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    1. 1

      Crime Control and Law Enforcement Funding

      Governor Kayley Brennan (D-OH) The state legislature is now gaveled to order to debate this bill for 72 hours. This will be the final bill that we have time for before we end the session prior to the elections.
      TedderBear in State Legislature's Debate
    2. 5

      S.004 | Healthy Families Act

      Madam President, We enter this chamber not just to legislate, but to weigh the needs of our society with care, precision, and responsibility. Senator Reyes’ story reminds us of the difficult choices families across this nation face daily. The picture she painted is one of love and sacrifice, and I commend her for sharing it with us. But stories, however powerful, must be met with solutions that address complexity—not just with good intentions. The Healthy Families Act is born from an entirely noble cause: the desire to ensure that no parent has to choose between caring for a sick child and earning their daily bread. But while this bill proposes a national solution, I fear it does so by glossing over the diversity of our economic landscape. What works for a major corporation headquartered in New York might not work for a local shop in Toledo. Small businesses, Madam President, are not just a piece of our economy—they are the lifeblood of our communities. They employ nearly half of all private-sector workers in this country, according to the Small Business Administration. And yet, nearly 40% of small businesses say labor costs are one of their greatest challenges. This isn’t theoretical—it’s real life for the baker down the street, the local mechanic, and the family-owned diner. If we are to ask them to bear additional costs, we must also ask: What happens when the weight becomes too much? According to the National Federation of Independent Business, small businesses could see labor costs increase by as much as 20% under policies like this. That’s not an inconvenience; that’s a breaking point. And when the breaking point is reached, Madam President, it is not the large corporations that feel it—it is the communities, the families, the workers who lose jobs, hours, and livelihoods. What good is paid sick leave if the job disappears? I am not here to diminish the importance of paid sick leave. In fact, as the Urban Institute has shown, businesses that offer such leave often see reduced turnover and increased productivity. We all want workers to be healthy, to be able to care for themselves and their loved ones without fear. But must we impose a one-size-fits-all mandate from Washington? Should we not instead encourage businesses, particularly small businesses, to tailor solutions that fit their capacities? Take this fact: as of March 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 78% of private-sector employees already have access to paid sick leave. And that number climbs even higher in larger firms. The private sector, in many ways, is already responding to the need. So the real question is—how do we build on that success without adding unnecessary burdens to those who can least afford it? Madam President, there is a better way. Let us incentivize, not mandate. A Brookings Institution study in 2021 found that targeted tax credits for businesses offering paid leave increased adoption by up to 12% in small and medium-sized firms. That’s progress through encouragement, not compulsion. And in states where businesses have partnered with private insurers to provide paid sick leave through short-term disability plans, the burden is shared, the risk is mitigated, and the results speak for themselves. So, I ask—why impose a sweeping federal regulation when we have tools at our disposal that promote flexibility, innovation, and market-driven solutions? Why create a law that might harm the very small businesses we rely on to fuel our economic engine? Madam President, we must tread carefully. The goal is clear, and it is one I share: to protect our workers. But we must do so in a way that lifts both employees and the businesses that employ them. We must ensure that a solution for one group doesn’t inadvertently become a burden for another. In the end, we are not debating whether paid sick leave is important. We are debating how we achieve that noble goal without sacrificing jobs, without stifling innovation, and without suffocating the small businesses that form the backbone of this great nation. Let us be bold, yes. But let us also be wise. Thank you, Madam President, and I yield the floor.
      Albion in Senate Floor
    3. 2

      Vox Libertatis

      Vox Libertatis: With Concerns About Cognitive Fitness in the Presidential Race, the Choice of Vice President is More Important Than Ever by Rondal Goldfarb As we approach the upcoming election, the specter of cognitive fitness looms large over both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. In an era where leadership demands clarity, decisiveness, and the ability to navigate complex global challenges, the mental acuity of our candidates is a critical issue that warrants serious scrutiny. These concerns are exacerbated as the nation has renominated the nation’s two oldest candidates for President once again. President Biden, at 81, has faced increasing scrutiny regarding his cognitive health. Public appearances often raise eyebrows; moments of confusion, verbal gaffes, and occasionally disjointed speeches have left many questioning whether he possesses the sharpness necessary to fulfill the duties of the presidency. While age itself should not be a disqualifier, it is essential to consider whether he is fully equipped to tackle the myriad challenges facing the nation—from economic instability to international conflicts. Moreover, the opaque nature of Biden's health assessments raises further concerns. Transparency is paramount when it comes to the cognitive fitness of a sitting president, and voters deserve clear information about the health of their leader. The White House insists that President Biden is fine, as evidenced by his record of grossly expanding the federal government in every walk of life and making everyday life significantly more expensive for working Americans, a record that no free American should laud. The stakes are simply too high to rely on the vague reassurances of an insular White House and their appointees. On the other side, former President Trump is nearly as old as Biden, and has demonstrated impulsive behavior that raises questions about his judgment and decision-making capacity. His erratic communication style, particularly on social media, reflects a tendency to prioritize personal grievances over national interests. One need look no further than the incidents of January 6th to demonstrate that this narcissism and unpredictability can lead to dangerous ramifications, especially in a time when international tensions are high and domestic issues require steady leadership. President Trump and his campaign team dismisses concerns about the former President’s cognitive fitness, insisting he is the greatest American savior the world has ever known. That Trump is surrounded by sycophants who are only willing to feed his narcissism in the face of any reasonable criticism to the contrary, makes the specter of his own swamp creatures returning to power even more dangerous. Leadership demands the capacity for nuanced thinking and sound judgment—qualities that have at times appeared lacking in Trump and his team’s approach. These concerns are exacerbated as the candidates turn to their choice of running mates. With the sudden departure of Vice President Harris and both candidates searching for a running mate, the stakes of the role of Vice President have never been higher. For President Biden, the concern is more urgent. If the President becomes unable to carry out the duties of his office within the next few weeks, then the United States will enter an unprecedented new era where power transfers not only to the Speaker, but results in a change of partisan control of leadership that will render the functionality of the administration helpless in the waning few months of the President’s term. For President Trump, his first Vice President was the only one in the Executive with the courage to stop a coup. It is more important than ever that we, the people, pay close attention to who these candidates choose as their Vice President, as the likelihood of those individuals unexpectedly becoming the leader of the free world are higher than ever. It is essential for both Biden and Trump to undergo comprehensive evaluations that are made publicly available. These assessments should not be mere formalities but rather thorough examinations conducted by reputable medical professionals. Transparency in this regard can help reassure the public that their leaders are capable of making sound, rational decisions. As we gear up for a critical election, the cognitive fitness of our presidential candidates should be front and center in our discussions. We must prioritize leaders who are mentally equipped to navigate the complexities of governance, and that is especially true for their Vice Presidential choices during this critical time. The next Vice President must be ready to lead before day one. The time has come to demand transparency, accountability, and a rigorous examination of the cognitive health of those vying for the presidency. The future of our nation depends on it.
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      Goldie in The Fourth Estate

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