February 23, 2019

Bill to close primaries, require voter registration by party in Tennessee advances

A bill requiring Tennessee voters to declare their party affiliation in order to vote in a primary election made its way through its first committee on Wednesday.

The legislation, HB 1273 and SB 1500, would force voters to choose between being registered as a Democrat, Republican, unaffiliated with a statewide party or other in order to cast a primary ballot.

If a voter chooses unaffiliated, they would not be able to vote in any primary elections.

Although Gov. Bill Lee and former Gov. Bill Haslam, both Republicans, have expressed opposition to the idea, the House Elections and Campaign Finance Subcommittee approved the measure.

Read more: https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/politics/2019/02/20/tennessee-elections-bill-close-primaries-require-voter-registration-party-advances/2926847002/

February 23, 2019

Forrest bust protesters clash with House speaker

More than 140 years after his death, Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest continues causing a stir.

This time, it's a confrontation between House Speaker Glen Casada and a group of African-American students who want the Rebel icon’s bust removed from the State Capitol.

The incident took place Thursday morning as Casada, a Franklin Republican, walked down the steps from the Senate and House chambers to the Capitol’s first floor for a press conference in the Old Supreme Court Chambers.

Vanderbilt student Justin Jones, a frequent protester at the Capitol, quickly approached Casada, demanding that he meet with the group of students who want the Forrest bust to be taken from its Capitol perch.

Read more: https://dailymemphian.com/section/metro/article/3250/Forrest-bust-protesters-clash-with-House-speaker

February 23, 2019

Bernie Sanders Announces His 2020 Presidential Run (Jimmy Fallon)

I'm placing this comedy sketch into the Democratic Primaries forum since it focuses on one of the candidates. If the forum hosts want me to repost the thread in V&M, then please contact me.

Please enjoy for the comedy.

February 23, 2019

'The money's used up:' Raises unlikely for state workers, senator says

Don't quit that second job just yet, state employees.

Despite previous plans for an across-the-board pay raise, a lawmaker said Tuesday there probably won't be enough money for it now.

At a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, lawmakers discussed how to allocate about $160 million not already tentatively earmarked.

Appropriations Chairman Buck Clarke, R-Hollandale, said the biggest chunk, more than $60 million, will have to go to cover increasing costs for the Public Employees' Retirement System.

Read more: https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2019/02/20/msleg-budget-leader-no-money-mississippi-state-employee-raise/2926364002/

February 23, 2019

Alaska senator says she's likely to back Trump disapproval

JUNEAU, Alaska -- U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she is likely to support a resolution of disapproval over President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency to secure more money for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.

In an audio recording provided by an aide late Friday, Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, noted concerns she has raised about the precedent that could be set if the declaration stands.

House Democrats introduced a resolution Friday to block the national emergency declaration. If it passes the Democratic-controlled House, it would go to the Republican-held Senate. Trump on Friday promised a veto.

"I want to make sure that the resolution of disapproval is exactly what I think it is, because if it is as I understand it to be, I will likely be supporting the resolution to disapprove of the action," Murkowski said.

Read more: https://www.sunherald.com/news/politics-government/national-politics/article226667794.html

February 23, 2019

New Mexico may block right-to-work ordinances

SANTA FE -- The New Mexico House of Representative is poised to vote on a measure that would prohibit local governments from enacting right-to-work ordinances that prevent employees from being required to join a union or pay union fees.

The bill from Democratic Reps. Daymon Ely of Corrales and Andrea Romero of Santa Fe was scheduled for debate Friday night.

Several counties in New Mexico have approved ordinances that prevent employees from being required to join a union or pay union fees. The proposed legislation asserts the state's exclusive jurisdiction over the issue. Union leaders contend the local ordinances create confusion and are undermining the labor groups.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that government workers can't be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining. The ruling involved an Illinois state worker who argued that everything unions do, including bargaining with the state, is political and employees shouldn't be forced to pay for it.

Read more: https://www.sunherald.com/news/politics-government/national-politics/article226666669.html

February 23, 2019

Pro-Confederate Groups Planning Rally at the University of Mississippi

Members of Confederate 901 and The Hiwaymen say they are marching to "draw a line in the sand" on Saturday against the university for the removal of Confederate symbols. The groups are calling the event the Mississippi Stands Rally. George "K-Rack" Johnson is with Confederate 901. In a Facebook Live video, Johnson says that students, faculty, and staff at the university should not be afraid that they are coming to town.

“We’re not coming to Oxford or the university to cause any trouble,” said Johnson. “We’re trying to just come in there and show that there’s lots of people throughout the state of Mississippi and the South that still believe and support their southern pride, and their history, and their heritage.”

Johnson also says there is no evidence that the pro-Confederate supporters are racist or affiliated with white supremacist groups.

Jody Owens is with the Southern Poverty Law Center. The nonprofit organization focuses on erasing hate and teaching tolerance. Owens says it's sad that a group will come to a place in Mississippi with such a deep history of racial inequity and hatred and protest about Confederate monuments.

Read more: http://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/2019/02/22/pro-confederate-groups-planning-rally-at-the-university-of-mississippi/

February 23, 2019

Legislative Update: Tort Reform, Heartbeat Bills, Teacher Pay Moves Forward

JACKSON — Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba approached the podium at City Hall late last September to announce a policy that would "put us well on the trajectory of being the radical city that we have proclaimed to become." After a raft of officer-involved shootings, the city would begin releasing the names of law enforcement officers who discharged weapons in the midst of officer-involved shootings within 72 hours, he said.

It was not until January, though, after Jackson Free Press intern reporter Taylor Langele submitted a public-records request that the city began releasing the names of officers involved in nine shootings since Lumumba took office in July 2017. Just as this newspaper's transparency efforts finally paying off, though, lawmakers in the Mississippi House of Representatives passed a bill to nullify them: House Bill 1289, the Law Enforcement Identity Protection Act, would limit the release of the names of officers involved in non-fatal shootings.

During floor debate on Feb. 12, Rep. Christopher Bell, a Jackson Democrat, pushed back against the proposed legislation. "When anyone else is accused of crimes, are their identities not published?" Bell, who is black, asked the white sponsor of the bill, Rep. Mark Baker, R-Brandon. "Are their mugshots not taken and published in the newspaper?"

"If you want a bill that protects the identities of criminals, or people accused of crimes, you can bring that out," Baker shot back. "This bill is to give the officer a little breathing room.... He has to worry about the internal investigation, and, at the same time, his spouse and his children."

Read more: http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2019/feb/20/legislative-update-tort-reform-heartbeat-bills-tea/

February 22, 2019

Possible Chronic Wasting Disease cure found at LSU

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - Dr. Frank Bastain, a neuropathologist at Louisiana State University, says he’s been able to grow bacteria that causes the fatal Chronic Wasting Disease.

A bacteria that could be used to develop tests and vaccines for the disease, but state wildlife officials say the science behind a cure is years away.

Russ Walsh, the executive wildlife officer with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks, said, “Always ongoing research into chronic wasting disease and other TSC diseases, so certainly any new science that is available that can help state agencies manage this disease, we are always looking for that new research to become available.”

Wildlife officials have implemented a sampling system where hunters can have their meat tested before consumption.

Read more: http://www.wlbt.com/2019/02/22/possible-chronic-wasting-disease-cure-found-lsu/

February 22, 2019

Study finds 31 Mississippi rural hospitals at high risk of closure

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) -A new study released today shows one in five rural hospitals across the country are at risk of closing.That’s despite the fact that many of them are vital to their communities.

Consulting firm Navigant’s new study shows Mississippi has more rural hospitals at risk of closing than any any other state. It’s stats that come as no surprise to the state’s hospital association.

“It’s not only an economic issue which drive a community but it is the access to care,” said Timothy Moore, Mississippi Hospital Association President/CEO.

The study shows 31 hospitals at risk of closure. That’s nearly half of the state’s rural hospitals.

Read more: http://www.wlbt.com/2019/02/21/study-finds-mississippi-rural-hospitals-high-risk-closure/