AcidicBasicGlitch

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/60798175

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/60797998

The state actually hired 2 consulting firms to help with oversight and management of the funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Obviously Guidehouse was one firm. The other was 929 Strategies, a public policy and "government relations consulting company." 929 Strategies was founded by former state labor commissioner, Melissa McLawhorn Houston.

McLawhorn Houston served on the current Governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt’s transition team. You can read more about Oklahoma's ARPA money and McLawhorn Houston in this article written by Oklahoma's SPN affiliate.

Once again, I find it so odd that multiple "small government" loving elected politicians across multiple states, are not only all connected by the same Heritage Foundation affiliate network, SPN which is dumping money into policy design for these state affiliates, they're also all using the same D.C. area consulting firm, which has been partnering with the F.B.I. for decades.

I honestly don't think most state citizens would be ok with so many outside influences trying to influence or purchase the policies that determine every day life for citizens of the state. I found out my own local government in Louisiana violated transparency laws and met in secret with Guidehouse, and I know I'm in no way ok with it. You cannot demand transparency and oversight, and then pretend it's somehow ok to hide shady business dealings paid for with tax dollars just because you're pointing the finger at other people.

Hiring the consultants was allegedly justified by the state because of the Federal restrictions on how the money could be spent.

As McLawhorn Houston points out, "This is not funding for pensions... This is not for funding ‘rainy days..."

She said the "basic purpose” of the federal funds was “to respond to the public health emergency” of COVID-19 and its associated impacts.

However, according to this Treasury webpage that outlines eligible uses for the funds, there were actually several ways that money could have been put directly into the pockets of some Oklahoma citizens.

This includes:

Respond to the far-reaching public health and negative economic impacts of the pandemic, by supporting the health of communities, and helping households, small businesses, impacted industries, nonprofits, and the public sector recover from economic impacts

Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical sectors

I'm curious to know if that's how Guidehouse and 929 strategies advised it be spent? Did citizens of Oklahoma benefit from these billions of dollars?

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/60797998

The state actually hired 2 consulting firms to help with oversight and management of the funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Obviously Guidehouse was one firm. The other was 929 Strategies, a public policy and "government relations consulting company." 929 Strategies was founded by former state labor commissioner, Melissa McLawhorn Houston.

McLawhorn Houston served on the current Governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt’s transition team. You can read more about Oklahoma's ARPA money and McLawhorn Houston in this article written by Oklahoma's SPN affiliate.

Once again, I find it so odd that multiple "small government" loving elected politicians across multiple states, are not only all connected by the same Heritage Foundation affiliate network, SPN which is dumping money into policy design for these state affiliates, they're also all using the same D.C. area consulting firm, which has been partnering with the F.B.I. for decades.

I honestly don't think most state citizens would be ok with so many outside influences trying to influence or purchase the policies that determine every day life for citizens of the state. I found out my own local government in Louisiana violated transparency laws and met in secret with Guidehouse, and I know I'm in not ok with it. You cannot demand transparency and oversight, and then pretend it's somehow ok to hide shady business dealings paid for with tax dollars just because you're pointing the finger at other people.

Hiring the consultants was allegedly justified by the state because of the Federal restrictions on how the money could be spent.

As McLawhorn Houston points out, "This is not funding for pensions... This is not for funding ‘rainy days..."

She said the "basic purpose” of the federal funds was “to respond to the public health emergency” of COVID-19 and its associated impacts.

However, according to this Treasury webpage that outlines eligible uses for the funds, there were actually several ways that money could have been put directly into the pockets of some Oklahoma citizens.

This includes:

Respond to the far-reaching public health and negative economic impacts of the pandemic, by supporting the health of communities, and helping households, small businesses, impacted industries, nonprofits, and the public sector recover from economic impacts

Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical sectors

I'm curious to know if that's how Guidehouse and 929 strategies advised it be spent? Did citizens of Oklahoma benefit from these billions of dollars?

The state actually hired 2 consulting firms to help with oversight and management of the funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Obviously Guidehouse was one firm. The other was 929 Strategies, a public policy and "government relations consulting company." 929 Strategies was founded by former state labor commissioner, Melissa McLawhorn Houston.

McLawhorn Houston served on the current Governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt’s transition team. You can read more about Oklahoma's ARPA money and McLawhorn Houston in this article written by Oklahoma's SPN affiliate.

Once again, I find it so odd that multiple "small government" loving elected politicians across multiple states, are not only all connected by the same Heritage Foundation affiliate network, SPN which is dumping money into policy design for these state affiliates, they're also all using the same D.C. area consulting firm, which has been partnering with the F.B.I. for decades.

I honestly don't think most state citizens would be ok with so many outside influences trying to influence or purchase the policies that determine every day life for citizens of the state. I found out my own local government in Louisiana violated transparency laws and met in secret with Guidehouse, and I know I'm in no way ok with it. You cannot demand transparency and oversight, and then pretend it's somehow ok to hide shady business dealings paid for with tax dollars just because you're pointing the finger at other people.

Hiring the consultants was allegedly justified by the state because of the Federal restrictions on how the money could be spent.

As McLawhorn Houston points out, "This is not funding for pensions... This is not for funding ‘rainy days..."

She said the "basic purpose” of the federal funds was “to respond to the public health emergency” of COVID-19 and its associated impacts.

However, according to this Treasury webpage that outlines eligible uses for the funds, there were actually several ways that money could have been put directly into the pockets of some Oklahoma citizens.

This includes:

Respond to the far-reaching public health and negative economic impacts of the pandemic, by supporting the health of communities, and helping households, small businesses, impacted industries, nonprofits, and the public sector recover from economic impacts

Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical sectors

I'm curious to know if that's how Guidehouse and 929 strategies advised it be spent? Did citizens of Oklahoma benefit from these billions of dollars?

Since Spring of 2020, there have been ongoing convoluted political attacks against "dangerous" gain of function research. This includes attacks against American scientists, with many accusers citing the still unproven COVID lab leak theory.

One of the biggest supporters of this theory is former CDC director during Trump's previous administration, Robert Redfield.

Redfield also authored public health commentary for the Heritage Foundation in February, supporting Trump's proposed executive order to ban GOF research.

cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/28198303

Thousands of newly obtained documents show that Clearview AI’s founders always intended to target immigrants and the political left. Now their digital dragnet is in the hands of the Trump administration.

Peter Theil protege and director of Trump's Office of Science Technology and Policy, Michael Kratsios will lead AI policy.

Kratsios was actually Trump's acting director of OSTP during his previous administration during a time when supporters of the president claim the NIH took advantage of empty cabinet positions in order to advocate for "dangerous" gain of function research. Kratsios also led White House efforts to use cutting edge technology to limit misinformation about COVID-19 and track the spread of the virus in the U.S. during the early months of the pandemic.

Trump has now asked Kratsios to "blaze a trail" for science and tech supremacy.

From Federal News Network Blurb:

Agencies have 10 new deadlines around artificial intelligence, including developing a new generative AI policy and a new strategy to remove barriers to using these capabilities. A new 25-page memo from the Office of Management and Budget lays out a series of new requirements and updates existing ones as part of the Trump administration's promotion of AI. One of the new requirements is agencies have until early December to develop the generative AI policy that sets the terms for acceptable use and establishes adequate safeguards and oversight mechanisms. Another new requirement is to develop a strategy by early October that removes bureaucratic requirements that inhibit innovation and responsible adoption of AI.

You may remember back in Feb. when the U.S. and U.K. both refused to join allies signing an international A.I. agreement

From the BBC article: Earlier, US Vice President JD Vance told delegates in Paris that too much regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) could "kill a transformative industry just as it's taking off".

Vance told world leaders that AI was "an opportunity that the Trump administration will not squander" and said "pro-growth AI policies" should be prioritised over safety.

Peter Theil protege and director of Trump's Office of Science Technology and Policy, Michael Kratsios was approved via senate confirmation last month and will be taking the lead on AI policy.

Trump has asked Kratsios to "blaze a trail" for science and tech supremacy

Kratsios was also Trump's acting director during his previous administration

The Energy Department has identified 16 federal sites that could house powerful data centers to advance U.S. artificial intelligence technologies. The goal is to begin construction on new AI sites by the end of 2027. DOE is seeking feedback from data center developers, energy firms and the public as part of a request for information released last week. The RFI is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to advance AI and boost energy production. Feedback to DOE is due by April 20.

The original post is gone from the subreddit, but still available here if anyone wants to read it. There's some really interesting discussion

For some reason, this link to a hill article covering the endorsement is working, but was showing an access denied title in the thumbnail when I tried to use it as a main link in a different community. Here is a copy of the hill article

Florida Republican Rep. Donalds along with Democratic Rep. Moskowitz recently introduced a "bipartisan" bill to liberate FEMA from Homeland Security and turn it into a cabinet position.

Moskowitz, was one of Trump's early picks to lead FEMA and also the first Democrat to join DOGE

The bill was introduced the same day Department of Homeland Security Secretary Noem announced during a televised Cabinet meeting that DHS intended to eliminate FEMA

Noem has complained that offices of civil rights within DHS interfere with the DHS mission on immigration, although only two of the three offices Noem has attacked, deal with immigration

The third office is the office of civil rights and liberties within the DHS, and applies to all civil rights issues regardless of immigration or citizenship status.

Noem's attacks against Civil Rights Offices within DHS were made following statements that she plans to use polygraphs on ICE employees

Many current ICE employees are federal employees who were removed from previous positions and have been diverted to ICE.

Diversion of federal employees is seen by many as a highly politicized move that first began in early February and seemed to be a blatant act of retaliation for January 6th investigations.

Despite the fact that polygraphs are known to have high false positives rates, Noem said she plans to use polygraphs to root out individuals leaking information to the press. Noem's threat was followed by similar threats made against employees of the Dept. of Justice and Dept. of Defense.

Notably, FEMA also has a civil rights office within the agency, which deals with any civil rights issues that arise during emergency management Elimination of FEMA as a federal agency by absorbing it into the president's cabinet would place FEMA under complete executive control.

What a surprise to now see Donalds running for governor with House Speaker Mike Johnson's official approval.

*The first link I tried to use to a hill article covering the story is working, but was showing an access denied title in the thumbnail Here is a link to the hill article

Florida Republican Rep. Donalds along with Democratic Rep. Moskowitz recently introduced a "bipartisan" bill to liberate FEMA from Homeland Security and turn it into a cabinet position.

Moskowitz, was one of Trump's early picks to lead FEMA and also the first Democrat to join DOGE

The bill was introduced the same day Department of Homeland Security Secretary Noem announced during a televised Cabinet meeting that DHS intended to eliminate FEMA

Noem has complained that offices of civil rights within DHS interfere with the DHS mission on immigration, although only two of the three offices Noem has attacked, deal with immigration

The third office is the office of civil rights and liberties within the DHS, and applies to all civil rights issues regardless of immigration or citizenship status.

Noem's attacks against Civil Rights Offices within DHS were made following statements that she plans to use polygraphs on ICE employees

Many current ICE employees are federal employees who were removed from previous positions and have been diverted to ICE.

Diversion of federal employees is seen by many as a highly politicized move that first began in early February and seemed to be a blatant act of retaliation for January 6th investigations.

Despite the fact that polygraphs are known to have high false positives rates, Noem said she plans to use polygraphs to root out individuals leaking information to the press. Noem's threat was followed by similar threats made against employees of the Dept. of Justice and Dept. of Defense.

Notably, FEMA also has a civil rights office within the agency, which deals with any civil rights issues that arise during emergency management Elimination of FEMA as a federal agency by absorbing it into the president's cabinet would place FEMA under complete executive control.

What a surprise to now see Donalds running for governor with House Speaker Mike Johnson's official approval.