National Popular Vote Appears on Tangle News
On June 9, National Popular Vote senior advisor Patrick Rosenstiel and strategic partner Alyssa Cass appeared on the Tangle News to educate and spread awareness about the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
On June 9, National Popular Vote senior advisor Patrick Rosenstiel and strategic partner Alyssa Cass appeared on the Tangle News to educate and spread awareness about the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
When asked about the campaign, Rosenstiel said, “The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact says when states with 270 or more electoral votes pass the bill, the interstate compact, those states will award and block their electors to the candidate that wins the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In layman's terms, when states with 270 or more electoral votes have our bill in place, we will have a national popular vote for president, and every voter, in every state, will be politically relevant in every presidential election, which 67 percent of American people want, and this is the plan that gives it to them and delivers it.”
Watch the full interview here.
DPC Urges Missouri Governor to Veto 340B Expansion
The Domestic Policy Caucus today wrote to Missouri Governor Mike Parson, urging him to veto an expansion of 340B, as contained in S.B. 751, which has been sent to his desk.
The Domestic Policy Caucus today wrote to Missouri Governor Mike Parson, urging him to veto an expansion of 340B, as contained in S.B. 751, which has been sent to his desk.
In part, DPC wrote, "Disparities in access to care and health outcomes for rural, underserved, and minority populations have long been significant issues. Any policy that could further restrict the availability of medicines to these populations--or force them to travel farther to obtain them--needs to take the issue of health equity into consideration. There should be much more discussion, analysis, and debate before determining whether to head down this uncertain and troubling policy path."
Read the full letter here.
NoGovInternet Appears on “Political as Heck Utah” Podcast
Former Speaker of Utah House Greg Hughes appeared on the “Political as Heck Utah” podcast to discuss his role in the NoGovInternet Campaign.
Former Speaker of Utah House Greg Hughes appeared on the “Political as Heck Utah” podcast to discuss his role in the NoGovInternet Campaign.
In part Hughes said, “It’s 501(c)(4) campaign meant to really educate people because a lot of times when UTOPIA or one of these companies comes to a city council, which have constituents who would like better service, the version of life that they’re giving—there is a lot more to the story. At least more details and information that the public, and even those mayors and city council members ought to be aware of before making a big decision to get into debt and get into that lane as a city to provide internet infrastructure.”
Listen to the full discussion starting at the 4:35 mark here.
Mass Priorities Publishes Issue Guide for West Springfield, Massachusetts
Mass Priorities has published an issue guide for the town administrators and residents of West Springfield, Massachusetts, to educate about the risks and costs of government-owned broadband networks.
Mass Priorities has published an issue guide for the town administrators and residents of West Springfield, Massachusetts, to educate about the risks and costs of government-owned broadband networks.
In the issue guide, Mass Priorities explained, “At a time when vital community resources such as schools and public services are facing cuts, it is critical to focus on spending that aligns with the most pressing needs of West Springfield residents. Despite the financial strains leading to proposed school closures and significant cuts in funding for critical community services, West Springfield is contemplating the allocation of millions of dollars to a risky municipal broadband network. This raises concerns about the alignment of fiscal expenditures with actual community needs and priorities.”
Read the full issue guide here.
National Popular Vote Joins Gaslit Nation Podcast
On May 28, National Popular Vote strategic advisor, Alyssa Cass, appeared on the Gaslit Nation podcast to discuss the benefits of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
On May 28, National Popular Vote strategic advisor, Alyssa Cass, appeared on the Gaslit Nation podcast to discuss the benefits of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
Cass said the following about our current electoral system, “When you ignore people’s voices, when just only a few thousand votes in a handful of states matter, the outcome isn’t pretty. You know, look around, the current system leads to divisiveness, allows battleground state courts to pick the president, and doesn’t honor the fundamental principle of democracy that every voter should count equally in presidential elections. It doesn’t have to be that way.”
Listen to the full episode here.
DPC Applauds No. Carolina State Treasurer Report Exposing 340B Overcharges
North Carolina State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA, recently released a report finding that 340B hospitals billed state employees an average price markup of 5.4 times their discounted acquisition costs for oncology drugs.
North Carolina State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA, recently released a report finding that 340B hospitals billed state employees an average price markup of 5.4 times their discounted acquisition costs for oncology drugs. Hospitals generated average spread profits as high as $13,617 per claim on cancer drugs paid for by the North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees.
The Domestic Policy Caucus applauds Treasurer Folwell’s efforts to expose 340B program overcharges and abuse. Like Folwell, we are calling on state and federal lawmakers to reform the 340B Drug Pricing Program and to provide hospital price relief to state employees and taxpayers. We also call on state officials in every state to conduct 340B program reviews like the one that was performed in North Carolina.
DPC Urges Kansas Governor to Sign Budget Bill to Protect 340B Program from Misuse
Today, the Domestic Policy Caucus wrote to Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, urging her to sign the state's budget bill, which includes a provision to protect the 340B program from further misuse in the state.
Today, the Domestic Policy Caucus wrote to Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, urging her to sign the state's budget bill, which includes a provision to protect the 340B program from further misuse in the state.
In the letter, DPC wrote in part, "By signing the budget bill, you will avoid creating an economic environment in which incentives would be put in place to encourage even more consolidation of healthcare systems, putting healthcare farther out of reach of rural Kansans, and imperiling the ability of underserved Kansans to receive the medications they need."
Read the full letter here.
Mass Priorities Publishes Issue Guide for Fairhaven, Massachusetts
Mass Priorities has published an issue guide for the town administrators and residents of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, to educate about the risks and costs of government-owned broadband networks.
Mass Priorities has published an issue guide for the town administrators and residents of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, to educate about the risks and costs of government-owned broadband networks.
In the issue guide, Mass Priorities explained, "At a time when Fairhaven faces a $2.2 million budget deficit, it's imperative to understand the implications of Article 11. Article 11 asks for two significant financial commitments from Fairhaven residents regarding a government-owned municipal broadband network. First, it seeks approval to borrow $20,645,527 to build the network. Second, it suggests setting up a Municipal Fiber Enterprise Fund, allowing further increases in spending beyond the initial borrowed amount in the years to come. With the town already facing significant fiscal challenges, the proposal to fund an unneeded pet project--a potential municipal broadband network--is an example of misplaced priorities."
Read the full issue guide here.
Mass Priorities Letter in Fairhaven Neighborhood News: Fairhaven Needs to Prioritize Spending
Mass Priorities Policy Director Christopher Thrasher recently had a letter to the editor published in the Fairhaven Neighborhood News, "Fairhaven Needs to Prioritize Spending."
Mass Priorities Policy Director Christopher Thrasher recently had a letter to the editor published in the Fairhaven Neighborhood News, "Fairhaven Needs to Prioritize Spending."
In part, the letter said, "At a time when municipal budgets are stretched thin, economic pressures are growing, and federal support is dwindling, the urgency to prioritize municipal spending on critical needs has never been greater, and the consequences of misplaced priorities can be dire."
Read the full letter here.
Utah State Auditor in Deseret News: Government-owned internet networks hurt taxpayers
Utah State Auditor John Dougall penned an op-ed for the Deseret News, calling out the harm that government-owned internet has inflicted on taxpayers in his state.
Utah State Auditor John Dougall penned an op-ed for the Deseret News, calling out the harm that government-owned internet has inflicted on taxpayers in his state.
In the op-ed, Dougall wrote, "The number of government-owned networks is increasing by the day, and taxpayers, not users, are often footing the bill. Government-owned broadband networks cost millions of dollars and divert essential funding away from services that really matter to the public — services such as police and fire, roads, water and sewer... Public officials across the country, and especially here in Utah, should resist the appealing allure of expanding or deploying government-owned networks, which allure has been shown to be deceptive, and ultimately destructive, to taxpayers."
Read the auditor's full commentary here.