shareblue--2020-03-25--Head of border patrol falsely claims Trump's wall helps fight coronavirus

From the March 25 edition of Fox News ' `` Fox & Friends '' : MARK MORGAN , acting commissioner , Customs and Border Protection : As far as the wall goes , again , once again , the president is right .
We 're well over 130 miles right now , and here 's what 's important : This is really a three-legged stool .
We talked about the drugs pouring into our country — everybody gets that .
We talked about the bad people , the murderers , the pedophiles that border patrol 's stopping from coming into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that stool , that three-legged stool , is also infectious diseases .
This is why borders matter .
The wall helps that .
People do n't like to hear that , but that 's the truth .
Borders matter , and our ability to safeguard is n't just from drugs or bad people , but it 's also from the spread of infectious diseases , and I hope that people are paying attention to that .
Along with Morgan , Donald Trump himself has suggested in the past that `` tremendous infectious disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling for a wall to prevent immigrants from bringing more sickness into the country .
Experts say such claims are not rooted in fact .
`` There is no evidence whatsoever that this is so , '' Arthur Caplan , director of medical ethics at New York University 's Langone Medical Center , told PolitiFact in 2015 .
`` No study or survey shows this .
There is no outbreak or bump in disease attributable to immigrants .
`` Paul Spiegel , a medical doctor at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the concept of immigrants as disease carriers was mostly a racist trope .
`` There is no evidence to show that migrants are spreading disease , '' he said .
`` That is a false argument that is used to keep migrants out . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

From the March 25 edition of Fox News’ “Fox & Friends”:
MARK MORGAN, acting commissioner, Customs and Border Protection: As far as the wall goes, again, once again, the president is right. We’re well over 130 miles right now, and here’s what’s important: This is really a three-legged stool. We talked about the drugs pouring into our country — everybody gets that. We talked about the bad people, the murderers, the pedophiles that border patrol’s stopping from coming into this country. But another part of that stool, that three-legged stool, is also infectious diseases. This is why borders matter. The wall helps that. People don’t like to hear that, but that’s the truth. Borders matter, and our ability to safeguard isn’t just from drugs or bad people, but it’s also from the spread of infectious diseases, and I hope that people are paying attention to that.
Along with Morgan, Donald Trump himself has suggested in the past that “tremendous infectious disease is pouring across the border,” calling for a wall to prevent immigrants from bringing more sickness into the country.
Experts say such claims are not rooted in fact.
“There is no evidence whatsoever that this is so,” Arthur Caplan, director of medical ethics at New York University’s Langone Medical Center, told PolitiFact in 2015.
“No study or survey shows this. There is no outbreak or bump in disease attributable to immigrants.”Paul Spiegel, a medical doctor at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, told NBC News in 2018, that the concept of immigrants as disease carriers was mostly a racist trope.
“There is no evidence to show that migrants are spreading disease,” he said. “That is a false argument that is used to keep migrants out.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-16--GOP senator criticizes colleagues over stock scandal but keeps their donations

Sen. Martha McSally ( R-AZ ) has accepted more than $ 40,000 in campaign donations from individuals embroiled in an insider trading scandal .
After receiving a private congressional briefing about the coronavirus crisis on Jan. 24 , several Republican senators made questionable stock trades , resulting in allegations that they profited from insider knowledge .
Sens .
Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue of Georgia , and Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina have all fallen under a cloud of suspicion .
All three maintain they are innocent of any wrongdoing .
Between 2014 and 2019 , McSally received $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her husband , Jeff Sprecher , chairman of the New York Stock Exchange ( who is also implicated in the scandal ) , and PACs run by Perdue and Burr , according to Federal Election Commission reporting .
McSally received $ 17,500 from Burr 's leadership PAC ( including $ 10,000 in 2019 ) , $ 20,000 from Perdue 's leadership PAC ( including $ 10,000 in 2019 ) , $ 1,667 from Loeffler , and $ 1,667 from Sprecher .
The McSally campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the contributions despite speaking critically of her colleagues ' alleged behavior .
`` If it is proven that they 've done something illegal or unethical , they will have to be significantly punished , '' White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said during an April 8 tele-town hall hosted by McSally .
`` Larry , I couldn ’ t agree with you more , '' McSally said .
`` If these allegations are true , they need to be held accountable . ''
`` Senator McSally should put party politics aside , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign donors ' reported actions , '' Brad Bainum , Arizona Democratic Party spokesperson , said in a Wednesday email .
`` Martha McSally is funding her campaign with contributions from the same corrupt Republican Senators she 's now criticizing , '' Zach Hudson , a spokesperson with American Bridge , said in an April 9 statement .
If she refuses to return the money , her criticism is just `` empty talk from a senator who is about to lose her second Senate race in two years , '' Hudson added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat Kyrsten Sinema , and was later appointed to her position by the state 's Republican governor to fill out the remainder of the late Sen. John McCain 's term .
In her 2020 race against Democratic candidate and former astronaut Mark Kelly , McSally has already faced campaign finance scandals .
In June 2019 , McSally was fined $ 23,000 for accepting $ 319,000 in excessive contributions from 117 people during her 2014 House race .
In March 2019 , she was forced to pay a $ 5,000 fine for failing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near the end of her 2014 campaign .
Her struggles with campaign funding go further than campaign finance violations .
In December 2019 , McSally was caught asking outside conservative groups to spend money on supportive television ads because her campaign did not have the funds to do so .
`` If I went up on TV right now , my campaign coffers would be empty , '' she told a group of Republicans .
`` We need conservative outside groups , you know , to wake up , and get involved , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little bit . ''
McSally has also accepted thousands of dollars in campaign donations from Hunt Corporation , which she accused of being `` slumlords '' during a congressional hearing .
On Monday , Kelly announced that he raised $ 11 million in the first three months of the year , and had nearly $ 20 million in his campaign account .
McSally was only able to raise $ 6.3 million in the first quarter of the year , and reported just over $ 10 million in her campaign account .
Published with @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) has accepted more than $40,000 in campaign donations from individuals embroiled in an insider trading scandal.
After receiving a private congressional briefing about the coronavirus crisis on Jan. 24, several Republican senators made questionable stock trades, resulting in allegations that they profited from insider knowledge.
Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue of Georgia, and Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina have all fallen under a cloud of suspicion. All three maintain they are innocent of any wrongdoing.
Between 2014 and 2019, McSally received $40,834 in campaign contributions from Loeffler, her husband, Jeff Sprecher, chairman of the New York Stock Exchange (who is also implicated in the scandal), and PACs run by Perdue and Burr, according to Federal Election Commission reporting.
McSally received $17,500 from Burr’s leadership PAC (including $10,000 in 2019), $20,000 from Perdue’s leadership PAC (including $10,000 in 2019), $1,667 from Loeffler, and $1,667 from Sprecher.
The McSally campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
McSally has thus far refused to return the contributions despite speaking critically of her colleagues’ alleged behavior.
“If it is proven that they’ve done something illegal or unethical, they will have to be significantly punished,” White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said during an April 8 tele-town hall hosted by McSally.
“Larry, I couldn’t agree with you more,” McSally said. “If these allegations are true, they need to be held accountable.”
“Senator McSally should put party politics aside, and demand full investigations into her colleagues and campaign donors’ reported actions,” Brad Bainum, Arizona Democratic Party spokesperson, said in a Wednesday email.
“Martha McSally is funding her campaign with contributions from the same corrupt Republican Senators she’s now criticizing,” Zach Hudson, a spokesperson with American Bridge, said in an April 9 statement. If she refuses to return the money, her criticism is just “empty talk from a senator who is about to lose her second Senate race in two years,” Hudson added.
McSally lost her 2018 Senate race to Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, and was later appointed to her position by the state’s Republican governor to fill out the remainder of the late Sen. John McCain’s term.
In her 2020 race against Democratic candidate and former astronaut Mark Kelly, McSally has already faced campaign finance scandals.
In June 2019, McSally was fined $23,000 for accepting $319,000 in excessive contributions from 117 people during her 2014 House race.
In March 2019, she was forced to pay a $5,000 fine for failing to properly report $54,300 in campaign contributions near the end of her 2014 campaign.
Her struggles with campaign funding go further than campaign finance violations.
In December 2019, McSally was caught asking outside conservative groups to spend money on supportive television ads because her campaign did not have the funds to do so.
“If I went up on TV right now, my campaign coffers would be empty,” she told a group of Republicans. “We need conservative outside groups, you know, to wake up, and get involved, and start muddying up the landscape a little bit.”
McSally has also accepted thousands of dollars in campaign donations from Hunt Corporation, which she accused of being “slumlords” during a congressional hearing.
On Monday, Kelly announced that he raised $11 million in the first three months of the year, and had nearly $20 million in his campaign account.
McSally was only able to raise $6.3 million in the first quarter of the year, and reported just over $10 million in her campaign account.
A poll released on Wednesday showed McSally trailing Kelly by a 51-42 margin.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-16--New Hampshire lawmaker who opposes government aid picked to distribute virus funds

New Hampshire Gov .
Chris Sununu appointed a controversial panel last week to help oversee the distribution of more than $ 1 billion in federal COVID-19 response funds .
One of those appointees is a state lawmaker with a long history of anti-welfare , anti-mental health , and anti-Muslim comments .
Sununu , a Republican , named eight legislators , evenly split between the two parties , to be his `` Legislative Advisory Board '' for the Governor 's Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery .
The office will distribute COVID-19 aid and stimulus funds from the federal government .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Legislature 's House Finance Committee , was one of his eight picks for the panel .
A Republican serving his 16th term in the state House , Weyler has a history of opposition to using government funds to help vulnerable constituents .
In 2011 , then-Finance Committee Chair Weyler pushed for cuts to behavioral health spending .
At a hearing , he claimed that mental health providers try to get more funding by pushing clients to become `` patients for life . ''
`` By cutting the amount of help we 're willing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discover that some of these people can be cured , '' he argued .
`` You should n't keep them just so you can keep your revenue coming in . ''
There is no `` cure '' for mental health issues .
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness , treatment typically consists of proper diagnosis by a licensed professional , followed by `` medication , psychotherapy [ or ] peer support groups . ''
When Democratic lawmakers urged Weyler that same year not to cut child care for mothers trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Needy Families , he suggested that they do what his wife did .
`` Mothers can swap '' childcare , he claimed .
`` Swapping '' child care is often unmanageable for lower-income parents , who are frequently unable to access paid leave and typically work inflexible hours .
According to the Center for American Progress , low-income families face major barriers when it comes to child care and are often forced to choose between paying exorbitant costs for child care , which many can not afford , or dropping out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public STD and HIV clinics , saying they are `` rewarding negative behavior , '' despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stating that expanded access to testing and preventative care not only protects people 's lives but generates substantial cost-savings for the country .
Weyler has a history of blatant Islamophobia as well .
In 2016 , he falsely claimed that all of the `` terrorist attacks of the last 20 years have been by Muslim fanatics '' and that Islam is a `` cause rather than religion because this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Weyler also argued that Boston Marathon bombers might not have turned violent if they had not been `` raised on public benefits . ''
After he called President Obama `` a pro-Muslim president who is probably getting paid by the Muslims '' and said that providing public assistance to `` any person or family that practices Islam '' constitutes `` treason , '' his remarks were denounced by many — including Sununu .
`` Certainly I do not share Rep. Weyler 's opinions on this matter and I reject his comments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sununu 's office did not immediately respond to questions Weyler 's recent appointment to the governor 's advisory board .
Some New Hampshire Democrats have been critical of Sununu 's legislative panel and his assertion that he can control the federal funds instead of the Legislature , warning of a `` power grab . ''
`` The people of the state of New Hampshire did vote for Gov .
Sununu , but they also voted for 424 members of the Legislature , '' said Senate President Donna Soucy , noting that state law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide `` advice and consent '' on even emergency expenditures .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu appointed a controversial panel last week to help oversee the distribution of more than $1 billion in federal COVID-19 response funds.
One of those appointees is a state lawmaker with a long history of anti-welfare, anti-mental health, and anti-Muslim comments.
Sununu, a Republican, named eight legislators, evenly split between the two parties, to be his “Legislative Advisory Board” for the Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery. The office will distribute COVID-19 aid and stimulus funds from the federal government.
Ken Weyler, ranking member on the Legislature’s House Finance Committee, was one of his eight picks for the panel.
A Republican serving his 16th term in the state House, Weyler has a history of opposition to using government funds to help vulnerable constituents.
In 2011, then-Finance Committee Chair Weyler pushed for cuts to behavioral health spending. At a hearing, he claimed that mental health providers try to get more funding by pushing clients to become “patients for life.”
“By cutting the amount of help we’re willing to offer, we’d like them to discover that some of these people can be cured,” he argued. “You shouldn’t keep them just so you can keep your revenue coming in.”
There is no “cure” for mental health issues. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, treatment typically consists of proper diagnosis by a licensed professional, followed by “medication, psychotherapy [or] peer support groups.”
When Democratic lawmakers urged Weyler that same year not to cut child care for mothers trying to get off of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, he suggested that they do what his wife did. “Mothers can swap” childcare, he claimed.
“Swapping” child care is often unmanageable for lower-income parents, who are frequently unable to access paid leave and typically work inflexible hours. According to the Center for American Progress, low-income families face major barriers when it comes to child care and are often forced to choose between paying exorbitant costs for child care, which many cannot afford, or dropping out of the workforce altogether.
Weyler has also opposed public STD and HIV clinics, saying they are “rewarding negative behavior,” despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stating that expanded access to testing and preventative care not only protects people’s lives but generates substantial cost-savings for the country.
Weyler has a history of blatant Islamophobia as well. In 2016, he falsely claimed that all of the “terrorist attacks of the last 20 years have been by Muslim fanatics” and that Islam is a “cause rather than religion because this is an ideology posing as a religion.”
Weyler also argued that Boston Marathon bombers might not have turned violent if they had not been “raised on public benefits.”
After he called President Obama “a pro-Muslim president who is probably getting paid by the Muslims” and said that providing public assistance to “any person or family that practices Islam” constitutes “treason,” his remarks were denounced by many — including Sununu.
“Certainly I do not share Rep. Weyler’s opinions on this matter and I reject his comments,” he said in April 2016.
Sununu’s office did not immediately respond to questions Weyler’s recent appointment to the governor’s advisory board.
Some New Hampshire Democrats have been critical of Sununu’s legislative panel and his assertion that he can control the federal funds instead of the Legislature, warning of a “power grab.”
“The people of the state of New Hampshire did vote for Gov. Sununu, but they also voted for 424 members of the Legislature,” said Senate President Donna Soucy, noting that state law designates the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee to provide “advice and consent” on even emergency expenditures.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-16--Republican lawmakers are trying to force states to reopen before it's safe

Republican lawmakers across the country are challenging social distancing measures put in place to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus , either by passing or trying to pass legislation that overrides virus mitigation regulations put in place by both Democratic and Republican governors .
GOP-controlled legislatures in three states have passed laws to either exempt religious groups from social distancing measures or to end the measures altogether .
That goes against the advice of public health experts — including Dr. Anthony Fauci , the infectious disease specialist on Donald Trump 's coronavirus task force .
Fauci told the Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there yet '' with regard to the necessary testing and tracing capabilities to safely allow Americans to go back to life as it was before the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` I 'll guarantee you , once you start pulling back there will be infections , '' Fauci told the Associated Press of ending social distancing measures .
Here 's a list of the states where Republicans are ignoring expert advice to try and override social distancing measures .
Republican lawmakers in Kansas have tried multiple times to override Democratic Gov .
Laura Kelly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 , Kelly issued an order to include religious services among the mass gatherings limited to 10 people .
A day later , Republican lawmakers on the state 's Legislative Coordinating Council revoked her order , saying it violated the right to freedom of religion .
Kelly appealed that decision to the state Supreme Court .
The court sided with Kelly and kept the ban on religious gatherings in place .
Michigan 's Republican-controlled legislature has been fighting Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer 's stay-at-home orders since she first implemented them on March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked for a 70-day extension of her emergency powers .
But Republicans only agreed to extend them until April 30 , NPR reported .
The refusal will ultimately force the lawmakers back to the Capitol during the pandemic to debate the emergency powers again — even after a fellow member of the state legislature died from a suspected coronavirus infection .
And it 's unclear if Republicans will extend those powers another time .
`` OUR Governor IS DESTROYING OUR HEALTH BY KILLING OUR LIVELIHOODS ! ''
he wrote in a post on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote .
`` Under the guise of protecting our health ... .she is DESTROYING our HEALTH by killing our Livelihoods . ''
Pennsylvania 's GOP-controlled legislature on Wednesday passed a bill broadening what constitutes as an essential business in the state .
The bill would allow more businesses to open during the COVID-19 pandemic , thus weakening social distancing measures Democratic Gov .
Tom Wolf put in place .
The state 's health secretary , Rachel Levine , responded to the bill , writing in a letter to the Legislature that , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this time by reopening a significant amount of businesses would be reckless and irresponsible . ''
Wolf said he will veto the measure , with a spokesperson telling the Philadelphia Inquirer that `` reopening businesses too early will only extend the length of the economic hardships created by the pandemic . ''
Since it does not appear that Republicans have the votes to override that veto , Wolf 's social distancing orders will remain in place .
At least 10 Republican state lawmakers in New Hampshire are fighting back against the social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place in there , signing a petition calling for the measures to be lifted by April 24 .
`` We believe that the occasion of this virus does not warrant the suspension of liberty that has been attempted , and that many citizens of New Hampshire are suffering undue hardships from loss of livelihood , purpose and community , and that such suspension of liberty is unwarranted , and now , the 'public liberty is manifestly endangered , ' '' the petition from ReopenNH reads .
The group is planning to hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state Capitol building — an event that itself would violate social distancing measures .
Republican state lawmakers in Virginia are also starting to push for Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam to end social distancing measures — with some GOP lawmakers pushing false conspiracy theories about why Northam instituted the measures in the first place .
Sen. Amanda Chase ( R ) said Northam instituted the measures not for public health reasons , but to silence conservatives who oppose Northam 's policies , including gun control measures and laws that make it easier to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that when all of those laws go into effect July 1 and you 're angry and you 're upset and you want to storm the Capitol ... he 's setting it up — mark my words , so that you ca n't go out to protest because Virginia will still be under his executive order , '' Chase said in a video posted to Facebook .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Republican lawmakers across the country are challenging social distancing measures put in place to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, either by passing or trying to pass legislation that overrides virus mitigation regulations put in place by both Democratic and Republican governors.
GOP-controlled legislatures in three states have passed laws to either exempt religious groups from social distancing measures or to end the measures altogether.
That goes against the advice of public health experts — including Dr. Anthony Fauci, the infectious disease specialist on Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force.
Fauci told the Associated Press Tuesday that “we’re not there yet” with regard to the necessary testing and tracing capabilities to safely allow Americans to go back to life as it was before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’ll guarantee you, once you start pulling back there will be infections,” Fauci told the Associated Press of ending social distancing measures.
Here’s a list of the states where Republicans are ignoring expert advice to try and override social distancing measures.
Kansas
Republican lawmakers in Kansas have tried multiple times to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s social distancing measures.
On April 7, Kelly issued an order to include religious services among the mass gatherings limited to 10 people.
A day later, Republican lawmakers on the state’s Legislative Coordinating Council revoked her order, saying it violated the right to freedom of religion.
Kelly appealed that decision to the state Supreme Court. The court sided with Kelly and kept the ban on religious gatherings in place.
Michigan
Michigan’s Republican-controlled legislature has been fighting Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home orders since she first implemented them on March 23.
In early April, Whitmer asked for a 70-day extension of her emergency powers. But Republicans only agreed to extend them until April 30, NPR reported. The refusal will ultimately force the lawmakers back to the Capitol during the pandemic to debate the emergency powers again — even after a fellow member of the state legislature died from a suspected coronavirus infection.
And it’s unclear if Republicans will extend those powers another time.
State Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey angrily posting on Facebook about Whitmer’s stay-at-home orders.
“OUR Governor IS DESTROYING OUR HEALTH BY KILLING OUR LIVELIHOODS!” he wrote in a post on April 10, three days after the vote. “Under the guise of protecting our health….she is DESTROYING our HEALTH by killing our Livelihoods.”
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s GOP-controlled legislature on Wednesday passed a bill broadening what constitutes as an essential business in the state.
The bill would allow more businesses to open during the COVID-19 pandemic, thus weakening social distancing measures Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf put in place.
The state’s health secretary, Rachel Levine, responded to the bill, writing in a letter to the Legislature that, “Encouraging increased social movement of Pennsylvanians at this time by reopening a significant amount of businesses would be reckless and irresponsible.”
Wolf said he will veto the measure, with a spokesperson telling the Philadelphia Inquirer that “reopening businesses too early will only extend the length of the economic hardships created by the pandemic.”
Since it does not appear that Republicans have the votes to override that veto, Wolf’s social distancing orders will remain in place.
Other efforts
At least 10 Republican state lawmakers in New Hampshire are fighting back against the social distancing measures GOP Gov. Chris Sununu put in place in there, signing a petition calling for the measures to be lifted by April 24.
“We believe that the occasion of this virus does not warrant the suspension of liberty that has been attempted, and that many citizens of New Hampshire are suffering undue hardships from loss of livelihood, purpose and community, and that such suspension of liberty is unwarranted, and now, the ‘public liberty is manifestly endangered,'” the petition from ReopenNH reads.
The group is planning to hold an in-person rally on Saturday at the state Capitol building — an event that itself would violate social distancing measures.
Republican state lawmakers in Virginia are also starting to push for Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam to end social distancing measures — with some GOP lawmakers pushing false conspiracy theories about why Northam instituted the measures in the first place.
Sen. Amanda Chase (R) said Northam instituted the measures not for public health reasons, but to silence conservatives who oppose Northam’s policies, including gun control measures and laws that make it easier to vote.
“He is setting this so that when all of those laws go into effect July 1 and you’re angry and you’re upset and you want to storm the Capitol … he’s setting it up — mark my words, so that you can’t go out to protest because Virginia will still be under his executive order,” Chase said in a video posted to Facebook.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-16--Louisiana GOP blocks emergency election plan because it would let 'anybody' vote

Republican legislators in Louisiana rejected an emergency measure to allow more state residents to vote safely by absentee ballot during the coronavirus crisis , the Advocate reported on Wednesday .
After a three-hour hearing , the state Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee voted along party lines , 5-1 , against the measure , which was supported by Louisiana 's Democratic governor and Republican secretary of state .
The plan would have allowed absentee voting for people with underlying health conditions , people 60 years of age or older , residents subject to stay-at-home orders , and anyone who was concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
It would also expand access to early voting and only applied to elections scheduled for July and August .
Republicans opposed the measure because it would `` everyone '' to vote safely .
`` It is extremely broad and basically covers everyone in Louisiana , '' state Sen. Barry Milligan ( R-Shreveport ) said .
Milligan claimed voter fraud as a reason to oppose the measure , even though numerous studies have shown such fraud to be extraordinarily rare .
“ Anybody could say , ‘ Hey , I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can absentee vote , ” he said .
The vote is the latest Republican attempt to make it harder for people to cast ballots during the pandemic .
In Wisconsin , Republicans opposed a move by Gov .
Tony Evers , a Democrat , to delay the state 's April 7 election and permit more time for residents to cast absentee ballots by mail .
Missouri 's Republican governor , Mike Parson , said on Tuesday that the pandemic was not a valid excuse for residents to request an absentee ballot .
Missouri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents to request an absentee ballot , and avoidance of a pandemic is not one of them .
Donald Trump has made false claims about voter fraud as some states seek to expand access to absentee voting .
`` Mail ballots — they cheat .
OK ?
People cheat , '' Trump said on April 7 .
There is no evidence to back up Trump 's claim .
Trump also revealed a political reason for his stance against mail-in voting , tweeting on April 8 that , `` for whatever reason , [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Republicans . ''
In order to help slow the spread of the pandemic , election officials should encourage `` mail-in methods of voting if allowed in the jurisdiction '' and `` early voting , where voter crowds may be smaller throughout the day , '' the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends .
At a Wednesday press conference , Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards said that `` nobody should have to choose between exercising their right to vote and potentially endangering themselves or others . ''
Louisiana 's presidential primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now take place on July 11 .
The state will hold local elections on Aug. 15 .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Republican legislators in Louisiana rejected an emergency measure to allow more state residents to vote safely by absentee ballot during the coronavirus crisis, the Advocate reported on Wednesday.
After a three-hour hearing, the state Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee voted along party lines, 5-1, against the measure, which was supported by Louisiana’s Democratic governor and Republican secretary of state.
The plan would have allowed absentee voting for people with underlying health conditions, people 60 years of age or older, residents subject to stay-at-home orders, and anyone who was concerned about going out in public during the pandemic. It would also expand access to early voting and only applied to elections scheduled for July and August.
Republicans opposed the measure because it would “everyone” to vote safely.
“It is extremely broad and basically covers everyone in Louisiana,” state Sen. Barry Milligan (R-Shreveport) said. Milligan claimed voter fraud as a reason to oppose the measure, even though numerous studies have shown such fraud to be extraordinarily rare. “Anybody could say, ‘Hey, I’m scared to death,’ and they can absentee vote,” he said.
The vote is the latest Republican attempt to make it harder for people to cast ballots during the pandemic.
In Wisconsin, Republicans opposed a move by Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, to delay the state’s April 7 election and permit more time for residents to cast absentee ballots by mail.
Missouri’s Republican governor, Mike Parson, said on Tuesday that the pandemic was not a valid excuse for residents to request an absentee ballot. Missouri law allows only six valid excuses for residents to request an absentee ballot, and avoidance of a pandemic is not one of them.
Donald Trump has made false claims about voter fraud as some states seek to expand access to absentee voting.
“Mail ballots — they cheat. OK? People cheat,” Trump said on April 7. There is no evidence to back up Trump’s claim.
Trump also revealed a political reason for his stance against mail-in voting, tweeting on April 8 that, “for whatever reason, [it] doesn’t work out well for Republicans.”
In order to help slow the spread of the pandemic, election officials should encourage “mail-in methods of voting if allowed in the jurisdiction” and “early voting, where voter crowds may be smaller throughout the day,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends.
At a Wednesday press conference, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said that “nobody should have to choose between exercising their right to vote and potentially endangering themselves or others.”
Louisiana’s presidential primary election has been postponed twice and will now take place on July 11. The state will hold local elections on Aug. 15.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-16--Trump ignores his own coronavirus guidelines to hold photo-op with truckers

Donald Trump on Thursday violated the guidelines his own administration put forward about avoiding close contact with others and eschewing in-person social gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic — to hold a photo-op honoring truck drivers .
The event was intended to celebrate `` America ’ s truckers who are answering the call to action to transport supplies across the country , '' according to a description from the White House .
Trump violated the rules to stand six feet apart from others , instead choosing to get close to truck drivers from companies such as UPS , FedEX , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao and Chris Spear , CEO of American Trucking Associations — golden keys for their service , sidling up close to pose for photos .
`` I almost shook your hand , '' Trump joked to Spear as they huddled together , a nod to the recommendation that people avoid handshaking in order to stop the transmission of the novel coronavirus .
Trump relishes in photo-ops , and has held many throughout his tenure .
He 's congratulated a veteran who lost a leg during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He staged a photo-op with several intelligence officials , claiming they had all agreed with him in their meeting after they had publicly testified to the contrary .
He lied about a funding plan during a photo-op with officials from Historically Black Colleges and Universities .
He even held a photo-op with a military service dog .
When the Philadelphia Eagles refused to travel to the White House for photo-ops after their Super Bowl victory in 2018 , the White House attacked the team and revoked the invitation .
Last year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border to promote his wall , admitting that it was `` not going to change a damn thing , '' but his communications team wanted it for what was essentially a taxpayer-funded photo-op .
Now , he 's holding photo-ops during a global health pandemic , against recommendations from experts .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Thursday violated the guidelines his own administration put forward about avoiding close contact with others and eschewing in-person social gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic — to hold a photo-op honoring truck drivers.
The event was intended to celebrate “America’s truckers who are answering the call to action to transport supplies across the country,” according to a description from the White House.
Trump violated the rules to stand six feet apart from others, instead choosing to get close to truck drivers from companies such as UPS, FedEX, and DHL. He handed the drivers — as well as Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao and Chris Spear, CEO of American Trucking Associations — golden keys for their service, sidling up close to pose for photos.
“I almost shook your hand,” Trump joked to Spear as they huddled together, a nod to the recommendation that people avoid handshaking in order to stop the transmission of the novel coronavirus.
Trump relishes in photo-ops, and has held many throughout his tenure.
He’s congratulated a veteran who lost a leg during a trip to the National Military Medical Center. He staged a photo-op with several intelligence officials, claiming they had all agreed with him in their meeting after they had publicly testified to the contrary. He lied about a funding plan during a photo-op with officials from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He even held a photo-op with a military service dog.
When the Philadelphia Eagles refused to travel to the White House for photo-ops after their Super Bowl victory in 2018, the White House attacked the team and revoked the invitation.
Last year, he took a trip to the southern border to promote his wall, admitting that it was “not going to change a damn thing,” but his communications team wanted it for what was essentially a taxpayer-funded photo-op.
Now, he’s holding photo-ops during a global health pandemic, against recommendations from experts.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-16--Daily Cuomo: Trump's suggestion New York is inflating death toll is 'bizarre'

Donald Trump suggested New York was inflating its coronavirus death toll during a press conference on Wednesday , claiming , `` In fact , I see , this morning , where New York added 3,000 deaths because they died .
And they 're now saying — rather than , 'It was a heart attack ' — they 're saying , 'It was a heart attack caused by this . '
So they 're adding . ''
The statement amplified a conspiratorial argument pushed by conservative media figures like Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin , who have been influential with Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo about the allegation at his Thursday briefing .
NEW YORK GOV .
ANDREW CUOMO : Look , I think what you 're seeing is — well first , I do n't know what the president said , specifically what his words were , and I do n't — why would New York City want to inflate a death toll ?
I mean , that does n't make a lot of sense .
It 's bad enough as it is , it 's painful enough as it is , why would you want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I do n't know but it sounds even more bizarre than the usual , that at anyone would want to do that .
I think what 's happening is they 're changing — CDC put out different guidelines about what numbers you must report .
We 've always said all we really know are deaths in a hospital or deaths in a nursing home .
Could people be dying at home because of the coronavirus and we 're not counting them ?
Yes .
Was this a rough estimate ?
Yes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the estimate , other categories , other possibilities .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump suggested New York was inflating its coronavirus death toll during a press conference on Wednesday, claiming, “In fact, I see, this morning, where New York added 3,000 deaths because they died. And they’re now saying — rather than, ‘It was a heart attack’ — they’re saying, ‘It was a heart attack caused by this.’ So they’re adding.”
The statement amplified a conspiratorial argument pushed by conservative media figures like Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin, who have been influential with Trump in the past.
A reporter asked Cuomo about the allegation at his Thursday briefing.
From the April 16 press briefing:
NEW YORK GOV. ANDREW CUOMO: Look, I think what you’re seeing is — well first, I don’t know what the president said, specifically what his words were, and I don’t — why would New York City want to inflate a death toll? I mean, that doesn’t make a lot of sense. It’s bad enough as it is, it’s painful enough as it is, why would you want to inflate the death toll? Look, I don’t know but it sounds even more bizarre than the usual, that at anyone would want to do that. I think what’s happening is they’re changing — CDC put out different guidelines about what numbers you must report. We’ve always said all we really know are deaths in a hospital or deaths in a nursing home. Could people be dying at home because of the coronavirus and we’re not counting them? Yes. Was this a rough estimate? Yes. So now we’re trying to refine the estimate, other categories, other possibilities.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-16--Here's how the coronavirus might actually be bad for the environment

How the coronavirus pandemic impacts the environment may not be known for years , but experts say the outcome may be mixed .
Vehicle emissions and energy usage have fallen significantly , in part because many businesses have temporarily shut their doors .
Yet emerging evidence points to a number of negative impacts from the current crisis .
Many people are abandoning reusable cloth grocery bags in favor of plastic bags , the Verge reported on April 2 .
Shoppers are worried that the new virus could spread from reusable bags , and are opting for single-use plastic bags instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are returning to single-use bags because they are handled less , and , some argue , are safer for cashiers and other vulnerable workers .
Scientists say there is not currently any conclusive evidence that cloth bags are less safe than plastic or one-time-use bags , so long as cloth bags are washed regularly .
Americans use about 100 billion plastic bags a year , the New York Times reported in 2019 , and most are not recycled .
Instead , they end up in landfills or littering the land or oceans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ years to fully break down .
Still , some environmentalists support the move .
`` If stores , particularly workers , want to keep themselves as safe as possible and limit the bags coming in because they do n't know if people wash them , certainly a temporary pause on that , I think that 's understandable , '' Ivy Schlegel , a senior research specialist for Greenpeace USA , told the Verge .
On March 4 , Starbucks announced it would no longer allow customers to bring in reusable coffee cups for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular coffee chain , has also stopped allowing them .
Starbucks said prohibiting reusable tumblers was part of a `` series of precautionary steps in response to this emerging public health '' crisis .
Dunkin ' too said the move was based on `` public health concerns related to the coronavirus . ''
`` Dunkin ' takes its job of keeping people running very seriously .
While we offer a refillable cup program as an option at participating restaurants nationwide , we believe it is right to take safety precautions , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those decisions could hurt future conservation efforts .
Since 1989 , Starbucks has given customers a discount for using their own coffee tumblers as part of an initiative to reduce waste , according to its website .
In 2011 alone , customers using their own tumblers prevented 1.4 million pounds of waste from going to landfills .
The decision by Starbucks and Dunkin ' `` seems counterproductive to sustainable habit formation and the goals of companies , '' Katherine White , a professor of marketing and behavioral science at the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Journal .
She added that the decision `` gives people a potential excuse for not bringing a reusable mug in the future . ''
The pandemic is already creating more medical waste from individuals and hospital workers .
In Hong Kong , single-use face masks worn by individuals have ended up in the oceans , where animals sometimes mistake them for food , Reuters reported .
The Verge also reported that Wuhan , the region of China where the new coronavirus was first discovered , saw a six-fold increase in medical waste following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States , health care workers are using so much more protective equipment that hospitals are having trouble obtaining enough of it , according to a report from the Health and Human Services Department .
Like single-use masks , medical waste has the potential overwhelm the system .
Thus far , medical waste companies are not having issues , but many are bracing for an increase , according to the Los Angeles Times .
`` Right now , no one is kicking and screaming for help because they 're falling behind , '' Anne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulatory affairs for the National Waste and Recycling Association , told the Times .
`` But we have to be ready to respond to an increase in medical waste generated by the pandemic . ''
If the current pandemic leads to a global economic collapse , funding to fight climate change could drop significantly , the MIT Technology Review reported on March 9 .
For example , companies may not be able to access the funding needed to push forward projects related to solar or wind energy .
Further , as oil prices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willing to pay a premium for electric cars .
Additionally , political will to tackle climate change may wane as people focus more on the immediate health crisis rather than the long-term effects of climate change .
The current crisis is `` going to put a pause on anything climate related , '' Glen Peters , research director at the Center for International Climate Research in Oslo , told the Financial Times .
`` In the policy discussions for the next 6-12 months , climate is probably not going to be mentioned , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and economic recovery . ''
Despite these things , the Trump administration has refused to stop pressing forward on harmful environmental policies .
On April 1 , the administration rolled back fuel-efficiency standards for cars and trucks , meaning new vehicles will be allowed to emit more pollution .
Trump claimed the new rule allows Americans to buy `` safer , more affordable , and environmentally friendly cars , '' while EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler claimed it `` strikes the right regulatory balance that protects our environment , and sets reasonable targets for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only winner from this action is the oil industry , which wants us stuck driving dirty gas guzzlers as long as possible , '' Gina McCarthy , Obama 's former EPA chief , now head of the Natural Resources Defense Council advocacy group , told the Associated Press .
A few days after that rule was finalized , the EPA announced it would move forward with a rule that would make it harder for high-quality scientific studies to be used in making environmental policies .
Such a rule `` makes it easier for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'There 's too much uncertainty ; you should n't move forward ' '' with new regulations , Andrew Rosenberg , director of the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists , told the New York Times .
In a March 18 letter to EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler , Rosenberg warned that `` bringing this extensive proposal forward during the COVID-19 pandemic is reckless and would divert critical public health expertise from the singular mission of protecting the public and controlling the pandemic . ''
`` Thousands of researchers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the proposed rule in unique and highly specialized ways , '' he added .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

How the coronavirus pandemic impacts the environment may not be known for years, but experts say the outcome may be mixed.
Vehicle emissions and energy usage have fallen significantly, in part because many businesses have temporarily shut their doors. Yet emerging evidence points to a number of negative impacts from the current crisis.
Plastic bags
Many people are abandoning reusable cloth grocery bags in favor of plastic bags, the Verge reported on April 2. Shoppers are worried that the new virus could spread from reusable bags, and are opting for single-use plastic bags instead.
In addition, many grocery stores are returning to single-use bags because they are handled less, and, some argue, are safer for cashiers and other vulnerable workers.
Scientists say there is not currently any conclusive evidence that cloth bags are less safe than plastic or one-time-use bags, so long as cloth bags are washed regularly.
Americans use about 100 billion plastic bags a year, the New York Times reported in 2019, and most are not recycled. Instead, they end up in landfills or littering the land or oceans. The bags also take up to 1,000 years to fully break down.
Still, some environmentalists support the move.
“If stores, particularly workers, want to keep themselves as safe as possible and limit the bags coming in because they don’t know if people wash them, certainly a temporary pause on that, I think that’s understandable,” Ivy Schlegel, a senior research specialist for Greenpeace USA, told the Verge.
Reusable coffee cups
On March 4, Starbucks announced it would no longer allow customers to bring in reusable coffee cups for their beverages. Dunkin’, another popular coffee chain, has also stopped allowing them.
Starbucks said prohibiting reusable tumblers was part of a “series of precautionary steps in response to this emerging public health” crisis. Dunkin’ too said the move was based on “public health concerns related to the coronavirus.”
“Dunkin’ takes its job of keeping people running very seriously. While we offer a refillable cup program as an option at participating restaurants nationwide, we believe it is right to take safety precautions,” the company said in a statement in March.
Those decisions could hurt future conservation efforts. Since 1989, Starbucks has given customers a discount for using their own coffee tumblers as part of an initiative to reduce waste, according to its website. In 2011 alone, customers using their own tumblers prevented 1.4 million pounds of waste from going to landfills.
The decision by Starbucks and Dunkin’ “seems counterproductive to sustainable habit formation and the goals of companies,” Katherine White, a professor of marketing and behavioral science at the University of British Columbia, told the Wall Street Journal.
She added that the decision “gives people a potential excuse for not bringing a reusable mug in the future.”
Medical waste
The pandemic is already creating more medical waste from individuals and hospital workers. In Hong Kong, single-use face masks worn by individuals have ended up in the oceans, where animals sometimes mistake them for food, Reuters reported.
The Verge also reported that Wuhan, the region of China where the new coronavirus was first discovered, saw a six-fold increase in medical waste following the outbreak there.
In the United States, health care workers are using so much more protective equipment that hospitals are having trouble obtaining enough of it, according to a report from the Health and Human Services Department. Like single-use masks, medical waste has the potential overwhelm the system.
Thus far, medical waste companies are not having issues, but many are bracing for an increase, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“Right now, no one is kicking and screaming for help because they’re falling behind,” Anne Germain, vice president of technical and regulatory affairs for the National Waste and Recycling Association, told the Times. “But we have to be ready to respond to an increase in medical waste generated by the pandemic.”
Climate change progress
If the current pandemic leads to a global economic collapse, funding to fight climate change could drop significantly, the MIT Technology Review reported on March 9. For example, companies may not be able to access the funding needed to push forward projects related to solar or wind energy.
Further, as oil prices drop, customers may not be as willing to pay a premium for electric cars.
Additionally, political will to tackle climate change may wane as people focus more on the immediate health crisis rather than the long-term effects of climate change.
The current crisis is “going to put a pause on anything climate related,” Glen Peters, research director at the Center for International Climate Research in Oslo, told the Financial Times. “In the policy discussions for the next 6-12 months, climate is probably not going to be mentioned, it is going to be about coronavirus and economic recovery.”
Administration charges ahead
Despite these things, the Trump administration has refused to stop pressing forward on harmful environmental policies.
On April 1, the administration rolled back fuel-efficiency standards for cars and trucks, meaning new vehicles will be allowed to emit more pollution.
Trump claimed the new rule allows Americans to buy “safer, more affordable, and environmentally friendly cars,” while EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler claimed it “strikes the right regulatory balance that protects our environment, and sets reasonable targets for the auto industry.”
Others disagreed.
“The only winner from this action is the oil industry, which wants us stuck driving dirty gas guzzlers as long as possible,” Gina McCarthy, Obama’s former EPA chief, now head of the Natural Resources Defense Council advocacy group, told the Associated Press.
A few days after that rule was finalized, the EPA announced it would move forward with a rule that would make it harder for high-quality scientific studies to be used in making environmental policies.
Such a rule “makes it easier for industry in most cases to say, ‘There’s too much uncertainty; you shouldn’t move forward'” with new regulations, Andrew Rosenberg, director of the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists, told the New York Times.
In a March 18 letter to EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler, Rosenberg warned that “bringing this extensive proposal forward during the COVID-19 pandemic is reckless and would divert critical public health expertise from the singular mission of protecting the public and controlling the pandemic.”
“Thousands of researchers and many types of research could be impacted by the proposed rule in unique and highly specialized ways,” he added.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-16--GOP attacks on mail-in ballots could hurt transgender voters

Republican attacks on mail-in ballots could have an unseen victim if the party gets its way : transgender people 's voting rights .
Democrats have supported funding initiatives in recent weeks to expand voting opportunities , including voting by mail , in an attempt to make casting a ballot easier and safer during the pandemic .
The GOP has been on the offensive against those efforts .
Ronna McDaniel , chair of the Republican National Committee , claimed without proof on Fox Business that Democrats `` want to take away the safeguards that ensure the integrity of the election process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Fox News that `` mail-in voting increases the opportunity for fraud . ''
Republican Sen. John Cornyn ( TX ) claimed that Democrats ' interest in expanding mail-in voting was an attempt to get the federal government to `` take over '' elections and argued that if voters `` can go to the grocery store they can go to the polls . ''
Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander ( R ) suggested there was potential for widespread fraud if Americans were given the opportunity to vote by mail .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and absentee voting for the next stimulus package , intended to blunt the economic effects of the outbreak .
In late March , 51 state Democratic Party chairpersons co-signed an open letter telling Congress to appropriate at least $ 2 billion to states for extended early voting , a universal and easily accessible vote-by-mail system , and voter outreach and education , among other efforts .
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy called the push a `` distraction '' from other COVID-19 concerns and accused Democrats of attempting to `` force partisan objectives '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s disgusting to me .
… Stop worrying about politics .
Worry about what ’ s in front of us .
And that 's the health of the nation … and our economy , '' he said during a media call .
Donald Trump himself has repeatedly attacked vote-by-mail efforts spurred on by the coronavirus pandemic , calling them both `` corrupt '' and `` dangerous '' during a White House briefing last week , despite expert advice recommending election officials implement such protocols as a safety measure .
Trump later tweeted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it comes to statewide mail-in voting . ''
He claimed that there was on `` tremendous potential '' for voter fraud and that mail-in voting `` does n't work out well for Republicans . ''
Many transgender people lean toward the Democratic Party or identify as Democrats .
According to the National Center for Transgender Equality 's 2015 U.S. Trans Survey , 50 % of respondents who were asked which party they identified with identified as Democrats .
Forty-eight percent identified as Independents , and 2 % as Republicans .
Of those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they lean more toward the Democratic Party .
In reality , expanding voting options would only ensure that more people could cast their ballot , including those in the most marginalized groups .
Research on voting barriers for trans people shows that mail-in voting would particularly benefit them because it would eliminate one hurdle to casting a ballot : voter ID laws .
In February , the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law , a public policy research institute , released a report on the potential impact of voter identification laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report found that , although 965,350 transgender adults are eligible to vote , 892,400 reside in 45 states where elections are not conducted entirely by mail — and 42 % of voting-eligible people in those states do not have identification with their accurate gender and name .
`` Mail-in voting would be the best solution for trans people who do not have IDs that accurately reflect their correct name and gender .
Expansion of mail-in voting would certainly benefit the trans community , '' Jody Herman , scholar and Reid Rasmussen Public Policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an email .
Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen , deputy executive director for policy and action at the National Center for Transgender Equality , said separately that voter ID laws are a huge hindrance for transgender people because changing one 's name and gender marker on identification it is costly and time-consuming process .
Heng-Lehtinen , a transgender man , said that the court process for changing his name required him to spend $ 450 in court fees , before paying for additional fees beyond that .
Although California no longer requires people pay that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ require trans people to spend hundreds of dollars to change their identification , he said .
In addition , multiple states have surgical requirements for trans people to change their identification , which is harmful to trans people who do n't want a particular surgery or could n't afford it if they did .
This means that , for a lot of trans people , updating their name is out of reach — and any time trans people go to the polls and show ID , it can open them up to harassment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ID and you are forced to show it you are outed as transgender , you 're vulnerable to discrimination , it 's such a scary moment to then have that happen when you go to vote [ and is ] so toxic for our democracy , '' Heng-Lehtinen said .
`` As a rule , democracy requires voting to be easy .
We all win when voting is easy and accessible . ''
The Brennan Center for Justice recently advocated a widely available vote-by-mail system in the United States to protect people from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of the center 's voting rights and elections program , said that vote-by-mail can be done with important security measures in place , and that a number of states already have these measures .
In the middle of a pandemic , she said , voters , especially marginalized ones , have a special need for more voting options .
Officials need to `` take a hard look '' at vote-by-mail processes to make sure they are modified consistent with the crisis people are facing , she added .
`` Requiring people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offices issuing them are closed or people do n't have access to copy machines is not practical .
We 're asking for common sense modifications that would work for people in the crisis that we ’ re in , '' she said .
Voting by mail exclusively might put up some barriers for marginalized groups , however .
The Brennan Center is not calling for exclusive vote by mail , Perez cautioned , saying there still need to be in-person options because some people have unreliable mail , including on Native American reservations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that polling locations have to offer , such as machines designed for people with disabilities or a polling place has requirements for poll workers to be bilingual .
But ensuring that people have in-mail voting at least as a standard option would help many people already targeted by voter ID laws , Heng-Lehtinen said .
`` For these voter ID laws , transgender people are not the intended target , but we are collateral damage , '' he said .
The future of widespread , standardized vote-by-mail options is currently up in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried it for this cycle and others are pushing for it to at least be a more available option , with more opportunities to request absentee ballots .
And although Republican pushback against those decisions so far has been fierce , Democrats may have a few conservative allies in the fight .
Ohio 's Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose told a Dayton Daily News reporter on Sunday that he was not concerned about fraud through mail-in voting .
`` I can tell you that 's not the case in Ohio , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , we 're fortunate that we 've been doing vote by mail for a long time .
We know how to do it , and we know how to get it done securely . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Republican attacks on mail-in ballots could have an unseen victim if the party gets its way: transgender people’s voting rights.
Democrats have supported funding initiatives in recent weeks to expand voting opportunities, including voting by mail, in an attempt to make casting a ballot easier and safer during the pandemic.
The GOP has been on the offensive against those efforts.
Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee, claimed without proof on Fox Business that Democrats “want to take away the safeguards that ensure the integrity of the election process” and wrote in an opinion piece for Fox News that “mail-in voting increases the opportunity for fraud.”
Republican Sen. John Cornyn (TX) claimed that Democrats’ interest in expanding mail-in voting was an attempt to get the federal government to “take over” elections and argued that if voters “can go to the grocery store they can go to the polls.”
Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander (R) suggested there was potential for widespread fraud if Americans were given the opportunity to vote by mail.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has proposed including more funding for mail-in and absentee voting for the next stimulus package, intended to blunt the economic effects of the outbreak. In late March, 51 state Democratic Party chairpersons co-signed an open letter telling Congress to appropriate at least $2 billion to states for extended early voting, a universal and easily accessible vote-by-mail system, and voter outreach and education, among other efforts.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy called the push a “distraction” from other COVID-19 concerns and accused Democrats of attempting to “force partisan objectives” into stimulus measures.
“That’s disgusting to me. … Stop worrying about politics. Worry about what’s in front of us. And that’s the health of the nation … and our economy,” he said during a media call.
Donald Trump himself has repeatedly attacked vote-by-mail efforts spurred on by the coronavirus pandemic, calling them both “corrupt” and “dangerous” during a White House briefing last week, despite expert advice recommending election officials implement such protocols as a safety measure.
Trump later tweeted that Republicans should “fight very hard when it comes to statewide mail-in voting.” He claimed that there was on “tremendous potential” for voter fraud and that mail-in voting “doesn’t work out well for Republicans.”
Many transgender people lean toward the Democratic Party or identify as Democrats. According to the National Center for Transgender Equality’s 2015 U.S. Trans Survey, 50% of respondents who were asked which party they identified with identified as Democrats. Forty-eight percent identified as Independents, and 2% as Republicans. Of those who identified as Independents, 79% said they lean more toward the Democratic Party.
How vote-by-mail benefits transgender people
In reality, expanding voting options would only ensure that more people could cast their ballot, including those in the most marginalized groups.
Research on voting barriers for trans people shows that mail-in voting would particularly benefit them because it would eliminate one hurdle to casting a ballot: voter ID laws.
In February, the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, a public policy research institute, released a report on the potential impact of voter identification laws in the 2020 general election. The report found that, although 965,350 transgender adults are eligible to vote, 892,400 reside in 45 states where elections are not conducted entirely by mail — and 42% of voting-eligible people in those states do not have identification with their accurate gender and name.
“Mail-in voting would be the best solution for trans people who do not have IDs that accurately reflect their correct name and gender. Expansion of mail-in voting would certainly benefit the trans community,” Jody Herman, scholar and Reid Rasmussen Public Policy Fellow at the Williams Institute, said in an email.
Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, deputy executive director for policy and action at the National Center for Transgender Equality, said separately that voter ID laws are a huge hindrance for transgender people because changing one’s name and gender marker on identification it is costly and time-consuming process.
Heng-Lehtinen, a transgender man, said that the court process for changing his name required him to spend $450 in court fees, before paying for additional fees beyond that.
Although California no longer requires people pay that $450 fee, many states still require trans people to spend hundreds of dollars to change their identification, he said. In addition, multiple states have surgical requirements for trans people to change their identification, which is harmful to trans people who don’t want a particular surgery or couldn’t afford it if they did.
This means that, for a lot of trans people, updating their name is out of reach — and any time trans people go to the polls and show ID, it can open them up to harassment.
“If you cant update your ID and you are forced to show it you are outed as transgender, you’re vulnerable to discrimination, it’s such a scary moment to then have that happen when you go to vote [and is] so toxic for our democracy,” Heng-Lehtinen said. “As a rule, democracy requires voting to be easy. We all win when voting is easy and accessible.”
The reality
The Brennan Center for Justice recently advocated a widely available vote-by-mail system in the United States to protect people from catching the virus. Myrna Perez, director of the center’s voting rights and elections program, said that vote-by-mail can be done with important security measures in place, and that a number of states already have these measures. In the middle of a pandemic, she said, voters, especially marginalized ones, have a special need for more voting options.
Officials need to “take a hard look” at vote-by-mail processes to make sure they are modified consistent with the crisis people are facing, she added.
“Requiring people to include photo IDs when driver’s license offices issuing them are closed or people don’t have access to copy machines is not practical. We’re asking for common sense modifications that would work for people in the crisis that we’re in,” she said.
Voting by mail exclusively might put up some barriers for marginalized groups, however.
The Brennan Center is not calling for exclusive vote by mail, Perez cautioned, saying there still need to be in-person options because some people have unreliable mail, including on Native American reservations.
Other voters may need the assistance that polling locations have to offer, such as machines designed for people with disabilities or a polling place has requirements for poll workers to be bilingual.
But ensuring that people have in-mail voting at least as a standard option would help many people already targeted by voter ID laws, Heng-Lehtinen said.
“For these voter ID laws, transgender people are not the intended target, but we are collateral damage,” he said.
The future of widespread, standardized vote-by-mail options is currently up in the air. A number of states have tried it for this cycle and others are pushing for it to at least be a more available option, with more opportunities to request absentee ballots.
And although Republican pushback against those decisions so far has been fierce, Democrats may have a few conservative allies in the fight.
Ohio’s Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose told a Dayton Daily News reporter on Sunday that he was not concerned about fraud through mail-in voting.
“I can tell you that’s not the case in Ohio,” he said. “As I’ve said, we’re fortunate that we’ve been doing vote by mail for a long time. We know how to do it, and we know how to get it done securely.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-16--GOP senator admits more people will get sick — but he wants US open anyway

In a Fox News interview on Wednesday night , Sen. John Kennedy ( R-LA ) said that the United States should quickly end social distancing efforts to boost the economy , even though it will mean more people will contract COVID-19 .
Kennedy likened ongoing safety measures , including social distancing , to `` trying to burn down the village to save it . ''
Instead , he said the nation should quickly reopen , against the advice of public health experts .
`` Every politician , myself included sometimes , is just dancing around the issue , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it : We got ta reopen , and when we do , the coronavirus is gon na spread faster , and we got ta be ready . ''
Kennedy has been urging the country to reopen for weeks while minimizing the threat of the deadly pandemic .
In a March 23 appearance on the same program , he claimed that `` poverty , hunger , [ and ] losing the entire economy '' were the real threats and that COVID-19 can only kill `` a small segment of our population . ''
Kennedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News host last week , saying , `` The coronavirus can kill you , but so can poverty , and we have waterboarded the American economy , and we got ta stand it back up . ''
According to the World Health Organization , people of all ages have died from the disease , including many without preexisting medical conditions .
One recent report suggested that , without efforts put in place to curb the coronavirus ' spread , it could kill more than 2 million Americans .
But experts say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic much worse .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation 's top infectious disease expert , told CNN on Sunday that `` there 's an extraordinary risk of there being a rebound '' if the economy is immediately reopened all at once .
A Trump administration model , released last week , found that without the mitigation efforts already taken , the U.S. death total could have been 300,000 , but that if stay-at-home orders are lifted after just 30 days , the death total could reach 200,000 .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already died from COVID-19 in the U.S. At least 1,103 of those deaths have been in Kennedy 's home state of Louisiana .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

In a Fox News interview on Wednesday night, Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) said that the United States should quickly end social distancing efforts to boost the economy, even though it will mean more people will contract COVID-19.
Kennedy likened ongoing safety measures, including social distancing, to “trying to burn down the village to save it.”
Instead, he said the nation should quickly reopen, against the advice of public health experts.
“Every politician, myself included sometimes, is just dancing around the issue,” he said. “The American people get it: We gotta reopen, and when we do, the coronavirus is gonna spread faster, and we gotta be ready.”
Kennedy has been urging the country to reopen for weeks while minimizing the threat of the deadly pandemic.
In a March 23 appearance on the same program, he claimed that “poverty, hunger, [and] losing the entire economy” were the real threats and that COVID-19 can only kill “a small segment of our population.”
Kennedy made a similar argument to a different Fox News host last week, saying, “The coronavirus can kill you, but so can poverty, and we have waterboarded the American economy, and we gotta stand it back up.”
According to the World Health Organization, people of all ages have died from the disease, including many without preexisting medical conditions. One recent report suggested that, without efforts put in place to curb the coronavirus’ spread, it could kill more than 2 million Americans.
But experts say that easing social distancing too soon could make the pandemic much worse.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, told CNN on Sunday that “there’s an extraordinary risk of there being a rebound” if the economy is immediately reopened all at once.
A Trump administration model, released last week, found that without the mitigation efforts already taken, the U.S. death total could have been 300,000, but that if stay-at-home orders are lifted after just 30 days, the death total could reach 200,000.
According to the CDC, more than 24,000 people have already died from COVID-19 in the U.S. At least 1,103 of those deaths have been in Kennedy’s home state of Louisiana.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-16--Ivanka keeps blowing off Trump administration's coronavirus guidelines

White House staffer and first daughter Ivanka Trump has violated multiple rules and regulations for behavior during the novel coronavirus pandemic .
Last week she traveled to New Jersey , a state experiencing a major viral outbreak .
The New York Times reported Wednesday night that Trump traveled with her husband , White House adviser Jared Kushner , and their three children to the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster to celebrate the first night of Passover .
The White House on Thursday confirmed the Times report and said that Ivanka 's travel `` was not commercial . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private with her family , '' the White House said in a statement to CNN .
Many other families observed social distancing regulations and refrained from traveling for Passover this year , and instead held seders — ritual meals conducted to mark the holiday — via video chat software .
Trump 's travel violated what the White House has called `` The President 's Coronavirus Guidelines , '' including `` Avoid discretionary travel , shopping trips , and social visits . ''
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tells people to check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where you ’ re going '' when considering travel .
New Jersey is currently experiencing the second-worst outbreak of coronavirus in the country , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
The state has 71,030 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and 3,156 deaths .
That 's second only to New York , which as of Thursday had 214,832 cases and 14,073 deaths .
Trump herself has urged Americans not to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` Those lucky enough to be in a position to stay at home , please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a video posted to Twitter on March 29 .
`` Each and every one of us plays a role in slowing the spread . ''
According to the New York Times , Trump believed that the Trump golf club in New Jersey was safer than the six-bedroom , 6,870-square-foot mansion she rents in the wealthy Kalorama neighborhood of Washington , D.C .
Traveling to a coronavirus hot spot was n't the only time Trump ignored regulations .
She was tested for the novel coronavirus despite not having symptoms .
Members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 to receive a coronavirus test , such as fever , coughing , or shortness of breath .
Even many people who do have symptoms are not able to be tested due to a shortage of testing kits .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

White House staffer and first daughter Ivanka Trump has violated multiple rules and regulations for behavior during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Last week she traveled to New Jersey, a state experiencing a major viral outbreak.
The New York Times reported Wednesday night that Trump traveled with her husband, White House adviser Jared Kushner, and their three children to the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster to celebrate the first night of Passover.
The White House on Thursday confirmed the Times report and said that Ivanka’s travel “was not commercial.”
“She chose to spend a holiday in private with her family,” the White House said in a statement to CNN.
Many other families observed social distancing regulations and refrained from traveling for Passover this year, and instead held seders — ritual meals conducted to mark the holiday — via video chat software.
Trump’s travel violated what the White House has called “The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines,” including “Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tells people to check whether “COVID-19 spreading in the area where you’re going” when considering travel.
New Jersey is currently experiencing the second-worst outbreak of coronavirus in the country, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The state has 71,030 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and 3,156 deaths. That’s second only to New York, which as of Thursday had 214,832 cases and 14,073 deaths.
Trump herself has urged Americans not to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Those lucky enough to be in a position to stay at home, please, please do so,” she said in a video posted to Twitter on March 29. “Each and every one of us plays a role in slowing the spread.”
In these toughest of times, America shows her spirit and strength. This will end and we will emerge stronger than ever before. In the meantime, social distancing saves lives! Please do your part. We are all in this together. 💛 [Part 1] pic.twitter.com/iYzMunLJyO — Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) March 30, 2020
According to the New York Times, Trump believed that the Trump golf club in New Jersey was safer than the six-bedroom, 6,870-square-foot mansion she rents in the wealthy Kalorama neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
Traveling to a coronavirus hot spot wasn’t the only time Trump ignored regulations.
She was tested for the novel coronavirus despite not having symptoms.
Members of the general public must show specific symptoms of COVID-19 to receive a coronavirus test, such as fever, coughing, or shortness of breath.
Even many people who do have symptoms are not able to be tested due to a shortage of testing kits.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-04-17--News you might have missed: Michelle Obama school lunch program wins in court

Also this week , Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-CA ) introduced bold voting rights legislation , and an iconic independent bookstore was saved by an outpouring of donations .
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news .
On Monday , a federal court rejected a 2018 attempt by the Agriculture Department to reverse school nutrition guidelines that former first lady Michelle Obama fought for , the New York Times reported .
In 2012 , the Obama administration implemented a rule to ensure schools lowered the level of sodium in meals in stages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school year .
The rule also required schools to use more whole grains in meals .
The Trump administration tried to reverse those requirements , but in a way that procedurally was not lawful , according to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland .
The court found that the final rule put forward by the Trump administration `` is not a logical outgrowth of the interim final rule , so it must be vacated . ''
In other words , the administration `` did not give the public proper notice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rolling back the standards , '' said Karianne Jones of Democracy Forward , a legal group that represented organizations suing to stop the rollback of the standards .
During her time in the White House , Obama led a `` Let 's Move ! ''
campaign that focused on helping children live healthier lives through both nutritious food and physical activity .
On April 10 , Virginia 's Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam signed the Reproductive Health Protection Act into law .
The law repeals previous anti-abortion restrictions such as a mandatory ultrasound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an abortion and obtaining the procedure , according to a press release from Northam 's office .
`` No more will legislators in Richmond — most of whom are men — be telling women what they should and should not be doing with their bodies , '' Northam said in a statement .
`` The Reproductive Health Protection Act will make women and families safer , and I 'm proud to sign it into law . ''
The legislation was originally sponsored in the state Senate by Sen. Jennifer McClellan and in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-CA ) on Thursday introduced the VoteSafe Act , a proposal to expand safe voting access before the 2020 election , Rolling Stone reported .
The $ 5 billion plan would ensure a standard early-voting period for every state , require states to allow no-excuse absentee voting ( voting by mail ) for the 2020 election , and help states make voting more accessible to disabled people , indigenous tribes , and those for whom English is not their first language .
The bill `` is about making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one should have to decide about their right to vote versus their health , '' Harris said .
`` I think that there are these moments of a crisis that give us the courage and encouragement to try something that actually may be better than how we were doing it before , '' she added .
Minnesota law helps those struggling to pay for insulin On Wednesday , Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz , a Democrat , signed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act into law .
The legislation allows eligible people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an emergency for a $ 35 co-pay once in a 12-month period .
It also allows those who are eligible to receive a 90-day supply of insulin for a co-pay no greater than $ 50 .
`` We 've struggled to make insulin affordable to folks who , through no fault of their own , need insulin to survive , '' Walz said in a statement .
`` We fought a battle with special interests and fought a battle sometimes against ourselves and our politics .
But today is a day to rejoice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land . ''
The legislation is named after a 26-year-old man who died after he was unable to afford the insulin he needed to survive , which cost him $ 1,300 a month .
On April 3 , Washington became the 18th state to eliminate sales taxes on menstrual products , the Daily of the University of Washington reported .
The bill was passed unanimously by the state Senate , and by a 95-2 vote in the state House of Representatives .
`` We got a lot of support from both parties , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Washington Tampon Tax Task Force and graduate student at the University of Washington , told the Daily .
`` With more Republican legislators , if we framed it as a tax repeal , making the tax code less regressive , it was a very compelling argument for them . ''
The law goes into effect on July 1 .
Beloved San Francisco bookstore will survive thanks to massive donations An iconic San Francisco bookstore will remain open after receiving almost half a million dollars in donations , the Guardian reported .
City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1953 , appealed for help through a GoFundMe campaign , saying it was struggling to survive during the coronavirus crisis .
The bookstore played an important role in the careers of authors such as Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac , the Press Herald reported , and remains popular with progressive artists and thinkers in the city .
As of Friday morning , the bookstore had raised more than $ 475,000 through the effort .
The response `` has been utterly astonishing and much appreciated , '' Nancy Peters , co-owner of City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website .
`` I 'm overcome with gratitude when I see the names of people I know , the customers I 've met only briefly at the bookstore , and the beautiful strangers from all over this stricken and chaotic world . ''
On Tuesday , former President Barack Obama endorsed Joe Biden for president in a video that quickly went viral .
`` Over the past weeks , we 've seen plenty of examples of the kind of courage , kindness , and selflessness that we 're going to need to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our history , '' Obama said .
He described Biden , his former vice president , as `` guided by knowledge and experience , honesty and humility , empathy and grace . ''
Twitter announced the video was viewed 1 million times in just the first 40 minutes after it was posted .
Obama 's endorsement was preceded on Monday by an endorsement of Biden by Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) and followed on Wednesday by an endorsement by Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) .

Also this week, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) introduced bold voting rights legislation, and an iconic independent bookstore was saved by an outpouring of donations.
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news.
On Monday, a federal court rejected a 2018 attempt by the Agriculture Department to reverse school nutrition guidelines that former first lady Michelle Obama fought for, the New York Times reported.
In 2012, the Obama administration implemented a rule to ensure schools lowered the level of sodium in meals in stages on a yearly basis through the 2022-23 school year. The rule also required schools to use more whole grains in meals.
The Trump administration tried to reverse those requirements, but in a way that procedurally was not lawful, according to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The court found that the final rule put forward by the Trump administration “is not a logical outgrowth of the interim final rule, so it must be vacated.”
In other words, the administration “did not give the public proper notice of what it intended to do in rolling back the standards,” said Karianne Jones of Democracy Forward, a legal group that represented organizations suing to stop the rollback of the standards.
During her time in the White House, Obama led a “Let’s Move!” campaign that focused on helping children live healthier lives through both nutritious food and physical activity.
On April 10, Virginia’s Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam signed the Reproductive Health Protection Act into law.
The law repeals previous anti-abortion restrictions such as a mandatory ultrasound and a 24-hour waiting period between seeking an abortion and obtaining the procedure, according to a press release from Northam’s office.
“No more will legislators in Richmond — most of whom are men — be telling women what they should and should not be doing with their bodies,” Northam said in a statement. “The Reproductive Health Protection Act will make women and families safer, and I’m proud to sign it into law.”
The legislation was originally sponsored in the state Senate by Sen. Jennifer McClellan and in the state House by Majority Leader Charniele Herring.
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) on Thursday introduced the VoteSafe Act, a proposal to expand safe voting access before the 2020 election, Rolling Stone reported.
The $5 billion plan would ensure a standard early-voting period for every state, require states to allow no-excuse absentee voting (voting by mail) for the 2020 election, and help states make voting more accessible to disabled people, indigenous tribes, and those for whom English is not their first language.
The bill “is about making sure that in our country, no one should have to decide about their right to vote versus their health,” Harris said.
“I think that there are these moments of a crisis that give us the courage and encouragement to try something that actually may be better than how we were doing it before,” she added.
On Wednesday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, signed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act into law.
The legislation allows eligible people to obtain a 30-day supply of insulin in an emergency for a $35 co-pay once in a 12-month period. It also allows those who are eligible to receive a 90-day supply of insulin for a co-pay no greater than $50.
“We’ve struggled to make insulin affordable to folks who, through no fault of their own, need insulin to survive,” Walz said in a statement. “We fought a battle with special interests and fought a battle sometimes against ourselves and our politics. But today is a day to rejoice because it’s the law of the land.”
The legislation is named after a 26-year-old man who died after he was unable to afford the insulin he needed to survive, which cost him $1,300 a month.
On April 3, Washington became the 18th state to eliminate sales taxes on menstrual products, the Daily of the University of Washington reported.
The bill was passed unanimously by the state Senate, and by a 95-2 vote in the state House of Representatives.
“We got a lot of support from both parties,” Reem Sabha, a member of the Washington Tampon Tax Task Force and graduate student at the University of Washington, told the Daily. “With more Republican legislators, if we framed it as a tax repeal, making the tax code less regressive, it was a very compelling argument for them.”
The law goes into effect on July 1.
An iconic San Francisco bookstore will remain open after receiving almost half a million dollars in donations, the Guardian reported.
City Lights, which first opened its doors in 1953, appealed for help through a GoFundMe campaign, saying it was struggling to survive during the coronavirus crisis. The bookstore played an important role in the careers of authors such as Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac, the Press Herald reported, and remains popular with progressive artists and thinkers in the city.
As of Friday morning, the bookstore had raised more than $475,000 through the effort.
The response “has been utterly astonishing and much appreciated,” Nancy Peters, co-owner of City Lights, wrote on the company’s website. “I’m overcome with gratitude when I see the names of people I know, the customers I’ve met only briefly at the bookstore, and the beautiful strangers from all over this stricken and chaotic world.”
On Tuesday, former President Barack Obama endorsed Joe Biden for president in a video that quickly went viral.
“Over the past weeks, we’ve seen plenty of examples of the kind of courage, kindness, and selflessness that we’re going to need to get through one of the most difficult times in our history,” Obama said. He described Biden, his former vice president, as “guided by knowledge and experience, honesty and humility, empathy and grace.”
I’m proud to endorse my friend @JoeBiden for President of the United States. Let's go: https://t.co/maHVGRozkX — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 14, 2020
Twitter announced the video was viewed 1 million times in just the first 40 minutes after it was posted.
Obama’s endorsement was preceded on Monday by an endorsement of Biden by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and followed on Wednesday by an endorsement by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).