Your March 6th Sunday Summary ...

Ukraine, Legislative Struggles, Victories, and more!

About Commentary Education Taxes Support Dear Friend of TJI,   “We shall not flag or fail,” said another nation’s leader, in another time, as waves of tanks and armaments rolled across Europe. “We shall go on to the end ... we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.” The free citizens of Ukraine are doing just that, against the overwhelming remnants of what Ronald Reagan once called “an Evil Empire.” We pray that this, too, some thousand years from now, will be known by the heirs of freedom as their finest hour.   Meanwhile ...   1.) It is out of our normal wheelhouse, but the world changed two weeks ago and will affect us all. Last Thursday, the Thomas Jefferson Institute hosted the former Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (better known in Virginia as “Governor”) Jim Gilmore for an expansive and extraordinarily informative webinar dissecting events in Ukraine and what he termed the start of a global struggle with authoritarianism. If you missed it or want to review it again, you can click here. The progressive Virginia Mercury covered it, with fair-handed reporting we wish we saw on all issues in all news media, here.   2.) The Institute continues to push for doubling the standard deduction, but Democrats in the State Senate are having no part of it so far, calling for a “study” that would delay consideration of it until after the General Assembly has spent the $16.7 billion surplus (here). Hope lies in conference committee negotiations, where the size of the surplus and the differences between the House and Senate budgets are being graphically highlighted by the Jefferson Institute (here) in our Facebook advertising. If you haven’t already, you can dig deeper into the issue with Senior Fellow Steve Haner’s commentary here. And if you haven’t already, you can write your Delegate and Senator and insist on doubling the standard deduction and a higher tax break. Find out your legislator and their contact information here.   3.) Governor Glen Youngkin, meanwhile, reminded budget conferees of his priority to return a larger portion of the surplus to Virginia taxpayers (here), and made clear his willingness to keep the General Assembly in “overtime” to get it right (here.) Former Delegate Jim LeMunyon shares our argument that, in the long run, we shouldn’t stop there (here).   4.) Following actions in Richmond (here), the House of Delegates wanted to pass a law prohibiting local governments from looking like San Francisco (here). But the State Senate amended the legislation to carve out businesses – residential customers would still be on the hook and potentially have to retrofit their homes to the tune of $26,000. Haner, again, has the story here, and also uncovered that Fairfax County is opening the door to a natural gas ban, too (here). An Institute Facebook ad campaign is alerting and educating the public. You can write your own legislator by clicking here.   5.) The Left’s solution to cleaning up the environment is to tax and ban legal products consumers need. Our preferred solution is different, and the Thomas Jefferson Institute is part of a coalition to encourage new technologies making recycling more viable. Brett Vassey, president of the Virginia Manufacturers Association, makes the case for that approach here.   6.) The Institute welcomes new Visiting Fellow Barbara Hollingsworth. Sharp-eyed observers will recognize Barbara from her years as editorial page editor at the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, the Northern Virginia Journals, and the Washington Beacon. We hope to offer her an expansive opportunity to speak extensively on the issues, not subject to the space limitations of the newspaper world. Her maiden piece for us, on the need to limit powers of the executive branch is here.   7.) Youngkin’s hand in Richmond may be strengthened by a pair of polls indicating considerably more approval than in the one issued by Christopher Newport University. The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association shows his favorability at 49 percent (here), and Roanoke College puts it at 50 percent (here), considerably outpacing President Joe Biden.   8.) While stacked Senate committees have thwarted much of Youngkin’s agenda, bipartisanship reigned in a number of important issues. One of them is Senator David Suetterlein’s SB5, making votes of the Parole Board on the record. This comes too late to stop the scandals of last year, in which the parole board violated law and policy by not properly notifying police and victims about parole releases. Board Chair Adrianne Bennett, later rewarded with a judgeship, was at the center of the controversy, and has been on “extended leave” since May of last year (right around the time things got hot). The State Supreme Court has now sealed its reason for closing records filed by Bennett. The Richmond Times-Dispatch has the story here.   9.) After senior aides to Governor Ralph Northam interfered with the Inspector General’s investigation of the Parole Board scandal, Delegate Les Adams introduced legislation to prohibit such interference. This, too, is headed towards passage in the General Assembly (here).   10.)               Other parts of the Youngkin agenda are moving forward as well:  Parents will now have a say whether their children are assigned in school to read sexually explicit material (here). A bill removing the permitting power of citizen boards, the decisions of which often exceeded the recommendation of the Department of Environmental Quality and have been shutting down pipelines supplying energy to Virginians, is headed to the Governor’s desk (here).   11.)               And, with the support of several Democrats, the Senate Education and Health Committee moved forward a bill banning a Governor’s school’s admissions process from discriminating “on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin,” likely ensuring its passage in the Senate. (here)  This came just days after federal judge Claude Hilton ruled that Fairfax County school officials violated the law by changing admissions requirements at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology to deliberately reduce the number of Asian-American students enrolled there (here and here). Philosophically, all in tune with the aims of Education Secretary Aimee Guidera (here).   Finally ... drive carefully in Northern Virginia this weekend, because you might run into this.   Happy Sunday, Everyone.     Cordially, Chris Braunlich President Support the work of The Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy Click Here ‌ ‌

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Standing Up For Democracy

February 25, 2022   About Tim Services Media Center Legislative Work   Dear Friend, Welcome back to my Week in Review newsletter. Please remember to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for regular updates on how I am serving the people of South Carolina!   Standing With Ukraine This week, the world watched in dismay as Vladimir Putin carried out a devastating and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. As we keep the Ukrainian people in our hearts and prayers, now is also the time to take firm and decisive actions that stand up to Putin’s bullying. I released a full statement condemning Russia’s aggression and calling on President Biden to stand up for democracy. Progressive Policies Are Failing Americans In communities across South Carolina and our nation, hardworking families are feeling the strain of higher prices at the grocery store and gas pump. But progressives are trying to solve the issue (inflation) with more of the problem (spending). The fact is the Democrats’ policies have caused hikes not just in inflation, but also in crime and illegal border crossings — things President Biden will have to explain to the American people at his State of the Union address next week. I talked about what we can expect him to say about these issues and more on Fox News this week. Click below for the full interview. Click to watch Protecting Quality Health Care for Seniors Medicare Advantage plans provide high-quality, affordable care to 27 million seniors, including more than 400,000 South Carolinians. This week, I worked with Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) to gather a bipartisan majority of our Senate colleagues on a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, urging the Biden administration to continue support for Medicare Advantage. As ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee, I’m committed to ensuring our older Americans have access to the best and most affordable care. Supporting the Auto Industry Supply chain disruptions continue to impede our economic recovery — particularly when it comes the automobile industry, which has struggled with a semiconductor shortage for months. The U.S. Department of Treasury already has the authority to provide targeted relief to help struggling dealerships and other businesses in the auto industry, but it has yet to do so. This week, I led a group of my Republican colleagues in urging Treasury to use its readily available powers to help auto retailers stay afloat. Click here to read more about our letter. Sincerely, Lowcountry 2500 City Hall Lane 3rd Floor Suite North Charleston, SC 29406 Phone: (843) 727-4525 Fax: (855) 802-9355   Midlands 1901 Main Street Suite 1425 Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: (803) 771-6112 Fax: (855) 802-9355   Upstate 104 South Main Street Suite 803 Greenville, SC 29601 Phone: (864) 233-5366 Fax: (855) 802-9355   Washington, DC 104 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-6121 Toll Free: (855) 425-6324  Fax: (202) 228-5143     Click here to open a plain text version of this email                Click here to forward this email              Click here to open this e-mail in its own browser window

QUICK SIGNATURE: The Second CTC Payment This Year Missed - Tell Congress to Pass BBB!

February 15th marked the SECOND month that families were unable to receive their monthly CTC check!

Don't Let the U.S. Senate Hold Outs Keep Money from Families -- Restore the CTC NOW! TAKE ACTION

Dear Rob,

Since last summer, families across the country have been breathing a sigh of relief each month when the Child Tax Credit (CTC) payment arrives, giving families up to $300/child each month. [1] However, February 15th marked the SECOND month that families were unable to receive their monthly CTC check! 

Families cannot afford to wait a minute longer. Tell the U.S. Senate: The monthly Child Tax Credit payments must continue!  We are counting on you to pass Build Back Better immediately to restore monthly payments to families, pass paid family and medical leave, and boost child care that helps children and families thrive!

The pandemic continues to wreak havoc on families and communities across the country – child care providers continue to be on the frontlines as they care for children who still lack access to an approved COVID-19 vaccine and face historic staffing shortages as the pandemic wears on. This is happening at the same time that forced closures continue in child care settings, impacting parents' and families' health and ability to get to work. After all, we all know it can be next to impossible to be at work without access to child care – and that child care providers need protection too. When you add the lack of paid leave to help ensure families can stay home when sick and not lose critical income while isolating, it's a MESS.

And just as families needed support to deal with the Omicron surge, the monthly CTC payments ended in December because Democratic Senator Joe Manchin and the Republican Senators refused to pass Build Back Better which would have extended it. The Senate has now stopped two critical monthly payments from going into the pockets of families. It's more important than ever to pass the Build Back Better Act to extend the CTC, advance affordable child care and free Pre-K, guarantee paid family and medical leave, make home-and community-based services for the elderly and those with disabilities more affordable, pay care workers living wages and create good care jobs, lower the cost of insulin and other prescription drugs, make healthcare more affordable, and more.  

→ Tell the Senate to stand with families and vote YES for the Build Back Better Act.

Building off President Biden's Build Back Better plan, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to extend the expanded CTC and ensure that low-income families will ALWAYS have access to the monthly benefit. It also includes key provisions like paid family and medical leave and affordable child care – all of which would be a lifeline to parents and families who are facing a particularly contagious variant of the COVID-19. BUT Senator Joe Manchin and Senate Republicans failed to act and locked families out of their monthly Child Tax Credit payments and critical policies that support families in good times and pandemic times, like paid family and medical leave and affordable child care and elder care. 

After just a single monthly CTC payment, the number of families who said that their household didn't have enough to eat fell by 3.3 million or nearly one-third! [2] THIS IS NOT TIME TO TAKE OUR FOOT OF THE GAS.

Because the Senate failed to act, all the great improvements to the Child Tax Credit are going away, sending millions of children and families back into poverty, disproportionately impacting families of color. In fact, if Build Back Better isn't enacted, the Child Tax Credit would revert to providing the least help to the children who need it most — about 27 million children would once again get a partial credit or none at all because their families' incomes are too low. [3] It's clear: The CTC expansion needs to be restored and we need to enact pro-family and pro-business policies like paid family and medical leave and affordable child care to lower family costs and weather this pandemic. 

*We need your help to speak out! Please use your voice and sign our letter calling on the U.S. Senate to get back to work and restore the expanded Child Tax Credit by immediately passing the Build Back Better Act. 

And while we are at it, let them hear loud and clear that children and families need investments in the full suite of programs that allow families to thrive: paid family and medical leave, child care, lower drug prices and healthcare, home- and community-based services, and a pathway to citizenship.

Families have been rising to demand the change we deserve and Congress needs to step up and do their jobs for families across the country. We won't let Congress revoke the single largest reduction for child poverty – we demand they take action today! 

Don't forget to sign on to tell Congress to pass Build Back Better to ensure a better future for our children and families!

Thank you for being a powerful voice for children and families,

- Hanna, Lauren, Ruth, Nina, Kristin, Donna, and the whole MomsRising.org/MamásConPoder Team

 

[1] MomsRising's Child Tax Credit page

[2] https://action.momsrising.org/go/71091?t=18&akid=17704%2E847037%2EhpK0c9 

[3] https://action.momsrising.org/go/70932?t=21&akid=17704%2E847037%2EhpK0c9 

---

                         

Register to vote! / ¡Regístrese para votar!

Join our Spanish language community, MamásConPoder.org

What should MomsRising tackle next? Tell us!

Progressive Propaganda: Congress, The CTC Payment is OVERDUE FWD: SIGN NOW: The U.S. Senate needs to restore monthly payments to families and invest in child care and paid leave!

Just as families need support the most, monthly Child Tax Credit payments ended in December because Joe Manchin and the Republican Senators refused to pass Build Back Better.

Tell the U.S. Senate to Pass Build Back Better NOW! TAKE ACTION

Dear Dupe,

January 15th came and went – and for the first time since last summer, American families missed their monthly Child Tax Credit payment because the U.S. Senate failed to be able to pass the Build Back Better Act in time. Meanwhile, Omicron rages across the country and families are feeling left behind at the very time when we need help the most.

—> Tell the U.S. Senate: The Child Tax Credit payment to American families is now past due!  We are counting on you to pass Build Back Better immediately to restore monthly payments to families, pass paid family and medical leave, and boost child care that helps children and families thrive!

There is no time to waste. Families have already missed one monthly Child Tax Credit payment that we have come to count on to weather this pandemic, boost businesses, and raise our families. We can't let another month go by without better policies that really meet the needs of children and families across our country. Tell Congress: Time's up! Pass Build Back Better today!

Together we are a powerful voice for families,

Lauren

Progressive Propaganda: “Most Americans want to see progress”

but they're being stymied

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Diane -- We don't just work to end gerrymandering because it's the right and fair thing to do (although it is). We do it because right now, voters aren't able to achieve the policies they want -- and that's not how a democracy should operate.

Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Biden Shot Mandates Today!

You don't want to miss this.

SCOTUS TO HEAR ORAL ARGUMENTS ON BIDEN COVID SHOT MANDATES TODAY AT 10 A.M. EST As you know, We The Patriots USA, Inc. filed an amicus brief at the United States Supreme Court on December 30, 2021, in opposition to Biden's unconstitutional (and therefore illegal) covid shot mandates for employers with at least 100 employees, and most healthcare workers. It is not an understatement to say that the fate of our nation, and the world, hangs in the balance. Once the most powerful nation on earth condones the forced injection of a foreign substance into the bodies of its people, we enter a new and dark age of humanity. Regardless of the outcome of today's arguments, however, you can rest assured of two things: In the end, God (and therefore justice) will prevail. We The Patriots USA will never stop fighting for your rights! LISTEN LIVE HERE AT 10 A.M. EST PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING OUR WORK We The Patriots USA, Inc. | www.wethepatriotsusa.org ‌ ‌ ‌

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Progressive Propaganda: Omicron is raging & families need support - Tell the U.S. Senate to pass Build Back Better NOW!

Just as families need support the most, monthly Child Tax Credit payments ended in December because Joe Manchin and the Republican Senators refused to pass Build Back Better.

Tell the U.S. Senate to Pass Build Back Better NOW! TAKE ACTION

Dear Dupe,

Like many others, my 2022 is off to a rocky start. I am writing this as I scramble to find a COVID-19 test appointment for my feverish two-year-old and my son is home with his school closed. 

I know I am far from alone. Families need a lifeline, but just when we need help the most, the U.S. Senate failed to act before the new year to extend the monthly Child Tax Credit payments and pass key policies like paid family and medical leave and child care that would have helped families, businesses, and our economy weather this COVID-19 surge. 

It's a new year and Senators, we need new action  – time to get to work for the American people! Join us in telling the U.S. Senate to vote YES and pass the Build Back Better Act which will save the Child Tax Credit, pass paid family and medical leave, and boost child care that helps children and families thrive!

Families cannot afford to wait a minute longer. Businesses cannot afford to wait any longer. Our nation cannot afford to wait any longer.