Daily Archives: 01/29/2014

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Paid Sick Days Bill Passes in Newark!!


Newark City Council Members with Sherry Leiwant and other members of the coalition after the vote.

ABB is making a huge difference in New Jersey!! This morning, Sherry testified at the Newark Municipal Council in favor of a paid sick time law, which the Council unanimously passed (here, Sherry is pictured with the coalition and Council Members who passed paid sick days today)! The Newark law is a broad one.  Under it, private-sector workers employed by businesses with 10 or more employees (and all child care, home health care, and food service workers, regardless of the size of their employer) will be able to earn up to 5 paid sick days a year. Workers employed by businesses with fewer than 10 employees will be able to earn up to 3 paid sick days a year. This is truly a victory for all families in Newark.  Which city or state will be next?!
Thank you,
The ABB Team: Sherry, Dina, Phoebe, Jared, Elizabeth, Liz, Risha & Rachel
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Protect honeybees


A new highly toxic pesticide is threatening honeybees.
Help save honeybees from death by pesticide.
Tell the EPA to take action and ban this chemical immediately.
take action today

Mark Floegel, Greenpeace

greenpeaceThis week, beekeepers across the country are waking their hives from winter hibernation to pollinate blooming almond orchards in California. But many honeybees won’t buzz back to life at all.
A deadly bee illness called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is sweeping across the US. Just last winter CCD wiped out almost a third of the nation’s hives.
We don’t know all the factors that cause CCD, but we do know one guilty party: A class of pesticides — known as neonicotinoids — that studies have shown to weaken, disorient and kill honeybees.
Despite the evidence, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just last year approved a new Dow pesticide called sulfoxaflor, which its own research showed was “highly toxic” to bees. To save the honeybee, the EPA needs to step up. And fast.
Demand that the EPA take its first big step towards saving the bee populations that we all depend on. Tell the agency to ban sulfoxaflor — the newest bee-killing pesticide to hit the market.
Because over 115,000 people like you demanded action last year, the EPA made bee health a higher priority — adding warning labels on neonic pesticides and even funding new research about their effects this month.
But this progress isn’t enough to save the bees. The agency still hasn’t reversed approval of neonic pesticides. Even poisoning events like the deaths of over 25,000 bumble bees in an Oregon parking lot after pesticide exposure aren’t holding the EPA’s attention.
That’s why beekeepers, farmers and environmental groups have joined together to file a legal brief against the newly approved pesticide sulfoxaflor — a chemical the EPA’s own studies admits are essentially bee poison.1 We need public pressure to ensure the EPA takes this legal action seriously and moves faster to protect bees. Tell the EPA to withdraw its approval of the pesticide sulfoxaflor, which its own reports call “highly toxic” to bees.
Convincing the EPA to change course is far from impossible.
After millions of Greenpeace supporters and others spoke for the bees in Europe, the European Union has suspended the use of neonics. And four state legislatures — Alaska, Maine, New Jersey and Vermont — are looking to do the same. Around the world, governments are realizing that trying to solve all agricultural problems with chemical additives is simply reckless.
Together we can ensure not only that bees are safe, but that our agriculture supports nature, rather than manipulates and destroys it.
For the bees,
Mark Floegel Greenpeace Senior Investigator and Beekeeper
P.S. Help honeybees from dying of pesticide exposure. Tell the EPA to ban sulfoxaflor, a pesticide considered highly toxic to bees.
1. “Center for Food Safety Joins Fight Against Newest Bee-killer, Sulfoxaflor,” Center for Food Safety, December 16th, 2013

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Join us for the Unfinished Agenda on February 3rd


NMAAHC -- National Museum of African American History and Culture

Unfinished Agenda: Urban Politics in the Era of Black Power — A Conversation between Junius Williams and Tom Hayden

Unfinished Agenda.jpg

Junius Williams, attorney, activist, NMAAHC-Library of Congress Civil Rights Oral History Project Participant, will discuss his memoir with Tom Hayden, social and political activist, author, and politician.

Monday, February 3, 2014, 7:00 PM

National Museum of America History Warner Brothers Theater 14th Street and Constitution Ave, NW Washington, DC

Enter through Constitution Ave NW entrance

Free Admission – Seating is First Come, First Served

Metro: Blue and Orange lines at Smithsonian or Federal Triangle stations.

Junius Williams, attorney, activist, and NMAAHC-Library of Congress Civil Rights Oral History Project participant, will discuss his memoir entitled Unfinished Agenda … with Tom Hayden, social and political activist, author, and politician. Both leaders will recall and describe the Northern Urban Civil Rights Movement of the early 60’s, and what brought both men to Newark, NJ. Topics will include Williams’ innovative leadership of the National Bar Association, his long career as an education rights advocate in Newark, NJ as well as his ideas about the evolution and effective use of political power within and by the black community. Books will be available for sale and signing courtesy of Smithsonian Enterprises. The program is free and open to the public on a first come, first seated basis.

Participants include:

Junius Williams.jpg Junius Williams Tom Hayden.jpg Tom Hayden

Free Admission — Seating is First Come, First Served. This event will be Simulcast and Webcast. Please refer to www.nmaahc.si.edu/events

For more information, please go to www.nmaahc.si.edu/events, email NMAAHCpubpgms@si.edu, or call 202.633.0070

Participants may be filmed, photographed, and recorded for the Smithsonian Institution’s educational and promotional uses.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

We’re Just Getting Started


By 

Big News on the Minimum Wage

President Obama hasn’t even taken the podium for tonight’s State of the Union address yet, but he’s already made big news when it comes to the minimum wage.

This morning we learned that the president will use his executive authority to raise the minimum wage paid by federal contractors under new contracts to $10.10 per hour. As CAP’s Neera Tanden said today, the move “will put more money in the pockets of hardworking Americans, who will spend it in their communities and help drive our economic growth.”

In addition to demonstrating the president’s commitment to creating an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few, which he recently called “the defining challenge of our time,” it underscores another theme we’re expecting to play a big role in tonight’s speech: action.

The current, Republican-controlled Congress is the least productive in history and has refused to even vote on popular items like universal background checks for gun buyers and immigration reform. Today’s announcement on the minimum wage shows that the president understands that we cannot afford to wait for a Do-Nothing Congress to help solve our country’s problems.

That said, the minimum wage is a great example of an area where a willing Congress can work with the president to immediately improve the lives of millions of Americans and help build a stronger economy with greater opportunities for all Americans. While the president’s executive action will help a lot of low-wage workers and is a major victory, Congressional action is required to raise the minimum wage nationwide.

Here are a few numbers to know about increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour:

73……the percentage of Americans who support it.

53……the percentage of Republicans who support it.

273……the ratio of the average CEO salary to that of the average worker. In 1965, CEOs made only 20 times the salary of the average worker.

$10.46……what the minimum wage would have been in 2012 if it had simply kept up with inflation since 1968.

$18.72……what the minimum wage would have been in 2012 if it had kept pace with gains in worker productivity since 1968.

$28.34……what the minimum wage would have been in 2012 if it had grown at the same rate as the wages of the top 1 percent since 1968.

$15,080……the annual earnings of a full-time minimum-wage worker at today’s $7.25 per hour minimum wage, which is $4,000 below the poverty line for a family of three.

17,000,000……the number of women, who make up approximately 2/3 of low-wage workers, whose wages would rise.

28,000,000……the number of workers whose wages would rise.

$32,600,000,000……the increase in economic activity during the period it is being phased in.

$51,000,000,000…..the increased wages that workers would earn while it is being phased in.

As you can see from these numbers, it’s well past time to raise the minimum wage for all workers. So when it comes to the president’s plan to raise the wages of federal contractors, we’re just getting started. The Senate is going to vote on a bill to raise the minimum wage for everyone, no matter where they live. It’s time for the House of Representatives to do the same.

And while we’re getting started, here are five other big ideas to help create an economy that works for everyone.

BOTTOM LINE: Raising the minimum wage will provide Americans who work hard a better opportunity to get ahead while giving the economy a needed shot in the arm. With a higher minimum wage, workers will have more money to spend, which in turn gives businesses more customers—helping them to hire more workers. This will kick-start a growing economy that will create more opportunities for those who work hard.

Black History

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 1/29 ~~ the House


refpr,

The Senate stands in recess until 8:25pm today, Tuesday, January 28th. 

At 8:30pm, the Senate will proceed as a body to the Hall of the House of Representatives for the joint session of Congress where the President will deliver the State of the Union address. Upon dissolution of the joint session, the Senate will adjourn until 10:00am on Wednesday, January 29, 2014.

 Schedule for Wednesday, January 29, 2014

The Senate will convene at 10:00am on Wednesday, January 29, 2014. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.

 Following morning business, all post-cloture time on the motion to proceed to S.1926 will be yielded back and the Senate will begin consideration of the bill. The following amendments will be agreed to: Hagan #2702; Rubio #2704; King #2705; and Blunt #2698.

 The following amendments will be the only other amendments in order:

– Reed (RI) #2703 (community based policy study);

– Coburn #2697 (NARAB alternative);

– Merkley #2709 (forced placed insurance);

– Heller-Lee #2700 (state authority – private flood insurance);

– Whitehouse #2706 (fee waiver);

– Toomey #2707 (substitute), (to be modified with the text of the Rubio amendment #2704 and the Hagan amendment #2702);

– and

– Gillibrand #2708 (mitigation guidelines).

 It will be in order for Senator Toomey to modify his amendment with the text of the Rubio amendment #2704 and the Hagan amendment #2702. No second degree amendments will be in order to any of these amendments prior to votes in relation to the amendments. There will be 30 minutes of debate equally divided on each amendment or motion to waive a budget point or order, if made. There will also be up to one hour of general debate on the bill equally divided between proponents and opponents. Amendments in this agreement must be offered prior to 3:00pm on Wednesday, January 29th. It will be in order for Senator Crapo, or his

designee, to raise a budget point of order against the bill; if such a point of order is raised, Senator Menendez, or designee, will be recognized to move to waive the point of order.  Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to the vote on the motion to waive, if made and if the motion to waive is agreed to, the Senate will proceed to votes in relation to the amendments in the order listed.  Finally, upon disposition of the amendments, the bill will be read a third time and the Senate will proceed to vote on passage of the bill, as amended.

 With this agreement, several roll call votes in relation to amendments to the flood insurance bill are expected Wednesday evening.

During his opening statement this morning, Senator Reid moved to proceed to Calendar #297, S.1950, a bill to improve the provision of medical services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes. Following leader remarks, there will be an hour for morning business. Following morning business (approx. 11:15AM), the Senate will begin consideration of Calendar #294, S.1926, Flood Insurance, as provided for under the previous order. Senators have until 3pm to offer the amendments in the agreement.

The following amendments are pending to S.1926, the Flood Insurance bill:

The following amendments have been considered to S.1926:

  • Hagan amendment #2702; agreed to by uc
  • Rubio amendment #2704; agreed to by uc
  • King amendment #2705; agreed to by uc
  • Blunt amendment #2698; agreed to by uc

By consent at 4:45pm today, the Senate will proceed to votes in relation to the following:

–       Menendez motion to waive budget points of order against S.1929, Flood Insurance;

–       Reed amendment #2703 (community based policy study);

–       Whitehouse amendment #2706 (fee waiver); and

–       Gillibrand #2708 (mitigation guidelines).

There will be two minutes for debate between the votes, equally divided. We expect a roll call vote on the motion to waive and voice votes on the amendments.

4:45pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the Menendez motion to waive budget points of order against S.1929, Flood Insurance;

Waived: 64-35

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Thursday, January 30, 2014. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1926, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act.

The time until 11:15am will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. The final 10 minutes will be equally divided and controlled between Senators Menendez and Toomey or their designees with Senator Toomey controlling the final five minutes.

At 11:15am, there will be up to 4 roll call votes in relation to the following:

– Toomey amendment #2707, as modified

– Coburn amendment #2697

– Merkley amendment #2709, as modified and

– Heller amendment #2700.

Following disposition of the Heller amendment, the Senate will recess until 2:00pm. At 2:00pm, there will be a roll call vote on passage of S.1926, as amended.  There will be two minutes of debate prior to each vote and all after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Vote

1)     Menendez motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to S.1926, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act; Waived: 64-35

Legislative Items

Passed S.1417, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize programs under part A of title XI of such Act with a committee-reported substitute amendment.

Passed H.R.2860, to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that the Inspector General of the Office of Personnel Management may use amounts in the revolving fund of the Office to fund audits, investigations, and oversight activities, and for other purposes.

Discharged the Rules committee and adopted the following joint resolutions, en bloc:

–         S.J.Res.28, providing for the appointment of John Fahey as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institute and

–        S.J.Res.29, providing for the appointment of Risa Lavizzo-Mourey as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institute.

Adopted S.Con.Res.31, designating January 2014 as “National Blood Donor Month”.

No Executive Items

+++++++++++++++

Last Floor Action:
12:31:09 P.M. – The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on January 31, 2014.