Latest news with #Republicans.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mecklenburg transit bill's chances remain '50-50,' Republican senators say
Senator Vickie Sawyer, who filed Mecklenburg County's tax bill to revamp the area's transit system, said the bill has '50-50′ chances of passing. Sawyer represents northern Mecklenburg County and Iredell County. She is also the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. She filed Senate Bill 145 in January. But the bill has yet to move forward, the Charlotte Observer reported. The bill filed would allow Mecklenburg County to add a sales tax referendum on the ballot. It would propose a one-cent sales tax to pay for roads and public transit. It would require 40% of the tax revenue to go toward road projects and 60% to go to fund public transit, according to the Charlotte Observer. Transportation needs are the 'No. 1 issue' for lawmakers, Sawyer told the Charlotte Observer. And she said this is true for lawmakers across the state, not just in Mecklenburg County. 'I've said this from the very beginning, we have to look at a statewide approach to transportation funding,' Sawyer said. 'And if Mecklenburg County should get this, then every county should have the same opportunity, right?' She said representatives across the state need to provide more tools for their counties. 'I see a statewide approach as an ability to do that, and it doesn't mean the one-size-fits-all,' Sawyer said. Sawyer told the Charlotte Observer that Charlotte has a need for public transit, but Iredell needs to address orphan roads that were never transferred to the state or municipality for maintenance. READ: Transit momentum: Newly filed bill would allow sales tax increase for transit Senate leader Phil Berger told reporters that he believes the bill will move forward during this legislative session. 'I think it's still something that folks are interested in getting across the finish line,' Berger told reporters. 'We've just continued to have conversations, and I'm still of the opinion that it's something that we will see pass.' She said the Republican party is making efforts not to be 'picking winners and losers.' And she said it is hard to find support for a tax increase from Senate Republicans. Union County Republican Senator Todd Johnson told the Charlotte Observer that he doesn't think the bill has a chance. He said that Union and Iredell Counties would be the 'losers' if this bill passed. 'The only way to appropriately address the issue would either be one of two things: do nothing, or a statewide approach, because when you're cherry-picking one particular county, municipality, any subdivision of government, then there's obviously going to be winners and losers from that,' Johnson said. The southern edge of Mooresville in Iredell had been included in the plans for the Red Line, which is first on Charlotte's project list. But some Iredell County officials have expressed concerns over allowing the Red Line to extend into their county. Johnson said the bill needs too much work to be placed on this year's ballot. But Sawyer said the timing depends on how the rest of the session goes. WATCH: Transit momentum: Newly filed bill would allow sales tax increase for transit
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
University presidents, Republican lawmakers spar over alleged antisemitism on campuses
College presidents faced off with lawmakers on the House Education and Workforce Committee on Wednesday in an at-times contentious congressional hearing examining alleged antisemitism on campus. But the school leaders' concessions and inability to explain why they didn't follow university policies to remove encampment demonstrations fell short of satisfying Republicans.. When pressed by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain "How'd that go?" DePaul University President Robert Manuel responded, "Not very well." "Your apologies are a little hollow," McClain responded. PHOTO: Rep. Lisa McClain speaks at a hearing of the House Committee on Education and Workforce at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. , on May 7, 2025. (Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA via AP) The hearing, aimed at stopping the alleged spread of antisemitism at colleges and universities, featured the presidents of DePaul University, Haverford College and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Dr. Jeffrey Armstrong of Cal Poly defended his school and its "vibrant" Jewish community. "We do not tolerate threatening activity," Armstrong said. "We deploy campus police whenever there is the potential for trouble, and they make arrests and file criminal charges when justified. In addition, when alleged antisemitism or harassment occurs, we investigate and impose immediate university discipline," he added. In an exchange with Haverford President Wendy Raymond, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., admonished Raymond for her university's lack of transparency in identifying the school's disciplinary actions. "For the American people watching, you still don't get it -- Haverford still doesn't get it," Stefanik said. "It's a very different testimony than the other presidents who are here today who are coming with specifics," she added. "So, again, this is completely unacceptable, and it's why this committee stepped in because higher education has failed to address the scourge of antisemitism, putting Jewish students a risk at Haverford and other campuses across the country." PHOTO: College Presidents Testify At House Hearing On Antisemitism On Campuses () MORE: Education Department freezes Harvard's research funding, seeking compliance with Trump administration Stefanik has led the charge against antisemitic conduct and harassment on campuses since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel. Her question -- does calling for the genocide of Jews constitute as hate speech on campus? -- became the highlight of the Education and Workforce Committee's historic Dec. 5, 2023, hearing with the presidents of Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on combating antisemitism. But the hearing, called "Beyond the Ivy League," is a stark contrast from those featuring the schools on which the committee had typically focused its ire. This time, the university presidents prepared for Stefanik's grilling. The congresswoman asked if calling for the genocide of Jews is "protected speech" on Haverford's campus. "No, of course not," Raymond replied. "And what disciplinary action has been taken or would be taken if someone made that call?" Stefanik interjected. "Representative, there have been no such calls, and we would use all of our disciplinary actions to follow through on any such call," Raymond said. "I would never expect that to happen at Haverford, and if it would, we would deal with that swiftly." McClain told ABC News after her questioning in the hearing that it isn't Congress' job to get any of the presidents fired but that she thinks it should be "considered." "All options are on the table," McClain said. "Actions speak louder than words, right?" McClain added. "There has to be consequences to one's actions. And that's what's not happening at these universities. It's lip service." All the presidents distanced themselves from the answers made in the Harvard hearing and apologized to their respective Jewish communities for their inaction. "To our students, our parents, our faculty, our staff, our alumni and our friends, I am deeply sorry," Manuel said. "I know there are areas where we must and will do better." Manuel also spoke directly to two of his students who were harassed on campus last fall, including Michael Kaminsky, a junior who was in attendance at the hearing on Wednesday and said at a news conference on Capitol Hill on Tuesday that he was injured during an assault for being a Jewish American. "What happened to them was a hate crime. No one should ever be attacked because of who they are. I am sorry for the pain they experienced," he said. PHOTO: President of Haverford College Wendy Raymond and President of DePaul University Robert Manuel testify during a hearing before the House Education and Workforce Committee at the Rayburn House Office Building, on May 7, 2025, in Washington, D.C. () MORE: More than 25 protesters arrested after taking over University of Washington building The hearing was the committee's ninth congressional event dedicated to antisemitism since Oct. 7. Despite more than a year of oversight, Chairman Tim Walberg, R-Mich., said universities continue to be infested with antisemitism. Walberg slammed the presidents testifying on Wednesday, especially Haverford College, saying, "The Haverford administration has consistently refused to act against severe antisemitic harassment on campus. It has refused to even condemn these incidents of harassment or hostility in a clear, unequivocal statement, much less to meaningfully discipline the students responsible for these incidents." However, the liberal arts school has taken steps to address antisemitism in all its forms, argued Raymond, who repeatedly denounced hate speech on her campus. "I hear you and acknowledge that we can do better and I can do better," Raymond said. "To our Jewish students, some of you who are here today, I wish to make it unmistakably clear that you are valued members of our community and on our campus. I am sorry that my actions and my leadership let you down. I remain committed to addressing antisemitism and all issues that harm our community members. I am committed to getting this right," Raymond added. McClain blasted the "hollow" apologies. "Why did it take them this long to apologize, No. 1, and why did it take them this long to change their policies?" McClain told ABC News. "If they were truly sorry, it should have happened long, long ago." She warned colleges and universities that fostering antisemitism on campus could lead to monetary consequences, including the loss of federal funding. "The only thing that these universities respect is the dollar," McClain said. "I know it shouldn't be like that, but that gets their attention." PHOTO: Rep. Elise Stefanik speaks during a hearing before the House Education and Workforce Committee at the Rayburn House Office Building, on May 7, 2025, in Washington, D.C. () MORE: Department of Education lays off nearly 50% of its workforce Meanwhile, Democrats claimed the dismantling of the Department of Education's civil rights divisions, which conducts investigations on the issues the committee is bringing up in its hearings, runs counter to Republicans' work to eliminate antisemitism on college campuses. "We have in place systems to hold universities who receive federal money -- to hold them accountable for discrimination that occurs on the basis of religion," said Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., who later stormed out of the hearing during Stefanik's questioning. Ranking member Bobby Scott, D-Va., said the department has a backlog of 12,000 open civil rights cases but that the agency has slashed half its staff and shuttered regional civil rights offices across the country. "One is left to wonder how can OCR carry out its important responsibilities with half the staff?" Scott asked. Jewish Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., said she can no longer pretend the antisemitism crusade is a "good faith" effort by her Republican colleagues on the committee. "Instead of engaging with this topic genuinely and constructively, we have another performative hearing," Bonamici said. "It's another chapter in the majority's battle against higher education." University presidents, Republican lawmakers spar over alleged antisemitism on campuses originally appeared on
07-05-2025
- Politics
University presidents, Republican lawmakers spar over alleged antisemitism on campuses
College presidents faced off with lawmakers on the House Education and Workforce Committee on Wednesday in an at-times contentious congressional hearing examining alleged antisemitism on campus. But the school leaders' concessions and inability to explain why they didn't follow university policies to remove encampment demonstrations fell short of satisfying Republicans.. When pressed by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain "How'd that go?" DePaul University President Robert Manuel responded, "Not very well." "Your apologies are a little hollow," McClain responded. The hearing, aimed at stopping the alleged spread of antisemitism at colleges and universities, featured the presidents of DePaul University, Haverford College and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Dr. Jeffrey Armstrong of Cal Poly defended his school and its "vibrant" Jewish community. "We do not tolerate threatening activity," Armstrong said. "We deploy campus police whenever there is the potential for trouble, and they make arrests and file criminal charges when justified. In addition, when alleged antisemitism or harassment occurs, we investigate and impose immediate university discipline," he added. In an exchange with Haverford President Wendy Raymond, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., admonished Raymond for her university's lack of transparency in identifying the school's disciplinary actions. "For the American people watching, you still don't get it -- Haverford still doesn't get it," Stefanik said. "It's a very different testimony than the other presidents who are here today who are coming with specifics," she added. "So, again, this is completely unacceptable, and it's why this committee stepped in because higher education has failed to address the scourge of antisemitism, putting Jewish students a risk at Haverford and other campuses across the country." Stefanik has led the charge against antisemitic conduct and harassment on campuses since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel. Her question -- does calling for the genocide of Jews constitute as hate speech on campus? -- became the highlight of the Education and Workforce Committee's historic Dec. 5, 2023, hearing with the presidents of Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on combating antisemitism. But the hearing, called "Beyond the Ivy League," is a stark contrast from those featuring the schools on which the committee had typically focused its ire. This time, the university presidents prepared for Stefanik's grilling. The congresswoman asked if calling for the genocide of Jews is "protected speech" on Haverford's campus. "No, of course not," Raymond replied. "And what disciplinary action has been taken or would be taken if someone made that call?" Stefanik interjected. "Representative, there have been no such calls, and we would use all of our disciplinary actions to follow through on any such call," Raymond said. "I would never expect that to happen at Haverford, and if it would, we would deal with that swiftly." McClain told ABC News after her questioning in the hearing that it isn't Congress' job to get any of the presidents fired but that she thinks it should be "considered." "All options are on the table," McClain said. "Actions speak louder than words, right?" McClain added. "There has to be consequences to one's actions. And that's what's not happening at these universities. It's lip service." All the presidents distanced themselves from the answers made in the Harvard hearing and apologized to their respective Jewish communities for their inaction. "To our students, our parents, our faculty, our staff, our alumni and our friends, I am deeply sorry," Manuel said. "I know there are areas where we must and will do better." Manuel also spoke directly to two of his students who were harassed on campus last fall, including Michael Kaminsky, a junior who was in attendance at the hearing on Wednesday and said at a news conference on Capitol Hill on Tuesday that he was injured during an assault for being a Jewish American. "What happened to them was a hate crime. No one should ever be attacked because of who they are. I am sorry for the pain they experienced," he said. The hearing was the committee's ninth congressional event dedicated to antisemitism since Oct. 7. Despite more than a year of oversight, Chairman Tim Walberg, R-Mich., said universities continue to be infested with antisemitism. Walberg slammed the presidents testifying on Wednesday, especially Haverford College, saying, "The Haverford administration has consistently refused to act against severe antisemitic harassment on campus. It has refused to even condemn these incidents of harassment or hostility in a clear, unequivocal statement, much less to meaningfully discipline the students responsible for these incidents." However, the liberal arts school has taken steps to address antisemitism in all its forms, argued Raymond, who repeatedly denounced hate speech on her campus. "I hear you and acknowledge that we can do better and I can do better," Raymond said. "To our Jewish students, some of you who are here today, I wish to make it unmistakably clear that you are valued members of our community and on our campus. I am sorry that my actions and my leadership let you down. I remain committed to addressing antisemitism and all issues that harm our community members. I am committed to getting this right," Raymond added. McClain blasted the "hollow" apologies. "Why did it take them this long to apologize, No. 1, and why did it take them this long to change their policies?" McClain told ABC News. "If they were truly sorry, it should have happened long, long ago." She warned colleges and universities that fostering antisemitism on campus could lead to monetary consequences, including the loss of federal funding. "The only thing that these universities respect is the dollar," McClain said. "I know it shouldn't be like that, but that gets their attention." Meanwhile, Democrats claimed the dismantling of the Department of Education's civil rights divisions, which conducts investigations on the issues the committee is bringing up in its hearings, runs counter to Republicans' work to eliminate antisemitism on college campuses. "We have in place systems to hold universities who receive federal money -- to hold them accountable for discrimination that occurs on the basis of religion," said Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., who later stormed out of the hearing during Stefanik's questioning. Ranking member Bobby Scott, D-Va., said the department has a backlog of 12,000 open civil rights cases but that the agency has slashed half its staff and shuttered regional civil rights offices across the country. "One is left to wonder how can OCR carry out its important responsibilities with half the staff?" Scott asked. Jewish Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., said she can no longer pretend the antisemitism crusade is a "good faith" effort by her Republican colleagues on the committee. "Instead of engaging with this topic genuinely and constructively, we have another performative hearing," Bonamici said. "It's another chapter in the majority's battle against higher education."
BBC News
01-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Florida special election leaves Republicans anxious
Standing in front of a few dozen supporters in a strip-mall parking lot in Ocala, Florida, Monday evening, Democratic congressional candidate Josh Weil made a prediction. The public school math teacher said that in less than 24 hours, he was going to make history by flipping a solidly Republican congressional seat – helping to wrest control of the House of Representatives from the Republicans."Their 2025 agenda stops here," he promised, railing against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's efforts to slash government services and an hour earlier, in a telephone town hall meeting, Randy Fine, his Republican opponent in Tuesday's special election, had a similar message – although he framed it as a warning, not a promise."Democrats are mad," he said. "They're going to do whatever it takes to grind Donald Trump's agenda to a halt."Voters in the eastern half of central Florida, from Ocala to the towns north of Daytona Beach, head to the polls to fill the seat vacated by Michael Waltz, chosen by Trump to be national security advisor. Waltz recently sparked a media frenzy after inadvertently adding a prominent journalist to a high-level group chat about the US strikes in Yemen. Mike Waltz takes 'full responsibility' for Signal group chat leakWatch: How the Signal group chat fallout unfoldedThat Waltz's job may now be in jeopardy is just one reason Tuesday's contest for one of the 435 House seats is now a national other is that Weil, despite running in a district Trump carried by more than 30 points last November, just might win. And if he does, Democrats would take a big step closer to a majority in the narrowly divided or lose, the race also could serve as a barometer of voters' motivation as Trump begins his second term – and offer hints at the political landscape ahead of next year's mid-term congressional is one of two special elections in Florida on Tuesday. The other, in Florida's panhandle region, will determine a replacement for Matt Gaetz, the firebrand congressman Trump originally picked to be attorney general before he withdrew under a cloud of sexual misconduct and ethics allegations. A Republican is widely expected to win that is not the case here. Weil has raised about $10m in campaign donations, dwarfing the $1m brought in by Fine, a Florida state to a recent public opinion survey, Weil narrowly trails Fine. An internal poll by a respected Republican firm reportedly showed Weil ahead by enough to cause more than a little anxiety in Republican ranks."There's no excuse for a Republican not to win this race," said Randy Ross, a Florida-based conservative activist who campaigned there for Trump in 2016 and 2024. "The only excuse that can possibly be had is Republicans weren't excited and didn't get out to vote."Mr Ross added that Republican voters need to understand that Fine will support Trump's agenda in Congress – and Weil will this end, some of the party's heaviest hitters stepped in to help. Last Thursday, Trump joined the Republican candidate in two telephone town hall events. On Monday night, Florida Congressman Byron Donalds and conservative commentator Ben Shapiro held their own event."Donald Trump's agenda is hanging by a thread," Shapiro said. "This is a district that simply cannot fall into Democratic hands."Tech multi-billionaire Musk, a close Trump ally, may be campaigning in person for a hotly contested Wisconsin Supreme Court race, but his political committee directed more than $75,000 to support Fine in recent days. Other conservative groups followed suit, helping Fine level the financial playing attorney general sues to block Elon Musk $2m election giveawayFederal judge halts further shuttering of USAIDOf particular concern for the party is that special elections take place during times of lower political engagement and usually involve only the one race in question. They often tilt toward the party with the most enthusiasm, according to Mr Ross. For Republicans, a Democratic show of strength on Tuesday would be troubling."You can't go just on name recognition in a special election," he said. "You've got to drive people out to vote for you."Republican nervousness is a result of simple math in the House of Representatives. With a 218 to 213 majority in the 435 seat chamber, the party cannot afford to lose any winnable elections – let alone ones that should be a slam dunk. While a Weil victory alone wouldn't be enough to flip control of the chamber, two of the currently vacant seats are in safely Democratic districts. If the results of those special elections go as expected, Democrats would be on the verge of could explain why the president announced on Friday he was withdrawing his pick of New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to be US ambassador to the United Nations, despite her having all but formally vacated her office. A Weil victory on Tuesday would mean the Republicans could not afford to lose a New York election to replace before Tuesday's balloting, both Democrats and Republicans jockeyed to frame the results in the best light for their downplayed the national implications of the race and placed blame on Fine, who has been accused of running a lacklustre campaign and taking victory for granted."It's a reflection of the candidate that's running the race, " Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said of Fine's apparent Democrats are declaring a victory – at least, the moral variety."These are races that should not, under ordinary circumstances, be on anyone's political radar," Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said last Monday. "The American people are not buying what the Republicans are selling."That sentiment was echoed by many of Weil's supporters on Monday night in Ocala, even if the candidate himself told the BBC he would win by eight points."If we lose but come close, moderate Republicans might take notice," said Buddy Oswald, an attorney and educator. If they were worried their party could lose a safe seat, he added, maybe they would feel the heat and be more willing to break with the years ago, in the aftermath of Trump's stunning 2016 presidential victory, Democrats sought solace in special election races across the map. They pulled off some stunners, including a Doug Jones Senate victory in deeply conservative Alabama. In other races, such as a bid by Jon Ossoff in a suburban Atlanta district, the Democrat came up just races presaged a high level of Democratic enthusiasm that led to a wave in the mid-terms the following year, when the party won 39 seats in taking back the House of Representatives and putting a decisive end to Trump's first-term legislative with convincing victories on Tuesday, want to squelch any chance of history repeating engaged in a sometimes acrimonious debate over strategy and political priorities, would like Florida to get them back in the win column – or at least give them hope of better days to come.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Georgia's legal system is poised for an overhaul after a multiyear push
ATLANTA (AP) — Republican Gov. Brian Kemp's measure to limit lawsuits in Georgia received House approval Thursday, poising the state's litigation landscape for a controversial overhaul after a lengthy lobbying campaign. Supporters of the bill say it will stop 'frivolous' suits that have damaged business owners, and limit large financial awards from juries. Opponents say it will prevent valid lawsuits from Georgians who were wronged, including victims of violence and sexual abuse. The measure, passed in the House by a narrow margin of 91-82, will hit Kemp's desk after the Senate approves changes to the bill, as early as Friday. It was opposed by most Democrats and a handful of Republicans. The win comes about a year and a half after Kemp promised the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, a top ally, that he would take action to limit lawsuits. The package, also called tort reform, picked up some unlikely supporters in the Senate after he made some changes. Before the vote, Kemp also threatened Republican detractors that he would fund primary opponents against them. Millions of dollars have gone into lobbying for and against the bill. Kemp and his allies have promised that it would stop insurance rates across the board from rising. Many experts have warned that may not happen. Republican House Speaker Jon Burns said lawmakers 'worked tirelessly to craft' a bill that would 'protect our businesses from frivolous lawsuits while upholding the rights of those with legitimate claims to be made whole.' Burns also announced Thursday that a House committee will study the practices of insurance companies, including how they set rates. Rep. Tanya Miller, an Atlanta Democrat, called the measure 'one of the most poorly drafted bills I've ever seen as a lawyer' and said it was pushed by special interests to address 'a manufactured crisis.' Democratic Rep. Stacey Evans, also an Atlanta lawyer, remarked, 'The court should be a safe, welcoming place for all of us, and we just picked and chose losers today — those that will get access and those that will not.' The effort appeared to hit some roadblocks last week. Several House Republicans were skeptical — and not just trial lawyers, who mostly oppose the plan because they fear it will stop victims of wrongdoing they represent from getting justice in court. Kemp made some more changes, but several Republicans still voted against it. Three Democrats voted in favor. Opponents of the bill, including victims of abuse, sex trafficking and violence have regularly shown up at the Capitol to protest. They gathered again Thursday with signs and to share examples of abuse and violence that they say were ignored by those who ran businesses, recreational facilities and hotels. "To be honest with you, my heart is just a little weary. ... I think of the victims that this will impact if passed, they will not have their day in civil court,' said Susan Cobb, a Georgia nurse who settled with YMCA after her daughter was abused by a coach and later found dead. The bill would require anyone who sues a business or property owner over misconduct or injuries on their property to prove the owner knew about a specific security risk and a physical condition on the property that created a risk, but didn't provide adequate security. Kemp last week added more protections to the section of the bill that made an exception for sex trafficking survivors after their lawyers said they wouldn't have been able to bring most cases. However, lawyers say victims of rape and other violence would still be left without the ability to seek recourse from several responsible parties. Supporters have denied that. Kemp delayed legislation on lawsuit limits in 2024 when it seemed to tough to pass, instead signing a law to gather data on lawsuit verdicts. He also hosted a series of roundtables in which business owners, trucking company executives, apartment owners and doctors said they were hurting from unfair lawsuits. 'Our family businesses are scared,' said House Republican Majority Whip Rep. James Burchett. 'Our family-run farms are scared.' The bill also sets stricter rules for when lawyers can put monetary values on noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering; lets them show jurors what portion of a medical bill was paid by insurance or third parties; and requires separate trial processes for determining fault and damages in most cases. ___ Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon.
