Fast Facts for May 3, 2021
Earmarks are back. Yes – all those congressional pet projects will now be up for consideration again…with some new boundaries.
What’s an ear mark?
An ear mark is tax payer money requested by a senator or representative for a project that is important to that lawmaker. Those projects normally benefit their specific district and can be randomly rolled into different bills…even if that bill has nothing to do with that earmark.
So what’s the big deal?
Back in 2010 and 2011 earmarks were formally banned in congress because the spending was as ridiculous as some of the projects and the federal deficit was of real concern. Not to mention the corruption. Many cite the infamous “bridge to nowhere” in Alaska as a good example.
So what are the new rules for earmarks?
In the senate – earmarks will be capped at one-percent of discretionary spending and the money will be divided evenly between democrats and republicans.
All requests must be made public.
Some approved earmarks will be subject to an audit by the government accountability office.
The money cannot be directed to “for-profit” entities and members cannot have a financial stake in the recipient.
But why are they back?
Many say the approval of these earmarks can be good leverage to get an otherwise reluctant lawmaker to vote for a specific bill. For example – we’ll approve your earmark, if you vote for this bill. Like horse trading.
Both democrats and republicans in the house and the senate plan to submit requests for earmarks that are important to them. In fact, billions of earmark requests have been made in the house to be attached to the president’s infrastructure plan. Look alive, pay attention people.
PLUS
We may see a gasoline shortage this summer.
Is it because the president did something?
No.
Is it because there’s a shortage or crude oil and no gas available?
Also no.
So what’s going on?
Experts say it’s because there aren’t enough qualified tanker truck drivers on the road to deliver the gasoline to the gas stations.
I am not telling you this so you go out and hoard gasoline (like y’all did with toilet paper). I’m warning you that industry experts are talking about it as we roll into summer time.
According to the industry’s trade group — the national tank truck carriers – between 20 to 25% of tank trucks are just parked because there aren’t enough qualified drivers on the job. They say in April of 2019 only 10% were parked for the same reason.
The shortage of tank truck drivers isn’t new. But it got worse because of the pandemic, plus many drivers retired. Tank truck drivers are required to have special credential and training to drive those rigs often with hazardous materials.
Now, the spokesperson who represents all the convenient store operators in the u-s says his members are very concerned about what the driver shortage will mean for deliveries especially as families start to hit the road for summer vacation.
PLUS
Americans may be welcomed back to all 27-member European Union countries by June.
But—if you want to avoid a lengthy government mandated quarantine — you must be fully vaccinated against Covid19 – meaning you can’t enter the EU until 14-days after your last dose. The vaccine you receive must also be approved through the EU. All of the US vaccines being administered are on the list.
Children who are currently excluded from vaccination would be able to travel with their vaccinated parents if they have a negative PCR covid-19 test taken no later than 72 hours before arrival. In these cases, member states could require additional testing after arrival.
Tourists from countries with an EU approved level infection rate may also be allowed into the 27 countries. But that traveler if not vaccinated would be subject to quarantine and testing. That list of approved countries will be reevaluated constantly.
The proposal also does *not* address what vaccinated people can do once they’re inside Europe. Demark for example, requires vaccination passports to enter certain shops and concerts.
There will also be a new “emergency break” mechanism built in to immediately shut down travel from countries with concerning variant levels.
This is *only* a proposal. Things are still subject to change and will ultimately need approval of all e-u member states and the European Commission.
European Union proposed order here.
