thetennesseestar--2020-05-07--Great Lakes Water Levels Rise to Record Highs and Will Stay High Through Summer, Experts Say

After a record-breaking 2019 , the US Army Corps of Engineers reported in their April summary that all five Great Lakes will again see a higher-than-average water levels .
Lake Erie leads the way in 2020 with levels topping nine inches over last year .
Records show that the Great Lakes are experiencing the highest water levels since 1986 .
Water levels on the Great Lakes – which are connected by above- and below-ground waterways – are cyclical with periods of low and high water .
Each period may last for several years depending on the amount of precipitation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With the new highs come new challenges for shoreline structures that results in breakwater damage , beach erosion , watercraft , dock and pier damage , and in some cases , a flood threat to waterfront property .
Above average spring rainfall totals , including larger total volume of rainfall , prolonged rainfall events , and very intense individual rainfall events have occurred over the past several years also .
These occurrences can cause erosion and flooding even when pre-existing water levels are normal .
According to the U.S Army of Corps Detroit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s monthly mean water level rose 3 inches from March to April to a level of 581.69 feet .
Michigan‐Huron is also in its period of seasonal rise and is forecast to reach its peak monthly mean level in July .
The levels are forecast to remain above LTA levels by 32 to 35 inches over the next 6 months .
Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are 11 inches higher than this time last year .
That is a significant rise above last year .
Lake Erie continued its seasonal rise from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inches to a level of 574.31 feet .
In October , the forecast predicts Erie to be 10 inches below its record high level and 2 inches below last year ’ s level .
Also , over the next 6 months Erie is forecast to be 24 to 28 inches above LTA levels .
Lake Superior began its seasonal rise from March to April by rising 2 inches to a level of 602.43 feet .
Superior is in its period of seasonal rise and is expected to reach its peak monthly mean level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months , Superior ’ s water levels are forecast to be 10 to 11 inches above LTA levels .
Lake St. Clair continued its seasonal rise and rose 3 inches from March to April to a level of 577.13 feet .
This April level was also 33 inches above its monthly LTA level and 8 inches above last year ’ s level .
Over the next 6 months , the lake is also projected to be 27 to 31 inches above its LTA levels .
Lake Ontario continued its seasonal rise from March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a level of 247.11 feet .
This April level was 7 inches above the April 2019 level , 17 inches above the LTA level , and 13 inches below its record‐high level .
Ontario is predicted to be 7 to 20 inches below last year ’ s levels and 9 to 16 inches above LTA levels .
Ontario shoreline is vulnerable to along-shore and onshore winds blowing anywhere from east to north .
Over the next month , the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers forecasts water levels on Lake Superior to rise two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan and Huron to increase one inch in the next month , and remain at record high water levels .
Lake Ontario is expected to rise three inches .
Lake St. Clair is expected to fall one inch , and Lake Erie should fall two inches .
These water level forecasts assume near-normal precipitation .
If rainfall turns out to be heavier or lighter than normal , water level changes would be different .
President Trump implemented a $ 4.8 trillion budget proposal for the 2021 fiscal year that includes $ 320 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a program the president previously tried to cut by 90 % .
Trump ’ s annual budgets require approval from Congress , which rejected the suggested cuts , and his newest proposal seeks $ 20 million more for the Great Lakes than legislation approved in the U.S. House .
Congress allocated $ 300 million for the GLRI every year since 2014 .
Trump ’ s budget proposal asks for $ 320 million , an increase of 6.7 % .
According to data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers , all Great Lakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple monthly record levels in 2019 .
Lakes Erie , Superior , and the “ sixth Great Lake , ” Lake St. Clair , each set records five months in a row from May through September 2019 .
Samantha Witwer is a reporter at The Ohio Star .

After a record-breaking 2019, the US Army Corps of Engineers reported in their April summary that all five Great Lakes will again see a higher-than-average water levels. Lake Erie leads the way in 2020 with levels topping nine inches over last year.
Records show that the Great Lakes are experiencing the highest water levels since 1986. Water levels on the Great Lakes – which are connected by above- and below-ground waterways – are cyclical with periods of low and high water. Each period may last for several years depending on the amount of precipitation, runoff, and evaporation that occurs.
With the new highs come new challenges for shoreline structures that results in breakwater damage, beach erosion, watercraft, dock and pier damage, and in some cases, a flood threat to waterfront property.
Above average spring rainfall totals, including larger total volume of rainfall, prolonged rainfall events, and very intense individual rainfall events have occurred over the past several years also. These occurrences can cause erosion and flooding even when pre-existing water levels are normal.
According to the U.S Army of Corps Detroit Division:
Lake Michigan and Lake Huron’s monthly mean water level rose 3 inches from March to April to a level of 581.69 feet. Michigan‐Huron is also in its period of seasonal rise and is forecast to reach its peak monthly mean level in July. The levels are forecast to remain above LTA levels by 32 to 35 inches over the next 6 months. Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are 11 inches higher than this time last year. That is a significant rise above last year. Lake Erie continued its seasonal rise from March to April, rising about 4 inches to a level of 574.31 feet. In October, the forecast predicts Erie to be 10 inches below its record high level and 2 inches below last year’s level. Also, over the next 6 months Erie is forecast to be 24 to 28 inches above LTA levels. Lake Superior began its seasonal rise from March to April by rising 2 inches to a level of 602.43 feet. Superior is in its period of seasonal rise and is expected to reach its peak monthly mean level in August. Over the next 6 months, Superior’s water levels are forecast to be 10 to 11 inches above LTA levels. Lake St. Clair continued its seasonal rise and rose 3 inches from March to April to a level of 577.13 feet. This April level was also 33 inches above its monthly LTA level and 8 inches above last year’s level. Over the next 6 months, the lake is also projected to be 27 to 31 inches above its LTA levels. Lake Ontario continued its seasonal rise from March to April and rose 6 inches to a level of 247.11 feet. This April level was 7 inches above the April 2019 level, 17 inches above the LTA level, and 13 inches below its record‐high level. Ontario is predicted to be 7 to 20 inches below last year’s levels and 9 to 16 inches above LTA levels. Ontario shoreline is vulnerable to along-shore and onshore winds blowing anywhere from east to north.
Over the next month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers forecasts water levels on Lake Superior to rise two inches. The forecast calls for Lakes Michigan and Huron to increase one inch in the next month, and remain at record high water levels. Lake Ontario is expected to rise three inches. Lake St. Clair is expected to fall one inch, and Lake Erie should fall two inches. These water level forecasts assume near-normal precipitation. If rainfall turns out to be heavier or lighter than normal, water level changes would be different.
President Trump implemented a $4.8 trillion budget proposal for the 2021 fiscal year that includes $320 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a program the president previously tried to cut by 90%. Trump’s annual budgets require approval from Congress, which rejected the suggested cuts, and his newest proposal seeks $20 million more for the Great Lakes than legislation approved in the U.S. House.
Congress allocated $300 million for the GLRI every year since 2014. Trump’s budget proposal asks for $320 million, an increase of 6.7%.
According to data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, all Great Lakes, except Michigan and Huron, set multiple monthly record levels in 2019. Lakes Erie, Superior, and the “sixth Great Lake,” Lake St. Clair, each set records five months in a row from May through September 2019.
– – –
Samantha Witwer is a reporter at The Ohio Star.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-07--GOP Congressman Sues Whitmer, Says Lockdowns Are Unconstitutional

U.S. Rep. Paul Mitchell ( R-MI ) has sued Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer over her executive orders concerning the coronavirus pandemic .
The lawsuit alleges that Whitmer ’ s stay-at-home order and businesses restrictions have violated his rights and those of all Michigan residents .
“ Michiganders can and do take reasonable , private action to protect themselves from infection without the need to shut down civil society , ” Mitchell said in the lawsuit .
Mitchell said he is seeking a judicial declaration the executive orders are unconstitutional , saying that “ such a declaration…will yield a more rational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The lawsuit follows Whitmer terminating the original state of emergency and disaster declarations and reissuing them under the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act of 1945 and the Emergency Management Act of 1976 .
Both order are set to expire on May 28 .
She also extended the “ Stay Home , Stay Safe ” order until May 16 .
It was originally set to expire on April 30 .
Whitmer ’ s executive orders have been recently met with increasing backlash , including protests in Lansing .
“ Whether you agree with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect your life if you live in the state of Michigan .
I ’ m going to continue to do my job , ” she told Jake Tapper on CNN ‘ s “ State of the Union ” on Sunday .
“ Invoking the State ’ s ‘ police powers , ’ a legal term of art , is not a license to slide , even temporarily , from a republican form of government , ” Mitchell said in his lawsuit .
“ Police powers from a State ’ s constitution and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain at all times subject to the constitutional limits imposed on government , including its permissible form.
” Michigan currently has more than 45,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus , according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services .
The death toll in the state is 4,250 .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ]

U.S. Rep. Paul Mitchell (R-MI) has sued Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over her executive orders concerning the coronavirus pandemic.
The lawsuit alleges that Whitmer’s stay-at-home order and businesses restrictions have violated his rights and those of all Michigan residents.
“Michiganders can and do take reasonable, private action to protect themselves from infection without the need to shut down civil society,” Mitchell said in the lawsuit.
Mitchell said he is seeking a judicial declaration the executive orders are unconstitutional, saying that “such a declaration…will yield a more rational, pragmatic response to the virus.”
The lawsuit follows Whitmer terminating the original state of emergency and disaster declarations and reissuing them under the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act of 1945 and the Emergency Management Act of 1976. Both order are set to expire on May 28.
She also extended the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order until May 16. It was originally set to expire on April 30.
Whitmer’s executive orders have been recently met with increasing backlash, including protests in Lansing.
“Whether you agree with me or not, I am working to protect your life if you live in the state of Michigan. I’m going to continue to do my job,” she told Jake Tapper on CNN‘s “State of the Union” on Sunday.
Mitchell disagrees.
“Invoking the State’s ‘police powers,’ a legal term of art, is not a license to slide, even temporarily, from a republican form of government,” Mitchell said in his lawsuit. “Police powers from a State’s constitution and the common law, but those powers remain at all times subject to the constitutional limits imposed on government, including its permissible form.”
Michigan currently has more than 45,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The death toll in the state is 4,250.
– – –
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-05-07--Gov. DeWine Announces Cuts to State Budget Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Gov .
DeWine announced on Tuesday that he is slashing Ohio ’ s budget for the remainder of the 2020 Fiscal Year due to the state general suffering heavy revenue loss due to COVID-19 .
Before the Chinese coronavirus came to Ohio , “ state revenues for the fiscal year were ahead of estimates by over $ 200 million .
As of the end of April , Ohio ’ s revenues were below the budgeted estimates by $ 776.9 million , ” according to the governor ’ s press release .
Ohio is required by law to balance the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this , the state has made the following cuts to these areas : “ Decisions like these are extremely difficult , but they are decisions that are part of my responsibility , as your governor , to make , ” DeWine said .
“ We believe that instituting these cuts now will provide the most stability moving forward , however , I am greatly concerned about the cuts we must make in education .
We have an obligation to our schools to give them as much predictability as we can , but if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , future cuts would be more dramatic.
” Ohio is not using money from its rainy day fund to balance the budget , according to DeWine ’ s press release .
Last month , DeWine ordered the immediate hiring freeze for all agencies , boards , and commissions under his control .
Also , the governor halted pay increases and promotions for certain state employees .
“ I know that I have said that ‘ it ’ s raining , ’ but we do not want to tap into the rainy-day fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The ‘ rain ’ is not a passing spring shower – it could be a long , cold , lingering storm , and we should not use the fund until it is necessary.
” Ohio Office of Budget and Management ( OBM ) Director Kim Murnieks projects the “ state ’ s revenues will continue to be below estimates in the coming months as Ohio moves through the COVID-19 crisis , ” according to the governor ’ s press release .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email Zachery at [ email protected ] Background Photo “ Ohio Statehouse ” by Mj .
CC BY-SA 4.0 .

Gov. DeWine announced on Tuesday that he is slashing Ohio’s budget for the remainder of the 2020 Fiscal Year due to the state general suffering heavy revenue loss due to COVID-19.
Before the Chinese coronavirus came to Ohio, “state revenues for the fiscal year were ahead of estimates by over $200 million. As of the end of April, Ohio’s revenues were below the budgeted estimates by $776.9 million,” according to the governor’s press release.
Ohio is required by law to balance the state budget. In an effort to do this, the state has made the following cuts to these areas:
Medicaid: $210 million
K12 Foundation Payment Reduction: $300 million
Other Education Budget Line Items: $55 million
Higher Education: $110 million
All Other Agencies: $100 million
“Decisions like these are extremely difficult, but they are decisions that are part of my responsibility, as your governor, to make,” DeWine said. “We believe that instituting these cuts now will provide the most stability moving forward, however, I am greatly concerned about the cuts we must make in education. We have an obligation to our schools to give them as much predictability as we can, but if we don’t make these cuts now, future cuts would be more dramatic.”
Ohio is not using money from its rainy day fund to balance the budget, according to DeWine’s press release.
Last month, DeWine ordered the immediate hiring freeze for all agencies, boards, and commissions under his control. Also, the governor halted pay increases and promotions for certain state employees.
“I know that I have said that ‘it’s raining,’ but we do not want to tap into the rainy-day fund yet,” said Governor DeWine. “The ‘rain’ is not a passing spring shower – it could be a long, cold, lingering storm, and we should not use the fund until it is necessary.”
Ohio Office of Budget and Management (OBM) Director Kim Murnieks projects the “state’s revenues will continue to be below estimates in the coming months as Ohio moves through the COVID-19 crisis,” according to the governor’s press release.
– – –
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media. If you have any tips, email Zachery at [email protected]
Background Photo “Ohio Statehouse” by Mj. CC BY-SA 4.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-07--Lower Broadway Business Owners, Employees and Musicians Protest Nashville Mayor’s Safer-at-Home Orde

Lower Broadway Business Owners, Employees and Musicians Protest Nashville Mayor’s Safer-at-Home Order

NASHVILLE , Tennessee – A group of business owners , employees and musicians gathered Tuesday outside Metro Nashville City Hall to protest Mayor John Cooper ’ s ongoing safer-at-home order .
Cooper ’ s current safer-at-home order is in effect until Friday , May 8 .
During his daily COVID-19 briefing Tuesday , Cooper said in considering the expiration of his safer-at-home order he would be “ spending a lot of time with all the public health experts in the next 24 to 48 hours to see how soon it really is prudent to move on into Phase One ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dozens of protest participants primarily from downtown businesses sported gear with logos including Tootsies , Honky Tonk Central and Kid Rock ’ s Honky Tonk , all entertainment venues of business owner Steve Smith .
Smith was initially a hold-out against Cooper ’ s safer-at-home order but complied shortly after the issuance of the order .
Protestors held a variety of signs reflecting their livelihood and the city ’ s moniker , including “ Put The Music Back in Music City , ” “ No Music , No City , ” “ Starving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” “ Aren ’ t Musicians Essential to Music City ?
” and “ It ’ s Time To Open.
” Perhaps demonstrating to Cooper their commitment to protecting against the spread of the coronavirus , nearly all of the protest participants were wearing a face mask .
Metro Council Member-At-Large Steve Glover joined the group , despite being in about a six-hour virtual council meeting until about midnight .
Glover , as an at-large council member represents all of Nashville/Davidson County , told The Tennessee Star he felt that he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While 89 counties in Tennessee have begun reopening under Governor Bill Lee ’ s direction even as Nashville remains closed , Cooper has added insult to injury by proposing a 32 percent property tax increase as part of his budget for the upcoming fiscal year .
Glover had already started his campaign against the exorbitant property tax increase and took the opportunity at Wednesday ’ s event to bring it to the attention of the attendees .
“ We ’ re literally saying we ’ re going to fix our spending problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pocket , ” said Glover , “ and I ’ m not going to stand by and just let it happen.
” Meanwhile , “ non-essential ” businesses remain shut down , making no revenue to pay the increased property tax and having no indication of when Cooper will allow the start of Phase One of the Roadmap .
And , as Cooper explained Tuesday , “ Phase One is not the end of social distancing .
Phase One is just another phase of social distancing.
” The reality is , for downtown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of little to no use .
Phase One of Cooper ’ s Roadmap for Reopening Nashville will still require that restaurants serving food be open at just half capacity , while bar areas , bars , live music and entertainment venues remain closed , as will nail salons , salons , massage , gyms , fitness centers , playgrounds and athletic courts .
Only after 14 days of stability or positive improvement will there will be movement to Phase Two , which continues to prohibit live music and bars , bar areas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current Roadmap provisions , an unrestricted , full reopening of the venues on Lower Broadway – if all goes perfectly from an expired stay-at-home order on May 8 through each of the Roadmap ’ s first three phases – could not occur until June 19 .
That will be nearly three months since the venues were closed through the safer-at-home order that went into effect on March 23 .
Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star .

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – A group of business owners, employees and musicians gathered Tuesday outside Metro Nashville City Hall to protest Mayor John Cooper’s ongoing safer-at-home order.
Cooper’s current safer-at-home order is in effect until Friday, May 8.
During his daily COVID-19 briefing Tuesday, Cooper said in considering the expiration of his safer-at-home order he would be “spending a lot of time with all the public health experts in the next 24 to 48 hours to see how soon it really is prudent to move on into Phase One” of the Roadmap for Reopening Nashville.
Dozens of protest participants primarily from downtown businesses sported gear with logos including Tootsies, Honky Tonk Central and Kid Rock’s Honky Tonk, all entertainment venues of business owner Steve Smith.
Smith was initially a hold-out against Cooper’s safer-at-home order but complied shortly after the issuance of the order.
Protestors held a variety of signs reflecting their livelihood and the city’s moniker, including “Put The Music Back in Music City,” “No Music, No City,” “Starving Artist,” “Let Us Play,” “Aren’t Musicians Essential to Music City?” and “It’s Time To Open.”
Perhaps demonstrating to Cooper their commitment to protecting against the spread of the coronavirus, nearly all of the protest participants were wearing a face mask.
Metro Council Member-At-Large Steve Glover joined the group, despite being in about a six-hour virtual council meeting until about midnight.
Glover, as an at-large council member represents all of Nashville/Davidson County, told The Tennessee Star he felt that he had to be there to support the participants.
While 89 counties in Tennessee have begun reopening under Governor Bill Lee’s direction even as Nashville remains closed, Cooper has added insult to injury by proposing a 32 percent property tax increase as part of his budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Glover had already started his campaign against the exorbitant property tax increase and took the opportunity at Wednesday’s event to bring it to the attention of the attendees.
“We’re literally saying we’re going to fix our spending problem, taking the money out of your pocket,” said Glover, “and I’m not going to stand by and just let it happen.”
Meanwhile, “non-essential” businesses remain shut down, making no revenue to pay the increased property tax and having no indication of when Cooper will allow the start of Phase One of the Roadmap.
And, as Cooper explained Tuesday, “Phase One is not the end of social distancing. Phase One is just another phase of social distancing.”
The reality is, for downtown merchants, entering Phase One will be of little to no use.
Phase One of Cooper’s Roadmap for Reopening Nashville will still require that restaurants serving food be open at just half capacity, while bar areas, bars, live music and entertainment venues remain closed, as will nail salons, salons, massage, gyms, fitness centers, playgrounds and athletic courts.
Only after 14 days of stability or positive improvement will there will be movement to Phase Two, which continues to prohibit live music and bars, bar areas and entertainment venues from reopening.
Under the current Roadmap provisions, an unrestricted, full reopening of the venues on Lower Broadway – if all goes perfectly from an expired stay-at-home order on May 8 through each of the Roadmap’s first three phases – could not occur until June 19.
That will be nearly three months since the venues were closed through the safer-at-home order that went into effect on March 23.
– – –
Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-07--DOJ Drops Case Against Michael Flynn

DOJ Drops Case Against Michael Flynn

The United States Department of Justice ( DOJ ) filed a motion on Thursday to dismiss its case against Michael Flynn .
“ The United States of America hereby moves to dismiss with prejudice the criminal information filed against Michael T. Flynn pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 48 ( a ) , the motion reads .
“ The Government has determined , pursuant to the Principles of Federal Prosecution and based on extensive review and careful consideration of the circumstances , that continued prosecution of this case would not serve the interests of justice.
” “ After a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstances of this case , including newly discovered and disclosed information appended to the defendant ’ s supplemental pleadings … .
the Government has concluded that the interview of Mr. Flynn was untethered to , and unjustified by , the FBI ’ s counterintelligence investigation into Mr. Flynn.
” The motion also says that the interview the FBI conducted with Flynn on January 23 , 2017 , did not have a “ legitimate investigative basis.
” As a result , the DOJ said the statements Flynn provided the FBI during this January interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This DOJ decision comes after FBI internal documents that were released on April 29 showed the agency ’ s real intentions .
Also happening Thursday , it was announced that Mueller and DOJ prosecutor Brandon Van Grack withdrew himself from the Flynn case .
No reason was given as to why he departed .
Van Grack ’ s future with the DOJ is unknown .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Photo “ Michael @ @ @ @ @ @

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a motion on Thursday to dismiss its case against Michael Flynn.
“The United States of America hereby moves to dismiss with prejudice the criminal information filed against Michael T. Flynn pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 48(a), the motion reads. “The Government has determined, pursuant to the Principles of Federal Prosecution and based on extensive review and careful consideration of the circumstances, that continued prosecution of this case would not serve the interests of justice.”
“After a considered review of all the facts and circumstances of this case, including newly discovered and disclosed information appended to the defendant’s supplemental pleadings …. the Government has concluded that the interview of Mr. Flynn was untethered to, and unjustified by, the FBI’s counterintelligence investigation into Mr. Flynn.”
The motion also says that the interview the FBI conducted with Flynn on January 23, 2017, did not have a “legitimate investigative basis.” As a result, the DOJ said the statements Flynn provided the FBI during this January interview were “material even if untrue.”
This DOJ decision comes after FBI internal documents that were released on April 29 showed the agency’s real intentions.
Also happening Thursday, it was announced that Mueller and DOJ prosecutor Brandon Van Grack withdrew himself from the Flynn case. No reason was given as to why he departed.
Van Grack’s future with the DOJ is unknown.

– – –
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media. If you have any tips, email Zachery at [email protected]
Photo “Michael Flynn” by Michael Flynn.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-07--Michigan Unemployment Claims Near 1.2 Million

Amid signs that at least a partial reopening of Michigan ’ s economy could take place this month , the state ’ s weekly unemployment claim filings continued to drift back toward normalcy , although they remain far above numbers seen before the COVID-19 crisis .
The U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday morning that another 68,952 Michigan residents filed for jobless benefits during the week ending May 2 .
That brings the state ’ s total unemployment filing number over the course of the past seven weeks to about 1.2 million , which represents more than one quarter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers are a 16 percent decline from the previous week , but still well above the 3.6 percent unemployment claims the state recorded for the week ending March 14 , the last before widespread shutdowns across the country began to drive a surge in business closures and layoffs .
Nationally , about 3.2 million people filed for unemployment , bringing the seven-week total across the United States to more than 33 million .
As some states have already begun to reopen , some businesses have reopened and individuals who filed for unemployment early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work or will do so in the coming weeks .
California led all states with 318,000 claims , and Maine had the biggest percent jump in claims with a 111 percent rise from the prior week .
On the other end of the spectrum , Alabama had a 62 percent decline in claims , the biggest drop from the previous week .
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square .
He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy ’ s Michigan Science magazine and The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News .

by Bruce Walker
Amid signs that at least a partial reopening of Michigan’s economy could take place this month, the state’s weekly unemployment claim filings continued to drift back toward normalcy, although they remain far above numbers seen before the COVID-19 crisis.
The U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday morning that another 68,952 Michigan residents filed for jobless benefits during the week ending May 2. That brings the state’s total unemployment filing number over the course of the past seven weeks to about 1.2 million, which represents more than one quarter of Michigan’s workforce.
The latest numbers are a 16 percent decline from the previous week, but still well above the 3.6 percent unemployment claims the state recorded for the week ending March 14, the last before widespread shutdowns across the country began to drive a surge in business closures and layoffs.
Nationally, about 3.2 million people filed for unemployment, bringing the seven-week total across the United States to more than 33 million. As some states have already begun to reopen, some businesses have reopened and individuals who filed for unemployment early in the crisis may already have returned to work or will do so in the coming weeks.
California led all states with 318,000 claims, and Maine had the biggest percent jump in claims with a 111 percent rise from the prior week. On the other end of the spectrum, Alabama had a 62 percent decline in claims, the biggest drop from the previous week.
– – –
Bruce Walker is a regional editor at The Center Square. He previously worked as editor at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy’s Michigan Science magazine and The Heartland Institute’s InfoTech & Telecom News.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-07--Texas Supreme Court Orders Release of Shelley Luther After She Was Jailed for Trying to Reopen Her S

Texas Supreme Court Orders Release of Shelley Luther After She Was Jailed for Trying to Reopen Her Salon

The Texas Supreme Court has ordered the release of Shelly Luther , the Dallas salon owner who was sent to jail for violating the state ’ s coronavirus stay-at-home order .
State District Judge Eric Moyé on Tuesday sentenced the owner of the Salon A La Mode to seven days behind bars for “ disobeying a judge ’ s temporary restraining order prohibiting her from operating her salon , ” according to CBS-DFW .
The judge told Luther that her actions were “ selfish , ” The Center Square reports .
The small business owner replied , “ … feeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sir , if you think the law ’ s more important than kids getting fed , then please go ahead with your decision .
But I am not going to shut the salon.
” The exchange between Judge Moyé and Luther – posted online almost immediately – went viral .
Heavy.com reports that Moyé is a “ politically active Democrat ” who has served on many Democratic campaigns and even acted as a Delegate to the 1992 Democratic National Convention .
On March 31 , Texas Gov .
Greg Abbot issued a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A clause in the order stated that anyone who didn ’ t comply with this order could be jailed .
However , Abbot , who supported Luther , decided to change the clause Thursday morning .
“ Throwing Texans in jail whose biz ’ s shut down through no fault of their own is wrong .
I am eliminating jail for violating an order , retroactive to April 2 , superseding local orders ” , the governor tweeted .
“ Criminals shouldn ’ t be released to prevent COVID-19 just to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luther went to jail , she also received support from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton who offered to serve her remaining sentence under house arrest and pay her $ 7,000 fine .
Furthermore , a gofundme account was set in support of Luther .
This account has raised over $ 500,000 so far .
“ Shelley Luther is an American Hero that has decided to resist tyranny by opening her business against an unlawful State Executive Order , ” the GoFundme page says .
“ The Texas Supreme Court correctly addressed Ms. Luther @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No Texan should face imprisonment for peacefully resisting an order that temporarily closed a lawful business and drastically limited their ability to provide for their family through no fault of their own , ” he said .
“ Texans must all work together to overcome this crisis , and ensuring freedom from excessive punishment is critical.
” Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ]

The Texas Supreme Court has ordered the release of Shelly Luther, the Dallas salon owner who was sent to jail for violating the state’s coronavirus stay-at-home order.
State District Judge Eric Moyé on Tuesday sentenced the owner of the Salon A La Mode to seven days behind bars for “disobeying a judge’s temporary restraining order prohibiting her from operating her salon,” according to CBS-DFW.
The judge told Luther that her actions were “selfish,” The Center Square reports.
The small business owner replied, “… feeding my kids is not selfish. So, sir, if you think the law’s more important than kids getting fed, then please go ahead with your decision. But I am not going to shut the salon.”
The exchange between Judge Moyé and Luther – posted online almost immediately – went viral.
The judge told Shelley Luther she
could avoid jail time if she apologized, admitted she was wrong, and agreed to close her hair salon until it was allowed to open. This is her response…@CBSDFW pic.twitter.com/1phdNUsLme — Andrea Lucia (@CBS11Andrea) May 5, 2020
Heavy.com reports that Moyé is a “politically active Democrat” who has served on many Democratic campaigns and even acted as a Delegate to the 1992 Democratic National Convention.
On March 31, Texas Gov. Greg Abbot issued a stay-at-home executive order amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A clause in the order stated that anyone who didn’t comply with this order could be jailed. However, Abbot, who supported Luther, decided to change the clause Thursday morning.
“Throwing Texans in jail whose biz’s shut down through no fault of their own is wrong. I am eliminating jail for violating an order, retroactive to April 2, superseding local orders”, the governor tweeted. “Criminals shouldn’t be released to prevent COVID-19 just to put business owners in their place.”
Throwing Texans in jail whose biz's shut down through no fault of their own is wrong. I am eliminating jail for violating an order, retroactive to April 2, superseding local orders. Criminals shouldn’t be released to prevent COVID-19 just to put business owners in their place. — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 7, 2020
When Luther went to jail, she also received support from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton who offered to serve her remaining sentence under house arrest and pay her $7,000 fine. Furthermore, a gofundme account was set in support of Luther. This account has raised over $500,000 so far.
“Shelley Luther is an American Hero that has decided to resist tyranny by opening her business against an unlawful State Executive Order,” the GoFundme page says.
Paxton released a statement commending the court for releasing Luther.
“The Texas Supreme Court correctly addressed Ms. Luther’s excessive punishment and unnecessary jailing. No Texan should face imprisonment for peacefully resisting an order that temporarily closed a lawful business and drastically limited their ability to provide for their family through no fault of their own,” he said. “Texans must all work together to overcome this crisis, and ensuring freedom from excessive punishment is critical.”
– – –
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media. If you have any tips, email Zachery at [email protected]


thetennesseestar--2020-05-07--Nearly 3.2 Million New Jobless Claims Across U.S. Drives Tally During Outbreak to 33.5 Million

Even as a handful of states have made tentative steps back to normalcy in recent days , new jobless claims continue to flood in across all 50 states , driving the number of unemployment claims to 33.5 million over the past seven weeks .
According to data released Thursday morning by the U.S. Department of Labor , 3.17 million Americans filed for new unemployment benefits for the week ending May 2 .
That was down 677,000 from the previous week ’ s revised level of 3.85 million but still well above the numbers seen before the coronavirus outbreak led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy .
California led the way with 318,000 new claims , and Maine had the biggest percent jump in claims with a 111 percent rise from the prior week .
On the other end of the spectrum , Alabama had a 62 percent decline in claims , the biggest drop from the previous week .
Since the calendar turned to May , several states have begun limited reopenings of certain business sectors amid signs that the worst of the COVID-19 crisis might be in the rear view mirror .
Even states that haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together plans for reopening that could begin to roll out this month .
In some states , workers who filed for unemployment earlier in the crisis are returning to work or will be in the next few weeks .
Congress made millions of Americans eligible for unemployment assistance who previously wouldn ’ t have been when it passed the CARES Act in late March , establishing a Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program that covers , for instance , self-employed individuals .
It also applies to those who work in the “ gig economy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft .
Most states , needing to establish all-new guidelines for who is eligible for the added categories , have not yet begun to pay out benefits for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance .
And the flood of traditional unemployment claims has staggered government bureaucrats across the country .
In Wisconsin , a state lawmaker this week pushed for the state Department of Workforce Development to begin pre-approving unemployment claims in order to get money into the hands of jobless residents faster .
“ Every day we are contacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some more than a month , to have their claims reviewed , ” said state Rep. John Nygren , R-Marinette .
“ Unfortunately , bills and other necessary expenses have not been put on pause .
DWD should be doing all that they can and thinking outside the box to expedite these claims.
” Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis called for an investigation into the collapse of a state unemployment system “ right off the bat ” in mid-March when the current wave of jobless claims begin to take effect .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a cost of $ 77 million , $ 37 million more than it was originally supposed to cost .
“ There ’ s a lot of money that went into this , ” DeSantis said .
“ I think that ’ s something that ’ s very important for the people of Florida to know.
” Dave Lemery is a veteran journalist with more than 20 years of experience , and is the Regional Editor for The Center Square .

by Dave Lemery
Even as a handful of states have made tentative steps back to normalcy in recent days, new jobless claims continue to flood in across all 50 states, driving the number of unemployment claims to 33.5 million over the past seven weeks.
According to data released Thursday morning by the U.S. Department of Labor, 3.17 million Americans filed for new unemployment benefits for the week ending May 2. That was down 677,000 from the previous week’s revised level of 3.85 million but still well above the numbers seen before the coronavirus outbreak led to the shutdown of most of the national economy.
California led the way with 318,000 new claims, and Maine had the biggest percent jump in claims with a 111 percent rise from the prior week. On the other end of the spectrum, Alabama had a 62 percent decline in claims, the biggest drop from the previous week.
Since the calendar turned to May, several states have begun limited reopenings of certain business sectors amid signs that the worst of the COVID-19 crisis might be in the rear view mirror. Even states that haven’t loosened restrictions yet are putting together plans for reopening that could begin to roll out this month. In some states, workers who filed for unemployment earlier in the crisis are returning to work or will be in the next few weeks.
Congress made millions of Americans eligible for unemployment assistance who previously wouldn’t have been when it passed the CARES Act in late March, establishing a Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program that covers, for instance, self-employed individuals. It also applies to those who work in the “gig economy,” meaning contract workers and drivers for ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft.
Most states, needing to establish all-new guidelines for who is eligible for the added categories, have not yet begun to pay out benefits for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. And the flood of traditional unemployment claims has staggered government bureaucrats across the country.
In Wisconsin, a state lawmaker this week pushed for the state Department of Workforce Development to begin pre-approving unemployment claims in order to get money into the hands of jobless residents faster.
“Every day we are contacted by individuals who have been waiting weeks, some more than a month, to have their claims reviewed,” said state Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette. “Unfortunately, bills and other necessary expenses have not been put on pause. DWD should be doing all that they can and thinking outside the box to expedite these claims.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called for an investigation into the collapse of a state unemployment system “right off the bat” in mid-March when the current wave of jobless claims begin to take effect. The state’s system launched in 2013 at a cost of $77 million, $37 million more than it was originally supposed to cost.
“There’s a lot of money that went into this,” DeSantis said. “I think that’s something that’s very important for the people of Florida to know.”
– – –
Dave Lemery is a veteran journalist with more than 20 years of experience, and is the Regional Editor for The Center Square.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-08--Mayor John Cooper’s Five Percent Budget Increase Will Come on the Backs of Nashville Property Owners

Mayor John Cooper ’ s budget for the 2021 Fiscal Year ( FY ) includes a five percent increase in spending , which will come at the expense of Nashville property owners by way of a 32 percent property tax increase .
The record-high budget of $ 2.45 billion is Cooper ’ s first , and comes on the heels of a devastating tornado on March 3 and during a worldwide coronavirus pandemic which resulted in major losses of personal property and income for Nashvillians .
While Cooper has had Nashville/Davidson County under a “ Safer At Home ” order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has required that all “ non-essential ” businesses be shut down , the local government has seen a revenue shortfall .
The revenue shortfall for the current fiscal year ending June 1 , 2020 , is estimated at $ 215.8 million .
Based on revenue numbers obtained from budget documents , at $ 13.6 million , less than 10 percent of the current shortage is from property taxes .
Going into FY 2021 , which begins July 1 , revenue impact from COVID-19 and the March 3 tornado is estimated at $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial additional funding “ needs/requests ” in the budget presentation were identified as $ 404.5 million .
The additional “ needs/requests ” amount was pared down to a “ minimum ” $ 115.9 million in “ funding needs , ” according to the FY2021 budget presentation .
As typical for government , the starting point for the FY 2021 budget is the prior year ’ s budget plus projected growth in revenues .
On that basis , Nashville ’ s FY 2020 budget was $ 2.3 billion .
Added to that for FY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in “ normal revenue growth ” in addition to $ 63.5 million in “ new revenues ” for a total FY 2021 “ pre-disaster ” revenue projection of $ 2,396.5 million .
However , the loss in revenue for FY 2021 due to COVID-19 and the tornado is estimated to be $ 280.6 million over the four major revenue categories : The $ 280.6 million revenue shortfall for FY2021 along with the $ 115.9 million in additional “ minimum funding needs ” combines for a $ 332 million gap in Cooper ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current property tax rate of $ 3.1550 per $ 100 of assessed value will result in bills to Nashville property tax owners that are 32 percent higher .
Budget documents indicate that the property tax increase will shore up Cooper ’ s 4.97 percent budget increase over FY2020 , for a total FY2021 recommended budget of $ 2.447 billion .
Cooper ’ s budgeted revenue growth for FY2021 of $ 115.9 million is higher than the past two years , which was just $ 86.3 million from FY 2018 to FY 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to FY2020 under Mayor David Briley .
The property tax increase also represents a major shift in the balance of Nashville ’ s funding sources .
Currently , less than half of Nashville ’ s revenues – 45.7 percent – come from property owners .
After the property tax increase , Cooper will increase the share that Nashville ’ s property owners are burdened with to 58.8 percent of total funding .
Of course , even the 32 percent increase in property tax is presented as a lower property tax rate as compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , a property tax rate is only half of the equation when it comes to a property tax bill .
The other half of the equation is the value of the property .
For an entire city or county , rather than an individual property basis , the correlation between property tax rate and total property values is described as revenue per one cent of the property tax rate .
In 2018 , the most recent data available , the revenue per one cent of the property tax rate in Nashville/Davidson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest in the state .
In fact , that rate was 50 percent higher than the next closest rate of Shelby County at just over $ 2 million in revenue per one cent of the property tax rate .
The property tax increase , along with the increase in property values from new and improved properties is expected to yield an additional $ 373 million in property tax revenues in FY 2021 over the FY 2020 property tax revenues , representing a 35 percent increase in revenues from property taxes .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council , currently Nashville-Davidson County has $ 4.3 billion in debt and a proposed $ 1.16 billion in additional capital spending has been authorized but the bonds have not yet been issued .
As a percent of Nashville-Davidson County ’ s operating budget , debt service – payments of interest and principal – at over $ 321 million per year is at least a 10-year high at over 14 percent .
That percentage is the third-highest , coming after only education and public safety at 37 and 20 percent , respectively .
Falling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is general government at 11 percent , infrastructure and transportation , health and social services , recreation and culture at four percent each , and “ other ” at two percent .
This year , nearly $ 100 million or four percent of the total budget is designated by Cooper for the restoration of the cash and fund balances , which have been essentially depleted in 2020 .
The Metro Nashville Budget and Finance Committee and full Council will conduct public hearings and are required to pass Cooper ’ s proposed budget ordinance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or Cooper ’ s recommended budget and property tax rate will take effect by default .
Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star .
Photo “ John Cooper ” by Nashville.gov .

Mayor John Cooper’s budget for the 2021 Fiscal Year (FY) includes a five percent increase in spending, which will come at the expense of Nashville property owners by way of a 32 percent property tax increase.
The record-high budget of $2.45 billion is Cooper’s first, and comes on the heels of a devastating tornado on March 3 and during a worldwide coronavirus pandemic which resulted in major losses of personal property and income for Nashvillians.
While Cooper has had Nashville/Davidson County under a “Safer At Home” order since March 23 due to COVID-19, which has required that all “non-essential” businesses be shut down, the local government has seen a revenue shortfall.
The revenue shortfall for the current fiscal year ending June 1, 2020, is estimated at $215.8 million. Based on revenue numbers obtained from budget documents, at $13.6 million, less than 10 percent of the current shortage is from property taxes.
Going into FY 2021, which begins July 1, revenue impact from COVID-19 and the March 3 tornado is estimated at $280.6 million.
Meanwhile, FY 2021 initial additional funding “needs/requests” in the budget presentation were identified as $404.5 million.
The additional “needs/requests” amount was pared down to a “minimum” $115.9 million in “funding needs,” according to the FY2021 budget presentation.
As typical for government, the starting point for the FY 2021 budget is the prior year’s budget plus projected growth in revenues.
On that basis, Nashville’s FY 2020 budget was $2.3 billion. Added to that for FY 2021 budget documents show $71.2 million in “normal revenue growth” in addition to $63.5 million in “new revenues” for a total FY 2021“pre-disaster” revenue projection of $2,396.5 million.
However, the loss in revenue for FY 2021 due to COVID-19 and the tornado is estimated to be $280.6 million over the four major revenue categories:
Property Taxes – minus $4.5 million
Local Option Sales Tax – minus $161.4 million
Grants & Contributions – minus $21.4 million
All Other Revenues – minus $93.3 million
The $280.6 million revenue shortfall for FY2021 along with the $115.9 million in additional “minimum funding needs” combines for a $332 million gap in Cooper’s budget.
Cooper’s solution is a $1.00 property tax increase.
A $1.00 addition to the current property tax rate of $3.1550 per $100 of assessed value will result in bills to Nashville property tax owners that are 32 percent higher.
Budget documents indicate that the property tax increase will shore up Cooper’s 4.97 percent budget increase over FY2020, for a total FY2021 recommended budget of $2.447 billion.
Cooper’s budgeted revenue growth for FY2021 of $115.9 million is higher than the past two years, which was just $86.3 million from FY 2018 to FY 2019 and $103.6 million from FY 2019 to FY2020 under Mayor David Briley.
The property tax increase also represents a major shift in the balance of Nashville’s funding sources.
Currently, less than half of Nashville’s revenues – 45.7 percent – come from property owners.
After the property tax increase, Cooper will increase the share that Nashville’s property owners are burdened with to 58.8 percent of total funding.
Of course, even the 32 percent increase in property tax is presented as a lower property tax rate as compared to other major Tennessee cities or counties.
However, a property tax rate is only half of the equation when it comes to a property tax bill. The other half of the equation is the value of the property.
For an entire city or county, rather than an individual property basis, the correlation between property tax rate and total property values is described as revenue per one cent of the property tax rate.
In 2018, the most recent data available, the revenue per one cent of the property tax rate in Nashville/Davidson County at $3.2 million was the highest in the state. In fact, that rate was 50 percent higher than the next closest rate of Shelby County at just over $2 million in revenue per one cent of the property tax rate.
The property tax increase, along with the increase in property values from new and improved properties is expected to yield an additional $373 million in property tax revenues in FY 2021 over the FY 2020 property tax revenues, representing a 35 percent increase in revenues from property taxes.
According to the Treasurer’s Report to the Council, currently Nashville-Davidson County has $4.3 billion in debt and a proposed $1.16 billion in additional capital spending has been authorized but the bonds have not yet been issued.
As a percent of Nashville-Davidson County’s operating budget, debt service – payments of interest and principal – at over $321 million per year is at least a 10-year high at over 14 percent.
That percentage is the third-highest, coming after only education and public safety at 37 and 20 percent, respectively.
Falling behind the percentage going to debt service is general government at 11 percent, infrastructure and transportation, health and social services, recreation and culture at four percent each, and “other” at two percent.
This year, nearly $100 million or four percent of the total budget is designated by Cooper for the restoration of the cash and fund balances, which have been essentially depleted in 2020.
The Metro Nashville Budget and Finance Committee and full Council will conduct public hearings and are required to pass Cooper’s proposed budget ordinance or a substitute budget by June 30, or Cooper’s recommended budget and property tax rate will take effect by default.
– – –
Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star.
Photo “John Cooper” by Nashville.gov.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-08--Commentary: Common Sense on Communist China

President Trump repeatedly has called on companies to move their factories out of Communist China .
He imposed tariffs after determining the Chinese government was illegally subsidizing the production of those goods .
Companies responded by asking the president to lift the tariffs , parroting the Chinese Communist party line .
Then the coronavirus came along and exposed the folly of relying on a corrupt totalitarian regime as a sole source supplier .
Now , the Trump Administration is “ turbocharging ” efforts to remove global supply chains from China , Reuters reports , as the president considers new tariffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it caused through incompetence if not outright malice .
But some in this country still oppose a divorce from Beijing .
They say we must collaborate and cooperate with the Communist regime going forward .
What they call collaboration and cooperation used to be called appeasement .
These collaborators , if you will , fall roughly into four categories : The Vested : These can not be trusted .
They have a vested interest in continuing the status quo .
Their power , prestige and fortunes derive from commerce with China .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our major media companies : Disney , the parent of ABC News , owns a theme park and distributes films in the People ’ s Republic .
Ditto NBC ( Universal Studios and theme park ) , CBS ( Paramount Studios ) , and CNN ( Warner Brothers theme park and studios ) .
Like the NBA , they dare not offend Xi Jingping who holds the purse strings .
Fellow travelers include Wall Street bankers who earn billions from Chinese investments , consultants such as McKinsey & Co , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walmart to the Footwear and Apparel Association .
They have all grown fat in Red China .
Commerce has weakened their spirit of patriotism .
The Weak : These can not see the danger .
They are comfortable in their ivory towers and are slaves to fear .
The more they have to lose the less willing they are to venture on a new path .
The Prejudiced : They will not see the danger .
Their minds are made up—their hatred of Donald Trump blinds them to reality .
When the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they reflexively take Beijing ’ s side .
They may not believe in the gender binary , but in all things Trump their thinking is binary : if Trump is for it , they ’ re against it and vice versa .
In this camp count journalists such as those who claim the president ’ s criticism of the CCP is an effort to deflect criticism of his own actions .
The “ Moderates ” : These are the so-called “ reasonable ” men and women who think better of China ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group is the most dangerous .
They have done and will do more damage to our country and the cause of national economic independence than all of the other three .
From their sinecures in academia , media , think tanks , and government , they counsel collaboration with China ’ s dictators and pray that we may be friends again .
They dispense their moderate prescriptions on the pages of foreign policy journals and smooth their moderate balms on policymakers and pundits .
They live far from the scenes of sorrow scarring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vast tracts of our country laid to waste by the economic warfare China has been waging .
They are strangers to the once-prosperous cities and towns reduced to ruin and bereft of hope .
Being of a passive nature , they believe China ’ s ruling party is not that different from our own , that it plays by the same rules and has the same goals .
They could not be more wrong .
But the pandemic has made it clear to a large and growing majority of Americans that Communist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at heart .
Despite what the moderate men say , these hard Americans know it ’ s time to cut our dependence on that foreign tyranny .
There are a few who are hesitant to call for a course correction because no plan has been laid out .
They don ’ t see a way out of our present condition .
Let us offer a few hints as to how we can affect the change we need in a way that will cause the least pain .
Others may add their own suggestions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gather these scraps together and craft a definite plan of action : First , we need to identify sectors where we face potential shortfalls in supply .
Experts in health care , defense , telecommunications , and other industries can catalog the goods we currently produce ourselves , what can be sourced from allies , and what is only available from China .
Second , we need to give entrepreneurs and businesses incentives to move their supply chains away from China .
China gave businesses incentives to move there , we must give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current tariffs permanent would give businesses the signal that there is no going back to the status quo ante—build plants outside the People ’ s Republic .
Similarly , additional tariffs would have the effect of making China a less attractive place to do business .
Japan is offering its companies cash to relocate from China .
That ’ s one idea .
Another is offering a 100 percent immediate tax write-off for capital expenditures in the United States .
An executive order currently under review leverages the purchasing power of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all drugs purchased by the Departments of Defense , Veterans Affairs and Health and Human Services to be made in America , providing a guaranteed market for domestic manufacturers .
“ Buy American ” was the rule for the federal government going back to the 1930s .
It provided the start-up funding that nurtured aerospace and other industries .
But decades of waivers and free trade agreements gave foreign suppliers equal access to federal procurement dollars and starved American businesses .
Streamlining the regulatory process to fast track approvals would provide another incentive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States .
In addition to tax breaks and a market , the federal government can provide financing for companies to locate in the United States .
Right now , finance is controlled by a few money center banks .
If they hold to their past practice of favoring investment in China or other low-cost countries rather than the United States , the government can step in and provide financing to upstart competitors to invest here .
We ’ ve done it before and we can do it again .
Finally , and most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must bring Left and Right together so we stand as one country as the Chinese Communist Party and its agents try to sow political division .
Let us put our differences and suspicions aside and unite as citizens and neighbors in this land .
This means helping those who are going to be hurt the most so no one bears too heavy a burden in what will be a long fight .
Hire American , as well as Buy American , should be the watchwords as we build a new independent American economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be independent of Communist China are wrong .
Just as we declared independence from the British Empire 244 years ago we can restore our independence today .
We must act now , when the cost of the status quo is clearer than ever , and ignore the calls for collaboration and cooperation , the familiar refrain of the globalists habitually opposed to national sovereignty .
Our wish is health and prosperity for our people and the people of China .
We seek to dissolve a bond that has impoverished our people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have it in our power to begin the world over again .
Curtis Ellis is policy director with America First Policies .
He was also a senior policy advisor with the Donald J. Trump presidential campaign in 2016 .

by Curtis Ellis
President Trump repeatedly has called on companies to move their factories out of Communist China.
He imposed tariffs after determining the Chinese government was illegally subsidizing the production of those goods.
Companies responded by asking the president to lift the tariffs, parroting the Chinese Communist party line.
Then the coronavirus came along and exposed the folly of relying on a corrupt totalitarian regime as a sole source supplier.
Now, the Trump Administration is “turbocharging” efforts to remove global supply chains from China, Reuters reports, as the president considers new tariffs to make Beijing pay for the pandemic it caused through incompetence if not outright malice.
But some in this country still oppose a divorce from Beijing. They say we must collaborate and cooperate with the Communist regime going forward. What they call collaboration and cooperation used to be called appeasement.
These collaborators, if you will, fall roughly into four categories:
The Vested: These cannot be trusted. They have a vested interest in continuing the status quo. Their power, prestige and fortunes derive from commerce with China.
In this category you will find the owners of our major media companies: Disney, the parent of ABC News, owns a theme park and distributes films in the People’s Republic. Ditto NBC (Universal Studios and theme park), CBS (Paramount Studios), and CNN (Warner Brothers theme park and studios). Like the NBA, they dare not offend Xi Jingping who holds the purse strings. Fellow travelers include Wall Street bankers who earn billions from Chinese investments, consultants such as McKinsey & Co, and the import lobby, which includes everyone from Walmart to the Footwear and Apparel Association. They have all grown fat in Red China. Commerce has weakened their spirit of patriotism.
The Weak: These cannot see the danger. They are comfortable in their ivory towers and are slaves to fear. The more they have to lose the less willing they are to venture on a new path.
The Prejudiced: They will not see the danger. Their minds are made up—their hatred of Donald Trump blinds them to reality. When the president calls out the Chinese Communist Party, they reflexively take Beijing’s side. They may not believe in the gender binary, but in all things Trump their thinking is binary: if Trump is for it, they’re against it and vice versa. In this camp count journalists such as those who claim the president’s criticism of the CCP is an effort to deflect criticism of his own actions.
The “Moderates”: These are the so-called “reasonable” men and women who think better of China’s government than it deserves.
This last group is the most dangerous. They have done and will do more damage to our country and the cause of national economic independence than all of the other three.
From their sinecures in academia, media, think tanks, and government, they counsel collaboration with China’s dictators and pray that we may be friends again. They dispense their moderate prescriptions on the pages of foreign policy journals and smooth their moderate balms on policymakers and pundits.
They live far from the scenes of sorrow scarring our land. They do not see the vast tracts of our country laid to waste by the economic warfare China has been waging. They are strangers to the once-prosperous cities and towns reduced to ruin and bereft of hope.
Being of a passive nature, they believe China’s ruling party is not that different from our own, that it plays by the same rules and has the same goals. They could not be more wrong.
But the pandemic has made it clear to a large and growing majority of Americans that Communist China does not have our best interest at heart.
Despite what the moderate men say, these hard Americans know it’s time to cut our dependence on that foreign tyranny.
There are a few who are hesitant to call for a course correction because no plan has been laid out. They don’t see a way out of our present condition.
Let us offer a few hints as to how we can affect the change we need in a way that will cause the least pain. Others may add their own suggestions and the wisest and most capable may gather these scraps together and craft a definite plan of action:
First, we need to identify sectors where we face potential shortfalls in supply. Experts in health care, defense, telecommunications, and other industries can catalog the goods we currently produce ourselves, what can be sourced from allies, and what is only available from China.
Second, we need to give entrepreneurs and businesses incentives to move their supply chains away from China.
China gave businesses incentives to move there, we must give them incentives to move back.
Making the current tariffs permanent would give businesses the signal that there is no going back to the status quo ante—build plants outside the People’s Republic. Similarly, additional tariffs would have the effect of making China a less attractive place to do business.
Japan is offering its companies cash to relocate from China. That’s one idea. Another is offering a 100 percent immediate tax write-off for capital expenditures in the United States.
An executive order currently under review leverages the purchasing power of the federal government. The order would require all drugs purchased by the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs and Health and Human Services to be made in America, providing a guaranteed market for domestic manufacturers.
“Buy American” was the rule for the federal government going back to the 1930s. It provided the start-up funding that nurtured aerospace and other industries. But decades of waivers and free trade agreements gave foreign suppliers equal access to federal procurement dollars and starved American businesses.
Streamlining the regulatory process to fast track approvals would provide another incentive for bringing advanced manufacturing to the United States.
In addition to tax breaks and a market, the federal government can provide financing for companies to locate in the United States. Right now, finance is controlled by a few money center banks. If they hold to their past practice of favoring investment in China or other low-cost countries rather than the United States, the government can step in and provide financing to upstart competitors to invest here. We’ve done it before and we can do it again.
Finally, and most important, we must unify.
We must bring Left and Right together so we stand as one country as the Chinese Communist Party and its agents try to sow political division. Let us put our differences and suspicions aside and unite as citizens and neighbors in this land.
This means helping those who are going to be hurt the most so no one bears too heavy a burden in what will be a long fight. Hire American, as well as Buy American, should be the watchwords as we build a new independent American economy.
Those who say we can’t be independent of Communist China are wrong.
Just as we declared independence from the British Empire 244 years ago we can restore our independence today.
We must act now, when the cost of the status quo is clearer than ever, and ignore the calls for collaboration and cooperation, the familiar refrain of the globalists habitually opposed to national sovereignty.
Our wish is health and prosperity for our people and the people of China. We seek to dissolve a bond that has impoverished our people and empowered a tyranny over hers.
We have it in our power to begin the world over again.
– – –
Curtis Ellis is policy director with America First Policies. He was also a senior policy advisor with the Donald J. Trump presidential campaign in 2016.


thetennesseestar--2020-05-08--Tennessee Star Senior Reporter Laura Baigert Suggests Mayor Cooper Should Pro-Rate Property Tax Paym

Tennessee Star Senior Reporter Laura Baigert Suggests Mayor Cooper Should Pro-Rate Property Tax Payments for the Amount of Time He’s Demanded the Shut Down

On Thursday ’ s Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – Leahy spoke to Tennessee Star Senior Reporter Laura Baigert on the newsmakers line .
During the second hour , Baigert reported on what she saw at the recent protests on Nashville ’ s popular Lower Broadway where many restaurant workers , owners and musicians gathered to make their voice heard against the shutdown .
Leahy : We are joined now by our Tennessee Star Senior Capitol Hill Reporter Laura @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Good morning Michael .
Great to talk with you .
This is the only way I can get you .
Baigert : You are the busiest man in town .
Leahy : So by the way , if all goes well we will move to phase two of studio Freedom Week next week if we get the sign-offs .
And that means that you will be welcome back live in the studio .
I know you love getting up so early in the morning .
Baigert : Yes .
Yes .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re moving to phase two since Nashville hasn ’ t even gotten off the square to move to phase one yet .
Leahy : We are trying to find out what Mayor Cooper is really relying on scientifically .
It ’ s really hard to get all that data .
They ’ ll talk about it in press conferences and then they ’ ll hide it .
You yesterday , by the way , was our on the scene reporter at this protest gathering of business owners , employees , and musicians outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Cooper ’ s ongoing safer at home , shut businesses down the order .
Tell us about that event .
Baigert : It was interesting because it seemed to come up spontaneously without a lot of planning with it .
From that perspective , they had a really good turnout .
It was obvious that these are just working people who had their gear on with the logos from the various venues down there .
Tootsies , Honkey Tonk Central , Kid Rock ’ s location .
And these were just working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from everybody there was that they know that they ’ re ready to open .
We all get it now .
We understand what the risks are and they need to reopen .
And they need to start moving in .
And virtually everyone had masks on showing that they are going to be respectful of the orders and all of that .
But you need to let them get open .
And it did feel a little bit like they didn ’ t know how to send their message .
Steve Glover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy : Metro Council member at large who is very much opposed to Mayor Cooper ’ s 32 % property tax increase .
Baigert : Right .
He went down there .
They had a council meeting Tuesday night that went to after midnight .
But he went down there to support those folks .
He ended up talking about the property tax increase .
And I got a great idea for Mayor Cooper .
Since these businesses can ’ t open and be able to be paying that property tax increase he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the amount of time Mayor Cooper ’ s got them shut down .
Their property is not worth anything if it doesn ’ t generate revenue .
Leahy : Yes .
Interesting .
Some great photos by the way .
This is our lead story at the Tennessee Star .
TennesseeStar.com .
And the headline by Laura Baigert is Lower Broadway Business Owners , Employees and Musicians Protest Nashville Mayor ’ s Safer at Home Order .
There ’ s another picture there .
a representative from Honkey Tonk Central getting grilled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going against Mayor John Cooper by suggesting that downtown businesses could reopen safely .
Now he ’ s wearing a mask being interviewed .
I don ’ t know if all of the media people were wearing masks .
My sense is except for The Tennessee Star all the other media outlets that were there covering this were more sort of on the same side of Mayor Cooper .
Was that… Baigert : Definitely one .
But she had the microphone and was not wearing a mask and had the microphone in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Right .
He was saying basically we are ready to open and we can do it safely and we have good security crews .
And she was pretty aggressive at him and saying so you think that Mayor Cooper and why would you say his reasoning is for not presenting information the way you think it should be and that you would go against him ?
What makes you know more than him ?
She was very aggressive with him .
But he handled it fairly well by coming back and saying we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was really impressed by how many people did have masks on and abiding by the current order .
And you know there ’ s another kind of protest going on that ’ s not so obvious .
We were now on Tuesday , Cinco de Mayo just over the Davidson County border , and all of the Mexican restaurants had packed parking lots with people .
Just packed with people .
Leahy : So just over the border ?
Baigert : Just over the border .
Now , what I didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was looked at how many Davidson County plates there were .
So while Mayor Cooper thinks that he can keep them under control in Davidson County and we ’ ve talked about this before about how Brentwood is half in Davidson and half is in Williamson County .
And this is happening in other areas where even some of these district attorneys are not going to be prosecuting people because one county things are open and in another , it ’ s not .
Just up the road .
It really makes no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not only with the coverage that The Tennessee Star has with the data but there is so much social media that ’ s out there that just keeps getting taken down .
Why do YouTube and Facebook have to censor all of this stuff ?
Leahy : Well because you are going against the “ elite ” who want to tell you what to do .
It ’ s interesting to me and we ’ ve had Carey Bringle the owner of Peg Leg Porker the great BBQ joint here in town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are making Laura .
So you can go literally just a couple of miles south of Davidson County and go to a restaurant that ’ s open and then come back .
And really what you ’ re doing there you could argue is that you are putting money into Williamson County business owners and away from Davidson County owners .
You are punishing them .
higher rate of COVID-19 , you are spreading it from Davidson County to Williamson County with that action .
Thank you , Mayor Cooper .
Baigert : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is what all of us have been saying , it doesn ’ t add up .
Informally we ’ ve done surveys with all of our family members .
We ’ re not from here so our family is in different parts of the country and friends .
We ’ ve asked everybody we know , do you know anybody that has it ?
Do you know anybody who knows anybody that has it ?
And the answer has been no across the board .
Baigert : And while the media reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing repeatedly to try and put this in perspective with how many people are negative ?
How many people don ’ t have it all ?
How many people are asymptomatic ?
We still don ’ t ’ have a lot of the data .
and the real-life application is showing us that all of this is not warranted .
Does anybody wonder why it ’ s only Democratic cities Leahy : Oh yeah .
Democrat cities .
What was interesting , you know who ’ s advising ?
The Tennessee Immigration Refugee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because they are big science experts .
Leahy : Thanks for your outstanding reporting .
very detailed .
Baigert : Thank you .
Look to see more of these protests .
I think they are going to be out there more and more .
# FreeTN is going to be out there next week .
Listen to the full second hour here : Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio @

On Thursday’s Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – Leahy spoke to Tennessee Star Senior Reporter Laura Baigert on the newsmakers line.
During the second hour, Baigert reported on what she saw at the recent protests on Nashville’s popular Lower Broadway where many restaurant workers, owners and musicians gathered to make their voice heard against the shutdown.
Leahy: We are joined now by our Tennessee Star Senior Capitol Hill Reporter Laura Baigert. Good morning Laura.
Baigert: Good morning Michael. Great to talk with you. This is the only way I can get you.
Baigert: You are the busiest man in town.
Leahy: So by the way, if all goes well we will move to phase two of studio Freedom Week next week if we get the sign-offs. And that means that you will be welcome back live in the studio. I know you love getting up so early in the morning.
Baigert: Yes. Yes. I was glad to hear that you’re moving to phase two since Nashville hasn’t even gotten off the square to move to phase one yet.
Leahy: We are trying to find out what Mayor Cooper is really relying on scientifically. It’s really hard to get all that data. They’ll talk about it in press conferences and then they’ll hide it. You yesterday, by the way, was our on the scene reporter at this protest gathering of business owners, employees, and musicians outside Metro Nashville city hall to protest mayor John Cooper’s ongoing safer at home, shut businesses down the order. Tell us about that event.
Baigert: It was interesting because it seemed to come up spontaneously without a lot of planning with it. From that perspective, they had a really good turnout. It was obvious that these are just working people who had their gear on with the logos from the various venues down there. Tootsies, Honkey Tonk Central, Kid Rock’s location.
And these were just working people down there. And the sense from everybody there was that they know that they’re ready to open. We all get it now. We understand what the risks are and they need to reopen. And they need to start moving in.
And virtually everyone had masks on showing that they are going to be respectful of the orders and all of that. But you need to let them get open. And it did feel a little bit like they didn’t know how to send their message. Steve Glover is a Council Member at Large.
Leahy: Metro Council member at large who is very much opposed to Mayor Cooper’s 32% property tax increase.
Baigert: Right. He went down there. They had a council meeting Tuesday night that went to after midnight. But he went down there to support those folks. He ended up talking about the property tax increase. And I got a great idea for Mayor Cooper.
Since these businesses can’t open and be able to be paying that property tax increase he ought to pro-rate their property tax payments for the amount of time Mayor Cooper’s got them shut down. Their property is not worth anything if it doesn’t generate revenue.
Leahy: Yes. Interesting. Some great photos by the way. This is our lead story at the Tennessee Star. TennesseeStar.com. And the headline by Laura Baigert is Lower Broadway Business Owners, Employees and Musicians Protest Nashville Mayor’s Safer at Home Order. There’s another picture there. a representative from Honkey Tonk Central getting grilled by a member of the media for going against Mayor John Cooper by suggesting that downtown businesses could reopen safely.
Now he’s wearing a mask being interviewed. I don’t know if all of the media people were wearing masks. My sense is except for The Tennessee Star all the other media outlets that were there covering this were more sort of on the same side of Mayor Cooper. Was that…
Baigert: Definitely one. But she had the microphone and was not wearing a mask and had the microphone in this gentleman’s face.
Leahy: Not wearing a mask. (Laughs)
Baigert: Right. He was saying basically we are ready to open and we can do it safely and we have good security crews. And she was pretty aggressive at him and saying so you think that Mayor Cooper and why would you say his reasoning is for not presenting information the way you think it should be and that you would go against him? What makes you know more than him?
She was very aggressive with him. But he handled it fairly well by coming back and saying we are ready to handle this. I was really impressed by how many people did have masks on and abiding by the current order. And you know there’s another kind of protest going on that’s not so obvious. We were now on Tuesday, Cinco de Mayo just over the Davidson County border, and all of the Mexican restaurants had packed parking lots with people. Just packed with people.
Leahy: So just over the border?
Baigert: Just over the border. Now, what I didn’t do and I wish I had now was looked at how many Davidson County plates there were. So while Mayor Cooper thinks that he can keep them under control in Davidson County and we’ve talked about this before about how Brentwood is half in Davidson and half is in Williamson County.
And this is happening in other areas where even some of these district attorneys are not going to be prosecuting people because one county things are open and in another, it’s not. Just up the road. It really makes no sense and people are seeing through it. Not only with the coverage that The Tennessee Star has with the data but there is so much social media that’s out there that just keeps getting taken down. Why do YouTube and Facebook have to censor all of this stuff?
Leahy: Well because you are going against the “elite” who want to tell you what to do. It’s interesting to me and we’ve had Carey Bringle the owner of Peg Leg Porker the great BBQ joint here in town. He made the same point you are making Laura.
So you can go literally just a couple of miles south of Davidson County and go to a restaurant that’s open and then come back. And really what you’re doing there you could argue is that you are putting money into Williamson County business owners and away from Davidson County owners. You are punishing them. higher rate of COVID-19, you are spreading it from Davidson County to Williamson County with that action. Thank you, Mayor Cooper.
Baigert: At the end of the day and this is what all of us have been saying, it doesn’t add up. Informally we’ve done surveys with all of our family members. We’re not from here so our family is in different parts of the country and friends. We’ve asked everybody we know, do you know anybody that has it? Do you know anybody who knows anybody that has it? And the answer has been no across the board.
Leahy: Yes.
Baigert: And while the media reports these cases which you’ve been doing repeatedly to try and put this in perspective with how many people are negative? How many people don’t have it all? How many people are asymptomatic? We still don’t’ have a lot of the data. and the real-life application is showing us that all of this is not warranted. Does anybody wonder why it’s only Democratic cities
Leahy: Oh yeah. Democrat cities. What was interesting, you know who’s advising? The Tennessee Immigration Refugee Rights Coalition. (Baigert chuckles) Because they are big science experts.
Baigert: Right. Right.
Leahy: Thanks for your outstanding reporting. very detailed.
Baigert: Thank you. Look to see more of these protests. I think they are going to be out there more and more. #FreeTN is going to be out there next week.
Listen to the full second hour here:

– – –
Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510. Listen online at iHeart Radio.