The Gov Hub: October 16, 2023

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Gov Hub
October 16, 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.

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ISRAEL AND GAZA

As tragic events continue to unfold across the region following the October 7th terrorist attack, we want to make sure that y’all have access to top level reporting on what’s going on that can keep you updated all the days, not just on Monday’s. So, we’re handing the mic and the pen over to these reporters and news sources who are best equipped to provide facts on the matter at hand:

As always, and as a refresher, hate is not welcome here. Antisemitism is not welcome here. Islamophobia is not welcome here. No ifs, buts, or maybes about it:

THE ACTION ITEMS

Jump right in

ACTION 1:

The Ask: Submit a comment to the Biden Administration - No drilling in the Arctic Refuge.

The Action: Submit your comment here.

The Background: In positive news, President Biden recently canceled the Trump-era oil leases already sold in the Arctic Refuge. However, more needs to be done to protect these precious ecosystems now and in the future. Permanent protections are needed and the Bureau of Land Management needs to know that is what we want. Luckily there are two comment periods made available by the Bureau of Land Management on the issue, which are accessible now.

ACTION 2:

The Ask: Tell your [federal] representatives to support Farm Bill Conservation Programs.

The Action: Hit send on this pre-written digital note.

The Background: According to the Nature Conservancy, “conservation programs in the Farm Bill provide nearly $6 billion annually and result in cleaner water, decreased carbon emissions, healthier and more productive soils, enhanced wildlife habitat, rural clean energy solutions and increased flood control.” This positions the Farm Bill to be an incredibly critical vehicle for climate and conservation progress. As of now, the legislation, which is reauthorized every five years, expired on October 1 – a huge problem in many respects [most], but the silver lining is that it [the gov shutdown saga turned house speaker saga turned nothing is moving as a result saga] provides more time to tell your reps that you expect them to say yes to conservation funding in the Farm Bill.

ACTION 3:

The Ask: Keep yourself accountable [and your friends too], by pledging to vote in 2024.

The Action: Pledge to vote here.

The Background: 2024 is literally just around the corner. HOW?! Literally, HOW?! So, get started on the planning by pledging to vote and getting your friends to get in on the action too. This can help get the ball rolling on getting excited to vote as a crew.

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

FULL SEND…TO A FRIEND

Just about guaranteed to make it to the group chat

  • Although the viral tumble happened in ‘14 prior to his blocking the promotions of incredibly important military leaders, ambassadors, and so on days, Senator Tuberville’s slide down the tarmac steps is somewhere between Three Stooges gold and tbh, relatable. Some go from 0-100 real quick, he goes from Tuberville to Tumbler-ville even faster.

  • This easy to read FAQ guide on Ohio’s Issue 1 or abortion ballot measure that’s hitting ballots this November is a must-send to any and all Ohio friends and fam.

  • The Dark Brandon troll machine has entered the chat – the Truth Social chat that is, creating a profile that only follows one – Donald Trump.

  • The saga of the Beetlejuice Boyfriend Bonanza seen around the world continues with this hoopla.

  • Just a cutie lil’ reminder for our NY fam to hop over to the Climate Museum’s interactive exhibit, THE END OF FOSSIL FUEL is Soho. We went - we loved it - and we think you’ll love it too. Get free tix here.

  • We can’t take credit for finding this gem on a solution for selecting a speaker of the house [shoutout Politico Playbook] but like it’s kind of on the money……

BACK ON OUR BILLSH*T

Bills, bills, bills

FEDERAL: This bill isn’t just bipartisan, it’s a bill that passed unanimously in the Senate. The bill is the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act, and its aim is to ensure that federal dollars that go out the door for maternal and child health purposes can be used for stillbirth prevention efforts. Specifically, the bill would amend the Social Security Act to explicitly permit public health officials to use federal money allocated under Title V Maternal and Child Health block grants for stillbirth reduction and prevention initiatives. These efforts are sorely needed with ProPublica reporting that as many as 1 in 4 stillbirths may be preventable. The bill now heads to the eyes of the House.

CALIFORNIA: It’s John Hancock official, SB-19 has been signed into law, establishing the Anti-Fentanyl Abuse Task Force in California. The Task force will be charged with collecting critical data on fentanyl use and abuse in the state. The data collected will then be evaluated and used to determine the best possible practices for combatting and reducing fentanyl use. The hope is that the task force will be able to get a better grasp on the many facets to this issue and create a meaningful approach in responding to the fentanyl crisis.

WAIT, WAIT UPDATE ME

ICYMI, political ongoings in no particular order

REPUBLICAN JEFF LANDRY WINS LOUISIANA GOVERNOR’S RACE: The man, the myth, and the one dubbed ‘the bad Landry’ by Louisiana State Rep. Mandie Landry – Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry won the state’s race for the governorship. The win flips the seat back to Republican, after an eight-year stint being held by a Democrat. The Trump endorsee turned governor-elect has managed to carve out a national profile with his anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQA+ views, fights with the Biden admin, and time previously spent on the Hill as a congressman. Where will he take the tides of his own admin? We’ll see, just like we’ll see what happens with a number of other races that will be decided via runoff in November, including who will be the next Louisiana attorney general.

HOUSE SPEAKER WHO? NOBODY KNOWS: In a sea of bad, terrible, and downright atrocious options, Rep. Jim Jordan is still in the running for the Speakership. That comes after an internal conference vote on Friday that gave him 124 votes to Rep. Austin Scott’s 81. The math obvi still did not math enough to make the next move bringing a vote to the floor. The same math did not math again when a second conference or ‘validation vote’ occurred and garnered Jim Jordan just 152 votes with 55 no’s. And to that, the response from team Jordan was to keep pushing and to their credit, that push has helped them gain momentum, and turn no votes to yes votes. There are a range of “we won’t say until you see” GOP members, discussion of working out a compromise with the Dems (unlikely), experimenting with other options (also unlikely ATM), that will all come to a head tomorrow (Tuesday, October 17, 2023) when it comes to the House floor for a vote. Safe to say, stay tuned on this soap opera of mass consequence.

TRUMP GETS HIT WITH PARTIAL GAG ORDER IN JAN. 6-RELATED CASE: There is something about reading and writing the word gag that causes a visceral reaction. We’re not sure what to do about that, but we are sure that Judge Tanya S. Chutkan [U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia] means business with this partial gag order. The order aims to restrict Trump’s statements, specifically barring him from attacking witnesses, prosecutors, and court staff involved in one of the many cases against him. This particular case involves four felony charges related to his efforts to subvert the 2020 election. The order comes after many weeks and beyond of Trump making threats – veiled and direct to those involved with the case – painting his own picture of events, and taking on the role of spin-master with the spray tan on the campaign trail. Somebody please tell men about hobbies. Anyways, the worry and reason for the order is that it will create bias in the proceedings and overall jeopardize the possibility of a fair trial. The argument against the gag order is the classic free speech argument. Regardless of semantics, regardless of rules, and even threat of punishment for violating the order, we’re not holding our breath that Trump obliges.

KEY STORIES TO HAVE ON YOUR RADAR

  • NBC: Driving 100 miles in labor; giving birth in the ER: Fears rise as 3 maternity units prepare to close in Alabama

  • The Hill: Federal government declares 21 species extinct

  • AP: Wisconsin Supreme Court asked to draw new legislative boundaries over Republican objections

  • Reuters: Virginia elections offer a test case on abortion ahead of 2024

GOOD NEWS BEARS

Positive political achievement(s) - yes, those do exist

STATEN ISLAND LANDFILL TURNED INTO PUBLIC PARK & WILDLIFE SANCTUARY: We really might have to bring back the bipartisan bell, because working across the aisle got this accomplishment done. The ribbon was offish cut at Freshkills Park in Staten Island at the first section of the park to open. The land previously lived its life as a landfill/residential garbage ground. Smellin’ fresh was not its vibe from 1948-2001. But, again, as a result of a bipartisan effort, the 2,200 acres of land was converted to parkland, which according to reporting on the opening, makes it 3x bigger than Central Park. The park’s development is still underway and is being completed in phases, but this represents a big kickoff to progress in creating more green space.

FWD, SUBSCRIBE

Inbox musts and mentions

DAILY JOBS DIGEST FROM ARENA: If you’re interested in working in progressive politics, the Daily Jobs Digest from Arena is an inbox must. Get on the list to receive deats on the hottest jobs in the progressive space and tips for navigating your career, Mon-Thur, by signing up for an Arena Careers profile. It takes less time to sign up for than the commercial breaks between Real Housewives episodes on Peacock – IYKYK and if you know, we see you. Not sure what political careers to consider? Get started with a walk down Inspo lane here and here.

USA FACTS NEWSLETTER: Nothing has reminded us how much we loved pie charts in school than the USA Fact Newsletter, which distills key nonpartisan data about just about every issue under the USA sun into digestible tidbits. Filled with charts and fun facts to tell at a party and make lots of friends with, the newsletter’s focus on one issue area at a time and are an inbox must. Get on the list here – and bonus, check out their weekly facts quiz here.

KEEPING IT CURRANT: The new kid in class, this newsletter from GATG x Social Currant goes out monthly to creators and their teams. It’s focused on sharing insights and tips n’ tricks for creators finding themselves at the intersection of content and politics. The next edition is brewing and will be live in inboxes at the end of October. Don’t miss it, get on the list here.

BOOKMARK IT

Don’t lose the link, bookmark it

CARBON FOOTPRINT CALCULATOR: What’s your carbon footprint? Find out with the Carbon Footprint Calculator from The Nature Conservancy. Actually, don’t just find out – have your friends find out too, compare your footprints, and make a plan to reduce it – together. Or make it a part of New Year’s resolution, which is just around the corner [yikes]. Bookmark the calc here.

CANDIDATE WATCH ‘24

The following Dems have said put me in coach for…

**inclusion in the above section does not mean an endorsement**

THE POD

Hit play

We’ll be back with a fresh episode this week. In the meantime, make sure you’re subscribed on Apple Podcasts, have hit follow on Spotify, and of course have hit subscribe on YouTube.

ALL THINGS GIRL AND THE GOV®

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Other *things* of note on the comms front:

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