Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
Alliance for Justice: Justin Smith Hearing Reveals Grave Threat to Judiciary
WASHINGTON, April 16 -- The Alliance for Justice, an organization committed to fortifying the progressive movement through its focus on federal and state courts and building power by providing resources to maximize nonprofits' advocacy capacity, issued the following news release on April 15, 2026:
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Justin Smith Hearing Reveals Grave Threat to Judiciary
Today the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of Justin Smith, who President Trump nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Trump's personal lawyer in both the presidential immunity and
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 16 -- The Alliance for Justice, an organization committed to fortifying the progressive movement through its focus on federal and state courts and building power by providing resources to maximize nonprofits' advocacy capacity, issued the following news release on April 15, 2026:
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Justin Smith Hearing Reveals Grave Threat to Judiciary
Today the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of Justin Smith, who President Trump nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Trump's personal lawyer in both the presidential immunity andE. Jean Carroll cases, Smith is a Trump true believer with a disturbing record of anti-voting rights, anti-abortion, anti-environment, and anti-LGBTQ+ advocacy. Today's hearing further revealed how dangerously unfit Smith is to receive a lifetime appointment on a powerful federal appeals court.
During the hearing, Democratic senators pressed Smith on his loyalty to Trump. Smith refused to budge from the scripted Trump-nominee response that Joe Biden was merely "certified" as winner of the 2020 election. Asked several times, he simply would not say who won that election outright, a reminder that he was part of Missouri's effort to help invalidate the election results in several states. He likewise would not say that there was an "attack" on the Capitol on January 6, nor did he back down from the implications of presidents acting unlawfully without accountability thanks to his role in the presidential immunity case. Disappointingly, he would not even confirm that he would recuse from cases in which Trump had a personal stake, despite his close relationship as his attorney.
Alliance for Justice and many other organizations openly protested Smith's nomination at today's hearing.
Alliance for Justice President Rachel Rossi issued the following statement:
"Justin Smith demonstrated today that he cannot be trusted to uphold the rule of law. He has dedicated his career to undermining the Constitution to support Trump's authoritarian behavior and to hold back the advancement of civil rights. There is every reason to believe that this is exactly how he will act as a judge, and he offered nothing in today's hearing to suggest otherwise.
"Trump's motivations for appointing his personal attorneys like Justin Smith to our federal courts are obvious. In the short term, he's hoping to stack the court with judges loyal to him and his unlawful actions above all else. In the long term, he's hoping these judges will continue to enshrine his undemocratic MAGA legacy for generations to come.
"Smith is not the first nor the last of Trump's attorneys he's trying to appoint to the bench. We've already seen Emil Bove use his position on an appeals court to prop up Trump's unlawful behavior and Matthew Schwartz is waiting in the wings. Trump's nefarious plot is obvious, and the Senate must ensure Smith's confirmation does not move forward."
Read more about Justin Smith's egregious record and the growing opposition to his nomination (https://afj.org/nominee/justin-smith/).
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Original text here: https://afj.org/article/justin-smith-hearing-reveals-grave-threat-to-judiciary/
[Category: Political]
Alliance for Justice: Justin Smith Hearing Reveals Grave Threat to Judiciary
WASHINGTON, April 16 -- The Alliance for Justice, an organization committed to fortifying the progressive movement through its focus on federal and state courts and building power by providing resources to maximize nonprofits' advocacy capacity, issued the following news release on April 15, 2026:
* * *
Justin Smith Hearing Reveals Grave Threat to Judiciary
Today the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of Justin Smith, who President Trump nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Trump's personal lawyer in both the presidential immunity and
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 16 -- The Alliance for Justice, an organization committed to fortifying the progressive movement through its focus on federal and state courts and building power by providing resources to maximize nonprofits' advocacy capacity, issued the following news release on April 15, 2026:
* * *
Justin Smith Hearing Reveals Grave Threat to Judiciary
Today the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of Justin Smith, who President Trump nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Trump's personal lawyer in both the presidential immunity andE. Jean Carroll cases, Smith is a Trump true believer with a disturbing record of anti-voting rights, anti-abortion, anti-environment, and anti-LGBTQ+ advocacy. Today's hearing further revealed how dangerously unfit Smith is to receive a lifetime appointment on a powerful federal appeals court.
During the hearing, Democratic senators pressed Smith on his loyalty to Trump. Smith refused to budge from the scripted Trump-nominee response that Joe Biden was merely "certified" as winner of the 2020 election. Asked several times, he simply would not say who won that election outright, a reminder that he was part of Missouri's effort to help invalidate the election results in several states. He likewise would not say that there was an "attack" on the Capitol on January 6, nor did he back down from the implications of presidents acting unlawfully without accountability thanks to his role in the presidential immunity case. Disappointingly, he would not even confirm that he would recuse from cases in which Trump had a personal stake, despite his close relationship as his attorney.
Alliance for Justice and many other organizations openly protested Smith's nomination at today's hearing.
Alliance for Justice President Rachel Rossi issued the following statement:
"Justin Smith demonstrated today that he cannot be trusted to uphold the rule of law. He has dedicated his career to undermining the Constitution to support Trump's authoritarian behavior and to hold back the advancement of civil rights. There is every reason to believe that this is exactly how he will act as a judge, and he offered nothing in today's hearing to suggest otherwise.
"Trump's motivations for appointing his personal attorneys like Justin Smith to our federal courts are obvious. In the short term, he's hoping to stack the court with judges loyal to him and his unlawful actions above all else. In the long term, he's hoping these judges will continue to enshrine his undemocratic MAGA legacy for generations to come.
"Smith is not the first nor the last of Trump's attorneys he's trying to appoint to the bench. We've already seen Emil Bove use his position on an appeals court to prop up Trump's unlawful behavior and Matthew Schwartz is waiting in the wings. Trump's nefarious plot is obvious, and the Senate must ensure Smith's confirmation does not move forward."
Read more about Justin Smith's egregious record and the growing opposition to his nomination (https://afj.org/nominee/justin-smith/).
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Original text here: https://afj.org/article/justin-smith-hearing-reveals-grave-threat-to-judiciary/
[Category: Political]
Alianza Americas: Tax Day 2026 - Immigrant Communities Demand Investment in Care, Not War!
CHICAGO, Illinois, April 16 -- Alianza Americas, a transnational advocacy network of Latin American migrant-led organizations, issued the following news release on April 15, 2026:
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Tax Day 2026: Immigrant communities demand investment in care, not war!
On Tax Day, April 15, 2026, Alianza Americas--a national network of 55 Latin American and Caribbean Immigrant-led organizations--together with its member organization, United for a Fair Economy, calls on the U.S. federal government to prioritize investments in public programs and resources that strengthen collective well-being.
While immigrants
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, April 16 -- Alianza Americas, a transnational advocacy network of Latin American migrant-led organizations, issued the following news release on April 15, 2026:
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Tax Day 2026: Immigrant communities demand investment in care, not war!
On Tax Day, April 15, 2026, Alianza Americas--a national network of 55 Latin American and Caribbean Immigrant-led organizations--together with its member organization, United for a Fair Economy, calls on the U.S. federal government to prioritize investments in public programs and resources that strengthen collective well-being.
While immigrantscontribute $97 billion in local, state, and federal taxes, they continue to be scapegoated for systemic failures driven by a deeply unequal tax system. The impact of growing economic inequality is undeniable, and driven by policies that reward the wealthy while leaving working families behind.
As of September 2025, billionaires in the U.S. held a record $7.6 trillion in personal wealth, much of which was reached in less than 8 years since the first Trump tax cuts in 2017. At the same time, families are increasingly unable to afford a dignified standard of living every day. Today, CEOs earn 281 times the average worker's pay.
This growing concentration of wealth stands in stark contrast to the reality facing working families. Over the last 15 months, we have witnessed the largest federal funding cuts to programs like SNAP, Medicaid, housing, and education, while federal spending continues to prioritize illegally imposed tariffs, military strikes in Latin America, and the war in Iran.
"On this Tax Day, we are naming a clear truth: our communities are being asked to sacrifice more while billionaires and corporations continue to amass unprecedented wealth. Instead of investing in healthcare, housing, and education, the federal government is choosing to fund harmful policies that deepen inequality and instability," said Jeannette Huezo, Executive Director of United for a Fair Economy.
"Our communities deserve an economy rooted in fairness, dignity, and shared prosperity. The real challenge we face is economic inequity and a tax system that fails to meet the needs of everyday people, not immigration status. For too long, fear-mongering and lies have distracted from the investments our communities truly need. It's time to prioritize care over militarization and build a budget that reflects our collective well-being, " stated Dulce Guzman, Executive Director of Alianza Americas.
Alianza Americas and United for a Fair Economy demand a tax system that works for all of us, not just the elite.
On this Tax Day, we are reclaiming our taxes to ensure they work toward equity for all of us. As Congress debates funding bills, we demand:
* Refund the illegal tariffs we have paid since 2025 that have disproportionately impacted our communities.
* Stop funding ICE, CBP, and wars - not one more dollar should be spent on state-sanctioned violence, illegal militarization, or criminalization of our communities.
* Fully fund programs, such as universal healthcare, mental health programs, workforce training, education, and more.
* Reform our tax system; move away from a regressive system and make the wealthy and large corporations pay their fair share.
Alianza Americas urges policymakers, media, and the public to demand a tax system that reflects our shared values: equity, dignity, and care for all.
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Alianza Americas is a transnational network of migrant-led organizations in the United States. We advocate for social justice, equity, and human rights in the Americas.
United for a Fair Economy (UFE) is a national non-profit organization that uses popular education, organizing and strategic communication to call attention to the growing income and wealth divide and the racial wealth divide in the US.
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Original text here: https://www.alianzaamericas.org/post/tax-day-2026-immigrant-communities-demand-investment-in-care-not-war
[Category: Political]
Alarming Proliferation in Antisemitism and Extremism on Instagram, New ADL Report Reveals
NEW YORK, April 16 (TNSrep) -- The Anti-Defamation League, an anti-hate organization that aims to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all, posted the following news release:
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Alarming Proliferation in Antisemitism and Extremism on Instagram, New ADL Report Reveals
With Less Content Moderation, White Supremacist Networks, Terror Group Supporters and Nazi Merchandise Vendors Thrive on Instagram; Enforcement Testing Shows 93 percent of Reported Extremist Content Goes Unremoved
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Meta's lack of content moderation policies risks turning Instagram
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, April 16 (TNSrep) -- The Anti-Defamation League, an anti-hate organization that aims to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all, posted the following news release:
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Alarming Proliferation in Antisemitism and Extremism on Instagram, New ADL Report Reveals
With Less Content Moderation, White Supremacist Networks, Terror Group Supporters and Nazi Merchandise Vendors Thrive on Instagram; Enforcement Testing Shows 93 percent of Reported Extremist Content Goes Unremoved
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Meta's lack of content moderation policies risks turning Instagraminto a breeding ground for antisemitism, white supremacy and terrorist propaganda, according to a new report released today by the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) Center on Extremism, in partnership with ADL affiliate, JLens. Ahead of an upcoming Meta shareholder vote, the report -"How Meta's Content Moderation Changes Risk Turning Instagram into a Hub for Hate"-reveals that Instagram removed just 7 percent of hateful and extremist content reported by researchers, demonstrating a systemic failure to protect users on one of the world's most widely used social media platforms.
Between January and February 2026, the ADL Center on Extremism researchers conducted systematic enforcement testing by reporting 253 pieces of violative content through Instagram's standard user reporting system. Of 150 reported accounts and 103 reported posts linked to white supremacist networks, designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations and vendors selling Nazi merchandise, Instagram removed only 11 accounts and 8 posts. In 20 cases, Instagram explicitly stated it lacked the bandwidth to review the reports.
"Instagram is developing into a hub for hate and antisemitism, and our research demonstrates this clearly," said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director. "Meta's moderation rollback has created a permissive environment where extremists thrive, bad actors turn Instagram's own features into amplification tools for hate, and as a result, vulnerable communities suffer. As a company operating some of the largest communication platforms in human history, it is imperative that Meta change course to avoid the further normalization of antisemitism, hate and violent extremism globally."
Key findings include:
* 93 percent non-removal rate for reported extremist and hateful content
* 105 accounts affiliated with white supremacist Nick Fuentes' Groyper network were identified by researchers, with more than 1.4 million combined followers. These accounts have regularly posted antisemitic conspiracy theories, Holocaust denial and pro-Hitler content
* 340,000+ followers across accounts directly or indirectly linked to U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, including the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)
* 3.2 million+ views on content from a single extremist merchandise vendor selling apparel with Nazi symbols including Sonnenrads, Totenkopfs and SS bolts
The report documents how malicious actors have exploited Meta's user-reporting system. White supremacist networks have developed coordinated strategies to evade detection while also maximizing reach, with one post published with collaborators joking about Hitler running the United States receiving over 2.7 million views and 172,000 likes. Accounts supporting designated terrorist organizations disguise violative content with unrelated captions, while hate merchandise vendors partially obscure Nazi symbols in product photos to evade automated detection.
"Meta's decision to gut content moderation puts Instagram at risk of being a megaphone for the world's most dangerous antisemites and extremists," said Oren Segal, ADL Senior Vice President for Counter-Extremism and Intelligence. "When a platform used by 80 percent of American adults under 30 allows pro-Hitler content to rack up millions of views, Holocaust denial to spread unchecked and terrorist organizations to fundraise openly, we're not talking about a policy disagreement. We're talking about a public safety crisis. Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged Meta would 'catch less bad stuff' after the rollback. Our research proves he was right, and the consequences are deeply concerning."
The report emphasizes that Instagram's reach makes Meta's moderation failures particularly dangerous. According to Pew Research Center studies, the platform is used by 50 percent of kids aged 13-17, and the hate they encounter does not remain online. It bolsters the ranks of extremist movements, spreads terror messaging and finances offline violence.
Despite claiming to be personally banned from Instagram since 2021, white supremacist influencer Nick Fuentes has circumvented the ban through a network of at least 105 affiliated accounts that boost his hateful rhetoric. These accounts post clips from Fuentes' livestream show that have accumulated millions of views. When moderation pressure increases, accounts temporarily deactivate, then resume once the risk is reduced.
The report also documents at least 23 active accounts spreading Islamic State and Al-Qaida propaganda, and 33 accounts linked to the PFLP, including at least one that has fundraised for the designated terrorist organization through its Instagram bio, likely in violation of U.S. laws. Chapters of the PFLP-tied group Samidoun, sanctioned by both the U.S. and Canadian governments as a terrorist fundraising front, were also found operating on the platform.
ADL calls on Meta to take four concrete steps to restore safety:
* Reinstate proactive moderation measures against violative content
* Commit to reviewing all user reports at scale and audit automated systems
* Restore meaningful researcher data access through tools like CrowdTangle or specialized APIs
* Partner with ADL experts on hate and extremism to better identify violative content
"The ADL report raises important questions about whether Meta's current approach to harmful content is adequately protecting users and the long-term interests of shareholders," said Ari Hoffnung, JLens Managing Director and ADL Senior Advisor on corporate advocacy. "For a company whose business model depends overwhelmingly on advertising revenue, safeguarding brand safety and user trust is essential. Investors should expect stronger oversight, clearer disclosure and measurable progress in how Meta is managing these risks."
This report builds on extensive shareholder advocacy by JLens at Meta. In May 2025, a shareholder proposal aimed at strengthening Meta's accountability for harmful content across its platforms was the highest-supported human-rights-related shareholder proposal of the 2025 proxy season. The proposal received 46.8% support from independent shareholders. JLens has since resubmitted the proposal for consideration at Meta's 2026 annual meeting. The full report and methodology are available here (https://www.adl.org/resources/report/how-metas-content-moderation-practices-risk-turning-instagram-hub-hate).
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About ADL
ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913 to protect the Jewish people, ADL works to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and secure justice and fair treatment to all. In the face of rising antisemitism and extremism, we protect, advocate, and educate, through a mix of programs and services using the latest innovations and technology, and seek to create a world without hate. More at www.adl.org.
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About JLens
Founded in 2012, JLens is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Registered Investment Advisor that empowers investors to align their capital with Jewish values and advocates for Jewish communal priorities in the corporate arena. JLens' Jewish Investor Network is composed of over 40 Jewish institutions, representing $12 billion in communal capital. In 2022, JLens established an affiliation with ADL (Anti-Defamation League), the leading anti-hate organization in the world. More at www.jlensnetwork.org.
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Original text here: https://www.adl.org/resources/press-release/alarming-proliferation-antisemitism-and-extremism-instagram-new-adl-report
[Category: Political]
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network: Report Examines Gaps in Cancer Prevention, Treatment and Survivorship
WASHINGTON, April 16 [Category: Medical] (TNSrpt) -- The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network posted the following news release:
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New Report Examines Gaps in Cancer Prevention, Treatment and Survivorship
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) released a new report today showing the scope of cancer disparities in the United States and recommended local, state and federal policies that can help reduce them. Cancer Disparities: An American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Chartbook examines disparities in cancer screening, prevention and early detection, disparities
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 16 [Category: Medical] (TNSrpt) -- The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network posted the following news release:
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New Report Examines Gaps in Cancer Prevention, Treatment and Survivorship
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) released a new report today showing the scope of cancer disparities in the United States and recommended local, state and federal policies that can help reduce them. Cancer Disparities: An American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Chartbook examines disparities in cancer screening, prevention and early detection, disparitiesin cancer incidence, mortality and survival, as well as disparities in access to health coverage.
The chartbook includes cancer-specific data on communities disproportionately affected by cancer, including American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) people, Asian, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander people (AANHPI), Black people, Hispanic/Latino people, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) people, people with disabilities and people who live in rural areas. The chartbook outlines cancer disparities across these communities, serves as a resource to better understand the unique burden of cancer and provides evidence-based policy recommendations to reduce these disparities.
"Cancer is a disease that affects everyone but not equally," said Lisa A. Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. "Many barriers can impact a person's ability to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer, including limited access to high quality, affordable health care and geographic location. Addressing these barriers is critical to reducing cancer disparities, improving health outcomes and saving more lives."
Key report findings include:
* Tobacco use is one of the primary drivers of cancer-related health disparities because its disproportionate use impacts people based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, mental health, income level, education level and geographic location.
* In 2024, about 36% of those who currently smoke reported using menthol-flavored cigarettes. Among people who smoke, 82% of Black people smoke menthol cigarettes, 39 % of Hispanic people smoke menthol cigarettes, compared to 28% of White people who smoke menthol cigarettes.
* LGBTQ+ people of color -Black and Hispanic -have increased smoking prevalence in comparison to White LGBTQ+ people and heterosexual people.
* The tobacco industry's aggressive marketing use of advertising, price discounting and flavors to intentionally target people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and people with limited incomes has resulted in disproportionate tobacco use and tobacco-related disparities among these populations.
* The five-year cancer survival rate for AIAN people is lower than White people overall -62% versus 71%.
* In 2023, up-to-date colorectal cancer screening was highest among White (67%) people by race/ethnicity and lower among Asian (58%) people.
* Individuals diagnosed with cancer living in rural areas face challenges in accessing cancer care and experience worse outcomes than those living in more metropolitan areas.
* Research shows that breast and cervical cancer diagnosis reports are higher in women with disabilities than those without disabilities.
The chartbook identifies critical public policy interventions at the local, state and federal levels that can reduce cancer disparities and improve health outcomes for everyone. Some of the recommendations include:
* Supporting effective policies that prevent tobacco use and address tobacco-related disparities including adequately funding federal and state tobacco prevention and cessation programs; ensuring cessation services are comprehensive and accessible; increasing the price of tobacco products through regular and significant tax increases on all tobacco products; and enacting comprehensive smoke-free laws that cover all workplaces, including restaurants, bars and gaming facilities.
* Protecting and expanding Medicaid coverage in the remaining ten states that have not done so. Research has shown improved cancer outcomes in states that have expanded Medicaid by increasing access to cancer prevention, screening and early detection services, as well as providing more affordable treatment and care.
* Eliminating cost sharing - including co-pays, coinsurance and deductibles -for cancer screening and all follow-up tests, which will help remove cost barriers for important prevention and early detection services for all.
* Protecting and increasing funding for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, which provides breast and cervical cancer screenings, diagnostic tests and treatment referral services to limited-income, underserved, uninsured and underinsured communities.
* Reducing barriers to enrolling in clinical trials, which are vital to advancing new and improved standards of care and give patients the opportunity to participate in research and development of new treatments.
"All people should have a fair and just opportunity to live a longer, healthier life free from cancer," said Lacasse. "We urge lawmakers to support the policies outlined in this chartbook, which will help end cancer as we know it, for everyone."
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REPORT: https://www.fightcancer.org/sites/default/files/national_documents/acs-can-disparities-chartbook.pdf
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Original text here: https://www.fightcancer.org/releases/new-report-examines-gaps-cancer-prevention-treatment-and-survivorship
AFP-TN Praises Legislature Leadership, Governor Lee as the Regulatory Freedom Act Heads to Governor's Desk
ARLINGTON, Virginia, April 16 [Category: Sociological] -- Americans for Prosperity posted the following news release:
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AFP-TN Praises Legislature Leadership, Governor Lee as the Regulatory Freedom Act Heads to Governor's Desk
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NASHVILLE- Americans for Prosperity Tennessee (AFP-TN) praised the Tennessee House and Senate leadership, as well as the Lee Administration, as the Regulatory Freedom Act has now soared through both chambers and is headed towards the Governor's desk. The Regulatory Freedom Act has been a top priority for AFP-TN as a part of its Volunteer Way Agenda, aimed at catapulting
... Show Full Article
ARLINGTON, Virginia, April 16 [Category: Sociological] -- Americans for Prosperity posted the following news release:
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AFP-TN Praises Legislature Leadership, Governor Lee as the Regulatory Freedom Act Heads to Governor's Desk
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NASHVILLE- Americans for Prosperity Tennessee (AFP-TN) praised the Tennessee House and Senate leadership, as well as the Lee Administration, as the Regulatory Freedom Act has now soared through both chambers and is headed towards the Governor's desk. The Regulatory Freedom Act has been a top priority for AFP-TN as a part of its Volunteer Way Agenda, aimed at catapultingTennessee into the future and fully unleashing its economic potential.
Tori Venable, AFP-TN State Director, released the following statement:
"We're extremely grateful to House & Senate leadership, Governor Lee's Administration, and all the help provided by Sen. Marsha Blackburn on getting this transformational regulatory reform legislation passed. Starting next year, bureaucrats will have to account for the financial burden their regulations place on the economy and the legislative branch will have the ultimate say."
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Original text here: https://americansforprosperity.org/press-release/afp-tn-praises-legislature-leadership-governor-lee-as-the-regulatory-freedom-act-heads-to-governors-desk/
America First Legal Announces U.S. Department of State Legal Adviser, Reed D. Rubinstein, Returning to Strengthen AFL's Fight for the American People
WASHINGTON, April 16 [Category: Political] -- America First Legal, a civil rights organization, posted the following news release:
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America First Legal Announces U.S. Department of State Legal Adviser, Reed D. Rubinstein, Returning to Strengthen AFL's Fight for the American People
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Today, America First Legal (AFL) announced that Reed D. Rubinstein will rejoin the organization after serving as the U.S. Department of State's Legal Adviser. Rubinstein previously served as AFL's Senior Vice President, and his return further strengthens AFL's fight to protect the American people.
Gene Hamilton,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 16 [Category: Political] -- America First Legal, a civil rights organization, posted the following news release:
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America First Legal Announces U.S. Department of State Legal Adviser, Reed D. Rubinstein, Returning to Strengthen AFL's Fight for the American People
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Today, America First Legal (AFL) announced that Reed D. Rubinstein will rejoin the organization after serving as the U.S. Department of State's Legal Adviser. Rubinstein previously served as AFL's Senior Vice President, and his return further strengthens AFL's fight to protect the American people.
Gene Hamilton,President of America First Legal, said, "Reed has been instrumental to this organization, and his return marks a pivotal moment as AFL continues to grow, take on new challenges, and put wins on the board for everyday Americans. The coming years will demand even more creativity, courage, tenacity, and conviction, and I am thrilled to stand with Reed once more."
Rubinstein said, "I am proud to be returning to AFL and excited both to help Gene and the entire AFL team continue its amazing work, and to take on the exciting new projects and opportunities that lie ahead as we defend the Constitution, our national security, and the American people."
Learn more about AFL's mission here.
***
Original text here: https://aflegal.org/press-release/america-first-legal-announces-u-s-department-of-state-legal-adviser-reed-d-rubinstein-returning-to-strengthen-afls-fight-for-the-american-people/
AFP Slams Retroactive Cash Grab Bill
ARLINGTON, Virginia, April 16 [Category: Sociological] -- Americans for Prosperity posted the following news release:
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AFP Slams Retroactive Cash Grab Bill
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Augusta, Maine - Today, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) slammed Governor Mills for signing LD 1870, An Act to Establish a Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to Impose Penalties on Climate Polluters, into law. The legislation mandates a costly study while failing to deliver results for the state of Maine.
AFP Northeast Region Director Ross Connolly said:
"Governor Mills just took a step toward a retroactive cash grab that will
... Show Full Article
ARLINGTON, Virginia, April 16 [Category: Sociological] -- Americans for Prosperity posted the following news release:
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AFP Slams Retroactive Cash Grab Bill
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Augusta, Maine - Today, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) slammed Governor Mills for signing LD 1870, An Act to Establish a Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to Impose Penalties on Climate Polluters, into law. The legislation mandates a costly study while failing to deliver results for the state of Maine.
AFP Northeast Region Director Ross Connolly said:
"Governor Mills just took a step toward a retroactive cash grab that willdrive up costs for Maine families. Supporters can call this a 'study,' but the goal is clear: punish energy producers for decades-old activity and pass the bill to consumers. Maine can't afford another policy that makes energy more expensive and pushes opportunity out of the state."
Maine is among the most energy-dependent states in the country, particularly for heating and transportation. Imposing retroactive penalties on energy producers risks driving up costs that will ultimately be passed on to families and businesses.
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Original text here: https://americansforprosperity.org/press-release/afp-slams-retroactive-cash-grab-bill/
A Better Wisconsin Together: This Tax Day, Wisconsinites Are Paying the Tom Tiffany Tax
MONONA, Wisconsin, April 16 -- A Better Wisconsin Together, a state-based research and communications hub for progressives, posted the following news release:
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This Tax Day, Wisconsinites Are Paying the Tom Tiffany Tax
While we pay higher costs because of the Tiffany tax, ironically he has a history of not paying any himself
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MADISON, Wis. -- Amid the annual April 15 deadline to file income taxes, known to many as Tax Day, there's another tax Wisconsinites are paying this year: the Tiffany Tax.
"While the average Wisconsin family hopes for enough of a tax return to help them stay afloat,
... Show Full Article
MONONA, Wisconsin, April 16 -- A Better Wisconsin Together, a state-based research and communications hub for progressives, posted the following news release:
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This Tax Day, Wisconsinites Are Paying the Tom Tiffany Tax
While we pay higher costs because of the Tiffany tax, ironically he has a history of not paying any himself
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MADISON, Wis. -- Amid the annual April 15 deadline to file income taxes, known to many as Tax Day, there's another tax Wisconsinites are paying this year: the Tiffany Tax.
"While the average Wisconsin family hopes for enough of a tax return to help them stay afloat,Republican Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany, who put us in this situation in the first place, is kicking up his feet and looking for even more ways to raise costs," said Lucy Ripp, communications director at A Better Wisconsin Together.
Ripp also noted that while we pay higher costs because of the Tiffany tax, ironically he has a history of not paying any himself. According to reports Tiffany paid no state income taxes in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 or 2010.
More recently, Tiffany gave the OK for Trump to use Wisconsinites' tax dollars to fund the unpopular and unnecessary war in Iran, which in turn has also caused the cost of gas and groceries in Wisconsin to skyrocket.
Tiffany has also continuously supported and rubberstamped Trump's tariffs that have raised costs for the average Wisconsin family by over $1,700 per year. In fact, recent reporting shows that Wisconsin businesses and consumers were forced to pay a collective $3.5 billion on Tiffany's tariffs between March and December 2025.
Despite the immense financial hardship that tariffs have put on Wisconsin families and businesses, Tiffany called the tariffs "really good things."
Last summer, Tiffany voted to stick Wisconsin taxpayers with over $280 million in higher costs just so he could give a tax break to his billionaire buddies. This vote from Tiffany not only significantly raised costs, but also took healthcare and food benefits away from his constituents.
"Yet even though Tiffany now sits in Congress, Wisconsinites are still feeling the consequences of his time in the Wisconsin Legislature," Ripp added.
As a state legislator, Tiffany voted for the largest cut to public school funding in state history at the time. The fallout from that vote is still rippling over a decade later. In last week's spring election, school districts asked Wisconsin voters for more than $1 billion in property tax increases so they can continue to serve the community after years of Republicans like Tiffany blocking public school funding.
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A Better Wisconsin Together is a state-based research and communications hub for progressives and is an affiliate of ProgressNow.
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Original text here: https://abetterwisconsin.org/this-tax-day-wisconsinites-are-paying-the-tom-tiffany-tax/
[Category: Economics]
