Latest news with #Kate'sLaw
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
CAPITOL ROUNDUP: Gov. Shapiro challenges decision to revoke $185M owed 116 PA school districts
Apr. 13—WILKES-BARRE — Gov. Josh Shapiro this week joined a multi-state lawsuit with 15 other states and the District of Columbia challenging the Trump Administration's decision to abruptly revoke $185 million in funding owed to Pennsylvania — much of which the United States Department of Education had already approved for distribution. These funds include $183.6 million owed to 116 Pennsylvania school districts, charter schools, intermediate units, and career and technical centers and $1.8 million owed to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This funding supports mental health resources for students, provides access to reliable high-speed internet, and enables HVAC installation to improve student health and safety. Gov. Shapiro has been working aggressively to protect Pennsylvania taxpayers and ensure the federal government honors its obligations. In February, the Governor filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's unconstitutional freeze of federal funding, and just last week Governor Shapiro joined a multistate lawsuit to protect public health in Pennsylvania after the Trump Administration abruptly and arbitrarily canceled more than half a billion dollars in public health grants. As a result of the Governor taking legal action both times, $2.7 billion in federal funding owed to Pennsylvanians has been restored. "Congress and the federal government made a commitment to our students, and school districts across Pennsylvania started construction to make schools safer, delivered supplies to students, and invested to create more opportunity for our kids based on that commitment," said Gov. Shapiro. "Now the Trump Administration is trying to renege on its commitments to our kids and leave Pennsylvania taxpayers holding the bag. Every Pennsylvania student deserves the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed." In early 2025, the United States Department of Education (USDE) granted Pennsylvania an extension of time to access hundreds of millions of dollars in funds previously awarded to students in grades K-12 attending both public and private schools. Legislation would increase penalties for illegals reentering the U.S. U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, this week co-sponsored H.R. 749 — the Stop Illegal Reentry Act (Kate's Law) — a bill that would increase criminal penalties for specific individuals who illegally reenter the U.S. after exclusion or removal. The Stop Illegal Reentry Act, also known as Kate's Law, is named in memory of Kate Steinle — a 32-year-old woman tragically killed by an illegal immigrant with multiple felony convictions who had been deported five times. Under this legislation, individuals who have been denied entry or removed from the U.S. three or more times and then attempt to reenter illegally would face fines, up to ten years in prison, or both. The bill also imposes stricter penalties on those with serious criminal history — specifically individuals convicted of aggravated felonies or removed after at least two prior convictions. If they attempt to reenter, they would face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to twenty years in prison, along with possible fines. Rep. Meuser noted that under President Trump's leadership, illegal border crossings have drastically been reduced compared to the number of illegal crossings under the Biden Administration. For context, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported just 7,181 encounters at the Southern border in March of this year — a 95% decrease from the 137,473 encounters recorded in March 2024 under the Biden-Harris administration. "H.R. 749, the Stop Illegal Reentry Act, is a targeted effort to impose serious consequences on individuals who repeatedly and unlawfully reenter the United States after removal — particularly those with felony convictions," Rep. Meuser said. "This legislation sends a clear message: if you've been removed from the country due to criminal activity and attempt to return illegally, there will be real consequences. By enforcing our immigration laws and strengthening penalties, we can help prevent future tragedies and restore accountability at the border. No family should have to endure the kind of loss that Kate Steinle's family did." H.R. 749 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for further consideration. U.S. Sen. McCormick introduces term limits resolution U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pittsburgh, introduced a joint resolution this week proposing an amendment to the Constitution to implement term limits in Congress. This resolution would limit Senators to two six-year terms and House Members to six two-year terms, limiting either chamber to service of 12 years. "Our Founding Fathers never imagined that Congress would become an institution filled with career politicians who stay on well past retirement age, and Congress shouldn't be a place where people can get comfortable in their jobs," Sen. McCormick said. "We are extremely grateful for those who have served, for those who are serving, and for those who are willing to serve. At the same time, we need constant change and new blood for our democracy to work, and it is my hope that this resolution can help Washington begin to work again for the American people." Notably, McCormick's resolution would not apply to any person who was in office prior to the 118th Congress. Sen. McCormick said elected office has become an increasingly popular career choice rather than a temporary service. More than one-third of Senators in the 118th Congress were 70 or older. The 119th Congress is the third oldest in history. The average Senator is nearly 64 years old, which is 11 years older than the average Senator in 1981. Similarly, the House Members are nearly nine years older on average than they were in 1981. As of this year, Members of the House and Senate have an average of 8.6 and 11.2 years of prior service in their respective chambers. This represents a steady increase from the early 20th century when that number fell below six years for both the House and Senate. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Politico
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Politico
San Francisco digs in against Trump
Presented by California Resources Corporation / Carbon TerraVault THE BUZZ: TO THE TRENCHES — As President Donald Trump and Republicans lead a multi-front assault on sanctuary-city laws, local officials in San Francisco are digging in for battle. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday to reaffirm their support for a decades-old policy designed to shield undocumented immigrants from deportation by prohibiting law enforcement and other city employees from cooperating with federal authorities. In doing so, San Francisco effectively renewed its vows as a sanctuary city — a heavily symbolic poke in the eye to Trump. Trump and his allies have unleashed on sanctuary locales like San Francisco — and the entire state of California — over the past nine days, threatening to prosecute police who don't assist with deportations and to withhold federal funding. On Tuesday, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz reintroduced 'Kate's Law,' a proposed immigration crackdown inspired by the death of 32-year-old Kate Steinle, who was killed on a San Francisco pier in 2015 by an undocumented man with a criminal history. The case put the city's longstanding immigrant protections under a harsh national spotlight — a moment that Republicans are keen to revisit. But Tuesday's vote in San Francisco is likely just an opening act for city leaders who say they'll fight to defend the 1989 sanctuary policy. Earlier in the day, nearly every local elected official in town attended a pro-sanctuary rally on the steps of City Hall, standing alongside nearly 100 union workers from SEIU Local 87, which represents janitorial workers. Emotions were high, amplified by rumblings of ICE agents visiting downtown office buildings in the city — though no raids have been confirmed. The city's three top law-enforcement officials — District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, Police Chief Bill Scott and Sheriff Paul Miyamoto — vowed not to work with ICE agents, as required by city and state law (though both include exceptions for serious felonies). Jenkins, a moderate Democrat who helped oust progressive former DA Chesa Boudin in a 2022 recall, said her office is assuring immigrants, especially victims of crime, that they are 'doing nothing in coordination with any federal immigration enforcement whatsoever.' Mayor Daniel Lurie, who took office three weeks ago, spoke briefly but avoided mentioning Trump by name or using the phrase 'sanctuary city,' unlike other city leaders. Lurie was at the rally for about five minutes and swiftly left after his remarks. 'We stand with you, you belong here,' Lurie told the crowd. In a news release the night before, Lurie's office downplayed his appearance at the rally, instead highlighting other press events to promote his proposal to combat fentanyl addiction. His office said he would not sign the sanctuary resolution — which can take effect without his signature — saying that it's the mayor's policy 'not to comment or act on urging resolutions.' His more cautious response mirrors that of many other Democratic elected leaders across the country who've been reluctant to do battle with Trump over immigration. But the moderate Democrat could soon face growing pressure to go further from the city's sizable progressive base. Supervisor Jackie Fielder, who represents the Mission District (historically an immigrant neighborhood), is proposing that the city, which faces a nearly $1 billion deficit, divert additional funding to legal aid programs for undocumented people. 'If this city has money for luxury real-estate developers,' Fielder told cheering union workers, 'it has money … to provide the resources that our immigrant community deserves.' GOOD MORNING. Happy Wednesday. Thanks for waking up with Playbook. You can text us at 916-562-0685 — save it as 'CA Playbook' in your contacts. Or drop us a line at dgardiner@ and bjones@ or on X — @DustinGardiner and @jonesblakej. WHERE'S GAVIN? Nothing official announced. DON'T MISS IT: POLITICO AT USC — Join POLITICO's own Chris Cadelago, Sasha Issenberg and Jonathan Martin alongside other political luminaries like James Carville and Reince Priebus at USC's annual Warschaw Conference on Practical Politics on Thursday, Jan. 30. Throughout the day, panelists from politics, government, media and academia will discuss 'The Trumping of America: Why and What's Next.' Please register via Zoom. STATE CAPITOL FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: CA BITES BACK — Today is day one of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation hearings to become secretary of Health and Human Services. And — not so coincidentally — it's also the day Democratic Assemblymember Mia Bonta chose to introduce a bill to expand access to fluoride treatments for kids. RFK is a noted fluoride hater and has said he wants to remove the cavity-fighting mineral from the nation's water supplies. Bonta's bill would require insurance plans to cover fluoride treatments for people under 21 and make it easier to get the treatment at school and other public health settings. The proposal is informally called the Respecting Fluoride for Kids Act. Is that petty? We'll let you sink your teeth into that one yourself. — Rachel Bluth LOS ANGELES OUT OF THE DUGOUT — Gov. Gavin Newsom descended the steps of Dodger Stadium with some of Los Angeles' most prominent sports figures to announce LA Rises, a new private-sector initiative to support rebuilding efforts after this month's devastating wildfires. The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and the Mark Walter Family Foundation committed up to $100 million and intend to raise additional funds through private donations. Lakers legend Magic Johnson, who is a part owner of the Dodgers, said he plans to engage with Altadena, a historically Black area north of Pasadena, through community meetings. 'Those people may be left behind and I want to make sure that doesn't happen,' Johnson said. 'I know Pacific Palisades, I know Pasadena, but I want my focus and my attention to be on these people.' He will be joined by LA28 President and Chair Casey Wasserman to lead philanthropic efforts. — Nicole Norman CLIMATE AND ENERGY DOUBLE TROUBLE — It isn't just California — state leaders across the country have been double-clutching on more ambitious climate policy in fears of voter backlash over high electricity and gas prices. And that was before President Trump started dismantling climate regulations and incentives. Read what that means for efforts to cut planet-warming pollution in last night's California Climate. Top Talkers TOP COP — Alameda County Judge Ursula Jones Dickson will be the county's next district attorney, succeeding recalled former DA Pamela Price. The Board of Supervisors selected Jones Dickson last night, after more than four hours of closed-door deliberations. She will be sworn in Feb. 4. As the San Francisco Chronicle reported, Jones Dickson cast herself as the most impartial candidate among the pool of seven finalists. 'The job at the beginning and at the end… is to do what's right for the community, protect the public and uplift the victims,' she said. RIVAS FUMES — Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas was strikingly confrontational in a statement on Trump's temporarily blocked order to freeze broad (and undefined) swaths of federal funding, saying it 'endangers all of us.' 'The White House is playing a dangerous game,' Rivas said ahead of his chamber's planned vote to set aside $25 million for the state Department of Justice to fight the White House in court. 'California sends more money to Washington than any other state, and we are prepared to defend our residents.' A federal judge temporarily stopped the order from taking effect on Tuesday as court challenges are considered. UP NEXT: SUPREME COURT — The ensuing legal fight could reach the Supreme Court in a matter of months, if not weeks, our colleague Kyle Cheney reports. 'The central question will be whether Trump can persuade five justices to agree that presidents have a constitutional prerogative to 'impound' — or refuse to spend — money that Congress has appropriated. In the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, Congress provided a framework for presidents to seek to rescind certain funds. But outside that framework — which Trump's Monday night freeze does not even attempt to comply with — courts have never recognized a general impoundment power for presidents,' Kyle writes. AROUND THE STATE — An adviser to the San Francisco mayor says that Lurie's promise to end unsheltered homelessness within six months was a 'slip-up.' (San Francisco Standard) — Demand for housing in Orange County has surged dramatically since fire survivors have begun looking for homes. (The Orange County Register) — Federal agents launched targeted operations in San Diego County to arrest undocumented immigrants. (The San Diego Union-Tribune) — compiled by Nicole Norman PLAYBOOKERS PEOPLE MOVES — Newsom has appointed San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria to the California Air Resources Board. Allison Barnett has joined Platinum Advisors as a lobbyist focusing on the firm's health care clients. She was previously senior director of government relations at Health Net of California. BIRTHDAYS — Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.) favorite cake: chocolate with vanilla frosting… Assemblymember James Ramos … Amazon's Mary Kate McCarthy … Kristine Grow of Arnold Ventures … Maureen 'Mo' Elinzano in Rep. Doris Matsui's office … Aaron Krasney … David Agus … Sam Lawrence … Natasha Minsker … former Mayor London Breed adviser Jeff Cretan … BELATED B-DAY WISHES — (was Tuesday): Assemblymember Jessica Caloza (favorite cake: 'more like ice cream pie from Magpies in Highland Park') … Richard Danielpour WANT A SHOUT-OUT FEATURED? — Send us a birthday, career move or another special occasion to include in POLITICO's California Playbook. You can now submit a shout-out using this Google form.
