It is an embarrassment to the city of Gainesville, education professionals, UF alumni, and higher education that the nation’s #6 public university is fighting against basic human rights. UF's treatment of their employees is garnering national attention. The university has chosen profit over people, consistently refusing to listen to the protests of their employees. In addition to creating an unsafe work environment, the University of Florida is violating workers' rights by refusing a majority of ADA accommodations. Furthermore, these policies are disproportionately affecting BIPOC and vulnerable community members.

Breaking news this evening: Pennsylvania Lawmaker Played Key Role in Trump’s Plot to Oust Acting Attorney General Scott Perry is the lawmaker named. He must resign. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/23/us/politics/scott-perry-trump-justice-department-election.html?fbclid=IwAR30Ni0QoXVHJhI78KOWHu-ynpCYX0bbo1Q-JcupWAVRow9-W5wBWhS7-Hs

While we believe in a free press and that censorship is offensive to democracy, FNC is gaming the system in a way that is demonstrably harmful. The recent political situation has vividly illustrated how many people have been mislead by FNC propaganda. For example, a large number of their viewers have been conned into believing there were election irregularities when none have been proven; FNC viewers are more likely to believe that the threat of COVID-19 isn’t real or has been overplayed; research has shown that FNC viewers are less well informed than viewers of other news channels. It’s also worth noting that OfCom, the UK broadcast regulator, has found Fox’s programming to be in violation of their impartiality rules for news programs. For these reasons and many others, we urge the Senate or the FCC under your oversight, implement ways to counteract the insidious effect of the Murdoch media conglomerate.

On Day 1, the new Biden administration signed an executive order to extend Trump’s broken federal eviction moratorium. Trump’s moratorium was intentionally weak, faulty, and vague, leaving millions of tenants unprotected and allowing landlords to exploit loopholes to continue to evict. It’s far, far, from what we need to address the economic, housing, and health crises we face. As renters and housing advocates across the country, we say: enough is enough. We need an eviction moratorium with fewer loopholes, no debt accumulation, and adequate housing conditions that will create safer conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. And it’s time for the new administration to listen. Will you join us in putting pressure on the Biden administration and demand housing policies that ACTUALLY protect our communities?

We need to get our lives back. We need a plan and a means to execute that plan that will ensure that as many people that want to get the vaccine can as soon as possible. Governor Ron DeSantis needs to accept federal assistance to help Florida get vaccinated.

President Biden unveiled a $1.9 trillion COVID rescue package featuring an expansion of emergency paid leave, providing economic security to nearly 200 million working people, as well as our nation’s long-term recovery from COVID-19. This bill closes the loopholes in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, it provides over 14 weeks of paid sick, family, and medical leave. It also provides a maximum paid leave benefit of $1,400 per week for eligible working people, and extends emergency paid leave measures until September 20, 2021. This couldn’t come at a more urgent time, as Congress allowed the previous paid leave provisions to lapse in December, right as we hit new, devastating peaks in the coronavirus crisis. President Biden’s plan to reinstate and improve emergency paid leave is a critical step to supporting working families while reducing the spread of the virus. Congress must pass President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, NOW!

When Mitch McConnell and the GOP Treason Caucus controlled the Senate, they used every bit of power at their disposal to enact Trump’s dangerous agenda and never held back. Even though Democrats now hold the majority and should be able to govern, the Jim Crow filibuster gives veto power to McConnell and the Republican Party to obstruct any and all attempts at championing progressive change. McConnell currently deploys the archaic and racist filibuster to ensure that no legislation can pass without the support of 10 Republican senators, a nearly impossible feat given that only seven of 50 Republican senators voted to convict Trump even after he incited a deadly insurrection led by white nationalists. We can’t allow Republicans to block progress any longer. We’re not alone in this fight: Senate Democrats understand that Republicans will continue to undermine progress so long as the current filibuster exists. Last week, Senator Dick Durbin spoke on the floor about how the filibuster has "become the death grip of democracy." The archaic tool means that "Senators can literally phone in a filibuster …. Today's filibuster has turned the world's greatest deliberative body into one of the world's most ineffectual bodies." For the first time ever, President Biden came out in favor of reforming the filibuster. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer acknowledged that failing to make bold changes because of the filibuster is not an option for Democrats. Even Senator Joe Manchin expressed support by calling for Republicans to be forced to hold a talking filibuster on the floor. Democratic leaders recognize that the current version of the filibuster must not continue. We need relief and aid, and McConnell and the GOP Treason Caucus cannot be allowed to block such progress any longer. We must end the filibuster now.

Vaccine nationalism—clearing the shelves of the COVID vaccine before low-income countries have a chance to access any shots at all—will prolong the pandemic for the entire world, not just for individuals living in countries with less vaccine access. It is imperative that the United States work to scale up global vaccine manufacturing capacity during this pandemic, so that the world can end this pandemic quickly and be better prepared to swiftly tackle the next one. Learn more here: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/world/2020-12-29/vaccine-nationalism-will-prolong-pandemic https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jan/18/who-just-25-covid-vaccine-doses-administered-in-low-income-countries# https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/15/us/coronavirus-vaccine-doses-reserved.html

Healthcare workers have been on the frontline of the COVID-19 Pandemic. We have worked extra hours, taken assignments across the country to care for everyone during these unpredictable times. Many of us have worked so much that our tax rate will be higher. We were asked by the Government to step up and we have. Now we are asking for FEDERAL TAX exemption in return that will span from 2020-2022.

We must ensure that ever member of Congress is held responsible when they willingly share false information to the public to compell them to implement a coup. If we do not stand firm now, they will do it again and our democracy will fail. Keep in mind, the refusal of the United States government to initiate swift and harsh punishments for those who engaged in sedition and open rebellion after the Civil War allowed for the failure of Reconstruction, the Compromise of 1877, the creation of the KKK and domestic terror, and ultimately Jim Crow legislation, ie state sanctioned apartheid. Never can we allow this to happen again, else risk plunging the nation into another uncivil war. Under Article I, Section 5, clause 2, of the Constitution, a Member of Congress may be removed from office before the normal expiration of his or her constitutional term by an “expulsion” from the Senate (if a Senator) or from the House of Representatives (if a Representative) upon a formal vote on a resolution agreed to by two-thirds of the Members of that body present and voting.

Why is keeping the Art Program at SIC important? SIC has a mission and vision. Southeastern Illinois College enhances lifelong learning by providing quality accessible educational programs, cultural enrichment opportunities, and support for economic development. Our Vision is to be the catalyst for academic excellence, community service, and economic growth in the communities we serve. I’ve heard SIC referred to as a Beacon on the hill. I think that is an excellent example of what SIC is to the communities that are in the SIC district. That beacon is composed of the classes and educational programs we offer. I’ve watched the economic downturn and low enrollment numbers cause the cutting or reduction of multiple programs and classes. The institutional goals of SIC call for a “general education program that creates a foundation for further study and enlightened citizenship.” Art doesn't just teach art; it teaches problem-solving skills, visual literacy, and creativity. It gives them skills to survive in an unpredictable world. With the itinerant nature of employment, the predominance of digital interfaces, and demands of a shifting and unknown work environment, imagination is needed more than ever. You might argue that SIC students will be able to find other classes to satisfy their humanities requirements for associate degrees. While that might be true of some students, there will be many who will find another school or will simply forego college altogether if they do not have access to art classes here at home. The hands-on skills are vital to those seeking vocational paths. If the SIC board votes to cut the SIC Art program the entire southeastern portion of Illinois is affected. It is a rural area but these students deserve access to visual art education here at SIC. For many, SIC is their ONLY option right out of high school especially in this economically depressed region of the state. The administration has cited the financial impact of COVID and low enrollment. I understand this pandemic has caused distress in everyone's lives. This is exactly why we should be committed to providing access to the skills that are essential for thriving and driving growth here in the SIC district. You might be under the impression that a college without an art program will save money by cutting the expense of a faculty salary and the additional expenses related to an art program. This is absolutely untrue and was proven by research conducted by Sauk Valley Community College (SVCC), in Dixon, Illinois, in 2016. This research demonstrated that the drop in enrollment due to the termination of their art program caused an even greater loss in tuition and fees that was financially detrimental to the institution and much higher than a faculty salary and related art department expenses. This research initiated their search for a new art instructor who was hired in the fall of 2016. We need to express to the administration and board that cutting more programs for students is only going to lead to even less enrollment. The amount of cost-saving now IS detrimental to the future of the students and communities we serve and the mission of the institution. SIC needs a Visual Art program.

The United Nations Resolution 194 states: "Resolves that, in view of its association with three world religions, the Jerusalem area, including the present municipality of Jerusalem plus the surrounding villages and towns, the most Eastern of which shall be Abu Dis; the most Southern, Bethlehem; the most Western, Ein Karim (including also the built-up area of Motsa); and the most Northern, Shu'fat, should be accorded special and separate treatment from the rest of Palestine and should be placed under effective United Nations control." The location of the US embassy in the vicinity of Jerusalem, violates UN mandate of special and separate treatment of Jerusalem and is a cause of distress to local people of Palestinian origin.