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Johnny Depp makes surprise U.K. concert showing as jury deliberates in Amber Heard trial

Actor Johnny Depp apparently put on a surprise performance at a concert in the United Kingdom on Sunday night as jury deliberation continues in the defamation trial involving Depp and his former wife, actress Amber Heard.

Depp took the stage alongside Jeff Beck at a show at Sheffield City Hall in Sheffield. The duo performed three songs together, including John Legend’s “Isolation,” with Depp singing and playing guitar.

The song, which they debuted in April of 2020, is the first single the two have released together.

“Johnny and I have been working on music together for a while now and we recorded this track during our time in the studio last year,” Beck had said in a statement posted to Instagram at the time.

He added, “You’ll be hearing more from Johnny and me in a little while but until then we hope you find some comfort and solidarity in our take on this Lennon classic.”

The performance appeared to have caught fans, and venue staff, off guard.

“Well…what a surprise we got last night when Johnny Depp joined ⁦@jeffbeckmusic⁩ on stage,” Sheffield City Hall tweeted along with a video of the performance. “Wishing @jeffbeckmusic⁩ good luck for the rest of his amazing tour and a big thank you to Johnny Depp for joining us!”

Depp’s performance comes as he’s awaiting the verdict in his $50 million trial against Heard.

The “Pirates of the Caribbean” star sued following an op-ed his ex-wife wrote in which she made allegations of sexual violence against him. In return, Heard filed a counterclaim of $100 million against Depp, claiming damage to her reputation.

Source: TEST FEED1

EU leaders agree on partial embargo on Russian oil

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders reached a compromise Monday to impose a partial oil embargo on Russia at a summit focused on helping Ukraine with a long-delayed package of sanctions that was blocked by Hungary.

The watered-down embargo covers only Russian oil brought in by sea, allowing a temporary exemption for imports delivered by pipeline.

EU Council President Charles Michel said on Twitter the agreement covers more than two-thirds of oil imports from Russia, “cutting a huge source of financing for its war machine. Maximum pressure on Russia to end the war.”

The EU had already imposed five previous rounds of sanctions on Russia over its war. It has targeted more than 1,000 people, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and top government officials, as well as pro-Kremlin oligarchs, banks, the coal sector and more.

But the sixth package of measures announced May 4 had been held up by concerns over oil supplies.

Hungary Prime minister Viktor Orban had made clear he could support the new sanctions only if his country’s oil supply security was guaranteed. The landlocked country gets more than 60% of its oil from Russia and depends on crude that comes through the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline.

The EU has already imposed five rounds of sanctions on Russia over its war. It’s targeted more than 1,000 people, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and top government officials, as well as pro-Kremlin oligarchs, banks, the coal sector and more.

But a sixth package of measures, announced on May 4, has been held up by concerns over oil supplies. The EU gets about 40% of its natural gas and 25% of its oil from Russia, and the divisions are embarrassing the 27-nation trading bloc and exposing the limits of its ambitions.

Addressing the EU leaders Monday by video-link in a 10-minute message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged them to end “internal arguments that only prompt Russia to put more and more pressure on the whole of Europe.”

The two-day summit will also focus on continued EU financial support to Ukraine — probably the endorsement of a 9 billion-euro ($9.7 billion) tranche of assistance — and on military help and war crimes investigations.

The issue of food security will be on the table Tuesday, with the leaders set to encourage their governments to speed up work on “solidarity lanes” to help Ukraine export grain and other produce.

Some protesters gathered outside EU buildings Monday before the summit, holding signs like “No to Russian oil and gas.”

Source: TEST FEED1

The Fed’s ‘cure’ for inflation is worse: Recession

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk blame the government and the Fed for inflation. In Musk’s words, “The obvious reason for inflation is that the government printed a zillion more dollars than it has. This is not super complicated.”

They and other luminaries subscribe to the inflation sophism: “too much money chasing too few goods.”

Yes, we’ve had “too few goods,” due to a pandemic perfect storm — depressed U.S. oil production and manufacturing output, severe supply chain disruptions and war-like labor shortages — but that won’t endure. It was exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has radically reduced global purchases of Russian oil, grain and fertilizer and drastically diminished Ukrainian grain exports.

Meanwhile, our economy rebounded much faster than expected (due largely to the dollars pumped-in by the government and Fed), reviving demand that couldn’t be readily met. 

It’s true that when our economy was blindsided by COVID, the government borrowed trillions to send stimulus money to most Americans, and — as it had after the financial crash — the Fed electronically “printed money” to buy nearly $5 trillion of government debt and mortgage securities. 

But according to a Washington Post analysis, most of those dollars can’t possibly have stoked inflation — because the financial institutions the Fed paid parked over $2 trillion in their accounts at the Fed, and American households saved a big chunk of their stimulus, banking about $3 trillion. The Post quotes a former Treasury Department official: “The money supply went up, but… they’re not spending it.” In fact, money is moving through our economy more slowly than at almost any time in 65 years.

Clearly, what impelled inflation was the unprecedented confluence of supply and demand incongruities as a result of the pandemic and war in Ukraine, not “too much money.”

So it’s understandable Fed Chairman Jerome Powell recently said, “Now, we think more of just the imbalances between supply and demand in the real economy rather than monetary aggregates” (our total money stock, referred to as M2, is the paramount monetary aggregate). A refrigerator and pantry stuffed with food won’t make you fat unless you overeat; likewise, even an economy awash with dollars doesn’t inevitably induce lending and spending.

President Biden — despite stellar growth and employment stats — is unfairly maligned for stoking inflation.

Historic money metrics further undermine the Bezos/Musk fallacy. Since 2020, M2 has expanded about 50 percent; total inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), has been less than 15 percent. From 2010-2020, with the Fed still ladling lucre onto our economy to resuscitate it from the Great Recession, M2 almost doubled — but CPI increased only 19 percent. Annual inflation lingered below the Fed’s 2-percent target.

There’s been a similar non-proportionality between M2 and CPI and between annual M2 growth and CPI increases for 52 years. M2 is over 22-times larger than in 1970, but the CPI is only seven-times higher — a 3:1 ratio of M2 growth to inflation.

This disconnect — and the fact that additional money in the economy isn’t automatically lent and spent — is related to another rarely-mentioned reality: Added dollars fuel not only consumption but investment — which stimulates increased productive capacity, business formation and expansion, R&D that spurs innovation and which can draw more people into the workforce. These counteract inflation by adding to output, lowering prices and curbing compensation hikes.

Amazon and Tesla epitomize how this works. Bezos and Musk built their behemoths when Fed policy was accommodative; investors slung cash at startups. Now Amazon restrains inflation more than any company in history. Tesla collapsed electric vehicle costs, making EVs affordable to a large swath of Americans. SpaceX has astoundingly lowered the cost of space travel.

Yet the Fed and a lot of smart people cling to the canard that Fed tightening is necessary to tame inflation — even if it results in a recession.

Indeed, with one exception, the Fed has brought on recessions with every tightening cycle that continued for over a year — the more prolonged and pronounced the Fed funds rate increases, the longer and deeper the recession. The lone exception was in the middle of the raging 1990s tech boom, which the Fed eventually did kill by more than doubling the Fed funds rate from its 1994 trough.

Many liken today’s inflation to the late 1970s — but that was brought on by the sudden ascendence of OPEC as U.S. oil production was imploding and President Nixon’s wage price controls, a cynical ploy to forestall Fed tightening and unemployment during his 1972 campaign. Nixon’s scheme fomented horrific distortions across our economy that ended up supercharging the inflation spiral. Unemployment eventually soared alongside inflation, a cataclysmic combination that never occurred before or since.

Most economists erroneously extol Paul Volcker, the imperious Carter-appointed Fed chairman, for ending that inflation. The horrendous 1982 Volcker recession inflicted untold misery. Unemployment peaked at almost 11 percent — nearly a full point higher than during the Great Recession. In truth, that inflation was conquered by Reagan’s lower tax rates and big investment tax incentives, which substantially boosted productive capacity, as well as his deregulation of energy prices, which promoted domestic production, and his indexing income tax rates to the CPI.

How do we know it wasn’t the Fed that “saved” us from this inflation? Because it almost evaporated after Volcker, amid one of our greatest peacetime booms, with declining Fed rates, Reagan’s massive military buildup and a ballooning budget deficit — all traditionally thought to be inflationary. Over the next 37 years, the CPI increased little more than it had over just the preceding 12 years. During the 1990s tech boom, our longest peacetime expansion, inflation actually dropped to its lowest level since the mid-1960s.

The Fed and haughty experts ignore that while higher prices are certainly painful, they’re far preferable to the trauma of losing a job — and at least somewhat neutralized by compensation increases. Social Security is indexed to the CPI, significantly insulating nearly 50 million retired seniors.

Fed tightening also swells the value of our already overvalued dollar, making U.S. exports more expensive and imports cheaper, another blow to our middle-class workers — and abjectly antithetical to the crucial goal of Americanizing our supply chain. 

The “conventional wisdom” that the Fed must choke the economy to contain inflation is an orthodoxy that should go the way of the ancient medical practice of bloodletting.

What’s more, these momentous money tightening decisions are made by an unelected seven-member board of governors, often bulldozed by the Fed chairman. That a group smaller than a jury arrogates the power to dictate the availability of dollars for our entire $24 trillion economy would be considered un-American had it not been normalized by the elites. It’s akin to the government empowering a tiny, unelected council to constrict the food supply for our whole population to overcome obesity. 

While the Fed is ineffectual at achieving “soft landings,” it’s proven quite adroit at ameliorating financial crises and severe slumps. The Fed headed-off catastrophes following the 2008 financial crash and at the pandemic’s onset. So, the Fed’s freedom to combat contractions should be unfettered.

But the Fed’s unchecked power to tighten the money supply must be rescinded.

The Fed funds rate should be permanently set at half GDP growth — or much lower, as it is now, during and after pandemic-level emergencies. And the Fed’s authority to take other contractionary actions should be strictly limited. The current Fed tightening spree should be stopped.

Oddly, many free-market champions are terrified at the prospect of monetary prerogatives being devolved from the Fed star chamber to private lenders (under a regime of sound practices). Obviously, even if they had a zero cost of funds, lenders would want their loans repaid. They’ll maintain ample lending discipline based on borrower creditworthiness and business conditions, which, being closer to the ground, they’re far more qualified to assess than the Fed.

Many who laud the Fed’s current tightening crusade — which, based on history, may well lead to a recession — are in cushy financial situations. Perhaps if they were subject to being laid-off, having their hours cut or losing tip income, they wouldn’t so blithely endorse such a destructive policy.

Lee Spieckerman is a political strategy and policy consultant and frequent network television and radio commentator. He was an advisor to Newt Gingrich during his 2012 presidential campaign and to Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush during his successful 2018 re-election campaign. Previously, he was a longtime media industry executive and consultant. Follow him on Twitter @spieckerman

Source: TEST FEED1

SF Giants manager suspends national anthem protest for Memorial Day

San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler suspended his national anthem protest, which he began after last week’s deadly mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, to acknowledge Memorial Day.

Following the shooting, Kapler said he would refuse to take the field for the national anthem in protest until he felt “better about the direction of our country.”

But in a post on his personal blog, he said he was standing for the anthem at the team’s game on Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies to honor service members who have passed away.

“While I believe strongly in the right to protest and the importance of doing so, I also believe strongly in honoring and mourning our country’s service men and women who fought and died for that right,” Kapler wrote.

“Those who serve in our military, and especially those who have paid the ultimate price for our rights and freedoms, deserve that acknowledgment and respect, and I am honored to stand on the line today to show mine,” he continued.

Kapler also announced he would donate to nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety and The Heart and Armor Foundation, an organization that aims to protect veterans’ health and connect civilians to the experience of military service members.

“Voicing concerns thoughtfully and protesting peacefully are both patriotic actions; so is supporting organizations that are in the weeds solving problems,” Kapler wrote.

Other MLB managers have mostly been supportive of Kapler’s protest, however White Sox Manager Tony LaRussa said while he agreed with the sentiment, he didn’t approve of the action.

“I think he’s exactly right to be concerned … with what’s happening in our country,” La Russa said before a game on Saturday night, according to ESPN. “He’s right there. Where I disagree is the flag and the anthem are not appropriate places to try to voice your objections.”

Kapler and several of his players have protested the anthem before, kneeling during a July 2020 game to protest racial injustice.

The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays skipped covering their game on social media Thursday night, instead using their accounts to raise awareness about gun violence in the aftermath of the Uvalde shooting.

“Every time I place my hand over my heart and remove my hat, I’m participating in a self congratulatory glorification of the ONLY country where these mass shootings take place,” Kapler wrote in a blog post last week detailing his protest decision.

Source: TEST FEED1

Democrats ramp up offense on abortion, guns

Democrats are increasingly energized after the leaked Roe v. Wade draft opinion from the Supreme Court and recent mass shootings put a spotlight on hot-button social issues they see as liabilities for Republicans.  

The party seized on calls to increase abortion access and implement new gun control measures after the draft’s release this month and horrific killings in Buffalo, N.Y., and Uvalde, Texas. Democrats say the recent developments raise the stakes for the midterms and give them a new opportunity to ramp up pressure on Republicans – a reversal from a monthslong defensive crouch on culture war issues like critical race theory, sex ed in schools and more. 

“I think part of the challenge for Democrats is that they have been too quiet while Republicans just continue to bring out the culture war battle of the day, and Democrats have just shut up instead of pushing back,” said Democratic strategist Jared Leopold. “The new focus on both abortion and gun control presents an opportunity for Democrats to go on offense and define the difference between the parties on those issues that inspire voters.” 

Activists earlier this month began a full-court press for abortion protections, and the combined 31 fatalities in the Buffalo and Uvalde shootings – including 19 elementary school students in Texas – thrust gun control back into the fore. And Democratic lawmakers are scrambling to catch up, though several sources lamented that such strong rallying cries took so long to manifest. 

President Biden traveled to Uvalde Sunday, and Vice President Harris was in Buffalo Saturday. In the Senate, Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.) is giving bipartisan talks on gun control some leash but has insisted that a vote will be held on the issue. 

And on abortion, lawmakers are rushing to activists’ side to push state legislatures to codify abortion protections before this summer’s ruling — though House Democrats’ message got muddled by leadership’s support in a runoff for Rep. Henry Cuellar (Texas), the chamber’s lone anti-abortion Democrat. 

That mad dash is anticipated to play out on the campaign trail, as well as in the halls of Congress and state Houses, regardless of whether Democrats have governing majorities. 

“From press conferences to debates to advertising, Democratic campaigns now have a series of proof points about how extreme these Republicans have become,” said longtime Democratic strategist Jesse Ferguson. 

“People understand that this is a long, hard battle and that we’re not going to turn around gun policy or abortion policy overnight. But showing concrete paths to progress is really critical,” Leopold added. 

The newfound urgency marks a sudden turnabout from what Democrats say has been timidity to engage on hot-button issues, ceding ground to Republicans on the culture war battlefield.  

Republicans across the country have been stepping on a slate of social third rails, and Democrats have until recently proved unable to impose a cost. 

GOP candidates and lawmakers have dished out a litany of claims about critical race theory, a term that evolved into a catch-all for lamentations about public schools’ teaching of the country’s racist history.  

Governors and legislators in red states have also targeted transgender girls participating in school sports, and in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed legislation sharply curtailing lessons on sexual orientation or gender identity in public schools, sparking calls by other lawmakers for similar bills. 

Already, Democrats have paid electoral prices for what some in the party called a lackluster response. 

Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) lost Virginia’s gubernatorial race last year after an intense focus by now-Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) on public school instruction on race. And now, some warn similar defeats are in store in November unless there’s a shift in the culture wars. 

“The dominant modus operandi for many people is caution and timidity when ironically, you don’t see that on the right or on the Republican side. They’re just going gangbusters attacking trans people, trying to whitewash the curriculum, with no concern about electoral consequences,” Steve Phillips, a prominent Democratic donor, said.  

“But I think that what these events have highlighted is that they’re so dramatic and so over the line that hopefully this will stiffen the spines of Democrats to stand up and fight back.” 

Democrats say that cautious attitude is causing angst among the base. 

Terrance Woodbury, the head of HIT Strategies, said that Virginia voters in a focus group he conducted last year expressed frustration with the perception that Democrats were less vocal on their stances on hot-button social issues than their GOP counterparts. 

“The real problem that we have here is that we [Democrats] do not speak up fast enough…do not come out guns blazing to defend our positions,” one voter said in the group. 

A larger legislative rut for Democrats is also increasing pressure for a change in tone.  

The party has been touting the bipartisan infrastructure bill – passed last year – as its main accomplishment, and some Democrats say they should put aside concerns of alienating elusive crossover voters to seize on a new strategy. 

“We get so in this cycle of thinking that we have to compete for Republican moderate votes or compete for nonpartisan votes,” said Nevada Democratic Party Chair Judith Whitmer. “I think that we have to break that cycle in order to start doing things that are right for Americans and for Americans to start seeing that change, that action relate to their daily struggles. I mean, we can’t just think that an infrastructure bill is going to do at all.” 

Operatives said they are hopeful that the party can take advantage of the window, but virtually every Democrat who spoke to The Hill expressed some skepticism over past messaging struggles. 

“I think it’s an opportunity. It’s just a matter of if we’re able to grasp that opportunity or not,” said Arizona state Sen. Martin Quezada, who is running for state treasurer. “And I think that, unfortunately, Democrats in the past have never been able to really fully grasp these types of opportunities.” 

Still, going on offense presents its own problems for Democrats. 

Making abortion rights and gun control central issues in the midterms could leave the party open to questions by Republicans, including whether there should be any restrictions on abortion – which could make Democrats choose between pleasing their base and appealing to the majority of voters who say there should be at least some limitations on the procedure. 

“They in many places have overstepped or overplayed their hand, especially when talking about the issue of abortion,” said one GOP official. “What are the limits, what are restrictions? They don’t want to talk about that.” 

On top of that, Democrats are up against a heavily unfavorable political atmosphere driven by inflation and President Biden’s low approval ratings. 

“It’s really tough for them because the things that are wrong in America right now, people see before their eyes. It’s the cost of gas, the half empty shells, inflation in a general sense, downturn in the economy. You can’t spin that stuff away. You can’t ignore it. You can’t tell people, ‘Hey, pay attention to something else,’” said GOP strategist Bob Heckman. 

Yet Democrats say they have to try – if only to appease an unsettled base some fear could turn its back on the party over inaction this November. 

“Not only do Democratic voters expect their leadership to do something about these issues, they are going to punish them if they don’t,” said Woodbury. “It is punitive.” 

Source: TEST FEED1

Police release details on collision that led to Pelosi's husband's DUI arrest

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has released details of the vehicle crash that led to the arrest of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) husband late Saturday night for allegedly driving under the influence.

CHP said in a press release Sunday night that Paul Pelosi’s 2021 Porsche was struck in Napa Valley by another car as he was attempting to cross State Route 29. No injuries were reported, and Pelosi was arrested about 80 minutes after law enforcement responded to the scene, according to the agency.

A public booking report by the Napa County Sheriff’s Office lists Paul Pelosi as being booked early Sunday morning on charges of driving under the influence. His bail was set at $5,000.

The arrest was first reported by TMZ.

Speaker Pelosi was in Rhode Island on Sunday to deliver Brown University’s commencement address. Drew Hammill, a spokesman for the Speaker, said on Sunday that she was not with her husband at the time and would not be commenting on the matter.

Nancy and Paul Pelosi have been married since 1963.

Source: TEST FEED1

Polis: GOP trying to 'manage everybody’s lives'

As the Democratic Party’s fate grows increasingly uncertain this midterm election season, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) says he remains resilient in a notoriously “purplish” state by focusing on the empowerment of individual voters.

“Colorado is a very independently minded, freedom-oriented state, and they don’t want Republicans or Democrats telling them what to do,” Polis told The Hill.

“They value accurate information, they value facts, and people should be empowered to make their own decisions, whether that’s marijuana, whether it’s wearing a mask — we’re a state that values freedom.”

While Polis was quick to affirm that he has no magic recipe for races in other purplish or red states, he pointed to a national imperative to save Americans money amid rising costs, and to ensure that they feel free to act on their own volition.

During his three years as governor, Polis has gained popularity not only in Colorado but also on a national scale — particularly for his pandemic-era policies that have favored voluntary incentives rather than government-issued mandates.

Prior to taking office in January 2019 — becoming both the first openly gay man and first Jewish person to lead the Centennial State — the former tech entrepreneur served five terms in Congress, where he was among the top three richest members.

This November, 36 governorships, including Polis’s, are up for grabs, alongside all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats. Colorado’s Republican primary takes place on June 28, with several candidates vying to take on the Democratic incumbent.

Thus far, however, most projections forecast Polis’s reelection. A February Denver Post story described the governor as “more popular in Colorado than his State Capitol colleagues and President Joe Biden,” citing data from the Republican State Leadership Commission.

That data, release by the polling firm Cygnal, showed negative net favorability ratings for Democratic Coloradan state legislators, at a net negative 13.1 percent, for Biden, at negative 14.5 percent, and for elected Democrats in Washington, at negative 19 percent, according to the Post. But Polis landed a net favorability of 6.6 percent.

Asked about the country’s political divisions, Polis said that he still believes that “both parties are broad tents,” although he described “an ascendancy in the Republican Party” of efforts to “manage everybody’s lives.”

“I don’t think it plays well with voters,” he said.

Although Democrats are also facing internal divisions, Polis, who married last year, said he feels the party still supports “personal freedom, whether it’s choice for a woman, whether it’s ability to live your life as you want, as who you are, as who you love.”

“And that’s a core American value,” he added.

Polis expressed confidence in his Democratic colleagues in the midterms, saying there are “terrific candidates across the country working hard,” trying to help people hold onto their income and improve their quality of life.

To ensure that this strategy remains “a winning message,” he suggested that candidates continue to speak on local issues of importance. In Colorado, for example, that could mean prioritizing wildfire preparedness, he added.

“That might not be the same in Maryland or in other states,” Polis said.

“There’s going to be a national backdrop of saving people money and costs, but that by no means diminishes from local issues — where you stand on a particular road project and what you’re going to get done for your community,” the governor continued.

Democrats who “espouse responsibility and empowerment,” could see voters “flocking from the Republican Party,” if the GOP continues “telling them how to live their lives and when and if they can have children,” according to Polis.

Asked his views on the potential repeal of one Trump-era dictate, the Title 42 border management policy, Polis first emphasized that Colorado is “not a border state.” 

Title 42, which enables officials to expel foreign nationals quickly under pandemic rules, was supposed to end last week, but a federal judge appointed by former President Trump temporarily halted the rollback.

While Polis did not comment further on that specific policy, he said that officials in Colorado have been careful “to end any emergency actions related to the pandemic as quickly as possible.”

“We ended the state of emergency quite a while ago,” he said, acknowledging that some non-emergency health care measures are still in place.

“Voters in general and the people of the country don’t want the pandemic used as an excuse for overreaching government control in other areas,” he said.

Nationwide, Polis maintained that “the biggest challenge people face right now is rising costs.” Among the solutions he offered were a gas-tax suspension, a reduction of tariffs and fiscal responsibility.

Looking ahead at Biden’s prospects, Polis said that the current environment includes “a lot of strong economic indicators, economic growth, low unemployment.”

“Sometimes that takes a while to kind of catch up with people’s lives, and hopefully that’s occurring sooner rather than later,” he said.

One Biden administration triumph was November’s bipartisan infrastructure bill, which Polis said could address “a real need in a very forward-looking way.”

“It’s something that’s eluded the last three congresses and presidents, and finally, this Congress and President Biden got it done,” he said.

The governor said he believes that roads and bridges are something people do care about — particularly during an era in which reducing costs has become so important.

“It’s a strong thing to run on, for Democrats and for Republicans who supported it, wherever they are,” Polis said.

While the infrastructure bill was able to pass, Biden’s additional reconciliation package stalled out in the Senate following Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-W.Va.) opposition.

While the governor said he cares strongly about parts of the package, including funding for preschool, he has embraced the approach of “get done what you can get done.”

On the state level, Polis said some things he’s gotten done have included implementing the “biggest property tax cut in over 40 years” and distributing $500 refund checks to every Coloradan. 

He also cited efforts to reduce costs in the ObamaCare-related health insurance exchange by more than 20 percent, as well as decrease costs for state park passes from $84 to $29.

“Colorado is a great place to live. People love the quality of life. There’s near full employment, people have jobs, but money doesn’t go as far as it used to,” he said.

“We want to help people hold on to more of their hard-earned money,” the governor added.

Countering media speculation about his political future, Polis said he has no intentions of running for president and doubts that he would “ever think about” doing so.

“I love Colorado, and frankly, being governor of Colorado, I feel, is the best job in the world,” Polis said. “I’d be deeply honored to do it for another four years.”

Source: TEST FEED1

10 states with the highest gas prices over Memorial Day weekend

The nation’s average gas price reached $4.62 cents on Memorial Day, the start of the summer driving season, but some states have been especially hard hit by higher gas prices.  

Here are the ten states where it costs most to fill up your tank, according to AAA.  

California: $6.15 a gallon 

Most expensive counties:  San Francisco ($6.44 a gallon), Humboldt ($6.62 a gallon), San Mateo ($6:41 a gallon) 

Hawaii: $5.44 a gallon 

Most expensive counties: Kauai ($5.82 a gallon), Hawaii ($5.61 a gallon) 

Nevada: $5.30 a gallon 

Most expensive counties: Mineral ($5.78 a gallon), Washoe ($5.76 a gallon), Pershing ($5.72 a gallon) 

Washington: $5.23 a gallon  

Most expensive counties: San Juan ($5.84 a gallon), Pacific ($5.44 a gallon), Skamania ($5.55 a gallon) 

Alaska: $5.20 a gallon 

Most expensive counties: Prince Wales Ketchikan ($5.60 a gallon), Valdez Cordova ($5.57 a gallon), Denali ($5.53 a gallon) 

Oregon: $5.20 a gallon 

Most expensive counties: Curry ($5.39 a gallon), Josephine ($5.34 a gallon), Coos ($5.32 a gallon) 

Illinois: $5.00 a gallon 

Most expensive counties: Cook ($5.37 a gallon), DuPage ($5.11), Lake ($5.07) 

Arizona: $4.95 a gallon 

Most expensive counties: Maricopa ($5.26 a gallon), Mohave ($4.86 a gallon), Coconino ($4.82 a gallon) 

New York: $4.93 a gallon 

Most expensive counties: New York ($5.42 a gallon), Westchester ($5.09), Bronx ($5.04) 

Maine: $4.77 a gallon 

Most expensive counties: Aroostook ($4.83 a gallon), Cumberland ($4.81 a gallon), Somerset ($4.81 a gallon) 

Source: TEST FEED1

Comedian Andy Dick won't face charges after arrest on suspicion of sexual battery

Comedian Andy Dick won’t be charged in connection with his arrest earlier this month on suspicion of felony sexual battery, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office told The Hill on Monday.

Dick was taken into custody in Orange County, Calif., on May 11 after being involved in an altercation at an RV campground. The other man involved was transported to the hospital for an exam shortly after, and the former “The Andy Dick Show” host was held on $25,000 bail.

The incident was reportedly filmed live on YouTube.

The Orange County District Attorney returned the case back to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for further investigation in recent weeks. The victim has since stopped cooperating with the investigation, so charges will not be pursued against Dick, the sheriff’s office said.

“The case can not move forward without the assistance of the victim,” a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office told The Hill.

Prior to his May arrest, Dick was previously arrested in November and June, for felony domestic violence and suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon, respectively.

Source: TEST FEED1