7 Things: Parents pass on vaccinating children in Alabama, Biden seeks appeasement for Putin, Tuberville not making Senate endorsement and more …

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December 10, 2021

7. Majority of Alabamians are using their child tax credit for essentials

According to data released by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 91% of Alabamians are spending their child tax credit on essentials such as food, clothing, rent, utilities and mortgage.
Nationally, 88% of people receiving the credit are using it for these basic expenses. CBPP released a statement that said, “When families struggle to keep up with monthly expenses, they often have to take on debt to make ends meet; a monthly benefit eases that strain.” Unless extended, the child tax credit will expire after the final payment on December 15.

6. Jussie Smollett’s attacker found guilty on 5 of 6 charges

Actor Jussie Smollett has been convicted on five of six charges for staging an attack that he claimed was anti-gay and racist. During the trial, the brothers involved in the attack testified that Smollett hired them to fake the incident in Chicago in January 2019.
Smollett maintained that the attack was real, and he claims he was the victim of a hate crime and that “there was no hoax.” Smollett also claimed that during the attack, his attackers said, “This is MAGA country.” The actor could be sentenced for up to three years in prison, but it’s more likely that he’ll get probation and community service.

5. Merrill says Ivey and Trump have a great relationship

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill recently visited former President Donald Trump in Mar-a-Lago. According to Merrill, Governor Kay Ivey and Trump have a good relationship. Merrill said this after former U.S. ambassador to Slovenia Lindy Blanchard announced her gubernatorial campaign.
It’s been rumored that Blanchard only got in the race against Ivey because Trump has promised to endorse Blanchard. Merrill said “[T]he governor and the president have an outstanding relationship. I know that President Trump thinks a great deal of Governor Ivey…I know they hope to work together on several projects in the future. I know their respect for each other is not only returned but appreciated by both.”

4. Wes Allen moves to ban private funds in elections

State Representative Wes Allen (R-Troy), who is running for secretary of state, is advocating for banning private funds from being accepted for elections in the next legislative session. Included in the bill is also banning private or non-government funds from being used for voter education, registration and outreach.
Allen gave the example of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who “spent millions of dollars to ‘assist’ local election officials across the country, mostly in liberal-leaning countries, by providing funds and personnel to work in various stages of the election process.” Allen argued activity like this “should be banned immediately. No private person or corporation should be involved in the funding, staffing, or administration of any aspect of the elections process.”

3. Tuberville staying out of U.S. Senate race

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has already made it clear that he will not be endorsing a candidate in the U.S. Senate race, even after attending a fundraiser for candidate Katie Britt that was held in Washington, D.C.
Tuberville said that he’s “met with every senate candidate,” and he’s informed the candidates that he would not endorse anyone. Alabama’s junior senator added, “I just believe that they should fight it out. They should put their best foot forward, sell themselves to the people of Alabama. That’s what it’s all about. People don’t want to hear what I think. They want to hear straight from the candidates.”

2. Biden’s Ukraine position is to let Putin have some of it, maybe

In a move that would have set off huge, bold headlines and screaming cable news chyrons had it occurred during the Trump administration, President Joe Biden reportedly was prepared to suggest that the president of Ukraine formally hand their territory over to Russia.
The White House claims these reports are false, but this comes one day after Biden suggested concessions from NATO for Russian President Vladimir Putin. On a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday, Biden voiced concerns about Russia’s aggression and urged the United States to send more arms and deploy sanctions now that they could roll back if Putin backs down.

1. Not a lot of kids in Alabama are vaccinated

In Alabama, there hasn’t been the same demand to get children vaccinated against the coronavirus like there was when the vaccine was made available for adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that there are about 4,100 kids in Alabama between five to 11 years old that are vaccinated, which is about 1%.
Alabama currently ranks second to last in the nation for vaccinated children, with West Virginia at 0.5% with just under 500 vaccinated children five to 11 years old. Nationally, there are only about 7% of children vaccinated, and the highest statewide vaccination rate for children is 15% in Massachusetts and Vermont.