The LuLac Edition #3767, April 26th, 2018

SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE VOTES TO BAR TRUMP FROM FIRING MUELLER

The Senate Judiciary Committee  approved legislation protecting special counsel Robert Mueller from President Trump.
The bill passed 14-7 with four member of the President’s party voting with all of the panel’s Democrats in favor of the measure making it harder for Trump to call for Mueller’s dismissal.
It would codify Department of Justice protocols that say only a senior official can fire Mueller, who is tasked with investigating Russian election meddling and possible connections to the the Trump campaign. The other feature of the  bill also calls for a 10-day window which would guarantee an   “expedited review” of a hypothetical firing. Plus, if a court determines that the firing of a special counsel was unjustified, they would be reinstated.
The Chairman Charles Grassley voted for the bill along with three other Republicans. This would not have happened a few months ago. 

GOP CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR DEBATE LAST NIGHT

Paul Mango, Scott Wagner and Laura Ellsworth last night. (Photo: Channel 69)

Lancaster County was the setting for still another debate with the three Republican candidates for Governor. Paul Mango, Scott Wagner and Laura Ellsworth squared off last night. There is a scant three weeks to go before the primary election in which one of these three will face off against Governor Tom Wolf. In a switch from previous encounters, Wolf drew the ire of all three running. I mean they still were trashing each other but this time they sent some invective Wlf’s way.
Laura Ellsworth said she fears Wolf’s proposed severance tax on gas driller might have the Shale Industry shy away from Pennsylvania. Wagner focused on donations that Wolf gets from unions. He also said he would reverse Wolf’s decision on the moratorium of the death penalty in the Commonwealth. Mango, questioned the governor’s handling of Medicaid.
These issues are all hot buttons for both parties. In the primary this they rally the GOP who want to preserve the GOP ideology. But in the General, there will be Democrats defending these stances.
All three touched briefly on the negative advertising. This was the most well attended debate so far of numerous ones the candidates participated in. As we get closer, you’ll see interest pique.
Wagner leads but Mango and Ellsworth are nipping at his heels. Plus with a three way race, anything is possible.

JUSTIN BEHRENS  EVENT SALUTES VETERANS

Justin Behrens is a candidate once more for the race in the 119th. Next Saturday there will be an event in White Have worth taking a look at. Behrens came close last time to upsetting incumbent Jerry Mullery. 

COURT RULING TO TRUMP: DEFENSE WAS UNEXPLAINED AND UNIFORMED

(Photo: Newsscene1)

The Trump administration ran into that pesky thing called the Federal Courts. Tuesday a Judge ruled that President Trump had offered no legal justification for canceling DACA protections for nearly 700,000 young undocumented immigrants. Plus for the first time the ruling would require the administration to accept new applicants to the program.
The ruling made by U.S. District Judge John Bates of Washington, D.C., came after decisions by federal judges in San Francisco and New York that also rejected Trump’s rationale in halting the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. DACA. But this action, far from getting rid of it was to expand it. Bates said the government must allow others to apply.
“Each day that the agency delays is a day that aliens who might otherwise be eligible for initial grants of DACA benefits are exposed to removal (from the U.S.) because of an unlawful agency action,” Bates said. “Time is of the essence” But Bates said the Trump administration had failed to rebut findings in 2014 by the same agency under Obama, explained in detail after an extensive study, that the program was within the president’s authority to decide to deport certain groups of undocumented immigrants, those posing the greatest dangers, and allow others to remain. The prospect of a lawsuit did not add to Trump’s rationale, Bates said, especially since the program targeted by the earlier suit was different than DACA..
The bottom line here is that the Court said the Trump lawyers, had no reasons to retort the ruling and gave no justification legally for why it should be ruled out.
The administration’s defense of its action also “made no mention of the fact that DACA had been in place for five years and had engendered the reliance of hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries, many of whom had structured their education, employment, and other life activities on the assumption that they would be able to renew their DACA benefits,” Bates said.
In other words, the Presidents logic and argument was all hat and no cattle.As it stands now, the DACA people re safe. But this will end up in a huger court.  (CBS, CNN, LuLac)

CARTWRIGHT ANNOUNCES $125,500 GRANT FOR NEIGHBOR-WORKS NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)

Representative Matt Cartwright announced that NeighborWorks Northeastern PA (NWNEPA), a member of the NeighborWorks network, has received $125,500 in federal grant funds from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, dba NeighborWorks America. This funding will support its local affordable housing and community development activities.
NWNEPA will utilize the funding to expand their programs and services, which include financial coaching, homebuyer education & training, property acquisition and redevelopment projects, initiatives that help seniors to age with dignity in their homes, and neighborhood revitalization work in West Scranton.
“This federal funding not only strengthens our neighborhoods, respects our seniors, and helps more families find affordable housing, but it creates jobs and stimulates our local economy,” said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “I continue to be a strong advocate for programs that invest in our communities and I commend the team at NWNEPA for their dedication and hard work helping local residents maintain the American Dream.
“Our goal is for our neighbors to love where they live.” said Jesse Ergott, NWNEPA’s President & CEO. “These flexible grant funds will help us to make the dream of homeownership a reality for more people, renovate and improve targeted properties, and assist our older neighbors with services that help them stay in their homes.”
NeighborWorks America recently announced $65 million in grants to its network of more than 240 nonprofit organizations located around the country. NeighborWorks organizations will use the grants to develop and manage high-quality affordable housing, help consumers set and reach their goals through financial coaching, offer homeownership education and counseling, and revitalize and strengthen communities.
"NeighborWorks America is committed to ensuring our investments are working in ways that improve people’s lives,” said Jeffrey Bryson, NeighborWorks America interim president and chief executive officer.
In fiscal year 2017, the NeighborWorks network counseled 181,400 families and individuals on financial capacity, pre-purchase, post-purchase, or foreclosure issues; owned and managed 165,500 rental homes; and created more than 43,000 jobs.
For more information about NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania go to www.nwnepa.org.
For more information about NeighborWorks America go to www.NeighborWorks.org
This program is for a nonprofit organization deeply ingrained in the community, NWNEPA has worked for more than 35 years to revitalize neighborhoods and create opportunities for individuals and families to improve their lives through quality housing and financial guidance. NWNEPA has assisted over 1,000 homebuyers with the purchase of their home, worked to improve the financial stability of over 2,500 families through financial education and coaching, renovated over 500 properties, and deployed over $1.2 million worth of volunteer labor in our community.

BARTOS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES STATEWIDE TELEVISION AD CAMPAIGN AD WILL RUN STATEWIDE UNTIL PRIMARY ELECTION DAY

GOP candidate for Lt. Governor (Photo: Wagner-Bartos campaign)

Jeff Bartos and his campaign for Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor have launched a statewide television ad campaign that will run until the Primary Election on Tuesday, May 15. The 15-second TV-spot will introduce Pennsylvania voters to businessman, Conservative outsider, and candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Jeff Bartos.
It is very unusual for a Lt. Governor candidate to run ads when on the ticket. But it appears that Bartos wants to make sure if his running mate Scott Wagner prevails in the Governor’ race, they will be joined at the hop until November.

BARLETTA WELCOMES SHINE STUDENTS TO U.S. CAPITOL

CONTINUES TO LEAD BIPARTISAN EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE

Congressman Lou Barletta (Photo: Barletta office)

Congressman Lou Barletta  this week welcomed four students and several teachers and administrators from Pennsylvania’s Schools and Homes in Education (SHINE) Program to the U.S. Capitol.
SHINE is a successful afterschool program in Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill counties geared towards grades K-8 and focuses on a project-based STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) curriculum. The program links schools and homes in order to help children build a stronger academic and social foundation.
“It’s always a pleasure to meet with students like Silvia, John, Joseph, and Ayden,” Barletta said. “Their excitement about school was contagious and what they’ve been learning is very impressive. When you show children the possibility of what their futures can be and help provide them with the tools they need to reach their dreams, there is no stopping them. I’m proud of the work I’ve done on behalf of afterschool programs with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and I look forward to continuing to advocating for programs like SHINE.”
After arranging a tour of the U.S. Capitol for the students, Barletta met with them to talk about all they have learned while in SHINE, what they liked about the afterschool program, and what they wanted to do when they grow up. Later that evening, Barletta attended the Afterschool Alliance’s Showcase and Reception to see the projects the students had been working on, including a 3D printer and a robot that the students have learned how to program using coding. The students even made Barletta a keychain using the 3D printer.
Barletta, the Republican Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Afterschool Caucus alongside his democratic colleague Representative Nita Lowey (NY-17), has long fought for programs supporting afterschool education. Most recently in March, 2018, Barletta helped secure a $20 million increase in funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program, bringing total funding up to $1.2 billion.
“The lives of thousands of children across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and across the United States have been profoundly changed by Congressman Barletta’s dedication and commitment to supporting funding for quality after school programming,” said Rachel Strucko, Executive Director of the SHINE program. “The SHINE afterschool program is very proud to call him our Afterschool Champion,” Strucko added.

Barletta has also worked closely with state Senator John Yudichak (D-Carbon/Luzerne) to advance the critical mission of SHINE, particularly with Luzerne County host institution Wilkes University and its president, Patrick Leahy. The two began promoting the program four years ago after the success of the original SHINE Program in Carbon County, and have been instrumental in its expansion in Luzerne and Schuylkill Counties.

Barletta was previously named an “Afterschool Hero” by the Afterschool Alliance, dubbed an “Afterschool Champion” by the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network, and was the only House member to receive the Congressional Voice for Children Award from the National Parent Teacher Association in 2016 due to his leadership in saving federal funding for afterschool programs.

DEMOCRATS IN 9TH HOLDING FORUM

On Tuesday, May 1, 2018 there will be a Candidates Forum for the Democratic Candidates for Congress in the new 9th District. The event will be held at 7:00 PM at the Greenly Center, 50 E. Main St., Bloomsburg. This event is being sponsored by the Columbia County Democratic Committee and the Bloomsburg University Democrats.
This event is free and open to the public, but please come early, because seating is limited.

If any Democratic activist want to lend a hand, contact County Chair

Vince DeMelfi

County Chair

Columbia County Democratic Committee

246 W. Main St.

Bloomsburg, PA 17815

(cell) 570-204-3489

FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, CARLY FIORINA, ENDORSES LAURA ELLSWORTH FOR GOVERNOR

 Carly Fiorina (Photo: AP)

Carly Fiorina, business leader, philanthropist, and 2016 candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, today endorsed Laura Ellsworth for Governor of Pennsylvania, calling her “an exemplary leader with the skills for the new century.”
“Laura Ellsworth possesses the drive, principles, and conservative values to bring Pennsylvania into the forefront of the 21st Century economy,” Fiorina said. “She has been continuously discussing issues, from job creation to sensible education funding.”
Fiorina became the first woman to lead a Fortune 50 company when she was named CEO of the technology company Hewlett-Packard.
Carly added that “leadership requires optimism, and that we know things can change and we know things can get better. Laura has that optimism and is the right type of citizen leader to serve in Harrisburg.”
Ellsworth has been a leader in a 2,500-person international law firm where she fought for innovators, employers, and family businesses who created more than 100,000 jobs in Pennsylvania.
She has served on more than a dozen civic organizations, including the Executive Committee of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, as well as Chair of the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania Economy League of Western Pennsylvania.
Ellsworth has been a leader of innovative workforce development programs, specifically for veterans and for youth, and has fostered connections between industry and providers of in-demand-job training.

MEDIA MATTERS

OUR BEST TO TORONTO

We extend our thoughts and prayers to our friend at Zoomer Radio in Toronto in light of the fact that this week more than ten of their citizens were killed. The incident happened Monday when a driver ran over pedestrians.

WALN TV

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

Tune in Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on 1400-The Game, NEPA's Fox .Sports Radio and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on 105 The River.

ECTV LIVE

ECTV Live welcomes Gina Malsky to the program during the week of April 30th. Ms. Malsky will outline plans for this year's West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival! Rusty Fender handles the hosting chores while David DeCosmo is off.

ECTV Live can be seen on Comcast channel 19 (61 in some areas) and is aired during the Noon, 6pm and Midnight hours each day of the week. Following Monday's Live program the show will become available on Electric City Television's YouTube channel which can be viewed on your computer.

BUDDY RUMCHEK

Want to hear some great parodies on the news? Tune in to WILK Radio at 6:40 and 8:40 AM on Mondays. As Ralph Cramden used to say, “It’s a laugh riot!”

BOBBY V IS BACK THIS SUNDAY!!!!!!

Tune in to Bobby V's  Doo Wop Sock Hop this Sunday, 6P to 9P on The River 105 and 103.5 Go back to the beginning of Rock and Roll.

1960

Our 1960 logo

The West African nation of Togo, formerly a French colony, became independent, as the Togolese Republic was proclaimed at 12:10 a.m. local (and GMT) in Lomé. Sylvanus Olympio became the new nation's first President. The symbolic first raising of the new flag was confounded by tangled ropes and the problem was not resolved until later in the hour…. 

The construction of what would become Shea Stadium, at Flushing, Queens, was approved by New York City's Board of Estimate, 20–2, giving the proposed Continental League the chance to launch. The Continental League never played, but the stadium gave the National League the impetus to return to the city, with the New York Mets. One of the first widely publicized stories of hysterical strength happened in Tampa, Florida, when Mrs. Florence Rogers, a 123-pound woman, lifted one end of a 3,600 pound car that had fallen off of a jack and onto her 16-year-old son, Charles Trotter. Mrs. Rogers, an LPN, fractured several vertebrae in the process....

When more than 100 black protesters marched on to a "whites only" beach in Biloxi, Mississippi, for a "wade-in" to force desegregation, they were attacked by several hundred white people, while Harrison County sheriff's deputies at the scene stood by. The violence then spilled over into the most violent riot in Mississippi history. A U.S. Department of Justice suit ended beach segregation the following month……in Pennsylvania Governor David Lawrence refuses to speculate on who might be Vice President on the Democratic side when there is no clear winner for the nomination yet…..Nesbitt Park under the Pierce Street Bridge is cleared for recreation and fifty eight years ago the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Cathy’s Clown” by The Everly Brothers.
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