The Legislature on Sunday passed a $156.4-billion budget, approving new funding for preschool, the bullet train and welfare payments. The budget includes a plan for eliminating the shortfall in the teacher pension fund.
For the latest information go to www.latimes.com.
An L.A. County Superior Court judge ruled today that key job protections for California teachers violate the state’s constitution.
The ruling came in a lawsuit challenging laws governing the process for laying off, granting tenure and dismissing teachers.
A Silicon Valley-based group called Students Matter brought the lawsuit on behalf of nine students, contending the targeted laws hinder the removal of ineffective teachers and disproportionately hurt low-income and minority students.
For the latest information go to www.latimes.com.
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Jacob Lavoro is a teenager facing life in prison for baking marijuana brownies in Round Rock, Texas. He’s a young man who has never been in trouble with the law before, and has always been a great kid who we love very much. I started the petition because I live in the same city as Jacob Lavoro and I felt a responsibility to help stand up for him. Our county has a history of excessively punishing minor crimes or even innocent people to “send a message” that has little do with justice or the best interests of the community. In this case, the sentencing rules are being abused and stretched to increase a punishment that does not fit the allegations. The police apparently included the full weight of the brownies: flour, sugar, water, etc and the plastic containers that held them to determine the weight of the illegal hash oil used to bake the brownies. If our petition can convince Jana Duty, the District Attorney in Williamson County, to follow through on her campaign promises to clean up Williamson County’s justice system and offer alternative sentencing options then we hope that there will be justice for Jacob Lavoro and that county residents can breathe easier under a less oppressive atmosphere. If Jacob Lavoro receives a harsh sentence, it will destroy this young man’s life and leave a permanent mark of injustice in Williamson County, Texas. Please join us today to stand up against unfair sentencing and ruining a young man’s life. Sign and share the petition today! |
Sign on to support President Obama’s call to action:
Moments ago, President Obama endorsed the Elizabeth Warren-John Tierney plan to effectively lower student loan debt by allowing people to refinance their loans. Add your name to support the plan:
President Obama just announced TWO pieces of GREAT news:
1. President Obama is taking executive action to expand his “Pay As You Earn” student loan program to up to five million more Americans. That means millions of college graduates won’t be forced to pay more than 10% of their monthly income on student loan bills.
2. President Obama went one step further — he called on Congress to pass the Elizabeth Warren-John Tierney bill allowing graduates to refinance their student loans, and get cheaper rates. The measure is paid for by making millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share of taxes.
You can bet Republicans in Congress aren’t eager to support raising taxes on their billionaire backers — even if it helps college graduates struggling under crushing student loan debt.
That’s why we need to put the pressure on today — a vote could come as soon as this week.
Join President Obama: Help us reach 50,000 strong calling on Congress to pass the Elizabeth Warren-John Tierney Student Loan Reform Bill.
Carmen, click here to add your name >>
Thanks,
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