Hourly employees are protected by law and paid overtime hours if they work longer than 40 hours per week. We need a similar protection in place for exempt employees who many times are pulled in to work 16 hour days non stop because the company doesn't want to hire and pay for the hourly paid help, when they can get the work done 'for free'. This can end up in loss of family, shortened or loss of life, lawsuits clogging the system. Simply put, people who work very hard at what they do, deserve to have time away from work to pursue their own life outside of work, to have regular planned absences from work, vacation time, at least one day off each week as well as compensation for the 'me time' hours given.

This statement also applies to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s corporate education reform policies. We at Teachers’ Letters to Bill Gates and the following signers hereby assume that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation experts are motivated by a sincere desire to improve education. But we fail to understand how your organization has become the national and global arbiter of the means and ends of education in the United States and around the world. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s narrow focus on standardized testing risks turning learning into drudgery and killing the joy of learning. As the Gates Foundation’s national and global push for the Common Core, high-stakes testing, and teacher evaluations based on test scores has led many governments into a national and international competition for higher test scores, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has assumed the power to shape education policy in the United States and around the world, with no debate about the necessity or limitations of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s goals. We are deeply concerned that measuring a great diversity of educational traditions and cultures using a single, narrow, biased yardstick could, in the end, do irreparable harm to our communities, our schools, our profession, and our students. You and the OECD have much in common, Bill and Melinda. Your imposition of corporate reform policies, which are measured using a single, narrow, biased yardstick, are successful in one area only: making a profit for you, test companies, publishers, and the privatizing corporate reformers. Your policies continue to use our children as guinea pigs in your corporate reform experiments and risk doing “irreparable harm to our schools and our students”. We the undersigned reject the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s tight control of education policy. Venture philanthropy’s influence on public education has been all-pervasive and we demand an immediate restoration of democracy in our schools. Divest from corporate education reform. (Note: We will deliver this letter with signatures along with a published copy of all Teachers’ Letters to Bill Gates at the #EducatingGatesRally in Seattle on June 26th. Readers, please send us a note to add your name as a signer. Join us at the rally! ) Sincerely, Susan DuFresne, General Education and Special Education Kindergarten Teacher, Co-Author of Teachers’ Letters to Bill Gates Katie Lapham, NYC public school teacher, Co-Author of Teachers’ Letters to Bill Gates Anthony Cody, NBCT, M.Ed, Retired Teacher of 24 years, Author and Education Blogger at Living in Dialogue Jennifer Rumsey, Parent, High School English Teacher Mark Naison, Professor of African American Studies and History, Fordham University and Co-Founder of the Badass Teachers Association Julianna K. Dauble, M. Ed. Teacher, Activist & Parent Linda Myrick, Teacher, Bellevue School District Kris Nielsen, Parent, Teacher, Activist Keitha Bryson 1st grade teacher – Highline Public Schools Michelle Murphy Ramey Elizabeth Lynch – Public School Teacher, Adjunct Professor, Grandparent, Activist Lance Fialkoff, Founder, Musical Media for Education (MME) Joan Kramer, Retired School Librarian Noel Hammatt Susan Polos, National Board Certified Teacher, Board Member Section of School Librarians, New York Libray Association Kathleen Canavan, M.Ed. Terry Preuss, NBCT, Career Public Educator, Broward Teachers Union Executive Board, Broward County Public Schools District Advisory Council, Concerned American Parent and Citizen Helmut G. Preuss, Concerned Parent, co-founder ABC+LOVE Tracy Eddins, Kindergarten Teacher, Parent and concerned human Cynthia Liu, Parent and Founder, K-12 News Network Rosalie Romano, Educator for a sustainable future with social justice for all Ani McHugh, Parent and English Teacher Lissa L. Coleman, Certified School Dropout Prevention Specialist Leonie Haimson, Class Size Matters Judie Haynes, ESL author, educator and professional development provider Thomas Garrard, Teacher Librarian Amy Walls, Teacher and Parent T. Daniel Brown, Parent, 4th grade Teacher, Grand Ledge, Michigan Susan M. Goncarovs, Art Teacher K-12 and ^0^ Sheri Kittay, Parent and Teacher Karen Glennon Retired Teacher with Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, Master Teacher, author, and parent Krisha M. Allgood, Badass student and Teacher-to-be Ms. Robin Lunt, Parent Sabrina Joy Stevens, former teacher, current public school guardian & Executive Director, Integrity in Education Maria Schrenger, Parent and 1st grade Teacher Marie Corfield, BFA, MAT, Elementary Art Educator, Concerned Parent, Vice President Flemington-Raritan Education Association, Vice President Hunterdon County Education Association http://mcorfield.blogspot.com/ Lesa Aloan Wilbert, M. Ed. Karen Adlum, Trained Professional Teacher, Early Childhood Development/Elementary Education and concerned citizen for our future democracy Robert D. Skeels, public education advocate Becca Ritchie, Veteran Middle School Educator, Education Activist and concerned citizen Mary Reed, 1st grade Teacher Linda Liddell-English teacher Ann Marie Finnen, Music Teacher and Parent Sherm Koons, Teacher, human, Washington County Career Center, Marietta Ohiohttp://hypnohio.blogspot.com/ Jeanne Berrong, California Public Educator Tina Andres, California Teacher and parent Michael Struchen, proud public school English Teacher Jannike Johnsen, M.Ed, Special Education Teacher, parent, and concerned citizen Stewart Bloom, Retired Elementary/Reading Recovery Teacher, Fort Wayne, Indiana.http://bloom-at.blogspot.com Kathleen Jeskey, Teacher, Parent, Grandparent; Oregon Save Our Schools, Oregon BATs Gerardo Barboza, M.Ed. Education Policy Research englishincostarica.org Helen Sadler, Educator Nancy Bailey, Ph.D. former Special Education Teacher and Principal, public education advocate, author and blogger Nancy Bailey’s Education Website athttp://nancye...

As a Marine Biologist and lifelong Maui resident, I am passionate about saving Olowalu because I have witnessed the die-offs of coral reefs all around Maui due to land development. I know the importance of Olowalu for the recovery of adjacent reefs, and we can't afford to lose this reef. My kupuna have taught me that we need to try every day to be great ancestors; this is one of those moments when I feel I must do everything in my power to set the stage for future generations here on Maui.

The Koch brothers are once again attacking our freedom to join together in unions to improve the lives of all working people, and we want them to stop! In my over 20 years of teaching, I’ve seen America’s economy swing out of balance in favor of corporate CEOs and wealthy special interests who manipulate the rules to benefit themselves at the expense of the rest of us. It’s already way too hard for many Americans to get by, let alone get ahead. Now there’s a new case before the U.S. Supreme Court that threatens to make things even worse. A group called the Center for Individual Rights, which the American Prospect recently revealed has been funded by the Koch Brothers, other right-wing one-percenters, and even white supremacists, is trying to make it even harder for public service workers – teachers like me, as well as nurses, social workers, firefighters and others -- to band together at work in order fight for benefits and wages we can use to provide for our families This Koch Brothers-backed group is asking the Supreme Court to impose the same kind of radical agenda we’ve seen hurt everyday people in states like Wisconsin and every state in the country. Worse yet, just like in Citizens United, this all-out attack on everyday Americans would be enshrined in the Constitution. When I began teaching at a California community college in 1992, it never even crossed my mind not to join a union, and it’s a decision I’ve never regretted. We’ve all seen the research showing that strong unions benefit the middle class. Being a union member has allowed me to speak in one voice with my fellow teachers for things that matter and benefit the community – better training, smaller classes, and wages and benefits that can sustain families. But if the groups behind this case get their way, it will be another major blow to the middle class. Tell the Center for Individual Rights: Enough is enough! It’s time to stop attacking working people -- the teachers like me and other public service workers who work to make our communities better. Sign this petition and join us as we tell the Center for Individual Rights that we will not let corporate CEOs and the wealthy special interests stop us from banding together and forming unions to make our lives better. Lacy Barnes, College Instructor, California Federation of Teachers, Local 1533

On October 20, 2014, 17-year-old Laquan McDonald was brutally gunned down by 16 shots from Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke. The murder was caught on police dashboard cameras and security video from the restaurant- which was erased by police. [1] With the release of this devastating video evidence, it is now clear that the police lied and Laquan did not act in an aggressive manner. More than a year later, even with full evidence, Chicago city officials did nothing but reassign Officer Van Dyke to desk duty. But now that sustained grassroots mobilizations forced the city to release the video, they are finally charging Van Dyke- not because they believe in justice, but only because they want to avoid mass outrage. In Chicago, Black women, Black men, and Black youth face extreme levels of anti-Black violence and terrorism at the hands of the police. The city of Chicago has no interest in justice and the US Justice Department has consistently failed to defend Black people from racist attacks by police. That is why we are calling for the resignation of the police superintendent and the state's attorney and calling on the governor to appoint a special prosecutor whose only job is to investigate police killings. In addition, we call for a truly independent investigation conducted by the United Nations and Organization of American States into the violation of the human rights of Black people in Cook county and the city of Chicago. Sources [1] “The video that will rip Chicago apart — and why you need to see it,” The Chicago Tribune, 11-10-2015, http://trib.in/1lk39d4 “Chicago Police Sued for Alleged Police Brutality” ABC 7, 07-09-2015, http://abc7.ws/1TqxzWQ

I just signed this,will you? I am saddened to see the many innocent lives that are spent in prison. A simple test would save so many of these people.

Black students--who pay tuition just like their white counterparts--are leaving the University of Missouri because of active death threats against them. The school is on lockdown, classes have been cancelled, white students are walking around shouting "white power," and bricks have been thrown through windows--all in the wake of the University Chancellor stepping down and the President resigning. At the time, I was unable to find any mainstream media coverage about this incident. Racism is pervasive and threats and abuse are rampant. It's the worst we've seen in years. We cannot afford to live in denial or sit back and wait for others to act! Please sign this petition to help these students get back to campus and prevent further harm from being done. This violates their basic human rights! My petition is calling for the government to publicly address these concerns & to declare a no-tolerance policy on racial threats, slurs and discrimination.

We the undersigned would like to bring your attention to the following problem, with recommendations: John Brooks Recovery Center (JBRC) is a nonprofit agency providing Substance Abuse services to the residents of NJ since 1969. Clients are able to access various levels of care based upon an individual assessment. Psychiatric evaluations, medication monitoring and individualized care are offered to all clients. Medication assisted therapy is also available in all modalities. JBRC is a 119 bed facility located in Atlantic City, providing long term inpatient care. This represents ten percent of the long term treatment beds in New Jersey and the only long term residential facility in South Jersey serving the uninsured general public. The residential treatment programs are for adult men and women whose lives have been significantly impacted by the use of drugs and/or alcohol. The program is 3 to 6 months long depending on the individual’s progress. Originally an agreement was struck to relocate JBRC with Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) picking up the tab—a move that Governor Christie supported; however casinos began to close. Ultimately the CRDA agreed to fund part of the agreement. Under the new agreement JBRC would receive $8.1 million; 4 million for the relocation and renovation of two outpatient sites outside of the Tourist District and 4.1 million for the purchase of its buildings in AC. The construction costs of a new facility to fully replace the 119 beds is approximately $10 million. With the current proposal in place, JBRC would only be able to provide outpatient services (including the methadone clinic). The $8.1 million is really not enough to fund a new facility. Part of the problem is unmet promises by the state to increase the fees for residential treatment from the current $68 per day. If the $68 that is currently being paid is increased it may be possible to obtain a bank loan for the remainder of the funds needed to rebuild with the same capacity. JBRC receives almost all of their funds from the state. The recommendation is to have CEO Alan Oberman from JBRC sit down with state officials and the CRDA to work on a financial solution.

While the inspiring protests against racism on campus led to the resignation of the University of Missouri president and chancellor, that hasn't ended the threat of violent racists. Threats against Black students at Mizzou have actually surged in recent days, including threats to 'shoot every black person I see,' shouts of 'white power,' and even physically trapping cars with Black students inside them. One called in threat resulted in the lockdown of a school building. CNN says these 'reports' of threats have been declared false by police but, at the same time, quietly notes that arrests have in fact been made--meaning the threat is real. Mainstream media is about to walk away from this story, but we can't abandon Mizzou's students right now, just as they're becoming more vulnerable. Let's stand together against violent racism at the University of Missouri.

My son was molested and because he has disabilities and can't be questioned in a court of law by his molester's attorney, this person cant be charged. I need laws to changed to protect our disabled children and adults. If it can be proven that children with Autism or Down Syndrome are incapable of lying, then their statement must be true and should be allowed in a courtroom against their attackers. My son pointed out a puncture and told what happened to him He is eight years old, and because he had autism and can not be questioned in a court of law by his attacker; this person gets to move on to his next disabled child. Please help us have a voice for Jesse.

I am starting this because I feel it is the right thing to do. The Las Vegas Municipal Court has been ripping off the citizens of Las Vegas for years, and it must come to a stop, so please join in and sign this petition so we can let our voices be heard.

The People of Santa Cruz are put through the distressing task of trying to get to the Eastern Main Road every morning, which takes at least two hours in traffic from upper Santa Cruz to the Santa Cruz old road. While we acknowledge that traffic is a nationwide problem, we continue to experience further delays as our roads deteriorate with widening pot holes along the saddle, causing undue stress to those leaving Santa Cruz. This is unacceptable and the people of Santa Cruz are demanding that our roads be fixed immediately. We have lived through months of this distress. The roads are patched poorly and return to their obscene condition shortly thereafter. We have a newly elected government, but the local government body has not changed! We demand attention NOW! This is our democratic right!