Cap-and-trade returns: NY plans to force big oil to ‘invest’ in ‘green’ by paying for emissions
In her State of the State address Tuesday, New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul is expected to lay out her “Cap & Invest” anti-pollution program that critics warn will cause gasoline and utility costs to soar in the already fossil-fuel-averse state. The plan seeks to reduce emissions by levying companies for their greenhouse gas outputs and investing that money into initiatives like retrofitting buildings to run on green electric power. A “cap” refers to the limit of greenhouse gas emissions that is imposed by a state. The “cap” is often projected to decrease each year in order to meet climate change prevention goals. The state then can set up an auction to let energy companies bid on pollution-weight-based “allowances” – the proceeds from which can be invested by the government in “green” initiatives, according to New York Focus. NY LAWMAKERS DEMAND SUBWAY CHIEF’S OUSTER AFTER COMMENTS DISMISSIVE OF CRIME AMID NEW TOLLS New York drivers could see more pain at the pump from such a proposal, according to critics like the nonpartisan group Upstate United, which advocates for boosting upstate New York’s economy. The AAA average gas price in New York sits at $3.14/gallon – comparable to most of the surrounding states except Pennsylvania – which usually remains higher than the rest of the Northeast due to its nationally-third-highest gas tax. A Hochul spokesman told the New York Post that the governor is “focused on lowering the cost of living, putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets with refunds, tax credits and more.” Since Democrats took the executive reins from term-limited GOP Gov. George Pataki in 2007 and have held them without interruption, the Empire State has progressively restricted energy exploration in the state. The trend began with Gov. David Paterson’s 2010 “timeout” on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas that effectively remains to this day. The “Marcellus Shale” range is named for a town in New York – but any fracking activity since that time has occurred on the Pennsylvania end of the deposits. State Sen. Tom O’Mara, R-Elmira, represents a district that sits on part of the Marcellus oil shale formation that remains untouchable under state policy. Natural gas wells dot the countryside in neighboring Bradford and Tioga counties just to the south in Pennsylvania, but the landscape is clear of any signs of exploration to those traversing NY-17 through New York’s Southern Tier only a few miles away. HOCHUL CHRISTMASTIME BOAST OF SAFER SUBWAYS CAME AMID STRING OF ALARMING VIOLENT ATTACKS On Monday, O’Mara criticized what he called the latest “radical climate mandate” to be handed down: “Gov. Hochul and the Albany Democrats are going to keep talking about addressing New York’s affordability crisis. But it’s clear that their actions like Cap and Invest, more aptly called ‘Cap and Tax’… will only keep driving this state into the ground economically,” he said. In 2014, O’Mara slammed New York’s original decision to ban fracking in his area, saying it “eviscerates the hope of so many Southern Tier farmers, landowners, businesses and potential jobs in the natural gas industry.” Hochul’s cap-and-tax plan, he said, will only increase the cost of doing business in New York and drive more families and employers out of the state while exacerbating the affordability crisis. The plan shows the governor is out of touch with New Yorkers, Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay told Fox News Digital. “The last thing we need is more unworkable environmental policy from Albany that drives costs up and drives residents away. Democrats constantly lecture us about the need for Cap and Invest and other misguided energy policy, but when people are paying more at the pump and can’t afford their heating bills, who benefits?” asked Barclay, R-Oneida. “It’s our responsibility to make sure New Yorkers have reliable, affordable energy sources – not force consumers to subsidize the green dreams of the liberal environmental lobby.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP In 2021, then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo successfully shuttered the massive 2,000MW Indian Point nuclear power generation plant on the Hudson River opposite Haverstraw. Cuomo cited safety concerns at the time and said “it does not belong… in close proximity to the most densely-populated area in the country.” Critics responded that that area cited – New York City – relied heavily on the power it generated and complained of increased utility bills. A 2019 law commits New York to net-zero emissions by 2050, according to The New York Times. Nationally, “Cap & Trade” first entered the American lexicon during the 2008 presidential campaign, when then-Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., wooed environmentalists with the idea of taxing entities that release greenhouse gases and affect the atmosphere.
New NYC ‘char broil’ rule would force restaurants to cut emissions by 75%
New York officials are considering imposing emissions restrictions on a popular grilling appliance as their latest climate crackdown, claiming that such regulations could prevent premature deaths. The blue state’s Department of Environmental Protection proposed a new rule to establish emissions standards for under-fire commercial char broilers, a commonly used method of cooking meat that gives it a smokey taste. The proposed rule would force all New York City restaurants using under-fire char broilers installed after May 2016 to cut emissions from the appliance by 75%. Additionally, under the rule, NYC restaurants that char-broil more than 875 pounds of meat per week would not be allowed to operate, with the exception that the business has an approved emissions control device. HOCHUL’S POLLUTERS PAY BILL COULD RESULT IN REGRESSIVE COSTS FOR WORKING FAMILIES: ECONOMISTS In the proposed rule, reviewed by Fox News Digital, officials claimed that such regulations on meat cooking appliances could prevent hundreds of deaths. The document cited a study by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on premature deaths attributed to particulate matter (PM) — solid particles like smoke or dust, released when cooking or burning fires. “If all char broilers had control technology installed, the reduction in ambient PM concentrations could have prevented nearly 350 of these premature deaths each year,” the proposed rule reads. BIDEN ADMIN EXPECTED TO OFFER CALIFORNIA WAIVER TO BAN GAS-POWERED CARS BY 2035: REPORT The study reportedly found that commercial char broilers released an estimated 1,400 tons of PM per year in New York’s five boroughs, which they concluded contributed to more than 12% of PM attributable premature deaths annually from 2005 to 2007. But restaurant owners are fuming at the potential regulation. “The fact that this is even an issue is a nothingburger,” Alan Rosen, who owns Juniors in NYC, a restaurant that uses the charred meat method, told the New York Post. “People are getting knifed in the subway, and they’re worried about charbroilers? We’ve been doing this for almost 75 years. It’s absolutely ridiculous.” In the proposed rule, the department acknowledges the difficulty in requiring New York City restaurants to undergo emissions tests. “Demonstrating the 75% PM reduction presented a challenge for many restaurant owners who do not have an Environmental Protection Agency Method 5 certified emissions control device,” the proposal reads. A public hearing on the proposed rule will be held on Jan. 29, 2025.
Hegseth was ‘incredibly talented, battle-proven leader,’ military evaluations show
EXCLUSIVE – President-elect Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, was described as an “incredibly talented, battle-proven leader,” according to a copy of military evaluations obtained by Fox News Digital. Hegseth is set to face a Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday, where lawmakers are expected to grill the 44-year-old Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News host on his ability to lead the Department of Defense. A leading critic of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the military, Hegseth has been under scrutiny in recent weeks over his qualifications. Fox News obtained copies of past performance evaluations describing Hegseth’s “outstanding” leadership skills over the years of his military service, including deployments to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, Iraq and Afghanistan. Hegseth deployed with the New Jersey National Guard to Guantánamo Bay, where he was leader of a 39-man Air Assault Infantry Rifle platoon capable of deploying anywhere within the world within 36 hours. In an officer evaluation report covering April 2005 to January 2006, Hegseth received “outstanding performance” and was described as “an incredibly talented, battle-proven leader.” HUNDREDS OF VETERANS TO DESCEND ON DC TO MARCH IN SUPPORT OF PETE HEGSETH’S CONFIRMATION “Having taken charge of his platoon mere days before deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he effectively led his platoon through five months of combat,” the report read. “He planned and executed platoon operations ranging from air assault raids to the defense of a forward operating base (FOB).” During his tour as platoon leader, his evaluators said Hegseth ensured “that his platoon remained physically fit and mentally ready to meet the challenges of protracted missions in demanding conditions.” While serving at FOB Falcon, Iraq, Hegseth’s platoon “developed and fortified a platoon sector of the company defense and executed their portion of a continuous defense for three months while planning and executing additional offensive operations.” Under his leadership, the report detailed, Hegseth’s platoon “cleared areas around FOB Falcon suspected of insurgent activity and denied their use to the Anti-Iraqi Forces” and “also conducted an air assault, high-value target raid in which they captured an Al Qaeda in Iraq cell leader.” Hegseth and his troops moved north to Samarra, Iraq, where “he effectively transitioned his platoon to continuous offensive operations and conducted nine days of continuous combat outposts, nine days of patrolling and a deliberate cordon and search plus numerous time-sensitive missions,” the report read. “His performance as platoon leader has been solid. He is more than capable to operate independently, controlling not only his squads but also air support, indirect fire support and other external combat support assets,” his evaluators wrote. Expecting a fight during Tuesday’s confirmation process, several Republican lawmakers held a news conference on Capitol Hill Monday backing Hegseth. Criticism against Hegseth included alleged mismanagement of veteran nonprofit funds and lack of recent military experience. He was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a GOP conference in 2017. He was never criminally charged but reportedly recognized paying his accuser an undisclosed sum over the allegations. “I’m 110% behind Pete Hegseth,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said. “He will be ripped. He will be demeaned. He will be talked about. But we’re going to get him across the finish line.” “The last four years has been an absolute disaster for our military. Again, we have a lot of good people, a lot of good men and women that believe in the United States of America. But we got to go forward and we have to have a leader. It all starts with one person,” Tuberville added. “We don’t need a general from the Pentagon. We’ve tried that. We need a drill sergeant, somebody that’s been in two wars, somebody that understands camaraderie and team and work ethic and time, restraint and respect.” “I am strongly supporting Pete Hegseth for a couple of reasons. We have the most highly educated and powerful military in the history of the planet. And we haven’t won a war in 80 years,” Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., said. In Iraq, Hegseth also served as an assistant civil military operations officer for a 660-man Air Assault Infantry Battalion. According to another report obtained by Fox News Digital, evaluators described him as “an absolutely outstanding officer,” who was “intelligent, mature and extremely gifted” and had become “a tremendous asset to his battillion and had contributed immensely to the BN’s performance during the past six months.” PETE HEGSETH SAYS HE HASN’T HEARD FROM WEST POINT SINCE EMPLOYEE ‘ERROR’ DENYING HIS ACCEPTANCE The officer evaluation report went on to describe how Hegseth “led numerous patrols and civil affairs missions and provided exceptional support to the battalion, proving himself as a strong combat leader during Operation Iraqi Freedom.” His evaluators said he “developed relationships and trust with many of the local leaders of Samarra, Iraq,” allowing him “to help collect intelligence which led to the capture/killing of countless Al Qaeda and insurgent leaders.” “His performance as the battalion assistant civil-military operations officer has been superb,” the company executive officer wrote of Hegseth. “He is a proven combat leader who is calm under fire and leads from the front.” “Peter is physically and mentally tough, and demonstrates a level of maturity, poise, and confidence usually found in more senior officers,” the report went on. “Peter always accomplishes every mission to high standards with minimal guidance or supervision. He has unlimited potential,” the evaluator added. Hegseth similarly received glowing feedback when he later deployed to Afghanistan with the Minnesota Army National Guard, another officer evaluation report from 2012 showed. “Outstanding performance. CPT Pete Hegseth is the best CPT in this command (#1 of 12),” the report says. “Pete clearly rose to the top of his peer group through his exceptional leadership abilities, initiative, and dedication to mission accomplishment. Pete worked extremely hard to learn as much as he could about counterinsurgency operations, easily developing into one of my best COIN instructors. He always received high marks on the
Man arrested near LA fires with possible blowtorch is an illegal immigrant: ICE sources
A man seen in a viral video being confronted and apprehended by Los Angeles residents, and who was eventually arrested by police with an alleged blowtorch, is an illegal immigrant from Mexico, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sources tell Fox News. Los Angeles police took the man into custody after a group of local residents grabbed him near the Kenneth Fire, allegedly carrying a blowtorch, according to video from Fox 11 Los Angeles. He is shown holding a torch head and a yellow fuel tank, before being tackled to the ground by at least five residents. LOS ANGELES WILDFIRES: HOMEOWNERS CONFRONT MAN THEY BELIEVE IS ARSONIST AS CELEBRITIES FUEL FIREBUG THEORIES ICE sources tell Fox that he is a Mexican illegal immigrant named Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva. He is in custody due to a probation violation and has not been charged with arson. ICE intends to place a detainer request on him – a request that ICE be notified on any release so he can be transferred into their custody and potentially deported. However, they do not expect it to be honored as California is a “sanctuary” state that largely limits local and state law enforcement cooperation with the agency. ESSENTIAL PHONE NUMBERS FOR LOS ANGELES-AREA RESIDENTS AND HOW YOU CAN HELP THEM A Los Angeles law enforcement source had previously told Fox News Digital that it’s not uncommon to find people have intentionally set wildfires. “When you have wind conditions like this, it brings out the serial arsonists, who are sickos,” the source said. There is no confirmed connection between arson and any of the fires as of last week. Illegal immigration has been a top political issue and the Trump administration is expected to launch a massive deportation operation once it takes office next week. Some states have said they will cooperate with the operation, while other state and local officials say they will not, and could even actively resist those efforts. Recently, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he wants to work with the incoming administration on deporting those who are violent criminals. But the Trump administration may have the hardest job in California, where there is not only a sanctuary state law in place but also efforts in local jurisdictions to go even further, forbidding ICE cooperation. Fox News’ Michael Ruiz and Matt Finn contributed to this report.
Supreme Court makes decision on gun law challenges in Delaware, Maryland
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear challenges to gun laws in Delaware and Maryland. The justices turned away an appeal from a group of gun enthusiasts and firearm advocacy groups in Delaware to block the state’s prohibition on assault-style rifles and large-capacity ammunition magazines after a lower court refused to issue a preliminary injunction against the ban. Delaware’s gun safety laws were enacted in 2022 and ban various semi-automatic “assault” long guns, including the AR-15 and AK47, though it allows those who owned such weapons prior to the law being enacted to keep the firearms under certain conditions, according to Reuters. The high court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, also declined to hear a case challenging Maryland’s handgun licensing requirements, which requires people to get safety training, submit fingerprints and pass a background check before buying a handgun. NEW YORK TIMES REPORTER TELLS KAVANAUGH FRIEND HE WOULD COVER STORY ‘DIFFERENTLY’ NOW The challengers argued that the handgun law violates the Second Amendment by making it too hard for people to get guns. MONTANA AG ASKS SUPREME COURT TO UPHOLD LAW REQUIRING PARENTAL CONSENT FOR A MINOR’S ABORTION The law was passed following the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, where 20 first-graders and six educators were killed. A three-judge appeals court panel later struck down the law after a landmark 2022 Supreme Court ruling that expanded gun rights and said firearm laws must have strong roots in the country’s historic traditions, though the full 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later revived the law after the majority found that it does fit within historic firearm regulations. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Federal judge clears way for release of special counsel report on Trump election case
A federal judge cleared the way for the release of the special counsel report on President-elect Trump’s election interference case on Monday. Judge Aileen Cannon approved the release of the first of two volumes of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation in her Monday ruling. Cannon will consider releasing the second volume, which relates to Trump’s handling of classified documents, on Friday. Smith suspended his investigations into Trump after the president-elect secured his return to the White House in November. Cannon had issued a temporary block on releasing Smith’s reports last week after Trump co-defendants Waltine Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira filed an emergency motion to block the reported imminent release of Smith’s final report. JUDGE GRANTS JACK SMITH REQUEST TO DISMISS JAN. 6 CHARGES AGAINST TRUMP, APPEAL DROPPED IN FLORIDA DOCS CASE Cannon prohibited the release of the report as she considered Nauta and De Oliveira’s claims. Cannon said Smith was “temporarily enjoined” from “releasing, sharing, or transmitting the Final Report or any drafts of such Report outside the Department of Justice.” JACK SMITH RESIGNS FROM THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT She ultimately ruled against the pair on Monday, however, arguing that there was “insufficient basis” to grant an injunction against releasing the report. It is customary for special counsels to release a final report, detailing the findings of their investigation and explaining any prosecution or declination decisions they reached. In Smith’s case, the prosecution decision is immaterial, given Trump’s status as president-elect and long-standing Justice Department policy against bringing criminal charges against a sitting president. JUDGE GRANTS JACK SMITH REQUEST TO DISMISS JAN. 6 CHARGES AGAINST TRUMP, APPEAL DROPPED IN FLORIDA DOCS CASE Trump has blasted Smith’s work as a “fake report.” Attorney General Merrick Garland has opted to release the reports from two other special counsels whose investigations concluded during his tenure – publishing both the summary reports submitted by John Durham, who was tapped by then-Attorney General Bill Barr in 2019 to review the origins of the Trump-Russia probe, as well as the final report from Robert Hur, a former U.S. attorney whom he tapped in 2023 to investigate President Biden’s handling of classified documents. Fox News’ Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
Carrie Underwood to perform ‘America the Beautiful’ at Trump inauguration
Country music star Carrie Underwood is expected to perform at President Trump’s inauguration, Fox News Digital has learned. A Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee spokesperson told Fox News Digital Underwood will perform during the swearing-in ceremony for President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance on Jan. 20. Underwood, the 2005 “American Idol” winner, will be singing “America the Beautiful” and will be joined by the Armed Forces Choir and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club. Underwood will perform “America the Beautiful” after Vance takes his Oath of Office and before Trump takes the Presidential Oath of Office. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Abbott orders flags at full-staff for Trump’s inauguration despite one month order to honor Carter
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday announced that flags at the state Capitol building in Austin and at all state office buildings will be raised to full-staff next Monday, Jan. 20, to mark President-elect Trump’s inauguration. The move comes despite the official order by President Biden after the Dec. 29 death of former President Jimmy Carter that flags across the country would fly at half-staff for a 30-day mourning period. Abbott said in his announcement that “on January 20, our great nation will celebrate our democratic tradition of transferring power to a new President by inaugurating the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. As we unite our country and usher in this new era of leadership, I have ordered all flags to be raised to full-staff at the Texas Capitol and all state buildings for the inauguration of President Trump.” CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS REPORTING ON THE TRUMP TRANSITION AND INAUGURATION “While we honor the service of a former President, we must also celebrate the service of an incoming President and the bright future ahead for the United States of America,” added the conservative three-term Texas governor. CHECK OUT TRUMP’S PICKS FOR TOP CABINET AND ADMINISTRATION POSITIONS An Abbott adviser told Fox News that flags at the Texas Capitol and at state offices would resume flying at half-staff on Jan. 21. “Texas continues to mourn with our fellow Americans across the country over the passing of former President Jimmy Carter,” Abbott said in his statement. “President Carter’s steadfast leadership left a lasting legacy that will be felt for generations to come, which together as a nation we honor by displaying flags at half-staff for 30 days.” FIRST ON FOX: TOP CONSERVATIVE GROUP LAUNCHS MAJOR PUSH TO PROTECT, EXTEND TRUMP TAX CUTS According to the U.S. flag code, U.S. flags are flown at half-staff for a 30-day period to mark the passing of a current or former president, at federal government buildings, military installations and vessels, and at U.S. embassies and other facilities around the world. Since the U.S. flag code dictates that no flag should fly higher than the American flag on the same or nearby poles, state flags also are lowered during such mourning periods. Trump earlier this month claimed on social media that “Democrats are all ‘giddy’” about flags being flown at half-staff during his inauguration. “Nobody wants to see this,” Trump argued. “No American can be happy about it. Let’s see how it plays out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” The U.S. flag code isn’t mandatory, which means that Trump could technically override it once he’s inaugurated as president.
Newsom suspends CA environmental law to eliminate ‘roadblocks’ for wildfire victims rebuilding homes
In response to concerns that environmental protection efforts might delay reconstruction in the coastal area, environmental laws that could have posed obstacles to rebuilding structures destroyed by the Southern California wildfires will be temporarily suspended. Houses along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway in California burned down in a monstrous fire that destroyed more than 10,000 homes and structures beginning on Jan. 7. “We’re afraid they won’t let us rebuild,” said Teddy Leonard, owner of Reel Inn, a seafood restaurant serving on the Malibu coast since the 1980s that burned down in January. “It’s very scary.” California law currently requires that people looking to build undergo a lengthy environmental review process before receiving approval, but state officials say the process will not apply to victims of the recent fire seeking to rebuild their lost structures. LA COUNTY CUT FIRE BUDGET WHILE SPENDING HEAVILY ON DEI, WOKE ITEMS: ‘MIDNIGHT STROLL TRANSGENDER CAFE’ The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires that a review be conducted to weigh any potential environmental effects before a building permit is approved. Another state law, the California Coastal Act, focuses on development as it relates to “the preservation of sensitive coastal and marine habitat and biodiversity.” CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES PROMPT SCRUTINY OF FEDERAL, STATE RULES HAMPERING MITIGATION EFFORTS Both laws were halted on Sunday for those who tragically lost their homes after Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to suspend the environmental review process. “When the fires are extinguished, victims who have lost their homes and businesses must be able to rebuild quickly and without roadblocks,” Newsom said in a statement. “The executive order I signed today will help cut permitting delays, an important first step in allowing our communities to recover faster and stronger. I’ve also ordered our state agencies to identify additional ways to streamline the rebuilding and recovery process,” he added. CEQA has received pushback over the years from critics, including environmentalists, who say it is restrictive and expensive. “I don’t think that anybody really thinks that CEQA works exactly how it’s supposed to,” Eric Buescher, an attorney with San Francisco Baykeeper, an environmental nonprofit working to “hold polluters accountable,” said in 2022 about the state law, according to local outlet Bay Nature. “Developers say it is way too restrictive. Cities say it’s expensive and impossible to comply with,” Buescher said. “Environmental groups say you can’t even get a project that is going to be built for sea level rise reviewed in time for sea level rise.” Many of the Malibu homes that were destroyed by the fires were located on the beach along the Pacific Coast Highway, and their reconstruction could be subject to local land regulations designed to preserve the natural coastline. President Biden announced on Thursday the federal government would cover all costs of debris removal and California’s fire management for 180 days.
MN GOP vows recall efforts as Dem lawmakers threaten to skip work for two weeks
The Minnesota Republican Party vowed to pursue constitutional recalls against any Democratic legislator who refuses to show up at the state legislature’s first day of session on Monday. Democrats have threatened to boycott the first two weeks of the session in an effort to block Republicans from taking advantage of a narrow and temporary majority in the state legislature. Minnesota GOP Chairman Alex Plechash argued at a Monday press conference that intentionally skipping work would expose Democratic lawmakers to election recall efforts. “Minnesotans expect one thing from their elected officials: to show up and do the job they were sent here to do. That’s a basic duty, not a special request,” Plechash said, speaking at the Minnesota state capitol. Republicans currently enjoy a 67-66 seat majority in the state House and could use that majority to set legislative rules for the next two years when the session begins on Tuesday. Their advantage is likely temporary, however, with a special election in a lean-Democratic district scheduled for January 28. The previous Democratic lawmaker in the district, Curtis Johnson, won his election in November, but was later disqualified after courts determined he did not truly reside in the district. WALZ EDUCATION APPOINTEE WHO CALLED FOR THE US GOVERNMENT TO BE ‘OVERTHROWN’ UNDER GOP FIRE: ‘INSURRECTION’ Republicans will therefore enjoy a majority for at least the two weeks between the start of session on Tuesday and the special election at the end of January. Republicans are also contesting the election of another Democrat, Rep. Brad Tabke, who won re-election by 14 votes after county elections officials lost 20 absentee ballots in one precinct. “We are committed to holding every lawmaker accountable. If you don’t show up for the job, you shouldn’t keep it,” Plechash said. PRO-ACCOUNTABILITY BOSTON CITY COUNCILOR HAS WORST ABSENCE RECORD: REPORT GOP Attorney Ryan Wilson says Minnesota law requires that a recall petition receives at least 25 signatures from voters in a given district. Once obtained, the petition is then sent to the Minnesota Supreme Court to determine whether the cause for the recall meets legal standards. Wilson said the GOP would be basing its recall requests on “nonfeasance,” or the failure to perform an act that is required by law. MINNESOTA SCHOOL DISTRICT REMOVES LGBTQ CHILDREN’S BOOK WITH NUDITY, DESPITE OBJECTIONS If the state Supreme Court approves that reasoning, the petition would then need to be signed by at least 25% of the number of voters in the district who cast ballots in the November election. If it passes that threshold, the district would then hold a recall vote. “We’ve never had a situation like this in the history of the legislature, where 66 members of a caucus are unwilling to show up for work,” Wilson said. Republican state Rep. Pam Altendorf argued Democrats are only facing a disadvantage “because of cheating.” She added that the lawmakers are “acting like sore losers and not coming to work.” The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.