The increasing popularity of e-cigarettes among teens is a public health risk that must be addressed. We need Monroe County to join the 19 localities in New York State that have already raised the purchase age of nicotine products to age 21. Working locally, we can protect our kids and our communities, while encouraging the state to do the same. Here’s why we can’t wait for New York State to act: Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States. Over 6,900 New York adolescents will become new daily smokers this year.1 Despite the US Surgeon General’s warning that nicotine causes neurological damage in young adults and primes youth for future addiction,2 teens are quickly embracing new vaping devices like Juuls and JuNos that are easy to use and conceal, and which contain unregulated nicotine levels. Youth e-cigarette use is strongly associated with subsequent use of combustible tobacco products.3 The health and economic cost of allowing another generation to become nicotine-addicted are intolerable and inexcusable. We ask that you take immediate action to raise the minimum legal sales age for tobacco and other nicotine-based (either natural or synthetic nicotine) products to age 21. 1 https://tobaccofreekids.org/problem/toll-us/new_york 2https://ecigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/documents/2016_SGR_Full_Report_508.pdf 3 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2579858

I have long experience in faith-based advocacy, which despite misrepresentation, is not partisan but is political as elected leaders need to be reminded that priority for the poor and vulnerable is at the core of all faith traditions.

Although each of you represents value in your chosen Equine discipline/industry, we hope you realize that there is strength in numbers and success in unity, as we are all driven by similar passions. If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact Nick Usak.

The Bayer and Monsanto merger would mean that only four companies control the entire market for seeds and pesticides. If the Department of Justice rubber-stamps this toxic mega-merger, it will further entrench the failing model of chemical-intensive agriculture, which is poisoning people and the planet. We need your help to push Congress to hold the Department of Justice accountable to stop this deal NOW!

The GOP’s Farm Bill doubles down on a failing food system that harms our health, decimates soil and pollinators, pollutes our air and water, and accelerates climate chaos. Big Ag and the Republicans are fighting hard to pass this disastrous bill. That’s why it’s so critical that your member of Congress hear from you. They need to know their constituents want to kill this horrible bill and go back to the drawing board to pass a bill that supports a food system that is good for farmers, consumers, and the planet.

The. V.A. Hospitals are specifically set up to meet the medical and mental needs of the combat veteran, specifically the wounded vet like me.

Abdul El-Sayed is a Michigan born and raised physician and public health officer who is running to win the Democratic Party nomination for governor. A long anticipated explicit, xenophobic, Islamophobic, racist attack against Dr. El-Sayed was launched earlier this month. The hate speech did not come from a fringe organization but from Republican candidate for governor Patrick Colbeck. Mr. Colbeck made an unfounded outlandish accusation that Abdul was part of an extremist conspiracy to take over the country. According to Buzzfeed, he made those remarks at an event held by United West. The group has been classified as an “active anti-Muslim group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks the activity of hate organizations. “While it came as no surprise, we didn’t feel any less disgusted,” said Ayman Khafagi, the Vice Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) Progressive Caucus. “We believe that the comments are disqualifying and should not be tolerated.” Kelly Collison, the Chair of the MDP Progressive Caucus added: “We believe that we should stand in solidarity and boycott every entity that continues to associate with Mr. Colbeck. Mr. Colbeck and his like should have no place in politics.” The MDP Progressive Caucus condemns the Republican candidate’s remarks and calls upon all political entities to join us in standing up to bigotry.

Despite some of the most shocking mass shootings in American history, Mike Pence thinks it's a good idea to be a headliner at the NRA's convention in Dallas on May 4. It's scheduled to take place just days after police officers were critically wounded by a suspect at a Home Depot right there in Dallas. It's sad that Pence is so dismissive of the American lives lost in Las Vegas, Sutherland Springs, and Parkland—not to mention the thousands of people killed every month by gun violence. The majority of Americans want politicians to stop gun violence with common sense reforms. But rather than using his platform to advocate for peace and common sense safety, Mike Pence is rewarding extremists in the NRA. Trump, Pence, Ryan, McConnell, and the rest of the GOP seem happy to continue making excuses for gun violence because the NRA throws millions of dollars at their party. Enough! We must hold all politicians to basic standards of decency. Tell Mike Pence to drop out of the NRA's convention and stand with the majority of Americans who want real action to end gun violence.

Prohibiting Short Term Rentals in the City of Mound will take away property owners' rights and ability to rent out their homes to friends and family on vacation. It also takes away the ability to make income from their investment properties in Mound, MN. Short Term Rentals is a thriving industry that is bringing new and exciting ways into how you travel!

On April 26th the Truckee Planning Commission will decide whether or not Grocery Outlet can build a new store across Donner Pass Road from Safeway. Our community has demonstrated repeatedly in the last year that sustainability is a primary concern. This project is a step backward for town sustainability. It is redundant given our current options of Safeway, Savemart, and New Moon, not to mention the approved Raley’s and Railyard grocery stores. How many grocery stores does Truckee need? The project does not increase access to an under-served part of town and congests an already crowded thoroughfare. Nearby residents are legitimately concerned that their once sleepy residential streets will be used as an alternate access route. New projects should make the Town of Truckee more livable, not less.

Because I feel a lot of tension among the citizens every year at the fair.

Trump has destroyed the political norms of our country and it is up to us to be the beacon of what good governance can be. The first step a candidate can do to prove that they are not like Trump is to do what he didn't, release their taxes. Demonstrate to those they want to represent that they have no other interest but to better the lives of those they would represent.