Utah Valley University, and likely others, are claiming that they own 100% copyright to students work regardless if the student used any of the Universities resources or assets. If you submit it for a grade, you are surrendering your copyright. This is wrong, students work hard on their projects and it should be up to them to commercialize it (so long as they don't use University resources). They shouldn't have to go through the University to license their own product and be forced to give 10% (or more) just because they are a student there.

We’re sending around a petition calling for Governor Perry to ask the Chairman of the Texas Finance Commission to step down. Here’s why. The Texas Finance Commission is charged with ensuring that Texas financial institutions, banks, creditors and payday lenders act responsibly and “enhance the financial well-being of the citizens of Texas.” But just recently, William White, Chairman of the Finance Commission, told the El Paso Times that payday loan customers are at fault for falling victim to predatory lending practices -- not the lenders themselves. Payday lending is a real issue for Texans, and we need real solutions to this problem. But Mr. White also happens to be the vice president of Cash America, a large payday lender that has a history of preying on Texas consumers. Can we really rely on him to watch out for our financial well-being at the same time? We can’t stand by as this clear conflict of interest continues. We can end it, but we need your help. Tell Governor Perry to ask William White to resign his Chairmanship of the Texas Finance Commission. Just last month, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sanctioned Cash America -- the same business where Mr. White is vice president -- for providing predatory loans to hundreds of U.S. soldiers and their families. The CFPB ordered Cash America to refund $14 million to their customers, and another $5 million for violating federal regulations. If Mr. White’s company cannot follow laws designed to protect our servicemen and women, how can we trust him to protect Texas consumers? Sign this petition calling for Governor Perry to stand up for consumers. Thanks, Sara E. Smith TexPIRG Advocate

Because I think the Citizens United decision was the wrong decision. Our democracy is based on one citizen one vote. Saying money is speech and opening the door to unlimited, secret, campaign contributions by Corporations goes against this very sacred ideal.

Pensacola, Florida is a thriving city, with forward thinking residents who care about the environment, the economy, and the well being of it's fellow citizens. Pensacola wants to support companies who support their employees and treat their employees with respect and dignity. The residents of Pensacola would like other shopping options besides the likes of Sam's Club and Walmart so that we can embrace the ideology of people receiving living wages for quality work. We don't want to support the Walmarts of the world, but until we have other options, it is difficult to maintain that ideology. We would also love to help Costco build a Green/LEED certified facility here, as many of our residents support eco-friendly building practices.

Now friends, is the time to get our WV Elected Officals on board for a Constitutional Admendment to save our Democracy!!!

The game needs updating. New users would love an updated game that doesn't have as many bugs.

The National Football League is one of the most profitable enterprises in the world. However, it is regularly subsidized by state and local governments to build and upgrade facilities, its lucrative TV deals are exempt from antitrust laws, and, worst of all, the NFL enjoys nonprofit status. You read that right: The NFL enjoys nonprofit status. At a time when austerity measures have forced across-the-board cuts that have slowed our economy, cost us jobs, and threaten even deeper cuts to come, it’s time to stop the public giveaways to the world’s most profitable sports association. Sign the petition to revoke the NFL’s nonprofit status. NOTE: This petition was originally addressed to the IRS, but it has come to our attention that only an Act of Congress can revoke the NFL's tax-exempt status. It has therefore been changed to petition Congress.

The Obama Administration is currently negotiating, in secret, a massive so called free trade agreement called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). TPP leaks indicate that this agreement will greatly empower Corporations by virtually eliminating consumer, health, safety, labor, privacy and environmental regulations. In essence this will be a global Corporate coup. In order to get this through congress President Obama will be asking Congress to approve fast track legislation. We urge all our Congressional representatives, Senators and Representatives alike to vote no on fast track legislation.

Ronald Reagan plugged many loopholes in the Personal Income Tax Code as part of a deal to reduce the tax rate. 30 years later the tax rate is still low but the loopholes have crept back in one at a time under the radar. Instead of giving a reward first and hoping some businesses will actually earn it we should give the reward after the jobs are actually created.

Since 2010 the U.S. along with eleven other Pacific Rim countries have been negotiating in secret a trade agreement with lobbyists representing over five hundred multi-national corporations. This trade agreement will fundamentally compromise our country’s ability to protect consumer rights, worker’s rights, the environment and the power of local communities to implement laws and regulations that are in their best interest. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is nothing more than a blatant attempt to allow multi-national corporations to deregulate themselves in manner which would not be possible using normal legislative processes. Simply put, the U.S. is bargaining away its very sovereignty. To ensure passage of the trade agreement the Obama Administration wants to use the “Fast Track” legislative procedure which requires an up-or-down vote in the Senate with no amendments and with only twenty hours of debate allowed; this, on a trade agreement which will consist of tens of thousands of pages. And Congress is being told to vote to “Fast Track” the trade agreement before they even know what is in it. This lack of transparency and the undermining of our democracy is an outrage and must not stand. Over 150 Democratic Representatives, including eight from Illinois, have signed the Delauro letter to the President stating that they will not support using “Fast Track” on this trade agreement. The Trans-Pacific Partnership is too important to be rushed through the Senate. Fast tract has to be prevented to allow the American public to see what this trade agreement is really all about.

The FDA does not require the labeling of GMO (genetically modified) food products, leaving consumers in the dark about the ingredients in their food. Without knowing, consumers in Texas and across the country regularly consume food that contains GMOs. Most of the food available on store shelves today contains GMOs—and they’re not without risk. For one thing, studies suggest that genetically modified crops require a dramatic increase in the use of pesticides and herbicides, which have been linked to serious health impacts. In addition, there may be other serious dangers, but we just don’t know - there is very little independent research done on the health implications of GMO consumption because the seeds are patented and the companies that own them prohibit their cultivation for research purposes. It’s time that we label all foods that contain GMOs so that consumers can make informed choices. However, some big food manufacturers, along with chemical companies like Monsanto, are spending millions of dollars to oppose labeling. Consumers overwhelmingly want to know what they’re eating, and grocery stores are beginning to heed the call – just last year, Whole Foods committed to labeling. Now, we’re calling on Randalls to side with its customers and label its brands too.

Both air pollution and GHG are increasing, and gasoline use is the chief reason in the US. We have a low cost, cleaner alternative, ethanol, that is being hindered by auto companies reluctance to manufacture new vehicles that can use E-15 (hence increasing our use of ethanol by 50%). This important step forward needs public support and public outcry, especially as we are now beginning to make ethanol from wastes.