The LuLac Edition #4,562, August 12th, 2021

SENATE PASSES $550 BILLION INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN IN BIDEN WIN

President Joe Biden (Photo: LuLac archives)

 The Senate passed a $550 billion infrastructure plan that would represent the biggest burst of spending on U.S. public works in decades, sending the legislation to the House where its fate is in the hands of the fractious Democratic caucus.  The bipartisan 69-30 vote Tuesday marked a significant victory for President Joe Biden’s economic agenda. It was a breakthrough that has eluded Congress and presidents for years, despite both parties calling infrastructure a priority and an issue ripe for compromise.

The bill still faces hurdles in the House, which is scheduled to be on break until Sept. 20. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, under pressure from progressives who want their priorities addressed, has said she will not allow a vote on the bipartisan package until the Senate has passed the broader economic plan. Moderates, meanwhile, are clamoring for the House to take up the bill sooner than that.

Five leaders of the House Blue Dog Coalition, a group of fiscally conservative Democrats, issued a statement Tuesday calling for Pelosi to swiftly bring the infrastructure bill to a vote.  The Blue Dog co-chairs said they “remain opposed to any effort to unnecessarily delay consideration of these critical infrastructure investments, which will create good-paying jobs, keep American businesses competitive, and grow our nation’s economy.”

The key now is to get an infrastructure bill that will deal with humanity. Since 1965 the American middle class and poor have been short changed. If the House can hold itself together and get over the divide between deficit hawks vs. those who want to see change in the fortune of every citizen in this country, maybe we might have a chance.

Joe Biden needs to keep his foot on the gas though because time is limited. The forces of obstructionism engendered by Conservatives who have been on the wrong side of every issue affecting the poor and struggling will fight this every step of the way. They tried it with Medicare and The Affordable Care Act and will do it again.

They must be confront and stopped with a united Democratic front.(MSN News, LuLac)

 

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SOUNDS ALARM ON RISING ENERGY PRICES

President Joe Biden's administration is raising alarms at home and abroad about rising energy prices slowing the nation's recovery from the pandemic-induced recession. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Wednesday called on the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to move faster to restore global supply of petroleum to pre-pandemic levels, as the White House asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the domestic gasoline market for any anti-competitive behavior that could be increasing prices.

The joint actions Wednesday come as the Biden administration is increasingly sensitive to rising prices across the economy as it faces both political and policy pressure from inflation. “Higher gasoline costs, if left unchecked, risk harming the ongoing global recovery," Sullivan said in a statement. He said the administration was pressuring OPEC and producers allied with the cartel, both in public and in private, to more swiftly undo the production cuts put in place at the start of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, National Economic Council director Brian Deese asked FTC Chair Lina Khan to “monitor the U.S. gasoline market and address any illegal conduct that might be contributing to price increases for consumers at the pump.” The FTC is an independent agency and may take advice, but not direction, from the White House. Wednesday’s report from the Labor Department showed that consumer prices jumped 0.5% from June to July, down from the previous monthly increase of 0.9%. They have increased a substantial 5.4% compared with a year earlier, erasing much of the benefit to workers from higher pay.

Gas prices are up about a $1.00 from than a year ago, as Americans hit peak summer driving season and return to roads after pandemic shut-ins. To measure gas prices last year vs. this year is totally unfair because of the basic rules of supply and demand. I was at Sam’s getting gas one day and I heard a Trumpanzee yelling to the attendant, “This is what happens when the damn Democrats take over.” Wrong again but at least judging from this story, this administration is using regulatory agencies to look into  stuff like this. (LuLac, aolnews)

 

 

YOUTUBE SUSPENDS SEN. RAND PAUL OVER A VIDEO FALSELY CLAIMING MASKS ARE INEFFECTIVE

 It’s about time someone called out this vicious excuse for a human being, Rand Paul.  YouTube suspended Sen. Rand Paul's account on Tuesday for posting a video claiming cloth face masks are ineffective against the coronavirus.  “A badge of honor ... leftwing cretins at Youtube banning me for 7 days for a video that quotes 2 peer reviewed articles saying cloth masks don’t work,” Paul, R-Ky., tweeted.

Paul falsely claimed in the removed video, “Most of the masks you get over the counter don’t work. They don’t prevent infection," adding that “cloth masks don’t work." A spokesperson for YouTube told NBC News that the video violated company policy on Covid-19 misinformation, which includes “claims that wearing a mask is dangerous or causes negative physical health effects” or that masks don't play a role in preventing the contraction or transmission of COVID-19.

"We removed content from Senator Paul’s channel for including claims that masks are ineffective in preventing the contraction or transmission of COVID-19, in accordance with our COVID-19 medical misinformation policies," the spokesperson said. "This resulted in a first strike on the channel, which means it can’t upload content for a week, per our longstanding three strikes policy." Paul claimed in a separate post on the conservative website Liberty Tree, “I haven't lied. I haven't used expletives. I haven't spread misinformation. I have only told the truth about what our government seeks to do to us, curtailing our most basic liberties, using the COVID-19 pandemic as their excuse.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and countless public health experts, including epidemiologists, have said since the start of the pandemic that masks protect against the spread of Covid.

Today we found out Rand's wife bought $15,000 in stock with information that was never made public unless of course you're a hypocritical GOP pig that was used for COVID 19 companies. Bought in February before any one else knew. Now this sub human wants to criticize people about the masks?  (AP LuLac)

 

  

REP. CARTWRIGHT ANNOUNCES FIREFIGHTERS GRANT FOR PLAINS TOWNSHIP

 

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)

 

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced an Assistance to Firefighters Grant to help Plains Township meet its firefighting needs.

 Plains Township Fire Department, proudly protecting 15,000 residents, has been awarded a grant totaling $93,104.76 to purchase source capture diesel fume extraction systems for both fire houses.

 “This funding will help ensure the brave men and women, that serve and protect our communities, have this critical layer of protection and are safe at their place of work,” said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “I congratulate Fire Chief Mark Ritsick for his work in obtaining this grant.”

 “We are very happy to receive this federal funding, it’s been a long time coming and we are grateful for it,” said Fire Chief Mark Ritsick. This grant and the diesel exhaust removal system will directly improve the health and safety of our firefighters by reducing exposure. Plains Township Fire Department is committed to the health and safety of our members. The reduction of exposure to carcinogens significantly aids in that effort."

This grant will be awarded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and will be distributed via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The purpose of FEMA’s AFG program is to award competitive grants directly to fire departments to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel. Since 2001, the AFG program has provided almost $10 billion in grants to first-responder organizations to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training.

 

CASEY DELIVERS KEY INFRASTRUCTURE WINS FOR PENNSYLVANIANS IN BIPARTISAN SENATE BILL

 Senator Bob Casey (Photo: LuLac archives)

Following the Senate passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is announcing that several key infrastructure provisions he worked to advance have been successfully adopted.

 “This vital, bipartisan investment in American communities is long overdue,” said Senator Casey. “Without significant investments in infrastructure for decades, our roads and bridges are crumbling and public transportation is outdated. Too many children and families don’t have access to clean water and both rural and urban communities lack reliable, high-speed internet.

 “Today, the Senate came together and made a substantial investment in our communities and our future,” Senator Casey continued. “We have allocated critical funding to make Pennsylvania roads and bridges safer, expand broadband access and improve public transportation, while tackling the climate crisis by prioritizing electric and clean energy. These investments will support the economic growth of small towns across the Nation, and rural and urban areas alike. Now, the Senate has to get to work to pass legislation that will meet the needs of American families by investing in home and community-based services for seniors and people with disabilities, raising wages for home care workers, expanding access to early childhood education and affordable child care, tax cuts for families with kids and paid family and medical leave.”

 Repairing Roads and Bridges:

In Pennsylvania, there are more than 3,300 bridges and over 7,540 miles of highway in poor condition. Since 2011, commute times have increased by 7.6% in Pennsylvania, and on average, each driver pays $620 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act would send $11.3 billion to Pennsylvania for federal-aid highway programs and $1.6 billion for bridge replacement and repairs over 5 years.

Improving Sustainable Transportation:

Pennsylvania can expect $2.8 billion over five years to improve public transportation across the Commonwealth, meaning reliable transit for workers and families.

Expanding Broadband:

Under this legislation, Pennsylvania will receive a minimum of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage to the more than 390,000 Pennsylvanians currently living without it. It will also help lower prices for internet services by offering affordable internet to families who are struggling to afford it and require service providers to make cost information more easily available so families can shop for a better deal.

Developing Pennsylvania’s Clean Energy Options:

The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act provides funding for the first-ever national network of electric vehicle (EV) chargers, including $171 million for Pennsylvania to expand its EV charging network and lead efforts to address the climate crisis and support American manufacturing jobs.

Replacing Lead Pipes and Delivering Clean Drinking Water:

Too many families don’t have access to clean drinking water. According to recent studies, Pennsylvania has roughly 160,000 lead service lines. This legislation makes the largest investment in clean drinking water in American history by replacing all of the Nation’s lead pipes and service lines.

Electrifying School Buses and Improving Air Quality for Children:

Diesel air pollution is linked to asthma and other health problems that cause children to miss school. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will deliver thousands of electric school buses nationwide, helping school districts buy clean, American-made, zero emission buses.

Reclaiming Abandoned Mines & Plugging Orphaned Wells:

Abandoned mine land (AML) problem areas have been identified in 43 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, accounting for more than $1 billion of high-priority reclamation needs across the Commonwealth. Under this legislation, Pennsylvania is expected to receive more than $3 billion to assist with abandoned mine reclamation. Additionally, this bill authorizes $4.7 billion to plug, remediate and reclaim orphaned wells. There are at least 8,000 documented orphan wells in Pennsylvania that will be able to be addressed under this program.

 

 TAXPAYER ADVOCATE, TALK SHOW CALLER PASSES 

Charlie  "Bible Buck" Harchko (Photo: Hatchko FB page)

Charlie Hatchko who was a follower of LuLac and mightily disagreed with me about everything passed away last week. He was a constant at County events and was one of the driving forces behind the formation of the County Council government. His friend Walter Griffith gave this remembrance.

On Saturday, August 7, 2021 we lost a great person in Luzerne County. Charlie Hatchko also known as Bible Buck passed away and went home to be with his Lord.

Charlie Hatchko will be remembered fondly by those in a county that remember his words of wisdom that council meetings of County commissioners as well as A huge supporter of home rule government.

Charlie Hatchko would be heard on WILK talking to Steve Corbett and Sue Henry and the ever famous LA Tarone and would never leave the airwaves without quoting a part of the Bible that Emphasized his point.

Charlie Hatchko, P J Best, and myself attended the county commissioners meeting in 2009 to request an ordinance to place a home rule question on the ballot, and the commissioners agreed to accommodate our request. And the rest is history.

Charlie Hatchko was a wonderful person, a great correctional officer in the county and just a fantastic friend for all that knew him.

Gods Speed to a wonderful person who will be greatly missed in Luzerne county.

 

      

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Rudolp Hess is found dead in his cell in Spandau Prison Hess, 93, is believed to have committed suicide by hanging himself with an electrical flex. He was the last remaining prisoner at the complex, which is soon demolished……at the Hungerford massacre, : Sixteen people die in the first British mass shooting carried out by Mike Ryan…ABC news bureau  chief Middle East correspondent Charles Glass escapes his Hezbollah kidnappers in Beirut, Lebanon, after 62 days in captivity…….The Orderof the Garter  is opened to women. The Order of the Garter is "a group of honourable knights," described as "the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain." It was created in 1348 by King Edward III, who was fascinated with the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table……. Astrological Harmonic Convergence-Dawn of New Age…on August 16^th the NY Mets beat Chicago Cubs, 23-9……. Northwest Airlines 255 plane crashes in Detroit, 156 die (1 lives)……and in 1987 the number one song in LuLac land and America was "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2.