truthout--2020-12-21--Biden’s Climate Cabinet Picks Show Power of People-Led Movements

As President-elect Joe Biden unveils key members of his team who will tackle what he called the “ existential ” threat of the climate crisis , we speak to former Environmental Protection Agency official Mustafa Ali , who led the agency ’ s environmental justice program until resigning in 2017 in protest of the Trump administration ’ s policies .
Biden ’ s picks for the Climate Cabinet are the result of “ a transformational set of movements , ” says Ali , who is currently vice president of the National Wildlife Federation .
“ It also speaks to all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice leaders have been doing to ensure that our president-elect is giving serious thought to vulnerable communities , to the impacts that are happening from the climate crisis.
” This is a rush transcript .
Copy may not be in its final form .
AMY GOODMAN : This is Democracy Now !
The Quarantine Report .
I ’ m Amy Goodman .
We get a response now to President-elect Joe Biden ’ s announcement Saturday of the members of his climate team , who will tackle what he called the , quote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
His picks include Democratic Congresswoman Deb Haaland of New Mexico to lead the Interior Department , making her the first Native American Cabinet secretary in history , if confirmed , and Michael Regan , head of North Carolina ’ s Department of Environmental Quality , who would be the first Black man to lead the Environmental Protection Agency .
Biden also picked longtime environmental attorney Brenda Mallory to chair Biden ’ s Council on Environmental Quality ; Gina McCarthy , head of the EPA under Obama , will lead a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to be energy secretary .
Last month , Biden named former Secretary of State John Kerry as international presidential envoy on climate change .
For more , we go to Washington , D.C. , to speak with Mustafa Santiago Ali , former head of the environmental justice program at the Environmental Protection Agency .
In 2017 , he resigned in protest of the Trump administration ’ s efforts to severely scale back the size and work of the EPA .
He first helped launch the EPA ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and served under both Republican and Democratic administrations .
He ’ s now vice president of the National Wildlife Federation .
Mustafa , welcome back to Democracy Now !
It ’ s great to have you with us .
As we watched and listened to , in our last segment , people standing up one by one , talking about the climate crisis and specifically referring to the issue of environmental justice , we see the power of movements , people chosen that President-elect Biden hadn ’ t planned to originally choose , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going with Michael Regan , coming from heading up the environmental agency in North Carolina .
Can you talk about those movements and what they have accomplished ?
MUSTAFA ALI : Well , I think it ’ s a transformational set of movements that are actually happening .
For us to see individuals saying the words and being tied to environmental justice , understanding the impacts of climate change , is something that we ’ ve never seen before .
And it also speaks to all the hard , incredible work that environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing to ensure that our president-elect is giving serious thought to vulnerable communities , to the impacts that are happening from the climate crisis , and really working through with his team and making these decisions — you know , not snap decisions , but actually deep thought going into the individuals and also hearing and listening to the voices of communities .
AMY GOODMAN : So , can you talk about Michael Regan heading up the Environmental Protection Agency , if he ’ s confirmed ?
And , of course , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many years .
He once interned at the EPA , as he said .
He ’ ll be the first Black man to head up the agency .
If you can talk about the original reported pick of President-elect Biden being Mary Nichols from California and what happened , the movement that said she did not deal with climate justice in the way that environmental justice movements felt needed to be represented as head of the EPA ?
MUSTAFA ALI : Yeah .
Well , let me start off by saying that environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our country , and the president has made significant commitments there , that environmental justice is one of his priority areas , so , therefore , it has to be a part of the evaluation and a set of criteria , you know , when you ’ re choosing individuals .
Mary has been an expert and a champion on , you know , clean air-related actions .
So , we want to make sure that we honor that .
But you also have to make sure that you ’ re honoring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moving in the development of policies and regulations and a set of actions .
And a number of stakeholders from California , and then across the country , called out the fact that they felt that Mary had not honored that , that she had not fully listened to their voices and included them in the processes that were happening there in California .
And that became , you know , a drag , I think , on her being nominated as the Environmental Protection Agency ’ s administrator .
Then you transition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve known him since he was a student .
He , as you heard , as the listeners heard earlier , you know , has a real tie to the land , has a tie to communities and has been a strong regulator on environmental impacts , also understanding how the climate crisis is playing out and the fact that we also have to be focused , when you can , to also be focused on a clean economy .
So , he has a number of challenges that are in front of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being there in North Carolina , he had a Democratic governor , but he had a Republican set of lawmakers who were continually trying to slow down the process .
He did some great work around coal ash .
There are others , probably , who wished there was even more in that space , but , you know , he pushed Duke Energy to address some of those issues .
And he also worked on PFOA and PFAS issues and began to make some progress in that area .
You know , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be surrounded by a number of folks who will help him to achieve the goals that the president is going to set out .
He ’ s going to need those who have environmental justice competencies and also experience , because the set of challenges are huge , but the set of opportunities are even larger .
I think Michael is up to the task , and folks will hold him accountable .
AMY GOODMAN : Also , to have Deb Haaland , if approved , to be the interior secretary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be named to the Cabinet , your response ?
MUSTAFA ALI : Oh , Congressman Haaland has my — Congresswoman Haaland has my heart .
She is a true progressive .
She is someone who is anchored , anchored in culture , anchored in the changes that can and will happen inside of our country .
I ’ ve been blessed to do a number of events with Deb .
And she ’ s the real deal .
So , you know , the beauty of the diversity of this administration is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s skins , but also their commitment to folks back home and folks across our country .
So I think it was an excellent , excellent selection in having Congresswoman Deb Haaland to lead the Department of Interior .
AMY GOODMAN : So , you have a number of people , overall , in the Biden-elect administration who come from the time of Obama .
And I guess the question is : How do you ensure that the movements that , for example , you ’ re a part of are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the first African American who was named head of the EPA — that was Lisa Jackson — and she ultimately quit under President Obama because she felt undermined and didn ’ t have support , not by the Republicans , yes , of course , who were opposing her , but by the Democrats and the Obama administration , when she tried to propose tougher regulations on smog pollution , that she had negotiated for over a year .
And she felt undercut when the president , at that time Obama , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you avoid a situation like this ?
MUSTAFA ALI : Well , Amy , that ’ s what I appreciate about Democracy Now !
, is that it ’ s all about real talk .
And we have to understand that we have power in this process .
And that ’ s why I ’ ve often said it doesn ’ t matter if it ’ s a Democrat , a Republican or an independent who ’ s leading , that we have to stay engaged in the process , we have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people accountable .
The reality of the situation is , is that 2022 is not that far away , and 2024 is not that far away .
So , folks are going to have to listen to the voices of communities , progressive voices , moderate voices and others , if they want to be able to win on these issues .
And that means also that there are a number of other positions that are going to be filled and that those individuals who are coming from other parts of the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure this moves forward .
AMY GOODMAN : Mustafa , let me ask you very quickly about what ’ s happening today in Arizona .
Members of the San Carlos Apache Nation have called a day of action in opposition to a proposed copper mine in a sacred portion of the Tonto National Forest , the tribe saying the planned mine would raze an ancient forest known as Oak Flat and contaminate a large swath of southern Arizona , the Trump administration racing to approve the mine as part of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , gas and mining companies in the final days of the Trump presidency .
What about these final days and what Trump is attempting to do ?
MUSTAFA ALI : We have to stay focused .
They have continued to impact our federal lands , just so folks can do additional mining .
These are traditional lands .
There is a cultural connection there .
People have to continue to engage , to fight back .
You know , folks have been also going through legal challenges on many of these actions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a spotlight on it .
And when the new administration comes in , they ’ re going to have to use every tool that they have to reverse many of these decisions that will have long-term , historical impacts in vulnerable communities across our country .
AMY GOODMAN : Mustafa Ali , I want to thank you so much for being with us , former longtime head of the environmental justice program at the Environmental Protection Agency , now vice president of the National Wildlife Federation .
Thank you so much for joining @ @ @

As President-elect Joe Biden unveils key members of his team who will tackle what he called the “existential” threat of the climate crisis, we speak to former Environmental Protection Agency official Mustafa Ali, who led the agency’s environmental justice program until resigning in 2017 in protest of the Trump administration’s policies. Biden’s picks for the Climate Cabinet are the result of “a transformational set of movements,” says Ali, who is currently vice president of the National Wildlife Federation. “It also speaks to all the hard, incredible work that environmental justice leaders have been doing to ensure that our president-elect is giving serious thought to vulnerable communities, to the impacts that are happening from the climate crisis.”
This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.
AMY GOODMAN: This is Democracy Now! The Quarantine Report. I’m Amy Goodman.
We get a response now to President-elect Joe Biden’s announcement Saturday of the members of his climate team, who will tackle what he called the, quote, “existential” threat of the climate crisis. His picks include Democratic Congresswoman Deb Haaland of New Mexico to lead the Interior Department, making her the first Native American Cabinet secretary in history, if confirmed, and Michael Regan, head of North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality, who would be the first Black man to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Biden also picked longtime environmental attorney Brenda Mallory to chair Biden’s Council on Environmental Quality; Gina McCarthy, head of the EPA under Obama, will lead a new White House Office of Climate Policy; and former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to be energy secretary. Last month, Biden named former Secretary of State John Kerry as international presidential envoy on climate change.
For more, we go to Washington, D.C., to speak with Mustafa Santiago Ali, former head of the environmental justice program at the Environmental Protection Agency. In 2017, he resigned in protest of the Trump administration’s efforts to severely scale back the size and work of the EPA. He first helped launch the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice in 1992 and served under both Republican and Democratic administrations. He’s now vice president of the National Wildlife Federation.
Mustafa, welcome back to Democracy Now! It’s great to have you with us. As we watched and listened to, in our last segment, people standing up one by one, talking about the climate crisis and specifically referring to the issue of environmental justice, we see the power of movements, people chosen that President-elect Biden hadn’t planned to originally choose, like the head of the EPA, going with Michael Regan, coming from heading up the environmental agency in North Carolina. Can you talk about those movements and what they have accomplished?
MUSTAFA ALI: Well, I think it’s a transformational set of movements that are actually happening. For us to see individuals saying the words and being tied to environmental justice, understanding the impacts of climate change, is something that we’ve never seen before. And it also speaks to all the hard, incredible work that environmental justice leaders across the country have been doing to ensure that our president-elect is giving serious thought to vulnerable communities, to the impacts that are happening from the climate crisis, and really working through with his team and making these decisions — you know, not snap decisions, but actually deep thought going into the individuals and also hearing and listening to the voices of communities.
AMY GOODMAN: So, can you talk about Michael Regan heading up the Environmental Protection Agency, if he’s confirmed? And, of course, you’ve known him for many, many years. He once interned at the EPA, as he said. He’ll be the first Black man to head up the agency. If you can talk about the original reported pick of President-elect Biden being Mary Nichols from California and what happened, the movement that said she did not deal with climate justice in the way that environmental justice movements felt needed to be represented as head of the EPA?
MUSTAFA ALI: Yeah. Well, let me start off by saying that environmental justice is now our North Star for our country, and the president has made significant commitments there, that environmental justice is one of his priority areas, so, therefore, it has to be a part of the evaluation and a set of criteria, you know, when you’re choosing individuals.
Mary has been an expert and a champion on, you know, clean air-related actions. So, we want to make sure that we honor that. But you also have to make sure that you’re honoring the voices of communities as you’re moving in the development of policies and regulations and a set of actions. And a number of stakeholders from California, and then across the country, called out the fact that they felt that Mary had not honored that, that she had not fully listened to their voices and included them in the processes that were happening there in California. And that became, you know, a drag, I think, on her being nominated as the Environmental Protection Agency’s administrator.
Then you transition to Michael. Michael, I’ve known him since he was a student. He, as you heard, as the listeners heard earlier, you know, has a real tie to the land, has a tie to communities and has been a strong regulator on environmental impacts, also understanding how the climate crisis is playing out and the fact that we also have to be focused, when you can, to also be focused on a clean economy. So, he has a number of challenges that are in front of him, but, you know, being there in North Carolina, he had a Democratic governor, but he had a Republican set of lawmakers who were continually trying to slow down the process. He did some great work around coal ash. There are others, probably, who wished there was even more in that space, but, you know, he pushed Duke Energy to address some of those issues. And he also worked on PFOA and PFAS issues and began to make some progress in that area.
You know, he’s going to just have to be surrounded by a number of folks who will help him to achieve the goals that the president is going to set out. He’s going to need those who have environmental justice competencies and also experience, because the set of challenges are huge, but the set of opportunities are even larger. I think Michael is up to the task, and folks will hold him accountable.
AMY GOODMAN: Also, to have Deb Haaland, if approved, to be the interior secretary, the first Native American in history to be named to the Cabinet, your response?
MUSTAFA ALI: Oh, Congressman Haaland has my — Congresswoman Haaland has my heart. She is a true progressive. She is someone who is anchored, anchored in culture, anchored in the changes that can and will happen inside of our country. I’ve been blessed to do a number of events with Deb. And she’s the real deal. So, you know, the beauty of the diversity of this administration is not just in the color of people’s skins, but also their commitment to folks back home and folks across our country. So I think it was an excellent, excellent selection in having Congresswoman Deb Haaland to lead the Department of Interior.
AMY GOODMAN: So, you have a number of people, overall, in the Biden-elect administration who come from the time of Obama. And I guess the question is: How do you ensure that the movements that, for example, you’re a part of are going to continue to be heard? I think of the first African American who was named head of the EPA — that was Lisa Jackson — and she ultimately quit under President Obama because she felt undermined and didn’t have support, not by the Republicans, yes, of course, who were opposing her, but by the Democrats and the Obama administration, when she tried to propose tougher regulations on smog pollution, that she had negotiated for over a year. And she felt undercut when the president, at that time Obama, did not support her. How do you avoid a situation like this?
MUSTAFA ALI: Well, Amy, that’s what I appreciate about Democracy Now!, is that it’s all about real talk. And we have to understand that we have power in this process. And that’s why I’ve often said it doesn’t matter if it’s a Democrat, a Republican or an independent who’s leading, that we have to stay engaged in the process, we have to push, and we have to hold people accountable.
The reality of the situation is, is that 2022 is not that far away, and 2024 is not that far away. So, folks are going to have to listen to the voices of communities, progressive voices, moderate voices and others, if they want to be able to win on these issues. And that means also that there are a number of other positions that are going to be filled and that those individuals who are coming from other parts of the party have to fill some of those positions to make sure this moves forward.
AMY GOODMAN: Mustafa, let me ask you very quickly about what’s happening today in Arizona. Members of the San Carlos Apache Nation have called a day of action in opposition to a proposed copper mine in a sacred portion of the Tonto National Forest, the tribe saying the planned mine would raze an ancient forest known as Oak Flat and contaminate a large swath of southern Arizona, the Trump administration racing to approve the mine as part of a massive transfer of federal land to oil, gas and mining companies in the final days of the Trump presidency. What about these final days and what Trump is attempting to do?
MUSTAFA ALI: We have to stay focused. They have continued to impact our federal lands, just so folks can do additional mining. These are traditional lands. There is a cultural connection there. People have to continue to engage, to fight back. You know, folks have been also going through legal challenges on many of these actions. We just have to continue to put a spotlight on it. And when the new administration comes in, they’re going to have to use every tool that they have to reverse many of these decisions that will have long-term, historical impacts in vulnerable communities across our country.
AMY GOODMAN: Mustafa Ali, I want to thank you so much for being with us, former longtime head of the environmental justice program at the Environmental Protection Agency, now vice president of the National Wildlife Federation. Thank you so much for joining us today.
Democracy Now! produced with Renée Feltz, Mike Burke, Deena Guzder, Libby Rainey, Nermeen Shaikh, María Taracena. I’m Amy Goodman. Wear a mask.


truthout--2020-12-21--Trump Continues to Ignore COVID as His GOP Enablers Make It Worse

It may seem as if President Donald Trump has done nothing since losing to Joe Biden but watch TV and rage tweet about his stolen election fantasy , however , he ’ s actually been quite busy .
He ’ s reportedly considering a military coup or an executive order to seize the voting machines in swing states that Biden won .
He spent a lot of energy pushing Attorney General Bill Barr to pursue some of his wild theories about the alleged election theft and pressed him to appoint a Special Counsel to investigate Biden ’ s son Hunter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in purging the federal government of those he considers disloyal , particularly at the Pentagon , where he has spent the final few weeks of his presidency installing some of his closest collaborators for reasons that remain unclear .
So you can ’ t say he is doing nothing — he ’ s just not doing his job .
Last week , we were informed that there was a major cyber intrusion into both business and government by what the intelligence services and private security companies believe was the Russian government .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case of cyber-espionage , however , Trump had nothing to say about this for days until this weekend when he downplayed the attack : Needless to say , he has also been silent about the worst public health crisis America has faced in over a century as COVID-19 once again surges across the country , filling up hospitals and morgues at a frightening pace .
According to the Washington Post , one of his closest advisers , speaking anonymously , said , “ I think he ’ s just done with covid I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he ’ s done with covid .
.
.
.
It just exceeded the amount of time he gave it.
” Trump is known for projecting his own dark thoughts onto others so I suppose it ’ s not even ironic that he spent most of the fall campaign insisting that after November 4th , nobody would talk about COVID anymore .
For instance , he told the Republican Convention that it was all fake news , that “ they want to make our numbers look as bad as possible for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October 24th , he told his ecstatic crowd : This Christmas week , our country is losing an American every 33 seconds to Covid , Covid , Covid .
As the Washington Post ’ s Philip Bump points out , “ every time you listen to Bing Crosby ’ s ‘ White Christmas , ’ about five people have died of the virus between the beginning and the end of the song.
” The death toll is over 318,000 and climbing .
Oddly enough , Trump can ’ t even tear himself away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indisputably lost six weeks ago to take a victory lap for the successful approvals of the vaccines .
All he could bring himself to do was whine pitifully to the press that they ’ d better not give Biden credit because it was all his doing .
He has barely mentioned the successful rollouts of the first two vaccines on his hysterical Twitter feed .
This is in keeping with his attitude about the crisis from the beginning .
You may recall that both the Washington Post and the New York Times have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s crisis response from the emergence of the virus in January to their desperate attempt to re-open the economy in the spring to this summer ’ s surprise surge .
They are all excellent , long-form “ tick-tock ” pieces of how this emergency unfolded and unraveled .
It was very bad in the beginning and hasn ’ t gotten any better since .
In the latest installment , a report from the Washington Post called “ The inside story of how Trump ’ s denial , mismanagement and magical thinking led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” reporters Yasmeen Abutaleb , Josh Dawsey , Ashley Parker , and Philip Rucker lay out a narrative that would be farcical if it weren ’ t so very , very tragic : If Trump and his cohorts had made even the slightest effort to encourage mitigation strategies and public health guidelines instead of fighting them all the way , they could have saved tens of thousands of lives .
The vaccines are , as the Post puts it , a “ triumph of scientific ingenuity and bureaucratic efficiency ” but they don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the president , whom they describe as being “ perpetually in denial , ” has led a monumentally dysfunctional federal response that was the direct cause of proportionally more deaths in the U.S. than in other developed countries .
It is an embarrassment that is laid directly at his feet : He would not listen to the scientists because they didn ’ t tell him what he wanted to hear .
That is the story of his presidency , isn ’ t it ?
It ’ s got to be happy talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear it .
But let ’ s not forget all the Republicans who enabled this catastrophe .
From the governors who refused to take the measures that might have spared lives to their accomplices in Congress who refused to save businesses from going under so they wouldn ’ t feel compelled to open up prematurely .
Instead , they all genuflected to the man who can ’ t hear bad news without falling apart .
For instance , Sen. Marco Rubio , R-Fl.
, actually had the temerity to post a picture of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The argument for doing that is that we need important and famous people , regardless of their politics , to get vaccinated so that others will know it ’ s safe .
I have a sneaking suspicion that I could count the number of people who will be reassured by Marco Rubio getting the vaccine on one hand , however .
But ok , perhaps this is what we must do .
Still , how infuriating for him to have the gall to then post this : The obtuseness on display by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incompetent response to this crisis having the nerve to lecture people who tried to save lives and businesses with almost no support from the federal government is almost too much to bear .
This is on Trump , to be sure .
But all of his Republican accomplices were right there with him .
They couldn ’ t bring themselves to do what was necessary to help the economy weather the crisis and instead decided that it was better to let businesses struggle and hundreds of thousands of Americans die over these past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finally agreed to a $ 900 billion relief package late Sunday evening , i ’ s very late and far from being enough .
According to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , Republicans only came to the table after months of stalling to help the two GOP Senators in the Georgia runoff election .
The carnage they ’ ve helped create is unforgivable .

It may seem as if President Donald Trump has done nothing since losing to Joe Biden but watch TV and rage tweet about his stolen election fantasy, however, he’s actually been quite busy.
He’s reportedly considering a military coup or an executive order to seize the voting machines in swing states that Biden won. He spent a lot of energy pushing Attorney General Bill Barr to pursue some of his wild theories about the alleged election theft and pressed him to appoint a Special Counsel to investigate Biden’s son Hunter. He’s also been engaged in purging the federal government of those he considers disloyal, particularly at the Pentagon, where he has spent the final few weeks of his presidency installing some of his closest collaborators for reasons that remain unclear.
So you can’t say he is doing nothing — he’s just not doing his job.
Last week, we were informed that there was a major cyber intrusion into both business and government by what the intelligence services and private security companies believe was the Russian government. By all accounts, it is an unprecedented case of cyber-espionage, however, Trump had nothing to say about this for days until this weekend when he downplayed the attack:
Needless to say, he has also been silent about the worst public health crisis America has faced in over a century as COVID-19 once again surges across the country, filling up hospitals and morgues at a frightening pace. According to the Washington Post, one of his closest advisers, speaking anonymously, said, “I think he’s just done with covid I think he put it on a timetable and he’s done with covid. . . . It just exceeded the amount of time he gave it.” Trump is known for projecting his own dark thoughts onto others so I suppose it’s not even ironic that he spent most of the fall campaign insisting that after November 4th, nobody would talk about COVID anymore. For instance, he told the Republican Convention that it was all fake news, that “they want to make our numbers look as bad as possible for the election.” At one campaign rally on October 24th, he told his ecstatic crowd:
“That’s all I hear about now. That’s all I hear. Turn on television—’Covid, Covid, Covid, Covid, Covid, Covid.’ A plane goes down. 500 people dead, they don’t talk about it. Covid, Covid, Covid, Covid.’ By the way, on November 4, you won’t hear about it anymore,”
This Christmas week, our country is losing an American every 33 seconds to Covid, Covid, Covid. As the Washington Post’s Philip Bump points out, “every time you listen to Bing Crosby’s ‘White Christmas,’ about five people have died of the virus between the beginning and the end of the song.” The death toll is over 318,000 and climbing.
Oddly enough, Trump can’t even tear himself away from his scheming about the election he indisputably lost six weeks ago to take a victory lap for the successful approvals of the vaccines. All he could bring himself to do was whine pitifully to the press that they’d better not give Biden credit because it was all his doing. He has barely mentioned the successful rollouts of the first two vaccines on his hysterical Twitter feed.
This is in keeping with his attitude about the crisis from the beginning.
You may recall that both the Washington Post and the New York Times have done deep reporting on the administration’s crisis response from the emergence of the virus in January to their desperate attempt to re-open the economy in the spring to this summer’s surprise surge. They are all excellent, long-form “tick-tock” pieces of how this emergency unfolded and unraveled. It was very bad in the beginning and hasn’t gotten any better since.
In the latest installment, a report from the Washington Post called “The inside story of how Trump’s denial, mismanagement and magical thinking led to the pandemic’s dark winter,” reporters Yasmeen Abutaleb, Josh Dawsey, Ashley Parker, and Philip Rucker lay out a narrative that would be farcical if it weren’t so very, very tragic: If Trump and his cohorts had made even the slightest effort to encourage mitigation strategies and public health guidelines instead of fighting them all the way, they could have saved tens of thousands of lives.
The vaccines are, as the Post puts it, a “triumph of scientific ingenuity and bureaucratic efficiency” but they don’t make up for the fact that the president, whom they describe as being “perpetually in denial,” has led a monumentally dysfunctional federal response that was the direct cause of proportionally more deaths in the U.S. than in other developed countries. It is an embarrassment that is laid directly at his feet:
The catastrophe began with Trump’s initial refusal to take seriously the threat of a once-in-a-century pandemic. But, as officials detailed, it has been compounded over time by a host of damaging presidential traits — his skepticism of science, impatience with health restrictions, prioritization of personal politics over public safety, undisciplined communications, chaotic management style, indulgence of conspiracies, proclivity toward magical thinking, allowance of turf wars and flagrant disregard for the well-being of those around him.
He would not listen to the scientists because they didn’t tell him what he wanted to hear. That is the story of his presidency, isn’t it? It’s got to be happy talk or Trump doesn’t want to hear it.
But let’s not forget all the Republicans who enabled this catastrophe. From the governors who refused to take the measures that might have spared lives to their accomplices in Congress who refused to save businesses from going under so they wouldn’t feel compelled to open up prematurely. Instead, they all genuflected to the man who can’t hear bad news without falling apart.
For instance, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fl., actually had the temerity to post a picture of him getting the vaccine before everyone else:
Young, healthy Senator, who spoke at rallies packed w/thousands w/o masks, who supports Trump -who’s down-played COVID & mocked those who wear masks, is 1st to get vaccine while most medical workers, elderly & infirm Americans, wait.
Congratulations on ur privilege, @marcorubio. pic.twitter.com/gpm3PfNCd4 — Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) December 20, 2020
The argument for doing that is that we need important and famous people, regardless of their politics, to get vaccinated so that others will know it’s safe. I have a sneaking suspicion that I could count the number of people who will be reassured by Marco Rubio getting the vaccine on one hand, however. But ok, perhaps this is what we must do. Still, how infuriating for him to have the gall to then post this:
People are tired of being told they have to stay home & can’t work or open their business by people who break their own rules and haven’t missed a paycheck — Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) December 20, 2020
The obtuseness on display by a man who has excused the grotesquely incompetent response to this crisis having the nerve to lecture people who tried to save lives and businesses with almost no support from the federal government is almost too much to bear.
Another way to think about it: there are people who’ve bringing home $14,500 per month and now gotten vaccinated, who are among the people who haven’t voted for relief or medical supply funding since May, all while raising doubts about masks and saying the economy is fine. — Edward-Isaac Dovere (@IsaacDovere) December 20, 2020
This is on Trump, to be sure. But all of his Republican accomplices were right there with him. They couldn’t bring themselves to do what was necessary to help the economy weather the crisis and instead decided that it was better to let businesses struggle and hundreds of thousands of Americans die over these past few months. Even though the Republicans finally agreed to a $900 billion relief package late Sunday evening, i’s very late and far from being enough. According to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Republicans only came to the table after months of stalling to help the two GOP Senators in the Georgia runoff election. The carnage they’ve helped create is unforgivable.
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truthout--2020-12-21--Critics Blast $600 Stimulus Checks That Won’t Cover 1 Month’s Rent for Most

Congressional leaders announced on Sunday that a deal between Democrats and Republicans had been reached to provide significant aid to Americans struggling with the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic .
But while the nearly $ 900 billion deal includes a direct stimulus payment to most Americans , many critics have lambasted the amount that was agreed upon , $ 600 , as too little to help those who are struggling to pay rent , bills or other debts during the crisis .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Kentucky ) announced on Twitter that a deal had been reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the American people continue battling the coronavirus this holiday season , they will not be on their own , ” McConnell wrote .
“ Congress has just reached an agreement .
We will pass another rescue package ASAP .
More help is on the way.
” Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi also lauded the deal .
“ We are going to crush the virus and put money in the pockets of the American people , ” she said in a statement .
The bill will include a number of provisions meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these trying times .
Unemployment insurance will be extended for 11 weeks , with an additional $ 300 added to the typical unemployment check ( or about half of the additional funds that were part of a similar COVID relief package earlier this year ) .
The bill also includes $ 284 billion for payroll loans to businesses to help them continue paying workers , including $ 15 billion to live venues , movie theaters , and other entertainment .
Around $ 10 billion will be dedicated to child care assistance as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not go directly to workers .
The bill provides $ 15 billion to the airline industry , for example , with $ 2 billion going to airports .
The bill also includes a tax deduction for corporate meal expenses that critics have dubbed the “ three martini lunch ” tax cut , allowing corporate executives to write-off on their taxes lunch expenses .
The White House has suggested that this tax cut will help restaurants , but critics have said that it would do very little to actually provide aid to the struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pockets of those who are not in need of help during the pandemic .
Perhaps the most discussed aspect of the agreement is the direct payment of $ 600 , which is planned to go to most American adults in the country earning under $ 75,000 per year for individuals ( $ 150,000 for couples ) .
Those who earn above that amount will receive stimulus payments that gradually lessen as they earn more , with individuals earning above $ 99,000 this past year ( or $ 198,000 for couples ) receiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also receive $ 600 for each dependent child in their home .
While any amount of stimulus payment will provide some relief , critics contend the payments are far too small to help most Americans , noting that they won ’ t even cover rent for most in the country .
Although the bill includes $ 25 billion in rental assistance , an analysis from Moody ’ s Analytics this month found that Americans have collected close to $ 70 billion in rental debt as they enter the New Year .
That means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such help , that those $ 600 payments will likely go toward paying rent or mortgage payments .
Unfortunately , $ 600 is far less than what most pay when it comes to renting a place to live .
Indeed , according to research from Experian , no state in the nation has a median rental rate that is under $ 800 .
Forty-one states plus Washington , D.C. have median rental rates of $ 1,000 and above .
“ $ 600 won ’ t cover the rent or the bills that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate for a new stimulus began , Georgia Democratic candidate for Senate Jon Ossoff tweeted upon news of the deal .
“ We deserve better.
” Many Americans may share those sentiments , according to an unofficial Twitter poll that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-New York ) tweeted last week .
Only 5.3 percent who responded to the informal poll said that a $ 600 stimulus payment would be “ enough.
” Around 32 percent answered the poll by clicking “ no , ” while the remaining 62 percent in the survey responded @ @ @ @ @ @

Congressional leaders announced on Sunday that a deal between Democrats and Republicans had been reached to provide significant aid to Americans struggling with the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
But while the nearly $900 billion deal includes a direct stimulus payment to most Americans, many critics have lambasted the amount that was agreed upon, $600, as too little to help those who are struggling to pay rent, bills or other debts during the crisis.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) announced on Twitter that a deal had been reached shortly after it was brokered.
“As the American people continue battling the coronavirus this holiday season, they will not be on their own,” McConnell wrote. “Congress has just reached an agreement. We will pass another rescue package ASAP. More help is on the way.”
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi also lauded the deal. “We are going to crush the virus and put money in the pockets of the American people,” she said in a statement.
The bill will include a number of provisions meant to help Americans and small businesses during these trying times.
Unemployment insurance will be extended for 11 weeks, with an additional $300 added to the typical unemployment check (or about half of the additional funds that were part of a similar COVID relief package earlier this year). The bill also includes $284 billion for payroll loans to businesses to help them continue paying workers, including $15 billion to live venues, movie theaters, and other entertainment. Around $10 billion will be dedicated to child care assistance as well.
But most of the provisions will not go directly to workers. The bill provides $15 billion to the airline industry, for example, with $2 billion going to airports. The bill also includes a tax deduction for corporate meal expenses that critics have dubbed the “three martini lunch” tax cut, allowing corporate executives to write-off on their taxes lunch expenses.
The White House has suggested that this tax cut will help restaurants, but critics have said that it would do very little to actually provide aid to the struggling industry, and would more likely pad the pockets of those who are not in need of help during the pandemic.
Perhaps the most discussed aspect of the agreement is the direct payment of $600, which is planned to go to most American adults in the country earning under $75,000 per year for individuals ($150,000 for couples). Those who earn above that amount will receive stimulus payments that gradually lessen as they earn more, with individuals earning above $99,000 this past year (or $198,000 for couples) receiving zero dollars in assistance. Families will also receive $600 for each dependent child in their home.
While any amount of stimulus payment will provide some relief, critics contend the payments are far too small to help most Americans, noting that they won’t even cover rent for most in the country.
Although the bill includes $25 billion in rental assistance, an analysis from Moody’s Analytics this month found that Americans have collected close to $70 billion in rental debt as they enter the New Year. That means, for many in dire need of such help, that those $600 payments will likely go toward paying rent or mortgage payments.
Unfortunately, $600 is far less than what most pay when it comes to renting a place to live. Indeed, according to research from Experian, no state in the nation has a median rental rate that is under $800. Forty-one states plus Washington, D.C. have median rental rates of $1,000 and above.
“$600 won’t cover the rent or the bills that have piled up” since the start of debate for a new stimulus began, Georgia Democratic candidate for Senate Jon Ossoff tweeted upon news of the deal. “We deserve better.”
Many Americans may share those sentiments, according to an unofficial Twitter poll that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) tweeted last week.
Is $600 for a second COVID check enough? — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 16, 2020
Only 5.3 percent who responded to the informal poll said that a $600 stimulus payment would be “enough.” Around 32 percent answered the poll by clicking “no,” while the remaining 62 percent in the survey responded with “hell no.”
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
Copyright © Truthout. May not be reprinted without permission.


truthout--2020-12-21--AOC Slams Democrats for Shutting Progressives Out of Policy Negotiations

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Sunday voiced frustration with what she characterized as Democratic leaders ’ efforts to shut progressives out of key policy negotiations , a message that came as the details of a roughly $ 900 billion coronavirus relief package began to slowly trickle out just ahead of an expected vote .
“ One major difference between GOP and Dems is that [ Republicans ] leverage their right flank to gain policy concessions and generate enthusiasm , while Dems lock their left flank in the basement [ because ] they think that will make Republicans be nicer to them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , referencing Republican leaders ’ decision to rally around Sen. Pat Toomey ’ s ( R-Pa. ) last-minute push to curtail the Federal Reserve ’ s emergency lending powers in the relief bill .
Toomey ’ s original provision — which Democrats slammed as an effort to sabotage the incoming Biden administration — was narrowed significantly in negotiations late Saturday , but the Pennsylvania Republican said Sunday that he is “ very pleased ” with the outcome .
Under the compromise agreement , according to the Wall Street Journal , “ $ 429 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to backstop losses in Fed lending programs would be revoked , and the Fed wouldn ’ t be able to replicate identical emergency lending programs next year without congressional approval .
But the agreement wouldn ’ t prevent the Fed from starting other similar programs.
” As negotiations over much-needed coronavirus relief accelerated rapidly over the past week , Ocasio-Cortez and other progressives publicly aired their outrage at the exclusion of key priorities and the overall inadequacy of the package , which will ultimately be much smaller than even the pared-back version of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October .
The total size of that package was around $ 2.2 trillion .
The relief legislation that ’ s expected to be unveiled and potentially passed Sunday includes $ 600 direct payments to many Americans and a $ 300 weekly boost to unemployment benefits — both significantly smaller than what Democratic leaders have supported in the past .
Progressive lawmakers have pushed for direct payments of at least $ 1,200 per adult — a proposal supported by 88 % of likely voters — and an unemployment boost of $ 600 a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to include billions of dollars for vaccine distribution , rental assistance , and nutrition aid .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) announced on the Senate floor Sunday evening that congressional leaders have reached an agreement on the legislation , but bill text has yet to be made public .
“ We can finally report what our nation has needed to hear for a very long time : More help is on the way , ” said McConnell , who stood in the way of additional relief for months .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting direct payments back on the negotiating table after they were excluded from an earlier bipartisan proposal , Ocasio-Cortez warned Friday that a one-time check of $ 600 is “ not enough.
” “ We want $ 1,200 at least .
And Republicans are fighting it back down to $ 600 , which is really unfortunate , ” said the New York Democrat .
“ We need to really make sure that we hold the Republican Party accountable for cutting people ’ s stimulus checks in half.
” Rep. Ayanna Pressley ( D-Mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the direct payments , saying in an interview Sunday that “ the truth of the matter is $ 600 will not even cover a month ’ s rent.
” Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D-Minn. ) expressed alarm that , with a potential vote just hours away , she still has not seen any legislative text .
“ Still not a peep on language .
It will probably be another multi-billion-dollar bill , without real debate , floor amendments , introduced and passed probably within hours , ” Omar tweeted .
“ No time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What a complete nightmarish example of representative democracy.
” Last week , as Common Dreams reported , Omar said it is “ really quite shameful that we find ourselves negotiating a deal with such a small amount of money when we know just how devastated the American people are across our country .
“ Think about it : in March , we were able to send $ 1,200 checks to people and give them $ 600 in unemployment insurance benefits , ” Omar said .
“ And now we ’ re talking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months later , of $ 600 and reducing that unemployment benefit to $ 300.
” Republican leaders and members of the Trump administration , meanwhile , are reportedly satisfied with the success they ’ ve had in pulling Democratic leaders down from their initial demand for a multi-trillion-dollar relief package , which economists say is necessary to bring the U.S. economy out of deep recession and provide adequate help to desperate Americans .
While the final package is not expected to include any form of liability shield for businesses — a Republican priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid to crisis-ravaged state and local governments .
“ I couldn ’ t be more pleased where we landed this , ” Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin reportedly said during a GOP conference call on Sunday .

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Sunday voiced frustration with what she characterized as Democratic leaders’ efforts to shut progressives out of key policy negotiations, a message that came as the details of a roughly $900 billion coronavirus relief package began to slowly trickle out just ahead of an expected vote.
“One major difference between GOP and Dems is that [Republicans] leverage their right flank to gain policy concessions and generate enthusiasm, while Dems lock their left flank in the basement [because] they think that will make Republicans be nicer to them,” the New York Democrat tweeted, referencing Republican leaders’ decision to rally around Sen. Pat Toomey’s (R-Pa.) last-minute push to curtail the Federal Reserve’s emergency lending powers in the relief bill.
Toomey’s original provision — which Democrats slammed as an effort to sabotage the incoming Biden administration — was narrowed significantly in negotiations late Saturday, but the Pennsylvania Republican said Sunday that he is “very pleased” with the outcome.
Under the compromise agreement, according to the Wall Street Journal, “$429 billion previously provided to the Treasury Department to backstop losses in Fed lending programs would be revoked, and the Fed wouldn’t be able to replicate identical emergency lending programs next year without congressional approval. But the agreement wouldn’t prevent the Fed from starting other similar programs.”
As negotiations over much-needed coronavirus relief accelerated rapidly over the past week, Ocasio-Cortez and other progressives publicly aired their outrage at the exclusion of key priorities and the overall inadequacy of the package, which will ultimately be much smaller than even the pared-back version of the HEROES Act that the House passed in October. The total size of that package was around $2.2 trillion.
The relief legislation that’s expected to be unveiled and potentially passed Sunday includes $600 direct payments to many Americans and a $300 weekly boost to unemployment benefits — both significantly smaller than what Democratic leaders have supported in the past. Progressive lawmakers have pushed for direct payments of at least $1,200 per adult — a proposal supported by 88% of likely voters — and an unemployment boost of $600 a week.
The final package is also expected to include billions of dollars for vaccine distribution, rental assistance, and nutrition aid. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced on the Senate floor Sunday evening that congressional leaders have reached an agreement on the legislation, but bill text has yet to be made public.
“We can finally report what our nation has needed to hear for a very long time: More help is on the way,” said McConnell, who stood in the way of additional relief for months.
More help for who? How are the millions of people facing evictions, remain unemployed, standing in food bank & soup kitchen lines supposed to live off of $600? We didn’t send help for 8 months. This is not leadership. There is no compassion, just politics of greed and power. https://t.co/jaww6Ki9K3 — Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) December 20, 2020
While noting that progressives did succeed in getting direct payments back on the negotiating table after they were excluded from an earlier bipartisan proposal, Ocasio-Cortez warned Friday that a one-time check of $600 is “not enough.”
“We want $1,200 at least. And Republicans are fighting it back down to $600, which is really unfortunate,” said the New York Democrat. “We need to really make sure that we hold the Republican Party accountable for cutting people’s stimulus checks in half.”
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) also criticized the size of the direct payments, saying in an interview Sunday that “the truth of the matter is $600 will not even cover a month’s rent.”
*** Latest on UI & checks in talks Getting closer to final – if not already there UI:
— $300/week for *11* weeks
— PUA, base benefits also +11 weeks Checks:
— $600 per child & adult
— No family cap
— Phase out +$75K
— Adult dependents back OUThttps://t.co/7JXp9JUylK — Jeff Stein (@JStein_WaPo) December 20, 2020
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) expressed alarm that, with a potential vote just hours away, she still has not seen any legislative text.
“Still not a peep on language. It will probably be another multi-billion-dollar bill, without real debate, floor amendments, introduced and passed probably within hours,” Omar tweeted. “No time for the public input or objections. What a complete nightmarish example of representative democracy.”
Last week, as Common Dreams reported, Omar said it is “really quite shameful that we find ourselves negotiating a deal with such a small amount of money when we know just how devastated the American people are across our country.
“Think about it: in March, we were able to send $1,200 checks to people and give them $600 in unemployment insurance benefits,” Omar said. “And now we’re talking about possibly sending a one-time check, eight months later, of $600 and reducing that unemployment benefit to $300.”
Republican leaders and members of the Trump administration, meanwhile, are reportedly satisfied with the success they’ve had in pulling Democratic leaders down from their initial demand for a multi-trillion-dollar relief package, which economists say is necessary to bring the U.S. economy out of deep recession and provide adequate help to desperate Americans.
While the final package is not expected to include any form of liability shield for businesses — a Republican priority — it will also exclude additional direct aid to crisis-ravaged state and local governments.
“I couldn’t be more pleased where we landed this,” Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin reportedly said during a GOP conference call on Sunday.
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
This piece was reprinted by Truthout with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.


truthout--2020-12-21--As More Red States Legalize Marijuana, Some Officials Try to Stymie Efforts

With his state reeling amid one of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in the nation , the last thing South Dakota Speaker of the House Steven Haugaard wants to be dealing with during the upcoming legislative session is marijuana .
But the state ’ s voters haven ’ t left the Republican much choice .
This fall , South Dakota became the first state in the U.S. to legalize both medical marijuana and recreational marijuana in the same election .
Haugaard , who long opposed any form of marijuana legalization , now must participate in the creation of a medical marijuana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marijuana in the state ’ s constitution .
So if Haugaard had any thoughts about reversing the initiative once lawmakers reconvene on Jan. 12 , they ’ ve been dashed .
“ With a constitutional amendment , there ’ s really not much we can do about it .
It ’ s written in stone until it ’ s repealed , ” Haugaard said .
South Dakota is one of a handful of states in which voters both approved marijuana ballot questions and elected Republicans to lead state governments .
Montana and Arizona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control ( or will soon control ) the governor ’ s office and legislature , also backed recreational marijuana at the ballot box .
Mississippi passed a measure legalizing medical marijuana .
New Jersey , which has a Democratic governor and Democratic-majority legislature , also passed a recreational marijuana ballot question .
Many conservative lawmakers oppose the legalization of marijuana , an illegal drug under federal law .
But they are discovering obstacles to simply passing bills to reverse the initiatives when state legislatures return to work in January .
Some marijuana opponents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutional amendment , are turning to the courts or local officials to undo the measures or at least blunt the effects of legal pot .
Before the November election , 11 states and Washington , D.C. , had legalized recreational marijuana , most of them left-leaning states , with exceptions like Alaska .
An additional 21 states allow medical marijuana .
In the wake of the election , 15 states will have legalized recreational marijuana and 35 will allow medical marijuana .
In conservative states like Montana , where passage of a bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one thing giving lawmakers pause is that many voters who elected them also approved the legalization of marijuana use for adults 21 and up .
In Montana , 57 % of voters approved the recreational marijuana initiative — the same share received by President Donald Trump .
In South Dakota , 54 % voted for recreational marijuana and a whopping 70 % approved medical marijuana .
In Arizona , the recreational pot proposition also passed easily .
Those kinds of margins are what caused state Rep. Derek Skees to reconsider a bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot measure in anticipation of its passage .
Skees told the Missoulian the day after the election that after it became clear voters supported it — while also supporting Republican candidates for office up and down the ballot — he decided to shelve it .
“ There ’ s no way I ’ m going to try to overturn the will of Montana , ” Skees told the newspaper .
Haugaard said opposition to the South Dakota measure was derailed by the pandemic and voters never got the message from opponents about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of legalization spent nearly $ 800,000 on their campaign in South Dakota — most of it coming from the New Approach Political Action Committee , a pro-legalization group that works across the country — and five times what opponents of ballot measures raised .
Colorado , the first state to allow recreational use of marijuana in 2014 , is often held up as the poster child for what can happen .
Proponents say the state has benefited from increased tax income and economic activity .
But opponents , including Haugaard , point to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since legalization to explain why they think it ’ s a bad idea .
“ That side of the story wasn ’ t told and had it been told I think this vote would have gone differently , ” Haugaard said .
Marijuana opponents aren ’ t waiting to see what state lawmakers do , if anything — they ’ re going to court .
The Pennington County , South Dakota , sheriff and the superintendent of the South Dakota Highway Patrol have filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the marijuana amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suit had the backing of Gov .
Kristi Noem , and that the state was paying for part of the suit .
Noem was a vocal opponent of legalization during the campaign .
Should the legal challenge fail , the amendment is scheduled to take effect July 1 and , according to the governor ’ s office , it will be up to the state health department to implement it .
The legislature will have more control over how the medical marijuana program will work .
Haugaard said that will be a big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Montana are also asking the courts to disallow recreational marijuana .
Steve Zabawa , a Billings car dealer who has campaigned against legalized marijuana for years , said in his lawsuit that what the voters passed would illegally take power from state lawmakers by designating where tax revenue will go .
Zabawa blamed its passage at the ballot box on pro-marijuana advocacy groups that so outraised and outspent opponents of the measure that he compared it to David and Goliath .
“ They candy-coated this deal .
They lied to the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would benefit veterans and fish and wildlife , ” Zabawa said .
“ They crossed a line and we ’ re calling them on it.
” Zabawa said that if the courts don ’ t block recreational marijuana , he ’ s hopeful that Montana ’ s Republican-controlled Statehouse will stymie its implementation .
“ I just don ’ t think there ’ s a lot of love for marijuana in Montana , ” Zabawa said .
In Arizona , a recreational marijuana ballot measure was rejected by voters just four years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wide margin .
The state ’ s voters also chose Joe Biden over President Donald Trump , the first time a Democrat won the presidential election in the state since 1996 .
It ’ s unlikely Arizona ’ s Republican-led legislature can do anything to stop implementation because of a 1998 law that prohibits lawmakers from changing a voter-approved initiative without a three-quarters majority .
State lawmakers ’ hands may be tied , but the initiative did give municipalities some power to restrict its use .
The day after the initiative passed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declaration that would limit which type of businesses could sell marijuana and prohibited its use in public places .
The declaration was based on language written by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns and given to members prior to Election Day .
One of the major backers of the state ballot measures is the Marijuana Policy Project , a Washington , D.C.-based organization that supports sweeping marijuana policy changes across the country .
Deputy Director Matthew Schweich said this election showed how the public ’ s opinion on marijuana is rapidly evolving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 2020 election bode well for future legalization efforts in states and even at the federal level .
Because of that growing support , he dismissed any chance Montana or South Dakota could derail recreational legalization but added that his organization will do whatever it can to fight those efforts .
“ This is a bipartisan issue [ and ] I think we ’ re at a tipping point .
We ’ ve passed it in big states and small states , liberal states and conservative states , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We believe that 2021 is our year .
”

Some marijuana opponents are turning to the courts and local officials to undo, or at least defang, the measures.
With his state reeling amid one of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in the nation, the last thing South Dakota Speaker of the House Steven Haugaard wants to be dealing with during the upcoming legislative session is marijuana. But the state’s voters haven’t left the Republican much choice.
This fall, South Dakota became the first state in the U.S. to legalize both medical marijuana and recreational marijuana in the same election. Haugaard, who long opposed any form of marijuana legalization, now must participate in the creation of a medical marijuana program.
South Dakota voters enshrined legal marijuana in the state’s constitution. So if Haugaard had any thoughts about reversing the initiative once lawmakers reconvene on Jan. 12, they’ve been dashed.
“With a constitutional amendment, there’s really not much we can do about it. It’s written in stone until it’s repealed,” Haugaard said.
South Dakota is one of a handful of states in which voters both approved marijuana ballot questions and elected Republicans to lead state governments. Montana and Arizona, two other states in which Republicans control (or will soon control) the governor’s office and legislature, also backed recreational marijuana at the ballot box. Mississippi passed a measure legalizing medical marijuana.
New Jersey, which has a Democratic governor and Democratic-majority legislature, also passed a recreational marijuana ballot question.
Many conservative lawmakers oppose the legalization of marijuana, an illegal drug under federal law. But they are discovering obstacles to simply passing bills to reverse the initiatives when state legislatures return to work in January. Some marijuana opponents, realizing the limitations to altering a constitutional amendment, are turning to the courts or local officials to undo the measures or at least blunt the effects of legal pot.
Before the November election, 11 states and Washington, D.C., had legalized recreational marijuana, most of them left-leaning states, with exceptions like Alaska. An additional 21 states allow medical marijuana. In the wake of the election, 15 states will have legalized recreational marijuana and 35 will allow medical marijuana.
In conservative states like Montana, where passage of a bill can change or negate a ballot initiative, one thing giving lawmakers pause is that many voters who elected them also approved the legalization of marijuana use for adults 21 and up.
In Montana, 57% of voters approved the recreational marijuana initiative — the same share received by President Donald Trump. In South Dakota, 54% voted for recreational marijuana and a whopping 70% approved medical marijuana. In Arizona, the recreational pot proposition also passed easily.
Those kinds of margins are what caused state Rep. Derek Skees to reconsider a bill he was drafting to repeal the Montana ballot measure in anticipation of its passage.
Skees told the Missoulian the day after the election that after it became clear voters supported it — while also supporting Republican candidates for office up and down the ballot — he decided to shelve it.
“There’s no way I’m going to try to overturn the will of Montana,” Skees told the newspaper.
Haugaard said opposition to the South Dakota measure was derailed by the pandemic and voters never got the message from opponents about the potential negative impacts of legalization.
Proponents of legalization spent nearly $800,000 on their campaign in South Dakota — most of it coming from the New Approach Political Action Committee, a pro-legalization group that works across the country — and five times what opponents of ballot measures raised.
Colorado, the first state to allow recreational use of marijuana in 2014, is often held up as the poster child for what can happen. Proponents say the state has benefited from increased tax income and economic activity. But opponents, including Haugaard, point to studies about increased traffic deaths in Colorado since legalization to explain why they think it’s a bad idea.
“That side of the story wasn’t told and had it been told I think this vote would have gone differently,” Haugaard said.
Marijuana opponents aren’t waiting to see what state lawmakers do, if anything — they’re going to court. The Pennington County, South Dakota, sheriff and the superintendent of the South Dakota Highway Patrol have filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the marijuana amendment. The Rapid City Journal reported the suit had the backing of Gov. Kristi Noem, and that the state was paying for part of the suit. Noem was a vocal opponent of legalization during the campaign.
Should the legal challenge fail, the amendment is scheduled to take effect July 1 and, according to the governor’s office, it will be up to the state health department to implement it. The legislature will have more control over how the medical marijuana program will work. Haugaard said that will be a big focus of the 37-day session.
Opponents in Montana are also asking the courts to disallow recreational marijuana. Steve Zabawa, a Billings car dealer who has campaigned against legalized marijuana for years, said in his lawsuit that what the voters passed would illegally take power from state lawmakers by designating where tax revenue will go.
Zabawa blamed its passage at the ballot box on pro-marijuana advocacy groups that so outraised and outspent opponents of the measure that he compared it to David and Goliath.
“They candy-coated this deal. They lied to the entire state of Montana by saying that this would benefit veterans and fish and wildlife,” Zabawa said. “They crossed a line and we’re calling them on it.”
Zabawa said that if the courts don’t block recreational marijuana, he’s hopeful that Montana’s Republican-controlled Statehouse will stymie its implementation.
“I just don’t think there’s a lot of love for marijuana in Montana,” Zabawa said.
In Arizona, a recreational marijuana ballot measure was rejected by voters just four years ago. This year it passed by a wide margin. The state’s voters also chose Joe Biden over President Donald Trump, the first time a Democrat won the presidential election in the state since 1996.
It’s unlikely Arizona’s Republican-led legislature can do anything to stop implementation because of a 1998 law that prohibits lawmakers from changing a voter-approved initiative without a three-quarters majority.
State lawmakers’ hands may be tied, but the initiative did give municipalities some power to restrict its use. The day after the initiative passed, Oro Valley Town Council approved an emergency declaration that would limit which type of businesses could sell marijuana and prohibited its use in public places.
The declaration was based on language written by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns and given to members prior to Election Day.
One of the major backers of the state ballot measures is the Marijuana Policy Project, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that supports sweeping marijuana policy changes across the country. Deputy Director Matthew Schweich said this election showed how the public’s opinion on marijuana is rapidly evolving.
Schweich said he believes the results of the 2020 election bode well for future legalization efforts in states and even at the federal level. Because of that growing support, he dismissed any chance Montana or South Dakota could derail recreational legalization but added that his organization will do whatever it can to fight those efforts.
“This is a bipartisan issue [and] I think we’re at a tipping point. We’ve passed it in big states and small states, liberal states and conservative states,” he said. “We’re feeling pretty good. We believe that 2021 is our year.”
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