It is estimated that 190,018 U.S. children under the age of 18 experience homelessness each year. One can only imagine how many homeless youth under the age of 25 reside in Texas because extremely limited data exists on this population. As Texans, we care about our homeless youth and believe that our data should reflect this. We encourage you to join us in demanding that the State of Texas produce an accurate report on its homeless youth population. Please show your support for HB 679, which will require the state to conduct such a report. With this information, state and private organizations will be able to more effectively meet the needs of Texas’ poor and homeless youth. For more information on homeless children under the age of 18 please check-out this handout produced by the National Center on Family Homelessness: http://www.homelesschildrenamerica.org/pdfs/2014/TX.pdf

The Kensington, Windsor Terrace, Ditmas Park, Flatbush, and Midwood areas of Brooklyn are the home of a growing population of dogs and their owners. According to the NYC Department of Health, these areas currently have a combination of 19,756 canines. Many of these dog owners take advantage of the designated areas in Prospect Park during off-leash hours. Off-leash areas offer the opportunity for dogs to exercise and interact with other dogs. This produces well­-behaved, non­-aggressive dogs that add a positive aspect to the community. However, many owners are not able to go to the Prospect Park areas for a variety of reasons. Some work during off-leash hours, some are concerned with going to the park when it is dark, and some are unable to walk far from home. The community needs a fenced-in area for unleashed dogs that is able to stay open during the day. We are proposing an area suggested by the Parks Administration to be assigned as a closed-­in dog run, located in a section of the Parade Ground at Prospect Park. These areas would be maintained by the Kensington Dog Park Association, Inc., a group that will review the condition of the area, plan for upkeep along with the Parks Department, and seek funding from a number of sources. The Kensington Dog Run Association was created to generate community involvement toward creating a new dog run. Our association welcomes all responsible pet owners and supporters. Together, we hope to raise the funding and awareness necessary to build the dog run and maintain upkeep. We ask the community for your support to help make the Kensington Dog Run a reality. For more information, please visit www.kensingtondogrun.com

The town board has begun a costly legal battle with the helicopter community and most of the wealthy homeowners in East Hampton. They believe they can use airport funds to fund the battle. These funds are meant for airport maintenance, not to fund the defense of flawed noise data.

I am starting this petition because I refuse to fall for the scare tactics of the wealthiest 1% in our society attempting to turn people in the 99% against each other. This offensive attempt to distract us from the obscene degree of income inequality and wealth concentration is shameful!

This petition is dedicated to balancing the state budget within our means by examining and setting needs priorities for everyone first.

Governor Haley refuses to work with other lawmakers and has threatened a veto on this issue. She thinks it's her way or no way. It's time for lawmakers to act on South Carolina road and infrastructure needs, and it's also time for Governor Haley to start working with our legislators to fix our state's problems.

the Problem Gambling treatment funding has been eliminated from the state budget. IL residents in need of problem gambling treatment can not receive services. Many agencies are closing their programs, and others will not be able to offer services to persons in need.

Measure E was passed in June 2014, allocating $99 million to maintain and improve the LGSUHSD facilities [1]. Although the community voted to pass Measure E, LGHS students nor the community were given the opportunity to provide input on how to allot these funds. The Los Gatos community has been underrepresented in the decision to replace the natural grass on Helm Field with artificial turf. Turf is harmful to the environment, unsanitary, and all around unpleasant to spend time on. It does not have the ability to self-sanitize, so bacteria from people’s blood, sweat and spit, as well as animal feces, sits stagnant, and contaminates the field. Temperatures on turf fields are much higher than that of the surrounding air [2], making turf an undesirable surface on which to exercise or play sports . Turf burns and open wounds are infected by the bacteria in the turf. Evidence indicates that cardiovascular damages are augmented from turf [3]. Concerns regarding natural grass are as follows. 1)Turf allows high frequency use of fields to accommodate the multitude of sports teams. -What we are asking for is a compromise. Keep natural grass on Helm Field and convert all other fields to turf. 2)California is in a drought and water should be conserved. -There are other ways to conserve water. Replacing plumbing fixtures with low flow toilets, water efficient faucets, low flow shower heads, and grey water systems can all contribute to water conservation. Governor Brown is asking for a 25% decrease in water usage. It is achievable despite keeping natural grass on Helm Field; we will already be greatly reducing water consumption by converting all other fields to turf. 3)Maintaining natural grass on athletic fields is expensive. -We suggest saving on utility bills by installing solar panels. There will be a maintenance cost savings even if not all athletic fields are converted to turf. THE GRASS ON HELM FIELD IS ICONIC AND IS CHERISHED BY ALL; WE SHOULD KEEP IT THAT WAY. [1]http://lgsuhsd-ca.schoolloop.com/file/1257795556253/1238131251731/6438291839875242085.pdf [2] https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/outdoors/synthetic_turf/crumb-rubber_infilled/fact_sheet.htm [3]http://www.momsteam.com/health-safety/turf-wars-pros-and-cons-of-artificial-turf

New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the US, more densely populated than China. Already millions of riders use NJ Transit to reach their jobs, events and for mobility without clogging our highways even during months of snow. Green public transit reduces congestion, pollution, and costs for all taxpayers. For example, NJ spent $135 Million for snow removal on roads in 2013-2014 versus virtually zero for Rail, while also allowing people to travel safely despite the frequent snowstorms. We need fare cuts and service restored to 2008 levels not more fare hikes and service cuts.

I'm a transportation planning professional who has lived in the area for many years. I want to continue to see reinvestment in urban environments and a more stable future for the community. In my daily work I grapple with the reality of projected congestion in Chicago and TOD is one of the few direct tools the city has that can help continue to make the city a livable environment! Many other cities in the USA and internationally have fully embraced TOD, while Chicago continues to lag behind. At the same time, traffic congestion in Chicago is among the worst in the nation!

I am a user of the library and have found it very helpful to be able to reserve all sorts of library material such as books, DVDs and CDs from all over the state. The library just recently started a weekly email called Wowbury that lets you know which new material is available.

I have a disabled son, he is now in his thirties. He has been a inspiration to me and family all his life, it would be very hard on everyone concerned if IRIS was eliminated! It is a fantastic program, and has allowed my son to stay at home. Please reconsider the proposal. Thank you.