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Boston Globe
24 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Police investigating after neo-Nazis spark scuffle in Concord, N.H.
'No arrests were made at that time,' the department said in a statement on Sunday, 'however this is an active investigation and the department expects to release more information soon.' In a follow-up statement on Monday, the department said officers had received several video recordings and were working to identify those who may have been involved. Advertisement A lieutenant told New Hampshire Public Radio that police were investigating Get N.H. Morning Report A weekday newsletter delivering the N.H. news you need to know right to your inbox. Enter Email Sign Up The marchers appeared to be affiliated with the white supremacist ' A 'Rage Against the Regime' protest against the Trump administration was Video published by Advertisement A spokesperson for U-Haul told The Boston Globe on Monday that the company had received video and photos 'almost immediately' after the incident showing the equipment being misused. 'It is extremely dangerous, illegal and a breach of our rental agreement to transport people in the cargo area of our equipment,' spokesperson Jeff Lockridge said in an email. 'The customer on this rental contract has been identified and can no longer rent from us.' Lockridge did not identify the customer, and he said U-Haul teams work closely with law enforcement 'and are available to assist with any investigative needs they have.' The supermarket near where the scuffle was documented is just down the street from a cafe where a different white nationalist group The incident from 2023 is the subject of an ongoing civil rights prosecution by the New Hampshire Department of Justice, and Governor Kelly A. Ayotte said the DOJ's civil rights unit is ' 'There is no place for hate groups or their repugnant and disgusting ideology in New Hampshire,' she said. The incident sparked denunciations from Republicans and Democrats alike in New Hampshire. 'This was an act of intimidation rooted in a violent ideology responsible for genocide, war, and crimes against humanity,' said State Representative Alexis Simpson of Exeter, the Democratic minority leader in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. New Hampshire GOP Vice Chair Hollie Noveletsky said the neo-Nazi group's worldview is ' Advertisement 'The Republican Party is unequivocal in condemning this fringe organization as they promote a completely anti-American ideology,' Noveletsky said. At the same time, Republican State Representative Joseph H. Alexander Jr. of Goffstown wrote 'This is communities free speech,' he said, 'and I will support it.' Any witnesses with video of the incident is asked to call the Concord Police Department at 603-225-8600. Those who wish to report information anonymously can call the regional crimeline at 603-226-3100, submit information Steven Porter can be reached at
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Miami Herald
24 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
Are legislative districts in US states drawn fairly? Poll shows partisan divide
Americans are divided over the fairness of legislative districts, with Democrats being more likely than Republicans to say electoral maps are drawn unfairly, according to the latest YouGov poll. At the same time, most Americans agree that redistricting efforts should be conducted by a nonpartisan body, as opposed to one political party. The survey, conducted on Aug. 4, comes as several states have moved to reform their legislative districts — areas that determine congressional representation in the House of Representatives — ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. In Texas, for example, the Republican-controlled legislature plans to vote on a newly proposed district map, which would add five new GOP districts. A group of Democratic lawmakers fled the state in an attempt to block the vote. In response, other states, like California, have proposed the possibility of redrawing their own legislative maps as a retaliatory measure, though many blue states face limitations since their redistricting processes are overseen by independent commissions. Here is a breakdown of the poll results. In the survey — which sampled 18,217 U.S. adults — respondents were asked: 'Do you think legislative districts are drawn fairly or unfairly in your state?' Thirty-four percent said they believe their districts are drawn very fairly (9%) or somewhat fairly (25%). A similar share, 35%, said they think their own legislative districts are designed somewhat unfairly (19%) or very unfairly (16%). An additional 31% said they were not sure. On this question, there was a noticeable partisan divide. Forty percent of Democrats said their district was designed in a biased fashion, while 36% of independents and 28% of Republicans said the same. Several studies in recent years have concluded that legislative district maps are often unfairly drawn. For example, a 2024 study from the University of Chicago found that gerrymandering, the process of manipulating electoral boundaries to favor one party, 'occurs in many states and municipalities, leading to less responsive legislatures.' A similar study from the University of Utah concluded that 'Americans are categorized and grouped differently during congressional redistricting depending on who is drawing the lines.' Some of the most gerrymandered states include: Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin, according to Newsweek, which compiled a report based on data from the World Population Review. In the poll — which has a margin of error of 1 percentage point — respondents were also asked whether they support requiring redistricting efforts to be handled by a 'nonpartisan redistricting commission.' A majority of respondents, 59%, said they strongly (38%) or somewhat support (21%) this. Meanwhile, just 11% said they somewhat (7%) or strongly oppose (4%) this measure. Thirty percent said they were not sure. On this question, there was a consensus across the political spectrum. Sixty-eight percent of Democrats, 56% of independents and 55% of Republicans said they're on board with restricting being conducted by nonpartisan commissions. Most state legislatures are responsible for redistricting, but 15 states have authorized commissions for the purpose of drawing legislative districts in an effort to reduce gerrymandering, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. These states include: California, Colorado, Hawaii and Michigan. Five other states, including New York, have advisory commissions that assist legislatures in the redistricting process. Redistricting is typically done every 10 years, following the decennial U.S. census, but some states conduct this process more often.
Newsweek
25 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Can Greg Abbott Kick Out Fleeing Democrats? Experts Weigh In
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas Governor Greg Abbott warned on Sunday that Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to break quorum during a special legislative session could be removed from office for abandoning their duties. Abbott cited a 2021 opinion by Attorney General Ken Paxton as justification, asserting that it allows him to declare vacancies and replace absent members. However, a detailed review of Texas law and the attorney general's opinion indicates the governor lacks unilateral authority to take such action. Why It Matters Abbott's threat highlights a broader clash over executive power, legislative independence and due process in Texas politics. While Abbott cites Paxton's 2021 opinion to justify potential removals, the opinion indicates that only courts—not the governor—can determine whether a legislator has abandoned office. If a governor could unilaterally remove legislators for breaking quorum, it would drastically expand executive power and potentially override voters' choices. Texas House members during a hearing at the state Capitol in Austin on July 10, 2021. Texas House members during a hearing at the state Capitol in Austin on July 10, 2021. Tamir Kalifa/Getty What To Know Who Is Greg Abbott? Abbott has served as Texas' governor since January 20, 2015. A former lawyer and Texas Supreme Court Justice (1996-2001), he served as attorney general from 2002 to 2015. A Republican since his state Supreme Court appointment by Governor George W. Bush, Abbott is known for his conservative positions on immigration, gun rights and limiting federal oversight. Who Is Ken Paxton? Ken Paxton, a former state legislator, has been Texas' attorney general since 2015. As the state's top legal officer, he issues advisory opinions like his 2021 KP-0382 and represents Texas in court. In 2023, Paxton faced an impeachment attempt in the Texas House over allegations of corruption, abuse of office and bribery tied to his relationship with a political donor. The Texas Senate held a trial in September 2023 and acquitted him on all counts, allowing him to remain in office. Quorum Breaks Explained A quorum break occurs when enough lawmakers leave a legislative session to prevent official business. Legislative bodies like the Texas House require a minimum number of members present to pass laws—two-thirds in this case. In Texas, a quorum is the minimum number of legislators required for the House (100 of 150 members) or Senate (21 of 31 members) to conduct business. If enough members leave, they can deny a quorum and halt legislative proceedings. The tactic, which is used by Democrats and Republicans, is legal but controversial. What the Paxton Opinion Says Attorney General Opinion KP-0382 was issued during a 2021 quorum standoff. It addressed whether lawmakers could break quorum and whether such actions create a vacancy. The opinion concluded: A vacancy may occur if an official "abandons" office. Determining abandonment is a fact-specific question for a court. A quo warranto action (a legal proceeding used to challenge whether a person has the legal right to hold a public office) must be filed by the attorney general or a district attorney for a court to decide if a legislator forfeited office. The opinion did not rule breaking quorum unconstitutional, nor did it grant the governor power to declare vacancies unilaterally. Historical Context Texas governors have used legal and procedural tools to compel lawmakers back to the chamber but have never removed members for breaking quorum. 1870: Thirteen Texas senators left the Capitol to block a wartime powers bill, denying a quorum. They were arrested, and the bill later passed, establishing quorum-breaking as a tactic in Texas politics. Thirteen Texas senators left the Capitol to block a wartime powers bill, denying a quorum. They were arrested, and the bill later passed, establishing quorum-breaking as a tactic in Texas politics. 1979: Twelve Democratic state senators nicknamed the "Killer Bees" hid for four and a half days to block a vote on presidential primary election rules. Twelve Democratic state senators nicknamed the "Killer Bees" hid for four and a half days to block a vote on presidential primary election rules. 2003: More than 50 Democrats fled to Oklahoma to delay a Republican-backed redistricting plan. The plan ultimately passed after lawmakers returned. More than 50 Democrats fled to Oklahoma to delay a Republican-backed redistricting plan. The plan ultimately passed after lawmakers returned. 2021: More than 50 Democrats went to Washington to protest voting restrictions. Arrests were authorized to compel attendance, and the bill passed after members returned. What People Are Saying Chuck DeVore, chief national initiatives officer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation and a former California lawmaker, told Newsweek on Monday: "The governor has threatened to declare a vacancy, which he can do. This does not require any sort of judicial Article IV, Section 10 of the Texas governor can declare vacancies. "I really think that eventually there will be members that come are members that cannot withstand the financial potentially criminal action, because if it's found out that you took money from somebody in exchange for breaking illegal. "What happened the last time [2021]...the average Texan simply looks at this and says, you're not doing your job. And what ends up happening is the public begins to turn against them." Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston, told the Texas Tribune: "It's a messaging a last resort for Democrats who have run out of options legislatively and even legally." Mark P. Jones, a political science professor at Rice University: "If we're going to follow our current primary schedule, we do need to have these districts approved by the Legislature before the opening of filing [for the 2026 midterms] in November." The Texas House Democratic Caucus, in a four-word statement in response to Abbott's threats: "Come and take it." Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, during a press conference on Sunday: "We're going to do everything we can to protect every single one of them." What Happens Next Abbott ordered Democratic lawmakers to return when the House reconvenes on August 4. While he has threatened to declare their seats vacant, any attempt would almost certainly lead to a court challenge. With no precedent for removal in Texas history, the standoff could prolong legislative gridlock, prompt additional special sessions and potentially set new legal precedent on gubernatorial authority (the legal powers and responsibilities granted to a state governor under a state's constitution and laws) and quorum-breaking tactics.
