FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 14, 2019
Sens. Lee, Durbin Introduce Smarter Sentencing Act
WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and others introduced legislation Wednesday that would modernize federal drug sentencing polices by lowering certain mandatory drug sentences.
“Our current federal sentencing laws are out of date and often counterproductive,” said Sen. Lee. “The Smarter Sentencing Act is a commonsense solution that will greatly reduce the financial and, more importantly, the human cost imposed on society by the broken status quo. The SSA will give judges the flexibility and discretion they need to impose stiff sentences on the most serious drug lords and cartel bosses, while enabling nonviolent offenders to return more quickly to their families and communities.”
“Mandatory minimum penalties have played a large role in the explosion of the U.S. prison population. These mandatory minimums have too often led to sentences that are unfair, fiscally irresponsible, and a threat to public safety,” Durbin said. “The First Step Act was a critical move in the right direction, but there is much more work to be done to reform our criminal justice system. The Smarter Sentencing Act gives federal judges the authority to conduct individualized reviews to determine the appropriate sentences for certain nonviolent drug offenses. I will keep fighting to get this commonsense, bipartisan legislation through the Senate with my colleague, Senator Lee.”
Lee and Durbin first introduced the Smarter Sentencing Act in 2013. Several important reforms from the Smarter Sentencing Act were included in the landmark First Step Act, which was enacted into law last year. The central remaining sentencing reform in the Lee-Durbin legislation would reduce mandatory minimum penalties for certain nonviolent drug offenses. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that implementation of this provision would save taxpayers approximately $3 billion over ten years.
An online version of this release can be found here.
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Dear Editor:
Please consider this guest commentary encouraging youth citizen engagement. For PeaceVoice, thank you,
Cross-generational power to change
by Tom H. Hastings
557 words
Greta Thunberg was just a little girl in Sweden who learned about the emerging threats to all of us--literally to every human being on Earth and to all species--from anthropogenic (human-caused) climate chaos.
More hurricanes with the accompanying destruction from wind, waves, and floods. Melting glaciers and icecaps--rising seas. More than 200 million projected climate refugees by 2050--just as young people now are entering the prime of their lives. Massive forest fires more destructive than ever in human history--including burning down entire towns and even threatening cities. Entire species driven out of existence--a worse extinction than any since at least 65 million years ago. Food production dropping precipitously--likely huge spurts of starvation and resource conflict. Wars. That is her future, say the scientists.
What could one child from Sweden do? Recycle her Knäckebröd wrappers? Put one less log on the fire? Try to convince her parents to drive their Saab fewer kilometers?
Actually, she did start with her parents. She joined them as they began to learn about the effects of what we humans are doing to the atmosphere--dumping carbon in by the megaton every day. She demanded that the family do much more. Sure enough, her mother—well known opera singer Malena Ernman—gave up her international career to stop flying in the destructive air travel system.
Greta decided to go on strike when she learned the adults in charge of the world were doing little and some were even going backwards, driving SUVs, building tar sands oil pipelines, and other environmentally stupid practices.
So this child sat outside her school, staying out of classes. That, for a child, is going on strike.
So what? So one little girl has a snit about global warming? Who would notice?
Turns out a lot of us. Thunberg has greatly increased the momentum of the climate chaos resistance movement. More than 490 million of us from 185 countries heard her call and schools emptied to both protest, challenge, on September 20, 2019.
Now, due to a global (mostly) youth movement called Extinction Rebellion, nonviolent resistance to fossil fuel has growing momentum in many countries, with thousands of arrests of nonviolent activists all around the world just in the past week.
Research shows that in societies where citizens seek change they will get it every time that their numbers engaged reached 3.5 percent of the population on a sustained basis. So, in the US, that is perhaps 12 million grassroots folks acting regularly over a period of time--then we will win.
What does winning look like?
Overall victory is a society that stops contributing to climate chaos. Specifically in the US over the next period, a success might include strong support for all-electric cars and trucks, rejoining the Paris Accords, reversing the development of oil drilling and oil pipelines, phase out coal and methane power plants (except methane generated from landfills), and radically scale back US military overseas involvement (thus eliminating approximately two-thirds of the military's massive carbon footprint), even if we "only" achieve one of these objectives at a time.
Greta, please keep us growing. Your inspirational leadership, coupled with support from older experienced campaigners, can turn this around here in the US and elsewhere.
What can what little girl do? She can lead the rest of us to victory.
—30—
Dr. Tom H. Hastings is PeaceVoice Director and on occasion an expert witness for the defense in court.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Erin Wynn
Executive Director
435-671-3134
Request for Proposals (RFP) for new home of the Philo T. Farnsworth Statue
The Martha Hughes Cannon Statue Oversight Committee is seeking a new home for the statue of Philo T. Farnsworth currently on display in National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. The Oversight Committee is requesting proposals from publicly accessible locations that would like to provide a permanent home for the historical statue of Philo T. Farnsworth. It is to be installed so it can be viewed by the public and permanently maintained.
“It is vital that we find a home for Philo that shows him the respect that he and his achievements deserve. A place where the public can continue to visit and learn about his pioneering work for decades to come,” said Adam Gardiner, Martha Hughes Cannon Statue Oversight Committee member.
The Martha Hughes Cannon Statue Oversight Committee was chartered and commissioned by the Utah Legislature (House Bill 444, 2018 General Session) to oversee the creation and placement of a statue of Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon in National Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol. As part of this process, the statue of Philo T. Farnsworth, which has represented the State of Utah in the U.S. Capitol for nearly 30 years, will be moved to a new home.
The Oversight Committee intends to work with the Utah Department of Heritage and Arts, legislators and members of the Farnsworth family to find a new home for Philo that honors his legacy and his important contributions to the evolution of technology. “Utah has a storied past with incredible people who shaped the state and the nation,” said Senator Deidre Henderson, co-chair of the Martha Hughes Cannon Statue Oversight Committee, “While we are excited to celebrate Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon’s accomplishments, we want to be sure honor the legacy of Philo T. Farnsworth.”
Requirements for the RFP and additional information can be found by visiting www.sendmartha.com/philo.
Any further questions can be directed to Erin Wynn at erin@sendmartha.com
About Martha Hughes Cannon Statue Oversight Committee
Martha Hughes Cannon Statue Oversight Committee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established by the legislature to accomplish the fundraising, design, and construction of a Statue to be placed in the United States Capitol. Visit www.sendmartha.com for more information.
The fix-you-first daily parenting plan, how to reframe your teen's behavior, rules for relaunching a grown child with ADHD who moves back home, & more
"Your child with ADHD doesn't need to be 'fixed.'"
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Dear Parents: You Are the Solution…
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When your child has quirky interests or is socially immature, she might not find a BFF easily. Friendometry lets parents widen the search field.
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"Your insistence on 'good behavior' may be more about your need to feel like a successful parent than about your teen’s shortcomings."
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Strategy 2: Be open to graphic novels – Though filled with artwork, these texts offer strong narrative passages and dialogue.
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Press Release
USDA Invests $41.6 Million in Rural Broadband for Missouri and Southern Iowa Families
BETHANY, Mo., Nov. 15, 2019 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Richard Fordyce today announced USDA has invested $41.6 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure that will create or improve rural e-Connectivity for rural households and farms in Missouri and Southern Iowa. This is one of many funding announcements in the first round of USDA’s Reconnect Pilot Program investments.
“In Missouri and across the country, technology and innovation are vital to agricultural production,” Fordyce said. “Our commitment to invest in rural America cannot be achieved without addressing the digital divide our rural communities face because of a lack of high-speed broadband Internet.”
The Grand River Mutual Telephone Corporation will use ReConnect Program funding to deploy a fiber to the premises (FTTP) broadband network capable of simultaneous transmission rates of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) or greater. The funded service areas include 2,288 households, 17 businesses and 39 farms. The project will facilitate more access to services and information for local residents, and it will improve the overall quality of life for people in the community.
Background:
In March 2018, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America. On Dec. 13, 2018, Secretary Perdue announced the rules of the program, called “ReConnect,” including how the loans and grants will be awarded to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. USDA received 146 applications between May 31, 2019, and July 12, 2019, requesting $1.4 billion in funding across all three ReConnect Program funding products: 100 percent loan, 100 percent grant, and loan-grant combinations. USDA is reviewing applications and announcing approved projects on a rolling basis. Additional investments in all three categories will be made in the coming weeks.
These grants, loans and combination funds enable the federal government to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient Internet service. Insufficient service is defined as connection speeds of less than 10 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 1 Mbps upload.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory, and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump, which included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local, and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please see the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety, and health care; and high-speed Internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
#==================
Press Release
USDA Invests $7.2 Million in Rural Broadband for Iowa and South Dakota Families
HAWARDEN, Iowa, Nov. 15, 2019 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey today announced USDA has invested $7.2 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure that will create or improve rural e-Connectivity for rural households and farms in Iowa and South Dakota. This is one of many funding announcements in the first round of USDA’s ReConnect Pilot Program investments.
“Technology and innovation are key in meeting the growing demand in agriculture,” Northey said. “Our mission to increase rural prosperity cannot be achieved without addressing the digital divide our rural communities face because of a lack of high-speed broadband Internet.”
The Heartland Telecommunications Company of Iowa, doing business as Premier Communications, will use a ReConnect Program loan to deploy a fiber to the premises (FTTP) broadband network capable of simultaneous transmission rates of 1/1 gigabits per second. The funded service areas include 868 households, 17 businesses and 27 farms. The project will facilitate more access to services and information for local residents, and it will improve the overall quality of life for people in the community.
Background:
In March 2018, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America. On Dec. 13, 2018, Secretary Perdue announced the rules of the program, called “ReConnect,” including how the loans and grants will be awarded to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. USDA received 146 applications between May 31, 2019, and July 12, 2019, requesting $1.4 billion in funding across all three ReConnect Program funding products: 100 percent loan, 100 percent grant, and loan-grant combinations. USDA is reviewing applications and announcing approved projects on a rolling basis. Additional investments in all three categories will be made in the coming weeks.
These grants, loans and combination funds enable the federal government to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient Internet service. Insufficient service is defined as connection speeds of less than 10 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 1 Mbps upload.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory, and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump, which included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local, and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please see the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety, and health care; and high-speed Internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
