Featured Stories
'It's About Time': ALG Praises House Passage Of Sunshine Protection Act, Urges Senate Passage
FAIRFAX, Virginia, Aug. 30 [Category: Government/Public Administration] -- Americans for Limited Government posted the following news release:
* * *
'It's About Time': ALG Praises House Passage Of Sunshine Protection Act, Urges Senate Passage
*
July 15, 2026, Fairfax, Va.-Americans for Limited Government Executive Director Robert Romano today issued the following statement praising the House for passing the Sunshine Protection Act and urged the Senate to do the same:
"The House has finally passed legislation that will end standard time once and for all. No more sunsets in the middle of the
... Show Full Article
FAIRFAX, Virginia, Aug. 30 [Category: Government/Public Administration] -- Americans for Limited Government posted the following news release:
* * *
'It's About Time': ALG Praises House Passage Of Sunshine Protection Act, Urges Senate Passage
*
July 15, 2026, Fairfax, Va.-Americans for Limited Government Executive Director Robert Romano today issued the following statement praising the House for passing the Sunshine Protection Act and urged the Senate to do the same:
"The House has finally passed legislation that will end standard time once and for all. No more sunsets in the middle of theafternoon. It's about time. Nobody likes the constant clock changes. The fact is that under current law, there was never a way to opt out of standard time whereas states were permitted to opt out of daylight savings time if they really wanted to, as Arizona and Hawaii do. School districts can always have starting bells later to compensate if there is concern about later sunrises during the winter months, although it's worth noting almost all districts are already on Christmas vacation during the shortest days. Clearly, based on the House vote, and unanimous passage of practically identical legislation by the Senate in 2022, and the President's support, daylight savings time is far more popular. But really, it's just let's pick a time and stick with it. Compromise if needs be: shave a half hour off standard time. Anything's better than the clock changes, and the early sunsets in the winter are frankly depressing. But the bill's fine the way it is. It is time for the Senate to immediately take up this common sense, bipartisan legislation, stop switching the clocks and let the sun shine into the evening for good."
For media availability contact Americans for Limited Government at media@limitgov.org.
***
Original text here: https://getliberty.org/2026/07/its-about-time-alg-praises-house-passage-of-sunshine-protection-act-urges-senate-passage/
Plastic Pollution Coalition: The Plastic We Wear - Hidden Fibers, Chemical Dyes, and the Future of Clean Textiles
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 (TNSrep) -- The Plastic Pollution Coalition issued the following statement on Aug. 28, 2026:
* * *
The Plastic We Wear: Hidden Fibers, Chemical Dyes, and the Future of Clean Textiles
Summary
More than half of all clothing sold worldwide is made from synthetic fibers derived from fossil fuels, and that amount is increasing.
* Washing synthetic clothing releases hundreds of thousands to millions of microplastic fibers per load, many of which are not captured by wastewater treatment and instead are often discharged directly into waterways.
* Synthetic dyes and chemical finishes
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 (TNSrep) -- The Plastic Pollution Coalition issued the following statement on Aug. 28, 2026:
* * *
The Plastic We Wear: Hidden Fibers, Chemical Dyes, and the Future of Clean Textiles
Summary
More than half of all clothing sold worldwide is made from synthetic fibers derived from fossil fuels, and that amount is increasing.
* Washing synthetic clothing releases hundreds of thousands to millions of microplastic fibers per load, many of which are not captured by wastewater treatment and instead are often discharged directly into waterways.
* Synthetic dyes and chemical finishesused on many mass-produced textiles have been linked to skin irritation and allergic contact dermatitis.
* Natural fibers paired with plant dyes offer a practical, lower-impact alternative, and transparency tools like AIZOME's Textile Health Facts label are helping consumers make more informed choices.
-
When we think about sources of plastic pollution, most of us picture water bottles, shopping bags, or food packaging. But one of the largest sources of plastic pollution may already be hanging in our closets: synthetic fibers.
Today, synthetic fibers, such as acrylic, nylon, polyester, and spandex, account for roughly 69% of global textile fiber production, with polyester alone making up 59%, according to Textile Exchange's 2025 Materials Market Report (https://transition-pathways.europa.eu/textiles/library-and-support-resources/materials-market-report-2025-tracking-global-fibre-and-raw). These materials are derived from fossil fuels and are, quite literally, types of plastic. While they may look and feel harmless, they come with significant environmental and health concerns that many consumers are only beginning to understand.
We think it's time to ask: what are our clothes really made of, and what happens when we wear, wash, and dispose of them?
The Hidden Problem With Synthetic Textiles
Shedding at the Source
Every time synthetic clothing is washed, it sheds tiny threadlike plastic particles known as microfibers. These microscopic fibers are too small to be reliably captured by many wastewater treatment systems and are commonly discharged into rivers, lakes, oceans, and other bodies of water.
Peer-reviewed research backs this up. A widely cited 2016 study in Marine Pollution Bulletin found that an average 6-kilogram (13.2 pounds) wash load of synthetic fabrics can release over 700,000 microfibers in a single cycle. A 2021 study in PLOS ONE measured a similarly wide range, from roughly 8,800 to more than 6.8 million microfibers per wash, depending on fabric type and construction, with fleece and mechanically-treated polyester shedding the most.
Unlike organic matter, plastic doesn't biodegrade. Instead, it fragments into smaller and smaller pieces that persist in the environment. Over time, these fibers accumulate in the environment and our bodies, and have been detected in drinking water, food, human brains and blood, soils, and much more. Researchers at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam found measurable plastic particles in the blood of 77% of the 22 donors tested in a 2022 study published in Environment International, the first confirmed detection of plastic circulating in the human bloodstream.
It's Not Just the Fiber
The fiber itself is only part of the story. Many mass-produced textiles are colored using synthetic dyes and treated with chemical finishes designed to improve wrinkle resistance, stain resistance, moisture management, or durability.
For some people, these chemicals can cause skin irritation. DermNet NZ and dermatology literature dating back to a foundational 1995 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology have linked certain textile dyes -- particularly disperse blue dyes commonly used in dark synthetic fabrics -- to itching, rashes, and allergic contact dermatitis, especially in areas where clothing fits closely against the skin, such as the neck, waist, underarms, and thighs.
This doesn't mean every synthetic garment will cause a reaction. But it does highlight a broader issue: most consumers have very little information about the chemicals used to make and finish the textiles they wear every day.
We carefully read ingredient labels on food. We often check ingredient lists in skincare products. Yet clothing and bedding, which can remain in contact with our skin for hours at a time, typically come with little more than a fiber percentage and washing instructions.
Natural Fibers: A Sustainable Alternative
One of the most promising solutions to plastic pollution from textiles lies in a return to natural fibers, such as organic cotton, hemp, and linen. These materials offer a significantly improved environmental and health profile:
* Renewably sourced, derived from plants rather than fossil fuels.
* No microplastic shedding, since natural fibers don't release plastic particles during washing.
* Compatible with plant dyes, enabling reduced reliance on the synthetic dyes commonly used throughout the textile industry.
* Biodegradable at end of life, returning safely to the earth instead of persisting in landfills for decades.
While natural fibers have clear health and environmental benefits, they compete against synthetic products from petroleum, which is heavily subsidized and makes plastic fibers artificially cheap. Beyond cost, a major challenge for the natural fibers industry has been transparency -- helping consumers actually see what's in the textiles they buy.
A Breakthrough: AIZOME's Textile Health Facts
Companies like AIZOME are pioneering a new era of textile transparency with Textile Health Facts -- a label inspired by the familiar Nutrition Facts panel found on food packaging.
Unlike the fiber-percentage tags typically found on clothing, Textile Health Facts is designed to:
* Disclose fiber content, clearly and in plain language.
* List dye ingredients, so consumers know what's actually touching their skin.
* Make information accessible, without replacing existing certifications or making health claims.
* Surface certifications and traceability, connecting the finished garment back to its source.
The goal isn't to diagnose or promise outcomes; it's to help consumers ask better questions about the products they buy. Just as food labels helped people better understand what they eat, textile transparency could help people better understand what they wear.
Your Purchasing Power Can Help Create Systems Change
Consumers hold real power in shaping the future of textiles. By choosing natural fibers, supporting nontoxic plant dyes, and looking for credible, transparent labeling, shoppers send a message to the industry that safety and honesty are no longer optional -- they're expected.
Most synthetic textiles are difficult to recycle and often end up in landfills or are openly dumped and burned, causing significant pollution for nearby communities. Natural fibers, free from plastic blends and harmful chemical finishes, offer a different path: longer-lasting materials with the ability to biodegrade at the end of their useful life instead of becoming long-term waste. This is one of the core principles of a circular economy: designing products that work with natural systems rather than against them.
Natural-fiber clothing, when thoughtfully designed and cared for, can be long-lasting. Repairing worn pieces can extend their useful life even further, whether through traditional techniques such as sashiko ("visible mending") or patch embroidery, or contemporary repair services.
Clothing and bedding are often the overlooked part of the plastic pollution conversation. But the long-term goal is bigger than simply replacing one material with another. It's building a textile system rooted in transparency, accountability, and true circularity, where products are designed to leave behind neither plastic pollution nor unnecessary chemical residues.
The future of clean textiles begins with understanding what's in the products we wear every day. And that future starts with transparency.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/blog/2026/8/27/the-plastic-we-wear-hidden-fibers-chemical-dyes-and-the-future-of-clean-textiles
[Category: Industrial Materials]
League of Women Voters: Federal Court Grants Emergency Relief Blocking USPS From Implementing Newly-Finalized Mail Ballot Rule For November Election
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 -- The League of Women Voters issued the following news release on Aug. 28, 2026:
* * *
Federal Court Grants Emergency Relief Blocking USPS From Implementing Newly-Finalized Mail Ballot Rule For November Election
The temporary restraining order will remain in place for 14 days while the parties brief the pending motion for a preliminary injunction
BOSTON -- This evening, a federal court granted voting rights organizations' emergency request to block the US Postal Service (USPS) from implementing the newly-finalized mail ballot rule for the November midterm elections. That
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 -- The League of Women Voters issued the following news release on Aug. 28, 2026:
* * *
Federal Court Grants Emergency Relief Blocking USPS From Implementing Newly-Finalized Mail Ballot Rule For November Election
The temporary restraining order will remain in place for 14 days while the parties brief the pending motion for a preliminary injunction
BOSTON -- This evening, a federal court granted voting rights organizations' emergency request to block the US Postal Service (USPS) from implementing the newly-finalized mail ballot rule for the November midterm elections. Thatrule would assign USPS an unprecedented and illegal gatekeeping role in the administration of mail voting, and jeopardize the delivery of mail-in ballots to many voters.
The plaintiffs in this case, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts v. Trump, are the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, League of Women Voters, Association of Americans Resident Overseas, U.S. Vote Foundation, OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. They are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Massachusetts, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, Legal Defense Fund, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC, and LatinoJustice PRLDEF.
In response to the Court's order, counsel and plaintiffs released the following statement:
"The Administration previously dismissed plaintiffs' ongoing harms from the executive order as speculative, but the newly finalized rule confirmed what plaintiffs have been saying all along. The Rule implements the Executive Order's unprecedented attempt to usurp electoral authority from the states and Congress at the expense of voters. We welcome the court's order, which recognized the immediate need to protect the entire electorate from the damaging impacts of this unlawful final rule in the lead up to November's general elections. This is an important step towards affirming the public's confidence in the system of mail ballots, which thousands of eligible voters nationwide rely on as a core method of democratic participation."
On Aug. 11, 2026, the court issued an order in League of Women Voters of Massachusetts v. Trump, blocking USPS from implementing Section 3 of the executive order, regulating mail voting, for the upcoming Nov. 3 midterm elections. On Aug. 24, 2026, the Supreme Court stayed a different court order issued in the separate Trump v. California case blocking the implementation of the executive order, reasoning that it was premature for the California plaintiffs to bring that case before USPS issued a final rule implementing the order. On Aug. 26, 2026, the district court vacated the injunction in League of Women Voters of Massachusetts based on the Supreme Court's stay decision, but allowed plaintiff organizations to amend their complaint to reflect the fact that USPS has now issued the final mail ballot rule. Plaintiff organizations then supplemented their original complaint to do exactly that, adding challenges to the newly finalized mail ballot rule and seeking immediate emergency relief on those claims.
Stay Updated
In their papers, the plaintiff organizations argued that USPS' newly-finalized mail ballot rule violates the Constitution's separation of powers, which put the states and Congress in charge of election rules, not USPS or the president. The final rule also violates a number of the laws that govern how USPS operates. The plaintiffs sought emergency relief because these violations are causing irreparable harm to plaintiff organizations, their members, and the voters they serve each day that USPS is allowed to proceed with the new mail ballot rule, which is all the more severe as there are now fewer than 70 days before the November midterm elections.
Today, the court agreed that plaintiff organizations were likely to succeed in their claims that USPS lacked the authority to issue the final rule and that the final rule unconstitutionally imposed election requirements on the states. Noting that the "record continues to lack any evidence regarding fraudulent absentee or mail-in voting," the Court emphasized, "USPS's interest in correcting an unsubstantiated problem through likely unconstitutional means is dwarfed by the overwhelming risk of pervasive disenfranchisement of citizens who need access to mail ballots in order to vote." In light of this immediate and irreparable harm, the Court granted emergency relief, ordering defendants to take no steps to prepare, implement, or enforce several sections of the final rule for 14 days. In the interim, the parties will fully brief the plaintiff organizations' request for a preliminary injunction. A hearing on that motion has been set for Sept 3, 2026.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.lwv.org/newsroom/press-releases/federal-court-grants-emergency-relief-blocking-usps-implementing-newly
[Category: Political]
Environmental Working Group: California Lawmakers Pass Bill to Create Landmark 'non-ultra-processed' Food Label
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 -- The Environmental Working Group issued the following news release on Aug. 28, 2026:
* * *
California lawmakers pass bill to create landmark 'non-ultra-processed' food label
UPF labeling legislation now heads to Gov. Newsom's desk
-
SACRAMENTO - Today the California Legislature took a major step toward protecting public health by passing a first-of-its-kind bill to create a certified "non-ultra-processed" food label intended to make it easier for consumers to choose less-processed foods in the grocery store.
Assembly Bill 2244, authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 -- The Environmental Working Group issued the following news release on Aug. 28, 2026:
* * *
California lawmakers pass bill to create landmark 'non-ultra-processed' food label
UPF labeling legislation now heads to Gov. Newsom's desk
-
SACRAMENTO - Today the California Legislature took a major step toward protecting public health by passing a first-of-its-kind bill to create a certified "non-ultra-processed" food label intended to make it easier for consumers to choose less-processed foods in the grocery store.
Assembly Bill 2244, authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel(D-Encino), would develop a state certification program for products that are not ultra-processed, or UPF. If enacted, it would create a new standardized and government-backed seal for non-UPF foods.
It would also require some of the largest grocery stores to highlight these products in store so they're easier for shoppers to identify.
The Environmental Working Group is cosponsoring the bill, which now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk for his signature.
"Parents shouldn't need a Ph.D. in chemistry to understand what they're feeding their kids," said Gabriel.
"AB 2244 will empower consumers with clear, trustworthy information and make it easier for them to locate healthier foods that are free from harmful additives. This new seal doesn't limit consumer choice, it just makes informed choice possible," he added.
A new standard for healthier food
Under AB 2244, the state would create a standardized label bearing the phrase "Non-Ultraprocessed Certified." Products would not be permitted to carry the new label if they are classified as UPF under state law.
Some types of food, such as substances or additives used to manipulate taste and quality, would not qualify for the new label. These food chemicals, such as dyes, flavor enhancers, non-sugar sweeteners and processing aids, are used to make food hyperpalatable and irresistible.
AB 2244 builds on a precedent-setting earlier law by Gabriel. AB 1264 set the first U.S. legal definition of UPF and banned the worst UPF from K-12 public schools.
If Newson signs AB 2244, the California Department of Public Health would oversee approved agents' independent certification of products that meet the state's non-UPF standard and qualify to use the label.
AB 2244 would direct the department to accredit these third-party agents no later than June 1, 2029. It would also require product recertification at least every three years.
"This is about setting a higher bar for what we consider healthy food and helping consumers make wise choices," said Bernadette Del Chiaro, EWG senior vice president for California.
"Consumers deserve labels they can trust. And families deserve a simple way to tell which foods are closer to what comes from a kitchen rather than a factory."
"If enacted, the bill would establish a state-verified seal for foods free from the additives, emulsifiers, food dyes and flavors that have come to define the modern American diet," she added.
Transparency and accountability
The bill includes these strong oversight and transparency measures:
* Certification agents must register with the state and disclose all certified products
* The state can audit certification records at any time
* The state would maintain a public, online list of certified products
* Misuse of the label would be illegal and subject to enforcement
These provisions are designed to ensure the label's credibility.
Making healthier choices easier
In addition to creating the label, the bill would require large food retailers to display certified products carrying the label in a way that's easy for consumers to identify, such as through special signage or physical separation within the store.
This requirement would apply to any grocery store that sells more than 25 individual non-UPF-certified product types and brings in more than $10 million in annual sales.
Addressing the rise of UPF
UPF are industrially manufactured, chemically modified products often made with harmful additives to enhance taste, texture, appearance and shelf life.
In the U.S., these foods make up more than two-thirds of children's diets and more than half the typical adult diet.
Experts say ultra-processed food and drinks, particularly soda, are engineered to trick people into consuming more than they want.
Scientific research has linked diets high in UPF to serious health harms, including cancer, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic disorders such as Crohn's disease and fatty liver disease, and mental health issues.
Obesity is chief among the health problems linked to UPF. Rates of obesity in the U.S. and globally have skyrocketed in tandem with the rising UPF consumption.
Help for consumers
Despite these concerns, consumers have no clear, standard labeling system to help them identify UPF.
With federal regulators slow to update oversight of food additives and processing, states are increasingly taking action to protect public health.
AB 2244 builds on California's leadership in addressing harmful food chemicals and improving transparency for consumers.
"Because companies are not required to disclose an ingredient's purpose, it can be really difficult even for experts, even for people like me who have a doctoral degree in nutrition, to look at a food package and determine whether a food is ultra-processed or not," said Alyssa Moran, ScD, MPH.
Moran is deputy director of the Center for Food and Nutrition Policy at the University of Pennsylvania.
"And from a behavioral science perspective, we also know people seldom use information on the back of food packages to make food decisions. So that is exactly why clear, science-backed labels on the front of food packages can be so influential in helping people to make better choices," Moran said.
"If we want to meaningfully curb disease, we need a suite of complementary policies that limit the availability of ultra-processed foods, while promoting non-ultra-processed alternatives. I firmly believe this is the only way we'll make progress," she added.
Consumers can consult EWG's Food Scores database to find products that are less processed. Food Scores also flags unhealthy ultra-processed food and drinks and can help identify alternatives.
* * *
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/2026/08/california-lawmakers-pass-bill-create-landmark-non-ultra
[Category: Environment]
Earthjustice: California Legislature Passes the Home Energy Choice Act
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Aug. 29 -- Earthjustice issued the following news release on Aug. 28, 2026:
* * *
California Legislature Passes the Home Energy Choice Act
Victory -- AB 2313 will give Californians the freedom and funds for non-polluting appliances with money that would otherwise be spent replacing gas service lines
-
Sacramento, CA -- Today, the California Legislature passed the Home Energy Choice Act (AB 2313), authored by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park). This popular, commonsense legislation will offer California homeowners the choice and the support needed to electrify
... Show Full Article
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Aug. 29 -- Earthjustice issued the following news release on Aug. 28, 2026:
* * *
California Legislature Passes the Home Energy Choice Act
Victory -- AB 2313 will give Californians the freedom and funds for non-polluting appliances with money that would otherwise be spent replacing gas service lines
-
Sacramento, CA -- Today, the California Legislature passed the Home Energy Choice Act (AB 2313), authored by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park). This popular, commonsense legislation will offer California homeowners the choice and the support needed to electrifytheir homes. When a gas service line is due for replacement, utilities will offer a voluntary incentive to electrify instead. This entirely optional program will help give more California homeowners the funds and the choice to determine what energy powers their home appliances. Both owner-occupied and rental properties are eligible, and there will be additional support provided for families in disadvantaged communities. Earthjustice and NRDC are co-sponsoring the legislation.
"AB 2313 is a win for ratepayers, a win for the environment, and a win for public health," said Assemblymember Marc Berman. "Rather than being forced to have their gas hookups replaced, homeowners will get the choice to receive funds to electrify their homes while overall utility infrastructure spending goes down, lowering rates for all gas ratepayers. AB 2313 is a commonsense, cost-effective way to help California meet its climate goals while giving more power to homeowners, not utilities."
"Why squander money replacing old gas lines when we can help thousands of Californians upgrade their homes with non-polluting appliances? With AB 2313, more Californians will have the freedom and the funds to make the shift in their homes," said Matt Vespa, senior attorney on Earthjustice's Right To Zero campaign. "We're incredibly grateful to Assemblymember Berman and the California Legislature for their keen judgement in advancing the Home Energy Choice Act, and we look forward to Governor Newsom signing this no-brainer bill into law."
Californians are currently not given a choice when their gas line is scheduled to be replaced. Instead, the system works like an auto-renewed subscription where the utility automatically replaces gas lines even as more customers want to electrify and shift to nonpolluting appliances. This way of doing things is driving up costs: UCLA estimates that gas customers will be expected to pay $43 billion by 2045 to maintain the gas system in California.
The Home Energy Choice Act, on the other hand, will bring down costs for everyone. The legislation will reduce bills for all customers because the money that a homeowner receives through the program will be less than what their gas utility would spend replacing the gas service line to their home. As energy rates skyrocket and Californians look for relief, AB 2313 will help make energy more affordable while giving people access to cleaner and more efficient appliances.
"Californians can look forward to energy choice and cleaner air as AB 2313 heads to the governor's desk," said Merrian Borgeson, director of California climate & energy policy at NRDC. "Replacing aging gas pipelines shouldn't be automatic - we can't afford to waste money on infrastructure we don't need or want. We urge Governor Newsom to sign this commonsense bill without delay."
Recent polling from Lake Research found that commanding majorities of California voters support legislation that would offer homeowners the opportunity to upgrade their home appliances to electric when their utility company is scheduled to replace their gas service line.
On top of major clean air and climate benefits, all-electric appliances are better products: heat pumps hold a steadier temperature than gas furnaces and they provide both heating and cooling. This is particularly helpful for the quarter of Californians who currently don't have access to air conditioning. Induction stoves offer quicker and more precise cooking and they're easier to clean.
More than 100 organizations around the state have championed AB 2313 and Californians sent over 11,000 letters to their legislators and the Governor supporting the bill. Governor Newsom has until September 30 to sign the bill into law.
* * *
Additional Resources
* Californians Deserve to Choose the Energy Source for their Homes -- a New Bill Would Give Them the Freedom and Funds to Do So (https://earthjustice.org/experts/matt-vespa/californians-deserve-to-choose-the-energy-source-for-their-homes-a-new-bill-would-give-them-the-freedom-and-funds-to-do-so)
* Assemblymember Berman Introduces Legislation to Electrify California Homes (https://earthjustice.org/press/2026/assemblymember-berman-introduces-legislation-to-electrify-california-homes)
* California Can Thread the Needle on Oil Prices, Heatwaves, and Trump Attacks this Year (https://earthjustice.org/experts/ada-waelder/california-can-thread-the-needle-on-oil-prices-heatwaves-and-trump-attacks-this-year)
* Letter of Support: California Home Energy Choice Act (https://earthjustice.org/document/letter-of-support-california-home-energy-choice-act)
* California Home Energy Choice Act Fact Sheet (https://earthjustice.org/document/california-home-energy-choice-act-fact-sheet)
* Home Energy Choice Act FAQ (https://earthjustice.org/document/home-energy-choice-actfaq)
* * *
About Earthjustice
Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.
* * *
Original text here: https://earthjustice.org/press/2026/california-legislature-passes-the-home-energy-choice-act
[Category: Environment]
Catholic League Issues Commentary: Why Are Liberals Prone To Groupthink?
NEW YORK, Aug. 29 -- The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, an organization that defends the right of Catholics to participate in American public life without defamation or discrimination, issued the following commentary on Aug. 28, 2026, by President Bill Donohue:
* * *
WHY ARE LIBERALS PRONE TO GROUPTHINK?
In the early 1970s, Pauline Kael, film critic for the New Yorker, was stunned when Richard Nixon won the presidential election. She was famously quoted saying, "I can't believe Nixon won. I don't know anyone who voted for him." That was odd. Nixon won 49 states.
Kael claimed
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Aug. 29 -- The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, an organization that defends the right of Catholics to participate in American public life without defamation or discrimination, issued the following commentary on Aug. 28, 2026, by President Bill Donohue:
* * *
WHY ARE LIBERALS PRONE TO GROUPTHINK?
In the early 1970s, Pauline Kael, film critic for the New Yorker, was stunned when Richard Nixon won the presidential election. She was famously quoted saying, "I can't believe Nixon won. I don't know anyone who voted for him." That was odd. Nixon won 49 states.
Kael claimedshe was misquoted. But she admits to saying something similar, "I live in a rather special world." That's putting it mildly--she lived in an intellectual ghetto where groupthink is commonplace. So do most liberals today. Just walk into the faculty lounge on any college campus to validate this verity.
In that same year, 1972, psychologist Irving Janis coined the term "groupthink." He meant by that the uniformity of thought that occurs when members of a group fail to consider alternative views. The gist of what he said was picked up by writers in the late 1940s.
That is when Orwell wrote about "doublethink" in his novel 1984. Harold Rosenberg, a Marxist art critic who moved to the center after the war, wrote an influential essay, "The Herd of the Independent Minds," that accurately described the same phenomenon; he said the herd mentality was especially true of New York intellectuals.
Why intellectuals, most of whom are on the left?
Rosenberg seized on the tendency of intellectuals to deal with abstract constructions, and not real-world experiences; this accounts for their lack of independent thinking.
Writing at the same time was Austrian economist Friedrich Hayek. Author of many powerful books, he wrote an essay that sought to explain the same worldview. He found that the utopian bent that so many of these writers shared explained their propensity to think in terms of grand ideas, dismissing practical concerns.
Why does any of this matter? Consider the findings of a recent study on the occupations of those who give to Republicans and Democrats, published by InstaPundit.
It makes it unmistakably clear that in occupations that favor the Democrats, almost all of those who work in these jobs donate to their favorite party; but the level of agreement is considerably smaller among those who work in jobs where members favor Republicans. This gives a decisive advantage to Democrats.
Commentators are correct to say this finding shows that Democrats are much more likely to live in a bubble than Republicans. Yes, they are guilty of groupthink. But what is most troubling is the nature of the occupations that mark members of the two parties.
Democrats are found in high numbers among those who work in higher education, publishing, the arts, executives in the non-profit sector, psychotherapists and television. Republicans are found in high numbers among those who work in insurance, landscaping, the trucking industry, farming, construction, and the health field.
In other words, Democrats not only exemplify the herd mentality, they are in a position to affect the thinking of the public; this is not true of Republicans. Professors shape the minds of young people; landscapers do not.
Utopian visions, and a proclivity to abstract thinking, are hallmarks of liberals, most of whom are Democrats. Their lack of interest in practical, real-world, experiences is not a virtue. Indeed, it is a vice.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.catholicleague.org/why-are-liberals-prone-to-groupthink/
[Category: Sociological]
A Better Wisconsin Together: MAGA Election Denier Joins MAGA Election Denier on Republican Ticket for Statewide Offices
MONONA, Wisconsin, Aug. 29 -- A Better Wisconsin Together, a state-based research and communications hub for progressives, posted the following news release:
* * *
MAGA Election Denier Joins MAGA Election Denier on Republican Ticket for Statewide Offices
Tiffany's efforts to overturn Donald Trump's 2020 election loss and Schroeder's remarkable election denial extremism presents a serious threat to the freedom to vote in Wisconsin.
-
MADISON, Wis. - Multiple MAGA election deniers will be topping the ticket for Wisconsin Republicans with Jay Schroeder as the GOP candidate for Secretary of State
... Show Full Article
MONONA, Wisconsin, Aug. 29 -- A Better Wisconsin Together, a state-based research and communications hub for progressives, posted the following news release:
* * *
MAGA Election Denier Joins MAGA Election Denier on Republican Ticket for Statewide Offices
Tiffany's efforts to overturn Donald Trump's 2020 election loss and Schroeder's remarkable election denial extremism presents a serious threat to the freedom to vote in Wisconsin.
-
MADISON, Wis. - Multiple MAGA election deniers will be topping the ticket for Wisconsin Republicans with Jay Schroeder as the GOP candidate for Secretary of Statejoining gubernatorial nominee Congressman Tom Tiffany. Tiffany's efforts to overturn Donald Trump's 2020 election loss and his support for January 6 insurrectionists mixed with Schroeder's remarkable election denial extremism presents a serious threat to the freedom to vote in Wisconsin.
"In 2021 Congressman Tiffany voted to toss out the votes of millions of Americans, and he was prepared to do the same to Wisconsinites, were it not for Congressional proceedings being interrupted by violent January 6 insurrectionsists," commented A Better Wisconsin Together spokesperson Mike Browne. "But Tiffany's election denial extremism has nothing on his fellow Republican Jay Schroeder."
Schroeder's agenda as a self-described "authentic MAGA activist" includes changing state law to give the Secretary of State power to run elections and eliminating the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission. Just a sampling of Schroeder's extreme election denial antics demonstrates what a danger he could be to Wisconsinites' freedom to vote:
* Schroeder called for Wisconsin's 2020 presidential electors to be "rescinded";
* In 2022, Schroeder claimed the secretary of state has power to prevent electoral college votes from being cast and said he would have refused to sign required paperwork related to the 2020 presidential electors, which "means they wouldn't have been awarded";
* Schroeder said as Secretary of State, he would conduct investigations and possibly "sting" operations akin to Harry Wait requesting other individuals' absentee ballots;
* On the campaign trail in 2022, Schroeder said that if he were Secretary of State in 2024, and the Secretary of State office held power to certify elections, he wouldn't recognize a Democratic winner for president if Trump lost unless there was "proof";
* Schroeder's election denial efforts earned him the endorsement of other notorious election deniers Michael Gableman and Mike Lindell in his failed 2022 campaign.
Schroeder doesn't stop at attacking our freedom to vote. He also maintains virulent opposition to reproductive freedom and access to abortion, and is supported by an extremist organization that wants to outlaw all abortions, with no exceptions ever, and ban most common forms of birth control.
* * *
A Better Wisconsin Together is a state-based research and communications hub for progressives and is an affiliate of ProgressNow.
* * *
Original text here: https://abetterwisconsin.org/maga-election-denier-joins-maga-election-denier-on-republican-ticket-for-statewide-offices/
[Category: Economics]
