Tag Archives: New York


	Help Close the Pregnancy Loophole



	Tell your Representative to co-sponsor the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to ensure that pregnant women are treated fairly on the job.

	Call (202) 224-3121 today!

Yes it’s true: In 2012, getting pregnant can still cost you your job.
Thanks to a gap opened between discrimination laws and disability laws by court decisions, some employers are refusing to accommodate even simple requests that help workers maintain a healthy pregnancy.
Here are three startling examples of women who, thanks to the pregnancy loophole, were fired for doing what was best for their pregnancies:

A retail sales associate in Salina, Kansas was fired for drinking water while working because it violated store policy.
A nursing home activities director in Valparaiso, Indiana lost her job because she could no longer lift heavy tables, an activity that took up less than 10 minutes of her workday and with which her coworkers routinely volunteered to assist.
A pregnant truck driver in Tennessee was instructed by her obstetrician not to lift more than 20 pounds and sought light duty work. Her employer terminated her, as it made such modifications only to those injured on the job.

Sounds crazy, right? Unfortunately, thousands of pregnant women are forced to choose between losing their jobs (or taking unpaid leave) and endangering their pregnancies, when just a few small workplace accommodations are usually all that’s needed.
To close this egregious pregnancy loophole, Pregnant Workers Fairness Act was introduced today in the House of Representatives by Reps. Nadler (D-NY) and a number of his colleagues. To give this bill a solid start, we need as many Representatives to co-sponsor this bill as possible.
Will you take 3 minutes to call your Representative and ask them to co-sponsor the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act? Calling is easy to do.

Call (202) 224-3121.
Tell the operator who answers the phone the name of your Representative. (Not sure? Look it up here.)
Once you are connected to the office of your Representative, tell the staff person who answers:
- Your name, that you are a constituent from (city, state).
- I am calling to ask you to co-sponsor the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. It’s time to close the pregnancy loophole and ensure that pregnant women are treated fairly on the job.
- Thank you.
Hang up and ask your friends or co-workers to make a call as well.

Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,

Emily J. Martin Vice President and General Counsel National Women’s Law Center

P.S. Want to learn more? Read the Op-Ed in The New York Times that inspired this bill. And check out a fact sheet on the bill from the National Women’s Law Center.

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New York has a police problem … Emma Ruby-Sachs – Avaaz.org

06/13/2012 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Dear friends across the US,

After being “stopped and frisked” by the NYPD more times than he can count, Avaaz member Tyquan started a petition calling on Mayor Bloomberg to end the racially charged policy. Stand with Tyquan and the over 200,000 people stopped this year alone – sign the petition now:

Tyquan, a recent high school graduate and Avaaz member from Brooklyn, has been stopped, handcuffed, and violently thrown to the ground by NYC police more times than he can count, often with no explanation. Now he’s started a petition asking Mayor Bloomberg to end the police “stop and frisk” policy that is fueling this harassment.
Crime is at a record low, but the practice of “stopping and frisking” primarily black and Latino New Yorkers has exploded by 600% in the last decade. NYC’s Public Advocate recently called for a halt to “stop and frisk” and now a Federal Judge has called the policy a broad abuse of fundamental constitutional rights, allowing a massive class action lawsuit against the city.
But the Mayor has dug in his heels, refusing to fold in spite of the legal ruling. Massive public opinion is the only thing that can end this police policy for good. Let’s stand with Tyquan and bring a national call for justice to Mayor Bloomberg’s front door:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Mayor_Bloomberg_End_Stop_and_Frisk_Now/?vl
Tyquan’s story is hardly unique, in fact, it’s standard operating procedure for the NYPD who have stopped and frisked over 200,000 people just like Tyquan this year alone. Worse, the stops are almost completely arbitrary. Officers cited vague sounding justifications for over half the stops made last year, including “furtive movements” and “inappropriate attire off season.” There’s also no evidence the policy is cutting down on crime – in over 90% of these stops the NYPD makes no arrests, or even issues a ticket. And white men accounted for only 4% of those stops last year.
If enough of us stand with Tyquan we can show Mayor Bloomberg that a growing national outcry demands better of him – and New York. Sign and share now, when our call reaches 100,000 strong, we’ll deliver this petition directly to Mayor Bloomberg at City Hall urging him to do the right thing and halt this reckless policy:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Mayor_Bloomberg_End_Stop_and_Frisk_Now/?vl
As a member, Tyquan has been inspired by the Avaaz community’s work to stop Internet censorship, end deforestation and prevent attacks on women’s rights around the world – now its our chance to stand with Tyquan and lend people-power to the fight against racial injustice and police abuse in New York.
With hope and determination,
Emma, Joseph, Ricken, Andrew, Brant, Kya and the whole Avaaz team
PS: Have you been harassed by law enforcement where you live? Click here to start a petition like Tyquan’s: http://avaaz.org/en/petition/start_a_petition/?ps14480
MORE INFORMATION
Public Advocate to Call for Audit of Stop-and-Frisk Tactic (New York Times) http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/09/nyregion/new-york-public-advocate-to-call-for-an-audit-of-police-stop-and-frisk-tactic.html
NYPD stop-and-frisk lawsuit now class action in victory for civil rights groups (The Guardian) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/16/new-york-stop-and-frisk-lawsuit
In 2011, NYPD Made More Stops Of Young Black Men Than The Total Number Of Young Black Men In New York (ThinkProgress) http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/05/10/481589/nypd-stop-and-frisk-young-black-men/
New NYCLU Report Finds NYPD Stop-and-Frisk Practices Ineffective, Reveals Depth of Racial Disparities (NYCLU) http://www.nyclu.org/news/new-nyclu-report-finds-nypd-stop-and-frisk-practices-ineffective-reveals-depth-of-racial-dispar
NYPD Stop And Frisks: 15 Shocking Facts About A Controversial Program (Huffington Post) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/13/nypd-stop-and-frisks-15-shocking-facts_n_1513362.html?ref=new-york&ref=new-york
Why is the NYPD after me? (New York Times) http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/opinion/sunday/young-black-and-frisked-by-the-nypd.html?pagewanted=all
‘Quotas exist’: Former NYPD Officers discuss the data driven department http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/politics/2012/05/5837828/quotas-exist-former-nypd-officers-discuss-data-driven-department?politics-bucket-headline

Judge rules that millions can sue NYPD over stop-and-frisk (12160.info)

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State Tabacco Taxes – done right it can be a win win solution

06/08/2012 Nativegrl77

U.S. State and Local Issues

State Tobacco Taxes

A Win-Win-Win Solution

Tobacco tax increases offer a win-win-win solution for states, especially as they face a severe fiscal crisis and work to balance budgets while preserving essential public services.

Health Win: Tobacco tax increases are one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking and other tobacco use, especially among kids. Every 10 percent increase in cigarette prices reduces youth smoking by about seven percent and total cigarette consumption by about four percent.

Budget Win: Every state that has significantly increased its cigarette tax has enjoyed substantial increases in revenue, even while reducing smoking. Higher tobacco taxes also save money by reducing tobacco-related health care costs, including Medicaid expenses. States can realize even greater health benefits and cost savings by allocating some of the revenue to programs that prevent children from smoking and help smokers quit.

Political Win: National and state polls consistently have found overwhelming public support for tobacco tax increases. Polls also show that, when it comes to balancing budgets, voters prefer raising tobacco taxes to other tax increases or cutting crucial programs such as education and public safety.

Progress, But More Work to Do

In recent years, almost every state and the federal government have increased tobacco taxes. The average state cigarette tax is currently $1.46 per pack, but rates vary widely from 17 cents in Missouri to $4.35 in New York.

On April 1, 2009, the federal cigarette tax increased by 62 cents, to $1.01 per pack.

Every state and the federal government can achieve significant health and revenue gains by further increasing tobacco taxes. Governments can raise even more revenue — and reduce all tobacco use — by increasing taxes on other tobacco products, such as smokeless tobacco and cigars, to parallel the rate on cigarettes. This discourages all tobacco use.

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Tell WellPoint to Stop Using Healthcare Dollars for Extremist Politics

05/08/2012 Nativegrl77

HCAN Supporter,

Join us in calling on WellPoint to stop using policyholder and taxpayer dollars from Medicare and Medicaid to fund a radical political agenda that’s attacking our families.

WellPoint is one of the largest health insurance companies in the country. It operates as a Blue Cross licensee in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin. More than 30 million of us are enrolled in its health plans.

WellPoint is at the center of secretive corporate funding for extremist political activities. The company has funneled money to front groups to fight health care reform while hindering states’ implementation of the Affordable Care Act and backing the extremist politics of the billionaire Koch brothers.

Join us in calling on WellPoint to stop funding a radical agenda that uses the hard-earned money of policyholders to hurt them and their families.

Thanks,

Will O’Neill
Health Care for America Now

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a message from sen.Barney Frank … Help build a working Washington State!

03/08/2012 Nativegrl77

Last year, New York state showed what a difference a governor can make in the fight for marriage equality.

In 2012, Washingtonians have a chance to elect another governor who will always stand up and fight for equal rights: my friend, Jay Inslee.

Jay is facing a tough race against a well-funded opponent — one whose stance on equality couldn’t be further from Jay’s. With landmark marriage equality legislation making its way through the Washington legislature as we speak, Washington will need a governor who can be counted on to stand up and fight for all Washingtonians’ equal rights.

Will you join me and contribute $5 or more to Jay’s campaign today?

All it takes is a quick look at each candidate’s previous statements to figure out where they stand on marriage equality.

Jay is unequivocal. He says, “I believe in marriage equality,” and that equality for all couples is a “quintessential Washington value.”

And Jay took this principled stand at the very beginning of his campaign for governor — before everyone’s eyes were focused on the marriage equality fight in Washington.

Not Rob McKenna. He thinks marriage equality “threatens to destroy all standards we apply to the right of marriage” and has equated it to polygamy.

As Washington’s next governor, one of these men will be responsible for enforcing Washington’s marriage equality legislation. One of these men will lead a state government that will have to choose whether or not to stand by Washington’s gay and lesbian families when that legislation’s validity is challenged.

Only one of these men can be trusted to take on that job: Jay Inslee.

Join me today and help make sure Washington’s next governor is one who stands on the side of equality and will stand in defense of the progress we’ve made.

Make a contribution of $5 or more to Jay’s campaign today.

As a long-time advocate of marriage equality, the progress we have made across this country in the last few years is inspiring.

We couldn’t have done it without the grassroots efforts of millions of people standing together, and we couldn’t have done it without courageous elected officials who refuse to accept discrimination any longer.

The grassroots momentum for marriage equality is building in Washington. As Jay said earlier this week — “We are standing at the edge of history.”

Now we need to make sure Washington’s next chief executive is one who will champion this movement and fight for us.

Contribute $5 or more to support Jay Inslee and help elect a pro-equality governor for Washington.

Thank you for your generous support of Jay’s campaign.

Sincerely,

Barney Frank
United States Congressman