Monthly Archives: January 2022

Former Nassau leader criticizes her own party

In November, Laura Curran, a Democrat, lost her bid to be reelected Nassau County executive. Now she is taking aim at her own party and even took a swipe at the White House.

NASSAU COUNTY, N.Y. - Former Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, a Democrat, criticized her own party in a Fox News interview over the weekend.

Curran attributed her election loss to the so-called red wave that swept many Dems out of office on Long Island. She has been highly critical of her party and its progressive policies, even going as far as comparing the Biden administration to "elder abuse."

"[Biden] has a hard time putting a sentence together," she said in an interview. "I think everyone gets nervous listening to him talk, that he's going to mess up."

Political consultant Michael Dawidziak called the ousted county exec's move a rallying cry and said she paid the price for the Democrats who drifted too far to the left on a Washington and Albany level.

"They're clearly heading into the midterm elections in crisis mode and there's no leadership at the top to make the party more successful," Dawidziak said.

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But Jay Jacobs disagrees. The Democratic chair of New York state and Nassau County said he believes the party is going to come back strong. While he wasn't surprised by Curran's tone, he called what she said inappropriate.

"I don't think the voters really voted against Laura Curran particularly in this election," he said. "I think they stayed home."

Jacobs is also hoping to convince Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi into staying where he is instead of challenging Gov. Kathy Hochul in the Democratic primary. Jacobs said Suozzi's campaign would ultimately give Republicans a chance to take a swing seat they've been vying for.

While there are more Democrats than Republicans across Long Island, experts say it is a meaningless statistic if they don't turn out to vote.

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Ousted Long Island Democrat slams her own party - FOX 5 NY

Former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, a Democrat, said on Tuesday he fears the far lefts impact on midterms this November.

"It has nothing to do with being Republican or Democrat. Its about selling a product and knowing your customer," Levine told "Fox & Friends" host Ainsley Earhardt.

2022 MIDTERMS: WILL A RED WAVE OVERCOME A BLUE WALL?

In an op-ed published by the New York Post, Levine pointed to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, arguing his campaign is an example of a successful model for Democrats.

"Eric Adams ran a very progressive primary yet he ran as a radical centrist. I love that term. He came out and he said listen Im pro-police and pro-business and pro-people, but Im not going to live in a city thats running wild, and he won. He won the primary, and now he is moving forward. I think he serves as a model for Democrats across the country," said Levine.

Mayor-elect Eric Adams speaks during an announcement at Brooklyn Borough Hall. Adams announced his appointments of Lisa Flores as director of the Mayor's Office of Contract Services and Marjorie Landa as director of the newly-created Mayor's Office of Risk Management and Compliance. He also said that new COVID pandemic policy will be announced after he takes office on January 1, 2022. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Meantime, the chairs of the two GOP congressional reelection committees sound very confident that Republicans will win back majorities in the House of Representatives and Senate in the 2022 midterms.

"Were going to take back the Senate, absolutely," Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, vowed in an interview with Fox News two months ago.

And National Republican Congressional Committee chair Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota told Fox News a couple months ago, "Mark my words: Republicans will enter the 118th Congress with a majority and a record-breaking class of diverse members."

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Democrats are hoping to defend their razor-thin majorities in both chambers in this years midterm elections, but theyre facing historical headwinds and are dealing with an unfavorable political environment accentuated by President Bidens flagging poll numbers.

Levine, who was mayor from 2013 to 2017 and ran for governor in 2018, said the Democrats need to sell a product that appeals to the center of the party.

"We dont want the Democratic Party to go the way of Blockbuster Video. We need to get back to really truly being in the middle of the road for all Americans in order to win. Progressives can win districts but centrists win states and in order to become president, or to win statewide, you need to win a state."

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Democrat former mayor warns left of 2022 election wipeout: 'Don't want to go the way of Blockbuster Video' - Fox News

This year, theBiden administration joined manyin the United States in criticizing the mass disqualification of 583 candidates in Iran by the Guardian Council. The Iranian elections (like elections in other countries likeChinaandVenezuela) are democratic only in the most artificial sense: You can freely vote from a pre-selected list of candidates.

Electoral disqualification systems are generally anathema to democratic values, but some in the United States are now toying with the idea for the 2022 or 2024 elections. While more modest than the Iranian model, the Democratic calls for disqualification are just as dangerous. What is most maddening is that this anti-democratic effort is cloaked in democratic doublespeak.

This week, Democratic lawyer Marc Eliaspredictedthat 2022 would bring a renewed interest in qualifying Republican members from office based on an obscure Civil War-era provision. Elias the former Hilary Clinton campaign general counsel is awell-known figure in Washington. Elias has founded aself-described pro-democracy groupthat challenges Republican voting laws and pledges that will shape our elections and democratic institutions for years to come.

In the age of rage, nothing says democracy like preventing people from running for office.

Elias and others are suggesting that rather than defeat Republicans at the polls Democrats in Congress could disqualify the Republicans for supporting or encouraging the Jan. 6 insurrection. Last year, Democratic members called for the disqualification of dozens of Republicans. One,Rep. Bill PascrellWilliam (Bill) James PascrellDemocrats' loose talk of 'disqualification' still dangerous Ukraine president, US lawmakers huddle amid tensions with Russia Democrats gain edge from New Jersey Redistricting Commission-approved maps MORE (D-N.J.)demanded the disqualification of the120 House Republicans including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthyKevin McCarthyCheney: Republicans who stuck by Trump 'will not be judged well by history' Twitter's Marjorie Taylor Greene ban fuels GOP attackson 'Big Tech' Democrats' loose talk of 'disqualification' still dangerous MORE(R-Calif.) for simply signing a Friend of the Court brief (oramicus brief) in support of an election challenge from Texas.

These members and activists have latched upon the long-dormant provision in Section 3 of the 14thAmendment the disqualification clause which was written after the39th Congress convened in December 1865 and many members were shocked to see Alexander Stephens, the Confederate vice president, waiting to take a seat with an array of other former Confederate senators and military officers.

Justin Reade of the North Carolina Supreme Court laterexplained, [t]he idea [was] that one who had taken an oath to support the Constitution and violated it, ought to be excluded from taking it again.So, members drafted a provision that declared that No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.

By declaring the Jan. 6thriot an insurrection, some Democratic members of Congress and liberal activists hope to bar incumbent Republicans from running. Even support for court filings is now being declared an act of rebellion. HouseSpeaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiHillicon Valley Twitter's Greene ban boosts GOP attacks Cheney: Republicans who stuck by Trump 'will not be judged well by history' Capitol Police chief says he doesn't expect security threats on Jan. 6 anniversary MORE (D-Calif.) helped fuel this movement before Jan. 6 even occurred by declaring thatthe Republicans supporting election challenges were subverting the Constitution by their reckless and fruitless assault on our democracy which threatens to seriously erode public trust in our most sacred democratic institutions, and to set back our progress on the urgent challenges ahead.

Jan. 6was a national tragedy. Ipublicly condemnedPresident TrumpDonald TrumpMissouri state GOP lawmaker resigns for Florida consulting job Trump to attend fundraiser for midterm candidates Biden meatpacking reforms lack punch, say critics MOREs speech that day while it was being given and I denounced the riot as a constitutional desecration. However, it has not been treated legally as an insurrection. Those charged for their role in the attack that day are largelyfacing trespass and other less serious charges rather than insurrection or sedition. Thats because this was a riot that was allowed to get out of control by grossly negligent preparations by Capitol Police and congressional officials. While the FBI launched a massive national investigation, itdid not find evidence of an insurrection.

With an ominous mid-term election approaching, much of the effort among Democrats on the Hill and in the media has been to keep the enmity alive from Jan. 6. In what seemed almost a hopeful plea, the New York Times recently declared Every Day is Now Jan. 6. It made this tragedy sound like the political equivalent of a year-round Christmas store: Every day should involve a renewed gift ofreminiscenceand rage.

The saddest aspect of this politicization of the Jan. 6 riotis that many of us wanted a full, transparent, and apolitical investigation. House Republicans rejected that idea, but there remain many questions to be answered which has not happened. Instead, we have an effort to encode the notion of an actual insurrection through mantra-like repetition.

The Constitution fortunately demands more than proof by repetition. In this case, it requires an actual rebellion. The clause Democrats are citing was created in reference to a real Civil War in whichover 750,000 people died in combat. The confederacy formed a government, an army, a currency, and carried out diplomatic missions.

Conversely, Jan. 6was a protest that became a riot.

That is not meant to diminish the legitimate outrage over the day. It was reprehensible but only a rebellion in the most rhetorical sense.

More importantly, even if you adopt a dangerously broad definition of insurrection or rebellion, members of Congress who supported challenging the electoral votes (as Democrats have done in prior years) were exercising constitutionally protected speech.

Moreover, the Democrats cannot simply use their razor-thin majority to disqualify opponents willy-nilly. Punishments likeexpulsions take two-thirds votes, and any disqualifications can be challenged in the court.

Indeed, not long after ratificationin 1869, Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase ruled in acircuit opinion that the clause was not self-executing. He suggested that allowing Congress to simply bar political opponents from office would be a form of punishment without due process and would likely violate the prohibition on bills of attainder.

As Democrats push to federalize elections and negate the laws in a couple dozen states, figures like Elias are now suggesting that Republicans could also be listed as rebels and barred from the ballot. Congress would then control not just how states conduct their elections but even who can appear on such ballots.

The renewed calls for disqualifications may be simply reckless rhetoric timed for the anniversary of the riot. After all, every day would not be Jan. 6without the requisite rage. However, it is reason not rage that we need right now.

A recent poll showed thatone in three Americansbelieves that violence against the government can be justified. It often seems like some want to trigger an actual rebellion by disenfranchising parts of our population. The fact is that there are people who traffic and profit in rage, and we are all the poorer for it.

Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University. You can find his updates on Twitter@JonathanTurley.

Excerpt from:

Democrats' loose talk of 'disqualification' still dangerous | TheHill - The Hill

Lawmakers are set to return to Washington with a full legislative plate after punting some of their biggest priorities into 2022.

Democrats are poised to dive directly into two big fights President Bidens sweeping spending plan and voting rights legislation putting a spotlight back on intraparty divisions that dominated the end of last year.

Other deadlines, like funding the government, are also looming. And coloring all of the legislative fights is the growingpull of the midterm elections, which typically dampen the chances for major legislation. Democrats are under pressure to pass big priorities amid uncertaintyover who will control Congress after this year.

Here are five things on Congresss to-do list for the start of 2022:

Build Back Better revival

Democrats are vowing to find a way to resuscitate at least part of a roughly $2 trillion climate and social spending bill after Sen. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinManchin floats modest Senate rules changes Overnight Energy & Environment Manchin raises hopes on climate spending Joe Manchin stood up for West Virginia values MORE (D-W.Va.) put it in the deep freeze.

Manchin after weeks of signaling concerns about the House-passed bill but refusing to give it a direct cut announced his opposition during a Fox News Sunday interview on Dec. 19 and then doubled down during a West Virginia radio interview warning that Democrats had miscalculated if they though they could pressure him into supporting the sweeping legislation.

I'm not from where they're from, and they can just beat the living crap out of people and think they'll be submissive, period," he said.

Senate Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Altria - Winter is here for Democrats Schumer ramps up filibuster fight ahead of Jan. 6 anniversary Corporations, politicians and new tax incentives support carbon mitigation investments MORE (D-N.Y.), facing pressure from within his own caucus, is pledging to force a vote in early January on a revised version of the House-passed bill. Democrats are using the budget rules to avoid a GOP filibuster, but theyll still need total unity from all 50 of their members, including Manchin, in order to start a debate.

But Democrats are also in negotiations and floating ways to potentially scale back the bill so that it would include a smaller number of programs that would be funded for a longer period of time.

If Democrats go smaller, theyll need to make painful decisions about jettisoning some of their pet priorities that are likely to hit serious roadblocks outside of the budget rules, given the 60-vote threshold required for most legislation.

One of the biggest sticking points is over the child tax credit. Democrats, as part of a coronavirus relief bill passed in March, included a beefed-up child tax credit through 2021.

Manchins recent offer to the White House didnt include the child tax credit, which is viewed as a must-have for both the administration and many of his colleagues.

Voting rights and filibuster reform

After months of grumbling over the rules, and growing pressure from both activists and Senate Democrats, Schumer is poised to bring a fight over voting rights and changing the Senates filibuster rule to a head.

In a letter to his caucus, the Senate Democratic leader said he would bring voting legislation to the floor in January and that if it is blocked by Republicans, the Senate will then consider changes to any rules which prevent us from debating and reaching final conclusion on important legislation.

Republicans have used the 60-vote legislative filibuster to block several voting and election bills, arguing that they would federalize elections. Thats fueled frustration from outside groups and members of Schumers own caucus who want the majority leader to outline a plan for how Democrats will pass legislation as state legislatures debate new voting rules.

Schumer hasnt publicly endorsed specific rules changes, but hes made it increasingly clear that hes ready to make changes in an effort to restore the Senate.

A group within the Senate Democratic Caucus, including Sens. Angus KingAngus KingSchumer ramps up filibuster fight ahead of Jan. 6 anniversary Schumer vows Senate rules change vote by Jan. 17 if GOP blocks voting rights Democratsreturn with lengthy to-do list MORE (I-Maine), Jon TesterJonathan (Jon) TesterSchumer ramps up filibuster fight ahead of Jan. 6 anniversary Schumer vows Senate rules change vote by Jan. 17 if GOP blocks voting rights Democratsreturn with lengthy to-do list MORE (D-Mont.) and Tim KaineTimothy (Tim) Michael KaineOvernight Health Care Presented by AstraZeneca and Friends of Cancer Research Biden seeks to alleviate omicron concerns On the Money Dems pivot from Biden spending plan Tim Kaine reaches Capitol after being stranded on I-95 for nearly 27 hours MORE (D-Va.), have been working on a proposal for how to change the Senates filibuster rule. Those ideas include implementing a talking filibuster, creating a carveout from the filibuster for voting rights legislation or changing the number of votes required to break a filibuster from 60 yes votes to 41 no votes.

But to change the rules without GOP support, Democrats would need total unity from within their 50-member caucus, and so far they dont have it. Manchin and Sen. Kyrsten SinemaKyrsten SinemaManchin floats modest Senate rules changes On the Money Dems pivot from Biden spending plan Schumer vows Senate rules change vote despite 'uphill fight' MORE (D-Ariz.) have backed keeping the 60-vote hurdle, though Manchin has been taking part in private talks and Sinema has called for a public debate on the rules.

Schumer, however, is warning that he could make the Senate vote on a rules change even if it is destined to fail, a pressure tactic that would put senators on the record and fire up his partys base.

I believe our constituents deserve to know which Senators choose to hide behind ill-conceived and abused rules and which Senators prefer to restore Senate floor procedures to better align with the Founders intentions, he wrote.

Nord Stream 2 sanctions

As part of a deal struck with Sen. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzCruz: GOP will have 'multiple grounds to consider' for Biden impeachment if it wins House Judge blocks Pentagon from taking 'any adverse action' against sailors who have refused vaccine Will Putin sink Biden? MORE (R-Texas) to clear dozens of Biden nominees before Christmas, the Senate will vote on sanctions related to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which carries natural gas from Russia to Germany.

The pipeline has sparked bipartisan pushback in Congress, but also headaches for the administration as Cruz kept holds for months on Bidens State Department nominees.

Senators discussed three potential options: a vote on Cruzs bill at 60 votes, a vote on Cruzs bill as an amendment to a larger bill from Sen. Bob MenendezRobert (Bob) MenendezThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by National Industries for the Blind - Manchin says no; White House fires back Democrats mull hardball tactics to leapfrog parliamentarian on immigration Rick Scott says White House hung up on him MORE (D-N.J.) that touches on Nord Stream 2 or competing and separate votes on the Menendez and Cruz bills.

In the end, the Senate agreed to vote on Cruzs bill by Jan. 14, where it will need 60 votes to advance. That means Cruz needs to peel off at least 10 Democrats.

The administration previously pressured Democrats to help block Cruzs amendment when it was offered to a sweeping defense bill in November. But Cruz, according to a source familiar with his thinking, believes he wins the January vote even with the higher threshold.

The vote comes at a precarious time for the administration, as Russia has beefed up its military presence along its border with Ukraine, raising fears of another invasion.

Funding the government

After Congress clears its January schedule, they will run almost immediately into another deadline to fund the government and preventa Valentine's week shutdown.

Lawmakers have until Feb. 18 to fund the government after passing a short-term stopgap bill in early December.

The top four appropriators Sens. Patrick LeahyPatrick Joseph LeahyThe Hill's 12:30 Report: Sen. Kaine, drivers stranded in I-95 backup Senate delays vote as DC hit by snowstorm Democratsreturn with lengthy to-do list MORE (D-Vt.) and Richard ShelbyRichard Craig ShelbyJessica Taylor drops out of Alabama Senate race Republicans say Mayorkas failed to deliver report on evacuated Afghans Democratsreturn with lengthy to-do list MORE (R-Ala.) and Reps. Rosa DeLauroRosa DeLauroDemocratsreturn with lengthy to-do list With soaring demand for meat, it's time to fund animal-free protein research Manchin undercuts Biden, leaving his agenda in limbo MORE (D-Conn.) and Kay GrangerNorvell (Kay) Kay GrangerDemocratsreturn with lengthy to-do list Lobbying world Two women could lead a powerful Senate spending panel for first time in history MORE (R-Texas) have met or spoken recently about how to break a months-long stalemate and make progress on full-year funding bills.

But so far theyve yet to hit a breakthrough, raising the prospect that Congress could need to use another stopgap, which continues funding at current levels, to get them deeper into 2022.

Republicans have warned that without a deal, Congress could need to accept a full-year continuing resolution, which would fund the government through Sept. 30. But Democrats have been loath to put that option on the table and, in a bid to talk down Republicans, warned that it would negatively impact the Pentagon.

Iraq War authorization

The Senate is expected to turn back to a years-long push to nix the military authorizations for the Iraq wars after hopes of a vote this year hit procedural stumbling blocks.

Kaine and Sen. Todd YoungTodd Christopher YoungDemocratsreturn with lengthy to-do list Don't just delay student debt, prevent it Senate confirms Rahm Emanuel to be ambassador to Japan MORE (R-Ind.) had expected to get a vote on their proposal which would repeal the 1991 and 2002 authorizations for the use of military force as part of a sweeping defense bill.

But amendment votes ran directly into a brick wall when Sen. Marco RubioMarco Antonio RubioTesla criticized for opening showroom in China's Xinjiang province Will Putin sink Biden? Democratsreturn with lengthy to-do list MORE (R-Fla.) blocked votes on a package of 25 amendments, including the Kaine-Young one, over a push to get his own legislation either voted on as an amendment or passed in the House.

Amid the stalemate, the Senate scrapped passing its own version of the defense bill and instead took up a compromise worked out between leaders on the House and Senate Armed Services committees. That did not include the repeal of the Iraq War authorizations.

Schumer hasnt yet said how he will bring the bill to the floor, but Kaine and Young have the 60 votes needed to break a likely GOP filibuster.

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Democrats return with lengthy to-do list | TheHill - The Hill

Laura Ingraham outlined the three-step plan that the left is following to sell the narrative that the Republican Party threatens democracy in Tuesday's opening monologue of "The Ingraham Angle."

Democrats have "decided to run on only one thing: Jan. 6," Ingraham said. "Now, unless Trump and others are put in handcuffs, democracy as we know it will end."

TRUMP CANCELS JAN. 6 PRESS CONFERENCE, WILL SPEAK AT JAN. 15 ARIZONA RALLY INSTEAD

To that end, the left follows a three-step plan, beginning with "releas[ing] the media hounds," Ingraham said. Its second step is to "frame any future GOP election wins as proof that democracy is in peril."

The plan's third step is to "change the rules," she added.

As for the first step, Ingraham noted liberal mainstream media's remembrance of Jan. 6, such as The New York Times' recent opinion piece, "Every Day Is Jan. 6 Now."

Ingraham mocked the plan's second step of portraying Republican victories as anti-democratic.

"The party opposed to lockdowns, COVID mandates and our continued dependence on the brutal Chinese regime that's the tyrannical party," she said. "Nice try."

The left's third step, to "change the rules," has a new action item, with Ingraham saying lawyer Marc Elias "is actually floating the possibility of already using an obscure Civil War-era law to disqualify any Republican candidate who questioned the 2020 election results."

"But this would require establishing that such individuals supported an actual insurrection," Ingraham added.

Left-wing politicians have also advocated ballot harvesting, vote-by-mail, early voting, no voter identification requirements and changing the filibuster.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., whose constituents include Big Tech in Silicon Valley, said: "We need to do much better in terms of regulations on misinformation and disinformation."

"So the party of democracy, ladies and gentlemen, you just heard it," Ingraham replied. "They're going to let you say whatever you want so long as it doesn't contradict them in any way."

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The host noted the irony of an anti-American party that has defamed the United States branding itself as a "[defender] of American democracy."

"They're not afraid of losing democracy," she concluded. "They're afraid of losing power. It's all a big lie, and it's designed to scare you."

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Democrats harping on Jan. 6 to push lie that GOP threatening democracy: Ingraham - Fox News

Cher said Tuesday that she is desperate for Democrats to go on full-tilt and just run around with their hair on fire.

I know its not the nice thing to do or the genteel thing to do. But, you know, times a wasting, guys, and somebodys got to light a fire, the Grammy Award-winning music icon told MSNBC anchor Lawrence ODonnell.

Cher also had some criticism for former President Donald Trump, who shes frequently taken to task on Twitter.

When asked if shed ever encountered anyone like Trump, Cher replied:

Well, babe, Ive encountered some junk people and some people just the worst things, just think of a whole bunch of adjectives. But Ive never encountered anyone (like Trump). They pale in comparison. You know, the people I know, they couldnt even Hes like a horse of a different color.

Watch the interview here:

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Cher Really Doesn't Think Democrats Are Being Strong Enough, No - HuffPost

'We will be there for as long as the community wants us to be there'

Long line forms at FAMU testing site as Leon County COVID numbers rise

Over 100 people waited in line for COVID-19 testing at Bragg Memorial Stadium on Florida A&M University's campus Monday, August 2, 2021.

Tori Lynn Schneider, Tallahassee Democrat

Through alpha, delta and now omicron, theres a place people know they can count on to get accurate, reliable and speedy COVID-19 test results.

At this point in the pandemic, its now just referred to as the testing site, as if theres only one in Tallahassee.

The Florida A&M University COVID-19 testing site opened in April 2020 with the anticipation that it would operate for a couple of weeks. At first, the site only had the capacity to test 200 people a day.

Its solid reputation quickly grew, and while other testing sites dealt with long lines and lagging test results, FAMU persevered. At one point, people from Georgia and Alabama were driving hours to get tested in Tallahassee.

Nowits one of the longest-running testing sites in the Southeast, and more than a half-million tests have been administered.

More on FAMU testing site:

Since 2012, the Tallahassee Democrat has awarded its Person of the Year to someonewho has had a great impact on the community.But the Personof the Year for 2021 isn't just one.

The award goes to Tanya Tatum, the director of student health services at FAMU, who oversees testing and vaccinations. But it also goes toCynthia M. Harris, associate dean for public health at FAMU.

Then there's Tracy Pleiss, the lead nurse. Andthe set-up crew, and the people who workregistration, and the many contract nurses who have rotated in and out of the site. As many as 50 people may be working at a given time.

The Personof the Year honor goes to all those who dedicate their time to make sure the FAMU COVID-19 testing site at2507 Wahnish Way runs smoothly, rain or shine, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

2020 Person of the Year: Health care heroes on the front lines of Tallahassee's COVID-19 battle

2019 Person of the Year: FAMU football coach Willie Simmons changes lives on, off the field

The 2018 Person of the Year: The helpers in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael

Early in the pandemic, Harris was approached by President Larry Robinson about opening a testing site on campus.

At that time, there was a disparity in the number of those who were being tested in underserved communities.

Opening a site near FAMU, especially near Tallahassees historically Black Greater Bond neighborhood, would provide access to people who could not get to testing sites in other parts of the city.

The site started on the east side of Bragg Memorial Stadium, then moved to the west side to make room for football season and construction. But testing continued Monday through Saturday, always free with no physician referralrequired.

More: FAMU COVID-19 testing site reopens on Wahnish Way

COVID warrior: Dr. Temple Robinson driven to fix health care disparities in Tallahassee

Nowits not just testing;FAMU offers COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, too. The site hasbecome a public health hub for the entire community, not just the area surrounding FAMU especially during the latest omicron wave making its way through Leon County.

The site has been a magnet for people of all socioeconomic and geographic demographics, bringing many to the FAMU campus who hadnever set foot there.

Leon County reported 1,048 cases in the latest week.This is a482.2% increase from the week prior, which had180 cases.Local hospitalizationsare climbing, but slowly.

COVID in Leon County: Cases surge 482.2% as testing sites fill up

More: Tallahassee hospitals urge people to stop seeking COVID tests at ERs amid case surge

On the Monday after Christmas weekend, 1,000 tests had been administered by 10:30 a.m., Tatum said.

Last year, the Democrat recognized health care workers for their service and named them Person of the Year for 2020.

Testing site personnelare on the front lines, too.We will be there for as long as the community wants us to be there, Harris said.

On Tuesday,Pleiss, the lead nurse at the testing site, was multitasking her way through the morning as the line reached about 200 people deep.That morning, the site opened at 7:20 a.m. because there was already a line.

The COVID symptoms that she said she's seeing are similarto the common cold: stuffy nose, runny nose or sore throat. For people who arevaccinated, Pleiss says she's seeing much milder symptoms and faster recovery times.

On the other hand: "Even though your symptoms are mild when you go visit Grammy or celebrate New Year's,that doesn't mean it's going to affect that person the same way it affects you," she said.

2020 Person of the Year: Refugee turned CRMC doctor says 'we can't give up now' in COVID fight

2020 Person of the Year: 'COVID guru' at TMH keeps heartbreaking promise to patients' families

Alex Baumgartner, 29, was in line Wednesday morning to gettested because someone at his work tested positive. For a while during the pandemic, he was getting tested once a month. He estimated he's been tested about seven times just this year.

He said he gets his rapid results in 30 minutes, so he keeps coming back."(The line)moves pretty quickly," he said. "Sometimes I just walk up and not even have to wait."

The latest omicron variant is so infectious, Tatum said, that testing is crucial:"Were here for the community so that people can take care of themselves and take care of their families."

Tatum oversees the FAMU testing and vaccination site, but she also fills in for traffic duty, registration, set up and clean up.

Everybody works really well as a team so we all pitch in and do what we need to do, and everybody helps pick up trash," she said, laughing.

2020 Person of the Year: Bond nurse serves Tallahassee's most vulnerable during pandemic

More: FAMU opening own COVID-19 test site for students, staff; vaccines set to arrive

FAMU has partnered with a couple of labs throughout the pandemic, Tatum said. Most recently, the testing site has partnered with Nomi Health to hire medical personnel for swabbing and testing because of the company's quick turnaround time and their willingness to use the FAMU lab,whichprocesses results for FAMUstudents, faculty and staff.

FAMU's labis the result of a partnership between the university and Thermo Fisher Scientifics $25 million donation of diagnostic equipment, test kits and related supplies to a select group of HBCUs.

PCR tests, which detect even small amounts of the COVID-19 virus, go to either FAMU'slabor Nomi Health. Results are available within 12 to 48hours.

Rapid tests, which look for antigens orproteins of the virus to detect COVID-19,are also available, and results come within an hour. The site also now tests for Influenza A and B for people who are symptomatic.

The streamlined process is a result of months of trial and error. Different variants mean different configurations to keep people safe. They don't want to keep people standing in line and waiting.

The mission: Come in, swab, go on your way.

Its a calling, Tatumsaid. Everybody that works there really is invested in trying to do the best for the community."

Contact Ana Goi-LessanatAGoniLessan@tallahassee.comand follow her on Twitter@goni_lessan.

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Tallahassee Democrat 2021 Person of the Year: FAMU COVID testing site workers - Tallahassee Democrat

Attorney General Josh Shapiro has a preferred running mate in his bid to be Pennsylvanias governor.

Shapiro on Tuesday plans to endorse state Rep. Austin Davis, a Western Pennsylvania Democrat who will simultaneously launch his campaign for lieutenant governor.

The endorsement would break with a recent tradition of Democratic gubernatorial candidates staying out of the lieutenant primary. And it stirred pushback from supporters of another hopeful in the race, Philadelphia state Rep. Brian Sims, who announced his candidacy nearly a year ago.

Davis, a first-term representative from the Mon Valley, an industrial center near Pittsburgh, will announce his run alongside Shapiro in McKeesport on Tuesday morning, both confirmed. The pair will make a second joint appearance in Philadelphia on Wednesday at the Octavius Catto statue outside City Hall.

In an interview Monday, Davis, the first Black representative elected for his district, said his working-class background will benefit the ticket and the office.

As the son of a Port Authority bus driver and a hairdresser in Allegheny a first-generation college graduate, with the student loans to prove it when I talk about working-class families thats because Im talking about my family, he said.

Pennsylvania is one of just a handful of states where candidates for lieutenant governor run separately from candidates for governor in the primary. The winners share their partys ticket in the general election.

Shapiro told The Inquirer he chose Davis because I wanted someone who brings a different life experience, who is diverse, who comes from a different part of the state than I do. He said with Davis as his second-in-command, there will always be a voice in the room that adds to the conversation and helps us achieve more for the good people of Pennsylvania.

Since Shapiro has effectively cleared the Democratic field for governor, the endorsement is likely to have a lot of sway. The Shapiro and Davis campaigns will work in tandem; without his own primary challenger, Shapiro can dedicate more time and resources to helping Davis.

Democrats vying for governor have traditionally stayed out of the race for lieutenant governor, resulting in some odd couplings. Former Lt. Gov. Mike Stack ran afoul of Gov. Tom Wolf, who didnt endorse him when he ran for reelection.

Former Gov. Ed Rendell said Monday that he thinks gubernatorial candidates should get to select their lieutenants, similar to presidential tickets. He said not having that option has hurt some in the past.

Swaying who becomes lieutenant governor also helps Democrats avoid a situation with too many candidates from one part of the state, or without any racial diversity, Rendell said.

Given the increasingly important role African Americans have played, it would be good to have an African American candidate in one of those three positions of governor, lieutenant governor, senator, he said.

Davis would be the states first Black lieutenant governor. Sims would be the first person to hold the position who is openly gay.

While the duties of lieutenant governor are limited, its a role that comes with a spotlight and often sets candidates up to run for higher offices. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman went from a small-town mayor to lieutenant governor to his current position as a front-runner in the Democratic Senate primary.

Davis, 32, worked in county government before running for state representative. Elected in 2018, he also chairs the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation and is a member of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus.

Pennsylvanias Democratic establishment, already lined up behind Shapiro, is largely lining up behind Davis. The campaign said hes backed by Wolf, Rendell, state House and Senate leadership, and the majority of the House Democratic caucus, along with Mayor Ed Gainey in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia Council President Darrell Clarke.

Shapiro and Davis have collaborated in recent years, including on an antiviolence initiative in McKeesport and on a police misconduct database set up by the AGs office in the wake of George Floyds killing.

Shapiro had a short list of lieutenant governor candidates, which included Sims and Rep. Patty Kim, of Harrisburg, who decided not to run.

Sims said in a statement after the endorsement that Democrats are lucky to have a historically diverse field of candidates to choose from.

Sims, first elected in 2012, has raised at least $285,000 in his bid and enters the race with a profile and some name recognition, though hes also been the subject of some controversy, including in 2019 when he yelled at teenage protesters at Planned Parenthood.

Some of Sims backers were critical of Shapiros decision to inject himself into the race.

Amanda Waldman, a Democratic statehouse candidate in Lycoming County, called it a hijacking.

If the powers that be, the upper echelon of the political world, is making a decision on who a candidate should be in spite of what the constitution says specifically about the lieutenant governors race, whats the point of turning out? she asked.

Waldman said she has nothing against Davis but is wary of a candidate who announces his run in the same moment hes endorsed by Shapiro.

It feels very forced..., she said. Why hasnt he been out doing the work? And why is Shapiros campaign doing it for him?

There are ongoing efforts in the Pennsylvania legislature to change the constitution so that nominees for lieutenant governor do not run in separate primaries. None are likely to take effect in time to influence the May 2022 primary.

Davis said while the early ticketing up may be unique for Democrats in recent elections, he thinks it makes sense in a year where the gubernatorial front-runner is thus far unopposed. He said voters appreciated decisive leaders.

We know we want Josh Shapiro to lead us as our governor and he wants a strong governing partner in myself, and, while its unique, its what voters are looking for, Davis said.

Staff writer Chris Brennan contributed to this article.

Excerpt from:

Josh Shapiro wants Austin Davis, a 32-year-old Western Pa. lawmaker, to be his lieutenant governor - The Philadelphia Inquirer

John E. Wallace, Jr. sided with Democrats on a new map last month, but its not clear whether the New Jersey Supreme Court was aware of sizeable campaign contributions involving his politically active wife before they picked him to serve as the independent tiebreaker.

Barbara Wallace, who served on the staffs of Gov. Jon Corzine and U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, received substantial campaign contributions from stakeholders in the congressional redistricting process during her campaigns for mayor of Washington Township in Gloucester County about a decade ago.

A spokesperson for the court declined to say if justices knew about donations made by and to Mrs. Wallace before they voted to select her husband, a former state Supreme Court Justice, as the 13th member of the panel that redrew New Jerseys twelve House districts. John Wallace had been nominated by the Democrats and former Superior Court Judge Marina Corodemus was the candidate Republicans wanted.

Last year, Barbara Wallace contributed $250 to Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing) and $500 to U.S. Senator Bob Menendez in June, records show. She also made a small contributions to a federal PAC called Stop Republicans. In 2020, she made donations to Joe Biden and Democratic congressional candidate Amy Kennedy.

But more alarming to Republicans are the donors to her own mayoral campaigns.

She raised over $84,000 in 2011, when she was the Democratic candidate for mayor in a special election for a one-year unexpired term. That race was largely funded by supporters of the South Jersey Democratic machine, including $24,600 from the legislative campaign fund of 4th district Democrats State Sen. Fred Madden (D-Washington) is the Gloucester County Democratic Chairman $7,200 from the New Jersey Regional Council of Carpenters, $4,500 from Watson Coleman, and $8,2000 from Sheila Oliver, who was the Assembly Speaker at the time.

Her contributors also included other building trades unions including Ironworkers Local 399, which is headed by Richard Sweeney and Democratic elected officials.

When Mrs. Wallace sought a full-term in 2012, her donors included $8,200 each from Senate President Steve Sweeney, the Gloucester County Democratic Organization, and the Carpenters union, and $3,500 from Madden. She raised nearly $72,000 for that race, mostly from allies of the party organization.

In 2016, Gloucester County Democrats declined to support Mrs. Wallace for re-election, and she lost the Democratic primary to Joann Gattinelli by a 59%-41% margin. In that race, she received a $2,500 donation from Corzine and $4,600 from political action committees affiliated with the Communications Workers of America. Without party support, she only raised about $10,000 for her campaign.

While Wallace, as a judge, might have been forced to recuse himself from a matter that was tied to his wife, its not clear whether a redistricting tiebreaker was obligated to self-disclose the political contributions that are part of a public record.

Should Wallace have taken on the tiebreaker post knowing of the campaign contributions made by Democrats to his wife?

Its not actual conflicts, its appearances of conflicts, said Micah Rasmussen, the director of the Rebovich Institute of New Jersey Politics at Rider University, in an appearance on the New Jersey Globe Power Hour on Talk Radio 77 WABC. Maybe he should have taken a walk on this one.

John Wallace ended his 27-year judicial career in 2011 when Republican Gov. Chris Christie refused to renominate him to a tenured term. He is now affiliated with a politically influential South Jersey law firm with close ties to Democratic powerbroker George Norcross, Brown & Connery. Bill Tambussi, a partner at the firm, has been the counsel to the Camden County Democratic organization for 32 years and is the personal attorney for George E. Norcross III, a major Democratic powerbroker.

The Supreme Court did not seek any input from the redistricting commissioners before choosing Wallace over Corodemus, and did not interview either of the candidates, the New Jersey Globe has learned.

Republicans did not raise the issue of campaign contributions during the map-drawing process indeed, its not clear they knew about them prior to Wallaces vote but that might not have mattered.

Wallace had all the power, said one Republican leader, who spoke on the condition of anonymity Its not like we could have questioned his integrity, even privately, without taking a risk that he would hold it against us.

After Wallace picked the Democratic map on December 22, the GOP redistricting chairman, Doug Steinhardt, told the New Jersey Globe that he wasnt surprised.

Wallace was never a 13th member, Steinhardt said. He was a 7th Democrat.

John Wallace did not immediately respond to a 1:08 PM email.

Correction: an earlier version of this story incorrectly reported a small contribution to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

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Democrats were huge contributors to campaign of redistricting tiebreaker's wife - New Jersey Globe | New Jersey Politics

The United States, the United Kingdom, Norway and the European Union on Tuesday called for Sudanese leaders to recommit to the countrys democratic transition or risk international action against the ruling military.

The joint statement came following the resignation on Monday of Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, who said he was stepping down after failure to reach consensus with the military on a pathway to transition to a civilian government.

The military had earlier detained Hamdok and other civilian leaders during an armed takeover of the government in October, citing stalled progress to transition to a democratic, civilian-led government.

The military dissolved the civilian-military transitional government that had been put in place in 2019 after a popular revolution ousted longtimeleader Omar al-Bashir in 2019.

The U.S., the U.K., Norway the so-called Troika and the EU called the militarys seizure of power in October unconstitutional and called for all Sudanese leaders to recommit to the countrys democratic transition and deliver on the Sudanese peoples demands for freedom, peace, and justice.

In the absence of progress, we would look to accelerate efforts to hold those actors impeding the democratic process accountable, the statement continued.

The U.S. and its allies further condemned the military as responsible for human rights violations against the Sudanese people,as street protests opposing the militarys takeover of the transitional government have reportedly been met with deadly force and disturbing violence.

The statement cited the killing of scores of Sudanese civilians, sexual violence, and hundreds of civilians injured by the military or armed groups and called for the military to cease attacks on hospitals, end the detention of activities and journalists, andstop communication blackouts.

The right of the Sudanese people to assemble peacefully and express their demands needs to be protected. We expect the security services and other armed groups to refrain from using further violence against peaceful protestors and civilians across the country, especially in Darfur, the statement read.

The Western powers also warned against the military taking unilateral action to appoint a new prime minister and Cabinet that did not involve a broad range of civilian stakeholders.

Such a dialogue should be fully inclusive and representative of historically marginalized groups, include youth and women, and would help put the country back on the path to democracy, the statement read.

Sudans people have spoken as loudly and clearly as they did in 2019. They reject authoritarian rule and want the transition toward democracy to continue. Sudans leaders must now show they are listening, it added.

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US, allies threaten action against Sudan military absent democratic transition | TheHill - The Hill