washingtontimes--2020-10-01--New California reopening rules require 'equity' measure

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - California will begin to require counties to bring down coronavirus infection rates in disadvantaged communities that have been harder hit by the pandemic , a move that could slow the methodical reopening of the nation ’ s most populous state .
The complex new rules set in place an “ equity metric ” that will force larger counties to control the spread of COVID-19 in areas where Black , Latino and Pacific Islander groups have suffered a disproportionate share of the cases because of a variety of socioeconomic factors .
“ We can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disproportionately impacting those communities without significant effort to really reduce that disparity and reduce the burden on those communities , ” Dr. Mark Ghaly , the state ’ s health secretary , said Thursday .
The measure could further put the brakes on the state ’ s conservative approach to a return to business as usual after a more rapid reopening of a larger segment of the economy in the spring , including allowing bars and indoor restaurant dining , was accompanied by surge of infections in early summer .
The latest reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a four-step process based on the percentage of positive tests and per capita new cases in each of the 58 counties .
It allows counties to incrementally reopen businesses as they meet more rigid state standards for both numbers for two consecutive weeks .
Counties can be forced to close businesses if their rates increase .
The equity measure will require that positive test rates in its most disadvantaged neighborhoods , where rates are often much higher , do not significantly lag behind the county overall .
Dr. Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola , director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of California , Davis , said it was an innovative approach to controlling the epidemic that he hasn ’ t been applied elsewhere in the U.S .
The outbreak is worse in Latino , Black and Pacific Islander communities because many work in higher-risk industries including agriculture , restaurants and nursing facilities and often live in crowded conditions that make it hard for people to isolate when they get sick .
They often don ’ t have health care or resources if they can ’ t work .
Latinos make up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s population of just under 40 million , but about 60 % of California ’ s more than 800,000 COVID-19 cases and almost half the nearly 16,000 deaths .
Infections that may be isolated to disadvantaged communities can quickly spread beyond those boundaries as more businesses reopen , more people return to work and people travel from widely .
“ This is kind of a Whack-a-Mole game , ” Aguilar-Gaxiola said .
“ You have an outbreak in a specific place , and because COVID-19 doesn ’ t know borders they can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” It was not clear how the new measure , which takes effect next week , will affect each county .
Health officials in San Diego , Orange and San Francisco counties said they already have been targeting vulnerable communities with testing for the virus , providing interpreters and taking other measures to address inequality .
“ We ’ re happy that the state has recognized the need to focus in on these areas , ” said Orange County Executive Officer Frank Kim , who said positivity rates in predominantly Latino neighborhoods have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Orange County ’ s overall rate among people tested is about 3 % .
Not everyone was happy to find another hurdle on the road to recovery .
“ I believe the ‘ equity ’ metric is a misguided bit of virtue signaling by the governor , ” said Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner , who has been pushing to reopen more businesses .
“ It will also make it harder to safely reopen , which is the one thing we should be encouraging as that will benefit the most people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disadvantaged communities who are most impacted by the digital divide , educational uncertainties , and challenges to accessing the American dream.
” But Dr. George Rutherford , an epidemiologist at University of California , San Francisco , said the rules will support efforts by health officers who have been pressured to reopen more quickly .
“ It gives the county health departments a lot of welcome cover for going more slowly than perhaps others in the counties would want , ” Rutherford said .
América Bracho , chief executive of Latino Health Access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection rates two and three times higher in Orange County ’ s two largest cities , Anaheim and Santa Ana , than in wealthier communities .
But she said the state ’ s metric doesn ’ t address some of the problems that made low-income communities so vulnerable to the pandemic in the first place , such as a lack of access to health care , distrust of government authorities and the need to work .
While many people are aware they should stay home when they ’ re ill , there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive a paycheck and hang onto jobs , she said .
“ We think it needs to go beyond that because if you don ’ t have savings , you can not stay home and not work .
If you don ’ t have health insurance , you will be afraid of using the system , ” she said .
“ It ’ s complex , and I think we need to address complexity if we want to reduce the risk for another outbreak.
” The California Department of Public Health said a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ develop a list of resources focused on improving equity .
The city of San Francisco highlighted its work to offer free coronavirus testing , free isolation and quarantine accommodations and even paying workers minimum wage for up to two weeks to encourage them not to work when they are sick .
Taxin reported from Orange County .
Associated Press reporter Olga R. Rodriguez contributed from San Francisco .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - California will begin to require counties to bring down coronavirus infection rates in disadvantaged communities that have been harder hit by the pandemic, a move that could slow the methodical reopening of the nation’s most populous state.
The complex new rules set in place an “equity metric” that will force larger counties to control the spread of COVID-19 in areas where Black, Latino and Pacific Islander groups have suffered a disproportionate share of the cases because of a variety of socioeconomic factors.
“We can’t allow transmission rates to be so disproportionately impacting those communities without significant effort to really reduce that disparity and reduce the burden on those communities,” Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state’s health secretary, said Thursday.
The measure could further put the brakes on the state’s conservative approach to a return to business as usual after a more rapid reopening of a larger segment of the economy in the spring, including allowing bars and indoor restaurant dining, was accompanied by surge of infections in early summer.
The latest reopening plan that took effect in August is a four-step process based on the percentage of positive tests and per capita new cases in each of the 58 counties. It allows counties to incrementally reopen businesses as they meet more rigid state standards for both numbers for two consecutive weeks. Counties can be forced to close businesses if their rates increase.
The equity measure will require that positive test rates in its most disadvantaged neighborhoods, where rates are often much higher, do not significantly lag behind the county overall.
Dr. Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, director of the Center for Reducing Health Disparities at the University of California, Davis, said it was an innovative approach to controlling the epidemic that he hasn’t been applied elsewhere in the U.S.
The outbreak is worse in Latino, Black and Pacific Islander communities because many work in higher-risk industries including agriculture, restaurants and nursing facilities and often live in crowded conditions that make it hard for people to isolate when they get sick. They often don’t have health care or resources if they can’t work.
Latinos make up about 40% of the state’s population of just under 40 million, but about 60% of California’s more than 800,000 COVID-19 cases and almost half the nearly 16,000 deaths.
Infections that may be isolated to disadvantaged communities can quickly spread beyond those boundaries as more businesses reopen, more people return to work and people travel from widely.
“This is kind of a Whack-a-Mole game,” Aguilar-Gaxiola said. “You have an outbreak in a specific place, and because COVID-19 doesn’t know borders they can be spread easily from one place to another.”
It was not clear how the new measure, which takes effect next week, will affect each county.
Health officials in San Diego, Orange and San Francisco counties said they already have been targeting vulnerable communities with testing for the virus, providing interpreters and taking other measures to address inequality.
“We’re happy that the state has recognized the need to focus in on these areas,” said Orange County Executive Officer Frank Kim, who said positivity rates in predominantly Latino neighborhoods have come way down since reaching double digits. Orange County’s overall rate among people tested is about 3%.
Not everyone was happy to find another hurdle on the road to recovery.
“I believe the ‘equity’ metric is a misguided bit of virtue signaling by the governor,” said Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner, who has been pushing to reopen more businesses. “It will also make it harder to safely reopen, which is the one thing we should be encouraging as that will benefit the most people, and especially the young people in our disadvantaged communities who are most impacted by the digital divide, educational uncertainties, and challenges to accessing the American dream.”
But Dr. George Rutherford, an epidemiologist at University of California, San Francisco, said the rules will support efforts by health officers who have been pressured to reopen more quickly.
“It gives the county health departments a lot of welcome cover for going more slowly than perhaps others in the counties would want,” Rutherford said.
América Bracho, chief executive of Latino Health Access, welcomed the new metric after seeing infection rates two and three times higher in Orange County’s two largest cities, Anaheim and Santa Ana, than in wealthier communities.
But she said the state’s metric doesn’t address some of the problems that made low-income communities so vulnerable to the pandemic in the first place, such as a lack of access to health care, distrust of government authorities and the need to work.
While many people are aware they should stay home when they’re ill, there’s tremendous pressure to keep working to receive a paycheck and hang onto jobs, she said.
“We think it needs to go beyond that because if you don’t have savings, you cannot stay home and not work. If you don’t have health insurance, you will be afraid of using the system,” she said. “It’s complex, and I think we need to address complexity if we want to reduce the risk for another outbreak.”
The California Department of Public Health said a team will work with advocacy groups to develop a list of resources focused on improving equity.
The city of San Francisco highlighted its work to offer free coronavirus testing, free isolation and quarantine accommodations and even paying workers minimum wage for up to two weeks to encourage them not to work when they are sick.
___
Taxin reported from Orange County. Associated Press reporter Olga R. Rodriguez contributed from San Francisco.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--US 3Q auto sales fall 9.7%, but they're rising from 2Q lows

DETROIT ( AP ) - In normal times , a 9.7 % drop in auto sales would cause executives to sweat profusely .
These are not normal times .
Instead , the industry sees some good things in the decline of U.S. new vehicle sales in the third quarter .
Prices are up , inventories are low , and those who are in the market are buying more expensive vehicles .
That ’ s all swell for an industry whose factories were closed just five months ago due to the novel coronavirus .
The July-through-September dip is small compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarter when dealers were closed and it took 0 % loans to entice customers .
And sales in September actually grew 4.8 % over a year ago , the first monthly increase since February .
Automakers attributed a lot of the third-quarter decline to falling sales to large fleet buyers such as rental car companies .
“ Consistently lower interest rates encouraged new-car buyers - who were less likely to be financially hindered by the economic fallout of the pandemic - to pull the trigger on a purchase , ” said Jessica Caldwell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Edmunds.com auto website .
According to Edmunds , which provides content to The Associated Press , rising used vehicle prices helped buyers offset increasing new-vehicle prices .
J.D .
Power said the average purchase price hit a record in September , at $ 35,655 .
The old record of $ 35,420 was set in August .
Automakers reported that people are buying more expensive trucks , and they ’ re loading them with options , pushing prices up .
Plus , because inventories are low , discounts are down .
Trucks and SUVs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 76 % of new vehicle sales , a record for September , J.D .
Power said .
General Motors , which saw a 9.9 % sales drop for the quarter compared with a year ago , said sales increased every month since July .
“ Super low auto loan interest rates have boosted retail auto sales ; yet more strength comes from pandemic-induced demand , ” GM Chief Economist Elaine Buckberg said in a statement .
Surveys show consumers are buying vehicles to keep themselves safe from the virus , Buckberg said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ finances and using money from canceled vacations and skipped restaurant meals to buy new vehicles , she said .
Edmunds estimated Ford sales were down 7.9 % , and analysts expect Tesla global sales to rise more than 40 % over the third quarter of 2019 .
Both companies are to report numbers on Friday .
Even though some automakers are optimistic , Cox Automotive says there are threats to the industry rebound .
In addition to high prices and tight supplies , Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke said consumer confidence is likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The auto market enjoyed a strong and profitable third quarter , but with the economy losing momentum as fiscal support wanes , we can ’ t expect the sales pace to continue , ” he said .
Cox expects new-vehicle sales for the year to reach only 13.9 million , down 16 % from 2019 .

DETROIT (AP) - In normal times, a 9.7% drop in auto sales would cause executives to sweat profusely. These are not normal times.
Instead, the industry sees some good things in the decline of U.S. new vehicle sales in the third quarter. Prices are up, inventories are low, and those who are in the market are buying more expensive vehicles.
That’s all swell for an industry whose factories were closed just five months ago due to the novel coronavirus. The July-through-September dip is small compared to the 31% decline in the second quarter when dealers were closed and it took 0% loans to entice customers.
And sales in September actually grew 4.8% over a year ago, the first monthly increase since February.
Automakers attributed a lot of the third-quarter decline to falling sales to large fleet buyers such as rental car companies.
“Consistently lower interest rates encouraged new-car buyers - who were less likely to be financially hindered by the economic fallout of the pandemic - to pull the trigger on a purchase,” said Jessica Caldwell, executive director of insights for the Edmunds.com auto website.
According to Edmunds, which provides content to The Associated Press, rising used vehicle prices helped buyers offset increasing new-vehicle prices.
J.D. Power said the average purchase price hit a record in September, at $35,655. The old record of $35,420 was set in August.
Automakers reported that people are buying more expensive trucks, and they’re loading them with options, pushing prices up. Plus, because inventories are low, discounts are down. Trucks and SUVs were expected to account for more than 76% of new vehicle sales, a record for September, J.D. Power said.
General Motors, which saw a 9.9% sales drop for the quarter compared with a year ago, said sales increased every month since July.
“Super low auto loan interest rates have boosted retail auto sales; yet more strength comes from pandemic-induced demand,” GM Chief Economist Elaine Buckberg said in a statement.
Surveys show consumers are buying vehicles to keep themselves safe from the virus, Buckberg said. Plus some households are confident in their finances and using money from canceled vacations and skipped restaurant meals to buy new vehicles, she said.
Other large automakers reporting third-quarter sales figures Thursday:
- Toyota, down 11%.
- Fiat Chrysler, off 10.2%.
- Nissan, down 32.4%.
- Honda, down 9.5%
- Hyundai/Kia, up 1.4%
- Volkswagen/Audi, down 10.8%
Edmunds estimated Ford sales were down 7.9%, and analysts expect Tesla global sales to rise more than 40% over the third quarter of 2019. Both companies are to report numbers on Friday.
Even though some automakers are optimistic, Cox Automotive says there are threats to the industry rebound. In addition to high prices and tight supplies, Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke said consumer confidence is likely to fall if virus cases keep rising.
“The auto market enjoyed a strong and profitable third quarter, but with the economy losing momentum as fiscal support wanes, we can’t expect the sales pace to continue,” he said.
Cox expects new-vehicle sales for the year to reach only 13.9 million, down 16% from 2019.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Marines eye Parris Island, San Diego recruit depot closing

Dianne Long Campbell , after more than 30 years , can still remember Parris Island ’ s suffocating heat and humidity .
Ms. Campbell enlisted in the Marines while still in high school and , like generations of other recruits , received her first taste of life in the Corps at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island , just off the southeastern tip of South Carolina .
Running through the swamps of South Carolina under the scrutiny of tough-as-nails drill instructors in the height of the summer takes a toll , she said , even for a leader in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It didn ’ t matter what day it was — you were running .
You couldn ’ t breathe , and you ’ re still running , ” she said .
“ But in the end , it was worth it .
Every cramp and every pain we endured.
” That rite of passage may be passing , however .
Pentagon planners made a stunning announcement that they were considering closing Parris Island and its West Coast counterpart in San Diego .
It ’ s part of a consolidation move to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of separate male and female recruit training .
The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act directs the Marines to implement gender-integrated training at their recruit depots at Parris Island within five years and San Diego within eight years .
Marine Corps officials said they are exploring all options , including closing both bases and opening a new one where men and women can train together .
“ Neither the Marine Corps recruit depots [ in ] Parris Island nor San Diego are currently able to optimally train recruits in an integrated environment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman at headquarters , said in a statement .
“ At this time , any remarks on courses of action are premature , as we are simply exploring all options.
” Blindsided South Carolina lawmakers have vowed to fight any move from Parris Island , which is on the National Register of Historic Places .
For generations after its formal designation as a Marine training site in 1915 , male recruits who lived east of the Mississippi River attended basic training at Parris Island .
Those who lived in the West went to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who make up about 8 % of the Corps , go to Parris Island regardless of their hometowns .
“ Nothing in the way we ’ re organized right now lends itself to integrated recruit training , ” Gen. David H. Berger , Marine Corps commandant , told Defense One , a publication that covers national security issues .
The environment is also working against Parris Island .
Assistant Corps Commandant Gen. Glenn M. Walters told a 2018 Senate hearing that the South Carolina site was the Corps ’ “ most critical vulnerability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flooding a mounting concern .
“ We are a waterfront organization .
Also , we have come to the conclusion that we ’ re not going to turn the tide , ” Gen. Walters said at the time .
Recruit training at Parris Island was tough for everyone — male or female .
But in the end , it was the camaraderie with the other Marines that made it possible to endure , Ms. Campbell said .
“ It brings back a sense of happiness and melancholy at the same time .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dreaming and I still miss it so much , ” she said .
Both training locations have issues of concern .
Parris Island sits along South Carolina ’ s coastline , right in the path of Atlantic hurricanes , and Marine recruits in San Diego have to travel to nearby Camp Pendleton for some of their field training .
Dakota Wood , senior research fellow for defense programs at The Heritage Foundation , was a captain the first time he encountered a woman in the Marine Corps .
“ Up to that point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ units .
Then I got to Washington , D.C. , ” said Mr. Wood , who spent two decades in the military .
“ It was just a shock to go from a field environment — all male — to Washington.
” It made sense to consolidate female training at Parris Island because the numbers were relatively small .
The women could have mentors and role models and form bonds with one another .
“ You just don ’ t have that many women .
You don ’ t want them to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Parris Island is in the middle of a swamp and San Diego sits in a heavily urban district , so any plan to retrofit the bases to support full coed basic training would be expensive .
“ Maybe just building a brand new base would be the smarter way to go .
You can start with a clean sheet of paper , ” Mr. Wood said .
“ It can start with 21st-century standards with the objective built right in for integrated training.
” Political leaders in South Carolina blasted any idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first assigned to the base in the 1890s , and hundreds of thousands of recruits began their military careers standing in the famous yellow footprints outside the receiving barracks .
“ It ain ’ t gon na happen , ” Sen. Lindsey Graham , a South Carolina Republican who is locked in a tight reelection race , posted on his Twitter account .
“ If you ’ re looking to save money , let ’ s start with cutting the people who think closing Parris Island is a good idea.
” Fellow South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was confident that the Marines would eventually conclude that it makes sense to continue basic training at the base .
“ Parris Island will not close , ” Mr. Scott said in a statement .
An editorial in the South Carolina Post and Courier accused Gen. Berger and other Marine Corps leaders of floating the specter of a Parris Island shutdown to try to undercut the new training mandates .
“ The fact that [ Gen. Berger ] is even raising the possibility that the Marine Corps might not be able to comply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and instead might have to shutter them and build a whole new base suggests either that there ’ s a serious breakdown in the military command structure or else that he ’ s not trying hard enough , ” the newspaper said this week .
Some Marine veterans say the idea of creating an entirely new gender-integrated basic training facility has merit .
Ricky Hill spent five years in the Marine Corps and went through basic training in 2007 in San Diego .
Sandwiched between San Diego International Airport and the downtown area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a Marine isn ’ t large enough to handle the entire coed training mission , Mr. Hill said .
“ If you ’ re going to do it , you might as well do it somewhere new , ” he said .
“ I ’ m sure there ’ s going to be a lot of backlash , but you ’ ve got to step back and think about the big picture.
” Creating a training base from scratch is easier said than done , said Mark F. Cancian , a retired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies .
“ It ’ s really , really expensive .
You ’ re talking billions of dollars , ” he said .
“ I just don ’ t see that being worthwhile in an era where defense budgets are either tapped or coming down.
” He said there is no reason that gender-integrated basic training can ’ t take place at both San Diego and Parris Island .
“ There ’ s room at Camp Pendleton [ in San Diego ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complex , ” Mr. Cancian said .
The Marine Corps is likely looking at several options for gender-integrated programs , including having one platoon of women in each training company .
“ You can have them sort of together but the company is still integrated , ” Mr. Cancian said .
In the end , developing a training program for a gender-integrated Marine Corps will be more crucial than determining which barracks in Parris Island or San Diego will be dedicated to female recruits , Mr. Cancian said .
“ How do you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of women can pass but is also challenging for men ?
The Army is having problems with that , ” he said .
“ That ’ s the really tricky part.
” Ms. Campbell , who spent five years in the Marine Corps , isn ’ t in favor of closing Parris Island or San Diego and would prefer some other option .
She said she would have had no problem going through training alongside male recruits .
“ All it would have done is push me harder to make sure I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ We did everything the guys did .
It was just separated between the two .
”

Dianne Long Campbell, after more than 30 years, can still remember Parris Island’s suffocating heat and humidity.
Ms. Campbell enlisted in the Marines while still in high school and, like generations of other recruits, received her first taste of life in the Corps at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, just off the southeastern tip of South Carolina.
Running through the swamps of South Carolina under the scrutiny of tough-as-nails drill instructors in the height of the summer takes a toll, she said, even for a leader in her high school marching band only weeks earlier.
“It didn’t matter what day it was — you were running. You couldn’t breathe, and you’re still running,” she said. “But in the end, it was worth it. Every cramp and every pain we endured.”
That rite of passage may be passing, however. Pentagon planners made a stunning announcement that they were considering closing Parris Island and its West Coast counterpart in San Diego.
It’s part of a consolidation move to comply with a new law mandating the end of separate male and female recruit training.
The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act directs the Marines to implement gender-integrated training at their recruit depots at Parris Island within five years and San Diego within eight years. Marine Corps officials said they are exploring all options, including closing both bases and opening a new one where men and women can train together.
“Neither the Marine Corps recruit depots [in] Parris Island nor San Diego are currently able to optimally train recruits in an integrated environment,” Capt. Joseph Butterfield, a spokesman at headquarters, said in a statement. “At this time, any remarks on courses of action are premature, as we are simply exploring all options.”
Blindsided South Carolina lawmakers have vowed to fight any move from Parris Island, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
For generations after its formal designation as a Marine training site in 1915, male recruits who lived east of the Mississippi River attended basic training at Parris Island. Those who lived in the West went to San Diego. All female Marines, who make up about 8% of the Corps, go to Parris Island regardless of their hometowns.
“Nothing in the way we’re organized right now lends itself to integrated recruit training,” Gen. David H. Berger, Marine Corps commandant, told Defense One, a publication that covers national security issues.
The environment is also working against Parris Island. Assistant Corps Commandant Gen. Glenn M. Walters told a 2018 Senate hearing that the South Carolina site was the Corps’ “most critical vulnerability,” with rising sea levels and flooding a mounting concern.
“We are a waterfront organization. Also, we have come to the conclusion that we’re not going to turn the tide,” Gen. Walters said at the time.
Recruit training at Parris Island was tough for everyone — male or female. But in the end, it was the camaraderie with the other Marines that made it possible to endure, Ms. Campbell said.
“It brings back a sense of happiness and melancholy at the same time. There are days when I wake up from dreaming and I still miss it so much,” she said.
Bigger problems
Both training locations have issues of concern. Parris Island sits along South Carolina’s coastline, right in the path of Atlantic hurricanes, and Marine recruits in San Diego have to travel to nearby Camp Pendleton for some of their field training.
Dakota Wood, senior research fellow for defense programs at The Heritage Foundation, was a captain the first time he encountered a woman in the Marine Corps.
“Up to that point, I had been essentially in all-male units. Then I got to Washington, D.C.,” said Mr. Wood, who spent two decades in the military. “It was just a shock to go from a field environment — all male — to Washington.”
It made sense to consolidate female training at Parris Island because the numbers were relatively small. The women could have mentors and role models and form bonds with one another.
“You just don’t have that many women. You don’t want them to be completed isolated,” Mr. Wood said.
Parris Island is in the middle of a swamp and San Diego sits in a heavily urban district, so any plan to retrofit the bases to support full coed basic training would be expensive.
“Maybe just building a brand new base would be the smarter way to go. You can start with a clean sheet of paper,” Mr. Wood said. “It can start with 21st-century standards with the objective built right in for integrated training.”
Political leaders in South Carolina blasted any idea of closing Parris Island. Marines were first assigned to the base in the 1890s, and hundreds of thousands of recruits began their military careers standing in the famous yellow footprints outside the receiving barracks.
“It ain’t gonna happen,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who is locked in a tight reelection race, posted on his Twitter account. “If you’re looking to save money, let’s start with cutting the people who think closing Parris Island is a good idea.”
Fellow South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott said he was confident that the Marines would eventually conclude that it makes sense to continue basic training at the base. “Parris Island will not close,” Mr. Scott said in a statement.
An editorial in the South Carolina Post and Courier accused Gen. Berger and other Marine Corps leaders of floating the specter of a Parris Island shutdown to try to undercut the new training mandates.
“The fact that [Gen. Berger] is even raising the possibility that the Marine Corps might not be able to comply with that mandate at the existing bases and instead might have to shutter them and build a whole new base suggests either that there’s a serious breakdown in the military command structure or else that he’s not trying hard enough,” the newspaper said this week.
Backlashes and the big picture
Some Marine veterans say the idea of creating an entirely new gender-integrated basic training facility has merit.
Ricky Hill spent five years in the Marine Corps and went through basic training in 2007 in San Diego. Sandwiched between San Diego International Airport and the downtown area, the base where he learned to be a Marine isn’t large enough to handle the entire coed training mission, Mr. Hill said.
“If you’re going to do it, you might as well do it somewhere new,” he said. “I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of backlash, but you’ve got to step back and think about the big picture.”
Creating a training base from scratch is easier said than done, said Mark F. Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel and senior adviser with the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
“It’s really, really expensive. You’re talking billions of dollars,” he said. “I just don’t see that being worthwhile in an era where defense budgets are either tapped or coming down.”
He said there is no reason that gender-integrated basic training can’t take place at both San Diego and Parris Island.
“There’s room at Camp Pendleton [in San Diego] to do that — building a gender-integrated complex,” Mr. Cancian said.
The Marine Corps is likely looking at several options for gender-integrated programs, including having one platoon of women in each training company. “You can have them sort of together but the company is still integrated,” Mr. Cancian said.
In the end, developing a training program for a gender-integrated Marine Corps will be more crucial than determining which barracks in Parris Island or San Diego will be dedicated to female recruits, Mr. Cancian said.
“How do you design a physical fitness program that 90% of women can pass but is also challenging for men? The Army is having problems with that,” he said. “That’s the really tricky part.”
Ms. Campbell, who spent five years in the Marine Corps, isn’t in favor of closing Parris Island or San Diego and would prefer some other option. She said she would have had no problem going through training alongside male recruits.
“All it would have done is push me harder to make sure I stayed up with them or exceeded them,” she said. “We did everything the guys did. It was just separated between the two.”
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--New possible health care benefit rule roils theater world

NEW YORK ( AP ) - The U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 theater actors and stage managers is blasting a proposal that would raise eligibility requirements for members to receive health care during the pandemic .
The Equity-League Pension Health Fund on Thursday proposed hiking the number of weeks of employment needed to qualify for six months of health care coverage from 11 weeks to 16 weeks .
The proposal would start on Jan. 1 , 2021 .
Individuals who work at least 12 weeks will qualify for low-tier plans with higher co-payments and additional restrictions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association , which has been lobbying for more access to health care for its members , especially during the pandemic when members are out of work .
The Equity-League Benefit Funds is a separate organization .
“ We all understand that there is no escaping the devastating loss of months of employer contributions nationwide , and no alternative aside from making adjustments to the plan .
But I believe that the fund had both the obligation and the financial reserves to take the time to make better choices , ” said Kate Shindle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many actors and stage managers have been unable to qualify for the necessary weeks of work for eligibility since theaters went dark in March .
Equity represents actors and stage managers across the nation .
The Equity-League Health Fund is governed by a board of trustees , with half appointed by Equity and the other half by the Broadway League , which represents producers .
It provides health , pension and 401 ( k ) benefits .
In August , it hiked up quarterly premiums for health care and prescription drug plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a statement , the fund said : “ The past six months have been among the most difficult any of us has ever faced .
We recognize the emotional and financial burdens you are facing.
” It added : “ After looking at many different approaches , the Trustees have developed a solution that balances meaningful coverage with the long-term sustainability of the fund .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - The U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 theater actors and stage managers is blasting a proposal that would raise eligibility requirements for members to receive health care during the pandemic.
The Equity-League Pension Health Fund on Thursday proposed hiking the number of weeks of employment needed to qualify for six months of health care coverage from 11 weeks to 16 weeks. The proposal would start on Jan. 1, 2021. Individuals who work at least 12 weeks will qualify for low-tier plans with higher co-payments and additional restrictions.
The proposal has angered Actors’ Equity Association, which has been lobbying for more access to health care for its members, especially during the pandemic when members are out of work. The Equity-League Benefit Funds is a separate organization.
“We all understand that there is no escaping the devastating loss of months of employer contributions nationwide, and no alternative aside from making adjustments to the plan. But I believe that the fund had both the obligation and the financial reserves to take the time to make better choices,” said Kate Shindle, president of Actors’ Equity Association.
Many actors and stage managers have been unable to qualify for the necessary weeks of work for eligibility since theaters went dark in March. Equity represents actors and stage managers across the nation.
The Equity-League Health Fund is governed by a board of trustees, with half appointed by Equity and the other half by the Broadway League, which represents producers. It provides health, pension and 401(k) benefits. In August, it hiked up quarterly premiums for health care and prescription drug plan coverage to $300 from $100.
In a statement, the fund said: “The past six months have been among the most difficult any of us has ever faced. We recognize the emotional and financial burdens you are facing.” It added: “After looking at many different approaches, the Trustees have developed a solution that balances meaningful coverage with the long-term sustainability of the fund.”
___
Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Plan released to cover part of projected $2 billion deficit

HARTFORD , Conn. ( AP ) - Facing at least a $ 2 billion budget shortfall that ’ s largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic , Gov .
Ned Lamont and his budget office on Thursday released a partial deficit mitigation plan that relies on budget reserves , spending cuts across state agencies , hiring restrictions and the hope that Connecticut ’ s economy will continue improving .
Melissa McCaw , the Democratic governor ’ s budget director , said the $ 200 million plan unveiled Thursday is “ only a start.
” Connecticut ’ s fiscal year ends on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said taking steps such as cutting $ 25.3 million from state government agencies and paring both the legislative and judicial budgets now could ultimately minimize how much of the state ’ s roughly $ 3 billion budget reserve account will ultimately be needed to balance the books .
Lamont ’ s plan also relies on about $ 100 million in federal funds to cover the cost of some public health and safety personnel who handle matters concerning COVID-19 .
McCaw said the governor will also ask the General Assembly to delay plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said lawmakers don ’ t need to act until the new legislative session opens in January .
She said the administration wants to continue watching the state ’ s revenue picture , which she said has improved more than anticipated after the coronavirus-related shut-downs .
Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano , R-North Haven , called the mitigation plan incomplete and accused Lamont ’ s administration of “ failing in its responsibility and using a dangerous ‘ wait and see ’ strategy to avoid a difficult situation.
” By using only a portion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lamont risks having to spend much more of the state ’ s reserves later on .

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Facing at least a $2 billion budget shortfall that’s largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Ned Lamont and his budget office on Thursday released a partial deficit mitigation plan that relies on budget reserves, spending cuts across state agencies, hiring restrictions and the hope that Connecticut’s economy will continue improving.
Melissa McCaw, the Democratic governor’s budget director, said the $200 million plan unveiled Thursday is “only a start.” Connecticut’s fiscal year ends on June 30, 2021, and she said taking steps such as cutting $25.3 million from state government agencies and paring both the legislative and judicial budgets now could ultimately minimize how much of the state’s roughly $3 billion budget reserve account will ultimately be needed to balance the books.
Lamont’s plan also relies on about $100 million in federal funds to cover the cost of some public health and safety personnel who handle matters concerning COVID-19.
McCaw said the governor will also ask the General Assembly to delay plans to phase out two business taxes. But she said lawmakers don’t need to act until the new legislative session opens in January. She said the administration wants to continue watching the state’s revenue picture, which she said has improved more than anticipated after the coronavirus-related shut-downs.
Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, called the mitigation plan incomplete and accused Lamont’s administration of “failing in its responsibility and using a dangerous ‘wait and see’ strategy to avoid a difficult situation.” By using only a portion of his budget-cutting authority, Fasano said Lamont risks having to spend much more of the state’s reserves later on.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--House passes $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package

House Democrats narrowly pushed through their $ 2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package Thursday evening , codifying their latest offer to Republicans before the November election .
The package passed on a 214-207 basis , with a surge of 18 moderate frontline Democrats defecting from the party .
Many of those rank-and-file members , particularly the ones from tough swing districts , have been pushing party leaders since August to put another relief bill to a vote before the election .
Those that defected were wary of supporting a one-sided effort while bipartisan talks were ongoing .
The last time any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chamber was in May , when the House passed a $ 3.4 trillion package .
Fourteen Democrats voted against that bill .
The Democrats ’ bill reauthorizes the small business Paycheck Protection Program and provides another round of $ 1,200 stimulus checks , as well as $ 225 billion for education , $ 57 billion for child care , $ 75 billion for COVID-19 testing and tracing , and relief for the airline and restaurant industries .
It also includes increased food assistance benefits , $ 436 billion in state , local , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worker protections , $ 3.6 billion for election resources and a restoration of the $ 600 a week boosted unemployment payments .
The Democrats ’ bill has no chance of getting any traction in the GOP-controlled Senate .
“ The thought that Senate Republicans would jump up to $ 2.2 trillion is outlandish , ” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , Kentucky Republican , said Wednesday .
Democrats held the vote Thursday evening despite talks for a bipartisan comprehensive package continuing between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , California Democrat , and Treasury Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afternoon and remained at a “ distance on key areas , ” according to Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill .
Mrs. Pelosi told reporters later that evening she didn ’ t know when or if a deal could be reached , noting that it was not just dollar amounts but also legislative language that needed to be agreed to .
Republicans trashed the bill as another tone-deaf partisan exercise from Democrats .
“ Everybody in this chamber knows that this bill is going nowhere because they didn ’ t even work with Republicans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually address the needs of families who are struggling , ” House Minority Whip Steve Scalise , Louisiana Republican , said .
Mrs. Pelosi defended the Democrats ’ all-or-nothing approach to negotiations , arguing that caving just for bipartisan sake would hurt Americans more in the long run .
“ I feel confident we can [ reach a deal ] , but we can ’ t do that if we take the path of least resistance , and just do whatever they put forth , ” the speaker said , as she outlined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That ’ s doing their bill , that ’ s not doing the people ’ s work.
” Many feel the vote on this partisan package marks the end of any hope to get a deal done before the November election , but Mrs. Pelosi insisted that is not the case .
“ There ’ s no relation to anything .
It just says , you asked , here ’ s what it is .
This is how we came down , ” she said .
The speaker explained at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP ’ s insistence on a business tax credit and her party ’ s push for a child tax credit and more funding for state and local governments were among the sticking points .
At the White House , press secretary Kayleigh McEnany blamed the hold up on Mrs. Pelosi for rejecting their $ 1.6 trillion offer .
Ms. McEnany touted that they included $ 250 billion for state and local governments and $ 150 billion for schools in that proposal .

House Democrats narrowly pushed through their $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package Thursday evening, codifying their latest offer to Republicans before the November election.
The package passed on a 214-207 basis, with a surge of 18 moderate frontline Democrats defecting from the party.
Many of those rank-and-file members, particularly the ones from tough swing districts, have been pushing party leaders since August to put another relief bill to a vote before the election.
Those that defected were wary of supporting a one-sided effort while bipartisan talks were ongoing.
The last time any sort of COVID-19 relief package passed either chamber was in May, when the House passed a $3.4 trillion package. Fourteen Democrats voted against that bill.
The Democrats’ bill reauthorizes the small business Paycheck Protection Program and provides another round of $1,200 stimulus checks, as well as $225 billion for education, $57 billion for child care, $75 billion for COVID-19 testing and tracing, and relief for the airline and restaurant industries.
It also includes increased food assistance benefits, $436 billion in state, local, and tribal government funding, more OSHA worker protections, $3.6 billion for election resources and a restoration of the $600 a week boosted unemployment payments.
The Democrats’ bill has no chance of getting any traction in the GOP-controlled Senate.
“The thought that Senate Republicans would jump up to $2.2 trillion is outlandish,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, said Wednesday.
Democrats held the vote Thursday evening despite talks for a bipartisan comprehensive package continuing between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin.
They met Thursday afternoon and remained at a “distance on key areas,” according to Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill.
Mrs. Pelosi told reporters later that evening she didn’t know when or if a deal could be reached, noting that it was not just dollar amounts but also legislative language that needed to be agreed to.
Republicans trashed the bill as another tone-deaf partisan exercise from Democrats.
“Everybody in this chamber knows that this bill is going nowhere because they didn’t even work with Republicans to try to draft a proposal that can actually address the needs of families who are struggling,” House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, Louisiana Republican, said.
Mrs. Pelosi defended the Democrats’ all-or-nothing approach to negotiations, arguing that caving just for bipartisan sake would hurt Americans more in the long run.
“I feel confident we can [reach a deal], but we can’t do that if we take the path of least resistance, and just do whatever they put forth,” the speaker said, as she outlined the gaps in negotiations on the floor. “That’s doing their bill, that’s not doing the people’s work.”
Many feel the vote on this partisan package marks the end of any hope to get a deal done before the November election, but Mrs. Pelosi insisted that is not the case.
“There’s no relation to anything. It just says, you asked, here’s what it is. This is how we came down,” she said.
The speaker explained at a press conference earlier on Thursday that the GOP’s insistence on a business tax credit and her party’s push for a child tax credit and more funding for state and local governments were among the sticking points.
At the White House, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany blamed the hold up on Mrs. Pelosi for rejecting their $1.6 trillion offer. Ms. McEnany touted that they included $250 billion for state and local governments and $150 billion for schools in that proposal.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Trump at Alfred E. Smith dinner rips anti-Catholic bias in Democratic Party

President Trump said Thursday night that anti-Catholic bigotry “ predominates in the Democrat Party , ” and vowed that he won ’ t allow bias to derail the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett .
In a recorded address to the 75th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner in New York , the president said he was honored to nominate Judge Barrett , a Catholic who sits on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals .
“ We will not stand for any attacks against Judge Barrett ’ s faith , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ Anti-Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States of America .
It predominates in the Democrat Party , and we must do something immediately about it , like a Republican win .
And let ’ s make it a really big one.
” Some Democrats in Congress have previously raised questions about Judge Barrett ’ s faith .
Since her nomination last week , some in the media have also made an issue of her Catholicism , questioning whether it would lead her to vote on the high court to outlaw abortion .
Mr. Trump said the right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court ” in this election year .
Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden , who is Catholic , also spoke in a recorded address .
He said the COVID crisis has tested Americans ’ faith .
“ The losses are so catastrophic , ” Mr. Biden said .
“ But the American people don ’ t give up .
There is no quit in America .
One day we will look back and recall not how far we fell , but how fiercely we fought back as a country.
” The annual charity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Al Smith , who in 1928 became the first Catholic nominated to run for president .
In presidential election years , the major party candidates are invited for what is traditionally a light-hearted roasting of each other .
This year , the dinner was a virtual event due to coronavirus restrictions .
Cardinal Timothy Dolan , archbishop of New York , hosted the event from his residence adjacent to St. Patrick ’ s Cathedral .
After the video addresses of Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump were aired , Cardinal Dolan quipped , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peaceful transition ?
A peaceful transition of the microphones ?
It wasn ’ t so bad , was it , Mr. President ?
” The cardinal also said of the candidates , “ I dare remind them that Al Smith was a happy warrior , but he was never a sore loser.
” Mr. Trump also reminded the audience that he favors school choice , and that his administration procured federal aid for Catholic schools this year during the coronavirus crisis .
“ It was my great honor to help the Catholic Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ They needed hundreds of millions of dollars nationwide .
And I got it for them , nobody else .
I got it for them .
I hope you remember that on November 3rd , but I got it for them.
” The president said his administration is “ defending the sacred right to life — remember that when you vote.
” “ That ’ s so important , and so important to the Supreme Court , ” the president said .

President Trump said Thursday night that anti-Catholic bigotry “predominates in the Democrat Party,” and vowed that he won’t allow bias to derail the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett.
In a recorded address to the 75th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner in New York, the president said he was honored to nominate Judge Barrett, a Catholic who sits on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
“We will not stand for any attacks against Judge Barrett’s faith,” Mr. Trump said. “Anti-Catholic bigotry has absolutely no place in the United States of America. It predominates in the Democrat Party, and we must do something immediately about it, like a Republican win. And let’s make it a really big one.”
Some Democrats in Congress have previously raised questions about Judge Barrett’s faith. Since her nomination last week, some in the media have also made an issue of her Catholicism, questioning whether it would lead her to vote on the high court to outlaw abortion.
Mr. Trump said the right to life “is so important to the Supreme Court” in this election year.
Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden, who is Catholic, also spoke in a recorded address. He said the COVID crisis has tested Americans’ faith.
“The losses are so catastrophic,” Mr. Biden said. “But the American people don’t give up. There is no quit in America. One day we will look back and recall not how far we fell, but how fiercely we fought back as a country.”
The annual charity dinner commemorates the late New York Gov. Al Smith, who in 1928 became the first Catholic nominated to run for president. In presidential election years, the major party candidates are invited for what is traditionally a light-hearted roasting of each other.
This year, the dinner was a virtual event due to coronavirus restrictions. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, hosted the event from his residence adjacent to St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
After the video addresses of Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump were aired, Cardinal Dolan quipped, “Did we just see a rather peaceful transition? A peaceful transition of the microphones? It wasn’t so bad, was it, Mr. President?”
The cardinal also said of the candidates, “I dare remind them that Al Smith was a happy warrior, but he was never a sore loser.”
Mr. Trump also reminded the audience that he favors school choice, and that his administration procured federal aid for Catholic schools this year during the coronavirus crisis.
“It was my great honor to help the Catholic Church with its schools,” Mr. Trump said. “They needed hundreds of millions of dollars nationwide. And I got it for them, nobody else. I got it for them. I hope you remember that on November 3rd, but I got it for them.”
The president said his administration is “defending the sacred right to life — remember that when you vote.”
“That’s so important, and so important to the Supreme Court,” the president said.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Texas reports 3,223 new coronavirus cases, 112 more deaths

AUSTIN , Texas ( AP ) - Texas health officials reported 3,223 new coronavirus cases Thursday , along with 112 @ @ @ @ @ , the illness caused by the virus .
That brought the total number of Texas @ @ @ @ @ pandemic began in March to 752,501 with a death toll of 15,823 , the Texas @ @ @ @ @ reported .
However , the true number of cases is likely higher though because many @ @ @ @ @ tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
The health @ @ @ @ @ cases of the virus , including 3,190 current hospital patients .
For most people , @ @ @ @ @ moderate symptoms , such as fever and a cough that clear up in two to @ @ @ @ @ , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more @ @ @ @ @ , and death .

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas health officials reported 3,223 new coronavirus cases Thursday, along with 112 more deaths due to COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus.
That brought the total number of Texas cases since tracking of the pandemic began in March to 752,501 with a death toll of 15,823, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported. However, the true number of cases is likely higher though because many people haven’t been tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
The health department also estimated 69,597 active cases of the virus, including 3,190 current hospital patients.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and a cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Fracking central to U.S. energy, climate change debates

DENVER — President Trump and Joseph R. Biden have been talking about fracking on the campaign trail , but it ’ s about more than hydraulic fracturing .
They ’ re talking about the future of U.S. energy .
The engineering feat that transformed a nation once dependent upon the Middle East into the world ’ s largest producer of oil and natural gas has become shorthand for the debate over whether America continues to ride the fossil fuel wave or shuts it down in the name of climate change .
Making the shale revolution possible was fracking , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injects a high-pressure mixture of water , sand and chemicals into underground rock formations to release the oil and gas embedded within .
“ We can ’ t do it without fracking , ” said Kathleen Sgamma , president of the Western Energy Alliance oil and gas trade association .
“ Over 90 % of the wells in the United States are fracked now .
We have very few conventional resources , the Gulf of Mexico being one example .
Otherwise , everything has to be fracked.
” With conventional oil fields , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ you poke that straw into the ground and it flows naturally , ” she said .
“ But you poke that straw into the shale , because the shale is very nonporous .
It won ’ t flow without fracking.
” As Republicans cheer America ’ s long-sought energy independence and Democrats and environmental groups seek to move beyond the shale revolution to a green-energy future , hydraulic fracturing has risen to the campaign forefront .
Mr. Trump has embraced fracking .
Mr. Biden says he would not ban fracking but would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 , which would mean replacing coal , oil and natural gas with renewable energy sources , rendering fracking obsolete .
“ Nobody ’ s going to build another coal-fired plant in America .
No one ’ s going to build another oil-fired [ plant ] in America , ” Mr. Biden said at Tuesday ’ s presidential debate .
“ They ’ re going to move to renewable energy.
” Meanwhile , the president has wielded the fracking issue as a cudgel , especially in swing states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hydraulic fracturing in the oil-and-gas rich Marcellus Shale has driven an economic boom .
“ Biden reiterated his pledge to require net-zero carbon emissions , ” Mr. Trump said at a rally last week in Pittsburgh .
“ That ’ s basically saying , do you know what that is ?
There ’ ll be no more oil , there ’ ll be no more gas , there ’ ll be no more nothing , there ’ ll be no more industry , there ’ ll be no more country .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ And that would instantly shut down fracking and mining immediately in Pennsylvania , sending your jobs overseas , sending your money to somebody else , not you.
” Mr. Biden has countered by promising his clean energy transformation would create millions of jobs with a massive infrastructure overhaul , including retrofitting 4 million buildings , replacing gas-fueled cars with electric vehicles and ending the electrical grid ’ s dependence on fossil fuels .
Mr. Biden ’ s Clean Energy Revolution and Climate Justice plan comes with a price tag of $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would “ pay for itself as we move forward.
” “ We can get to net zero in terms of energy production by 2035 , ” Mr. Biden said .
“ Not only not costing people jobs , [ but ] creating jobs.
” While Mr. Trump has painted his Democratic opponent ’ s plan as a radical job-killer , Mr. Biden is a centrist compared with many in his party , including his running mate Sen. Kamala D. Harris , California Democrat , who called during the primary for a fracking ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself during the Democratic primary by muddying his position .
In March , he declared “ no new fracking , ” which his campaign later said referred to new drilling on public lands , but he has since insisted that “ I am not banning fracking.
” Democratic strategist Rick Ridder said he believed most voters don ’ t see Mr. Biden as an anti-fracking kind of guy .
“ The Trump campaign is obviously trying to push that Joe Biden is anti-fracking because so many of the other Democratic contenders were opposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ And so they ’ re trying to lump them in .
But I don ’ t think they ’ ve been very successful at that.
” He added that “ Joe Biden is perceived by most voters in every focus group I ’ ve ever done as sort of a moderate Democrat , and so therefore suggesting he would ban fracking , they don ’ t believe it.
” Mr. Biden also faces intense pressure on the left from the environmental movement , starting with San Francisco billionaire Tom Steyer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top party fundraiser .
“ That ’ s what Biden ’ s struggle is : how to worry about jobs in the gas and oil industry in Pennsylvania , and at the same time keep his environmental constituency , ” said Floyd Ciruli , director of the University of Denver Crossley Center for Public Opinion Research .
“ Tom Steyer is one of his top fundraisers and campaigners , and has been for several months , and so he ’ s got Steyer right on his shoulder.
” In addition , polls show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even in Pennsylvania .
A CBS/YouGov poll released last month showed 52 % of Pennsylvania voters oppose fracking and 48 % support it .
Then again , a Cook Political Report/Kaiser poll taken in November found 57 % opposed a fracking ban .
Also fueling the issue ’ s profile is California , which leads the nation in transitioning to green energy — and was forced in August to implement more power shutdowns as electricity demand exceeded supply .
“ You can ’ t wave a magic wand and say all energy needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then you get California and rolling blackouts , ” Ms. Sgamma said .
“ So I do think people have connected the dots and understand that energy is important , which is why the issue has risen to that level.
” Renewable energy accounts for 19 % of electricity production , according to the federal Energy Information Administration .
Environmentalists have argued that fracking is unsafe , which the industry denies , and incompatible with the push to lower atmospheric greenhouse gases to avoid a “ climate crisis.
” “ The corporations that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a dirty future powered by fossil fuels .
It ’ s a future that leads to more gas plants , more leaky pipelines , more compressor stations , more processing plants , and more dangerous storage facilities , ” said Food & Water Watch .
“ We know the only way toward a clean , renewable energy future is to ban fracking and to stop all new fossil fuel development.
” Industry supporters point out that the shale revolution has been credited with reducing U.S. emissions by driving the replacement of coal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greenhouse gases , at power plants .
The U.S. Energy Information Administration said Wednesday that U.S. emissions fell by 2.8 % in 2019 , part of a long-term trend that has seen the nation ’ s carbon emissions fall by 14.5 % since 2007 .
Even though the reductions lead the developed world , they are still a far cry from net-zero emissions , which is increasingly the standard championed by Democrats .
The Green New Deal resolution proposed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls for net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 .
The New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ task force , leading to speculation that Mr. Biden , if elected , may renege on his promise not to ban fracking under pressure from the left .
“ The primaries are over , and right now what is most important is to make sure that we ensure a Democratic victory in November and that we continue to push Vice President Biden on issues from marijuana to climate change to foreign policy , ” Ms. Ocasio-Cortez said in a Sept. 17 interview with Just the News .
She has co-sponsored the Fracking Ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Vermont independent , but if net-zero becomes the standard , such measures may not be necessary .
“ Fracking may become one of those things that we remember from the past , simply because we have alternative energy , ” Mr. Ridder said .
“ It may fade away.
” Ms. Sgamma said she believes Americans are too smart to buy the great leap forward into a green-energy utopia .
“ Until there ’ s actually an alternative that does everything oil , gas and coal do , going to net-zero means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t travel , we can ’ t turn on the electricity .
There ’ s just not an alternative right now that does everything oil , gas and coal do 24/7 , ” she said .
“ We can wish there was , but there ’ s not .
And California provides a cautionary example that a lot of people aren ’ t heeding .
”

DENVER — President Trump and Joseph R. Biden have been talking about fracking on the campaign trail, but it’s about more than hydraulic fracturing. They’re talking about the future of U.S. energy.
The engineering feat that transformed a nation once dependent upon the Middle East into the world’s largest producer of oil and natural gas has become shorthand for the debate over whether America continues to ride the fossil fuel wave or shuts it down in the name of climate change.
Making the shale revolution possible was fracking, an extractive technology invented in the 1940s that injects a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals into underground rock formations to release the oil and gas embedded within.
“We can’t do it without fracking,” said Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Western Energy Alliance oil and gas trade association. “Over 90% of the wells in the United States are fracked now. We have very few conventional resources, the Gulf of Mexico being one example. Otherwise, everything has to be fracked.”
With conventional oil fields, such as those in Saudi Arabia, “you poke that straw into the ground and it flows naturally,” she said. “But you poke that straw into the shale, because the shale is very nonporous. It won’t flow without fracking.”
As Republicans cheer America’s long-sought energy independence and Democrats and environmental groups seek to move beyond the shale revolution to a green-energy future, hydraulic fracturing has risen to the campaign forefront.
Mr. Trump has embraced fracking. Mr. Biden says he would not ban fracking but would prohibit it on public lands and seek to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, which would mean replacing coal, oil and natural gas with renewable energy sources, rendering fracking obsolete.
“Nobody’s going to build another coal-fired plant in America. No one’s going to build another oil-fired [plant] in America,” Mr. Biden said at Tuesday’s presidential debate. “They’re going to move to renewable energy.”
Meanwhile, the president has wielded the fracking issue as a cudgel, especially in swing states such as Ohio and Pennsylvania, where hydraulic fracturing in the oil-and-gas rich Marcellus Shale has driven an economic boom.
“Biden reiterated his pledge to require net-zero carbon emissions,” Mr. Trump said at a rally last week in Pittsburgh. “That’s basically saying, do you know what that is? There’ll be no more oil, there’ll be no more gas, there’ll be no more nothing, there’ll be no more industry, there’ll be no more country. That’s what it’s saying really.
“And that would instantly shut down fracking and mining immediately in Pennsylvania, sending your jobs overseas, sending your money to somebody else, not you.”
Mr. Biden has countered by promising his clean energy transformation would create millions of jobs with a massive infrastructure overhaul, including retrofitting 4 million buildings, replacing gas-fueled cars with electric vehicles and ending the electrical grid’s dependence on fossil fuels.
Mr. Biden’s Clean Energy Revolution and Climate Justice plan comes with a price tag of $2 trillion, but he said it would “pay for itself as we move forward.”
“We can get to net zero in terms of energy production by 2035,” Mr. Biden said. “Not only not costing people jobs, [but] creating jobs.”
While Mr. Trump has painted his Democratic opponent’s plan as a radical job-killer, Mr. Biden is a centrist compared with many in his party, including his running mate Sen. Kamala D. Harris, California Democrat, who called during the primary for a fracking ban.
Mr. Biden didn’t help himself during the Democratic primary by muddying his position. In March, he declared “no new fracking,” which his campaign later said referred to new drilling on public lands, but he has since insisted that “I am not banning fracking.”
Democratic strategist Rick Ridder said he believed most voters don’t see Mr. Biden as an anti-fracking kind of guy.
“The Trump campaign is obviously trying to push that Joe Biden is anti-fracking because so many of the other Democratic contenders were opposed to fracking,” Mr. Ridder said. “And so they’re trying to lump them in. But I don’t think they’ve been very successful at that.”
He added that “Joe Biden is perceived by most voters in every focus group I’ve ever done as sort of a moderate Democrat, and so therefore suggesting he would ban fracking, they don’t believe it.”
Mr. Biden also faces intense pressure on the left from the environmental movement, starting with San Francisco billionaire Tom Steyer, a former Democratic presidential primary candidate and top party fundraiser.
“That’s what Biden’s struggle is: how to worry about jobs in the gas and oil industry in Pennsylvania, and at the same time keep his environmental constituency,” said Floyd Ciruli, director of the University of Denver Crossley Center for Public Opinion Research. “Tom Steyer is one of his top fundraisers and campaigners, and has been for several months, and so he’s got Steyer right on his shoulder.”
In addition, polls show that voters are split on fracking, even in Pennsylvania. A CBS/YouGov poll released last month showed 52% of Pennsylvania voters oppose fracking and 48% support it. Then again, a Cook Political Report/Kaiser poll taken in November found 57% opposed a fracking ban.
Also fueling the issue’s profile is California, which leads the nation in transitioning to green energy — and was forced in August to implement more power shutdowns as electricity demand exceeded supply.
“You can’t wave a magic wand and say all energy needs to come from wind and solar because then you get California and rolling blackouts,” Ms. Sgamma said. “So I do think people have connected the dots and understand that energy is important, which is why the issue has risen to that level.”
Renewable energy accounts for 19% of electricity production, according to the federal Energy Information Administration.
Environmentalists have argued that fracking is unsafe, which the industry denies, and incompatible with the push to lower atmospheric greenhouse gases to avoid a “climate crisis.”
“The corporations that hype fracking are trying to lock us into a dirty future powered by fossil fuels. It’s a future that leads to more gas plants, more leaky pipelines, more compressor stations, more processing plants, and more dangerous storage facilities,” said Food & Water Watch. “We know the only way toward a clean, renewable energy future is to ban fracking and to stop all new fossil fuel development.”
Industry supporters point out that the shale revolution has been credited with reducing U.S. emissions by driving the replacement of coal with natural gas, which emits fewer greenhouse gases, at power plants.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration said Wednesday that U.S. emissions fell by 2.8% in 2019, part of a long-term trend that has seen the nation’s carbon emissions fall by 14.5% since 2007.
Even though the reductions lead the developed world, they are still a far cry from net-zero emissions, which is increasingly the standard championed by Democrats. The Green New Deal resolution proposed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls for net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.
The New York Democrat heads the Biden campaign climate task force, leading to speculation that Mr. Biden, if elected, may renege on his promise not to ban fracking under pressure from the left.
“The primaries are over, and right now what is most important is to make sure that we ensure a Democratic victory in November and that we continue to push Vice President Biden on issues from marijuana to climate change to foreign policy,” Ms. Ocasio-Cortez said in a Sept. 17 interview with Just the News.
She has co-sponsored the Fracking Ban Act in Congress with Sen. Bernard Sanders, Vermont independent, but if net-zero becomes the standard, such measures may not be necessary.
“Fracking may become one of those things that we remember from the past, simply because we have alternative energy,” Mr. Ridder said. “It may fade away.”
Ms. Sgamma said she believes Americans are too smart to buy the great leap forward into a green-energy utopia.
“Until there’s actually an alternative that does everything oil, gas and coal do, going to net-zero means we’re all poorer, we can’t travel, we can’t turn on the electricity. There’s just not an alternative right now that does everything oil, gas and coal do 24/7,” she said. “We can wish there was, but there’s not. And California provides a cautionary example that a lot of people aren’t heeding.”
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--NYC restaurant jobs still sharply down from pre-virus levels

NEW YORK ( AP ) - New York City ’ s restaurants are employing only slightly more than half the @ @ @ @ @ before the coronavirus wreaked havoc in the industry , according to a report released Thursday @ @ @ @ @ There were more than 315,000 people employed in the city restaurant sector in February , @ @ @ @ @ in April at the height of the virus surge and business restrictions , according to @ @ @ @ @ of August , that number had rebounded , but only up to 174,000 , 55 @ @ @ @ @ .
The report found that as of the first week of September , 43 % @ @ @ @ @ the city had sought permits for outdoor dining .
In Manhattan , 50 % of @ @ @ @ @ , as did more than 40 % of places in Brooklyn and Queens .

NEW YORK (AP) - New York City’s restaurants are employing only slightly more than half the number of people they were before the coronavirus wreaked havoc in the industry, according to a report released Thursday by the state comptroller.
There were more than 315,000 people employed in the city restaurant sector in February, which dropped dramatically to 91,000 in April at the height of the virus surge and business restrictions, according to Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.
As of August, that number had rebounded, but only up to 174,000, 55% of the pre-virus level.
The report found that as of the first week of September, 43% of restaurants and bars across the city had sought permits for outdoor dining. In Manhattan, 50% of establishments had gotten the permits, as did more than 40% of places in Brooklyn and Queens.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--California Gov. Newsom surprises, disappoints with vetoes

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - Labor unions in California celebrated earlier this month when Gov .
Gavin Newsom signed laws expanding paid family leave and making the coronavirus eligible for workers ’ compensation benefits - big victories against big business that had fought those changes .
But two weeks later , labor unions were shocked to see Newsom veto two of their biggest issues : A bill that would have extended health and safety protections to domestic workers and another that sought to guarantee laid-off hospitality workers would be first in line to get their jobs back once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those industries start rehiring .
Nearly two years into his tenure as governor of the nation ’ s most populous state , Newsom has proven to be unpredictable when it comes to signing and vetoing proposed laws .
He proudly declares he is “ not an ideologue ” and evaluates every bill that crosses his desk on its merits .
That approach can be frustrating to some of his allies , who have been surprised to find some of their key issues blocked by the governor , whose pen carries outsized influence given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vetoes .
“ If someone said , ‘ Name Gavin Newsom ’ s top two priorities , ’ I think I would struggle , ” said Jennifer Fearing , a lobbyist for nonprofits .
“ I don ’ t know that he ’ s trying to be a governor who could be pinpointed into priorities.
” Newsom , a Democrat and former San Francisco mayor , made homelessness his priority in February when he devoted his entire “ State of the State ” address to the topic .
But Wednesday , Newsom vetoed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Office to End Homelessness ” and another one that would have made it state policy that every person has “ a right to safe , decent , and affordable housing.
” In a message to the state Legislature , Newsom said he vetoed the right-to-housing bill because he said it would cost too much .
He said he vetoed the proposed agency because “ separating policy development on homelessness from that on health care or housing will lead to more fragmentation , not less.
” “ Homelessness has been and remains one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom , who a month after his State of the State address imposed the country ’ s first statewide coronavirus shutdown .
On criminal justice , he signed a bill authored by Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager shortening probation terms .
But he vetoed her bipartisan-backed bill to fund community organizations that would handle some crisis calls that currently go to police so officers could concentrate on law enforcement .
“ It ’ s hard to discern a pattern with him , and you don ’ t know who is speaking to him and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point , ” Kamlager said .
“ I think there were a lot questions around inconsistencies.
” Wednesday was the deadline for Newsom to act on bills lawmakers passed this year .
It capped a tumultuous legislative session that was delayed three times because of the virus .
At least three lawmakers tested positive , including a Republican senator who exposed nearly the entire 11-member GOP caucus in the session ’ s final week .
That forced all but one Senate Republican to participate remotely in the session ’ s final days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process for passing bills .
In a normal year , more than 1,000 bills would have made it to Newsom ’ s desk for his consideration .
This year , it was just a few hundred .
“ For the most part , if you look at the whole suite of bills that were signed , it was a pretty good year - considering COVID - for progressive values , ” said Assemblyman Ash Kalra , a Democrat from San Jose .
But he was disappointed in some of the vetoes , offering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do a balancing act , that the balancing should be on the side of workers who are literally struggling to survive through this pandemic.
” The coronavirus also made it harder to communicate , relegating the delicate art of politicking to video calls - when they could be scheduled - instead of typical negotiations in hallways and backrooms .
On top of that , Newsom had to deal with statewide racial justice protests and wildfires that have burned a record 6,000 square miles ( 15,500 square kilometers ) and counting .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Fearing said .
Steve Smith , spokesman for the California Labor Federation , said it ’ s rare for any group to get everything it wants out of a legislative session , no matter who the governor is .
“ On balance , we ’ re happy with most of what he did , ” Smith said .
“ But there were some big disappointments .
”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Labor unions in California celebrated earlier this month when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed laws expanding paid family leave and making the coronavirus eligible for workers’ compensation benefits - big victories against big business that had fought those changes.
But two weeks later, labor unions were shocked to see Newsom veto two of their biggest issues: A bill that would have extended health and safety protections to domestic workers and another that sought to guarantee laid-off hospitality workers would be first in line to get their jobs back once the coronavirus is better in hand and those industries start rehiring.
Nearly two years into his tenure as governor of the nation’s most populous state, Newsom has proven to be unpredictable when it comes to signing and vetoing proposed laws. He proudly declares he is “not an ideologue” and evaluates every bill that crosses his desk on its merits.
That approach can be frustrating to some of his allies, who have been surprised to find some of their key issues blocked by the governor, whose pen carries outsized influence given the Legislature’s unwillingness to override vetoes.
“If someone said, ‘Name Gavin Newsom’s top two priorities,’ I think I would struggle,” said Jennifer Fearing, a lobbyist for nonprofits. “I don’t know that he’s trying to be a governor who could be pinpointed into priorities.”
Newsom, a Democrat and former San Francisco mayor, made homelessness his priority in February when he devoted his entire “State of the State” address to the topic. But Wednesday, Newsom vetoed a bill that would have established an “Office to End Homelessness” and another one that would have made it state policy that every person has “a right to safe, decent, and affordable housing.”
In a message to the state Legislature, Newsom said he vetoed the right-to-housing bill because he said it would cost too much. He said he vetoed the proposed agency because “separating policy development on homelessness from that on health care or housing will lead to more fragmentation, not less.”
“Homelessness has been and remains one of my top priorities,” said Newsom, who a month after his State of the State address imposed the country’s first statewide coronavirus shutdown.
On criminal justice, he signed a bill authored by Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager shortening probation terms. But he vetoed her bipartisan-backed bill to fund community organizations that would handle some crisis calls that currently go to police so officers could concentrate on law enforcement.
“It’s hard to discern a pattern with him, and you don’t know who is speaking to him and you don’t really know the pressure point,” Kamlager said. “I think there were a lot questions around inconsistencies.”
Wednesday was the deadline for Newsom to act on bills lawmakers passed this year. It capped a tumultuous legislative session that was delayed three times because of the virus.
At least three lawmakers tested positive, including a Republican senator who exposed nearly the entire 11-member GOP caucus in the session’s final week. That forced all but one Senate Republican to participate remotely in the session’s final days, significantly slowing down the chamber’s process for passing bills.
In a normal year, more than 1,000 bills would have made it to Newsom’s desk for his consideration. This year, it was just a few hundred.
“For the most part, if you look at the whole suite of bills that were signed, it was a pretty good year - considering COVID - for progressive values,” said Assemblyman Ash Kalra, a Democrat from San Jose. But he was disappointed in some of the vetoes, offering “that if we’re going to do a balancing act, that the balancing should be on the side of workers who are literally struggling to survive through this pandemic.”
The coronavirus also made it harder to communicate, relegating the delicate art of politicking to video calls - when they could be scheduled - instead of typical negotiations in hallways and backrooms.
On top of that, Newsom had to deal with statewide racial justice protests and wildfires that have burned a record 6,000 square miles (15,500 square kilometers) and counting.
“It impacted advocacy in every conceivable way,” Fearing said.
Steve Smith, spokesman for the California Labor Federation, said it’s rare for any group to get everything it wants out of a legislative session, no matter who the governor is.
“On balance, we’re happy with most of what he did,” Smith said. “But there were some big disappointments.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Ex-congressman seeks to delay going to prison, citing COVID

NEW YORK ( AP ) - The first member of Congress to endorse Donald Trump for president four years ago cited the coronavirus Thursday as he asked to delay or modify his 26-month prison sentence .
Christopher Collins , 70 , is supposed to report to a federal prison camp in Pensacola , Florida , on Oct. 13 after pleading guilty last year to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and lying to law enforcement officials .
In a letter , lawyers for the former Republican congressman asked a judge who sentenced him in January to modify the sentence to eliminate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until December .
“ With a vaccine predicted in the near future , it is particularly prudent for a short additional delay , ” they wrote , suggesting a Dec. 8 date to report .
They cited the coronavirus , saying it “ continues to rage in Florida ” and Collins ’ age and health condition put him at great risk of serious or life-threatening complications if he contracts it .
They said prosecutors opposed the request .
Collins was representing the 27th Congressional District of New York when prosecutors said he fed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his son so his son and friends could avoid $ 800,000 in stock losses before an announcement of a failed drug trial caused the stock to plunge 92 percent .
According to an indictment , Collins learned the bad news in an email from the chief executive of Innate Immunotherapeutics Ltd. while Collins was attending the Congressional Picnic at the White House on June 22 , 2017 .
At the time , Collins sat on the company board and was its largest shareholder , with nearly 17 % of the shares of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It also has offices in Auckland , New Zealand .
Prosecutors said Collins and his son , Cameron , were worth $ 35 million when they conspired to sell the shares .
Cameron Collins also pleaded guilty in the conspiracy but was spared a prison sentence .
Christopher Collins was a vocal Trump supporter when he became the first member of Congress to endorse him as a presidential candidate .
When he was charged in 2018 , he vehemently denied wrongdoing , with a spokesperson calling a House Ethics Committee inquiry into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He resigned from Congress when he decided to plead guilty , leaving his district ’ s constituents without representation in Congress .
Prosecutors faulted Collins for campaigning for a reelection race he won after his arrest and then continuing to serve .
“ I stand here today as a disgraced former member of Congress , ” Collins said at sentencing .
“ My life has been shattered .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - The first member of Congress to endorse Donald Trump for president four years ago cited the coronavirus Thursday as he asked to delay or modify his 26-month prison sentence.
Christopher Collins, 70, is supposed to report to a federal prison camp in Pensacola, Florida, on Oct. 13 after pleading guilty last year to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and lying to law enforcement officials.
In a letter, lawyers for the former Republican congressman asked a judge who sentenced him in January to modify the sentence to eliminate incarceration or let him delay starting it until December.
“With a vaccine predicted in the near future, it is particularly prudent for a short additional delay,” they wrote, suggesting a Dec. 8 date to report.
They cited the coronavirus, saying it “continues to rage in Florida” and Collins’ age and health condition put him at great risk of serious or life-threatening complications if he contracts it. They said prosecutors opposed the request.
A spokesperson for prosecutors declined to comment.
Collins was representing the 27th Congressional District of New York when prosecutors said he fed inside information about a biotechnology company to his son so his son and friends could avoid $800,000 in stock losses before an announcement of a failed drug trial caused the stock to plunge 92 percent.
According to an indictment, Collins learned the bad news in an email from the chief executive of Innate Immunotherapeutics Ltd. while Collins was attending the Congressional Picnic at the White House on June 22, 2017.
At the time, Collins sat on the company board and was its largest shareholder, with nearly 17% of the shares of the biotechnology company headquartered in Sydney, Australia. It also has offices in Auckland, New Zealand.
Prosecutors said Collins and his son, Cameron, were worth $35 million when they conspired to sell the shares. Cameron Collins also pleaded guilty in the conspiracy but was spared a prison sentence.
Christopher Collins was a vocal Trump supporter when he became the first member of Congress to endorse him as a presidential candidate. When he was charged in 2018, he vehemently denied wrongdoing, with a spokesperson calling a House Ethics Committee inquiry into Collins a “partisan witch hunt.”
He resigned from Congress when he decided to plead guilty, leaving his district’s constituents without representation in Congress.
Prosecutors faulted Collins for campaigning for a reelection race he won after his arrest and then continuing to serve.
“I stand here today as a disgraced former member of Congress,” Collins said at sentencing. “My life has been shattered.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Louisiana trooper indicted; suit says she shot teen in back

BATON ROUGE , La .
( AP ) - A Louisiana trooper accused of shooting a 19-year-old man in the back during a traffic stop two years ago has been indicted on charges of aggravated second-degree battery and illegal use of a weapon .
A state police news release said Trooper Kasha Domingue was indicted Thursday by an East Baton Rouge Parish grand jury .
Her attorney , John McLindon , declined to comment because he hadn ’ t read the indictment , The Advocate reported .
Clifton Scott Dilley , who sued Domingue , the department and the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present in a wheelchair when the indictment was handed up , the newspaper said .
He did not comment .
But his attorney issued a statement that Dilley and his family were grateful for “ this first step in the prosecution of Kasha Domingue.
” The bullet damaged a bone and the spinal cord in Dilley ’ s lower back , according to the lawsuit .
Attorney Don Cazayoux has told news outlets that Dilley ’ s lower body is paralyzed .
“ The family understands the difficulties associated with these prosecutions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and women in law-enforcement do every day to protect us and keep us safe from harm , ” the statement said .
The police news release said Domingue was put on paid leave and troopers would arrest her once a grand jury warrant was issued .
It said only that the shooting occurred during a traffic stop on July 10 , 2018 .
Dilley ’ s lawsuit accused Domingue of shooting him in the back and then lying about it .
She first reported the incident with a radio code that indicated she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , delaying medical care , then said she shot him as he charged at her , according to the lawsuit .
A business surveillance camera recording showed “ unequivocally that Trooper Domingue ’ s story of being attacked was completely false , and that she instead shot a fleeing , unarmed passenger of a car stopped for a minor traffic violation , ” the lawsuit said .
State police said Domingue , who began working for the department in August 2015 , was placed on desk duty after the shooting .
Colonel Kevin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in the news release that Louisiana State Police began an immediate investigation into the shooting and has cooperated fully with the East Baton Rouge District Attorney ’ s Office .
“ I remain confident in our investigative process .
Through the judicial system , I expect a fair and just outcome to this incident , ” Reeves said in the statement .

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A Louisiana trooper accused of shooting a 19-year-old man in the back during a traffic stop two years ago has been indicted on charges of aggravated second-degree battery and illegal use of a weapon.
A state police news release said Trooper Kasha Domingue was indicted Thursday by an East Baton Rouge Parish grand jury. Her attorney, John McLindon, declined to comment because he hadn’t read the indictment, The Advocate reported.
Clifton Scott Dilley, who sued Domingue, the department and the state last year in federal court, was present in a wheelchair when the indictment was handed up, the newspaper said.
He did not comment. But his attorney issued a statement that Dilley and his family were grateful for “this first step in the prosecution of Kasha Domingue.”
The bullet damaged a bone and the spinal cord in Dilley’s lower back, according to the lawsuit. Attorney Don Cazayoux has told news outlets that Dilley’s lower body is paralyzed.
“The family understands the difficulties associated with these prosecutions and also respects the jobs that the men and women in law-enforcement do every day to protect us and keep us safe from harm,” the statement said.
The police news release said Domingue was put on paid leave and troopers would arrest her once a grand jury warrant was issued. It said only that the shooting occurred during a traffic stop on July 10, 2018.
Dilley’s lawsuit accused Domingue of shooting him in the back and then lying about it. She first reported the incident with a radio code that indicated she had used a stun gun on him, delaying medical care, then said she shot him as he charged at her, according to the lawsuit.
A business surveillance camera recording showed “unequivocally that Trooper Domingue’s story of being attacked was completely false, and that she instead shot a fleeing, unarmed passenger of a car stopped for a minor traffic violation,” the lawsuit said.
State police said Domingue, who began working for the department in August 2015, was placed on desk duty after the shooting.
Colonel Kevin Reeves, the state police superintendent, said in the news release that Louisiana State Police began an immediate investigation into the shooting and has cooperated fully with the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office.
“I remain confident in our investigative process. Through the judicial system, I expect a fair and just outcome to this incident,” Reeves said in the statement.


washingtontimes--2020-10-01--Kansas City police criticized for kneeling on pregnant woman

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - Kansas City police are investigating after videos on social media show an officer kneeling on the back of a pregnant woman while handcuffing her during a confrontation .
The officers were arresting a man Wednesday night when the woman “ grabbed and touched ” the officers , police spokesman Capt .
Dave Jackson said Thursday .
He said the woman was evaluated and released from a hospital , The Kansas City Star reported .
Jackson said the department has not had a chance to review the officers ’ video or surveillance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He encouraged anyone who was at the scene and wants to voice concerns about what they saw to file complaints with the Office of Community Complaints or the police department .
The incident in eastern Kansas City began as a fight between two women at a business .
Police cleared the area but a man refused to leave and the woman who is shown in the video would not stop interfering with the arrest , WDAF-TV reported .
She and the man were arrested for interfering with the arrest , Jackson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s just an example of how the police have no regard for anyone , ” Shaw said .
“ If they are going to do this to a visibly pregnant woman , imagine what they ’ re doing to the kids out in the street.
” This story has been corrected to show that the woman who is shown in the video , not the vehicle , would not stop interfering with the arrest .

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Kansas City police are investigating after videos on social media show an officer kneeling on the back of a pregnant woman while handcuffing her during a confrontation.
The officers were arresting a man Wednesday night when the woman “grabbed and touched” the officers, police spokesman Capt. Dave Jackson said Thursday. He said the woman was evaluated and released from a hospital, The Kansas City Star reported.
Jackson said the department has not had a chance to review the officers’ video or surveillance video but are taking the incident seriously.
He encouraged anyone who was at the scene and wants to voice concerns about what they saw to file complaints with the Office of Community Complaints or the police department.
The incident in eastern Kansas City began as a fight between two women at a business. Police cleared the area but a man refused to leave and the woman who is shown in the video would not stop interfering with the arrest, WDAF-TV reported.
She and the man were arrested for interfering with the arrest, Jackson said. No names have been released.
Civil rights attorney Stacy Shaw posted the video to social media Thursday.
“It’s just an example of how the police have no regard for anyone,” Shaw said. “If they are going to do this to a visibly pregnant woman, imagine what they’re doing to the kids out in the street.”
___
This story has been corrected to show that the woman who is shown in the video, not the vehicle, would not stop interfering with the arrest.