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Six Southern governors push back against UAW unionization efforts at auto plant | National

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Jon Styf | The Center Square – 2024-04-16 14:07:00

(The Center Square) – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee joined five other governors in opposing the United Auto Workers’ unionization campaign with a vote this week of Chattanooga Volkswagen autoworkers on whether to unionize.

Lee is joined by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott against what they call misinformation from the UAW.

“The reality is companies have choices when it comes to where to invest and bring jobs and opportunity,” Lee and the governors wrote. “We have worked tirelessly on behalf of our constituents to bring good-paying jobs to our states. These jobs have become part of the fabric of the automotive manufacturing industry. Unionization would certainly put our states’ jobs in jeopardy – in fact, in this year already, all of the UAW automakers have announced layoffs.”

Tennessee Senate Democratic Caucus Chairwoman London Lamar, on the other hand, offered her support of the Chattanooga workers and UAW, saying that Lee has a history of “anti-worker” legislation such as a removal of automatic Tennessee Education Association deduction options from Tennessee teacher paychecks and an incentive restriction for businesses that allow card check union elections.

“Unlike Tennessee’s governor, we applaud Volkswagen workers for engaging in the democratic process and we would welcome the UAW’s expansion in Chattanooga,” Lamar said in a statement. “We aren’t surprised to see Gov. Bill Lee join with other anti-union states trying to tip the scales against workers. Lee, who inherited a company that made him a millionaire, has signed more anti-worker laws than any governor in Tennessee history.”

Lee and the governors, however, believe a vote to unionize would jeopardize those auto manufacturing plants’ future.

“In America, we respect our workforce and we do not need to pay a third party to tell us who can pick up a box or flip a switch,” the governors said. “No one wants to hear this, but it’s the ugly reality. We’ve seen it play out this way every single time a foreign automaker plant has been unionized; not one of those plants remains in operation. And we are seeing it in the fallout of the Detroit Three strike with those automakers rethinking investments and cutting jobs. Putting businesses in our states in that position is the last thing we want to do.”

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News from the South - Texas News Feed

Abbott directs state agencies to divest from investments originating from China | Texas

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor – 2024-11-21 19:24:00

SUMMARY: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has issued multiple directives to prepare for the upcoming legislative session focusing on threats from China. One executive order aims to protect Texans of Chinese descent from CCP operatives, while another orders state agencies to prepare for potential attacks on critical infrastructure. Abbott emphasized the need for divestment from Chinese investments due to financial risks associated with CCP aggression. He called for immediate evaluation and divestment of state funds in China, fostering collaboration with other governors to encourage investment alternatives. These measures follow discussions by a select committee exploring foreign threats to Texas’ economy and security.

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News from the South - Georgia News Feed

Study: AI and data centers could drive cost of energy up by 70% over 10 years | Virginia

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Morgan Sweeney | The Center Square – 2024-11-21 19:07:00

SUMMARY: A report by the Jack Kemp Foundation warns that average American energy bills could rise by 25% to 70% over the next decade due to soaring energy demands driven by AI, hyperscale data centers, and advanced manufacturing. The surge is straining the U.S. power grid, leading to significant price increases in capacity markets. Dominion Energy disputes these findings, predicting only a 2.5% annual increase in Virginia. The report argues for policy changes, including charging data centers more for energy and halting subsidies for their construction to alleviate the burden on consumers. Recommendations also include implementing minimum take clauses for utility contracts.

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News from the South - Florida News Feed

St. Petersburg City Council votes to repair Tropicana Field’s roof | Florida

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Steve Wilson | The Center Square – 2024-11-21 17:01:00

SUMMARY: The St. Petersburg City Council approved spending $55 million to repair Tropicana Field, including $26.3 million for roof replacement, after Hurricane Milton damaged it in October. Insurance and FEMA funds will cover some costs. However, Rays co-President Brian Auld doubts the repairs will be ready by 2026. The council delayed a vote on $333.5 million in bonds for a new $1.2 billion stadium, scheduled for 2028. The Rays argue the delay jeopardizes the project, having already spent $50 million. The team will play next season at George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, paying $15 million to the Yankees.

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