Year: 2021

  • Biden signs $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

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    Image of the south facade of the White House.

    On Thursday, March 11, President Joe Biden (D) signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Here’s a look at some of the provisions contained in the $1.9 trillion package: • The law provides for a third round of relief checks to eligible individuals and couples. Individuals and dependents earning up to $75,000 and married…

  • Senate agrees to advance Becerra nomination after deadlocked committee vote

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    March 12, 2021: The Senate voted to discharge Xavier Becerra’s nomination for secretary of health and human services from the Senate Finance Committee. President Joe Biden (D) and his team have been preparing for the transition between presidential administrations since the election, including selecting senior White House staff and appointees to top government positions. In…

  • The Daily Brew: Politicians who’ve been on the silver screen

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    Welcome to the Friday, March 12, Brew. Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Politicians who were actors or musicians Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) is 5th senator to announce 2022 retirement More than 70 people vying to be the next lieutenant governor of Rhode Island Politicians who were actors or musicians In…

  • Former state Rep. Ronald Ryckman appointed to the Kansas state Senate

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    The Republican precinct committees of Kansas Senate District 38 appointed Ronald Ryckman (R) to the state Senate on March 4. Ryckman replaces Bud Estes (R), who passed away on Feb. 13. Since the vacancy occurred before May 1 of the second year of Estes’ term, a special election will be held in November 2022. The…

  • New Jersey Supreme Court justice schedules retirement

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    New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Jaynee LaVecchia scheduled her retirement for August 31, 2021. LaVecchia’s replacement will be Governor Phil Murphy’s (D) second nominee to the seven-member supreme court. Under New Jersey law, when a vacancy occurs, justices of the New Jersey Supreme Court are nominated by the governor. One week after the public notice…

  • John Blake resigns from Pennsylvania state Senate 

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    Pennsylvania state Sen. John Blake (D) resigned on March 8 to take a position on U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright’s (D) staff. Cartwright represents Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District in Congress. Blake represented District 22 in the state Senate, which includes Lackawanna County and parts of Luzerne and Monroe Counties.  “It has been a very difficult and…

  • Politicians who were actors or musicians

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    In February, before this year’s Super Bowl, we shared a list of political figures who had played in the big game. With the GRAMMY Awards presentation this weekend and the announcement of this year’s Oscar nominees on Monday, I thought we’d look at some candidates and officeholders who were also actors and musicians. We sent…

  • Documenting America’s Path to Recovery: March 11, 2021

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    The next 24 hours What is changing in the next 24 hours? Maryland (divided government): Gov. Larry Hogan (R) will end capacity limits on most types of businesses, including restaurants, bars, and fitness centers, on March 12 at 5 p.m. Large outdoor and indoor venues, including wedding and sports venues and theaters, will be allowed…

  • Candidate field for Pittsburgh mayoral race takes shape

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    Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto faces three challengers in the Democratic primary on May 18, 2021, according to the unofficial list published by Allegheny County on March 9. No Republican candidates were listed. Peduto’s challengers include current state Rep. Edward Gainey, Tony Moreno, and Michael Thompson.  The winner of the Democratic primary will advance to the…

  • Chief Judge Timothy Stanceu to assume senior status in April 2021

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    Chief Judge Timothy Stanceu of the United States Court of International Trade announced that he will assume senior status on April 5, 2021. Stanceu joined the court in 2003 after being nominated by President George W. Bush (R). He became the chief judge on July 1, 2014.  Stanceu graduated from Colgate University with his bachelor’s…