Fort Worth, TX...U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor has ruled that the ACA or Obamacare is unconstitutional. From the Decision..."The Court’s analysis involves three separate inquiries and conclusions. First, the Court finds the Parties satisfy the applicable standing requirements. Second, the Court finds the Individual Mandate can no longer be fairly read as an exercise of Congress’s Tax Power and is still impermissible under the Interstate Commerce Clause—meaning the Individual Mandate is unconstitutional. Third, the Court finds the Individual Mandate is essential to and inseverable from the remainder of the ACA." The link to the full decision is below...
Attorney General Becerra Denounces Court Ruling Declaring the ACA Unconstitutional, Vows to Continue the Fight
Posted by: thepinetree on 12/14/2018 08:49 PM
Sacramento, CA...Attorney General Becerra today issued the following statement regarding Judge Reed O’Connor’s decision in Texas v. U.S., declaring the Affordable Care Act (ACA) unconstitutional, but denying the injunction: “Today’s ruling is an assault on 133 million Americans with preexisting conditions, on the 20 million Americans who rely on the ACA for healthcare, and on America’s faithful progress toward affordable healthcare for all Americans,” said Attorney General Becerra. “The ACA has already survived more than 70 unsuccessful repeal attempts and withstood scrutiny in the Supreme Court. Today’s misguided ruling will not deter us: our coalition will continue to fight in court for the health and wellbeing of all Americans.”
The U.S. Stands with France and Ready to Assist if Needed
Posted by: thepinetree on 12/13/2018 06:17 AM
Washington, DC...The United States stands in solidarity with France and condemns in the strongest terms the horrific act of terror in Strasbourg. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of those affected and with all the people of Strasbourg. We commend the work of the first responders, and are ready to provide any assistance that French officials require in this difficult time. We remain committed to working with France and our other allies and partners to defeat the global threat of terrorism. Crimes that target the innocent only reinforce our shared resolve to stop these senseless attacks and those who would commit them.
Washington, DC...The latest missives from the Presidential Fingers of Donald J. Trump. "WITCH HUNT! They gave General Flynn a great deal because they were embarrassed by the way he was treated - the FBI said he didn’t lie and they overrode the FBI. They want to scare everybody into making up stories that are not true by catching them in the smallest of misstatements. Sad!......
President Trump at Signing of an Executive Order Establishing the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council
Posted by: thepinetree on 12/13/2018 09:06 AM
Washington, DC....Thank you. In a few moments, I will sign an executive order launching a new White House Opportunity — this is a very big thing that Tim and I and everybody have been working on for a long time — and Revitalization Council. This council will coordinate efforts across the entire federal government to deliver jobs, investment, and growth to the communities that need it the most.
There are zones in our coverage area that qualify for the 10 year capital gains tax deferment in the 2017 tax bill. Clicking on the above map will give you a larger PDF copy where you drill down for potential investment areas.
CPUD & CCWD Boards Approve Memorandum of Understanding
Posted by: thepinetree on 12/13/2018 03:44 PM
San Andreas, CA...From CCWD...A new partnership was formed between the Calaveras Unified School District and the Calaveras County Water District this week when both Boards unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding. The districts are working together on a plan to connect Jenny Lind Elementary School to CCWD’s public sewer system. The school has been operating an on-site sewage treatment and disposal system since 1992, which is antiquated and has reached the end of its useful life. While the old plant is still functioning, CUSD does not have funds to replace the old equipment, which is why the preferred option is to connect to CCWD’s system using grant funding.
FCC Increases Universal Service Support for Faster Rural Broadband, Increases Support for Small Carriers and Eliminates Burdens
Posted by: thepinetree on 12/13/2018 10:42 PM
Washington, DC...Continuing its effort to close the digital divide, the Federal Communications Commission today took several steps to significantly improve the quality and expand the availability of high-speed Internet service in rural America. Included in these steps is additional funding for the Connect America Fund, the FCC’s program that helps expand broadband deployment and make broadband service more affordable in rural areas. In return for this increased funding, the FCC will require providers to expand the availability of faster service that will better meet the needs of consumers and businesses in today’s online world.
FCC Takes Action on Spam Robotext Messages & Blunts CA Efforts to Tax Text Messages
Posted by: thepinetree on 12/13/2018 11:07 PM
Washington, DC...The Federal Communications Commission today issued a ruling rejecting requests to make it harder for text messaging providers to protect consumers from spam and scam robotexts. The Commission’s decision makes clear that wireless providers are authorized to continue their efforts to stop unwanted text messaging through robotext-blocking, anti-spoofing measures, and other anti-spam features.
President Trump in Meeting with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker-Designate Nancy Pelosi
Posted by: thepinetree on 12/11/2018 02:10 PM
Washington, DC...Okay, thank you very much. It’s a great honor to have Nancy Pelosi with us and Chuck Schumer with us. And we’ve actually worked very hard on a couple of things that are happening. Criminal justice reform — as you know, we’ve just heard word — got word that Mitch McConnell and the group, we’re going to be putting it up for a vote. We have great Democrat support, great Republican support. So, criminal justice reform, something that people have been trying to get — how long, Nancy? Many years.
Full Transcript of Former FBI Director James Comey Interview by Judiciary Committee
Posted by: thepinetree on 12/09/2018 09:27 AM
Washington, D.C...Chairman Goodlatte..."This is a transcribed interview of James Comey. Chairman Gowdy and I requested this interview as part of a joint investigation by the House Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform into decisions made and not made by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding the 2016 Presidential election."
