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The re-election of former president Donald Trump as the 47 th President of the United States will have major implications for the key policy issues described below. Empowered by a Republican majority in both chambers, though slim, Americans should expect emphasis on sweeping policy and regulatory changes to come during this next term. Although we cannot predict exactly what the next year will look like, let alone the next four years, we can make preliminary assumptions based on what President-elect Trump’s first term looked like, promises he made on the campaign trail, and inside knowledge we hear through our extensive network on Capitol Hill. The people President-elect Trump chooses for his Cabinet who are confirmed or who may otherwise be appointed, as well as those who will have leadership positions in Congress will have a major impact on how these policy issues play out. Below are our initial insights on key issues relevant to a broad spectrum of organizations, companies, and interests. This is an evolving story, no doubt with a multitude of twists and turns. We will be providing regular updates to these links in our Weekly Congressional Updates as developments occur. Budget and Tax The election could immediately impact the U.S. budget for fiscal year (“FY”) 2025. Although the deadline for FY25 appropriations bills was the end of September, Congress is operating under a continuing resolution (“CR”) until December 20, keeping funding at FY24 levels without implementing FY25 earmarks. House Republicans are considering a short-term CR extending funding through March 2025, allowing President-elect Trump to influence FY25 funding. If extended until next year, expect domestic budget cuts and increased border and defense spending. There is also talk on Capitol Hill about passing a CR that extends through the end of FY25. Some appropriators prefer wrapping up spending before year-end with an Omnibus Appropriations package to avoid an early funding fight for the Trump Administration with respect to “left over” FY25 funding. For FY26, expect significant domestic spending cuts, with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy leading an advisory cost-cutting mission to streamline bureaucracy and dramatically reduce spending, proposing reductions in the size of the federal workforce and in the dollar volume of federal contracts. Push to Renew TCJA: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”), the tax bill signed into law during Donald Trump’s first term, has many provisions set to expire in late 2025. Key features of the TCJA include a reduction in tax rates for individuals, a doubling of the standard deduction, more generous estate and gift tax exemptions, and a significant cut in the corporate tax rate. One of the top priorities of the incoming Administration is to extend the expiring provisions and make the tax cuts permanent. President-elect Trump has proposed getting rid of one of the more contentious provisions set to expire in TCJA, the tight limitation on deductions for state and local taxes, also known as SALT. Several new tax provisions may be added in the next tax bill which were promoted by President-elect Trump during the campaign. This could include tax exempt tips, exempting Social Security from income taxes, exempting overtime pay, and creating a deduction for Auto Loan interest. In 2017, the TCJA reduced the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, and Mr. Trump has proposed reducing that rate to as low as 15 percent. Any significant changes will have to go through Congress. Cuts to Energy Tax Credits: Rollbacks may also occur regarding personal and corporate renewable energy and conservation tax credits as well as carbon credits passed during the Biden Administration in the Inflation Reduction Act. For example, electric vehicle tax credits could be repealed or modified. We expect to see an effort early next year to use the “Budget Reconciliation” procedure in Congress to implement the tax and budget priorities of the incoming Administration. The Reconciliation process allows for tax and budget legislation to pass via a majority vote (not requiring the usual 60 votes in the Senate) but provisions must strictly adhere to the Rules of the House and Senate that all provisions in the bill relate directly to spending or revenue. Passing a Reconciliation bill could be tough with the Republican margin as narrow as it is in the House. New Tariffs Abroad: President-elect Trump is a strong proponent of imposing tariffs. During his campaign he proposed a 10 to15 percent tariff on all U.S. imports and up to 60 percent tariff on Chinese products. As opposed to tax policy, which largely relies on congressional approval, tariffs can often be directly implemented by executive order. Mr. Trump’s reliance on import tariffs to offset the cost of tax cuts comes with potential major downsides. Although the extent to which these across-the-board tariffs may be implemented is not yet clear, Trump’s proposed tariffs and anticipated retaliation from trading partners could offset, to a greater or lesser degree, the benefits of his tax plan and negatively impact economic growth in the United States. Defense and Small Business Contracting Increased Budget Expected: President-elect Trump has historically advocated for increased defense budgets, focusing on missile defense, cyber warfare, and space operations, with potential moves like relocating Space Command to Huntsville, AL. Alongside this, there may be efforts to reduce inefficiencies and unnecessary expenditures within the Department of Defense, appealing to fiscal conservatives. Strategically, the United States is expected to emphasize countering China and Russia with investments in advanced military technologies, while maintaining strong support for Israel and a presence in the Middle East. Military modernization will likely prioritize artificial intelligence (“AI”), autonomous systems, hypersonic weapons, and nuclear deterrence. Additionally, there may be cultural and structural changes within the military, such as reducing high-ranking officers and shifting to merit-based promotions, and potentially adjusting force deployments to focus more on domestic priorities. “America First” Foreign Policy and Increased Border Security: When it comes to foreign policy, we anticipate President-elect Trump to take a more isolationist or domestic-focused military strategy. There will also be a major emphasis on strengthening national security by securing the border. Mr. Trump on the campaign trail pledged to secure the U.S.-Mexico border by finishing construction of a wall and by conducting comprehensive deportations of undocumented migrants, concentrating initially on those with criminal records, with the help of local law enforcement agents or the National Guard. Small Business Contracting Expansion of Tax Cuts: The President-elect has promised to make the TCJA permanent, which included a deduction of up to 20 percent for small businesses’ income. He also proposed during his campaign to lower the corporate tax rate to 15 percent from 21 percent for businesses manufacturing domestically. “Buy America” Trend to Continue: Small businesses should be prepared for a continuation of regulatory actions that require products to be wholly produced and manufactured in the United States. One of President-elect Trump’s strongest campaign messages was a promise to impose tariffs on imported goods, including up to a 60 percent tariff on Chinese imports. Small businesses that rely on imported products or materials will have to take on the cost of the tariff by paying it themselves or raising costs for consumers. Cut-Back on Regulations : Mr. Trump has historically supported cutting back regulations for small businesses and has made it clear this will be a big theme for his administration in his next term. He has called for reversing regulations set by the Biden Administration and cutting through the “red tape.” Energy and Transportation Environmental Regulations and the EPA: The second Trump Administration’s approach to environmental regulation might look somewhat similar to the first Trump Administration. It has been reported that the new Administration will possibly re-examine a variety of regulations. Some that may merit a re-examination are the California Waivers, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) Clean Power Plan, and vehicle emissions standard – colloquially known as the ‘tailpipe rules.’ Additionally, the new administration may also review the EPA’s budget and size of its workforce. Former Congressman Lee Zeldin has been nominated to be the EPA Administrator. Permitting reform and National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) process streamlining are also top priorities. Energy Department Realigned with Fossil Fuel Production: The Administration will potentially emphasize all aspects of fossil fuel production. Some have suggested it will scale back its focus on renewable energy, but this has not been confirmed. Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy, has been named as the presumptive nominee to lead the Department of Energy. On the campaign trail, President-elect Trump suggested the United States may withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement and take a closer look at the climate change and energy provisions within the Inflation Reduction Act that he argues inhibits U.S. energy independence. It has been reported that the new Administration may also target some of the tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act such as hydrogen (and certain electric vehicle tax credits). Impacts on Transportation Infrastructure Projects: Former Congressman Sean Duffy has been named to serve as the Secretary of Transportation. Duffy’s statements and positions on transportation largely align with his conservative views on infrastructure, government spending, and investment in rural America. Duffy’s statements have emphasized reducing bureaucratic hurdles, focusing on rural infrastructure needs, and ensuring that transportation investments are both efficient and locally driven. His broader transportation-related positions fit within his general philosophy of promoting economic growth through limited government intervention. Under a Trump Administration and a U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”) Secretary favoring less federal intervention, discretionary grants from the DOT and the eligibility for them may change in scope, preference, and funding. Regarding claw-backs, much of the money in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“IIJA”) flows by formulaic funds tied to statutorily designated user fees from gas tax receipts into the Highway Trust Fund; these formula funds would continue to flow directly to States, transit agencies, and airports. There is also the use of Advanced Appropriations in the IIJA, which would flow automatically to federal agencies for competitive federal grants. If a Trump Administration desires to halt or even claw back these funds, Congress would have to enact legislation needing 60 votes in the Senate or use the budget reconciliation process. A Trump Administration can also slow the rollout of federal competitive grants to recipients at its discretion. For transportation infrastructure projects, the Trump administration may modify the terms of the way States and organizations receive funding. The Trump infrastructure plan in his first administration sought to offset its costs by shifting some of the cost burden to States to help pay for major infrastructure projects. Natural Resources and Native American Issues Energy Priorities: One of President-elect Trump’s key talking points during the campaign was vowing to boost domestic energy production, with oil and natural gas at the forefront of this effort. He may also boost nuclear and hydropower. It is expected by some that Mr. Trump may seek to reduce federal support for solar and wind energy projects. However, because a number of these projects are in states or districts with Republican elected officials, we expect there to be continuing support for solar and wind energy, albeit with less emphasis than during the Biden Administration. Expanding domestic pipelines and increased coal production will be supported under his administration, and he has indicated that he will quickly reverse President Biden’s pause on liquified natural gas exports (“LNG”). Permitting Reform: It is also likely that Trump will support reforming the NEPA’s permitting process to streamline energy projects and limit the scope of, and timeline for, environmental review. This has been a major agenda item in the recent past for outgoing Senate Energy Committee Chair Joe Manchin (I-W.V.), but Congress has been unable to pass a bill after years of efforts to reach a deal. However, many observers in Washington have noted that given the election results, the prospects for meaningful permit reform and environmental review streamlining have improved significantly. Tribal Sovereignty: During President-elect Trump’s campaign, he made a major promise to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina during a rally, vowing to grant them federal recognition if he's reelected in November. During Mr. Trump’s first term, he passed three bills aiming to “support tribal sovereignty and native culture”. These bills included compensation to the Spokane Tribe for the loss of their lands in the mid-1900s, reauthorization of funding for Native language programs, and federal recognition of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Montana. Trump did not lay out many specific plans for Native lands during his campaign, but we are hearing that it can be expected he will continue to support tribal self-determination, particularly with respect to economic development priorities for Native Americans, Tribes, Native Organizations, and Native Lands. Education and Health: The new Trump Administration will likely continue to make cuts to many of the budget items that it did when Mr. Trump was originally in office. The administration will emphasize alternative private health providers. The Trump Administration is also likely to continue its support of school choice and reduced federal oversight of schools.
Jeremy Clarkson backpedals on previous claim he bought farm for tax reasons
By MELINA WALLING Associated Press BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — In the wee hours Sunday at the United Nations climate talks, countries from around the world reached an agreement on how rich countries can cough up the funds to support poor countries in the face of climate change. It’s a far-from-perfect arrangement, with many parties still deeply unsatisfied but some hopeful that the deal will be a step in the right direction. World Resources Institute president and CEO Ani Dasgupta called it “an important down payment toward a safer, more equitable future,” but added that the poorest and most vulnerable nations are “rightfully disappointed that wealthier countries didn’t put more money on the table when billions of people’s lives are at stake.” The summit was supposed to end on Friday evening but negotiations spiraled on through early Sunday. With countries on opposite ends of a massive chasm, tensions ran high as delegations tried to close the gap in expectations. Here’s how they got there: What was the finance deal agreed at climate talks? Rich countries have agreed to pool together at least $300 billion a year by 2035. It’s not near the full amount of $1.3 trillion that developing countries were asking for, and that experts said was needed. But delegations more optimistic about the agreement said this deal is headed in the right direction, with hopes that more money flows in the future. The text included a call for all parties to work together using “all public and private sources” to get closer to the $1.3 trillion per year goal by 2035. That means also pushing for international mega-banks, funded by taxpayer dollars, to help foot the bill. And it means, hopefully, that companies and private investors will follow suit on channeling cash toward climate action. The agreement is also a critical step toward helping countries on the receiving end create more ambitious targets to limit or cut emissions of heat-trapping gases that are due early next year. It’s part of the plan to keep cutting pollution with new targets every five years, which the world agreed to at the U.N. talks in Paris in 2015. The Paris agreement set the system of regular ratcheting up climate fighting ambition as away to keep warming under 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. The world is already at 1.3 degrees Celsius (2.3 degrees Fahrenheit) and carbon emissions keep rising. What will the money be spent on? The deal decided in Baku replaces a previous agreement from 15 years ago that charged rich nations $100 billion a year to help the developing world with climate finance. The new number has similar aims: it will go toward the developing world’s long laundry list of to-dos to prepare for a warming world and keep it from getting hotter. That includes paying for the transition to clean energy and away from fossil fuels. Countries need funds to build up the infrastructure needed to deploy technologies like wind and solar power on a large scale. Communities hard-hit by extreme weather also want money to adapt and prepare for events like floods, typhoons and fires. Funds could go toward improving farming practices to make them more resilient to weather extremes, to building houses differently with storms in mind, to helping people move from the hardest-hit areas and to help leaders improve emergency plans and aid in the wake of disasters. The Philippines, for example, has been hammered by six major storms in less than a month, bringing to millions of people howling wind, massive storm surges and catastrophic damage to residences, infrastructure and farmland. “Family farmers need to be financed,” said Esther Penunia of the Asian Farmers Association. She described how many have already had to deal with millions of dollars of storm damage, some of which includes trees that won’t again bear fruit for months or years, or animals that die, wiping out a main source of income. “If you think of a rice farmer who depends on his or her one hectare farm, rice land, ducks, chickens, vegetables, and it was inundated, there was nothing to harvest,” she said. Why was it so hard to get a deal? Election results around the world that herald a change in climate leadership, a few key players with motive to stall the talks and a disorganized host country all led to a final crunch that left few happy with a flawed compromise. The ending of COP29 is “reflective of the harder geopolitical terrain the world finds itself in,” said Li Shuo of the Asia Society. He cited Trump’s recent victory in the US — with his promises to pull the country out of the Paris Agreement — as one reason why the relationship between China and the EU will be more consequential for global climate politics moving forward. Developing nations also faced some difficulties agreeing in the final hours, with one Latin American delegation member saying that their group didn’t feel properly consulted when small island states had last-minute meetings to try to break through to a deal. Negotiators from across the developing world took different tacks on the deal until they finally agreed to compromise. Meanwhile, activists ramped up the pressure: many urged negotiators to stay strong and asserted that no deal would be better than a bad deal. But ultimately the desire for a deal won out. Some also pointed to the host country as a reason for the struggle. Mohamed Adow, director of climate and energy think tank Power Shift Africa, said Friday that “this COP presidency is one of the worst in recent memory,” calling it “one of the most poorly led and chaotic COP meetings ever.” The presidency said in a statement, “Every hour of the day, we have pulled people together. Every inch of the way, we have pushed for the highest common denominator. We have faced geopolitical headwinds and made every effort to be an honest broker for all sides.” Shuo retains hope that the opportunities offered by a green economy “make inaction self-defeating” for countries around the world, regardless of their stance on the decision. But it remains to be seen whether the UN talks can deliver more ambition next year. In the meantime, “this COP process needs to recover from Baku,” Shuo said.Why Nancy Mace wants transgender women banned from using single-sex bathroomsAndy Murray will coach Novak Djokovic through the Australian Open‘Can’t park there buddy’: Yacht slams into bridge
Free bus rides for Valley Transit customers might no longer be the norm after 2025. Since 2022, Valley Transit has had a free-ride policy for almost all riders. That policy's three-year test run is set to end before 2026. With a deadline looming, Valley Transit’s board of directors plans to review its budget and discuss whether the transit service will continue to provide free rides. Angie Peters, Valley Transit’s general manager, said the board’s decision to provide free rides for almost everyone has more than doubled the transit provider’s revenue. Peters said the grants from the Climate Commitment Act and the Washington Legislature’s Move Ahead Washington transportation package provides more funding to Valley Transit than what it would collect in ridership fees. Peters also said if the board doesn’t keep its current policy and loses the grant, the board could look for alternative funding through other grants. “If we were in a position where we needed to fund it, I'm sure that the board would encourage seeking some alternate funding source because we don't want the resolution to be that, yes, we've gone zero fare, but we are taking a hit to the budget in order to accommodate that,” Peters said. The board must report to the state about whether the organization will continue to provide free rides by the end of June 2025, or before the next two-year budget period begins, in order to continue receiving the grant. Continuing the grant and keeping the policy is important to the transit provider. Peters said an estimated 75% of its riders report not having access to a vehicle. “That means that they're transit dependent and would imply that they are middle- to low-income ... (and) when you're living on fixed income, every penny counts,” she said. Before the free-ride policy, transit fares had cost 50¢ a ride or $1 for a round trip, and various bus passes were available for more frequent riders. Paratransit services were set at 75¢ a ride or $1.50 for a round trip. Peters also said the transit service provides access to health care and social occasions for those who are unable to drive or would otherwise be isolated without transportation options. “If we're able to make sure that our budget stays whole without them (the riders) having to pay to make those frankly lifesaving trips, I think it helps everyone in the community,” she said. To qualify for state funding, a transit service must provide free rides to passengers under 18 years old and cannot lower the current sales tax authority. Instead of only providing zero-fare rides to minors, Valley Transit decided to use the state funds for almost all passengers regardless of age. Some exceptions to the policy include riders who are over the age of 18 and use the transit’s Job Access or Vanpool services, but all other services have remained free.COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Ethan Taylor's 21 points helped Air Force defeat Mercyhurst 82-48 on Sunday night. Taylor added 10 rebounds for the Falcons (2-4). Wesley Celichowski scored 14 points, going 6 of 11 and 2 of 3 from the free-throw line. Luke Kearney had 12 points and shot 4 for 5 from beyond the arc. The Lakers (4-3) were led by Aidan Reichert, who posted 11 points. Jeff Planutis added 10 points for Mercyhurst. Mykolas Ivanauskas also had seven points, six rebounds and three blocks. Air Force took the lead with 15:21 left in the first half and never looked back. The score was 31-24 at halftime, with Taylor racking up nine points. Air Force extended its lead to 45-26 during the second half, fueled by a 14-0 scoring run. Taylor scored a team-high 12 points in the second half as Air Force closed out the win. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar . For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Data Skrive. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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‘It’s not a death sentence’: How mum of two overcomes stage 4 lung cancer and finds calling in comforting othersInterest in secondary passports for Americans has surged since Trump's reelection. Global citizenship firms said clients are especially concerned about LGBTQ+ rights and the economy. They also said that they often see spikes in interest around elections. has been on the rise over the last year — and global citizenship firms have reported another surge since Donald Trump's reelection. "We are beyond busy at the moment," Judi Galst, who manages global citizen firm Henley & Partners' New York office, told Business Insider the day after the election. Phone calls and online inquiries to the firm were "constant" on the morning after Election Day, she said. The firm said it saw a 392% increase in inquiries from US nationals during election week compared to the week prior. Other firms operating in the space, like that it received between 110 and 120 inquiries on the day following the election — about five times its typical number. Google searches for "secondary passports" spiked in the days after. Reaz Jafri is a New York-based immigration attorney at Withers and the CEO of citizenship consulting firm Dasein. He said that, in addition to wanting an option B, clients want to move their assets offshore. People are concerned about , and how that could impact the economy and the US dollar, he added. Leading up to the election, the firm helped a number of clients set up accounts in Europe and move assets offshore, which Jafri said can take about two months. "It's not to evade taxes or hide their money, it's just to keep it out of the reach of the US government," Jafri said, adding that clients want to ensure their wealth isn't held solely in US banks if restrictions are put in place. Jafri also said the election has raised concerns within the LGBTQ+ community. Since Trump's reelection, Jafri said he's had three same-sex couples reach out to him because of worries about what will happen with same-sex marriage. Another client, he said, had already been considering a secondary passport because he has a transgender child and is concerned about their rights under the new administration. Galst reported similar concerns from clientele. There has been a "sort of particular trauma in certain conversations" with people who are transgender or gay, Galst said, adding that she has not felt that in conversations with clients in the past. Micha-Rose Emmett, CEO of London-based citizenship consultancy firm CS Global Partners, said she's been in the industry for nearly 20 years and has been through a number of US elections. Elections, especially those since 2016, seem to be accompanied by "people getting anxious" about which political party is going to win and searching for alternatives, she told BI. "It peaks for a couple of weeks or maybe a couple of months and then everything goes back to normal," Emmett said. Concerns about a new administration impact people from both sides of the political spectrum. Leading up to the 2020 election, Jafri said there was an increase in interest from his clientele's Republican contingent. They were concerned about Elizabeth Warren or a similar candidate coming into the presidency and the impact it would have from "a tax policy point of view," he said. Emmett said during these surges, some people do end up going through with the application process. However, they've either been thinking about it for a while or there's an investment opportunity that coincides with the political situation, she said. For super high net worth individuals it's not purely a political decision," Emmett said. "I think there are a lot of other factors." require extensive paperwork and can cost a minimum of $200,000 per application, with the more expensive locations costing $1 million for a couple. They also don't happen overnight. Some programs can take two years to process applications. Galst said that many people seeking these passports are thinking about retirement and creating generational opportunities. Others are looking to diversify their assets. She said one client told her he spent $1 million on insurance — and this was another line item. "I don't agree with the headlines that everyone's leaving the United States," Galst said, adding that 90% of her clients don't want to leave the country, they just want an insurance policy. Galt said she anticipates a lot of conversations happening over Thanksgiving, especially since these decisions can impact a family. Read the original article onWashington: In the heat of the 2000 presidential campaign, Democratic candidate vice president Al Gore took a break from barnstorming battleground states to attend a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee in East Hampton, New York. Standing behind Gore onstage was Scott Bessent, a hedge fund manager and — at the time — a major donor to Democrats who cohosted the event at his home. On Saturday AEDT, Bessent was tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to be his Treasury secretary. Having won the trust of Trump and his inner circle, Bessent would lead a Republican economic agenda of cutting taxes, culling federal regulations and enacting sweeping tariffs. As Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent would help Donald Trump as he attempts to remake the US economy. Credit: AP The selection caps an extraordinary career arc for an investor who was once a protege of liberal billionaire philanthropist George Soros and gave money to top Democrats, including Hillary Clinton, John Kerry and Barack Obama. “He was very supportive of the causes and the people that we supported,” said Will Trinkle, a Democrat who cohosted the event with Gore. He noted that Bessent, who would be the first openly gay Treasury secretary, was a strong advocate for gay rights and marriage equality. If confirmed by the Senate, Bessent would help Trump as he attempts to remake the US economy. As Treasury secretary, Bessent would work to steer tax cuts through Congress, lead trade negotiations with China and help cull federal regulations that Trump believes are stifling the economy. Bessent, 62, declined to be interviewed. But friends and former colleagues described him as driven by data and as intellectually curious, with an ability to work with people from across the ideological and political spectrum. Raised in a fishing village in South Carolina, Bessent is the son of a real estate developer who experienced several of his own financial booms and busts. He went on to Yale University, where he was class treasurer, wrote for The Yale Daily News and wanted to become a journalist. In college, Bessent reflected on the challenges of being a Southerner in New England, writing in the paper in 1981: “I was the only one in the dorm who was heartbroken when George Wallace decided not to run for president.”
ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit had a packed Saturday, starting his morning at Ohio State for "College GameDay" and finishing the night in Norman, calling the Alabama-Oklahoma game. Even with his busy schedule, Herbstreit found time to tune in to the Ole Miss-Florida matchup in Gainesville. For Ole Miss, the stakes couldn’t have been higher, needing a win to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. On the other hand, Florida was looking to play spoiler after a Week 12 upset over LSU. The Gators did just that, pulling off another upset (24-17) to improve to 6-5 on the season after previously falling to 4-5. After the game, Herbstreit took to X to share a message, saying Florida head coach Billy Napier should win the Coach of the Year Award. "Can a guy with a team that will finish 7-5 win the coach of the year award?" Herbstreit said. "He should!! Billy Napier and @GatorsFB after being 4-5 and losing 2 straight, have beaten LSU and Ole Miss. So impressive to see this fight from the Gators and their fans after having a tough year. And, oh yeah, DJ Lagway is the REAL DEAL!" Can a guy with a team that will finish 7-5 win the coach of the year award? He should!! Billy Napier and @GatorsFB after being 4-5 and losing 2 straight, have beaten LSU and Ole Miss. So impressive to see this fight from the Gators and their fans after having a tough year. And,... Fans weren't pleased with Herbstreit suggesting Napier as Coach of the Year, especially with the Gators sitting at 6-5 and needing a win over Florida State just to finish 7-5. "Going a little overboard here Kirk," one fan said . "He shouldn’t win the award though, cmon," another wrote . "That record is outrageous." "Slow down there cupcake," added a fan . "No," added another . "Ridiculous." "really Kirk, Cignetti hands down," a fan said . "Hell nawl, he shouldn't," wrote another . © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports The Gators opened the season with blowout losses to Miami and Texas A&M, leading to calls from Florida fans for Napier’s firing . But instead of losing the locker room, he kept his team together, going toe-to-toe against Tennessee and Georgia while pulling off major upsets over LSU and Ole Miss. There’s no denying the job Napier has done this season, navigating the nation’s second-toughest schedule . However, those on social media who are giving Herbstreit a hard time are simply arguing that five losses are not good enough to win the Coach of the Year honors. Related: Pat McAfee Puts $1 Million on the Line for Florida Head Coach on College GameDayOklahoma residents on Sunday mourned the death of former Democratic U.S. Sen. Fred Harris , a trailblazer in progressive politics in the state who ran an unsuccessful presidential bid in 1976. Harris died on Saturday at 94. Democratic Party members across Oklahoma remembered Harris for his commitment to economic and social justice during the 1960s — a period of historical turbulence. Harris chaired the Democratic National Committee from 1969 to 1970 and helped unify the party after its tumultuous national convention in 1968 when protesters and police clashed in Chicago. “Fred Harris showed us what is possible when we lead with both heart and principle. He worked to ensure everyone had a voice and a seat at the table,” said Alicia Andrews, chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. Harris appeared at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago earlier this year as a guest speaker for the Oklahoma delegation, where he reflected on progress and unity. "Standing alongside him in Chicago this summer was a reminder of how his legacy continues to inspire,” Andrews said. Kalyn Free, a member of the Choctaw nation of Oklahoma and the DNC, said that there is no one else in public service whom she admired more than the former senator. “He was a friend, a mentor, a hero and my True North. Oklahoma and America have lost a powerful advocate and voice,” Free said in a statement. “His work for Indian Country will always be remembered.” “Senator Harris truly was an Oklahoma treasure and was ahead of his time in so many ways,” said Jeff Berrong, whose grandfather served in the state Senate with Harris. “He never forgot where he came from and he always remained focused on building a society that would provide equality of opportunity for all.” Harris served eight years in the state Senate before he was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served another eight years before his 1976 presidential campaign. State party leaders commemorated his work on the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, or the Kerner Commission, to investigate the 1960s riots. Harris was the last surviving member of the commission. Shortly after his presidential campaign, Harris left politics and moved to New Mexico and became a political science professor at the University of New Mexico. —- Lathan is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.