NEWS AND OPINION:

Things can get a little complicated when members of the news media decide to run for office.

The New Jersey Elections Law Enforcement Commission held a hearing last week on whether Bill Spadea, a morning host on 101.5 WKXW-FM, can remain on the air after declaring that he will run next year for Garden State governor.

Talkers, a news organization that monitors talk radio, reported that the panel ruled that Mr. Spadea can continue to host his show on the Trenton station but it will be “monitoring his program.”

“Spadea declared his candidacy a couple of weeks ago and filed the Form-D1 but has not filed his nominating petition since the primary race is not until next June. At that time, he will be a legally qualified candidate and will leave the air. On Friday, the commission was hearing arguments whether his being on the air is an in-kind contribution from employer Townsquare Media and violates the state law that prohibits single-source contributions of more than $5,800,” the Talkers analysis said.

“Lawyers for fellow Republican primary candidates Jack Ciattarelli and Jon Bramnick argued that Spadea’s program is all about his thoughts on public policy, thereby giving him a thing of value. But Townsquare’s attorney stated Spadea doesn’t use his show to ’express advocacy’ and that it has ’no value’ to his candidacy.” the analysis concluded.

It’s an evolving situation, so stay tuned.

Mr. Spadea’s campaign motto is, by the way, “Let’s Get to Work” — and he also declares “I am unapologetically conservative.”

TRUMP’S LATEST

Amid shrill media coverage, here’s a little something from former President Donald Trump’s campaign simply titled “A Message from Donald Trump.”

This is verbatim from the source — capital letters and all — and it arrived by email Monday at Inside the Beltway:

I love you.

You love me.

We’re one happy MAGA family!

With a Great Big Movement —

And Patriotism shared from me to you…

Won’t you say you’ll NEVER SURRENDER TOO?

Now is the time to HELP ME Save America”

$83,651 PER SECOND

The House Budget Committee has issued a new report which advises that the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported that the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index — the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation — was 2.6% for the month of May.

“Since President Biden took office, prices have increased 19.3%. This means that the average family of four is paying an additional $17,080 per year or $1,423 per month to purchase the same goods and services as in January 2021,” the report said.

The committee points out that the national debt currently stands at $34.73 trillion.

“This equates to $104,216 per person in the U.S.; $264,268 per household in the U.S.; and — perhaps the most unnerving — $480,241 per child in the U.S.,” the report said.

“The debt one year ago was $32.1 trillion, meaning that the debt has increased by $2.64 trillion over the past 12 months. The rate of increase since one year ago has equaled: $220 billion in new debt per month and $7.2 billion in new debt per day,” it also noted.

It also equaled $301 million in new debt per hour, $5 million in new debt per minute and $83,651 in new debt per second, the analysis noted.

“Prices have risen nearly 20% under President Biden’s watch. His spending lit the fuse of an inflationary firestorm that cost families over $17,000 more per year for the same gas, groceries, and other goods they bought before he took office,” Rep. Jodey Arrington, Texas Republican and House Budget Committee chairman, said in a statement.

“Interest rates soared in response to inflation, nearly doubling the cost of homes, cars, and other important purchases, worsening the cost-of-living crisis. While leveling inflation is a welcome sign, President Biden’s failed economic policies and Democrats’ reckless spending have caused prices to increase, causing massive harm to the American people,” Mr. Arrington said.

The report was released Friday.

THE TEA PARTY HAS A SAY

Following the U.S. Supreme Court presidential-immunity ruling Monday in Trump v. United States, here’s what Tea Party Patriots Action honorary chairman Jenny Beth Martin says in a written statement shared with Inside the Beltway:

“This is a win for former President Trump, and a big defeat for the Democrats who have been weaponizing the government against Trump to interfere in this year’s election,” Ms. Martin said.

“The Supreme Court has weighed in — presidents must have immunity for their core functions and official acts. We thank the Supreme Court for recognizing the importance of presidential immunity. The ruling is also a fresh reminder about the importance of the Supreme Court as the American people consider who their next President should be,” she noted.

If you are curious about the aforementioned organization, it is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization and here’s its straightforward statement:

“Tea Party Patriots Action’s mission is to equip Americans with the resources and training they need to be engaged citizens and effective activists. Our vision is for a nation where individual liberty is cherished and maximized, where the Constitution is revered and upheld, and where Americans are free to pursue their American Dream.”

Find the organization at TeaPartyPatriots.org.

POLL DU JOUR

• 59% of U.S. adults are “very concerned” that President Biden is too old to be the president.

• 84% of Republicans, 60% of independents and 31% of Democrats agree.

• 17% overall are “somewhat concerned” he is too old.

• 8% of Republicans, 18% of independents and 26% of Democrats agree.

• 10% overall are “not too concerned.”

• 1% of Republicans, 9% of independents and 21% of Democrats agree.

• 14% overall are “not concerned at all.”

• 7% of Republicans, 13% of independents and 22% of Democrats agree.

SOURCE: A Gallup poll of 1,005 U.S. adults conducted by telephone June 3-23.

• Follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin, on Facebook @HarperUniverse.

• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.