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Progressive Radio Seattle


Hi All!

We had a famous local radio guest at our last Progressive Radio Seattle meeting! Following is the response from a Team member who couldn’t be there that I wanted to share:

“Hi. What interesting developments! I’m glad there are radio professionals who feel that broadcast radio is not doomed to irrelevance. My sense is that talk radio can be a means to build community and should be cultivated.

The problem is return on capital. There may not be enough profit potential to entice investors whose only interest is making more (and more) money, but there could be “social returns” that would stimulate donations and memberships from the community.

This means that there is an opening for alternative institutions based on democratic principles. We just need to frame the possibilities correctly, articulate institutional designs, and organize!” – PH, Seattle

We are still working to host a Reunion Event. If you want to help plan the event, and have not yet been contacted please email Julia: Juliachase@comcast.net

Thanks all for hanging in there.  We’ll send out another update soon with some additional information.

Black History, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

CONGRESS ~~~


US Capitol
US Capitol (Photo credit: DC Public Library Commons)
  • The Senate stands in adjournment until 9:30am on Thursday, April 25, 2013.
  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 10:30am with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
  • At 10:30am, the Senate will recess for one hour to allow for a Senators-only briefing.
  • When the Senate reconvenes, the Senate will resume consideration of S.743, the Marketplace Fairness Act.
  • During Wednesday’s session, cloture was filed on S.743.
  •   As a result, the filing deadline for all first degree amendments to the bill is 1:00pm on Thursday.  Unless an agreement is reached, Senators should expect the cloture vote on Friday morning.

 

The Senate has resumed consideration of S.743, Marketplace Fairness Act.

 

Senator Collins asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment in order to call up Collins amendment #744, to provide a limitation on when States may first exercise the authority under this Act.

 

Senator Wyden reserved his right to object and then Senator Baucus objected to the request.

 

The managers of the bill will continue to work on an agreement to consider amendments to the bill. However, if no agreement can be reached we would proceed to the cloture vote 1 hour after the Senate convenes tomorrow.

Senator Coburn asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendments in order to call up the following amendments:

 

–       Coburn #753 (delinquent tax debts and Federal employment)

–       Coburn #751 (charitable organizations)

–       Coburn #767 (duplicative and overlapping programs)

–       Coburn #766 (prohibit presidential election campaign funds for part conventions)

Senator Durbin objected to setting aside the pending amendment and said that he would take a look at the amendments to see if we can come up with an agreement to consider them. Some of the amendments would create a blue slip issue in the House, a situation he would like to avoid.

  Senator Coburn also expressed his intent to call up an amendment regarding the tax exempt status of sport organizations.

Hatch asked unanimous consent that the following amendments be in order to S.743, Marketplace Fairness Act:

 

  • Collins 744 or Collins 771
  • Ayotte 759, as amended
  • Coats 765
  • Thune 764 with GAO study/Thune 778 without GAO study
  • Coburn 753
  • Coburn 767
  • Thune 743
  • Lee 768
  • Ayotte 763
  • Hatch 754
  • Portman 772
  • Cruz 794
  • Coats 797
  • Portman 792
  • Paul 755
  • Cruz 799
  • Ayotte 776

 That there be up to 1 hour for debate equally divided on each amendment prior to a vote in relation to the amendment.

 Senator Durbin objected.

 The managers of the bill continue to work on an agreement to consider amendments in an effort to complete action on the bill.

Senator Durbin asked unanimous consent the pending Enzi amendment be set aside and it be in order for the following amendments to be called up:

 

–       Collins-King #771 (provides a limitation on when States may first exercise the authority under this Act)

–       Pryor-Blunt #740 (extends for 10 years the moratorium on taxes on internet access and multiple and discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce imposed by the Internet Freedom Act)

–       Hatch #754 (strikes the preemption provision, to sunset the authority under the Act, to require a 3-year statute of limitations)

 

That no second degree amendments be in order to any of these amendments prior to a vote in relation to the amendments. That there be 20 minutes for debate equally divided.

 

Senator Wyden objected.

5:36pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.743, the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013

Invoked: 63-30.

 

During Thursday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to Calendar #44, S.601, the Water Resources Development Act of 2013.  The cloture vote will be on Monday, May 6th following disposition of S.743, the Marketplace Fairness Act (the 3rd roll call vote in a series beginning at 5:30pm).

The Senate has reached an agreement to vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #42 David Medine- to be Chairman and Member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board for a term expiring January 29, 2018 at a time to be determined. The details of the agreement are below.

 

At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #42 David Medine- to be Chairman and Member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board for a term expiring January 29, 2018.  There will be one hour of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.  Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Motion to invoke cloture on S.743, the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013; Invoked: 63-30

 

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed S.853, a bill to prevent continued flight delays related to furloughs of essential employees of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and for other purposes. *If the Senate receives a bill from the House that is identical to S.853, that bill will be considered read three times and passed.

 

Adopted S.Res.115, a resolution commending the heroism, courage, and sacrifice of Sean Collier, an officer in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Police Department, Martin Richard, an 8-year-old resident of Dorchester, Massachusetts, Krystle Campbell, a native of Medford Massachusetts, Lu Lingzi, a student at Boston University, and all the victims who are recovering from injuries caused by the attacks in Boston, Massachusetts, including Richard Donohue, Jr., an officer in the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Transit Police Department.

 

Adopted S.Res.116, designating September 26, 2013 as “National Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day”.

 

Adopted S.Res.118, Supporting the designation of April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

 

Adopted S.Res.119, Supporting the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day.

 

Adopted S.Res.120, Supporting the mission and goals of 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

 

Adopted S.Res.121, expressing support for the designation of May 1, 2013, as “Silver Star Service Banner Day”.

 

Adopted S.Res.122, recognizing the historic significance of the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo.

 

Adopted S.Res.123, Congratulating the University of Minnesota women’s ice hockey team on winning its second straight National Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Ice Hockey Championship.

 

Adopted S.Res.124, Legal Counsel resolution regarding Whitnum v. Town of Greenwich memo.

 

Adopted S.Res.125, designating April 30, 2013, as “Dia de los Ninos: Celebrating Young Americans”.

 

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.788, to suspend FY2013 sequestration. (Reid)

 

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed the following items:

 

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Executive Calendar #24 Christopher J. Meade, to be General Counsel for the Department of the Treasury

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Executive Calendar #25 William B. Schultz, to be General Counsel of the Department of Health and Human Services

 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

Executive Calendar #61 Jenny R. Yang, to be a Member of the Equal Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2017

 

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Executive Calendar #89 Karol Virginia Mason – to be an Assistant Attorney General

 

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April 2013
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Last Floor Action: 4/24/13
12:46:50 P.M. -H. Res. 178
DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 178.

Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

 

5:47:44 P.M.   Mr. Franks (AZ) moved that the House do now adjourn.
5:47:51 P.M.   On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
5:47:55 P.M.   The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 26, 2013.

———————————————-

Black History

:::::: CONGRESS ::::::


visitors-memorials-eve

The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Tuesday, April 16, 2013.

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be a period of morning business for one hour with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.649, the Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013 with the time until the recess for the caucus meetings for debate only.
  • The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

The period for debate only on S.649, Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of
2013, has been extended until 3:30pm today. Senator Reid will then be
recognized. The Senate stands in recess until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly
caucus meetings. The Republicans need to have their caucus to discuss if an
agreement on amendments to the gun safety bill can be reached.

The period for debate only has been extended until 5:30pm and Senator Reid will
be recognized at that time. We are still working on an agreement to consider the
first amendments to S.649, the Safe Communities, Safe Schools
Act of 2013. However, no agreement has been reached yet.

The time until 6:00pm will be for debate only on S.649, the Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013.  At 6:00pm, the Senate will recess subject to the call of the Chair to allow for a Senators-only briefing.

When the Senate reconvenes, the Majority Leader will be recognized and another message will be sent.

The Senate has reconvened.

We hope to reach an agreement on amendments to S.649, the Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013 this evening.

We expect votes in relation to those amendments to occur sometime tomorrow.  When an agreement is reached, another message will be sent.

The Senate has reached an agreement for 8 additional amendments to be in order S.649, the Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013.  The Manchin-Toomey amendment #715 (background checks) is currently pending to the bill.  The agreement results in a series of up to 9 roll call votes at approximately 4:00pm on Wednesday, April 17th.  The details of the agreement are below.

It is in order for the Manchin-Toomey amendment #715 to be set aside and the following amendments to be called up:

–          Grassley substitute amendment consistent with the summary which is at the desk;

–          Leahy-Collins amendment #713 (trafficking);

–          Cornyn amendment #719 (conceal carry);

–          Feinstein amendment #711 (assault weapons/clip bans);

–          Burr amendment #720 (veterans/guns);

–          Lautenberg-Blumenthal amendment #714 (high capacity clip ban)

–          Barrasso amendment #717 (privacy) and

–          Harkin-Alexander amendment relative to mental health, the text of which is at the desk.

Following Leader remarks on Wednesday, April 17th, the time until 4:00pm will be equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees, to debate the amendments concurrently.

At approximately 4:00pm, the Senate will proceed to a series of up to 9 roll call votes in the order listed below.  All amendments will be subject to a 60 affirmative-vote threshold. No other amendments or motions to commit are in order to any of these amendments or to the bill prior to these votes. There will be 2 minutes of debate equally divided prior to each vote. All votes after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.

–          Manchin-Toomey amendment #715

–          Grassley substitute amendment consistent with the summary which is at the desk;

–          Leahy-Collins amendment #713 (trafficking);

–          Cornyn amendment #719 (conceal carry);

–          Feinstein amendment #711 (assault weapons/clip bans);

–          Burr amendment #720 (veterans/guns);

–          Lautenberg-Blumenthal amendment #714 (high capacity clip ban)

–          Barrasso amendment #717 (privacy) and

–          Harkin-Alexander amendment relative to mental health, the text of which is at the desk.

The Senate is in recess subject to the call of the Chair.

When the Senate
reconvenes, another message will be sent.

The Senate has reconvened.  S.744, the Border Security, Economic
Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act was introduced.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.98, Honoring the life, legacy, and example of British Prime Minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher.

Adopted S.Res.99, expressing the sense of the Senate that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the United States during Public Service Recognition Week.

Adopted S.Res.100, Commending the University of Louisville men’s basketball team for winning the NCAA championship and the women’s basketball team for being the runner up.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.743, the Marketplace Fairness Act. (Enzi)

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.729, the Disarm Criminals and Protect Communities Act. (Cruz)

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.730, the Firearm Straw Purchasing and Trafficking Prevention Act. (Cruz)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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April 2013
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1 2 3 4 5 6
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14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
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*************************************************************************************************************

Last Floor Action:
8:55:45 P.M. – The House adjourned. 4/15

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 16, 2013.

——————————————————————–

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

mondaish Monday


079 Capitol Hill United States Congress 1993
079 Capitol Hill United States Congress 1993 (Photo credit: David Holt London)

just another rant …

It’s the middle of April , technically spring, the last day to file taxes, but some Americans are still battling snow or summer like temperature while others hear birds chirping and it feels like spring , though if you live on the left coast ….  It still feels like fall.

The weather is like politics …right, seemingly straight forward with designated seasons only to find as the years progress,  little bumps appear that turn into malicious masses and in spite of it those who happen to be addicted to politics like so many wait to see when and where the sequester hammer will fall.   Though the sequester is only about a month old the media seems to have moved on to sizing up how Hillary will do against the various Republicans wanting to be King; I mean President.

If you did not know better and took what the media spews as the truth, it seemed as if we were closer to 2016 than the beginning of President Obama’s 2nd term.  Telling viewers that gun safety legislation was more than impossible and a filibuster was imminent; then President Obama gave a fabulous speech with families of victims of gun violence standing with President Obama in support of better gun safety laws. This led Newtown families to be advocates for their and our futures asking that members of Congress to do their jobs and let the debate on gun reform happen on the floor of the Senate and the first test vote to move forward and debate Gun Reform was taken  on the Senate floor and passed  68 -31. Unfortunately, two Democratic Senators decided to side with Republicans and while gun reform seems like a no brainer to me we should give props to anyone for their bipartisan efforts to move gun laws into the 21st Century.

Now, the media focus still seems to want viewers to accept that nothing positive can be done in Congress and we hear all their skepticism they have leaped frogged from 2016 elections to the pushing public cynicism on all that is on the Congressional calendar.  Yet, this is the time that voters, people who have friend’s family or co-workers fallen victim to gun violence make calls to a Republican member of the House

This week, in Congress the political games are just about to begin; the so-called debates heated and the word filibuster will probably make its way into even the youngest members of our society’s vocabulary, but as Margaret’s Mead said fits …

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. – Margaret Mead