Hey everyone, I’m starting a petition to bring phone use back during lunch, and I really need your support. Right now, we don’t have the freedom to use our phones during one of the only breaks we get in the day. Lunch should be our time—to relax, check in with family, listen to music, or just have a moment to ourselves. We’re trusted to use phones responsibly outside of school—why not during lunch? By signing this petition, you’re helping send a clear message to the school board: we deserve to have a voice in the rules that affect us every day. The more of us who sign, the more seriously they’ll take this issue. It’s not just about phones—it’s about fairness, trust, and being treated like the responsible students we are. So if you believe in having that choice back, take 10 seconds and add your name. Together, we can actually make a difference. Thanks for standing up with me!

We veterans, like elected representatives, have sworn an oath to protect and defend our constitution and our nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic.  We still stand by that oath. It is vital that we work together to protect our nation, its constitution, and our democracy.

Here’s why AB 338 matters and why we need your voice: • It provides $50 million for workforce training in construction, healthcare, education, mental health, housing, and emergency services—fields critical for recovery. • It creates immediate employment opportunities for underemployed and unemployed people in affected areas. • It supports mental health recovery by funding the training of professionals to meet rising needs. • It gives access to expedited licenses and certifications so individuals can re-enter the workforce quickly. • It strengthens community resilience and economic recovery, reducing the long-term cost of future disasters. If AB 338 is not passed: • People will continue to struggle to find stable employment. • Communities will face prolonged recovery and economic hardship. • Mental health issues will continue to rise, with few trained professionals to respond.       As MSW students and interns, we have seen clients and communities face systemic barriers that directly impact their well-being and access to essential services. Our educational experiences have strengthened our belief in the importance of advocating for underserved populations to promote equity and improve the quality of life for those we serve. This issue is particularly important to us as future social workers living in California, as this Assembly Bill aims to support the very populations we are currently serving, or plan to serve. Addressing this issue is not only a professional responsibility but also a moral obligation. As future social workers, we’ve all decided to enter this field due to our genuine care about assisting others and wanting to make impactful, positive differences in their lives. We’ve witnessed how policies have the ability to influence the day-to-day lives of the communities we serve, and although policies are ideally created to facilitate progress, there are times when they create barriers as well. This is why this bill is important to us; it is an opportunity to advocate for the individuals we serve and push for meaningful change.

The 2025 wildfires didn’t just destroy homes, they exposed deep systemic inequities and left vulnerable residents without jobs, homes, or access to critical services. As future social workers, we believe recovery is not just about rebuilding structures; it’s about restoring people’s lives, their connections, and their opportunities. AB 338 is crucial because it provides a targeted solution for those most affected by the disaster. The bill would not only help rebuild the physical infrastructure but also offer long-term benefits, such as job training and local employment opportunities, that contribute to economic stability. This will help survivors recover their livelihoods while giving them the tools to rebuild their communities. If AB 338 is not passed, the rebuilding process will face significant delays, and thousands of low- and middle-income residents will be at risk of homelessness, financial instability, and adverse mental health outcomes. Families and businesses need the support of both local and state governments to recover in a way that restores their dignity and independence. By supporting AB 338, we can ensure a faster, more equitable recovery and invest in a California where communities are stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for the future.

One of the most troubling aspects of this situation is the lack of true accountability due to a major governance loophole. The district is a public school system with no military affiliation, yet it operates entirely on a military installation under what amounts to a lifetime lease of the land on which it is built. Because of this, military leadership has no authority over internal district matters, creating a serious gray area that allows district leadership to operate without oversight. Even more concerning is how school board members are not elected by the public—they’re selected by a panel that is essentially assembled by the district’s own leadership. Last year, a highly qualified individual who had been outspoken about holding the superintendent and board accountable was initially chosen for a board seat. However, the superintendent reportedly intervened by contacting a general to have that decision reversed, and was successful. The spots were then filled by individuals more aligned with the superintendent’s interests. This level of control—paired with a lack of external checks and balances—creates an environment ripe for corruption. The district’s leadership is able to maintain power and suppress dissent with little to no consequence, all made possible by the unique and deeply problematic structure of its governance.

Urgent: Seeking Justice for Families Affected by CICP Mismanagement I am writing to draw your attention to a critical issue regarding the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) that demands immediate judicial intervention. As you may be aware, American citizens who filed claims with the CICP currently have no recourse if the Secretary makes a final determination regarding their claims, as stipulated in 42 U.S.C. § 239a(f), which prohibits any judicial or administrative review of final determinations. In an effort to prevent their claims from being permanently barred, our clients have filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. This lawsuit seeks the Court's review of the CICP's application of an incorrect and impossible legal causation standard, which has led to a staggering 100% denial rate for non-vaccine COVID-19 benefit applications. We believe the standard of review should require proof that the administration of one or more covered countermeasures was "a direct cause" of death for our clients’ loved ones, rather than the “sole” direct cause. According to 42 C.F.R. §110.33(a), eligible survivors may receive a death benefit if the Secretary determines that an eligible countermeasure recipient sustained a covered injury and died as a direct result of that injury or its health complications. Unfortunately, the CICP has not adhered to this standard. It is vital that you understand these issues before taking office and replacing Secretary Becerra as a Defendant in the lawsuit. We urge you to take action to rectify the failures of the prior administration. Moreover, it is important to note that members of Congress and civilians have expressed concerns regarding the mismanagement of the CICP, as detailed in the attached letter. They seek clarity on how Congressionally allocated funds are being utilized and how causation is being determined by the CICP. Regrettably, the funds appear to be directed towards administrative expenses and government contractors rather than aiding the victims. The causation standard currently employed is nearly impossible to meet, as it requires proving that the countermeasure was the sole and direct cause of death, despite the fact that all decedents had COVID-19. Citizens were administered emergency-use drugs that were untested and unsafe, and they cannot pursue medical malpractice claims or recover through ordinary means due to the PREP Act. The CICP has proven to be a false promise for these families.  We trust that you will take the necessary steps to correct the wrongs associated with the CICP and provide much-needed closure to the affected families. Justice is imperative, and we appreciate your attention to this urgent matter.

Our children deserve a school system that puts their needs first. Our educators deserve to work in a system where funds are allocated efficiently. And our taxpayers deserve to know how their hard-earned dollars are being spent. Transparency builds trust. It is time for accountability. We urge Stamford’s elected officials to act immediately and authorize an independent audit of the Stamford Board of Education.

Lawsuits On Your Behalf Were Filed Without Your Consent. Taxpayer Dollars at Risk. Your elected officials have filed lawsuits against neighboring towns and the Six Senses project — without informing Rhinebeck residents and without your input. These lawsuits serve the goals of a private opposition group from Clinton — and you’re paying their legal bills. ❌ Rhinebeck residents were kept in the dark. ⚠️ Rhinebeck Town Officials have made no effort to communicate with defendants about their concerns before taking legal action on your dime. ⚠️ Attorney Warren Replansky, who filed these lawsuits on behalf of Rhinebeck, failed to disclose that he also represents the Clinton opposition group's legal efforts which preceded Rhinebeck filing these lawsuits. This is a serious ethical breach. 💸 Rhinebeck is funding lawsuits pushed by a neighboring town group, with no public debate. We, the taxpayers and business owners of Rhinebeck, demand: 🗣️ A PUBLIC HEARING before a single dollar more is spent. 🛑 NO MORE CLOSED-DOOR DECISIONS. New York Consolidated Laws, Public Officers Law - PBO § 105. Conduct of executive sessions: Upon a majority vote of its total membership, taken in an open meeting pursuant to a motion identifying the general area or areas of the subject or subjects to be considered, a public body may conduct an executive session for the below enumerated purposes only, provided, however, that NO ACTION BY FORMAL VOTE SHALL BE TAKEN TO APPROPRIATE PUBLIC MONEYS. ✍️ Sign the Petition. Make Your Voice Heard.

After Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents abducted Kilmar Abrego Garcia, he was illegally deported to an infamous mega-prison in El Salvador — the same country he fled as a teenager because of gang violence. Despite a unanimous Supreme Court order that Abrego Garcia be returned, the Trump administration has refused to act. Instead, they’re stonewalling and causing more harm: His wife and three kids have been forced into a safe house after U.S. officials posted their home address on social media. Experiences like this are becoming horrifyingly commonplace, but cracks in a horrible deportation machine are showing. Trump's immigration approval rating sank 10 points in April. ICE buses filled with people to be deported have turned around. Senator Chris Van Hollen went to El Salvador himself to push for Abrego Garcia’s safe return. After being denied access at CECOT, the notorious mega-prison, he was able to speak with him and confirm that he is still alive. Over the past few weeks, more members of Congress have met with detainees and political prisoners to amplify their stories and fight for everyone’s rights. It’s critically needed leadership, but it wouldn’t have happened without activists like you pushing for it, so let’s keep going. Gratitude can make a HUGE difference in moments like this. A thank you signals you’re doing the right thing. It builds encouragement to do it again. It’s also a uniquely hot commodity — like all humans, when one lawmaker sees another get praise, they want in. If we want to see more actions like Sen. Van Hollen’s, he and other members taking brave action need to hear from you today.

As constituents of Texas’ 31st District, we believe it is vital that our elected representative maintain open, two-way communication with the people he serves. A public town hall provides a forum for dialogue, transparency, and accountability — values that transcend party lines and strengthen our democracy. Many of us have serious concerns about issues that directly impact our lives, such as protecting due process for all Americans and preserving essential healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Whether we agree on every policy or not, we all deserve the opportunity to ask questions, share our views, and be heard. A town hall is not about division — it’s about connection, respect, and being active participants in the decisions that affect our communities.

Just days ago, three U.S. citizen children from two different families were deported with their mothers by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). One of them is a 4-year-old with Stage 4 cancer who was deported without medication or the ability to contact their doctors. Lawyers say the families were taken to an ICE facility in Alexandria, Louisiana, where they were prevented from communicating with their family members and legal representatives and then put on a flight to Honduras. The lack of humanity and due process is shocking and intentionally violent.  Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence in an already broken immigration system that isn’t working for anyone. And it’s becoming increasingly worse and harder to navigate for people under the Trump administration in the past few months.  People are being arrested by ICE, their families ripped apart and their children—regardless of their citizenship— kidnapped and sent to countries they’ve never called home. This is happening right now in our country. And it must stop.  This isn’t about partisan politics. It’s a matter of fairness and basic rights. Trump’s administration and these expedited deportations are violating the rights of both citizens and noncitizens. It’s unacceptable. 

Opposing this dangerous and outright reckless legislation should be a no-brainer for members of Congress.  For years, states have had the power to decide who is too dangerous to carry a concealed weapon in public and where concealed firearms are not permitted.  And while only 21 states require a permit in order to carry a concealed weapon, research shows that these states tend to experience fewer gun-related incidents. In fact, states that passed permitless carry laws saw, on average, a 27% increase in gun homicides within three years of the change, while other states saw less than half that increase during the same time period.  Polls also consistently show that a majority of Americans oppose weakening concealed carry permit laws. This dangerous concealed carry mandate legislation must not pass.