If you had the stomach to watch the whole spectacle, our first Warlord-in-chief declared a goal of flipping everything Joe Biden did, including climate protection and industrial recovery. He inherits, with no speck of gratitude, a roaring economy and diminished inflation, for which (you watch) he will take full credit. As we show in our NATIONAL AND THE FEDS section and elsewhere, legal challenges to his dubious executive orders have been locked and loaded -- including by state attorneys general, working together -- and will push back against his every attempt to get back at his enemies. We need to match the legal effort, week by week, in the streets and the legislatures, because the real sign of defeat is to surrender in advance. So we persevere. As the philosopher/activist Olufemi Taiwo argues: "Our ancestors did more, with less, against worse. Lock in."
HERE IN MARYLAND
MD Legislature Getting Into Gear: The General Assembly top hearings coming up, with info on participating, are provided here by the Maryland Legislative Coalition
Selected from offerings of Maryland Reporter
What Happened to The Post-Pandemic Surplus? Two years before Maryland’s top fiscal analysts dropped the bombshell in November about the state’s financial position — the one showing a dramatic and growing $2.7 billion budget deficit — the same group of experts spoke about it in almost magical terms. What happened? Baltimore Sun
State Health Insurance Marketplace Grows 16%, Adding More Minorities, Youth: Maryland’s health insurance marketplace saw a 16% growth in enrollments during its open season period, marking the seventh year in a row that the state has seen increased membership in state-based health plans. WYPR-FM.
>>A record-breaking 247,000 Marylanders got private health insurance through the state’s insurance marketplace during the just-ended 2024 open enrollment period, an increase which includes more Black, Hispanic and young Marylanders enrolling in private health care, new data shows. Maryland Matters.
State Says PJM Electric Grid Fixes Fall Short: PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission operator for Maryland, has acknowledged that the ways it procures power for its electric grid have to be fixed — but a Maryland utility watchdog agency claims PJM’s proposed solutions fall short and would still impose unfair costs on residents. Frederick News Post.
Gay Advocates Worry About Trump Limiting Rights: Maryland advocates are anticipating early action from the new Trump administration to limit gay and transgender rights. But at a town hall held in Easton last week, local leaders also said the state has many protections already in place — and they’re working to develop more. Del. Kris Fair, chair of the LGBTQ+ Caucus in the General Assembly, said the top concern he hears from the queer community is about access to gender-affirming health care through Medicaid. Bri WYPR-FM.
Trump Reinstates Plan to Strip Protections from Federal Workers: Trump issued several orders Monday aimed at federal agencies, including a return-to-office mandate and a hiring freeze. He reinstated a policy to strip employment protections from tens of thousands of federal workers, potentially allowing his administration to reshape agencies by stocking them with political loyalists. WaPo
International Adoptees Sense Uncertainty Despite Citizenship: The prospect of another Trump presidency is producing a newfound level of uncertainty for some international adoptees about whether they will be protected as U.S. citizens, given Trump’s past comments about immigration, birthright citizenship and China. Baltimore Banner.
Stronger Opposition To Law Allowing Minors To Be Charged As Adults: Maryland law requires minors accused of certain crimes, ranging from misdemeanor gun possession to assault and murder, be charged in adult criminal court. For more than a decade, a few state lawmakers have tried unsuccessfully to change that law. But this year, changing the law has some powerful support. WYPR-FM.
>>There remains opposition to the change. “While I understand their call, I cannot support or agree with the idea of automatic charging of all juvenile offenses in juvenile court,” Howard County State’s Attorney Rich Gibson, president of the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Association, said in an interview. “That would create a significant public safety risk and is not in the best interest of the community.” Baltimore Sun.
Proposed Cuts To Developmental Disabilities Agency Draw Concern: In the days since Gov. Wes Moore introduced his budget, proposed cuts to an agency that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have emerged as an early area of concern among top Democrats in the legislature. The Daily Record [paywalled}
>>It’s not entirely clear how the cost reductions will officially come down on the DDA, but there are some cuts outlined in the budget bill. One of the larger proposed cuts would eliminate the “geographical differential” rates, which pay more to service providers in Montgomery, Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert and Frederick counties. Cutting it would save $55 million, according the budget bill. Maryland Matters.
Supreme Court To Hear Appeal From Mo Co Parents On LGBTQ+ Books: The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Friday to hear an appeal from a group of Montgomery County parents challenging a school system policy that does not let them opt out their lower elementary school children from classes that use LGBTQ+ books. Maryland Matters.
Atty Gen Brown Joins Effort To Keep Walmart On DEI Track: Maryland’s state attorney general joined a dozen others in calling out Walmart for joining other companies in rolling back its commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion. Baltimore Banner.
IN THE OTHER 49
IMMIGRATION: Connecticut Attorney General William Tong (D) pledged to sue the Trump administration over an early executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship. Connecticut lawmakers plan to strengthen an existing state law that limits state and local police cooperation with federal authorities over immigration enforcement. (CT Insider)
See below in National and the Feds; blue-state AGs have been prepping for these threats for months…
Note that these four entries are all about the internet, despite different headings…. Via Pluribus
CRIMINAL JUSTICE: New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez (D) will introduce legislation that would create a felony crime of cyberbullying that leads to psychological or physical harm or death. The legislation would also set new penalties for hazing in schools, colleges and universities. (Albuquerque Journal)
SOCIAL MEDIA: Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell (D) will introduce legislation requiring social media companies to verify users’ ages, she said Friday. Social media firms would be required to make standard higher privacy settings for minors, block notifications during certain hours and allow users to flag unwanted content. (Pluribus News)
MORE SOCIAL MEDIA: Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) has sued TikTok over allegations that the app’s algorithm is “intentionally designed” to be addictive to teenagers. Miyares’s lawsuit claims the company violates the Virginia Consumer Protection Act by claiming its app is appropriate for teenagers. (13 News Now)
TECHNOLOGY: The South Dakota House State Affairs Committee has approved legislation requiring adult websites to implement age verification measures. The measure would result in misdemeanor charges for first offenses, escalating to felony charges for repeat violations. (South Dakota Searchlight)
And legal weed may cross the Potomac… as Lost Cause fades?
MARIJUANA: Virginia’s Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee has voted to advance legislation legalizing marijuana for recreational use. The bill passed along party lines. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) vetoed legalization legislation last year. (Daily Progress)
Lost Cause Ebbing in VA: Virginia House panel moves to end tax breaks for Confederate-affiliated groups | Virginia Mercury via States Newsroom
NATIONAL AND THE FEDS
Here is the weekly D.C. lowdown (and this week it is REALLY low) from Megan E, federal affairs director at our national affiliate, People’s Action
Hello People's Action,
I hope you’re hanging in there.
First, the good news. People’s Action’s Care Over Cost campaign held a protest last week in front of the NY Stock Exchange for UnitedHealth Group’s announcement of its quarterly earnings. Last year, UnitedHealth Group stole $400.3 billion in revenue and $14.4 billion in profits from our premiums and tax dollars to pad their pockets. Our Core Demands are: for UnitedHealth to disclose their denial rates, publicly oppose any tax cuts that undermine Medicaid, and stop denying people’s care. We also called on elected officials to pass laws banning these insurance barriers for good. See local media coverage here.
Now, the barrage of bad news. Trump was sworn into office Monday with billionaires Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos seated directly behind him. The U.S.’s five largest tech companies or their CEOs donated $1 million to his inauguration.
Trump plans to sign more than 200 executive actions this week. Trump immediately declared national emergencies on border security and energy production (he said, “We will drill baby drill”) giving him broad powers to enact changes on issues that were core to his campaign. On Monday night, he stated he would be revoking 80 EOs that Biden signed. They include EOs on racial equity and reunifying children with their families due to the policies of his last administration. One executive order will direct the U.S. government to recognize only male and female genders, while another will end diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
From the NYTimes: “Some of the early orders he signed froze most federal hiring, halted new federal rule-making and directed the withdrawal of the country from the Paris Agreement, the pact among almost all nations to fight climate change.”
From the Hill: “There are 10 executive orders expected on immigration, such as: Mobilizing the military at the southern border; ending birthright citizenship (I haven’t seen text); designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations; pausing refugee programs; reinstituting the Remain in Mexico policy for asylum seekers; and ending Catch and Release for undocumented migrants.”
The first of many lawsuits challenging the birthright citizenship executive order (it’s clearly unconstitutional) has been filed in NH by a bunch of civil rights organizations representing immigrants and immigrant groups. [See more below about state-driven legal challenges.]
Trump has signed an executive order temporarily halting offshore wind lease sales in federal waters and pausing the issuance of approvals, permits and loans for both onshore and offshore wind projects.
Trump pardoned 1600 rioters charged with storming the Capitol on January 6th including the proud boy leaders of the action. [note the alleged “open border” was not implicated in a flood of newly released criminals in our streets].
Only a few of the executive orders are up on the website. Lawsuits are expected on many executive orders as he does not have the authority to do many of the things he’s promising through executive order.
Marco Rubio was confirmed Monday as Secretary of State. Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination is in trouble. RFK Jr.’s is unsure.
Last week, the House passed a bill that would ban transgender athletes from women’s and girls’ sports at federally funded schools and educational institutions. The House vote was mainly along party lines with two Democrats (Reps. Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar of Texas) voting in favor and Rep. Don Davis (D-NC) voting “present.” AOC gave a fiery speech in opposition to the bill.
The Senate took the final vote (51 vote threshold) to pass the anti-immigrant Laken Riley Act Monday evening. The amended bill is headed back to the House for final passage Wednesday. People’s Action sent a NO VOTE recommendation. Sulma published an oped in Other Words, “Anti-Immigrant Legislation Doesn’t Serve Anyone but Prison Contractors.”
Speaker Johnson has set out an ambitious deadline for the budget reconciliation package with the goal of the House moving a budget resolution through committee the week of Feb. 3rd then to the House floor the last week of February. The budget resolution is a first step that will send top line numbers (ex. cut $XX billion) and instructions to committees, which will then move legislation through their committee based on those instructions. Johnson wants the whole package signed into law by Memorial Day. The Koch Brothers have announced a $20 million ad buy in support of the tax cuts.
WHAT'S HAPPENING:
MEDICAID: House Republicans plan to make large cuts to Medicaid as part of their tax package to give massive handouts to billionaires..
CLIMATE: Trump will withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement for the second time, delivering a blow to the effort to keep global temperatures from rising to dangerous levels.
DOG-E challenged
Within minutes of Trump taking the oath of office, at least three lawsuits were filed in federal court in Washington, seeking to shut down Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” until it complies with transparency rules related to governmental advisory entities.
In solidarity,
Megan
MORE NATIONAL AND THE FEDS:
Trump Targeted Scientists in His First Term. This Time, They’re Prepared.
Agencies and unions have put in place new guardrails designed to limit political interference in government research. NYT
Anti-Immigrant Laken Riley Act Serves Prison Contractors First and Foremost
The legislation is an assault on due process, undermining all of our rights to make for-profit prison CEOs richer. Sulma Arias, People’s Action executive director, in LA Progressive (N.B. the Senate passed it last night; it has to get another House vote due to changes.
Why Public-Owned Bank Beats Wall Street
Public-Owned banks fare better because they have substantially lower costs and risks than private commercial banks—no exorbitantly-paid executives, no private shareholders
The writer, Ellen Brown, is president of the Public Banking Institute
Trump Threat Fires Up State-based Legal Response, Again
Blue-state attorneys general have been prepping for combat since the election
In November, The Hill reported “Democratic attorneys general across the country are readying their legal defenses against the incoming Trump administration, preparing to pounce on potential violations and even take the president-elect to court if he implements controversial policies. During his first term, state attorneys general brought a wave of lawsuits against the Trump administration as they worked to block moves like his travel ban and family separations at the border. Four years after he left office, as President-elect Trump touts plans for mass deportations and a rollback of environmental regulations, the top prosecutors are on high alert. And Reuters added “Democratic AGs formed coalitions during Trump’s first administration to counter his policies, bringing 155 lawsuits and notching an 83% success rate, according to a database maintained by Paul Nolette, a Marquette University political scientist.”
In mid-January, Bloomberg Law reviewed the bidding: The coming legal clash between blue states and the Trump administration is already hitting courts across the US. Democratic state attorneys general spent the final week of the Biden administration asking judges for permission to join ongoing fights over immigration, the environment and guns where they fear US agencies will change position once President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. Their push on the eve of Trump’s inauguration is a preview of what’s expected to be a bitter relationship between his administration and officials of so-called blue states, whose voters tend to favor Democrats. AGs from such states were a thorn in Trump’s side during his first term and appear eager to reprise their roles. On Jan. 15, more than a dozen Democratic AGs asked to join a pending case in North Dakota federal court to defend a Biden administration rule allowing non-citizens who came to the US as children to enroll in health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The US government “can no longer be counted on” to represent the states’ interests or pursue arguments about the “proper scope” of the healthcare law, wrote the officials, led by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin.
… Platkin said much of his focus was actually on protecting state residents from the incoming president. ‘Trump has made clear from his words and actions that he is singling out California to be vindictive, to treat harshly and in unfair ways,’ [California AG Rob] Bonta said, adding, ‘So we’re prepared for anything.’” ‘This is not about preventing the president from putting policies in place that he sees fit, even if I personally disagree with them,’ said Platkin. ‘This is about ensuring that the law is enforced and that people’s rights that are enshrined in the law are protected. And ultimately, the president, while elected, is not a king.’ Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford… echoed Platkin. Trump ‘has a penchant for violating the law, and we as AGs have a responsibility to those who are striving for justice,’ Ford said.” Democratic AGs believe they have a guide to Trump’s policy “wish list” in the Heritage Foundation’s controversial Project 2025. ‘I expect that this is going to get ugly, ‘ said Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, who participated in numerous multistate suits during Trump’s first term.” [see state news, above]
The New York Times also reported just in advance of Trump’s inauguration, “More than a dozen state attorneys general, all Democrats, asked on Thursday to join federal legal efforts to preserve two Biden-era gun control policies, a signal of partisan legal fights to come as President-elect Donald J. Trump returns to power. One would require buyers at gun shows to undergo a background check, the other a variation on the “bump stocks” ban aimed at a workaround for the Supreme Court turndown of that effort.
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