By Michael Ramirez

The post Cartoon: Democrats’ Basket of Collusion Comes Up Empty appeared first on The Daily Signal.

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From:: Daily Signal – Feed

By Katrina Trinko

The Heritage Foundation’s Hans von Spakovsky analyzes the redacted report about the findings from special counsel Robert Mueller, and why it’s time to investigate why President Donald Trump was ever suspected of collusion in the first place. Read the transcript, posted below, or listen to the interview in the podcast:

We also cover these stories:

• Democrats are trying to get Mueller to testify in May.
• North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a bill that protects the lives of abortion survivors.
• New York City is actually losing residents for the first time in recent years.

The Daily Signal podcast is available on Ricochet, iTunes, SoundCloud, Google Play, or Stitcher. All of our podcasts can be found at DailySignal.com/podcasts. If you like what you hear, please leave a review. You can also leave us a message at 202-608-6205 or write us at moc.l1555906467angis1555906467yliad1555906467@sret1555906467tel1555906467. Enjoy the show!

Kate Trinko: Joining us today to discuss the newly released Mueller Report is Heritage Foundation’s Hans von Spakovsky, a legal expert. Hans, have you looked at the report? What are your takeaways?

Hans von Spakovsky: Yes, I’ve been skimming through it all day, putting my speed-reading lessons to work.

Trinko: It’s only 400 or so pages, right?

von Spakovsky: Right. The key thing that I get out of it is that, remember when the Attorney General William Barr sent his letter to Congress in which he basically gave what the conclusions of the report were? One, there was no evidence of any collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government and two, there was no obstruction of justice.

There were a lot of claims by Democrats, including people like Jerry Nadler, who’s head of the Judiciary Committee, that, “Oh, well, we don’t believe you. We think you’re leaving things out.”

Well, reading through the …read more

From:: Daily Signal – Feed

By Sam Pohl

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, April 17, 2019

CONTACT:
Sam Pohl, gro.P1555906467OGsax1555906467eT@ss1555906467erp1555906467" rel="noopener noreferrer">gro.P1555906467OGsax1555906467eT@ss1555906467erp1555906467

The Texas House Passes The Texas Born-Alive Infant Protection Act

AUSTIN, TX – Today the Texas House passed House Bill 16, known as the Texas Born-Alive Infant Protection Act. Republican Party of Texas Chairman James Dickey commented:

“We applaud our Republican legislators who are leading the way on this issue of life for all – including infant survivors of abortion – and thank the Democrat legislators who joined them in this important step. It is unconscionable that policymakers in other states have supported efforts to legalize infanticide. There should never be a question about whether or not to protect an innocent life.”

Republican State Representative Jeff Leach is the author of HB 16 while State Representatives Greg Bonnen, Stephanie Klick, Tom Oliverson, and Geanie Morrison were joint authors. There were 76 coauthors of the bill as well. Senator Lois Kolkhorst filed SB 23, a companion to HB 16, in the Texas Senate.

Chairman Dickey continued:

“Thank you to the House members who worked hard in a bipartisan effort on this bill to ensure that Texas remains the model for the nation. While a few supported the bill, far too many Texas Democrats continue to blindly follow their national counterparts. We applaud Texas Republicans who lead the way on issues of life and liberty.”

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The post appeared first on Republican Party of Texas.

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From:: Texas GOP – Feed

https://brazosgop.org/1588667-2/

Today, U.S. Representative Bill Flores (R-Texas) announced the details of his upcoming Spring Town Hall Events.

On April 30th and May 1st, Congressman Flores will host district-wide town hall events to discuss the work being done in Congress, answer constituent questions and get feedback on various issues. These events will be conducted over the phone and a live video broadcast will be available on the Congressman’s website (Flores.house.gov/liveforum) and on his Facebook page.

Each town hall event will target different regions within the 17th Congressional District. Participants will be able to ask the Congressman questions through the caller queue and through the comments section of the video feed. Constituents can sign up to be added to the call list by visiting Flores.House.gov.

Town Hall Events:

Northern Counties (Falls, Freestone, Leon, Limestone, McLennan, Milam and Robertson)
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Call-in number: 1-877-229-8493 Access code: 111954

Southern Counties (Bastrop, Brazos, Burleson, Lee and Travis)
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Call-in number: 1-877-229-8493 Access code: 111954

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From:: Bill Flores – News Feed

By Fred Lucas

The Trump administration is exploring the legality of transporting illegal immigrants who the government can’t detain to sanctuary cities, which by definition welcome illegal immigrants.

Prominent Democrats say they oppose the idea, and even supporters say President Donald Trump could be trolling Democrats in a public relations move.

If Trump moves forward with the notion, it almost certainly would be litigated.

Here’s a look at key questions surrounding the proposal.

1. Where Would Illegal Immigrants Be Transported?

More than 170 cities and counties have some sort of sanctuary law prohibiting local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration authorities, and in some cases jurisdictions may even obstruct enforcement. This includes most large cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

That’s according to data from the Center for Immigration Studies, a think tank favoring strict immigration policies, which has a map of sanctuary cities on its website. Local sanctuary jurisdictions span 26 states.

California, home of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat who is highly critical of Trump, is a sanctuary state.

Just out: The USA has the absolute legal right to have apprehended illegal immigrants transferred to Sanctuary Cities. We hereby demand that they be taken care of at the highest level, especially by the State of California, which is well known or its poor management & high taxes!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 14, 2019

Pelosi spokeswoman Ashley Etienne said in a statement Friday: “Using human beings—including little children—as pawns in their warped game to perpetuate fear and demonize immigrants is despicable, and in some cases, criminal.”

It’s not clear exactly how the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Customs and Border Protection as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, would determine which sanctuary cities or counties would receive illegal immigrants.

The …read more

From:: Daily Signal – Feed

By Sam Pohl

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, April 16, 2019

CONTACT:
Sam Pohl, gro.P1555906467OGsax1555906467eT@ss1555906467erp1555906467

Texas Senate Delivers Crucial Property Tax Reform to Benefit Texans
Texas Senate Bill 2 Passes With Republican Majority

AUSTIN, TX – Yesterday the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 2 (SB 2). SB 2 reforms the tax code to improve transparency and reduce future property tax increases. Republican Party of Texas Chairman James Dickey commented:

“Thank you to our Republican Legislators who have shown leadership in delivering the property tax reform Texans deserve. This is one of our Legislative Priorities, voted on at Convention by thousands of Grassroots activists. Hard working taxpayers deserve to have their voices heard by their local government and taxing units. By ensuring the election falls on a uniform election day, our Legislators are ensuring that all members of the community have the opportunity to determine where they want to put their hard earned dollars – in their own pockets or in the hands of government.”

SB 2 creates a “real-time tax rate notice” designed to give property owners real-time notice of proposed property tax increases. This information will be available online where property owners can input their address and view the tax rate notice for their property. This increases transparency and empowers property owners to have their voices heard by local taxing units.

Chairman Dickey continued:

“These real-time notices along with the requirement that they clearly state a proposed tax increase are important for expanding transparency within government – which is sorely needed.”

Republican Senator Paul Bettencourt is the author of SB 2 while Senators Brandon Creighton, Kelly Hancock, Angela Paxton, and Larry Taylor were joint authors. The bill was also co-authored by Senators Donna Campbell, Pat Fallon, Pete Flores, Bob Hall, Brian Birdwell, Charles Schwertner, and Jane Nelson. Representative Dustin Burrows filed …read more

From:: Texas GOP – Feed

https://brazosgop.org/1588594-2/

By Fred Lucas

It was Tax Day 2009 when citizens gathered in 850 cities across the nation for tea party rallies protesting the recent $700 billion federal bailouts of banks and automakers, an $800 billion economic stimulus package, and, more broadly, government deficits and debt.

On April 15 this year, Tea Party Patriots, one of the largest tea party groups, will sponsor “Stop Socialism, Choose Freedom” rallies across the country.

On the movement’s 10th anniversary, the phrase “tea party” is seldom used, but organizers there at the beginning say the spirit and principles continue–even as the country continues to face mounting fiscal challenges.

One reason tea partiers aren’t “outside protesters” today is that many of the citizens who never before had been involved in politics rose to prominence in the Republican party.

“Tea party activists are not meeting outside the party system any longer,” Brendan Steinhauser, a former FreedomWorks staffer who was the lead organizer for the Taxpayer March on Washington on Sept. 12, 2009, told The Daily Signal. “They are now precinct chairs, county chairs, or state chairs of the Republican Party.”

The modern tea party movement largely is credited to an on-air rant by CNBC commentator Rick Santelli, who on Feb. 9, 2009, called for Americans to have a “tea party” protest.

Santelli’s comments went viral and about 35,000 people in 50 cities attended the first-ever tea party rallies on Feb. 27, 2009.

Back then, Karen Jaroch was a mother and engineer in Tampa who hadn’t been involved in politics before.

“I was a stay-at-home mom at the time and was afraid of losing my country,” Jaroch, now a regional coordinator in Florida for Heritage Action for America, told The Daily Signal. “Citizens didn’t see politicians in either party representing them, but just rubber-stamping bailouts and stimulus.”

The Heritage Foundation …read more

From:: Daily Signal – Feed

By Justin Bogie

It’s nice to have more money in your pocket. And thanks to the 2017 tax cuts, the typical American is now paying less in taxes.

But that’s not to say we’re not still sending a hefty sum of money to Washington. Tally up all the payroll and other taxes on earnings and income, and you’ll find that the average American household forks over more than $26,000 to the feds each year. Last year, Washington collected more than $3.3 trillion in taxes. So where exactly does all that money go?

Some believe most of it goes to foreign aid and defense. Others think corporate subsidies dominate the budget.

In reality, health entitlements—Medicare, Medicaid, Obamacare—and Social Security are the largest and fastest growing programs. Unless Congress fixes these four programs, they—and the ever-growing interest payments on the national debt—will consume every dollar of taxes paid by 2041. That leaves no money for anything else. Uncle Sam couldn’t spend a penny on defense, food assistance, highways, or education without driving the country further into debt.

Right now, Medicare, Medicaid, and Obamacare subsidies account for more than a quarter (28.8%) of all federal spending. Ten years from now, they’re projected to gobble up more than a third of the budget.

Meanwhile, Social Security, the single largest federal program, accounts for roughly a quarter of all federal spending all by itself. Its trust funds already pay out more than they take in, and its finances will only deteriorate faster as more and more boomers retire.

The Social Security trustees project that unless Congress implements much-needed reforms, the program will run out of reserve funds by 2034, potentially triggering a 23% cut in benefits.

Other income security programs—veterans’ benefits, food and housing assistance, federal employee retirement, and disability—account for 16% of the budget. That’s more than we spend on national defense. And the …read more

From:: Daily Signal – Feed

By Ken McIntyre

Editor’s note: The Daily Signal’s audience got steamed reading our coverage of what the EPA did to an elderly veteran in Montana. Some of those responses lead off this week’s mailbag. Don’t forget to write us at moc.l1555906467angis1555906467yliad1555906467@sret1555906467tel1555906467.— Ken McIntyre

Dear Daily Signal: This guy Joe Robertson got screwed by his government and overzealous bureaucrats, as Kevin Mooney reports (“This Veteran, Who Supplied Water to Firefighters, Went to Prison for Digging Ponds”). He really did nothing wrong. He owned the property.

And Robertson certainly didn’t get any breaks, like that Jussie Smollett guy in Chicago.

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act has resulted in a huge land grab by the federal
government and the erosion of the rights of the property owner.

In most cases where the government decides it needs the rights
to a property, or wants to restrict the use of a property for public good, the
landowner is bought out or paid for the use. They go through a process of
eminent domain.

In the case of wetlands, however, since the areas grabbed were
huge, the government failed to compensate the owners for the loss of rights to
the property.

My father bought farmland that backed up to a harbor off Lake
Erie well before it was declared to be wetland. Then the government decided
that area should be wetland, and thus my father could not develop the property
unless he were to donate another property to be wetland in this piece’s stead.
Really?

So those with financial backing bought up all kinds of swamp
away from development and donated that, then built their housing developments
and marinas along the shores of Lake Erie where the property values were truly
high.

I am not blaming the developers, but was that really fair? And
if you could trade for pieces of land in the next county, then, really, how
vital were all …read more

From:: Daily Signal – Feed