Republicans on Capitol Hill criticize DOJ charges against Hunter Biden and vow to continue investigating the president’s son

• June 20, 2023

House and Senate Republicans have been quick to criticize the plea deal between the Department of Justice and Hunter Biden, arguing Tuesday that the charges brought against President Joe Biden’s son exemplify what they describe as the weaponization of the DOJ.

The reaction underscores how the charges brought by the DOJ as the result of a five-year investigation led by a Donald Trump appointee will not deter Republicans on Capitol Hill, particularly GOP lawmakers who control the House and by extension the committees, from pursuing their own probes into the Biden family.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy dismissed the fact that the US attorney was a Trump holdover when asked by CNN’s Manu Raju.

RELATED: Hunter Biden to plead guilty to federal tax charges, strikes deal on gun charge

“You think it’s equal and fair that a political opponent is going to be given jail time, but a presidential son – and if you compare this to other individuals in America that have the same accusations against them, same crimes that they had been guilty of, that they were proposed to have 10 years and other time periods – I think that’s a difference of justice,” McCarthy said.

The argument that the Justice Department has been politicized against conservatives has been central to how House Republicans approach their congressional investigations, how they frame their defense of Trump and how they rationalize the cuts in funding they want to make to the DOJ and specifically the FBI across the board through the House appropriations process.

House Oversight Chairman James Comer criticized the Justice Department for only giving Hunter Biden “a slap on the wrist,” saying he received a “sweetheart plea deal.”

Comer, a Kentucky Republican who has made Hunter Biden a fixture of his committee, said the charges will have no impact on his investigation, which has focused on the Biden family’s foreign business dealings. While House Republicans have used their subpoena power to try and uncover a money trail, they have still not established a direct link to President Biden.

“We will not rest until the full extent of President Biden’s involvement in the family’s schemes are revealed,” Comer said in a statement Tuesday.

McCarthy similarly said Tuesday’s news should aid their investigation.

“It actually should enhance our investigation because the DOJ should not be able to withhold any information now, saying that because a pending investigation, they should be able to provide Chairman Comer with any information that he requires,” the California Republican said.

House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio, who has made alleged politicization of DOJ central to his work as committee chairman, tweeted that the news exemplified a “double standard of justice” in light of the charges brought against Hunter Biden.

House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, who sits on the so-called weaponization subcommittee led by Jordan, was the first member of House GOP leadership to weigh in.

READ: Justice Department filings related to Hunter Biden federal charges

“This is the epitome of the politicization and Weaponization of Joe Biden’s Department of Justice as they give a slap on the wrist to President Biden’s son – a tax fraud and corrupt pay-to-play criminal,” Stefanik, a Republican from New York, said in a statement provided to CNN. “House Republicans will not rest until the full illegal corruption of the Biden Crime Family is exposed.”

Republican senators, including Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, echoed that the charges against Hunter Biden by the DOJ reflect a “sweetheart deal.”

Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio said Hunter Biden’s deal is “exhibit 1,042 for why I’m holding Biden’s DOJ nominees.” Last week, Vance vowed to hold on all judicial nominees “indefinitely,” until Attorney General Merrick Garland commits to a new policy on “prosecutions” and “politically motivated law.”

The argument that the DOJ is politicized resurfaced Tuesday among the right wing of the House GOP, with a number of them saying that US Attorney David Weiss, the Trump appointee who brought the charges, ignored evidence despite not knowing any details of how Weiss conducted his five-year investigation.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia called the DOJ “pathetic and weaponized.”

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Rep. Bob Good of Virginia called Garland “compromised and politicized,” and claimed the Justice Department had “no interest” in investigating the Biden family’s business dealings.

Rep. Darrell Issa of California said the plea deal as “only the first crack in the Biden corruption cover-up.”

And Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona claimed the announcement of the charges against Hunter Biden were to “distract” from special counsel John Durham’s testimony in front of the House Intelligence Committee later Tuesday about his report on the FBI. Biggs vowed House Republicans would continue to investigate the Biden family.

“Make no mistake, Hunter Biden’s plea deal today will not impede @JudiciaryGOP and @GOPoversight’s investigations into him and the rest of the Biden Family,” he tweeted. “They are not above the law.”

The-CNN-Wire & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

​ Orange County Register 

Can you answer some estate questions? Ask the lawyer

• June 20, 2023

Q: Our age is such that we are focused on getting things in better order. We have some questions. First, how much can you have in your estate without having to file a federal return and just how is that value determined?

R.H., Hermosa Beach

Ron Sokol

A: I would be remiss if I did not start by encouraging you to consult with a qualified estate and trusts lawyer. This column can provide the benefit (and the detriment, possibly) of only a summary response.

You must file an estate tax return if the amount of your estate exceeds a certain dollar amount. The fair market value of your assets is determined, which may not be what you paid for them or what the value was when you acquired them. Your estate consists of all that you own or have certain interest in, at the time of your death.

This includes cash, securities, insurance, trusts, annuities, business interests and real estate, as well as other assets (such as personal property, including jewelry and art). You are allowed certain deductions in determining your taxable estate (for example, mortgages and administration expenses). These are among the factors that come into focus when establishing a total taxable estate.

Bottom line, for 2023, you will have to file a federal estate tax return if your gross estate is valued at more than $12,920,000.

Q: Next question: If we give gifts, how much can we give without taxes being imposed?

R.H., Hermosa Beach

A: For 2023, the tax-free gift limit is $17,000. You can give up to $17,000 without having to worry about paying the federal gift tax. Your spouse can do likewise (so combined, you can give up to $34,000 per person). If you do have to pay a gift tax, typically then it is you (the one giving) who has to pay it, but if you don’t pay, then the one who was gifted may have to pay. The federal gift tax ranges from 18% to 40%, so avoiding it makes sense.

Q: Final question: Will our kids be taxed on their inheritance from us?

R.H., Hermosa Beach

A: Again, this is best evaluated and talked out with a qualified professional. Generally, when someone inherits money, it is tax-free. This is because the decedent presumably paid taxes on the income before, and/or taxes may be paid by the decedent’s estate. The tax-free benefit to you, however, is not across the board. One exception is with regard to inheritance of money from an IRA or 401(k). Like I said, consultation with a qualified professional is advisable, so you can be as careful and well educated as possible with the steps you choose to take.

Ron Sokol has been a practicing attorney for over 40 years, and has also served many times as a judge pro tem, mediator, and arbitrator. It is important to keep in mind that this column presents a summary of the law, and is not to be treated or considered legal advice, let alone a substitute for actual consultation with a qualified professional.

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​ Orange County Register 

Recipes: Make these dishes to elevate your Fourth of July feast

• June 20, 2023

Our inalienable culinary rights on the Fourth of July? Life, liberty and the pursuit of joyous grilling. Who says our holiday of backyard feasting must be just another weenie roast?

Grilled pork tenderloin could be a delectable centerpiece of this year’s holiday happiness. As I often do, I turn to grilling guru Steven Raichlen to guide my path. His Mojo-Marinated Pork Tenderloin is a just-right entree.

Raichlen marinates the tenderloins in a mix he dubs a “mojo marinade.” It’s a tasty blend of oil, garlic, cumin, lime juice, and orange juice, plus oregano, salt, and pepper. The prep requires that the mojo mix is brought to a boil. Once cooled, fresh mint or cilantro are added. Half of the cooled mixture is used to marinate the pork; the remaining concoction is spooned over the sliced grilled meat just before serving.

Don’t confuse pork tenderloins with pork loin. Tenderloins are thin and long; they are always boneless. Most often they are sold sealed, two-to-a-pack. Pork loins are larger often with a fat cap on one side, with or without bones; they can be cut into steak-like pieces.

I like to serve grilled sliced tenderloins layered between orange slices atop a rice blend tossed with drained (canned) black beans. I partner it with a green salad adorned with a buttermilk-based dressing. To finish, a Tunnel of Fudge Cake to serve with fresh strawberries and blueberries.

Have a delicious Independence Day.

Mojo-Marinated Pork Tenderloins

Grilling guru Steven Raichlen likes to serve this tasty pork accompanied with black beans and grilled plantains. I prefer to partner it with a cooked rice blend, such as Lundberg Wild Rice Blend, tossed with heated canned black beans, drained, and rinsed. Raichlen cuts the oranges into supremes (peeled sections). I save time by slicing off the peels and cutting the oranges crosswise into slices. Cleaning the grill grate is essential. I appreciate his technique, first cleaning with the heated grate with a wire brush and then folding a paper towel into a small square and clasping it with tongs. The paper towel is dipped in vegetable or canola oil and used to further wipe down the grate. Nice.

Yield: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

Bamboo skewers or wooden toothpicks, soaked in water for 1 hour

1/2 cup olive oil

8 large cloves garlic, peeled, thinly sliced crosswise

1 teaspoon ground cumin or more to taste

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

1/2 cup orange juice

1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt, or more to taste

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground oregano

1/3 cup water

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or mint

2 to 3 pork tenderloins (1 1/2 pounds total)

2 large sweet onions, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices

For serving: 2 navel oranges, peeled, sliced

DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare mojo: Heat oil in deep saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cumin; cook until garlic is fragrant and pale golden color, 1 to 2 minutes. Do NOT let garlic brown too much or it will be bitter. Cautiously add lime and orange juice (it may sputter, so stand back). Cautiously add salt, pepper, oregano, and water. Stir and bring sauce to boil. Taste for seasoning, adding salt and/or cumin if needed. Cool to room temperature. Add cilantro or mint.

2. If it is present, trim tenderloins of silverskin (sinew on exterior). Place in single layer in nonreactive 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Pour half of the cooled mojo over pork and marinate, covered, in refrigerator at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, turning occasionally to insure even marinating. Refrigerate remaining mojo to serve as a sauce.

3. Preheat grill (if using gas, preheat to high). Remove pork from marinade and discard marinade (keeping reserved marinade for sauce). Brush and oil grill grate. Arrange tenderloins on grill. Brush onion with some of the reserved mojo, skewer them crosswise on bamboo skewers or toothpicks. Place on grill. Grill pork and onions until cooked to taste. The meat will take 3 to 4 minutes on each of its 4 sides, 12 to 16 minutes in all for medium. To test for doneness, insert an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of meat. The internal temperature should be about 155 to 160 degrees. Onions should be nicely charred after about 4 to 6 minutes per side.

4. Transfer meat to a cutting board and let it rest for 3 minutes. Slice tenderloins crosswise on the diagonal. Fan out slices on plates or platter and top with onions (removed from skewers). Spoon the reserved mojo and garnish with orange segments or slices. Serve.

Source: Adapted from “How to Grill” by Steven Raichlen (Workman)

The Tunnel of Fudge Cake is a Bundt cake with a fudgy interior. (Courtesy of America’s Test Kitchen)

Tunnel of Fudge Cake

The Tunnel of Fudge Cake is an old-school favorite, an ultra-chocolatey moist Bundt cake with a rich, fudgy interior. The original recipe relied on packaged mixes. This version is from scratch. When testing for doneness, don’t rely on the standard toothpick test to see if after insertion the pick comes out clean. The fudgy center won’t allow for accurate results. Instead, remove cake from oven when the sides just begin to pull away from the pan and the surface of the cake springs back when pressed gently with your finger.

Yield: 12 servings

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup (2 1/4 ounces) Dutch-processed cocoa powder, plus 1 tablespoon for pan

20 tablespoons (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 20 pieces and softened, plus 1 tablespoon melted for pan

1/2 cup boiling water

2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

2 cups (10 ounces) all-purpose flour

2 cups pecans or walnuts, finely chopped

2 cups (8 ounces) powdered sugar

1 teaspoon salt

5 large eggs, room temperature

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 cup (7 ounces) granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed (5 1/4 ounces) light brown sugar

Chocolate Glaze: 3/4 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup light corn syrup, 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate (chopped), 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For serving: Sliced fresh strawberries mixed with fresh blueberries

DIRECTIONS

1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix 1 tablespoon cocoa powder and melted butter for pan into paste in small bowl. Using pastry brush, thoroughly coat interior of 12-cup nonstick Bundt pan. Pour boiling water over chocolate in bowl and whisk until smooth. Let cool completely. Whisk flour, nuts, powdered sugar, salt and remaining 3/4 cup cocoa in large bowl. Whisk eggs and vanilla in 4-cup liquid measuring cup.

2. Using stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add egg mixture and mix until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Add melted chocolate mixture and mix until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Add flour mixture and mix until just combined, about 30 seconds, scraping down sides as needed.

3. Transfer batter to prepared pan and smooth top with rubber spatula. Bake until edges are beginning to pull away from pan, about 45 minutes, rotating pan half-way through baking. Let cake cool in pan set in rimmed baking sheet for 1 1/2 hours. Invert cake onto rack, remove pan, and let cool completely, at least 2 hours.

4. Prepare glaze: Heat cream, corn syrup, and chocolate in small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth, Stir in vanilla and set aside until slightly thickened, about 30 minutes. Drizzle glaze over cooled cake and let set for at least 10 minutes before serving. (Cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.) Serve with a mix of fresh sliced strawberries and blueberries.

Source: “Everything Chocolate: A Decadent Collection” by America’s Test Kitchen (America’s Test Kitchen)

Buttermilk Dressing gives a creamy tang to a salad. (Photo by Cathy Thomas)

Buttermilk Dressing

Buttermilk adds a creamy tang to salad dressing. Fresh herbs and garlic add a lovely herbal edge. The dressing will keep for up to a week, covered and refrigerated. Be sure to shake up the buttermilk before measuring. Tinker with the proportions if you like. Sometimes I add a little more mayonnaise or double the number of chives. In the summertime when there is fresh tarragon in my yard, I substitute it for parsley. Your choice.

Yield: About 1 3/4 cups

1 cup well-shaken buttermilk

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 garlic clove, peeled, chopped

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Place all ingredients in blender; whirl until smooth.

Source: “The Gourmet Cookbook” edited by Ruth Reichl (Houghton Mifflin)

Cooking question? Contact Cathy Thomas at [email protected]

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​ Orange County Register 

Ron Paul: America needs a peace president

• June 20, 2023

Most people agree that we are closer to nuclear war than at any time since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Some would even argue that we are closer now than we were in those fateful days, when Soviet missiles in Cuba almost triggered a nuclear war between the US and the USSR.

In those days we were told that we were in a life-or-death struggle with Communism and thus could not cede a square foot of territory or the dominoes would fall one-by-one until the “Reds” ruled over us.

That crisis was very real to me, as I was drafted into the military in the middle of the US/USSR standoff over Cuba and we could all feel how close we were to annihilation.

Fortunately, we had a president in the White House at the time who understood the dangers of nuclear brinkmanship. Even though he was surrounded by hawks who could never forgive him for aborting the idiotic Bay of Pigs Cuba invasion, President John F. Kennedy picked up the telephone for a discussion with his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, which eventually saved the world.

Historians now tell us that President Kennedy agreed to remove US missiles from Turkey in exchange for the Soviets removing missiles from Cuba. It was a classic case of how diplomacy can work if properly employed.

It is all too clear that we do not have a John F. Kennedy in the White House today. Although we no longer face a Soviet empire and communist ideology as justification for taking a confrontational tone toward Russia, the Biden Administration is still dragging the US toward a nuclear conflict. Why are they putting us all at risk? The same old “domino theory” that was discredited in the Cold War: If we don’t fight Russia down to the last Ukrainian, Putin will soon be marching through Berlin.

This all started with Biden promising to only send uniforms and medical supplies to Ukraine for fear of sparking a Russian retaliation. From there we went to anti-tank missiles, multiple-rocket launchers, Patriot missiles, Bradley fighting vehicles, and millions of rounds of ammunition. The Biden Administration announced last week that it would send depleted uranium ammunition to Ukraine, which poisons the earth for millennia to come. Rumors are that long-range ATACMs missiles are to be delivered soon, which could strike deep into Russia.

Apparently, F-16 fighter jets are also on the way.

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The escalation rationale from Washington, we are told, is that since the Russians have not directly retaliated against NATO for NATO’s direct support of Ukraine’s war machine, we can be sure they never will respond.

Is that really a wise bet? It is clear to many that US-built F-16 fighters taking off from NATO bases with NATO pilots attacking Russians in Ukraine – or even Russia itself – would be a declaration of war on Russia.

That means World War III – something we managed to avoid for the whole Cold War.

Congress is silent – or compliant – as we lurch forward toward disaster for no discernible US strategic goal. Biden – or whoever is actually running the show – is forging straight ahead.

As we move into the US presidential election cycle one thing is clear: we desperately need a peace president to do for us what JFK did for the US during the Cuba crisis. Hopefully it won’t be too late!

Dr. Ron Paul is a former member of the House of Representatives. This article was written for and published by the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity. 

​ Orange County Register 

Day Trip Festival: What you need to know before dancing your way to Long Beach

• June 20, 2023

It’s all about house music this weekend at the Queen Mary as Insomniac brings its two-day Day Trip Festival to Long Beach.

The third edition of the fest, which made its debut at NOS Event Center in San Bernardino in 2021 before moving to the Harry Bridges Memorial Park adjacent to the ship, returns to the waterside location on June 24-25.

More than 30 house music DJs and artists will be performing on two stages throughout the event.

The festival is officially sold out, however Insomniac is launching an official resale marketplace. The Burbank-based production company is cautioning guests about purchasing from third-party resale sites as the information cannot be verified and tickets may not be valid for entry. Fans can sign up at daytripfest.com for details on the official resale marketplace.

If you already have your tickets, or you’re lucky enough to snag a few in the resale marketplace, here’s what you need to know before you go.

The lineup

Day Trip Festival is aimed at people who love to dance, in particular, those who love to dance to house music.

The festival includes more than 30 up-and-coming as well as veteran artists on two stages. House music pioneer Robin S., whose early 1990s hit “Show Me Love” has become one of the most recognizable house music songs of all time, is performing on Saturday. Joining her is Mr. V, a New York native who is heavily influenced by hip-hop and R&B and is known for tracks like “Jus Dance” and “Da Bump.”

The future of house music will be bumping on Sunday with DJs like Dom Dolla, who jumped into the scene in 2013 with genre-blending tunes like “The Boxer” and “Love Like This.” The festival will wrap up a performance by deep-house producer and DJ Nora En Pure, alongside Dutch EDM group Tinlicker. Expect some deep melodic music from this set as they close out the weekend.

Hours and location

Gates open at 2 p.m. Saturday with the music ending at midnight. Gates open at noon on Sunday and it all ends at 11 p.m. that evening.  The Queen Mary will serve as a majestic background for the festival, which is taking place at the 15,000-capacity waterfront park adjacent to the ship located at 1126 Queens Highway in Long Beach. The ship had been closed since the pandemic, but is now open to the public.

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House rules

The concert is for those 21-and-older only and once you’re in, you’re in for good because there are no in and outs. And yes, of course you can dance, but there’s no moshing, crowd-surfing or stage-diving allowed. But feel free to bring in glow sticks, hula-hoops, especially the ones with LED lights, as well as small bags (no larger than 12″x12″). Festival totems or decorated pool noodles are allowed, as long as they’re not taller than 10 feet.

For more information, go to daytripfest.com.

​ Orange County Register 

Solar-powered roller coasters coming to Six Flags Magic Mountain

• June 20, 2023

The sun will power all the roller coasters and thrill rides at Six Flags Magic Mountain once the Valencia amusement park turns its 30-acre parking lot into a solar farm.

Construction is set to start later this summer on the solar carport and energy storage system project at Magic Mountain.

SEE ALSO: Six Flags rolls out Amazon-powered grab-and-go cashierless shops

Work on the project is expected to be completed in late 2023 or early 2024 depending on weather and other circumstances.

The 12-megawatt solar carport energy structure will be installed over Magic Mountain’s visitor parking lot and part of the employee parking lot.

The sea of solar canopies will also provide shade for visitors’ cars in the vast parking lot — another key benefit at a park known for high temperatures.

SEE ALSO: 10 rainy day closures cost Knott’s Berry Farm millions in early 2023

The solar panels will generate enough energy to power all 20 roller coasters at Magic Mountain and the rest of the rides year round and offset 100% of the park’s energy usage.

The massive undertaking will be California’s largest solar energy project and the world’s largest renewable energy site built by a for-profit organization.

The Magic Mountain solar farm will produce 7,900 kilowatt hours of power daily and 20.8 million kilowatt hours of energy annually — equal to the electricity used by 2,900 homes.

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Six Flags has already installed solar power systems at Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo and Great Adventure in New Jersey. When completed, the trio of projects will produce a combined 42 megawatts of energy — giving Six Flags more on-site solar power producing capacity than any U.S. organization.

Magic Mountain is working with Los Angeles-based Solar Optimum and New York-based DSD Renewables on the solar carport and energy storage system project.

​ Orange County Register 

California may be the next state to automate voter eligibility at the DMV

• June 20, 2023

The California legislature is considering a bill that would provide a path to 100% voter registration by expanding the state’s Motor Voter Program so that it automatically signs up people who are eligible but unregistered to vote at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Introduced by Senators Caroline Menjivar and Monique Limón, the legislation (SB846) seeks to sign up approximately five million more voters. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, 21.9 million of California’s 26.9 million eligible adults were registered as of May 2022. Registered voters, according to the PPIC’s report, tend to be whiter, older and more affluent than the larger pool of people who are eligible to vote.

Though the longshot bill is being held in what is known as a “suspense file,” and isn’t going to approved this year, it could be passed before next year’s elections. The Senate appropriations committee designated it as a two-year bill, meaning it has a chance at survival if passed by January 31, 2024. Similar legislation introduced by Sen. Josh Newman in 2021 passed the Senate but died in the Assembly.

The bill also has strong support from groups hoping to boost turnout among newer voters.

Last week, community leaders, advocates, and organizers representing labor, faith-based, Black, Asian, Latino, women and youth organizations rallied for the legislation at the state Capitol. Some of those supporters — part of the California Grassroots Democracy Coalition, which is comprised of over 100 organizations — said they hope the law will “expand the electorate to better reflect the state’s diversity.”

One community leader argued that the U.S. is an outlier in voting rules by putting the onus of voter registration on the individual.

“Most advanced democracies put the burden on the government to make sure eligible individuals are registered to vote,” said Amy Hamblin, an advisor for NextGen Policy. “There’s no reason that voter registration should be an impediment to someone exercising their constitutional right to vote.”

Another said that even though California has made progress in making elections accessible to more people, some groups of potential voters have fallen through the cracks.

“Those who are most impacted are folks who were formerly incarcerated and are unsure if they’re eligible, folks who are non-English speakers or low English proficient, those who are low-income and people who were recently naturalized and still trying to recognize what it means for them to be able to actually register to vote,” said Jonathan Paik, executive director of progressive community organization OC Action.

California has been registering voters at the DMV for several years. Passed in 2015 and implemented in 2018, the California Motor Voter Program automatically registers eligible Californians who are completing a driver’s license, state identification or change of address transaction, unless they choose to opt-out. The program has become the top method for first-time voters to register to vote according to a USC study.

Although the current version of the Motor Voter Program has been successful in registering millions of voters, it is what is known as a “front-end, opt-out system” and, as such, Paik and others believe it is a barrier to newly minted citizens and others who are eligible but unregistered for voting.

In the current program, the first question asked is about citizenship. Depending on how a would-be voter answers, they’re either allowed to continue with voter registration or they’re diverted to a different track of questions.

The proposed program, known as a “back-end, opt out” system, automatically signs up anyone conducting a transaction with the DMV to be a registered voter, but it screens out non-citizens and others who are ineligible based on paperwork on file with the state. After their visit to the DMV, eligible voters get a notice in the mail that let’s them opt out of voting if that’s their choice.

If a non-citizen votes in an election in which citizenship is required they can face legal consequences, including possible deportation.

Several other states, including Alaska, Colorado, Massachusetts, Oregon and Washington, have passed legislation that automatically registers most eligible voters at their DMVs.

According to the Center for American Progress, Oregon’s back-end, opt-out system has meant more than 90% of eligible adults dealing with that state’s DMV have been registered to vote. In California, which uses the front-end model, only about 60% of eligible adults have been registered.

Luis Aleman, a spokesman for the Orange County Voter Information Project — a group that hopes to boost local voter participation — said he believes if California can set the example and make the program work in a state of over 38 million people, the program could work at a national level.

“By allowing folks to automatically register, it removes a barrier from entry,” he said.

“It’s important for new generations of voters to start off on the right foot.”

While Aleman said the bill faces an uphill battle, he believes continuing to raise awareness will eventually move it out of the suspense file.

“We’re going to continue to bring it forward, shed light and keep the momentum going,” he said.

​ Orange County Register 

Picking the 2023 WNBA All-Star starters

• June 20, 2023

The 2023 WNBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas is less than a month away and it is time to reveal my ballot for the All-Star starters.

The WNBA asked fans (50% of the vote), current WNBA players (25%), and a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters (25%), to select six frontcourt players and four backcourt players as starters.

WNBA All-Star voting concludes on Wednesday night (8:59 p.m. PT). Media votes are due today at 11 a.m. PT.

I submitted the following media ballot on behalf of the Southern California News Group on Monday:

FRONTCOURT (in alphabetical order)

Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury: Griner is seventh in the WNBA in scoring at 20.1 points per game and second in blocked shots with 2.5. The 6-foot-9 center has been a force in her first season back in the league since 2021. Griner is shooting a career-high 62.4% from the field.

Nneka Ogwumike, Sparks: Ogwumike has six double-doubles in her first 10 games this season. The 6-foot-2 forward is averaging 19.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, which puts her on pace for her best statistical season since being named league MVP in 2016.

Satou Sabally, Dallas Wings: Sabally is one of three players currently averaging a double-double and is having unequivocally the best season of her young career. The 6-4 forward is fourth in scoring (20.9 ppg) and leads the league with 11.0 rebounds per game. She’s also averaging a career-high 3.1 assists.

Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty: Stewart is averaging a monster double-double with 23.9 points and 10.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, putting her second in the league in scoring and rebounding. The 6-4 forward, who won two WNBA titles with the Seattle Storm, scored a franchise-record 45 points in her second game with the Liberty this season.

Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun: Thomas is averaging a double-double with 15.0 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists. The 6-2 do-it-all point power forward is second in the league in assists and third in rebounding, powering Connecticut to the best record in the Eastern Conference through Sunday. Thomas, who rarely scores outside of the paint but is one of the league’s best distributors, is on track to have the best season of her 10-year WNBA career.

A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces: Wilson is averaging 18.5 points and 9.1 rebounds, putting her in the top 10 in the league in both categories. The two-time league MVP is shooting a career-high 53.1% from the field in her first 11 games. Wilson wants to lead Las Vegas to the first back-to-back championships in the WNBA since the Sparks did so in 2001 and 2002.

BACKCOURT (in alphabetical order)

Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream: Gray is averaging a career-high 18.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists in her first season with Atlanta. Gray has long been a defensive stalwart, but she recently led the Dream with a career-high 27 points and 10 rebounds in an overtime win against Connecticut. The 6-foot guard won an Olympic gold medal in 3-on-3 basketball at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but has never made a WNBA All-Star team.

Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas Aces: Gray is averaging 13.8 points and 6.1 assists while shooting a career-high 51.3% from the field and 51.4% from 3-point range. The 5-11 point guard is leading the league in 3-point percentage and is third in the league in assists. She is also orchestrating the Las Vegas offense, which is averaging a league-best 91.9 ppg.

Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm: Loyd is leading the WNBA in scoring at 25.4 ppg. The 5-10 shooting guard scored a career-high 39 points in Seattle’s 109-103 win at Dallas on Saturday.

Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces: Young is averaging a team-high 20.8 ppg, which is fifth in the league. What is perhaps more impressive is the fact that the 6-foot guard is shooting a career-high 59.9% from the field and 46.8% from 3-point range, ranking third in the league in both categories.

After all votes by fans, players, and media panelists are tallied, players will be ranked by position (backcourt and frontcourt) within each of the three voting groups – fan votes, media votes, and player votes. Each player’s score will be calculated by averaging their weighted rank from the fans, players and media. The four guards and six forwards/centers with the best scores will be named starters. Fan voting will serve as the tiebreaker for players in a position group with the same score.

The 10 All-Star starters, including the two captains – the two All-Star starters who received the most fan votes – will be revealed on Sunday in conjunction with the league’s afternoon doubleheader on ABC (Ch. 7).

After the announcement of the starters, the league’s head coaches will select the 12 reserves. The head coaches will vote for three guards, five frontcourt players, and four players at either position, regardless of conference. Coaches may not vote for their own players. The reserves will be announced on Saturday, July 1 during WNBA Countdown on ABC (11:30 a.m. PT).

The captains will then draft their respective rosters by selecting first from the remaining eight players in the pool of starters and then from the pool of 12 reserves. ESPN will broadcast the WNBA All-Star team selections on Saturday, July 8 (10 a.m. PT).

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