Marijuana Legalized In New Hampshire By House Vote Without Restrictions, What"s In The Bill?

Jittery Futures Coiled Tightly Ahead Of Today's Jobs Report Main Event S&P futures rebounded from an overnight drop and swung between gains and losses as investors looked forward to the week's main event, the September payrolls report, for clues on what the Fed will do next after a raft of hawkish Fed doused expectations on Thursday for a quick halt to rate hikes. Nasdaq 100 futs fell 0.3%, trimming deeper losses, amid a sharp premarket drop for semiconductor stocks prompted by a plunge in AMD which slumped after it preannounced much weaker-than-expected 3Q revenue and margins . Meanwhile, S&P500 futures on the S&P 500 Index traded little changed, although the benchmark was poised for the best weekly advance since June. Treasuries drifted lower, the dollar was flat, and cryptos were unchanged. In premarket trading, Credit Suisse shares gained 7.9% after the lender offered to buy back debt securities for as much as CHF BN, in a show of financial strength after recent concerns about the bank’s solidity. Shares are up 14% this week, best weekly return since June 2020. They have recovered from a 12% intraday drop on Monday, when the stock slumped to a fresh low Shares are 49% down YTD. On the other end, chipmakers led the slide in early New York trading. Besides AMD’s 6% plunge, Nvidia Corp. and Intel Corp. fell more than 2% each amid concern that a slowing world economy will sharply dent semiconductor demand. Here are some other notable premarket movers Twitter shares fell as much as 1.9% to $48.45 in US premarket trading on Friday, trading almost 10% below Elon Musk’s offer price of $54.20 as the deal is said to be contingent on receiving $13 billion in debt financing, according to people familiar with the matter. They were flat by 6am in New York. Chip stocks were lower in US premarket trading after Samsung and AMD reported disappointing figures within hours of each other. The announcements signaled a deteriorating climate for global chip demand affecting the entire personal computers supply chain, including chipmakers, semiconductor equipment makers and PC manufacturers. AMD  -6.4%, Nvidia -3.3%, Intel -2.8%. Pot stocks rallied in US premarket trading on Friday, set to extend Thursday’s gains after President Joe Biden pardoned thousands of Americans for possession of marijuana and ordered a review of its legal status, sparking hopes that decriminalization of the drug was drawing nearer and a more favorable regulatory environment for cannabis-related firms. Tilray Brands +9%, Canopy Growth +9%, Cronos Group +2.4%. DraftKings shares jump as much as 9.2% in US premarket trading on Friday, boosted by a report that the sports-betting firm is said to be nearing a sizable new partnership with Disney’s ESPN, signaling that interest in legalized sports betting in increasing. DraftKings trades at a price-to-sales multiple of 4.2 times, according to Bloomberg data, down from a peak of around 37 times reached in March 2021. Levi Strauss shares fell as much as 4.6% in US premarket trading on Friday after the jeans maker cut its adjusted earnings per share and net revenue growth outlook for the full year, stoking worries that it could be tough for retailers in the near-term as the company grapples with the impact of a stronger dollar, weakness in its European markets and supply-chain disruption. Payoneer Global jumps as much as 8.4% in premarket trading following news that the company will join the S&P SmallCap 600 index before trading opens on Oct. 12. Lyft shares fall 3.7% in US premarket trading after RBC downgraded the ride- sharing firm and slashed its PT, saying its bull case for the stock looks increasingly less likely. Aehr Test Systems jumped 9% in extended trading after the semiconductor manufacturing company reported net sales growth and improved adjusted earnings in the fiscal first quarter. As previewed earlier, today's main event is the jobs report and as JPM noted, prior to Friday's NFP (and CPI next Wednesday), the market has been oscillating between the “hawkish Fed” and “Fed pivot” narrative. While the JOLTS Job Openings and the ISM Manufacturing employment index showed more evidence of a slowing labor market, the stronger than expected ADP/ISM Services once again proved the economy still remains strong and therefore weakens the hope of a near-term pivot from the Fed. In a nutshell, according to JPM's trading deks, with consensus expected tomorrow’s NFP to print +255k, Equity bulls would need a print ~100k to see the market alter its Fed expectations (full preview here). The data will follow hawkish comments from Fed officials. Chicago Fed President Charles Evans said the benchmark rate will probably be at 4.5% to 4.75% by next spring, and Minneapolis Fed’s Neel Kashkari said the central bank is “quite a ways away” from pausing its campaign of rate increases. “Barring an unexpectedly shocking number, I do not think today’s release will prompt the Fed to change tack,” said Stuart Cole, the head macro economist at Equiti Capital. “This has certainly been the message that various Fed officials have been promulgating.” Meanwhile, according to Bloomberg, US Treasury yields are heading for a 10th week of increases, the longest streak since 1984, as the Fed stays resolute in its fight against inflation despite recent data suggesting a cooling of the economy. Investors are being swayed between hopes for an end to monetary tightening by March next year and concern over the possibility of a deep recession that such a pivot would underscore. At the same time, investor focus is increasingly trained on signs of a weaker earnings-reporting season. Besides Thursday’s dour trading update from European oil major Shell, underwhelming figures from AMD and South Korean Samsung Electronics Co. are reinforcing concerns for the global economy. “The issue of the Fed pivot remains the main factor restricting risk appetite,” Sebastien Barbe, the head of emerging-market research and strategy at Credit Agricole CIB, wrote in a note. “Cautiousness should remain in place ahead of the US jobs report. Given the repeated hawkish comments by Fed speakers, this may not be enough to sustainably support risk appetite.” In Europe, the Stoxx 50 fell 0.2%. FTSE MIB outperforms, adding 0.2%; IBEX lags, dropping 0.5%. Tech, consumer products and retailers are the worst-performing sectors. Here are the biggest European equity movers: Renault shares climb as much as 4.8%. The automaker is raised to outperform from neutral and PT hiked to EU55 from EU35 at Oddo on its successful operational recovery and accelerating “product offensive.” Credit Suisse shares gain 8.4% after the lender offered to buy back debt securities for as much as CHF3bn, in a show of financial strength after recent concerns about the bank’s solidity. Telenor shares jump as much as 5.1%, the most since July 2020, after the telecom operator agreed to sell a 30% stake in its Norwegian fiber network to a consortium led by KKR and Oslo Pensjonsforsikring. Storytel gains as much as 11%, the most since August, after the Swedish publishing house released preliminary streaming revenue for the third quarter that was slightly above guidance, according to DNB European chip stocks are under pressure on Friday after industry bellwethers AMD and Samsung posted results that widely missed analysts’ expectations. ASML drops as much as 2.9% Adidas shares decline as much as 3.2% with UBS saying the uncertainty about its partnership with Kanye West’s Yeezy brand is a “negative development” for the sportswear group. Ocado shares decline as much as 3.1% after PT cut to a Street-low 420p from 595p at Morgan Stanley, which maintains an underweight rating on the grocery delivery group and says the case for its automated model has “got harder.” Building materials group Marshalls slumps 28% after it warned on a slowdown in demand for its landscaping products, prompting Peel Hunt to cut earnings estimates. Asian stocks fell, on track to snap a three-day winning streak, as Federal Reserve officials reiterated their hawkish views and tech shares weighed. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index declined as much as 1.3%, with tech and consumer discretionary shares falling after five Fed officials on Thursday separately signaled inflation remained too high in the US. Some chip shares slid after Advanced Micro Devices’ preliminary third-quarter sales missed projections and Samsung reported disappointing preliminary quarterly results.  Meanwhile, China’s electric-vehicle firms led declines on the Hong Kong market as concerns grew over weaker-than-expected orders. Vietnam’s stocks tumbled to the lowest in almost two years as a wave of forced selling hit the market amid concerns about rising interest rates.  Liquidity remained relatively low with the onshore China market closed for the Golden Week holiday.  The Asian gauge remains on track for its best week since July after weak US economic data earlier fueled hopes that the Fed may be less aggressive in tightening. Traders will scrutinize the US payroll data out later Friday for signs of economic slowdown and the impact on monetary policy. “Clearly the equity market is still playing chicken with the Fed around,” Joshua Crabb, head of Asia Pacific equities at Robeco, told Bloomberg Television. The interest-rate environment “is here to stay and that will continue to put pressure on some of the more highly valued sort of companies.” Japanese stocks dropped as investors remained cautious over the outlook for Fed policy and awaited an upcoming monthly US payrolls report. The Topix fell 0.8% to 1,906.80 as of the market close in Tokyo, while the Nikkei 225 declined 0.7% to 27,116.11. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group contributed the most to the Topix’s decline, decreasing 2.2%. Out of 2,168 stocks in the index, 569 rose and 1,495 fell, while 104 were unchanged. “There is uncertainty whether US interest rate hikes could be 75bps or 100bps during the FOMC meeting in November,” said Naoki Fujiwara, chief fund manager at Shinkin Asset Management. “We are watching the unemployment rate and wage growth.”  Stocks in India ended flat on Friday but posted their first weekly advance in four, helped by a recovery in metal companies. The S&P BSE Sensex was little changed at 58,191.29 in Mumbai, while the NSE Nifty 50 Index dropped 0.1%. For the week, the gauges rose 1.3% each. Tata Consultancy Services was the most prominent decliner among the Sensex 30 companies, dropping 1.3%. The country’s biggest software exporter will kickoff quarterly earnings season Monday. Titan was among the best performers after reporting strong sales growth for three-months through September. Eleven of the 19 sector sub-indexes compiled by BSE Ltd. retreated, led by oil & gas companies, while consumer durables makers were the top performers. A measure of metal companies was the top gainer for the week, posting its best advance since July. In FX, the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index slipped 0.1% as the dollar fell against all Group of 10-peers apart from the kiwi. Demand for dollar topside exposure in the long-end remains strong ahead of the payrolls report. The euro rose above $0.98 and Bund yields climbed by up to 4bps as real yields continued to push higher alongside ECB tightening wagers. The cable led G-10 gains to trade above $1.12 after reversing early European session weakness. Yields on gilts rose by 3-6bps. The New Zealand dollar rose against the greenback as the nation’s bond yields closed up to 10bps higher. Australian dollar and Norwegian krone strengthened somewhat. Australian yields rose up to 7bps. The yen snapped a two-day decline as traders weigh the risk of an intervention by Japanese authorities to support the currency after it weakened past 145 per dollar. The currency is still set for an eighth straight week of declines In rates, Treasuries were slightly cheaper across the curve after most yields reached weekly highs while maintaining narrow ranges ahead of September jobs report. Gilts and bunds weigh, underperforming Treasuries. US yields cheaper by up to 3bp across belly of the curve, cheapening 2s5s30s fly by 3.5bp on the day to around 12bp, up from as low as -13.7bp on Tuesday; 10-year yields around 3.85%, richer vs bunds and gilts by 6bp and 2bp. UK 10-year yield rises 2.5bps to 4.19%, while German 10-year climbs 4.5bps to 2.13%. In commodities, US crude futures rose to approach $89 a barrel, on course for the biggest weekly surge since March. Spot gold is little changed at ~$1,713/oz. Bitcoin is contained within very narrow parameters, essentially pivoting the USD 20k mark as we head into the NFP release. To the day ahead now, and the highlight will likely be the aforementioned US jobs report for September. Otherwise, data releases include German industrial production and Italian retail sales for August. From central banks, we’ll hear from the Fed’s Williams, Kashkari and Bostic, as well as BoE Deputy Governor Ramsden. Finally, EU leaders will be meeting in Prague. Market Snapshot S&P 500 futures down 0.2% to 3,748.50 STOXX Europe 600 down 0.2% to 395.56 MXAP down 1.1% to 143.02 MXAPJ down 1.3% to 463.87 Nikkei down 0.7% to 27,116.11 Topix down 0.8% to 1,906.80 Hang Seng Index down 1.5% to 17,740.05 Shanghai Composite down 0.6% to 3,024.39 Sensex down 0.3% to 58,069.57 Australia S&P/ASX 200 down 0.8% to 6,762.77 Kospi down 0.2% to 2,232.84 German 10Y yield little changed at 2.13% Euro up 0.2% to $0.9813 Brent Futures up 0.1% to $94.53/bbl Gold spot up 0.0% to $1,712.81 U.S. Dollar Index down 0.24% to 111.9 Top Overnight News from Bloomberg Investors poured the most money into cash since April 2020 on fears of a looming recession, but stocks could see further declines as they don’t fully reflect that risk, say Bank of America Corp. strategists Underlying inflation in the euro area is increasingly driven by higher demand, according to the European Central Bank, which has listed the trend among reasons to lift borrowing costs Inflation expectations among euro-zone consumers held steady in August, according to the European Central Bank, which has been raising interest rates in the face of record price gains The European Central Bank is ratcheting up pressure on some banks to keep 2022 bonuses in check amid fears about the darkening economic outlook, according to people with knowledge of the matter A report by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation showed UK companies are starting to impose hiring freezes because of pessimism about the outlook, and employees are deciding “stay put” rather than apply for other jobs A more detailed look at global markets courtesy of Newsquawk APAC stocks were lower as the region followed suit to the weak performance seen in global counterparts with risk appetite sapped amid the slew of hawkish Fed rhetoric and with participants awaiting the key US jobs data. ASX 200 was subdued by underperformance in the real estate sector and after the RBA Financial Stability Review noted financial stability risks have increased globally and that some households are already feeling the strain from higher rates which is likely to persist for some time. Nikkei 225 was pressured and briefly dipped below the 27,000 level after disappointing data in which Household Spending showed a surprise M/M contraction and with wage growth softer than previous. Hang Seng declined amid weakness in property and tech stocks with sentiment also not helped by reports that the US is to announce new measures that will effectively halt some exports of US equipment to Chinese firms making advanced NAND and DRAM memory chips. Top Asian News BoK said it will maintain its stance of raising interest rates going forward to combat inflation which is expected to remain in the 5-6% range for a considerable period of time, according to Yonhap. RBA Financial Stability Review stated that financial stability risks have increased globally and markets are stressed by synchronised policy tightening, geopolitical tension, higher USD and rising energy prices. RBA also stated that stability risks would be magnified by further substantial tightening in global markets and some households are already feeling the strain from higher rates which is likely to persist for some time. Japanese top currency diplomat Kanda says has never felt a limit to ammunition for currency intervention, making various steps so as not to face a limit to ammunition when it comes to FX intervention, via Reuters. Malaysia Cuts Personal Income Tax by 2 Percentage Points Tycoon Faces Key Vote for Plan to Tap Vedanta Cash Reserves Gold Set for Largest Weekly Gain Since March as Jobs Data Loom Taiwan Exports Shrink for First Time Since 2020 on Global Slump European bourses are modestly on the backfoot, though have trimmed this slightly as the session progresses, in limited newsflow pre-NFP. Nonetheless, are still on track to conclude the week with upside of just over 2% WTD for the Stoxx 600. Stateside, futures are similarly contained and lie either side of the unchanged mark with NQ -0.1% modestly lagging amid yield upside as officials pushback on an imminent pivot. ECB recently told some banks to exercise restraint on pay and dividends amid concerns about a potential wave of defaults, according to Bloomberg. Top European News UK PM Truss is watering down former UK PM Johnson's plans to cut 91k civil service jobs, according to FT. Irish Foreign Minister Coveney says the new air of positivity has created a flicker of optimism, lots of issues yet to be resolved (re. Brexit/N. Ireland). Greece Should Take Turkey’s Warnings Seriously, Erdogan Says Credit Suisse Short Bets Soar Weeks Ahead of Strategy Review Brexit Grudges Recede as Truss Makes Inroads With EU Allies New Jupiter Boss to Shake Up Dozens of Funds and Cut CIO Role Swedish Housing Market Slump Deepens on Rate, Energy Worries Geopolitics US President Biden said the nuclear 'Armageddon' threat is back for the first time since the Cuban Missile Crisis, according to AFP News Agency. Japanese government spokesperson Kihara said Japan is to impose additional sanctions against Russia and will freeze assets of more Russians after the annexation of parts of Ukraine, according to Reuters. US and South Korea are to conduct joint maritime drills involving the US aircraft carrier off the east coast on October 7th-8th, while the South Korean military said it will continue to strengthen its abilities to respond against North Korean provocation through joint drills, according to Yonhap. US forces conducted an airstrike in northern Syria on Thursday which killed Islamic State leader Abu-Hashum Al-Umawi and another IS official, according to Reuters. Turkish President Erdogan in a call with Russian President Putin discussed improving bilateral relations, according to the Turkish readout via Reuters. FX Typically tense pre-NFP trade has seen the DXY briefly dip below 112.00, to a 111.94 low, before regathering itself and holding marginally above the figure. Action that comes to the benefit of peers across the board with GBP the primary beneficiary, Cable to a 1.1218 peak, but closely followed by other activity FX. EUR/USD is more contained given a hefty amount of OpEx around today's NY Cut, with participants also cognisant of worrying German data. After yesterday's relative outperformance, the CHF and NZD are the relative laggards and are currently unchanged on the session. CNB Minutes (Sep): Mora and Holub voted for a 75bp hike, other members regarded rates as commensurate with the current situation. Consensus that inflation was probably close to peaking. HKMA purchases HKD 1.57bln from the market as the HKD hits the weak end of its trading range. Fixed Income Core benchmarks dipped to lows amid the morning's German data release, with Import Prices lifting again, though have gained some poise since in quiet trade. Currently, Bunds are towards the mid-point of a ~70tick range with similarly settled action in USTs and Gilts before US data & Fed speak. As such, yields are elevated but off highs of 3.85%, 2.16% & 4.22% for US, German and UK 10yrs respectively. Commodities WTI and Brent are off highs but still holding onto gains of around USD 0.50/bbl and are at the top-end of the week’s USD 86.35/bbl – 95.00/bbl parameter in Brent Dec’22. For today, the main potential catalyst is the EU’s informal meeting of heads of state. A gathering which is focused on “Russia's war in Ukraine, energy and the economic situation.” US Secretary of State Blinken said the US will not do anything that infringes upon its interests and is reviewing a number of response options when asked about ties with Saudi Arabia and OPEC+ cuts, according to Reuters. US Republican Senator Grassley will seek to add the NOPEC bill to the defence policy bill, according to Reuters. OPEC Sec Gen says oil production capacity freed up by the latest production reductions could allow nations to intervene in the event of any crises in the oil market, according to Al Arabiya. Spot gold is little changed overall having derived some very brief upside from the DXY’s move below 112.00; however, the metal remains capped by the 50-DMA. US Event Calendar 08:30: Sept. Change in Nonfarm Payrolls, est. 255,000, prior 315,000 Change in Private Payrolls, est. 275,000, prior 308,000 Change in Manufact. Payrolls, est. 20,000, prior 22,000 Unemployment Rate, est. 3.7%, prior 3.7% Underemployment Rate, prior 7.0% Labor Force Participation Rate, est. 62.4%, prior 62.4% Average Hourly Earnings YoY, est. 5.0%, prior 5.2%; Average Hourly Earnings MoM, est. 0.3%, prior 0.3% Average Weekly Hours All Emplo, est. 34.5, prior 34.5 10:00: Aug. Wholesale Trade Sales MoM, est. 0.5%, prior -1.4%; Wholesale Inventories MoM, est. 1.3%, prior 1.3% 15:00: Aug. Consumer Credit, est. $25b, prior $23.8b Fed speakers 10:00: Fed’s Williams Speaks in Moderated Q&A 11:00: Fed’s Kashkari Discusses Agriculture, Food and Inflation 12:00: Fed’s Bostic Discusses Inequality DB's Jim Reid concludes the overnight wrap In these stressful markets I’ve kept my personal anecdotes to a minimum but I have a few butterflies this morning as I have a big 36 hole golf matchplay final on Sunday. After 2 major knee operations in the last 12 months, 4 back injections in the last 18, a long period with a trapped nerve in my shoulder, a numb hand and countless rounds of physio, I’ve eventually played the best golf of my life this year and have got down to a 2.6 handicap. I have to give my opponent 16 shots over 36 holes though so it’s going to be hard. A couple of weeks later I’m also in a scratch final with no shots given. However the problem is my opponent is off +1. My current mid-life crisis obsession (after piano, cycling, etc. previously) is to get down to scratch. I suspect I’ll fail as I don’t hit it far enough. However I’m doing weights and speed training which is why I keep getting injured. My wife despairs at my obsessiveness most of the time but it keeps me going!! We’re all going to be obsessing about payrolls today and then US CPI next week. Clearly the latter has more potential to shape trading over the next few weeks but the former is always a big event. In terms of what to expect from today's jobs report, our US economists are forecasting that nonfarm payrolls grew by +275k in September. That’s slightly above the +250k consensus print, but if realised that would still be the slowest pace of monthly job growth since April 2021. However versus long-term average that would still be a hefty print even if you adjust for population. Our economists think that’ll be enough to push the unemployment rate down a tenth to 3.6%, especially given the three-tenths rise in the participation rate in August. When it comes to the Fed, both futures and our US economists see a +75bps move as the likely outcome at the next meeting, and a strong report today would cement those expectations, not least given the recent chatter that the Fed might slow down their pace of hikes earlier than anticipated. Today's print comes as the mood has soured again over the last 48 hours even if the prior 48 hours were spectacular enough to leave us notably stronger for the week still for risk even if bonds have given up their gains. Yesterday saw a fresh selloff in stocks and bonds alongside further dollar strength after multiple Fed speakers pushed back on speculation that they’re about to ease up on hiking rates. That wasn’t helped by the news on the inflation side either, with oil prices reaching a one-month high, whilst commodities more broadly advanced for a 4th day running. Going through some of these themes we’ll start with the Fed, since yesterday saw an array of speakers who reiterated hawkish talking points from the get-go. In particular, Minneapolis Fed President Kashkari said that “Until I see some evidence that underlying inflation has solidly peaked and is hopefully headed back down, I’m not ready to declare a pause. I think we’re quite a ways away from a pause.” So that adds to the previous day’s FOMC members who similarly pushed back on an imminent reversal. Later in the session, we heard from Presidents Evans and Mester, Governors Cook and Waller. They all held the line, pushing back on any pivot pricing. Notably, President Evans, another reformed dove, said rates would be near 4.5-4.75% by the spring of next year, with the market pricing terminal rates at the lower end of that range at 4.55% as of March. Against that backdrop, investors continued to price out the chances of a Fed pivot next year, with Fed funds futures for December 2023 up +13.4bps on the day to 4.33%, their biggest one-day increase since the September FOMC itself. Now that’s still beneath the 4.6% that the FOMC had in their dot plot for end-2023 a couple of weeks back, and the 4.50% the market priced in 8 days ago, but the moves over the last couple of days do suggest they’re having some success in pushing back on the rate cut speculation. The impact of that worked its way through to Treasury yields, with the 10yr yield up +7.1bps to 3.82%, having been led by a +6.8bps rise in the real yield to 1.61%. That's still some room below the late September intraday peak of 4.02%, but quite a bounce from Tuesday’s intraday low of 3.56%. That range is all within seven days, such is the recent volatility in bond markets. This morning in Asia, yields on the 10yr are just a tad lower as we go to press. It’s worth keeping an eye on long-end Gilts as they continue to unwind some of the once in a lifetime sized rally from 5% last week after the BoE stepped in. 30yr yields closed at 4.29% having been as low as 3.62% on Monday. Anecdotal evidence points to the LDI saga still impacting that end of the curve. The hawkish Fed rhetoric impacted on equities as well, with the S&P 500 (-1.02%) and the STOXX 600 (-1.25%) each seeing a noticeable pullback. The NASDAQ proved more resilient falling only -0.68%. In addition, the VIX index of volatility picked up again following a run of 4 consecutive declines, moving up +1.97pts to finish above 30 again at 30.52. One factor that won’t be welcomed by policymakers is the latest rise in commodity prices, with Brent crude (+1.12%) and WTI (+0.79%) oil prices rising for a 4th day running, which follows the decision by the OPEC+ group to cut their production levels the previous day. In response, US President Biden said that his reaction was “Disappointment. And we’re looking at what alternatives we may have”. In the meantime, there was a modest downtick in European natural gas futures (-3.91%) to €167 per megawatt-hour. Speaking of which, our research colleagues in Frankfurt published their latest gas supply monitor yesterday (link here), in which they update their scenarios for this winter to reflect the latest developments. They also preview what to expect from the informal meeting of EU leaders taking place in Prague today. Staying on Europe, sovereign bonds lost ground across the continent in line with the US moves, with yields on 10yr bunds (+5.4bps), OATs (+4.4bps) and BTPs (+4.7bps) all moving higher. That follows a similar dose of scepticism from investors about whether the ECB might pivot alongside the Fed, and the deposit rate priced in by overnight index swaps for June 2023 moved up more than 15bps for the second straight day, increasing +15.5bps yesterday to 2.89%. Those moves also came as we got the accounts from the ECB’s September meeting when they hiked by 75bps, which indicated that “some members” had preferred to only hike by 50bps, although “all members joined a consensus to raise the three key ECB interest rates by 75 basis points”. There was also a view that policy rates were still “significantly below the neutral rate”, even with the latest rate hike”, and it said that chief economist Lane had “stressed that price pressures were extraordinarily high and likely to persist for an extended period.” Back in the UK, there were fresh signs that the recent market turmoil was impacting the mortgage market, after Moneyfacts reported that the average 5yr fixed mortgage rate was now above 6%. That puts it at its highest level since February 2010, and follows the previous day’s news that the 2yr fixed rate had also passed the 6% milestone. Furthermore, there were some warnings on the energy front, with National Grid saying that there was one scenario (although not its base case) that could see 3-hour power cuts if there wasn’t enough gas supply. The more negative newsflow occurred as sterling continued to lose ground against the US Dollar again, with a further -1.45% fall that brings its declines over the last two sessions to -2.76%. And gilts struggled as well, and not just at the long-end as discussed earlier, with 10yr yields up +13.3bps on the day to 4.15%. Asian equity markets are also declining this morning with the Hang Seng (-1.13%) leading losses, pulling back from a strong rebound earlier this week with the Nikkei (-0.59%) also trading in negative territory. Meanwhile, the Kospi (+0.06%) is swinging between gains and losses with the index heavyweight Samsung Electronics downbeat 3Q preliminary earnings forecast weighing on sentiment. Elsewhere, markets in China are closed for the National Day holiday. Looking forward, stock futures in the US are fluctuating with contracts tied to the S&P 500 (+0.03%) and NASDAQ 100 (+0.04%) just above flat ahead of the big day. Early morning data showed that Japan’s real wages (-1.7% y/y) fell in August for the fifth consecutive month, following a revised -1.8% fall in July. At the same time, household spending (+5.1% y/y) increased in August (v/s +6.7% expected) following a +3.4% gain in July as the economy continued to recover from COVID-19 restrictions albeit with rising prices probably preventing further gains. Ahead of today’s US jobs report, the weekly initial jobless claims for the week ending October 1 came in at 219k (vs. 204k expected), although there was a -3k downward revision to the previous week, without any apparent impact from the recent hurricane, which our US econ team believes will show up in next week’s data. Elsewhere, German factory orders contracted by more than expected in August, falling -2.4% (vs. -0.7% expected), but there was a sharp upward revision to the previous month, as the data now showed a +1.9% expansion (vs. -1.1% previously). To the day ahead now, and the highlight will likely be the aforementioned US jobs report for September. Otherwise, data releases include German industrial production and Italian retail sales for August. From central banks, we’ll hear from the Fed’s Williams, Kashkari and Bostic, as well as BoE Deputy Governor Ramsden. Finally, EU leaders will be meeting in Prague. Tyler Durden Fri, 10/07/2022 - 07:49.....»»

After fierce debate, Arlington County will finally vote to approve the construction of so-called "missing middle" housing. A demonstrator holds up a sign that says "Won't you be my neighbor?", a quote from the children's show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, during the Arlington County board meeting in Arlington, Virginia, on July 16, 2022.Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images A growing number of communities are upzoning single-family neighborhoods to allow more housing options. Arlington, Virginia, is finally set to pass a "missing middle" housing policy after years of debate.  The policy change is just the first step in creating much needed new housing.  As Marjorie Green plans for the future, she knows she and her husband, both retired, won't be able to stay in the single-family detached home in North Arlington, Virginia, they've called home for almost 20 years. The house doesn't have a bedroom or bathroom on the first floor, which they'll eventually need as they age. The only realistic option for them in Arlington, a wealthy suburb of Washington, D.C., is to move into a condo that will also accommodate their two dogs. In Arlington, there aren't many options between a single-family home — the median price of which has climbed to $1.13 million — and large apartment complexes. But on Wednesday, the Arlington County board is poised to finally approve a highly fraught, years-long effort to "upzone" all single-family neighborhoods — eight years after the idea was first considered. The policy would legalize the construction of so-called "missing middle" housing — townhouses, duplexes, and other multi-family buildings up to six units — helping build "gentle density." Green, not to be confused with GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, has spent years advocating for denser and more affordable housing as the Arlington leader of Virginians for Organized Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE), a community organizing group that supports social justice initiatives. She and her husband would like to take advantage of the upzoning by replacing their house with a multi-unit building with accessible units, one of which they could live in."We could live in a ground floor unit and still have some backyard space for our dogs," Green, who's 65, told Insider. "We could have some other people in the building, and our daughters might have an investment that then they could use to help them buy a home someday." Across the country, middle-income housing is disappearing. Modest single-family homes are being torn down and replaced with larger, more expensive houses. A housing shortage, rising land prices and construction costs, and strict zoning regulations have made it near-impossible in many places for young families to find starter homes and seniors to find accessible housing. Arlington is just the latest community to address missing middle housing as a part of a broader national reckoning. Over the last few years, states and localities across the country have begun passing laws to increase density. A diverse set of cities and states, including Minneapolis and Maine, have ended single-family zoning. Oregon passed a law in 2018 allowing multi-family home construction across single-family neighborhoods in most cities. In 2021, California legalized the construction of up to four new houses on most single-family lots. But the process of upzoning is slow and highly-charged, even in progressive communities with a dire need for housing. In Arlington, county board hearings have turned into hours-long public debates and divided the community. On Saturday, almost 250 residents signed up to debate the proposal at a public hearing, forcing the board to bump the final vote to Wednesday. "It has become this huge community issue – neighbors against neighbors. I mean, it has gotten quite ugly," Alice Hogan, a longtime Arlington resident and housing policy consultant for the pro-missing middle housing Alliance for Housing Solutions, told Insider. "And it's quite sad because the scope and size of this program is minuscule compared to the problem we really need to be facing." Getty ImagesA heated debate over housing densityArlington has long been a wealthy, desirable suburb with good public schools and low rates of crime. But the county, about 80% of which is currently zoned for single-family housing, is in the midst of a major boom. Amazon selected the county as the home of its HQ2 in 2018, while Nestle, Boeing, and other major companies and government contractors have attracted a steady stream of high-income residents. In 2015, the county adopted its Affordable Housing Master Plan, identifying middle-income housing as a key area for growth. Three years ago, the county began studying missing middle housing in earnest. Advocates have long pushed a simple message: density is necessary and key to affordability. "Multifamily buildings and the people who live in them are not a burden and they're not a danger, they are a good thing to have," said Jane Fiegen Green, president of YIMBYs of Northern Virginia, a non-profit that advocates for more and denser housing. "There is no affordable housing on any level of the income spectrum without density. "YIMBY" stands for "Yes In My Backyard" and was created in response to the anti-development "NIMBY," which stands for "Not In My Backyard."They also point to the county's history of exclusionary zoning laws designed to keep Black families out of white, single-family neighborhoods. Across the country, critics of increasing housing density in single family neighborhoods are disproportionately older, wealthier, white homeowners. A survey released by the county last year found nearly 80% of homeowners opposed the missing middle policy and about 70% of renters supported it. Advocates of missing middle housing say there's a deep generational gap when it comes to housing density. Older residents, many of whom have owned single-family homes in the community for decades, are fearful of their neighborhoods changing. "I'm disappointed that much of the major pushback is coming from my generation," Green said. "We were the 'we're going to change the world' generation and in fact, now that we have a foothold in leafy suburban neighborhoods, many of us are saying, no, wait a minute, don't let that change impact us too much."But seniors are among those who could benefit the most from having new, smaller accessible housing in their neighborhoods. Critics of upzoning argue the increased density will lead to school crowding, reduced green space, and increased traffic, among other concerns.David Gerk, a longtime resident of Arlington, speaks during a public meeting opposing a zoning deregulation proposal known as missing middle that would make it easier to build duplexes, townhouses and other structures in more suburban areas of the county at Innovation Elementary in Arlington, VA on January 08, 2023.Craig Hudson/Getty ImagesIn an overwhelmingly Democratic county, the politics don't code neatly as red or blue. Fiegen Green said many Democratic officials have avoided the issue and not taken a side. Some Democrats, like Arlington County Board candidate Natalie Roy, are deeply opposed to the missing middle effort. Roy, who's also a realtor, argued that the policy change won't lead to desperately needed affordable housing for low-income residents. Her alternative housing plan involves offering more financial assistance to lower-income residents and more housing opportunities for seniors, but wouldn't create much new supply. Roy pointed to the fact that the county is already among the most densely populated in the country."My goal is not density, it is affordability and diversity," she said. "We do have high density exactly where it should be in Arlington — around transit corridors. We are a national model for it."She insisted that the missing middle housing initiative "is about getting rid of single-family homes." Roy pointed to a proposal to build three new townhomes on a single family lot in the expensive Lyon Park neighborhood. The new homes, each with 2,200 square feet of living space and a garage, would be on the market in late 2024 for $1.2 million. The pricey new housing, she argued, shows how upzoning won't serve middle class families. But upzoning supporters and experts say the additional supply of even high-end homes helps alleviate demand on existing housing.  "I don't know how you can argue against the fact that if a little brick house goes down and a mansion comes up, you've not added anything to the market," Pat Findikoglu, a retired Arlington public school teacher and volunteer for VOICE, told Insider. "If a little brick house goes down and a quad goes up, you've added three extra units." The initiative's proponents concede that upzoning won't come close to solving the county's shortage of affordable housing. But they argue that upzoning will allow more housing options across the spectrum of incomes and, over time, offer more abundant and affordable options. And they point to the county's separate efforts to build housing for low-income renters and homeowners. "What I've come to understand is, it's not enough to have housing for the poorest of the poor," Findikoglu said. "We need abundant housing at every single level."A sign opposing a zoning deregulation proposal known as missing middle that would make it easier to build duplexes, townhouses and other structures in more suburban areas of the county is seen in the Lyon Village neighborhood in Arlington, VA on January 08, 2023.Craig Hudson/Getty ImagesA long road to increasing housing densityAdvocates say that zoning reform is just a first, incremental step toward denser, and ultimately more affordable, neighborhoods. Cities and states that have ended single-family zoning haven't necessarily seen much new building. Additional regulatory changes are often necessary to incentivize new construction. David Garcia, policy director of the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley, and his team of researchers found that California's 2021 upzoning law could enable 700,000 new homes. But the actual amount of new construction will be far lower because of other land-use constraints, including height restrictions and parking requirements.In Minneapolis, which was the first US city to legalize multi-unit buildings on single-family lots, few new triplexes have been built because the land use reforms haven't been made. But Portland, Oregon — which now allows up to four-unit buildings on previously single-family lots — also changed their codes to allow the new structures to be larger than single-family homes. "That takes some time and some thought and it's not as easy as taking one vote," Garcia told Insider. "You have to think comprehensively about the suite of land use policies that impact the single family zones, not just the base zoning allowances."Despite the massive effort it took to come to the verge of passing missing middle housing, Arlington officials predict change will be slow and limited. "This will probably bring between 20 and 50 new developments a year," Hogan said. "I mean, a tiny drop in the bucket."Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

"People want a more powerful, better quality weed, and we are putting a lot of money into this industry," a Sinaloa Cartel operative told Insider. Mexican marines destroy marijuana crops in Badiraguato in 2009.Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post via Getty Images An effort to legalize marijuana in Mexico has stalled after several years of debate by lawmakers. But Mexican cartels and independent growers are still preparing to cater to a new domestic market. The Sinaloa Cartel in particular is drawing business lessons from marijuana dispensaries in the US. Badiraguato, Sinaloa — Every day at 5 a.m. Margarita, a 51-year-old farmer, jumps out of bed and lights a candle to St. Judas, a saint believed to listen to lost or almost impossible causes.Only after that, Margarita steps out to her front yard and looks over her marijuana plants, which are covered with a camouflage-shaded cloth."Every morning I pray to San Judas that the government don't destroy my plantation. It's been such an effort to put it back up after it got destroyed the last time," she told Insider. Mexican military personnel destroyed Margarita's weed crops during an operation in 2019.Margarita doesn't work for any of Mexico's cartels or criminal organizations. She is doing what she has learned from generations of ancestors: Marijuana harvesting has been her family's legacy for more than 100 years."I really don't involve myself too much in the rest of the process from the plant. I harvest, pick and trim my plants, and then if someone wants it, fine. If not," she says, "I store it until it sells."A man outside the "Chapo" roast chicken restaurant near Badiraguato's main plaza in July 2015.REUTERS/Roberto ArmentaMargarita's product caters to the Mexican market, reaching buyers through independent distributors but also through criminal organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel — the cartel's jailed kingpin, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán, was born in Badiraguato and the region is still the group's home turf.But all Margarita cares about is that her product is not selling as much as it did five years ago. "The full sacks of weed sometimes stay there in the warehouse for a month or two, and what do I do? How do I sustain myself if I'm not selling?" she said in an interview.Margarita helps herself with a government assistance program called "Sembrando Vida," which hands out roughly $220 a month to small farmers in states like Sinaloa and neighboring Chihuahua and Durango — a region known as the golden triangle for the intensive cultivation of marijuana and opium poppy there — to encourage local development and discourage drug production."I tried to harvest tomato, but it sells even worse than marijuana. The big companies take all the sales, and there is very little what I can offer" in quantity, she said.At the current price for weed, Margarita gets roughly $25 a kilo. She was expecting to get at least $500 this season for her harvest, but more than half of it hasn't sold."It's not a good time for weed. People are asking for a different weed, the one that comes from the gabacho, but we don't have those seeds," Margarita said, using a term referring to the US.Mexican lawmakers debate the decriminalization and regulation of marijuana in March 2021.Luis Barron / Eyepix Group/Future Publishing via Getty ImagesLike other independent growers, Margarita remains barred from formal sales in Mexico, where efforts to legalize marijuana have stalled. Negotiations over such a measure began in 2019, when the Congress approved a law to legalize the use, possession, and planting of marijuana. Four years later, it is still stuck in Mexico's Senate.In 2021, the Senate passed a bill legalizing recreational use of marijuana, but lawmakers in the lower house held up the measure while they tried to raise the amount that consumers could carry in public higher than the proposed limit of 28 grams.While weed remains generally illegal in Mexico, farmers and criminal groups are not waiting to position themselves in what could soon be a legal market."We are not waiting for a law. The Mexican government took too long already and meanwhile other countries keep making profits and our sowers keep struggling," said Andrés Saavedra, a lawyer and the founder of an NGO called Plan de Tetecala, which supports independent weed growers and the decriminalization of cannabis."We are now focused on becoming independent and keep growing marihuana for a Mexican market that wants to use the plant in different ways," he said.Old product, new marketMarijuana cigarettes are assembled in a manufacturing house in Culiacán in late 2021.Luis ChaparroMexico's move toward marijuana legalization comes after several US states legalized the drug, which appears to have put a dent in cartels' profits.Prior to the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in Colorado and Washington state in 2012, the Mexican Institute of Competitiveness calculated that such measures could cost Mexican cartels nearly $2.8 billion.More states legalized the drug in the years that followed, and the amount of weed smuggled into the US from Mexico appears to have declined over that period. In 2013, US authorities seized roughly 1.3 million kilograms of weed at the border, according to the DEA. By 2019, that had fallen to nearly 249,000 kilograms.Over the past five years, marijuana prices in Mexico have decreased by more than half, prompting criminal groups to produce more dangerous drugs, like fentanyl, to maintain profits and pushing independent farmers to harvest plants like opium to sustain themselves.The prospect of a legal domestic market has drawn the interest of criminal groups that used to focus on smuggling marijuana north, especially the Sinaloa Cartel, members of which are studying the success of dispensaries in the US."What we did was to change the seed. People want a more powerful, better quality weed, and we are putting a lot of money into this industry," a Sinaloa Cartel operative told Insider in a phone interview.A marijuana legalization activist smokes marijuana in front of the San Lazaro Legislative Palace in Mexico City in October 2022.Luis Barron / Eyepix Group/Future Publishing via Getty Images"This is a business that belongs here, to Sinaloa," another Sinaloa Cartel operative who works as a regional manager for marijuana operations in Culiacán, the capital of Sinaloa state, told Insider in a previous interview. "We lost a share of the business, but in no time we will take it back by producing the best weed in the world."After the arrest of "El Chapo" Guzmán's youngest son, Ovidio Guzmán, in January, the Sinaloa Cartel's weed operations are overseen by two of his brothers: Iván Archivaldo and Jesús Alfredo Guzmán, members of a group known as "Los Chapitos."The operative and others in the business say the cartel is "very interested" in marijuana legalization. Some believe it is because of Los Chapitos' love for the plant and its supposed benefits. Others think it is purely a business decision.Margarita, on the other hand, can't afford to grow "premium quality weed," since the seeds are at least 10 times more expensive and equipment like that used in cartel-run grow houses to maintain the plants is also a steep investment."I know that if I had that other weed from los gringos, I could be selling twice my price, but it is also very expensive. And I don't know how the señores are going to take it if I go into that business," Margarita said, referring to Americans and to Mexican drug lords, respectively. "I might get in trouble, don't you think?"Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Local governments across the country are floating new regulations to curb short-term rentals, citing reasons from noise disruptions to affordability. Atlanta is one of the many cities that has gotten serious about cracking down on short-term rentals.Steve Kelley / Getty Images The pandemic sparked a boom in short-term rentals, and AirDNA found listings hit a record high in 2022. Some residents and officials in hot cities say these rentals deplete housing stock or cause noise disturbances. These 25 locations across North America are looking to rein in Airbnbs and short-term rentals. Airbnbs and other short-term rental platforms became a go-to for investors during the pandemic as high home prices and rising interest rates made it unaffordable for regular homebuyers to enter the market. Investors sought to maximize their returns by renting homes to growing numbers of vacationers, travel nurses, and remote workers. But as the calendar turns to 2023, there is more competition than ever for short-term rentals which will make it more difficult for investors who are looking to capitalize on the travel boom created by the pandemic. But that hasn't stopped a number of vacation rental owners and property managers from cashing in — in both the US and Canada — which has left some of their neighbors frustrated.For many, it's paying off. Airbnb reported the average US host's income grew to over $13,800 in 2021 — an increase of 85% since 2019. By early 2022, there were a towering, industry-record 1.5 million listings available, according to the analytics site AirDNA.Locals say the mounting presence of short-term rentals in their neighborhoods can lead to a variety of issues, from mundane annoyances (noisy parties) to substantial challenges (they make it more difficult for regular people to buy homes).Cities and towns are caught in the middle, trying to balance these concerns with the revenue that vacationers bring in and the rights of property owners. From the beaches of California to the mountains of Vermont, communities are grappling with what the future of short-term rentals looks like. Some local governments, like in Honolulu, have passed regulations like banning rental stays under 90 days, while others, like in Aspen, Colorado, have proposed new taxes on owners. Some cities have simply called timeout: Chattanooga, Tennessee, paused new applications for non-owner-occupied units as it considered short-term rentals' future there. An Airbnb spokesperson said in an emailed statement that "short-term rentals have been part of the fabric of popular vacation destinations such as these for decades, and our goal is to work with communities on balanced rules that support local tourism economies, provide certainty and clarity for Hosts, and address community concerns." Airbnb also maintains a page on its site dubbed City Portal, which has resources for local governments.  Here are 25 locations in the US and Canada where residents and local politicians are fighting back against short-term rentals. They are presented in alphabetical order.Are you trying to pass regulations to limit short-term rentals? Are you a short-term rental owner who wants to talk about your experience with regulations? Email reporter Dan Latu at dlatu@insider.com. Alamosa, ColoradoThe Great Sand Dune National Park and the nearby Sangre de Cristo mountains draw visitors to southern Colorado every year.Dan Ballard/Getty ImagesA four-hour drive south of Denver, Alamosa (population 10,000) is known for its proximity to Great Sand Dunes National Park, where visitors flock to see the tallest dunes in North America. As of November, Alamosa had 24 short-term rentals registered with the city — and many more unregistered ones, the Alamosa Citizen reported.In April, the Alamosa City Council unanimously passed an ordinance and two resolutions that were seen as a compromise between the interests of short-term-rental owners and frustrated residents. Under the new regulations, short-term rentals that are available for less than 30 days can only be in certain types of dwellings, including single-family homes or one unit in a multifamily property. Renting units in multifamily buildings with more than four units is no longer allowed.Short-term-rental owners will also have to obtain a license for an initial cost of $750 and a yearly renewal fee of $300. There is now a 5% cap on the number of short-term-rental licenses that will be issued per zone, or city neighborhood.When a new short-term-rental license is issued, neighbors must be notified.The Alamosa Citizen reported that area employers were struggling to recruit workers given "a tight and increasingly expensive housing market.""It is important to bring resolution to this item so business owners can predict what will be expected of them, neighborhoods will have some protections from nuisances, there is reasonable preservation of housing units for residents," Heather Brooks, the Alamosa city manager, told the Valley Courier. Aspen, ColoradoAspen, ColoradoVisionsofAmerica/Joe SohmAspen voters approved a ballot measure in November that imposes a pair of new taxes on short-term and vacation rental properties. Ballot Issue 2A imposes a 5% tax on nightly room rates for short-term rentals with lodge-exempt permits and a 10% tax on investment properties. The measures were approved by the local city council just days after Steamboat Springs, another popular Colorado resort town about three hours north of Aspen, passed a similar ordinance imposing new taxes on vacation rentals. Aspen City Council member Rachel Richards told the Post Independent in November that the vote is a "re-affirmation that Aspen is a community, wants to be a community, and supports the community."There are 979 STRs in Aspen and they charge an average daily rate of $749, according to AirDNA. Aspen is also the most expensive city in Colorado to live in with an average home price of more than $3 million, according to Zillow. Opponents of the measure have argued that it will depress tourism in one of Colorado's best-known resort locations. In the summer of 2020, Aspen hospitality businesses saw their average daily rates increase by 29% year-over-year while their revenue per available room increased by nearly 99%, according to data from the Aspen Chamber of Commerce.Atlanta, GeorgiaHomes in Atlanta's popular Midtown neighborhood.novikat/Getty ImagesIn March 2021, Atlanta passed an ordinance to regulate short-term rentals.It requires hosts to pay a $150 annual fee for a permit — and provide a copy of the property's deed and a utility bill — to operate a rental property. The rentals are taxed at 8%, the same as hotels in Atlanta. A violation of the ordinance carries a $300 fine."I'm trying to stop the city from becoming a de facto hotel city," a city councilman, Antonio Lewis, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.The bill was approved by a 13-2 council vote to crack down on party houses by making the owner of the unit responsible for violations.The law was scheduled to go into effect in April, allowing hosts to apply for permits the month prior. However, according to an analysis of city-permitting data by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, roughly 10% of the city's 7,100 listings applied for permits two months after the application process opened. Less than 3% received permits.The enforcement date has since been extended to September 6, according to the local NBC affiliate 11 Alive.For now, all enforcement of the new rules will be complaint-driven and fall under the jurisdiction of the Atlanta police.Burlington, VermontChurch Street in Burlington, Vermont, is the downtown hub of the state's most populous city.DenisTangneyJr/Getty ImagesVermont's most populous city attracts more than just autumnal leaf-peepers, welcoming visitors year-round for its breweries, nature excursions, and cultural attractions. For the past year, the city government was locked in a debate over the growth of short-term rentals. There are now between 200 to 250 short-term rentals in the 40,000-person city, according to the VTDigger, and the major concern for officials is whether short-term rentals take away housing stock from Burlington residents. In February, the City Council passed an ordinance requiring short-term-rental owners to also live in the house as their primary residence. But the mayor vetoed the measure in March, saying it was too restrictive.In April, the City Council, with new members sworn in, voted to consider a new set of rules and passed a brand-new ordinance in June, according to the local outlet Seven Days. Short-term-rental owners must now live on the property, though there are some exceptions. Hosts will also pay an annual fee of up to $110 and a 9% tax on revenue from the rental, according to Seven Days.Chattanooga, TennesseeRiverboat cruises draw visitors to the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, where the city has paused all short-term-rental applications.SeanPavonePhoto/Getty ImagesThe Chattanooga City Council has paused all applications for short-term rental that are not owner-occupied. The freeze will last the rest of 2022.The city, with a riverfront and historic battlegrounds that attract tourists, has been debating the merits of its profitable rental industry. A local station, Channel 9 News, reported that Airbnb rentals brought in tax revenue of $3.5 million for the county in 2021. But some residents are concerned about the ability of outside investors to reap rewards at the expense of Chattanooga locals. "I'm not in favor of having investors that come in out of state, out of country even, and buy 10 to 15 pieces of property. They're not invested in the community. They're not invested in Chattanooga," Donna Morgan, a local resident, told Channel 9.There are 1,120 active short-term rentals, according to analytics site AirDNA.Coeur d'Alene, IdahoCoeur d'Alene, Idaho is a resort town that is a 40-minute drive east of Spokane, Washington.Alan NickCity leaders in Coeur d'Alene, a resort town along the north edge of Idaho's Harrison Slough, are working to limit the number of short term rentals in their town.The city first passed laws concerning short term rentals in 2017, but is considering adding a slew of restrictions as the number of vacation rentals continues to grow. Coeur d'Alene's General Services/Public Works Committee could amend the law to require off-street parking, increase fees for violating the ordinance, and limit the number of permits issued annually. "We can't have a thousand people rushing to get a permit when we might not allow that many," Councilwoman Christie Wood told KREM 2 in September. According to AirDNA, there are about 790 active vacation rentals in Coeur d'Alene that charge an average daily rate of around $260. However, a large chunk of the rentals may be illegal as city officials told local news station KREM in November that only 453 vacation rental properties have been authorized. The debate over vacation rentals in Coeur d'Alene comes at a time when the local housing market is shifting in favor of buyers. The average home value is down more than 6% to just under $500,000 as of November while the number of homes sold has dropped by more than 35% year-over-year, according to Redfin.Dallas, TexasDallas is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation.Danny Lehman/ Getty ImagesLocal leaders on the Dallas City Plan Commission voted 9-4 on December 8 to recommend defining short-term rental properties as "lodging" under the city's zoning code. The move could effectively prevent the properties from existing in Dallas' single-family residential neighborhoods. The Dallas City Council still needs to approve the recommendation before any enforcement actions can take place. The body could vote on the recommendation as early as January 11, 2023. Commissioner Claire Stanard, one of the commission members who voted in favor of the proposal, told the Dallas Morning News that the proposal could help improve public safety. The commission heard several complaints from local residents about "party houses" with loud music and lots of cars during their debate. "If my granddaughter is living next to a short-term rental or between them, is that really what my son-in-law bought a house to have as his next-door neighbor," Standard said. According to data from AirDNA, there are more than 5,400 short-term rentals in Dallas. The properties charge an average daily rate of $165 and they have a 60% occupancy rate. Other commissioners weren't as convinced that adding new regulations would help solve the problems that city residents are complaining about. "I don't have any faith that regulation is the sole solution to this problem," Commissioner Melissa Kingston told the Dallas Morning News. Other cities in Texas like Fort Worth and Arlington have already restricted vacation rental properties from their residential neighborhoods.Dauphin Island, AlabamaDauphin Island, Alabama sits on the Gulf Coast near the Louisiana border.Barry WinikerAnother vacation destination that has imposed limitations on short term rental properties is Dauphin Island, Alabama, a small island off of the gulf coast in Pelican Bay. In August, Dauphin Island's Planning Commission finalized several STR restrictions in a rewrite of the town's zoning code. The restrictions include limiting where short term rental properties can be located on the island, restricting the number of vehicles that can be parked at a rental property, and imposing a $75 annual fee for rental property owners. The new limitations have put residents at odds with one another, according to a report by AL.com. Some claim the properties are improving the island by attracting tourists. Those who want to limit the number of short term rentals say the regulations are striking a balance between business interests and the local community. "One group will say they are renting out (their house) and the next thing you know is you have eight cars parked all over the yards," Dauphin Island City Councilman Earle Connell, who is also the local liaison for the planning commission, told AL.com in August. "To them, it's a vacation. I understand that. But these people who do that don't understand we have a community and neighborhood that is protected."There are 574 vacation rental homes in Dauphin Island, and they have a 68% occupancy rate, according to AirDNA.Dillon, ColoradoDillon, Colorado is a ski town near Breckenridge.Brad McGinleyDillon, Colorado's city council is considering how to move forward with the town's new short-term rental regulations after voters approved a slate of measures aimed at curtailing the properties in November. Currently, city council members are debating a new ordinance to increase the annual fee charged to short-term rentals from $50 to $250 and include new application questions about how the rental unit will be used, according to a report by Summit Daily.  The ordinance comes after voters approved a pair of ballot questions that levy a 5% excise tax on short-term rentals and increased the city's lodging tax from 2% to 6%. The city – which has just over 1,000 full-time residents – is located in Summit County, home to some of Colorado's favorite ski attractions such as the Breckenridge ski resort, Copper Mountain, and Grays Peak. Overall, the city estimates that the new taxes could return approximately $3 million in annual tax revenue. Dillon can collect up to $4.5 million of this specific tax before triggering a tax refund under state law, town finance director Carri McDonnell told Steamboat Pilot & Today.Voters approved the new taxes at a time when Dillon's housing market is soaring. Dillon's median home price has increased more than 30% over the last 12 months to $915,000, according to Redfin.Frisco, ColoradoFrisco, Colorado is another ski town near Breckenridge.Bloomberg CreativeFrisco, Colorado – a small town in central Colorado – capped the number of short term rental properties within its jurisdiction at 900, or 25% of the local housing stock, back in October. The new regulations also require short term rental landlords to live at their property for at least 10 months out of the year but passed on the opportunity to create a new license for short-term rentals versus traditional rental properties, according to the Summit Daily. The ordinance could also have a significant impact on tourism in Fisco, which is seen by locals as a cheap midway point between popular resort destinations like Breckenridge and Copper Mountain. Frisco currently levies a 5% excise tax on short term rentals and a 2% lodging tax."There are a lot of people very unhappy — as one person had mentioned — with having the short-term rentals next to them because some people might be very careful to who they rent to and how they monitor it, but others are not," city councilmember Lisa Holenko told Summit Daily. There are currently more than 1,700 STRs in Frisco, according to AirDNA. These properties charge an average daily rate of $299 and have an average occupancy rate of about 50%.Lexington, KentuckyLexington, Kentucky is home to the world-famous Kentucky Derby horse race.iStock/Getty Images PlusPopular tourist towns like Lexington, Kentucky — which is home to the annual Kentucky Derby — are starting to crack down on vacation rentals at a time when their housing markets are growing more competitive by the day. Lexington's Special Planning and Public Safety Committee is considering requiring Airbnb and Vrbo landlords in the area to acquire a special business license and imposing an additional transient tax on the properties, according to a report by WKYT. Business owners like Heath Green, co-owner of the Kentucky Life Property Management Group, told the committee that the additional measures could decrease tourism, which is Kentucky's economic bread and butter. But the measure also comes at a time when real estate values in Lexington are outpacing the national average in terms of home price appreciation. Data from Redfin shows that Lexington's median home price has increased 14.4% over the last year up to nearly $298,000 as of November 2022. That's compared to the national average increase of just 2.6%, according to Redfin. There are more than 1,200 active vacation rentals in Lexington that charge an average daily rate of $171 and have an occupancy rate of more than 50%, according to data from AirDNA.Marco Island, FloridaMarco Island is a barrier island near Naples, Florida.Marc FreiVoters in Marco Island, Florida approved an ordinance on August 23 that created a registration program for short term rental properties and imposed several new restrictions. After months of debate, it was narrowly approved by the local city council in December. To register a property, short term rental owners must hold a liability insurance policy of at least $1 million, provide city officials with a phone number that is answered 24-hours per day, and pay a $50 registration fee. The ordinance was submitted by a group called Take Back Marco, a nonpartisan political action committee. Ed Issler, who leads Take Back Marco, told WINK that additional regulations are necessary because short term rental properties have "gotten out of control" on Marco Island. According to data from AirDNA, there are more than 2,400 short term rental properties, which charge an average daily rate of $329. Vacation rental property owners have filed a lawsuit to prevent the ordinance from going into effect. David Di Pietro, an attorney representing the property owners, told Gulfshore Business in August that the ordinance is overly restrictive. "Once this ordinance passes, until you receive the certificate from the city, which means you have to have an inspection from the fire department and the city, you can't rent until that's done," Di Pietro said. "There are over 2,000 rentals and there's nobody doing that job right now. So, we think that it's going to be a ban for an indefinite amount of time."MontréalThe nighttime skyline of downtown Montréal.Nicolas McComber/Getty ImagesIt's not just Americans who oppose the barrage of short-term rentals.Activists in Montréal, the largest city in Canada's Quebec province, are trying to curb the wave of listings in order to preserve housing for residents."In recent years, we have lost thousands of apartments in Montréal to short-term rentals," Cédric Dussault, the spokesperson for the Coalition of Housing Committees and Tenants Associations of Quebec, told CBC in a May interview.Some restrictions are in place. Currently, in order to rent out a unit, the owner must obtain an establishment number and, in some cases, a classification certificate from Quebec's tourism body. Since May 2020, it is required that operators put the establishment number on any advertisement or posting to rent space. The maximum stay is also capped at 31 days.Montréal, however, has had a tough time enforcing these regulations. CBC cited data from independent watchdog group Inside Airbnb stating that 11,639 Montréal Airbnbs are unlicensed. That's about 95% of them, it estimated."The simple story is that the province put a very good set of rules in place, but has not put in any effort to make sure that anybody follows those rules," David Wachsmuth, the Canada Research Chair in Urban Governance at McGill University, told CBC.New York City, New YorkThere may be upwards of 10,000 short-term rentals operating illegally in New York City.Alexander Spatari/Getty ImagesMayor Eric Adams has moved to require Airbnb and Vrbo hosts to register their properties with the city, provide proof that the hosts live in the units with their guests, and show that the property meets local zoning and safety guidelines. The proposal will go into effect in January and hosts who fail to comply could face between $1,000 and $5,000 in penalties. A report by NPR suggests the policy could remove as many as 10,000 short-term rentals that are operating in the city illegally. "Currently as is, this is an entirely unregulated market and the consequences have been disastrous for New Yorkers," New York State Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani said during a hearing about the proposal in early December.Data from AirDNA shows that there are more than 24,500 active short-term rentals in New York that charge an average daily rate of $234 and are about 75% occupied.Oahu, HawaiiThe famous Waikiki Beach on the island of Oahu, which brings in nearly half of Hawaii's annual visitors.M Swiet Productions/Getty ImagesIn April, Honolulu's mayor, Rick Blangiardi, signed a new law requiring a minimum stay of 90 days for short-term rentals in residential areas on the island of Oahu, in an attempt to curb the sprawl of vacation rentals in the city. Hawaii News Now reported that the city estimates there are between 10,000 to 14,000 short-term rentals in Oahu."This is a historic moment," Blangiardi said at a press conference for the bill, which passed the City Council by a vote of 8-1. The new law applies to the non-resort neighborhoods of Hawaii's most popular island, Oahu, which is home to iconic attractions like Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor. Before the pandemic, the Hawaii Tourism Authority recorded over 6 million visitors to Oahu in 2019, which represented nearly half of all tourism spending for the state. But local residents complain of tourists overrunning residential neighborhoods, taking away housing opportunities, and causing disturbances."Any economic benefits of opening up our residential areas to tourism are far outweighed by the negative impacts on our neighborhoods and local residents," Oahu resident Thomas Cestare said at a City Council hearing, according to Hawaii News Now.A group of short-term-rental owners sued the city in June, seeking an exemption for 30- to 90-day rentals that existed pre-ordinance, according to Courthouse News Service. In the suit, the Hawaii Legal Short-Term Rental Alliance said thousands of owners previously operating legally would be "irreparably harmed" by the new 90-day minimum. In September, the alliance asked for an injunction ahead of the ordinance's planned effective date, October 23, according to Courthouse News Service. The presiding judge deferred the decision, but Courthouse reported the parties asked to meet with the judge before the deadline.Palm Springs, CaliforniaPalm Springs is known for its many golf courses and beautiful weather during the winter months.Robin Smith/Getty ImagesPalm Springs, California, a small town that borders Mt. San Jacinto State Park in the southern part of the state, recently adopted an ordinance to limit the number of short term rentals in its jurisdiction to 20% of homes in residential neighborhoods, KESQ reported in November. The new ordinance also reduced the number of days that a landlord can rent out their vacation rental property from 36 to 26. All existing permits plus the 300 applications the city received before October 17 will be grandfathered in, according to the report. There are more than 4,100 active vacation rentals in the city, according to data from AirDNA. The properties charge an average daily rate of $500 and are about 63% occupied, the data shows. For comparison, there are just 489 homes listed for sale in Palm Springs, according to Redfin, and the market commands a median home price of $605,000, a 14.4% increase when compared to November 2021. Zillow shows there are just 109 homes for rent in the city as well.Palo Alto, CaliforniaPalo Alto is the home of major tech companies HP, VMware, SAP Labs, and others.ShutterstockOne of California's wealthiest cities is planning to limit the number of short-term rental properties in its jurisdiction as it struggles to add new housing units. Palo Alto's city council voted 5-2 on December 12 to explore creating new regulations on vacation rentals. The council is exploring regulations that range from requiring the properties to be owner-occupied to banning rentals of fewer than 30 days, Palo Alto Online reported.  Data from AirDNA shows that there are 610 short-term rentals in Palo Alto, which attract an average daily rate of $277 and have a 77% occupancy rate. For comparison, Zillow's website shows there are just 179 available rental listings in Palo Alto. "We have more units available through Airbnb through short-term rentals than we do as far as just available rental units in the city," Palo Alto councilmember Greer Stone told Palo Alto Online. "That's a concern. Presumably, every short-term rental unit on the market is potentially a housing unit that someone can be in long-term or permanently."Other council members noted that limiting short-term rentals in the area could greatly restrict the ability of families who come to town to visit relatives who are being treated at nearby Stanford Hospital. "If we remove this option, we're really going to be limiting the people who live here and the people who have a pretty legitimate need to come here," said councilwoman Alison Cormack. Park Township, MichiganThe shoreline of Lake Michigan.iStock/Getty Images PlusStarting October 1, 2023, local officials in Park Township, Michigan — which is located about 30 miles due west of Grand Rapids — will start enforcing a town rule that prohibits short-term rental properties in residential neighborhoods. The ordinance has been on the books since 1974, the town's board of trustees noted as they voted unanimously on the plan during their November meeting. The ordinance still allows short-term rentals in commercial zones just like hotels and motels. During the meeting, the trustees offered a range of reasons why they support the ordinance, from keeping the peace to preserving the character of the resort town's residential neighborhoods. Data from AirDNA shows that there are 141 active vacation rental properties in Park Township compared to the 119 homes listed for sale and the 22 homes for rent that are listed on Zillow.Portland, MaineSunset over Portland, Maine.Mark BibikowState legislators in Portland, Maine are considering adding new restrictions on short-term rental properties like Airbnb and Vrbo after voters defeated a ballot initiative that sought to restrict how the properties can operate. The initiative was submitted by the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, a political organization, and approved by the local city council over the summer. It seeks to prohibit corporate owners of rental properties from owning short term rentals, prohibits evictions for the purpose of converting a property to a short term rental, and increases penalties for properties that don't comply with the law. Voters defeated the initiative by a 55% to 45% margin. Business owners and some employees formed a political action group called "Enough is Enough" to oppose the initiative, claiming that the Democratic Socialists are manipulating the city's citizen initiated referendum process. "My biggest issue is, trying to govern the city through referendum I think is a bad idea," said Nick Mavodone, a former city council member and the chairman of the Enough is Enough campaign. "One thing I know is there are a lot of unintended consequences with everything that comes before an elected body, no matter how simple it seems." Now, lawmakers on the Joint Select Committee on Housing are poised to consider new regulations for short-term rentals when the legislature reconvenes in January 2023, according to the Portland Press Herald. According to data from AirDNA, there are 766 short term rental properties in Portland and they have an occupancy rate of 74%. These properties are also charging an average daily rate of nearly $280, which is less than other popular destinations in Maine such as Bar Harbor.Red Hook, New YorkThe Kingston–Rhinecliff Bridge in New York's Hudson Valley.OlegAlbinsky/Getty ImagesRed Hook, a small town about two hours north of New York City in the bucolic Hudson Valley region, unanimously passed short-term-rental regulations at the end of 2021.The new local laws limit the number of days a property can be rented out, establish rules for what type of renting is allowed, and require permits for hosting.In districts that are heavily residential, only one-bedroom rentals are permitted and are limited to 120 days per year. In less densely residential areas, units with multiple bedrooms are allowed to be rented. They are not capped by a day limit. No matter its size, the rule says, the home must be the primary residence of the host.To give a sense of the number of short-term rentals in the broader area, a search for available Airbnbs for a weekend in June in and around Red Hook, NY, led to more than 300 listings.Some Red Hook residents have voiced concerns about their town becoming overrun by weekenders and as a site for party houses. "With nearly four years of committee and community discussion, input and changes, we hope we've been able to strike a balance between encouraging short-term rentals and protecting residential neighborhoods from conversion," Robert McKeon, the Red Hook town supervisor, told the Poughkeepsie Journal. Santa Rosa, CaliforniaSanta Rosa, California is a town 55 miles north of San Francisco.Matt DutcherThe Santa Rosa City Council voted on August 10 to limit the number of STRs in its jurisdiction to 198. There are currently 581 short term rental properties in Santa Rosa, according to AirDNA, which means that nearly two-thirds of property owners won't be able to continue renting their homes. The new limitations have also pitted neighbor against neighbor in the town that sits 55 miles north of San  Francisco. "My problem is I moved into a residential neighborhood and now I live next to a hotel," resident Bernadette Burrell told the city council in August when they voted on the new cap.The new cap on short term rentals comes as cities across California move to place restrictions on these properties. Other cities include Lake Tahoe in California's popular wine country, Temecula, and Riverside. Property owners say the new cap is just another example of city officials "harassing" them and trying to "solve a problem that doesn't exist," according to a report by CBS News. Rental owners like Gary Lentz told CBS that they try to work collaboratively with neighbors who complain about noise and other issues with their properties. Still, Lentz feels the scrutiny against his business is unjustifiable. "It's almost unenforceable what these people are trying to do," Lentz said.Sarasota, FloridaSarasota, Florida is on the Gulf of Mexico.krblokhin/Getty ImagesThe beachy city of Sarasota has become a hotbed for short-term-rental stays — especially in the early spring months.With 4,923 active listings, AirDNA listed Sarasota as the No. 3 destination in the country for spring travel in 2022, based nights booked for March and April, behind Orlando and Phoenix. That's notable, considering Sarasota's population of 54,842 is a fraction of Orlando's 307,573 residents and Phoenix's 1,608,139 residents.The city passed vacation-rental regulations in May 2021. Sarasota now requires a seven-day minimum for stays, and a 10-person maximum for single-family-home stays.  Some residents — like Caitlyn Marriott, who lives in nearby Venice — believe that isn't enough and are advocating for further regulations."The county and some small towns tried to initiate some local ordinances to try to put a curb on the effects that it would have on neighbors, but not so much the community as a whole," Marriott said.Starting June 1, 2022, hosts are required to have a certificate of registration, which costs $250, from the city in order to rent out property for less than 30 days. Registration is not required for owner-occupied vacation rentals, condos, and rentals that exceed 30 days, according to the city.Steamboat Springs, ColoradoMountains rise behind a street in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.Shutterstock/Rachele A. MorlanSteamboat Springs, an idyllic ski town in northwest Colorado, passed an ordinance in June that created a 9% tax on short-term rental properties to fund affordable housing developments. The law was passed as wealthy out-of-towners continue to make up a majority of buyers in Colorado's resort towns. In 2020, nearly two-thirds of homebuyers in Routt County — where Steamboat Springs is located — hailed from other counties and took home an average salary of approximately $150,000, according to a survey by the Colorado Association of Ski Towns. For comparison, more than 60% of Routt County's workforce earns less than $150,000 per year, the survey found. Meanwhile, the average home sales price in the county has jumped to nearly $2 million, a 33.7% increase since June 2021, according to data from the Colorado Association of Realtors (CAR). "There is not a day goes by that I don't hear from someone ... that they have to move" because they can't afford rent, Heather Sloop, Steamboat Springs' city council president, told KUNC, an NPR affiliate station in northern Colorado. "It's crushing our community."An economic impact study commissioned by Airbnb in May shows that there are more than 6,800 short-term rentals listed in Routt County compared to the county's total housing inventory of 16,800 units. Short-term rental and second-property owners pushed back against the ordinance, saying it could effectively tax them out of the town.  "New people became involved with the politics and the ski resorts and everything, and their goal was to make it a winter and summer destination," Sara Gambino, a local real estate broker, told Steamboat Pilot & Today. "So, they're kind of going back on all the work that went into making the county the destination that it is."Tybee Island, GeorgiaTybee Island is barrier island in the Atlantic Ocean about a 30-minute drive from downtown Savannah, Georgia.Jeff Foster/500px/Getty ImagesTybee Island, Georgia, which sits about 20 miles southeast of Savannah along the South Carolina border, passed an ordinance in October that prohibits vacation and short-term rental properties from its residential neighborhoods. The move comes about 16 months after the local city council initially instituted a moratorium on short term rental properties like Airbnb and Vrbo in August 2021, citing numerous complaints from local residents. "I've seen my neighborhood change from all permanent residents to over half vacation rentals now," Anna Butler, a Tybee resident since 1994, told Savannah Now in August. "I support the extension of the moratorium so that the new ordinance can be worked out in a fair and equitable manner."However, not everyone agrees with the ordinance. Tybee Alliance, a local coalition of business leaders, is suing Tybee Island to overturn the ordinance. "We believe that the city disregarded their own city charter and state law in passing the ordinance by ignoring the basic rules by which a city government is required to provide written notice and written text of a law before they pass it so that the public can review, comment and provide feedback to their elected leaders," Dusty Church, a member of Tybee Alliance, told local news station WTOC in December. According to data from AirDNA, there are about 1,500 active short-term rentals on the island today. That's compared to the island's total population of about 3,000 full-time residents, according to census data.Weehawken, New JerseyAcross the river from New York City, short-term stays have been banned altogether in Weekhawken, NJ.TC Franco/Getty ImagesWeehawken, New Jersey, sitting on the Hudson River waterfront directly across from Manhattan, banned all short-term rentals in the 15,000-person town at the very end of 2022.The new law went into effect immediately, impacting stays that ranged from $80 to $400 per night on the Airbnb site. Mayor Richard Turner told the Hudson Reporter that town officials will "examine all the ordinances" other New Jersey communities passed and could one day bring back short-term rentals with stricter regulations. But for now, he believes a ban was necessary. "Right now we're going to ban them because it really is starting to get out of control," Turner told the Reporter. Affordable housing was a top motivation, the mayor explained. "We are losing affordable apartments to Airbnb and we decided to take some action because we have several buildings that are getting carried away with it," he told the Hudson Reporter. Penalties for owners breaking the ban start with $1,000 for the first infraction and jump to $2,000 and the possibility of jail time for a third infraction.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Local governments across the country are floating new regulations to curb short-term rentals, citing reasons from noise disruptions to affordability. Atlanta is one of the many cities that has gotten serious about cracking down on short-term rentals.Steve Kelley / Getty Images The pandemic sparked a boom in short-term rentals, and AirDNA found listings hit a record high in 2022. Some residents and officials in hot cities say these rentals deplete housing stock or cause noise disturbances. The following 24 cities across North America are looking to rein in Airbnbs and short-term rentals. Airbnbs and other short-term rental platforms became a go-to for investors during the pandemic as high home prices and rising interest rates made it unaffordable for regular homebuyers to enter the market. Investors sought to maximize their returns by renting homes to growing numbers of vacationers, travel nurses, and remote workers. But as the calendar turns to 2023, there is more competition than ever for short-term rentals which will make it more difficult for investors who are looking to capitalize on the travel boom created by the pandemic. But that hasn't stopped a number of vacation rental owners and property managers from cashing in — in both the US and Canada — which has left some of their neighbors frustrated.For many, it's paying off. Airbnb reported the average US host's income grew to over $13,800 in 2021 — an increase of 85% since 2019. By early 2022, there were a towering, industry-record 1.5 million listings available, according to the analytics site AirDNA.Locals say the mounting presence of short-term rentals in their neighborhoods can lead to a variety of issues, from mundane annoyances (noisy parties) to substantial challenges (they make it more difficult for regular people to buy homes).Cities and towns are caught in the middle, trying to balance these concerns with the revenue that vacationers bring in and the rights of property owners. From the beaches of California to the mountains of Vermont, communities are grappling with what the future of short-term rentals looks like. Some local governments, like in Honolulu, have passed regulations like banning rental stays under 90 days, while others, like in Aspen, Colorado, have proposed new taxes on owners. Some cities have simply called timeout: Chattanooga, Tennessee, paused new applications for non-owner-occupied units as it considered short-term rentals' future there. An Airbnb spokesperson said in an emailed statement that "short-term rentals have been part of the fabric of popular vacation destinations such as these for decades, and our goal is to work with communities on balanced rules that support local tourism economies, provide certainty and clarity for Hosts, and address community concerns." Airbnb also maintains a page on its site dubbed City Portal, which has resources for local governments.  Here are 23 cities in the US and Canada where residents and local politicians are fighting back against short-term rentals. They are presented in alphabetical order.Are you trying to pass regulations to limit short-term rentals? Are you a short-term rental owner who wants to talk about your experience with regulations? Email reporter Dan Latu at dlatu@insider.com. Alamosa, ColoradoThe Great Sand Dune National Park and the nearby Sangre de Cristo mountains draw visitors to southern Colorado every year.Dan Ballard/Getty ImagesA four-hour drive south of Denver, Alamosa (population 10,000) is known for its proximity to Great Sand Dunes National Park, where visitors flock to see the tallest dunes in North America. As of November, Alamosa had 24 short-term rentals registered with the city — and many more unregistered ones, the Alamosa Citizen reported.In April, the Alamosa City Council unanimously passed an ordinance and two resolutions that were seen as a compromise between the interests of short-term-rental owners and frustrated residents. Under the new regulations, short-term rentals that are available for less than 30 days can only be in certain types of dwellings, including single-family homes or one unit in a multifamily property. Renting units in multifamily buildings with more than four units is no longer allowed.Short-term-rental owners will also have to obtain a license for an initial cost of $750 and a yearly renewal fee of $300. There is now a 5% cap on the number of short-term-rental licenses that will be issued per zone, or city neighborhood.When a new short-term-rental license is issued, neighbors must be notified.The Alamosa Citizen reported that area employers were struggling to recruit workers given "a tight and increasingly expensive housing market.""It is important to bring resolution to this item so business owners can predict what will be expected of them, neighborhoods will have some protections from nuisances, there is reasonable preservation of housing units for residents," Heather Brooks, the Alamosa city manager, told the Valley Courier. Aspen, ColoradoAspen, ColoradoVisionsofAmerica/Joe SohmAspen voters approved a ballot measure in November that imposes a pair of new taxes on short-term and vacation rental properties. Ballot Issue 2A imposes a 5% tax on nightly room rates for short-term rentals with lodge-exempt permits and a 10% tax on investment properties. The measures were approved by the local city council just days after Steamboat Springs, another popular Colorado resort town about three hours north of Aspen, passed a similar ordinance imposing new taxes on vacation rentals. Aspen City Council member Rachel Richards told the Post Independent in November that the vote is a "re-affirmation that Aspen is a community, wants to be a community, and supports the community."There are 979 STRs in Aspen and they charge an average daily rate of $749, according to AirDNA. Aspen is also the most expensive city in Colorado to live in with an average home price of more than $3 million, according to Zillow. Opponents of the measure have argued that it will depress tourism in one of Colorado's best-known resort locations. In the summer of 2020, Aspen hospitality businesses saw their average daily rates increase by 29% year-over-year while their revenue per available room increased by nearly 99%, according to data from the Aspen Chamber of Commerce.Atlanta, GeorgiaHomes in Atlanta's popular Midtown neighborhood.novikat/Getty ImagesIn March 2021, Atlanta passed an ordinance to regulate short-term rentals.It requires hosts to pay a $150 annual fee for a permit — and provide a copy of the property's deed and a utility bill — to operate a rental property. The rentals are taxed at 8%, the same as hotels in Atlanta. A violation of the ordinance carries a $300 fine."I'm trying to stop the city from becoming a de facto hotel city," a city councilman, Antonio Lewis, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.The bill was approved by a 13-2 council vote to crack down on party houses by making the owner of the unit responsible for violations.The law was scheduled to go into effect in April, allowing hosts to apply for permits the month prior. However, according to an analysis of city-permitting data by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, roughly 10% of the city's 7,100 listings applied for permits two months after the application process opened. Less than 3% received permits.The enforcement date has since been extended to September 6, according to the local NBC affiliate 11 Alive.For now, all enforcement of the new rules will be complaint-driven and fall under the jurisdiction of the Atlanta police.Burlington, VermontChurch Street in Burlington, Vermont, is the downtown hub of the state's most populous city.DenisTangneyJr/Getty ImagesVermont's most populous city attracts more than just autumnal leaf-peepers, welcoming visitors year-round for its breweries, nature excursions, and cultural attractions. For the past year, the city government was locked in a debate over the growth of short-term rentals. There are now between 200 to 250 short-term rentals in the 40,000-person city, according to the VTDigger, and the major concern for officials is whether short-term rentals take away housing stock from Burlington residents. In February, the City Council passed an ordinance requiring short-term-rental owners to also live in the house as their primary residence. But the mayor vetoed the measure in March, saying it was too restrictive.In April, the City Council, with new members sworn in, voted to consider a new set of rules and passed a brand-new ordinance in June, according to the local outlet Seven Days. Short-term-rental owners must now live on the property, though there are some exceptions. Hosts will also pay an annual fee of up to $110 and a 9% tax on revenue from the rental, according to Seven Days.Chattanooga, TennesseeRiverboat cruises draw visitors to the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, where the city has paused all short-term-rental applications.SeanPavonePhoto/Getty ImagesThe Chattanooga City Council has paused all applications for short-term rental that are not owner-occupied. The freeze will last the rest of 2022.The city, with a riverfront and historic battlegrounds that attract tourists, has been debating the merits of its profitable rental industry. A local station, Channel 9 News, reported that Airbnb rentals brought in tax revenue of $3.5 million for the county in 2021. But some residents are concerned about the ability of outside investors to reap rewards at the expense of Chattanooga locals. "I'm not in favor of having investors that come in out of state, out of country even, and buy 10 to 15 pieces of property. They're not invested in the community. They're not invested in Chattanooga," Donna Morgan, a local resident, told Channel 9.There are 1,120 active short-term rentals, according to analytics site AirDNA.Coeur d'Alene, IdahoCoeur d'Alene, Idaho is a resort town that is a 40-minute drive east of Spokane, Washington.Alan NickCity leaders in Coeur d'Alene, a resort town along the north edge of Idaho's Harrison Slough, are working to limit the number of short term rentals in their town.The city first passed laws concerning short term rentals in 2017, but is considering adding a slew of restrictions as the number of vacation rentals continues to grow. Coeur d'Alene's General Services/Public Works Committee could amend the law to require off-street parking, increase fees for violating the ordinance, and limit the number of permits issued annually. "We can't have a thousand people rushing to get a permit when we might not allow that many," Councilwoman Christie Wood told KREM 2 in September. According to Airdna, there are about 790 active vacation rentals in Coeur d'Alene that charge an average daily rate of around $260. However, a large chunk of the rentals may be illegal as city officials told local news station KREM in November that only 453 vacation rental properties have been authorized. The debate over vacation rentals in Coeur d'Alene comes at a time when the local housing market is shifting in favor of buyers. The average home value is down more than 6% to just under $500,000 as of November while the number of homes sold has dropped by more than 35% year-over-year, according to Redfin.Dallas, TexasDallas is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation.Danny Lehman/ Getty ImagesLocal leaders on the Dallas City Plan Commission voted 9-4 on December 8 to recommend defining short-term rental properties as "lodging" under the city's zoning code. The move could effectively prevent the properties from existing in Dallas' single-family residential neighborhoods. The Dallas City Council still needs to approve the recommendation before any enforcement actions can take place. The body could vote on the recommendation as early as January 11, 2023. Commissioner Claire Stanard, one of the commission members who voted in favor of the proposal, told the Dallas Morning News that the proposal could help improve public safety. The commission heard several complaints from local residents about "party houses" with loud music and lots of cars during their debate. "If my granddaughter is living next to a short-term rental or between them, is that really what my son-in-law bought a house to have as his next-door neighbor," Standard said. According to data from AirDNA, there are more than 5,400 short-term rentals in Dallas. The properties charge an average daily rate of $165 and they have a 60% occupancy rate. Other commissioners weren't as convinced that adding new regulations would help solve the problems that city residents are complaining about. "I don't have any faith that regulation is the sole solution to this problem," Commissioner Melissa Kingston told the Dallas Morning News. Other cities in Texas like Fort Worth and Arlington have already restricted vacation rental properties from their residential neighborhoods.Dauphin Island, AlabamaDauphin Island, Alabama sits on the Gulf Coast near the Louisiana border.Barry WinikerAnother vacation destination that has imposed limitations on short term rental properties is Dauphin Island, Alabama, a small island off of the gulf coast in Pelican Bay. In August, Dauphin Island's Planning Commission finalized several STR restrictions in a rewrite of the town's zoning code. The restrictions include limiting where short term rental properties can be located on the island, restricting the number of vehicles that can be parked at a rental property, and imposing a $75 annual fee for rental property owners. The new limitations have put residents at odds with one another, according to a report by AL.com. Some claim the properties are improving the island by attracting tourists. Those who want to limit the number of short term rentals say the regulations are striking a balance between business interests and the local community. "One group will say they are renting out (their house) and the next thing you know is you have eight cars parked all over the yards," Dauphin Island City Councilman Earle Connell, who is also the local liaison for the planning commission, told AL.com in August. "To them, it's a vacation. I understand that. But these people who do that don't understand we have a community and neighborhood that is protected."There are 574 vacation rental homes in Dauphin Island, and they have a 68% occupancy rate, according to AirDNA.Dillon, ColoradoDillon, Colorado is a ski town near Breckenridge.Brad McGinleyDillon, Colorado's city council is considering how to move forward with the town's new short-term rental regulations after voters approved a slate of measures aimed at curtailing the properties in November. Currently, city council members are debating a new ordinance to increase the annual fee charged to short-term rentals from $50 to $250 and include new application questions about how the rental unit will be used, according to a report by Summit Daily.  The ordinance comes after voters approved a pair of ballot questions that levy a 5% excise tax on short-term rentals and increased the city's lodging tax from 2% to 6%. The city – which has just over 1,000 full-time residents – is located in Summit County, home to some of Colorado's favorite ski attractions such as the Breckenridge ski resort, Copper Mountain, and Grays Peak. Overall, the city estimates that the new taxes could return approximately $3 million in annual tax revenue. Dillon can collect up to $4.5 million of this specific tax before triggering a tax refund under state law, town finance director Carri McDonnell told Steamboat Pilot & Today.Voters approved the new taxes at a time when Dillon's housing market is soaring. Dillon's median home price has increased more than 30% over the last 12 months to $915,000, according to Redfin.Frisco, ColoradoFrisco, Colorado is another ski town near Breckenridge.Bloomberg CreativeFrisco, Colorado – a small town in central Colorado – capped the number of short term rental properties within its jurisdiction at 900, or 25% of the local housing stock, back in October. The new regulations also require short term rental landlords to live at their property for at least 10 months out of the year but passed on the opportunity to create a new license for short-term rentals versus traditional rental properties, according to the Summit Daily. The ordinance could also have a significant impact on tourism in Fisco, which is seen by locals as a cheap midway point between popular resort destinations like Breckenridge and Copper Mountain. Frisco currently levies a 5% excise tax on short term rentals and a 2% lodging tax."There are a lot of people very unhappy — as one person had mentioned — with having the short-term rentals next to them because some people might be very careful to who they rent to and how they monitor it, but others are not," city councilmember Lisa Holenko told Summit Daily. There are currently more than 1,700 STRs in Frisco, according to AirDNA. These properties charge an average daily rate of $299 and have an average occupancy rate of about 50%.Lexington, KentuckyLexington, Kentucky is home to the world-famous Kentucky Derby horse race.iStock/Getty Images PlusPopular tourist towns like Lexington, Kentucky — which is home to the annual Kentucky Derby — are starting to crack down on vacation rentals at a time when their housing markets are growing more competitive by the day. Lexington's Special Planning and Public Safety Committee is considering requiring Airbnb and Vrbo landlords in the area to acquire a special business license and imposing an additional transient tax on the properties, according to a report by WKYT. Business owners like Heath Green, co-owner of the Kentucky Life Property Management Group, told the committee that the additional measures could decrease tourism, which is Kentucky's economic bread and butter. But the measure also comes at a time when real estate values in Lexington are outpacing the national average in terms of home price appreciation. Data from Redfin shows that Lexington's median home price has increased 14.4% over the last year up to nearly $298,000 as of November 2022. That's compared to the national average increase of just 2.6%, according to Redfin. There are more than 1,200 active vacation rentals in Lexington that charge an average daily rate of $171 and have an occupancy rate of more than 50%, according to data from AirDNA.Marco Island, FloridaMarco Island is a barrier island near Naples, Florida.Marc FreiVoters in Marco Island, Florida approved an ordinance on August 23 that created a registration program for short term rental properties and imposed several new restrictions. After months of debate, it was narrowly approved by the local city council in December. To register a property, short term rental owners must hold a liability insurance policy of at least $1 million, provide city officials with a phone number that is answered 24-hours per day, and pay a $50 registration fee. The ordinance was submitted by a group called Take Back Marco, a nonpartisan political action committee. Ed Issler, who leads Take Back Marco, told WINK that additional regulations are necessary because short term rental properties have "gotten out of control" on Marco Island. According to data from AirDNA, there are more than 2,400 short term rental properties, which charge an average daily rate of $329. Vacation rental property owners have filed a lawsuit to prevent the ordinance from going into effect. David Di Pietro, an attorney representing the property owners, told Gulfshore Business in August that the ordinance is overly restrictive. "Once this ordinance passes, until you receive the certificate from the city, which means you have to have an inspection from the fire department and the city, you can't rent until that's done," Di Pietro said. "There are over 2,000 rentals and there's nobody doing that job right now. So, we think that it's going to be a ban for an indefinite amount of time."MontréalThe nighttime skyline of downtown Montréal.Nicolas McComber/Getty ImagesIt's not just Americans who oppose the barrage of short-term rentals.Activists in Montréal, the largest city in Canada's Quebec province, are trying to curb the wave of listings in order to preserve housing for residents."In recent years, we have lost thousands of apartments in Montréal to short-term rentals," Cédric Dussault, the spokesperson for the Coalition of Housing Committees and Tenants Associations of Quebec, told CBC in a May interview.Some restrictions are in place. Currently, in order to rent out a unit, the owner must obtain an establishment number and, in some cases, a classification certificate from Quebec's tourism body. Since May 2020, it is required that operators put the establishment number on any advertisement or posting to rent space. The maximum stay is also capped at 31 days.Montréal, however, has had a tough time enforcing these regulations. CBC cited data from independent watchdog group Inside Airbnb stating that 11,639 Montréal Airbnbs are unlicensed. That's about 95% of them, it estimated."The simple story is that the province put a very good set of rules in place, but has not put in any effort to make sure that anybody follows those rules," David Wachsmuth, the Canada Research Chair in Urban Governance at McGill University, told CBC.New York City, New YorkThere may be upwards of 10,000 short-term rentals operating illegally in New York City.Alexander Spatari/Getty ImagesMayor Eric Adams has moved to require Airbnb and Vrbo hosts to register their properties with the city, provide proof that the hosts live in the units with their guests, and show that the property meets local zoning and safety guidelines. The proposal will go into effect in January and hosts who fail to comply could face between $1,000 and $5,000 in penalties. A report by NPR suggests the policy could remove as many as 10,000 short-term rentals that are operating in the city illegally. "Currently as is, this is an entirely unregulated market and the consequences have been disastrous for New Yorkers," New York State Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani said during a hearing about the proposal in early December.Data from AirDNA shows that there are more than 24,500 active short-term rentals in New York that charge an average daily rate of $234 and are about 75% occupied.Oahu, HawaiiThe famous Waikiki Beach on the island of Oahu, which brings in nearly half of Hawaii's annual visitors.M Swiet Productions/Getty ImagesIn April, Honolulu's mayor, Rick Blangiardi, signed a new law requiring a minimum stay of 90 days for short-term rentals in residential areas on the island of Oahu, in an attempt to curb the sprawl of vacation rentals in the city. Hawaii News Now reported that the city estimates there are between 10,000 to 14,000 short-term rentals in Oahu."This is a historic moment," Blangiardi said at a press conference for the bill, which passed the City Council by a vote of 8-1. The new law applies to the non-resort neighborhoods of Hawaii's most popular island, Oahu, which is home to iconic attractions like Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor. Before the pandemic, the Hawaii Tourism Authority recorded over 6 million visitors to Oahu in 2019, which represented nearly half of all tourism spending for the state. But local residents complain of tourists overrunning residential neighborhoods, taking away housing opportunities, and causing disturbances."Any economic benefits of opening up our residential areas to tourism are far outweighed by the negative impacts on our neighborhoods and local residents," Oahu resident Thomas Cestare said at a City Council hearing, according to Hawaii News Now.A group of short-term-rental owners sued the city in June, seeking an exemption for 30- to 90-day rentals that existed pre-ordinance, according to Courthouse News Service. In the suit, the Hawaii Legal Short-Term Rental Alliance said thousands of owners previously operating legally would be "irreparably harmed" by the new 90-day minimum. In September, the alliance asked for an injunction ahead of the ordinance's planned effective date, October 23, according to Courthouse News Service. The presiding judge deferred the decision, but Courthouse reported the parties asked to meet with the judge before the deadline.Palm Springs, CaliforniaPalm Springs is known for its many golf courses and beautiful weather during the winter months.Robin Smith/Getty ImagesPalm Springs, California, a small town that borders Mt. San Jacinto State Park in the southern part of the state, recently adopted an ordinance to limit the number of short term rentals in its jurisdiction to 20% of homes in residential neighborhoods, KESQ reported in November. The new ordinance also reduced the number of days that a landlord can rent out their vacation rental property from 36 to 26. All existing permits plus the 300 applications the city received before October 17 will be grandfathered in, according to the report. There are more than 4,100 active vacation rentals in the city, according to data from AirDNA. The properties charge an average daily rate of $500 and are about 63% occupied, the data shows. For comparison, there are just 489 homes listed for sale in Palm Springs, according to Redfin, and the market commands a median home price of $605,000, a 14.4% increase when compared to November 2021. Zillow shows there are just 109 homes for rent in the city as well.Palo Alto, CaliforniaPalo Alto is the home of major tech companies HP, VMware, SAP Labs, and others.ShutterstockOne of California's wealthiest cities is planning to limit the number of short-term rental properties in its jurisdiction as it struggles to add new housing units. Palo Alto's city council voted 5-2 on December 12 to explore creating new regulations on vacation rentals. The council is exploring regulations that range from requiring the properties to be owner-occupied to banning rentals of fewer than 30 days, Palo Alto Online reported.  Data from AirDNA shows that there are 610 short-term rentals in Palo Alto, which attract an average daily rate of $277 and have a 77% occupancy rate. For comparison, Zillow's website shows there are just 179 available rental listings in Palo Alto. "We have more units available through Airbnb through short-term rentals than we do as far as just available rental units in the city," Palo Alto councilmember Greer Stone told Palo Alto Online. "That's a concern. Presumably, every short-term rental unit on the market is potentially a housing unit that someone can be in long-term or permanently."Other council members noted that limiting short-term rentals in the area could greatly restrict the ability of families who come to town to visit relatives who are being treated at nearby Stanford Hospital. "If we remove this option, we're really going to be limiting the people who live here and the people who have a pretty legitimate need to come here," said councilwoman Alison Cormack. Park Township, MichiganThe shoreline of Lake Michigan.iStock/Getty Images PlusStarting October 1, 2023, local officials in Park Township, Michigan — which is located about 30 miles due west of Grand Rapids — will start enforcing a town rule that prohibits short-term rental properties in residential neighborhoods. The ordinance has been on the books since 1974, the town's board of trustees noted as they voted unanimously on the plan during their November meeting. The ordinance still allows short-term rentals in commercial zones just like hotels and motels. During the meeting, the trustees offered a range of reasons why they support the ordinance, from keeping the peace to preserving the character of the resort town's residential neighborhoods. Data from AirDNA shows that there are 141 active vacation rental properties in Park Township compared to the 119 homes listed for sale and the 22 homes for rent that are listed on Zillow.Portland, MaineSunset over Portland, Maine.Mark BibikowState legislators in Portland, Maine are considering adding new restrictions on short-term rental properties like Airbnb and Vrbo after voters defeated a ballot initiative that sought to restrict how the properties can operate. The initiative was submitted by the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, a political organization, and approved by the local city council over the summer. It seeks to prohibit corporate owners of rental properties from owning short term rentals, prohibits evictions for the purpose of converting a property to a short term rental, and increases penalties for properties that don't comply with the law. Voters defeated the initiative by a 55% to 45% margin. Business owners and some employees formed a political action group called "Enough is Enough" to oppose the initiative, claiming that the Democratic Socialists are manipulating the city's citizen initiated referendum process. "My biggest issue is, trying to govern the city through referendum I think is a bad idea," said Nick Mavodone, a former city council member and the chairman of the Enough is Enough campaign. "One thing I know is there are a lot of unintended consequences with everything that comes before an elected body, no matter how simple it seems." Now, lawmakers on the Joint Select Committee on Housing are poised to consider new regulations for short-term rentals when the legislature reconvenes in January 2023, according to the Portland Press Herald. According to data from AirDNA, there are 766 short term rental properties in Portland and they have an occupancy rate of 74%. These properties are also charging an average daily rate of nearly $280, which is less than other popular destinations in Maine such as Bar Harbor.Red Hook, New YorkThe Kingston–Rhinecliff Bridge in New York's Hudson Valley.OlegAlbinsky/Getty ImagesRed Hook, a small town about two hours north of New York City in the bucolic Hudson Valley region, unanimously passed short-term-rental regulations at the end of 2021.The new local laws limit the number of days a property can be rented out, establish rules for what type of renting is allowed, and require permits for hosting.In districts that are heavily residential, only one-bedroom rentals are permitted and are limited to 120 days per year. In less densely residential areas, units with multiple bedrooms are allowed to be rented. They are not capped by a day limit. No matter its size, the rule says, the home must be the primary residence of the host.To give a sense of the number of short-term rentals in the broader area, a search for available Airbnbs for a weekend in June in and around Red Hook, NY, led to more than 300 listings.Some Red Hook residents have voiced concerns about their town becoming overrun by weekenders and as a site for party houses. "With nearly four years of committee and community discussion, input and changes, we hope we've been able to strike a balance between encouraging short-term rentals and protecting residential neighborhoods from conversion," Robert McKeon, the Red Hook town supervisor, told the Poughkeepsie Journal. Santa Rosa, CaliforniaSanta Rosa, California is a town 55 miles north of San Francisco.Matt DutcherThe Santa Rosa City Council voted on August 10 to limit the number of STRs in its jurisdiction to 198. There are currently 581 short term rental properties in Santa Rosa, according to AirDNA, which means that nearly two-thirds of property owners won't be able to continue renting their homes. The new limitations have also pitted neighbor against neighbor in the town that sits 55 miles north of San  Francisco. "My problem is I moved into a residential neighborhood and now I live next to a hotel," resident Bernadette Burrell told the city council in August when they voted on the new cap.The new cap on short term rentals comes as cities across California move to place restrictions on these properties. Other cities include Lake Tahoe in California's popular wine country, Temecula, and Riverside. Property owners say the new cap is just another example of city officials "harassing" them and trying to "solve a problem that doesn't exist," according to a report by CBS News. Rental owners like Gary Lentz told CBS that they try to work collaboratively with neighbors who complain about noise and other issues with their properties. Still, Lentz feels the scrutiny against his business is unjustifiable. "It's almost unenforceable what these people are trying to do," Lentz said.Sarasota, FloridaSarasota, Florida is on the Gulf of Mexico.krblokhin/Getty ImagesThe beachy city of Sarasota has become a hotbed for short-term-rental stays — especially in the early spring months.With 4,923 active listings, AirDNA listed Sarasota as the No. 3 destination in the country for spring travel in 2022, based nights booked for March and April, behind Orlando and Phoenix. That's notable, considering Sarasota's population of 54,842 is a fraction of Orlando's 307,573 residents and Phoenix's 1,608,139 residents.The city passed vacation-rental regulations in May 2021. Sarasota now requires a seven-day minimum for stays, and a 10-person maximum for single-family-home stays.  Some residents — like Caitlyn Marriott, who lives in nearby Venice — believe that isn't enough and are advocating for further regulations."The county and some small towns tried to initiate some local ordinances to try to put a curb on the effects that it would have on neighbors, but not so much the community as a whole," Marriott said.Starting June 1, 2022, hosts are required to have a certificate of registration, which costs $250, from the city in order to rent out property for less than 30 days. Registration is not required for owner-occupied vacation rentals, condos, and rentals that exceed 30 days, according to the city.Steamboat Springs, ColoradoMountains rise behind a street in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.Shutterstock/Rachele A. MorlanSteamboat Springs, an idyllic ski town in northwest Colorado, passed an ordinance in June that created a 9% tax on short-term rental properties to fund affordable housing developments. The law was passed as wealthy out-of-towners continue to make up a majority of buyers in Colorado's resort towns. In 2020, nearly two-thirds of homebuyers in Routt County — where Steamboat Springs is located — hailed from other counties and took home an average salary of approximately $150,000, according to a survey by the Colorado Association of Ski Towns. For comparison, more than 60% of Routt County's workforce earns less than $150,000 per year, the survey found. Meanwhile, the average home sales price in the county has jumped to nearly $2 million, a 33.7% increase since June 2021, according to data from the Colorado Association of Realtors (CAR). "There is not a day goes by that I don't hear from someone ... that they have to move" because they can't afford rent, Heather Sloop, Steamboat Springs' city council president, told KUNC, an NPR affiliate station in northern Colorado. "It's crushing our community."An economic impact study commissioned by Airbnb in May shows that there are more than 6,800 short-term rentals listed in Routt County compared to the county's total housing inventory of 16,800 units. Short-term rental and second-property owners pushed back against the ordinance, saying it could effectively tax them out of the town.  "New people became involved with the politics and the ski resorts and everything, and their goal was to make it a winter and summer destination," Sara Gambino, a local real estate broker, told Steamboat Pilot & Today. "So, they're kind of going back on all the work that went into making the county the destination that it is."Tybee Island, GeorgiaTybee Island is barrier island in the Atlantic Ocean about a 30-minute drive from downtown Savannah, Georgia.Jeff Foster/500px/Getty ImagesTybee Island, Georgia, which sits about 20 miles southeast of Savannah along the South Carolina border, passed an ordinance in October that prohibits vacation and short-term rental properties from its residential neighborhoods. The move comes about 16 months after the local city council initially instituted a moratorium on short term rental properties like Airbnb and Vrbo in August 2021, citing numerous complaints from local residents. "I've seen my neighborhood change from all permanent residents to over half vacation rentals now," Anna Butler, a Tybee resident since 1994, told Savannah Now in August. "I support the extension of the moratorium so that the new ordinance can be worked out in a fair and equitable manner."However, not everyone agrees with the ordinance. Tybee Alliance, a local coalition of business leaders, is suing Tybee Island to overturn the ordinance. "We believe that the city disregarded their own city charter and state law in passing the ordinance by ignoring the basic rules by which a city government is required to provide written notice and written text of a law before they pass it so that the public can review, comment and provide feedback to their elected leaders," Dusty Church, a member of Tybee Alliance, told local news station WTOC in December. According to data from AirDNA, there are about 1,500 active short-term rentals on the island today. That's compared to the island's total population of about 3,000 full-time residents, according to census data.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

"We lost a share of the business, but in no time we will take it back by producing the best weed in the world," a cartel operative told Insider. Seized marijuana bricks are incinerated in Guadalajara in March 2018.ULISES RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images Over the past decade, a growing number of US states have legalized marijuana. The domestic production and sales that enables has eroded Mexican cartels' share of the US market. Mexico is also headed toward legalizing marijuana, and the Sinaloa Cartel sees an opportunity in it. Culiacán, SINALOA — The Sinaloa Cartel wants to take back a business that had long belonged to it but has been lost to producers in US over the past decade.As more and more US states legalize marijuana for recreational use, Mexico's biggest drug cartel is trying to corner the legal weed market in Mexico, even if the drug itself is not yet legal in Mexico.In late 2015 when several US states began legalizing weed for medical and recreational use, the Sinaloa Cartel — known for building a criminal empire on smuggling weed into the US — began to feel the financial impact.In 2012, prior to the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in Colorado and Washington state, the Mexican Institute of Competitiveness calculated that the cartel stood to lose nearly $2.8 billion if the drug was legalized in those states.In the years since, "Mexican marijuana has largely been supplanted by domestic-produced marijuana" in US markets, according to the DEA's 2020 National Drug Threat Assessment.Mexican soldiers incinerate a marijuana plantation in Baja California in March 2018.GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP via Getty ImagesIn 2013, US authorities seized roughly 1.3 million kilograms of weed at the border with Mexico, according to the DEA report. By 2019, however, pot seizures at the border had fallen to nearly 249,000 kilograms.Although the criminal organization formerly led by infamous drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán has made up for the lost revenue by entering other illegal and pseudo-legal businesses — like illegal logging, extortion, and monopolizing water in several regions of Mexico — they still want the weed business back."This is a business that belongs here, to Sinaloa," a Sinaloa Cartel operative who works as a regional manager for marijuana operations in Culiacán told Insider. "We lost a share of the business, but in no time we will take it back by producing the best weed in the world."The Sinaloa Cartel's weed operations are overseen by three of El Chapo's sons, who are known as "Los Chapitos."After Guzmán's extradition to the US, where he is now serving a life term in prison, sons Ivan Archivaldo, 39, known as "El Chapito"; Jesús Alfredo, 36, known as "Alfredillo"; and Ovidio, 32, known as "El Raton"; have taken full control of Culiacán on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel.A legalization activist smokes marijuana in front of the San Lazaro Legislative Palace in Mexico City on October 12.Luis Barron / Eyepix Group/Future Publishing via Getty ImagesFollowing a significant decline in drug-trafficking revenue and the arrest of "El Chapo" in Mexico in January 2016, "Los Chapitos" decided to start investing in order to take Mexico's weed industry to another level.The "juniors," which the sons are called in Culiacán in order to avoid using their real names, "gave us the trust to start producing the best weed in Mexico," a weed producer working for the cartel told Insider. "They asked me if I knew what I was doing. I said yes, and through another person they became the godfathers of this project."Operatives, producers, and sellers told Insider is that the cartel's move into the marijuana industry is currently in an "experimental phase.""This is by far not the final product. We are buying seeds from all over the world to create our own strain, to produce top-notch Sinaloa weed and to develop a strong brand even better than the gringos," the producer said, referring to growers in the US.Currently the weed market is focused almost exclusively in Culiacán, a city of just over a million people, but the cartel operatives say they are aiming for a much larger market."The juniors are not only investing in producing and branding weed. They are also investing in lobbying with Mexico's top politicians to legalize weed," the operative said.Lawmakers in Mexico's Chamber of Deputies discuss decriminalization and regulation of marijuana on March 10, 2021.Luis Barron / Eyepix Group/Future Publishing via Getty ImagesThe operative and others in the business say the cartel is "very interested" in legalizing weed. Some believe it is because of Los Chapitos' love for the plant and its supposed benefits. Others think it is purely a business decision."The juniors are intelligent men. They know that once weed is legal the organization will be ready to go legal and will already have the most known and best-quality weed in Mexico," the operative said, referring to the cartel.But attempts to legalize weed have stalled in Mexico's Senate. In 2021 the Senate passed a bill legalizing recreational use of marijuana, but lawmakers in the lower house held up the measure while they tried to raise the amount of pot that consumers could carry in public higher than the proposed limit of 28 grams.What the Sinaloa Cartel is really waiting for is the legalization of the production of weed, a part of the process that could potentially yield millions of dollars in revenue without them needing to go to the illegal side of the business."The juniors are a different litter. They are educated. They want to live well and stop being a target for the government," said a Sinaloa Cartel commander who acts as a link between Los Chapitos and Culiacán's marijuana producers. "So weed could be their option to go out of the illegal [trade] and become successful businessmen in Mexico and leave all the crime behind."Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

California is lifting restrictions for street vendors and Missouri banned noncompete clauses so it's easier to start a business. Some states have passed laws that make it easier for people to obtain occupational licenses.Mike Harrington/Getty Starting a business might be easier in some states compared with others.  In the past two years, several states passed laws lifting restrictions to entrepreneurship.  For example, Missouri's Right to Start Act gives tax breaks to startups. If you're considering starting a business, like the 5.4 million Americans who did last year, the ease of the process varies depending on where you live.Over the past couple years, some states have made entrepreneurship easier by passing legislation that lifted certain restrictions, enacted tax breaks for young companies, and banned red tape that can make it difficult for some to survive. For example, state Rep. Travis Fitzwater of Missouri introduced the Right to Start Act last year to encourage entrepreneurship in the state with tax incentives and increased government contracting."The best way to incentivize new businesses is to remove barriers to start," he told Insider months before the bill was signed into law. "Startups are the ones that create jobs, not large businesses."Below is Insider's list of states that passed recent legislation to benefit entrepreneurs. We will continue to update this list as new laws are signed.ConnecticutBridgeport, Connecticut.DenisTangneyJr/Getty ImagesConnecticut legalized cannabis for recreational use in 2021, opening up opportunities for consumer businesses. Licensed retailers can begin selling marijuana products to adults 21 and older beginning on January 10, 2023, according to the state's Department of Consumer Protection.CaliforniaSacramento, California.Getty Images.In September, California passed a bill that eases restrictions and permit requirements for street vendors, particularly for small operators who can't afford expensive fees. The California Retail Food Code bill waives or reduces permit fees, helps businesses comply with health codes, and increases access to health-department-approved kitchens for food preparation and storage. It also places sidewalk food vendors in a different category from food trucks, lowering the requirements for code compliance and making the carts and equipment more affordable.MissouriKansas City, Missouri.Edwin Remsberg/Getty ImagesIn 2021, Missouri passed the Right to Start Act, which outlines plans to make the state a better place for entrepreneurs to get their businesses up and running."The first five years are the most important" to a startup's survival, Fitzwater said. The bill requires the government to award 5% of all state contracts to startups that have been operating for less than five years, nullifies noncompete clauses in worker contracts, and establishes an office of entrepreneurship.There are also several tax provisions for companies less than five years old. Businesses created within the past tax year, beginning on January 1, are exempt from paying taxes on their first $250,000 of income and pay 4% on income afterward. Small businesses with less than $5,000 in revenue can defer filing their taxes for one year.Missouri also passed legislation in 2020 that eased licensing restrictions. Professionals such as barbers, nail technicians, and real-estate agents no longer need to be a resident of the state to receive an occupational license as long as they have valid certification in another state.ColoradoDenver.Caleb Alvarado for InsiderBusinesses in Colorado can apply for the Employee Ownership Tax Credit to allow employee shareholding in exchange for a tax break. The state covers half the cost of converting a company's equity into stock-ownership plans, employee-ownership trusts, or worker cooperatives. The tax provision, which is credited on a company's state income tax, will continue through 2027. Massachusetts and Texas are considering similar legislation. Additionally, in 2020, Colorado passed licensing legislation that allows professionals who have substantial work experience or credentials from another state to receive certification in Colorado without needing additional training.FloridaSarasota, Florida.Suncoast AerialsIn 2020, Florida became one of several states to reform licensing requirements with the Occupational Freedom and Opportunity Act. Barbers and cosmetologists who move to Florida from another state may use their active out-of-state licenses. Home inspectors and electrical-system contractors can continue to work in the state if they have held a license for at least 10 years in another state.This legislation also removed examination requirements for some professions, such as landscape architects, and reduced education and training hours to lower the cost to enter certain industries. Other professions no longer need a license, including interior designers, hair braiders, hair wrappers, body wrappers, boxing announcers, and boxing timekeepers.MississippiJackson, Mississippi.Denis Tangney Jr.In 2020, Mississippi passed the Military Family Freedom Act, which allows military members and their spouses to get their occupational licenses based on previous education and training they received out of state.OhioCincinnati.Icon Sportswire/GettySenate Bill 7, which was signed into law in 2020, gives military members and spouses a temporary certification for six years if they have a valid out-of-state occupational license and have moved to Ohio for military duty.ArizonaTucson, Arizona.Sean Pavone/ShutterstockIn 2019, Arizona became the first state to pass universal licensing legislation. The law allows professionals to receive a new license as long as they have valid certification in good standing in another state. This applies to barbers, chiropractors, contractors, cosmetologists, dentists, real-estate agents, and others. Additionally, Arizona legalized recreational cannabis in 2020, ruling that adults 21 years or older could possess up to 1 ounce of the substance. This opens up opportunities for consumer businesses.UtahSalt Lake City.AaronP/Bauer-Griffin / Getty ImagesIn 2020, Utah passed licensing legislation that allowed professionals to receive their occupational license as long as they had valid certification in good standing in another state. The law also removes a clause that required applicants to "be of good moral character" to practice as a cosmetologist, podiatrist, electrologist, esthetician, barber, nail technician, or pharmacist, among other occupations.IdahoBoise, Idaho.Darwin Fan/Getty ImagesIn 2020, Idaho passed licensing legislation that allowed professionals to receive their occupational licenses as long as they had valid certification in good standing in another state. The law also requires that any disqualifying criminal offense be deemed "relevant" to bar an applicant from certification.IowaDes Moines, Iowa.Eddie Brady/Getty ImagesIn 2020, Iowa passed licensing-reform legislation that allowed a professional to get licensed in the state if they met a requirement for work experience, rather than requiring additional education or training. The law removes licensing fees for low-income workers and omits restrictions for people with a criminal record that relates to their profession.New JerseyNewark, New Jersey.Howard KingsnorthNew Jersey legalized cannabis for recreational use in 2020, opening up opportunities for consumer businesses in what's expected to be one of the largest markets of legal cannabis in the nation. Recreational cannabis products incur a 6.65% sales tax.MontanaBillings, Montana.peetervMontana legalized cannabis for recreational use in 2020, but sales for adult use is limited to counties that voted in favor of Initiative 190.Businesses with preexisting medical-marijuana licenses are the first allowed to sell the substance at a consumer level, the local news station 3KRTV reported. In July 2023, new businesses can apply for licenses to sell recreational cannabis. New MexicoSanta Fe, New Mexico.ShutterstockNew Mexico legalized cannabis for recreational use in 2021, opening up opportunities for consumer businesses once sales begin in April. Marijuana sales will have an excise tax of 12%. New YorkAlbany, New York.Sean Pavone/ShutterstockNew York passed the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act in 2020, which legalized cannabis for recreational use. Once sales begin this year, the state is expected to be one of the largest markets of legal cannabis in the nation.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

McCarthy's Speakership Hopes Complicated By Restive Freedom Caucus If Republicans manage to retake control of the House of Representatives, they'll do so with a very narrow margin. That complicates Kevin McCarthy's quest to become the next Speaker, because he'll need the vote of nearly every GOP representative -- including the rebellious House Freedom Caucus.  It takes 218 members to control the House. As of one recent count, Republicans had won 209 seats and were leading in a dozen more. If that holds, they'll have 221.  The Speaker election works on the same math, with the winner requiring 218 votes from House members. Since no Democrat is going to vote for a Republican, that means McCarthy will have to win over nearly every GOP member. In a scenario where only 218 Republicans win their elections, every single one would hold a de facto veto over the party's choice.  McCarthy's momentum has been blunted by the disappointing midterm results. “We were told we were going to have an incredible, incredible wave,” Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs said on a talk show. “I don’t understand why [McCarthy's speakership] is just a foregone conclusion."  Though top House GOP brass is aligning behind McCarthy -- currently the Minority Leader -- other members both inside and outside of the Freedom Caucus are starting to rattle their sabers.  Freedom Caucus member Rep. Bob Good said McCarthy "has not done anything to earn my vote":    “There’s many times where we have come to the leader, the minority leader, over the last two years and asked him to fight on various opportunities and various issues, and I have not seen the demonstrated fight that we’re looking for. So I expect there will be a challenge to him as speaker candidate.” “There’s not a soul in this town right now that has 218 votes.” said Texas Rep. Chip Roy. While that's vague, Politico observed that Roy agreed with a tweet from former Trump cabinet member Russ Vought calling for new leadership, and that "the House Freedom Caucus was made for this moment."  Conservatives will have a difficult (I would say impossible) time explaining a vote for McCarthy back home for many reasons, but mainly for being a peace-time leader when we are in a cold civil war who will manage the GOP away from conflict instead of seizing it by the throat 4/x — Russ Vought (@russvought) November 10, 2022 While he's not a Freedom Caucus member, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz on Thursday said McCarthy “is not my first choice and even quite frankly in my top 100." Gaetz said he perceives McCarthy as too close to Wall Street. If nothing else, the Freedom Caucus and its 30-some members are poised to extract concessions from McCarthy on how the House would be run in the next session -- including making it easier to depose a sitting Speaker.   A House Freedom Caucus guide for new members of the House spells out the group's assessment of the current situation:  “The state of affairs in the U.S. House of Representatives has steadily deteriorated over recent decades —  to the point at which the balance of power is so lopsided that members of Congress find themselves with no meaningful role in policymaking. … The result is the ‘People’s House’ serves almost everyone in Washington except the American People.”  That sentiment was echoed this week by the American Enterprise Institute's Kevin Kosar. "Getting a bill passed [has] devolved into a top-down exercise led by the Speaker, his leadership team, and the Rules Committee. They...craft bills, often omnibuses, and present them to the chamber for an up or down vote," he wrote at The Hill.    The Freedom Caucus is angling for a number of changes, including:  Broader membership in the group that doles out committee assignments Allowing committee members to choose their own chairs Allowing amendments from the floor Being given five days to review legislation before voting on it As of now, House Republicans are supposed to meet next week for a closed-door vote to nominate a speaker candidate, with the vote of the full house taking place in January when the next Congress convenes. South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman said he told McCarthy that he nomination meeting should be delayed.   Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reports that McCarthy is acting as if he'll be the next Speaker: "He sent a letter to U.S. Capitol officials Thursday telling them to plan to fully reopen the building next year and end Covid-19 related restrictions on visitors."  If McCarthy does win the speakership, life won't get any easier, as the same math will complicate his leadership of the House while empowering each individual member. As Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie told Politico:  “Look at what Joe Manchin has done in the Senate as the one deciding vote, right? I would love for the Massie caucus to be relevant. If there’s a one-seat majority, my caucus has one person. It’s me. So I can decide whether a bill passes or not... I’d be the wrong guy if you’re trying to find somebody who’s heartbroken that we don’t have a 40-seat majority.” Thomas Massie in March 2020 after forcing a delay of the $2.2 trillion Covid-19 stimulus bill (Susan Walsh/AP)   Tyler Durden Fri, 11/11/2022 - 13:13.....»»

The legal marijuana industry in the U.S. could be wildly profitable, although startups face complex regulations. Marijuana is having a moment. Following the midterm elections, cannabis is legal in about half of U.S. states—despite getting voted down in three ballot measures on Tuesday in deep-red states. Weed is also attracting new investments from entrepreneurs ready to cash in on its popularity, as witnessed by Sean “Diddy” Combs’ recent $185 million purchase of a collection of cannabis retail and production facilities. There are roughly 10,528 licensed retail stores selling all manner of marijuana, hemp, and CBD-related wares in the U.S. today, up from 2,920 in 2018—and more are popping up in almost every city where weed is legal, according to research firm Cannabiz Intelligence. Many of these stores are seeing net profit margins between 15-20%, according to the Northstar Financial Consulting Group. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Even as these brick and mortar stores proliferate, some entrepreneurs say the future of the industry lies online. A number of new cannabis tech startups have launched apps and mobile websites in recent years. Some aim to replicate the Uber-Eats model, helping customers get products delivered right to their door. Others style themselves after AirBnb and help people rent their homes to cannabis users looking for a place to smoke and sleep. Although cannabis isn’t federally legal, tech startups that capitalize on the drug’s ever-growing popularity have potential to be wildly lucrative businesses. Americans are smoking more marijuana than tobacco cigarettes for the first time in history, and legal cannabis sales in the U.S. are expected to exceed $57 billion annually by 2030. Read More: Where Marijuana Legalization Failed in the 2022 Midterm Elections Despite the potential growth, entrepreneurs face steep challenges in getting around federal regulations for cannabis sales—not to mention that online commerce isn’t always an easy process. “There are certainly potential legal difficulties with these new technology and business models,” says Alex Kreit, an assistant law professor at Northern Kentucky University and the director of its Center on Addiction Law and Policy. “But a lot of these businesses will have an incentive to try to make their technology compliant with the law.” How online retail works Seth Wenig—APCustomers place orders for cannabis products on a tablet at a RISE dispensary in Bloomfield, N.J., on April 21. Operating a profitable cannabis store can be challenging in the current climate. Small business owners are likely to find that real estate costs are higher, insurance companies may deny them coverage, and competition in storefront spaces is tight, as many competing cannabis businesses spring up simultaneously in places where it’s popular. Those factors appear to be forcing a growing number of cannabis stores to move online and create partnerships to reach more customers. “Everything is about to go online,” says Henry Calix, the founder of Weedsies, a Miami-based digital cannabis startup that helps farms reach customers. “A lot of [landlords] don’t want to lease to a dispensary, so instead of opening a brick and mortar store, more cannabis farms are becoming the retailer as well.” Enter platforms like Weedsies and Leafly. These popular startups aren’t growing cannabis or even selling it, but rather connecting dispensaries with retail customers through their mobile app and website. It’s like an online marketplace for weed, where the host provides a space for vendors to market and sell their products for a lower fee than it costs to operate a storefront. And the companies that host these marketplaces see themselves as any other tech platform, making a mark on a relatively new industry. “We’re a technology platform that leverages our proprietary data and content to connect consumers with the right cannabis products offered by local brands and retailers,” says Yoko Miyashita, the CEO of Leafly, a publicly traded online cannabis marketplace with roughly 8 million monthly active users. On Leafly, anyone over the age of 21 can enter a location on its website or app and begin browsing cannabis products from vendors across the country, which can be purchased if it’s legal in their area. The platform also helps users learn more about a variety of cannabis strains and products, with more than 1.3 million user-generated reviews. Weedsies operates similarly, but its app is coded using location services so users can only browse products from vendors if they are physically located in a state where it’s legal. Both of these platforms are inextricably linked to the cannabis industry, but, technically-speaking, they don’t sell any cannabis—and therefore don’t need to hold a retail license, which can cost around $10,000 each year and carries legal restrictions. “The dispensaries use their own cannabis licenses to sell through our platform,” Calix says. “We don’t hold the license in each state.” Beata Zawrzel—NurPhoto/Getty ImagesA Cannabis Culture store in New York City on Oct. 21. Still, the legality of selling and delivering cannabis online is complicated. Although two more states—Maryland and Missouri—legalized recreational cannabis on Tuesday, bringing the national total to 21 and the District of Columbia, it remains a federal crime to take the drug over state lines. Someone convicted of crossing a state border with the substance can face up to five years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for possessing less than 50 kilograms. In California, deliveries can take place anywhere within the state regardless of where the vendor is licensed to sell. For these transactions to remain legal, online vendors have to make sure they are complying with city and state laws before making a delivery. Some states, however, have tried to crack down on the sale of cannabis across state lines. In Oregon, deliveries are required by law to take place within the city of the licensee. “There are places right across the border from a city where cannabis is legal that GPS or technology isn’t able to catch,” says Kreit, the law professor. “If we have a regulatory regime at the state level that’s restricting deliveries on a locality by locality basis, that inherently makes it more difficult to comply with.” What the future looks like Michael M. Santiago—Getty ImagesAxel Bernabe, Chief of Staff & Senior Policy Director at NYS Office of Cannabis Management, smells a cannabis plant during a tour of Claudine Field Apothecary farm on Oct. 07 in Columbia County, New York. The nationwide shift in drug policy in recent years has created a number of new protections for marijuana users in some states. The latest protections came on Tuesday, when voters in Maryland and Missouri passed ballot measures to legalize the recreational use of marijuana for adults, though voters in Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota rejected ballot measures on the issue. In California, lawmakers passed a bill in late August that would restrict companies from penalizing employees who use marijuana while they’re off the clock. In New York and other states, employers are prohibited from testing their workers for the presence of marijuana. And with cannabis likely on the ballot again in 2024, it’s possible more states adopt similar protections in coming years. After Tuesday’s voting results, about 48% of the U.S. population lives in a state where cannabis is fully legalized, and more than 75% live in a state where the drug is legal for medical use. In states where recreational cannabis is legal, people can smoke the drug anywhere, and police officers are not permitted to stop and search pedestrians only on the basis of smelling it. And the legalization efforts could be paying off: The industry created more than 105,000 U.S. jobs in 2021, on par with the number of jobs created in the financial sector and construction industry. The thriving market hasn’t erased some of the difficulties associated with running a cannabis business. “There’s still a stigma around cannabis even though it’s becoming more normalized,” Calix says. “And even when it gets federally legalized, we’ll probably continue to face that stigma from the banking industry.” It took Calix six months to open a bank account for Weedsies, he says, because banks thought his company was growing and selling cannabis. And some merchant processors still label hemp-derived CBD as a high-risk industry, even though it was federally legalized in 2018 (high-risk merchant accounts pay higher processing fees). “I thought the best thing to solve a lot of those issues was technology,” Calix says. “Create an online marketplace, and allow vendors to promote their brands, promote their products, and even sell all under one roof.” So far, the model is working—and online cannabis marketplaces could get a major boost if the drug becomes legalized federally, a move the Biden Administration seems open to making after announcing it would revisit the way cannabis is classified under the federal drug code. “Could we be the Amazon of weed?” Leafly CEO Miyashita asks. “Absolutely.”.....»»

The late-night vote was 8-1, and the measure would have included a provision to teach about Supreme Court decisions on LGBTQ rights. Roughly 100 people spoke during the Miami-Dade School Board meeting on Wednesday.Kimberly Leonard/Insider The Miami-Dade School Board voted down a new LGBTQ history proposal.  The vote came after roughly 100 people spoke publicly, some for and others against. It shows into how districts are dealing with the Parental Rights law critics call "Don't Say Gay." MIAMI, Florida — The Miami-Dade School Board on Wednesday evening voted overwhelmingly against a provision on LGBTQ history, with members saying they worried about violating a contentious Florida law limiting classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity backed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.The resolution was defeated 8-1 following an emotionally charged afternoon of testimony from the public that included roughly 100 speakers. Had it passed, it would have marked October as LGBTQ History Month and expanded high-school curriculum to include landmark Supreme Court decisions on LGBTQ rights. The nearly six-hour hearing laid bare the deep divide on the issue, with LGBTQ people, parents, and civil rights groups pleading for recognition and acceptance in classrooms so students would feel less alone.But a majority of speakers were opponents, who accused the school board of "indoctrination" and "imposing ideology" and said teachers should leave conversations about sexuality and gender identity to parents."Parents across America, including in Miami-Dade have been standing up for the principles that their children belong to the parents, not the schools," Bill Thompson, a father of five children, said at the hearing.  The meeting in Miami was the latest example of how schools and families are struggling to navigate Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act, which prohibits instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.Critics have dubbed the law "Don't Say Gay," warning that the restrictions could extend to higher grades because the law contains ambiguous language banning such instruction "in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate."Lucia Baez-Geller, the school board member who introduced the resolution, blamed "misinformation" for the opposition to the measure, saying critics were falsely casting it as a resolution that would create a new LGBTQ history curriculum. —Lucia Baez-Geller, Miami-Dade School Board (@luciabaezgeller) September 6, 2022The motion on curriculum changes wouldn't have been binding on classrooms. Instead, it would have the superintendent explore the "feasibility" of offering 12th-grade social studies teachers information and resources about landmark Supreme Court cases on LGBTQ rights. These would include the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, and the 2020 Bostock v. Clayton County decision, which determined that employers cannot fire their workers on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Parents would be allowed to have their children opt out, Baez-Geller said. "Our teachers will have the opportunity to pick and choose, as they always do, which landmark Supreme Court cases they teach," Baez-Geller said, adding: "We teach these Supreme Court cases because they have shaped the nation, they are the law, and they are what guides our nation today."Last year, the Miami-Dade School Board approved October as LGBTQ History Month by a 7-1 vote, with one member not present. Baez-Geller said the observance was meant to be "symbolic," applying to after-school activities and student groups, not classroom instruction.  But that argument was not enough to sway fellow board members. Steve Gallon, the vice chair of the school board, said he couldn't support the measure this year — as he had last year — because of the Parental Rights legislation and the vagueness of how LGBTQ History Month would be observed in classrooms. He said he had an "obligation to follow the law" that was separate from "my personal predispositions, my love for all humanity, my commitment to inclusivity and access and representation."Baez-Geller proposed a motion to add language in the bill specifying that it must comport with the Parental Rights law, but it was struck down. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has backed the state's Parental Rights in Education Act, which critics have dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" law.Joe Raedle/Getty Images'Our struggle is history'Ever since the Parental Rights bill was introduced, critics have expressed their concerns about chilling the speech of LGBTQ teachers and about students being bullied or outed to families who don't accept them. Studies show that LGBTQ youth face higher rates of suicide compared to their cisgender or straight peers. These concerns emerged on Wednesday during public testimonies as speakers said LGBTQ history should be a part of the curriculum. "The marginalization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people that has been institutionalized to push us to the margins, to strip us of marriage equality — our struggle is real our struggle is history," said Michael Rajner, who identified himself as a Christian who was HIV positive. "They want to strip us from history," Rajner added. "'Don't Say Gay' is why this crowd is here to oppose this. They do not want us to exist. They want us to kill ourselves. They want us to continue to strip protections from us." Katrina Duesterhaus, a board member of the Miami Coalition to Advance Racial Equity, said organizations that opposed Wednesday's measure were "hate groups." "History is a subject that we as a society cannot afford to downplay, especially for marginalized groups," Duesterhaus said. School board members repeatedly warned people in attendance not to boo or clap throughout the various testimonies, but the audience mostly ignored the instructions. Opponents of the new measures warned school board members early on in the hearing that they'd risk violating the Parental Rights law. The law allows for parents to sue school boards that don't comply with the state's restrictions and for schools to pick up the legal tab. "I could sue all of you because you're violating my rights," threatened Rachel Morales, a mother of two, while speaking before the board.  Conservative organization Moms for Liberty in Miami took to Instagram on Monday, ahead of the vote, calling the LGBTQ proposal a "clear attack and sabotage" of Florida's education laws. The organization appeared to have removed the post by Wednesday evening."This is a direct slap across the governor's face as well as to a large part of the community who do not support using the school system to sway the children in any which way regarding sexual identity," Eulalia Maria Jimenez, who chairs the organization, said during the hearing. But Bryan Griffin, DeSantis' press secretary, told Insider that the observance of LGBTQ History Month would not violate the Parental Rights law. As for the curriculum under consideration, he said, it would depend."Curriculum components are entirely dependent upon their specific content and presentation," he said. "The Department of Education would review and determine if there is any divergence with state standards."A line of people seen outside the Miami-Dade School Board meeting on Wednesday.Kimberly Leonard/Insider'Terrible scaremongering' School board hearings generally don't receive much attention, but that changed as parents grew frustrated about virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. DeSantis has battled school boards over reopenings, mask mandates, and curriculum, often saying schools should be focused on "education not indoctrination" and that parents should have a say in what their children learn. He endorsed 30 school board candidates who supported his education agenda, and 25 prevailed in their races. Two new conservative members backed by DeSantis were elected to the Miami-Dade school board, but they won't take office until November.The schools' battles are one of many reasons that GOP circles are abuzz over whether DeSantis will run for the White House in 2024, particularly if former President Donald Trump doesn't enter the race. But he first has to win reelection in Florida in November.Baez-Geller blamed politics for the failure of her resolution but didn't name DeSantis. "Unfortunately, the anti-LGBTQ agenda has become a very dominant political wedge used by certain people," she said during the school board meeting. Marta Pérez, a school board member who lost her reelection in August, said before the public testimonies that the issue was getting "more attention than I believe is necessary" because of "terrible scaremongering." She said she'd received more emails on the matter than any other topic in 22 years, and toward the end of the hearing, she encouraged the board to avoid such topics in the future, which "distracts our community."  "The more we bring social issues to the board, the more you scare parents and the more parents leave" for charter and private schools, she said.  A post shared by PRISM FL, Inc. (@prism.fl) The comments echoed many parents who urged the school board to focus instead on topics such as reading, writing, and math. But Andrea Pita Mendez, 17, the student advisor for the board, urged board members to accept the resolution, saying there was more to being in school than core subjects. "We see our teachers as our mentors and our guides, and they are there with us eight hours a day and they listen to us," she said. The school board meeting started at 11 a.m., and the board voted on other matters, including salary increases for administrative roles and recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The discussion of the LGBTQ measures began around 3 p.m. and lasted until almost 10 p.m., with roughly an hour-long break in the middle to discuss the budget.Judy Gelber, a high-school social studies teacher in Miami-Dade County, said at the hearing that LGBTQ history had long been "unspoken and hidden." "I don't understand why this is even controversial or there is any opposition," Gelber said. "This is not about sex. This is not about indoctrination. It's about helping all our young people see we are all one human race with similar hopes and dreams. All kinds of people have made and will continue to make valuable contributions to our world."  Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

The late-night vote was 8-1, and the measure would have included a provision to teach about Supreme Court decisions on LGBTQ rights. Roughly 100 people spoke during the Miami-Dade School Board meeting on Wednesday.Kimberly Leonard/Insider The Miami-Dade School Board voted down a new LGBTQ history proposal.  The vote came after roughly 100 people spoke publicly, some for and others against. It shows into how districts are dealing with the Parental Rights law critics call "Don't Say Gay." MIAMI, Florida — The Miami-Dade School Board on Wednesday evening voted overwhelmingly against a provision on LGBTQ history, with members saying they worried about violating a contentious Florida law limiting classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity backed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.The resolution was defeated 8-1 following an emotionally charged afternoon of testimony from the public that included roughly 100 speakers. Had it passed, it would have marked October as LGBTQ History Month and expanded high-school curriculum to include landmark Supreme Court decisions on LGBTQ rights. The nearly six-hour hearing laid bare the deep divide on the issue, with LGBTQ people, parents, and civil rights groups pleading for recognition and acceptance in classrooms so students would feel less alone.But a majority of speakers were opponents, who accused the school board of "indoctrination" and "imposing ideology" and said teachers should leave conversations about sexuality and gender identity to parents."Parents across America, including in Miami-Dade have been standing up for the principles that their children belong to the parents, not the schools," Bill Thompson, a father of five children, said at the hearing.  The meeting in Miami was the latest example of how schools and families are struggling to navigate Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act, which prohibits instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.Critics have dubbed the law "Don't Say Gay," warning that the restrictions could extend to higher grades because the law contains ambiguous language banning such instruction "in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate."Lucia Baez-Geller, the school board member who introduced the resolution, blamed "misinformation" for the opposition to the measure, saying critics were falsely casting it as a resolution that would create a new LGBTQ history curriculum. —Lucia Baez-Geller, Miami-Dade School Board (@luciabaezgeller) September 6, 2022The motion on curriculum changes wouldn't have been binding on classrooms. Instead, it would have the superintendent explore the "feasibility" of offering 12th-grade social studies teachers information and resources about landmark Supreme Court cases on LGBTQ rights. These would include the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, and the 2020 Bostock v. Clayton County decision, which determined that employers cannot fire their workers on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Parents would be allowed to have their children opt out, Baez-Geller said. "Our teachers will have the opportunity to pick and choose, as they always do, which landmark Supreme Court cases they teach," Baez-Geller said, adding: "We teach these Supreme Court cases because they have shaped the nation, they are the law, and they are what guides our nation today."Last year, the Miami-Dade School Board approved October as LGBTQ History Month by a 7-1 vote, with one member not present. Baez-Geller said the observance was meant to be "symbolic," applying to after-school activities and student groups, not classroom instruction.  But that argument was not enough to sway fellow board members. Steve Gallon, the vice chair of the school board, said he couldn't support the measure this year — as he had last year — because of the Parental Rights legislation and the vagueness of how LGBTQ History Month would be observed in classrooms. He said he had an "obligation to follow the law" that was separate from "my personal predispositions, my love for all humanity, my commitment to inclusivity and access and representation."Baez-Geller proposed a motion to add language in the bill specifying that it must comport with the Parental Rights law, but it was struck down. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has backed the state's Parental Rights in Education Act, which critics have dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" law.Joe Raedle/Getty Images'Our struggle is history'Ever since the Parental Rights bill was introduced, critics have expressed their concerns about chilling the speech of LGBTQ teachers and about students being bullied or outed to families who don't accept them. Studies show that LGBTQ youth face higher rates of suicide compared to their cisgender or straight peers. These concerns emerged on Wednesday during public testimonies as speakers said LGBTQ history should be a part of the curriculum. "The marginalization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people that has been institutionalized to push us to the margins, to strip us of marriage equality — our struggle is real our struggle is history," said Michael, who identified himself as a Christian who was HIV positive. The spelling of his last name wasn't made immediately available publicly. "They want to strip us from history," Michael added. "'Don't Say Gay' is why this crowd is here to oppose this. They do not want us to exist. They want us to kill ourselves. They want us to continue to strip protections from us." Katrina Duesterhaus, a board member of the Miami Coalition to Advance Racial Equity, said organizations that opposed Wednesday's measure were "hate groups." "History is a subject that we as a society cannot afford to downplay, especially for marginalized groups," Duesterhaus said. School board members repeatedly warned people in attendance not to boo or clap throughout the various testimonies, but the audience mostly ignored the instructions. Opponents of the new measures warned school board members early on in the hearing that they'd risk violating the Parental Rights law. The law allows for parents to sue school boards that don't comply with the state's restrictions and for schools to pick up the legal tab. "I could sue all of you because you're violating my rights," threatened Rachel Morales, a mother of two, while speaking before the board.  Conservative organization Moms for Liberty in Miami took to Instagram on Monday, ahead of the vote, calling the LGBTQ proposal a "clear attack and sabotage" of Florida's education laws. The organization appeared to have removed the post by Wednesday evening."This is a direct slap across the governor's face as well as to a large part of the community who do not support using the school system to sway the children in any which way regarding sexual identity," Eulalia Maria Jimenez, who chairs the organization, said during the hearing. But Bryan Griffin, DeSantis' press secretary, told Insider that the observance of LGBTQ History Month would not violate the Parental Rights law. As for the curriculum under consideration, he said, it would depend."Curriculum components are entirely dependent upon their specific content and presentation," he said. "The Department of Education would review and determine if there is any divergence with state standards."A line of people seen outside the Miami-Dade School Board meeting on Wednesday.Kimberly Leonard/Insider'Terrible scaremongering' School board hearings generally don't receive much attention, but that changed as parents grew frustrated about virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. DeSantis has battled school boards over reopenings, mask mandates, and curriculum, often saying schools should be focused on "education not indoctrination" and that parents should have a say in what their children learn. He endorsed 30 school board candidates who supported his education agenda, and 25 prevailed in their races. Two new conservative members backed by DeSantis were elected to the Miami-Dade school board, but they won't take office until November.The schools' battles are one of many reasons that GOP circles are abuzz over whether DeSantis will run for the White House in 2024, particularly if former President Donald Trump doesn't enter the race. But he first has to win reelection in Florida in November.Baez-Geller blamed politics for the failure of her resolution but didn't name DeSantis. "Unfortunately, the anti-LGBTQ agenda has become a very dominant political wedge used by certain people," she said during the school board meeting. Marta Pérez, a school board member who lost her reelection in August, said before the public testimonies that the issue was getting "more attention than I believe is necessary" because of "terrible scaremongering." She said she'd received more emails on the matter than any other topic in 22 years, and toward the end of the hearing, she encouraged the board to avoid such topics in the future, which "distracts our community."  "The more we bring social issues to the board, the more you scare parents and the more parents leave" for charter and private schools, she said.  A post shared by PRISM FL, Inc. (@prism.fl) The comments echoed many parents who urged the school board to focus instead on topics such as reading, writing, and math. But Andrea Pita Mendez, 17, the student advisor for the board, urged board members to accept the resolution, saying there was more to being in school than core subjects. "We see our teachers as our mentors and our guides, and they are there with us eight hours a day and they listen to us," she said. The school board meeting started at 11 a.m., and the board voted on other matters, including salary increases for administrative roles and recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The discussion of the LGBTQ measures began around 3 p.m. and lasted until almost 10 p.m., with roughly an hour-long break in the middle to discuss the budget.Judy Gelber, a high-school social studies teacher in Miami-Dade County, said at the hearing that LGBTQ history had long been "unspoken and hidden." "I don't understand why this is even controversial or there is any opposition," Gelber said. "This is not about sex. This is not about indoctrination. It's about helping all our young people see we are all one human race with similar hopes and dreams. All kinds of people have made and will continue to make valuable contributions to our world."  Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Recessions are part of the business cycle. However, this doesn’t mean they must be painful or destructive to our finances. Many industries hold their own and even thrive during economic downturns. The secret is finding these recession-proof industries. It’s unfortunate, but there’s simply no way around recessions. We all have to go through them. Read […] Recessions are part of the business cycle. However, this doesn’t mean they must be painful or destructive to our finances. Many industries hold their own and even thrive during economic downturns. The secret is finding these recession-proof industries. It’s unfortunate, but there’s simply no way around recessions. We all have to go through them. Read on as we look at some of the best choices to safeguard and grow your money during recessions, from everyday purchases to real estate. .first{clear:both;margin-left:0}.one-third{width:31.034482758621%;float:left;margin-left:3.448275862069%}.two-thirds{width:65.51724137931%;float:left}form.ebook-styles .af-element input{border:0;border-radius:0;padding:8px}form.ebook-styles .af-element{width:220px;float:left}form.ebook-styles .af-element.buttonContainer{width:115px;float:left;margin-left: 6px;}form.ebook-styles .af-element.buttonContainer input.submit{width:115px;padding:10px 6px 8px;text-transform:uppercase;border-radius:0;border:0;font-size:15px}form.ebook-styles .af-body.af-standards input.submit{width:115px}form.ebook-styles .af-element.privacyPolicy{width:100%;font-size:12px;margin:10px auto 0}form.ebook-styles .af-element.privacyPolicy p{font-size:11px;margin-bottom:0}form.ebook-styles .af-body input.text{height:40px;padding:2px 10px !important} form.ebook-styles .error, form.ebook-styles #error { color:#d00; } form.ebook-styles .formfields h1, form.ebook-styles .formfields #mg-logo, form.ebook-styles .formfields #mg-footer { display: none; } form.ebook-styles .formfields { font-size: 12px; } form.ebook-styles .formfields p { margin: 4px 0; } Get The Full Ray Dalio Series in PDF Get the entire 10-part series on Ray Dalio in PDF. Save it to your desktop, read it on your tablet, or email to your colleagues (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true); Q2 2022 hedge fund letters, conferences and more   How To Invest With a Recession On The Horizon When you think about it, a recession is always approaching, even in the strongest of economies. However, in times like these, even average investors can recognize recession is coming sooner rather than later. Exactly how you should invest with a recession approaching will depend on your age, risk tolerance, capital, and other factors. However, just about all investors can benefit from shifting out of the highest-risk industries and ones that do the best in thriving economies. Their money can wait out rough times in tried-and-true sectors of the economy that may not grow as fast in the good times but hold more of their value in bad ones. This is crucial to understand as a vital part of planning for your financial future. What Makes an Industry Recession-Proof? There’s no one simple definition for a recession-proof industry. But these economic sectors tend to share one primary thing in common — their demand isn’t a function of growing businesses or consumers with plenty of spending money. Instead, they make their mark by their integral roles in American life and our economy. Simply, their value comes from the fact that we all need to use them in good times and bad. This stability may not be the most exciting thing when stocks are roaring and innovative new companies are hitting the market every week. But it’s invaluable when massive swings are rocking many portfolios. On the other hand, some industries are more than recession-proof. They’re practically recession-friendly! When people are struggling financially, their behavior and buying patterns often change. They may opt for more bargain brands at the supermarket or shop at stores with a focus on low price rather than quality. They may also look for stress relief from entertainment or chemical sources. All of these types of industries can see notable growth during recessionary times. The Best Recession-Proof Industries For Investing So now that you know what makes a good recession-proof industry, you may be wondering which sectors of the economy fit the bill. Listed below are the best choices to help preserve and grow your capital during rough times so you’ll be set when retirement time rolls around. Grocery and Food We’ve all got to eat, whether the economy is booming or shrinking. While many people may change the exact kind of food they buy, their overall spending at the supermarket or grocery store won’t change too much in most cases. However, some folks may even increase their grocery spending as they cut back on expensive meals out and fast food. Naturally, higher-end supermarkets like Whole Foods may see more of a dip than budget-focused ones like Aldi. Still, grocery and food stores and suppliers overall are one of the most stable sectors of the economy as we munch our way back toward good economic conditions. Makeup and Cosmetics This one is so well-known there’s even a term for it — The Lipstick Effect. This pop economic concept refers to a spike in lipstick, makeup, and other cosmetic purchases during times of economic and financial stress. The reasoning is that women worried about their finances but still looking to treat themselves to a low-cost purchase will often opt for makeup as a way to feel somewhat better about being felt hostage by finances. Some say the makeup purchase is to “scratch the buying itch.” A person looking their best can often be a healthy way to feel good during otherwise worrisome times. But, contrary to what you might expect, the research didn’t find that women opted for a discount or store-brand versions of products, sticking to popular brands instead. Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs Obviously, this represents the darker side of recession-resistant investing. There’s no way around the fact that recessions lead to lost jobs, foreclosed homes, struggles to pay the bills, and other economic stress. These can be difficult to deal with for many people already struggling to get by. Many turn to chemical aids to relax and cope. Recessions often see boosts or comparatively small decreases in demand for alcohol, tobacco, and legal drugs. Anyone who’s had a beer after a tough day knows why. It can feel good to escape from problems for a bit. Regardless of your personal feelings about these industries, it’s clear they maintain strong economic standing. This is true no matter if we’re in a recession or boom times. Unlike many past recessions, legal marijuana is also available as an investment industry. Many states have legalized it for recreational or medical use since the last major recession in the late 2000s. Utilities Your utilities may not be the sexiest or most exciting sector to think about investing in, but utilities are a great choice for weathering recessions. However, they’re about as stable as things come, as we usually don’t adjust our electric, water, or other utility usages too much — no matter what the economy is doing. This means fewer surprises, which can be exactly what many investors are looking for. Most offer solid dividends that can provide income as well. Utilities can also benefit from tougher economic times because, as interest rates generally drop, they can borrow for cheaper to expand or maintain their systems. They also tend to be highly regulated, preventing the most significant new competition. Healthcare Healthcare is one of the most commonly cited recession-proof industries. The thinking goes that people will always get sick, and rarely will they avoid necessary treatment. When it comes down to it, health is one of, if not the single most important thing to many folks. Part of the reason healthcare is so recession-proof has to do with the way most Americans pay for it, with insurance picking up most of the bill. Therefore, they’re insulated from the real overall cost, whether the economy is booming or busting. Wholesale Real Estate Wholesale real estate may not seem like an obvious recession-resistant industry. But in reality, it can be one of the best! This is due to its low-risk, high-reward nature. A real estate wholesaler helps connect motivated buyers and interested sellers. First, wholesalers reach out to homeowners who frequently don’t even have their house on the market, looking to purchase typically older homes or those needing renovation. Then, once they’ve found a willing seller, they contact a previously assembled list of buyers who are interested in these types of properties, typically real estate investors. For connecting these two sides of the transaction, wholesalers generally take a small spread. This can range from a few thousand dollars to the tens of thousands. In many states, they’re never required to take possession of the house themselves. Wholesale real estate can thrive in good times (when people still need to sell older, rundown houses) and in bad ones, where distressed homeowners may need a quick, no-questions-asked way to get some cash in exchange for a home that might not sell quickly on the traditional market. Therefore, wholesalers and those who invest in them can be confident that they can make money in all economic conditions with hard work and good systems. Insurance Insurance can be a good investment in recessionary times in two ways. First, much like many other industries mentioned above, the demand for insurance doesn’t drop as sharply during bad economic periods. Some insurance is legally required, like car insurance. Products like life insurance may seem more important than ever with the economy unsettled. Much like utilities, regulations also prevent upstart companies from quickly coming in to disrupt the sector. From another perspective, you can also invest in insurance products tailored directly for you and your investments. Experienced companies like Hamilton Insurance Agency can work with you to size up your financial situation and manage your risk. Not only will you improve your portfolio, but you’ll also sleep better at night. Recession-Proof Industries: The Best Places For Your Money in Rocky Economic Times We can’t avoid recessions. But with a bit of planning and some knowledge, you can weather the storm and potentially even come out stronger than ever. It’s all thanks to the magic of recession-proof and recession-resistant industries. It might be consumer staples like food and cosmetics or more outside-the-box options like wholesale real estate or insurance. Regardless, there are plenty of options for portfolios and risk tolerances of all varieties. It’s worthwhile to spend some time figuring out your plan for the next recession. That way, you’ll be prepared no matter what the economy throws at you. Article by Deanna Ritchie, Due About the Author Deanna Ritchie is a financial editor at Due. She has a degree in English Literature. She has written 1000+ articles on getting out of debt and mastering your finances. She has edited over 40,000 articles in her life. She has a passion for helping writers inspire others through their words. Deanna has also been an editor at Entrepreneur Magazine and ReadWrite. 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Futures Slide On Renewed China Covid Lockdown Fears As Traders Brace For Q2 Earnings, Red Hot CPI US equity futures and global markets started the second week of the 3rd quarter on the back foot, with spoos sliding on Monday morning as traders were spooked by fears that Covid may be making a return to China leading to more virus restrictions sending Chinese stocks tumbling the most in a month, amid growing concern about an ugly second-quarter earnings season which begins this week. A closely watched CPI print on Wednesday which is expected to rise again, will also keep markets on edge. Contracts on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 traded 0.7% lower, suggesting last week’s rally in US stocks my stall as concerns about China’s Covid resurgence weigh on risk appetite. The dollar jumped, reversing two weeks of losses and trading around the highest level since 2020 while Treasuries gained. Bitcoin dropped, oil declined and iron ore extended losses on concern about the demand outlook in China. Adding to the risk-off mood were the latest covid news out of China, whose stocks had their worst day in about a month as a Covid resurgence combined with fresh fines for the tech giants sent investors running for the door.  Both the Hang Seng and Shanghai traded negative after a rise in Shanghai’s COVID-19 cases prompted authorities to declare more high-risk areas and the city also reported its first case of the BA.5 omicron subvariant, as well as two more rounds of mass testing in at least 9 districts. Casino stocks were heavily pressured in Hong Kong after Macau announced to shut all non-essential businesses including casinos, while shares in tech giants Tencent and Alibaba weakened after reports that they were among the companies fined by China’s antitrust watchdog concerning reporting of past transactions. There was more bad news out China including a rejection by China Evergrande Group’s bondholders on a proposal to extend debt payment, as well as a warning by a prominent investor’s wife that a key lithium maker’s stock is overvalued. The Chinese selloff is a reminder that the nation’s Covid Zero policy and lingering uncertainty toward tech crackdowns remain key risks for investors betting on a sustained rebound in Chinese shares. The Hang Seng China gauge has recorded just one positive session in the last eight after rallying nearly 30% from a March low.  Anyway, back to the US where in premarket trading, Twitter shares slumped in premarket trading after Elon Musk terminated his $44 billion takeover approach for the social media company. Some other social media stocks were lower too, while Digital World Acquisition (DWAC US), the SPAC tied to Donald Trump, jumps as much as 30%. Bank stocks are also lower in premarket trading Monday amid a broader decline in risk assets as investors await the release of key inflation data later this week. S&P 500 futures are also lower, falling as much as 1%, while the US 10-year Treasury yield holds above the 3% level. In corporate news, UBS is considering a plan to promote Iqbal Khan to sole head of the bank’s global wealth management business. Meanwhile, Klarna is shelling out loans for milk and gas with cash-strapped customers looking for ways to cover basic necessities. Here are some other notable premarket movers: US-listed Macau casino operators and Chinese tourism stocks fall after local authorities in the gambling hub shut almost all business premises as a Covid-19 outbreak in the area worsened. Las Vegas Sands (LVS US) down 3.5%, MGM Resorts (MGM US) -3.5%, Wynn Resorts (WYNN US) -3.1%. Cryptocurrency-exposed stocks were lower after the latest MLIV Pulse survey suggested that the token is more likely to tumble to $10,000, cutting its value roughly in half, than it is to rally back to $30,000. Crypto stocks that are down include: Marathon Digital (MARA US) -6%, Riot Blockchain (RIOT US) -4.5%, Coinbase (COIN US) -3.8%. Lululemon (LULU US) cut to underperform and Under Armour (UAA US) downgraded to hold by Jefferies in a note on athletic apparel firms, with buy-rated Nike (NKE US) “still best-in-class.” Lululemon drops 1.8% in US premarket trading, Under Armour -3.1% Morgan Stanley cut its recommendation on Fastly (FSLY US) to underweight from equal-weight, citing a less favorable risk/reward scenario heading into the second half of the year. Shares down 5.2% in premarket. Price pressures, a wave of monetary tightening and a slowing global economy continue to shadow markets. the June CPI print reading on Wedensday is expected to get closer to 9%, a fresh four-decade high, buttressing the Federal Reserve’s case for a jumbo July interest-rate hike. Company earnings will shed light on recession fears that contributed to an $18 trillion first-half wipe-out in global equities. “The real earnings hit will come in the second half as we’re hearing from companies, especially retailers, saying they’re already seeing weakness from consumers,” Ellen Lee, portfolio manager at Causeway Capital Management LLC, said on Bloomberg Television. The Stoxx Europe 600 index pared a decline of more than 1% as an advance for utilities offset losses for carmakers and miners. The Euro Stoxx 50 was down 0.8% as of 10:30 a.m. London time, having dropped as much as 1.9% shortly after the cash open. DAX and CAC underperform at the margin. Autos, miners and consumer products are the worst-performing sectors.  Copper stocks sank as fear of global recession continues to suppress metals prices; miners suffered: Anglo American -5.1%, Antofagasta -5.3%, Aurubis -3.7%, Salzgitter -5.1%. Copper was hit hard, with futures down 1.9% today. Here are the top European movers: Dufry shares rise as much as 11%, while Autogrill falls as much as 9.4% after the Swiss duty-free store operator agreed to buy the Italian company from the billionaire Benetton family, with the offer price being below Autogrill’s closing price on Friday. Danske Bank declines as much as 6.4% after the lender cut its outlook for the year. Fincantieri advances as much as 7% after the Italian shipbuilder said it secured an ultra-luxury cruise ship order that will be built by the end of 2025. Joules drops as much as 25% after the British retailer said it hired KPMG to advise on how to shore up its cash position. MJ Gleeson jumps as much as 7.4% after the homebuilder published a trading update stating that it sees full-year earnings being “significantly ahead of expectations.” Peel Hunt says it was a “strong finish to the year.” Uniper falls as much as 12%, adding to its declines in recent weeks, after the German utility last week asked the government for a bailout. Wizz Air declines as much as 5.3% after the low-cost carrier provided a 1Q update, with ticket fares down 12% versus FY20. Nordex rises as much as 7.8%, reversing early losses after the wind-turbine maker said it plans to raise EU212m via a fully-underwritten rights issue. Mining stocks sink as fear of global recession continues to suppress metals prices. Anglo American and Antofagasta are among the decliners. “Earnings expectations will come down this year and probably next year as well, which is somewhat priced,” Barclays Private Bank Chief Market Strategist Julien Lafargue said on Bloomberg Television. “The question is how big are the cuts we are going to see,” he added. The declines in Europe came as Chinese stocks had their worst day in about a month as the Covid resurgence combined with fresh fines for tech giants hit markets Earlier in the session, Asian stocks tumbled as resurging Covid-19 cases in China dented investor sentiment and raised fears of lockdowns that could hurt growth and corporate earnings. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index dropped as much as 1.1%, erasing an earlier gain of as much as 0.5%. Chinese stocks had their worst day in about a month as a Covid resurgence combined with fresh fines for the tech giants sent investors running for the door. Japan was a bright spot, buoyed by the prospect of administrative stability after the ruling coalition expanded its majority in an upper house election. Alibaba and Tencent dragged the gauge the most after China’s watchdog fined the internet firms. All but two sectors declined, with materials and consumer discretionary sectors leading the retreat. Chinese stocks were the region’s notable losers, with benchmarks in Hong Kong slumping about 3% and those in mainland China down more than 1%. A bevy of bad news from the world’s second-largest economy ahead of major economic data releases later this week dampened the mood. The first BA.5 sub-variant case was reported in Shanghai in another challenge to authorities struggling to counter a Covid-19 flare-up in the financial hub. Macau shuttered almost all casinos for a week from Monday as virus cases remain unabated.  “Sentiment got weakened again as Covid-19 cases spread again in China,” said Cui Xuehua, a China equity analyst at Meritz Securities in Seoul. “There are also worries about lockdowns as companies will start reporting their earnings.”   Meanwhile, benchmarks in Japan outperformed the region, gaining more than 1% following the ruling bloc’s big election victory.   Traders in Asia are awaiting for a set of data from the world’s second-largest economy this week, including its growth and money supply figures. Also on the watch are corporate earnings, which would give investors more clues about the impact of lockdowns in China and rising costs of goods and services. Japanese equities climbed after the ruling coalition expanded its majority in an upper house election held Sunday, two days after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.  The Topix index rose 1.4% to 1,914.66 as of the market close in Tokyo, while the Nikkei 225 advanced 1.1% to 26,812.30. Toyota Motor Corp. contributed the most to the Topix’s gain, increasing 1.9%. Out of 2,170 shares in the index, 1,862 rose and 256 fell, while 52 were unchanged. “In the next two years or so, the government will be able to make some drastic policy changes and if they don’t go off in the wrong direction, the stability of the administration will be a major factor in attracting funds to the Japanese market,” said Naoki Fujiwara, chief fund manager at Shinkin Asset Management Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index fell 1.1% to close at 6,602.20, with miners and banks contributing the most to its drop. All sectors declined, except for health. EML Payments was the worst performer after its CEO resigned. Costa slumped after Credit Suisse downgraded the stock. The produce company also said it’s faced quality issues from weather. In New Zealand, the S&P/NZX 50 index fell 0.6% to 11,106.14 India’s benchmark stock index declined following the start of the first quarter earnings season, with bellwether Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. disappointing amid worsening cost pressures faced by Indian companies.  The S&P BSE Sensex Index fell 0.2% to 54,395.23 in Mumbai, after posting its biggest weekly advance since April on Friday, helped by a recent correction in key commodity prices. The NSE Nifty 50 Index ended little changed on Monday.  Tata Consultancy contributed the most to the Sensex’s drop, falling 4.6%, its sharpest decline in seven weeks. Bharti Airtel slipped as Adani Group’s surprise announcement of participating in a 5G airwaves auction potentially challenges its telecom business. Still, 15 of the 19 sub-sector gauges compiled by BSE Ltd. gained, led by power producers. Software exporter HCL Technologies Ltd. slumped more than 4% before its results on Tuesday. In FX, the pound fell as the race to replace Boris Johnson as UK premier heats up. Over in Europe, the main conduit for Russian gas goes down for 10-day maintenance on Monday. Germany and its allies are bracing for President Vladimir Putin to use the opportunity to cut off flows for good in retaliation for the West’s support of Ukraine following Russia’s invasion. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index snapped a two-day decline as the greenback rose against all of its Group-of-10 peers. The Norwegian krone and the Australian dollar were the worst performers. The Aussie declined amid the greenback’s strength, and poor sentiment triggered by Covid news and political strife with China. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ruled out complying with a list of demands from the Chinese government to improve relations between the two countries. Shanghai reported its first case of the BA.5 sub-variant on Sunday, warning of “very high” risks as the city’s rising Covid outbreak sparks fears of a return to its earlier lockdown. The yen dropped to a 24-year low above 137 per dollar. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s strong election victory presents him with a three-year time frame to pursue his own agenda of making capitalism fairer and greener, with no need to quickly change course on economic policy including central bank stimulus In rates, Treasuries are slightly richer across the curve with gains led by the front end, following a wider rally seen across bunds and, to a lesser extent, gilts as stocks drop. Sentiment shifts to second-quarter earnings season, while focus in the US will be on Tuesday’s inflation print. Bunds lead gilts and Treasuries higher amid haven buying. Treasury yields richer by up to 3.5bp across front end of the curve, steepening 2s10s and 5s30s spreads by almost 2bp; 10-year yields around 3.06%, with bunds and gilts trading 3bp and 1bp richer in the sector.  Auctions are front loaded, with 3-year note sale today, followed by 10- and 30-year Tuesday and Wednesday. Auctions resume with $43b 3-year note sale at 1pm ET, followed by $33b 10-year and $19b 30-year Tuesday and Wednesday. WI 3-year around 3.095% is above auction stops since 2007 and ~17bp cheaper than June’s stop-out. Bitcoin caught a downdraft from the cautious start to the week in global markets, falling as much as 2.6% but holding above $20,000. In commodities, crude futures decline. WTI trades within Friday’s range, falling 1.3% to trade near $103.48. Base metals are mixed; LME copper falls 1.4% while LME lead gains 1.4%. Spot gold maintains the narrow range seen since Thursday, falling roughly $4 to trade near $1,739/oz. It is a quiet start tot he week otherwise, with nothing scheduled on the US calendar today. Market Snapshot S&P 500 futures down 0.6% to 3,877.75 STOXX Europe 600 down 0.8% to 413.75 MXAP down 0.9% to 157.30 MXAPJ down 1.6% to 516.87 Nikkei up 1.1% to 26,812.30 Topix up 1.4% to 1,914.66 Hang Seng Index down 2.8% to 21,124.20 Shanghai Composite down 1.3% to 3,313.58 Sensex down 0.2% to 54,349.37 Australia S&P/ASX 200 down 1.1% to 6,602.16 Kospi down 0.4% to 2,340.27 German 10Y yield little changed at 1.28% Euro down 0.6% to $1.0122 Brent Futures down 2.2% to $104.66/bbl Gold spot down 0.3% to $1,738.11 U.S. Dollar Index up 0.47% to 107.51 Top Overnight News from Bloomberg Foreign Secretary Liz Truss entered the race to replace Boris Johnson as UK premier, the latest cabinet minister to make her move in an already fractious contest Price action in the spot market Friday for the euro was all about short-term positioning, options show The Riksbank needs to prevent high inflation becoming entrenched in price- and wage-setting, and to ensure that inflation returns to the target, it says in minutes from latest monetary policy meeting The probability of a euro-area economic contraction has increased to 45% from 30% in the previous survey of economists polled by Bloomberg, and 20% before Russia invaded Ukraine. Germany, one of the most- vulnerable members of the currency bloc to cutbacks in Russian energy flows, is more likely than not to see economic output shrink ECB Governing Council member Yannis Stournaras said a new tool to keep debt-market turmoil at bay as interest rates rise may not need to be used if it’s powerful enough to persuade investors not to test it The number of UK households facing acute financial strain has risen by almost 60% since October and is now higher than at any point during the pandemic A more detailed look at global markets courtesy of Newqsuawk Asia-Pac stocks traded mostly lower as the region digested last Friday’s stronger than expected NFP data in the US, with sentiment also mired by COVID-19 woes in China. ASX 200 was led lower by underperformance in tech and the mining-related sectors, while hopes were dashed regarding an immediate improvement in China-Australia ties following the meeting of their foreign ministers. Nikkei 225 bucked the trend amid a weaker currency and the ruling coalition’s strong performance at the Upper House elections, but with gains capped after Machinery Orders contracted for the first time in 3 months. Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp. traded negative amid COVID concerns after a rise in Shanghai’s COVID-19 cases prompted authorities to declare more high-risk areas and the city also reported its first case of the BA.5 omicron subvariant, as well as two more rounds of mass testing in at least 9 districts. Casino stocks were heavily pressured in Hong Kong after Macau announced to shut all non-essential businesses including casinos, while shares in tech giants Tencent and Alibaba weakened after reports that they were among the companies fined by China’s antitrust watchdog concerning reporting of past transactions. Top Asian News Shanghai’s COVID-19 cases continued to increase which prompted authorities to declare more high-risk areas and is fuelling fears that China’s financial hub may tighten movement restrictions again, according to Bloomberg. In relevant news, Shanghai reported its first case of the BA.5 omicron subvariant and authorities ordered two more rounds of mass testing in at least 9 districts. An official from China's Shanghai says authorities have classified additional areas as high risk areas. Macau will shut all non-essential businesses including casinos this week due to the COVID-19 outbreak, according to Reuters. It was separately reported that Hong Kong is considering a health code system similar to mainland China to fight COVID. China’s Foreign Minister Wang said he had a candid and comprehensive exchange with US Secretary of State Blinken, while he called for the US to cancel additional tariffs on China as soon as possible and said the US must not send any wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces, according to Reuters. US Secretary of State Blinken stated that the US expects US President Biden and Chinese President Xi will have the opportunity to speak in the weeks ahead, according to Reuters. US Commerce Secretary Raimondo said cutting China tariffs will not tame inflation and that many factors are pushing prices higher, according to FT. China’s antitrust watchdog fined companies including Alibaba (9988 HK) and Tencent (700 HK) regarding reporting of past deals, according to Bloomberg. Japan's ruling coalition is poised to win the majority of seats contested in Sunday's upper house election and is projected to win more than half of the 125 Upper House seats contested with a combined 76 seats and the LDP alone are projected to win 63 seats, according to an NHK exit poll cited by Reuters. Japanese PM Kishida said that they must work toward reviving Japan’s economy and they will take steps to address the pain from rising prices, while he added they will focus on putting a new bill that can be discussed in parliament when asked about constitutional revision and noted that they are not considering new COVID-19 restrictions now, according to Reuters. European bourses are pressured, Euro Stoxx 50 -0.5%, but will off post-open lows amid a gradual pick-up in sentiment. Pressure seeped in from APAC trade amid further China-COVID concerns amid a relatively limited docket to start the week. Stateside, futures are directionally in-fitting but with magnitudes less pronounced with earnings season underway from Tuesday; ES -0.4%. Toyota (7203 JP) announces additional adjustments to its domestic production for July; volume affected by the adjustment will be around 4000 units, global production plan to remain unchanged, via Reuters. Top European News Fitch affirmed European Stability Mechanism at AAA; Outlook Stable and affirmed Greece at BB; Outlook Stable, while it cut Turkey from BB- to B+; Outlook Negative. UK Companies are bracing for a recession this year with multiple companies said to have begun “war gaming” for a recession, according to FT. In other news, local leaders warned that England’s bus networks could shrink by as much as a third as the government’s COVID-19 subsidies end and commercial operators withdraw from unprofitable routes, according to FT. Senior Tory party figures are reportedly seeking to narrow the leadership field quickly, according to FT. It was separately reported that only four Tory party leadership candidates are expected to remain by the end of the week under an accelerated timetable being drawn up by the 1922 Committee of backbenchers, according to The Times. UK Chancellor Zahawi, Transport Minister Shapps, Foreign Secretary Truss, junior Trade Minister Mordaunt, Tory MPs Jeremy Hunt and Sajid Javid have announced their intentions to run for party leader to replace UK PM Johnson, while Defence Secretary Wallace decided to not run for PM and several have declared the intention to cut taxes as PM, according to The Telegraph, Evening Standard and Reuters. FX Buck firmly bid after strong US jobs report and pre-CPI on Wednesday that could set seal on another 75bp Fed hike this month, DXY towards top of 107.670-070 range vs last Friday's 107.790 high. Aussie undermined by rising Covid case count in China’s Shanghai, AUD/USD loses grip of 0.6800 handle Yen drops to fresh lows against Greenback after BoJ Governor Kuroda reiterates dovish policy stance amidst signs of slowing Japanese growth, USD/JPY reaches 137.28 before waning. Euro weak due to heightened concerns that Russia may cut all gas and oil supplies, EUR/USD eyes bids ahead of 1.0100. Pound down awaiting Conservative Party leadership contest and comments from BoE Governor Bailey, Cable under 1.2000 and losing traction around 1.1950. Hawkish Riksbank minutes help Swedish Crown avoid risk aversion, but Norwegian Krona declines irrespective of stronger than forecast headline inflation; EUR/SEK sub-10.7000, EUR/NOK over 10.3200. Yuan soft as Shanghai raises more areas to high-risk level; USD/CNH and USD/CNY nearer 6.7140 peaks than troughs below 6.6900 and 6.7000 respectively. Fixed Income Debt regains poise after post-NFP slide, with Bunds leading the way between 151.00-149.75 parameters Gilts lag within 114.94-33 range awaiting Conservative leadership contest and comments from BoE Governor Bailey 10 year T-note firm inside 118-00+/117-18+ bounds ahead of USD 43bln 3 year auction Commodities Crude benchmarks are curtailed amid the COVID situation with broader developments limited and heavily focused on Nord Stream. French Economy and Finance Minister Le Maire warned there is a strong chance that Moscow will totally halt gas supplies to Europe, according to Politico. Canada will grant a sanctions waiver to return the repaired Russian turbine to Germany needed for maintenance on the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline but will expand sanctions against Russia’s energy sector to include industrial manufacturing. The US does not expect any specific announcements on oil production at this week’s US-Saudi summit, according to FT sources. JPMorgan (JPM) sees crude prices in the low USD 100s in H2 2022, falling to high USD 90s in 2023. Spot gold remains relatively resilient, torn between the downbeat risk tone and the USD's modest advances; attention on the metal's reaction if DXY surpasses Friday's best. Copper pulls back as Los Bambas returns to full output and on the China readacross. US Event Calendar Nothing major scheduled Central Banks 14:00: Fed’s Williams Takes Part in Discussion on Libor Transition DB's Jim Reid concludes the overnight wrap If you're in Europe over the next week good luck coping with the heatwave. In the UK I read last night that there's a 30% chance that we will see the hottest day ever over that period. The warning signs are always there when at 5am you're sweating and not just because of the immense effort put in on the EMR. Talking of red hot, it's that time of the month again where all roads point to US CPI which will be released exactly half way through the European week. This will be followed by the US PPI release (Thursday) and the University of Michigan survey for July on Friday where inflation expectations will be absolutely key. With US Q2 GDP currently tracking negative Friday's retail sales and industrial production could still help swing it both ways. Staying with the US it's time for Q2 earnings with a few high profile financials reporting. This is a very important season (aren't they all) as the collapse in equities so far in 2022 is largely due to margin compression and not really earnings weakness. Elsewhere China’s Q2 GDP on Friday alongside their main monthly big data dump is a highlight as we see how data is rebounding after the spike in Covid. In Europe, it will be a data-packed week for the UK. Going through some of this in more detail now and US CPI is the only place to start. Our economists note that while gas prices fell in the second half of June, the first half strength will still be enough to help the headline CPI print (+1.33% forecast vs. +0.97% previously) be strong on the month but with core (+0.64% vs. +0.63%) also strong. They have the headline YoY rate at 9.0% (from 8.6%) while core should tick down from 6.0% to 5.8%. Aside from an array of Fed speakers, investors will be paying attention to speeches from the BoE Governor Bailey (today and tomorrow). Markets will be also anticipating the Bank of Canada's decision on Wednesday, and another +50bps hike is expected based on Bloomberg's median estimate. Finally, G20 central bankers and finance ministers will gather in Bali on July 15-16. In Europe, it will be a busy week for the UK, with monthly May GDP, industrial production and trade data due on Wednesday, among other indicators. Germany's ZEW Survey for July (tomorrow) will also be in focus as European gas prices continue to be on a tear amid risks of Russian supply cut-offs. Speaking of which, Nord Stream 1 will be closed from today to July 21st for maintenance with much anticipation as to what happens at the end of this period. Elsewhere, Eurozone's May industrial production (Wednesday) and trade balance (Friday) will also be due. Finally, as Q2 earnings releases near for key US and European companies, key US banks will provide an early insights on the economic backdrop and consumer spending patterns. Results will be due from JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley (Thursday), Citi and BlackRock (Friday). In tech, TSMC's report on Thursday may provide more insight into the state of supply-demand imbalance in semiconductors. In consumer-driven companies, PepsiCo (tomorrow) and Delta (Wednesday) will also release their results. The rest of the day by day week ahead is it the end as usual. Asian equity markets are starting the week mostly lower on rising concerns around a fresh Covid flare-up in China as Shanghai reported its first case of the highly infectious BA.5 omicron sub-variant on Sunday. Across the region, the Hang Seng (-2.89%) is the largest underperformer amid a broad sell-off in Chinese tech shares after China imposed fines on several companies including Tencent and Alibaba for not adhering to anti-monopoly rules on disclosures of transactions. In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite (-1.50%) and CSI (-2.05%) both are trading sharply lower whilst the Kospi (-0.30%) is also weaker after see-sawing in early trade. Bucking the trend is the Nikkei (+1.02%) after Japan’s ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner, Komeito, expanded its majority in the upper house in the country’s parliamentary vote held on Sunday and following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last week. Outside of Asia, US stock futures are pointing to a weaker start with contracts on the S&P 500 (-0.60%) and NASDAQ 100 (-0.85%) moving lower. Early morning data showed that Japan’s core machine orders dropped -5.6% m/m in May (v/s -5.5% expected) and against an increase of +10.8% in the previous month. Over the weekend, China’s factory gate inflation (+6.1% y/y) cooled to a 15-month low in June (v/s +6.0% expected) compared to a +6.4% rise in May. Additionally, consumer prices rose +2.5% y/y in June (v/s +2.4% expected), widening from a +2.1% gain in May and to the highest in 23 months. Elsewhere, oil prices are lower with Brent futures down -0.36% at $106.63/bbl and WTI futures (-0.77%) at $103.98/bbl as I type. Treasury yields are less than a basis point higher at the moment. Recapping last week now and a return to slightly more optimistic data boosted yields and equities, as central bank pricing got a bit more hawkish after a dovish run. More pessimistically, natural gas and electricity prices in Europe skyrocketed, as another bout of supply fears gripped the market. Elsewhere, the resignation of Prime Minister Johnson left a lot of questions about the medium-term policy path for the UK. After global growth fears intensified at the beginning of the month, a combination of stronger production and labour market data allayed short-term aggressive slow down fears. This sent 10yr Treasury and bund yields +20.6bps (+9.1bps Friday) and +11.3bps (+2.7bps Friday) higher last week. In the US, the better data coincided with expectations that the Fed would be able to tighten policy even more, which drove 2yr yields +27.2bps higher (+9.1bps Friday), and drove the 2s10s yield curve into inversion territory, closing the week at -2.5bps. The market is still anticipating that the FOMC will reach its terminal rate this cycle around the end of the first quarter next year, but that rate was +24.4bps (+12.2bps Friday) higher over the week. A large part of the jump in yields came on Friday following the much stronger than expected nonfarm payrolls figures, which climbed +372k in June, versus expectations of +265k. It’s hard to have a recession with that much job growth, so hiking will continue. Elsewhere in the print, average hourly earnings were in line at 0.3%, with the prior month revised higher to 0.4%, while the unemployment rate stayed at an historically tight 3.6% as consensus expected. Contrary to the US, yield curves were steeper in Europe, with 2yr bund yields managing just a +1.1bp climb (-3.1bps Friday). The continent had more immediate concerns in the form of a potential energy crisis. Fears that Russia would use the planned Nord Stream maintenance period beginning this week as a chance to squeeze supplies, alongside a now averted strike in Norway, sent European natural gas prices +14.44% higher (-4.24% Friday), ending the week at €175 per megawatt-hour, levels last rivaled during the initial invasion of Ukraine. German electricity prices also took off, increasing +20.26% (-7.54% Friday), setting off fears of a genuine energy crisis on the continent. That, combined with more expected Fed tightening priced in versus the ECB over the week, drove the euro -2.23% (+0.21% Friday) lower versus the US dollar, to $1.018, the closest to parity the single currency has come in over two decades. The fears were somewhat tempered by the end of the week, when it was reported that Canada would send a necessary turbine to Russia via Germany, enabling Russia to in theory remit gas supply back to Germany post the shutdown. Through all the macro noise the S&P 500 posted its 12th weekly gain of the year, climbing +1.94% (-0.08% Friday), driven by a particularly strong performance among tech and mega-cap stocks, with the NASDAQ (+4.56%, +0.12% Friday) and FANG+ (+5.82%, -0.22% Friday) both outperforming. European equities also managed to climb despite the energy fears, with the STOXX 600 gaining +2.35% (+0.51% Friday), the DAX gaining +1.58% (+1.34% Friday), and the CAC +1.72% higher (+0.44% Friday). UK equities underperformed, with the FTSE 100 gaining just +0.38% (+0.10% Friday). The pound was in the middle of the pack in terms of G10 currency performance versus the US dollar, however losing -0.53% (+0.05% Friday). Tyler Durden Mon, 07/11/2022 - 08:03.....»»

Futures, Commodities Jump After China Cuts Quarantine US stock futures rebounded from Monday's modest losses and traded near session highs after China reduced quarantine times for inbound travelers by half - to seven days of centralized quarantine and three days of health monitoring at home -  the biggest shift yet in a Covid-19 policy that has left the world’s second-largest economy isolated as it continues to try and eliminate the virus. The move, which fueled optimism about stronger economic growth and boosted appetite for both commodities and risk assets, sent S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 contracts higher by 0.6% each at 7:15 a.m. in New York, setting up heavyweight technology stocks for a rebound. Mining and energy shares led gains in Europe’s Stoxx 600 and an Asian equity index erased losses to climb for a fourth session. 10Y TSY yields extended their move higher rising to 3.25% or about +5bps on the session, while the dollar and bitcoin were flat, and oil and commodity-linked currencies strengthened. In premarket trading, the biggest mover was Kezar Life Sciences which soared 85% after reporting positive results for its lupus drug. On the other end, Robinhood shares fell 3.2%, paring a rally yesterday sparked by news that FTX is exploring whether to buy the company. In a statement, FTX head Sam Bankman-Fried said he is excited about the firm’s business prospects, but “there are no active M&A conversations with Robinhood." Here are some of the other most notable premarket movers" Playtika (PLTK US) shares rallied 11% in premarket trading after a report that private equity firm Joffre Capital agreed to acquire a majority stake in the gaming company from a Chinese investment group for $21 a share. Nike (NKE US) shares fell 2.3% in US premarket trading, with analysts reducing their price targets after the company gave a downbeat forecast for gross margin and said it was being cautious in its outlook for the China market. Spirit Airlines (SAVE US) shares rise as much as 5% in US premarket trading after JetBlue boosted its all-cash bid in response to an increased offer by rival suitor Frontier in the days before a crucial shareholder vote. Snowflake (SNOW US) rises 3.3% in US premarket trading after Jefferies upgraded the stock to buy from hold, saying its valuation is now “back to reality” and offers a good entry point given the software firm’s long-term targets. Sutro Biopharma (STRO US) shares rise 34% in US premarket trading after the company and Astellas said they will collaborate to advance development of immunostimulatory antibody-drug conjugates, which are a modality for treating tumors and designed to boost anti-cancer activity. State Street (STT US) shares could be in focus after Deutsche Bank downgraded the stock to hold, while lowering EPS estimates and price targets across interest rate sensitive coverage of trust banks and online brokers. US bank stocks may be volatile during Tuesday’s trading session after the lenders announced a wave of dividend increases following last week’s successful stress test results. Stock rallies have proved fleeting this year as higher borrowing costs to fight inflation restrain economic activity in a range of nations. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde affirmed plans for an initial quarter-point increase in interest rates in July, but said policy makers are ready to step up action to tackle record inflation if warranted. Some analysts also argue still-bullish earnings estimates are too optimistic. Earnings revisions are a risk with the US economy set to slow next year, though China emerging from Covid strictures could act as a global buffer, according to Lorraine Tan, Morningstar director of equity research. “You got a US slowdown in 2023 in terms of growth, but you have China hopefully coming out of its lockdowns,” Tan said on Bloomberg Radio. In Europe, stocks are well bid with most European indexes up over 1%. Euro Stoxx 50 rose as much as 1.2% before drifting off the highs. Miners, energy and auto names outperform. The Stoxx 600 Basic Resources sub-index rises as much as 3.5% led by heavyweights Rio Tinto and Anglo American, as well as Polish copper producer KGHM and Finnish forestry companies Stora Enso and UPM- Kymmene. Iron ore and copper reversed losses after China eased its quarantine rules for new arrivals, while oil gained for a third session amid risks of supply disruptions. Iron ore in Singapore rose more than 4% after being firmly lower earlier in the session, while copper and other base metals also turned higher. Here are the biggest European movers: Luxury stocks climb boosted by an easing of Covid-19 quarantine rules in the key market of China. LVMH shares rise as much as 2.5%, Richemont +3.1%, Kering +3%, Moncler +3% Energy and mining stocks are the best-performing groups in the rising Stoxx Europe 600 index amid commodity gains. Shell shares rise as much as 3.8%, TotalEnergies +2.7%, BP +3.4%, Rio Tinto +4.6%, Glencore +3.9% Banco Santander shares rise as much as 1.8% after a report that the Spanish bank has hired Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs for its bid to buy Mexico’s Banamex. GN Store Nord shares gain as much as 4.2% after Nordea resumes coverage on the hearing devices company with a buy rating. Swedish Match shares rise as much as 4% as Philip Morris International’s offer document regarding its bid for the company has been approved and registered by the Swedish FSA. Wise shares decline as much as 15%, erasing earlier gains after the fintech firm reported full- year earnings. Citi said the results were “mixed,” with strong revenue growth being offset by lower profitability. UK water stocks decline as JPMorgan says it is turning cautious on the sector on the view that future regulated returns could surprise to the downside, in a note cutting Severn Trent to underweight. Severn Trent shares fall as much as 6%, Pennon -7.7%, United Utilities -2.3% Akzo Nobel falls as much as 4.5% in Amsterdam trading after the paint maker announced the appointment of former Sulzer leader Greg Poux-Guillaumeas chief executive officer, succeeding Thierry Vanlancker. Danske Bank shares fall as much as 4%, as JPMorgan cut its rating on the stock to underweight, saying in a note that risks related to Swedish property will likely create some “speed bumps” for Nordic banks though should be manageable. In the Bavarian Alps, limiting Russia’s profits from rising energy prices that fuel its war in Ukraine have been among the main topics of discussion at a Group of Seven summit. G-7 leaders agreed that they want ministers to urgently discuss and evaluate how the prices of Russian oil and gas can be curbed. Earlier in the session, Asian stocks erased earlier losses as China’s move to ease quarantine rules for inbound travelers bolstered sentiment. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose as much as 0.6% after falling by a similar magnitude. The benchmark is set for a fourth day of gains, led by the energy and utilities sectors. BHP and Toyota contributed the most to the gauge’s advance, while China’s technology firms were among the biggest losers as a plan by Tencent’s major backer to further cut its stake fueled concern of more profit-taking following a strong rally.   A move by Beijing to cut quarantine times for inbound travelers by half is helping cement gains which have made Chinese shares the world’s best-performing major equity market this month. The nation’s stocks are approaching a bull market even as their recent rise pushes them to overbought levels. Still, the threat of a sharp slowdown in the world’s largest economy may pose a threat to the outlook. “US recession risk is still there and I think that’ll obviously have impact on global sectors,” Lorraine Tan, director of equity research at Morningstar, said on Bloomberg TV. “Even if we do get some China recovery in 2023, which could be a buffer for this region, it’s not going to offset the US or global recession.”  Most stock benchmarks in the region finished higher following China’s move to ease its travel rules. Main equity measures in Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Australia rose while those in Taiwan and India fell. Overall, Asian stocks are on course to complete a monthly decline of about 4%.    Meanwhile, the People’s Bank of China pledged to keep monetary policy supportive to help the nation’s economy. It signaled that stimulus would likely focus on boosting credit rather than lowering interest rates. Japanese stocks gained as investors adjusted positions heading into the end of the quarter.  The Topix Index rose 1.1% to 1,907.38 as of the market close in Tokyo, while the Nikkei 225 advanced 0.7% to 27,049.47. Toyota Motor contributed most to the Topix’s gain, increasing 2.2%. Out of 2,170 shares in the index, 1,736 rose and 374 fell, while 60 were unchanged. “As the end of the April-June quarter approaches, there is a tendency for institutional investors to rebalance,” said Norihiro Fujito, chief investment strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley. “It will be easier to buy into cheap stocks, which is a factor that will support the market in terms of supply and demand.” India’s benchmark stock gauge ended flat after trading lower for most of the session as investors booked some profits after a three-day rally.  The S&P BSE Sensex closed little changed at 53,177.45 in Mumbai, while the NSE Nifty 50 Index gained 0.1%.  Six of the the 19 sector sub-gauges compiled by BSE Ltd. dropped, led by consumer durables companies, while oil & gas firms were top performers.  ICICI Bank was among the prominent decliners on the Sensex, falling 1%. Out of 30 shares in the Sensex index, 17 rose and 13 fell. In rates, fixed income sold off as treasuries remained under pressure with the 10Y yield rising as high as 3.26%, following steeper declines for euro-zone and UK bond markets for second straight day and after two ugly US auctions on Monday. Yields across the curve are higher by 2bp-5bp led by the 7-year ahead of the $40 billion auction. In Europe, several 10-year yields are 10bp higher on the day after comments by an ECB official spurred money markets to price in more policy tightening. WI 7Y yield at around 3.32% exceeds 7-year auction stops since March 2010 and compares with 2.777% last month. Monday’s 5-year auction drew a yield more than 3bp higher than its yield in pre-auction trading just before the bidding deadline, a sign dealers underestimated demand. Traders attributed the poor results to factors including short base eroded by last week’s rally, recently elevated market volatility discouraging market-making, and sub-par participation during what is a popular vacation week in the US. Focal points for US session include 7-year note auction at 1pm ET; a 5-year auction Monday produced notably weak demand metrics. The belly of the German curve underperformed as markets focus  on hawkish comments from ECB officials: 5y bobl yields rose 10 bps near 1.46%, red pack euribors dropped 10-13 ticks and ECB-dated OIS rates priced in 163 basis points of tightening by year end. In FX, Bloomberg dollar spot index is near flat as the greenback reversed earlier losses versus all of its Group-of-10 peers apart from the yen while commodity currencies were the best performers. The euro rose above $1.06 before paring gains after ECB Governing Council member Martins Kazaks said the central bank should consider a first rate hike of more than a quarter-point if there are signs that high inflation readings are feeding expectations. Money markets ECB raised tightening wagers after his remarks. ECB President Lagarde later affirmed plans for an initial quarter-point increase in interest rates in July but said policy makers are ready to step up action to tackle record inflation if warranted. The ECB is likely to drain cash from the banking system to offset any bond purchases made to restrain borrowing costs for indebted euro-area members, Reuters reported, citing two sources it didn’t identify. Elsewhere, the pound drifted against the dollar and euro after underperforming Monday, with focus on quarter-end flows, lingering Brexit risks and the UK economic outlook. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon due to speak later on how she plans to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence by the end of next year. The yen gave up an Asia session gain versus the dollar as US equity futures reversed losses. The Australian dollar rose after China cut its mandatory quarantine period to 10 days from three weeks for inbound visitors in its latest Covid-19 guidance. JPY was the weakest in G-10, drifting below 136 to the USD. In commodities, oil rose for a third day with global output threats compounding already red-hot markets for physical supplies and as broader financial sentiment improved. Brent crude breached $117 a barrel on Tuesday, but some of the most notable moves in recent days have been in more specialist market gauges. A contract known as the Dated-to-Frontline swap -- an indicator of the strength in the key North Sea market underpinning much of the world’s crude pricing -- hit a record of more than $5 a barrel. The rally comes amid growing supply outages in Libya and Ecuador, exacerbating ongoing market tightness. Oil prices also rose Tuesday as broader sentiment was boosted by China’s move to cut in half the time new arrivals must spend in isolation, the biggest shift yet in its pandemic policy. Meanwhile, the G-7 tasked ministers to urgently discuss an oil price cap on Russia.  Finally, the prospect of additional supply from two of OPEC’s key producers also looks limited. On Monday Reuters reported that French President Emmanuel Macron told his US counterpart Joe Biden that the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are already pumping almost as much as they can. In the battered metals space, LME nickel rose 2.7%, outperforming peers and leading broad-based gains in the base-metals complex. Spot gold rises roughly $3 to trade near $1,826/oz Looking to the day ahead now, data releases include the FHFA house price index for April, the advance goods trade balance and preliminary wholesale inventories for May, as well as the Conference Board’s consumer confidence for June and the Richmond Fed’s manufacturing index. From central banks, we’ll hear from ECB President Lagarde, the ECB’s Lane, Elderson and Panetta, the Fed’s Daly, and BoE Deputy Governor Cunliffe. Finally, NATO leaders will be meeting in Madrid. Market Snapshot S&P 500 futures up 0.5% to 3,922.50 STOXX Europe 600 up 0.6% to 417.65 MXAP up 0.4% to 162.36 MXAPJ up 0.4% to 539.85 Nikkei up 0.7% to 27,049.47 Topix up 1.1% to 1,907.38 Hang Seng Index up 0.9% to 22,418.97 Shanghai Composite up 0.9% to 3,409.21 Sensex down 0.3% to 52,990.39 Australia S&P/ASX 200 up 0.9% to 6,763.64 Kospi up 0.8% to 2,422.09 German 10Y yield little changed at 1.62% Euro little changed at $1.0587 Brent Futures up 1.4% to $116.65/bbl Gold spot up 0.3% to $1,828.78 U.S. Dollar Index little changed at 103.89 Top Overnight News from Bloomberg In Tokyo’s financial circles, the trade is known as the widow- maker. The bet is simple: that the Bank of Japan, under growing pressure to stabilize the yen as it sinks to a 24-year low, will have to abandon its 0.25% cap on benchmark bond yields and let them soar, just as they already have in the US, Canada, Europe and across much of the developing world Bank of Italy Governor Ignazio Visco may leave his post in October, paving the way for the appointment of a high profile executive close to Premier Mario Draghi, daily Il Foglio reported NATO is set to label China a “systemic challenge” when it outlines its new policy guidelines this week, while also highlighting Beijing’s deepening partnership with Russia, according to people familiar with the matter The PBOC pledged to keep monetary policy supportive to aid the economy’s recovery, while signaling that stimulus would likely focus on boosting credit rather than lowering interest rates A more detailed look at global markets courtesy of Newsquawk Asia-Pac stocks were mixed with the region partially shrugging off the lacklustre handover from the US. ASX 200 was kept afloat with energy leading the gains amongst the commodity-related sectors. Nikkei 225 swung between gains and losses with upside capped by resistance above the 27K level. Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp. were pressured amid weakness in tech and lingering default concerns as Sunac plans discussions on extending a CNY bond and with Evergrande facing a wind-up petition. Top Asian News China is to cut quarantine time for international travellers, according to state media cited by Reuters. Shanghai Disneyland (DIS) will reopen on June 30th, according to Reuters. PBoC injected CNY 110bln via 7-day reverse repos with the rate at 2.10% for a CNY 100bln net daily injection. China's state planner official said China faces new challenges in stabilising jobs and prices due to COVID and risks from the Ukraine crisis, while the NDRC added they will not resort to flood-like stimulus but will roll out tools in its policy reserve in a timely way to cope with challenges, according to Reuters. China's state planner NDRC says China is to cut gasoline and diesel retail prices by CNY 320/tonne and CNY 310/tonne respectively from June 29th. BoJ may have been saddled with as much as JPY 600bln in unrealised losses on its JGB holdings earlier this month, as a widening gap between domestic and overseas monetary policy pushed yields higher and prices lower, according to Nikkei. European bourses are firmer as sentiment picked up heading into the cash open amid encouraging Chinese COVID headlines. Sectors are mostly in the green with no clear theme. Base metals and Energy reside as the current winners and commodities feel a boost from China’s COVID updates. Stateside, US equity futures saw a leg higher in tandem with global counterparts, with the RTY narrowly outperforming. Twitter (TWTR) in recent weeks provided Tesla (TSLA) CEO Musk with historical tweet data and access to its so-called fire hose of tweets, according to WSJ sources. Top European News UK lawmakers voted 295-221 to support the Northern Ireland Protocol bill in the first of many parliamentary tests it will face during the months ahead, according to Reuters. Scotland's First Minister Sturgeon will set out a plan today for holding a second Scottish Independence Referendum, according to BBC News. ECB’s Kazaks Says Worth Looking at Larger Rate Hike in July G-7 Latest: Leaders Want Urgent Evaluation of Energy Price Caps Ex- UBS Staffer Wants Payout for Exposing $10 Billion Swiss Stash SocGen Blames Clifford Chance in $483 Million Gold Suit GSK’s £40 Billion Consumer Arm Picks Citi, UBS as Brokers Russian Industry Faces Code Crisis as Critical Software Pulled ECB ECB's Lagarde said inflation in the euro area is undesirably high and it is projected to stay that way for some time to comeFragmentation tool, via the ECB. ECB's Kazaks said 25bps in July and 50bps in September is the base case, via Bloomberg TV. Kazaks said it is worth looking at a 50bps hike in July and front-loading hikes might be reasonable. Fragmentation risks should not stand in the way of monetary policy normalisation. If necessary, the ECB will come up with tools to address fragmentation. ECB's Wunsch said he is comfortable with a 50bps hike in September; adds that 200bps of hikes are needed relatively fast, and anti-fragmentation tool should have no limits if market moves are unwarranted, via Reuters. Bank of Italy said Governor Visco's resignation is not on the table, according to a spokesperson cited by Reuters. Fixed Income Bond reversal continues amidst buoyant risk sentiment, hawkish ECB commentary and supply. Bunds lose two more big figures between 146.80 peak and 144.85 trough, Gilts down to 112.06 from 112.86 at best and 10 year T-note retreats within 117-01/116-14 range FX DXY regroups on spot month end as yields rally and rebalancing factors offer support - index within 103.750-104.020 range vs Monday's 103.660 low. Euro continues to encounter resistance above 1.0600 via 55 DMA (1.0614 today); Yen undermined by latest bond retreat and renewed risk appetite - Usd/Jpy eyes 136.00 from low 135.00 area and close to 134.50 yesterday. Aussie breaches technical and psychological resistance with encouragement from China lifting or easing more Covid restrictions - Aud/Usd through 10 DMA at 0.6954. Loonie and Norwegian Krona boosted by firm rebound in oil as France fans supply concerns due to limited Saudi and UAE production capacity - Usd/Cad sub-1.2850 and Eur/Nok under 10.3500. Yuan receives another PBoC liquidity boost to compliment positive developments on the pandemic front, but Rand hampered by latest power cut warning issued by SA’s Eskom Commodities WTI and Brent futures were bolstered in early European hours amid encouragement seen from China's loosening of COVID restrictions. Spot gold is uneventful, around USD 1,825/oz in what has been a sideways session for the bullion since the reopening overnight. Base metals are posting broad gains across the complex - with LME copper back above USD 8,500/t amid China-related optimism. US Event Calendar 08:30: May Advance Goods Trade Balance, est. -$105b, prior -$105.9b, revised -$106.7b 08:30: May Wholesale Inventories MoM, est. 2.1%, prior 2.2% May Retail Inventories MoM, est. 1.6%, prior 0.7% 09:00: April S&P CS Composite-20 YoY, est. 21.15%, prior 21.17% 09:00: April S&P/CS 20 City MoM SA, est. 1.95%, prior 2.42% 09:00: April FHFA House Price Index MoM, est. 1.4%, prior 1.5% 10:00: June Conf. Board Consumer Confidenc, est. 100.0, prior 106.4 Conf. Board Expectations, prior 77.5; Present Situation, prior 149.6 10:00: June Richmond Fed Index, est. -5, prior -9 DB's Jim Reid concludes the overnight wrap It's been a landmark night in our household as last night was the first time the 4-year-old twins slept without night nappies. So my task this morning after I send this to the publishers is to leave for the office before they all wake up so that any accidents are not my responsibility. Its hopefully the end of a near 7-year stretch of nappies being constantly around in their many different guises and states of unpleasantness. Maybe give it another 30-40 years and they'll be back. Talking of unpleasantness, as we near the end of what’s generally been an awful H1 for markets, yesterday saw the relief rally from last week stall out, with another bond selloff and an equity performance that fluctuated between gains and losses before the S&P 500 (-0.30%) ended in negative territory. In terms of the specific moves, sovereign bonds lost ground on both sides of the Atlantic, with yields on 10yr Treasuries up by +7.0bps following their -9.6bps decline from the previous week. That advance was led by real rates (+9.6bps), which look to have been supported by some decent second-tier data releases from the US during May yesterday. The preliminary reading for US durable goods orders surprised on the upside with a +0.7% gain (vs. +0.1% expected). Core capital goods orders also surprised on the upside with a +0.8% advance (vs. +0.2% expected). And pending home sales were unexpectedly up by +0.7% (vs. -4.0% expected). Collectively that gave investors a bit more confidence that growth was still in decent shape last month, which is something that will also offer the Fed more space to continue their campaign of rate hikes into H2. This morning 10yr USTs yields have eased -2.45 bps to 3.17% while 2yr yields (-4 bps) have also moved lower to 3.08%, as we go to press. Staying at the front end, when it comes to those rate hikes, if you look at Fed funds futures they show that investors are still only expecting them to continue for another 9 months, with the peak rate in March or April 2023 before markets are pricing in at least a full 25bps rate cut by end-2023 from that point. I pointed out in my chart of the day yesterday (link here) that the median time historically from the last hike of the cycle to the first cut was only 4 months, and last time it was only 7 months between the final hike in December 2018 and the next cut in July 2019. So it wouldn’t be historically unusual if Fed funds did follow that pattern whether that fits my view or not. Over in Europe yesterday there was an even more aggressive rise in yields, with those on 10yr bunds (+10.9bps), OATs (+11.0bps) and BTPs (+9.1bps) all rising on the day as they bounced back from their even larger declines over the previous week. That came as investors pared back their bets on a more dovish ECB that they’d made following the more negative tone last week, and the rate priced in by the December ECB meeting rose by +8.5bps on the day. For equities, the major indices generally fluctuated between gains and losses through the day. The S&P 500 followed that pattern and ultimately fell -0.30%, which follows its best daily performance in over 2 years on Friday Quarter-end rebalancing flows seem set to drive markets back-and-forth price this week. Even with the decline yesterday, the index is +6.36% higher since its closing low less than a couple of weeks ago. And over in Europe, the STOXX 600 (+0.52%) posted a decent advance, although that masked regional divergences, including losses for the CAC 40 (-0.43%) and the FTSE MIB (-0.86%). Energy stocks strongly outperformed in the index, supported by a further rise in oil prices that left both Brent crude (+1.74%) and WTI (+1.81%) higher on the day. G7 ministers reportedly agreed to explore a cap on Russian gas and oil exports, with the official mandate expected to be announced today, but it would take time for any mechanism to be developed. The impact on global oil supply is not clear: if Russia retaliates supply could go down, if this enables other third parties to import more Russian oil supply could go up. Elsewhere, political unrest in Libya and Ecuador could simultaneously hit oil supply. In early Asian trading, oil prices continue to move higher, with Brent futures up +1.13% at $116.39/bbl and WTI futures gaining +1% to just above the $110/bbl level. Asian equity markets are struggling a bit this morning. The Hang Seng (-1.00%) is the largest underperformer amid a weakening in Chinese tech stocks whilst the Nikkei (-0.15%), Shanghai Composite (-0.15%) and CSI (-0.19%) are trading in negative territory in early trade. Elsewhere, the Kospi (-0.05%) is just below the flatline. US stock futures are slipping with contracts on the S&P 500 (-0.12%) and NASDAQ 100 (-0.18%) both slightly lower. In central bank news, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) Governor Yi Gang pledged to provide additional monetary support to the economy to recover from Covid outbreaks and lockdowns and other stresses. In a rare interview conducted in English, the central bank chief did caution though that the real interest rate is low thereby indicating limited room for large-scale monetary easing. Turning to geopolitical developments, the G7 summit continued in Germany yesterday, and in a statement it said they would “further intensify our economic measures against Russia”. Separately, NATO announced that it will increase the number of high readiness forces to over 300,000, with the alliance’s leaders set to gather in Madrid from today. And we’re also expecting a new round of nuclear talks with Iran to take place at some point this week, something Henry mentioned in his latest Mapping Markets out yesterday (link here), which if successful could in time pave the way for Iranian oil to return to the global market. Finally, whilst there were some decent May data releases from the US, the Dallas Fed’s manufacturing activity index for June fell to a 2-year low of -17.7 (vs. -6.5 expected). To the day ahead now, and data releases include Germany’s GfK consumer confidence for July, French consumer confidence for June, whilst in the US there’s the FHFA house price index for April, the advance goods trade balance and preliminary wholesale inventories for May, as well as the Conference Board’s consumer confidence for June and the Richmond Fed’s manufacturing index. From central banks, we’ll hear from ECB President Lagarde, the ECB’s Lane, Elderson and Panetta, the Fed’s Daly, and BoE Deputy Governor Cunliffe. Finally, NATO leaders will be meeting in Madrid. Tyler Durden Tue, 06/28/2022 - 08:00.....»»

The Supreme Court has overturned the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that granted a nationwide, constitutional right to an abortion. Abortion rights and anti-abortion rights activists fill the street in front of the U.S. Supreme Court during a protest in the wake of the decision overturning Roe v. Wade outside on June 25, 2022, in Washington, DC.Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on last week. The 1973 landmark ruling established the constitutional right to an abortion. Over a dozen states have laws meant to immediately outlaw abortion upon a reversal of Roe. The Supreme Court last week overturned the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that established the constitutional right to an abortion. The opinion in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization threw out the ruling as the nation's highest court sided with Mississippi and other states, which passed restrictive anti-abortion laws.Immediately after last week's ruling, politicians on both sides of the aisle issued statements — with Republicans praising the Supreme Court and Democrats slamming the decision. Over a dozen states have "trigger laws" meant to ban abortion immediately upon the overturning of Roe, as the legality of abortion is now left up to state legislatures. Olivia Rodrigo calls out SCOTUS justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade with a rendition of 'F--- You'Olivia Rodrigo performing at the Glastonbury Festival on Saturday.Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage via Getty ImagesPop star Olivia Rodrigo on Saturday sent a message to the Supreme Court justices responsible for overturning Roe v. Wade, calling them out during her set at the Glastonbury music festival. Rodrigo invited her guest, British singer Lily Allen, on stage and the pair performed Allen's 2009 song, "Fuck You" — but not before Rodrigo named all five SCOTUS justices who helped gut the landmark ruling that protected abortion rights in America."Today is a very, very special day. This is actually my first Glastonbury," Rodrigo said. "But I'm also equally as heartbroken over what happened in America yesterday." Rodrigo told the crowd that the SCOTUS decision infringed on a woman's ability to secure a safe abortion, which she called a basic human right. Read Full StoryAfter Roe fell, Steve Bannon called for an 'army of the awakened' to 'shatter' DemocratsIn a Gettr post, Steve Bannon urged "patriots" to take advantage of the "Roe momentum" to win the MAGA movement a "massive victory" at the midterm elections.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty ImagesRight-wing figure Steve Bannon has called for an "army of the awakened" to "shatter" the Democratic party in post-Roe America. Bannon made a post on Gettr on Saturday lauding the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, a controversial decision that has led to abortion being halted in some states.In his post, Bannon called on "the army of the awakened" to rally and capitalize on the verdict. "This is the key take-away for MAGA … the pro-abortion movement is shattered and is now turning in on itself — because for 50 years they didn't have to work— the Courts and Regime Media covered for them — now The Abyss," Bannon wrote."That's the Democratic Party in November— we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shatter it into a million small pieces," Bannon added, referring to the upcoming midterm elections.Read Full StoryTexas abortion clinic staff describe how patients 'begged for help' when Roe v. Wade was overturned: reportA patient at the Alamo Women's Reproductive Services Clinic in San Antonio, Texas, is informed by a staff member on Friday that the clinic can no longer provide her with an abortion.Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesStaff at an abortion clinic in Texas said they had to turn away people seeking abortions away just minutes after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday.Speaking to The 19th, an independent news organization, clinic administrator Andrea Gallegos described how she had to turn away a dozen patients waiting in the lobby of the Alamo Women's Reproductive Services clinic in San Antonio, Texas. Gallegos told The 19th that she and the clinic's staff had to tell the people gathered that, because of the ruling, "unfortunately, your geographical location affects your bodily autonomy." Per the outlet, Gallegos described the scene at the clinic as being one of "complete despair," with people screaming, crying, and begging for help.Read Full Story'Full House' star Jodie Sweetin was thrown to the ground by LAPD during freeway protest for abortion rightsJodie Sweetin told People that she was "proud" of those who showed up to protest.Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty ImagesLos Angeles Police Department officers shoved Jodie Sweetin onto the ground of a freeway in Los Angeles on Saturday during an abortion rights protest, video shows.The "Full House" and "Fuller House" star, wearing all black with a black backpack, can be seen in a video of the incident with a megaphone in hand when a couple of LAPD officers shove her to the ground. Protesters can be heard yelling "Jodie, you good?" and  "What the f*** is wrong with you guys?"Sweetin is then picked up and the crowd immediately begins to chant "no justice, no peace."Read Full StorySince the Roe ruling a gynecology clinic in Texas has received increased requests for permanent sterilization: 'I sense that they're scared'Protesters march during an abortion-rights rally on June 25, 2022 in Austin, Texas.Sergio Flores/Getty ImagesA women's health clinic in Austin, Texas, has received dozens of requests for permanent sterilizations after Friday's decision by the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that established a constitutional right to an abortion. After the Women's Health Domain closed on Friday evening for the weekend, it received 109 new patient requests, the majority of which were requesting tubal ligation, or permanent sterilization. Read Full StoryThe impact of Kavanaugh's confirmation on the 2018 elections may reveal how the reversal of Roe v. Wade could impact this year's midtermsU.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh.Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesAs political analysts seek to understand the possible impact of Roe v. Wade being overturned on this year's midterm elections, some suggest that data from 2018 may reveal possible trends. In 2018, following the contentious confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh — who was accused of sexual assault by Christine Ford — 40 Republican US House seats flipped to Democratic candidates. GOP candidates led in polls taken prior to the hearings and went on to lose in November in 27 of those races, indicating increased mobilization among partisan voters following the hearings.  Read Full StoryLindsey Graham said Alito's abortion opinion was correct for distinguishing Roe from same-sex marriage and contraception rulingsRepublican Sen. Lindsey Graham.J. Scott Applewhite/APRepublican South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said Sunday that Justice Samuel Alito, unlike Justice Clarence Thomas, was correct for saying same-sex marriage and contraception would not be affected by the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. In his concurring opinion on the ruling, Thomas wrote "we should reconsider all of this Court's substantive due process precedents" for cases regarding contraceptive access, same-sex relationships, and same-sex marriage.Read Full StoryAOC says Supreme Court justices who lied under oath must face consequences for 'impeachable offense'U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).Alex Wong/Getty ImagesRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Sunday said she believes it's an "impeachable offense" for a Supreme Court justice to lie under oath. Following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, Sens. Susan Collins and Joe Manchin said they felt misled by Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch during their individual confirmation hearings. The two senators, both pro-choice, voted to confirm Kavanaugh and Gorsuch because they assured them that they believed Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark Supreme Court decision that made abortion a constitutional right nationwide, was law. Both Gorsuch and Kavanaugh, however, voted to strike down Roe earlier this week.Ocasio-Cortez, speaking in an interview with NBC News' "Meet the Press," said she believes the court is facing a "crisis of legitimacy" and justices must face consequences if they lie under oath. "If we allow Supreme Court nominees to lie under oath and secure lifetime appointments to the highest court of the land and then issue, without basis," she said, "we must see that through. There must be consequences for such a deeply destabilizing action and a hostile takeover of our democratic institutions."Read Full StoryElizabeth Warren: Supreme Court 'set a torch' to the last of its legitimacySen. Elizabeth Warren.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty ImagesSen. Elizabeth Warren said the US Supreme Court has lost all legitimacy following the rollback of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark decision that made abortion a constitutional right nationwide.Speaking on ABC News' "This Week" on Sunday, Warren suggested that Republicans have tried to stack the Supreme Court with justices who would be against abortion. "The Republicans have been very overt about trying to get people through the court who didn't have a published record on Roe, but who they knew — wink wink nod nod — were going to be extremist on the issue of Roe v. Wade." Warren said. "And that is exactly what we have ended up with.""This court has lost legitimacy. They have burned whatever legitimacy they may still have had," Warren continued. "They just took the last of it and set a torch to it with the Roe v. Wade opinion."Read Full StoryAn abortion clinic in North Dakota has raised more than $500,000 in two days to fund its move to MinnesotaActivists march along Constitution Avenue to the US Supreme Court on May 14, 2022.Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post via Getty ImagesAn abortion clinic based in North Dakota has raised more than $550,000 to fund its move in the two days since the Supreme Court's decision to roll back Roe v. Wade. The Red River Women's Clinic of Fargo, North Dakota, set up a GoFundMe to assist with a planned move to Moorhead, Minnesota. North Dakota is one of the at least 13 states that has a "trigger" law, which immediately bans abortions following the overturn of Roe v. Wade. But moving out of North Dakota means there will no longer be an operating abortion clinic in the state. READ FULL STORYThe overturning of Roe v. Wade will 'exacerbate the mental health crisis' in the US, American Psychological Association saysRear view of an unrecognizable abused woman sitting on her bed looking out the window. - stock photoAlvaro Medina Jurado/ Getty ImagesThe American Psychological Association warned on Friday that the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade will exacerbate mental health in the United States.Research suggests that "adding barriers to accessing abortion services may increase symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression," APA President Frank C. Wornell said in a statement."We are alarmed that the justices would nullify Roe despite decades of scientific research demonstrating that people who are denied abortions are more likely to experience higher levels of anxiety, lower life satisfaction and lower self-esteem compared with those who are able to obtain abortions," Wornell added. READ FULL STORYTrump congratulated his conservative Supreme Court justice picks for their 'courage' amid the overturn of Roe v. WadeFormer President Donald Trump.AP Photo/Joe MaioranaFormer President Donald Trump on Saturday thanked his three conservative justice picks on the Supreme Court, all of whom voted to overturn Roe v. Wade."Yesterday the court handed down a victory for the Constitution, a victory for the rule of law, and above all, a victory for life," Trump said during a rally in Mendon, Illinois. "Thanks to the courage found within the United States Supreme Court, this long divisive issue will be decided by the states and by the American people," he added.He congratulated his three picks — Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett — and praised the decision.READ FULL STORYAOC recalls thanking God she had the choice to get an abortion when she took a pregnancy test after being rapedRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Friday shared a personal sexual assault story during a pro-abortion rights rally, saying she felt grateful she had the freedom to obtain an abortion if she needed one in that moment. "I myself, when I was about 22 or 23 years old, was raped while I was living here in New York City," she told a crowd in New York's City Union Square Park. "I was completely alone. I felt completely alone. In fact, I felt so alone that I had to take a pregnancy test in a public bathroom in midtown Manhattan.""When I sat there waiting for what the result would be, all I could think was thank God I have, at least, a choice," she continued. "Thank God I could, at least, have the freedom to choose my destiny."READ FULL STORYGloria Steinem slams Roe v. Wade repeal, says 'there is no democracy' without the right to choseGloria Steinem was one of the most important activists of the Women's Movement.Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesJournalist and feminist leader Gloria Steinem has slammed the impact of repealing Roe v. Wade will have on democracy, in an email to AP."Obviously, without the right of women and men to make decisions about our own bodies, there is no democracy," she said. She has called for action to fight the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, protecting US abortion rights."Banning abortions does not stop the need. It just bans their safety."Read Full StoryGOP privately worrying overturning Roe v. Wade could impact midterms: 'This is a losing issue for Republicans,' report saysProtests outside of the Supreme Court after it overturned Roe v. WadeCamila DeChalusWhile Republicans are publicly celebrating the overturning of Roe v. Wade, some are privately worrying that the timing could negatively impact the November midterms. Some Republicans fear the abortion ruling could give Democrats ammunition to attack them and mobilize voters, Politico reported, based on interviews with more than a dozen GOP strategists and officials."This is not a conversation we want to have," Republican strategist John Thomas told Politico. "We want to have a conversation about the economy. We want to have a conversation about Joe Biden, about pretty much anything else besides Roe. This is a losing issue for Republicans."Read Full StoryPlanned Parenthood sues Utah to stop trigger law that makes abortion a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prisonPro-choice supporters and staff of Planned Parenthood hold a rally outside the Planned Parenthood Reproductive Health Services Center in St. Louis, Missouri, May 31, 2019.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty ImagesThe Planned Parenthood Association of Utah is suing to stop the state's "trigger law" abortion ban that took effect on Friday following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.The Utah law makes abortions, with limited exceptions, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Read Full StoryMany Republicans rejoiced at Roe being overturned but these 4 GOP governors want to protect the right to abortionGov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire.AP Photo/Charles Krupa, FileAfter Friday's Supreme Court Roe v. Wade ruling, which revoked the constitutional right to abortion, many Republicans celebrated it as a win. The GOP has long been at the forefront of the fight to restrict abortion access and many Republican-led states have enacted or will enact abortion bans as a result of the decision.Read Full StoryGeorgia Democratic nominee for Governor Stacey Abrams explains the change in her position on abortion: There is 'no place in that medical decision for ideology or for politicians'Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams speaks to the media during a press conference, May 24, 2022Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesGeorgia Democratic nominee for Governor Stacey Abrams explained in a Friday interview with CNN how her perspective on abortion rights has evolved over the years and how she came to support the right to abortion services after being raised in a religious household. "I was very much on the side of anti-abortion, through much of my upbringing. I grew up in Mississippi, in a very religious family, in a religious community," Abrams told CNN host Sara Sidner. "And I was raised to have a very uncritical eye to this question."Read Full StoryWhat is the Hyde Amendment and how is it related to the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade?People protest the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade abortion decision in New York City, New York, U.S., June 24, 2022.REUTERS/Caitlin OchsFollowing the Supreme Court's Friday decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, there have been renewed calls from lawmakers and activists to abandon the Hyde Amendment, a legislative provision preventing federal funds from being used on abortion services. The Hyde Amendment, named for anti-abortion Congressman Henry Hyde who introduced the provision, was passed in 1976, just four years after the landmark Roe vs. Wade ruling that established the right to an abortion. The amendment, which prevents federal funds from services such as Medicaid to be used to provide abortions, was mired in legal challenges for its first years, leading to the Supreme Court case Harris v. McRae. Read Full StoryAfter calls from AOC and other Dems to expand the court, White House says Biden 'does not agree' with the movePresident Joe Biden.Getty ImagesAs calls for remedies to restrictions on abortion access grow, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Saturday that President Joe Biden "does not agree with" expanding the Supreme Court. "I was asked this question yesterday, and I've been asked it before... about expanding the Court. That is something that the President does not agree with. That is not something that he wants to do," Jean-Pierre said during a press briefing on Air Force One.Read Full StoryVirginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin pushes state lawmakers for a 15-week abortion banRepublican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia.AP Photo/Steve HelberRepublican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia on Friday said he would push for a ban on most abortions after 15 weeks in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.Youngkin, who took office earlier this year, said in a statement that the court's decision was an "appropriate" return of power "to the people and their elected representatives in the states.""Virginians do want fewer abortions as opposed to more abortions," the governor said in a meeting at The Washington Post shortly after the decision was made public. "I am not someone who is going to jump in and try to push us apart … There is a place we can come together."Youngkin assembled four Republican legislators to help write legislation that could potentially attract bipartisan support in a legislature. In the state, the GOP has a 52-48 majority in the House of Delegates while Democrats have a 21-19 edge in the Senate.Read Full StoryMan uses truck to repeatedly block entrance to Mississippi's only abortion clinic as tensions run high after Roe v. Wade rulingA man blocked the entrance to the Jackson Women's Health Organization, Mississippi's only abortion clinic, with his truck on June 25, 2022 after the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade earlier in the week.Kenneth NiemeyerJACKSON, MS — A man used his truck to block the entrance to Mississippi's only abortion clinic on Saturday as tensions continue to run high at the clinic after the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade earlier in the week.The Jackson Women's Health Organization, the only abortion clinic in Mississippi, has vowed to remain open for at least nine more days after the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to overturn Roe V. Wade, a landmark decision that legalized abortion nationally. Mississippi has a trigger law that requires the state attorney general to certify the Supreme Court's decision and allows for the clinic to remain open for 10 days after the certification.Pro-life demonstrators continued to clash with clinic volunteer escorts, who call themselves Pink House Defenders, on Saturday. The clinic, housed in a large pink building, is commonly referred to locally as the Pink House.A man in a white truck blocked the entrance to the clinic at least twice on Saturday.Read Full StoryDemocratic lawmakers urge FTC to investigate Apple and Google over mobile tracking data practices targeting abortion seekersDaniil Dubov/Getty ImagesFour Democratic lawmakers on Friday urged the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Apple and Google's mobile tacking practices regarding abortion seekers. Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Ron Wyden of Oregon, and Sara Jacobs of California wrote a letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan — accusing Apple and Google of collecting and selling "Hundreds of millions of mobile phone users' data." The lawmakers argued that for individuals seeking abortion services in states where abortion would be illegal it is essential that their data won't fall into the wrong hands.Read Full StorySens. Susan Collins and Joe Manchin, who voted to confirm justices Kavanaugh and Gorsuch, say they were misled on Roe v. WadeSen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesCentrist Senators Susan Collins and Joe Manchin criticized Friday's landmark Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, suggesting they felt misled by Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch.Collins, a Maine Republican, and Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, both voted to confirm Kavanaugh and Gorsuch. Both senators are pro-choice and said that the justices had assured them they believed Roe v Wade was settled law."I trusted Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh when they testified under oath that they also believed Roe v. Wade was settled legal precedent. I am alarmed they chose to reject the stability the ruling has provided for two generations of Americans," Manchin said in a statement.Manchin, a self-described centrist, was one of three Democrats to vote to confirm Gorsuch in 2017 and the only Democrat who voted to confirm Kavanaugh in 2018. Kavanaugh's 50-48 confirmation vote was historically close.Manchin said that while he is personally pro-life, he would "support legislation that would codify the rights Roe v. Wade previously protected."Read Full StorySenators Elizabeth Warren and Tina Smith call on Biden to 'declare a public health emergency' now that Roe v Wade 'is gone'Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., right, and Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn.Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)US Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Tina Smith of Minnesota are calling on President Joe Biden to  "declare a public health emergency," following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.In an op-ed for the New York Times on Saturday, the Democratic senators said that "with the release of the Dobbs decision," the US is facing " a perilous time that threatens millions of women across this nation.""We urge the president to declare a public health emergency to protect abortion access for all Americans, unlocking critical resources and authority that states and the federal government can use to meet the surge in demand for reproductive health services. The danger is real, and Democrats must meet it with the urgency it deserves," Warren and Smith wrote. The senators blamed the reversal of Roe v. Wade on "right-wing politicians and their allies" who they said "have spent decades scheming."Read Full StorySearches for how to move to Canada from the US spike by over 850% after Roe v. Wade rulingMary Meisenzahl/InsiderSearches for how to move to Canada spiked over 850% on Google after the Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v Wade, Axios reported. Citing Simon Rogers' Google Trends newsletter, Axios reported that searches for  "How to become a Canadian citizen" also rose by 550% as of Friday evening.In a 5-4 majority opinion, the Supreme Court on Friday overturned the 50-year-old landmark ruling that legalized abortion nationwide.Read Full StoryA pickup truck driver in Iowa ploughed into pro-choice protesters opposing the overturning of Roe v. Wade abortion rightsProtesters approach a pickup truck that attempted to run over abortion-rights protesters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.Isacc Davis via ReutersA truck drove into a group of pro-choice protesters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, leading to at least one woman being hospitalized. The group of mostly women protesters was demonstrating against the landmark Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade when an unidentified man driving a black Ford truck drove into them.In videos of the incident, protesters can be seen trying to stand in the car's way and shouting at the driver to stop. He accelerates and a protester is knocked to the ground.Read Full StoryBill Gates and George Soros among billionaires denouncing Roe v. Wade decisionBill Gates voiced opposition to the Roe v. Wade decision, while Warren Buffett is reportedly planning a big investment in abortion rights.Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesSome of America's most prominent billionaires have denounced the overturning of Roe v. Wade, as Warren Buffett reportedly sets in motion plans for big donations to reproductive rights.Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and George Soros all tweeted their opposition to the Supreme Court decision to roll back abortion rights nationally, overturning a near-50-year precedent. Bill Gates tweeted: "This is a sad day. Reversing Roe v. Wade is an unjust and unacceptable setback. And it puts women's lives at risk, especially the most disadvantaged."Read Full StoryMeta bans staff from open discussion of Roe v. Wade decision and is deleting internal messages that mention abortion: reportMeta has disallowed employees to discuss abortion on internal messaging system.Joan Cros/Getty ImagesMeta has warned employees not to discuss the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on its internal system and deleting messages that do so, The New York Times reported.Managers cited a policy that put "strong guardrails around social, political and sensitive conversations" in the workplace, according to company insiders, the newspaper reported. Read Full StoryVatican praises US Supreme Court for overturning Roe v. Wade, says it 'challenges the whole world'Pope Francis gestures, during his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 23, 2022.Alessandra Tarantino/Associated PressThe Vatican's Pontifical Academy for Life has praised the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade which protected abortion rights for women. They also called that legislation ensures that those giving birth are given the support needed to keep and care for their children. In a statement released on Twitter, the Catholic organization said "The fact that a large country with a long democratic tradition has changed its position on this issue also challenges the whole world."Read Full Story The Arizona State Senate had to be evacuated after tear gas police deployed on protesters spread into the buildingArizona State Capitol Building at sunrise, features Winged Victory statue and was modeled after Greek statue Nike of Samothrace.Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images GroupThe Arizona State Senate Building in Phoenix was evacuated on Friday after police deployed tear gas at demonstrators.A video posted on social media by Republican State Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita shows dozens of people protesting outside the government building in response to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Read Full StoryObergefell, the plaintiff in the SCOTUS same-sex marriage ruling, said it's 'quite telling' Clarence Thomas omitted the case that legalized interracial marriage after saying the courts should go after other right to privacy casesAssociate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife and conservative activist Virginia Thomas arrive at the Heritage Foundation on October 21, 2021.Drew Angerer/Getty ImageJim Obergefell, the plaintiff behind the Supreme Court's landmark ruling on same-sex marriage, said Friday that Justice Clarence Thomas omitted Loving v. Virginia on his list of  Supreme Court decisions to "reconsider" because it "affects him personally." "That affects him personally, but he doesn't care about the LGBTQ+ community," Obergefell said on MSNBC's "The Reid Out."Read Full StoryStanding among protestors after the fall of Roe vs. Wade, AOC calls on Biden to create abortion clinics on federal landRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks to abortion-rights activists in front of the U.S. Supreme Court after the Court announced a ruling in the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization case on June 24, 2022 in Washington, DC.Nathan Howard/Getty ImagesRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Friday called on President Biden to create abortion clinics on federal land, following the landmark Supreme Court ruling which overturned Roe v. Wade and removed federal abortion protections. Speaking to a crowd of protestors gathered in New York's Union Square, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez encouraged people to "be relentless to restore and guarantee all of our rights." She detailed her own experience after sexual assault in her 20s, when she was grateful that abortion would have been an option for her if she needed it, and pushed for federal action to preserve access to reproductive healthcare.  Read Full StoryThe states passing strict abortion bans have some of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the countryPRODUCTION - 17 April 2021, Berlin: A midwife listens to the heart tones of an unborn child with an ultrasound device. The woman is in her 2nd trimester of pregnancy and is lying on a bed in the midwife's office. 5.5.2021 is International Midwifery Day, which is intended to draw attention to the importance of the profession.Annette Riedl/picture alliance via Getty ImagesWith Friday's Supreme court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade – the landmark case guaranteeing a right to abortion – 13 states with automatic trigger laws enacted total or near-total bans on abortions. The surge of new abortion bans and clinic closures has highlighted the recent rise in America's maternal mortality rates that are disproportionately affecting women of color and have placed the US first in maternal deaths among all developed nations.Read Full StoryPro-choice advocates come out in force vowing to continue the fight after the Supreme Court strikes down Roe v. WadeA massive crowd gathered in New York's Washington Square Park, hours after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade.Anna Watts for InsiderHours after the Supreme Court announced it had struck down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, throngs of pro-choice Americans took to the streets vowing to continue the fight. In New York's Washington Square Park, a somber and angry crowd began assembling at 5 p.m. ET. They held handwritten signs with words like "Betrayed" or "My corpse has more rights." Some were smeared with red paint.Read Full StoryWhich Supreme Court justices voted to overturn Roe v. Wade? Here's where all 9 judges standReproductive rights activists hold cut out photos of the Supreme Court justices as oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization case are held on Wednesday, December 1, 2021.Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty ImagesThe Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade in a 5-4 majority opinion that guts federal abortion rights protections previously upheld by the nearly 50-year-old landmark ruling.The conservative majority voted to uphold the Mississippi law at the heart of the case which seeks to ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, a contradiction to the standard set by Roe, which allowed abortions until about 24 weeks of pregnancy, at which point a fetus could feasibly survive outside the womb. Six justices ruled in favor of upholding Mississippi's 15-week ban, but it was the majority opinion of five judges that ultimately led to the total overhaul of Roe v. Wade. Read the full story to find out how each justice voted. READ FULL STORYThis map shows where abortion is illegal, protected, or under threat across all 50 US statesPro-life and abortion-rights advocates crowd the Supreme Court building after Roe v. Wade was overturned Friday morning.Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesOn Friday, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the near 50-year-old court ruling that legalized abortion across all 50 US states.Some states have been preparing for years for the possibility that Roe could be overturned.A handful of states had trigger laws designed to immediately ban abortions within their borders once the decision was reversed. Some "sanctuary states," like New York, put in place legal framework that would protect abortion, even if Roe were overturned. In other areas of the country, it isn't totally clear what happens next — abortion isn't legally protected, but it's also not expressly forbidden.Read Full StoryThe Supreme Court just overturned Roe v. Wade, but the vast majority of Americans don't even know who the court's justices areSeated from left: Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, John Roberts, Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor, Standing from left: Brett Kavanaugh, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett.Erin Schaff-Pool/Getty ImagesThe Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, the nearly 50-year-old landmark ruling that protected abortion rights nationwide.But recent polling suggests that the vast majority of American voters don't even know who these influential justices are, highlighting an apparent disconnect between the nation's top court and the very people affected by its rulings.Ahead of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's Senate confirmation earlier this year, C-SPAN and Pierrepont Consulting & Analytics surveyed more than 1,000 likely voters to gauge the public's interest in and awareness of the Supreme Court's work and relevance. While 84% of voters said the Supreme Court's decisions affect their everyday life, far fewer respondents could provide basic details about the court's history or inner workings.Keep ReadingWisconsin patients who were scheduled to receive abortions were turned away in the waiting room after Roe v. Wade was overturnedA volunteer escort outside Affiliated Medical Services, a Milwaukee abortion clinic, on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, in Milwaukee.AP Photo/Dinesh Ramde FileIn Wisconsin, Planned Parenthood clinics had been scheduling patients through Saturday, June 25, but had stopped scheduling for next week in anticipation of the Supreme Court ruling that would overturn Roe v. Wade, which was leaked in May.When the news broke Friday morning that the court had rendered its opinion, Tanya Atkinson, president of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, said her clinics had patients waiting to receive services."Our team had to go out into the lobby and let those individuals know that they would not be able to access the healthcare that they needed," Atkinson told the local PBS station.Keep ReadingProtestors planning to protest on Justice Clarence Thomas' streetProtestors are planning to head over to Justice Clarence Thomas' house on Friday night after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade."Enraged? Devastated? Pissed the fuck off? So are we," Our Rights DC tweeted on Friday afternoon."Meet us at 5711 Burke Centre Pkwy. 6:30 PM we meet, 7 PM we carpool to the Thomas's street. WEAR A MASK," the human rights organization added. Read Full StoryThe sports world is speaking out against Friday's Supreme Court rulingPro-choice activists protest in response to the leaked Supreme Court draft decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in front of the US Supreme Court May 3, 2022 in Washington, DC.Alex Wong/Getty ImagesSome of the biggest names in sports — from tennis to basketball — are speaking out after the Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday.The Minnesota Lynx's Natalie Achonwa wrote on Twitter that she's "feeling sick & heartbroken" after hearing about the decision. Tennis legend and feminist icon Billie Jean King said on Twitter that it's a "sad day" in the US. The WNBA's Seattle Storm tweeted that they are "furious and ready to fight."Orlando Magic point guard Devin Cannady tweeted that the "country needs to be better," adding in a follow-up note that the ruling is "a POWER grab over WOMEN."Read Full StoryThese organizations are asking for donations after Roe v. Wade was overturnedIn the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, organizations fighting for abortion rights are calling on supporters to donate.Click the link below for some organizations that are asking for help to either fight the ruling or provide access to abortion for women in states where it will be banned. Read Full StoryAttorney General says states can't ban abortion pills that are approved by FDAUS Attorney General Merrick Garland said states can't ban abortion medication mifepristone "based on disagreement" with the US Food and Drug Administration.Garland said on Friday that the FDA already ruled on the pill's "safety and efficacy," so the decision can't be overturned by states that want to restrict abortion access."Women who reside in states that have banned access to comprehensive reproductive care must remain free to seek that care in states where it is legal," Garland said, after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade earlier.He continued: "Moreover, under fundamental First Amendment principles, individuals must remain free to inform and counsel each other about the reproductive care that is available in other states."Read Full Story House Democrats sang 'God Bless America' on Capitol steps as crowds protested at Supreme CourtHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi leads a rally celebrating the passage of gun safety legislation as protesters swarm the court just yards away on June 24, 2022.Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesHouse Democrats gathered outside the Capitol on Friday to celebrate passing new gun safety legislation, and cheerfully sang "God Bless America."Across the street, however, protesters swarmed the Supreme Court after the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Read Full StoryVideos show police in riot gear head to Supreme Court after decisionCapitol Police in riot gear could be seen marching towards the Supreme Court earlier on Friday after Roe v. Wade was overturned. A video shared to Twitter by CNN correspondent Manu Raju showed dozens of officers march from the Capitol building and to the Court.Law enforcement also closed streets around the high court, where peaceful protesters gathered by the hundreds after the decision. —Manu Raju (@mkraju) June 24, 2022 Read Full StoryMassive protests erupt outside Supreme Court after Roe v. Wade rulingProtesters outside of Supreme CourtCamila DeChalusHundreds of people gathered outside the Supreme Court on Friday to protest the ruling that overturns Roe v. Wade. Abortion-rights advocates waived green and black signs and shouted "my body, my choice."Across from the abortion-rights protesters, a group of abortion opponents wore red shirts with white letters that read: "The pro-life generation votes."Read Full StoryThe 13 states with abortion-ban 'trigger laws' are not prepared to enforce themThirteen states with abortion "trigger laws" — where the practice could become illegal — are not prepared for how to go about implementing a ban.An Insider investigation over the last few months found that, through over 100 records requests and reaching out to nearly 80 state and local officials, just one agency could detail any sort of plan. This story is part of an investigative series from Insider examining the demise of abortion rights in so-called "trigger law" states. It was originally published on May 7, 48 days before the Supreme Court ruled in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization that abortion is no longer a constitutionally protected right. Read all the stories from "The First 13" here.Read Full StoryStates where abortion access will be on the ballot in 2022Abortion-rights supporters chant their objections at the Kentucky Capitol on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in Frankfort, Ky., Kentucky is one of at least four states with abortion-related ballot measures in 2022.AP Photo/Bruce Schreiner, FileAbortion policy will be on the ballot in at least four states during the upcoming 2022 midterm elections — the highest number of abortion-related ballot measures to appear in a year since 1986. Kansas and Kentucky will vote on constitutional amendments to establish no right to an abortion, while Montana will vote on a "born-alive" amendment that would extend personhood to infants "born alive" at any stage.On the other side, voters in Vermont will decide on an amendment that will enshrine the right to an abortion in the state's constitution.Read Full StoryBiden says Americans can have 'the final word' after the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. WadePresident Joe BidenStefani Reynolds/AFP/Getty ImagesPresident Joe Biden said Friday was a "sad day" for the nation after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and vowed his administration would do everything it can to protect women."With this decision, the conservative majority of the Supreme Court shows how extreme it is, how far removed they are from the majority of the country," Biden said during an address to the nation. He continued: "But this decision must not be the final word," urging Americans to vote.Read Full StoryGetting an abortion is going to get a lot more expensive for many AmericansParticipants hold signs during the Women's March at the US Supreme Court.Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Women's March IncExperts told Insider that the cost of getting an abortion is all but guaranteed to rise after the Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade. Many who live in states where abortion will become mostly, or entirely, illegal will have to face travel costs if they want a procedure in a different state where it is legal. Wage loss for taking time off to get a procedure is another issue. "You might be salaried and I might be salaried, and you can take time off," said Anna Rupani, executive director of Fund Texas Choice (FTC), a nonprofit organization that pays for low-income Texans' associated abortion costs. "A lot of our clients are living paycheck to paycheck, they're not in salaried positions… they're experiencing wage loss."Read Full StoryPelosi warns 'Republicans are plotting a nationwide abortion ban'House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned that congressional Republicans want to pass a federal abortion ban into law after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.Be aware of this: the Republicans are plotting a nationwide abortion ban," Pelosi said during her weekly press briefing. "They cannot be allowed to have a majority in the Congress to do that. But that's their goal."She continued: "What this means to women is such an insult. It's a slap in the face to women about using their own judgment to make decisions about their reproductive freedom."Read Full StoryTrump reportedly believes overturning Roe v. Wade is 'bad for Republicans'Trump stands with now-Justice Amy Coney Barrett at the White House after she was sworn in on October 26, 2020.Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty ImagesFormer President Donald Trump praised the Supreme Court for overturning Roe v. Wade on Friday."This is following the Constitution, and giving rights back when they should have been given long ago," he told Fox News.Privately, Trump has said that overturning Roe would be "bad for Republicans," according to The New York Times' Maggie Haberman and Michael C. Bender.Read Full StoryLead plaintiff in case that made same-sex marriage legal slams Justice Thomas' call for case to be reconsideredThe lead plaintiff in the case that made same-sex marriage legal slammed Justice Clarence Thomas' call for the case to be reconsidered.Thomas said the Supreme Court should reconsider rulings that protect same-sex marriage, in the wake of Friday's decision to overturn nationwide access to abortions."The millions of loving couples who have the right to marriage equality to form their own families do not need Clarence Thomas imposing his individual twisted morality upon them. If you want to see an error in judgment, Clarence Thomas, look in the mirror," Jim Obergefell said in a statement obtained by HuffPost.Read Full StoryMichelle Obama said she is 'heartbroken' after the Supreme Court's decisionFormer first lady Michelle ObamaJae C. Hong/Associated PressFormer First Lady Michelle Obama said she is "heartbroken" after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday.She said before Roe was established, women "risked their lives getting illegal abortions.""That is what our mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers lived through, and now here we are again," Obama wrote in her statement. "So yes, I am heartbroken — for the teenage girl full of zest and promise, who won't be able to finish school or live the life she wants because her state controls her reproductive decisions," she added.Read Full StoryAG Merrick Garland said the Supreme Court dealt 'a devastating blow' to abortion rightsAttorney General Merrick Garland said the Supreme Court dealt a "devastating blow to reproductive freedom in the United States" by eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion.Garland said in a statement that the Justice Department disagreed with the decision and predicted that it "will have an immediate and irreversible impact on the lives of people across the country.""And it will be greatly disproportionate in its effect – with the greatest burdens felt by people of color and those of limited financial means," he added.Read Full StorySenate announces hearing 'to explore the grim reality of a post-Roe America'The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee announced a hearing to explore the "grim reality" of life in the US in the aftermath of Friday's Supreme Court ruling."Today's decision eliminates a federally protected constitutional right that has been the law for nearly half a century," said Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin in a statement.He continued: "As a result, millions of Americans are waking up in a country where they have fewer rights than their parents and grandparents."The hearing is set for July 12, a day after the Senate returns from a two-week July 4 recess.Read Full StoryBiden to deliver remarks on Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. WadePresident Joe Biden will deliver remarks at 12:30 p.m. local time on Friday about the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The White House told reporters that he plans to speak about "the Supreme Court decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization to overturn Roe v. Wade."Read Full StoryVarious politicians react to Friday's Supreme Court decision to overturn RoeCurrent and former politicians from both sides of the aisle are reacting to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.Sen. Lindsey Graham said the decision is "a long overdue constitutional correction allowing for elected officials in the states to decide issues of life." Roe was "constitutionally unsound from its inception," he said. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called Friday "one of the darkest days our country has ever seen." "Millions upon millions of American women are having their rights taken from them by five unelected Justices on the extremist MAGA court," he said in a statement shared with Insider.  Read Full StoryNancy Pelosi and other Democrats are using the Supreme Court decision as a fundraising opportunity for the 2022 midtermsUS Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks in front of the steps to the House of Representatives with congressional members to speak on the Roe v. Wade issue May 13, 2022 in Washington, DC.Win McNamee/Getty ImagesHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi and fellow Democrats are using the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade as a fundraising opportunity ahead of the fall midterms. "Can you chip in $15 so we can WIN these midterms and finally codify reproductive rights into law?" Pelosi wrote supporters."Our ONLY option is to marshal a response so historic — 100,000 gifts before midnight — that we DEFEAT every anti-choice Republican that made this happen, EXPAND our Majorities, and FINALLY codify our reproductive rights into law. So, can I expect to see your name on my "Pro-Choice Champion" list tomorrow morning?"Read Full StoryPlanned Parenthood president slams Supreme Court decisionAlexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood, addresses abortion-rights supporters at the "Bans Off Our Bodies Abortion Rally" at Los Angeles City Hall, Saturday, May 14, 2022.AP Photo/Damian DovarganesPlanned Parenthood Action Fund President Alexis McGill Johnson said the Supreme Court gave politicians "permission to control what we do with our bodies" after the Friday decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. "Due to centuries of racism and systemic discrimination, we already know who will feel the consequences of this horrific decision most acutely: Black, Latino and Indigenous communities, people with disabilities, those living in rural areas, young people, immigrants and those having difficulties making ends meet," she said. "All of our freedoms are on the line," she added. Read Full StoryDC police are fully activated in response to protests from the Supreme Court decisionPro-choice signs hang on a police barricade at the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC, on May 3, 2022.Anna Moneymaker/Getty ImagesThe Washington, D.C. Police Department has been fully activated after protests broke out over the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The Metropolitan Police Department said in an alert that it would "be fully activated to support expected First Amendment demonstrations," and added that "all members should be prepared to work extended tours as necessary" through Tuesday, June 28. A heavy police presence could be seen outside the Supreme Court Friday morning.Read Full StoryBarack Obama says overturning Roe v. Wade is an attack on 'essential freedoms of millions of Americans'Former president Barack Obama slammed the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, and urged people to vote and "join with the activists who've been sounding the alarm on abortion access for years.""Today, the Supreme Court not only reversed nearly 50 years of precedent, it relegated the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues — attacking the essential freedoms of millions of Americans," he wrote on Twitter. He continued: "Join with the activists who've been sounding the alarm on abortion access for years — and act. Stand with them at a local protest. Volunteer with one of their organizations. Knock on doors for a candidate you believe in. Vote on or before November 8 and in every other election. Because in the end, if we want judges who will protect all, and not just some, of our rights, then we've got to elect officials committed to doing the same."Read Full StoryStoking fears of violence, Marjorie Taylor Greene credits Trump for the end of RoeFar-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene praised former President Donald Trump and demonized Democrats in her live reaction to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade."Thank you President Trump," Greene said to a pro-Trump YouTube channel. "God bless you. This got overturned today because of your great work as president, and we want him back.""I do fear for the safety of people here in D.C.," she said, speculating without citing any evidence that Democrats will riot. Read Full StoryHillary Clinton says decision to overturn Roe will 'live in infamy' and is a 'step backward' for women's rightsExecutive Producer Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks on stage during "Below The Belt" New York Premiere at Museum of Modern Art on May 24, 2022 in New York City.Cindy Ord/Getty ImagesHillary Clinton said Friday's Supreme Court ruling is a "step backward" for women's rights."Most Americans believe the decision to have a child is one of the most sacred decisions there is, and that such decisions should remain between patients and their doctors," she tweeted after the decision. She continued: "Today's Supreme Court opinion will live in infamy as a step backward for women's rights and human rights."Read Full StoryFriday's decision could undo much of women's economic progress since the 1970sAbortion rights advocates and anti-abortion protesters demonstrate in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Washington, as the court hears arguments in a case from Mississippi, where a 2018 law would ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, well before viability.(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)Friday's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade will have enormous consequences for women's economic progress.Experts told Insider before the ruling that research points to the fact that abortion legalization has greatly contributed to women's progress in many ways, like reducing rates of teen motherhood and maternal mortality, increasing rates of workforce participation, earnings, and educational attainment."This is going to create just a perfect storm of concentrated human misery," said Kimberly Kelly, a sociology professor focused on abortion politics at a Mississippi college, before Friday's decision, adding that overturning Roe means "abortion is going to become a function of class privilege."Read Full StorySupreme Court's liberal justices warn more rights are at stake with the end of Roe v. WadeThe Supreme Court's three liberal justices warned in a dissent that other rights could be on the line after Friday's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. "Whatever the exact scope of the coming laws, one result of today's decision is certain: the curtailment of women's rights, and of their status as free and equal citizens," read the dissenting opinion authored by Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan."No one should be confident that this majority is done with its work," they wrote. "The right Roe and Casey recognized does not stand alone."Read Full StoryChief Justice John Roberts says Supreme Court went too far in taking 'the dramatic step' of overturning Roe v. WadeChief Justice John Roberts.Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesChief Justice John Roberts said he felt the Supreme Court's five other conservatives went too far in their decision to overturn Roe v. Wade."The Court's decision to overrule Roe and Casey is a serious jolt to the legal system — regardless of how you view those cases," Roberts wrote in his concurring opinion that was released on Friday along with the majority opinion.He continued: "A narrower decision rejecting the misguided viability line would be markedly less unsettling, and nothing more is needed to decide this case."Read Full StoryPence says the overturning of Roe v. Wade has 'righted a historic wrong'Former Vice President Mike Pence said the Supreme Court "righted a historic wrong" when it undid nearly 50 years of abortion rights nationwide on Friday."Now that Roe v. Wade has been consigned to the ash heap of history, a new arena in the cause of life has emerged and it is incumbent on all who cherish the sanctity of life to resolve that we will take the defense of the unborn and support for women in crisis pregnancies to every state Capitol in America," Pence said in the statement, in one of the first reactions from a politician. Read Full StoryJustice Thomas says Supreme Court should reconsider rulings that protect contraception and same-sex marriageJustice Clarence ThomasDrew Angerer/Getty ImagesJustice Clarence Thomas said the Supreme Court should reconsider rulings that protect contraception, same-sex relationships, and same-sex marriage, in a concurring opinion with the ruling to overturn the precedent set in Roe v. Wade."For that reason, in future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court's substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell," the conservative justice wrote. Read Full StorySupreme Court overturns 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade rulingThe Supreme Court has overturned the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that established the constitutional right to an abortion.The opinion in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization threw out the decades-old ruling by siding with Mississippi and other states that had passed restrictive anti-abortion laws."The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives," the Friday ruling said. The ruling now leaves the legality of abortion up to state legislatures. Over a dozen states have "trigger laws" meant to ban abortion immediately upon the overturning of Roe.A leaked draft majority opinion obtained by Politico last month seemed to show the court was set to overturn Roe — immediately galvanizing nationwide protests along with condemnation by Democratic lawmakers.Read Full StoryRead the original article on Business Insider.....»»

The Supreme Court has overturned the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that granted a nationwide, constitutional right to an abortion. Abortion rights and anti-abortion rights activists fill the street in front of the U.S. Supreme Court during a protest in the wake of the decision overturning Roe v. Wade outside on June 25, 2022, in Washington, DC.Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on last week. The 1973 landmark ruling established the constitutional right to an abortion. Over a dozen states have laws meant to immediately outlaw abortion upon a reversal of Roe. The Supreme Court last week overturned the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that established the constitutional right to an abortion. The opinion in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization threw out the ruling as the nation's highest court sided with Mississippi and other states, which passed restrictive anti-abortion laws.Immediately after last week's ruling, politicians on both sides of the aisle issued statements — with Republicans praising the Supreme Court and Democrats slamming the decision. Over a dozen states have "trigger laws" meant to ban abortion immediately upon the overturning of Roe, as the legality of abortion is now left up to state legislatures. Olivia Rodrigo calls out SCOTUS justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade with a rendition of 'F--- You'Olivia Rodrigo performing at the Glastonbury Festival on Saturday.Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage via Getty ImagesPop star Olivia Rodrigo on Saturday sent a message to the Supreme Court justices responsible for overturning Roe v. Wade, calling them out during her set at the Glastonbury music festival. Rodrigo invited her guest, British singer Lily Allen, on stage and the pair performed Allen's 2009 song, "Fuck You" — but not before Rodrigo named all five SCOTUS justices who helped gut the landmark ruling that protected abortion rights in America."Today is a very, very special day. This is actually my first Glastonbury," Rodrigo said. "But I'm also equally as heartbroken over what happened in America yesterday." Rodrigo told the crowd that the SCOTUS decision infringed on a woman's ability to secure a safe abortion, which she called a basic human right. Read Full StoryAfter Roe fell, Steve Bannon called for an 'army of the awakened' to 'shatter' DemocratsIn a Gettr post, Steve Bannon urged "patriots" to take advantage of the "Roe momentum" to win the MAGA movement a "massive victory" at the midterm elections.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty ImagesRight-wing figure Steve Bannon has called for an "army of the awakened" to "shatter" the Democratic party in post-Roe America. Bannon made a post on Gettr on Saturday lauding the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, a controversial decision that has led to abortion being halted in some states.In his post, Bannon called on "the army of the awakened" to rally and capitalize on the verdict. "This is the key take-away for MAGA … the pro-abortion movement is shattered and is now turning in on itself — because for 50 years they didn't have to work— the Courts and Regime Media covered for them — now The Abyss," Bannon wrote."That's the Democratic Party in November— we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shatter it into a million small pieces," Bannon added, referring to the upcoming midterm elections.Read Full StoryTexas abortion clinic staff describe how patients 'begged for help' when Roe v. Wade was overturned: reportA patient at the Alamo Women's Reproductive Services Clinic in San Antonio, Texas, is informed by a staff member on Friday that the clinic can no longer provide her with an abortion.Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesStaff at an abortion clinic in Texas said they had to turn away people seeking abortions away just minutes after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday.Speaking to The 19th, an independent news organization, clinic administrator Andrea Gallegos described how she had to turn away a dozen patients waiting in the lobby of the Alamo Women's Reproductive Services clinic in San Antonio, Texas. Gallegos told The 19th that she and the clinic's staff had to tell the people gathered that, because of the ruling, "unfortunately, your geographical location affects your bodily autonomy." Per the outlet, Gallegos described the scene at the clinic as being one of "complete despair," with people screaming, crying, and begging for help.Read Full Story'Full House' star Jodie Sweetin was thrown to the ground by LAPD during freeway protest for abortion rightsJodie Sweetin told People that she was "proud" of those who showed up to protest.Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty ImagesLos Angeles Police Department officers shoved Jodie Sweetin onto the ground of a freeway in Los Angeles on Saturday during an abortion rights protest, video shows.The "Full House" and "Fuller House" star, wearing all black with a black backpack, can be seen in a video of the incident with a megaphone in hand when a couple of LAPD officers shove her to the ground. Protesters can be heard yelling "Jodie, you good?" and  "What the f*** is wrong with you guys?"Sweetin is then picked up and the crowd immediately begins to chant "no justice, no peace."Read Full StorySince the Roe ruling a gynecology clinic in Texas has received increased requests for permanent sterilization: 'I sense that they're scared'Protesters march during an abortion-rights rally on June 25, 2022 in Austin, Texas.Sergio Flores/Getty ImagesA women's health clinic in Austin, Texas, has received dozens of requests for permanent sterilizations after Friday's decision by the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that established a constitutional right to an abortion. After the Women's Health Domain closed on Friday evening for the weekend, it received 109 new patient requests, the majority of which were requesting tubal ligation, or permanent sterilization. Read Full StoryThe impact of Kavanaugh's confirmation on the 2018 elections may reveal how the reversal of Roe v. Wade could impact this year's midtermsU.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh.Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesAs political analysts seek to understand the possible impact of Roe v. Wade being overturned on this year's midterm elections, some suggest that data from 2018 may reveal possible trends. In 2018, following the contentious confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh — who was accused of sexual assault by Christine Ford — 40 Republican US House seats flipped to Democratic candidates. GOP candidates led in polls taken prior to the hearings and went on to lose in November in 27 of those races, indicating increased mobilization among partisan voters following the hearings.  Read Full StoryLindsey Graham said Alito's abortion opinion was correct for distinguishing Roe from same-sex marriage and contraception rulingsRepublican Sen. Lindsey Graham.J. Scott Applewhite/APRepublican South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said Sunday that Justice Samuel Alito, unlike Justice Clarence Thomas, was correct for saying same-sex marriage and contraception would not be affected by the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. In his concurring opinion on the ruling, Thomas wrote "we should reconsider all of this Court's substantive due process precedents" for cases regarding contraceptive access, same-sex relationships, and same-sex marriage.Read Full StoryAOC says Supreme Court justices who lied under oath must face consequences for 'impeachable offense'U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).Alex Wong/Getty ImagesRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Sunday said she believes it's an "impeachable offense" for a Supreme Court justice to lie under oath. Following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, Sens. Susan Collins and Joe Manchin said they felt misled by Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch during their individual confirmation hearings. The two senators, both pro-choice, voted to confirm Kavanaugh and Gorsuch because they assured them that they believed Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark Supreme Court decision that made abortion a constitutional right nationwide, was law. Both Gorsuch and Kavanaugh, however, voted to strike down Roe earlier this week.Ocasio-Cortez, speaking in an interview with NBC News' "Meet the Press," said she believes the court is facing a "crisis of legitimacy" and justices must face consequences if they lie under oath. "If we allow Supreme Court nominees to lie under oath and secure lifetime appointments to the highest court of the land and then issue, without basis," she said, "we must see that through. There must be consequences for such a deeply destabilizing action and a hostile takeover of our democratic institutions."Read Full StoryElizabeth Warren: Supreme Court 'set a torch' to the last of its legitimacySen. Elizabeth Warren.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty ImagesSen. Elizabeth Warren said the US Supreme Court has lost all legitimacy following the rollback of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark decision that made abortion a constitutional right nationwide.Speaking on ABC News' "This Week" on Sunday, Warren suggested that Republicans have tried to stack the Supreme Court with justices who would be against abortion. "The Republicans have been very overt about trying to get people through the court who didn't have a published record on Roe, but who they knew — wink wink nod nod — were going to be extremist on the issue of Roe v. Wade." Warren said. "And that is exactly what we have ended up with.""This court has lost legitimacy. They have burned whatever legitimacy they may still have had," Warren continued. "They just took the last of it and set a torch to it with the Roe v. Wade opinion."Read Full StoryAn abortion clinic in North Dakota has raised more than $500,000 in two days to fund its move to MinnesotaActivists march along Constitution Avenue to the US Supreme Court on May 14, 2022.Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post via Getty ImagesAn abortion clinic based in North Dakota has raised more than $550,000 to fund its move in the two days since the Supreme Court's decision to roll back Roe v. Wade. The Red River Women's Clinic of Fargo, North Dakota, set up a GoFundMe to assist with a planned move to Moorhead, Minnesota. North Dakota is one of the at least 13 states that has a "trigger" law, which immediately bans abortions following the overturn of Roe v. Wade. But moving out of North Dakota means there will no longer be an operating abortion clinic in the state. READ FULL STORYThe overturning of Roe v. Wade will 'exacerbate the mental health crisis' in the US, American Psychological Association saysRear view of an unrecognizable abused woman sitting on her bed looking out the window. - stock photoAlvaro Medina Jurado/ Getty ImagesThe American Psychological Association warned on Friday that the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade will exacerbate mental health in the United States.Research suggests that "adding barriers to accessing abortion services may increase symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression," APA President Frank C. Wornell said in a statement."We are alarmed that the justices would nullify Roe despite decades of scientific research demonstrating that people who are denied abortions are more likely to experience higher levels of anxiety, lower life satisfaction and lower self-esteem compared with those who are able to obtain abortions," Wornell added. READ FULL STORYTrump congratulated his conservative Supreme Court justice picks for their 'courage' amid the overturn of Roe v. WadeFormer President Donald Trump.AP Photo/Joe MaioranaFormer President Donald Trump on Saturday thanked his three conservative justice picks on the Supreme Court, all of whom voted to overturn Roe v. Wade."Yesterday the court handed down a victory for the Constitution, a victory for the rule of law, and above all, a victory for life," Trump said during a rally in Mendon, Illinois. "Thanks to the courage found within the United States Supreme Court, this long divisive issue will be decided by the states and by the American people," he added.He congratulated his three picks — Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett — and praised the decision.READ FULL STORYAOC recalls thanking God she had the choice to get an abortion when she took a pregnancy test after being rapedRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Friday shared a personal sexual assault story during a pro-abortion rights rally, saying she felt grateful she had the freedom to obtain an abortion if she needed one in that moment. "I myself, when I was about 22 or 23 years old, was raped while I was living here in New York City," she told a crowd in New York's City Union Square Park. "I was completely alone. I felt completely alone. In fact, I felt so alone that I had to take a pregnancy test in a public bathroom in midtown Manhattan.""When I sat there waiting for what the result would be, all I could think was thank God I have, at least, a choice," she continued. "Thank God I could, at least, have the freedom to choose my destiny."READ FULL STORYGloria Steinem slams Roe v. Wade repeal, says 'there is no democracy' without the right to choseGloria Steinem was one of the most important activists of the Women's Movement.Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesJournalist and feminist leader Gloria Steinem has slammed the impact of repealing Roe v. Wade will have on democracy, in an email to AP."Obviously, without the right of women and men to make decisions about our own bodies, there is no democracy," she said. She has called for action to fight the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, protecting US abortion rights."Banning abortions does not stop the need. It just bans their safety."Read Full StoryGOP privately worrying overturning Roe v. Wade could impact midterms: 'This is a losing issue for Republicans,' report saysProtests outside of the Supreme Court after it overturned Roe v. WadeCamila DeChalusWhile Republicans are publicly celebrating the overturning of Roe v. Wade, some are privately worrying that the timing could negatively impact the November midterms. Some Republicans fear the abortion ruling could give Democrats ammunition to attack them and mobilize voters, Politico reported, based on interviews with more than a dozen GOP strategists and officials."This is not a conversation we want to have," Republican strategist John Thomas told Politico. "We want to have a conversation about the economy. We want to have a conversation about Joe Biden, about pretty much anything else besides Roe. This is a losing issue for Republicans."Read Full StoryPlanned Parenthood sues Utah to stop trigger law that makes abortion a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prisonPro-choice supporters and staff of Planned Parenthood hold a rally outside the Planned Parenthood Reproductive Health Services Center in St. Louis, Missouri, May 31, 2019.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty ImagesThe Planned Parenthood Association of Utah is suing to stop the state's "trigger law" abortion ban that took effect on Friday following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.The Utah law makes abortions, with limited exceptions, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Read Full StoryMany Republicans rejoiced at Roe being overturned but these 4 GOP governors want to protect the right to abortionGov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire.AP Photo/Charles Krupa, FileAfter Friday's Supreme Court Roe v. Wade ruling, which revoked the constitutional right to abortion, many Republicans celebrated it as a win. The GOP has long been at the forefront of the fight to restrict abortion access and many Republican-led states have enacted or will enact abortion bans as a result of the decision.Read Full StoryGeorgia Democratic nominee for Governor Stacey Abrams explains the change in her position on abortion: There is 'no place in that medical decision for ideology or for politicians'Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams speaks to the media during a press conference, May 24, 2022Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesGeorgia Democratic nominee for Governor Stacey Abrams explained in a Friday interview with CNN how her perspective on abortion rights has evolved over the years and how she came to support the right to abortion services after being raised in a religious household. "I was very much on the side of anti-abortion, through much of my upbringing. I grew up in Mississippi, in a very religious family, in a religious community," Abrams told CNN host Sara Sidner. "And I was raised to have a very uncritical eye to this question."Read Full StoryWhat is the Hyde Amendment and how is it related to the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade?People protest the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade abortion decision in New York City, New York, U.S., June 24, 2022.REUTERS/Caitlin OchsFollowing the Supreme Court's Friday decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, there have been renewed calls from lawmakers and activists to abandon the Hyde Amendment, a legislative provision preventing federal funds from being used on abortion services. The Hyde Amendment, named for anti-abortion Congressman Henry Hyde who introduced the provision, was passed in 1976, just four years after the landmark Roe vs. Wade ruling that established the right to an abortion. The amendment, which prevents federal funds from services such as Medicaid to be used to provide abortions, was mired in legal challenges for its first years, leading to the Supreme Court case Harris v. McRae. Read Full StoryAfter calls from AOC and other Dems to expand the court, White House says Biden 'does not agree' with the movePresident Joe Biden.Getty ImagesAs calls for remedies to restrictions on abortion access grow, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Saturday that President Joe Biden "does not agree with" expanding the Supreme Court. "I was asked this question yesterday, and I've been asked it before... about expanding the Court. That is something that the President does not agree with. That is not something that he wants to do," Jean-Pierre said during a press briefing on Air Force One.Read Full StoryVirginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin pushes state lawmakers for a 15-week abortion banRepublican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia.AP Photo/Steve HelberRepublican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia on Friday said he would push for a ban on most abortions after 15 weeks in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.Youngkin, who took office earlier this year, said in a statement that the court's decision was an "appropriate" return of power "to the people and their elected representatives in the states.""Virginians do want fewer abortions as opposed to more abortions," the governor said in a meeting at The Washington Post shortly after the decision was made public. "I am not someone who is going to jump in and try to push us apart … There is a place we can come together."Youngkin assembled four Republican legislators to help write legislation that could potentially attract bipartisan support in a legislature. In the state, the GOP has a 52-48 majority in the House of Delegates while Democrats have a 21-19 edge in the Senate.Read Full StoryMan uses truck to repeatedly block entrance to Mississippi's only abortion clinic as tensions run high after Roe v. Wade rulingA man blocked the entrance to the Jackson Women's Health Organization, Mississippi's only abortion clinic, with his truck on June 25, 2022 after the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade earlier in the week.Kenneth NiemeyerJACKSON, MS — A man used his truck to block the entrance to Mississippi's only abortion clinic on Saturday as tensions continue to run high at the clinic after the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade earlier in the week.The Jackson Women's Health Organization, the only abortion clinic in Mississippi, has vowed to remain open for at least nine more days after the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to overturn Roe V. Wade, a landmark decision that legalized abortion nationally. Mississippi has a trigger law that requires the state attorney general to certify the Supreme Court's decision and allows for the clinic to remain open for 10 days after the certification.Pro-life demonstrators continued to clash with clinic volunteer escorts, who call themselves Pink House Defenders, on Saturday. The clinic, housed in a large pink building, is commonly referred to locally as the Pink House.A man in a white truck blocked the entrance to the clinic at least twice on Saturday.Read Full StoryDemocratic lawmakers urge FTC to investigate Apple and Google over mobile tracking data practices targeting abortion seekersDaniil Dubov/Getty ImagesFour Democratic lawmakers on Friday urged the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Apple and Google's mobile tacking practices regarding abortion seekers. Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Ron Wyden of Oregon, and Sara Jacobs of California wrote a letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan — accusing Apple and Google of collecting and selling "Hundreds of millions of mobile phone users' data." The lawmakers argued that for individuals seeking abortion services in states where abortion would be illegal it is essential that their data won't fall into the wrong hands.Read Full StorySens. Susan Collins and Joe Manchin, who voted to confirm justices Kavanaugh and Gorsuch, say they were misled on Roe v. WadeSen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesCentrist Senators Susan Collins and Joe Manchin criticized Friday's landmark Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, suggesting they felt misled by Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch.Collins, a Maine Republican, and Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, both voted to confirm Kavanaugh and Gorsuch. Both senators are pro-choice and said that the justices had assured them they believed Roe v Wade was settled law."I trusted Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh when they testified under oath that they also believed Roe v. Wade was settled legal precedent. I am alarmed they chose to reject the stability the ruling has provided for two generations of Americans," Manchin said in a statement.Manchin, a self-described centrist, was one of three Democrats to vote to confirm Gorsuch in 2017 and the only Democrat who voted to confirm Kavanaugh in 2018. Kavanaugh's 50-48 confirmation vote was historically close.Manchin said that while he is personally pro-life, he would "support legislation that would codify the rights Roe v. Wade previously protected."Read Full StorySenators Elizabeth Warren and Tina Smith call on Biden to 'declare a public health emergency' now that Roe v Wade 'is gone'Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., right, and Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn.Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)US Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Tina Smith of Minnesota are calling on President Joe Biden to  "declare a public health emergency," following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.In an op-ed for the New York Times on Saturday, the Democratic senators said that "with the release of the Dobbs decision," the US is facing " a perilous time that threatens millions of women across this nation.""We urge the president to declare a public health emergency to protect abortion access for all Americans, unlocking critical resources and authority that states and the federal government can use to meet the surge in demand for reproductive health services. The danger is real, and Democrats must meet it with the urgency it deserves," Warren and Smith wrote. The senators blamed the reversal of Roe v. Wade on "right-wing politicians and their allies" who they said "have spent decades scheming."Read Full StorySearches for how to move to Canada from the US spike by over 850% after Roe v. Wade rulingMary Meisenzahl/InsiderSearches for how to move to Canada spiked over 850% on Google after the Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v Wade, Axios reported. Citing Simon Rogers' Google Trends newsletter, Axios reported that searches for  "How to become a Canadian citizen" also rose by 550% as of Friday evening.In a 5-4 majority opinion, the Supreme Court on Friday overturned the 50-year-old landmark ruling that legalized abortion nationwide.Read Full StoryA pickup truck driver in Iowa ploughed into pro-choice protesters opposing the overturning of Roe v. Wade abortion rightsProtesters approach a pickup truck that attempted to run over abortion-rights protesters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.Isacc Davis via ReutersA truck drove into a group of pro-choice protesters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, leading to at least one woman being hospitalized. The group of mostly women protesters was demonstrating against the landmark Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade when an unidentified man driving a black Ford truck drove into them.In videos of the incident, protesters can be seen trying to stand in the car's way and shouting at the driver to stop. He accelerates and a protester is knocked to the ground.Read Full StoryBill Gates and George Soros among billionaires denouncing Roe v. Wade decisionBill Gates voiced opposition to the Roe v. Wade decision, while Warren Buffett is reportedly planning a big investment in abortion rights.Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesSome of America's most prominent billionaires have denounced the overturning of Roe v. Wade, as Warren Buffett reportedly sets in motion plans for big donations to reproductive rights.Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and George Soros all tweeted their opposition to the Supreme Court decision to roll back abortion rights nationally, overturning a near-50-year precedent. Bill Gates tweeted: "This is a sad day. Reversing Roe v. Wade is an unjust and unacceptable setback. And it puts women's lives at risk, especially the most disadvantaged."Read Full StoryMeta bans staff from open discussion of Roe v. Wade decision and is deleting internal messages that mention abortion: reportMeta has disallowed employees to discuss abortion on internal messaging system.Joan Cros/Getty ImagesMeta has warned employees not to discuss the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on its internal system and deleting messages that do so, The New York Times reported.Managers cited a policy that put "strong guardrails around social, political and sensitive conversations" in the workplace, according to company insiders, the newspaper reported. Read Full StoryVatican praises US Supreme Court for overturning Roe v. Wade, says it 'challenges the whole world'Pope Francis gestures, during his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 23, 2022.Alessandra Tarantino/Associated PressThe Vatican's Pontifical Academy for Life has praised the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade which protected abortion rights for women. They also called that legislation ensures that those giving birth are given the support needed to keep and care for their children. In a statement released on Twitter, the Catholic organization said "The fact that a large country with a long democratic tradition has changed its position on this issue also challenges the whole world."Read Full Story The Arizona State Senate had to be evacuated after tear gas police deployed on protesters spread into the buildingArizona State Capitol Building at sunrise, features Winged Victory statue and was modeled after Greek statue Nike of Samothrace.Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images GroupThe Arizona State Senate Building in Phoenix was evacuated on Friday after police deployed tear gas at demonstrators.A video posted on social media by Republican State Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita shows dozens of people protesting outside the government building in response to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Read Full StoryObergefell, the plaintiff in the SCOTUS same-sex marriage ruling, said it's 'quite telling' Clarence Thomas omitted the case that legalized interracial marriage after saying the courts should go after other right to privacy casesAssociate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife and conservative activist Virginia Thomas arrive at the Heritage Foundation on October 21, 2021.Drew Angerer/Getty ImageJim Obergefell, the plaintiff behind the Supreme Court's landmark ruling on same-sex marriage, said Friday that Justice Clarence Thomas omitted Loving v. Virginia on his list of  Supreme Court decisions to "reconsider" because it "affects him personally." "That affects him personally, but he doesn't care about the LGBTQ+ community," Obergefell said on MSNBC's "The Reid Out."Read Full StoryStanding among protestors after the fall of Roe vs. Wade, AOC calls on Biden to create abortion clinics on federal landRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks to abortion-rights activists in front of the U.S. Supreme Court after the Court announced a ruling in the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization case on June 24, 2022 in Washington, DC.Nathan Howard/Getty ImagesRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Friday called on President Biden to create abortion clinics on federal land, following the landmark Supreme Court ruling which overturned Roe v. Wade and removed federal abortion protections. Speaking to a crowd of protestors gathered in New York's Union Square, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez encouraged people to "be relentless to restore and guarantee all of our rights." She detailed her own experience after sexual assault in her 20s, when she was grateful that abortion would have been an option for her if she needed it, and pushed for federal action to preserve access to reproductive healthcare.  Read Full StoryThe states passing strict abortion bans have some of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the countryPRODUCTION - 17 April 2021, Berlin: A midwife listens to the heart tones of an unborn child with an ultrasound device. The woman is in her 2nd trimester of pregnancy and is lying on a bed in the midwife's office. 5.5.2021 is International Midwifery Day, which is intended to draw attention to the importance of the profession.Annette Riedl/picture alliance via Getty ImagesWith Friday's Supreme court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade – the landmark case guaranteeing a right to abortion – 13 states with automatic trigger laws enacted total or near-total bans on abortions. The surge of new abortion bans and clinic closures has highlighted the recent rise in America's maternal mortality rates that are disproportionately affecting women of color and have placed the US first in maternal deaths among all developed nations.Read Full StoryPro-choice advocates come out in force vowing to continue the fight after the Supreme Court strikes down Roe v. WadeA massive crowd gathered in New York's Washington Square Park, hours after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade.Anna Watts for InsiderHours after the Supreme Court announced it had struck down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, throngs of pro-choice Americans took to the streets vowing to continue the fight. In New York's Washington Square Park, a somber and angry crowd began assembling at 5 p.m. ET. They held handwritten signs with words like "Betrayed" or "My corpse has more rights." Some were smeared with red paint.Read Full StoryWhich Supreme Court justices voted to overturn Roe v. Wade? Here's where all 9 judges standReproductive rights activists hold cut out photos of the Supreme Court justices as oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization case are held on Wednesday, December 1, 2021.Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty ImagesThe Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade in a 5-4 majority opinion that guts federal abortion rights protections previously upheld by the nearly 50-year-old landmark ruling.The conservative majority voted to uphold the Mississippi law at the heart of the case which seeks to ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, a contradiction to the standard set by Roe, which allowed abortions until about 24 weeks of pregnancy, at which point a fetus could feasibly survive outside the womb. Six justices ruled in favor of upholding Mississippi's 15-week ban, but it was the majority opinion of five judges that ultimately led to the total overhaul of Roe v. Wade. Read the full story to find out how each justice voted. READ FULL STORYThis map shows where abortion is illegal, protected, or under threat across all 50 US statesPro-life and abortion-rights advocates crowd the Supreme Court building after Roe v. Wade was overturned Friday morning.Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesOn Friday, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the near 50-year-old court ruling that legalized abortion across all 50 US states.Some states have been preparing for years for the possibility that Roe could be overturned.A handful of states had trigger laws designed to immediately ban abortions within their borders once the decision was reversed. Some "sanctuary states," like New York, put in place legal framework that would protect abortion, even if Roe were overturned. In other areas of the country, it isn't totally clear what happens next — abortion isn't legally protected, but it's also not expressly forbidden.Read Full StoryThe Supreme Court just overturned Roe v. Wade, but the vast majority of Americans don't even know who the court's justices areSeated from left: Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, John Roberts, Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor, Standing from left: Brett Kavanaugh, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett.Erin Schaff-Pool/Getty ImagesThe Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, the nearly 50-year-old landmark ruling that protected abortion rights nationwide.But recent polling suggests that the vast majority of American voters don't even know who these influential justices are, highlighting an apparent disconnect between the nation's top court and the very people affected by its rulings.Ahead of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's Senate confirmation earlier this year, C-SPAN and Pierrepont Consulting & Analytics surveyed more than 1,000 likely voters to gauge the public's interest in and awareness of the Supreme Court's work and relevance. While 84% of voters said the Supreme Court's decisions affect their everyday life, far fewer respondents could provide basic details about the court's history or inner workings.Keep ReadingWisconsin patients who were scheduled to receive abortions were turned away in the waiting room after Roe v. Wade was overturnedA volunteer escort outside Affiliated Medical Services, a Milwaukee abortion clinic, on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, in Milwaukee.AP Photo/Dinesh Ramde FileIn Wisconsin, Planned Parenthood clinics had been scheduling patients through Saturday, June 25, but had stopped scheduling for next week in anticipation of the Supreme Court ruling that would overturn Roe v. Wade, which was leaked in May.When the news broke Friday morning that the court had rendered its opinion, Tanya Atkinson, president of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, said her clinics had patients waiting to receive services."Our team had to go out into the lobby and let those individuals know that they would not be able to access the healthcare that they needed," Atkinson told the local PBS station.Keep ReadingProtestors planning to protest on Justice Clarence Thomas' streetProtestors are planning to head over to Justice Clarence Thomas' house on Friday night after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade."Enraged? Devastated? Pissed the fuck off? So are we," Our Rights DC tweeted on Friday afternoon."Meet us at 5711 Burke Centre Pkwy. 6:30 PM we meet, 7 PM we carpool to the Thomas's street. WEAR A MASK," the human rights organization added. Read Full StoryThe sports world is speaking out against Friday's Supreme Court rulingPro-choice activists protest in response to the leaked Supreme Court draft decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in front of the US Supreme Court May 3, 2022 in Washington, DC.Alex Wong/Getty ImagesSome of the biggest names in sports — from tennis to basketball — are speaking out after the Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday.The Minnesota Lynx's Natalie Achonwa wrote on Twitter that she's "feeling sick & heartbroken" after hearing about the decision. Tennis legend and feminist icon Billie Jean King said on Twitter that it's a "sad day" in the US. The WNBA's Seattle Storm tweeted that they are "furious and ready to fight."Orlando Magic point guard Devin Cannady tweeted that the "country needs to be better," adding in a follow-up note that the ruling is "a POWER grab over WOMEN."Read Full StoryThese organizations are asking for donations after Roe v. Wade was overturnedIn the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, organizations fighting for abortion rights are calling on supporters to donate.Click the link below for some organizations that are asking for help to either fight the ruling or provide access to abortion for women in states where it will be banned. Read Full StoryAttorney General says states can't ban abortion pills that are approved by FDAUS Attorney General Merrick Garland said states can't ban abortion medication mifepristone "based on disagreement" with the US Food and Drug Administration.Garland said on Friday that the FDA already ruled on the pill's "safety and efficacy," so the decision can't be overturned by states that want to restrict abortion access."Women who reside in states that have banned access to comprehensive reproductive care must remain free to seek that care in states where it is legal," Garland said, after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade earlier.He continued: "Moreover, under fundamental First Amendment principles, individuals must remain free to inform and counsel each other about the reproductive care that is available in other states."Read Full Story House Democrats sang 'God Bless America' on Capitol steps as crowds protested at Supreme CourtHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi leads a rally celebrating the passage of gun safety legislation as protesters swarm the court just yards away on June 24, 2022.Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesHouse Democrats gathered outside the Capitol on Friday to celebrate passing new gun safety legislation, and cheerfully sang "God Bless America."Across the street, however, protesters swarmed the Supreme Court after the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Read Full StoryVideos show police in riot gear head to Supreme Court after decisionCapitol Police in riot gear could be seen marching towards the Supreme Court earlier on Friday after Roe v. Wade was overturned. A video shared to Twitter by CNN correspondent Manu Raju showed dozens of officers march from the Capitol building and to the Court.Law enforcement also closed streets around the high court, where peaceful protesters gathered by the hundreds after the decision. —Manu Raju (@mkraju) June 24, 2022 Read Full StoryMassive protests erupt outside Supreme Court after Roe v. Wade rulingProtesters outside of Supreme CourtCamila DeChalusHundreds of people gathered outside the Supreme Court on Friday to protest the ruling that overturns Roe v. Wade. Abortion-rights advocates waived green and black signs and shouted "my body, my choice."Across from the abortion-rights protesters, a group of abortion opponents wore red shirts with white letters that read: "The pro-life generation votes."Read Full StoryThe 13 states with abortion-ban 'trigger laws' are not prepared to enforce themThirteen states with abortion "trigger laws" — where the practice could become illegal — are not prepared for how to go about implementing a ban.An Insider investigation over the last few months found that, through over 100 records requests and reaching out to nearly 80 state and local officials, just one agency could detail any sort of plan. This story is part of an investigative series from Insider examining the demise of abortion rights in so-called "trigger law" states. It was originally published on May 7, 48 days before the Supreme Court ruled in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization that abortion is no longer a constitutionally protected right. Read all the stories from "The First 13" here.Read Full StoryStates where abortion access will be on the ballot in 2022Abortion-rights supporters chant their objections at the Kentucky Capitol on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in Frankfort, Ky., Kentucky is one of at least four states with abortion-related ballot measures in 2022.AP Photo/Bruce Schreiner, FileAbortion policy will be on the ballot in at least four states during the upcoming 2022 midterm elections — the highest number of abortion-related ballot measures to appear in a year since 1986. Kansas and Kentucky will vote on constitutional amendments to establish no right to an abortion, while Montana will vote on a "born-alive" amendment that would extend personhood to infants "born alive" at any stage.On the other side, voters in Vermont will decide on an amendment that will enshrine the right to an abortion in the state's constitution.Read Full StoryBiden says Americans can have 'the final word' after the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. WadePresident Joe BidenStefani Reynolds/AFP/Getty ImagesPresident Joe Biden said Friday was a "sad day" for the nation after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and vowed his administration would do everything it can to protect women."With this decision, the conservative majority of the Supreme Court shows how extreme it is, how far removed they are from the majority of the country," Biden said during an address to the nation. He continued: "But this decision must not be the final word," urging Americans to vote.Read Full StoryGetting an abortion is going to get a lot more expensive for many AmericansParticipants hold signs during the Women's March at the US Supreme Court.Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Women's March IncExperts told Insider that the cost of getting an abortion is all but guaranteed to rise after the Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade. Many who live in states where abortion will become mostly, or entirely, illegal will have to face travel costs if they want a procedure in a different state where it is legal. Wage loss for taking time off to get a procedure is another issue. "You might be salaried and I might be salaried, and you can take time off," said Anna Rupani, executive director of Fund Texas Choice (FTC), a nonprofit organization that pays for low-income Texans' associated abortion costs. "A lot of our clients are living paycheck to paycheck, they're not in salaried positions… they're experiencing wage loss."Read Full StoryPelosi warns 'Republicans are plotting a nationwide abortion ban'House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned that congressional Republicans want to pass a federal abortion ban into law after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.Be aware of this: the Republicans are plotting a nationwide abortion ban," Pelosi said during her weekly press briefing. "They cannot be allowed to have a majority in the Congress to do that. But that's their goal."She continued: "What this means to women is such an insult. It's a slap in the face to women about using their own judgment to make decisions about their reproductive freedom."Read Full StoryTrump reportedly believes overturning Roe v. Wade is 'bad for Republicans'Trump stands with now-Justice Amy Coney Barrett at the White House after she was sworn in on October 26, 2020.Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty ImagesFormer President Donald Trump praised the Supreme Court for overturning Roe v. Wade on Friday."This is following the Constitution, and giving rights back when they should have been given long ago," he told Fox News.Privately, Trump has said that overturning Roe would be "bad for Republicans," according to The New York Times' Maggie Haberman and Michael C. Bender.Read Full StoryLead plaintiff in case that made same-sex marriage legal slams Justice Thomas' call for case to be reconsideredThe lead plaintiff in the case that made same-sex marriage legal slammed Justice Clarence Thomas' call for the case to be reconsidered.Thomas said the Supreme Court should reconsider rulings that protect same-sex marriage, in the wake of Friday's decision to overturn nationwide access to abortions."The millions of loving couples who have the right to marriage equality to form their own families do not need Clarence Thomas imposing his individual twisted morality upon them. If you want to see an error in judgment, Clarence Thomas, look in the mirror," Jim Obergefell said in a statement obtained by HuffPost.Read Full StoryMichelle Obama said she is 'heartbroken' after the Supreme Court's decisionFormer first lady Michelle ObamaJae C. Hong/Associated PressFormer First Lady Michelle Obama said she is "heartbroken" after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday.She said before Roe was established, women "risked their lives getting illegal abortions.""That is what our mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers lived through, and now here we are again," Obama wrote in her statement. "So yes, I am heartbroken — for the teenage girl full of zest and promise, who won't be able to finish school or live the life she wants because her state controls her reproductive decisions," she added.Read Full StoryAG Merrick Garland said the Supreme Court dealt 'a devastating blow' to abortion rightsAttorney General Merrick Garland said the Supreme Court dealt a "devastating blow to reproductive freedom in the United States" by eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion.Garland said in a statement that the Justice Department disagreed with the decision and predicted that it "will have an immediate and irreversible impact on the lives of people across the country.""And it will be greatly disproportionate in its effect – with the greatest burdens felt by people of color and those of limited financial means," he added.Read Full StorySenate announces hearing 'to explore the grim reality of a post-Roe America'The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee announced a hearing to explore the "grim reality" of life in the US in the aftermath of Friday's Supreme Court ruling."Today's decision eliminates a federally protected constitutional right that has been the law for nearly half a century," said Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin in a statement.He continued: "As a result, millions of Americans are waking up in a country where they have fewer rights than their parents and grandparents."The hearing is set for July 12, a day after the Senate returns from a two-week July 4 recess.Read Full StoryBiden to deliver remarks on Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. WadePresident Joe Biden will deliver remarks at 12:30 p.m. local time on Friday about the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The White House told reporters that he plans to speak about "the Supreme Court decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization to overturn Roe v. Wade."Read Full StoryVarious politicians react to Friday's Supreme Court decision to overturn RoeCurrent and former politicians from both sides of the aisle are reacting to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.Sen. Lindsey Graham said the decision is "a long overdue constitutional correction allowing for elected officials in the states to decide issues of life." Roe was "constitutionally unsound from its inception," he said. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called Friday "one of the darkest days our country has ever seen." "Millions upon millions of American women are having their rights taken from them by five unelected Justices on the extremist MAGA court," he said in a statement shared with Insider.  Read Full StoryNancy Pelosi and other Democrats are using the Supreme Court decision as a fundraising opportunity for the 2022 midtermsUS Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks in front of the steps to the House of Representatives with congressional members to speak on the Roe v. Wade issue May 13, 2022 in Washington, DC.Win McNamee/Getty ImagesHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi and fellow Democrats are using the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade as a fundraising opportunity ahead of the fall midterms. "Can you chip in $15 so we can WIN these midterms and finally codify reproductive rights into law?" Pelosi wrote supporters."Our ONLY option is to marshal a response so historic — 100,000 gifts before midnight — that we DEFEAT every anti-choice Republican that made this happen, EXPAND our Majorities, and FINALLY codify our reproductive rights into law. So, can I expect to see your name on my "Pro-Choice Champion" list tomorrow morning?"Read Full StoryPlanned Parenthood president slams Supreme Court decisionAlexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood, addresses abortion-rights supporters at the "Bans Off Our Bodies Abortion Rally" at Los Angeles City Hall, Saturday, May 14, 2022.AP Photo/Damian DovarganesPlanned Parenthood Action Fund President Alexis McGill Johnson said the Supreme Court gave politicians "permission to control what we do with our bodies" after the Friday decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. "Due to centuries of racism and systemic discrimination, we already know who will feel the consequences of this horrific decision most acutely: Black, Latino and Indigenous communities, people with disabilities, those living in rural areas, young people, immigrants and those having difficulties making ends meet," she said. "All of our freedoms are on the line," she added. Read Full StoryDC police are fully activated in response to protests from the Supreme Court decisionPro-choice signs hang on a police barricade at the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC, on May 3, 2022.Anna Moneymaker/Getty ImagesThe Washington, D.C. Police Department has been fully activated after protests broke out over the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The Metropolitan Police Department said in an alert that it would "be fully activated to support expected First Amendment demonstrations," and added that "all members should be prepared to work extended tours as necessary" through Tuesday, June 28. A heavy police presence could be seen outside the Supreme Court Friday morning.Read Full StoryBarack Obama says overturning Roe v. Wade is an attack on 'essential freedoms of millions of Americans'Former president Barack Obama slammed the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, and urged people to vote and "join with the activists who've been sounding the alarm on abortion access for years.""Today, the Supreme Court not only reversed nearly 50 years of precedent, it relegated the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues — attacking the essential freedoms of millions of Americans," he wrote on Twitter. He continued: "Join with the activists who've been sounding the alarm on abortion access for years — and act. Stand with them at a local protest. Volunteer with one of their organizations. Knock on doors for a candidate you believe in. Vote on or before November 8 and in every other election. Because in the end, if we want judges who will protect all, and not just some, of our rights, then we've got to elect officials committed to doing the same."Read Full StoryStoking fears of violence, Marjorie Taylor Greene credits Trump for the end of RoeFar-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene praised former President Donald Trump and demonized Democrats in her live reaction to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade."Thank you President Trump," Greene said to a pro-Trump YouTube channel. "God bless you. This got overturned today because of your great work as president, and we want him back.""I do fear for the safety of people here in D.C.," she said, speculating without citing any evidence that Democrats will riot. Read Full StoryHillary Clinton says decision to overturn Roe will 'live in infamy' and is a 'step backward' for women's rightsExecutive Producer Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks on stage during "Below The Belt" New York Premiere at Museum of Modern Art on May 24, 2022 in New York City.Cindy Ord/Getty ImagesHillary Clinton said Friday's Supreme Court ruling is a "step backward" for women's rights."Most Americans believe the decision to have a child is one of the most sacred decisions there is, and that such decisions should remain between patients and their doctors," she tweeted after the decision. She continued: "Today's Supreme Court opinion will live in infamy as a step backward for women's rights and human rights."Read Full StoryFriday's decision could undo much of women's economic progress since the 1970sAbortion rights advocates and anti-abortion protesters demonstrate in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Washington, as the court hears arguments in a case from Mississippi, where a 2018 law would ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, well before viability.(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)Friday's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade will have enormous consequences for women's economic progress.Experts told Insider before the ruling that research points to the fact that abortion legalization has greatly contributed to women's progress in many ways, like reducing rates of teen motherhood and maternal mortality, increasing rates of workforce participation, earnings, and educational attainment."This is going to create just a perfect storm of concentrated human misery," said Kimberly Kelly, a sociology professor focused on abortion politics at a Mississippi college, before Friday's decision, adding that overturning Roe means "abortion is going to become a function of class privilege."Read Full StorySupreme Court's liberal justices warn more rights are at stake with the end of Roe v. WadeThe Supreme Court's three liberal justices warned in a dissent that other rights could be on the line after Friday's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. "Whatever the exact scope of the coming laws, one result of today's decision is certain: the curtailment of women's rights, and of their status as free and equal citizens," read the dissenting opinion authored by Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan."No one should be confident that this majority is done with its work," they wrote. "The right Roe and Casey recognized does not stand alone."Read Full StoryChief Justice John Roberts says Supreme Court went too far in taking 'the dramatic step' of overturning Roe v. WadeChief Justice John Roberts.Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesChief Justice John Roberts said he felt the Supreme Court's five other conservatives went too far in their decision to overturn Roe v. Wade."The Court's decision to overrule Roe and Casey is a serious jolt to the legal system — regardless of how you view those cases," Roberts wrote in his concurring opinion that was released on Friday along with the majority opinion.He continued: "A narrower decision rejecting the misguided viability line would be markedly less unsettling, and nothing more is needed to decide this case."Read Full StoryPence says the overturning of Roe v. Wade has 'righted a historic wrong'Former Vice President Mike Pence said the Supreme Court "righted a historic wrong" when it undid nearly 50 years of abortion rights nationwide on Friday."Now that Roe v. Wade has been consigned to the ash heap of history, a new arena in the cause of life has emerged and it is incumbent on all who cherish the sanctity of life to resolve that we will take the defense of the unborn and support for women in crisis pregnancies to every state Capitol in America," Pence said in the statement, in one of the first reactions from a politician. Read Full StoryJustice Thomas says Supreme Court should reconsider rulings that protect contraception and same-sex marriageJustice Clarence ThomasDrew Angerer/Getty ImagesJustice Clarence Thomas said the Supreme Court should reconsider rulings that protect contraception, same-sex relationships, and same-sex marriage, in a concurring opinion with the ruling to overturn the precedent set in Roe v. Wade."For that reason, in future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court's substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell," the conservative justice wrote. Read Full StorySupreme Court overturns 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade rulingThe Supreme Court has overturned the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that established the constitutional right to an abortion.The opinion in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization threw out the decades-old ruling by siding with Mississippi and other states that had passed restrictive anti-abortion laws."The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives," the Friday ruling said. The ruling now leaves the legality of abortion up to state legislatures. Over a dozen states have "trigger laws" meant to ban abortion immediately upon the overturning of Roe.A leaked draft majority opinion obtained by Politico last month seemed to show the court was set to overturn Roe — immediately galvanizing nationwide protests along with condemnation by Democratic lawmakers.Read Full StoryRead the original article on Business Insider.....»»

The Supreme Court has overturned the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that granted a nationwide, constitutional right to an abortion. Abortion rights and anti-abortion rights activists fill the street in front of the U.S. Supreme Court during a protest in the wake of the decision overturning Roe v. Wade outside on June 25, 2022, in Washington, DC.Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on last week. The 1973 landmark ruling established the constitutional right to an abortion. Over a dozen states have laws meant to immediately outlaw abortion upon a reversal of Roe. The Supreme Court last week overturned the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that established the constitutional right to an abortion. The opinion in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization threw out the ruling as the nation's highest court sided with Mississippi and other states, which passed restrictive anti-abortion laws.Immediately after last week's ruling, politicians on both sides of the aisle issued statements — with Republicans praising the Supreme Court and Democrats slamming the decision. Over a dozen states have "trigger laws" meant to ban abortion immediately upon the overturning of Roe, as the legality of abortion is now left up to state legislatures. AOC says Supreme Court justices who lied under oath must face consequences for 'impeachable offense'U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).Alex Wong/Getty ImagesRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Sunday said she believes it's an "impeachable offense" for a Supreme Court justice to lie under oath. Following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, Sens. Susan Collins and Joe Manchin said they felt misled by Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch during their individual confirmation hearings. The two senators, both pro-choice, voted to confirm Kavanaugh and Gorsuch because they assured them that they believed Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark Supreme Court decision that made abortion a constitutional right nationwide, was law. Both Gorsuch and Kavanaugh, however, voted to strike down Roe earlier this week.Ocasio-Cortez, speaking in an interview with NBC News' "Meet the Press," said she believes the court is facing a "crisis of legitimacy" and justices must face consequences if they lie under oath. "If we allow Supreme Court nominees to lie under oath and secure lifetime appointments to the highest court of the land and then issue, without basis," she said, "we must see that through. There must be consequences for such a deeply destabilizing action and a hostile takeover of our democratic institutions."Read Full StoryElizabeth Warren: Supreme Court 'set a torch' to the last of its legitimacySen. Elizabeth Warren.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty ImagesSen. Elizabeth Warren said the US Supreme Court has lost all legitimacy following the rollback of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark decision that made abortion a constitutional right nationwide.Speaking on ABC News' "This Week" on Sunday, Warren suggested that Republicans have tried to stack the Supreme Court with justices who would be against abortion. "The Republicans have been very overt about trying to get people through the court who didn't have a published record on Roe, but who they knew — wink wink nod nod — were going to be extremist on the issue of Roe v. Wade." Warren said. "And that is exactly what we have ended up with.""This court has lost legitimacy. They have burned whatever legitimacy they may still have had," Warren continued. "They just took the last of it and set a torch to it with the Roe v. Wade opinion."Read Full StoryAn abortion clinic in North Dakota has raised more than $500,000 in two days to fund its move to MinnesotaActivists march along Constitution Avenue to the US Supreme Court on May 14, 2022.Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post via Getty ImagesAn abortion clinic based in North Dakota has raised more than $550,000 to fund its move in the two days since the Supreme Court's decision to roll back Roe v. Wade. The Red River Women's Clinic of Fargo, North Dakota, set up a GoFundMe to assist with a planned move to Moorhead, Minnesota. North Dakota is one of the at least 13 states that has a "trigger" law, which immediately bans abortions following the overturn of Roe v. Wade. But moving out of North Dakota means there will no longer be an operating abortion clinic in the state. READ FULL STORYThe overturning of Roe v. Wade will 'exacerbate the mental health crisis' in the US, American Psychological Association saysRear view of an unrecognizable abused woman sitting on her bed looking out the window. - stock photoAlvaro Medina Jurado/ Getty ImagesThe American Psychological Association warned on Friday that the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade will exacerbate mental health in the United States.Research suggests that "adding barriers to accessing abortion services may increase symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression," APA President Frank C. Wornell said in a statement."We are alarmed that the justices would nullify Roe despite decades of scientific research demonstrating that people who are denied abortions are more likely to experience higher levels of anxiety, lower life satisfaction and lower self-esteem compared with those who are able to obtain abortions," Wornell added. READ FULL STORYTrump congratulated his conservative Supreme Court justice picks for their 'courage' amid the overturn of Roe v. WadeFormer President Donald Trump.AP Photo/Joe MaioranaFormer President Donald Trump on Saturday thanked his three conservative justice picks on the Supreme Court, all of whom voted to overturn Roe v. Wade."Yesterday the court handed down a victory for the Constitution, a victory for the rule of law, and above all, a victory for life," Trump said during a rally in Mendon, Illinois. "Thanks to the courage found within the United States Supreme Court, this long divisive issue will be decided by the states and by the American people," he added.He congratulated his three picks — Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett — and praised the decision.READ FULL STORYAOC recalls thanking God she had the choice to get an abortion when she took a pregnancy test after being rapedRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Friday shared a personal sexual assault story during a pro-abortion rights rally, saying she felt grateful she had the freedom to obtain an abortion if she needed one in that moment. "I myself, when I was about 22 or 23 years old, was raped while I was living here in New York City," she told a crowd in New York's City Union Square Park. "I was completely alone. I felt completely alone. In fact, I felt so alone that I had to take a pregnancy test in a public bathroom in midtown Manhattan.""When I sat there waiting for what the result would be, all I could think was thank God I have, at least, a choice," she continued. "Thank God I could, at least, have the freedom to choose my destiny."READ FULL STORYGloria Steinem slams Roe v. Wade repeal, says 'there is no democracy' without the right to choseGloria Steinem was one of the most important activists of the Women's Movement.Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesJournalist and feminist leader Gloria Steinem has slammed the impact of repealing Roe v. Wade will have on democracy, in an email to AP."Obviously, without the right of women and men to make decisions about our own bodies, there is no democracy," she said. She has called for action to fight the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, protecting US abortion rights."Banning abortions does not stop the need. It just bans their safety."Read Full StoryGOP privately worrying overturning Roe v. Wade could impact midterms: 'This is a losing issue for Republicans,' report saysProtests outside of the Supreme Court after it overturned Roe v. WadeCamila DeChalusWhile Republicans are publicly celebrating the overturning of Roe v. Wade, some are privately worrying that the timing could negatively impact the November midterms. Some Republicans fear the abortion ruling could give Democrats ammunition to attack them and mobilize voters, Politico reported, based on interviews with more than a dozen GOP strategists and officials."This is not a conversation we want to have," Republican strategist John Thomas told Politico. "We want to have a conversation about the economy. We want to have a conversation about Joe Biden, about pretty much anything else besides Roe. This is a losing issue for Republicans."Read Full StoryPlanned Parenthood sues Utah to stop trigger law that makes abortion a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prisonPro-choice supporters and staff of Planned Parenthood hold a rally outside the Planned Parenthood Reproductive Health Services Center in St. Louis, Missouri, May 31, 2019.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty ImagesThe Planned Parenthood Association of Utah is suing to stop the state's "trigger law" abortion ban that took effect on Friday following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.The Utah law makes abortions, with limited exceptions, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Read Full StoryMany Republicans rejoiced at Roe being overturned but these 4 GOP governors want to protect the right to abortionGov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire.AP Photo/Charles Krupa, FileAfter Friday's Supreme Court Roe v. Wade ruling, which revoked the constitutional right to abortion, many Republicans celebrated it as a win. The GOP has long been at the forefront of the fight to restrict abortion access and many Republican-led states have enacted or will enact abortion bans as a result of the decision.Read Full StoryGeorgia Democratic nominee for Governor Stacey Abrams explains the change in her position on abortion: There is 'no place in that medical decision for ideology or for politicians'Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams speaks to the media during a press conference, May 24, 2022Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesGeorgia Democratic nominee for Governor Stacey Abrams explained in a Friday interview with CNN how her perspective on abortion rights has evolved over the years and how she came to support the right to abortion services after being raised in a religious household. "I was very much on the side of anti-abortion, through much of my upbringing. I grew up in Mississippi, in a very religious family, in a religious community," Abrams told CNN host Sara Sidner. "And I was raised to have a very uncritical eye to this question."Read Full StoryWhat is the Hyde Amendment and how is it related to the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade?People protest the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade abortion decision in New York City, New York, U.S., June 24, 2022.REUTERS/Caitlin OchsFollowing the Supreme Court's Friday decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, there have been renewed calls from lawmakers and activists to abandon the Hyde Amendment, a legislative provision preventing federal funds from being used on abortion services. The Hyde Amendment, named for anti-abortion Congressman Henry Hyde who introduced the provision, was passed in 1976, just four years after the landmark Roe vs. Wade ruling that established the right to an abortion. The amendment, which prevents federal funds from services such as Medicaid to be used to provide abortions, was mired in legal challenges for its first years, leading to the Supreme Court case Harris v. McRae. Read Full StoryAfter calls from AOC and other Dems to expand the court, White House says Biden 'does not agree' with the movePresident Joe Biden.Getty ImagesAs calls for remedies to restrictions on abortion access grow, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Saturday that President Joe Biden "does not agree with" expanding the Supreme Court. "I was asked this question yesterday, and I've been asked it before... about expanding the Court. That is something that the President does not agree with. That is not something that he wants to do," Jean-Pierre said during a press briefing on Air Force One.Read Full StoryVirginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin pushes state lawmakers for a 15-week abortion banRepublican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia.AP Photo/Steve HelberRepublican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia on Friday said he would push for a ban on most abortions after 15 weeks in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.Youngkin, who took office earlier this year, said in a statement that the court's decision was an "appropriate" return of power "to the people and their elected representatives in the states.""Virginians do want fewer abortions as opposed to more abortions," the governor said in a meeting at The Washington Post shortly after the decision was made public. "I am not someone who is going to jump in and try to push us apart … There is a place we can come together."Youngkin assembled four Republican legislators to help write legislation that could potentially attract bipartisan support in a legislature. In the state, the GOP has a 52-48 majority in the House of Delegates while Democrats have a 21-19 edge in the Senate.Read Full StoryMan uses truck to repeatedly block entrance to Mississippi's only abortion clinic as tensions run high after Roe v. Wade rulingA man blocked the entrance to the Jackson Women's Health Organization, Mississippi's only abortion clinic, with his truck on June 25, 2022 after the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade earlier in the week.Kenneth NiemeyerJACKSON, MS — A man used his truck to block the entrance to Mississippi's only abortion clinic on Saturday as tensions continue to run high at the clinic after the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade earlier in the week.The Jackson Women's Health Organization, the only abortion clinic in Mississippi, has vowed to remain open for at least nine more days after the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to overturn Roe V. Wade, a landmark decision that legalized abortion nationally. Mississippi has a trigger law that requires the state attorney general to certify the Supreme Court's decision and allows for the clinic to remain open for 10 days after the certification.Pro-life demonstrators continued to clash with clinic volunteer escorts, who call themselves Pink House Defenders, on Saturday. The clinic, housed in a large pink building, is commonly referred to locally as the Pink House.A man in a white truck blocked the entrance to the clinic at least twice on Saturday.Read Full StoryDemocratic lawmakers urge FTC to investigate Apple and Google over mobile tracking data practices targeting abortion seekersDaniil Dubov/Getty ImagesFour Democratic lawmakers on Friday urged the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Apple and Google's mobile tacking practices regarding abortion seekers. Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Ron Wyden of Oregon, and Sara Jacobs of California wrote a letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan — accusing Apple and Google of collecting and selling "Hundreds of millions of mobile phone users' data." The lawmakers argued that for individuals seeking abortion services in states where abortion would be illegal it is essential that their data won't fall into the wrong hands.Read Full StorySens. Susan Collins and Joe Manchin, who voted to confirm justices Kavanaugh and Gorsuch, say they were misled on Roe v. WadeSen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesCentrist Senators Susan Collins and Joe Manchin criticized Friday's landmark Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, suggesting they felt misled by Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch.Collins, a Maine Republican, and Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, both voted to confirm Kavanaugh and Gorsuch. Both senators are pro-choice and said that the justices had assured them they believed Roe v Wade was settled law."I trusted Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh when they testified under oath that they also believed Roe v. Wade was settled legal precedent. I am alarmed they chose to reject the stability the ruling has provided for two generations of Americans," Manchin said in a statement.Manchin, a self-described centrist, was one of three Democrats to vote to confirm Gorsuch in 2017 and the only Democrat who voted to confirm Kavanaugh in 2018. Kavanaugh's 50-48 confirmation vote was historically close.Manchin said that while he is personally pro-life, he would "support legislation that would codify the rights Roe v. Wade previously protected."Read Full StorySenators Elizabeth Warren and Tina Smith call on Biden to 'declare a public health emergency' now that Roe v Wade 'is gone'Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., right, and Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn.Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)US Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Tina Smith of Minnesota are calling on President Joe Biden to  "declare a public health emergency," following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.In an op-ed for the New York Times on Saturday, the Democratic senators said that "with the release of the Dobbs decision," the US is facing " a perilous time that threatens millions of women across this nation.""We urge the president to declare a public health emergency to protect abortion access for all Americans, unlocking critical resources and authority that states and the federal government can use to meet the surge in demand for reproductive health services. The danger is real, and Democrats must meet it with the urgency it deserves," Warren and Smith wrote. The senators blamed the reversal of Roe v. Wade on "right-wing politicians and their allies" who they said "have spent decades scheming."Read Full StorySearches for how to move to Canada from the US spike by over 850% after Roe v. Wade rulingMary Meisenzahl/InsiderSearches for how to move to Canada spiked over 850% on Google after the Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v Wade, Axios reported. Citing Simon Rogers' Google Trends newsletter, Axios reported that searches for  "How to become a Canadian citizen" also rose by 550% as of Friday evening.In a 5-4 majority opinion, the Supreme Court on Friday overturned the 50-year-old landmark ruling that legalized abortion nationwide.Read Full StoryA pickup truck driver in Iowa ploughed into pro-choice protesters opposing the overturning of Roe v. Wade abortion rightsProtesters approach a pickup truck that attempted to run over abortion-rights protesters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.Isacc Davis via ReutersA truck drove into a group of pro-choice protesters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, leading to at least one woman being hospitalized. The group of mostly women protesters was demonstrating against the landmark Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade when an unidentified man driving a black Ford truck drove into them.In videos of the incident, protesters can be seen trying to stand in the car's way and shouting at the driver to stop. He accelerates and a protester is knocked to the ground.Read Full StoryBill Gates and George Soros among billionaires denouncing Roe v. Wade decisionBill Gates voiced opposition to the Roe v. Wade decision, while Warren Buffett is reportedly planning a big investment in abortion rights.Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesSome of America's most prominent billionaires have denounced the overturning of Roe v. Wade, as Warren Buffett reportedly sets in motion plans for big donations to reproductive rights.Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and George Soros all tweeted their opposition to the Supreme Court decision to roll back abortion rights nationally, overturning a near-50-year precedent. Bill Gates tweeted: "This is a sad day. Reversing Roe v. Wade is an unjust and unacceptable setback. And it puts women's lives at risk, especially the most disadvantaged."Read Full StoryMeta bans staff from open discussion of Roe v. Wade decision and is deleting internal messages that mention abortion: reportMeta has disallowed employees to discuss abortion on internal messaging system.Joan Cros/Getty ImagesMeta has warned employees not to discuss the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on its internal system and deleting messages that do so, The New York Times reported.Managers cited a policy that put "strong guardrails around social, political and sensitive conversations" in the workplace, according to company insiders, the newspaper reported. Read Full StoryVatican praises US Supreme Court for overturning Roe v. Wade, says it 'challenges the whole world'Pope Francis gestures, during his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 23, 2022.Alessandra Tarantino/Associated PressThe Vatican's Pontifical Academy for Life has praised the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade which protected abortion rights for women. They also called that legislation ensures that those giving birth are given the support needed to keep and care for their children. In a statement released on Twitter, the Catholic organization said "The fact that a large country with a long democratic tradition has changed its position on this issue also challenges the whole world."Read Full Story The Arizona State Senate had to be evacuated after tear gas police deployed on protesters spread into the buildingArizona State Capitol Building at sunrise, features Winged Victory statue and was modeled after Greek statue Nike of Samothrace.Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images GroupThe Arizona State Senate Building in Phoenix was evacuated on Friday after police deployed tear gas at demonstrators.A video posted on social media by Republican State Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita shows dozens of people protesting outside the government building in response to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Read Full StoryObergefell, the plaintiff in the SCOTUS same-sex marriage ruling, said it's 'quite telling' Clarence Thomas omitted the case that legalized interracial marriage after saying the courts should go after other right to privacy casesAssociate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife and conservative activist Virginia Thomas arrive at the Heritage Foundation on October 21, 2021.Drew Angerer/Getty ImageJim Obergefell, the plaintiff behind the Supreme Court's landmark ruling on same-sex marriage, said Friday that Justice Clarence Thomas omitted Loving v. Virginia on his list of  Supreme Court decisions to "reconsider" because it "affects him personally." "That affects him personally, but he doesn't care about the LGBTQ+ community," Obergefell said on MSNBC's "The Reid Out."Read Full StoryStanding among protestors after the fall of Roe vs. Wade, AOC calls on Biden to create abortion clinics on federal landRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks to abortion-rights activists in front of the U.S. Supreme Court after the Court announced a ruling in the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization case on June 24, 2022 in Washington, DC.Nathan Howard/Getty ImagesRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Friday called on President Biden to create abortion clinics on federal land, following the landmark Supreme Court ruling which overturned Roe v. Wade and removed federal abortion protections. Speaking to a crowd of protestors gathered in New York's Union Square, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez encouraged people to "be relentless to restore and guarantee all of our rights." She detailed her own experience after sexual assault in her 20s, when she was grateful that abortion would have been an option for her if she needed it, and pushed for federal action to preserve access to reproductive healthcare.  Read Full StoryThe states passing strict abortion bans have some of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the countryPRODUCTION - 17 April 2021, Berlin: A midwife listens to the heart tones of an unborn child with an ultrasound device. The woman is in her 2nd trimester of pregnancy and is lying on a bed in the midwife's office. 5.5.2021 is International Midwifery Day, which is intended to draw attention to the importance of the profession.Annette Riedl/picture alliance via Getty ImagesWith Friday's Supreme court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade – the landmark case guaranteeing a right to abortion – 13 states with automatic trigger laws enacted total or near-total bans on abortions. The surge of new abortion bans and clinic closures has highlighted the recent rise in America's maternal mortality rates that are disproportionately affecting women of color and have placed the US first in maternal deaths among all developed nations.Read Full StoryPro-choice advocates come out in force vowing to continue the fight after the Supreme Court strikes down Roe v. WadeA massive crowd gathered in New York's Washington Square Park, hours after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade.Anna Watts for InsiderHours after the Supreme Court announced it had struck down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, throngs of pro-choice Americans took to the streets vowing to continue the fight. In New York's Washington Square Park, a somber and angry crowd began assembling at 5 p.m. ET. They held handwritten signs with words like "Betrayed" or "My corpse has more rights." Some were smeared with red paint.Read Full StoryWhich Supreme Court justices voted to overturn Roe v. Wade? Here's where all 9 judges standReproductive rights activists hold cut out photos of the Supreme Court justices as oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization case are held on Wednesday, December 1, 2021.Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty ImagesThe Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade in a 5-4 majority opinion that guts federal abortion rights protections previously upheld by the nearly 50-year-old landmark ruling.The conservative majority voted to uphold the Mississippi law at the heart of the case which seeks to ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, a contradiction to the standard set by Roe, which allowed abortions until about 24 weeks of pregnancy, at which point a fetus could feasibly survive outside the womb. Six justices ruled in favor of upholding Mississippi's 15-week ban, but it was the majority opinion of five judges that ultimately led to the total overhaul of Roe v. Wade. Read the full story to find out how each justice voted. READ FULL STORYThis map shows where abortion is illegal, protected, or under threat across all 50 US statesPro-life and abortion-rights advocates crowd the Supreme Court building after Roe v. Wade was overturned Friday morning.Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesOn Friday, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the near 50-year-old court ruling that legalized abortion across all 50 US states.Some states have been preparing for years for the possibility that Roe could be overturned.A handful of states had trigger laws designed to immediately ban abortions within their borders once the decision was reversed. Some "sanctuary states," like New York, put in place legal framework that would protect abortion, even if Roe were overturned. In other areas of the country, it isn't totally clear what happens next — abortion isn't legally protected, but it's also not expressly forbidden.Read Full StoryThe Supreme Court just overturned Roe v. Wade, but the vast majority of Americans don't even know who the court's justices areSeated from left: Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, John Roberts, Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor, Standing from left: Brett Kavanaugh, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett.Erin Schaff-Pool/Getty ImagesThe Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, the nearly 50-year-old landmark ruling that protected abortion rights nationwide.But recent polling suggests that the vast majority of American voters don't even know who these influential justices are, highlighting an apparent disconnect between the nation's top court and the very people affected by its rulings.Ahead of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's Senate confirmation earlier this year, C-SPAN and Pierrepont Consulting & Analytics surveyed more than 1,000 likely voters to gauge the public's interest in and awareness of the Supreme Court's work and relevance. While 84% of voters said the Supreme Court's decisions affect their everyday life, far fewer respondents could provide basic details about the court's history or inner workings.Keep ReadingWisconsin patients who were scheduled to receive abortions were turned away in the waiting room after Roe v. Wade was overturnedA volunteer escort outside Affiliated Medical Services, a Milwaukee abortion clinic, on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, in Milwaukee.AP Photo/Dinesh Ramde FileIn Wisconsin, Planned Parenthood clinics had been scheduling patients through Saturday, June 25, but had stopped scheduling for next week in anticipation of the Supreme Court ruling that would overturn Roe v. Wade, which was leaked in May.When the news broke Friday morning that the court had rendered its opinion, Tanya Atkinson, president of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, said her clinics had patients waiting to receive services."Our team had to go out into the lobby and let those individuals know that they would not be able to access the healthcare that they needed," Atkinson told the local PBS station.Keep ReadingProtestors planning to protest on Justice Clarence Thomas' streetProtestors are planning to head over to Justice Clarence Thomas' house on Friday night after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade."Enraged? Devastated? Pissed the fuck off? So are we," Our Rights DC tweeted on Friday afternoon."Meet us at 5711 Burke Centre Pkwy. 6:30 PM we meet, 7 PM we carpool to the Thomas's street. WEAR A MASK," the human rights organization added. Read Full StoryThe sports world is speaking out against Friday's Supreme Court rulingPro-choice activists protest in response to the leaked Supreme Court draft decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in front of the US Supreme Court May 3, 2022 in Washington, DC.Alex Wong/Getty ImagesSome of the biggest names in sports — from tennis to basketball — are speaking out after the Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday.The Minnesota Lynx's Natalie Achonwa wrote on Twitter that she's "feeling sick & heartbroken" after hearing about the decision. Tennis legend and feminist icon Billie Jean King said on Twitter that it's a "sad day" in the US. The WNBA's Seattle Storm tweeted that they are "furious and ready to fight."Orlando Magic point guard Devin Cannady tweeted that the "country needs to be better," adding in a follow-up note that the ruling is "a POWER grab over WOMEN."Read Full StoryThese organizations are asking for donations after Roe v. Wade was overturnedIn the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, organizations fighting for abortion rights are calling on supporters to donate.Click the link below for some organizations that are asking for help to either fight the ruling or provide access to abortion for women in states where it will be banned. Read Full StoryAttorney General says states can't ban abortion pills that are approved by FDAUS Attorney General Merrick Garland said states can't ban abortion medication mifepristone "based on disagreement" with the US Food and Drug Administration.Garland said on Friday that the FDA already ruled on the pill's "safety and efficacy," so the decision can't be overturned by states that want to restrict abortion access."Women who reside in states that have banned access to comprehensive reproductive care must remain free to seek that care in states where it is legal," Garland said, after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade earlier.He continued: "Moreover, under fundamental First Amendment principles, individuals must remain free to inform and counsel each other about the reproductive care that is available in other states."Read Full Story House Democrats sang 'God Bless America' on Capitol steps as crowds protested at Supreme CourtHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi leads a rally celebrating the passage of gun safety legislation as protesters swarm the court just yards away on June 24, 2022.Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesHouse Democrats gathered outside the Capitol on Friday to celebrate passing new gun safety legislation, and cheerfully sang "God Bless America."Across the street, however, protesters swarmed the Supreme Court after the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Read Full StoryVideos show police in riot gear head to Supreme Court after decisionCapitol Police in riot gear could be seen marching towards the Supreme Court earlier on Friday after Roe v. Wade was overturned. A video shared to Twitter by CNN correspondent Manu Raju showed dozens of officers march from the Capitol building and to the Court.Law enforcement also closed streets around the high court, where peaceful protesters gathered by the hundreds after the decision. —Manu Raju (@mkraju) June 24, 2022 Read Full StoryMassive protests erupt outside Supreme Court after Roe v. Wade rulingProtesters outside of Supreme CourtCamila DeChalusHundreds of people gathered outside the Supreme Court on Friday to protest the ruling that overturns Roe v. Wade. Abortion-rights advocates waived green and black signs and shouted "my body, my choice."Across from the abortion-rights protesters, a group of abortion opponents wore red shirts with white letters that read: "The pro-life generation votes."Read Full StoryThe 13 states with abortion-ban 'trigger laws' are not prepared to enforce themThirteen states with abortion "trigger laws" — where the practice could become illegal — are not prepared for how to go about implementing a ban.An Insider investigation over the last few months found that, through over 100 records requests and reaching out to nearly 80 state and local officials, just one agency could detail any sort of plan. This story is part of an investigative series from Insider examining the demise of abortion rights in so-called "trigger law" states. It was originally published on May 7, 48 days before the Supreme Court ruled in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization that abortion is no longer a constitutionally protected right. Read all the stories from "The First 13" here.Read Full StoryStates where abortion access will be on the ballot in 2022Abortion-rights supporters chant their objections at the Kentucky Capitol on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in Frankfort, Ky., Kentucky is one of at least four states with abortion-related ballot measures in 2022.AP Photo/Bruce Schreiner, FileAbortion policy will be on the ballot in at least four states during the upcoming 2022 midterm elections — the highest number of abortion-related ballot measures to appear in a year since 1986. Kansas and Kentucky will vote on constitutional amendments to establish no right to an abortion, while Montana will vote on a "born-alive" amendment that would extend personhood to infants "born alive" at any stage.On the other side, voters in Vermont will decide on an amendment that will enshrine the right to an abortion in the state's constitution.Read Full StoryBiden says Americans can have 'the final word' after the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. WadePresident Joe BidenStefani Reynolds/AFP/Getty ImagesPresident Joe Biden said Friday was a "sad day" for the nation after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and vowed his administration would do everything it can to protect women."With this decision, the conservative majority of the Supreme Court shows how extreme it is, how far removed they are from the majority of the country," Biden said during an address to the nation. He continued: "But this decision must not be the final word," urging Americans to vote.Read Full StoryGetting an abortion is going to get a lot more expensive for many AmericansParticipants hold signs during the Women's March at the US Supreme Court.Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Women's March IncExperts told Insider that the cost of getting an abortion is all but guaranteed to rise after the Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade. Many who live in states where abortion will become mostly, or entirely, illegal will have to face travel costs if they want a procedure in a different state where it is legal. Wage loss for taking time off to get a procedure is another issue. "You might be salaried and I might be salaried, and you can take time off," said Anna Rupani, executive director of Fund Texas Choice (FTC), a nonprofit organization that pays for low-income Texans' associated abortion costs. "A lot of our clients are living paycheck to paycheck, they're not in salaried positions… they're experiencing wage loss."Read Full StoryPelosi warns 'Republicans are plotting a nationwide abortion ban'House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned that congressional Republicans want to pass a federal abortion ban into law after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.Be aware of this: the Republicans are plotting a nationwide abortion ban," Pelosi said during her weekly press briefing. "They cannot be allowed to have a majority in the Congress to do that. But that's their goal."She continued: "What this means to women is such an insult. It's a slap in the face to women about using their own judgment to make decisions about their reproductive freedom."Read Full StoryTrump reportedly believes overturning Roe v. Wade is 'bad for Republicans'Trump stands with now-Justice Amy Coney Barrett at the White House after she was sworn in on October 26, 2020.Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty ImagesFormer President Donald Trump praised the Supreme Court for overturning Roe v. Wade on Friday."This is following the Constitution, and giving rights back when they should have been given long ago," he told Fox News.Privately, Trump has said that overturning Roe would be "bad for Republicans," according to The New York Times' Maggie Haberman and Michael C. Bender.Read Full StoryLead plaintiff in case that made same-sex marriage legal slams Justice Thomas' call for case to be reconsideredThe lead plaintiff in the case that made same-sex marriage legal slammed Justice Clarence Thomas' call for the case to be reconsidered.Thomas said the Supreme Court should reconsider rulings that protect same-sex marriage, in the wake of Friday's decision to overturn nationwide access to abortions."The millions of loving couples who have the right to marriage equality to form their own families do not need Clarence Thomas imposing his individual twisted morality upon them. If you want to see an error in judgment, Clarence Thomas, look in the mirror," Jim Obergefell said in a statement obtained by HuffPost.Read Full StoryMichelle Obama said she is 'heartbroken' after the Supreme Court's decisionFormer first lady Michelle ObamaJae C. Hong/Associated PressFormer First Lady Michelle Obama said she is "heartbroken" after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday.She said before Roe was established, women "risked their lives getting illegal abortions.""That is what our mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers lived through, and now here we are again," Obama wrote in her statement. "So yes, I am heartbroken — for the teenage girl full of zest and promise, who won't be able to finish school or live the life she wants because her state controls her reproductive decisions," she added.Read Full StoryAG Merrick Garland said the Supreme Court dealt 'a devastating blow' to abortion rightsAttorney General Merrick Garland said the Supreme Court dealt a "devastating blow to reproductive freedom in the United States" by eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion.Garland said in a statement that the Justice Department disagreed with the decision and predicted that it "will have an immediate and irreversible impact on the lives of people across the country.""And it will be greatly disproportionate in its effect – with the greatest burdens felt by people of color and those of limited financial means," he added.Read Full StorySenate announces hearing 'to explore the grim reality of a post-Roe America'The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee announced a hearing to explore the "grim reality" of life in the US in the aftermath of Friday's Supreme Court ruling."Today's decision eliminates a federally protected constitutional right that has been the law for nearly half a century," said Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin in a statement.He continued: "As a result, millions of Americans are waking up in a country where they have fewer rights than their parents and grandparents."The hearing is set for July 12, a day after the Senate returns from a two-week July 4 recess.Read Full StoryBiden to deliver remarks on Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. WadePresident Joe Biden will deliver remarks at 12:30 p.m. local time on Friday about the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The White House told reporters that he plans to speak about "the Supreme Court decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization to overturn Roe v. Wade."Read Full StoryVarious politicians react to Friday's Supreme Court decision to overturn RoeCurrent and former politicians from both sides of the aisle are reacting to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.Sen. Lindsey Graham said the decision is "a long overdue constitutional correction allowing for elected officials in the states to decide issues of life." Roe was "constitutionally unsound from its inception," he said. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called Friday "one of the darkest days our country has ever seen." "Millions upon millions of American women are having their rights taken from them by five unelected Justices on the extremist MAGA court," he said in a statement shared with Insider.  Read Full StoryNancy Pelosi and other Democrats are using the Supreme Court decision as a fundraising opportunity for the 2022 midtermsUS Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks in front of the steps to the House of Representatives with congressional members to speak on the Roe v. Wade issue May 13, 2022 in Washington, DC.Win McNamee/Getty ImagesHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi and fellow Democrats are using the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade as a fundraising opportunity ahead of the fall midterms. "Can you chip in $15 so we can WIN these midterms and finally codify reproductive rights into law?" Pelosi wrote supporters."Our ONLY option is to marshal a response so historic — 100,000 gifts before midnight — that we DEFEAT every anti-choice Republican that made this happen, EXPAND our Majorities, and FINALLY codify our reproductive rights into law. So, can I expect to see your name on my "Pro-Choice Champion" list tomorrow morning?"Read Full StoryPlanned Parenthood president slams Supreme Court decisionAlexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood, addresses abortion-rights supporters at the "Bans Off Our Bodies Abortion Rally" at Los Angeles City Hall, Saturday, May 14, 2022.AP Photo/Damian DovarganesPlanned Parenthood Action Fund President Alexis McGill Johnson said the Supreme Court gave politicians "permission to control what we do with our bodies" after the Friday decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. "Due to centuries of racism and systemic discrimination, we already know who will feel the consequences of this horrific decision most acutely: Black, Latino and Indigenous communities, people with disabilities, those living in rural areas, young people, immigrants and those having difficulties making ends meet," she said. "All of our freedoms are on the line," she added. Read Full StoryDC police are fully activated in response to protests from the Supreme Court decisionPro-choice signs hang on a police barricade at the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC, on May 3, 2022.Anna Moneymaker/Getty ImagesThe Washington, D.C. Police Department has been fully activated after protests broke out over the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The Metropolitan Police Department said in an alert that it would "be fully activated to support expected First Amendment demonstrations," and added that "all members should be prepared to work extended tours as necessary" through Tuesday, June 28. A heavy police presence could be seen outside the Supreme Court Friday morning.Read Full StoryBarack Obama says overturning Roe v. Wade is an attack on 'essential freedoms of millions of Americans'Former president Barack Obama slammed the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, and urged people to vote and "join with the activists who've been sounding the alarm on abortion access for years.""Today, the Supreme Court not only reversed nearly 50 years of precedent, it relegated the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues — attacking the essential freedoms of millions of Americans," he wrote on Twitter. He continued: "Join with the activists who've been sounding the alarm on abortion access for years — and act. Stand with them at a local protest. Volunteer with one of their organizations. Knock on doors for a candidate you believe in. Vote on or before November 8 and in every other election. Because in the end, if we want judges who will protect all, and not just some, of our rights, then we've got to elect officials committed to doing the same."Read Full StoryStoking fears of violence, Marjorie Taylor Greene credits Trump for the end of RoeFar-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene praised former President Donald Trump and demonized Democrats in her live reaction to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade."Thank you President Trump," Greene said to a pro-Trump YouTube channel. "God bless you. This got overturned today because of your great work as president, and we want him back.""I do fear for the safety of people here in D.C.," she said, speculating without citing any evidence that Democrats will riot. Read Full StoryHillary Clinton says decision to overturn Roe will 'live in infamy' and is a 'step backward' for women's rightsExecutive Producer Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks on stage during "Below The Belt" New York Premiere at Museum of Modern Art on May 24, 2022 in New York City.Cindy Ord/Getty ImagesHillary Clinton said Friday's Supreme Court ruling is a "step backward" for women's rights."Most Americans believe the decision to have a child is one of the most sacred decisions there is, and that such decisions should remain between patients and their doctors," she tweeted after the decision. She continued: "Today's Supreme Court opinion will live in infamy as a step backward for women's rights and human rights."Read Full StoryFriday's decision could undo much of women's economic progress since the 1970sAbortion rights advocates and anti-abortion protesters demonstrate in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Washington, as the court hears arguments in a case from Mississippi, where a 2018 law would ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, well before viability.(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)Friday's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade will have enormous consequences for women's economic progress.Experts told Insider before the ruling that research points to the fact that abortion legalization has greatly contributed to women's progress in many ways, like reducing rates of teen motherhood and maternal mortality, increasing rates of workforce participation, earnings, and educational attainment."This is going to create just a perfect storm of concentrated human misery," said Kimberly Kelly, a sociology professor focused on abortion politics at a Mississippi college, before Friday's decision, adding that overturning Roe means "abortion is going to become a function of class privilege."Read Full StorySupreme Court's liberal justices warn more rights are at stake with the end of Roe v. WadeThe Supreme Court's three liberal justices warned in a dissent that other rights could be on the line after Friday's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. "Whatever the exact scope of the coming laws, one result of today's decision is certain: the curtailment of women's rights, and of their status as free and equal citizens," read the dissenting opinion authored by Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan."No one should be confident that this majority is done with its work," they wrote. "The right Roe and Casey recognized does not stand alone."Read Full StoryChief Justice John Roberts says Supreme Court went too far in taking 'the dramatic step' of overturning Roe v. WadeChief Justice John Roberts.Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesChief Justice John Roberts said he felt the Supreme Court's five other conservatives went too far in their decision to overturn Roe v. Wade."The Court's decision to overrule Roe and Casey is a serious jolt to the legal system — regardless of how you view those cases," Roberts wrote in his concurring opinion that was released on Friday along with the majority opinion.He continued: "A narrower decision rejecting the misguided viability line would be markedly less unsettling, and nothing more is needed to decide this case."Read Full StoryPence says the overturning of Roe v. Wade has 'righted a historic wrong'Former Vice President Mike Pence said the Supreme Court "righted a historic wrong" when it undid nearly 50 years of abortion rights nationwide on Friday."Now that Roe v. Wade has been consigned to the ash heap of history, a new arena in the cause of life has emerged and it is incumbent on all who cherish the sanctity of life to resolve that we will take the defense of the unborn and support for women in crisis pregnancies to every state Capitol in America," Pence said in the statement, in one of the first reactions from a politician. Read Full StoryJustice Thomas says Supreme Court should reconsider rulings that protect contraception and same-sex marriageJustice Clarence ThomasDrew Angerer/Getty ImagesJustice Clarence Thomas said the Supreme Court should reconsider rulings that protect contraception, same-sex relationships, and same-sex marriage, in a concurring opinion with the ruling to overturn the precedent set in Roe v. Wade."For that reason, in future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court's substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell," the conservative justice wrote. Read Full StorySupreme Court overturns 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade rulingThe Supreme Court has overturned the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that established the constitutional right to an abortion.The opinion in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization threw out the decades-old ruling by siding with Mississippi and other states that had passed restrictive anti-abortion laws."The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives," the Friday ruling said. The ruling now leaves the legality of abortion up to state legislatures. Over a dozen states have "trigger laws" meant to ban abortion immediately upon the overturning of Roe.A leaked draft majority opinion obtained by Politico last month seemed to show the court was set to overturn Roe — immediately galvanizing nationwide protests along with condemnation by Democratic lawmakers.Read Full StoryRead the original article on Business Insider.....»»

"I hope that gun is not loaded," Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee said as Rep. Greg Steube displayed various guns in his home during a hearing. Republican Rep. Greg Steube of Florida displays his handgun while Zooming into a House Judiciary Committee mark up hearing on gun legislation on June 2, 2022.Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images The House Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing on bills to prevent gun violence on Thursday. The hearing turned into a partisan exercise, with Democrats and Republicans debating gun restrictions. Participating remotely, GOP Rep. Greg Steube ranted about proposed restrictions while brandishing guns. In the midst of a Thursday hearing on new gun violence prevention legislation proposed by congressional Democrats, Republican Rep. Greg Steube of Florida tuned in remotely and ranted against proposed changes to gun laws while brandishing various guns that he owns.The Florida Republican, apparently participating in the hearing from his home office via video, argued that each of his guns would be banned under proposed changes to gun laws.At one point, he displayed a Sig Sauer P365XL Pistol, which he said he carries "every single day" in order to "protect myself, my family, my wife, my home.""I hope that gun is not loaded," said Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, cutting Steube off."I'm at my house, I can do whatever I want with my guns," he replied.Steube then launched into a comparison of the gun restrictions and homicide rates in various American states and cities, including Maryland, Washington, DC, Cook County, Illinois, and his home state of Florida."Would the gentleman yield for questions?" asked committee chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York, repeating himself five times."No, I'm trying to get my point across in the two minutes that I have left," Steube replied. "The murder rate was more — now let me start back over, and I hope you give me my 10 or 15 seconds back that you just took."The partisan bickering at the hearing — which was scheduled in response to the shooting last week at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas and a push by Democrats to address gun violence — underscores the difficulty of passing legislation on guns, particularly on such a charged partisan issue and with an evenly-divided Senate.House Democrats unveiled the "Protecting Our Kids Act" this week, which includes a variety of provisions including raising the minimum purchasing age for semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21, banning the import, sale, manufacture, transfer or possession of high-capacity ammunition magazines, and a variety of other tweaks.Additionally, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at an anti-gun violence event on Wednesday that the House would be voting on an assault weapons ban next week.But the bill is not expected to pass the Senate, or even necessarily receive a vote.Instead, a group of senators led by Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas are trying to hammer out a more modest agreement that could potentially reach the 60 votes necessary to pass legislation in the upper chamber.Murphy penned an op-ed for Fox News on Thursday seeking to assure conservatives that he's not interested in wide-ranging gun restrictions, writing that he doesn't have a "secret agenda to take people's guns away" and that his "agenda isn't radical.""In order to find common ground, I will need to agree to a smaller set of reforms than I would prefer," wrote Murphy. "I'm willing to pass incremental change, like tightening up our background checks system and helping states pass laws to allow law enforcement to temporarily take guns away from individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others.""For me, the only thing we cannot do is nothing," he added.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, who have said they support protecting abortion rights, also opposed the bill. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican of Alaska, and Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat of West Virginia on April 7, 2022 at the US Capitol.Drew Angerer/Getty Image The Senate failed to advance a bill that would enshrine abortion rights in federal law. All 50 GOP senators and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin opposed the bill. The bill follows a leaked draft opinion that suggests the Supreme Court may overturn Roe v. Wade. The Senate on Wednesday failed to advance a Democratic-led bill that would enshrine abortion rights in federal law, an expected outcome given broad Republican opposition. All 50 Republican senators, along with Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, opposed the bill in a 49-51 vote.Democratic leaders brought the legislation forward in response to a draft opinion leaked last week that suggested the Supreme Court appears ready to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that legalized abortion nationwide nearly 50 years ago.But Wednesday's procedural vote was mostly a symbolic gesture, considering Democrats, who only hold a narrow majority in the Senate, did not have enough support to overcome the 60-vote filibuster threshold.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer characterized the vote as putting Republicans on the record with their opposition to abortion rights. The bill would have protected abortion access across the country and ensured the procedure remains legal in every state without additional restrictions. "This is not an abstract exercise. It's as real, it's as urgent as it gets," Schumer said last week when announcing the vote. "All of America will be watching. Republicans will not be able to hide from the American people and cannot hide from their role in bringing Roe to an end."Manchin, an abortion opponent who represents a conservative state, said on Wednesday that he was against the bill because it went further than just codifying Roe into federal law."It's just disappointing that we're going to be voting on a piece of legislation which I would not vote for today," Manchin told reporters ahead of the vote. "But I would vote for Roe v. Wade codification if it was today."Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who said they support abortion rights and have offered a more limited piece of legislation to codify Roe, also voted against Wednesday's bill. Before the vote, dozens of House Democrats, led by the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the Pro Choice Caucus, and the Democratic Women's Caucus, marched over to the Senate in a show of support for abortion rights.—Progressive Caucus (@USProgressives) May 11, 2022 The Senate previously failed to advance the Women's Health Protection Act in February. The House passed its version of the bill in September. President Joe Biden has expressed his support for the legislation and has called on Congress to send him a bill to codify Roe.The Supreme Court is expected to hand down its decision on the major abortion-rights case by late June or early July. If Roe is overturned, 13 states with so-called trigger laws would ban abortion, and several other GOP-led states are expected to impose restrictions on the procedure.  Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Doctors and reproductive rights activists are on edge after a leaked draft Supreme Court opinion called Roe "egregiously wrong from the start." Rep. Lois Frankel, Democrat of Florida.Toya Sarno Jordan/Getty Images Rep. Lois Frankel of Florida said there will be "government-mandated pregnancies" if Roe v. Wade is overturned. "You heard about in China or countries where they forced abortions, which is horrifying," she told Insider. Her remarks come after a leaked draft Supreme Court opinion called Roe "egregiously wrong from the start." Rep. Lois Frankel on Thursday warned that the overturn of Roe v. Wade will result in "government-mandated pregnancies." On Monday, Politico published a leaked draft opinion in which Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito called the 1973 landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortions nationwide "egregiously wrong from the start."Abortion will remain legal in the United States until the court hands down a final verdict, which could come as early as June when the bench decides the verdict for another abortion case. But the draft itself was enough to put reproductive rights activists and doctors who perform abortions on edge.If Roe were to be overturned, it would be illegal in 23 states to obtain an abortion. And in several others, there might be added restrictions."This is government-mandated pregnancies," she told Insider in an interview. "That's exactly what it is. You heard about in China or countries where they forced abortions, which is horrifying. This is forcing pregnancies. And, to me, it is probably one of the worst ways you can deprive a woman of her ability to really be who she wants to be."For reproductive health experts, China's one-child policy often used to be the best way to explain reproductive coercion and a lack of bodily autonomy, according to Dr. Carole Joffe, a sociologist at the University of California, San Francisco. Women who were pregnant in China were forced to have abortions when the one-child policy was in effect, Joffe previously explained to Insider. The leaked draft was a "shock to the system" for Frankel, one of the representatives who originally sponsored the Women's Health Protection Act of 2021. The bill, which "prohibits governmental restrictions on the provision of, and access to, abortion services," was passed in the House last year, but still awaits a vote in the Senate."It's almost like an electric volt going through your body," she said. "I lived during the time before Roe v. Wade, and so, I know so many of the horror stories of girls being mangled, actually losing their ability to have a child, getting killed," she continued. Frankel said she's unsure whether the Senate will take up the WHPA in response to Roe potentially getting overturned. Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»