Weekend News & Commentary — July 23-24, 2016

Hillary Clinton has selected Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia as her running mate.  The choice has drawn a mixed reaction from liberals.  While some labor groups — including the AFL-CIO and the SEIU — have shown support for Clinton’s VP pick, lauding Kaine for his “strong record on workers’ issues,” others have expressed skepticism.  The Nation writes that Kaine has “a history of breaking with labor and progressives on economic issues,” throwing his support behind the TPP, looser banking regulations, and right-to-work laws.

While Kaine will have the chance to assuage supporters at the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, he might have to share the spotlight with striking workers.  Workers at the Philadelphia airport have announced their intention to strike next week, promising to “cause as much disruption as possible” in order to draw attention to their fight for higher wages.

Also at the upcoming convention, Clinton is expected to voice her support for President Obama’s executive actions on immigration — making clear her opposition to Donald Trump’s aggressive anti-immigration stance.  Politico takes a look at this “deep partisan split” over immigration, arguing that it will make reform more difficult.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles is one step closer to “banning the box,” according to The Atlantic.  “The Fair Chance Initiative” — an ordinance prohibiting employers from asking job applicants about their criminal record — is expected to be considered in the coming months.  If it passes, L.A. will become the second-largest city in the country to embrace the ban-the-box movement (after New York), making it easier for former inmates to find work.