Page 124 - Localities News Today

Governor desantis says he doesnt want the federal government to tell florida what to do. but he is telling different localities in his state what to do. with this threat, they are saying they can withhold these funds. it is likely something president biden is not likely to take kindly to, given his message has essentially been do no harm with president biden saying if you are not going to help us implement these public health measures, then at least get out of the way of the officials who are tr...

I truly didnt think you and i would be talking again about covid. but in the last year, were continuing to have the same problem in texas except it used to be about masks and social distancing and shut downs and now were having the conversations about vaccines again. >> youre absolutely right. were back here again. but the difference is a year ago the enemy was the virus and this time the enemy is the status quo and the disinformation and the inability for us to take care of ourselves. >> what d...

Now, if the d.c. federal court decides not to ex. tend president bidens eviction moratorium, first, if you could talk about whats the real world consequences, the fallout? >> well, thanks for having me, arthel. and heres the thing, rental owners, especially small landlords, mom and pop landlords, they know that this is a business, so theyre not going to immediately go and kick all of their tenants out because that would mean theyre going to forgo the rent they would otherwise be getting. so real...

Is this a federal government thing it can do for people outside who are not employees of the federal government, should it be businesses and localities? how do we deal with people not getting vaccinated and how do you do it to peoples sensitive concerns of the vaccine? >> as you mentioned, ali, ive been involved in the rollout of new vaccines over many years and theres a general strategy. in the beginning people have questions about new vaccines. thats reasonable. and thats perfectly understanda...

Protect them. he has prevented that. a chief executive of the state can allow vaccine mandates from businesses. he is preventing that. a chief executive can encourage businesses to shut down when the viral load is overwhelming. the viral load in florida is so high right now. there are only really two places on the planet where its higher. one is louisiana. and the other is botswana. its so high in florida that i think that if florida were another country, we would have to consider banning travel...

Republican leaders that we just have to grit our teeth and get through all of this. lets listen to the governor and what hes been saying. >> you have some politicians that say i am going to eliminate the virus. i will defeat it. unfortunately, government cant just end it. we still have 1918 flu floating around. so its something that, you know, if government could just end it, then people wouldnt need to get the treatment because you could just end it, right? you cant. so we knew this is somethin...

Most highways in america are not federal. they are not part of the interstate highway system. if theyre not, state and localities ought to be handling that. it turns out when they do, they can do it 20 to 30% cheaper because you dont have to comply with the massive set of federal regulations that make all those things more expensive. neil: got it, really quickly. i know how you feel about the infrastructure package. all indications, senator, it will likely go through some procedural vote okay, y...

And look, that has happened to some extent at the local level. here in new york city there was a mandate for public workers and hospital workers as well. and then it was extended as well. or an announcement was made that it would be extended to restaurants, gyms and entertainment centers -- and entertainment event. so new york city to its credit has begun modeling by example. i hope other localities do the same. you know, my understanding is theres some question about whether the federal governm...

Elections at the justice department. they have to be decided by the voters in states and localities, and that has to be really underscored to make sure that this never, ever happens again. were piecing slowly whats happened together in a much clearer way from election day through the inauguration, and i really think the justice department is going to have to shed a brighter light on that. >> robert gibbs, always a pleasure to have you on the program. if you do get through to eric holder, theres ...

The government needs to begin by leading and mandating for all government employees. cops, firefighters, emts. >> oh, i agree. >> those in uniform who are in the military. all of them. >> i agree. and look, that has happened to some extent at the local level. here in new york city there was a mandate for public workers and hospital workers as well. and then it was extended as well. or an announcement was made that it would be extended to restaurants, gyms and entertainment centers -- and enterta...