Daily Clout: News for ERA Republicans Scold Trump on War Powers Investment Takeaway Renewable Packaging More

This Week in Congress we see that the Republican-dominated Senate has introduced a War Powers Resolution that fiercely scolds Pres Trump for making war without the Authorization of Congress. It states in crystal-clear English that the Constitution gives Congress and no one else the power to wage war. A striking rebuke of a President by his own party, but a resounding victory for democracy as the principles of the Founders are affirmed by both parties. Pres Trump will likely veto. We compare this situation to a business partnership in which one partner upends the agreement and the others are pointing to their byelaws. The fact that this Resolution is considered necessary by a Republican Senate confirms a serious breach in our democratic processes. Also headlining -- the ERA deadline got extended by the House! This Amendment guarantees equality for women and has been on the table since the mid-1970s. But in a gesture to affirm it, the House voted to let folks keep having time to pass it. We also welcome our new DailyCloutAustralia pages and team. Look for incredible coverage of the erosion of the traditional divide between Church and State in Australia; a story about how Koalas won't be here in 20 years unless laws protect their habitats; an upcoming feature on how MINORS are stopped and frisked; and more. Lastly -- investment takeaways. We won't call them "tips" because we aren't investment advisors and can't take responsibility for outcomes; but since we read the bills every week, some practical takeaways are here for you if you have an investment portfolio of any size; tips based on legislation passed at the state and Federal level: a) Renewable energy. State after state is going renewable and investors are divesting from fossil fuels, especially coal, which will be reflected in even more legislation in the future, as the coal lobby will have less power to shape bills and prevent renewables. b) Sustainable packaging. A federal bill that will be introduced will curtail single use plastics, especially for beverages, and cities across the country are banning single-use plastic bags. Hemp, bamboo, sustainable forests, and other green packaging products will have a boom. c) Dense mixed-use (residential with retail) new inner multifamily city real estate development. A number of cities are rezoning to reclaim brownfields or industrial neighborhoods close in to the city center, which will allow multifamily units and mixed residential and retail where now only brownfields or single family homes exist. Younger families and young professionals are moving into the cities' cores; We reported on this kind of rezoning in regard to property along Jerome Avenue, now rezoned for retail and highrises, as well as Mott Haven in the South Bronx, now rezoned for massive mostly market-rate plus a percentage of affordable (or, as critics would say, "affordable") apartments. The South Bronx is seeing construction by the major developers such as Brookfield of about half a dozen immense units along the Harlem River waterfront (disclosure, I bought a home in the South Bronx). Rezoning and new construction is also occurring in Portland, Oregon (around Alberta Arts District) and in Philadelphia, PA (Fishtown area). Rezoning industrial or low-density retail sites (like the auto body shops of Jerome Ave) sites is more appealing politically (and morally) to many people than is traditional "gentrification" that simply displaces existing communities. The loss of beautiful traditional single-family homes, though, in areas such as those around Alberta in Portland, does understandably cause neighborhood groups to want to restrict or at least balance what is in Portland a huge drive for rezoned multifamily construction. This is why reclaiming industrial areas or having powerful community input into rezoning in traditional neighborhood creates the best of both worlds. Over the long term, not destroying the existing architectural or existing deeply-rooted cultural character of a neighborhood is also more likely to protect the value of all homes, new and old, as well as to protect the community. We've also launched BillCam 3.0, included in the DailyClout membership. The second tier lets you choose a subject, such as "reproductive rights" or "energy" or "environment", and see new bills and bill changes to state and Federal bills of just that subject - -right in your inbox. Unmissable if you work for an advocacy group, a candidate, a news outlet, or are an investor. Or just want to be super well-informed about specific area legislation. Tell friends. We want to thank specific Patreon patrons for helping to make @DailyClout and @DailyClout Australia, possible: Paul T., Charles Pixley, Helen McAfee, Carrie Lavender, Ann Bateman and James Sowles. Heartfelt thanks!