potentially already overwhelmed .
The U.S. Secret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested a well-organized Nigerian fraud ring was targeting state unemployment systems , according to the New York Times , which got a copy of the document .
But agents were still working to pinpoint who was involved and from where .
The memo said that Washington was the hardest-hit state but there was evidence of attacks in North Carolina , Massachusetts , Rhode Island , Oklahoma , Wyoming and Florida .
The California cybersecurity firm Agari estimated last week that at least 11 states have been targeted .
On Thursday , officials in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 333 million out an estimated $ 550 million to $ 650 million paid out fraudulently .
Those with jobs are also targets of the fraudsters .
Blake Victor Kent said that last week he got a letter from the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance informing him that they had commenced payments for his unemployment claim .
“ That ’ s funny , because I am still employed , ” he said .
Kent thought his information may have been exposed when he was a victim of a data breach a few years back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital , sent an email a few days later to staff saying they were aware of a number of such cases for employees .
In other cases , criminals are targeting people with false job offers , assistance filing unemployment and to glean personal information .
Other people may also be targeted and used as “ mules ” to move money for the criminals .
Experts warn that if a criminal has enough information to make an unemployment claim , they have enough information to commit other acts of identity theft .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harm by freezing their credit and monitoring their credit regularly for any irregularities .
People should practice good cyber hygiene as well , suggests John Breyault , who manages the National Consumers League ’ s Fraud Center .
That means changing passwords regularly , using two-factor authentication whenever possible to log into accounts and being wary of offers that seem too good to be true , whether that is by phone , online , mail or in person .
“ Until this unemployment problem starts to recede , this is going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Breyault said .
Sarah Skidmore Sell is a Personal Finance Writer at The Associated Press .
Rachel La Corte in Olympia , Washington , contributed .
About the Headline Photo : In this Wednesday , May 13 , 2020 file photo , a sign announces a store closing in Niles , Ill .
Criminals are seizing on a surge in job losses to steal unemployment benefits from Americans nationwide .
The uptick in crime complicates an already tough situation for millions of financially strapped Americans and overwhelmed state unemployment offices .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testified that at least $ 26 billion will have been wasted , going largely to fraudsters instead of those in need .
( AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh )

Criminals are seizing on a surge in job losses to steal unemployment benefits from Americans nationwide. This complicates an already tough situation for millions of financially strapped Americans and overwhelmed state unemployment offices.
While there’s no exact measure of how many fraudulent claims have been made, states from Washington to Maine say they’ve seen an increase and numerous federal agencies are working to fight it.
“About 10% of (unemployment insurance) payments are improper under the best of times, and we are in the worst of times,” Scott Dahl, the inspector general for the U.S. Labor Department, told the House Subcommittee on Government Operations. Dahl estimated that at least $26 billion in benefits could be wasted, with the bulk of that going to fraudsters.
This forces unemployed workers, already reeling from the loss of a job, to fight for the benefits they need and are entitled to.
“We are deeply concerned about the well-being of these people and when they will get this resolved and get the money they need to live on,” said Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center, which has seen a sharp jump in calls for help with unemployment fraud.
Since mid-March, 42.7 million people have applied for unemployment benefits, though some have been rehired as states allow businesses to reopen. On Thursday, the federal government said 21.5 million people are receiving jobless aid. That creates added opportunity for criminals. An extra $600 a week in benefits makes it more lucrative.
Additionally, state unemployment agencies have been overwhelmed by claims and are working to get payments to those in need as fast as possible. In some cases, security experts say the new processes, added workload and outdated systems may have made it easier for criminals to act.
“This is El Dorado for them and it’s pure hell for victims,” said Adam Levin, founder of data security firm CyberScout.
Security experts say the bulk of the fraud appears to be committed by criminals using stolen data to make claims using someone else’s identity. The information has often been gleaned from prior data breaches or direct attacks on state systems.
In many cases, victims don’t know they have been affected until they apply for benefits and find out someone has beat them to the punch. Some even find their benefit payments halted when a criminal usurps their benefits.
Victims should report a suspected fraud to the state, their employer and file a police report. But resolving the issue and getting proper payment means going through the state agency that processes unemployment benefit claims, which is potentially already overwhelmed.
The U.S. Secret Service issued a memo last month that suggested a well-organized Nigerian fraud ring was targeting state unemployment systems, according to the New York Times, which got a copy of the document. But agents were still working to pinpoint who was involved and from where. The memo said that Washington was the hardest-hit state but there was evidence of attacks in North Carolina, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Oklahoma, Wyoming and Florida. The California cybersecurity firm Agari estimated last week that at least 11 states have been targeted.
On Thursday, officials in Washington said the state has recovered $333 million out an estimated $550 million to $650 million paid out fraudulently.
Those with jobs are also targets of the fraudsters. Blake Victor Kent said that last week he got a letter from the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance informing him that they had commenced payments for his unemployment claim.
“That’s funny, because I am still employed,” he said.
Kent thought his information may have been exposed when he was a victim of a data breach a few years back. But his employer, Massachusetts General Hospital, sent an email a few days later to staff saying they were aware of a number of such cases for employees.
In other cases, criminals are targeting people with false job offers, assistance filing unemployment and to glean personal information. Other people may also be targeted and used as “mules” to move money for the criminals.
Experts warn that if a criminal has enough information to make an unemployment claim, they have enough information to commit other acts of identity theft. So people need to protect themselves from further harm by freezing their credit and monitoring their credit regularly for any irregularities.
People should practice good cyber hygiene as well, suggests John Breyault, who manages the National Consumers League’s Fraud Center. That means changing passwords regularly, using two-factor authentication whenever possible to log into accounts and being wary of offers that seem too good to be true, whether that is by phone, online, mail or in person.
“Until this unemployment problem starts to recede, this is going to be a problem that sticks with us,” Breyault said.
__
Sarah Skidmore Sell is a Personal Finance Writer at The Associated Press. Rachel La Corte in Olympia, Washington, contributed.
About the Headline Photo: In this Wednesday, May 13, 2020 file photo, a sign announces a store closing in Niles, Ill. Criminals are seizing on a surge in job losses to steal unemployment benefits from Americans nationwide. The uptick in crime complicates an already tough situation for millions of financially strapped Americans and overwhelmed state unemployment offices. In June 2020, the U.S. Labor Department testified that at least $26 billion will have been wasted, going largely to fraudsters instead of those in need. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)


thetennesseestar--2020-06-08--U.S. Senate Passes Bill to Help Small Businesses Gain Easier Access to Federal Assistance

The U.S. Senate passed the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act Wednesday night to make it easier for small businesses to access loans through the Paycheck Protection Plan ( PPP ) .
The bill awaits President Donald Trump ’ s signature .
Introduced by Republican Congressman Chip Roy of Texas and Democratic Congressman Dean Phillips of Minnesota , the bill eases restrictions for small businesses that were approved for the PPP program .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , requested a unanimous consent voice vote Wednesday evening and received no objections .
Just hours before , Sen. Ron Johnson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he received assurances that changes would be made to the program later .
The House previously passed the bill by a vote of 417-1 .
The PPP was part of the $ 2.2 trillion CARES Act , which issued mostly forgivable loans to small businesses in early April .
The first $ 349 billion approved for the program was depleted by mid-April , after which Congress authorized another $ 310 billion for the program .
After the first round of coronavirus relief money was made available , small businesses complained that it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PPP .
Once they did , they complained that they didn ’ t receive enough funding to keep their businesses afloat or to keep employees on the payroll because of how the loans were structured .
If business owners didn ’ t follow the loan terms , they risked the loans not being fully forgiven and incurring some debt .
Worse still , nearly 400 publicly traded companies received almost $ 1.3 billion in federal forgivable loans meant for small businesses .
They include construction firms , tech companies and pharmaceutical corporations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Several large hotel groups and restaurant chains each obtained loans over $ 10 million because they filed more than one application , USA Today reports .
After public outcry , only a handful of the companies , like Shake Shack and the Los Angeles Lakers , returned the money .
The new bill eases restrictions , including allowing businesses to use the loan money for 24 weeks , not eight , and expands how much of the assistance is required to be spent on payroll costs .
Small businesses can now use at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payroll costs and 40 percent on other costs .
The restaurant industry expressed discontent over the bill , arguing it requires restaurants to rehire laid-off workers despite still being closed or restricted to limited capacity or only takeout and delivery services .
Many business owners expressed concern that they would use up the loan money before being allowed to reopen , and later have to lay off employees because they weren ’ t generating enough revenue to pay salaries , according to The Hill .
The new bill also extends the deadline to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of enhanced unemployment insurance .
It also extends the time period during which the loan must be paid back from two to five years depending on how the businesses follow the loan terms .
Critics argue that the bill has a lot of problems , including still allowing businesses that don ’ t really need PPP to apply .
“ If we ’ re going to potentially authorize more spending , that program needs to be reformed , ” Johnson told reporters .
“ My main problem with what the House did – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dispute – it basically reauthorized the program through Dec. 31 , setting up a massive new infusion into the program without the reforms I think really need to be placed so that people who don ’ t need it don ’ t keep getting it .
We don ’ t have an unlimited checkbook.
” Small Business Committee Chairman Marco Rubio of Florida complained that the bill contains a drafting error that could eliminate loan forgiveness entirely for companies who want to use less than 60 percent of the money for payroll costs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to how well businesses were able to use the money toward 75 percent payroll costs .
The PPP assists businesses with less than 500 employees , and the average loan , according to the Small Business Administration , is $ 113,705 .
Bethany Blankley is a contributor to The Center Square .

by Bethany Blankley
The U.S. Senate passed the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act Wednesday night to make it easier for small businesses to access loans through the Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP). The bill awaits President Donald Trump’s signature.
Introduced by Republican Congressman Chip Roy of Texas and Democratic Congressman Dean Phillips of Minnesota, the bill eases restrictions for small businesses that were approved for the PPP program.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., requested a unanimous consent voice vote Wednesday evening and received no objections. Just hours before, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., objected to the bill until he received assurances that changes would be made to the program later.
The House previously passed the bill by a vote of 417-1.
The PPP was part of the $2.2 trillion CARES Act, which issued mostly forgivable loans to small businesses in early April.
The first $349 billion approved for the program was depleted by mid-April, after which Congress authorized another $310 billion for the program.
After the first round of coronavirus relief money was made available, small businesses complained that it was extremely difficult to access loans through the PPP. Once they did, they complained that they didn’t receive enough funding to keep their businesses afloat or to keep employees on the payroll because of how the loans were structured. If business owners didn’t follow the loan terms, they risked the loans not being fully forgiven and incurring some debt.
Worse still, nearly 400 publicly traded companies received almost $1.3 billion in federal forgivable loans meant for small businesses. They include construction firms, tech companies and pharmaceutical corporations, according to the analytics firm FactSquared.
Several large hotel groups and restaurant chains each obtained loans over $10 million because they filed more than one application, USA Today reports.
After public outcry, only a handful of the companies, like Shake Shack and the Los Angeles Lakers, returned the money.
The new bill eases restrictions, including allowing businesses to use the loan money for 24 weeks, not eight, and expands how much of the assistance is required to be spent on payroll costs. Small businesses can now use at least 60 percent of the loan on payroll costs and 40 percent on other costs.
The restaurant industry expressed discontent over the bill, arguing it requires restaurants to rehire laid-off workers despite still being closed or restricted to limited capacity or only takeout and delivery services. Many business owners expressed concern that they would use up the loan money before being allowed to reopen, and later have to lay off employees because they weren’t generating enough revenue to pay salaries, according to The Hill.
The new bill also extends the deadline to rehire employees to align with the expiration of enhanced unemployment insurance. It also extends the time period during which the loan must be paid back from two to five years depending on how the businesses follow the loan terms.
Critics argue that the bill has a lot of problems, including still allowing businesses that don’t really need PPP to apply.
“If we’re going to potentially authorize more spending, that program needs to be reformed,” Johnson told reporters. “My main problem with what the House did – and this is what’s in dispute – it basically reauthorized the program through Dec. 31, setting up a massive new infusion into the program without the reforms I think really need to be placed so that people who don’t need it don’t keep getting it. We don’t have an unlimited checkbook.”
Small Business Committee Chairman Marco Rubio of Florida complained that the bill contains a drafting error that could eliminate loan forgiveness entirely for companies who want to use less than 60 percent of the money for payroll costs. Previously, loan forgiveness was prorated according to how well businesses were able to use the money toward 75 percent payroll costs.
The PPP assists businesses with less than 500 employees, and the average loan, according to the Small Business Administration, is $113,705.
– – –
Bethany Blankley is a contributor to The Center Square.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-08--Author JK Rowling’s Tweets on Transgender People Spark Outrage

LOS ANGELES , California ( AP ) — “ Harry Potter ” author J.K. Rowling is facing hefty backlash after she posted a series of tweets about transgender people .
Rowling drew outrage Saturday on Twitter when she criticized an opinion piece published by the website Devex , a media platform for the global development community , that used the phrase “ people who menstruate.
” “ I ’ m sure there used to be a word for those people , ” the famous British author tweeted .
“ Someone help me out .
Wumben ?
Wimpund ?
Woomud ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the concept of biological sex .
“ If sex isn ’ t real , there ’ s no same-sex attraction , ” she tweeted .
“ If sex isn ’ t real , the lived reality of women globally is erased .
I know and love trans people , but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives .
It isn ’ t hate to speak the truth.
” Rowling ’ s tweets caused a firestorm of responses from the LGBTQ community and others who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harry Potter fan group tweeted its disapproval of Rowling ’ s post and encouraged followers to donate to a group that supports back transgender women .
Rowling said she respects “ every trans person ’ s rights to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them.
” She went on to say she would march “ if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans .
At the same time , my life has been shaped by being female .
I do not believe it ’ s hateful to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter , calling Rowling ’ s tweets “ inaccurate and cruel.
” The advocacy organization dedicated to LGBTQ equality then asked those upset by the author ’ s comments to support organizations that help black transgender people .
“ JK Rowling continues to align herself with an ideology which willfully distorts facts about gender identity and people who are trans , ” GLAAD tweeted .
“ In 2020 , there is no excuse for targeting trans people.
” Rowling ’ s representative has not responded to an email request for comment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , Dec. 11 , 2019 file photo , author and Lumos Foundation founder J.K. Rowling attends the HBO Documentary Films premiere of “ Finding the Way Home ” at 30 Hudson Yards , in New York .
“ Harry Potter ” author J.K. Rowling has fallen under scrutiny after her series of tweets Saturday , June 6 , 2020 were deemed as trans phobic .
( Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP , File )

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) — “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling is facing hefty backlash after she posted a series of tweets about transgender people.
Rowling drew outrage Saturday on Twitter when she criticized an opinion piece published by the website Devex, a media platform for the global development community, that used the phrase “people who menstruate.”
“I’m sure there used to be a word for those people,” the famous British author tweeted. “Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”
‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud? Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate https://t.co/cVpZxG7gaA — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020
She continued with another thread speaking about the concept of biological sex.
“If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction,” she tweeted. “If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.”
If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth. — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020
Rowling’s tweets caused a firestorm of responses from the LGBTQ community and others who were upset with her words. A Harry Potter fan group tweeted its disapproval of Rowling’s post and encouraged followers to donate to a group that supports back transgender women.
Rowling said she respects “every trans person’s rights to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them.” She went on to say she would march “if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so.”
GLAAD issued a response on Twitter, calling Rowling’s tweets “inaccurate and cruel.” The advocacy organization dedicated to LGBTQ equality then asked those upset by the author’s comments to support organizations that help black transgender people.
“JK Rowling continues to align herself with an ideology which willfully distorts facts about gender identity and people who are trans,” GLAAD tweeted. “In 2020, there is no excuse for targeting trans people.”
Rowling’s representative has not responded to an email request for comment.
– – –
About the Headline Photo: In a Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019 file photo, author and Lumos Foundation founder J.K. Rowling attends the HBO Documentary Films premiere of “Finding the Way Home” at 30 Hudson Yards, in New York. “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling has fallen under scrutiny after her series of tweets Saturday, June 6, 2020 were deemed as trans phobic.(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)


thetennesseestar--2020-06-08--Censorship, Antitrust Probes: Big Tech Is Back to Fighting Familiar Foes After Taking on Coronavirus

Amazon , Twitter , and other major tech companies are facing intense criticism on antitrust issues and censorship claims in the months since government officials reportedly began asking for help from Silicon Valley on ways to tackle the coronavirus pandemic .
The president and lawmakers have turned their sights on Twitter and Amazon , respectively , while Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and other attorneys general are reportedly ratcheting up their antitrust investigation targeting Google ’ s business model .
The White House asked them in March to fight coronavirus disinformation while also assisting the government in its virus response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drastically raising prices on hand sanitizers as Google fleshed out ways of tracking the virus .
Twitter and Facebook developed policies designed around nixing virus-related misinformation while providing users with accurate information about coronavirus , or COVID-19 .
COVID-19 has so far killed a reported 110,000 people in the U.S. and led several states to enact lockdowns to slow the spread .
States and local officials have begun easing up on stay-at-home orders , which resulted in double-digit unemployment rates .
Here are some of the problems Silicon Valley giants are facing as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priorities .
A bipartisan group of 50 attorneys general across 48 states , the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico , began probing Google in September well before the coronavirus pandemic began .
Reports from The Wall Street Journal in May 2020 and CNBC Friday suggest the Department of Justice and Paxton are well into the planning stages of litigation targeting Google , but those reports rely on unnamed “ people familiar with the matter ” and do not explicitly state when to expect a lawsuit .
The DOJ and state attorneys general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bulk of the attorneys general ’ s investigation has been focused on Google ’ s online advertising , as the company owns the largest and most powerful tool in the link between online publishers and advertisers , according to the WSJ report .
The DOJ has reportedly homed in on the tech titan ’ s ad technology while also focusing more broadly on concerns that Google is stifling competition through its search business .
DOJ ’ s investigation could end soon , according to the WSJ ’ s May report .
Other reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are soliciting advice from one of Google ’ s competitors , search engine DuckDuckGo .
The Daily Caller News Foundation reached out to several Republican attorneys general involved in the probe , including Mark Brnovich of Arizona , Leslie Rutledge of Arkansas , Jeff Landry of Louisiana , Sean Reyes of Utah , and Doug Peterson of Nebraska , but none of them have responded to repeated requests for comment about a potential lawsuit .
Florida AG Ashley Moody ’ s spokeswoman Lauren Cassedy told the DCNF that , “ it would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit ) at this time.
” Pressure on Google eased somewhat after the company lent government officials access to some of the company ’ s technology in pursuit of tackling the coronavirus pandemic .
The company CEO Sundar Pichai announced in a March 6 blog post that it would develop a system helping medical researchers understand “ how the virus functions and experimental work in developing future treatments.
” Google did not responded to the DCNF ’ s request for comment about whether the company is preparing for a lawsuit , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a lawsuit is forthcoming .
House Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman Rep. David Cicilline said in May that he wants Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to testify as part of his committee ’ s antitrust investigation into the company .
Amazon is facing a DOJ antitrust probe as well , which is unrelated to the state attorneys general probe into Google .
“ It is our hope and expectation that [ Bezos ] will come voluntarily , ” the Rhode Island Democrat said in a May 7 interview with Politico .
“ But if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are prepared to use compulsory process to compel his attendance.
” Cicilline ’ s comments came after House Judiciary Committee lawmakers threatened to subpoena Bezos on May 1 , after the Wall Street Journal reported in April that the company used data from independent sellers to develop competing products .
The House panel is engaged in an antitrust investigation targeting Amazon and other major tech companies .
Amazon has not replied to the DCNF ’ s request for comment about whether Bezos will testify .
Meanwhile , the online shopping giant revenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the pandemic after economic lock downs all but shuttered many of the company ’ s brick-and-mortar competitors .
The company announced in April that it would also hire an additional 75,000 people for jobs ranging from warehouse staff to delivery drivers .
President Donald Trump announced an executive order on May 28 calling for Twitter and other social media platforms to lose their protection from legal liability if they engage in censorship .
The president and other conservatives frequently claim that Twitter is biased against them and often censors their content for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s May 26 tweet claiming that mail-in ballots are fraudulent .
The company also concealed a May 29 tweet from Trump in which he suggested that the “ THUGS ” rioting in Minneapolis are “ dishonoring the memory of George Floyd , ” a black man who died after a police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes , video of the incident shows .
Twitter argued that the historical relevance of the term “ looting starts , shooting starts ” violated the company ’ s policy against inciting violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walter Headley used the phrase during hearings about crime in the Florida city , according to NPR .
Headley preferred using dogs and shotguns , among other tough tactics , to stamp down looting and violent protests , the Miami Herald reported May 29 .
Trump , for his part , later clarified what the tweet was meant to convey , telling his Twitter followers May 29 that looting often leads to gun violence , something the president said he hoped to avoid .
Facebook announced a plan Sept. 17 , 2019 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the politics from moderating decisions .
The company rolled out the plan a week after Paxton ’ s announced his intention to take on Google Sept. 9 .
Facebook ’ s independent oversight is body meant to impartially protect free speech and create an arbitration system , Axios reported in May .
CEO Mark Zuckerberg ’ s new board is made up of a bipartisan crew of conservative and liberal board members who will help judge whether specific comments , posts or links comply with Facebook ’ s terms of service .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected board members during its May 6 rollout .
Under this system , Facebook users who believe moderators unfairly targeted them can file an appeal with the board , which will choose to take a handful of cases each year , a setup which Zuckerberg has likened to the Supreme Court .
The 15-year-old social media giant hit some speed bumps over the past few weeks .
Some Facebook employees recently criticized Zuckerberg ’ s decision not to remove a Trump Facebook post mentioning the term “ looting starts , shooting starts.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walkout on June 1 to voice their displeasure .
Facebook did not nix the post because the company prefers to lean on free speech principles , Zuckerberg explained during a company meeting on June 2 .
Since Trump ’ s Facebook and Instagram posts quoting the tweet have not been removed , they ’ ve collected a monstrous amount of engagements .
It ’ s been shared on Facebook more than 70,000 times as of Tuesday and has accumulated more than 255,000 reactions .
The Instagram post , meanwhile , had more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook post Friday that the company will revisit some of its policies against violent threats .
“ We ’ re going to review potential options for handling violating or partially-violating content aside from the binary leave-it-up or take-it-down decisions , ” he wrote .
“ I know many of you think we should have labeled the President ’ s posts in some way last week.
” Facebook did not immediately reply to the DCNF ’ s request for comment .

by Chris White
Amazon, Twitter, and other major tech companies are facing intense criticism on antitrust issues and censorship claims in the months since government officials reportedly began asking for help from Silicon Valley on ways to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
The president and lawmakers have turned their sights on Twitter and Amazon, respectively, while Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and other attorneys general are reportedly ratcheting up their antitrust investigation targeting Google’s business model. The White House asked them in March to fight coronavirus disinformation while also assisting the government in its virus response.
Amazon tried to stop sellers from drastically raising prices on hand sanitizers as Google fleshed out ways of tracking the virus. Twitter and Facebook developed policies designed around nixing virus-related misinformation while providing users with accurate information about coronavirus, or COVID-19.
COVID-19 has so far killed a reported 110,000 people in the U.S. and led several states to enact lockdowns to slow the spread. States and local officials have begun easing up on stay-at-home orders, which resulted in double-digit unemployment rates.
Here are some of the problems Silicon Valley giants are facing as citizens and government officials focus on other priorities.
Google Faces A Big Probe
A bipartisan group of 50 attorneys general across 48 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, began probing Google in September well before the coronavirus pandemic began.
Reports from The Wall Street Journal in May 2020 and CNBC Friday suggest the Department of Justice and Paxton are well into the planning stages of litigation targeting Google, but those reports rely on unnamed “people familiar with the matter” and do not explicitly state when to expect a lawsuit. The DOJ and state attorneys general are collaborating on the probes.
The bulk of the attorneys general’s investigation has been focused on Google’s online advertising, as the company owns the largest and most powerful tool in the link between online publishers and advertisers, according to the WSJ report. The DOJ has reportedly homed in on the tech titan’s ad technology while also focusing more broadly on concerns that Google is stifling competition through its search business.
DOJ’s investigation could end soon, according to the WSJ’s May report.
Other reports suggest the DOJ and state attorneys general are soliciting advice from one of Google’s competitors, search engine DuckDuckGo.
The Daily Caller News Foundation reached out to several Republican attorneys general involved in the probe, including Mark Brnovich of Arizona, Leslie Rutledge of Arkansas, Jeff Landry of Louisiana, Sean Reyes of Utah, and Doug Peterson of Nebraska, but none of them have responded to repeated requests for comment about a potential lawsuit.
Florida AG Ashley Moody’s spokeswoman Lauren Cassedy told the DCNF that, “it would not be appropriate to comment (about a lawsuit) at this time.”
Pressure on Google eased somewhat after the company lent government officials access to some of the company’s technology in pursuit of tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
The company CEO Sundar Pichai announced in a March 6 blog post that it would develop a system helping medical researchers understand “how the virus functions and experimental work in developing future treatments.”
Google did not responded to the DCNF’s request for comment about whether the company is preparing for a lawsuit, and the DOJ has not confirmed to the DCNF that a lawsuit is forthcoming.
Amazon Faces Serious Heat
House Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman Rep. David Cicilline said in May that he wants Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to testify as part of his committee’s antitrust investigation into the company. Amazon is facing a DOJ antitrust probe as well, which is unrelated to the state attorneys general probe into Google.
“It is our hope and expectation that [Bezos] will come voluntarily,” the Rhode Island Democrat said in a May 7 interview with Politico. “But if he elects not to do it voluntarily then we are prepared to use compulsory process to compel his attendance.”
Cicilline’s comments came after House Judiciary Committee lawmakers threatened to subpoena Bezos on May 1, after the Wall Street Journal reported in April that the company used data from independent sellers to develop competing products. The House panel is engaged in an antitrust investigation targeting Amazon and other major tech companies.
Amazon has not replied to the DCNF’s request for comment about whether Bezos will testify.
Meanwhile, the online shopping giant revenue rose 26% to $75.5 billion during the pandemic after economic lock downs all but shuttered many of the company’s brick-and-mortar competitors. The company announced in April that it would also hire an additional 75,000 people for jobs ranging from warehouse staff to delivery drivers.
Twitter And Trump Face Off
President Donald Trump announced an executive order on May 28 calling for Twitter and other social media platforms to lose their protection from legal liability if they engage in censorship. The president and other conservatives frequently claim that Twitter is biased against them and often censors their content for political reasons.
Twitter fact checked the president’s May 26 tweet claiming that mail-in ballots are fraudulent.
The company also concealed a May 29 tweet from Trump in which he suggested that the “THUGS” rioting in Minneapolis are “dishonoring the memory of George Floyd,” a black man who died after a police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes, video of the incident shows.
Twitter argued that the historical relevance of the term “looting starts, shooting starts” violated the company’s policy against inciting violence.
In 1967, Miami police Chief Walter Headley used the phrase during hearings about crime in the Florida city, according to NPR. Headley preferred using dogs and shotguns, among other tough tactics, to stamp down looting and violent protests, the Miami Herald reported May 29.
Trump, for his part, later clarified what the tweet was meant to convey, telling his Twitter followers May 29 that looting often leads to gun violence, something the president said he hoped to avoid.
Facebook Creates A ‘Supreme Court’
Facebook announced a plan Sept. 17 , 2019 to create an oversight board designed to remove the politics from moderating decisions. The company rolled out the plan a week after Paxton’s announced his intention to take on Google Sept. 9.
Facebook’s independent oversight is body meant to impartially protect free speech and create an arbitration system, Axios reported in May. CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s new board is made up of a bipartisan crew of conservative and liberal board members who will help judge whether specific comments, posts or links comply with Facebook’s terms of service.
The oversight board named 20 of the 40 expected board members during its May 6 rollout. Under this system, Facebook users who believe moderators unfairly targeted them can file an appeal with the board, which will choose to take a handful of cases each year, a setup which Zuckerberg has likened to the Supreme Court.
The 15-year-old social media giant hit some speed bumps over the past few weeks.
Some Facebook employees recently criticized Zuckerberg’s decision not to remove a Trump Facebook post mentioning the term “looting starts, shooting starts.” Many of the employees conducted a virtual walkout on June 1 to voice their displeasure. Facebook did not nix the post because the company prefers to lean on free speech principles, Zuckerberg explained during a company meeting on June 2.
Since Trump’s Facebook and Instagram posts quoting the tweet have not been removed, they’ve collected a monstrous amount of engagements. It’s been shared on Facebook more than 70,000 times as of Tuesday and has accumulated more than 255,000 reactions. The Instagram post, meanwhile, had more than 500,000 likes.
Zuckerberg announced in a Facebook post Friday that the company will revisit some of its policies against violent threats.
“We’re going to review potential options for handling violating or partially-violating content aside from the binary leave-it-up or take-it-down decisions,” he wrote. “I know many of you think we should have labeled the President’s posts in some way last week.”
Facebook did not immediately reply to the DCNF’s request for comment.
– – –
Chris White is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-08--Two Pennsylvania Men Charged After Driving to Cleveland to Riot

Two Pennsylvania men were arrested Friday for traveling to Cleveland , Ohio on May 30 to participate in riots in response to the death of George Floyd , whose alleged murder by a Minneapolis police officer sparked unrest across the nation .
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio Justin Herdman said that Brandon Michael Althof Long , 23 , ( pictured left ) and Devon Bryce Poland , 22 , ( pictured right ) were charged with engaging and conspiring to engage in interstate travel with a firearm with the intent to use fire to participate in civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to commit a felony , and rioting .
Both are from Erie , Pennsylvania and were arrested by agents from the Cleveland Division of the FBI .
“ At the Justice Department , we hold people accountable for their actions , ” Herdman said in a statement .
“ Mr .
Long and Mr. Poland were not from Cleveland .
They arrived with weapons and the ingredients for an incendiary device and purposefully inserted themselves into a constitutionally protected protest , with the design to exploit it for their own purposes .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions and anyone else who may have violated the law.
” According to a criminal complaint filed in the matter , Long and Poland had their vehicle searched after they were stopped by law enforcement officers for being out past Cleveland ’ s 8 p.m. curfew .
“ Found inside the vehicle was a pistol , 17 rounds of ammunition , a hammer , a BB gun resembling a pistol , a red plastic bottle of liquid fire starter , two Apple iPhones , and a bottle of liquor believed to have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day and other objects , ” the complaint states .
The FBI executed a search warrant on the two iPhones and found messages demonstrating “ an intent by Long and Poland to travel from Pennsylvania to Cleveland , Ohio on May 30 , 2020 , to participate in , promote , encourage , and aid and abet the criminal riots.
” In the messages , the defendants specifically discussed the supplies needed to create a Molotov cocktail , an incendiary device .
It ’ s still unclear if Long and Poland are affiliated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Antifa or the white supremacist “ boogaloo ” group .
In a detailed statement discussing the charges , Herdman said the peaceful protests were “ undoubtedly ” hijacked by “ out of state agitators.
” Long and Poland represent the “ first two federal arrests ” stemming from the May 30 riots , but Herdman promised there would be more .
“ They were , by any definition , riots that disrupted the end of a lawful and peaceful assembly of well-meaning citizens , ” he said .
“ We are working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ riots , and pursuing a number of potential federal charges involving a series of individuals who are responsible for the destruction of our downtown.
” Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson said everyone has the right to “ peacefully demonstrate and protest , but once there is violence against people or property then we need to take action to protect the safety and well-being of our community.
” “ Everyone has a constitutional right to freedom of speech , to protest , to bring grievance , to express their concerns to government , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our law enforcement partners for their assistance as we look to address the underlying things that have caused the demonstrations in our city.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photos “ Brandon Michael Althof Long ” and “ Devon Bryce Poland ” by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff Department .

Two Pennsylvania men were arrested Friday for traveling to Cleveland, Ohio on May 30 to participate in riots in response to the death of George Floyd, whose alleged murder by a Minneapolis police officer sparked unrest across the nation.
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio Justin Herdman said that Brandon Michael Althof Long, 23, (pictured left) and Devon Bryce Poland, 22, (pictured right) were charged with engaging and conspiring to engage in interstate travel with a firearm with the intent to use fire to participate in civil unrest and riot, use of fire to commit a felony, and rioting.
Both are from Erie, Pennsylvania and were arrested by agents from the Cleveland Division of the FBI.
“At the Justice Department, we hold people accountable for their actions,” Herdman said in a statement. “Mr. Long and Mr. Poland were not from Cleveland. They arrived with weapons and the ingredients for an incendiary device and purposefully inserted themselves into a constitutionally protected protest, with the design to exploit it for their own purposes. We will hold these two accountable for their actions and anyone else who may have violated the law.”
According to a criminal complaint filed in the matter, Long and Poland had their vehicle searched after they were stopped by law enforcement officers for being out past Cleveland’s 8 p.m. curfew.
“Found inside the vehicle was a pistol, 17 rounds of ammunition, a hammer, a BB gun resembling a pistol, a red plastic bottle of liquid fire starter, two Apple iPhones, and a bottle of liquor believed to have been looted from a store earlier in the day and other objects,” the complaint states.
The FBI executed a search warrant on the two iPhones and found messages demonstrating “an intent by Long and Poland to travel from Pennsylvania to Cleveland, Ohio on May 30, 2020, to participate in, promote, encourage, and aid and abet the criminal riots.”
In the messages, the defendants specifically discussed the supplies needed to create a Molotov cocktail, an incendiary device.
It’s still unclear if Long and Poland are affiliated with any organized extremist groups, such as Antifa or the white supremacist “boogaloo” group. In a detailed statement discussing the charges, Herdman said the peaceful protests were “undoubtedly” hijacked by “out of state agitators.”
Long and Poland represent the “first two federal arrests” stemming from the May 30 riots, but Herdman promised there would be more.
“They were, by any definition, riots that disrupted the end of a lawful and peaceful assembly of well-meaning citizens,” he said. “We are working on numerous additional investigations associated with those riots, and pursuing a number of potential federal charges involving a series of individuals who are responsible for the destruction of our downtown.”
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson said everyone has the right to “peacefully demonstrate and protest, but once there is violence against people or property then we need to take action to protect the safety and well-being of our community.”
“Everyone has a constitutional right to freedom of speech, to protest, to bring grievance, to express their concerns to government,” he said. “I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their assistance as we look to address the underlying things that have caused the demonstrations in our city.”
Read the 14-page charging document in full:

– – –
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photos “Brandon Michael Althof Long” and “Devon Bryce Poland” by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff Department.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-08--‘Waking up’: Casinos, Amusement Parks to Reopen June 19

Casinos , amusement parks and racetracks will be allowed to open June 19 , Gov .
Mike DeWine announced during a briefing Friday as he responded to criticism of the state ’ s measured reopening plan .
In addition , the annual Memorial golf tournament in the Columbus suburb of Dublin was approved to take place in mid-July .
Outdoor theaters in the state also will be allowed to reopen , DeWine said , once they submit a plan as other businesses have done .
“ Early on I said we are not shutting down , we ’ re waking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state health director , said at the briefing .
” As we ’ re reopening , we ’ re also waking up .
We have to be more intentional than we ’ ve ever been.
” DeWine also touched on the criticism he has received for his cautious approach to reopening the state amid the coronavirus pandemic .
“ To those who say we should open Ohio with no restrictions , my answer to that is to do that in the midst of this pandemic makes absolutely no sense , ” DeWine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Harris of the Ohio National Guard to increase testing at the more than 960 nursing homes in the state .
In a three-phase strategy , the National Guard has created 12 teams that are working with guidance from the state health department to go into nursing homes and collect specimens that will then be transported to the labs across Ohio .
Farnoush Amiri is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms @ @ @ @ @ @

Casinos, amusement parks and racetracks will be allowed to open June 19, Gov. Mike DeWine announced during a briefing Friday as he responded to criticism of the state’s measured reopening plan.
In addition, the annual Memorial golf tournament in the Columbus suburb of Dublin was approved to take place in mid-July.
Outdoor theaters in the state also will be allowed to reopen, DeWine said, once they submit a plan as other businesses have done.
“Early on I said we are not shutting down, we’re waking up,” Dr. Amy Acton, the state health director, said at the briefing. ”As we’re reopening, we’re also waking up. We have to be more intentional than we’ve ever been.”
DeWine also touched on the criticism he has received for his cautious approach to reopening the state amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“To those who say we should open Ohio with no restrictions, my answer to that is to do that in the midst of this pandemic makes absolutely no sense,” DeWine said.
Nursing Homes
DeWine has tasked Maj. Gen. John Harris of the Ohio National Guard to increase testing at the more than 960 nursing homes in the state.
In a three-phase strategy, the National Guard has created 12 teams that are working with guidance from the state health department to go into nursing homes and collect specimens that will then be transported to the labs across Ohio.
– – –
Farnoush Amiri is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-08--Minnesota Riot Ravaged Minority-Owned Businesses

After the dust settled in the Twin Cities , it ’ s clear rioters ravaged many businesses owned by minorities and immigrants .
Luis Tamay is an immigrant who saved for longer than 10 years to open his restaurant in South Minneapolis , El Sabor Chuchi , which burned down Friday night as he obeyed curfew , The Star Tribune reported .
“ There ’ s the freezer right there ; the kitchen was right there , ” Tamay said as he pointed .
“ Seventeen years of work is gone.
” He lost over $ 60,000 in restaurant equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insurance .
Even if he did , many insurance policies don ’ t cover riot damages .
A GoFundme has almost recouped the equipment loss , but others weren ’ t as lucky .
“ My Grandpa Max survived the Holocaust and came to Minneapolis as an immigrant with literally nothing .
$ 0 , ” Todd Sklar tweeted on May 29 .
“ He worked 3 jobs , 1 of which was at his neighborhood liquor store .
After many years of saving , he eventually bought that liquor store .
Tonight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Tribune reported more than 360 businesses were damaged and 66 burned down in the Twin Cities , hurting owners and consumers .
Many of the businesses vandalized were stores that mainly serve low-income customers , including eight Dollar Stores , an Aldi , and other local markets .
Looters burned down the only store accessible to Stephanie Wilford , a disabled woman from Minneapolis , she told KSTP on Saturday .
“ I have no way to get there because the buses aren ’ t running , ” she said , fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this for no reason .
It ’ s not gon na bring George [ Floyd ] back… This is the only place I could go to shop , and now I don ’ t have anywhere to go.
” John Phelan , an economist at The Center of The American Experiment , told The Center Square that the riot hit people who were already struggling the hardest .
“ One of the worst things I think , is the idea that the businesses that were hit hardest were like big ones like Target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not true , ” Phelan said .
“ There ’ s a lot of small businesses down there , startups , immigrant-owned businesses , minority-owned businesses , and they ’ ve been completely shattered.
” Phelan said that ’ s a result of the failure of state and local government to fulfill its core function : to protect life and property .
Gov .
Tim Walz called in more than 500 members of the National Guard last Thursday and 7,000 members in response to civil unrest in the Twin Cities by the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too late for many businesses .
“ It ’ s failed the people who need it most , which is the people at the low end of the income scale , ” Phelan said .
“ There really does need to be a reckoning with the state and city government in Minneapolis.
” “ Here you have people who have pursued the American dream , and they ’ ve had their small shop burnt down and their livelihood ruined.
” Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org .
Previously , he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi .
Photo “ Black-Owned Business ” by Lorie Shaull .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .

by Scott McClallen
After the dust settled in the Twin Cities, it’s clear rioters ravaged many businesses owned by minorities and immigrants.
Luis Tamay is an immigrant who saved for longer than 10 years to open his restaurant in South Minneapolis, El Sabor Chuchi, which burned down Friday night as he obeyed curfew, The Star Tribune reported.
“There’s the freezer right there; the kitchen was right there,” Tamay said as he pointed. “Seventeen years of work is gone.”
He lost over $60,000 in restaurant equipment, and he didn’t have insurance. Even if he did, many insurance policies don’t cover riot damages.
A GoFundme has almost recouped the equipment loss, but others weren’t as lucky.
“My Grandpa Max survived the Holocaust and came to Minneapolis as an immigrant with literally nothing. $0,” Todd Sklar tweeted on May 29. “He worked 3 jobs, 1 of which was at his neighborhood liquor store. After many years of saving, he eventually bought that liquor store. Tonight that liquor store is on fire.”
The Tribune reported more than 360 businesses were damaged and 66 burned down in the Twin Cities, hurting owners and consumers.
Many of the businesses vandalized were stores that mainly serve low-income customers, including eight Dollar Stores, an Aldi, and other local markets.
Looters burned down the only store accessible to Stephanie Wilford, a disabled woman from Minneapolis, she told KSTP on Saturday.
“I have no way to get there because the buses aren’t running,” she said, fighting back tears. “These people did this for no reason. It’s not gonna bring George [Floyd] back… This is the only place I could go to shop, and now I don’t have anywhere to go.”
John Phelan, an economist at The Center of The American Experiment, told The Center Square that the riot hit people who were already struggling the hardest.
“One of the worst things I think, is the idea that the businesses that were hit hardest were like big ones like Target or Footlocker, but that’s not true,” Phelan said. “There’s a lot of small businesses down there, startups, immigrant-owned businesses, minority-owned businesses, and they’ve been completely shattered.”
Phelan said that’s a result of the failure of state and local government to fulfill its core function: to protect life and property.
Gov. Tim Walz called in more than 500 members of the National Guard last Thursday and 7,000 members in response to civil unrest in the Twin Cities by the end of the weekend, but it was too late for many businesses.
“It’s failed the people who need it most, which is the people at the low end of the income scale,” Phelan said. “There really does need to be a reckoning with the state and city government in Minneapolis.”
“Here you have people who have pursued the American dream, and they’ve had their small shop burnt down and their livelihood ruined.”
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Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square. A graduate of Hillsdale College, his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org. Previously, he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi.
Photo “Black-Owned Business” by Lorie Shaull. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-08--Standoff Between Michigan State Agencies and Boyce Hydro May Have Sealed Dams’ Fates

Adversarial relations between Boyce Hydro and state agencies may have had a pronounced contribution to the massive flooding that required the evacuation of nearly 11,000 Midland and Gladwin county residents last month and destroyed or significantly damaged hundreds of homes when the Edenville Dam in Gladwin County failed , causing the Sanford Dam in Midland County to breach .
Added to the already contentious relationship between Boyce Hydro , the private owner of four dams situated on the Tittabawasee River , and the Michigan Department of Environment , Great Lakes and Energy ( EGLE ; formerly known as the Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal action initiated by the Michigan Office of the Attorney General and enforced by EGLE .
“ Today the evidence appears to show that both the dam ’ s owner and the state agency charged with regulating the dam set the conditions that allowed a recent flood to push it to rupture , ” Jason Hayes , Mackinac Center for Public Policy Environmental Director , wrote in a blog post .
David Robertson , who formerly represented Grand Blanc as both a state representative and senator and served on natural resource committees in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ EGLE most certainly has the ability to work on issues with dam owners in noncompliance , ” Robertson told The Center Square .
“ What has been apparent to me for some time is their unwillingness to do so.
” Noting he had once attempted to find funding to repair a dam in Goodrich , a town in his district , he was dismayed at the response he received .
“ I was told there was no money in the DEQ budget to repair dams , only remove them , ” Robertson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislator I witnessed what was then called the DEQ and its manifest inability to close a file .
They choose to hold an anvil over the head of private citizens rather than trying to assist them.
” EGLE Dam Safety staff member Luke Trumble , in a Friday morning media briefing , noted the Edenville Dam was one of Michigan ’ s top-6 “ high hazard ” dams .
He said EGLE was working with the owner of one of the other five dams he listed – the Little Black River Structure B @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding to repair the dam .
However , as the Detroit News reported Friday morning , the Michigan Department of Natural Resources last year denied a $ 1.6 million request to fix the Edenville Dam made by the Four Lakes Task Force , a group seeking to purchase the dams .
Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer assigned EGLE the responsibility of investigating what caused the Edenville Dam to fail and Sanford Dam to breach on May 19 during a massive downpour delivering approximately 6 inches to 8 inches of rain in 48 hours .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation raised concerns of a conflict of interest due to the fact EGLE has been named as a defendant in several pending lawsuits pertaining to the flooding .
“ The governor ’ s letter instructs us to call on other departments and outside experts to put together the pieces of this investigation , ” he said in a phone conversation with The Center Square .
When asked whether the October 2018 report by Jim Pawloski , in which the EGLE hydrologist declared the Edenville Dam in “ fair structural condition , ” was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dam had been cited by the Federal Energy Management Commission on numerous occasions prior to FERC transferring regulatory authority to EGLE .
Among the issues noted by FERC was the dam ’ s limited spillway capacity .
Because Boyce Hydro did not fully address these issues , FERC pulled the company ’ s license to produce and sell hydroelectricity .
As a result , the financially strapped company had even less money to conduct required repairs .
Once FERC canceled Boyce ’ s license in 2018 , regulatory jurisdiction of the Edenville Dam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Pawloski conducted his investigation and issued his October 8 , 2018 report in which he wrote : “ [ T ] here were no observed deficiencies that would be expected to cause immediate failure of the dam.
” Wrote Hayes : “ [ T ] he 2018 inspection report did not mention inadequate spillway capacity , nor did it recommend further assessments or repairs.
” However , Assendelft claims Pawloski ’ s determination was only a preliminary report .
“ This was not a complete inspection , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the responsibility for a more thorough report was supposed to be submitted to EGLE by Boyce Hydro .
The report , he said , was to be written by a “ consultant hired by the owner.
” Boyce Hydro did not meet the March 2020 deadline EGLE had established for the finished report .
EGLE Dam Safety staff member Luke Trumble acknowledged the Edenville Dam was one of six Michigan dams classified in its High Hazard category .
“ The hazard potential classification is not based upon the structural condition of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added dams under that classification required significant improvements and posed a potential threat to human life .
Complicating matters was a lawsuit filed by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel , the Department of Natural Resources and EGLE , which stated Boyce had lowered lake levels illegally – an action alleged to kill freshwater mussels for which the agencies sought compensation .
The suit , filed April 30 , 2020 , was preceded by another lawsuit brought jointly by the Attorney General ’ s office , Midland County and Four Lakes Task Force ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dams ) .
That suit was settled in May 2019 when Judge Stephen Carras in Circuit Court for the County of Midland established minimum lake levels after Boyce was said to have drawn water down beneath legal minimum limits in 2017 and 2018 .
Assendelft told The Center Square the court ’ s decision required EGLE to enforce maintaining higher water levels between the dams .
For its part , Boyce Hydro argued raising the water levels would jeopardize the structural integrity of the dam until repairs could be performed .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outcome if instead of aggressively fighting a crusade against Boyce Hydro , EGLE chose to work with them to repair the dams , ” Robertson said .
“ Whether that meant securing grants or assisting them with any other funding mechanism , it would have been far preferable than the disaster that actually happened.
” Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square .
He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy ’ s MichiganScience magazine and The Heartland Institute ’ s InfoTech & Telecom News .

by Bruce Walker
Adversarial relations between Boyce Hydro and state agencies may have had a pronounced contribution to the massive flooding that required the evacuation of nearly 11,000 Midland and Gladwin county residents last month and destroyed or significantly damaged hundreds of homes when the Edenville Dam in Gladwin County failed, causing the Sanford Dam in Midland County to breach.
Added to the already contentious relationship between Boyce Hydro, the private owner of four dams situated on the Tittabawasee River, and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE; formerly known as the Department of Environmental Quality or DEQ) was legal action initiated by the Michigan Office of the Attorney General and enforced by EGLE.
“Today the evidence appears to show that both the dam’s owner and the state agency charged with regulating the dam set the conditions that allowed a recent flood to push it to rupture,” Jason Hayes, Mackinac Center for Public Policy Environmental Director, wrote in a blog post.
David Robertson, who formerly represented Grand Blanc as both a state representative and senator and served on natural resource committees in both positions, concurs with Hayes.
“EGLE most certainly has the ability to work on issues with dam owners in noncompliance,” Robertson told The Center Square. “What has been apparent to me for some time is their unwillingness to do so.”
Noting he had once attempted to find funding to repair a dam in Goodrich, a town in his district, he was dismayed at the response he received.
“I was told there was no money in the DEQ budget to repair dams, only remove them,” Robertson said. “When I was a legislator I witnessed what was then called the DEQ and its manifest inability to close a file. They choose to hold an anvil over the head of private citizens rather than trying to assist them.”
EGLE Dam Safety staff member Luke Trumble, in a Friday morning media briefing, noted the Edenville Dam was one of Michigan’s top-6 “high hazard” dams. He said EGLE was working with the owner of one of the other five dams he listed – the Little Black River Structure B in Cheboygan County – to pursue grant funding to repair the dam.
However, as the Detroit News reported Friday morning, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources last year denied a $1.6 million request to fix the Edenville Dam made by the Four Lakes Task Force, a group seeking to purchase the dams.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer assigned EGLE the responsibility of investigating what caused the Edenville Dam to fail and Sanford Dam to breach on May 19 during a massive downpour delivering approximately 6 inches to 8 inches of rain in 48 hours. Her announcement that EGLE would handle the investigation raised concerns of a conflict of interest due to the fact EGLE has been named as a defendant in several pending lawsuits pertaining to the flooding.
EGLE spokesperson Nick Assendelft disagrees with the conflict-of-interest charge.
“The governor’s letter instructs us to call on other departments and outside experts to put together the pieces of this investigation,” he said in a phone conversation with The Center Square.
When asked whether the October 2018 report by Jim Pawloski, in which the EGLE hydrologist declared the Edenville Dam in “fair structural condition,” was a serious error, Assendelft noted the dam had been cited by the Federal Energy Management Commission on numerous occasions prior to FERC transferring regulatory authority to EGLE.
Among the issues noted by FERC was the dam’s limited spillway capacity. Because Boyce Hydro did not fully address these issues, FERC pulled the company’s license to produce and sell hydroelectricity. As a result, the financially strapped company had even less money to conduct required repairs.
Once FERC canceled Boyce’s license in 2018, regulatory jurisdiction of the Edenville Dam reverted to EGLE. That’s when Pawloski conducted his investigation and issued his October 8, 2018 report in which he wrote: “[T]here were no observed deficiencies that would be expected to cause immediate failure of the dam.”
Wrote Hayes: “[T]he 2018 inspection report did not mention inadequate spillway capacity, nor did it recommend further assessments or repairs.”
However, Assendelft claims Pawloski’s determination was only a preliminary report.
“This was not a complete inspection,” he said. “It was a preliminary review.”
Assendelft said the responsibility for a more thorough report was supposed to be submitted to EGLE by Boyce Hydro. The report, he said, was to be written by a “consultant hired by the owner.”
Boyce Hydro did not meet the March 2020 deadline EGLE had established for the finished report.
EGLE Dam Safety staff member Luke Trumble acknowledged the Edenville Dam was one of six Michigan dams classified in its High Hazard category.
“The hazard potential classification is not based upon the structural condition of the dam,” he said, but added dams under that classification required significant improvements and posed a potential threat to human life.
Complicating matters was a lawsuit filed by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, the Department of Natural Resources and EGLE, which stated Boyce had lowered lake levels illegally – an action alleged to kill freshwater mussels for which the agencies sought compensation. The suit, filed April 30, 2020, was preceded by another lawsuit brought jointly by the Attorney General’s office, Midland County and Four Lakes Task Force (a group attempting to purchase and repair the dams). That suit was settled in May 2019 when Judge Stephen Carras in Circuit Court for the County of Midland established minimum lake levels after Boyce was said to have drawn water down beneath legal minimum limits in 2017 and 2018.
Assendelft told The Center Square the court’s decision required EGLE to enforce maintaining higher water levels between the dams.
For its part, Boyce Hydro argued raising the water levels would jeopardize the structural integrity of the dam until repairs could be performed.
“It would have been a much different outcome if instead of aggressively fighting a crusade against Boyce Hydro, EGLE chose to work with them to repair the dams,” Robertson said. “Whether that meant securing grants or assisting them with any other funding mechanism, it would have been far preferable than the disaster that actually happened.”
– – –
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square. He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy’s MichiganScience magazine and The Heartland Institute’s InfoTech & Telecom News.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-08--Ohio Republicans Push Through Election Bill, Kill Push by Dems to Amend

The state House passed an amended version of a bill Republicans say improves Ohio ’ s elections , but Democrats blasted the measure as “ ill-conceived.
” The state House approved House Bill 680 by a 61-34 margin .
The bill , which was introduced on May 26 , now heads to the state Senate for consideration .
“ In a world turned upside down because of COVID-19 , I am so disappointed by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for undermining our right to vote , ” state Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan , D-Youngstown , said while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill appears to undermine democracy as well .
So why don ’ t we just thumb our noses at our constituents ?
” Democrats have introduced a competing proposal , House Bill 687 .
They want to mail eligible voters in the state an absentee ballot and for the state to cover the cost of postage for voters to return their ballots .
“ We believe those justifiably concerned about exposing themselves to coronavirus should not be forced to choose between protecting their health and voting , ” Lepore-Hagan said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disaster .
Don ’ t you think it ’ s time we stop playing games with our democracy and people ’ s lives ?
” Before the House voted on the measure , which requires voters to apply for an absentee ballot , Democrats introduced a series of amendments , which Republicans defeated .
“ This bill ensures Ohio will continue its tradition of allowing Ohioans to cast their ballots in person on Election Day , ” state Rep. Cindy Abrams , R-Harrison , said on the House floor .
“ This legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensuring every Ohioan will know how elections will be run , how they can vote and , most importantly , that their vote will count.
” One point of contention is a provision preventing a public official from changing the date of an election .
The stipulation is aimed at avoiding a repeat of Ohio ’ s March primary when Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton ordered polls to close shortly before they were set to open , and Gov .
Mike DeWine pushed to reschedule in-person voting for June 2 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ until April 28 .
“ I don ’ t need to remind anyone of the confusion and uncertainty in the final moments before the March 17 primary and in the days that followed , ” Abrams said .
“ The bill before you makes clear that our elections will be governed by the laws of Ohio as enacted by the legislature.
” While in committee , lawmakers removed a so-called “ failsafe ” backup election plan to allow “ the governor and state health director to recommend to the legislature that an upcoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” according to a release .
Todd DeFeo is a contributor to The Center Square .

by Todd Defeo
The state House passed an amended version of a bill Republicans say improves Ohio’s elections, but Democrats blasted the measure as “ill-conceived.”
The state House approved House Bill 680 by a 61-34 margin. The bill, which was introduced on May 26, now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
“In a world turned upside down because of COVID-19, I am so disappointed by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for undermining our right to vote,” state Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan, D-Youngstown, said while debating a proposed amendment. “This bill appears to undermine democracy as well. So why don’t we just thumb our noses at our constituents?”
Democrats have introduced a competing proposal, House Bill 687. They want to mail eligible voters in the state an absentee ballot and for the state to cover the cost of postage for voters to return their ballots.
“We believe those justifiably concerned about exposing themselves to coronavirus should not be forced to choose between protecting their health and voting,” Lepore-Hagan said. “It’s just a formula for electoral disaster. Don’t you think it’s time we stop playing games with our democracy and people’s lives?”
Before the House voted on the measure, which requires voters to apply for an absentee ballot, Democrats introduced a series of amendments, which Republicans defeated.
“This bill ensures Ohio will continue its tradition of allowing Ohioans to cast their ballots in person on Election Day,” state Rep. Cindy Abrams, R-Harrison, said on the House floor. “This legislation will safeguard Ohio’s elections, ensuring every Ohioan will know how elections will be run, how they can vote and, most importantly, that their vote will count.”
One point of contention is a provision preventing a public official from changing the date of an election.
The stipulation is aimed at avoiding a repeat of Ohio’s March primary when Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton ordered polls to close shortly before they were set to open, and Gov. Mike DeWine pushed to reschedule in-person voting for June 2. Lawmakers later moved to extend absentee voting until April 28.
“I don’t need to remind anyone of the confusion and uncertainty in the final moments before the March 17 primary and in the days that followed,” Abrams said. “The bill before you makes clear that our elections will be governed by the laws of Ohio as enacted by the legislature.”
While in committee, lawmakers removed a so-called “failsafe” backup election plan to allow “the governor and state health director to recommend to the legislature that an upcoming election be conducted largely by mail,” according to a release.
– – –
Todd DeFeo is a contributor to The Center Square.