Mediaboss Marketing

AUSTIN, Texas Texas Republicans on Monday resumed their push to pass a major voting bill with an array of restrictions, moving the bill to a closed-door panel of lawmakers who will hash out the final version of the legislation.

But much of the suspense surrounding the panel, known as a conference committee, centers not on whether the legislation will pass the G.O.P.-controlled Legislature, but on what measures it will include when it does.

After a late-night scramble of last-minute negotiations among lawmakers last week, it looked as if recently introduced voting options, such as drive-through voting and 24-hour voting, would survive Republicans initial attempt to ban them. The version of the bill passed by the State Senate would have prohibited those types of voting, but the House version passed last week made no mention of either provision.

However, State Senator Bryan Hughes, the Republican sponsor of the initial bill and one of the committee members who will shape the final version behind closed doors, said in an interview last week that he would like to see the provisions banning drive-through voting and 24-hour voting added back to the final bill.

It makes sense, Mr. Hughes said, citing internal polling suggesting that Texas voters preferred standardized hours for early voting across the state. So theres some predictability and people are confident that the rules are being followed.

The conference committee will meet this week to start crafting a final version of the bill, which would then be sent for a final up-or-down vote in both chambers. The Senate announced its members made up of four Republicans and one Democrat on Monday, and the House will make its appointments when the chamber convenes on Tuesday.

The bill initially sought a host of new restrictions on voting that would have had an outsize impact on voters in cities, most notably in Harris County, the biggest county in the state and home to Houston.

During the coronavirus pandemic, Harris County introduced a drive-through voting option, which more than 127,000 voters used in the general election. It also had a single day of 24-hour voting, which more than 10,000 voters used to cast ballots. The original bill that passed the House would have banned both of those methods, as well as placed limitations on the allocation of voting machines in counties with a population of more than one million, which election officials had said could force the closure of some polling locations.

But as the bill made its way through the Legislature, most of those provisions were removed. The bill as it passed the House included provisions greatly expanding the autonomy and authority of partisan poll watchers, included new penalties for election officials and workers who violate the rules, and barred officials from sending out absentee ballots to voters who have not requested them.

Mr. Hughes said he wanted the provisions against drive-through and 24-hour voting to be added back to the bill so there would be uniformity among counties in how elections are run.

Amid months of false claims by former President Donald J. Trump that the 2020 election was stolen from him,Republican lawmakers in many states are marching aheadto pass laws making it harder to vote and changing how elections are run, frustrating Democrats and even some election officials in their own party.

One county cant just make up the rules, Mr. Hughes said. Houstons not the capital of Texas. Harris County doesnt need to do that. Whether I like the change or I dislike it, one county cant just make up the rules on the fly. That doesnt work.

Democrats in the Legislature have argued that this logic hampers the administration of elections, which are best run when local officials are empowered to address problems in their communities.

You really cant have uniformity when every county is different. Harris County is different than Loving County, said Jessica Gonzlez, a state representative and the Democratic vice chair of the House Elections Committee, referring to a county in West Texas with less than 200 residents. And so, in my experience in doing voter protection work, its important that these elections officials are able to administer their elections, because theyre the ones who are actually on the ground and able to address those issues.

If legislators in Texas were to add back provisions from the version of the voting bill that initially passed the State Senate, the state would stand as somewhat of an outlier nationally. Republicans in other states have tended to remove some of the strictest measures from voting bills as they make their way through legislatures. Both Georgia and Florida initially introduced bills that featured much more strident restrictions such as limiting voting on Sunday or banning drop boxes before settling on final versions that allowed for some weekend voting and limited drop box usage.

Texas is one of the last major battleground states working toward an overhaul of its voting rules and regulations. The Legislature is in session until the end of May, so any law will have to be on its way to the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, by midnight, June 1.

Go here to read the rest:
Just How Strict Will Texas Republicans Voting Bill Be? - The New York Times

Republicans are sparring with Gov. Andy Beshear over a contract dispute between his administration and a Kentucky Baptist Convention affiliated adoption agency over a clause intended to prevent discrimination against LGBTQ people.

The five Republican constitutional officers Attorney General Daniel Cameron, Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, Treasurer Allison Ball, Auditor Mike Harmon and Secretary of State Micheal Adams signed a letter Monday urging the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to reinstate its contract with Sunrise Childrens Services, a large foster care and adoption agency.

Their statement, which argues that Beshear has a legal obligation to continue the contract, follows a similar letter put out by the majority of the Kentucky House Republican Caucus on Wednesday that also urged Beshear and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to waive a provision that prevents discrimination over sexual orientation and gender identity.

Sunrise is a proven partner in caring for the children of Kentucky and has been for more than four decades, Speaker Pro Tem David Meade said, We are simply asking that the state continue in this partnership and not risk the care provided to hundreds of Kentucky children. Now is not the time for the administration to make this about politics.

Neither letter specifically mentions the heart of the dispute between Sunrise and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

The Courier Journal first reported that the dispute is over a single sentence in the contract but neither the Beshear administration nor the Kentucky Baptist Convention has detailed the exact language at issue.

The Beshear administration, Sunrise Family Services and the Kentucky Baptist Convention all did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last Monday, Beshear confirmed the issue was over a clause that aims to prevent discrimination over sexual orientation and gender identity, without ever directly using those words.

My understanding is that is the clause, Beshear said, when asked directly whether the clause is in regards to sexual orientation. My understanding is that there has recently been a settlement agreement that impacts this from litigation against the state, possibly because of those waivers. My understanding is that theres a new supreme court case, at least since the last time a contract came along.

Beshear was likely referring to the U.S. Supreme Court case Bostock v. Clayton County, where in 2020 the court ruled that it is illegal for businesses to fire employees because they are gay or transgender.

And while it is unclear which settlement agreement Beshear was referring to, there has been a longstanding lawsuit against the state and the Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children, filed by the ACLU on behalf of Alicia Pedreira, who said she was fired by the organization after it learned she is a lesbian.

The dispute sparks a familiar flash-point in Kentucky politics over what, if any, anti-discrimination protections should be afforded LGBTQ Kentuckians.

Recent fairness bills intended to prevent discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation have failed to get a hearing in either chamber of the General Assembly.

In the 2021 legislative session, Republicans tucked a provision into the Executive Branch budget bill that attempted to prevent the Beshear administration from enforcing non-discrimination clauses that went against a childrens services contractors sincerely held religious beliefs.

Beshear vetoed the bill, saying it would allow discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, but his veto was easily overridden.

In their letter, Republican constitutional officers argued that Sunrise had first amendment protections because the state could not discriminate against religious conduct.

They truly have done the Lords calling to do unto the least of these, Secretary of State Micheal Adams wrote. I respectfully ask the Beshear administration to stand up for Kentucky children rather than kowtowing to political correctness.

Chris Hartman, the executive director of the Fairness Campaign, said ending the contract with Sunrise will not overburden the states foster care and adoptive services, where there are around 9,100 children and that it was about protecting LGBTQ Kentuckians.

This is not only about respecting LGBTQ families and parents, but about protecting kids, Hartman said. I would say its a dangerous environment for LGBTQ kids to be in Sunrises care right now.

Continued here:
Republicans spar with Beshear on disputed adoption contract over discrimination clause - messenger-inquirer

Republicans, Democrats, comedians, and the sitting governor of New Jersey walk into a bar ...

Actually, it was a backyard in Westfield.

State Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick, one of the states top Republicans, held an outdoor cocktail party at his home to draw attention to the pain the coronavirus pandemic has caused live comedy and other entertainment. Bramnick moonlights as a standup when hes not pushing legislation.

A bunch of Jersey comics shared drinks on his patio former Saturday Night Live castmember (and almost-gubernatorial candidate) Joe Piscopo, Vinnie Brand, Rich Vos, Mike Marino, Vic DiBitetto, Steve Trevelise, among others. Former governors Richard Codey, a Democrat, and Donald DiFrancesco, a Republican, were also there.

But the opener was current Gov. Phil Murphy, who made a bipartisan appearance.

The past 14 months have sucked, the Democratic governor, holding a cocktail, told the small crowd gathered in the backyard. But its been particularly tough on performers.

Murphy, who is running for re-election this year, has faced relentless criticism from Republicans for his handling of the pandemic. Many say hes been too strict with restrictions, causing business like comedy clubs to suffer though the governor insists hes trying to save lives.

Entertainment venues have faced capacity limits for more than a year, though the state is easing them Wednesday. About a third of the states small businesses have closed during the pandemic.

But Bramnick, who represents a part of Union County that has a moderate, said one goal of Tuesdays event was to show the two parties arent immediate enemies.

I wanted to throw a bipartisan thing that showed people can get together and try to help them through as much as possible, said the lawmaker, who is running for state Senate this year. Just because I disagree with you, why cant we have some laughs?

Bramnick faced some backlash on social media for having Murphy at the event.

Murphys appearance came just hours after he stood firm on keeping New Jerseys indoor mask mandate in place even as neighboring states adopt new federal guidelines that say fully vaccinated people dont need to wear masks or social distance anymore in most cases.

Republicans including Bramnick have lambasted the governor for the move, arguing hes ignoring science at a time when the states COVID-19 numbers keep improving as vaccinations continue. But Murphy said its too soon to drop the mandate, though that may happen in the coming weeks.

Murphy also signed an order Monday eliminating the order that people have to wear masks outdoors in public in New Jersey.

People were maskless at Bramnicks event, though they were gathered outdoors.

The top joke of the event may have been a passing remark by Piscopo.

At one point, Bramnick mentioned something about Murphy being there.

I thought he meant Eddie, the SNL alum quipped.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com.

See the original post:
Republicans and Democrats laughing together? It happened in N.J., and were not joking! - NJ.com

Republican candidates in states across the country are seizing on critical race theory as a talking point in their effort to appeal to cultural conservatives.

Virginia Republican gubernatorial nominee Glenn Youngkin vowed to expel the academic movement from schools, while Ohio GOP Senate candidate Jane Timken took it on as part of a statewide listening tour.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantisRon DeSantisPalm Beach prosecutor says DeSantis could delay hypothetical Trump extradition Republicans seize on conservative backlash against critical race theory Journalism dies in newsroom cultures where 'fairness is overrated' MORE (R) and South Dakota Gov. Kristi NoemKristi Lynn NoemRepublicans seize on conservative backlash against critical race theory Government indoctrination, whether 'critical' or 'patriotic,' is wrong Montana governor approves restrictions on transgender athletes in schools MORE (R), both potential presidential candidates in 2024, have also knocked critical race theory. Noem recently started a petition on her campaign website to keepit out of classrooms.

It offers Republicans a great opportunity to educate people about what we actually believe about race, said Terry Schilling, the executive director of the conservative think tank the American Principles Project.

Schilling added that his organization was considering wading into the fight over the academic movement by running and testing the effectiveness of ads ahead of 2022.

The Republican effort comes after the party exceeded expectations in the 2020 elections, holding on to a number of crucial Senate seats and gaining seats in the House. Some Democrats argued the GOPs unexpectedly strong performance was due in part to conservatives tying Democrats to progressive policies like calls to defund the police.

Now, Republicans are looking to tie Democrats to critical race theory in an effort to paint them as radical.

Critical race theory was developed in the 1970s and 1980s by a number of American legal scholars who argued racism is rooted in the nations founding and that systemic racism continues to have a negative impact on the opportunities and treatment of people of color at all levels of society today.

But opponents of the theory say it teaches students to disparage the U.S. and works to sow racial divisions in classrooms.

White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiBiden's quiet diplomacy under pressure as Israel-Hamas fighting intensifies Overnight Defense: Administration approves 5M arms sale to Israel | Biden backs ceasefire in call with Netanyahu | Military sexual assault reform push reaches turning point CDC mask update sparks confusion, opposition MORE said that it was responsible to teach about systemic racism when asked about a proposal from Sen. Tom CottonTom Bryant CottonRepublicans seize on conservative backlash against critical race theory Tim Scott sparks buzz in crowded field of White House hopefuls Opposition to refugees echoes one of America's most shameful moments MORE (R-Ark.), another potential presidential candidate, opposing critical race theory.

I dont think we would think that educating the youth and next and future leaders of the country on systemic racism is indoctrination. Thats actually responsible, Psaki said at a White House briefing on Thursday.

The debate over the issue has already swept across the U.S., with GOP-controlled legislatures in half a dozen states taking up measures that would limit or ban the theory in schools.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) signed a bill that would keep funding from schools that taught viewpoints that are often found in critical race theory, while the Texas state Senate approved similar legislation. Tennessees state House advanced its legislation on the issue earlier this month, and lawmakers in Arizona, Arkansas and Oklahoma are drafting legislation that would combat the movement being taught in classrooms.

Republicans are also pushing the issue at the federal level, with roughly 30 GOP representatives signaling their support for Rep. Dan Bishops (R-N.C.) Stop CRT Act, which would ban federal employees from having to receive racial equity and diversity training.

Particularly over the last year in lockdown, education has really rocketed to the forefront of definitely suburban mothers minds, said Nicki Neily, president of the conservative group Parents Defending Education.

A lot of this new stuff was sprung on them with no heads up, no buy-in, no introducing it to the community, she continued. They feel like theres sort of no input into the process.

A poll released last month from Parents Defending Education found that 58.3 percent of respondents said they did not believe students should be taught that the country was founded on racism and remains structurally racist today.

The debate reached a boiling point during a tense school board meeting this week in the Washington, D.C., suburban enclave of Loudoun County, Va., after the interim superintendent announced he was launching an equity plan. The superintendent has insisted that critical race theory is not a part of the school districts curriculum.

Virginia Republican candidates have taken the issue head-on ahead of the commonwealths elections later this year.

Its going to be detrimental to our schools and its not what we want, Virginia GOP lieutenant governor nominee Winsome Sears told Fox News on Thursday. It supposedly is to help someone who looks like me and Im sick of it. Im sick of being used by the Democrats, and so are many people who look like me.

Youngkin has campaigned frequently on education issues, including the reopening of schools and school choice, as well as critical race theory. He vowed during the campaign leading up to the state GOP convention that he would take critical race theory out of Virginias public schools if elected.

While the issue has shown its potential to galvanize the conservative base, some strategists say leaning into critical race theory may not be the right messaging move in growing and diversifying suburban areas, which could play a determining factor in upcoming races.

Conservatives also say they are unsure of how the issue will play in suburban enclaves, pointing to Democratic successes in those areas in the 2020 cycle.

I dont know how its going to play with suburban America, Schilling, of theAmerican Principles Project, said. Suburban America has been becoming more and more woke over the last four years.

See the rest here:
Republicans seize on conservative backlash against critical race theory | TheHill - The Hill

The COVID19 Hate Crimes Act passed the House Tuesday by a 364-62 vote. All 62 votes against the bill were cast by Republican members of Congress. The bill passed the Senate passed 94-1 last month, with only Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) as the dissenting vote.

The legislation, which will now go to President Joe Biden's desk for approval, passed in the Senate last month in a rare nearly unanimous display of bipartisan cooperation. Biden has already intimated that he will sign the legislation into law.

The main intention of the COVID19 Hate Crimes Act is to address and slow the notable and troubling rise in hate crimes directed at Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. As the beginning of the act notes, between March 19, 2020 and February 28 of this year, there were almost 3,800 reported cases of anti-Asian incidents linked with COVID-19 throughout America.

The act also instructs the Justice Department to create a review process that expedites the processing of anti-Asian hate crimes related to COVID-19, designating an officer "whose responsibility during the applicable period shall be to facilitate the expedited review of hate crimes."

It gives state and local law enforcement more streamlined resources for collecting and acting upon information related to hate crimes, such as online databases. These instructions include provisions regarding how to remove barriers surrounding data aggregation, like language differences.

In the Senate, Hawaii Democrat Mazie Hirono who introduced the bill, and GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine successfully worked together to "broaden support for the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act while retaining the bill's core purpose to combat anti-Asian hate," Hirono said in a statement.

In the House, Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), and Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) introduced the bill to wide Democratic support.

Speaker Pelosi said on the House floor, "The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Bill will strengthen our defenses against any anti-AAPI violence, speeding our response to hate crime, supporting state and local governments as they improve reporting, and ensuring that they have crimes information and [that] it's more accessible to the Asian American communities."

After his "no" vote in the Senate, Sen. Hawley took to social media to explain his decision, saying: "My big problem with Sen Hirono's bill that Senate voted on today is that it turns the federal government into the speech police - gives government sweeping authority to decide what counts as offensive speech and then monitor it. Raises big free speech questions."

Newsweek has reached out to House Minority Leader McCarthy for comment and will update this story with any response.

Read more from the original source:
62 House Republicans and Josh Hawley Voted Against Bill to Fight Asian American Hate Crime - Newsweek