Wealth Dynasties Grab Power, Evade Taxes

 From NewsBreak:

Upon releasing a report about wealth accumulation among America's wealthiest families, advocates at Americans for Tax Fairness called for tax reform.

The report notes that tax loopholes will allow the wealthiest families - dynasties - to accumulate $21 trillion by 2045.

The report estimates there could be as much as $8.4 trillion in foregone revenue from estate-, gift- and generation-skipping tax avoidance by dynasty trusts between now and 2045 based on the current estate tax rate of 40%. Most or all of this is legal due to huge loopholes built into the tax system over the years, in some cases by clever tax lawyers and in others by Congress. “Dynasty trust” is the term for a variety of wealth-accumulating structures that remain in place for multiple generations to ensure their fortunes cascade down to children, grandchildren and beyond undiminished by wealth-transfer taxes. They typically are employed by estates of $10 million or more. 

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A Tennessee Message for Education Secretary Cardona

 From NewsBreak:

During Education Secretary Miguel Cardona's recent visit to Nashville, a group of Tennessee pastors and parents urged the Cabinet leader to take action to protect public schools.

“No matter what we look like, where we live, or what's in our wallets, most of us want our neighborhood public schools to inspire imagination, cultivate critical thinking, and ensure our children can live fulfilling lives,” said Rev Dr Kevin Riggs, Pastor of Franklin Community Church. “But Governor Lee and the Legislature are dividing us and working to bypass local leaders and voters when they promote charter schools over local public schools."

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School Privatization is Big Money Game

 From Tennessee Education Report: 

$8 million.

That’s how much groups seeking to privatize Tennessee’s public schools are spending lobbying the General Assembly, according to an analysis by NewsChannel5.

In a story on lobbying expenditures, NewsChannel5 noted that among the “big spenders” were school privatization groups:

Privatization groups pushing charter schools and school vouchers: just under $8 million over the past five years.

With Gov. Bill Lee at the helm, it seems that big money is paying off. Just last month, Lee announced plans to hand over millions in Tennessee tax dollars to a private, Christian college in Michigan to run a network of 50-100 charter schools in the state.

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Gov. Lee's Plan to Give Public Money to Private Schools

 From Tennessee Education Report:

Gov. Bill Lee made clear in his State of the State that he is a proponent of an alternative history known as “American exceptionalism.”

This theory is grounded in a sort of American evangelicalism – and certainly has strong ties to far-right Christian movements. To advance his “exceptionalism agenda” Lee has announced a partnership with conservative Hillsdale College – a private, Christian school in Michigan. Yes, Tennessee is such a great example of exceptionalism that we have to turn to a private college from Michigan to “properly” teach history.

Lee claims that he has been inspired by Reagan’s words. This inspiration is ostensibly the impetus for the focus on an American exceptionalism curriculum from Hillsdale College.

Of course, Reagan is no stranger to efforts to dismantle public education and turn schools over to those on the extreme right of the political spectrum.

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Beware Predatory Puppy Loans

 From NewsBreak:

Consumer advocates are calling out EasyPay Finance and Utah-based TAB Bank for their roles in predatory loans for financing puppies. These loans can carry rates up to 189%. Consumer and animal welfare advocates joined together to issue a report on the practices of EasyPay and their bank partner TAB Bank.

EasyPay offers financing for purchases at pet stores, auto mechanics, furniture stores and other retailers at rates ranging from 130% to 189% APR. In 32 states where those rates are illegal, EasyPay launders its loans through TAB Bank, headquartered in Utah, to disguise the loans as bank loans that are exempt from state rate caps.

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What is the impact of the growing teacher shortage?

 From Tennessee Education Report: 

Last Saturday, some teacher friends and I were having lunch, and the conversation turned to the conditions required for students to trust their teachers with questions about racism, equity, and justice. 

One of the teachers was recounting a recent experience with some of her students who were discussing the use of a racial epithet by some other students. Some were quoting recent headlines and others were using it in full while questioning appropriate usage. It sounded very much like kids playing with fire – it was dangerous, potentially harmful, and if things got out of hand, there was the risk that people would be hurt. Lines were crossed and confusion was leading to injury, so they came to this teacher seeking some help and guidance. 

She shared the details of the conversation she facilitated with them, in between classes, in the hallway, then later in the day for some follow up. It was tricky and sensitive, and it worked – everyone involved in the conversation reported leaving it with a better understanding of the risks, the consequences, and the humanity involved. 

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Who is enabling payday predators?

 From NewsBreak:

The District of Columbia yesterday announced a settlement with online lender Elevate that will refund millions of dollars to consumers. The agreement was reached as a result of Elevate violating interest rate caps in DC — the maximum rate for a loan there is 24%.

Loans at 99% to 251% Interest?!?. Rent-a-bank lender Elevate pays $4… | by Andy Spears | Feb, 2022 | Medium

In order to get around the rate cap, Elevate partnered with a Utah bank known as FinWise. Utah’s ABC4 has more:

Elevate Credit, Inc. (Elevate) was laundering loans with up 149% APR to D.C. consumers through Utah FinWise Bank to evade DC’s interest rate limits.

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