1. On April 9, a federal appeals court ruled that a new worker’s pay should not be based on what?
a. Prior experience
b. Past salary
c. Work history
2. Which university is currently in a court battle with its largest donor?
a. The University of Chicago
b. New York University
c. University of California at Los Angeles
3. The Congressional Budget Office is predicting what in the coming years?
a. A rise in inflation
b. A rise in the gap between middle and lower class pay rates
c. A rise in the national debt
4. Certain regions like Houston and Puerto Rico are scrambling to prepare for what natural disaster?
a. Earthquakes
b. Hurricane season
c. Monsoon season
5. Cindy Hyde-Smith was sworn in on April 9 as what state’s first female senator?
a. Louisiana
b. Georgia
c. Mississippi
6. President Donald Trump has been advised not to donate to a fund for what?
a. Stormy Daniels’ legal bills
b. White House staffers legal bills tied to the Russian interference investigation
c. Funds to support the rebuilding of Puerto Rico’s infrastructure
1. b. According to the Los Angeles Times, a federal appeals court ruled on April 9 that employers should not base a new employee’s salary on their past salaries, stating this could lead to further widening of the gender pay gap.
A math consultant brought the case to court after being paid $13,000 less than a male colleague who had less experience but made more at a previous job.
2. The University of Chicago and one of its largest donors, The Pearson Family Members Foundation, are in dispute over the use of a $100 million donation, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Thomas L. Pearson and The Pearson Family Members Foundation filed a suit against the university alleging it mismanaged their donation that was intended to be used to establish a global studies institute. The university has now filed a suit against the Pearsons for not paying the latest installation of the donation.
The Pearsons allege the university failed to establish a director for the institute, hire faculty or create programming and curriculum in a timely manner.
3. c. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Congressional Budget Office is predicting a rise in deficits and the national debt in the next few years. The new debt estimate comes after several months of substantial policy changes signed by President Trump. These new policy changes include the new tax cut and spending plan.
The new report said 10-year debt will hit $12.4 trillion after the span ends in 2028 after breaking the $1-trillion mark in 2020.
4. b. Regions like Houston, Florida and Puerto Rico are scrambling to prepare for hurricane season, which begins in two months and is expected to be busy, according to the Omaha World Herald.
Puerto Rico still needs an average of $50 billion to rebuild its infrastructure and electrical grid after Hurricane Maria hit the island last year.
Emergency Management Agency Administrator Brock Long told The Associated Press that the U.S. territory is not prepared for the upcoming hurricane season, which starts June 1.
5. c. According to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, on April 9 Cindy Hyde-Smith was sworn in as Mississippi’s first female senator. Hyde-Smith was formerly the Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce and is replacing former Sen. Thad Cochran who resigned because of health issues.
Hyde-Smith may provide critical support for the GOP as the chamber moves to begin nominating for vacancies in the State Department, Department of Veterans Affairs and Central Intelligence Agency.
6. b. According to the Virginian Pilot, President Trump has been advised not to contribute to a fund set up to help former campaign aides and White House staffers pay legal bills related to the investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Last year Trump said he wanted to help with the legal bills but asked his lawyers whether this could be done without violating regulatory and ethical standards.
After a review of the fund, President Trump was advised not to contribute.
