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bet slot PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A pair of conservative groups on Friday challenged a Maine law that limits donations to political action committees that spend independently in candidate elections, arguing that money spent to support political expression is "a vital feature of our democracy.” Supporters of the referendum overwhelmingly approved on Election Day fully expected a legal showdown over caps on individual contributions to so-called super PACs. They hoped the referendum would trigger a case and ultimately prompt the U.S. Supreme Court to clarify the matter of donor limits after the court opened the floodgates to independent spending in its 2010 Citizens United decision. The lawsuit brought by Dinner Table Action and For Our Future, and supported by the Institute for Free Speech, contends the state law limiting individual super PAC donations to $5,000 and requiring disclosure of donor names runs afoul of that Citizens United legal precedent. “All Americans, not just those running for office, have a fundamental First Amendment right to talk about political campaigns,” lawyers wrote in the lawsuit in federal court. “Their ‘independent expenditures,’ payments that fund political expression by those who are not running for office but nonetheless have something to say about a campaign, are a vital feature of our democracy.” Cara McCormick, leader of the Maine Citizens to End Super PACs, which pressed for the referendum, said the lawsuit attempts to undermine the will of the people after an overwhelming majority — 74% of voters — approved the referendum last month. “Super PACs are killing the country and in Maine we decided to do something about it. We want to restore public trust in the political process,” she said. “We want to say that in Maine we are not resigned to the tide of big money. We are the tide.” But Alex Titcomb, executive director of Dinner Table Action, argued Friday that the government “cannot restrict independent political speech simply because some voters wish to limit the voices of their fellow citizens.” Named in the lawsuit are Maine’s attorney general and the state’s campaign spending watchdog, the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices. The ethics commission is reviewing the complaint, said Jonathan Wayne, executive director. The Maine referendum didn’t attempt to limit spending on behalf of candidates. Instead, it focused on limits on individual donations to super PACS, an area the Supreme Court has not ruled on, observers say. Harvard Law School professor Lawrence Lessig, a longtime advocate for campaign finance reform, contends the U.S. Supreme Court has not ruled on the issue of individual contributions to PACs, and long-established case law supports the notion that states can limit individual contributions to PACs despite a decision to the contrary by the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Lessig, whose Equal Citizens nonprofit backed the Maine referendum, previously said the cap on donations imposed by the referendum "is not asking the Supreme Court to change its jurisprudence, not asking them to overturn Citizens United.”3. What role does China play in the global supply chain and trade system?

( MENAFN - PR Newswire) QINGDAO, China, Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- China petroleum & Chemical Corporation's (HKG: 0386, "Sinopec") completes China's first factory-based seawater hydrogen production research project at its Qingdao Refinery. The project integrates direct seawater electrolysis with renewable energy-powered green hydrogen production, achieving an hourly output of 20 cubic meters of green hydrogen. This innovative approach not only offers a new solution for coastal regions to utilize renewable energy for green hydrogen production but also provides an alternative pathway for the resourceful utilization of high-salinity industrial wastewater. The project adopts a factory-based operation model, leveraging part of the green electricity generated from Qingdao Refinery's floating photovoltaic power station. Through electrolysis, seawater is split into hydrogen and oxygen, with the produced hydrogen seamlessly integrated into the Qingdao Refinery's pipeline network for use in refining processes or hydrogen-powered vehicles. The entire production process occurs within a factory setting, ensuring efficiency and operational stability. Seawater hydrogen production holds significant potential. By directly converting seawater into hydrogen, unstable and hard-to-store renewable energy can be transformed into green hydrogen, which is relatively easier to store and utilize. Moreover, this process conserves precious freshwater resources, offering a new pathway for the development of the hydrogen energy industry. Despite its advantages, seawater hydrogen production comes with challenges. Seawater contains approximately 3% salt, and impurities, such as chloride ions, can corrode electrolytic electrodes, while cation deposits may clog equipment channels, reducing efficiency and causing damage. Sinopec Qingdao Refinery, in collaboration with the Dalian Institute of Petroleum and Petrochemicals, has successfully overcome these challenges through a series of specialized equipment innovations and unique process designs, including chlorine-resistant electrode technology, high-performance electrode plate design, and a seawater circulation system, enabling a seamless integration of research and practical applications. Seawater hydrogen production is expected to achieve large-scale industrial applications in the future. Sinopec is accelerating its efforts to become China's leading hydrogen energy company by advancing the research and application of hydrogen technologies across the entire industry chain. Sinopec has already achieved several milestones, including the successful deployment of a megawatt-scale PEM electrolyzer and the commissioning of China's first 100-kilowatt Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) project. By 2024, the company has established 136 hydrogen refueling stations, and built 11 hydrogen fuel supply centers, underscoring its commitment to driving high-quality growth in the hydrogen energy sector. SOURCE SINOPEC MENAFN18122024003732001241ID1109009817 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

National chief urges MPs to send water bill to Senate before holiday break

Despite the emotional turmoil swirling around her, Yang Niu Hua remained steadfast in her belief that justice must be served. She had been through the darkest days of her life, grappling with the devastating loss of her son, the pain of his absence a constant ache in her heart. Yet, through it all, she had found the strength to stand up and fight for what she believed in – for the truth, for justice, and for the memory of her beloved son.