Monday, April 8, 2019

Illinois: BILL TO BRING JUSTICE FOR THOSE WRONGFULLY ARRESTED, CHARGED



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by: Illinois Policy Institute

Springfield, IL - April 8, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Cook County’s criminal justice system could become fairer through a new bill that relieves wrongfully arrested and charged people of the burden of paying to clear their names. Senate Bill 482, championed by state Sen. Jacqueline Collins, D-Chicago, would waive fees to expunge or seal records for people in Cook County who have been acquitted, had their convictions reversed, or whose charges have been dropped or dismissed.

The bill passed today 53-0 on the floor of the Illinois Senate.

Many people cannot afford to petition the court to correct their record for crimes they did not commit. This bill would remove that financial burden and allow people wrongfully arrested or charged the opportunity to clear their names.

SB 482 would be an extension of a pilot program under the Criminal Identification Act, which began in 2016 and lapsed Jan. 1.

“As unjust as it is to face a wrongful arrest, charge or conviction, it can be a lifelong sentence to have records with false information linked to you. It is not fair that someone has to pay to clear his or her name in these cases,” said Amy Korte, research director for the nonpartisan Illinois Policy Institute. “We applaud Sen. Collins for her work to remove unfair barriers to work and life opportunities for people who have already suffered injustice.”

The bill now moves to the House, and if approved, will make its way to the governor’s desk.

Background:

  • Wrongful arrests and charges are a rampant problem in Illinois. Nearly 20% of arrestees in Cook County jail ultimately have their charges dropped, according to Sheriff Tom Dart.
  • In Cook County, the fee to have records expunged or sealed is $120. Expunging means to delete records entirely as if the event never occurred. Sealing means to make records hidden unless court-ordered.
  • If lawmakers vote to renew the pilot program in the Criminal Identification Act, it would take effect immediately upon becoming law and extend through Dec. 31, 2020.

  • IWF VOICES SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT HOUSE-PASSED VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT REAUTHORIZATION

    by: Independent Women's Forum

    Washington, D.C. - April 8, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Independent Women’s Forum Senior Advisor Andrea Bottner released the following statement in response to the U.S. House of Representatives vote this morning to pass the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019:

    “This latest reauthorization of VAWA shows how far the law has strayed from its original purpose. This law was supposed to combat violence against women and protect. Now, it's about advancing a progressive political agenda.

    “This 2019 House version of VAWA no longer prioritizes the comfort and safety of women victims and it flatly refuses to address victims of female genital mutilation (FGM).

    “It raises serious constitutional concerns with regard to religious liberty and second amendment freedoms. Irresponsibly, it includes a provision that would cost tens of millions of dollars in new taxes on employers and adds significant new requirements on housing providers far beyond the scope of the current law.

    “Sadly, the lack of transparency, accountability and misuse of taxpayer funds that has long been associated with VAWA funding is not being robustly addressed. We should never tolerate resources being wasted that are supposed to help women.

    “We can only hope the U.S. Senate will address some of these serious concerns. Survivors of domestic violence deserve no less than a truly improved and survivor-centered Violence Against Women Act.”

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    Documents Requested on Acting DOI Secretary Bernhardt’s Ties with Westlands Water District

    by: Jared Huffman (D-CA, 2nd)

    Washington, D.C. - April 8, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Natural Resources Committee Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Water, Oceans, & Wildlife Subcommittee Chair Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) launched a new inquiry seeking documents associated with David Bernhardt, the current Deputy Secretary and Acting Secretary of the Interior, and California’s powerful Westlands Water District, a former client of Bernhardt’s. Serious questions have been raised in filings with the Inspector General and the Office of Government Ethics regarding the conflicts between his work as a lobbyist and lawyer for the irrigation district and now as a top official in the Trump administration.

    In the letter sent today to the Westlands Water District, Reps. Huffman and Grijalva wrote:

    “Serious questions have been raised regarding the potential conflicts between his [Bernhardt’s] work as a top official at the Department of the Interior (DOI) and his previous work as a lobbyist and lawyer with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck representing the Westlands Water District. These potential conflicts have been described in national news reports and in numerous complaints filed with the Inspector General and Office of Government Ethics. It is essential that the Congress and the American people have a full and complete record of the relationship between Mr. Bernhardt and Westlands so these questions can be answered, and potential conflicts of interest can be addressed.”

    The letter requests all documents associated with David Bernhardt and his work relating to his former water district client, including his work to weaken Endangered Species Act protections and to pursue funding for the raising of Shasta Dam over the objections of the State of California.

    You can see the full text of the letter here.

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    ISAKSON, PERDUE ARGUE FOR SEASONAL FARMER PROTECTIONS IN TRADE AGREEMENT

    by: Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

    Washington, D.C. - April 8, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and David Perdue, R-Ga., raised concerns with the administration’s lead negotiator for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada-Trade agreement regarding the need to protect Georgia farmers forced to compete with subsidized Mexican fruit and vegetable imports.

    The senators joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in the Senate and House in a letter sent Thursday asking U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to address the legitimate concerns expressed by Georgia’s seasonal growers and to implement new rules to defend domestic seasonal and perishable produce from unfair trade practices.

    “Fair, open and reciprocal trade is essential to America’s long-term economic success,” said Isakson. “I intend to do everything I can to help facilitate a level playing field for trade and ensure that hardworking Americans have the tools necessary to address unfair trade practices. Agriculture is Georgia’s largest industry, and our fruit and vegetable farmers are currently far too vulnerable to illegal dumping and other targeted efforts that undermine their ability to cultivate and sell their products at home and abroad. As members of Congress, we’re asking that America’s farmers have a seat at the table and the ability to air their objections to unfair foreign trade practices in a fair and open way.”

    “Agriculture is Georgia’s number one industry and a major reason why our state continues to be the best state in the country in which to do business,” said Perdue. “The United States’ economy has evolved since NAFTA was signed nearly 25 years ago. As the Trump administration works to get a better deal for American workers and businesses, we must ensure that farmers and growers are treated fairly and have equal access across the world. It’s critical that we gain a level playing field that will allow our agriculture industry to compete globally.”

    Providing a fair process for domestic seasonal fruit and vegetable growers to access the legal means to impose anti-dumping and countervailing duties “was not just an early objective of the administration’s North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiations, but was also referenced by Congress under current Trade Promotion Authority,” wrote the bipartisan members of Congress.

    “The [U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s] silence on the matter is significant and concerning,” the letter continues. “We strongly insist that the administration address this issue in a way that gives confidence to all seasonal growers that the federal government can and will act to counter legitimate injury from unfair imports from Mexico or any other country.”

    A possible remedy would be to enact the Defending Domestic Produce Production Act, S.16, which Isakson has cosponsored, or through appropriate administrative action to establish equally effective, enforceable and durable remedies through existing trade authorities.

    The letter was led by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and other members of Florida’s Congressional delegation. In addition to Isakson and Perdue, the letter was also signed by members of Georgia’s congressional delegation including U.S. Reps. Rick Allen, R-Ga.-12, Buddy Carter, R-Ga.-01, Sanford Bishop, D-Ga.-02, Jody Hice, R-Ga.-10, Austin Scott, R-Ga.-08, and David Scott, D-Ga.-13, along with other U.S. representatives from Florida.

    The full text of the letter is included below.

    Dear Ambassador Lighthizer:

    We write to raise concerns regarding the lack of progress in the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) with respect to improved mechanisms to initiate and sustain legitimate anti-dumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) proceedings for trade in seasonal and perishable produce. As you know, providing a fair process for domestic seasonal fruit and vegetable growers to access genuine AD/CVD relief was not just an early objective of the Administration’s North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiations, but was also referenced by Congress under current Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). The USMCA’s silence on the matter is significant and concerning.

    The President has consistently argued that reducing persistent trade deficits with America’s trading partners is an important goal in the pursuit of free, fair, and reciprocal trade. The U.S. agricultural trade deficit with Mexico has risen rapidly since NAFTA came into force, driven by growing Mexican fruit and vegetable exports buoyed by significant government subsidies and unfair pricing practices, among other factors. In 2016, the U.S. faced a $5.1 billion trade deficit in agricultural goods with Mexico. Fruits and vegetables made up the largest source of Mexico’s bilateral agricultural trade surplus at $11.2 billion, nearly $2 billion more than the bilateral U.S. trade surplus of meats, dairy, grain, and oilseeds combined. While the Mexican Government has refused to include a mechanism to correct this growing imbalance in the USMCA text, we still believe the Administration must ensure that clear rules are in place to defend domestic seasonal and perishable produce from unfair trade practices.

    We strongly insist that the Administration address this issue in a way that gives confidence to all seasonal growers that the federal government can and will act to counter legitimate injury from unfair imports from Mexico or any other country. This could be accomplished by enacting the Defending Domestic Produce Production Act (S. 16 / H.R. 101), or through appropriate administrative action to establish equally effective, enforceable, and durable remedies through existing trade authorities. Those remedies must able to provide relief, as necessary and applicable, across a highly diverse suite of American seasonal producers.

    Domestic seasonal and perishable produce growers deserve reasonable access to trade enforcement tools that are readily available to other agricultural and industrial producers in the U.S. Such an outcome would be good for American fruit and vegetable farmers, good for American families, and good for the nation’s food security. Moreover, a successful resolution of this issue would provide important support for the USMCA within the agricultural communities we represent.

    We greatly appreciate your efforts to secure the strongest trade deals possible for the United States and your commitment to protect American workers and production capacity from unfair and illegal foreign competition. We look forward to working with you towards a successful resolution of this important issue prior to a USMCA vote.

    Sincerely,



    Friday, April 5, 2019

    Chairman Scott Statement on March Jobs Report

    by: House Committee on Education and the Workforce

    Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 196,000 jobs in March and the unemployment rate held at 3.8 percent.

    “Today’s jobs report continues to show that despite steady job growth, wages are barely keeping pace with inflation. It is another reminder that Congress must take bold action to lift millions of workers out of poverty to help build a thriving middle class.

    “The Raise the Wage Act would gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 by 2024, which would increase the pay and standard of living for nearly 40 million workers across this country. Raising the minimum wage is not only good for workers, it is good for businesses, and good for the economy. When we put money in the pockets of American workers, they will spend that money in their communities.

    “Just last week, new polling data revealed that voters across the political spectrum and around the country support gradually raising the federal minimum wage to $15. After 10 years with no increase in the minimum wage, it is past time to listen to the American people, boost workers’ paychecks, and stimulate economic growth by passing the Raise the Wage Act.”

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    Experts Call for Strengthened, Integrated Strategies Addressing “Converging Public Health Crisis” of Opioid, ID Epidemics

    by: Infectious Disease Society of America

    Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Citing the spread of infections linked to rising rates of opioid use across the country including HIV, viral hepatitis, skin and soft tissue infections, bone and joint infections and endocarditis, an article published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases calls on the federal government to support coordinated and strengthened responses by infectious diseases and substance use specialists. The article, by a team of authors from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases that includes NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, notes that opioid use has climbed since the late 1990s, leading to increased use of injecting drugs. By 2016, the authors note, injecting drug use was linked to 13% of new HIV diagnoses and the majority of new hepatitis C infections.

    The article notes that infectious disease physicians confronting outbreaks of infections linked to injection drug use increasingly find themselves on the frontlines of the nation’s opioid epidemic, and must be equipped to recognize, refer, and treat substance use disorders. In turn, the authors recommend that providers of substance use disorder responses, including mental health professionals, nurses and social workers, be prepared to screen clients for infections, and to refer those at risk to programs providing sterile needles and syringes and other supports to reduce the risk of infection. Limited numbers of providers in both fields, as well as a lack of sterile needle and syringe programs, the authors note, exacerbate the challenges providers face in addressing the growing crisis. The authors call for investments by the federal government ensuring the expansion of evidence-based interventions, and support for the needed workforce.

    The Infectious Diseases Society of America and the HIV Medicine Association also continue to call on Congress and the administration to ensure the resources and workforce needed to reverse climbing rates of infectious diseases fueled by the opioid epidemic. We have supported the President’s request for Congress to provide a minimum of $58 million for U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support surveillance, prevention, detection and linkages to care to address the full range of infectious diseases associated with substance use disorders, and support collaboration with state and local health departments, health care facilities, and providers in these responses. In addition, we urge Congress to fund the Loan Repayment for Substance Use Treatment Disorder Treatment Workforce Program at a minimum of $25 million as recommended in the SUPPORT Act and have urged the Health and Human Resources Administration to include infectious diseases and HIV physicians who diagnose and treat infections associated with substance use in programs providing education loan repayment, including by designating Ryan White-funded clinics as eligible National Health Service Corps sites.

    We will continue to urge support for evidence-based, innovative and responsive care models and for addressing the challenges faced by the workforce that will be essential to ending the impacts of the opioid crisis.

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    The Truth About the Violence Against Women Act

    by: French Hill (R-AR, 2nd)

    Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- In 1994, Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) with bipartisan support. This legislation has played a valuable role in combating violence and providing resources that support victims. VAWA was reauthorized by bipartisan majorities in Congress in 2000, 2005, and 2013.

    I have consistently supported the funding of VAWA programs because all victims of violence deserve resources that help to protect and keep them safe.

    In February of this year, the VAWA programs expired. Instead of continuing the bipartisan tradition of reauthorizing VAWA, House Democratic leaders have sabotaged this legislation and are forcing a vote this week on a partisan version of this bill purely for political gain. This new authorization contains a laundry list of liberal proposals that could put victims in greater danger.

    This includes a new provision that would implement “alternative justice responses” for sexual assault and domestic violence cases where a victim and an abuser would be put in the same room together. Allowing this only re-victimizes the abused individual. The new authorization would allow male prisoners to be kept with the female population, and have males be placed in women's protective shelters. Additionally, the new authorization strips religious freedom protections that would allow private religious agencies to continue serving victimized women.

    The right way to proceed on this legislation is to engage in a bipartisan process to shape and update the original 1994 law. That’s why I cosponsored Representative Elise Stefanik’s (NY-R) clean, one-year extension of VAWA’s provisions that expired in February 2019. This would give members of Congress time to negotiate a bipartisan bill in good faith. All women, like my wife and daughter, deserve legislation that protects them and their well-being, not partisan gimmicks.

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    See Also:

    VIDEO: Statement From Congressman Horsford On Reauthorization Of Violence Against Women Act

    Houlahan Continues to Stand Up for Women with the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019

    Haaland Celebrates House Passage of the VAWA Reauthorization

    HRC: Senate Must Join House in Reauthorizing VAWA

    Heading to the President’s Desk: ACE Kids Act

    by: Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA, 3rd)

    Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler’s bipartisan Advancing Care for Exceptional (ACE) Kids Act is heading to the president’s desk for his signature into law. Her bill, which was included in a broader Medicaid improvement package, was approved by the U.S. Senate yesterday. ACE Kids Act helps improve the coordination of and access to high quality care to ensure optimal outcomes for children with complex medical conditions on Medicaid.

    Herrera Beutler has been championing this bipartisan legislation since 2014. WATCH her speak on behalf of her bill in December.

    “I’ve sat bedside to bedside with many a family as they face the reality of having a sick kid, and have also hit hard times economically. Every family should be able to pursue the best doctors and facilities for their kids, regardless of their zip code or the scope of their child’s medical needs. Too often, kids get overlooked in our health care system so passage of this bipartisan bill through Congress is a critical step forward in protecting some of the most vulnerable members of our population,” Herrera Beutler said.

    “We at Seattle Children’s are very pleased that the ACE Kids Act has passed. Seattle Children’s serves many children, including those living in rural communities, whose highly specialized medical needs require them to cross state lines for care. The ACE Kids Act will improve access to the full range of pediatric providers, from primary care to specialized providers like Seattle Children’s, while at the same time providing additional Medicaid data to ensure care is standardized, more reliable, and safer. This will result in a better system for our nation’s children and their families. We thank and congratulate Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler for her strong leadership in sponsoring this legislation and seeing it through to successful passage,” Dr. Jeff Sperring, CEO of Seattle Children’s Hospital, said.


    Medically-complex kids on Medicaid:

    · One in 25 children in the U.S. is “medically complex” with diagnoses like cancer, congenital heart disease, Down syndrome, or others that require consistent care and medical expertise. Of the several million medically-complex children, roughly two million rely on Medicaid. Children who have complex medical conditions represent a small percentage of kids in Medicaid, but account for a large portion of the costs.

    · Most children with complex medical conditions receive care from multiple specialized pediatric providers who often are located at different clinics and hospitals, including in different states. The ACE Kids Act will encourage the creation of more health homes for these children and their families that better coordinate care, save precious time, money and lives. Outside studies have found that, through care coordination, the ACE Kids Act will save families and taxpayer money through a less fragmented and burdensome system of care for children and families.

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    Bill to Increase Job Opportunities for Wildlife Veterinarians Reintroduced

    by: Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL, 20th)

    Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Alcee L. Hastings reintroduced the Wildlife Veterinarians Employment and Training Act of 2019 (Wildlife VET Act), legislation to increase the quality of job opportunities for individuals seeking a career in wildlife and zoological veterinary research or medicine, spur job growth, incentivize students to enter the field, and promote robust public health policy. Joining Hastings as original cosponsors include: Representatives Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.-At Large), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Kurt Schrader (D-OR), Darren Soto (D-FL), and Filemon Vela (D-TX). (Please find attached a copy of the legislation):

    “I am pleased to reintroduce the Wildlife VET Act, which responds to pressing public health needs, while also addressing the current shortage of veterinarians by alleviating looming student debt and other barriers. Salaries for wildlife and zoological professionals are relatively low compared to those who practice companion animal medicine, ranking second to the bottom for salaries paid to veterinarians as a whole. These students graduate with a massive $143,000 in student loan debt, on average. Given the lower salaries, looming student debt, combined with the limited number of funded positions available, this bill prevents students from being too discouraged to enter this essential profession.

    “We have reached a point in our history when we cannot ignore the importance of protecting America’s wildlife. With an increasing number of endangered species, the introduction of invasive non-native species, and more infectious disease threats to public health, wildlife and zoological veterinarians must be placed at the core of our efforts and be given the resources and recognition necessary to protect both animal and human lives.”

    The Wildlife VET Act increases the quality and number of job opportunities for individuals seeking a career in wildlife and zoological veterinary research or medicine, reduces barriers and provides incentives to students to enter the field, and promotes robust public health policy. In so doing, the bill creates new positions in the field; limits the amount of educational debt students can take on; provides scholarship and loan repayment programs; and helps schools develop specialized curricula and training programs with a focus on wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine.

    Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Vice-Chairman of the House Rules Committee, Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Co-Chairman of the Florida Delegation.

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    HYDE-SMITH STRESSES NEED FOR STRONG HHS RESPONSE TO RURAL HOSPITAL CLOSURES

    by: Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS)

    Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) has stressed the need for federal action to address the risk of rural hospitals closing in Mississippi and other rural states.

    Hyde-Smith raised the rural hospital issue at a Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee hearing Thursday on the FY2020 budget request for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

    “We must keep working to find strong actions that we can take to help rural hospitals in Mississippi stay open. Rural hospital closures have reached a very critical point in our state,” Hyde-Smith said following the hearing.

    At the hearing, Hyde-Smith told HHS Secretary Alex Azar about her growing concerns regarding rural healthcare in Mississippi, which has more rural hospitals at risk of closing than any other state. She cited recent reports showing half of all rural hospitals in Mississippi are at high financial risk of shutting their doors.

    “When a hospital closes, the whole community is affected in so many ways, not only the employment there. Most importantly, it means no more access to emergency care for the community’s residents,” Hyde-Smith said. “In an emergency, timely care is of essence, and having close-by access to them can truly mean life or death.”

    Azar assured Hyde-Smith, “We’re working on this.”

    “You have repeatedly raised with me the concerns about rural hospital access in Mississippi, and in part because of your efforts I have created a task force across HHS to help come up with all ideas that we can around how we can address the hospital crisis,” Azar said.

    The Secretary listed ongoing review of HHS programs, policies, and rules to determine their effectiveness in supporting access to rural health care and hospital financial survivability.

    “Let me give you some ideas. One of them we just were discussing, which is telehealth. How can we help make sure that we’re expanding access into rural America because we’ll end up consolidating everyone living in urban areas if we can't provide them healthcare in rural America,” Azar said.

    “We also have to make sure that our regulations at CMS [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] or otherwise are not creating artificial barriers to economically viable models of hospitals in rural America. Are we trying to force a 1960s model of hospitals through our payment systems and other regulations onto rural America?” he said.

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