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For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 11, 2022Contact: media@prochoiceamerica.org

Washington, DC Today, once again, Republicans in the U.S. Senate blocked the advancement of the Womens Health Protection Act (WHPA). This critical bill would safeguard the legal right to abortion throughout the United States, which is more important than ever after a leaked draft majority opinion revealed that the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to soon overturn Roe v. Wade. Every Republican in the Senate voted against advancing WHPA and protecting our fundamental rights.

NARAL Pro-Choice America President Mini Timmaraju released the following statement in response:

Today, Republicans in the Senate once again failed the American people. The recently leaked draft decision made clear that the Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade and underscored how urgent our fight to protect reproductive freedom isbut these out-of-touch lawmakers simply do not care. Instead of safeguarding our fundamental rights, Republican senators have once again abdicated their responsibility.

We are grateful to Leader Schumer and Democratic leadership for bringing this vote to the floor and to every senator who voted in support of this critical bill. Thank you for recognizing the importance of this moment and for stepping up to protect our freedom to make our own decisions about our lives, families, and futures. We know that these cruel bans and restrictions on abortion most harm those who already face barriers to accessing the care they needincluding women; Black, Indigenous, and people of color; those working to make ends meet; LGBTQ+ people; immigrants; young people; those living in rural communities; and people with disabilities. We must take action to fight back.

We have a message for the lawmakers who blocked this bill and refused to fight for our freedoms and our families: Voters will remember who showed up for them at this moment of crisis and who chose to walk away. Well see you at the ballot box.

The Womens Health Protection Act (WHPA) would safeguard the federal right to abortion across the country, even if Roe v. Wade falls. This legislation would create a right for healthcare providers to provide abortion care and a corresponding right for people to receive that care, free from bans and medically unnecessary restrictions that single out abortion and block access. In September, the U.S. House of Representatives passed WHPA in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Courts refusal to block Texas vigilante-enforced abortion ban (SB 8). Shortly before the House vote, the White House issued a Statement of Administration Policy in support of this critical legislation. Republicans in the U.S. Senate first blocked the advancement of the Womens Health Protection Act in February.

The fate of Roe v. Wade is in the hands of the anti-choice supermajority on the Supreme Courtand the recently leaked draft Court opinion confirmed that the Court is poised to overturn the landmark abortion rights case when it rules in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization in the coming weeks. The case concerns Mississippis 15-week abortion ban and directly challenges Roe. If the Court upholds Mississippis ban, it will end the constitutional right to abortion recognized by Roe, and states will take swift action to ban abortion. Should Roe fall, 28 states would likely take action to prohibit abortion outright. Of those, 13 states already have trigger bans in place, which would ban abortion automatically if Roe is overturned.

As abortion rights and access face threats from state legislatures to the Supreme Court, NARAL Pro-Choice America is ramping up its work to elect candidates across the country during a critical moment in the fight for reproductive freedom. Recently, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and EMILYs List, announced a plan to collectively spend a historic $150 million on the 2022 midterms to ensure the election of reproductive freedom champions up and down the ballot. While each will run its own electoral programs with their own advocacy and political organizations, the announcement represents a united effort to aggressively respond to the unprecedented attacks on reproductive freedom across the country and raise voters awareness of the lawmakers who are to blame.

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For over 50 years, NARAL Pro-Choice America has fought to protect and advance reproductive freedom at the federal and state levelsincluding access to abortion care, birth control, pregnancy and post-partum care, and paid family leavefor every body. NARAL is powered by its more than 2.5 million members from every state and congressional district in the country, representing the 8 in 10 Americans who support legal abortion.

Read more:
NARAL Pro-Choice America Condemns Senate Republicans for Blocking Advancement of the Women's Health Protection Act - NARAL Pro-Choice America

President Bidenvowed todayto address inflation. Meanwhile, the Senate is set tovote Wednesdayon an abortion rights bill which they know will likely fail to get enough votes to pass.

Northwestern economics and political science faculty discuss how these issues will shape upcoming elections and the GOPs prospect of obtaining Senate and House majorities.

Martin Eichenbaumon the economy

Eichenbaum is the Charles Moskos Professor of Economics at Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and co-director of the Center of International Macroeconomics. His research focuses on understanding aggregate economic fluctuations.He can be reached ateich@northwestern.eduor by contacting Stephanie Kulke at 847-491-4819.

Quote from Professor Eichenbaum

In a nutshell, inflation will be a devastating issue for the Democrats. One can debate how much it is due to excess stimulus, the Fed and supply disturbances. But most people wont care about those debates. They just know that they feel poorer. That doesnt bode well for the Democrats.

Alvin Tilleryon the abortion rights vote Wednesday

Tillery is an associate professor of political science and director of the Center for the Study of Diversity and Democracy at Northwestern. His research focuses on American political development, racial and ethnic politics, and media and politics.He can be reached atalvin.tillery@northwestern.eduor by contacting Stephanie Kulke at 847-491-4819.

Quote from Professor Tillery

Senator Chuck Schumers (D-NY) decision to finally hold a vote on the Womens Health Protection Act (WHPA) underscores how the political landscape has shifted for the party since the draft majority opinion poised to overturnRoe v. Wadeleaked from the Supreme Court. House Democrats had passed the measure, which attempts to codify abortion rights into federal law last year, but the Democratic-controlled Senate had not moved to act on it until now. The decision to take up the bill at this point shows that the Democrats believe that reproductive rights could be a potent issue for them in the midterm elections in November.

The fact that the Republicans control 50 votes in the Senate ultimately means that the vote on Wednesday will fall far short of the number needed to pass the WHPA. Only time will tell if the Democrats new focus on reproductive rights will prove to be an effective mobilizing strategy in the fall. As with their feckless efforts to protect minority voting rights, continuing to engage in votes that are political theater without tackling the problem of filibuster reform runs the risk of alienating Democratic constituencies.

Read more here:
Economy and women's reproductive rights loom during primary elections - Northwestern Now

The Honourable John Hogan, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, the Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Digital Government and Service NL, and the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, today announced a review of the Public Utilities legislation. The review will include legislation under a number of departments, as outlined in the backgrounder below.

The ministers will be available today to media in-person at the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building, at 12:30 p.m. The availability will be live-streamed on the Government of Newfoundland and Labradors Facebook page. Masks and physical distancing will be required for attendees.

The review will be led by a project team consisting of officials from the Department of Justice and Public Safety, with participation and support from the departments of Digital Government and Service NL, Industry, Energy and Technology and Transportation and Infrastructure.

In addition to a review of the relevant legislation, the work will also include engagement with stakeholders, including meetings and written submissions from, but not limited to, the Public Utilities Board, the Consumer Advocate, NL Hydro and Newfoundland Power. If necessary, the project team may retain external resources to support their work including legal, consultants, as well as experts to advise on specialized issues. Information gathered during the review will help determine the policy direction for any potential legislative amendments.

The Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities, established by the Public Utilities Act, is an independent, quasi-judicial regulatory body appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, and operates primarily under the authority of the Public Utilities Act, which establishes the Board, how it functions, conducts hearings and recovers costs.

Since 2004, the Public Utilities Board has been responsible for the regulation of maximum prices for petroleum products in the province in accordance with thePetroleum Products Act.Notice has been given for amendments to this Act to be introduced into the House of Assembly.

Proposed Amendments would aim to improve transparency of the Public Utilities Boards process to set petroleum product prices and to build a greater understanding of what informs the fuel pricing process. As this legislation has already been reviewed, it will not be included in the work being done by the project team. The review will also exclude the Automobile Insurance Act, as a comprehensive review of this Act concluded in 2019.

The review of the Public Utilities legislation is anticipated to conclude by early fall. Any legislative amendments will be considered through the normal legislative process.

QuoteThe review of Public Utilities Board legislation is important to ensure the applicable legislation is up to date, reflects best practices, and achieves its objectives in the best interests of the people of the province, particularly in relation to gas prices and electrical utilities regulation. Legislation that relates to the Public Utilities Board affects many residents of the province so it is only prudent that we conduct a review to ensure all applicable pieces of legislation are working as intended.Honourable John Hogan, QC

Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General

I completely understand how frustrating it is when fuel prices rise and fall, and how frustrating it is, not to be able to access a transparent breakdown of what makes up fuel prices. If passed, the changes we are introducing to the Petroleum Products Act will lead to better information for consumers.Honourable Sarah StoodleyMinister of Digital Government and Service NL

The review of the Public Utilities legislation will include a review of the Electrical Power Control Act. Minister Hogan and I have met with the consumer advocate and have heard his concerns about the existing legislation. A thorough review of this legislation, as part of the overall review of the Public Utilities legislation, will help ensure that it is current and responsive to consumers, while ensuring transparency and accountability.Honourable Andrew ParsonsMinister of Industry, Energy and Technology

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Learn moreProvincial Government to Initiate Review of the Public Utilities Act

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Media contactsEmily-Jane GillinghamJustice and Public Safety709-729-2634, 730-4607EmilyGillingham@gov.nl.ca

Krista DaltonDigital Government and Service NL709-729-4748, 685-6492kristadalton@gov.nl.ca

Kelly-Anne RobertsIndustry, Energy and Technology709-725-5248, 327-7005kelly-anneroberts@gov.nl.ca

Backgrounder

The PUB is responsible for the regulation of the electric utilities in the province to ensure that the rates charged are just and reasonable, and that the service provided is safe and reliable. The PUB is also responsible for the supervision of rates charged by automobile insurers for the various automobile insurance coverages under the Automobile Insurance Act; limited regulation of the motor carrier industry in relation to certain passenger and ambulance operations under the Motor Carrier Act, as well as conducting hearings and other required activities under the Expropriation Act.

The Public Utilities legislation includes:

2022 05 1011:45 am

See the rest here:
Provincial Government to Review Public Utilities Legislation; Ministers Available to Media - News Releases - Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

EDMONTON These are the moments when everything a hockey team believes in gets laid out right there on the dressing-room table. Or the video screen, as a coaching staff drills down on how we got here, how we get out of here, and what has to happen to never be here again in Round 1, at least.

The Edmonton Oilers lost control of their Round 1 series with the Los Angeles Kings in Game 4, taking their collective foot off the throat of the Kings after 6-0 and 8-2 wins had presented Edmonton with the golden opportunity of bringing this series back home with a 3-1 stranglehold.

The Kings stomped Edmonton, winning in every facet of the game. They wanted it more; they executed better; they battled harder; they got what they deserved:a 4-0 win.

An Oilers fan would say that their teamletthe Kings take this series back. The Kings would remind us that they are trying too, and theyre not at a fantasy camp here.

Either way, its all just semantics.

This we know for sure: The series is tied at two games apiece as we return to frigid Edmonton for Game 5. Wrestling back home-ice advantage favours the Oilers, but being even at two wins each favours the Kings, a team that wasnt supposed to have much of a chance in this series, in the eyes of many.

So, here we are. One team with fresh, new belief, another whose belief is being tested.

Now, coach Jay Woodcroft believes, its up to him and his staff to dig into that Game 4 loss and unearth the elements that can be altered in Game 5. So the final score line can be altered as well.

[brightcove videoID=6305809278112 playerID=JCdte3tMv height=360 width=640]

You want to make sure youre not just sweeping things under the rug. That youre seeing things the way they occurred, Woodcroft said. You do your work, and you give your players something they can sink their teeth into, in order to improve.

We werent anywhere near where we needed to be in some areas. Were going to address them, were going to improve, and well be ready for Game 5.

So, what are the building blocks that Woodcroft already has in place? Here are a few:

As good as Jonathan Quick was on Sunday, Mike Smiths .942 playoff save percentage was second among all NHL goaltenders heading into play Monday night. Of the three goals he allowed in Game 4, one left him chanceless, another was tipped home by Duncan Keith and the other he stopped before Carl Grundstrom plowed the puck into the net with his body. The goaltending battle is even, or perhaps even advantage Smith something that was in question when this series began.

The Oilers have scored 17 goals. Connor McDavid (1) and Leon Draisaitl (3) have combined for less than a quarter of those. On nine of those 17 goals, neither McDavid nor Draisaitl were involved so the support scoring that sewered this team a year ago is alive and well. Sure, Derek Ryan is hurt. But Drew Doughty isnt playing for L.A., so we wont hear of any injury woes in Edmonton.

When the Oilers got the puck behind L.A.s defence, then pounded them on the forecheck, that L.A. D-corps eroded. The Oilers played that game to a T in Games 2 and 3, and they won both handily. The Oilers didnt have the puck enough in Game 4 to ply that trade, and they lost. So, win your battles, get your share of possession time in Game 5, and there is a proven formula to beating L.A.

In hindsight, the Kings looked like a desperate, last-chance team in Game 4 and rightfully so while Edmonton tiptoed into the game like a team hoping their opponent would give up after back to back 6-0 and 8-2 shellackings. It was a rudimentary lesson for a team that has not led a playoffseries in a long, long time, that an opponent gets harder to beat the closer they are to extinction.

Is there another level for the Kings to raise their game to after that flawless Game 4 performance?

Theyd tell you, Yes, but we would have to see that to believe it. That game was just this side of perfect, for the Kings.

Can Edmonton play better than it did on Sunday, in front of a home crowd in a massive swing game in this series?

Unquestionably, the Oilers can. Even the most objective observer would agree with that.

Youre going to see an Edmonton Oilers team that is going to come out prepared, come hard, and play like a team that realizes there are no shortcuts to playoff success, promised Woodcroft. There have been moments in this series for both teams.

In the end, the team that continues to evolve and improve is going to move on.

See more here:
After losing control of the series, Oilers belief will be tested - Sportsnet

The government has today (11 May 2022) introduced plans to transform struggling towns and cities, supporting local leaders to take back control of regeneration, ending the blight of empty shops on their high streets and delivering the quality homes that communities need.

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill will enshrine in law the governments commitment to long-term missions to spread opportunity, drive productivity and boost local pride in every corner of the country.

Levelling Up Secretary Rt Hon Michael Gove MP said:

As a country, we need to be firing on all cylinders. That is why we must level up the UK; spread prosperity and opportunity, and make sure everyone can share in our nations success.

This Bill puts in place the reforms we need to level up. It enshrines our levelling up missions in law, which will shift resources and focus throughout this decade to the parts and people of the country who need it most. It enables every part of England which wants a London-style mayor to have one. It empowers local people, not the big developers, to take back control of regeneration in their community.

It shifts power out of Whitehall by giving local leaders the powers they need to tackle the blight of empty shops on high streets and to regenerate their communities. This is underpinned by a firm belief that by far the best placed people to level up communities are the people who live there.

We want everyone to be given the opportunity to stay local but go far.

The governments defining mission is to level up the UK; to increase and spread prosperity and opportunity across the UK, and break the link between geography and destiny. The Bill puts the legal foundations needed to deliver this mission in place, so that all parts of the country will be able to share equally in our nations success.

Measures include:

The Bill will also directly give local leaders the powers they need to regenerate their communities, and transform their high streets and town centres. A new infrastructure levy will see the big developers contribute more towards better local roads, schools, hospitals, and genuinely affordable housing. Communities will also receive a share of the Levy revenue raised - as long as they have a parish or town council and we are exploring how this could be expanded.

Measures include:

The Bill will also deliver new reforms to the planning system, ensuring new development is more beautiful, produces more local Infrastructure, is shaped by local peoples democratic wishes, improves environmental outcomes, and occurs with neighbourhoods very much in mind.

Measures include:

The government has today also outlined a new deal for millions of renters in private and social housing.

By ending Section 21 evictions and extending the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector, all renters can expect a decent, safe, and secure home. At the same time, these measures deliver a fairer system for good landlords who can struggle to recover their properties when faced with anti-social behaviour or wilful non-payment of rent.

Details on further support for tenants in social housing will be unveiled later this year which will include a review of the Decent Homes Standard, new consumer regulation and regular inspections of the largest landlords.

The planning measures have been informed by over 40,000 responses made to the governments 2020 Planning for the Future White Paper, and inquiry by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee.

In order to continue to support the hospitality sector, we will also extend the temporary pavement licence process for one further year while we seek to make permanent these provisions through the Bill, subject to Parliamentary approval.

See more here:
New Bill to level up the nation - GOV.UK