MAY 19—-GOVERNOR HOCHUL THANKS PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR RESTART OF OFFSHORE NY WINDMILL PROJECT AS PRESIDENT TRUMP LIFTS STOP WORK ORDER

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STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR HOCHUL ON “EMPIRE WIND 1′

“Thousands of jobs. Hundreds of thousands of homes powered by clean energy. That’s what Empire Wind 1 was poised to deliver until a stop work order was issued on April 16 by the Department of Interior.

I knew this critical project needed to move forward and have spent weeks pushing the federal government to rescind the stop work order to allow the workers to return and ensure this important source of renewable power could come to fruition.

“After countless conversations with Equinor and White House officials, bringing labor and business to the table to emphasize the importance of this project, I’m pleased that President Trump and Secretary Burgum have agreed to lift the stop work order and allow this project to move forward.

Now, Equinor will resume the construction of this fully-permitted project that had already received the necessary federal approvals. I also reaffirmed that New York will work with the Administration and private entities on new energy projects that meet the legal requirements under New York law. In order to ensure reliability and affordability for consumers, we will be working in earnest to deliver on these objectives.

“I want to thank President Trump for his willingness to work with me to save the 1,500 good paying union jobs that were on the line and helping get this essential project back on track.

“New York’s economic future is going to be powered by abundant, clean energy that helps our homes and businesses thrive. I fought to save clean energy jobs in New York — and we got it done.”

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MAY 19 —THE AX FALLS ON NEW YORKERS GOVERNOR HOCHUL ON WASHINGTON’S IMPACT ON NEW YORK MEDICARE MEDICAID

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GOVERNOR HOCHUL UPDATES NEW YORKERS ON THE IMPACT OF HOUSE REPUBLICAN BUDGET BILL TO NEW YORK STATE’S HEALTH CARE ECONOMY

Estimated Nearly $13.5 Billion Loss Annually For New Yorkers and Our Healthcare Economy

Nearly 1.5 Million New Yorkers Could Lose Essential Plan or Medicaid Coverage And Become Uninsured

Governor Hochul Demands Republican Members of Congress Oppose These Cuts and Protect Their Constituents

Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the harmful effects of several healthcare provisions already passed from the House Ways & Means and Energy & Commerce committees for the Republican budget reconciliation bill. These provisions collectively amount to an annual loss of nearly $13.5 billion for New Yorkers and our healthcare sector, jeopardizing healthcare access for millions of New Yorkers while imperiling the state’s hospitals and other healthcare providers.

“House Republicans are unrelenting in their pursuit to slash critical safety net programs like Medicaid that millions of New Yorkers rely on,” Governor Hochul said. “I’ll say it again, no one State can backfill these massive cuts – our Republican congressional members must speak out and push back to protect New Yorkers, now.”

The provisions as currently written will lead to substantial changes in how the critical public insurance programs Medicaid and the Essential Plan are funded and administered across the state.

According to the text of the bill language as passed by Ways & Means, more than half (50%) of Essential Plan funding — more than $7.5 billion — would be slashed, threatening the future of the program, and causing hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers to lose coverage. That same Ways & Means text would shift almost $3 billion of costs to the State, and result in billions of dollars in cuts to the State’s healthcare providers.

In addition to the devastating financial losses to the Essential Plan, the text of the bill language as passed by Energy & Commerce requires states to impose stricter work reporting requirements and onerous verification processes for Medicaid

BOTH of which will significantly increase the administrative burden of the program, thus making coverage more difficult to access.

All told, the Republican bill would cause nearly 1.5 million New Yorkers to lose coverage and become uninsured.

The Republican bill would also eliminate critical funding mechanisms long used to support our healthcare providers, place enormous strain on the health care system and trigger widespread impacts across local economies.

The state anticipates an additional fiscal impact of more than $3 billion due to the Energy & Commerce language, including approximately $500 million in new administrative costs alone.

A congressional district-by-district breakdown on anticipated funding losses is available here.

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, 

“The proposed changes to federal health care funding would have serious consequences for New York State. Losing coverage for nearly 1.5 million New Yorkers would lead to significantly worse health outcomes for New Yorkers and would put immense strain on our health care system. We remain committed to working with all levels of government to protect access to quality, affordable care for all New Yorkers.”

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer said, 

““This is as cruel and heartless as it gets. Trump and House Republicans want to kick 1.5 million New Yorkers off their health insurance and rip away $13.5 billion from NY’s hospitals and healthcare economy so they can have bigger tax breaks for billionaires & corporations.

NY House Republicans promised for months they would protect Medicaid, but now New Yorkers know the truth: they never intended to keep that promise, and this confirms it. This isn’t targeting waste and fraud, this is a rushed plan to bankroll Trump’s tax breaks for the ultra-rich paid for by ripping away healthcare for New Yorkers.

Hospitals and nursing homes will shutter, premiums will go up, families will suffer, and health care workers will lose their jobs. NY House Republicans need to stand up to Trump and stand up for New York, and stop the largest cut to healthcare in American history.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, 

“This proposal would be catastrophic for the millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid.

Republicans should be focused on bringing down the cost of essentials; instead, they are making health care harder to access and more expensive. They have proposed work requirements for Medicaid that ignore the fact that most Medicaid recipients already work, and would cost New York State an estimated $500 million to administer and enforce – all for minimal cost savings. The Republican bill puts kids at risk of losing health care through Medicaid and CHIP and puts the future of our state’s many rural hospitals in jeopardy. This is an unacceptable piece of legislation, and I will be doing everything in my power to stop it from passing.”

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said, 

“Across our great state, millions rely on Medicaid for life-saving and life-sustaining healthcare coverage. Under the Republican plan, 1.5 million New Yorkers would lose their insurance, including over 60,000 residents of the Eighth Congressional District, as part of a toxic scheme to enact massive tax cuts for billionaires like Elon Musk. Nursing homes will close, hospitals will shut down and Community Health Centers will lose funding. It is time for House Republicans in New York to come up with the courage to stand up for their constituents and join with Democrats to prevent this devastating attack on the healthcare that New Yorkers depend on to survive.”

Representative Dan Goldman said, “The Trump/Republican budget bill puts billionaires first and working-class Americans last. Every New York Republican in the House has voted to support the framework of a Republican budget that would strip away health care from nearly 14 million people, cut taxes for billionaires and raise taxes on working-class Americans, gut food benefits for the poor, maintain the Trump SALT cap, cancel clean energy projects, and increase the deficit by trillions of dollars. This bill is a betrayal of GOP campaign promises and the promise that the American Dream is accessible to everyone. New York Republicans must be held accountable for turning their backs on their own constituents.”

Representative Tom Suozzi said, “The Reconciliation Budget bill will hit NY hospitals and nursing homes hard, while cutting health insurance for millions of Americans. These cuts will happen while giving unnecessary tax cuts to the wealthiest among us while adding $4 trillion to the deficit. I will keep up the fight for the health care New Yorkers deserve.”

Representative George Latimer said, “Everyday Americans will suffer if the Republicans’ budget becomes law. 196,000 people in my district will have their healthcare taken away – from children to seniors, and the disabled. I’m sure the state and hospitals will step in the best they can, but care will be much more expensive if these Medicaid cuts go into effect. For what? Tax breaks for billionaires. It’s unconscionable.”

Representative Josh Riley said, “The House Republicans’ dangerous budget reconciliation bill would rip health care away from nearly 14 million Americans, including 1.5 million New Yorkers. Let’s be clear: this is an attack on the health care millions of families rely on, and it has nothing to do with fighting fraud, waste, or abuse.

These cuts would fall hardest on children, women, seniors, and people with disabilities. It’s a shameful assault on the most vulnerable in our society, all to bankroll tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. Every member of New York’s Congressional Delegation has a moral obligation to vote no on this devastating bill. To do anything less would be a callous betrayal of the New York families we represent.”

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “While House Republicans in Washington are advancing a budget that would devastate New York’s health care system—stripping coverage from 1.2 million New Yorkers and costing our state more than $11 billion annually—we are doing the opposite. In our state budget, we’ve expanded mental health services, restored funding to distressed hospitals, and invested in reproductive and primary care access. We are protecting people, not cutting them off. This federal proposal is not just reckless—it’s cruel. Every New Yorker should contact their member of Congress and demand they reject this dangerous plan. We can’t stand by while Washington plays politics with people’s lives.”

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, “This decision will devastate New Yorkers seeking healthcare and providers all across our state. It’s time for the Republican members of New York’s congressional delegation to stand up and stand against this decision that will harm their constituents directly.”

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MAY 19—YOUR LOCAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST ON INSIDE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID WHAT’S COMING

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CRICKET COMES TO WESTCHESTER

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The Stamford Sizzlers  Cricket Club Team and Bandish Beats worked out yesterday in White Plains in preparation for their annual tournament in Stamford in support of the Team’s Sponsor charity, Gift of Adoption Saturday June 7 in Lione Park Stamford 325  Stillwater Ave. Admission is free. In their 2024 Tournament  the cricket club raised $2,000 in donations for the Fairfield County Community Foundation

SWING! sizzlers swing!

MEMBERS OF THE BANDISH BEATS AND STAMFORD SIZZLERS 

 

 

 

 

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MAY 16—WHITE PLAINS WEEK THE MAY 16 REPORT AT 7 MONDAY : WITH JOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS ON FIOS CH 45 COUNTYWIDE IN WHITE PLAINS OPTIMUM CH 76 AND ANYTIME ON WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

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JOHN BAILEY ON RUNNING FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES FORUM

MEALS ON WHEELS FACES LOSS OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS IF WASHINGTON CUTS NEW YORK GRANTS..SPONSORS, DONORS, VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

JOHN BAILEY ON THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY: WHAT THE TWO MAYORAL CANDIDATES NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT

GOVERNOR HOCHUL GIVES BACK SALES TAX INCREASES TO NY CITIZENS TO HELP WITH INFLATION IMPACT

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT JOSEPH RICCA AND ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR BUSINESS ANN VACCARO-TEICH ON HOW THE SCHOOL BUDGET  GROWS LEARNING WITH A 1.67%  TAX INCREASE

HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE TARGETS NON PROFITS WHO DISSENT WITH LOSS OF TAX EXEMPTION

YOUR LOCAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST EXPLAINS HOW  VACCINES ARE MADE, CORRECTING SECRETARY KENNEDY’S PERCEPTION.

AND MORE FROM

JOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS

EVERY WEEK ON WHITE PLAINS WEEK

FOR 24 YEARS FRIDAYS

 7:30, MONDAYS AT 7 AND 24/7 ON WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

“THE REAL NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW”

TRUTH JUSTICE AND THE AMERICAN WAY

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SATURDAY AT 7 WP NEWS TV “PEOPLE TO BE HEARD”: DR. JOSEPH RICCA SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS AND DR. ANN VACCARO-TEICH ON THE 2025-26 SCHOOL BUDGET 8 PM FIOS CH 45 AND WPOPTIMUM CH 76 AND www.wpcommunitymedia.org

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THE ANNUAL PEOPLE TO BE HEARD SCHOOL BUDGET  SPECIAL

JOHN BAILEY INTERVIEWS THE SCHOOL BUDGET BUILDERS ON

THE $277,965,500 NEW BUDGET UP FOR YOUR APPROVAL NEXT TUESDAY MAY 20

THE Magic of ADVANCE ACCURATE BUDGET PLANNING

PAYS OFF AND CREATES 92% GRADUATION RATE

HOW 8 YEARS OF CONSERVATIVE GROWTH  HAS IMPROVED THE DISTRICT

HOW STRATEGY PAID FOR A $12,065,500  4.5% INCREASE IN EXPENSES AND ONLY RAISES TAXES 1.67%

WHAT HAPPENS IF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CUTS NEW YORK STATE SCHOOL AID

AND MORE

 

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MAY 14—HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE ELIMINATES TAX CREDITS FOR SOLAR IN TAX BILL–PUSHING DIRTY ENERGY–

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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER 

 

FROM SOLAR INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION

This morning, the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee passed a tax package that takes a sledgehammer to clean energy tax credits, including the 25D rooftop solar tax credit. Studies have shown that the bill passed by the committee will lead to higher energy prices for all Americans and job losses. New York’s solar industry employs over 12,100 people and invested $2.7 billion into the state in 2024 alone.

This is only the beginning of the multi-step tax bill negotiation process. Several New York Republicans, including Long Island Representatives Andrew Garbarino (NY-02) and Nick LaLota (NY-01), and Hudson Valley Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17), have been vocal supporters of protecting the clean energy tax credits. All three were among the 21 House Republicans who warned in a letter (organized by Rep. Garbarino) to House leadership that a repeal of these credits will raise bills “the very next day.”

Following is a statement from Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), on the reconciliation bill passed by the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee:

“At a time when billions of dollars are being invested in states that overwhelmingly voted for President Trump, this proposed legislation will effectively dismantle the most successful industrial onshoring effort in U.S. history.

“While American businesses are demanding more energy to compete against our adversaries, and consumers are turning to clean energy to hedge against rising electricity prices, these proposals will undermine our nation’s efforts to achieve President Trump’s American energy dominance agenda. This legislation will cause hundreds of American factories to close, eliminate tens of thousands of jobs, force electric bills to skyrocket for everyone, weaken the reliability of our electric grid, and eliminate our capacity to compete with China. This disruption would devastate local, red-state economies, with more than 75% of at-risk factories and investments concentrated in these communities.

“To make matters worse, this legislation is an attack on our individual liberties and freedom to choose how we power our homes. By effectively repealing the clean energy tax credit for homeowners, it rips consumer choice away from millions of hardworking Americans.

“There is separate and harmful legislation proposed that impacts the funding mechanisms that allow everybody, including those living in underrepresented communities, to benefit from clean, affordable power.

“The solar and storage industry appreciates the many competing interests faced by this Congress and stands ready to work together with our elected officials to ensure that American energy dominance prevails. The current proposals do not achieve that. Our nation’s energy security and national security are on the line.”

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MAY 14– COUNTY BEACHES AND POOLS INCLUDING PLAYLAND BEACH TO OPEN

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WESTCHESTER COUNTY BEACHES TO OPEN MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND;

POOLS TO OPEN FRIDAY, JUNE 27

 


 Celebrate the unofficial start of summer with a trip to the beach as Croton Point Beach in Croton-on-Hudson, Glen Island Beach in New Rochelle and Playland Beach in Rye will open on a pre-season basis, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, May 24, 25 and 26, weather permitting.

The beaches will be open weekends and holidays only through Sunday, June 22, then Glen Island and Playland Beaches will open daily beginning Friday, June 27 and Croton Point Beach will be open Saturdays, Sundays and holidays through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with last entry at 6 p.m.; proof of Westchester County residency is required at Glen Island. Entry and parking fees apply.

Beginning Friday, June 27, all five County-owned pools: Playland Pool in Rye, Saxon Woods in White Plains, Sprain Ridge and The Brook at Tibbetts in Yonkers and Willson’s Waves Pool in Mt. Vernon, will open daily through Labor Day, from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with last entry at 6 p.m.; entry fees apply at all facilities and parking fees apply at Tibbetts Brook Park. Proof of residency is required at all pools.

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Westchester County’s pools and beaches are stunning local treasures—perfect for people to unwind, soak up the summer sun, and create lasting memories with family and friends. Whether you’re going for a swim or relaxing on the beach, our parks offer something special for all to enjoy. I’m thrilled to welcome everyone back to our exceptional pools and beautiful beaches for a memorable summer in Westchester County.”

Westchester County residency is required at Glen Island Park, Saxon Woods Pool, Sprain Ridge Pool, The Brook at Tibbetts and Willson’s Waves Pool.

Proof of residency must be shown with either a Westchester County Park Pass or a New York State driver’s license showing a valid Westchester County address.

Admission fees apply at all of the beach and pool facilities and parking fees apply at Tibbetts Brook Park, Croton Point and Glen Island. Park Passes also offer discounted admission and parking and are available at a variety of locations.

This year, Saxon Woods is celebrating its 100th anniversary and will launch a 100-Lap Challenge along with a variety of other activities to mark this milestone. Family Fun Days, DJ Days and the Sand Art Competition at Glen Island will also return; dates to be announced. Participation is free; admission and parking rules apply.

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MAY 14– WESTCHESTER SEIU UNION DOCTORS RALLY FOR FAIR CONTRACT WITH WESTCHESTER MEDICAL CENTER, INCREASE TO MATCH INFLATION

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Overworked Resident Physicians Express Frustration with System Leadership

 

Westchester, NY—In contract negotiations with Westchester Medical Center (WMC) since January, about 90 physicians at the Hudson Valley’s only level-1 trauma center came out on Tuesday to voice their frustrations with hospital leadership.

Unionized with the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR/SEIU), leaders among the about 480 WMC residents say that their level of work and financial stress is unsustainable, and that this threatens the system’s ability to keep attracting the best doctors.

 

“Patients want their doctors focused on their care, not burdened with these other concerns,” said Dr. Garrett Smith. “We did not become physicians to talk about contracts, but for us to be the best residents we can be, we can’t ignore this situation anymore.”

 

In a “unity break” action around 12pm on Tuesday, the young physicians noted the ever-climbing cost of living in Westchester, their reliance in some cases on subsidized housing, and their difficulty affording basics like groceries and child care.

They say WMC leadership has failed to propose wage increases that even meet inflation, while rejecting proposals for housing stipends and adequate travel reimbursement for physicians who rotate to other sites in the course of their training.

Low pay has led some physicians to take on second jobs.

WMC residents continue to appeal to new CEO Dr. David Lubarsky, who previously led the medical center at the University of California-Davis, to do the right thing and agree to wages on par with the physicians’ peers at other hospitals in the area. Their next bargaining session with WMC is Thursday, May 15.

“From our perspective, this should be an easy call for management: If similar hospitals in the area can offer competitive contracts for their residents, then so can WMC,” said Dr. Smith. “We aren’t asking for their executive level salaries, we’re just asking for the support we need to provide the best care we can for our community.”

The doctors were joined at their rally by WMC-NYSNA chapter president Merima Lynch and a number of elected officials, including County Legislators Judah Holstein, Emiljana Ulaj, Jewel Williams Johnson, David J.Tubiolo, and James M. Nolan, and Christine Fils-Aimé, the director of constituent services and community affairs for State Senator Shelley Mayer.

The Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR) is the largest housestaff union in the United States. A local of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), representing over 40,000 resident physicians and fellows. Our members are dedicated to improving residency training and education, advancing patient care, and expanding healthcare access for our communities.

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MAY 14—KIDS ONLINE SAFETY ACT BLOCKED LAST CONGRESS REINTRODUCED IN SENATE: REVIVED IN EFFORT TO ALLOW GOVERNMENT CONTROL SPEECH ON THE INTERNET

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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. May 14, 2025:

 

From Fight for the Future

 

Despite continued opposition from LGBTQ youth, the parents of trans kids, reproductive rights groups, and free speech experts, KOSA has been re-introduced by Senators Blumenthal and Blackburn, after failing to pass last Congress due to disagreements on its merits and genuine concerns over its constitutionality.

Fight for the Future has opposed KOSA since its advent for its approach: putting control over speech in the hands of the government is a mistake, a concern that is especially prescient during an administration that has used its agency power to stifle speech, crack down on protected minorities and important resources, and has made its commitment to advancing structural discrimination against trans youth abundantly clear.

We warned Congress in December: the incoming FTC chair, who would have enforcement power over online speech if KOSA was passed, would weaponize his position against marginalized people.

Andrew Ferguson, Trump’s pick for the position, has fallen in line with the larger conservative agenda for online spaces, parroting transphobic narratives and doing  dirty work.

This power in Ferguson’s hands could do unmitigated damage to abortion funds who provide resources and fundraise online, LGBTQ organizations who resource young people, and any other speech that rightwing lawmakers don’t like.

The bill’s authors have claimed over and over that this bill doesn’t impact speech.

But the Duty of Care is about speech: it’s about blocking speech that the government believes is bad for kids. And the people who will be determining what speech is harmful? They are the same ones using every tool to silence marginalized communities and attack those they perceive as enemies.

Passing KOSA in this environment, when young people need online spaces more than ever to find resources and for political action, is a slap in the face to the young people KOSA claims to protect.

The sponsors take this a step further, flaunting the support of Elon Musk himself who has overseen a gutting of the very federal resources that actually protect young people from harm.

Marginalized people are under attack from all sides right now. Hundreds of trans parents have written to Congress begging them to take their kids into account, who depend on online spaces and resources, especially as access to gender-affirming healthcare is shrinking. As they said in their letter, “We need to hold these companies accountable and regulate them, not cut our kids off from resources that can help them thrive. Big Tech is hurting our kids. KOSA would hurt them even more.”

Hundreds of thousands of young people themselves have called and written to Congress, telling them that this legislation makes them less safe, not more safe. Many more directly implored progressive lawmakers to listen to them and disengage from this win for rightwing ideology, but they haven’t listened.

“We know the truth: rightwing actors want to stifle young people’s voices online,” said Sarah Philips, campaigner at Fight for the Future. “They’ve laid this strategy out in Project 2025. They’ve told us over and over again that they intend to strip speech so that marginalized communities can’t speak truth to power. They can say this is about accountability for Big Tech all they want, but with the likes of Elon Musk standing next to them, none of it rings true. Our communities are trying to survive repression and the gutting of important resources, and online spaces are a safe haven for LGBTQ youth when their resources in their schools and communities shrink. It is unbelievable that Senator Blumenthal and Senator Schumer can ignore everything going on around them for more political theater on a bill that would help silence any opposition to Trump. Senate Democrats need to wake up and look around. Any Democrat still sponsoring KOSA is co-signing fascism. Stop doing their dirty work.”

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