REACHING OUR VACCINATION GOALS

The United States hit the target of 200 million vaccinations administered by Biden’s 90th day in office.

FREE LUNCHES FOR K-12

The USDA announced that it will be continuing its program to provide free lunches for all K-12 students through at least June 2022.

NEW ADVANCES IN CLEAN ENERGY

In April, a proposed offshore wind-farm was finally approved in Massachusetts; powering nearly half a million homes, creating thousands of jobs, and lowering electricity rates by $1.4 billion over the first 20 years of operation.

MAKING HISTORY IN THE JUDICIARY

Under Biden’s administration, the first judicial nominees includes three African American women, the first Muslim American federal judge nominee in U.S. history, the first AAPI woman to be nominated to a U.S. District Court for the District of D.C., and the first woman of color to be nominated as a federal judge for the District of Maryland.

VOTING RIGHTS EXPANDED IN VIRGINIA

The Voting Rights Act of Virginia was signed into law by Governor Ralph Northam. It will require state election officials to get prior approval before making changes to voting rules, establish early voting access on Sundays in the 45-day period before an election, allow 16 & 17 year-olds to pre-register to vote, and eliminate the need for a witness on absentee ballots during a public health emergency.

DEMANDING ACCOUNTABILITY FROM THE POLICE FORCE

Maryland has enacted historic police accountability measures, becoming the first state to repeal its Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights and setting new rules for when police may use force and how they are investigated and disciplined.

See the latest Just The Facts, here.

COVID-19 NEWS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

Biden’s Administration says the U.S. expects to take delivery of enough coronavirus vaccine for all adults by the end of May — two months earlier than anticipated. President Joe Biden pushed states to get at least one shot into the arms of teachers by the end of March to hasten school reopenings.

KROGER AND THE NFL SUPPORT VACCINATION EFFORTS

Kroger associates now qualify for a bonus check of $100 if they provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, any associate that cannot get the vaccine for health or religious reasons still qualify for the bonus if they participate in an educational health & safety course.

The NFL’s Commissioner Roger Goodell offered all 30 of their team stadiums available for mass COVID-19 vaccination sites, with seven stadiums already hosting as sites as of early February.

NO MORE CONFEDERATE FLAG LICENSE PLATES IN N.C.

North Carolina’s Division of Motor Vehicles will now no longer issue or renew Confederate battle flag (and variations thereof) license plates due to its “potential to offend,” as stated by Steven Abbot, N.C. DOT spokesman.

REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

The Empire State Building, and 13 other office buildings owned by Empire State Realty Trust, are now completely powered by renewable wind energy. The company went into a three-year contract with Green Mountain Energy, providing an estimated 300 million-kilowatt hours of electricity— enough power to light every home in New York for a month. ESRT is now the nation’s largest real estate user of green energy.

See the latest Just The Facts post, here.

May 2021