Welcome to another edition of FT Now. A lot is going on right now! Here
are our three top stories from the past week: Maryland's Governor
Larry Hogan smacked down a partisan push from liberals in one county
over the opening of non-public schools. This happened because liberal
policymakers, including the County Executive, were upset that public
school families were opting to send their children to private schools
for in-person education. We have learned that the U.S.-Mexico-Canada
Agreement can benefit female business owners by reducing the cost of
transporting goods and services across borders. Empowering individuals
with more and more significant economic opportunities is about advancing
their financial freedom. And finally, North Carolina's Governor Roy
Cooper is showing North Carolinians that you can't count on him when a
crisis hits. His inaction indicates that there is a lack of competence.
Read more below.

Governor Larry Hogan Smacks Down Partisan Push To Punish Parents And
Students

What Happened:

Elected Officials in liberal Montgomery County, MD, are playing partisan
politics with private schools and forcing closures until October 1, the
day after public school enrollment numbers are due. Doing this forces
families who wanted to send their school-aged children to private
schools to rethink their plans as public schools are closed until
January. The governor took action after the officials ordered private
and parochial schools to close their doors. He enacted an amended
executive order declaring that local schools and school systems "retain
the primary authority" to determine when to reopen safely.

Why You Should Care:

Enrollment numbers help bolster the already inflated budget of
Montgomery County Public Schools. The elected and nonelected officials
shut all private schools down to stop the families from removing
students from public schools by taking away the ability of in-person
instruction in private schools. Governor Hogan quickly offered a strong
rebuke of the policy that imposed a different standard on parochial and
private schools than local public schools. He stated that all schools
should be treated equally and "[a]s long as these schools develop safe
plans that follow CDC and state guidelines, they should be empowered to
do what's best for their community."

What Happens Next:

As of Friday afternoon, county officials rescinded their order
,
caving under pressure from residents and the Governor. This fight is not
over, though. The county health official is walking back his orders
today but has promised to revisit them next week.

LEARN MORE

Advancing Free Trade Helps Ensure Economic Empowerment of Women

What Happened:

A recent forum on "Women's Global Trade Empowerment" hosted by the
Commerce Department brought together trade experts and female business
owners from the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. The virtual forum highlighted
pragmatic ways in which women can thrive in international trade through
dynamic opportunities generated by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Why You Should Care:

Per multiple Republican Governors :
"The USMCA creates a forward-looking trading relationship for a 21st
Century North America and offers American workers, farmers, and ranchers
a seat at the table like never before. Implementation of this historic
agreement marks a new era for economic prosperity in our states and our
nation and fosters stronger partnerships with our neighbors for many
years to come."

What Happens Next:

Ensuring and spreading economic freedom for everyone is the most
effective and practical way to empower them and propel an economy
forward.

LEARN MORE

Governor Cooper's Failed Hurricane Response Left Tens Of Thousands Of
North Carolinians Struggling

What Happened:

When North Carolina needed help in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew
and Hurricane Florence, devastated communities and displaced families
found out that they couldn't count on Governor Roy Cooper. 

Why You Should Care:

When North Carolinians needed leadership the most, Governor Roy Cooper
abandoned citizens and communities suffering in the wake of deadly
natural disasters and is still failing them to this day during the
COVID-19 crisis.

What Happens Next:

North Carolinians need new leadership. They cannot count on Governor
Cooper.

LEARN MORE

Thank you for reading this week's edition of FT Now.

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