December 1, 2022
Statement from President Joe Biden on Congressional Action to Avert a Rail Shutdown
On Tuesday, I met with Congressional leaders from both parties and told them that Congress needed to move quickly to avert a rail shutdown and economic catastrophe for our nation. Now, I want to thank Congressional leadership who supported the bill and the overwhelming majority of Senators and Representatives in both parties who voted to avert a rail shutdown. Congress’ decisive action ensures that we will avoid the impending, devastating economic consequences for workers, families, and communities across the country. Communities will maintain access to clean drinking water. Farmers and ranchers will continue to be able to bring food to market and feed their livestock. And hundreds of thousands of Americans in a number of industries will keep their jobs. I will sign the bill into law as soon as Congress sends it to my desk.Working together, we have spared this country a Christmas catastrophe in our grocery stores, in our workplaces, and in our communities.I know that many in Congress shared my reluctance to override the union ratification procedures. But in this case, the consequences of a shutdown were just too great for working families all across the country. And, the agreement will raise workers’ wages by 24%, increase health care benefits, and preserve two person crews.I have long been a supporter of paid sick leave for workers in all industries – not just the rail industry – and my fight for that critical benefit continues.This week’s bipartisan action pulls our economy back from the brink of a devastating shutdown that would have hurt millions of families and union workers in countless industries. Our economy is growing and inflation is moderating, and this rail agreement will continue our progress to build an economy from the bottom up and middle out.
Governor Gordon Bans TikTok on State Devices due to Cybersecurity Concerns
December 15, 2022
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon has announced a ban on TikTok from all state electronic devices and networks to address cybersecurity concerns that have been raised by the app’s foreign ownership and the potential influence of foreign governments.
In a memo addressed to all state employees, the Governor directed that TikTok will be permanently removed, and access blocked, from all state government electronic devices and networks. This ban extends to all state-issued cell phones, laptops, tablets, desktop computers and other information technology equipment capable of internet connectivity.
“Maintaining robust cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and Wyoming is committed to identifying threats that could impact public safety,” Governor Gordon said. “The potential for foreign governments to access information collected by TikTok is extremely troubling.”
The Governor’s announcement means Wyoming joins at least 12 other states that have banned TikTok from state devices.
The Governor’s memo also directs the State’s Enterprise Technology Services, Wyoming Office of Homeland Security and the Wyoming Information Analysis Team to conduct a coordinated review of any other technology-based threats posed to State government networks.
A copy of the Governor’s memo is attached and may be found here.
--END--
Casper Horseheads summer collegiate baseball team ceases operations
New York is banning pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation on Thursday that prohibits the sale of pets raised by commercial breeders who, animal rights groups say, keep them in poor conditions.
A Sign That Tuition Is Too High: Some Colleges Are Slashing It in Half
Colby-Sawyer in New Hampshire has reduced its tuition to $17,500 a year, from about $46,000. But the cut is also a recognition that few pay the list price.
WASHINGTON, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Two dozen U.S. Senate Republicans warned Democratic President Joe Biden on Friday that they would not support increasing the federal debt ceiling without at least an equal amount of spending cuts to government programs or structural reform.
This comes as a bit of a surprise as this has been, so far, concentrated in the House.
February 6, 2023
I'm going to close this edition out in anticipation of the State of the Union Address. People got a little bit of a preview of that, however, when President Biden spoke at the recent Democratic Convention.
As we just noted, in the blog mirror item by Robert Reich, Joe Biden's economy is in a new phase. Inflation remains high, but has been going down, and we are at the lowest unemployment rate since the end of the Vietnam War.
