Insider

Support Organic Farming -- Read more Support Organic Farming

The Organic Agriculture and Research Act now before Congress stands an excellent chance of being incorporated into the Farm Bill. Organic farming fosters healthier soil, safer working conditions for farmers, and healthier food for consumers—and organic food now accounts for more than 5 percent of U.S. food sales. But the USDA only spends about .01 percent of its annual research budget on organic farming, and American farmers are falling behind in the organic industry as a result.

Ask your members of Congress to support funding for organic agriculture research in the Farm Bill.

Reject Trump’s Infrastructure Scam

President Trump’s so-called infrastructure plan is a thinly veiled attack on environmental protections such as the National Environmental Policy Act intended to pave the way for corporations to build pipelines and other destructive projects—many of them on public lands. Trump’s plan even includes a horrifying provision that would give federal deputies the authority to approve pipelines through our national parks.

Tell your representatives in Congress to reject any infrastructure plan that doesn’t create family-sustaining jobs and invest in clean energy.

A City Faces Running Dry

Will Cape Town, South Africa, become the first major city in modern times to be almost completely without running water? As Day Zero approaches, Adam Welz reports on what it’s like to live there as supplies run short.

Read about how Cape Town is coping with a looming water crisis.

Photo by Adam Welz

Are We Losing the Night?

Light pollution has increasingly obscured evening skies, blotting out the starry horizon our grandparents once knew. Should we think about the night sky as a natural resource that deserves preservation every bit as much as watersheds or wildlife corridors?

Sierra sent Heather Smith to explore dark-sky parks, where it is still possible to see an unblemished night sky.

Photo by Harun Mehmedinovic

Yes, Animals Have Personality -- Read more

Yes, Animals Have Personalities

In his latest book, Mousy Cats and Sheepish Coyotes, Dr. John Shivik reports on the latest research indicating that, like people, all animals are individuals—and their internal conditions and behavior patterns are major factors determining their outcomes.

Learn how evidence of animal emotion and individuality is freeing wildlife biologists to use the term “personality.”

Photo courtesy of John Shivik and Beacon Press

Black History, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

the senate March 1- CONGRESS 2018 the House

03/04/2018 Nativegrl77

Senate Activity

March 1, 2018

Wrap Up for Thursday, March 1, 2018

***********************************************************************

House Activity

Last Floor Action: March 1, 2018
1:36:46 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to H. Res. 759. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on March 5, 2018.

1:30:02 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
1:30:10 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
1:30:37 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Rev. Gene Hemrick, St. Josephs Catholic Church, Washington, DC.
1:31:27 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
1:31:31 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Budd to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
1:32:10 P.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 received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on February 28, 2018, at 12:59 p.m.: that the Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 35; Appointments: Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform, Joint Select Committee on Solvency of Multiemployer Pension Plans, and Public Interest Declassification Board.
1:32:52 P.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 received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on March 1, 2018, at 10:59 a.m.: that the Senate agreed to S.J. Res. 53 and H.Con Res. 106 and that the Senate passed H.R. 535, without amendment and H.R. 1625, with amendment.
1:33:41 P.M.		Social Security Advisory Board – Pursuant to section 703 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 903), and the order of the House of January 3, 2017, the Speaker re-appointed Ms. Nancy Altman, Bethesda, MD for a term of six years.
1:34:14 P.M.		Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform – Pursuant to section 30442(b)(3) of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-123), the Speaker appointed jointly with the Majority Leader of the Senate, Mr. Womack of Arkansas to serve as co-chair of the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform.
1:34:49 P.M.		Joint Select Committee on Solvency of Multiemployer Pension Plans – Pursuant to section 30422(b)(3) of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-123), and the order of the House of January 3, 2017, the Speaker and the Majority Leader of the Senate jointly appointed Mr. Hatch (UT) to the Joint Select Committee on Solvency of Multiemployer Pension Plans as co-chair.
1:35:32 P.M.		Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform – Pursuant to section 30442(b)(3) of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-123), the Democratic Leader jointly appointed with the Minority Leader of the Senate the Honorable Nita Lowey of New York to serve as co-chair of the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform.
1:35:40 P.M.	H. Res. 759	Mr. Budd asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
1:35:45 P.M.	H. Res. 759	Considered by unanimous consent. H. Res. 759 — “Expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives on the death of the Reverend Billy Graham.”
1:36:21 P.M.	H. Res. 759	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
1:36:23 P.M.	H. Res. 759	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:36:31 P.M.		Mr. Budd moved that the House do now adjourn.
1:36:45 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
1:36:46 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to H. Res. 759. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on March 5, 2018.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

The NRA’s #1 priority ~ indivisible.org

03/03/2018 Nativegrl77

It’s been over two weeks since the students of Stoneman Douglas High School lives’ changed because of a horrific mass shooting. And after losing 17 classmates and teachers, they sprung into action to advocate to stop gun violence in Congress’ absence. And they’re not. slowing. down.

Within days, youth organized events across the country. Between Women’s March Youth EMPOWER on March 14, March for Our Lives in Washington DC on March 24, and National School Walkout on April 20 (look at all the walkouts they’ve registered!!), something is definitely different about this moment.

This week alone, the Illinois legislature (with the help of their local Indivisible groups!) approved a bill to raise the minimum age to buy assault-style weapons to 21. Two of the country’s leading gun retailers, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Walmart, publicly announced that they’ll raise their minimum age for firearm purchase to 21, and they will no longer sell assault-style weapons.

Everywhere, people are waking up to the rallying cry for change because of the bold action young people, and their families, are taking. Policies must change and this moment won’t just pass by like others have. Too many lives have been lost, we cannot afford to let inaction go on any longer.

In order to keep this momentum going, we need you to keep pressure on your members of Congress (MoCs). Here’s what you need to know:

Congress is considering making mass shootings easier, instead of working to prevent them. Tell your MoCs: don’t pass the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act.
This is the top priority of the NRA and would require states to recognize the gun laws of other states. That means that gun owners from states with minimal restrictions would be able to legally carry their weapons a-n-y-w-h-e-r-e.
This bill has already passed the House and the Senate is expected to bring it up this year. Read our resource on the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act and contact your Senators before this bill comes up for a vote.

This week on Capitol Hill

A bipartisan group of senators is trying to stop Trump’s war in Yemen. Senators Mike Lee and Bernie Sanders introduced S.J.Res. 54 using a procedure under the War Powers Resolution to force a vote on the Senate floor to declare US participation in the Yemen war unauthorized. The vote will happen in the next few days, so call your senators today and demand they support S.J.Res. 54.

This Monday is the “DACA Cliff” when more Dreamers will lose protections. Even though a court ordered the government to continue accepting DACA renewals, the number of recipients losing protections will dramatically increase on Monday. We support the efforts of Dreamer-led organizations like United We Dream demanding relief for Dreamers, who will hold events in DC and around the country. The next opportunity for Congress to provide relief for Dreamers will be on March 23 when they need to fund the government (yet again). See our resource on how you can be an immigrant ally.

Republicans and Democrats are teaming up… to deregulate Wall Street. (Seriously.) In a follow-up to the #GOPTaxScam, the Senate is trying to deregulate Wall Street in the form of S. 2155. This “Bank Lobbyist Act” will make it easier for discrimination in home lending to go unnoticed, end key consumer protections for homebuyers, and put us at risk of another financial crisis. You can use our resource and call script to call your Senator and tell them to vote no on S. 2155.

This week’s Trump Threat Level

Jared Kushner’s business interests are a national security risk. Bob Mueller’s team has been asking witnesses for details regarding Kushner’s discussions with foreign country’s financing for his business. This comes after revelations that several nations have discussed how they can use Kushner’s business interests to manipulate him.

A key U.S. diplomat overseeing North Korea policy has retired.Joseph Yun, the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy, announced he would be retiring effective March 2. His departure is the latest in a staggering exodus of personnel from the State Department since Trump took office that has drained our nation’s diplomatic capacity, even as Trump creates new crises seemingly every week.

Trump wants to sell nuclear reactors to Saudi Arabia, even though the kingdom will not accept critical restrictions intended to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Visit trumpthreatlevel.indivisible.org for a running list of all the ways Trump makes us less safe and our latest foreign policy resources.

248 days until the blue wave hits

This Tuesday, the midterm elections kick off as Texas holds it’s first-in-the-nation primary. We’re ready to get to work on elections, and we know you are too. Here’s what you can do to get started (unless you’re in Texas, you should vote on Tuesday!):

→ Visit our one-stop-shop (well, website) for your elections needs at indivisible435.org. We have resources to help you demystify elections, learn more about voting rights and voter suppression, and much, much more.

→ Make sure you’re registered to vote! This is so, so, so important. We’ve set up a tool on our website to make it super easy to get registered. Once you’re done registering, make sure all your family and friends are registered, too!

→ Find your local Indivisible Group now. Building power starts on your home turf. Get connected to your local Indivisible leaders to get engaged and get ready to take back Congress on November 6!

In 2017, we changed politics. In 2018, we can change elections. Let’s get to work!

In solidarity,
The Indivisible Team

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Seattle Salmon Cannon Going Global

03/03/2018 Nativegrl77

Left to Right: Vince Bryan III, CEO of Whooshh; Sharon Sappington, SBDC export advisor; Brian Kraft, WSU assistant vice president for Innovation and Research Engagement; and Duane Fladland, state director of the Washington SBDC

Whooshh Innovations, creator of the so-called Salmon Cannon, was highlighted at the America’s Small Business Development Center’s Client Showcase on Capitol Hill last week.

Whooshh is a Seattle-based company headed by CEO Vince Bryan III that developed an innovative system that transports fish around barriers – including major hydropower dams – safely, efficiently and at less cost than traditional fish ladders.

According to Bryan, the Whooshh fish transport system is better for the health of fish populations than traditional fish ladders, but U.S. regulations intended to protect U.S. waterways make it difficult for new technology to gain approval. Bryan indicated that Europe has a faster approval process.

In early 2017 Whooshh executives began meeting with Sharon Sappington, the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) export adviser based in Everett, for assistance on developing export and domestic strategies.

When Sappington learned of the challenges Whooshh was facing in the United States, she initiated a significant research project with the Washington SBDC Market Intelligence Research program to identify potential markets.

Thanks to the assistance from Washington SBDC, Whooshh continues to explore and develop new market opportunities for the Salmon Cannon both domestically and internationally.

“It’s extremely difficult for an entrepreneur to reach commercial viability with disruptive technology such as Whooshh fish transport because there is no existing market for the product,” Bryan said. “That’s why the no-cost services of the SBDC are so crucial.”

SBA Seattle District Office

updates.sba.gov

So, What do you think about this? does it hurt or help tribal land or encroach upon it and the health of our water ways ? -Nativegrl77

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

workingwa.org ~ Working Washington … extra extra

03/02/2018 Nativegrl77

We are Working Washington

We’re two months into 2018. The groundhog saw its shadow, you have to check to see if the mountain passes are going to be closed for snow, and we’re sharing what we’ve accomplished so far.

Click here or click the gif below to check it out!