Political Wire: “Florida has become the second state to officially ban fluoride in public water,” NBC News reports. Gov. Ron DeSantis called the fluoridation of water “forced medication,” saying it violates “informed consent.” Tampa Bay Times: “The move to block fluoride has been decried by major health organizations, who warn that it would negatively affect residents’ health.”
Ted Cruz Proposes Baby Bonds Bill But, In Typical Fashion, GOP Does It In Most Partisan Way Possible
Yahoo!: “One of the most consequential new proposals in the House GOP’s massive tax plan may carry a Donald Trump-inspired name — but it’s Ted Cruz’s brainchild. The “money account for growth and advancement,” otherwise known as a “MAGA Account,” surprised plenty of tax policy mavens when it appeared in the long-awaited Republican bill released on Monday….
“Family Sues Florida Deputy over Killing of U.S. Airman Roger Fortson in His Own Home”
Democracy Now!: “ In Florida, the family of 23-year-old Roger Fortson, an Air Force member killed by a sheriff’s deputy inside his own home in 2024, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit. The suit alleges deputy Eddie Duran used excessive and unconstitutional deadly force when he shot Fortson just seconds after he answered the…
“Florida Drag Ban Halted By Appellate Court”
HuffPo: “A ban on minors attending family-friendly drag shows in Florida was halted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit on Tuesday after judges ruled 2-1 that it violated the First Amendment. The ruling marks a major victory for Hamburger Mary’s of Orlando, a restaurant in the Sunshine State that offers food and entertainment, including drag…
Sensing Opportunity in Trump Admin, Southern States Push to End Desegregation Orders
NY Times: “Republican leaders in Louisiana are pushing to end the last remnants of federally ordered school desegregation in their state, arguing that the era of racial exclusion is in the past and that the U.S. government has forced burdensome requirements on school districts long enough. They may have found allies in the Trump administration,…
AR Testing Ground for Congressional GOP Plan to Push People Off Medicaid with Paperwork Hurdles
WaPo: “But the reality is that requirements like these move people off programs not by requiring work but by requiring more reporting of work. Similar state-level policies have reduced the number of Medicaid recipients — but only by increasing the administrative burden on recipients, not by increasing the share who are employed. That’s what happened in Arkansas, which alone implemented work reporting…
“Democrats give cold shoulder to possibility of third Abrams bid in Georgia”
The Hill: “Democrats are throwing cold water on the possibility of Stacey Abrams mounting a third bid for Georgia governor, underscoring how the once-rising star’s image has been tarnished by consecutive losses and recent controversies. Abrams hasn’t publicly commented on another potential run but also hasn’t ruled it out as she stays politically active. If…
“Kemp and Trump Huddle Over Senate Race”
Political Wire: “Gov. Brian Kemp and President Donald Trump met quietly Saturday in Washington to discuss unifying behind a Republican Senate candidate in Georgia,” the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports. “It was not immediately clear if the two reached an agreement over backing the same contender in the wide-open race against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff, but one person…
Paxton On Track to Destroy Cornyn in TX Senate Primary
Punchbowl News: “In a three-way contest with Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), who is considering a run, Cornyn is down 10. Paxton pulled 44% to Cornyn’s 34%. Hunt got 19% in the three-way race. The survey, which was conducted from April 27 to May 1 by The Tarrance Group, also tested a general election contest between each potential Republican candidate and former Democratic Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas), who…
“UVA Prof. Larry Sabato on Qatar “Gifting” Trump a Luxury Jet: “The Trump Administration is drowning in corruption–and few Americans seem to care. It’s another sign of a dying Republic.””
Blue VA: “UVA Professor Larry Sabato really nailed it this morning on this insane story of blatant, wild corruption (and violation of the constitution’s “Emoluments” clause). See below for Sabato’s comments, but first, here’s the story: “In what may be the most valuable gift ever extended to the United States from a foreign government, the Trump administration is preparing to…