Source: House Representative Lou Barletta (R-PA, 11th)
Source: The White House
Washington, D.C. - September 25, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11), a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, applauded President Trump’s announcement that he will be using his constitutional authority to strengthen security standards for foreign nationals traveling to the United States. President Trump’s enhancement of national security measures per Executive Order 13780 temporarily suspended travel to the United States from eight countries that have strong connections to terrorism, inadequate information sharing services, and poor screening and vetting processes. Five of the countries listed in the executive order have failed to improve their vetting processes to the administration’s baseline standard, and therefore restrictions will be maintained on foreign nationals traveling from these countries. In addition, after further review of our national security protocols, Chad, North Korea, and Venezuela have been added to the original five countries and will also face enhanced restrictions.
Barletta released the following statement:
“We are a compassionate nation, one built on legal and orderly immigration, and one which has always offered a place for people seeking better lives. However, our enemies continuously seek to use our generosity against us, and the president has a duty to protect the American people first. We know that ISIS has expressed their intent to use our refugee program to sneak their fighters and sympathizers into our country because our security measures are lacking. We cannot allow this.
“It is also important to recognize that citizens of foreign nations simply do not have the right to unfettered admission to the United States. In hearings before the House Homeland Security Committee under both the Obama and Trump administrations, numerous national security experts and professionals have stated that we simply cannot accurately screen all foreign nationals because we have no information from their home countries to verify their identities. In many cases, we have no idea who is trying to enter our country. I fully support President Trump’s actions to keep America safe, which I believe are only prudent as we work on a system that allows us to verify the identity and background of applicants.”
President Trump said in a press release announcing the restrictions:
“Our government's first duty is to its people, to our citizens -- to serve their needs, to ensure their safety, to preserve their rights, and to defend their values.”
Other statements:
Source: House Representative Don Beyer (D-VA, 8th)
“Donald Trump cannot camouflage his Muslim Ban by adding new countries to it. Its discriminatory roots are still plainly visible. This policy is an attempt to use racial and anti-religious animus to divide people for political ends.
As with previous bans, the Administration provides no evidence that they enhance public safety. Meanwhile, the ban continues to stigmatize millions of Muslim Americans, as well as our key allies in the war on terror.
This policy has been wrong from the start, it is wrong still, and I will continue to oppose it.”
The Unpopular Truth
Monday, September 25, 2017
Freesociety.com to Form the World's First Libertarian Country
Source: Free Society Foundation
Washington, D.C. - September 25, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The Free Society Foundation, spearheaded by its founder Olivier Janssens and other prominent libertarian and cryptocurrency figures, announced its plans to form the world's first libertarian country. They are in preliminary talks with governments to purchase sovereignty and autonomy over a piece of land.
"When we started contacting governments, interest was much higher than initially anticipated", says Mr. Janssens, who has been working on the project for the past several years. "We have backing of over 100 million USD in private capital and are committed to the mission of realizing the world's first Free Society."
Genius in its simplicity by just purchasing sovereignty, it seems this is the first idea that really has a chance of succeeding. In the past, many libertarians have attempted the feat by trying to claim disputed land or by building floating ocean structures. Unfortunately, none of them were successful - either due to push-back from existing governments or being unrealistically complicated.
"There are many nations that have a significant national debt or are in crisis. Our aim is to help them resolve that and create an economic powerhouse next to their doorstep as a bonus. It's a win-win for everyone." Mr. Janssens continues.
Indeed, if successful, a new Monaco or Dubai will bring a tremendous amount of opportunities to the area, one being massive employment.
Roger Ver, one of the co-founders, adds: "I'm incredibly excited to be part of this project that will finally create a society based on voluntary interactions instead of government force."
The Free Society Foundation is exploring ways for the public and interested parties to participate. Many prominent names in the libertarian world are joining their team.
AANP President urges Senate to Ensure Health Care Legislation Upholds Patient Protections, Coverage for Pre-existing Conditions
Source: American Association of Nurse Practitioners
Washington, D.C. - September 25, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The following statement is being issued by AANP President Joyce Knestrick, PhD, C-FNP, FAANP:
"As the Senate moves closer to action on health care reform, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) urges Senators to take a measured approach ensuring that any final legislation protects patient access to Medicaid, Medicare and other programs that cover the cost of care. There are more than 234,000 nurse practitioners (NPs) delivering health care to patients throughout the country. Currently, three of four NPs treat Medicare beneficiaries, and 78 percent see Medicaid patients. As this process moves forward, proposals must protect affordable coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions, uphold the principles of essential benefits, safeguard patients' access to the health care provider of their choice, including nurse practitioners, and strengthen the health care workforce while bringing greater overall efficiency to the health care system."
Weiner And Lasky: Trump Right On China The First Time, Article In LaborPress
Source: Robert Weiner Associates and Solutions for Change
Washington, D.C. - September 25, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- In a "National Report from Washington" the first in a monthly series by Robert Weiner and Ben Lasky in LaborPress, Robert Weiner, a former Clinton and Bush White House spokesman, and Ben Lasky, senior policy analyst at Robert Weiner Associates and Solutions for Change, assert that President Trump was "right on China the first time" in disciplining China on trade violations, and the U.S. received no major benefit from China concerning North Korea. Instead, after deflating the honest assessment of China's trade practices to get the Chinese government to use leverage on the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), North Korea produced "missile launches, an H-bomb, and a dead prisoner," Weiner and Lasky state.
The article is entitled, "Trump Right on China the First Time". Click HERE to read it.
FAA faces partial shutdown as authorization approaches expiration
Source: Ralph Abraham (R-LA, 5th)
Washington, D.C. - September 25, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Due to news that the Federal Aviation Administration is facing a partial shutdown, Congressman Ralph Abraham, M.D., issued the following statement in response to a proposed six-month extension of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
"I will read the bill that’s been proposed and determine whether it is the best path forward at this time. However, I still maintain that we ultimately need a long-term FAA authorization that does not place control of our nation’s skies in the hands of a corporate board," Dr. Abraham said.
Friday, September 22, 2017
NFIB Tells Senate Finance that Tax Reform Must Start with Small Business
Source: National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)
Washington, D.C. - September 22, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) told the Senate Finance Committee today that no small business should pay a higher tax rate than large corporations and that every small business should pay less to the IRS under tax reform.
“Tax reform starts with small business,” said NFIB President and CEO Juanita Duggan. “Small businesses should not pay a higher tax rate than large corporations, which would put them at a competitive disadvantage. No small business should pay a higher tax rate than they do currently, and tax reform should result in a tax code that makes it easier for small businesses to comply.”
The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing this morning on business tax reform. Duggan’s testimony underscored the point that tax reform is the number-one priority for American small businesses.
“According to NFIB research, five of the top 10 concerns for small businesses relate to federal taxes,” she said. “Tax reform has the potential to unlock years of stagnant growth and income for small business. Given that small businesses account for nearly half of the gross domestic product (GDP) and private-sector workforce, and create two out of every three net new jobs, the U.S. economy will not reach its full potential for growth without a robust and flourishing small business sector.
“If the purpose of tax reform is to jumpstart the economy and create jobs, then tax reform must start with small business,” she continued.
NFIB has long sought tax reform for small business and has been calling on policymakers to make small businesses the center of tax reform.
Washington, D.C. - September 22, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) told the Senate Finance Committee today that no small business should pay a higher tax rate than large corporations and that every small business should pay less to the IRS under tax reform.
“Tax reform starts with small business,” said NFIB President and CEO Juanita Duggan. “Small businesses should not pay a higher tax rate than large corporations, which would put them at a competitive disadvantage. No small business should pay a higher tax rate than they do currently, and tax reform should result in a tax code that makes it easier for small businesses to comply.”
The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing this morning on business tax reform. Duggan’s testimony underscored the point that tax reform is the number-one priority for American small businesses.
“According to NFIB research, five of the top 10 concerns for small businesses relate to federal taxes,” she said. “Tax reform has the potential to unlock years of stagnant growth and income for small business. Given that small businesses account for nearly half of the gross domestic product (GDP) and private-sector workforce, and create two out of every three net new jobs, the U.S. economy will not reach its full potential for growth without a robust and flourishing small business sector.
“If the purpose of tax reform is to jumpstart the economy and create jobs, then tax reform must start with small business,” she continued.
NFIB has long sought tax reform for small business and has been calling on policymakers to make small businesses the center of tax reform.
Israeli Mayors Encourage US to Stop Funding Terrorism
Source: Liberty Counsel
Washington, D.C. - September 22, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- A letter on behalf of 24 Israeli mayors representing 450,000 residents of Judea and Samaria was sent to U.S. Senator Tom Cotton to encourage U.S. Senators to pass the Taylor Force Act. This bill, which will defund the Palestinian Authority (PA) until its ceases payments and benefits that reward terrorists and their families for terroristic acts against Israel and the United States. Having passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the bill now awaits a vote by the full Senate.
The letter from the Israeli mayors states: “If we truly want to give peace and coexistence a chance to blossom, then removing the poisonous message the underlies the need for the Taylor Force Act is a critical first step. The PA should receive the very clear message that the U.S. government will no longer look the other way when terrorists are publicly glorified. By exposing these blatant efforts to influence the next generation of Palestinians away from genuine peace efforts, your amendment actually gives peace a chance to take root.”
The Taylor Force Act will force the PA to face the consequences of its violence if it does not end this abhorrent practice of funding terrorism. The PA currently gives over $300 million annually to terrorists and their families. However, since the U.S. provides over $700 million of direct and indirect aid to the Palestinians, American taxpayer dollars are providing the funds to reward terrorists who kill American and Israeli citizens. As soon as attackers are arrested, the PA provides canteen expenses, salary and health benefits. A government job upon release is guaranteed for those sentenced to five or more years. The families of “martyrs” also receive large payments for the loss of their family member.
If the bill is enacted, the PA would have to revoke any law, decree or document authorizing a compensation scheme for prisoners “that uses the sentence or period of incarceration to determine the level of compensation paid” in order to receive U.S. funds. The secretary of state would also have to certify that the PA “has terminated payments for acts of terrorism against American and Israeli citizens after the attackers being fairly tried and who have been imprisoned for such acts of terrorism, including the family members of the convicted individuals.” The PA would also have to take “credible steps” against incitement to violence against Israelis and Americans.
Liberty Counsel and Christians in Defense of Israel have provided information to legislators to pass this bill. This legislation is named in memory of U.S. army veteran and Vanderbilt student, Taylor Force, who served in combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, only to be senselessly killed as a civilian by a Palestinian terrorist in Israel.
“We stand with these Israeli mayors and residents of Israel and urge the Senate to pass the Taylor Force Act that will cut the supply of blood money from U.S. taxpayers to the Palestinian Authority,” said Mat Staver, Chairman of Liberty Counsel, President of Christians in Defense of Israel, and Founder and President of Covenant Journey. “As the Israeli mayors state in their letter, ‘we must remove the poisonous message that underlies the need for the Taylor Force Act’ if we have any hope for peace. We cannot reward acts of terrorism like the one that tragically took the life of Taylor Force. ‘Pay to Slay’ must end. The murder of innocent Americans and Israelis must end,” said Staver.
Liberty Counsel is an international litigation, education, and policy organization. Liberty Counsel has a number of affiliated ministries, including Christians in Defense of Israel and Covenant Journey, a program that provides a life-changing experience in Israel for Christian college-age students who have leadership potential. Find out more at www.LC.org and www.CovenantJourney.org.
Washington, D.C. - September 22, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- A letter on behalf of 24 Israeli mayors representing 450,000 residents of Judea and Samaria was sent to U.S. Senator Tom Cotton to encourage U.S. Senators to pass the Taylor Force Act. This bill, which will defund the Palestinian Authority (PA) until its ceases payments and benefits that reward terrorists and their families for terroristic acts against Israel and the United States. Having passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the bill now awaits a vote by the full Senate.
The letter from the Israeli mayors states: “If we truly want to give peace and coexistence a chance to blossom, then removing the poisonous message the underlies the need for the Taylor Force Act is a critical first step. The PA should receive the very clear message that the U.S. government will no longer look the other way when terrorists are publicly glorified. By exposing these blatant efforts to influence the next generation of Palestinians away from genuine peace efforts, your amendment actually gives peace a chance to take root.”
The Taylor Force Act will force the PA to face the consequences of its violence if it does not end this abhorrent practice of funding terrorism. The PA currently gives over $300 million annually to terrorists and their families. However, since the U.S. provides over $700 million of direct and indirect aid to the Palestinians, American taxpayer dollars are providing the funds to reward terrorists who kill American and Israeli citizens. As soon as attackers are arrested, the PA provides canteen expenses, salary and health benefits. A government job upon release is guaranteed for those sentenced to five or more years. The families of “martyrs” also receive large payments for the loss of their family member.
If the bill is enacted, the PA would have to revoke any law, decree or document authorizing a compensation scheme for prisoners “that uses the sentence or period of incarceration to determine the level of compensation paid” in order to receive U.S. funds. The secretary of state would also have to certify that the PA “has terminated payments for acts of terrorism against American and Israeli citizens after the attackers being fairly tried and who have been imprisoned for such acts of terrorism, including the family members of the convicted individuals.” The PA would also have to take “credible steps” against incitement to violence against Israelis and Americans.
Liberty Counsel and Christians in Defense of Israel have provided information to legislators to pass this bill. This legislation is named in memory of U.S. army veteran and Vanderbilt student, Taylor Force, who served in combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, only to be senselessly killed as a civilian by a Palestinian terrorist in Israel.
“We stand with these Israeli mayors and residents of Israel and urge the Senate to pass the Taylor Force Act that will cut the supply of blood money from U.S. taxpayers to the Palestinian Authority,” said Mat Staver, Chairman of Liberty Counsel, President of Christians in Defense of Israel, and Founder and President of Covenant Journey. “As the Israeli mayors state in their letter, ‘we must remove the poisonous message that underlies the need for the Taylor Force Act’ if we have any hope for peace. We cannot reward acts of terrorism like the one that tragically took the life of Taylor Force. ‘Pay to Slay’ must end. The murder of innocent Americans and Israelis must end,” said Staver.
Liberty Counsel is an international litigation, education, and policy organization. Liberty Counsel has a number of affiliated ministries, including Christians in Defense of Israel and Covenant Journey, a program that provides a life-changing experience in Israel for Christian college-age students who have leadership potential. Find out more at www.LC.org and www.CovenantJourney.org.
Bishop Statement on Hurricane Maria’s Impact on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Source: House Committee on Natural Resources
Washington, D.C. - September 22, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) issued the following statement on Hurricane Maria’s impact on the territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands:
"The residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico have been devastated by Hurricane Maria, a storm that took human lives and left millions without power, water and stable infrastructure. This is the most unfortunate circumstances that both of these U.S. territories could possibly face given the recent devastation of Hurricane Irma. I, along with all of our committee members, pray for all those impacted.
“I have spoken with Resident Commissioner Gonzalez on the extent of the damage, as well as plans for relief, and will be working with Delegate Plaskett on a similar plan of action. Together, we will advocate for the full support of the federal government. Both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are in dire need of our assistance and we will do everything in our power to ensure that all necessary resources are made available.
“As Americans, both in the mainland and throughout all of our territories, we are all in this together."
Washington, D.C. - September 22, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) issued the following statement on Hurricane Maria’s impact on the territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands:
"The residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico have been devastated by Hurricane Maria, a storm that took human lives and left millions without power, water and stable infrastructure. This is the most unfortunate circumstances that both of these U.S. territories could possibly face given the recent devastation of Hurricane Irma. I, along with all of our committee members, pray for all those impacted.
“I have spoken with Resident Commissioner Gonzalez on the extent of the damage, as well as plans for relief, and will be working with Delegate Plaskett on a similar plan of action. Together, we will advocate for the full support of the federal government. Both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are in dire need of our assistance and we will do everything in our power to ensure that all necessary resources are made available.
“As Americans, both in the mainland and throughout all of our territories, we are all in this together."
FCC Hiding Information about Broadband Investment after Net Neutrality Ruling, Says Free Press
Source: Free Press
Washington, D.C. - September 22, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- In filings this week about the FCC’s forthcoming wireless-competition report, Free Press called out Chairman Ajit Pai for misrepresenting the state of broadband investment following the agency’s 2015 Net Neutrality ruling.
The FCC is required by statute to compile this annual report to Congress on the state of the wireless industry. The 20th annual report is the first edition to come due during Pai’s chairmanship. The report is on the docket for the FCC’s next monthly meeting, which will take place on Tues., Sept. 26. During that meeting, the commissioners will consider and then vote on adoption of the final report. Pai released the draft of this annual report earlier this month.
In a recent speech at an industry conference, Pai claimed that this draft contains evidence that wireless-industry capital investment declined from 2015 to 2016. He suggested that this decline is due to the FCC’s February 2015 Title II reclassification decision and adoption of open-internet rules.
On Tuesday, Free Press sent a letter to Pai condemning the chairman for misusing this report and “once again misleading the public” to advance his “irrational vendetta” against the Net Neutrality rules the FCC put in place during the Obama administration.
“The easily verifiable truth is that wireless-industry investments peaked in 2013, as carriers completed the bulk of 4G LTE deployments,” the Free Press letter reads. “Both that peak, and the ongoing decline from it, predate the entire proceeding that led to the 2015 reclassification of broadband as a lightly regulated Title II service. What’s more, this is by no means the only years-long downturn for the wireless sector: Such periods of slower spending are natural — and, in the recent past, have likewise occurred outside of recessions.”
The Free Press letter includes detailed analysis that proves that this fluctuating trend is part of a larger pattern of investment that has nothing to do with the rules the FCC adopted to prevent internet-access providers from blocking, throttling or otherwise discriminating against the online communications of internet users. The letter also notes that many previous agency reports on wireless competition specifically caution against misinterpretation of short-term investment data. Yet the draft of Pai’s report provides no such historical context — and no warnings about investment patterns.
Free Press Policy Director Matt Wood made the following statement:
“Since coming into office with the Trump administration, Pai has repeatedly lied about the state of broadband investment since the 2015 open-internet rules came into effect. He’s trying to paint a picture of decline and dysfunction to justify destroying the protections that internet users need.
“The real investment numbers tell a completely different story. Our letter to Chairman Pai restores the context about wireless investment that his draft report tries to hide, and in the process we restore information that Pai quite literally would erase from the historical record if he could get away with it.
“The FCC — and wireless carriers too — used to acknowledge basic truths about investment. Over the long haul — and since the 2015 Open Internet Order — broadband investment has been on the rise. But there are fluctuations from year to year, and from one company to another, because different carriers are on different upgrade paths.
“You don’t have to take our word for it: Our letter cites AT&T’s own comments on wireless investment, explaining that ‘there is no reason to expect capital expenditures to increase by the same amount year after year’ because carriers ‘make significant expenditures to upgrade and expand their networks in one year ... and then focus the next year on signing up customers and integrating those new facilities into their existing networks.’ In other words, according to AT&T itself, ‘Minor variations from year to year ... should not be surprising.’
“Wireless investment has been trending downwards since 2013, after most of the big carriers finished their 4G buildouts. It should start to tick back up again soon as carriers head into the next-generation 5G network buildouts in earnest. None of this has anything to do with the FCC’s decision in 2015 to treat broadband as a Title II service. It’s just the way the business works. Chairman Pai is either ignorant of that reality, or trying to fool you. We suspect it’s the latter.
“Broadband investment after Title II is doing just fine, but it’s never been true that every company or every sector spends more and more money every single year. In fact, as technology improves, carriers can sometimes spend less while getting better results for their money. Our letter describes the cyclical nature of wireless investment, and it also shows that prior FCC chairmen — Republicans and Democrats alike — issued annual reports that rightly recognized this truth. Those reports duly cautioned that simple aggregate investment totals and changes from year to year should not be over-interpreted by analysts and policymakers.
“Chairman Pai ignores this wisdom in his determination to misuse and cherry-pick data suiting his predetermined positions. He seems content to parrot the hysteria and faulty research of phone and cable lobbyists and their paid-for analysts. Unlike Pai, the real numbers don’t lie, and they paint a picture of a healthy and growing broadband sector since the rules were put in place.
“In this most recent report, Pai is up to the same old tricks. He’s deliberately obscured the facts and ignored the findings contained in prior reports, which routinely found extended periods of declining investment in years before the 2015 Open Internet Order vote. This year’s report should do the same or better — instead of pretending there’s some unusual decline and then attempting to pin it on Title II.”
Washington, D.C. - September 22, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- In filings this week about the FCC’s forthcoming wireless-competition report, Free Press called out Chairman Ajit Pai for misrepresenting the state of broadband investment following the agency’s 2015 Net Neutrality ruling.
The FCC is required by statute to compile this annual report to Congress on the state of the wireless industry. The 20th annual report is the first edition to come due during Pai’s chairmanship. The report is on the docket for the FCC’s next monthly meeting, which will take place on Tues., Sept. 26. During that meeting, the commissioners will consider and then vote on adoption of the final report. Pai released the draft of this annual report earlier this month.
In a recent speech at an industry conference, Pai claimed that this draft contains evidence that wireless-industry capital investment declined from 2015 to 2016. He suggested that this decline is due to the FCC’s February 2015 Title II reclassification decision and adoption of open-internet rules.
On Tuesday, Free Press sent a letter to Pai condemning the chairman for misusing this report and “once again misleading the public” to advance his “irrational vendetta” against the Net Neutrality rules the FCC put in place during the Obama administration.
“The easily verifiable truth is that wireless-industry investments peaked in 2013, as carriers completed the bulk of 4G LTE deployments,” the Free Press letter reads. “Both that peak, and the ongoing decline from it, predate the entire proceeding that led to the 2015 reclassification of broadband as a lightly regulated Title II service. What’s more, this is by no means the only years-long downturn for the wireless sector: Such periods of slower spending are natural — and, in the recent past, have likewise occurred outside of recessions.”
The Free Press letter includes detailed analysis that proves that this fluctuating trend is part of a larger pattern of investment that has nothing to do with the rules the FCC adopted to prevent internet-access providers from blocking, throttling or otherwise discriminating against the online communications of internet users. The letter also notes that many previous agency reports on wireless competition specifically caution against misinterpretation of short-term investment data. Yet the draft of Pai’s report provides no such historical context — and no warnings about investment patterns.
Free Press Policy Director Matt Wood made the following statement:
“Since coming into office with the Trump administration, Pai has repeatedly lied about the state of broadband investment since the 2015 open-internet rules came into effect. He’s trying to paint a picture of decline and dysfunction to justify destroying the protections that internet users need.
“The real investment numbers tell a completely different story. Our letter to Chairman Pai restores the context about wireless investment that his draft report tries to hide, and in the process we restore information that Pai quite literally would erase from the historical record if he could get away with it.
“The FCC — and wireless carriers too — used to acknowledge basic truths about investment. Over the long haul — and since the 2015 Open Internet Order — broadband investment has been on the rise. But there are fluctuations from year to year, and from one company to another, because different carriers are on different upgrade paths.
“You don’t have to take our word for it: Our letter cites AT&T’s own comments on wireless investment, explaining that ‘there is no reason to expect capital expenditures to increase by the same amount year after year’ because carriers ‘make significant expenditures to upgrade and expand their networks in one year ... and then focus the next year on signing up customers and integrating those new facilities into their existing networks.’ In other words, according to AT&T itself, ‘Minor variations from year to year ... should not be surprising.’
“Wireless investment has been trending downwards since 2013, after most of the big carriers finished their 4G buildouts. It should start to tick back up again soon as carriers head into the next-generation 5G network buildouts in earnest. None of this has anything to do with the FCC’s decision in 2015 to treat broadband as a Title II service. It’s just the way the business works. Chairman Pai is either ignorant of that reality, or trying to fool you. We suspect it’s the latter.
“Broadband investment after Title II is doing just fine, but it’s never been true that every company or every sector spends more and more money every single year. In fact, as technology improves, carriers can sometimes spend less while getting better results for their money. Our letter describes the cyclical nature of wireless investment, and it also shows that prior FCC chairmen — Republicans and Democrats alike — issued annual reports that rightly recognized this truth. Those reports duly cautioned that simple aggregate investment totals and changes from year to year should not be over-interpreted by analysts and policymakers.
“Chairman Pai ignores this wisdom in his determination to misuse and cherry-pick data suiting his predetermined positions. He seems content to parrot the hysteria and faulty research of phone and cable lobbyists and their paid-for analysts. Unlike Pai, the real numbers don’t lie, and they paint a picture of a healthy and growing broadband sector since the rules were put in place.
“In this most recent report, Pai is up to the same old tricks. He’s deliberately obscured the facts and ignored the findings contained in prior reports, which routinely found extended periods of declining investment in years before the 2015 Open Internet Order vote. This year’s report should do the same or better — instead of pretending there’s some unusual decline and then attempting to pin it on Title II.”
REPEAL OF PREVAILING WAGE LAW WILL EXPAND OPPORTUNITY FOR WISCONSIN VETERANS
Source: Concerned Veterans for America
Madison, WI - September 22, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Governor Scott Walker signed the state budget, which includes a full repeal of Wisconsin’s prevailing wage law. Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) recently urged members of the Assembly and Senate to move forward with a repeal of the prevailing wage.
CVA Policy Director Dan Caldwell issued the following comment:
“The prevailing wage will no longer stand between Wisconsin veterans and the employment opportunities they deserve in the construction industry. The prevailing wage law padded the pockets of unions while limiting opportunity for veterans and sticking taxpayers with the costs. This law restricted competition and prevented small businesses from creating and maintaining jobs.
“It is important to acknowledge Senator Leah Vukmir and Rep. Rob Hutton who spent years working for this reform. We applaud Governor Walker for speeding up a repeal of the prevailing wage in Wisconsin through a line-item veto and thank Senators Stroebel, Kapenga and Nass for fighting to make that possible.”
Earlier this year, CVA released web ads targeted at Wisconsin legislators. The ads highlighted the positive impact that a prevailing wage repeal would have on veterans in the state. CVA also released a memo which refutes the myth, propagated by union-backed groups, that veterans support prevailing wage laws.
Prevailing wage laws, which were adopted in Wisconsin nearly 85 years ago, mandate that contractors are paid based on rates decided by unions. Instead of having the market determine how much these services are valued by the state, union bosses get to decide – and then taxpayers get stuck with the bill. Prevailing wage laws result in higher taxpayer costs and can limit the ability of many small businesses to compete for government work.
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