In Washington, DC, our nation's capital, we have no voting member of Congress, and our local taxes and laws are subject to the control of Congress. This violates every principle of democracy and it is un-American.

Howard Community College is a pillar of Howard County and a key institution for students, parents, workers, families, and residents of Howard County, and the faculty who serve that institution are dedicated to serving that community as well. The full-time faculty at HCC are the people executing the mission of the college, providing high-quality education for our students, and creating community on campus, and they deserve recognition for their commitment to our community in the form of a strong union contract. Faculty have been in the process of negotiating with the college for close to a year and a half and have been met with stalling tactics, unpreparedness by the college, and disrespect from administrators. At the same time, the college is actively suppressing union speech on campus and working to intimidate faculty to prevent them from speaking out. This behavior is unacceptable and in direct opposition of what Maryland and Howard County Legislators intended when collective bargaining rights were given to faculty years ago. The signers of this petition demand that HCC cease their union-busting behavior and treat faculty with respect in order to rebuild the community and recenter the mission of the College.

1. Ensuring Equal Access to Voting The bill addresses a major barrier to voting: access to a valid ID. Many eligible voters, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, seniors, people with disabilities, and individuals experiencing homelessness, struggle to afford the cost of obtaining a REAL ID or upgrading to a REAL ID Driver’s License. By upgrading their current forms of identification to REAL ID-compliant versions at no cost, this bill ensures that these groups can participate in elections without the financial burden of paying for an ID. 2. Promoting Voter Inclusivity Historically, certain populations have been marginalized in the electoral process due to lack of access to valid identification. This bill seeks to level the playing field by ensuring that individuals at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, seniors, and disabled individuals can vote without being excluded due to inability to afford the cost of updating their identification. 3. Supporting Individuals with Disabilities People with disabilities often face additional obstacles in daily life, including barriers to obtaining and updating identification. This bill prioritizes their needs by ensuring they are not burdened with the cost of upgrading to a REAL ID or REAL ID Driver’s License making it easier for them to exercise their fundamental right to vote. 4. Addressing Homelessness Homeless individuals often lack the proper documentation and identification to vote. This bill removes the financial barrier, helping to integrate homeless individuals into the voting process, and giving them a voice in elections. 5. Reducing Voter Suppression Forcing people to pay for ID upgrades creates an unnecessary financial obstacle that disproportionately affects disadvantaged groups. This bill reduces voter suppression by eliminating the cost and ensuring everyone, regardless of their financial status, has equal access to participate in the democratic process. 6. Encouraging Civic Engagement By making the process of obtaining a REAL ID or REAL ID Driver’s License more accessible, this bill fosters greater civic engagement. When citizens are able to exercise their right to vote, they feel more empowered and connected to their communities and the democratic process. 7. Strengthening Democracy A democracy is only as strong as its ability to fairly represent all citizens. By ensuring that voting is accessible to everyone, including the most vulnerable, this bill strengthens the democratic process and ensures a fuller, more inclusive representation of the nation's diverse population.

Why Is This Important? HPRA is about keeping families together and ensuring that long-term undocumented parents of U.S. citizen children are not unfairly separated from their kids. These parents have built their lives in the U.S., contributed to their communities, and yet remain at risk of deportation—leaving their children behind to face emotional, financial, and social hardships. No child should have to grow up in fear of losing a parent due to outdated immigration laws. Why Should Others Join This Campaign? ✔ It Protects Families & Children • Thousands of U.S. citizen children are at risk of being separated from their parents. • Deportation disrupts children's education, mental health, and future stability. ✔ It’s a Fair & Practical Solution • HPRA is not an amnesty program; it provides a structured legal process with strict eligibility requirements. • It supports parents who have demonstrated their commitment to their families and communities. ✔ It Strengthens Communities & the Economy • Allowing parents to stay legally and work helps families achieve stability and strengthens the economy. • Strong, stable families contribute to safer, more connected communities. ✔ It’s a Human Issue, Not Just a Policy Debate • Behind every statistic is a real family, a real child, a real story. • These are hardworking parents who have built their lives here—they deserve a chance to stay and raise their children without fear. How I'd Explain It to a Friend "Imagine waking up every day wondering if your mom or dad will be taken away from you. Imagine your parents working hard, paying taxes, and contributing to the community, yet they have no way to fix their status. That’s the reality for thousands of families in the U.S. right now." "HPRA is about providing a fair opportunity for these families. It’s not about automatically granting citizenship—it’s about preventing unnecessary family separations and allowing parents who have been here for years to live and work legally while raising their U.S. citizen children." "The more people who join this movement, the stronger our voices become—and the harder it is for lawmakers to ignore us."  Learn more about HPRA here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EsP7ijbHGwFqfhi3fk8PP6TJHdh0Yt2f7N69GLKlS5Y/edit?usp=sharing

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, many families in Western North Carolina remain isolated due to the destruction of essential bridges, their only connection to their homes. Temporary footbridges, funded by nonprofits, provided short-term relief but are inadequate for long-term use. Efforts to rebuild permanent structures have been halted due to FEMA's No-Rise Certification requirements. While these certifications are important for preventing future flooding, they require costly engineering studies and lengthy approval processes that many families cannot afford. Among those affected is my own family: my mother has been unable to reach her home except by four-wheeler, and an elderly neighbor battling cancer is stranded with only a footbridge for access. The storm has reshaped rivers and eroded landscapes, making exact reconstruction impossible for many. We urge North Carolina legislators to take immediate action by: 1. Waiving No-Rise Certification costs for families rebuilding essential access bridges. 2. Allocating funding for engineering studies to assist low-income residents. 3. Expediting the permitting process for critical recovery projects. These families need access to their homes, medical care, and resources now. We cannot wait for another disaster to make this right. Join us in calling for practical, compassionate solutions to this urgent issue.

This was an incredibly destructive and dark event in the CalPERS history, to allow pensioners who paid into the CalPERS system for decades to hang in the wind with 63% of their planned retirement taken away.    ·       Contracts were Irresponsible: CalPERS wrote pension contracts with well over 170 public Joint Powers Authorities (JPA).  CalPERS staff wrote these contracts (building growth for the CalPERS fund) never making the JPA Founding Cities responsible for the CalPERS pensions. Without such a provision, the JPA employees had no knowledge of the peril their pension accounts were in.  There was no way the JPA’s would fund their pension accounts in perpetuity.  Developing CalPERS contracts,  without a means to continue pension plan payments, was an irresponsible and horrendous error!    ·       No Social Security: We are/were public servants, who faithfully paid for decades into our PERS retirement accounts, and we deserved our full pensions. Our pensions have been slashed (since 2016) for reasons we had absolutely no control over. Additionally, the majority of us were prohibited from contributing to Social Security (couldn’t contribute to both SS and PERS) so we have no Social Security pensions to fall back on. Many have had to go back to work late in life, and everyone will be working into our 70’s and 80’s and never make up this retire. Ghost Pensioners Included in Termination Fee:   CalPERS has applied absurd assumptions against us, and we are paying the price of “ghost pensioners” who will never be a cost to CalPERS:   1) The ESGVC $18M “termination fee” has been grossly inflated by the CalPERS Actuary, as follows: calculated in the $18M termination “projection”,  are many “ghost pensioners” who are deemed a “potential future cost”.  The “ghost pensioners” are individuals who were never vested in CalPERS to start with, or withdrew ALL their funds from their PERS account (when they left public employment), but CalPERS says they MIGHT come back into the PERS system at some point in their lifetime.  Additionally, CalPERS is applying an interest penalty of 2.8% to the Termination  Fee of $18M, when it is CalPERS' shortcomings that caused this contract to exist in the first place.  Legislators:  Fortunately, for all rest of the JPA employees in the State of California, AB 1912 was passed to assure that what happened to the ESGVC pensioners doesn’t happen again.  However,  AB1912 did not resove the ESGVC pensioners devastation.  ESGVC was excluded from eligibility for AB1912.  

ABC 7 Chicago story that aired on 12/16/24 regarding Andy. https://youtu.be/KstKbAZ4-wQ?si=kAqwB_Szli--yc9K

1. Human Rights: Advocacy Supporting Christopher Hunter’s case is a stand for the fundamental rights of all individuals, emphasizing the importance of compassion and justice within the legal system. 2. Awareness of Injustice: This campaign highlights issues related to unjust sentencing, prison conditions, and the need for reform in the criminal justice system, raising awareness about systemic problems that affect many. 3. Compassionate Approach: Advocating for compassionate release underscores the value of empathy and understanding in our society, promoting a more humane approach to justice. 4. Community Solidarity: By joining this campaign, individuals can demonstrate solidarity with those affected by the criminal justice system, fostering community support and connection around shared values of fairness and compassion. 5. Potential for Change: Campaigns like this can lead to significant changes in policy and practice, potentially benefiting not only Christopher but also others in similar situations who deserve a second chance. 6. Mobilizing for Justice: Collective action can amplify the call for Christopher's release, making it more difficult for authorities to ignore the demands for justice and compassion. 7. Inspiration for Others: Taking part in this campaign can inspire others to advocate for those who are marginalized or wrongfully treated, creating a ripple effect of activism and awareness. By joining the campaign for Christopher Hunter’s compassionate release, individuals can be part of a movement that seeks to correct injustices and promote a more compassionate society.

  Why This Petition is Important In today’s digital age, messaging apps have become a vital part of our daily lives. However, many popular platforms fail to offer the flexibility, customization, and privacy that users truly deserve. GB WhatsApp Pro addresses these shortcomings, providing a next-generation solution that is tailored to modern communication needs. Here’s why this petition is crucial: 1. Enhanced Privacy and Security: GB WhatsApp Pro provides users with advanced privacy settings, such as chat locks, anti-revoke messages, and caller ID identification. This ensures a safer and more secure messaging experience compared to standard apps. 2. Ad-Free Experience: Unlike many apps that compromise user experience with intrusive ads, GB WhatsApp Pro prioritizes uninterrupted communication, making it ideal for personal and professional use. 3. Innovative Features: Features like DND mode, extensive customization options, and dual account functionality make GB WhatsApp Pro an essential tool for users seeking more control over their messaging experience. 4. Encouraging Innovation: Supporting this petition will highlight the demand for advanced features in messaging apps, encouraging developers to focus on user-centric innovation. 5. Accessible to Everyone: With its easy-to-use interface and practical tools, GB WhatsApp Pro is designed for all types of users, from tech-savvy individuals to everyday smartphone users. By supporting this petition, you’re not just endorsing a better app—you’re advocating for the evolution of digital communication. Let’s come together to promote a platform that empowers users with the features and privacy they deserve. 

Children in Congo are descending into a cobalt mines daily risking their lives, so that they have a bed to lay in.  There is an estimated 255,000 Congolese citizens working in these mines.   Cobalt is an essential part of our everyday life. It is used in the batteries in our smartphones, laptops, and electric cars, but the convenience of our devices comes at the expense of the wellbeing of others. After copious amounts of research, I believe by advocating for safer mining practices, and an end to the exploitation of miners we can build a future where we don’t have to benefit from the suffering of others.  Join me on this petition to end the unnecessary suffering of thousands at our expense. 

There is ample evidence that Trump and Vance made false claims about Springfield’s Haitian community which sparked widespread threats of violence and endangered the city’s residents. Prosecutor Driscoll has a responsibility to pursue charges against them as he would if any other person were to inflict open, notorious, and serious crimes on the people and government in Springfield.

We’re living in a time where anti-voter actors can make fiction appear real with artificial intelligence (AI). From hyper-realistic but entirely fake “deepfake” videos spreading disinformation about candidates  to AI-generated robocalls sowing confusion among voters, the abuse of this new technology could be disastrous for our democracy. But here’s the good news: Just this year, Common Cause members like you helped pass legislation protecting voters from deceptive AI advertising in states like New York and Oregon – and with the bipartisan Protect Elections From Deceptive AI Act, we can take these wins nationwide. The Protect Elections From Deceptive AI Act will make all the difference for voters – banning misleading AI-generated audio, image, or video advertisements that aim to influence our elections, and empowering candidates to take swift action against deceptive content.  Add your name to tell Congress: We must push back against deceptive AI in our elections. Pass the Protect Elections From Deceptive AI Act NOW.