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Fighting for Homeless Veterans in Washington State …have things improved

10/18/2016 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Fighting for Homeless Veterans in Washington State

Last week, I stood with fellow Democratic Senators to discuss how the Republicans’ reckless spending proposal would cut 10,000 housing vouchers that would bring homeless veterans off the streets and into supportive housing. We owe it to our veterans to provide them with the resources and support they need to put a roof over their heads. And this is just one more example of the Republicans putting politics and ideology over families, communities, and even those who have served our nation.

Watch the press conference >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc9AA9ZMLy0&tracker=False

“Veterans housing program targeted”” – The Olympian http://www.theolympian.com/2011/03/11/1574690/veterans-housing-program-targeted.html

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Contrasting Republican and Democratic Budget Proposals: Reckless Cuts VS. Sensible Solutions

Last week, I spoke on the Senate floor to contrast the Republican and Democratic spending proposals currently being debated in the Senate. I am extremely disappointed that Republicans who came into office promising to work with us on helping our economy, have proposed an extreme budget that would destroy hundreds of thousands of jobs, devastate workers and small business across the country, and threaten our fragile economic recovery. The Democrats offered a plan to cut spending responsibly, while continuing to make the investments we need to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build our competitors.

Watch video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDujvIW0o20

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Standing Up for Washington State Veterans’ Caregivers

Earlier this month, I pointedly questioned Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki about the VA’s decision to limit a critical benefit for the caregivers of severely injured Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The VA’s decision, which cuts back stipends for those who have left careers behind to care for their injured loved ones, ignores the will of Congress in passing the caregivers law last year.

and watch the hearing >> http://veterans.senate.gov/hearings.cfm?action=release.display&release_id=5ee43015-815c-4f30-a682-7fa0115ebb63

Families of severely wounded veterans still waiting for help” – The News Tribune

“VA blasted for limits on caregiver benefits” – Army Times

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Working to Lower Tariffs on Washington State Farmers and Growers

I was encouraged by the announcement made by President Barack Obama and President of Mexico Felipe Calderón earlier this month that they had reached an agreement on a path forward for resolving the cross-border trucking dispute and ending the retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural products. The Mexican government has committed to suspending 50% of the tariffs once a final rule is published and an agreement is signed. The other 50% of the tariffs will be suspended when the program commences. While this agreement is absolutely encouraging, I am deeply disappointed that the Mexican government has refused to immediately lift the tariffs that are devastating Washington state farmers and growers.

Over the past two years, I have pressured the Obama Administration to work with the Mexican government to remove retaliatory tariffs on Washington state farmers and growers. Earlier this year, I praised an announcement by Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood that the Administration would be moving forward with a proposal to negotiate an end to Mexican tariffs on agricultural products. I criticized the Mexican government’s response to this proposal when they refused to make any changes to the list of products affected by the tariffs. Their newest agreement is a step in the right direction and I will continue calling on the Mexican government to immediately drop these harmful tariffs.

http://murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=a2aa1596-544f-46f4-ba8f-d37ec06c049b&ContentType_id=0b98dc1b-dd08-4df2-adac-21f6ae03beed&Group_id=97a054dd-8a74-4cd0-8771-fbc3be733874

“Mexico tariffs on ag products may end” – Yakima Herald-Republic >> http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2011/03/03/mexico-tariffs-may-end

To comment: http://murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactMe

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Rescind my city’s cruel anti-homeless feeding ban … still?

10/18/2016 Nativegrl77 3 Comments

Randall Kallinen

Sign the petition

Helping my city’s homeless could land me in jail with a $2000 dollar fine.

Last November, a 90-year-old Florida man was arrested and faced 60 days in jail for feeding the homeless. A few months later, a San Antonio woman was hit with a $2000 dollar fine for doing the same.. These “feeding bans” have popped up all over the United States. In fact, more than 70 cities around the country have instituted or tried to institute similar ordinances.

My name is Randall Kallinen, and I am deeply saddened to say that my beloved city of Houston has followed suit. Now, a good deed could cost you $2000 here, too. This is just the wrong direction to be taking. It’s anti-compassion and anti-humanitarian, and we need to turn it around.

Tell Mayor Annise Parker and the Houston City Council that feeding the homeless isn’t a crime. Change the law and allow good samaritans to feed the hungry.

As a civil rights lawyer for over 21 years, homeless advocate and the president of Houston’s ACLU chapter for 3 years, I speak from experience when I say that humane acts of kindness should be rewarded, not punished. When Houston passed this ban 3 years ago, organizations from across the religious and political spectrum spoke out because they understood that being a good samaritan isn’t a religious or political issue, but rather a matter of human rights. Now most have been frightened off from giving to the needy. Helping those in need should be considered a fundamental right, particularly now when more and more people are experiencing food insecurity and the government is failing to fix the problem. Houston’s cruel “anti-feeding” ordinance stands in the way of that right, and it is up to you and me to overturn it.

Because of our size, as Texas goes, so goes the rest of the country in many political matters. Too many cities have already adopted these anti-humanitarian measures. Getting Houston to rescind this draconian ordinance where you must seek permission as where and when to feed more than 5 less fortunate outside on public property could go a long way toward turning the tide across the nation.

Criminalizing charity penalizes our community’s most vulnerable. Can you help to make sure that doesn’t happen?

Let’s put an end to this misguided ordinance and return the spirit of giving and charity to the city of Houston. Join me and tell Mayor Annise Parker and the Houston City Council that every human deserves compassion. Tell them to rescind the “anti-feeding” ordinance.

Sign the petition

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U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services

10/16/2016 Nativegrl77

From the ASPR Blog: Better preparing for future Ebola outbreaks globally

The Ebola outbreak of 2014 highlighted the urgent need for drugs that could help patients survive infection and that could be used to help limit the spread of this deadly virus. ASPR is working with its partners in government, industry, and around the globe to develop medical countermeasures that are effective and a roll-out plan for the drug that is efficient and culturally appropriate in West African countries, including Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Learn More >>

Ebola virus and other related terms written on a globe

Preventing mold growth after a hurricane or flood

This week, Hurricane Matthew slammed into the east coast. The storm’s impacts were felt after the hurricane passed, as floodwaters covered many areas. In the past 5 years, all 50 states have experienced floods or flash floods. Whether you are trying to recover from Hurricane Matthew or you want to make sure that your family is ready if your home is ever flooded, take some time to learn about removing mold and cleaning up safely after a disaster. Learn More >>

A guy wearing protective gear while removing mold.

Helping children cope with disasters

After a disaster strikes, children rely on parents, caregivers and teachers more than ever for reassurance and guidance. But telling whether or not children are stressed after a disaster and finding ways to help them can be hard. Some children react right away; others may show signs that they are having a difficult time much later. Learn how you can spot common signs of stress and help children cope with disasters. Learn More >>

Be ready to step in when seconds count. Learn to stop the bleed.

No matter how quickly professional emergency responders arrive, bystanders will always be first on the scene. A person who is bleeding can die from blood loss within five minutes. By learning how to apply a tourniquet, you could help save someone’s life. You can learn to apply a tourniquet in just three easy steps. Take 5 minutes and learn this lifesaving skill. Learn More >>

Preventing the spread of Zika after your trip

Have you traveled to an area with Zika? Help prevent the spread of the disease after your trip—even if you don’t feel sick. Take steps to prevent mosquito bites for 3 weeks after visiting a destination with Zika to make sure you don’t spread it to mosquitoes in your area. Because Zika can also be spread through sex, you should use condoms after travel, especially if your partner is pregnant. If your partner is pregnant, use condoms or don’t have sex for the rest of her pregnancy. If you feel sick after travel, talk to your doctor. Learn More >>

Children, the flu, and the flu vaccine

The flu can be very dangerous for children. Each year about 20,000 children younger than 5 years old are hospitalized from flu complications, like pneumonia. Most children who die from flu have not been vaccinated. You have the power to protect your family from flu this season by getting vaccinated and making sure everyone in your family 6 months and older gets their yearly flu vaccine too. Learn More >>

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Is this animal real? Yes… for now

10/16/2016 Nativegrl77

The population of the narwhal, the “unicorn of the sea,” is drastically declining. Without our help, we could lose this unique species forever.

Narwhals are the one of the most unique and interesting animals in the world.

These mysterious Arctic creatures are some of the deepest ocean explorers in existence. They can dive up to 2,6OO feet and remain underwater for 25 minutes.

But their days could be numbered. The narwhal population has dropped to less than 8O,OOO in recent years. Why?

They’re being ceaselessly hunted for their meat and tusks.^[1]

As long as the illegal ivory trade continues to flourish, narwhals will continue to be killed in droves until eventually there are none left.

Sign your name to demand an end to the illegal ivory trade and help stop the slaughter of narwhals >>