Tag Archives: New Jersey

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Policing School Districts: The New Separate but Equal


In our last correspondence we received an overwhelming response to the Op-Ed articles about the struggles between traditional public and charter schools being housed in the same facilities. Your responses show that you are fully aware that the issues surrounding barriers to quality education are multifaceted at best. Our current blog discusses problems faced by parents who have attempted to place their children in better neighboring school districts. Share your feedback and respond to other responses posted.

Policing School Districts: The New Separate but Equal

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The Black Institute

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UPDATE: Scott Walker vs. Planned Parenthood


Amazing! Thanks to DFA members like you, we raised more than $40,000 from 1,479 people in less than a day to fuel our campaign to recall these six anti-middle class Wisconsin Republican Senators.

We’re going to win this campaign in Wisconsin exactly because we have that kind of people-power backing us up. We don’t take big corporate contributions. We’re fueled from small contributions from thousands of members across the country — and we need your support now more than ever.

We’re almost there. We’ve already started hiring organizers on the ground in Wisconsin Senate District 32. Now we need to raise another $25,000 so we can start hiring on Monday in two more key districts. Can you put us over the top?

Please contribute $10 right now so we can start hiring organizers in Wisconsin on Monday.    http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/859?akid=1030.1480546.P7JOcu&t=1

This is our biggest field program ever — with over 35 paid staff on the ground — and we can’t do it without your support.

Thank you for everything you do.

-Kristina

Kristina Powell, Finance Director
Democracy for America

P.S. I wanted to include Jim’s original message below in case you missed it.

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

This is it, folks. DFA’s campaign to recall six anti-union, anti-middle class Wisconsin Republican Senators is almost ready to go and it’s the biggest campaign we’ve ever run.

We’re going to be on the air with new hard-hitting television, radio and web ads against these six Republicans for their votes to destroy unions and middle-class families.

We’re going to be on the ground with a massive canvassing operation that will knock on 137,523 doors in 40 days. DFA Deputy Field Director Nick Passanante is on the ground right now hiring staff for our biggest-ever ground campaign.

And we’re going to be on the phones. That’s right, we’re bringing back our hugely successful Call Out The Vote program with our friends at the PCCC — plugging in thousands of volunteers from across the country to make calls to voters in Wisconsin.

We’re putting together a grassroots campaign because people-power is the only thing that can beat big corporate money — it’s the only thing that ever has. But we can’t do it without you.

Please contribute $10 right now to fuel our biggest campaign ever and fight back in the war on working families.  http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/859?akid=1030.1480546.P7JOcu&t=2

These six Republican senators reminded us last week exactly what’s at stake when they voted lockstep with right-wing Gov. Scott Walker to defund Planned Parenthood — another attack in the Republican war on middle class families.

Wisconsin isn’t the only state where right-wing Republicans have launched all-out war on middle class families and we’re working right now to organize volunteers in New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio and all across the country. But Wisconsin is the first state where we have a chance to go to the polls and recall Republicans.

The Wisconsin recall is our biggest campaign ever — and it’s only the beginning. Join us now and send a clear message to Republicans across the country — attack the middle class and you lose.

Contribute $10 now to send a message to Republicans everywhere.    http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/859?akid=1030.1480546.P7JOcu&t=3

On the air, on the ground and on the phone — that’s real people power. Please contribute today and we’ll win this fight together. 

Thank you for everything you do.

-Jim

Jim Dean, Chair

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Scott Walker vs. Planned Parenthood


This is it, folks. DFA‘s campaign to recall six anti-union, anti-middle class Wisconsin Republican Senators is almost ready to go and it’s the biggest campaign we’ve ever run.

We’re going to be on the air with new hard-hitting television, radio and web ads against these six Republicans for their votes to destroy unions and middle-class families.

We’re going to be on the ground with a massive canvassing operation that will knock on 137,523 doors in 40 days. DFA Deputy Field Director Nick Passanante is on the ground right now hiring staff for our biggest-ever ground campaign.

And we’re going to be on the phones. That’s right, we’re bringing back our hugely successful Call Out The Vote program with our friends at the PCCC — plugging in thousands of volunteers from across the country to make calls to voters in Wisconsin.

We’re putting together a grassroots campaign because people-power is the only thing that can beat big corporate money — it’s the only thing that ever has. But we can’t do it without you.

www.democracyforamerica.org

These six Republican senators reminded us last week exactly what’s at stake when they voted lockstep with right-wing Gov. Scott Walker to defund Planned Parenthood — another attack in the Republican war on middle class families.

Wisconsin isn’t the only state where right-wing Republicans have launched all-out war on middle class families and we’re working right now to organize volunteers in New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio and all across the country. But Wisconsin is the first state where we have a chance to go to the polls and recall Republicans.

The Wisconsin recall is our biggest campaign ever — and it’s only the beginning. Join us now and send a clear message to Republicans across the country — attack the middle class and you lose.

www.democracyforamerica.org

On the air, on the ground and on the phone — that’s real people power. Please contribute today and we’ll win this fight together.

Thank you for everything you do.

-Jim

Jim Dean, Chair
Democracy for America

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New Jersey – Republicans quietly strip union rights from American Workers


Hundreds of public workers descend on Statehouse to protest proposed changes to pensions, health benefits

• N.J. Democrats are unable to win unions over on proposed benefits deal

• NJEA attacks party bosses over pension and health benefits reform proposal

• N.J. pension reform deal reached between Christie and 4 top lawmakers in Trenton

• Read the pension and health benefits reform bill, tell us what you find

Source: nj.com

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Congress debates&votes: the Republican led House defunds -the Senate deals with S.782


The Senate Convenes at 10:00amET June 15, 2011 
 
  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business until 6:30pm with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each with the Republicans controlling the first 30 minutes and the Majority controlling the next 30 minutes.
  • We continue to work through amendments to S.782, the Economic Development Act. Senators will be notified when votes are scheduled.
  • There are currently 18 amendments pending to S.782, the Economic Development Act:
    • DeMint amendment #394 (to repeal Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act)
    • Paul amendment #414 (to increase debt limit by $2.406 trillion)
    • Cardin amendment #407 (prohibition on interest charges for on-time principal payments)
    • Merkley amendment #428 (mortgage servicing)
    • Kohl amendment #389 (NOPEC)
    • Hutchison amendment #423 (delay implementation of health care reform until pending lawsuits are resolved)
    • Portman amendment ##417 (inclusion of application to independent regulatory agencies)
    • Portman amendment #418 (Unfunded Mandates Reform Act)
    • McCain amendment #411 (prohibit Federal funds to construct ethanol blender pumps/storage facilities)
    • McCain amendment #412(repeal of Davis-Bacon wage requirements)
    • Merkley amendment #440 (Energy Efficient Loan Program)
    • Brown (MA) amendment #405 (repeal imposition of withholding on certain payments made to vendors by government entities)
    • Inhofe amendment #430 (reduce the amounts appropriated for EDA)
    • Inhofe amendment #438 (regulatory assessment)
    • Merkley amendment #427 (technical correction to the HUBZone designation process)
    • McCain 2nd degree amendment #441 (to prohibit federal funds to construct ethanol blender pumps or ethanol storage facilities) to Coburn amendment #436, as modified (to repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit)
    • Feinstein amendment #476 (to repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 15, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

H.R. 2112:
making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes 

8:28 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Foxx amendment no. 1 under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Ms. Foxx.

An amendment numbered 1 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to support any Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative by the Department of Agriculture.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Pingree amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Pingree demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

8:17 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Pingree amendment under the five-minute ruleAmendment offered by Ms. Pingree (ME).

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to provide electronic notifications to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives on travel relating to “know your farmer, know your food”.

On agreeing to the Young (AK) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

8:09 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Young (AK) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Young (AK).

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds made available by this Act to the Food and Drug Administration to approve any application for approval of genetically engineered salmon.

8:08 P.M. – On agreeing to the Kingston amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

8:07 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Kingston amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Kingston.

An amendment to reduce each amount made available by titles I though VI by 0.78.

8:06 P.M. – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole resumed debate on pro forma amendments to H.R. 2112.The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Considered as unfinished business.

8:05 P.M. – The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 15.

5:25 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

5:24 P.M. – The House received a communication from the Honorable Charles J. Fleischmann. Mr. Fleischmann submitted his resignation from the Committee on Small Business. The resignation was accepted without objection.

H.R. 2112:
making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes 

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2112as unfinished business.

On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

5:23 P.M. – Mr. Kingston moved that the Committee rise.

5:22 P.M. – Mr. Lucas raised a point of order against the content of the measure. Section 744 violates Clause 2 of rule XXI and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

5:20 P.M. – Mr. Lucas raised a point of order against the content of the measure. Section 743 violates Clause 2 of rule XXI and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

5:13 P.M. – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole resumed debate on pro forma amendments to H.R. 2112.

5:12 P.M. – Mr. Lucas raised a point of order against the content of the measure. Section 741 violates Clause 2 of rule XXI and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

5:10 P.M. – Mr. Lance raised a point of order against the content of the measure. Section 740 violates Clause 2 of rule XXI and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

5:03 P.M. – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on pro forma amendments to H.R. 2112.

5:02 P.M. – On agreeing to the Stearns amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 436).

4:58 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 435).

4:55 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 434).

4:50 P.M. – On agreeing to the Gosar amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 433).

4:46 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 432).

4:43 P.M. – On agreeing to the Foxx amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 431).

4:40 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 430).

4:37 P.M. – On agreeing to the Gosar amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 429).

4:33 P.M. – On agreeing to the Richardson amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 428).

4:30 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 427).

4:27 P.M. – On agreeing to the Clarke (MI) amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 426).

4:23 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 425).

4:21 P.M. – On agreeing to the Chaffetz amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 424).

4:17 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 423).

4:12 P.M. – On agreeing to the Farr amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll No. 422).

4:08 P.M. – On agreeing to the Sessions amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll No. 421).

4:03 P.M. – MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in honor of those affected by the tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri on May 22, 2011.

4:02 P.M. – On agreeing to the DeLauro amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 420).

3:34 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced the unfinished business was on the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.

3:33 P.M. – By unanimous consent, the Lummis amendment was withdrawn.

3:11 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lummis amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mrs. Lummis.

An amendment to make sundry changes to Section 739.

3:04 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by voice vote.

3:02 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment numbered 7 printed in the Congressional Record to limit the number of motor vehicles purchased to 231, all which must be for replacement only.

2:56 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Stearns amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Stearns demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

2:48 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Stearns amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Stearns.

An amendment to reduce the amount appropriated to the Center for Tobacco Products by $392 million dollars and apply the savings to the Spending Reduction Account.

2:47 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

2:32 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment numbered 6 printed in the Congressional Record to eliminate the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program Grants and apply the savings of $180 million to the Spending Reduction Account.

2:31 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

2:16 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment to reduce the Food for Peace Title II Grants account by $940,198,000 and apply the savings to the Spending Reduction Account.

2:15 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Gosar amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Gosar demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

1:59 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Gosar amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Gosar.

An amendment to reduce the Food for Peace Title II Grants account by $100 million and apply the savings to the spending reduction account.

1:58 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Broun(GA) amendment No. 12, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

1:56 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun (GA) amendment No. 12 under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment numbered 12 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the Foreign Agricultural Service account by $175 million and apply the savings to the spending reduction account.

1:55 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Foxx amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Foxx demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

1:46 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Foxx amendment under the five-minute rule.

1:45 P.M. – Amendment offered by Ms. Foxx.

An amendment to reduce the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children by $82,500,000 and apply the savings to the spending reduction account.

By unanimous consent, the Foxx amendment was withdrawn.

1:40 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Foxx amendment No. 2 under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Ms. Foxx.

An amendment numbered 2 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children by $82,500,000 million.

1:39 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Broun(GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun(GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

1:31 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun(GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment to reduce the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children by $604 million and apply the savings to the spending reduction account.

1:29 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by voice vote.

1:26 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun amendment No. 11 under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment numbered 11 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce Rural Housing Assistance Grants by $20,480,000 and apply the savings to the spending reduction account.

1:21 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Gosar amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Gosar demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

1:13 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Gosar amendment under the five-minute rule.

1:12 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Gosar.

An amendment to increase funding in the Multi-Family Housing Revitalization Program Account and the Rural Business Program account by $100,000,000 and reducing the the Food for Peace Title II Grants account by $100,000,000.

1:11 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by voice vote.

1:05 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun amendment No. 10 under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment numbered 10 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the Watershed Rehabilition Program by $15,000,000 and applying the savings to the spending reduction account.

1:03 P.M. – The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.Considered as unfinished business.

Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on pro forma amendments to H.R. 2112.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 15.

12:34 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 1:00 P.M. today.

12:03 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Pitts to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

12:01 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Phil Hoskins, Higher Ground Baptist Church, Kingsport, TennesseeThe House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 15.

11:23 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:00 A.M. – MORNING HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debates. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.The Speaker designated the Honorable Richard B. Nugent to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.