When Congress slashed food stamps in February, 850,000 low-income families in 16 states plus D.C. stood to lose $90 of food assistance per month. But in a twist befitting the movies, there is still a way we can wipe out those cuts entirely. It's tricky to explain, but the bottom line is this: if a state were to increase its minimum monthly heating assistance benefit to $20 without kicking anyone out of the program, then no one in that state would face food stamp cuts. Three of the 16 states—New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania—have already done this. Executive orders by Govs. Andrew Cuomo, Dan Malloy and Tom Corbett increased the minimum heating assistance in their states to $20 a month, thereby preventing any food stamp cuts from taking place. Every state facing cuts can do this. Sign the petition demanding that Gov. Jerry Brown increase heating assistance to low-income families as a means of restoring their food stamp benefits.

I have fallen in love with Maui, all it has to offer, even it's great dichotomies. I feel strongly about my job here as a public servant and have chosen to dedicate my life to the great youth of this state and nation. Yet, I am single female teacher who is facing leaving island because I can not find a place I can afford for myself and my dog. I have been forced to sleep on couches of friends and coworkers, put my belongings in storage and my dog in a boarding facility. Sadder is the unfortunate comfort that I am not alone. Please help me to bring this to the attention of local law makers and zoning enforcement officials so hardworking, local families and individuals like myself may find some relief.

Michigan's roads are in dire need of repair. Potholes are causing damage to our cars while lawmakers twiddle their thumbs. This is unacceptable. Sign our petition demanding our lawmakers fix Michigan's roads immediately!

The abuse and neglect of dogs has become a world-wide epidemic. The overbreeding, lack of birth control, and abandonment of canines has contributed greatly to this serious problem. I want to see all dogs have a chance at a safe and happy life by solving the problems that we humans have created for them.

I'm a working mother of 2 with a full-time job, but because I'm at 155% of the poverty rate I no longer qualify for assistance—even though someone who isn't working can get full childcare. Monroe County's child poverty rate in the past has ranked as the seventh highest in the U.S. When the need is greater, you're going to spend more money.

We are opposed to overdevelopment of the U Street area. We know growth is desirable but wish to have all future growth comply with current ordinances.

I want the Administration and the Congress to keep their promise to make re-instatement of unemployment benefits a priority as they said they would do late last year. Once again, ordinary Americans are being forgotten in the "recovery" our lawmakers like to rave about. I, and other productive Americans, who were adversely affected by the economic downturn are quickly losing the ground we were beginning to gain with the 'hand up' of unemployment benefits. Yet, the issue has faded from the news and it appears our legislators are hoping no one will notice that they appear to have moved on. I want to bring this issue back to the forefront. I want the Administration and Congress to act on this issue with the same dispatch they have demonstrated in responding to the needs of moneyed corporations and financial institutions. Much damage has already been done to the lives or people who thought this issue would have been addressed early in January. Congress needs to vote to restore unemployment benefits -- NOW!

SSA has never paid for the month a loved one passes away regardless of the date of the passing. If the person passes on the 2nd of the month then SSA should pay benefits through the 1st of the month. If the person passes on the 31st , then they should pay through the 30th. (etc.). My mother passed away on the 31st of the month this last Aug. and the funeral home director told my Sister that SSA 's check would be good as my Mom lived over 2/3'rds of the month. SSA sent the check through and then took the check back!! This check was to help settle my Mom's bills and other medical expenses. Not only did my sister have to pay all that but then she had to pay back SSA. This is wrong! I tried to contact 3 offices about starting a petition and the Government just gave me the run around. Please help me start this petition so that our old folks and their families are treated correctly!

Steve Hall, City Manager Olympia City Council It has come to our attention that Columbia Heights LLC plans to construct a 7 story, 138-unit building with approximately 7,600 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor and structured parking for 121 vehicles. The first public comment period for this project is scheduled to end at 5 pm on March 7th. Although a public notice and letters mailed to property owners notifying them of the proposed project may have been sent out in accordance with OMC Chapter 18.78, there is reason to suspect that it has not been properly followed. In some precursory research we found that the company "Columbia Heights LLC", the company listed on the legal notification, went bankrupt in 2008. The address which is listed on the legal notification is 123 4th ave E, where, presumably the address is 123 4th Ave W, though there is no way to be sure. Furthermore, a significant number of businesses within 300 feet of the exterior boundaries of the assumed proposed site have not received a notice from the city or been given sufficient information concerning the project. In lieu of these facts, and overt inconsistencies in the application process, and taking into consideration the size, scope, and impact of this project we respectfully request you restart the application process with correct and consistent information, and postpone both the Design Review Board and SPRC meetings until you properly follow your legal obligations to the citizens of Olympia. In doing this, downtown residents, workers, local business and property owners will have enough time to assess the impact and understand the implications of this project. Thank you for taking our request into consideration.

Many people have a hard time adjusting to a time change! For some it takes weeks to get back on track. Statistics have also shown that the day following the change accidents and heart attacks increase.

Dave, a father of five children, has been in ICE detention for an unbelievable eight months. He desperately needs your help getting back home! Dave fled his native Jamaica after witnessing a crime committed by a powerful gang. He's lived in the safety of the U.S. for almost two decades now. He has a loving fiancé of 16 years and five wonderful kids. Dave should be at home with them, not in detention! Dave’s children, four of them U.S. citizens and one a permanent resident, depend on him. He's an active member of his church and has strong roots in his community. He's the kind of immigrant America should be welcoming, not expelling! Dave needs your help. If he's deported to Jamaica, he fears for his safety. Tell ICE immigration officials to stop Dave's deportation. He should be here with his family!

Our building complex sits two blocks from the East River in Manhattan and is in a class "1" flood zone. During Sandy we were inundated by flood waters reaching 3-5 feet, inflicting hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage which is home for nearly one thousand residents who are mostly working class families or retirees on fixed incomes. Our co-op is based on Mitchell-Lama laws that ensure it remains working and middle class housing, yet we bore all the costs of this disaster.