Short Takes – 4-17-25

Republicans consider increasing taxes on the rich in break from party orthodoxy. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “The discussions are in the early stages, and lawmakers say it is possible that no tax hike makes it in the final legislation. But the once-inconceivable consideration of tax increases underscores the tricky task that Republicans have in meeting competing demands from fiscal hawks, moderates, and tax slashers for the ambitious party-line bill — as well as the rise of populist instincts in the party.”

CDC ‘scraping’ to find resources to help states respond to growing measles outbreaks. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “When asked about the deaths compared to the number of infections, Sugerman said the agency suspects there are many cases not being reported. Measles normally has a fatality rate of about one to three deaths out of every 1,000 children infected.”

Three U.S tick species may cause a mysterious red meat allergy. ScienceNews.org article. Pull quote: “After being outdoors, many people rely on tick checks, scanning their bodies to ensure they’re not inadvertently carrying any bloodsucking critters. For tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and anaplasmosis, quick identification and tick removal can prevent disease. That’s because the tick must be attached to a person’s body for hours or days to transmit disease-causing bacteria. “That does not seem to be the case with alpha-gal syndrome,” Oltean says. There’s no bacteria being transmitted in alpha-gal syndrome — it’s an allergic response that’s triggered following a tick bite. So it’s possible that a single bite from a tick, even one yanked away immediately, could spark the condition.”

Trump moves raise presidential power questions. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: ““The White House is asserting the power, essentially, to regulate or to deregulate by executive order. That is novel,” said Nina Mendelson, a law professor at the University of Michigan.”