Report on the Activities of the Committee on Natural Resources
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Broadband Mapping Across the Us: Local, State, and Federal Methods & Contradictions #Showmeyourmaps
BROADBAND MAPPING ACROSS THE US: LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL METHODS & CONTRADICTIONS #SHOWMEYOURMAPS MAY 2021 AUTHORS: Francella Ochillo Ryan Johnston Corian Zacher Lukas Pietrzak ABOUT NEXT CENTURY CITIES Next Century Cities (“NCC”) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that advocates for fast, affordable, and reliable broadband Internet access across the U.S. We work alongside local officials in communities of all sizes and political stripes to eliminate the digital divide. Communities that have widespread broadband access and adoption are better equipped to help reduce poverty, increase educational opportunities, improve public health, support aging in place, and boost civic engagement. Ensuring that every resident has access to digital opportunities starts with being able to measure the scope of the problem, which depends on accurate broadband data. As NCC has documented in filings and publications, the Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC” or “Commission”) maps have long told a different story of broadband access than what residents across the country actually experience. It is widely known that the FCC’s broadband availability data understates the seriousness of, and lacks granularity to adequately address, persistent gaps in connectivity. IMPROVING FEDERAL BROADBAND DATA The FCC’s data perpetually overstates broadband availability and could be improved in a variety of ways. For example, collecting information on latency and pricing, as well as adopting more nuanced methods to determine service availability and validate data submitted by providers, would improve the accuracy and efficacy of its broadband maps. Additionally, improving federal data would support state and local mapping initiatives, which largely rely on the Commission’s data as a baseline. -
Puerto Rico Panic PUERTO RICO | Will the Can Politicians Kicked Down the Street Become a Boomerang?
Puerto Rico panic PUERTO RICO | Will the can politicians kicked down the street become a boomerang? By MARVIN OLASKY SYMPATHY VS. PRECEDENT-SETTING IN THE CARIBBEAN The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico is $72 billion in debt, Gov. Alejandro García Padilla says he has no money to pay the interest due Jan. 1, and liberals and conservatives propose different solutions to the fiscal crisis. The eventual resolution will affect not only 3.5 million Puerto Ricans but 315 million other Americans. Liberals are trumpeting a looming “humanitarian crisis” that demands a federal bailout: Otherwise, Puerto Rico will have to cut spending on schools and hospitals. Conservatives are emphasizing a governance crisis: Many Puerto Rican politicians have won votes by overspending; and if they get away with it, their counterparts in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and other states will keep running toward the cliff. One piece of political evidence: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio flew to Puerto Rico last month and marched with thousands who demanded that Washington send more money to San Juan. Yes, the governor and the mayor have native Puerto Ricans among their constituents, but they were also looking ahead to a time when they or their successors will demand bailouts of their own. As is typical in such protests, politicians said they had to speak up for the sake of the children. Some Puerto Ricans would like to have the island declare bankruptcy, but U.S. states and territories, unlike cities, cannot legally do that. -
BY ELECTRONIC MAIL March 23, 2021 the Honorable Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia Governor of Puerto Rico the Honorable José Luis Dalma
BY ELECTRONIC MAIL March 23, 2021 The Honorable Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia Governor of Puerto Rico The Honorable José Luis Dalmau Santiago President of the Senate of Puerto Rico The Honorable Rafael Hernández Montañez Speaker of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico Dear Governor Pierluisi Urrutia, President Dalmau Santiago, and Speaker Hernández Montañez: In its letter of March 22, 2021, a copy of which is attached, the Governor of Puerto Rico has requested that the Commonwealth General Fund budget for the current FY 2021 that was certified by the Oversight Board on June 30, 2020 be revised following the provisions established in Section 202 of PROMESA to provide funds from the current General Fund budget to cover the cost of the Congressional Delegation election pursuant to Law 167-2020. For the Oversight Board to certify a revision to the budget, the Government must follow the procedure established under Section 202 of PROMESA. Therefore, pursuant to Section 202(a) of PROMESA, the schedule to certify the revised budget for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is as follows: March 26, 2021 – Pursuant to § 202(c)(1), the Governor submits a proposed revised budget to cover the cost of the Congressional Delegation election pursuant to Law 167-2020; March 29, 2021 – Pursuant to § 202(c)(1)(B), the Oversight Board sends the Governor a notice of violation if it determines that the proposed revised budget is not complaint with the certified Fiscal Plan; Hon. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia Hon. José Luis Dalmau Santiago Hon. Rafael Hernández Montañez -
Newly Elected Representatives in the 114Th Congress
Newly Elected Representatives in the 114th Congress Contents Representative Gary Palmer (Alabama-6) ....................................................................................................... 3 Representative Ruben Gallego (Arizona-7) ...................................................................................................... 4 Representative J. French Hill (Arkansas-2) ...................................................................................................... 5 Representative Bruce Westerman (Arkansas-4) .............................................................................................. 6 Representative Mark DeSaulnier (California-11) ............................................................................................. 7 Representative Steve Knight (California-25) .................................................................................................... 8 Representative Peter Aguilar (California-31) ................................................................................................... 9 Representative Ted Lieu (California-33) ........................................................................................................ 10 Representative Norma Torres (California-35) ................................................................................................ 11 Representative Mimi Walters (California-45) ................................................................................................ 12 Representative Ken Buck (Colorado-4) ......................................................................................................... -
Fluor Political Activities Report: January-June 2021
Fluor Corporation Corporate Political Activity January – June 2021 Fluor Corporation has adopted a Political Activities Policy to establish policies and procedures regarding the Company’s advocacy and involvement in U.S. elections. As the Policy outlines, we believe that meaningful civic engagement requires Fluor to participate in the legislative process and, where lawful and appropriate, provide corporate support to candidates or ideas. The purpose of this Political Activities Report, a semiannual requirement under the Policy, is to facilitate transparency regarding Fluor’s political activities. This report discloses all of the Company’s monetary and non-monetary contributions and expenditures (direct or indirect), including contributions by FLUORPAC, the Company’s separate segregated fund, during the semiannual period (January – June 2021) to: (i) participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office; or (ii) influence the general public, or any segment thereof, with respect to an election or referendum. For each contribution, the report discloses the name of the recipient and the amount given. These contributions are publicly reported to governing agencies by Fluor, FLUORPAC, and/or the recipients as required by law. Fluor confirms that the requirements of the Political Activities Policy were followed in the making of these contributions, and all contributions by Fluor and FLUORPAC are the subject of legal and compliance review. There were no contributions made by Fluor -
1 April 5, 2021 Director Rochelle Walensky National Center For
April 5, 2021 Director Rochelle Walensky National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Mailstop F-80 4770 Buford Highway, NE Atlanta, GA, 30341-3717 Dear Director Walenksy: Tourism is an integral part of the economy of fifteen (15) States, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands where it will act as a major element of our COVID-19 economic recovery. We are writing to you today to request updated guidance that will help cruise lines and ports fully resume operations and open up a dialogue about how we might all work collaboratively and with the relevant federal authorities and other Governors to make it possible for the cruise industry to generate tourism-related dollars in our respective jurisdictions. The tourism industry is an integral part of our economy and within the cruise industry plays a major role. “The 2018 Economic Impact Analysis highlights the incredible impact the cruise industry continues to have on the global economy. In the United States, the cruise industry had an economic impact of over $52.7 billion in total contributions in 2018 and marked a notable increase of over 10% since 2016. Approximately 13 million cruise passengers worldwide embarked from ports in the United States in 2018, and they spent a record $23.96 billion in the United States, which marks a 33% increase since 2010. Additionally, 2018 saw a new peak in the cruise industry’s U.S. expenditures, generating 421,711 jobs across the United States and contributing more than $23.15 billion in wages and salaries, a nearly 13% increase since 2016.” We know the cruise industry is poised to make a comeback. -
Puerto Rico's Political Status and the 2012 Plebiscite
Puerto Rico’s Political Status and the 2012 Plebiscite: Background and Key Questions Updated June 25, 2013 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R42765 Puerto Rico’s Political Status and the 2012 Plebiscite: Background and Key Questions Summary For the first time since 1998, voters in Puerto Rico went to the polls in November 2012 to reconsider the island’s relationship with the federal government (a concept known as “political status”). Voters were asked to answer two questions: (1) whether they wished to maintain Puerto Rico’s current political status; and (2) regardless of the choice in the first question, whether they preferred statehood, independence, or to be a “sovereign free associated state.” According to results certified by the Puerto Rico State Elections Commission, approximately 54.0% of those who cast ballots answered “no” to the first question. In the second question, approximately 61.2% of voters chose statehood. The island’s new governor and territorial legislature contend that the results were “inconclusive.” The plebiscite results are potentially significant if they are interpreted to mark the electorate’s desire to change the island’s present political status. The significance of the plebiscite remains to be seen, however, particularly because in the same election in which voters arguably endorsed a change in the status quo and favored statehood, they also voted out the pro-statehood incumbent governor and former Resident Commissioner, Luis Fortuño, as well as majorities in the territorial legislature believed to be generally supportive of statehood. No change in Puerto Rico’s political status could occur without congressional action. -
Capitol Insurrection at Center of Conservative Movement
Capitol Insurrection At Center Of Conservative Movement: At Least 43 Governors, Senators And Members Of Congress Have Ties To Groups That Planned January 6th Rally And Riots. SUMMARY: On January 6, 2021, a rally in support of overturning the results of the 2020 presidential election “turned deadly” when thousands of people stormed the U.S. Capitol at Donald Trump’s urging. Even Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who rarely broke with Trump, has explicitly said, “the mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the President and other powerful people.” These “other powerful people” include a vast array of conservative officials and Trump allies who perpetuated false claims of fraud in the 2020 election after enjoying critical support from the groups that fueled the Capitol riot. In fact, at least 43 current Governors or elected federal office holders have direct ties to the groups that helped plan the January 6th rally, along with at least 15 members of Donald Trump’s former administration. The links that these Trump-allied officials have to these groups are: Turning Point Action, an arm of right-wing Turning Point USA, claimed to send “80+ buses full of patriots” to the rally that led to the Capitol riot, claiming the event would be one of the most “consequential” in U.S. history. • The group spent over $1.5 million supporting Trump and his Georgia senate allies who claimed the election was fraudulent and supported efforts to overturn it. • The organization hosted Trump at an event where he claimed Democrats were trying to “rig the election,” which he said would be “the most corrupt election in the history of our country.” • At a Turning Point USA event, Rep. -
Oversight Hearing Committee on Natural Resources U.S
EXPLORING ENERGY CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FACING PUERTO RICO OVERSIGHT HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Serial No. 114–27 Printed for the use of the Committee on Natural Resources ( Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.fdsys.gov or Committee address: http://naturalresources.house.gov U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 98–270 PDF WASHINGTON : 2016 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Publishing Office Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512–1800; DC area (202) 512–1800 Fax: (202) 512–2104 Mail: Stop IDCC, Washington, DC 20402–0001 VerDate Mar 15 2010 07:53 Jun 10, 2016 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 5011 Sfmt 5011 J:\114TH CONGRESS\ENERGY & MINERALS\01-12-16\98270.TXT DARLEN COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES ROB BISHOP, UT, Chairman RAU´ L M. GRIJALVA, AZ, Ranking Democratic Member Don Young, AK Grace F. Napolitano, CA Louie Gohmert, TX Madeleine Z. Bordallo, GU Doug Lamborn, CO Jim Costa, CA Robert J. Wittman, VA Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, CNMI John Fleming, LA Niki Tsongas, MA Tom McClintock, CA Pedro R. Pierluisi, PR Glenn Thompson, PA Jared Huffman, CA Cynthia M. Lummis, WY Raul Ruiz, CA Dan Benishek, MI Alan S. Lowenthal, CA Jeff Duncan, SC Matt Cartwright, PA Paul A. Gosar, AZ Donald S. Beyer, Jr., VA Rau´ l R. Labrador, ID Norma J. Torres, CA Doug LaMalfa, CA Debbie Dingell, MI Jeff Denham, CA Ruben Gallego, AZ Paul Cook, CA Lois Capps, CA Bruce Westerman, AR Jared Polis, CO Garret Graves, LA Wm. -
The Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2013
The Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2013 .H.R.687 – Introduced by Reps. Paul Gosar, Ann Kirkpatrick, Matt Salmon, David Schweikert, and Trent Franks .S.339 – Introduced by Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake Why do we need the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2013? • Creates thousands of high paying jobs. • Reduces U.S. dependence on foreign sources of energy and minerals. • Preserves Apache Leap. • Protects endangered species habitat, sensitive ecosystems, recreational sites, and historic landmarks in rural Arizona. • Generates billions of dollars of revenue for federal, state, and local governments. Overview of the Legislation • H.R.687 authorizes, directs, facilitates, and expedites the exchange of land between Resolution Copper, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. – Legislation is required because the exchange involves three parties. • The exchange will bring into federal stewardship 5,344 acres of high-priority conservation lands in exchange for 2,422acres of national forest system land containing one of the largest undeveloped copper resources in the world. • H.R.687 and S.339 are nearly identical to the bill Rep. Gosar introduced and navigated to passage last Congress - the first time the exchange passed either body of Congress in its history. Resolution Copper will acquire the 2,422 acre “Oak Flat” parcel • This land is checker- boarded within Resolution Copper's lands. • Resolution Copper already has unpatented mining claims that cover about 75% of the parcel. • This conveyance is an important step to the development of the largest producing mine in North America. Economic Highlights • Over 3,000 construction jobs over a six to ten year period. -
Potential Committee Vacancies in the 117Th Congress Last Updated November 25, 2020
Potential Committee Vacancies in the 117th Congress Last updated November 25, 2020 Congressional committees are a critical part of the legislative process. Committees serve as gatekeepers for legislation, considering and amending bills before they reach the floor. Hearings and investigations shape policy debates and provide critical oversight. At the beginning of each Congress, Members receive their committee assignments. Members pursue membership on committees that align with their interests and priorities, and their assignments are determined by the Democratic Caucus and the Republican Conference - with heavy influence from party leadership and steering committees.1 When determining committee assignments, the parties weigh member preferences along with seniority, regional balance, and balance among ideological and identity caucuses.2 Committee vacancies present opportunities for returning members to gain spots on new committees and for incoming freshmen to get their initial assignments. Vacancies for committee chairs and ranking members can have major policy implications because those leaders shape committees’ priorities. Committee vacancies may occur due to a preexisting vacancy or because a previous member retired, ran for another office, or lost reelection. On the Democratic side, Members can receive waivers that allow them to serve on additional committees beyond the caps in Democratic Caucus rules.3 While returning members usually have the option to remain on their previous committees (except for committees with term limits4), a returning Democratic committee member using a waiver is not guaranteed the option to keep the committee slot. The Democratic Caucus uses waivers to distribute remaining committee slots after all members, including incoming freshmen, have hit their caps. The actual number of vacancies going into the 117th Congress depends on the final partisan composition of the House, which is reflected in the committee ratios negotiated by Democratic and Republican leaders. -
House Organic Caucus Members
HOUSE ORGANIC CAUCUS The House Organic Caucus is a bipartisan group of Representatives that supports organic farmers, ranchers, processors, distributors, retailers, and consumers. The Caucus informs Members of Congress about organic agriculture policy and opportunities to advance the sector. By joining the Caucus, you can play a pivotal role in rural development while voicing your community’s desires to advance organic agriculture in your district and across the country. WHY JOIN THE CAUCUS? Organic, a $55-billion-per-year industry, is the fastest-growing sector in U.S. agriculture. Growing consumer demand for organic offers a lucrative market for small, medium, and large-scale farms. Organic agriculture creates jobs in rural America. Currently, there are over 28,000 certified organic operations in the U.S. Organic agriculture provides healthy options for consumers. WHAT DOES THE EDUCATE MEMBERS AND THEIR STAFF ON: CAUCUS DO? Keeps Members Organic farming methods What “organic” really means informed about Organic programs at USDA opportunities to Issues facing the growing support organic. organic industry TO JOIN THE HOUSE ORGANIC CAUCUS, CONTACT: Kris Pratt ([email protected]) in Congressman Peter DeFazio’s office Ben Hutterer ([email protected]) in Congressman Ron Kind’s office Travis Martinez ([email protected]) in Congressman Dan Newhouse’s office Janie Costa ([email protected]) in Congressman Rodney Davis’s office Katie Bergh ([email protected]) in Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s office 4 4 4 N . C a p i t o l S t . N W , S u i t e 4 4 5 A , W a s h i n g t o n D .