Podcast appearances and mentions of jackson lee

Rhode Island FC Goalkeeper Jackson Lee chats about his recent Open Cup performance, recovery from his injury, and a look ahead to the rest of 2025.

Drainage lawsuit! Whitmire says COVID is fixed! IAH's Terminal E to Jackson Lee! All this and more!My name is Emily Hynds and I am a small business owner, Producer of the monthly storytelling series, Grown-up Storytime, and lifelong Houstonian. I am not a journalist or government official, I am a local government enthusiast who believes meaningful change starts at home. These notes are presented from my point of view and with my framing, your notes will certainly be different and I would love to read them if you attend.For sources and further reading:www.emilytakesnotes.comI watched this City Council meeting via HTV: https://www.houstontx.gov/htv/my IG: https://www.instagram.com/embaleez - for todays notes and Houston City Council GuideYou can find your City Council person and their contact info at: https://www.houstontx.gov/council/

Tonight, on a Monday night edition of Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee, they talk about Robert Wickens returning to the driver’s seat to compete in the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car race this weekend at Long Beach. They later look forward and preview this weekend’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach and talk about who looks good and not. They also talk a little about tonight’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament championship game between Florida and Houston. Later, they talk about some new looks for this weekend's race, with Conor Daly driving a new MannKind livery, Marcus Armstrong with Root Insurance, and Nolan Siegel with Onsemi. Later in the first hour of the show, they talk about the reopening of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and talk more about Jay Frye going to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing as their team president. They also talk about NASCAR competing at Darlington Raceway yesterday with their throwback weekend, and they talk about if IndyCar would ever do a throwback weekend. To wrap up wrap up the first hour of the show, they talk about the passing of Shigeaki Hattori over the weekend after a car accident in North Carolina. They also talk about the passings of Jersey Johnny Cimasko and Maurice Kessler. To start the second hour of the show, they talk about Curt’s official induction in the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame. They later talk about the update on the newest IndyCar chassis coming in 2027 or 2028. They also talk about Tony Kanaan getting some testing laps in case if Kyle Larson has to skip the Indianapolis 500 for rain. Later in the second hour of the program, they answer fan questions from X, such as if there could ever be a return to Japan. They also talk about parking for the Indy 500 which has sold out. Then to wrap up another addition of the show, Kevin talks with Jackson Lee as he competed at Mid-Ohio for the World Racing League as he breaks down his weekend with crazy weather conditions and being teammates with Brian Till. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amanda Edwards tells why she is best for Texas House District 18, replacing Jackson Lee and Turner. The Dems Need a Clear Vision to Move Themselves—and the Country—ForwardSubscribe to our Newsletter:https://politicsdoneright.com/newsletterPurchase our Books: As I See It: https://amzn.to/3XpvW5o How To Make AmericaUtopia: https://amzn.to/3VKVFnG It's Worth It: https://amzn.to/3VFByXP Lose Weight And BeFit Now: https://amzn.to/3xiQK3K Tribulations of anAfro-Latino Caribbean man: https://amzn.to/4c09rbE

Join me for my next live video in the app.* Amanda Edwards tells why she is best for Texas House District 18, replacing The Honorable Jackson Lee and The Honorable Turner: Amanda Edwards is one of the latest entrants to the race to replace Congressman Sylvester Turner. She details why she believes she is best for the job. [More]* The Dems Need a Clear Visio… To hear more, visit egberto.substack.com

Thank you Katharine Hill, Sandy(Rebel)Todd, Margaret kuenzli, Sabrina, Laura Winn, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.* Amanda Edwards tells why she is best for Texas House District 18, replacing Jackson Lee and Turner: Amanda Edwards is one of the latest entrants to the race to replace Congressman Sylvester Turner. She details why she believes she is best for the… To hear more, visit egberto.substack.com

Tonight, on a Wednesday night edition of Trackside with Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin as Kevin is live in Sebring getting ready for the 12 Hours of Sebring this weekend. They start the show recapping how Kevin’s pit reporting went from St. Petersburg on FOX. Later in the first hour of the show, Kevin and Curt talk about the St. Petersburg race, how Alex Palou managed to charge his way through the field, and how Scott Dixon and Josef Newgarden wandering by what could’ve been at the end of the race. They also talk about how Pato O’Ward could’ve saved his season by going from 23rd to 11th in the race, and how Will Power and Colton Herta need a good rebound for Thermal Club. Later, they talk about what Herta’s future could look like in Formula 1 as Cadillac was officially confirmed. To wrap up wrap up the first hour of the show, Kevin talks about Sebring, Jackson Lee, and Hampus Ericsson. To start the second hour of the show, Kevin and Curt talk about which drivers could land the Cadilac Formula 1 seats and also talk about driver contracts. They also talk about Takuma Sato returning to Rahal Letterman Lanigan for the 109th Indianapolis 500, driving the #75 AMADA Honda. Later, Marcus Ericsson joins the show to talk about his brother, Hampus Ericsson, competing in this weekend’s 12 Hours of Sebring, and to recap his last race from St. Petersburg. They also talk about with Sato’s addition to the entry list, there is officially 34 entries as they discuss if there are going to be more entries. Later in the second hour of the program, they recap the most recent testing from Barber Motorsports Park. They also talk about how Prema Racing did in their debut, and how Prema can keep Robert Shwartzman up. Later, they talk about Christopher Bell going three-in-a-row at Phoenix last weekend in the NASCAR Cup Series, along with the soon opening of the new Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Finally, Kevin announces the return of the Burger Bash! Then to wrap up another addition of the show, Kevin talks about Jackson Lee’s race for this weekend in Sebring, NHRA driver Bob Tasca III making comments about FOX and their marketing, full IndyCar race replays on YouTube immediately after, and FOX Nation picking up 100 Days to Indy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight, on Trackside with Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin, Kevin is live from Daytona preparing for the 24 Hours of Daytona, while Curt and producer Landon freeze in Indianapolis. They talk about what to expect for the race this weekend and which IndyCar & NASCAR drivers will be competing. Later, they also talk about how Pietro Fittipaldi is no longer a candidate to compete in IndyCar this season with two big sponsorship losses from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. They also talk about Michael Cannon leaving Prema Racing after two months in. Later in the first hour of the show, Kevin and Curt talk about Kyle Larson winning the Chili Bowl and how they think he will fare in his second Indianapolis 500 attempt. They also talk about FOX announcing their IndyCar commentary booth, with Will Buxton being play-by-play while Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe will continue their analyst duties. They also talk about the new helmet camera FOX will be utilizing for the season. Later, they talk about NASCAR launching a new channel on Tubi and if IndyCar should follow suit to solve its streaming problems. To wrap up the first hour of the show, Kevin previews the second hour. To start the second hour of the show, Kevin and Curt answer fan questions from X. They also talk more in depth about Jacob Abel getting a full-time ride with Dale Coyne Racing and who could get the second seat. Later, they talk about Angela Cullen returning to Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari as his trainer after spending a season in IndyCar with Marcus Armstrong and talk about Target launching a new line of Indianapolis 500 merchandise. They also talk about the recent Indy NXT test at Sebring. Later in the second hour of the program, Kevin is joined by Parker Kligerman as he is preparing for the 24 Hours of Daytona driving for Forte Racing and Lamborghini. Then, Kevin is joined by Jackson Lee as he recaps his second-place finish from the IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge Race 2 from Daytona. Then to wrap up another addition of the show, Kevin talks more about Michael Cannon leaving Prema and talks a little bit more about the 24 Hours of Daytona. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Remember that time you slammed your hand in the door? I heard you screaming obscenities for days. And depending on how it happened, it might have stung for a minute or caused you pain for a week.But imagine your hand didn't heal. Instead, it revealed you were slowly being ambushed by a silent killer. Act One to a new story you never saw coming.This is Susan Jackson Lee's story, and it ends on a cliffhanger.Susan grew up in a military family as the only daughter in a family full of men, where unsurprisingly she learned the values of discipline, timeliness, and hard work. Her father didn't believe women should be doctors or become successful on their own – he was old-fashioned like that. But this upbringing also taught her the value of never taking “no” for an answer – or as she puts it, “a no meant a yes for me”.She went to college and, unlike most of her classmates, was specifically interested in sales. Because she was usually the only person in line for sales jobs at the recruitment fairs, getting in was easy. And since then, Susan has grown in her career from a salesperson, to a manager of a federal business, all the way to vice-president at an Interior Design organization.Along the way, Susan met and married her entrepreneurial husband, started a family, and was fortunate to be healthy and fit. It seemed like she had everything going for her, and everything was fine.But Fine is a 4-Letter Word, and one day everything slammed to a halt – literally.One day while out running errands, Susan jumped out of her car and accidentally slammed the door on her hand. OUCH! I wince just thinking about this! She got a tetanus shot, but her hand wasn't healing. So she got an MRI, followed by a diagnosis of…Lung cancer.How could this be? Susan didn't smoke or drink, she ate right, she took care of herself, and she was disciplined about her health. Lung cancer?!?In a moment, when you meet Susan, you'll be stunned and amazed by the many lessons she learned while going through treatment, going into remission, and picking up the pieces of her life. Along the way, she let herself go to hell on purpose and got the idea she was about to lose her job, but she didn't. At the time of our recording though, she had just given notice at her job. What's up with THAT?!?Susan's hype song is "A Beautiful Day" by India Arie.Resources:Susan Jackson Lee's LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/susan-jackson-lee-5878a13 Susan's new website: www.field2futureconsulting.comInvitation from Lori: Let me ask you, if there was a simple way to reclaim your peace of mind and not feel so frazzled, would you want to know what it is? Enter the “10 Proven Habits Top Leaders Use to Stay Calm and Focused Every Day” checklist — your quick guide to creating calm, intentional days.These practices are so incredibly simple, you'll probably question their effectiveness. Like, how could just doing THAT alleviate my stress?! But take my word - and all the science and research that's been done on these methods - implementing even ONE of these strategies will absolutely change your ability to manage your energy, embrace change, and foster resilience. PLUS, you want to cope with the distractions in your mind so you can stay focused and achieve your desired results? THIS checklist will give you the direction to do that. Oh, and lastly, it isn't about perfection or doing ALL the things all at once. It's about taking each small step toward progress, one at a time,...

Tonight, Curt and Kevin recap IndyCar hybrid testing, and Petit Le Mans! They talk about how the Hybrid engine performed during testing, and Alexander Rossi's new position at Ed Carpenter. They also talk about Rinus Veekay testing instead of Sting Ray Robb. They also talk about Grosjean's future at Juncos, and his comment on rising costs with the hybrid.  Later, they talk about Hailie Deegan moving to HMD Motorsports in the Indy NXT series. They talk about how popular she is on social media and how much exposure she'll bring to Indy NXT. They also talk about some other additions to Indy NXT.  To round out the first hour, Kevin previews hour two.  In the second hour of the show, Kevin and Curt break down the Arlington Grand Prix layout, and the big event Roger Penske did with the Cowboys and Rangers to promote the event last week. They also talk about the possibility of racing in Mexico. They also answer listener questions.  Later, Kevin and Curt answer some listener questions, including which ovals are most likely to return to the schedule, and how enjoyable Petit Le Mans was this year.  To end the show, Kevin recaps what they missed, and talks about Jackson Lee's race over the weekend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rhode Island FC Goalkeeper Jackson Lee joins the podcast to talk about his time in an A-League academy, his journey to America to play soccer, drafting with Los Angeles Football Club and signing with RIFC. Anchors Up!

It's Friday so host Raheel Ramzanali is recapping the news from the week. Today, he's joined by Houston Public Media reporter Lucio Vasquez to talk about the charges from the investigation into the 2022 election, and spoiler alert, it's not the kind of fraud some people expected! Also why Mayor Whitmire is blaming Iran for local protests, the shocking investigation into where CenterPoint lobbies elected officials, and more!  Here's more about the stories from today's episode: Houston-area Democrats choose former Mayor Sylvester Turner to replace Jackson Lee on November ballot Harris County scammer caused 2022 election paper shortage: DA Kim Ogg Mayor Whitmire accuses pro-Palestinian protesters of ‘being paid by Iran', Houston council delays ordinance prohibiting residential protests Inside ‘The Pond' – CenterPoint's private Houston-area retreat used for lobbying Texas politicians Video shows 2 young children in diapers on East Freeway after being ejected during crash Learn more about the sponsors of this August 16th episode here: Inprint Downtown Houston+  Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Follow us on Instagram  @CityCastHouston Don't have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know!  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let's Talk! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, on Trackside, we celebrate Gordon Johncock's birthday, and preview the remainder of the IndyCar season, as well as some Olympics talk, including Cole Hocker's gold medal run in the 1500. Hocker is from Indianapolis. They talk about the streaming power of Peacock, and how viewing numbers have been. They also briefly talk about the IMSA race last weekend. Kevin gives his insight on the Juncos Hollinger seat that has opened with Augustin Canapino departing from the team, and how Conor Daly drove his car at the test at World Wide Technology Raceway.  Later, Kevin and Curt talk about a conversation Tony Stewart had with Jake Query, and his opinion that the Brickyard 400 should be run at night under the lights. The two debate about whether that would be good for in-person attendance, and if IMS would ever install lights.  To round out the first hour, Kevin talks about baseball playing at Bristol Motor Speedway, and how something like that could happen at Indianapolis.  In the second hour of the show, Kevin and Curt talk about some of the best NASCAR races, and how NASCAR succeeded through mainstream television. Kevin brings up the question as to why IndyCar teams don't have reserve drivers, and if we will see that change soon. They go over the history of reserve drivers in Indy, and when they were used most recently. They talk about the pricing of Venu Sports, and alternatives to paying for it, like buying an antenna.  Later in the second hour, Kevin goes to the X Box to ask some listener questions. They answer a question about backup cars, and how most teams just opt to repair their primary car since backups do not have engines. They also answer a question about the Mario Andretti and AJ Foyt Trophies for the best oval and road course drivers, and why they went away. They bring up the possibility of racing at Richmond, and how fans have to show up for those races for them to return to the schedule.  Kevin ends the show with what we missed. He brings up how Rossi has improved health wise after his surgery, and Kevin updates us on Jackson Lee's ride at IMS for the Michelin Pilot Challenge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Monday's show: We learn more about who's vying to replace the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee to represent the 18th Congressional District. And Mayor John Whitmire selects a new HPD chief.Also this hour: We offer Houstonians their monthly opportunity to vent their pet peeves.And we get an update on sports from Jeff Balke, co-host of the Bleav in Astros podcast.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode Josh Lynn and I answer questions from new callmaker Jackson Lee Shaw.

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Postponed after the Trump assassination, President Joe Biden's visit to Austin and the LBJ Presidential Library to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act will commence at 3pm today: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/state/2024/07/29/president-joe-biden-speech-lbj-library-austin-texas-how-to-watch-livestream-kamala-harris/74377745007/ ...The President will also pay his respects to U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee today in Houston, while Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver remarks at Jackson Lee's memorial service on Thursday: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/28/biden-harris-sheila-jackson-lee-services/ ...The Trump party, scrambling for a counter-narrative to Harris, is more or less resorting to racism and misogyny: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/gop-fumbling-against-kamala-harris/ ...Especially Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who has taken to right-wing TV to call Harris "the queen of DEI": https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2024/07/25/dan-patrick-calls-kamala-harris-queen-of-dei-bucking-guidance-from-party-leaders/ Doctors and nurses are among our most respected Humans, and a group of them have come out Against Ted Cruz: https://www.lonestarlive.com/news/2024/07/texas-doctors-nurses-speak-out-against-ted-cruzs-abortion-policies.html ...While Ted, who prefers that name to Rafael, takes out millions of dollars worth of Spanish-language TV ads in the Rio Grande Valley: https://www.chron.com/politics/article/ted-cruz-spanish-ad-push-19598870.php The deadline to register for the November election is October 7. Are you registered? Are you sure? ALL Texas voters should confirm their registration, right now: https://govotetexas.org/ See Progress Texas' analysis of Project 2025, and what it will mean for Texas should it be enacted: https://progresstexas.org/blog/project-2025-vs-progress-2025 ...And a complete guide to Project 2025 from Media Matters: https://www.mediamatters.org/heritage-foundation/guide-project-2025-extreme-right-wing-agenda-next-republican-administration Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work this election year at https://progresstexas.org.

(AURN News) — Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a long-serving Democrat from Texas's 18th Congressional District, has died, according to a statement released by her family on Friday. Jackson Lee, known for her passionate advocacy on issues of racial justice, criminal justice reform, and human rights, served in Congress for over 30 years. In an interview with AURN News, her former Deputy Chief of Staff, Shashrina Thomas, described her as "the conscience of the Congress" who acted daily as "an advocate for the underserved constituents of Houston's historic Third Ward, and all those similarly situated across the nation." “The Congresswoman represented her family and her country proudly passionately and effectively, she fought the good fight. As it is written in 2nd Timothy, she finished the race, but most importantly, she maintained the faith in God,” Thomas said. “I'm grateful to her and her family, for sharing her with the world, for fighting the fight in Congress, and standing strong every moment, to make sure women's rights were on the table… human rights were on the table, and that there was a fair social and criminal justice system, across the board, specifically, for African American people,” she added. Thomas also highlighted Jackson Lee's legislative accomplishments, stating, "She was directly responsible for crafting more than 200 pieces of legislation, 184 of which became law." Among her notable achievements were helping to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday and reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.  "The congresswoman deserves our gratitude for a life of public service and dedication to exactly that: the values of women's rights, fairness, equality, and justice," Thomas said. First elected in 1994, Jackson Lee was particularly noted for her focus on issues affecting women and children. Thomas recalled how the congresswoman ensured that "women and children were not forgotten" in policy discussions, especially regarding public service and first responders. Jackson Lee also played a significant role in healthcare legislation. Thomas noted her position as "the lead policy negotiator for the Affordable Care Act," which included provisions to expand access to healthcare for underserved communities. “Congressman Louis Stokes gave me my wings to fly. The Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, taught me how to fly,” Thomas told AURN News. The statement from Jackson Lee's family emphasized her impact both as a public servant and as a beloved wife, sister, mother, and grandmother. They noted that while she will be deeply missed, "her legacy will continue to inspire all who believe in freedom, justice, and democracy." Funeral arrangements are pending.  Personal Reflection As a journalist, I rarely include personal experiences in my reporting. However, Congresswoman Jackson Lee's passing compels me to share my interactions with her over the years. I first met her in 2013 while working as a Communications Director on Capitol Hill. From that time until her passing, she consistently supported me as a person, a journalist, and a Black man in America. She was a staunch advocate for American Urban Radio Networks (AURN), always making time to address Black America through our platform. During our interviews, she frequently emphasized the crucial role of AURN News in covering issues facing the Black community that are often overlooked by mainstream media. Our last public interaction was in September 2023 at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference, where I moderated an event she hosted. Even then, she spoke passionately about the importance of Black media in our country and expressed gratitude to AURN and me personally. Her unwavering support for Black journalists and media outlets underscored her commitment to ensuring diverse voices were heard in the national political conversations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beberapa waktu terakhir, kegagalan panen cokelat diberbagai dunia menjadi isu heboh untuk industri F&B lantaran harga ingredient yang mengandung cokelat melambung tinggi. Di podcast kali ini, bersama Jackson Lee, kita akan membahas mengenai seberapa besar pengaruh kenaikan harga cokelat untuk para pebisnis pastry. Tonton video selengkapnya di #RayJansonRadio#421 GAK MASUK AKAL! COKELAT SEHARGA MOTOR! WITH JACKSON LEE | RAY JANSON RADIO Enjoy the show! Instagram: Jackson Lee: https://www.instagram.com/jacksonlee/ DON'T FORGET TO LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE ! Ray Janson Radio is available on: Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2lEDF01 Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/2nhtizq Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/2laege8i Anchor App: https://anchor.fm/ray-janson-radio TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rayjansonradio Let's talk some more: https://www.instagram.com/rayjanson #RayJansonRadio #FnBPodcast #Indonesia #cokelat

Tonight on Trackside, we recap Penske's dominant performance at Road America, and what led to their success. We hear about the reason why Will Power's celebration was so emotional in victory lane after his win, and the health problems his wife has had. They also talk about the likelihood of Power retiring after his contract expires, and why he is considering stepping away from racing in the future. They also talk about how the tires performed on the track, and how that led to different strategies during the race. They also talk about Newgarden running into the back of Colton Herta, which ruined Herta's race, and Herta's harsh comments on the officiating.  Later in the the first hour of the show, Curt and Kevin provide a brief recap of Milwaukee testing, including David Malukas' performance, and how the track handled. They also talk about the state of the Iowa track, and how messy the surface is after NASCAR had parts of it repaved.  To round out the first hour, Kevin talks about the Le Mans broadcast, and Jackson Lee's Michelin Pilot Challenge race that he ran over the weekend. He talks about the crowd and atmosphere there, and how the car performed for him.  In the second hour of the show, Curt and Kevin delve into IndyCar hybrid testing with Eric Smith of IndyCar.com. Smith talks about the changes to the track since the last visit in 2015, and how pit road feels a lot better than it has in previous years. He talks about what the drivers used the session for, and their thoughts on the engine. They also talk about the amount of studying that will go into the new engines to get a leg-up over the competition. He also talks about David Malukas and his thoughts on the test.  Later in the second hour, Kevin and Curt go more into detail about the race at Road America, and Agustin Canapino's absence from the race. They also talk about Nolan Siegel filling in for Canapino at Road America, and how he performed, and the future for him in IndyCar. They also discuss Canapino and how sponsors view him.  Kevin ends the show looking at some listener tweets, and a little more on the Milwaukee test. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Longtime U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee announced her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and ongoing treatment. The Texas Democrat, who is seeking a 16th term, stated late Sunday, “I am confident that my doctors have developed the best possible plan to target my specific disease. The road ahead will not be easy, but I stand in faith that God will strengthen me.” Acknowledging that her treatment may cause occasional absences from Congress, she assured that her office will continue to serve constituents and that she remains committed to working with congressional leadership to be present for votes. Jackson Lee, who first took office in 1995, won the Democratic nomination in March, shortly after losing a bid to become Houston's mayor. Her district includes downtown Houston and some of the city's historically Black neighborhoods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who said the dumbest thing this week? 1- Mike Johnson FISA 2- Background Checks 3- 3D Printed Meat & Bad Jeans 4- Voter Suppression 5- James Clyburn 6- Jasmine Crockett 7- Maxine Waters 8- Sheila Jackson Lee 9- Sunny Hostin 10- PPP vs Student Debt Links: https://bit.ly/gmllinks WATCH on Youtube: https://bit.ly/3UwsRiv Join the private discord & chat during the show! joingml.com Like our intro song? https://www.3pillmorning.com This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  Give online therapy a try at Betterhelp.com/gml and get on your way to being your best self.  Enroll in Constitution 101: the meaning and history of the US Constitution  or one of the many other great FREE courses at hillsdale.edu/GML Protect yourself against inflation by investing in GOLD with Noble Gold! noblegoldinvestments.com/gml Get your complimentary bottle of Nugenix by texting GML to 231-231 Monetary Metals offers A Yield on Gold, Paid in Gold® https://www.monetary-metals.com/GML Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's four martinis for the price of three today and none of them are good.Join Jim and Greg as they start a busy day with the Arizona Supreme Court upholding an 1864 law limiting abortions only to medical emergencies for the mother. "Life of the mother" used to be a pretty standard position on abortion for Republicans, but the hypocritical reaction from most GOP figures yesterday was quite telling. They'd much prefer the talking point than the actual policy.They also groan as the monthly inflation numbers once again come in higher than expected. Prices remain stubbornly high - and often keep rising - regardless of what the president or his allies tell you.Plus, Biden suggests Israel should announce it will stop fighting Hamas for 6-8 weeks to allow significant humanitarian relief into Gaza. He made no mention of requiring the release of hostages in response. Meanwhile, Hamas has already rejected a cease-fire but Biden can't seem to condemn that publicly.Finally, Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee offers an astronomy lesson for the ages at an event celebrating the solar eclipse.Please visit our great sponsors:4Patriothttps://4Patriots.com/martiniGet the Deluxe 3-Month Survival Food Kit and the peace of mind your family deserves.  Free shipping on orders over $97. Fast Growing Treeshttps://fastgrowingtrees.com/martiniUse code Martini to save an additional 15% off on your first order.  

What’s Trending: A Seattle pot shop was broken into by a group using a stolen car. Former Washington gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp is facing expulsion from Sheriff and Police Chief’s groups. Texas Congressman Sheila Jackson Lee claims that the Moon is made of mostly gases. LongForm: GUEST: The Pursuit NW Pastor Russell Johnson says the Seattle Times canceled at ad buy at the last minute because the publisher // The Quick Hit: Anti-Israel Protesters shut down the Senate cafeteria. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin says there’s no evidence of genocide in Gaza.

It’s four martinis for the price of three today and none of them are good. Join Jim and Greg as they start a busy day with the Arizona Supreme Court upholding an 1864 law limiting abortions only to medical emergencies for the mother. “Life of the mother” used to be a pretty standard position on […]

Guest: Lee Ann JacksonOrganization: Ambassador AdvertisingPosition: Social Media Manager/Media StrategistTopic: power of Christian RadioInterview Location: NRB 2024Website: ambassadoradvertising.com

Guest: Lee Ann JacksonOrganization: Ambassador AdvertisingPosition: Social Media Manager/Media StrategistTopic: power of Christian RadioInterview Location: NRB 2024Website: ambassadoradvertising.com

Tonight, Curt and Kevin preview the Thermal Challenge this weekend! They delve into the rules of the event, and what viewers can expect from the race. Curt emphasizes the entertainment of the race, and how competitive it will be with the rules. They discuss the injury situation surrounding David Malukas, Callum Ilot's performance thus far, and the number of tires each team gets at Thermal.  Later in the first hour of the show, Kevin and Curt take a look at the weather for the Thermal Club race. It is supposed to be a high of 70 on Sunday. Curt and Kevin talk about the weather will change the racing.  Kevin and Curt round out the first hour of the show reading some tweets. Kevin addresses fan concerns about pit stops during the race and how dusty the Thermal Club track will be. They address a fan request of expanding fuel tanks race-by-race, and tire degradation on the cars.  In the second hour of the show, Kevin and Curt recap the 12 Hours of Sebring. Kevin talks about how hard the track is to drive on at night, and how it almost becomes muscle memory. Kevin gives a rundown of the finishers. Curt talks about Jack Hawksworth's performance, and how consistent he was. Kevin preview's Jack Hawksworth's ride in the Truck Series this weekend. They also preview the Carb Day concert lineups and talk about what Leigh Diffey will do later in the season. The two also delve into IndyCar TV deals for next season.  Later in the second hour, Kevin Lee talks to his son Jackson Lee about his performance during the Sebring Michelin Pilot Challenge race at Sebring. He compares the differences between driving an open wheel car and an Aston Martin GT4. He talks about how different the track feels in each car. Kevin and Jackson discuss how the types of drivers who raced in the Pilot Challenge have changed from last season to this season.  Kevin ends the show answering some listener questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight, on an abbreviated episode of Trackside, Curt and Kevin recap the first race of the IndyCar season at St. Petersburg! They talk about Josef Newgarden's dominating performance, and the skill that he has as a driver. They discuss Newgarden's odds on winning the championship, and how the rest of the schedule looks, and how the schedule favors Newgarden more than other drivers. Curt points out how dominant Penske has been on the streets of St. Pete. They also talk about the Indy NXT race, won by Nolan Siegel. They talk about how Marcus Ericsson is calm and collected, and his reaction to the engine failure on Sunday.  Later in the first hour of the show, Kevin and Curt take you behind the scenes and talk about some of the production that went into the St. Petersburg IndyCar race. They answer some listener questions, including about the post-race show on Peacock. Kevin also gives updates on Jackson Lee's racing career.  Kevin rounds out the first hour reading some more tweets. He also talks about Ganassi splitting with Chevy in sports cars, and a talk he had with the promoter of St. Pete. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today is election day for many places around the country, Super Tuesday. Special guest, U.S. Representative, Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas joins the RSMS crew to tell the importance of voting. Rep. Jackson Lee spoke about the issues that are on the ballot this year, not only just the presidential primaries. Voting is not something that should be ignored. Get out and vote. Your vote is your voice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is Tuesday on The Rickey Smiley Morning Show Podcast. In this episode, the RSMS crew discusses Jay Z and Beyoncé purchasing the most expensive house ever in the state of California in 2023. The power couple purchased a $190 Million estate compound that covers over 8 acres, features a private beach, infinity pool and other amenities. Serena Williams made an appearance during Paris Fashion Week at an event entitled, “Black by Popular Demand.” Social media noted that Serena's face is different from what it has been in the past. Black twitter is in an uproar saying that she has too much plastic surgery and had lightened her skin. Today is election day for many places around the country, Super Tuesday. Special guest, U.S. Representative, Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas joins the RSMS crew to tell the importance of voting. Rep. Jackson Lee spoke about the issues that are on the ballot this year, not only just the presidential primaries. Voting is not something that should be ignored. Get out and vote. Your vote is your voice. All of this and more on The Rickey Smiley Morning Show Podcast.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight, Curt and Kevin recap the IndyCar test at Sebring. They talk about the possible lineup for Dale Coyne next year, including Jack Harvey. They also talk about the budget of some teams, and what drivers like Nolan Siegel bring to the table for a team like Dale Coyne. They also talk about Colin Braun and the possibility of him competing at IMS. They also talk about Callum Illot filling in for David Malukas at McLaren, and the reason Kevin thinks Illot will be the one in the seat come time for St. Pete.  Later in the first hour of the show, Kevin and Curt talk about where some engineers will go next season. They talk about how teams must keep up with Arrow McLaren in engineering. Kevin also talks about the Indy 500's motto being stolen by F1, using a similar phrase: “the greatest spectacle in motorsports.” Kevin talks about how he thinks the errors in using IMS's motto were probably caused by someone in an entry level social media position may have done without thinking.  Kevin rounds out the first hour previewing the second hour of the show.  In the second hour of the show, Curt and Kevin talk about the new Josef Newgarden commercial, and the banning of the snaking maneuver that Newgarden used to win the Indy 500 last year. They talk about the nuance of the new rule, and how severe the punishment could be for the driver who goes below the line. They also talk about new video boards and other improvements coming to the track.  During the second hour, Kevin talks about the Dan Wheldon documentary, and how Wheldon's sons are doing in racing. They also talk about a platform to sell tickets for IMS at face value without losing seniority.  Kevin ends the show talking about an announcement Jackson Lee made today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Heartland POD for Friday, February 23, 2024A flyover from this weeks top heartland stories including:Primary voting is underway in Texas | Kansas Medicaid expansion update | Illinois Gov J.B. Pritzker lays out priorities as a progressive pragmatist | Missouri Democrats filibuster ballot candy | KS Gov Laura Kelly's veto will stand Primary voting is underway in Texashttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/21/julie-johnson-brian-williams-congressional-district-32-colin-allred/BY SEJAL GOVINDARAOFEB. 21, 2024WASHINGTON — In 2018, Rep. Colin Allred flipped Texas' 32nd Congressional District, turning the Dallas-based district into a blue stronghold. Now, as the Democrat vies to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a crowded field of 10 Democrats is lining up to replace him.Dr. Brian Williams, a trauma surgeon, and State Rep. Julie Johnson, of Farmers Branch, are leading the field in the Democratic primary with their fundraising efforts, each amassing about a million dollars in campaign donations since their campaigns were registered at the beginning of last summer.Ideologically, Williams and Johnson are aligned. They both rank health care a top priority if elected, and have touted their ability to work across the aisle.Johnson, a trial lawyer in her third term in the state House rode the 2019 blue wave to unseat hardline conservative incumbent Matt Rinaldi, by 13 points. Rinaldi now chairs the state GOP. In her three terms, at least 40 of the bills Johnson has co-authored or joint-authored have been signed into law.As a Democrat in the Republican-dominated state Legislature, Johnson has played a lot of defense trying to kill bills she and other progressives deem harmful. Johnson, who is gay, said she and other members of the House's LGBTQ caucus have had success in killing anti-LGBTQ bills by mastering the rules of procedure and “being better at the rules than the other side.” In 2019, she took down a House version of the so-called “Save Chick-fil-A bill” on a rule technicality. The bill was a response to a San Antonio airport kicking out the fast food restaurant over criticism of its religiously affiliated donations to anti-LGBTQ groups. It was revived in another bill and passed into law.If elected, Johnson would be the first openly LGBTQ member of Congress from a Southern state. She's drawn notable endorsements from Beto O'Rourke, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, EMILY's List, Equality PAC, and several labor unions.Matt Angle, director of Lone Star Project, a Texas group that works to boost Democrats, said Johnson is the frontrunner in the race, but Williams is a formidable challenger.“Make no mistake about it though,” Angle said. “Julie Johnson has a voter base within the district not only from her old district, but also just from years of being an active Democratic activist and a donor and really a couple of just outstanding terms in the legislature.”While he may be new to the Texas political arena, Williams is no stranger to the halls of Congress.Williams was a health policy adviser to U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy — who endorsed him — to help pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022 – the farthest reaching gun safety legislation in decades. The legislation, crafted in the aftermath of the shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo New York, allocated millions of dollars to expand mental health resources, strengthens background checks and tightens the boyfriend loophole. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn was a lead negotiator on the bill with Murphy, and Williams worked closely with Cornyn's office. In his role as a health policy advisor for Murphy, he worked across the aisle with Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana on mental health legislation.Williams also worked with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California to pass federal health care legislation related to pandemic preparedness and reducing health care costs.Williams said his experience as a trauma surgeon — operating on victims of gun violence and women experiencing reproductive health emergencies — has fueled his priorities to fight for gun restrictions and increase access to abortions and other womens' health. Williams added his perspective as a Black doctor seeing racial disparities in health care will resonate with the district's diverse constituency, given that the district is now a majority-minority district with a 37% Hispanic or Latino population, 22% Black population and 8% Asian population.“They're excited that there's someone that looks like them that can represent them in Congress,” Williams said in an interview.As Allred opted to stay neutral in the race to succeed him – Williams said he had pursued his endorsement while Johnson said she had not – the tension between Johnson and Williams has been heating up.Williams has publicly criticized Johnson for a vote she took that would have made some changes and tweaks to the state's Alternatives to Abortions program, which provides information about resources to women seeking the procedure.“I draw contrast between myself and Representative Johnson about how I am the better candidate,” Williams said.Johnson, who is endorsed by Planned Parenthood, said Williams misrepresented the vote, which she said she cast to bring the already-funded program under the scope of the Health and Human Services Commission so it could be subject to public transparency. Her campaign published a fact-check on her website, likening Williams' misrepresentation of her record to “Trumpian-style, false attacks.”Planned Parenthood was critical of the legislation.Johnson said women's health is also a priority for her, and she stands by her record.“Texas leads the nation of uninsured folks, and in maternal mortality, and in infant mortality. Obviously, we're leading the nation in an attack on women's freedom for women's reproductive health, and I've been a champion of a lot of these issues,” she said.Other candidates vying for the open seat in the March 5 primary include businessman Raja Chaudhry, tech entrepreneur Alex Cornwallis, former Dallas City Councilman and real estate broker Kevin Felder and attorney Callie Butcher, who would be the first openly transgender member of Congress if elected.If no candidate gets a majority of the vote, there will be a runoff in May. The winner of the Democratic primary will face off against the winner of the Republican primary in November but is likely to win given that the district is solidly blue.And, from Dallas we go to Houston whereAfter bruising loss in Houston mayoral race, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee faces her toughest reelection yetJackson Lee faces off against Amanda Edwards, her most formidable congressional opponent in three decades.https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/19/sheila-jackson-lee-amanda-edwards-democratic-primary-houston/BY SEJAL GOVINDARAOFEB. 19, 2024In 1994, Sheila Jackson Lee, then a 44-year-old Houston city councilwoman, unseated four-term U.S. Rep. Craig Washington in the Democratic primary, securing a seat she'd come to hold for the next 30 years.This March, former Houston City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards, 42, is hoping to replicate that political upset as she faces off against Jackson Lee in the Democratic primary for Congressional District 18.Jackson Lee, who did not respond to requests for an interview, has only drawn four primary challengers over her 14-term career, all of whom she defeated by landslide margins.She's a household name in her Houston-based district, known for her frequent visibility at constituent graduations, funerals and baby showers.But last year she ran for Houston mayor against then-state Sen. John Whitmire. It was a bruising primary — unfamiliar territory for Jackson Lee — and her campaign was roiled with negative media after audio of her berating her congressional staffers was leaked. She ended up losing the race by 30 points and then immediately announced she was running for reelection to the U.S. House.Amanda Edwards, a former intern in Jackson Lee's office, initially announced she was running for Houston mayor until the congresswoman threw her hat in the ring. At that point, Edwards pivoted — endorsing Jackson Lee as mayor and beginning her own bid for Congress.By the time Jackson Lee announced she was running for her House seat again, Edwards had already gained momentum. In the fourth quarter of last year, Edwards outraised the congresswoman 10 to 1 — $272,000 to Jackson Lee's $23,000.Mark Jones, Baker Institute fellow in political science at Rice University said, “This could be the year that Congresswoman Jackson Lee loses. And given that as a safe, Democratic, seat whoever wins the primary will be headed to Washington in January of 2025”Jackson Lee holds a narrow lead in primary polls, while 16% of voters remain undecided. Edwards, a native Houstonian, said her commitment to public service is propelled by her father's battle with cancer when she was a teenager, where she learned firsthand about the cracks in the health care system and how “policy could be a matter of life and death.” She served as an at-large Houston City Council member from 2016 to 2020, where she represented a constituency of more than 2 million people.In her race to beat Jackson Lee, Edwards has garnered some notable endorsements including the Harris County Young Democrats, and the Harris County chapter of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats – both of which endorsed Jackson Lee in past races.The Harris County Young Democrats rescinded its endorsement of Jackson Lee in the mayoral race — citing a “zero tolerance policy” for staff abuse.Lenard Polk, Harris County chapter president of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, said Jackson Lee's leaked audio tape controversy also factored into the committee's decision to not endorse her. On the recording Jackson Lee berates a staffer for not having a document she was looking for and calls two of her staffers “Goddamn big-ass children, fuckin' idiots who serve no Goddamn purpose.”He said endorsement committee members were still “quite upset” over the tape and it “wasn't a good look” for Jackson Lee. The leaked tape fueled discourse about Jackson Lee's reputation as an unkind boss on Capitol Hill – she regularly makes Washingtonian Magazine's worst of Congress list and her office has high turnover rates.Polk added that voters felt abandoned by Jackson Lee, who jumped into the mayor's race without endorsing someone to take her place, only to file for reelection a day after losing.Jackson Lee's battle to retain her seat is made tougher by 2021 redistricting, because the 18th district now includes more young white professionals who do not have the same level of loyalty to her as longtime district residents.But despite any damage she may have incurred from her mayoral run, Jackson Lee remains a powerful political force in her district.County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, who is backing Jackson Lee, said he doesn't know anyone in local politics with her “energy level,” and that Jackson Lee has secured meaningful federal grants for her district – most recently $20.5 million to Harris County Public Health Department's Uplift Harris Guaranteed Income Pilot project. He also said she has a reputation for being a reliably progressive voice in Congress.Jackson Lee has a long list of powerful endorsements from House Democratic leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Minority Whip Katherine Clarke. She's backed by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and other members of Texas' Washington delegation including Democratic Reps. Lizzie Fletcher of Houston, Lloyd Doggett of Austin, Henry Cuellar of Laredo and Joaquin Castro of San Antonio.Ellis said Jackson Lee may not be a strong fundraiser but she will benefit from her incumbency advantage.Linda Bell-Robinson, a Houston Democratic precinct chair, said she is fighting for Jackson Lee to retain her seat because seniority in Congress is important and Edwards would be learning the ropes as a freshman if elected.“We need fighters,” she said. “We don't need people trying to learn how to fight on the battlefield. We need people who are already fighting and know how to fight their fight.SEAN: Super interesting race. For my part, I don't have any problem with members of Congress being extremely tough to work for. I have problems with lying, fraud, criminal activity, and squishy voting records. Congresswoman Jackson Lee has 100% ratings from Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and AFL-CIO. She has a 95% rating from League of Conservation VotersNew estimate predicts Medicaid expansion would serve 152K at no cost to stateA $509M federal incentive would help offset state cost for first eight yearsBY: SHERMAN SMITH - FEBRUARY 22, 2024 4:22 PMhttps://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/22/new-estimate-predicts-medicaid-expansion-would-serve-152k-at-no-cost-to-state/TOPEKA — The Kansas Health Institute on Thursday unveiled its analysis of Gov. Laura Kelly's proposal to expand Medicaid, predicting 152,000 Kansans would enroll in the first year with no additional cost to the state government.The Democratic governor has made passage of Medicaid expansion a top legislative priority this year, following her statewide campaign to promote the policy last fall. But Republican leadership in the Legislature opposes the policy and has blocked hearings on Medicaid expansion for four years.Kansas is one of just 10 states that still haven't expanded Medicaid since President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act in 2010.The state-run version of Medicaid, called KanCare, provides health care services to low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities. Currently, those who earn less than 38% of the federal poverty level are eligible. For a family of four, the annual income limit is $11,400.Under the ACA, also known as Obamacare, the federal government offers to cover 90% of the cost of Medicaid services in exchange for expanding eligibility to 138% of the federal poverty rate. The annual income threshold for a family of four would be $41,400.Kelly's proposal includes a work requirement with exceptions for full-time students, veterans, caregivers, people with partial disabilities, and former foster kids. Her plan also would add a new surcharge for hospitals.KHI predicts the change in income eligibility would result in 151,898 people enrolling in KanCare — 106,450 adults and 45,448 children. Those numbers include 68,236 adults and 16,377 children who are currently uninsured.About 68.9% of the adults are already working at least part-time, according to the KHI analysis. Of the remaining 31.1% KHI determined 19.1% of the unemployed adults have a disability, 16.1% are students and 3.8% are veterans.KHI calculated the cost to the state for expanding Medicaid over the first eight years would be fully offset — mostly because of a $509 million incentive included in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Other savings would come from the federal government picking up more of the tab on existing services, as well as the new surcharge on hospitals. The Kansas Sunflower Foundation on Thursday released findings from surveys that found 68% of Kansas voters, including 51% of Republicans and 83% of small business owners support Medicaid expansion.Steve Baccus, an Ottawa County farmer and former president of Kansas Farm Bureau, said in a news release that expanding Medicaid was about “investing in the well-being of our communities.”Baccus said “Our rural communities are often struggling to keep Main Street open and to continue to offer the necessary services to the surrounding agricultural enterprises. A community that can offer a total health care package has an advantage in maintaining a viable town.”The findings are consistent with a Fort Hays State University poll that was released in October.With budget proposal and fiery address, Pritzker paints himself as progressive pragmatistThursday, February 22, 2024Governor's spending plan advances progressive-backed policies in tight fiscal landscapeBy HANNAH MEISELCapitol News Illinoishmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.comhttps://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/with-budget-proposal-and-fiery-address-pritzker-paints-himself-as-progressive-pragmatistSPRINGFIELD – In delivering his annual State of the State and budget address on Wednesday, Gov. JB Pritzker cast his administration as both progressive and pragmatic – a balance he's worked to strike as his national profile has grown.Some elements of the governor's proposed spending plan, like using $10 million in state funds to eliminate $1 billion worth of Illinoisans' medical debt, are hardline progressive ideas. Others, including a goal to achieve “universal preschool” by 2027, fit in with a more traditional liberal platform.But Pritzker has also defined his success in traditional economic terms, putting particular stock into how New York City-based credit ratings agencies view Illinois' finances, while also positioning Illinois as a hub for emerging technologies like electric vehicles and quantum computing. As Illinois faces an influx of migrants from the southern U.S. border Pritzker has leaned into a leadership style that prioritizes progressive ideals while projecting an image of fiscal responsibility.As he outlined a proposal to add $182 Million toward the state's migrant response, Gov. Pritzker said, “We didn't ask for this manufactured crisis, But we must deal with it all the same.”“Children, pregnant women, and the elderly have been sent here in the dead of night, left far from our designated welcome centers, in freezing temperatures, wearing flip flops and T-shirts,” Pritzker said. “Think about that the next time a politician from Texas wants to lecture you about being a good Christian.”The governor was met with big applause from Democrats in laying out his proposed “Healthcare Consumer Access and Protection Act,” which would, in part, ban “prior authorization” requirements for mental health treatment.Pritzker characterized the practice of prior authorization as a way for insurance companies to deny the care that doctors have prescribed.Pritzker is also proposing spending $10 million in state funds to buy Illinoisans' past-due medical debt that's been sent to collections. Partnering with national nonprofit RIP Medical Debt, which buys debt for pennies on the dollar on the same market that collections agencies purchase the rights to the debts, the governor said Illinois could “relieve nearly $1 billion in medical debt for the first cohort of 340,000 Illinoisans.”The governor spent time noting two key places he said Illinois fails its Black citizens:  maternal mortality and disproportionate rates of homelessness. To combat Black maternal mortality rates, Pritzker proposed helping more community-based reproductive health centers to open, citing Illinois' first freestanding nonprofit birthing center in Berwyn as a model.He said, “Black women in our state are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.” Pritzker proposed spending an additional $50 million on the state's “Home Illinois” program launched in 2021, in part to “attack the root causes of housing insecurity for Black Illinoisans.” He cited a statistic that Black people make up 61 percent of Illinois' homeless population despite only being 14 percent of the state's general population.Additionally, the governor proposed a $1 million pilot program for free diapers for low-income families, as well as a $5 million increased investment in an existing home visit program “for our most vulnerable families” with babies in their first year.His budget also includes $12 million to create a child tax credit for families with children under three with incomes below a certain threshold. Among the successes Pritzker pointed to, perhaps the most salient is his claim that Illinois' new “Smart Start” early childhood program – proposed last year in the governor's second inaugural address – had exceeded its first-year goals.The program aimed to create 5,000 new preschool seats last year, but ended up creating 5,823, Pritzker said – a 15 percent overperformance. “As a result, right now we have over 82,000 publicly-funded preschool classroom seats – the highest number in our state's history. Staying on the Smart Start plan, we will achieve universal preschool by 2027.”Echoing his 2022 election-year call for a temporary pause on the state's 1 percent tax on groceries, Pritzker on Wednesday proposed nixing the grocery tax altogether.He said “It's one more regressive tax we just don't need. If it reduces inflation for families from 4 percent to 3 percent, even if it only puts a few hundred bucks back in families' pockets, it's the right thing to do.”Even while proposing a series of progressive expenditures, the governor also sought to cast himself as a pragmatist when it comes to state finances. The state has seen strong revenue performances in the past few years, But in November, the governor's own economic forecasting office predicted a nearly $900 million deficit in the fiscal year that begins July 1.“Our FY25 budget proposal makes some hard choices,” Pritzker said Wednesday. “I wish we had big surpluses to work with this year to take on every one of the very real challenges we face.”Illinois' once-paltry “rainy day” fund now has $2 billion socked away, the governor noted, and the state has paid off high-interest debt during his five years in office.To mitigate Illinois' previously projected deficit, Pritzker is proposing to more than double the tax rate paid by sportsbooks on profits – a change that would bring in an estimated $200 million annually. He also proposed extending an existing cap on operating losses that businesses can claim on taxes, which could help generate more than $500 million, the governor's office claims.Another revenue generator proposed by the governor: raising $101 million by capping a sales tax credit retailers are allowed to claim. But business groups on Wednesday signaled they'd put up a fight. In his first few months in office in 2019, Pritzker used his fresh political capital to muscle a $15 minimum wage ramp through the legislature – a long-fought-for progressive policy goal – followed closely by a trip to New York City to meet with executives at the influential big three credit ratings agencies.When Pritzker took office, Illinois' credit ratings were hovering around “junk” status after a two-year budget impasse under his predecessor, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. And though Illinois suffered a final credit downgrade in the early months of COVID, the state has since received nine upgrades.The governor on Wednesday held those upgrades in high regard, saying“My one line in the sand is that I will only sign a budget that is responsibly balanced and that does not diminish or derail the improving credit standing we have achieved for the last five years,”Andrew Adams contributed.Missouri Senate Dems Hold The Line In Ballot Fighthttps://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/20/democrat-filibuster-forces-removal-of-ballot-candy-from-senate-initiative-petition-bill/BY: RUDI KELLER - FEBRUARY 20, 2024 5:15 PM     A Democratic filibuster that stretched more than 20 hours ended this week when Senate Republicans stripped provisions critics derided as “ballot candy” from a proposal to make it harder to pass constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petitions.Ballot candy refers to language designed to trick voters - into thinking the initiative is about ensuring only citizens vote, for instance - when that's totally irrelevant to the question voters are deciding.By an 18-12 vote, with nine Republicans and nine Democrats forming the majority, language that stated non-citizens could not vote on constitutional amendments was removed, as were sections barring foreign governments and political parties from taking sides in Missouri ballot measures.The Senate then, by a voice vote, gave first-round approval to the bill that would require both a statewide majority and a majority vote in five of the state's eight congressional districts to pass future constitutional amendments.The proposal would alter the way Missourians have approved constitutional changes since the first statewide vote on a constitution in 1846.Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo of Independence, a Democrat, said, “All we're asking for is a fair fight. And the Republicans know if it's a fair fight, they lose, which is why they have to pump it full of ballot candy and mislead voters.”Meanwhile, the House spent much of Tuesday morning debating legislation that would make changes to the signature gathering process for initiative petition campaigns.Among numerous provisions, the bill would require signatures be recorded using black or dark ink and that signature gatherers be citizens of the United States, residents of Missouri or physically present in Missouri for at least 30 consecutive days prior to the collection of signatures.Its most sweeping provision grants new authority to the secretary of state and attorney general to review initiative and referendum petitions for compliance with the Missouri Constitution.The effort to make it harder to get on the ballot and harder to pass a constitutional amendment has been a GOP priority for several years. In the past two election cycles, voters have expanded Medicaid coverage and legalized recreational marijuana, circumventing the GOP majority that opposed both. The push to raise the threshold on amendments proposed by initiative has taken on a new urgency for Republicans as abortion-rights supporters move ahead with a signature campaign to make this year's ballot.The results on abortion amendments in other states has Missouri abortion foes anxious about whether they can defend the state's almost total ban in a statewide election. Voters in Ohio last year rejected an effort to increase the majority needed to pass constitutional amendments before voting 57% in favor of abortion rights. And in 2022, Kansas voters defeated an attempt to restrict abortion rights by a landslide vote.Gov. Kelly Keep Kansas GOP In Linehttps://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/20/kansas-house-republicans-fail-to-override-governors-veto-on-massive-tax-reform-bill/Kansas House Republicans fail to override governor's veto on massive tax reform billBY: TIM CARPENTER - FEBRUARY 20, 2024 12:41 PM     TOPEKA — The Republican-led Kansas House failed Tuesday to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly ‘s veto of a tax reform bill anchored by implementation of a single, flat state income tax rate of 5.25% in addition to elimination of the state sales tax on groceries and creation of a tax exemption for all Social Security income.The GOP holds supermajorities in the House and Senate, but there was skepticism that both chambers could muster two-thirds majorities necessary to rebuke Kelly given opposition among conservative and moderate Republicans to parts of the three-year, $1.6 billion tax cut favoring the state's most wealthy. Kelly said the decision of House members to sustain her veto was a win for working-class Kansans who would have seen “little relief under this irresponsible flat tax experiment.” The Legislature should move ahead with her proposal for reducing $1 billion in taxes over three years.The governor said “I urge legislators to work together to cut taxes in a way that continues our economic growth and maintains our solid fiscal foundation while benefitting all Kansans, not just those at the top,”.Rep. Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita, said the cost of the tax reform bill could reach $600 million annually when fully implemented, and the plan didn't do enough for the middle class in Kansas. He said a married couple earning $42,000 to $75,000 per year would only see an income tax reduction of about 75 cents.Rep. Trevor Jacobs of Fort Scott was among Republicans who opposed overriding Kelly's veto. He said the flat tax would force the state's working class to carry a larger burden of the state tax load. And the 2024 Legislature had sufficient time to develop an alternative that provided tax relief to all Kansans rather than just a select few.Good thinking! See it's not just Democrats who think KS Gov Laura Kelly knows what she's doing. Welp, that's it for me! From Denver I'm Sean Diller. Stories in today's show appeared first in the Missouri Independent, Kansas Reflector, Texas Tribune, and Capitol News Illinois. Thanks for listening, see you next time.  @TheHeartlandPOD on Twitter and ThreadsCo-HostsAdam Sommer @Adam_Sommer85 (Twitter) @adam_sommer85 (Post)Rachel Parker @msraitchetp (Post) Sean Diller (no social)The Heartland Collective - Sign Up Today!JOIN PATREON FOR MORE - AND JOIN OUR SOCIAL NETWORK!“Change The Conversation”Outro Song: “The World Is On Fire” by American Aquarium http://www.americanaquarium.com/

The Heartland POD for Friday, February 23, 2024A flyover from this weeks top heartland stories including:Primary voting is underway in Texas | Kansas Medicaid expansion update | Illinois Gov J.B. Pritzker lays out priorities as a progressive pragmatist | Missouri Democrats filibuster ballot candy | KS Gov Laura Kelly's veto will stand Primary voting is underway in Texashttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/21/julie-johnson-brian-williams-congressional-district-32-colin-allred/BY SEJAL GOVINDARAOFEB. 21, 2024WASHINGTON — In 2018, Rep. Colin Allred flipped Texas' 32nd Congressional District, turning the Dallas-based district into a blue stronghold. Now, as the Democrat vies to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a crowded field of 10 Democrats is lining up to replace him.Dr. Brian Williams, a trauma surgeon, and State Rep. Julie Johnson, of Farmers Branch, are leading the field in the Democratic primary with their fundraising efforts, each amassing about a million dollars in campaign donations since their campaigns were registered at the beginning of last summer.Ideologically, Williams and Johnson are aligned. They both rank health care a top priority if elected, and have touted their ability to work across the aisle.Johnson, a trial lawyer in her third term in the state House rode the 2019 blue wave to unseat hardline conservative incumbent Matt Rinaldi, by 13 points. Rinaldi now chairs the state GOP. In her three terms, at least 40 of the bills Johnson has co-authored or joint-authored have been signed into law.As a Democrat in the Republican-dominated state Legislature, Johnson has played a lot of defense trying to kill bills she and other progressives deem harmful. Johnson, who is gay, said she and other members of the House's LGBTQ caucus have had success in killing anti-LGBTQ bills by mastering the rules of procedure and “being better at the rules than the other side.” In 2019, she took down a House version of the so-called “Save Chick-fil-A bill” on a rule technicality. The bill was a response to a San Antonio airport kicking out the fast food restaurant over criticism of its religiously affiliated donations to anti-LGBTQ groups. It was revived in another bill and passed into law.If elected, Johnson would be the first openly LGBTQ member of Congress from a Southern state. She's drawn notable endorsements from Beto O'Rourke, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, EMILY's List, Equality PAC, and several labor unions.Matt Angle, director of Lone Star Project, a Texas group that works to boost Democrats, said Johnson is the frontrunner in the race, but Williams is a formidable challenger.“Make no mistake about it though,” Angle said. “Julie Johnson has a voter base within the district not only from her old district, but also just from years of being an active Democratic activist and a donor and really a couple of just outstanding terms in the legislature.”While he may be new to the Texas political arena, Williams is no stranger to the halls of Congress.Williams was a health policy adviser to U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy — who endorsed him — to help pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022 – the farthest reaching gun safety legislation in decades. The legislation, crafted in the aftermath of the shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo New York, allocated millions of dollars to expand mental health resources, strengthens background checks and tightens the boyfriend loophole. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn was a lead negotiator on the bill with Murphy, and Williams worked closely with Cornyn's office. In his role as a health policy advisor for Murphy, he worked across the aisle with Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana on mental health legislation.Williams also worked with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California to pass federal health care legislation related to pandemic preparedness and reducing health care costs.Williams said his experience as a trauma surgeon — operating on victims of gun violence and women experiencing reproductive health emergencies — has fueled his priorities to fight for gun restrictions and increase access to abortions and other womens' health. Williams added his perspective as a Black doctor seeing racial disparities in health care will resonate with the district's diverse constituency, given that the district is now a majority-minority district with a 37% Hispanic or Latino population, 22% Black population and 8% Asian population.“They're excited that there's someone that looks like them that can represent them in Congress,” Williams said in an interview.As Allred opted to stay neutral in the race to succeed him – Williams said he had pursued his endorsement while Johnson said she had not – the tension between Johnson and Williams has been heating up.Williams has publicly criticized Johnson for a vote she took that would have made some changes and tweaks to the state's Alternatives to Abortions program, which provides information about resources to women seeking the procedure.“I draw contrast between myself and Representative Johnson about how I am the better candidate,” Williams said.Johnson, who is endorsed by Planned Parenthood, said Williams misrepresented the vote, which she said she cast to bring the already-funded program under the scope of the Health and Human Services Commission so it could be subject to public transparency. Her campaign published a fact-check on her website, likening Williams' misrepresentation of her record to “Trumpian-style, false attacks.”Planned Parenthood was critical of the legislation.Johnson said women's health is also a priority for her, and she stands by her record.“Texas leads the nation of uninsured folks, and in maternal mortality, and in infant mortality. Obviously, we're leading the nation in an attack on women's freedom for women's reproductive health, and I've been a champion of a lot of these issues,” she said.Other candidates vying for the open seat in the March 5 primary include businessman Raja Chaudhry, tech entrepreneur Alex Cornwallis, former Dallas City Councilman and real estate broker Kevin Felder and attorney Callie Butcher, who would be the first openly transgender member of Congress if elected.If no candidate gets a majority of the vote, there will be a runoff in May. The winner of the Democratic primary will face off against the winner of the Republican primary in November but is likely to win given that the district is solidly blue.And, from Dallas we go to Houston whereAfter bruising loss in Houston mayoral race, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee faces her toughest reelection yetJackson Lee faces off against Amanda Edwards, her most formidable congressional opponent in three decades.https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/19/sheila-jackson-lee-amanda-edwards-democratic-primary-houston/BY SEJAL GOVINDARAOFEB. 19, 2024In 1994, Sheila Jackson Lee, then a 44-year-old Houston city councilwoman, unseated four-term U.S. Rep. Craig Washington in the Democratic primary, securing a seat she'd come to hold for the next 30 years.This March, former Houston City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards, 42, is hoping to replicate that political upset as she faces off against Jackson Lee in the Democratic primary for Congressional District 18.Jackson Lee, who did not respond to requests for an interview, has only drawn four primary challengers over her 14-term career, all of whom she defeated by landslide margins.She's a household name in her Houston-based district, known for her frequent visibility at constituent graduations, funerals and baby showers.But last year she ran for Houston mayor against then-state Sen. John Whitmire. It was a bruising primary — unfamiliar territory for Jackson Lee — and her campaign was roiled with negative media after audio of her berating her congressional staffers was leaked. She ended up losing the race by 30 points and then immediately announced she was running for reelection to the U.S. House.Amanda Edwards, a former intern in Jackson Lee's office, initially announced she was running for Houston mayor until the congresswoman threw her hat in the ring. At that point, Edwards pivoted — endorsing Jackson Lee as mayor and beginning her own bid for Congress.By the time Jackson Lee announced she was running for her House seat again, Edwards had already gained momentum. In the fourth quarter of last year, Edwards outraised the congresswoman 10 to 1 — $272,000 to Jackson Lee's $23,000.Mark Jones, Baker Institute fellow in political science at Rice University said, “This could be the year that Congresswoman Jackson Lee loses. And given that as a safe, Democratic, seat whoever wins the primary will be headed to Washington in January of 2025”Jackson Lee holds a narrow lead in primary polls, while 16% of voters remain undecided. Edwards, a native Houstonian, said her commitment to public service is propelled by her father's battle with cancer when she was a teenager, where she learned firsthand about the cracks in the health care system and how “policy could be a matter of life and death.” She served as an at-large Houston City Council member from 2016 to 2020, where she represented a constituency of more than 2 million people.In her race to beat Jackson Lee, Edwards has garnered some notable endorsements including the Harris County Young Democrats, and the Harris County chapter of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats – both of which endorsed Jackson Lee in past races.The Harris County Young Democrats rescinded its endorsement of Jackson Lee in the mayoral race — citing a “zero tolerance policy” for staff abuse.Lenard Polk, Harris County chapter president of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, said Jackson Lee's leaked audio tape controversy also factored into the committee's decision to not endorse her. On the recording Jackson Lee berates a staffer for not having a document she was looking for and calls two of her staffers “Goddamn big-ass children, fuckin' idiots who serve no Goddamn purpose.”He said endorsement committee members were still “quite upset” over the tape and it “wasn't a good look” for Jackson Lee. The leaked tape fueled discourse about Jackson Lee's reputation as an unkind boss on Capitol Hill – she regularly makes Washingtonian Magazine's worst of Congress list and her office has high turnover rates.Polk added that voters felt abandoned by Jackson Lee, who jumped into the mayor's race without endorsing someone to take her place, only to file for reelection a day after losing.Jackson Lee's battle to retain her seat is made tougher by 2021 redistricting, because the 18th district now includes more young white professionals who do not have the same level of loyalty to her as longtime district residents.But despite any damage she may have incurred from her mayoral run, Jackson Lee remains a powerful political force in her district.County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, who is backing Jackson Lee, said he doesn't know anyone in local politics with her “energy level,” and that Jackson Lee has secured meaningful federal grants for her district – most recently $20.5 million to Harris County Public Health Department's Uplift Harris Guaranteed Income Pilot project. He also said she has a reputation for being a reliably progressive voice in Congress.Jackson Lee has a long list of powerful endorsements from House Democratic leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Minority Whip Katherine Clarke. She's backed by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and other members of Texas' Washington delegation including Democratic Reps. Lizzie Fletcher of Houston, Lloyd Doggett of Austin, Henry Cuellar of Laredo and Joaquin Castro of San Antonio.Ellis said Jackson Lee may not be a strong fundraiser but she will benefit from her incumbency advantage.Linda Bell-Robinson, a Houston Democratic precinct chair, said she is fighting for Jackson Lee to retain her seat because seniority in Congress is important and Edwards would be learning the ropes as a freshman if elected.“We need fighters,” she said. “We don't need people trying to learn how to fight on the battlefield. We need people who are already fighting and know how to fight their fight.SEAN: Super interesting race. For my part, I don't have any problem with members of Congress being extremely tough to work for. I have problems with lying, fraud, criminal activity, and squishy voting records. Congresswoman Jackson Lee has 100% ratings from Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and AFL-CIO. She has a 95% rating from League of Conservation VotersNew estimate predicts Medicaid expansion would serve 152K at no cost to stateA $509M federal incentive would help offset state cost for first eight yearsBY: SHERMAN SMITH - FEBRUARY 22, 2024 4:22 PMhttps://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/22/new-estimate-predicts-medicaid-expansion-would-serve-152k-at-no-cost-to-state/TOPEKA — The Kansas Health Institute on Thursday unveiled its analysis of Gov. Laura Kelly's proposal to expand Medicaid, predicting 152,000 Kansans would enroll in the first year with no additional cost to the state government.The Democratic governor has made passage of Medicaid expansion a top legislative priority this year, following her statewide campaign to promote the policy last fall. But Republican leadership in the Legislature opposes the policy and has blocked hearings on Medicaid expansion for four years.Kansas is one of just 10 states that still haven't expanded Medicaid since President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act in 2010.The state-run version of Medicaid, called KanCare, provides health care services to low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities. Currently, those who earn less than 38% of the federal poverty level are eligible. For a family of four, the annual income limit is $11,400.Under the ACA, also known as Obamacare, the federal government offers to cover 90% of the cost of Medicaid services in exchange for expanding eligibility to 138% of the federal poverty rate. The annual income threshold for a family of four would be $41,400.Kelly's proposal includes a work requirement with exceptions for full-time students, veterans, caregivers, people with partial disabilities, and former foster kids. Her plan also would add a new surcharge for hospitals.KHI predicts the change in income eligibility would result in 151,898 people enrolling in KanCare — 106,450 adults and 45,448 children. Those numbers include 68,236 adults and 16,377 children who are currently uninsured.About 68.9% of the adults are already working at least part-time, according to the KHI analysis. Of the remaining 31.1% KHI determined 19.1% of the unemployed adults have a disability, 16.1% are students and 3.8% are veterans.KHI calculated the cost to the state for expanding Medicaid over the first eight years would be fully offset — mostly because of a $509 million incentive included in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Other savings would come from the federal government picking up more of the tab on existing services, as well as the new surcharge on hospitals. The Kansas Sunflower Foundation on Thursday released findings from surveys that found 68% of Kansas voters, including 51% of Republicans and 83% of small business owners support Medicaid expansion.Steve Baccus, an Ottawa County farmer and former president of Kansas Farm Bureau, said in a news release that expanding Medicaid was about “investing in the well-being of our communities.”Baccus said “Our rural communities are often struggling to keep Main Street open and to continue to offer the necessary services to the surrounding agricultural enterprises. A community that can offer a total health care package has an advantage in maintaining a viable town.”The findings are consistent with a Fort Hays State University poll that was released in October.With budget proposal and fiery address, Pritzker paints himself as progressive pragmatistThursday, February 22, 2024Governor's spending plan advances progressive-backed policies in tight fiscal landscapeBy HANNAH MEISELCapitol News Illinoishmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.comhttps://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/with-budget-proposal-and-fiery-address-pritzker-paints-himself-as-progressive-pragmatistSPRINGFIELD – In delivering his annual State of the State and budget address on Wednesday, Gov. JB Pritzker cast his administration as both progressive and pragmatic – a balance he's worked to strike as his national profile has grown.Some elements of the governor's proposed spending plan, like using $10 million in state funds to eliminate $1 billion worth of Illinoisans' medical debt, are hardline progressive ideas. Others, including a goal to achieve “universal preschool” by 2027, fit in with a more traditional liberal platform.But Pritzker has also defined his success in traditional economic terms, putting particular stock into how New York City-based credit ratings agencies view Illinois' finances, while also positioning Illinois as a hub for emerging technologies like electric vehicles and quantum computing. As Illinois faces an influx of migrants from the southern U.S. border Pritzker has leaned into a leadership style that prioritizes progressive ideals while projecting an image of fiscal responsibility.As he outlined a proposal to add $182 Million toward the state's migrant response, Gov. Pritzker said, “We didn't ask for this manufactured crisis, But we must deal with it all the same.”“Children, pregnant women, and the elderly have been sent here in the dead of night, left far from our designated welcome centers, in freezing temperatures, wearing flip flops and T-shirts,” Pritzker said. “Think about that the next time a politician from Texas wants to lecture you about being a good Christian.”The governor was met with big applause from Democrats in laying out his proposed “Healthcare Consumer Access and Protection Act,” which would, in part, ban “prior authorization” requirements for mental health treatment.Pritzker characterized the practice of prior authorization as a way for insurance companies to deny the care that doctors have prescribed.Pritzker is also proposing spending $10 million in state funds to buy Illinoisans' past-due medical debt that's been sent to collections. Partnering with national nonprofit RIP Medical Debt, which buys debt for pennies on the dollar on the same market that collections agencies purchase the rights to the debts, the governor said Illinois could “relieve nearly $1 billion in medical debt for the first cohort of 340,000 Illinoisans.”The governor spent time noting two key places he said Illinois fails its Black citizens:  maternal mortality and disproportionate rates of homelessness. To combat Black maternal mortality rates, Pritzker proposed helping more community-based reproductive health centers to open, citing Illinois' first freestanding nonprofit birthing center in Berwyn as a model.He said, “Black women in our state are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.” Pritzker proposed spending an additional $50 million on the state's “Home Illinois” program launched in 2021, in part to “attack the root causes of housing insecurity for Black Illinoisans.” He cited a statistic that Black people make up 61 percent of Illinois' homeless population despite only being 14 percent of the state's general population.Additionally, the governor proposed a $1 million pilot program for free diapers for low-income families, as well as a $5 million increased investment in an existing home visit program “for our most vulnerable families” with babies in their first year.His budget also includes $12 million to create a child tax credit for families with children under three with incomes below a certain threshold. Among the successes Pritzker pointed to, perhaps the most salient is his claim that Illinois' new “Smart Start” early childhood program – proposed last year in the governor's second inaugural address – had exceeded its first-year goals.The program aimed to create 5,000 new preschool seats last year, but ended up creating 5,823, Pritzker said – a 15 percent overperformance. “As a result, right now we have over 82,000 publicly-funded preschool classroom seats – the highest number in our state's history. Staying on the Smart Start plan, we will achieve universal preschool by 2027.”Echoing his 2022 election-year call for a temporary pause on the state's 1 percent tax on groceries, Pritzker on Wednesday proposed nixing the grocery tax altogether.He said “It's one more regressive tax we just don't need. If it reduces inflation for families from 4 percent to 3 percent, even if it only puts a few hundred bucks back in families' pockets, it's the right thing to do.”Even while proposing a series of progressive expenditures, the governor also sought to cast himself as a pragmatist when it comes to state finances. The state has seen strong revenue performances in the past few years, But in November, the governor's own economic forecasting office predicted a nearly $900 million deficit in the fiscal year that begins July 1.“Our FY25 budget proposal makes some hard choices,” Pritzker said Wednesday. “I wish we had big surpluses to work with this year to take on every one of the very real challenges we face.”Illinois' once-paltry “rainy day” fund now has $2 billion socked away, the governor noted, and the state has paid off high-interest debt during his five years in office.To mitigate Illinois' previously projected deficit, Pritzker is proposing to more than double the tax rate paid by sportsbooks on profits – a change that would bring in an estimated $200 million annually. He also proposed extending an existing cap on operating losses that businesses can claim on taxes, which could help generate more than $500 million, the governor's office claims.Another revenue generator proposed by the governor: raising $101 million by capping a sales tax credit retailers are allowed to claim. But business groups on Wednesday signaled they'd put up a fight. In his first few months in office in 2019, Pritzker used his fresh political capital to muscle a $15 minimum wage ramp through the legislature – a long-fought-for progressive policy goal – followed closely by a trip to New York City to meet with executives at the influential big three credit ratings agencies.When Pritzker took office, Illinois' credit ratings were hovering around “junk” status after a two-year budget impasse under his predecessor, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. And though Illinois suffered a final credit downgrade in the early months of COVID, the state has since received nine upgrades.The governor on Wednesday held those upgrades in high regard, saying“My one line in the sand is that I will only sign a budget that is responsibly balanced and that does not diminish or derail the improving credit standing we have achieved for the last five years,”Andrew Adams contributed.Missouri Senate Dems Hold The Line In Ballot Fighthttps://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/20/democrat-filibuster-forces-removal-of-ballot-candy-from-senate-initiative-petition-bill/BY: RUDI KELLER - FEBRUARY 20, 2024 5:15 PM     A Democratic filibuster that stretched more than 20 hours ended this week when Senate Republicans stripped provisions critics derided as “ballot candy” from a proposal to make it harder to pass constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petitions.Ballot candy refers to language designed to trick voters - into thinking the initiative is about ensuring only citizens vote, for instance - when that's totally irrelevant to the question voters are deciding.By an 18-12 vote, with nine Republicans and nine Democrats forming the majority, language that stated non-citizens could not vote on constitutional amendments was removed, as were sections barring foreign governments and political parties from taking sides in Missouri ballot measures.The Senate then, by a voice vote, gave first-round approval to the bill that would require both a statewide majority and a majority vote in five of the state's eight congressional districts to pass future constitutional amendments.The proposal would alter the way Missourians have approved constitutional changes since the first statewide vote on a constitution in 1846.Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo of Independence, a Democrat, said, “All we're asking for is a fair fight. And the Republicans know if it's a fair fight, they lose, which is why they have to pump it full of ballot candy and mislead voters.”Meanwhile, the House spent much of Tuesday morning debating legislation that would make changes to the signature gathering process for initiative petition campaigns.Among numerous provisions, the bill would require signatures be recorded using black or dark ink and that signature gatherers be citizens of the United States, residents of Missouri or physically present in Missouri for at least 30 consecutive days prior to the collection of signatures.Its most sweeping provision grants new authority to the secretary of state and attorney general to review initiative and referendum petitions for compliance with the Missouri Constitution.The effort to make it harder to get on the ballot and harder to pass a constitutional amendment has been a GOP priority for several years. In the past two election cycles, voters have expanded Medicaid coverage and legalized recreational marijuana, circumventing the GOP majority that opposed both. The push to raise the threshold on amendments proposed by initiative has taken on a new urgency for Republicans as abortion-rights supporters move ahead with a signature campaign to make this year's ballot.The results on abortion amendments in other states has Missouri abortion foes anxious about whether they can defend the state's almost total ban in a statewide election. Voters in Ohio last year rejected an effort to increase the majority needed to pass constitutional amendments before voting 57% in favor of abortion rights. And in 2022, Kansas voters defeated an attempt to restrict abortion rights by a landslide vote.Gov. Kelly Keep Kansas GOP In Linehttps://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/20/kansas-house-republicans-fail-to-override-governors-veto-on-massive-tax-reform-bill/Kansas House Republicans fail to override governor's veto on massive tax reform billBY: TIM CARPENTER - FEBRUARY 20, 2024 12:41 PM     TOPEKA — The Republican-led Kansas House failed Tuesday to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly ‘s veto of a tax reform bill anchored by implementation of a single, flat state income tax rate of 5.25% in addition to elimination of the state sales tax on groceries and creation of a tax exemption for all Social Security income.The GOP holds supermajorities in the House and Senate, but there was skepticism that both chambers could muster two-thirds majorities necessary to rebuke Kelly given opposition among conservative and moderate Republicans to parts of the three-year, $1.6 billion tax cut favoring the state's most wealthy. Kelly said the decision of House members to sustain her veto was a win for working-class Kansans who would have seen “little relief under this irresponsible flat tax experiment.” The Legislature should move ahead with her proposal for reducing $1 billion in taxes over three years.The governor said “I urge legislators to work together to cut taxes in a way that continues our economic growth and maintains our solid fiscal foundation while benefitting all Kansans, not just those at the top,”.Rep. Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita, said the cost of the tax reform bill could reach $600 million annually when fully implemented, and the plan didn't do enough for the middle class in Kansas. He said a married couple earning $42,000 to $75,000 per year would only see an income tax reduction of about 75 cents.Rep. Trevor Jacobs of Fort Scott was among Republicans who opposed overriding Kelly's veto. He said the flat tax would force the state's working class to carry a larger burden of the state tax load. And the 2024 Legislature had sufficient time to develop an alternative that provided tax relief to all Kansans rather than just a select few.Good thinking! See it's not just Democrats who think KS Gov Laura Kelly knows what she's doing. Welp, that's it for me! From Denver I'm Sean Diller. Stories in today's show appeared first in the Missouri Independent, Kansas Reflector, Texas Tribune, and Capitol News Illinois. Thanks for listening, see you next time.  @TheHeartlandPOD on Twitter and ThreadsCo-HostsAdam Sommer @Adam_Sommer85 (Twitter) @adam_sommer85 (Post)Rachel Parker @msraitchetp (Post) Sean Diller (no social)The Heartland Collective - Sign Up Today!JOIN PATREON FOR MORE - AND JOIN OUR SOCIAL NETWORK!“Change The Conversation”Outro Song: “The World Is On Fire” by American Aquarium http://www.americanaquarium.com/

Tonight, on Trackside with Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin, they talk about Conor Daly and Ryan Hunter-Reay signing to DRR and recap the Kyle Larson test. They talk about how important it is to have Kyle Larson competing in the Indianapolis 500 this year. Kevin discusses the success of crossover drivers from NASCAR in the past, including Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart, and John Andretti. They talked about the financial status of DRR, and the likelihood of the team going full time soon. Curt talks about the possibility of RC Enerson and Abel Motorsports competing at the 500 also.  Later in the first hour of the show, Kevin talks about a controversial topic, a charter system. Kevin explains that owners in other sports can cash out, something that does not exist in IndyCar under the current Leader Circle system. Kevin explains that that is the business of the sport, and how this could lead to guaranteed spots at the IMS. Curt lists some of the most surprising DNQs at IMS, and the importance of a team making the race.  Kevin rounds out the first hour previewing the second hour.   In the second hour of the show, Kevin talks about a new face that will be working for Ganassi next season in the position of lead engineer. Curt talks about a conversation he had with Will Power and how the hybrid engine is coming along, and how far they've come since the earlier tests. Power says that the hybrid engine will not take much adjustment. Kevin brings up F1's rejection of Andretti's team, and how harsh their rejection was. The main reason comes down to not wanting to split the money 11 ways.  During the second hour, Kevin reviews some tweets, and answers questions regarding the charter system. He also talks about some of the drivers he is most excited to see.  Kevin ends the show talking to Jackson Lee about what it's like racing at Daytona on the road course.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight, on Trackside with Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin, they talk about Josef Newgarden's face reveal on the Borg-Warner Trophy from his recent Indianapolis 500 victory. They also discuss Sting Ray Robb's recent signing to A.J. Foyt Enterprises and if the second car will be occupied by either Benjamin Pedersen or Santino Ferrucci. Then they close out the first segment with more talks about Honda's negotiations with IndyCar.  Later in the first hour of the show, Kevin and Curt talk about who could end up driving for Dale Coyne Racing next season, rumors such as Devlin DeFrancesco or Callum Ilott or Benjamin Pedersen and more.  Kevin rounds out the first hour previewing the second hour.  In the second hour of the show, Kevin and Curt talk about silly season rumors for next season especially about Juri Vips and others. They also discussed Will Power, Romain Grosjean, and Colton Herta on who will have a turnaround year in 2024. Finally, what race will be rewatched the most during the off season.  During the second hour, Kevin and Curt look at Tweets and discuss the delay of the new hybrid engines and how soon could IndyCar run them, maybe at The Thermal Club.   Kevin ends the show by reading some Tweets and talking about Jackson Lee on his IMSA debut and the Iowa Speedway's recent announcement of concerts featuring Luke Combs and Post Malone. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Jim and Greg serve up three good martinis to start the week. First, they watch new Argentinian President Javier Milei with great interest, especially after he shuttered 12 of 21 government ministries on his first day in office. What impact will these libertarian principles have on the nation and beyond?They also breathe a sigh of relief for Houston, Texas. While they have no great expectations for incoming Mayor John Whitmire, they're glad that voters rejected longtime far left Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee by a wide margin.Finally, they discuss a survey of college students showing 86 percent support the phrase "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free." Yet only 47 percent know which river and sea are involved. And the good news is that the vast majority of students who realized that the chant implies the eradication of Israel then oppose it.Please visit our great sponsors:4Patriothttps://4Patriots.com/martiniCatch the deal of the day before it is gone! Proviahttps://proviahair.com/martiniGet better hair with Provia! Order now and save an extra 10% off just in time for the holidays.

Join Jim and Greg serve up three good martinis to start the week. First, they watch new Argentinian President Javier Milei with great interest, especially after he shuttered 12 of 21 government ministries on his first day in office. What impact will these libertarian principles have on the nation and beyond? They also breathe a […]

Whitmire Wins Houston Mayoral Race… Shelley Luther Sets Re-match Against Phelan Ally… 2023 Conservative Leaders Announced… This Week In History…

Ed is joined by BRM and his brother to preview the Army Navy game and discuss a plethora of topics.

TODAY IS NOVEMBER 27, 2023 IT'S CYBER MONDAY! THEY WANT Y'ALL TO SPEND MO MONEY!  TODAY IS ALSO A REMINDER TO PUT THEM LEFTOVERS IN THE TRASH! UNLESS YOU WANNA BE OFF WORK AGAIN, BUT FOR FOOD POISONING THIS WEEK.   COMING UP ON THE SHOW TODAY: HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM! NOT REALLY, BUT Y'ALL DO HAVE A BIG MAYORAL RUN-OFF ELECTION, DECEMBER 9TH, BETWEEN U.S. REPRESENTATIVE SHEILA JACKSON LEE AND STATE SENATOR JOHN WHITMIRE. WE WANNA KNOW WHO'S GETTING YOUR VOTE AND WHY? WHAT DO THE NAMES–JAMIE FOXX, BILL COSBY, DIDDY, LA REID AND A HOST OF CELEBRITY MEN ALL HAVE IN COMMON? SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS. YIKES. WE'LL DISCUSS NEW YORK'S ADULT SURVIVORS ACT AND HOW SOME PEOPLE ARE REACTING RIDICULOUSLY TO ALL THIS NEWS. A FOUR DAY TRUCE IS IN EFFECT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS AND PRISONERS ARE BEING RELEASED, BUT DON'T BE FOOLED. THERE'S STILL THINGS HAPPENING THAT THE NAKED EYE CAN'T SEE.    ANGELINA JOLIE “DID THE RIGHT THING” AND LET HER DAUGHTER PLEDGE AKA AT SPELMAN COLLEGE, WHICH MADE US WONDER– WHAT ARE SOME THINGS WHITE PEOPLE SHOULD VOW TO DO BEFORE ADOPTING BLACK CHILDREN?!    WE'LL KICK OFF OUR GROUP CHAT TOPIC OF THE WEEK - AND THIS WEEK, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GOING TO THE CLUB. PEOPLE DON'T DANCE NO MO'! BUT WHY?! WE'LL GET INTO IT.   4:04  Polls have suggested that Democratic U.S. Representative Shelia Jackson Lee faces an uphill climb in her Houston mayoral runoff race against  Democratic state Sen. John Whitmire.  Experts say that for Jackson Lee to win, she must broaden her support among independents and Republicans, as well as drive record Black voter turnout. After an audio recording of her cursing out her staffers was released, the Harris County Young Democrats, announced they were withdrawing their support for Jackson Lee LET'S LISTEN TO THE RANT. 9:24 – Amanda Recaps the Weekend – Holiday Edition.   14:22 – 60 Second Headlines Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips a 3 term Minnesota Congressman, has launched his 2024 White House bid to challenge President Joe Biden.   Lauryn Hill has announced that the remaining dates from her The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 25th anniversary tour have been postponed to sometime next year. Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer that was convicted of murdering George Floyd, was stabbed by another inmate and seriously injured this past Friday at a federal prison in Arizona.   Four decades after the original “Beverly Hills Cop” movie premiered, Eddie Murphy's Axel Foley is back on the case in the upcoming fourth installment of the iconic franchise.   17:44 - COMING UP THIS HOUR IN BLACKURATE NEWS:  A FOUR DAY TRUCE IS IN EFFECT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS AND PRISONERS ARE BEING RELEASED. YOU KNOW I HAVE THOUGHTS ON THAT. ANGELINA JOLIE'S MAKING SURE HER DAUGHTER EMBRACES THE CULTURE.  WHICH MADE US WONDER– WHAT ARE SOME THINGS WHITE PEOPLE SHOULD VOW TO DO BEFORE ADOPTING BLACK CHILDREN?!  PLUS, THE BIG UP, LET DOWN!!   20:27 - The cease-fire between Israel and Hamas was back on track Sunday as the militants freed 17 more hostages, including 14 Israelis and the first American, in a third exchange under a four-day truce that the U.S. said it hoped would be extended.  In turn, Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu issued a statement saying he had spoken to Biden and reiterated his offer to extend the cease-fire by an additional day for every 10 hostages Hamas releases. But he said Israel would resume its offensive “with all of our might” once the truce expires.   26:45 - Zahara Marley Jolie, daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, crossed the burning sands into AKA-land.  Joined the “Sweet” Mu Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated at Spelman College. She introduces herself: “My name is Zahara Marley Jolie. I landed all the way from the Golden State in the city full of angels: Los Angeles, California. And I am this line's number seven.” We love that Angelina is encouraging her daughter to embrace THEE culture!   32:01 – The Big Up/Let Down   Big Up - to the boost the black economy is about to get.   The ALABAMA RIVERBOAT BRAWL PARTICIPANTS LAUNCHED FIGHT MERCH.   Let Down – Michael Rapaport text conversation. If you gone diss me, come for my neck!!! Not my shoulder blade. #Racist   36:49 – And Another Thing!   39:26 - COMING UP THIS HOUR: WE'LL KICK OFF THE GROUP CHAT TOPIC OF THE WEEK. AND THIS WEEK, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GOING TO THE CLUB. HOW HAS THE CLUB SCENE CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED GOING? WHAT DO DIDDY, JAMIE FOXX, L.A. REID, AND A HOST OF OTHER CELEBRITY MEN HAVE IN COMMON? WELL, THEY AIN'T PLAYING CELEBRITY FAMILY FEUD! WE'LL FILL YOU IN! 41:54 – We'll Kick Off the Group Chat Topic of the Week… TikTokers have gone viral videos saying nightlife in 2023 is not what they expected it to be. Many grew up listening to party-forward music and watching tv shows & movies where clubbing was depicted as a way of life for young adults. As they come of age in a post-pandemic, increasingly digital era, some are left underwhelmed with their nightlife experiences. Question of the week: What do you miss about going to the club back in the day?   47:50 - In the past month, a slew of sexual assault lawsuits has been filed against high-profile men in the entertainment industry for alleged abuse that took place years — and in some cases, decades — ago. The cases have been filed under the Adult Survivors Act, a New York law signed in 2022 that temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for filing a sexual assault complaint  allowing survivors one year to file suits against their alleged abusers, regardless of when the alleged abuse happened Some of the accused - Jamie Foxx, Diddy, Andrew Cuomo, L.A. Reid, Cuba Gooding Jr., Rock star- Axl Rose, celebrity photographer Terry Richardson   53:49 - THIS WEEK YOUR SMALL DOSES PODCAST EPISODE - SIDE EFFECTS OF MATURITY….. TAKE A LISTEN…   58:03 – And Another Thing – These sexual assault charges are crazy!   59:50 - IT'S TIME TO LISTEN LAUGH AND LEARN… I HAVE THE WORD FOR THE DAY…. AND THE WORD OF THE DAY IS… ABNEGATE (VERB) TO DENY OR RENOUNCE IN CONTEXT RELATING TO RESPONSIBILITY.   1:03:17 – Politicians Say the Darndest Things. 1:06:15 – Thanks for listening to The Amanda Seales Show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Road Rage Parade, Shiela Jackson Lee Rant, Dave Chapelle Israel Joke,,JAIME CA: "answer to the biblical question", ELIJAH FL: "women don't want alpha men", SUPERCHATS, JONATHAN NEBRASKA: "new listener, struggling with ex-wife"

Houston candidate for mayor Sheila Jackson Lee has been caught red-handed and loose-lipped berating her staff. It's full of curse words, and we wonder if Hillary Clinton, who assisted with her campaign, regrets that endorsement. Grace has got the (bleeped) sound-cuts of Jackson Lee as well as updates on the situation in Israel and America's reactions to it.

Tonight, on Trackside with Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin, they discuss the news of 18-year-old Kyffin Simpson being promoted from Indy NXT to Chip Ganassi Racing as their fifth full-time driver in 2024. They discuss the comments Chip Ganassi made prior to Simpson being added to their team, highlight some other drivers that could be in play for the final spot with Ed Carpenter Racing, and provide an update on where things are at right now between Alex Palou and Arrow McLaren Racing. Later in the first hour of the show, Kevin and Curt question who returns next season in the NTT IndyCar Series will be. They also speculate as to who they think will end up with Dale Coyne Racing and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Also, they answer some Twitter questions. In the second hour of the show, Kevin takes over to recap the first hour of the show. He also provides some silly season rumors regarding the schedule for the 2024 season and explains some complications that the series will have with the Olympics next year. Additionally, Kevin takes some time discussing the broadcast rights for IndyCar. In the final half hour of the program, Jackson Lee joins the program to discuss where he's going to be racing shortly and how it'll benefit him as a coach.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.