Nebraska lawmakers debate 1 cent sales tax hike
Nebraska lawmakers are debating a bill that would raise the state’s sales tax by 1 cent to 6.5% on every taxable dollar spent — which would make it among the highest in the country. Lawmakers expected to take a vote later Tuesday on whether to advance the bill to a second of three rounds of debate in Nebraska’s unique one-chamber legislature. In addition to raising the state’s current 5.5% sales tax and expanding it to include more services — such as advertising costs — it would add new taxes to candy and soda pop and would tax hemp and CBD products at 100%. NEBRASKA GOVERNOR TIGHTENS RESTRICTIONS ON GENDER TRANSITION TREATMENTS FOR MINORS But the bill would also cut sales tax currently added to utility bills — a proposal made to address complaints that a sales tax increase would disproportionately affect lower income people. Supporters of the bill pushed back on that argument, noting that grocery food items would still be exempt from sales tax in Nebraska. The bill is aimed at higher income residents with more disposable income, not those living in poverty, said Omaha Sen. Lou Ann Linehan. For those struggling to get by, “are you spending a lot of money on handbags,” Linehan asked. “Are you spending $200 on new shoes? This bill affects people who have money to spend on those things.” Linehan has struggled to find enough votes to advance the bill. Critics include both left-leaning lawmakers, who say a sales tax inherently puts more burden on lower income populations, and far-right conservative lawmakers who oppose any increase in taxes. “On average, the 5% of Nebraskans with incomes over $252,600 will pay less as a result of the changes, while for 8 in 10 Nebraskans, the sales tax increase will on average be greater than any property tax cut they may receive,” taxation watchdog group Open Sky Policy Institute said. The bill is key to Republican Gov. Jim Pillen’s plan to slash soaring property taxes, which reached a high of $5.3 billion in 2023 as housing prices have soared in recent years. Because local assessors are required to assess residential property at around 100% of market value, some people — particularly the elderly who are on fixed incomes — are being priced out homes they’ve owned for years because they can’t afford the tax bill, Pillen said. This year’s legislative session is set to end by April 18. Pillen had previously promised to called lawmakers back for a special session if property tax relief efforts fail to pass.
Barstool Sports personality running for Congress in NY-3 with ‘common sense’ plan: ‘Voice for this generation’
FIRST ON FOX: Barstool Sports personality Bill Cotter, also known as “Billy Football,” has turned his sights to New York’s 3rd Congressional District, embarking on a grassroots campaign focused on the younger generation. “I wanted to get involved and be a voice for this generation, if anything. You know, I may not make it to Congress, but hopefully, some of the things that I raise on my platform here will,” Cotter told Fox News Digital. As a fifth-generation New Yorker, Cotter said that District 3 is facing issues that were not a problem for him growing up in the Big Apple. “I just kept thinking about it and seeing what was going on in Washington, in local politics and the issues that this part of New York is dealing with,” Cotter said. “There are issues that were not a problem growing up, and now it is.” “When it comes to crime, the immigration crisis and the cost of living crisis, we’re seeing those issues at face value in New York and that spurred me to get involved,” he said. DAVE PORTNOY RAISES ‘ABOUT $240,000’ FOR FAMILY OF FALLEN NYPD OFFICER JONATHAN DILLER Cotter said that when he recently turned 25, he was finally old enough to run and decided to use his platform to make a difference in the political arena. “What are you going to be able to do at 25, that you couldn’t do at 24? One of those things was running for U.S. Congress,” Cotter said. The Barstool Sports personality said that inflation and the cost of living crisis are two issues that hit home for his generation. “There is no one in my generation buying a house, especially in this area, for the next five years because of how expensive housing is,” Cotter said. “The day-to-day life has gotten so expensive and no one has enough expendable income to save, and their wages have not grown at the same rate as the prices of everything has.” BOYFRIEND ARRESTED IN NYC IRISH PUB SLAYING AFTER BARTENDER BUTCHERED ON THE JOB: POLICE “For our generation, we’re the ones who are going to be left with the bill when it comes to the national debt,” he said. Cotter said that his work for Barstool Sports has given him a unique platform to interact with “pro-athletes to bartenders.” “The best impact that my audience has had is that I’ve been able to interact with so many people my age group, from pro athletes to bartenders. And they all sort of know something is wrong in this country,” he said. “I hear them voice their opinions and their problems and I feel like when you have 300,000 followers on Twitter, you’re interacting with so many,” he added. “That insight, has really inspired me to take this extra level because people know there’s something wrong and that there is a complete lack of common sense.” EX-CON NYC MURDER SUSPECT SEEN SMILING WITH DA BRAGG PLEADS NOT GUILTY, HELD WITHOUT BAIL “I want to try to help bring some common sense into the equation because, from the looks of it, we don’t know if our elected officials are truly acting in our best interests.” Cotter said that he decided to run as a Republican because most of his views aligned with the party. “I chose to run as a Republican because many of my views were aligned when it came to national security, supporting law enforcement and on budget spending,” he said. “I don’t think all my beliefs are necessarily tied completely to the Republican Party. I think I have a position where I’m running in the Republican Party, but I will look at every issue completely and without bias.” Cotter has been working tirelessly to collect the 1,250 signatures to make it on the Republican New York ballot. “I’m learning a lot about the electoral process and I see a lot of barriers for regular people to run for office,” Cotter said. “The only people who seem to be getting into this position with perfect signatures seem to be largely establishment candidates with the widespread backing of whatever party.” “I’m hoping that I can, honestly, run a true grassroots campaign,” he said. “I’ve collected about a thousand signatures myself, in the rain.”
Barstool Sports personality running for Congress in NY-1 with ‘common sense’ plan: ‘Voice for this generation’
FIRST ON FOX: Barstool Sports personality Bill Cotter, also known as “Billy Football,” has turned his sights to New York’s 1st Congressional District, embarking on a grassroots campaign focused on the younger generation. “I wanted to get involved and be a voice for this generation, if anything. You know, I may not make it to Congress, but hopefully, some of the things that I raise on my platform here will,” Cotter told Fox News Digital. As a fifth-generation New Yorker, Cotter said that District 1 is facing issues that were not a problem for him growing up in the Big Apple. “I just kept thinking about it and seeing what was going on in Washington, in local politics and the issues that this part of New York is dealing with,” Cotter said. “There are issues that were not a problem growing up, and now it is.” “When it comes to crime, the immigration crisis and the cost of living crisis, we’re seeing those issues at face value in New York and that spurred me to get involved,” he said. DAVE PORTNOY RAISES ‘ABOUT $240,000’ FOR FAMILY OF FALLEN NYPD OFFICER JONATHAN DILLER Cotter said that when he recently turned 25, he was finally old enough to run and decided to use his platform to make a difference in the political arena. “What are you going to be able to do at 25, that you couldn’t do at 24? One of those things was running for U.S. Congress,” Cotter said. The Barstool Sports personality said that inflation and the cost of living crisis are two issues that hit home for his generation. “There is no one in my generation buying a house, especially in this area, for the next five years because of how expensive housing is,” Cotter said. “The day-to-day life has gotten so expensive and no one has enough expendable income to save, and their wages have not grown at the same rate as the prices of everything has.” BOYFRIEND ARRESTED IN NYC IRISH PUB SLAYING AFTER BARTENDER BUTCHERED ON THE JOB: POLICE “For our generation, we’re the ones who are going to be left with the bill when it comes to the national debt,” he said. Cotter said that his work for Barstool Sports has given him a unique platform to interact with “pro-athletes to bartenders.” “The best impact that my audience has had is that I’ve been able to interact with so many people my age group, from pro athletes to bartenders. And they all sort of know something is wrong in this country,” he said. “I hear them voice their opinions and their problems and I feel like when you have 300,000 followers on Twitter, you’re interacting with so many,” he added. “That insight, has really inspired me to take this extra level because people know there’s something wrong and that there is a complete lack of common sense.” EX-CON NYC MURDER SUSPECT SEEN SMILING WITH DA BRAGG PLEADS NOT GUILTY, HELD WITHOUT BAIL “I want to try to help bring some common sense into the equation because, from the looks of it, we don’t know if our elected officials are truly acting in our best interests.” Cotter said that he decided to run as a Republican because most of his views aligned with the party. “I chose to run as a Republican because many of my views were aligned when it came to national security, supporting law enforcement and on budget spending,” he said. “I don’t think all my beliefs are necessarily tied completely to the Republican Party. I think I have a position where I’m running in the Republican Party, but I will look at every issue completely and without bias.” Cotter has been working tirelessly to collect the 1,250 signatures to make it on the Republican New York ballot. “I’m learning a lot about the electoral process and I see a lot of barriers for regular people to run for office,” Cotter said. “The only people who seem to be getting into this position with perfect signatures seem to be largely establishment candidates with the widespread backing of whatever party.” “I’m hoping that I can, honestly, run a true grassroots campaign,” he said. “I’ve collected about a thousand signatures myself, in the rain.”
Texas emergency director calls for firefighting air force after historic Panhandle fires
A special legislative committee is investigating what caused the Smokehouse Creek fire, the largest in state history.
Tennessee governor accepts resignation of Memphis judge indicted on coercion, harassment charges
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Tuesday accepted the resignation of a Memphis judge who has been charged with coercion of a witness and harassment, and then jailed after she violated her bond agreement by testing positive for cocaine. Erin Merrick, Lee’s chief counsel, wrote in a brief letter that the governor has accepted the resignation of Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Melissa Boyd. Boyd sent a letter Tuesday to the state Administrative Office of the Courts saying she was resigning immediately. That came a day after she sent a letter saying she would step down at the end of May. A hearing about her removal from the bench had been previously scheduled in the Tennessee General Assembly for Thursday. Under state law, judges can be referred to the Legislature after receiving two public reprimands. Elected in 2022, Boyd is accused of coercing, influencing or attempting to influence Lashanta Rudd, her former campaign manager, to testify falsely or “withhold truthful testimony” in an official proceeding, the indictment says. The indictment does not describe the official proceeding. The indictment also says Boyd’s communications with Rudd were attempts to annoy, alarm or frighten her. Boyd has pleaded not guilty. Boyd was suspended in May after she was accused of threatening an acquaintance, soliciting money by using her role as a judge and substance abuse. The accusations include asking for donations for a school in a social media post showing Boyd wearing a judicial robe. Under conditions of her release, Boyd was ordered to undergo drug screening and told not to use drugs. Prosecutors asked for her bond to be revoked after she twice tested positive for cocaine in March and failed to report to another drug test, court documents showed. In a hearing last Wednesday, Judge Roy Morgan revoked her bond and sent her to jail. During the hearing, Arthur Horne III, one of Boyd’s attorneys, said that Boyd “needs help” and has not been cooperating with them, saying the judge was “in a full relapse” and is “not thinking with a clear head,” the Commercial Appeal reported. Boyd’s trial is scheduled for April 24.
Portugal’s minority government takes office, faces fragmented parliament
With just 80 seats in 230-seat parliament, the government will need the support of the opposition to pass legislation. Portugal’s new centre-right minority government led by Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has been sworn in amid uncertainty about its long-term viability as it faces a highly fragmented parliament. The Democratic Alliance (AD) coalition won the March 10 election by a slim margin over the outgoing Socialist Party (PS). Montenegro said on Tuesday that the government was determined to govern until the end of its four-and-a-half-year mandate and promised to act with “humility, patriotic spirit and capacity for dialogue”, while demanding the same from the opposition. “The [expected] investiture in parliament [next week] can only mean the opposition will respect the principle of letting us work and execute the government’s programme,” he said. With just 80 seats in the 230-seat legislature, the AD will need the support of either the far-right Chega party, which quadrupled its parliamentary representation to 50 members of parliament, or the centre-left PS, which secured 78 seats, to pass legislation. Chega, an anti-immigration party whose fast rise reflects a political tilt towards right-wing populism across Europe, has demanded a government role or a long-term agreement to support the AD, but Montenegro has repeatedly refused to negotiate. Speaker elected with PS support Montenegro’s precarious position was exposed last week when Chega rejected his candidate for parliamentary speaker, who was ultimately elected with PS help. The PS warned, however, that such support was a one-off to unblock parliamentary activities. Portugal, a country of 10.3 million people, is receiving more than 22 billion euros ($23.6bn) through 2026 from the EU to fuel growth and enable economic reforms. The government has promised tax reductions for families and companies, and higher pensions. It has also promised to quickly address shortcomings in public healthcare, especially long waiting lists for treatment, and a housing crisis, as well as resolve simmering disputes with police and teachers over pay and work conditions. The government can push some of its agenda through parliament with opposition support but the key piece of legislation – and its first big test – will be the 2025 budget. Failure to approve a budget has in the past habitually resulted in early elections in Portugal, and it is likely that the AD will be forced to negotiate the spending plan, and possibly other measures, with the PS. “The PS … must be clear about its attitude: be a democratic opposition or a blockade,” Montenegro said. Adblock test (Why?)
Biden denounces Florida abortion ruling as ‘outrageous’ as state vote looms
United States President Joe Biden has denounced a Florida Supreme Court decision that allows a six-week ban on abortion to take effect, calling it “outrageous” and “extreme”. In a statement released on Tuesday, Biden lashed out at Republicans for limiting reproductive rights in Florida and other US states, a key election issue in 2024. “Florida’s bans — like those put forward by Republican elected officials across the country — are putting the health and lives of millions of women at risk,” he wrote. The statement comes in response to a series of rulings from Florida’s highest court on Monday, one of which upheld a ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. But that same decision is expected to pave the way for the six-week ban to go into effect, too. In April of last year, the conservative-dominated Florida state legislature passed the six-week ban to replace the 15-week one, and Governor Ron DeSantis signed it into law. However, the 15-week ban had been the subject of long-standing legal challenges. The six-week ban’s implementation hinged on whether the 15-week one could withstand the lawsuits it faced. Prior to the 15-week ban, Florida had allowed abortion through the second trimester of pregnancy, which made it a destination for those seeking the procedure from nearby states with tighter restrictions. Abortion headed to the ballot box Monday’s string of decisions from the Florida Supreme Court also tees up another battle over abortion access in the state, set to unfold in the midst of November’s heated general elections. The justices allowed a measure to be placed on the ballot that would amend the state constitution and protect abortion access “before viability” — up to around 24 weeks of pregnancy. The ballot measure passed by a vote of four to three and is known as Amendment 4 or the “Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion”. It calls for the following language be inserted into the Florida constitution, “No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health.” Biden referenced the ballot measure in his Tuesday statement, reaffirming his commitment to protecting “reproductive freedom in Florida and across the nation”. “Vice President [Kamala] Harris and I stand with the vast majority of Americans who support a woman’s right to choose, including in Florida, where voters will have the opportunity to make their voices heard in support of a reproductive freedom ballot initiative this November,” he wrote. Biden faces a tight campaign for re-election this November, as he is expected to run against former Republican President Donald Trump in a rematch of their 2020 race. Florida was once considered a swing state, with Republicans and Democrats competing neck and neck in key races. But in recent years, Florida has swung rightwards, with Trump winning the state over Biden in 2020. The last time Florida had a Democratic governor, for instance, was in 1999, nearly a quarter century ago. Still, experts see the question of abortion access as weighing in Democrats’ favour. The Pew Research Center found that 56 percent of adults in Florida believed abortion should be “legal in all/most cases”. Another poll (PDF), published last November by the University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab, found that 62 percent of survey participants planned to vote for the constitutional amendment protecting abortion access, if it were to appear on the ballot. A ‘blueprint’ for the US Florida is the third most populous state in the US, and as such, it carries significant weight in the Electoral College, the system the country uses to determine who wins its presidential elections. The state is entitled to 30 Electoral College votes, out of a total of 538. It is also considered a bellwether for trends in legislation nationwide, with Governor DeSantis calling Florida a “blueprint for America’s revival” in a recent book. DeSantis, a prominent conservative and former 2024 presidential contender, signed the 15-week abortion ban into law in 2022. But abortion providers and groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Center for Reproductive Rights quickly filed complaints to prevent it from being implemented. However, in June 2022, within months of the bill’s passage, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, the 1973 decision that upheld the federal right to an abortion for nearly a half a century. That placed the question of abortion rights in the hands of the states, creating a shifting patchwork of restrictions across the country. Plaintiffs in the case before the Florida Supreme Court this week argued that the 15-week abortion ban violated the state constitution’s privacy protections, but the justices rebuffed that argument in a six-to-one vote. Privacy protections had also been the basis for the now-defunct Roe precedent at the federal level. The decision to overturn Roe featured heavily in the Florida court’s decision on Monday. “The US Supreme Court abandoned Roe’s position that the right to abortion was grounded in any sort of privacy right,” the justices wrote. “This demonstrates the tenuous connection between ‘privacy’ and ‘abortion’ — an issue that, unlike other privacy matters, directly implicates the interests of both developing human life and the pregnant woman.” The ACLU of Florida responded to the decision by calling on voters to turn out for the November election. “These strict bans have and will continue to lead to multiple tragedies as patients are unable to receive needed care after the arbitrary deadline,” it wrote in a statement. “In the face of a six-week abortion ban, Floridians now have the chance to assert their will at the ballot box, shaping a Florida that is free from government interference in abortion.” Adblock test (Why?)
Israel’s planned Al Jazeera ban condemned
NewsFeed A new Israeli law that permits the banning of foreign news networks, including Al Jazeera, is being received with sharp criticism from governments and press freedom groups. Published On 2 Apr 20242 Apr 2024 Adblock test (Why?)
More than 200 migrants arrested after rushing an El Paso border gate
Gov. Greg Abbott said Department of Public Safety troopers had been instructed to “arrest every illegal immigrant involved” in the March 21 breach in which National Guard members were allegedly assaulted.
Iowa lawmakers pass teacher retention bonus for district hit by January shooting
Teachers and staff in the rural Iowa district where a deadly school shooting took place earlier this year could get bonuses if they don’t quit their jobs under a new bill approved by lawmakers and sent to the governor. The Jan. 4 attack at the high school in Perry, Iowa, about 40 miles northwest of Des Moines, killed sixth grader Ahmir Jolliff, fatally injured the high school’s principal, Dan Marburger, and injured six others. The bill allows the school district in Perry, Iowa, to spend $700,000 of local tax dollars on bonuses for employees during the upcoming school year. FUNERAL HELD FOR SOLE VICTIM OF IOWA SCHOOL SHOOTING, 11-YEAR-OLD REMEMBERED FOR ‘VIBRANT SOUL’ The shooting began in the cafeteria as students were gathering for breakfast before classes resumed after winter break. The 17-year-old student, Dylan Butler, who opened fire also died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot. Rep. Carter Nordman, a Republican, said that representatives from Perry and Iowa’s school board association approached lawmakers about the challenge with staff retention that had faced other schools coping with similar tragedies. This approach was a quick and efficient way of allowing Perry to address staff retention locally, Nordman said, even though “no amount of money” will change what happened. It will be up to Perry to allocate the bonuses; the bill indicates any district employee is eligible, not only those working at the high school or middle school where the shooting took place. “The reality is that it did happen, and this is one way that Perry could hopefully say to teachers that: ‘We support you, we’re here for you, we want you to continue to be a part of this community and teach here,’ ” Nordman said. The bill would also waive state requirements on the length of Perry’s school term. The school district canceled classes at the middle and high schools, which share the cafeteria, and the nearby elementary school for several weeks as the community mourned and the district addressed safety concerns.