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Drained by a year of Zoom gatherings and virtual meetings, Democratic activists are starting to cram their calendars with in-person rallies, roundtables and other events to convince Washington leaders their priorities are popular on the ground.

In other words, the grassroots are ready to get back to the grass.

The strategizing is happening across the Democratic Partys ideological spectrum and is largely tethered to upcoming legislation, such as the pro-democracy reforms Congress will consider as Republicans in multiple states work to restrict access to the ballot box.

Were encouraging people to continue to be safe, but we also want people to make a show of force for what they believe in, said Jana Morgan, the director of the Declaration for American Democracy, a progressive organization consortium. Its really important that members of Congress see that people across the country are willing to take action.

Democratic lawmakers are expected to convene outside of the Supreme Court next week with more than a dozen liberal groups working to get the For The People Act passed later this month. Democratic Sens. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWhy do we need a filibuster rule? Just look at today's political divisions SEC removes Republican watchdog after progressive lobbying effort Biden, Capito speak by phone and agree to talk again Monday MORE (Mass.), Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharAntitrust proposal would empower bureaucrats and greedy trial lawyers Matt Stoller says cheerleading industry shows why antitrust laws are 'insufficient' Emhoff hits campaign trail to rally New Mexico ahead of special election MORE (Minn.) and Jeff MerkleyJeff MerkleySex workers gain foothold in Congress Democrats to introduce bill to prevent default recurring political donations Democrats: Roe v. Wade blow would fuel expanding Supreme Court MORE (Ore.) and other elected officials plan to join the National Organization for Women, March For Our Lives, and End Citizens United at the event.

After so long spent campaigning in isolation, Democrats are enthusiastic about once again using their preferred playbook. Cycle after cycle, organizers canvas, rally and protest to bring voters over to their causes, aggressively providing face time in the most literal sense.

While the technique is not unique to one party or faction within it, progressives have become particularly reliant on using their physical presence to sway opinions.

The fact that we were out there energized people, said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, describing her experience campaigning for President BidenJoe BidenTrump touts record, blasts Dems in return to stage Trump demands China pay 'reparations' for role in coronavirus pandemic Lincoln Project co-founder: Trump's words 'will surely kill again' MORE during the pandemic.

Ahead of the general election, Weingartens nearly 2 million-member union carefully considered the merits of leading a national bus tour.

We encouraged people if they could do it to go door-to-door with the proper safeguards and precautions, she said.

Democrats now increasingly say the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) latest guidelines have cleared the way for many individuals to meet safely. The CDC advised in late May that those who are completely vaccinated do not need to wear a mask or practice social distancing, either indoors or out. And Biden has set a goal to have at least 70 percent of U.S. adults partially vaccinated by July 4, which could further instill confidence in resuming normal life.

While Democrats generally agree that a return to traditional campaigning is a good thing, its unlikely to occur in unison.

Some are urging balance and calling for physical activities to be included with new digital capabilities, while others believe that reintegration will offer inherent challenges that cannot easily be fixed, noting that the collective physical, emotional and psychological toll of the virus will take time to process.

I wouldnt overstate the difference these types of events will make," said Tyler Law, a Democratic operative and congressional campaign committee veteran. "We won the presidency and then two special elections in Georgia during the pandemic. Democrats adapted and thrived. That being said, traditional door-to-door mobilization is critical to Democrats success. Historically, large turnout drops have created midterm waves against Democrats. We need to do everything possible to ensure a high turnout.

The midterm elections are still well over a year away, but at least one candidate competing in a Democratic primary ahead of a special election this year is thrilled at the chance to reunite with voters. Nina Turner, who is running for the Ohio House seat vacated by now-Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia FudgeMarcia FudgeOn The Money: Key takeaways from May jobs report | Biden rejects new GOP infrastructure offer as talks drag on The Hill's 12:30 Report: Biden faces pressure amid infrastructure negotiations Fudge, Buttigieg pitch housing infrastructure push to skeptical GOP MORE, built something of a cult-like following among progressives over her speeches as part of Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersTrump looms large over fractured Arizona GOP Biden faces challenge with Democrats on infrastructure package Why do we need a filibuster rule? Just look at today's political divisions MOREs (I-Vt.) presidential campaign.

Her superpower is kind of stripped from her in digital-only settings, said Angelo Greco, a senior communications strategist for Turners campaign and a fellow Sanders alum. As a co-chair, Turner played a role in the overall ground game operation, where some Democrats credited the Vermont senator for his approach to courting new voters. Thats how Nina got her name, Greco said. People know her and miss her because of that, the moments when they were in a room with her.

As one of just a handful of candidates running off-cycle during coronavirus, Turner had to reprioritize how to use her solo time. Greco said she has largely focused on gathering endorsements, working on various district-level initiatives and fundraising. Thankfully, he said, in-person opportunities are now starting to accumulate: She really cant wait to get back to campaigning in that style.

Other progressives are experiencing similar shifts in commitments. Declaration for American Democracy is orchestrating a large mobilization campaign for the July congressional recess, with Morgan anticipating well over 100 events over two weeks.

Members of Black Voters Matter, an advocacy organization, are heading to Washington from Jackson, Miss. on a "Freedom Rides for Voting Rights" tour pegged to Juneteenth.

The uptick in activity coincides with a full schedule at the White House, where the Biden administration has announced plans to send vaccinations overseas while continuing to push for more adults to receive doses domestically. Biden recently expressed a desire for the country to experience "a summer of freedom" after being locked inside.

A summer of freedom, a summer of joy, a summer of get-togethers and celebrations, the president said Wednesday. An all-American summer that this country deserves after a long, long dark winter that we've all endured.

Of course, Democrats will not be alone in their planning. Former President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump touts record, blasts Dems in return to stage Trump demands China pay 'reparations' for role in coronavirus pandemic Trump endorses Rep. Ted Budd for Senate MORE, who enjoyed holding mass rallies during the pandemic while casting doubt on the seriousness of it, is filling his itinerary with appearances while out of office. Hes already expected to hold events in Georgia, Florida and North Carolina, with the possibility for additional stops.

Trump and many Republicans preferred to go maskless during events. For Democrats, it remains an open question how many will mandate them at gatherings. With that in mind, some in the party are already thinking about possible ways to accommodate attendees and prospective voters.

Its not hard to say to someone as youre knocking on their door, would you like me to keep my mask on? Weingarten said.

Excerpt from:
Progressives relish return to in-person events | TheHill - The Hill

The Bicycle Coalition, which promotes bicycle and pedestrian safety, issued a statement in opposition to the tax cut, saying it would increase motor vehicle usage at a time when people should be getting back onto public transit and utilizing active transportation.

There could be enough support in City Council to pass the bill. But at the Wednesday council hearing, Mayor Kenneys administration also stated its opposition. Finance Director Rob Dubow said the proposal was too costly and would require scrapping across-the-board business tax cuts or cutting city services.

He also expressed doubts the savings would trickle down to workers.

Reducing the parking tax rate will most likely simply increase profits for parking lot owners and

operators, he said. The owners could choose to reallocate those profits by reducing fees for drivers or increasing wages and benefits for parking lot workers, but this bill does not guarantee that outcome.

Parkers office did not respond to specific critiques of the bill, but issued a general statement reiterating the labor potential of her legislation.

Advocacy is one of the most essential parts of the budget process. I deeply respect it, and I look forward to hearing all perspectives, she said. I am unapologetic about advocating for the interests of workers, and I will remain unwavering in my support in ensuring all workers make family-sustaining wages.

Separately, Parker has also proposed blunting the direct impact to city revenues by using pandemic recovery funds to cover the cost. But Gym shot back in a statement saying that the city simply faced more pressing uses for those funds.

All over the city, people are calling for help, Gym wrote. I believe these historic relief funds should be used to keep people in their homes, stop the gun violence crisis, and bring recovery to our small businesses.

Original post:
Philly progressives, urbanists blast $130 million cut to city parking tax - WHYY

President Biden wants to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on infrastructure, but theres a contradiction at the heart of his ambition. His own White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council issued a report in May that blacklisted a litany of projects most Americans would think are classic public works.

The council is made up of three members of the Administration and 26 progressives from the academy or activists such as Susana Almanza of People Organized in Defense of Earth and Her Resources. Thats really the groups name. In March Mr. Biden directed them to recommend federal investments in which 40% of overall benefits would flow to disadvantaged communities.

The report floats some ideas that pass progressive muster, such as renewable energy and worker training, public transportation and green housing. But the report also cites more than a dozen types of projects that will not benefit poor communities.

These include highway expansions and road improvements or automobile infrastructure, other than electric vehicle charging stations. The advisers dont explain why fixing roads wouldnt help low-income people, perhaps because they cant. The poor are far more likely to buy used cars that run on gasoline rather than new, expensive EVs. They need the mobility to travel from their homes to where the jobs are, which often isnt where mass transit goes.

The advisers also would ban pipeline creation, expansion, or maintenance. Progressives oppose new gas and oil pipelines because they want to stop fossil-fuel production. But why object to maintaining existing pipelinesdo they want more spills?

Read the original here:
The Progressive Infrastructure Blacklist - The Wall Street Journal

For advocates of New York states parole system reform, time is of the essence.

Its not just that the state Legislature is nearing the end of its session;its that every day that passes is another day that people who would benefit most from parole reform spend locked up.

Its about giving people a chance, said Alisha Kohn, director of the Queer Justice Committee at the Newburgh LGBTQ Center,who served 10 years in prison.Its taking into account not what you did 23 years ago its taking into account what youre doing now, askingtheparoleboard totake that as a factor.

New York lawmakers are weighing a pair of bills that would make significant changes to the way the state's parole system works, including one measure that would require the parole board to put a greater focus on rehabilitation when deciding whether to release an incarcerated individual.

Advocates for the bills say they would help bring more fairness to the criminal justice system. But for many law enforcement officials, parole reform would representanother blowto public safety, followingon the heels of reforms to bail and evidence disclosurethat went into effect in January 2020.

TimothyDymond, president ofthe New York State Police Investigators Association, said police and prosecutors have the same concerns now as then: Reformers are proposing and pushing through significant changes without seeking meaningful contributions from the law enforcement side.

Without getting the input, without having a level of reasonableness involved, Dymond said, I oppose any reform that makes the people of New York state less safe, and Ialwayswill. Thats what we do.

Asked Wednesday about parole reform while at an unrelated news conference in Manhattan, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he would have to consider the bills in their final form before taking a position on them. Cuomo said he'd be more supportive of measures that allow parole decisions to be made "on the merits" rather than on a "template" that would grant an automatic release in certain situations.

"Again, it depends on what winds up in a final bill, and you know as well as I that bills change at the last minute," he said.

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Two bills supported by the Peoples Campaign for Parole Justice, an advocacy coalition, are pendinginthe current legislative session.

TheElder Parolebill would provide a chance at a parole hearing for all inmates ages 55 and older who have served at least 15 years, regardless of their sentence.If passed,about 1,000people would immediately become eligible for parolehearings.

TheFair and Timely Parole bill would center parole standards around the persons rehabilitation while in prisonand disallow parole denials solely based on the crime of conviction.The proposal would stillallowdenial of parole if the board found that the person posed a significant risk to community safety.

On May 26, a coalition of groups including No One LeavesMid Hudson, the Newburgh/HighFalls NAACP, the Newburgh LGBTQ Center,Decarceratethe Hudson Valley, the NU-V.O.T.E.R.S. Movement andthe Release Aging People in Prison Campaign rallied on Grand Street in Newburgh, outside the district offices of state Sen.JamesSkoufisand Assembly memberJonathan Jacobson. The crowd of roughly 30 people chanted, Bring our elders home now and Parole justice now.

Theyurgedthe legislators to sign on to the bills as sponsors, in hopes they will advance to the floor for votes before the session endsJune 10.

A correctional facility is supposed to change behavior, Newburgh City Councilman Omari Shakurtold the rally.If you change behavior, whyare you denying people when they gobefore the parole board?

He pointed to himself as proof people can change: In and out of jail and prison from the age of 16 until 1996, Shakur hasstayed free since then, and is now an elected city official.

The push for reform is acutely personal for many advocates.

Kenyatta Shabazz of Newburgh spokeat the rally and afterwardabout her grandfather, Ulysses Boyd, who at 66 suffers from blood clots, asthma and other lung issues, and is recovering from COVID-19.Boyd has been in prison for 38 years, serving a sentence of 50 years to life for a murder committed when he was 22.Shabazzhas never seen her grandfatheroutside of Greenhaven Correctional Facility.Hes parole eligible in2036.

Not only is my grandfather a changed man from who he was 38 years ago, he has helped so many people, Shabazzsaid, adding that he works in the prison law library, helping others research their cases andwrite legal briefs.

At first, it was just life for me: Every weekend, you go see grandpa for five hours,she added, but then she saw a video of him talking about how he was waiting to die in prison.That put a spark in me.

Clifford Howard ofNewburgh, who was paroled in November after serving 38 years for murder, knew Boyd in Manhattan in the 1970s, and at Greenhaven. He saw a transformation.

Hed be a good person to be released under this new bill,Howard told Shabazz. Many people change, Howard said during the rally;insteadofcrime, theyre thinking about their families.

I thank God I still had some family that was around,and thats what got him through, Howardsaid.Thestrength that they gave me, the hope that they gave me, and my faith in Jesus Christ.

Alisha Kohn, who is transgender, spent 10 years in a mens prison and was denied parole three times before getting out.

I made it out. Im here, she said during the rally, noting thatothers who deserve release are still in prison.

Some people I consider my family that should be here now are not.

Erie County District AttorneyJohn Flynn,vice president of the District Attorneys Association of New York, opposes the parole reform bills, especially in combination.

"You're going to have the potential for some pretty serious criminals, who got a lot of years in jail, for getting out of prison," he said. "That is troublesome, and it's not good for public safety."

Even for murderers and child rapists, he said,under Fair and Timely, "there's almost a presumption in the bill that if you've been good in prison, that you're going to get out,"

Wayne Spence,president of the New York State Public Employees Federation, has beena parole officer since 1993. He said that when he started, there were about 1,200 parole offices statewide; now there are 700. Meanwhile, the number of people on parole orpost-release supervision is significantly higher.

The caseload has mushroomed, Spence said.Parole officers have less time to spend, he said, on monitoring high-needs, high-risk cases, such as sex offenders, gang members and people with mental illness, let alone helping people on paroleget back on their feet with programs or jobs.

We want these people to succeed; we do, Spence said. But he added that parole officers are unable now to monitor people as closely, or work with them as intensively as in the past, Spence said.

Its now justreferhim to a program, give him alistof jobs, and move on to the next case, Spence said.

Giving more peopleparole without first expanding the programs that help them, including the housing and care that older people require, a recipe for trouble, he added.

Unfortunately, its going to take parolees committing heinous crimesto change policy, Spence said.

Dymond and his union say that has already happened. A paroleewas charged with felony drug possession in May 2020in Sullivan Countyand released, despite multiple felony convictions and incarcerations,in keeping with bail reform.In October, the man Ray Kelly was charged with fatally dragging a South Carolina sheriffs deputy during a traffic stop, and now faces murder charges.

In 2019, New Yorks parole system caused state and local governments to spend $683 million to lock up people for parole violations. And $91 million of that was spent by counties to jail people charged with technical parole violations, according to an analysis released in March by the Columbia University Justice Lab and the Independent Commission on New York City Criminal Justice and Incarceration Reform. That includes $3.1 million in Orange County, $1.5 million in Sullivan, and $1.8 million in Ulster.

Spence said society has forced politicians to take a hard look atrelease conditions for older, infirm people in prison, but we cant just put these people out on the street.

Why are we not creating a cross-agency task force to deal with those high-risk populations so we can get them out of jail and have services for them? he asked.I would not be arguing against this if the services were in place.

See more here:
'Giving people a chance': Progressives pushing for NY parole reform, but time is ticking - Times Herald-Record

A major bill, aimed at directing about $500 million in mining revenue and federal aid to public education and staving off politically perilous 2022 ballot questions, began its race against the legislative clock late Sunday with a broad coalition of mining interests, progressive advocates and the Clark County teachers union on board.

The bill, AB495, was heard in a joint Senate-Assembly budget meeting on Sunday evening ahead of a crucial legislative period the 120-day session ends Monday at midnight, and the bill must still clear the Assembly and Senate with a two-thirds majority vote, requiring at least some Republican buy-in. The bill passed out of the Assembly Ways and Means committee late Sunday on a party-line vote.

The bill is much more than just a tax increase. In addition to creating a new excise tax on gold and silver mine total revenue above $20 million a provision that is estimated to bring in between $150 to $170 million over the biennium the bill redirects existing mining taxes to education alone. It also allocates $200 million in federal funds to address learning loss, makes changes to Medicaid and restores funding to a private school scholarship program supported by private donations made in exchange for tax credits.

Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson (D-Las Vegas) framed the bill as the product of compromise between divergent interests, saying that many provisions had left those involved holding their nose and nodding their head.

This is, I believe, a reflection of collaboration that in my career has seldom been seen, Frierson said.

Presenting the bill alongside Frierson was Nevada Mining Association President Tyre Gray, and a representative from the largest player in the mining industry Nevada Gold Mines also testified in support.

Mining is a willing payer to achieve these goals, Gray said. Though mining alone cannot solve the structural fiscal and funding issues of the state of Nevada, it is within our DNA to be first at the table and be part of the solution.

Also at the table was Clark County Education Association Executive Director John Vellardita, whose presence has implicit election implications. Frierson said passage of the bill would result in lawmakers not advancing any of the three proposed mining constitutional amendments approved in the 2020 special session, and the teachers union is expected to withdraw its 2022 ballot petitions aimed at increasing gaming and sales taxes if the legislation passes.

Vellardita said earlier this spring that the union wasnt wed to its ballot measures and would embrace an alternative if it satisfies what we think needs to be done, although he didnt name a number at that time. At the hearing, Vellardita referred to his unions effort to force a conversation around investing and lauded the bill as a historic investment in base per-pupil funding.

I think the most significant thing that's out of this piece of legislation is a dedicated funding stream for K-12. Is it enough? No, but it's a start, Vellardita said at the hearing.

The new tax envisioned by the bill is an excise tax levied on gross revenue of gold and silver mines in the state. The rates would be set at 0.75 percent on revenue above $20 million and up to $150 million a year, and at a 1.1 percent rate for any revenue above $150 million.

The bill also allows for deductions including for proceeds deriving from federal land that is also a military base and sets a calculation for determining gross receipts, which is similar in structure to the one related to Nevadas Commerce Tax (a levy on annual revenue over $4 million that was approved in 2015).

In a diversion of an existing tax revenue stream, the bill directs money from the net proceeds of minerals tax to the state education fund rather than the general fund. Vellardita acknowledged it was possible lawmakers could use the mining money to supplant existing general fund contributions to education, but said lawmakers would face pressure not to do that from voters who expect meaningful improvement in schools.

And in a likely nod to needed Republican support, the bill will also add back $4.745 million in tax credits for the Opportunity Scholarship program, which provides private school tuition grants to eligible low-income children but is fiercely opposed by many progressive groups who see it as sapping money from traditional public schools. The program, which serves just over 1,000 students, was severely curtailed in the 2019 Legislature and closed to new enrollees Frierson at the time argued that an annual 10 percent growth factor built into the program would quickly build to simply unsustainable levels.

During the hearing on Sunday, Frierson said the number of students in the program had dropped off significantly faster than I think we anticipated last session, and so we are now within the parameters of that program. He characterized the bill not as an expansion of the program, but as maintenance of 2019 levels.

The legislation would also direct the Commission on School Funding to explore new options for public education revenue. A report from the commission that was released last month suggested sales tax and property tax as the best mechanisms, but Frierson opposes altering the sales tax, and he said he didnt want to presuppose what the commission might recommend based on AB495s directive.

This bill is the beginning of a conversation and we are not going to stop calling for stable funding for education in this state, Frierson said.

In the meantime, the bill also calls for the appropriation of $200 million in federal COVID relief funds for COVID-related learning loss programs for school districts, including tutoring, summer school programs, extended learning and enrichment programs and support for at-risk students. The bill includes charter schools as a potential recipient of the funds, but Frierson said they would be removed in an amendment.

Another planned amendment to the bill will also charge the commission with exploring the issue of school board composition a subject Frierson and other lawmakers have championed in efforts to make more school board members appointed.

Additionally, the bill appropriates $600,000 per year to the Silver State Opportunity Grant Program the state-supported needs-based financial aid program. That allocation would restore funding to levels approved in 2019.

Another section would include aspects of Republican Senate Minority Leader James Settelmeyers legislation authorizing Medicaid reimbursement for personal care services. Frierson said that language was something that I think collectively, folks thought was worthwhile as being a part of this package.

Progressive supporters of the bill highlighted the need to fund education in Nevada, praising the measure as a necessary step toward helping students succeed, but lamented that lawmakers did not consider AJR1, proposed during the special session.

While we maintain that AJR1 from the 32nd special session would have been the ideal solution to raising revenue this session, said PLAN lobbyist Christine Saunders. This deal is a start to addressing the privileged position mining has held in Nevadas tax code until now.

Amanda Hilton, the general manager of Robinson Nevada Mine, a copper mine operating out of White Pine County, choked up as she testified in support of the measure. She said that the bill will not only enhance the industrys investment in education, but it will also protect the economic vitality of Eastern Nevada.

I sit here before you today representing the 600 miners at Robinson and my White Pine County community, Hilton said. This legislation will keep our miners working within the economic engine of our community.

Brian Mason, the vice-chairman of the Shoshone-Paiute tribe, was the only caller in opposition. He said that he was disappointed that tribes were not included in the discussion and that state dollars should be allocated to help poverty stricken reservation communities. The Nevada Republican Party also submitted a letter in opposition.

If the measure fails to advance, the electoral consequences will be felt on the 2022 ballot. Frierson has vowed to advance one of the proposed mining tax resolutions if the deal falls through, and Vellardita said after the hearing that the teachers union was prepared to spend up to $10 million in the 2022 cycle to try to pass the gaming and sales tax initiatives estimated at one point to raise a combined $1.4 billion.

Vellardita said he was optimistic about the bills chances saying it represented significant compromises on all sides, while noting the unions initial funding ask from the mining industry was closer to $400 million over the biennium. Despite that, he said the potential for things to go haywire over the final hours of the session remained high.

The shit drops, it's anybodys game, he said in an interview. Everybody that is potentially the deciding vote has a self-inflated view of value, and they try to trade it. And that's what you're seeing right now. So do I think it's there? Do I think it's possible? Absolutely.

View original post here:
Mining tax bill starts advancing through Legislature, with industry, progressives, teacher's union in support - The Nevada Independent