Every once in a while it’s nice to hear some good news.
Democratic New York Congressman, 26th District Brian Higgins, who had received $5,000 from the NRA between 2006 and 2012: “had an epiphany,” he said, after the Sandy Hook killings. He returned $120 of the money, who knows why, and donated the rest to organizations promoting gun sense. In early October, he posted this on his Facebook feed:
I have always believed in the necessity of a responsible balance between Second Amendment rights and the critical role of the government to protect Americans. As we’ve witnessed the growth of unconscionable gun violence in our elementary schools, clubs, on our streets and even at a concert event, we know that lives are at stake with each day that passes.
The fact is that the federal government is not doing nearly enough, and accordingly I have intensified my efforts related to common sense gun reform. While I cannot change the past, I can demonstrate to you – through my actions – that I am listening and fighting.
For over five years, I have refused to accept contributions from the NRA, and while I have not chosen to return previous donations, I have instead chosen to donate those funds to local and national organizations fighting for common sense gun safety policies. Moreover, the attached information provides, in greater detail, examples of actions I have taken over the past several years, to address gun safety.
Link: https://higgins.house.gov/sites/higgins.house.gov/files/GUN%20SAF
And just in today:
Today, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman issued the following statement after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) directed federally regulated energy companies to take action to lower transmission rates for federally-regulated utilities. That decision follows a bipartisan push by Attorneys General, state agencies, and consumer advocates urging FERC to ensure that public utility companies pass along savings from the new federal tax law to customers.
“Earlier this year, our bipartisan coalition of Attorneys General urged FERC to do the right thing and ensure that the new tax bill did not create a huge windfall for utility companies at the expense of regular families. This week, FERC agreed, which should result in lower rates for many consumers. This is an important step forward as we continue to fight to protect consumers in New York and across the country.”
On the other hand, there’s the new Trump, Jr. strategy of divorcing his money so Mueller won’t indict him. Will this trick cause a rash of Trump family divorces as Mueller zeroes in on the White House? Who knows; The Donald’s next move might be an announcement (by Twitter, of course) that Melania has sued for divorce and taken all hubby’s millions.