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Lafcadio Cortesi, Rainforest Action Network

09/14/2012 Nativegrl77

Chip in to help hold paper villain Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) accountable.

Here are RAN, we are engaged in one of our largest campaigns yet in an emergency effort to save Indonesia‘s imperiled forests. We’re working in the U.S., Japan, and Indonesia to create the market leverage necessary to transform the corporate practices of APP, the largest paper company in Indonesia. And our campaign is working: major U.S. and European customers like Staples, Random House, Levi’s, and Gucci have stopped buying paper from controversial sources like APP.

Now is the perfect time to put more market pressure on APP, and that is directly where your support will go.
Make a tax-deductible donation to the Rainforest Action Network today.

Canadian donors, please click here.

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CPS states they Offered a Fair and Reasonable Deal to CTU to Avoid a Strike

09/14/2012 Nativegrl77

Chicago Teachers Strike For The First Time in 25 Years

Photo from Care2

Visit cps.edu/childrenfirst or call 311 if you have no alternative childcare

From the CPS website : Posted September 9, 2012

The Chicago Board of Education is Offering the Chicago Teachers Union a Fair and Reasonable Proposal

to Set the Stage for a Deal and Avoid a Strike:

Increases in Pay: 16 percent average salary increase equaling $320 million over the next four years, including COLA (3% year 1; 2% years 2,3,4) lanes and modified step increases that both reward experience and provides better incentives for mid-career teachers to help keep them serving in the Chicago Public School system.

New Opportunities and Security for Laid Off Teachers:

Teachers displaced due to school closings: will receive a job at a school receiving their students if there is a vacancy; placed in a reassigned teacher pool for five months or may elect to receive a three-month lump sum severance; or placed in a Quality Teacher Force Pool in which teachers who apply for positions shall be entitled to an interview and explanation if not hired.
Teachers displaced due to turnarounds or phase outs: placed in a reassigned teacher pool for five months or may elect three-month lump sum severance.
Teachers displaced for other reasons: shall have recall rights for one year for the same unit and position and will be offered interim assignment in substitute teacher pool.

Joint Implementation of Teacher Evaluations with Flexibility When Needed: The Board has proposed to work jointly with CTU to fully implement REACH Students and maintain performance standards and student growth requirements. This proposal will also allow CPS and CTU to study REACH’s implementation jointly and make adjustments as needed.

New Short-Term Disability Policy, Including First-Ever Paid Maternity Leave: While the banking of sick days will end, the Board will offer short-term disability to all CTU members, including paid-maternity leave. Employees will no longer need to use sick days to take time off needed for the birth of a child – nor will they need to bank the number of sick days needed before starting their family planning. Employees who have a short-term illness will not have to use sick days in order to take time needed to get well; short-term disability coverage will cover their needs and provide pay while recovering. The proposal will protect accrued sick-day accumulation for teachers with over 15 years of service in the form of pension service credits.

CPS to Cover Part of Employee Pension Contribution: The Board has also offered to continue picking up 7% each employee’s 9% pension contribution.

Freeze on Health Care Contributions for Most Plans: The Board is calling for a modification to the health care plan funding that will freeze all employee health care contributions for single and couple plans with a small increase in family contributions of no more than $20 a pay period in addition to a small increase in emergency room co-pays. 67 percent of all CTU members will not see a change to their healthcare.

Increased Opportunity for Promotion: The Board proposes that CPS and CTU collaborate and work together to increase promotion opportunities and identify differentiated compensation models that have worked in other places.

Improved Health and Living: Like the nearly 40,000 City employees who have already signed up for the Wellness program, the Board is asking teachers to join the program at no cost. Teachers can opt-out of Wellness, and pay a small premium differential.

Improved Monitoring of Class Size Issues: The Board remains committed to protecting and maintaining current class sizes, but will establish a panel and joint supervisory committee with the CTU to monitor and address any class size issues that may arise.

Creation of a New CTU/CPS Commission to Find Fair Pension Funding Solution: The Board pledges to partner with the CTU through the formation of a Legislative Commission to find the right solutions for pension reform and draft legislation that ensures equitable pension funding.

A Better, Fuller Calendar: Maintain a calendar with 180 student attendance days, and 190 teacher workdays, including 10 Professional Development days.

A Full School Day: The newly extended Elementary school day will continue to be 7 hours, while high school days will now be 7.25 hours, a decrease from 7.5 hours. In addition, high school teachers will be limited to teaching only five classes.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Nancy Keenan President, NARAL Pro-Choice America

09/14/2012 Nativegrl77

This past weekend, Mitt Romney said that he wants the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade – the decision that recognized a woman’s constitutionally guaranteed right to choose.¹

And you know what? He’s trying to make his position sound reasonable so that voters won’t notice.

We’re not about to let him get away with that!

We created this graphic to catch people’s attention – but I need your help to get it in front of as many people as possible.

Share this graphic on Facebook so that people know about Mitt’s plan to pack the Supreme Court with justices who will ban abortion.

When Romney appeared on “Meet the Press” this past weekend, he tried to sound reasonable by saying that people can disagree on the issue of abortion. But in the next breath he told viewers:

“Well, I don’t actually make the decision the Supreme Court makes and so they’ll have to make their own decision…. I hope to appoint justices for the Supreme Court that will follow the law and the constitution. And it would be my preference that they reverse Roe v. Wade and therefore they return to the people and their elected representatives the decisions with regards to this important issue.”

Let’s be clear: Mitt Romney wants to outlaw abortion.

I think that voters need to know where Romney stands – and that he’s ready to pack the Supreme Court with justices who will take away women’s freedom and privacy.

Tell your friends about Romney’s plan to take over the Supreme Court so that it can outlaw abortion. Share this graphic on your Facebook wall.

Thanks for standing up for women time and again.

My best,

Nancy Keenan
President, NARAL Pro-Choice America

1 – “Romney: It’s My ‘Preference’ That The Supreme Court Reverse Roe V. Wade,” Talking Points Memo, September 9, 2012

Black History, ~ Recent Post

CONGRESS : the Republican led House : Scheduled to do only about 8days of work prior to Election2012 : the Senate led by Dems

09/14/2012 Nativegrl77

Sep 17, ’12 Pro Forma Session 2:00pm

*******************************************

the Senate Convenes: 10:00am September 19, 2012

Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
Following the remarks of the two Leaders, the Senate will resume consideration of S.3457, the Veterans Jobs Corps Act. The time until 12:00pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. It is in order for Senator McConnell or his designee to raise a budget point of order against the substitute amendment #2789. If a budget point of order is raised, the Majority Leader, or his designee, will be recognized for a motion to waive the applicable budget points of order. At 12:00pm, there will be a roll call voteon the motion to waive the budget act with respect to the substitute amendment.
Following the roll call vote, the Majority Leader will be recognized. Following his remarks, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
At 2:15pm, there will be an additional roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.J.Res.117, the Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 2013.

————————————————————————————————————–

http://www.houselive.gov/

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on September 18, 2012.

9:00:35 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:51 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Rob Bishop to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:01:04 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Monsignor Stephen Rossetti, Associate Professor, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC.
9:02:18 A.M.		<The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:02:26 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Cicilline to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:46 A.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.
9:11:35 A.M.	H.R. 6213	>Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 779. H.R. 6213 — “To limit further taxpayer exposure from the loan guarantee program established under title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.”
9:11:40 A.M.	H.R. 6213	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6213 with 1 hour and 30 minutes of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. The resolution makes in order as original text for the purpose of amendment an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 112-31. Section 2 of the resolution authorizes the Speaker to entertain motions to suspend the rules at any time on the legislative days of September 20, 2012 and September 21, 2012.
9:11:51 A.M.	H.R. 6213	<action_description>House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 779 and Rule XVIII.
9:11:51 A.M.	H.R. 6213	<action_description>The Speaker designated the Honorable Rob Bishop to act as Chairman of the Committee.
9:12:14 A.M.	H.R. 6213	<action_description>GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with 90 minutes of general debate on H.R. 6213.
10:22:25 A.M.	H.R. 6213	The Committee of the Whole rose informally to receive a message from the Senate.
10:23:25 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 3552 and S.J. Res. 44.
10:24:35 A.M.	H.R. 6213	GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole resumed its sitting and continued with general debate on H.R. 6213.
10:53:28 A.M.	H.R. 6213	An amendment, offered by Ms. DeGette, numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-668 to make changes to the findings section of the bill.
10:53:31 A.M.	H.R. 6213	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the DeGette amendment No. 1.
11:04:33 A.M.	H.R. 6213	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the DeGette amendment No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Stearns demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
11:04:46 A.M.	H.R. 6213	An amendment, offered by Mr. Waxman, numbered 2 printed in House Report 112-668 to strike the subsection preventing DOE from issuing a new loan guarantee for applications submitted after December 31, 2011.
11:05:30 A.M.	H.R. 6213	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 779, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Waxman amendment No. 2.
11:15:27 A.M.	H.R. 6213	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Waxman amendment No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Stearns demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
11:43:00 A.M.	H.R. 6213	DeGette amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 169 – 238 (Roll no. 581).
11:47:29 A.M.	H.R. 6213	On agreeing to the Waxman amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 170 – 231 (Roll no. 582).
11:47:44 A.M.	H.R. 6213	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 6213.
11:48:42 A.M.	H.R. 6213	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
11:48:51 A.M.	H.R. 6213	The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
11:49:14 A.M.	H.R. 6213	<action_description>Mr. Markey moved to recommit with instructions to Energy and Commerce.
11:50:00 A.M.	H.R. 6213	<action_description>DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Markey motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add a section to the bill relating to Buy America provisions. The new section prohibits the Secretary of Energy from issuing loan guarantees for an energy project unless the applicant certifies to the Secretary that at least 75% of the materials and components used for construction, manufacturing, or operations of the project are to be produced in the United States. The motion would also make the underlying bill’s prohibition against awarding new loan guarantees contingent on the extension of the Wind Energy Production Tax Credit.
11:58:46 A.M.	H.R. 6213	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
12:16:40 P.M.	H.R. 6213	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 175 – 234 (Roll no. 583).
12:23:28 P.M.	H.R. 6213	<action_description>On passage Passed by recorded vote: 245 – 161 (Roll no. 584).
12:23:29 P.M.	H.R. 6213	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:24:09 P.M.	S. 3552	Mr. Lucas asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and consider.
12:24:09 P.M.	S. 3552	<Considered by unanimous consent. S. 3552 — “To reauthorize the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.”
12:24:31 P.M.	S. 3552	On passage Passed without objection.
12:24:33 P.M.	S. 3552	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:29:57 P.M.		COLLOQUY ON HOUSE SCHEDULE – The Chair recognized Mr. Hoyer for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with Mr. Cantor on the expectations regarding the legislative schedule for the House during the upcoming week.
1:13:00 P.M.		Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, September 14, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 18, 2012. Agreed to without objection.
1:13:02 P.M.		Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.
1:14:41 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
1:21:10 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

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Recall on Imported Frescolina Brand Ricotta Salata Cheese : Hospitalizations and Deaths Have Been Reported

09/13/2012 Nativegrl77

Forever Cheese, Inc. voluntarily recalled one lot of Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese because it is contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.

According to CDC reports, 14 people have been infected with listeriosis and hospitalized. Three deaths have been reported. Listeriosis contributed to at least one of these deaths.