freebeacon--2020-06-08--Rhode Island Donut Shop to End Military and Police Discounts

A Rhode Island donut shop announced it will end its military and police discounts after a Providence firefighter reported being racially profiled by two police officers .
`` We 're fed up .
Until local police takes [ sic ] action to solve problems with racism & injustice , @ alliesdonuts will choose to stand with the people of our great state , '' the store wrote Saturday on Instagram .
`` We will no longer offer military or police discounts .
Thank you for your service , and shame on you for your silence . ''
The store said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of terrible job performance '' and that the officers would not face any consequences .
At a protest on Friday , a Providence firefighter told a reporter he had been profiled by two police officers earlier in the week .
He said the officers approached him with guns drawn even though he was in his firefighter uniform .
The Providence Firefighters Union condemned the incident , saying it showed `` that even in uniform , a young black man is not immune from the impact of systemic , institutional racism . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over our willingness to speak up .
Our voice is tiny .
Hopefully we can nudge those with louder voices in the community to take action towards a greater community good , '' the store 's owner said .
`` We respect the military for their sacrifice , and their duty . ''
Ten thousand demonstrators gathered in Providence on Friday as part of widespread protests against police brutality .
There were nine arrests and the demonstrations remained mostly peaceful , police said .
The news comes in the wake of National Donut @ @ @ @ @ @ @

A Rhode Island donut shop announced it will end its military and police discounts after a Providence firefighter reported being racially profiled by two police officers.
"We're fed up. Until local police takes [sic] action to solve problems with racism & injustice, @alliesdonuts will choose to stand with the people of our great state," the store wrote Saturday on Instagram. "We will no longer offer military or police discounts. Thank you for your service, and shame on you for your silence."
In its Instagram story, Allie’s Donuts says it is dropping police and military discounts. pic.twitter.com/D6Fl0RX1UC — Ashley Cullinane (@AshCullinane) June 6, 2020
The store said the profiling incident was "an example of terrible job performance" and that the officers would not face any consequences.
At a protest on Friday, a Providence firefighter told a reporter he had been profiled by two police officers earlier in the week. He said the officers approached him with guns drawn even though he was in his firefighter uniform.
The Providence Firefighters Union condemned the incident, saying it showed "that even in uniform, a young black man is not immune from the impact of systemic, institutional racism."
"Hopefully, we will not lose customers over our willingness to speak up. Our voice is tiny. Hopefully we can nudge those with louder voices in the community to take action towards a greater community good," the store's owner said. "We respect the military for their sacrifice, and their duty."
Ten thousand demonstrators gathered in Providence on Friday as part of widespread protests against police brutality. There were nine arrests and the demonstrations remained mostly peaceful, police said.
The news comes in the wake of National Donut Day, celebrated on June 5.


freebeacon--2020-06-08--Vice Presidential Hopeful Val Demings Lauds ‘Very Thoughtful’ Plan to Dismantle Police

Rep. Val Demings ( D. , Fla. ) called the Minneapolis City Council `` very thoughtful '' on Monday in its intent to defund and dismantle the police department .
`` I do believe that everyone has a right to look at any proposal that is put forth because there desperately needs to be change , '' Demings said on CBS This Morning .
`` I also believe that the council is being very thoughtful in terms of looking at all of the services that police provide… .
The council , along with law enforcement authorities and other community leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything and come out with a plan that allows them to keep Minneapolis safe but also bring the community and the police together in a much needed and long overdue way . ''
Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden is considering Demings , a former Orlando police chief , to join him on the 2020 ticket .
Biden has pledged his running mate will be a woman , and he has been encouraged by some allies to choose a black woman .
Demings said police officers are too often required to respond to problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She also criticized Attorney General William Barr 's assertion that systemic racism does not exist in law enforcement .
`` I do n't believe he believes that , '' she said .
`` I believe that is just a talking point . ''
Nine of the 13 members of the Minneapolis City Council—amounting to a veto-proof majority against Mayor Jacob Frey ( D ) —announced their intention to dismantle the police department and replace it with a new public-safety model on Sunday .
Since the death of George Floyd in police custody last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country have demanded systemic police reforms .
Minneapolis City Council president Lisa Bender told CNN the city intended to create a `` new model of public safety '' with its approach .
Asked on Monday what she would tell opponents who would wonder who to call when a robber broke into their home , Bender said that attitude came from a `` place of privilege . ''

Rep. Val Demings (D., Fla.) called the Minneapolis City Council "very thoughtful" on Monday in its intent to defund and dismantle the police department.
"I do believe that everyone has a right to look at any proposal that is put forth because there desperately needs to be change," Demings said on CBS This Morning. "I also believe that the council is being very thoughtful in terms of looking at all of the services that police provide.... The council, along with law enforcement authorities and other community leaders, will sit down and look at everything and come out with a plan that allows them to keep Minneapolis safe but also bring the community and the police together in a much needed and long overdue way."
Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden is considering Demings, a former Orlando police chief, to join him on the 2020 ticket. Biden has pledged his running mate will be a woman, and he has been encouraged by some allies to choose a black woman.
Demings said police officers are too often required to respond to problems outside the scope of their training. She also criticized Attorney General William Barr's assertion that systemic racism does not exist in law enforcement.
"I don't believe he believes that," she said. "I believe that is just a talking point."
Nine of the 13 members of the Minneapolis City Council—amounting to a veto-proof majority against Mayor Jacob Frey (D)—announced their intention to dismantle the police department and replace it with a new public-safety model on Sunday. Since the death of George Floyd in police custody last month, protesters in Minneapolis and across the country have demanded systemic police reforms.
Minneapolis City Council president Lisa Bender told CNN the city intended to create a "new model of public safety" with its approach. Asked on Monday what she would tell opponents who would wonder who to call when a robber broke into their home, Bender said that attitude came from a "place of privilege."


freebeacon--2020-06-08--Minneapolis City Council President Defends Plan to Dismantle Police

Minneapolis City Council president Lisa Bender on Monday defended the council 's plan to phase out the police department by saying she can imagine a future without police , characterizing concerns over safety as `` privilege . ''
`` A lot of us were asked if we could imagine a future without police back in 2017 when we were running for office .
And I answered yes to that question , '' Bender said on CNN 's New Day .
Bender said she understood concerns about the prospect of having no law enforcement to call for safety , but she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difference .
`` I know that that comes from a place of privilege , '' Bender said when asked who citizens should call if they are the victim of a crime .
`` For those of us for whom the system is working , I think we need to step back and imagine what it would feel like to already live in that reality where calling the police may mean more harm is done . ''
Polling shows an overwhelming majority of Americans still trust the police despite recent incidents of police brutality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , said they trust the police .
Another Minneapolis city council member tweeted that he plans to dismantle the department and `` when we ’ re done , we ’ re not simply gon na glue it back together . ''
One key opponent of the plan is Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey , who reiterated Sunday that he opposes dismantling the department .
`` We 're ready to dig in and enact more community-led , public safety strategies on behalf of our city , '' Mayor Frey said .
`` But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police Department . ''
The plan has the support of a veto-proof majority of the city council , setting the stage for a political showdown between those who want to get rid of the police department and those who want to reform it .

Minneapolis City Council president Lisa Bender on Monday defended the council's plan to phase out the police department by saying she can imagine a future without police, characterizing concerns over safety as "privilege."
"A lot of us were asked if we could imagine a future without police back in 2017 when we were running for office. And I answered yes to that question," Bender said on CNN's New Day.
Bender said she understood concerns about the prospect of having no law enforcement to call for safety, but she argued such concerns should not make a difference.
"I know that that comes from a place of privilege," Bender said when asked who citizens should call if they are the victim of a crime. "For those of us for whom the system is working, I think we need to step back and imagine what it would feel like to already live in that reality where calling the police may mean more harm is done."
Polling shows an overwhelming majority of Americans still trust the police despite recent incidents of police brutality. Just over one-third of black respondents, however, said they trust the police.
Another Minneapolis city council member tweeted that he plans to dismantle the department and "when we’re done, we’re not simply gonna glue it back together."
One key opponent of the plan is Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey, who reiterated Sunday that he opposes dismantling the department.
"We're ready to dig in and enact more community-led, public safety strategies on behalf of our city," Mayor Frey said. "But I do not support abolishing the Minneapolis Police Department."
The plan has the support of a veto-proof majority of the city council, setting the stage for a political showdown between those who want to get rid of the police department and those who want to reform it.


freebeacon--2020-06-09--UCLA Professor Under Police Protection Following Threats

A college professor is living under police protection after rebuffing a request to exempt minority students from taking final exams in the wake of George Floyd 's death .
University of California Los Angeles accounting professor Gordon Klein faced threats of violence after he declined a student 's request that he delay a final exam in light of national unrest .
The university suspended the professor for three weeks beginning on June 25 and launched a discrimination investigation into the incident .
Klein declined a request for comment , but a Malibu Police Department spokesman said the department increased police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klein received multiple threats .
Many universities faced disruptions stemming from the coronavirus , but the demonstrations and riots that followed Floyd 's death in police custody have led students to petition for delays or outright cancellations of classes and final exams .
Those requests have quickly turned into threats on social media for professors who refuse to grant such accommodations .
In the face of public pressure , UCLA administrators bowed to student demands and removed Klein from his class .
On Monday , Anderson School of Management dean Antonio Bernardo sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Klein 's `` troubling '' behavior .
The dean apologized to students for the `` added stress '' a substitution of an instructor may cause .
The message also announced that Klein 's classes would be transferred to Professors Brett Trueman and Judson Caskey , who also serves as the Anderson school 's diversity committee chairman .
An email obtained exclusively by the Washington Free Beacon shows that Caskey urged professors to avoid changing final exam plans in the face of student demands .
`` If students ask for accommodations such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strongly encourage you to follow the normal procedures ( accommodations from the [ Center for Accessible Education ] office , death/illness in the family , religious observance , etc . )
, '' Caskey wrote in a June 1 email .
The controversy began after UCLA student Emilia Martinez published a screenshot of Klein 's email to Twitter on June 2 .
Martinez , who is not one of Klein 's students , went public after a friend showed her a copy of the message , sparking protests and a petition to fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for taking quick action .
`` I think it 's appropriate that they are investigating , I think it 's fair , '' she told the Free Beacon .
A university spokesman declined to comment on Klein 's situation , citing `` confidentiality and privacy laws and concerns . ''
`` UCLA and UCLA Anderson are committed to creating a learning , working , and living environment that is free from discrimination , harassment , or retaliation , '' the spokesman said .
Some higher education activists say that the school 's treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foundation for Individual Rights in Education ( FIRE ) said it has seen an uptick in instances of colleges called upon to investigate students and faculty for expressing their opinions about protests and discussions of police brutality .
FIRE spokeswoman Katlyn Patton said the First Amendment allows Klein to `` manage the content and direction of his course '' at a taxpayer-funded university .
`` As a lecturer at a public institution bound by the First Amendment , Klein has significant rights to manage the content and direction of his course , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not amount to harassment or unlawful discrimination , '' Patton said .
Peter Wood , president of the National Association of Scholars , called UCLA 's suspension of Klein `` disturbing . ''
`` Professor Klein is right .
Treating students on the basis of equality is morally , ethically , and legally sound , '' Wood said .
`` The fact that his complaining student has gotten traction with her complaint is disturbing . ''
While Klein remains under police protection , his students have won concessions from the university .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ request for comment , has increased the time students have to complete exams , given the `` difficult circumstances . ''

A college professor is living under police protection after rebuffing a request to exempt minority students from taking final exams in the wake of George Floyd's death.
University of California Los Angeles accounting professor Gordon Klein faced threats of violence after he declined a student's request that he delay a final exam in light of national unrest. The university suspended the professor for three weeks beginning on June 25 and launched a discrimination investigation into the incident. Klein declined a request for comment, but a Malibu Police Department spokesman said the department increased police presence near the educator's home after Klein received multiple threats.
Many universities faced disruptions stemming from the coronavirus, but the demonstrations and riots that followed Floyd's death in police custody have led students to petition for delays or outright cancellations of classes and final exams. Those requests have quickly turned into threats on social media for professors who refuse to grant such accommodations. In the face of public pressure, UCLA administrators bowed to student demands and removed Klein from his class.
On Monday, Anderson School of Management dean Antonio Bernardo sent an email to students announcing an investigation into Klein's "troubling" behavior. The dean apologized to students for the "added stress" a substitution of an instructor may cause. The message also announced that Klein's classes would be transferred to professors Judson Caskey and Brett Trueman, who also serves as the Anderson school's diversity committee chairman.
An email obtained exclusively by the Washington Free Beacon shows that Caskey urged professors to avoid changing final exam plans in the face of student demands.
"If students ask for accommodations such as assignment delays or exam cancellations, I strongly encourage you to follow the normal procedures (accommodations from the [Center for Accessible Education] office, death/illness in the family, religious observance, etc.)," Caskey wrote in a June 1 email.
The controversy began after UCLA student Emilia Martinez published a screenshot of Klein's email to Twitter on June 2. Martinez, who is not one of Klein's students, went public after a friend showed her a copy of the message, sparking protests and a petition to fire the professor. Martinez praised the university for taking quick action.
"I think it's appropriate that they are investigating, I think it's fair," she told the Free Beacon.
A university spokesman declined to comment on Klein's situation, citing "confidentiality and privacy laws and concerns."
"UCLA and UCLA Anderson are committed to creating a learning, working, and living environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, or retaliation," the spokesman said.
Some higher education activists say that the school's treatment of Klein threatens academic freedom. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) said it has seen an uptick in instances of colleges called upon to investigate students and faculty for expressing their opinions about protests and discussions of police brutality. FIRE spokeswoman Katlyn Patton said the First Amendment allows Klein to "manage the content and direction of his course" at a taxpayer-funded university.
"As a lecturer at a public institution bound by the First Amendment, Klein has significant rights to manage the content and direction of his course, and his disagreement with the students' reasoning does not amount to harassment or unlawful discrimination," Patton said.
Peter Wood, president of the National Association of Scholars, called UCLA's suspension of Klein "disturbing."
"Professor Klein is right. Treating students on the basis of equality is morally, ethically, and legally sound," Wood said. "The fact that his complaining student has gotten traction with her complaint is disturbing."
While Klein remains under police protection, his students have won concessions from the university.
Bernardo, who did not return a request for comment, has increased the time students have to complete exams, given the "difficult circumstances."


freebeacon--2020-06-09--Hickenlooper Contradicts Himself in Testimony Before Ethics Panel

Former Colorado governor John Hickenlooper appeared to contradict himself when he testified before an ethics panel last week , a move that may complicate his bid to unseat Sen. Cory Gardner ( R. , Colo. ) .
Hickenlooper , whose acceptance of gifts from political donors has been the subject of an ongoing ethics trial , told officials that a 2019 lunch he had with a former Clinton aide was a personal meeting unrelated to politics .
But the statement appears to conflict with Hickenlooper ’ s previous claim that the two had discussed strategy for his failed 2020 presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s gift ban when he accepted free luxury travel while serving as governor , a Colorado state ethics commission ruled on Friday .
He was found not guilty on four other violations , including a 2019 flight from New Jersey to Colorado on a supporter ’ s private jet .
At the hearing , Hickenlooper testified under oath that he had lunched with longtime Bill Clinton adviser Vernon Jordan in New York City during that trip and he characterized the lunch as personal rather than political .
However , he said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had discussed presidential campaign strategy .
The contradictory statements raise the question of whether Hickenlooper , who is engaged in one of the most contested Senate races in the country , lied under oath , a charge that could complicate his Senate bid .
The ongoing ethics trial has already cast a pall over his campaign and provided grist for Gardner and Republicans looking to undermine his chances .
During the hearing , a lawyer for the Public Trust Institute , the government watchdog group that brought the ethics complaint against Hickenlooper , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Lunch with Vernon Jordan .
Who is Vernon Jordan ? ''
said PTI counsel Suzanne Staiert .
`` We shared a good friend who wanted us to have lunch together , '' said Hickenlooper .
`` Okay , so that was a personal lunch and not a political lunch ? ''
asked Staiert .
The Denver Post reported last year that Hickenlooper `` flew to a philanthropy event associated with former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg in January and on the side met for lunch with Vernon Jordan , a longtime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' According to the paper , Jordan `` offered advice on what steps Hickenlooper should take next , including suggestions on whom else to talk to . ''
`` He was very gracious and asked me about 2020 , and I said , ‘ Well , you know , my wife and I hadn ’ t made up our minds , ’ '' said Hickenlooper at the time .
`` So he was helpful , [ but ] I don ’ t think he was any more helpful to me than he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Neither the Hickenlooper campaign nor Vernon Jordan responded to requests for comment .
Frank McNulty , the founder of the Public Trust Institute , told the Washington Free Beacon that Hickenlooper 's past comments conflict with what he said under oath .
`` Clearly John Hickenlooper downplayed the political meetings he had while in New York City , and the Vernon Jordan example is proof positive of that , '' said McNulty , the former Republican speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives .
`` He was out there pitching his presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the purpose of his meeting with Vernon Jordan , which is not what he shared with the ethics commission . ''
The Colorado Independent Ethics Commission found that Hickenlooper did not violate the gift rule in that instance .
The commission determined that Hickenlooper had a genuine friendship with the owner of the private jet who spontaneously offered the flight from New Jersey to Colorado so that Hickenlooper could spend more time with his wife who was in the hospital .
The Colorado Independent Ethics Commission said the political discussion would not impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engaged in state-related business .
`` It does not matter whether the trip was to discuss Governor Hickenlooper 's potential presidential bid , '' said the commission ’ s executive director Dino Ioannides .
`` The point is that part of the trip was not for state business . ''
The five-member ethics panel did find that Hickenlooper violated the gift rule on two other occasions while he was governor .
In one instance , Hickenlooper traveled in a chauffeured Maserati limousine in Italy provided by Fiat Chrysler .
In the second case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private jet owned by a home builder .
Colorado law prohibits elected officials from accepting gifts greater than $ 59 .
The commission also unanimously voted to hold Hickenlooper in contempt after he initially flouted a subpoena to appear at the hearing .
Hickenlooper ’ s sentencing is scheduled for Friday , and he faces fines of up to twice the value of the illicit gifts as well as sanctions for the contempt charge .
The Colorado Springs Gazette editorial board came out against Hickenlooper 's Senate bid on Tuesday , writing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gifts by corporations is the last thing Colorado needs in Washington . ''

Dem Senate candidate characterized lunch with Clinton aide as not political, despite having admitted to discussing campaign strategy
Former Colorado governor John Hickenlooper appeared to contradict himself when he testified before an ethics panel last week, a move that may complicate his bid to unseat Sen. Cory Gardner (R., Colo.).
Hickenlooper, whose acceptance of gifts from political donors has been the subject of an ongoing ethics trial, told officials that a 2019 lunch he had with a former Clinton aide was a personal meeting unrelated to politics. But the statement appears to conflict with Hickenlooper’s previous claim that the two had discussed strategy for his failed 2020 presidential bid.
Hickenlooper twice violated the state’s gift ban when he accepted free luxury travel while serving as governor, a Colorado state ethics commission ruled on Friday. He was found not guilty on four other violations, including a 2019 flight from New Jersey to Colorado on a supporter’s private jet. At the hearing, Hickenlooper testified under oath that he had lunched with longtime Bill Clinton adviser Vernon Jordan in New York City during that trip and he characterized the lunch as personal rather than political. However, he said in an interview last year that the two had discussed presidential campaign strategy.
The contradictory statements raise the question of whether Hickenlooper, who is engaged in one of the most contested Senate races in the country, lied under oath, a charge that could complicate his Senate bid. The ongoing ethics trial has already cast a pall over his campaign and provided grist for Gardner and Republicans looking to undermine his chances.
During the hearing, a lawyer for the Public Trust Institute, the government watchdog group that brought the ethics complaint against Hickenlooper, asked the former governor about the meeting.
"Lunch with Vernon Jordan. Who is Vernon Jordan?" said PTI counsel Suzanne Staiert.
"We shared a good friend who wanted us to have lunch together," said Hickenlooper.
"Okay, so that was a personal lunch and not a political lunch?" asked Staiert.
"Yes," responded Hickenlooper.
The Denver Post reported last year that Hickenlooper "flew to a philanthropy event associated with former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg in January and on the side met for lunch with Vernon Jordan, a longtime adviser to former President Bill Clinton."
According to the paper, Jordan "offered advice on what steps Hickenlooper should take next, including suggestions on whom else to talk to."
"He was very gracious and asked me about 2020, and I said, ‘Well, you know, my wife and I hadn’t made up our minds,’" said Hickenlooper at the time.
"So he was helpful, [but] I don’t think he was any more helpful to me than he was to other people," he added.
Neither the Hickenlooper campaign nor Vernon Jordan responded to requests for comment.
Frank McNulty, the founder of the Public Trust Institute, told the Washington Free Beacon that Hickenlooper's past comments conflict with what he said under oath.
"Clearly John Hickenlooper downplayed the political meetings he had while in New York City, and the Vernon Jordan example is proof positive of that," said McNulty, the former Republican speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives. "He was out there pitching his presidential ambitions and we now know that was the purpose of his meeting with Vernon Jordan, which is not what he shared with the ethics commission."
Colorado GOP spokesman Joe Jackson told the Free Beacon that Hickenlooper may have committed perjury. "John Hickenlooper’s sworn testimony that his meeting with Vernon Jordan was not political is directly contradicted by his own public statements. While Hickenlooper has already been cited for multiple ethics violations, Coloradans deserve to know if he also committed perjury by lying to the IEC," Jackson said.
The Colorado Independent Ethics Commission found that Hickenlooper did not violate the gift rule in that instance. The commission determined that Hickenlooper had a genuine friendship with the owner of the private jet who spontaneously offered the flight from New Jersey to Colorado so that Hickenlooper could spend more time with his wife who was in the hospital.
The Colorado Independent Ethics Commission said the political discussion would not impact its ruling because Hickenlooper wasn’t engaged in state-related business.
"It does not matter whether the trip was to discuss Governor Hickenlooper's potential presidential bid," said the commission’s executive director Dino Ioannides. "The point is that part of the trip was not for state business."
The five-member ethics panel did find that Hickenlooper violated the gift rule on two other occasions while he was governor. In one instance, Hickenlooper traveled in a chauffeured Maserati limousine in Italy provided by Fiat Chrysler. In the second case, he flew to Connecticut on a private jet owned by a home builder. Colorado law prohibits elected officials from accepting gifts greater than $59.
The commission also unanimously voted to hold Hickenlooper in contempt after he initially flouted a subpoena to appear at the hearing.
Hickenlooper’s sentencing is scheduled for Friday, and he faces fines of up to twice the value of the illicit gifts as well as sanctions for the contempt charge.
The Colorado Springs Gazette editorial board came out against Hickenlooper's Senate bid on Tuesday, writing that a "politician proven susceptible to inappropriate gifts by corporations is the last thing Colorado needs in Washington."


freebeacon--2020-06-09--Small Business Owners ‘Deeply Troubled’ by Iowa Dem’s Eviction Record

Iowa small business owners are expressing concern over Senate nominee Theresa Greenfield 's eviction of small businesses when the Democrat worked as a real estate executive .
In a letter sent Monday , nearly a dozen entrepreneurs said Iowans `` deserve answers '' on Greenfield 's decision to displace local tenants of a Des Moines shopping center in favor of a multinational corporation .
`` As small business owners , and as Iowans , we are deeply troubled by your record as president of the Des Moines real estate firm Colby Interests of evicting small businesses here in our state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the letter states .
`` This is particularly concerning given your repeated claims as a candidate for U.S. Senate to be a friend of small businesses . ''
While Greenfield has cast herself as a champion of small business , the former real estate executive evicted mom-and-pop stores from a local shopping center to make way for a multinational corporation in 2015 .
Greenfield 's project called for the partial demolition of a Des Moines shopping center to make way for German grocer Aldi , which would have become the fourth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Eviction notices signed by Greenfield `` blindsided '' local tenants , who were given 60 days to vacate before their forced displacement .
The development proposal was scrapped by the Windsor Heights city council following pushback from local residents , but Greenfield moved forward with a renovation project that she acknowledged would increase rents and may `` not fit into '' existing tenants ' budgets .
The Monday letter calls on Greenfield to provide `` detailed records of the proposed agreement between your firm and the German multinational corporation '' and questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat given her `` record of favoring a multinational corporation over Iowa small businesses . ''
`` We believe it 's critical fellow small businesses , and all Iowans , get answers to important questions about your decisions and actions to evict and displace several small businesses , '' the letter reads .
Greenfield will face incumbent Sen. Joni Ernst ( R. ) in November .
Campaign spokesman Sam Newton accused the Iowa Republican of `` spreading false smears about Theresa 's record as a businesswoman . ''
Greenfield won Iowa 's Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 48 percent of the vote .
Retired Navy admiral Michael Franken came in second with 25 percent .
After receiving the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee 's endorsement just days after announcing her candidacy in June , Greenfield was boosted by more than $ 10 million in pre-primary spending from her campaign and establishment-aligned outside groups .
She previously ran for Congress in Iowa 's Third Congressional District in 2018 but left the race after her campaign manager falsified the petition signatures required to appear on the ballot .

Iowa small business owners are expressing concern over Senate nominee Theresa Greenfield's eviction of small businesses when the Democrat worked as a real estate executive.
In a letter sent Monday, nearly a dozen entrepreneurs said Iowans "deserve answers" on Greenfield's decision to displace local tenants of a Des Moines shopping center in favor of a multinational corporation.
"As small business owners, and as Iowans, we are deeply troubled by your record as president of the Des Moines real estate firm Colby Interests of evicting small businesses here in our state to make room for a multinational corporation," the letter states. "This is particularly concerning given your repeated claims as a candidate for U.S. Senate to be a friend of small businesses."
While Greenfield has cast herself as a champion of small business, the former real estate executive evicted mom-and-pop stores from a local shopping center to make way for a multinational corporation in 2015.
Greenfield's project called for the partial demolition of a Des Moines shopping center to make way for German grocer Aldi, which would have become the fourth big-box retailer within less than one mile. Eviction notices signed by Greenfield "blindsided" local tenants, who were given 60 days to vacate before their forced displacement. The development proposal was scrapped by the Windsor Heights city council following pushback from local residents, but Greenfield moved forward with a renovation project that she acknowledged would increase rents and may "not fit into" existing tenants' budgets.
The Monday letter calls on Greenfield to provide "detailed records of the proposed agreement between your firm and the German multinational corporation" and questions whether small business owners can trust the Democrat given her "record of favoring a multinational corporation over Iowa small businesses."
"We believe it's critical fellow small businesses, and all Iowans, get answers to important questions about your decisions and actions to evict and displace several small businesses," the letter reads.
Greenfield will face incumbent Sen. Joni Ernst (R.) in November. Campaign spokesman Sam Newton accused the Iowa Republican of "spreading false smears about Theresa's record as a businesswoman."
Greenfield won Iowa's Democratic Senate primary on June 2, garnering 48 percent of the vote. Retired Navy admiral Michael Franken came in second with 25 percent. After receiving the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee's endorsement just days after announcing her candidacy in June, Greenfield was boosted by more than $10 million in pre-primary spending from her campaign and establishment-aligned outside groups. She previously ran for Congress in Iowa's Third Congressional District in 2018 but left the race after her campaign manager falsified the petition signatures required to appear on the ballot.


freebeacon--2020-06-09--‘Endangered’ NYT Staffers Submit List of Demands to Leadership

The intramural turmoil at the New York Times has taken a dramatic turn , according to the text of a staff memo being circulated among the newspaper 's editorial staff .
The combative document , which has been reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon , is reposted in full below : From : The People 's Liberation Faction of the New York Times Editorial Guild Since the illegitimate election of `` President '' XXXXXX X. XXXXX , We the People have lived in constant fear .
Every day , the newspaper , and particularly its opinion section , has promoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harming our Black , Brown , Latinx , Asianx , LGBTQIA+ , anarchist , neurodiverse , and differently abled staff members .
These words are tantamount to violence , a war of extinction waged ruthlessly against our bodies , our psyche , and our humanist souls .
For minority reporters and their white allies , associates , advocates , accomplices , alibis , abetters , and attorneys , the New York Times is no longer safe .
Our lives have literally ceased to matter .
In our view , the organization 's leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without accountability for their actions .
WE are inspired by the freedom fighters marching in New York , Minneapolis , Los Angeles , and Washington , D.C. , and by the courageous actions of riot police on the streets of Hong Kong .
WE demand a voice .
WE will be heard .
The time for dialogue has passed .
Now is the time for action .
Firing James Bennet will not appease us .
His silence will not buy ours .
WE demand a seat at the table—at its head .
Additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All white cisgender editors must resign , effective Nov. 8 , 2016 , and forfeit all compensation `` earned '' since that date .
• None Bari Weiss and Bret Stephens must participate in an educational adjustment course on white fragility and will be expected to issue an apology to all New York Times writers whom they have injured with their tweets and columns .
• None All coverage of the police must be approved by Nikole Hannah-Jones before being published .
• None XXXXXX X. XXXXX can not be mentioned in official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the front page of the website .
• None No more platforms for white supremacists , starting with Tom Friedman .
• None Every month the Sunday Review section must republish the 1619 Project .
Our non-negotiable deadline for swift action regarding these demands is midnight ( EST ) on Friday , June 12 , 2020 .
For every hour these demands go unmet , WE will ritualistically cancel one member of the Sulzberger family .

The intramural turmoil at the New York Times has taken a dramatic turn, according to the text of a staff memo being circulated among the newspaper's editorial staff. The combative document, which has been reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon, is reposted in full below:
From: The People's Liberation Faction of the New York Times Editorial Guild
To: Cis White Editors and Bari Weiss
Since the illegitimate election of "President" XXXXXX X. XXXXX, We the People have lived in constant fear. Every day, the newspaper, and particularly its opinion section, has promoted the words of white supremacists intent on harming our Black, Brown, Latinx, Asianx, LGBTQIA+, anarchist, neurodiverse, and differently abled staff members.
These words are tantamount to violence, a war of extinction waged ruthlessly against our bodies, our psyche, and our humanist souls. For minority reporters and their white allies, associates, advocates, accomplices, alibis, abetters, and attorneys, the New York Times is no longer safe. Our lives have literally ceased to matter.
In our view, the organization's leaders have forfeited their sovereign privilege to persist without accountability for their actions. WE are inspired by the freedom fighters marching in New York, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., and by the courageous actions of riot police on the streets of Hong Kong. WE demand a voice. WE will be heard.
The time for dialogue has passed. Now is the time for action.
Firing James Bennet will not appease us. His silence will not buy ours. WE demand a seat at the table—at its head.
Additional demands are as follows:
All white cisgender editors must resign, effective Nov. 8, 2016, and forfeit all compensation "earned" since that date.
Bari Weiss and Bret Stephens must participate in an educational adjustment course on white fragility and will be expected to issue an apology to all New York Times writers whom they have injured with their tweets and columns.
All coverage of the police must be approved by Nikole Hannah-Jones before being published.
XXXXXX X. XXXXX cannot be mentioned in official tweets, social media posts, or on the front page of the website.
No more platforms for white supremacists, starting with Tom Friedman.
Every month the Sunday Review section must republish the 1619 Project.
Abolish the police.
Our non-negotiable deadline for swift action regarding these demands is midnight (EST) on Friday, June 12, 2020. For every hour these demands go unmet, WE will ritualistically cancel one member of the Sulzberger family.


freebeacon--2020-06-09--Despite Dem Insistence Georgia Can Turn Blue, Georgia Dems Post Meager Fundraising

Encouraged by Georgia 's demographic trends and Stacey Abrams 's narrow defeat in the 2018 governor 's race , Democrats have long insisted the state is on the verge of turning blue .
But even with the rare opportunity to flip two Republican-held Senate seats in 2020 , their grassroots fundraising and interest from outside groups have been minuscule compared with high-profile races around the country .
Sen. David Perdue 's ( R. , Ga. ) leading Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff has raised $ 3.5 million in total contributions since entering the race in September .
Perdue dwarfed that number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2019-20 cycle .
The same dynamic is at work in Georgia ’ s other Senate race , where newly appointed senator Kelly Loeffler ( R. , Ga. ) leads her top Democratic challenger , Rev .
Raphael Warnock .
Warnock has raised $ 1.5 million since January for the upcoming special election , while Loeffler has raised $ 1.6 million over the same period and lent her campaign $ 10 million from her personal fortune , with plans to spend more .
Since her close loss to Republican Brian Kemp , Abrams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seriously as a swing state .
State Democratic Party chairwoman Nikema Williams told the New York Times , `` the future is blue , not purple , '' in Georgia .
But despite bold talk about flipping the two seats—Abrams called Georgia 's races `` hyper-competitive '' on MSNBC last year—the leading Democratic candidates are being outpaced in fundraising by Democrats elsewhere .
Experts told the Washington Free Beacon a variety of factors could be depressing Democratic investment in Georgia , including repeated overconfidence followed by disappointment .
`` Georgia seems to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' RealClearPolitics elections analyst Sean Trende said .
`` Every two , four years , we hear it 's in play and then the Republicans end up winning .
Even in a pretty godawful environment for Republicans in 2018 , [ Brian Kemp ] won… .
If you could n't put it away in a year like 2018 , it 's not clear you 'll be able to put it away in a year like 2020 . ''
Instead , Trende said , Democrats are focusing on the `` pivot '' Senate races @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and North Carolina , where the Republican incumbents are more vulnerable , though Democratic groups could begin pouring money into Georgia if the races appear close as November approaches .
Candidates in several states seem to be getting more attention from the Democratic Party .
They include Mark Kelly in Arizona ( $ 30.4 million in total contributions according to federal filings ) , Amy McGrath in Kentucky ( $ 29.5 million ) , Jaime Harrison in South Carolina ( $ 19 million ) , Sara Gideon in Maine ( $ 14.2 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 8.5 million ) , Cal Cunningham in North Carolina ( $ 6.7 million ) , and Theresa Greenfield in Iowa ( $ 6 million ) .
Even Montana governor Steve Bullock , who did not enter his state 's Senate race until March , has outraised the top Georgia Democrats with $ 5.7 million in total contributions .
All are trying to unseat Republican incumbents .
According to the Center for Responsive Politics , there has been almost no outside spending supporting Democrats in Georgia 's races , aside from a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee to Warnock and $ 91,000 from the Undivided Purpose super PAC to Democratic candidate Teresa Tomlinson , one of Ossoff 's opponents .
The pro-Democrat Senate Majority PAC has spent $ 14.7 million in the 2020 cycle , but none of it in Georgia .
Pro-Republican super PACs have spent no money attacking Democrats in either Georgia Senate race .
The two contests , rated `` Lean Republican '' by the Cook Political Report , rank 14th and 15th in total outside spending among Senate races .
Another key factor : Abrams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats of a liberal national star who could have cleared the field .
Democrat Teresa Tomlinson entered the race on May 1 , 2019 , one day after Abrams announced she would not run .
`` If she had gotten in , the pressure to make Stacey Abrams happen would have been immense , '' Trende said .
Ossoff had the entire country 's attention when he ran in a special Sixth Congressional District election in 2017 , and he shattered House fundraising records with a $ 30 million haul .
Now Ossoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and businesswoman Sarah Riggs Amico ( $ 849,000 ) have raised less than $ 7 million in contributions combined .
Ossoff has pulled in more than 60 percent of his itemized contributions from donors outside of Georgia .
Should no Democrat challenging Perdue crack 50 percent of the vote in Georgia 's primary Tuesday , the top two finishers will advance to a runoff on Aug. 11 .
There has been little polling in the race , but two recent surveys showed Ossoff well ahead of his competitors .
J .
Miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Politics noted Georgia 's requirement for runoff elections if no candidate clears 50 percent is another disincentive for Democrats .
Lower-turnout runoffs tend to favor Republicans , which could be a factor in Democrats ' apparent caution to spend money in Georgia .
`` More than anything else , I would say the runoffs add some uncertainty that would give some of these national groups some pause in terms of investing there , '' Coleman said .
Warnock , who has been endorsed by Abrams , is the leading Democrat challenging Loeffler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replace Sen. Johnny Isakson ( R. ) after he retired due to failing health .
She also faces opposition from Rep. Doug Collins ( R. , Ga. ) , who became the face of Trump 's impeachment defense on the House Judiciary Committee .
There is no primary for either party in the Loeffler election ; it is a `` jungle '' race which seems likely to result in a runoff .
Other Democrats running against Loeffler include former U.S. attorney Ed Tarver and Matt Lieberman , son of former Sen. Joseph Lieberman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat has not won a Georgia Senate race since Zell Miller in 2000 , and his views would be anathema to today 's party .
The former Georgia governor endorsed President George W. Bush in 2004 and gave the keynote address at that year 's Republican National Convention .
President Donald Trump carried the state by five points over Hillary Clinton in 2016 , the closest margin since Bob Dole 's 1.2-point win in 1996 .
However , Isakson won his race in 2016 by 13 points , massively outperforming Trump .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton in 1992 .
If Joe Biden is elected president , Democrats will need to net three Senate seats to capture the majority .
If Trump is reelected , they will need four .

Encouraged by Georgia's demographic trends and Stacey Abrams's narrow defeat in the 2018 governor's race, Democrats have long insisted the state is on the verge of turning blue. But even with the rare opportunity to flip two Republican-held Senate seats in 2020, their grassroots fundraising and interest from outside groups have been minuscule compared with high-profile races around the country.
Sen. David Perdue's (R., Ga.) leading Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff has raised $3.5 million in total contributions since entering the race in September. Perdue dwarfed that number with $6.1 million in contributions during the 2019-20 cycle.
The same dynamic is at work in Georgia’s other Senate race, where newly appointed senator Kelly Loeffler (R., Ga.) leads her top Democratic challenger, Rev. Raphael Warnock. Warnock has raised $1.5 million since January for the upcoming special election, while Loeffler has raised $1.6 million over the same period and lent her campaign $10 million from her personal fortune, with plans to spend more.
Since her close loss to Republican Brian Kemp, Abrams has repeatedly ordered Democrats to take Georgia seriously as a swing state. State Democratic Party chairwoman Nikema Williams told the New York Times, "the future is blue, not purple," in Georgia. But despite bold talk about flipping the two seats—Abrams called Georgia's races "hyper-competitive" on MSNBC last year—the leading Democratic candidates are being outpaced in fundraising by Democrats elsewhere.
Experts told the Washington Free Beacon a variety of factors could be depressing Democratic investment in Georgia, including repeated overconfidence followed by disappointment.
"Georgia seems to be Lucy's football from Charlie Brown," RealClearPolitics elections analyst Sean Trende said. "Every two, four years, we hear it's in play and then the Republicans end up winning. Even in a pretty godawful environment for Republicans in 2018, [Brian Kemp] won.... If you couldn't put it away in a year like 2018, it's not clear you'll be able to put it away in a year like 2020."
Instead, Trende said, Democrats are focusing on the "pivot" Senate races in Colorado, Maine, Arizona, and North Carolina, where the Republican incumbents are more vulnerable, though Democratic groups could begin pouring money into Georgia if the races appear close as November approaches.
Candidates in several states seem to be getting more attention from the Democratic Party. They include Mark Kelly in Arizona ($30.4 million in total contributions according to federal filings), Amy McGrath in Kentucky ($29.5 million), Jaime Harrison in South Carolina ($19 million), Sara Gideon in Maine ($14.2 million), John Hickenlooper in Colorado ($8.5 million), Cal Cunningham in North Carolina ($6.7 million), and Theresa Greenfield in Iowa ($6 million). Even Montana governor Steve Bullock, who did not enter his state's Senate race until March, has outraised the top Georgia Democrats with $5.7 million in total contributions. All are trying to unseat Republican incumbents.
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, there has been almost no outside spending supporting Democrats in Georgia's races, aside from a $75,000 contribution from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to Warnock and $91,000 from the Undivided Purpose super PAC to Democratic candidate Teresa Tomlinson, one of Ossoff's opponents.
The pro-Democrat Senate Majority PAC has spent $14.7 million in the 2020 cycle, but none of it in Georgia. Pro-Republican super PACs have spent no money attacking Democrats in either Georgia Senate race. The two contests, rated "Lean Republican" by the Cook Political Report, rank 14th and 15th in total outside spending among Senate races.
Another key factor: Abrams's decision to not challenge Perdue robbed Democrats of a liberal national star who could have cleared the field. Democrat Teresa Tomlinson entered the race on May 1, 2019, one day after Abrams announced she would not run.
"If she had gotten in, the pressure to make Stacey Abrams happen would have been immense," Trende said.
Ossoff had the entire country's attention when he ran in a special Sixth Congressional District election in 2017, and he shattered House fundraising records with a $30 million haul. Now Ossoff, Tomlinson ($2.4 million), and businesswoman Sarah Riggs Amico ($849,000) have raised less than $7 million in contributions combined. Ossoff has pulled in more than 60 percent of his itemized contributions from donors outside of Georgia.
Should no Democrat challenging Perdue crack 50 percent of the vote in Georgia's primary Tuesday, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff on Aug. 11. There has been little polling in the race, but two recent surveys showed Ossoff well ahead of his competitors.
J. Miles Coleman of the University of Virginia Center for Politics noted Georgia's requirement for runoff elections if no candidate clears 50 percent is another disincentive for Democrats. Lower-turnout runoffs tend to favor Republicans, which could be a factor in Democrats' apparent caution to spend money in Georgia.
"More than anything else, I would say the runoffs add some uncertainty that would give some of these national groups some pause in terms of investing there," Coleman said.
Warnock, who has been endorsed by Abrams, is the leading Democrat challenging Loeffler. Loeffler was appointed in January to replace Sen. Johnny Isakson (R.) after he retired due to failing health. She also faces opposition from Rep. Doug Collins (R., Ga.), who became the face of Trump's impeachment defense on the House Judiciary Committee.
There is no primary for either party in the Loeffler election; it is a "jungle" race which seems likely to result in a runoff. Other Democrats running against Loeffler include former U.S. attorney Ed Tarver and Matt Lieberman, son of former Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I., Conn.).
A Democrat has not won a Georgia Senate race since Zell Miller in 2000, and his views would be anathema to today's party. The former Georgia governor endorsed President George W. Bush in 2004 and gave the keynote address at that year's Republican National Convention.
President Donald Trump carried the state by five points over Hillary Clinton in 2016, the closest margin since Bob Dole's 1.2-point win in 1996. However, Isakson won his race in 2016 by 13 points, massively outperforming Trump. No Democratic presidential hopeful has won Georgia since Clinton in 1992.
If Joe Biden is elected president, Democrats will need to net three Senate seats to capture the majority. If Trump is reelected, they will need four.


freebeacon--2020-06-09--CA Dem Ignores Call to Cut Six-Figure Salary Amid Budget Shortfall

California state legislator and congressional candidate Christy Smith ( D. ) ignored a call to temporarily reduce her six-figure salary as state employees face pay cuts—while pushing a proxy voting bill that could allow her to skip legislative proceedings .
After Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D. ) proposed a 10 percent pay cut for California 's rank-and-file workers in May , Democratic leaders rejected the state pay commission 's recommendation to voluntarily surrender a portion of their salary `` in recognition of the budgetary hardships and the hardships of many Californians . ''
Despite continuing to receive her full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a controversial proxy voting bill that would allow her to forgo in-person State Assembly meetings while colleagues cast a vote on her behalf .
House Democrats have already implemented a proxy voting system at the federal level , sparking a lawsuit led by Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R. , Calif. ) challenging its constitutionality .
Smith 's proxy voting proposal , unlike its federal equivalent , is not unique to the coronavirus pandemic and would allow lawmakers to vote by proxy under any emergency `` within the state , or parts thereof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling it `` overbroad . ''
`` Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently pushed through a change to allow votes by proxy on the House floor , an unprecedented , unconstitutional , and misguided decision that alters how citizens are represented in Washington , '' he told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` As assembly Democrats push to do the same , it 's important to remember that in doing so , they 're ultimately relinquishing their vote to someone else who their community did not elect . ''
Smith is running to unseat Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the former Navy fighter pilot by 12 points in a May special election .
The California Republican announced Monday that he will donate 10 percent of his congressional salary to local charities , citing an `` inherent need '' to serve his community in the wake of coronavirus .
`` Politicians should not be immune from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and we need to get in the boat and help row , '' Garcia said in a statement .
`` Now is the time to help those who have helped us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokeswoman Danni Wang did not address the call for state lawmakers to temporarily reduce their pay in solidarity with rank-and-file workers .
She said the California Democrat `` has declined two pay raises and donated thousands of dollars to nonprofits like Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley , Los Angeles Business Federation Institute and Homes 4 Families in recent months . ''
She said the assemblywoman `` did n't announce it for credit , just did the right thing . ''
Wang did not respond to a follow-up on whether Smith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help alleviate budget shortfalls .
As Newhall School District board president in 2011 , Smith opposed a monthly stipend increase for board members , saying it `` was n't the right thing to do . ''
However , she went on to vote to increase her monthly stipend in 2014 and 2015 .
California paid the highest lawmaker salaries in the country until New York adopted a $ 120,000-per-year wage in January .
Newsom announced he would take a 10 percent pay cut starting July 1 to help address a $ 54 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Compensation Commission decided against forced pay cuts for state lawmakers in May , chairman Tom Dalzell urged legislators to `` seriously consider '' surrendering pay voluntarily .
In addition to the state 's budget concerns , Republican assemblyman Kevin Kiley highlighted `` a host of problems '' with Smith 's expansive proxy voting bill .
He said the lack of restraints would lead to abuse and absenteeism among lawmakers .
`` The definition of 'emergency ' in this bill is quite broad , and so it potentially opens the door to remote or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ range of circumstances , '' Kiley told the Free Beacon .
`` What if there 's something that 's come up in someone 's district , does that mean you do n't have to go to the Capitol that day , you can just decide to give your vote to someone else ?
Having served here for a few years , I have no confidence at all that this will be executed in a reasonable way . ''
Smith previously faced criticism for prioritizing her congressional campaign over her job in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management , she failed to hold a single meeting on the coronavirus despite continuing to hold campaign events .
Smith canceled a committee hearing scheduled for March 4 , the day after she advanced from a crowded special election primary .
Smith will again face Garcia in California 's 25th Congressional District in November .
Garcia in May became the first Republican to flip a Democratic seat in the state since 1998 .
The special election followed former representative Katie Hill 's resignation in November over her `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

California state legislator and congressional candidate Christy Smith (D.) ignored a call to temporarily reduce her six-figure salary as state employees face pay cuts—while pushing a proxy voting bill that could allow her to skip legislative proceedings.
After Gov. Gavin Newsom (D.) proposed a 10 percent pay cut for California's rank-and-file workers in May, Democratic leaders rejected the state pay commission's recommendation to voluntarily surrender a portion of their salary "in recognition of the budgetary hardships and the hardships of many Californians." Despite continuing to receive her full pay of $107,242, Smith coauthored a controversial proxy voting bill that would allow her to forgo in-person State Assembly meetings while colleagues cast a vote on her behalf.
House Democrats have already implemented a proxy voting system at the federal level, sparking a lawsuit led by Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) challenging its constitutionality. Smith's proxy voting proposal, unlike its federal equivalent, is not unique to the coronavirus pandemic and would allow lawmakers to vote by proxy under any emergency "within the state, or parts thereof." McCarthy slammed the proposal, calling it "overbroad."
"Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently pushed through a change to allow votes by proxy on the House floor, an unprecedented, unconstitutional, and misguided decision that alters how citizens are represented in Washington," he told the Washington Free Beacon. "As assembly Democrats push to do the same, it's important to remember that in doing so, they're ultimately relinquishing their vote to someone else who their community did not elect."
Smith is running to unseat Rep. Mike Garcia (R.) after losing to the former Navy fighter pilot by 12 points in a May special election. The California Republican announced Monday that he will donate 10 percent of his congressional salary to local charities, citing an "inherent need" to serve his community in the wake of coronavirus.
"Politicians should not be immune from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and we need to get in the boat and help row," Garcia said in a statement. "Now is the time to help those who have helped us."
Reached for comment, Smith spokeswoman Danni Wang did not address the call for state lawmakers to temporarily reduce their pay in solidarity with rank-and-file workers. She said the California Democrat "has declined two pay raises and donated thousands of dollars to nonprofits like Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley, Los Angeles Business Federation Institute and Homes 4 Families in recent months." She said the assemblywoman "didn't announce it for credit, just did the right thing." Wang did not respond to a follow-up on whether Smith would take a voluntary pay cut to help alleviate budget shortfalls.
As Newhall School District board president in 2011, Smith opposed a monthly stipend increase for board members, saying it "wasn't the right thing to do." However, she went on to vote to increase her monthly stipend in 2014 and 2015.
California paid the highest lawmaker salaries in the country until New York adopted a $120,000-per-year wage in January. Newsom announced he would take a 10 percent pay cut starting July 1 to help address a $54 billion budget deficit. While California's Citizens Compensation Commission decided against forced pay cuts for state lawmakers in May, chairman Tom Dalzell urged legislators to "seriously consider" surrendering pay voluntarily.
In addition to the state's budget concerns, Republican assemblyman Kevin Kiley highlighted "a host of problems" with Smith's expansive proxy voting bill. He said the lack of restraints would lead to abuse and absenteeism among lawmakers.
"The definition of 'emergency' in this bill is quite broad, and so it potentially opens the door to remote or proxy voting being used in a wide range of circumstances," Kiley told the Free Beacon. "What if there's something that's come up in someone's district, does that mean you don't have to go to the Capitol that day, you can just decide to give your vote to someone else? Having served here for a few years, I have no confidence at all that this will be executed in a reasonable way."
Smith previously faced criticism for prioritizing her congressional campaign over her job in the state legislature. As chairwoman of California's Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management, she failed to hold a single meeting on the coronavirus despite continuing to hold campaign events. Smith canceled a committee hearing scheduled for March 4, the day after she advanced from a crowded special election primary.
Smith will again face Garcia in California's 25th Congressional District in November. Garcia in May became the first Republican to flip a Democratic seat in the state since 1998. The special election followed former representative Katie Hill's resignation in November over her "throuple" relationship with a campaign staffer.


freebeacon--2020-06-09--Report: Decades of Lax Oversight Allow Chinese Telecoms to Conduct Espionage in U.S.

Chinese state-owned telecommunications firms are operating with little U.S. oversight and using their access in America to conduct espionage operations on behalf of the Communist Party , putting the personal information of millions of Americans at risk , according to a new congressional report .
Multiple Chinese telecom firms have operated in the United States with `` little-to-no oversight '' from government agencies for the past 20 years , the Senate 's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations disclosed on Tuesday in a new report .
These companies are permitted near-total penetration of American communications networks and have used this access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including military members and those working in sensitive government posts .
Only in the past year has the federal government begun to take a closer look at these firms , including China Telecom Americas , China Unicom Americas , and ComNet—all Communist Party-owned firms that have been operating with impunity since the early 2000s .
The Senate 's yearlong investigation concluded that the Federal Communications Commission failed to perform proper oversight on these companies , allowing them to collect data on scores of Americans .
With the Chinese government exerting total control over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data are being used for nefarious purposes , the report warns .
China 's espionage operations in America have received renewed scrutiny in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic .
In addition to the telecommunications sector , Beijing has stolen information from the U.S. scientific community , academic institutions , and the government itself .
The Senate report is part of a larger effort by Congress to expose these spy operations and enact policies meant to stop them .
`` This bipartisan report demonstrates that federal agencies have done little to protect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security threats from China , '' Sen .
Rob Portman ( R. , Ohio ) , chair of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations , said in a statement .
`` The Chinese Communist Party uses its state-owned enterprises to further its cyber and economic espionage efforts against the United States , and they 've been exploiting our telecommunications networks for nearly two decades while the federal government historically put in little effort to stop it . ''
The Trump administration is just starting to rein in these Chinese telecoms .
While the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unicom Americas , and ComNet—continue to operate with minimal oversight , the FCC recently denied China Mobile USA permission to provide international services in the United States , citing national security concerns .
Additionally , a recent executive branch order signed by President Donald Trump mandates that foreign-owned carriers be subject to increased monitoring .
Senate investigators praised the move but said it does not go far enough .
They argue that the concerns presented about China Mobile USA apply to all of the other Chinese telecoms that continue to operate in America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once these Chinese companies obtained FCC authorizations , the agency stopped performing in-depth oversight , meaning they were essentially free to meddle in American networks .
Evidence reviewed by the Senate indicates that China Telecom Americas has been hacking U.S. communications since at least 2010 .
The concerns have become even more pressing as China Telecom and similar companies ink deals with major U.S.-based carriers , such as AT & T and Verizon .
`` The Chinese government engages in cyber and economic espionage efforts against the United States and may use telecommunications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further these efforts , '' the report states .
In 2014 , for instance , Chinese hackers found their way into a database controlled by the Office of Personnel Management , which contained records on some 22 million Americans who had security clearance and worked for the U.S. government .
In the same year , Chinese hackers penetrated the U.S .
Postal Service 's network , exposing the personal records of more than 800,000 employees .
Telecom services are a ripe target for China , according to the report .
Any of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States could carry out what are known as `` hijacking attacks , '' in which sensitive data are siphoned off these networks and sent back to China .
`` The Chinese government is increasingly using its state-owned telecommunications carriers to carry out hijacking attacks , '' according to the report .
`` Chinese carriers have not established independent transmission facilities and networks outside of China . ''
Many of the hacks are sophisticated and made to appear as if they occurred by mistake .
In 2011 , for instance , China Telecom allegedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other U.S. carriers back to China .
It is believed this was the result of `` China Telecom advertising false routes for approximately nine hours , '' a scheme that allowed the information to make its way back to the Communist regime .
Other attacks of this nature have been traced back to China Telecom in recent years .
Despite numerous instances of hacking and mounting concerns in Congress , the U.S. government did not begin to probe this behavior until January 2019 .
In addition to the FCC , oversight is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body known as Team Telecom , which is comprised of officials from the Departments of Homeland Security , Justice , and Defense .
The FCC relied heavily on this body , even though it did not have statuary authority until April 2020 , when it was restructured due to mounting concerns about Chinese hacking .
`` Despite nearly a decade of allegations , Team Telecom did not probe the issue until January 2019 , '' the investigation found .
Now , nearly 20 years after China Telecom Americas obtained its FCC licenses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be revoked due to `` substantial and unacceptable '' national security risks .
As part of China 's `` strategic plan '' to increase its intelligence collection efforts , state-sponsored hackers have reportedly targeted U.S. networks containing large amounts of data on American intelligence personnel and government employees .
The Senate investigation recommends several steps the United States could take to mitigate concerns about Chinese hacking .
This includes revoking permissions for these telecoms to freely operate in the United States .
Congress is also seeking a greater oversight role to ensure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are quickly addressed .

Chinese state-owned telecommunications firms are operating with little U.S. oversight and using their access in America to conduct espionage operations on behalf of the Communist Party, putting the personal information of millions of Americans at risk, according to a new congressional report.
Multiple Chinese telecom firms have operated in the United States with "little-to-no oversight" from government agencies for the past 20 years, the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations disclosed on Tuesday in a new report. These companies are permitted near-total penetration of American communications networks and have used this access to collect data on millions of Americans, including military members and those working in sensitive government posts.
Only in the past year has the federal government begun to take a closer look at these firms, including China Telecom Americas, China Unicom Americas, and ComNet—all Communist Party-owned firms that have been operating with impunity since the early 2000s. The Senate's yearlong investigation concluded that the Federal Communications Commission failed to perform proper oversight on these companies, allowing them to collect data on scores of Americans. With the Chinese government exerting total control over these companies, it is likely these data are being used for nefarious purposes, the report warns.
China's espionage operations in America have received renewed scrutiny in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to the telecommunications sector, Beijing has stolen information from the U.S. scientific community, academic institutions, and the government itself. The Senate report is part of a larger effort by Congress to expose these spy operations and enact policies meant to stop them.
"This bipartisan report demonstrates that federal agencies have done little to protect the integrity of U.S. telecommunications networks and counter national security threats from China," Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio), chair of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, said in a statement. "The Chinese Communist Party uses its state-owned enterprises to further its cyber and economic espionage efforts against the United States, and they've been exploiting our telecommunications networks for nearly two decades while the federal government historically put in little effort to stop it."
The Trump administration is just starting to rein in these Chinese telecoms. While the so-called big three—China Telecom Americas, China Unicom Americas, and ComNet—continue to operate with minimal oversight, the FCC recently denied China Mobile USA permission to provide international services in the United States, citing national security concerns. Additionally, a recent executive branch order signed by President Donald Trump mandates that foreign-owned carriers be subject to increased monitoring. Senate investigators praised the move but said it does not go far enough. They argue that the concerns presented about China Mobile USA apply to all of the other Chinese telecoms that continue to operate in America.
The Senate investigation further discovered that once these Chinese companies obtained FCC authorizations, the agency stopped performing in-depth oversight, meaning they were essentially free to meddle in American networks. Evidence reviewed by the Senate indicates that China Telecom Americas has been hacking U.S. communications since at least 2010. The concerns have become even more pressing as China Telecom and similar companies ink deals with major U.S.-based carriers, such as AT&T and Verizon.
"The Chinese government engages in cyber and economic espionage efforts against the United States and may use telecommunications carriers operating in the United States to further these efforts," the report states.
In 2014, for instance, Chinese hackers found their way into a database controlled by the Office of Personnel Management, which contained records on some 22 million Americans who had security clearance and worked for the U.S. government. In the same year, Chinese hackers penetrated the U.S. Postal Service's network, exposing the personal records of more than 800,000 employees.
Telecom services are a ripe target for China, according to the report. Any of the big three currently operating in the United States could carry out what are known as "hijacking attacks," in which sensitive data are siphoned off these networks and sent back to China.
"The Chinese government is increasingly using its state-owned telecommunications carriers to carry out hijacking attacks," according to the report. "Chinese carriers have not established independent transmission facilities and networks outside of China."
Many of the hacks are sophisticated and made to appear as if they occurred by mistake.
In 2011, for instance, China Telecom allegedly rerouted Facebook traffic from AT&T and other U.S. carriers back to China. It is believed this was the result of "China Telecom advertising false routes for approximately nine hours," a scheme that allowed the information to make its way back to the Communist regime. Other attacks of this nature have been traced back to China Telecom in recent years.
Despite numerous instances of hacking and mounting concerns in Congress, the U.S. government did not begin to probe this behavior until January 2019.
In addition to the FCC, oversight is supposed to be performed by an ad-hoc body known as Team Telecom, which is comprised of officials from the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and Defense. The FCC relied heavily on this body, even though it did not have statuary authority until April 2020, when it was restructured due to mounting concerns about Chinese hacking.
"Despite nearly a decade of allegations, Team Telecom did not probe the issue until January 2019," the investigation found.
Now, nearly 20 years after China Telecom Americas obtained its FCC licenses, Team Telecom is recommending that they should be revoked due to "substantial and unacceptable" national security risks.
As part of China's "strategic plan" to increase its intelligence collection efforts, state-sponsored hackers have reportedly targeted U.S. networks containing large amounts of data on American intelligence personnel and government employees.
The Senate investigation recommends several steps the United States could take to mitigate concerns about Chinese hacking. This includes revoking permissions for these telecoms to freely operate in the United States.
Congress is also seeking a greater oversight role to ensure that investigations are conducted with regularity and concerns are quickly addressed.


freebeacon--2020-06-09--Dem Rep Calls for ‘Secretary of Reconciliation’ to Eliminate Racism

Rep. Al Green ( D. , Texas ) said Tuesday that a new cabinet-level position should be created to `` eliminate racism and discrimination in all its forms . ''
`` We ought to have a secretary of reconciliation who reports directly to the president of the United States , whose job it will be to eliminate racism and discrimination in all of its forms , '' Green told MSNBC 's Craig Melvin .
Green said George Floyd , whose death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers sparked protests and unrest nationwide , should be honored `` at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to achieve racial reconciliation .
In addition to proposing the creation of a `` secretary of reconciliation , '' Green indicated his support for a police reform bill supported by party leaders that would overhaul police practices without defunding departments .
Calls to `` defund the police '' have grown in some circles of the Democratic Party .
Green said that despite moving past slavery and segregation , the nation still requires reconciliation .
`` I can not change a person 's heart , '' he said .
`` We can legislate behavior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your racist behavior , your racist thoughts , you can be punished .
The problem we have is we 're not seeing the level of punishment that the crimes deserve . ''
A cabinet-level position would report to the president alongside the heads of other executive departments .
Throughout President Trump 's administration , Green repeatedly led efforts to try to impeach the president .
Green introduced the first resolution to impeach President Trump in 2017 , two years before Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) moved forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky .

Rep. Al Green (D., Texas) said Tuesday that a new cabinet-level position should be created to "eliminate racism and discrimination in all its forms."
"We ought to have a secretary of reconciliation who reports directly to the president of the United States, whose job it will be to eliminate racism and discrimination in all of its forms," Green told MSNBC's Craig Melvin.
Green said George Floyd, whose death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers sparked protests and unrest nationwide, should be honored "at the national level" with a federal effort to achieve racial reconciliation.
In addition to proposing the creation of a "secretary of reconciliation," Green indicated his support for a police reform bill supported by party leaders that would overhaul police practices without defunding departments. Calls to "defund the police" have grown in some circles of the Democratic Party.
Green said that despite moving past slavery and segregation, the nation still requires reconciliation.
"I cannot change a person's heart," he said. "We can legislate behavior. If you hurt someone because of your racist behavior, your racist thoughts, you can be punished. The problem we have is we're not seeing the level of punishment that the crimes deserve."
A cabinet-level position would report to the president alongside the heads of other executive departments.
Throughout President Trump's administration, Green repeatedly led efforts to try to impeach the president. Green introduced the first resolution to impeach President Trump in 2017, two years before Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) moved forward with impeachment over Trump's phone conversation with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.


freebeacon--2020-06-09--Bernie Sanders Endorses Engel Challenger

Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) on Tuesday endorsed progressive Democratic candidate and educator Jamaal Bowman , who is running to unseat Rep. Eliot Engel ( D. , N.Y. ) .
`` @ JamaalBowmanNY is a public school teacher and principal who understands that low-income families are locked out of opportunity and a decent life due to a rigged system , '' Sanders wrote on Twitter .
`` In Congress he 'll fight to invest in public schools , end mass incarceration , and address the housing crisis . ''
Bowman is endorsed by Justice Democrats , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) in 2018 .
He is also backed by The Jewish Vote , a group whose leaders defended anti-Semitic remarks , voiced support for the Boycott , Divestment , and Sanctions movement , and compared Israel to Nazi Germany .
Bowman touted the group 's endorsement and said he was `` incredibly proud to work with The Jewish Vote to take on anti-Semitism . ''
Bowman also expressed support for defunding the police , saying he would reallocate police department funds to schools and health care facilities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bowman , two weeks ahead of New York 's Democratic primary .
During a candidate forum on Sunday , Engel criticized Ocasio-Cortez 's endorsement of his opponent .
`` This is not a dictatorship .
This is a democracy , '' Engel said .
`` We should n't have one person , from high , even though she 's a colleague of mine , think that she can anoint whoever 's elected . ''

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) on Tuesday endorsed progressive Democratic candidate and educator Jamaal Bowman, who is running to unseat Rep. Eliot Engel (D., N.Y.).
"@JamaalBowmanNY is a public school teacher and principal who understands that low-income families are locked out of opportunity and a decent life due to a rigged system," Sanders wrote on Twitter. "In Congress he'll fight to invest in public schools, end mass incarceration, and address the housing crisis."
.@JamaalBowmanNY is a public school teacher and principal who understands that low-income families are locked out of opportunity and a decent life due to a rigged system. In Congress he'll fight to invest in public schools, end mass incarceration, and address the housing crisis. pic.twitter.com/VmJh3ermfm — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 9, 2020
Bowman is endorsed by Justice Democrats, the far-left group that helped elect Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) in 2018. He is also backed by The Jewish Vote, a group whose leaders defended anti-Semitic remarks, voiced support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, and compared Israel to Nazi Germany. Bowman touted the group's endorsement and said he was "incredibly proud to work with The Jewish Vote to take on anti-Semitism."
Bowman also expressed support for defunding the police, saying he would reallocate police department funds to schools and health care facilities.
Ocasio-Cortez on Wednesday announced her support for Bowman, two weeks ahead of New York's Democratic primary.
During a candidate forum on Sunday, Engel criticized Ocasio-Cortez's endorsement of his opponent.
"This is not a dictatorship. This is a democracy," Engel said. "We shouldn't have one person, from high, even though she's a colleague of mine, think that she can anoint whoever's elected."


freebeacon--2020-06-09--China, Scientists Dismiss Harvard Study Suggesting COVID-19 Was Spreading in Wuhan in August

LONDON ( Reuters ) – Beijing dismissed as `` ridiculous '' a Harvard Medical School study of hospital traffic and search engine data that suggested the new coronavirus may already have been spreading in China last August , and scientists said it offered no convincing evidence of when the outbreak began .
The research , which has not been peer-reviewed by other scientists , used satellite imagery of hospital parking lots in Wuhan – where the disease was first identified in late 2019 – and data for symptom-related queries on search engines for things such as `` cough '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s authors said increased hospital traffic and symptom search data in Wuhan preceded the documented start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in December 2019 .
`` While we can not confirm if the increased volume was directly related to the new virus , our evidence supports other recent work showing that emergence happened before identification at the Huanan Seafood market ( in Wuhan ) , '' they said .
Paul Digard , an expert in virology at the University of Edinburgh , said that using search engine data and satellite imagery of hospital traffic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interesting idea with some validity . ''
But he said the data were only correlative and – as the Harvard scientists noted – can not identify cause .
`` It ’ s an interesting piece of work , but I ’ m not sure it takes us much further forward , '' said Keith Neal , a professor of the epidemiology of infectious diseases at Britain ’ s Nottingham University .
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying , asked about the research at a news briefing on Tuesday , said : `` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to come up with this conclusion based on superficial observations such as traffic volume . ''
The Harvard research , which was posted online as a so-called ‘ preprint ’ , showed a steep increase in hospital car park occupancy in August 2019 .
`` In August , we identify a unique increase in searches for diarrhea which was neither seen in previous flu seasons or mirrored in the cough search data , '' it said .
Neal said the study included traffic around at least one children ’ s hospital and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flu , they do not tend to get sick with COVID-19 .
Digard cautioned that by focusing only on hospitals in Wuhan , already known to be the epicenter of the outbreak , `` the study forces the correlation . ''
`` It would have been interesting – and possibly much more convincing – to have seen control analyses of other Chinese cities outside of the Hubei region , '' he said .

LONDON (Reuters) - Beijing dismissed as "ridiculous" a Harvard Medical School study of hospital traffic and search engine data that suggested the new coronavirus may already have been spreading in China last August, and scientists said it offered no convincing evidence of when the outbreak began.
The research, which has not been peer-reviewed by other scientists, used satellite imagery of hospital parking lots in Wuhan - where the disease was first identified in late 2019 - and data for symptom-related queries on search engines for things such as "cough" and "diarrhea".
The study’s authors said increased hospital traffic and symptom search data in Wuhan preceded the documented start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in December 2019.
"While we cannot confirm if the increased volume was directly related to the new virus, our evidence supports other recent work showing that emergence happened before identification at the Huanan Seafood market (in Wuhan)," they said.
Paul Digard, an expert in virology at the University of Edinburgh, said that using search engine data and satellite imagery of hospital traffic to detect disease outbreaks "is an interesting idea with some validity."
But he said the data were only correlative and - as the Harvard scientists noted - cannot identify cause.
"It’s an interesting piece of work, but I’m not sure it takes us much further forward," said Keith Neal, a professor of the epidemiology of infectious diseases at Britain’s Nottingham University.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, asked about the research at a news briefing on Tuesday, said: "I think it is ridiculous, incredibly ridiculous, to come up with this conclusion based on superficial observations such as traffic volume."
The Harvard research, which was posted online as a so-called ‘preprint’, showed a steep increase in hospital car park occupancy in August 2019.
"In August, we identify a unique increase in searches for diarrhea which was neither seen in previous flu seasons or mirrored in the cough search data," it said.
Neal said the study included traffic around at least one children’s hospital and that while children do get ill with flu, they do not tend to get sick with COVID-19.
Digard cautioned that by focusing only on hospitals in Wuhan, already known to be the epicenter of the outbreak, "the study forces the correlation."
"It would have been interesting - and possibly much more convincing - to have seen control analyses of other Chinese cities outside of the Hubei region," he said.
(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; additional reporting by Yew Lun Tian in Beijing and Kate Kelland in London, editing by Nick Macfie and Timothy Heritage)