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The Tap covered election news, public policy, and other noteworthy events from February 2016 to February 2022.

Review of the day

The excerpts below were compiled from issue #24 of The Tap, which was published on July 9, 2016. READ THE FULL VERSION HERE.

Federal

Donald Trump was criticized for tweeting a graphic of Clinton with the tagline "most corrupt candidate ever" highlighted in a six-pointed star. According to CNN, The image first appeared on a “message board loaded with anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and neo-Nazi ideology.” Conservative radio host Erick Erickson commented, “A Star of David, a pile of cash, and suggestions of corruption. Donald Trump again plays to the white supremacists.” Former Trump campaign manager and current CNN political commentator Corey Lewandowski defended Trump on Sunday, describing the outcry as “political correctness run amok."

The Republican National Committee’s Committee on Contests ruled in favor of John Yob and his slate of delegates, allowing them to attend the Republican National Convention as delegates from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Yob, who initially won the election to be a delegate, was disqualified by territory party chairman John Canegata, who claimed Yob was ineligible because he had broken party rules. On March 4, 2016, Yob's bid faced opposition from Caroline Fawkes, the supervisor of elections for the U.S. Virgin Islands. The supervisor ruled Yob ineligible to vote in the Virgin Islands caucus, claiming he had not established residency for 90 days before registering to vote. The ruling would have also made Yob ineligible to appear on the ballot, since candidates must be registered Republican voters. Yob is the son of Chuck Yob of Michigan, who is also an RNC delegate this year.

Hillary Clinton participated in a voluntary interview with the FBI regarding the private email server she used while serving as secretary of state. “I’ve been eager to do it, and I was pleased to have the opportunity to assist the department in bringing its review to a conclusion,” Clinton said in an interview after the meeting. The Republican National Committee released a statement remarking that Clinton had “just taken the unprecedented step of becoming the first major party presidential candidate to be interviewed by the F.B.I. as part of a criminal investigation surrounding her reckless conduct.”

The Montana Animal Trap Restrictions Initiative, also known as I-177, was certified for the November ballot as an initiated state statute. The measure would prohibit individuals from using animal traps and snares on state public lands, with the exception of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. It would also establish misdemeanor penalties for violating the law.

Already certified for the Montana ballot is the Crime Victims Rights Initiative, also known as Marsy’s Law. It would add a section to the Montana Constitution that would give crime victims specific rights.

The Massachusetts Ending Common Core Education Standards Initiative was removed from consideration for the November ballot. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that a section of the potential measure contained more than one distinct subject. Measures in Massachusetts can contain only subjects that are related or mutually dependent so that citizens can vote on a single piece of public policy. The measure would have removed the statewide Common Core standards for mathematics and English language arts, reverting to the previous curriculum framework. The supporting group, End Common Core Massachusetts, said it was considering its options, but Donna Colorio, a volunteer with the organization, said all legal options had been “exhausted.”

The excerpts below were compiled from issue #23 of The Tap, which was published on July 2, 2016. READ THE FULL VERSION HERE.

The General Assembly of North Carolina is expected to adjourn its regular session. North Carolina is one of 23 states with a Republican state government trifecta. Republicans control the Senate by 18 seats, the House by 29 seats, and the governor’s office. There are 50 seats total in the Senate and 120 seats total in the House.