Who Said That
Jim Murphy, an attorney with the National Wildlife Federation, regarding the Supreme Court’s decision to expand the ability of farmers, homebuilders and other developers to dig up or fill wetlands near rivers, lakes and streams, finding that the government had overreached in limiting such activities. Environmentalist groups are concerned that the decision will put wetlands at risk of pollution while farmers and builders are eager to make full use of their land. (Associated Press — May 26, 2023)
Carisa Lopez, political director for the progressive Texas Freedom Network, regarding a bill approved by state lawmakers this week that would allow public schools to use campus safety money to hire chaplains to counsel students. Supporters of the bill argue that chaplains can provide critical counseling to help prevent school shootings by addressing student mental health, amongst other issues, while critics claim the measure violates student religious freedom and allows an entryway for evangelizing. (Associated Press — May 25, 2023)
Nebraska state Sen. Megan Hunt, regarding the lack of party support she received from the national Democrats prior to making national news for her monthslong filibustering to block legislation that would ban gender-affirming treatment for minors, which ended last week. Hunt left the Democratic party during the filibuster and registered as an Independent. (Semafor — May 19, 2023)
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, regarding education and tax cut legislation that, he claims, will fail to address the statewide teacher shortage and will benefit the highest wage earners and ultimately empty state coffers. (Associated Press — May 23, 2023)
Sen. Tim Scott Monday during the launch of his 2024 Republican presidential campaign with a message of hope that he hopes will cut through the negativity of the political realm. The South Carolina conservative enters as a prohibitive underdog in a GOP race dominated for now by former President Donald Trump and his nearest rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. (New York Daily News – May 22, 2023)
Julie Mabry, the owner of Pearl Bar in Houston, one of two lesbian bars in Texas, regarding her denial of insurance coverage for her business because it hosts drag shows. Mabry said that in the nearly 10 years that her bar has been in business she has never received denial due to drag. Mabry is encouraging people to contact their legislators about the state’s anti-LGBTQ+ bills. (NPR — May 19, 2023)
D’Arcy Drollinger, a well-known drag performer and nightclub owner in San Francisco, regarding her appointment by Mayor London Breed as the city’s inaugural drag laureate, also a first in the nation. Drollinger’s appointment comes when anti-trans legislation is sweeping the nation, including bills that prohibit drag. West Hollywood is likely to appoint its own drag laureate later this month. (Associated Press — May 18, 2023)
Donna Deegan, after being elected the first female mayor of Jacksonville, Fla. Deegan won 52 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s election that saw 33 percent voter turnout. (Associated Press — May 17, 2023)
U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger, regarding the 400 percent increase in threats against members of Congress in the last 6 years. Most recently, a person armed with a baseball bat entered and attacked staff members at Rep. Gerry Connolly’s district office in Fairfax, Va. (NPR — May 15, 2023)
Dan Gibbons, CEO of the City Club of Chicago and a former staffer for the city’s longest-serving mayor, Richard M. Daley, regarding the wave of issues that Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson must face immediately after taking office on May 15. (Associated Press — May 15, 2023)
Chairwoman of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Candace Schmidt, regarding the unveiling of a U.S. Postal Service stamp that features the portrait of Chief Standing Bear, who was forced, along with about 700 other members of the Ponca tribe, by the Army to leave his homeland in northeast Nebraska and walk 600 miles to the Indian Territory in Oklahoma. Chief Standing Bear and others tried to return to their homelands and the chief was arrested, prompting him to file a lawsuit that led to a ruling in 1870 that ordered his release and found that a Native American is a person with a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. USPS has printed 18 million of the stamps. (Associated Press — May 12, 2023)
West Virginia State Board of Education President Paul Hardesty, regarding new data that found that roughly 1 in 4 of the 4,276 foster care students enrolled in the state’s public schools were suspended last year due to disciplinary issues and were more likely than their peers to receive out-of-school suspensions rather than in-school suspensions. Further, Black foster care students lost an average of 14.7 days last school year due to suspension, approximately six more days than non-foster Black peers and white foster care peers. Around 1 in 5 of all Black students in West Virginia public schools were suspended during the 2021-2022 school year, regardless of foster care status. West Virginia is one of the states with the most children in foster care per capita. (Associated Press — May 11, 2023)
Kansas City, Mo., Councilmember Melissa Robinson, regarding the announcement that the city will not prosecute or fine any person or organization that seeks, provides, receives or helps someone receive gender-affirming care. Robinson had questions about how the city might be impacted by this decision, which directly defies state officials who are actively working to ban gender-affirming care for transgender minors, though she supported the resolution. (Associated Press — May 10, 2023)
Retired federal Judge J. Michael Luttig, regarding the many calls for ethics reform for the Supreme Court, after some members failed to disclose high-cost gifts, expenses and business dealings. Luttig, who is a widely respected conservative judge, submitted a statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee for its hearing on Supreme Court ethics last week. (NPR — May 9, 2023)
Joseph Grove of the group Animal Wellness Action, regarding the string of seven horse fatalities in the week leading up to the 149th Kentucky Derby this past Saturday. At least four of the seven horses were euthanized after sustaining injuries while two died under mysterious circumstances. Churchill Downs said it would “rigorously work to understand what caused these incidents.” (NPR — May 7, 2023)
Carol McBride, president of the Native Women’s Association of Canada, regarding the countless number of Indigenous people that have gone missing or been killed, many of which are never investigated by law enforcement officials. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Awareness Day is held on May 5, the birthday of Hanna Harris, who was only 21 when she was slain on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in Montana. (Associated Press — May 5, 2023)
Flint, Mich., Community Schools, regarding its decision to ban backpacks over safety concerns. The public school district will instead allow students to carry clear plastic bags with gym clothes, lunchboxes and small purses containing personal items, “within reason.” (NPR — May 4, 2023)
Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, regarding her resignation from the position after criticism from Republicans and Democrats for having moonlighted as a highly paid consultant for a marijuana business. Fagan’s consulting position paid $10,000 per month with additional bonuses if she helped the company get licensed in other states. (Associated Press — May 2, 2023)
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, warning lawmakers of what the impacts might be if the federal government runs out of money to pay its bills, which, she predicts, could be as soon as June 1 if the debt ceiling is not raised soon. (NPR — May 1, 2023)
Barbara Jordan, a 53-year-old resident of Hutchinson, Kan., regarding the diminishing trust in the media’s ability to report the news fairly and accurately. A new poll found that nearly 75 percent of U.S. adults blame the media for increasing political polarization across the nation. (Associated Press — May 1, 2023)
Andy Nelson, the Democratic Party chair in Missoula County, Mont., regarding the protests in the gallery of the Montana state House who chanted “Let her speak,” regarding the silence of state Rep. Zooey Zephyr on Monday, April 24. Seven people were arrested for trespassing on Monday, though the demonstration was free of violence or damage. Republican lawmakers have made comparisons to the April 24 protest with the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. (Associated Press — April 28, 2023)
What the Walt Disney Company accused Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other offiicals of orchestrating against them when they filed a lawsuit.
The Texas Department of Agriculture’s new dress code policy, which will apply to all employees of the department, including interns and contractors. The ACLU says that the new policy violates federal law. (NPR — April 25, 2023)
Camille Bennett, the founder of Project Say Something, regarding the decision by Alabama to close government offices for the Confederate Memorial Day on Monday, April 25, while state lawmakers are pushing legislation to ban “divisive concepts” from being taught in state classrooms and diversity training for state workers. Mississippi also closed government offices on Monday. (Associated Press — April 25, 2023)
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, regarding the dismissal of her director of early childhood education over the use of a teacher training book that has teaching of “woke concepts” through language about inclusion and structural racism. The book is for early childhood educators and is not a curriculum taught to children. (NPR — April 22, 2023)
U.S. radio host Larry Elder, in a Tweet late on Thursday evening, announcing his candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Elder was the most serious challenger against Gov. Gavin Newsom in California’s 2021 recall election but ultimately did not oust Newsom. (Reuters — April 21, 2023)
Mark Jennings, in his resignation letter after being caught on a recording allegedly making violent and racist remarks and jokes with members of the McCurtain County, Oka., Sheriff’s Office. (NPR — April 19, 2023)
Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox, announcing a state of emergency in response to flooding, avalanches, landslides, rockslides, mudslides and other dangerous conditions caused by large levels of melting snowpack. In some areas, snowpack is at 200 percent of normal, according to the executive order. The emergency order will remain in effect for the next 30 days, or longer if the Legislature extends it. (Utah Governor’s Office — April 18, 2023)
Bishop William Barber II, regarding the reinstatement of Tennessee state Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson after being ousted for their roles in a pro-gun control demonstration on the House floor. Barber and other protesters demand that lawmakers pass gun safety legislation and stop using their authority to trample democracy. Protesters carried several caskets symbolizing those lost to gun violence on Monday, April 17. (Associated Press — April 18, 2023)
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, regarding the shooting by a homeowner of Ralph Yarl, a Black teenager who was shot after he rang the doorbell to the wrong house as he was attempting to pick up his younger brothers. Yarl was shot twice, then ran to seek help for his injuries. Yarl’s family has retained Crump’s Florida-based law firm. (Associated Press — April 17, 2023)
