Tag: state

Congress drives CIO authorities deeper down at USDA, Justice, State

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While the spotlight shines brightest on the fiscal 2023 omnibus bill around which agency got how much money and for which programs, federal employees can’t lose sight of the consolidated appropriations bill as a key policy document. Scattered throughout the 4,100 page bill, there are nuggets of new or ongoing requirements that impact every part of an agency’s mission. The Senate passed the omnibus bill Dec. 22 by a vote of 68 to 29. At the same time, the language lawmakers’ use provides insight into what they are paying attention…

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NDAA backs State Dept efforts to build up workforce, modernize diplomatic mission

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Congress is backing many of the State Department’s plans to modernize its workforce and bring its diplomatic corps into the 21st century in the latest defense policy bill. The fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act lawmakers passed this week directs the department to keep the House and Senate up to date on its plans to stand up its Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, as well as provide updates on its hiring efforts. The NDAA specifically requires the department to inform lawmakers how well it’s meeting its long-term goal of…

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Washington State Ban on Natural Gas Heating Is All Cost, No Benefit

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The Washington State Building Code Council, an unelected board that governs construction standards, on Nov. 4 decided to effectively ban natural gas heating in new-construction homes and office buildings. Advocates of the new restrictions admitted reluctantly that their new requirements will increase the cost of housing, but perhaps even more notable is that the new rules will do nothing to advance the purported goal; namely, reducing the state’s CO2 emissions. The combination of artificially high cost and no benefit makes the new regulations a textbook example of how some politicians…

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Statement of MoveOn Executive Director Rahna Epting on the Supreme Court ruling on New York State Rifle & Pistol Asso­ci­ation v. Bruen

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“Let’s be clear: This ruling will only fuel the epidemic of gun violence in this country. It is a shameful and outrageous decision which will lead to more deaths and more violence. The conservative-packed Supreme Court, in concert with Republicans in Congress, is ensuring our schools, our grocery stores, and our churches will continue to be targets of violence and not the sanctuaries and safe places they should be.  “It is hard to imagine a Supreme Court that is more out of touch with the people of this nation than…

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California Politician Says State Should Imitate China, Europe, Not Texas, on Electric Vehicle Mandates 

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California’s electric vehicle mandate should align with Europe and China rather than other states such as Texas and Mississippi, a member of California’s air quality board said as it recently voted to ban the sale of new gas- and diesel-powered cars and light trucks by 2035.   What California does to require residents to purchase electric vehicles ought to line up with the “world market” rather than Texas, Mississippi, and their “ilk,” Hector De La Torre, a former state legislator appointed to the California Air Resources Board by the State Assembly,…

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Harris says the administration plans to help women cross state lines to get abortions

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Vice President Kamala Harris said Monday that the Supreme Court’s overturning of abortion rights was “shocking,” and that the Biden administration is exploring a wide range of federal aid for women seeking to travel to states that still allow abortions. The Washington Times stories: White House

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