Jana Duty: You promised to “restore integrity to the Williamson County District Attorney’s office” & use alternative sentencing. Reduce Jacob’s charges to misdemeanor possession.

By Robert Butler

Round Rock, Texas

Jacob Lavoro is a teenager facing life in prison for baking marijuana brownies in Round Rock, Texas. He’s a young man who has never been in trouble with the law before, and has always been a great kid who we love very much. I started the petition because I live in the same city as Jacob Lavoro and I felt a responsibility to help stand up for him. Our county has a history of excessively punishing minor crimes or even innocent people to “send a message” that has little do with justice or the best interests of the community.

In this case, the sentencing rules are being abused and stretched to increase a punishment that does not fit the allegations. The police apparently included the full weight of the brownies: flour, sugar, water, etc and the plastic containers that held them to determine the weight of the illegal hash oil used to bake the brownies.

If our petition can convince Jana Duty, the District Attorney in Williamson County, to follow through on her campaign promises to clean up Williamson County’s justice system and offer alternative sentencing options then we hope that there will be justice for Jacob Lavoro and that county residents can breathe easier under a less oppressive atmosphere.

If Jacob Lavoro receives a harsh sentence, it will destroy this young man’s life and leave a permanent mark of injustice in Williamson County, Texas. Please join us today to stand up against unfair sentencing and ruining a young man’s life. Sign and share the petition today!

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Have you heard about Moral Monday?

06/10/2014 Nativegrl77

I support the Moral Monday protesters.

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President Obama announced TWO pieces of GREAT news

06/10/2014 Nativegrl77

Sign on to support President Obama’s call to action:

Moments ago, President Obama endorsed the Elizabeth Warren-John Tierney plan to effectively lower student loan debt by allowing people to refinance their loans. Add your name to support the plan:

Sign Your Name >>

President Obama just announced TWO pieces of GREAT news:

1. President Obama is taking executive action to expand his “Pay As You Earn” student loan program to up to five million more Americans. That means millions of college graduates won’t be forced to pay more than 10% of their monthly income on student loan bills.

2. President Obama went one step further — he called on Congress to pass the Elizabeth Warren-John Tierney bill allowing graduates to refinance their student loans, and get cheaper rates. The measure is paid for by making millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share of taxes.

You can bet Republicans in Congress aren’t eager to support raising taxes on their billionaire backers — even if it helps college graduates struggling under crushing student loan debt.

That’s why we need to put the pressure on today — a vote could come as soon as this week.

Join President Obama: Help us reach 50,000 strong calling on Congress to pass the Elizabeth Warren-John Tierney Student Loan Reform Bill.

Carmen, click here to add your name >>

Thanks,

DCCC Breaking News

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projects that place large wood in rivers

06/10/2014 Nativegrl77

You are receiving this email because you have expressed interest in King County projects that place large wood in rivers or streams.

King County is hosting two meetings on Tuesday, June 10 to present information about 11 upcoming projects that will use large wood in their design. The two meetings, covering the same subject matter, are scheduled for 3-5:00 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, 125 Sunset Way, Issaquah.

King County uses large wood to improve habitat for fish and wildlife, as well as to redirect river currents and prevent erosion in levee repair and flood risk-reduction projects funded by the King County Flood Control District.

Presentations will include descriptions, schedules and impacts of 11 projects currently in the planning stage that include placing or recruiting large wood in rivers:

Five projects are planned for the Green-Duwamish River basin – the Porter Levee Setback, Fenster 2B Revetment Setback, Fenster Large Wood Mitigation, Foster Golf Large Wood Mitigation, and the Teufel Nursery Large Wood Mitigation;
Three projects are planned for the Snoqualmie River basin – the Hafner Levee Setback, Winkelman Revetment Reconstruction, and the Sinnema Quaale Upper Revetment Reconstruction;
Two projects are planned for the Cedar River – Elliott Reach Mitigation, and the Fairwood 4 Stormwater Improvement on Molasses Creek; and
One project is planned for Vashon Island – the Judd Creek/Scott Property Habitat Enhancements.

Interested citizens are encouraged to attend the meetings to learn about these projects, ask questions or make comments. More information is available by contacting Laird O’Rollins of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ Water and Land Resources Division, laird.orollins@kingcounty.gov, 206-477-4790 or www.kingcounty.gov/rivers.

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Student Loan Reform

06/10/2014 Nativegrl77

63,271 people and counting have added their name to stand with President Obama in support of Elizabeth Warren and John Tierney’s Student Loan Reform bill.

President Obama is right: we shouldn’t bury students under a mountain of college debt, while millionaires get special tax breaks — and thousands of our supporters agree.

We’ve smashed our signature goal in the few hours since the President spoke. Now we’re upping it to 100,000 strong today! To get there, we need everyone to step up.