The LuLac Edition #4,498. April 15th, 2021

 

WALTER BANICKY MAKES ANOTHER RUN IN LUZERNE

Walter Banicky (Photo: Banicky For Luzerne Borough Mayor) 

One of the hardest workers I know, Walter Banicky is making another run for Mayor in Luzerne Borough. He lost by just a few votes the last time. One wonders had he been successful just how better the town might be today. But pretty much nothing has changed under the long time leadership. Alter want to change that and here are his thoughts. He is unopposed in the primary but is going to run full throttle until the November election. 

 

DOCTOR FAUCI: EXPERT 

JIM JORDAN: ASSHOLE 

THAT IS ALL!  

 "He needs to respect the chair and shut his mouth!"

PARTY ON: YARD SIGN DEMOCRATS

The Luzerne County Democratic Party will hold a yard sign give-away and Candidate meet-and-greet this Sunday, April 18, from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at its headquarters, located at 60 Public Square. The event is open to all voters who plan to support the Luzerne County Democratic Candidates in the May 18 Primary Election. The Democrats really showed their signage prowess last election when the County was populated by a very large number of Biden-Harrs signs.

The Democratic Candidates for Luzerne County Council, County Controller, and Luzerne County Judge of Court of Common Pleas will all be on hand to distribute signs and greet voters. Democratic candidate for Supreme Court, Judge Maria McLaughlin, candidate for Superior Court, Jill Beck, and, candidate for Commonwealth Court, Judge Lori Dumas will also attend.

Masks and appropriate social distancing will be required.  (Times Leader, LuLac)

 

AMAZON, GOOGLE, GM, STARBUCKS AND HUNDREDS OF COMPANIES JOIN TO OPPOSE VOTING RESTRICTIONS

Hundreds of prominent executives from high-profile companies, including Amazon, Google, BlackRock and Starbucks, signed a statement that opposes discriminatory legislation that makes voting harder. The statement, which is described as "nonpartisan," doesn't directly address any specific legislation, notably in Georgia, Texas, and other key states where Republican lawmakers are trying to clamp down on ballot access.

Wednesday's statement was a sign of solidarity after weeks of warring between Republicans and a smaller group of Georgia-based companies that spoke out after public pressure.

Three of those companies, including Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines and Home Depot, declined to add their names, according to the New York Times. All three are based in Georgia and were "wary because of the blowback they had received after their earlier statements on voting rights but also did not feel the need to speak again," it reported. 

Georgia has done well with corporate contacts that have created jobs. But with that creation comes responsibility and the state Legislature and Governor forget that in America there is still a two party system. (CNN, LuLac)

 

CHAIR CARTWRIGHT STATEMENT ON THE WHITE HOUSE FY22 DISCRETIONARY FUNDING REQUEST

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright, chair of the House Appropriations Commerce-Justice-Science Subcommittee, welcomed President Biden’s fiscal year 2022 skinny budget and its proposed investments in job creation, innovation and making communities safer.

“As chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce-Justice-Science, I’m pleased that President Biden prioritizes creating good jobs by revitalizing former energy communities, and bolstering American manufacturing with $150 million for two new manufacturing innovation institutes. I’m also encouraged to see major investments in advancing America’s global scientific leadership and building safer communities,” Rep. Cartwright said. “As we look forward after a devastating year, now is the time to invest in a future where everyone has a fair chance to live a fulfilling life, and President Biden’s funding request represents a vision for helping working people and families achieve their American Dream. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues and the President to fund these priorities that will improve people’s lives.”

The President’s skinny budget request is the first phase of the appropriations process. In the coming months, the administration will release a full budget request and Rep. Cartwright will lead budget review hearings and write an appropriations bill for the Commerce-Justice-Science Subcommittee. Later in the year, the legislation will be considered by the Appropriations Committee and the full House, and then negotiated with the Senate.

Some Highlights from President Biden’s FY22 Discretionary Funding Request Related to Commerce-Justice-Science

Supports a Future Made in America: The President’s discretionary request more than doubles funding for manufacturing programs at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), enabling the establishment of two new Manufacturing Innovation Institutes. The plan proposes $150 million to fully fund the institutes.

Renews America’s Commitment to Research and Development: The request proposes historic increases in funding for foundational research and development across a range of scientific agencies—including the National Science Foundation and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Revitalizes Former Energy Communities: the discretionary request more than doubles funding for the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Assistance to Coal Communities program. EDA’s efforts are part of the POWER+ Initiative and complement other targeted investments across the Federal Government to assist workers who have been affected by job losses in coal mining, plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries due to the changing economics of America’s energy sector.

The request also propels an effort to create 250,000 jobs remediating abandoned wells and mines. It proposes over $550 million to remediate thousands of oil and gas wells and reclaim abandoned mines. This more than triples the current annual discretionary funding, building on the President’s commitment to create 250,000 good-paying union jobs for skilled technicians and operators in some of the hardest hit communities in the Nation, while cleaning up hazardous sites.

Advances Climate Science and Sustainability Research: The request proposes over $4 billion to fund a broad portfolio of research across multiple agencies including NASA and the National Science Foundation and others to improve understanding of the changing climate and inform adaptation and resilience measures.

Expands Observations, Research, and Climate Services: The request includes $6.9 billion for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an increase of more than $1.4 billion from the 2021 enacted level. These additional funds would allow NOAA to expand its climate observation and forecasting work and provide better data and information to decisionmakers, support coastal resilience programs that would help protect communities from the economic and environmental impacts of climate change, and invest in modern infrastructure to enable these critical efforts.

Addresses Domestic Terrorism: The request provides an additional $101 million to address the rising threat of domestic terrorism while respecting civil rights and civil liberties. This increase includes $45 million for the Federal Bureau of Investigation for domestic terrorism investigations, $40 million for the U.S. Attorneys to manage increasing domestic terrorism caseloads, $12 million for additional response capabilities at the United States Marshals Service, and $4 million to the National Institute of Justice to support research on domestic terrorism threats. These investments complement funding provided for the Department of Homeland Security.

Reforms the Federal Criminal Justice System: The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the urgent need to reduce prison populations and reform the Nation’s criminal justice system. The discretionary request supports key investments in First Step Act (FSA) implementation, advancing the provision of high-quality substance use disorder treatment, reentry services, and recidivism reduction programming. Building on the bipartisan FSA, the discretionary request also incorporates savings from prison population reduction measures that prioritize incarceration alternatives for low-risk offenders.

Invests in Community Policing, Police Reform, and Other Efforts to Address Systemic Inequities: In addition to investing in programs that support community-oriented policing and practices, the discretionary request also proposes to expand grants that support efforts to reform State and local criminal justice systems, including funding to support juvenile justice programs, drug courts and alternative court programs, public defenders, and Second Chance Act programs.

Women Act (VAWA) programs at DOJ, a $487 million or 95-percent increase over the 2021 enacted level.

SENATOR CASEY RELEASES STATEMENT ON BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S ACTION ON GUN VIOLENCE

Senator Bob Casey (Photo: LuLac archives)

Senator Bob Casey released this statement on the Biden Administration's actions on gun violence:

"President Biden is taking decisive action to confront the crisis of gun violence in our country. Congress needs to do its part now. The House of Representatives has passed comprehensive background check legislation. The Senate should pass these bills, in addition to banning military-style assault weapons, limiting the size of magazines and passing legislation to support survivors of gun violence. We can't allow Republican Senators to prevent the passage of these lifesaving measures by using arcane Senate procedure. It's time to act."

MEDIA MATTERS

WALN TV

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

Tune in Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on The Mothership 1340/1400 am, 100.7 and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on The River 105 and 103.5.

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SOCK HOP

SUNDAY NIGHTS!

1987

Our 1987 logo

The United States Department of Justice declares incumbent Austrian president Kurt Waldheim an "undesirable alien"…..Los Angeles Dodger's GM Al Campanis appears on TV program ABC News: Nightline saying Blacks may not be equipped to be in baseball management, sparking a racial controversy….. Fox TV network premieres showing "Married With Children" and "The Tracey Ullman Show"…Always & Forever" 2nd studio album by Randy Travis (Billboard Album of the Year 1988…..Middleweight World Boxing Championship bout: Sugar Ray Leonard upsets Marvelous Marvin Hagler at Caesars Palace in Paradise, Nevada……at the 51st US Masters Tournament, Augusta National GC: Larry Mize chips-in from 140 feet for an improbable birdie 3 on the 2nd playoff hole to beat Greg Norman for his only major title…..Michael Jordan becomes the second NBA player in history to score 3000 points in a season….Mike Schmidt hits 500th home run (vs Robinson-Pirates)…  

and this week in 1987 the number one song in LuLac land and America was “The Final Countdown” by Europe.