There's no real comparison. A big chunk of the scary $54B is wiped away through a couple of different "rainy day" funds, and then another chunk is melted by not pursuing some of Newsome's newly approved statewide initiatives. In that context, it's a lot like CA's budget crisis of 2009. About the same %, but back then the state didn't have nearly the responsible planning that it does now. It's still bad. There will be cuts that really hurt. But the transparency and modeling are different than the process TX is trotting out there, IMHO. Not throwing shade. I love my home state and want it to be as fiscally healthy as can be. But that tweeted chart was super dumb. Like... dumb on dumb pills.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31035-7/fulltext# "Measures to flatten the curve might have an effect, but a lockdown only pushes the severe cases into the future —it will not prevent them."
I think that's accurate. But what flattening also does, as I understand it: provide the medical profession a little more time to learn to treat the illness more effectively, keep hospitals from becoming just non-functional, and give pharmaceuticals and vaccine development a little more time to work some magic. Being able to deploy Remdesivir (sp) is a good outcome already, and I think there will be other redeployed drugs too. Buy yeah, I think a lot of people got the impression that "flatten the curve" meant fewer people will get sick. And it only means grandma, grandpa, and maybe us too, will get really really sick later (and hopefully with slightly better care) than they/we would have.
So was the payment a mistake or what? This article does not address if there was an actual accounting error or not, I am not commenting on if the employees deserve extra pay but it's disingenuous to conflate the 2 things. Unless I missed something it's pretty much standard procedure for an overpay. This no better than when Fox does this to throw read meat to their viewers.
My mistake... it appears it was an overpay situation... and Kroger is saying "oops, nevermind" Oops: Kroger overpaid some workers and demanded repayment, now says 'nevermind' https://www.cincinnati.com/story/mo...nded-repayment-now-says-nevermind/5221322002/
MN Republican candidate for Senate sues Governor claiming that restrictions are preventing him from campaigning. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/...OHzyjZucn3DdskCAxyorRo94sIgErsUdou7v0wOx6RDKs Republican Senate candidate sues Walz over COVID-19 restrictions Brian Bakst St. Paul May 19, 2020 4:52 p.m. Updated: 5:38 p.m. Republican Senate candidate Jason Lewis filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, arguing that restrictions meant to contain the spread of the coronavirus violate his ability to campaign as he wishes. The case is just one of several lawsuits over the governor’s coronavirus orders. But the unique nature of it could earn Lewis attention, something harder for political candidates to come by with COVID-19 still dominating the public’s attention. Lewis, a former congressman, is among the Republicans seeking the nomination to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith. Lewis argues that the now-lapsed stay-at-home order and other continuing restrictions have kept him from campaign activities “such as rallies, meetings, dinners, and speeches.” “The overreach from these unprecedented lockdowns has moved beyond economic hardship and favoritism into the realm of threatening our most basic liberties, including the fundamental right to travel and meet with friends and neighbors,” Lewis said in a written statement. “Our action serves notice on the state that it, too, has limits, especially when its arbitrary actions encroach on the freedoms of Minnesotans.” The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court. It seeks an injunction against any enforcement against large gatherings or travel as well as attorneys fees. The Minnesota restrictions aren’t unique to campaigns nor do they apply to candidates specifically. But Lewis notes that campaigns aren’t exempt either. Walz’s spokesperson said the restrictions are “action that is within the governor’s authority. It is also in line with federal guidance and similar to what many other states are doing.” “All of the governor’s actions have been grounded in the need to protect the health and safety of Minnesotans,” the governor’s spokesperson said. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said his office will defend the governor’s orders in court. “Courts around the country have been upholding governors’ orders to protect people from COVID-19. I have no reason to think courts in Minnesota will rule differently,” Ellison said. “Jason Lewis is tying up our legal system with a frivolous, political lawsuit about how the pandemic has inconvenienced him personally while Minnesotans are caring for each other by staying safe at home.”
Posting a link and nothing else is annoying. You do this a lot. The information at the link may be good, useful, and interesting. But, it would be helpful if you could give us a little information about what will be found at the link. Sometimes I can look at the link and guess what the article may be about, but not always. I don’t like clicking on links when I have no idea what it’s about or where it’s taking me. I want to read good information you can provide. Maybe you can help us out a little bit. Also, maybe you could weigh in on how you feel about some of these articles you like to post links to.
I was informed my previous posting style had ruined the D&D for many people. So I have tried to amend my posting style. Perhaps I have gone too far in the other direction.
A bit of updated info on the new lockdown -- most recent article I could find. _______ Mysterious new coronavirus outbreak hits China - 108 million now back into lockdown https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ex...rovince-quarantine-COVID-19-update/amp?espv=1
Sweden has Europe's highest number of coronavirus deaths per capita over last 7 days Tim O'Donnell The WeekMay 19, 2020, 11:28 am https://news.yahoo.com/sweden-europes-highest-number-coronavirus-162800845.html
Catholic and some Lutheran clergy are saying they will defy MN Gov. Walz orders and open up for services with more than 10 people next week. I'm guessing this is happening in other states too. Minnesota's Catholic bishops say they'll defy Walz' limits on church attendance Walz' COVID-19 policy caps in-person attendance in houses of worship at 10 MPR News Staff St. Paul May 20, 2020 8:16 p.m. Minnesota's Roman Catholic bishops said Wednesday that they will allow Masses to resume next week despite Gov. Tim Walz's continued prohibition on most religious gatherings. Twin Cities Archbishop Bernard Hebda and the state's five other diocesan leaders say they're giving parishes permission to resume public Masses on May 26, just ahead of Pentecost on May 31. In a letter, the bishops said parishes are not required to resume services, and no Catholics are obliged to attend. Churches must follow sanitation protocols, and limit attendance to a third of seating capacity. The clerics noted that the dioceses voluntarily suspended public Masses before Walz issued his orders, and they've been urging him to allow larger religious gatherings in his latest executive order. The bishops said it "defies reason" to allow malls to reopen while continuing to prohibit more than 10 people from gathering in a cathedral that can seat thousands. Walz spokesperson Teddy Tschann issued this statement in response on Wednesday night: As the Governor has said, this is a challenging situation for him personally and a challenging situation for him as a public official charged with protecting the health and safety of Minnesotans. He remains in routine communication with faith leaders across the state and understands the toll this pandemic is taking on the spiritual health of Minnesotans. Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Health will be meeting with the Archdiocese this week. Lutheran leaders from Wisconsin and Missouri synods, as well as Evangelical Lutheran Synod also criticized the Walz administration over his COVID-19 policy. In a separate letter forwarded by the Archdiocese, the Lutherans noted the Constitutional guarantee of freedom to exercise religious belief and said the prohibition of “people from gathering together in a church regardless of its size, but allowing malls and other ‘non-critical’ businesses to open, fails to uphold that guarantee. “We have accordingly chosen to move forward in the absence of a timeline from Gov. Walz. We cannot allow an indefinite suspension of in-person worship,” the Lutherans said. They also plan to reopen buildings for “public gatherings” on May 26, with the first Sunday services on May 31. The Lutherans recommend their churches limit attendance, sanitize spaces and practice social distancing. Earlier in the day, Steve Grove, the state’s employment and economic development commissioner, told reporters that expanding religious services — including allowing outdoor services of up to 100 people — would be part of Minnesota’s next phase of loosening restrictions on daily life. However, he did not say when that would happen. Walz said his administration wants to reopen houses of worship as soon as it's safe. "I think there is a very strong sense of urgency for us to figure this piece around churches,” he said. “I say that about all business, but I do think these pieces of people's lives we need to try to get it around."
