7 Things: Ivey up big while Biden continues to fall, Build Back Better builds a bigger deficit, MSNBC could be tampering with Rittenhouse jury and more …

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November 19, 2021

7. NFL is bringing back mask mandate

For players and employees within the NFL, no matter what their vaccination status is, individuals will be required to wear a mask indoors starting next week. There will also be new mandatory testing for everyone on November 29 and December 1.
The NFL has claimed that this move is due to the increase in coronavirus cases within the league. In the memo announcing the decision, the league says, “Our experts and data confirm that getting vaccinated remains our strongest defense against contracting and transmission of the virus within club facilities.”

6. Smucker facility coming to Alabama

A new facility for the J.M. Smucker Co. that will produce Smucker’s Uncrustables frozen sandwiches will be coming to Alabama in Jefferson County. The $1.1 billion facility will create about 750 jobs.
Governor Kay Ivey praised the move, saying the “decision to make a significant investment in Jefferson County represents a powerful endorsement of Alabama’s inviting business environment.” Production is expected to start at the plant in 2025 as construction won’t start until 2022.

5. Biden wants to pretend like he doesn’t know why gas is more expensive right now

The Federal Trade Commission has been told to start an investigation into the price of gasoline in the United States. President Joe Biden is pushing for the investigation and even questioned if gasoline markets could be engaging in illegal practices.
Biden said in his letter to the commission that there was “mounting evidence of anti-consumer behavior by oil and gas companies.” Biden’s policies on oil and pushing for more green-energy practices that put the oil industry at a disadvantage have been blamed for the rising prices, as well as a near historic rise in inflation.

4. Issues of jury tampering in Kyle Rittenhouse trial

An individual who has self-identified as James J. Morrison was stopped by police for running a red light and following the jury bus for the jurors in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial. Now, Judge Bruce Schroeder has blocked MSNBC from the trial after it was found that Morrison is a producer for MSNBC.
Morrison claimed that he was told to follow the bus by another employee working for the news organization. Schroeder said that he has “instructed that no one from MSNBC will be permitted in this building for the duration of this trial. This is a very serious matter. And I don’t know what the ultimate truth of it is.”

3. CBO scores that “Build Back Better” will add to the deficit, unless you don’t trust the CBO

Despite repeated claims from Democrats and President Joe Biden that the next phase of their spending wishlist will cost Americans nothing, the Congressional Budget Office actually found it would increase the deficit by $367 billion over the next 10 years, which is wildly misleading given how the spending is frontloaded and the costs are spread out. It is a typical Washington, D.C. gimmick used by both parties and an insult to Americans. The Wall Street Journal says, “When the spending all kicks in, and the rich are all taxed out, the middle class will be hit with a huge tax increase. This is the most dishonest spending bill in American history.” The editorial states the bill actually costs $4.6 billion over 10 years because all of the temporary provisions would be made permanent and would include a huge tax increase on the middle class.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) implied the bill would actually shrink the deficit by claiming new taxes would pay for more than the bill costs, citing a Treasury Department number that counts new tax enforcement measures they say would raise $400 billion or over three times what the CBO says.

2. Biden continues to fall

President Joe Biden’s approval rating has continued to fall and now stands at only 36%, with 53% disapproving of his job performance. This data was recently reported in a new Quinnipiac University poll. Biden’s approval rating falling has become a consistent trend during his presidency.
Among Republicans, only 4% approve of his job performance, while 94% disapprove, while 87% of Democrats approve and 7% disapprove. Only 29% of independents approve, while 56% disapprove.

1. Ivey is one of the most popular governors

A new Morning Consult poll shows that Alabama Governor Kay Ivey is one of the most popular governors in the country, ranking at No. 8 with 62% approval rating. Governor Phil Scott (R-VT) was ranked at No. 1 with 79%.
Somewhat surprisingly, Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) was ranked at No. 31 with a 52% approval rating, while Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) placed at No. 38 with 50%, as well as Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) at No. 39 with 50%. Governor Kate Brown (D-OR) placed last with an approval rating of 43%.