thetennesseestar--2020-08-02--Karen Bass, a Potential Biden VP Pick, Praised Scientology at Church Opening in 2010

California Rep. Karen Bass , who has emerged as a leading contender to be Joe Biden ’ s running mate , praised the Church of Scientology during a 2010 ribbon-cutting ceremony for one of the controversial group ’ s facilities in Los Angeles .
Bass , 66 , served in the California General Assembly when she spoke at the event , held on April 24 , 2010 .
“ This day and this new Church of Scientology is an exciting moment because I know your goal and your commitment is truly to make a difference , ” Bass told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was led by Scientology president David Miscavige .
“ The Church of Scientology I know has made a difference , because your creed is a universal creed and one that speaks to all people everywhere , ” continued Bass , who went on to praise Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard .
“ The words are exciting of your founder , L. Ron Hubbard , in The Creed of the Church of Scientology : that all people of whatever race , color or creed , are created with equal rights , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credit to your church that this is part of your creed , ” Bass said .
Other speakers at the event included Lee Baca , who served as sheriff of Los Angeles County through 2014 .
Baca pleaded guilty in 2016 to lying to the FBI about inmate abuse at county jails during his tenure .
Paul Koretz , a Los Angeles city councilman also spoke at the event .
Bass has praised the church as a U.S. congresswoman as well .
In November 2011 , she submitted a letter read at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles .
According to reports of the event , Bass praised the church for its “ many humanitarian initiatives and social betterment programs for the benefit of South Los Angeles.
” While scrutiny of Scientology has increased in recent years , it was under consistent criticism at the time Bass praised the organization .
Former Scientologists have said that church operates as a cult , and that members face pressure to disassociate themselves from non-Scientologists .
The church ’ s leadership has long been known for dealing aggressively with its critics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 1966 in which L. Ron Hubbard suggested investigating critics or feeding blackmail material on them to the media .
“ Start investigating them promptly for FELONIES or worse , ” Hubbard wrote in the memo .
He also suggested that the church respond to its attackers by “ feeding lurid , blood sex crime actual evidence on the attackers to the press.
” The church and Miscavige have come under additional scrutiny in recent years amid allegations of rampant sexual abuse within the organization .
The church settled a lawsuit in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was forced to have an abortion and prevented from leaving the church .
Last year , four women who accused actor and Scientologist Danny Masterson of raping them sued the church , its president , Miscavige , and Masterson .
The Huffington Post reported that the women accused the church and Masterson of stalking them and invading their privacy in order to keep them from coming forward about the rape allegations .
Bass , who is the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus , is considered one of three or four women on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential nominees .
According to CNN , her star has risen due to an intense lobbying campaign on her behalf by California Democrats , including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
Biden has committed to choosing a woman as his running mate .
He has also faced growing pressure to choose a woman of color , due in large part to the protests that have erupted in the wake of the death of George Floyd , a black man killed by a Minneapolis police officer in May .
Other leading contenders to be on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris and former National Security Adviser Susan Rice .
Bass ’ s office was reached for comment but did not immediately offer a response .
Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Background Photo “ Church of Scientology ” by Scientology Media .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .

by Chuck Ross
California Rep. Karen Bass, who has emerged as a leading contender to be Joe Biden’s running mate, praised the Church of Scientology during a 2010 ribbon-cutting ceremony for one of the controversial group’s facilities in Los Angeles.
Bass, 66, served in the California General Assembly when she spoke at the event, held on April 24, 2010.
“This day and this new Church of Scientology is an exciting moment because I know your goal and your commitment is truly to make a difference,” Bass told the 6,000 attendees at the ceremony, which was led by Scientology president David Miscavige.
“The Church of Scientology I know has made a difference, because your creed is a universal creed and one that speaks to all people everywhere,” continued Bass, who went on to praise Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.
“The words are exciting of your founder, L. Ron Hubbard, in The Creed of the Church of Scientology: that all people of whatever race, color or creed, are created with equal rights,” she said.
“It’s a remarkable credit to your church that this is part of your creed,” Bass said.
Other speakers at the event included Lee Baca, who served as sheriff of Los Angeles County through 2014. Baca pleaded guilty in 2016 to lying to the FBI about inmate abuse at county jails during his tenure. Paul Koretz, a Los Angeles city councilman also spoke at the event.
Bass has praised the church as a U.S. congresswoman as well. In November 2011, she submitted a letter read at the opening of a Scientology center in South Los Angeles. According to reports of the event, Bass praised the church for its “many humanitarian initiatives and social betterment programs for the benefit of South Los Angeles.”
While scrutiny of Scientology has increased in recent years, it was under consistent criticism at the time Bass praised the organization. Former Scientologists have said that church operates as a cult, and that members face pressure to disassociate themselves from non-Scientologists.
The church’s leadership has long been known for dealing aggressively with its critics.
One infamous Scientology document is a memo from 1966 in which L. Ron Hubbard suggested investigating critics or feeding blackmail material on them to the media.
“Start investigating them promptly for FELONIES or worse,” Hubbard wrote in the memo. He also suggested that the church respond to its attackers by “feeding lurid, blood sex crime actual evidence on the attackers to the press.”
The church and Miscavige have come under additional scrutiny in recent years amid allegations of rampant sexual abuse within the organization.
The church settled a lawsuit in July 2018 with a woman who claimed she was forced to have an abortion and prevented from leaving the church.
Last year, four women who accused actor and Scientologist Danny Masterson of raping them sued the church, its president, Miscavige, and Masterson. The Huffington Post reported that the women accused the church and Masterson of stalking them and invading their privacy in order to keep them from coming forward about the rape allegations.
Bass, who is the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, is considered one of three or four women on Biden’s list of potential vice presidential nominees.
According to CNN, her star has risen due to an intense lobbying campaign on her behalf by California Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Biden has committed to choosing a woman as his running mate. He has also faced growing pressure to choose a woman of color, due in large part to the protests that have erupted in the wake of the death of George Floyd, a black man killed by a Minneapolis police officer in May.
Other leading contenders to be on the Biden ticket are California Sen. Kamala Harris and former National Security Adviser Susan Rice.
Bass’s office was reached for comment but did not immediately offer a response.
– – –
Chuck Ross is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Background Photo “ Church of Scientology” by Scientology Media. CC BY-SA 2.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-08-02--Commentary: Just as the Deep State Wanted, Steve Stockman Is Infected with COVID-19

Some evil people in the U.S. justice system are smiling right now .
They got their wish .
Conservative champion former Congressman Steve Stockman is in the federal prison in Beaumont , Texas , and against all logic and human decency has been kept for months from being transferred to home confinement by someone “ high up.
” Now , Steve is infected with COVID-19 .
It is apparent that some people in the justice system want him dead .
What has happened to Steve must be investigated , and the culprits in the justice system and their abettors in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Steve is the only over-60 diabetic prisoner remaining at the Beaumont , Texas federal prison facility , which also has reported the highest per capita COVID-19 infection rate of any prison in the country .
Steve ’ s age ( 63 ) , multiple co-morbidities ( diabetes , hypertension , osteoporosis , asthma , and more ) , and the nonviolent , non-sexual nature of his conviction clearly make him eligible for transfer to home detention .
Steve has filed and even re-filed the papers for compassionate transfer to home confinement for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Compassionate Release ” he filed with Warden F. J. Garrido on April 4 .
Steve was told on April 23 he ’ d be placed in pre-release quarantine , but was then turned away at the door by prison staff on April 24 .
Soon after , and one more time since then , Steve was told by prison officials he will not be leaving on orders from “ very high up.
” On July 13 Steve filed a Request for Administrative Remedy , which was denied on July 17 by Warden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” serve 50 percent of his time to be eligible .
Time served , however , is only one factor of many that may be considered , and it is not a mandatory directive as the Warden incorrectly says it is .
Warden Garrido ’ s letter also said that a “ Home Confinement Committee ” — whatever that is — reviewed Steve ’ s case and denied his request .
Steve has been clearly eligible for compassionate release or transfer to home detention like over 100,000 inmates in the United State have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead even before the outbreak of COVID-19 .
Last August , convicted murderer Kenny Don Stanley , known for prison violence , was inserted into a solitary confinement cell with Steve .
Orders from the top to keep Steve from going to home confinement are consistent with the political , Deep State targeting he has experienced since even before his conviction .
After three grand juries refused to indict Steve , the charges on which a fourth grand jury indicted him involved campaign finance and fundraising from two wealthy Republican donors , neither @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges have been criticized by even campaign finance lawyers as being flimsy and contrary to legal precedent .
Steve ’ s associates who testified against him later complained they were coerced under threat of imprisonment themselves to adopt the prosecution ’ s untrue version of events .
Writing in The Washington Times about Steve ’ s political prosecution , Rebecca Hagelin explained in 2019 : The 2018 criminal trial of Stockman has laid bare the underbelly of political targeting by the Obama administration ’ s Department of Justice .
As a congressman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corruption by Obama officials .
His ability to chase down and hold accountable Obama officials is legendary .
Stockman called for the impeachment of Attorney General Eric H. Holder for obstruction of justice and contempt of Congress .
Former prosecutor Rachel Alexander writing in 2018 at Townhall.com also about Steve ’ s political prosecution said : [ Steve ] was known for boldly opposing President Obama .
He was a Congressional whistleblower on Obama administration corruption , with such actions as calling for the House Select Committee to investigate the government ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost American lives , exposing President Obama ’ s payment to the Haqqani terrorist network in exchange for the release of Army deserter Bowe Bergdahl , and revealing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ’ s violation of the Iran sanctions to allow the sale to Iran of specialized steel used in nuclear weaponry .
Super lawyer Sidney Powell , who represents General Michael Flynn , is quoted by Michael Tennant in 2020 at The New American : “ It is highly likely [ the Justice Department Public Integrity Section ] targeted former Congressman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harsh toward him because he was so outspoken in trying to hold Lois Lerner , the Clintons , and Obama accountable.
” As reported by Newsweek in 2015 , Steve helped expose then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ’ s role in a corrupt Iranian pipeline deal she approved after a Ukrainian billionaire pipeline company owner made multi-million dollar donations to the Clinton Foundation .
Steve made enemies in the Deep State .
Their colleagues in the Bureau of Prisons are killing him .
The Deep State has acted lawlessly by spying on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attkisson , framing General Michael Flynn , and who knows what else for devious political reasons .
Now , in their ultimate depravity and lawlessness , they are attempting to knock off Steve Stockman .

by Richard A. Viguerie, CHQ Chairman
Some evil people in the U.S. justice system are smiling right now.
They got their wish.
Conservative champion former Congressman Steve Stockman is in the federal prison in Beaumont, Texas, and against all logic and human decency has been kept for months from being transferred to home confinement by someone “high up.”
Now, Steve is infected with COVID-19.
It is apparent that some people in the justice system want him dead.
What has happened to Steve must be investigated, and the culprits in the justice system and their abettors in the Bureau of Prisons exposed and punished.
Steve is the only over-60 diabetic prisoner remaining at the Beaumont, Texas federal prison facility, which also has reported the highest per capita COVID-19 infection rate of any prison in the country.
Steve’s age (63), multiple co-morbidities (diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, asthma, and more), and the nonviolent, non-sexual nature of his conviction clearly make him eligible for transfer to home detention.
Steve has filed and even re-filed the papers for compassionate transfer to home confinement for at-risk prisoners, including a petition for “Compassionate Release” he filed with Warden F. J. Garrido on April 4.
Steve was told on April 23 he’d be placed in pre-release quarantine, but was then turned away at the door by prison staff on April 24.
Soon after, and one more time since then, Steve was told by prison officials he will not be leaving on orders from “very high up.”
On July 13 Steve filed a Request for Administrative Remedy, which was denied on July 17 by Warden Garrido, incorrectly stating Steve “must” serve 50 percent of his time to be eligible. Time served, however, is only one factor of many that may be considered, and it is not a mandatory directive as the Warden incorrectly says it is.
Warden Garrido’s letter also said that a “Home Confinement Committee” — whatever that is — reviewed Steve’s case and denied his request.
Steve has been clearly eligible for compassionate release or transfer to home detention like over 100,000 inmates in the United State have been.
The Deep State wanted him dead even before the outbreak of COVID-19. Last August, convicted murderer Kenny Don Stanley, known for prison violence, was inserted into a solitary confinement cell with Steve.
Orders from the top to keep Steve from going to home confinement are consistent with the political, Deep State targeting he has experienced since even before his conviction.
After three grand juries refused to indict Steve, the charges on which a fourth grand jury indicted him involved campaign finance and fundraising from two wealthy Republican donors, neither of whom filed complaints, and which charges have been criticized by even campaign finance lawyers as being flimsy and contrary to legal precedent.
Steve’s associates who testified against him later complained they were coerced under threat of imprisonment themselves to adopt the prosecution’s untrue version of events.
Writing in The Washington Times about Steve’s political prosecution, Rebecca Hagelin explained in 2019:
The 2018 criminal trial of Stockman has laid bare the underbelly of political targeting by the Obama administration’s Department of Justice. As a congressman, Stockman had exposed many instances of high-level corruption by Obama officials. His ability to chase down and hold accountable Obama officials is legendary. Stockman called for the impeachment of Attorney General Eric H. Holder for obstruction of justice and contempt of Congress.
Former prosecutor Rachel Alexander writing in 2018 at Townhall.com also about Steve’s political prosecution said:
[Steve] was known for boldly opposing President Obama. He was a Congressional whistleblower on Obama administration corruption, with such actions as calling for the House Select Committee to investigate the government’s handling of the Benghazi embassy tragedy of lost American lives, exposing President Obama’s payment to the Haqqani terrorist network in exchange for the release of Army deserter Bowe Bergdahl, and revealing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s violation of the Iran sanctions to allow the sale to Iran of specialized steel used in nuclear weaponry.
Super lawyer Sidney Powell, who represents General Michael Flynn, is quoted by Michael Tennant in 2020 at The New American: “It is highly likely [the Justice Department Public Integrity Section] targeted former Congressman Stockman and have been extremely and unreasonably harsh toward him because he was so outspoken in trying to hold Lois Lerner, the Clintons, and Obama accountable.”
As reported by Newsweek in 2015, Steve helped expose then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s role in a corrupt Iranian pipeline deal she approved after a Ukrainian billionaire pipeline company owner made multi-million dollar donations to the Clinton Foundation.
Steve made enemies in the Deep State. Their colleagues in the Bureau of Prisons are killing him.
The Deep State has acted lawlessly by spying on the Trump campaign and reporters such as Sharyl Attkisson, framing General Michael Flynn, and who knows what else for devious political reasons.
Now, in their ultimate depravity and lawlessness, they are attempting to knock off Steve Stockman.


thetennesseestar--2020-08-02--Counselor in Texas School District Shares List of Marxist Literature as ‘Tool’

A lengthy email from a counselor in Plano Independent School District ( PISD ) sent to colleagues contained three attachments including , among other things , a list of overtly Marxist media for use in classrooms , and a study guide for those “ trying to become better allies.
” The attachments highlight materials like The 1619 Project ( which claims America ’ s history is based on racism and slavery ) , talking points concerning the deaths of George Floyd ; Breonna Taylor ; and Ahmaud Arbery ; and suggested reading lists including Marxist and Communist literature .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scorecard .
Dianne Evans , the PISD special education counselor that sent the email to two of her colleagues ( Sian Flores and Amy Henry ) , said the attachments came from a webinar entitled Understanding the Black Experience in America : Be the Change You Want to See in the World .
This webinar was presented by Dr. Marva Robinson , a clinical psychologist in the St. Louis , Missouri area .
The first attachment , titled Discussing Community Trauma in Response to Killings and Mistreatment of Black and Brown Americans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can discuss various talking points concerning the deaths of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , and Michael Brown , among others .
The first scenario offers bullet points to discuss with a patient should they bring up “ the subject of rioting , or police killings , or mentioned any of the common names of black and brown people seen in the media.
” The other scenario encourages the counselor to give their clients “ the space to talk about this , ” referring to “ recent community traumas.
” This document also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be mindful of , ” including the use of words such as “ incident , event , or misunderstanding ” in lieu of words like “ killings or murders or death ” when discussing the points enumerated earlier .
The second attachment , titled Justice in June , lays out three itineraries readers can do in 10 , 25 , or 45 minutes each day to “ become more informed ” about “ becoming an active ally to the black community.
” The itineraries offer links to media readers are encouraged to read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some of these include links to The 1619 Project , reading chapters from the book White Fragility : Why It ’ s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism , and the documentary , 13th .
The document also lists actions the readers can take .
Some of these instruct readers to “ reallocate city budgets by defunding the police ” and “ donate to anti-white supremacy work such [ their ] local Black Lives Matter Chapter.
” The final attachment is a list of a variety of literature , organized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Radical Politics , ” “ Black and Marxist Feminism , ” “ Prison Abolition , ” and “ On Revolution.
” Items on the list include Guerilla Warfare by Che Guevara , a “ beginner ’ s guide to marxism [ sic ] , ” Karl Marx and Frederick Engels ’ The Communist Manifesto , Muammar Gaddafi ’ s The Green Book , State and Revolution by Vladimir Lenin , and study guides on Marxism and Leninism .
Responding to a press inquiry from Texas Scorecard about the email , PISD superintendent Sara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the webinar attended by the employee was not authorized , supported nor is it in use by Plano ISD [ sic ] .
” It is not certain whether or not these attachments were shared with other staff or students at Plano ISD .
Sam Medley is a journalist at the Tennessee Star and Star News Network .
You can follow Sam at Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Plano West Senior High School ” by Ryan75025 .
CC BY-SA 3.0 .

A lengthy email from a counselor in Plano Independent School District (PISD) sent to colleagues contained three attachments including, among other things, a list of overtly Marxist media for use in classrooms, and a study guide for those “trying to become better allies.”
The attachments highlight materials like The 1619 Project (which claims America’s history is based on racism and slavery), talking points concerning the deaths of George Floyd; Breonna Taylor; and Ahmaud Arbery; and suggested reading lists including Marxist and Communist literature.
The email was first reported on by Texas Scorecard.
Dianne Evans, the PISD special education counselor that sent the email to two of her colleagues (Sian Flores and Amy Henry), said the attachments came from a webinar entitled Understanding the Black Experience in America: Be the Change You Want to See in the World. This webinar was presented by Dr. Marva Robinson, a clinical psychologist in the St. Louis, Missouri area.
The first attachment, titled Discussing Community Trauma in Response to Killings and Mistreatment of Black and Brown Americans, which details two scenarios in which counselors can discuss various talking points concerning the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Michael Brown, among others.
The first scenario offers bullet points to discuss with a patient should they bring up “the subject of rioting, or police killings, or mentioned any of the common names of black and brown people seen in the media.” The other scenario encourages the counselor to give their clients “the space to talk about this,” referring to “recent community traumas.”
This document also has a list of “things to be mindful of,” including the use of words such as “incident, event, or misunderstanding” in lieu of words like “killings or murders or death” when discussing the points enumerated earlier.
The second attachment, titled Justice in June, lays out three itineraries readers can do in 10, 25, or 45 minutes each day to “become more informed” about “becoming an active ally to the black community.” The itineraries offer links to media readers are encouraged to read or watch each day of June. Some of these include links to The 1619 Project, reading chapters from the book White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, and the documentary, 13th.
The document also lists actions the readers can take. Some of these instruct readers to “reallocate city budgets by defunding the police” and “donate to anti-white supremacy work such [their] local Black Lives Matter Chapter.”
The final attachment is a list of a variety of literature, organized under headings like “Intro to Black Radical Politics,” “Black and Marxist Feminism,” “Prison Abolition,” and “On Revolution.”
Items on the list include Guerilla Warfare by Che Guevara, a “beginner’s guide to marxism [sic],” Karl Marx and Frederick Engels’ The Communist Manifesto, Muammar Gaddafi’s The Green Book, State and Revolution by Vladimir Lenin, and study guides on Marxism and Leninism.
Responding to a press inquiry from Texas Scorecard about the email, PISD superintendent Sara Bonser said the district “can confirm that the webinar attended by the employee was not authorized, supported nor is it in use by Plano ISD [sic].”
It is not certain whether or not these attachments were shared with other staff or students at Plano ISD.
Read the full email:

– – –
Sam Medley is a journalist at the Tennessee Star and Star News Network. You can follow Sam at Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Plano West Senior High School” by Ryan75025. CC BY-SA 3.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-08-02--Treasury Department: States, Local Governments Spend Only 25 Percent of CARES Act Subsidies

As deliberations continue in Congress over how to allocate another $ 1 trillion worth of stimulus money , governors and mayors say they need more than the $ 139 billion already allocated to their states in March to cover revenue shortfalls .
A total of $ 150 billion was allocated to help state , local and tribal governments with specific COVID-19 response programs .
But according to a new report published by the U.S. Treasury Department ’ s Office of Inspector General , states have spent only 25 percent , or roughly $ 34 billion of $ 139 billion allocated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The National Governor ’ s Association says states need an additional $ 500 billion , and have already allocated roughly 74 percent of CARES Act funding .
The U.S. Conference of Mayors argues cities need an additional $ 250 billion to cover their budget shortfalls .
Demand for more federal money from Congressional Democrats includes another $ 915 billion for states and cities , a total higher than these groups ’ combined requests .
The National Conference of State Legislatures also argues that states need more money .
In an appeal to Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ The economic impact of the coronavirus recession varies by state .
However , every state is coping with revenue shortfalls and more than half the states , from all parts of the nation , are looking at severe budget problems that will certainly lead to dramatic cuts in critical services.
” According to the Treasury Department , municipalities and cities with populations of 500,000 or more were eligible to receive direct federal funding .
The Treasury report is based on data that was self-reported by states and cities , reflecting money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of states and cities that spent the majority of their allocated funds , it found that California had used the most – 75 percent of its $ 15.3 billion worth of federal COVID-19 funds .
Other top spenders are Colorado , which has spent 56 percent of its $ 2.2 billion ; New York , 53 percent of its $ 7.5 billion ; West Virginia , 49 percent of its $ 1.25 billion ; Iowa , 46 percent of its $ 1.25 billion ; and Maryland , 43 percent of it $ 2.3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of the money they received in three months .
Nassau County , New York , spent the most – 100 percent of its funding ; followed by New York City ( 99 percent ) ; Las Vegas ( 93 percent ) ; Detroit ( 90 percent ) ; Sacramento County ( 82 percent ) ; San Francisco ( 65 percent ) ; Phoenix ( 58 percent ) ; and Los Angeles ( 50 percent ) .
CARES Act funding could only be used for COVID-19-related expenses , not toward budget holes or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newly proposed “ HEALS Act ” would give states flexibility on how to use the unspent COVID-19 funding .
“ We ’ re not going to have a no strings attached bailout for states that have longstanding fiscal problems , ” Sen. Tom Cotton , R-Ark.
, told Fox News .
Bethany Blankley is a contributor to The Center Square .

by Bethany Blankley
As deliberations continue in Congress over how to allocate another $1 trillion worth of stimulus money, governors and mayors say they need more than the $139 billion already allocated to their states in March to cover revenue shortfalls.
A total of $150 billion was allocated to help state, local and tribal governments with specific COVID-19 response programs.
But according to a new report published by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Inspector General, states have spent only 25 percent, or roughly $34 billion of $139 billion allocated to states through the CARES Act.
The National Governor’s Association says states need an additional $500 billion, and have already allocated roughly 74 percent of CARES Act funding.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors argues cities need an additional $250 billion to cover their budget shortfalls.
Demand for more federal money from Congressional Democrats includes another $915 billion for states and cities, a total higher than these groups’ combined requests.
The National Conference of State Legislatures also argues that states need more money. In an appeal to Congress and the White House, it argued, “The economic impact of the coronavirus recession varies by state. However, every state is coping with revenue shortfalls and more than half the states, from all parts of the nation, are looking at severe budget problems that will certainly lead to dramatic cuts in critical services.”
According to the Treasury Department, municipalities and cities with populations of 500,000 or more were eligible to receive direct federal funding.
The Treasury report is based on data that was self-reported by states and cities, reflecting money spent between March and June 30.
Of states and cities that spent the majority of their allocated funds, it found that California had used the most – 75 percent of its $15.3 billion worth of federal COVID-19 funds. Other top spenders are Colorado, which has spent 56 percent of its $2.2 billion; New York, 53 percent of its $7.5 billion; West Virginia, 49 percent of its $1.25 billion; Iowa, 46 percent of its $1.25 billion; and Maryland, 43 percent of it $2.3 billion.
Several cities spent half or all of the money they received in three months. Nassau County, New York, spent the most – 100 percent of its funding; followed by New York City (99 percent); Las Vegas (93 percent); Detroit (90 percent); Sacramento County (82 percent); San Francisco (65 percent); Phoenix (58 percent); and Los Angeles (50 percent).
CARES Act funding could only be used for COVID-19-related expenses, not toward budget holes or lost revenue.
Senate Republicans argue their newly proposed “HEALS Act” would give states flexibility on how to use the unspent COVID-19 funding.
“We’re not going to have a no strings attached bailout for states that have longstanding fiscal problems,” Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., told Fox News.
– – –
Bethany Blankley is a contributor to The Center Square.


thetennesseestar--2020-08-02--Protests Over Franklin’s Confederate Statue Ignites Heated Debate

A protest over the Confederate statue in Franklin ’ s downtown public square has attracted supporters and detractors , with both sides arguing in person and on social media .
Protestors want the statue , which some people call “ Chip , ” removed from the premises .
According to the City of Franklin ’ s website , the statue has overlooked downtown Franklin since 1899 .
Fairview resident Brent Buttrey felt strongly enough about preserving the statue that he wrote about it in a public Facebook post Friday .
“ Like it or not ; I will defend the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confederate soldier .
That statue is a symbol of the past and the war that was fought on that land , ” Buttrey wrote .
“ If you stand back and look at what ’ s going on in our country right now ; it ’ s history constantly repeating itself ; or at least every four years !
If you can ’ t stand for something ; you will fall for anything !
!
” The Nashville-based FOX 17 livestreamed protesters standing in front of the statue and chanting “ Black Lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held signs saying “ RIP Chip.
” An unidentified man preached that the statue reminded certain people that they “ were subhuman.
” As the Nashville-based News Channel 5 reported , the group of teens , Students for Black Empowerment , protested Friday .
“ The monument has been the topic of discussion as the city tries to answer the question : who owns Public Square ?
On July 14 , Franklin city officials agreed to settle with the Daughters of the Confederacy , giving them ownership of the statue , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s attorney , Douglas Jones , says they ’ ve had it all along , saying they paid for ‘ Chip ’ so the monument belongs to them .
Meaning the rest of the square is owned by the city , but the statue is owned by the Daughters of the Confederacy.
” Visitfranklin.com said that last year people added more markers around the public square to share the fuller story of Franklin and to share African-American history .
“ The markers on the public square share the story of the market house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Franklin .
( The public square markers coincide with markers nearby at the historic courthouse talking about reconstruction , U.S .
Colored Troops , and the Franklin riot of 1867 ) , ” the website said .
“ Although Franklin can not change its rather ugly history , this community has always shown itself to be a welcoming , accepting , supportive community…a place that does not wash over events of the past , but learns from them , changes , and moves forward.
” Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Protesters ” by Fox 17 .

A protest over the Confederate statue in Franklin’s downtown public square has attracted supporters and detractors, with both sides arguing in person and on social media.
Protestors want the statue, which some people call “Chip,” removed from the premises. According to the City of Franklin’s website, the statue has overlooked downtown Franklin since 1899.
Fairview resident Brent Buttrey felt strongly enough about preserving the statue that he wrote about it in a public Facebook post Friday.
“Like it or not;I will defend the statue in Franklin ;Tn. .a confederate soldier. That statue is a symbol of the past and the war that was fought on that land,” Buttrey wrote.
“If you stand back and look at what’s going on in our country right now;it’s history constantly repeating itself;or at least every four years! If you can’t stand for something;you will fall for anything!!”
The Nashville-based FOX 17 livestreamed protesters standing in front of the statue and chanting “Black Lives Matter” over and over. Protestors held signs saying “RIP Chip.” An unidentified man preached that the statue reminded certain people that they “were subhuman.”
As the Nashville-based News Channel 5 reported, the group of teens, Students for Black Empowerment, protested Friday.
“The monument has been the topic of discussion as the city tries to answer the question: who owns Public Square? On July 14, Franklin city officials agreed to settle with the Daughters of the Confederacy, giving them ownership of the statue,” the station reported.
“The group’s attorney, Douglas Jones, says they’ve had it all along, saying they paid for ‘Chip’ so the monument belongs to them. Meaning the rest of the square is owned by the city, but the statue is owned by the Daughters of the Confederacy.”
Visitfranklin.com said that last year people added more markers around the public square to share the fuller story of Franklin and to share African-American history.
“The markers on the public square share the story of the market house that sold slaves and explain the Battle of Franklin. (The public square markers coincide with markers nearby at the historic courthouse talking about reconstruction, U.S. Colored Troops, and the Franklin riot of 1867),” the website said.
“Although Franklin cannot change its rather ugly history, this community has always shown itself to be a welcoming, accepting, supportive community…a place that does not wash over events of the past, but learns from them, changes, and moves forward.”
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Protesters” by Fox 17.


thetennesseestar--2020-08-02--Dianne Feinstein Says China, Which Is Putting Muslims in Camps, Is ‘Growing into a Respectable Natio

Dianne Feinstein Says China, Which Is Putting Muslims in Camps, Is ‘Growing into a Respectable Nation’

Democratic California Sen. Dianne Feinstein praised China Thursday as a country “ growing into a respectable nation ” and cautioned against holding the country accountable for the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We hold China as a potential trading partner , as a country that has pulled tens of millions of people out of poverty in a short period of time , and as a country growing into a respectable nation amongst other nations .
I deeply believe that , ” Feinstein said during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting Thursday , according to the Washington Free Beacon .
The California senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s foreign sovereign immunity would be a “ huge mistake , ” noting that if China is held accountable for the spread of the coronavirus pandemic , the United States may also be held accountable , the Washington Free Beacon reports .
Her support for China comes despite the country ’ s continuing human rights violations .
A June AP investigation found that the Chinese government is using forced abortions , birth control , mass detentions , and imprisonment to dramatically lower the birthrates of Uighur Muslims and other minorities while encouraging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drone footage has also captured blindfolded and chained Uighurs kneeling before they are forced onto trains , the Beacon notes .
In response to the footage , Xinjiang authorities told CNN in an October 4 , 2019 statement that “ cracking down on crimes in accordance with law is the common practice of all countries.
” “ Xinjiang ’ s crackdown on crimes has never been linked to ethnicities or religions , ” the statement said .
“ Transporting inmates by judicial authorities ( is related ) to normal judicial activities.
” And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that coaches at the NBA ’ s training academies in China allegedly physically abuse players and fail to provide proper training and education for players .
The investigation was based on complaints from American coaches at three different academies .
Feinstein formerly was found to have an alleged spy working in her office relaying information to Chinese intelligence services .
The Daily Caller News Foundation identified the individual as Russel Lowe , who worked for Feinstein for 20 years , “ attended Chinese consulate functions for the senator ” and had been fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lowe did not have access to “ sensitive information or legislative matters ” though he was listed on Feinstein ’ s payroll as an “ office director ” in 2013 , according to records maintained by the Sunlight Foundation , the the DCNF previously reported .
“ Five years ago the FBI informed me it had concerns that an administrative member of my California staff was potentially being sought out by the Chinese government to provide information .
He was not a mole or a spy , but someone who a foreign intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feinstein said in a statement following requests for comment from the DCNF in 2018 .
Mary Margaret Olohan is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .

by Mary Margaret Olohan
Democratic California Sen. Dianne Feinstein praised China Thursday as a country “growing into a respectable nation” and cautioned against holding the country accountable for the coronavirus pandemic.
“We hold China as a potential trading partner, as a country that has pulled tens of millions of people out of poverty in a short period of time, and as a country growing into a respectable nation amongst other nations. I deeply believe that,” Feinstein said during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting Thursday, according to the Washington Free Beacon.
The California senator added that stripping China of the country’s foreign sovereign immunity would be a “huge mistake,” noting that if China is held accountable for the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the United States may also be held accountable, the Washington Free Beacon reports.
Her support for China comes despite the country’s continuing human rights violations.
A June AP investigation found that the Chinese government is using forced abortions, birth control, mass detentions, and imprisonment to dramatically lower the birthrates of Uighur Muslims and other minorities while encouraging other populations to produce more children.
Drone footage has also captured blindfolded and chained Uighurs kneeling before they are forced onto trains, the Beacon notes.
In response to the footage, Xinjiang authorities told CNN in an October 4, 2019 statement that “cracking down on crimes in accordance with law is the common practice of all countries.”
“Xinjiang’s crackdown on crimes has never been linked to ethnicities or religions,” the statement said. “Transporting inmates by judicial authorities (is related) to normal judicial activities.”
And on Wednesday, an ESPN investigation found that coaches at the NBA’s training academies in China allegedly physically abuse players and fail to provide proper training and education for players. The investigation was based on complaints from American coaches at three different academies.
Feinstein formerly was found to have an alleged spy working in her office relaying information to Chinese intelligence services. The Daily Caller News Foundation identified the individual as Russel Lowe, who worked for Feinstein for 20 years, “attended Chinese consulate functions for the senator” and had been fired in 2014.
Feinstein had said that Lowe did not have access to “sensitive information or legislative matters” though he was listed on Feinstein’s payroll as an “office director” in 2013, according to records maintained by the Sunlight Foundation, the the DCNF previously reported.
“Five years ago the FBI informed me it had concerns that an administrative member of my California staff was potentially being sought out by the Chinese government to provide information. He was not a mole or a spy, but someone who a foreign intelligence service thought it could recruit,” Feinstein said in a statement following requests for comment from the DCNF in 2018.
“The FBI reviewed the matter, shared its concerns with me and the employee immediately left my office,” she said. “He never had access to classified or sensitive information or legislative matters. The FBI never informed me of any compromise of national security information.”
– – –
Mary Margaret Olohan is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.


thetennesseestar--2020-08-02--Tennessee Supreme Court Hears Case Concerning Availability of Absentee Ballots for All Tennesseans

The Tennessee Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday concerning the citizens ’ right to vote via absentee ballot .
The cases presented ( Earle J. Fisher et al .
v. Tre Hargett et al .
and Benjamin Lay et al .
v. Mark Goins et al . )
have become the focal point of the ongoing debate surrounding the efficacy of absentee and mail-in ballots and voters ’ rights to absentee and mail-in ballots during the COVID-19 pandemic .
The hearings come as the result of the state of Tennessee ’ s appeal of a ruling made by a lower court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to all Tennesseans , regardless of health .
In summary , the State of Tennessee ’ s main arguments ( as delivered by Janet Kleinfelter ) centered around defining absentee ballots as a privilege rather than an inherent right .
Kleinfelter made clear that current voting statutes view absentee ballots as an alternative method of voting that should be reserved for a select few individuals , including those that have either tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone that has tested positive for COVID-19 .
However , absentee ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; the State ’ s main argument declared that fear of COVID-19 did not qualify a voter for an absentee ballot .
The plaintiffs in the case , represented by Steven Mulroy and Angela Liu , believed that the current qualifications for an absentee ballot not only put voters ’ health at risk but also violated their constitutional right to vote .
Mulroy argued that the current statutes concerning voting forced voters to choose between “ their franchise and their health.
” Referencing other states that have broadened the requirements for absentee voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Tennessee did not have an inordinate burden placed upon it to expand absentee voting .
Liu echoed these points in her arguments , saying that denying absentee ballots to the plaintiffs and , by extension , most Tennesseans directly attacked their constitutional right to safely vote .
Liu likened in-person voting during the pandemic to a polling location catching fire ; while it may be detrimental to a voter ’ s health to vote in such a situation , the state of Tennessee could effectively saying it technically hadn ’ t denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court will take the arguments and evidence of the case under consideration and will render its verdict after deliberating .
Speaking for the State , Janet Kleinfelter opened her arguments by referencing Tennessee ’ s state voting laws .
Tennessee allows voters to cast their ballot via mail if they are “ hospitalized , ill , or disabled.
” Kleinfelter stated that the definitions of the terms “ hospitalized ” and “ disabled ” were not at question , as they are clearly understood .
Kleinfelter instead made the term “ ill ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s arguments .
Kleinfelter stated the “ plain , ordinary meaning ” of the word “ ill ” refers to an individual directly suffering from a sickness or otherwise being “ not in good health.
” Justice Cornelia Clark asked Kleinfelter if citizens applying for an absentee ballot due to illness had to specify their malady .
Kleinfelter said they did not ; there is only a checkbox to indicate the reason for application as an illness .
Justice Sharon Lee then asked Kleinfelter how she would define “ ill. ” Kleinfelter responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of exposure to disease .
She further elaborated that the State had expanded the definition of illness to include testing positive for COVID-19 or exposure to someone who had tested positive for COVID-19 .
When asked by Justice Lee whether or not asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers were considered ill ( which she called “ silent spreaders ) , Kleinfelter stated they were .
The Deputy Attorney General further said that it was up to individual voters to determine whether or not they should be considered ill , leaning on the fact that asymptomatic people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressed on this point , Kleinfelter responded that there was “ no way for the state to completely eliminate the risk , and the law doesn ’ t require the state to completely eliminate the risk.
” Justice Holly Kirby inquired as to those that have underlying conditions that may increase their risk of contracting COVID-19 or increase the detrimental effects of the disease .
Kleinfelter stated that if an individual voter can determine whether or not they are ill when applying for an absentee ballot , presuming they meet all other requirements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked if this determination was on “ the honor system ” and whether or not these claims were checked or would be checked in the future .
Kleinfelter said that the statements would only be verified in the event of an election contest and at the request of a candidate .
Chief Justice Jeffery Bivins asked if the voter in question ’ s medical condition would be disclosed in such an instance .
Kleinfelter said it would not .
Justice Lee asked Kleinfelter as to how voters would know they could apply for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had an underlying condition that might increase their risks .
Kleinfelter stated that the current injunction , filed on June 4 , forced the State to alter the application and instructions for absentee ballots .
She also stated that election officials were instructed to grant absentee ballots under these conditions as well .
Kleinfelter pointed out that the injunction allowed anyone who feared contracting COVID-19 to apply for an absentee ballot and that this allowance did not have an expiration .
According to Kleinfelter , the plain language of the lower court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed her starting time by pointing out that the statutes concerning absentee ballots convey a privilege rather than a right , driving home the State ’ s argument that the lower court ’ s decision is essentially a policy change expanding absentee voting from a privilege extended to some to a right reserved for all .
Representing the first group of plaintiffs , Attorney Steve Mulroy opened by asking whether or not the right to vote included the right to “ vote safely.
” Mulroy also asked whether or not the state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters to choose between their franchise and their health.
” Mulroy finished his opening by stating that it was “ factual record ” that COVID-19 presented a significant health risk to voters and that since other states allowed more voters the option of absentee ballots , Tennessee did not face a burden by affording its citizens the same option .
Justice Clark asked Mulroy as to how other states had enacted these policies , specifically asking if their courts had issued rulings that changed policy .
Mulroy clarified that other states had broadened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Executive or Legislative branches , not the Judiciary .
Chief Justice Bivins followed up on this point by stating the plaintiffs were asking the Tennessee State Supreme Court to be the only court in the nation to hold that absentee voting was a constitutional right .
Mulroy denied this , stating that the plaintiffs claimed the State ’ s policy of forced in-person voting was a “ violation ” of the Tennessee Constitution expressly and generally guaranteeing a right to vote .
When questioned by the judges about the lack of in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credibility , Mulroy said this point was a non-issue .
Instead , he stated the lower courts did a “ careful job ” examining the affidavits submitted to the court .
Justice Kirby asked about the practical application of absentee voting .
Referring to a similar situation in Wisconsin and citing state evidence pointing to difficulties in increased numbers of absentee ballots , Justice Kirby expressed concern for a “ tsunami of mail-in ballot applications.
” Mulroy pointed out that the State has said it would be prepared to process up to 1.4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aged 60 and older ( which represents 36 % of registered voters ) .
Mulroy also said the State has known since June 4 ( the date of the lower court ’ s ruling ) that it would need to accommodate more absentee ballots .
Chief Justice Bivins asked if medical experts had reviewed Tennessee ’ s plans for in-person voting .
Mulroy said the experts attached to his case had reviewed the plan and that they found it “ inadequate ” to remove medical risk .
Justice Lee asked Mulroy how his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ill ” offered by the State .
After responding that the State had changed its position , Lee pressed the question .
Mulroy answered by saying that the State ’ s definition included those who tested positive for COVID-19 , even though they could still physically appear at a polling place .
Mulroy also claimed the statute should extend to all voters with underlying medical conditions as the language in part of the statute applies to voters that can not appear because of “ sickness , hospitalization , or disability.
” Justice Kirby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referred to the permanent absentee register , which was outside the scope of the case .
She pointed out that the issue at hand did not apply to this part of the statute .
Mulroy finished his time by stating the “ unrebutted medical testimony ” presented in the case showed that there was a “ moderate medical burned to all voters.
” Speaking for the next group of plaintiffs , Attorney Angela Liu of Dechert LLP opened by arguing the case concerned Tennesseans ’ “ fundamental right to vote ” that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entitled thereto.
” Liu claimed that the requirement to vote in-person would force voters to “ risk their health and perhaps their lives to exercise this most important right.
” Justice Clark asked Liu for her interpretation of the length of the injunction , specifically asking if it was indefinite .
Liu said she believed the injunction was meant last “ as long as [ Tennessee ] remains in a state of emergency until there ’ s a consensus among public health officials that [ it ’ s ] not.
” Referring to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State ’ s policy restricted constitutional rights , Chief Justice Bivins said that both the Tennessee Supreme Court and numerous other state and federal courts had differentiated between a citizen ’ s right to vote and absentee voting , calling absentee ballots a “ privilege.
” Liu said the case didn ’ t concern the right to vote absentee , but the right to vote .
Likening voting during the pandemic to the tornadoes that hit Tennessee during Super Tuesday ( March 3 , 2020 ) , Liu claimed the State ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting forced some voters into danger .
Justice Kirby echoed questions about the State ’ s ability to “ gear up ” for increased absentee voting .
Liu responded by claiming the lower court found the chance for 100 % of ballots to be mailed was unlikely .
Kirby retorted that the response didn ’ t answer her question , instead stating that there was “ no question ” the injunction put a burden on the State to revamp its voting system .
Liu pointed out that the State had already “ geared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very quickly.
” She also pointed to the numerous other states in the country that had made policy changes to expand absentee voting .
Liu continued , saying that the State ’ s decision was similar to a polling place being “ on fire.
” In her metaphor , Liu claimed that even though voters may or may not suffer from smoke inhalation , they couldn ’ t say the State impeded their right to vote .
Liu closed her arguments by saying that as the pandemic grows worse , her plaintiffs were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives.
” Having reserved some of her time , Kleinfelter offered some rebuttals .
Attacking Liu ’ s last point , Kleinfelter said that the court needed to look at the entire statutory scheme .
Kleinfelter pointed to early voting as an alternate method , saying that the State offered “ 15 days of early voting at multiple places ” and times .
Kleinfelter continued , saying that the State has done nothing so far to impede voters .
Kleinfelter also referenced precedent , reminding the Court that it “ never held ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting .
Kleinfelter stated that no other state ’ s court system had ordered the expansion of absentee voting .
Referencing a court decision in Texas , Kleinfelter said disability “ does not include the fear of contracting COVID-19.
” Kleinfelter finished her time by stating that , in order to protect the freedom of elections and the “ purity of the ballot box , ” the Tennessee Legislator had not yet opened absentee voting to everyone .
Instead , the lower court ’ s decision had “ conferred that privilege to everyone.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ audio of Thursday ’ s hearing here .
Sam Medley is a journalist at the Tennessee Star and Star News Network .
You can follow Sam at Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Tennessee Supreme Court Hearing ” by TN Courts .

The Tennessee Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday concerning the citizens’ right to vote via absentee ballot.
The cases presented (Earle J. Fisher et al. v. Tre Hargett et al. and Benjamin Lay et al. v. Mark Goins et al.) have become the focal point of the ongoing debate surrounding the efficacy of absentee and mail-in ballots and voters’ rights to absentee and mail-in ballots during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hearings come as the result of the state of Tennessee’s appeal of a ruling made by a lower court that expanded the option of absentee ballots to all Tennesseans, regardless of health.
In summary, the State of Tennessee’s main arguments (as delivered by Janet Kleinfelter) centered around defining absentee ballots as a privilege rather than an inherent right.
Kleinfelter made clear that current voting statutes view absentee ballots as an alternative method of voting that should be reserved for a select few individuals, including those that have either tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone that has tested positive for COVID-19. However, absentee ballots should not be extended to all Tennesseans; the State’s main argument declared that fear of COVID-19 did not qualify a voter for an absentee ballot.
The plaintiffs in the case, represented by Steven Mulroy and Angela Liu, believed that the current qualifications for an absentee ballot not only put voters’ health at risk but also violated their constitutional right to vote.
Mulroy argued that the current statutes concerning voting forced voters to choose between “their franchise and their health.” Referencing other states that have broadened the requirements for absentee voting, Mulroy also argued that the state of Tennessee did not have an inordinate burden placed upon it to expand absentee voting.
Liu echoed these points in her arguments, saying that denying absentee ballots to the plaintiffs and, by extension, most Tennesseans directly attacked their constitutional right to safely vote. Liu likened in-person voting during the pandemic to a polling location catching fire; while it may be detrimental to a voter’s health to vote in such a situation, the state of Tennessee could effectively saying it technically hadn’t denied the right to vote.
The Supreme Court will take the arguments and evidence of the case under consideration and will render its verdict after deliberating.
Details of Thursday’s hearings follow below.
Speaking for the State, Janet Kleinfelter opened her arguments by referencing Tennessee’s state voting laws. Tennessee allows voters to cast their ballot via mail if they are “hospitalized, ill, or disabled.” Kleinfelter stated that the definitions of the terms “hospitalized” and “disabled” were not at question, as they are clearly understood. Kleinfelter instead made the term “ill” the main crux of the state’s arguments.
Kleinfelter stated the “plain, ordinary meaning” of the word “ill” refers to an individual directly suffering from a sickness or otherwise being “not in good health.”
Justice Cornelia Clark asked Kleinfelter if citizens applying for an absentee ballot due to illness had to specify their malady. Kleinfelter said they did not; there is only a checkbox to indicate the reason for application as an illness.
Justice Sharon Lee then asked Kleinfelter how she would define “ill.” Kleinfelter responded that being ill does not include fear of exposure to disease. She further elaborated that the State had expanded the definition of illness to include testing positive for COVID-19 or exposure to someone who had tested positive for COVID-19.
When asked by Justice Lee whether or not asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers were considered ill (which she called “silent spreaders), Kleinfelter stated they were. The Deputy Attorney General further said that it was up to individual voters to determine whether or not they should be considered ill, leaning on the fact that asymptomatic people are still out in public.
When pressed on this point, Kleinfelter responded that there was “no way for the state to completely eliminate the risk, and the law doesn’t require the state to completely eliminate the risk.”
Justice Holly Kirby inquired as to those that have underlying conditions that may increase their risk of contracting COVID-19 or increase the detrimental effects of the disease. Kleinfelter stated that if an individual voter can determine whether or not they are ill when applying for an absentee ballot, presuming they meet all other requirements for the ballot.
Justice Roger Page asked if this determination was on “the honor system” and whether or not these claims were checked or would be checked in the future. Kleinfelter said that the statements would only be verified in the event of an election contest and at the request of a candidate.
Chief Justice Jeffery Bivins asked if the voter in question’s medical condition would be disclosed in such an instance. Kleinfelter said it would not.
Justice Lee asked Kleinfelter as to how voters would know they could apply for an absentee ballot in the case that they had an underlying condition that might increase their risks. Kleinfelter stated that the current injunction, filed on June 4, forced the State to alter the application and instructions for absentee ballots. She also stated that election officials were instructed to grant absentee ballots under these conditions as well.
Kleinfelter pointed out that the injunction allowed anyone who feared contracting COVID-19 to apply for an absentee ballot and that this allowance did not have an expiration. According to Kleinfelter, the plain language of the lower court’s ruling applies indefinitely.
Kleinfelter closed her starting time by pointing out that the statutes concerning absentee ballots convey a privilege rather than a right, driving home the State’s argument that the lower court’s decision is essentially a policy change expanding absentee voting from a privilege extended to some to a right reserved for all.
Representing the first group of plaintiffs, Attorney Steve Mulroy opened by asking whether or not the right to vote included the right to “vote safely.” Mulroy also asked whether or not the state of Tennessee had the right to “force voters to choose between their franchise and their health.”
Mulroy finished his opening by stating that it was “factual record” that COVID-19 presented a significant health risk to voters and that since other states allowed more voters the option of absentee ballots, Tennessee did not face a burden by affording its citizens the same option.
Justice Clark asked Mulroy as to how other states had enacted these policies, specifically asking if their courts had issued rulings that changed policy. Mulroy clarified that other states had broadened absentee voting through the action of either the Executive or Legislative branches, not the Judiciary.
Chief Justice Bivins followed up on this point by stating the plaintiffs were asking the Tennessee State Supreme Court to be the only court in the nation to hold that absentee voting was a constitutional right.
Mulroy denied this, stating that the plaintiffs claimed the State’s policy of forced in-person voting was a “violation” of the Tennessee Constitution expressly and generally guaranteeing a right to vote.
When questioned by the judges about the lack of in-person testimony and assessment of witness demeanor and credibility, Mulroy said this point was a non-issue. Instead, he stated the lower courts did a “careful job” examining the affidavits submitted to the court.
Justice Kirby asked about the practical application of absentee voting. Referring to a similar situation in Wisconsin and citing state evidence pointing to difficulties in increased numbers of absentee ballots, Justice Kirby expressed concern for a “tsunami of mail-in ballot applications.”
Mulroy pointed out that the State has said it would be prepared to process up to 1.4 million absentee ballots, primarily for those aged 60 and older (which represents 36% of registered voters). Mulroy also said the State has known since June 4 (the date of the lower court’s ruling) that it would need to accommodate more absentee ballots.
Chief Justice Bivins asked if medical experts had reviewed Tennessee’s plans for in-person voting. Mulroy said the experts attached to his case had reviewed the plan and that they found it “inadequate” to remove medical risk.
Justice Lee asked Mulroy how his clients fit into the definition of “ill” offered by the State. After responding that the State had changed its position, Lee pressed the question.
Mulroy answered by saying that the State’s definition included those who tested positive for COVID-19, even though they could still physically appear at a polling place. Mulroy also claimed the statute should extend to all voters with underlying medical conditions as the language in part of the statute applies to voters that cannot appear because of “sickness, hospitalization, or disability.”
Justice Kirby refuted this claim, saying the language referred to the permanent absentee register, which was outside the scope of the case. She pointed out that the issue at hand did not apply to this part of the statute.
Mulroy finished his time by stating the “unrebutted medical testimony” presented in the case showed that there was a “moderate medical burned to all voters.”
Speaking for the next group of plaintiffs, Attorney Angela Liu of Dechert LLP opened by arguing the case concerned Tennesseans’ “fundamental right to vote” that “shall never be denied to any person entitled thereto.” Liu claimed that the requirement to vote in-person would force voters to “risk their health and perhaps their lives to exercise this most important right.”
Justice Clark asked Liu for her interpretation of the length of the injunction, specifically asking if it was indefinite. Liu said she believed the injunction was meant last “as long as [Tennessee] remains in a state of emergency until there’s a consensus among public health officials that [it’s] not.”
Referring to Liu’s opening claims that the State’s policy restricted constitutional rights, Chief Justice Bivins said that both the Tennessee Supreme Court and numerous other state and federal courts had differentiated between a citizen’s right to vote and absentee voting, calling absentee ballots a “privilege.”
Liu said the case didn’t concern the right to vote absentee, but the right to vote. Likening voting during the pandemic to the tornadoes that hit Tennessee during Super Tuesday (March 3, 2020), Liu claimed the State’s “rational basis” for requiring in-person voting forced some voters into danger.
Justice Kirby echoed questions about the State’s ability to “gear up” for increased absentee voting. Liu responded by claiming the lower court found the chance for 100% of ballots to be mailed was unlikely.
Kirby retorted that the response didn’t answer her question, instead stating that there was “no question” the injunction put a burden on the State to revamp its voting system.
Liu pointed out that the State had already “geared up from 3% to 36% very quickly.” She also pointed to the numerous other states in the country that had made policy changes to expand absentee voting.
Liu continued, saying that the State’s decision was similar to a polling place being “on fire.” In her metaphor, Liu claimed that even though voters may or may not suffer from smoke inhalation, they couldn’t say the State impeded their right to vote.
Liu closed her arguments by saying that as the pandemic grows worse, her plaintiffs were “talking about protecting people’s lives.”
Having reserved some of her time, Kleinfelter offered some rebuttals. Attacking Liu’s last point, Kleinfelter said that the court needed to look at the entire statutory scheme.
Kleinfelter pointed to early voting as an alternate method, saying that the State offered “15 days of early voting at multiple places” and times. Kleinfelter continued, saying that the State has done nothing so far to impede voters.
Kleinfelter also referenced precedent, reminding the Court that it “never held” that citizens have a right to absentee voting.
Kleinfelter stated that no other state’s court system had ordered the expansion of absentee voting. Referencing a court decision in Texas, Kleinfelter said disability “does not include the fear of contracting COVID-19.”
Kleinfelter finished her time by stating that, in order to protect the freedom of elections and the “purity of the ballot box,” the Tennessee Legislator had not yet opened absentee voting to everyone. Instead, the lower court’s decision had “conferred that privilege to everyone.”
You can listen to the full audio of Thursday’s hearing here.
– – –
Sam Medley is a journalist at the Tennessee Star and Star News Network. You can follow Sam at Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Tennessee Supreme Court Hearing” by TN Courts.