Cory Booker Intros Buyback Bill to Increase Workers’ Wages
Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) on Tuesday unveiled legislation that stakes his claim on where the Democratic Party should take the fight over the economy. The Worker Dividend Act targets the increasing trend of corporations using profits for stock buybacks instead of using them to raise wages for workers. Booker’s bill would mandate that companies buying their own shares must also pay out to their own employees a sum equal to the lesser of either the total value of the buyback or 50% of all profits beyond $250 million. Over $200 billion in stock buybacks have been announced so far in 2018 -- a record for this point in the year. “It’s a commonsense move to address a variety of ills,” including underinvestment and low pay, Booker said. It’s also a way to “begin to shine a light on how different the economic system has become over the decades. There are policy decisions we have made that led to stagnant wages.” However, it has little chance of passing in a GOP-controlled Congress. More here.

Dems Want to Know Amount of Taxpayer Dollars Paid to Trump Org
Congressmen Rubén Gallego (D-AZ), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Brendan Boyle (D-PA), with Congresswomen Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), yesterday introduced the Curb Objectionable Redirection of Resources and Unconstitutional Payments to Trump (CORRUPT) Act, a bill that would require a report on taxpayer expenditures to the Trump Organization and its affiliates. The report would include any payments to Trump hotels and properties, as well as an annual report moving forward on appropriated funds and regulatory actions which financially benefit Trump, his businesses, and those of his close family members. “The American people are fed up with the endemic, unapologetic corruption in the Trump administration,” said Gallego. “We have no idea how much money has gone from the federal treasury directly into Donald Trump’s pockets.” Jayapal stated that the “American people shouldn't have to wonder if this president is looking out for their best interests or only for himself. It's clear that Trump is using his power for his own gain, but it's not the job of taxpayers to support his absurd business ventures and Mar-a-Lago vacations." More here. 

Training Director
Elizabeth for MA is planning to organize training sessions for promising college students, recent graduates, and others interested in gaining practical skills in digital communication, organizing, and grassroots political action. This will develop the next generation of progressive campaign volunteers and staffers and give them immediate campaign experience. Elizabeth for MA is looking for a Training Director to develop and coordinate this training program. Cick here to learn more and apply!

Texas Primary Winners
For years political analysts have speculated that Texas could eventually become a battleground state. Last night’s primary results fuel that speculation, as midterms officially kicked off with the country’s first primary.  Lupe Valdez, the former Dallas County Sheriff, led Andrew White, the son of the late Governor Mark White, by 16 points. The two will head to a runoff on May 22nd before the winner advances to compete against incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) easily won his primary but is clearly nervous about November, as he launched a preemptive attack on his Democratic opponent, Congressman Beto O'Rourke, who carried 60% of the vote. Former Air Force intelligence officer Gina Ortiz Jones led with 41% of the vote in Texas’ 23rd district represented by Congressman Will Hurd (R-TX), who easily won his primary. It’s not yet clear who Jones will face in the May 22 runoff. But if she wins in November, she will be the first Filipino American in Congress. In the 32nd district, former NFL linebacker, Barack Obama appointee and lawyer, Colin Allred, finished first with 39% of the vote. Joining him in the May runoff will be businesswoman Lillian Salerno who took 18%. Both are hoping to unseat incumbent Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX). Texas has never sent a Latina to Congress. That could change this year. In the Solid Democratic 16th District race, El Paso County Judge Verónica Escobar won the primary outright with 61% of the vote in her effort. On the Dem side in Texas’ 29th, State Senator Sylvia García took 63% of the vote, despite Senator Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) endorsement of her opponent. On the GOP side, Carmen María Montiel will face Phillip Aronoff in a runoff. Get the complete recap here.

NAACP LDF Names TMI Fellow
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) has announced Dr. Megan Ming Francis as a Fellow of LDF’s Thurgood Marshall Institute (TMI). Currently, Dr. Francis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Washington, where she specializes in the study of American politics, race, and the development of constitutional law. She is the author of the award-winning book, Civil Rights and the Making of the American State, and is currently working on a second book that examines the role of the criminal justice system in the rebuilding of Southern political and economic power after the Civil War. The Rice University graduate received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Politics from Princeton University. Launched in 2015, TMI is a multidisciplinary research and advocacy Center within LDF. As a TMI Fellow, Dr. Francis will conduct research on the development of the Southern criminal justice system following the Civil War and will examine current voting rights challenges in the context of the history of Southern politics. Congrats, Dr. Francis! More about her here.

Michelle Obama’s Former Chief of Staff Tapped to Chair Recording Academy’s Diversity Task Force
Tina Tchen, Michelle Obama’s former Chief of Staff, has been tapped to chair the Recording Academy’s task force on inclusion and diversity. The task force will identify the various barriers and unconscious biases faced by underrepresented communities throughout the music industry and, specifically, across Recording Academy operations and policies. They will look at Recording Academy governance, hiring, and promotion practices, membership, awards, and telecast. The Recording Academy was forced to evaluate their representation for women after the Grammy awards this year were criticized for only giving an award to one woman during the broadcast and not offering equal performance time to the female Album of the Year nominee Lorde. When Recording Academy President and CEO Neil Portnow responded to questions about the Academy's commitment to representation for women, he said that women needed to "step up." Tchen, perfectly suited to take the helm, is a lawyer and specializes in advising on gender inequity, sexual harassment, and lack of diversity. Tchen is also currently heading up the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund as well. "The music industry faces numerous challenges -- from combatting long-held biases to making sure women are represented and respected within the community," Tchen said. "This task force is an important initial step by the Recording Academy to demonstrate its commitment to tackling these challenges in a comprehensive way. I am honored to partner with them in this effort and look forward to working with members of the task force as we look to make the music industry a diverse and inclusive community for all." More here.

Condé Nast Makes Changes at them, Its LGBTQ Brand
them, a community platform launched by Condé Nast last year that covers topics from pop culture and style to politics and news -- all through the lens of the LGBTQ community -- announced changes to its staff. Meredith Talusan has been named Executive Editor. Previously, the Filipino-born writer was a Senior Editor for them. They went to Harvard for undergrad, California College of the Arts for art school, and Cornell for an MFA and Ph.D. Talusan grew up a boy, medically transitioned in their 20's, and have since come to embrace a gender-nonbinary identity. Before joining them, they were a staff writer at BuzzFeed and have written for The Guardian, VICE, The Nation, and The American Prospect. Aamina Khan also joins them as a Community Manager. The Indiana University-Bloomington grad previously was a Social Media Fellow at BuzzFeed and also worked as a freelance writer. them also announced that Associate Editor Tyler Ford was promoted to Editor and that Tyler Trykowski has joined as Senior Editor. Check them out here.

Weinstein Deal Falls Through -- Again
The Weinstein Co. deal fell apart again?? Yes, again! Former President Barack Obama’s Small Business Administration Administrator María Contreras Sweet’s efforts to assume control of the embattled entertainment company have, yet again, been halted. In a statement on Tuesday, Sweet said, “We have received disappointing information about the viability of completing this transaction. As a result, we have decided to terminate this transaction.” It was just last Thursday that she and billionaire Ron Burkle had agreed to a $500 million transaction with the Weinstein Co. board. But since then, sources say the investors have uncovered new information about previously undisclosed liabilities. Variety reports that an initial payment -- thought to be about $1.5 million -- was due today. But the two sides continued to haggle over the exact dollar amount. Now it appears the Weinstein Co. has little option but to declare bankruptcy. “I believe that our vision to create a women-led film studio is still the correct course of action,” she said. “To that end, we will consider acquiring assets that may become available in the event of bankruptcy proceedings, as well as other opportunities that may become available in the entertainment industry.” More here.

HUD Official Says Ben Carson on Witch Hunt Against Whistleblower
A HUD employee has accused Secretary Ben Carson of conducting a "witch hunt" against the whistleblower Helen Foster who raised concerns about spending at the department. In a Tuesday email to Carson and other HUD officials, Politico reports that Marcus Smallwood defended Foster and called on Carson to apologize personally to Foster “as you have now participated in the smear campaign.” Smallwood, who serves as HUD’s Director of Records and Information Management, painted a picture of chaos and mismanagement that could hinder the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into the agency. Smallwood said he lacks confidence that HUD can "truthfully" provide evidence being requested "because there has been a concerted effort to stop email traffic regarding these matters." The Committee, Williams said, “will receive a complete response to their query. We can assure you that email traffic at HUD did not cease on August 1st.” In a formal complaint to the Office of Special Counsel, Foster accused senior HUD officials of pressuring her to "find money" to spend on redecorating Carson's office beyond the $5,000 limit set by law. HUD has denied the accusations and released information and photos suggesting that Foster was a problem employee. More here.

Kennedy Center Introduces Hip Hop Culture Council
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts yesterday announced that it had created a Hip Hop Culture Council to help the Kennedy Center create new pathways and deepen public knowledge of Hip Hop, contribute to broader Center-wide initiatives, and strengthen the burgeoning Hip Hop Culture program at the Kennedy Center. Serving as advisors and ambassadors, the Council members will lend their talents and expertise in support of Hip Hop Culture at the Kennedy Center. Beginning this spring, members of the Council will bring their voices and ideas to help create, experiment, develop, and produce work at the Center. The Council’s founding members are: Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Co-Founder of The Roots, DJ, Producer, Author, Lecturer; Bobbito García a.k.a Kool Bob Love, DJ, Filmmaker, TV/Radio Personality, Author, and Ballplayer; Common, Emcee, Actor, Poet & Film Producer; Fab 5 Freddy, Artist, Filmmaker, and Hip Hop Pioneer; Grandmaster Caz, Emcee, DJ, Historian, Hip Hop Culture Ambassador & Pioneer; Grant Hill, Owner/Vice-Chairman Atlanta Hawks, TNT/NBATV/CBS Broadcaster, and seven-time NBA All-Star; J.PERIOD, DJ, Producer & Musical Storyteller; Jason King, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Director of Global Studies, NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music; Kierna Mayo, Writer, Brand Architect, Media Visionary & Senior Vice President of Content and Brands at iOne Digital; Large Professor, Emcee, Producer, DJ; LL COOL J, Emcee, Actor, Author, Entrepreneur, 2017 Kennedy Center honoree; MC Lyte, Emcee, DJ, Actress, Entertainer, Speaker, and Philanthropist; Pharoahe Monch, Emcee, Recording Artist, Producer; Mimi Valdés, Producer, Chief Creative Officer at i am OTHER Entertainment; Robert Glasper, Pianist, Composer, and Producer; Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, Emcee, Co-Founder of The Roots, Actor; Xavier “X” Jernigan, Head of North America, Shows & Editorial and Host of Showstopper for Spotify; and 9th Wonder, Producer, DJ, College Lecturer, and Social Activist. “The Kennedy Center’s Hip Hop Culture Council reflects the creative, social, and intellectual wealth of the Hip Hop community,” said Q-Tip, Artistic Director of Hip Hop Culture. “The members are the embodiment of what we stand for and all that we aspire to achieve with the Hip Hop Culture program.” More here.