Washington, DC....The Kavanaugh Confirmation Hearing Continues. The hearing has taken some wild twists and turns.
It has had partisanship, protests and even at time some markedly detailed and erudite legal arguments across the political spectrum. It has even turned Federalist Papers references into a legal nerd drinking game of sorts.
Sanders, Khanna Introduce Bill to Get Billionaires Off Welfare
Posted by: thepinetree on 09/06/2018 07:13 PM
Washington, DC...Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) announced legislation Wednesday to give large, profitable corporations such as Amazon and Walmart a choice: pay workers a living wage or pay for the public assistance programs like Medicaid, food stamps and public housing its low-wage workers are forced to rely on. Low wages cost taxpayers about $150 billion per year, according to a study from the University of California, Berkeley Labor Center.
Forest Service Open House Sept. 6 to Discuss Potential Snowmobile Restrictions in OSV Draft EIS
Posted by: thepinetree on 09/05/2018 05:37 PM
Sonora, CA...Forest Supervisor Jason Kuiken will host an open house Thursday, Sept. 6, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Stanislaus National Forest Supervisor’s Office. Members of the public may review maps and discuss the draft Environmental Impact Statement alternatives with forest staff. Maps of the proposed Over-Snow vehicle-use designations for each alternative will be on display.
Arizona Governor Ducey Appoints Senator Jon Kyl to Fill John McCain's Senate Seat
Posted by: thepinetree on 09/04/2018 12:12 PM
Phoenix, AZ...Governor Doug Ducey today announced that former Senator Jon Kyl has agreed to serve in the U.S. Senate again, filling the seat vacated by the late Senator John McCain. As Arizona’s Senator, Kyl will serve through at least the second session of the 115th Congress, concluding this year. “There is no one in Arizona more prepared to represent our state in the U.S. Senate than Jon Kyl. He understands how the Senate functions, and will make an immediate and positive impact benefiting all Arizonans. I am deeply grateful to Senator Kyl for agreeing to succeed his friend and colleague of so many years. Every single day that Jon Kyl represents Arizona in the United States Senate is a day when our state is being well-served,” said Governor Doug Ducey.
Washington, DC....Judge Brett Kavanaugh is sworn in and delivers his opening statement before the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing. Full video here: https://cs.pn/2PBFYdf
RSF Appalled by Jail Terms for Two Myanmar Journalists
Posted by: thepinetree on 09/03/2018 07:51 AM
Yangon, Myanmar.....Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the iniquity of the seven-year prison sentences that two Reuters reporters received in Yangon today at the end of a sham trial, and reiterates its call for their immediate release. On what was a dark day for press freedom in Myanmar, Kyaw Soe Ooand Wa Lone were convicted of violating the country’s Official Secrets Act for investigating a massacre of ten Rohingya civilians by soldiers exactly a year and a day ago in Inn Dinn, a village in the north of Rakhine state.
Governor Brown Signs Legislation to Revamp California’s Bail System & Eliminate Cash Bail
Posted by: thepinetree on 08/29/2018 08:53 AM
Sacramento, CA...Taking action to revamp California’s bail system, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed Senate Bill 10, the California Money Bail Reform Act, which preserves the rights of the accused, while prioritizing public safety. The new law – which will take effect on October 1, 2019 – establishes a new system for determining a defendant’s custody status while they await trial based on an assessment of risk to public safety and probability of missing a court date rather than their ability to pay cash bail. “Today, California reforms its bail system so that rich and poor alike are treated fairly,” said Governor Brown.
State Water Resources Control Board Continues Meeting to Consider Updated Flow Objectives
Posted by: thepinetree on 08/29/2018 10:56 AM
Sacramento, CA...Recognizing the complexity and sensitivity of its work to update flow requirements for the Lower San Joaquin River and its tributaries—the Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced rivers – the State Water Resources Control Board announced it will continue its meeting until Nov. 7. After receiving extensive written comments and hearing many hours of testimony from a wide range of perspectives over the past two days, the Board formally continued the meeting to Nov. 7. Testimony was heard from more than 150 individuals and groups.
