Biden's 2 trillion dollar idea

New York legalizes recreational marijuana. Rep. Matt Gaetz claims extortion. And testimony continues in Derek Chauvin trial. It's Wednesday's news. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

The Short List   Wednesday, March 31 Biden's 2 trillion dollar idea New York legalizes recreational marijuana. Rep. Matt Gaetz claims extortion. And testimony continues in Derek Chauvin trial. It's Wednesday's news. President Joe Biden has a big plan to boost U.S. jobs and infrastructure. Rep. Matt Gaetz denies allegations he had sex with a 17-year-old girl. And the State of New York legalizes recreational marijuana. 👋 It's Laura. It's Wednesday. Have I got some news for you! But first, the "one who causes fear" has been discovered: That's not an exceedingly comforting moniker for a killer dinosaur, but it's appropriate. Meet the new kid in town: Llukalkan aliocranianus. 🦖 The Short List is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe here! Biden's got plans Building an infrastructure and jobs plan is a massive undertaking, but it would be the centerpiece of President Joe Biden's economic agenda.  The White House has billed a $2 trillion proposal, dubbed the American Jobs Plan, as a domestic investment not seen in the U.S. since the construction of the interstate highways in the 1950s and the Space Race a decade later. The eight-year spending plan comes with a price: The corporate tax rate and the minimum tax on U.S. corporations would both face an increase. The plan would rebuild the nation's aging infrastructure, support electric vehicles and clean energy, and boost access to caregivers and their pay —  reshaping an American economy still struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic. • Biden is pitching a big infrastructure plan, but Republicans already panned it as going too far. Rep. Matt Gaetz claims extortion No stranger to a political scandal, Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz is under investigation by the Justice Department over allegations that he had sex with a 17-year-old girl.  The news of the allegations swiftly roiled national politics, with Gaetz denying wrongdoing and insinuating that he and his family have been under the threat of extortion from a former Justice Department official. The third-term congressman and close ally of former President Donald Trump has not been charged and said he is cooperating with the DOJ investigation.  • 'Serious implications': GOP Leader McCarthy says Matt Gaetz could lose committee assignments over allegations. The Justice Department is reportedly investigating Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida over a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl. Getty What everyone's talking about • Why Gwyneth Paltrow's SPF routine is getting the side-eye from skincare experts. • Megan Thee Stallion, Lizzo, Foo Fighters tapped for Bonnaroo 2021. • She just wanted a new Roku. She got one — but then lost $190 to scammers. • Did Michael Strahan really remove his teeth gap? Not even his 'GMA' co-hosts know. • First came the toilet paper shortages. Now come the price increases. • Major's a little mouthy: Biden family dog involved in a second biting incident while 'adjusting to his new surroundings.' • Lil Nas X's Satan imagery angers parents. But advocates say critics are missing the point. Bystanders testify in Chauvin trial A witness who caught a glimpse of the early moments of George Floyd's arrest broke down sobbing on the witness stand Wednesday afternoon in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police office Derek Chauvin. In court Wednesday:  • Charles McMillian, 61, who lives near Cup Foods, took off his glasses and wiped the tears from his eyes, saying "Oh my god" after seeing video of Floyd calling for his mother and saying "I can't breathe." • Witness Christopher Belfrey, 45, told jurors he was "startled" by what he saw when he went to Cup Foods for food on May 25, 2020. • Cup Foods cashier Christopher Martin, 19, told jurors he took the counterfeit $20 bill from George Floyd the day he died. Over the last three days, jurors have heard from 11 witnesses to Floyd's death, and several became emotional when on the stand describing their attempts to intervene on his behalf. Floyd, a Black man, died in police custody on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin, who is white, pinned his knee against Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes as Floyd cried out "I can't breathe" more than 20 times. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. In this image from video, witness Charles McMillian becomes emotional as he answers questions as Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill presides Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in the trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minn. Chauvin is charged in the May 25, 2020 death of George Floyd. AP New York legalizes weed New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo might have 99 problems, but marijuana legalization ain't one. By passing the Marijuana Taxation and Regulation Act, New York just became the 15th state to legalize possession of marijuana for recreational use,  so effective immediately, it's no longer a crime or violation for anyone over the age of 21 to possess up to three ounces of the drug. But the stash isn't for sale just yet. It's in something of a gray area until at least April 1, 2022, which is the earliest cannabis will be allowed to legally be sold in New York.  Real quick  • The National Guard welcomes and promotes women. That is until they report a sexual assault. • Michigan man admits to smashing teen's face with bike lock because he was Black. • Florida manatee deaths are spiking this year. Pollution may be the cause. • Suspect arrested, charged with hate crime in horrific NYC attack on an Asian American woman. • Britney Spears documentary reminds Jennifer Love Hewitt of 'gross' interview questions she faced. • March 31 (that's today): The history behind International Transgender Day of Visibility. • Sabra recalls some of its Classic Hummus due to salmonella risk, FDA says. NCAA grilled by Supreme Court The Supreme Court's justices on Wednesday expressed significant questions about the NCAA's athlete-compensation limits,  but they also showed concerns that a case challenging those limits could destroy college sports as they currently exist. Their comments came during oral argument in a case appealed by the NCAA and 11 major-conference co-defendants after lower courts ruled that the association's compensation limits violate antitrust law and that there should be no nationwide limits on the education-related benefits athletes playing Division I men's or women's basketball or Bowl Subdivision football can receive. A ruling is expected later this spring or in early summer. A break from the news • 🌯 Who couldn't use a free burrito or $100k in Bitcoin? Chipotle's making it rain Thursday. • 👩‍💻 Incredibly light, agile and portable: Small laptops are hitting above their weight class. • 🍿 Idris Elba talks 'Concrete Cowboy,' fatherly advice and 'a new lease on life' after COVID-19. • 🙌 Get your Facebook under control: New tool lets users (finally) customize News Feed settings. This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Sign up for The Short List newsletter here. MORE ARTICLES New York becomes 15th state to legalize recreational marijuana 5 things you need to know Wednesday   FOLLOW US Problem viewing email? View in browser Unsubscribe • Manage Newsletters • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights • Privacy Notice • Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy • Feedback © 2021 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22102

OnPolitics: The American Jobs Plan has landed

Plus: What's going on with Matt Gaetz? ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

On Politics   Wednesday, March 31 OnPolitics: The American Jobs Plan has landed Plus: What's going on with Matt Gaetz? Happy Hump Day, OnPolitics friends!  You may have wondered after President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law what his next legislative priority would be.  Would he focus on immigration? gun control? voting rights?  Plot twist: It's none of the above. Biden's second signature proposal of his presidency is the $2 trillion infrastructure and jobs plan.  I'm Mabinty, with the news to know. Let's get this show on the road (or bridge, or highway):  To infinity and big infrastructure  Biden unveiled the $2 trillion proposal, dubbed the American Jobs Plan, Wednesday to rebuild the nation's aging infrastructure. The legislation includes:  • 🌉 The American Jobs Plan will pump $621 billion into transportation infrastructure and resilience, including the repair and construction of roads, bridges, transit and rail service. Biden also wants to direct $174 billion to electric vehicles. • 🏡 Another $213 billion in the plan will go toward retrofitting and building more than 2 million affordable homes, while $111 billion would replace all the nation's lead pipes and service lines and upgrade drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems. • 🌍 The plan also sets aside $18 billion to modernize Veterans Affairs hospitals and facilities. It will also pump $180 billion into the nation's research and development in technology and climate science. But how will he pay for it? It's complicated.  Biden wants to raise taxes on corporations to pay for the eight-year spending package, according to an administration official. He will propose increasing the corporate tax rate to 28% – resetting to the level before passage of President Donald Trump's tax cuts in 2017 – and overhauling how the U.S. taxes multinational corporations by increasing the minimum tax on U.S. corporations to 21%. What do Republicans say? It's a no for them.  Before Biden even offered specifics of his aims to fix the nation's roads, bridges and railways, Republicans he'll need to work with in Congress panned it, claiming it goes too far beyond traditional infrastructure spending and comparing its climate aspects to the Green New Deal. They've also balked at raising taxes – long a sticking point for Republicans to get behind big-ticket Democratic programs. To find bipartisan support, the president will have to convince skeptical Republicans to support an increase of the corporate tax rate to pay for infrastructure and a wide-range of other spending. What is happening with Matt Gaetz?  ICYMI: Rep. Matt Gaetz, a firebrand Florida Republican and close ally of former President Donald Trump, is under investigation over allegations that he had sex with an underage girl, according to media reports Tuesday. The Department of Justice is looking into whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl. Gaetz claimed the investigation is related to an effort to extort him. Gaetz has not been charged and said he is cooperating with the DOJ investigation. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said it's too early to judge Gaetz, but added that he would remove the Florida congressman from committees if the allegations are proven true. Most Republicans have been quiet on the matter. News you should know about:  • U.S. Capitol police officers sue former President Donald Trump, accusing him of inciting Capitol riot • Wisconsin Supreme Court rules mask mandate invalid, scales back governor's ability to issue health orders • Texas Senate approves legislation banning most abortions, testing Roe v. Wade • The National Guard welcomes and promotes women. That is, until they report a sexual assault Since it's spring, don't forget to take time to smell the roses 🌹 — Mabinty  Discover more with our newsletters: Get the latest headlines, things to do and more in your inbox. Sign up here.   FOLLOW US Problem viewing email? View in browser Unsubscribe • Manage Newsletters • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights • Privacy Notice • Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy • Feedback © 2021 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22102