7 Things: Alabama reopening some, both state budgets are done, Alabama coronavirus cases continue to plateau and more …

7. Pence press secretary has coronavirus

Katie Miller, Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary, has tested positive for coronavirus, but said that she’s “doing well.” This comes just after someone who was working as a valet for President Donald Trump tested positive. After Miller was diagnosed, all White House press corps members were offered testing.
This outbreak is music to the media’s ears as it allows them to ask how the country can reopen when the White House can’t even protect itself.

6. Cuomo finally stops sending COVID-19 patients to nursing homes

If New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) were a Republican, the American media would be crushing him for his policy that forced nursing homes to take patients with the deadly virus back, a policy he has finally reversed.
This policy has been an absolute disaster and has helped fuel the pandemic in the United States with over one-third of the nation’s deaths coming from nursing homes. Hard-hit nursing homes fueled growth in California, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, too.

5. Trump campaign going after Democrats defending Biden against Reade

President Donald Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign has released a Spanish ad going after Democrats that have been defending former Vice President Joe Biden against the sexual assault allegations brought by former Senate staffer Tara Reade.
The ad refers to Biden as “the Clueless” and Hillary Clinton as “the Corrupt.” It goes on to show U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) defending Christine Blasey Ford in her accusations against U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and how they “believe women.”

4. Tesla to Alabama?

Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth has pitched Alabama as the new home of Tesla after Elon Musk announced the company would be leaving California “immediately” due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic restrictions.
Ainsworth replied to Musk on Twitter, advocating for Tesla to come to Alabama by saying, “We have a tremendous workforce, a lot lower taxes than California, and our businesses are working safely.”

3. New projections for Alabama

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation has once again revised the number of deaths the state of Alabama should expect by August 1. This takes into account easing on restrictions. The new projection shows Alabama is projected to see 1,554 deaths down from 2,308, which was projected on May 4.
While the curve has been flattened and cases have plateaued, it is worth noting that Alabama’s rate of positive coronavirus tests is below 10% (7.7% Sunday), and that was the rate “experts” said would indicate enough testing is being done to accurately gauge the virus’ outbreak.

2. Both budgets have gone to Ivey

Both the Fiscal Year 2021 General Fund and Education Trust Fund have been passed by the Alabama legislature and are waiting for Governor Kay Ivey’s signature.
Both budgets are the largest in state history, with the education budget seeing a $90 million increase, and both bills received bipartisan support with the General Fund budget passing the House 75-1 and the Senate 30-0.

1. Alabama is opening a lot more today

Governor Kay Ivey decided to revise the “Safer-At-Home” order and allow restaurants, salons, barbershops and gyms to open, but they still have to abide by social distancing and sanitation requirements.
While Ivey has reopened the state more, she’s still cautioning people that “[t]he threat of this disease continues to be active and it is deadly.” People are still encouraged to stay home as much as possible.