shareblue--2020-07-23--Minnesota governor signs police reform bill — but some say it's not enough

Gov .
Tim Walz signed a police accountability bill into law Thursday that includes a ban on neck restraints like the one that was used on George Floyd before his death in Minneapolis , though some activist groups say the legislation falls short .
The bill , passed by the Legislature earlier this week , also bans chokeholds and fear-based or `` warrior-style '' training , which critics say promotes excessive force .
It imposes a duty to intercede on officers who see a colleague using excessive force and changes rules on the use of force to stress the sanctity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of legislation moves us toward a critical step towards criminal justice reform , '' Walz said at a Thursday news conference .
`` These critical reforms are long overdue — they are meant to strengthen transparency and community oversight . ''
The measure also creates a new advisory council for the state board that licenses officers , makes changes in arbitration rules affecting police unions , and requires more training on dealing with people with mental health issues and autism .
The bill passed after nearly two months of difficult negotiations that followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ensuing unrest that spread around the world over police brutality and racism .
Floyd , who was Black , was killed when a white officer held his knee to Floyd 's neck for nearly eight minutes as he was handcuffed and restrained by three other officers holding him down .
Members of the People of Color and Indigenous ( POCI ) Caucus led the policing reform efforts at the Capitol , speaking with community members and law enforcement before drafting the legislation they introduced last month .
POCI Caucus member and House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the legislation is the first step in preventing what happened to Floyd and Philando Castile , who was killed by a police officer in a St. Paul suburb four years ago .
`` The construction of this law and its passage is a powerful acknowledgment of our collective failure in the past , of our failure to ( Floyd and Castile ) and countless others who have been wrongfully harmed at the hands of peace officers , '' Mariani said .
`` We have to start with that acknowledgment , otherwise we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always done . ''
Discussions on police accountability legislation dominated the June special session a few weeks after Floyd 's death , but lawmakers were n't able to reach a deal on which reforms to include in the bill .
Going into this month 's special session , Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman said restoration of felon voting rights and giving the Minnesota attorney general 's office primary jurisdiction over prosecuting police officers were two issues that were taken off the table in negotiations with the GOP-controlled Senate .
Michelle Gross , president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police Brutality , called the reforms in the bill `` low-hanging fruit '' and said the legislation is not nearly as comprehensive as the group had hoped .
`` The autism training we thought was an important thing to have ... and we also like the fact that it bans fear-based training ( which ) is something we 've been working on for quite a long time now , '' she said .
`` But so much of what we wanted was not even given a second glance . ''
Gross ' group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , introduced eight policing reform bills during the special session — two of which were included in the package passed earlier this week .
The legislation includes requiring police carry their own liability insurance , ending the statute of limitations for a wrongful death civil suit , and allowing families of those killed by police to see body camera footage 48 hours after their death .
POCI Caucus members at the news conference Thursday pointed to the statute of limitations issue as a disappointment when it failed to materialize in the final package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to call the Legislature back to the Capitol in August to extend his peacetime emergency powers as the coronavirus pandemic continues indefinitely .
Gross said they will be back with more reforms to prevent lawmakers from moving on from police reform — a process that she said is far from over .
`` For every special session that they might have , we will be there demanding change , '' she said .
`` And once the regular session starts next year , we will be there again , with our bills @ @ @ @ @

The bill, passed by the Legislature earlier this week, also bans chokeholds and fear-based or “warrior-style” training, which critics say promotes excessive force. It imposes a duty to intercede on officers who see a colleague using excessive force and changes rules on the use of force to stress the sanctity of life.
“This bipartisan piece of legislation moves us toward a critical step towards criminal justice reform,” Walz said at a Thursday news conference. “These critical reforms are long overdue — they are meant to strengthen transparency and community oversight.”
The measure also creates a new advisory council for the state board that licenses officers, makes changes in arbitration rules affecting police unions, and requires more training on dealing with people with mental health issues and autism.
The bill passed after nearly two months of difficult negotiations that followed Floyd’s death on May 25 and the ensuing unrest that spread around the world over police brutality and racism. Floyd, who was Black, was killed when a white officer held his knee to Floyd’s neck for nearly eight minutes as he was handcuffed and restrained by three other officers holding him down.
Members of the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus led the policing reform efforts at the Capitol, speaking with community members and law enforcement before drafting the legislation they introduced last month. POCI Caucus member and House public safety committee chairman Rep. Carlos Mariani said the legislation is the first step in preventing what happened to Floyd and Philando Castile, who was killed by a police officer in a St. Paul suburb four years ago.
“The construction of this law and its passage is a powerful acknowledgment of our collective failure in the past, of our failure to (Floyd and Castile) and countless others who have been wrongfully harmed at the hands of peace officers,” Mariani said. “We have to start with that acknowledgment, otherwise we’ll continue to do what we’ve always done.”
Discussions on police accountability legislation dominated the June special session a few weeks after Floyd’s death, but lawmakers weren’t able to reach a deal on which reforms to include in the bill. Going into this month’s special session, Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman said restoration of felon voting rights and giving the Minnesota attorney general’s office primary jurisdiction over prosecuting police officers were two issues that were taken off the table in negotiations with the GOP-controlled Senate.
Michelle Gross, president of local advocacy group Communities United Against Police Brutality, called the reforms in the bill “low-hanging fruit” and said the legislation is not nearly as comprehensive as the group had hoped.
“The autism training we thought was an important thing to have … and we also like the fact that it bans fear-based training (which) is something we’ve been working on for quite a long time now,” she said. “But so much of what we wanted was not even given a second glance.”
Gross’ group, along with other local advocacy organizations, introduced eight policing reform bills during the special session — two of which were included in the package passed earlier this week. The legislation includes requiring police carry their own liability insurance, ending the statute of limitations for a wrongful death civil suit, and allowing families of those killed by police to see body camera footage 48 hours after their death. POCI Caucus members at the news conference Thursday pointed to the statute of limitations issue as a disappointment when it failed to materialize in the final package.
Walz, a Democrat, is expected to call the Legislature back to the Capitol in August to extend his peacetime emergency powers as the coronavirus pandemic continues indefinitely. Gross said they will be back with more reforms to prevent lawmakers from moving on from police reform — a process that she said is far from over.
“For every special session that they might have, we will be there demanding change,” she said. “And once the regular session starts next year, we will be there again, with our bills, demanding change.”


shareblue--2020-07-23--Florida voters say it's unsafe to hold GOP convention there as plans fall apart

A new poll released Thursday found nearly two-thirds of voters in Florida think it 's unsafe for Donald Trump to hold the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville , Florida — delivering yet more bad news for the beleaguered event .
The Quinnipiac University poll found 62 % of voters in the Sunshine State think it 's unsafe to hold the convention in Jacksonville , including 26 % of Republicans .
Already , Duval County Sheriff Mike Williams — a Republican — said he can not guarantee he 'll be able to provide security for the convention .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can just tell you that what has been proposed in my opinion is not achievable right now ... from a law enforcement standpoint , from a security standpoint , '' Williams said Monday .
Meanwhile , the coronavirus outbreak in Florida is spiraling out of control , with both cases and deaths from the virus on the rise .
The virus has left the Republican National Committee 's plans for the convention up in the air , a month before the event is slated to begin on Aug. 24 .
Virus mitigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from filling an indoor arena to any more than 50 % capacity .
And the city of Jacksonville issued a mask-wearing order , which Trump wanted to avoid when he initially moved the convention from Charlotte to Jacksonville back in June .
There is talk that the convention may be held at an outdoor arena .
But Jacksonville is hot , humid , and rainy in August , which could cause problems for a major outdoor event .
Currently trailing presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in the pools , Trump can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event , as he seeks to regain momentum in the race .
Even more , he can not afford to anger Florida voters , whom he needs if wants to win the state — and consequently reelection — in November .
Trump carried Florida in 2016 by a 1-point margin .
The Quinnipiac University poll found Biden leading Trump in Florida by a whopping 13 points , 51 % to 38 % .
That marks a major swing toward Biden since April , when Quinnipiac found Biden leading Trump 46 % to 42 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ escape the shifting moods and concerns of voters in Florida .
His sagging numbers are a gut punch from one of the key states he keenly hopes to win , '' Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy said in a news release .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A new poll released Thursday found nearly two-thirds of voters in Florida think it’s unsafe for Donald Trump to hold the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida — delivering yet more bad news for the beleaguered event.
The Quinnipiac University poll found 62% of voters in the Sunshine State think it’s unsafe to hold the convention in Jacksonville, including 26% of Republicans.
Already, Duval County Sheriff Mike Williams — a Republican — said he cannot guarantee he’ll be able to provide security for the convention.
“It’s not my event to plan, but I can just tell you that what has been proposed in my opinion is not achievable right now … from a law enforcement standpoint, from a security standpoint,” Williams said Monday.
Meanwhile, the coronavirus outbreak in Florida is spiraling out of control, with both cases and deaths from the virus on the rise.
The virus has left the Republican National Committee’s plans for the convention up in the air, a month before the event is slated to begin on Aug. 24.
Virus mitigation ordinances in Florida would currently prohibit Trump from filling an indoor arena to any more than 50% capacity.
And the city of Jacksonville issued a mask-wearing order, which Trump wanted to avoid when he initially moved the convention from Charlotte to Jacksonville back in June.
There is talk that the convention may be held at an outdoor arena. But Jacksonville is hot, humid, and rainy in August, which could cause problems for a major outdoor event.
Currently trailing presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in the pools, Trump cannot afford to hold a quagmire of an event, as he seeks to regain momentum in the race.
Even more, he cannot afford to anger Florida voters, whom he needs if wants to win the state — and consequently reelection — in November. Trump carried Florida in 2016 by a 1-point margin.
The Quinnipiac University poll found Biden leading Trump in Florida by a whopping 13 points, 51% to 38%.
That marks a major swing toward Biden since April, when Quinnipiac found Biden leading Trump 46% to 42%.
“The president doesn’t escape the shifting moods and concerns of voters in Florida. His sagging numbers are a gut punch from one of the key states he keenly hopes to win,” Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy said in a news release.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-23--Microsoft is still donating to anti-LGBTQ lawmakers after pledging to change

A year after taking a `` hiatus '' to `` realign '' its giving , Microsoft 's corporate political action committee has resumed funding anti-LGBTQ and anti-immigrant politicians .
A review of Microsoft PAC 's disbursements since July 2020 reveals that it has given more than $ 130,000 to lawmakers who received `` 0 '' scores from the Human Rights Campaign in its `` Congressional Scorecard : Measuring Support for Equality in the 115th Congress '' for voting against LGBTQ equality at every opportunity .
Most of those legislators also oppose protecting undocumented young immigrants .
The technology giant has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Its website proudly notes that Microsoft became the first Fortune 500 company to offer domestic partnership benefits to the same-sex partners of employees in 1993 and that it was among the earliest businesses to include `` sexual orientation '' in its corporate nondiscrimination policy .
The Human Rights Campaign awarded it a 100 % pro-equality score in its annual `` Corporate Equality Index '' this year .
It has also been a vocal advocate for comprehensive immigration reform , especially urging protections for the undocumented young people brought to the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' But for years , Microsoft 's corporate federal political action committee , MSPAC , has funded some of the most anti-LGBTQ and anti-immigrant people in Congress .
Last year , the company came under internal and external pressure to change this .
An LGBTQ-rights group called Zero for Zeros released research demonstrating that Microsoft and dozens of other generally pro-equality companies had given millions of dollars to the `` worst of the worst '' anti-LGBTQ politicians .
`` LGBT employees , customers , and allies deserve to know who stands 100 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Allied companies should cut off all political contributions to any elected official who scores a zero on the HRC Congressional Scorecard and leads the charge against equality . ''
Additionally , dozens of Microsoft employees objected to the company 's support of politicians who have fought against LGBTQ people and immigrants and to its opaque donation process .
`` MSPAC is antithetical to everything I love about @ Microsoft 's culture and values , '' one employee tweeted in June 2019 .
`` Knowing that this organization supports politicians who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infuriating . ''
A year ago , Microsoft told employees it was rethinking its PAC giving and suspending donations .
`` We have heard from many employees that greater transparency is needed when it comes to MSPAC policies , giving criteria , and how decisions are made in terms of the candidates we support .
Our operations are realigning to reflect that feedback , '' Microsoft 's corporate vice president for U.S. government affairs Fred Humphries Jr. wrote .
`` Microsoft was the first company we talked to , '' Lane Hudson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Fast Company days later .
`` The discussions that we had with them had an impact , and it 's an impact that will last throughout their process of evaluating how they 're going to run their PAC . ''
Microsoft confirmed to the outlet that it `` had conversations with the group . ''
But when the PAC resumed making contributions a few months later , little had changed .
On Oct. 16 , 2019 , it gave $ 1,000 each to Reps. Andy Barr ( R-KY ) , Jim Banks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R-GA ) , and Blaine Luetkemeyer ( R-MO ) .
Each had a 0 % Human Rights Campaign score and had voted against the American Dream and Promise Act — the House bill to protect Dreamers — four months earlier .
The bill passed in the House , but has been blocked by the Republican Senate majority .
Since then , the PAC has sent thousands more to six of the anti-LGBTQ officials identified by Zero for Zeros as `` worst of the worst . ''
It sent $ 2,500 to Sen. John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Values PAC ; $ 3,000 to Sen. John Boozman ( R-AR ) through his Arkansas for Leadership PAC ; $ 7,500 to Sen. Steve Daines ( R-MT ) ; $ 7,500 to Sen. Ben Sasse ( R-NE ) ; $ 2,500 to Sen. Roger Wicker ( R-MS ) through his Responsibility and Freedom Work PAC ; and $ 2,000 to Rep. Mike Kelly ( R-PA ) .
In total , Microsoft sent at least $ 135,500 in contributions to lawmakers with 0 % ratings on LGBTQ issues since completing its supposed realignment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House of Representatives had voted to protect Dreamers last year .
A Microsoft spokesperson said in an emailed statement that the company believes `` to make progress on the issues that matter to our customers and to our business , we must engage with candidates who hold a range of views .
Given the breadth of our policy agenda , it 's unlikely we 'll agree with any candidate on every issue , but we 've learned that engagement—even when individuals hold different positions—is an essential part of achieving progress .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new privacy laws may have different views from us on education or immigration . ''
The statement noted that `` where a candidate is working to advance an issue we care about , we 'll work with them on that issue , but we 'll also engage directly to make our case on the issue where we disagree '' and claimed that the company applies `` an even higher standard when the disagreement goes beyond issues and includes a disagreement on values .
In some limited circumstances — where we believe an official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue — we may make a contribution even when we have a fundamental disagreement on other things .
Each time , we also engage directly to highlight our concerns and advocate for change . ''
But Zero for Zeros believes Microsoft 's actions have let down the LGBTQ community .
`` In 2019 , Microsoft came forward as a corporate leader when they publicly announced they were going to review their PAC spending due to employee pressure to specifically review LGBT rights .
Microsoft was hailed as a champion of equality for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step , '' a spokesperson said in an email .
`` Now that they have completed their review and continue to fund anti-LGBT members of Congress , what does that say about their values ?
Pro-equality companies can not just show up for LGBT people when it 's marketable . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A year after taking a “hiatus” to “realign” its giving, Microsoft’s corporate political action committee has resumed funding anti-LGBTQ and anti-immigrant politicians.
A review of Microsoft PAC’s disbursements since July 2020 reveals that it has given more than $130,000 to lawmakers who received “0” scores from the Human Rights Campaign in its “Congressional Scorecard: Measuring Support for Equality in the 115th Congress” for voting against LGBTQ equality at every opportunity. Most of those legislators also oppose protecting undocumented young immigrants.
The technology giant has a long history of supporting LGBTQ rights. Its website proudly notes that Microsoft became the first Fortune 500 company to offer domestic partnership benefits to the same-sex partners of employees in 1993 and that it was among the earliest businesses to include “sexual orientation” in its corporate nondiscrimination policy. The Human Rights Campaign awarded it a 100% pro-equality score in its annual “Corporate Equality Index” this year.
It has also been a vocal advocate for comprehensive immigration reform, especially urging protections for the undocumented young people brought to the United States as kids known as “Dreamers.”
But for years, Microsoft’s corporate federal political action committee, MSPAC, has funded some of the most anti-LGBTQ and anti-immigrant people in Congress.
Last year, the company came under internal and external pressure to change this.
An LGBTQ-rights group called Zero for Zeros released research demonstrating that Microsoft and dozens of other generally pro-equality companies had given millions of dollars to the “worst of the worst” anti-LGBTQ politicians.
“LGBT employees, customers, and allies deserve to know who stands 100% with equality,” the group urged. “Allied companies should cut off all political contributions to any elected official who scores a zero on the HRC Congressional Scorecard and leads the charge against equality.”
Additionally, dozens of Microsoft employees objected to the company’s support of politicians who have fought against LGBTQ people and immigrants and to its opaque donation process.
“MSPAC is antithetical to everything I love about @Microsoft’s culture and values,” one employee tweeted in June 2019. “Knowing that this organization supports politicians who are actively attempting to subvert our democracy is infuriating.”
A year ago, Microsoft told employees it was rethinking its PAC giving and suspending donations.
“We have heard from many employees that greater transparency is needed when it comes to MSPAC policies, giving criteria, and how decisions are made in terms of the candidates we support. Our operations are realigning to reflect that feedback,” Microsoft’s corporate vice president for U.S. government affairs Fred Humphries Jr. wrote.
“Microsoft was the first company we talked to,” Lane Hudson, campaign manager for Zero for Zeros, told Fast Company days later. “The discussions that we had with them had an impact, and it’s an impact that will last throughout their process of evaluating how they’re going to run their PAC.” Microsoft confirmed to the outlet that it “had conversations with the group.”
But when the PAC resumed making contributions a few months later, little had changed.
On Oct. 16, 2019, it gave $1,000 each to Reps. Andy Barr (R-KY), Jim Banks (R-IN), Drew Ferguson (R-GA), and Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO). Each had a 0% Human Rights Campaign score and had voted against the American Dream and Promise Act — the House bill to protect Dreamers — four months earlier.
The bill passed in the House, but has been blocked by the Republican Senate majority.
Since then, the PAC has sent thousands more to six of the anti-LGBTQ officials identified by Zero for Zeros as “worst of the worst.” It sent $2,500 to Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) through his Common Values PAC; $3,000 to Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) through his Arkansas for Leadership PAC; $7,500 to Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT); $7,500 to Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE); $2,500 to Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) through his Responsibility and Freedom Work PAC; and $2,000 to Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA).
In total, Microsoft sent at least $135,500 in contributions to lawmakers with 0% ratings on LGBTQ issues since completing its supposed realignment. Just two of the anti-LGBTQ recipients in the House of Representatives had voted to protect Dreamers last year.
A Microsoft spokesperson said in an emailed statement that the company believes “to make progress on the issues that matter to our customers and to our business, we must engage with candidates who hold a range of views. Given the breadth of our policy agenda, it’s unlikely we’ll agree with any candidate on every issue, but we’ve learned that engagement—even when individuals hold different positions—is an essential part of achieving progress. For example, someone leading efforts to enact new privacy laws may have different views from us on education or immigration.”
The statement noted that “where a candidate is working to advance an issue we care about, we’ll work with them on that issue, but we’ll also engage directly to make our case on the issue where we disagree” and claimed that the company applies “an even higher standard when the disagreement goes beyond issues and includes a disagreement on values. In some limited circumstances — where we believe an official is essential to progress on a crucial issue — we may make a contribution even when we have a fundamental disagreement on other things. Each time, we also engage directly to highlight our concerns and advocate for change.”
But Zero for Zeros believes Microsoft’s actions have let down the LGBTQ community.
“In 2019, Microsoft came forward as a corporate leader when they publicly announced they were going to review their PAC spending due to employee pressure to specifically review LGBT rights. Microsoft was hailed as a champion of equality for this action. This was a great first step,” a spokesperson said in an email. “Now that they have completed their review and continue to fund anti-LGBT members of Congress, what does that say about their values? Pro-equality companies cannot just show up for LGBT people when it’s marketable.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-23--GOP congressman: Spending money to fight virus isn't 'good for our children'

Rep. Rick Allen ( R-GA ) said on Thursday that he does not think congressional spending to address the COVID-19 pandemic is `` good for our children . ''
Allen 's remarks came during a hearing of the House Education & Labor Subcommittee entitled `` Underfunded & Unprepared : Examining How to Overcome Obstacles to Safely Reopen Public Schools . ''
Witnesses at the hearing were on hand to testify about issues relating to reopening schools during the ongoing pandemic that has infected more than 4 million Americans .
On the same day Allen spoke , it was reported that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million .
REP. RICK ALLEN ( R-GA ) : We also have to look at the economy , and I do n't think these two things are mutually exclusive .
In fact , this Congress is spending an enormous amount of money to try to deal with this pandemic .
I do n't think that 's going to be good for our children .
I think it 's going to effect generations and generations and generations of our children because of this huge debt that we 're building in this government , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's going to be an end .
And I do n't think it 's – I know it 's not sustainable .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA) said on Thursday that he does not think congressional spending to address the COVID-19 pandemic is “good for our children.”
Allen’s remarks came during a hearing of the House Education & Labor Subcommittee entitled “Underfunded & Unprepared: Examining How to Overcome Obstacles to Safely Reopen Public Schools.”
Witnesses at the hearing were on hand to testify about issues relating to reopening schools during the ongoing pandemic that has infected more than 4 million Americans.
On the same day Allen spoke, it was reported that weekly unemployment claims had increased to 1.4 million.
From a July 23 hearing:
REP. RICK ALLEN (R-GA): We also have to look at the economy, and I don’t think these two things are mutually exclusive. In fact, this Congress is spending an enormous amount of money to try to deal with this pandemic. I don’t think that’s going to be good for our children. I think it’s going to effect generations and generations and generations of our children because of this huge debt that we’re building in this government, and it does not seem like that there’s going to be an end. And I don’t think it’s – I know it’s not sustainable.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-23--Vast majority of parents oppose opening up schools as Trump demands it

Nearly two-thirds of American parents oppose reopening schools soon , according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation survey .
But the Trump administration continues to push for an immediate resumption of in-person instruction .
The tracking poll , released Thursday , found that 60 % of parents say they prefer schools open later `` to ensure the risk of getting coronavirus is as low as possible . ''
Just 34 % said it was better for them to open sooner `` so parents can work and students wo n't miss out on learning and other services schools provide . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they preferred waiting to reopen schools .
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Black and Latinx communities especially hard , with a disproportionate number of cases and deaths .
Donald Trump has between urging a return to in-class instruction for months .
In May , he tweeted : `` Schools in our country should be opened ASAP .
Much very good information now available . ''
On July 6 , he insisted `` SCHOOLS MUST OPEN IN THE FALL !
!
! ''
while baselessly claiming that Democrats were trying to keep schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hurt his reelection chances .
After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided guidance for how schools might reopen more safely , Trump publicly excoriated them , claiming `` they are asking schools to do very impractical things . ''
The administration and Senate Republicans are also reportedly hoping to use a pandemic relief bill to further pressure school systems to fully reopen .
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos , who once advocated for local control of education , has tried to leverage federal funding to pressure schools to fully reopen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to reopen again and for kids to be able to learn again , full time .
The data does n't suggest anything different .
The medical experts are n't suggesting anything different , '' she told Fox News on July 8 .
She added that the Department of Education might withhold federal funds if schools do n't comply .
DeVos also blasted school systems that are considering a hybrid model — part in-person , part on-line learning — and insisted schools open for in-class instruction five days a week .
Days later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat , saying that `` if schools are n't going to reopen , we 're not suggesting pulling funding from education , but instead allowing families to take that money and figure out where their kids can get educated if their schools are going to refuse to open . ''
DeVos has long pushed for education funding to be diverted from public schools and given to parents to use to send their children to private and religious schools .
And she has continued that push during the COVID-19 pandemic , which forced school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , DeVos falsely claimed in a radio interview that kids somehow prevent coronavirus transmission .
`` More and more studies show that kids are actually stoppers of the disease and they do n't get it and transmit it themselves , so we should be in a posture of — the default should be getting back to school kids in person , in the classroom , '' she said .
This claim relied on a German study that has not been peer-reviewed , and its authors told the Washington Post it does not apply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus is much more prevalent .
While the medical community is still studying the impact of the coronavirus on young kids , for some it has already proven serious .
Hundreds of Americans under the age of 25 have died and COVID-19 's long-term damage is unknown .
A study of more than 60,000 people in South Korea , released last week , suggested that while children under the age of 10 transmit the virus much less than adults , those between ages 10 and 19 spread it just as much .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of adult teachers and staff .
One in four teachers has a condition that puts them at elevated risk of serious illness if they are infected , according to a Kaiser Family Foundation estimate .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Nearly two-thirds of American parents oppose reopening schools soon, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation survey. But the Trump administration continues to push for an immediate resumption of in-person instruction.
The tracking poll, released Thursday, found that 60% of parents say they prefer schools open later “to ensure the risk of getting coronavirus is as low as possible.” Just 34% said it was better for them to open sooner “so parents can work and students won’t miss out on learning and other services schools provide.”
More than three-quarters of parents of color said they preferred waiting to reopen schools. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Black and Latinx communities especially hard, with a disproportionate number of cases and deaths.
separate poll, released Wednesday from AP-NORC , found that while most Americans support some sort of school reopening, just 22% believe this can happen without major adjustments and just 8% believe schools should reopened as usual.
The poll also found 56% are “very” or “extremely” concerned that reopening will increase the spread of COVID-19 in their communities and another 24% are “somewhat concerned” about it. But the Trump administration continues to push for a resumption of in-person instruction just weeks from now.
Donald Trump has between urging a return to in-class instruction for months. In May, he tweeted: “Schools in our country should be opened ASAP. Much very good information now available.”
On July 6, he insisted “SCHOOLS MUST OPEN IN THE FALL!!!” while baselessly claiming that Democrats were trying to keep schools closed “for political reasons,” to hurt his reelection chances.
After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided guidance for how schools might reopen more safely, Trump publicly excoriated them, claiming “they are asking schools to do very impractical things.”
The administration and Senate Republicans are also reportedly hoping to use a pandemic relief bill to further pressure school systems to fully reopen.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who once advocated for local control of education, has tried to leverage federal funding to pressure schools to fully reopen.
“There’s no excuse for schools not to reopen again and for kids to be able to learn again, full time. The data doesn’t suggest anything different. The medical experts aren’t suggesting anything different,” she told Fox News on July 8.
She added that the Department of Education might withhold federal funds if schools don’t comply. DeVos also blasted school systems that are considering a hybrid model — part in-person, part on-line learning — and insisted schools open for in-class instruction five days a week.
Days later, she appeared to walk back that threat, saying that “if schools aren’t going to reopen, we’re not suggesting pulling funding from education, but instead allowing families to take that money and figure out where their kids can get educated if their schools are going to refuse to open.”
DeVos has long pushed for education funding to be diverted from public schools and given to parents to use to send their children to private and religious schools.
And she has continued that push during the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced school closures across the country.
Last week, DeVos falsely claimed in a radio interview that kids somehow prevent coronavirus transmission.
“More and more studies show that kids are actually stoppers of the disease and they don’t get it and transmit it themselves, so we should be in a posture of — the default should be getting back to school kids in person, in the classroom,” she said.
This claim relied on a German study that has not been peer-reviewed, and its authors told the Washington Post it does not apply to the United States, where the virus is much more prevalent.
While the medical community is still studying the impact of the coronavirus on young kids, for some it has already proven serious. Hundreds of Americans under the age of 25 have died and COVID-19’s long-term damage is unknown.
A study of more than 60,000 people in South Korea, released last week, suggested that while children under the age of 10 transmit the virus much less than adults, those between ages 10 and 19 spread it just as much.
In addition, America’s schools employ millions of adult teachers and staff. One in four teachers has a condition that puts them at elevated risk of serious illness if they are infected, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation estimate.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-23--Loeffler ditches private jet she claimed was to 'save taxpayer money'

Sen. Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) admitted on Wednesday night that she regularly flies on Delta after previously claiming to use her own private jet to save taxpayer funds .
`` I 've been flying back and forth to Washington on Delta , '' Loeffler said during a Fox News interview .
In February , the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Loeffler was the only member of the Georgia congressional delegation to use a private jet when commuting back and forth to the nation 's capital , noting she `` occasionally '' flew on commercial flights .
At the time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` to best serve Georgians and save taxpayer money . ''
Every member of Congress has access to taxpayer funds , known as the Members ' Representational Allowance , to cover travel to and from their home state to Washington , D.C. Loeffler was not using those funds when flying in her own plane .
Loeffler , the wealthiest member of Congress , bragged about her private jet in a campaign ad that aired in May .
The ad noted that she used her jet to bring home four Georgians who were stranded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The issue of flights came up Wednesday night after Loeffler was asked her opinion about face mask mandates to help slow the spread of coronavirus .
`` I do n't think we need a mandate to wear a mask , '' Loeffler said , saying people should follow `` common-sense guidelines . ''
But she mischaracterized Delta 's approach to its passengers wearing face masks .
`` Everyone 's wearing their masks , '' she said .
`` There 's no law to do that — the airlines just ask that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that 's working out well . ''
But Delta does more than just ask customers to wear masks : Since May 4 , the airline has required customers to wear a mask when flying , according to its website .
And the airline is strictly enforcing the mandate .
`` If you board the plane and you insist on not wearing your mask , we will insist that you do n't fly Delta into the future , '' Ed Bastian , Delta 's CEO , said Wednesday on NBC 's `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 100 people we 've put on that list , '' he added .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) admitted on Wednesday night that she regularly flies on Delta after previously claiming to use her own private jet to save taxpayer funds.
“I’ve been flying back and forth to Washington on Delta,” Loeffler said during a Fox News interview.
In February, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Loeffler was the only member of the Georgia congressional delegation to use a private jet when commuting back and forth to the nation’s capital, noting she “occasionally” flew on commercial flights.
At the time, her spokesperson said Loeffler used her jet “to best serve Georgians and save taxpayer money.”
Every member of Congress has access to taxpayer funds, known as the Members’ Representational Allowance, to cover travel to and from their home state to Washington, D.C. Loeffler was not using those funds when flying in her own plane.
Loeffler, the wealthiest member of Congress, bragged about her private jet in a campaign ad that aired in May. The ad noted that she used her jet to bring home four Georgians who were stranded in Florida because of the coronavirus crisis.
The issue of flights came up Wednesday night after Loeffler was asked her opinion about face mask mandates to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
“I don’t think we need a mandate to wear a mask,” Loeffler said, saying people should follow “common-sense guidelines.”
But she mischaracterized Delta’s approach to its passengers wearing face masks.
“Everyone’s wearing their masks,” she said. “There’s no law to do that — the airlines just ask that we do it, and everyone does it, and that’s working out well.”
But Delta does more than just ask customers to wear masks: Since May 4, the airline has required customers to wear a mask when flying, according to its website.
And the airline is strictly enforcing the mandate.
“If you board the plane and you insist on not wearing your mask, we will insist that you don’t fly Delta into the future,” Ed Bastian, Delta’s CEO, said Wednesday on NBC’s “Today.”
“We already have over 100 people we’ve put on that list,” he added.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-23--GOP wants to slash unemployment benefit as jobless claims rise

Both the Trump administration and congressional Republicans want to dramatically cut the amount of unemployment benefits that 32 million Americans are currently receiving , even as unemployment claims rise and the economic recovery looks to be sliding in the wrong direction .
Congressional Republicans want to slash a boost in unemployment insurance payments from $ 600 a week to $ 400 a month , according to a CNBC report from Wednesday .
Meanwhile , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the White House wants to lower the payments to 70 % of what workers were making before they lost their jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 600 weekly payment is based on replacing 100 % of the average worker 's salary .
The GOP is talking about cutting the payments even as unemployment claims rise .
The Department of Labor announced on Thursday that 1.4 million workers filed for unemployment insurance for the week ending on July 18 — an increase of 109,000 from the prior week .
That marked the first increase in the number of workers filing unemployment claims since March , and is a sign that the economic recovery is not only stalling but could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country .
`` The weekly UI claims show a disturbing pattern of rising permanent job loss and slowing recalls from layoff , '' Betsey Stevenson , the former chief economist and the Department of Labor , tweeted Thursday morning .
`` The next employment report is likely to show a large increase in permanent job loss . ''
Meanwhile , Republicans are attacking laid-off workers who are receiving unemployment , with some calling them lazy and claiming the money is disincentivizing them from looking for work .
`` We are paying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more money to stay home and not work than they made on their jobs — and that is terrible , '' Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) said Wednesday .
However , there is no evidence that paying some workers more in unemployment than they received when they were working is keeping them from searching for or finding permanent jobs .
In fact , data showed that nearly 70 % of the workers who went back to work in June were making more in unemployment than they were in their last jobs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it appears the coronavirus unemployment benefit is going to expire , as Republicans dragged their feet right up to the deadline .
House Democrats had passed an extension of the $ 600 unemployment insurance boost back in May .
Economists say losing the benefit will not only cause hardship for millions of families struggling to put food on the table but also cause even more harm to the already floundering economy .
`` That $ 600 allows unemployed people to go about their regular lives and to spend money and buy goods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a senior economist and director of policy at the Economic Policy Institute , told the American Independent Foundation last week .
`` And if those $ 600 are taken way , those unemployed people wo n't be able to buy those goods , and the people who produce those goods and services will lose their jobs . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Both the Trump administration and congressional Republicans want to dramatically cut the amount of unemployment benefits that 32 million Americans are currently receiving, even as unemployment claims rise and the economic recovery looks to be sliding in the wrong direction.
Congressional Republicans want to slash a boost in unemployment insurance payments from $600 a week to $400 a month, according to a CNBC report from Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the White House wants to lower the payments to 70% of what workers were making before they lost their jobs, CNBC reported. Currently, the $600 weekly payment is based on replacing 100% of the average worker’s salary.
The GOP is talking about cutting the payments even as unemployment claims rise.
The Department of Labor announced on Thursday that 1.4 million workers filed for unemployment insurance for the week ending on July 18 — an increase of 109,000 from the prior week.
That marked the first increase in the number of workers filing unemployment claims since March, and is a sign that the economic recovery is not only stalling but could even be backsliding as coronavirus cases spike across the country.
“The weekly UI claims show a disturbing pattern of rising permanent job loss and slowing recalls from layoff,” Betsey Stevenson, the former chief economist and the Department of Labor, tweeted Thursday morning. “The next employment report is likely to show a large increase in permanent job loss.”
Meanwhile, Republicans are attacking laid-off workers who are receiving unemployment, with some calling them lazy and claiming the money is disincentivizing them from looking for work.
“We are paying a whole lot of people a lot more money to stay home and not work than they made on their jobs — and that is terrible,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said Wednesday.
However, there is no evidence that paying some workers more in unemployment than they received when they were working is keeping them from searching for or finding permanent jobs.
In fact, data showed that nearly 70% of the workers who went back to work in June were making more in unemployment than they were in their last jobs, according to economist Ernie Tedeschi.
Ultimately, it appears the coronavirus unemployment benefit is going to expire, as Republicans dragged their feet right up to the deadline. House Democrats had passed an extension of the $600 unemployment insurance boost back in May.
Economists say losing the benefit will not only cause hardship for millions of families struggling to put food on the table but also cause even more harm to the already floundering economy.
“That $600 allows unemployed people to go about their regular lives and to spend money and buy goods and services,” Heidi Shierholz, a senior economist and director of policy at the Economic Policy Institute, told the American Independent Foundation last week. “And if those $600 are taken way, those unemployed people won’t be able to buy those goods, and the people who produce those goods and services will lose their jobs.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-24--News you might have missed: High school drops Confederate name to honor John Lewis

This week , a Virginia school is renamed in honor of civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis , Rhode Island embraces LGBTQ families , and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivers a powerful rebuke to misogyny .
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news .
Fairfax County school removes name of Robert E. Lee and honors Rep. John Lewis The Fairfax County Public Schools board voted unanimously Thursday night to rename its Robert E. Lee High School after Rep. John Lewis ( D-GA ) , the civil rights icon who died earlier this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a more fitting replacement for a disgraced Confederate general than a civil rights icon , '' Karl Frisch , a school board member , told the Washington Post .
Lewis marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was the last surviving speaker from the famous march where King delivered his `` I have a dream '' speech .
Lewis was elected to Congress in 1986 , where he continued to fight for issues of equality and justice .
The new name will go into effect this school year .
The House of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump 's travel ban on 13 countries , often referred to as the Muslim ban .
The bill would also prevent future presidents from implementing similar measures .
`` This ban never had anything to do with national security ; it was always driven by prejudice , '' Rep. Judy Chu ( D-CA ) , the lead sponsor of the bill , said in a press release following the vote .
`` Today 's vote is a victory for the countless families who have been needlessly separated by this hateful policy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ different versions of the ban after the first two were ruled unconstitutional by the courts .
The final version was upheld by a 5-4 vote of the Supreme Court .
The bill now heads to the Senate , where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is unlikely to hold a vote on it , Vox reported .
Rhode Island on Tuesday ditched outdated language with a new law recognizing the diversity of modern families , including LGBTQ parents , unmarried parents , and blended families .
The Rhode Island Uniform Parentage Act simplifies the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including parents who adopt , use a surrogate , or use assisted reproduction techniques .
`` Love is love — it 's as simple as that , '' Democratic Gov .
Gina Raimondo said in a statement about the new law .
`` Our state 's adoption and parentage laws are significantly outdated , especially toward our state 's loving LGBTQ parents who want nothing more than to love , protect and be responsible for their children . ''
On Thursday , Minnesota became the latest state to implement police reforms following nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd , a Black man , at the hands of a white police officer .
The law , signed by Gov .
Tim Walz , bans neck restraints like the one used against Floyd , who was killed in Minneapolis .
It also bans chokeholds and training techniques critics say may lead to the use of excessive force .
`` These critical reforms are long overdue — they are meant to strengthen transparency and community oversight , '' Walz said on Thursday .
Virginia law allows undocumented immigrants to get driver 's license @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigrants to receive a driver 's license thanks to a new law signed by Gov .
Ralph Northam on Monday .
The law removes a requirement that applicants for a license show proof that they are legally allowed to be in the country .
`` In addition to giving members of Virginia 's immigrant community the ability to legally drive a vehicle , this driver privilege card legislation will make obtaining valid identification accessible to all Virginia residents , regardless of their immigration status , '' Northam said in a statement .
Automatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York residents will soon have an easier time registering to vote after the Legislature passed automatic voter registration this week .
The bill , which passed the Assembly on Thursday after passing the Senate the day before , would mean New Yorkers will be automatically registered to vote when they interact with government agencies such as the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Health Department .
`` The passage of automatic voter registration means adding one million new voters to the rolls , including those New Yorkers historically most subject to disenfranchisement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the New York Civil Liberties Union , told WIVB .
The bill , which still needs to be signed by Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , would go into effect in January 2023 .
Jody Daniels to become first woman to lead Army Reserves After 112 years , a woman will lead the Army Reserves for the first time in its history .
Newly promoted Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels has been cleared to take command of the service branch .
Daniels has a doctorate in computer science , was deployed in Iraq , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer .
`` Jody is smart , experienced , approachable and is a gifted leader , '' Mark Quantock , a retired Army officer who knows Daniels well , told USA Today .
`` Really happy to see her break another glass ceiling as the Chief of the Army Reserve . ''
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-NY ) delivered a powerful rebuke of Rep. Ted Yoho , the Republican congressman who verbally accosted her on the steps of the Capitol earlier this week .
`` My father , thankfully , is not alive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter , '' Ocasio-Cortez said on the House floor , in response to Yoho calling her a `` fucking bitch . ''
`` My mother got to see Mr. Yoho 's disrespect on the floor of this House towards me on television , '' she continued .
`` And I am here because I have to show my parents that I am their daughter and that they did not raise me to accept abuse from men . ''
Ocasio-Cortez noted that `` this issue is not about one incident .
It is cultural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of impunity , of accepting of violence and violent language against women , and an entire structure of power that supports that . ''

This week, a Virginia school is renamed in honor of civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis, Rhode Island embraces LGBTQ families, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivers a powerful rebuke to misogyny.
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news.
The Fairfax County Public Schools board voted unanimously Thursday night to rename its Robert E. Lee High School after Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), the civil rights icon who died earlier this month.
“It is hard to imagine a more fitting replacement for a disgraced Confederate general than a civil rights icon,” Karl Frisch, a school board member, told the Washington Post.
Lewis marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was the last surviving speaker from the famous march where King delivered his “I have a dream” speech. Lewis was elected to Congress in 1986, where he continued to fight for issues of equality and justice.
The new name will go into effect this school year.
The House of Representatives voted 233-183 on Wednesday to end Donald Trump’s travel ban on 13 countries, often referred to as the Muslim ban. The bill would also prevent future presidents from implementing similar measures.
“This ban never had anything to do with national security; it was always driven by prejudice,” Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), the lead sponsor of the bill, said in a press release following the vote. “Today’s vote is a victory for the countless families who have been needlessly separated by this hateful policy.”
Trump was forced to issue three different versions of the ban after the first two were ruled unconstitutional by the courts. The final version was upheld by a 5-4 vote of the Supreme Court.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is unlikely to hold a vote on it, Vox reported.
Rhode Island on Tuesday ditched outdated language with a new law recognizing the diversity of modern families, including LGBTQ parents, unmarried parents, and blended families.
The Rhode Island Uniform Parentage Act simplifies the way the state deals with parental rights, including parents who adopt, use a surrogate, or use assisted reproduction techniques.
“Love is love — it’s as simple as that,” Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo said in a statement about the new law. “Our state’s adoption and parentage laws are significantly outdated, especially toward our state’s loving LGBTQ parents who want nothing more than to love, protect and be responsible for their children.”
On Thursday, Minnesota became the latest state to implement police reforms following nationwide protests sparked by the death of George Floyd, a Black man, at the hands of a white police officer.
The law, signed by Gov. Tim Walz, bans neck restraints like the one used against Floyd, who was killed in Minneapolis. It also bans chokeholds and training techniques critics say may lead to the use of excessive force.
“These critical reforms are long overdue — they are meant to strengthen transparency and community oversight,” Walz said on Thursday.
Virginia is providing a path for undocumented immigrants to receive a driver’s license thanks to a new law signed by Gov. Ralph Northam on Monday.
The law removes a requirement that applicants for a license show proof that they are legally allowed to be in the country.
“In addition to giving members of Virginia’s immigrant community the ability to legally drive a vehicle, this driver privilege card legislation will make obtaining valid identification accessible to all Virginia residents, regardless of their immigration status,” Northam said in a statement.
New York residents will soon have an easier time registering to vote after the Legislature passed automatic voter registration this week.
The bill, which passed the Assembly on Thursday after passing the Senate the day before, would mean New Yorkers will be automatically registered to vote when they interact with government agencies such as the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Health Department.
“The passage of automatic voter registration means adding one million new voters to the rolls, including those New Yorkers historically most subject to disenfranchisement,” Perry Grossman, an attorney with the New York Civil Liberties Union, told WIVB.
The bill, which still needs to be signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, would go into effect in January 2023.
After 112 years, a woman will lead the Army Reserves for the first time in its history.
Newly promoted Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels has been cleared to take command of the service branch.
Daniels has a doctorate in computer science, was deployed in Iraq, and has served as a career intelligence officer.
“Jody is smart, experienced, approachable and is a gifted leader,” Mark Quantock, a retired Army officer who knows Daniels well, told USA Today. “Really happy to see her break another glass ceiling as the Chief of the Army Reserve.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) delivered a powerful rebuke of Rep. Ted Yoho, the Republican congressman who verbally accosted her on the steps of the Capitol earlier this week.
“My father, thankfully, is not alive to see how Mr. Yoho treated his daughter,” Ocasio-Cortez said on the House floor, in response to Yoho calling her a “fucking bitch.”
“My mother got to see Mr. Yoho’s disrespect on the floor of this House towards me on television,” she continued. “And I am here because I have to show my parents that I am their daughter and that they did not raise me to accept abuse from men.”
Ocasio-Cortez noted that “this issue is not about one incident. It is cultural. It is a culture of lack of impunity, of accepting of violence and violent language against women, and an entire structure of power that supports that.”
Read a full transcript of Ocasio-Cortez’s speech here.


shareblue--2020-07-24--Transgender leaders facing more hate and discrimination as visibility grows

Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine , a transgender woman , has been the subject of discriminatory remarks and incidents over the past few months as she continues to combat a pandemic in her state .
The attacks are a reminder of the rancor and hate transgender people face more broadly , even as they win political office and take on high-powered roles at the state and local level .
LGBTQ advocacy organizations and transgender political leaders say that much of the response to Levine and other transgender politicians is owed at least in part to that increased political representation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pennsylvania , last week , for instance , featured a dunk tank with a man in glasses wearing a blonde wig and floral dress .
An unnamed individual running the Bloomsburg Fair 's Facebook page posted a photo of the event with the caption , `` Dr. Levine ?
Thank you .
You were a hit and raised a lot of money for the local fire companies .
Wonder why so many were trying to dunk you , '' along with a blushing smile emoji .
The post has since been deleted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has since apologized for the post and said David Broadt , the man in the dunk tank , did not intend to dress as Levine but claimed the crowd watching began associating him with Levine .
In July , the Facebook page of Hallam Recreation , in Hallam Borough , posted a meme that read , `` If you are ordered to wear a mask by a guy who wears a bra ... you might be a Pennsylvanian , '' an apparent transphobic reference to Levine .
Glenn Wascovich , the mayor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying , `` Hate has NO home in Hallam . ''
In June , a Scott Township commissioner , Paul Abel , resigned after he made a transphobic comment about Levine during a commissioners meeting .
Abel referred to the `` green phase '' of the reopening process — or final phase — saying , `` I 'm tired of listening to a guy dressed up like a woman . ''
Abel later issued a letter of apology , stating he had stepped down from the board `` for his wife and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a KDKA-AM radio personality , Marty Griffin , called Dr. Levine `` sir '' three times at least three times during an interview .
Griffin later apologized , claiming in a tweet that he had been distracted at the time .
There has been significant progress in political representation for LGBTQ people in the past year , according to the LGBTQ Victory Institute , which provides training and professional development programs to LGBTQ people .
According to the group , there has been a 21 % increase in LGBTQ people serving in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transgender women serving in elected office in the past year .
But with that broader visibility has come an increase in hate and discrimination .
Danica Roem , a Democratic transgender woman who was first elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2017 , ran for re-election and won in 2019 .
Before she did , Family Foundation Action , a Christian fundamentalist group , released a transphobic attack ad falsely claiming she sponsored a bill `` to force all insurance companies to pay for harmful and unnecessary `` 'gender transition ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social agenda . ''
Elsewhere that year , Minnesota state lawmaker Mary Franson ( R ) tweeted transphobic attacks on two Minneapolis City Council members , Andrea Jenkins , the first Black openly transgender woman elected to public office , and Phillipe Cunningham , a transgender man .
`` A guy who thinks he 's a girl is still a guy with a mental health condition , '' Franson wrote at the time .
Elliot Imse , senior director of communications at the LGBTQ Victory Fund , said transgender people in government , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are often subject to backlash as their careers progress .
`` Trans people are being elected and appointed to higher-level and more prominent positions and the majority of Americans welcome that progress , '' Imse said .
`` Unfortunately , with [ that ] , trailblazers like Dr. Levine often become targets for hate from the most vile segments of society . ''
Colorado state Rep. Brianna Titone , the first openly transgender state legislator elected in Colorado , and fourth openly transgender state legislator elected in the nation , said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her colleagues , with some lawmakers deliberately misgendering her on the floor of the legislature .
`` It ’ s just petty and ridiculous that they would attack someone ’ s gender identity because they don ’ t like the way they ’ re doing things .
Attack the policies .
Do n't attack the people , '' Titone said .
`` Any time minority groups start to gain power , there is a sense that others are losing their power and losing control over the things that they ’ ve had control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she added .
`` They are seeking to control anybody they can and the trans community is one of the smallest communities out there . ''
Worse , Human Rights Campaign state director Ryan Matthews said transphobic incidents like the dunk tank at the Bloomsburg Fair often translate into violence against transgender people .
`` When transgender people are mocked and portrayed inaccurately , as was done at the Bloomsburg Fair , it directly correlates to a transphobic culture that has killed at least 22 transgender and gender non-conforming people in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an interview .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine, a transgender woman, has been the subject of discriminatory remarks and incidents over the past few months as she continues to combat a pandemic in her state.
The attacks are a reminder of the rancor and hate transgender people face more broadly, even as they win political office and take on high-powered roles at the state and local level.
LGBTQ advocacy organizations and transgender political leaders say that much of the response to Levine and other transgender politicians is owed at least in part to that increased political representation and visibility.
A fair in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, last week, for instance, featured a dunk tank with a man in glasses wearing a blonde wig and floral dress. An unnamed individual running the Bloomsburg Fair’s Facebook page posted a photo of the event with the caption, “Dr. Levine? Thank you. You were a hit and raised a lot of money for the local fire companies. Wonder why so many were trying to dunk you,” along with a blushing smile emoji.
The post has since been deleted.
Bloomsburg Fair Association President Randy Karschner has since apologized for the post and said David Broadt, the man in the dunk tank, did not intend to dress as Levine but claimed the crowd watching began associating him with Levine.
In July, the Facebook page of Hallam Recreation, in Hallam Borough, posted a meme that read, “If you are ordered to wear a mask by a guy who wears a bra…you might be a Pennsylvanian,” an apparent transphobic reference to Levine.
Glenn Wascovich, the mayor of Hallam, responded to the post later, saying, “Hate has NO home in Hallam.”
In June, a Scott Township commissioner, Paul Abel, resigned after he made a transphobic comment about Levine during a commissioners meeting. Abel referred to the “green phase” of the reopening process — or final phase — saying, “I’m tired of listening to a guy dressed up like a woman.”
Abel later issued a letter of apology, stating he had stepped down from the board “for his wife and family.”
And back in May, a KDKA-AM radio personality, Marty Griffin, called Dr. Levine “sir” three times at least three times during an interview.
Griffin later apologized, claiming in a tweet that he had been distracted at the time.
There has been significant progress in political representation for LGBTQ people in the past year, according to the LGBTQ Victory Institute, which provides training and professional development programs to LGBTQ people. According to the group, there has been a 21% increase in LGBTQ people serving in elected offices and 40% increase in transgender women serving in elected office in the past year.
But with that broader visibility has come an increase in hate and discrimination.
Danica Roem, a Democratic transgender woman who was first elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2017, ran for re-election and won in 2019. Before she did, Family Foundation Action, a Christian fundamentalist group, released a transphobic attack ad falsely claiming she sponsored a bill “to force all insurance companies to pay for harmful and unnecessary “‘gender transition’ surgeries” and had an “EXTREME social agenda.”
Elsewhere that year, Minnesota state lawmaker Mary Franson (R) tweeted transphobic attacks on two Minneapolis City Council members, Andrea Jenkins, the first Black openly transgender woman elected to public office, and Phillipe Cunningham, a transgender man. “A guy who thinks he’s a girl is still a guy with a mental health condition,” Franson wrote at the time.
Elliot Imse, senior director of communications at the LGBTQ Victory Fund, said transgender people in government, whether elected or appointed like Dr. Levine, are often subject to backlash as their careers progress.
“Trans people are being elected and appointed to higher-level and more prominent positions and the majority of Americans welcome that progress,” Imse said. “Unfortunately, with [that], trailblazers like Dr. Levine often become targets for hate from the most vile segments of society.”
Colorado state Rep. Brianna Titone, the first openly transgender state legislator elected in Colorado, and fourth openly transgender state legislator elected in the nation, said she has been similarly subjected to transphobia from her colleagues, with some lawmakers deliberately misgendering her on the floor of the legislature.
“It’s just petty and ridiculous that they would attack someone’s gender identity because they don’t like the way they’re doing things. Attack the policies. Don’t attack the people,” Titone said.
“Any time minority groups start to gain power, there is a sense that others are losing their power and losing control over the things that they’ve had control over for a long time,” she added. “They are seeking to control anybody they can and the trans community is one of the smallest communities out there.”
Worse, Human Rights Campaign state director Ryan Matthews said transphobic incidents like the dunk tank at the Bloomsburg Fair often translate into violence against transgender people.
“When transgender people are mocked and portrayed inaccurately, as was done at the Bloomsburg Fair, it directly correlates to a transphobic culture that has killed at least 22 transgender and gender non-conforming people in the U.S. this year alone,” Matthews said in an interview.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-24--Trump campaign: 'Twitter polls' prove Trump 'is doing incredibly well'

Jenna Ellis , senior legal adviser for Donald Trump 's reelection campaign , cited unscientific `` Twitter polls '' as evidence that Trump is `` doing incredibly well '' against Joe Biden .
Twitter polls can be answered by any user on the social media service at random and ca n't be relied on to accurately assessing public opinion .
The Trump campaign , along with Trump himself , has repeatedly attacked legitimate polling showing a lead for Biden .
From the July 23 edition of OAN 's `` After Hours '' : ALEX SALVI , host : When we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know that a lot of people are very skeptical of acknowledging what they saw in 2016 .
Are you concerned at all ?
JENNA ELLIS : Not at all .
And the reason for that is not only are we seeing a repeat of 2016 and the polls that the Democrats want to manipulate .
If you look at the mainstream media polls and how they 're underrepresenting Republicans as well as likely voters in those polls , we 're seeing , you know , yet again , a 2016 .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to actually see what 's going on and where the president and the campaign are situated , those internal numbers are actually doing very well .
And if you look at , also , I know that Twitter polls are , you know , a wide source of controversy , but if you look at even those polls that are open to anyone to join in , but they can only vote once — and those have over 100,000 responses — the president is doing incredibly well with any of those that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Jenna Ellis, senior legal adviser for Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, cited unscientific “Twitter polls” as evidence that Trump is “doing incredibly well” against Joe Biden.
Twitter polls can be answered by any user on the social media service at random and can’t be relied on to accurately assessing public opinion.
The Trump campaign, along with Trump himself, has repeatedly attacked legitimate polling showing a lead for Biden.
From the July 23 edition of OAN’s “After Hours”:
ALEX SALVI, host: When we look at the polls right now, I know that a lot of people are very skeptical of acknowledging what they saw in 2016. Are you concerned at all? JENNA ELLIS: Not at all. And the reason for that is not only are we seeing a repeat of 2016 and the polls that the Democrats want to manipulate. If you look at the mainstream media polls and how they’re underrepresenting Republicans as well as likely voters in those polls, we’re seeing, you know, yet again, a 2016. But also, our internal polling where we want to actually see what’s going on and where the president and the campaign are situated, those internal numbers are actually doing very well. And if you look at, also, I know that Twitter polls are, you know, a wide source of controversy, but if you look at even those polls that are open to anyone to join in, but they can only vote once — and those have over 100,000 responses — the president is doing incredibly well with any of those that are not just controlled by the mainstream media.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-24--McEnany: Trump is 'appalled' the show 'Cops' was canceled

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said on Friday that Donald Trump is `` appalled '' by the cancellation of television shows `` Paw Patrol , '' `` Cops , '' and `` Live PD . ''
`` Paw Patrol , '' a children 's cartoon , has not been canceled , despite repeated insistence from Republicans that it has been .
The claim is based on jokes that circulated on social media .
After nationwide protests of police violence against Black people , television networks have been reevaluating their airing of programs that involve idealized depictions of law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appalled by cancel culture , and cancel culture specifically as it pertains to cops .
We saw a few weeks ago that `` Paw Patrol , '' a cartoon show about cops , was canceled , the show `` Cops '' was canceled , `` Live PD '' was canceled .
Lego halted the sales of their Lego City Police Station .
It 's really unfortunate , because I stand with , and the president stands with , the 63 % of Americans who think police officers are one of the most important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 63 % .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said on Friday that Donald Trump is “appalled” by the cancellation of television shows “Paw Patrol,” “Cops,” and “Live PD.”
“Paw Patrol,” a children’s cartoon, has not been canceled, despite repeated insistence from Republicans that it has been. The claim is based on jokes that circulated on social media.
After nationwide protests of police violence against Black people, television networks have been reevaluating their airing of programs that involve idealized depictions of law enforcement.
From the July 24 White House press briefing:
KAYLEIGH McENANY: He’s also appalled by cancel culture, and cancel culture specifically as it pertains to cops. We saw a few weeks ago that “Paw Patrol,” a cartoon show about cops, was canceled, the show “Cops” was canceled, “Live PD” was canceled. Lego halted the sales of their Lego City Police Station. It’s really unfortunate, because I stand with, and the president stands with, the 63% of Americans who think police officers are one of the most important jobs in this country. That’s 63%.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-24--Second GOP senator caught secretly using party operative in campaign ad

Sen. David Perdue ( R-GA ) released a new campaign ad on Thursday , but he failed to disclose that a woman featured in it is a longtime GOP operative with close ties to the Georgia Republican Party .
After Perdue spoke directly to the camera about the need to lower the cost of health care and prescription drugs , Janelle King , a woman identified only as a resident of Sandy Springs , Georgia , praised Perdue .
`` We need this done .
And if anyone can do it , it 's Sen. Perdue , '' King said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making for us . ''
At no time did the ad disclose that King previously worked as the deputy state and data director of the Georgia Republican Party , a field director for former Rep. Karen Handel 's campaign , and as a consultant for Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp 's 2018 campaign , according to her LinkedIn page .
King currently appears as a panelist for the `` Georgia Gang '' show on a local Fox affiliate in Atlanta .
A biography for the station describes her as `` a rising star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia '' who works as `` a consultant to the GOP for community engagement , public affairs , and diversity initiatives . ''
The Perdue campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Earlier this year , Sen. Martha McSally ( R-AZ ) was also caught using an undisclosed political operative in a campaign ad .
McSally 's ad featured Kristen Douglas , one of her former staffers .
Douglas lied about McSally 's health care record , falsely claiming McSally will `` make sure that people with preexisting conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numerous times against protections for people with preexisting conditions .
Health care is a top issue for voters in the 2020 election .
According to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll from April , 88 % of registered voters consider health care either `` very important '' or `` somewhat important '' when deciding who to vote for in the presidential election .
Perdue has been a vocal supporter of a GOP-led lawsuit to eliminate the Affordable Care Act .
If successful , the lawsuit would result in 23 million people losing health insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions , and young adults would no longer be allowed to remain on their parents ' health insurance even as the nation is in the middle of a health crisis .
As of Friday , the United States had more than 4 million confirmed coronavirus cases and at least 144,283 people have died .
When asked about the lawsuit in July , Perdue said he supports the lawsuit , calling the ACA an `` abomination . ''
Perdue , a first-term senator , faces a close reelection race against Democratic nominee Jon Ossoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perdue with a 4-point lead over Ossoff , but the Cook Political Report recently changed its categorization of the race from `` Lean Republican '' to `` Toss Up . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. David Perdue (R-GA) released a new campaign ad on Thursday, but he failed to disclose that a woman featured in it is a longtime GOP operative with close ties to the Georgia Republican Party.
After Perdue spoke directly to the camera about the need to lower the cost of health care and prescription drugs, Janelle King, a woman identified only as a resident of Sandy Springs, Georgia, praised Perdue.
“We need this done. And if anyone can do it, it’s Sen. Perdue,” King said. “What a difference he’s making for us.”
At no time did the ad disclose that King previously worked as the deputy state and data director of the Georgia Republican Party, a field director for former Rep. Karen Handel’s campaign, and as a consultant for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s 2018 campaign, according to her LinkedIn page.
King currently appears as a panelist for the “Georgia Gang” show on a local Fox affiliate in Atlanta. A biography for the station describes her as “a rising star in the world of conservative politics in Georgia” who works as “a consultant to the GOP for community engagement, public affairs, and diversity initiatives.”
The Perdue campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Earlier this year, Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) was also caught using an undisclosed political operative in a campaign ad.
McSally’s ad featured Kristen Douglas, one of her former staffers. Douglas lied about McSally’s health care record, falsely claiming McSally will “make sure that people with preexisting conditions are insured,” despite McSally voting numerous times against protections for people with preexisting conditions.
Health care is a top issue for voters in the 2020 election. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll from April, 88% of registered voters consider health care either “very important” or “somewhat important” when deciding who to vote for in the presidential election.
Perdue has been a vocal supporter of a GOP-led lawsuit to eliminate the Affordable Care Act. If successful, the lawsuit would result in 23 million people losing health insurance, eliminate protections for people with preexisting conditions, and young adults would no longer be allowed to remain on their parents’ health insurance even as the nation is in the middle of a health crisis.
As of Friday, the United States had more than 4 million confirmed coronavirus cases and at least 144,283 people have died.
When asked about the lawsuit in July, Perdue said he supports the lawsuit, calling the ACA an “abomination.”
Perdue, a first-term senator, faces a close reelection race against Democratic nominee Jon Ossoff. An average of recent polls shows Perdue with a 4-point lead over Ossoff, but the Cook Political Report recently changed its categorization of the race from “Lean Republican” to “Toss Up.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-24--GOP governors who rushed to reopen see approval ratings tank

Four Republican governors who rushed to reopen their states prematurely amid the pandemic have seen their approval ratings tank , according to a new poll .
The SurveyMonkey poll , published Friday by Axios , found that constituents no longer approve of the way Govs .
Doug Ducey of Arizona , Ron DeSantis of Florida , Brian Kemp of Georgia , and Greg Abbott of Texas are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Cases have spiked in all four states recently .
The White House and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a set of guidelines in April for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economies after most shut down due to curb the coronavirus 's spread .
Despite not meeting the criteria , each of the four governors plowed ahead with reopening against expert advice .
Predictably , things have since worsened in those states .
In Arizona , only 36 % of adults in the state now approve of Ducey 's handling of the coronavirus response , compared to 62 % who disapprove .
In May , his approval rating stood at 60 % .
Ducey let his stay-at-home order expire on May 15 and quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and salons to reopen .
The number of new cases in the state was 565 on May 15 .
By early June , it had grown to more than 1,000 per day .
By the end of the month , several days saw more than 5,000 cases .
Ducey ordered bars and gyms to close again in late June , but by mid-July the state 's hospitals were nearing capacity even as the number of new daily cases began to slow .
Public health experts have linked the spike to the reopening .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ warning sign to other areas , '' University of Arizona epidemiologist Katherine Ellingson told Kaiser Health News in June .
`` We never had that consistent downward trend that would signal it 's time to reopen and we have everything in place to do it safely . ''
In Florida , 40 % now approve of DeSantis ' handling of the coronavirus response , compared to 58 % who disapprove .
In May , his approval was 58 % .
DeSantis , who had been slow to act in the early days of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and indoor dining to expand in mid-May .
In early June , he expanded that to include bars and cinemas .
At that point , the number of daily cases was at 1,317 .
On Thursday , the state reported more than 10,000 new cases .
Still , a defiant DeSantis said earlier this month that despite spikes in cases , he would not reimpose restrictions .
`` We 're not going back , closing things .
I do n't think that that 's really what 's driving it , people going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , '' he told reporters .
In Georgia , 44 % now approve of Kemp 's handling of the coronavirus response , compared to 55 % who disapprove .
In May , his approval was just 43 % , but he had seen it increase to above 50 % in June .
Kemp announced in late April that he would allow many businesses to reopen within a week .
Even Donald Trump , who had pushed for a speedy reopening everywhere , criticized the move , saying , `` I told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I disagree strongly with his decision to open certain facilities which are in violation of the phase one guidelines for the incredible people of Georgia . ''
At the time , the state was seeing a few hundred new cases each day .
By mid-June , the state 's daily cases had soared to nearly 1,800 .
Kemp said around that time , `` And if the virus comes back I don ’ t see us shutting our economy down anymore .
We have to figure out how to live with this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the daily total risen to more than 4,200 .
Kemp recently announced he was suing to block localities from requiring mask use .
In Texas , 44 % now approve of Abbott 's handling of the coronavirus response , compared to 55 % who disapprove .
In May , his approval was 58 % .
Texas was one of the earliest states to begin reopening , starting on May 1 .
In mid-May , Abbott announced he was opening of bars , bowling alleys , schools , and rodeos , even as cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He plowed forward in early June , allowing nearly all businesses to open at 50 % capacity , even as the state saw is highest daily average rising again .
Abbott dismissed this as `` largely the result of isolated hot spots in nursing homes , jails , and meat packing plants . ''
On June 25 , Abbott temporarily paused reopening .
A day later , he said he regretted reopening bars so quickly and shut them down again .
At that point , the number of daily cases had grown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas reported more than 9,500 new cases .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Four Republican governors who rushed to reopen their states prematurely amid the pandemic have seen their approval ratings tank, according to a new poll.
The SurveyMonkey poll, published Friday by Axios, found that constituents no longer approve of the way Govs. Doug Ducey of Arizona, Ron DeSantis of Florida, Brian Kemp of Georgia, and Greg Abbott of Texas are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cases have spiked in all four states recently.
The White House and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a set of guidelines in April for how states could more safely reopen their economies after most shut down due to curb the coronavirus’s spread. Despite not meeting the criteria, each of the four governors plowed ahead with reopening against expert advice.
Predictably, things have since worsened in those states.
In Arizona, only 36% of adults in the state now approve of Ducey’s handling of the coronavirus response, compared to 62% who disapprove. In May, his approval rating stood at 60%.
Ducey let his stay-at-home order expire on May 15 and quickly allowed gyms, pools, restaurants, and salons to reopen.
The number of new cases in the state was 565 on May 15. By early June, it had grown to more than 1,000 per day. By the end of the month, several days saw more than 5,000 cases.
Ducey ordered bars and gyms to close again in late June, but by mid-July the state’s hospitals were nearing capacity even as the number of new daily cases began to slow.
Public health experts have linked the spike to the reopening. “Perhaps, Arizona will be a warning sign to other areas,” University of Arizona epidemiologist Katherine Ellingson told Kaiser Health News in June. “We never had that consistent downward trend that would signal it’s time to reopen and we have everything in place to do it safely.”
In Florida, 40% now approve of DeSantis’ handling of the coronavirus response, compared to 58% who disapprove. In May, his approval was 58%.
DeSantis, who had been slow to act in the early days of the pandemic, allowed gyms to reopen and indoor dining to expand in mid-May. In early June, he expanded that to include bars and cinemas.
At that point, the number of daily cases was at 1,317. On Thursday, the state reported more than 10,000 new cases. Still, a defiant DeSantis said earlier this month that despite spikes in cases, he would not reimpose restrictions. “We’re not going back, closing things. I don’t think that that’s really what’s driving it, people going to a business is not what’s driving it,” he told reporters.
In Georgia, 44% now approve of Kemp’s handling of the coronavirus response, compared to 55% who disapprove. In May, his approval was just 43%, but he had seen it increase to above 50% in June.
Kemp announced in late April that he would allow many businesses to reopen within a week. Even Donald Trump, who had pushed for a speedy reopening everywhere, criticized the move, saying, “I told the governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, that I disagree strongly with his decision to open certain facilities which are in violation of the phase one guidelines for the incredible people of Georgia.”
At the time, the state was seeing a few hundred new cases each day.
By mid-June, the state’s daily cases had soared to nearly 1,800. Kemp said around that time, “And if the virus comes back I don’t see us shutting our economy down anymore. We have to figure out how to live with this virus.”
As of Thursday, the daily total risen to more than 4,200.
Kemp recently announced he was suing to block localities from requiring mask use.
In Texas, 44% now approve of Abbott’s handling of the coronavirus response, compared to 55% who disapprove. In May, his approval was 58%.
Texas was one of the earliest states to begin reopening, starting on May 1. In mid-May, Abbott announced he was opening of bars, bowling alleys, schools, and rodeos, even as cases hit a daily high of 1,801 cases.
He plowed forward in early June, allowing nearly all businesses to open at 50% capacity, even as the state saw is highest daily average rising again. Abbott dismissed this as “largely the result of isolated hot spots in nursing homes, jails, and meat packing plants.”
On June 25, Abbott temporarily paused reopening. A day later, he said he regretted reopening bars so quickly and shut them down again. At that point, the number of daily cases had grown to nearly 6,000.
On Thursday, Texas reported more than 9,500 new cases.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-24--Trump campaign calls Fox News poll 'fake' for showing Biden in the lead

Trump campaign spokesman Hogan Gidley on Friday called polling from Fox News showing Donald Trump behind Joe Biden `` fake , '' prompting a quick rebuke from Fox host Brian Kilmeade .
Gidley alleged that Fox 's pollsters `` oversample Democrats , '' echoing allegations made by Trump , his administration , and his reelection campaign .
`` I know the people who do the polls .
They do n't do a fake , they do a really good job , '' replied Kilmeade .
The exchange was unusual , as the conservative Fox News continues to be one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polling by Fox has shown Joe Biden with an 8-point national lead over Trump among registered voters .
Fox 's polling also shows Biden ahead of Trump in key swing states such as Michigan , Minnesota , and Pennsylvania .
Fox 's polls are in line with other national polls showing a consistent Biden lead .
From the July 24 edition of `` Fox & Friends '' : HOGAN GIDLEY : You touched on some polls .
Most of those are fake , I 'll be honest , they oversample Democrats .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here .
We 've had more than 1.1 billion views across our social media platforms for Donald Trump .
He 's not even really on those social media platforms all that much .
Joe Biden , however , comes out the other day for a Q-and-A , he promotes it , he 's on camera , and he has 19 people watching it at one time .
I think 17 of those were network news anchors and reporters just trying to figure out how to donate .
The other two were staffers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the excitement is all on our side , and we know this .
Our supporters will stand through rain , sleet , snow , hail , and crawl across broken glass to vote for Donald Trump .
Joe Biden 's supporters wo n't even click on a link to watch him do a Q-and-A .
It 's absolutely embarrassing .
We have the momentum , we know we 're going to do well in November .
BRIAN KILMEADE , Fox News : I just , I say , I know the people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do a fake , they do a really good job .
They might not be accurate in the end , I do n't know , but they do a great job — GIDLEY : Well does n't accuracy determine – I know the people are great , but does n't the accuracy determine how great it is ?
KILMEADE : I 'm not saying they 're Nostradamus , but I 'm just saying their math , and they 're professionals , so I just – do n't call the Fox News pollsters fake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the methodology 's flawed , at the very least , how 's that ?
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Trump campaign spokesman Hogan Gidley on Friday called polling from Fox News showing Donald Trump behind Joe Biden “fake,” prompting a quick rebuke from Fox host Brian Kilmeade.
Gidley alleged that Fox’s pollsters “oversample Democrats,” echoing allegations made by Trump, his administration, and his reelection campaign.
“I know the people who do the polls. They don’t do a fake, they do a really good job,” replied Kilmeade.
The exchange was unusual, as the conservative Fox News continues to be one of Trump’s most stalwart allies.
Recent polling by Fox has shown Joe Biden with an 8-point national lead over Trump among registered voters. Fox’s polling also shows Biden ahead of Trump in key swing states such as Michigan, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. Fox’s polls are in line with other national polls showing a consistent Biden lead.
From the July 24 edition of “Fox & Friends”:
HOGAN GIDLEY: You touched on some polls. Most of those are fake, I’ll be honest, they oversample Democrats. But let’s also talk about another instance here. We’ve had more than 1.1 billion views across our social media platforms for Donald Trump. He’s not even really on those social media platforms all that much. Joe Biden, however, comes out the other day for a Q-and-A, he promotes it, he’s on camera, and he has 19 people watching it at one time. I think 17 of those were network news anchors and reporters just trying to figure out how to donate. The other two were staffers. The fact is, the enthusiasm, the excitement is all on our side, and we know this. Our supporters will stand through rain, sleet, snow, hail, and crawl across broken glass to vote for Donald Trump. Joe Biden’s supporters won’t even click on a link to watch him do a Q-and-A. It’s absolutely embarrassing. We have the momentum, we know we’re going to do well in November. BRIAN KILMEADE, Fox News: I just, I say, I know the people who do the polls. They don’t do a fake, they do a really good job. They might not be accurate in the end, I don’t know, but they do a great job — GIDLEY: Well doesn’t accuracy determine – I know the people are great, but doesn’t the accuracy determine how great it is? KILMEADE: I’m not saying they’re Nostradamus, but I’m just saying their math, and they’re professionals, so I just – don’t call the Fox News pollsters fake. GIDLEY: Of course. Well, the methodology’s flawed, at the very least, how’s that?
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.