Anna Burger, President of the Change to Win labor coalition speaks on the American Dream project at the DNC in Denver 8/25/08.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
The Shifting Faith Vote: What It Means For This Election
Note: The audio is the video pics up just as the panel is introduced. Be patient for the first 2 minutes.Since the 2004 election, the ground has shifted tremendously for evangelical Christian, Catholic and other religious voters.
A deepening awareness about torture, poverty, global HIV/AIDS, the environment and peace stands alongside more traditionally conservative values like abortion and gay marriage. Both Presidential campaigns are consciously trying to build momentum with faith voters. This panel assesses how the changing values debate among religious voters will have an impact on the general electorate, the campaigns, and the media. It also explores how those who support this expanded debate are getting the message out broadly between now and the election.
A deepening awareness about torture, poverty, global HIV/AIDS, the environment and peace stands alongside more traditionally conservative values like abortion and gay marriage. Both Presidential campaigns are consciously trying to build momentum with faith voters. This panel assesses how the changing values debate among religious voters will have an impact on the general electorate, the campaigns, and the media. It also explores how those who support this expanded debate are getting the message out broadly between now and the election.
Monday, August 25, 2008
New Poll Shows Obama Can Win White Working Class Voters
American Dream Frames Economic Agenda for Working Families
DENVER, CO. – Barack Obama can capture the votes of America’s workers, including so-called Reagan Democrats, with a strong message of economic populism and sharp contrasts with McCain on taxes, health care, trade and corporate power according to a new survey conducted by Lake Research Partners and released today at a news briefing at the 2008 Democratic National Convention by Change to Win.
“The American Dream defines both a value system and a broad economic reform agenda focused on jobs with wages that can support families, affordable health care, retirement security and opportunity for a better future,” said pollster Celinda Lake. “Workers see the Dream at risk and want government action to create a new infrastructure for a new American Dream. They want a candidate who is not controlled by big corporations, and who will support progressive taxes, limits on corporate power, worker rights and proactive government.”
Live Steaming from Denver--The Big Tent
We're having some difficulties uploading content from Denver. In the meantime, enjoy this live streaming from the Big Tent. www.bigtentdenver.org Keystone Progress is a co-sponsor of this great event.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
NEA Video Contest: "Got Tuition?"
Contact: Jennifer Lucas Phone: 703-302-8387
Debt-ridden students, parents, recent grads get national platform on costly tuition
NEA, Huffington Post launch first-ever “Got Tuition?” video contest
Debt-ridden students, parents, recent grads get national platform on costly tuition
NEA, Huffington Post launch first-ever “Got Tuition?” video contest
WASHINGTON – Millions of students and families facing skyrocketing tuition costs in a sour economy will soon be able to tell policymakers how to fix the problem. The National Education Association (NEA) and top news blog The Huffington Post launched today a first-ever, “Got Tuition?” national video contest to provide a high-visibility platform to push for solutions to high tuition costs.
The producer of the winning two-minute video will get the opportunity to blog on the front page of Huffington Post about college affordability and $1,000 in prize money. Videos will be judged by a panel that will include Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington and other Huffington Post contributors, who will select five finalists on which the public can vote.
“Every year NEA members see talented students whose potential is not realized because they can’t afford to go to college, and our elected officials are not recognizing just how serious an issue this is for families,” said Shilpa Reddy, a spokeswoman for the NEA. “With almost 200 small lenders suspending their student loan programs this year, this has become a serious national economic issue. We’re providing a platform to the people who are bearing the brunt of this problem.”
Recent polling shows that families are increasingly concerned with rising college tuition costs in difficult economic times. Over 75 percent of people say it is more difficult to pay for college now than it was 10 years ago, and over half of families with students in high school report cutting back on spending in order to afford college. The faltering economy is most frequently named as the reason people cannot keep up with tuition costs. To add insult to injury, credit agencies actually penalize families who shop around for the best rate on student loans by tarnishing their credit ratings.
The campaign will be promoted through innovative ads on the increasingly popular site, Facebook.com, in order to reach students, who are among those most affected by tuition costs.
Contestants should send their videos to gottuition08@gmail.com and must include their name, address, daytime phone number and email address. Videos must be no longer than two minutes and should tell the contestant’s story about tuition costs, resulting student debt and what policymakers should do to solve the problem. Judges will be looking for creativity, how well the message is conveyed and relevance to the theme of college affordability.
Videos that advocate for the election or defeat of a candidate for any federal, state, or local elected office are ineligible. For more information visit http://www.gottuition.org/.
Take Action: Help Restore PA's Hate Crimes Law
When I was a boy growing up in Boston I had an older neighbor who was a little different. As a teenager Rick was outgoing, liked to dance and wore flamboyant outfits. Despite his clothing choices, he was popular with a lot of the boys in the neighborhood because he was a great dancer, and he was willing to teach us some basic moves so that we could go to the junior high dances and not look completely foolish.
One day I saw Rick walking by my house, but I didn't recognize him. His face was swollen, his nose was broken and he lhad ost some teeth. My mother said he was beaten up because he was "a queer." I didn't know what that meant, but I knew it was wrong to beat up somebody simply because he was a little different. I remember telling my mother that there should be a law to protect people like Rick.
In Pennsylvania, there was a law protecting people like Rick. It was an amendment to a law called the Ethnic Intimidation and Institutional Vandalism Act, better known as the PA Hate Crimes Law. It was overwhelmingly passed in 2002 by Democrats and Republicans and signed into law by then-Governor Mark Schweiker. That bill extended protections against hate crimes for people based on their gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and mental and physical disability.
But last month the PA Supreme Court struck down the law on a technicality, saying it was passed illegally.
That leaves Pennsylvanians in all of those categories vulnerable to hate crimes.I don't know about you, but I find that unacceptable. That's why we're calling on our State Senators and State Representatives to once again pass this legislation-and to do it right this time. Pennsylvania protects people based on their religion, race and ethnicity. Shouldn't we extend the same protections to people based on their gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and mental and physical disability?
Michael Morrill
Keystone Progress
Monday, August 18, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
McCain Takes the Gold in Political Freestyle Flip-Flop
McCain Takes the Gold in “Political Freestyle Flip-Flop”
of Olympic Season
McCain now claims he is open to a pro-choice running mate
Washington, DC – Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said Sen. McCain’s comment yesterday about considering pro-choice running mates is a complete flip-flop from his statements a few months ago. On April 15, 2008 during an interview on Hardball with Chris Matthews, McCain said “it would be difficult” to have a pro-choice running mate. Yesterday, aboard his campaign plane, McCain told Stephen Hayes of The Weekly Standard, that he is open to choosing a pro-choice running mate.
“Sen. McCain appears to have caught Olympic fever with the freestyle flip-flop he’s attempting to pull off with his hints about the possibility of a pro-choice running mate,” Keenan said. “Pro-choice Americans know that this flip-flop is not indicative of a policy shift or a reverse course for the anti-choice and anti-birth control McCain. It is clear that McCain is nervous about his diminishing support among Independent women, a key voting bloc that will likely determine the outcome of this election. McCain knows he needs pro-choice Independent and Republican women to win in November, but his extreme position on a woman’s right to choose makes it increasingly difficult to attract these voters.”
Recent polling conducted by Lifetime Networks showed that Obama leads McCain among Independent women by a 12-point margin. NARAL Pro-Choice America’s own polling in 12 battleground states earlier this summer showed Obama and McCain virtually tied among all Independent women. But, when given information about the candidates’ positions on a woman’s right to choose, Obama gains 14 points over McCain. And among pro-choice Independent women, the lead climbs to 40 points. In fact, among all groups of women voters – pro-choice Republicans, non-college educated women, older women and suburban women – Obama gains votes and McCain loses them based solely on the issue of a woman’s right to choose.
“Let’s face it – Sen. McCain is basically President George W. Bush on steroids,” Keenan continued. “McCain has consistently gone even further than Bush by calling for the overturn of Roe v. Wade. McCain has said he would appoint pro-life justices to the U.S. Supreme Court, while Bush wouldn’t admit to an abortion litmus test for his nominees. McCain’s 30-year anti-choice-voting record is anti-family planning, anti-sex education, and anti-birth control, and that is one political, Olympic style move that pro-choice Americans will see right through at the ballot box in November.”
For more information on McCain’s anti-choice record, please visit www.MeetTheRealMcCain.com.
of Olympic Season
McCain now claims he is open to a pro-choice running mate
Washington, DC – Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said Sen. McCain’s comment yesterday about considering pro-choice running mates is a complete flip-flop from his statements a few months ago. On April 15, 2008 during an interview on Hardball with Chris Matthews, McCain said “it would be difficult” to have a pro-choice running mate. Yesterday, aboard his campaign plane, McCain told Stephen Hayes of The Weekly Standard, that he is open to choosing a pro-choice running mate.
“Sen. McCain appears to have caught Olympic fever with the freestyle flip-flop he’s attempting to pull off with his hints about the possibility of a pro-choice running mate,” Keenan said. “Pro-choice Americans know that this flip-flop is not indicative of a policy shift or a reverse course for the anti-choice and anti-birth control McCain. It is clear that McCain is nervous about his diminishing support among Independent women, a key voting bloc that will likely determine the outcome of this election. McCain knows he needs pro-choice Independent and Republican women to win in November, but his extreme position on a woman’s right to choose makes it increasingly difficult to attract these voters.”
Recent polling conducted by Lifetime Networks showed that Obama leads McCain among Independent women by a 12-point margin. NARAL Pro-Choice America’s own polling in 12 battleground states earlier this summer showed Obama and McCain virtually tied among all Independent women. But, when given information about the candidates’ positions on a woman’s right to choose, Obama gains 14 points over McCain. And among pro-choice Independent women, the lead climbs to 40 points. In fact, among all groups of women voters – pro-choice Republicans, non-college educated women, older women and suburban women – Obama gains votes and McCain loses them based solely on the issue of a woman’s right to choose.
“Let’s face it – Sen. McCain is basically President George W. Bush on steroids,” Keenan continued. “McCain has consistently gone even further than Bush by calling for the overturn of Roe v. Wade. McCain has said he would appoint pro-life justices to the U.S. Supreme Court, while Bush wouldn’t admit to an abortion litmus test for his nominees. McCain’s 30-year anti-choice-voting record is anti-family planning, anti-sex education, and anti-birth control, and that is one political, Olympic style move that pro-choice Americans will see right through at the ballot box in November.”
For more information on McCain’s anti-choice record, please visit www.MeetTheRealMcCain.com.
SEIU to Count Down to Better Health Care with 365 Stories for Next 365 Days
Health Care Workers, Patients, Consumers to Speak Out About Challenges of Broken System
WASHINGTON, DC – With growing numbers of Americans calling on elected officials to fix the broken health care system, SEIU—the nation’s largest organization of health care workers—launched 365 Stories: Countdown to Health Care today.
SEIU’s goal is to help win passage of comprehensive legislation between now and August 2009 – when the new Congress will break for August recess - that ensures affordable, quality care for every man, woman and child in America.
Every day for the next year, a story from nurse, doctor, health care worker, consumer, or patient will be posted at www.seiu.org/countdown.
“This movement for quality, affordable health care is driven by Americans in every community in our country who face bigger and more serious challenges getting access to health care or trying to deliver quality care. Their stories need to be heard,” said Anna Burger, secretary-treasurer of SEIU. “By this time next year, we must build a new, American health care system that works for everyone. The countdown begins now.”
The first story came from Elizabeth Manning-Washington from Michigan:
I was at my last job for nine years, and for the last year I didn't have health insurance because I couldn't afford it anymore. The premiums had gone up to $140 every two weeks -- and when I started, they were just $60 every two weeks. So the premiums more than doubled even though my wages didn't go up.
My children had Medicaid, but I was one of those people in-between -- I didn't quality for Medicaid, and I couldn't pay for insurance. I learned about the Ingham County medical plan at a health fair, and it's been a lifesaver. I don't ever want to be without health care again.
When people don't have health care, they delay treatment until they get really sick. Then they have to go to the emergency room. It'd be cheaper to give them health insurance. It'd also be simpler.
I should know. When I didn't have health insurance, I went to the hospital for a severe asthma attack. All I really needed was to go to a doctor to get a prescription for an inhaler. But, because I went to the hospital, I got a bill for $11,000. I'll have that on my credit history forever.
The stories will include the experiences of:
A couple in New Hampshire who own a small business and got priced out of their health insurance. While scrambling to find affordable insurance through a small business pool, they put off tests that later indicated that one of them had cancer.
A couple in New Hampshire who own a small business and got priced out of their health insurance. While scrambling to find affordable insurance through a small business pool, they put off tests that later indicated that one of them had cancer.
A doctor in Harlem who sees patients whose conditions become unnecessarily severe because they don’t have access to primary care.
A hospital worker in Florida who can’t afford to pay for insurance for her kids because her premiums have almost doubled in the last two years.
The 365 Stories: Countdown to Health Care is part of SEIU’s sweeping election-year effort to elect a new President and Congress committed to fixing health care – and then tap into that same energy to ensure those newly elected leaders immediately pass comprehensive legislation to make quality health care affordable for everyone.
Sullivan: Edwards, McCain and Adultery
Andrew Sullivan in the Atlantic Monthly Blog on Edwards, McCain and Adultery:
"A lively exchange on Fox News. Sean Hannity's head explodes, which is always good television at the thought that the same standards applied to Democrats should apply to Republicans. The meltdown happens around the 3:20 mark. Hannity also says that the Vietnamese "did not break [McCain's] spirit." Actually, they did, using the enhanced interrogation techniques Hannity approves of when used by Americans. McCain attempted suicide and made a taped confession of crimes he didn't commit after torture was inflicted on him. The torture techniques included beating, stress positions, dietary manipulation, withholding of medical care and solitary confinement - all of which are now used by the Bush-run CIA and were used indiscriminately across all theaters of war by the US after 2001 on Bush's authorization. "
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/08/edwards-mccain.html
"A lively exchange on Fox News. Sean Hannity's head explodes, which is always good television at the thought that the same standards applied to Democrats should apply to Republicans. The meltdown happens around the 3:20 mark. Hannity also says that the Vietnamese "did not break [McCain's] spirit." Actually, they did, using the enhanced interrogation techniques Hannity approves of when used by Americans. McCain attempted suicide and made a taped confession of crimes he didn't commit after torture was inflicted on him. The torture techniques included beating, stress positions, dietary manipulation, withholding of medical care and solitary confinement - all of which are now used by the Bush-run CIA and were used indiscriminately across all theaters of war by the US after 2001 on Bush's authorization. "
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/08/edwards-mccain.html
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
York Seniors Celebrate Social Security's 73rd Birthday
Local Seniors Celebrate Social Security’s 73rd Birthday
Who: The Alliance for Retired Americans and organizations
What: Birthday Party for Social Security
Where: UAW Local 1872 Hall, 3562 Gillespie Dr., York PA
When: Tuesday, August 12th at 1pm
(YORK, PA)--Social Security is one of the most important and successful social programs in history. The Alliance for Retired Americans is holding this "Birthday Party" to mark the 73rd Anniversary of its signing into law by President Roosevelt. Attendees will urge candidates for Congress and President to make sure that Social Security is going strong for another 73 years.
While the anniversary is actually on Thursday the 14th, residents of York will take this opportunity to address the issue while Senator McCain is in town. Local candidates for Congress from both parties will be invited to attend and show their support for Social Security if they so choose.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Stop Electric Rate Increases in PA!
Ten years ago the Republican-led House and Senate deregulated the electric industry in Pennsylvania.
They promised us lower rates--up to 50% lower--as dozens of electricity providers would compete for our business.Instead, Harrisburg gave the electric companies $11 billion dollars of our money and a promise to allow them to raise their rates without regulation in ten years.
Now, 10 years later, Pennsylvania consumers are about to get one big sucker-punch when the rate cap comes off.
By the electric companies' own projections, rates will rise from 20% to at 63%. However, consumer advocates think the reality will be closer to a 100% increase in our electric bills--and possibly more as fuel costs continue to soar.
State Senator Lisa Boscola and other Senate Democrats are introducing legislation that would hold off the rate increases by phasing out the cap over a period of five years. It would also require that electric generators seek practical ways to lower their costs.
Pennsylvania already has some of the highest electricity costs in the nation! Raising the rates even higher will break the backs of working families already struggling to make ends meet. It will also force small businesses to close and cause other businesses to locate in states with lower utility costs.
Most Senators have not signed on to this family-friendly legislation. We need to stand together to fight the corporate special interests in Harrisburg if we are going to keep our electric bills from doubling in the next few years.
Click on the link below to join us by signing this petition to our state senators. Tell them to stand up for working families and not the big electric companies.
How to Stop a Tire Burning Plant in PA
HOW TO STOP A TIRE BURNING PLANT IN PENNSYLVANIA
What does an urban community do when it is assaulted by plans to build the world largest dedicated tire-burning plant in a downtown residential neighborhood?
It gets PISSED!
Erie Renewable Energy, LLC think it knows a rust-belt sucker when it sees one. A miniscule 60 jobs on a KOZ brown-field are proposed for the site in order to place itself as an electricity provider when the PA electricity rate-caps come off in 2010. (Can you say windfall profits?)
A grass-roots organization named K.E.E.P (Keep Erie’s Environment Protected) formed in Erie in the summer of 2007 to fight this proposed environmental monstrosity in the face of a community revolt and (expected) local governmental inertia.
Environmental expert Mike Ewall, in conjunction with the local Green Party in Erie, has assisted in part with the formation of a grassroots organization that has taken the town by storm.
Here’s what the folks in Erie are saying:
'If this project is developed as planned, we will be faced with potentially having to move our processing plant and likely our distribution plant south of Erie and possibly Erie County for the sake of maintaining food safety and product integrity.”
This quote comes from Bruce Kern, a food processing company owner near the proposed tire-to-toxic-death plant. K.E.E.P. has now to date 29 letters from local business in clear opposition to the construction of the proposed tire-burning plant.
The proposed tire-burning plant filed for its air-quality permit, a signal important hurdle in being granted a go-ahead by the PA DEP in December of 2007. In its application, Erie Renewable Energy (since when are tires renewable?) said its operation would be officially listed as a “major source of hazardous air pollutants” (HAP). The application goes on to reveal that it is designated as a Title V polluter which will produce an estimated (on a good day) over 1,500 tons of pollution each year in the Erie community, translating into just over 4 tons of gas and particulate matter per day. This is in conjunction with two other Title V polluters in the Erie city limits already in operation.
Does the Erie community need this kind of “business investment?”
'It's my home. It's my neighborhood. It's my city. I think I need better assurances than they have given so far,' said Dzuricky, an East Sixth Street resident.
'We are not going away,' Dzuricky said. 'We are still mobilizing. We are in this for the long haul.'
Tim Reim, representative of the local Green Party, and other K.E.E.P. officials also challenged the contention that the type and volume of pollutants the plant would emit would not represent a health threat.
Reim stated, 'How do you dump 229 tons of particulate matter containing things like dioxins in the air and tell the community it is not going to have an effect?'
'Erie must be in the forefront of good environmental standards,' he said. 'This is not an anti-business resolution. This is a pro-environment resolution. Are we willing to jeopardize future businesses, and most importantly are we willing to jeopardize our own citizens for 60 jobs? I'm interested in the health, safety and welfare of residents,' Cappabianca said. 'I want to protect the air in Erie.'
These are the words of our courageous City Councilperson, Pat Cappabianca, backed by a second Erie Councilperson, Jessica Horan-Kunco, in response to a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System Ordinance (CEMS) crafted by Mike Ewall to address the environmental needs of the citizens of Erie.
Six separate surrounding local township governments have publicly stated their opposition to the construction of the tire-burning plant.
And yet the corporate criminals who place profit over people persist in its plans to build the plant in Erie. Its original cost projection has sky-rocketed from an estimated $90 million to now $350 million, while shedding possibly 30 of its projected 60 long-term jobs.
Concerns about possible tire fires, rail and truck traffic issues, local ammonia on-site storage and local tourism, along with regional grape-growers concerns continue to beleaguer the plans of the proposed tire-burning plant’s local construction and out-of-town investors.
K.E.E.P. has had enormous success in garnering support among its many aroused citizenry. Community inspired raffles, fundraisers and anonymous donors have given a growing group of dedicated activists the incentive to continue the fight.
A recent Erie City zoning hearing board ruling which found against a preliminary approval of ERE’s plans has further enhanced K.E.E.P.’s standing in the community as a viable force against the forces of environmental degradation.
In addition, the Erie County Medical Society released a statement this last month which read in part: “…the Erie County Medical Society is concerned that simply meeting DEP standards will not adequately define the health risk to our citizens over time. It is our position that an independent health impact assessment be obtained to further delineate the burning facility.
In other words, an independent health impact assessment study of the data should be conducted before the PA DEP rules to give ERE, LLC its valued air-quality permit.
What can we do to help K.E.E.P. in Erie? Go to: http://www.stopburningtires.com/
Or contact Tim Reim , 2708 W. 33rd Street, Erie, PA 16506(814) 838-1193, (814) 572-6653 – cell, Deaconb60@Hotmail.com
What does an urban community do when it is assaulted by plans to build the world largest dedicated tire-burning plant in a downtown residential neighborhood?
It gets PISSED!
Erie Renewable Energy, LLC think it knows a rust-belt sucker when it sees one. A miniscule 60 jobs on a KOZ brown-field are proposed for the site in order to place itself as an electricity provider when the PA electricity rate-caps come off in 2010. (Can you say windfall profits?)
A grass-roots organization named K.E.E.P (Keep Erie’s Environment Protected) formed in Erie in the summer of 2007 to fight this proposed environmental monstrosity in the face of a community revolt and (expected) local governmental inertia.
Environmental expert Mike Ewall, in conjunction with the local Green Party in Erie, has assisted in part with the formation of a grassroots organization that has taken the town by storm.
Here’s what the folks in Erie are saying:
'If this project is developed as planned, we will be faced with potentially having to move our processing plant and likely our distribution plant south of Erie and possibly Erie County for the sake of maintaining food safety and product integrity.”
This quote comes from Bruce Kern, a food processing company owner near the proposed tire-to-toxic-death plant. K.E.E.P. has now to date 29 letters from local business in clear opposition to the construction of the proposed tire-burning plant.
The proposed tire-burning plant filed for its air-quality permit, a signal important hurdle in being granted a go-ahead by the PA DEP in December of 2007. In its application, Erie Renewable Energy (since when are tires renewable?) said its operation would be officially listed as a “major source of hazardous air pollutants” (HAP). The application goes on to reveal that it is designated as a Title V polluter which will produce an estimated (on a good day) over 1,500 tons of pollution each year in the Erie community, translating into just over 4 tons of gas and particulate matter per day. This is in conjunction with two other Title V polluters in the Erie city limits already in operation.
Does the Erie community need this kind of “business investment?”
'It's my home. It's my neighborhood. It's my city. I think I need better assurances than they have given so far,' said Dzuricky, an East Sixth Street resident.
'We are not going away,' Dzuricky said. 'We are still mobilizing. We are in this for the long haul.'
Tim Reim, representative of the local Green Party, and other K.E.E.P. officials also challenged the contention that the type and volume of pollutants the plant would emit would not represent a health threat.
Reim stated, 'How do you dump 229 tons of particulate matter containing things like dioxins in the air and tell the community it is not going to have an effect?'
'Erie must be in the forefront of good environmental standards,' he said. 'This is not an anti-business resolution. This is a pro-environment resolution. Are we willing to jeopardize future businesses, and most importantly are we willing to jeopardize our own citizens for 60 jobs? I'm interested in the health, safety and welfare of residents,' Cappabianca said. 'I want to protect the air in Erie.'
These are the words of our courageous City Councilperson, Pat Cappabianca, backed by a second Erie Councilperson, Jessica Horan-Kunco, in response to a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System Ordinance (CEMS) crafted by Mike Ewall to address the environmental needs of the citizens of Erie.
Six separate surrounding local township governments have publicly stated their opposition to the construction of the tire-burning plant.
And yet the corporate criminals who place profit over people persist in its plans to build the plant in Erie. Its original cost projection has sky-rocketed from an estimated $90 million to now $350 million, while shedding possibly 30 of its projected 60 long-term jobs.
Concerns about possible tire fires, rail and truck traffic issues, local ammonia on-site storage and local tourism, along with regional grape-growers concerns continue to beleaguer the plans of the proposed tire-burning plant’s local construction and out-of-town investors.
K.E.E.P. has had enormous success in garnering support among its many aroused citizenry. Community inspired raffles, fundraisers and anonymous donors have given a growing group of dedicated activists the incentive to continue the fight.
A recent Erie City zoning hearing board ruling which found against a preliminary approval of ERE’s plans has further enhanced K.E.E.P.’s standing in the community as a viable force against the forces of environmental degradation.
In addition, the Erie County Medical Society released a statement this last month which read in part: “…the Erie County Medical Society is concerned that simply meeting DEP standards will not adequately define the health risk to our citizens over time. It is our position that an independent health impact assessment be obtained to further delineate the burning facility.
In other words, an independent health impact assessment study of the data should be conducted before the PA DEP rules to give ERE, LLC its valued air-quality permit.
What can we do to help K.E.E.P. in Erie? Go to: http://www.stopburningtires.com/
Or contact Tim Reim , 2708 W. 33rd Street, Erie, PA 16506(814) 838-1193, (814) 572-6653 – cell, Deaconb60@Hotmail.com
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
McCain: Not Comfortable With Nuclear Waste Through Arizona, But Just Fine for Pennsylvania
www.sierraclub.org
McCain Nuclear Plan Would Bring At Least 6,349 Casks of Dangerous, Highly Radioactive Nuclear Waste Through Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania—As John McCain is paying a visit today to the Enrico Fermi nuclear generating station in Monroe, Michigan he can be expected to tout his costly plan to build 45 new nuclear plants by 2030 and 55 more after that. This plan would effectively double the number of nuclear reactors and the amount of dangerous high-level nuclear waste that would need to be transported across the country.
The Sierra Club is today calling attention to the YouTube video that surfaced earlier this year which shows John McCain clearly saying—while shaking his head ‘no’—that he would not be comfortable with nuclear waste traveling through his own home state of Arizona on its way to the unsafe and unproven Yucca Mountain site—something for which John McCain has been one of the Senate’s biggest proponents.
The video can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPlaHQCKc34
Transcript (beginning at 1:14): Interviewer: What about the transportation? Would you be comfortable with nuclear waste coming through Arizona on its way, you know going through Phoenix, on its way to uh Yucca Mountain? McCain (Shaking Head): “No, I would not. No, I would not.”
“Why does John McCain think its okay for hundreds of tons of dangerous nuclear waste to go through Pennsylvania but yet too dangerous to go through his own state?” said Hillary Bright, Sierra Club. “John McCain simply can’t have it both ways when it comes to the nuclear waste issue. Right now he supports running hundreds of shipments of dangerous nuclear waste through Pennsylvania and sticking Nevadans with 77,000 tons of it forever, while at the same time saying he’s uncomfortable with it going through his own backyard for even a day.”
The Sierra Club also pointed out that the very nuclear plant that Senator McCain is visiting today once suffered a partial meltdown. Indeed, a book about the incident is entitled “We Almost Lost Detroit.”
John McCain supports the Bush administration’s plan to store our nation’s nuclear waste at the unsafe and unproven Yucca mountain site—a white elephant that has wasted two decades and billions of taxpayer dollars. A plan to transport the waste released by the State of Nevada based on Department of Energy plans details the likely rail, truck, and barge routes that high-level waste would take on its way to Yucca Mountain. Approximately 6,349 casks of waste would travel through Pennsylvania. Each cask would transport between 2 and 15 tons of high-level waste. In total, the dangerous waste would travel through more than 703 counties in 45 states. More than 123 million people live along the proposed truck routes alone. And more than 10 million people live within a half-mile of the proposed routes.
See link for Proposed Pennsylvania Routes: http://www.state.nv.us/nucwaste/maps2002/roadrail/pa.htm
“John McCain is asking both Pennsylvanians and Nevadans to gamble with our safety, yet it’s not even a bet he’s willing to take for Arizona,” said Hillary Bright, Sierra Club. “Just like with subsidies—he’s against them, except when it comes to nuclear power and so-called ‘clean coal’—John McCain wants to have his cake and eat it too on the nuclear waste issue. He’s all for moving thousands of tons highly radioactive waste through communities across the country, except when it comes to his home state of Arizona.”
In addition to being dangerous, John McCain’s nuclear plan is a costly distraction from the real solutions to global warming. Based on cost estimates for new nuclear power plants put forth by utilities like Florida Power and Light, McCain’s plan for 100 new nuclear plants could cost more than $1 TRILLION.
Over the years McCain has cast vote after vote in favor of Yucca Mountain and billions in subsidies for the nuclear industry, yet he has consistently voted against renewable energy and has refused to support extending key clean energy incentives that are in danger of expiring at the end of this year. While twice trying to extend these incentives in recent months, they failed by just a single vote. Every other Senator voted on these clean energy incentives, but McCain was nowhere to be found. Failing to extend these incentives could throw 116,000 people out of work in the wind and solar industries alone and sacrifice billions in lost economic growth.
Barack Obama, by contrast, opposes storing nuclear waste at the Yucca Mountain site. With regards to the role of nuclear power in general, Obama’s energy plan released yesterday states:
“Before an expansion of nuclear power is considered, key issues must be addressed including: security of nuclear fuel and waste, waste storage, and proliferation.”
McCain Nuclear Plan Would Bring At Least 6,349 Casks of Dangerous, Highly Radioactive Nuclear Waste Through Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania—As John McCain is paying a visit today to the Enrico Fermi nuclear generating station in Monroe, Michigan he can be expected to tout his costly plan to build 45 new nuclear plants by 2030 and 55 more after that. This plan would effectively double the number of nuclear reactors and the amount of dangerous high-level nuclear waste that would need to be transported across the country.
The Sierra Club is today calling attention to the YouTube video that surfaced earlier this year which shows John McCain clearly saying—while shaking his head ‘no’—that he would not be comfortable with nuclear waste traveling through his own home state of Arizona on its way to the unsafe and unproven Yucca Mountain site—something for which John McCain has been one of the Senate’s biggest proponents.
The video can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPlaHQCKc34
Transcript (beginning at 1:14): Interviewer: What about the transportation? Would you be comfortable with nuclear waste coming through Arizona on its way, you know going through Phoenix, on its way to uh Yucca Mountain? McCain (Shaking Head): “No, I would not. No, I would not.”
“Why does John McCain think its okay for hundreds of tons of dangerous nuclear waste to go through Pennsylvania but yet too dangerous to go through his own state?” said Hillary Bright, Sierra Club. “John McCain simply can’t have it both ways when it comes to the nuclear waste issue. Right now he supports running hundreds of shipments of dangerous nuclear waste through Pennsylvania and sticking Nevadans with 77,000 tons of it forever, while at the same time saying he’s uncomfortable with it going through his own backyard for even a day.”
The Sierra Club also pointed out that the very nuclear plant that Senator McCain is visiting today once suffered a partial meltdown. Indeed, a book about the incident is entitled “We Almost Lost Detroit.”
John McCain supports the Bush administration’s plan to store our nation’s nuclear waste at the unsafe and unproven Yucca mountain site—a white elephant that has wasted two decades and billions of taxpayer dollars. A plan to transport the waste released by the State of Nevada based on Department of Energy plans details the likely rail, truck, and barge routes that high-level waste would take on its way to Yucca Mountain. Approximately 6,349 casks of waste would travel through Pennsylvania. Each cask would transport between 2 and 15 tons of high-level waste. In total, the dangerous waste would travel through more than 703 counties in 45 states. More than 123 million people live along the proposed truck routes alone. And more than 10 million people live within a half-mile of the proposed routes.
See link for Proposed Pennsylvania Routes: http://www.state.nv.us/nucwaste/maps2002/roadrail/pa.htm
“John McCain is asking both Pennsylvanians and Nevadans to gamble with our safety, yet it’s not even a bet he’s willing to take for Arizona,” said Hillary Bright, Sierra Club. “Just like with subsidies—he’s against them, except when it comes to nuclear power and so-called ‘clean coal’—John McCain wants to have his cake and eat it too on the nuclear waste issue. He’s all for moving thousands of tons highly radioactive waste through communities across the country, except when it comes to his home state of Arizona.”
In addition to being dangerous, John McCain’s nuclear plan is a costly distraction from the real solutions to global warming. Based on cost estimates for new nuclear power plants put forth by utilities like Florida Power and Light, McCain’s plan for 100 new nuclear plants could cost more than $1 TRILLION.
Over the years McCain has cast vote after vote in favor of Yucca Mountain and billions in subsidies for the nuclear industry, yet he has consistently voted against renewable energy and has refused to support extending key clean energy incentives that are in danger of expiring at the end of this year. While twice trying to extend these incentives in recent months, they failed by just a single vote. Every other Senator voted on these clean energy incentives, but McCain was nowhere to be found. Failing to extend these incentives could throw 116,000 people out of work in the wind and solar industries alone and sacrifice billions in lost economic growth.
Barack Obama, by contrast, opposes storing nuclear waste at the Yucca Mountain site. With regards to the role of nuclear power in general, Obama’s energy plan released yesterday states:
“Before an expansion of nuclear power is considered, key issues must be addressed including: security of nuclear fuel and waste, waste storage, and proliferation.”
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Special Show in DHS Reform in Philly on Monday Night
1210 TONIGHT TO HOST A SPECIAL ONE HOUR
FAMILY AFFAIRS MONDAY 7PM
ON DHS REFORM IN PHILADELPHIA IN THE WAKE OF
THE GRAND JURY INDICTMENT FOR THE DEATH OF
14-YEAR OLD DANIEAL KELLLY
CHUCK WILLIAMS, SHOW HOST WAS RAISED IN DHS CARE. HE WILL POINT OUT THE NEED FOR MAYOR NUTTER TO MAKE SWEEPING REFORMS, ON TOMORROW NIGHT’S SHOW
Philadelphia (PA) – Upon reading the many heart wrenching stories published this weekend, in both the Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia Inquirer, Dr. Chuck contacted his friend and radio buddy, Dr. Mazz about doing a special show focused on the need for Philadelphia to push for drastic reforms at the embattled DHS. Dr. Mazz responded –“Of course! This is an issue about which I am very passionate”. So, the plans were made to host the first ever one-hour special devoted to DHS reform on 1210 Tonight’s Family Affairs show, co-hosted by Dr. Mazz and Dr. Chuck. “ I was more than pleased that Mazz was so committed to doing this special show. He understands my concern for these issues as a child-welfare professional and as someone who grew up in DHS care,” stated Chuck Williams.
The story involving 14-year old Danieal Kelly culminates in a more than 200-page grand jury indictment and some scathing words from both the grand- jury and Philadelphia’s DA, Lynn Abraham. According to published reports, DA Lynn Abraham was seething with anger as she read, aloud, the reasons for the indictment. DHS was “in total meltdown” according to published reports quoting Philadelphia’s fiery DA. The 256-page indictment points to “...dysfunction that goes deep, down to the bone.” She also went on to proclaim that the state should seize control of the embattled child-welfare agency and that this grand-jury report “ should outrage the whole Philadelphia community”. Well, enrage one Philadelphian it did.
Chuck Williams grew up in DHS care, given that there were serious addictions, neglect and abuse issues taking place within his home. He was removed from his home at the age of 13 and sent to live at St. Francis Homes For Boys, which is located in Bensalem, Pa, a suburb outside of Philadelphia. He remained there until he was accepted at Temple University. Today, he has earned a PhD, lectures at Penn State, and hosts a radio show. “I am extremely blessed. In many instances, I’m the exception to the rule. Many of the kids who grew up with me, did not make it out of the system [DHS] alive, literally. It is because of this that I’ve dedicated my life to pushing for serious reforms at DHS.” Chuck recently chaired a committee on child abuse and neglect, which was a part of the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Children’s Behavior Health. As a part of that committee’s work, a recommendation was made to appoint a child advocate for the city. He has also recently teamed with the National Adoption Center to push for reforms in the foster care system, focusing on encouraging DHS to find families for abused and neglected children, which is also a major issue for the agency. “Many children languish in foster care for years because DHS refuses to allow them to be adopted by families. I had a client who was 3-years of age and DHS had placed him in six different foster care homes. This has got to stop,” stated Williams.
---
Anthony Mazzarelli, MD, JD, MBE is a physician, attorney and bioethicist. He is the host of 1210 Tonight week nights on The Big Talker. He is also on the medical staff at Cooper University Hospital in New Jersey, where he lives with his wife.
Chuck Williams, MGCOD, PhD, is a trained child therapist, organizational dynamicist, and educational psychologist. He hosts Family Affairs on 1210 Tonight and is the co-host for Grimaldi vs Williams, a political call in show on The Big Talker. He currently resides in the University City section of Philadelphia.
-##-
FAMILY AFFAIRS MONDAY 7PM
ON DHS REFORM IN PHILADELPHIA IN THE WAKE OF
THE GRAND JURY INDICTMENT FOR THE DEATH OF
14-YEAR OLD DANIEAL KELLLY
CHUCK WILLIAMS, SHOW HOST WAS RAISED IN DHS CARE. HE WILL POINT OUT THE NEED FOR MAYOR NUTTER TO MAKE SWEEPING REFORMS, ON TOMORROW NIGHT’S SHOW
Philadelphia (PA) – Upon reading the many heart wrenching stories published this weekend, in both the Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia Inquirer, Dr. Chuck contacted his friend and radio buddy, Dr. Mazz about doing a special show focused on the need for Philadelphia to push for drastic reforms at the embattled DHS. Dr. Mazz responded –“Of course! This is an issue about which I am very passionate”. So, the plans were made to host the first ever one-hour special devoted to DHS reform on 1210 Tonight’s Family Affairs show, co-hosted by Dr. Mazz and Dr. Chuck. “ I was more than pleased that Mazz was so committed to doing this special show. He understands my concern for these issues as a child-welfare professional and as someone who grew up in DHS care,” stated Chuck Williams.
The story involving 14-year old Danieal Kelly culminates in a more than 200-page grand jury indictment and some scathing words from both the grand- jury and Philadelphia’s DA, Lynn Abraham. According to published reports, DA Lynn Abraham was seething with anger as she read, aloud, the reasons for the indictment. DHS was “in total meltdown” according to published reports quoting Philadelphia’s fiery DA. The 256-page indictment points to “...dysfunction that goes deep, down to the bone.” She also went on to proclaim that the state should seize control of the embattled child-welfare agency and that this grand-jury report “ should outrage the whole Philadelphia community”. Well, enrage one Philadelphian it did.
Chuck Williams grew up in DHS care, given that there were serious addictions, neglect and abuse issues taking place within his home. He was removed from his home at the age of 13 and sent to live at St. Francis Homes For Boys, which is located in Bensalem, Pa, a suburb outside of Philadelphia. He remained there until he was accepted at Temple University. Today, he has earned a PhD, lectures at Penn State, and hosts a radio show. “I am extremely blessed. In many instances, I’m the exception to the rule. Many of the kids who grew up with me, did not make it out of the system [DHS] alive, literally. It is because of this that I’ve dedicated my life to pushing for serious reforms at DHS.” Chuck recently chaired a committee on child abuse and neglect, which was a part of the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Children’s Behavior Health. As a part of that committee’s work, a recommendation was made to appoint a child advocate for the city. He has also recently teamed with the National Adoption Center to push for reforms in the foster care system, focusing on encouraging DHS to find families for abused and neglected children, which is also a major issue for the agency. “Many children languish in foster care for years because DHS refuses to allow them to be adopted by families. I had a client who was 3-years of age and DHS had placed him in six different foster care homes. This has got to stop,” stated Williams.
---
Anthony Mazzarelli, MD, JD, MBE is a physician, attorney and bioethicist. He is the host of 1210 Tonight week nights on The Big Talker. He is also on the medical staff at Cooper University Hospital in New Jersey, where he lives with his wife.
Chuck Williams, MGCOD, PhD, is a trained child therapist, organizational dynamicist, and educational psychologist. He hosts Family Affairs on 1210 Tonight and is the co-host for Grimaldi vs Williams, a political call in show on The Big Talker. He currently resides in the University City section of Philadelphia.
-##-
Saturday, August 2, 2008
FACT CHECK: McCain lied about support of MLK holiday
From Progressive Accountability:
FACT CHECK: McCain Opposed Federal MLK Holiday, Arizona MLK Holiday And Key Legislation Aimed At Equal Opportunity For African Americans
McCain Claim: McCain Defended Opposition Of Federal MLK Holiday By Saying He Supported Arizona’s State Holiday. During a press availability in Panama City, Florida, John McCain said, “I have supported hundreds of pieces of legislation, which would help Americans obtain an equal opportunity in America. I am proud of that record, from fighting for the recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday in my state to sponsoring specific legislation that would prevent discrimination in any shape or form in America today.” [McCain Press Availability In Panama City, Florida, 8/1/08]
FACT: McCain Supported Republican AZ Governor’s Decision To Rescind MLK Holiday. ABC News reported, “In Arizona, a bill to recognize a holiday honoring MLK failed in the legislature, so then-Gov. Bruce Babbitt, a Democrat, declared one through executive order. In January 1987, the first act of Arizona’s new governor, Republican Evan Mecham, was to rescind the executive order by his predecessor to create an MLK holiday. Arizona’s stance became a national controversy. McCain backed the decision at the time.” [ABC News, 4/3/08]
FACT: McCain Supported Gov. Evan Mecham’s Decision In 1987 To Rescind Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer, “In a vote likely to haunt him for the rest of his public career, McCain voted against 1983 legislation establishing the third Monday in January as the federal holiday marking King’s birthday. Back home in Arizona, he supported Gov. Evan Mecham’s decision in 1987 to rescind an executive order creating a state holiday for King, but later reversed his position.” [Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/16/08]
FACT: McCain Voted Against Creating Martin Luther King Holiday. In 1983, McCain voted against a motion to suspend the rules and pass a bill to designate the third Monday of every January as a federal holiday in honor of the late civil rights leader, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The motion passed 89-77. [HR 3706, Vote 289, 8/2/83; CQ 1983]
McCain Admitted His Opposition To The Federal MLK Holiday Was “A Mistake” And His Position Has “Evolved.” During a 2000 interview, McCain compared his evolution on this issue to former Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater. “I believe that Barry Goldwater, to start with, regretted his vote on the 1964 Civil Rights Act,” McCain said. “I think that Barry grew, like all of us grow and evolve. In 1983, when I was brand-new in the Congress, I voted against the recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King. That was a mistake, OK? And later I had the chance to … help fight for … the recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King as a holiday in my state.” [ http://www.salon.com/ 4/18/00; Accessed 4/2/08]
FACT: In 1994, McCain Sided With Senator Jesse Helms and Voted To Eliminate Funding For Martin Luther King Commission. McCain voted in favor of a Helms amendment “to prohibit federal financing for the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday Commission.” The amendment failed 28-70-2. [S Amdt 1738, Vote #127, 5/24/94; CQ Vote Description]
FACT: McCain Voted Against The Civil Rights Act Of 1990 FOUR Times. In 1990, McCain voted against a bill designed to address employer discrimination at least 4 times. According to the Washington Post, the “Civil Rights Act of 1990 is designed to overturn several recent Supreme Court rulings that made it much more difficult for individual employees to prove discrimination. The legislation, being fought by business, also would impose new penalties on employers convicted of job discrimination.” [S 2104, Vote #304, 10/24/90; Vote #276, Vote #275, 10/16/90; Vote #161, 7/18/90; Washington Post, 7/9/90]
FACT CHECK: McCain Opposed Federal MLK Holiday, Arizona MLK Holiday And Key Legislation Aimed At Equal Opportunity For African Americans
McCain Claim: McCain Defended Opposition Of Federal MLK Holiday By Saying He Supported Arizona’s State Holiday. During a press availability in Panama City, Florida, John McCain said, “I have supported hundreds of pieces of legislation, which would help Americans obtain an equal opportunity in America. I am proud of that record, from fighting for the recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday in my state to sponsoring specific legislation that would prevent discrimination in any shape or form in America today.” [McCain Press Availability In Panama City, Florida, 8/1/08]
FACT: McCain Supported Republican AZ Governor’s Decision To Rescind MLK Holiday. ABC News reported, “In Arizona, a bill to recognize a holiday honoring MLK failed in the legislature, so then-Gov. Bruce Babbitt, a Democrat, declared one through executive order. In January 1987, the first act of Arizona’s new governor, Republican Evan Mecham, was to rescind the executive order by his predecessor to create an MLK holiday. Arizona’s stance became a national controversy. McCain backed the decision at the time.” [ABC News, 4/3/08]
FACT: McCain Supported Gov. Evan Mecham’s Decision In 1987 To Rescind Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer, “In a vote likely to haunt him for the rest of his public career, McCain voted against 1983 legislation establishing the third Monday in January as the federal holiday marking King’s birthday. Back home in Arizona, he supported Gov. Evan Mecham’s decision in 1987 to rescind an executive order creating a state holiday for King, but later reversed his position.” [Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/16/08]
FACT: McCain Voted Against Creating Martin Luther King Holiday. In 1983, McCain voted against a motion to suspend the rules and pass a bill to designate the third Monday of every January as a federal holiday in honor of the late civil rights leader, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The motion passed 89-77. [HR 3706, Vote 289, 8/2/83; CQ 1983]
McCain Admitted His Opposition To The Federal MLK Holiday Was “A Mistake” And His Position Has “Evolved.” During a 2000 interview, McCain compared his evolution on this issue to former Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater. “I believe that Barry Goldwater, to start with, regretted his vote on the 1964 Civil Rights Act,” McCain said. “I think that Barry grew, like all of us grow and evolve. In 1983, when I was brand-new in the Congress, I voted against the recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King. That was a mistake, OK? And later I had the chance to … help fight for … the recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King as a holiday in my state.” [ http://www.salon.com/ 4/18/00; Accessed 4/2/08]
FACT: In 1994, McCain Sided With Senator Jesse Helms and Voted To Eliminate Funding For Martin Luther King Commission. McCain voted in favor of a Helms amendment “to prohibit federal financing for the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday Commission.” The amendment failed 28-70-2. [S Amdt 1738, Vote #127, 5/24/94; CQ Vote Description]
FACT: McCain Voted Against The Civil Rights Act Of 1990 FOUR Times. In 1990, McCain voted against a bill designed to address employer discrimination at least 4 times. According to the Washington Post, the “Civil Rights Act of 1990 is designed to overturn several recent Supreme Court rulings that made it much more difficult for individual employees to prove discrimination. The legislation, being fought by business, also would impose new penalties on employers convicted of job discrimination.” [S 2104, Vote #304, 10/24/90; Vote #276, Vote #275, 10/16/90; Vote #161, 7/18/90; Washington Post, 7/9/90]
Friday, August 1, 2008
PA Nurses Pushing to Ban Forced Overtime
From SEIU Healthcare PA
Pennsylvania Nurses Push Lawmakers to Ban Forced Overtime
Last spring, urged on by SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, the state’s House of Representatives voted 166-31 to ban mandatory overtime for nurses. Now the nurses are aggressively lobbying the state Senate to move the bill out of committee. Members have been campaigning for the ban for the past six years, mobilizing for lobby days in Harrisburg and generating thousands of emails. A strong media campaign is supplementing the lobbying with radio ads, billboards, and excellent media coverage of events, including candidate forums.
"Every day, we are contacted by nurses who are concerned that they are unable to deliver the highest quality care that their patients deserve, because of the toll and stress placed on nurses by working endless hours. Our number one legislative priority is to insure that this outrageous practice be eliminated and banned forever." - Kati Sipp, Executive Vice President,SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania.
Sipp says that one thing that distinguishes the Pennysylvania bill from similar laws in other states is that "it covers not only RNs but also LPNs and CNAs so our longterm care workers, not just acute care, are very involved."Now our members, who have already written or visited or called their Senators many times, are reaching out to non-union nurses to get them involved in the campaign. We have no doubt that we’ll eventually be successful."
Pennsylvania Nurses Push Lawmakers to Ban Forced Overtime
Last spring, urged on by SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, the state’s House of Representatives voted 166-31 to ban mandatory overtime for nurses. Now the nurses are aggressively lobbying the state Senate to move the bill out of committee. Members have been campaigning for the ban for the past six years, mobilizing for lobby days in Harrisburg and generating thousands of emails. A strong media campaign is supplementing the lobbying with radio ads, billboards, and excellent media coverage of events, including candidate forums.
"Every day, we are contacted by nurses who are concerned that they are unable to deliver the highest quality care that their patients deserve, because of the toll and stress placed on nurses by working endless hours. Our number one legislative priority is to insure that this outrageous practice be eliminated and banned forever." - Kati Sipp, Executive Vice President,SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania.
Sipp says that one thing that distinguishes the Pennysylvania bill from similar laws in other states is that "it covers not only RNs but also LPNs and CNAs so our longterm care workers, not just acute care, are very involved."Now our members, who have already written or visited or called their Senators many times, are reaching out to non-union nurses to get them involved in the campaign. We have no doubt that we’ll eventually be successful."
Declare Your Independence From Big Oil
From our friends at Clean Water Action
Declare Your Independence From Big Oil
Eight years of increased oil production has done nothing to reduce gas prices. Instead we are faced with high gas prices for consumers and fat profits for the Big Oil companies.
The only way to free ourselves from expensive oil is to get off oil.
Read more or sign our petition and add your voice to thousands of others who oppose drilling off our most pristine coasts and in our Alaska National Wildlife Refuge.
Eight years of increased oil production has done nothing to reduce gas prices. Instead we are faced with high gas prices for consumers and fat profits for the Big Oil companies.
The only way to free ourselves from expensive oil is to get off oil.
Read more or sign our petition and add your voice to thousands of others who oppose drilling off our most pristine coasts and in our Alaska National Wildlife Refuge.
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