Something fishy is going on!


 

WethepeopleThe FDA is close to approving genetically engineered salmon. Yet thorough environmental impact and safety studies haven’t been done. And this salmon won’t be labeled so you won’t know what you’re buying. Tell the FDA what you think of this potentially bad decision before it’s a done deal.

Consumers need to speak up out and possibly against

MMA Weekly Update


Media Matters for America
 

From voter suppression efforts to the stranglehold that the right-wing media machine has on Republican politics, we’re looking at what got called out this week. All that and more.

John Whitehouse Twitter: @existentialfish

Colin Powell Explains Voter Suppression To Bill O’Reilly

Colin Powell discussed voter suppression with Bill O’Reilly. Powell shared his concern that voter ID laws suppress the ability of minorities to vote, especially when there is no evidence supporting O’Reilly’s claim that in-person voter fraud is a problem. In response to Powell’s arguments, O’Reilly was left grasping at straws: http://mm4a.org/118wQCe

Limbaugh And Fox Caught Red Handed

President Obama noted that Fox and Limbaugh dictate when Republicans are allowed to work with Democrats. In return, Fox and Limbaugh lashed out at Obama for highlighting their sway. But there’s a long history of Republicans openly saying that their actions are dictated by Fox or Limbaugh – and we list them here. http://mm4a.org/WnyY4a

Can We Talk About Economic Growth Now?

When discussing economic issues, mainstream media outlets have focused recently on debt and budgetary issues. Butthe biggest problem facing America is growth. With the news that GDP was down 0.1% in Q4, will the media talk more about growth? Growth is the best way to solve America’s long term deficit problem, but in the short term that may require more government spending and less fiscal contraction. Can the media kick its deficits obsession? http://mm4a.org/X8g6CJ

Covers Are For Closers

The latest error-riddled Newsweekscreed is from playwright David Mamet, whose article has spawned fact checks in every corner of the internet. Clearly not fit for publishing, Mamet makes basic mistakes like misunderstanding the nature of background checks and claiming that assault weapons have been banned for 78 years. America deserves a debate about gun violence grounded in facts, not misinformation: http://mm4a.org/112Rp2P

FEATURED VIDEO

Sean Hannity isn’t taking Obama’s second term well. He claimed Fox is the “only media organization on this planet that has delivered fair and balanced coverage” of Obama, and added “I’m not saying the President is a dictator, but wouldn’t that be what we had?” http://mm4a.org/Vkqzxl

AU REVOIR

Sarah Palin is no longer a Fox News contributor. We look back at the ten worst things she said on the network. http://mm4a.org/14ktcmD

INEVITABLE EVENT OCCURS

Erick Erickson parted ways with CNN and joined Fox News. Here are 25 reasons he’ll fit in with Fox News’ style of chicanery: http://mm4a.org/115eIZR

LAPIERRE V. REALITY

NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre testified before Congress. From background checks to assault weapons, a number of his statements were inaccurate – and the media has a responsibility to note the truth. http://mm4a.org/127GFiY

IMAGE OF THE WEEK

CONGRESS: Republicans V Democrats – or doing the People’s Business?


demsVrepub

Next Senate Session is February 4, 2013

the Senate Convenes: 9:30amET January 31, 2013

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will begin consideration of H.R.325, the debt limit legislation.
  • The time until 12:15pm will be equally divided and controlled to run concurrently on the items below and on the bill.
  • At 12:15pm, there will be one roll call vote in relation to the Portman amendment (dollar for dollar cuts – the text of S.43). Following the vote, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm to allow for caucus meetings.
  • At 2:15pm, there will be as many as 5 additional roll call votes:
    • Portman amendment (government shutdown prevention – the text of S.29)
    • Toomey amendment (full faith and credit)
    • Paul amendment (F-16s to Egypt)
    • Vitter motion to commit (spending cuts)
    • Passage of H.R.325, as amended, if amended.
  • Senator Reid announced his intention to move to table the amendments and the motion to commit. All amendments and the motion to commit will be subject to 60 affirmative votes for adoption should any items not be tabled.

At 12:15pm today, the Senate will proceed to a roll call votes in relation to the Portman amendment #6 (dollar for dollar cuts – S.43 text) to H.R.325, Debt Limit. We expect this vote to be a motion to table.

At 2:15, there will be a series of 5 roll call votes in relation to the legislative items listed below.

– (motion to table) Portman amendment #7 (government shutdown prevention – S.29 text);

– (motion to table) Toomey amendment # 8 (full faith and credit);

– (motion to table) Paul amendment #9 (prohibition of F-16s to Egypt);

– (motion to table) Vitter motion to commit (spending cuts); and

– Passage of H.R.325, as amended, if amended (Debt Limit).

12:20pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Baucus motion to table the Portman amendment #6 (dollar for dollar cuts – S.43 text) to H.R.325, Debt Limit;

Tabled: 54-44

2:18pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Mikulski motion to table the Portman amendment #7 (shutdown prevention)Tabled: 52-46

2:44pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Baucus motion to table the Toomey amendment #8 (full faith and credit); Tabled: 53-41

3:03pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Leahy motion to table the Paul amendment #9 (prohibition of F-16s to Egypt) Tabled: 79-19

3:21pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Baucus motion to table the Vitter motion to commit (spending cuts); Tabled: 53-45

3:38pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.R.325, Debt Limit;Passed: 64-34

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Motion to Table the Portman Amendment #6 (dollar for dollar); Tabled: 54-44

2)      Motion to Table the Portman Amendment #7 (government shutdown prevention); Tabled: 52-46

3)      Motion to Table the Toomey Amendment #8 (full faith and credit); Tabled: 53-45

4)      Motion to Table the Paul Amendment #9 (prohibition of F-16’s to Egypt); Tabled: 79-19

5)      Motion to Table the Vitter motion to commit (spending cuts); Tabled: 53-45

6)      Passage of H.R.325, to ensure the complete and timely payment of the obligations of the United States Government until May 19, 2013, and for other purposes; Passed: 64-34

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.24, commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia.

Adopted S.Res.25, honoring Gonzaga University on its 125th anniversary.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.201, To prohibit the sale, lease, transfer, retransfer, or delivery of F–16 aircraft, M1 tanks, or certain other defense articles or services to the Government of Egypt. (Paul)

Began the Rule 14 process of S.204, the National Right-to-Work Act. (Paul)

————————————-

The next meeting in the House is February 1, 2013

repost: Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Minimum Wage and Other New Laws for 2013 P repost


HappyNewYear

Here’s a sampling of new laws, rules and other government changes that kick in with the new year.

As 2013 begins, so do some new laws, regulations and fee increases. Here’s a sampling of what to watch for.

If you’re a renter, homeowner or landlord: Carbon monoxide alarms are now required in existing apartments, condominiums, hotels, motels and single-family homes, with some exceptions. Owner-occupied single-family homes, legally occupied before July 26, 2009, are not required to have the alarms until they are sold. (The law was passed in 2009, and portions of it have phased in over time.)

If you’re a Kirkland property owner: You will get a sense of the impact on your property taxes of the Nov. 6 voter approval of Propositions 1 and 2, the city streets and parks levies,  when King County mails 2013 bills on February 14. More details here.

If you’re a worker: The state minimum wage increases to $9.19 an hour, up from $9.04 an hour. (State law doesn’t let employers take a tip credit against the minimum wage.)

If you’re a garbage customer in King County: The basic fee for bringing solid waste to a transfer station or drop box will increase to $129.40 per ton, up from $117.42, including tax and a moderate risk waste fee. The minimum fee will increase from $20 to $22, including tax and the moderate risk waste fee.  An average residential customer who puts out one can of garbage per week for curbside collection is likely to see an increase of about 57 cents per month in the garbage bill.

If you’re a Pierce County Ferry System rider: A variety of service changes start Jan. 1. The system provides service between the town of Steilacoom, Anderson Island and Ketron Island.

If you’re unemployed: The federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program ends Dec. 29. EUC is a federal extension that provides additional weeks of unemployment benefits after you have run out of “regular unemployment benefits.”

If you’re a fish (or care about them, or drive a vehicle): In 2010 Washington state passed a law reducing the use of toxic material in automotive brake pads and shoes. This law restricts the use of several heavy metals and asbestos, and provides for a phase-out of copper over the next 15-20 years. Starting Jan. 1, manufacturers have to report the concentrations of copper, nickel, zinc and antimony in brake friction materials.

If you’re a fish, part 2 (or an angler): Barbless hooks will be required to fish for salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout in the mainstem Columbia River, including the north jetty, from Buoy 10 upstream to the Washington/Oregon border above McNary Dam

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