Kelly, Tillis Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Access to Plasma-Based Medicines

Posted on by Yellow Sheet Report Staff
Today, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the bipartisan Preserving Life-saving Access to Specialty Medicines in America (PLASMA) Act , legislation to ensure individuals with rare diseases and immunodeficiencies have access to necessary plasma-based medicines.     “Ensuring that individuals with rare diseases and immunodeficiencies have access to life-saving plasma-based medicines is not just a health care issue, it’s a matter of life and death,” said Kelly. “The PLASMA Act is crucial to keep treatments accessible and affordable for thousands of Americans. I will continue working across the aisle to support plasma donation and guarantee that no patient faces a disruption in their treatment.”    “It is critical patients with rare diseases and immunodeficiencies have uninterrupted access to the life-saving plasma-based medicines they need,” said Tillis. “This commonsense legislation increases access to these innovative medications and ensures they remain affordable for the thousands of Americans who rely on them.”     “The GBS|CIDP Foundation International proudly supports the PLASMA Act and all policies that promote patient access to plasma medicines. Many patients with rare and chronic conditions like Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) and Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN) require reliable access to plasma medicines multiple times per month and any disruption can have devastating effects. Introducing the PLASMA Act is a significant step forward toward ensuring continued access to life-saving plasma medicines into the future,” said Lisa Butler, Executive Director, GBS/CIDP Foundation International.     “As a leader of one of the many plasma donation centers across the state of Arizona, I applaud Senator Kelly for introducing the bipartisan PLASMA Act in the Senate. This valuable legislation will ensure our center can continue to serve the thousands of Arizonians who selflessly donate plasma each year. Sustaining our operations is a vital component of meeting the rising demand for plasma-derived medicine products (PDMPs), which treat a number of rare and often life-threatening conditions. Senator Kelly’s leadership will make a positive impact on plasma donors and patients in need of PDMPs in Arizona and beyond,” said Frank Bernal, Center Manager from Surprise, AZ.     “The Alpha-1 Foundation is proud to endorse The PLASMA Act in support of patients with rare diseases, like Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and immunodeficiencies to have access to necessary plasma-based medicines. It is vital for our community to have continued access to this life-saving plasma therapy that they receive on a weekly basis,” said Scott Santarella, President & CEO, Alpha-1 Foundation.

Incoming Durham superintendent familiar with state’s political makeup

Posted on by Matthew Sasser

Incoming Durham Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Lewis will begin his new role next month, bringing with him 22 years of education experience. 

He’s leaving Kansas, where he served as superintendent of Lawrence Public Schools for the past six years. Lewis sees many political parallels as he prepares for his new post. 

Similar to Durham, Lawrence was a “blue dot in a red state,” Lewis said. Kansas has conservative supermajorities in its House and Senate, along with a Democratic governor, mirroring North Carolina. 

Lewis said he has seen the positive strides put forward by diversity, equity and inclusion offices, especially in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, that are now being dismantled in Kansas. He is aware of the recent UNC System decision to eliminate positions related to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. 

Lewis has been praised for his work within the Kansas African American Affairs Commission and the Commission on Racial Equity and Justice, but he acknowledged the progress from those efforts was “minimal.” 

“It’s unfortunate that some of the work that we know needs to be done is so politicized,” Lewis said, crediting the efforts of Gov. Laura Kelly in Kansas but citing the reluctance of conservative supermajorities in the Legislature to act on issues important to the African American community. 

Lewis said he looks forward to building relationships with North Carolina legislators and inviting them to visit Durham schools to get a firsthand look at policies impacting the education system, both positive and negative. 

“Schools can’t do this work alone,” Lewis said, adding he wants to educate others while recognizing that he will need some education as well. 

“We never want any student in their classroom to feel less than or that they caused harm,” he said. “It’s important for us to really understand, teach accurate history, so that we won’t repeat it.”

Lewis, who looks forward to being much closer to his family in Alabama, will begin his position as Durham superintendent Aug. 12. 

“That’s the work I’ve been doing pretty much my entire educational career and that’s why I do believe Durham Public Schools is a great fit for my experiences,” Lewis said, adding that questions regarding racial equity were at “every step” of his hiring process. “I just want to come in and continue and even excel at some of the work that is already taking place there.”

For questions or comments, or to pass along story ideas, please write to Matthew Sasser at [email protected] or contact the NC Insider at [email protected] or @StateAffairsNC 

In Indianapolis, Harris says she’s fighting for America’s future

Posted on by Jarred Meeks

Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, told a gathering of women of color in Indianapolis on Wednesday that she is fighting for America’s future.

She contrasted her vision with another — one she said is “focused on the past.”

“Across our nation, we are witnessing a full-on assault on hard-fought, hard-won freedoms and rights — the freedom to vote, the freedom to be safe from gun violence, the freedom to live without fear of bigotry and hate, the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride, the freedom to learn and acknowledge our true and full history and the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body,” she said.

Harris delivered her Wednesday remarks during Zeta Phi Beta Sorority’s 2024 Grand Boulé, a six-day conference held at the Indianapolis Convention Center. The event was closed to the public.

Her approximately 15-minute speech received a standing ovation from thousands of women of color. Founded in 1920 on Howard University’s campus, the sorority is one of nine historically Black Greek-letter organizations that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council, colloquially known as the Divine Nine.

During her speech, Harris touted familiar policy talking points, highlighting the Biden administration’s forgiveness of student debt, cap on insulin prices for seniors and expansion of the child tax credit. She also thanked President Joe Biden for his service to the country.

Harris received Biden’s endorsement after he announced Sunday his decision to exit the race. By Monday, Harris had reportedly earned the support of enough delegates to secure her party’s nomination.

Other prominent Democrats have endorsed Harris in recent days, including U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries endorsed Harris during a Tuesday news conference.

A funding windfall has accompanied Harris’ momentum. Her presidential campaign announced it had raised $81 million within 24 hours of Biden’s decision to exit the race.

Harris held her first rally Tuesday in Wisconsin, a battleground state. There, she said she aimed to unite her party, which for weeks had encouraged Biden to drop out of the race. A former prosecutor in California, she also quipped she knows former President Donald Trump’s “type.”

On Wednesday, Harris attacked the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a proposed transition plan for if Trump wins the presidential election. Trump said in a social media post earlier this month that he knows nothing about Project 2025.

“Can you believe they put that in writing?” Harris asked the crowd.

She claimed Project 2025 was “a plan to return America to a dark past.” She called the crafters of the plan “extremists” and said, “We are not going back.”

If Harris wins her party’s nomination next month, she will take on Trump in the November presidential election.

According to the Indiana Democratic Party, Wednesday marked Harris’ third stop in Indianapolis since 2019. And though her speech excited the Zeta Phi Beta crowd, Harris faces a difficult path to winning the solidly red Hoosier state, where a Democrat hasn’t won a statewide election since 2012.

The Indiana GOP criticized Harris in a Wednesday news release, saying the next four years would be “more radical” than the last if she were elected president.

“Joe Biden tasked Kamala Harris to be our border czar, and it’s been an unmitigated disaster, as every day thousands of illegal immigrants are following through our southern border with an end goal of either taking Hoosier jobs or bringing drugs to our state, and it needs to stop,” U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, the Republican nominee for governor, said in the release.

Contact Jarred Meeks on X @jarredsmeeks or email him at [email protected].

Indiana Black Legislative Caucus endorses Harris, pledges future support

Posted on by Rory Appleton

The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus unanimously voted Wednesday to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential run and will look at ways to assist her candidacy, the caucus chair, state Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago, told State Affairs. 

The caucus is made up of 14 members of the Indiana General Assembly, all of whom are Democrats. 

The vote came as Vice President Harris was speaking to members of the historically Black Zeta Phi Beta sorority at the Indiana Convention Center on Wednesday. The stop was one of her first since she entered the race following President Joe Biden’s decision to end his reelection bid on Sunday. 

Continue reading “Indiana Black Legislative Caucus endorses Harris, pledges future support”

Trump-Vance ticket officially on Kansas ballot

Posted on by Brett Stover

Former President Donald Trump and his recently selected running mate JD Vance are officially on the ballot in Kansas.

Secretary of State Scott Schwab announced Wednesday that his office received the official certificate of nomination for the Republican presidential and vice presidential candidates. 

Trump won 75% of the vote in Kansas’ March 19 presidential preference primary, giving him each of the state’s 39 delegates en route to earning the Republican Party’s nomination.

At the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Trump picked Sen. Vance, R-Ohio, to join him on the ticket.

Trump and Vance join Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver and running mate Mike ter Maat. The Libertarian Party ticket filed for the ballot earlier this month.

As for the Democratic Party, Schwab said the Democratic National Committee will submit its nominee to the Secretary of State’s Office after the party’s convention, scheduled for Aug. 19-22 in Chicago.

President Joe Biden dropped out of the race on Sunday afternoon and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who quickly secured the support of enough Democratic delegates to put her in position to win the party’s nomination on the first ballot. She hasn’t yet announced a running mate.

Kansas’ Democratic delegation voted Monday night to back Harris. Earlier that day, state Democrats including Gov. Laura Kelly threw their support behind the former attorney general and senator from California.

There’s no official deadline for major parties to certify their nominees in Kansas, so Biden’s decision shouldn’t pose any legal hurdles for the Democratic Party. Schwab said parties must submit their presidential electors by Sept. 1, and ballots for military and overseas voters must be sent 45 days ahead of the general election.

Brett Stover is a Statehouse reporter at State Affairs Pro Kansas/Hawver’s Capitol Report. Reach him at [email protected] or on X @BrettStoverKS.

3 county judges picked as finalists for Court of Appeals spot

Posted on by Tom Davies

Three county judges have been picked as the finalists to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Indiana Court of Appeals.

That list, approved by Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission this week, did not include former Allen County Judge Wendy Davis, who applied for the appeals court spot just weeks after losing her race for the Republican nomination for the 3rd Congressional District seat.

The commission interviewed eight applicants for the vacancy coming when Judge Patricia Riley retires Aug. 30 after serving 30 years on the Court of Appeals.

The finalists selected were:

  • Porter County Circuit Court Judge Mary DeBoer, who has been a judge since 2020. She was previously a magistrate for courts in Porter and Starke counties and a deputy prosecutor in those counties.
  • Lake County Superior Court Judge Stephen Scheele, who has been a judge since 2019. He was previously  a magistrate for Lake County courts, an attorney in private practice and a deputy public defender.
  • St. Joseph County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Steele, who has been a judge since 2021. She was previously corporation counsel for the City of South Bend and a deputy county prosecutor.

Once Gov. Eric Holcomb is formally notified of the finalists, he will have 60 days to make the judicial appointment.

This will be the sixth appointment Holcomb has made to the 15-member Court of Appeals. The applicants had to be residents of Indiana’s third appellate district, which covers roughly the northern third of the state.

Davis drew some attention by applying for the appeals court position weeks after finishing third in the crowded May 7 Republican primary field for the 3rd Congressional District seat now held by Rep. Jim Banks.

Davis had been an Allen County judge since 2010 before resigning last year for her congressional run.

Late in the campaign, Davis struck back against a Club for Growth television ad that labeled her a “liberal judge” with audio that she called fabricated.

“It’s laughable to call me a ‘liberal judge’ — I forfeited my position on the bench to run for office because I was too conservative to maintain the neutrality the job requires,” Davis said in a campaign news release.

Tom Davies is a Statehouse reporter for State Affairs Pro Indiana. Reach him at [email protected] or on X at @TomDaviesIND.

Tennessee early voter turnout plummets nearly 44% from 2020 

Posted on by Andy Sher

At this point in the state’s 2020 primary, 345,000 Tennesseans had voted early in races ranging from a smattering of local office contests, state House and Senate contests all the way up to a knock-down, drag-out battle between Republican U.S. Senate rivals Bill Hagerty and Manny Sethi.

But in the first nine days of 2024 early voting, just 193,655 summoned the energy to head to the polls in Tennessee’s 95 counties. That represents a 44% drop from four years earlier. Ten counties in rural areas saw increases. However, everyone else saw decreases.

Turnout among Republicans has been down 39% compared with four years ago, while Democratic participation has cratered by 54%. 

Only 10 counties have posted increases in Republican turnout compared with 2020: Lincoln (+46%), Gibson (+41%), Campbell (+38%), Madison (+21%), Beldsoe (+20%), Lauderdale (+20%), Sumner (+20%), Clay (+13%), and Dyer (+11%)

Of those, Madison County features a spirited Republican primary campaign between Rep. Chris Todd and challenger Jimmy Harris, a former county mayor.

Sumner County is the site of a high-dollar GOP primary between incumbent Sen. Ferrell Haile and “Constitutional Conservative” Chris Spencer.

Dyer is one of three counties that make up House District 77, where Rep. Rusty Grills is trying to fend off a primary challenge from County Commissioner Bubba Cobb. The others are Lake, where turnout is down 21%, and part of Obion where 41% fewer GOP voters have turned out so far.

The biggest downturns in Republican primary voting have occurred in Henderson (-80%), Hardin (-80%), Smith (-79%), Robertson (-76%), Putnam (-74%), Perry (-73), McMinn (-72%) and Franklin (-71%) counties.

GOP voting in Williamson County is down 15%. Parts of the county are home to both a spirited open race for state House District 65 and an expensive primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles by Nashville Metro Councilwoman Courtney Johnston.

The other counties that make up the 5th Congressional District are parts of Davidson (-43%) and Wilson (-45%), and all of Marshall (-41%), Maury (-24%) and Lewis (-29%).

Another big state Senate primary is the challenge of pharmacist Bobby Harshbarger, the son of U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger, of incumbent Jon Lundberg in District 4, which is composed of Sullivan (-5%) and Hawkins (-25%) counties.

State Sen. Frank Niceley in Senate District 8 faces an aggressive  Republican challenge by Jessie Seal, who is being helped with independent expenditures from the Club for Growth’s School Freedom Fund. The county is comprised of all of Claiborne (-21%), Grainger (-45%), Hancock (-12%), Jefferson (-32%) and Union (-48%) counties plus part of Sevier County (-37%).

On the Democratic side, only Hardeman County has posted an increase in early voting as 15 more people, or 2%, went to the polls compared with 2020. The biggest falloffs were in Smith (-85%), Monroe (-84%), Union (-84%), Trousdale (-81%), Lawrence (-81%), Hardin (-79%), Crockett (-76%), Henderson (-75%), and Robertson (-74).

The three remaining counties that reliably vote Democratic in statewide elections include the state’s two most populous ones, Shelby (-55%) and Davidson (-61%), along with Haywood (-57%).

Democratic voting Knox County, the home of U.S. Senate hopeful Gloria Johnson, was down 32%. Incumbent Republican Marsha Blackburn of Brentwood faces token opposition from Tres Wittum, a former state Senate staffer.

Early voting ends on Saturday. The primary is on Aug. 1.

Wake Up Call for Tuesday, July 24, 2024

Posted on by Yellow Sheet Report Staff
Sen. Kelly on presidential ticket would have wide impact on Arizona Arizona Capitol Times U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly is being floated as a candidate for vice president now that President Joe Biden has stepped aside, but his nomination could have a major impact on elections in Arizona in the coming years.  Attorneys argue whether to change how appellate judges are elected Capitol Media Services A bid by the Goldwater Institute to change how judges on the Court of Appeals are elected drew a skeptical response Monday from a trial judge who is hearing the case. Supreme Court rules school district responsible for desegregation costs Capitol Media Services School districts that spend money on court-ordered desegregation programs are not entitled to get reimbursed by the state, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Monday. How a Kamala Harris nomination could shift Arizona electoral math Axios Political strategists and pollsters are scrambling to determine whether Vice President Kamala Harris’ potential nomination will win over Arizona swing voters who had soured on President Biden. New fiscal year starting with $400 million more than expected AZ Mirror The state closed out the 2024 fiscal year with nearly $600 million more revenue than budget analysts predicted in January — and more than $400 million than lawmakers expected when they approved a state budget in mid-June. Republicans question CrowdStrike outage impact on Arizona election systems The Hill The Republican National Committee (RNC) is questioning local election officials in Arizona about how the CrowdStrike outage may have impacted their voting centers last week.   How a small library near the U.S.-Mexico border programs to serve families WBUR A library in Arizona realized it couldn’t serve young children without also serving their caregivers. Now, its community approach has helped land one of the highest honors for libraries. Kamala Harris doesn't scare Republicans, but Mark Kelly absolutely should Arizona Republic If you’re a conservative, it’s not Kamala Harris you fear. It’s her running mate. That is, of course, if she chooses the right running mate.  Anti-vaccine Arizona lawmakers are culling our herd … of children Arizona Republic Arizona lawmakers are alive today because their parents or grandparents were not gullible. They trusted science. Sen. Justine Wadsack is popped for doing 71 in a 35 zone. Naturally, she sees a conspiracy Arizona Republic The most eye-popping part of the latest news about Sen. Justine Wadsack, alleged criminal speeder, is not the way she tried to use her status as a state senator to wiggle out of a traffic ticket.

On the Record: RFK on the bayou, LMOGA on Manchin

Posted on by Jeremy Alford

— RFK ON THE BAYOU: The campaign of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced this morning it has submitted the required fee and forms to gain ballot access in Louisiana. The campaign paid the required $500 fee and submitted its paperwork. Louisiana is one of two states that allows independent presidential candidates to pay a fee for ballot access in place of collecting signatures. The other state is Oklahoma, which has certified Kennedy’s ballot access.

— LMOGA REACTS: Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association President Tommy Faucheux released the following statement on the Energy Reform Act of 2024, introduced by U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Joe Manchin and Ranking Member John Barrasso: “The bipartisan Energy Reform Act of 2024 provides much needed permitting reform and certainty for the Gulf of Mexico energy industry. Oil and natural gas production in the Gulf should be a national priority. In Louisiana, we are proud to be the gateway to this American energy production. The current five-year leasing plan for the Gulf of Mexico has an anemic number of lease sales. Thankfully this bipartisan legislation introduced by Chairman Manchin and Ranking Member Barrasso seeks to increase the number of Gulf of Mexico lease sales, bringing the hope of long-term offshore production and jobs for Louisiana communities. The Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association applauds this effort and urges Congress to make this legislation a priority.”

— THE SCHEDULE: Both chambers are in session today and tomorrow. Only the Senate meets Friday. For now, both chambers will be back in session Monday through Thursday of next week, followed by the Senate flying solo again Friday, Aug. 3. Should all go as planned, that will give way to a five-week break that will run through the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month and September’s Labor Day holiday.

— VIA POLITICO: Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday committed to debating Vice President Kamala Harris — and said he would be “willing” to face off against her more than once. (More)

— VIA AXIOS: “For all of the enthusiasm and cash Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign is generating for Democrats, her true tests are about to begin… To beat Donald Trump, Harris will have to overcome President Biden’s polling deficits — and questions about how well she’ll fare with working-class voters in the crucial ‘Blue Wall’ swing states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.” (More)

— AWARDED: Louisiana Youth Seminar awarded the 2024 Life Achievement Award in Honor of Roddy Richard to former U.S. Sen. John Breaux. LYS celebrates Senator John Breaux’s distinguished career in the U.S. Congress and his accomplishments since retiring from elected office. Known for his centrist views and ability to bridge party divides, Senator Breaux is also  a cherished friend of LYS. “(The award) recognizes an outstanding individual whose character and purpose in life have lessened the burden of others and made this a better place for their fellow man,” said LYS Founder Jo Pease.

Delegation Chatter: Cassidy stillbirth bill signed into law, Kennedy ready for investigation

Posted on by Jeremy Alford

— SIGNED INTO LAW: U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy’s bill to prevent stillbirths and decrease maternal mortality was signed into law last week. “This is a great pro-life win that saves lives,” said Cassidy. “All life is precious, from the mother to the baby. Today, we showed the nation we are committed to preventing stillbirths and saving lives.” The Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act amends federal law to clarify that stillbirth prevention activities are an allowable use of federal funds. One out of 75 U.S. births result in stillbirths, accounting for nearly 21,000 annually.

— SENATE INVESTIGATION COMING: With U.S. Sen. John Kennedy and his GOP colleagues calling for “accountability,” Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin, a Democrat, finally announced his committee will work in concert with the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to investigate the shooting of former President Donald Trump. “Kimberly Cheatle’s resignation is welcome but overdue,” Kennedy said yesterday. “This is only the beginning of accountability for an incredible failure to protect a former president and leading candidate for that office.”

— MARK-YOUR-CALENDAR FUNDRAISERS: Congresswoman Julia Letlow has an Aug. 6 event in Covington and her three-day, annual Duck, Quail & Pheasant Hunt at Covey Rise Lodge in Husser begins Oct. 23. (RSVP/More info: [email protected])

— CLAY & ELBERT: Congressman Clay Higgins has endorsed Elbert Guillory for the 6th District. “I have known Elbert Guillory for many years,” said Higgins. “He’s a good man and a solid conservative. The 6th District will be an important battleground this November, and Elbert Guillory has courageously stepped forward to run. Louisiana Republicans should rally behind him with a focused effort to defend our House majority and maintain Republican leadership in Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District.”

— JOHNSON’S WARNING: “Speaker Mike Johnson sent a letter to House members warning that there would be arrests if people disrupted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’saddress to lawmakers [today]. Johnson said in his letter, shared Tuesday, that there will be additional security measures and the note served as a ‘friendly reminder of the longstanding rules and decorum of the House.'” (Via The Hill)

— SPENDING PAUSE: “Fearing an embarrassing loss, House GOP leaders suddenly canceled a vote on final passage of the FY2025 Energy and Water spending bill late Tuesday night. At around midnight, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise announced that the House instead will take up the Interior funding bill today. That’s a big lift, although GOP leaders believe they have a chance to pass the measure. It may be the last one before Election Day. Republican leaders still haven’t decided if they’re bringing members back next week or recessing until September.” (Via Punchbowl News)

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