Rabbis & Renewal Jews affirm union rights

I am delighted to report that the two Boards of Directors of ALEPH: Alliance For Jewish Renewal and its affiliate, OHALAH: Association of Rabbis for Jewish Renewal, have adopted the statement below. I hope rabbis, synagogues, and active members of all streams of Jewish life will adopt similar positions and publicly take a role in the protection of workers and their unions from denial of their right to collective bargaining. I also hope that the faithful of other religious, spiritual, and ethical traditions will also act.

In addition, I want to call to everyone's attention an essay on a broad spectrum of rabbinic views concerning labor unions, by Elissa Barrett, exec of the Progressive Jewish Alliance (California) and Rabbi Aryeh Cohen of the Jewish University of America (Los Angeles). To read it, click to our Home Page at http://www.theshalomcenter.org

Shalom, salaam, peace -- Rabbi Arthur Waskow

The ALEPH & OHALAH STATEMENT:

Whereas, Jews for millennia have learned and affirmed the archetypal story of the suffering of ancient Israelites as oppressed public workers under Pharaoh, building the store-cities of Pithom and Ramses, and the vigorous activism of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to organize those workers into an effective community that could win its freedom;

And whereas, ever since the great migration of millions of Jews to America many of them have upheld the rights of workers by organizing labor unions first in the garment industry, and later among teachers, social workers, and other public employees;

Therefore, the Board of ALEPH [and the Board of OHALAH] affirms and supports the right of public employees as well as those in private industry to organize unions and carry on collective bargaining, and supports the nonviolent protests now being carried on in the State of Wisconsin and elsewhere against efforts to undermine or cancel those rights.

Teacher in PA says "Solidarity Forever!" to WI workers

Michelle Heh, a public school teacher from Cumberland County, PA says "Solidarity Forever!" to Wisconsin workers at the Save the American Dream Rally on the PA Capitol steps, Harrisburg, February 26, 2011.

92 year old in PA says "I am Wisconsin!"

92 year old former union member Marge Holicek joins 1000 Pennsylvanians in saying "I am Wisconsin!" Capitol steps, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, February 26, 2011. www.keystoneprogress.org

New Report Shows Millions of People Would Suffer Under House Budget Plan

Tells Congress Best Approach to Reducing the Federal Deficit is to Protect Vulnerable Families, Promote Economic Recovery

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- At a time when 14 million people are out of work, the House approach to the federal budget fails those who are struggling most, according to a new report by the Coalition on Human Needs for the SAVE for All campaign. The report draws a sharp contrast between the president’s budget for next fiscal year and the House plan for the remainder of this year, although it also notes serious concerns with elements of the president’s budget. It shows how the proposed budget cuts would both harm individuals and damage the country’s fragile economic recovery. The House plan includes the largest cuts, on an annualized basis, in domestic appropriations funding in history. Ultimately, the biggest deficit-reduction measure is an expanding economy, with more people working and paying taxes, according to the report, A Better Budget for All: Saving Our Economy and Helping Those in Need. The Coalition on Human Needs released the report to help launch the Strengthening America’s Values and Economy for All Campaign, or SAVE for All. SAVE for All is supported by more than 1,000 organizations across the country. The report reviews the biggest differences in the two approaches to the federal budget, as well as the cuts with the largest effect on vulnerable people. It also analyzes current proposals for changing the federal budget process, pointing out that all of them share a common flaw: they reject revenue increases as part of a balanced solution for reducing the federal deficit and debt. The report calls on Congress to look at the entire federal budget -- including revenues, tax loopholes, and military spending -- not just domestic annual appropriations. “Cutting only from a portion of domestic spending that constitutes less than a fifth of our total budget simply cannot solve our federal deficit and debt, but it will cause enormous pain and cripple our economic future,” said Deborah Weinstein, executive director of the Coalition on Human Needs. According to the report, millions of people would suffer under the House of Representatives’ plan for the rest of fiscal year 2011. Here’s a sampling: 218,000 young children would not be able to receive Head Start services; 11 million patients would lose health care they would have received at Community Health Centers over the next year, with 3.2 million losing care in the next few months; 127 health center sites would have to close and 7,434 jobs would be lost; 20 million low-income people, including 5 million children, 2.3 million seniors, and 1.7 million people with disabilities, would have access to anti-poverty services disrupted; 9.4 million low-income college students would lose some or all of their Pell Grants; More than 8 million adults and youth would lose job training and other employment services. Job training under the Workforce Investment Act would essentially be shut down until July 2012; 81,000 low-income people, mostly seniors and some children, will no longer receive food packages and six states would not be able to join the program after being approved to do so; 1.2 million poor households in public housing (two-thirds of whom are elderly or have a disability) would see maintenance and repairs on their apartments deteriorate due to cuts in the Public Housing Capital Fund; 10,000 people with significant long-term disabilities would lose their rental assistance; most of these would lose their homes. The report calls for any deficit reduction plan to: Make major steps towards deficit reduction gradual and long-term, because the solutions will be much easier and the resulting pain much less severe if the economy is stronger; Not rely primarily on cuts in domestic appropriations, which are not the cause of the ballooning federal deficit; Include equitable revenue increases; Reduce wasteful spending; Protect low-income people from harm. "Just as federal investments following World War II paved the way for the largest middle-class expansion in history and made it possible to pay off the huge post-war deficit, the best way to recover from the Great Recession is to make strategic investments that will spur job creation, build a stronger economy, and allow for a more rapid reduction of the deficit” Weinstein said. To read the complete report, click here or visit www.chn.org.

Rally to Save the American Dream

In Wisconsin and around our country, the American Dream is under fierce attack. Instead of creating jobs, Republicans are giving tax breaks to Wall Street and the very rich and then cutting funding for education, police, emergency response and vital human services. The right to organize is on the chopping block. The American Dream is slipping out of reach for more and more Americans, and we have to fight back.

The Keystone Progress Team is asking everyone to join us in taking one or more of the following actions:

Emergency Rally on the Capitol Steps in Harrisburg
There is a national call for emergency rallies in front of every state house this Saturday at 12 Noon to stand in solidarity with the people of Wisconsin. We demand an end to the attacks on workers' rights and public services across the country. We demand investment, to create decent jobs for the millions of people who desperately want to work. And we demand that the rich and powerful pay their fair share. Click here to let us know you’re coming and to get a reminder email. Co-sponsored by Keystone Progress, MoveOn.org, Color of Change, Democracy for America, Center for Community Change, and Progressive Majority.

Contribute $14 in honor of the 14 Democratic Wisconsin State Senators who are risking their careers to stand up for the rights of working families.
The other side has billionaires and Wall Street funding their attempts to squash working families. We don’t have Fat Cats funding us, so we need you. Please give a one-time or monthly gift of $14 to help us continue the fight here in Pennsylvania.

After decades of stagnant wages and a crushing recession, this latest assault on the American way of life is one the middle class cannot endure.

We are all Wisconsin.
We are all Americans.
This Saturday, we will stand together to save the American Dream.

In Solidarity,

Michael Morrill
Keystone Progress

VIDEO: "They Call it Democracy," by Bruce Cockburn

Probably the only song ever written about the International Monetary Fund. I've been thinking about this song lately, after Cairo and Madison.
-MM

UPDATE: Scarnati to Return Super Bowl Money

Scarnati Agrees to Return Super Bowl Money After 1,000 Write to Him Demanding Action

(HARRISBURG, PA)—Less than 24 hours after the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Senator Joe Scarnati took a junket on the tab of Consol Energy, more than one thousand citizens forced his hand by demanding he return the money.

Scarnati’s office received more than one thousand emails telling him that his acceptance of the Super Bowl trip calls his judgment into question.

Consol Energy is one of the largest drillers using the controversial “hydraulic fracturing” method of extracting natural gas from the Marcellus Shale region. Pennsylvania is the largest natural gas producing state that does not tax extraction. Scarnati opposes taxing Consol and other drillers.

Scarnati’s trip didn’t break any laws, but it raises questions about whether Scarnati is in the pocket of the natural gas industry. Raising even more questions about his ability to represent taxpayers, Scarnati has also taken $142,000 in campaign contributions from energy interests, including another $15,000 from Consol.

Keystone Progress organized the email campaign demanding Scarnati return the Super Bowl money. Keystone Progress is now asking Scarnati to return the $15,000 in Consol money to eliminate the appearance of a conflict of interest. The sign up sheet for the campaign can be viewed at:

http://keystoneprogress.pnstate.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=831

Super Bowl, Super Sleaze

“Super Sleaze.” That’s what WHYY radio in Harrisburg calls PA Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati’s trip to the Super Bowl.¹

Sleaze may be a strong word, but we agree. You see, Scarnati’s trip to the Super Bowl was paid for by Consol Energy, one of the biggest natural gas drillers in PA. While the rest of us were content to watch the Super Bowl on TV, Scarnati had his tickets, flight and hotel paid for by Consol Energy.

I guess it’s just coincidence that Scarnati has opposed taxing the extraction of natural gas.

Scarnati is the highest ranking Senator, leading the Republican majority. He should be looking out for Pennsylvania taxpayers, not accepting what many call “legalized bribes.” Pennsylvania is facing a $4 billion budget deficit, and an extraction tax would help in reducing that deficit. PA is the largest only state with significant gas resources that doesn’t have an extraction tax.²

Scarnati’s trip didn’t break any laws, but as WHYY said, it’s still sleazy. It raises questions about whether Scarnati is in the pocket of the natural gas industry. Raising even more questions about his ability to represent taxpayers, Scarnati has also taken $142,000 in campaign contributions from energy interests, including another $15,000 from Consol.³

Scarnati should pay for his Super Bowl trip from his own pocket, reimbursing Consol for everything it paid for his junket. Click here and tell Scarnati to return the money now! Pennsylvania deserves real representation, not “Super Sleaze.”

Michael Morrill
Keystone Progress

Palin calls Santorum "Knuckle dragging Neanderthal"

From www.politico.com

Emerging from the Recession: Pennsylvania Ranks Third in Jobs Created in 2010

Pennsylvania added 65,000 jobs in 2010, ranking third in the nation in job creation coming out of the recession. Neighboring New Jersey, on the other hand, ranked 50th in job performance for the same time period, losing 31,000 jobs. Adjusting for state workforce size, Pennsylvania ranked 12th in the nation on job performance and New Jersey ranked 49th.

Pennsylvania outperformed all neighboring states in job growth between December 2009 and December 2010, with a growth rate of 1.2% — followed by West Virginia at 1.1% and Maryland at 1%. No neighboring state came close to the number of new jobs created in Pennsylvania in 2010.

The Great Recession has been hard on Pennsylvanians, with almost 600,000 people unemployed at the peak. But the Commonwealth weathered the recession better than many states, with state unemployment rates below the national average in 35 of the 36 months since the recession started (including 12 months when the rate was at least a full point below the national average).

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The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center is a non-partisan policy research project that provides independent, credible analysis on state tax, budget and related policy matters, with attention to the impact of current or proposed policies on working families.

Pocono Medical Center Workers’ 1-Day Unfair Labor Practice Strike on February 9th

· Pocono Medical Center (PMC) in East Stroudsburg, PA, is forcing approximately 550 service and maintenance employees – members of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania – out on a 1-day unfair labor practice strike on Wednesday, February 9^th.

· While PMC posted record profits of $21.9 million last year, many frontline hospital workers struggle to make ends meet. These are the staff who provide care at the bedside, sanitize patients’ rooms, serve their food, do their blood work, and secure their medical records.

· PMC has engaged in a pattern of unfair labor practices. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued a complaint against the hospital for illegally interfering with employees’ right to discuss workplace issues on their own time, and additional charges are pending.

· PMC is demanding to take away workers’ “union shop,” even though workers voted overwhelmingly in an NLRB-certified election last fall to keep their union shop. Earlier this month, over 70% of PMC workers signed an open letter published in the local newspaper calling upon the hospital to respect the results of their democratic vote.

· Workers have made good faith compromises in an attempt to reach a contract settlement, but PMC management continues to violate the law, arrogantly reject the results of a Federal government-supervised election, and disrespect the contributions of frontline staff who are the heart of this community hospital.

· No one wants to strike, but feeling management had given them no choice but to stand up for themselves and their patients, PMC workers voted by 71% to send a notice of 1-day unfair labor practice strike on Wednesday, February 9^th.

· It is the height of irresponsibility for PMC management, despite reaping record profits, to risk a disruption in hospital services for the community rather than obey the law, respect a democratic vote, and work with frontline service and maintenance workers to settle a fair contract with union shop.

For more information, contact AJ Marin at 814-571-9614 or marina@seiuhealthcarepa.org

or visit www.supportPMCworkers.org

Progressive Groups Stand United In Support Of Planned Parenthood

Media Matters Action Network joins 26 others in opposing any effort to defund the organization following fact-free right-wing attacks

Washington, DC -- Today, Media Matters Action Network joined 26 progressive organizations in sending a letter to members of Congress to express their “opposition to any effort to defund Planned Parenthood.” Planned Parenthood has come under attack from conservatives after Lila Rose, an Andrew Breitbart-promoted videographer, presented heavily edited video she claims proves the organization engaged in systemic criminal activities.

The letter reads, in part:

These attacks are not about the issue of choice. Instead they are designed to systematically vilify and destroy institutions dedicated to helping America’s most vulnerable citizens with "evidence" that does not support their claims. They're about disempowering those who don’t share their world view. And they're about intimidating those in desperate need of help.

BACKGROUND

This week, Rose’s organization, Live Action, released the latest in a series of heavily edited videos that it claims exposes what the group calls “Planned Parenthood’s cover-up of child sex trafficking.” Of course, that isn’t the case at all. Planned Parenthood had already reported the “potential sex trafficking” to law enforcement officials.

That’s why Media Matters Action Network has joined 26 organizations, including EMILY’s List, People For The American Way, NARAL Pro-Choice America and Service Employees International Union in standing united against any effort to defund Planned Parenthood.

The full text of the letter reads:

Dear Members of Congress,

Right-wing groups are once again attempting to destroy an organization dedicated to providing crucial primary care services to Americans that need them most. Armed with heavily edited videos, countless lies, and a shameless echo chamber that repeats unfounded accusations ad nauseam, they’ve now turned their sights to Planned Parenthood, which offers a range of important health and reproductive services that help both women and men prevent unintended pregnancies and provide screenings for cervical and other cancers.

We are writing to inform you that our organizations stand united in opposition to any effort to defund Planned Parenthood.

These attacks are not about the issue of choice. Instead they are designed to systematically vilify and destroy institutions dedicated to helping America’s most vulnerable citizens with "evidence" that does not support their claims. They're about disempowering those who don’t share their world view. And they're about intimidating those in desperate need of help.

Your constituents sent you to Washington to be a strong advocate for their interests and stand up for the quintessential American values of justice and fairness -- and this latest digital witch hunt is neither just nor fair.

Sincerely,

Julian Bond, Board Chairman Emeritus, NAACP

Accountable America

African American Ministers in Action

Alliance for Justice

Center for Community Change

Center for Media & Democracy

Common Cause

Courage Campaign

CREDO Action

Demos

EMILY's List

Feminist Majority Foundation

Friends of the Earth

Keystone Progress

Media Matters Action Network

Midwest Academy

MoveOn.org Political Action

NARAL Pro-Choice America

National People's Action

People For the American Way

ProgressNow

Project Vote

Public Campaign

Service Employees International Union

Sierra Club

USAction

Voices for Progress

###

Recent Job Growth in Pennsylvania is Healthier than in Most States

HARRISBURG, PA (February 4, 2011) — Pennsylvania has enjoyed better job growth during the fragile economic recovery than most states, according to a new policy brief from the Keystone Research Center.

In 2010, the Commonwealth added more than 65,000 jobs, ranking third among the 50 states in the number of jobs created. On a percentage basis (adjusting for the size of each state’s economy), Pennsylvania job growth still exceeded three-fourths of all states.

“Pennsylvania’s investments in local communities, energy, job training and education have reaped real rewards for our economy,” said Stephen Herzenberg, Ph.D., Economist and Executive Director of the Keystone Research Center. “We need to build on these policies to ensure Pennsylvania is poised for long-term economic success.”

National job numbers for January were also released today, showing weak job gains. The jobs report underscores the need for Pennsylvania to build on its recent job success.

Pennsylvania’s job growth performance has improved steadily compared to other states over the past 16 years. While Pennsylvania ranked 39^th in job growth percentage since December 1994, the state’s rank moved up to 29^th during the past eight years, and has ranked 14^th — in the top third of states — during the last three years (since the start of the recession in December 2007).

Pennsylvania outperformed all neighboring states in job growth between December 2009 and December 2010, with a growth rate of 1.2% — followed by West Virginia at 1.1% and Maryland at 1%. No neighboring state came close to the number of new jobs created in Pennsylvania in 2010.

When job growth is adjusted for growth in the adult working-age population (16 and over), Pennsylvania ranked in the top 10 in 2010, since the recession began in December 2007 and since December 1994.

Pennsylvania’s recent job performance is particularly good compared to New Jersey, which finished dead last in the number change in jobs during 2010, losing nearly 31,000 jobs. On a percentage basis, New Jersey’s job performance ranked 49^th in 2010, compared to Pennsylvania’s 12^th ranking.

“New Jersey should not be viewed as a model for Pennsylvania,” Dr. Herzenberg said. “Under Governor Christie, the state’s job performance has been abysmal, which reinforces our point that if you make deep cuts to public investments in education and infrastructure, the state’s economy will suffer and working families will pay the price.”

Instead, Dr. Herzenberg said, Pennsylvania should build on its solid job performance in recent years.

“Continued investments in skills development, renewable energy jobs and opportunities for the next generation are key to our economic health,” Dr. Herzenberg said. “That’s why policymakers should address Pennsylvania’s fiscal challenges with a balanced approach that includes new revenue in addition to savings and efficiencies.”

Click here to read the full policy brief: http://keystoneresearch.org/publications/research/recent-job-growth-pennsylvania-healthier-most-states

The Keystone Research Center is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization that promotes a more prosperous and equitable Pennsylvania economy. Learn more: www.keystoneresearch.org.

Planned Parenthood Statement on Virginia Videotapes

Statement by Stuart Schear, Vice President for Communications, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, on Virginia video tapes released by Live Action:

Today, Live Action, an anti-abortion groups led by Lila Rose, a self-described “extremist”[1], who has called for abortions to take place in public[2] and has vowed to “take down” Planned Parenthood, released videotapes secretly taped at Planned Parenthood Health Centers in Virginia.

In a recent round of secret videotaping in January 2011, at least four health centers in Virginia received visits in a short period of time from persons claiming to be involved in the sex trade, involving vulnerable minors. Local authorities, as well as federal authorities, were alerted to these visits. In this morning’s publicized tape, the Planned Parenthood staff member reacted professionally to a highly unusual person posing as a patient. After the encounter, the staff member immediately notified her supervisor, who subsequently notified members of Planned Parenthood’s national security team, who are working with the FBI, which is investigating these visits.

It is clear that Live Action is coordinating its activities to support legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, introduced by Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) to defund Planned Parenthood by stripping it of Title X family planning funding, which Planned Parenthood’s local affiliates receive to provide low-income women with birth control, family planning, and preventive care, including lifesaving screenings for breast and cervical cancer.

In the past, Live Action has heavily edited tapes to create the impression that Planned Parenthood staff are not acting professionally or following the law. Planned Parenthood’s first analysis is that this new tape from Virginia is edited, and we believe the members of the press should be able to view the raw, unedited footage of any tapes that have been made public.

[1] http://articles.latimes.com/2009/apr/26/nation/na-abortion26/3

[1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Piny4Ur1EEA&feature=player_embedde

---

[1] http://articles.latimes.com/2009/apr/26/nation/na-abortion26/3

[2] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Piny4Ur1EEA&feature=player_embedded

Good Government Groups Decry Regressive PA House Rule Changes

Common Cause, Democracy Rising PA, Taxpayers and Ratepayers United, Keystone Progress tell House leadership “No Way!” on proposed rule changes.

Good government groups held a news conference decrying the proposed House rule changes which would restrict the ability of elected Representatives to do their jobs effectively. Under these new rules, the majority party would be able to control legislation in the Rules Committee. The Rules Committee would be allowed to restrict amendments from the minority party and would be able to table amendments without cause, effectively prohibiting amendments from ever being voted on.

Amendments are the main way in which rank and file members of both parties can present alternatives to legislation proposed by the majority party leadership. And they are also the main way in which the minority party can force the majority party to go on record on issues that they prefer to avoid.

The rule changes also cut back minority representation on each House Committee. The proposed changes will create committees of 15 Republicans and only 9 Democrats. With a more equitable balance, minority amendments can pass with a few supporters from the majority party. This unfair formula effectively means that proposals from the minority representatives have little chance of passage.

Pennsylvanians want real reform in Harrisburg, but these moves bring us back to the old days of back door deals. If these rule changes pass, it will erode our rights to fair and equal representation. This move is regressive and counter to the reform Pennsylvanians have been promised and expect.

New study finds NYC charter schools not underfunded compared with traditional public schools

Rutgers report dispels many myths about charters' funding and performance

Contact:
Bruce Baker: (732) 932-7496 ext. 8232 or bruce.baker@gse.rutgers.edu
Teri Battaglieri: (517) 203-2940 or greatlakescenter@greatlakescenter.org

EAST LANSING, Mich. (Jan. 27, 2011) — In a blow to conventional wisdom, New York City charter schools are not outperforming traditional public schools and are not inadequately funded, according to a new study out of Rutgers University.

New York City charter schools are often held up as an example of how charter schools are outperforming traditional public schools and doing it with less money, which in turn is used to justify increased public funding for charters. Such assumptions do not hold water, according to the study, "Adding Up the Spending: Fiscal Disparities and Philanthropy among New York City Charter Schools," authored by Rutgers education professor Bruce Baker and Rutgers doctoral student Richard Ferris.

The study was produced by the National Education Policy Center (NEPC), housed at the University of Colorado at Boulder School of Education, with funding from the Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice.

The study shows that New York City charter schools are not underfunded compared with traditional public schools. One reason for this is because the city's charter schools serve a much smaller percentage of students who are very poor or still learning English. These populations require far more resources, and they must be accounted for when making comparisons between charters and non-charters, Baker and Ferris noted.

"The assumption that these charter schools should receive support equal to traditional public schools is incorrect, because they do not serve similar populations," Baker and Ferris wrote.

Baker and Ferris also found significant funding disparities among New York City charter schools. While some charters receive almost no private funding, the most endowed charter schools receive in excess of $10,000 more per-pupil compared with traditional schools.

The study also found that on average, charter schools are not outperforming traditional public schools. After controlling for population and environmental factors, there is no statistically significant difference between charters and non-charters in performance for grades 4, 6 and 7. Meanwhile, 5th-grade charter school students underperformed their peers enrolled in traditional public schools, according to the study.

Based on their research, Baker and Ferris recommend that public funding be more tightly linked to the needs to students attending all schools, whether they're traditional public schools or charter schools. The researchers also suggest policymakers conduct annual audits of school funding levels and perhaps consider sanctioning schools that fail to adequately serve students with greater needs.

To read Baker and Ferris' full report, go to: www.greatlakescenter.org.

Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/greatlakescent.

The report is also available on the National Education Policy Center's website at http://nepc.colorado.edu.

Sarah Palin's PAC Targeted Rep. Giffords in her Crosshairs Map

This over the top language was condemned during the campaign as inflammatory. Was the shooter influenced by this? Will others follow?

What would Sarah Palin say about the PA Progressive Summit?

You can listen to Sarah's advice, or you can register for the Pennsylvania Progressive Summit here.

The Pennsylvania Progressive Summit is only a little more than 2 weeks away! Hundreds of progressive activists will be gathering at the Sheraton Station Square on the weekend of January 22-23.

We have an incredible weekend planned that will educate and motivate us to work for victories and fight back the right-wing attacks on our hard-won gains.

Here are a few highlights:

· Major speakers, including Rep. Raul Grijalva (D, AZ), co-chair of the Progressive Congressional Caucus; Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America; Leo Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers; Sen. Bob Casey; former Rep. Joe Sestak; and more to be announced.

· 72 workshops on issues and organizing techniques and skills;

· An Organizer Training Track, organized by Democracy for America with support from Keystone Progress. This track includes 18 sessions on Field, Communications/Messaging, Online Organizing/Social Media and Fundraising/Finance.

· Regional, issue and identity caucuses to help us get better organized;

· The Pennsylvania Progressive Awards Dinner, where we’ll recognize leading individuals and activists;

· Music for Progress, featuring progressive musicians;

· And more!

But space is limited! Register today to make sure you don’t miss out!

And make sure you reserve your hotel room at the discounted Summit rate. Click here to make sure you don’t miss out on the savings.

Meet PA's GOP Freshman Class

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/11/03/gop-frosh-class/

REPORT: Meet The 2010 GOP Freshman Class »

Following last night’s election, over 100 freshmen Republicans will take their seats in the 112th Congress. These GOPers come from disparate backgrounds, but they are united by their adherence to the extreme wing of conservative ideology.

A new ThinkProgress investigation has found that the incoming GOP freshman class is rife with legislators who not only oppose climate change legislation, but deny that manmade global warming even exists. They are pushing not just to end birthright citizenship, but also demand that the United States reduce the number of legal immigrants.

Here is a snapshot of the GOP Class of 2010’s extremism:

ENVIRONMENT

- 50% deny the existence of manmade climate change
- 86% are opposed to any climate change legislation that increases government revenue

IMMIGRATION

- 39% have already declared their intention to end the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of birthright citizenship
- 32% want to reduce legal immigration

TAXES/SPENDING

- 91% have sworn to never allow an income tax increase on any individual or business – regardless of deficits or war
- 79% have pledged to permanently repeal the estate tax
- 48% are pushing for a balanced budget amendment

This is where individual incoming GOP freshmen stand on each issue(We're listing PA only. For the entire report use the link above):

Key

GW: Global warming denier		CC: No climate change legislation
BC: End birthright citizenship		RI: Reduce legal immigration
TP: No tax increase pledge		ET: Repeal estate tax
BB: Balanced budget amendment

Pat Toomey (PA-SEN) GW TPET

Mike Kelly (PA-03) CC TP ET

Pat Meehan (PA-07) CC TP ET

Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08) CC TP ET

Tom Marino (PA-10) CC BC RI TPET BB

Lou Barletta (PA-11) CC BC RI TPET

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