Report claims Joe Biden will block Space Command’s move to Huntsville
An NBC news report released Monday claimed that President Joe Biden will intervene to keep the Pentagon from moving Space Command from Colorado to Huntsville. The President’s objections to the state of Alabama are reportedly due to the state’s ban on abortion. Many speculate that the real reason could be political in that Colorado voted for Biden in 2020, while Alabama did not. Congresswoman Terri Sewell responded to the report on Twitter, “Both a GAO and Inspector General report confirmed that the Air Force used a merit-based process in its decision to locate U.S. Space Command headquarters in Huntsville. This conclusion was made under two separate administrations. Huntsville is without question the best home for SPACECOM.” “The White House should immediately reconfirm Huntsville as the headquarters of SPACECOM,” the Democratic Congresswoman continued. “To change course would be because of politics and not merit. Surely, the Biden Administration would not allow politics to improperly influence this decision.” U.S. Senator Katie Britt echoed Sewell’s criticism of the report. “President Biden’s plans would irresponsibly yank a military decision out of the Air Force’s hands in the name of partisan politics,” Sen. Britt said on Facebook. “Huntsville finished first in both the Air Force’s Evaluation Phase and Selection Phase, leaving no doubt that the Air Force’s decision to choose Redstone as the preferred basing location was correct purely on the merits. That decision should remain in the Air Force’s purview. Instead, President Biden is now trying to hand the Gold Medal to the fifth-place finisher. The President’s blatant prioritization of partisan political considerations at the expense of our national security, military modernization, and force readiness is a disservice and a dishonor to his oath of office as our nation’s Commander-in-Chief. Locating the permanent Space Command Headquarters on Redstone Arsenal undoubtedly remains in the best national security interest of the United States. President Biden should allow the Air Force to proceed with doing its job. Alabama’s world-class aerospace and defense workforce, capabilities, and synergies stand ready to fulfill the mission and strengthen our national security long into the future.” Congressman Dale Strong said on Twitter, “I’ve seen all the reviews and reports on the basing process – but don’t remember access to late-term abortions being one of the 21 criteria used to evaluate the sites. President Biden, already the oldest man to ever serve as President of the United States, recently announced his re-election plans. There was very little enthusiasm for the 80-year-old President’s re-election announcement. Nine of the last ten polls on Biden’s job performance show more Americans disapproving of Biden’s performance rather than approving. One recent ABC News/Washington Post poll had President Biden trailing former President Donald Trump by six points in the popular vote. Building a pathway to electoral college victory for Biden without Colorado, which he won in 2020, could be problematic. However, Alabama has not been carried by a Democratic presidential nominee since Jimmy Carter in 1976. There is no plausible scenario where Biden can win Alabama’s electoral college votes in 18 months. The Democratic Party hasn’t contested the state in years. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Rep. Terri Sewell comments on the passing of Former Selma Mayor George P. Evans
Congresswoman Terri Sewell sent her condolences on the passing of former Selma Mayor George P. Evans on Monday. “Today, the City of Selma lost a giant,” Sewell said in a statement. “I am sending my heartfelt condolences to the family on the passing of George P. Evans, the former two-term Mayor of Selma. From being Dallas County’s first Black school board superintendent to his 16 years of public service as President of the Selma City Council and then as Mayor, Evans led by example through his hard work, perseverance, grit, and kindness.” “During his tenure as Mayor, he partnered with my office to create jobs and bring vital federal resources home to Selma and Dallas County. From his demonstrated efforts to revitalize downtown Selma to his dedicated commitment to making our community stronger and safer, Mayor Evans fought hard to improve the lives of the people he served,” Sewell said. “I will never forget the honor of standing alongside Mayor Evans and President [Barack] Obama at the foot of the Selma bridge to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March, as the Mayor welcomed the world to his beloved hometown. “I have known Mayor Evans all my life, and he has always been a strong voice and a tireless fighter for the people of Selma,” Sewell stated. “He loved his family, his church, his city, and most of all. He loved people. His public service has left an indelible imprint on Selma, and he will be missed. Let us find comfort knowing that his incredible legacy will live on in the many people he touched. May he rest in peace and power.” Evans was Dallas County’s first Black school superintendent. He served eight years on the Selma City Council, where he was chosen as the President of the Council. He served two terms as Mayor from 2008 to 2016. He was defeated in his bid to win a third term by State Rep Dario Melton. Evans was a Selma native. He was a standout athlete who had to leave the state to play NCAA football since the Southeastern Conference was then segregated, and there were no Black athletes or students allowed. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Kansas and a master’s degree from West Alabama University. Evans was a career educator. He spent many years as an NCAA basketball referee, including in NCAA tournament games. Evans and wife Jeanne have three children and five grandchildren. Sewell is a native of Selma. She has represented Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District since her election in 2010. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Dan Sutter: Are junk fees junk?
The Biden Administration is battling what it terms “junk fees.” Is this consumer protection, or will it simply create additional costly regulation? The answer depends largely on how one views competition in markets. The term junk fees include bank overdraft fees, credit card late fees, airline baggage and seat selection fees, hotel resort and destination fees, and entertainment ticket fees. In addition to capping or eliminating such fees, the Administration also wants transparency in pricing. Before discussing any fees in detail, let’s consider the pricing process in markets. As economist Thomas Sowell observes, most intellectuals believe businesses exercise considerable discretion over prices. Only public pressure or potential government action checks corporate greed. Junk fees emerge from this rapaciousness to increase revenue extraction from hapless consumers. An alternative view recognizes that every purchase in the market is voluntary and that businesses face competition. The competition can be direct – from a rival airline – or indirect – travelers driving instead of flying. Businesses can set whatever price they want but are not guaranteed sales. Consumers are not hapless and, as a group, determine which businesses profit and which fail. Businesses seek profits but face real constraints if they wish to sell what they produce. The power of the market is real but intangible. A primary lesson of economics involves recognizing these invisible market forces at work. Once we reject the exploitative view of markets, we can explore the functions different fees serve. Let’s start with checked bag fees. Airlines will be happy to provide baggage service, but travelers will have to pay for this. The question is how airlines charge for baggage service. One possibility is through higher ticket prices and no baggage charges. In this case, passengers traveling light pay for others’ bags. Alternatively, airlines could offer lower ticket prices and bag charges, with the travelers checking bags paying for this service. Fees provide an additional benefit. Each bag shipped involves costs; the marginal cost of extra baggage is not zero. With no bag charge, travelers act as if shipping a bag is costless. Imagine a traveler who could pack light with one bag or heavy with two bags. If the traveler is unwilling to pay for the second bag, packing heavy is inefficient: the costs of shipping the bag exceed the value to the traveler. How about bank overdraft fees? Banks charge these fees when a customer writes a check or uses a debit card without money to cover the transaction. The bank honors the transaction and charges the customer, including sometimes a fee for each day the account is overdrawn. Covering the check is effectively a short-term loan and costly. The fee also prods the customer to keep a higher account balance. If banks cannot charge overdraft fees, all customers would share the cost of these loans, raising fairness concerns for customers never bouncing checks. Banks would likely end overdraft protection and possibly drop customers without sufficient account balances. All-inclusive pricing raises different issues. It is frustrating when added charges yield a much higher price than promised. Yet this undermines the value of comparison shopping using an online booking site. Sites already have an incentive to address the resulting problem and will make better decisions here than Federal bureaucrats who face no consequences for the destruction their regulations create. One practice included with junk fees are free trials converting to paid subscriptions you can “cancel anytime.” Except that canceling is infinitely harder than signing up. This scheme is only profitable because the business makes canceling more costly than continuing to pay. The customer does not value the service enough to willingly pay for it, so value is not being created. This is more like extortion than honest business, and I will not defend this. The “junk fees” characterization draws on a worldview where businesses abuse customers for sport and profit. Protecting consumers from junk fees promises to inject government into every detail of commerce. Americans should remember Ronald Reagan’s line about the nine most frightening words in the English language: “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” Daniel Sutter is the Charles G. Koch Professor of Economics with the Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy at Troy University and host of Econversations on TrojanVision. The opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Troy University.
Former Senate Pro Tem John Teague has died
Former Alabama State Senator John Allison Teague passed away Sunday following a long battle with cancer. The former Alabama Senate President Pro Tempore was 78 years old. Just days earlier, the Alabama Senate passed a resolution honoring Teague for his many career accomplishments. Teague represented the Senate and the State Alabama House of Representatives in his long, distinguished career. Senate Joint Resolution 64 (SJR64) was sponsored by all 35 members of the Alabama Senate. The Resolution was passed by the Alabama Senate on May 9 and passed by the Alabama House of Representatives on May 11. The Resolution reads, “HONORING MR. JOHN ALLISON TEAGUE, SR. FOR PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS. WHEREAS, with very special pleasure, we highly honor Mr. John Allison Teague, Sr. for his numerous professional achievements; and WHEREAS, Mr. Teague was born on July 9, 1944, in Childersburg, Alabama, to Mayburn and Ralph Teague; he is the father of Allison, Todd, and John; the husband of Tami Teague; and the brother of Ralph Judson Jr. and Ashley Teague.” “Mr. Teague graduated from Childersburg High School in 1962, attended Jacksonville State University from 1962-1963, and attended the United States Fidelity and Guaranty School of Insurance in 1976.” “Mr. Teague served as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives, representing District 55: Talladega, Childersburg, and Calhoun Counties from 1974-1976; he was elected through a special election to the Alabama Senate in 1976, where he was reelected for two full terms; he was elected as President Pro-Tempore of the Senate by his peers in 1983; as President Pro-Tempore, he was given a vote on every standing committee for the first time in Alabama history; he was elected as the Most Outstanding Senator by his peers in 1984 and 1986; served the State of Alabama Senate District 19: Talladega, St. Clair, and Calhoun Counties from 1976-1982; and served the State of Alabama Senate District 19: Talladega, Cleburne, Clay, Coosa, and Elmore Counties from 1982-1986.” “Mr. Teague has been the recipient of many profound awards and forms of recognition, including being a charter member of the Board of Trustees for the Alabama Motorsports Hall of Fame from 1975-1987; being a member of the Board of Trustees for Troy State University from 1980-1992, where he served on the Executive Committee and the Athletic Committee; being recognized on the cover of Alabama Magazine as The Most Effective Legislator in 1984; receiving the Lyndon Baines Johnson Political Freedom Award by the Alabama Democratic Conference in 1984; being granted a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Talladega College in 1984; receiving The University of Montevallo Area Public Official of the Year Award in 1985; being named Alabama Wildlife Federation’s Conservationist of the Year in 1986; and being the only person in the nation to receive the prestigious CIT Rebuilding America Award in 1988; in addition, Central Alabama Community College named its first ever scholarship award, The John Teague Scholarship Award, in 1984; the bridge over the Coosa River in Childersburg was named the John A. Teague Bridge in 1987; and the Alabama Legislature and Board of Trustees for the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind named the student center on the school’s campus the John A. Teague Student Center in 1989.” “A man of unwavering selflessness WHEREAS, a man of unwavering selflessness and diligence who is passionate about serving others, Mr. Teague has inspired many throughout his lifetime as a remarkable leader; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That Mr. John Allison Teague, Sr. is highly honored for his numerous professional achievements, and we hereby dedicate this resolution to him with warmest appreciation, admiration, and regard.” Teague lost the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor to Jim Folsom Jr. in 1986 – otherwise, Teague would almost certainly have been governor – Folsom was later elevated to the role when then-Gov. Guy Hunt was convicted of misusing inauguration funds. Teague was the President of Government Affairs Strategies, LLC for decades. In that capacity, he was a fixture in the Alabama Statehouse up until 2022. There Teague was a friend to legislators, his fellow lobbyists, industry leaders, government officials, staff, and journalists alike. Teague served a six-month federal prison sentence that was the result of an investigation of state transportation grants. Teague was granted a full pardon by the Alabama Board of Pardons and Parole less than two years later. Former State Auditor Jim Zeigler said on Facebook, “Sad that long-time lobbyist and former State Senator John Teague has died on Mother’s Day. He fought gallantly against serious injury and illness. Prayers for Tami and his family.” Longtime friend and lobbyist former Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks said on Facebook, “I lost an amazing friend today. In the past 20 years there were not many days I was not with Teague or not talk to him. Teague and I traveled the world together and he was one of the smartest and wisest men I have ever known. My life changed forever today.” Teague’s son said on Facebook, “Memorial service for my dad will be held this next Wednesday, May 24th, at First Baptist Church in downtown Montgomery with visitation from 3-4 and service at 4.” To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Kay Ivey extolls economic and legislative success in Tuscaloosa
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey spoke to the West Chamber of Commerce on Monday in Tuscaloosa. The governor emphasized her economic policies and her plans to improve Alabama’s public education. Ivey thanked Terri and Coach Nick Saban for their patronage of the Saban Center and said she looked forward to returning to Tuscaloosa for the ribbon cutting. Ivey said the Saban Center would have a lasting positive impact on education in Alabama. “I am so grateful to her and Coach Saban for their commitment to education in the state,” Ivey said. Ivey extolled the current economic conditions. Ivey said Alabama workers have “opportunities not seen in many generations.” “Alabama is experiencing record surpluses in both our educational and general funds to address our state’s needs,” Ivey stated Ivey said that the top priorities for this session and her second term are increases and renewal of economic incentives and improvements in education. Ivey said that with her economic incentives, the state “will need to double down over the next four years to make a lasting difference. Our state’s industrial scouts have brought home many recruits.” “$42 billion in economic investments has already netted an additional 78,000 new jobs,” Ivey said. Ivey said her new economic plan is “The game plan.” It involves renewing the state’s primary economic incentives for another five years. “That is key for economic stability,” Ivey stated. Ivey said her game plan legislation “sailed through the Alabama Legislature with bipartisan success.” “Today, over two million people are employed in the state of Alabama,” Ivey said. “That is the most in state history.” Ivey said the state has “a record low of 2.3% unemployment -the lowest unemployment ever.” “The media asks how are you going to find workers to fill those new jobs. The media takes two positives and turn them into a negative,” Ivey said. The governor explained that her road plan four years ago had already resulted in $370 million for 234 projects that are underway or already completed. Ivey said one of these is the West Alabama corridor, which will be an improved land route to the port of Mobile and “make it easier to get to see Alabama on game day.” The governor said that her widening and deepening of the shipping channel in Mobile would be completed in the next two years. “Increasing broadband access throughout all of Alabama has been a huge priority of mine and will continue over the next four years,” Ivey said. The state has committed over $300 million to broadband projects. Ivey said, “Building a top-notch education system in top thirty states in educational advancement is a goal by the end of my term.” Ivey said that first-class Pre-K expansion was necessary so every child who wants it can access it. Ivey said that children who have been through pre-K are more likely to perform well in kindergarten, are less likely to be chronically absent, less likely to be in special education, and less likely to be behavioral problems. Ivey said that she is, focusing on the building blocks of education: Reading and Math. “We will no longer tolerate the existence of failing schools in our state,” Gov. Ivey said. “I am supporting increased funding for more reading and math coaches.” State Rep. Kyle South is the incoming President and CEO of the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce. “I wish Kyle South all the best in his move from the state house to the West Alabama chamber.” South said that the position allows him to put his business experience and his policy experience together to give back to the community. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Fitzgerald Washington: Economic Op-Ed 2023
If you followed state news in 2022, you would have seen dozens of stories about Alabama’s successful economy. Nearly every month, we at the Alabama Department of Labor were announcing some sort of economic record. In fact, the amount of positive economic news may have also been a record. While I am extremely proud of the progress our state has made on the job front, I also know that our gains are the result of a world-class workforce in Alabama and a steady focus on attracting and keeping employers. I’d like to congratulate every state leader, agency, official, and worker who played a role. Governor Kay Ivey and her administration are committed to continuous improvement and economic growth, and we are happy to deliver. Looking back, it’s worth noting another 2022 milestone: Alabama broke all six major economic records. This is a truly remarkable feat following the economic uncertainty that still plagues this country following the COVID-19 pandemic. More people than ever before – 2.29 million, to be exact – were in Alabama’s labor force last year. That means that a record number of Alabamians are either working or wanting to work, and they believe that the economy is strong enough for them to find a job. Of those, 97.5 percent were employed – also a new record high! That works out to a record-low unemployment rate of 2.5 percent (in March, April, and May 2022, following annual revisions). Comparatively, Alabama had the lowest jobless rate in the southeast for all 12 months in 2022, further evidence that our state is a wonderful place to live, to work, and to succeed. And nationally, we ranked an impressive 7th lowest unemployment rate with a 2.6 percent annual average, compared to the 3.6 percent for the nation. That’s really quite a feat and definitely something to be proud of. Employers in Alabama supported a record-high number of jobs, surpassing our previous pre-pandemic record and surging to more than 2.1 million in November. From January 2022 to December 2022, Alabama gained an amazing 81,100 jobs! And those jobs were backed up by record-high wages, as well. Workers in Alabama brought home nearly $68 more per week in 2022 than in 2021. Weekly wages hit a record high of $1,019.66 in October. Several industries saw record-high wages as well. Construction, trade, transportation and utilities, leisure and hospitality, and other services all experienced significant gains. The leisure and hospitality industry, which, as we all know, was hit the hardest during the pandemic, continued its historical surge, with weekly wages increasing by $56. Additionally, for the first time since 1997, our state Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund moved into the lowest tax schedule, Schedule A, in 2022. This means employers are paying less unemployment insurance taxes than ever before – equating to a 54 percent tax cut for most employers. Lower taxes give our employers more freedom to hire more people and create more jobs. Our Career Centers, which now touch all 67 counties in the state, helped more than 90,000 new jobseekers last year, logging nearly a quarter of a million customer visits. Of those that we helped place in a new job, 71 percent were still employed a year later. Our Career Centers offer a variety of free services to both jobseekers and employers alike, and in today’s job market, they are more valuable than ever. Employers who are struggling to find employees need to visit their local Career Center and take advantage of the services. Not only do we offer recruiting assistance, but we have programs that can even help pay new employees’ salaries – up to 50 percent! Jobseekers looking to train for new opportunities, earn a degree or certification, or simply need help updating their résumé should visit too! We can help with tuition assistance, on-the-job training, or apprenticeship programs. Alabama has rebounded, and things are looking great for the future. It’s my fervent hope that we can continue to sustain this amazing progress and make this state an even better place to live and work. Our workforce is truly one of a kind – dedicated and hard-working, resilient and innovative. I applaud all of our workers and employers on a truly remarkable year. Fitzgerald Washington has been the Alabama Department of Labor Secretary since 2014.
Dr. Michael Guo-Brennan: Turning friends into enemies
I am writing out of concern about 2023 House Bill 379 (HB379), the Alabama Property Protection Act, which recently passed the Alabama House and is now headed to the Senate for consideration. This act would prohibit Chinese citizens, government, or entities from acquiring real property in Alabama. While I understand the concerns of the legislature, and our national security needs to be of the utmost importance, this bill, as it currently reads, does not protect our national security, is an affront to civil and human rights, violates the Fair Housing Act of 1968, and promotes racism, discrimination, and hate against Asians. By making it illegal for “any individual who is a citizen of China” (line 48) to purchase real property, the state of Alabama is targeting specific individuals based solely on national origin, a clear violation of the 1968 Fair Housing Act. The state has come far in the decades since the civil rights movement. To reverse course and target individuals based exclusively on national origin is backward and harms the state’s reputation. This bill is unlike other laws passed in Florida, Texas, and elsewhere that place restrictions on property ownership. Those laws are generally limited to farmland or land near military bases, and most are not exclusively targeting one nationality. Passage of this bill by the Senate and approval by Governor Kay Ivey will certainly lead to prolonged legal challenges that will cost the state millions of dollars, and the state will very likely lose. It will come out of these challenges with a severely tarnished reputation and may face a severe economic backlash by global investors such as Mercedes Benz, Hyundai, Toyota, or others seeking to invest in the state or expand current operations. The action by the House has already generated new political engagement. Since its passage in the House, a coalition of individuals and other interest groups have organized through social media to stop this racist legislation, including the Birmingham Chinese Association, the Hengcheng Chinese Association based in Huntsville, The United Chinese Alliance based in Washington, DC., as well as groups at several Alabama universities. One local organization behind this coalition is the Central Alabama Association of Chinese (CAAC). The organization is an active member of the community, supporting Chinese Americans and other Asian newcomers seeking to build a better life in Alabama. This law would be a slap in the face of everyone that is a part of the CAAC and other coalition members, along with their friends and associates. It has the potential to turn friends into enemies, thus making the law itself a threat to national security. Dr. Michael Guo-Brennan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Troy University. He also serves as an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Prince Edward Island.
Katie Britt and colleagues introduce the Back the Blue Act
On Monday. U.S. Senator Katie Britt joined U.S. Senator John Cornyn, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, and 37 Republican colleagues to introduce the Back the Blue Act. The announcement coincided with the annual observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week. This legislation will strengthen existing laws that protect police officers, increase the criminal penalties for individuals who target law enforcement, and expand the tools that police can use to protect themselves. “Today, we honor the courageous law enforcement officers who have valiantly made the ultimate sacrifice,” Sen. Britt said. “Every single day, the brave men and women of law enforcement go above and beyond to serve and protect our communities. It is essential that we not only support our police, but we respect the rule of law in our country. I’m proud to join Senator Cornyn and my colleagues in introducing the Back the Blue Act, and I will always stand with our police officers in Alabama and across the country.” “The Back the Blue Act adds stiff, mandatory penalties and makes it a federal crime to kill – or attempt to kill – a law enforcement officer, a federal judge, or a federally funded public safety officer,” Sen. Cornyn said. “We must make it absolutely clear that violence against them will not be tolerated. In honor of National Police Week, we honor the brave men and women who protect us, we pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and we commit to doing everything in our power to ensure that they have all the resources they need to keep our people safe.” “Today marks the start of National Police Week,” Sen. Tuberville said on Twitter. “America’s brave men and women in blue wake up every day prepared to sacrifice their own safety in service to their fellow Americans. It is more important than ever that we show our support. To all who protect and serve, thank you.” In addition to Senators Britt, Tuberville, and Cornyn, this legislation is cosponsored by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), and Senators Ted Cruz, Thom Tillis, Rick Scott, Jerry Moran, Mike Braun, Kevin Cramer, Marsha Blackburn, John Boozman, Deb Fischer, Shelley Moore Capito, Mike Crapo, Marco Rubio, Jim Risch, Pete Ricketts, Steve Daines, John Barrasso, James Lankford, Cindy Hyde-Smith, John Kennedy, Tom Cotton, John Thune, John Hoeven, Ted Budd, Josh Hawley, Tim Scott, Bill Hagerty, Roger Marshall, Bill Cassidy, Joni Ernst, Chuck Grassley, Todd Young, Eric Schmitt, Cynthia Lummis, and Roger Wicker. The Back the Blue Act has been introduced in Congress multiple times since 2017. Senator Britt is also a cosponsor of Senator Braun’s Thin Blue Line Act, which expands the list of statutory aggravating factors in capital punishment determinations to also include killing or targeting a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responders. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com
Republican governors ask Biden administration to rescind Title IX guidance
Twenty-five of the nation’s 26 Republican governors have asked the Biden administration to shelve its intent to expand Title IX protections to transgender athletes. The letter, led by the signature of Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, says the U.S. Department of Education’s proposed regulation should be withdrawn pending litigation that could be addressed by the U.S. Supreme Court. “The Department’s proposed regulation would attempt to coerce compliance with an uncertain, fluid, and completely subjective standard that is based on a highly politicized gender ideology,” the letter reads. The letter comes as the public comment period ends Monday on a proposed revision to Title IX that would ban state and local governments from prohibiting transgender students from participating on sports teams aligned with their gender identity. Title IX was created to increase opportunities for female athletes. Federal funds can be withheld from those found to be in violation. The law, which was passed in 1972, prohibits discrimination based on sex for school districts, universities, museums, and other educational institutions that receive federal funds. “Compelling a subjective, athlete-by-athlete analysis controlled by a student’s self-identified ‘gender identity’ enforced under threat of Department retribution affords no clarity,” the letter reads. “It does the opposite. This ‘fluid’ subjective standard ensures chaos and confusion in schools and will no doubt result in protracted and disruptive litigation.” Twenty-one states prohibit transgender students from participating on sports teams that do not align with their biological sex at birth, according to the Movement Advancement Project that tracks state policies. The letter was signed by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Idaho Gov. Brad Little, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon. The signature of Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott is not on the letter. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Number of migrants fell 50% at U.S. southern border after immigration changes
The number of migrants encountered at the southern border fell 50% during the last three days compared with the days leading up to the end of a key pandemic-era regulation, U.S. officials said Monday. But a high number of migrants are still in U.S. custody, although the number has fallen “significantly” since last week, said Blas Nunez-Neto, assistant secretary for border and immigration policy at the Department of Homeland Security. The ability of U.S. Border Patrol to hold migrants has been a key concern as more migrants came to the border in the days leading up to the end of immigration restrictions linked to the pandemic, referred to as Title 42. The administration is facing a lawsuit aimed at curtailing its ability to release migrants from custody even when facilities are over capacity. At one point last week, more than 27,000 migrants were in custody along the border, a number that may top 45,000 by the end of May if the powers to more quickly release migrants from custody when facilities are over capacity are curtailed, said Matthew Hudak, deputy Border Patrol chief, in a court filing last week related to the lawsuit. Nunez-Neto said border officials had been encountering a little less than 5,000 people a day since Title 42 expired at midnight Thursday, and new U.S. enforcement measures went into effect Friday. He did not give exact numbers. “It’s still too early to draw firm conclusions. We are closely watching what’s happening. We are confident that the plan that we have developed across the U.S. government to address these flows will work over time,” said Nunez-Neto. He credited the U.S. planning as well as enforcement measures Mexico and Guatemala have carried out in recent days along their own southern borders. He gave no details about what those two countries were doing. The head of the U.S. Border Patrol, Raul Ortiz, said on Twitter on Monday that his agents had apprehended 14,752 people over the past 72 hours; that averages out to 4,917 per day. The figures given Monday are sharply below the 10,000-plus encountered on three days last week as migrants rushed to get in before new policies to restrict asylum took effect. Title 42 allowed U.S. officials to quickly expel migrants without letting them seek asylum, but it also carried no consequences for those who entered the country and were expelled. In the leadup to the end of Title 42, the U.S. introduced tough enforcement measures to discourage people from just arriving at the border, encouraging them instead to use one of the pathways the U.S. has created to facilitate migration. Many migrants, worried about these tough enforcement measures, came before Title 42 expired. The U.S. is in litigation about whether it can release migrants without what’s called a “notice to appear.” Usually, migrants who are released into the United States — as opposed to those held in custody or immediately expelled — get a “notice to appear,” which includes a court date and some type of monitoring with immigration officials. But it can take up to two hours to process a single person for this, potentially choking Border Patrol holding facilities when they’re at capacity. Since 2021, the U.S. has often released migrants from custody with instructions to report to an immigration office in 60 days. It’s a process that takes only 20 minutes, but it’s come under attack by those who say it doesn’t offer enough oversight. On Friday, a Florida court temporarily put an end to the process; the administration is appealing that decision. On Monday, the judge, in a preliminary injunction, narrowed the order so it only applies to migrants who say they plan to stay in Florida until their court hearings. In court filings last week, U.S. authorities said they cannot confidently estimate how many people will cross the border. Hudak said authorities predict arrests will spike to between 12,000 and 14,000 a day. Hudak also noted that intelligence reports failed to quickly flag a “singular surge” of 18,000 predominantly Haitian migrants in Del Rio, Texas, in September 2021. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
