Monthly Archives: July 2015

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

mayor murray … Seattle


July 2015

Statement on cannabis legislation passing council

Agreement will bring affordable housing to neighborhoods across Seattle

Housing Affordability and Livability

Housing Affordability and Livability AgendaMayor Murray and members of City Council have called together leaders in our community to help develop a bold agenda for increasing the affordability and availability of housing in our city by convening a Housing Affordability and Livability Advisory Committee

Housing Affordability and Livability »

2015 Mayor’s Film Award Recipient: Megan Griffiths
5/14/2015
Today Mayor Ed Murray announced the 2015 recipient of the 10th Annual Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film, Megan Griffiths. The award recognizes an individual or entity for exceptional work that has significantly contributed to the growth, advancement and reputation of Seattle as a filmmaking city. “Megan’s passion for filming locally and attracting new […]
more info   5/13/2015
The Seattle Department of Planning and Development has released for public comment a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Seattle 2035 Comprehensive Plan Update. This is a major milestone towards an update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan which plots a 20-year vision and roadmap for Seattle’s future growth and livability. The Draft EIS provides […]
Murray statement on recent Port action
5/12/2015
Mayor Ed Murray issued the following statement after today’s meeting of the Port of Seattle Commission: “I commend the Port Commission for deciding that the arrival of an off-shore drilling rig should be delayed until the proper permits are in place. I now hope Shell will respect the wishes of the Port, the City and […]

2015-16 Budget

2015-16 Proposed BudgetAn overview of Mayor Murray’s 2015-16 budget highlights, including work on public safety, homelessness, and labor standards..

Mayor Murray’s 2015-16 budget »

Broadband Initiative

High Speed BroadbandInternet access is the infrastructure challenge of the early 21st century. The City must continue to explore all options that would increase the availability of competitive, affordable gigabit broadband internet access.

Mayor Murray’s Broadband Strategy »

Statement on cannabis legislation passing council

How about less parks and safe affordable housing ~ Be Seed for Change

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

LA times Headlines


I’m Davan Maharaj, editor of the Los Angeles Times. The nation is rattled by another mass shooting, this time against military service members in Tennessee; and Uber gets a big lift at LAX. Here are some story lines I don’t want you to miss today.

Top Stories

Carnage in Chattanooga
Another mass shooting. A dead gunman with an Arabic name. And a new wave of fear about “lone wolf” attacks. Four Marines were killed in an assault on two military sites in Chattanooga, Tennessee, before the gunman was shot dead. A motive wasn’t clear. Authorities are investigating as a terrorist attack. Here’s the latest on the attack and what we know about the suspect, by all accounts a bright and religious young college graduate.

A Pick-Me-Up for Uber
Los Angeles officials opened a huge door for ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, all but clearing the way for them to pick up fares at LAX. L.A. would be the biggest city to open such access to its major airport. It’s a big lift for Uber, which is beset by legal challenges around the country and the world — including some serious problems with California state regulators.

Farms vs. Fish
Congress can’t make it rain, but it’s good at starting storms. House Republicans passed a bill that would send more water to San Joaquin Valley growers by cutting water for endangered fish. Environmentalists are outraged. It won’t get to President Obama, who probably wouldn’t sign it anyway. Analysts say this merely highlights how little Congress can do about the drought.

Japan’s New Military
The U.S. took great pains to demilitarize Japan after World War II, even drafting a pacifist constitution for the country. Now, with China flexing its military muscle in the region, a doctrine of “collective self-defense” is taking hold. New legislation could allow Japanese troops to fight abroad, perhaps alongside U.S. forces. Problem is, a lot of Japanese want none of it.

India’s Epic Fail
It’s a colossal scandal even by India’s standards. Whistle-blowers say tens of millions of dollars changed hands to rig tests for exams for medical school, the holy grail of education in India. More than 1,800 people have been arrested. Now, there’s a grim twist: People linked to the scandal are dying. Take in some high crime and medical mystery in today’s Great Read.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Voting Rights Act at 50 Event with the NAACP!


NMAAHC -- National Museum of African American History and Culture

NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund:
The Voting Rights Act at 50:
Restoring the Rights that Transformed America
Tuesday, July 21, 2015, 7 – 9 PM EDT
American History Museum, Warner Bros. Theater
14th St and Constitution Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20001

Please enter through Constitution Avenue NW doors

Sponsored by the National Museum of African American History and Culture

Take the Orange, Blue or Silver Line to Federal Triangle or Smithsonian Metro stations
March

Welcoming remarks will be made by our own Rex M. Ellis, Ph.D., Associate Director of Curatorial Affairs, NMAAHC, and by Janai Nelson, Associate Director-Counsel NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF).

Then, join Sherilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Spencer R. Crew, Robinson Professor of History, George Mason University, Ari Berman, contributing writer to The Nation, and Henry “Hank” Sanders, Democrat, Alabama State Senate as they explore the historic legacy of the NAACP-LDF. The moderated discussion will examine the organization’s 75 years of social justice leadership related to ending school segregation while championing voter rights, education equity, fair housing and other issues critical to full citizenship.

The discussion will be moderated by Donna Brazile, political strategist, adjunct professor, author, and syndicated columnist.

Registration is suggested. As space allows, walk-ups will be welcome. To make a reservation, please follow this link:http://naacptransformedamerica.eventbrite.com

For more information about the event, please email NMAAHCpubpggms@si.edu or call 202-633-1000.

You can watch this event by following this link on the day of the event:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/national-museum-of-african-american-history-and-culture
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Bees are dying


Petitioning EPA, Environmental Protection Agency

Ban the chemical that’s killing our bees
Petition by Nancy Addison
Dallas, Texas
132,940
Supporters
Black History

Help the Senate Advance Climate Education!


Right now the Senate is voting to revamp the sweeping No Child Left Behind Act.

Senator Markey (D-MA) has introduced an important amendment to include more funding for climate change education!  His Climate Change Education Act states that “the evidence for human-induced climate change is overwhelming and undeniable.”

Let’s help make this a reality!

The amendment sets up a federal program to improve climate education by broadening the understanding of human-induced climate change, providing learning opportunities for climate science education for all students, and emphasizing actionable information.

At the same time, Senator Wicker (R-MS), a climate change skeptic, is pushing an amendment to provide states with materials outlining the “natural causes and cycles of climate change.” This amendment obscures the scientific consensus on the human causes of climate change. Too often we have seen politicians try to push back or block climate education.

We need to equip our students with information on climate change so that they can be leaders in tomorrow’s green economy. Let’s act now and show our overwhelming support to Senator Markey’s Climate Change Education Act!

Tell your senator to support the Climate Change Education Act NOW!