Latest news with #fiscalconservatism
CNN
07-07-2025
- Politics
- CNN
5 things to know for July 7: Texas flooding, Israel, Tropical depression Chantal, EPA investigation, Measles
(CNN) — Elon Musk, the largest individual donor to President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign, has announced plans to form a new political party. The move comes on the heels of Trump's sweeping domestic agenda bill becoming law and adding nearly $3.3 trillion to the deficit. Musk indicated he wants the 'America Party' to be fiscally conservative, but has offered few other details about what its platform will be. Here's what else you need to know to get up to speed and on with your day. The death toll from the floods that caused massive devastation in central Texas during the July 4 weekend has climbed to at least 82. Dozens of people are still missing, including at least 28 children in hard-hit Kerr County, where 10 girls and one counselor from Camp Mystic are unaccounted for. Hundreds of first responders are participating in search and rescue operations, digging through debris for survivors and remains. The Texas Air National Guard is even using remotely piloted military drones to look for those who were swept away by the raging waters. Other members of the community are providing free food to anyone in need. According to the National Weather Service, a flash flood threat is expected to last through Monday in parts of the Texas Hill Country. Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches and isolated amounts of up to 10 inches could occur. Israel attacked Houthi targets in Yemen, launching strikes on ports and a power plant around midnight local time on Sunday night into Monday morning. The Israel Defense Forces also attacked the Galaxy Leader, a cargo ship seized by the Houthis in November 2023. According to the IDF, the strikes were in retaliation for at least three Houthi ballistic missiles that were launched at Israel. There were no immediate reports of casualties from the strikes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Trump in Washington, DC, later today. Chantal, the first named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season to hit the US, has deteriorated to a tropical depression since making landfall early Sunday. However, flash flooding remains a concern in parts of northern North Carolina and Virginia. Life-threatening surf and rip currents are also expected to continue at beaches from northeastern Florida to the mid-Atlantic states, the National Hurricane Center warned. The Environmental Protection Agency suspended and plans to investigate roughly 140 employees just days after they signed a public letter expressing concern about the treatment of federal employees and the Trump administration's regulations on climate and public health. The letter outlined five key concerns: 1. Undermining public trust 2. Ignoring scientific consensus to benefit polluters 3. Reversing the EPA's progress in America's most vulnerable communities 4. Dismantling the Office of Research and Development 5. Promoting a culture of fear and forcing staff to choose between their livelihood and well-being 'We took an oath to support and defend the Constitution,' said one EPA employee who was placed on leave after signing the letter. 'We promised to follow science and follow the law. They are trying to scare us and squash any type of resistance before it starts.' The US has hit a troubling milestone: There have been more measles cases this year than in any other since the disease was declared eliminated a quarter-century ago. And experts say this year's cases are likely to be severely undercounted because many go unreported. According to data from the Johns Hopkins University Center for Outbreak Response Innovation, there have been at least 1,277 confirmed cases of measles in 2025 so far. Two children and one adult have died, matching the total number of US measles deaths from the previous 25 years. At least 155 people have been hospitalized with measles this year, CDC data shows, and 28% of cases have been in children younger than 5. The vast majority of this year's cases have been in people who were unvaccinated. GET '5 THINGS' IN YOUR INBOX If your day doesn't start until you're up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to your new favorite morning fix. Sign up here for the '5 Things' newsletter. Swimming in the Seine has been illegal since 1923 due to pollution and risks posed by river navigation. But following a $1.5 billion cleanup project, Parisians and tourists are finally able to cool off by taking a refreshing dip. 'Jurassic World Rebirth' trampled its competition at the box office, grossing $147 million domestically over the five days of the Fourth of July weekend. Oasis launched its reunion tour with a concert in Cardiff, Wales, on Friday. The famously feuding Gallagher siblings have not performed together since the band's acrimonious split in 2009. Ozzy Osbourne reunited with the original members of Black Sabbath over the weekend for one final show. To celebrate America's 250th anniversary next year, President Trump plans to host a UFC fight at the White House. $1 billionThat's how much Nike is forecasting it'll have to pay in additional costs due to President Trump's tariffs, which in part will lead to price increases for consumers. 'I've been visiting national parks for 30 years and never has the presence of rangers been so absent.' — A visitor to Zion National Park, commenting in National Park Service public feedback obtained by CNN. 🌤️ Check your local forecast to see what you can expect. See where Pope Leo XIV is going to spend his summer vacation. Today's edition of 5 Things AM was edited and produced by CNN's Andrew Torgan.
The Independent
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Elon Musk's latest Trump spat could end the Maga saga for good
If the relationship between the world's richest man and the world's most powerful man is what is called a 'bromance', then they, and by necessity the rest of us, are going through the 'jilted-partner-flirts-with-someone-else-to-spire-them' phase. Elon Musk, slamming the door on the way out, called Donald Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill', of which the president is so proud, 'this massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.' Trump, opening the window and shouting down the street, yells back that his close friend has 'gone CRAZY!' Musk retreats, mumbling something about the Epstein files. Now, a little later, our love story has moved on, and Musk has found a new way to hurt Trump – a new political party that could break Trump's uncertain hold on Congress in the midterm elections next year and paralyse his presidency. The America Party, backed by practically unlimited funds, will be controlled by Musk and its efforts will be targeted a relatively few Republican/Maga-held Senate seats and Congressional districts that could tip the balance of power in the legislature away from the the president's profligate – Musk says suicidal – fiscal policies and turn the party back to the lost cause of fiscal conservatism. Musk claims that the Democrats and Republicans are basically the same, which will come as news to the Dems Trump has threatened with jail, and that only the America Party can save the United States. Trump blusters back that 'I think it's ridiculous to start a third party', adding: 'Starting a third party just adds to the confusion'; 'I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely 'off the rails,' essentially becoming a train wreck over the past five weeks." It's possible Musk will bankroll a presidential candidate in 2028, and end the Maga saga for good. At which all one can say is 'it must be love'. What happened, we must ask Elon, happened to your promise to leave politics behind and concentrate on your businesses, especially Tesla, where the toxic association with Trump has hammered sales of what have been dubbed 'Swasticars', particularly in Europe. But no, even throwing himself into his work hasn't helped Musk cope with the pain of the break-up. Like the overgrown spoiled adolescents these two men actually are, it appears obsessional revenge motivates their every action. They will never escape from their relationship, even if Trump deports Musk and Musk cuts off the US government's access to his satellites and the SpaceX Dragon capsule upon which International Space Station missiles depend. It's like watching a couple destroy each other's most treasured possessions, to see who can hurt the other the most, pretending all the while they're not bothered. When Trump cancels the Electric Vehicle mandate that has done so much to boost Tesla, Musk says he doesn't care, he just wants the pork out of the porcine Big Beautiful Bill. Trump says he doesn't need Musk's help to win elections, even after he piled lavish praise on his help in the past. None of this, as lovers tend to know, is rational. What will happen? It's impossible to say with this pair. They've both sometimes walked back from the brink when the threats got too heated, and hinted at reconciliation, only to then renew hostilities. You'd think they'd grow up, until you realise they don't want to, and no one can make them. Not even one another.
CBC
11-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Is Ford's government conservative enough? One group says no
Doug Ford is facing a fresh call from within his party to be more fiscally conservative. As CBC's Mike Crawley explains, this comes from an anonymous group describing itself as a grassroots movement of conservatives who want change in the province.
CBC
11-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Meet 'Project Ontario,' pushing Doug Ford's PCs to be more fiscally conservative
There's a mysterious move afoot to push Premier Doug Ford's Ontario PC government to adopt more fiscally conservative policies. Calling itself "Project Ontario," the initiative launched quietly on the weekend with a one-page website and an unsigned manifesto posted by The Hub, an online news and commentary outlet. "When conservatives lose their principles, Ontario loses its way. Let's change course," says the website. "We're organizing an assembly of Ontario conservatives this fall that we'd love to tell you more about," it adds, encouraging people to submit their name, email address and postal code to get more details. The call for change comes only a few months after Ford led his Progressive Conservatives to a third consecutive majority, something that no party leader has accomplished in the province since the 1950s. It's unclear who's behind Project Ontario. The editor-at-large of The Hub, Sean Speer, told CBC News he is not involved, but offered to pass on an interview request to the authors of the manifesto. CBC News also sent a message to the Project Ontario website, but received no response to any inquiry. Ginny Roth, a longtime organizer within both the Ontario PC Party and the federal Conservative Party, posted a link to Project Ontario on social media and wrote, "I'll be signing up to be part of the conversation." CBC News asked Roth for an interview, but she declined. 'Grassroots movement of conservatives' The manifesto published on The Hub goes into more detail than the group's web page about the philosophy behind Project Ontario. It speaks of the province in bleak terms, describing economic decline, punitive tax rates and businesses weighed down by mounting red tape. "Project Ontario is not just another political group. It is a grassroots movement of conservatives who are ready to think big, act boldly, and put forward practical, principled solutions," says the article. "We are bringing together conservatives from across Ontario — party members, business owners, policy experts, and engaged citizens — to build a shared vision for the province's future," it continues. "Together, we will craft a policy framework that applies conservative values to today's most pressing issues." There are no signs Ford and his PC Party are particularly worried that the so-far anonymous push from Project Ontario poses any sort of political threat. "The premier is focused on delivering his mandate to protect Ontario, which he secured with his third consecutive majority election victory," said an official from Ford's office in an email to CBC News. Kory Teneycke, who managed all three of Ford's successful campaigns, dismisses Project Ontario as a small thing. 'Far outside the mainstream' "They're far outside the mainstream of the party and they're far outside the mainstream of the conservative voter coalition," Teneycke said in an interview. Ford is "the most popular conservative in Canada by a country mile," said Teneycke. Patrice Dutil, a professor of politics and public administration at Toronto Metropolitan University, says Ford's record of running large budget deficits runs contrary to the wishes of many conservatives who want smaller government in the province. "There has long been in Doug Ford's Ontario a rump of conservatives who are deeply unhappy with the way he governs," said Dutil in an interview. WATCH | Conservative Jamil Jivani rips into Doug Ford during CBC's election night coverage: Jamil Jivani slams Doug Ford during fiery interview 1 month ago Duration 13:35 Jamil Jivani, the Conservative incumbent for Bowmanville-Oshawa North who is known for his friendship with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, is projected to win his seat. During an interview with CBC's David Common, Jivani made some sharp remarks about Ontario Premier Doug Ford, saying that he's 'not doing anything particularly well.' The way Ford governs "speaks to conservative values on occasion, but it's also almost indistinguishable from the liberal approach to spending," he said. But Dutil says it's hard to tell at this stage what exactly Project Ontario intends to accomplish. "At this point, it's really nothing more than what seems to be a seed," said Dutil. "Maybe they'll put some some policy meat on their bones. But right now we don't even have bones." Competing visions for conservatism in Canada have been on full display in the aftermath of Ford's election win in February and Pierre Poilievre's failure to lead his Conservative Party of Canada to victory in April's federal election campaign. Tensions between Ford's and Poilievre's teams burst into the open when Teneycke publicly and sharply criticized the Conservatives for blowing a 20-point lead in the polls and failing to pivot the focus of their campaign to the threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. Then on election night, Conservative incumbent Jamil Jivani unloaded on Ford during a live interview with CBC's David Common, slamming the premier he once worked for as an "opportunist" and calling his advisers "goons." WATCH | Ford backs his campaign manager over criticism of Poilievre: 'Sometimes the truth hurts': Ford on criticism of Poilievre election campaign 2 months ago Duration 0:28 Ontario Premier Doug Ford, speaking from Toronto on Monday, says Pierre Poilievre 'would not be in the position he's in right now' if outspoken strategist Kory Teneycke were running the federal Conservative leader's campaign. But Ford added there is 'still a lot of time left.' Teneycke says the timing of Project Ontario's launch is unusual given Ford's election win and the federal party's loss. "I think they would lose a lot less if they emulated Doug Ford more," Teneycke said. Melanie Paradis, president of Texture Communications and a veteran conservative strategist, dismisses Project Ontario as a "faceless, nameless group" offering no substance. "Anyone who thinks Doug Ford is insufficiently conservative has fever-dreamed an impossible standard of conservatism that no politician in Canada could meet," said Paradis in a text message. The advent of Project Ontario is not the first time there have been rumblings against Ford from the right, but those previous critiques have come more from social conservative elements in the party than from fiscal hawks. Members who either were kicked out of the PCs or became disaffected with Ford joined two breakaway right-wing parties, the New Blue Party and the Ontario Party. Both fielded significant numbers of candidates across the province in the 2022 and 2025 elections, but did not come anywhere close to winning a seat.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New commissioners take office as Rosemont passes budget
The village of Rosemont passed its budget for fiscal year 2026 on Monday as two new commissioners took office. Rosemont plans to use its $101,000 budget on $75,625 worth of expenditures, while transferring the remaining $25,375 to savings, according to village records. That compares to a $94,040 budget for fiscal year 2025, including $74,730 in expenses and $19,310 in savings, according to the records. Commissioner Robin Scarff said that the village has always been 'very fiscally conservative.' Scarff said that in her time in village government, the commissioners and burgess have sought to use tax funds, when possible, to benefit residents rather than forcing a single resident to bear the burden on their own. Thus, she said, Rosemont looks to 'stockpile in case of emergency.' 'We just feel all of our tax dollars should be benefiting residents and we don't want to waste it,' Scarff said. She credited Beth Coyne, Rosemont's clerk, with doing a 'thorough' and 'excellent job' on research to benefit residents. One change to the services for residents involves bulk trash and yard waste removal. In years past, the village offered an annual service of bulk trash and yard waste removal. The village approved a budget for FY 2026 that would include two such pickups with a new vendor. Coyne said the dates have not yet been set, but would probably be in October and April. The village will pay $5,350 for the twice-a-year service in the upcoming fiscal year — $1,000 more than it did the previous fiscal year, according to village records. Commissioner Mark Rohner said the bulk trash and yard waste pickup is a 'good service that the village provides to residents.' Burgess John Leach called the FY26 budget 'pretty status quo' and characterized the changes between the first read in March and the final budget approved on Monday as minor. 'The budget was great,' Leach said. Aside from wages, auditing services and the trash pickups, the largest expenses in the budget were speed enforcement, streetlights and maintenance of Merryland Park. 'Those things don't change much year to year,' Rohner said. Leach said the village is considering getting new mulch for the playground at Merryland Park, due to the current surface 'looking aged and we want to get that spruced up.' The park is owned by the state, but Rosemont mows the lawns and otherwise manages the upkeep. Leach said the village will explore state funding options for the new mulch, but is open to paying for the special playground mulch itself. New commissioners Former Commissioners Stephen Harshman and Daniel Houck did not seek re-election for another two-year term. New Commissioners Rohner and Sean Byrons were sworn in on Monday after being nominated in March and running unopposed for the two open seats. Rohner said he and his wife have lived in Rosemont for eight years. He said they enjoy that it has residential and agricultural elements while also being close to bigger cities in Brunswick and Frederick, calling it the 'best of both worlds.' Rohner said Rosemont needs to stay independent, so it can control issues that may arise related to land use. 'I don't really have any of my own personal agenda in mind other than keeping things as they are,' he said. Rohner said he and his wife have known Leach since they arrived and he looks forward to working with the burgess on civic matters. 'I couldn't wait to get Mark Rohner on the board,' Leach said. He said he was 'tickled to death' having Rohner and Byrons as commissioners, because 'we're trying to get younger people involved.' Scarff echoed the burgess's point about younger perspectives continuing to keep the village an independent municipality and maintaining the way of life the community loves. 'We like it rural and we intend to keep it that way,' she said. 'We like our neighborhood. We like our set-up,' Leach said. He added that one way he tracks community sentiment is by looking at 'for sale' signs. Leach said 'happy campers' do not want to move out of a thriving community they enjoy being part of. 'If you ride around and look, you don't see 'for sale' signs,' he said.
