Latest news with #Boebert
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Questions raised over Lauren Boebert's financial disclosure filing - which includes no financial disclosures
Lauren Boebert has raised eyebrows after filing an annual financial disclosure that disclosed…nothing. The firebrand Republican congresswoman's filing contained no assets, no income from her book, no bank accounts, and no mortgage on a home. Boebert's disclosure, or lack of, caused surprise among reporters, including Colorado Public Radio reporter Caitlyn Kim, who wrote: 'This is a first for me.' However, others pointed out that Boebert was recently divorced from her husband, Jayson Boebert, and that her other previous assets were listed under his name. In past filings, the Colorado rep's only listed asset was income from her book, My American Life, along with a joint bank account. Boebert has recently sparked dating rumors with singer and fellow MAGA acolyte Kid Rock. Under federal ethics rules, members of Congress must disclose assets worth more than $1,000 and any income over $200 from outside sources. Boebert's latest filing does not even list book royalties, which suggests that either the income has stopped or was too low to report. Members of Congress earn a salary of $174,000 which must be disclosed, yet the absence of any other income streams or assets raise the question of how she is supporting herself financially. "Blows my mind how poorly some members of Congress manage their own finances. Divorce notwithstanding, it's wild to me that a 38 year old woman who makes $174,000/yr has a net worth of $0," wrote investigative reporter Andrew Kerr. Bryan Metzger, senior politics reporter at Business Insider, added: 'With the caveat that she makes $174,000 per year and doesn't have to disclose the value of any personal residence, Boebert is likely one of the poorest members of Congress.' The Independent has reached out to Boebert's office for comment on the filing.
Politico
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Pritzker unleashes on ‘political circus'
Presented by Good morning, Illinois, and welcome to Friday the 13th. NEW OVERNIGHT: Israel launches strike against Iran, by POLITICO's Eric Bazail-Eimil and Nahal Toosi TOP TALKER AN AHA MOMENT: For much of Thursday's nearly eight-hour, contentious hearing before the U.S. House Oversight Committee, Gov. JB Pritzker sat quietly and spoke only when a question was directed his way. He defended Illinois laws that protect immigrants and reiterated he wants undocumented criminals kicked out of the country. The governor didn't always agree with the premise of the questions, but he tried to answer as completely and politely as possible. When Texas Republican Rep. Brandon Gill pivoted from immigration to talk about transgender issues, a talking point for Republicans in the 2024 election, Pritzker didn't miss a beat, saying, 'So, you're admitting this is just a political circus?' Later, Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert asked Pritzker and fellow Democratic Govs. Tim Walz and Kathy Hochul of Minnesota and New York, respectively, whether damage to property is the 'definition of a peaceful protest.' It was a pointed question. Boebert was referring to protests in Los Angeles and across the country that are pushing back at the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement. Pritzker couldn't contain his anger. 'I find it hard to believe that you're lecturing us about peaceful protests,' he said. 'Look at what happened Jan. 6 here at the Capitol.' Boebert tried to interrupt, but Pritzker persisted. That was 'insurrection,' he said, and pointing to the irony of her question, he said, 'It is outrageous.' Their exchange is here. Pritzker didn't hold back after that, criticizing questions he found misleading or inaccurate, especially when they were posed by Illinois Republican Reps. Mary Miller and Darin LaHood, who joined the Oversight Committee as guests so they could question Pritzker. Miller asked the governor if he would continue 'tying the hands of Illinois law enforcement,' a reference to Illinois law that prevents local police from assisting with federal immigration efforts. Pritzker bristled: 'You know, Congresswoman Miller, I am not going to be lectured to by somebody who extolled the virtues of Adolf Hitler,' Pritzker said, referring to comments she made just ahead of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol (and later apologized for). Their exchange is here. LaHood used his time to talk about what he sees as Pritzker's failings as governor, including 'families struggling with the highest combined state and local tax burden in the country.' Pritzker leaned in, saying, 'I'm glad to see you here. I know you were unwilling to meet with your constituents about the Medicaid cuts that you voted for.' The two then talked over each other for LaHood's remaining time. Here's a clip. More congenial were Pritzker's exchanges with Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Delia Ramirez and Danny Davis. They are all Democrats and allowed the governor to offer up more thoughtful answers. The Padilla moment: Ramirez used her time to also call attention to a video that was posted during the hearing. It showed California Sen. Alex Padilla being forcibly removed from a Department of Homeland Security press conference in Los Angeles. Here's more, via POLITICO. 'I cannot believe the disrespect that was shown to a United States senator,' Pritzker RELATED — The focus was 'sanctuary' immigration policies, but GOP lawmakers used the hearing to needle Dem governors on politics, by Emily Ngo, Elena Schneider and your Playbook host — Pritzker defends Illinois' sanctuary laws, blasts Trump administration 'abuses of power,' by WGN 9's Tahman Bradley and BJ Lutz — It was a marathon hearing with political theatrics on full display, by Lee Enterprises' Brenden Moore — Pritzker uses House hearing to defend Illinois' sanctuary laws and to slam Congress for not passing immigration reforms, by the Tribune's Rick Pearson and freelancer Daniel C. Vock — How JB Pritzker's faith and Holocaust work are powering his dire warnings about Trump, by The Christian Science Monitor's Cameron Joseph WHERE'S JB No official public events WHERE's BRANDON At Chicago State University at 11 a.m. for the Metra Station groundbreaking Where's Toni No official public events Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@ THE STATEWIDES — Secretary of state's office says law enforcement using license plate reader data illegally: 'While license plate readers can be used by law enforcement to investigate violent felonies and missing person cases, the state law also prohibits use of the data for matters including aiding in the detention or investigation of a person based on their immigration status -- and it can't interfere with someone's abortion rights,' by the Tribune's Jeremy Gorner. — Michael Madigan due in court Friday for sentencing on corruption convictions, by the Sun-Times' Jon Seidel — Calls to the Illinois domestic violence hotline were up again in 2024, by the Sun-Times' Sophie Sherry CHICAGO — 100 students in a school meant for 1,000: Inside Chicago's refusal to deal with its nearly empty schools: 'Declining school enrollment has left 30% of Chicago public schools at least half-empty. The city's failure to address this problem has come at a high cost to the district — and its students,' by Chalkbeat's Mila Koumpilova and ProPublica's Jennifer Smith Richards. — DEEP DIVE: A Black girl endured racist bullying in a mostly white Chicago school. Did CPS do enough? by the Sun-Times' Nader Issa and WBEZ's Sarah Karp — Rideshare pay ordinance stalls — but the fight's not over: 'A scheduled vote on the ordinance [was] delayed at the request of some members of the City Council who want more information and are hesitant to support a measure that's drawn fierce opposition from the business community,' by Crain's Justin Laurence. — Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling tells judge he would 'never use' snap curfew powers, by WBEZ's Mariah Woelfel — Chicago police say they don't 'assist in immigration enforcement' but have turned over key records to feds, by the Sun-Times' Tom Schuba — Chicagoans continue protests against Trump and ICE Thursday, by the Tribune's Caroline Kubzansky, Laura Rodríguez Presa and Nell Salzman BUSINESS OF POLITICS — In IL-08: Hanover Park Trustee Yasmeen Bankole has been endorsed by the International Brothers of Electrical Workers Local 701. — SPOTTED: Cook County Commissioner and IL-08 congressional candidate Kevin Morrison drew a crowd for his annual Pride event at Sidetrack earlier this week. Among the 100 attendees were State Rep. Kelly Cassidy and Candace Gingrich, Alds. Bennett Lawson and Lamont Robinson, Judges Jesse Reyes and Ed Underhill, Kane County Board Member Alex Arroyo and MWRD Commissioners Precious Brady-Davis and Dan Pogorzelski. — Christopher Espinoza, a District 99 school board member, is running for DuPage County Board for the 2nd District seat now held by Yeena Yoo, who is running for DuPage County treasurer. Espinoza has been endorsed by board members Greg Schwarze and Andrew Honig, among others. The full list is here. TAKING NAMES — Illinois Senate President Don Harmon was presented with the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Government Leadership Award on Thursday. Todd Stern, CEO of Enfield Capital Partners and Executive Vice Chairman at AccentCare, received the group's Humanitarian Award. And actress Patricia Heaton and entrepreneur Kareem K.W.O.E. Wells, known as the 'King of Mitzvahs,' were given the center's Medal of Valor. — Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart and Chief of Victim Services Jacqueline Herrera Giron were presented with Champion of Victims' Rights awards from Marsy's Law for Illinois for their work advocating for victims' rights. Reader Digest We asked about day games v. night games. Clem Balanoff: 'Day games as I get older.' Art Friedson: 'I lived five blocks from Wrigley in 1988, the year the lights went up. Ours was one of the few houses on the block without a NO LIGHTS sign. Still, nothing compares to a ball game at Wrigley on a hot summer day with a cold beverage in your hand. Nothing.' Carlton Hull: 'Night games!' Charles Keller: 'Night games because, you know, work. Go Cubs Go!' Dave Lundy: 'Day games except during the work week then hate day games which they schedule too often.' Jim Lyons: 'I wish the Cubs would play more day games. Of course, I'm retired and it will give me something to watch in the afternoons.' Ed Mazur: 'Day games for this 82 year old. Then a long nap after the Red Line ride home.' Steve Sheffey: 'Day games. When Lee Elia delivered his rant, he was talking about me at the time, and nothing made me prouder.' Timothy Thomas: 'Day at Wrigley (Cubs), night at Guaranteed Rate (White Sox).' NEXT QUESTION: In a sentence, what's your most ridiculous summer vacation story? FROM THE DELEGATION — Congressmen Sean Casten's (IL-06) bipartisan Mental Health in Aviation Act has been approved by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. — Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) questioned U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins during a House Agriculture Committee hearing, where she raised concerns about the president's budget proposal for USDA 'that suggests slashing funding for agriculture research, nutrition assistance and conservation,' according to her team. The video is here. THE NATIONAL TAKE — MAGA warned Trump on Iran. Now he's in an impossible position, by POLITICO's Rachael Bade — Appeals court lets Trump keep National Guard in Los Angeles, by POLITICO's Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein — House clears $9.4B in funding clawbacks requested by White House, by POLITICO's Katherine Tully-McManus and Jennifer Scholtes — White House looks to freeze more agency funds — and expand executive power, by POLITICO's Scott Waldman and Corbin Hiar MEDIA MATTERS — Chicago Tribune offering newsroom buyouts: 'The newsroom's union, which ratified its first contract just seven months ago, said in a statement cutting staff as a 'short-term profit boost' is unsustainable,' by the Sun-Times' Kaitlin Washburn. — House narrowly approves President Trump's request to cut public media funding, by the Sun-Times' Tina Sfondeles TRANSITIONS — Joseph Cohen is now the managing partner of Burr & Forman's Chicago office and a partner in the firm's government contracts practice. He was a partner at Fox Rothschild. — Kyle Gann is now a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright in Chicago. He's in the business practice group and a member of its transactional and regulatory insurance team. He was a partner at Winston & Strawn. — Rick Nowak is a partner in Mayer Brown's litigation and dispute resolution practice in Chicago. He was with Fidelity Investments. IN MEMORIAM — Ken Buzbee, a former state senator, died earlier this month. Details here — Claudette Soto, founding member of Chicago UNIDOS in Construction and the group's first board president, has died. Her obit is here. — Trude Matanky, who helped form Matanky Realty Group in 1955, has died. Services here EVENTS — Today at 1 p.m.: Mayor Brandon Johnson will be a guest on the Jesse Jackson Jr. radio show. Listen here — Saturday: U.S. Reps Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton — all candidates for U.S. Senate — headline a discussion with Proviso Dems. Details here TRIVIA THURSDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Ald. Pat Dowell and Hart Passman for correctly answering that Julius Rosenwald funded the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry back in 1932 but didn't want his name on the building. TODAY's QUESTION: What was the University of Illinois originally called? Email skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY Today: State Rep. Dave Severin, retired Cook County Judge John Curry Jr., Cook County Judge Patricia Spratt, chief of staff to Congresswoman Robin Kelly Matt McMurray, lead development writer at the nonprofit City Bureau Tyra Bosnic, former political candidate Scott Lee Cohen, Surus Illinois Senior Account Manager Chris 'CJ' Gallo, securities trader Lee Blackwell, Democratic fundraiser Dylan Lopez, attorney Antonio Favela and former state Rep. Luis Arroyo Sr. Saturday: President Donald Trump, Teneo Senior Adviser Peter Thompson, Chicago mayoral adviser Beniamino Capellupo, Illinois Republican Party General Counsel John Fogarty, Illinois Policy Institute's Communications Director Melanie Krakauer, career and job-search coach Celeste Wroblewski, Booth School of Business Communications Director Casey Reid, retired teacher Fred Klonsky and OnMessage Senior Copywriter Julia Cohen Sunday: State Rep. Chris Miller, Cook County Judge Neil Cohen, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Chris Stacey, Associate Judge Martha-Victoria Jimenez, political commentator Art Friedson, University of Chicago ethics professor Laurie Zoloth and Urban Prep Foundation founder Tim King -30-
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Lauren Boebert seeking $5m in federal funds to remove ‘toxic black sludge' from drinking water in tiny Colorado community
Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert visited a small community in Morgan County, in the eastern part of her state, promising to address a long-standing issue that has left locals with 'toxic black sludge' in place of clean drinking water. Boebert this week toured the Prairie View Ranch Water District, which lies 50 miles north of Denver, and told the residents: 'This is something that certainly needs to be addressed. I'm sorry it's been ignored for two decades. 'This is something that should upset and appall every single Coloradan.' To remedy the situation, she has pledged to ask the House Appropriations Committee for a $5 million grant to help overhaul the local water supply. Her request will be put before the committee later this month and, if it is approved, will then likely be folded into a larger appropriations bill that would have to pass through the House of Representatives and Senate before reaching President Donald Trump's desk for signing off. Boebert's office believes that could happen before the end of September, according to CBS News. Boebert has been notable in recent months over her outspoken support for Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has slashed federal budgets in a bid to reduce 'waste' expenditure and fraud. The Independent has reached out to Boebert's office for further comment. The water crisis in eastern Colorado has been in the making for almost 20 years, with the area's 150 residents saying they have been repeatedly let down by the people elected to protect them and left with houses that are worthless without reliable water. CBS reports that the Morgan County Board of County Commissioners allowed the district to be run as a for-profit private company for 16 years, a period during which the Colorado Division of Housing allegedly failed to stop unscrupulous developers from using an unregistered installer, using false credentials and faked signatures, to assemble houses and infrastructure on the cheap. The network adds that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Water Quality Control Division failed to act for a decade after learning that the homes had been erected without valid state approval or proper regulatory oversight, resulting in contaminated water and widespread discontent. 'We have systems. We have policies. We have regulations that should never allow this, and it went by blind eyes and deaf ears,' resident Sam Belmonte told CBS. He challenged Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, a gubernatorial candidate, to follow Boebert's example and said he found her visit 'invigorating' after years of feeling ignored. 'It gave us some sense of hope that Congresswoman Boebert actually came,' Belmonte said. The representative left the site with a sample of the water, which she said she hopes to use to present to the House committee to persuade its members to hand over the funding. 'I'm happy to be here doing this but the state of Colorado should have stepped in years and years ago,' she said. 'Every Coloradan, every American, every person deserves clean drinking water. This is unacceptable.'
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Evans, Boebert tout ‘Big, Beautiful, Bill' amid boos from Coloradans
DENVER (KDVR) — Members of Congress are back home this week. Many are checking in with their constituents across the Centennial State. Coloradans weigh in on what police should do about street racing Two Republican members of the congressional delegation stopped by the state capitol to discuss the 'One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act' making its way through Congress with members of the press. The visit did not go exactly as planned. Congressman Gabe Evans and Congresswoman Lauren Boebert came to the state capitol to answer questions about the president's so-called big beautiful bill. A handful of others showed up with concerns of their own. 'The plan is just to observe, we're not here to disrupt. We're just here to observe and to listen. We want to hold them accountable for the lies they are gonna tell today,' said Wynn Howell, Colorado director of the Working Families Party. 'This bill passed out of the House last week and it is a win for Coloradans and we're gonna talk about why it is a win for people in Colorado,' said Evans amid a swarm of boos from disgruntled Coloradans. There were disruptions during Evans and Boebert's stop at the state Capitol. Angry Colorado residents came out to voice their frustrations with the representatives who voted to pass the measure. Both representatives maintain the bill will only cut off benefits for people who should not be in the system. 'The president himself has said no cuts to lawful beneficiaries of Medicaid. That is absolutely correct under this bill. Again, we just ran through the categories of people that will be impacted by these reforms. It's people that are ineligible, it's illegal immigrants, and it's able-bodied working-aged adults who, with no dependents who choose not to work, volunteer or go to school part-time. That is their choice,' the congressman said as the crowd chanted about democracy. 'Waste, fraud and abuse, improper payments, that is what we are eliminating. We are not eliminating lawful use of Medicaid. This is was never supposed to be something that American citizens lived on for their lives,' Boebert said. Democrats at the state capitol fear the bill will have unintended consequences for other Coloradans, increasing premiums for people outside of Medicaid and disenrolling hundreds of thousands of people already in the system. 'People will get dropped in that process, but they aren't necessarily people who shouldn't be on there. They are people who are disabled, who are working at the margin, who are barely hanging in there and they are the ones who have trouble complying with these regulations,' said state Senator and Joint Budget Committee member Judy Amabile. 'Having a robust, strong Medicaid system that is ensuring that providers are reimbursed, at least in some way, Medicaid doesn't reimburse the costs- it reimburses the under costs. Ensuring that medical providers have some kind of reimbursement for this lowers costs for healthcare across the board. We've had a laser focus in the state on reducing premiums for Coloradans. This bill will increase premiums,' said state Senator and Joint Budget Committee Chair Jeff Bridges. Measles case confirmed in vaccinated Coloradan who flew into DIA State lawmakers said they still have not decided if they will come back in for a special session if the bill passes as it stands, but they are projecting the state will feel some major fiscal impacts from the legislation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
America Could Get 68 New Zip Codes: Here's Where
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Dozens of communities across the United States could get new zip codes under a bill introduced by Representative Lauren Boebert, a Colorado Republican, with one mayor telling Newsweek the bill could significantly benefit his community. Why It Matters Currently, many communities have outdated zip codes that may cause issues including slower mail delivery or delayed emergency service response times. Supporters of Boebert's bipartisan bill believe this legislation would solve that issue for some communities by giving them an updated zip code. What to Know The bill, known as H.R. 3095, advanced through the powerful House Oversight Committee this week. In total, the legislation would give 68 communities from 19 different states new zip codes if it becomes law. Towns and cities from California to New Hampshire could have new zip codes under this bill. This map shows which communities would have a new zip code. Glendale, Wisconsin, is one city included in the bill that has dealt with challenges because of its current zip code system, Glendale Mayor Bryan Kennedy told Newsweek in a phone interview Friday morning. The Milwaukee suburb is divided into three separate zip codes despite only having less than 14,000 residents. This is largely because Milwaukee County zip codes were drawn up before the municipality was established in 1950, he said. This means that residents' mail comes to a Milwaukee address, even though they live in Glendale. This has created "confusion" in the postal system, Kennedy said. "We have significant delivery issues with a number of years with absentee ballots, tax payments, water utility bills—people mailing from the post office in Glendale to City Hall, which is just over a mile away in a different zip code, and then taking one, two, three weeks to get to city hall," he said." A U.S. Post Office truck sits parked in North Haledon, New Jersey, on February 10, 2022. A U.S. Post Office truck sits parked in North Haledon, New Jersey, on February 10, have been "disenfranchised" in elections because they mail their ballots a week before Election Day, but it doesn't make it to City Hall on time, he said. The city has faced other zip code-related challenges, such as when Milwaukee created a new sales tax implemented by zip code, and some suburban retailers automatically started charging that new tax, which went to Milwaukee, rather than the city it is actually in. "We know there are problems with U.S. Postal Service. We saw a lot of the reforms they've tried to do over the past decade," he said. "When you implement those kind of reforms and you don't also implement a way of streamlining delivery to people, you're going to find situations like ours, where delivery got significantly worse." Boebert's office, in a press release this week, wrote that communities in Colorado have faced similar issues—sales tax revenue, insurance rates, mail delivery rates and emergency response times have all been negatively affected by these communities not having a unique zip code, her office said. What People Are Saying Boebert wrote in a statement: "It may not be an issue that draws headlines, but zip code reform is a topic I continue to be passionate about because it impacts the daily lives of so many small-town residents in the 4th District and beyond. Mayors and community leaders from every part of Colorado have made it clear fixing this problem is a priority for them and I am determined to finish the job this Congress after getting our bill through the House Oversight Committee this morning." Castle Pines Mayor Tracy Engerman wrote in the statement: "We value our relationship with the Congresswoman and, on behalf of our National Zip Code Coalition, I personally want to thank her for unwavering leadership on this issue. Lauren knows this is not a partisan issue and has worked across the aisle to make this bill happen. I believe this will be the year that she gets this bill through Congress." What Happens Next Boebert's bill has support from both Democrats and Republicans, with a total of 30 cosponsors, many of whom represent communities that could have new zip codes if the legislation becomes law. It's unclear when, or if, the bill will be brought to a vote on the floor of the House.
