I have worked at Starbucks for 10 years -- going on 11. I am an expecting mother, and I am asking Starbucks to expand its new paid parental leave policy to ALL employees - not just those who work in the corporate office. Last year my son Kai was born, and he died due to complications from delivery after only two days. Starbucks said I wasn’t allowed more paid maternity leave because there wasn’t a baby anymore - I got a total of $140 dollars. You never think something like that will happen to you - and with all the stress and heartbreak, it is so hard to also have to worry about finances instead of just being able to grieve. My husband and I just found out that we’re expecting a baby this summer. And when we heard the news that Starbucks had a new parental leave policy which seemed great - new parents in the corporate office get 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave, plus an additional 6 weeks for birth recovery. But you know what? Expecting parents who work in the stores - baristas like me - are being offered much much less. New moms get only 6 weeks, and new dads and adoptive parents don’t get ANY paid time off at all. Are our babies and families less important than those born to corporate employees? I am asking Starbucks to do what is right by offering the same parental leave benefits to in-store employees as new parents who work in the corporate office. Because my babies need just as much time with me as their babies need with them. I only had two days with my first child. I know how precious every minute is during that early time. I know that every parent deserves the chance to bond with their baby, and that you can’t get that time back. Please, Starbucks, your baristas deserve the chance to be there with their babies, just as much as the staff in your corporate headquarters.

Loved one of an inmate at River North Correctional Center and prison reform advocate.

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has made it clear that any and all immigrants are subject to deportation. Trump has called on local jurisdictions to help carry out his plan and to do that he wants to reinstate the failed enforcement program known as 287(g), an agreement that gives local police some authority to enforce immigration law, and a similar program known as Secure Communities. The Maryland TRUST ACT would put an end to this. The MD TRUST ACT would prohibit law enforcement agencies from collaborating with ICE on civil immigration enforcement, and prohibit the contribution of state or local resources to a federal effort to register people on the basis of protected classes including religion and race.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) has introduced a bipartisan bill to block additional U.S. forces from being sent into Syria. [1] H.R. 1473 prohibits the Department of Defense from funding any attempt by the administration to expand our presence in Syria by putting U.S. combat boots on the ground. Under the bill, the Pentagon would be prohibited from using funds to send troops to Syria for ground combat operations, award a contract to a private security firm for ground activity or otherwise establish or maintain a presence of U.S. troops or a private security contractor in Syria. The bill would allow for exceptions to “protect, rescue or remove” U.S. personnel. “I strongly object to the White House’s decision to unilaterally place U.S. boots on the ground in Syria," Rep. Lee said. "The Constitution is clear: Congress must debate, vote and authorize the use of military force in matters of war and peace." [2] Twenty Members of the House have co-sponsored the bill. [3] Urge your Representative to co-sponsor H.R. 1473 by signing our petition. References: 1. http://thehill.com/policy/defense/323319-dem-seeks-to-block-us-troops-going-to-syria-after-marines-deployment 2. http://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-block-the-deployment-of-ground-troops-in-syria 3. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1473/cosponsors

In 2010, states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed came together under a landmark agreement with the EPA to reduce the amount of nutrient pollution and runoff entering the Bay. We are now seeing positive signs that the Bay is bouncing back, but the Trump White House's Draconian budget cuts are putting this work - and the Bay's recovery - in jeopardy. The Chesapeake Bay is an unparalleled natural resource and economic driver - it's time for citizens across the Bay states to take a stand and urge Trump to continue work to restore this precious ecosystem.

From Huffington Post: U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) has made no secret of how he views people who aren’t white, Christian or American-born. His latest public remark is being critically viewed as a paean to white nationalism by Democrats and Independents ― but not by his Republican colleagues in Congress. On Sunday afternoon, King suggested that Muslim children were preventing “our civilization” from being restored. Here's his Tweet: "Wilders understands that culture and demographics are our destiny. We can't restore our civilization with somebody else's babies." The tweet was in response to a cartoon tweeted out by an account that supports far-right European candidates and platforms. The cartoon depicts Geert Wilders, a candidate for Dutch Prime Minister, sticking his finger in a dam labeled “Western Civilization” to stop a flow of green ooze with stars and crescent moons ― a color and symbols widely associated with Islam.

Gonzalo has not attempted to cross illegally and has not committed any crimes. He filed his paperwork for citizenship almost two decades ago and keeps getting pushed to the back of the line. Let's get this father home to his kids!

I suffer from seasonal affective mood disorder. Along with 25 percent off the state who suffer from mood disorders of some type, I am very susceptible to daylight exposure and changes. I have a very difficult time adjusting my schedule. This is especially true before spring equinox, when switching to daylight time, which forces me to arise before the sun. Utah is farther west in the Mountain time zone, which means we have to wait longer for the sun to reach us. We also have to wait longer in the long summer days for darkness to allow for natural sleep to begin.

It is essential for Americans to know and understand what is happening with their government. Without regular press access it is impossible for citizens to be informed and responsive, and prevent an authoritarian take over of our government.

A Medicare Option would be Medicare in about nearly detail except for how it is paid for. Premiums would be collected which would fully cover its costs just as the insurance company’s premiums cover their costs. However, the Medicare Option premiums would be considerably less as would the deductibles and co-pays. That is because for one thing the insurance company profit and overhead would be eliminated. Secondly, the existing Medicare provider fee schedules are much less than the insurance companies are able to negotiate. Implementation should be relatively easy since the Medicare bureaucracy is already in place and functioning effectively with a high degree of user satisfaction. All existing Medicare rules and regulations would apply, except for the collection of premiums and penalties which still apply as part of ACA. The existing network of Medicare doctors and hospitals would be utilized as the provider sources for the Medicare Option patients. The providers would bill Medicare for their services the same as they currently do for those 65 and over. Optionally, Medicaid could be eliminated as its current patients could also elect the Medicare Option, with the provision they pay no more than currently. Present funding for Medicaid would be transferred to Medicare. ACA’s current subsidies would stay in place to help patients with their premiums as would all other positive aspects of the ACA. Penalties for not participating would remain to encourage participation, whether it is with one of the insurance companies or the Medicare Option. Over time “Medicare for All” would become a reality right before our eyes! Users of every other plan, including those of employers, will want to migrate to the Medicare Option because it will be the most affordable, comprehensive and accessible plan available. It’s a win-win in every aspect for the people of our nation.

The proposed Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Lock Replacement Project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has immense negative impacts for the people of South Louisiana.   •       The proposed lock replacement project will cost tax payers millions and is not economically viable.  Based on existing studies and data; the implementation of the USACE Tentatively Selected Plan 3 (Draft GRR) project no longer makes economic sense and is not justified through economic data and lock data provided by the USACE.   Data Provided indicates reductions in overall tonnage, amount of barges, and number of lockages between 2004-2015 with no proof of projected increase use into the future.   •       The Tentatively Selected Plan 3 construction will cause significant environmental, economic, and cultural damages to our region.  The proposed construction of this project is estimated to last at least 13 years.  Residents, home owners, businesses, and property owners will be the ones impacted most during this period and will be exposed to environmental hazardous materials, vibrations and erosion impacts from pile driving. Construction will delay, if not prevent at times, safe access and transportation across the Industrial Canal without an adequate transportation study review.  This construction period will also halt the ongoing and future completion of significant real estate development projects on both sides of the IHNC.  “Large construction projects, such as the IHNC Lock replacement project, reduce the livability of nearby neighborhoods, reduce aesthetics and interrupt linear recreational opportunities.” (Page 6-30 January 2017 USACE Draft GRR) •       The project has no economic benefits for the residents of this area. USACE has publicly stated, in the Feb 23rd 2017 Public Meeting, that after the potential construction of Tentatively Selected Plan 3, the project will provide no short or long term economic benefit to the surrounding region's home owners, business owners, and residents. •       A New Environmental Impact Study must be done. The USACE must develop and complete a new and Separate Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) using up to date data and review processes.  Instead the USACE has stated it will provide only a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to the Previous 2009 SEIS which is out of date. •       The dredging of toxic chemicals will endanger the eco-system. The USACE Tentatively Selected Plan 3 calls for excavation of approximately 719,000 cubic yards of total dredge material, with 105,000 cubic yards of material containing harmful materials, including dangerous metals, herbicides, pesticides, petroleum hydrocarbons, and other volatile materials.  The dredging of these materials in open water will endanger the surrounding ecosystem and the safety of New Orleans’ city water from the Mississippi River, and furthermore expose residents to unknown toxic levels for an undetermined amount of time.

We all have a stake in the fair treatment of our friends and neighbors no matter their immigration status. People Power ACLU groups all over the USA are planning meetings with their local police and sheriff departments to encourage their support of the following guidelines: #1) The Judicial Warrant Rule: [County/City/State] officials shall require a judicial warrant prior to detaining an individual or in any manner prolonging the detention of an individual at the request of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP). #2) No Facilitation Rule: [County/City/State] officials shall not arrest, detain, or transport an individual solely on the basis of an immigration detainer or other administrative document issued by ICE or CBP, without a judicial warrant. #3) Defined Access/Interview Rule: Unless acting pursuant to a court order or a legitimate law enforcement purpose that is unrelated to the enforcement of a civil immigration law, no [County/City/State] official shall permit ICE or CBP agents access to [County/City/State] facilities or any person in [County/City/State] custody for investigative interviews or other investigative purposes. #4) Clear Identification Rule: To the extent ICE or CBP has been granted access to [County/City/State] facilities, individuals with whom ICE or CBP engages will be notified that they are speaking with ICE or CBP, and ICE or CBP agents shall be required to wear duty jackets and make their badges visible at all times while in [County/City/State] facilities. Protect our friends, families and neighbors’ privacy from the Trump administration: #5) Don’t Ask Rule: [County/City/State] officials shall not inquire into the immigration or citizenship status of an individual, except where the inquiry relates to a legitimate law enforcement purpose that is unrelated to the enforcement of a civil immigration law, or where required by state or federal law to verify eligibility for a benefit, service, or license conditioned on verification of status. #6) Privacy Protection Rule: No [County/City/State] official shall voluntarily release personally identifiable data or information to ICE or CBP regarding an inmate’s custody status, release date or home address, or information that may be used to ascertain an individual’s religion, ethnicity or race, unless for a law enforcement purpose unrelated to the enforcement of a civil immigration law. #7) Discriminatory Surveillance Prohibition Rule: No [County/City/State] agency or official shall authorize or engage in the human or technological surveillance of a person or group based solely or primarily upon a person or group’s actual or perceived religion, ethnicity, race, or immigration status. Help our friends, families and neighbors get redress when abuses and mistakes occur: #8) Redress Rule: Any person who alleges a violation of this policy may file a written complaint for investigation with [oversight entity]. Help ensure our friends, families, and neighbors are protected from discrimination: #9) Fair and Impartial Policing Rule: No [County/City/State] official shall interrogate, arrest, detain or take other law enforcement action against an individual based upon that individual’s perceived race, national origin, religion, language, or immigration status, unless such personal characteristics have been included in timely, relevant, credible information from a reliable source, linking a specific individual to a particular criminal event/activity. Final Note: The Trump Administration has asserted, falsely, that if localities do not help advance Trump’s mass deportation agenda, they are violating federal law. The following rule, which is the only applicable federal law in this area, would help ensure your city, county or town establishes its clear intent not to violate federal law. While not a necessary addition, this rule may be a useful complement to the above policies. 1373 Rule: Under 8 U.S.C. § 1373 and 8 U.S.C. § 1644, federal law prohibits [County/City/State] officials from imposing limits on maintaining, exchanging, sending, or receiving information regarding citizenship and immigration status with any Federal, State, or local government entity. Nothing in [County/City/State] policies is intended to violate 8 U.S.C. § 1373 and 8 U.S.C. § 1644.