Neera Tanden is back. Could she be more powerful

Neera Tanden is back. Could she be more powerful?-politico:  When Neera Tanden assumed a role as senior adviser at the White House last week, after her bid for a Cabinet post went off the rails, it was viewed as a consolation prize. In reality, Tanden may have just stepped into a more quietly powerful position: entering President Joe Biden’s inner sanctum and avoiding the scrutiny from her detractors that would have come with a more public-facing role.

How the pandemic changed America’s ideas about infrastructure

How the pandemic changed America’s ideas about infrastructure-politico:  Almost exactly a year ago, homebound, stir-crazy Bostonians learned they’d soon get a break from Covid-era isolation. Two months into a state stay-at-home advisory, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced that restaurants would be allowed to seat diners again — outdoors.

Poll: Most voters oppose Newsom recall as Covid optimism rises

Poll: Most voters oppose Newsom recall as Covid optimism rises-politico:  California's rebound from the Covid-19 crisis is complicating the drive to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom, with a strong majority of state voters now approving of his pandemic management and just 40 percent saying they would remove him, a new Public Policy Institute of California poll shows.

Top negotiators report progress on police reform: "We remain optimistic"

Top negotiators report progress on police reform: "We remain optimistic"-thehill:  The trio of lawmakers spearheading bipartisan negotiations on police reform legislation say they “remain optimistic” despite missing President Biden’s deadline to pass a bill by Tuesday, the first anniversary of George Floyd’s death.

Biden’s bank shot to win GOP support for his infrastructure bill

Biden’s bank shot to win GOP support for his infrastructure bill-politico:  The Biden White House is aware how hard it will be to convince congressional Republicans to support an ambitious infrastructure and jobs proposal.  And so, they’ve enlisted other Republicans to help them do the convincing.

Investors object to CEO pay in judgment on pandemic response

Investors object to CEO pay in judgment on pandemic response-rollcall:  Rejections of executive pay packages in shareholder votes mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act more than a decade ago reached a record high this month as investors judge how CEOs handled the coronavirus pandemic.

Anti-Asian American hate crimes bill passes House, heads to Biden

Anti-Asian American hate crimes bill passes House, heads to Biden-politico:  The House on Tuesday passed a modest measure aimed at combating a surge in hate crimes directed at Asian Americans amid the coronavirus pandemic, its final step before being signed into law.