Dear Friend,

July 30th is a big day for millions of working families in New York City! Today, workers are eligible to start using the sick time they have accrued under the NYC Earned Sick Time Act, if they have been with their employer since the law went into effect on April 1, 2014. A Better Balance worked closely with legislative officials to draft and strengthen this new law. It covers nearly 1.2 million workers who previously had no sick time and ensures that 3.4 million workers in the private sector now have a legal right to sick time. That means that employers cannot deny workers sick time they have earned or retaliate against workers for taking that time to care for themselves or family members.

Now we have to make these new rights a reality on the ground! Could you take a moment today to spread the news by forwarding this to your networks or telling workers you know who may be in need of the law’s new protections? Please tell workers to call ABB’s legal hotline at 212-430-5982 if they have questions about the law or problems related to the need for sick time. ABB can provide confidential advice and free legal representation and can take calls in English and Spanish.

And when you spread the word, please tell workers that the Earned Sick Time Act gives them the right to take up to 40 hours of sick time per year to care for their own health or the health needs of a child or other family member. Most employers will have to pay workers for the time, and all covered workers are protected against retaliation. Please see ABB’s one-page flyer (also available in Spanish) and webpage for workers on the law.

We’d also be grateful if you or anyone you know could distribute our materials on the law to organizations, community centers, etc. in your own community. To find out how you can get involved, or if you have any questions, please call ABB at 212-430-5982 or email sicktime@abetterbalance.org.

As always, thank you for all your support,

Sherry, Dina, Phoebe, Jared, Elizabeth, Liz, Risha, Rachel & Morenike

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Expelled …

07/30/2014 Nativegrl77

Português | Español | Deutsch | More

Expelled from Ecuador:
One Solar Visionary’s Story

Last year, Ecuador’s government paid over $1 million for the rights to use the Beatles song “All you need is love” for its new slogan to promote the country worldwide. Branding itself as a welcome, inviting place of adventure, biodiversity, and rich cultural heritage, “All you need is Ecuador” (#AllyouneedisEcuador) ads have run throughout the US, on prime spots during the recent World Cup, and on social media, targeting tourists, retirees, and volunteers. However, Ecuador’s recent treatment of one U.S. citizen particularly calls into question the country’s professed welcome policy to the world.

Read the rest on Eye on the Amazon »

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

SharkNado2 … July 30

07/30/2014 Nativegrl77

In theatres near you? … maybe

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

A Republican World – ‘GOP denies Obama’s request for wildfire cash’

07/30/2014 Nativegrl77

The Last Of The Millenniums

We deal with wild fries out here in the West…A LOT.

So Thanks Republicans!

It the money runs out, lets go through the usual fights and maybe a denial of money altogether.

‘Obama earlier this month asked Congress for $615 million to deal with wildfires as part of his $3.7 billion emergency spending request.The money would go to the Agriculture Department’s Forest Service, which coordinates firefighting on federal land, to help with an unusually active wildfire season’.

‘The House Appropriations Committee responded Tuesday morning with a $659 million bill that granted none of the wildfire funds the president wanted’.

‘When Obama sent his request to Congress, Rogers said it was “apparent that additional funding to prevent and fight wildland fires — especially in the west where the damage has been so great — is necessary.”

‘The federal government estimated in May that it would cost $1.8 billion to fight…

View original post 14 more words

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 7/30 the House

07/30/2014 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Wednesday, July 30, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.2569, the Brings Jobs Home Act. There will be 1 hour for debate equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Bring Jobs Home Act. If cloture is not invoked, there will be an immediate cloture vote on the motion to proceed to S.2648, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act.

Approximately 10:45am—Up to 2 roll call votes, 3 voice votes

Motion to invoke cloture on S.2569, Bring Jobs Home Act
Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2648, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #535, Cynthia H. Akuetteh, to be Ambassador to the Gabonese Republic and to be Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #783, Erika Lizabeth Moritsugu, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #729, Richard A. Kennedy, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for a term expiring May 30, 2016

Senator Reid file cloture on Executive Calendar #848, the nomination of Jill Pryor, of Georgia, to be United States Circuit Judge of the Eleventh Circuit. Unless an agreement can be reached, the cloture vote would occur one hour after the Senate convenes on Friday, August 1^st.

10:50am, the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.2569, the Bring Jobs Home Act.

Not invoked: 54-42

11:18am The Senate began a 10 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2648, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act.

Invoked: 63-33

The Senate confirmed the following nominations by voice vote:

Executive Calendar #535 Cynthia H. Akuetteh, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Gabonese Republic, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
Executive Calendar #783 Erika Lizabeth Moritsugu, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Executive Calendar #729 Richard A. Kennedy, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

The motion to invoke cloture on S.2569, Bring Jobs Home Act; Not Invoked: 54-42
The motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2648, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations; Invoked: 63-33

Legislative Business

Began the Rule 14 process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business S.2709, Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act (Manchin)

Completed the Rule 14 process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business S.2685, USA Freedom Act (Leahy)

Executive Business

The following nominations were confirmed by voice votes:

Executive Calendar #535, Cynthia H. Akuetteh, of the District of Columbia, to be Ambassador to the Gabonese Republic and to serve concurrently as Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
Executive Calendar #783, Erika Lizabeth Moritsugu, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Executive Calendar #729, Richard A. Kennedy, of Pennsylvania, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

==================================================

Last Floor Action:
10:00:53 A.M. – MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate.

At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

Last Floor Action:
7:44:16 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 30, 2014.

10:00:08 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:25 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Chris Stewart to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:53 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

11:34:55 A.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on July 30, 2014 at 8:56 a.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 5021, with an amendment and agreed to H. Con. Res. 108.
11:35:05 A.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on July 30, 2014 at 9:31 a.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 4028 and S. 2577. The message also stated that the Senate had agreed to H. Con. Res. 103 and H. Con. Res. 106.
11:35:51 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:42 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 30.
12:01:18 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Alphonso Jackson, Second Baptist Church of Richmond Heights, Miami, Florida
12:02:32 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:02:35 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Bonamici to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:55 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.

12:42:10 P.M.	H. Res. 694	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 694 — “Providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 676) providing for authority to initiate litigation for actions by the President or other executive branch officials inconsistent with their duties under the Constitution of the United States; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 935) to amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify Congressional intent regarding the regulation of the use of pesticides in or near navigable waters, and for other purposes; and providing for proceedings during the period from August 1, 2014, through September 5, 2014.”
12:45:52 P.M.	H. Res. 694	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 694.
2:05:00 P.M.	H. Res. 694	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 694, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Slaughter demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on ordering the previous question until later in the legislative day.
2:05:54 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
2:06:23 P.M.	H.R. 5195	Mr. Holding moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 5195 — “To provide additional visas for the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Program, and for other purposes.”
2:06:45 P.M.	H.R. 5195	Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:06:47 P.M.	H.R. 5195	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5195.
2:33:40 P.M.	H.R. 5195	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
2:33:43 P.M.	H.R. 5195	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:34:24 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 107	Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended. H. Con. Res. 107 — “Denouncing the use of civilians as human shields by Hamas and other terrorist organizations in violation of international humanitarian law.”
2:34:43 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 107	Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:34:45 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 107	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 107.
3:06:16 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 107	On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
3:07:13 P.M.	H.R. 3230	Mr. Miller (FL) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to a conference.
3:07:50 P.M.	H.R. 3230	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the conference report to accompany H.R. 3230.
3:56:01 P.M.	H.R. 3230	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
3:56:13 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on ordering the previous question and adoption of H. Res. 694, and on a motion to suspend the rules and agree to the conference report to accompany H.R. 3230, all of which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
3:56:31 P.M.	H. Res. 694	Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 694 — “Providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 676) providing for authority to initiate litigation for actions by the President or other executive branch officials inconsistent with their duties under the Constitution of the United States; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 935) to amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify Congressional intent regarding the regulation of the use of pesticides in or near navigable waters, and for other purposes; and providing for proceedings during the period from August 1, 2014, through September 5, 2014.”
4:24:38 P.M.	H. Res. 694	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 227 – 195 (Roll no. 465).
4:25:38 P.M.		MOMENT OF SILENCE – The Chair asked that the House observe a moment of silence in remembrance of our brave men and women in uniform who have given their lives in the service of our Nation in Iraq and in Afghanistan and their families, and all who serve in our Armed Forces and their families.
4:34:19 P.M.	H. Res. 694	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 227 – 196 (Roll no. 466).
4:35:44 P.M.	H.R. 3230	On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 – 5 (Roll no. 467).
4:40:44 P.M.	H.R. 3230	Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:41:47 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 111	Mr. Miller (FL) asked unanimous consent to consider as introduced.
4:42:08 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 111	Considered by unanimous consent. H. Con. Res. 111 — “Directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make certain corrections in the enrollment of the bill H.R. 3230.”
4:42:10 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 111	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
4:45:32 P.M.	H. Res. 676	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 694 . H. Res. 676 — “Providing for authority to initiate litigation for actions by the President or other executive branch officials inconsistent with their duties under the Constitution of the United States.”
4:45:37 P.M.	H. Res. 676	The resolution provides for consideration of both H. Res. 676 and H.R. 935 in the House. Both measures are debatable for one hour.
4:45:50 P.M.	H. Res. 676	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 676.
6:01:31 P.M.	H. Res. 676	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
6:29:47 P.M.	H. Res. 676	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 225 – 201 (Roll no. 468).
6:32:09 P.M.	H.R. 935	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 694. H.R. 935 — “To amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify Congressional intent regarding the regulation of the use of pesticides in or near navigable waters, and for other purposes.”
6:32:14 P.M.	H.R. 935	The resolution provides for consideration of both H. Res. 676 and H.R. 935 in the House. Both measures are debatable for one hour.
6:33:00 P.M.	H.R. 935	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 935.
7:22:48 P.M.	H.R. 935	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
7:22:58 P.M.	H.R. 935	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further proceedingson H.R. 935 would be postponed.
7:24:05 P.M.		Mr. Gibbs asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9:00 a.m. on July 31. Agreed to without objection.
7:24:17 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:27:07 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
9:51:31 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
11:38:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 30.
11:38:10 P.M.		Mr. Cole filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 696.
11:38:11 P.M.		Mr. Cole moved that the House do now adjourn.
11:39:11 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
11:39:12 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on July 31,