Politics News Flyover for Feb 23, 2024 - Texas Democrats battle in Congressional primaries - IL Gov Pritzker State of the State - plus KS and MO leg updates

23 Feb · The Heartland POD

00:18:55

The Heartland POD for Friday, February 23, 2024

A flyover from this weeks top heartland stories including:

Primary voting is underway in Texas | Kansas Medicaid expansion update | Illinois Gov J.B. Pritzker lays out priorities as a progressive pragmatist | Missouri Democrats filibuster ballot candy | KS Gov Laura Kelly’s veto will stand

Primary voting is underway in Texashttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/21/julie-johnson-brian-williams-congressional-district-32-colin-allred/

BY SEJAL GOVINDARAO

FEB. 21, 2024

WASHINGTON — In 2018, Rep. Colin Allred flipped Texas’ 32nd Congressional District, turning the Dallas-based district into a blue stronghold. Now, as the Democrat vies to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a crowded field of 10 Democrats is lining up to replace him.

Dr. Brian Williams, a trauma surgeon, and State Rep. Julie Johnson, of Farmers Branch, are leading the field in the Democratic primary with their fundraising efforts, each amassing about a million dollars in campaign donations since their campaigns were registered at the beginning of last summer.

Ideologically, Williams and Johnson are aligned. They both rank health care a top priority if elected, and have touted their ability to work across the aisle.

Johnson, a trial lawyer in her third term in the state House rode the 2019 blue wave to unseat hardline conservative incumbent Matt Rinaldi, by 13 points. Rinaldi now chairs the state GOP. In her three terms, at least 40 of the bills Johnson has co-authored or joint-authored have been signed into law.

As a Democrat in the Republican-dominated state Legislature, Johnson has played a lot of defense trying to kill bills she and other progressives deem harmful. Johnson, who is gay, said she and other members of the House’s LGBTQ caucus have had success in killing anti-LGBTQ bills by mastering the rules of procedure and “being better at the rules than the other side.” In 2019, she took down a House version of the so-called “Save Chick-fil-A bill” on a rule technicality. The bill was a response to a San Antonio airport kicking out the fast food restaurant over criticism of its religiously affiliated donations to anti-LGBTQ groups. It was revived in another bill and passed into law.

If elected, Johnson would be the first openly LGBTQ member of Congress from a Southern state. She’s drawn notable endorsements from Beto O’Rourke, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, EMILY’s List, Equality PAC, and several labor unions.

Matt Angle, director of Lone Star Project, a Texas group that works to boost Democrats, said Johnson is the frontrunner in the race, but Williams is a formidable challenger.

“Make no mistake about it though,” Angle said. “Julie Johnson has a voter base within the district not only from her old district, but also just from years of being an active Democratic activist and a donor and really a couple of just outstanding terms in the legislature.”

While he may be new to the Texas political arena, Williams is no stranger to the halls of Congress.

Williams was a health policy adviser to U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy — who endorsed him — to help pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022 – the farthest reaching gun safety legislation in decades. The legislation, crafted in the aftermath of the shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo New York, allocated millions of dollars to expand mental health resources, strengthens background checks and tightens the boyfriend loophole. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn was a lead negotiator on the bill with Murphy, and Williams worked closely with Cornyn’s office. In his role as a health policy advisor for Murphy, he worked across the aisle with Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana on mental health legislation.

Williams also worked with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California to pass federal health care legislation related to pandemic preparedness and reducing health care costs.

Williams said his experience as a trauma surgeon — operating on victims of gun violence and women experiencing reproductive health emergencies — has fueled his priorities to fight for gun restrictions and increase access to abortions and other womens’ health. Williams added his perspective as a Black doctor seeing racial disparities in health care will resonate with the district’s diverse constituency, given that the district is now a majority-minority district with a 37% Hispanic or Latino population, 22% Black population and 8% Asian population.

“They’re excited that there’s someone that looks like them that can represent them in Congress,” Williams said in an interview.

As Allred opted to stay neutral in the race to succeed him – Williams said he had pursued his endorsement while Johnson said she had not – the tension between Johnson and Williams has been heating up.

Williams has publicly criticized Johnson for a vote she took that would have made some changes and tweaks to the state’s Alternatives to Abortions program, which provides information about resources to women seeking the procedure.

“I draw contrast between myself and Representative Johnson about how I am the better candidate,” Williams said.

Johnson, who is endorsed by Planned Parenthood, said Williams misrepresented the vote, which she said she cast to bring the already-funded program under the scope of the Health and Human Services Commission so it could be subject to public transparency. Her campaign published a fact-check on her website, likening Williams’ misrepresentation of her record to “Trumpian-style, false attacks.”

Planned Parenthood was critical of the legislation.

Johnson said women’s health is also a priority for her, and she stands by her record.

“Texas leads the nation of uninsured folks, and in maternal mortality, and in infant mortality. Obviously, we're leading the nation in an attack on women's freedom for women's reproductive health, and I've been a champion of a lot of these issues,” she said.

Other candidates vying for the open seat in the March 5 primary include businessman Raja Chaudhry, tech entrepreneur Alex Cornwallis, former Dallas City Councilman and real estate broker Kevin Felder and attorney Callie Butcher, who would be the first openly transgender member of Congress if elected.

If no candidate gets a majority of the vote, there will be a runoff in May. The winner of the Democratic primary will face off against the winner of the Republican primary in November but is likely to win given that the district is solidly blue.

And, from Dallas we go to Houston where

After bruising loss in Houston mayoral race, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee faces her toughest reelection yet

Jackson Lee faces off against Amanda Edwards, her most formidable congressional opponent in three decades.

https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/19/sheila-jackson-lee-amanda-edwards-democratic-primary-houston/

BY SEJAL GOVINDARAO

FEB. 19, 2024

In 1994, Sheila Jackson Lee, then a 44-year-old Houston city councilwoman, unseated four-term U.S. Rep. Craig Washington in the Democratic primary, securing a seat she’d come to hold for the next 30 years.

This March, former Houston City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards, 42, is hoping to replicate that political upset as she faces off against Jackson Lee in the Democratic primary for Congressional District 18.

Jackson Lee, who did not respond to requests for an interview, has only drawn four primary challengers over her 14-term career, all of whom she defeated by landslide margins.

She’s a household name in her Houston-based district, known for her frequent visibility at constituent graduations, funerals and baby showers.

But last year she ran for Houston mayor against then-state Sen. John Whitmire. It was a bruising primary — unfamiliar territory for Jackson Lee — and her campaign was roiled with negative media after audio of her berating her congressional staffers was leaked. She ended up losing the race by 30 points and then immediately announced she was running for reelection to the U.S. House.

Amanda Edwards, a former intern in Jackson Lee’s office, initially announced she was running for Houston mayor until the congresswoman threw her hat in the ring. At that point, Edwards pivoted — endorsing Jackson Lee as mayor and beginning her own bid for Congress.

By the time Jackson Lee announced she was running for her House seat again, Edwards had already gained momentum. In the fourth quarter of last year, Edwards outraised the congresswoman 10 to 1 — $272,000 to Jackson Lee’s $23,000.

Mark Jones, Baker Institute fellow in political science at Rice University said, “This could be the year that Congresswoman Jackson Lee loses. And given that as a safe, Democratic, seat whoever wins the primary will be headed to Washington in January of 2025”

Jackson Lee holds a narrow lead in primary polls, while 16% of voters remain undecided.

Edwards, a native Houstonian, said her commitment to public service is propelled by her father’s battle with cancer when she was a teenager, where she learned firsthand about the cracks in the health care system and how “policy could be a matter of life and death.”

She served as an at-large Houston City Council member from 2016 to 2020, where she represented a constituency of more than 2 million people.

In her race to beat Jackson Lee, Edwards has garnered some notable endorsements including the Harris County Young Democrats, and the Harris County chapter of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats – both of which endorsed Jackson Lee in past races.

The Harris County Young Democrats rescinded its endorsement of Jackson Lee in the mayoral race — citing a “zero tolerance policy” for staff abuse.

Lenard Polk, Harris County chapter president of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, said Jackson Lee's leaked audio tape controversy also factored into the committee’s decision to not endorse her. On the recording Jackson Lee berates a staffer for not having a document she was looking for and calls two of her staffers “Goddamn big-ass children, fuckin’ idiots who serve no Goddamn purpose.”

He said endorsement committee members were still “quite upset” over the tape and it “wasn’t a good look” for Jackson Lee. The leaked tape fueled discourse about Jackson Lee’s reputation as an unkind boss on Capitol Hill – she regularly makes Washingtonian Magazine’s worst of Congress list and her office has high turnover rates.

Polk added that voters felt abandoned by Jackson Lee, who jumped into the mayor’s race without endorsing someone to take her place, only to file for reelection a day after losing.

Jackson Lee’s battle to retain her seat is made tougher by 2021 redistricting, because the 18th district now includes more young white professionals who do not have the same level of loyalty to her as longtime district residents.

But despite any damage she may have incurred from her mayoral run, Jackson Lee remains a powerful political force in her district.

County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, who is backing Jackson Lee, said he doesn’t know anyone in local politics with her “energy level,” and that Jackson Lee has secured meaningful federal grants for her district – most recently $20.5 million to Harris County Public Health Department’s Uplift Harris Guaranteed Income Pilot project. He also said she has a reputation for being a reliably progressive voice in Congress.

Jackson Lee has a long list of powerful endorsements from House Democratic leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Minority Whip Katherine Clarke. She’s backed by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and other members of Texas’ Washington delegation including Democratic Reps. Lizzie Fletcher of Houston, Lloyd Doggett of Austin, Henry Cuellar of Laredo and Joaquin Castro of San Antonio.

Ellis said Jackson Lee may not be a strong fundraiser but she will benefit from her incumbency advantage.

Linda Bell-Robinson, a Houston Democratic precinct chair, said she is fighting for Jackson Lee to retain her seat because seniority in Congress is important and Edwards would be learning the ropes as a freshman if elected.

“We need fighters,” she said. “We don't need people trying to learn how to fight on the battlefield. We need people who are already fighting and know how to fight their fight.

SEAN: Super interesting race. For my part, I don’t have any problem with members of Congress being extremely tough to work for. I have problems with lying, fraud, criminal activity, and squishy voting records.

Congresswoman Jackson Lee has 100% ratings from Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and AFL-CIO. She has a 95% rating from League of Conservation Voters

New estimate predicts Medicaid expansion would serve 152K at no cost to state

A $509M federal incentive would help offset state cost for first eight years

BY: SHERMAN SMITH - FEBRUARY 22, 2024 4:22 PM

https://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/22/new-estimate-predicts-medicaid-expansion-would-serve-152k-at-no-cost-to-state/

TOPEKA — The Kansas Health Institute on Thursday unveiled its analysis of Gov. Laura Kelly’s proposal to expand Medicaid, predicting 152,000 Kansans would enroll in the first year with no additional cost to the state government.

The Democratic governor has made passage of Medicaid expansion a top legislative priority this year, following her statewide campaign to promote the policy last fall. But Republican leadership in the Legislature opposes the policy and has blocked hearings on Medicaid expansion for four years.

Kansas is one of just 10 states that still haven’t expanded Medicaid since President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act in 2010.

The state-run version of Medicaid, called KanCare, provides health care services to low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities. Currently, those who earn less than 38% of the federal poverty level are eligible. For a family of four, the annual income limit is $11,400.

Under the ACA, also known as Obamacare, the federal government offers to cover 90% of the cost of Medicaid services in exchange for expanding eligibility to 138% of the federal poverty rate. The annual income threshold for a family of four would be $41,400.

Kelly’s proposal includes a work requirement with exceptions for full-time students, veterans, caregivers, people with partial disabilities, and former foster kids. Her plan also would add a new surcharge for hospitals.

KHI predicts the change in income eligibility would result in 151,898 people enrolling in KanCare — 106,450 adults and 45,448 children. Those numbers include 68,236 adults and 16,377 children who are currently uninsured.

About 68.9% of the adults are already working at least part-time, according to the KHI analysis. Of the remaining 31.1% KHI determined 19.1% of the unemployed adults have a disability, 16.1% are students and 3.8% are veterans.

KHI calculated the cost to the state for expanding Medicaid over the first eight years would be fully offset — mostly because of a $509 million incentive included in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Other savings would come from the federal government picking up more of the tab on existing services, as well as the new surcharge on hospitals.

The Kansas Sunflower Foundation on Thursday released findings from surveys that found 68% of Kansas voters, including 51% of Republicans and 83% of small business owners support Medicaid expansion.

Steve Baccus, an Ottawa County farmer and former president of Kansas Farm Bureau, said in a news release that expanding Medicaid was about “investing in the well-being of our communities.”

Baccus said “Our rural communities are often struggling to keep Main Street open and to continue to offer the necessary services to the surrounding agricultural enterprises. A community that can offer a total health care package has an advantage in maintaining a viable town.”

The findings are consistent with a Fort Hays State University poll that was released in October.

With budget proposal and fiery address, Pritzker paints himself as progressive pragmatist

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Governor’s spending plan advances progressive-backed policies in tight fiscal landscape

By HANNAH MEISEL

Capitol News Illinois

[email protected]

https://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/with-budget-proposal-and-fiery-address-pritzker-paints-himself-as-progressive-pragmatist

SPRINGFIELD – In delivering his annual State of the State and budget address on Wednesday, Gov. JB Pritzker cast his administration as both progressive and pragmatic – a balance he’s worked to strike as his national profile has grown.

Some elements of the governor’s proposed spending plan, like using $10 million in state funds to eliminate $1 billion worth of Illinoisans’ medical debt, are hardline progressive ideas. Others, including a goal to achieve “universal preschool” by 2027, fit in with a more traditional liberal platform.

But Pritzker has also defined his success in traditional economic terms, putting particular stock into how New York City-based credit ratings agencies view Illinois’ finances, while also positioning Illinois as a hub for emerging technologies like electric vehicles and quantum computing.

As Illinois faces an influx of migrants from the southern U.S. border Pritzker has leaned into a leadership style that prioritizes progressive ideals while projecting an image of fiscal responsibility.

As he outlined a proposal to add $182 Million toward the state’s migrant response, Gov. Pritzker said, “We didn’t ask for this manufactured crisis, But we must deal with it all the same.”

“Children, pregnant women, and the elderly have been sent here in the dead of night, left far from our designated welcome centers, in freezing temperatures, wearing flip flops and T-shirts,” Pritzker said. “Think about that the next time a politician from Texas wants to lecture you about being a good Christian.”

The governor was met with big applause from Democrats in laying out his proposed “Healthcare Consumer Access and Protection Act,” which would, in part, ban “prior authorization” requirements for mental health treatment.

Pritzker characterized the practice of prior authorization as a way for insurance companies to deny the care that doctors have prescribed.

Pritzker is also proposing spending $10 million in state funds to buy Illinoisans’ past-due medical debt that’s been sent to collections. Partnering with national nonprofit RIP Medical Debt, which buys debt for pennies on the dollar on the same market that collections agencies purchase the rights to the debts, the governor said Illinois could “relieve nearly $1 billion in medical debt for the first cohort of 340,000 Illinoisans.”

The governor spent time noting two key places he said Illinois fails its Black citizens: maternal mortality and disproportionate rates of homelessness.

To combat Black maternal mortality rates, Pritzker proposed helping more community-based reproductive health centers to open, citing Illinois’ first freestanding nonprofit birthing center in Berwyn as a model.

He said, “Black women in our state are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.”

Pritzker proposed spending an additional $50 million on the state’s “Home Illinois” program launched in 2021, in part to “attack the root causes of housing insecurity for Black Illinoisans.” He cited a statistic that Black people make up 61 percent of Illinois’ homeless population despite only being 14 percent of the state’s general population.

Additionally, the governor proposed a $1 million pilot program for free diapers for low-income families, as well as a $5 million increased investment in an existing home visit program “for our most vulnerable families” with babies in their first year.

His budget also includes $12 million to create a child tax credit for families with children under three with incomes below a certain threshold.

Among the successes Pritzker pointed to, perhaps the most salient is his claim that Illinois’ new “Smart Start” early childhood program – proposed last year in the governor’s second inaugural address – had exceeded its first-year goals.

The program aimed to create 5,000 new preschool seats last year, but ended up creating 5,823, Pritzker said – a 15 percent overperformance.

“As a result, right now we have over 82,000 publicly-funded preschool classroom seats – the highest number in our state’s history. Staying on the Smart Start plan, we will achieve universal preschool by 2027.”

Echoing his 2022 election-year call for a temporary pause on the state’s 1 percent tax on groceries, Pritzker on Wednesday proposed nixing the grocery tax altogether.

He said “It’s one more regressive tax we just don’t need. If it reduces inflation for families from 4 percent to 3 percent, even if it only puts a few hundred bucks back in families’ pockets, it’s the right thing to do.”

Even while proposing a series of progressive expenditures, the governor also sought to cast himself as a pragmatist when it comes to state finances. The state has seen strong revenue performances in the past few years, But in November, the governor’s own economic forecasting office predicted a nearly $900 million deficit in the fiscal year that begins July 1.

“Our FY25 budget proposal makes some hard choices,” Pritzker said Wednesday. “I wish we had big surpluses to work with this year to take on every one of the very real challenges we face.”

Illinois’ once-paltry “rainy day” fund now has $2 billion socked away, the governor noted, and the state has paid off high-interest debt during his five years in office.

To mitigate Illinois’ previously projected deficit, Pritzker is proposing to more than double the tax rate paid by sportsbooks on profits – a change that would bring in an estimated $200 million annually. He also proposed extending an existing cap on operating losses that businesses can claim on taxes, which could help generate more than $500 million, the governor’s office claims.

Another revenue generator proposed by the governor: raising $101 million by capping a sales tax credit retailers are allowed to claim. But business groups on Wednesday signaled they’d put up a fight.

In his first few months in office in 2019, Pritzker used his fresh political capital to muscle a $15 minimum wage ramp through the legislature – a long-fought-for progressive policy goal – followed closely by a trip to New York City to meet with executives at the influential big three credit ratings agencies.

When Pritzker took office, Illinois’ credit ratings were hovering around “junk” status after a two-year budget impasse under his predecessor, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. And though Illinois suffered a final credit downgrade in the early months of COVID, the state has since received nine upgrades.

The governor on Wednesday held those upgrades in high regard, saying

“My one line in the sand is that I will only sign a budget that is responsibly balanced and that does not diminish or derail the improving credit standing we have achieved for the last five years,”

Andrew Adams contributed.

Missouri Senate Dems Hold The Line In Ballot Fighthttps://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/20/democrat-filibuster-forces-removal-of-ballot-candy-from-senate-initiative-petition-bill/

BY: RUDI KELLER - FEBRUARY 20, 2024 5:15 PM

A Democratic filibuster that stretched more than 20 hours ended this week when Senate Republicans stripped provisions critics derided as “ballot candy” from a proposal to make it harder to pass constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petitions.

Ballot candy refers to language designed to trick voters - into thinking the initiative is about ensuring only citizens vote, for instance - when that’s totally irrelevant to the question voters are deciding.

By an 18-12 vote, with nine Republicans and nine Democrats forming the majority, language that stated non-citizens could not vote on constitutional amendments was removed, as were sections barring foreign governments and political parties from taking sides in Missouri ballot measures.

The Senate then, by a voice vote, gave first-round approval to the bill that would require both a statewide majority and a majority vote in five of the state’s eight congressional districts to pass future constitutional amendments.

The proposal would alter the way Missourians have approved constitutional changes since the first statewide vote on a constitution in 1846.

Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo of Independence, a Democrat, said, “All we’re asking for is a fair fight. And the Republicans know if it’s a fair fight, they lose, which is why they have to pump it full of ballot candy and mislead voters.”

Meanwhile, the House spent much of Tuesday morning debating legislation that would make changes to the signature gathering process for initiative petition campaigns.

Among numerous provisions, the bill would require signatures be recorded using black or dark ink and that signature gatherers be citizens of the United States, residents of Missouri or physically present in Missouri for at least 30 consecutive days prior to the collection of signatures.

Its most sweeping provision grants new authority to the secretary of state and attorney general to review initiative and referendum petitions for compliance with the Missouri Constitution.

The effort to make it harder to get on the ballot and harder to pass a constitutional amendment has been a GOP priority for several years. In the past two election cycles, voters have expanded Medicaid coverage and legalized recreational marijuana, circumventing the GOP majority that opposed both.

The push to raise the threshold on amendments proposed by initiative has taken on a new urgency for Republicans as abortion-rights supporters move ahead with a signature campaign to make this year’s ballot.

The results on abortion amendments in other states has Missouri abortion foes anxious about whether they can defend the state’s almost total ban in a statewide election.

Voters in Ohio last year rejected an effort to increase the majority needed to pass constitutional amendments before voting 57% in favor of abortion rights. And in 2022, Kansas voters defeated an attempt to restrict abortion rights by a landslide vote.

Gov. Kelly Keep Kansas GOP In Linehttps://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/20/kansas-house-republicans-fail-to-override-governors-veto-on-massive-tax-reform-bill/

Kansas House Republicans fail to override governor’s veto on massive tax reform bill

BY: TIM CARPENTER - FEBRUARY 20, 2024 12:41 PM

TOPEKA — The Republican-led Kansas House failed Tuesday to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly ‘s veto of a tax reform bill anchored by implementation of a single, flat state income tax rate of 5.25% in addition to elimination of the state sales tax on groceries and creation of a tax exemption for all Social Security income.

The GOP holds supermajorities in the House and Senate, but there was skepticism that both chambers could muster two-thirds majorities necessary to rebuke Kelly given opposition among conservative and moderate Republicans to parts of the three-year, $1.6 billion tax cut favoring the state’s most wealthy.

Kelly said the decision of House members to sustain her veto was a win for working-class Kansans who would have seen “little relief under this irresponsible flat tax experiment.” The Legislature should move ahead with her proposal for reducing $1 billion in taxes over three years.

The governor said “I urge legislators to work together to cut taxes in a way that continues our economic growth and maintains our solid fiscal foundation while benefitting all Kansans, not just those at the top,”.

Rep. Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita, said the cost of the tax reform bill could reach $600 million annually when fully implemented, and the plan didn’t do enough for the middle class in Kansas. He said a married couple earning $42,000 to $75,000 per year would only see an income tax reduction of about 75 cents.

Rep. Trevor Jacobs of Fort Scott was among Republicans who opposed overriding Kelly’s veto. He said the flat tax would force the state’s working class to carry a larger burden of the state tax load. And the 2024 Legislature had sufficient time to develop an alternative that provided tax relief to all Kansans rather than just a select few.

Good thinking! See it’s not just Democrats who think KS Gov Laura Kelly knows what she’s doing.

Welp, that’s it for me! From Denver I’m Sean Diller. Stories in today’s show appeared first in the Missouri Independent, Kansas Reflector, Texas Tribune, and Capitol News Illinois. Thanks for listening, see you next time.

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Political Orphans w/ Jared Young, Independent candidate for Senate in Missouri, 2024
22 Mai· The Heartland POD
Learn about Jared Young here: https://www.votejaredyoung.com/
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The Heartland Collective - Sign Up Today!
JOIN PATREON FOR MORE - AND JOIN OUR SOCIAL NETWORK!
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Outro Song: “The World Is On Fire” by American Aquarium
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50 Hours In Missouri | May 20, 2024
20 Mai· The Heartland POD
Show Notes
Mo Senate comes through on IP reform failureI believe I had thathttps://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/15/50-hour-filibuster-forces-more-negotiations-on-gop-backed-initiative-petition-changes/Daily Kos summary, really impressive what this group of 9 senators pulled offhttps://t.co/XcRMID31M2
Crystal Quade https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/missouri-democrats-filibuster-effort-to-make-it-harder-to-amend-state-constitution-211088453840Unpacking Sen. Warren’s “build green” billhttps://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/05/elizabeth-warren-build-green-bill-explained/The Supreme Court upholds consumer protection funding https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/05/supreme-court-lets-cfpb-funding-stand/2024 Election EraDebates are set, so let’s debate the debateshttps://time.com/6978462/presidential-debates-2024-date-time/
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/05/17/debate-commission-chief-trump-00158689https://nypost.com/2024/05/16/opinion/how-donald-trump-can-use-the-debates-to-put-joe-biden-away/https://apnews.com/article/2024-election-presidential-debates-biden-trump-6b1d1dbb2ed61c7637041b23662d7da8
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Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signs $75 Million in new special ed funding, MO Republicans can't get out of their own way and more
17 Mai· The Heartland POD
Political News from America's Heartland - Friday, May 17, 2024 - KS Gov Laura Kelly signs $75 MM boost to special ed funding
Missouri Senate Democrats 50 Hour Filibuster | New “youth core” program focuses on mental health | Minnesota Gov. announces boost for child care funding
KS Gov Laura Kelly signs $75 MM boost to special ed funding
https://kansasreflector.com/2024/05/16/kansas-governor-signs-school-funding-bill-with-75-million-boost-for-special-education/
BY: SHERMAN SMITH - MAY 16, 2024 11:38 AM
TOPEKA — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly signed legislation this week that allocates $6.6 billion to K-12 public schools, including $75 million in new money for special education, and vetoed language designed to funnel safety grant cash to a specific software company.
The Democratic governor and Republican legislators separately claimed credit for continuing to fully fund schools, as required by the state’s constitution and mandated by the Kansas Supreme Court. House Bill 387 passed the House 115-2 and the Senate 35-2 on April 26, shortly before the Legislature adjourned for the year.
The legislation includes $4.9 billion in state spending for the public school system.
Gov Kelly’s message to lawmakers in signing the bill referenced the state’s historical failures to provide adequate and equitable resources to public schools.
In 2018, when Kelly was still a state senator, the Legislature adopted a five-year plan to fully fund schools by the 2022-23 school year. As governor, she worked with lawmakers in 2019 to correct a math problem and add an ongoing inflation adjustment to win approval from the Kansas Supreme Court. The court retained oversight of the case to ensure the Legislature didn’t pull the rug out from under schools as it had repeatedly in the past, then let go of the case earlier this year.
Gov. Kelly said, “When I became governor, my first order of business was to end the cycle of school finance litigation caused by years of underfunding. Reckless leadership and mismanagement of the state’s finances made it impossible for the state to adequately fund our schools. Since then, we’ve seen how investment in our education system pays significant dividends for our entire state. Students now have more opportunities than ever to explore their educational and professional interests. Our commitment to fully funding public education better supports teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators.”
Lawmakers agreed to address a longstanding shortfall in special education funding by adding $75 million to the budget. But they stopped short of meeting recommendations from a special task force, which said lawmakers should add $82.7 million annually for four years to comply with a law requiring the state to cover 92% of extra costs for serving students in special education.
“This funding will provide critical support to districts that have been shouldering the burden of the state’s decade-long failure to meet its statutory obligation and ultimately its promise to the next generation of Kansans,” Kelly said.
At one point this year, the Legislature considered rewriting state law to permanently underfund special education.
Kelly said the new money would allow districts to “properly invest in special education educators” rather than redirect funding that otherwise would be used on teacher salaries and other instruction programs.
“While this funding is a critical first step, it is just a first step. We must continue to increase special education funding in future years.”
Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a Louisburg Republican who chairs the Senate Education Committee, said lawmakers this year focused on crafting a bill that better addresses the needs of students, teachers, and staff members.
She said, “Our commitment to distributing increased special education funding in a more equitable way to Kansas school districts was accomplished by collaborating directly with the Department of Education leadership team. This is an important change for children that receive these special services.”
The governor vetoed language that would have required schools to use the $5 million available through the School Safety and Security Grant program on firearm detection software made by ZeroEyes. The company hired lobbyists in multiple states to try to corner the market on security contracts by inserting restrictions in legislation to undermine the ability of rival vendors to bid.
Kelly said the restrictions amounted to a no-bid contract and would restrict schools from using the money on other types of safety needs. She has the authority to use a line-item veto on the policy because it was embedded in a budget bill.
Schools should be able to invest in other school safety efforts, Kelly said, such as updating communications systems, hiring more security staff, investing in physical infrastructure, and buying automated external defibrillators.
“We must continue to work together to ensure our students have a safe, conducive environment for their learning. To do that, we should not hamstring districts by limiting this funding opportunity to services provided by one company.
Missouri Senate Democrats 50-Hour Filibuster
https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/15/50-hour-filibuster-forces-more-negotiations-on-gop-backed-initiative-petition-changes/
50-hour filibuster forces more negotiations on GOP-backed initiative petition changes
BY: ANNA SPOERRE, RUDI KELLER AND JASON HANCOCK - MAY 15, 2024 6:48 PM
A 50-hour Democratic filibuster forced the Senate’s divided GOP majority to finally yield Wednesday evening, stalling a vote on a bill seeking to make it more difficult to amend Missouri’s constitution.
Democrats have blocked all action in the Senate since Monday afternoon, demanding that the legislation be stripped of “ballot candy” that would bar non-citizens from voting and ban foreign entities from contributing to or sponsoring constitutional amendments, both of which are already illegal.
The Senate passed the bill without ballot candy in February. The House added it back last month.
Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, an Independence Democrat, on Tuesday said the situation presented an existential crisis for the Senate, as Republicans openly considered a rarely-used maneuver to kill the filibuster and force a vote on the bill.
“Are the bullies going to win?” Rizzo asked. “Or is the rest of the Senate finally going to stand up for itself and say ‘no more.’”
He got an answer just before 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, when state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, an Arnold Republican and the bill’s sponsor, surprised many of her colleagues by asking that the Senate send the bill back to the House for more negotiations on whether to include “ballot candy.”
Republicans simply didn’t have the votes to kill the filibuster, she said, and Democrats showed no signs of relenting before session ends at 6 p.m. Friday.
The sudden change in tactics was not well taken by members of the Freedom Caucus, who argued sending the bill back to the House with only two days left before adjournment puts its chances at risk.
Tim Jones, a former Missouri House speaker and current director of the state’s Freedom Caucus, wrote on social media Thursday evening that Coleman “effectively killed her bill today.”
If the bill passes, Missourians would have the opportunity to vote later this year on whether or not to require constitutional amendments be approved by both a majority of votes statewide and a majority of votes in five of the state’s eight congressional districts.
Right now, amendments pass with a simple majority.
A possible vote on abortion in November is a catalyst behind the battle over the bill, as a campaign to legalize abortion up to the point of fetal viability is on the path to the statewide ballot.
Republicans have said that without raising the threshold for changing the state’s constitution, a constitutional right to abortion will likely become the law of the land in Missouri.
State Sen. Rick Brattin, a Harrisonville Republican and a member of the Freedom Caucus, tipped his hat to the Democrats’ “wherewithal” before scorning some of his Republican colleagues.
“Unfortunately, this Republican Party has no backbone to fight for what is right for life,” he shouted from the Senate floor. “ … They will have the blood of the innocent on their heads. Shame on this party.”
Coleman’s move also came as a surprise to state Rep. Alex Riley, a Republican from Springfield who sponsored the initiative petition bill in the House.
“We’re going to have to have some conversations tonight to figure out what exactly it is they have in mind,” he said.
New “youth core” program focuses on mental health
https://www.axios.com/2024/05/15/youth-mental-health-corps
New program creates "youth corps" for mental health
Hundreds of young adults will be trained to help their peers access mental health care and other supports in a first-of-its-kind service program aimed at addressing the youth mental health crisis.
Backers of the new Youth Mental Health Corps, which is funded by a mix of private and public dollars, also hope to create a new talent pipeline to address shortages of mental health workers.
How it works: Young adults ages 18 and up will spend about a year working at a school or nonprofit to help connect other young people to mental health support.
Corps members will conduct check-ins with students, run trainings for caregivers, conduct community outreach and more.
They'll receive training, a stipend, earn state-specific mental health worker credentials, and credit toward higher education degrees in behavioral health. Participants will receive training in therapeutic communication, crisis intervention, behavioral health systems and other skills. They'll receive a minimum of $20 per hour.
Administrators expect hundreds of young people to join the program in its first year, and thousands to benefit from it.
Colorado Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera, whose state will be one of the first to implement the program this fall said, "Kids can relate more to experiences and challenges faced by other teenagers. It fosters trust and comfort in seeking mental health support."
In addition to Colorado, programs will start this fall in Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey and Texas. Programs in California, Iowa, Maryland, New York, Utah and Virginia are slated to start next year.
The Schultz Family Foundation, created by Starbucks founder Howard Schultz and Sheri Kersch Schultz, and Pinterest, expect to invest $10 million in the program over three years.
Other funding will come from public sources, including state and national AmeriCorps grants.
Schultz said it expects additional philanthropic and private sector donations in the future
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announces $6MM boost in child care funding
https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/05/15/governor-announces-6-million-in-grants-to-create-more-than-2200-new-child-care-slots/
MN Governor Tim Walz announces $6 million in grants to create more than 2,200 new childcare slots
BY: MADISON MCVAN - MAY 15, 2024 6:02 PM
Twenty-one Minnesota organizations will receive funding to open or expand childcare centers this year, Gov. Tim Walz announced Wednesday, with more than half of the grants going to providers outside the Twin Cities.
Lawmakers boosted funding for the Department of Employment and Economic Development’s child care grant program last year.
Gov Walz said Wednesday that child care is an example of a “market failure” during a visit to the St. David’s Center for Child & Family Development in Minnetonka, which received a $270,000 grant to create more classrooms and educational spaces.
Nationwide, the childcare industry is in crisis. Minnesota is no exception, facing a shortage of childcare providers and high costs for families. Minnesota has some of the highest childcare costs in the country, which could be one explanation for a lower birth rate in recent years.
The Legislature last year voted to continue a COVID-era program that raised the pay for childcare workers, averting a funding cliff.
A coalition of childcare advocates this session pushed for a subsidy program that would reduce the cost of child care for families making less than 150% of the median income. If fully funded at around $500 million per year, families with low income would have their childcare bills covered by the state, while qualifying families making more than the median income would pay around 7% of their household income on child care, a target set by the federal government. Advocates are hoping to move that bill successfully, next year.
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MO Senate Dems Filibuster Parfait and SCOTUS Deep Dive w/ MIchael Podhorzer
15 Mai· The Heartland POD
Michael's writing: https://www.weekendreading.net/
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Tik Tok, The New York Times, and Utah Bathrooms | May 13, 2024
13 Mai· The Heartland POD
Show Notes
Quick Hit: Missouri IP reform bill in the final week of session: https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/10/missouiri-initiative-petition-ballot-bill-freedom-caucus/
True or False - Will Americans Be All Aboard Improved Trains? https://www.axios.com/2024/05/07/american-rail-brightline-trains-amtrakClimate: While Trump Teams up with big oil, Vermont starts leading on climate costshttps://www.axios.com/2024/05/10/trump-oil-industry-fossil-fuels-bidenVermont: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/09/vermont-charge-oil-industry-climate-crisisYeah NO… Utah’s special bathroom tip lineYeah Yeah… Utah’s special bathroom tip line gets flooded https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/utah-auditor-slams-legislature-forhttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/08/utah-tip-line-false-trans-bathroom-law-violationsYou Don’t F***ing Say… Tik Tok lawsuit came immediatelyhttps://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/07/business/tiktok-ban-appeal.htmlhttps://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/26/us-china-to-hold-first-ai-talks-tiktok-stalemate-ongoing.html2024 Election EraTrump is still in trial, Stormy Daniels killed him, Cohen is this weekhttps://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/07/indiana-primary-unexpected-warning-signs-donald-trump-00156750Tea Party basically now swallowed by MAGA and got even older and flamed out https://www.semafor.com/article/05/08/2024/freedomworks-collapse-marks-the-end-of-the-tea-party-eraHalely is picking up votes: https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/11/nikki-haley-voters-00157455Biden infrastructure bill just getting started, summer 2024 likely to see millions in spending with major impacts, does it move the needle for 2024? https://www.politico.com/interactives/2024/biden-trillion-dollar-spending-tracker/RFK Jr confirms what we all suspected, his head is full of worms, malted hops and bong resin, but are his big money backers are the real danger here: https://www.thedailybeast.com/is-nicole-shanahan-robert-f-kennedys-running-mate-the-most-dangerous-woman-in-america
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MO Gov Mike Parson says legislators should be held liable, Minnesota passes House File 1989 Taylor Swift bill, and more
10 Mai· The Heartland POD
The Heartland POD for Friday, May 10, 2024
On this FLYOVER Friday episode of The Heartland POD
SOURCES: Missouri Independent, Colorado Newsline, The Guardian, Iowa Capitol Dispatch, The Heartland Collective
Gov. Parson of Missouri speaks out on politicians' defamation postshttps://x.com/EmilyManleyTV/status/1788606202600997340https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/02/missouri-ag-will-defend-senators-sued-for-defamation-over-posts-about-chiefs-parade-shooting/Colorado secures marriage equality in preemptive movehttps://coloradonewsline.com/2024/05/08/repeal-same-sex-marriage-ban-colorado/Scientists in Iowa turn garbage into fuel, and no we don’t mean Marjory Taylor Green’s Twitter feedhttps://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/05/08/ames-national-laboratory-team-transforms-plastic-waste-into-fuel/Missouri governor signs ceremonial bill in anticipation of court challenges on funding for Planned Parenthoodhttps://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-governor-bill-medicaid-planned-parenthood/Former clerk in Michigan charged for accessing voter information in fraud casehttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/09/michigan-clerk-charged?CMP=Share_iOSApp_OtherMinnesota governor signs a bill named for Taylor Swift, and it’s already triple platinum and number one on the chartshttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/08/taylor-swift-bill-minnesota
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"I'm Kicking My A**!" | May 8, 2023
8 Mai· The Heartland POD
The Heartland POD for May 8, 2024: The GOP Jenga Tower
Major Georgia republican backs Biden for 2024Marj and Mike Make MAGA nice… maybe? Missouri GOP continues to fight… with itselfThe “Missouri is a national indicator” is back! Missouri GOP “going to war” over who can and cannot be a member https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article288249290.htmlBoone Co. GOP struggling to find a candidate: https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/boone-county-gop-worried-about-finding-candidate-for-senate-seat/41 hour filibuster followed by a 10 minute session in MO Senate: https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/06/missouri-senate-stalls-out-quickly-on-return-after-41-hour-filibuster/Missouri GOP convention was just as unproductive, couldn’t even adopt a new platform: https://www.lakeexpo.com/news/politics/high-drama-at-missouri-republican-convention-as-grassroots-boots-leadership/article_4a70706a-0be6-11ef-8713-470db31ecca4.htmlSpeaker Johnson negotiating with terrorist-ish Marjory Taylor Green to keep his jobhttps://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-privately-urges-greene-drop-push-oust-speaker/story?id=109990543&cid=social_twitter_abcnhttps://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-privately-urges-greene-drop-push-oust-speaker/story?id=109990543
Geoff Duncan, Republican former Lt. Gov in Georgia and name floated for No Labels is voting for Bidenhttps://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4646773-georgia-republican-backs-biden-blasts-those-in-party-who-fall-in-line-with-trump/

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Signatures, Senators, and Signaling | May 6, 2024
6 Mai· The Heartland POD
Join Adam, Rachel, and Sean with stories from Missouri's initiative petition updates, Nebraska's interesting new Senate candidate, Anti-Trust issues hot in the streets, Biden camp's possible pivots.
SHOW NOTES
BTW - Over 380,000 signatures submitted on the abortion rights IP… doubled up the requirement
Quick Hit: Missouri AG might be stepping RIGHT in it: https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/02/missouri-ag-will-defend-senators-sued-for-defamation-over-posts-about-chiefs-parade-shooting/
T/F - Anti Trust Is The Defining Issue Of The Biden Admin
https://www.axios.com/2024/04/29/the-latest-sign-that-the-us-is-in-a-new-antitrust-era
Yeah Yeah: Missouri group gathers signatures for wage hike initiative petition
https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/01/group-turns-in-signatures-to-put-minimum-wage-hike-paid-sick-leave-on-missouri-ballot/
Abortion we talked about Friday Also add SPORTS GAMBLING - which will be another Freedom Caucus failhttps://missouriindependent.com/briefs/pro-sports-teams-submit-petition-signatures-to-legalize-sports-gambling-in-missouri/

Buy or Sell: A democrat winning a Nebraska Senate seat
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/29/dan-osborn-nebraska-senate-elections?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
2024 Election Era
Biden admin rescheduling cannabis https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/04/30/biden-administration-said-to-be-on-the-verge-of-easing-marijuana-regulations/Trump trial ft. Micheal “nobody likes you” Cohenhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/05/02/trump-michael-cohen-key-witness/But Keith Devidson testimony seems important, now known as the “What have we done” lawyer:https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/may/02/donald-trump-hush-money-trial-stormy-danielsBiden’s shift post ukrain funding: https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/02/biden-messaging-strategy-ukraine-funding-00155638Senate GOP talking a small game, not as confident about 2024 or just benign cautious? https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/02/red-senate-wave-mcconnell-2024-november-00155478DeSantis is back?https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/02/desantis-trump-republican-candidate-fundraising-00155590
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MO Freedom Caucus Fails... Again | Friday, May 3, 2024
3 Mai· The Heartland POD
The Heartland POD, Friday May 3, 2024: Flyover Friday
On this episode of The Heartland POD for Friday, May 3, 2024 - a Flyover Friday including
Missouri abortion petition hits the mark on signatures - not the next challenges beginKansas Legislature allows Governor Kelly’s veto to standhttps://kansasreflector.com/2024/04/29/kansas-house-fails-to-override-veto-on-bill-that-would-ban-gender-affirming-care-for-kids/
Missouri state senator accused of blocking appointments in favor of himselfMissouri governor says Democrat senator blocked appointments after seeking one for himselfCourt overrules ban on trans care in West Virginia and North CarolinaVictory! Fourth Circuit Rules North Carolina and West Virginia Can’t Deny Transgender People Coverage for Medical Care - Lambda LegalColorado house passes migrant welcome billColorado bill to establish migrant welcome grant program passes HouseMissouri freedom caucus fails, againFreedom Caucus ends filibuster in Missouri Senate without action on its demandsMike Johnson may be getting ousted… or saved by Democrats? Huh?Marjorie Taylor Greene to force vote next week on ousting U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson • Missouri IndependentU.S. House Democrats vow to back Speaker Johnson if Republicans try to oust him • Iowa Capital Dispatch
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Wayback Wednesday & The Signatures Are In... | May 1, 2024
1 Mai· The Heartland POD
Adam Sommer intros a throwback episode pulling a prior "Big One" from the vault all about Trump's indictment. You know, the BIG indictment. Plus Adam talks a bit about what he's seeing in the Missouri Legislature, and also that it looks like signatures are IN on the abortion access ballot initiative petition!, but why that is not the end of the battle in restoring women's rights in Missouri.
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Actions, Meet Consequences | Talkin' Politics for April 29, 2024
29 Apr· The Heartland POD
SHOW NOTES
True or False: There is a way for Democrats to reach independent voters/swing voters who are NOT moved by abortion as an issue(listener submission from Kim Goodman)
Examples Kim hit on are infrastructure, good governance type issuesWhat about when a major financial player comes out to say the economy is booming? https://nypost.com/2024/04/23/business/jamie-dimon-says-us-economy-is-unbelievable-and-booming/Dimon (this is Rachel saying this) has a short f*cking memory: “I would like to see practitioners go back to the government.”Uh. Goldman Sachs much, Jamie?New polling data: https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/28/politics/cnn-poll-trump-biden-matchup/index.html
You Don’t F***ing Say….
“Well well well, if it isn’t the consequences of my own actions…”The Gateway Pundit, noted right wing rag publication, is going bankrupt thanks to its own lieshttps://www.axios.com/2024/04/24/gateway-pundit-bankruptcy-lawsuit
Yeah… Yeah!
Possible preview of other similar 2024 races, the progressive house candidate winshttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/23/summer-lee-wins-pennsylvania-primary?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
2024 Election Era
Abortion still front and center as issue 1 and 2: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2024/apr/24/supreme-court-abortion-emergency-biden-trump-latest-updates?CMP=Share_iOSApp_OtherBiden goes on Howard Stern - pretty sure he drove a Delorean to get there - and literally is just taunting Trump and I’m here for ithttps://dnyuz.com/2024/04/26/biden-taunts-trump-calling-him-a-loser-trying-to-get-under-his-skin/“Chris Christie Says Trump Looks Terrible” - headline of the week?https://www.nbcmontana.com/news/nation-world/chris-christie-says-trump-looks-terrible-amid-new-york-trial-former-gop-presidential-candidate-university-of-chicago-gop-president-white-house-washingtonPolling continues to show improvement for Biden, and the third party folks seem to be waning a tad: https://www.270towin.com/2024-presidential-election-polls/nationalWH Correspondents Dinner Biden win? https://www.axios.com/2024/04/28/white-house-correspondents-dinner-biden-trump-gaza
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MO GOP State Senator unloads on Jay Ashcroft, Adam Sommer analyzes SCOTUS arguments on absolute immunity, salaried workers getting a raise, and more
26 Apr· The Heartland POD
The Heartland POD, Friday April 26, 2024: Flyover Friday
On this episode of The Heartland POD for Friday, April 26, 2024 - a Flyover Friday including
Missouri’s GOP-run legislature moves forward on silencing votersThe tough guy Olympics between two of Missouri’s state-wide GOP candidatesBiden admin moves to protect workers' wagesThe Supreme Court hears the Presidential Immunity arguments

1. Missouri state house GOP has sent the initiative petition “reform” bill back to the senate with language called “ballot candy” reinserted
https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/25/missouri-initiative-petition-bill-ballot-candy-reinstated/
From article: The bill was initially approved earlier this year after Democrats ended their 21-hour filibuster in exchange for the removal of “ballot candy” provisions — referring to unrelated additions to a ballot measure designed to win voters who are skeptical of a proposal’s main focus.
On Thursday, the House added language to the bill that would ask Missourians if they want to change the constitution to define legal voters as citizens of the United States as well as whether they want to prohibit foreign entities from sponsoring initiative petitions.
Democrats called the additions “unnecessary” and “deceptive.”
“This feels to me like another situation where this body is being asked to bend to the will of the Senate,” said state Rep. Eric Woods, a Democrat from Kansas City. “We are putting this bad stuff back on to send it back over there and watch the Senate explode again as if we aren’t already in enough turmoil in this building.”
After the Senate vote in February, state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Colemen, a Republican from Arnold and the bill’s sponsor, asked the House Committee on Elections and Elected Officials to reinstate the “ballot candy.”
The committee complied. After an hour-long debate Thursday morning, the bill ultimately passed, with House Majority Leader Jon Patterson of Lee’s Summit the lone “no” vote among his Republican colleagues.
2. Missouri Republican elected officials are fighting hard… at least with each other
First Hoskins vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rID2bvi1VEs&t=41s
Second Hoskins vid: https://youtube.com/shorts/cZ2iiL5pt7M?si=Wy3alsOWnpr9B1rH
Special uncovered 3rd video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fopvzf77b8&rco=1
https://www.riverfronttimes.com/news/jay-ashcroft-is-a-chickenshit-gop-senator-says-repeatedly-on-video-42376787
3. New FLSA rule from Biden/Harris admin to protect low wage salary employees from being taken advantage of: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20240423-0
Think - Casey’s store Asst Managers getting paid a salary to work well over 40 hours in a weekEffective July 1, 2024, the salary threshold will increase the present annual salary threshold of $35,568 to $43,888 and then to $58,656 on Jan. 1, 2025. The July 1 increase updates
4. US Supreme Court held a special session on April 25, originally not set as an argument day, in the appeal regarding “Trump v. US” - certainly an appropriate naming - regarding presidential immunity

Transcript of argument: https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2023/23-939_l5gm.pdf
What some of the media is saying
CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/25/politics/takeaways-trump-immunity-supreme-court/index.html
Fox: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/scotus-sees-dangerous-precedent-trump-immunity-case-presidents-prosecute-rivals-experts
NPR: https://www.npr.org/2024/04/25/1246376720/donald-trump-supreme-court-immunity
Meanwhile in another Courtroom: https://www.threads.net/@griffinkyle/post/C6MLx6Ru7og
Pecker’s testimony: https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/april-25-new-york-trump-trial-supreme-court-immunity
Funny stuff: https://www.threads.net/@gtconway3/post/C6MDMCHOXZ6
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Swing Senate Seats in MO with Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern, Candidate for MO Senate 17th | April 24, 2024
24 Apr· The Heartland POD
Learn more about Maggie Nurrenbern: Maggie For Mo
Info for MO Initiative Petition: Missourians for Const. Freedom
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Education, Mike Johnson, and Senate Maps | April 22, 2024
22 Apr· The Heartland POD
SHOW NOTES
Quick Hits
Justice Thomas skips court: Adam wrote a thinghttps://theheartlandcollective.com/2024/04/19/an-open-letter-to-clarence-thomas/
Volkswagen plant in Tn votes to unionize
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/19/business/economy/volkswagen-united-automobile-workers-union.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
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True or False
People understand the current assault on public education
Missouri’s new, we’ll call it an education bill, is likely to be signed
https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/18/missouri-house-narrowly-sends-private-school-tax-credit-charter-expansion-to-governors-desk/
Yeah…No
What do you do with the kids who aren’t in school? Put them to work of courses and in Louisiana if you're a CHILD at work things just went from already bad because you’re a child at work, to worse
https://www.nola.com/news/politics/legislature/la-lawmakers-vote-to-remove-lunch-breaks-for-child-workers/article_ef234692-fd9e-11ee-99f5-771c7366107a.html
HUH… Mike Johnson, Whaaaa Happppennnn?
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/21/us/politics/mike-johnson-turnaround.html

https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/21/politics/ukraine-aid-mike-johnson-house-speaker-israel-taiwan/index.html
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/20/johnson-mvp-house-foreign-aid-00153497
2024 Election Era
Senate map edition
Buy or sell: The map is in flux as we speak
Florida, could it be a race?
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/19/debbie-mucarsel-powell-interview-democrat-florida-senate-abortion
Missouri could it be a race?
What is a realistic list of key Senate races?
Jan. Article https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/01/politics/senate-race-rankings-january-2024?cid=ios_app
Early April NY times
https://www.nytimes.com/article/senate-races-2024-election.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Cook Political
https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings
Last Call: Trump Trial Trickles On
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Sarah Huckabee Sanders podium problems persist, Biden campaign talks abortion in Wisconsin, KS Rep. Jake LaTurner leaving Congress and more
19 Apr· The Heartland POD
Missouri’s House Speaker accused of absolute obstruction | Sarah Huckabee Sanders Podium Continues To Dominate | Michigan GOP can’t take a hint on right-to-work | While Trump’s In Court, women put his policies on trial in Wisconsin | Another GOP Congressman is headed for the door
The Heartland POD, Friday April 19, 2024: Flyover Friday
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1. Missouri House Speaker Plocher The Blocker
https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/15/speaker-dean-plocher-accused-of-absolute-obstruction-in-house-ethics-investigation/
BY: JASON HANCOCK - APRIL 15, 2024 9:34 PM
On Monday of this week, bipartisan leaders of the House Ethics Committee alleged that Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher obstructed an investigation of his official acts through pressure on potential witnesses and refusing to issue subpoenas.
Some potential witnesses allegedly refused to speak out of fear Plocher would use his power as speaker to retaliate against them. And Plocher refused to cooperate with the attorney hired to collect evidence for the committee.
A report laying out findings from the ethics committee’s months-long investigation that was released Monday night concluded the committee lacked direct evidence of ethical misconduct in Plocher’s advocacy for a six-figure software contract, in his firing of a former staffer, or in years of filing false expense reimbursement reports.
But Republican state Rep. Hannah Kelly of Mountain Grove, the committee’s chair, and Democratic state Rep. Robert Sauls of Independence, the vice chair, said the report demonstrates “absolute obstruction” that hindered the committee’s efforts to get to the truth.
Plocher, a candidate for secretary of state, declined to comment.
The report recommended a formal letter of disapproval for Plocher, that he hire an accounting professional to manage his expense reports moving forward, and that he refrain from retaliation against any legislator or House employee who cooperated with the committee.
The report also recommended further review by the House into allegations of threats made against legislative employees during the course of the investigation.
The report states Plocher’s actions “substantially impair public confidence in the General Assembly,”
Plocher’s troubles spilled out into the public in September, when he was accused of engaging in “unethical and perhaps unlawful conduct” as part of a months-long push outside the normal bidding process to get the House to award an $800,000 contract to a private company to manage constituent information.
As part of that contract push, Plocher allegedly threatened the jobs of nonpartisan staff who raised red flags.
A month later, The Missouri Independent reported Plocher had on numerous occasions over the last five years illegally sought taxpayer reimbursement from the legislature for airfare, hotels and other travel costs already paid for by his campaign.
As for the threats against nonpartisan staff, there was also no direct evidence implicating the speaker, though the report states that several employees testified under oath about threats and a “negative work environment.”
The attorney hired to collect evidence for the committee marveled at the overarching fear of retaliation among House staff, saying “I have not encountered more unwilling witnesses in any investigation in my career. The level of fear expressed by a number of the potential witnesses is a daunting factor in completing this investigation.”
2. Speak into the mic Mrs. Sanders, The People Paid Good Money For it
https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2024/04/17/podiumgate-audit-sarah-huckabee-sanders-arkansas
Alex Golden
The Arkansas Legislative Audit this week wrapped up its investigation into the purchase of a $19,000 podium by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' administration.
The audit report reveals the governor's office may have broken state law in several instances, including:
Applying the purchase to operating expenses when it didn't meet criteria.Not notifying the Department of Transformation and Shared Services, therefore preventing the purchase from being properly recorded.Not seeking an exemption from the state procurement director for disposal of state property.Shredding the delivery noteAltering a public record. Auditors found three versions of an invoice, two of which contained a handwritten notation made after the record was entered into the Arkansas Administrative Statewide Information System.Transformation and Shared Services also may have violated state law by excluding multiple invoices paid for with the governor's office credit card.
Days before the release of the report, state Attorney General Tim Griffin said the governor is not subject to two state laws that if she were, could be problematic. The AG says the laws do not apply to the Governor of Arkansas.
3. Michigan GOP Is Gonna Try Again On Right To Work
https://michiganadvance.com/2024/04/17/house-gop-announce-plans-to-bring-back-right-to-work-snyder-era-economic-policies/
BY: KEN COLEMAN, SUSAN J. DEMAS AND KYLE DAVIDSON - APRIL 17, 2024 5:18 PM
A day after state House Democrats won two special elections to regain a majority, Republicans on Wednesday announced a plan “to grow local economies”. Bringing back so-called Right to Work - a policy meant to reduce the power of labor unions - is one of the GOP’s top priorities.
Last year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation repealing the 2012 Right to Work law that had been on the books since 2012. The controversial law allowed workers to get all union benefits without having to pay dues.
4. Women harmed by abortion restrictions campaign against Trump in Wisconsin
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2024/04/17/women-harmed-by-abortion-restrictions-campaign-against-trump-in-wisconsin/
BY: BAYLOR SPEARS - APRIL 17, 2024 5:45 AM
Two women, who said their states’ abortion restrictions exacerbated their experience with medical difficulties during pregnancy, told their stories Tuesday while campaigning for President Joe Biden at a round table event in Madison.
Their visit is one of four stops they are making this week in Wisconsin — a battleground state that could play a decisive role in the 2024 presidential election. Democrats are focusing on abortion as an issue that could help drive voters to the polls.
Amanda Zurawski of Houston, Texas said she underwent “grueling” fertility treatments for a year and a half. She and her husband, Josh were “over the moon” when she finally became pregnant. While her first trimester was pretty easy, she said she suffered from “catastrophic complications” at 18 weeks. She said she needed an abortion, but her state’s abortion ban made it illegal.
“My doctor would have been at risk of losing her license, hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of fines and even jail time, so I was told to just wait until I got so sick that my life was considered in danger, which is one of the rare exceptions in Texas,”. She waited three days before she developed sepsis — a potentially fatal condition resulting from infection — and doctors finally provided her care, stabilizing her and ending her pregnancy with the baby she named Willow. She was in the intensive care unit for several days afterwards.
Zurawski said she realized in her “dark and lonely hospital room” that she was “actually lucky because I lived and I knew others might not be so lucky.”
“What I went through was nothing short of barbaric and it did not need to happen,” said Zurawski, who was a lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against Texas due to its abortion ban. “It was completely avoidable. It was completely preventable, and it happened because of Donald Trump.”
Kaitlyn Joshua of Louisiana, said that she and her husband, Landon, were thrilled to learn that she was pregnant. They already had one daughter, who was 3, and it made sense for them to add to their family.
Early in her pregnancy, Joshua said she started experiencing cramping and spotting, and at 11 weeks, she experienced major blood loss and pain. She sought care at a Baton Rouge emergency room, where she was told she was experiencing a miscarriage, but was provided no support.
She said, “We’re simply asking for the most basic level of internal health care but because of Donald Trump’s laws, we are being denied basic care.” (Baylor Spears | Wisconsin Examiner)
“Because of the state’s abortion ban, the health care team was afraid. They instead sent me home, sent home on prayers. I remember the young lady said ‘We’ll be praying for you and you’re just gonna have to handle this at home.’”
Joshua went to a second hospital where she was also told to wait. She said it took her almost a month to complete the miscarriage on her own.
Women across Louisiana and across the country are having similar experiences.
“Because of abortion bans, physicians simply cannot do their job and practice medicine based on their training expertise. We’re simply asking for the most basic level of internal health care, but because of Donald Trump, we are being denied basic care.”
Former President Donald Trump has said in recent weeks that abortion policy should be left to the states. He has also said that he would support a 16-week nationwide ban.
The U.S. has been left with a patchwork of abortion laws with many states having implemented bans due to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.
Abortion services were halted completely in Wisconsin until recently, due to an 1849 law that many thought was in force on the reversal of Roe.
Rep. Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) said, “We didn’t have abortions available in Wisconsin for a year. Due to a court decision, right now they’re available, but we know how fragile it is, we know that that can change at any time. We also know that if Donald Trump is elected, that will almost certainly change.”
5. KS Congressman Jake LaTurner turns toward home.
Andrew Solender
https://www.axios.com/2024/04/18/jake-laturner-retire-house-gop-kansas
A 36-year-old House Republican who has served in Congress just three years said Thursday he will not seek reelection in November.
Rep. Jake LaTurner's (R-Kan.) retirement is a stark addition to a trend of House Republicans sprinting for the exits after a year filled with infighting and discord.
Two House Republicans told Axios they expect more retirement announcements in the coming weeks.
LaTurner, who was first elected in 2020, said "the current dysfunction on Capitol Hill is distressing." LaTurner makes nearly 20 House Republicans who have left or are planning to leave Congress without immediate plans to run for another office. Another five are seeking higher office.
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.), a 40-year-old onetime GOP rising star, is planning to resign in the middle of his term to take a job in the private sector.
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), the 48-year-old chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee who reached the zenith of his political career last year as the House speaker pro tempore, is also retiring.
The retirements come as a growing number of right-wing hardliners are threatening to join an effort to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
Johnson is moving ahead with plans to hold a vote on a foreign aid package that includes aid to Ukraine, which Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has said would trigger a vote to remove him. The three-week speaker vacancy last year spurred a wave of retirements, particularly within the GOP.
LaTurner has $676,000 cash on hand and no Republicans were running against him; this sets up a likely wild primary and maybe even a flip opportunity for Democrats.
SOURCES: Michigan Advance, Wisconsin Examiner, Axios, Politico, The Missouri Independent,Pro.STateaffairs.com, Kansas reflector,
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Spreading The Word with Mark Bland: 4/17/24
17 Apr· The Heartland POD
Mark Bland on the web, listen to The Q Show: http://theqnow.com/
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Is Arizona's Abortion Law The 2024 Event Horizon?
15 Apr· The Heartland POD
SHOW NOTES
Quick Hits: Sign up to help restore abortion access in Missouri: https://moconstitutionalfreedom.org/
T/F - The Arizona Abortion outcome was the event horizon for 2024 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/10/trump-arizona-abortion-ban?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Otherhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/13/democrats-abortion-voter-arizona-florida?CMP=Share_iOSApp_OtherMissouri petition going to November www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2024-04-11/missourians-likely-wont-vote-on-abortion-legalization-until-novemberYeah… Yeah! - AI training legislationhttps://thehill.com/homenews/house/4583318-schiff-unveils-ai-training-transparency-measure/?ref=platformer.newsNOTE: When Rachel is referring to "Amazon" and Perplexity AI she is using Amazon and Bezos interchangably Yeah…NOThe Catholic Church talking about human dignity - you know the ones with all The priests that got hidden even though people were fully aware they were moseying kids, they have thoughts on human dignity nowhttps://www.npr.org/2024/04/08/1243374931/vatican-sex-change-surrogacy-gender-theory-grave-threats-abortion
2024 Election EraBiden canceling more debt: https://www.axios.com/2024/04/12/student-loan-cancellations-7billion-bidenThen Goes To Wisconsin to toot that horn: https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/in-wisconsin-biden-underlines-plans-to-help-college-students-with-unsustainable-debts/Biden admin closing gunshownloopholehttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/11/gun-show-internet-sale-mandatory-background-check
Trump’s “election integrity” paradox: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/12/trump-anti-mail-in-voting?CMP=Share_iOSApp_OtherBiden camps “connection” v. “convention” feelSmaller groups not rallyshttps://apnews.com/article/president-biden-election-small-events-652f2b2ebfc54dd92ff8a48688308a88

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Education, Child Labor, Water, Accountability, and Deer
12 Apr· The Heartland POD
SOURCES:
The heartland collective - pro publica - arkansas advocate - indiana capitol chronicle - wisconsin examiner - missouri independent - cnn
Arkansas tries to hold private schools accountable while in Idaho public schools crumble
https://arkansasadvocate.com/2024/04/08/arkansas-groups-declare-neutrality-opposition-to-proposed-education-ballot-initiative/
https://www.propublica.org/article/idaho-students-educators-show-us-effects-of-underfunded-schools
Wisconsin Gov. Evers Vetos Bill That Would Have rolled back labor laws for children
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2024/04/08/evers-vetoes-bill-that-would-have-eliminated-work-permits-for-younger-teens/
Indiana DNR Identifies Wasting Disease In The Wild
https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/briefs/dnr-reports-first-ever-positive-case-of-deadly-chronic-wasting-disease-in-indiana/
Michigan Parents Held Accountable for child’s action in school shooting
https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/james-jennifer-crumbley-sentencing-04-09-24/index.html
Water Wars Coming To Missouri?
https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/10/the-water-wars-are-coming-missouri-looks-to-limit-exports-from-rivers-lakes/
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TRUMP CAN’T CARRY ABORTION POSITION TO TERM
10 Apr· The Heartland POD
I believe we had that… the lab grown meat outrage is culturalhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/09/us-states-republicans-banning-lab-grown-meat?CMP=Share_iOSApp_OtherTwo pack of I believe we had that…Biden reelect is so much bigger than any one issuehttps://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/09/energy-department-loans-biden-00150180Trump, champion of the Supreme Court who overturned Roe and previous endorser of national bans, continues to change stances on abortion in nakedly political moves that impress exactly no onehttps://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/08/trump-says-abortion-policy-should-be-left-to-the-states-backing-away-from-national-ban/He can think about his abortion messaging while in court though: https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4582854-appeals-court-rejects-trumps-bid-to-delay-hush-money-trial-over-gag-order/MAGA Marge goes after MAGA Mike in the reality show no one asked for but everyone is watching: CONGRESS 2024https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4581611-johnson-gauntlet-greene-ouster-threat/
BE WELL
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Talkin' Politics - April 8, 2024 | The Polls, They Are A Changin'
8 Apr· The Heartland POD
SHOW NOTES
Quick Hits
Woke Meat and The Twitter media sinkhole (THC highlights)https://theheartlandcollective.com/news/
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True or False 2024 will be seen as a “reset” election
County to County movement from Blue to Red: https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/04/swing-states-see-newcomers-as-americans-move-from-blue-to-red-counties/
Sean and Adam discussed Daily Yonder article in Friday’s flyover show
Yeah…No Nebraska’s (almost) unique electoral college set up is on the Trump team’s radar for nefarious reasons
https://www.semafor.com/article/04/05/2024/inside-the-battle-over-nebraskas-electoral-college-votes
Six months ago, Nebraska Republican Party Chairman Eric Underwood pitched Ronna McDaniel on a simple idea that could help the GOP win the presidency again.
Since 1991, Nebraska had split its electoral votes; two for the statewide winner, then three for the winner of each congressional district. Trump lost the Omaha-based 2nd district in 2020, and if the GOP lost it again in 2024 — even if it flipped Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia — it would lose the presidency by a single vote. There was a bill frozen in the state legislature that could change that, assigning all five electors to the statewide winner, if Republicans rescued it. Underwood’s question for the RNC chair and its legal counsel was: Would the national party help?
But wait… there’s more: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/05/sources-say-trump-sought-to-directly-pressure-nebraska-state-senator-over-winner-take-all-proposal/
Sources say Trump sought to directly pressure Nebraska state senator over winner-take-all proposal
Yeah…Yeah
The Green Bank Funding from Biden Admin: https://www.axios.com/2024/04/04/biden-climate-green-bank
Related positive environmental news traced directly to Biden’s pen: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/06/indigenous-american-tribes-funding-manage-ocean-coasts?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
YDFS - Jon Stewart left apple show because he’s still Jon Stewart: https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/2/24118814/jon-stewart-apple-tv-plus-daily-show-lina-khan-interview
2024 Election Era
Biden camp raising money so fast it’s making the Obama 2008 efforts look cute and adorable: https://www.npr.org/2024/04/06/1243189101/biden-trump-campaign-moneyTrump team using 2020 election deniers in leadership; https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/01/republican-election-integrity-denier?CMP=Share_iOSApp_OtherTrump team is the District 5 hockey team and bad news bears but without the loveable goofball characters: https://www.axios.com/2024/04/06/trump-campaign-rnc-2024-electionTrump 2024 is a more disturbing creature, somehow: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/06/donald-trump-speech-analysis?CMP=Share_iOSApp_OtherBiden gets bid check from former GOP lawyer Conway: https://www.axios.com/2024/04/03/george-conway-biden-donation-fundraiser-campaignTrump’s media funding: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/03/trump-media-es-family-trust-2022-loans?CMP=Share_iOSApp_OtherTrump media shares continue to tank in a tangible example of what a second Trump admin means for America at large: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-media-stock-price-truth-social-djt/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nothing-in-markets-goes-without-saying-chart-of-the-week-120047479.html
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