Podcasts about house transportation committee

(The Center Square) – Washington state lawmakers are contemplating an increase in a variety of taxes and fees, including the gas tax and electric vehicle registration fee, to finance its proposed 2025-2027 transportation budget. While local government advocates spoke in support of it at a Tuesday public hearing in the House Transportation Committee, one person testifying pushed back against a provision that would cause taxes and fees to automatically increase without a legislative vote. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx Read more: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_38300bb0-87a7-409a-a05e-9de2df837d4c.html

This week we're joined by Congressman Rick Larsen of Washington State, Ranking Member for the Democrats on the House Transportation Committee. We chat about USDOT's recent guidance for stripping sustainable projects of funding and why active transportation advocates should focus on safety. Find committee hearing schedules here.  Find the TNI Democrats page here. +++   Follow us on Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, YouTube, Flickr, Substack ... @theoverheadwire Follow us on Mastadon theoverheadwire@sfba.social Support the show on Patreon http://patreon.com/theoverheadwire Buy books on our Bookshop.org Affiliate site!  And get our Cars are Cholesterol shirt at Tee-Public! And everything else at http://theoverheadwire.com

March 11, 2025 ~ Michigan's House Transportation Committee is considering a new roads bill aiming to dedicate taxes from the pump directly to road repairs. Rep. Rylee Linting (R-Grosse Ile), one of the sponsors on the bill, talks with Guy, Lloyd, and Jamie about the bill's priorities, fiscally responsible spending, and much more.

Washington lawmakers will soon decide on HB 1958, a bill that could place the entire tolling burden for the I-5 Bridge replacement on Washington taxpayers. Opponents argue the bill lets Oregon avoid its share of funding. Read more at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/house-transportation-committee-to-hold-hearing-on-hb-1958/ www.ClarkCountyToday.com #HB1958 #JohnLey #ClarkCountyWa #WashingtonState #localnews #transportation #infrastructure #tolling #publichearing #WSDOT

Rep. Brandy Donaghy is vice chair of the House Transportation Committee, and that's just a quarter of her committee portfolio. She lives in Snohomish County and writes laws that make Washington a lot better place. Today we'll talk about some of her ideas for 2025.

Jefferson City's mayor is praising Monday's inauguration of President Donald Trump (R), describing it as an exciting day for the United States and for the world. Mayor Ron Fitzwater, a Republican, joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri", telling listeners that President Trump did a great job Monday of outlining his vision for the country. Mayor Fitzwater is also pleased that U.S. Reps. Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) and Jason Smith (R-Salem) will chair the House Transportation Committee and the Ways and Means Committee this year, respectively. We also discussed Jefferson City's aging tri-level during the interview. Mayor Fitzwater tells listeners that the tri-level remains a priority, adding that Chairman Graves is well aware of the problems with it. The mayor is hopeful that Jefferson City can get some federal funding for it. The state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) says it would cost about $93-million to rebuild the tri-level and the Rex Whitton Expressway. MoDOT tells 939 the Eagle that about 86,000 vehicles a day come through the tri-level area, with three major highways converging in the same area. MoDOT says the tri-level bridges were built in 1964 and that the “flyover” bridges were built in 1991:

State Representative Steve Massengill joined The Extra Mile Podcast to talk about recurring revenue possibilities for transportation, discuss Thanksgiving cuisine options, and more.Show intro/introducing State Representative Steve Massengill – 00:38What the House Transportation Committee has been up to – 01:38Recurring Revenue Ideas for MDOT – 09:47Other Topics in the 2025 Legislative Session – 16:51Favorite Thanksgiving dishes – 21:17Favorite Christmas songs – 23:51Show Outro – 25:30

In this episode of the Must Read Alaska Show, Rep. Sarah Vance joins us to discuss her re-election campaign for the Alaska State House. Representing Homer, Sarah highlights her ongoing efforts to extend the Senior Benefits Program, improve infrastructure like Homer's Kachemak Drive and the Homer Harbor, and tackle vital community projects. She shares how her deep roots in Homer and her leadership roles—Chair of the House Judiciary Committee and Vice-Chair of the House Transportation Committee—equip her to serve her constituents. Tune in to hear how Sarah is tackling human and sex trafficking and what separates her from her far-left opponent.

Will Pennsylvania join the list of states that charge an electric vehicle fee to offset lost gas tax revenue? Braxton Critcher highlights that and the legal risks Minnesota dealerships face when showing copyrighted content without proper licensing. Virginia's decision to reverse its stance on California's emission standards, opting for federal guidelines instead, is covered as well. Take a listen! Thanks to our sponsor AutoFix Auto Shop Coaching! Schedule your free strategy session here: autofixautoshopcoaching.com

HOUR 1Tom & Tom talk weather and Saturday's turkey bowl and where they're eating on Thanksgiving Weather / (ADN) https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2023/11/16/nasty-anchorage-road-conditions-thrash-cars-and-trucks/Lester Holt presses Secretary of State Antony Blinken about President Biden's high-stakes meeting with China's President Xi Jinping and videos released by Israel after its raid of Al-Shifa hospital. / (NBC News) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrGhqKDypdIIsrael says it has found the bodies of two people, 19-year-old Israeli soldier Noa Marciano and 65-year-old hostage Yehudit Weiss, close to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. (Today Show) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i48mEbfwusESpeaker Johnson may need democrat votes / (CBS News) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGEzlPqzytkEric Levine, a New York-based donor who was raising money for former 2024 GOP presidential candidate Tim Scott, made his case for endorsing former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley / (FOX News) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeBTbSjxz68Vivek Ramaswamy clashes with CNN's Abby Phillip over Trump's 'vermin' comments / (CNN) https://www.foxnews.com/video/6341265836112"The Republican presidential field continues to narrow and former President Donald Trump has held on to a commanding lead ahead of primary contests. That includes a sizable lead in Florida — where one of his lead opponents, Ron DeSantis, is the governor." / (NPR) https://www.npr.org/2023/11/16/1213355557/desantis-florida-president-candidate-voters-trumpHOUR 2State Representative Kevin McCabe calls in from a PNWR meeting in Canada and announced House Transportation Committee's Mon Nov 20th meetingAdam Holz reviews "Hunger Games - Ballad of Song Birds and Snakes", "Trolls Band Together" and "Next Goal Wins" / https://www.pluggedin.com/Todd Smoldon from Gov Dunleavy's Mat-Su's Office (last two segments)

Karen is absolutely delightful. She's a powerful leader and has mastered the art of navigating across political lines to create great policies for her districts as she represents Utah.   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Kwan_(politician) Karen Kwan (born February 12, 1964) is an American politician serving in the Utah State Senate from the 12th district. On January 16, 2023 she was selected by delegates of the Utah Democratic Party to replace resigning Senator Karen Mayne.[1] Before her appointment to the Senate she served in the Utah House of Representatives, representing the 34th district from 2017 to 2023 (and briefly the 31st). She also previously served as the House Minority Whip.[2] Education[edit] Kwan has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Pepperdine University, an Ed.D. in educational leadership/policy from the University of Utah, and a master's degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University.[3] Career[edit] Kwan is an associate professor of psychology at Salt Lake Community College.[3] Public service[edit] Kwan was first elected in 2016, defeating the Republican candidate.[4] During the 2018 legislative session, Kwan served on the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee; the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee; the Political Subdivisions Committee, and the Transportation Committee. Kwan was reelected in November 2018 with 60.03 percent of the vote, defeating the Republican candidate.[5][6] In 2020, Kwan was reelected to her third consecutive term by defeating Republican challenger David Young 57% to 43%.[7] During the 2022 Legislative Session, Rep. Kwan served on the Executive Appropriations Committee, the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, the House Education Committee, the House Transportation Committee, the Legislative Management Committee, and the Subcommittee on Oversight.[2]

State and county officials have recently highlighted a severe shortage of funding for transportation infrastructure in Washington that includes roads, bridges and highways. However, the overall problem stems from a variety of contributing factors that are causing one state legislator to call for an overhaul of the system. “I think the problem is really where the priorities are,” Rep. Keith Goehner, R-Dryden, said in an interview with The Center Square. Goehner is a member of the House Transportation Committee and recently penned a guest column for The Wenatchee World arguing the state needs to cease unnecessary transportation projects and shift toward maintenance work. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/washington-in-focus/support

Powerful U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Tarkio), who chairs the U.S. House Transportation Committee on Capitol Hill, is trying to obtain federal funding to try to replace Jefferson City's aging tri-level. He's told 939 the Eagle that he's had conversations with Missouri Governor Mike Parson's office about the project. State Sen. Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City) and Jefferson City Mayor Ron Fitzwater joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri." Both remain hopeful that that it can happen. The state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) says 86,000 vehicles a day come through the tri-level area, with three major highways converging in the same area. MoDOT says the tri-level bridges were built in 1964 and that the “flyover” bridges were built in 1991. They also previewed Missouri's 2024 legislative session and Senator Bernskoetter corrected reports that he was involved in a recent crash. Senator Bernskoetter notes it was a different Mike Bernskoetter, and he's critical of a Facebook group that he says is not affiliated with the Cole County Republican Club:

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg appeared before the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee on Wednesday to answer questions about U.S. DOT policies. But as far as trucking matters go? There wasn't much. Also, a situation has come up that has serious potential consequences – drivers being stranded by their carriers. We'll discuss that – plus scam text messages and how to pull an MVR – with Joe Biggs and Aron Lynch of OOIDA's Business Services Department. The Brooklyn Queens Expressway in New York City is using weigh-in-motion scales on heavy trucks – and soon, violations will come with hefty fines. And there's a bounce back in the number of loads on the DAT load board. Robert Rouse with DAT says it saw a 7% increase in load volume last week. 0:00 – Buttigieg speaks to House committee  09:51 – Drivers getting ditched 24:34 – New York using weigh-in-motion on BQE 39:18 – More loads on the board

An east-central Missouri congressman who represents Jefferson City, Fulton, Boonville and parts of Columbia on Capitol Hill doesn't expect President Joe Biden to seek re-election in 2024. U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) tells 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri" that President Biden has virtually no ground game, and questions if he's electable in 2024. Congressman Luetkemeyer also addressed an issue that's been a big topic in Jefferson City: the aging tri-level. Congressman Luetkemeyer tells listeners that he appreciates the efforts of House Transportation Committee chair Rep. Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) to obtain federal funding for the project. Congressman Graves tells 939 the Eagle that he's had conversations with Governor Parson's office about the project:

The U.S. House Transportation Committee recently advanced trucking policy bills that include the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act (HR2367). It has been a long time coming but still has a ways to go. Learn what drivers need to do to push this and other favorable legislation in trucking plus what is going on with emissions standards, speed limiters, and other issues on Capitol Hill. Tune into this episode of The Truckers Network Radio Show on TNCRadio.Live when Shelley Johnson and Tom Kelley speak to Jay Grimes, the head of regulatory affairs with O-O-I-D-A. You'll learn a lot about how to keep trucking at the forefront and moving forward in Washington. Please subscribe to our podcast. It's free. https://www.ooida.com/ https://tncradio.live/  #TruckParking #TruckParkingSafetyImprovementAct #TruckingRegulations #EmissionsStandards #SpeedLimiters #JayGrimes #OOIDA #ShelleyMJohnson #TomKelley #TheTruckersNetworkRadioShow #TNCRadioLive

U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) chairs the powerful U.S. House Transportation Committee on Capitol Hill. He joined us live on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri" this morning. Congressman Graves tells listeners he supports bipartisan legislation to prevent automakers from eliminating AM broadcast radio in new cars, saying 90 percent of Americans are covered by an AM radio station or stations. He also says AM radio is critical in rural Missouri for emergency alerts, weather information and news. Congressman Graves also says crossings will be a key part of the final National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report on the deadly 2022 train collision and derailment in north-central Missouri's Mendon in his district, and he also weighed in on the controversy surrounding embattled U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-New York). Congressman Santos is charged in a 13-count federal indictment. Congressman Graves describes Congressman Santos as a "professional con man":

Later this week, the House Transportation Committee will discuss some of the current challenges faced by the supply chain. And OOIDA will be part of the discussion. We'll discuss what topics are likely to come up, and how they will affect you. Also, risk retention groups – what are they and how can be they beneficial? And when it comes to actual cash value verses stated limit policies it's important to know the difference between the two, and which will be the best option for you. 0:00 – Newscast.  10:12 – What is a risk retention group? 24:52 – Cash value vs. stated limit – what's the best option? 39:36 – Challenges in the supply chain.

Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) is optimistic about a Senate proposal to six-lane I-70 across Missouri being included in the final budget. The budget must be approved by Friday, under the state Constitution. Senator Rowden tells 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Mid-Missouri" that six-laning I-70 is a generational thing and is much needed. He also confirms that U.S. House Transportation Committee chairman Rep. Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) will try to obtain some federal money for the I-70 project in Missouri. Rowden notes I-70 is a main artery for truckers and other motorists heading across the country. Senator Rowden also tells listeners that sports wagering is unlikely to pass this session:

State Representative Charles Busby joined The Extra Mile: Legislative Session to give an overview of transportation legislation during the 2023 session, discuss the future of transportation, talk about MDOT projects on the Coast and more.  Show intro, introducing State Representative Charles Busby - 00:29 Update what's happening in the session as of March 1 - 01:23 Overview of transportation legislation during the 2023 session - 03:20 Conversation and legislation involving electric autonomous vehicles - 07:08 Importance of thinking about the future of transportation now - 10:12 More on the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund and what's next for the program - 12:37 Projects going on in Jackson County and the other Coastal counties - 14:06 New Welcome Center on I-10 - 16:06 Wrapping up his time as Chairman of the House Transportation Committee - 16:57 Favorite new place to eat - 19:10 Contact information - 20:36 Show outro - 21:16

Graves is outlining his goals as he becomes chairman of the powerful committee. He will have to find bipartisan consensus in a divided house.

EDINBURG, Texas - State Rep. Terry Canales, the chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, let rip when he spoke at the most recent Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization policy board meeting.The Edinburg Democrat blasted the group, accusing them of passing up the opportunity to move on shovel-ready transportation projects in favor of projects that are going to take years to complete. He said the situation is particularly bad in Hidalgo County. As a result, he said, hundreds of millions of dollars are sitting in the bank not being used. “When they don't move, we don't get extra funding,” Canales said.The RGVMPO is the conduit for all the federal and state transportation dollars that flow to the Rio Grande Valley.There were no reporters present at the MPO meeting, which took place Dec. 14, 2022. However, a partial recording of Canales' remarks is available on the group's Facebook page. The attached audio file is a recording of Chairman Canales' remarks at the MPO meeting.Canales' remarks were resurrected by RGVMPO Executive Director Andrew Canon at last week's McAllen Economic Development Corporation board meeting. In his monthly report to the directors of MEDC, Canon said the RGVMPO had received $400 million in Category Seven funding.Canon said: “Things are looking up. We are receiving more funds to the Valley since we did the merger. It's not as much as some would like but it is more than we have gotten previously. The task that we have now… last month we had Chairman Canales come and speak at the policy board. It is (all about) letting projects, getting projects out the door. We have lots of projects that are sitting on the shelves and lots of projects that need right of way acquisition, a lot of projects that need utility adjustments and so forth and so on. The task that we have at hand is we've asked for more but we have to start spending the day lights out of it. It is a little hard to go up to our state representatives and senators and say ‘woe is me, I need more money,' when we've got a lot of money in the bank that we haven't spent. So, we're shifting gears and starting to focus on that more, to start trying to get more projects out the door for our partners and with TxDOT. So, hopefully we'll see an increase on the number of projects letting over the next year or so.”To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

On Friday, Jan. 20, David Sirota and former Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) will explore the ongoing issues plaguing the U.S. airline industry and railroad companies. Peter is the former chair of the House Transportation Committee and boasts decades of industry knowledge, including on how airline and railroad carriers are increasingly tied to Wall Street. Join us on Friday for their discussion and chime in with a question. If you like the work we're doing and want to support independent journalism, head over to LeverNews.com to become a subscriber. If you'd like to leave a tip for The Lever click the following link. It helps us do this kind of independent journalism. levernews.com/tipjar A transcript will be available on this episode's Callin page after it is published. Download the Callin app for iOS and Android to listen to this podcast live, call in, and more! Also available at callin.com

New Bedford Light columnist Jack Spillane guests hosts and is joined by Rep Bill Straus (D-Mattapoisett), who chairs the House Transportation Committee on Beacon Hill, about the major developments that will be included with the arrival of SouthCoast Rail. And also talks about Republican's resistance to mail-in ballots both in his district and across the Commonwealth.

New Bedford Light columnist Jack Spillane guests hosts and is joined by Rep Bill Straus (D-Mattapoisett), who chairs the House Transportation Committee on Beacon Hill, about the major developments that will be included with the arrival of SouthCoast Rail. And also talks about Republican

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - The Texas House Committee on Transportation recently held a field hearing  in Brownsville. Held at the UT-Rio Grande Valley campus in Brownsville, the hearing was hosted by UTRGV and the City of Brownsville. After the hearing, the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service  interviewed three leaders in the region.Brownsville's interim city manager, Helen Ramirez, spoke about her city's first mobility transportation plan, which will include Space. State Rep. Terry Canales of Edinburg, who chairs the House panel, spoke about the funding challenges faced by the Texas Department of Transportation.And Eduardo Campirano, port director for the Port of Brownsville, spoke about the movement of cargo starting at the dock, not at the gates of the port. Here are the interviews. 

Good Monday everyone, this is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Monday, August 22nd, 2022. FLF Conference Plug: Folks, our upcoming Fight Laugh Feast Conference is just 2-months away from happening in Knoxville TN, October 6-8! Don't miss beer & psalms, our amazing lineup of speakers which includes George Gilder, Jared Longshore, Pastor Wilson, Dr. Ben Merkle, Pastor Toby, and we can’t say yet…also dont miss our awesome vendors, meeting new friends, and stuff for the kids too…like jumpy castles and accidental infant baptisms! Also, did you know, you can save money, by signing up for a Club Membership. So, go to FightLaughFeast.com and sign up for a club membership and then register for the conference with that club discount. We can’t wait to fellowship, sing Psalms, and celebrate God’s goodness in Knoxville October 6-8. Now, here’s what you may have missed over the weekend: https://fox8.com/sports/transgender-kids-can-be-considered-to-play-girls-sports-in-utah-after-ruling/ Transgender kids can be considered to play girls sports in Utah after ruling Transgender girls in Utah will be given the opportunity to participate in girls’ sports as the school year begins, after a judge on Friday reversed a ban pending legal challenges from parents. Instead of an outright ban, transgender girls will now be sent before a commission that will determine on a case-by-case basis if their participation compromises fairness. Utah’s Republican lawmakers created the commission in a law passed earlier this year as a fallback plan to be implemented in case of an injunction against the law. Under the law, the panel will be allowed to ask for and assess the child’s height and weight in making decisions about whether a transgender girl would have an unfair advantage. The commission, which is set to be convened in the coming weeks, will include politically appointed experts from athletics and medicine. When proposed, the commission was criticized by advocates for transgender student-athletes — who worried they would feel targeted having their bodies measured — and proponents of an outright ban, who argued it didn’t go far enough. The commission is set to go into effect while the court weighs the legal challenge to the outright ban. Members have not yet been appointed but will be in the coming weeks, legislative leaders said. The state’s association overseeing more than 80,000 students playing high school sports has said only one transgender girl competed in their leagues last year and, with school sports already underway, it’s unclear how many will go before the commission and when its decisions will take effect. Utah’s ruling marked the latest court development in a nationwide debate over how to navigate the flashpoint issue. At least 12 Republican-led states — including Utah — have passed laws banning transgender women or girls in sports based on the premise it gives them an unfair competitive advantage. Transgender rights advocates counter the rules aren’t just about sports, but another way to demean and attack transgender youth. Similar cases are underway in states such as Idaho, West Virginia and Indiana. Utah’s ban took effect in July after its Republican-supermajority Legislature overrode a veto by Gov. Spencer Cox, also a Republican. The transgender girls and the parents filed the lawsuit last May, contending the ban violates the Utah Constitution’s guarantees of equal rights and due process. Utah state Sen. Stuart Adams, a Republican, said in a statement Friday that the commission that will now make decisions in a way “to protect equitable and safe competition while preserving the integrity of women’s sports.” The commission will include a medical data statistician, a physician with experience about “gender identity healthcare”, a sports physiologist, mental health professional, collegiate athletic trainer, representative of an athletic association and a rotating member who is a coach or official in the sport relevant to each case. Minter said he hopes the commission will act merely as a safety net, with the presumption being that transgender girls can play unless there is an obvious issue of competitive fairness. https://thepostmillennial.com/principal-calls-police-on-4-year-old-who-refuses-to-wear-face-mask?utm_campaign=64487 Principal calls police on 4-year-old who refuses to wear face mask A California father is calling for change after police escorted him and his son, 4, from school property for attempting to drop his son off without a mask. The father, who is only identified as Shawn by the Daily Mail, was confronted by local police on Thursday at Theuerkauf Elementary School in Mountain View, a city in Silicon Valley. In a video recorded by Shawn, the little boy is maskless and being escorted from school by a staff member. https://twitter.com/i/status/1560413879888257025 - Play Video The seven-day rolling average for positive COVID cases in the area, which is one of the most affluent in the nation, is 544, significantly down from the peak of 5,127, reported Daily Mail. On Friday, the day after the incident, Mountain View Whisman School District changed its policy, in accordance with a new CDC guideline. The students at their nine elementary and two middle schools are now no longer required to wear face masks. However, Shawn claims the mask mandates have not gone away for good because the rule could be easily reinstated. "They have not rescinded the policy," he explained. "Ultimately what we are trying to do is get parental choice or parental opt out." According to the disgruntled father, the district's policy on masking is a week-by-week on/off switch. Shawn said he and his wife believe their son may have special needs. He also said the son has never worn a face mask before. When he was asked to at routine doctor's visits, he became distressed. To help ease the transition into school, Shawn said he began voicing his concerns about mandatory masks to Mountain View Whisman School District in the spring, but the superintendent was unresponsive. "They told me to force it on him," Shawn told Daily Mail. "They are basically telling me to assault and batter my son." I sympathize with the father, but I also put the blame on him… get your kid out of public school. End of story. Perhaps this is the Lord opening his eyes to the issue? Accountable 2U ​​https://Accountable2You.com/FLF Using a smartphone or computer opens the door to a host of digital temptations. In a world saturated with pornography and other harmful content, what's a Christian to do? We need to take a proactive approach, welcoming transparency in our digital media choices—and Accountable2You makes that easy. Their accountability software shares detailed activity reports from all your devices, and your kids' devices, in real time to the accountability partners that you choose. With accountability in place, your family can effectively guard against temptations online and live with purity and integrity. Learn more and try it free at Accountable2You.com/FLF https://townhall.com/tipsheet/saraharnold/2022/08/20/biden-may-use-amtrak-to-send-illegal-aliens-to-american-towns-n2612029 Moving on… another bright idea from our commander in chief: Biden Plans to Use Tax-Payer Money to Fund Amtrak to Send Illegal Aliens to American Towns Rumor has it the Biden administration is on the verge of using Amtrak to transport illegal migrants from parts of the U.S. Mexican border. According to 19 House Republicans, President Joe Biden's Department of Homeland Security is planning on using hard-earned taxpayer money to fund the transportation of illegal aliens from the border to cross into the country. The House Transportation Committee blames Biden's urgent need to end Title 42 for the massive spike of illegals crossing the border, inciting GOP members to heighten the need to expose the president's plans. In a letter to Amtrak officials, Republicans cautioned that Biden may use their transportation services for processing if immigration checkpoints are inundated with new arrivals, furthering the crisis at the border. "We are concerned about the impact that a significantly greater border surge could cause to your services and the potential use of Amtrak in the Administration's response to its self-created border crisis," the letter reads. "Such a situation would cause disruptions for Amtrak customers as well as interrupt freight traffic that could further exacerbate the supply chain crisis…would also constitute an unconscionable use of significant amounts of taxpayer funds and resources to aid in the vast movement of illegal migrants into American communities," the letter continued. The Republicans said they are "deeply concerned" that Amtrak's resources will be used to move undocumented people. "We are deeply concerned that Amtrak's resources – especially those supporting the Sunset Limited route – will be used to transport these undocumented persons. Such a situation would cause disruptions for Amtrak customers as well as interrupt freight traffic that could further exacerbate the supply chain crisis. Such actions would also constitute an unconscionable use of significant amounts of taxpayer funds and resources to aid in the vast movement of illegal migrants into American communities," the GOP members' letter said. The Customs Border and Protection (CBP) announced earlier this week that nearly 200,000 illegal migrants have entered the U.S. in July alone, taking the total so far this fiscal year to 1.946 million encounters. https://www.theepochtimes.com/4-9-million-illegal-aliens-crossed-us-border-in-18-months-since-biden-took-office-report_4678365.html?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=BonginoReport 4.9 Million Illegal Aliens Crossed US Border in 18 Months Since Biden Took Office Nearly 5 million illegal immigrants have crossed U.S. borders in the 18 months since President Joe Biden took office, according to a new report. A total of 4.9 million illegal aliens, including some 900,000 “gotaways” who evaded apprehension and have since disappeared into American communities, have entered the country by the end of July, the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) said in a statement on Aug. 16. “Roughly the equivalent of the entire population of Ireland has illegally entered the United States in the 18 months President Biden has been in office, with many being released into American communities,” FAIR President Dan Stein said in the press release. He blamed Biden for putting the unprecedented surge down to external factors, not the administration’s own “sabotage” of immigration laws. After rolling back key Trump-era policies, Biden presided over the largest number of apprehensions of illegal immigrants at the U.S.–Mexico border in a calendar year in history, recording almost 1.9 million arrests last year. https://www.boundingintosports.com/2022/08/dwyane-wade-files-to-legally-change-the-name-of-his-son-in-order-to-conform-with-gender-identity/ Dwyane Wade Files To Legally Change The Name Of His Son In Order “To Conform With Gender Identity” The Blast reports they obtained the legal documents noting that Wade wants his 15-year-old son’s name legally changed from Zion Malachi Airamis Wade to Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade. The documents purportedly explain the reason for the name change is “to conform with gender identity.” Wade’s ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches, who is the mother of Zion, was notified of the decision with The Blast quoting the documents, “Pursuant to the terms of the Final Custody Judgment, (Wade) has full authority to make decisions on behalf of the petitioning minor, and he is not required to receive consent from Ms. Funches-Wade. As a courtesy, Ms. Funches-Wade has received notice of this petition.” Wade claimed his son believed he was a girl when he was 12-years-old during an appearance on The Ellen Show. Dwyane Wade’s Candid Talk About Supporting His 12-Year-Old's Gender Identity- Play 0:00-2:40 Well there’s the problem… Dwayne Wade has abdicated his role as the father of the home, and is letting his wife and son wear the pants or dress in the family. Wade as the captain has crashed his families ship into our cultures insanity, and now his children are paying the price, for his weak, and effeminate leadership. Wade also wrote in a now deleted Instagram Post, “Everyone allow her to re-introduce herself, her name is Zaya Wade! Last night was Zaya’s first red carpet and we couldn’t have been prouder of how she handled the questions that were asked of her.” Heartbreaking stuff. Wade thinks he’s helping his son by supporting his gender dysphoria, but if you ask me, he’s just guaranteed that his son is going to despise his father in the long run. This has been your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief. If you liked the show, hit that share button down below. If you wanted to sign up for our conference, sign up for a club membership, or sign up for a magazine subscription, you can do all of that at fightlaughfeast.com. And as always, if you’d like to send me a news story, ask about our conference, or become a corporate partner of CrossPolitic, email me, at garrison@fightlaughfeast.com. For CrossPolitic News, I’m Garrison Hardie. Have a great day, and Lord bless.

Good Monday everyone, this is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Monday, August 22nd, 2022. FLF Conference Plug: Folks, our upcoming Fight Laugh Feast Conference is just 2-months away from happening in Knoxville TN, October 6-8! Don't miss beer & psalms, our amazing lineup of speakers which includes George Gilder, Jared Longshore, Pastor Wilson, Dr. Ben Merkle, Pastor Toby, and we can’t say yet…also dont miss our awesome vendors, meeting new friends, and stuff for the kids too…like jumpy castles and accidental infant baptisms! Also, did you know, you can save money, by signing up for a Club Membership. So, go to FightLaughFeast.com and sign up for a club membership and then register for the conference with that club discount. We can’t wait to fellowship, sing Psalms, and celebrate God’s goodness in Knoxville October 6-8. Now, here’s what you may have missed over the weekend: https://fox8.com/sports/transgender-kids-can-be-considered-to-play-girls-sports-in-utah-after-ruling/ Transgender kids can be considered to play girls sports in Utah after ruling Transgender girls in Utah will be given the opportunity to participate in girls’ sports as the school year begins, after a judge on Friday reversed a ban pending legal challenges from parents. Instead of an outright ban, transgender girls will now be sent before a commission that will determine on a case-by-case basis if their participation compromises fairness. Utah’s Republican lawmakers created the commission in a law passed earlier this year as a fallback plan to be implemented in case of an injunction against the law. Under the law, the panel will be allowed to ask for and assess the child’s height and weight in making decisions about whether a transgender girl would have an unfair advantage. The commission, which is set to be convened in the coming weeks, will include politically appointed experts from athletics and medicine. When proposed, the commission was criticized by advocates for transgender student-athletes — who worried they would feel targeted having their bodies measured — and proponents of an outright ban, who argued it didn’t go far enough. The commission is set to go into effect while the court weighs the legal challenge to the outright ban. Members have not yet been appointed but will be in the coming weeks, legislative leaders said. The state’s association overseeing more than 80,000 students playing high school sports has said only one transgender girl competed in their leagues last year and, with school sports already underway, it’s unclear how many will go before the commission and when its decisions will take effect. Utah’s ruling marked the latest court development in a nationwide debate over how to navigate the flashpoint issue. At least 12 Republican-led states — including Utah — have passed laws banning transgender women or girls in sports based on the premise it gives them an unfair competitive advantage. Transgender rights advocates counter the rules aren’t just about sports, but another way to demean and attack transgender youth. Similar cases are underway in states such as Idaho, West Virginia and Indiana. Utah’s ban took effect in July after its Republican-supermajority Legislature overrode a veto by Gov. Spencer Cox, also a Republican. The transgender girls and the parents filed the lawsuit last May, contending the ban violates the Utah Constitution’s guarantees of equal rights and due process. Utah state Sen. Stuart Adams, a Republican, said in a statement Friday that the commission that will now make decisions in a way “to protect equitable and safe competition while preserving the integrity of women’s sports.” The commission will include a medical data statistician, a physician with experience about “gender identity healthcare”, a sports physiologist, mental health professional, collegiate athletic trainer, representative of an athletic association and a rotating member who is a coach or official in the sport relevant to each case. Minter said he hopes the commission will act merely as a safety net, with the presumption being that transgender girls can play unless there is an obvious issue of competitive fairness. https://thepostmillennial.com/principal-calls-police-on-4-year-old-who-refuses-to-wear-face-mask?utm_campaign=64487 Principal calls police on 4-year-old who refuses to wear face mask A California father is calling for change after police escorted him and his son, 4, from school property for attempting to drop his son off without a mask. The father, who is only identified as Shawn by the Daily Mail, was confronted by local police on Thursday at Theuerkauf Elementary School in Mountain View, a city in Silicon Valley. In a video recorded by Shawn, the little boy is maskless and being escorted from school by a staff member. https://twitter.com/i/status/1560413879888257025 - Play Video The seven-day rolling average for positive COVID cases in the area, which is one of the most affluent in the nation, is 544, significantly down from the peak of 5,127, reported Daily Mail. On Friday, the day after the incident, Mountain View Whisman School District changed its policy, in accordance with a new CDC guideline. The students at their nine elementary and two middle schools are now no longer required to wear face masks. However, Shawn claims the mask mandates have not gone away for good because the rule could be easily reinstated. "They have not rescinded the policy," he explained. "Ultimately what we are trying to do is get parental choice or parental opt out." According to the disgruntled father, the district's policy on masking is a week-by-week on/off switch. Shawn said he and his wife believe their son may have special needs. He also said the son has never worn a face mask before. When he was asked to at routine doctor's visits, he became distressed. To help ease the transition into school, Shawn said he began voicing his concerns about mandatory masks to Mountain View Whisman School District in the spring, but the superintendent was unresponsive. "They told me to force it on him," Shawn told Daily Mail. "They are basically telling me to assault and batter my son." I sympathize with the father, but I also put the blame on him… get your kid out of public school. End of story. Perhaps this is the Lord opening his eyes to the issue? Accountable 2U ​​https://Accountable2You.com/FLF Using a smartphone or computer opens the door to a host of digital temptations. In a world saturated with pornography and other harmful content, what's a Christian to do? We need to take a proactive approach, welcoming transparency in our digital media choices—and Accountable2You makes that easy. Their accountability software shares detailed activity reports from all your devices, and your kids' devices, in real time to the accountability partners that you choose. With accountability in place, your family can effectively guard against temptations online and live with purity and integrity. Learn more and try it free at Accountable2You.com/FLF https://townhall.com/tipsheet/saraharnold/2022/08/20/biden-may-use-amtrak-to-send-illegal-aliens-to-american-towns-n2612029 Moving on… another bright idea from our commander in chief: Biden Plans to Use Tax-Payer Money to Fund Amtrak to Send Illegal Aliens to American Towns Rumor has it the Biden administration is on the verge of using Amtrak to transport illegal migrants from parts of the U.S. Mexican border. According to 19 House Republicans, President Joe Biden's Department of Homeland Security is planning on using hard-earned taxpayer money to fund the transportation of illegal aliens from the border to cross into the country. The House Transportation Committee blames Biden's urgent need to end Title 42 for the massive spike of illegals crossing the border, inciting GOP members to heighten the need to expose the president's plans. In a letter to Amtrak officials, Republicans cautioned that Biden may use their transportation services for processing if immigration checkpoints are inundated with new arrivals, furthering the crisis at the border. "We are concerned about the impact that a significantly greater border surge could cause to your services and the potential use of Amtrak in the Administration's response to its self-created border crisis," the letter reads. "Such a situation would cause disruptions for Amtrak customers as well as interrupt freight traffic that could further exacerbate the supply chain crisis…would also constitute an unconscionable use of significant amounts of taxpayer funds and resources to aid in the vast movement of illegal migrants into American communities," the letter continued. The Republicans said they are "deeply concerned" that Amtrak's resources will be used to move undocumented people. "We are deeply concerned that Amtrak's resources – especially those supporting the Sunset Limited route – will be used to transport these undocumented persons. Such a situation would cause disruptions for Amtrak customers as well as interrupt freight traffic that could further exacerbate the supply chain crisis. Such actions would also constitute an unconscionable use of significant amounts of taxpayer funds and resources to aid in the vast movement of illegal migrants into American communities," the GOP members' letter said. The Customs Border and Protection (CBP) announced earlier this week that nearly 200,000 illegal migrants have entered the U.S. in July alone, taking the total so far this fiscal year to 1.946 million encounters. https://www.theepochtimes.com/4-9-million-illegal-aliens-crossed-us-border-in-18-months-since-biden-took-office-report_4678365.html?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=BonginoReport 4.9 Million Illegal Aliens Crossed US Border in 18 Months Since Biden Took Office Nearly 5 million illegal immigrants have crossed U.S. borders in the 18 months since President Joe Biden took office, according to a new report. A total of 4.9 million illegal aliens, including some 900,000 “gotaways” who evaded apprehension and have since disappeared into American communities, have entered the country by the end of July, the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) said in a statement on Aug. 16. “Roughly the equivalent of the entire population of Ireland has illegally entered the United States in the 18 months President Biden has been in office, with many being released into American communities,” FAIR President Dan Stein said in the press release. He blamed Biden for putting the unprecedented surge down to external factors, not the administration’s own “sabotage” of immigration laws. After rolling back key Trump-era policies, Biden presided over the largest number of apprehensions of illegal immigrants at the U.S.–Mexico border in a calendar year in history, recording almost 1.9 million arrests last year. https://www.boundingintosports.com/2022/08/dwyane-wade-files-to-legally-change-the-name-of-his-son-in-order-to-conform-with-gender-identity/ Dwyane Wade Files To Legally Change The Name Of His Son In Order “To Conform With Gender Identity” The Blast reports they obtained the legal documents noting that Wade wants his 15-year-old son’s name legally changed from Zion Malachi Airamis Wade to Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade. The documents purportedly explain the reason for the name change is “to conform with gender identity.” Wade’s ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches, who is the mother of Zion, was notified of the decision with The Blast quoting the documents, “Pursuant to the terms of the Final Custody Judgment, (Wade) has full authority to make decisions on behalf of the petitioning minor, and he is not required to receive consent from Ms. Funches-Wade. As a courtesy, Ms. Funches-Wade has received notice of this petition.” Wade claimed his son believed he was a girl when he was 12-years-old during an appearance on The Ellen Show. Dwyane Wade’s Candid Talk About Supporting His 12-Year-Old's Gender Identity- Play 0:00-2:40 Well there’s the problem… Dwayne Wade has abdicated his role as the father of the home, and is letting his wife and son wear the pants or dress in the family. Wade as the captain has crashed his families ship into our cultures insanity, and now his children are paying the price, for his weak, and effeminate leadership. Wade also wrote in a now deleted Instagram Post, “Everyone allow her to re-introduce herself, her name is Zaya Wade! Last night was Zaya’s first red carpet and we couldn’t have been prouder of how she handled the questions that were asked of her.” Heartbreaking stuff. Wade thinks he’s helping his son by supporting his gender dysphoria, but if you ask me, he’s just guaranteed that his son is going to despise his father in the long run. This has been your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief. If you liked the show, hit that share button down below. If you wanted to sign up for our conference, sign up for a club membership, or sign up for a magazine subscription, you can do all of that at fightlaughfeast.com. And as always, if you’d like to send me a news story, ask about our conference, or become a corporate partner of CrossPolitic, email me, at garrison@fightlaughfeast.com. For CrossPolitic News, I’m Garrison Hardie. Have a great day, and Lord bless.

Good Monday everyone, this is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Monday, August 22nd, 2022. FLF Conference Plug: Folks, our upcoming Fight Laugh Feast Conference is just 2-months away from happening in Knoxville TN, October 6-8! Don't miss beer & psalms, our amazing lineup of speakers which includes George Gilder, Jared Longshore, Pastor Wilson, Dr. Ben Merkle, Pastor Toby, and we can’t say yet…also dont miss our awesome vendors, meeting new friends, and stuff for the kids too…like jumpy castles and accidental infant baptisms! Also, did you know, you can save money, by signing up for a Club Membership. So, go to FightLaughFeast.com and sign up for a club membership and then register for the conference with that club discount. We can’t wait to fellowship, sing Psalms, and celebrate God’s goodness in Knoxville October 6-8. Now, here’s what you may have missed over the weekend: https://fox8.com/sports/transgender-kids-can-be-considered-to-play-girls-sports-in-utah-after-ruling/ Transgender kids can be considered to play girls sports in Utah after ruling Transgender girls in Utah will be given the opportunity to participate in girls’ sports as the school year begins, after a judge on Friday reversed a ban pending legal challenges from parents. Instead of an outright ban, transgender girls will now be sent before a commission that will determine on a case-by-case basis if their participation compromises fairness. Utah’s Republican lawmakers created the commission in a law passed earlier this year as a fallback plan to be implemented in case of an injunction against the law. Under the law, the panel will be allowed to ask for and assess the child’s height and weight in making decisions about whether a transgender girl would have an unfair advantage. The commission, which is set to be convened in the coming weeks, will include politically appointed experts from athletics and medicine. When proposed, the commission was criticized by advocates for transgender student-athletes — who worried they would feel targeted having their bodies measured — and proponents of an outright ban, who argued it didn’t go far enough. The commission is set to go into effect while the court weighs the legal challenge to the outright ban. Members have not yet been appointed but will be in the coming weeks, legislative leaders said. The state’s association overseeing more than 80,000 students playing high school sports has said only one transgender girl competed in their leagues last year and, with school sports already underway, it’s unclear how many will go before the commission and when its decisions will take effect. Utah’s ruling marked the latest court development in a nationwide debate over how to navigate the flashpoint issue. At least 12 Republican-led states — including Utah — have passed laws banning transgender women or girls in sports based on the premise it gives them an unfair competitive advantage. Transgender rights advocates counter the rules aren’t just about sports, but another way to demean and attack transgender youth. Similar cases are underway in states such as Idaho, West Virginia and Indiana. Utah’s ban took effect in July after its Republican-supermajority Legislature overrode a veto by Gov. Spencer Cox, also a Republican. The transgender girls and the parents filed the lawsuit last May, contending the ban violates the Utah Constitution’s guarantees of equal rights and due process. Utah state Sen. Stuart Adams, a Republican, said in a statement Friday that the commission that will now make decisions in a way “to protect equitable and safe competition while preserving the integrity of women’s sports.” The commission will include a medical data statistician, a physician with experience about “gender identity healthcare”, a sports physiologist, mental health professional, collegiate athletic trainer, representative of an athletic association and a rotating member who is a coach or official in the sport relevant to each case. Minter said he hopes the commission will act merely as a safety net, with the presumption being that transgender girls can play unless there is an obvious issue of competitive fairness. https://thepostmillennial.com/principal-calls-police-on-4-year-old-who-refuses-to-wear-face-mask?utm_campaign=64487 Principal calls police on 4-year-old who refuses to wear face mask A California father is calling for change after police escorted him and his son, 4, from school property for attempting to drop his son off without a mask. The father, who is only identified as Shawn by the Daily Mail, was confronted by local police on Thursday at Theuerkauf Elementary School in Mountain View, a city in Silicon Valley. In a video recorded by Shawn, the little boy is maskless and being escorted from school by a staff member. https://twitter.com/i/status/1560413879888257025 - Play Video The seven-day rolling average for positive COVID cases in the area, which is one of the most affluent in the nation, is 544, significantly down from the peak of 5,127, reported Daily Mail. On Friday, the day after the incident, Mountain View Whisman School District changed its policy, in accordance with a new CDC guideline. The students at their nine elementary and two middle schools are now no longer required to wear face masks. However, Shawn claims the mask mandates have not gone away for good because the rule could be easily reinstated. "They have not rescinded the policy," he explained. "Ultimately what we are trying to do is get parental choice or parental opt out." According to the disgruntled father, the district's policy on masking is a week-by-week on/off switch. Shawn said he and his wife believe their son may have special needs. He also said the son has never worn a face mask before. When he was asked to at routine doctor's visits, he became distressed. To help ease the transition into school, Shawn said he began voicing his concerns about mandatory masks to Mountain View Whisman School District in the spring, but the superintendent was unresponsive. "They told me to force it on him," Shawn told Daily Mail. "They are basically telling me to assault and batter my son." I sympathize with the father, but I also put the blame on him… get your kid out of public school. End of story. Perhaps this is the Lord opening his eyes to the issue? Accountable 2U ​​https://Accountable2You.com/FLF Using a smartphone or computer opens the door to a host of digital temptations. In a world saturated with pornography and other harmful content, what's a Christian to do? We need to take a proactive approach, welcoming transparency in our digital media choices—and Accountable2You makes that easy. Their accountability software shares detailed activity reports from all your devices, and your kids' devices, in real time to the accountability partners that you choose. With accountability in place, your family can effectively guard against temptations online and live with purity and integrity. Learn more and try it free at Accountable2You.com/FLF https://townhall.com/tipsheet/saraharnold/2022/08/20/biden-may-use-amtrak-to-send-illegal-aliens-to-american-towns-n2612029 Moving on… another bright idea from our commander in chief: Biden Plans to Use Tax-Payer Money to Fund Amtrak to Send Illegal Aliens to American Towns Rumor has it the Biden administration is on the verge of using Amtrak to transport illegal migrants from parts of the U.S. Mexican border. According to 19 House Republicans, President Joe Biden's Department of Homeland Security is planning on using hard-earned taxpayer money to fund the transportation of illegal aliens from the border to cross into the country. The House Transportation Committee blames Biden's urgent need to end Title 42 for the massive spike of illegals crossing the border, inciting GOP members to heighten the need to expose the president's plans. In a letter to Amtrak officials, Republicans cautioned that Biden may use their transportation services for processing if immigration checkpoints are inundated with new arrivals, furthering the crisis at the border. "We are concerned about the impact that a significantly greater border surge could cause to your services and the potential use of Amtrak in the Administration's response to its self-created border crisis," the letter reads. "Such a situation would cause disruptions for Amtrak customers as well as interrupt freight traffic that could further exacerbate the supply chain crisis…would also constitute an unconscionable use of significant amounts of taxpayer funds and resources to aid in the vast movement of illegal migrants into American communities," the letter continued. The Republicans said they are "deeply concerned" that Amtrak's resources will be used to move undocumented people. "We are deeply concerned that Amtrak's resources – especially those supporting the Sunset Limited route – will be used to transport these undocumented persons. Such a situation would cause disruptions for Amtrak customers as well as interrupt freight traffic that could further exacerbate the supply chain crisis. Such actions would also constitute an unconscionable use of significant amounts of taxpayer funds and resources to aid in the vast movement of illegal migrants into American communities," the GOP members' letter said. The Customs Border and Protection (CBP) announced earlier this week that nearly 200,000 illegal migrants have entered the U.S. in July alone, taking the total so far this fiscal year to 1.946 million encounters. https://www.theepochtimes.com/4-9-million-illegal-aliens-crossed-us-border-in-18-months-since-biden-took-office-report_4678365.html?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=BonginoReport 4.9 Million Illegal Aliens Crossed US Border in 18 Months Since Biden Took Office Nearly 5 million illegal immigrants have crossed U.S. borders in the 18 months since President Joe Biden took office, according to a new report. A total of 4.9 million illegal aliens, including some 900,000 “gotaways” who evaded apprehension and have since disappeared into American communities, have entered the country by the end of July, the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) said in a statement on Aug. 16. “Roughly the equivalent of the entire population of Ireland has illegally entered the United States in the 18 months President Biden has been in office, with many being released into American communities,” FAIR President Dan Stein said in the press release. He blamed Biden for putting the unprecedented surge down to external factors, not the administration’s own “sabotage” of immigration laws. After rolling back key Trump-era policies, Biden presided over the largest number of apprehensions of illegal immigrants at the U.S.–Mexico border in a calendar year in history, recording almost 1.9 million arrests last year. https://www.boundingintosports.com/2022/08/dwyane-wade-files-to-legally-change-the-name-of-his-son-in-order-to-conform-with-gender-identity/ Dwyane Wade Files To Legally Change The Name Of His Son In Order “To Conform With Gender Identity” The Blast reports they obtained the legal documents noting that Wade wants his 15-year-old son’s name legally changed from Zion Malachi Airamis Wade to Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade. The documents purportedly explain the reason for the name change is “to conform with gender identity.” Wade’s ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches, who is the mother of Zion, was notified of the decision with The Blast quoting the documents, “Pursuant to the terms of the Final Custody Judgment, (Wade) has full authority to make decisions on behalf of the petitioning minor, and he is not required to receive consent from Ms. Funches-Wade. As a courtesy, Ms. Funches-Wade has received notice of this petition.” Wade claimed his son believed he was a girl when he was 12-years-old during an appearance on The Ellen Show. Dwyane Wade’s Candid Talk About Supporting His 12-Year-Old's Gender Identity- Play 0:00-2:40 Well there’s the problem… Dwayne Wade has abdicated his role as the father of the home, and is letting his wife and son wear the pants or dress in the family. Wade as the captain has crashed his families ship into our cultures insanity, and now his children are paying the price, for his weak, and effeminate leadership. Wade also wrote in a now deleted Instagram Post, “Everyone allow her to re-introduce herself, her name is Zaya Wade! Last night was Zaya’s first red carpet and we couldn’t have been prouder of how she handled the questions that were asked of her.” Heartbreaking stuff. Wade thinks he’s helping his son by supporting his gender dysphoria, but if you ask me, he’s just guaranteed that his son is going to despise his father in the long run. This has been your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief. If you liked the show, hit that share button down below. If you wanted to sign up for our conference, sign up for a club membership, or sign up for a magazine subscription, you can do all of that at fightlaughfeast.com. And as always, if you’d like to send me a news story, ask about our conference, or become a corporate partner of CrossPolitic, email me, at garrison@fightlaughfeast.com. For CrossPolitic News, I’m Garrison Hardie. Have a great day, and Lord bless.

As the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly Session has recently come to a close, we sat down with Representative Ken Upchurch, who represents District 52 - McCreary, Pulaski and Wayne counties. As Chair of the House Transportation Committee, we get his insight on the main bills that will affect our dealers from this Session, as well as other important legislation that will serve the people of Kentucky. With it being an election year, he also shares his perspective on the biggest challenges that Kentucky faces moving forward. 

Rep. Becky Carney is a Democrat representing Mecklenburg County in the highly polarized North Carolina General Assembly. Rep. John Torbett is a Republican representing Gaston County. Together, they lead the House Transportation Committee.  In this episode of the podcast, the legislators join Braver Angels CMO Ciaran O'Connor to discuss what's possible when two politicians who disagree on policy find ways to work together in a spirit of trust, citizenship, and goodwill. Twitter: @braverangels, @ciaranjoconnor, @repbeckycarney, @JohnTorbett 

Joe Palmer of the Idaho State House of Representatives talks about bills that propose tax cuts and getting rid of a cap on rental fees. He also talks about his work as chair of the House Transportation Committee.

LLN (1/26/22) – It's already been an interesting year for the market – and reefer freight is running hot, despite the cold weather. We'll have that, plus the latest rates for the different segments of the trucking industry. Also, a lot of people owe a great deal to Martha Taylor, the wife of an OOIDA board member who witnessed firsthand more than half the history of the trucking industry. We'll have a remembrance. And the top Republican on the House Transportation Committee wants the president's infrastructure coordinator to explain how the administration is implementing the law. 0:00 – Newscast. 09:43 – Martha Taylor: a remembrance. 23:55 – Hot and cold running freight. 38:34 – T&I: an explanation, please.

This is Stephen Schmidt from the Gazette digital news desk and I'm here with your update for Wednesday, January 26th. The temperatures are on their way back above 10 degrees. According to a forecast from the National Weather Service, it will be sunny in the Cedar Rapids area with a high near 11 degrees. Wind chill values drop as low as -25 degrees with gusts as high as 20 mphl. On Wednesday night it will be partly cloudy, with the temperature rising to 19 degrees by Thursday morning. The wind chill will finally give us a bit of a break, rising to -5 degrees. A federal appeals panel Tuesday allowed the state of Iowa to enforce a law that prevents local schools from imposing mask mandates — but not for schools attended by students whose disabilities make them more vulnerable to severe illness if they get COVID-19. The appeals panel found that a mask requirement is a “reasonable accommodation” for students with such disabilities, and allowed a group of parents of disabled children to pursue a lawsuit that seeks to strike down the May 2021 state law. Two members of a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Omaha found a previous federal judge's decision to issue an injunction that blocked the state ban on mask mandates was too broad because it applied to all schools statewide. The split nature of the ruling has led to school districts interpreting it in vastly different ways. The Cedar Rapids School District, for example, decided Tuesday to no longer require masking but to encourage it. The Iowa City School District, by contrast, decided to keep its mask requirements in place. The opening of a magnet high school for freshman and sophomores in the Cedar Rapids Community School District is being delayed until at least fall 2023. District officials originally proposed opening a magnet high school for the beginning of the 2022-23 school year. After gathering input from staff, students, parents and residents about the concept of a magnet high school, the district decided to delay its opening, Superintendent Noreen Bush said in an email to The Gazette. Bush said it has become “increasingly clear” more time is needed to develop the magnet high school. Iowa's seasonally adjusted jobless rate fell to 3.5 percent in December, the Iowa Workforce Development said Tuesday. That is down from 3.7 percent in November and 3.7 percent a year ago, the agency said in a news release. IWD added that the total number of unemployed Iowans decreased to 57,900 in December, which were down by 3,800 from November. Motorists in Iowa would be prohibited from using hand-held cellphones or other electronic communication devices while driving under legislation approved Tuesday by the House Transportation Committee. If the legislation is approved by the Legislature, Iowa would join 25 other states in prohibiting the use of electronic devices capable of sending or receiving messages and storing or displaying videos while driving. In those states with hands-free legislation similar to what is being proposed in Iowa, there has been, on average, a 15 percent reduction in fatalities, according to an insurance company representative who spoke Tuesday at a hearing on HF 392. Iowa law now prohibits the use of hand-held electronic communication devices to write, send or view electronic messages while driving. Under HF 392, use of an electronic device would be a moving violation. The fine for a violation would increase from $45 to $100. Support for this podcast provided by New Pioneer Food Co-op. Celebrating 50 years as Eastern Iowa's source for locally and responsibly sourced groceries with stores in Iowa City, Coralville and Cedar Rapids; and online through Co-op Cart at http://www.newpi.coop/ (newpi.coop).

The House Transportation Committee listens to testimony on the status of highway rest areas.

Speaker of the House Philip Gunn talked to Paul and Will about the importance of transportation infrastructure, the legislative process and more.The Extra Mile - Legislative Session: Speaker of the House Philip GunnShow intro Introducing Will Craft, co-host of The Extra Mile: Legislative Session - 00:28 Will Craft - where has he been and what brought him to MDOT - 00:48 Will Craft's role at MDOT - 02:14 Guest: Speaker of the House Philip Gunn Introducing Speaker of the House Philip Gunn - 05:01 Why is important for Mississippi to have a strong transportation infrastructure network? - 05:25 On the rural nature of the state's transportation infrastructure network and the need to properly maintain the system- 08:50 Role the Mississippi House of Representatives plays in advancing transportation infrastructure in the state - 10:15 Shoutout to leaders of House Transportation Committee, Charles Busby and Steve Massengill - 15:57 Anything specific to transportation in the 2020 Legislative Session - 16:41 References 2018 Road Plan passed by the House - 20:20 Favorite place to travel around the state using Mississippi's roads and bridges - 22:20 Contact info for Speaker Gunn and his office - 23:35 Show outro 

LLN (12/2/21) – The FMCSA has extended its pandemic emergency hours-of-service waiver, as well as CDL and medical card waivers. A vaccine deadline is set for truckers who cross the border and the FTC launches a supply chain investigation. Also, New Jersey lawmakers want to collect millions in tolls unpaid by out-of-state drivers, while the Washington state Supreme Court says the governor's line item veto of transit funding went too far. Who will take the top job at the powerful House Transportation Committee next – and what does that mean for truck drivers? And what the government is doing in response to the omicron variant. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:03 – Hours-of-service waiver extended. 24:40 – New Jersey toll collection. 39:33 – Who will head House Transportation Committee next?

House Transportation Committee delves into some of the issues that are facing the state ferry system and state rest areas.

The Supreme Court won't decide on the sexist draft registration, and they rejected racist crack cocaine sentencing reduction. On a better note, Texas passed constitutional carry, becoming the 20th state to do so. Plus, the NYPD and two police unions take Biggest Bogon Emitter for falsely accusing an innocent restaurant manager of trying to poison them, and the House Transportation Committee takes Idiot Extraordinaire for trying to restart funding of red light scameras.

LLN (6/15/21) – The House Transportation Committee's highway bill contained a lot of bad news for truckers – especially with insurance. But several committee members defended truckers and all they've done this past year. Also, Marty Ellis is hearing about carriers trying to turn employees into contractors and others who want to install ineffective “drowsy driver” tech. A highway bill far more favorable to truckers is about to be voted on in the U.S. Senate. OOIDA has issued a national Call to Action. And Connecticut's governor, fresh off saddling truckers with a massive weight distance tax, is now preparing to hit them with climate plan that could spike fuel prices. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:15 – House highway bill highlights. 25:07 – Employee vs. contractor. 39:57 – Connecticut's governor at truckers again.

LLN (6/9/21) - Right now, the House Transportation Committee is writing its version of a highway bill. Will it increase your insurance costs? Will it limit your personal conveyance? Will it force you to add new technology to your truck? We'll have some answers. A heavy haul will help extend the lifespan of the B-1 bomber; things are back to normal at the nation's biggest antique truck event; and a trucker tells us some words of wisdom from Jim Johnston. Plus, June is National Mango Month, and that could translate into bigger volumes coming out of McAllen, Texas, and Nogales, Ariz.; meanwhile, a shift has taken place in the flatbed market. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:15 – Saving the B-1s; Antique truck show; words of wisdom. 25:07 – Mango month in freight. 39:57 – House writes highway bill.

LLN (6/8/21) - Efforts are underway to remove some provisions the House Transportation Committee's version of the highway bill that would be catastrophic to small-business truckers. That includes an increase in minimum insurance requirements. And many truckers have encountered the federal “anti-masking rule,” designed to prevent drivers from hiding violations from their record. However, many courts and local authorities are incorrectly interpreting the rule. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:15 – Anti-masking rules. 25:05 – Highway protest bills; OOIDA national Call to Action. 39:56 – Efforts to fix anti-trucker provisions in proposed highway bill.

Rep. Sam Graves, the top Republican on the House Transportation Committee, is calling for a bipartisan approach to infrastructure funding. In response to President Joe Biden's recent address to Congress, Graves said, “Addressing America's infrastructure is something Republicans and Democrats should be able to come to agreement on. But in order to get bipartisan legislation done, Republican priorities must be meaningfully addressed.” Congressional Republicans recently introduced a $600 billion infrastructure blueprint to contrast Biden's $2.25 trillion proposal.

Rep. Sam Graves, the top Republican on the House Transportation Committee, is calling for a bipartisan approach to infrastructure funding. In response to President Joe Biden’s recent address to Congress, Graves said, “Addressing America’s infrastructure is something Republicans and Democrats should be able to come to agreement on. But in order to get bipartisan legislation done, Republican priorities must be meaningfully addressed.” Congressional Republicans recently introduced a $600 billion infrastructure blueprint to contrast Biden’s $2.25 trillion proposal.

There are now tighter restrictions on social gatherings for Ontario's hot spots due to rising cases of COVID-19. Scot talked with Professor Tom Koch to find out more about the logistic of managing the sizes of groups in a pandemic, to prevent the spread of a disease like COVID-19. Guest: Tom Koch, Professor of medical geography at the University of British Columbia; author of several books on epidemics including Cartographies of Disease, and Disease Maps: Epidemics on the Ground - There are concerns that with COVID-19 cases rising, so will cases in long-term care homes, and advocates for seniors are raising the alarm. Guest: Jane E. Meadus, Barrister & Solicitor, Institutional Advocate, Advocacy Centre for the Elderly - Prime Minister Trudeau says that it is possible to hold and election during the pandemic while still being responsible but that he still does not want one. If that is the case, then why then did he prorogue government and set up the risk for the parties calling for an election? Guest: Peter Graefe Professor of Political Science, McMaster University - After an 18-month investigation, the U.S. House Transportation Committee has blasted Boeing and the FAA over the 737 Max planes, which remain grounded after two crashes killed accumulatively 346 people in 2019. Guest: Keith Mackey, Mackey International

Commerce Department says retail sales rose 0.6% in August. House Transportation Committee report blasts Boeing and FAA over 737 MAX safety failures. Big Ten plans to bring back college football games in October. Charlie Turner reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fatal crashes of two Boeing 737 Max jets that left 346 people dead resulted from multiple failures throughout the aircraft's production and approval process. Now, a new and blistering report from Democrats on the House Transportation Committee reveals just how extensive those failures were -- and underscores what needs to change. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien joins Amna Nawaz to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

LLN (6/19/20) – The House Transportation Committee has advanced a bill that would pump nearly $500 billion dollars into the nation’s highways – but a section drastically increasing insurance requirement means OOIDA won’t support it. Also, we’ll go over some of the less-discussed trucking issues in that measure. And Jon Osburn is seeing more weird weather, but the weird economics of trucking are starting to calm down just a bit. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:43 – OOIDA opposition rooted in insurance requirement. 24:06 – Trucking starting to stabilize. 38:34 – Other trucking issues in the highway bill.

In today's Business Casual segment, MarketScale co-hosts Tyler Kern [embed contributor page] and Daniel Litwin opine on whether or not more action is required by the government to enforce the wearing of masks by passengers while on commercial flights or if this is an issue that should be mandated and imposed by the aviation industry alone. With several U.S. airlines (Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines) threatening to ban passengers who refuse to wear masks while traveling, on July 15th, the Airlines for America trade group said they will be implementing new face mask policies for travelers as we traverse the skies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, many in the airline sector believe that the industry alone cannot fix this problem and have called once again on the federal government to mandate masks for passengers and frontline workers and implement broader action on COVID-19 safety measures in aviation. In fact, opposing a federal requirement on masks for flying travelers, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has stated that the issue is best determined by airlines and unionized frontline workers, who are most at risk if coronavirus spreads on planes, with rules that can be communicated before flying, on the plane and during the flight with punishments that could include the suspension of flying privileges as well as leniency to remove masks while eating or drinking while in the air. However, Susannah Carr, an United Airlines flight attendant and Association of Flight Attendants has said that this current approach is not working and is a definitely an issue that needs to be addressed, testifying before the House Transportation Committee that her colleagues have discussed "the fact that passengers don't like to wear the mask, might take it off for a longer period than just to eat or drink." And it's not just those in the aviation industry who are upset about people not wearing masks during flights. Passengers cooperating with mask requirements are also livid with their non-masking-wearing seatmates. Further, Sara Nelson, who is the President of the Association of Flight Attendants said in a statement, "The federal government has completely abdicated its responsibility to keep the flying public and aviation workers safe during COVID-19.” She goes on to say, "Masks are essential to keep passengers, flight attendants, and frontline aviation workers safe during the Coronavirus pandemic. It is also essential to rebuild confidence in air travel.” Every week, Business Casual brings topics to the forefront that affect travelers and workers in the aviation sector as well as other B2B industries. Tune in each Wednesday and Friday to stay abreast of the trends and news shaping our world today

LLN (6/15/20) – Two truckers were recently honored by TA Petro as Citizen Drivers. We’ll hear from one of them about the award, his life in trucking and why he has no plans to slow down anytime soon. Also, having a hometown and home state is important for your health. And this Wednesday, the House Transportation Committee will take an important step toward funding our highways and fixing some basic problems in trucking – and fireworks are expected. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:43 – Citizen Driver honored. 24:06 – Home state and your health. 38:34 – Fireworks over highway bill.

Leslie begins the show with her 'Ripped from the Headlines' news segment. Here are the stories she covers during the segment: 1. AUDIO: Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) asks Treasury Secretay Steven Mnuchin, “How many workers should give their lives to increase our GDP by a half percent?” 2. WASHINGTON POST: "As White House pushes firms to reopen, new report says much of bailout stimulus money remains unspent" 3. TIME: "The Real Estate Industry Pushed for $160 Billion in Tax Breaks in the CARES Act, Disclosure Filings Show" 4. AXIOS: "Trump threatens to end WHO funding and withdraw U.S. membership" 5. POLITICO: "Biden White House would yank Keystone XL permit" 6. USA TODAY: "New poll shows Sen. Martha McSally losing ground to Mark Kelly and that's not even the bad news" During the second half of the show, Leslie is joined by Bob Ney, an Independent Political analyst for radio stations across America, covering the White House, Congress, and specializes in Mideast issues. He graduated from 'The' Ohio State University and taught English in Shiraz, Iran to Persians in 1978. Leaving Iran due to the beginning of the revolution, Bob was then the American manager of a private sector company in Saudi Arabia, where he lived for a year. He then returned to the United States and was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives (1980), Ohio Senate (1984) and the U.S. House in 1994 as a Republican in an overwhelming Democratic seat. Bob became Chairman of the House Administration Committee, Chair of the Housing Sub Committee, Deputy Whip leadership position and member of the House Transportation Committee. His legacy bill was the passage of the Help America vote act. Co-authored by now Democratic leader Steny Hoyer. HAVA in a bipartisan effort, modernized the American voting systems after the Bush/Gore election aftermath. In 2006 Bob resigned from Congress due to the Jack Abramoff scandal and wrote a book about his time in politics and his incarceration in the federal corrections system. “ Sideswiped” (lessons learned courtesy of the hit men of Capitol Hill) was released in 2013, and is definitely worth a purchase and a read! (buy here: https://tinyurl.com/buysideswiped) The two discuss news that the State Department Inspector General who was fired by President Trump late Friday night, Steve Linick, was investigating the president’s effort to sell weapons to Saudi Arabia without congressional approval. Bob Ney also volunteers helping people with recovery from alcohol and drug abuse, and is involved in other entrepreneurial ventures. He makes his home in Ohio, Father of two grown children and five grandchildren. Bob also co-hosts a weekly podcast, with co-host Jim Owen, where they speak the truth about a fundamentally unfair economic system, and learn what can be done to correct it. It's called 'Door to Door' and can be found at BobNeyDoorToDoor.com. You can watch this episode here: https://www.pscp.tv/w/1RDGlQagbAqJL

With 13 years of communications and public policy experience, Lara is the Chief of Staff of the Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department and the Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Houston. In addition to leading the Mayor’s Sustainability Office, Lara is the public face of ARA in the media as well as before City Council, industry stakeholders, and customers. Prior to joining the City of Houston, Lara was a member of Hill+Knowlton Strategies’ Houston office, providing strategic counsel in sustainability and social responsibility issues for a broad range of clients across the energy sector. Lara worked in Washington, DC and served as Communications Director for the Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Vice Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, and Vice Chairman of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Caucus, as well as for congressional campaigns in Colorado, West Virginia, and Texas. She also produced a web-based reality show for CNN and served as a Government & Marketing Consultant for SXSW Interactive in Austin. Lara attended the University of Texas in Austin where she graduated magna cum laude with degrees in History, Ancient History & Classical Civilizations, and Government. In 2013, she earned an MBA in Energy Finance and Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business, where she co-founded the UT Energy Savings Fund. http://www.greenhoustontx.gov/aboutus.html http://greenhoustontx.gov/climateactionplan/ https://nexuspmg.com/

LLN (4/22/20) – The picture continues to look grim for freight and rates, but the bottom could be in sight soon, leaving nowhere to go but up. Also, truck drivers who take pride in their ride are always making changes. We’ll discuss what the five most popular upgrades are. And the members of the U.S. House Transportation Committee wanted to say thank you to truckers – and they found a unique way to do it. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:44 – Freight rates – the bottom may be in sight. 24:05 – Top five upgrades. 38:34 – Congress says thanks to truckers.

State Rep. Becky Ruth joins St. Louis Public Radio’s Julie O’Donoghue and Jason Rosenbaum on the latest episode of Politically Speaking. Ruth represents a portion of eastern Jefferson County, which includes cities like Festus, Herculaneum, Pevely and Hematite. The Festus Republican is the first woman to ever lead the House Transportation Committee.

The new chair of the U.S. House Transportation Committee says he intends to actively work on solving detention time. Also: Freight and rates return to normal after a Thanksgiving boost. Diesel prices continue to drop. And what truckers need to know about a quarantine to contain an invasive species of insect. 0:00 – 9:41 – Newscast 9:41 – 24:25 – Solving detention time 24:25 – 39:22 – Freight back to normal; diesel prices down 39:22 – 49:08 – Quarantine to contain invasive bug

Tolls get a fresh look from state legislatures searching for highway funds. Also: U.S. Rep. Sam Graves discusses his priorities for when he becomes the ranking Republican on the U.S. House Transportation Committee. We’ll have another of our trucking Christmas carols. And a bill on automated vehicles is held up by senators’ objections – again. 0:00 – 9:41 – Newscast 9:41 – 24:25 – U.S. Rep. Sam Graves 24:25 – 39:22 – States look at tolls 39:22 – 49:08 – Automated vehicle bill held up again

The Buckeye Invitational Truck Show took place this past weekend with an impressive musical lineup and more. We’ll have that, plus: Roadcheck slows down load postings and rates; diesel prices drop for the second week in a row; a House Transportation Committee member who lost his primary; and a Senate hearing on autonomous vehicles’ effect on our highways. 0:00 – 9:56 – Newscast 9:56 – 24:46 – Buckeye Invitational Truck Show 24:46 – 39:37 – Roadcheck slows down freight market 39:37 – 49:51 – congressman loses seat

FMCSA administrator Ray Martinez appeared before the House Transportation Committee recently to answer questions on a number of issues, including ELDs, hours of service and autonomous vehicles. Terry Scruton finds out what he had to say from Jay Grimes of OOIDA’s Washington, D.C., office.

The House Transportation Committee covers motor carrier issues – without the benefit of truckers’ input. Mark Reddig gets more on that, plus a spending bill with trucking implications, from OOIDA Director of Government Affairs Mike Matousek.

A trucking group is granted an exemption from the 30-minute rest break, the CVSA had a recent meeting and another member of the House Transportation Committee is stepping down amid a scandal. Terry Scruton talks about all of those stories with Jay Grimes of OOIDA’s Washington, D.C.

Pennsylvania’s House Transportation Committee has unanimously approved an amended bill to use speed cameras in active work zones on interstates and federal-aid highways. And Wisconsin could soon be added to the growing list of states across the country to call on professional drivers to help curb human trafficking. Terry Scruton finds out more from OOIDA’s Mike Matousek and Land Line Magazine’s Keith Goble.

Transportation: We all need it, and Congress funded it. In this episode, we take a detailed look into the FAST Act, which funds our national transportation network for the next five years. Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! H.R. 22: FAST Act ("Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act) Bill Highlights Division A - Surface Transportation Title I - Federal-Aid Highways Funding level Highways will get an average of 41 billion per year. Private Freight Grants: $500 million can go to private rail freight companies to upgrade rail infrastructure; the Federal share of these projects is capped at 60%. Acceleration of Projects Creates a pilot program that will allow States to conduct environmental reviews, using their own State laws, instead of using the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Capped at 5 States The State can only be approved if the Secretary of Transportation determines the laws of the State are at least as stringent as the Federal requirements. No lawsuits will be allowed, challenging the permit approval, after 2 years. The program will sunset in 12 years Miscellaneous The Department of Transportation will identify national corridors for installation of electric car charging stations and hydrogen, propane, and natural gas refueling stations by the end of 2016. The goal is to have the charging and refueling stations deployed by September 30, 2020. Allows the Department of Transportation to move swallows from under bridges that need fixing until the Interior Department issues final rules. The Secretary of the Interior can suspend the authorization to move the swallows. Title III - Public Transportation Funding level The Mass Transit Account will provide and caps expenditures at an average of $9.7 billion per year. $199 million for positive train control installation, which can be used to pay for up to 80% of the cost. Buy American Requires American steel, iron, or manufactured goods to be purchased, when possible. Title IV - Highway Traffic Safety Provides grants to States in return for their establishment of laws that prohibit texting and driving. Prohibits Federal grant money from funding for State & local programs for checking for motorcycle helmet usage or checkpoints for motorcycle monitoring. Impaired Driving Provides grants to States for implementation of drunk driving laws. Orders a study and report to Congress on marijuana-impaired driving by the end of 2016. Title V - Motor Carrier Safety Drug Test Expansion Allows companies to conduct preemployment and random tests of commercial drivers for alcohol and controlled substances using hair testing as an alternative to urine testing. Allows for religious exemptions Title VI - Innovation Highway User Fees Grants will be provided to States that create user-fee programs for funding the Highway Trust Fund. The goal is to test the design and public acceptance of two or more user fee systems. Private vendors can be used to operate the fee collection systems. The fees collected will not be considered "tolls" Public Access to Research A database of all Department of Transportation research projects will be available on a public website and updated once per year. Title VII - Hazardous Materials Transportation Special permits Speeds up the decision time for special permits for transporting hazardous material by 60 days The decisions will be available to the public "Wetlines" Requires the Secretary of Transportation to kill a proposed rule that would have prohibited the transportation of flammable liquids in the pipes underneath tankers Transportation of flammable liquids by rail Within a year, the Secretary of Transportation has to create regulations to require railroads to report accurate, real-time information about hazardous liquids being transported to the local fusion centers, who will share the information with State and local first responders. Tank cars that do not meet Federal standards can still be used to transport oil and ethanol until 2018 or May 2025, depending on the type of tank car. The Secretary of Transportation can extend the deadlines for up to 2 years The Secretary of Transportation will have 180 days to create regulations to make sure that tank cars modified to meet Federal standards be equipped with insulating blankets that have been approved by the Secretary. Title XI - Rail Funding Levels Amtrak, which owns the tracks and passenger cars operating in the Northeast, will get an average of $519 million per year. For Amtrak operations in the rest of the country, where private freight companies own our tracks, Amtrak will receive an average of $1 billion per year. Food and Beverage Reform Amtrak will have 90 days to develop a plan to eliminate the operating loss associated with offering food and beverages on Amtrak trains in a way that doesn't eliminate any Amtrak employee positions Amtrak will be cut off from Federal funds to cover food and beverage related operating losses in December 2021. Pets on Trains Amtrak will have one year to launch a pilot program allowing dogs and cats on trains Gulf Coast Rail A working group will be created and have nine months to develop a recommendation for the best option for restoring intercity rail passenger transportation between New Orleans, LA and Orlando, FL. Privatizing long distance routes The Secretary of Transportation will have to create a pilot program by mid-2017 that will allow non-Amtrak companies to operate up to 3 long distance passenger rail routes. The non-Amtrak operator will have control of the route for four years and it can be renewed once for an additional four year period. The operator will be given an operating subsidy for up to 90% of what the government is giving Amtrak. The non-Amtrak operator can be the private company that owns the tracks, another private company that has an agreement with the track owners or the States. The non-Amtrak operator will be given access to Amtrak's reservation system, stations, and operations facilities and will be required to give hiring preferences to the Amtrak employees laid off because of the transfer. Cameras on Trains By the end of 2017, the Secretary of Transportation must create regulations requiring inward and outward facing cameras in the control cabs on all passenger trains Liability Cap Amtrak can not be held liable for more than $295 million for the fatal accident that occurred on May 12, 2015. Title XXIV - Motor Vehicle Safety Recall Information The Secretary of Transportation will have until the end of 2017 to create a public website for easily accessible information on vehicle safety recalls. Information about recalls will have to be sent to consumers electronically in addition to first class mail. There will be a two year pilot program testing the idea of States informing customers of recalls when they register their vehicles. Doubles the amount of time consumers get to have their recalled tires replaced from 60 days to 180 days. Rental Car Safety Rental car companies with more than 35 cars can sell, lease, or rent out cars only after they have fixed whatever was recalled. They can continue to rent out the cars until the solution is available, if it is not immediately available at the time they are notified. Motor Safety Violation Penalties Increases the penalties from $5,000 per violation to $21,000 per violation, capped at $105 million. Driver Privacy Information from a car's event data recorder can only be accessed by someone other than the owner or lessee if it's authorized by a court, is provided willingly by the owner/lessee, is needed for emergency response purposes, or is for traffic safety research and the personally identifiable information is hidden. Tires The Secretary of Transportation will create regulations for tire fuel efficiency minimum performance standards, taking steps to ensure that wet traction functionality is not effected. Creates a publicly searchable electronic database for tire recall information Whistleblowers If a whistleblower gives credible and unique information about a safety problem to the Secretary of Transportation that results in sanctions, the whistleblower can get between 10 and 30 percent of the award. Title XXXII - Offsets Passport Denials for Tax Delinquencies If a person has a seriously delinquent tax debt over $50,000, the Secretary of State must deny new passports and can revoke, or limit existing passports. Privatize Tax Collection Forces the Treasury Secretary to issue at least one contract for tax collection services by April 2016. Customs Fees Increases a list of customs fees every year with inflation. Federal Reserve Funds Limits the amount of money that can be held by the Federal Reserve banks to $10 billion and transfers the remainder to the general fund of the Treasury. Adjusts dividends for Federal Reserve stockholders to the lower of the rate of the 10 year Treasury notes or 6 percent Strategic Petroleum Reserve Requires the Secretary of Energy to sell at least 66 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and deposit the money into the general fund of the Treasury. The amount sold may be increased at the discretion of the Energy Secretary until the revenue totals $6.2 billion. Crop Insurance Profits Repeals a part of the Bipartisan Budget Act that caps the returns for crop insurance providers at 8.9% Oil & Gas Royalties Eliminates interest payments that oil and gas companies could accrue on overpayments. PAYGO Scorecard The effects of this law on the budget will not be counted Title LI - Taxpayer protection provisions and increased accountability Export-Import Bank Reauthorizes the Export-Import bank until September 30, 2019 and reduces the amount of loans, guarantees, and insurance the Export-Import bank can have outstanding to $135 billion (from $140 billion). Requires the Export-Import bank to hold 5% of it's funds in reserve to protect against losses. Requires independent audits of the Export-Import bank's portfolio Creates a pilot program that allows the Export-Import Bank to enter into contracts to "share risks". The amount of liability allowed to be transferred is capped at a total of $10 billion. Title LV - Other Matters Environmental Law Waivers In an emergency during which there is a sudden increase in energy demand - which includes during a war that the United States is involved in - "any party" that follows an order to generate electricity can not be sued for violating "any Federal, State, or local environmental law or regulation". The order that allows immunity for breaking environmental laws will expire in 90 days, but the order can be renewed as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission "determines necessary to meet the emergency and serve the public interest." If the emergency order is set aside by a court, the immunity remains. Strategic Transformer Reserve The Secretary of Energy will have one year to create a plan to store spare large power transformers and substations that are critical infrastructure or support military installations. Title LXXI - Improving Access to Capital for Emerging Growth Companies Makes it easier and faster for a company that makes under $1 billion per year to offer stock to the public. Title LXXII - Disclosure Modernization and Simplification Reduces paperwork for companies that make under $1 billion per year and want to offer stock to the public. Title LXXIII - Bullion and Collectible Coin Production Efficiency and Cost Savings Removes the requirement that collectable coins be 10% copper Title LXXIV - SBIC Advisors Relief Investment advisors who solely advise small business investment companies will be able to be excluded from registration requirements even if they are managing assets over $150 million (current limit for exemption from registration requirements). Title LXXV - Eliminate Privacy Notice Confusion Banks will not have to mail privacy notices to their customers if they haven't changed their policies since the last disclosure was sent. Title LXXVI - Reforming Access for Investments in Startup Enterprises Allows privately held shares to be sold to "accredited investors" without registering the securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Title LXXXII - Capital Access for Small Community Financial Institutions Allows privately insured credit unions to become members of Federal Home Loan Banks if they are FDIC eligible or are certified by the State If the State doesn't get to it in under 6 months, the application is deemed approved. Title LXXXIII - Small Bank Exam Cycle Reform Doubles the size of a bank that counts as a "small bank" from banks that have less than $500 million to banks that have less than $1 billion for the purpose of allowing those banks to have on-site examinations by regulators every 18 months instead of every year. Sound Clip Sources Hearing: House Rules Committee Meeting on Highway Bill Amendments-Part 1, November 3, 2015. Hearing: House Rules Committee Meeting on Highway Bill Amendments, Part 2, November 3, 2015. Hearing: Federal Railroad Administration Confirmation Hearing, Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, September 17, 2015 Hearing: Positive Train Control, House Transportation Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, June 24, 2015. Hearing: Amtrak Derailment, House Transportation and Infrastructer Committee, June 2, 2015. Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes Congressional Dish Episode 99: April Takes a Turn By Jennifer Briney, June 27, 2015 Congressional Dish Episode 73: Amtrak, By Jennifer Briney, June 24, 2014 Congressional Dish Episode 62: The Farm Bill By Jennifer Briney, February 8, 2014. Reports Federal Public Transportation Program: In Brief By William J. Mallett, December 28, 2015. Congressional Budget Office: H.R. 22, the FAST Act, December 2, 2015. Additional Reading Article: Rental companies now have to repair recalled cars By Chris Isidore, CNN Money, June 1, 2016. Article: NTSB: Philly Amtrak crash engineer’s fault By Bill Cummings, CtPost, May 17, 2016. Article: With RAISE Act, Congress Paves Way For Private Secondary Markets By Shriram Bhashyam, TechCrunch, December 20, 2015. Article: Highway Bill Restores Crop Insurance Funding Cut in Budget Deal, Insurance Journal, December 4, 2015. Article: Fewer Taxpayer Giveaways Would Cut The Fat, Not ‘Cripple’ Crop Insurance By Shannon Van Hoesen, Environmental Working Group, December 3, 2015. Article: FAST Act (H.R. 22): Surface Transportation Conference Report Released By Robert S. Kirk, December 2, 2015. Article: $305B highway bill taps Fed, oil reserves By Keith Lang, The Hill, December 1, 2015. Article: Congress votes to delay rail safety mandate by 3 to 5 years, fund transportation programs By Joan Lowy, U.S. News and World Report, October 28, 2015. Article: Ag Committee Leaders Stand United Against Reopening Farm Bill to New Crop Insurance Cuts By Meghan Cline, United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, October 27, 2015. Article: 'Devastating' crop insurance cut sends lawmakers scrambling By Philip Brasher, Agri-Pulse, October 27, 2015. Article: Rail-safety deadline extension hitched to must-pass bill on transit funding By Ashley Halsey III and Michael Laris, The Washington Post, October 27, 2015. Article: Deadline for train safety technology undercut by industry lobbying By Ashley Halsey III and Michael Laris, The Washington Post, October 25, 2015. Article: Stop pretending you know what the Export-Import Bank is By Simone Pathe, PBS, September 15, 2014. Article: REUTERS SUMMIT-U.S. Ex-Im bank would back Airbus sales -Hochberg By Alwyn Scott and Tim Hepher, Reuters, September 10, 2014. Article: CARGO TANK TRUCKS: Improved Incident Data and Regulatory Analysis Would Better Inform Decisions about Safety Risks By Susan A. Fleming, U.S. Government Accountability Office, September 11, 2013. Article: How the cult of shareholder value wrecked American business By Steven Pearlstein, The Washington Post, September 9, 2013. Article: NTTC Asks LaHood to Halt Rulemaking On Wetlines Procedures, Tanker Design By Timothy Cama, Transport Topics, October 10, 2011. Article: Hazardous Materials: Safety Requirements for External Product Piping on Cargo Tanks Transporting Flammable Liquids By Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, January 27, 2011. Additional Information U.S. Department of Homeland Security Budget-in-Brief Fiscal Year 2016 U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Budget Estimates, Fiscal Year 2016 Metra Website: Positive Train Control Joint Explanatory Statement explaining the FAST Act OpenSecrets: Profile of National Tank Truck Carriers Inc OpenSecrets: Top Contributors to Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, Bill Shuster OpenSecrets: Top Contributing Industries for Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, Bill Shuster OpenSecrets: Career Profile for Rep. Steve Stivers of Ohio's 15th district Website: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Website: Export-Import Bank of the United States Website: Risk Management Agency/U.S. Department of Agriculture: Crop Insurance Providers List for 2016 Website: Department of Transportation Fact Sheet Website: United States Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics: Transportation Fatalities by Mode YouTube: 9/11 hijackers at Dulles Airport, October 3, 2008. Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations

As a firefighter and paramedic, Armando Martinez has seen first-hand how a "Safe-Passage" or "Move-Over" law affects the security of law enforcement and emergency-response personnel called to work on the highway. As a state legislator and vice chairman of the House Transportation Committee, Rep. Martinez is looking to not only expand the Safe Passage law to include TxDOT personnel, but to address a variety of other transportation issues across the state.