Prom week ‘prom’pts global change
April 15, 2016
The week leading up to prom 2016 on Saturday, April 16 brought some “prom”ising news with a side of global “prom”blems. From state-level issues to events occurring halfway around the world, groundbreaking news is all over the map. So, what’s up in the world?
Clinton’s Progressive Agenda (April 11)
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has a reputation for being progressive. According to Politico, his agenda proposes a tax rate increase to 64.2 percent for the wealthiest margin, free post-secondary education and a financial transaction tax. New York City’s mayor, however, finds Hillary Clinton’s Wall Street reform plan much more progressive than Sanders’.
Mayor Bill de Blasio supports Clinton’s plan, saying that it addresses relevant problems facing Americans when it comes to Wall Street. In contrast to Sanders’ outline, de Blasio believes Clinton effectively defines what her plans are and how she will carry them out. She promises to face issues with big banks, individuals and corporations head on instead of ignoring unlawful activity. Her agenda tackles banking issues such as “shadow banking,” bringing light to practices held from the public eye.
Zika Virus Update (April 12)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Zika virus is “a disease caused by Zika virus that is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes).”
Zika is coming back with abandon as public health officials are warning of its new dangers. The Obama administration has taken great concern with the issue, already advocating for a $1.9 billion budget to fight the virus. So far, 346 cases have been reported in the U.S. but none originating within the states. Officials warn Americans to be cautious when traveling to Zika-prone countries, especially pregnant women.
China Ruling Against Gay Marriage (April 13)
China faced its first same-sex marriage case on Wednesday, opening up the opportunities for the expanding LGBT community. A civil affairs bureau in southern China denied the right to marry for Hu Mingliang and Sun Wenlin in June 2015. The district court agreed to hear the couple’s lawsuit, an unprecedented action of the Chinese court.
The hearing had to be postponed from its original January date to April 13. The judge presented his ruling within a few hours of hearing the case, voting against the plaintiffs. Mingliang and Wenlin plan to take their case to a higher court in 15 days, the required wait time before appealing. The couple’s main argument is while law may mention that marriage between a man and woman is legal, it does not explicitly state that same-sex marriage is illegal. This case attracted hundreds of supporters in China and sparked international interest in the fight for equal opportunity.
Pennsylvania Legalizes Medical Marijuana (April 14)
Pennsylvania’s bill proposing the legalization of medical marijuana passed in the House with a 149-46 vote on Wednesday. The legislation is currently awaiting Gov. Tom Wolf’s approval, providing a possible solution for children suffering from severe seizures.
Ohio may be the next state to legalize the use of medical marijuana. Ohio promises to get a legalization bill by the summer. Its legislative agenda hopes to allow the prescription of patches, oils, edibles and plant material.
Ohio Rep. Kirk Shuring, previous chair of a medical marijuana task force, said the bill would not legalize home growing. The drug walks a fine line between falling in the wrong hands for recreational use versus the right hands for medical use, which is why officials are extending the legalization with discretion.
