Majority of Americans say it was wrong for the Supreme Court to overturn Roe
A majority of Americans say they oppose the Supreme Court's decision a year ago to overturn Roe v. Wade, want to see affirmative-action programs in college admissions continue and have little confidence in this current court, the latest NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll finds.
The survey of 1,327 adults, conducted from June 12 through 14, also explored the thorny issue of gender-identity politics, finding that most people think gender is determined by birth. They don't want to completely limit the ability for people to have access to gender transition-related health care, but there are sharp divides about when that care should be available. (Louisville Public Media)
Kentucky judge hears arguments in charter school funding lawsuit
Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Phillip Shepherd heard arguments Wednesday in a case against the state’s new charter school funding law, known as House Bill 9.
During the hearing, lawyers for both sides agreed that the decision hinges on whether charter schools qualify as public schools, legally. The Kentucky Constitution prohibits the use of funds raised for public education to be used outside of the system of “common schools.” (Louisville Public Media)
Democrats introduce bill to amend Civil Rights Act to include LGBTQ protections
Democrats introduced a bill on Wednesday that would, for the first time, enshrine protections for LGBTQ people in a wide swath of situations and codify safeguards granted to the LGBTQ community under a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Rep. Mark Takano (D-California) — co-chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus and first openly gay person of color elected to Congress — and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) reintroduced the Equality Act in both chambers of Congress, saying that it is long overdue for Congress to take action to protect LGBTQ people, especially in the face of a wave of attacks by the right. (Truthout)
Lexington Mayor Gorton won’t sign legislation to expand growth boundary. What it means.
Mayor Linda Gorton will not sign key legislation that calls for adding up to 5,000 acres to the city’s growth boundary. Gorton’s failure to sign a resolution approving the 2045 Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives is largely symbolic. It is not a veto.
In a June 22 letter to Lexington council members, Gorton said she felt the city should follow previous studies before adding land to the boundary. The city has not opened its growth boundary since 1996. (Herald-Leader)
AOC Is boycotting Modi’s address over “deeply troubling” human rights record
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) and a number of other progressives in the House have announced that they’re boycotting far right Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to Congress on Thursday, citing Modi’s abysmal human rights record and erosion of free press and religion rights in India.
Modi is slated to speak before Congress as part of a trip to the U.S. on an invite from President Joe Biden, who has planned a warm embrace of the far right leader despite his moves to advance fascism and undermine democracy on the world stage. (Truthout)
Sanders bill would force pentagon to pass audit — or return part of its budget
A bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced legislation Wednesday that would require the Pentagon to return a portion of its enormous and ever-growing budget to the Treasury Department if it fails another audit in the coming fiscal year.
The Audit the Pentagon Act, an updated version of legislation first introduced in 2021, comes amid mounting concerns over rampant price gouging by military contractors and other forms of waste and abuse at an agency that’s set to receive at least $842 billion for fiscal year 2024. (Truthout)
And from the Twitterverse ...
Had to end with some GOOD news. All for today, folks. Back on Monday.
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