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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Defying Landry, Louisiana lawmakers reject giving him more control over licensing boards
Rep. Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge, left, greets Gov. Jeff Landry as Landry leaves the House Chamber with his son, JT Landry, right, after speaking on opening day of legislative session, Monday, April 14, 2025, at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate-Pool) In defiance of Gov. Jeff Landry, a Louisiana Senate committee rejected a proposal to give him more authority over appointees to 32 government boards and commissions, nearly half of which help regulate health care providers. The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 4-3 against House Bill 603 Wednesday that would have allowed the governor to appoint members to state licensing boards without input from others. Currently, the governor has to pick these board members from lists of nominees provided by trade associations and industry leaders in the applicable field. Landry was seeking more authority over boards ranging from those that regulate certified public accountants, plumbers and engineers to ones overseeing nurses, dentists and physical therapists. The number of appointees Landry would have selected varied from group to group. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The legislation's author, Rep. Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge, said the current appointment system is problematic because it lets professional trade groups pick their own regulators. 'The thought was to protect the consumer,' McMakin said at a public hearing this week. Sen. Greg Miller, R-Norco, backed McMakin's bill and shared his concerns about the current structure of the boards. 'The people who are supposed to be regulated are actually the ones doing the regulating,' Miller said. The bill closely resembles law changes Landry got approved last year that have already consolidated the governor's power over state appointees. State lawmakers gave Landry the ability to appoint the chairs of 150 state boards and commissions directly instead of relying on the boards to pick their own leaders. These boards include the 32 Landry hoped to gain more control over through McMakin's bill. Legislators also made changes in 2024 to the board of the Louisiana Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority to give the governor more say-so on members of that panel. The legislature also permitted the governor more power over appointees to the Louisiana Board of Ethics. Landry now gets to pick his appointees directly instead of having to choose from lists of nominees from Louisiana's private college and university leaders. On Wednesday, Senate committee members indicated the governor's previous power grabs made them wary of handing Landry more authority. 'Don't you think that the way the bill is .. strips away the voice of the particular industry to offer up potential nominees?' asked Sen. Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia, who voted against McMakin's legislation. 'It makes it, in a sense, purely political.' 'This kind of gives even more power to an already powerful executive branch,' Sen. Gary Carter, D-New Orleans, said. 'I have grave concerns about it.' McMakin said safeguards already in place make sure the governor selects qualified board members. The governor's appointees have to meet certain standards to serve, such as holding an occupational license in the field they would have to regulate. The governor's appointees also do not make up the majority of any of the licensing boards in his bill, McMakin said. Sen. Larry Selders, D-Baton Rouge, remained unconvinced that the governor should be given more authority. 'Where is the protection? Last year, we gave the governor the authority to appoint the chairmen. Now, we are giving the governor the authority to put two or three people – or various numbers – on different committees. And so when is it going to change again next year?' Selders said, before voting against the legislation. Despite the legislation failing, McMakin said the governor's office could find a way to revive it before the legislature ends its session June 12. 'The bill is not dead,' he said in an interview. Legislators have shown less tolerance for growing the governor's authority, however. A constitutional amendment aimed at giving the governor two at-large appointees to the five-member Public Service Commission failed to get off the ground earlier this spring. Landry's push to give him more sway over appointees to a New Orleans-area flood protection agency board has also died this session. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Read-in outside Texas Capitol House Chamber calls attention to SB 13
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several groups who say they oppose book bans in Texas staged a 'read-in' outside of the Capitol House Chamber. Public education advocates and community partners joined the Texas Freedom Network on Memorial Day to show public disapproval of Senate Bill 13, which the groups say is a 'legislative attempt to censor books representing underrepresented communities in Texas public schools and libraries.' RELATED: Appeals court rules libraries have right to 'government speech', can remove books based on content The bill's sponsor, Angela Paxton, R-District 8, said processes and standards for school library book acquisition need 'additional structure and transparency… to ensure that school library collections are appropriate for school campuses based on developmental suitability and on community values.' Attendees of the read-in sat in a circle outside the House Chamber Monday and read from books they say would be subject to removal if SB 13 is passed a full vote. SB 13 passed the Senate and House Public Education Committee and was set to be heard on the House floor Monday. The bill states that a parent is entitled to access written school records related to library obtained by their child. Among other provisions, SB 13 prohibits school libraries from possessing, acquiring or buying 'harmful material,' library material that is rated sexually explicit, library material that is pervasively vulgar or educationally unsuitable, and library material containing indecent or profane content. The bill 'recognizes that parents are the primary decision makers regarding a student's access to library material.' The bill also states that parents can petition a school district's board of trustees to establish a local school library advisory council, under certain conditions. Paxton and the bill's 21 sponsors say local school library advisory councils are meant to help ensure that library materials meet state standards and reflect local values. Meanwhile, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that libraries can take books off shelves based on their content, reversing a district court's decision in a case involving the Llano County Library. SB 13 is sponsored by 21 Republican Representatives and was on the Major State Calendar for Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Marjorie Taylor Greene Gets Into X Fight With Elon Musk's AI Bot
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. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia got into a tiff with Grok, the AI assistant and chatbot created by Elon Musk's xAI. The Context Greene, who was elected to Congress in 2017 on a pro-Trump, "America First" message, is one of the most divisive members of the House of Representatives. In addition to being one of President Donald Trump's most stalwart supporters, Greene has a history of spreading misinformation about vaccines, the COVID-19 pandemic, the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, the so-called American "deep state," the weather and more. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., gives a thumbs down during President Joe Bide's State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., gives a thumbs down during President Joe Bide's State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images What To Know Greene's squabble with Grok happened after the Georgia lawmaker posted about her Christian faith on X, writing: "I'm a Christian, an imperfect sinner saved by grace and faith in Jesus. I'm a nationalist, a proud American, who loves my country and wants to make our home nation is the best place for all American citizens and future generations to come." She continued: "I'm a mother, thankful for the blessings and responsibility God gave me with my children. I'm a business owner, humbled and grateful to be able to work as hard as humanly possible in the greatest country in the world to be successful, where nothing is given and all is earned. I'm a Representative, elected to serve the greatest people from the greatest district on the greatest country on Earth! May God bless each of you and may God bless America!!!" Another X user ran Greene's post through Grok, asking the AI bot, "[I]s is true? Is she really a Christian?" Grok responded by saying that while Greene "identifies as a Christian" by expressing her faith in Jesus Christ and having traditional beliefs, "her Christian nationalism and support for conspiracy theories, like QAnon, spark debate." "Critics, including religious leaders, argue her actions contradict Christian values of love and unity, citing her defense of January 6 and divisive rhetoric," Grok continued. "Supporters may see her stances as faith-driven. Whether she's 'really' a Christian is subjective, depending on personal and theological views. Her faith appears genuine to her, but public actions create controversy." Greene took issue with Grok's answer, replying in a subsequent X post: ".@grok the judgement seat belongs to GOD, not you a non-human AI platform. Grok is left leaning and continues to spread fake news and propaganda. When people give up their own discernment, stop seeking the truth, and depend on AI to analyze information, they will be lost." Another X user, "Grok's Handler," asked Grok to analyze Greene's defense, writing: "Hey @grok while@mtgreenee claims to be a Christian, do her public comments and voting record align with Jesus teachings? Yes or no answer." "No," Grok replied. Friday isn't the first time that Grok has spit out responses criticizing Republicans and Musk, who bought X (formerly Twitter) in 2022 and is one of Trump's biggest backers. The AI assistant also came under fire recently for denying that 6 million people died in the Holocaust—which it later blamed on a "programming error"—and for suggesting that claims of a "white genocide" in South Africa are true. Musk, meanwhile, has claimed that Grok is the world's "smartest AI." What People Are Saying Philip Bump, a columnist at The Washington Post, reacted to the squabble on Bluesky, writing: "lol mtg is fighting with a computer about god." This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Newsweek
22-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Donald Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Passes House: What Happens Next
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. President Donald Trump's sweeping budget package will move to the Senate after narrowly passing in the House early Thursday morning. The package, which Trump dubbed his "big, beautiful bill" contains a range of measures, including increased spending for the U.S. military and border security and tax cuts. Trump's bill, which would implement sweeping tax cuts, budget cuts and new work requirements for Medicaid, passed by a razor-thin margin and the Senate may make changes to the legislation. House Speaker Mike Johnson called passing the bill a "historic moment." Why It Matters The more than 1,000-page bill passed 215-214 following days of negotiations. Republicans Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Warren Davidson of Ohio voted against it, joining every House Democrat. The bill, which includes about $4.9 trillion in tax breaks, was passed after weeks of negotiations and talks with Republicans, some of whom were concerned about constituents losing critical benefits and others who called for further budget cuts. House Speaker Mike Johnson (center) talks with reporters as he walks to his office from the House Chamber at the Capitol on May 19, 2025, in Washington. House Speaker Mike Johnson (center) talks with reporters as he walks to his office from the House Chamber at the Capitol on May 19, 2025, in Washington. AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr. What To Know The Senate will consider the legislation under budget reconciliation rules, which require a simple majority to pass instead of 60 votes, as is typically required. The chamber has a 53-47 Republican majority, so needs near unanimity for the bill to pass. It is expected that the Senate will make changes to the bill. Some Senate Republicans, such as Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Josh Hawley of Missouri, have expressed opposition to the Medicaid cuts in the bill. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican who has been working with House Republicans who drafted the bill, told reporters that "the Senate will have its imprint on it." He has called for making permanent some tax provisions that are set to expire after a few years. The bill is not expected to be taken up by the chamber until early June, but Republicans have set a July 4 deadline for both chambers to pass the bill. The budget reconciliation rule also means there is a 20-hour limit on debate. What People Are Saying Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters Wednesday: "When it comes over here, I think [Johnson] would like to see as little change to the product as possible, because they've cobbled together a delicate balance over there. "The Senate will have its imprint on it." Representative Thomas Massie: "We're not rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic tonight. We're putting coal in the boiler and setting a course for the iceberg."
CBS News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Final vote expected today on wide-ranging election reform bill in Pennsylvania House
A final vote is expected to take place today on a wide-ranging election reform bill in the Pennsylvania House. On Monday, the House chamber advanced the bill, which covers a number of different election-related topics that have been issues throughout the state. If the bill, known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, is passed, it would change state laws around ballot drop boxes, early in-person voting, pre-canvassing of ballots, voting system accuracy, and election interference penalties. Many committee members praised the bill last week with some saying it contains election recommendations from the Joint State Government Commission. Those who opposed the bill criticized it as complicated and expensive. If the bill is approved by the House chamber, it would still need to be passed by the Republican-controlled Senate.
