On July 8, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed S5072. This is the bill that says if the Chair of the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee asks to see the state income tax return of a resident of New York who is a public official, the state will send a copy. However, months ago, the Chair of the Ways & Means Committee had said that he doesn’t intend to ask for the return, even if the bill becomes law.
Melanie McFarland has this article in Salon, on how public awareness of Marianne Williamson has expanded, as a result of her being included in one of the two Democratic presidential debates last month. This shows how an obscure presidential candidate, who is permitted to be included in a debate with the candidates who considered “front-runners”, can benefit. This is true, even though there were ten candidates on stage, and Williamson was given very little air time.
On July 3, the Democratic National Committee filed this list of exhibits in Jacobson v Lee, the case over the order of candidates on the Florida ballot. The list includes the laws of other states, relating to determining the order of candidates on general election ballots. The purpose is to show that other states have laws that are neutral and give every candidate a chance to appear first on the ballot. The state objects to this evidence, saying the laws of other states are irrelevant.
On July 5, U.S. District Court Judge Mark E. Walker expedited the lawsuit Jones v DeSantis, n.d., 4:19cv-300. This is the case filed by the ACLU on June 28 against the new law that says ex-felons can’t register to vote if they have any unpaid restitution, court costs, or fines. A status conference will be held on July 19, which will set the dates for the trial and for various briefs. See this story.
Judge Walker also has the case in which the Democratic National Committee challenges the Florida law on order of candidates on the ballot. That case has a trial that starts July 15. Jacobson v Lee, 4:18cv-262.
Congressman Justin Amash was on CNN’s “State of the Union” on July 7. He said he is running for re-election as an independent to the U.S. House. He also said he hasn’t ruled out running for President. Watch this clip, courtesy of the Daily Beast.
