The Gov Hub: November 27, 2023

Author

Gov Hub
November 27, 2023

Welcome to The Gov Hub Newsletter by Girl and the Gov®. This weekly pop of politics is designed to share action items, resources, and quick links to civic engagement tools and topics to inboxes far and wide. Typos are included free of charge. 

Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here.

THE ACTION ITEMS

Jump right in

ACTION 1: 

The Ask: Tell Congress to pass the bipartisan Lower Costs, More Transparency Act to ensure hospitals charge the same price for their services regardless of where the care is delivered. 

The Action: Hit send on this note to your [federal] reps here.

The Background: Big Hospital is a behemoth of a monopoly that has pastimes that include playing hide and seek with the price of services, price gouging, junk fees, dishonest billing practices, and varying prices for care depending on the location. Not exactly great hobbies, ya know? One bipartisan bill being considered to put these hobbies in the trash is the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act. The bill, if passed, would lower healthcare costs for patients, and also protect them from unfair practices. Specifically, it would: 

  • Stop big hospital corps from setting unfair and inflated health care prices.

  • Stop these players from engaging in shady and dishonest billing practices.

  • Promote hospital price transparency.

  • Ensure that hospitals follow a site neutral payment policy, i.e. charge the same price for their services regardless of where the care is provided.

ACTION 2: 

The Ask: Tell the Senate to pass the Combating International Islamophobia Act.

The Action: Send this pre-written note to your Senator from Poligon.

The Background: Islamophobia is never acceptable, and yet it is on the rise across the world. Creating the proper channels and departments to combat this rise in hate – both in action and in rhetoric from individuals and governments – is a critical step in creating large-scale solutions globally. The Combating International Islamophobia Act would begin this process by requiring the State Department to create a Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia. In addition, according to a release from Rep. Omar on the bill, it would also, “establish a comprehensive strategy for establishing U.S. leadership in combating Islamophobia worldwide.”

ACTION 3: 

The Ask: Sign up to become a poll worker and protect our elections.

The Action: Get up to speed on how to become a poll worker here.

The Background: Poll workers are a critical member of the protect our elections squad. They make sure elections run smoothly and stay organized – so, yes, admin queens that heart democracy, this is a volunteer opportunity made for you. Also, how fun would this be to do with your friends? And getting to give out the I voted stickers? Iconic.

Looking for more action items? Check our library of past Gov Hub’s.

FULL SEND…TO A FRIEND

Just about guaranteed to make it to the group chat

  • FLOTUS led the big reveal of this year’s White House holiday decorations and in taking a look at the pics of each room, it’s safe to say Rudolph would totally approve.

  • There are apparently a ton of things you can do with a dental degree, including this dream career.

  • Spotted: Rep. Jeff Jackson on The Daily discussing the outrage olympics that have taken over Congress, eliminating gerrymandering, and why he’s running for NC AG.

  • Iconic ballet dancer Misty Copeland makes incredible pointes in her argument to Apple [and beyond] that more diverse shades of the ballet pointe shoe emoji are needed. She also started this petition, which you can sign to support her initiative.  

  • Merriam-Webster has unveiled its word of the year – as well as a few others that have been making their rounds across the interwebs and generations, like Rizz.

  • Monica Lewinsky penned an op-ed for Vanity Fair on six constitutional amendments that are sorely needed including a ban on presidential self-pardons and getting rid of the electoral college. It’s giving Monica for prez?!

THE ULTIMATE OFFICE SECRET SANTA GIFT

Make yourself your colleague’s fave co-worker by gifting them #VIRAL

Dropping every Tuesday, #VIRAL shares content ideas that work specifically for the political space, along with how they can be executed. Paired with platform tutorials, updates, social media news, and how-to’s, the newsletter is a digital team’s BFF, and the ultimate upgrade for those looking to create content that informs and resonates with their audience [voters]. Get a subscription for the team, yourself, or your office Secret Santa at a special cyber Monday rate – 15% off the first month – by using this link. 

Offer valid through December 31, 2023

BOOKMARK IT

Don’t lose the link you love; bookmark it

PUNDITFACT: This project like its sister, PolitiFact, provides fact checks galore and ranks them on a truth scale. This particular variation on a theme is made specifically for pundits, covering the waterfront from online bloggers to cable news show regulars. Bookmark the page to check out regular fact checks and rankings, and submit claims to be fact checked here.

CDC DRINKING WATER DATA MAP: Ever wonder where the data on your drinking water lived? On this map. Add in what data you want to see, the measurement method, and the area and bingo you’ll pop out a result; check out data measurements for PFAS, arsenic, and so much more by bookmarking the map maker, here.

BACK ON OUR BILLSH*T

Bills, bills, bills

CALIFORNIA: The Golden State has passed a new law that will mandate that K-12 students learn media literacy as part of what is referred to as their ‘modules plan.’ The aim of the mandate, which comes by way of AB 873, is to teach students how to develop critical skills for ID-ing false info online. The bill’s design and implementation come at a time of increased distrust in media and a rise of misinformation spreading across social media to various and dangerous ends. The bill’s mandate will go into effect starting January 2024.

PENNSYLVANIA: Hot off the presses and right into effect in January, a new law in PA will now require doctors to get a patient’s verbal and written consent before medical students can perform pelvic, prostate or rectal exams on someone who receives anesthesia. Does that sound like something that should be common sense? Well, we’d have to agree, but apparently it was not, and exams were being done without the consent of patients. Cue, the new law, which clarifies that unless there is verbal and written consent, medical students can’t perform medically unnecessary exams as a part of their training. The new law strikes a $1,000 penalty for any violations by healthcare providers, which is the liable party should a student perform an unlawful, unapproved exam.

CANDIDATE WATCH ‘24

The following have said put me in coach for….

  • KANSAS: Paul Buskirk is running for Congress in Kansas [District 1]. Learn more about his campaign here.

  • PENNSYLVANIA: Delaware County DA Jack Stollsteimer has announced that he’s running for PA attorney general. Learn more about his campaign here.

Inclusion does not indicate an endorsement

THE POD

The latest and greatest

How does one find a job in the progressive political space? They look to the team at Arena, which offers role-specific campaign training via Arena Academy, a resume bank, and a laundry list of great tools that connect employers with prospective hires. These tools and more, including why these resources are so important to building out the next generation of progressive political staff, were discussed on the latest episode of the podcast with Arena Managing Partner, Lauren Baer. Dive into the discussion and get up to speed on what tools you need to job into life on the campaign trail here:

GOOD NEWS BEARS

Positive political reads and achievements [yes, those do exist]

DEM-DRAWN CONGRESSIONAL MAPS UPHELD IN NEW MEXICO: A decision out of the New Mexico Supreme Court upheld a Democratic-drawn congressional map, keeping the map as-is for 2024 and through the remainder of the redistricting cycle. The W comes after the GOP filed a lawsuit against the new map, claiming that it was gerrymandered. What’s interesting here is that the court actually didn’t say the GOP was entirely wrong about their claim, causing a bit of ping pong amongst the courts. However, and what leaves this decision in place is the court determined that: “while the congressional map does favor Democrats, it did not find that “the disparate treatment of vote dilution rises to the level of an egregious gerrymander.” So, a close but no cigar situation, dare we say?

BIDEN ANNOUNCES 30 NEW ACTIONS TO AMP-UP US SUPPLY CHAINS; LOWER COSTS: Today, during the first-ever meeting of the newly established White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience, Biden announced 30 actions designed to bolster US supply chains and lower costs for Americans. The first action is creating the council in the first place, which brings together economic, environmental, and intelligence minds to develop solutions and strategies for creating a healthy supply chain. Amongst the 30 actions is a push to use the Defense Production Act to make more essential medicines in the US to mitigate drug shortages; the establishment of cross-governmental partnerships to enhance supply chain monitoring; tracking of critical energy and mineral supply; risk mapping for labor rights abuses; and all of these.

ABORTION RIGHTS GROUP IN MONTANA PROPOSES CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO CODIFY ACCESS: Late last week, repro rights advocates made big moves in their efforts to get abortion on the 2024 ballot in Montana. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana, which is behind the effort, submitted a proposed constitutional amendment to Montana’s secretary of state for review. According to reporting on the initiative, the proposed amendment would broadly establish “a right to make and carry out decisions about one’s own pregnancy, including the right to abortion” amongst other details as described here. Before moving ahead to the signature race to the finish, the proposed language will need to be approved by Montana Legislative Services Division and pass a legal review by the Montana Attorney General (the GOP’s Austin Knudsen). Should it get the go ahead, organizers/supporters will then need to collect signatures from 10% of the state’s electorate, including 10% of voters in each legislative House district. Cue, the game of ‘wait and see.’

WAIT, WAIT UPDATE ME

ICYMI, political ongoings in no particular order

TRUMP TO TAKE THE STAND IN CIVIL TRIAL: In a teaser for an upcoming episode of the civil fraud trial that’s being filmed like Parks & Rec, Trump will take to the witness stand to testify yet again. This time around, on December 11, the dynamics will play out yet again, but this time with his own lawyers opening the questioning. The questions will pertain to claims of conspiracy, insurance fraud, and falsifying biz records. Mark the calendar! 

BALLOT SELFIE FELONY CHARGE DISMISSED AGAINST WISCONSIN OFFICIAL: While we totally get the appeal of a ballot selfie and proudly showing off that you voted, it’s not always legal. In this case, a local Wisconsin official posted a pic aka a selfie of his completed ballot during the April ‘22 election. Under a state law that says ballot selfies are a no-go, the official Paul Buzzell, could’ve been sentenced to 3.5 years behind bars and $10K in fines, but the charges were dropped. The judge presiding over the case, Ozaukee County Judge Paul Malloy, said toodles to the charges, saying that stopping voters from showing their marked ballot was a violation of the right to free speech. This isn’t the first time this argument has been used, and we’re sure it won’t be the last.

KEY STORIES TO HAVE ON YOUR RADAR

Additional stories to tune into from around the USA

  • Vermont Public: Jason Eaton pleads not guilty to shooting three students of Palestinian descent visiting Burlington, Vermont

  • Iowa Starting Line: Iowa Republican activist found guilty of voter fraud

  • ProPublica: This Youth Detention Center Superintendent Illegally Locks Kids Alone in Cells. No One Has Forced Him to Stop.

ATLAS

Stories from around the globe - section background avail here

  • CNBC: Taiwan’s presidential election is a three-way race. These are the parties vying to replace Tsai Ing-Wen.

  • Politico: Russia hits Ukraine with biggest drone strike since invasion

  • The Hill: Missiles fired toward US Navy warship during distress response in Middle East, officials say

  • The Guardian: Violent protests in Dublin after woman and children injured in knife attack

MORE GIRL AND THE GOV® TINGS

The more the merrier

→ FOR DIGITAL TEAMS AND MANAGERS → 

SOCIAL MEDIA AUDITS & CONSULTING: Giving accounts makeovers better than those seen on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” back in the day, audits and GATG’s full range of consulting offerings level up accounts across platform types. Book a Discovery Call to learn more.

PODCAST AUDITS & CONSULTING: From getting a pod off the ground to audits, brainstorms, and more, GATG’s podcast expertise is available wherever you need it most. Book a Discovery Call to learn more.

→ FOR CREATORS AND THEIR TEAMS → 

KEEPING IT CURRANT, THE NEWSLETTER: Built for creators and their teams, this newsletter from Social Currant and Girl and the Gov® is designed to share the latest info about the creator economy and its intersection with the political and social impact space. Keep currant and subscribe here.

→ FOR FANS OF THE POD → 

HOT MIC’D, THE NEWSLETTER: The POVs, the tea, the behind the scenes, the recs, and more from the co-hosts of Girl and the Gov, The Podcast, Sammy and Maddie. Add it to your Thursday rotation here.

THE GROUP CHAT → THE GOV CLUB: The Gov Club is part LinkedIn but make it accessible for the girlies, and part group chat about anything and everything political under the sun - from action items to job opps to memes and mayhem. Come say hi – join The Gov Club

SHOP THE GAL’S FAVES: Picks for working in politics to hiking trails with the pups, this ever growing assortment of faves may just have you adding to cart. Shop ‘em all here.