COVID19 numbers on the mainland are higher than they have ever been so we need access to much more accurate and reliable testing to safely welcome tourists back to Hawaii without a quarantine requirement. Also school starts August 4th and welcoming tourism at the same time is dangerous to teachers and students. We don't yet know what the effect of opening schools will be.

So many of us struggle to pay bills, purchase food or medicine, even survival that we solely rely on that extra $600/week! If they take that away how many people how many children how many elderly will be homeless and on the streets?! Unforeseen events have happened causing millions to lose their jobs how can you expect anyone to live off of next to nothing... With schools starting up in September it’s going to be a disaster without that extra $600, no food, no clothes, no school supplies, no gas to bring them to school!! Americans need that money to survive!

At the June 29th University of Michigan Board of Regents Meeting, a budget that includes a 1.9% tuition increase was approved. We believe this increase is unjustified due to the economic hardships caused by the pandemic, coupled with the amount of university courses being held online. Based on 2019-2020 budgets listed on University of Michigan’s Admissions and Costs webpage, the tuition increase would be equivalent to around: $15,853.60 for in-state lower classmen (an increase of $295.60) $17,854.92 for in-state upperclassmen (an increase of $332.92) $52,172.80 for out-of-state lower classmen (an increase of $972.80) $55,835.09 for out-of-state upperclassmen (an increase of $1041.09). These financial shifts are expected to affect most university graduate programs as well. While seemingly small on their own, these additional amounts in tuition are increases in the total budgets to attend the university. In addition to tuition, students will also see an increase in University Health Service fees, housing fees (for those living on campus), and an additional “$50-per-term COVID-19 fee”. With these additional costs, in-state lower and upperclassmen can expect to pay a total of about $31,351 and $33,352 respectively, and out-of-state lower and upperclassmen can expect to pay a total of about $67,670 and $71,333. President Schlissel says the university is “committed to [doing] our very best to make sure that the COVID-19 pandemic does not result in a lost generation of students who were unable to continue or complete their Michigan educations because of the circumstances we all find ourselves in”. An increase in tuition and fees is a direct contradiction to this statement.

In January of 2019, H.R. 40 was introduced to members of Congress. The bill states its purpose is "to establish a commission to study and develop Reparations proposals for African-Americans" and "submit to Congress the results of such examinations." The Committee found that “as a result of the historic and continued discrimination, African-Americans continue to suffer debilitating economic, educational, and health hardships including but not limited to having nearly 1 million black people incarcerated; an employment rate more than twice the current white unemployment rate; and an average of less than 1/16 of the wealth of white families, a disparity which has worsened, not improved over time.” Now, in the wake of a national health crisis that disproportionately affects the Black Community and the continued public slaughter of Black bodies at the hands of law enforcement despite international condemnation, African Americans continue to be left behind economically. The time is now for this country to pay back the Black community for this economic chokehold. Join me in urging members of Congress to move forward with the findings of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s Committee to Develop Reparations Proposals for African Americans and encourage Congress to demand Reparations for African Americans. Read H.R. 40 here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/40

Phase 2 is not working. Masks are not being worn. In order to stay safe we must go back to phase 1 and reevaluate how to proceed.

Target has been positioning itself as a champion of its employees--getting public praise for supporting diversity and inclusion and increasing wages and benefits in response to the pandemic. But the truth is that those benefits leave out a shadow workforce of tens of thousands of people, many of whom are Black and Brown women, --who power Target's growing and profitable grocery delivery service, Shipt. Shipt has seen demand increase so much that the company has hired 100,000 people in the last few months to keep up, as the COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed how people shop for groceries. Increasingly, consumers are relying on home delivery services, and home delivery service is a major reason that Target's revenue is up during the pandemic. But shoppers working for Shipt do not get the paid family and medical leave they need to care for a sick family member or recover from extended illness. Even for shoppers who get sick, Shipt only offers 50% sick pay for two weeks if they have a positive COVID-19 test or a mandatory quarantine order. Now, Shipt announced that they’re also cutting pay--in the middle of a pandemic. That’s why Shipt shoppers announced that on Wednesday, July 15, they’re going on strike. UltraViolet and PL+US (Paid Leave for the United States) are working together to demand that Target do better. If enough people speak up, we can pressure Target to ensure that Shipt shoppers get the same paid family and medical leave benefits that Target employees receive. Will you sign the petition?

Unemployment levels for young Americans and minority workers are at levels unseen since the Great Depression. Furthermore, the economy is not rebounding fast enough to put millions of formerly-employed workers back to work before federal unemployment benefits end on July 31. Nevertheless, a necessary relief bill will not be enacted in Washington by July or even August. California already has the largest number of homeless workers in the U.S. Failure to provide economic relief will balloon this human disaster into a catastrophe.

Bringing the Pioneer Amtrak route back, making stops in towns like Portland OR, Ontario OR, Boise ID, Twin Falls ID, Salt Lake City UT, and Denver Co would be a major uplifting to potentially 10's of thousands of people who would travel it frequently. Especially during poor weather, and other major events. Bringing the Pioneer back would be a monumental improvement to this region, but would also show that it is needed, by the demand it would have. It would likely be used more in the winter, as the area can see brutal storms. I know many families that would travel it to see other distant family members. Of course you will have a good amount of business people riding, but the real benefits will go to people who may not have the ability to drive. Seniors who don't like driving long distances, big families with small cars, and many more are possible with this line, and this route. And remember, travelling by train is environmentally friendly. Let's bring back the Pioneer!

Explanations for each request: 1. Designated Government Run Quarantine Facilities: On several social media travel groups, people planning to travel to Hawaii have openly stated they will not test as, if they test positive, they may have financial loss (deposits for vacation). Instead, they plan to “quarantine”. There are some realizing that, if enough people opt to “quarantine” at their accommodation, the state of Hawaii will be unable to enforce the 14 day mandate. The state will have to spend money enforcing and chasing down quarantine breakers OR running a designated quarantine location. Our tax money is better spent on a designated quarantine location. This will be more efficient in controlling the spread of COVID-19 and will better keep our residents and kupuna safe. Also this will further encourage people to get tested before they travel. In addition, if a traveler is opposed to testing for fear of positive results and possible financial impact, or because they are hard-headed and don’t like to follow rules then these same people will have little regard for the safety of our residents. Therefore it is unrealistic to assume they will respect quarantine rules and orders. Finally, this would give locals who live here and are returning an easy way to get tested here instead of in another state. We would also prefer that returning residents who are concerned they may be bringing the virus back to their family be given the option to stay in quarantine if they request. This infrastructure would give the residents of Hawaii more control and will decrease the chance of COVID19 spread from travelers. 2. Require 2nd test: While there is no full proof way to allow travel and prevent COVID19, this would at slow and mitigate the spread of infection by catching some of those that were infected during travel. 3. Mandatory Quarantine for travelers from hotspots: There is a much greater likelihood that people from areas that are currently having significant outbreaks will be carriers of COVID-19. If their own states and cities are not allowing them to dine out, and do recreational activities. Why would we allow them to put our community at risk by coming to Hawaii to do those things? We should not have to pay the price of another community’s outbreak.

We are scared, we are angry, we are humbled. We want to contribute, we cannot contribute. We want to have jobs soon, we will not have jobs soon. We didn't ask for this crisis, we didn't know this could happen, we weren't in a position to prepare. We need our system to help at this time where we need help more than ever. We cannot take care of our own? We are your Parents, your Grandparents, your Children, your Grandchildren, your Aunts, your Uncles and your Cousins. We need your help. With COVID infection rates increasing across much of the country and the high potential for at least a future second wave prior to the onset of mass vaccinations, July 31st will not mark a magical date where job availability will all of a sudden rocket upwards. Demand across numerous industries that employ large numbers of workers remains near or at their bottoms and people are still scared to go back to work, facing an internal crisis of consciousness between the need to provide for their families and the need to not put themselves or their families in harm’s way.

Tom Tiffany is not a team player! He is concerned about Tom and what Tom wants ONLY. It is time to get rid of Toxic Tom and protect Wisconsinites. It is time to show FULL Support for the Governor Wisconsinites elected. It is time other politicians respect and work with the man WE the Citizens of Wisconsin elected. Mr. Tiffany is only one example of those who refuse to work with officials that Wisconsinites elected. This is unsafe for Wisconsin. We need a government that works together for it's citizens.

Last year’s $746 billion Pentagon budget was the largest on record — and came at the expense of critical public health, education, and infrastructure spending. And while Congress still can’t agree on extending emergency assistance for families in the face of COVID-19, they’re gearing up to greenlight even more — three quarters of a TRILLION dollars — for the Pentagon this year. Money isn’t everything, but budgets are moral documents that reflect our priorities. And Congress’s priority appears to be funding redundant nuclear weapons, multi-billion dollar off-books spending accounts, and endless wars in the Middle East. No more. Congresswoman Barbara Lee has introduced bold new legislation calling for a $350 BILLION dollar cut to the Pentagon budget. It’s up to us to follow her lead and get Congress on board to shift astronomical funds away from the Pentagon and build true safety and security. Add your name to urge them to pass H. Res. 1003 NOW!