The LuLac Edition #5, 353, June 12th, 2024

MEUSER MELTDOWN: CAUGHT AGAIN ON CAMERA”

It appears Congressman Dan Meuser has once again been caught on camera behaving poorly—this time by CODEPINK, the women-led peace and justice organization known for confronting warmongers with bold truth (watch it here).

This isn’t Meuser’s first on-camera temper flare. About seven years ago, another clip surfaced—posted by none other than Laura Loomer, Trump’s #1 conspiracy cheerleader and sometime snitch—calling out Meuser for gasp contributing to Democrat Matt Cartwright’s campaign. That footage still makes the rounds (watch it here).

Of course, these public moments are likely just the tip of the iceberg. I’ll share one of my own: Several years back, I taught a television production class at Luzerne County Community College. Dan’s wife, Shelly Meuser, a student of mine, asked me to film their daughter playing a tennis match for possible college recruitment. But once filming started, their daughter appeared nervous and wasn’t playing her best. That’s when Dan—clearly frustrated—angrily barked, “Shut it down! Shut it down!” referring to the camera. I’ve never been more embarrassed for a child in my life.

That’s the Dan Meuser I knew—long before he entered politics by giving former Governor Tom Corbett over $75,000 in campaign cash, which conveniently helped him land the job of Secretary of Revenue. (Read more here.)

Today, Meuser remains a loyal foot soldier in Trump’s army—enabling the dysfunction and doubling down on MAGA extremism. Maybe he’ll jump ship before the Good Ship Trump hits the ocean floor… but I’m not holding my breath.

Subject: Pennsylvania’s Ethics Codes Fall Short on Hate Speech – Time to Speak Up

In yet another troubling development from our so-called public servants, I received word that a citizen was verbally berated in a public space by none other than State Representative Jamie Walsh. The individual had merely asked Walsh why he was so loudly and obsessively insulting the LGBTQ community — a reasonable question, especially given Walsh’s recent public tirades targeting queer people and drag performers. Instead of a civil response, Walsh reportedly lashed out with personal insults.

This behavior is disgusting — but apparently not unethical, at least not by Pennsylvania’s current standards.

After researching how to file an ethics complaint, I was shocked to learn that Pennsylvania’s Ethics Act only allows complaints if a public official financially benefits from misconduct. There is no mention — none — of hate speech, discriminatory slurs, or abusive behavior being considered unethical conduct under the current code. In short: elected officials can spew vile rhetoric, and unless they’re getting paid for it, they’re in the clear.

That is unacceptable.

Last month, Senator Lisa Baker issued a press release proposing a legislative package to strengthen Pennsylvania’s ethics and transparency laws. You can read it here:
 Baker Announces Legislative Package

Today, I sent a letter to Senator Baker asking whether her reforms will address hate speech, verbal harassment, and bigoted public conduct. Because they should. Our representatives are supposed to serve everyone — not target and belittle marginalized communities for political gain.

We can’t and won’t put up with this anymore. If you’re sick of officials like Jamie Walsh turning our government into a platform for cruelty, make your voice heard. Call your legislators. Demand better.

 You can contact Senator Lisa Baker here and tell her to make hate speech an ethics violation in her bill. https://www.senatorbaker.com/contact-me-2/

 

 

PENNSYLVANIA GOP FRESHMAN EYES NEXT FIGHT AFTER MEDICAID 

 

Congressman Rob Bresnehan (Photo: LuLac archives)  

Tthe Washington Examiner published a profile piece on U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) following his involvement in negotiations during the reconciliation process.

Five months into his freshman year in Congress, Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) has learned how to elbow his way into key negotiations with decision-makers.

Bresnahan, who flipped a blue seat in November by beating incumbent Rep. Matt Cartwright, knows his career in Congress depends on delivering for his northeastern Pennsylvania district that includes Scranton, former President Joe Biden’s hometown.

Working for his constituents means muscling his way into the conversations with powerbrokers who call the shots. On Monday, Bresnahan was the only freshman among a small group of GOP lawmakers to join President Donald Trump at the White House for an event on new savings accounts for children.

Bresnahan, who is only 35 in Congress and started working at his family business, Kuharchik Construction, at age 19, said he is used to punching above his weight.

“I’m traditionally accustomed to being the youngest guy in the room, but at the end of the day, we all have a job to do, and my job, at least the way that I perceive it, is to represent northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Bresnahan, a former electrical contracting company CEO.

As House Republicans battled to negotiate an agreement to advance Trump’s tax and spending bill, the freshman Pennsylvania Republican was publicly opposed and worked behind the scenes to advocate against steep cuts to Medicaid.

“Listen, we’re all for getting rid of waste, the fraud, the abuse, the illegal aliens, absolutely. But when it comes to providing the benefits for the people of northeastern Pennsylvania that deserve them, it was nonnegotiable, and I was very clear and adamant that this was not going to be something that we would support,” Bresnahan told the Washington Examiner during an interview.

About 27% of Bresnahan’s district relies on Medicaid, the second highest out of all congressional districts in Pennsylvania, making the issue a key priority for his district. 

The Pennsylvania Republican was also against reductions to the federal Medicaid assistance percentage, known as FMAP, pushed for by fiscal hawks as a means of reducing government spending due to the effect they would have had on two hospitals in his district that are struggling to stay open. 

“We have a hospital situation taking place in Lackawanna County right now, where Commonwealth [health system] is in the process of potentially closing two of our hospitals, and we need to do everything within our power to make sure there’s a continuity of care for the epicenter of our district. And we would not feel that we were doing right for the district if there were some kind of reconfiguration of the provider tax,” Bresnahan said, adding there was a proposal on the table during a meeting he attended with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and other GOP members to reduce the provider tax over eight years.

Bresnahan continued, “There were gigantic savings in there. But again, there would be long-term consequences to our ultimate beneficiaries that deserve these benefits, as well as our hospital systems. And that wasn’t something that I was willing to wave on.”

In the monthslong negotiations over the massive spending bill, Bresnahan attended several meetings, including one late-night meeting at the White House, in which he and other GOP centrists expressed their opposition to any reductions to Medicaid spending, including to the federal Medicaid Assistance percentage.

When asked about Bresnahan and his time in office, a White House official called him a “workhorse member” who is on the path to be a “great leader for the Republican Party” in a statement to the Washington Examiner.

The official continued, “He is a trustworthy ally that has been working in tandem with the White House to advance President Trump’s agenda on behalf of the American people.”

He was also one of 12 Republicans who sent a letter to House GOP leadership declaring that they would not support a final reconciliation bill that would reduce Medicaid coverage for vulnerable populations.

Bresnahan and GOP centrists were successful in limiting cuts to Medicaid, fighting off a last-minute effort from conservative holdouts in the House Freedom Caucus who wanted to see steeper cuts.

Now, though, as the reconciliation bill sits in the Senate, Bresnahan is eyeing his next project: permitting reform to streamline infrastructure projects.

“I’m a big believer in infrastructure, and I’m very honored to serve as the vice chairman of highway transit. I think 25% of our district has structurally deficient bridges,” Bresnahan said. “There’s a lot that goes into infrastructure, but in order to have a functioning society … that foundation needs to be proper and adequately reinvested in.”

Pennsylvania is second in the nation in structurally deficient bridges, according to data collected by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association. However, because of the current permitting process in the United States, it can take years for a bridge to get fixed, Bresnahan said, referring to one bridge in his district that is expected to take years to reopen. 

“And that means a main artery, a main thoroughfare leading in and out of our community, will be down for close to a decade, and it’s because of the permitting process, it’s the environmental studies, it’s the review periods, and I don’t think that’s acceptable,” Bresnahan told the Washington Examiner.

Bresnahan joined the newly formed Build America Caucus last month, which is aimed at making permitting and transmission reform, incentivizing the building of more homes, streamlining requirements for infrastructure projects, and “cutting red tape.”

“Ultimately, time is what makes any job the most unpredictable but also increases the cost exponentially,” Bresnahan said. “So getting shovels in the ground faster and getting these things built are ultimately going to save the taxpayer money, and it’s going to produce a result and a product significantly faster. So getting, again, government out of the way.”

  

SHAPIRO ADMINISTRATION HIGHLIGHTS THE CONSEQUENCES SNAP FUNDING CUTS WILL HAVE FOR PENNSYLVANIA FARMERS AND FAMILIES

Governor Josh Shapiro (Photo: LuLac archives)

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding emphasized the critical role Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits play in supporting Pennsylvania's ag industry at People's Provisions, a Perry County grocer that accepts SNAP benefits and sources entirely from local farms. Today's event included local business leaders, farmers, and community members who amplified real concerns about the impacts that proposed federal cuts to SNAP funding will have on Pennsylvania families, farmers, and grocery businesses if Congress follows through on the current version of H.R. 1.

Governor Josh Shapiro has made it clear that Pennsylvania cannot backfill these costs.

"Radical reductions in SNAP would hurt not only the two million people who recieve benefits and may be temporarily struggling, but the Pennsylvania farm families, and families of those in 12,000 grocery industry jobs across the state supported by SNAP spending," Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. "The Shapiro Administration is doing our part, investing to see that no family goes hungry in Pennsylvania. We are calling on Congress to keep its promises and remember their commitments to Pennsylvania farmers, families, and businesses."

 

 

MEDIA MATTERS

WALN

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

You'll hear the program Sunday at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on 1400 am The Mothership and 7:30 am on 105 The River.

 

THE LAURIE CADDEN SHOW

Tune in every Saturday morning at 9am for The Laurie Cadden Show on WILK FM 103.1 and AM 980 and 910. Laurie’s program has been a northeastern Pennsylvania mainstay every Saturday. Tune in to hear her insights and take on local issues as well as entertaining and informative interviews.

 

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SUNDAY NIGHT SOCK HOP

 

BEATLE EDD’S FAB FOUR MUSIC HOUR

Tune in every week to the 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

NBA Championship: Houston Rockets sweep Orlando Magic in 4 games

June 14^th, 1995

 

The 1995 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 1994–95 season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The series pitted the Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic against the defending NBA champion and Western Conference champion Houston Rockets. Much pre-series hype concerned the meeting of the two All-Star centers—Shaquille O'Neal of the Magic and Hakeem Olajuwon of the Rockets—a matchup some compared to the Bill Russell–Wilt Chamberlain games of the 1960s. The Houston Rockets swept the Orlando Magic 4-0, repeating as champions and becoming the lowest-seeded team ever to win the Finals.

In the 1995 playoffs, the Rockets became the first NBA team to win nine road playoff games and to beat four 50-win teams in a single postseason. It was the second NBA Finals sweep in the 2–3–2 Finals format (after the Detroit Pistons did so again ainst the Los Angeles Lakers in 1989). The Rockets also became the first repeat NBA Champion in history to keep the title with a sweep. In addition, the Rockets became the first team in NBA history to win the title without having home-court advantage in any of the four playoff rounds since the playoffs was expanded to a 16 team format in 1984.

The Orlando Magic, making their first NBA Finals appearance, began the series at home, hosting the defending champion Houston Rockets. With the Magic up 110–107 late in Game 1, Nick Anderson missed four consecutive free throws in the closing seconds of the game, and Kenny Smith hit a three-pointer, tying the game and sending it to overtime as well as setting a new Finals record, with the most three-pointers in an NBA Finals game with seven (later broken by Ray Allen, who hit eight three-pointers during Game 2 of the 2010 NBA Finals). The more experienced Rockets went on to win in overtime and eventually swept the Magic, winning their second consecutive NBA Championship. In achieving this, they earned the distinction of being the only team to win both championships during Michael Jordan's first retirement (although Jordan did return in the closing months of the 1994–95 season), in addition to being the only team other than the Chicago Bulls to win multiple championships in the 1990s. This was also the second consecutive 90s championship series not featuring the Chicago Bulls, a streak the Bulls would end in 1996…and this week the number onbe song in LuLac land and  America was “Have You Ever Loved A Woman” by Bryan Adams.