Georgia IVF bill heads to governor's desk for signature
The bill passed the Georgia Senate on Thursday, sending it back to the House.
The IVF bill, supported by Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns, was supported overwhelmingly in the other chamber.
Lorie Franklin, wife of Statesboro State Sen. Lehman Franklin, said their family is overjoyed.
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The Franklins used IVF to conceive, telling Channel 2′s Richard Elliot that it gave them a personal stake in protecting IVF. That's why Sen. Franklin sponsored the legislation.
'Definitely, the process will be there for them. There won't be that fear of them not having the IVF process. That was our goal for this bill, so we're super happy about it,' the senator said after the bill passed in the Senate.
The bill was also a showing of bipartisanship in the chamber, with all of the state's Democratic senators backing the protections and supporting their entry in the state code.
Now passed in both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly, the bill heads to the governor for approval or veto.
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20 minutes ago
California Republicans targeted by redistricting slam effort as ‘naked politics'
California Republicans whose congressional districts would become more favorable to Democrats if proposed new district maps are approved by voters are condemning the effort as political and harmful to voters. Democrats such as Gov. Gavin Newsom had said they would target five GOP seats, launching an intranational tit-for-tat to counter new congressional maps proposed in Texas that could net the GOP five more seats in the Lone Star State. According to an analysis by The Center for Politics at the University of Virginia published on Monday, the state's 1st Congressional District, represented by Rep. Doug LaMalfa, would become far more Democratic leaning, swinging from -24.9 points for Harris in 2024 to what would be +12.3 points for Harris if the 2024 vote was repeated with the new map. The same would happen for the 48th District, held by 12-term incumbent Rep. Darrell Issa, whose district would go from Harris -15.3 points to Harris +3.4 points. And the 3rd District held by Rep. Kevin Kiley would become a Harris +10 seat, the Center for Politics found, a flip from Trump +4. The Center also found that the 41st District represented by 17-term incumbent Rep. Ken Calvert would be "essentially eliminated" geographically, and that the 22nd District, held by Rep. David Valadao, would become more competitive. The Cook Political Report rates Kiley's current district as Likely Republican in the 2026 midterms, and rates Calvert's and Valadao's as Leaning Republican in its list of competitive races. "I'm committed to defeating Newsom's power grab in this special election," Calvert said in a statement to ABC News. "Voters decided to give redistricting powers to the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission and take it away from politicians drawing their own districts. The gerrymandered maps are exactly why voters don't trust Sacramento politicians. I will fight to keep redistricting power with our citizens." LaMalfa, meanwhile, slammed the proposed maps for tying together geographic locations that seem to have no connection to each other. "If you want to know what's wrong with these maps -- just take a look at them. How on earth does Modoc County on the Nevada and Oregon Border have any common interest with Marin County and the Golden Gate Bridge?" LaMalfa said in a statement. "Voters took this power from Sacramento for just this reason. This is naked politics at its worst. LaMalfa also criticized how California's move, he said, could spark redistricting efforts in other states -- referencing GOP-run states such as Florida and Indiana. "Mid-Decade redistricting is wrong, no matter where it's being done," he wrote. A spokesperson for Issa, Jonathan Wilcox, similarly called the effort "a pure political power grab that shouldn't pass the test of voters who already decided to keep politicians like Newsom out of reapportionment. Congressman Issa supported the initiative to create the independent commission, he believes it is the best arrangement for California, and that the state constitution is being trashed for partisan advantage." Kiley has introduced legislation in Congress that would ban mid-decade redistricting nationwide. "Make no mistake, I will win reelection to the House regardless of the proposed changes to my district. But I fully expect that the beautiful 3rd District will remain exactly as it is," Kiley noted. "We will defeat Newsom's sham initiative and vindicate the will of California voters."
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Fact Check: Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier slept in House chamber after refusing GOP-mandated permission slip to leave
Claim: In August 2025, Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier, D-Fort Worth, slept overnight in the state House chamber because Republicans mandated that no Democratic lawmakers could not leave without a "permission slip" and a police escort, conditions she refused to accept. Rating: Context: Under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, Texas Republicans announced they would redraw the state's U.S. congressional district maps mid-decade. The new maps projected that Republicans would gain five seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Democratic lawmakers protested the redistricting by leaving the state and preventing the quorum needed for a legislative vote on the redistricting. When the Democrats returned, Republicans mandated they not be allowed to leave the House chamber without a "permission slip" and a police escort, ostensibly to prevent them from leaving the state again. On Aug. 18, 2025, posts appeared on social media platforms, including Facebook, Reddit and X, claiming that Texas Republicans in the state House of Representatives had locked state Rep. Nicole Collier, a Democrat from Fort Worth, in the House chamber overnight, refusing to allow her to leave until she signed a "permission slip" and agreed to a police escort. Snopes readers wrote in and searched the site for more information about the incident. The claim is true. It was reported in several reliable publications, including The Texas Tribune, CBS News and NBC News. Collier posted to her X account on Aug. 19 showing her sleeping in the House. Collier's decision to remain in the House chamber rather than accept the Republicans' conditions was the latest development in a long chain of events that began in June 2025 when The New York Times reported that President Donald Trump was pushing the state of Texas to redraw its federal congressional districts mid-decade in order to preserve the thin Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. District maps are generally drawn every decade following the census. Redrawing them mid-decade without being ordered to do so by a court is rare, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. Texas is one of 26 states where the state legislators have the power to draw the maps. State Republicans, who control a majority in both legislative houses, agreed to redistrict, and submitted a congressional map that would likely turn five Democratic seats into Republican seats. State Democrats (and many Texans) protested the move. However, the Democratic Party hasn't held a majority in Texas since 2002, giving them very little power in the legislature to stop the redistricting proposal. According to The Texas Tribune, however, there is one option that both political parties in the state have used to delay legislation since as early as 1870 — denying a quorum. In order for a legislature to vote on a measure, a certain number of representatives must be present. This number is called a quorum. Without the politicians, no votes. So, state Democrats left Texas to block the redistricting bill's passage. Republican officials retaliated by issuing civil arrest warrants for the missing Democrats, although the move was largely symbolic because the warrants applied only within state lines. They also "moved to extradite absent members from Illinois, launched investigations and sought to declare at least one Democrat's seat vacant," according to The Texas Tribune. The missing Democrats returned to Texas following California Gov. Gavin Newsom's announcement of a ballot initiative that would let that state redraw its own congressional districts to counteract the Texas redistricting. State House Speaker Dustin Burrows said Democrats would be given a permission slip that allowed them to leave the House on the condition that they were given an "around-the-clock escort" by Texas state troopers to ensure they did not attempt to break the legislative quorum again. Collier refused the police escort, meaning she would not be allowed to leave the state House until the next day when the body reconvened. "I refuse to sign away my dignity as a duly elected representative just so Republicans can control my movements and monitor me with police escorts," Collier said in a statement to The Texas Tribune. "When I press that button to vote, I know these maps will harm my constituents — I won't just go along quietly with their intimidation or their discrimination." Astudillo, By Carla. "Texas Republicans' Redistricting Map: How the GOP Could Increase Its Stronghold." The Texas Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025, Betts, By Hayden. "Denying Quorum Has Been a Texas Political Strategy since 1870." The Texas Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025, Davisson, Matthew, and Jack Fink. Texas Democrat Says She's Locked inside State Capitol after Refusing Mandatory DPS Escort - CBS Texas. 19 Aug. 2025, Eckman, Sarah J., and Whitaker L. Paige. Mid-Decade Congressional Redistricting: Key Issues. In Focus, IF13082, Congressional Research Service, "Fort Worth Rep. Nicole Collier Refuses to Leave Texas House, Protesting State Trooper Escorts." KERA News, 19 Aug. 2025, Goodman, J. David, and Shane Goldmacher. "White House Pushes Texas to Redistrict, Hoping to Blunt Democratic Gains." The New York Times, 9 Jun. 2025, Governor Abbott Orders Texas Department Of Public Safety To Arrest Delinquent House Democrats. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025. Guo, By Kayla. "Rep. Nicole Collier Spends Night on Texas House Floor after Refusing Police Escort." The Texas Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025, ---. "Texas House Democrats Return to Capitol, Ending Walkout over Redistricting Plan." The Texas Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025, Izzo, Jack. "This Democratic US House District in Texas Is Real, but It Was Drawn by Republicans." Snopes, 8 Aug. 2025, Klibanoff, By Eleanor. "Texas House Issues Arrest Warrants for Democrats Who Left State to Block Congressional Redistricting." The Texas Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025, Koseff, Alexei. "5 Things to Know about Gavin Newsom's Plan to Redraw California's Election Maps." CalMatters, 18 Aug. 2025. Lewis, Daniel. 'We've Had Enough': Texas Democrat Who Slept on State House Floor Speaks out | CNN Politics. 2025. "National Overview." All About Redistricting, Accessed 19 Aug. 2025. "Party Control of Texas State Government." Ballotpedia, Accessed 19 Aug. 2025. "Texas Democratic Legislator Is Sleeping in the State Capitol after Refusing Security Escort to Leave." NBC News, 19 Aug. 2025, Tracy, Matt. "Over 300 Protests Held Saturday against Trump Redistricting Push." Reuters, 17 Aug. 2025.

New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Curtis Sliwa's quality-of-life crackdown makes sense. But he still won't be the next mayor of New York City
Will Curtis Sliwa have any regrets if he wakes up on November 5 and Zohran Mamdani is the new mayor of New York — knowing he could have stepped aside and cleared the crowded campaign field that many fear will split the vote? 'Nope,' the Republican candidate told me. So he's not willing to sacrifice his candidacy to save the city he loves from socialism? Advertisement 'That's based on the idea that everyone is going to go over and vote Cuomo. Ain't happening. They hate Cuomo. I'm in the streets every day. All I hear is 'slapping fannies and killing grannies.' He's never apologized,' Sliwa said of Andrew Cuomo's Covid and #MeToo scandals. 8 Curtis Sliwa regularly campaigns in the subways he's patrolled as a Guardian Angel for decades. Debra L Rothenberg/Shutterstock Meanwhile, a new AARP poll shows Mamdani's support at 42% among registered voters; Cuomo is at 23%, fellow independent Adams is at 9%, and Sliwa claims 16%. It would stand to reason the three need to become one to beat the Democratic socialist. Advertisement But Sliwa says it isn't happening. 'Nobody is getting out. Cuomo isn't, [Eric] Adams isn't. Every day there's a discussion about dropping out, that's a good day for Mamdani,' Sliwa said. I met with the 71-year-old at his Midtown campaign headquarters. While he's been an NYC tabloid figure since the late 1970s, when he launched the civilian crime-fighting group the Guardian Angels, he's lately been almost unrecognizable — taking off his signature red beret in meetings to look more like a serious politician. 8 Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist, is leading the crowded field in the mayoral race. James Keivom Advertisement The thing is, I love everything Sliwa has to say, especially about quality-of-life crackdowns. He wants to cut taxes, ditch congestion pricing and tackle the costly epidemic of fare evasion. 'I laugh when Mamdani says 'free bus fare' and everyone is having a heart attack. I said, 'Hold on, people aren't paying in the first place. Why don't we just enforce the fare?'' Sliwa said. 'Adams didn't do it. Cuomo didn't do it. We need a no-tolerance policy.' 8 Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent, is not performing well in polls. REUTERS Advertisement Can I get an amen? Like Mamdani, Sliwa speaks about affordability, especially for younger New Yorkers who cannot 'afford the American dream anymore. They're in their 30s and still living in a dormitory' — I think he means they have a lot of roommates — 'yet they have a professional career and make good money.' Unlike the photogenic Mamdani, the Republican is not offering a buffet of cockamamie socialist policy 'solutions.' But in this crowded field, I don't think Sliwa has a shot at taking down Mamdani and his dangerous DSA ideology. He wholeheartedly disagrees. 'I have a very good shot.' 8 Curtis Sliwa regularly campaigns on the subway, calling it the 'best focus group of all. All it costs you is a swipe.' Debra L Rothenberg/Shutterstock The last time Sliwa ran for mayor, in 2021, the city was lumbering through the Covid cloud. He lost to Eric Adams and earned only 27.8% of the vote. 'I feel I can start with about 28%,' Sliwa said, 'and if I can get up to 32, 33, 34%, I'll be the next mayor of New York City.' Advertisement This time around, his campaign is pushing early voting, trying to court Millennials and Gen Z-ers who aren't drunk on Mamdani's 'everything is free' socialist brew — and reaching out to Muslim voters. Mamdani is far, far more progressive than most Muslims in the city. But Sliwa believes many conservative Muslims are turned off by cultural attacks from some politicians on the right, like Marjorie Taylor Greene. Last month, the representative from Georgia shared a meme of the Statue of Liberty covered in a burka. Because of insults like that, 'Some feel compelled to support Mamdani,' said Sliwa. 8 Curtis Sliwa has been a tabloid staple since the late 1970s, when he started the Guardian Angels. Bettmann Archive Advertisement Still — 'All the halal and coffee wagons, Uber drivers are all capitalists. I'm working on them to vote for me.' Sliwa blames Adams and his cronyism scandals for the rise of Mamdani. As for Cuomo, 'He told a group in the Hamptons that he's moving to Florida if he loses. He's waving a white flag,' alleged the Canarsie native. Despite reports, Sliwa said President Trump hasn't offered him a job in Washington to get him out of the race — nor has Trump called the Republican candidate to offer support. 8 Curtis Sliwa has started removing his signature red beret during some campaign meetings. James Messerschmidt for NY Post Advertisement Sliwa is non-plussed. 'I believe the president has far more serious issues to deal with, like peace in Ukraine and, if he can — and he alone can — resolving the Gaza situation.' As we wrap up our interview, Sliwa puts on his hat and we venture down Sixth Avenue. The red beret is like a beacon, attracting a Midtown crowd. One man taps him for a selfie. A group of blue-collar workers abandon their spot in a lunch-truck line to shake his hand and wish him luck. A smartly dressed woman in her 50s flags him down. A black man calls out in heavily-accented English from behind the wheel of a black SUV: 'Curtis, I've always wanted to meet you!' Advertisement 8 Curtis Sliwa said New York voters haven't forgiven Andrew Cuomo and that he's never apologized for his personal and professional scandals. Matthew McDermott 8 Curtis Sliwa and his wife Nancy are passionate about cats and animal rights. Matthew McDermott A union plumber who grew up in Staten Island jumped off a bench to offer his support. He and his colleagues said they would vote for Sliwa … but they all moved out to the 'burbs during Covid because the city was too dirty, too crime-ridden and too expensive. It's a familiar refrain. Sliwa wants to save the city — are there enough voters left who want to as well?



