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Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
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TOP STORIES
GEORGIA SHOWDOWN: The Senate majority has already been determined, however whether or not the Democrats seize some respiratory room of their razor-thin management of the chamber is on the road Tuesday within the final poll field showdown of the 2022 midterm elections. For a second straight cycle, the ultimate combat is happening within the essential southeastern battleground state of Georgia, the place Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock is going through off with Republican challenger Herschel Walker in a Senate runoff election. Within the ultimate hours earlier than Election Day, each campaigns had been attempting to energise their base voters in a race the place turnout would be the deciding think about what public opinion polling signifies is an in depth contest. Learn extra from Fox Information’ Paul Steinhauser: Excessive stakes in Herschel Walker-Raphael Warnock Senate battle in Georgia’s runoff showdown
2024 WARNING: Democrats defied expectations within the midterm elections and efficiently fended off a crimson wave, however a veteran Democratic pollster warns that social gathering might want to handle and prioritize the economic system and crime with “new leaders” on the helm in an effort to mount a profitable problem in 2024. Stan Greenberg, beforehand the senior pollster to President Invoice Clinton, Vice President Al Gore and U.Okay. Prime Minister Tony Blair, amongst others, says that Democrats mustn’t really feel vindicated popping out of election evening. Democrats owe their sudden success to voters setting apart financial issues and voting as an alternative on abortion, Social Safety, and threats to democracy, in accordance with Greenberg. Learn extra from Fox Information’ Sophia Slacik: Invoice Clinton’s former pollster warns Democrats about 2024: Neglect Biden, deal with working class
POLITICAL PAWNS: The nation’s third-largest rail union and rail staff are wanting forward and vowing to not overlook who stood by them throughout their combat for paid sick depart, and a few even warn that President Biden’s push for Congress to intervene may have damaging penalties. The outrage follows a vote by Congress on three measures regarding the rail employee calls for, together with one which the Senate handed in an 80-15 vote codifying an settlement negotiated by the White Home and 12 of the nation’s rail unions. Clark Ballew, the director of communications for the Brotherhood of Upkeep of Approach Staff Division (BMWED), the third-largest rail union in America, instructed Fox Information Digital that the union is not going to overlook who stood alongside of them as they fought for paid sick depart days. Learn extra from Fox Information’ Kyle Morris right here: ‘Political pawns’: Furious railway staff warn Biden’s union settlement will ‘positively’ affect subsequent election
2024 WATCH
DESANTIS PICKS UP STEAM: Most voters would fairly see Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., because the GOP nominee in 2024 over former President Donald Trump, in accordance with a brand new ballot that additionally discovered nearly all of Democrats don’t assume President Biden ought to search re-election subsequent cycle. A Marquette Regulation College ballot revealed that in a hypothetical 2024 matchup between DeSantis and Biden, the 2 candidates had been tied amongst registered voters, each receiving 42% help. About 11% stated they might select a distinct candidate. The outcomes mirror a significant improve in help for DeSantis in comparison with a January Marquette ballot the place he acquired solely 34% help in comparison with Biden’s 43%. Learn extra from Fox Information’ Aubrie Spady: POLL: DeSantis stays GOP’s prime 2024 choose over Trump, most Dem voters do not assume Biden ought to run once more
PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY SHAKEUP: The Democratic Nationwide Committee took a significant step to undertake President Biden’s shakeup of the 2024 presidential nominating calendar, probably eradicating Iowa and New Hampshire from their first spots. The Guidelines and Bylaws Committee voted Friday to undertake Biden’s proposal to have South Carolina vote first on the Democrats’ nominating calendar in 2024, and having New Hampshire and Nevada maintain primaries a couple of days later in a transfer aimed toward making the lead-off contest extra consultant of the social gathering as an entire. Learn extra from Fox Information’ Paul Steinhauser right here: Democrats vote to undertake Biden’s shakeup to 2024 presidential main calendar
CHRISTMAS CONTEMPLATIONS: Nikki Haley, former ambassador to the United Nations and former South Carolina governor, stated on Tuesday that she is going to consider a potential 2024 Republican presidential run over the vacations. “We’re taking the vacations to form of have a look at what the scenario is,” Haley instructed a crowd at Clemson College. “I’ve stated I’ve by no means misplaced a race; I’m not going to start out now. If we determine to get into it, we are going to put in 1,000%, and we’ll end it.” Learn extra from Fox Information’ Sophia Slacik: Nikki Haley says she is going to determine on a 2024 presidential run over the vacations
RUBIO RE-RUN? Sen. Marco Rubio reportedly plans to launch a ebook in June 2023, sparking rumors the Florida Senator will make a second bid for the presidency in 2024. Rubio’s 272-page ebook, titled “Many years of Decadence,” in accordance with a writer’s announcement, is his third whereas serving as senator of Florida since 2011. He wrote “American Desires” in 2015 shortly earlier than working for president in 2016. Learn extra from Fox Information’ Aubrie Spady: Sen. Marco Rubio’s new ebook sparks 2024 rumors after DeSantis reveals particulars of autobiography
LEAVING THE DOOR OPEN: Kemp is at the moment the primary attraction in two commercials working on behalf of Republican nominee Herschel Walker, who’s going through off towards Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock in Tuesday’s Senate runoff election in the important thing southeastern battleground state. Requested a few potential Senate run in 2026, Kemp shortly stated, “I am involved with serving to Herschel Walker. I am involved with getting our state finances put collectively, preparing for a legislative session.” However he added, “I have never dominated in or out something.”. Learn extra from Fox Information’ Paul Steinhauser: Georgia Gov. Kemp centered on runoff and steering state, however is not ruling something out for political future
CAMPAIGN TRAIL UPDATES
LIPS ARE SEALED: Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., remains to be refusing to say whether or not he would help any limitations on abortion with simply someday remaining earlier than his Senate runoff election towards Republican nominee Herschel Walker. Warnock was joined by fellow Democratic Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff throughout a string of rallies in Athens on Sunday, when Fox Information Digital requested each if there have been any cases in any respect by which they might help limits on when throughout a being pregnant an abortion might be carried out. Neither straight answered the query. Learn extra from Fox Information’ Brandon Gillespie: Warnock nonetheless will not say if he helps any abortion limitations simply someday earlier than Georgia runoff
BIG SPENDER: Within the month-long marketing campaign battle in Georgia, Warnock and allied Democratic outdoors teams outspent Walker and GOP aligned teams by a roughly two-to-one margin. Learn extra from Fox Information’ Paul Steinhauser: Democrats outspend Republicans two-to-one in Georgia Senate runoff advert wars
SENATE BATTLE BREWING: Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., has filed paperwork to run for Indiana governor in 2024, which might open up his Senate seat within the subsequent election cycle. Braun’s resolution could open the door for a crowded GOP main. The Senate race may affect the stability of energy within the higher chamber throughout an election 12 months when Democrats face nice obstacles to carry onto their slim majority. Indiana Reps. Victoria Spartz and Rep. Jim Banks have each voiced curiosity in working for the Senate seat prior to now. Learn extra from Fox Information’ Sophia Slacik: Sen. Mike Braun proclaims run for Indiana governor, opening Senate seat in 2024
HOUSE RACE CALL: The Related Press initiatives that Republican John Duarte will win the Home race in California’s thirteenth Congressional District, defeating Democrat challenger Adam Grey.There have been no incumbents within the race for the district, after present Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., ran for re-election in California’s twelfth Congressional District. Learn extra from Fox Information’ Aubrie Spady: Republican John Duarte wins Home race in California’s thirteenth Congressional District
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Kentucky
Kentucky vs. Texas Injury Report: Deone Walker, JJ Weaver and others set to return
The Kentucky Wildcats are now getting prepared for one of their hardest games on the schedule as they travel to Austin for a date with the Texas Longhorns.
This disappointing season has also been riddled with injuries across the board for the Cats. Whether it has been offense or defense, Mark Stoops’ squad has not been close to full strength, really, one time this season.
That will be the case again in Austin, as the first injury report of the week has been released.
With D’Eryk Jackson and Gerald Mincey out alongside DJ Waller, it’s Courtland Ford and Kahlil Saunders who carry questionable designations as of Wednesday.
For some good news, however, JJ Weaver seems likely to play, as he is listed as probable.
In addition, Deone Walker, Barion Brown, and Jamon Dumas-Johnson are no longer on the injury report, so they’re set to return this week.
Going to be an interesting afternoon in Austin. Let’s see if any more names pop up on this report as the week continues.
Louisiana
Louisiana lawmakers search for ways to pay for Landry’s proposed income tax cut • Louisiana Illuminator
Gov. Jeff Landry’s ambitious plan to overhaul Louisiana’s tax structure has largely been pared down to a more modest goal – cutting state income taxes.
Lawmakers are working on a way to make sure the state can pay for that desired tax reduction while not having to make damaging cuts to areas such as health care and higher education.
Options include raising the state sales tax rate higher than it is now, retaining a higher corporate income tax rate than proposed or settling on an income tax cut that is smaller than Landry originally pitched weeks ago.
The governor wanted to move to a flat personal income tax rate of 3% – the highest rate currently is 4.25% – but it will cost the state more than $1 billion annually. Landry’s income tax plan also leaves the state approximately $700 million short of what is needed to cover the costs of government, according to senators.
Through his Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson, the governor had originally crafted a proposal that would exchange a broader base of tax collections for lower personal income and corporate taxes. Nelson said Louisiana would be able to pay for across-the-board personal income and corporate tax rate cuts totaling billions of dollars as long as the state scrapped generous business tax breaks and applied the sales tax to a greater range of products.
The governor has struggled to get lawmakers to fully embrace the trade off, however.
Legislators have eagerly voted for bills to cut corporate and personal income taxes but stalled on proposals to help make up for that lost revenue.
Landry’s tax package started to unravel last week when the Louisiana House of Representatives refused to vote for legislation that would extend the sales tax to more services, such as lawn care, home repair and dog grooming. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
“Obviously, the services bill in its original form was a little over $500 million, which would equate to about a half a point on the personal income tax,” House Speaker Phillip Devillier, R-Eunice, said.
This week, the Senate declined to fully roll back some of the state’s expensive business incentive programs, such as its movie and television tax credits and historic preservation tax breaks that collectively cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
A plan to eliminate a state inventory tax credit, which covers taxes businesses pay to local governments, has been delayed until 2026, and a proposal to increase a tax on heavy machinery and equipment used by industrial employers has also been scrapped.
If he doesn’t find a way to make up for that money, Landry runs the risk of revisiting the same political problems that plagued former Gov. Bobby Jindal.
Jindal also cut income taxes without replacing the lost revenue or finding a permanent way to cut government spending. His policy led to chronic budget problems for years and made the former governor deeply unpopular when he left office.
Senate leaders appear to be pushing for a higher state sales tax rate to help fill the hole left by the personal income tax cut.
It was scheduled to automatically drop from 4.45% to 4% in July, though Landry had already pitched keeping the extra 0.45% permanently as a way to cover the corporate and personal income tax reductions. Now, lawmakers are considering an even higher rate to cover the state’s expenses; 5% has been floated for a few days.
“This isn’t a tax-lowering session. This is a tax-reorganization session,” Rep. Michael Echols, R-Monroe, said Wednesday. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
Louisiana already has one of the highest average sales tax rates in the country, and that levy is a larger burden on poor people who have to pay the same rate as the wealthy. Very low-income households don’t pay income tax and won’t necessarily see benefits from cuts Landry and lawmakers make in that arena.
“As soon as you start to increase the sales tax more, the plan becomes more regressive,” said Rep. Matthew Willard, D-New Orleans, leader of the House Democratic Caucus.
Several Republicans and Democrats in the House also weren’t enthusiastic about the sales tax portion of the original tax plan and might not want to vote for a 5% rate. A bill to keep the state sales tax at 4.4% barely passed the House, with just two votes to spare last week.
“That would be the top number we need for sales,” Sen. Franklin Foil, R-Baton Rouge said Wednesday morning. “We don’t necessarily have the votes to do that yet. We need to get a tally of where things stand.”
Lafayette Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, head of the Senate Democratic Caucus, said his party doesn’t want a higher sales tax rate, but Democrats also fear government programs they champion, like social services, will be targeted if they don’t support the proposal.
“We want to make sure the things that are important to us will be funded, right?” Boudreaux said Wednesday before he and other Democratic senators headed off to a meeting with Landry.
Rep. Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro, was bullish on the legislators’ willingness to raise the sales tax to 5%.
“I think it can get there. It’s an easier path for that than it is for broadening the base,” he said.
If lawmakers aren’t willing to raise the sales tax more, legislators could look to retain more of the current corporate income tax rate, but they’ve already pulled back on an original plan to cut that tax dramatically.
Landry initially pitched replacing the graduated corporate tax rate that tops out at 7.5% with a flat 3%. But the senators moved that levy back up to 6% earlier this week to claw back some revenue. A further increase might be unlikely given pressure from business lobbyists.
Corporate taxes are also a notoriously unstable source of tax revenue. In part because sizable tax credits can be applied in any budget cycle, corporate tax collections have ranged from $193 million to $1.6 billion annually over the past 10 years, according to the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana.
Legislators could also increase the personal income tax rate from 3% but seem very reluctant to do so. If it does go up, they would try to keep it to a small adjustment, like up to 3.1% or 3.2%.
“My belief is the personal income tax will, probably will, stay at 3(%),” said Foil, who heads the Senate committee that oversees tax policy.
Maryland
Damp and cold end to Maryland’s week
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