“A unanimous Wisconsin Supreme Court handed a victory to the Republican-controlled Legislature on Wednesday in a power struggle with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, reining in the governor’s expansive veto powers. The court, in a ruling where the four liberal justices joined with three conservatives, struck down Evers’ partial veto of a Republican bill in a case that tested both the limits of his veto powers and the Legislature’s ability to exert influence by controlling funding. The court also ruled that the Legislature can put money for certain state programs into an emergency fund under the control of its budget committee. Evers had argued such a move was unconstitutional. The ruling will likely result in the Legislature crafting the budget and other spending bills in similar ways to get around Evers'[s] partial vetoes and to have even greater control over spending.” (06/25/25)
“Florida’s headline-grabbing push to create ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ — an immigration [concentration camp] deep in the Everglades — happened swiftly, with little apparent notice to state legislators responsible for paying for it or to local officials who will have it on their doorstep. It also may prove to be one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’[s] most aggressive moves during his six-plus years in office. Citing the governor’s emergency powers, the state’s emergency management director told Miami-Dade County that it was taking control of an Everglades airstrip now owned by Miami-Dade County and located mainly in Collier County in order to begin building the multimillion dollar facility. DeSantis declared an emergency on immigration during Joe Biden’s presidency and has since extended it. After President Donald Trump took office, the Republican governor has pledged Florida will do whatever it can to assist Trump’s administration in its mass deportation efforts.” (06/24/25)
“Zohran Mamdani appeared to have cleared the first hurdle on his path to becoming New York’s first Muslim mayor, declaring victory in the city’s Democratic primary on Tuesday night, although it could be days before the final result is known. In a stunning upset, Andrew Cuomo – who had been a heavy favorite until recent weeks – conceded after it become clear the the 33-year-old democratic socialist had built a substantial lead over the more experienced but scandal-scarred former governor. … New York City uses a ranked-choice voting system, and as neither candidate is likely to reach 50%, the board of elections will now tally people’s second-choice candidates. Mamdani, who cross-endorsed with Brad Lander, a progressive who came third with 11.4% of the vote, last week, is predicted to benefit more than Cuomo from the count.” (06/25/25)
“President Donald Trump doubled down on his claim that Iranian nuclear sites were “completely destroyed” following U.S. strikes on Saturday. In a social media post late Tuesday, he asserted that the media was trying to ‘demean one of the most successful military strikes in history.’ An early intelligence assessment indicated that the strikes did not fully eliminate the country’s nuclear program and likely only set it back by months, according to two people familiar with an early intelligence assessment. The report, which is classified, was produced by the Defense Intelligence Agency and U.S. Central Command. … Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff suggested Tuesday an initial intelligence assessment of Iran’s nuclear capabilities after U.S. strikes was leaked, calling such a move ‘treasonous.'” (06/25/25)
“South Korean prosecutors asked a court on Tuesday for a new arrest warrant to detain former president Yoon Suk-yeol, after he refused a summons by investigators probing his failed martial law bid. Yoon was formally stripped of office in April, after being impeached and suspended by lawmakers over his December 3 attempt to subvert civilian rule, which saw armed soldiers deployed to parliament. He is already standing trial on insurrection charges, personally attending court to defend himself against the allegations. However, he has refused several summons issued by a special counsel formed to investigate the martial law declaration that parliament voted to launch earlier in the month.” (06/24/25)
“US consumer confidence unexpectedly declined in June, underscoring lingering anxiety about the potential impacts on the economy and job market from higher US import duties. The Conference Board’s gauge of confidence decreased 5.4 points to 93, data showed Tuesday. The figure was below all estimates in a Bloomberg survey of economists. A measure of consumer expectations for the next six months dropped 4.6 points, as the share of respondents anticipating better business conditions fell by the most in more than two years. The gauge of present conditions fell 6.4 points. The retreat in confidence erased nearly half of the prior month’s rebound that was due to a temporary agreement between the US and China to roll back extreme tariffs.” (06/24/25)
“A Georgian court has sentenced an opposition leader to seven months in prison, as a crackdown by the governing party on its rivals continues. The Tbilisi court imposed the sentence on Giorgi Vashadze, a leader of the Strategy Builder party, on Tuesday for failing to cooperate with a commission investigating abuse of power by a former government. The jailing means that nearly all of the country’s major pro-European opposition figures have now been imprisoned. The crackdown has increased accusations against the ruling Georgian Dream party that it is trampling on democracy amid ongoing protests in the wake of last year’s disputed elections.” (06/24/25)
“France’s Socialist party has threatened to launch a no-confidence vote that could topple the country’s fragile government after months of negotiations over a controversial pensions reform ended without a deal. Prime Minister François Bayrou had initiated a ‘conclave’ on President Emmanuel Macron’s cornerstone reform — which raised the retirement age from 62 to 64 — in a bid to maintain enough support for his governing coalition to survive in a deeply divided parliament. But the government’s survival depends on the tacit support of the centre-left Socialists, who oppose raising the retirement age but have so far abstained from calling a no-confidence vote.” (06/24/25)
“Outspoken progressive Rep. Jasmine Crockett [D-TX] dropped her bid Tuesday to become the top Democrat on the powerful House Oversight Committee after it became clear she lacked the votes. ‘It was clear by the numbers that my style of leadership is not exactly what they were looking for, and so I didn’t think that it was fair for me to then push forward and try to rebuke that,’ the lefty pol told reporters. Democrats later anointed Rep. Robert Garcia [D-CA] to become their ranking member on the Oversight panel, replacing late Rep. Gerry Connolly [D-VA] who died last month. Crockett, who has a penchant for going viral during committee hearings with her incendiary rhetoric, had touted her ability to go on the offense during the internal party battle to succeed Connolly.” [editor’s note: Another bullet dodged – SAT] [additional editor’s note: Top minority member on a US House committee is hardly a “bullet;” maybe a foam dart – TLK] (06/24/25)
“The Federal Reserve will continue to wait and see how the economy evolves before deciding whether to reduce its key interest rate, Chair Jerome Powell said Tuesday, a stance directly at odds with President Donald Trump’s calls for immediate cuts. ‘For the time being, we are well positioned to wait to learn more about the likely course of the economy before considering any adjustments to our policy stance,’ Powell said in testimony Tuesday before the House Financial Services Committee. … Trump lashed out again early Tuesday, posting on his social media site: ‘I hope Congress really works this very dumb, hardheaded person, over. We will be paying for his incompetence for many years to come.'” (06/24/25)
