The Morning: A bipartisan schools movement

Red and blue states, for pre-K and more community college.

View in browser|nytimes.com April 28, 2021 By David Leonhardt Good morning. President Biden goes before Congress tonight to lay out his agenda. Graduation at Motlow State Community College in Tullahoma, Tenn.Joe Buglewicz for The New York Times 'What are we going to do?' Over the past decade, an idea has become popular with mayors and governors, both Democratic and Republican: A K-12 education is no longer enough. Students should start school earlier than kindergarten, according to this view, both to help families with child care and to provide children with early learning. And students should stay in school beyond high school, because decent-paying jobs in today's economy typically require either a college degree or vocational training. In response, many states and cities have expanded education on at least one end of K-12. Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Vermont and West Virginia have something approaching universal pre-K. Arkansas, Indiana, New Jersey and more than a dozen other states have tuition-free community college. These expansions appeal to liberals' desire to use government for helping people and conservatives' preference for expanding the economic pie rather than redistributing wealth. By The New York Times | Source: The National Institute for Early Education Research "The income disparity deal is real in our country," Bill Haslam, a Republican and the former Tennessee governor who pushed for free community college, told Politico, "and the question is, 'What are we going to do about it?'" Or as Rahm Emanuel, a Democrat and former mayor of Chicago who expanded pre-K and community-college enrollments, told me: "High school just doesn't cut it anymore. It was good for the industrial age. For the information age, you've got to go to community college." Emanuel added, "It has bipartisan support." Biden goes to Capitol Hill Tonight, President Biden will go before Congress to lay out his agenda, and an expansion of federal funding for pre-K and community college will be a central part of it. Despite the recent gains, both pre-K and community college remain far from universal. And Biden's proposal is an example of how he is trying to define bipartisanship during a time when congressional Republicans are often unwilling to support almost any new federal policy. I realize that may sound like a sweeping statement about the Republican Party, but I think the facts justify it. Consider the past decade: When Republicans controlled the White House and Congress in 2017 and 2018, the only major legislation they passed was a tax cut, and the only other big bill that came close was a repeal of Obamacare, without a replacement. When Donald Trump ran for re-election, the party did not write a campaign platform. During Barack Obama's presidency, and now Biden's, Republicans have almost uniformly opposed significant legislation, be it on health care, climate change, Wall Street regulation or economic stimulus. Biden is hoping he has found one exception — infrastructure. A handful of congressional Republicans have proposed a plan for new roads and other infrastructure that is much smaller than Biden's yet a possible basis for negotiations. Ron Klain, Biden's chief of staff, told a group of columnists this week that he considered the offer serious and "a step in the right direction." On many other issues, though, there is no sign that congressional Republicans are open to compromise with Biden. Their political strategy, as Senator Mitch McConnell famously described in 2010, is to make a Democratic president look partisan and try to win the next election. That forces Biden to choose between passing bills along party lines and getting little done. He has decided to try to pass bills — and to emphasize the ways that the ideas are bipartisan even if the vote in Congress may not be. Expanded pre-K and community college certainly qualify. Still, there are problems with this approach. One example: Democrats are not the only ones with constructive ideas about education. Republicans sometimes put more emphasis on school accountability, while Democrats assume — incorrectly — that adequate funding ensures high quality. If the two parties were negotiating over a bill, it might include a mix of both sides' best ideas. Instead, congressional Republicans have walked away from substantive legislative talks, in education and several other major policy areas. Biden does not have a magical ability to change that. But it is not a sign of a healthy democracy. More on Biden's speech: He will also propose paid family leave and an extended child tax credit. The Times's live coverage is here. Two hundred people will be in the House chamber, instead of the usual 1,600, and security will be tight. THE LATEST NEWS The Virus Playing dominoes in Miami's Little Havana.Scott McIntyre for The New York Times The C.D.C. says that vaccinated people can be maskless outside, except in crowds. The E.U. is securing 1.8 billion more Pfizer vaccine doses. Step inside the negotiations. Republican members of Congress with medical training released a video urging Americans to get vaccinated. Vaccine skepticism is higher among Republican voters than Democrats. Brazil's health authority rejected Russia's Covid vaccine even though scientific research suggests it is safe and effective. "I'm sitting in my apartment waiting to catch the disease. That's what it feels like right now in New Delhi," Jeffrey Gettleman, The Times's bureau chief there, writes. Politics Biden signed an executive order raising the minimum wage paid by federal contractors to $15 an hour, which is likely to affect hundreds of thousands of workers. Biden will nominate Ed Gonzalez, a Texas sheriff and critic of Trump's deportation policies, to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Senators of both parties and a Pentagon panel favor overhauling how the military handles sexual assault. The plans would remove military commanders from deciding cases. Other Big Stories Candles where Andrew Brown Jr. was killed.Amr Alfiky/The New York Times The F.B.I. will open a civil rights investigation in last week's fatal police shooting of Andrew Brown Jr. in North Carolina. Local authorities have not released body camera footage. The police in Alameda County, Calif., released footage of a 26-year-old man who died after officers pinned him for five minutes. Iranian military vessels twice harassed American ships in the Persian Gulf this month after a year of relative maritime peace. W.W. Norton will stop printing Blake Bailey's new Philip Roth biography after several women accused Bailey of sexual assault. Former staffers of Willows Inn, a restaurant on an island north of Seattle, told The Times about faked ingredients, sexual harassment and abuse. Opinions "Falling apart, frayed at the edges, ceasing to function": More than a year into the pandemic, our homes are getting tired of us, too, The Times's Pamela Paul writes. Morning Reads Jane Austen's House in Chawton, England.Luke Wolagiewicz for The New York Times Pride and Prejudice: A Jane Austen museum in England plans to describe her family's ties to the slave trade. Some people are not pleased. Lives Lived: Ole Anthony went dumpster diving to find incriminating evidence about televangelists. What he found took down ministries and sent a preacher to jail. He died at 82. Subscribe Today This newsletter is free, but you can go deeper into the stories we highlight each morning with a subscription to The Times. Please consider becoming a subscriber with this special offer. ARTS AND IDEAS DC, Kyle J Baker/Marvel, David Crownson and Courtland Ellis/Kingwood Comics, Amy Reeder/Marvel The evolution of Black superheroes The latest entry in Black History, Continued — a Times project about significant moments and figures in Black culture — is about superheroes. Why? "Superheroes gave us an opportunity to look at this thing that will keep coming back through the year, which is, what is a Black hero and what do heroes mean in Black history?" Veronica Chambers, who spearheaded the project, said. A new generation of writers is placing Black heroes at the center of big-budget films and TV shows, including "Black Panther" and "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier." Black creators are also reinterpreting well-worn superhero narratives. The writer Ta-Nehisi Coates is working on a Superman screenplay that many believe will include a Black version of the character. Though the story lines are fantastical, the works often contain parallels to real-life experiences: In a recent adaptation of the DC Comics character Nubia, for instance, the police profile and detain her as she tries to save the day. There's also a graphic novel series — "Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer" — that reimagines the abolitionist as a katana-wielding warrior. Read Veronica's essay here. — Sanam Yar, Morning writer PLAY, WATCH, EAT What to Cook Julia Gartland for The New York Times Roasted salmon and sweet peas make a quick and satisfying dinner. In the Garden What to look for in spring wildflower season. What to Read In "Jackpot," Michael Mechanic details how the ultra-rich live, arguing that inordinate wealth "harms us all" — including the ultra-rich. Read The Times's review. Late Night The hosts discussed masks. Now Time to Play The pangram from yesterday's Spelling Bee was optimal. Here is today's puzzle — or you can play online. Here's today's Mini Crossword, and a clue: "My Fair Lady" lady (five letters). If you're in the mood to play more, find all our games here. Thanks for spending part of your morning with The Times. See you tomorrow. — David P.S. A hidden haiku from our colleague Claire Cain Miller's conversations with girls about how the Trump presidency shaped their politics: "Maybe I'll try to / catch up with them again in / 2024." You can see today's print front page here. Today's episode of "The Daily" is about India. On "The Argument," a debate about police reform. And on "Popcast," why the sing-rap generation is thriving. Lalena Fisher, Claire Moses, Ian Prasad Philbrick, Tom Wright-Piersanti and Sanam Yar contributed to The Morning. You can reach the team at themorning@nytimes.com. Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. The Morning Briefing newsletter is now The Morning newsletter. You received this email because you signed up for the newsletter from The New York Times, or as part of your New York Times account. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018

Stop Biden’s tax hikes!

Allow me to be blunt. Tax hikes are coming. It's not a matter of if they will arrive. It's a matter of when and how much...

Sponsored Message Below, please find a special message from one of our advertisers, National Taxpayers Union. Robert B,  Allow me to be blunt. Tax hikes are coming. It’s not a matter of if they will arrive. It’s a matter of when and how much... President Joe Biden and his allies in Congress are bent on repealing our historic 2017 tax cuts. Despite the media’s spin, you and I know the real story about these reforms.They simplified the tax code and created a booming economy by generating millions of new jobs.  Repealing the 2017 tax cuts would be a terrible hardship to the American people while our economy is still struggling to recover, and so many businesses just can’t find their footing.  Unfortunately, that’s not all the bad news…  The Biden Administration and legislators are working to pass trillions more in spending bills. They’re intended to “stimulate” the economy but after the trillions that have already been approved over the past year, spending more money out of an empty pocket will move us ever-closer to bankruptcy.  Here’s how we can stop both wasteful spending and unnecessary tax hikes: I want to introduce you to an organization who helped pass the historic 2017 tax cuts - The National Taxpayers Union (NTU). Every single day, NTU’s team is on the front lines as our country’s top defense against tax increases and wasteful spending. The National Taxpayers Union is CRITICAL for conservatives to have any chance of stopping more big-government schemes.  Here are some of NTU’s tremendous accomplishments and why I support them: NTU was a critical ally in the 2017 tax cuts that created millions of jobs and increased wages. They lobbied Congress day and night to help pass it. NTU was a key player when President Reagan enacted the 1986 tax code overhaul. But NTU isn’t focused only in Washington, DC. NTU has defeated tax hikes at all levels of government - from your home, to your phone bill, and even the gasoline in your car. The National Taxpayers Union is the longest serving organization fighting for taxpayers. But they haven’t slowed down over the years. They led the years-long campaign to permanently protect your Internet service from discriminatory taxes during Democratic and Republican control of Congress.  And as I mentioned they helped both President Ronald Reagan and President Trump enact historic tax reform! Robert B, I spoke with NTU’s president Pete Sepp. I told him I would personally help NTU raise $50,000 in the next 48 hours. This support will go directly to stopping wasteful spending and tax hikes.  Can you please rush your support today and donate $20.21, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or any amount you can generously afford? Click here to donate or use a link below >>>  Donate $10 >>> Donate $20.21 >>> Donate $50 >>> Donate $100 >>> Donate $250 >> Donate $500 >>> Donate $1,000 >>> Donate Any Amount >>> NTU has a plan to STOP tax hikes from President Biden and his Congressional allies. Here’s how: FIRST: NTU’s respected and experienced staff will reach out and meet every Congressional member. NTU will give each member considering a vote for wasteful spending and tax hikes the information they need to show the economic cost. They will stand up and speak out for YOU on Capitol Hill. SECOND: NTU will make sure constituents hear about tax hikes. NTU has an extensive plan for advertising plans in key districts. THIRD: NTU will publish articles shared by the press, go on talk radio, and appear on TV to make sure everyone knows how their member of Congress is voting.  Nothing in politics moves unless it is PUSHED. Informing constituents and getting them to contact their representatives is one of the most effective ways to stop the tax hikes. Robert B, the last time the Left controlled Congress and the Presidency, America got stuck with Obamacare. Let’s not allow bad policy and legislation to hurt millions of Americans again.  I am only one voice in Congress. With your help today, you can make sure the voices of millions of Americans are heard.  Please help me reach this goal of $50,000. Select an amount below and rush your support today. Donate $10 >>> Donate $20.21 >>> Donate $50 >>> Donate $100 >>> Donate $250 >> Donate $500 >>> Donate $1,000 >>> Donate Any Amount >>> Thank you, Robert B.  Mike Lee P.S. I hope you can immediately respond to this email.  President Biden and Congress are looking to spend TRILLIONS and create new taxes that will ultimately harm the middle class and small businesses.  The National Taxpayers Union is preparing to fight back but your help is needed. Please click here to help fight back and chip in $10, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or whatever you can afford.  Thank you.   Paid for by National Taxpayers Union Copyright © 2021 Conservative Review. All rights reserved.   This email was sent by: Conservative Review  8275 S. Eastern Ave, Ste 200-245 Las Vegas, Nevada 89123 USA   The advertiser may collect personal information based on your interaction with this email. Please read the advertiser's privacy policy for more information.   Privacy Policy | Manage Your Preferences | Unsubscribe   To view this email as a webpage, go here.

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Here's The Far-Left's Plan To Take Over Every Federal Court Over Republican Objection

Progressives have long advocated packing the Supreme Court, but a recent plan proposed by far-left judicial activists calls on Senate Democrats to add hundreds of new federal judges to the lower courts through the procedural tactic of reconciliation.

Yale Law School professor Samuel Moyn and Take Back the Court director Aaron Belkin sent a memo March 29 to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other top Senate Democrats in favor of expanding federal appellate and district courts through reconciliation.

Reconciliation is a parliamentary procedure that allows the Senate to pass legislation affecting the budget — including taxation and spending measures — with only a simple majority and no filibuster option.

Senate Democrats previously used reconciliation to pass the COVID-19 relief package in early March without a single Republican vote. Democrats are reportedly considering reconciliation once again to push through President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan. (RELATED: Senator Admits Democrats Will Use Procedural Tactic To Pass Infrastructure Bill Without Republicans)

One hurdle court-packing advocates must overcome is the Byrd rule. Proposed by the late Sen. Robert Byrd in 1985, the rule was formally incorporated into the Congressional Budget Act in 1990 with the intention of preventing senators from abusing reconciliation by adding "extraneous" issues into budget-related legislation.

The Byrd rule grants the Senate parliamentarian, a strictly nonpartisan official, authority to determine whether measures in a reconciliation bill satisfy the six criteria imposed by the rule. A statutory measure expanding the federal courts would specifically have to pass the "merely incidental" standard.

The "merely incidental" standard upholds that non-budget measures can not be included in reconciliation if they do not have a direct impact on the budget, or if its impact is "merely incidental" and not an intended effect of the measure, according to a Heritage Foundation legal analysis of the Byrd rule.

Determining whether a non-budget item meets the standard is often difficult because the Byrd rule does not specify what "merely incidental" means and its interpretation has historically varied depending on the Senate parliamentarian, the Heritage Foundation noted.

The standard was notably used to strike down a proposal to repeal Obamacare's individual mandate when Republicans considered tax reform in 2017, according to The Washington Post. The Senate parliamentarian determined that eliminating the individual mandate was "merely incidental" as it did not intentionally affect the budget.

Instead of eliminating the individual mandate outright, Senate Republicans changed the penalty for violation to zero. This change affected the federal government's tax policy, thus satisfying the "merely incidental" standard, while still effectively ending the individual mandate.

Moyn and Belkin argued in their memo to Senate Democrats that adding 250 lower court judges satisfies the "merely incidental" standard because the proposal would cost an estimated $209 million to $382 million in mandatory government spending, based on data from the United States Courts' congressional budget request for 2021.

It is unclear if current Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough would support the radical proposal. She notably struck down a $15 federal minimum wage proposal from the COVID-19 relief package last month under the Byrd rule. (RELATED: Liberals Call On Biden Administration To Overrule Senate Parliamentarian, Put $15 Minimum Wage In Relief Package)

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