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Thursday, Oct 8, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Amazon unveils Rivian van: “The future of last mile delivery”

Thursday, Oct 8, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

Amazon unveiled its first all-electric delivery van on Thursday. The vehicle, built by EV startup Rivian, will come with state-of-the-art technology, like sensing equipment and an advanced driver-assist system. The e-commerce giant says it expects to have 10,000 vans on the road making deliveries “as early as 2022,” with a total fleet of 100,000 vehicles expected by 2030.

“When we set out to create our first customized electric delivery vehicle with Rivian, we knew that it needed to far surpass any other delivery vehicle. We wanted drivers to love using it and customers to feel excited when they saw it driving through their neighborhood and pulling up to their home,” said Ross Rachey, director of Amazon’s global fleet and products, in a statement. “We combined Rivian’s technology with our delivery logistics knowledge, and the result is what you see here — the future of last mile delivery.”

* The rollout video…

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Question of the day

Thursday, Oct 8, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Press release…

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s reelection campaign is releasing a new television advertisement highlighting Durbin’s efforts to provide rural fire and emergency medical services (EMS) agencies the critical funding they need to serve their communities.

Durbin’s legislation, the SIREN Act, authorized new funding for a federal grant program that supports rural EMS agencies in training and recruiting staff and purchasing equipment—for everything from opioid overdose treatment drug Naloxone and first aid kits, to power stretchers and new ambulances. The bipartisan bill was enacted into law as part of the 2018 Farm Bill.

“Now more than ever, we’ve got to stand up and support our first responders–and make sure our emergency services in rural Illinois have the resources they need,” said Durbin. “The SIREN Act helps firefighters and EMTs–who are struggling to keep up with COVID but also other issues like the opioid epidemic and the aging population in rural America. I’m proud to continue the fight to strengthen rural healthcare and emergency response.”

Local communities in Illinois are already taking advantage of the new grant program. The Ambulance & Fire Protection District of Amboy, Illinois was recently awarded $120,000 in funding, which they will use to train new EMTs and paramedics, and train their existing staff on telehealth for opioid care. The agency provides EMS services for a 200 square mile area in Lee County.

* The ad…

* Script…

MARK KENNEDY, EMT, NAUVOO, IL:

When it comes to medical emergencies, out here, every second counts.

Delays can be fatal.

So I asked Senator Durbin to help EMTs and firefighters to save our rural communities.

He listened, and led the fight to pass the SIREN Act–to recruit and train first responders, to buy the equipment we need to save lives.

My community counts on me. It’s good to know that we can count on Senator Durbin.

NARRATOR:
Dick Durbin, a Senator for times like these.

DICK DURBIN:
I’m Dick Durbin, and I approve this message.

* The Question: Your rating? Make sure to explain. Thanks.

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Rate the new Vote Yes For Fairness TV ad

Thursday, Oct 8, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Opposition press release…

Proponents of the Tax Hike Amendment are out with another false and misleading ad attempting to convince voters that Springfield Politicians didn’t mean what they said when they put taxing retirement income on the table if their amendment passes. However, we know their claims ring hollow because other insiders have made clear their support for taxing retirement income. Additionally, every state across the country with a graduated tax structure also taxes retirement income.

State Treasurer Michael Frerichs let the cat out of the bag in June when he admitted that a graduated tax system would “make clear you can have graduated rates when you are taxing retirement income,” adding that it was worth a discussion.

Now, a report has surfaced showing that in 2018 Illinois’ now Deputy Governor and Director of Revenue also supported taxing retirement income if a graduated tax was instituted.

“Every state with a graduated income tax also taxes retirement income, which is further proof we simply cannot trust Springfield Politicians with the new power this Tax Hike Amendment gives them,” said Lissa Druss, Spokeswoman for The Coalition to Stop the Tax Hike Amendment. “They are desperately trying to backtrack what they’ve already said they support – which is taxing retirement income if their Tax Hike Amendment is approved,” added Druss.

“A report has surfaced.” Heh.

* The new ad…

* Script…

The billionaires are spending a fortune to try and scare us. They want to keep getting away without paying their fair share. I did my research and here are the facts. The Fair Tax will not tax retirement income. You heard that right. The fair tax will not tax retirement income. As a matter of fact, 97% of Illinois will get a tax cut, including seniors like me. It’s time for change. Vote yes for fairness.

* You can compare the ad with the opposition’s ad…

Script…

I’m deeply concerned about the Tax Hike Amendment.

It gives Springfield Politicians new power to increase income taxes on anyone.

Including middle income families like mine.

And hardworking Illinoisans like me.

They would even have the power to tax my retirement income.

We don’t trust Springfield Politicians to be fair to taxpayers.

Please stand with middle class families across Illinois and vote no.

Vote no on the Tax Hike Amendment.

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*** UPDATED x1 *** Governor’s office twice refuses to deny involvement in Frerichs’ press conference cancellation

Wednesday, Oct 7, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Background is here if you need it. Mary Ann Ahern…

Frerichs, who has since walked back his statement, had been scheduled to address his “misleading” comments in a press conference Tuesday, in which he aimed to “reassure senior citizens that the proposal will not tax retirement income.” That appearance was abruptly canceled just 10 minutes before it was set to begin. […]

Speculation swirled over why Frerichs suddenly canceled his Tuesday appearance, but it appears Pritzker may have played a role.

“Earlier today, Gov. Pritzker put the muzzle on Treasurer Frerichs who was minutes away from telling the people of Illinois the truth: Pritzker has a plan to tax retirement income in Illinois and needs the constitutional amendment to get it done” Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider said in a statement.

A spokesperson for the governor’s office did not deny Pritzker’s involvement in the decision.

* So, I asked the governor’s office for a response. Here’s Jordan Abudayyeh…

The Governor speaks regularly to allies and stakeholders about policy. The decision on his media availability is ultimately up to the Treasurer.

Heh.

*** UPDATE *** Quentin Fulks told WCIA’s Mark Maxwell the reality about the prospects for a tax on retirement income. “It’s political suicide,” Fulks said (correctly, I would add). “It’s an extremely unpopular topic in Illinois”…

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Open thread

Wednesday, Oct 7, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

* CBS…

Johnny Nash, an American reggae and pop music singer-songwriter, best known in the US for the 1972 hit, “I Can See Clearly Now,” died Tuesday at his home, his son confirmed to CBS Los Angeles. He was 80.

Born in Houston, Nash started singing as a child at Progressive New Hope Baptist Church. He made his major label debut in 1957 with the single “A Teenager Sings the Blues.”

His first chart hit was a cover of Doris Day’s “A Very Special Love,” in early 1958, but his claim to fame was the 1972 reggae-influenced single “I Can See Clearly Now.” The single sold over one million copies, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Nov. 4, 1972 and remained atop the chart for four weeks.

* His song got a whole lot of people through a whole lot of pain, including me…

Here is that rainbow I’ve been praying for

Please keep your discussion local and be kind to each other. Thanks.

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