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Peterson Institute for International Economics Issues Commentary: Why Foreign Policy is the Central Question of Brazil's Next Election
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Peterson Institute for International Economics issued the following commentary on April 20, 2026, by senior fellow Monica de Bolle:
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Why foreign policy is the central question of Brazil's next election
The October election between President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, running for a fourth term, and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, running as a proxy for his father, who was convicted and imprisoned for organizing a coup, is not simply a contest between left and right. It is a contest over whether Brazil controls the terms on which the world accesses its resources or whether
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WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Peterson Institute for International Economics issued the following commentary on April 20, 2026, by senior fellow Monica de Bolle:
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Why foreign policy is the central question of Brazil's next election
The October election between President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, running for a fourth term, and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, running as a proxy for his father, who was convicted and imprisoned for organizing a coup, is not simply a contest between left and right. It is a contest over whether Brazil controls the terms on which the world accesses its resources or whetherthose terms are set by others. The outcome matters well beyond Brazil's borders. It will shape critical mineral supply chains, climate governance, and the balance of power in the Americas for a generation.
For decades, globalization taught a seductive lesson: Geography no longer mattered. That lesson is being unlearned. The world is revaluing land--minerals, clean energy, water, the Amazon--and Brazil holds more of what the global economy now demands than almost any other country.
Lula is a flawed incumbent who has failed to deliver on many of his 2022 campaign promises, notably reducing inequality and addressing affordability issues. But Flavio Bolsonaro's stated intention to align fully with the Trump administration reprises his father's bargain: rhetorical sovereignty in exchange for operational surrender--of trade leverage, of the Amazon, of Brazil's seat at the table where the rules are being rewritten.
Brazil thus faces the most consequential shift in its relationship with the rest of the world in a century. That is because Brazil holds vast territorial assets--the Amazon rainforest, the pre-salt oil reserves, the Cerrado's agricultural frontier, one of the world's largest freshwater systems, critical mineral and rare earth deposits--whose relative importance is growing precisely as the international system reorganizes around control of such resources.
Brazilian electoral campaigns have traditionally treated foreign relations as a specialist concern. But voters must now recognize that foreign relations and Brazil's economic future are more closely tied than before. To cite one example, the price of soybeans received by a Brazilian farmer depends on trade architecture shaped by geopolitical competition between the United States and China. Moreover, whether the Amazon generates revenue through carbon markets or remains an ungoverned liability depends on international environmental frameworks that Brazil either helps design or that are imposed upon it. The industries that will employ the next generation of Brazilian workers--in critical minerals processing, renewable energy, advanced agriculture, and AI--will depend on technology partnerships, trade agreements, and investment regimes negotiated at the international level.
In this context, a candidate who promises jobs, growth, and development without articulating a foreign policy vision is offering a house without a foundation. Leaders of Brazil must confront the reality that the United States, China, and the European Union each have distinct and intensifying interests in Brazil's resources.
The United States seeks to secure supply chains for critical minerals and reduce Chinese influence in Latin America. China wants continued access to agricultural commodities, energy, and minerals to sustain its industrial base. The European Union conditions market access on environmental governance standards that directly affect how Brazil manages the Amazon and its agricultural frontier.
Each of these actors offers a different package of opportunities and risks. None of them is acting out of altruism. The question for Brazil is not whether to engage with these powers--disengagement is not an option for a middle-income country sitting on assets the world needs--but on what terms.
This is sovereignty in its most material form. Not the rhetorical sovereignty of nationalist speeches but the operational sovereignty of determining who extracts Brazilian niobium, under what conditions foreign capital enters the energy sector, whether carbon credits from the Amazon are priced in Sao Paulo or London, and whether Brazil captures value from its resources or merely exports them.
The Bolsonaro regime offered a cautionary lesson: It invoked sovereignty rhetorically but surrendered it operationally.
In pursuit of ideological alignment with the Trump administration, Brazil agreed to allow foreign wheat into its market without tariffs, implementing a 750,000 metric ton annual duty-free tariff-rate quota. This action honored a long-deferred 1994 commitment by entering the World Trade Organization (WTO). Before this, US wheat faced a 10 percent tariff, while Argentine wheat entered duty-free through its South American trade agreement, Mercosur.
On ethanol, Brazil circumvented its 20 percent tariff on ethanol and extended a quota allowing imports of 198 million gallons of US ethanol duty-free, a deal that came out of the Trump-Bolsonaro meeting in Washington in March 2019. At the time, Brazil also agreed to stop self-designating as a developing country in WTO negotiations, thereby reducing future negotiating flexibility.
What Brazil got back from these concessions is remarkably opaque. The United States established a "US-Brazil Energy Forum," but no concrete reciprocal market access appears in the public record. Trump's tariff threats against nearly every country in the world suggested that Brazil was paying to avoid punishment rather than gaining anything.
Brazil's competing electoral factions have historically produced dramatic oscillations in foreign policy. This fluctuation was made worse by the Bolsonaro government (2019-22), which abandoned Brazil's decades-long tradition of pragmatic multilateralism and non-alignment in favor of an explicitly ideological foreign policy modeled on the American right.
For example, Bolsonaro sidelined or overruled the highly regarded and professional Ministry of Foreign Affairs, known as Itamaraty, shifting Brazil from being a leader in climate negotiations to an obstructionist. Once a proponent of multilateral trade governance, Brazil became an uncritical follower of Washington's bilateral preferences.
The consequences were not abstract. The Mercosur-EU trade agreement, decades in the making and nearing conclusion, became politically unratifiable in European parliaments because of the Bolsonaro government's anti-environmental Amazon policies. Investment decisions in green infrastructure and critical minerals that might have anchored long-term supply relationships were deferred or redirected. Brazil's voice in shaping the rules of the emerging green economy was muted at the very moment those rules were being written.
The Lula government's return to multilateral engagement after 2023 partially repaired the damage, but the deeper problem remains: The whiplash in policy itself is the vulnerability. Partners and investors do not plan on four-year cycles. A country that veers between climate leadership and climate denialism, between pragmatic engagement with China and ideological hostility, between multilateralism and unilateral alignment, cannot build the sustained relationships that the current moment demands.
The fragmentation of the global economy is creating an opportunity for Brazil to lock in long-term supply agreements, technology transfer arrangements, and strategic partnerships. At risk is not simply a loss of diplomatic prestige but also the danger of investment going elsewhere, in supply chains that bypass Brazil and in governance frameworks designed without Brazilian input. Most of all, Brazil cannot afford the growing gap between the country's resource endowment and its actual economic and geopolitical weight.
The global energy and digital transition must be at the center of the electoral debate. Brazil is well-positioned for this transition. Its energy matrix is already among the cleanest of any major economy. Brazil holds significant reserves of lithium, niobium, rare earths, and other minerals essential to batteries, semiconductors, and renewable energy infrastructure. The Amazon represents the world's largest terrestrial carbon sink. Brazilian agriculture is moving--unevenly, but moving--toward practices that could anchor global sustainable food systems.
But endowment is not destiny. Converting these assets into development outcomes requires diplomatic infrastructure: trade agreements that ensure market access for Brazilian green products, technology partnerships, environmental governance frameworks that Brazil co-designs rather than merely complies with, and financial architectures that channel climate finance on terms favorable to Brazilian interests.
Neither candidate is confronting these issues, and it's doubtful whether they will in the run-up to the elections. Lula at least understands that granting concessions to the current Trump administration without clear commitments from the United States that meet Brazilian interests--for example, technological assistance in establishing critical mineral processing capacities--is detrimental to the country. Flavio Bolsonaro, on the other hand, judging by his comments at the most recent Conservative Political Action Conference in Texas, intends to fully align with the US government at the expense of what might be best for Brazil.
The future of the Amazon is at the center of these concerns. Its forest is simultaneously a territorial asset, a sovereignty flashpoint, a focal point of international pressure, a potential source of enormous economic value, and a governance challenge that no single Brazilian administration has resolved. What happens in the Amazon is shaped by international commodity markets, European deforestation regulations, bilateral relationships with Norway and Germany, carbon pricing mechanisms, and the operational capacity of Brazilian federal and state institutions.
The Amazon is also where the Bolsonaro era did its most lasting damage--for example, by effectively dismantling the Amazon Fund, which had channeled over $1.3 billion from Norway and Germany into conservation and sustainable development, causing Norway and Germany to freeze contributions. Deforestation surged to its highest levels in over a decade, driven by the systematic weakening of environmental agencies IBAMA and ICMBio and by political signals from the presidency that enforcement was no longer a priority. Brazil went from hosting the world's most significant tropical conservation financing mechanism to destroying it--and in doing so, demonstrated to every international partner that commitments made by one Brazilian government could be annihilated by the next.
The Lula government reactivated the Fund and resumed enforcement, and deforestation rates have since declined. But these shifting political priorities have made it impossible for Brazil to build a credible long-term position either as environmental steward or as sovereign manager of its own territory. International actors exploit this inconsistency, alternately pressuring and partnering with Brazil depending on who is in power.
The questions candidates should answer are clear. What is the strategy for negotiating with the European Union on deforestation and other climate regulations? How will Brazil capture value from its critical minerals rather than exporting raw ore? Who will set the price of the Amazon's environmental services? How will the competing demands of the United States and China be met without sacrificing Brazilian autonomy?
The world is watching whether Brazil's most important decisions about its place in the world will be made, once again, by others.
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Original text here: https://www.piie.com/blogs/realtime-economics/2026/why-foreign-policy-central-question-brazils-next-election
[Category: Economics]
Paralyzed Veterans of America Announces $1.08 Million Donation From Penske Automotive Group
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Paralyzed Veterans of America issued the following news on April 20, 2026:
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Paralyzed Veterans of America announces $1.08 million donation from Penske Automotive Group
Gift brings all-time support to more than $12 million as PVA marks its 80th year serving veterans with spinal cord injuries and diseases
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Paralyzed Veterans of America today announced it received a donation of $1.08 million from long-time partner Penske Automotive Group through the company's annual Service Matters campaign. The amount includes donations from Penske Automotive Group's customers and
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Paralyzed Veterans of America issued the following news on April 20, 2026:
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Paralyzed Veterans of America announces $1.08 million donation from Penske Automotive Group
Gift brings all-time support to more than $12 million as PVA marks its 80th year serving veterans with spinal cord injuries and diseases
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Paralyzed Veterans of America today announced it received a donation of $1.08 million from long-time partner Penske Automotive Group through the company's annual Service Matters campaign. The amount includes donations from Penske Automotive Group's customers andemployees, as well as matching contributions from the company. Since the partnership began in 2015, more than $12 million has been raised to support PVA's mission of helping veterans living with spinal cord injuries and diseases to access the benefits they earned, the specialized care they need, and the meaningful careers they want.
"Partners like Penske Automotive Group help redefine what is possible for veterans living with spinal cord injuries and diseases," said Robert Thomas, U.S. Army Veteran and National President of PVA. "As we mark PVA's 80th anniversary, this partnership is proof that, together, we can create opportunities, remove barriers, and empower veterans to live life on their own terms after injury or diagnosis."
"We are honored to support the incredible work of Paralyzed Veterans of America," said Robert H. Kurnick, Jr., President of Penske Automotive Group. "This contribution reflects our appreciation for the sacrifices made by our nation's veterans, and our commitment to helping ensure they receive the care, resources and opportunities they deserve. I am grateful to our customers, partners and employees for their generous support in funding this important mission to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our veterans."
The contribution comes as PVA celebrates its 80th anniversary, marking eight decades as a relentless ally for veterans living with SCI/D and all people with disabilities. Since 1946, PVA has achieved significant victories in the fight for disability civil rights and in advancing SCI/D research and education. Milestones include securing landmark legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act; pioneering wheelchair basketball; authoring national accessibility standards used globally; funding research that led to the development of the first non-addictive pain medication in over a decade; and providing resources in over 60 countries and four languages.
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About Paralyzed Veterans of America Paralyzed Veterans of America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of veterans with spinal cord injury or diseases. The organization ensures veterans receive the benefits earned through service to our nation; monitors their care in VA spinal cord injury units; and funds research and education in the search for a cure and improved care for individuals with paralysis.
As a life-long partner and advocate for veterans and all people with disabilities, PVA also develops training and career services, works to ensure accessibility in public buildings and spaces, and provides health and rehabilitation opportunities through sports and recreation. With more than 70 offices and 33 chapters, Paralyzed Veterans of America serves veterans, their families, and their caregivers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Learn more at PVA.org.
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About Penske Automotive Penske Automotive Group, Inc., (NYSE: PAG) headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, is a diversified international transportation services company and one of the world's premier automotive and commercial truck retailers. PAG operates dealerships in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Australia and is one of the largest retailers of commercial trucks in North America for Freightliner. PAG also distributes and retails commercial vehicles, diesel and gas engines, power systems, and related parts and services principally in Australia and New Zealand. PAG employs over 27,700 people worldwide. Additionally, PAG owns 28.9% of Penske Transportation Solutions ("PTS"), a business that employs over 42,000 people worldwide, manages one of the largest, most comprehensive and modern trucking fleets in North America with over 396,600 trucks, tractors, and trailers under lease, rental, and/or maintenance contracts and provides innovative transportation, supply chain, and technology solutions to its customers. PAG is a member of the S&P Mid Cap 400, Fortune 500, Russell 1000, and Russell 3000 indexes. For additional information, visit the Company's website at www.penskeautomotive.com.
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Original text here: https://pva.org/news-and-media-center/recent-news/paralyzed-veterans-of-america-announces-1-08-million-donation-from-penske-automotive-group/
[Category: Political]
Fordham Political Review Posts Commentary: Long Live Print Media - What the Resurgence of "Zines" Tells Us About Gen-Z
BRONX, New York, April 21 -- The Fordham Political Review posted the following commentary on April 19, 2026, by Nadia Garriga:
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Long Live Print Media: What the resurgence of "Zines" Tells Us About Gen-Z
If you're young and chronically online, you've probably seen an influx of innovative magazines, or "zines," flooding your feed. From New York City's First Lady, Rama Duwaji, on the cover for The Cut, where photographer Szilveszter Mako's surrealist styling gives her a unique edge, to actress Ayo Edibiri's editorial feature for PAPER magazine, visual media is making a comeback. Once thought
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BRONX, New York, April 21 -- The Fordham Political Review posted the following commentary on April 19, 2026, by Nadia Garriga:
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Long Live Print Media: What the resurgence of "Zines" Tells Us About Gen-Z
If you're young and chronically online, you've probably seen an influx of innovative magazines, or "zines," flooding your feed. From New York City's First Lady, Rama Duwaji, on the cover for The Cut, where photographer Szilveszter Mako's surrealist styling gives her a unique edge, to actress Ayo Edibiri's editorial feature for PAPER magazine, visual media is making a comeback. Once thoughtof as a dead industry, the revival of digital and physical magazines amongst Gen Z audiences points to a greater, more thoughtful shift, reflective of where culture is at the moment.
The magazine industry's heyday was previously thought of as a phenomenon of the past. Though the earliest issues can be dated back to the 17th century, the industry experienced a golden age from the 1930s to the 1970s. From the infamous LIFE magazine, which documented politics and culture through the first instances of professional photojournalism, to the early days of the more easygoing Rolling Stone, magazines were a dominant force.
Beyond entertainment, they served a greater purpose in terms of their relationship with politics. For many Americans, magazines were some of the most easily accessible forms of media, and they didn't just present the news but also offered unique cultural takes on current events from the perspectives of writers, photographers, and stylists. In contrast with more stringent news outlets, which held a greater responsibility of communicating with the general public, magazines could operate under different niches, paving the way for more subtle political commentary through the lens of musicians or artists.
As the early 2000s approached so did the onslaught of the internet. With the digital age came a threat to physical and print media, and the magazine industry suffered as a result. Beyond the easily accessible media access that the internet provided, declines in print revenue and underdeveloped mergers brought about a stagnancy to the magazine industry. In relation to politics, the 2008 financial crisis only accelerated the downfall of print media. Ad-spending within the industry dropped by nearly 13%, taking vital revenue for many publications. When the 2010s blog culture entered the scene, magazines accompanied this shift and embraced how technology was rapidly shifting the journalism industry.
At the end of the 2010s, magazines were thought of as a dying form of media. Platforms such as The Cut have reported nearly 8 million unique site visitors per month, a nearly 40% spike since 2016. Larger, international publications, such as Dazed, make about 110 million monthly impressions and receive 2 million monthly visitors to their website. The digital metrics and social media buzz surrounding these Gen Z catered platforms point to a larger cultural shift about what younger audiences seek amidst the current political climate.
Throughout the current onslaught of AI-generated content and consistent threats to public media, art, and culture from the Trump administration, younger audiences have begun shifting towards these independent publications. There is a level of trust within their consumption of this media, more specifically a knowledge that a human being was behind the creative process - something becoming increasingly uncertain in this new age of digital media. In a recent New York Times survey of about 1,500 randomly selected Gen Z-ers, nearly a third reported that the current era of AI-generated content makes them feel angry. Additionally, respondents aged 14-29 who reported feeling hopeful about AI dropped down to only 18% from 27%.
Despite its increased prevalence in media, young consumers have expressed their resentment for the current state of AI and the broader disownment of humanities occurring within the current culture. With the Trump administration pulling museum funding and discrediting the value of human-centric art, it's only natural for a humanist, independent counter culture to make itself known. While the resurgence of human-driven media certainly points to where our culture seeks to go, whether or not it can go in this direction amidst AI's relentless push for public integration will depend on the resistance and commitment of Gen Z creatives.
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This article was edited by Sofia Downes.
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Original text here: https://fordhampoliticalreview.org/long-live-print-media-what-the-resurgence-of-zines-tells-us-about-gen-z/
[Category: Political]
Fordham Political Review Posts Commentary: 5 Ways Colonialism Turned Indian Culture Into White Innovation
BRONX, New York, April 21 -- The Fordham Political Review posted the following commentary on April 19, 2026, by Maahi Kumar:
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5 Ways Colonialism Turned Indian Culture Into White Innovation
Growing up as an Indian child in a predominantly white neighborhood often made embracing my culture feel embarrassing or isolating. I spent much of my younger life trying to suppress my cultural identity, but as I got older I recognized a pattern: the same culture that made me feel unaccepted as a child is now innovative and trendy for the American people, but only when it's rebranded and stripped of
... Show Full Article
BRONX, New York, April 21 -- The Fordham Political Review posted the following commentary on April 19, 2026, by Maahi Kumar:
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5 Ways Colonialism Turned Indian Culture Into White Innovation
Growing up as an Indian child in a predominantly white neighborhood often made embracing my culture feel embarrassing or isolating. I spent much of my younger life trying to suppress my cultural identity, but as I got older I recognized a pattern: the same culture that made me feel unaccepted as a child is now innovative and trendy for the American people, but only when it's rebranded and stripped ofthe people who actually lived it. Although the list is infinite, here are the 5 things I feel are most commonly seen as American innovation/open-mindness--all of which originated in Indian culture first and were taken to be profitable by Britain.
1. Yoga
Yoga is an obvious addition to this list, as it's fully rooted in Indian tradition as a spiritual and philosophical practice. Its origins are dated back to Lord Shiva, or Adiyogi (the first yogi), who taught the science of yoga to early civilizations in the Himalayas. Under British rule, India's practice of yoga became dismissed as superstition and as overly sexual. Over time, Britain (and later America) created profitable labels of "hot yoga" and "power yoga," which educated people on yoga practices that once made India alienated and inferior. The cultural appropriation reached such levels that the Indian government created the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, filled with thousands of yoga postures and medicinal remedies native to the Indian subcontinent to prevent foreign companies from patenting them. As we continue to feed this billion-dollar industry, it's crucial to remember the Indian science it imitates without accrediting.
2. Turmeric + Ayurvedic Skincare
As we discuss the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, this haven also includes a vast number of native health/skin care products that were appropriated by other countries, such as turmeric. Growing up, my grandmother mixed turmeric into everything--milk during breakfast each morning, face masks, even hair care. When American researchers secured a U.S. patent for using turmeric for wound healing in the 1990s, India challenged and revoked it. They argued that this was not a "new invention," but rather a remedy that's recognized as common knowledge among Indian civilians. Beyond turmeric, India has built its ancient medicinal practices around Ayurvedic systems, which emphasize a natural, holistic approach to healing. Colonial rule deemed these systems unscientific and instead focused on Western biomedical studies; now, many Ayurvedic characteristics are reflected in herbal wellness markets in the U.S., marketed as "ancient Indian secrets" at luxury prices, while the communities that keep these practices alive barely reap the benefits.
3. Fashion
South Asian fashion has always been the star of the show. Indian culture goes maximalist, filled with different patterns, colors, and styles. Although British rule did not remove fashion from the Indian identity, it did enforce modesty and Western tailoring techniques, reducing what makes the clothing truly authentic. It also became a tool to enforce inequality, as only Indian elites were able to wear Western fashion during the time of British rule. After progressive movements like Gandhi's Khadi movement, which promoted handspun, handwoven clothing to foster self-reliance, India finally regained control of its fashion industry post-colonization. Fast forward to now, when traditional Mehndi (henna) is "boho tattoos" at a Coachella pop-up and Indian dupattas (scarves) are worn by Bella Hadid at the Oscars. In fact, many other celebrities, like Kendall Jenner and Gracia Abrams, have imitated early-2000s Bollywood styles without crediting any Indian designers. As the pattern repeats, Prada and Chanel receive paychecks while the Indian fashion community that built these innovations goes unnoticed.
4. Women's Suffrage
This one is quite interesting because, even as an Indian myself, I don't always perceive that India often respects women and their autonomy. Although they did grant a lot of political respect to women in South Asia, only to have this direction dismantled by Colonialism. In Sri Lanka, women gained the right to vote in 1931. As soon as India became independent from the British monarchy in 1947, women were granted the right to vote on an equal footing with men from the very beginning. Today, Western governments like to position themselves as the exemplar of feminist values to the Global South, but let's not forget that women had the right to vote far sooner than most Western nations.
5. Homosexuality
It would be impossible for me to say that the LGBTQ+ community has a safe place in
India, because I cannot deny that rampant homophobia does still exist. Although with my research, I can confidently say that India was not originally this way, and current homophobic practices are just remnants of old British practices. In the 12th-century Khajuraho temples, many same-sex erotic scenes were integrated into sacred architecture. The Kama Sutra includes an entire chapter on same-sex relationships, recognizing categories like swarinis (women who love women) and referring to same-sex relationships as "a union of love and cohabitation." When the British arrived, the Kama Sutra was translated and published by a British Orientalist, and the colonial government introduced the Indian Penal Code, criminalizing "carnal intercourse against the order of nature." This rule was weaponized against the LGBTQ+ community for almost 150 years, until India ultimately regained independence. After being disconnected from the true ancestral values of Hinduism, Indian communities echoed these homosexual perceptions that the British strictly emphasized. Although (most) developed countries can hold their head high when it comes to LGBTQ+ legislation, it's important to note that India's attitudes are a reflection of years of colonization and destruction of their culture.
What happened to India is a pattern we continuously see: the white supremacy vindicator degrades living cultures, extracts what's profitable, and then sells it back to them as their own. This systematically degrading practice removes the true ownership of ethnic communities and makes that very community feel ashamed and isolated, only to make it trendy the next day. The beauty of South Asian culture should be brought into conversations about fashion, wellness, and politics in our country, but only by giving credit where credit is due.
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This article was edited by Abigail D'Angelo.
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Original text here: https://fordhampoliticalreview.org/5-ways-colonialism-turned-indian-culture-into-white-innovation/
[Category: Political]
EDF Congratulates Stephen Miller on His Appointment to the Arizona Water Infrastructure Finance Authority Board
NEW YORK, April 21 -- The Environmental Defense Fund posted the following news release:
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EDF Congratulates Stephen Miller on his appointment to the Arizona Water Infrastructure Finance Authority Board
Statement of Chris Kuzdas, Arizona Water Program Director
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(FLAGSTAFF, AZ) Securing Arizona's water future requires leaders who deeply understand the delicate balance between local economic needs and long-term conservation, which is why the Environmental Defense Fund applauds the appointment of Pinal County Supervisor and Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD) Board Member
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NEW YORK, April 21 -- The Environmental Defense Fund posted the following news release:
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EDF Congratulates Stephen Miller on his appointment to the Arizona Water Infrastructure Finance Authority Board
Statement of Chris Kuzdas, Arizona Water Program Director
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(FLAGSTAFF, AZ) Securing Arizona's water future requires leaders who deeply understand the delicate balance between local economic needs and long-term conservation, which is why the Environmental Defense Fund applauds the appointment of Pinal County Supervisor and Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD) Board MemberStephen Miller to the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) Board of Directors.
"Stephen Miller knows firsthand what is at stake for Arizona's communities when it comes to water security. His unique perspective, serving the rapidly evolving needs of Pinal County while navigating complex, state-wide challenges on the CAWCD Board, gives him a unique, on-the-ground understanding of our water infrastructure demands.
"Supervisor Miller brings a well-earned reputation for bridging divides to advance practical water policies. At a time when WIFA is tasked with making generational investments in our state's water supply, his leadership will be instrumental."
* Chris Kuzdas, Arizona Water Program Director, Environmental Defense Fund (https://www.edf.org/people/christopher-kuzdas)
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With more than 3 million members, Environmental Defense Fund creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships to turn solutions into action. edf.org
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Original text here: https://www.edf.org/media/edf-congratulates-stephen-miller-his-appointment-arizona-water-infrastructure-finance
[Category: Environment]
Brady Responds to Louisiana Mass Shooting That Killed Eight Children; Recent High-Profile Killings of Black Women
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence issued the following news release on April 20, 2026:
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Brady Responds to Louisiana Mass Shooting That Killed Eight Children; Recent High-Profile Killings of Black Women
Eight children, ranging from 3 to 11 years old, and two women were shot in a domestic violence attack in Shreveport, LA, part of a string of intimate partner violence affecting Black women.
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Yesterday, local authorities in Louisiana confirmed that a father shot and killed eight children and wounded his wife and another woman in a domestic violence-related
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence issued the following news release on April 20, 2026:
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Brady Responds to Louisiana Mass Shooting That Killed Eight Children; Recent High-Profile Killings of Black Women
Eight children, ranging from 3 to 11 years old, and two women were shot in a domestic violence attack in Shreveport, LA, part of a string of intimate partner violence affecting Black women.
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Yesterday, local authorities in Louisiana confirmed that a father shot and killed eight children and wounded his wife and another woman in a domestic violence-relatedattack in Shreveport, LA. The tragedy, which was the country's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, comes amid several reported killings of Black women, or Black femicide, which is driven in large part by disparities in intimate partner homicide. Importantly, research shows that disparities in intimate partner homicide are not inevitable but linked to structural racism and misogynoir's overlapping impacts.
Kris Brown, president of Brady, the nation's oldest gun violence prevention organization, said:
"No one -- let alone eight young children -- should ever die this way. Yet tragedies like this are all too common in America, in part because of our excess of firearms. Guns are the leading weapon used in domestic violence homicides. Their impact is especially devastating for Black women, who are three times more likely than white women to be fatally shot by an intimate partner. In the hands of an abuser, a gun too often turns violence into death.
"In April alone, at least seven Black women were killed -- five of them with firearms -- by intimate partners or family members, including: Dr. Cerina Wanzer Fairfax, Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer, Pastor Tammy McCollum, Ashly Robinson, Qualeisha Barnes, Davonta Curtis, and Barbara Deer.
"We owe it to all victims to address the deadly intersection between domestic violence and firearms. Preventing tragedies like these is not only possible -- it's our responsibility."
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Brady has one powerful mission -- to unite all Americans against gun violence. We work across Congress, the courts, and our communities with over 90 grassroots chapters, bringing together young and old, red and blue, and every shade of color to find common ground in common sense. In the spirit of our namesakes Jim and Sarah Brady, we have fought for over 45 years to take action, not sides, and we will not stop until this epidemic ends. It's in our hands.
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Original text here: https://www.bradyunited.org/press/louisiana-mass-shooting-domestic-violence
[Category: Political]
Americans for Tax Reform: GOP Can Further Help Middle Class By Ending the Inflation Tax on Capital Gains
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Americans for Tax Reform posted the following commentary on April 20, 2026, by John Kartch and Sean Rowen:
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GOP Can Further Help Middle Class By Ending the Inflation Tax on Capital Gains
Three-fourths of households with a capital gains filing make less than $200k
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President Trump and House and Senate Republicans can further help middle class households by ending the inflation tax on capital gains.
IRS data shows that 74% of households with a capital gains filing make less than $200,000. That is, three in four households with a capital gains filing make less than
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 21 -- Americans for Tax Reform posted the following commentary on April 20, 2026, by John Kartch and Sean Rowen:
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GOP Can Further Help Middle Class By Ending the Inflation Tax on Capital Gains
Three-fourths of households with a capital gains filing make less than $200k
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President Trump and House and Senate Republicans can further help middle class households by ending the inflation tax on capital gains.
IRS data shows that 74% of households with a capital gains filing make less than $200,000. That is, three in four households with a capital gains filing make less than$200,000.
Inflation is created by the government and then taxed by the government. It is time to end this double-dipping.
Americans are currently stuck paying capital gains taxes on inflation.
As shown by official IRS data from the most recent available dataset, tax year 2022:
30,465,850 households had a capital gains filing
22,647,560 made less than $200k
=74% of households with a capital gains filing made less than $200k
Americans for Tax Reform and 30 other conservative groups recently sent Treasury Secretary Bessent a letter supporting Bessent's ability to end the inflation tax. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) are also urging an end to the inflation tax. Trump has noted he has the authority to do so: "It can be done directly by me."
Data for all 50 states is below.
* Alabama
287,180 households had a capital gains filing
223,950 made less than $200k
78% made less than $200k
* Alaska
62,340 households had a capital gains filing
48,290 made less than $200k
77% made less than $200k
* Arizona
615,160 households had a capital gains filing
473,720 made less than $200k
77% made less than $200k
* Arkansas
183,700 households had a capital gains filing
146,920 made less than $200k
80% made less than $200k
* California
3,852,470 households had a capital gains filing
1,616,510 made less than $200k
42% made less than $200k
* Colorado
681,910 households had a capital gains filing
497,580 made less than $200k
73% made less than $200k
* Connecticut
425,060 households had a capital gains filing
297,640 made less than $200k
70% made less than $200k
* Delaware
96,130 households had a capital gains filing
74,530 made less than $200k
77% made less than $200k
* District of Colombia
86,260 households had a capital gains filing
54,740 made less than $200k
63% made less than $200k
* Florida
2,136,590 households had a capital gains filing
1,970,520 made less than $200k
92% made less than $200k
* Georgia
770,390 households had a capital gains filing
562,110 made less than $200k
73% made less than $200k
* Hawaii
140,360 households had a capital gains filing
113,010 made less than $200k
80% made less than $200k
* Idaho
168,030 households had a capital gains filing
134,830 made less than $200k
80% made less than $200k
* Illinois
1,261,490 households had a capital gains filing
940,230 made less than $200k
74% made less than $200k
* Indiana
517,370 households had a capital gains filing
418,680 made less than $200k
80% made less than $200k
* Iowa
311,450 households had a capital gains filing
255,820 made less than $200k
82% made less than $200k
* Kansas
277,060 households had a capital gains filing
221,680 made less than $200k
80% made less than $200k
* Kentucky
278,490 households had a capital gains filing
226,060 made less than $200k
81% made less than $200k
* Louisiana
272,670 households had a capital gains filing
257,010 made less than $200k
94% made less than $200k
* Maine
131,440 households had a capital gains filing
107,060 made less than $200k
81% made less than $200k
* Maryland
596,180 households had a capital gains filing
422,030 made less than $200k
70% made less than $200k
* Massachusetts
834,430 households had a capital gains filing
563,270 made less than $200k
67% made less than $200k
* Michigan
894,250 households had a capital gains filing
722,750 made less than $200k
80% made less than $200k
* Minnesota
638,140 households had a capital gains filing
495,240 made less than $200k
77% made less than $200k
* Mississippi
131,790 households had a capital gains filing
106,240 made less than $200k
80% made less than $200k
* Missouri
542,020 households had a capital gains filing
440,650 made less than $200k
81% made less than $200k
* Montana
123,950 households had a capital gains filing
101,850 made less than $200k
82% made less than $200k
* Nebraska
200,570 households had a capital gains filing
163,010 made less than $200k
81% made less than $200k
* Nevada
252,110 households had a capital gains filing
193,250 made less than $200k
76% made less than $200k
* New Hampshire
164,690 households had a capital gains filing
122,160 made less than $200k
74% made less than $200k
* New Jersey
1,077,680 households had a capital gains filing
739,270 made less than $200k
68% made less than $200k
* New Mexico
137,860 households had a capital gains filing
112,100 made less than $200k
81% made less than $200k
* New York
2,015,460 households had a capital gains filing
1,482,840 made less than $200k
73% made less than $200k
* North Carolina
896,280 households had a capital gains filing
673,700 made less than $200k
75% made less than $200k
* North Dakota
79,460 households had a capital gains filing
62,510 made less than $200k
78% made less than $200k
* Ohio
990,510 households had a capital gains filing
798,760 made less than $200k
80% made less than $200k
* Oklahoma
248,820 households had a capital gains filing
198,630 made less than $200k
79% made less than $200k
* Oregon
426,370 households had a capital gains filing
333,040 made less than $200k
78% made less than $200k
* Pennsylvania
1,253,060 households had a capital gains filing
968,950 made less than $200k
77% made less than $200k
* Rhode Island
102,240 households had a capital gains filing
79,020 made less than $200k
77% made less than $200k
* South Carolina
409,750 households had a capital gains filing
320,220 made less than $200k
78% made less than $200k
* South Dakota
99,690 households had a capital gains filing
82,140 made less than $200k
82% made less than $200k
* Tennessee
496,020 households had a capital gains filing
377,430 made less than $200k
76% made less than $200k
* Texas
2,152,520 households had a capital gains filing
1,513,910 made less than $200k
70% made less than $200k
* Utah
262,870 households had a capital gains filing
199,880 made less than $200k
76% made less than $200k
* Vermont
75,280 households had a capital gains filing
61,500 made less than $200k
81% made less than $200k
* Virginia
877,490 households had a capital gains filing
620,120 made less than $200k
70% made less than $200k
* Washington
894,690 households had a capital gains filing
613,060 made less than $200k
68% made less than $200k
* West Virginia
92,040 households had a capital gains filing
77,060 made less than $200k
83% made less than $200k
* Wisconsin
633,950 households had a capital gains filing
524,890 made less than $200k
82% made less than $200k
* Wyoming
59,910 households had a capital gains filing
48,130 made less than $200k
80% made less than $200k
* * *
Original text here: https://atr.org/trump-can-help-middle-class-by-ending-the-inflation-tax-on-capital-gains/
[Category: Political]
