Feb 27, 2021
BURNS, OR - JANUARY 06: A member of an anti-government militia holds a copy of the U.S. Constitution at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters on January 6, 2016 near Burns, Oregon. An armed anti-government militia group continues to occupy the Malheur National Wildlife Headquarters as they protest the jailing of two ranchers for arson. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The Conservative Political Action Conference began Friday with a session called “Why the Left Hates the Bill of Rights … and We Love It.”
The four-day annual gathering of Republican politicians and activists started Thursday in Orlando, Florida. CPAC’s agenda included five events on free speech, including a Friday speech by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, called “Bill of Rights, Liberty, and Cancel Culture.”
DES MOINES - Legislation seeking to withdraw tax breaks and government incentives from Big Tech companies - if a court rules they have violated free speech rights by blocking conservatives from social media - was advanced Wednesday despite concerns it would be costly and problematic if lawmakers weaponized Iowa s economic development programs.
IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH
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Republican lawmakers have authored a bill aimed at what they see as censorship by progressive-minded social media platforms.
Legislation that would ban state and local government contracts or aid for tech companies that censor online content could endanger economic development and disrupt operations across universities and school districts, critics told lawmakers Wednesday.
The legislation, Senate File 402, was introduced by Senate President Jake Chapman, R-Adel, and 29 colleagues. It advanced to the full Senate Commerce Committee on a 2-1 subcommittee vote. Sen. Liz Mathis, D-Hiawatha, opposed the bill.
Chapman wants state and local governments to deny contracts and all incentives, including tax breaks and grants, to large tech and social media companies he accused of suppressing conservative viewpoints.
But representatives from business groups, education and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office warned the result could cause widespread interference with contractual arrangements, cost the state jobs and damage efforts to
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