The LuLac Edition #4,593, October 7th, 2021

 NAACP DINNER ONE WEEK AWAY

 

BARLETTA AHEAD IN GOP POLLS FOR GOVERNOR 

Photo: (LuLac archives)

 It appears that former Congressman Lou Barletta is ahead in the GOP polls for Governor of Pennsylvania. It is early and the field is filled with unknowns but Barletta has name recognition.  Plus, he has  a record to run on. It will be interesting to see how well he does come 2022.

 

TRUMP SUPPORTERS SUE DOMINION, SAY CEASE AND DESIST LETTERS 'CLEARLY DAMAGED' THEM

BABY SNOWFLAKES WHINE AND CRY

Poll challengers from Michigan have filed a class-action lawsuit against Dominion Voting Systems, claiming that they were "damaged" by cease and desist letters that the company sent them after the 2020 presidential election.

Lawyers including Kurt Olsen, who previously aided in unsuccessful legal efforts to overturn former President Donald Trump's defeat to President Joe Biden, filed the lawsuit last week on behalf of eight Michigan residents that they claim were "clearly damaged" by the letters. Famed attorney Alan Dershowitz, who was part of Trump's legal team during his first impeachment trial, is also listed as counsel for the plaintiffs but reportedly describes himself as a consultant on "First Amendment issues" in the case.

A group of 2020 election poll challengers have launched a lawsuit claiming that they were "damaged" by cease-and-desist letters Dominion Voting Systems sent them after they expressed "concerns" about "election" integrity in affidavits. Supporters of former President Donald Trump, including one holding a sign that falsely claims "Trump Won" the election, are pictured protesting a visit by President Joe Biden in Howell, Michigan on October 5, 2021.

The plaintiffs were all sent cease and desist letters by Dominion after alleging in affidavits that they witnessed unspecified "issues" on Election Day. The affidavits did not mention Dominion by name while expressing concerns about supposed "election integrity," according to the suit. Attorneys for the plaintiffs claim that Dominion's role in the election made the company "in effect, the government itself" and that the letters were used as a form of intimidation.

"Through its promiscuous delivery of aggressive threats of litigation and its deliberately broad advertisement of its own threatening activities, Dominion seeks to intimidate anyone who might speak out regarding election integrity and security concerns, whether such speech is related to Dominion or not," the complaint states. "Plaintiffs and the Class have been damaged by Dominion's Lawfare campaign."

The complaint's assertion that the plaintiffs were "damaged" by the letters is likely to face stiff challenges in court. Cease and desist letters are not typically considered to be a form of damaging legal intimidation because they merely warn of potential legal action without initiating any. The assertion that Dominion is effectively an arm of the federal government is also likely to face challenges.

The suit warns that "anyone could be the next victim of a Dominion billion-dollar lawsuit," citing high-profile defamation suits that the company had already filed against former Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell, Fox News, Newsmax, MyPillow, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell and others.

What a bunch of simpering little babies. They had the nerve to call Liberals snowflakes? If a freaking letter makes them poop their pants, then how in the world can they exist? Governor Ed Rendell had it right when he said groups like these were feckless paper tigers. To me, this is typical of the entitled slobs who claim to be American patriots but are small minded thug wanna bees.(Newsweek, LuLac)

 

REP. CARTWRIGHT ANNOUNCES $2.1 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR HEALTH CARE INFRASTRUCTURE IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)

 U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) today announced three Northeastern Pennsylvania Community Health Centers will receive a total of $2.1 million in American Rescue Plan funds to strengthen primary health care infrastructure and advance health equity and health outcomes in medically underserved communities, including through projects that support COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccination.

The following health centers will receive a total of $2,164,229 in federal funds:

·       Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers will receive $982,856

 

·       Scranton Primary Health Care Center, Inc. will receive $631,373

 

·       Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania will receive $550,000

“Our Community Health Centers not only continue to fight on the frontlines of COVID-19, they are critical to addressing our communities’ many other health care needs,” Cartwright said. “I commend our local Health Centers for the work they are doing to combat this pandemic. This American Rescue Plan funding will enable them to continue their work to better meet the most pressing public health challenges associated with COVID-19 in our most vulnerable communities.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded nearly $1 billion in American Rescue Plan funding to nearly 1,300 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Center Program-funded health centers through the Construction and Capital Improvements Program. Health centers will use this funding for COVID-19-related capital needs, constructing new facilities, renovating and expanding existing facilities to enhance response to pandemics, and purchasing new state-of-the-art equipment, including telehealth technology, mobile medical vans and freezers to store vaccines.

 

GOV. WOLF ANNOUNCES ALMOST $2 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR PRODUCING, PROMOTING PENNSYLVANIA BEERS AND WINES

Governor Tom Wolf (Photo: LuLac archives)

Governor Tom Wolf today announced the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) approved grants totaling $1,925,319 for 15 projects to increase the production of Pennsylvania-made malt and brewed beverages and enhance the Pennsylvania beer industry through promotion, marketing, and research-based programs and projects, and to enhance the Pennsylvania wine industry and increase production of Pennsylvania-made wines.

“Pennsylvania industries have to adopt new ways of doing business in the COVID-19 world, and these grants will provide substantial funding to help two vital parts of our agricultural community not only explore ways of improving production methods, but also boost marketing efforts that reach beyond our borders,” said Gov. Wolf.

Act 39 of 2016 created the Pennsylvania Malt and Brewed Beverages Industry Promotion Board within the department of Agriculture and authorized the PLCB to approve up to $1 million annually for development and marketing of the Pennsylvania beer industry. The Pennsylvania Fiscal Code also allows for unallocated beer grant funds to be made available in subsequent years. Since the first beer grants were approved in 2017, the PLCB has awarded $3.9 million in grants to support the Pennsylvania beer industry (not including this round).

 

 CASEY, MANCHIN, BROWN, KAINE, WARNER REINTRODUCE BILL TO EXTEND BLACK LUNG DISABILITY TRUST FUND

Senator Bon Casey (Photo: LuLac archives)

U.S. Senators Bob Casey Joe Manchin (D-WV), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) reintroduced the Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund Act of 2021. The legislation calls for a ten-year extension of the current black lung excise tax that is set to expire in December 2021 to ensure that coal miners suffering from Black Lung Disease and their families have access to the quality medical care they desperately need. Without revenue from this tax, the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund will face insolvency at a time when the nationwide prevalence of black lung is increasing.

“Coal miners have kept the lights on in this country for decades. In doing so, many have risked their lives and now have life-threatening health complications. We owe it to coal miners suffering from Black Lung Disease to keep our promise and ensure they’re taken care of. This legislation would ensure the continuity of the trust fund, especially given the resurgence of Black Lung Disease, and would provide the health and disability benefits many coal miners need,” said Senator Casey.  “I will keep fighting to make sure that Congress keeps its promise to take care of our miners.”

“For generations, our brave coal miners have risked their lives and health to power our great nation and as a result many of our miners have Black Lung Disease. After their enormous sacrifices, they have earned the vital treatment and medical care they need. I am proud to introduce the Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund Act of 2021 with my colleagues to extend the black lung excise tax to fund the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund for the next ten years. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help us pass this crucial legislation to support our coal miners who have given so much to our country,” said Senator Manchin.

“Ohio miners have put their health at risk for years to power our country, and, now, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we need to take this first step to ensure they have access to desperately needed medical care,” said Senator Brown. “Congress must now do its part and extend the funding for the Black Lung Trust Fund, so we can ensure these miners have access to the care and resources needed to prevent and treat black lung disease.”

“Virginia miners risk their lives to help power and build our nation. They deserve access to quality treatment for Black Lung Disease if needed,” said Senator Kaine. “This bill is part of an effort to guarantee our miners are still able get the care they need by ensuring that the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund stays solvent. As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, I will continue fighting for Virginia miners and their families.”

“Our coal miners have sacrificed so much and risked their lives in order to fuel our nation. They deserve to know that they will receive the treatment and medical care they need. The Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund will ensure that miners suffering from black lung disease who rely on the fund get the care they deserve,” said Senator Warner.

“We thank Senators Manchin, Brown, Kaine, Casey and Warner for continuing their long-term commitment to help miners suffering from Black Lung. The Black Lung Disability Trust Fund is a critical backstop providing benefits to miners, and widows of miners killed by this insidious disease, that can help keep them out of poverty and provide them with the care they need. Much needs to be done to address longer-term systemic issues with the entire Black Lung benefits system, but the first step is making sure there is adequate funding for the Trust Fund to pay benefits going forward. This bill will do that, and I applaud its introduction,” said Cecil Roberts, International President of the United Mine Workers of America.

The Black Lung Disability Trust Fund is financed primarily by an excise tax on coal produced and sold domestically. This tax was first established in 1978 at $0.50 per ton on underground-mined coal and $0.25 per ton on surface-mined coal. The funding was later raised to the current rates of $1.10 per ton for underground-mined coal and $0.55 per ton for surface-mined coal. Due to congressional inaction, on December 31, 2018, the tax rate reverted back to $0.50 per ton on underground-mined coal and $0.25 per ton on surface-mined coal, representing a 55% reduction. At the end of 2019 and 2020, Congress passed, and President Donald Trump signed into law, end-of-year spending packages that included one-year extensions of the 2018 tax rates. The current rates are now set to expire on December 31, 2021.

 

MEDIA MATTERS 

 

WALN TV

 

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This week’s guests are Jimel Calliste President of the NAACP Wilkes Barre branch #2306. 

Jim Riley will be speaking to them but the annual Freedom Fund Banquet set for Friday October 15^th at Genetti’s  Hotel in downtown Wiles-Barre. 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’S V’S DOO WOP SUNDAY NIGHT SOCK HOP 

 

1987

Our 1987 logo.

Garfield Park Nature Center opens, latest in Cleveland Metroparks………Giant's Jeffrey Leonard hits playoff record HR in his 4th cons game….Hartford center Doug Jarvis ends his career having played an NHL record 964 consecutive games as the Whalers lose 6-2 to the New York Rangers…… 200,000 march for gay and lesbian civil rights in Washington, D.C………21st Country Music Association Award: Hank William Jr wins. Here a song and video featuring Hank and his dad….George Harrison releases "Got My Mind Set On You"; it would become his third solo number 1 hit, and the last by any of the Beatles….

Oscar Arias (Costa Rican Pres) wins Nobel Peace Prize…..the Minnesota Twins beat Detroit Tigers, 9-5 in ALCS Game 5 at Tiger Stadium for 4-1 series win; go on to win club's first Baseball World Series……. 1st military use of trained dolphins (US Navy in Persian Gulf) , Costa Rican President Oscar Arias wins Nobel Peace Prize and the number one song in LuLac land and America was “U Got The Look”  by Prince with Sheena Easton.