Chad’s Morning Brief: Second Special Session in Texas Begins, Wendy Davis Blames Rick Perry for Using Abortion to Boost Political Ambitions, & More
Here is your Morning Brief for the morning of July 1, 2013. Give me your feedback below and tune in to The Chad Hasty Show for these and many more topics from 8:30 to 11am. Remember, you can listen online at KFYO.com or with the radioPup App.
1. Second Special Session
Today the second special session begins down in Austin. The headliner of course is Senate Bill 5, but Governor Rick Perry has also called back lawmakers to pass transportation and juvenile justice bills. I expect for all 3 to pass, and for the transportation and juvenile justice legislation to pass easily.
The question is, how quickly will lawmakers deal with SB 5? Lawmakers have 30 days, but many people believe this special session could be wrapped up in two weeks. Remember, the Republicans have the votes and they will have time on their side during this special session.
There will be protesters and there could be Democratic shenanigans, but I don't see this session lasting too long.
Look for the Wendy Davis stories to continue though. Democrats consider her a star now and the liberal media can't wait to write stories about how SB 5 will turn Texas blue. It won't, but that won't stop the press from writing those stories.
Speaking of the special session, at 9:05am today Governor Rick Perry will join me. Don't miss it.
2. Wendy Davis Accuses Rick Perry of Doing What She Is Doing (link)
No one really knew Wendy Davis until she started filibustering a bill that would have banned women from having abortions when they were 5 months pregnant. Wendy Davis used abortion to gain political prominence. However, she doesn't see it that way. Instead she sees Rick Perry and others doing that.
Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis blasted Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Sunday for using the 20-week abortion ban legislation in Texas to advance their own political ambitions.
“I think really what’s happening here, Bob, is politicians are using this issue to boost their own political aspirations, their own political ambitions,” she told host Bob Schieffer Sunday on CBS's “Face the Nation.”
“Gov. Perry and Lt. Gov. Dewhurst are willing to … put women in harm’s way in order to step up on the political ladder,” she continued.
Davis, a Democrat, also said she expects Republicans to be “smarter” about how they manage the bill in the upcoming special legislative session, but that the national attention will ensure they are held “accountable” for the bill.
“They mismanaged the clock terribly last time, and they also ran roughshod over a lot of our senate rules and traditions to try to ram this bill through. And they’ll probably be a bit smarter about how they try to move this bill in this next session starting on Monday,” she said. “But what they now have to confront is that the eyes of Texas, the eyes of the country are watching.”
Pot meet kettle.
3. 43% Have No Clue (link)
A new poll from Gallup shows that many Americans have no idea that they must buy health insurance or face a fine due to Obamacare.
The poll, taken June 20-24, asked the following: “As you may know, under the terms of the Affordable Care Act, starting January 1 most Americans will be required to purchase health insurance or pay a fine. Were you aware of this before now?”
Eighty-one percent of respondents answered affirmatively, but only 56% of the critical uninsured segment of the population knew of the Obamacare requirement.
Under Obamacare, uninsured Americans will face a phased in penalty structure. In 2014, the fine will be $95 per person and will climb to $695 in 2016 for people who earn between $9,500 to $37,000 a year. From there, says Henry Blodget of Business Insider, the fines increase:
Less than $9,500 income = $0
$9,500 - $37,000 income = $695
$50,000 income = $1,000
$75,000 income = $1,600
$100,000 income = $2,250
$125,000 income = $2,900
$150,000 income = $3,500
$175,000 income = $4,100
$200,000 income = $4,700
Obamacare’s grand opening is set for January 2014.
The federal government has missed several deadlines as it scrambles to cobble together the government health care exchanges in time for October enrollment.
This month the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report warning that the blown deadlines could complicate Obamacare’s implementation.
"Much progress has been made, but much remains to be accomplished within a relatively short amount of time," said the report. "And while the missed interim deadlines may not affect implementation, additional missed deadlines closer to the start of enrollment could do so."
The Obama Administration says it is confident its government healthcare overhaul will go smoothly.
I'm going to guess that most of those that are clueless voted for Obama. Bet they won't blame him though.
Today's Guests:
9:05am- Texas Governor Rick Perry
9:35am- GOP Strategist & Co-Founder of MustReadTexas.com, Matt Mackowiak
Other Top Stories:
These and many more topics coming up on today’s edition of The Chad Hasty Show. Tune in mornings 8:30-11am on News/Talk 790 KFYO, streaming online at kfyo.com, and now on your iPhone and Android device with the radioPup App. All guest interviews can be heard online in our podcast section after the show at kfyo.com.
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