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State Senator Tom OMara (R,C,I-Big Flats) and other Republican state legislators joined Congressman Tom Reed to call on Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Democrat majorities of the State Legislature to rescind the states newly enacted Green Light Law granting drivers licenses to illegal immigrants.

The law was approved last June and took effect in December. Cuomo made the laws enactment (S1747/A3675, Chapter 37 of the Laws of 2019) a top priority. Among numerous concerns, OMara and other opponents have argued that county clerks and employees at local Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMV) are unable to verify the authenticity of foreign IDs. The New York Association of County Clerks opposed the action and several county clerks have unsuccessfully challenged the law in court.

Only twelve states allow illegal immigrants to obtain a drivers license and, except for New York, all of those states allow federal agencies including U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) full access to their state DMV records.

OMara, who has joined law enforcement and local and state government colleagues opposing the action, once again blasted the approval of the law allowing drivers licenses to illegal immigrants as reckless and the product of one-party, radically progressive, Democrat control of state government.

Governor Cuomo and the Legislatures Democrats are behind the wheel, recklessly speeding this state down a radical, irresponsible road as a high taxing, big spending haven for lawbreakers. Welcome to one-party control, said OMara. Lawbreaking illegal immigrants should never be rewarded with a government-issued drivers license. It puts public safety and security at risk, imposes another unfunded mandate on counties, and asks local, law-abiding public servants to break the law. My bottom line is straightforward: Whats best for public safety? For this governor and this Legislature to have public safety keep taking a back seat to ideology or short-term political gain is wrong, its irresponsible, its dangerous, and it puts all of us at risk. Law and order matters.

OMara and every Republican member of the Legislature voted against the move and continue to point to it as a significant threat to public safety in New York State and across the nation.

The law has recently come under fire for a provision that prohibits the New York State DMV from sharing information with any agency that enforces immigration law, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This has led to the CBP discontinuing the eligibility of New Yorkers to enroll in various trusted traveler programs that facilitate border entry for frequent international travelers.

Reed brought DHS officials to Albany today to brief state lawmakers on the implications of New Yorks ban on information sharing.

A joint statement two weeks ago from New York States four U.S. Attorneys noted that this provision of the law has a much broader adverse effect on law enforcement and public safetyRestoring collaboration and information sharing furthers our effort to secure justice for all, preserve public safety, protect individual rights, and promote due process, bringing us ever closer to a sanctuary built on the rule of law and fairness for everyone.

The DHS and other federal law enforcement agencies regularly rely on state-level DMV information to protect public safety and combat serious crime including drug trafficking, murder, sexual assault, cybercrime, human trafficking, child exploitation, and other serious and violent crimes.

In a strongly worded statement, the State Sheriffs Association also criticized New Yorks move to block information sharing, We feel compelled to express our opposition and deep concernOur inability, under the new law, to share DMV data with federal immigration officers jeopardizes the safety of those officers. We find it offensive that, in order to avail our own Deputies of DMV data that they need for their own safe operations, we were coerced into signing a non-disclosure agreement which jeopardizes the safety of our federal partners.

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Republicans call for Green Light Law to be rescinded in New York - fingerlakes1.com

LAS VEGAS While Democratic voters here will flock to caucus sites to express their preference in their partys nominating contest, Republican voters will go about their day as normal.

Thats because the Republican Party voted last year to cancel its caucus.

On Saturday, the state GOP formally endorsed President Donald Trump and the group's voting members voted to bind the state party's delegates for the Republican National Convention to his re-election campaign.

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The decision to cancel its caucus was made last year to help clear the path to re-election Trump. By canceling its caucus, the party ensures that voters would not have the opportunity to formally put their support behind a different Republican candidate for president.

By canceling it, by opting out of it, it allows us to jump to the, what is gonna be the inevitable conclusion, that President Trump will be getting our delegates at the National Convention in Charlotte, a Nevada GOP spokesperson told multiple media outlets in September, after the vote.

At that time, Trump had faced long-shot challenges for the nomination from former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, former South Carolina Rep. Mark Sanford and former Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh. Walsh and Sanford have since abandoned their bids.

Republican parties in at least three other states also canceled their primaries, as part of an effort to make the path more difficult for these challengers and smoother for Trump.

The Republican Party of South Carolina like Nevada, a crucial early nominating state voted in September not to hold a primary, as did Kansas and Arizona.

Adam Edelman is a political reporter for NBC News.

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Nevada canceled its Republican caucus to help Trump re-election bid - NBC News

Rep. Doug Collins said when Attorney General William Barr testifies before the House Judiciary Committee next month, the George Republican plans to ask him about the dropped criminal investigation into a top FBI official.

"Why like Andrew McCabe was not charged," Collins asked Sunday on Fox News. "Someone who is an admitted liar. Someone who was let go from his job. The American people, the average Joe who gets up in the morning and says if I lie to the authorities, if I lie to the police, something is going to happen to me."

The Justice Department announced earlier this month that McCabe, the former deputy director of the FBI, would not be charged in an investigation into whether he lied to investigators about a media leak two years ago.

"We said at the outset of the criminal investigation, almost two years ago, that if the facts and the law determined the result, no charges would be brought, federal prosecutors said. We are pleased that Andrew McCabe and his family can go on with their lives without this cloud hanging over them.

President Trump cried foul, suggesting his longtime confidant Roger Stone, who was sentenced to 40 months in prison for obstruction, witness tampering, and lying to Congress.

Trump's allies argue that Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz's report on the Russia investigation, which found at least 17 "significant errors or omissions" in the warrants to monitor onetime Trump campaign adviser Carter Page, is evidence of a so-called deep state that sought to undermine the president.

As the Justice Department found that at least two of the four Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act orders were not valid, Republicans such as Collins have vowed to expose what they say is corruption at the highest levels of law enforcement.

"Wheres the investigation going forward on how we can make sure this doesnt happen again?" Collins, the top Republican on the judiciary panel, said he plans to ask Barr.

Barr is scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on March 31.

Read more:
Top Republican to ask Barr why DOJ dropped McCabe criminal investigation - Washington Examiner

Republican lawmakers in Maryland have criticized a history lesson at a public high school near Baltimore in which Donald Trump was compared with Nazis and communists.

A slide used in a history class at Loch Raven high school in Towson showed a picture of Trump above pictures of a Nazi swastika and a flag of the Soviet Union.

Captions read wants to round up a group of people and build a giant wall and oh, THAT is why it sounds so familiar!

The Baltimore Sun reported that the state delegate Kathy Szeliga arranged for copies of the slide and the school systems response to be sent to fellow Baltimore county lawmakers. She also posted the image on Facebook.

It is horrific. It is educational malfeasance, Szeliga said on Friday.

The Baltimore county councilman Wade Kach said the slide was a piece of propaganda that didnt belong in a classroom.

The school system said the slide was not part of the resources it provides for history teachers.

Charles Herndon, a spokesman for Baltimore county schools, said students in advanced high school classes are discerning, intelligent students who are going to be able to draw their own inferences and draw their own conclusions.

The topics being discussed in the class included world wars and the attempts by some leaders throughout history to limit or prevent migration into certain countries. In isolation and out of context with the lesson, the image could be misunderstood, the school district said in a statement.

The school system said the issue had become a personnel matter which will be appropriately addressed by the school administration and is not subject to further clarification.

Link:
Republicans furious over history lesson comparing Trump to Nazis - The Guardian

On Valentines Day, Gov. Kate Brown and Republican state Sen. Bill Hansell surveyed flood damage in Eastern Oregon from a Black Hawkhelicopter.

The following Monday, the governor stopped by Hansells office in the stateCapitol.

She wanted to discuss how the state might give financial help to flood victims in Hansells district. Perhaps not coincidentally, Brown also had a request one tied to a bill the Democrats want to pass this session, but which Hansell and his partyvow toblock.

I had begun to hear that maybe there was going to be a quid pro quo, Hansell recalled Wednesday. The governor was going to hold up relief work in order to try and extract a commitment from me on some of the bills orsomething.

Thats not what happened. According to Hansell, Brown even told him: Im sure you heard rumors Im here to do a quid pro quo. I amnot.

But the governor did ask Hansell for something: That he call Shaun Jillions, an industry lobbyist who is among the most forceful opponents to Senate Bill 1530, the climate change bill Democrats are pushing thisyear.

Hansell said it only dawned on him later what Brown was actually asking. She wanted him to work with Jillions to figure out what amendments to the bill might keep Hansell from abandoning the 2020 legislative sessionaltogether.

Men raise United States and State of Jefferson flags outside the Capitol in Salem, Ore., during a Timber Unity rally Thursday, Feb. 8, 2020. Timber Unitys signature issue is opposition to cap and trade, a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but the group attracts others like climate change deniers and State of Jeffersonsecessionists.

Bradley W.Parks/OPB

The odd meeting is a fitting example of the state of affairs in the Capitol, as Democrats and Republicans once again brace for a clash on climate change. With the cap-and-trade bill headed to a potential Senate vote next week, Republicans are showing more certainty than ever that they will stage the walkout that has long loomed over the session. Democrats are trying to keep them in thebuilding.

The governor has been busy trying to connect with Senate Republicans to identify incentives. Thats included reports of carving out extra money for a veterans hospital in Roseburg or funneling more dollars to a communitycollege.

The attempted deal-making is a matter of arithmetic. Democrats need at least two Republicans on hand in the Senate to achieve a 20-member quorum, allowing them to conductbusiness.

But so far, it hasnt seemed towork.

Republican Leader Herman Baertschiger Jr., R-Grants Pass, said his caucus is solid and united against the cap-and-trade bill. For the past week, Republican Senators have been reading proclamations on the Senate floor from rural counties urging them to ensure the bill doesntpass.

Baertschiger said the governor has offered everybodysomething.

It stinks. I wont have no part of it, and its soft corruption,hesaid.

State Sens. Dennis Linthicum, R-Klamath Falls, and Herman Baertschiger Jr., R-Grants Pass, talk on the Senate floor at the Capitol in Salem, Ore., Thursday, April 11,2019.

Bradley W.Parks/OPB

Brownsees itdifferently.

The governor is trying to speak to individual members about the things we all want for their districts. Wildfire funding cant practically happen without a quorum, said Nik Blosser, the governors chief of staff. There are things that are specific to districts, and thats more how we are seeing the conversations. We cant do these things if we dont have aquorum.

Its not clear all Republicans areas ready to walk out asBaertschiger.

Of 10 GOP senators interviewed by OPB in the last week, seven said they would walk away from the session if SB 1530 doesnt include a referral to voters or other substantial changes. Three more Sens. Denyc Boles, Lynn Findley, and Tim Knopp would not say whether they were prepared to leave. Sen. Dennis Linthicum, R-Klamath Falls, said he was too busy to speak to OPB. Sen. Alan Olsen, R-Canby, is away from theCapitol.

If Republicans do stage a walkout, it could come next week. SB 1530 is currently expected to receive a vote in the Legislatures budget committee on Monday, the last step before the full Senate. Thats as far as many GOP senators are comfortable allowing the bill toproceed.

State Rep. Lynn Findley, R-Vale, introduces legislation on the House floor as the public gallery looks on at the Capitol in Salem, Ore., Tuesday, April 2,2019.

Bradley W.Parks/OPB

During the 2019 legislative session, Senate Republicans left the Capitol two different times. With a walkout in June, they helped kill an earlier version of the climate change bill they are currentlyprotesting.

But last years walkouts were a surprise, catching many off guard; this year, a Republican exodus feels more like a foregoneconclusion.

Republicans have even considered branding for a walkout this time around. According to Sen. Brian Boquist, R-Dallas, theyd pitch it as a boycott for referral, a reference to their insistence the policy change require voterapproval.

They have also picked up a few tips from their previousdepartures.

Sen. Chuck Thomsen, R-Hood River, said that during the 2019 walkout, when the state police were on the hunt for Republican lawmakers, they stopped by Thomsens pear orchards. They spoke to his wife and theforeman.

This time, even Thomsens wife doesnt want to know where hes headed. And, he said, he wont tellher.

Hes had his bag packed for weeks and has already bought a plane ticket. Its on Southwest Airlines, he said, so its easy to change thedates.

Thomsen will say this for certain: this time, hes not headed to Idaho. Its too cold this time of year. His suitcase is full of polo shirts andshorts.

Boquist said Thursday he wouldnt hesitate to head back across the states eastern border once again. He has friends nearLewiston.

Best steelhead fishing in the country, Boquist said. I found a coffee shop that has wi-fi. Ill go there and continue to do Senatework.

Sen. Dallas Heard, R-Roseburg, said he shed 15 pounds during last years protest because of stress. For the past couple of weeks, he joked, hes been doing cheeseburger lifts moving them from the plate to hismouth.

Ive given it a lot of thought, Heard said on a more serious note. The walkout is not something I want to do. The majority has fullcontrol.

State Sen. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer, waits for the start of Oregon Gov. Kate Browns inaugural address at the state Capitol in Salem, Ore., Monday, Jan. 14,2019.

Bradley W.Parks/OPB

Sen. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer, who has served 15 years in the state Legislature, said she sees this as the most damaging legislation shes faced as alawmaker.

Some people see it as shirking our duties, but I see it as actually doing everything we can for our constituents, Thatcher said of possibly leavingSalem.

Under SB 1530, greenhouse gas emissions allowed in Oregon would be capped, and that cap would be reduced over time. Polluters in the transportation, utility and manufacturing sectors would have to obtain state-issued credits for each metric ton of carbon dioxide theyemit.

The bill has spurred intractable disagreement even among lawmakers who agree that climate change is an issue state government mustaddress.

Democrats believe a cap-and-trade program would help the state transition away from fossil fuels, setting a course that would make Oregon a green energy leader and providing a blueprint for other small or medium-sizedstates.

Republicans point out that Oregons emissions are tiny on a global scale. They worry that the new regulations will increase prices, hurting families and spurring businesses to flee thestate.

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With Oregon Republicans Ready To Walk Out, Gov. Brown Tries To Bargain - OPB News