Sexual Assault, Michigan, Immigration, PG&E, Freedom of Speech, Coronavirus

Today's News for February 1, 2020

As Reports of Sexual Assault Spike at Military Academies, Ernst Leads Calls for Answers
Source: Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
January 31, 2020
Following an alarming spike of reports of sexual assault at U.S. military academies, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), the first female combat veteran elected to the Senate, is leading a bipartisan group of senators in calling for answers from the Department of Defense (DOD). An annual report from the DOD detailed a 32 percent increase in sexual assault reports at the academies during the 2018-19 school year as compared to the year before.
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EPI Policy Center applauds Michigan Governor for moving to restore overtime pay for Michigan’s workers
Source: Economic Policy Institute
January 30, 2020
In 2016, the Obama administration published a federal rule that would have increased the overtime threshold to roughly $51,000 in 2020—a modest figure that was well within historic norms. However, the Trump administration abandoned this rule and published a much weaker version that sets the salary threshold at $35,568. In doing this, they cost more than eight million workers overtime protections—totaling $1.2 billion in lost wages. The United Way’s ALICE report on financially struggling households shows that Michigan families need about $61,000 a year to afford the basics. A strong rule would raise the salary threshold for workers who earn up to $61,000 and would also be indexed to inflation to keep pace with overall wage growth.
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Congresswoman Veronica Escobar Statement on Expansion of the Dangerous “Remain in Mexico” Policy to Brazilian Asylum Seekers
Source: Veronica Escobar (D-TX, 16th)
January 30, 2020
“Today, one year after the Trump administration announced the implementation of the dangerous and unlawful Remain in Mexico policy, DHS began depriving Brazilian asylum seekers due process and endangering their lives by sending them to Mexico, a country proved ill-equipped to safeguard the wellbeing of migrants.
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Eshoo Demands Accountability from PG&E at Congressional Hearing
Source: U.S. Representative Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA, 18th)
January 29, 2020
“I don’t presuppose that everyone in Washington D.C. knows who PG&E is or what they’ve done. Now, Californians know it, I certainly know it, and my constituents have lived it,” Rep. Eshoo said to PG&E CEO Bill Johnson. “In your testimony on page three you indicate it will take 12 to 14 years—12 to 14 years—to harden and strengthen the grid. That time frame implies that you’ve deferred a lot of the maintenance over the last 10 years. So, my first question is: why did the deferred maintenance happen and why was this allowed to happen?”
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Victory! Lawsuit Challenging FOSTA Reinstated by Court
Source: Electronic Frontier Foundation
January 24, 2020
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that two plaintiffs in the lawsuit—brought by Woodhull Freedom Foundation, Human Rights Watch, Alex Andrews, the Internet Archive, and Eric Koszyk to block enforcement of the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA)—had “standing” to pursue their constitutional challenge to the statute. The lawsuit argues that the act expansively criminalizes online speech related to sex work and removes important protections for online intermediaries in violation of their First Amendment rights. The plaintiffs are represented by EFF, Davis, Wright Tremaine LLP, Walters Law Group, and Daphne Keller.
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Emergency Nurses Association Monitoring Novel Coronavirus Developments
Source: Emergency Nurses Association
January 24, 2020
The two confirmed U.S. cases follow an outbreak in China that has prompted several U.S. airports to implement public health entry screenings. As new information develops, ENA President Mike Hastings, MSN, RN, CEN, called on emergency nurses to follow their current policies and best practices when screening patients for infectious diseases, and to revisit the use of personal protective equipment to limit exposure should a patient show symptoms of novel coronavirus.
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Impeachment, War Powers, Medicaid, Infrastructure, USMCA, Fentanyl

Today's News for January 30, 2020

RESPONSE TO DUCKWORTH’S QUESTION IN IMPEACHMENT TRIAL: “WE HAVE NO EVIDENCE” TRUMP ENGAGED IN LEGITIMATE PROCESS FOR WITHHOLDING FOREIGN AID
Source: Senator Tammy Duckworth (D - IL)
January 30, 2020
Senator Tammy Duckworth (D - IL) asked House impeachment managers whether there is any documentary evidence of President Trump gathering information to justify withholding aid to Ukraine. Specifically, Duckworth asked if there was evidence of Trump being briefed by the NSC, DOD or State Department on Ukraine corruption and European cost-sharing or that he requested information on anti-corruption reform measures in Ukraine.
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Why Did President Trump Continue Holding Ukraine Military Aid Amid Warnings About Legality?
Source: Senator Richard J. Durbin (D - IL)
January 30, 2020
Mr. Patrick Philbin responded to Durbin’s question on behalf of the President’s counsel. He admitted that because of the President’s hold on the funds, $35 million of the military aid was not spent before the end of the fiscal year. Those funds would have expired had Congress not intervened to extend the availability of the fiscal year 2019 funds. Nearly half of the unspent funds were intended for lethal material to assist Ukrainian security forces battling Russian-back separatists.
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House Action Threatens National Security
Source: The Ponder News
January 30, 2020
“This weekend, the United States Embassy in Iraq was attacked by mortar fire from Iranian backed militias, and today House Democrats voted to remove President Trump’s ability to respond to such attacks. House Democrats are being complete hypocrites. While professing their concerns over national security, they want to strip our President’s and military’s ability to protect our nation and embassies against terrorists who are intent on killing Americans at every opportunity. There’s a reason the Constitution grants this authority to the President and not Congress. With today’s action, Democrats have proven the wisdom of that decision. Today’s vote marks a new low for House Democrats regarding the safety of our service members and diplomats overseas. All Americans are less safe.”
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'No blank check for war': House votes to curb Trump's ability to strike Iran, other targets
Source: U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI, 12th)
January 30, 2020
In the first House vote, lawmakers approved a bill that would block Trump from using any federal funds for "unauthorized military force against Iran." The final tally was 228-to-175. The House then passed a bill repealing the 2002 Iraq war authorization sought by then-President George W. Bush.
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ENGEL STATEMENT ON ILLEGAL TRUMP ADMIN. PLAN TO BLOCK GRANT MEDICAID
Source: U.S. Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY, 16th)
January 30, 2020
“In yet another attack on Americans’ health care, the Trump Administration has unveiled illegal rules to block grant Medicaid, which will take coverage away from millions of New Yorkers. These rules are part of the Trump Administration’s ongoing agenda to gut the safety-net programs that are critical to helping Americans access health care. Republicans have tried this horrendous policy before as part of their failed efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. As we did before, we must stop it again.
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Reinvesting in Infrastructure Upgrades Good for Workers, Climate, Manufacturing
Source: U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI, 12th)
January 29, 2020
The Moving Forward Infrastructure framework is estimated to create 10 million jobs by investing $760 billion over five years for infrastructure updates and rebuilding. The proposal includes strong “Buy American” protections to support US manufacturing and workers. The framework has a strong focus on reducing carbon pollution, strengthening energy efficiency, advancing renewable energy systems, and addressing the PFAS contamination crisis.
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Duncan Statement on Historic USMCA Signing
Source: U.S. Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC, 3rd)
January 29, 2020
“President Trump has worked tirelessly since day one in office to put America first, and that’s exactly what USMCA does. It’s a major victory for American workers, job-creation, and our economy as a whole. The USMCA is a historic move to modernize our trade relationships and bring them into the 21st century – something no other President has accomplished. Bravo, President Trump – promise made, promise kept!”
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U.S. House Expected to Vote This Week on Fentanyl Bill Advocates Say Will Expand Use of Mandatory Minimums
Source: Drug Policy Alliance
January 27, 2020
Nearly 70 organizations representing civil rights, criminal justice, faith and drug policy communities sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi outlining concerns with a fentanyl-related bill that is expected to receive a vote on the House floor this week. The bill temporarily extends the Drug Enforcement Administration’s “class-wide” emergency scheduling of fentanyl-related substances. The Senate passed a similar bill on January 16th.
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House Action Threatens National Security

Washington, D.C. - January 30, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- Ihe House of Representatives passed legislation prohibiting funds from being used in response to Iranian aggression and removed our troops’ legal authority to engage our enemies in Iraq. U.S. Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL, 2nd) was strongly opposed and released the following statement in response:

“This weekend, the United States Embassy in Iraq was attacked by mortar fire from Iranian backed militias, and today House Democrats voted to remove President Trump’s ability to respond to such attacks. House Democrats are being complete hypocrites. While professing their concerns over national security, they want to strip our President’s and military’s ability to protect our nation and embassies against terrorists who are intent on killing Americans at every opportunity. There’s a reason the Constitution grants this authority to the President and not Congress. With today’s action, Democrats have proven the wisdom of that decision. Today’s vote marks a new low for House Democrats regarding the safety of our service members and diplomats overseas. All Americans are less safe.”

Old Post Office Hotel, Immigrant Detention, Coronavirus, Progressive Campaign Ads, SNAP, FISA Reform, Vaping, USMCA, Mid-East Peace

Today's News for January 29, 2020

CHAIR DEFAZIO STATEMENT FROM HEARING ON GSA OUTLEASES AND THE TRUMP OLD POST OFFICE HOTEL
Source: U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR, 4th)
January 29, 2020
The GSA’s own internal watchdog, the Office of Inspector General (OIG), concluded that GSA failed to consider the Emoluments Clauses when evaluating this lease.
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Immigrant rights advocates across the country demand Sheriff Horton reinstate the Etowah Visitation Project
Source: Detention Watch Network
January 29, 2020
The Etowah Visitation Project coordinators volunteer visits to people detained in the Etowah Detention Center in Alabama. Visitation can be a lifeline for people inside detention, particularly those detained at Etowah who are kept indoors 24/7 with no access to outdoor recreation.
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USMCA TRADE DEAL A BIG WIN FOR U.S. FARMERS, MANUFACTURERS AND ECONOMY, SAYS REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS
Source: U.S. Representative Scott DesJarlais (R-TN, 4th)
January 29, 2020
The USMCA solidifies the partnership among the United States’ closest trading partners, increasing our country’s negotiating position with others, explained the Congressman. “There’s no doubt this trade deal increased pressure on China to sign a Phase One deal with the United States,” said Rep. DesJarlais (TN-04), a member of the House Armed Services and Agriculture Committees. “It requires more auto parts be made in North America, a change that will continue the U.S. manufacturing resurgence.”
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Deutch Statement on Administration's Plan for Peace between Israel and Palestinians
Source: U.S. Representative Ted Deutch (D-FL, 21st)
January 28, 2020
“As a proud pro-Israel Member of Congress, I have consistently expressed my support for a two-state solution, to be negotiated directly between Israel and the Palestinians, that ensures Israel’s security and establishes a viable Palestinian state.”
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DeLauro Statement on U.S. Response to Wuhan Coronavirus
Source: U.S. Representative Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT, 3rd)
January 27, 2020
“The latest data on the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus in China and the United States is troubling. Given China’s disappointing record on food and medicine safety, our federal government must be proactive in combatting this virus and transparent in providing available information in real-time. The CDC has more than $100 million in a rapid response fund due to my Appropriations Subcommittee’s funding bill, and I am committed to working with our government’s public health officials to provide additional resources if necessary. I will also be reintroducing the Public Health Emergency Fund Act, which would provide $5 billion to our woefully underfunded public health emergency fund.”
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Democracy for America launches $50,000 social media campaign ahead of Iowa Caucus
Source: Democracy for America
January 24, 2020
Democracy for America launches an independent expenditure campaign expected to spend $50,000 in Iowa ahead of the caucuses. Our campaign will target Iowa Democratic voters who have expressed support for Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Bernie Sanders campaigns to ensure that a progressive candidate wins the Iowa Caucus.
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DelBene, Schrier Call on Trump Administration to End Attack on 700,000 SNAP Recipients
Source: U.S. Representative Suzan Delbene (D-WA, 1st)
January 24, 2020
“I have long been a supporter of SNAP, which helps those in need across the U.S. gain access to nutritious food and supports a basic standard of living,” said DelBene. “The Trump Administration’s new rule would take vital nutrition assistance from those who need it most. Today’s event was important for those of us working to right these wrongs in D.C. to help us understand the true human impact that this rule and others like it will have on our communities. The 68,000 Washingtonians who would lose their benefits are not just a statistic, they are people struggling to get by. This rule will only make things worse for them.”
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Demand Progress Endorses FISA Reform Bill
Source: Demand Progress
January 23, 2020
Senators Daines (R-MT) and Wyden (D-OR) and Representatives Lofgren (D-CA), Jayapal (D-WA), and Davidson (R-OH) announced the Safeguarding Americans’ Private Records Act. The legislation significantly reforms a number of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act authorities, in particular Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act. Section 215 was the legal authority unlawfully relied on by the government to justify the National Security Agency’s bulk telephone metadata dragnet, first revealed by Edward Snowden in 2013. That dragnet and its successor, the Call Detail Records program, have never been shown to offer intelligence value, and the successor was terminated after it acquired an unknown amount of information unlawfully.
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Lawmakers call on administration to ban flavored vaping products
Source: U.S. Representative Diana Degette (D-CO, 1st)
January 23, 2020
More than 50 members of Congress – led by U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Eliot Engel (D-NY) called on the Trump administration to issue new rules banning the sale of flavored nicotine products that experts say have led to the nation’s teen-vaping epidemic.
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Bill to Stop Pirate Broadcasters Signed into Law

U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that his bipartisan Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement (PIRATE) Act was signed into law by President Trump.

“Honored to have gotten this important bipartisan bill signed into law on behalf of Montana local radio and rural broadcasters,” Daines said. “Thankful to President Trump for taking action to stop illegal pirate radio operations and hold them accountable to the law.”

Daines’ legislation:

Gives teeth to existing Federal Communications Commission (FCC) action to reduce pirate radio broadcasters.

Defines Pirate Radio broadcasting as unlicensed transmission in the AM/FM frequencies

Allows for enforcement sweeps, creates a database and reporting requirements, and sets a fine of not more than $100,000 per day with a maximum fine of $2 Million.

Background:

In early January, Daines announced that his bipartisan Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement (PIRATE) Act passed through both chambers of Congress with overwhelming support and was headed to the President’s desk.

On April 29th, 2019, Daines introduced S.1228, the PIRATE Act with Senator Peters (D-MI).

On May 15th, 2019, The PIRATE Act Passed the Senate Commerce Committee by voice vote.

Identical legislation (H.R.583) was introduced in the U.S. House earlier in 2019.

Ted Cruz on the Joe Pags Show

TRUMP CHAMPIONS PRO-LIFE CAUSE

Washington, D.C. - January 25, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- The Trump administration moved to inhibit California from expanding abortion access to its citizens. Since 2014, California has required employers and insurance companies to include abortion as a covered benefit. Until today, California’s law has been federally permitted, but the administration has reversed course, threatening to withhold California’s federal funds over the state’s law. This announcement comes on the same day that President Donald Trump becomes the first sitting U.S. president to address the anti-abortion March for Life crowd in person.

the Trump Administration took action against a 2014 California policy forcing all insurance providers to include elective abortion in all health insurance policies sold in the state. According to a letter from the Office of Civil Rights in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS OCS) to California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, California has 30 days to notify the Office whether it intends to continue enforcing its abortion coverage mandate, "or will instead agree to take corrective actions to come into compliance with the law." Failure to comply jeopardizes billions of dollars in federal funds that flow to California each year.

A little over five years ago, Life Legal Defense Foundation filed two complaints with the Office of Civil Rights in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS OCS). The complaints, filed on behalf of a number of California churches and residents, protested the decision by the Director of California's Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) to mandate that all health insurance policies sold in California had to provide coverage for elective abortions.

As today's letter from the HHS-OCR explains, the DMHC decision was the direct result of lobbying by abortion advocates, who had been outraged to learn that some religious employers had been able to secure, with DMHC approval, health coverage for their employees that did not include elective abortion. As the letter explains, "Abortion providers and advocacy groups, including Planned Parenthood. . . . pressured DMHC to not only reverse its decision to allow the coverage changes, but also to make elective abortion coverage mandatory for all health care plans falling under DMHC's jurisdiction."

DMHC responded to the "pressure campaign" by sending letters to the seven California health service plan insurers, ordering them to include coverage for abortion "without exclusion or limitation" in every plan they offered. This move "forced over 28,000 people out of plans that up until that time had chosen not to cover elective abortions."

As explained in Life Legal's complaints to the HHS-OCR, California's actions violate the Weldon Amendment, which prohibits various sources of federal money from going to any state or local government that discriminates against any health care entity "on the basis that the health care entity does not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions."

Under the Obama administration, those complaints languished for over a year and half, before we finally received a response, claiming that no violation was found.

However, under President Trump, the issue was re-examined, and today the Office of Civil Rights notified California of its determination that California's abortion mandate is in violation of the Weldon Amendment, and that the state must correct its policy if it is to continue to receive funds under several federal appropriations bills

"Abortion advocates will claim that Trump is jeopardizing the well-being of California residents by threatening to withhold these federal funds," said Life Legal's Vice President for Legal Affairs Catherine Short, who filed the complaints in 2014. "In fact, it is pro-abortion extremists in the state government who have decided that their highest priority is to force every man, woman, and child, every employer and employee, every church and school in California to be complicit in taking the lives of the most innocent and vulnerable among us."

Catholic League president Bill Donohue commented on President Trump’s decision to address the March for Life crowd by saying, "Other presidents have offered their support to the pro-life cause, but only President Donald Trump has decided to participate in the March for Life. His pro-life record, coupled with his record in defense of religious liberty, makes him the most important Christian voice in the United States. No president, including President Ronald Reagan, can match his stellar achievements on these twin issues.

By contrast, we have the likes of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, both of whom have endorsed infanticide: there are no penalties for doctors who intentionally allow an innocent baby to die if he or she survives a botched abortion. However, First Prize goes to California Governor Gavin Newsom: he out-Hitlerized both men.

Earlier this month, Newsom said he wants to stop euthanizing animals. “We want to be a no-kill state.” Yet last year he issued a California Proclamation on Reproductive Freedom, one part of which was designed to welcome “women to California to fully exercise their reproductive rights.” In other words, his enthusiasm for killing the least among us is so passionate that he extended an open invitation to pregnant women across the United States to have their babies killed in his home state.

It will surprise no one to learn that Newsom is also a proponent of assisted suicide. Indeed, he likes it so much that he boasts of his role in assisting a person to commit suicide in 2002. That person was his mother. [At that time assisted suicide was a felony in California—he put her down in San Francisco.]

It’s too bad Mr. “No-Kill State” Newsom didn’t think of his mother the way he thinks of hamsters.

These are sick times. Kudos to President Trump for standing up for the most defenseless human beings. He looks positively angelic next to these monsters."

Jamille Fields Allsbrook, director of women’s health and rights at the Center for American Progress, stated, "Today’s announcement is just the latest move in the administration’s unending effort to take away access to reproductive health care, including abortion, and ultimately to control women’s bodily autonomy. This rollback comes days after the Trump administration took the unprecedented step toward allowing Texas to use federal funds to discriminate against trusted family planning providers—including but not limited to Planned Parenthood—undermining patients’ access to sexual and reproductive health care. Today’s announcement also comes a month after the administration finalized a rule that is aimed at forcing insurers to drop abortion coverage by imposing unnecessary, onerous administrative requirements on insurers and consumers. These three actions are among many this administration has taken over the course of the past three years to target reproductive health care."

Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) had a message for all those who attended the March for Life: “To all who march today, thank you. Thank you for every sacrifice you made in order to march for the most important issue of our day. Thank you for giving your time and for braving the cold to stand as a voice for the voiceless and to hear from one of the most pro-life leaders in our nation’s history, President Trump. Do not worry when the national liberal media writes you off and says you can’t make a difference. They wrote him off too.”

Last year, Vice President Mike Pence made a surprise appearance and the president also gave a message of support for the cause to attendees via a live video feed. Presidents Ronald Reagan, George Bush, and George W. Bush all addressed the March for Life but their remarks were pre-taped or they were aired via a live video call.

NEW DOT INITIATIVES TO PROTECT ROADSIDE FIRST RESPONDERS

by U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL, 17th)

Washington, D.C. - January 24, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), along with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), have applauded new U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) initiatives designed to help avoid traffic accidents and save the lives of first responders rushing to aid in emergencies. The new initiatives closely mirror legislation Bustos, Durbin and Duckworth introduced last year that would establish a new national safety priority within an existing federal grant program to increase public awareness of “Move Over” laws and encourage implementation of life-saving digital alert technology. This technology is also referred to as V2X, or “vehicle-to-everything” communications systems, which can communicate with smartphones and other vehicles to alert passengers of an approaching emergency responder vehicle.

DOT’s announcement of these initiatives follows funding for a $5 million pilot program as part of a year-end bill that Bustos helped pass after Durbin secured language in the legislation. The pilot program would test and deploy these digital alert technologies to protect law enforcement, first responders, roadside crews, and others while on the job.

“We need to bring an end to the preventable tragedies we have seen along our roads and highways,” said Bustos. “That’s why I partnered with Senators Durbin and Duckworth to introduce legislation that brings awareness to our ‘Move Over’ laws and implements crash avoidance technology, and I’m pleased the Department of Transportation is taking initiatives to help address this issue. As the wife of a sheriff, I’m grateful for the work our first responders do every day and will continue to work to keep them safe.”

“We saw heartbreaking roadside accidents in Illinois last year, and we need to reverse the alarming rise in first responder roadside deaths,” Durbin said. “The initiatives announced by DOT are a helpful step forward that will provide states with resources to better enforce ‘Move Over’ laws and help keep our first responders safe.”

“One year ago this week, Illinois State Trooper Christopher Lambert was killed after being struck by a vehicle while assisting at a multi-vehicle crash. Trooper Lambert’s death and others like it reflect a troubling increase in first responder deaths that demands action,” said Duckworth. “I’m glad DOT is investing in new life-saving technologies like the First Responder Safety Technology Pilot Program, and I’ll continue to work with Senator Durbin and Representative Bustos to increase awareness of ‘Move Over’ laws and protect our first responders.”

In April 2019, Durbin paid tribute to three Illinois State Troopers who were killed after being struck by vehicles on the sides of roads and highways last year. Durbin honored Illinois State Troopers Brooke Jones-Story, Jerry Ellis, and Chris Lambert, and recognized the efforts of Lucy Kuelper, the daughter of an Illinois State Trooper who created a Facebook page to raise awareness about move over laws.

The Protecting Roadside First Responders Act, introduced by Bustos, Durbin and Duckworth last year, would establish move over law education and compliance as a national highway safety priority under existing NHTSA programs. This would allow states to apply for grant funding to execute move over law awareness campaigns, and to equip vehicles with digital alert and crash avoidance technology.

The digital alert technology, which is the focus of DOT’s new initiatives, is currently deployed by some localities around the country. This technology sends a real-time, audible, hands-free warning to motorists via navigation apps on their smartphone or their in-vehicle navigation system; notifying the driver when they are approaching an emergency responder vehicle. Deploying the technology only requires a small, inexpensive transponder to be added to emergency vehicles.

As of the Members’ introduction of the Protecting Roadside First Responders Act, 17 Illinois State Police (ISP) squad cars had been struck as a result of drivers failing to move over—twice as many as in 2018. Several suffered serious injuries and three of these incidents were fatal.

At least 37 auto-related first-responder deaths were recorded nationwide in 2019, of which 14 were officers struck by vehicles. Studies show more than 70 percent of Americans are unaware of Move Over laws like Scott’s Law in Illinois. All 50 states have Move Over laws.

Illinois’ move over law, called “Scott’s Law” was first enacted in 2002 to require motorists to slow down, and when possible, move over for all emergency vehicles with their lights on. It was later expanded in 2017 to include all pulled-over vehicles with their hazard lights on. The law is named after Chicago Fire Department Lt. Scott Gillen, who was killed in 2000 on the Bishop Ford Freeway. In July 2019, Governor Pritzker signed a bill expanding upon the law, which increases the fines for violators and charges them an additional $250 fee to establish a fund for education and enforcement of the law.

The Protecting Roadside First Responders Act would also:

Require NHTSA to promulgate rules mandating crash avoidance technology on all new motor vehicles, within two years, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warnings, and lane departure warnings.

Require all federal fleet vehicles to have crash avoidance technology (automatic emergency braking, forward collision warnings, and lane departure warnings) within five years.

Require all federal fleet vehicles used for emergency response activities to be equipped with digital alert technology within five years.

Require research on the efficacy of Move Over laws and related public awareness campaigns as well as recommendations on how to improve these efforts to prevent roadside deaths.

Senator Burr Applauds Department of Transportation’s Proposed Rulemaking of Service Animals on Flights

by Senator Richard Burr (R-NC)

Washington, D.C. - January 24, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- the Department of Transportation announced its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to amend the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulation of service animals on aircraft.

Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), who led efforts to strengthen the standards of service animals on aircraft, welcomed the Department of Transportation’s announcement.

“When individuals are trying to bring any variety of animals on flights by fraudulently claiming disability needs, we have a problem,” said Senator Burr. “It isn’t fair to passengers, airlines, or those who do require properly trained service animals. It’s time we enact commonsense regulations that protect the ability of individuals and veterans with disabilities to travel with their trained service animals. I’ve been working to create stricter guidelines for service animals on airlines, and I applaud the Department of Transportation for taking steps to ensure our nation’s air transportation system is safer and more accessible.”

Background:

On April 24, 2018, Senator Burr introduced legislation to better align the definition of a “service animal” under the Air Carriers Access Act (ACAA) with the definition under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), establish a criminal penalty for making misrepresentations about service animals, and require federal agencies to establish a standard of service animal behavior training for animals on aircraft.

During consideration of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act in October 2018, Senator Burr negotiated the inclusion of an amendment to require the FAA to establish rulemaking to define the term “service animal” for air transportation and develop minimum standards for service and emotional support animals carried on airplanes.

As a result of this successful negotiation, the Department of Transportation announced it is seeking public comment on its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on traveling by air with service animals. Specifically, the proposed rulemaking:

Aligns the definition of a service animal with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) definition.

Does not require airlines to recognize “emotional support animals” as “service animals.” Airlines would be permitted to treat “emotional support animals,” which do not have the proper training for qualified individuals with disabilities, as pets.

Allows airlines to only transport dogs as service animals rather than accommodating miniature horses, peacocks, cats, rabbits, birds, and other service animals that airlines are currently required to transport.

Despite Slow Growth in 2019, Ohio’s Job Market Trends in Positive Direction

by Buckeye Institute

Columbus, OH - January 24, 2020 - (The Ponder News) -- Andrew J. Kidd, Ph.D., an economist with The Buckeye Institute’s Economic Research Center, commented on newly released employment data from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

“Ohio ended 2019 with 10,400 new private-sector jobs, and the state’s unemployment rate held at near record lows at 4.2 percent. The year also ended with two consecutive months of above-average job growth for the decade, marking a positive trend for Ohio’s job market and one to watch throughout 2020.

“December’s job growth was spread across a number of industries and sectors. Construction recovered some of the losses it experienced in 2019, adding 3,400 jobs—the largest job growth in any sector in December. This growth is critical as employer demand for skilled trade workers is high, and preparing workers for the industry will attract more businesses and workers to Ohio. The professional and tech services sector—which added 2,200 jobs in December—ended the year up 15,500 jobs, the highest growth of any sector in 2019. This growth in professional and tech services illustrates Ohio’s continued shift from its manufacturing roots (down 1,700 jobs in 2019) to a more service-oriented economy. The administrative and support services sector lost 2,200 jobs in December, which was a nationwide trend as automated services and technology replaced executive assistants and other support staff.

“With annual revisions and updates due in March, it remains to be seen how Ohio faired in 2019, yet, job growth continued its long-term trend of lagging below the national average and growth in 2019 was hampered by trade tensions and recession concerns. To reverse this long-term trend, there are reforms policymakers can adopt that will spur job growth. Ohio desperately needs municipal and local tax reform and should eliminate its personal income and commercial activity taxes. Recent changes to job training programs, and the announcement of the Industry Sector Partnership Grant will provide workers the in-demand skills needed to fill thousands of job openings in the state. And enacting universal occupational licensing reciprocity will make Ohio more attractive to employees and employers by making it easier for licensed professionals to continue their careers in Ohio.”