As Allegheny County Council prepares to vote on the fee increase, U.S. Steel lobbyists are making the case that it is unfair for the company to have to pay perhaps $50,000 for a few such permits every five years.  U.S. Steel earned $2.14 Billion in 2023, spent $1.65 Million on lobbying this year, and pays its 13 board members $175,000 annually.  The fee increase would amount to a fraction of the millions in fines the company pays each year for air pollution violations in what amounts to a “pay to pollute” arrangement. Please sign the petition asking that County Leadership Vote YES on operating permit fee increase

The latest reports estimate this year’s Pentagon budget topline will be close to one TRILLION dollars. About half of that astronomical amount is slated to go straight to contractors, just like it has in years past. It’s meant BILLIONS for companies owned by Elon Musk — and there are BILLIONS yet to be made. Right now, U.S. tax dollars help fund the SpaceX’s Starlink and Starshield satellites Musk created — and he’s turned those profits into the kind of enormous political and social power that include a role in the Trump administration. We all pay a steep price: In just the past year alone Elon Musk has used Starlink to disrupt Ukraine's military communications, leveraged Twitter to undermine democratic discourse across the globe, and created the America Pac, a political action committee where he and his cronies plowed unlimited amounts of money toward Donald Trump and MAGA Republican candidates. Next, Musk may very well be “regulating” the very governmental agencies who award lucrative government contracts to his companies It reeks of corruption — but we’ll need a groundswell of grassroots activism to break this feedback loop in its tracks. The Pentagon is accountable to Congress and the public. That’s why we’re working to send Defense Secretary Austin a message tens of thousands of people strong. Join us.

Over the next four years, roughly 250 circuit and district court judges are, or will become, eligible for senior status. On top of the current and known future vacancies in states with two Republican senators, there is a very real chance that Trump will get to appoint another 200+ lower-court judges. Not to mention the fact that, depending on retirements at the highest level of our judicial system, he will also likely get to appoint at least two more Supreme Court justices.  The effects of this cannot be overstated. We’ve already seen the damage the current Trump justices and judges have unleashed on our civil rights. For instance:  • All three Trump Supreme Court justices were part of the majority in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade. • Judge James Ho (5th Cir.) was part of the Fifth Circuit’s opinion that would have sharply curtailed access to mifepristone, the abortion pill. He also wrote a dissent in the case, where he would have gone even further than the majority opinion in some respects. • Trump’s circuit court judges have repeatedly authored or joined anti-worker opinions, including cases which made it harder to file discrimination claims.   There is a very real possibility in four years' time that a majority of the justices and roughly half of all active lower-court judges will be Trump appointees. This is our last chance to act to confirm judges who will help protect our fundamental rights and serve as the last line of defense to uphold our nation’s laws and the Constitution.

Senate Republicans have chosen Senator John Thune to lead them next Congress. And much like his predecessor, Senator Mitch McConnell, one main “qualification” for the job comes at all of our expense: raking in millions of dollars in Big Money donations. That’s right: the incoming Senate Majority Leader built his candidacy around raising $31 million for the GOP this cycle and setting a new record for the largest transfer of money from his personal campaign to other Senate Republicans.  But Thune hardly stands out – in order to be serious contenders, Thune and the other Senators running had to prove they could keep the campaign cash flowing from the fossil fuel industry, big banks, private health insurers, and other special interests. • A primary selling point for Senator John Cornyn was raising over $400 million for the GOP in his career, including $33 million this cycle.  • And Senator Rick Scott, who’s also independently rich after co-founding the nation's largest for-profit healthcare company, is a leading advocate for essentially ending Medicare and the Affordable Care Act – hardly a coincidence.  • They have big shoes to fill, as Senator Mitch McConnell raised over $1 billion for the GOP during his time as Senate Majority Leader and Minority Leader.  The unfortunate truth is that no matter who got selected, Big Money is the real winner – which means the rest of us lose. Wealthy special interests shouldn’t have this big of a say in our democracy; that power belongs to the people. Common Cause knows this status quo must end – which is why we’re fighting to overturn Citizens United and pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the DISCLOSE Act.   These critical measures would help shine a light on secret political spending, get Big Money out of politics, and establish small-dollar citizen funded elections – giving ordinary Americans a stronger say in our democracy. Join us in calling on Congress to END the Citizens United era and pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the DISCLOSE Act!

President-elect Trump just announced on social media he is nominating election denier and far-right ideologue Rep. Matt Gaetz for Attorney General. If you’re familiar with Matt Gaetz, you already know he belongs nowhere near the Department of Justice, except as a defendant. Here’s what you need to know about Matt Gaetz, and why he simply cannot be allowed to be confirmed as Attorney General: • Rep. Gaetz was one of Donald Trump’s point men in Congress during the deadly January 6th attack – voting to overturn the 2020 election results from the wreckage later that day, and in the months that followed to shield Trump and the insurrectionists he led from accountability. • He’s also an anti-voter extremist – introducing bills to purge eligible voters and even threatening to shut down the government to pass his voter suppression agenda. That’s why he earned a “perfect” score of zero on our 2024 Democracy Scorecard.  • And, his words and actions prove he’s not up to the task of ensuring all Americans are treated equally – he called for violence against racial justice protestors in the summer of 2020, and openly promoted the white supremacist “Great Replacement Theory” the next year.  Attorney General of the United States is one of the executive branch’s most important roles – overseeing the Department of Justice, upholding the rule of law, and enforcing civil and voting rights protections. We already knew the Department of Justice was going to be on Trump’s target list – he swore revenge after they did their jobs and held him to the same laws every other American follows. But Matt Gaetz is, without exaggeration, one of the most extreme choices Trump could have made. We can’t let it stand. Here’s the good news: with a record as tarnished and controversial as Matt Gaetz’s, Senate confirmation is anything but a done deal. We need to speak out IMMEDIATELY to demand Senators put country before party and stop him. Can you add your name today?

At that point, our President will be a person who, in different instances, has been accused, admitted, and even convicted of a sex offense.   His recorded words and actions show the world his moral position, particularly WRT, to younger women.  We can not change that fact.   America has a duty to the world to clarify that this is how, in the past, he has treated people, young women in particular, and that he could treat you if you interact with him — which is why he is included in this specific National Registry.

If you or someone you love is LGBTQ+ on this campus, sign this petition to take necessary steps in making UPG safer and actually inclusive. 

If a felon can be elected to office, as has been demonstrated by recent examples, it highlights the inconsistency in denying voting rights to others with similar records. It shows that individuals with criminal convictions can hold positions of leadership and public trust, which logically should extend to their right to vote and influence policy. The right to vote is a fundamental part of democracy. Excluding felons from voting creates a two-tiered system, where some Americans are denied a voice in the decisions that affect them, even though they live and work in their communities post-incarceration. Denying felons voting rights sends a message that they are not full citizens, which undermines the principles of equality and justice.   Allowing felons to vote supports their reintegration into society by encouraging civic engagement and responsibility. Studies show that when individuals have a stake in their community, including through voting, they are more likely to contribute positively and less likely to reoffend. Felony disenfranchisement disproportionately impacts Black and Latino communities due to systemic issues in the criminal justice system. Restoring voting rights is a step toward addressing these racial inequities, giving historically marginalized groups a stronger voice in policies that directly affect them. Felony disenfranchisement laws date back to post-Reconstruction efforts aimed at reducing the political power of African Americans. Ending these restrictions strengthens democracy by ensuring that all voices, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are included in the political process. In summary, this petition advocates for fair treatment of all citizens and aligns with democratic values. Restoring voting rights to felons not only addresses inconsistencies in our political system but also promotes rehabilitation and community integration, making democracy stronger and more inclusive.

This is necessary to ensure the integrity of our democracy and rule of law.

This is important because in their version of America “We, The People” is no longer relevant. And as an advocate for The People, I can’t in good conscience allow this to happen. And nor should you. This is their intention as per explained by Southern Poverty Law Center in their June 2024 report: https://www.splcenter.org/anti-abortion-movement Elon drove this home with his purchase and manipulation of his social media platform by allowing them to use “Your Body, My Rights” as a campaign slogan promoted there.  Please help stop this. 

Enhanced security measures at stores are crucial for residents of Vancouver, WA, and surrounding communities because they directly impact safety and well-being. Recent incidents of violence have heightened fears among families, making it essential to foster a secure environment for shopping and leisure activities. By implementing stronger security protocols, we can help deter crime, protect our loved ones, and restore confidence in our local businesses. A safe shopping experience not only encourages community engagement but also supports the local economy by attracting more visitors. Ultimately, prioritizing safety will enhance the quality of life for all residents, making our communities a better place to spend time with family/friends and work.

Organizations like True the Vote are waging a war on democracy, challenging the rights of over 850,000 Americans—primarily targeting communities of color and young voters. My new film, Vigilantes Inc: America's New Voter Suppression Hitmen, reveals the alarming reality of armed vigilantes in Texas who have been intimidating voters and creating a climate of fear. In states like Arizona, poll watchers dressed in tactical gear are patrolling ballot drop boxes, turning what should be a safe space for civic engagement into a battleground of intimidation. Meanwhile, in Georgia, True the Vote has purged thousands of voters from the rolls and is poised to challenge millions more nationwide—threatening to disenfranchise enough legal voters to swing election outcomes. This is Jim Crow 2.0.  The Department of Justice must enforce the KKK Act of 1870 to prosecute these brazen acts of voter intimidation, but that’s just scratching the surface. With 44,000 self-appointed vigilantes mobilized to confront voters and a disturbing rise in political violence fueled by disinformation, we need federal monitors on the ground to protect election integrity. The presence of armed groups at polling places doesn’t just undermine public confidence; it puts voter safety at risk and suppresses turnout, as we saw in the 2022 midterms. The Brennan Center for Justice has identified ten states at high risk of disruption: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin. Federal election monitors are essential to ensure that voters in these states—and beyond—are shielded from harassment and can cast their ballots without fear. Attorney General Merrick Garland has made promises to protect election integrity, but now we need action. Voters should not have to dread exercising their constitutional rights. Armed intimidation, mass voter purges, and harassment driven by disinformation have no place in our elections. Sign this petition to demand that President Biden and the DOJ deploy federal monitors at polling stations nationwide and enforce existing laws to protect the right to vote. Our democracy is hanging in the balance, and we must act now.