My son my daughter and I have all benefited from the excellent education provided by the University of Illinois. Governor Bruce Rauner has now proposed a $387 million cut to all public universities in the state of Illinois. With the state’s consistent failure to adequately fund public higher education, this 31.5% proposed cut threatens access to the quality education our public universities offer. Our students, our state, and our universities cannot afford any more cuts.

I have been an employee at Texas Roadhouse for 11 years. I have done great over the past few years, but, with the change in the economy, I have been unable to meet my minimal bills without struggle. I have worked so hard for this company and feel as though they should pay people a living wage. I'm not asking for more to be greedy; I'm asking for more to survive. Please help our cause.

The Department of Defense recently asked for $585 billion for its operations around the world, totaling half of our discretionary budget. But guess what: The Department of Defense has never – not once – passed an audit of its activities. That’s a real problem, and we’re going to do something about it. Legislation is currently pending to require an audit of the Pentagon’s activities, so you know exactly what you’re getting for your tax dollars. Join us in calling on Congress to pass the bill!

Enough: Laying of a Flower campaign is a nationwide movement, that will start in the Atlanta area; all that’s asked of people in the community is to simply lay down a flower at local police precincts and in front of the White House in Washington, DC.

I love the outdoors and our many and varied natural resources. The more we understand about how natural systems work, the better we can manage them and maintain our quality of life in Wisconsin.

Unexpected awesomeness happened last week: Gwyneth Paltrow, after ending her food stamp challenge, urged people to fight for fair pay & increased access to healthy food through.... MomsRising!!! [1] Gwyneth tried (and failed) to live on a $29 weekly food budget, the average per-person benefit level provided by SNAP (food stamps). Should she have bought seven limes? Probably not ... but the online discussions have created an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of protecting SNAP from further cuts. Thank you, Gwyneth. Help us channel coverage of the food stamp challenge into action on our "Hands Off SNAP” message to Congress. Sign on to MomsRising's petition and message below, which we'll deliver to Congress. _________________________________________ Dear Member of Congress, The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is one of the strongest tools our country has in combating hunger and poverty. I strongly urge you to reject current proposals to make massive funding cuts to SNAP. In addition, I ask that you vote against any measures that would restrict access to the program for qualifying individuals or change the successful structure of the program, including block granting and allowing states to shift funds away from food assistance to other purposes. Forty-six million people—including one in five children, the elderly, and people with disabilities—rely on SNAP to feed themselves each day. Cutting funding or changing the structure of SNAP puts millions of our children and families at serious risk. Moreover, a 2013 USDA study found that SNAP is a key public benefit program, which also serves as an economic stimulus, creating an economic boost that ripples through the economy when new SNAP benefits are redeemed. I hope you will stand up for our economy and families who are struggling to feed their children by protecting SNAP and rejecting any funding cuts or structural changes to the program. Sincerely, [1] Goop, My $29 Food Stamp Challenge—and the Recipes (& Brouhaha) That Ensued

I am starting this petition because keeping Wisconsin's land, waters, and wildlife in pristine condition is so very important.

I feel that we need more qualified candidates running for the office of president in 2016

All of Hawaii's public employees, elected officials and their staff deserve the protections that come from our inclusive non-discrimination policies and they should not lose the protections they have here in Hawai'i when they travel on official business. As well as none of Hawaii's tax-payer dollars should be used to support a state or city that does not have an inclusive non-discrimination policy.

This petition is important so our state troopers have the resources needed to protect the state.

Sign our letter to remind President Obama that seven years ago Iowans embraced his call for change and were the initial boost in his journey to the White House. In 2012, a majority of us rewarded him with our votes yet again, in large part because we understood the difficult economic waters he had to navigate. We are a better country today because of President Obama's stewardship – but it could all be stalled with the fast-tracking of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. He has worked throughout his Presidency to keep the promises he made to Iowans seven years ago. We ask him to continue to keep those promises.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! Melida and her daughter Estrella – who celebrated her 4th birthday in detention -- are asylum seekers from Guatemala who have now been incarcerated for more than 8 months. They are being held at the family detention facility in Karnes City, Texas, where 78 mothers recently initiated a hunger strike to protest prolonged detention and deplorable conditions. Melida also has a 10-year-old U.S. citizen daughter, a sister with a green card, and other family members all living in New York with whom she desperately wants to reunite, but ICE has refused to exercise its Prosecutorial Discretion to release her. Melida’s sister in law was murdered by a gang member in 2012 and her family testified against the murderer. He was convicted, and his family seeks revenge. Melida and Estrella have suffered horribly from more than 8 months in detention. Little Estrella was hospitalized for acute bronchitis and also suffered from acute pharyngitis, ear aches, fevers, diarrhea, and vomiting. Melida was diagnosed with PTSD, adjustment disorder with anxiety, and major depressive episode. For months she has watched helplessly as her child suffered. Melida has been fighting for protection under U.S. asylum law. But her time in detention has been too painful for her and her 4 year-old, and she can’t take detention any longer and is being driven to give up. No mother should have to choose between protecting herself from life threatening gangs or facing detention. Melida’s case exemplifies everything that is wrong with what ICE is doing to asylum-seeking families. ICE has the power to release her but won’t. If Prosecutorial Discretion means anything, it means Melida and Estrella should be released from Karnes. ACT TODAY! Don’t let Melida give up! Tell ICE to exercise Prosecutorial Discretion and release her!