MORNING MESSAGE
Trump’s ‘Reform’ Tilts Tax Code to Favor the Rich
Lawmakers ought to make improving Social Security, not enriching the rich, the goal of any tax reform. What the White House now calls “tax reform” favors the rich so much, the rest of us should call it an outrage.
GOP Budget Heads to House Vote
Republican tax fight complicates plan to pass budget in House. CNBC:“A budget plan crucial to President Donald Trump’s hopes for large-scale tax cuts looked set for a close vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday after some Republicans vowed opposition in an effort to protect a popular tax break. The rebellious faction is resisting a proposal to eliminate a federal deduction for state and local income taxes, which would hit middle-class voters in high-tax states like New York, New Jersey and California. The idea is one of several that have been floated as Republicans craft a tax-cut plan. The budget blueprint, which has already been approved by the Senate, is central to their efforts to push tax legislation through Congress in the face of staunch opposition from Democrats.”
Federal Judge Sides With Trump on Health Subsidies
Siding with Trump, judge clears way for trial over health subsidies. NYT:“A federal judge sided with the Trump administration on Wednesday in a ruling against 18 states that sought to compel the federal government to pay subsidies to health insurance companies for the benefit of millions of low-income people… He refused to issue a preliminary injunction requested by the states, leaving the dispute to be resolved in a trial in his courtroom over the next few months. The states, led by the attorney general of California, Xavier Becerra, contend that the payments are needed to prevent chaos and confusion in insurance markets during the annual open enrollment period, which starts on Nov. 1. But Judge Chhabria said at a hearing on Monday that California and other states had found ‘a very clever way’ to protect their residents against immediate harm from termination of the subsidies by President Trump. As a result, he said in his Wednesday ruling, many low-income people will be ‘better off or unharmed.'”
US to Divert UN Aid to Faith-Based Groups
Pence says US to stop funding ‘ineffective’ UN relief efforts. The Hill:“Vice President Pence on Wednesday said that President Trump has instructed the State Department to stop funding certain ‘ineffective’ United Nations relief efforts and to instead provide humanitarian assistance directly through USAID and ‘faith-based groups.’ In a speech at the In Defense of Christians annual Solidarity Dinner for Christians in the Middle East, Pence excoriated the U.N., saying the international body has ‘often failed to help the most vulnerable communities especially religious minorities.’ ‘We will no longer rely on the United Nations alone to assist persecuted Christians and minorities in the wake of genocide and the atrocities of terrorist groups,’ Pence said to applause.”
NAACP Warns Black Travelers Against American Airlines
NAACP warns black passengers about traveling with American Airlines. CNN:In an advisory late Tuesday, the organization said it has noticed ‘a pattern of disturbing incidents reported by African-American passengers, specific to American Airlines.’ The NAACP cited four examples of black passengers who it said were forced to give up their seats or were removed from flights. It said the incidents “suggest a corporate culture of racial insensitivity and possible racial bias” and advised travelers to exercise caution. ‘Booking and boarding flights on American Airlines could subject them [to] disrespectful, discriminatory or unsafe conditions,’ the advisory said.”
ICE Detains 10-Year-Old After Emergency Surgery
10-year-old girl is detained by ICE officers after emergency surgery. NPR:“An undocumented 10-year-old girl was intercepted by federal immigration officers in Texas as she and a family member were in an ambulance being transferred between two hospitals so that she could receive emergency gall bladder surgery. Rosamaria Hernandez — who has cerebral palsy and was brought to the United States illegally from Mexico when she was just 3 months old — was with her cousin around 2 a.m. Tuesday traveling in an ambulance from a center in Laredo, Texas, to Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers stopped the vehicle at a checkpoint, according to her family.”
Kellogg’s To Change Racist Artwork After Challenge
Marvel writer convinces Kellogg’s to change racially insensitive cereal box artwork. Hollywood Reporter:“Kellogg’s has confirmed that it will be replacing key art on boxes of Corn Pops cereal following complaints of racial insensitivity from the writer of one of Marvel Entertainment’s most critically acclaimed current comic books. ‘Hey @KelloggsUS why is literally the only brown corn pop on the whole cereal box the janitor?’ he tweeted. ‘This is teaching kids racism.’ Ahmed then added, ‘Yes it’s a tiny thing, but when you see your kid staring at this over breakfast and realize millions of other kids are doing the same…’ Within hours, Kellogg’s responded, tweeting, ‘Kellogg is committed to diversity & inclusion. We did not intend to offend — we apologize. The artwork is updated & will be in stores soon.’ Ahmed’s final word on the subject came, fittingly, on Twitter. After thanking Kellogg’s for its swift reaction, he tweeted, ‘Today I used the computer in my pocket to get a cereal company to make their boxes less racist what even is the 21st century.'”
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