1. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman / woman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they’re out of office.
2. Congress (past, present, & future) participates in Social Security.
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.
3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void effective 3/1/22. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen/women.
Congress made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and go back to work.
Alexa Together helps you take care of your loved ones
Independence is a top priority for most aging seniors, and for their families as well. A new program from Amazon for Alexa addresses this directly.
Alexa’s Care Hub is a trusted option in the Alexa app that allows family members to stay informed on their older loved one’s activity (with prior permission from the loved one, of course!)—including getting an alert if the loved one has called out for help.
The augmented Alexa Together service expands on those free features with new ones.
Allowing multiple people to join in the support system—ideal when multiple people are involved in care giving. The feature allows for siblings, friends, even involved neighbors to be added to the support system. This latter feature is especially nice if family members don’t live nearby.
Creating reminders on loved ones’ devices—ideal for things like taking medicines and doctors’ appointments, but also reminders for social events, family zoom calls, you name it.
Allowing participants to remotely add contacts to the family member’s Alexa account, so they can call anyone hands-free, with ease.
Giving access to a hands-free 24-7 emergency hotline. If the family member has an emergency at home, like a fall, they can ask Alexa to call for help. The people connected to the account will get an alert as well, so they can jump in to help. (This is why having a trusted neighbor is great!)
Amazon is offering Alexa Together for free for six months, and then charges $19.99 per month to continue the service. It’ll be available later this year (US only), and you can learn more about it here and sign up to get notified when it’s released.
City Commission votes to raise electric rates by 7%
June 13, 2021
BY JENNIFER CABRERA
At the June 7 Gainesville City Commission Special Meeting, Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) requested a 7% electric rate increase, saying it was the equivalent of 3% for last year (the City Commission decided not to increase rates last year during the pandemic), 3% for this year, and “1% for the Deerhaven 2 conversion.” GRU also requested a 5% increase in wastewater rates and asked the commission to approve a resolution to reduce the General Fund Transfer (GFT – the amount of money transferred from GRU to the City’s General Government budget) by $2 million a year through 2027. In addition, GRU requested 3% electricity and 5% wastewater rate increases through 2027 and a 3% water increase for FY22.
The General Government (GG) budget presentation followed the GRU budget presentation, starting with the caveat that the GG budget didn’t take into account the future reductions in GFT or the increases in the City’s utility bills. The City’s budget presentation recommended a $12/year increase per unit in the Fire Assessment Fee, from $133 to $145.
At current property tax levels, the increment requests for the GG budget (not including increments from City Commissioners) lead to a projected deficit of $3.7 million in FY 2022 and a $5.2 million deficit in FY 2023. The electric and wastewater rate increases will add to those deficits because General Government has to pay those rates as a customer. The projected budget also doesn’t include increased revenue from a utility tax increase, which would reduce the deficits. The presentation estimated that a 0.5 mill increase in property taxes (about a 9.4% increase on top of increases caused by higher property values) would be required to make up a deficit of $3.86 million.
Mayor Lauren Poe said that some of the budget items and expenses “could potentially be addressed through the American Rescue Plan (ARP), depending on what the commission decides to do with that money.”
Commissioner increment requests are due this Monday to the Office of Equity and Inclusion. The office will do an analysis and send the results back to the City Commission after their break, but the Commission is required to set the tentative millage (which can be reduced but not increased after it is set) at their first meeting back, on July 15. City Manager Lee Feldman said that made his “head hurt” because the requests go first to the Office of Equity and Inclusion, and he doesn’t even know when his office will get a chance to look at them to see how they affect the budget.
Utility bill assistance: How to “address the challenges with our low-income neighbors and their utility bills”
Given that the electric rate increase will be at least 7%, the Commission then turned to discussing ways they could “address the challenges with our low-income neighbors and their utility bills.” The Policy Research Team presented a report on various options for utility bill assistance.
GRU already has several programs, including an automatic 7-day grace period plus an additional automatic 7-day extension. GRU also has Project Share, in which voluntary donations from GRU customers and employees can be used to help the elderly and disabled in paying their utility bills. Those funds are distributed by community outreach agencies. GRU also works with customers to make arrangements to pay their balance after a disconnection and referral to collections (active accounts are not referred to collections). GRU currently has 561 active arrangements for repayment of about $326,000 in prior debt. GRU also has a low-income energy efficiency program that helps low-income customers with home improvements that reduce their energy use. GRU offers energy audits, and they offer personal hardship extensions. A number of community organizations also offer utility payment assistance, and there are also federal and state programs that assist with utility bill payments.
Commissioner Harvey Ward pointed out that ARP funds from the City can only go to City customers, so he wants to “strongly encourage [the County] to use their ARP to do the same thing for GRU customers outside the city limits.”
“GRU was asked to bring back a lot of non-discretionary and discretionary cuts. And a large portion of the General Government budget were increments, increases.” – Commissioner David Arreola
Commissioner David Arreola pointed out that there was a “stark difference” in the discussions of the GRU and GG budgets. “GRU was asked to bring back a lot of non-discretionary and discretionary cuts. And a large portion of the General Government budget were increments, increases.”
Poe said his recommendations for spending ARP money would focus on “the sort of permanent fix, getting into people’s homes and apartments, and fixing those, you know, let’s call them big leaks… And I really am going to be challenging our staff as well as our community, all those folks that have talked to us about apprenticeship programs and using local labor, to work together, to find a plan to identify, analyze, come up with solutions, and then implement solutions over a 24-month period. It’s going to be a huge lift, but go out and get as many done as we can and create a permanent solution. That’s one big pot of money.”
Poe also said he wanted to build into the General Government budget a recurring source of funds, probably from the utility tax, to provide assistance to customers that “every month are having trouble paying their bills… Of course… who is going to be adversely affected by this, it’s sort of everyone, because it lowers GRU revenue, but I’d rather have that problem than continuing… with this… recurring problem of homes… that just are going to be high-utility homes until they get fixed.”
Commissioner Adrian Hayes-Santos proposed several ways to increase GG revenue, including doubling neighborhood parking fees, “looking at free parking downtown,” and removing neighborhood parking spaces and adding metered parking spaces. On the expense side, he talked about adding additional employees in finance and community engagement, plus a greenway study and a lighting study.
Commissioner Gail John moved for staff to come back at the July 15 meeting with data for eligibility requirements for recurring assistance, a source of potential funds for recurring assistance, and as much data as possible about the efficacy of existing programs. That motion died for lack of a second.
Arreola moved that they accept GRU’s recommendations (increase electric rates by 7% for FY22, increase wastewater rates by 5% per year for FY22, bring back a resolution to reduce the GFT by $2 million per year through 2027, bring back a rate ordinance for FY23-FY27 that would include a 3% increase in electric rates and 5% increase in wastewater rates per year) and include the data request from Johnson. Johnson seconded the motion. Then, at Poe’s request, Johnson added a request that staff bring back information on a framework for a program to help people lower their utility bills by improving the homes of high energy users.
Feldman told the Commission that “a sustained $2 million [GFT] reduction every year until 2027 is going to be unsustainable for the General Government side and will have some negative consequences, as well, both in the services that you want to provide and/or fiscal stability.”
In public comment on the motion, Nathan Skop asked the Commission to consider the solution he has offered – cut their spending, reduce the GFT, don’t increase electric rates, ask GRU to defer Advanced Metering Infrastructure, and increase property taxes to make up the difference. He pointed out that subsidizing utility bills for some customers increases the costs to other customers, whose bills are increased to pay for the subsidies.
“Cut your bloated budget and get to the place where you stop raising GRU bills.” – Debbie Martinez
Debbie Martinez said the Commission should “cut your bloated budget and get to the place where you stop raising GRU bills. Sky-high GRU bills are not due to leaky homes. It is a result of the City Commission getting a grossly overpriced utility contract for power we do not need…. You killed the GRU goose that laid the golden egg, and now you want to blame leaky buildings, rather than looking into the mirror and remembering members of this City Commission are to blame.”
Armando Grundy-Gomes reiterated that the GG side didn’t bring back budget decrements as requested in a previous meeting. “You… said no, we’re going to come back with increases and 17 new full-time positions… Another point that seems to be missing is that crime is up. Fires are not up. But 17 new positions for firefighters. For what? If anything, that needs to translate to GPD.”
Commissioners split off the 7% electric rate increase into a separate motion and voted on the rest of Arreola’s motion, which passed 5-1, with Hayes-Santos in dissent and Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker absent. The vote for the 7% electric rate increase was also 5-1, with Johnson in dissent.
State Attorney General Ashley Moodyannounced on Wednesday that she is launching a new initiative recognizing the work of frontline law enforcement officers.
Moody created the “Thin Line Tribute” to recognize and thank frontline law enforcement officers for their service to the citizens of Florida.
“I am excited to launch Thin Line Tribute, a new initiative through my office designed to recognize the hard work and dedication of our brave frontline law enforcement officers. As the wife of a law enforcement officer, I know personally the amount of care and commitment that goes into this profession. As the dangers surrounding this job seem to increase by the day, I believe it is imperative that we show our law enforcement community just how thankful we are for their service,” Moody said.
In December, Moody issued a report that showed that officers killed in the line of duty nationwide more than doubled in 2020, compared to the previous year—totaling more than 360 officers lost at year’s end. While line-of-duty deaths are still on the rise in 2021, COVID-19 is no longer the main culprit. An increasing number of officer deaths in Florida are at the hands of violent attacks. Additionally, Florida is currently the deadliest state in the nation for felonious attacks against law enforcement officers this year.
Tim Tebow looks to be getting his chance at an NFL comeback, after all.
The Jacksonville Jaguars plan to sign the former quarterback as a tight end, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Monday, after Tebow worked out for the team in April.
A deal between the two sides was not complete and is not imminent, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports’ Mike Jones. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because talks remained ongoing.
The signing serves as reunion between Tebow and Jaguars coach Urban Meyer, under whom the former star signal-caller won a Heisman Trophy in 2007 at Florida and led the Gators to a national championship in 2008. He also won a title with the Gators in 2006 as a backup.
Governor Ron DeSantis Honors Florida’s Police Force During National Police Week
Tallahassee, Fla. – Beginning Sunday, May 9, 2021 – Saturday, May 15, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis will honor the men and women of Florida’s police force by lighting the Florida Historic Capitol blue during National Police Week. National Police Week recognizes those who protect our nation and the State of Florida, and those who have made the supreme sacrifice with their lives to protect the freedom of others and preserve law and order.
“In Florida, we stand behind our police officers who protect our freedoms and defend our society – putting themselves in harm’s way to keep our people safe and our businesses secure,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This week we honor them for always responding to those in need.”
Governor DeSantis’ administration continues to prioritize important legislation and initiatives to support Florida’s law enforcement that risk their lives daily to protect Florida communities across the state. Most recently, Governor DeSantis led the effort to provide $1,000 bonuses for first responders for their dedicated response during the COVID-19 public health emergency and signed the Combating Public Disorder Act to strengthen state laws, safeguard communities, and protect law enforcement officers.
“Thank you, Governor DeSantis, for consistently supporting our law enforcement officers through initiatives and laws,” said Amy Mercer, Executive Director of the Florida Police Chiefs Association. “Lighting the Historic Capitol shows all visitors and residents that the Governor and the State of Florida honors our fallen officers – we greatly appreciate the support.”
Today Governor Ron DeSantis signed two executive orders. Order 21-102 takes effect immediately and suspends all local COVID-19 restrictions and mandates on individuals and businesses. It then “eliminates and supersedes any existing emergency order issued by a county or municipality that imposes restrictions or mandates upon businesses or individuals” and goes on to state that “no county or municipality may renew or enact an emergency order or ordinance… that imposes restrictions or mandates upon businesses or individuals due to the COVID-19 emergency.”
Executive Order 21-101 takes effect on July 1 and invalidates any local order “which restricts the rights or liberties of individuals or their businesses.”
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 21-102
(Suspending All Remaining Local Government Mandates and Restrictions Based on the COVID-19 State o f Emergency)
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-52, declaring a state of emergency for the entire State ofFlorida as a result ofCOVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on September 25, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-244, suspending the collection of local fines and penalties associated with COVID-19 regulations upon individuals, and on March 10, 2021, I issued Executive Order 21-65, categorically remitting all fines upon individuals and businesses alike related to local government COVID-19 restrictions; and
WHEREAS, on March 29, 2021, the Legislature presented, and I signed into law, SB 72 – Civil Liability for Damages Relating to COVID-19, enacted as Chapter 2021-1, Laws of Florida, which provides crucial liability protection to individuals, businesses, educational institutions, religious organizations, and health care providers for liability claims related to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on April 27, 2021, I extended the state of emergency initiated by Executive Order 20-52 as necessary to ensure Florida schools remain open for the remainder of the school year, to protect Floridians from being required to produce a so-called vaccine passport as a condition of participating in everyday life, and to implement budgetary response efforts to help Floridians to the greatest extent possible; and
WHEREAS, on April 29, 2021 , Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees issued a Public Health Advisory (I) stating that continuing COVID-19 restrictions on individuals, including long-term use of face coverings and withdrawal from social and recreational gatherings, pose a risk of adverse and unintended consequences, (2) further expanding vaccine eligibility, and (3) advising government offices to resume in-person operations and services; and
WHEREAS, the State of Florida led the national effort to distribute the vaccine to elderly and vulnerable populations and has provided vaccines to nearly 9 million people; and
WHEREAS, every eligible Floridian is now legally permitted to obtain a vaccine, and Florida maintains a sufficient supply for every eligible Floridian who desires a vaccine to be vaccinated; and
WHEREAS, scientific studies show that vaccines protect individuals from COVID-19 and reduce hospitalizations and deaths caused by COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the State and the majority of local governments have declined to issue mask mandates; and
WHEREAS, a select number of local governments continue to impose mandates and business restrictions, without proper consideration of improving conditions and with no end in sight; and
WHEREAS, due to the tremendous steps the State has taken to protect Florida’s most vulnerable populations and rapidly offer vaccines to every eligible Floridian who desires one, local communities lack justification in continuing to impose COVID-19 mandates or restrictions upon their citizens; and
WHEREAS, with my encouragement, the Florida Legislature passed and I signed SB 2006, a measure designed to curb restrictions and closures of businesses during an extended emergency, to add significant accountability and difficulty for the continuation of any local limitation on the rights or liberties ofindividuals or businesses, and to declare in no uncertain terms that the policy of the State of Florida will favor a presumption of commercial operation and individual liberty with no toleration for unending and unjustified impediments to that liberty; and
WHEREAS, in light of these recently enacted reforms, the widespread vaccination of Florida residents, and the sufficient supply of vaccines for all eligible Florida residents, I find that it is necessary for the State of Florida to enhance its rapid and orderly restoration and recovery from the COVID-19 emergency by preempting and suspending all remaining local emergency restrictions on individuals and businesses and to return day-to-day life back to normal everywhere in the State.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section I(a) ofthe Florida Constitution and by the Florida Emergency Management Act, as amended, and all other applicable laws, promulgate the following Executive Order:
Section 1. In order to mitigate the adverse and unintended consequences of the COVID- 19 emergency and to accelerate the State’s recovery, all local COVID-19 restrictions and mandates on individuals and businesses are hereby suspended.
Section2. This order eliminates and supersedes any existing emergency order or
ordinance issued by a county or municipality that imposes restrictions or mandates upon businesses or individuals due to the COVID-19 emergency.
Section 3. For the remaining duration of the state of emergency initiated by Executive Order 20-52, no county or municipality may renew or enact an emergency order or ordinance, using a local state of emergency or using emergency enactment procedures under Chapters 125, 252, or 166, Florida Statutes, that imposes restrictions or mandates upon businesses or individualsdue to the COVID-19 emergency.
Section 4. Nothing herein prohibits a political subdivision of the State from enacting
ordinances pursuant to regular enactment procedures to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its population. Only orders and ordinances within the scope of Section 1 based on a local state ofemergency or on emergency enactment procedures due to the COVID-19 emergency are hereby eliminated and preempted.
Section 5. This order supersedes Sections 2 and 3 of Executive Order 20-244. Section 6. This order is effective immediately.
From C-Net, here are the ten apps that share the most data with third-party companies. In order to target ads to specific individuals, companies need your data, and these apps are more than happy to provide it:
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
Uber Eats
Trainline
YouTube
YouTube Music
Deliveroo
Duolingo
eBay
“[Instagram] shares a staggering 79% of your data with other companies,” explains pCloud, referring to Instagram checking 11 of the 14 labels. “Including everything from purchasing information, personal data, and browsing history. No wonder there’s so much promoted content on your feed. With over 1 billion monthly active users it’s worrying that Instagram is a hub for sharing such a high amount of its unknowing users’ data.”
On Wednesday, Democrats in the House passed H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2021, which was introduced by Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.).
The election reform package, if passed by the Senate, would transfer authority over how elections are administered from states to the federal government, subject private citizens to intimidation and harassment for their private and political beliefs, and make permanent many voting rules that opponents say lead to voter fraud.
The 791 page-long H.R. 1 legislation package, which was marked up by members of the 116th Congress, was adopted without much debate.
Some provisions, like ensuring that all voting machines used in U.S. elections are also manufactured in the United States or increasing access for voters with disabilities, are supported by both sides, but most other provisions are contentious.
The sweeping election reform package is divided into three major sections; the second section is the main body of the legislation, with three subsections: a) Voting, b) Campaign Finance, and c) Ethics. Section three is the Findings of General Constitutional Authority and section four is the Standards for Judicial Review.
These are some of the key changes to election laws in H.R. 1:
Gives the federal government authority to administer elections: Although the U.S. Constitution gives states the authority to run their elections as they see fit, Democrats have interpreted the Constitution in their favor, stating in H.R. 1, “Congress finds that it has broad authority to regulate the time, place, and manner of congressional elections under the Elections Clause of the Constitution, Article I, section 4.”
Limits a plaintiff’s access to federal courts when challenging H.R. 1: It would mandate that any lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of H.R. 1 could only be filed in the District Court for the District of Columbia and all plaintiffs would be required “to file joint papers or to be represented by a single attorney at oral argument.”
Mandates automatic voter registration (AVR) in all 50 states (19 states currently have AVR): Democrats call this “modernizing” elections, meaning automatically registering any person that has given information to designated government agencies, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, a public university, or a social service agency would be registered. It mandates same-day and online registration.
Mandates no-fault absentee ballots: This provision would do away with witness signature or notarization requirements for absentee ballots. Additionally, it would force states to accept absentee ballots received up to 10 days after Election Day.
Prevents election officials from removing ineligible voters from registries or confirming the eligibility and qualifications of voters: The bill would make it illegal to verify the address of registered voters, cross-checking voter registration lists to find individuals registered in multiple states, or ever removing registrants no matter how much time has elapsed.
Restores the Voting Rights Act: This provision would require states to obtain approval from the federal government before implementing any voting rules changes. H.R. 1 would add a provision criminalizing “hindering, interfering, or preventing” anyone from registering or voting.
Bans state voter ID laws: It would force states to allow individuals to vote without an ID and instead they could merely sign a statement in which they claim they are who they say they are.
Ensures illegal immigrants can vote: The bill would shield non-citizens from prosecution if they are registered to vote automatically and agencies are not required to keep records of who declined to affirm their citizenship.
Allows same-day voter registration: “Each State shall permit any eligible individual on the day of a Federal election and on any day when voting, including early voting, is permitted for a Federal election—to register to vote in such election at the polling place … [and] to cast a vote in such election.” The section includes a clause that requires same-day voter registration to be implemented in time for the upcoming elections in 2022.
Requires registration for those under 18: “States to carry out a plan to increase the involvement of individuals under 18 years of age in public election activities in the State.”
Prohibits the publication of “misleading information” about elections: The bill makes it a federal crime to “communicate or cause to be communicated information” that is knowingly false, and designed to discourage voting, carrying with it a sentence of up to five years.
Allows felons to vote: It limits federal dollars to prisons of those states who do not register ex-convicts to vote. The provision is called the “Democracy Restoration Act.” The bill says that all felons can vote unless they are “serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution or facility at the time of the election.”
Mandates early voting: “Each State shall allow individuals to vote in an election for Federal office during an early voting period which occurs prior to the date of the election, in the same manner as voting is allowed on such date.”
Legalizes nationwide vote-by-mail, without photo ID: States are required to provide for an absentee vote-by-mail in elections for Federal offices and “may not require an individual to provide any form of identification as a condition of obtaining an absentee ballot.” A witness signature will not be required.
Promotes ballot harvesting: The bill says states “shall permit a voter to designate any person to return a voted and sealed absentee ballot to the post office, a ballot drop-off location, tribally designated building, or election office so long as the person designated to return the ballot does not receive any form of compensation based on the number of ballots” and ” may not put any limit on how many voted and sealed absentee ballots any designated person can return.”
Requires states to accept ballots 10 days after Election Day: The bill requires states to accept any mailed ballots postmarked before, or on, Election Day if they arrive within 10 days of the election. It allows states to expand that deadline.
Prohibits state election officials from campaigning in federal elections: The bill bans “a chief State election administration official to take an active part in political management or in a political campaign with respect to any election for Federal office over which such official has supervisory authority.”
Requires “Campus Vote Coordinators” at higher institutes of learning: The bill would require colleges and universities to hire an official whose responsibility would be to inform students about elections and encourage voter registration. It would incentivize voter registration by giving grants to institutions that have a high registration rate.
Mandates that states make absentee voter boxes available for 45 days within an election. “In each county in the State, each State shall provide in-person, secured, and clearly labeled drop boxes at which individuals may, at any time during the period described in subsection (b), drop off voted absentee ballots in an election for Federal office.” These boxes should be “available to all voters on a non-discriminatory basis” and “during all hours of the day.”
Requires curbside voting: States may not “prohibit any jurisdiction administering an election for Federal office in the State from utilizing curbside voting as a method by which individuals may cast ballots in the election.”
Urges D.C. statehood and representation for territories: The bill complains that D.C. is not yet a state, adding, “The United States is the only democratic country that denies both voting representation in the national legislature and local self-government to the residents of its Nation’s capital.” The bill also appoints a commission that would advocate for congressional representation and presidential votes.
Requires that “independent” congressional district commissions be set up, taking power away from the state legislature, but evidence shows that “independent” redistricting commissions are in truth run by Democrats for their advantage.
Creates a “National Commission to Protect United States Democratic Institutions.” The commission would study elections and produce a report after 18 months with recommendations for improving elections but would consist of 10 members, only four of whom would be selected by the minority party, giving the majority (Democrat) party control.
Mandates new disclosure for corporations: The bill codifies the Democrats’ DISCLOSE Act, to restrict corporate participation in elections. Democrats say this provision will shed light on dark money. Republicans counter that the legislation’s transparency requirements would violate free speech rights.
Oversight of online political advertising: The provision called the “Stand By Every Ad Act” would stop campaign dollars from covering any form of advertising over the Internet. Opponents say this would increase the cost of campaigning.
Weakens the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United, calling it “erroneous”: “The Supreme Court’s misinterpretation of the Constitution to empower monied interests at the expense of the American people in elections has seriously eroded over 100 years of congressional action to promote fairness and protect elections from the toxic influence of money.” It goes further to suggest “the Constitution should be amended so that Congress and the States may regulate and set limits on the raising and spending of money.”
Allows politicians to use campaign funds for personal use: Under a provision called the “Help America Run Act,” the bill legalizes the use of campaign donations for personal expenses such as child care.
Changes the composition of the FEC: The bill would decrease the number of the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) members from six to five. Four members can be associated with a particular political party, making the fifth member “independent” but who would be nominated by a president associated with a party. Former FEC members have written to Congress, warning about this change and other related provisions.
Changes rules “around conflicts of interest” for the president and vice president: It would require the president or vice president to divest all financial interests that could pose a conflict of interest for them, their families, or anyone with whom they are negotiating or who is seeking employment in their administration.
Changes FEC rules to require presidential candidates to provide their tax returns: The bill states, “Not later than the date that is 15 days after the date on which an individual becomes a covered candidate, the individual shall submit to the Federal Election Commission a copy of the individual’s income tax returns for the 10 most recent taxable years for which a return has been filed with the Internal Revenue Service.”
