Mediaboss Marketing

Republican Peter Lumaj is running to represent Connecticut in the U.S. Senate and has unsuccessfully run for statewide office three times.

Lumaj, 55, of Fairfield, is running for statewide office for the fourth time in 10 years. He dropped out of a Senate race before the primary in 2012, launched a campaign as the GOP nominee for secretary of state in 2014 and failed to qualify for a gubernatorial primary in 2018.

With a masters degree in law, Lumaj provides immigration services in New York, where he says he also invests in real estate with family.

During the 2018 race for governor, Lumaj told a Republican town committee he rejected an offer by the Trump administration to return to Albania as the U.S. ambassador, a claim the administration declined to confirm or deny.

Lumaj is an opponent of abortion and said he would not vote to codify reproductive rights in federal law.

He refused to say whether he would have voted for a gun safety bill Congress passed in response to the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting that requires enhanced background checks for gun buyers under age 21, among other things.

Pressed for an answer about how he would have voted, he repeatedly riffed on myriad aspects of gun control and crime, never quite landing on an answer.

We need to go after illegal guns in this country, he said. And if there are mental illnesses and problems of people out there, we should absolutely go after these things. On the other hand, the Second Amendment is the Second Amendment. I believe in the Second Amendment. And the reason why I believe in that, my family was persecuted severely in the country that we didnt have a Second Amendment.

Lumaj opposed giving permanent legal status to the 800,000 young adults living in a legal limbo for a decade under DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

Lumaj said he would support arming teachers, if they were trained.

Lumaj is a fan of Trump and free enterprise who views opponent Leora Levy as a conservative poseur, opponent Themis Klarides as an establishment Republican, and Blumenthal and Democrats as threats to capitalism.

Im a true conservative. I believe in God, family and country. I believe in the Constitution. I believe in the founding documents of this country, Lumaj said. Im pro life, Im pro Second Amendment. And these are things that I bring to the table that no one else does.

Lumaj has zinged fellow senate GOP candidates Themis Klarides and Leora Levy, as well as Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

During the senate GOP primary debate on July 26, Lumaj claimed to be the only true conservative. Im not afraid to be a Republican, he said.

When Klarides suspended active campaigning to mourn the death of her 89-year-old mother, Lumaj urged an end to attacks on her at least until after the funeral.

Klarides and Levy have largely ignored Lumaj, though Levy has suggested that, of herself and Lumaj, theres only room for onein the primary.

At the debate, Klarides central argument was that Lumaj (and Levy) may be more conservative, but are not electable in a state that last elected a Republican senator in 1982.

Read this article:
Who is Peter Lumaj? Conservative running for U.S. Senate in CT - The Connecticut Mirror

Anti-gunners have found another way to crack down on so-called assault weapons.

Rep. Don Beyer has introduced a bill in the House (HR 8051) that will impose a 1,000% FEDERAL TAX on a vast number of semi-automatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns and every magazine holding more than ten rounds.

Beyer claims this tax could be passed with JUST 50 votes in the Senate through reconciliation, with Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote.

At a time when Americans are getting crushed by Bidens economy, a 1,000% tax on so-called assault weapons would essentially be a backdoor ban on commonly-owned firearms and magazines.

Yet Beyer even admits that his tax is not really about raising federal revenue, but creating a pathway to pass a new restriction on assault weapons with a simple majority in the Senate.

With a reconciliation vote expected THIS WEEK, we need your help alerting the 50-50 Senate to STRIKE DOWN this tax on assault weapons and magazines.

Please add your name to our pre-written letter to STOP the 50-50 Senate from levying a 1,000% FEDERAL TAX on common self-defense firearms and magazines.

ADD YOUR NAME

Anti-gunners have now given themselves two possible paths in the Senate to crack down on magazines and firearms that millions of Americans own:

The fanatical anti-gun Senator, Elizabeth Warren, is already backing Beyers bill in the Senate.

Warren said she wants to use every tool available to make it impossible for the public to acquire assault weapons and that includes taxes.

In fact, Warren said she wants to make it impossible for people to buy weapons that are used for murdering people.

Cant EVERY weapon be used for murdering people?

But of course, thats the TRUE aim of anti-gun fanatics like Warren: ending all private gun ownership in America.

Senator Warren doesnt care that you have a constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms.

Imagine if the government levied a tax on your First Amendment right to protest, speak freely, or practice your religion. Thats exactly what these anti-gunners are doing to your Second Amendment rights.

But with this bill able to be passed by a simple majority through reconciliation, GOA needs your URGENT help pressuring the Senate to STRIKE IT DOWN.

So please, add your name to our pre-written letter to STOP the 50-50 Senate from levying a 1,000% FEDERAL TAX on so-called assault-weapons and magazines.

Here is the original post:
A 1,000% TAX on semi-automatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns? | GOA - Gun Owners of America

America First Multifamily Investors, L.P.

OMAHA, Neb., Aug. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On July 29, 2022, America First Multifamily Investors, L.P. (NASDAQ: ATAX) (the Partnership) entered into a Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the Second Amendment) with Bankers Trust Company (Bankers Trust) which modifies certain provisions of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement between the Partnership and Bankers Trust dated August 23, 2021. The Second Amendment extends the maturity date of the Partnerships $50 million secured, non-operating line of credit (the Line of Credit) to June 30, 2024 and provides the Partnership with two optional one-year extensions, subject to certain conditions and fees. The Second Amendment also modified, among other things, certain financial covenants, events of default, and certain restricted payment provisions to be consistent with the Partnerships other secured financing arrangements. The Partnership also entered into a new Revolving Line of Credit Note which bears interest at the 1-Month CME Term SOFR Reference Rate, which shall not be less than 0.10%, plus 2.50%.

The Second Amendment continues our strong relationship with Bankers Trust and enhances the functionality of the Line of Credit for managing our investment acquisitions and liquidity, said Kenneth C. Rogozinski, Chief Executive Officer of the Partnership.

About America First Multifamily Investors, L.P.

America First Multifamily Investors, L.P. was formed on April 2, 1998 under the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act for the primary purpose of acquiring, holding, selling and otherwise dealing with a portfolio of mortgage revenue bonds which have been issued to provide construction and/or permanent financing for affordable multifamily, student housing and commercial properties. The Partnership is pursuing a business strategy of acquiring additional mortgage revenue bonds and other investments on a leveraged basis. The Partnership expects and believes the interest earned on these mortgage revenue bonds is excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes. The Partnership seeks to achieve its investment growth strategy by investing in additional mortgage revenue bonds and other investments as permitted by the Partnerships Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, dated September 15, 2015, taking advantage of attractive financing structures available in the securities market, and entering into interest rate risk management instruments. America First Multifamily Investors, L.P. press releases are available at http://www.ataxfund.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this report are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of statements that include, but are not limited to, phrases such as believe, expect, future, anticipate, intend, plan, foresee, may, should, will, estimates, potential, continue, or other similar words or phrases. Similarly, statements that describe objectives, plans, or goals also are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of the Partnership. The Partnership cautions readers that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, implied, or projected by such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks involving current maturities of financing arrangements and our ability to renew or refinance such maturities, fluctuations in short-term interest rates, collateral valuations, mortgage revenue bond investment valuations and overall economic and credit market conditions; and the other risks detailed in the Partnerships SEC filings (including but not limited to, the Partnerships Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K). Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements.

MEDIA CONTACT:Karen MarottaGreystone212-896-9149Karen.Marotta@greyco.com

INVESTOR CONTACT:Andy GrierSenior Vice President402-952-1235

Link:
America First Multifamily Investors, L.P.'s $50 Million Line of Credit Extended and Amended - Yahoo Finance

The 2022 ESSENCE Festival of Culture saw Revolt TV CEO Detavio Samuels, , Fashion Bomb Daily CEO Claire Summers, The Marcus Graham Project Co-Founder Lincoln Stephens, and McDonalds Senior Director Elizabeth Campbell, take to the Wealth & Power Stage for a timely conversation about the importance of Black media, Black marketers, and Black influencers.

Presented by McDonalds and led by McDonalds Cultural & Community Communications Director Heather Woodard, the panel explored several important topics including how brands can positively impact Black-owned media in sustainable ways, how Black content creators can grow their audience to attract large brands, not being afraid to hold brands accountable, McDonalds recent commitment to increase support of diverse-owned media, production companies and content creators, and much more.

Check out the video above to hear the conversation in full. For more of everything you missed at the 2022 ESSENCE Festival of Culture, visit our official video content hubHERE.

TOPICS: #BlackJoy2022 #MD #SS #WP_1

Original post:
Revolt TV CEO Detavio Samuels: 'We Need To Control How We're Portrayed And That Only Happens Through Black-Ow - Essence

The fallout from Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugens explosive testimony about social medias threat to children before the Senate Commerce Committee last fall is coming into focus.

Theres bipartisan support in Congress to ban targeted ads aimed at kids under 16, require tech firms to establish default safety tools to protect children online and give parents more control over their childrens web surfing.

The Commerce Committee last week advanced for floor consideration two bills: It approved the Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act on a voice vote and the Kids Online Safety Act by a unanimous 28-0.

Haugen had shared internal documents revealing that Facebook knows its Instagram photo-sharing platform can be addictive to teens and has likely led to increased rates of eating disorders and depression.

The fallout from Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugens testimony last fall is coming into focus. | Pool photo by Jabin Botsford

Facebook has been asking for years to be regulated, and the company certainly has the resources to keep up with new rules. It has also been building out parental tools and reminders that nudge teens to take a break or switch topics.

But a consensus is forming that Haugen was on to something.

Using principles from behavioral psychology, algorithm and tech companies are finding ways to keep kids and teens engaged for longer periods, Nusheen Ameenuddin, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Communications and Media, told POLITICO. They are feeding them more content based on their clicks, their preferences all of these things that really they have no control over.

The Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act, co-sponsored by unlikely allies Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), is an update to the 1998 Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act and extends existing privacy protections for preteens to children up to age 16 and bans ads targeting them. It would also give kids and their parents the right to review and delete information that online platforms have collected about them. The bill would put the Federal Trade Commission in charge of enforcement and calls for a Youth Privacy and Marketing Division at the agency that would assess how well its ensuring child safety online.

The Kids Online Safety Act, co-sponsored by another unusual pair, Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), would require social media platforms to allow kids and their parents to opt out of content algorithms that have fed them harmful content and disable addictive product features. The bill limits collection of kids data, offers controls to parents and kids over their online experience and restricts who can contact a child on social media. It also calls for audits and independent research to identify potential harms.

Mitch Prinstein, chief science officer at the American Psychological Association, said the bill is a good jumping-off point for a larger discussion about how kids should interact with social media. Theres emergent evidence to suggest that the longer theyre on, the more it is changing the structure and function of their brain development.

But Congress must still agree on the details and resolve turf battles before a new law can be passed.

During the Commerce panels markup, the ranking Republican, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, said he prefers a bill the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved by a 53-2 vote last month that would tackle the data-privacy issue more broadly, covering adults as well as children. But that bill would preempt existing state rules, like Californias consumer privacy law, prompting opposition.

Welcome back to Future Pulse, where we explore the convergence of health care and technology. ICYMI, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to the FTC asking for an investigation into Amazons impending deal with One Medical. He wants to know if a One Medical doctor says hes got high blood pressure, will he have to worry about getting bombarded with ads for Whole Foods supplements? Dystopian! What do you think?

Share your news, tips and feedback with Ben at [emailprotected] or Ruth at [emailprotected] and follow us on Twitter for the latest @_BenLeonard_ and @RuthReader. Send tips securely through SecureDrop, Signal, Telegram or WhatsApp here.

HOUSE OKS TELEHEALTH EXTENSION The House voted 416-12 last week to pass a bill by Wyoming Republican Liz Cheney that would keep expanded Medicare telehealth access in place through the end of 2024.

The landslide vote was a major boon for telehealth advocates. The legislation would let Medicare as well as federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics continue to cover virtual visits from patients homes. It would also extend a waiver allowing patients to avoid in-person mental health visits.

The eased rules are currently set to end five months after the end of the Covid-19 public health emergency, which could come as soon as October.

Republicans upset with process: GOP lawmakers were dismayed that House leadership went around bipartisan negotiations and the committee process to put Cheneys bill on the floor, even though most Republicans voted for the legislation.

Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) told POLITICO that the House should have passed his bill, the Telehealth Modernization Act, which would make some eased rules permanent.

GOP lawmakers were dismayed that House leadership went around bipartisan negotiations and the committee process to put Cheneys bill on the floor. | Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Whats next: Cheneys bill is off to the Senate, where its expected to have bipartisan support. Still, a busy legislative calendar lies ahead, and telehealth legislation probably wont move until the lame duck session after the midterm elections, a Senate aide told POLITICO.

UNITEDHEALTH FACES OFF AGAINST DOJ The antitrust trial challenging UnitedHealth Groups acquisition of Change Healthcare is underway before federal district court Judge Carl Nichols in Washington, D.C.

The DOJ brought suit in February, arguing that the acquisition would give UnitedHealth insight into competitors operations. Change Healthcare provides technology tools to health systems and insurers that help them process claims. United argues that the DOJs argument rests on speculative theories.

The case will highlight how the Biden administration is shifting traditional thinking on antitrust to deal with technology.

At the American Bar Associations conference on healthcare law earlier this year, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Andrew Forman of the Antitrust Division gave some insight into how hes thinking about market power in healthcare: The division has several competitive concerns, including the loss of head-to-head competition, exploitation of competitively sensitive information, and reduced innovation.

The trial will likely end next week.

DATA BROKERS NOT GIVING IN TO PRESSURE Democrats are pushing data brokers to stop gathering information on expectant parents to protect them from potential legal consequences if they seek abortions in states where the procedure is now banned, but theyve largely struck out, POLITICOs Alfred Ng reports.

Brokers have long sold information on pregnant people, including their trimester status and preferred birth methods. Its valuable to companies that make and sell products new parents need.

Abortion bans that took effect after the Supreme Court turned abortion rights over to the states in June target abortion providers, but abortion rights groups argue that states could weaponize the information against people getting abortions too.

It is shockingly irresponsible for a data broker to bury their head in the sand and pretend their business of tracking pregnancies and selling that information for profit wont be weaponized by far-right extremists, said Oregons Ron Wyden, who introduced with several other Senate Democrats in June the My Body, My Data Act to limit reproductive health data collection, in an email.

With no federal data privacy legislation telling them they must, many brokers arent changing their practices.

POLITICO found more than 30 listings offering data on expectant parents or selling access to them via email blasts. Most were updated after the courts ruling.

Joe Pych, the CEO of NextMark a directory of marketing email lists said it wasnt a problem to host such lists.

As far as I know, theres no law today that prohibits prenatal mailing lists. If that were to change and this type of data became illegal, wed work with the providers to remove these listings, Pych said.

FTC SUES META OVER VIRTUAL REALITY APP The Federal Trade Commission sued last week to prevent Facebook parent company Meta from acquiring Within, the developer of a virtual reality fitness app, POLITICOs Josh Sisco reports.

The lawsuit figures to be a thorn in the side of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his quest to develop the metaverse. Within makes the Supernatural fitness app, which employs Metas virtual reality headset to help users stretch and work out.

The move is another sign of aggressive action from FTC Chair Lina Khan, who wants to expand traditional notions of antitrust law to prevent big technology companies from getting even bigger.

The FTCs case is based on ideology and speculation, not evidence, Facebook spokesperson Stephen Peters said in a statement.

Cities are lobbying to host the ARPA-H headquarters. Experts dont understand why Lev Facher, STAT

A.I. predicts the shape of nearly every protein known to science Cade Metz, The New York Times

Facebook slapped with another health data privacy lawsuit Marianne Kolbasuk McGee, Healthcare Info Security

See the original post:
Congress is closer than ever to reining in social media - POLITICO