thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Louisiana officials want to crack down on employers who misclassify their workers

Growth of Louisiana ’ s unemployment trust fund could lower the tax bills of state employers , though many businesses are not paying their share , officials said Friday .
Many companies avoid paying into the fund by classifying employees as temporary contractors , which gives those businesses an unfair competitive advantage and makes employers who follow the law shoulder more of the unemployment fund costs , said Ava Dejoie , secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission .
“ It is an unfair advantage and it hurts all of us , ” she said .
Employers support the trust fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of each employee ’ s pay .
When the fund reaches $ 1.15 billion , the taxable wage base falls to $ 7,000 and unemployment benefits increase .
When it hits $ 1.25 billion , funding for a state program employers can use for worker training increases from $ 20 million to $ 35 million , Dejoie said .
While the fund is expected to hit both of those benchmarks over the next 18 months or so , she said , misclassification hurts that progress .
The practice also allows companies to reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employers that play by the rules , Dejoie added .
“ When you have all of these people who are not paying in , you have a higher tax base for employers who are doing the right thing , ” said Louis Reine , president of the Louisiana AFL-CIO , which represents union workers .
The United States Treasury Department estimated in 2013 that preventing worker misclassification would generate $ 8.32 billion in federal revenue over 10 years .
The Louisiana Legislative Auditor has said misclassification cost Louisiana at least $ 9 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actual number could be much higher .
Over the past two years , the Workforce Commission conducted 19 audits that identified 1,100 misclassified workers and $ 18.5 million in unreported wages , officials said .
The LWC does not get state tax dollars to support its enforcement efforts .
Dejoie said additional funds to hire more auditors and a full-time attorney or two would help .
Louisiana also is the only state in the nation that requires employers that break classification rules to get a warning on their first offense .
The penalties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employee per day , are not as severe as other states , officials said .
State Sen .
Troy Carter , who chairs the committee focused on labor and industrial relations , has proposed a bill for the upcoming session that would eliminate the first-offense warning letter and stiffen penalties for employers who “ knowingly and willingly ” violate classification laws .
Carter said better enforcement would “ level the playing field ” for employers while paying for itself by allowing the LWC to collect more fines and interest .

Growth of Louisiana’s unemployment trust fund could lower the tax bills of state employers, though many businesses are not paying their share, officials said Friday.
Many companies avoid paying into the fund by classifying employees as temporary contractors, which gives those businesses an unfair competitive advantage and makes employers who follow the law shoulder more of the unemployment fund costs, said Ava Dejoie, secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
“It is an unfair advantage and it hurts all of us,” she said.
Employers support the trust fund with taxes on the first $7,700 of each employee’s pay. When the fund reaches $1.15 billion, the taxable wage base falls to $7,000 and unemployment benefits increase. When it hits $1.25 billion, funding for a state program employers can use for worker training increases from $20 million to $35 million, Dejoie said.
While the fund is expected to hit both of those benchmarks over the next 18 months or so, she said, misclassification hurts that progress. The practice also allows companies to reduce their labor costs so they can outbid employers that play by the rules, Dejoie added.
“When you have all of these people who are not paying in, you have a higher tax base for employers who are doing the right thing,” said Louis Reine, president of the Louisiana AFL-CIO, which represents union workers.
The United States Treasury Department estimated in 2013 that preventing worker misclassification would generate $8.32 billion in federal revenue over 10 years. The Louisiana Legislative Auditor has said misclassification cost Louisiana at least $9 million from 2014 through 2018, though the actual number could be much higher. Over the past two years, the Workforce Commission conducted 19 audits that identified 1,100 misclassified workers and $18.5 million in unreported wages, officials said.
The LWC does not get state tax dollars to support its enforcement efforts. Dejoie said additional funds to hire more auditors and a full-time attorney or two would help.
Louisiana also is the only state in the nation that requires employers that break classification rules to get a warning on their first offense. The penalties, which start at $250 per employee per day, are not as severe as other states, officials said.
State Sen. Troy Carter, who chairs the committee focused on labor and industrial relations, has proposed a bill for the upcoming session that would eliminate the first-offense warning letter and stiffen penalties for employers who “knowingly and willingly” violate classification laws.
Carter said better enforcement would “level the playing field” for employers while paying for itself by allowing the LWC to collect more fines and interest.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--'Quid pro quo': Trump suggests Buttigieg and Klobuchar dropped out for Biden administration position

'Quid pro quo': Trump suggests Buttigieg and Klobuchar dropped out for Biden administration positions

President Trump speculated that 2020 Democratic dropouts Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar might be angling for political appointments under a potential Joe Biden administration .
While departing the White House for North Carolina on Monday , Trump told reporters that the Democratic nominating contest is “ rigged against Bernie [ Sanders ] , there 's no question about it.
” “ That ’ s called a quid pro quo , right ?
” he added after referencing Klobuchar and Buttigieg , in an apparent jab at those who accused him during his impeachment of withholding military aid to Ukraine in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , the eve of Super Tuesday , Klobuchar ended her presidential bid , joining Buttigieg , who exited the race on Sunday .
The two centrists are expected to endorse Biden in an apparent attempt to solidify his support and keep the nomination from Sanders , a self-avowed socialist who is leading in the polls .
On Tuesday , 14 states will cast ballots in what is the most important day of primaries .
The states that will vote include Alabama , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Maine , Massachusetts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee , Texas , Utah , Vermont , and Virginia , along with Democrats abroad , and caucuses in American Samoa .
Sanders is seen by many in Trump 's orbit as an easier general election opponent than Biden , who could win over centrist voters .
The president has sent a number of tweets that seem to show support for Sanders , although the Vermont senator firmly rejected any “ help ” he might receive from Trump .

President Trump speculated that 2020 Democratic dropouts Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar might be angling for political appointments under a potential Joe Biden administration.
While departing the White House for North Carolina on Monday, Trump told reporters that the Democratic nominating contest is “rigged against Bernie [Sanders], there's no question about it.”
“That’s called a quid pro quo, right?” he added after referencing Klobuchar and Buttigieg, in an apparent jab at those who accused him during his impeachment of withholding military aid to Ukraine in exchange for politically expedient investigations.
On Monday, the eve of Super Tuesday, Klobuchar ended her presidential bid, joining Buttigieg, who exited the race on Sunday. The two centrists are expected to endorse Biden in an apparent attempt to solidify his support and keep the nomination from Sanders, a self-avowed socialist who is leading in the polls.
On Tuesday, 14 states will cast ballots in what is the most important day of primaries. The states that will vote include Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia, along with Democrats abroad, and caucuses in American Samoa.
Sanders is seen by many in Trump's orbit as an easier general election opponent than Biden, who could win over centrist voters. The president has sent a number of tweets that seem to show support for Sanders, although the Vermont senator firmly rejected any “help” he might receive from Trump.
“They are staging a coup against Bernie!” Trump tweeted Monday afternoon.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Georgia Senate committee moves to add fee to ride-share trips rather than sales tax

An effort to charge ride-sharing trips in Georgia a flat-fee tax rather than subject the trips to sales tax has gained momentum after a Senate committee added language doing so to an unrelated bill .
There is a sense of urgency by some in the General Assembly to get the new ride-sharing fee passed because companies such as Uber and Lyft will be required to collect and remit sales tax on each ride as of April 1 , which would be more costly to consumers .
The flat-fee tax language would charge riders 50 cents a trip or 25 cents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee on Thursday added the flat-fee tax language to House Bill 105 , an unrelated bill that would exempt disaster relief aid from being subject to income tax .
It voted in favor of advancing the bill .
In January , Gov .
Brian Kemp signed House Bill 276 , which requires sales and use taxes to be collected from retailers who coordinate the sale of products or provide services in the state .
Ride-sharing companies , lodging websites and auction sites must collect and pay sales tax to the state under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Georgia State University 's Fiscal Research Center estimated HB 276 could bring in $ 78.4 million in state revenue and $ 64.5 million in local government revenue in fiscal year 2021 .
Both estimates would change if ride-sharing companies charged a flat-fee tax per ride as opposed to sales tax .
`` An 8.9 percent tax , as passed in HB 276 , is one of the highest ride-share taxes in the country and will hurt those who rely on Lyft for rides to work , doctor 's appointments , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alternative to driving after drinking , '' a Lyft spokeswoman told The Center Square earlier this month .
`` We are hopeful that Georgia 's Legislature will find a better solution for riders and drivers . ''

An effort to charge ride-sharing trips in Georgia a flat-fee tax rather than subject the trips to sales tax has gained momentum after a Senate committee added language doing so to an unrelated bill.
There is a sense of urgency by some in the General Assembly to get the new ride-sharing fee passed because companies such as Uber and Lyft will be required to collect and remit sales tax on each ride as of April 1, which would be more costly to consumers.
The flat-fee tax language would charge riders 50 cents a trip or 25 cents a pool ride.
The Senate Finance Committee on Thursday added the flat-fee tax language to House Bill 105, an unrelated bill that would exempt disaster relief aid from being subject to income tax. It voted in favor of advancing the bill.
In January, Gov. Brian Kemp signed House Bill 276, which requires sales and use taxes to be collected from retailers who coordinate the sale of products or provide services in the state. Ride-sharing companies, lodging websites and auction sites must collect and pay sales tax to the state under the law. It is effective April 1.
Georgia State University's Fiscal Research Center estimated HB 276 could bring in $78.4 million in state revenue and $64.5 million in local government revenue in fiscal year 2021. Both estimates would change if ride-sharing companies charged a flat-fee tax per ride as opposed to sales tax.
"An 8.9 percent tax, as passed in HB 276, is one of the highest ride-share taxes in the country and will hurt those who rely on Lyft for rides to work, doctor's appointments, and the grocery store, as well as an alternative to driving after drinking," a Lyft spokeswoman told The Center Square earlier this month. "We are hopeful that Georgia's Legislature will find a better solution for riders and drivers."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Kemp says Georgia remains vigilant in fight against COVID-19

There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Georgia , but Gov .
Brian Kemp on Friday announced a coronavirus task force to assess the state 's preparations and procedures for preventing , identifying and addressing any future cases .
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a member of the coronavirus family .
Latest reports suggest more than 83,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported worldwide , nearly 79,000 of them in mainland China .
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever , runny nose , cough and difficulty breathing .
`` We 're working to ensure that we 're prepared for any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news conference .
`` Georgia , as you know , does not have any confirmed cases of the coronavirus , but we remain very vigilant .
We 're asking everyone to remain calm and to follow guidance that we 're getting from federal [ officials ] , and we 'll be getting from state officials as well . ''
Kemp said the state has been in preparation mode for weeks .
The state has had multiple calls with federal partners , and state agencies have worked together to develop a strategic plan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of public- and private-sector leaders and key stakeholders , Kemp said .
Dr. Kathleen Toomey , the Georgia Department of Public Health 's commissioner , is the task force 's chairwoman .
`` Risk for transmission here in Georgia remains low , '' Toomey said .
`` But I know the question you have today is , will there be cases ?
We have no way of knowing when or if we will have COVID-19 cases .
What we do know is that we have a robust plan in place .
A plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Toomey said the state expects to have its own lab capable of doing COVID-19 testing in the next two weeks , when the state gets new test materials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Currently , the state has to send tests to the CDC and wait four or five days for the results .
Having its own lab would speed up the process for Georgia .
To date , the state has sent fewer than 10 tests to the CDC for testing , Toomey said .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office of the Governor

There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Georgia, but Gov. Brian Kemp on Friday announced a coronavirus task force to assess the state's preparations and procedures for preventing, identifying and addressing any future cases.
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a member of the coronavirus family. Latest reports suggest more than 83,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported worldwide, nearly 79,000 of them in mainland China. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, runny nose, cough and difficulty breathing.
"We're working to ensure that we're prepared for any scenario," Kemp said at a news conference. "Georgia, as you know, does not have any confirmed cases of the coronavirus, but we remain very vigilant. We're asking everyone to remain calm and to follow guidance that we're getting from federal [officials], and we'll be getting from state officials as well."
Kemp said the state has been in preparation mode for weeks. The state has had multiple calls with federal partners, and state agencies have worked together to develop a strategic plan.
The state's coronavirus task force consists of public- and private-sector leaders and key stakeholders, Kemp said. Dr. Kathleen Toomey, the Georgia Department of Public Health's commissioner, is the task force's chairwoman.
"Risk for transmission here in Georgia remains low," Toomey said. "But I know the question you have today is, will there be cases? We have no way of knowing when or if we will have COVID-19 cases. What we do know is that we have a robust plan in place. A plan initially developed for this type of outbreak."
Toomey said the state expects to have its own lab capable of doing COVID-19 testing in the next two weeks, when the state gets new test materials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Currently, the state has to send tests to the CDC and wait four or five days for the results. Having its own lab would speed up the process for Georgia. To date, the state has sent fewer than 10 tests to the CDC for testing, Toomey said.
Members of Georgia's coronavirus task force:
• Felipe den Brok, director, City of Atlanta’s Office of Emergency Preparedness
• Homer Bryson, director, Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency
• Maj. Gen. Tom Carden, adjutant general, Georgia National Guard
• Chris Carr, attorney general
• State Rep. Sharon Cooper, R-Marietta, chairwoman, House Health & Human Services Committee
• Greg Dozier, commissioner, Technical College System of Georgia
• Cherie Drenzek, state epidemiologist, Georgia Department of Public Health
• Tim Fleming, chief of staff, Office of the Governor
• John Haupert, chief executive officer, Grady Health System
• John King, insurance and safety fire commissioner, Georgia Department of Insurance
• Colleen Kraft, director, Emory University Clinical Virology Research Laboratory
• Ryan Loke, health care adviser, Office of the Governor
• John Selden, general manager, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
• Lorri Smith, chief operating officer, Office of the Governor
• Kathleen Toomey, commissioner, Georgia Department of Public Health
• State Sen. Ben Watson, R-Savannah, chairman, Senate Health & Human Services Committee
• Richard Woods, state school superintendent, Georgia Department of Education
• Steve Wrigley, chancellor, University System of Georgia


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--'More questions than answers': Judge orders Hillary Clinton deposition about email server and Bengha

'More questions than answers': Judge orders Hillary Clinton deposition about email server and Benghazi

A federal judge granted a request from conservative watchdog Judicial Watch to question former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in person and under oath about her private email server and the 2012 Benghazi terrorist attack .
“ The Court agrees with Judicial Watch — it is time to hear directly from Secretary Clinton , ” U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth said in an 11-page ruling on Monday .
It is the latest twist in a nearly six-year-long case related to Clinton ’ s reasons for setting up her illicit private email server and whether she was attempting to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so .
The judge said Monday that “ Judicial Watch correctly points out that many questions regarding her understanding of these obligations remain unanswered.
” He listed some remaining questions : “ How did she arrive at her belief that her private server emails would be preserved by normal State Department processes for email retention ?
... Did she realize State was giving ‘ no records ’ responses to her FOIA requests for emails ?
... And why did she think that using a private server to conduct State Department business was permissible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” The FBI investigated Clinton 's use of the server , hosted in the basement of her home in Chappaqua , New York , while she was secretary of state from 2009 to 2014 .
Although former FBI Director James Comey found that Clinton was “ extremely careless ” in handling classified emails , no criminal charges were recommended against anyone following the bureau ’ s Midyear Exam investigation .
“ Judicial Watch argued that Secretary Clinton ’ s existing testimony has only scratched the surface of the inquiry into her motives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ server , ” Lamberth said .
“ Secretary Clinton has repeatedly stated that convenience was the main reason for using a private server , but Judicial Watch justifiably seeks to explore that explanation further.
” Lamberth pointed to an email exchange between two State Department officials in December 2010 , where the first official sent an email that included Clinton ’ s private email address to other State Department officials .
“ Be careful , you just gave the secretary ’ s personal email address to a bunch of folks … ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I say don ’ t forward ?
” the first official asked .
“ Did not notice.
” “ Yeah — I just know that she guards it pretty closely , ” the second official replied .
Lamberth asked : “ Was she aware of this attempt — or any other attempts — to keep other State Department employees in the dark ?
” The judge noted even longtime Clinton confidant Huma Abedin previously testified that Judicial Watch “ would have to ask Mrs. Clinton ” if she thought her private email server @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton ’ s written answers to questions in this and related cases “ were either incomplete , unhelpful , or cursory at best , ” and “ her responses left many more questions than answers.
” “ And so … Judicial Watch will be permitted to clarify and further explore Secretary Clinton ’ s answers in person and immediately after she gives them , ” Lamberth ruled .
A State Department review related to its email practices found 91 “ valid violations ” attributable to 38 individuals and another 497 violations that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The review found “ some instances ” of classified information being “ inappropriately introduced into an unclassified system.
” But investigators uncovered “ no persuasive evidence of systematic , deliberate mishandling of classified information.
” Nearly a dozen witnesses have been deposed as part of Judicial Watch ’ s FOIA lawsuits , stemming back to 2014 .
One main controversy is why 33,000 of her emails were deleted despite a congressional preservation order .
The FBI was only able to recover about 5,000 of the scrubbed emails , and they were released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Clinton claimed she `` never received nor sent any material that was marked classified , '' but Comey announced in July 2016 that 110 emails did contain classified information .
The DOJ 's Inspector General Michael Horowitz concluded in the summer of 2018 that texts between FBI special agent Peter Strzok and FBI lawyer Lisa Page “ cast a cloud over the FBI ’ s handling of the Midyear investigation.
” Judicial Watch also sought to question Clinton and her former chief of staff Cheryl Mills about the talking points for former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on television shows following the terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi .
Members of Ansar al Sharia launched a coordinated assault on Sept. 11 , 2012 , killing U.S .
Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens , foreign service officer Sean Smith , and CIA contractors Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty .
Clinton , Rice , and others incorrectly blamed the attack on a YouTube video .
“ The Court holds that Secretary Clinton and Ms. Mills can not be questioned about the underlying actions taken after the Benghazi attack , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the existence of any emails , documents , or text messages related to the Benghazi attack , ” Lamberth ruled .

A federal judge granted a request from conservative watchdog Judicial Watch to question former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in person and under oath about her private email server and the 2012 Benghazi terrorist attack.
“The Court agrees with Judicial Watch — it is time to hear directly from Secretary Clinton,” U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth said in an 11-page ruling on Monday. It is the latest twist in a nearly six-year-long case related to Clinton’s reasons for setting up her illicit private email server and whether she was attempting to avoid Freedom of Information Act requests by doing so.
The judge said Monday that “Judicial Watch correctly points out that many questions regarding her understanding of these obligations remain unanswered.” He listed some remaining questions: “How did she arrive at her belief that her private server emails would be preserved by normal State Department processes for email retention? ... Did she realize State was giving ‘no records’ responses to her FOIA requests for emails? ... And why did she think that using a private server to conduct State Department business was permissible under the law in the first place?”
The FBI investigated Clinton's use of the server, hosted in the basement of her home in Chappaqua, New York, while she was secretary of state from 2009 to 2014. Although former FBI Director James Comey found that Clinton was “extremely careless” in handling classified emails, no criminal charges were recommended against anyone following the bureau’s Midyear Exam investigation.
“Judicial Watch argued that Secretary Clinton’s existing testimony has only scratched the surface of the inquiry into her motives for setting up and using a private server,” Lamberth said. “Secretary Clinton has repeatedly stated that convenience was the main reason for using a private server, but Judicial Watch justifiably seeks to explore that explanation further.”
Lamberth pointed to an email exchange between two State Department officials in December 2010, where the first official sent an email that included Clinton’s private email address to other State Department officials.
“Be careful, you just gave the secretary’s personal email address to a bunch of folks …” the second official emailed back.
“Should I say don’t forward?” the first official asked. “Did not notice.”
“Yeah — I just know that she guards it pretty closely,” the second official replied.
Lamberth asked: “Was she aware of this attempt — or any other attempts — to keep other State Department employees in the dark?”
The judge noted even longtime Clinton confidant Huma Abedin previously testified that Judicial Watch “would have to ask Mrs. Clinton” if she thought her private email server skirted FOIA obligations.
The judge said Clinton’s written answers to questions in this and related cases “were either incomplete, unhelpful, or cursory at best,” and “her responses left many more questions than answers.”
“And so … Judicial Watch will be permitted to clarify and further explore Secretary Clinton’s answers in person and immediately after she gives them,” Lamberth ruled.
A State Department review related to its email practices found 91 “valid violations” attributable to 38 individuals and another 497 violations that couldn't be tied to any specific person. The review found “some instances” of classified information being “inappropriately introduced into an unclassified system.” But investigators uncovered “no persuasive evidence of systematic, deliberate mishandling of classified information.”
Nearly a dozen witnesses have been deposed as part of Judicial Watch’s FOIA lawsuits, stemming back to 2014. One main controversy is why 33,000 of her emails were deleted despite a congressional preservation order. The FBI was only able to recover about 5,000 of the scrubbed emails, and they were released in tranches to Judicial Watch into 2019.
Clinton claimed she "never received nor sent any material that was marked classified," but Comey announced in July 2016 that 110 emails did contain classified information. The DOJ's Inspector General Michael Horowitz concluded in the summer of 2018 that texts between FBI special agent Peter Strzok and FBI lawyer Lisa Page “cast a cloud over the FBI’s handling of the Midyear investigation.”
Judicial Watch also sought to question Clinton and her former chief of staff Cheryl Mills about the talking points for former United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice's appearances on television shows following the terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. Members of Ansar al Sharia launched a coordinated assault on Sept. 11, 2012, killing U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, foreign service officer Sean Smith, and CIA contractors Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty. Clinton, Rice, and others incorrectly blamed the attack on a YouTube video.
“The Court holds that Secretary Clinton and Ms. Mills cannot be questioned about the underlying actions taken after the Benghazi attack, but they may be questioned about their knowledge of the existence of any emails, documents, or text messages related to the Benghazi attack,” Lamberth ruled.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Florida governments could see $400M hike in employee retirement contributions

State agencies , local governments and school boards could see significant increases in their retirement-plan contributions for employees if Gov .
Ron DeSantis signs into law a bill seeking to chip away at the Florida Retirement System ’ s $ 22 billion unfunded liability .
The bill proposes to increase employer contributions to the Florida Retirement System ( FRS ) , the nation ’ s fourth-largest public-pension plan , by $ 404.6 million next fiscal year – $ 232.7 million for school boards – to keep the fund from slipping further underwater .
House Bill 5007 , sponsored by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 by the House in an 111-5 vote .
It substituted Senate Bill 7044 , sponsored by Sen. Ed Hooper , R-Clearwater , and was adopted by the Senate , 38-0 , that same day .
According to the state ’ s Department of Management Services ( DMS ) , as of June 30 , 2019 , the FRS provides retirement income benefits to 647,942 active members , 4.425 million retirees and 32,670 people enrolled in its Deferred Retirement Option Program ( DROP ) plan .
The 50-year-old FRS serves employees of state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , state colleges and universities .
It also serves employees of 176 cities and 138 independent hospitals and special districts that have elected to sign on .
The bill revises employer contribution rates for the FRS based on DMS ' 2019 Actuarial Valuation report .
State law requires an annual “ actuarial valuation ” of the FRS by the DMS be presented to the Legislature by Dec. 31 each year .
Lawmakers then use the DMS data to set employer contribution rates for the next fiscal year , beginning July 1 .
Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and `` quite stable , ” of the $ 65.1 billion in benefits promised to 4.425 million former public workers and beneficiaries , there is a $ 22 billion unfunded liability gap – $ 11 billion in pension and $ 11 billion in health-care benefits – between what it has on hand and what is owed , according to Truth In Accounting ’ s 2019 Financial State of the States report .
A 100 percent-funded plan has the money on hand to support all members if they retired right now .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but , in the wake of the 2008 real estate market crash and ensuing Great Recession , the fund is about 84 percent-funded , DMS estimated .
Hooper , in committee discussions , acknowledged the proposed $ 404.6 million contribution increase will keep the FRS from dipping further “ underwater.
” “ Once you get underwater , it 's hard to get back to the surface , '' he told the Tallahassee Democrat , noting the entire gap can not be filled in `` one swoop . ''
The bill breaks down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each contributor group : Public school districts will absorb more than half the increase , although there is a possibility lawmakers could increase the per-pupil funding amount – the main source of funding for school districts – to offset the hike .
According to Truth in Accounting , if the state ’ s unfunded pension liability was included in its “ true ” financial statement , Florida would have $ 60.9 billion available to pay $ 73 billion in bills – a $ 12.1 billion shortfall that has increased by about $ 500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government transparency watchdog ’ s analysis , Florida was one of 13 states to receive a “ C ” grade for its financial condition , the same score it received in TIA ’ s 2018 report .
“ Florida ’ s financial problems stem mostly from unfunded retirement obligations that have accumulated over the years , ” the report stated .

State agencies, local governments and school boards could see significant increases in their retirement-plan contributions for employees if Gov. Ron DeSantis signs into law a bill seeking to chip away at the Florida Retirement System’s $22 billion unfunded liability.
The bill proposes to increase employer contributions to the Florida Retirement System (FRS), the nation’s fourth-largest public-pension plan, by $404.6 million next fiscal year – $232.7 million for school boards – to keep the fund from slipping further underwater.
House Bill 5007, sponsored by the House Appropriations Committee, was approved Feb. 13 by the House in an 111-5 vote. It substituted Senate Bill 7044, sponsored by Sen. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, and was adopted by the Senate, 38-0, that same day.
According to the state’s Department of Management Services (DMS), as of June 30, 2019, the FRS provides retirement income benefits to 647,942 active members, 4.425 million retirees and 32,670 people enrolled in its Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) plan.
The 50-year-old FRS serves employees of state agencies, counties, district school boards, state colleges and universities. It also serves employees of 176 cities and 138 independent hospitals and special districts that have elected to sign on.
The bill revises employer contribution rates for the FRS based on DMS' 2019 Actuarial Valuation report.
State law requires an annual “actuarial valuation” of the FRS by the DMS be presented to the Legislature by Dec. 31 each year. Lawmakers then use the DMS data to set employer contribution rates for the next fiscal year, beginning July 1.
Although the FRS is rated as "well-funded" and "quite stable,” of the $65.1 billion in benefits promised to 4.425 million former public workers and beneficiaries, there is a $22 billion unfunded liability gap – $11 billion in pension and $11 billion in health-care benefits – between what it has on hand and what is owed, according to Truth In Accounting’s 2019 Financial State of the States report.
A 100 percent-funded plan has the money on hand to support all members if they retired right now. The FRS was last fully funded in 2008, but, in the wake of the 2008 real estate market crash and ensuing Great Recession, the fund is about 84 percent-funded, DMS estimated.
Hooper, in committee discussions, acknowledged the proposed $404.6 million contribution increase will keep the FRS from dipping further “underwater.”
“Once you get underwater, it's hard to get back to the surface," he told the Tallahassee Democrat, noting the entire gap cannot be filled in "one swoop."
The bill breaks down the $404.6 million contribution increase by each contributor group:
• School Boards: $232.7 million
• Counties: $61 million
• State agencies: $47 million
• State universities: $21.6 million
• Colleges: $18.6 million
• Cities/districts/others: $23.6 Million
Public school districts will absorb more than half the increase, although there is a possibility lawmakers could increase the per-pupil funding amount – the main source of funding for school districts – to offset the hike.
According to Truth in Accounting, if the state’s unfunded pension liability was included in its “true” financial statement, Florida would have $60.9 billion available to pay $73 billion in bills – a $12.1 billion shortfall that has increased by about $500 million in 2019.
In the Chicago-based government transparency watchdog’s analysis, Florida was one of 13 states to receive a “C” grade for its financial condition, the same score it received in TIA’s 2018 report.
“Florida’s financial problems stem mostly from unfunded retirement obligations that have accumulated over the years,” the report stated.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Katie Hill eager to make 'a lot more money' after leaving Congress amid scandal

Katie Hill is ready to cash in on a new book deal after a scandal quickly ended her career in Congress .
`` Being out of office is so much easier than being in office , '' she said in an interview Monday with New York Magazine .
`` This year , I ’ m going to make a lot more money .
I ’ m going to have a bunch of vacations .
I ’ m going to have a lot of downtime . ''
The money is coming from an advance the former congresswoman is getting for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will include her battle plan for gender equity .
Hill is also starting a new woman-focused PAC and making paid speaking appearances to talk about women 's empowerment .
Hill , 32 , became immersed in controversy after photos published in October showed her naked in a hotel room , brushing the hair of a female staffer , who worked on her 2018 campaign .
Additional photos were later published that showed her holding a bong while undressed , and she was further accused of having an affair with a staffer in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted she had an affair with the female campaign aide ; however , she denied the other affair allegation and resigned days later .
She was facing an investigation by the House Ethics Committee .
The California Democrat said in her latest interview that she had tens of thousands of dollars of debt from getting divorced before she started her new life .
Hill got her final check from the House in December , but now she is using her book advance to get a one-bedroom apartment , a luxury she says she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 174,000 annual congressional salary .

Katie Hill is ready to cash in on a new book deal after a scandal quickly ended her career in Congress.
"Being out of office is so much easier than being in office," she said in an interview Monday with New York Magazine. "This year, I’m going to make a lot more money. I’m going to have a bunch of vacations. I’m going to have a lot of downtime."
The money is coming from an advance the former congresswoman is getting for a memoir titled She Will Rise, which will include her battle plan for gender equity. Hill is also starting a new woman-focused PAC and making paid speaking appearances to talk about women's empowerment.
Hill, 32, became immersed in controversy after photos published in October showed her naked in a hotel room, brushing the hair of a female staffer, who worked on her 2018 campaign. Additional photos were later published that showed her holding a bong while undressed, and she was further accused of having an affair with a staffer in her congressional office.
The Democrat apologized and admitted she had an affair with the female campaign aide; however, she denied the other affair allegation and resigned days later. She was facing an investigation by the House Ethics Committee.
The California Democrat said in her latest interview that she had tens of thousands of dollars of debt from getting divorced before she started her new life. Hill got her final check from the House in December, but now she is using her book advance to get a one-bedroom apartment, a luxury she says she could not afford on the standard $174,000 annual congressional salary.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Virginia Senate agrees to House red-flag legislation; agreements made on other gun-control bills

The Virginia Senate on Friday voted to advance red-flag gun legislation that already has passed the House as the Legislature continues working on other gun-control bills .
The legislation , a House substituted version of Senate Bill 240 , gives a judge or magistrate the authority to order police to seize firearms from a person deemed to be a threat to himself or others .
A person would not need to be convicted of a crime , charged with a crime or even accused of a crime to have his or her guns seized .
Under the legislation , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be guaranteed a hearing no later than 14 days after the seizure takes place .
The law requires the police request the person give up his guns and they can receive a search warrant only if that person refuses to give them up or they have reason to believe the person is hiding weapons .
Violating the order would be punishable by a Class 1 misdemeanor .
As with most of the gun-control legislation in the Virginia General Assembly , it received substantial support from Democrats and opposition from Republicans .
The House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on legislation that would grant localities the ability to pass stricter gun-control rules than the state and federal government already have in place .
This legislation passed both chambers .
Also on Friday , the House agreed to a watered-down Senate substitute version of House Bill 1083 .
Under the substitute version , the penalty for recklessly allowing a child less than 14 years old to access a loaded firearm would be increased from a Class 3 misdemeanor to a Class 1 misdemeanor .
Gov .
Ralph Northam is expected to sign all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also are working on expanding background checks in the commonwealth and restricting the sale of handgun purchases .
These efforts also are supported by the governor .
The two chambers advanced similar background-checks bills that included some differences .
The House-passed version prohibits privately selling , trading or transferring a firearm without conducting a background check unless the two individuals are immediate family members .
The Senate-passed version includes only a prohibition on private sales , but it does not include a prohibition on privately transferring or trading without a background check .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ prohibiting a person from buying more than one handgun within a 30-day period .
Both versions include exemptions for licensed firearm dealers , police departments , licensed security companies and others .
However , the Senate version included an exemption for private sales , which is not agreed upon by the House .
Both would punish a violation of the law with a Class 1 misdemeanor .
Legislation that would have banned the sale of assault weapons was unable to gather enough votes in the Senate after some moderate Democrats refused to support @ @ @

The Virginia Senate on Friday voted to advance red-flag gun legislation that already has passed the House as the Legislature continues working on other gun-control bills.
The legislation, a House substituted version of Senate Bill 240, gives a judge or magistrate the authority to order police to seize firearms from a person deemed to be a threat to himself or others. A person would not need to be convicted of a crime, charged with a crime or even accused of a crime to have his or her guns seized.
Under the legislation, a person whose guns have been seized will be guaranteed a hearing no later than 14 days after the seizure takes place. The law requires the police request the person give up his guns and they can receive a search warrant only if that person refuses to give them up or they have reason to believe the person is hiding weapons.
Violating the order would be punishable by a Class 1 misdemeanor.
As with most of the gun-control legislation in the Virginia General Assembly, it received substantial support from Democrats and opposition from Republicans.
The House and Senate also came to an agreement on legislation that would grant localities the ability to pass stricter gun-control rules than the state and federal government already have in place. This legislation passed both chambers.
Also on Friday, the House agreed to a watered-down Senate substitute version of House Bill 1083. Under the substitute version, the penalty for recklessly allowing a child less than 14 years old to access a loaded firearm would be increased from a Class 3 misdemeanor to a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Gov. Ralph Northam is expected to sign all of these bills into law.
Democrats also are working on expanding background checks in the commonwealth and restricting the sale of handgun purchases. These efforts also are supported by the governor.
The two chambers advanced similar background-checks bills that included some differences. The House-passed version prohibits privately selling, trading or transferring a firearm without conducting a background check unless the two individuals are immediate family members. The Senate-passed version includes only a prohibition on private sales, but it does not include a prohibition on privately transferring or trading without a background check.
Both chambers also have advanced similar legislation prohibiting a person from buying more than one handgun within a 30-day period. Both versions include exemptions for licensed firearm dealers, police departments, licensed security companies and others. However, the Senate version included an exemption for private sales, which is not agreed upon by the House. Both would punish a violation of the law with a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Legislation that would have banned the sale of assault weapons was unable to gather enough votes in the Senate after some moderate Democrats refused to support the measure.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--'Dead wrong' about AIPAC: Bloomberg blasts Sanders for not attending pro-Israel lobby conference

Michael Bloomberg said Bernie Sanders is weakening America ’ s foreign policy by trashing the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and its annual conference .
During a speech at the event on Monday , the former New York City mayor said Sanders was “ dead wrong ” for claiming the pro-Israel lobbying group provided a platform for “ leaders who express bigotry.
” Bloomberg is running for the Democratic presidential nomination against Sanders , a Vermont senator who has never attended an AIPAC conference .
“ Unfortunately , not all of my fellow Democrats in this race have attended an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ One of them , Sen. Sanders , has spent 30 years boycotting this event .
And as you ’ ve heard by now , he called AIPAC a racist platform .
“ We ’ ll let me tell you , he ’ s dead wrong , ” the former mayor added .
Last week , Sanders said he would not attend this year 's AIPAC conference out of principle .
“ The Israeli people have the right to live in peace and security .
So do the Palestinian people , ” Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the platform AIPAC provides for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights .
For that reason I will not attend their conference.
” At last week ’ s presidential debate , Sanders called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “ reactionary racist ” and said he would reconsider the decision to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem if elected president .
The remarks drew derision from some Jewish leaders , with hundreds of rabbis signing a letter condemning his “ outrageous comment.
” During Monday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Jewish , said AIPAC attracts a diverse group of people from all political parties , races , religions , and sexual orientations .
He said labeling AIPAC as a platform for racism is damaging to U.S. foreign policy with Israel .
“ Calling it a racist platform is an attempt to discredit those voices , intimidate people from coming here , and weaken the U.S.-Israel relationship , ” Bloomberg said .
“ Israel should never be a football that American politicians kick around in an effort to score points , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump ’ s decision to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem “ because that ’ s where it belongs , ” although he said he wished it would have been moved as part of peace negotiations .
“ Let me be clear , our commitment to Israel must never sunset , ” he said .

Michael Bloomberg said Bernie Sanders is weakening America’s foreign policy by trashing the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and its annual conference.
During a speech at the event on Monday, the former New York City mayor said Sanders was “dead wrong” for claiming the pro-Israel lobbying group provided a platform for “leaders who express bigotry.”
Bloomberg is running for the Democratic presidential nomination against Sanders, a Vermont senator who has never attended an AIPAC conference.
“Unfortunately, not all of my fellow Democrats in this race have attended an AIPAC conference,” Bloomberg said. “One of them, Sen. Sanders, has spent 30 years boycotting this event. And as you’ve heard by now, he called AIPAC a racist platform.
“We’ll let me tell you, he’s dead wrong,” the former mayor added.
Last week, Sanders said he would not attend this year's AIPAC conference out of principle.
“The Israeli people have the right to live in peace and security. So do the Palestinian people,” Sanders tweeted. “I remain concerned about the platform AIPAC provides for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights. For that reason I will not attend their conference.”
At last week’s presidential debate, Sanders called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “reactionary racist” and said he would reconsider the decision to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem if elected president. The remarks drew derision from some Jewish leaders, with hundreds of rabbis signing a letter condemning his “outrageous comment.”
During Monday’s conference Bloomberg, who like Sanders is Jewish, said AIPAC attracts a diverse group of people from all political parties, races, religions, and sexual orientations. He said labeling AIPAC as a platform for racism is damaging to U.S. foreign policy with Israel.
“Calling it a racist platform is an attempt to discredit those voices, intimidate people from coming here, and weaken the U.S.-Israel relationship,” Bloomberg said.
“Israel should never be a football that American politicians kick around in an effort to score points,” he said.
Bloomberg also said he supported President Trump’s decision to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem “because that’s where it belongs,” although he said he wished it would have been moved as part of peace negotiations.
“Let me be clear, our commitment to Israel must never sunset,” he said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Pritzker picks Costello to lead Illinois Department of Agriculture

Gov .
J.B. Pritzker appointed former state lawmaker Jerry Costello to serve as the director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture .
Pritzker announced the appointment , which requires confirmation by the Illinois Senate , on Friday .
“ With farming playing an important role in his family ’ s history and a career of public service , there ’ s no better person to lead the Illinois Department of Agriculture at this time than Jerry Costello , ” Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said in a statement Friday .
“ Our agriculture sector drives our state ’ s economy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , and I ’ m confident that Jerry ’ s deep experience will bring a steady hand to the department and continue the impressive growth of this vital industry.
” Costello , a Democrat , served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019 .
He had said he would oppose a progressive income tax before Pritzker named him Director of Law Enforcement for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources .
“ I ’ m honored to continue serving the people of Illinois and excited to take the helm at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state legislature , ” Costello said in a statement .
“ As a leading producer of soybeans , corn and swine , Illinois is home to the most dedicated farmers in the world , and I look forward to partnering with them to grow our state ’ s agricultural economy.
” The Illinois Department of Agriculture 's previous leader , John Sullivan , left amid fallout from an email scandal .
Pritzker fired Sullivan for failing to take action regarding a lobbyist 's 2012 email that mentioned a rape in Champaign and ghost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that Sullivan , as a state senator in 2012 , knew about the email , but did nothing about it .
Sullivan said he never read the entire email while running for election and dealing with health issues .
The allegations were at the end of the email .

Gov. J.B. Pritzker appointed former state lawmaker Jerry Costello to serve as the director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
Pritzker announced the appointment, which requires confirmation by the Illinois Senate, on Friday.
“With farming playing an important role in his family’s history and a career of public service, there’s no better person to lead the Illinois Department of Agriculture at this time than Jerry Costello,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement Friday. “Our agriculture sector drives our state’s economy to the tune of $19 billion every year, and I’m confident that Jerry’s deep experience will bring a steady hand to the department and continue the impressive growth of this vital industry.”
Costello, a Democrat, served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019. He had said he would oppose a progressive income tax before Pritzker named him Director of Law Enforcement for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
“I’m honored to continue serving the people of Illinois and excited to take the helm at the department I once oversaw in the state legislature,” Costello said in a statement. “As a leading producer of soybeans, corn and swine, Illinois is home to the most dedicated farmers in the world, and I look forward to partnering with them to grow our state’s agricultural economy.”
The Illinois Department of Agriculture's previous leader, John Sullivan, left amid fallout from an email scandal.
Pritzker fired Sullivan for failing to take action regarding a lobbyist's 2012 email that mentioned a rape in Champaign and ghost payroll practices. The governor's office said that Sullivan, as a state senator in 2012, knew about the email, but did nothing about it. Sullivan said he never read the entire email while running for election and dealing with health issues. The allegations were at the end of the email.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-03--Trump says he will 'probably' finish his annual physical in 'next 90 days'

President Trump will `` probably '' finish his annual doctor 's checkup in the next 90 days .
As the president left the White House for a North Carolina campaign rally on Monday , he told reporters that he has yet to complete his physical because he 's `` so busy '' and will return to Walter Reed Medical Center within the `` next 90 days . ''
In November 2019 , Trump , 73 , made an unexpected visit to Walter Reed Military Medical Center to `` begin portions '' of the exam , leading to his physician addressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speculation '' that he suffered a medical emergency .
`` Due to scheduling uncertainties , the trip was kept off the record , '' said presidential physician Navy Cmdr .
Sean Conley in a White House letter .
`` Despite some of the speculation , the President has not had any chest pain , nor was he evaluated or treated for any urgent or acute issues . ''
The visit marked the beginning of Trump 's third physical since taking office .
After his previous one , he was found to be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus has also been on Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders after he suffered a heart attack in October 2019 .
Since then , Sanders has not released his full medical records to the public despite previously committing to doing so .

President Trump will "probably" finish his annual doctor's checkup in the next 90 days.
As the president left the White House for a North Carolina campaign rally on Monday, he told reporters that he has yet to complete his physical because he's "so busy" and will return to Walter Reed Medical Center within the "next 90 days."
POTUS finally answers the question about his physical. Says it will be done within the next 90 days. @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/FTB1H4c5W6 — Brian J. Karem (@BrianKarem) March 2, 2020
In November 2019, Trump, 73, made an unexpected visit to Walter Reed Military Medical Center to "begin portions" of the exam, leading to his physician addressing press inquiries about the incident after "speculation" that he suffered a medical emergency.
"Due to scheduling uncertainties, the trip was kept off the record," said presidential physician Navy Cmdr. Sean Conley in a White House letter. "Despite some of the speculation, the President has not had any chest pain, nor was he evaluated or treated for any urgent or acute issues."
The visit marked the beginning of Trump's third physical since taking office. After his previous one, he was found to be in "very good health."
Media focus has also been on Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders after he suffered a heart attack in October 2019. Since then, Sanders has not released his full medical records to the public despite previously committing to doing so.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Cuccinelli refuses to leave DHS after judge finds he was illegally appointed to his prior role there

Ken Cuccinelli said he will not leave his post as acting deputy secretary at the Department of Homeland Security following a federal judge 's ruling that he was illegally appointed to lead a department agency , a position that helped qualify him for his current role .
`` The succession for the deputy secretary of homeland security ties back to my official position as the principal deputy at USCIS [ U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services ] , there 's not a problem with me at my current position , '' Cuccinelli said on Fox and Friends Monday after initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only issue in the case is related to being the acting director at USCIS .
And this ruling is really something of an outlier .
This is a methodology that has been used in the past .
It 's been thought of as legal as — pretty broadly . ''
A federal district court judge in Washington , D.C. , ruled that Cuccinelli , who was acting director of the 19,000-person USCIS from last June until January , did not meet the requirements in the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deemed Cuccinelli 's policy changes invalid , teeing up new legal troubles for the Trump administration .
`` You can expect to see those efficiently reissued ... and that 's just as a precautionary measure as an appeal goes forward .
It 'll be business as usual until it 's played all out , '' Cuccinelli said .
Cuccinelli , a 51-year-old former attorney general from Virginia , said the legal order can not prevent him from amending , creating , or ending immigration-related policies in his role .
The Democracy Forward Foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created during Trump ’ s first year in office , sued with other groups in September over Cuccinelli-pushed policies the group argued made it more difficult or impossible for some asylum seekers to have claims heard at the southwest border .
Federal law experts told the Washington Examiner in October that they believed Cuccinelli 's appointment to USCIS was illegitimate and , if successfully challenged , would mean the immigration policy changes he put into place would become defunct , including the public charge rule that barred immigrants who have used government financial @ @

Ken Cuccinelli said he will not leave his post as acting deputy secretary at the Department of Homeland Security following a federal judge's ruling that he was illegally appointed to lead a department agency, a position that helped qualify him for his current role.
"The succession for the deputy secretary of homeland security ties back to my official position as the principal deputy at USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services], there's not a problem with me at my current position," Cuccinelli said on Fox and Friends Monday after initially laughing at the news. "The only issue in the case is related to being the acting director at USCIS. And this ruling is really something of an outlier. This is a methodology that has been used in the past. It's been thought of as legal as — pretty broadly."
A federal district court judge in Washington, D.C., ruled that Cuccinelli, who was acting director of the 19,000-person USCIS from last June until January, did not meet the requirements in the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 to have the job. The judge's decision deemed Cuccinelli's policy changes invalid, teeing up new legal troubles for the Trump administration.
"You can expect to see those efficiently reissued ... and that's just as a precautionary measure as an appeal goes forward. It'll be business as usual until it's played all out," Cuccinelli said.
Cuccinelli, a 51-year-old former attorney general from Virginia, said the legal order cannot prevent him from amending, creating, or ending immigration-related policies in his role.
The Democracy Forward Foundation, a Washington-based legal services organization, created during Trump’s first year in office, sued with other groups in September over Cuccinelli-pushed policies the group argued made it more difficult or impossible for some asylum seekers to have claims heard at the southwest border.
Federal law experts told the Washington Examiner in October that they believed Cuccinelli's appointment to USCIS was illegitimate and, if successfully challenged, would mean the immigration policy changes he put into place would become defunct, including the public charge rule that barred immigrants who have used government financial assistance.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Trump tells pharmaceutical companies to accelerate work on coronavirus vaccine

The White House has asked pharmaceutical companies to accelerate work on a coronavirus vaccine , according to President Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ with industry leaders this afternoon .
The meeting was scheduled to discuss drug pricing , @ @ @ @ @ the Oval Office that it now would be used to discuss the progress on a @ @ @ @ @ talking about a vaccine , maybe even a cure , '' he said .
GlaxoSmithKline @ @ @ @ @ & Johnson , and Pfizer are expected to be represented at the meeting .
Last @ @ @ @ @ Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield said it could take two years to develop @ @ @ @ @ in the not-too-distant future , in a year , year and a half , two @ @ @ @ @ have a vaccine , ” he told the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee .

The White House has asked pharmaceutical companies to accelerate work on a coronavirus vaccine, according to President Trump.
He is due to meet with industry leaders this afternoon.
The meeting was scheduled to discuss drug pricing, but Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that it now would be used to discuss the progress on a vaccine.
"We're talking about a vaccine, maybe even a cure," he said.
GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi SA, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer are expected to be represented at the meeting.
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield said it could take two years to develop a vaccine.
“Hopefully in the not-too-distant future, in a year, year and a half, two years, we’ll have a vaccine,” he told the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Surprise billing: Not all fixes are created equal

Congress is still fighting about surprise medical bills .
The House Ways and Means Committee and Energy and Commerce Committee are both trying to line up bipartisan support for their competing approaches .
Neither committee 's approach is right .
Congress must go back to the drawing board and come up with a fix that relies on market principles , transparency , and common sense to stop surprise medical bills .
Surprise bills arise when patients unknowingly receive care from out-of-network providers and are then billed for the difference between what those providers charge and what their insurance will pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a particular problem in emergencies , when patients are understandably incapable of making sure they visit an in-network hospital or doctor .
In other cases , patients may select an in-network hospital but later discover that someone who assisted in their care was out-of-network .
The Ways and Means Committee proposes settling surprise bills with arbitration .
Providers and insurers would each suggest a payment amount to a third-party arbiter who would decide what the patient owes .
But arbitration is expensive , as it requires a huge new administrative infrastructure and wraps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Congressional Budget Office estimates arbitration would add $ 1 billion in administrative costs to our healthcare tab .
The Energy and Commerce Committee has proposed `` benchmarking . ''
To settle a surprise bill , insurers would pay the median in-network rate for the procedure in a given geographic area .
These de facto price controls would allow insurers to low-ball providers as they build their networks , knowing the most they 'll have to pay if providers refuse to join is the median in-network rate .
Patients could end up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to care .
Fortunately , there 's a third way .
Congress can require insurers and providers to be honest and transparent about their pricing and network status .
Insurers that falsely represent facilities as in-network and facilities that represent themselves as in-network should be penalized if those facilities permit physicians to balance bill patients .
In addition , Congress should simply ban balance billing for emergency services provided at nonnetwork facilities .
Too many families have suffered at the hands of surprise medical bills through no fault of their own .
Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that puts patients first .
Sally C. Pipes is president , CEO , and Thomas W. Smith fellow in healthcare policy at the Pacific Research Institute .
Her latest book is False Premise , False Promise : The Disastrous Reality of Medicare for All ( Encounter 2020 ) .
Follow her on Twitter @ sallypipes .

Congress is still fighting about surprise medical bills. The House Ways and Means Committee and Energy and Commerce Committee are both trying to line up bipartisan support for their competing approaches.
Neither committee's approach is right. Congress must go back to the drawing board and come up with a fix that relies on market principles, transparency, and common sense to stop surprise medical bills.
Surprise bills arise when patients unknowingly receive care from out-of-network providers and are then billed for the difference between what those providers charge and what their insurance will pay for out-of-network care.
Surprise bills are a particular problem in emergencies, when patients are understandably incapable of making sure they visit an in-network hospital or doctor. In other cases, patients may select an in-network hospital but later discover that someone who assisted in their care was out-of-network.
The Ways and Means Committee proposes settling surprise bills with arbitration. Providers and insurers would each suggest a payment amount to a third-party arbiter who would decide what the patient owes.
But arbitration is expensive, as it requires a huge new administrative infrastructure and wraps the payment process in more red tape. The Congressional Budget Office estimates arbitration would add $1 billion in administrative costs to our healthcare tab.
The Energy and Commerce Committee has proposed "benchmarking." To settle a surprise bill, insurers would pay the median in-network rate for the procedure in a given geographic area.
These de facto price controls would allow insurers to low-ball providers as they build their networks, knowing the most they'll have to pay if providers refuse to join is the median in-network rate. Patients could end up with fewer in-network providers and reduced access to care.
Fortunately, there's a third way. Congress can require insurers and providers to be honest and transparent about their pricing and network status. Insurers that falsely represent facilities as in-network and facilities that represent themselves as in-network should be penalized if those facilities permit physicians to balance bill patients. In addition, Congress should simply ban balance billing for emergency services provided at nonnetwork facilities.
Too many families have suffered at the hands of surprise medical bills through no fault of their own. Congress must end the practice in a way that puts patients first.
Sally C. Pipes is president, CEO, and Thomas W. Smith fellow in healthcare policy at the Pacific Research Institute. Her latest book is False Premise, False Promise: The Disastrous Reality of Medicare for All (Encounter 2020). Follow her on Twitter @sallypipes.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Offset coronavirus emergency funding with spending cuts

We 're officially dealing with a coronavirus outbreak here in the United States .
That ’ s why the White House asked Congress to divert from other programs to fund the fight against the disease .
This was a great idea .
Requesting diverted funding from other federal programs , rather than just new spending to be added to the taxpayer tab , is a rare move of fiscal responsibility from the Trump administration .
After all , with the national debt now over and counting , the federal government can not afford to expand its budget every time a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have already clashed with the administration over the proposed diversions .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Trump of trying to “ steal funds ” and proposed his own to prepare for a coronavirus outbreak .
Many other Democrats have taken exception to the Trump administration ’ s proposed budget cuts , including divestment from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program , which provides heating assistance to the poor .
Ultimately , the final congressional proposal is expected to range from — roughly $ 7 billion more than the one proposed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan ends up being , though , Congress should be sure that any new spending should be offset by budget cuts elsewhere .
Congress has had a poor track record of offsetting emergency funding in recent years .
For instance , when providing emergency funding in response to Hurricane Harvey , a Republican-majority Congress and Republican president approved an plan without any offsets .
In 2012 , the plan to fund recovery after Hurricane Sandy was passed without offsets , as well .
These are only a few examples , but they outline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of congressional rules and discipline surrounding “ emergency ” funding has allowed too many bad habits to develop .
For example , Veronique de Rugy of the Mercatus Center has identified a in which Congress repeatedly used emergency funding as a way to avoid the spending caps set by annual budget resolutions .
This also allows lawmakers to fund pet projects in their districts that wouldn ’ t survive under tougher scrutiny .
It ’ s all part of a of sneaking questionable provisions into must-pass legislation .
Some of the pork @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding ” include a fish hatchery in Montana , a wastewater program in Mississippi , funding for the U.S. Capitol Police , and an abstinence education program in Allentown , Pennsylvania .
Consider that when determining why Congress ’ s emergency funding plan is so much more expensive than the one that came from the White House .
If House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , Schumer , and other Democrats don ’ t like the administration ’ s proposed budget cuts , there ’ s good news for them : The White House doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get cut , and they control half of the branch of our government that does .
Democrat Elizabeth Warren has already proposed a that would divert funding from the border wall to deal with preparations for a coronavirus outbreak .
The Massachusetts senator ’ s bill is probably just a stunt , and Trump would never sign it , but it still shows the right sort of thinking .
There is truly no shortage of programs that could afford to have their spending reduced .
Congress could start with the cronyist the , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul ’ s annual highlighting government waste .
If congressional leaders are serious about confronting the coronavirus threat , they can find the funds easily enough without further indebting taxpayers .
Michael Rieger is a contributor for Young Voices .
Follow him on Twitter at @ EagerRieger .

We're officially dealing with a coronavirus outbreak here in the United States. That’s why the White House asked Congress to divert $1.25 billion from other programs to fund the fight against the disease.
This was a great idea. Requesting diverted funding from other federal programs, rather than just new spending to be added to the taxpayer tab, is a rare move of fiscal responsibility from the Trump administration. After all, with the national debt now over $23 trillion and counting, the federal government cannot afford to expand its budget every time a problem arises.
However, House Democrats have already clashed with the administration over the proposed diversions.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump of trying to “steal funds” and proposed his own $8.5 billion plan to prepare for a coronavirus outbreak. Many other Democrats have taken exception to the Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts, including $37 million divestment from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides heating assistance to the poor.
Ultimately, the final congressional proposal is expected to range from $6 billion to $8 billion — roughly $7 billion more than the one proposed by the White House. Whatever the eventual funding plan ends up being, though, Congress should be sure that any new spending should be offset by budget cuts elsewhere.
Congress has had a poor track record of offsetting emergency funding in recent years.
For instance, when providing emergency funding in response to Hurricane Harvey, a Republican-majority Congress and Republican president approved an almost $8 billion plan without any offsets. In 2012, the $50.5 billion plan to fund recovery after Hurricane Sandy was passed without offsets, as well. These are only a few examples, but they outline a disturbing trend.
Furthermore, the lack of congressional rules and discipline surrounding “emergency” funding has allowed too many bad habits to develop.
For example, Veronique de Rugy of the Mercatus Center has identified a shell game in which Congress repeatedly used emergency funding as a way to avoid the spending caps set by annual budget resolutions. This also allows lawmakers to fund pet projects in their districts that wouldn’t survive under tougher scrutiny. It’s all part of a larger unchecked trend of sneaking questionable provisions into must-pass legislation.
Some of the pork barrel projects that have received “emergency funding” include a fish hatchery in Montana, a wastewater program in Mississippi, funding for the U.S. Capitol Police, and an abstinence education program in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Consider that when determining why Congress’s emergency funding plan is so much more expensive than the one that came from the White House.
If House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Schumer, and other Democrats don’t like the administration’s proposed budget cuts, there’s good news for them: The White House doesn’t get to decide what programs get cut, and they control half of the branch of our government that does. Democrat Elizabeth Warren has already proposed a bill that would divert funding from the border wall to deal with preparations for a coronavirus outbreak. The Massachusetts senator’s bill is probably just a stunt, and Trump would never sign it, but it still shows the right sort of thinking.
There is truly no shortage of programs that could afford to have their spending reduced.
Congress could start with the cronyist Export-Import Bank, the Appalachian Regional Commission , or just look at any one of Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul’s annual Festivus tweets highlighting government waste. If congressional leaders are serious about confronting the coronavirus threat, they can find the funds easily enough without further indebting taxpayers.
Michael Rieger is a contributor for Young Voices. Follow him on Twitter at @EagerRieger.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Amy Klobuchar ending presidential bid

Amy Klobuchar ending presidential bid

Amy Klobuchar ended her presidential bid after failing to maintain a bump in momentum following the New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary .
Klobuchar told campaign staff on Monday that she is ending her campaign after a series of disappointing finishes in the four early nominating contests , multiple news outlets reported .
She is set to endorse former Vice President Joe Biden at a Dallas rally on Monday .
Her exit from the race comes less than a day after former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg ended his campaign .
Each had single-digit finishes in Saturday 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , became an attractive candidate for voters looking for a centrist candidate — those seeking an alternative to socialist Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders who were not confident in 77-year-old Biden 's stamina or the experience of 38-year-old Buttigieg .
She surprised with a third-place finish in the Feb. 11 New Hampshire primary , ahead of Biden and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , but that momentum evaporated by the Feb. 22 Nevada caucuses .
The Minnesota senator kicked off her 2020 campaign in February 2019 at an outdoor rally along the Minnesota riverfront in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weather-related circumstances to argue she is tough enough to take on President Trump .
Trump weighed in via Twitter , questioning how global warming can be real when Klobuchar launched her candidacy during a blizzard .
Klobuchar regularly used Trump ’ s attack in her stump speech , joking about how his signature hairstyle would fare in a snowstorm .
The former prosecutor was elected to the Senate in 2006 , becoming Minnesota ’ s first elected female senator , and has easily won her three Senate campaigns by wide margins .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 43 Minnesota counties Trump had won two years prior .
An Associated Press investigation raised questions about Klobuchar 's handling of a 17-year-old case in which a black teenager was sent to prison for life for firing a stray bullet that killed an 11-year-old girl , suggesting he could be innocent .
The controversy put a dent in momentum she gained from better-than-expected showings in Iowa and New Hampshire .
While campaigning in Nevada , Klobuchar again faced criticism when she was unable to name Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Hispanic and Latino voters when she shared that her Spanish name in fourth grade was Elena .
Despite earning many newspaper endorsements , Klobuchar 's poll numbers were consistently well below those of top-tier candidates who had higher name recognition .
Before she even announced her candidacy , Klobuchar 's reputation was scrutinized after reports that she fostered a hostile work environment and often lashed out at her staff over small mistakes .

Amy Klobuchar ended her presidential bid after failing to maintain a bump in momentum following the New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary.
Klobuchar told campaign staff on Monday that she is ending her campaign after a series of disappointing finishes in the four early nominating contests, multiple news outlets reported.
She is set to endorse former Vice President Joe Biden at a Dallas rally on Monday. Her exit from the race comes less than a day after former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg ended his campaign. Each had single-digit finishes in Saturday's South Carolina primary.
Klobuchar, 59, became an attractive candidate for voters looking for a centrist candidate — those seeking an alternative to socialist Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders who were not confident in 77-year-old Biden's stamina or the experience of 38-year-old Buttigieg.
She surprised with a third-place finish in the Feb. 11 New Hampshire primary, ahead of Biden and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, but that momentum evaporated by the Feb. 22 Nevada caucuses.
The Minnesota senator kicked off her 2020 campaign in February 2019 at an outdoor rally along the Minnesota riverfront in Minneapolis during a snowstorm, using the weather-related circumstances to argue she is tough enough to take on President Trump.
Trump weighed in via Twitter, questioning how global warming can be real when Klobuchar launched her candidacy during a blizzard. Klobuchar regularly used Trump’s attack in her stump speech, joking about how his signature hairstyle would fare in a snowstorm.
The former prosecutor was elected to the Senate in 2006, becoming Minnesota’s first elected female senator, and has easily won her three Senate campaigns by wide margins. During her reelection in 2018, she won 43 Minnesota counties Trump had won two years prior.
An Associated Press investigation raised questions about Klobuchar's handling of a 17-year-old case in which a black teenager was sent to prison for life for firing a stray bullet that killed an 11-year-old girl, suggesting he could be innocent. The controversy put a dent in momentum she gained from better-than-expected showings in Iowa and New Hampshire.
While campaigning in Nevada, Klobuchar again faced criticism when she was unable to name Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in a Telemundo interview and was accused of pandering to Hispanic and Latino voters when she shared that her Spanish name in fourth grade was Elena.
Despite earning many newspaper endorsements, Klobuchar's poll numbers were consistently well below those of top-tier candidates who had higher name recognition.
Before she even announced her candidacy, Klobuchar's reputation was scrutinized after reports that she fostered a hostile work environment and often lashed out at her staff over small mistakes.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Top Republican: 'There won’t be a report' from John Durham

A top Republican said he does n't expect U.S. Attorney John Durham to come out with a report upon completing his review of the Russia investigation .
Rep. Doug Collins , the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee , told Fox News last week what he believes will come out of the secretive inquiry , often called the `` investigation into the investigators . ''
“ This is not going to be a Mueller report ; there won ’ t be a report , ” the Georgia Republican said , referring to former special counsel Robert Mueller 's 448-page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public will hear about the progress Durham has made when there is an indictment .
“ When he ’ s ready to charge people , he ’ ll charge people , '' Collins said .
“ And that ’ s when we ’ ll know.
” Not everyone believes there will be any charges .
`` Your former colleague , Congressman Doug Collins , said today that he believes that the John Durham investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia hoax and the FISA abuse and so forth will lead to criminal charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett said on Thursday while interviewing former Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz .
Chaffetz , who led the House Oversight Committee from early 2015 to the summer of 2017 , said he believes criminal charges are warranted `` based on the information we have already seen and already know . ''
Durham , the top federal prosecutor in Connecticut , was appointed last year by Attorney General William Barr to review possible misconduct by federal law enforcement and intelligence officials in the Russia investigation .
The review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall , allowing Durham the power to impanel a grand jury and hand down indictments .
Only one person is publicly known to be under criminal investigation by Durham 's team : former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith , who altered a key document in Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act filings related to onetime Trump campaign adviser Carter Page .
Democrats have criticized the review as a politically motivated scheme to undermine the work of Mueller and attack Trump 's perceived enemies .
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler seeks an interview with Durham and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as part of an inquiry into `` recent actions that smack of political interference . ''
While onstage at CPAC , Collins criticized Mueller 's investigation , which President Trump long called a `` witch hunt . ''
The congressman said the report , which showed Mueller 's investigators were unable to obtain sufficient evidence to charge anyone on the Trump campaign with criminally conspiring with Russia , a was a `` waste of time '' that transitioned into a `` sham '' impeachment effort related to the president 's dealings with Ukraine @

A top Republican said he doesn't expect U.S. Attorney John Durham to come out with a report upon completing his review of the Russia investigation.
Rep. Doug Collins, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, told Fox News last week what he believes will come out of the secretive inquiry, often called the "investigation into the investigators."
“This is not going to be a Mueller report; there won’t be a report,” the Georgia Republican said, referring to former special counsel Robert Mueller's 448-page report.
Collins said he believes the public will hear about the progress Durham has made when there is an indictment.
“When he’s ready to charge people, he’ll charge people," Collins said. “And that’s when we’ll know.”
Not everyone believes there will be any charges.
"Your former colleague, congressman Doug Collins, said today that he believes that the John Durham investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia hoax and the FISA abuse and so forth will lead to criminal charges. I personally doubt that very much," Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett said on Thursday while interviewing former Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz.
Chaffetz, who led the House Oversight Committee from early 2015 to the summer of 2017, said he believes criminal charges are warranted "based on the information we have already seen and already know."
Durham, the top federal prosecutor in Connecticut, was appointed last year by Attorney General William Barr to review possible misconduct by federal law enforcement and intelligence officials in the Russia investigation. The review turned into a criminal investigation in the fall, allowing Durham the power to impanel a grand jury and hand down indictments.
Only one person is publicly known to be under criminal investigation by Durham's team: former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith, who altered a key document in Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act filings related to onetime Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.
Democrats have criticized the review as a politically motivated scheme to undermine the work of Mueller and attack President Trump's perceived enemies. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler seeks an interview with Durham and more than a dozen other DOJ officials as part of an inquiry into "recent actions that smack of political interference."
While onstage at CPAC, Collins criticized Mueller's investigation, which Trump long called a "witch hunt."
The congressman said the report, which showed Mueller's investigators were unable to obtain sufficient evidence to charge anyone on the Trump campaign with criminally conspiring with Russia, was a "waste of time" that transitioned into a "sham" impeachment effort related to the president's dealings with Ukraine.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-02--Liberal Media Scream: CNN says blame Rush, Hannity, and Don Jr. for virus panic

This week ’ s Liberal Media Scream features left-wing CNN rushing in to blame “ right-wing media ” for whipping up a political fight over the coronavirus .
In this case , CNN media analyst Brian Stelter cited several conservatives who he said are charging that the media is using the virus to attack President Trump .
From the top of the Sunday , March 1 Reliable Sources on CNN : BRIAN STELTER : `` News outlets have a really important job right now , conveying accurate information , and part of the job is to tamp down on undue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected the political arena in ways that are truly jaw-dropping .
Pro-Trump media stars are defending Trump ’ s handling the outbreak by accusing news outlets — I ca n't even believe — they 're accusing news outlets of rooting for the virus .
Watch . ''
RUSH LIMBAUGH : `` It looks like the coronavirus is being weaponized as yet another element to bring down Donald Trump . ''
STELTER : `` Recent Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Rush Limbaugh , one of many cooking up partisan conspiracy theories about the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the news media ’ s fault . ''
MICK MULVANEY AT CPAC : `` They think this is gon na be what brings down the president .
That ’ s what this is all about . ''
STELTER : `` Acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney making the shocking claim that the media is somehow using the virus to take down Trump .
Mulvaney picking up right where Fox ’ s Sean Hannity left off , blaming Democrats for making this political . ''
SEAN HANNITY : `` Sadly , politicizing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is basically just the latest effort to bludgeon President Trump . ''
STELTER : `` These talking points are bouncing back and forth between the Trumps and their TV surrogates , portraying the president as the victim-in-chief .
And going so far to say the president ’ s perceived enemies actually want people to die . ''
DONALD TRUMP JR. : `` Anything that they can use to try to hurt Trump , they will .
But for them to try to take a pandemic and seemingly hope that it comes here and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can end Donald Trump ’ s streak of winning is a new level of sickness . ''
STELTER : `` This is not the first time the Trump machine has conjured up a conspiracy narrative , full of misinformation and fearmongering .
But this time , the backdrop is a public health emergency .
Still , irresponsible claims abound . ''
LIMBAUGH : `` I want to tell you the truth about the coronavirus .
Yeah , dead right on this .
The coronavirus is the common cold , folks . ''
STELTER @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it ’ s all part of a Trump defense strategy : fighting a virus by playing politics . ''
Media Research Center Vice President of Research Brent Baker explains our weekly pick : “ Stelter has it exactly backward .
It isn ’ t conservatives who are infecting the media with misinformation , but liberal media figures like Stelter , who are infecting media coverage of a disease by viewing the coronavirus through the prism of their political take on President Trump ’ s performance.
” Rating : Four out of five @ @

This week’s Liberal Media Scream features left-wing CNN rushing in to blame “right-wing media” for whipping up a political fight over the coronavirus.
In this case, CNN media analyst Brian Stelter cited several conservatives who he said are charging that the media is using the virus to attack President Trump.
From the top of the Sunday, March 1 Reliable Sources on CNN:
BRIAN STELTER: "News outlets have a really important job right now, conveying accurate information, and part of the job is to tamp down on undue fears. Unfortunately, this virus has infected the political arena in ways that are truly jaw-dropping. Pro-Trump media stars are defending Trump’s handling the outbreak by accusing news outlets — I can't even believe — they're accusing news outlets of rooting for the virus. Watch."
RUSH LIMBAUGH: "It looks like the coronavirus is being weaponized as yet another element to bring down Donald Trump."
STELTER: "Recent Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Rush Limbaugh, one of many cooking up partisan conspiracy theories about the coronavirus. Chief among them, it’s the news media’s fault."
MICK MULVANEY AT CPAC: "They think this is gonna be what brings down the president. That’s what this is all about."
STELTER: "Acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney making the shocking claim that the media is somehow using the virus to take down Trump. Mulvaney picking up right where Fox’s Sean Hannity left off, blaming Democrats for making this political."
SEAN HANNITY: "Sadly, politicizing and actually weaponizing an infectious disease. What is basically just the latest effort to bludgeon President Trump."
STELTER: "These talking points are bouncing back and forth between the Trumps and their TV surrogates, portraying the president as the victim-in-chief. And going so far to say the president’s perceived enemies actually want people to die."
DONALD TRUMP JR.: "Anything that they can use to try to hurt Trump, they will. But for them to try to take a pandemic and seemingly hope that it comes here and kills millions of people so that they can end Donald Trump’s streak of winning is a new level of sickness."
STELTER: "This is not the first time the Trump machine has conjured up a conspiracy narrative, full of misinformation and fearmongering. But this time, the backdrop is a public health emergency. Still, irresponsible claims abound."
LIMBAUGH: "I want to tell you the truth about the coronavirus. Yeah, dead right on this. The coronavirus is the common cold, folks."
STELTER: "Experts have debunked that, but it’s all part of a Trump defense strategy: fighting a virus by playing politics."
Media Research Center Vice President of Research Brent Baker explains our weekly pick: “Stelter has it exactly backward. It isn’t conservatives who are infecting the media with misinformation, but liberal media figures like Stelter, who are infecting media coverage of a disease by viewing the coronavirus through the prism of their political take on President Trump’s performance.”