Podcasts about state constitutions

The Hidden Lightness with Jimmy Hinton – Wisconsin voters make history by amending their Constitution to require photo ID at the polls. With overwhelming support, this marks a major step toward securing election integrity. As public trust in government erodes, voter ID stands as a common-sense safeguard. I break down why this victory matters and what it means for the future of our democracy.

After Dark with Hosts Rob & Andrew – Wisconsin voters approve a constitutional amendment to secure voter ID laws, reinforcing election integrity with strong public backing. This move blocks activist courts and future rollbacks while ensuring accessible, fraud-resistant voting. Backed by Republicans and celebrated by Trump, it marks a strategic victory that strengthens trust in elections and sets a powerful precedent for other states.

Host Paul Pacelli opened Tuesday's "Connecticut Today" highlighting a push at the State Capitol to give police officers more power to stop drivers suspected of using marijuana while behind the wheel (00:36). GOP State Sen. Paul Cicarella talked about Monday's public hearing regarding that proposal for extended police powers (15:36). Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio talked about the legal and monetary risks of attaching a so-called "Green Amendment" to the State Constitution (24:06) Image Credit: iStock / Getty Images Plus

A reading and commentary on Dr. Edwin Vieira's By Tyranny Out of Necessity: The Bastardy of Martial Law, Chapters 5 and 6. Everyday Samurai episode 67 explores the stark contrast between the idealized practice of martial arts and the brutal reality of war. The episode begins with a discussion of dojo traditions and their symbolic meaning of self-renewal and the acceptance of mortality, contrasting this with helmet cam footage of a deadly knife fight between Ukrainian and Russian soldiers. This footage underscores the unpredictable and brutal nature of combat, highlighting the disconnect between training and actual conflict. The discussion then pivots to a critical examination of the modern nation-state's use of war, arguing that it often serves nefarious purposes, benefiting a select few at the expense of the many. The speakers delve into the constitutional implications of war, emphasizing the importance of Congress's power to declare war and the dangers of the military-industrial complex. The latter half of the podcast focuses on Dr. Edwin Vieira's work, "By Tyranny out of Necessity, the Bastardy of Martial Law," examining the illegitimacy of martial law under the Declaration of Independence and the historical context of the American Revolution. Martial law is antithetical to a free society, violating fundamental principles of liberty and self-governance, and that the well-regulated militia, as envisioned by the Founding Fathers, is crucial for maintaining domestic order and preventing the tyranny of a standing army. The episode concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to stay informed, vigilant, and committed to the principles of liberty. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Dojo Philosophy & Combat 00:03:42 - War Footage & Humanity 07:04 - War, Liberty, & Martial Law 11:01:50 - Martial Law & Declaration 14:41 - Dangers of a Standing Army 17:49 - Martial Law: Contradiction 21:46 - Colonial Grievances & Oppression 28:43 - Martial Law: Unjust & Unconstitutional 40:05 - State Constitutions & Military 44:01 - Civil vs. Military Power Shop.EverydaySamurai.Life Links: Link.EverydaySamurai.Life

Washington Democrats want to add ‘gender affirming care’ and abortion rights to the state constitution. Donald Trump announced that “America is Back.” // LongForm: GUEST: Klickitat County Sheriff Bob Songer explains why he is going to ignore state law and assist ICE with enforcing federal immigration law. // Quick Hit: Washington D.C. is removing its ‘Black Lives Matter’ mural.

Ed is joined by Susan Sparks-Burns who is campaigning for better conditions inside the prisons in Georgia. Georgia has some of the most punitive prison conditions in the US resulting in a higher mortality and mental illness rate than almost anywhere else in the country.She talks about the They Have No Voice movement, which represents the families and prisoners campaigning for a humane and less brutal system. She details stories from inside the prisons which may alarm.They also focus on the sentencing and punishments dished out inside the prisons, which seem to be, at best, random.This is part one of a two part interview; From the Facebook GroupDue  to the escalating incidents of violence within every prison across the  state of Georgia, we pose this question; Who is held accountable as to  why?Welcome  to Inside Georgia Prisons commentary forum. Our intention is to  enlighten and inform you as to the unreliable and reckless policies of  the Georgia Department of Corrections.  Inside Georgia Prisons invites  your comments on, past experiences and involvement in some of these  volatile incidents of brutality and neglect where the well being of  prisoners and staff alike are at risk.Inside  Georgia Prisons is open to families whose son (or daughter) have  suffered inhumane treatment at the hands of another prisoner or  department of Corrections (DOC) staff.  We welcome comments from former  and current employees and former inmates who can substantiate claims of  unjust and aggressive treatment by the Georgia Department of Corrections  administration.Our  purpose is to address these subject matters that are imposing  additional hardship on every family affected by incarceration  within  the State of Georgia.  Prevalent and related news articles are posted  and awaiting your opinion (viewpoint). Though the DOC is a dominant  organization within the State, most of the information disseminated from  them is one-sided. Inside Georgia Prisons will identify this bias data  and provide an honest platform for counter arguments.We  understand that society has regarded prisoners as offensive, yet they  forever will remain human beings. During their incarceration many  prisoners are focused upon self improvement of their past behavioral  patterns. As prisoners, they still retain indisputable rights under the  U.S. and State Constitution.  As State taxpayers, one should ensure  policy makers address important issues such as prison violence, prison  overcrowding, and prison abuse.Inside Georgia Prisons was created by advocates of those who reside and work behind Georgia prison walls and their families.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

Ed is joined by Susan Sparks-Burns who is campaigning for better conditions inside the prisons in Georgia. Georgia has some of the most punitive prison conditions in the US resulting in a higher mortality and mental illness rate than almost anywhere else in the country.She talks about the They Have No Voice movement, which represents the families and prisoners campaigning for a humane and less brutal system. She details stories from inside the prisons which may alarm.They also focus on the sentencing and punishments dished out inside the prisons, which seem to be, at best, random.This is part one of a two part interview; From the Facebook GroupDue  to the escalating incidents of violence within every prison across the  state of Georgia, we pose this question; Who is held accountable as to  why?Welcome  to Inside Georgia Prisons commentary forum. Our intention is to  enlighten and inform you as to the unreliable and reckless policies of  the Georgia Department of Corrections.  Inside Georgia Prisons invites  your comments on, past experiences and involvement in some of these  volatile incidents of brutality and neglect where the well being of  prisoners and staff alike are at risk.Inside  Georgia Prisons is open to families whose son (or daughter) have  suffered inhumane treatment at the hands of another prisoner or  department of Corrections (DOC) staff.  We welcome comments from former  and current employees and former inmates who can substantiate claims of  unjust and aggressive treatment by the Georgia Department of Corrections  administration.Our  purpose is to address these subject matters that are imposing  additional hardship on every family affected by incarceration  within  the State of Georgia.  Prevalent and related news articles are posted  and awaiting your opinion (viewpoint). Though the DOC is a dominant  organization within the State, most of the information disseminated from  them is one-sided. Inside Georgia Prisons will identify this bias data  and provide an honest platform for counter arguments.We  understand that society has regarded prisoners as offensive, yet they  forever will remain human beings. During their incarceration many  prisoners are focused upon self improvement of their past behavioral  patterns. As prisoners, they still retain indisputable rights under the  U.S. and State Constitution.  As State taxpayers, one should ensure  policy makers address important issues such as prison violence, prison  overcrowding, and prison abuse.Inside Georgia Prisons was created by advocates of those who reside and work behind Georgia prison walls and their families.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

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Hosts: Taylor Morgan and Rusty Cannon  “War on waste” as DOGE subcommittee meets for the first time  It's a "war on waste” -- that's how Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene described the focus of the first ever DOGE subcommittee meeting this morning. It comes as Elon Musk defends the efforts and actions of DOGE and as Democrats call for Musk to testify under oath about the Department of Government Efficiency. Inside Sources begins with a discussion on the latest DOGE developments.    On the Hill 2025: Legislation on housing affordability  We’re coming up on the halfway point in the 2025 Legislative General Session, but there are still plenty of bills to discuss. State Representative Carol Spackman Moss is working on a bill address affordable housing – HB286: Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund Amendments. This bill would take some revenue from liquor sales and move it into this loan fund. Rep. Moss joins Inside Sources to explain more about what her bill would do.     On the Hill 2025: Reaffirming Utah’s sovereignty  One of the unique aspects of the United States is the prevalence and importance of federalism -- some powers belong to the Federal Government and some power belong to the States. Federalism has led to disagreements between the states and the federal government many times, including here in Utah. State Senator Wayne Harper will introduce a new Senate Joint Resolution that addresses the relationship and joins the show to share the motivation behind it.    On the Hill 2025: Removing newspaper publishing requirement from Utah Constitution  The Utah Constitution says that proposed amendments to the State Constitution must be published in "at least one newspaper in every county of the state ... for two months immediately preceding the next general election." You might remember, this played a role in the courts throwing out Amendments A and D during the November election. Inside Sources digs into a new bill that would eliminate this newspaper publishing requirement.    How is President Trump responding to rising inflation rates?  Inflation continued to rise in January. And even though President Trump was only in office for 11 days in January, many people are thrusting the blame on him. The President isn’t always able to control the price of things, but Trump did promise to bring prices down on Day 1 of his administration. And he hasn’t... So, what’s he doing in response to rising prices? Rusty and Taylor give their thoughts.    Polls on Pres. Trump’s performance give insights into how Americans feeling  How's the president doing in the polls after a few weeks in office? New polling gives us an indication on what voters are pleased with and what they're annoyed with in regards to President Trump's recent decisions. The Inside Sources discuss the latest poll results.    Trump administration working towards peace between Russia and Ukraine  President Trump says he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to work towards an end of the war between Ukraine and Russia. It comes as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth says Ukraine should lower their expectations of getting land back. We hear a bit of what President Trump told reporters about the phone call.    AP reporters barred from Oval Office because of AP policy on ‘Gulf of America’  Reporters with the Associated Press have been barred from the Oval Office due to the AP’s style guide policy on how to refer to ‘Gulf of America’ -- say ‘Gulf of Mexico’ but reference President Trump’s decision to rename it. Inside Sources finishes the show with the hosts sharing thoughts on the President’s obsession with the new name.   

Hosts: Taylor Morgan and Rusty Cannon  The Utah Constitution says that proposed amendments to the State Constitution must be published in "at least one newspaper in every county of the state ... for two months immediately preceding the next general election." You might remember, this played a role in the courts throwing out Amendments A and D during the November election. Inside Sources digs into a new bill that would eliminate this newspaper publishing requirement. 

John Faso: NY State Court of Appeals to decide if 800K non citizens are allowed to vote in NYC which violates the state constitution Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this AJPH podcast episode, recorded live at the 2025 American Public Health Association Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, Vickie Mays and Alfredo Morabia speak with Adrienne R. Ghorashi and Ruqaiijah Yearby about their presentation, "Examining the Role of State Constitutions in Racism, Governance, and Health Equity." They highlight how state constitutions, rather than the federal constitution, play a crucial yet often overlooked role in shaping health inequities. The discussion explores how legal frameworks at the state level contribute to systemic disparities and how constitutional reforms could advance health equity.

In Ep. 354 Ken and Dave discuss charging Moore, the State of The State, the Speaker's priorities, Biden's goodbye, die DEI, the drunk SouthWest pilot, Florida gets a new senator, another Georgian headed to the SBA, and Trump's cabinet hearings.

9:05 – 9:22 (15mins) Weekly: Karen Kataline @KarenKataline More info on Karen: www.karenkataline.com9:41 – 9:56 (15mins) Justin Sparks In-StudioThe Laws of The House of RepresentativesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9:05 – 9:22 (15mins) Weekly: Karen Kataline @KarenKataline More info on Karen: www.karenkataline.com9:41 – 9:56 (15mins) Justin Sparks In-StudioThe Laws of The House of RepresentativesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you heard of the up coming vote on Amendment 2? (Preserve the Right to Fish & Hunt in Florida). Then if not this is your chance to make a difference! Amendment two "RIGHT TO FISH AND HUNT. — Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to preserve forever fishing and hunting, including by the use of traditional methods, as a public right and preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife. Specifies that the amendment does not limit the authority granted to the Fish and WildlifeConservation Commission under Section 9 of Article IV of the State Constitution." MORE INFORMATION VoteYesOn2 - https://voteyeson2florida.com/

OPINIONS, MORALITY, AND MEDICAL REALITY: WHY I'M A VOTING “YES” ON MISSOURI AMENDMENT 3Reader warning: This piece includes language regarding abortion, and sexual assault.As a man I am uniquely unqualified to talk about Women's reproductive health. Along with being a man, I am not a doctor and have very little formal education regarding human reproduction. In fact, in high school I was able to choose between biology and physical science (physics light) and I took physical science. Instead of human anatomy I took an astronomy class. You want to know about planetary movement via ellipse? I've got you covered. But when it comes to the science behind female reproductive matters, I am - to quote Missouri Congressman Jason Smith “not an expert” on the topic. Being not an expert on the topic, however, doesn't stop plenty of folks, men and women alike, from taking strong stances on the topic of abortion. In Missouri, where I live with my wife (who is not a medical professional either but is a mother of 3 and seems to know a bit more about her own health needs than I do) we have Amendment 3 on the November ballot. Amendment 3 (MO3) asks voters in Missouri whether or not we should amend our State Constitution to allow for reproductive care to be legal, with regulation, in the State. You can read the actual text on the Secretary of State's website. THE BASIC ARGUMENTS AGAINSTFolks arguing against MO3 have taken two main paths. First, the most common and predictable, is the purely moral argument. That abortion is wrong, period. This is typically through a religious stance. Second, is that the language of the proposed amendment allows for various other medical procedures including gender affirming care, and that somehow children will be given secret transition surgery without parental consent. Most far-fetched is that somehow these secret surgeries will be happening at school. The second argument, the one about the broad language and secret surgeries, is flat out ridiculous. It is, at best, ill-informed and at worst an intentionally misleading lie. It's so clearly incorrect that I have nothing more to say on it other than to say this: Anyone making that argument is verifiably and demonstrably wrong. The first, the moral argument, reveals an issue that is glossed over. It is not an actual argument about abortion, what it is, what it means, or when it occurs, but rather a desire to have state law mirror religious belief. The most obvious and simple retort here is that our system is intentionally designed to avoid just that. Passing laws to enact religious doctrine is inherently unconstitutional, and it has been. More importantly, the moral argument is often centered around the concept that “abortion” means killing - and ignores the reality of what “abortion” actually includes. PERSONAL EDUCATION POST DOBBS DECISION Prior to the Supreme Court's decision in the Dobb's case, overturning the Roe case and returning the question of abortion's legality to the States, I would have told you that while I supported a woman's right to choose, I thought all abortion was a tragedy. I was a fairly standard “pro-choice, but” kind of voter in that way, and it is a position that a lot of folks shared. After Dobbs, however, I learned. I educated myself on the medical procedures that fall into “abortion” and I listened to the folks who could best educate me on the topic. I listened to doctors. I listened to WOMEN. Before Dobbs I couldn't have told what a “D&C” or “D&E” procedure was, or why they were used, or when they were needed. Now, I know. You can read the actual stats on abortion in the United States including the data from the CDC which shows when in the gestational stage most abortive procedures take place.  What I learned left me with two conclusions: I knew even less than I thought about abortion. I shouldn't be making the decision about these medical issues.I mentioned above I'm a father to three, yet even after experiencing the births of my own children I was still woefully out of touch with reality. CHOICE ALLOWS HEALTH CAREWhat I know, now, is that “abortion” is a single word with a broad medical meaning. What I know  now, is that “abortion” is not what I was led to believe through my church or moral instruction on the topic. Pew Research provides the following information: “The CDC broadly divides abortions into two categories: surgical abortions and medication abortions, which involve pills. Since the Food and Drug Administration first approved abortion pills in 2000, their use has increased over time as a share of abortions nationally, according to both the CDC and Guttmacher.The majority of abortions in the U.S. now involve pills, according to both the CDC and Guttmacher. The CDC says 56% of U.S. abortions in 2021 involved pills, up from 53% in 2020 and 44% in 2019. Its figures for 2021 include the District of Columbia and 44 states that provided this data; its figures for 2020 include D.C. and 44 states (though not all of the same states as in 2021), and its figures for 2019 include D.C. and 45 states.”That same research reveals that roughly 99% of all abortion procedures, of any kind, occur prior to the third trimester. In fact, there are only a handful of states where such a procedure could even be obtained and most places where abortion is legal (which for now does NOT include MIssouri) have specific viability language. In addition, the allegations of “post birth” abortion is, to put it politely, utter nonsense.It is a fiction that is sensationalized and sold because there is simply no one in favor of murdering an infant. It's an abhorrent lie meant to inflame the passions of the person hearing it and as a result the word “abortion” is used to mean something that it simply isn't. It's a rhetorical trick, an illusion, designed to mislead you.MISSOURI'S LANGUAGEThe actual language proposed in Missouri specifically allows for regulation after “Fetal Viability” as well, so claims that MO3 will create some wild scenario where women who are 9 months pregnant are going to suddenly be lining up to have “late term” abortions is not only ridiculous and statistically false, it's a flat out lie based on the actual language, seen here directly from the ballot language itself: WORST CASES ARE HARD TO DISCUSSI will close with this unfortunate reality. There are women, girls, mothers and sisters and daughters, who are or will be in residential care. There are real stories of rape of women in care facilities. I am the father of a daughter who cannot speak without assistance, who cannot fight off a would-be attacker, but who could be a victim of just such an attack. Is it likely? No, it isn't. But it is far more real in terms of risk than the dark fantasy of infanticide peddled by anti- abortion groups. I'm voting YES on MO3 for basic freedom, for the protection of my own daughters, for my wife's access to her healthcare, and for every other person in MIssouri who might need a medical procedure that I'm not qualified to fully understand. I'm voting YES on MO3 because when it comes to medical decisions and reproductive care the only people with input should be those in the exam room. I'm voting YES on MO3 because legality and morality are not the same things and because it's not my place to decide what is right or wrong for another person's life. I'm voting YES on MO3 because I trust women to make their own decisions. I'm voting YES on MO3 because the arguments being made are false. Finally, I'm voting YES on MO3 because I'm choosing to mind my own damn business. You can too, and it's so easy to do. All you do is use the marker to fill in the bubble next to “Yes” on the ballot.”  @TheHeartlandPOD on Twitter and ThreadsCo-HostsAdam Sommer @Adam_Sommer85 (Twitter) @adam_sommer85 (Threads)Rachel Parker @msraitchetp (Threads) 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/

OPINIONS, MORALITY, AND MEDICAL REALITY: WHY I'M A VOTING “YES” ON MISSOURI AMENDMENT 3Reader warning: This piece includes language regarding abortion, and sexual assault.As a man I am uniquely unqualified to talk about Women's reproductive health. Along with being a man, I am not a doctor and have very little formal education regarding human reproduction. In fact, in high school I was able to choose between biology and physical science (physics light) and I took physical science. Instead of human anatomy I took an astronomy class. You want to know about planetary movement via ellipse? I've got you covered. But when it comes to the science behind female reproductive matters, I am - to quote Missouri Congressman Jason Smith “not an expert” on the topic. Being not an expert on the topic, however, doesn't stop plenty of folks, men and women alike, from taking strong stances on the topic of abortion. In Missouri, where I live with my wife (who is not a medical professional either but is a mother of 3 and seems to know a bit more about her own health needs than I do) we have Amendment 3 on the November ballot. Amendment 3 (MO3) asks voters in Missouri whether or not we should amend our State Constitution to allow for reproductive care to be legal, with regulation, in the State. You can read the actual text on the Secretary of State's website. THE BASIC ARGUMENTS AGAINSTFolks arguing against MO3 have taken two main paths. First, the most common and predictable, is the purely moral argument. That abortion is wrong, period. This is typically through a religious stance. Second, is that the language of the proposed amendment allows for various other medical procedures including gender affirming care, and that somehow children will be given secret transition surgery without parental consent. Most far-fetched is that somehow these secret surgeries will be happening at school. The second argument, the one about the broad language and secret surgeries, is flat out ridiculous. It is, at best, ill-informed and at worst an intentionally misleading lie. It's so clearly incorrect that I have nothing more to say on it other than to say this: Anyone making that argument is verifiably and demonstrably wrong. The first, the moral argument, reveals an issue that is glossed over. It is not an actual argument about abortion, what it is, what it means, or when it occurs, but rather a desire to have state law mirror religious belief. The most obvious and simple retort here is that our system is intentionally designed to avoid just that. Passing laws to enact religious doctrine is inherently unconstitutional, and it has been. More importantly, the moral argument is often centered around the concept that “abortion” means killing - and ignores the reality of what “abortion” actually includes. PERSONAL EDUCATION POST DOBBS DECISION Prior to the Supreme Court's decision in the Dobb's case, overturning the Roe case and returning the question of abortion's legality to the States, I would have told you that while I supported a woman's right to choose, I thought all abortion was a tragedy. I was a fairly standard “pro-choice, but” kind of voter in that way, and it is a position that a lot of folks shared. After Dobbs, however, I learned. I educated myself on the medical procedures that fall into “abortion” and I listened to the folks who could best educate me on the topic. I listened to doctors. I listened to WOMEN. Before Dobbs I couldn't have told what a “D&C” or “D&E” procedure was, or why they were used, or when they were needed. Now, I know. You can read the actual stats on abortion in the United States including the data from the CDC which shows when in the gestational stage most abortive procedures take place.  What I learned left me with two conclusions: I knew even less than I thought about abortion. I shouldn't be making the decision about these medical issues.I mentioned above I'm a father to three, yet even after experiencing the births of my own children I was still woefully out of touch with reality. CHOICE ALLOWS HEALTH CAREWhat I know, now, is that “abortion” is a single word with a broad medical meaning. What I know  now, is that “abortion” is not what I was led to believe through my church or moral instruction on the topic. Pew Research provides the following information: “The CDC broadly divides abortions into two categories: surgical abortions and medication abortions, which involve pills. Since the Food and Drug Administration first approved abortion pills in 2000, their use has increased over time as a share of abortions nationally, according to both the CDC and Guttmacher.The majority of abortions in the U.S. now involve pills, according to both the CDC and Guttmacher. The CDC says 56% of U.S. abortions in 2021 involved pills, up from 53% in 2020 and 44% in 2019. Its figures for 2021 include the District of Columbia and 44 states that provided this data; its figures for 2020 include D.C. and 44 states (though not all of the same states as in 2021), and its figures for 2019 include D.C. and 45 states.”That same research reveals that roughly 99% of all abortion procedures, of any kind, occur prior to the third trimester. In fact, there are only a handful of states where such a procedure could even be obtained and most places where abortion is legal (which for now does NOT include MIssouri) have specific viability language. In addition, the allegations of “post birth” abortion is, to put it politely, utter nonsense.It is a fiction that is sensationalized and sold because there is simply no one in favor of murdering an infant. It's an abhorrent lie meant to inflame the passions of the person hearing it and as a result the word “abortion” is used to mean something that it simply isn't. It's a rhetorical trick, an illusion, designed to mislead you.MISSOURI'S LANGUAGEThe actual language proposed in Missouri specifically allows for regulation after “Fetal Viability” as well, so claims that MO3 will create some wild scenario where women who are 9 months pregnant are going to suddenly be lining up to have “late term” abortions is not only ridiculous and statistically false, it's a flat out lie based on the actual language, seen here directly from the ballot language itself: WORST CASES ARE HARD TO DISCUSSI will close with this unfortunate reality. There are women, girls, mothers and sisters and daughters, who are or will be in residential care. There are real stories of rape of women in care facilities. I am the father of a daughter who cannot speak without assistance, who cannot fight off a would-be attacker, but who could be a victim of just such an attack. Is it likely? No, it isn't. But it is far more real in terms of risk than the dark fantasy of infanticide peddled by anti- abortion groups. I'm voting YES on MO3 for basic freedom, for the protection of my own daughters, for my wife's access to her healthcare, and for every other person in MIssouri who might need a medical procedure that I'm not qualified to fully understand. I'm voting YES on MO3 because when it comes to medical decisions and reproductive care the only people with input should be those in the exam room. I'm voting YES on MO3 because legality and morality are not the same things and because it's not my place to decide what is right or wrong for another person's life. I'm voting YES on MO3 because I trust women to make their own decisions. I'm voting YES on MO3 because the arguments being made are false. Finally, I'm voting YES on MO3 because I'm choosing to mind my own damn business. You can too, and it's so easy to do. All you do is use the marker to fill in the bubble next to “Yes” on the ballot.”  @TheHeartlandPOD on Twitter and ThreadsCo-HostsAdam Sommer @Adam_Sommer85 (Twitter) @adam_sommer85 (Threads)Rachel Parker @msraitchetp (Threads) 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/

Proposition One - Will New Yorkers add new rights to the State Constitution? - 10/08/24 Empire State legislators have asked New York's voters to amend the State Constitution. With a title of the "Equal Rights Amendment" it is getting broad support as a means to lock in abortion as a protected activity. However many pro-family advocates across the political spectrum are now expressing concern about how Proposal One's wording could open the door to transgender procedures with no parental notification, endangers women's sports, and could add voting rights for non-citizens. Western New York State Senator George Borrello also tells us that, if this is approved by a majority this fall, it will create big business for attorneys who will file many more lawsuits related to the new Constitutional protections. Borrello is among the organizers for a public information forum on Prop One. That public meeting was Tuesday (October 8) in Corning, New York. He spoke Wednesday morning about the issues with Bob Price of Family Life News.   For further information: The official text of this proposed Constitutional Amendment: NY Board of Elections website The New York Times article to which the senator refers Other analysis of the implications of this "Equal Rights Amendment":  Olean Times Herald,  WSJ,  NYCLU,  NYFA         #newsmaker interview

On today's show, we hear about the Arkansas Constitution's road trip, which includes a stop at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. We learn more about the physical copy of the Constitution as it prepares for its 150 anniversary. Plus, training librarians to facilitate telehealth appointments. Also, writer Padma Viswanathan talks her new novel.

Is the president above the law? Is the Electoral College democratic? In this episode, historian Jonathan Gienapp critiques the mainstream use of originalism, arguing that it often neglects crucial historical context, overlooking the complexities of original public understanding. The conversation dives into recent court cases, highlighting tensions between historical interpretation and contemporary judicial practices. This is clearly illustrated in Gienapp's discussion of the Electoral College—a uniquely American invention. He explains the historical roots of the Electoral College, the Framers' intentions, and the criticisms it faces today. He also sheds light on how the Electoral College emerged as a compromise among less desirable options and the historical context surrounding its establishment, including issues of accountability and regional interests. The conversation also touches on ongoing debates about potential reforms, public sentiment toward a national popular vote, and the challenges of amending the Constitution in today's contentious political landscape. Join us for an enlightening discussion that bridges history with contemporary constitutional debates.Connect:Episode Transcripts >>> Stanford Legal Podcast WebsiteStanford Legal Podcast >>> LinkedIn PageRich Ford >>>  Twitter/XPam Karlan >>> Stanford Law School PageStanford Law School >>> Twitter/XStanford  Law Magazine >>> Twitter/XLinks:Jonathan Gienapp >>> Stanford Law School Page(00:00:00) Chapter 1: Introduction and the Flaws of OriginalismHosts Pam Karlan and Rich Ford discuss the key issues with modern originalism, focusing on how originalists often overlook the historical context necessary to truly capture the Constitution's original meaning with historian Jonathan Gienapp. Gienapp critiques the flexibility of originalist interpretations, especially when applied to complex constitutional concepts like freedom of speech and executive power.(00:04:33) Chapter 2: Public Meaning vs. Original IntentRich Ford explores the tension between public meaning and original intent in originalist theory. Gienapp explains how, despite attempts to distinguish them, the two often overlap in practice. The discussion highlights the inconsistency in how originalists pick and choose historical evidence to support their interpretations.(00:07:47) Chapter 3: Judicial Interpretation in Practice: Rahimi and Trump CasesPam Karlan brings up recent court cases, including United States v. Rahimi and Trump v. United States, where originalist judges either struggled with historical evidence or avoided it altogether. Gienapp notes the irony of originalists relying on minimal historical analysis when it contradicts their desired outcomes.(00:12:04) Chapter 4: The Framers' Vision of the PresidencyJonathan Gienapp discusses the historical foundations of the American presidency, emphasizing the founding generation's rejection of monarchy and the importance of presidential accountability. He highlights the debate at the Constitutional Convention regarding the balance between a strong executive and ensuring that executive power remains accountable to the people.(00:17:06) Chapter 5: Originalism and Constitutional InterpretationJonathan Gienapp delves into the complexities of originalism as a judicial philosophy. He explains the tension between the rhetoric of originalism and its inconsistent application in Supreme Court decisions. He argues for either a more serious commitment to originalism or a recognition of constitutional pluralism, where history is used alongside other interpretative methods.(00:21:39) Chapter 6: The Origins and Challenges of the Electoral CollegeExploration of the creation of the Electoral College, discussing how it emerged not as a perfect solution but as a compromise to address competing concerns about legislative selection, popular votes, and regional interests. Gienapp examines past and present efforts to reform the Electoral College and explains why it persists despite criticism.

Send us a textWhat can early American state constitutions teach us about the intricate relationship between faith and governance? Join me, Jesse Cope, on the American Soul Podcast as we uncover the profound Christian references within the Constitution of New York from 1777, and how the founding generation's beliefs in natural laws and divine principles influenced the nation's framework. We begin our journey with heartfelt gratitude to our listeners, an update on the homestead, and a timeless lesson from my mother about seizing opportunities when they arise. With a prayer for educators and families, we emphasize the importance of daily Bible reading, prayer, and expressing love to our spouses, setting the stage for our deep dive into early American state constitutions.Explore the historical context of religious requirements for public office in North Carolina's 1776 constitution, where we discuss the critical role of faith-based qualifications in governance and the intent behind prohibiting dual office-holding to avoid conflicts of interest. Discover the common misconception about the separation of church and state, and how North Carolina mandated that officeholders acknowledge God and the Protestant religion to ensure the state's freedom and safety. We also examine the Constitution of New Hampshire from 1776, noting its unique lack of religious emphasis and reflecting on the significant autonomy originally granted to the states. As we conclude, I extend my blessings to you and your families, eagerly looking forward to our future discussions on the foundational principles that shaped our nation.Support the Show.The American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribe

High school French teacher Peter Vlaming was fired from his job in West Point, Virginia, for declining to refer to a female student using male pronouns. Vlaming filed suit in state court, alleging that the school board had violated his rights to the free exercise of religion and free speech under the Virginia Constitution. Late last year, the Virginia Supreme Court held that the Virginia Constitution provides more robust protections for religious freedom than the federal Free Exercise Clause as interpreted in Employment Division v. Smith. As the Court wrote, “the federal Smith doctrine is not and never has been the law in Virginia, and its shelf life in the federal courts remains uncertain.” In its place, the Virginia Supreme Court adopted a history-and-tradition approach that asks whether the religious claimant has committed or is seeking to commit “overt acts against peace and good order,” and whether the government’s interest in negating that threat could be satisfied by “less restrictive means” than denying a religious exemption. This opinion raises a host of interesting questions: Will the U.S. Supreme Court’s history-and-tradition test for Second Amendment challenges be expanded to apply to other constitutional rights? Will other state courts follow the Virginia Supreme Court’s lead in applying it to their own state constitutions? Did the Virginia Supreme Court get its history right? Could its historical analysis serve as the basis for the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit Smith? What rights should public schoolteachers have in the classroom? Should courts resolve conflicts between the alleged free-exercise and free-speech rights of teachers and the alleged rights of students to engage in their own forms of self-expression? Finally, what role, if any, does Title IX play in the analysis? This panel will address these and other questions raised by this important decision.Featuring:Prof. Stephanie Barclay, Professor of Law, University of Notre Dame Law SchoolProf. Kate Carté, Professor of History, Southern Methodist UniversityChris Schandevel, Senior Counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom's Appellate Advocacy TeamAdam Unikowsky, Partner, Jenner & Block LLC(Moderator) Eric Treene, Senior Counsel, Storzer and Associates; Adjunct Professor at the Catholic University of America Law School

In Lindenberg v. Jackson National Life Ins. Co., 912 F.3d 348 (2018), the Sixth Circuit declared unconstitutional Tennessee’s law capping punitive damages based on the Tennessee constitution. But in the wake of Lindenberg, Tennessee state courts continue to reduce punitive damage awards in reliance on the statutory cap because the Tennessee Supreme Court has not directly addressed the law’s constitutionality. And in a case on a different statutory damages cap, the Tennessee Supreme Court indicated it likely would have disagreed with the Sixth Circuit. McClay v. Airport Mgmt Svcs, 596 S.W.3d 686, 693 n.6 (Tenn. 2020)Federal court certification of state law questions to state high courts is a thorny issue with competing concerns. All states but North Carolina permit certification, but the federal courts control which questions presented in the case it certifies for resolution. State courts are free to decline to answer the questions certified and to do so after a period of months, as happened in Lindenberg. Some experts point out that even when the state court chooses to answer the questions certified, the process can be time consuming and inefficient.Our panel will explore the issues of federalism, efficiency, and prudence presented when considering the question certification process between federal and state courts.Featuring:Hon. Rachel Wainer Apter, Associate Justice, Supreme Court of New JerseyHon. Benjamin Beaton, United States District Court for the Western District of KentuckyHon. Sarah Keeton Campbell, Justice, Supreme Court of TennesseeModerator: Hon. Jennifer Perkins, Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One---To register, click the link above.

Thursday, July 4th, 2024Today, Arizona Dems turn in a record number of signatures to put abortion access on the ballot in November; the leader of the RNC platform committee entertained the idea of prosecuting women who seek abortion care; the man behind project 2025 calls for blood unless we let them take over, and President Biden says he's staying in the race; plus AG and Dana deliver your good news.Promo Codes:For up to 30% off all mattress orders AND two free pillows for our listeners! Go to https://www.helixsleep.com/dailybeans.Netroots Nation is in Baltimore, July 11-13. Go to netrootsnation.org and type NN24Partner in the promo box for 10% off your ticket.Our Guest: Hudson Munozhttps://www.gunsdownamerica.org/guns-down-america-appoints-new-executive-directorGuns Down Americahttps://www.gunsdownamerica.orgTickets and LIVE show dates https://allisongill.comSubscribe for free to MuellerSheWrote on Substackhttps://muellershewrote.substack.com AFL-CIO Stands in Strong Solidarity With Biden-Harris Ticket (aficionado.org)Abortion measures could be on Arizona and Nebraska ballots after organizers submit signatures (AP News)Top leader of RNC Platform Committee entertained idea of imprisoning women who get abortions, opposes exceptions (CNN)Biden vows to keep running as signs point to rapidly eroding support for him on Capitol Hill (AP News)Man Behind Project 2025 Just Said the Quiet Part Out Loud (The Daily Beast) Subscribe to Lawyers, Guns, And MoneyAd-free premium feed: https://lawyersgunsandmoney.supercast.comSubscribe for free everywhere else:https://lawyersgunsandmoney.simplecast.com/episodes/1-miami-1985Check out other MSW Media podcastshttps://mswmedia.com/shows/Follow AG and Dana on Social MediaDr. Allison Gill Follow Mueller, She Wrote on Posthttps://post.news/@/MuellerSheWrote?utm_source=TwitterAG&utm_medium=creator_organic&utm_campaign=muellershewrote&utm_content=FollowMehttps://muellershewrote.substack.comhttps://twitter.com/MuellerSheWrotehttps://www.threads.net/@muellershewrotehttps://www.tiktok.com/@muellershewrotehttps://instagram.com/muellershewroteDana Goldberghttps://twitter.com/DGComedyhttps://www.instagram.com/dgcomedyhttps://www.facebook.com/dgcomedyhttps://danagoldberg.comHave some good news; a confession; or a correction to share?Good News & Confessions - The Daily Beanshttps://www.dailybeanspod.com/confessional/From The Good NewsHeads up – The Seattle show is sold out. If you are in a position of having tickets to empty seats please send us a message at hello@muellershewrote.com – put “Seattle Tickets” in the subject line – and we'll see if we can connect you with people who would like to go, but were unable to get tickets.The Biden-Harris Administration's Student Debt Relief Plan Explained (studentaid.gov)Houston students to brave dark, cold, and unpredictable waters while swimming the Catalina Channel (click2houston.com)Indivisible Bucks County (Twitter) Live Show Ticket Links:https://allisongill.com (for all tickets and show dates)Wednesday July 10th – Portland OR – Polaris Hall(with Dana!) - SOLD OUTThursday July 11th – Seattle WA – The Triple Door(with Dana!) - SOLD OUTThursday July 25th Milwaukee, WI https://tinyurl.com/Beans-MKESunday July 28th Nashville, TN - with Phil Williams https://tinyurl.com/Beans-TennWednesday July 31st St. Louis, MO https://tinyurl.com/Beans-STLFriday August 16th Washington, DC - with Andy McCabe, Pete Strzok, Glenn Kirschner https://tinyurl.com/Beans-in-DCSaturday August 24 San Francisco, CA https://tinyurl.com/Beans-SF Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:The Daily Beans on Apple PodcastsWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?Supercasthttps://dailybeans.supercast.com/OrPatreon https://patreon.com/thedailybeansOr subscribe on Apple Podcasts with our affiliate linkThe Daily Beans on Apple Podcasts

Guest: Michael Peroutka, Attorney, Constitutional Scholar, and Founder of the Institute on the Constitution. Go to The American View.com to take classes or learn more! Guest: Peter Bernegger, Founder of Election Watch (Wisconsin) holding WEC (Wisconsin Election Commission) to account. Discusses updates and legal actions making progress. Discusses smurfing (election money laundering). Sound bytes:  Peter Bernegger. Click here for full presentation on election fraud in Wisconsin. Peter goes on the offense against the corrupt individuals and institutions. Real America's Voice, Steve Bannon, Interview with Attorney Jeff Clark about several cases including case relevant to the red flag laws. Great discussion on the importance of upholding and operating from the State and Federal Constitutions.  We the people have rights and responsibilities that come from God.  We must embody and embolden them! Michael covered the role and significance of the jury process and the important civic duty that it is to be a juror when called to do so. Michael always provides important historical context for the discussion of the law, judicial process and legislative and agency overreach when not enshrined in and based on These United States' Constitution and the Maryland (or any other) State Constitution. Resources & References: Other Jeff Clark Interviews by Steve Bannon on Rumble include: https://rumble.com/v533b8q-jeff-clark-on-the-fbi-and-dojs-targeting-of-president-trump.html https://rumble.com/v54axw2-jeff-clark-breaks-down-monumental-supreme-court-fischer-ruling.html  These United States Constitution The Maryland Constitution Peter Bernegger Presentation (X: @PeterBernegger)  Sponsors: Sweeties on the Creek See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Michael New of the Charlotte Lozier Institute Michael New's Articles at National Review The Charlotte Lozier Institute The post 1652. Recent Surveys on Abortion Amendments to State Constitutions – Dr. Michael New, 6/13/24 first appeared on Issues, Etc..

The Israel lobby AIPAC is spending millions to defeat Representative Jamaal Bowman in the New York state Democratic primary. That's because he called for a permanent ceasefire back in October, and describes what's happening in Gaza now as “an ongoing genocide.” Alan Minsky has our analysis fo the campaign--he's Executive Director of Progressive Democrats of America.Also: at a time when Republicans have a lock on the Supreme Court, state constitutions can provide a basis not only for protecting abortion rights, but for criminal justice reform,voting rights protection, the right to public education and even, in some states, the right to breathe clean air. Eyal Press reports.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Israel lobby AIPAC is spending millions to defeat Representative Jamaal Bowman in the New York state Democratic primary. That's because he called for a permanent ceasefire back in October, and describes what's happening in Gaza now as “an ongoing genocide.” Alan Minsky has our analysis fo the campaign--he's Executive Director of Progressive Democrats of America.Also: at a time when Republicans have a lock on the Supreme Court, state constitutions can provide a basis not only for protecting abortion rights, but for criminal justice reform,voting rights protection, the right to public education and even, in some states, the right to breathe clean air. Eyal Press reports.

As we approach our 200th episode we talk with Gordon Wood on his first book, The Creation of the American Republic, 1776 - 1787 which ranks among the most important books ever written about the American Revolutionary period and the formation of the American Republic.  Join us as to hear about what the founders got right, what they got wrong, and how it continues to influence and evolve in America today.Tell us what you think! Send us a text message!

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Just in time to break down two egregious Ohio lawsuits that are exposing Planned Parenthood and the ACLU's hand against women and children, CCV President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, and Communications Director Mike Andrews are back together for Volume 10 of The Narrative podcast! Tune in to learn about the anti-woman lawsuit that would encourage coercion, reduce informed consent, and increase health risks; and the anti-child lawsuit that is making far-fetched claims in the effort to sterilize children. The men also publicly reveal for the first time ever some of the data from Center for Christian Virtue's exit polling following the November 2023 election that saw Ohioans enshrine abortion up to birth in the State Constitution. Find out what CCV's new report "Vital Signs" reveals about the health of the Body of Christ! Want more? Listen to Bill Maher's comments on abortion: https://youtu.be/Hp4WqEadu3M Check out The Narrative podcast episode on the WPATH Files: https://www.ccv.org/news/the-narrative-podcast-wpaths-gender-medicine-scandal-with-dr-carrie-mendoza Read the Free Press article by Uri Berliner: https://www.thefp.com/p/npr-editor-how-npr-lost-americas-trust Learn about the Idaho Supreme Court case: https://adfmedia.org/case/labrador-v-poe Read Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's recent brief in the HB68 lawsuit: https://fcdcfcjs.co.franklin.oh.us/CaseInformationOnline/imageLinkProcessor.pdf?coords=ERz62lkX5B9MVeOtDwuNK7GnRyxXLFQTI0FNY2nWYvffkAd%2BnvI1lXL3fKbgYEtcs3zMQcZA%2Bh4QJL5m6Gg18%2F%2F5c9qN6xlU%2FjiJ0it7Jn%2BWbZcLB6rF36U74vxGSDwNHSxhkdC%2Ffe6lZOIpMsRpvI8TJ6bjcdlH2elXOzj%2BWCA%3D Join Riley Gaines and Chloe Cole at CCV's Cincinnati Gala on Tuesday, May 7: CCV.org/CincinnatiGala

In the early republic, debates over constitutional rights were centered on state bills of rights. But, over time the state charters were gradually co-opted by federal judges and courts.Original Article: Federal Judges Co-Opted America's State Constitutions

In the early republic, debates over constitutional rights were centered on state bills of rights. But, over time the state charters were gradually co-opted by federal judges and courts. Narrated by Millian Quinteros.

In a landmark ruling out of the state of Washington, a judge decided that the prohibition on magazines capable of holding in excess of 10 rounds contradicts the constitution. However, while the decision was a significant victory for defenders of the Second Amendment, the celebration was short-lived. The Washington Supreme Court promptly responded with an emergency appeal that temporarily halted the judge's decision, ensuring the controversial ban remains in place for now. The unfolding drama began on a seemingly ordinary Monday when Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge, Gary Bashor, made an announcement that sent ripples through the national conversation on gun control. The legal challenge had been brought by a local gun shop within the state. They had taken the bold step to sue the governing body of their state after an arguably contentious law was passed in 2022 prohibiting possession of magazines that carry more than a designated 10 rounds. During the hearing, Judge Bashor swept aside the arguments put forth by the state. These arguments maintained that these high-capacity magazines were not a requisite for self-defense, and that the legislative changes were grounded in logic and safety. Bashor's 55-page decision thoroughly refuted these claims. Deep within his comprehensive written judgment, Bashor elucidated on a key finding. The larger capacity magazines, referred to as LCMS in legal and political circles, came under the category of 'arms' according to the State Constitution. This fact was crucial since it meant these items were indeed used and owned by the general public for lawful motives. Judge Gary Bashor, who took up the mantle of judge in this rural belt back in 2011, did not restrict his rationale to the current state constitution. In his landmark ruling, Bashor delved deeper and analysed the intent of the Founding Fathers themselves when it came to firearms. Bashor keenly stated, 'The Founding Fathers demonstrated no desire to restrict gun rights. While they couldn't possibly know about the specific weaponry available in today's world, they implicitly acknowledged and anticipated technological progress in armament.' His words echoed the sentiments of those who ardently uphold the Second Amendment. However, things took a distinct turn after Bashor's ruling. Supreme Court Commissioner Michael Johnston of Washington State made a decisive move. Aligning with Ferguson, he chose to uphold the controversial law while the appeal proceedings continued. This clampdown on magazine size is just one piece of a larger puzzle. Over the past several years, other stringent gun control measures have been enacted by Washington's Democratic-controlled legislature in alignment with the state's Democratic Governor Jay Inslee. These measures encompass prohibitions with far-reaching effects, including a ban on the sale of AR-15s along with rifles bearing similar technological specifications. Those supportive of such sweeping changes argue that these rules are necessary for public safety, while detractors feel they infringe upon the Second Amendment rights. Through all this, the debate around gun control in Washington State and across America writ large shines a light on the intricate yet vitally important nature of balancing constitutional rights and personal safety. What emerges is a substantial challenge to reconcile these two deeply ingrained values in today's increasingly concerned society. It's evident that the recent ruling from Judge Bashor, despite drawing ire from some sections and applause from others, represents a critical moment in this broader discussion. Naturally, the court's decisions have the potential to serve as a precedent and significantly sway the ongoing narrative around gun control. At present, all eyes remain on the Washington State Supreme Court as it deliberates the appeal. Their decision will likely have a far-reaching impact, coloring the nation's discourse and legislation on gun control for years to come. Yet, through it all, we are reminded of the value and meaning of our Constitution and the continuous task of understanding and adapting it to our evolving society. This case represents yet another critical juncture in the American narrative as we grapple with the difficult task of maintaining a balance between personal freedoms and social responsibilities in the modern age. In conclusion, irrespective of one's viewpoint on the matter, it's essential to recognize that issues such as the magazine restriction debate form the fiber of our democratic process. They challenge us, they confront us, and they ultimately help us shape the future contours of our nation, contributing towards an evolving definition of 'We the People' in the 21st century. Real News Now Website Connect with Real News Now on Social Media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealNewsNowApp/ X Twitter: https://twitter.com/realnewsapp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realnews/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realnewsnowapp Threads: https://www.threads.net/@realnews/ Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/realnewsnow Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@RealNews YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@realnewsnowapp End Wokeness: https://endthewokeness.com #realnewsnow   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a bold quest to extend the democratic process, the New York City Council is seeking the support of New York's supreme judicial institution to overturn two recent judgments. If successful, this could potentially pave the way for non-citizens to participate in local elections. The proposed legislation is considered contentious by some, as it could potentially enable up to 800,000 legal non-citizens who possess green cards to take part in the electoral process. The stance of the City Council is a strong belief in inclusivity, stating that enabling non-citizens to vote could lead to a higher degree of civic involvement. This, in their view, will only fortify the City of New York by kindling increased political participation. Given the significance of this case, the council has recently appealed against a decision from the Second Department, asking for a reevaluation from the state's utmost legal authority on the law's harmony with the State Constitution, Election Law, and the Municipal Home Rule Law. The progressive initiative has been threading its way through the court's hands ever since it was adopted by the City Council in 2021. This daring legislation was signed into law by then-mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat. However, in a twist of legal events, an appeals court declared the law unconstitutional just last month. Also solidifying the challenging legal terrain for this legislation, a decision from 2022 by a lower court has been upheld, which had initially deemed the law unconstitutional. This ruling was fought against by the incumbent mayor, Eric Adams, also a Democrat, and the City Council. At the outset of 2022, Adams expressed his initial reservations about the potential implications of the bill. However, he stated that subsequent discussions with his colleagues allayed his concerns. The ruling from the appeals court last month shed light on how the ability to vote for non-citizens could potentially mean allowing them to run for mayoral offices. Michael Tannousis, an Assemblyman from the Republican Party who represents Staten Island, was one of the individuals who challenged the law in court. Despite the seemingly democratic intentions, there are voices of concern and skepticism not all of which are unfounded. Arguably, the Pandora's box that this legislation could open up does not include illegal immigrants gaining voting rights. However, the skyrocketing arrivals of migrants remains a major hurdle that the city continues to stumble upon. Across spring of 2022, reports indicate an influx of more than 183,000 migrants into the heart of the city. This overwhelming surge of migrants has been testing the limits of the city's shelter infrastructure, leading to budgetary restrictions and adjustments. There is an understanding among some that addressing the needs of these newcomers involves walking a tightrope where resources must be balanced to ensure support for all residents, including taxpaying non-citizens. Amidst these challenging circumstances, the City Council fervently defends the notion that legal non-citizens, such as green card holders, should have the right to voice their political choices since they are contributing through tax payments. They argue that their status as taxpayers gives them a stake in the political decision-making that affects their day-to-day lives. The City Council believes that since these legal non-citizens contribute to the economy through taxes, they should be engaged in the democratic avenues of decision-making. After all, these decisions potentially affect these taxpayers directly and in significant ways. However, there are those who hold different opinions on the legal boundaries of the council's authority. Their argument is that the council has overstepped its jurisdiction in making such a decision. This perspective rests on the traditional understanding of the limitations and rights of civic bodies. Despite the council's declaration of the proposal's consistency with state laws and the constitution, the opposition suggests a careful reading of established legal frameworks. Some perceive the legislative push as a drift from the traditional interpretation of the law. While these debates continue to stir up discussions on the floors of institutional halls and courtrooms, the city at large waits on the ruling of New York's highest court. It's a test of the legal system and the city council's understanding of their jurisdiction, authority, and the constitution. This saga represents a significant moment in the city's history, where the essence of democratic engagement is being put to the test. On the one hand, there is a call for inclusivity and extension of democratic participation to taxpaying legal non-citizens. On the other hand, some perceive it as a potential overreach of authority that may have unforeseeable consequences. This unfolding legal drama reinforces the continually dynamic nature of democracy and governance. As arguments are made for and against the proposed law, they underline the checks and balances in place to ensure legal statutes best reflect the needs, rights, and responsibilities of the residents they govern. As the city navigates these complexities, citizens, legal immigrants, and civic leaders keenly await a decision from the state's highest court, marking a pivotal moment in New York's legislative history. The impacts of which will not only reshape local governance but may also send a powerful message to municipalities far beyond the city's borders. Real News Now Website Connect with Real News Now on Social Media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealNewsNowApp/ X Twitter: https://twitter.com/realnewsapp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realnews/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realnewsnowapp Threads: https://www.threads.net/@realnews/ Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/realnewsnow Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@RealNews YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@realnewsnowapp End Wokeness: https://endthewokeness.com #realnewsnow See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The amendment's sponsors want to fool the voters to completely deregulate abortion, including doing away with health and safety standards, parental and informed consent. Constitutional expert, lawyer, author, pastor, and founder of Liberty Counsel Mat Staver discusses the important topics of the day with co-hosts and guests that impact life, liberty, and family. To stay informed and get involved, visit LC.org. 

This Day in Maine for Monday, January 22, 2024

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Washington State government reporter for McClatchy, Shauna Sowersby! Crystal and Shauna recount the terrifying details of a hole blowing out the side of a Boeing 737 MAX 9 midflight, the response by Alaska Airlines, and what steps the National Transportation Safety Board is taking to get to the bottom of the incident. They then shift gears and discuss Inslee's final State of the State address, the start of the Washington state legislative session, and how $700k has been spent by the State Transportation Department on boulders to discourage homeless from returning to encampments. Finally, Crystal wraps up with a rundown of a Seattle City Council staff shakeup less than a week into new Council President Sara Nelson's term. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available below and at officialhacksandwonks.com. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at @finchfrii and find today's co-host, Shauna Sowersby at @Shauna_Sowersby.   Shauna Sowersby Shauna Sowersby was a freelancer for several local and national publications before joining McClatchy's northwest newspapers covering the Legislature. Before that, Shauna worked for the US Navy as a photographer and journalist.   Resources RE-AIR: Evaluating the Role of Incarceration in Public Safety with Criminologist Damon Petrich from Hacks & Wonks   “Alaska, United find loose hardware during inspection of 737 MAX 9s” by Dominic Gates from The Seattle Times   “When Alaska flight 1282 blew open, a mom went into ‘go mode' to protect her son” by Dominic Gates from The Seattle Times   “NTSB focus on Boeing, Spirit assembly work after Alaska Airlines blowout” by Dominic Gates from The Seattle Times   “‘The strongest state in the nation': Gov. Jay Inslee delivers State of the State address” by Shauna Sowersby from The News Tribune   “Leading WA lawmakers give media a rundown on their 2024 legislative priorities” by Shauna Sowersby from The News Tribune   “Washington taxpayers paid nearly $700,000 for boulders to deter return to encampments” by Shauna Sowersby from The Olympian   “Major Staff Shakeup Marks Sara Nelson's First Week as Council President” by Erica C. Barnett from PubliCola   Find stories that Crystal is reading here   Listen on your favorite podcast app to all our episodes here   Transcript [00:00:00] Crystal Fincher: Welcome to Hacks & Wonks. I'm Crystal Fincher, and I'm a political consultant and your host. On this show, we talk with policy wonks and political hacks to gather insight into local politics and policy in Washington state through the lens of those doing the work with behind-the-scenes perspectives on what's happening, why it's happening, and what you can do about it. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get the full versions of our Tuesday topical show and Friday week-in-review delivered to your podcast feed. If you like us, the most helpful thing you can do is leave a review wherever you listen to Hacks & Wonks. Full transcripts and resources referenced in the show are always available at officialhacksandwonks.com and in our episode notes. If you missed our Tuesday topical show, we re-aired my robust conversation with criminologist Damon Petrich about the ineffectiveness of incarceration. We hope everyone listens as the pressure to double down on the punitive status quo intensifies. Today, we are continuing our Friday week-in-review shows where we review the news of the week with a co-host. Welcome back to the program, friend of the show, today's co-host: Washington State government reporter for McClatchy, Shauna Sowersby. Hello. [00:01:24] Shauna Sowersby: Hi, Crystal - thanks for having me on again. [00:01:27] Crystal Fincher: Absolutely - thanks for coming on. We have a lot to discuss. I think this week we will start with what has been dominating the news and is quite concerning to many. And that is what has followed from the Alaska Airlines flight that had a door plug basically fall off during a flight and cause a rapid depressurization, forced the plane to return back to Portland - it was on its way to Ontario, California. And my goodness, so much has happened in the aftermath. What happened in this incident? [00:02:06] Shauna Sowersby: Yeah, so what it appears like - kind of after the fact, after they've been given a few days to kind of look this over - was that, I believe, one of the theories is that the plug was not properly, the door plug was not properly put into place. They're not aware if it was even screwed down completely to begin with, if those screws were even there at all, or what's going on. But it sounds like a lot of those - if not most of those - flights have now been grounded so that they can kind of inspect that issue a little bit more. [00:02:37] Crystal Fincher: Yeah, so all of the 737 MAX 9 aircraft have been grounded by the FAA. Initially, Alaska announced that they were going to ground them pending a maintenance inspection, which they had started and had already said - Hey, a couple of the inspections had already been complete, we're ready to fly again. The FAA actually stepped in and said - No, we're actually going to ground these - or the NTSB stepped in and said - We're going to ground them, we want a robust inspection. And they have decided to do that. And they actually don't have a time for return yet from that grounding - and they've learned more. The nature of airplanes, airlines, as they're constructed, is it's not just Boeing. Boeing has subcontractors and suppliers that are also responsible for part of the assembly. And in this situation, Spirit AeroSystems, based out of Wichita, Kansas, is the subcontractor that is responsible for installing this door plug. And then Boeing in Renton is responsible for the final inspection of the component before sealing it behind installation and the sidewall. Dominic Gates of The Seattle Times is their aerospace reporter and has done a number of articles on this - useful to follow him and his reporting if you want to stay on top of this. But it just really seems, just like you said, that it seems pretty obvious that this was not installed correctly. Both United and Alaska in their inspections have found multiple problems associated with this door plug installment - whether it's loose bolts, some bolts or some hardware that may not be in the right place or missing - they just don't know what's happening. And this causes a lot of questions about the quality control of both Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems. [00:04:27] Shauna Sowersby: Yeah, absolutely. And I mean, all of this, too, is just so harrowing. I know you and I, before the show started, were kind of talking about the folks who didn't show up for that flight. I believe Dominic also wrote the article about - from the mother's perspective, who had to hold on to her child as the flight was trying to land an emergency landing. So yeah, I mean, this stuff - I'm glad that they grounded everything when they did. My own daughter actually had a flight out Saturday by herself, after Friday night had happened, on an Alaska flight. So we were kind of holding our breath for that and really glad to see the news Saturday morning that they had grounded all of those flights, but still - not something people want to be thinking about before they're boarding their flights. [00:05:15] Crystal Fincher: Not something people want to be thinking about and also just another unpleasant incident for Boeing after their previous quite lengthy grounding of MAX airliners - following that software error that led to fatal crashes that took quite some time to fix. And kind of ironically, Boeing was also seeking a safety exemption for that other plane - had just requested it within hours of this incident happening on this type of plane. So there's still - looks like quite a lot to be determined, looks like the NTSB in its preliminary findings are really focusing on Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems. There was a question about an indicator light saying, you know, there may be something going on with the depressurization system that Alaska Airlines chose to - they followed up on, they saw it, they didn't seem like they quite got to the root cause of what it was, but they said - Okay, so we won't send these planes on long haul flights, we won't send them over water so that if anything happens, they'll be able to get to an airport quickly. Which on one hand, some people said, Why are they flying it at all? And on the other hand, people said, Well, that may have actually saved some lives, depending. One thing that is absolutely clear is it's fortunate this depressurization happened at the relatively low altitude that it did - at 16,000 feet, instead of much higher up, which could have had this wind up being a very, very different and much more tragic story - if it would have depressurized at a much higher altitude or typical cruising altitude. And just more questions surrounding even Boeing and their training and preparation for this aircraft. One of the findings was, occurrences that happened was that when the depressurization happened, the cockpit door flew open, which Boeing says - Well, it's designed to do that, that's supposed to happen. The pilots didn't know that. No one on the plane knew that. And that also caused a checklist - this is important information that the pilots are dealing with - to just fly out of the cabin. So they're down information, trying to manage an emergency, one of the pilots' headset fell off or was sucked off as that happened. Yeah, so I mean, this was a harrowing thing. Very, very happy that the injuries that did occur were relatively minor. But it does seem like it was a really traumatic experience. As you said, that article detailing the mother having to basically hold on to her son whose shirt and headphones had been sucked off. And then basically her seatmate holding on to her, as she's holding on to her son. The flight attendants - because of how they were positioned and the noise and everything - they knew that there was a depressurization, but they didn't actually really know that there was a gaping hole in the plane, which also delayed them getting to help this mom and her son. And she's staring out at the ground 16,000 feet below, trying to hold on to her kid - just, I can't even imagine. But this has certainly caused me to feel uncomfortable about flying on these MAX planes and just wondering - Okay, so they're inspecting all of this. Well, are they inspecting everything on the planes? Because I think there's a lot of people questioning - this is a quality control issue. What else may be escaping their attention? So I do hope that we do get to the bottom of this. It does seem like the NTSB generally does very thorough investigations and inspections. They seem like they're being cautious and just their plan to deal with this - making Boeing revise their safety materials and warnings for pilots and airlines to reflect the reality of the situation that we know now. So this is quite challenging, but also - looking at having potential regional economic effects again. What does this mean for Boeing, who's one of our region's largest employers? What does this mean for Alaska Airlines, and potentially United, having to cancel a lot of flights? Just a lot of questions. But there has to be absolute confidence in the safety of air travel or else everything unravels from there. So we'll see how this continues to unfold. [00:09:27] Shauna Sowersby: Yeah, I'm really curious to know what's going on internally at Boeing right now. And, you know, if we're actually going to see any action on that front in the coming weeks as well. [00:09:40] Crystal Fincher: Yeah, absolutely. And it does seem like Boeing initially is taking a little bit different of, is operating a little bit differently in the beginning of this challenge that it did initially in the beginning of the last MAX issue challenge. They seem to be stressing that they plan to be transparent, that they plan to be accessible, that they're trying to support their partner airlines, saying that they know they need to get this right and rebuild trust. So it is a different stance that hopefully, I mean, after learning how seemingly trying to cover things up or discount things before did not turn out that well. And that this is a real crisis. So yeah, we'll see how everyone approaches this and what the findings continue to uncover. [00:10:28] Shauna Sowersby: I will be looking forward to it. [00:10:30] Crystal Fincher: As will I. Well, here in the state of Washington - as we start a new year, not only is there a new start of the legislative session, which just convened, but also we get our annual State of the State from Jay Inslee, who has announced that he's in his final term. He will not be running, he is not running for reelection. What did he have to say in his State of the State address? [00:10:55] Shauna Sowersby: Yeah, it seemed to me like Inslee really wanted to highlight his last - he mentioned that this was his 11th State of the State that he's given, this will be his last one as governor. And so I - this one seemed to be highlighting a lot of the things that he believes are wins for Washington state. The one that comes to the top of my head is the regional training centers for law enforcement officials that they had opened out in Pasco - so to him, that's a really big issue. He mentioned climate issues, of course - talking about the CCA [Climate Commitment Act] and being proud of that work. Also brought up housing from last year and all the bills that were passed to increase the supply of housing. So he just kind of went through all the things over the last three terms that he's been in that he believes the state has done really well. [00:11:49] Crystal Fincher: What was the reaction to his State of the State address, both by lawmakers in his party who are Democrats and by Republicans? [00:11:58] Shauna Sowersby: Yeah, I would say the Democrats are cautiously optimistic, it seems like. I would say - well, Laurie Jinkins did say that she is very optimistic. But, you know, it seems like some of the other ones are a little bit more cautiously optimistic about the things that Inslee is saying. Republicans - Jerry Cornfield asked them a question the other day, because he felt like they were kind of focusing too negatively on on issues. So he's like - Is there anything nice that you do have to say? And it seemed like there was kind of a struggle to come up with that, as they were listing out all these kind of other issues that they were bringing up - public safety and things of that nature. [00:12:41] Crystal Fincher: Yeah, it'll be interesting. There are going to be a number of ballot initiatives that they're gearing up for that are going to be on the ballot. So they are certainly in a critical mood and are trying to ride that all the way through to November. But there are - agree with them or disagree with them - there have been some major landmark achievements under Jay Inslee. One of the biggest and most recent is the Climate Commitment Act, the CCA, which is raising quite a bit of money from pricing carbon, basically - trading credits that are trying to cap emissions and have that money be reinvested in policies and infrastructure that helps to do the same. We'll see how that turns out to be, what the results and progress of that are as we get more reporting and tracking of what's going on - but certainly a lot of cause for optimism, a lot of opportunity to make some significant investments and movements towards decarbonization, reducing pollution, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Talking about public safety - that center that had been opened - as many municipalities talk about wanting to accelerate hiring and recruitment of police and sheriffs. This adds to the capacity to do that. We've talked about it before, but some people don't know there's quite a bit of lead time - once you hire an officer, it's not like you hire them today, they're on the street tomorrow. They do have to go through a training, quite extensive training, policies and procedures. And so it can be and often is a year plus from the time that they're hired to the time that they are actively on - working for a police or sheriff's department - so that expanding capacity. Talked about mental health treatment and support there, expanding capacity. There have also been some challenges in those areas, which I definitely saw Republicans point out. But kind of as you saw him wrapping up his final State of the State, did you see him trying to - was he contending with what he might view as his legacy or what he wanted to leave people with? How did you read this final State of the State address from Inslee? [00:15:02] Shauna Sowersby: Yeah, I would say it was kind of exactly that. Like, hey, here's this reminder. Look at all of these things that I've done over the course of the last 11 years, 12 years. I feel like it definitely was written in such a way, or given in such a way, that it was to check all the boxes, show off all the things that he's done - understandably. There were a lot of good things that have been done, so why not show them off, I guess? [00:15:29] Crystal Fincher: Yeah, absolutely. He also did say that he saw two grave threats in the US and the state - one to just the basic tenets of democracy, part of the larger conversation. The other is about reproductive rights and women having reproductive choice - and called on the legislature to enshrine reproductive protections in the State Constitution this session, something that did not get passed last year. So we will see if they decide to heed that call this session or not. What do you see as the prospects for that? [00:16:07] Shauna Sowersby: Well, Republicans have already stated that they are not on board with this idea at all. I think that's - it seems pretty unanimous across both Republican caucuses in the Senate and the House that it's just not going to happen. They believe that there's other issues that need to be taken care of. They - one of the things they always go to is - There's no threat to it here in Washington, it's already protected. Why would we need this additional measure? So they have very clearly stated that there is no appetite in their parties to pass this. And since this would be a constitutional amendment, it would require some Republican votes there as well. [00:16:49] Crystal Fincher: Absolutely. Well, we talk about there being no threat, but we continue to see a number of Supreme Court cases that do have the potential to impact what we're doing here in the state and what's happening in other states - increasing demand, restricting capacity for what we're doing here in Washington state and what women have access to. So we will continue to follow along with that and see. But as you've been covering and have been talking about, our legislative session did start. There have been a couple of availabilities talking about priorities in this session. What are Democrats and Republicans saying are their priorities for this legislative session? [00:17:29] Shauna Sowersby: Yeah, it seems like everybody is on board with behavioral health and continuing that progress from last year. Of course, housing is on the docket for both parties. And what was it - even just on Monday, they already passed Rep. Barkis' lot-splitting bill off the House floor. So, you know, huge appetite to continue that work, it looks like. Public safety is another thing that I keep hearing from both parties, although I will say it seems like it's coming more from the Republicans than it is the Democrats. And those are some of the major issues I can think of kind of off of the top of my head. I know that the ballot initiatives from Let's Go Washington will also have, could have a major impact this year, too, on what the legislature decides to do once those are certified. They've talked about how they'll deal with them as they come to them. But that's also something - they need to need to watch out for as well. [00:18:31] Crystal Fincher: So when we talk about housing - obviously, there was some pretty significant action and movement on housing last session. What specifically are they talking about trying to accomplish this session? [00:18:44] Shauna Sowersby: Well, I will tell you that it doesn't seem like - this more pertains to rental housing - rent stabilization has come up and they've been asked about this many times. And so I know that that's been a really big issue for a lot of folks. And a lot of folks are really curious in this - and it doesn't seem like that one is going to get passed anytime soon. But in terms of housing, Representative Melanie Morgan introduced a bill to create a centralized Department of Housing in Washington state, so I thought that that was a pretty interesting idea. Trying to think - the lot-splitting bill was the other one that comes to mind. [00:19:23] Crystal Fincher: Yeah, it'll be interesting. And just as you continue to talk about - as you mentioned, addressing behavioral health needs and needing to dramatically expand capacity, in addition to expanding the labor force that is available. There are shortages in providers and workers in that arena and that needing to be addressed there. So that is an area where there does seem to be bipartisan recognition that action is needed in that area. What that ultimately turns out to be - we will see - but it is basically at crisis levels, most people are acknowledging, and needing to happen there. Housing and homelessness are still there. There seems to be a lot of the back and forth that we've been hearing in a lot of localities about what is the right approach, criticism of trying to double down on failed policies for many. But we will - we'll see what happens there. Transportation is another area that that you covered there - lots of major projects that have skyrocketing costs. The ferry system struggling, and what to do about that, are major issues. What have you heard in those areas? [00:20:41] Shauna Sowersby: Well, definitely in terms of ferries, it does not seem like either the Democrats or the Republicans feel very optimistic in that area. I'm trying to think of what - one of the quotes I heard the other day, but it was like, you know, if you're expecting anything anytime soon, don't. This is stuff that is going to be in the works for quite a while. We are - obviously, as I'm sure you're familiar with, there's been a lot of issues with our ferries in the last several months - you're hearing news stories about them getting grounded, all sorts of things, so I think that that is going to be, will continue to be a very serious issue that needs to be addressed. And it doesn't seem like that'll happen anytime soon. [00:21:33] Crystal Fincher: Yeah, that is going to be a challenge. I think you did report that most lawmakers don't have an appetite for delaying any of the outrageously expensive and growing more expensive transportation projects. You know, a lot of highway projects are what we're looking at there. So it looks like they will find the money from somewhere - and where that comes from, we will see. But yeah, just a lot on their docket and a lot to keep track of. Session has just gotten underway. Early action, early hearings are underway. But we will see what continues to unfold there and we'll continue to follow your reporting. Also wanted to talk about another story of yours this week, talking about - my goodness, Washington taxpayers have paid nearly $700,000 for boulders to deter a return to encampments by people who had been cleared out. What is going on? [00:22:33] Shauna Sowersby: That is a good question. I live here in Olympia, and so I was just driving by the former encampment on Sleater Kinney a couple months ago, and I noticed how many boulders there are. I mean, it's massive - I don't know if you've seen it anytime soon. But it got me really curious. I just wanted to know what was going on. And so yeah, had a conversation with WSDOT about it - one encampment at Sleater Kinney, the one that I had mentioned, that one alone is $643,000 just for the boulder placement, transportation, and all that stuff. So yeah, this is - it shocked me whenever I heard that number, and whenever I added up all the numbers that they had given me and everything to total nearly $700,000 just for boulder placement in three areas. [00:23:27] Crystal Fincher: I mean, it's wild, it's frustrating. As we've talked about several times on this program - fundamentally, at its core, homelessness is a housing problem. The one thing that every homeless person has in common, the cause of being homeless is not having a house. There are things that can contribute as factors. There are oftentimes, you know, being homeless is so hard that it often exacerbates other factors or other risks that were there before. But we seem to be spending money on everything but getting people into housing. And spending so much money on things that are not helping move people into housing. And to think that we're investing in literal rocks - $700,000 in rocks - to say, Don't come back, does not alleviate the problem of homelessness. We basically - we know that if we clear an encampment without also helping people into shelter or housing, that they just move to a different place. We're relocating the problem, we aren't solving it. And to spend $700,000 in a basically relocation effort doesn't seem like the best investment to me. Did this strike the people you were talking to as a large expenditure? Did they seem like - Well, this is just what we needed to do? Was there any kind of thought or reflection on that? [00:24:57] Shauna Sowersby: Yeah, I actually posed that question to WSDOT because I was curious too. I'm like, this - people might be startled by this number, right? Like, what do you think of this? And she acknowledged - Kris Abrudan - she acknowledged that it is quite an expense, but stressed the need to have something like that in place to prevent people from returning to encampments. I asked the same question to Governor Inslee at a press conference. I asked him - if he thought that that was a good thing to invest in. And it was sort of the same response - I was actually a little surprised by Inslee's response, especially since he's kind of been on the forefront of wanting to create so much housing and help homeless folks and stuff, but his response to say - Oh well, the neighbors like it being there, they like having those boulders there because it means people won't return. I just was a little surprised by his response in that instance. [00:26:00] Crystal Fincher: Yeah, I mean - and wow, you know what a good way to get people not to return to the site of an encampment would be - would be like providing them housing. They wouldn't return if they had a place to actually live. And how much could $700,000 go towards making that possible? That is not a small amount of money. That could do a lot, not just for the plain old housing costs or even, you know, if it was temporary shelter hotel. But to move towards permanent housing - for some supportive services, assistance, coordination - it just seems like such an expensive waste to me personally. But I really appreciate your reporting on this because it does take understanding what we are contending with, with the issue on the table - what's being proposed and done currently to address it, and going, Is that working? And is this the wisest expenditure of money? I certainly hope that more people would figure out ways to - instead of spending money on eco-blocks, or on hostile architecture, on rocks, that we would take that money and do something that more meaningfully and permanently addresses the issue and gets people off of the street for good. And doesn't just keep them on the street, but just away from this specific area with some rocks - which also like are an eyesore to many people, like they're not cute. [00:27:30] Shauna Sowersby: I'm saying - thank you. Yes. I'm like, are we just gonna keep expanding rocks everywhere until, you know, there's no more room for anything. [00:27:40] Crystal Fincher: Yeah, and it's a challenge. And also that we have to contend with these things. I mean, hostile architecture is the term for it - but these are in public spaces, these are in places that we all congregate at, drive by, are around, and it's not pleasant for the community. I'm sure some people will say - Well, encampments aren't pleasant either - and they certainly aren't for the people who are forced to live there because they have nowhere else to live. And I just think that we should focus on removing the pain from everyone and really sustainable solutions that try and address the root cause of the problem and not the symptoms of the problem, that ignoring addressing the root cause just continues to exacerbate. [00:28:26] Shauna Sowersby: Yeah. And not to mention, those are all being graffitied up and everything now, too. So if we're talking about an eyesore, you know, it's just progressively getting worse on that front. [00:28:38] Crystal Fincher: My goodness. Well, the final thing I wanted to talk about today is local to Seattle. We recently had the new city council sworn in. Sara Nelson selected as Council President - who is a conservative - or centrist, as they're calling themselves. And with this, the first action, one of the first actions that Sara Nelson took was to fire the head of Central Staff there, which was very concerning to a lot of people. With the amount of new councilmembers who, regardless of what your political leanings are - there's a lot to just understand if you've never held elective office before, you're coming in to a major city. To legislate, to be part of the city council - just how things work, understanding what the roles and responsibilities are, how to conduct yourself during meetings, what the status of projects underway and planned are, getting familiar with what is going to be in your portfolio on your committees. It really is a lot. You are drinking from the fire hose. And this is true for any new elected in any position, regardless of ideology. Just the job is daunting. And so there's a lot that needs to be caught up. Institutional knowledge is really important. People who understand why legislation was written a certain way, understand the consequences or ramifications of things that have been proposed, understand what stakeholdering went into different processes and what was done. This institutional knowledge - a lot of it walked out the door with a lot of the outgoing councilmembers. And with all these new ones, I think there's been broad agreement and reporting and discussions that while there's going to be a lot on their plates and, you know, having people who understand just how things work at the city is really important. When it comes to Central Staff, these are the people who support all of the councilmembers, who help to analyze and move legislation, who are working in this capacity. And Esther Handy is the person who was fired, but was largely credited for stabilizing that office when they took this position a few years back and just has done the job very well. Having competent people in those roles is very important for just the writing and passage of sound policy, across the whole portfolio of policy. And there was no performance reason given. It wasn't like they weren't doing their job. Sara Nelson said that she just didn't feel like, you know, just didn't like the supposed political leaning of Esther, which that doesn't seem to have ever been an issue before. These are nonpartisan positions. You know, was she performing the duties of the job? It seemed to catch, it absolutely did catch a lot of people by surprise. And really at a time when this kind of knowledge and stabilization is needed, was just viewed as really short-sighted. Certainly looks that way to me. And it looks like someone really wanting to say - It's a new day, there's a new sheriff in town. And, you know, this is, we're now doing this my way. So very new day there at the Seattle City Council. Hard to find a similar incidence of something like this happening in the city before. Certainly within offices, people in their own staffs, and people who know that they're in, you know, kind of positions attached to the elected - that happens, and it's unfortunate sometimes for the actual lives involved. But people are prepared for that, and that happens more often. But for this, this caught a lot of people off guard and was just like - Whoa. It looks like there's going to be a use of power in ways that we have not seen in recent memory here in the City of Seattle. [00:32:41] Shauna Sowersby: Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how - how else everything is affected moving forward. What else will be changed, too? [00:32:48] Crystal Fincher: Yeah, absolutely. And with that, we thank you for listening to Hacks & Wonks on this Friday, January 12th, 2024. The producer of Hacks & Wonks is Shannon Cheng. Our insightful co-host today is Washington State government reporter for McClatchy, Shauna Sowersby. You can find Shauna on Twitter at @Shauna_Sowersby. You can follow Hacks & Wonks on Twitter at @HacksWonks. You can find me anywhere you want to find me at @finchfrii, with two I's at the end. You can catch Hacks & Wonks on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts - just type "Hacks and Wonks" into the search bar. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get the full versions of our Friday week-in-review shows and our Tuesday topical show delivered to your podcast feed. If you like us, leave a review wherever you listen. You can also get a full transcript of this episode and links to the resources referenced in the show at officialhacksandwonks.com and in the podcast episode notes. Thanks for tuning in - talk to you next time.

The hundred-year-old proposed Equal Rights Amendment has never been adopted on a Federal level, but New Yorkers have an opportunity this fall to amend the State Constitution with an expanded version of the ERA. Three members of the Women in the Law Section of the New York State Bar Association – Frettra DeSilva, Laura Sulem and Morghan Richardson, join host Rich Schoenstein to discuss why these fundamental rights still need to be codified. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Georgia State Secretary Brad Raffensperger breaks down new efforts in Georgia to codify in the State Constitution to only allow U.S. citizens to vote in state elections after 1600 non-citizens were found to have voted in the last election. Raffensperger calls for a constitutional amendment to the U.S. Constitution to guarantee voting rights to only U.S. citizens after recent push by Democrats. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Yesterday, a Harney County Circuit Court judge ruled that Measure 114 violates Oregon's state constitution. The law, which voters passed last year to regulate firearms, has yet to go into effect due to multiple court challenges. Measure 114 bans future purchases of magazines that can carry more than 10 rounds of ammunition. It also requires those wishing to buy a firearm to get a permit first. Permits will require applicants to complete a safety class and a federal background check. Earlier this year, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut ruled the law is legal under the U.S. Constitution. That decision has been appealed to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. OPB reporter Jonathan Levinson joins us with details about the latest ruling and what it means for the future of Measure 114.

Over the last two decades, states have played an important and increasing role in federal policymaking through state-led litigation. Unsurprisingly, a state’s Article III standing is often a hotly contested question—with increasing attention from the Supreme Court and what some might argue are scattershot results. Are states subject to traditional standing analysis, as the Court said in Biden v. Nebraska (2023)? Do they get “special solicitude,” as the Court observed in Massachusetts v. EPA (2007)? Or are there concrete injuries that the Court simply will not remedy, as in United States v. Texas (2023)? Is there a common thread to the Court’s standing analysis and—more importantly—what does the original public meaning of Article III have to say about state-led litigation?Featuring:Mr. Kyle George, Principal, Kyle George Law Group; Former First Assistant Attorney General, State of NevadaMr. Eric Hamilton, Solicitor General, Nebraska Department of JusticeProf. Christopher J. Walker, Professor of Law, University of Michigan Law SchoolModerator: Hon. Jennifer Walker Elrod, United States Court of Appeals, Fifth CircuitOverflow: Cabinet & Senate Rooms

Live coverage of election night returns, some of which may be out of date by the time you listen to this episode, but by this hour of the night voters had made some major decisions.

Many state constitutional provisions are worded similarly to provisions of the federal Constitution. At times, this has led some to simply assume as binding or highly persuasive the interpretations of the latter on the former. But to what degree should interpretations of the United States Constitution inform a particular state's interpretation of its own foundational […]

Dr. Michael New of the Charlotte Lozier Institute Mainstream media misleads over Ohio abortion polls New poll shows Issue 1 ballot proposition has slight lead in Ohio Michael New's Articles at National Review The Charlotte Lozier Institute The post 2192. Abortion and an Ohio Referendum Requiring a 60% Majority to Amend the State Constitution – Dr. Michael New, 8/7/23 first appeared on Issues, Etc..

It's Hump Day! Sam speaks with attorney Matthew Butterick about a lawsuit he's involved with representing artists against OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. Then, he's joined by political reporter Cameron Joseph to discuss the upcoming referendum in Ohio, entitled Issue 1, regarding ballot measures in the state. First, Sam runs through updates on Donald Trump's various legal woes, WGA-Studio talks, Flint's new natal care plan, the Fed's continuing war on labor, SCOTUS record low public approval, and Russian bombing of Ukrainian grain stores, before parsing through the recent, massive indictment of Donald Trump of multiple charges of conspiracy and obstruction. Matthew Butterick then joins, diving right into his work with various acclaimed authors taking on the unauthorized use of their work across various AI engines, which, in fact, entirely rely on pre-existing and often-copyrighted works for their primary inputs, not to mention producing infringing derivative works with its outputs. After diving a little deeper into how this case centers on copyright infringement, and how it applies to other forms of AI (e.g. art and music), they wrap up by tackling the shape of the case as a class-action suit, and what the next steps are in this battle. Cameron Joseph then walks Sam through Ohio's various upcoming referendums, first looking to the referendum to enshrine abortion rights in the State Constitutions that is scheduled for November, and tackling the long organizing process that took it to get there, before touching on the legislature-expedited response by Gov DeWine's Secretary of State to launch an earlier referendum (scheduled for August) that makes it vastly more difficult to pass a constitutional referendum. After tackling the state of Ohio politics that led to these respective referenda, and why, the anti-referendum referendum seems poised to fail, they wrap up by looking to the ongoing political debacles in Wisconsin as liberals begin to take power and abuse the tools set up by the previous conservatives in their place. And in the Fun Half: Sam is joined by Sean Fitzgerald AKA Actual Justice Warrior as they debate all things crime, walking through the impact of the George Floyd protests and the COVID-19 Pandemic on retirement rates, police funding, and overall crime rates. Plus, your calls and IMs! Check out more details on the OpenAI lawsuit here: https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/9/23788741/sarah-silverman-openai-meta-chatgpt-llama-copyright-infringement-chatbots-artificial-intelligence-ai Check out Cameron's reporting on Issue 1 here: https://boltsmag.org/ohio-gop-sets-up-vote-to-weaken-direct-democracy/ Become a member at JoinTheMajorityReport.com: https://fans.fm/majority/join Subscribe to the ESVN YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/esvnshow Subscribe to the AMQuickie newsletter here: https://am-quickie.ghost.io/ Join the Majority Report Discord! http://majoritydiscord.com/ Get all your MR merch at our store: https://shop.majorityreportradio.com/ Get the free Majority Report App!: http://majority.fm/app Check out today's sponsors: HoldOn Bags: To shop plant based bags and replace single use plastics all over your home, visit https://holdonbags.com/MAJORITY or enter MAJORITY at checkout to save 20% off your order. Follow the Majority Report crew on Twitter: @SamSeder @EmmaVigeland @MattBinder @MattLech @BF1nn @BradKAlsop Check out Matt's show, Left Reckoning, on Youtube, and subscribe on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoning Subscribe to Brandon's show The Discourse on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ExpandTheDiscourse Subscribe to Discourse Blog, a newsletter and website for progressive essays and related fun partly run by AM Quickie writer Jack Crosbie. https://discourseblog.com/ Check out Matt Binder's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mattbinder Check out Ava Raiza's music here! https://avaraiza.bandcamp.com/ The Majority Report with Sam Seder - https://majorityreportradio.com/

Thursday, May 18th, 2023    Today, in the Hot Notes: the National Archives responds to a Special Counsel subpoena in the Trump Mar-a-Lago documents case; another Trump lawyer abandons ship; North Carolina Republicans override the Democratic Governor's veto of its abortion ban; big wins for Democrats in mayoral elections; SCOTUS will NOT block Illinois' assault weapons ban; Rudy Giuliani is hit with another lawsuit; Ohio Republicans want to make it harder to amend the State Constitution; Senate Democrats urge Biden to invoke the 14th Amendment to bypass the Republican manufactured debt ceiling crisis; plus AG and Dana deliver your Good News.Our GuestBrandon Deroche: Founder and CEO of Propellerhttps://propeller.lahttps://www.instagram.com/propeller.lahttps://twitter.com/ProplrWant some sweet Daily Beans Merchhttps://shop.dailybeanspod.com/Check out other MSW Media podcastshttps://mswmedia.com/shows/Follow AG and Dana on Twitter:Dr. Allison Gill https://twitter.com/allisongillhttps://twitter.com/MuellerSheWrotehttps://twitter.com/dailybeanspodDana Goldberghttps://twitter.com/DGComedy Google Doc of current legislation threatening trans people and their families:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fTxHLjBa86GA7WCT-V6AbEMGRFPMJndnaVGoZZX4PMw/edit?usp=sharingHave some good news; a confession; or a correction?https://www.dailybeanspod.com/confessional/Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:https://apple.co/3XNx7ckWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?https://dailybeans.supercast.techOrhttps://patreon.com/thedailybeansOr subscribe on Apple Podcastshttps://apple.co/3UKzKt0

Something truly inspiring happened on Tuesday. 2 red states and 2 blues states voted to remove "slavery as punishment for a crime" from their state constitutions - something that should've happened over 100 years ago. Progress can be very slow sometimes. It's a credit to the amazing grassroots organizers on the ground that these things passed - and it's a sign that bi-partisan support exists for at least a few issues. However, something troubling was revealed in all of this. In those 4 states - millions of people voted to KEEP SLAVERY as punishment for a crime. They were out-voted, yes, but in Oregon alone, nearly 50% of all voters, over half a million of them, voted to keep slavery. Like....WTF? I am a student of history - and even I have to admit that I would not have guessed that so many Americans would choose to keep such an abhorrent thing enshrined in the law, but they damn sure did. Let's talk about how truly insightful this is. To listen to today's FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for "The Breakdown with Shaun King." Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun