Sinema-Backed Bill Strengthening Nuclear Energy Supply & Clean Up of Abandoned Uranium Mines Heads to President’s Desk

Posted on by Yellow Sheet Report Staff
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate passed the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act – bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema – sending it to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The ADVANCE Act boosts responsible production of clean nuclear energy globally by developing and deploying new nuclear technologies.    “Our bipartisan legislation strengthens America’s global leadership in clean, reliable nuclear energy by investing in cutting-edge nuclear technologies and improving nuclear infrastructure and supply chains,” said Sinema.     The ADVANCE Act solidifies America’s leadership on nuclear energy by empowering the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to lead in international forums to develop regulations for advanced nuclear reactors and establishing a joint Commerce Department and Energy Department initiative to facilitate outreach to nations that are seeking to develop advanced nuclear energy programs. The bill identifies modern manufacturing techniques to build nuclear reactors better, faster, cheaper, and smarter.   The bipartisan legislation focuses on developing and deploying new nuclear technologies by reducing regulatory costs for companies seeking to license advanced nuclear reactor technologies, as well as creating a prize to incentivize the successful deployment of next-generation nuclear reactor technologies. The ADVANCE Act additionally requires the NRC to develop a pathway to enable the timely licensing of nuclear facilities at brownfield sites.   Recognizing the need to promote a healthy environment while advancing global nuclear energy production, the Sinema-backed bill authorizes funding to assist in cleaning up legacy abandoned mining sites on Tribal lands.   The Sinema-backed legislation enjoys broad bipartisan support, cosponsored by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).

6th Circuit rejects Kelsey bid to undo 21-month prison sentence

Posted on by Erik Schelzig

A federal appeals court has rejected former state Sen. Brian Kelsey’s effort to overturn his 21-month prison sentence. 

In an unpublished opinion issued Monday, 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judges Karen Moore and Eugene Siler found that Kelsey’s attorney hadn’t properly objected to an alleged breach of the plea agreement when a federal prosecutor agreed that the former lawmaker could face an enhanced sentence for perjuring himself when he tried to revoke his guilty plea.

“Kelsey’s counsel failed to object adequately to any purported breach in this case,” the judges found.

Judge Raymond Kethledge said the objection had been properly preserved, but found that the government did not breach its obligations under the plea agreement. 

During the August 2023 hearing, U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw asked the government about whether a sentencing enhancement was appropriate because Kelsey had either been untruthful when he first pleaded guilty or when he later insisted he hadn’t committed any crimes. John Taddei of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section said the extra punishment was not part of the original plea agreement, so the government would defer to the court about its application. But Taddei went on to say sentencing guidelines allow for an enhancement if defendants commit perjury during a court proceeding and that Kelsey “repeatedly admitted that he lied at his change of plea hearing.”

“I think the government’s come pretty close to violating the plea agreement,” Little said during the hearing. “It sure sounds like they’re advocating for those two points, and they can’t do that.”

Little said during oral arguments in Cincinnati last month that the government had “bargained away” the right to discuss whether a sentence enhancement was appropriate and should have declined to answer Crenshaw’s question on the topic.

Kelsey had originally pleaded guilty to masterminding a scheme to funnel money from his state campaign account through two other PACs to the American Conservative Union, which in turn spent $80,000 on ads supporting his unsuccessful congressional campaign in 2016.

“The government’s response was truthful and accurate,” Kethledge found. “In this appeal, Kelsey disputes neither that he committed perjury at his plea-withdrawal hearing nor that the obstruction enhancement was applicable.

“Finally, the government did not even request (expressly at least) that the district court apply the enhancement,” Kethledge said.

Crenshaw had put off Kelsey’s reporting date for federal incarceration while the appeal was underway. It isn’t clear when he will now have to turn himself in.

State rejects protests from unsuccessful KanCare bidders Aetna, CareSource

Posted on by Brett Stover

The decision not to award KanCare contracts to Aetna and CareSource is final after the Office of Procurement and Contracts rejected the companies’ protests.

CareSource Kansas and Aetna Better Health of Kansas filed protests in June against the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s choice of Sunflower Health Plan and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan — both current managed care organizations — as well as Healthy Blue.

“The contracts issued will not be vacated,” Director of Procurement and Contracts Todd Herman said July 3 in letters to the two protesters. The awards “will remain in place and will continue forward to be implemented and take effect Jan. 1, 2025.”

The three awardees will operate the state’s privatized Medicaid program through Dec. 31, 2027. At that point, the health department has the option to renew contracts for two one-year periods.

“​​The best interest of the state of Kansas and its citizens would necessitate this process moving forward and these contracts being implemented on schedule without delay,” Herman said.

In formal protests and at a June committee meeting, representatives from Aetna and CareSource slammed the state’s decision-making process, presenting allegations including scoring errors, conflicts of interest and an “irrational” tie-breaking process.

Herman disputed those complaints in published responses to the two protests. For example, he said the emphasis Aetna’s protest placed on the company’s numerical score “fails to recognize all the other information gathered” and said CareSource pointed to individual scores on specific questions but spent “little time addressing the weaknesses of their competitive sealed proposal.”

Additionally, Herman challenged the protesters’ claims of bias, including that former state Medicaid Director Sarah Fertig registered last fall as a lobbyist for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, which is affiliated with Healthy Blue.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield said Fertig’s position has no connection with the bid process, Herman wrote, and CareSource’s protest “provides no evidence Ms. Fertig has engaged in any actions in her new employment which are inconsistent with what was previously stated.”

However, he noted state law places a two-year ban on any state employee from working for a vendor the employee has been “substantially involved” in making a contract with.

“If Ms. Fertig has violated [the statute] then she can be held accountable through a filing of a complaint with the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission,” Herman wrote. “An investigation will be conducted by the KGEC and the commission will determine if a sanction is appropriate and should be imposed.”

Herman emphasized the bidding was a negotiated procurement, which provides more flexibility. The procurement process allows the state to negotiate with bidders and allows companies to augment their proposals based on those discussions.

“The review process for a negotiated procurement could lead the State to discuss with the vendors other avenues in arriving at what is in the best interests of the government,” he said. “This could mean deviating from the specifications in the original posted bid documents.”

CareSource did not respond to State Affairs’ request for comment on Herman’s choice to reject the protest. Aetna said in a statement the company is disappointed with the decision.

“We believe the state implemented a flawed procurement process and we’re evaluating our options,” Aetna said.

Aetna Better Health of Kansas was the state’s only current managed care organization not to receive a new contract. The company’s relationship with Kansas got off to a rocky start in 2019, and Secretary of Administration Adam Proffitt said last year the state would take more into account than just the cost of the companies’ KanCare bids, including their past performance.

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

Indiana tapped for federal broadband access program

Posted on by Jarred Meeks

The federal government on Monday approved a state proposal to expand internet access, giving Indiana permission to request $868 million in funding.

Indiana had submitted a proposal to participate in the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, a part of the Biden administration’s “Internet for All” initiative. Authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the grant program provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access across the U.S.

Indiana will now look to build or upgrade internet access in unserved and underserved areas of the state.

“The internet is now the essential tool for communications in our modern world,” Alan Davidson, assistant secretary of commerce for communications and information, told reporters Monday. “Yet here we are in 2024, and there are still thousands and thousands of homes across Indiana — millions of homes across America — where you cannot get good, high-speed, reliable internet service.”

Later this year, likely in the fall, the state will begin its sub-grantee selection process, Indiana Chief Broadband Officer Steve Cox said, adding that officials hope to make awards before the end of the year. The sub-grantees are expected to build and improve upon broadband infrastructure, connecting more Hoosiers to the internet.

Unserved areas with internet speeds of 25 megabits per second download and 3 Mbps per second upload or less will be prioritized first, and underserved areas — those with internet speeds of up to 100 Mbps/20 Mbps — will be the second, Cox said.

A broadband map displaying the state’s service areas has been provided by the Indiana Broadband Office. However, the state will conclude a challenge process July 15, meaning the map could change after Indiana officials submit their findings to the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Cox said.

“This is the program that will help us bridge that divide,” Gov. Eric Holcomb said. “The program is designed to be able to help urban, suburban and rural Indiana.”

In recent years, Indiana has worked to improve broadband access through the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program. Holcomb said the program expanded access in 82 of Indiana’s 92 counties. He added that the Indiana Connectivity Program expanded the state’s efforts to all 92 counties. Overall, the state, along with local and private partners, had spent more than $1 billion bolstering broadband access prior to Monday’s announcement, Holcomb said.

“It’s not just an advantage to be connected via broadband. It’s a necessity,” Holcomb said.

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

Feds seek ‘low end’ sentencing for ex-Rep. Eberhart in casino conspiracy

Posted on by Tom Davies

Federal prosecutors did not ask a judge to require former state Rep. Sean Eberhart’s cooperation with investigators as part of his sentencing this week on charges of influencing casino legislation in return for the promise of a $350,000-a-year job.

A memorandum filed by prosecutors last week ahead of Eberhart’s scheduled Wednesday sentencing hearing recommends he receive a sentence on the “low end” of sentencing guidelines for the crime.

Eberhart pleaded guilty in November to a felony charge of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, the statutory guidelines for which call for zero to five years in prison.

The federal sentencing memo asked U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Brookman to impose a $25,000 fine and two years of supervised release but did not specifically request prison time for Eberhart.

Eberhart, a Republican from Shelbyville, was an Indiana House member for the 57th District from 2006 until he didn’t seek reelection in 2022. The judge has allowed Eberhart to remain free without any restrictions since his guilty plea.

Prosecutors said in the sentencing memo that Eberhart had won the public trust as a legislator and was a successful business owner at the time of the conspiracy.

“This was not enough for Defendant, he wanted more and chose to commit a crime of economic opportunity, not necessity, to get what he wanted,” the memo said. “Defendant let the allure of an annual salary in excess of $350,000 cause him to betray his responsibilities to the people of the 57th district, and the State at large.”

The memo also does not request any requirement that Eberhart cooperate with investigators or testify in any future cases involving the 2019 conspiracy allegations involving executives of Indianapolis-based Spectacle Entertainment. No one else has been charged in connection with the alleged conspiracy.

Asked whether other cases involving the alleged conspiracy are being investigated, Kelsie Clayton, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Indianapolis, said, “We do not confirm or deny the existence of any investigation.”

Federal prosecutors charged that Eberhart conspired with Spectacle executives to seek provisions in a broad gambling expansion bill potentially saving Spectacle tens of millions of dollars in its plans to move Gary’s twin lakefront casinos to more lucrative inland locations in Gary and Terre Haute.

Eberhart’s plea agreement in November included a provision that he would pay $60,000 in restitution. Clayton confirmed to State Affairs on Monday that the restitution will be ordered.

Eberhart’s defense attorney, Patrick Cotter of Chicago, declined to comment Monday.

The Wednesday sentencing hearing comes more than seven months after Eberhart pleaded guilty in November. Sentencing hearings previously set for February and April were delayed without explanation.

Update: This post was updated to include comment from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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

Wake Up Call for Monday, July 8, 2024

Posted on by Yellow Sheet Report Staff
Senate says Hobbs’ appeal of court loss too early Capitol Media Services The question of whether the Court of Appeals will immediately intercede in the fight between Katie Hobbs and Warren Petersen depends on whether the judges believe they need to step into the political spat right now. Wrap Up with Warren Petersen Arizona Capitol Times The Arizona Capitol Times sat down with Senate President Warren Petersen to reflect on the session, the two-day effort to pass the budget and the big issues going to the ballot in November. Hobbs focused on flipping Legislature Capitol Media Services Gov. Katie Hobbs believes she can help do something that hasn’t happened since before she was born: Put the state House, Senate and governor’s office in Democratic hands. More bills signed by governor, fewer vetoes Arizona Capitol Times Nearly 250 bills received a signature from the governor this legislative session, while others bypassed her desk entirely as Republicans attempted to avoid her veto stamp. Mental health legislation gets bipartisan support Arizona Capitol Times Lawmakers crossed the aisle this session to pass legislation aimed at holding behavioral health treatment centers accountable and increasing inclusivity of severe mental illnesses that are often overlooked. Judges oppose ballot measure on judicial retention Arizona Capitol Times Before the Arizona Supreme Court handed down the highly controversial decision upholding Arizona’s 1864 abortion ban, and before efforts to oust judges materialized, anxiety over increasingly political judicial retention elections already existed. Prop. 123 education funding renewal effort falls short Arizona Capitol Times With Proposition 123, an additional education funding stream through the State Land Trust fund, set to lapse at the end of the next fiscal year, both parties brought out sweeping plans to retool and renew the measure. Blake Masters' latest move in CD8 slugfest with Abe Hamadeh is insulting to voters The Arizona Republic Things are getting downright brutal in the cage fight that is the hottest Republican primary in Arizona, with ads now featuring reptiles and Donald Trump. Celebrate America, but don't call it a Christian nation The Arizona Republic A former president who may once again ascend to the highest office in the land hawks a “patriotic” Bible — one that includes the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Pledge Allegiance and right there at the end of Revelation, Lee Greenwood’s handwritten lyrics in which he proclaims he’s proud to be an American. How about some respect, ESPN, for Pat Tillman's mother? The Arizona Republic And the Pat Tillman Award for Service goes to…Prince Harry. Prince Harry?

Lee hits the airwaves for Lundberg, Ogles backer returns to the spotlight

Posted on by Erik Schelzig

Gov. Bill Lee is appearing in a TV ad backing state Senate Education Chair Jon Lundberg’s effort to turn back a Republican primary challenge from pharmacist Bobby Harshbarger in northeastern Tennessee.

The spot, which is paid for by the Senate Republican Caucus, features the governor touting Lundberg’s opposition to illegal immigration, including his “deciding vote” against a 2015 bill seeking to extend in-state tuition benefits to children who were brought to the United States without authorization.

Jon Lundberg and Bobby Harshbarger

“Some people will do anything to get elected,” Lee says in the ad, which doesn’t mention Harshbarger, the son of U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Kingsport, by name. “Even spread lies about a statesman like Jon Lundberg.”

Editor’s note: A version of this story first appeared in the print edition of The Tennessee Journal. Read the full newsletter here.

Here’s the full transcript of the ad:

Some people will do anything to get elected, even spread lies about a statesman like Jon Lundberg. I’m gonna shoot you straight. Jon Lundberg spent three decades in the Navy. As your legislator, John cracked down on criminal aliens and cast the deciding vote against in-state tuition for illegals. Jon Lundberg knows strong nations have secure borders, and he worked with me to send our troops to Texas. I can count on Jon Lundberg to put Tennessee first. You can too.

Lee also said Lundberg “worked with me to send our troops to Texas,” though it’s unclear what role a lawmaker might have had in deploying National Guard members.

A once and future treasurer?

Freshman U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles has sent out a campaign mailer touting his achievements and an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. As The Tennessean’s Vivian Jones notes, the piece includes a disclaimer that it was “Paid for by Andy Ogles for Congress, Lee Beaman, Treasurer.” Beaman was Ogles’ original treasurer in 2022, a race marked by the candidate’s failure to submit his initial disclosure until eight days after the deadline.

Campaign signs for U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles and Republican primary challenger Courtney Johnston are seen near Franklin on May 31, 2024. (Credit: Erik Schelzig)

The late report, which included a previously denied loan of $320,000 that the campaign has since said was actually just a “pledge,” was signed by Ogles himself. Thomas Datwyler, a national campaign finance consultant, has been Ogles’ treasurer ever since. The Ogles camp has blamed “internal miscommunication” for various reporting problems since he first announced his 2022 campaign. Ogles faces Nashville Metro Council member Courtney Johnston in the GOP primary.

Axios reported on Monday that Johnston has raised $715,000 for her campaign in the second quarter and had more than $500,000 remaining at the end of the period.

Going after the lawyer

Michelle Foreman, who was hit with a $100,000 sanction for filing what a judge found to be a frivolous libel lawsuit against a man to whom she had previously lost a Nashville Metro Council race, is suing her former attorney for malpractice.

Brian Beathard, Michele Foreman and Lee Reeves.

Foreman, who brought the case against Dave Rosenberg during her 2022 bid for an open House seat against Democrat Caleb Hemmer, argues lawyer G. Kline Preston did not properly advise her about the likelihood of success of the case, failed to file a timely appeal of its dismissal and that he did not consult with her before waiving a potential conflict of interest disclosed by Circuit Judge Lynne Ingram because she lived in the House district in question.

Foreman has since moved to Williamson County, where she is running in a three-way Republican primary for the state House seat being vacated by Rep. Sam Whitson, R-Franklin. Her lawsuit against Preston, who has also been a lawyer for Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Brentwood, calls for the attorney to pay the $100,000 penalty, punitive damages and up to $250,000 in costs for a replacement lawyer and a legal challenge to the state Court of Appeals. The other Republican candidates in the House District 65 race are County Commission Chair Brian Beathard and real estate attorney Lee Reeves.

Firefighter fracas

Chris Spencer, the Republican primary challenger of Sen. Ferrell Haile in Sumner and Trousdale counties, has come under criticism for claiming on a talk radio show that he volunteered with the Hendersonville Fire Department and that uniformed firefighters had knocked on doors to oppose him when he narrowly lost a bid for alderman in 2018.

Ferrell Haile and Chris Spencer

The local chapter of the firefighters’ association issued a statement saying Spencer had never been a volunteer for the department and that union members had in fact been wearing custom made t-shirts —not uniforms — when they went door-to-door during the earlier race. Spencer issued a statement on social media to clarify that he didn’t mean he had served as a volunteer fireman, but that he had agreed to a request by Fire Marshal Paul Vrable to field phone calls from residents upset about blasting by Rogers Group, a construction aggregate company (which, Spencer noted, has donated to Haile’s campaign).

Spencer filed a federal lawsuit seeking punitive damages from the city, fire marshal and fire chief for engaging in a “civil conspiracy” to defeat him in the alderman race and engaging in a retaliation against him after he sought public records that he said would show fire department officials campaigned against him during office hours.

Spencer said the defendants opposed him because he was against funding fire department buildings. U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger dismissed the case in 2021, finding Spencer’s First Amendment rights had not been violated and that “an adverse campaign is the price of running for political office.”

Spencer’s appearance on WQKR-AM’s “Good Morning Portland” devolved into a testy exchange with host Mike Menefee. Spencer bristled at repeated mentions of his involvement with the Sumner County Constitutional Republicans, which campaign manager Jeff Hartline called “a red herring.” Spencer said his endorsements from Tennessee Right to Life, country music star John Rich, Moms for America and retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn were more relevant to the race.

Spencer has since sent out a mailer attacking the incumbent for being weak on illegal immigration, urging voters: “Don’t let our country go to Haile.”

A Ferrell Haile TV ad as broadcast on July 6, 2024. (Credit: Haile campaign)

Meanwhile, Senate Speaker Randy McNally’s PAC has sent out more mailers attacking Spencer for failing to pay his federal taxes and Haile has launched a TV ad in which he touts his positions on immigration and supporting Donald Trump. Here is a transcript:

He stood with Trump to stop the invasion. Defended Tennessee. That’s Ferrell Haile’s record. Our fearless conservative voice in Nashville. Ferrell Haile led the fight to keep the illegal aliens out of our state and help Tennessee sue Biden for costing taxpayers with his open border policies. That’s why Governor Bill Lee endorses Ferrell Haile. Trusted to put Tennessee first and protect our our way of life. Pro-Trump. Fearless conservative fighter. Ferrell Haile for state Senate.

McCormick hopes to bring ‘focus on real issues’ to Indiana governor’s race

Posted on by Rory Appleton

As she walked into Golden Hour Books in Indianapolis, Katie Marlowe had a mental list of topics for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick to address: Reproductive rights, low wages, the cost of housing and child care. 

“I have two children in their late 30s, and I’ve been watching them struggle to get a foothold in this state,” Marlowe, of Indianapolis, told State Affairs at the early evening campaign stop. 

Maryann Ruegger, also of Indianapolis, brought concerns about the state’s water quality and educational outcomes to the campaign stop. “Educated people are our infrastructure,” she said. 

Both women watched as McCormick, fresh from a candidate forum opposite U.S. Sen. and Republican nominee Mike Braun, stepped onto her proverbial stump at the front of a room crowded with about 40 people.

Without the benefit of a microphone, stage or notes, the former Republican state superintendent of public instruction talked about restoring abortion rights, reforming education and lowering health care costs. 

Continue reading “McCormick hopes to bring ‘focus on real issues’ to Indiana governor’s race”

Kansas Daily News Wire July 8, 2024

Posted on by Matt Resnick

Welcome to the Kansas Daily News Wire, your daily roundup of top state and political stories from newsrooms across Kansas. — Hawver’s Capitol Report/State Affairs

STATE

Kansas Supreme Court upholds abortion rights in two decisions: The Dobbs decision doesn’t “even bring into question” the Kansas Constitution’s implied right to abortion, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled Friday. (Stover, State Affairs)

Former reporter settles part of her lawsuit over a police raid on a Kansas newspaper for $235,000:  A former reporter for a weekly Kansas newspaper has agreed to accept $235,000 to settle part of her federal lawsuit over a police raid on the paper that made a small community the focus of a national debate over press freedoms. (Associated Press)

Lane takes reins as literacy chief, tasked with overhaul of classroom reading instruction: Cynthia Lane, director of the newly-devised Blueprint for Literacy initiative, hopes to better the state’s ranking by introducing classroom instruction centered on the “Science of Reading” and evidence-based structured literacy strategies. (Resnick, State Affairs)

Foul play suspected in Kansas man’s disappearance, KBI says: The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says foul play is suspected in a missing Kansas man’s disappearance. (KSN)

NATIONAL

Tropical Storm Beryl expected to make landfall in Texas as hurricane: Tropical Storm Beryl is expected to make landfall on the Texas coast as a Category 1 hurricane early Monday, accompanied by a life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds, U.S. forecasters said. (NBC News)

LOCAL

LaRocca’s Pizza to be featured on nationwide food roadshow: A local pizza restaurant will be the next star of America’s Best Restaurants. (KSNT)

Proposed Lawrence city budget would hike property taxes, seek to double .05% sales tax to support homelessness solutions: The Lawrence city manager’s proposed budget for 2025 would increase the property tax rate, and it proposes doubling the current .05% affordable housing sales tax to support homelessness initiatives. It also recommends trimming some of the Parks and Recreation budget. (Lawrence Times)

From the beginning: Grand marshal recalls 30 years of Wild West Festival: In his light blue Pontiac Tempest, Bob Swift and his wife, Sandra, led the parade for the 30th-annual Wild West Festival Saturday as the grand marshall. (Hays Post)

Colorado couple killed in Kansas plane crash were beloved figures of the aviation community: An elderly couple from Colorado who were prominent faces in the aviation community, were killed after their plane went down in a field. (WIBW)

Howey Daily Wire July 8, 2024

Posted on by Howey Politics Indiana

Happy Monday!

Good morning, subscribers. The team at State Affairs reports Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is on the cusp of becoming the first independent presidential candidate to make Indiana’s election ballot in 24 years. Also, the state has issued a request for information to gauge research institutions’ interest in studying the therapeutic value of psilocybin. Have a great week! — Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs

RFK Jr. nears qualifying for Indiana ballot: Jennifer Reinoehl, a Granger resident who has helped organize the Indiana petition drive, said Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supporters turned in more than 57,000 petition signatures before more were submitted in a final batch on July 1. (Davies, State Affairs)

State begins search for institutions to further to further research of ‘magic mushrooms’: State lawmakers established the therapeutic psilocybin research fund earlier this year through House Enrolled Act 1259 to financially help Indiana research institutions conduct clinical studies to evaluate psilocybin’s efficacy as a treatment for mental health and other medical conditions. (Meeks, State Affairs)

STATE

Indiana OKs sports wagering on all Olympics events: The Indiana Gaming Commission authorized sports wagering operators to offer bets on all available events at the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. (Carden, NWI Times)

Technology hubs embraced as catalyst for growth: Two years after the federal CHIPS and Science Act became law, its goal of fueling domestic innovation and high-tech manufacturing in the areas of microelectronics, biotechnology, artificial intelligence and more is starting to move from concept into action in Indiana and nationwide. (Charron, IBJ)

Farmer sentiment dips in June; solar offers increase: Agriculture producers continue to express concern over their farms’ performance, according to the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, while many producers noted an increase in the offers they’ve received for leasing their land for solar energy projects. (Brown, Inside Indiana Business)

Questions about Indiana’s new execution drug: State and federal officials alike have remained close-lipped about where pentobarbital is sourced from and how much it costs. (Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Tomorrow: Beryl expected to dump rain on Indiana as tropical depression — The National Weather Service Indianapolis says that Beryl’s path could still be altered, but at this point several inches of rain are forecast for late Tuesday night and most of Wednesday. (Fritz, WIBC-FM)

LOCAL

Plot to oust Vanderburgh County GOP’s Duckworth takes a new turn: The much-ballyhooed plot to oust Vanderburgh County Republican Chairman Mike Duckworth before his term expires in March may be losing steam. (Langhorne, Courier & Press)

Clark County seeks to change safety plan due to EMS staff shortage: Clark County health officials are trying to change their public safety plan to allow for more agencies to transport people to the hospital after the current EMS provider reported a staff shortage. (Breese, WHAS-TV)

Adams County approves plan to expand recovery services for people leaving local jail: The Integrated Recovery And Correctional Support program was approved by Adams County commissioners. The program available in 42 Indiana counties assists people as they leave jail. (Mann, Decatur Daily Democrat)

Sheridan looks to merge Adams Township to control growth: The town of Sheridan and Adams Township are looking to merge, a move that would give Sheridan planning and zoning control over an area that is currently unincorporated and is the jurisdiction of county planners. (Bradley, IBJ)

CONGRESS

House Oversight Committee requests interview, documents from Biden’s physician: U.S. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chairman of the House Oversight Committee, issued a letter to President Joe Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, requesting a transcribed interview and documents, citing reports that he has not recommended the president take a cognitive test. (ABC)

Congress returns for pivotal week as Democrats sweat over Biden: Lawmakers return from their Fourth of July holiday recess with Democrats facing mounting questions about whether they will band together and urge President Joe Biden to nix his reelection campaign amid serious concerns the 81-year-old incumbent is not up to the job of serving four more years. (USA Today)

Congressional schedule: The House will meet at noon and begin business at 2 p.m. with last votes no later than 6:30 p.m. On the agenda is legislation regarding the management of royalties from oil and gas lease payments. The Senate will convene at 3 p.m. to resume consideration of the nomination of Nancy L. Maldonado to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit.

PRESIDENTIAL 2024

Democrats fear years of work in rural America erased by debate: Democrats in rural America fear President Biden’s debate performance is undercutting their painstaking efforts to build trust with their communities, a stark example of how the fallout is hurting the party with some of the key voters they’ve been trying to bring into the fold. (Politico)

Trump, GOP eye blue states after debate: President Biden’s struggles are opening the door for former President Trump to make a play in multiple blue states, a possibility that wasn’t fathomed just weeks ago as Democrats continue to grapple with fallout from Biden’s costly debate performance. (The Hill)

NATION

White House schedule: President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will receive the Daily Brief in the morning. Following, Harris will receive briefings and conduct internal meetings with staff.

SUNDAY TALK

Biden campaign co-chair says Harris ‘increasing her role’ in reelection effort: Former U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., said Vice President Kamala Harris is “increasing her role” in the campaign ahead of November’s election. (The Hill)

Sanders: ‘What we have got to focus on is policy’ after Biden age questions — Sen. Bernie Sanders said the focus for President Biden to win reeelection in 2024 should be on policy amid questions over the president’s age that have roiled the political sphere since his debate against former President Donald Trump last month. (CBS)

Vance says he has ‘not gotten the call’ from Trump asking to be his VP: U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, said former President Donald Trump has not spoken to him about joining his campaign as his vice presidential pick. (NBC)

Rubio defends Supreme Court immunity ruling: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., defended the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity last week, saying that the justices “clarified what the law is.” (The Hill)

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