This petition is to hopefully HELP our unemployed Americans who so desirably need this extension please please HELP

Many job seekers are without funds and have had to borrow from family or friends to survive. Many cannot pay rent or mortgages, and back debts mount. But, more importantly this is a failure to the thousands of job seeking Americans ( including a high percentage of veterans )who are legally due these funds. The money has been set aside and when released it will immediately flow back into the economy.

Subway has the most locations of any fast food chain, in an industry rife with wage theft, unlivable minimum pay, and CEOs than make over 1,000 times more than their workers.

Conservatives in Lansing are using a political ploy to stop the minimum wage campaign in its tracks. This proposal is yet another attempt from conservatives to subvert the will of the people. It is clear that momentum and public opinion are on our side and they are scared. Sign our petition demanding lawmakers allow the people to vote to raise the minimum wage!

I was laid off my job with a mortgage company in 2008 when the economy began collapsing. For two years I could not find a job anywhere in Los Angeles. Since then I have worked on temporary and short term jobs while looking for a permanent position. Unemployment benefits, temporary jobs and my savings have kept me afloat, but that is all gone now and I may not be able to pay my rent and meet my bills for the first time since the extension benefits ended. I am asking my state legislators to extend unemployment benefits since the federal House of Representatives refuses to do so.

The recent ruling from the MDARD Commission changed the GAAMPS for farms located in residential and urban areas. MDARD says that this is to stop people from raising livestock where people live close together. I see it as townships restricting people, even in Rural Residential areas where agriculture is allowed, but put restrictions on livestock that already go against Michigan Right To Farm Act. Act 93 of 1981. Example: Mt.Morris Charter Township says to have livestock a person must get a NON-COMMERCIAL land use permit in Rural Residential zoned areas. Having a noncommercial land use permit to keep livestock would make a farmer exempt from the protection of the RTFA. But, tilling the land, spreading fertilizer and planting corn is allowed and protected. I personally have 9.77 acres, my son is a active Genesee Co. 4-H member. He is the 2013-14, 4-H Prince. His 4-H projects are chickens, rabbits and horses, along with non-animal projects. I am a 4-H leader and single mom, as well. We are small little farm that wants to raise our own food. I am commercial, as I sell firewood and manure from the farm. My son receives monies from premiums at the fair and the sale of his chickens at fair auction. I know many 4-H children that live in the same township and zoned the same as we are. With this new ruling they would not even be able to own a rabbit. People with chickens that sell "farm fresh eggs" and have 3-5 acres or more as myself will be stopped from trying to make ends meet, in a state that is already hurting. The auto industry has let the people of Michigan and Genesee County down and hurting. Please let us not let the Agricultural industry do the same! Don't think that 4-H or FFA(Future Farmers of America) members have these huge farms located in strictly Agricultural zoned areas. People from urban areas have been moving into the county and rural areas for years. They keep pushing and pushing. Please reverse these new rules the commission has set for the GAAMPS and help us little people out!!! Thank You!! Jackie Kerr

It would change the whole system and make it more representative of the people.

Hobby beekeepers in the suburbs and urban areas keep Michigan in the race to save the honey bee. Small Michigan farmers provide us healthy foods that include fresh eggs and honey products in urban farmers markets.

This is the most effective way to raise the minimum wage. By pledging to vote in upcoming elections in 2014 for candidates who support this progressive strategy to empower American workers, the possibility of passing an increase in the minimum wage is increased. Less people will be dependent on subsidy programs if the minimum wage is increased, plus the increase will begin to solve the inequality problem in the United States.

I am not disturbed by the additional $112 in taxes/year; as a public servant I believe we should all be good stewards of the public's funds and facilities. This $2,000,000 in bond funding is not the best use of public funds when alternatives presented demonstrated a fully functional and safe environment for a fraction of the cost and without a need for a Bond tax measure.

Heating and cooling our homes and offices comprise 40% of total U.S. energy consumption (including two-thirds of the country’s electricity) and 16% of total U.S. water consumption. Reducing energy use in buildings by converting traditional flat tar and gravel rooftops into green areas holds the promise of saving resources and money while reducing pollution and CO2 in the atmosphere through the ability of topsoil to naturally retain and/or dissipate heat. A large part of this program is the mandate that all firms bidding on projects train and employ local labor and that no less than 40% of all contracts go to minority-owned firms, which ensures the project benefits the entire city. Better yet, it can be the first part of “The Green Plan of Chicago,” which includes a volunteer commission of prominent Chicagoans and include a salaried position for a Chicago Green Commissioner.

Nearly one in five Pennsylvania workers would get a pay hike if the minimum wage goes up. It’s time for our government to update the wage floor so people can afford the basics, like food, rent and transportation. Increasing the state’s minimum wage to $10.10 an hour or more would raise the earnings for at least a million Pennsylvania workers, boost the state’s economy and build stronger communities. 70% of PA residents support an increase in the minimum wage. It's time for our elected officials to act on the will of the voters and support low wage workers in our state by raising the minimum wage now!