The LuLac Edition #5, 263, March 6th, 2025
MEET DOUG FORD
Doug Ford is a conservative politician in Ontario Canada that has been involved in politics for twenty years. He has been described as a Donald knock off. A part of the Ford political family, attended college but never graduated but won a seat on Toronto Council. Ford ran for the 2014 Toronto mayoral election, where he placed second behind John Tory.
In 2018, Ford entered provincial politics and won the Progressive Conservative leadership election. He led the PCs to three consecutive majority victories in the 2018, 2022, and 2025 general elections. As premier, Ford decreased the size of Toronto city council, led the province through the COVID-19 pandemic, granted extra powers to mayors of cities via the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, passed Bill 60 to expand the use of private healthcare services, and grappled with controversies from the Greenbelt scandal. Although Ford's rhetoric and policies were characterized as conservative in his early years as premier, since 2020, political commentators have noted a shift to the political center and a more co-operative attitude towards the federal government.
This year Ford called for an early election in February. Ford’s party won a third majority with 80 seats in the 44th Ontario general election.Originally scheduled by fixed election laws to be held by June 4, 2026, Ford triggered an early provincial election, called a snap election, for Feb. 27 after meeting with Ontario's lieutenant-governor. It is speculated that this was to take advantage of a lead in the polls and fundraising, as well as a desire to hold the election before the next federal election. Speculation that Ford would call an early election began in 2024 and was further fueled by Ford refusing to commit to the June 2026 date when asked by reporters at multiple press conferences in May 2024. The possibility of a trade war was expected to be the main election issue.
The Progressive Conservatives led by Ford were reelected with a third consecutive majority government, the first premier to do so since 1959, though with a slightly smaller majority compared to 2022. The Liberals finished over ten percentage points ahead of the NDP in the popular vote, but only gained five seats compared to before the election (albeit this was enough to regain official party status for the first time since 2018), with Crombie being defeated in her riding. The NDP therefore remained the official opposition, despite losing a small number of seats and finishing a distant third in the popular vote.
When President Trump won election, Ford congratulated him but when Trump said he wanted Canada to be the 51st state, he called the American leader out.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he is prepared to cut off electricity exports to the United States after President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian exports.
“If they want to try to annihilate Ontario, I will do everything including cut off their energy with a smile on my face. They need to feel the pain,” Ford said Monday.
Ford said he would match tariffs and noted that the U.S. is a major consumer of Canada’s electricity.
In an address to Congress Tuesday night, Trump said he imposed tariffs on Mexico and Canada because of “trade deficits” and also said, “They’ve allowed fentanyl to come into our country at levels never seen before, killing hundreds of thousands of our citizens.”
WHAT DOES DOUG FORD’S OPPOSITION LEADER SAY ABOUT HIS STANCE FOR CANADA AND AGAINST TRUMP?
“I’m with Doug Ford.”
Marit Stiles has served as the leader of the Official Opposition since February 4, 2023. She leads the New Democratic Party (NDP), which has held the second largest number of seats in the Legislative Assembly since the 2018 provincial election.
An opposition leader who just lost an election siding with her political foe? Only in Canada. I'll give Trump this, he is a unifying force. These two hate the guy!
THE SOCIAL SECURITY LIE
Trump went over and over about how people over the age of 100 collect Social Security. Much to the delight of his MAGA morons, Trump LIED. Here’s why:
1. At the age of 102, if a person is still living and collecting, there is a mandatory home visit.
2. When someone dies and they are collecting Social Security, when their remains come to the funeral director, a form gets faxed to Social Security.
WHY TARIFFS WILL SCREW YOU
The ingrate whiners complained about inflation under Biden, hold on to your hats because here’s what will happen under Trump.
Trump’s 25% tariffs on nearly all goods imported from Canada and Mexico and 20% tariffs on goods from China mean that around 40% of the items imported into the United States will be subject to a border tax. Those tariffs will, economists explain, almost inevitably be passed on to consumers as higher prices, just as they were after Trump’s far more targeted tariffs in 2018.
Companies that make canned goods are warning about higher prices since most steel for making cans is imported. Craft beer companies generally don’t have the ability to lower costs to mitigate the higher price of cans, so they will almost certainly raise prices to deal with higher costs. A lot of popular fruit, such as avocados, tomatoes and strawberries, is imported from Mexico and will be hit with tariffs. The most popular beer in America, Modelo, is a Mexican import.
Beyond grocery store items, tariffs could exacerbate the affordable housing crisis by making the lumber imported from Canada more expensive.
Many companies perceived as purely domestic manufacturers who would seemingly benefit from a penalty on foreign competition will nonetheless take a blow because of supply chain norms. Consider, for example, that U.S. auto manufacturers rely on car parts from Canada and Mexico and are going to see a huge spike in costs. “Let’s be real honest: Long-term, a 25% tariff across the Mexico and Canada borders would blow a hole in the U.S. industry that we’ve never seen,” Ford CEO Jim Farley told investors in February.
TRUMP’S TOP 12 LIES
While the President was straining his arm trying to pat himself on the back yesterday, he was doing his greatest hits. Biden, worst President ever, getting hard for Elizabeth Warren, spouting grievances, repeating the phrase “like you’ve never seen before” (Oh Donnie shit stains, we’ve seen enough believe me!) and making up numbers in his head about how huge his electoral mandate was. All that shit takes away from the 12 lies he told last night. Here they are:
Trump said, “We inherited from the last administration an economic catastrophe.” This wasn’t true.
Trump said, “We’re going to have growth in the auto industry like nobody’s ever seen. Plants are opening up all over the place.” That wasn’t true.
Trump said, towns like Aurora, Colorado, and Springfield, Ohio, were “destroyed” by immigrants. That wasn’t true.
Trump said, in reference to Europe and aid to Ukraine, “[W]e’ve spent perhaps $350 billion, and they’ve spent $100 billion.” That wasn’t true.
Trump said, “For the first time in modern history, more Americans believe that our country is headed in the right direction than the wrong direction.” That wasn’t true.
Trump said, in reference to Biden-era inflation, rates were the worst “perhaps even in the history of our country, they’re not sure.” They are sure and that wasn’t true.
Trump said the Biden administration imposed an “electric vehicle mandate.” That wasn’t true.
Trump said, “I’ve stopped all government censorship.” That wasn’t true.
BIDEN THE WORST PRESIDENT EVER?
TRUMP AND WASHINGTON AS EQUALS?
LET’S LOOK AT THE NUMBERS!
In the latest ranking of U.S. historians, Joe Biden was ranked #13 behind Wilson(12) and Obama (10) but ahead of Clinton (14) John Adams (15) and Jimmy Cater at (16)
Trump was DEAD LAST! Washington on the other hand came in at number three behind Lincoln and FDR. So, Trump would have to leap from 42 places to equal Washington.
Donald Trump — Failed to effectively respond to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, ran a horrifically corrupt regime that flouted ethics laws and violated political norms, and irresponsibly cut taxes for the wealthy (2017–2021). Trump’s second regime (2025-) is assaulting American democracy in horrific ways, which could lead to immense economic devastation, even more corruption, and an end to the rule of law, majority rule with minority rights, and free and fair elections.
For the complete list, here’s the link: https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2025/02/npis-founder-ranks-the-presidents-2025-edition.html
GET GAS NOW!
SOCIAL SECURITY BUILDING FOR SALE BY MUSK?
“NOT CORE TO GOVERNMNT OPERATIONS?”
General Services Administration (GSA) announced Tuesday that it is considering selling more than 440 properties “not core to government operations,” including three federal buildings in Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton.
The list of “non-core properties” includes facilities identified as “Federal Building Wilkes-Barre,” “Maintenance Bldg” in Wilkes-Barre and “SSA Trust Fund Bldg” Hazleton.
However, a separate list on the GSA website of Pennsylvania federal buildings lists the “SSA Trust Funding Building” as located at 88 S. Laurel St., Hazleton, where a Social Security Administration building is located.
That list also includes a “Federal Building” at 1150 E. Mountain Drive, Wilkes-Barre, another Social Security Administration building.
According to the GSA, federally owned assets it will consider divesting from make up “almost 80 million rentable square feet across the nation” and are valued at over $8.3 billion.
What strike me are the words “not core to government operations”. Maybe people of ALL ages should call Dan “I LOVE TRUMP NO MATTER WHAT” Meuser’s office at (570) 665-3083 in Wyoming County or Rob Bresnehan’s office at : (570) 763-6120 and ask what’s going on, and will they pledge to support Social Security.
UPDATE: WBRE reported that the three buildings were taken off the list of more than 440 but in checking the website, the entire list was scrubbed. Musk and his tribe have been known to do this. Meanwhile there are 700 workers at Social Security who are in limbo. Brenehan's office responded saying that "the buildings were off the list". Dan Meuser's office said, "They'll look into it" which is code for "We don't give a shit!"
TIM McGINLEY IN FOR COUNTY CONTROLLER
In a move that was welcomed by people of all political persuasions, Democrat Tim McGinley confirmed recently that he plans to run for Luzerne County Controller.
McGinley, a prior county councilman and current county Government Study Commission member, said he is circulating nomination petitions to be placed on the May 20 primary election ballot. He intends to release a formal announcement of his candidacy after his nomination paperwork is submitted.
Republican Walter Griffith, the current controller, recently announced he is seeking another term.
McGinley announced at the end of Thursday’s Government Study Commission meeting that he will be stepping down from the commission chairmanship post, although he will remain an active member of the seven-citizen commission.
Authorized by county 2024 primary election voters, the commission has been meeting regularly to assess potential county home rule charter changes and aims to place its proposal on the November 2025 ballot. Voters will then decide whether to switch to the new structure or keep the system in effect since January 2012.
McGinley did not cite the county controller campaign as a reason for relinquishing the commission chairmanship. Instead, he said he been increasingly busy with his duties as a Wyoming Valley West School Board member due to its search for a superintendent and preparation for other key retirements that will be occurring over the next few months.
McGinley has been a dedicated public servant. In his three terms as a County Councilman, he has distinguished himself as a steady and inclusive leader that values the needs of all the people in Luzerne County.
A Kingston resident, McGinley served as a county councilman for 12 years, from the start of home rule until the end of 2023. He previously worked as an administrator at the Commission on Economic Opportunity.
McGinley will bring a steady hand to the office of Controller and stay focused on that task instead of getting involved in partisan politics at the Luzerne County Election Bureau.
BRESNAHAN HOLDS ENVIRONMENTAL ROUNDTABLE WITH EPA ADMINISTRATOR, STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS
U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) welcomed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin to Pennsylvania’s Eighth Congressional District for an environmental roundtable with state and local elected officials and stakeholders. The roundtable was held in Swiftwater, PA.
“We have a great responsibility to take care of the environment and our communities,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “Our roundtable was an important step in unleashing energy dominance and eliminating the rain tax in PA-08. I want to thank Administrator Zeldin for visiting Pennsylvania and to all at the local, state, and federal levels who recognize the importance of these issues.”
“I want to thank Congressman Bresnahan for welcoming me to his district and allowing me the opportunity to speak with his constituents to hear firsthand about their priorities,” said Administrator Zeldin. “EPA is determined to work to bring clean air, land, and water to all Americans.”
Rep. Bresnahan, Administrator Zeldin, and roundtable participants discussed the importance of prioritizing energy dominance in the U.S. and ways that can be done in Pennsylvania’s Eighth Congressional District. Rep. Bresnahan and local leaders also expressed concerns with the rain tax (an unfunded federal mandate for the Chesapeake Bay) and the Delaware River Basin Commission’s ban on fracking and energy development.
In addition to Rep. Bresnahan and Administrator Zeldin, roundtable participants included State Senators Lisa Baker and Rosemary Brown, State Representatives Brenda Pugh, Jon Fritz, Tarah Probst, and Jamie Walsh, Wayne County Commissioner Brian Smith, Wayne County Landowners Association leaders Tom Shepstone and Curt Coccodrilli, Penn’s Northeast President John Augustine, Northeast PA Building Trades President Warren Faust, Pennsylvania Utility Commission Commissioner Ralph Yanora, LiUNA Business Manager Tony Seiwell, and Kriger Construction General Manager James Marzolino.
SOLVING THE EDUCATION WORKFORCE SHORTAGE: GOVERNOR SHAPIRO VISITS FARMERSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO HIGHLIGHT INVESTMENTS IN STUDENT TEACHERS STIPENDS TO GROW PENNSYLVANIA’S EDUCATION WORKFORCE
Governor Josh Shapiro (Photo: LuLac archives)
Governor Josh Shapiro visited Farmersville Elementary School in Bethlehem Township, Northampton County, to highlight how his 2025-26 proposed budget(opens in a new tab) makes strategic investments to solve Pennsylvania’s education workforce challenges. With nearly 5,500 teacher vacancies statewide, the Governor’s budget proposal doubles funding for the successful PA Student Teacher Support Program, from $20 million to $40 million annually, ensuring more aspiring educators can complete their training and enter the profession, further strengthening the Commonwealth’s educator pipeline.
“My budget puts a special emphasis on workforce development — especially our education workforce — because we need more great teachers in our classrooms,” said Governor Shapiro. “Right now, we have thousands of teacher vacancies across Pennsylvania, but we can solve that by increasing our support for student teacher stipends. Aspiring educators are required to student teach to complete their training, but they’re often not paid for their work. There’s real demand for these stipends — last year, they were all taken in the first few hours after the application opened — so let’s double the amount of funding going to this initiative and solve this problem.”
During his visit, Governor Shapiro was joined by Pennsylvania Department of Education Acting Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe, Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent Dr. Jack Silva, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Senior Vice President Nathan Hench, Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) Vice President Jeff Ney, Senator Lisa Boscola, Senator Nick Miller, House Majority Education Committee Chairman Representative Peter Schweyer, Representative Steve Samuelson, and student teacher Giavanna DeMarco, along with students, teachers, and school administrators. They discussed Pennsylvania’s teacher shortage and the Governor’s proposal to strengthen the educator pipeline.
In his first year in office, Governor Shapiro signed Act 33 of 2023(opens in a new tab) into law, creating the Educator Pipeline Support Grant Program to provide stipends for student teachers. Administered through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), this program helps to address the state’s teacher shortage by reducing financial barriers for those entering the profession and fills critical staffing gaps in schools.
In the 2024-25 budget(opens in a new tab), Governor Shapiro secured an additional $10 million, doubling funding to $20 million and enabling more than 2,000 student teachers from 84 postsecondary institutions to receive(opens in a new tab) $10,000 stipends, driving out this critical funding last fall. When the application opened last year, demand was overwhelming — within hours, all available stipends were claimed, leaving thousands more student teachers still in need of support. To address this high demand, the Governor’s 2025-26 budget proposal calls for a $20 million increase — bringing the total amount available for student teacher stipends to $40 million annually — ensuring even more aspiring educators can complete their training and enter Pennsylvania classrooms.
PHEAA will open the application window for next year’s stipends on Thursday, March 6, ensuring continued support for future educators. The program provides $10,000 to eligible student teachers and up to $2,500 to cooperating teachers who mentor them, with recipients committing to teach in Pennsylvania for three years after certification. Those planning to student teach or currently in the process of applying for a 2025-26 position are eligible to apply.
"I was once in the position many of our student teachers are in today, starting my student teaching in Greenville, PA. I remember the excitement, but also the hardships, because we didn’t have a program like this. One of the great things about working for the Shapiro Administration is that stuff gets done with common sense. It makes perfect sense to me that student teachers — who will become our next generation of educators — shouldn’t have to worry about rent or groceries while they’re learning to teach,” said Acting Secretary Dr. Rowe. “The student teacher stipend symbolizes the valuable work they’re doing, and I’m thrilled that Governor Shapiro has proposed doubling this funding in the recent budget. This is a crucial opportunity for student teachers everywhere."
"PHEAA is proud to be a partner in the PA Student Teacher Support Program, a valuable initiative that helps ease the financial burden on student teachers as they complete their in-classroom experience," said Hench. “While we are wrapping up the 2024-25 program year, I’m pleased to announce that on March 6, applications for the 2025-26 Student Teacher Support Program will open at PHEAA.org/studentteacher. Anyone planning to student teach or currently applying for a student teaching position for the 2025-26 award year is encouraged to apply early. We look forward to another year of supporting Pennsylvania’s future educators as they complete this critical step in their training."
DeMarco, a student teacher at Farmersville Elementary School in the learning support classroom, is completing her master’s in special education at Gwynedd Mercy University and received a stipend for the Spring 2025 semester. She spoke about how the program helped to ease financial burdens and allowed her to focus on her passion for teaching.
"I started my academic journey aiming for a career in pediatric neurology, but what began as a master's in neuroscience turned into a passion for helping neurodivergent students in special education. Without a background in education, I couldn’t work a full-time job while student teaching,” said DeMarco. “Thanks to this stipend, I’m able to focus solely on my students and learning support. I’ve been welcomed into a community that operates as a well-connected team, allowing me to provide high-quality support and help students defy expectations. With the educator shortage in our state, this stipend allows aspiring teachers to receive the training they need and gives more people the opportunity to make a lasting impact on children’s lives."
Dr. Silva highlighted how the program helps recruit and attract teachers to the education field by reducing financial barriers and supporting aspiring educators.
"A major goal of our school district is to attract and retain a high-quality, diverse teaching workforce where every classroom is led by an excellent role model teacher. We’ve made a lot of progress, but one thing that holds us back is the financial burden of student teaching, which is essentially an unpaid internship that future teachers struggle to afford. That’s why our district and community strongly support Governor Shapiro’s effort to expand student teacher stipends,” said Dr. Silva. “Currently, we have 45 student teachers, 8 of whom are receiving those stipends. There are many more future teachers who would benefit from this program. These stipends are crucial tools that will help build the future workforce of the Bethlehem Area School District and invest in the long-term success of our community."
"I am so proud to represent the 177,000 PSEA members across Pennsylvania, including about 7,000 student PSEA members. These student members are the future of Pennsylvania education—they are the young people studying in our colleges and universities to become the next generation of educators,” said Ney, who is also a fifth-grade teacher in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District. “They were a driving force behind the creation of the Student Teacher Support Program. They met with their elected leaders, shared their stories, and made the case for this life-changing program. You all listened to them. You heard the stories of our student PSEA members, and you took decisive action. The Student Teacher Support Program has removed a major barrier to becoming an educator in Pennsylvania, and it has created a strong incentive for aspiring educators to stay and teach right here in our state."
Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal makes strategic investments to address Pennsylvanian’s education workforce shortages. In addition to increasing funding for student teacher stipends, the Governor is proposing:
An additional $2.5 million for teacher professional development to provide educators with the training and tools they need to support students effectively.
A $526 million increase in education funding through the bipartisan adequacy formula, ensuring resources reach the schools that need them most.
A $40 million increase in special education funding, bringing the total investment to over $1.5 billion.
A new statewide base cyber charter tuition rate, projected to save school districts $378 million annually.
$125 million for school infrastructure repairs, building on the $275 million already invested in school district upgrades.
“In his budget address this past February, the Governor made education a key priority, and this stipend program is just one important piece of that effort. The future of our communities depends on teaching — we need an educated workforce, and it all starts with our teachers,” said Senator Boscola. “We need to double this funding because it’s not fair that some student teachers receive this support while others don’t. Every single student teacher in Pennsylvania should have this opportunity. That’s why I’m standing here alongside the Governor today — he gets it, he works across the aisle to get things done, and he leads with common sense. That’s exactly what we need in this Commonwealth."
"Education is my top priority, and in the Senate Democratic Caucus, we deliver for education. We deliver for farmers and small businesses, but education is the foundation of our communities,” said Senator Miller. “As mentioned earlier, eight recipients of this program are in the Bethlehem School District — but there is still much more work to do. We need to invest in our facilities, strengthen the student teacher pipeline, and ensure every aspiring educator has the support they need."
STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR JOSH SHAPIRO ON WHITE HOUSE MEETING WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY
Governor Josh Shapiro released the following statement in reaction to the White House meeting between President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy:
“Pennsylvania is the proud home to over 150,000 Ukrainian and Ukrainian American people. Some have planted roots here for generations – and tens of thousands are here to find safety after fleeing Vladimir Putin’s aggression. I know they, along with countless other Pennsylvanians, watched in shock as the President and Vice President berated President Zelenskyy and advanced Russia’s propaganda directly from the White House.
“The Oval Office should be a place where we advance American values – not where we retreat from them. When the President and Vice President attacked President Zelenskyy today, they served to undermine the safety and security of America and our national security interests. I support a diplomatic end to this war. Achieving this requires an honest reckoning of who started the war and who the aggressor is, and to that question, there is only one answer: Russia.
“In a
matter of just a few weeks, the Trump-Vance Administration has alienated many
of our allies and is seemingly trying to take us from being the leader of the
free world to a hemispheric power, signaling to our friends in Europe that they
are on their own. Friends and adversaries elsewhere are taking notice. That is
weakness that does not serve the interests of freedom and liberty, and it will
create a more dangerous world.
“Strong leaders stand with their allies and they stand on their principles – and I believe we must continue to advocate for the values of freedom and liberty, not cower to dangerous dictators like Vladimir Putin."
MEDIA MATTERS
WALN
BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM
BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SUNDAY NIGHT SOCK HOP
BEATLE EDD’S FAB FOUR MUSIC HOUR
Tune in every week to Home of Rock and Roll for a jam packed, unpredictable hour starting at 9am Sundays. Host Edd Raineri gives you facts and great music from the immortal Fab Four on ROCK 107.
THE LULAC TIME MACHINE
Montgomery to Selma
The 54-mile March
March 1965
“There is no Negro problem. There is no Southern problem. There is no Northern problem. There is only an American problem,” Johnson said, “Their cause must be our cause too. Because it is not just Negros, but really it is all of us, who must overcome the crippling legacy of bigotry and injustice. And we shall overcome.”
Some 2,000 people set out from Selma on March 21, protected by U.S. Army troops and Alabama National Guard forces that Johnson had ordered under federal control. After walking some 12 hours a day and sleeping in fields along the way, they reached Montgomery on March 25.
Nearly 50,000 supporters—Black and white—met the marchers in Montgomery, where they gathered in front of the state capitol to hear King and other speakers including Ralph Bunche (winner of the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize) address the crowd.
“No tide of racism can stop us,” King proclaimed from the building’s steps, as viewers from around the world watched the historic moment on television.
And this week in 1965, 60 years ago the number one song in LuLac land and America was “It’s Not Unusual” by Tom Jones.
posted by David Yonki @ 6:45 AM
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